On the Sunday we headed off to the airport. I took very little luggage so that I would be able to help Charlotte with her extremely heavy suitcases! Now a flight to New York isn't that long if you are flying direct, however the airline we were using, although cheaper, does quite the detour! From Orlando we first flew to Nashville, TN and then onto Newark in New Jersey. I had pre-booked a shuttle to take us from the airport directly to our hotel (SuperShuttle.com, I recommend it!) We knew that New York would be freezing cold so I was glad that I had recently bought some Ugg boots! I also went to the outlets and spent a good portion of money on a proper winter outdoor coat from an outwear store... I really can't deal with being cold!
When we got to Newark, I was right and it was soooooo cold! After 10 months in Florida and now dealing with minus 8 degrees weather.... ouch! For the rest of my time there, whenever I was outside I wore two pairs of socks, leggings and jeans, a tshirt, a hoody, my coat, scarf and hat! We arrived without problems and went to get our shuttle. The journey from Newark into Manhattan isn't that long and we were the second drop off along the way. The first drop off was in China Town... never have I seen anything like it! While driving there, I was paying attention to how the street signs work and by the time we got to our hotel I had it pretty much sussed. Our hotel was in a good central location on 39th East, just off Park Avenue. Our hotel was the Murray Hill East Suites and although it isn't the most modern and fancy hotel, we had an enormous room which even had a small kitchen. I had booked the hotel for the first two nights and then Charlotte had booked the same hotel for her remaining nights, she would just need to move rooms and wouldn't have hassle of moving her stuff on her own.
Once in the hotel, we dumped all our stuff, got all our warm gear on and then headed out! We were within walking distance of a lot of attractions which was really handy. First we went to go find the Empire State building. We didn't go up but had a good look around and took photos. Then we went to Macys and had a look in there.... so much Michael Kors... took all of my resolution not to buy a handbag! Then we went down to Times Square and finally decided on getting dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. As expected, there was a huge wait so we checked in, got a pager and went and sat at the bar for a few drinks first. After dinner, it really was freezing cold, although there was snow everywhere, the pavements were getting icy as well. It was pretty late by this point so we headed back to the hotel, feeling full and ready for bed.
The next day we got up, got ready and headed back out into the cold once more! There was a lot to try and squish into one day so I was like a crazy woman getting us round everywhere. I think I used the map app on my phone more in that one day than I have in my entire life but it helped me to figure out where I needed to be. I have a really good sense of direction, I don't know why when my family are not blessed that way lol, but you can stick me anywhere and I'll always get where I need to be. First we went to have a look at Grand Central Station as it was so close to our hotel. Then we went to the Rockefeller Center. Again we didn't go up (Charlotte doesn't do heights so this is on my list when I get to go back one day!) but had a wander and took lots of photos. Then we went to have a nosy at the Trump Tower, which is right next door to Tiffanys. Now... we went in just to look but I could not resist spending a small fortune on a bracelet that I've always wanted. I had got my tax return in a few days earlier so it was a good present to myself. By this point we were getting hungry so we went to Starbucks to get coffee and some food and then went over for a wander in Central Park. Snow everywhere!!!! We had a look around, saw where the zoo is, took loads of photos and then I plotted our next move. We went back in the direction that we had come from and went to see Radio City Music Hall and go to Magnolia Bakery (yum) and then went to get to the subway to take us downtown. Once we got off there it was late afternoon and we could either go on a boat trip to see the Statue of Liberty or go see the 9/11 memorial, once we did one the other would be closed for the day. I decided on the boat trip as that would take longer and we could quickly come back the next morning and see the memorial before I went back to the airport. We got tickets for one of the water taxis and then headed off. We actually went at a perfect time as we got to see the sun setting over Manhattan and get some nice photos. It was unbelievably cold on that boat though!! Instead of staying on allll the way back downtown, we got off at a stop where we could walk back to our hotel. We were frozen solid and desperate to get back to the warmth! We were going to warm up and then head back out for dinner somewhere but then decided just to pop round the corner and get some Chinese takeaway and bring it back to munch while watching tv and settle in for the night.
The next morning it snowed but thankfully it was really early and stopped by the time we headed out. I had to check out of the hotel and get Charlotte checked in and move all the bags to her new room. We went and got the subway back downtown and then had a look around Wall Street before going down to the 9/11 memorial at ground zero. You have to get a ticket and then go through airport style security before you can actually go to the memorial, it's all closed off. It is really beautiful but really sad at the same time. They have almost finished building a museum which sounds really interesting, just disappointed that we couldn't go in. I had to keep an eye on the time as I had a shuttle coming to pick me up at 1:30pm. My flight wasn't going to leave until 5:30, but that's the lastest that they would pick me up. I got checked in quick and easy and then headed off in the direction of my gate. I knew I wouldn't get home till after midnight so I needed to eat! There was a cool little bar/Mexican place in the departure lounge so I sat up at the bar and read my magazine and had a munch while wasting a couple of hours. I kept getting text alerts saying that the flights were being delayed, annoying!
The first flight was pretty horrific, this time I was going via Houston, TX. It was a very uncomfortable flight and I hated every minute of it. It was longer than it should of been and behind me sat a family... on the row directly behind me sat a mum and small baby and then the dad and an older small child sat behind them. And both babies screamed the entire way. Four hours of two kids, not just crying but squealing and screaming bloody murder. I had my headphones in the entire time and could still hear it. It was also really hot on the plane and the aircon made my throat and ears really hurt. To say that I was miserable when I got off the plane is an understatement! Thankfully the next plane journey was a lot better although all the delays meant that it got in a lot later than it was meant to and I didn't get home until almost 2am. Think I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow... and then I had to wake up a few hours later and work an open- close shift. I think I was pretty much a walking zombie!
