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Published: April 12th 2007
Times Square
This is it Time Square New York Thursday April 12
We checked out of the hotel and caught a cab to Reagan National Airport for our flight to New York. We went to the self service check in, but was given a message to go to Customer service. We were then told by a very indifferent American Airlines employee that our flight had been cancelled. We asked if he could re book us, but his response was “No, get in the line over there”. Jeff was really annoyed, and asked him when the flight had been cancelled. His reply was “What difference does it make, it’s cancelled now”. Jeff was furious and asked for the guys name, and unsurprisingly, he refused to give it…what a loser!
We lined up in a line that was not very long but, but that hardly moved. It seems American Airlines want people to use self service check in, so when there is a problem, there is only a few agents to help. Finally we spoke to an agent who also wasn’t friendly, but who offered to rebook us onto a US Airways flight leaving an hour later. Jeff didn’t think we had sufficient time for that one,
Rockefeller Center
Outdoor skaters at the Rockefeller Center so asked to be rebooked on the noon flight, meaning we didn’t have to panic or run around the airport.
We boarded the US airways flight to New York, which was about half empty, so Paul moved to a row in front so we each had a vacant seat next to us. After being served a drink and some nuts, we began our descent into La Guardia Airport in New York. At the baggage carousel Paul’s luggage arrived but not Jeff’s. When we went to the baggage office to report it, there tucked in a corner was Jeff’s luggage, which had come on the 11am flight. So much for airport security!
We caught a cab to the Park Central Hotel on 56th and 7th, and we noticed how busy New York is. Drivers are so impatient, blowing the horn of the car all time, even when the traffic is at a standstill. We checked in to the hotel which was very busy in the foyer with lots of holidaying families. Our room is on the 24th floor with views of other buildings, typical for the majority of rooms in New York. The room is small, but nicely furnished,
Central Park
a Bridge that has been in many movies not as great as what we have been used to on this trip, but we will get used to it.
After unpacking we ventured out for Paul’s first taste of New York. We went to a Deli Restaurant there are so many in New York for lunch, Jeff had a Rueben sandwich and Paul had Soup of the Day. Down 7th Ave to Times Sq, The Rockefeller Center and Fifth Ave. It was amazing and busy, at Times Sq we saw a Cowboy guitarist in Y fronts it was very cold. Everyone was crowded around him taking photos.
Times Sq is what Paul imagined but busier, brighter and obviously real to what he has seen on TV. At the Rockefeller Center there was a outdoor skating rink obviously with lots of skaters. We walked along 5th Ave and window shopped along the way, it was a slow walk.
Later on we walked back down to Times Sq for dinner at the Red Lobster, yes typically American. We went for the lobster tail combo, it was delicious. Walking around Times Sq just soaking up the atmosphere.
Friday April 13
We dropped off laundry, at the Korean
Tribute to John Lennon
John Lennon tribute in Strawberry Feilds Central Park cleaners near the hotel, and we walked into Central Park only 3 blocks away. We imagined how it would look in summer with all the plants in bloom and leaves on the trees. Luckily for us it’s winter and not crowded, and we made our way to Strawberry Fields.
When we got there a Busker was telling the story of Strawberry Fields next to the mosaic memorial to John Lennon. He also pointed out the Dakota building where he lived and was eventually assassinated. Strawberry Fields is in the shape of a teardrop and was designed by Italian Artisans. We walked to Dakota and onwards to the subway to make our way to World Trade Center site in lower Manhattan. The New York subway system is extensive and quite different to the Tube in London.
Walking down to World Trade Center, there was a noticeable construction site, so you would not know that this was the World Trade Center at all. We walked around the building site and came across photos and displays in memorials to the victims. We went to the Visitors Centre, which had displays and artefacts from the disaster, bits of plane, keys, cell phones,
Dakota
The building were John Lennon lived and was killed twisted steel and photos of many of the people who died. It was so sad and moving, we both got very emotional. It was very quiet, and nobody was talking. We are glad that another building is being built on this location.
Retail therapy was needed next, so just next to the site is the Century 21 department store. Dorothy and Imelda bought shoes. Paul finally found a pair of red shoes, which he has needed to return to Kansas. Jeff bought a great pair of Hugo Boss shoes. After lunch we took the Subway to Grand Central Station, which is quite magnificent . Such a wonderful design and like all of New York, very busy.
We left there, and decided to walk back to the hotel down 5th Ave and along the way, stopping by all the shops. At Tiffany, a doorman was there and was vetting people who wanted to come inside. All the leading designer labels were well represented, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, etc
It was only a 2-block walk back to the hotel, and our feet were sore. Some afternoon relaxing and planning of the next few days took our time. Some
Site of World Trade Center
The site of where the twin towers stood afternoon relaxing and planning of the next few days took our time. Later that evening we went to the Chelsea District to met Frank, a South African who Jeff had met in Sydney, and who is now living in New York.
We arranged to meet at bar called West Side Tavern between 8th and 9th Streets. After a few drinks, Frank suggested we go to another bar called Ty’s. It was located in Christopher St, in Greenwich Village. It was small, crowded and noisy, but lots of fun. Americans are very eager to come forward and talk to you, so there was not a problem of no one to talk to. Gay bars here on the East Coast are a little different to Australia, for one they close at 4am and they show sport on TV, not music videos. We left for the hotel at 3am.
