Day One
The plan
for today was to be relaxed and head up to Central Park for a few hours.
Everyday we’d being busy, don’t get me wrong we are having an AMAZING time but it was
nice just to sit and take in a beautiful view of the skyline on our usual
haunt, Sheep Meadow in the world famous park. As we headed up, we were
distracted by a number of fire engine sirens and they stopped over the road
from where we were. There was some smoke coming out of a building window, and
as they all disembarked they headed down the subway. Thankfully it wasn’t too
big and hopefully no one was hurt. Every fire engine has American flags on them
and they are so respected, for obvious reasons and rightly so.
We cut across to 5th Avenue and walked
up there to get to Central Park, 20 or so blocks North. Locals would take the
metro, but us travellers used our legs of course!
When we were upgraded to business class, we were
given a couple of chocolates which were Godiva. They were amazing! They weren’t
cheap so we appreciated the free ones very much!
We were there! We had gotten to the southeast
corner of the park, which is where this fountain is located. We were told that
although this isn’t the actual fountain used on the intro of Friends, it was a
massive inspiration towards the replica that was build in Warner Bros studios
all them years ago.
We then
headed into our hotel, pah maybe not!, the Plaza! It has been the filming
location of all types of films over the years and it is similar to the
Dorchester’s (London) reputation, if not higher. Because to be honest,
everything America is bigger and better in some ways!
As we headed round to the Plaza’s main entrance we
came across these pigeons all lined up about to sing for us. They never did
sadly but I knew they wanted to really...
We then headed in...
So posh!! We nipped into the shopping area
inside and had a look in a boutique shop. We saw a dog toy bone from the
company, Harry Barker!! We decided to buy a couple for our doggy friends.
As we were in the rather glamorous reception area,
we noticed a sign by the ‘residents and guest reception’. They are so used to
tourists and visitors having a cheeky look inside, they have segregated the
actual reception from the main lobby. Quite sensible to be honest but a little
bit like saying, ‘commoners, you stay away from the guests’.
Of course around Central Park, they have a heap of
horse and carriages so they have a sign warning you of the presence of them!
We then wandered into Sheep Meadow and went to our
usual area we sat in. It has the most extraordinary view, could look at it for
days on end, and lots of bits of shist (the rock Manhattan is formed on, that’s
why it can hold such massive structures). We decided to go in the main field
bit and have a rest from all the hard work (hard work!!). We had reminded
ourselves that we had rearranged a tour we were mean’t to do the other day so
we had a couple of hours before we had to get there to see some movie
locations!
What a view!!
These were cute too, a couple of birds having
a dust bath in the lovely dry soil. We have chickens at home and they do the
exact same thing so it took us back to home for a few seconds!
Then...it was time for some movie locations. We
headed south to Columbus Circle (SW corner of Central Park) and got to the
starting location for the tour. We hadn’t had lunch so we had to squeeze in a
visit to a deli where we got a Panini each. Nat and Chris had to head to the
starting point to say I was going to be a couple of minutes late but it was no
problem. I got to the bus and after having a pickly moment we got going. 3
people had been booked on another time slot and they had thought it was this
one. I then had a seat to sit on and also Chris and Nat could sit together!
Our first stop was to Cafe Late, a cute little cafe
where the famous ‘You’ve Got Mail’ scene was filmed. Where Tom Hanks discovers
its Meg Ryan inside therefore stands her up, yes that one. It was blumming
crazy inside though, I would not like to work there, however you would get alot
of tips probably!
We got some pictures of us stood outside and also
there was a dog’s heaven outside. Honestly our Grandmas chocolate labrador would
have gobbled all that food down!! Labs do not stop eating and certainly eat
everything that is put in front of them!
We then headed off on the bus, towards Seinfield’s
Restaurant. I think it’s that, I’ve never seen or heard of it, Chris had, so
Nat grabbed a picture of it. One good thing was that on the bus they show the
clip from the film they are pointing out. Other than that, the format of the
trip wasn’t too good. You were sat in a cramped coach, where you couldn’t see
much if you weren’t in the window seat and to be honest I much preferred the walking
tour as you actually saw the place!
Then that
was the end...not the best tour but not bad! You’ve Got Mail location the best
by far!
We had
been informed by someone about a 20 block long market that was going on.
Literally though every 2 blocks were the same. Jewellery (like the same
jewellery!), handbags, music activated t-shirts, roasted nuts, fried ice cream.
It was on repeat but the atmosphere was great! It was a mall styled thing, so
the road had been closed to vehicles. Everyone was happy, the music was ringing
everywhere you went and the energy was just great. We had a really great time
and was well worth the visit! We then saw the LOVE artwork so
got some pictures.
