New York- 30th Jan till 13 Feb 2012: Part 1

Firstly, apologies to all our loyal fans - we know this post has been a while in coming. Unfortunately, we had one all ready to go, and the internet ate the whole thing. Boo. To minimise the chance of it happening again, we will be doing this blog in two parts.

So here it is, the new, improved New York blog. It's a whopper.

We were both very, very excited to get to NYC. It was Jane's first trip to the USA, and my first visit for 26 years (god I'm old). And while it is not quite on par with staying at the Howard Johnson hotel with mum and dad and going to Disneyland, it was still something we had both been really looking forward too.

We stayed in a gorgeous apartment in Chelsea, also known as the meat packing district (well known as a gay area - teehee), which is on the lower west side of Manhattan. It has an amazing collection of restaurants and bars (obviously very good for us) and was well located next to one of the few metros that go across (as well as up and down) the island.

So here are a few of the places we saw and things we ate!

 - The Highline - this is an old, abandoned elevated railway that was saved from demolition when it was realised that it could make an incredible park. Quite the urban design thing.
 - Chelsea Markets - the markets are based in an old biscuit factory, and have a whole bunch of artisanal bread makers, restaurants, produce markets and an amazing fishmongers.
- Grand Central Station - pictures don't quite convey the size or bustle of the main station area.
- The Rockefeller Centre - we had heard that the view from the Top of the Rock was better than the Empire State Building, because you have a clearer view of Central Park - and of course you can see the Empire State Building itself. So up we went, and it did not disappoint.
- The New York Public Library - we wondered in on a whim, and it had one of the most amazing exhibitions we have seen. It included the Declaration of Independence; Malcolm X's satchel and notebook; a signed copy of Mein Kampf; Charles Dickins' letter opener, the handle of which was made from his cats paw!  really! ;the oldest novel in the western world (with a library stamp on the inside cover); a Gutenberg Bible; and WINNIE THE POOH!!!!!
- Radio City Music Hall - a wonderful, huge, art deco theatre.
- Central Park- a huge, gorgeous, rambling park.  It's the kind of place you feel you could visit a hundred time and still keep finding unexplored corners.
- Madison Square Park- a lovely urban park next to the Flatiron building.  It's mainly famous for containing the Shake Shack, a popular burger joint where we ate once....okay, twice!

Our apartment was white upon white upon white. It was almost too cool for us to stay in. The bed in the living room opposite the TV is a nice touch.

Inside Chelsea Markets.

The stairs up to The Highline. This was the first thing we visited in NYC.

Looking  along The Highline - you can see the old railway lines off to the left. That hotel in the background is built out over the top, and is very cool.

The seats slide along the old railway tracks.

....and there are some very interesting buildings along the way. This one looks like sails when viewed from the river.

The Flat-Iron building next to Madison Square Park. 

This is the Shake Shack - well known for shakes (clearly) and hot dogs.

There it is - Shack-cago dog + one fry. 

The Shake Shack was mobbed by chubby squirrels. Evidence on my bag - even it's paws look fat.

Our first view of the Empire State Building - not particularly impressive from street level.

The Chrysler Building - much prettier.

See?

Grand Central Station - the ceiling is an amazing blue colour and has constellations painted on.

Bryant Park - just behind the Library.

It had an ice skating rink!

Time Square was a lot of fun - but hard to photograph - it looks even better at night. It is very cheesy, full of tourists and a bit mad.

We went to a toy shop with a Ferris wheel in it - I was attracted by all the pretty colours.

Slightly terrifying pez dispensers. They all look vaguely depressed.

I know my place.

Our first pretzel on our way to Central Park. Note the massive amount of salt.  I have just lost most of the moisture from my mouth and my kidneys hurt.

Central Park.......rocks. 

She should chuck this doctoring rubbish and go where her true talents lie - DANCE! I just want to be free!!!!

Central Park is truly huge.

The obelisk in Central Park

Jane, desperate for new clothes, has stolen my T-shirt.

The Guggenheim - disappointingly the main ramps were closed because they were setting up an exhibition, so we couldn't go into the main gallery space. I explained that we are the most important people in the world and we wanted to see it, but they didn't listen.

The Rockefeller Centre - 5 points to anyone who can identify that excellent flag to the left of France.

Note to Olly - the inside of this building is just like Bioshock.

The view over Central Park from the Top of the Rock.

The Empire State building from the Top of the Rock. Interesting point to ponder - the top was designed as a tether for airships - how did the passengers get off? 

Jane pondering the acquisition of shoes and the eating of food.

Such as this - Boston Clam Chowder and a lobster roll at the Chelsea Markets.

The New York Public Library - home to interesting stuff and lots of books.

And the inside was quite pretty too.

This is the inside of the Radio City Music Hall - part of the Rockefeller Centre.

I stole this from wikipedia - this is how the inside of the hall looks with it's trademark golden lighting.

Part of the hydraulic system which raises and lowers the four stages. The Navy used the same design to operate the aircraft lifts on aircraft carriers - so for many years this area was under armed guard. It is completely original, and has not been altered at all since it was built in 1930.

We met one of 'The Rockettes' - yes, this was a bit weird and a little awkward.

I looked amazing in that black off the shoulder number you can see at the back.

Breakfast at Miriam's in Brooklyn - our first meal in an Israeli restaurant! Yes that is bacon and yes it was delicious!

So, there's something to keep you going.  Part 2 to follow shortly, internet demons permitting.