The Heydenrych's hit The Big Apple

Manhattan skyline at sunset
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Perhaps living in London has acclimatized Shawn and I to big city living because New York isn't quiet as big and busy as I remember it. Don't get me wrong - it's still a buzzing and bustling city but the size and density didn't take my breathe away this time.

Highlights of the trip 

• New York cheesecake (going out for another piece tonight)
• Staying with friends we haven't seen in quite a while (doesn't hurt that they have a wonderful flat less than 2 blocks from Central Park)
• 3 days of gorgeously hot sunshine when it should have been cold autumnal weather
• Passing Rod Stewart singing on 5th avenue

Night view from the Empire State Building
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Lowlights of the trip

• Having to admit that both Shawn and I are directionless after taking at least one subway ride per day in the wrong direction (little bit scary heading into the heart of Brooklyn by mistake and not being able to hide the fact that the two of us, one with a video camera around her neck and the other with a backpack and lonely planet, are tourists)

Details of the trip

The plane trip was pretty smooth and uneventful and finding Michelle and Brandon's flat proved really easy thanks to the grid layout of New York. We arrived at their flat just after 7 and supper was ready and waiting for us (this is how travelling should be !!!)

Fresh American cheese cake
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On day 1 we headed to B&H to buy a camcorder and this alone was quite an experience. It's a huge Jewish electronics store and the efficiency is unbelievable. All goods are carried between departments on an overhead conveyor system and it's unbelievably quick. Anyway, after purchasing that and 2 pairs of tackies from Sketchers we hopped on the ferry to visit Liberty and Ellis Island. We did them in true Heydenrych style  - start to finish in 2 hours.

Brooklyn Bridge
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Day 2 we took the hop-on hop-off bus tour of downtown (in glorious sunshine). I would definitely recommend it for anyone coming to New York. That afternoon we had a picnic in Central Park and then headed to the Empire State Building. We managed to time our visit so that we had pretty good day time views but also stayed up there long enough to see all the lights come on - very impressive.

Day 3 - We started the day with the uptown bus tour and then took a 2 hour circle line ferry ride around the southern tip of the island. That afternoon we visited ground zero, including the remembrance centre which is incredibly sad. It is absolutely amazing how the skyline of New York was changed that day. That evening we met Michelle and Brandon in the meat packing district for a very good supper and then caught a 'yella' (cab) to Little Italy for undoubtedly the best cheesecake I have ever tasted. Definitely locating another piece before we leave tomorrow.

Shawn and the Lady
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Day 4 - We hit the shops - sounds far more dramatic than it actually is. In reality we just walked around Bloomingdales, Macys and Barneys. The afternoon was spent walking the streets. We made our way down Fifth avenue (where Rod Stewart happened to be singing), past Rockafella centre, Grand Central Station, Bryant Park and through Chinatown until we reached the Brooklyn Bridge. The walk over the bridge was pretty windy but enjoyable none-the-less. Must just mention that we shared a meatball hero sandwich for lunch that was worth taking photos of.