Category: New York and New England

We’ve learned two blindingly obvious things today:

1. New York is mind-bogglingly expensive. Actually it is quite expensive, but the fall in the £ makes it a lot more so.

2. New York has far too many things for us to see in 3 and a bit days, so we’re going to have to miss some obvious stuff.

Started with the HighLine – genius idea. And another view of the Empire State.

Couple of random pictures:

Then off to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. When I was in NYC about 7 years ago, I started the plan to persuade Eileen to visit by getting her a guidebook of this museum …

… bought from this shop.

And not a bad view from the terrace:

Also a view of downtown after dark:

Finally, thought it was about time to start the selfies:

So much to do we did it twice – as the song doesn’t go. Surprise surprise we were awake and out early, then tiring by mid-afternoon so had a siesta, and up and out again for a second time later on.

Midtown was pretty quiet first thing on a Sunday morning, including Rockefeller Center (sic)

Fifth Avenue (from the middle of the road)

My favourite of all, the Chrysler Building (best seen from the top of the Empire State in my opinion)

And Grand Central Station

That was a mighty quick wizz around midtown; part 2 was downtown.

Staten Island Ferry past Statue of Liberty:

With a great view of Manhattan looking back:

Then stopped off in Greenwich Village on the way home and found the Empire State Building:

And the Saigon Shack by chance for dinner which seemed mainly frequented by young Asians – maybe from nearby NY University:

And us!

Best of all? It’s exactly how I remember enjoying it before – boots on, head tilted upwards and sore feet at the end of the day.

Here we go again. Retired on Wednesday and off to New York and New England (in the fall).

Bright and early – the romance and adventure summed up by sunrise over Heathrow ….

Flight ok – we’re getting used to the tedium, and a fabulous view of NYC as we came in to land. Immigration up to its usual efficiency – through in just over two hours, although at least they are friendly when you do end up at the booth.

As we were here by early afternoon, the rest of the day was a bit of a jet-lagged daze. A beautiful afternoon so wandered into Central Park and began to take in the atmosphere.

Eileen has found a fantastic place to stay, as usual. West 95th – so right by Central Park on the Upper West Side. Street looks just like those from the movies – and their house has been used in Sex in the City and Home Alone 2.

Great views from Central Park and Fifth Avenue.

And stumbled on the Guggenheim – that’s for another day.

Managed to stay awake until about 8.30 pm – that’s 21 hours since the alarm went!