When we set off for times square it was a nice temp and a little cloudy, half way there the heavens opened and it rained...hard! We stopped at grand central station i lived it here it was such a grand a beautiful place. We were nearly there so continued on....running most of the way! We hadnt bought our water proofs out with us so were getting quite wet! And when we arrived to times square it was such a night mare, it was so packed as it was memorial day weekend and as it was raining everyone had there brollies up we had to play a ducking and diving game to avoid getting our eyes poked out! We went in to toys r us as i was looking for a few things for my chester and it was so busy! I was so dissapointed for luke for his first impressions of times squares and new york, it was dark, raining and very busy, not like the first time i experienced it and it was lovely and sunny! We went to the disney store & hersheys & a few other places but eventually went back to our accomodation got a pizza and just chilled, we couldnt wait to leave tomorrow and go to the accomodation that we had booked ourselves it would mean we would finally be away from the group and the tour and never have to deal with any of them again!
The next day we met jasmin in the lobby and we shared a taxi to our hotels we paid $6! Bargain! We were so excited to be on our own again! We were staying at a hostel called "equity point" which used to be hotel 41, it was right on times square litrally! And we had booked a double room with ensuite! We just stored our luggage for now as we couldnt check in until 2pm and then went off to explore this great city!
We hadnt quite decided where we would go today so just took a wonder, it was a nice day :) we first went to M & M world !
I was trying to find my dad these particular flavour m & m's....birthday cake! But couldnt find them, however we did meet blue m & m! Next we went to centuary 21 a huge cheap designer department store just to see if we can find some cheap bargains! We was in there a good couple of hours! And it was so nice not being in a rush and just being able to browse! I just got a bra, i was been wearing the same selection of bras for ten months and they were looking very sorry for themselves! Time for a new one! And luke got some socks and pants! Nothing exciting just a few things we needed! We then spent some times just walking in and out of the streets that just had the typical town houses you see in new york! it was quiet and very pretty :) it was then time for lunch and we decided we would get a picnic style lunch to eat in central park, i really wanted to explore central park as hadnt been able to before and it was such a nice day for it :) we found this great cafe/salad deli got a few snacks and set off for the park, it was quite busy as it was memorial Weekend but what a nice atmosphere :) we found a lovely spot and just relaxed for an hour. We then decided just to wonder in the park and see where we ended up! It was a great walk and we saw some beautiful views of the city....
Eventually we found ourselves out of the park and back in the city where we spent some time just browsing in the shops....and taking pics of the skyline. I was so pleased luke was enjoying himself and getting to experience this great city at its best :)
We headed back to our hotel it was around 5pm by now and we had arranged to meet jasmin for a farewell dinner, we were so tired but really wanted to chat and say bye to jasmin now that we had finally finished the tour! We quickly showered amd then met jasmin...we hadnt decided on a place for dinner so just wondered through a very busy times square! And found a lovely bistro type restaurant opposite m and m world. We all had burgers and they were lovely ! The only thing that wasnt lovely was the $11 compulsary tip they added on at the end! It was quite sad saying goodbye to jasmin :( we had really enjoyed her company while we were on the tour, she said we could visit her in germany! Which we really wanted to do :) so you never no! Maybe on another adventure!
The next day we had tickets for lady liberty :) i was so so excited ! We woke up early and got on a early metro down to battery park, i didnt really have the chance to properly look and take in everything like i wanted to last time so was looking forward to spending more to exploring today, i was also very excited as we had tickets up to lady libertys crown! Something i never thought we would be able to do! Luke was excited to go up to the crown and also to see lady liberty herself! It was a lovely sunny cloud free day we were very lucky :)
When we got there we went straight to the crown entry point, we had to go through security and look our bags away in a locker we had to pay for which really irritated us! Our first stop was the museum which was really interesting, we then had the oppourtunity to go to the pedastal, which was quite narrow and if i am honest a bit of a nightmare with the amount of people that were there! But still a good experience, we then were directed to the stairs that took us to the crown! We had already walked from the bottom to the pedastal as the lift que was huge! And now we had to walk up to the crown! I think i underestimated how small the inside of statue of liberty was! And these stairs that take us to the crown were only around a foot wide! And it was a tiny spiral staircase and it was bloody steep ! As we started walking up the stairs i was begining to worry about how i was going to get down! As many of you know stairs and me do not mix and my ankles simply cannot take anymore trauma! Plus i hate small spaces and was sweating due to anxiety ! So it was quite a journey! And when we finally got to the top we were over welmed by how small this place was! You litrally got to the crown werent really able to move alot and there was around 2.5 meters of room to walk from the stairs that take you up to the stairs that took you down! It was unbelievably small! But we took a few pics and then started the slow journey down! I walked backwards as it was so steep it was making me feel funny walking down facing the stairs! Plus it was safer for me to go down backwards!
