Before I start on my NY adventure I just want to say my grandparents are married 52 years today – awwww!!! OK read on to see what I got up to on my first couple of days in the Big Apple…

Day 1

Left Dublin at 10:30AM, arrived at NY JFK at around 1ish (6 GMT) Collected our luggage and took a taxi to the hotel (Waldorf Astoria!!!) OMG the hotel is AMAZING!! Once we checked in and had a nose around the room, we walked from the hotel which is on Park Avenue, across Madison Avenue to 5^th. First stop – Saks – where the only thing I bought was a snow globe (http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492703231&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524443725659&R=662130094818&P_name=Saks+Fifth+Avenue&sid=1181362A1675&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474399545537&bmUID=1202916086601) We left Saks and continued on down Fifth avenue, went to the Disney store and I bought a Thumper teddy and a round Pooh soft teddy (For Toby!) I also got some lollipops – didn’t take any photos there this time as there was waaay too many people around. From there we strolled up past Tiffany’s (Did a little window shop but didn’t go in , Trump towers and on down to the Apple cube store where we picked up the iPod touch for G (€100 less than Ireland even with NY sales tax) Started to feel a little bit tired so we headed back to the hotel. Didn’t even go into FAO Schwartz for a look around! On the way back we stopped at Sym’s on Park Avenue (Discount store kinda like century 21 but I don’t think its as good) Found a Pret a Manger (UK chain) and bought fresh juice LOL! Got back to the hotel and chilled for a while. We ate in the hotel that night too (Bull & Bear restaurant which was v good) Bed by 11 :-O  

Day 2

Up at 8AM, showered and out on the sidewalk (LOL) by 8:45. On the way to Empire state building we stopped at a Starbucks on 5^th Avenue. It was an overcast and foggy today (so its probably not the best time to try to see the city from the 80 somethingth floor) However, the sun started to come out and we got some very nice photos of the city. From there we went to Macy’s (stopping on the way for a slice of really good pepperoni pizza for refuelling) There I bought a lovely Guess watch. I was very well behaved because before I left I had picked 3 I was going to buy in Macy’s !!! After that we took the subway to Century 21. Got lost on the way and came out at Tribeca (Triangle Below Canal Street apparently). Eventually found another subway station and got the subway to the right stop, walked up Wall Street to Century 21 and Ground Zero (Which you can’t see much of on the Century 21 side cos it’s a construction site) I don’t think it’s as peaceful and chilling as it felt the last time I was there but that might just be me. So into century 21 we went. OMG the place was chaotic. I queued for over 40 minutes at a checkout – must have been CRAZY! There I bought 2 handbags (1 Guess, 1 Nine west – still being very good I tell ya)) S bought his brother and his dad a wallet each and his brother’s girlfriend a small Tommy Hilfiger bag. I also got a Yankees top for the dog LOL he looks soooooo cute in it. Eventually left there and took the subway back to the hotel around 4ish. Took it easy for a while before getting ready and heading out to dinner. We ate at the Red Eye grill which is very near Times Square – the food there is amazing, if you’re ever in NY you have to try it seriously! From there, we went to Charley O’s (our favourite bar when we were in NY the last time) S drank beer and I drank cocktails (Big apples and Cosmopolitans – nam nam)Got back to the hotel around 12 and conked out ) 

 Day 3

Up at 8:30, showered and left the hotel (Lexington avenue side with view of Chrysler building) Again we stopped for Starbucks on the way. Walked to Bloomingdales in the pouring rain – I was on a quest for a pair of Uggs as there over €150 cheaper in the US than here. Got there didn’t find them but did buy a little brown bag and S got moisturiser – the sales man was HILARIOUS !!! Once we left there, took the subway to Coney Island. The Atlantic was WILD and there was winds of up 50MPH that day (Apparently 1 guy was killed when he fell from the building he was working on) Anyhoo, the boardwalk was fairly deserted that morning, it looked as if we were the only 2 people foolish enough to be there) Got some great photos of the sea and the Cyclone (the amusement park has not closed down though) left after 40 minutes and spent an hour on the subway until we were back at Times Square. There took lots of photos before picking up Ess’s gobstoppers in Virgin and then going to Hershey’s for choccie ) went to M&M world too – got Peanut butter M&M’s – they’re GORGEOUS !!! Had pizza then in Sbarro’s on Times Square before walking back to the hotel. Took it easy for a while before getting ready for dinner. We ate in a restaurant called Oceana that night with people S knows from work. That night we ate a 9 course meal and we requested the wine be paired with each course. OMG what an experience it was FANTASTIC!!! Back in the hotel and in bed by 1

Its home time for me now so will finish my NY adventure tomorrow and fill you all in on Sofia

Have a lovely Wednesday