The Purple Penguin

And it’s a typical British bank holiday weekend, cold and wet. Quite a change from the hot and sunny New York we just left.

A long wait in the airport as the flight left about 3 hours late. I tried to sleep once on the flight so we haven’t eaten much. We both just dozed through the meals. Still sleepy though, absolutely exhausted. Trying to stay awake so we may do a ‘top tips for NY’ post later. Unless we fall asleep.

Frog Blog

Got up and headed for the Natural History Museum. Which had an exhibit on frogs! Lots and lots of froggies. All cute. Over 200 cute froggies. Only Joe made me go through that bit a bit too quickly. It was interesting, we headed in the back entrance, finally found where to go to sort out our tickets and, after much faffing and messing about, got tickets for three things: Frogs, Mythic Creatures (which for some reason included the dragon), and the planetarium show. We headed for the show first – Cosmic Collisions, narrated by Robert Redford – which was very good. I want to go to Mars for our next trip or the edge of the galaxy – that would be nifty.

After the show we headed to see frogs. Learned that even ‘true toads’ are frogs. Which is good. And saw loads of frogs. Little cute tree frogs, little cute poison frogs, little cute wax frogs sitting on a branch, big cute African green frogs, and American bullfrogs.

[Show picture list]

All sorts of frogs. We had to leave because our tickets for Mythic Creatures was only an hour after we went into frogs. We were a bit late.

Mythic Creatures was good, Joe got into it more than I did. I think the one at the Natural Science Museum in London was a bit better, a bit more science. But it was interesting. We had to leave that to get to the airport.

So back to the hotel to get our bags, sorted that out and headed for the tube. Got the train all sorted and got to the airport to be confronted with the queue from hell. Didn’t matter that we were already checked in, we had to go through the queue. Except we were in the wrong queue and the correct one was a bit shorter. Except they kept sticking people in front of us. But we eventually got sorted, only to discover the flight is leaving three hours late. Ho hum. Sitting in a bar now just waiting. How exciting.

Frog Blog

Had a bit of a sit down and read and relax then back out again. Joe wanted to check out M&M World for some reason so off we went back to Time Square. Which was nifty to see in the dark with all the neon and TV screens and everything happening. It’s Fleet Week (I’ll have to remember to ask Dad what that is, but it means there are loads of sailors wandering around) so lots of red, white and blue and sailors. We have found at least two candidates for the new year’s eve ball thingy so no idea where that really is. We headed for the fake chocolate places (Hershey and M&M World) which was funny. M&M World is three floors of M&M merchandise and not a lot of M&Ms. Well, there is one wall with huge tubes of all sorts of M&Ms that you don’t find in other places. Such colours as purple, silver, black, and Shrek Mix. There may be a reason you don’t find them anywhere else!

Then down Broadway where we found a little cafe (Art Cafe) with a huge menu. Took ages to decide what to have. Joe ordered lemonade thinking British, so expecting a Sprite or 7-up, but got a glass of real lemonade which was quite lovely (best in NY, probably best in the US). I got rootbeer. And we watched the baseball game – NY Mets playing a Florida team (Marlins?). So we’re sitting and watching and eating and Joe suddenly asks, “If they hit the ball can they just decide not to run?”! I had to think about that for a minute. Then he says “well sometimes they hit the ball badly, so I was wondering if they did that could the batter just decide not to run.” So I said “sure and he’d be out.” It’s all part of the game, which was getting exciting when we left. Well, as exciting as baseball gets to someone who doesn’t really appreciate it.

Back to the room and packed and checked in on-line. Still have loads we want to do in NY but have to leave. Maybe next time.

Frog Blog

Up and out after a rather noisy night. This hotel is noisy and the building work next door doesn’t help at all. Really needs double glazing. As we left we noticed we don’t have a peephole thingy, just a hole in the door. That’s interesting. The door is also a bit weird – you can’t do the double lock as it’s in the wrong place. It should be above the latch as that’s where the opening in the door frame is, but it’s below the latch. Weird. Otherwise it’s a nifty little hotel and the room, though small, is nicely decorated. Complete with flat screen telly and nifty stereo system. Just the door is odd and it’s noisy.