When we got out we were on a viewing point on the pedastal which gave us some great views of lady liberty!
We had a audio tour included in our ticket so got them and started to walk around, it was nice and very informative, we spent around 3 hours with lady liberty and then went over to ellis island. Another place i didnt really get to explore much here last time so it was great being here with luke so we could explore together. It was so interesting. We decided after a while we needed to get back to the mainland and see the other things we wanted to see.
The first place we headed to was the wall street bull! We had a pic with that....
We then headed over to the 9/11 memorial site, you didnt need a ticket for this now it was a open public park it was really busy which was a shame as its a lovely memorial and nice to just sit and think about why its there etc but it was so busy you didn't really feel you could do that. But i was glad we had visited together. Next was centuary 21! Now this is a bigger and better one then the other one, but we knew our budget was tight so knew we wouldnt be buying a lot. We was in there for 3 hours! I got two more bras and socks and luke got a pair of swim shorts as his were knackered! And two tshirts, as most of his tshirts had holes in! We were very good i think and just got a few bits for a good price! We were by this time pretty knackared and wanted to go back! We asked a local about the nearest metro and he walked with us to the metro as he was getting it aswell! Which was nice of him! He chatted to luke about english football! We got back and i cant even remember what we had for dinner! I think we just got something from walgreens and then crashed out! What a tiring but great day :)
The next day we decided we would go to the arc monument, iron building, empire state building and macys! We got the metro down to the arc, which was near NYU and was like a much smaller version of the arc in paris! And there was a fountain there also which made for nice pics!
We then walked towards the the flat iron building which was really nice to see up close :) and it was also something luke really wanted to see.
It was then onto the empire state building :) it wasnt overly busy but a but busier then we would like! We enjoyed reading all the info about the building of the building if the empire state building! And then went out to the viewing platform! The que was long to get from 82nd to 86th floor so the staff allowed some to walk it to save time! So we walked it! Again we were really lucky to have a sunny day :) as rain was predicted! The views were stunning and again we got some great pics :)
It was lunch time after this and we had found a great place that sold salad and hot food buffet, you just fill up a container of what you want and pay per lb! It was great :) and very scrummy! We then took ourselves to macys! Not for anything inparticular just to browse! Luke just got a designer jumper for $10! We didnt buy anything else! We was feeling quite tired so headed back, we showered and then went out for a wander in the evening. We went to forever 21 which is a huge cheap clothes shop mostly for woman but has some guys stuff in to! Most of my clothes didnt fit anymore and a few tops had holes in and were stretched and faded from wearing them loads of times! So for $40 i got 4 tops, 4 skirts and 2 trousers! So so cheap! And i threw away my other clothes so didnt gain anymore extra weight for the case! And barely spent any money! Perfect! That evening we just got pizza which was $5 from the 7/11! So so cheap and it was nice! And started the packing! we were feeling tired from all our antics in new york :)
The next day we had a rest in the morning and spoke to family over skype & facetime and then decided we would just go out in the afternoon/evening and look in some shops and just have a wonder! We headed over to the rockafeller center to have a browse and then onto a few other places before just heading back to finish the packing. We were leaving for florida tomorrow and were excited for this next part :)
We had such a great time in new york exploring together, luke thought times square was pretty busy....however we were there memorial day and fleet week! And he thought the landmarks...lady liberty was smaller then the tv makes it look but overall he loved new york city! Probly not as much as i love it but enough to visit again! Another adventure to plan! He loved the shopping just as much as me! He got some pretty unbelievable bargains! And agrees its defo worth returning even if just for a shopping trip! So i am Super pleased! As new york is my absolute fave city! Love love love it! I just hope we can return within the next few years!
We are so excited to now be going down to florida! Down to my fave place on earth....disneyworld! And a place where we can finally feel like we are on holiday!
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