5 Napkin Burger Hells Kitchen

5 Napkin Burger

Seated immediately, great staff, with great service... I ordered the original 5 Napkin Burger with a peroni and it was huge! Delicious though... So full afterwards... And they had a few good veggie options, mark went for the spicy veggie bowl... We were both pleased and came home to watch the U.S. win the women's World Cup! 

Coney Island

Coney Island

In the 3 times we have been here, this is our first time to Coney Island... It's a beautiful hot day, and Coney Island is heaving, I can't get over how big it is, and how full it is... It feels like the whole of the 5 boroughs are here! 

We walk around, decide to get some eats, I was determined to go to smorgasburg... I got some amazing jerk chicken, slaw, plantain from Excel Kingston Eatery, and a vodka to even myself out... I don't drink often at home, I had forgot all about hair of the dog, but it worked... 

Over to the circus sideshow/freakshow, as we turned up the ringmaster was out the front saying $5 entry instead of $10, we were going in any way so I was pleased with the bargain!

The circus sideshow/freakshow

Usually $10, we got in for $5, sitting in the bleachers in a little dark theatre, it began... We love shows like this, and it was good, definitely worth full price... Some bits made me a bit squeamish, but definitely some good entertainment... 

Out to Nathan's so Mark could get a hot dog (he doesn't have the meat texture issue with overly processed meat), and over to the beach... The breeze was a welcome relief... There were sooooo many people on the beach, it was consistently busy all the way to Brighton... We walked all the way to Brighton, by which stage our legs and feet are done, I was craving the seat and aircon of our long journey home... 

Twice in Brooklyn I tried to get a s'mores frap at Starbucks, but they had run out! At the second spot I was told if I want one I would have to go to Queens or Jersey! On our way home we went to the local Starbucks and they had it! It was amazing! My best friend is the national HR manager for Starbucks Australia so I'm lobbying her to get it over to aus!!!

A long FaceTime with the kids and we got the guilts that we hadn't bought them anything yet... Off to a Toys R Us Times Square... My feet/legs still sore, not managing that well on half the sleep I normally get, enter the terror dome... We did it though, got a bunch of things... The plan was Johns pizza for dinner, but it was a 20 minute wait on a table, I consulted my google map and saw that 5 napkin burger was not far away and around the corner from our spot, so away we went!

I'm not sure how he got Karrie from Corrie, I think I need a Starbucks name...

Brooklyn Flea and surrounds...

Artists and Flea

We walked past this and were drawn in, some great stalls... Lovely handmade jewellery, art, clothes, vintage records and books, a little bit of everything... We really enjoyed our time here...

Brooklyn Flea Market

This was much quieter than expected, but it was cool to check out... Beautiful view of the Manhattan skyline, and a skate park too...

East River Park

Strolling is definitely the word of the day, so chilled here... Kids playing, men playing football, people hanging out in the shade... All along the river, a lovely breeze, the sound of water... We sat down for a minute in the shade to take it in... I am definitely fond of Brooklyn...

Skate park and skyline at the end of Brooklyn flea

Hangover and Brooklyn...

Ergh the hangover is real...

Back to the red flame diner for some eggs and bacon... Eggs were perfect, bacon was crispy, coke to perk me up and we are off to Brooklyn...

The thing about Brooklyn is that there is space, and air, room to breathe, this is the perfect hangover location... Strolling around at a pace much slower than I'm  used to, sore legs and feet from yesterday and a brilliant warm sunny day, we start towards the Brooklyn Flea Market...

4th of July Cruise

4th of July cruise

We knew we were coming on the 4th, last year we were in Hawaii for the 4th and the fireworks were awesome... I immediately decided I needed to bear witness to these world class fireworks... Idrinkwater came up with some options, we went for a 3 hour cruise on a small yacht... We got word our cruise was cancelled and we were upgraded for free to this massive boat...

It was a real mixed bag of people, the drinks were strong (the queues long), food was surprisingly good, long queues but we were in early... Beautiful skyline, amazing fireworks, glad we made the choice... Unfortunately he music was a mixed bag, I think we were the only people excited when BBD and Salt N Pepa came on, we seemed to be in the middle of the younger and older people...

It was a cool opportunity to talk to people and find out more about the U.S. and the other states... I'm usually quite shy with strangers, but the vodka helped! 

A surprisingly cool night... Only downside was the 10.30 disembark came and went as they locked us in and made us wait until 11.30 (last) to leave... It was badly handled, however it was interesting to be in that with people...