Headed out with the intention of going to the Intrepid, which is an air and sea museum. We spent the evening working out the plan and how to get around and what we would see. We had a ticket for the Intrepid in our City Pass (great deal and I’d definitely recommend getting it) so thought why not? So we got the tube to Times Square (sore feet meant we didn’t really want to walk much) got out and gawked and waited for the bus. We took the bus down to the docks where it was a zoo, zillions of people. So we stopped and went to Starbucks (yea, yea) and got coffee and sat and people watched. Then slowly strolled down and past the Circle Tours (also have a ticket for that in our City Pass, but we probably won’t be doing it) toward the Intrepid. Which isn’t there. At all. Just an empty dock with that building netting around it saying it’s closed. Until 2008. So much for our good planing. However we got to see the west side and the docks and also found this nifty little barge – The Science Barge. We didn’t do the tour but did stroll out and have a look. Quite nice people, came out to tell us about the barge and give us a brochure. So back to the bus and rode that to Grand Central.

Grand Central is, well, grand. Beautiful building. Stood and gawped with all the other tourists then headed for the tube. Took the express (now that we’ve worked that out) to 89th Street and the Guggenheim. The Guggenheim is being restored so the outside is covered with scaffolding. That was a bit disappointing but it was open and, although the top levels didn’t have an exhibition on it was still worth walking up just to see the building. I was actually there more for the building than for the art, which was good as there wasn’t much that I really liked to see. But the building is fantastic.

Left the Guggenheim as we were starving and stopped at a little place called Cafe Grazie. Very good lunch with starters (roast pear salad with gorgonzola and Joe had the carrot and ginger soup) then just pizza and omelet for mains but they were very good. Even managed to squeeze in a shared creme brulee. Could barely walk when we finally left so of course we decided to head through Central Park.

Another beautiful day and very warm so the park was full of people enjoying the sun. The playing fields were full. Lovely park. We strolled along the east side then worked our way over to the west. Saw turtle pond (with loads of turtles) and Belvedere Castle and walked through the Rambles. It’s a lovely place and a good couple of degrees cooler then the rest of the city. Back to the hotel to chill out a bit before we head out for the evening.

Frog Blog

Went back to the little place we went to on the first day or so (Cafe Ronda) and had a meal. A very good meal. We skipped starters which was probably a good thing and went straight for the Argentine mixed grill for two. We also had rose sangria which was very nice as it was still quite hot out. Turns out they only take cash or American Express. Joe may still be doing the washing up. Actually there is a cashpoint on the corner and they seemed quite used to people getting the bill then asking for the nearest cashpoint.

Came back to the room and Joe stopped at the little market and got three beers and three ciders (Canadian cider made from Granny Smith apples, quite interesting). He was going to get some gelato from the little shop near our hotel but the queue was quite long – the shop is toward the middle of the block and the queue usually stretches to the end of the block and beyond. Very popular place.

Frog Blog

Got up and headed out to MoMA. Had to stop for breakfast, coffee and bagels in Central Park (well, the edge of Central Park but at least we found a way in!) Then to MoMA. Finally met some rude New Yorkers – the museum staff are pretty unhelpful. However the exhibits are good. Loads of work by dead white men, but other than that it’s good. Of course, one of the pieces I wanted to see, Dali’s The Persistence of Memory is at the Tate Modern right now. So have to go there when I get home! We didn’t spend that long in the museum, only about 3 hours. Then we were off.

Stopped at a hot dog stand and had a hot dog, you have to do that! I must say here that the weather has been wonderful since arriving in NY. It was a bit cold and rainy while we were in Red Bank, but since Monday it has been sunny and warm. Lovely outdoor weather, so we have been walking every where. And for breakfast and lunch today we joined the New Yorkers sitting outside.

