This trip was a belated birthday treat for my mum. We flew out of Manchester on the direct BA flight, after spending the night at the Hilton. (I only live 40 minutes from the airport, but I always think this is a great kick start to your jollies).
Tuesday 1st Nov
We took off on time in what was a beautiful day (and yes I was so lucky again to get an upgrade). We toasted our trip with champers as we chatted about what a fantastic time we will have). We touched down at JFK at 12.15pm ahead of schedule, in what looked like a glorious day. The royal flight was on the tarmac as Charlie %26amp; his Mrs were visiting Manhattan today. After clearing immigration quite swiftly we made our way to the luggage collection. (You can get a trolley for $3 handy if you have a lot of bags to carry). After clearing customs I headed to a telephone to call “Teleaviv cars” whilst my mum headed for a cigarette…well she had gone quite a while without one.
I was advised to wait at pick up B and the driver would be with us in 5 minutes. True to there word he arrived as promised. I have used “Teleaviv” for the past few years and have always found them very reliable %26amp; efficient. I asked the driver could he take us via the Queensborough Bridge he said it was busy. Do not know if this was true but I asked …..
As we left JFK came across a sign saying Queens Boulevard, gave a little smile as I thought of TA’s very own QB. As I mentioned it was a glorious day the sun was beating down we were so lucky. As the skyline came into view I pinched my mum’s arm %26amp; squealed with delight….mum %26amp; the driver laughed. No matter how many times I come back to this wonderful city I cannot contain my excitement and every time is like my first.
We arrived at the Hilton Times Square which was right in the hustle %26amp; bustle, but once inside this hotel you seemed a million miles away. We had to take an elevator up to the reception which was on the 23rd floor. I had called the hotel a few days prior to our visit and asked could we be allocated a high floor with a wonderful view. (I explained that this trip was a birthday treat for my mum). The wonderful people at the Hilton upgraded us to a suite which had views of the river %26amp; Times Square. To get to our room we had to take yet another elevator to the 43rd floor. When we opened the door to our room we were not disappointed at all….. There was also a basket of fruit %26amp; chocolates for mum…which I thought was a lovely gesture.
We had planned to go to Century 21 when we arrived, But after seeing how glorious the weather was we decided we did not want to spend the rest of the afternoon stuck inside a crazy store... So we jumped a cab over to Brooklyn. We went to Grimaldi’s and shared a small pizza and had a few glasses of wine. Afterwards we had a walk around before heading back to Manhattan via the Brooklyn Bridge. What a sight for sore eyes… the weather was fantastic (nic I would not have done this only for you. This view has to be seen to be believed. A million thanks). We then jumped a cab back to our hotel and went across the street for a big shop at Duane Reade lol…. We then dropped our bags off with the kind security man at the ground floor of our hotel then went off for another big shop at Toys r us.
After being shopped out we decided to pop into Virgil’s as we were now feeling a bit peckish. The food was fantastic the ribs were to die for and cocktails were quite yummy to. We were now feeling a little tired, as we walked back to our hotel we smiled as we took all the sounds %26amp; smells in of NYC.
Wednesday 2nd Nov
We woke up to yet another fantastic day, the sun was glistening over all the buildings as we looked out of our window. We had a busy day a head of us; we headed to Carnegie Deli for breakfast which was very yummy. We then headed off to the Rockefeller Centre as we had tickets for TOTR. (I did a separate post for our visit so I will not include it in this post, as I am rambling on as it is lol...) We then watched the skaters on the rink for a while, and then headed over to St Pat’s to light some candles.
We headed over to Grand Central Station we were to full for juniors after having a hearty breakfast. Had a look around and went to the whispering gallery (yes it does work, just like St.Paul’s). Then off to the Chrysler building had a look in the foyer then off to The United Nations.
