Day 5

I am pleased to report I got 7.5 hours sleep last night, so happy! 

I also need to say that people here are so friendly, we are quite tattooed, my hair is ombré black/blue, my husband has a baby Mohawk (he tattoos for a living), and I always expect that people won't want to talk to us, which is fine, I'm socially awkward anyway... But in NYC everywhere we go everyone wants to talk, compliment our ink, ask questions about Australia, it's crazy... Even on the subway, mark is a Londoner and I lived there a couple years, we have the 'head down and no eye contact' on the tube, and now subway thing down, but someone always wants to talk... The thought would be that they are tourists too, but we haven't talked to a tourist, except on the Fourth of July cruise... 

Another breakfast on the go this morning, going to Queens Centre to get some more shopping done... I know, I know, you are thinking why go to a mall? Manhattan has everything... When doing a great deal of shopping there is definite ease getting a lot in one place and getting it home relatively easy... There was a lot to buy, and things that had sold out in Manhattan were still available... So good! More sneakers, clothes, cosmetics and toys! So much shopping that the bank flagged my husbands credit card as being used too frequently! Luckily I had mine for back up... My food highlight there was a Cinnabon, we tried these in Hawaii last year, and I love them... The only downside was not having the kids here to share it with, it was a lot! I can't believe I ate it all! That will do for lunch! And kept me full for 8 hours...

The afternoon we were going out separate ways... Mark is a hip hop record collector, so I had made him a google map print out with all of his record stores, and I had a bunch of stores I wanted to check on my own too... Coincidentally our start and end points were similar, so the plan was to start together and meet up at the end... I stumbled across a Journeyz and bought more sneakers, up to 5 pair for myself now, I need to rein it in! 

Off to a couple of spiritual book shops, got a bunch of things... Walking from union square to the village, shopping as I went, it was so hot, I was hanging for air con and a drink... I conveniently arrived at our liaison point 5 minutes before Mark, I had come via stonewall place, and decided that we would go to stonewall inn for a beer once I found him... After that we went home, long FaceTime with the kids, too long, making me miss them terribly... 

Off to bare burger in Hell's Kitchen... All organic and free range burgers and while they were pricey, they were amazing... There really look after their vegetarian and vegan clients, mark thought his burger was quite possibly the best burger he has ever had! Mine was pretty amazing too... The sides were mediocre, the drinks were good...

Walked around the corner to Reunion Surf Bar for a couple drinks... Great venue and vibe... Would love that to be my local...

Exhausted again... Changing our plans tomorrow, less shopping, more chilling!

Daisy May's BBQ

Daisy May's BBQ USA 623 11th Ave

We LOVE the food here! Last time we were in NYC we did a lot of ordering in because our baby girl was only 6 months so we would put her to bed and order food, we loved it then, and we love it now... Every single thing we ordered was phenomenal...

And now with aching legs we are already in bed watching some TV, I'm hoping for 8 hours sleep tonight!

Day 4 downtown

Still not sleeping, up at 4.30, I tried so hard to go back to sleep, by 5.30 I was getting ready and we were out the door heading for the 9/11 memorial and then to century 21...

We have been to the twin towers site every time we have been to the city, from the mid to late 00's, and it's devastated me every time... This time it felt different, it's a truly beautiful memorial, and feels so peaceful... Much nicer than the various states prior... We took some time at both pools, today was the first time I didn't spend an hour crying afterwards, it's just so peaceful...

Century 21

We always do this first thing in the morning, it's so quiet... And you never quite know what you are going to get... Surprisingly myself and the kids didn't fare well, but my husband got several thing of his nyc shopping list! 

Next stop shopping at Broadway up to union square... We got the subway to spring st and started walking, stumbled across the Dominique Ansel bakery, I was surprised that there were still cronuts at 10am! But that's not what I was there for... We got a frozen smores and a salted caramel eclair, mark took some medicine so his tummy could withstand the dairy, and we shared them... The frozen smores was amazing!!! I may have to go back!

And then we hit Broadway, so much shopping, so many bags... 

There weren't any of my 'to eat' spots on this walk, so when hunger happened we just went to the first spot that looked like we would want to eat there 'the cozy diner' I ordered the southern fried chicken... The staff were all quite old and somehow struggled to understand us... So there were a couple of misunderstandings that came through in the food, but surprisingly the food was good... Mark had the egg salad platter which he said was really good, and my southern fried chicken was delicious, not too oily, and so tender... I love a pleasant food surprise!

More more more shopping... Had to stop by the time we got to union square, neither of us had hands Jeff to shop with! A cab home for a nap!

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...