New York, Days 5 & 6

The armory at the Met

I’m getting New York.  I understand why people move here from all over the country and the world.  Other cities might have a few things going for them.  Wellington is the seat of parliament and arts for New Zealand.  Auckland is the hub of business for the country.

New York has it all.

No matter what you’re after, what you want to achieve, what takes your fancy at any time, you can find it in this city.  You can do it, you can experience it, you can be it.  The aesthetic is a mix of old and new, but still everything fits in.

Tuesday began with the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  This place is massive.  You need to give yourself AT LEAST four hours if you want to make any progress on this place, but I’d suggest a whole day.  Unfortunately we didn’t get see as much as we’d like, but we did get through quite a bit, including the Ancient Roman/Greek and Egyptian sections.  Huge sculpture halls filled with artefacts.

Then I had my first experience at a Laundromat!  Yeah, I know it’s a li’l thing, but all about the American experience!

We then found a great outdoor bar with views out over the Hudson river in the Westside Park and had a quiet beer.  Magnificent.  Followed by dinner at a cute Mexican place in the Upper West Side.

I'm on a Boat

Wednesday started off with a visit to the USS Intrepid, an aircraft carrier docked in the Hudson which has been converted into an air and space museum.  The Aircraft Carrier is amazing, and it was cool to see the Concord as well.  This is something I’d suggest doing if you have a few spare hours, not something to go out of your way for, unless you’re very interested in crafts.  Also – book tickets in advance to avoid huge queues.

Lunch was at Hard Rock Cafe off Times Square.  Great atmosphere, VERY expensive food.  But still a great experience.  The walls are laden with rock memorabilia.  Spend a few minutes in the lobby just looking around all the goodies on the wall.  Done now, wouldn’t do it again.

And that evening, it was time.  The moment I’ve been waiting for for over 14 years, Phantom on Broadway.  To see the Chandelier swinging over the stage, to ear the overture, the mask, the songs.  I was soooo happy I couldn’t stop smiling for the rest of the evening!  Then we topped off a fantastic day by heading up to the top of the Empire State Building.  At night, the city is truly stunning.  The building is currently the tallest in New York, so the views are the best in the city.

Time is beginning to run short in New York, still a lot to do in very little time!