New York Again

I went back to New York for what is probably my final time with my friend Bek. We had a short stay, but it felt like we got a lot done.

We arrived Friday afternoon, managed to navigate the subway to our hostel in Brooklyn. Changed, then headed out to see the giant christmas tree at the Rockefeller Center. After battling crowds and basically shuffling our way there we made it to the magnificent sight. It truly is spectacular to see and opposite the tree is Bergdorf Goodmans on fifth ave. The have a light show on the outside of there building, which is beautiful to watch even when there are people smacking into you from all angles. We then hopped back on the subway and headed to time square cause it's awesome to see at night. All the tourist attractions were busier than normal because of all the people coming in for the New Year. So it wasn't that enjoyable being in the touristy areas. We did a little window shopping, then headed back to the hostel for an early night. It was slightly disrupted by the people having a very loud party in the common room, and our window facing the street with loud trucks coming by all night. But we got some shut eye.

Rockefeller Christmas Tree

Beautiful view of the city from Central Park

Beautiful view of the city from Central Park

Bek in Time Square

Time Square

Rockefeller Angels and Bergdorfs

Rockefeller Christmas Tree

Rockefeller Center & Christmas Tree

Rockefeller Christmas Tree

Rockefeller Christmas Tree

Saturday we headed to St Balmain in Brooklyn for breakfast and coffee. We made a plan to start from the bottom of Manhattan and work our way up. Battery Point and the Statue of Liberty were first on the agenda. We didn't go on a boat ride or anything, just viewed her from afar. Next was the 9/11 memorial. Then Soho. I had never been to Soho, but have always wanted to. It's a beautiful place, probably my favorite in Manhattan. The buildings are gorgeous, the shops are amazing. Plus just the general vibe and atmosphere of the area was on point. We walked around there for a while making our way towards the East Village for some famous bagels. Russ and Daughters was the place, but the wait time and price for the bagels, just wasn't for us. So we headed towards Central Park in the hope for some food and ice skating. Neither of which we was had or done. We did however find Bethesda Fountain, and the famous lake restaurant seen in some many movies. Oh and of course the place where Chuck and Blair got married (for the Gossip Girl fans). Food was defiantly the priority after that and it was found at Wholefoods in Columbus Circle. Donuts for dessert? I think yes, especially when the donuts in question are apparently world famous and some of the best you will ever eat. The 45 trip into Brooklyn to get them was well worth it. I have never tasted something so spectacular in my life! We headed back to the hostel for the evening, not really knowing what we were going to do. We ended making a friends with two other Australians and a Canadian. We then became part of the party that we were hearing the night before. It's a lot more fun being on this side. 

Scouting out Gossip Girl Locations

DIY Donuts @ St Balmain

Statue of Liberty

9/11 Memorial

Freedom Tower

Central Park Lake Restaurant 

Columbus Circle

Most amazing Donut ever from Dough

Bethesda Fountain

Beautiful Soho

My travel buddy

Soho, favorite place in NYC

Sunday we headed off to The Met, with our New Canadian friend Marty. We stopped at Grand Central Station along the way. She was awesome and really down to earth. Someone who had in her short 20 years, many interesting life experiences. I could have talked to her for hours, something that I often find rare these days. After the Met it was a well needed coffee time. Stumptown Coffee Roasters is one of the best, so thats where we went. After caffeine it we needed back to the Rockefeller Center where Marty had a ticket to go to the top. I have been up several times now so Bek and I didn't go. We just relaxed downstairs and had some lunch. After a walk down 5th ave. Bek and I went to Hillsong NY. It was cool being able to go to church even on holiday and to hear Steven Furtick speak was the icing on the cake. After dinner at whole foods yet again, and another extremely long trip to get another donut (creatures of habit). We went back to the Hostel for another fun night with our new friends.

Bek in Grand Central Station

The MET

Monday we got up (it was difficult) packed our things and checked out before heading into Manhattan with our friend Jeff. We were planning on going ice-skating in central park, but the line was so insane we wouldn't have had time. Instead we just roamed the streets. Ate some food and soaked in the last of the New york atmosphere. It was an amazing sort trip, one that I'm so glad I shared with Bek. We explored, made new friends, and navigated the subway like champions. I was sad to say goodbye. It might be for a while, but certainly not forever!