NEW YORK – The Empire strikes back –
Tuesday – Looking through our window first thing this morning there are blue skies, some fluffy clouds and the promise of a fine day. Breakfast is included in our tariff but the eating area is so tiny and the range not so good but we take some things back to our room for a light snack. Quickly devouring what we have, we put our plan of attack into action. Going to the top of the Empire State Building is first on the list. We have booked our tickets on line to avoid the queues and we head off.
Outside the building there are loads of tourist traps – people trying to sell tickets – tours etc but we just walk calmly by them all and into the foyer and head for the ticket holders only sign – there are not many of us so that is good. We are guided through a walkway that is roped off on either side – bit like when you queue at Disneyland – and there are interesting little bits and pieces as we walk through. How the building was built – photos of workers – OH&S would have a field day today. Some had no harnesses, some were sitting on beams eating their lunch – and that me felt a bit on the woozy side let me say.
Up we go in the lift and when we reach the top the views are incredible – a bit misty but incredible. It is a bit chilly but not windy so that is a good thing. This is an opportune moment to get the photo stitch going. This is, of course, just a series of photos that are then stitched together with the appropriate software but still exciting nevertheless.
Open the photo and it is much clearer than what shows on this actual page. This is the view looking towards the One World Trade Centre and the Statue of Liberty. I am so glad it is a fine day. Looking at this it is hard to imagine the chaos that occurred in 2001.
This is the view looking to the right of the above photo and down the river. Once again open the photo to get a better view.
A word of warning – for those of you who suffer with Vertigo – this is not a good place. Looking out is great but even I get woozy looking down so I just continue to look through the lens.
We can pick out a few landmarks – Flatiron Building; Chrysler Building; Brooklyn Bridge; our hotel – cameras are clicking away all over the place – – and surprisingly there are not the crowds I expected so it is easy to walk around and around and around taking photos that I am sure I have already taken – but that is the best thing about digital cameras isn’t it?
We spend about 40 minutes here and that seems plenty of time – we still have miles of things to do today so back down the lift and out into the bustle of New York.
As we head up 5th Avenue, we take a small detour to see Times Square in the daylight. Without the lights it is just another street and not very exciting I must say and around 15 minutes later we walk past Saks – now there’s a famous name – and looking at the building it reminds me of Harrod’s in London, but unfortunately no time for shopping.
So many signs that seem to awaken the memory of watching movies or reading books – so exciting.
Next stop – Rockefeller Centre. Situated in close proximity to Saks – it inhabits the rather small area in front of the famous GE Building.
In front of the building is the also famous skating rink that operates only during the colder months together with the statue of Prometheus which was made doubly famous in the movie ‘On The Town’ starring Gene Kelly which is another movie you should watch – but I am getting off the track.
The GE Building in the photo has been an official historic landmark since 1985. Formerly known as the RCA building, it was incorporated in 1986 by General Electric. The building features an observatory, known as ‘Top of the Rock’ but more about that later when we visit.
As you can see there is a small plaza area which is surrounded on all sides by shops – one of which is the Lego shop.
Millions of blocks make up their display items – and there is even a model of my beloved Sydney Opera House! Is there nothing they don’t make out of Lego? Apparently not.
Our next port of call is St Patrick’s Cathedral and of course, true to our travelling policy, it is under restoration.
A decorated Neo-Gothic style Catholic Cathedral, it is undergoing a massive five-year, three-phase, $175 million renovation inside and out because of crumbling bricks, faulty heating, acid rain and pollution that has eaten away at the Tuckahoe marble of the 135 year old church. Good grief, she certainly sounds in a bad way.
The inside is also covered in scaffolding and it is amazing how they still manage to conduct services – one is in progress when we arrive. We have a quick walk around being careful not to disturb and then it is back outside for a stroll down 5th Avenue where we spy the Lindt Chocolate Shop.
Necks and legs are nearly broken as we rush to the entrance and are enticed into the store (not much enticing needed) by a lovely lad standing at the door offering samples for us to try.
OMG there are chocolates everywhere and they have Christmas specials of Chocolate Mint Truffles – they will definitely go on the list. Chocolate blocks, chocolate Lindor truffles with every flavour centre you can imagine, chocolate Christmas Advent calendars, chocolate reindeer, chocolate Santas, white chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, sea salt chocolate! Where do I start? I am getting a serious chocolate panic attack.
There is a special price for the ‘mix your own’ truffles per pound (500gr) so ‘some of this and some of that’ comes into practice. I cannot go through all the flavours without salivating on the keyboard – hence the link – but I could not pass up the Almond (Amaretto) ones. Around and around the display we go picking up different ones all the time. About the 6th time round we decide that has to be enough – so over to the counter to pay but that is not the end of it. I also get a Christmas bag of the Chocolate Mint – and not one to miss a bargain I get two!
So, everything is packed into a very large bag – and with the wallet a few dollars lighter (money well spent) but smiles all over our faces we exit – but not before another free sample!
Unfortunately as we walk 5th Avenue we do not see anyone famous – not do we go into these stores to browse around. Versace, Tiffany, Bulgari, Prada, Louis Vuitton – ah the lives of the rich and famous.
