Shuttergirl taking on the US hehe - NOW WITH some PHOTOS See Post 1 for links

[ehsmum]

You should give the subway a try, it's really not that bad! But the downside of it is you are underground so you don't get to see anything.

What day are you going to see the Yankees? I can't wait to hear what you all think of it.

Yikes on the dogs in Central Park! I wouldn't have been comfortable with that either.

I hope you all get a good night's sleep and that your feet hold up for you!!

 

[aussietravellers]

Sounds like you are having a great time.

about the boathouse. I do agree with the dogs off leads, we love dogs but I was really surprised about the amount of dogs off leads. Thats terrible that they jumped on your kids! Was the indoor area closed when you went? We went to sit outside and then realised there was an indoor area (totally dog free ) and sat inside overlooking the lake, there was only one other table in there, it was lovely.

I would be terrified to drive in NY Just being driven by a taxi is scary enough, I just couldn't change lanes or get anywhere. Actually when we were walking around the upper west side before going to the museum, I noticed how close all of the cars were parked to each other in the streets and all the cars seemed to have bumps and dents or scratches on their bumpers or number plates Doesn't surprise me with their driving.

Hope you continue to have a ball on the rest of your trip

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

What day are you going to see the Yankees? I can't wait to hear what you all think of it.

We are going to the Yankees on Sunday night, can't wait. It seems there is a grid iron football match on here on Sunday arvo too and DH is wondering if we could fit in both, god help me . Will have to see how we go.

about the boathouse. I do agree with the dogs off leads, we love dogs but I was really surprised about the amount of dogs off leads. Thats terrible that they jumped on your kids! Was the indoor area closed when you went? We went to sit outside and then realised there was an indoor area (totally dog free ) and sat inside overlooking the lake, there was only one other table in there, it was lovely.

I did try to see whether we could go inside but it looked like there were cleaners in there and all of the doors were locked. It was a real shame, we were looking forward to having the omelette that you raved about

 

[PrincessInOz]

Shuttergirl - glad to see you're have a great "liberating" time in NYC.
Seriously, take the Subway or the bus to get around Manhattan. It really does save your feet. You may not see as much; but you have more time to explore at the other end. And it really is pretty safe in Manhattan.

The blisters can wait to develop when you get to WDW.......

 

[aussietravellers]

I did try to see whether we could go inside but it looked like there were cleaners in there and all of the doors were locked. It was a real shame, we were looking forward to having the omelette that you raved about

Oh that is such a shame. It may have been closed when we went, although the doors were open so we just went in Then others followed, but nobody told us to get out and they served our food in there so it must have been ok.

Those dogs! When we were walking around the lake, two dogs ran into the lake and had a swim and came running out and ran to near where we were walking and proceeded to shake everywhere, YUK, we were sprayed with dirty dog water!

 

[platypus67]

Glad to hear you arrived safely. Enjoying reading your posts.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Oh dear, I've been awake since 2.30am, DS8 is awake now too and it's 4am. I truly thought this would have settled down by now. Oh well, it has to soon.

 

[aussiegirls]

Shuttergirl, do you wear thongs much (the feet ones not the bum ones )? Because perhaps it would be helpful to wear thongs when you can, like on easy days like shopping and sightseeing and things, and only wear the runners etc for full on days like in DW and stuff.

Good luck

xxx

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Aussiegirls - actually last night I wore open sandals out for dinner and that worked okay. We have an easier day today and I'm thinking of doing that again today. It makes me nervous not wearing supportive shoes but I think it's the lesser of two evils.

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it.

 

[aussietravellers]

Oh dear, I've been awake since 2.30am, DS8 is awake now too and it's 4am. I truly thought this would have settled down by now. Oh well, it has to soon.

Oh do I feel your pain It's terrible, there really isn't much to do at that hour when in a hotel room and you are the only one awake and the time seems to go soooo slowly.

We actually slept in until 7.30am this morning, the first sleep in we have had

I hope that you have a later sleep tomorrow morning

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Oh do I feel your pain It's terrible, there really isn't much to do at that hour when in a hotel room and you are the only one awake and the time seems to go soooo slowly.

We actually slept in until 7.30am this morning, the first sleep in we have had

I hope that you have a later sleep tomorrow morning

Oh god don't tell me that.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

You don't mean that was the first night you slept all the way through though right? Just the first sleep in? Please tell me we will sleep through the night before then

 

[aussietravellers]

You don't mean that was the first night you slept all the way through though right? Just the first sleep in? Please tell me we will sleep through the night before then

No, we have been waking at 6 - 6.30am most days sleeping through, it was a few nights with the early waking, DS settled quicker than I did though, so you should be right tonight, fingers crossed .

