New York City, United States of America – 3-5 May 2023

(I am in the US of A for a work trip, in Charlotte, NC, and extended for a week’s holiday)

I wake well before my alarm at 6.20am on Wednesday 3 May. I had heard Ann leave the house much earlier but stayed in bed.

It’s a chilled few hours at the house alone.

Michelle (Ann and Patrick’s friend) very kindly drops me at the train station just before 10am. I didn’t want to risk the 25 minute walk in case the heavens opened. I have enough time to pick up a banana. Trying to eat something decent in the morning.

The trip to Penn Station NYC passes quickly. On arrival I notice the cold. Eeks alive. I walk the 12 blocks to my hotel, easy peasy.

Unfortunately I did make the mistake of walking up 7th Avenue instead of 8th Avenue, which meant going through the crazy part of Times Square. I’ll know for next time.

Check-in isn’t for another good 4 hours (at 4pm), so I drop my suitcase before heading out.

First stop is Hudson Yards and food. I’m now starving. I follow the crowd to Mercado Little Spain which is in the basement of a building at Hudson Yards. There are a number of different food stalls, all selling you guessed it Spanish food. I decide on a zucchini, cheese and bacon pizza type slice.

Feeling satisfied I head straight to the High Line. I had been here on my first full day of being in the US (with Lauren), but wanted to come back to walk from start to finish.

The High Line is a 1.45-mile-long walk (2.33km’s), which has been built on a former New York Central Railroad, on the west side of Manhattan. One end is Hudson Yards, the other is the Meatpacking district.

 

 

 

At the end is the Meatpacking district. Brings back memories of when I lived here many moons ago.

I walk a few blocks back to Chelsea Market where it’s me and half the world.

Chelsea Market is a food hall and retail marketplace which also has an office building and television production facility. 

I wander around checking out all the stalls before deciding to get an arancini ball.

 

 

 

I had previously thought I’d take the subway back to the hotel, instead decide to walk back. The sun is out which is lovely.

 

 

I have a good hour at the hotel relaxing before Sunny arrives.

It’s been 6 years since I saw Sunny but as soon as I saw her it was like it was last week. She tells me it’s pouring so we hang out in the lobby for a bit before venturing out.

We had planned to walk along Restaurant Row, which is the same street as my hotel just over one block. There are so many options! In the end we decide on a Spanish place, on arrival it’s closed. Right back to the drawing board.

We wander to and up 9th Avenue (Hells Kitchen area) to a Mexican Restaurant. It doesn’t disappoint.

The Amish Market brings back memories from Mum and Dad's visit to NYC.

The cold hits us as we walk out of the restaurant. Brrrr! At least it’s still light and not raining.

We had to a bar for another drink - Rosevale Bar. It’s super busy when we arrive. They have happy hour between 7pm to 9pm, bingo we are in!!!

Sunny walks me to my hotel before heading home.

Thursday 4 May I wake just after 7am. There had been the typical city noise overnight. It’s a chilly 9 degrees. Wholly smoke!!

The rain had stopped when I leave the hotel at 9.15am, let’s hope it’s gone for the day! I had researched coffee places so walk the two blocks to St Kilda’s.

On entering it’s busy - some people sitting and others waiting for takeaway. Hopefully a good sign! I had forgotten how hot some places can be in NYC. Time to de layer.

Time to get walking!

I head up 8th Avenue to Columbus Circle and into the shopping mall / center. For a throwback to memory lane I wander around Williams-Sonoma. Love this place!

Concierge / customer service recommends a coffee place on the 3rd floor. Ordering is interesting - I ask if it’s strong coffee. He says no. Right, thanks but I’ll go somewhere else. He then says the Americano or espresso is strong. Ok I’ll have an espresso.

 

As soon as I cross the road and walk into Centra Park the heavens open. Noooooo, such a shame.

 

It’s not just a drizzle so I do a u turn and head to cover, entering the first shop I come across.

When I go to leave the rain has stopped, phew! 5th Avenue here I come!!

I wander down 5th Avenue, taking in the sights and smells.

 

  

 

Thankfully there aren't as many people at the Rockefeller Center that I thought there would be.

