First Day - Highline , Chelsea Piers and Empire State Building

---

FranFirst morning we woke too early as still on UK time! Set out for a walk in search of breakfast. We came upon the Highline Park a couple of blocks from our AirBNB. What a lovely place! Walked along elevated above the noise and heat of the city. Lovely calm place with people just strolling, sitting on benches or taking pictures. We took loadsof pictures too (as brother in law Nick from NZ is landscape architect and had specifically requested). Breakfast cofee with croissant and cake bought from street vendor and eaten sitting on a Highline bench.

Then on to Chelsea Piers. Also a rather lovely surprise.....lots of plush boats, benches and flowers, sporting activities including GOLF driving range. Fred in 7th heaven! What a funny driving range with what looks like fake grass, built with tees on 3 levels, and views out past the big boats onto the Hudson rive. Afte

r this we had a stroll in Hudson Park and admired the views, before flaking out in the shade under a tree. The whole place seems imaculately kept with not a shred of litter anywhere. Park keepers in uniforms and traffic cops everywhere, and all seem very friendly.

We met an old chinese guy who was catching crabs in pots with meat bait inside which he chucked into the river on strings.

Then we had a pleasant stroll home through flats with lots of little playparks around them - and still no litter!

---