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Published: June 13th 2011
We arrived in New York to the hottest June temperatures since 1933, but after the cooler temperatures in Ireland and the Uk for the last two weeks, we loved it! New York is larger than life, full of people and it's true, the city never sleeps. We were fortunate enough to be staying right on Times Square, which just goes off all the time. There is always something to see and the lights are amazing. We had booked a New York Pass before we left New Zealand and these proved invaluable in getting into places without having to queue for ages and saved us heaps of money. Our first full day there we visited Liberty Island, Ellis Island and the World Trade Centre memorial.the ferries were crowded but the views were great. The Statue of Liberty is certainly an imposing sight. The World Trade Centre memorial is a sobering reminder of the tragedy that took place that day almost ten years ago and which still remains acutely in the psyche of the people of New York and indeed America. When you see the sight and read the stories and see the photos you do get a clearer sense of the feeling
of being in a city under attack and how frightening that must have been. Advice from the television stations told us to spend time in air conditioned shops to escape the heat, and we duly followed this advice, thankfully not spending too much money, although we do feel we need some cooler clothes. In this heat even shorts and singlets feel too hot! Our last stop was the 'Top of the Rock' where we went to the 83rd floor of the Rockefella Centre. Great views, but with the heat, the smog made visibility more limited than usual. The hop on hop off bus made traveling around the area easy and
the next day we headed uptown around Harlem and Central Park. We had three hours free
bike hire as part of the New York Pass so we picked up the bikes and headed into the park. This day was even hotter than the day before, so we only lasted an hour and a half. We
made it around most of the park in this time, but needed to stay in an air conditioned cafe
for a wee while after! We took the subway to Macy's and the Empire State building
Central Park, New York
The bikes have a rest in Central Park.for
another view of the city skyline. Once again, awesome! With stops and walks around Wall Street, 42nd St, Battery Park and 5 th Avenue, it was a great tour of the city. Definitely a place to go back and visit again. A big thunderstorm came through on the last night, but it did nothing to cool temperatures.
From one hot town to another, we then headed to the Big Easy, New Orleans. I loved this city the first time I was here 13 years ago, and I love it even more now. The music, the vibe of the city, the relaxed party atmosphere and the history make it a very special place. It's an easy city for walking, ducking into the air conditioned shops when you get too hot and this time we did buy some cooler clothes! There is music everywhere in this town, all genres, so there is something for everyone. There are some very talented musicians around that's for sure. We checked out different clubs and a few different drinks in our traverse along bourbon street. Guess who took their shirt off in order to get some beads thrown to them from a balcony above????? Name
starts with D and rhymes with 'keen'! New Orleans is still rebuilding in some parts after Hurricane Katrina, but you don't see it in the main tourist areas. Once again we have included food as part of the whole cultural experience which had included here lots of shrimp, po'boys, alligator sausage, jumbalaya, buffalo wings and beignets. All yummy but the walking and the sweating means we earn it! Our hotel in New Orlens has THE most comfortable bed and a great pool, so we have spent the afternoon hours lounging in the cooler water and around the pool and have slept well in air conditioned comfort. In two more days we pick up he next camper so it has been great to have this relaxing interlude before we tackle the highways and byways of the USA and Canada. Love to all at home and special birthday wishes to Kurt on the 14th. Xxxxxxx
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Gaylene
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Yay, you've made it to the states! The heat sounds amazing, if only you could send just a wee bit this way. :) Have got our annual Hangi lunch coming up this Friday, they're getting bigger every year. Such a neat event with so much yummy kai. Amanda's 21st in two weeks, so gearing up for that as well. It should be a goody. Have just got home from a rehearsal for a play. Was pretty good too. Written by Doctor Warner aka Michael Galvin. Felt like I was in an episode of Shortland Street as most of the audience were actors. Still loving all the blogs. Take care you two and enjoy the next part of your amazing adventure!!!