Potato Swirls!! Took us back to Krabi, Thailand definitely
As I was looking at an artwork stall I saw this
image. I asked the man what it was off, of course to the reply of, ‘no idea’.
But I myself was 99% of what it was, I was sure it was York Minster from where
we are from. We literally live near it so it was quite fun but weird to see a
drawing of such a local monument from back home.
These were fried oreos, which would have been
delicious but they looked kind of weird so I’ll stick to my oreos from the
local supermarket! J
We then headed back to the hotel and headed up to
the roof to see sunset. You could see the Empire State, the Freedom Tower far
in the distance, the Crysler. Such an amazing view! Was brilliant! We also got
chatting to the two guys from Florida, they were visiting on business and were
so lovely!
You meet so many lovely people whilst travelling,
from all over the world and it’s just brilliant. I would certainly recommend it
and just make sure you plan to a certain extent to make sure you don’t spent unnecessary
amounts of money and don’t spend all your time at a place planning what you are
going to do, therefore wasting time of your actual visit.
Anyway back to this!! Side track!! So yes we then
headed to bed for another fun filled packed day tomorrow High Line tomorrow which should be fun!
Day Two
Today was the day we'd visit the High Line. It is a obsolete train track overpass that has been beautifully renovated into a communal walkway either side jam packed with blossoming flowers and plants. It's probably the most recognised piece of artwork of the whole of Manhattan and is brilliant whether you live near it, fancy a little walk to get to the shops or want to wander the whole distance of it. It's really a cool and arty characteristic of New York and it truly has a rugged yet classy feel about it.
As we approached it, we did get a little confused, what in the world is chocking your vehicle!?!?
After this confusion, we advanced to the very start of the wondering pathway.
We then walked the whole distance!! It wasn't actually as long as I'd thought it was, it turned out to be only a mile.
We came across some really cool artwork on the walls nearby and this was a highlight. Really colourful and stands out to the passing eyes.
It was lovely just to relax, walk slowly and take in the atmosphere. There was a little water bit where you could soak your feet, and kids could have a play, it really had such a pleasant and friendly atmosphere to it.
Along the way there was a performance going on and in all honesty, it was slightly weird! I admire them for doing their acting in front of the general public but it was...a little weird!
I loved this section! They had little stalls on the left hand side and on the other side it was just, track. Just so peaceful, I loved it.
We then carried on South to Perry Street and got to our next target, Carrie's apartment steps. If you're thinking, 'who is Carrie??' well it's the steps used for the filming of Sex and the City. Nat watched it so she fancied going here. Next door there was a mass of work being done. Literally the whole staircase was being replaced so it was JUST manageable to get a clear shot of us and the steps.
Nat '...that's where Big stood!'
Chris then felt the need to get in on the name action...Welcome to Christopher St Station! Just for him haha.
He was dreaming!!
I personally was sooo excited for this part of our day. We were going to everyone's favourite...FRIENDS APARTMENT! Well...the outdoor shot. Everything else was filmed in studios over in LA. It was amazing because on the program it is very deceiving due to looking like a very tall building. However, when it's in front of you, it's actually pretty small! We overheard a tour guide say to their guests that they put the camera pointing up and much as possible to make it look giant. It successfully does that having seen it myself.
Then it was Chris' turn. He loves Ghostbusters therefore we visited the fire station used as the set. It even had the logo for the films on the ground. It was a struggle to find but eventually we did so we were happy, especially Chris.
As we wandered back north, (we had walked many blocks today!) we came across a film shooting location. Not that that is unusual or anything, it's actually pretty strange if you don't see either a tv camera filming, an interview or a film shoot.
The whole street was cut off and it said 'RADICAL MEDIA' (I think...) It was very interesting.
One of the last stops of the day was this tattoo shop. You many remember that in LA we visited Kat Von D's shop 'High Voltage Tattoo' so now it was Ami James' turn. We were at NY Ink...we like our tv sets. We went in but he wasn't there!
We saw this amazingly cute and groomed dog but he wouldn't perform due to having an audience! Such a gorgeous dog though.
It was then time for lunch. It was so late but we were starving. We settled on a subway...of course and headed for the Washington Square Park to have it.
It actually had this sign pretty close... But hey ho it doesn't matter, the dogs were loving it :)
There was the beautiful Washington Arch there so we got a few pictures.
As Pharrell would say...
Seriously I just have to be all weird and do some strange photo composition...I either do jumps or stand on poles! haha. Who needs standard pictures!!
We finally got an ice cream after seeing loads and loads of trucks on every block and you know what, it was rubbish! It was awful...would much prefer a Mr Whippy, them things are far superior!
