Day Three

Up earlyish again and out to the same place as yesterday for breakfast, the only difference being is we had it to go and brought it back to the room. Ann did try and make us leave without my croissant but luckily than man shouted at us as we were halfway out the door. 

Headed out around 8.15am to Queensboro Plaza station and caught the W train into Manhattan like yesterday. This time we only rode as far as Cortlandt Street, so it only took about 30mins. Got off and walked the short distance to 1 World Trade Centre. It was just about to open as we arrived and we had already got our tickets so we got to go in first. Made it into the elevator with just the two of us. There was a show on the wall of it as we travelled.

Got off at the top an then had to watch a short film. By this time there was one other man who had made it up. At the end of the film the screen moved up to reveal the windows and the view of Manhattan. We were then allowed to go to the observation deck. Man seemed to get lost on the way which meant we were the first people there and we were all alone.

We had the run on the place so went to most iconic view first so we could enjoy it all alone.

Facing due north

A guide came and talked to us which was uncalled for. She pointed out the Empire State building as if we were unaware of it. She waffled for a bit and then I confused her by asking a question. She didn't know the answer so was deliberately vague. All I wanted to know was when the new really tall buildings we could see were built as they weren't there when we were last in New York thirteen years ago. She basically said 'at some point' which I suppose is technically true. She said they are apartments that cost millions of dollars with one recently going for $130million.

Googled the buildings to get some actual information. Found out the Empire State building is now only the 8th tallest in New York.

We then moved around the rest of the views as a few more people started arriving.

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

The three bridges

St Paul's Chapel

St Paul's Chapel is the oldest building in continuous use in Manhattan. It survived 9/11 without a scratch despite being less than quarter of mile away.

Went to the shop and got the obligatory magnet and then went to the cafe. Got doughnuts. There were no seats which was annoying as we both wanted to sit down. Instead had to stand at a table. Definitely the most iconic place I've eaten a doughnut. Said to Ann I could feel the building moving. She concurred.

After spending two hours admiring the views we decided to move on. It was starting to get a lot busier. Returned to the bottom in another lift with a video. When we got out at the bottom and were leaving, the people we travelled down with then got lost and nearly boarded the next elevator back up.

We then got lost ourselves as we tried to make our way back to the Oculus which is the central hub to the plaza. We turned the wrong direction and ended up in Brookfield Place which is a different mall. It was still very pleasant.

Trees

Realised our error and turned back. Made it to the subway and took the 1 train two stops north. Got out and saw this.

Who you gonna call?

By now it was very hot, so we got back on the subway and headed north to 42nd Street. Got out and starting walking to where we were going to have lunch. Realised after two sweaty blocks we were going in the wrong direction. Caught a bus to rectify our error which took us pretty much the whole way to The Westway Diner. We'd been here 13 years earlier so thought we'd pop in again for lunch. I had a grilled cheese and fries. Ann had something.

Next we caught the bus towards the river and walked the short distance in the searing heat to Intrepid Museum. Ann had the tickets on her phone. Woman asked Ann to provide ID as the purchaser of the tickets. Great except Ann's passport and driver's license were both in the safe in our hotel room. Told her we didn't have any. I said I have some, she said 'do you have the same surname?' I said no. She looked at my driving license anyway and then let us in.

Intrepid was an aircraft carrier which served in both WW2 and Vietnam. It was hit by two kamikaze planes whilst fighting Japan. A immersive video was shown at the exact location on the ship which was pretty impressive.

By now it was very hot, so we only briefly looked at the flight deck. Did see a space shuttle but not one that was ever used in space.

No Will Smith playing golf

Copters

Shuttle but not really

Plane

Copter 3

Ready Room

Storms broke out whilst we were onboard, but we stayed inside to avoid them. The experience was ok, but we both felt we'd been on better ships over here on past visits.

Eventually caught a bus back to the subway and then went back to the Oculus. Took some photos of it.

Arty

It is a very impressive structure. The glass spine down the middle retracts on September 11th at 8.46am and perfectly lines up with the sun at 10.28am. These times are when the first plane hit and when the second tower collapsed.

We then caught the train back home. One hilarious moment occurred when we became stuck at a station for a long period of time. Another train pulled in and almost all our train got up and ran to it thinking it would leave before us. It didn't, so we enjoyed a quiet ride home from that point. Nipped to Walgreens after getting back to Queensboro Plaza. The chocolate bars were locked away.

Headed back and ate the rest of yesterday's left over dinner components.

Now Ann is asleep. We already leave NYC tomorrow. That's gone quite quick!

States visited - 1

Times got lost - 2

Day Two

Spent most of the night waking up wondering if it was time to get up. Worked on the premise if Ann's 600 decibel alarm hadn't gone off then it wasn't. Eventually woken up by Ann getting up and having a shower at roughly 5.45am. 

Was up and ready by 6.50am to head out to Artpresso Cafe for breakfast. It was a short walk. Had orange juice and a croissant. Ann had something. Nipped back to pick up what we needed and then headed out for the day.