Saturday April 14
Up a little later, Paul went down to the bagel shop for cups of tea and a Cream cheese Bagel. It was a brilliant sunny day and would be quite pleasant temperature of 15c. We caught the subway to Battery Park to catch a ferry to see Ellis
The Missing
Photographs are the people who died at the World Trade Center Island and the Statue of Liberty.
At Battery Park there was a very long queue to catch the ferry to Ellis Island and Liberty and were told that it was just as long to come back. Further up we saw a 1 hour Cruise that cruised around Lower Manhattan, New Jersey and Brooklyn, and passed the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
When we boarded, all the passengers went to the top deck which was crowded and a bit windy. We decided to go to the open section at the back of the middle deck, and had uninterrupted views and space just to ourselves. It was terrific to see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the New York Skyline. We could see many sightseeing helicopters flying around the Statue, they were doing brisk business.
After the cruise finished, we caught the subway and walked through Chelsea and Soho. New York is consistently crowded. We window shopped, and stopped at a well known gourmet food store, Dean and Deluca. It was quite stunning, but not as well presented as Isetan in Tokyo! So many delicious things to choose from, so we purchased Sushi for dinner, and then
Twisted Steel
a section of twisted steel beam had coffee and cheesecake for afternoon tea.
Back at the hotel we relaxed and had our sushi for dinner. Jeff had read in Gourmet Traveller magazine about a restaurant called ‘Just 4 Dessert’ and that is exactly what they do. We had a booking for 10pm, so dressed and caught the subway to Canal St in lower Manhattan. The restaurant was a long, thin room with a bar running the length of it. The concept was to order one or two courses of dessert accompanied by wine, champagne or cocktails. We liked the concept, but felt it was a bit too small and cramped, and apart from the owner, the staff were just not focused or attentive.
Sunday April 15
Our last full day in New York, and, as predicted, it was raining heavily. We had planned to go to the Guggenheim Museum anyway, so we went to the Carnegie Deli for breakfast first. They certainly make the meals big here. After a huge brunch, we walked around where possible in the pouring rain, and then made our way to the Guggenheim on the other side of Central Park. We were hoping to walk through the Park
Vanderbilt Hall
At Grand Central Station again, but the rain was too heavy.
Arriving at the Guggenheim, we could see it was under renovation and the entrance fee was reduced because of this. There was art on display by Picasso, Van Gogh, Manet, Cezanne, Pissaro, Degas, Gauguin and Rodin, among many. Since the rain never stopped while we were inside, so we took the subway back to the hotel. By the time we reached there, the rain was even heavier. Interestingly, the water is designed to run off into the subway from the streets, and from there it drains off somewhere.
We began packing our bags and watched some TV. Later on, we caught a cab to Greenwich Village, to a restaurant called Wallse. The cab ride was scary, most of the cab we have been in are driven by drivers who are always on their cell phones. This guy wasn’t, he just kept swerving all over the road in the rain like he was in a car rally.
We had both read about Wallse, an Austrian restaurant, in Gourmet Traveller magazine. It was located in a residential area, and the bar and reception was in a different room of what may once
have been a house. After pre cocktails at the bar, we were shown to our table. The restaurant had a lovely feel, cosy and very stylish. Fresh flowers were in large vases around d the restaurant and on each table, and there was lovely linen and Reidel glassware. Paul ordered Maine Lobster on a Potato Rosti for a appetizer and a rich beef Goulash for Main course. There was at least half a lobster, with meat removed from its shell. The goulash was superb, it had red and green peppers and came with a side of Spatzle. Jeff ordered Foie Gras as an appetizer, and for main course, the Weiner Schnitzel with a side of Potato Rosti. At the suggestion of our waiter, we ordered a German Riesling; it matched the food perfectly.
For dessert we ordered a Bittersweet Chocolate terrine, served with mango sorbet and a Nougat log with Cocoa Nib Ice cream. Both were sublime.
Still raining heavily, one of the staff stood outside the restaurant in the rain trying to hail a cab for us. It took him about 10 minutes but he eventually got one. Then back to the hotel for last minute packing
From our room
Just Apartments and sleep to prepare for a early morning call.
Monday 16 April
We had pre booked a car to take us to JFK airport at 6.45am. We tried calling to have our bags taken to the lobby, but there was no answer on any of the numbers. Eventually we gave up and took them ourselves. We found out that the Concierge and Bell Desk does not open till 7am which we thought was really poor!
We asked for a Black Lincoln Towncar, but got white one. It was still raining and will for a few more days, (wish this happened in Sydney). The drive to JFK took us just under an hour in the rain. Our New York experience was a great one in general. 20% tipping, but very cheap for consumer items like cars, electricals, clothes etc. Lots to do and see, and we were very glad we were here in a quieter time of year, we can only imagine how it would be in summer with even more crowds and queues.
Carnegie Hall
Just across the road from our hotel
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Stephen
non-member comment
Almost over
Well it reads like you two have had a fantastic trip. All the best, see you on your return. Ingat