Day 7

Off to meet Regan and Dean at Stumptown for coffee then, sufficiently recharged, we hit Macy's (again) .... and another pair of shoes :(

We then decide to hit Grand Central Station for some oysters.  On the way I spot a MaxAzria store and decide to do a quick reconnaissance - it was only going to be quick look as everything there is a size 2!  The others decide to wander up a few metres to check out the library saying they would meet me at the front of the store in a few minutes.   After waiting outside the shop for about 20 minutes I finally text .... they have decided to go to an exhibition ... so I decide to go shopping!  Dress, shoes, jumper and shirt .... that will teach them for going off on their own!

Tonight we went to see the Alvin Ailey Dance Co - so much energy - far more than me tonight I'm afraid.

Decs in Macys

Xmas lights in front of Taylor and lord

One of the T & L windows

A selection of oysters at the Oyster Bar - Grand Central

Looking toward Pershing Square and Grand Central

Another view

Day 6 - New York

After a slow start (it's raining lightly today and colder) we set off for Stumptown, a coffee shop located in the Ace Hotel, 18W 29th St ... best coffee so far.  It was then a leisurely stroll back to the hotel via Mango, Zara, Modell's (I bought a pair of Nikes for $41 - bargain!) and a few random shops.  When we arrived back at the hotel it was time for a rest which ended being an afternoon siesta.  :)  Setting off to walk uptown we make it to John's Pizzeria, I am hanging out for a pizza and a red wine.  The queue is long so it must be OK, however next minute the guy comes down the line, which is snaking down the street, and asks if there are any "twos" - YES - within a heartbeat we have skipped to the front of the line and immediately onto a table.  They sell a basic pizza base for around $15 - 18 then all the toppings are extra - eg; mushrooms $2.50, pepperoni $2.75, olives $2.50 etc. Good pizza though!  We then walk up to the theatre as we are seeing "Beautiful - Carol King the Musical" - so good.  I had forgotten how important her music was to me.  Great show! :)  After the show we meet Regan and Dean at the Bryant Park Grill.  Also quiet good.  Now time for bye byes!

Self explanatory

The city is alive!

So busy all the time

Sooo many people

Great show :)

 

Day 5

Today we set off uptown - we ended up in Central Park near 81st St - worked out it was a five kilometre walk to that point not to mention through the park and back home again!  Yesterday we did seven kilometres.  Explored various parts of the park which is 843 acres!  Walk the perimeter and you've walked almost 10 kms!

We stopped for obligatory libations at the Boathouse before continuing on our way and stopping at Rue 57 for lunch.  We've been to this restaurant a couple of times before so GC wanted to go again... he's not keen to step out of his 'comfort zone'.

We stopped to buy more theatre tickets on our way back to the hotel.  I had purchased tickets while still in Brisbane for two shows, which I really wanted to see, however I ended up paying about $1,300! Unless there is a show you really want to see, buy the tickets in NY.   I did try for tickets to Hamilton, but they were sold out until February!

There are still masses of people in Times Square.  We finally make it back to the hotel as we have a booking at GLOO (78 Carmine St).  Good French food - I would recommend. :)

Big Bird and Bert and Ernie chilling in Central Park

The skating rink is in the background

Columbus

Drained pond :)

Same spot

Alice in Wonderland 

Museum of Natural History

Times Square

Sooo many people

Day 4

Still not sleeping well, but I don't in Brisbane either so what's new?  Headed by cab ($37) to the Flea Markets in Brooklyn.  Situated in a huge warehouse, the 'food court' features a lot of Mexican, the product is mainly second hand clothes, jewellery, homewares etc.

$3 buys you a single use journey, lasting two hours, on the Subway so we make our way to Canal St then onto Cortland St.  Perfect opportunity to head downstairs to the shoe department in Century 21. From Cortland St (we have forgotten our original destination of Dumbo - another day) we start the looong walk back to the hotel, visiting a few shops along the way ... who can resist a shoe store called "Shoegasm"?  We stopped at the Craft Bar for sustenance on the way - I would recommend - then continue the trek.

Tonight we are going to see "An American in Paris" - I loved the music and the dancing but probably not one of GC's favourites.  After the show we wandered down to Ellen's Stardust Bar but the queue was a turn off for GC so we end up at an Italian Restaurant in 6th Ave.  As we continue on to the hotel, the streets are still abuzz with crowds of people from small children to the elderly.  New York really is the "city that never sleeps"!

My breakfast :)

At the Flea Market, Brooklyn

Saw my first squirrel today - sure there'll be lots more

Christmas lights

A food stall on every corner

Late at night and the place is still pumping

A mobile pet rescue van

 

Day 3

SALE DAY!  Had all intentions to be down at Macy's at 7.00am but after being awake between 4.00 - 5.30am, I then fell asleep and didn't wake up until 9.00am!  Anyways.... a pair of MK flats and CK boots ... GC with me so impossible to shop :(   Sooo many people, it was seriously crazy!  I tried to edge into a few more shops but not that easy :(  We eventually wandered down 5th Ave to 59th St.   We did a quick detour into the American Girl doll shop.  Five storeys devoted to dolls - it's unbelievable.  Back on 5th Ave we could only 'shuffle' along, especially in front of Saks as everyone was stopping to admire the windows, which were absolutely beautiful.  Each window was dedicated to one of the wonders of the world - the Taj Mahal, the Great Pyramid, the Great Wall of China, Australia's Barrier Reef ... all in white and silver - beautiful.  Obligatory visit to Tiffany & Co., a quick drink at Jams, then the trek back home.

Macy's

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The Great Barrier Reef

Sooo many people!!

St Patrick's 

In Macy's - the squirrel in the tree :)

St Patrick's

Strolling back down from uptown

Day 2

Christmas Day so not a lot happening.  We stop at a Pax restaurant for breakfast (tres ordinaire), then checked out the Macy's windows, before heading down to Bryant Park and the "Winter Market".  A stroll down 5th Avenue - I was stopped to do an interview by the NY Post - then onto Central station...hard to think this may be have been torn down if it weren't for Jacqui Kennedy.

We called into the Gaby bar at the Sofitel before heading back to the hotel.  Regan has now arrived so after a bottle of Veuve they head off to their apartment.  We meet at 6.30pm for dinner at Cherche Midi for dinner.

Charlie Brown Macy's windows

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A quick visit to Central Station

The "tree" during the day

It's so warm ... but they are still skating!

Dinner at Cherche Midi at the Bowery

NEW YORK - 24th December 2015

It's that time of the year again!  We boarded a flight to Sydney at 7.30am on Christmas Eve on our first leg to New York.  The flight to LA was delayed but we finally arrived at our hotel, The Strand on 37th this time, 27 hours later!  We headed up to the roof top bar for a drink ($22 for the tiniest glass of Chardy plus tax plus gratuity!) but great view of the Empire State Building!

The rooms are quite a good size for New York, which is notorious for teeny tiny rooms.

Our room on 18th Floor

View from the bar

Rooftop Bar

The Rooftop Bar has a great view of the Empire State Building.  It's lit up for Christmas and looks fabulous.