When we arrive at the front door of Tiffany’s, the doorman who is resplendent in his uniform and Tiffany Blue winter scarf smiles and opens the door for us. What a charmer.
Fancy being in Tiffany’s!!!!! So classy and so unrushed and you are allowed to take photos. Bonus!!
We have a look around the counters with their fabulous items including The Tiffany Diamond (centre). It is revered as the rarest and most beautiful fancy yellow diamond in the world and for over a century it has presided over the Main Floor of Tiffany’s. Let me say quite categorically it is definitely out of my price range – but I can afford a photo.
Deciding that I must have something from Tiffany’s (I can feel my Amex card shaking) I decide on a charm for my bracelet (how expensive can that be?) Well, pretty pricey as it turns out but that is where the card comes in handy. The lovely lady behind the counter tells us where they are available and we are guided to the lift (photo above on the right) that even has an immaculately dressed female attendant like in days gone by. I am impressed. She is very friendly – and we alight at our floor to go in search of charms.
I select a beautiful tiny Tiffany Blue enamel bag with sterling silver handles (gold was way, way too much) which is packed in a padded blue box, wrapped with a white ribbon and then put into a Tiffany bag. The charm is around 1cm square – the finished package is around 30cm x 15cm.
OK – we have had our little bit of elegance for the day – the doors are opened again for us by the doorman who smiles and wishes us a good day. I really could get used to this type of treatment.
Time for a visit with FAO Schwarz – the ultimate in sweets (FAO Schweetz) and toys. Here I am with a new friend! And as you can also see the shopfront is under restoration!
The range of toys is incredible and you can even make your own Muppet. I decide I have enough teddys etc from my past travels at home so I pass on that one. There is a small cafe inside so we have some morning tea (muffin and coffee) and then it’s time to go upstairs and look at all the toys. Looks like Santa has moved his workshop that’s for sure. You name it – it is here. Even stuffed toys that are worth thousands of dollars. OK that’s enough for me – we decide to head back home for a rest as we are going to ‘Top of The Rock’ tonight for some glittering NY skyline views by night.
Back at the hotel we sample a few of our chocolate treasures just to make sure they are still OK (which they were), take off the shoes, have a rest and then when the sun starts to set and it gets dark we take a look out our window. Wow! The Empire State is lit in red, white and blue. How patriotic – and I bet they did it just for us.
Soon it’s back outside into the cool night air, heading up Broadway and past our friendly faces near the hotel and we realise we are hungry, yes even after our Lindt sampling, so first up we get some food from one of the street vendors – and then it’s off to Top of The Rock.
I am astounded with the amount of people walking the streets (and I mean that in a nice way), it certainly is the city that never sleeps. There are streets blocked off with food outlets, tables and chairs for you to sit and relax, all sorts of vendors – it is very exciting to say the least. I would just like to amble around taking photos of everything – but with my luck I would get mugged for taking photos of gangsters who would be the ‘no photos, no photos’ type.
We stop at Rockefeller Plaza for a few Kodak moments. It looks much, much better at night – the fairy lights in the trees, the coloured lights on the statue, the reflections on the ice rink – just like an enchanted land.
We pass Radio City Music Hall but do not stop for photos – we will do that later. We are now at the bottom of ‘The Top of The Rock‘ so in we go – doesn’t seem to be such a great amount of people here which is good. Lining up for our tickets and then guided toward the lift we get in and in an instant we are soaring upward AND the ceiling of the lift is made of glass so looking up you can see the lights in the lift well flash past at a great rate of knots – it is going so fast I begin to think that we will smash through the top a la Willy Wonka! We arrive at the 67th level 39 seconds later and then it’s a short escalator ride to the 70th floor which is open aired. Preparing ourselves for a night time blast of cold air, we are pleasantly surprised. Cold – yes; windy – no. The camera is out in a flash (pardon the pun) and we are soon snapping away.
Open the photo and you will get a better idea. The air is so crisp and clear and it is great for taking photos. Round and round we go – it is rather frightening that this is all open air; although there is a small fence around and you can still place your cameras on certain pylons (make sure you have the strap around your neck) so that you can get some great photos to stitch together. Isn’t that view incredible?
This is the Chrysler Building. You cannot get a really good view from here because of the Metlife Tower – but you can still see those wonderful art deco lights! At the beginning of the twentieth century, the race for the world’s tallest building started with several developers in New York vying for the coveted title. The Chrysler Building was the first building to top the then tallest structure, the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
After what seems like hundreds of photos later it is time to descend and get another thrill in the lit – this time going down. This my friends, is a bit more woozy on the stomach and head – but fun anyway to watch the lights that seem to flash upward as you hurtle to the ground!
With our innards all in place once again we head out for Radio City Music Hall. Home to the Rockettes and their long legs and high kicks, it is bedecked out in its finest Christmas bling.
Just a few Kodak moments and then time to head back to the warmth of our hotel. Tomorrow we have Central Park and the New York Met so we have to rest our tootsies as much as we can tonight.
Highlight of the Day – Top of the Rock, no, Lindt, no, Empire State, no Tiffany’s. OK – all day!!!