New York, New York

Sorry it's late (Caryn ;) ) - been a little busy..... but here goes.... team effort this one~! :)


After a long flight we arrived in New York tired from all the movies we watched on the plane trying to get adjusted to the time change. We caught a cab from the airport straight to our hotel and jumped straight in bed after a few problems with payment.

The next morning we both woke up eager to see the sites. Firstly we admired the hotel room; we had spent some money and got a flash room for Christmas instead of a hostel like normal. It was great it had a big TV, its own fridge and even our own star bucks coffee maker. With our spirits high we headed for down town in freezing -6 degree temperatures. Firstly looking at Ground Zero, Wall Street, Brooklyn Bridge all before stopping for our first big slice of pizza. We then headed back to ground zero for a tour with two survivors of 9/11. That night we headed to Madison Square Garden for Cirque Du Soleli’s Wintuk.

Wednesday was Christmas Eve and we headed straight for Fashion Avenue, Seventh Avenue to do a spot of shopping, we got lost in Macy’s, swung by Saks, and despite Bec’s best efforts left Tiffany’s empty handed. We also passed the Library and the Grand Central Terminal. That afternoon we went to Radio city and watched the world famous Rockettes perform in the Christmas spectacular from row C!!! That night we had a dinner at Ruby Foo’s on Broadway.

Christmas morning we opened presents, crossed the road for a hot diner-style breakfast and then headed into Times Square. Everywhere we looked everything was bigger, brighter and better. Then in amongst it all there was the ‘Naked (sleazy) Cowboy’… fighting off Japanese tourists Bec managed to get a photo with him and immediately felt dirty! We then headed for the biggest M&M shop in the world for some red, blue and white supplies. Before walking through a snow covered central park passing the famous ice-staking rink and John Lennon’s Imagine memorial.

That afternoon we went back to our room for a feast of spreads, chocolates and a nap so we were fresh for a fancy night out. We had booked a table at John Georges, a very classy Resturant by Columbus Circle, inside the Trump tower AND overlooking Central Park. Dinner was great we both enjoyed 5 courses of excellent food and wine, making it a very special Christmas. Hot Damn!

Friday morning we headed up the Top of the Rock (NBC Rockefeller centre) for some great views over the city. We also did an NBC tour, went past Schwarz, Barneys, Bloomingdales and Dylan’s candy bar – where Bec may, or may not have lost her mind! We also purchased our first vendor hot dog and coke for the bargain *insert eye roll here* price of 14 US dollars! That night we Thanked God it was Friday and headed to TGI’s for some Baby back (Baby back) ribs and were carded for the first time in this over 21 only drinking country! Woohoo – proud moment for J. After that we endued a very yawn filled game of b-ball; that had plenty of DEFENCE by the NY Knicks against the Timberwolves.

Saturday we rose bright and early to make our way to South Ferry for our 8am boat ride to Ellis and Liberty Island. First stop was Liberty; we grabbed our audio guides and made a beeline for the big lady herself. After waiting, and waiting and waiting to pass through security (where we were shot with some crazy gas?!) we made our way into the pedestal. We wandered through the Museum, gazed up into the hollow structure and took a trip around the famed statue. A little disappointed by size (yes! that’s right, to us size DID matter on the day), we boarded the next leg of our ferry ride to Ellis Island. Ellis Island proved to be less … controversial, than we were expecting and quite boring. Our afternoon was livened up however by the fog that had set over Manhattan and hence trapped us on Ellis Island… but not for too long. After a short wait we returned back to the Island and safely to our hotel. That night the elements kept us in a room with an EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA large (which was only a medium by American standards) size pizza and some trashy television.