Event Details

The Cornucopia Majesty Yacht

ADDRESS

Pier 36-299 South Street New York

10002 (we walked through some sketchy projects to get there)

See more at: http://oncruises.com/events/nyc/independence-day-family-fireworks-cruise-aboard-the-cornucopia-majesty-yacht.php#sthash.gy4rCZyW.dpuf

Herald square and White Castle

Herald Square

We smashed it, hours and hours of shopping... 4 I think, after the highline plus shopping, we were tired, sore and hungry, then it starts to rain...

White Castle

We came here because we were desperate, and we didn't mind the idea of trying it, you see it on TV...

There was maybe two people when we entered, which changed exponentially once we placed our order... A really interesting crowd, a lot of people who clearly have MH issues... And the wait was long, 6 people who ordered after is got their food and I sat at out table listening to dudes talking to themselves wishing I got a frappachino from Starbucks instead... Mistake... We later saw one of the patrons being arrested....

The High Line

The Highline

When last we were here, this was being finished... I have heard nothing but great reviews, we had a couple hours to kill before the shops opened so off we went... We walked all the way down and back up, in the beginning I was underwhelmed, but it did grow on me... Coming from a place with lots of pretty scenery, I could take or leave it... There was some amazing art installations, which were definitely the highlight... Must check with my husband the name of the artist, but it was basically pieces/tags out of metal suspended, so on first look it just looked like graffiti, but then it wasn't... Best...

Red Flame Diner

Barely slept and my husband showed signs of waking by 6.30, so we got ready and went to get some breakfast...

The red flame diner

67 W 44th St, New York, NY  10036, United States

TA rec

I had the fruit cup and a bagel, my husband had eggs on toast... The food  was delicious, fast with a lovely server... Will definitely be back...

Day 1 including shake shack

We are a couple in our mid/late 30's from Melbourne, Australia, taking a trip without our kids, a rare experience, and also super exciting! We LOVE NYC, this is our fourth trip... The last time we came was 6.5 years ago, with our daughter, at that point we knew the next time we came back it would be sans kids!

We have been to NYC 3 times previously, and have our go to things we like to do, places we like to eat, my vegetarian husband has since been diagnosed with lactose and fructose intolerance, so we have had to make changes, it's been refreshing to try new things...

The 26 hour trip was quite tedious, though it was a joy to have peace for that first 14 hours in flight... A long layover at LAX, I'm pretty sure that's my least favourite airport in the world... The rest of the trip I was tired, but we made it...

If you are on a visa Waiver, you can go via the automatic machines... I believe it was only if you have travelled to the U.S. on that passport since 2008... Which was awesome today, but our next trip I will have a new passport, that is a downer...

Taxi is a flat fee from the airport, we have him $70 (flat fee, toll and tip) I read somewhere that that was it and I was too tired and excited to do maths...

The first thing on my list at 10pm when we arrive, is Shake Shack, I know there are mixed reviews of this spot, but it was dope! The queue was out the door, but it wasn't that long, the queue and pick up was only 20 minutes... So worth it... I had the shack burger and the white way frozen custard, mark had the shroom burger and fries, all delicious... 

We hit Times Square, I was probably too fragile for that, especially with all the girls with body painted breasts, I don't remember that from previous visits... Can see why New Yorkers avoid it... A few shops later and we were ready to go to bed... 

I got about 2.5 hours sleep... Let's see how today goes! Shopping and a Fourth of July cruise...

(So much cheese in that portobello mushroom patty)

Tesselaar Tulip Festival

I'm not a flower person... I have a few flowers I enjoy seeing or smelling, but I'm not into flower shows or growing them... The pictures from the Tesselaar Tulip Festival sold me on it, it just looked so magical... On reading about the school holiday activities they have, I was completely in...

We arrived on opening, there was a queue but it moved super fast! And once in, the crowd dispersed, the grounds are huge! Our plan was to find face painting immediately so we wouldn't have to wait in line foreverrrrr... We asked a staff member and headed over, it was $10 per face which I thought was a bit much, but the promise was made and whilst there was a kid in each chair, there was no queue! About 30 seconds after we got there, a group of 8 kids joined, so glad we weren't behind them! The job itself was really good, worth the money...

Straight to the tulips, they were magical and beautiful... It honestly felt so special to be there... The kids loved walking through them, I just loved the feeling of them on my eyeballs!