We then went to Bloomingdales which claims to have everything but doesn’t. No electronics. So out to go to Macy’s. New Yorkers are very helpful, you can’t open a map without getting directions from someone. Which can be nice but at the same time sometimes we’re just working out the route we want to take. Still we had a couple tell us to take the bus, so we took the bus right to the door of Macys’ – saved us the walk. Macy’s had something like what we were looking for but the salesperson was so awful we decided we’d keep looking. We couldn’t be sure it would do what we wanted! So we walked to the UN building for a look, big boring building; then to the Chrysler Building, big beautiful building. The Chrysler Building is spectacular, especially the lobby. Just lovely. I would have stood and stared for ages but Joe dragged me down the lovely Art Deco staircase to the subway to get back to the hotel. <humph> Still the stairway was nice.

Cooling down before deciding where to go for dinner. Tomorrow we’re off to see more art!

Frog Blog

We jumped on the appropriate tube/metro/underground/subway train to have breakfast at the Empire Diner. It’s an old diner done up in proper style (Art Deco). I had ham and eggs (cooked properly even) and Kathleen had pigs in blankets (K: a bit odd as they were hot dogs in pastry rather than sausage but ok). After a leisurely breakfast we strolled past the Flatiron building to the Empire State Building. Went up the ES and had a good look around. From there took the tube/metro/underground/subway to Chinatown (more Dynasty), strolled around looking at jewelry, food, and the take away aquarium. From there to Little Italy back down the tube/metro/underground/subway and popped up in Greenwich where we sat in the park listening to the bands play. Had a good stroll around looking at architecture (K: yea, right, that’s where all the, um, well, sex shops are! Architecture, right.) before completely our round trip on the subway to 79th Street where we stopped for dinner. We went to a really good Chinese/Japanese restaurant called Ruby Foos.

Kathleen’s report: Short cause we’re tired. We did a little less walking today or rather planned to do a little less walking today. Ended up doing quite a bit anyway. The diner was nifty and the food good. We also saw several odd things today, like a woman on the underground in full graduation regalia, a woman in a clown suit, two guys walking a bunch of dogs, and a bunch of dancers in the underground, including a Micheal Jackson look a like. Fun. It was a day for just stopping and looking at stuff. The Empire State Building is wonderful, great views of course, but also just the decoration on the building, the lifts, the lights, the whole thing. Of course, I love the Art Deco theme. We just walked through the other areas, not really taking a lot of time, but still enjoying everything. A slow look at stuff walk. Of course, Greenwich now has a large gay scene and loads of sex shops, so of course when we get back on the underground we are in a carriage with a bunch of sailors in full Navy uniform. And what do I start thinking? Yep, Village People. Managed not to start laughing though Joe did give me a look; I believe he was thinking the same thing. Dinner was lovely and now off to bed as we’re going to MoMA tomorrow.

Frog Blog

Today was a day of parties; it all started out after we’d taken the metro down to Battery Park to collect our tickets to go across to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. We wandered into the old fort to pick up the tickets by which time three coach parties (or more) had dropped off their loads and the queue was forever. We managed to squeeze in just behind the red hat party (OAPs wearing their red baseball caps) and proceeded to follow them all the way to the statue, where we ended up being joined by the school parties. Every where we went. Party after party after party. Oh, and saw the statue. Then stood in line behind another party to go to Ellis Island. After we had a very quick look around Ellis Island we joined the queue for Battery Park behind the red hat party – again. Jumped on the metro to 50th Street and the Gershwin Theatre to pick up the tickets for the show. Found a little bar to hang out in until show time (beer report: blueberry beer complete with blueberries, good. Checkered Cab, ok.) Got into the show to find ourselves sitting in front of a high school party, complete with teacher continually coming around telling them what to do (or such important things about going to a Broadway Musical such as ‘these have music in them and people sing’). From the show we didn’t take the metro, we walked back to the hotel where we got behind another group of red hats – these had been to see the Colour Purple musical and were a group of older women all dressed up and wearing red hats. At the hotel we got behind the Italian party staying here.