Next, being Sunday, we thought it best – being the good Catholics that we are – we attended some church. We had a very traumatic morning before boarding the bus but the sites of Harlem including the Apollo Theatre, Franco the Great, Sugar Row and George Washington’s house on the hill. We ended just before lunch with a half hour hardcore (do you want more) session of hand clapping, knee slapping, halleluiah PRAISE JESUS! Being cleansed and free from sin, we headed for some sex and the city (tour). We visited all the sights from the show (and some from the movie) including sampling cupcakes from Magnolia’s Bakery, Cosmo’s at Aiden’s Bar “Scout” and making personal inspections of some rabbits at the Pleasure Chest. That night – After visiting Katz for lunch (famed deli from When Harry Met Sally) and not entirely satisfied of our Meg Ryan Movie fixed – we headed to the Empire State Building for the last ride up inside the elevator…. However, we were a little early. After 2 hours of lining up we finally made it up to see some spectacular night scenes. That night we nibbled on some pretty find looking breast at Hooters ;) Chicken breast that is!!!

Our final day in NYC was spent riding the free Staten Island ferry for one last look at lady liberty and despite our vagabond shoes wanting to stay we jumped in a taxi made the mad bolt out to JFK for our flight homeward bound.

On Brooklyn Bridge overlooking the Island of Manhattan!

Taking a bite out of the Big Apple Slice.

Overlooking construction at Ground Zero 9/11 Site.

About to head into see the Rockettes.

The famous Rockettes in the Christmas Spectatular.

J on the Top of the Rock with the Empire State Building in the background.

Bec with the massive rip off of a hot dog!

Christmas Day (snow covered Central Park)

Cupcake Heaven - Magnolia Bakery.

Cosmo's at Scout

Nightfall over NYC.

Lady Liberty.

Start spreadin the news...

We’re leaving today…. Well, tonight – but its sounded good anyways. In a few hours we’ll be at Heathrow checking into our New York (New York) bound flight which is part one of our adventure home. Boy, are we excited!!!! But first, lets catch you up on our last few days in ol’ blimey.

Hansel & Gretel
We recently bought tickets to what we thought would be a good panto for Christmas. Turns out we were wrong (horribly wrong). There was no “Booo! Hisss…. WATCH OUT!! He’s behind you!” to be called out. Instead we were ushered around the woods chasing two obnoxious kids in beanies. But in all fairness it was an interesting concept, which was done well – basically you are part of the show and instead of the scenery moving on and off stage you move from one scene to the next by walking around a large studio. But, in the end we were left feeling a little gutted for the above mentioned reason and the price.

Orphan’s Christmas
The following Saturday we had organised for a group of friends without family here in London, to get together to celebrate Christmas before we all took off in different directions. But London’s weather really turned it on for us! Having been nice all week (that’s London speak for overcast but not rain), a downpour Saturday morning meant our first planned activity of Ice Staking, left us staking around in a swimming pool. No Joke! But I’m proud to say (yet again) no falls occurred and we all left the rink relatively dry. After a sneaky pint (or two) in the festive bar at the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland we dashed across the park to Lancaster Gate. We arrived at the pub shortly after 2pm and didn’t leave until midnight which meant we had to make a mad dash for the last tubes. At the pub we exchanged gifts, had Christmas lunch and played a few simple math games. All in all, we had a great day which ended drinking away the early hours of the morning with two good friends.

The Nutcracker
Last night we attended our first ballet production, the Nutcracker, which we thoroughly enjoyed. Although Jarratt was a BIT annoyed that the main performers got less of an applause at the end than the Prima Ballerina, who with her partner performed the grand pas de dux – the most impressive performance of the play, however significantly shorter than the main characters parts. Regardless, all of them got far too many claps in our opinion as they returned to stage time and time again leaving J saying “Get off already!”

Well,… that’s it, I guess we’ll see you all soon, xoxo

Swoosh, swoosh... at the swimming pool at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.

Orphans Christmas Dinner.

Simple Math Game... :)

At a fancy scmancy dinner before the Nutcracker.

Inside the Royal Opera House for the Ballet.

