Advertisement
So it has come to the attention of my family that I am technologically challenged. The selfie stick comes out and there is a communal groan. I just can't do it. I can't hold the phone out and press the button at the same time. When using the selfie stick, I can't angle the phone to get us all in the shot whilst seeing something of the background. I have a Diploma in Professional Photography but my selfies suck!
Our first day in NYC began with a hair raising cab ride down to Battery Park - at least there seems to be road rules here unlike in Paris where the roads are just a free for all. Arriving a little early for our departure to Liberty Island, we bought breakfast from a local deli and sat in the park stuffing our faces with eggs over easy, crispy bacon and hash browns. It looked like a greasy heart attack waiting to happen but tasted delicious.
We commenced our journey to the island to view the famous statue up close, choosing the best side of the ferry to give us a fantastic view of Liberty as we came in to dock.
Crown access tickets in hand we headed straight for the lady herself with a steely determination to make it to the top. It was to be third time lucky for me - my two previous visits failed me! The tiny winding spiral staircase up to the crown gave our legs another workout and once we reached the top we were all surprised by how small the crown is. With only standing room for 6-8 people, it was a bit of a squash and a squeeze but the views of the Manhattan skyline with the new One World Trade Centre rising majestically at the forefront were spectacular.
Bill's lemonade provided refreshment once we returned to ground level and it was, no contest, the best lemonade I have ever tasted. Better than the traditional lemonade my Grandad Ralph used to make and that's an accolade in itself.
After some more failed attempts at family selfies, our next stop was the One World Observatory - only recently opened to the public, the tower is the tallest in the Western Hemisphere, the fourth tallest in the world. The lift travels the 102 floors to the top in only 60 seconds. The 360
degree viewing platform is impressive with an unobstructed view for miles. Izzy and I did our obligatory 'twirling' at the top - something we do wherever we go. I started twirling Lily when she was little and continued with Izzy. Lily grew out of it way too soon but Izzy still humours me! See photo for clarification of 'twirling'!
At the base of this new building sit the two 9/11 memorial pools, a beautiful and poignant reminder of all the people whose lives were tragically cut short. It was a humbling experience standing where the twin towers once stood, watching the water flow and reading the names of those who lost their lives. I wasn't sure how I would feel coming here but I'm glad I did. It's a very peaceful place, an oasis in the concrete jungle.
A quick stop at the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street to show Izzy the site of the Wall Street Crash. She has been learning about The Great Depression at school and was full of questions about the crash - a quick history lesson from me and a crash course (excuse the pun) on the stock market from Bruce
and we were on our way, double quick time back to the hotel to get ready for our evening out on Broadway.
Deciding on a Broadway show is no mean feat. With so many to choose from and four people to satisfy we had a Facebook poll followed by a family vote. The Lion King came highly recommended, rated high on the poll and won the family vote so we arrived at the Minskoff theatre, tickets in hand and took our seats in the freezing cold auditorium. Jet-lag caught up with us and we had to prod Izzy to keep her awake but the show was fantastic. It's such a visual show with an amazing use of the space to portray the pride lands. The costumes and props were spectacular with Rafiki and the hyenas being my favourite characters. A fabulous experience.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.147s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 5; qc: 44; dbt: 0.0524s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
Janet Snowden
non-member comment
New York Nosh
Well you guys are definitely cramming it in. I have just been on a Food Course with Gwen called New York Nosh. The menu was NY Buffalo wings with blue cheese sauce, then NYC Beefburger in a brioche bun with Tomato Chilli Jam, then the most delicious pie called Crack Pie!!! Definitely a Lily pie. The girls have given me a list of places that are really good food, though I know you are limited in time. Momofuku > pork buns & ramen. Momofuku Milk Bar > Crack Pie & cereal milk. Both in East Village. ShKe Shack > Madison Square Park (& other places) for best burgers, cheese fries & shakes. Eatally > opposite Madison Square Park. Dominique Ansel Bakery > Cronus Melt > ice cream sandwiches atomic Wings > best buffalo wings Maybe you will already have tried some of them but just in case. Look forward to reading your blog. Enjoy. XX