turkishann
February 23rd, 2008, 08:54 AM
this is my "diary" of New York, I will put some photos on here when I get around to it!
Saturday 9th February – arrived at Newark after a really good flight with Continental Airways, no car awaiting as pre-booked, called the Limo Company after waiting 30 minutes and they had no limo for us, however they had a “Hummer” that we could have for the same price! It was brilliant; we even had complimentary wine, gin and soft drinks!
We arrived at the hotel around 5pm, and were very impressed, however the room was beautiful but not very big seeing that I have booked a “King-size Deluxe Room”. I asked the person who brought our bags was this what I had booked and he said it was a little small, so the next day he found us a huge room, with TV, armchairs etc. It was gorgeous! I would definitely stay at the Intercontinental Barclay again, we were really impressed with the hotel, and service and the beds are so comfy!
We went out and found the first place we could to eat that night as we were both really tired, we ate at TGI Friday’s on Lexington, then had an early night!
Sunday 10th February – we got up really early and had breakfast at the deli across from our hotel, we could not believe how cheap it was compared to the UK!
We then decided to book a 2 day tour on the red bus company, the first part was downtown Manhattan, the first stop was the World Trade Centre, this really upset and touched me, there was a strange silence over the place, even though building work was going on and it was noisy, it brings it all to reality what has happened, very sad!
We then had lunch in an Irish Pub around the corner from Ground Zero, called O’Hara’s, quite nice, my hubby and I were sat listening to two New York women calling there partners, it was quite funny listening to the swearwords in the American accent (strange I know)!
Back on the bus and off to the ferry, we decided to do the Staten Island ferry, my god it was cold walking down near the water! This ferry is a great way to see the Statue of Liberty and it is free.
Back on the bus again and go off at Macy’s as it had stared snow. I had seen a pair of boots on the website, could not believe the size of this department store! Got my boots and was very happy, especially with the cost of them!
Back to the hotel to get ready to go out for our evening meal, after wandering around we found another Irish Bar near the Hotel – Connollys, really good atmosphere and the food was lovely, mind you we were that tired and hungry we would have ate anything!
Monday 11th February – off on our 2nd day of the red bus tour, these guys are quite funny, keep you informed and entertained. The 2nd part is Central Park and Harlem. We saw where John Lennon was shot, Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas lived, where Jackie Onasis spent here final days (quite morbid!) and lots of other little titbits of information on the stars!
First stop The Natural History Museum, how excited was I just to be in the place where they filmed “night at the museum” big kid I am! What a brilliant museum, we paid extra for the cosmic show (no not the Cosby Show, that gets mentioned later)! Really interesting, you go in a big domed room and your chair reclines back slightly, it is all in 3D with sound (Robert Redford’s voice) it was really good, tells you about space, and what happened to the dinosaurs and if a comet hit earth! Brilliant!
We then spent a few more hours in the museum before getting on the red bus again to go to Harlem. We were stopped at the traffic lights in Harlem and an old man stood looking at the bus, after some while looking he decides to give us all the bird! I was shocked but also found it very amusing, he must not like tourists!
After Harlem and back around central park, we got off at Central Park for a spot of lunch and then a walk around the park, we also saw my son’s school who were on a school trip the same time we were in New York! The park is beautiful, watched the ice skaters and saw the Plaza and the bridge off Home Alone 3, then decided to start walking back to the Hotel, this has got to be one of the coldest days I have ever experienced in my life, it was bitter!
11pm Went up the Rockerfeller Centre, WOW it was fantastic, what a view! But it was really cold! The wind was howling around the building, it was very eerie! Loved the elevator with the clear roof! And what a beautiful view of Manhattan with all the lights!
Went out and went for Dinner, I ordered a Caesar Salad, my god, it was brought out in a bowl that could serve at least 4 people, cannot get over the size of the portions of food!
