Tag Archives: Manhattan

So This Is It

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Yes, our last day in NYC, and our last full day of this trip. It flew by. It seems like we’ve been on it forever. Funny how that goes!

I didn’t wake up until 7:00! (Well, okay, I was up three other times, but that is sort of the norm for me.) We lazed around a bit (since Dan has a cold he’s taking it easy for sure, and I’m happy to be lazy as we wind things down), and eventually I went down to pick up some croissants for breakfast. Angelina Bakery has been our go-to for those. It was cloudy outside, and some people were holding umbrellas although I felt no drops. Some of the taller buildings were hidden by clouds, though. I dropped our yummy croissants off at our room and went up to floor 27 here at the hotel to get our coffees: decaf espresso for Dan, caffeinated cappuccino for me. Yes, you really do need to know these things: when we get home I just might write up a quiz called, “What did D&P do on their trip?” Please have your number 2 pencils ready.

We have a table in our room so we just ate there.

Then, while Dan did what Dan does (computer, shower, whatever) I started to search for a place to eat dinner. It’s a challenge when there may be six of us and some choices were out of the question. Contacting Brandon he suggested maybe we should try something different than the bar food we’ve been having so I found a Japanese restaurant. I suspect that will be quite refreshing after eating so many fries!

It was drizzling out (according to our often incorrect watches anyway) — we were in no rush to get outside. In addition, the last day of our trips tend to be rather slow. It’s as if we allow ourselves to finally let go of the required energy needed for travel, knowing the trip is nearly over. But eventually out we went.

For food. Because … well … it’s the last day to be indulgent!

And it was bagels.

Since the restaurant I’d reserved was very close to the bagel stop we walked by. Ummmm … wellllll … no ambience and I can’t figure out how they’d even seat the six of us! I guess we’d have three tables for two, the restaurant was so small and narrow. So we decided to walk back to the hotel and redo our evening plans. On the way I had to stop for a couple of photos because this blog entry is looking to be extremely boring unless I do that. No one needs to hear me (okay, read me) rattle on and on. You need New York photos! Right?

Back at the hotel I texted with Brandon and Jameson, and another restaurant was chosen (thanks for the suggestion, Brandon), and a reservation was made. While at the room a man came by to make sure all was well here — he wasn’t the housekeeping person so I’m not sure why he came. But it was handy because I could tell him all was fine except we needed more of the Nespresso coffee pods. Later on another man came by with a bag FULL of them. Maybe they will come in handy at another hotel sometime. We shall see.

We continued our lazing around for quite a while, but eventually we opted to go out for a casual walk, having no real agenda in mind. Dan did suggest, though, that we head toward Central Park. While heading across 45th we walked past the restaurant we chose for tonight after canceling the other. It’s a whopping seven minute walk.

And now I’ll just post the photos I took, as well as one video:

On our way back we picked up a couple of cannoli. Big yum, but I actually couldn’t finish mine so Dan kindly helped me out. As you can see, there was only health food in the case.

Eventually we met up with Jameson, since he was in the area earlier than our dinner reservation. We walked to a spot where he could get iced coffee … we sat and yakked and then it was time to get to the restaurant.

We met Lia at Sozai, and Brandon showed up shortly after. I have decided Lia is the Queen of Ordering and she magically remembered all the things we wanted. (Thanks, Lia!) The food was absolutely wonderful. I was sorry Meghan couldn’t be there with us, but she had so much work she said it just wasn’t possible. (Sorry Meghan … we missed you!) I took a few (bad) photos. It was really the best I could do as the light was low and some things weren’t easy to photograph. So it goes. Just trust me: everything was delicious!

We said goodbye to Lia and Brandon, and Jameson walked with us back to our place since his bus would be a bit further down the street. Then a quick hug to him, and back up to our room we went. I’m nearly packed (just need to get pjs and toiletries in the pack tomorrow morning), and odds are we’ll grab coffee upstairs and then get a car to Newark. (We’ve been informed that saying “EWR” is not the norm here so I am going to have to change my ways. Hah!) After the pain of taking New Jersey Transit in to Manhattan we’ve decided we’d prefer a Lyft back. Besides, we have money in our Lyft account so why not?

But now? Time to attempt to sleep. I’m better it will be a restless night what with tomorrow being a travel day, but I can dream, right? Or maybe I can’t dream since I might not sleep. Time will tell.

Ciao for now!

I Like The Isle Of Manhattan

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Needless to say, I’m sure, we woke very early. It’s to be expected as we adjust to the time change, but at least the difference isn’t as great as it would have been had we flown straight home.

