Off to New York City tomorrow

metale

Man, I hope you are enjoying New York 1/10th of how much I'm enjoying London!

We traveled on the same day. I'm having the time of my live. I'm absolutly adoring everything. The cold is a bit harsh (I'm from Portugal), but worth it. I imagine there it is worse.

Cheers

rocktron

Hi All!!! This is just some quick travelogue info.

FRIDAY 8th Dec: I arrived at Heathrow 2 1/2 hours early for my flight. Checking in (printing of boarding card and bag tags), was very quick. In fact, there was just one person ahead of me in the bag-drop queue. The airport was very busy and there were long queues of travelers at Terminal 3 for the several security check points. 

There as some humour when a a security agent asked an American young lady who she was flying with (meaning implicitly which airline), and she replied: My boyfriend. 

My flight with American Airlines left Heathrow bang on time. The 777-200 started pushing back from the terminal building at 14:45 but there were three other aircraft ahead.and we eventually took off at 15:13. It was a nice day for flying, although we hit some minor turbulent bumps along the way. We circled over New York a few times in a holding pattern and landed at 18:30.  This was one of the best American Airlines flights I've been on. Excellent service throughout. 

I took the Airtrain from JFK to Jamaica Station (LIRR and Sutphin Boulevard subway). My relatives live about 5 minutes away from the station.

SATURDAY 9th Dec: The day started out nice, but then it started snowing at around 10:00. Although it snowed hard, there wasn't any accumulation, but the sidewalks were slushy..I got a 30 days Unlimited Travel Metrocard from Sutphin Boulevard station and boarded an E-train to the Westfield Mall at the Oculus World Trade Center. There was construction work going on at 50th Street station which caused a delay on that subway line and interconnecting lines.

It was snowing quite hard, although it was too warm for any significant accumulation on the ground, so the best place to be was in an indoor mall. For something to eat, I fancied a burger from Shake Shack, but there was a long queue at the Fulton Center restaurant, so I gave up on that idea, and battled the snow to a nearby. . . you've guessed it. . . McDonald's!!! Actually, a double burger there was juicy and tasted quite good. 

From the Oculus, I took the E-train to Penn Station in mid-town to wander around K-Mart to make some small purchases. Then I returned to Queens. The subway was packed due to the delayed train service. In Queens, it was still snowing hard and I just wanted to hurry and get indoor.

Camera used is a Panasonic DMC FS45 Compact.

I forgot to change the time on the camera which was still set to British Summer Time. This has now been corrected.

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rocktron

Some time ago here I mentioned Fever Tree Madascan Cola. I tried their Ginger Ale at the stand. Quite nice too.

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The snow has now melted away on this car. Last night, it was completely covered.

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View from the Apartment Building where I am staying. The vehicles were all covered in snow last night.

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rocktron

Sorry. . . duplicate post.

Snap

We were in NYC in August. 2nd visit for us. We spent a lot of time in the East Village - a v cool area. The HIgh Line is well worth a trip, though when we did it, it was 30 degrees, so will be a different experience for you!

Great city, and very walkable.

RandallFlagg

Snap said:

We were in NYC in August. 2nd visit for us. We spent a lot of time in the East Village - a v cool area. The HIgh Line is well worth a trip, though when we did it, it was 30 degrees, so will be a different experience for you!

Great city, and very walkable.

We did the highline as well, in 30c+ blistering heat. Even did the new bit around the train yard, kids were flagging by the end! Bucket list item. Tick!

Jalapeno

peteri said:

Check out Katz's - have a Reubens there - heaven!

Any more tips on guitar shops - preferably vintage stuff, off myself over the new year.

On the corner where Katz is located - Ludlow St - guitar shops and music venues, and on Rivington (first junction) go left, cross the road for The Hotel on Rivington and try their Chilli Margarita

peteri

thanks!

PC_Dave

@rocktron

Just saw this http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42312293 - hope you're safe

rocktron

@PC_Dave: I am just catching up with the news on Breakfast TV here.

Apparently, a suspect had an improvised low-tech pipe bomb strapped to him with velcro and zip-ties, which exploded in a subway tunnel. No one was injured and the suspect, who has minor injuries, is in Police custody.

News is just filtering through, so the details are sure to be updated.

The incident occurred at 42nd Street Station, which is the busiest station in the city. Trains are not stopping at the station, and the surrounding area and the Port Authority Bus Terminal are in lockdown. I understand that transport is gradually getting back to normal.

My plan was to walk around JC Penney in the Queens Center Mall and have lunch in the Food Court before hopping on the subway R-train to the corner of 5th Avenue & 59th Street, after 1:00 PM.

I was going to visit a store on 40th Street today, in close proximity to the 42nd Street Station. www.lot-less.com. They are a "stack 'em high, sell 'em cheap" store and they usually have some excellent bargains. I will probably now stick to to Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral to see the Nativity display, and then go to the Holiday Market and the Ice Skating Rink in Bryant Park in the early evening when the lights are more spectacular. 

rocktron

MONDAY 11th DECEMBER 2017

Camera used: Panasonic FS45 Compact 

Corner of 5th Avenue & 59th Street at Central Park

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Those who have visited NYC will know the iconic Apple Computer Store, the Glass Cube,  in front of the General Motors Building. The Glass Cube is no longer there and some construction work is going on.

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Tiffany’s

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Trump Tower

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rocktron

SAK’S Light and Sound Show

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rocktron

Rockefeller Center

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RandallFlagg

nice pics @rocktron

rocktron

TUESDAY 12th DECEMBER 2017

I spotted this Ibanez at a Cash Exchange store in Austin Street, Forest Hills. Ticket price is $150. :-

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If you have visited Times Square over a year ago, you will know the Toys ‘R Us store in Times Square which had the big Ferris Wheel and the huge animated T-Rex. Well, that store is now closed and they were looking for other cheaper rental properties. I spotted this new store (former GAP store building), at the corner of 42nd Street and 7th Avenue. This is a smaller T-Rex.

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rocktron

BRYANT PARK HOLIDAY MARKET and ICE SKATING RINK

Entrance on 42nd Street & 6th Avenue:-

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rocktron

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rocktron

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rocktron

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You can see the Empire State Building lit up in Blue and White light:-

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Table Tennis along the 42nd Street side:-

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rocktron

RandallFlagg said:

nice pics @rocktron

Thanks!!! I have a Nikon D5300 DSLR, but I didn't travel with it. I am using an old (now very old) Panasonic FS45 compact camera. It works well and takes reasonably good holiday snaps, but I must look for a better compact camera when I return to London. I find the DSLR too bulky for travel, and walking around big cities looking like a tourist!!!  

I love this Dude - Johnny T gives advice on New York City LOL LOL LOL-