Tuesday 12th February
Went to Ellen Stardust Dinner for breakfast, what an experience, very American, the staff sing for you, it was great. We the met a tour guide outside for a TV and Movie tour today that lasts, 3½ hours, This tour was brilliant they play clips from films of some of the places you are going to see. We got off the bus at the Cosby House and had photos took, went through the meatpacking district and Walt Disney were filming, could not see anybody famous though, then my favourite one, the Friends building and Greenwich Village, it was snowing quite heavy also and I slipped a couple of times! We were then taken to a Rice Pudding Shop called “Rice to Riches” this was featured in the movie Hitch, I ordered a Cheesecake Rice Pudding, it was gorgeous! This is a must, go in and try it!
We also got shouted at off a Man for standing in his way “its as sidewalk, get out of my god damn way” while the tour guide was telling us information, highly amusing! This was a brilliant tour and worth every dollar spent on it! Back to the Hotel with a stop off for lunch at yet another Irish Bar – Channel 4, stayed in here for a while, as the snow was getting heavier!
Decided not to go out tonight as Paul was not feeling well, we had a bottle of wine and hired a movie “I am Legend” which was quite appropriate really!
Wednesday – got up early 6.30am again, cannot settle into the time difference but it is giving us full days to see lots of things! It was raining really heavy and rained all day. We went to Madame Tussauds this morning, it was brilliant, did not however like the bit with the actors chasing you dressed as Freddie Krugger and Michael Myers, I know then cannot touch you but it still scared me! The last one “Jason” ran behind me when I was going out, which made me scream even moor! A brilliant time was had, even got a DVD of Paul and myself flying as Superman (the children love this!)
In the afternoon we went to see Grease at the Brook Atkinson Theatre, it was brilliant and I loved the old fashioned theatre. Was still raining when we got out so we decided to go back to the hotel.
When to a Mexican restaurant called Mama Mexico off Lexington, really good food and atmosphere, they came around and played instruments and sang, the Guacamole is made at your table in front of you and is delicious! The food was fab and so were the margaritas, we also has some tequila shots! What a great night!
Thursday February 14th – Valentines Day, we had chocolates and expensive champagne in bed, and then decided to have a day of shopping! And boy did we shop, first stop, we were brave and got the subway to Ground Zero to go to 21st Century, what a brilliant place, spent lots in here, then back to Macys, Times Square and a visit to the Hershey’s shop and Bloomingdale’s, we shopped till we dropped! Bought the children lots of things!
In the evening we found a lovely restaurant and had a romantic meal and wine, then walked to Central Park and had an hour horse drawn carriage ride around central park. It was very romantic but cold! We then walked back near our hotel and found a quiet bar for a couple off drinks. This is one of the best Valentines Days I have ever had!
Friday – 15th February, we decided to go to the Empire State Building although lots of people said it was not good, we loved it, what views. Really sad to see the space in the skyline where the twin towers used to be!
Off for a well earned drink at Heartland Brewery, tried one the their own beers, very nice!
Then we went Tiffany’s, I bought a lovely pendant and necklace with money I had received from my parents for my birthday! Loved this shop, then off to Abercrombie and Fitch, spent ages waiting for Paul to try on and buy clothes, he is worse than a woman!
Last night out and we decided to go back to the Heartland Brewery for Dinner but the one near the Rockerfeller Centre, we decided to try the Buffalo Steak, it was gorgeous, never had it before and would have it again, we had a lovely meal here. Wish we had found it earlier on our trip!
We then had a long walk back to our hotel, passing the Newsroom that was filming live; Paul decided to walk like an Egyptian behind the Newsreaders much to the cameraman’s amusement! You cannot take him anywhere!
Saturday 16th February, final day! We packed to come home then had a walk to the Toy Shop Schwartz, what a cool shop, spent a couple of hours in here and more money on the boys! Then went for a spot of lunch at the Pig and Whistle (very nice, don’t think we had one bad meal while in New York) then back to the hotel.
Did even more shopping at the Airport and then sat on the aeroplane for an hour and 40 mins while they fixed a part. The flight however only took 6 hours coming back so it was not that bad. It was great to see our children again, we missed them lots, and will be returning to New York one day and take them with us!
