SPRINGTIME IN NEW YORK

 Saturday 4 May
Another glorious day and as planned we set off to Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.  As it was Saturday and before midday entry was free, but other times entry is a small amount of $10.00.
At the entrance there is a children's touch and smell garden, and a community garden with families tending their small plots.

Spring was late arriving this year, and I was hoping we would see the cherry blossom trees at their peak.  What a spectacular display, with the avenues full of colour not only from the



trees but the people also enjoying the ambience of the morning. 

I had noticed on the map that there was also a Japanese Garden. Another favourite place of mine to visit. 



Japanese gardens are always peaceful to me.



After walking around the Japanese gardens we followed the track as well as the cooking smells only to be surprised by the gardens of colourful tulips. 



Another eye catching display of colours and of course would not see this back in Brisbane.


WALKING THE HIGH LINE

Friday 3 May

The High Line was built in 1930 for the purpose of removing  trains from the streets of Manhattan's industrial district.  The freight line was built 30 feet above street level and designed to connect directly to factories and warehouses allowing trains to roll right inside buildings with goods able to come and go without causing street level chaos.



No trains have used the line since 1980.  When the historic structure was under threat of demolition, a group of local people worked in partnership with the City of New York to preserve and maintain the structure as an elevated public park and walkway.  After many years the 1st section opened in 2009 with stage 2 in 2011.  I think the total distance is 1.6 kilometres, but with numerous photo opportunities available and to absorb everything it does take some time to go from one end to the other.  Walking the High Line gives a different perspective of the streets and buildings of this part of Manhattan and of the Hudson River.  It will be difficult to choose which photos to use.

 

As it was a nice spring day there were quite a few people making the most of the lovely weather especially in the afternoon when the day warms up.

   Being a tourist different things catch your eye. 

 The shapes of the new apartment blocks and someone's backyard - although not very private.

Came to the end of our walk and ventured down to the chaotic noise of 30th street and 10th avenue.

I wasn't too sure where we were going but we found a little pub and enjoyed a drink.  Unbekown to us this was one block from Penn Station so back on the subway to head uptown to our hotel,  jump in the shower and get ready to go to the Broadway show.

 I don't know what the story of Pippin was about but there was singing, dancing, circus acts as well as a bit of magic.  It was really enjoyable.  Once the show finished we got caught up in the Friday night crowd in Times Squares.

Being experts on  the subway we head back to 57th street and finished our night having pancakes for supper.  Goodness me we seem to have had our fill of food today, but that huge bed is calling me after another busy day of sightseeing New York.  Two more things to see and do have been crossed off the list. 

   







NEW YORK SIGHTSEEING

Today is the start of sightseeing New York.  We set off and walked to Times Square, with the purpose of buying tickets for a Broadway show.  As we all know Times Square is one big tourist hub, people everywhere, numerous street vendors selling bags, pictures, and the usual tourist apparel, as well as bus tour touts, buskers, yellow cabs, police on horses, people with their dogs (obviously locals), extremely loud sirens from emergency vehicles and people selling tickets for Broadway shows.  I was a little concerned about buying direct from them, but Barry wasn't too phased.  We were taken inside a large hotel, where we paid and received our tickets to go and see a new show called Pippin.

The happenings in Time Square



 

Adding a touch of humour- tripod for a Iphone???

After all the hustle and bustle we caught a bus to the pier to  take a 1 1/2hr Circle Line Cruise which goes half way round Manhattan Island starting on the Hudson River and then so far up the East River.  On the way the boat slowed for a photo shoot of the Statue of Liberty which was still under  repair from damage caused by Hurricane Sandy.

  

  The guide pointed out and told different stories in relation to the many unused piers and wharves as well as the many famous buildings dominating the Manhattan skyline. 



 Manhattan Skyline

Up under  the Brooklyn Bridge and finally turned around at the Pepsi-Cola sign on Long Island to head back the way we had come.

Well time has certainly got away and we have missed eating lunch.  Just as well I had a brunch time breakfast before the day began.  Barry found somewhere for a quick snack and drink. 

Hot Dog Food Vendor

Our day finished with another walk looking for a place to eat dinner.  We came across a little Irish restaurant and although noisy we managed to find a quite spot to eat and talk over the excitement of the day and what was planned for the next day.  Back to that huge bed for another sound sleep.   









TRIPPING USA

BRISBANE TO NEW YORK

I had intended to write this blog while I was travelling, but the first 5 days I didn't have wifi access, or more to the point wasn't paying the hotel a ridiculous amount for the privilege.  Then when we did have free Internet service someone else was always busy doing their thing, but anyway after full days of sight seeing and always late back to our hotel it was usually time for a shower and bed.   So now I am back in reality land, after 5 weeks of travel and a wet week  of catching up with the washing I thought I should start.  I guess better late than never.         

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Wednesday 1 May:  After leaving home early we arrived at Brisbane airport before the Virgin staff had turned on their computers and opened the check-in.  A small line of people waiting, thank goodness, but as we had treated ourselves to premium economy travel, we were served promptly.  Only grudge was that there was no Virgin Business lounge in Brisbane.  I was looking forward to that.  Oh well headed to the Coffee Club for breakfast.   



Once on board we didn't take  many corners until we arrived at LA airport some many hours later,  and negotiated many bends down funny narrow hallways.  We then had to go to another terminal to catch our connecting flight to New York.   We finally found where we had to go and found the only place  to purchase something to eat.

                                                                 Yes we are in America -LA

New York airport -my watch said 3.30pm

After 5 more hours of flying and 1/2 hour taxi queue we finally arrived at our hotel in Manhattan.  WOW.  What a surprise, as our accommodation was a lot more than we had expected.  It was a suite, with separate living area to the bedroom and a small kitchenette.   Very comfortable way to start our holiday after spending approximately 26 hours getting here.    

Living room before we messed it up

Next door to the hotel was Angelo's Italian restaurant were we went for  dinner,  and afterwards I enjoyed a long hot shower and climbed wearily into the hugh beckoning bed to finally catch up on some sleep in readiness for the busy week ahead.