 

I underestimated how long it would take to get back to the hotel and change before meeting a friend for lunch so decide to go as I am.

The place is already buzzing when I arrive just after 12noon. Was fantastic to see Patti again!

Post lunch I drop Patti at her office before walking back to the hotel for a quick stop.

The weather is so hit and miss I decide to head to DSW and Macy’s. No purchases.

 

I’m starting to fade so decide to head back to the hotel to chill for a bit.

Kelly and I arranged to meet at 5.15pm in midtown ish at a Spanish restaurant. I had walked enough today so decided to take the bus 28 blocks. Super easy.

The restaurant is super busy when I arrive just before 5.15pm. Kelly is already at the table. The place is three quarters full already. We manage to get a couple of rounds of drinks and some food in happy hour. Talk about timing!

 

We walk uptown towards midtown, stopping briefly to see the Flatiron building which is covered in scaffolding.

I saw an Eataly sign, which Ann and Patrick had recommended. We wander through the Italian supermarket come fancy shop and through to the restaurants / cafes. There are so many people around.

 

Time to find a bar for a drink. Kelly leads us to a wine bar a block away. Like most of the places we had walked by already it’s super busy. We get seats at the window, fabulous for people watching.

Time to go off exploring for a new place.  Walking one block along we come across a bar that has bar seats. Two cosmos please and thank you.

 

Before leaving the bar I researched the best way to get back to the hotel. By subway was definitely the quickest.

On walking to the subway I realize I’ve missed the one due now and the next one isn’t for another 14 minutes. Time to walk back to the hotel.

I get halfway before the rain starts. Buggar! The closer I get to the hotel the more the rain increases.

 

I finally climb into bed just before 11.30pm. Man alive I have walked today.

Cinco de Mayo, Friday 5 May, I wake just after 8am. A sleep in for me!

I decide to head downtown today so pack up and check out, leaving my bag at the hotel for $2. Ok.

Walking through Times Square to the subway is actually pleasant as there aren’t that many people around as yet. Within an hour I know that will change!

Thanks to the lady at the subway station on Monday (when Ann and I arrived back from Bermuda) I use my Apple Watch to pay and enter. Super easy!

Downtown train here I come!

Two Hands (Café) is a few minutes’ walk from the train. It’s nice to be outside in the sun again.

Finally decent coffee!! And the food is super tasty as well.

 

Feeling refuelled I continue my walk down to and around the World Trade Center site.

 

 

The 9/11 memorial, called Reflecting Absence, honours the victims of the September 11 attacks as well as the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

It’s a very strange feeling walking around here.

 

After leaving the 9/11 Memorial I wander to Cedar Street, where I used to live.

I continue to wander around my old stomping ground, going down to Battery Park, before walking in the direction of the New York Stock Exchange, because why not??!

 

First stop is a much-needed coffee, thankfully this one doesn’t disappoint either.

It's most definitely only tourists that are out and about at the moment.

 

As the sun is still shining I decide to walk up Broadway.

 

As I get closer to Canal Street the "dodgy brothers are us" are out on the street selling their bags. No thanks.

At the intersection of Broadway and Houston Street I notice a Crate and Barrell. Somewhere I used to shop when I lived here. I have a few minutes wandering around the store. Need to remind myself more than once that I have one suitcase only!

I continue my wandering to Washington Square Park.

 

5th Avenue isn’t as busy as I had expected it to be. As I get further up town, I start to notice places from last night.

The people watching (as I walk) is great.

At 5.90 km (and that’s from when I started recording) I stop in Golda Meir Square to rest my feet. The people watching continues!

 

 

Like the previous two afternoons I pick up a sprite from the pizza place next to the hotel. It’s really needed today.

After picking up my bag I have a “fun” time trying to find the right entrance to the subway! I 100% end up walking further than I need to. Hey ho. I get there in the end.

I’m off to LGA (La Guardia Airport) to meet Ann, who has been in Charlotte for work, and drive back to Ridgewood, NJ for one more night before I fly back to Hong Kong.

NYC you have been amazing!!! I will absolutely return one day soon.