Trip Report 31/12 - 7/1 PART 1

Just back yesterday from our 7 night trip.

Arrived in JFK at lunchtime on New Year Eve. Flight out with Virgin was very good. Got one of the shuttle buses to our hotel, The Alex on East 45th, cost us $17 each plus tip.

Arrived at hotel and were able to get into our room straight away. Nice room, very clean. Went out for a walk to Grand Central and back. Had a rest before getting ready for NYE. Went on the NYE Circle Line Zephyr Cruise. I was very glad I booked this. Felt it was very good value for money (拢96 each) Included buffet, canapes, open bar %26amp; DJ. Boat was very modern yacht and we were one of he first to board so got seat at a table by the window on the lower deck. Seeing the fireworks over the Manhatten skyline at midnight was an amazing one off experience.

Monday - Was a very wet day so we went round the shops. Went to Bloomingdales. Bought a pair of Seven for Mankind jeans for around 拢80, was disappointed that you can%26#39;t use your discount card on designer jeans! Didn%26#39;t buy anything else in there as it was only the beginning of the week so didn%26#39;t want to spend all my money! Went to TGI%26#39;s for lunch, I know we were warned to avoid chain restaurants but didn%26#39;t seem to be able to find many places to eat in that area, food was ok. On our way back we stopped off at Juniors in Grand Central for our first piece of Cheesecake which we took back to eat at the hotel.

Tuesday - Went to Central Park in the morning. Was a lovely sunny day. Walked around quite a bit. Saw the Ice rink, Strawberry fields, pond and the reservior. Got the subway back to Times Square. Before we went I was nervous about the Subway and told my boyfriend I wouldn%26#39;t be using it but after the first time I decided it was ok. Found it easy to use and very clean and not at all crowded. Got a quick lunch from a deli opposite the Empire State Building and then joined the queue. Board stated that the queing time was about 2 hours and that turned out to be about right. Did take up most of the afternoon and a lot of standing. We paid extra to go out to the 102nd floor, think it was about $15. Didn%26#39;t feel you could see much better from here but it was a lot less crowded so we weren%26#39;t fighting for a good viewing point. Thought it was a shame that people have carved their names etc into the windows though which obscured our view/pictures slightly. As it was getting dark we went down to the 86th and stayed there until it got dark. Took some amazing photos. That night we were really tired so just went for a quick dinner in the japanese at the bottom of our hotel.. Worked out quite expensive, but the meal was nice and we didn%26#39;t mind paying as we haven%26#39;t had a proper dinner the night before.

Wednesday - Started early. Got the subway at about 8:30 right in rush hour but still didn%26#39;t seem that busy. Went to Century 21. Didn%26#39;t find it crowded at that time at all. Got some real bargain, Miss Sixty jeans for approx 拢25 each and some Joe jeans for about 拢30, had seen these in Bloomingdales for around 拢80. Had lunch in the Panini cafe nearby. Very nice, very large panini. Had a look at WTC site. I too thought it was a bit disrespectful of people taking pictures of the photos hanging there and smiling in front of pictures, althought I must confess I did take one picture of the site from across the rd when we returned later in the week. Got the Staten Island ferry and got some very good views/pics of the Statue of Liberty. Got the ferry straight back across from Staten Island. Walked round Wall St then headed back on Subway to hotel. Had a rest before getting a taxi to John%26#39;s Pizza in Greenwich Village. I have to say I wasn%26#39;t that impressed. Felt we were rushed by the waiter and there wasn%26#39;t the choice of pizza toppings that I was expecting.

Trip Report 31/12 - 7/1 PART 1

Thanks for part 1. Glad you decide to use the subway! So, did you like the cheesecake?

Trip Report 31/12 - 7/1 PART 1

Thanks for posting, nice start!

Did enjoy the cheesecake. We couldn%26#39;t eat a whole portion each in one siting though. Again tho, Juniors didn%26#39;t have as many different topping choices as I was expecting!