I was so looking forward to this after watching The Interpreter. We both enjoyed the tour; I told mum she was now on international soil which really seemed to impress her. We then went to the Burger Joint at the Le Parker Meridian. It really is true these are the best burgers ever. Then jumped a cab down to St.Pauls %26amp; Trinity Church. We had a look around and were really touched by what we saw, we then sat on a bench in the grounds of St.Pauls, and the weather was still beautiful. We chatted about how it must have been that awful day and thought about all who lost there lives and those that came back day after day during the recovery. We had been dining at the Windows of the World restaurant with friends 3 weeks before 9/11. Although we had both been back to NYC a few times since 9/11, we had never been into St.Pauls. This visit seemed all the more poignant. We jumped a cab back to our hotel as we were off to see The Phantom of the Opera tonight.
The show was absolutely wonderful what more can I say… WONDERFUL... Afterwards we went back to Virgil’s as we had enjoyed the food so much the previous night. It was then back to our hotel, we had a few cocktails then off to bed.
Thursday 3rd Nov
We woke up to yet another glorious day, we really touched lucky with the weather. (Ken you were so right that dove you saw was an omen) We were off to Jersey Gardens today, so after breakfast in our room we made our way over to the Port Authority bus terminal to catch the 09.45 bus. The cost for two return tickets was $19.50. We arrived at Jersey Gardens at 10.20 (a tip you can get a trolley in the car park, this is handy if you have a lot of shopping to get. And there is no charge). I had been to Woodbury before and wanted to try JG, to be honest we were not really that impressed. Do not get me wrong I am glad we went but there is really no reason to leave Manhattan when you have such fantastic discount stores eg; Century 21,Filene’s , TJ. Maxx %26amp; Loehmann’s.
We arrived back in Manhattan at 2pm we dropped our bags off, then off we went to 5th Ave for a bit more shopping. We made purchases at Tiffany’s, Saks, and Gap %26amp; NBA store. My nephews are huge basketball fans %26amp; Allen Iverson is one of there heroes. A guy in the NBA called Joe helped me with our purchases, what a lovely bloke really helpful %26amp; chatty (when he knew we were from Liverpool, he was delighted he was talking about The Beatles %26amp; LFC he was a huge fan). We seemed to get this a lot and it was nice that people took an interest…New Yorkers rude never!!!They are a delight.
After saying our goodbyes to Joe we jumped a cab back to our hotel, as we were off to see Beauty %26amp; the Beast. After a quick change we went for cocktails at Beekham Tower, wonderful drinks %26amp; fantastic view. Again the show was super... costumes, music pure magic. Afterwards we headed over to Ruby Foo’s for dim sum, food excellent drinks to were yummy.
At long last my trip report Days 1 - 3
Oh my goodness yipeeeee.......
At long last my trip report Days 1 - 3
Loved your report. Looking forward to the remainder.
WELL worth waiting for NETS, got me warn out just reading it!
Ken i cannot believe i finally got to post my report. I have now wrote my report four times lol..talk about groundhog day. The rest will follow tomorrow,
Sounds like an OUTSTANDING trip, Nets. A suite upgrade AND a airline upgrade? I think I need to start traveling with you. ;)
Whizz i have been so lucky,over the past few years that i have flown to JFK with BA i have been given an upgrade,surely my luck has got to run out.... I also got an upgrade at JFK, For my return journey. Now in all my years of travelling i have never,ever been given an upgrade in the U.S...
Nets, sounds great,looking forward to more!!
Nets -, My wife and I are flying BA from Manchester to JFK in January. Have you any tips on how to get an upgrade ??
Annette--At long last! You must be relieved! Great report! You and your mom sure did a lot of shopping LOL! It sounds like you got a lot of sightseeing in, too. I look forward to part 2.
How neat that you saw charles and that woman. By the way the Tel Aviv guy was right, the Queensborough bridge was closed or at least partially closed is what i heard, due to the royal visit, i guess they wanted to see the view too and guess who got priority!
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