Saturday 21 August 2010:

This morning we headed to the Empire State building.We got there super early again to avoid the queues and once again the plan worked and we could go straight up.The observation deck is on the 86th floor and it offers excellent views of Manhattan, the Hudson River and its surrounds.Central park looks quite small from the observation deck.It surely didn't feel that way when you walk through it.I got an audio guide which corresponded to numbers for North, East, South and West.I think we needed to pay extra for the guide but the nice man at the desk gave it to me free when I bought my map.I'm so happy I got it tho because it pointed out sights of interest and explained about the multi-cultural background of New York.It pointed out where the Titanic would have docked if it made it to America.It also pointed out where the Twin Towers stood and the gap it left in the New York skyline.

Once on the ground again we walked back to our apartment and then taxied with Trish to Central Station.Central Station has very high ceilings with amazing chandeliers and elegant artwork.We had lunch in the food court and said goodbye to Trish as she headed off to her camp reunion.

We spent the afternoon cruising through the markets on 6th Avenue.They blocked of the street for the markets.The market stalls pretty much repeated the same stalls over and over but it was still pretty cool to explore.I bought a flame grilled corn on the cob to munch on and it was yummy!

Next stop was Little Italy and Chinatown.This is a very different area of New York with a lot of people.Little Italy on a Saturday was amazing!They close off some parts of the neighbourhood and all the restaurants pour out onto the foot path and streets.The gelato from one of the venders was delicious!

Sunday 22 August 2010:

We aloud ourselves a small sleep in followed by bacon and eggs for breakfast, prepared in our tiny kitchen.After breakfast we walked to Times Square and had a shopping spree.We went to MAC (makeup store) and got mini makeovers and then headed to Manhattan mall and the shops in Soho.All the big names were represented here.....Channel, Gucci, Guess, Armani, Louis Vitton, ect.Unfortunately our money was no good there but at least there were some more affordable places in the Mall.Oh and I bought an awesome handbag in Macy's and I got 10% off just because I'm from overseas!Score!

On the way to the Mall from Macy's it started pouring down with rain and we got quite saturated.I bought the first $3 umbrella that got shoved in my face and boy has that umbrella exceeded its money's worth!

On the way back we stopped for dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square.It had an awesome atmosphere and the cocktails were divine.

Monday 23 August 2010:

It was absolutely pouring down this morning so we decided to go to the American Museum of Natural History.The place is massive and there is an awful lot to see and do.When we got there we bought tickets to "Journey to the Starts" which was pretty interesting.You are seated in a rounded theatre with all the seats pointing to the centre of the room.All the seats lean backwards so that you look up towards the ceiling.The ceiling is a dome shape and it is one massive screen.Whoopi Goldberg is the narrator and she tells you a bit about the history of our planet and our galaxy the Milky Way.They also talk a little bit about the Big Bang theory and how the elements were formed which was very interesting even though I don't agree with all of it.

It took us pretty much the whole day to walk through the museum and we still didn't see everything.There is a lot of history from all over the world and it is kind a hard to take it all in.One of the exhibits I found most intriguing was the Amazonian Head Trophies.They use to shrink the heads of their enemies after they murdered them.They had some on display and it was very creepy to look at.

They also had some neat displays of the animals found all over the world.They tried to display them in their natural environment.There are actually quite a few animals I never heard about and a few that I have now added to my list of things to see.It was also cool to see the African animals and give Steph a kind of preview of what is still to come on our trip!

Tuesday 24 August 2010:

Today is our last full day in New York City. It doesn't feel like we've already been here a week!

Luckily it didn't rain today so we spent the day wondering through Central Park and visiting Central Park Zoo.The Zoo was pretty cool.They had polar bears and snow leopards as well as some monkeys, birds, seals, red pandas, oh and a Kea from New Zealand!

It's awesome to stroll through the park and spot the squirrels and recognise the different bridges from photos and movies.

Later in the afternoon we met Steph's old boss, Martin, for a drink at the Perfect Pint on 45th street, close to Times Square and then did some last minute shopping.We got a pair of chucks each as they are heaps cheaper than NZ.We also went to the NBA store.It is huge and slightly overwhelming but they had heaps of cool stuff.Everything basketball related you can think of!