We loved New York and it was everything and more that we imagined it would be!
Saturday 9th February – arrived at Newark after a really good flight with Continental Airways, no car awaiting as pre-booked, called the Limo Company after waiting 30 minutes and they had no limo for us, however they had a “Hummer” that we could have for the same price! It was brilliant; we even had complimentary wine, gin and soft drinks!
We arrived at the hotel around 5pm, and were very impressed, however the room was beautiful but not very big seeing that I have booked a “King-size Deluxe Room”. I asked the person who brought our bags was this what I had booked and he said it was a little small, so the next day he found us a huge room, with TV, armchairs etc. It was gorgeous! I would definitely stay at the Intercontinental Barclay again, we were really impressed with the hotel, and service and the beds are so comfy!
We went out and found the first place we could to eat that night as we were both really tired, we ate at TGI Friday’s on Lexington, then had an early night!
Sunday 10th February – we got up really early and had breakfast at the deli across from our hotel, we could not believe how cheap it was compared to the UK!
We then decided to book a 2 day tour on the red bus company, the first part was downtown Manhattan, the first stop was the World Trade Centre, this really upset and touched me, there was a strange silence over the place, even though building work was going on and it was noisy, it brings it all to reality what has happened, very sad!
We then had lunch in an Irish Pub around the corner from Ground Zero, called O’Hara’s, quite nice, my hubby and I were sat listening to two New York women calling there partners, it was quite funny listening to the swearwords in the American accent (strange I know)!
Back on the bus and off to the ferry, we decided to do the Staten Island ferry, my god it was cold walking down near the water! This ferry is a great way to see the Statue of Liberty and it is free.
Back on the bus again and go off at Macy’s as it had stared snow. I had seen a pair of boots on the website, could not believe the size of this department store! Got my boots and was very happy, especially with the cost of them!
Back to the hotel to get ready to go out for our evening meal, after wandering around we found another Irish Bar near the Hotel – Connollys, really good atmosphere and the food was lovely, mind you we were that tired and hungry we would have ate anything!
Monday 11th February – off on our 2nd day of the red bus tour, these guys are quite funny, keep you informed and entertained. The 2nd part is Central Park and Harlem. We saw where John Lennon was shot, Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas lived, where Jackie Onasis spent here final days (quite morbid!) and lots of other little titbits of information on the stars!
First stop The Natural History Museum, how excited was I just to be in the place where they filmed “night at the museum” big kid I am! What a brilliant museum, we paid extra for the cosmic show (no not the Cosby Show, that gets mentioned later)! Really interesting, you go in a big domed room and your chair reclines back slightly, it is all in 3D with sound (Robert Redford’s voice) it was really good, tells you about space, and what happened to the dinosaurs and if a comet hit earth! Brilliant!
We then spent a few more hours in the museum before getting on the red bus again to go to Harlem. We were stopped at the traffic lights in Harlem and an old man stood looking at the bus, after some while looking he decides to give us all the bird! I was shocked but also found it very amusing, he must not like tourists!
After Harlem and back around central park, we got off at Central Park for a spot of lunch and then a walk around the park, we also saw my son’s school who were on a school trip the same time we were in New York! The park is beautiful, watched the ice skaters and saw the Plaza and the bridge off Home Alone 3, then decided to start walking back to the Hotel, this has got to be one of the coldest days I have ever experienced in my life, it was bitter!
11pm Went up the Rockerfeller Centre, WOW it was fantastic, what a view! But it was really cold! The wind was howling around the building, it was very eerie! Loved the elevator with the clear roof! And what a beautiful view of Manhattan with all the lights!
Went out and went for Dinner, I ordered a Caesar Salad, my god, it was brought out in a bowl that could serve at least 4 people, cannot get over the size of the portions of food!
