NYC

Every year Nana takes the boys and I to NYC. We get the train and immerse ourselves in the full-on tourist experience. This year, we really did it in a big way. We took the train which the boys love to do. We arrived hungry so headed out to find a place to eat. Opposite Grand Central was a place which had lovely outside seating along a pedestrianized road. We all enjoyed fine fare and set ourselves up for the day ahead.

Our first stop was Central Park. we asked the cab driver to take us to the fountain. He dropped us off just outside the park and told us to use a certain entrance and we would find it. We didn't..but that was because we were right outside the Central Park Zoo! Every year I have suggested the zoo but we had not found it.

Once inside, we saw the sea lions, one of which was swimming backwards, soaking up the sun and looked adorable. Working around the small zoo, we found that the first hot and humid day of the summer was forcing the animals into shaded retreat and we did not see much of them. A glimpse of the polar bear's head was exciting but the highlight was the snow leopard who walked around his enclosure until settling down to rest right by the glass. Button immediately settle himself next to the leopard and a charming picture of Button and snow leopard was formed.

The rainforest exhibit was interesting. We were greeted by a bird who was showing off his glory for the cameras, right next to the spectators! We then began walking around the exhibit..the wrong way as we do! We were just about to explore upstairs when we were all told to leave immediately! Accompanied by a manic screeching and yelling from some unidentifiable animal, the situation was a little unnerving...had something escaped?...Gulp! Everyone shuffled out quietly and we were told by someone at the door we were being evacuated due to the smell of smoke.

We headed for the Children's Zoo. On the way we saw the clock which featured in the movie Madagascar...the boys recognized it immediately. Perfectly timed, we heard it chime in 4 o'clock and it was a beautiful medley of bell chimes. The boys saw a lama and goat and bought exceedingly expensive animal feed pellets 5o cents for about 10 pellets!!! They were gobbled up in less than 3 seconds. Moving round, Button found a new friend in the form of a large bullock. He stood for a long time trying to get close enough to pet him. Finally a space opened up (what patience from my little man) and Button and the bullock began a bonding session involving licking and nuzzling as the bullock tried ply food from Button...some pellets were eventually given to Button who delighted in feeding his new friend.


We continued to walk in Central Park and found a balloon man giving out a variety of balloon shapes. Peanut went for a sword, Button got a Spiderman 'bonker'. They were very happy. We found a jazz band and sat listening to them play which was very pleasant. Button's balloon popped...another was created by said Balloon Man..this time, a sword. We sat to eat icecreams and enjoy the band. Icecreams finished, we headed along the path for a short way before the boys, whose swords had morphed into lightsabers, began charging around a lawn playing a fun game of Jedi battle .

After the park, we went over to the Empire State Building. Last year we went inside and took pictures next to the display of King Kong. This was to be repeated again this year. A Skyride promoter met us at the door and convinced Nana that we should avoid the hours of lines by getting the full tour and go up to the top. I was amazed by the fact that within 2 minutes of getting out the taxi, Nana had paid for the four of us to go to the top with the Skyride included...weren't we just going to pop inside for a picture?

We excitedly went up to the second floor (though security where Button's Spiderman balloon was put on hold for being a dangerous item). A brief stop for junk in the gift shop and then into the line for the Skyride tickets. We waited about 15 minutes and then entered the ride. It was amazing. Button usually hates the rides on big 3D screens with seats that shake you about all over the place, but he squealed in delight at the end and announced that it was "the best ever!"

We were then off to the lines for the elevators up. We had apparently missed most of the waiting downstairs and, in fairness, the lines were about 20 minutes in total. The ridiculous cost was worth it.


Once up at the top, the view was...crowded! Yep, everyone was up there wanting to see the skyline of Manhattan at dusk. We did get to look and the boys were gener5ally allowed to squeeze in front of adults so they had a great view. We started the picture-taking, ooh-ing and ahh-ing an amazing time. There was a large gap in the skyline at the south end of Manhattan but, thankfully, the boys had no idea and were in total wonderment and awe.

We exited the Empire State building feeling so glad to have been "tourist-conned" into the experience. Next we had about 10 limo-drivers and bike-taxis try to get us to bite at offers we couldn't refuse. As was the trend of the day, we hired a bike-taxi to take us to Times Square. It was great fun riding through the streets at a break-neck speed, 4 cramped into a space for two and us all loving it! Best way to travel!

Once at Times Square, photos taken, we headed into Toys-R-Us for promised toys-for-the-boys. Unfortunately we arrived just at closing and Peanut was left sans toy! Major promises of great things tomorrow...he was placated and remarkably calm about it. Phew! Off to eat...an fun Irish bar with good foo, wine and LOADS of NOISE!