Day 4
Wednesday 20th August
Today it was Lucy's turn to suggest where to visit. She chose the zoo in Central Park. I can't say I was looking forward to it, but it actually turned out to be a fun thing to do.
First we had to wait in an orderly queue, but before long we were inside and dodging pushchairs and other small people!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Beautiful Plumage...
First we visited the Tropical Bird House ( it was marginally cooler in here than outside). The birds were stunningly beautiful, but difficult to photograph as all the foliage made it quite dark in there.
On the way out, we saw Gold-Faced monkeys, turtles basking in the sun, sea lions, penguins....the list goes on...
On the way out, we saw Gold-Faced monkeys, turtles basking in the sun, sea lions, penguins....the list goes on...
Polar Bear Plays In The Water, Central Park Zoo, New York
The highlight of our visit was the Polar Bears. This one you can see spent the whole time we were there swimming from one end of the enclosure to the other on his back. I do hope he wasn't too bored, he was just so entertaining - and it looked so relaxing, especially in the heat. Here is my video
After we left the zoo, Robert had decided to visit the Museum of Modern Art, which was within walking distance. Luckily across the road was a delicatessen where we chose from the wide variety of food and paid by weight. I had salmon, mashed potatoes and a selection of vegetables.
Lucy and I walked down to Bryant Park, window shopping on the way. Graham went straight there to relax in the sunshine. Later he and I went to the New York Museum of Photography which was surprisingly disappointing - very few photos were on show and those that were, you couldn't help but ask - "So what's interesting about that?"
After we left the zoo, Robert had decided to visit the Museum of Modern Art, which was within walking distance. Luckily across the road was a delicatessen where we chose from the wide variety of food and paid by weight. I had salmon, mashed potatoes and a selection of vegetables.
Lucy and I walked down to Bryant Park, window shopping on the way. Graham went straight there to relax in the sunshine. Later he and I went to the New York Museum of Photography which was surprisingly disappointing - very few photos were on show and those that were, you couldn't help but ask - "So what's interesting about that?"
Have Piano...Will Pay My Way...
When Robert eventually showed up (he'd had such a good time at the MOMA) we set off to see Greenwich Village.
Nowadays its known for being the home of David Blaine, the illusionist, but it certainly has a lot of character in its own right together with lots of interesting buildings.
Nowadays its known for being the home of David Blaine, the illusionist, but it certainly has a lot of character in its own right together with lots of interesting buildings.
Escape...?
We had a lovely walk round and then back to near Grand Central Terminal for a slap up meal at an Irish Pub
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
A Working Holiday...
Day 3
Tuesday 19th August
As we neared the breakfast room, we were met by a long queue, so as Graham had promised us a breakfast in a diner, we walked out of the hotel, across the road and had our breakfast watching people passing by. Robert and Lucy then went off in the direction of Central Park to visit Strawberry Fields and we returned to the hotel. I washed my hair while Graham put on his work clothes and got ready for a meeting which just happened to have fallen during our time in New York...
We met up with Robert and Lucy at the entrance to Central Park around 11.00am. It was already very hot and it seemed a little unfair that we could all dress in suitable clothing while Graham had on a suit. (His choice entirely) Descending into the hot and steamy subway we didn't think it could get any hotter - but the subway is always like that.
After that Grand Central Terminal was a cool delight, not to mention a photographer's dream. Graham met up with his colleagues under the clock at 12 noon - (how romantic) and after exchanging pleasantries we parted company. Robert went off on his own to see a selection of museums and Lucy and I after having some lunch, decided to 'hit the shops'!
Tuesday 19th August
As we neared the breakfast room, we were met by a long queue, so as Graham had promised us a breakfast in a diner, we walked out of the hotel, across the road and had our breakfast watching people passing by. Robert and Lucy then went off in the direction of Central Park to visit Strawberry Fields and we returned to the hotel. I washed my hair while Graham put on his work clothes and got ready for a meeting which just happened to have fallen during our time in New York...
We met up with Robert and Lucy at the entrance to Central Park around 11.00am. It was already very hot and it seemed a little unfair that we could all dress in suitable clothing while Graham had on a suit. (His choice entirely) Descending into the hot and steamy subway we didn't think it could get any hotter - but the subway is always like that.
After that Grand Central Terminal was a cool delight, not to mention a photographer's dream. Graham met up with his colleagues under the clock at 12 noon - (how romantic) and after exchanging pleasantries we parted company. Robert went off on his own to see a selection of museums and Lucy and I after having some lunch, decided to 'hit the shops'!
A Few Of My Favourite Things...
First stop was the Chrysler Building, which is not a shop, but just happens to be my favourite building in New York. You are allowed into the foyer which seems to be triangular in shape and clad with a rich array of red/gold marbles.
Next we visited every beads shop along Fashion Avenue (6th) - there are about eight and then on to Macy's which I have to say was disappointing - more like a poor man's Harrods than the premiere department store. However, both Lucy and I bought a bag there which we were very happy with.
Next we visited every beads shop along Fashion Avenue (6th) - there are about eight and then on to Macy's which I have to say was disappointing - more like a poor man's Harrods than the premiere department store. However, both Lucy and I bought a bag there which we were very happy with.
Going Up...
Outside Macy's you get a brilliant view of The Empire State Building. By this time Lucy was feeling very much the worst for wear, so we back tracked to Bryant Park where we 'chilled out' with the rest of New York and waited for Robert and then Graham to meet us.