We have spent the day at the resort today after our Chef Mickey's breakfast (that we will never go to again, terrible food!). I'm feeling a little unwell, very dizzy, so we have had a day at the resort resting (which was one of our waterpark/shopping/resort days anyway) It may be the aircon. It is absolutely FREEZINGGGGGGG inside (in the hotels, shops, buses). They have the aircon way too cold, we rush to the back seat of the buses because many of them have the back row of seats heated from the engine But dipped out last night with another family doing the same thing. We just went down to Mara the CS and we had our teeth chattering it was so freezing!

 

[Mum from oz]

Great hearing about your trip. Hope you get some sleep soon. Can't wait to hear more

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

As I mentioned another horrendous sleepless night. The kids are alternating nights on who will sleep through but I am awake for hours. Good news is I get to play on the Dis .

DH popped out and got some fruit, yoghurt and muffins for breakfast this morning for all of us. The past 2 mornings we had bacon and eggs and we felt we probably needed to put a stop to that (why she begs???).

For a few days DH and I had secretly been discussing taking DS8 to the wrestling at Madison Square Garden. He is a huge fan and they went in Melbourne in July but it would seem that MSGarden is the ultimate venue so DH was keep to go. I was not . I suggested he take DS tonight and I take our DD12 to see a stage show. We were both happy with that plan and mummy was relieved .

So we headed off to the NBS store at 10 because they have a Ticketmaster. Got chatting to the girl behind the counter and she used to work at WDW and guess what she did for her job? She was Winnie the Pooh. How cute is that. She said it did take a bit of the magic away but she's still a big Disney fan.

Wrestling tickets in hand and some serious shopping for Boston Celtics stuff for our nephews later, we jumped in a taxi to head to the financial district. To say it was a hellish ride would be an understatment. For a Saturday the traffic was insane. And I quietly think the dude took us the busiest way but I digress. I was in the front which is good because I know my DH was seething in the back seat as well as gripping on for dear life . We eventually got there and headed straight for the restaurant DH had been dying to go to. A bit of background, my husband is a huge cook and he is obsessed with watching cooking shows. One of his fave shows is No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain who just so happened to have 2 restaurants in NY, one in Park Avenue and one near Wall St. We so aren't Park Avenue peeps so we decided to kill two birds with one stoneand go to the Financial District. The restaurant was all dark wood and white linen clothes and full of character. And the food, well it was absolutely delicious. All of us loved our meals immensely which as you all know, with kids that is rare. Here is his restaurant website in case you are interested:-www.leshalles.net. I cannot rave enough, seriously beautiful and because it was out of the touristy areas the price was so cheap for such quality food.

Then we went down to Ground Zero which gives me mixed emotions. I mean, it really is just a construction site now so you really have to use your imagination to remember how awful 911 was through all of the noise and construction. But then you remember all of the awful footage you've seen, buildings collapsing, ash flying everywhere, people screaming and running in the exact street you are walking on and you finally see the place for what it is, the site of a horrendous tragedy.

We wandered around Wall Street for a while, then caught another cab home. To say the family weren't keen to subject ourselves to another cab would be an understatement but we were pleasantly surprised this time. He took us along the river, past Brooklyn Bridge and the whole thing was painless and scenic.

We came back for a nap (I know I know, we need to stop napping but we are so tired ) then we all got up and got ready and the boys headed off to the wrestling and the girls headed off to buy tickets for Mamma Mia on Broadway. Luckily we were able to get last minute tickets so DD and I did a little shopping, ate dinner at Appleby's again (which by the way cost the same amount as lunch for 4 people and while it was tasty, it wasn't in the class of Les Halles food, so it really showed me what a premium you pay for tourist dining).

Mamma Mia was amazing. I've seen alot of stage shows, have loved them all and this is no exception. I was impressed that the movie had been kept very close to the original stage show. Very funny, amazing singing and I've never been to a show where every single person was on their feet dancing and singing at the top of their lungs at the end. Fun fun fun.

The boys have just walked in the door from the Wrestling and DS is on a complete high with his new John Cena t-shirt and many wrestling match tales to share.

And I just wanted to make an observation - when we were coming to New York last year I remember being concerned about walking home of an evening in New York (I watch an awful lot of Law and Order you see ). Of course it wasn't a problem at all and I never thought about it again.

Well DD and I walked home from the theatre tonight at 10.45, about 4 or 5 blocks and I didn't for a moment even think about being scared or in danger. I can't say I would do the same in Sydney. I think it's because this city seriously never sleeps and there are always so many people around. And is there anything better than being in Times Square at night? I don't think so.

