Trip report 19th - 23 rd December

Not so good at these here Trip reports, Hope it does not bore you too much.

Thanks to everyone who helped us plan my Birthday

Celebrations. We are truly greatful and you helped enormously. I am now officialy an OAP, but still

try and get in my runs 10k at least 3 times a week maybe it will hold back the years lol. (Too icy tho to run whilst we were in NY never mind will do it next time) Any way on with the report.

19th Dec 08

We arrived to heavy snow at JFK on BA flight from Heathrow. We were blessed as it was a special occassion hubby treated us to World Club Class. Excellent service. Only 15min at Passport Control. Straight to Taxi Rank, no queues, no hassal must have been the weather. Arrived at New York Palace 2pm. Hotel just fantastic (see seperate hotel review) anyway we were upgraded to 31st floor, just bowled over. Perfect start to our visit.

Unpacked took in the view ,straight to Grand Central. Visited xmas market took in the ambience of the lazer show. Then on to Oyster Bar for glass of wine and oysters yummy just hit the spot.

Walked to Times Sq far too bright and gaudy for us still had to be done (once only) Walked back toward Grand Central had a very nice meal at Pershing Sq and afterwards back to Grand Central to Juniors for cheese cake.

20th Dec 08

5 30 am Hubby went to Starbucks for cups of Tea (yes cannot do without my tea) Out of hotel by 7 30am boy was it cold lot of layers on as recommened thanks. Straight to St Patricks Cathedral loved it. Walked to Macy%26#39;s seemed a long way but good exercise got our discount card and purchased faux fur and sheeps skin ear muffs. Loved Macys windows based on 34th Street. Quick cup of tea at Starbucks. Walked to Lord and Taylor huge store took advantage of the 15% discount card. Their windows were amazing. Walked to Bloomingdales got 11% discount card and was then overcome by crowds. Went for lunch at Fig and Olive did not rock our boat, ok no more than that for us. Back to Bloomingdales felt bit better now. Walked to Grand Central again Oyster Bar love it there, more oysters for me fish and chips for hubby. Made our way to Bryant Park.Poped in to New York Library fantastic place (and sooo warm)on to Bryant Park xmas market loved it. Visited Canadian bar for glass of wine. Made our way up Madision Ave stopping for light meal in Irish Bar O%26#39;Connors? we think. Back to hotel early night very tired. (must be all that walking)

21st Dec 08

Up early cuppa from Starbucks, taxi 8am to Abyssinian Baptist Church for communion Service we had emailed the church and been given a pass to get in early it was absoloutly freezing ice rain, queue was enormous we went straight to the front as told we should, but still had to wait 1 hr before we got in. Worth the wait to worship and take communion. After the service we took the Subway to WTC visited St Pauls in Trinity paid our respects. God Bless all who perished it brought it home to us and really touched our hearts. After a while visited Century 21, hectic but managed a couple of purchases. Caught subway to China Town not impressed hasseled too much re fake handbags. Walked to Little italy had a lovely meal at DA Gennara on Mulberry Street. Caught subway to 51st street back to hotel for a cuppa (hope your impressed with our sub way prowis) Freshened got a taxi to Union Square to go to Dyker Heights with a Slice of Brooklyn Christmas Lights tour. It must have been the coldest night ever but the Lights were just fantastic. Not sure if it was actually worth the $75 each we paid. Mona Liza cafe after tour left a lot to be desired still each to his own. Caught sub way back to hotel we had enjoyed our day dispite the cold we were feeling very christmasy.

22nd Dec 08 (my Birthday

Woke up to a txt from my sister very early but great to hear from her lots of lovely cards 47 in total how blessed am I. I got a Present from our little dog Laylah!! a perfect replica of her a keyring in silver. I was missing her (amazing how dogs can shop). Had my normal cuppa from Starbucks. Off to Raido city to pick up tickets for the 5pm performance of Rockettes on the way called at the Red Flame for breakfast then on to TOTR no queues must be because it was freezing the views were fantastic (used my vouchers off the net)Went back GC Oyster bar for lunch huge oysters delicious. Back to hotel had a little sleep (must be because I am officiall OAP needed it) Freshened up off to see the show 4 30 no hassel getting in. 4 rows from the front. Wow just brilliant loved every cheesey minute. Back to hotel to change 6pm for my Birthday meal at the RiverCafe. Just magical the views were breathtaking sat at Bar had chanpage cocktail then shown to our table. We were given appetizers in little cups wild mushroom soup .I had hot oysters for starter lobster and scollops for main and a coffee tear drop parfait desert with a birthday chocolat plaque and candle. Hubby had Buffalo tartar and quail egg with herbs and spices to start with followed by a 1lb serloin for pud he had spiced apples on cinamon biscs all beautifully presented we had a nice bottle of wine followed by coffee and chocs great night back to hotel in Limo.

