13 April 2019

It was a very early alarm call for us all at 4am. Somehow we all managed to be up and out of the door and arrived at Gatwick for our Norwegian Airlines flight to JFK.

It wasn’t a very full flight, so it didn’t feel too claustrophobic. We had a good choice of films. Oli and I both plumped for Bohemian Rhapsody, which we had heard good things about, and it was fantastic. I also watched ‘Can you ever forgive me’ starring Melissa McCarthy and Richard E Grant, based on a true story about a failing author that turns to forging letters from famous authors and selling them. It was a great film and they were both excellent in it.

So the 7 hours just flew by (no pun) and we soon landed in New York. Immigration can be quite a lengthy process in the US, but we were fortunate enough to only take around 50 minutes to get through. Many people take a private transfer from the airport to Manhattan, or a yellow taxi. NY transport authorities provide a fixed rate from JFK to Manhattan so that tourists aren’t ripped off.

Now where would be the fun in taking the path well travelled when we can do something a little different. So we decided to get a train! We took the AirTrain from JFK to Jamaica Station (about 20 minutes), and then we had a choice of the metro or the Long Island Railroad. Having never been on an American train before, we thought we’d try the Long Island Railroad (which sounds so great after watching Michael Portillo travel on it on the BBC). It was so easy and clean and on time, and we were soon at Penn Station.

So JFK to Manhattan in around 40 minutes - and with different views of the suburbs of NY., As we arrived at Penn Station, we could feel that we had arrived in New York - it has such a vibe about it, that is difficult to describe. It’s almost like seeing a old friend again.

This is Oliver’s first time in New York, and his face when we got to street level was priceless. It’s like a huge film set - the yellow taxis, the tramps, the number of people, the steam from the drains in the road - all seen in so many movies. But to then look up into the bluest sky and see The Empire State Building - nothing can prepare you for it.

We found our hotel, checked in (it’s only an OK room) and set off with no time to waste to get some food and get on with tourism!

We sat just outside Macy’s to have a quick burger - the sun was beating down on us. So lucky, as the forecast was rain! Macy’s is such an iconic feature of Manhattan. The main shop on Herald Square was built in 1902 and covers the entire block, It is one of the largest stores in the world. We didn’t go in - we have been before as it’s actually too big.

We had anytime tickets for the Empire State Building, so decided that as the weather was so good, we would go then and there.

So we walked the few short blocks and queued to get in. It was quite crowded, but not hours and hours - but probably took us 50 minutes to get to the top. I say the top..there are two stages to the ESB, the 86th floor and the 102nd floor. The 102nd floor is closed for refurbishment, but the 86th floor is actually the best part as it is in the open air.

I am a big fan of art deco architecture - the straight lines and the clean chrome finishes.

The skyscraper was built in 1931 on the old site of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

The Empire State Building stood as the world's tallest building for nearly 40 years until the completion of the World Trade Center's North Tower in Lower Manhattan in late 1970. Following the September 11 attacks in 2001, it was again the tallest building in New York until the new One World Trade Center was completed in April 2012.

It took the building’s owners 20 years to make any profit on letting the offices, but the observation decks take in millions of visitors a year wanting to see the sights of Manhattan from above.

It was busy today, but a little bit of patience waiting for people to move along and we got to see all four aspects that the building offers.

It has changed so much since I first went in 1999 - at that time you entered the building from the same entrance as the building’s occupants, a hugely grand entrance. Now it is very much geared for high volumes of people.

The original entrance for the Empire State Building

No grand entrance, just ticket booths and roped lines for queues. It has lost a little magic there, but it soon comes back when you step out on the observation deck.

Views of the new tower, the Chrysler Building, the Flat Iron, the new shiny glass towers that are rapidly going around pocket of Manhattan, and the Hudson River.

After leaving the building, we went for a walk to Grand Central Station -again, a place made famous by movies. I love it here - I think if this were my daily commute, I would never feel worn down. It’s SO stunning.

By now, we are REALLY tired. So we treated ourselves to a cab to our restaurant - 800 degrees Woodfired Kitchen on 1E 33rd Street. It was an odd menu - so we all plumped for pizza. Mine was avocado! Bit strange, but filled a hole.

WE had a final walk of a few blocks through Koreatown. This is an area dominated by Korean restaurants and shops and it was PACKED!

We have just about managed to get onto NY time, so after this it is off to bed. Ready for another great day tomorrow!