Walked the short distance to Queensboro Plaza metro station. Found the ticket machines. Stood and looked at them. Metro customer service employee then did all the work for us and we got our MetroCards.

Hopped on the W train heading to southern Manhattan. Kept checking to make sure it was the right train. It was. Rode it all the way to the end of the line which was Whitehall St-South Ferry. Took about 40mins all in. Got out the station at 8.30am and made the short walk to the Battery and the City Cruises terminal. We had pre booked tickets for the earliest time possible which was 9am. This was merely the time to arrive not necessarily when you would travel. Thought getting there early would mean not many people but already there were lots. Got beeped in and then had to go through airline style security, belt off etc. Got through quickly and joined the back of the queue. 

Remarkably got on the first boat despite all the people ahead of us. Even managed to get a spot out on the deck by the railings. Boat headed out onto the choppy Hudson River. Tried not to drop anything in the water. Short journey and then we and the entire boat disembarked onto Liberty Island. We had never been despite being in New York twice before. We knew how busy it gets hence the decision to go on the first boat of the day. As we got off we checked the times of departure. Had a plan that we would not stay long due to all the people. Went straight to the shop and got the first magnet of the tour. Poor selection if i'm honest. We then headed around to the south west side of the island and saw this.

Lady Liberty

An impressive sight. Had also made the decision when we booked not to pay more to go in the pedestal or up to the crown. We both agreed once stood here that it had been a good choice not to. If you are inside it, you can't see it! 

Stopped in some shade and put on some suncream as it was getting warmer. Headed into the museum. Had a quick gander but it wasn't a massive place. Learnt how the statue was constructed. Metal framework built by Eiffel with a copper covering designed by the artist Bartholdi.

Soon was out and heading back to the dock. Got on the boat ready for the next stop, Ellis Island. Got off and wait straight to the cafe. Sat and had a drink and a snack. Next went and picked up audio players and then did the tour. 

Ellis Island

Registry Room

Heard all about the immigration process which went on. Only 3rd class passengers arriving had to go to the island. 1st and 2nd class were just allowed into the country. Up to 5000 a day were processed with 12 million passing through the building in total. The process sounded brutal. People marked with chalk if there was any sign of weakness or illness and invasive medical checks, although anyone stuck there could eat off fine china. Completed the tour and then went down to the Immigration Record Search. Here you can look for anyone who arrived at the Port of New York between 1820 to 1957.

Found this.

Entry No. 4

This is the entry of my Great Great Aunt, Ellen Bird, arriving in New York on the 18th April 1912. She was onboard the Carpathia when it docked, having been rescued from lifeboat No.8 of the Titanic. She had been employed as a maid to Ida Strauss, whose husband Isidor was a co owner of Macy's. Ida refused to get in a lifeboat and put Ellen in instead along with her fur coat. It is likely Ellen didn't have to go to Ellis Island itself as she was a passenger in first class and only about 200 steerage passengers from Titanic had to go there.

Once we had completed the search, we went to the shop and got a magnet and then queued for the trip back to Manhattan. Got on the boat and then headed back.

Manhattan

Once we were off, we went and sat under a tree in Battery Park to discuss our next move. Decided to catch the 5 train from Bowling Green. Walked to the station and got on. Alighted at Grand Central and headed to the food court. Walked around until we found somewhere to get food which was a place called Veselka. I had a grilled cheese with fries, Ann had something. Had to eat standing up at a table.

Then we caught the 6 train northwards. Only wanted to go one station up but luckily the train we caught just drove through it. Had to get off at the next stop and then catch a train back down. This one did stop.

Made the shortish walk to the Museum of Modern Art.

We had about two hours until the museum closed. Ann said she'd heard it is best to start on the top floor and work down, so we did. Top floor was rubbish. Man shouted at Ann for getting too close to an artwork. I agreed. How dare she point at it?

We gradually made our way down the floors. I occasionally warned Ann not to get too close when she was within ten yards of anything. Came to the conclusion that I am not a fan of modern art. Give me Gainsborough, Turner and Constable any day.

We found about three things we actually liked.

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Whilst we looked at picture 2, Monet's Water Lilies, some woman was posing in front of it whilst her boyfriend took photos. When I say posing, I really mean posing. Doing all sorts of weird things. Felt sorry for him having to photograph a twat. Discussed with Ann why it is people don't just look at things anymore. You are in front of one of the best paintings of all time and yet instead of looking at it, you just wave your arse like that adds to its worth. I decided to stand in front of it and actually study it to stop anyone else being a dick.

Picture 5 was from near the end. An ultra modern piece which was just stuffed toys stuck together. Weird. The museum then announced it was shutting so we had to get out. Man told us to go one way. We and others go, just to get shouted at by woman for going that way. I said man told us to. She said man was wrong and then told man he was wrong. Went to shop and got magnet.

Next we had to decide on dinner. There was a bar downtown that was hosting an Everton evening with ex player legends going to be there. Thought about going but eventually we decided we were knackered, so we went to a shop and got groceries and then caught the W train home. Ate sat watching TV.

