New York New York - WOW!!!

The last 5 days have been spent in fabulous New York.  Most of the time playing in Manhattan.

Traffic, noise, people, buildings, everything - nothing like any of us have ever seen...

We all arrived on our bus and said good bye to our guide Edith and driver Dave, dumped our bags and went for Pizza.  Then off to Times Square - with many, many other people.  Quite overwhelming and the lights were amazing!  Then back to our hotel for a nightcap.

The next few days saw most of us splitting up and and doing our own sightseeing in smaller groups.  All much the same but via different days and methods. 

Most took the option of the hop on and off bus.  Great value and a great way to get oriented with the area.  Some of us went to Ground Zero - worth the visit to the museum to listen to stories and read perspectives from children, survivors and witnesses.  Very moving to see and it is a valuable way to ensure this is never forgotten.  Building is underway now for the new building and memorial which will be worth revisiting upon completion.

Free ferry ride for some on the Staten Island ferry - with a birds eye view of Statue of Liberty. 

Some took in the Empire State building for the view, others did the Rockefeller Building (The Rock) - for an amazing ride up the elevator with a fast view of the lift shaft in lights!  To the top of the rock for amazing views of the city.  A little hazy but impressive all the same.

Greenwich Village is lovely and it was good to get away from some 'traffic'.  Plenty of lovely buildings and cafes and some markets to wonder through.  At Washington Square we were entertained by some singers and there were plenty of people sun baking and keeping  cool.  Temperatures are starting to soar!.

Of course a highlight of the trip was the 50th birthday celebration for Sue!  '230' on 5th Avenue - rooftop with a great view of the city - impressive view of the Empire State building at dusk/night.  The celebration was fun and followed into the night back at our hotel.  It is a 50th that Sue will not forget.  (pics to come).

The next day many of us met at the Boat House (Central Park) for brunch.  (a couple were a bit shabby but we won't name names :)).  What a location!  Central Park is HUGE!  Walking around was amazing and it was incredible to think that around us is a really busy and noisy city.  You would think we were miles away!  Some of us took in part of the park including Strawberry Fields where there is a memorial for John Lennon.

A few of us then went to Harlem - and some had to shop for a bargain.  Harlem is a complete contrast to Manhattan.  It was just how we would have pictured it.  Being a Sunday there were plenty of people dressed in the Sunday clothes for Church - we were a little late for a service.  There are plenty of Harlem characters.  We met a lovely lady - Joyce with a couple of her adopted kids.  Elaine got talking to her and it turns out her daughter recently died as a result of breast cancer, she also had a son who recently passed away.  So sad but she has an amazing spirit and faith and is now looking after her daughter's children as well as other adoptees. 

Grand Central Station - a world of it's own!  When in NYC you have to visit and take a ride in the subway.  The station itself is huge with shops, bars, restaurants, shoe shiners, and people a plenty.  We went to the Oyster bar for a well earned coldie.  It really is not hard to get around.

New York really is a city that never sleeps!  After 5 days - we barely touched the surface!  It is a place to come back to again and take in more.  This is where most of us split up to either go home, or continue our holidays.  See you in Brisbane Caramel, June, Sharon and Gary.  Ruth - to Belfast to visit family.  Janelle and Graham to London and Greek Islands no less!  Karen, Lizzie, Elaine and Pam are going to Washington.  Karen and Lizzie then do the beautiful inner passage cruise, and Elaine and Pam will see Jo and Adrianna in Las Vegas (VIVA!!!).  Rosalie and Geoff are going the stay at the Heartbreak Hotel in Memphis and will also meet up in Vegas.  Ellen and Paul are staying in NYC, Sue is meeting up with family in NYC then heading to Vegas then Disneyland.  Kate and Nicole gong to LA.  All in all we are heading off to see different things and some will meet up again.  The blog will continue for a little bit from Las Vegas.  Thanks for following us.

We have had, and continue to have a blast!!!!!

Ruth

WOW!  Driving into NY City was amazing, especially as we moved closer to the Helmsely Hotel and our stop for the next few nights.  Noise, noise, noise - honking horns and blazing sirens!  This is it!  Up to Time Square, lights enough to mesmerise with giddiness.  Off on the Hop on/Off bus, photos from Brooklyn Bridge and the amazing little chapel, Trinity Church which survived a fire and more recently the bombing of WTC.  It's all been fabulous using the subway and working out the grid.  Truly a marvellous city ending with a wonderful party on the rooftop bar for Captain Snooze's 50th at '230'with the Empire State in the background.  Then brunch in the morning at Central Park - The Boathouse.  It has all been so awesome.  Love to all, Ruth.

Janelle P

Hi All  So much to do in New York.

Snooze's 50th at '230 on 5th Ave' on the rooftop bar with the Empire State in the background.  What fun with all the girls!  Shame it has to end.  Safe travels home everyone!  Janelle and Graham xx

Tourists:

E and A shopping in Harlem