Trip report...thanks for all your help

We are back from our trip to New York. Being from Western Australia New York was so far away and a bit daunting before we got there. Thanks to all on this forum you really helped us with information and ideas.

We arrived on Wednesday around 5.30pm and had organised a limo as there were four of us and it was economically better to do it this way, we were glad we did this as coming from WA it is over 24 hours of travelling. The staff at the Affinia Manhattan were more than welcoming and really made a nice welcome for us. They gave us a room on the 22nd floor with a balcony stretching around from 7th Avenue to 30th St which was great. We walked up to Times Square that evening and had a meal and tried to pinch ourselves that we were really in New York.

The next morning we woke and walked to the ESB to check out the queues. We got there around 7.45 to find around 20 people there and thought we would come back the next morning around the same time and beat the queues. We walked (I love walking cities as you get to see the good and the bad but also see so much more) from there down to Ground Zero which is one the most moving places I have been to. The parish was to say the least memorable and gets to your heart more than words can tell. The sheer size of the area is overwhelming.

We went from there down to the Staten Island Ferry (we were going to get the Ferry to the SOL but the queues were too long so made a good choice and saw the SOL on a lovely cloudless day and got some great photos. Visited the memorial on Staten Island for 9/11 and thought it was excellent. The profiles of the people was nicely done. Caught the ferry back and then the tube back to our hotel on 7th and 31st. Freshen up and went to one of the Deli%26#39;s to get a buffet to take back to our room and heat up.

Day two was to the ESB, we were first in line at 7.30 and what a great site. We hired the audio with our ticket and well worth it, it was so interesting to listen to and great value for an extra $6. We went from there up to Union Station and once again another great building. From there we wandered around 5th Avenue and did a bit of shopping.

The next day we ventured up to Central Park and once again were amazed at this wonderful park in the middle of Manhattan and so large (not that Manhattan is small thats for sure). I wanted to do the horse carriage around but my sister and I settled for one of the trishaws (I think thats what they are called) which was great. We were in New York on really hot days and did feel a bit sorry for the guy cycling us around but the view was great!

We then left New York for a 13 day tour through Eastern USA and Canada.

On our return we booked into the same hotel again and this time our one bedroom suite had a view of the ESB from the lounge that was super. The next morning we headed down to Brooklyn Bridge, once again on foot, down Broadway to Fourth and then through Chinatown. We met some great people on the way that once they saw my map and camera stopped us to see if they can help with directions. I have never visited a city where folks are so helpful. We were told to go to the foodhall beside the bridge which was great and we had a beer and lunch looking out over the river and bridge, great spot its a shame I cannot remember what it is called. We then walked over the bridge to get some wonderful pictures of Manhattan.

The last day we walked up to Central Park again to the Zoo. Its very small but the penquins and polar bear are worth it. Being our last day we were gloating at how lucky we had been with the weather when the sky opened up and it gave us once again a lovely memory of New York.

We have come back just wanting to go back again, its a long way from Perth but we will be back.

I loved the people....lots of them but all doing their own thing. We did not come across one person that was angry in fact there were so many faces and wonderful expressions on them that will stay in my memories for ever. Thank you to New York for a great time.

Trip report...thanks for all your help

Thanks for the report, Shezzac. Sounds like you had a wonderful trip.

I think the food hall you refer to must be the South Street Seaport. It%26#39;s basically a mall, but great views of the Bridge and river from there.

My favorites at the zoo are also the polar bears and penguins. I particularly love the penguins in the summer, because it%26#39;s so nice and cool in there.

Trip report...thanks for all your help

Thanks for sharing your trip. You must have been exhausted after the journey from Perth and what a nice surprise to havea room with a balcony. I%26#39;m amazed you didn%26#39;t fall into bed the moment you arrived...you%26#39;ve got stamina!!!

Start saving for your next visit.

Sounds wonderful, glad you spent some time in Central Park, our fabulous playground.

shezzac,

Your trip sounds great. You must have been absolutely shattered but it didn%26#39;t hold you back any. Our visit to New York is in a couple of weeks and we can hardly wait. Reading your review has brought back memories of our last trip, which was our first, and I am feeling the excitement building.

Shezzac, you mention the photos that you took but where are they? The report isn%26#39;t finished until we see the photograhic evidence ;-)

Happy you had a great time! Come again.