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.         

. 

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.    





A DAY IN GOAL

Last Sunday was a glorious autumn day, so we headed to the Boggo Road Goal markets to wander around the stalls and buy breakfast.  It was reasonably quite when we arrived, no long queues at the food stalls.  We decided to try an Egg Japanese Pizza for breakfast, or Okonomi which is a very light savoury pancake, topped with bean sprouts, flipped onto the cooked egg, turned over and sauce, mayonnaise and seaweed flakes are sprinkled on top.  We shared but we could have had one each, they were so nice.

Our Japanese Pizza 

                                        

As tours are conducted inside the goal, we purchased our tickets and had enough time to to have a coffee and enjoy the entertainment and watch all the happenings of  market day.




1kg of HUGE PRAWNS,  THE ACTIVITY ,  ENTERTAINMENT

HM Prison for Women, now called Boggo Road  No 2 Division was opened in 1903, and is the only building left today.  it was purpose-built for women, and the design and construction was claimed at the time to be 'state of the art'.  In 1887 a Parliamentary inquiry recommended the "separate system", which meant separate cells for each prisoner.     

WHY ME IN THE CELL?

 By 1921 the women's prison was moved as the male prison (Division 1 ) population became overcrowded.  No 2 Division was extended and included numerous industries and workshops for the inmates.  In the mid 1970s No 2 Division became a maximum security prison, and during the 1980s was the centre of prisoner unrest, which included riots, hunger strikes and roof-top protests, as well as a few escapes.  2nd Division was closed in 1989 but the building has been preserved, while 1st Division closed in 1992 and finally demolished in 1996.

Pictures from the Inside

Although the tour was possibly 1/2 hour too long it was very interesting to hear the stories of the goal's beginning and demise and to learn a little more history of Brisbane.

                                      

                                                          2nd Division Building