Emma's Starlight Diner

We had great fun this evening in this diner. All the waiters and waitresses are wannebees on the stage and sing whilst they are serving. They are all good but some are really excellent.

It was the Starlight Diner on Broadway. We had been there for breakfast but decided to return this evening for dinner and we were so glad we did.

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoyed the evening so much decided to order a dessert so we could stay there longer. I opted for a banana split. I reckoned there was enough on the plate to feed the whole diner!

 

Grand Central Station

I've seen it on so many films and it is even more impressive in real life - The Grand Central Station, New York.

 The terminal was built in 1913 by Cornelius Vanderbilt. Covering an area of 49 acres it has a vaulted sky ceiling. At both ends of the building there are 60 ft high arched windows.

750,000 people pass through the building daily.

But if you don't want to go by train you can always drive.

 

 Saw this sign next to a car park.

The cars were all parked by a hydraulic lift to save space. Very clever idea.

Groucho Marks or lunch?

At lunchtime we stopped at the boatyard cafe in Central Park, New York for a drink and something to eat. This was what I received. I had asked for a ham and brie sandwich.This wasn't quite what I had in mind, especially as the bread reminded me of Groucho's eyebrows!

There was enough ham for two week's worth of sandwiches! It was very tasty though.

Times Square

Coming from London I expected a square to be a square and not where two roads meet. So I was surprised to find that Times Square isn't a square at all but a number of streets.



The police were everywhere

 

The Empire State Building

You can't visit New York and not go to the top of the Empire State building. We started the day with a trip around Manhattan on one of those hop on hop off buses. They give you a feel for the city and an orientation lesson as well as a glimpse at all those iconic buildings. None more so than the Empire State building.

After the tour we made our way to the ESB prepared to join a long queue but to our delight we were able to go straight in and had a clear view of the amazing art deco interior.

 I took a ridiculous number of photos from the top but here are just a few.

Very scary looking down. If fact I couldn't do it so just hung the camera over the edge to take this one.

A final view of the Empire State Building from the Rockefeller Centre

 

New York, New York

Well I'm finally here. Anne and myself arrived late this afternoon and made the most of the day by wandering around Manhattan and then going up onto the HighLine.

 

 

This is where the hotel is located -7th Avenue.

The buildings are just so incredibly high you go dizzy looking up at them.

A balancing act above 10th Ave. (Not really that stupid, there was a glass wall behind me.)

 

 

This is the high line which is an elevated freight rail line which has been transformed into a 1.3km long park. In 1999 the residents fought against this historic line being destroyed and now it is this beautiful oasis above the streets of New York. It is now maintained by the New York Parks and recreation dept.

 

 

 

The sand cranes

These are the sandhill cranes. They are incredibly tall and quite distinguished looking with the red crown on its head.

 You can see them more clearly from this photo which is upside down showing their reflection.