Winter in America is cold... Wed 18/2

 Paul booked us for a tour today for 6 hours,  yes 6 whole hours on a bus with a few stops and a ferry ride.(sold)

As we wizzed past famous landmarks, the guide gave an excellent commentary as we tried to take photos avoiding cars, buses and trucks. And dirty fogged up bus windows.

I should mention the weather which was a bit wet and very foggy as you will see.

OK there is a bus but look at the fire escapes. So New York.

Dont remember what this was but pretty even with dirty window

However our first actual stop was Central Park where we had a walk through and listened to more commentary.  Just for your info, it snowed very heavily here a few days ago before we arrived and there is unmelted snow everywhere but in Central Park, it was stunning.

Paul in a poncho, it was raining

And then a bit of a walk where interesting stuff was pointed out.

Cute, we might try them tomorrow

And then back on the bus for more sight seeing through fogged up windows. No demister here though the guide did hand us some paper towel to dry the window. Yes really.

drove past the Louis Vuitton building which looks like one of his cases. Cool

One of Trump's towers 

nice church

And then, our next stop was the Rockefeller Centre(RC), where we had been the night before. But this was different. We walked around the many buildings that make up the centre, in including an ice rink, rest rooms and cute statues.

Photo of us taken by the guide overlooking the ice rink. not sure what happened

NBC is in the RC

An NBC studio

And then to see the Empire State building.  i think as we are unsure of the order but nice photos.

good luck to touch the bull's balls.there was a lineup?

After lunch in  a food hall somewhere, it was more bussing to the 9/11 Memorial Park. It was beautiful and so perfect.

There are other buildings around of interest.

Church of I think St Nicholas which was destroyed but rebuilt in the same style

The fire station across the road whose fire fighters were the first on scene.

This was cute and nearby

this is another odd nearby building

A memorial with tags from the survivors. Heartbraking.

I love snow

These mounds were made from the concrete from the buildings. there is a row of them and very moving.

And finally the last part of our trip to board the Staten island ferry to see the Statue of Liberty on route.  The only reason for the trip. We were informed by the guide that this free ferry service is the only way to get to Staten Island and back. So it is necessary for commuters and popular with tourists wanting to see the Statue. I think he said it takes 4000 passengers.  Surely not.  I just googled and it says up to about 4500!!!!

However the fun bit was that there are no lines and basically when they open the gates, you kind of have to run/walk fast to get on and find the best spots. So we waited and then bang, off we went desperately trying to stay with the guide up the stairs and to the best viewing deck.

The other fun thing was that the trip takes about 25 minutes after which you get off and quickly run back around to the waiting area for the same ferry going back as you cannot stay on board.  And you have to be quick to catch it in time.  

That was fun but we did get some nice shots even with the fog and drizzle. Still magical.

looking back to New york

Coming back:

Back on the bus to back where we started. Not a bad trip but a long 6 hours.

Another long walk back to the hotel to prepare for our first New York broadway show at the Lyceum theatre (which was 2 blocks from the hotel).

It is a gorgeous little theatre and unbelievably like the Civic Theatre in Newcastle. Beautiful and ornate but smaller and cosier. Gorgeous.  We saw 'Oh Mary' as it had won a Tony for comedy.  We enjoyed it mostly as was very clever and witty at times but not sure how it won an Tony.

Paul with his red wine.

inside

And then dinner at an Irish pub which had one gluten free dish. A margarita flatbread which was very nice.  Side note: Not a lot of knowledge nor interest in Gluten free @#$.  Lucky to find anything.

Paul had a Rueben sandwich

What a huge but wonderful day in New York, New York. More tomorrow.