At 10.30 The mikmaks were on, a mediocre kids music group... The kids got a free balloon made (a dinosaur and a fairy sword), we ate, checked out the fairy garden which was just beautiful... The children loved the fairy garden, and around a corner we saw Fairy Monica up a tree, Marley's mind was blown! A bit more strolling around and we were done... 

A thoroughly enjoyable day... Already looking forward to going back next year!

There was also a reptile zoo, craft, art, sand work, tractor rides, we simply ran out of time as mace was exhausted!

http://tulipfestival.com.au

Rolling Stone presents Golden Era FUNKOARS Briggs Vents and K21 workers club Melbourne

I was so keen to get to this show, we got our tickets the minute they went on sale... 200 people in a room that was reminiscent of a garage...

The minute we walked in, the heat radiated... We missed K21, aimed to get there for Vents... Vents performing is like guerilla rap, tight and raw... A good start to the night...

Briggs up next, if you don't have his new album, you need it, it is phenomenal... Makes you think, hopefully changes the world a little bit... Man has charisma for days, so his set did not disappoint... Track after track he rocked that little room, by this time we were front row, so it felt good to be in the thick of it... Purgatory was my highlight, I found it hard to keep it together, I have no idea how Briggs does... 

Last up the FUNKOARS, these three together know what they are doing on a stage...  That they are so aware of each other to be able to fit on that tiny stage and by no means we're they still! The set itself was full of bangers, the boys delivering with their unique style... The crowd got more and more hectic building to the end, it was pretty crazy in there...

I am sure that I appreciate it more because I don't get out much, but this show was special, it felt magical... I was so pleased to be there to witness it...

Royal Melbourne Show...

Today we went to the Royal Melbourne Show... You either love it or hate it... I love it, the kids love it, 3 out of 4 ain't bad!

The problem is the money suckage, I recommend arriving early, with healthy snacks and taking advantage of the free entertainment... W find that having a show bag and ride budget/limit keeps everyone in check, you know I love boundaries!

We arrived at 9.30, headed up to the kidz zone and then the fresh food pavilion, these both fill up quickly and become a nightmare... The kidz zone is full of junk, until you get to the cats and dogs at the end, the kids loved patting them!

Then 10.30 we headed to 'my backyard' to see the mr and mrs potato head show, straight to the Mickey and Minnie Mouse show at 11.30... Outside to the Frozen karaoke marquee (highlight) for the kids to do some Frozen karaoke, got some food and back to the Sam Powers Master Illusionist show... You should have seen Marley's face when he sawed a woman in half!

Cruising around looking at animals etc, getting show bags and a pony ride on the way out... The longest we have ever stayed there, and I'm sure next year will be even longer...

Meatspace - Nikesh Shukla

Meatspace by Nikesh Shukla

This book was important, I really didn't want to be reading it in 2 minute sections between parenting, so I read it in two halves on weekends when we weren't full of commitments... 

To start, if you are a social media user, especially if you are a social media fiend, this is for you! It's like a parallel universe to my own, all of this going down now, in a city I love with characters and events that are hilarious... So I'm coasting along feeling the hilarity and the dark twisty aspect, and next thing you know you are filled with emotion, and these could be your friends... By the time it ends it's been so funny and so emotional, and you don't really want to say goodbye...

Exxopolis Luminarium

We finally got to Exxopolis Luminarium at the Jam Factory car park today... Went with a 3yo and a 10 month old and we all had a blast! Seriously considering taking Marley on Friday... If you are about, children or child free, this was an awesome experience...

Venue:  JAM FACTORY CAR PARK
Address: 500 Chapel St, South Yarra 
Daily: 12pm – 9pm 
Tickets: 
$15 (+ Transaction Fee)

Children 5 years of age and under FREE  
As places are limited a ticket is still required – these can only be reserved through our Box Office Line please call 03 8290 7000.

http://chapeloffchapel.com.au/melbourne-comedy-theatre-art/melbourne-events/melbourne-exhibitions/exxopolis-luminarium-as-part-of-glow-winter-arts-festival/

Nas - Time is Illmatic - Melbourne International Film Festival

Yes it is about the making of Illmatic, there is a recap of each track and how it happened... For me, this was about so much more... About how growing up in queensbridge projects shaped Nas as a youngster... How his mother supported him, his father gave him music, his friends were the true victims of crack arriving on the scene... And the most telling if all, where his friends are now... 

I don't want to say too much, but of you are a hip hop fan, especially if you are a Nas fan, you must see this!