We could spend the morning in a leisurely fashion: nothing was on the agenda and we assume the rest of the family will want the morning to themselves. After showers we went to the top floor for coffee. It’s a huge area (I had been there before, when I did my solo trip) and I’m surprised they don’t try to get us to purchase breakfasts there, but I guess that must be too much trouble. But free coffee or tea? Sure, we’ll take that! The views from the 27th floor are not bad either.



We’ve been to New York enough to not worry much about missing something. I suspect we will do our typical wandering about. And eating.

Side Note: Foolish me made my annual medical appointment shortly after we return. I highly suspect I’ll be told my cholesterol level is too high. Oops!

When we were ready to go out, we first went a short distance to get a bite. No photos. Just a croissant for Dan and a cream cheese pastry for me. Then it was time to get catch a train.

We landed close to the Met and we made our way there. There were some sprinkles so the umbrellas came out. There was a line to get into the Met so we were trying to buy tickets online as we stood in said line, but didn’t manage to get things to work properly. After going through security (where I was stopped and had to open my daypack and camera bag while Dan walked straight through) we purchased our tickets. (The Met isn’t cheap.) Then inside we went.

Dan was interested in a American photography exhibit showing at the moment, and I always enjoy seeing some art there. This time we wound up in an area with Chinese art which isn’t something we have spent a lot of time viewing. I do find it amazing to read how old some of the objects are. And hey, they make me feel pretty darn young! (So I guess I don’t qualify for the museum. Yet.)

Eventually Jameson arrived, and we went to grab lunch there (gotta love those museum prices). Hey … I ate too much. Such a familiar tune, right? We saw a few things both on the way into the cafeteria and out of it.

Then we viewed the photography. It was all very early American photography and I confess it wasn’t of great interest to me. I could see that others were fascinated, though.

Brandon had written to say he was nearing the museum so we agreed to meet. He suggested we meet outside.

And then it started to pour. I mean really pour. The kind of downpour that means a ton of people started flowing into the museum. But Brandon had found a spot with scaffolding right across the street so we finally decided to meet up there. The rain had started to dwindle enough that we opted to walk to Orsay for drinks and a snack.

Lia arrived a bit later, and Meghan shortly after that.

While it was rather early for dinner, we decided that we’d go find dinner nearby rather than do anything that was too far away: we are, after all, still adjusting to the time change. So off we went, and a nearby place, JG Melon, could take us all so in we went. Again, no photos of food, or even of people. Somehow when I’m with family I forget to take photos I guess.

Then we said goodbye to Meghan and Jameson, and Lia and Brandon walked with us down to our hotel. As we walked we looked to the right and Brandon said something about rain coming. Sure enough, shortly after, it again began to rain. We had gotten our umbrellas ready, so our heads stayed dry, but this rain was coming at an angle that mean the back of our pants did get wet. No harm done. Just damp pants.

Finally we got back to our room. It was (and is) on the early side, but it’s fairly clear that we are winding down both in terms of time on the road and energy. I’m hopeful we will be adjusted to New York time by tomorrow. I know it will help us adjust to California time when we leave for home.

I can’t go to sleep yet — it’s only 19:47 or 7:47 PM. You choose! — so I have to work hard on staying up later. We’ll see what I can manage.

Goodnight!

My Last Day In NYC

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As usual, I started my morning with my cappuccino on the 27th floor. Okay, I had two. Call me crazy!

Then it was off on a random walk, heading south down Lexington. I had no agenda … I just walked and went right when the light was red and I couldn’t cross a street.

I finally wound up at Macy’s and tried on a few shoes. I sure with the shoe manufacturers realized that even those of us with large feet need half sizes! The 10s were too short and the 11s too loose. Go figure But at least I saved money!

I went back to my hotel (Club Quarters pictured above) and enjoyed (eek!) another cappuccino. Hey, they come with the horribly high hotel fees, so why not, right? Then Jameson wrote and we agreed to meet up toward to the top of Central Park at a diner there.

Silly me: I neglected to tell the map app I was walking so it gave me a car route and I ended up walking on 66th across (and under) the park. That was NOT a pleasant bit of walking but I managed and we met up at Old John’s Luncheonette.

After lunch we walked more, heading back down toward my hotel but mostly toward Keene’s. We had drinks there, and Brandon eventually joined us. It was getting crowded and noisy and with my ear that meant I couldn’t hear well. So off we went.

We ended up at The Shakespeare and had very UK sounding food like Welsh Rarebit and fish & chips. Best of all was that we were the only people in the room where we ate so I could hear perfectly. What a wonderful way to end my stay! And no they weren’t on their phones the whole time: these are just a few goofy shots! I’m really sorry I didn’t think to get a photo of the three of us.