Graham's work mates also met us there and once assembled we walked down along 44th Street to a Ribs and Steak restaurant.
Graham's work mates also met us there and once assembled we walked down along 44th Street to a Ribs and Steak restaurant.
A Late Night Adventure...
Fuelled by a wonderful meal of ribs and chicken we said our good-byes to Alistair and Sam and decided on one more adventure before the day was out.
Down to the subway and then a short ride to The Rockefeller Centre to see New York by night...
Down to the subway and then a short ride to The Rockefeller Centre to see New York by night...
The City That Never Sleeps...
It was about 9.30pm by the time we arrived, it wasn't busy, but there was no shortage of people. The queue made its way down in the first instance past an amazing Swarovski chandelier to the pay kiosk and then up to the next floor to await the lift. Now we've all been in lifts, but this was an experience I shall never forget. 70 stories in less than a minute - you don't really feel the speed, but if you're feeling brave you can watch the floors go by by looking up at the transparent ceiling, I wasn't. Once there the doors opened and everyone spilled out, excitement was in the air. It was surprisingly windy at the top, but that wasn't the only thing to take your breath away, the view was awesome...
Coming back down to earth with a bump (no, not really) we walked through the rest of the building which was quite impressive and then on a few more blocks back to the hotel. Did a conquer my fear of heights? no, but I'm glad I can say I've been "to the Top Of The Rock".
Coming back down to earth with a bump (no, not really) we walked through the rest of the building which was quite impressive and then on a few more blocks back to the hotel. Did a conquer my fear of heights? no, but I'm glad I can say I've been "to the Top Of The Rock".
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Seeing The Sights...
Day 2
Monday 18th August
After a hearty breakfast, we took the subway to near Battery Park and bought tickets for a boat trip to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Graham had taken me to see these sights last time, but I couldn't wait to see them again, this time with Robert and Lucy. It's hard to imagine now how hot it was that morning standing in an interminable queue, but after about an hour we were on the boat with the sea breeze in our hair, jostling with others to take the 'best' picture.
Monday 18th August
After a hearty breakfast, we took the subway to near Battery Park and bought tickets for a boat trip to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Graham had taken me to see these sights last time, but I couldn't wait to see them again, this time with Robert and Lucy. It's hard to imagine now how hot it was that morning standing in an interminable queue, but after about an hour we were on the boat with the sea breeze in our hair, jostling with others to take the 'best' picture.
On Liberty Island
There isn't much to see on the island, except the view towards Manhattan Island (which is worth the trip in itself), a large souvenir shop and a couple of small restaurants. We had our lunch there, of shredded pork in barbecue sauce, which didn't exactly stand up to the wonderful illustration on the board!
After our meal it was back to the queue to wait in line for the next boat to Ellis Island.
After our meal it was back to the queue to wait in line for the next boat to Ellis Island.
Ellis Island And A Family Story...
With Graham's obsession for finding all of our ancestors, (he's actually very good at it, if anyone needs any help) this year's visit to Ellis Island was all the more piquant as we were able to look up one of my relations who entered the United States Of America via Ellis Island. Margaret Groat Batchelor arrived here on 24th July 1920 as a fresh faced 21 year old book keeper from Dundee, Angus in Scotland. She had paid for her passage on the Olympic- the sister ship to The Titanic and had come to find fame and fortune. We know that she returned to Scotland, but came back in 1924 and married my maternal great uncle, William Frank Wynn in 1926. Frank ( as he was known), was a painter and decorator by trade and was known to be working on ships, so they may have met during the voyage. By 1930, they had settled in Burbank, California and later, Long Beach. We stayed with Auntie Peggie in 1967/8 on our way to New Zealand - I can still remember her beautiful big house (bungalow) which had a 'den'. She took us to see The Glendale Rose Parade on new Year's Day 1968 - we had to get up at 5.30am to be there on time and we sat high up on tiered seating. I was in awe of all the huge floats all made out of rose petals and of all the people who rode on them waving...
Frank had died of cancer in 1965, but Peggie survived until 1987, although I never saw her again.
Frank had died of cancer in 1965, but Peggie survived until 1987, although I never saw her again.
'Superman In The Park'
After a quick trip back to the hotel, we had another treat in store. Bryant Park is a wonderful place, every time I go there it seems to metamorphose into a different venue, it can be a park, an exhibition Centre and Monday night it had taken on the role of cinema. People had been arriving all afternoon to take their places in front of a large screen. At 8 o'clock and the sun having just set, the movie 'Superman' started. It didn't matter that we'd all seen it loads of times, it was just great to be there with everyone else - to cheer and clap at memorable scenes and to find the funny moments even funnier with someone else to laugh with. We lasted half an hour standing at the back, straining to watch it over the heads of others and sought refuge in the restaurant at the edge of the park, still able to see the screen intermittently.
Until The Fat Lady Sings...
The evening still wasn't over. After our lovely meal, we walked along 42nd Street to see Times Square. It too is an amazing place, but disappointingly it isn't a square or any kind of shape, it's just where 42nd Street crosses Broadway.
A few pictures later, it was back to the steamy subway and a short walk to a welcome hotel bed.
A few pictures later, it was back to the steamy subway and a short walk to a welcome hotel bed.
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