Please all cross your fingers for a good night sleep for me and family.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

No, we have been waking at 6 - 6.30am most days sleeping through, it was a few nights with the early waking, DS settled quicker than I did though, so you should be right tonight, fingers crossed .

We have spent the day at the resort today after our Chef Mickey's breakfast (that we will never go to again, terrible food!). I'm feeling a little unwell, very dizzy, so we have had a day at the resort resting (which was one of our waterpark/shopping/resort days anyway) It may be the aircon. It is absolutely FREEZINGGGGGGG inside (in the hotels, shops, buses). They have the aircon way too cold, we rush to the back seat of the buses because many of them have the back row of seats heated from the engine But dipped out last night with another family doing the same thing. We just went down to Mara the CS and we had our teeth chattering it was so freezing!

I told my husband you mentioned the air conditioning problem, he's excited because he loves being cold .

Sorry to hear you've been feeling unwell, that is awful news. I hope you get up tomorrow feeling alot better lovely lady.

 

[OzCath]

So excited you got to Anthony Bourdain's restaurant. I am a big Bourdain fan too, love his show. Loving your trip reports. I always felt safe in NY walking at night. So many people around at all times of the day and night. Fingers crossed for a good sleep tonight!

 

[PrincessInOz]

I'm so excited and jealous that you ate at Les Halles! The decor and food sounded amazing!

I told my husband you mentioned the air conditioning problem, he's excited because he loves being cold .

Sorry to hear you've been feeling unwell, that is awful news. I hope you get up tomorrow feeling a lot better lovely lady.

The air conditioning was a problem for me too in May. This is how I ended up getting sick. I was absolutely shivering cold in the buildings...all that air conditioned buildings/rides and then out into the hot humid sun.

Hope you and the entire family have a decent night's sleep from now on.

 

[shushh]

I missed you leaving and didn't get a chance to say bon voyage!!! Glad you arrived safely. Loving the details in your TR. How are the feet going?

Was actually in Canberra about 2 weeks ago for work but didn't get time to do much else unfortunately. Was tempted to organize a meet...

Was it difficult to get last minute tickets for broadway? We really want to watch a show with the kids. Fairly flexible with shows but I don't want to waste time lining up in queues with little ones. Having said that, we're there around Christmas time, and the prices are nearly double! I'm so unsure what to do.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

So excited you got to Anthony Bourdain's restaurant. I am a big Bourdain fan too, love his show. Loving your trip reports. I always felt safe in NY walking at night. So many people around at all times of the day and night. Fingers crossed for a good sleep tonight!

Glad to hear there are other Bourdain fans LOL. Of course we had secret hopes he would round the corner out of the kitchen but alas, not to be. We then were joking how he was probably only there on Opening night and never again

I'm so excited and jealous that you ate at Les Halles! The decor and food sounded amazing!

He calls it a french bistro and it def had a relaxed formalness about it. The food, wow. DH had a steak in pepper sauce which was SENSATIONAL!! I had this potato, olive and goats cheese terrine thing with a side of mashed potatoes and am still drooling. DD12 had the macaroni and cheese with ham in it that is the only mac and cheese people should ever have. A little bit of heavenly comfort on a plate. And the best bit is that this restaurant was kind enough to have a kids menu so DD8 had the chicken fingers and pommes frites. Like I said, it is very rare for a family of 4 to squabble over who's meal was best. And I loved how we all were sharing mouthfuls of each other's around the table and oohing and aahing. It was a wonderful lunch.

I missed you leaving and didn't get a change to say bon voyage!!! Glad you arrived safely. Loving the details in your TR. How are the feet going?

Was actually in Canberra about 2 weeks ago for work but didn't get time to do much else unfortunately. Was tempted to organize a meet...

Was it difficult to get last minute tickets for broadway? We really want to watch a show with the kids. Fairly flexible with shows but I don't want to waste time lining up in queues with little ones. Having said that, we're there around Christmas time, and the prices are nearly double! I'm so unsure what to do.

Hey Shushh, long time no see. My feet are holding up now that I am keeping them out of socks and sneakers as much as possible.

Next time you come to Canberra, def. let me know.

The broadway tickets were easy to get last minute, however at Christmas time I'd book early. Last time we saw Mary Poppins, this time Mamma Mia. If I was coming at Christmas I would either see the Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, www.radiocitychristmas.com. I have a friend who went a few years back and she still raves about it. Also I think your kids are quite little and I read the other day that they are bringing Elf to the stage (you know the Christmas movie with Will Ferrell), that would probably be very fun for the kids.

Definitely all worth the expense.