From there the boys walked me back to my hotel, we hugged, said our goodbyes, and now here I am, missing them already.

PS 27,680 steps and 11.83 miles. Piece ‘o cake!

St. Patrick’s Day Sunday

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This morning began slowly, since we had all agreed we’d not get together in the morning: I know what it’s like to hang with parents, and I know breaks were needed!

I headed upstairs to get my cappuccino, posted photos on to the yesterday’s blog entry, and played my puzzles (got ‘em all but the easy level of “colorfle”).

Then I figured I’d walk to Russian Samovar to see how walkable the route was since it’s where we are having dinner tonight. As it turned out, there was a half marathon taking place and I couldn’t get to where I wanted to go!

Instead I kind of followed the marathon route, figuring I’d then go to Central Park. Well, they had most of that blocked off from the east side so I had quite a walk to find a way in.

I only went through a short bit of it, and then headed back out. I then thought I’d head back to Russian Samovar. I got there in a rather circuitous way: Manhattan and I don’t see to agree on North, South, East, and West. But I did find it.

From there I reset my watch so I could check the distance to the hotel. Only trouble is that after a bit of a walk I saw the Hudson. Um … that’s not on the east side! I had walked the opposite direction of what I should have done. I still have no clue how I got completely off like that! So back I went, and finally, after nearly 7.5 miles of walking, I was back at the hotel.

I put my feet up for a short time, but it was after 1:00 and I did think I should probably get a bit to eat so I went close by and ordered a burrito. “Mission style” is what it said, whatever that means. But it was tasty so no complaints here, other than I could only eat half of it. (And there is no fridge on my room.)

Then it was relaxation time again, and then Brandon wrote to say he was on his way here. I decided we could meet up at our destination before the restaurant since there is nothing special about this hotel, so I put on my dress (!) and out I went.

We met up for a drink before Samovar at the Monkey Bar … I wish I’d taken a quick photo. Rats! There were drawings (paintings?) of monkeys all over the walls.

Landing at Samovar Jameson, Meghan, and Timothy met up with us. (I missed Lia, but with so much stress and all she took a much needed break.) The food and drinks were tasty, and the live music fun. I’m so glad I finally got there, since Dan had been talking about it after his solo visit here.

Did we have fun? Maybe …

Brandon kindly walked me back to my hotel (passing through Grand Central Station) and now here I am, hoping for some sleep. I rarely sleep well on the first few nights of a trip. I’m guessing this short one means I will never get a great night’s sleep, but I don’t really fret over it — I’ll sleep when I get home!

Oh … and it looks like I walked 12 miles today. It’ll do!

Quick Trip — November 15, 2023

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Yesterday we woke early and headed to SFO. We weren’t sure if we’d hit traffic or long lines for security since APEC is going on. Nope. No issues. Thankfully Dan had two passes for the United lounge so we enjoyed the slightly less noisy area (but it sure was crowded).

Then it was board the plane and fly off to New York!

We arrived at our hotel (The Hotel Belleclaire, to be precise), enjoyed okay glasses of wine offered to us there, and met up with Jameson. I had been in contact with the hotel because it seemed each time we came here we’d get a smaller and smaller room. My “friend” (well, he seems like one by now) Benedict assured me he’d give us a nice room and, indeed, it was exactly like the very first one we stayed in. It might be, in fact, the same one. We can’t tell for sure — the first time we stayed here was shortly after the pandemic had lightened up and the hotel had only just been refurbished after housing homeless during the worst of the pandemic times and the room had one table and chair, the bed, and not much else. Now it does have art on the walls. But the bathroom door sticks and Dan and I both remember that so we are thinking it’s the same room.

Anyway, I ramble. As always. About nothing!

So … getting to this room that might be the same as before … we were greeted by a bottle of wine and some macarons, and a Happy Birthday to me. Yes, we came here so I can celebrate my birthday with some of our kids. How sweet is that?! I must, I’m sure, credit Benedict for the treat as well.

After dropping off our luggage Dan, Jameson, and I headed to Amsterdam Ale House. We grabbed some appetizers and beers, and yakked away. A bit later my brother Timothy and sister-in-law Margaret also arrived and we had dinner. Sadly the place got extremely noisy which made hearing pretty difficult for me. (We really need to search for quiet restaurants now. Sigh.) What a fun night, though, despite the noise.

Then we walked back to our hotel and hit the hay.

(No photos … didn’t even think to take any, silly me!)