Something Old, Something New!

01 September (2016), a new month and a fresh autumn adventure, revisiting some old haunts and hopefully a chance to find some new favourites. Landing in Newark (NJ) with United Airlines, we met with some heafty rain showers, but they were warm! After initial teething troubles, trying to locate the car rental pick-up points, we negotiated our way via the Airtrain to our destination. A chance free upgrade later, we were drove to the  Doubletree in Jersey City ...... a short, but busy trip! The hotel was ideal; great rooms and ideally situated for commuting to Manhattan via the Path Train and ferry (except at weekends!). The sun came out and we took a hike around the very pleasant Newport neighbourhood that enjoys fabulous views of the Hudson and the Manhattan skyline.

After sleeping off the effects of our travelling day, our first full day was a busy one! We took the NJ Light Railway to Hoboken and then the ferry to Pier 11 in lower Manhattan, enjoying a fabulous views along the way. The sunshine helped, too!

We meandered the morning away by strolling around the Financial District ..... Wall Street, Ground Zero, Battery Park ..... and taking in the magnificent Oculos building next to the World Trade Centre.

After a quick lunch in the sun, outside the Brookfield Place, we took the Subway to 42nd Street and walked to and around Grand Central Station. A marvellous building!

Re-emerging onto 42nd Street, it was hot and the crowds of tourists and Labour Day escapees were building. Accordingly, we walked south on Madison Avenue, catching sight of the Chrysler and Empire State buildings, before striking west on 34th Street towards Penn Station.

From there we spotted the entrance to the Path train and were soon back in Newport.
Saturday morning and time to set out for Brooklyn, to meet our close friends, Pam and Keith ...... for a much looked-forward-to tour of  the hipster parts of their borough. Despite the best made plans of all concerned, our journey to DUMBO (close to Brooklyn Bridge) was hampered by the transport system; no weekend ferries from Hoboken and restricted Path Trains! But we got there and on time and were treated to a tourists dream. Our friends love their city, know it intimately, and are excellent guides. So, first we walked through the recently created riverside park area, before being driven to and taken on foot around the many varied and ultra-hipster neighbourhoods that Brooklyn boasts. From one well known film location to the next, we passed through vibrant neighbourhoods, beautiful brown-stone period houses and busy shopping areas.

A bonus was a visit to Coney Island and a stroll down its famous Boardwalk (which you can no longer sit under!), where we had lunch.

From there we entered a predominantly Russian area of the borough and were then whisked off to an ultra-hip German Bierkeller, in which an acid jazz band was playing.

All too soon, a great fun day had raced away. In the early evening we walked to Brooklyn Heights via the Hudson promenade, to have dinner at a great local restaurant. On route, we encountered a guy who had just proposed to his girlfriend! She said 'yes' and began to cry, whilst he asked Pam to take their picture ..... she did and immediately recognised him as the screen actor Adam Arkin, son of Alan Arkin. What are the chances?!! After a great meal in even better company, Keith drove us back to our hotel via the Holland Tunnel. One of our most memorable and treasured days in the USA! Picking a music track to remind us of NY is easy ..... cheesy, but easy!