Ann is now asleep as ever. She has told me to let her know what time we need to be up in the morning. That is hard to do without waking her up.

States visited - 1

Day One

Set alarm for 5am. Woken up by Ann's alarm at 4.45am. She had it set at 600 decibels. Looked at my alarm clock and realised I hadn't actually set the alarm.

Ann lost the padlocks and keys for her case and rucksack. Searched the house only to find she had put them in the case and rucksack ready. Got everything ready and was at the door at 6.50am for the taxi. 

Made it to Stowmarket station and caught the train. Was busy but not too bad. Arrived at Liverpool Street before we knew it. Detrained and got a drink before heading to the Elizabeth line.

Whilst we waited for the next train heading to Terminal 5, a woman asked us if this was the right place for a train to Terminal 2. We said yes, it's the second train due and pointed to the screen. She asked Ann another five times in the one minute until the train arrived.

Eventually our train arrived and we got on and got a seat. Pootled across London. Was going fine until we got just before Heathrow when the driver informed us that the overhead power had failed. Waited for sometime before the wires were 'reenergised'. Then when we got to Terminal 5, we had to wait again due to the backlog of trains.

Eventually got into the station and got off and made our way to check in. We were travelling scum class plus, so could go to that check in. Stood in a non moving line for what seemed like an age whilst absolutely no one in front seemed to check any luggage. When it was our go it took all of a minute.

Got to security and got in line fairly quickly. Took the laptop out of the rucksack like an announcement and all the posters said. Man said I didn't need to. Took shoes off. Told I didn't need to. Did have to take belt off which is mainly material. Wondered how it could contain explosives.

Went through the bodyscanner. No unexpected items in the groin area.

Made our way up to the Club Aspire lounge. Spotted Mark Noble as we wandered through. Said to Ann that was Mark Noble. She said 'who?'.

Checked into the lounge. Got a free pass through our travel insurance otherwise it would cost about £45. Was definitely not worth paying for. Man sat on the next seat playing loud things on his phone despite having headphones lying on the arm of his chair. Had some free food and promptly left. Went to a shop and Ann bought a smell.

Caught the train to the B gates. Followed some West Ham staff. One woman was on Facetime and was doing weird modern dancing as she walked along to the people she was talking to. Don't understand young people.

Boarding was already well underway, so we queued for about three mins and then we were walking the finger. Apparently according to Paul it was the same aircraft we had flown to LAX with them at Easter last year.

Got on plane to find the entire West Ham playing squad sat in business class. Saw Mark Noble again.

Got settled in and then we were off. As we took off I hoped no one turned the fuel off.

Had planned to spend the entire flight on the laptop editing a panto thinking it was a good use of time. Unfortunately laptop wouldn't play ball as to edit in Microsoft office it needed to be logged into my school account which it wasn't due to being on a plane. Had set it up beforehand hoping it would remember but it didn't. Watched the whole second series of Flintoff's Field of Dreams instead.

By the time that had finished, looked out the window and saw land. 

Coast

Jarrod Bowen then walked past. Not sure why he was visiting scum class plus.

Spent the rest of the time with Ann playing Who Wants to be a Millionaire. We won.

For a million pounds, where are you heading?

Before we knew it the landing gear was being lowered and we touched down. Managed to go the whole flight without going to the toilet which must be some sort of record.

Got off and got through security fairly quickly, although not before some woman moaned about how long it was taking. Ann and I thought it was the quickest we'd ever got into the US. Man at desk who scanned our fingerprint etc seemed uninterested in us or stopping us entering. His only question was 'what is the purpose of your visit?'.

Finally got to go to the toilet before we waited for our bags. Discovered football players don't wait for theirs, they get staff to do that.

Got our bags and then headed out to the Ride App pick up area. Ann tried to summon an Uber but the app was being crap. Eventually we went back inside to try and get a better signal. Didn't worked. Ann switched off her phone and then turned it on again. Uber then worked. Went back out and got in a car.

Headed towards New York City. Traffic was awful but it was rush hour. Crawled along mostly. Took just over an hour to do 12 miles. Arrived at The Dutch in Sonder. Sort of checked in but it isn't really a hotel, but it is. A bit like where we stayed in Hawaii a couple of year ago.

Got into our room and sat down for a bit. Decided to go and get pizza from a place about 30 seconds away. www.goodfellaspizzeriaoflic.shop Stood on the street waiting for it as the place is just a window. Ann kept talking about the trees in the street.

When the moon hits your eye

Sat in our room and ate it watching the A Team. I love it when a plan comes together.

Nearly fell asleep but the summoned the courage to turn the laptop on a write this. Laptop then decided to constantly try to do other things instead of opening the things I needed. Eventually restarted it to see if that helped. It then needed to do 'updates'. It didn't do them at home when I checked it out before we left!

It is now 4.12am to me. Ann is asleep as ever.

States visited - 1

Football teams seen - 1