The Big Apple

New York City!!

Monday morning we caught an early flight, had a short layover in Chicago and then found ourselves in NYC!  We have been so excited for this trip and we have not been disappointed.  

We flew into LaGuardia and were told the best way to get into Manhattan was to get a yellow taxi.  The line was super long and so we decided to do something called Bandwagon.  It is a ride share program.  We downloaded an app  and with some help of some ride share workers sere paired with another fellow going our direction.  The three of us got into a small cab for the ride into the city.  A 30 minute ride turned into 50 minutes because of a few accidents holding up traffic on the way.  The ride was a little tight with me sitting in the middle seat (hump) between Rick and an insurance salesman from CA named John.  He was a nice enough fellow but it was a little awkward being that close to a stranger.  

We are staying at the Best Western Bowery Hanbee Hotel in between Chinatown and Little Italy.  While our hotel is adequate (it got good reviews from trip adviser whereas so many others didn't) it is certainly not the Marriot (where we were able to stay the last time we visited NYC)  Our hotel really is adequate and the bed is comfortable so we can't complain:)

After getting settled we got directions from the front desk as to which subway to take to The Empire State Building.  We rode the B Train uptown a couple of stops which put us really close.  We stopped at a Chipotle Grill (fast food) for a quick dinner and then found our way to the top of the ESB.  When Rick had ordered our tickets online he paid an extra $20 each to get the fast pass to not have to wait in lines.  I think it was worth it.  We got to bypass everyone standing in line to get into the elevator going to the top!  I love how fast the elevators go.  We were up to the 84th floor in no time (popping ears as we went)

All I can say about the experience is WOW!!  What a magical place to see the city from.  It is one of my most favorite attractions in New York.  Amazing!!

We got to be there while the sun was going down and it was breathtaking!

Then all of the city lights started coming on.....

                          ......just WOW!!
                   LOVED this experience!!

After coming down we perused a couple of shops.  Rick bought a hat and I bought a bell.

Big surprise there!  :-)

Here are some pictures of Chinatown.  There are lots of people speaking Chinese and loots of interesting smells coming from the shops.  The fish markets are my favorite. NOT!!

The next morning we caught the B train that took us up to Columbus Circle and then we walked a few blocks to get to the Manhattan Temple.  I am happy to say that I was the first to see the Angel Moroni on top!  It was really cool to see the temple right amidst the skyscrapers.  Really cool!

While in the temple we got to visit the Celestial Room which was small but absolutely breathtaking.  As I walked into the room I immediately burst into tears being overcome with special feelings.  It was so beautiful and peaceful.  In our hotel room on the 5th floor we can hear city life bustling cry clearly.  Honking horns, sirens, cars moving.....we can hear all of it.  Even late into the night.

In the temple while all of the hustle and bustle of the city was just right outside its doors as well, inside the temple was complete quiet.  Amazing.

After our temple experience we had a sandwich at the Europan Cafe right next to the temple.

Just across the street was street cart selling Belgian waffles.

Here's Rick picking up his order.

We shared this magnificent dessert.  The chocolate was Pre Mi Um!!

After returning to our hotel and getting a change of clothes we rode the yellow train to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.  It was a special experience being there.  So many people died that day and it gets put into context when you see the faces and names of all 2,996 people.  That is a lot of lives lost.

Truly a sad day in our nations history.

The North Tower Memorial

One World Tower

After getting back to our room we rested for a few minutes and then got ready for the evening's activities.  Here's Rick on the subway looking as handsome as ever:)

Even though we had a short amount of time before our play was to begin we decided to stick with plan "A"  and have dinner at The View  Restaurant, a revolving restaurant on the 48th floor of the Marriott Marquee in Times Square.  We had a nice view of Times Square and a buffet dinner of different salads,  chicken, beef, and pasta, bread and desserts.  It was nice.  I am only sorry we had to hurry through our meal and not get to enjoy the ambiance of the place very long.

Right around the corner of the Marriott was the Broadhurst Theatre where we enjoyed the musical Anastasia.  It was a delightful story with wonderful acting and singing.  I was very impressed of the talent of all involved.  The set was amazing as well, integrating innovated video imaging.

After the play we got to see a real live NY policeman on horseback.

Times Square

A rat on the subway tracks!

The next morning we got over to the Columbus Circle subway stop again to rent bikes.  WE rented them without any trouble and headed over to Central Park.  It was a pleasant ride around the park.  What a beautiful day!  We had wonderful weather and there were many people out and about enjoying the nice weather.

The trees and flowers were in bloom so we got a few selfies:)

We stopped and had lunch at  a food truck.

Rick had a gyro and I had a chicken sandwich.

Afterwards we wanted to take a short horse and buggy ride around part of the park.

Rick got a yummy coconut cream popsicle to share with me!

After our Central Park morning we jumped on the "D" train that got us all the way down to the Brooklyn Bridge.  I was surprised at all of the visitors walking across the bridge.  We hopped behind them and started the trek.  We decided to only go half way across then come facing Manhattan.  It had such beautiful views.

That night we went to dinner at a place called Da Nico's right down from our hotel in Little Italy.

I had the chicken parmesan and rick had shrimp alfredo.

Rick ordered this cannoli and it was suuuuuper good!

We also got complimentary scones with powdered sugar.

I could barely eat dessert because I was so stuffed.

A picture on the streets of Little Italy.

Yummy gelato!

We have loved the sights, sounds, and smells of New York City!!