CENTRAL PARK PHOTO SHOOT

We headed off to Central Park to meet a photographer to do a photo shoot as we had previously arranged.  When we reached to corner of 6th avenue down from our hotel there were thousands of bike riders, fortunately for us the intersection was controlled by police.
Later that evening we found out what the occasion was.  Every year in May a biking event is held and is the Five Boroughs ride.  The ride takes in five neighbourhoods on Manhattan Island and is a 40 mile or 64 kilometres car free ride.  This year funds raised were going to help the victims from the Boston marathon bombing. 

We walked along 5th ave which was a very upmarket area with nice apartments, shops and very expensive cars parked on the street.
                                                           

My practise shot



We finally reached our location at an entrance to Central Park and met the photographer and other people in our group.  Her name was Zim (zimphotography.com) and after a few questions asking what we wanted to learn we set off.  Zim was very helpful, and spent equal time with everyone in the group, explaining how to get the best photograph as well as showing us how to improve on their shot.

  

The morning was still cool but there were plenty of people out and about enjoying the day.

 My reflections

 

 

Barry learnt how to shoot into the sun and he was quite happy with his photo of  Belvedere Castle.    Zim walks backwards most of the time, explaining how to get the best out of your camera and obviously has her favourite spots to take the group.

  

Zim and the Group

Don't know these people 



By now a few hours had gone by and our final location was The Lake.  This was a favourite place for visitors with a lot of people taking pictures.   

What a pretty spot with a lot of row boats on the Lake.



Here ended our photo walk with Zim and we both learnt a little more of photography and had an enjoyable morning.  Headed back the way we came but took a different path looking for a restroom as well as something to eat. 

 Well we found both and enjoyed a hot dog for lunch as well as an ice cream and sat and watched a little league baseball game.

Time to push on, and found our way out, and as we were just near The Metropolitan Museum of Art we decided to have a look in there.  This is one huge museum, and a magnificent building.  One of the many displays was Greek and Roman Art as well as a photographic display of the Civil War.  This was very interesting and would have been difficult been a war correspondent in 1863.

On our way out we came across some artists drawing this statue.  Wow how good is this gentleman. 



This was our last day in New York before starting our 2 week self drive tour with first destination Gettysburg. 



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.