Nat's favourite...
There we are again, the Flatiron Building. I'll be honest, I originally called it the 'flat-e-ron' building but it's actually pronounced 'flat-iron' building. How stupid!
Hello cute doggy!!
Hello flat-e-ron again!
I honestly think I saw the Statue of Liberty earlier...she had funky glasses on though and a poster for a prop!
It was then dinner time...we wanted SHAKE SHACK! We had passed the restaurant many many times and we finally went in. There was always a massive queue and no different this time! We got a shakin' machine and it was evil...666!!
It finally shook :) and we then had to findra way through the crowd to collect our food. Literally everybody raves about this place and for a good reason. It was pretty good!!
We went abit crazy on ketchup!
We were well satisfied :) and so by now it was late so we settled down for the night with a little bit of Guy's Dives, Doves, Dunes and Drive-in! Very happy with life right now! Shame it's all ending soon though :(
Day Three
Today was our last full day in New York City and it was great as we had done all the attractions, shopping and museums we had decided to do. So today was going to be spent relaxing in Central Park. Honestly if I lived in NYC I'd be there all the time!! On our way we came into the Public Library again to have a better look.
Our welcome to Central Park was once again...a squirrel!! haha!
Down the mall bit, there was a guy doing big bubble aw and they were really funky! Love the colours the camera has caught too in these pictures. Really colourful!
Look at this view!!
My view was...the ground!!
Love Columbus Circle, such a lovely yet busy place and always something going on :)
There he is...Guy! ...well his restaurant is!
It was then time to PACK :( Chris was packing his suitcase and we asked if we could use some room to store some of our cereal bars... We stored a lot!
It was all abit crazy, things everywhere, shopping everywhere, NEW SHOES ON THE BED!! (that's unlucky!!)
Chris had his cheesecake :)
We then went for a final wander into Times Square. We actually went to see the 3 minute wonder at midnight but it didn't happen. Either that or we missed it! But recently there had been protests there so they had closed the seating area bit.
Great pictures below Nat! Thanks! :)
Then it was bed time!! We said hello to the front of the hotel again and headed to bed to experience our final day in New York tomorrow.
Then it was Washington!! Before that though, we had to introduce Chris to the fabulous life of Greyhound buses!!
Day Four
We got up and got ready. We had finished packing last night but we just had to put our essentials away this morning. YES US BACKPACKERS DO BRUSH OUR TEETH! By the way though, this was the menu for our hotel, it was always a really tasty meal and well worth it :)
Goodbye 1814!!
Goodbye cleaning storage unit that was ALWAYS randomly in front of our room! :) We'll miss you!
We checked out and put our bags into storage and headed back up to Central Park. Before Chris arrived on our first day, me and Nat had seen a baseball game there so it was great that when we got there Chris could see a match for himself. They literally started as we sat down. Red vs Blue again...we were with the winners OBVIOUSLY (maybe not!). Red's tried their best though! Nat had brought her carrot cake along for the game too, from Junior's of course :)
We enjoyed sitting on the bench, in the sunshine, without a care in the world!!
We actually thought they were going to do the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge but they didn't, they just took a picture behind it.
We love this view, we've spent half an hour y
E the last few days here!!
We then headed back. Nat and Chris went to the Dakota and due to me having seen it everyday for a week on the Sightseeing bus tours, I went back to the hotel to get the bags and do abit of my diary!
As they were in the area, Nat got herself on CNN standing behind a presenter doing the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge!
Full monty!!!!
It was then a case of having dinner, after which they nipped out to do a little bit of shopping. One last final spend!
Bubba gump!!
They also saw a metro terminal entrance INSIDE a supermarket!! How very American!!
Then it was the waiting game, but using it productively of course. I did 3 days diary and then got distracted by Nat's phone...actually I was probably doing a blog actually! ALWAYS WORKING! :)
Chris was just been smiley as ever!!
WE ARE ALL SO SMILEY!
Loved getting a hot chocolate at night, such a lovely hotel!! Highly recommend this place :) Newly opened a month ago and such lovely staff!
And then we headed for the Port Authority Bus Station! The bus was at 12.30am, we got there at 12am, queued up just a little too late, bus got full so had to wait for next one at 2.30am!!! THEN it got worse when they said it'll be 3am! What a night!! Those two look alright but my face kind of is saying, 'oh my I am so tired...can't the bus just go!!'.
Off we then went to WASHINGTON!!!!
We had SUCH an amazing time in New York, full of life events (engagements, chocolate, attractions etc.) and just having a brilliant time with my sister and my new brother-in-law-to-be :)
Such an amazing time...all of this is just, unforgettable!!
Rach xxx
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