Tuesday 12th February
Went to Ellen Stardust Dinner for breakfast, what an experience, very American, the staff sing for you, it was great. We the met a tour guide outside for a TV and Movie tour today that lasts, 3½ hours, This tour was brilliant they play clips from films of some of the places you are going to see. We got off the bus at the Cosby House and had photos took, went through the meatpacking district and Walt Disney were filming, could not see anybody famous though, then my favourite one, the Friends building and Greenwich Village, it was snowing quite heavy also and I slipped a couple of times! We were then taken to a Rice Pudding Shop called “Rice to Riches” this was featured in the movie Hitch, I ordered a Cheesecake Rice Pudding, it was gorgeous! This is a must, go in and try it!
We also got shouted at off a Man for standing in his way “its as sidewalk, get out of my god damn way” while the tour guide was telling us information, highly amusing! This was a brilliant tour and worth every dollar spent on it! Back to the Hotel with a stop off for lunch at yet another Irish Bar – Channel 4, stayed in here for a while, as the snow was getting heavier!
Decided not to go out tonight as Paul was not feeling well, we had a bottle of wine and hired a movie “I am Legend” which was quite appropriate really!
Wednesday – got up early 6.30am again, cannot settle into the time difference but it is giving us full days to see lots of things! It was raining really heavy and rained all day. We went to Madame Tussauds this morning, it was brilliant, did not however like the bit with the actors chasing you dressed as Freddie Krugger and Michael Myers, I know then cannot touch you but it still scared me! The last one “Jason” ran behind me when I was going out, which made me scream even moor! A brilliant time was had, even got a DVD of Paul and myself flying as Superman (the children love this!)
In the afternoon we went to see Grease at the Brook Atkinson Theatre, it was brilliant and I loved the old fashioned theatre. Was still raining when we got out so we decided to go back to the hotel.
When to a Mexican restaurant called Mama Mexico off Lexington, really good food and atmosphere, they came around and played instruments and sang, the Guacamole is made at your table in front of you and is delicious! The food was fab and so were the margaritas, we also has some tequila shots! What a great night!
Thursday February 14th – Valentines Day, we had chocolates and expensive champagne in bed, and then decided to have a day of shopping! And boy did we shop, first stop, we were brave and got the subway to Ground Zero to go to 21st Century, what a brilliant place, spent lots in here, then back to Macys, Times Square and a visit to the Hershey’s shop and Bloomingdale’s, we shopped till we dropped! Bought the children lots of things!
In the evening we found a lovely restaurant and had a romantic meal and wine, then walked to Central Park and had an hour horse drawn carriage ride around central park. It was very romantic but cold! We then walked back near our hotel and found a quiet bar for a couple off drinks. This is one of the best Valentines Days I have ever had!
Friday – 15th February, we decided to go to the Empire State Building although lots of people said it was not good, we loved it, what views. Really sad to see the space in the skyline where the twin towers used to be!
Off for a well earned drink at Heartland Brewery, tried one the their own beers, very nice!
Then we went Tiffany’s, I bought a lovely pendant and necklace with money I had received from my parents for my birthday! Loved this shop, then off to Abercrombie and Fitch, spent ages waiting for Paul to try on and buy clothes, he is worse than a woman!
Last night out and we decided to go back to the Heartland Brewery for Dinner but the one near the Rockerfeller Centre, we decided to try the Buffalo Steak, it was gorgeous, never had it before and would have it again, we had a lovely meal here. Wish we had found it earlier on our trip!
We then had a long walk back to our hotel, passing the Newsroom that was filming live; Paul decided to walk like an Egyptian behind the Newsreaders much to the cameraman’s amusement! You cannot take him anywhere!
Saturday 16th February, final day! We packed to come home then had a walk to the Toy Shop Schwartz, what a cool shop, spent a couple of hours in here and more money on the boys! Then went for a spot of lunch at the Pig and Whistle (very nice, don’t think we had one bad meal while in New York) then back to the hotel.
Did even more shopping at the Airport and then sat on the aeroplane for an hour and 40 mins while they fixed a part. The flight however only took 6 hours coming back so it was not that bad. It was great to see our children again, we missed them lots, and will be returning to New York one day and take them with us!
We loved New York and it was everything and more that we imagined it would be!