Kathleen’s report: I got to see a Broadway Musical! Yea! We headed out quite early for the statue and touristy bits although our tickets were for the afternoon. Hoping to miss the crowds, fat chance of that. There were hoards. So we got to Liberty Island and had breakfast and a relaxing walk around the island. Then they let us into the statue early, where the people were complaining about all the stairs. But the musuem was interesting. Can’t go up into the statue any longer, just the pedestal.

Then off to Ellis Island where we had a quick look at the large recording room and a quick run around one exhibition. It was getting later into the afternoon by then and we wanted to get something to eat before seeing the show. So back on the ferry and off. The tube at Battery Park (South Ferry) is nifty, it has little platforms that come out when the train pulls in and then they retract when the train leaves.

Once we had our tickets we went looking for food and found a place with loads of different beers. Made Joe happy. I had a Manhatten which, from the taste of my drink is straight bourbon with a cherry in it. We wanted a slow meal and so ordered a plate of mixed starters. The waitress brought those then took away the menus. We had planned to order a meal, but when she came to take the finished starters away she just plonked down the check and then disappeared.

Off to the theatre and got a programme (expensive – I shouldn’t ever complain about West End shows, at least a decent programme is cheap). The playbill was free but has very little in it. Got in and the woman doing the handing out of playbills and showing seats was a real terror. Don’t try to walk past her, despite the fact that by the time you got to her your ticket had been checked at least three times she had to look at it again and tell you exactly where you were sitting. And god forbid you try to by pass her or not take your playbill. I was sitting right next to where she was standing to do her thing and it got funny. The show was very good. Completely different from the novel but then it would have to be! But it did end up being a different story. The set is fantastic as are the costumes and I really enjoyed it though there weren’t any really good tunes.

Very tired now and headed off to sleep!

Frog Blog

Got the train from Red Bank to Penn Station, New York. Pleasant trip that didn’t take too long, a bit under an hour and a half. Everything was going well until we tried to get a Metro card – it just wouldn’t take our cards. And it wants a zip code when using a credit card; being from out of town we don’t have a zip code. What a pain. The staff seemed to go out of their way to be unhelpful as well, just muttering ‘use the machine’ every time we tried to ask a question. We finally found a machine that accepted cash and got tickets.

Got lucky on the underground – it’s a bit confusing with local and express trains and no way to tell the difference if you don’t already know what you are doing. But we got the express and got off at 72nd Street, then got the local to 79th Street and learned that those blocks are very short. So the express to 72nd is quite close to the hotel (Belleclaire). We got to the hotel and got our room. Small but quite nice. We’ll see how quiet it is as our window looks out on the street!

Once checked in we walked down Broadway and found the Gershwin Theatre (we’re going there tomorrow to see Wicked) and Times Square. We then walked down 44th Street to 5th Avenue. Found Cartier and a lovely pair of earrings but Joe said he thought they were too long. He wouldn’t let me stay in Tiffany’s very long, claimed his feet were hurting. And there is no place to have breakfast at Tiffany’s! So then walked along Central Park and saw the entrance to the zoo. On the map there is a road that goes through the park near our hotel, so we went down that and managed to go through Central Park without ever seeing the park. There was no way to get into the park. Who knew it was designed by Belgians (or by the same people who designed the parks we couldn’t get out of in Brussels)!

Found an interesting little place to stop and have a couple of drinks as by this time we were quite tired and thirsty (we had meant to stop at the Dairy in the park but, well, no way to get there!) Must go back and have dinner there some time as the place looked quite nice (caferonda). Budget? What budget?

Off for dinner soon. Of course, I don’t have my address book with me, so if a postcard doesn’t arrive I didn’t get your address right!

Frog Blog