23rd Dec08

our last day usual cuppa packed put suit cases into store checked out. Walked to Central Park(long way from our hotel)to have breakfast/bruch type food at the Boathouse the park looked magical just like on the post cards . Arrived at Boathouse only serviing light snacks up to 12am our own fault should have checked first anyway we enjoyed the walk and window shopping on the way. Had a canadian bacon bagel each and tea hit the spot. We then spent most of the day shopping. walked back to hotel with our purchases hubby brought a new coat his thick leather jacket he took with us was fine but he wanted a long cashmere coat. We got one in the sale very nice too. (he gave his leather jacket to a young lad who was begging on the street rocking with cold it was worth it just to see his big smile (hope he%26#39;s now warm)We went back to our hotel dropped off our purchases and then walked what seemed miles to find this specialist running shop paragon so disappointed when we found it never did manage to get my new running shoes will take advice from TA next visit. Eventually ended up at Pershing Sq for late lunch another nice meal. Dropped in to Xmas Market at Grand Cental as I had seen this feather head band which I purchased its great. Back to hotel picked up suit cases taxi to airport as we were on the sleeper flight we were able to have an evening meal in the Club lounge had an Elemis Massage before sleeping all the way home hubby said I was asleep before we took off cannnot remember. Back to reality had a couple of days with this tummy virus hence delay in posting.

Any regrets no well perhaps, I didnt get to Walk the Brooklyn Bridge too cold will do that next visit. Thanks again to all you experts on NY TA you have been a great help. We are now planning to visit NY again in the spring on a more modest buget.

But this visit was special I will never forget my 60th

Trip report 19th - 23 rd December

Many many happy returns on your 60th and thank-you for a lovely heart-warming trip report!

Mollie

Trip report 19th - 23 rd December

Happy birthday,

Sounds like you had a great trip. I%26#39;m sorry you didn%26#39;t get to run. Ice melted in time for me to get in a couple of long runs this past week. I am working on a trip report and hope to include my runs. What an incredible way to see the city. And, next time, no matter how cold, walk the Brooklyn Bridge.

chipper

Your report was truly heartwarming on this cold Jan. morning. I guess I%26#39;ll have to give Pershing Square another try. ;) Thanks for sharing your b%26#39;day with us. What running shoes were you looking for? Did Paragon not have them?

PS, for those Americans who may not understand,

OAP= old age pensioner. ;)

really enjoyed your report, belated happy birthday. hope you get to come back in the spring. my girlfriends brought their own t bags with them, they just couldn%26#39;t go the whole weekend without it!

~~~he gave his leather jacket to a young lad who was begging on the street rocking with cold it was worth it just to see his big smile (hope he%26#39;s now warm)~~~~

VERY NICE gesture!!

Thanks for sharing your trip report and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

I thought OAP was old A** person~ :)

Many thanks for all your birthdays wishes.

nywhiz The shoes I was looking for were Nike Structure Triax 11 or the upgrades on them.

I was disappointed with Paragon as they were recommeended as specialists. This was the only shop that we went into where the assistant was not at all helpful. I asked him for advice and he said all they had was on show. I think he must have been very tired as they were busy, shame as I was hoping to have a gate test whilst I was in the shop, just to make sure the shoes I run in are the right ones for me never mind ano time.

By the way I hope your friend arrived ok for New Year and you had a good time togther best wishes

for 2009 thanks again for your responses.

I never thought that Paragon was a specialist running place, just general sporting goods. I don%26#39;t remember you asking the question here about where to go. I%26#39;ve heard Jack Rabbit in Union Square is very good and watches you run.

http://www.jackrabbitsports.com/shoe_fit.php

Super Runners and Urban Athletics are also good.

My friend never arrived for NYE (!) but has since arrived and we have had a good time so far. ';In the Heights'; yesterday which was stupendous and ';Billy Elliot'; tomorrow. ;) Thanks for asking.

Sounds like a fantastic trip ..Congrats on the birthday ... You certainly seemed to enjoy your oysters !!!!

Hi nywhiz

Thanks for that I have put it in my NY file.

I didnt ask the question personally I picked up infor from someone else%26#39;s question. How wrong was I. I have learnt my lesson always ask the experts.

Glad your having a blast.