In Brugge

Well its been a wonderfully festive weekend just gone. J and I made the mad dash across the channel and up into Belgium to live the good life of chocolate, sweet beer and waffles, as well as some beautiful Christmas markets. We left ye old London town at around 7am and arrived in Brussels (our first destination) a little after lunch. In Brussels we were treated to some pretty good chocolate, Frittes wrapped in paper (that's hot chips to those playing at home) and a rather cheeky little boy pissing in a fountain. We spent a few hours wandering around the Christmas markets and came away with some pretty ornaments and a major headache! It didn't take us long to deduct that the reason Belgium's created good beer and chocolate was too soothe themselves after a day shopping at their ridiculously stressful and crowded Christmas markets. We boarded our bus shortly after 7pm and headed for Brugge.

Brugge (in short) is AMAZING! We arrived in quite late but quickly dumped bags and made our way into town with 2 fellow couples. No sooner had we arrived in the main market square had J handed me my first (of many) Leffe beers - a traditional Belgium wheat beer. The late night quickly turned into early morning and we fell into bed at around 5am only to be awoken 4 hours later. Sunday was spent roaming the markets for more souvenirs and chocolate, hehe. We passed on the tranquil looking boat ride around Brugge's canals as (quite frankly) my stomach probably wouldn't have handled it well. We ended our day sharing a quiet hot chocolate and waffle before boarding the bus and ferry home.

Other than living it up in Brugge we have also been playing happy tourists here in London. We have done yet another ice-skating extravaganza, this time at the Tower of London. J is finding his feet and all this preparation seems to be paying off. By the time we hit Central Parks ice-rink in New York he should be able to land a triple axle.

We have also visited a number of museums, The London Transport Museum and The Imperial War Museum - both Jarratt's picks! As riveting as it was to find out about the omnibuses and creation of the underground *enter eye roll here* the saving grace was watching J reprimand a 9 year old for pushing in front of me when it was our turn for one of the interactive games.

Finally, London has truly turned on the festive spirit for us. Not only have we been lucky enough to wake to snow falling in the park opposite us one Sunday morning. We have also seen the Christmas lights of the most amazing tree (for 4 obvious reasons) be turned on by the Lord Mayor of Oslo and good old Borris.

Next up we have the Orphan's Christmas kindly organised by yours truly, a Christmas Panto (Hansel and Gretel) at the Barbician, The Nutcracker at the Royal Opera House and of course the long awaited trip home!!!! 13 sleeps and counting.... love and kisses, Us.

Bec and her Frittes with Mayo - Did you know Belgium's claim they invented this lovely food?

One of the many window displays advertising their chocolate goods in Brussels.

Us at the Christmas Markets in Brussels.

"This one goes out to all my homies in Brugge"

J driving the train contently after giving a 9 year old a tellin' off...

Angel. ;)

Snow!!!!!!!!!!!!

SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Winter's Tale

Hi all, here's a quick catch up on our recent activities here in ye ol' London town.

Jamie Oliver
After arriving back from our 9 day drive around the UK, we celebrated our anniversary in style at Jamie Oliver's restaurant 15. There we were treated to an amazing 7 course meal which included the likes of sweet potato ravioli, Snowdonia lamb ragu and the most amazing duck/meal we've ever had.... SERIOUSLY! Sorry A'sy your Gloucester efforts were beaten.... only slightly ;). It was all capped off with a chocolate cake, coffees and more chocolate!

Lord Mayors Parade
We also braved the cold, rainy weather to get a peak at the new bossman himself, the Honorable Lord Mayor. Planting ourselves just outside the Bank of England we watched as he rolled by in his fancy coach and greeted the military men of various outfits, complete with feathered hats. We ended up calling it quits halfway through the rain drenched parade and in true Aussie style made our way to the closest Walkie for a pint and feed. There we waited until 5:30pm to watch the "most amazing fireworks London had to offer".... not!

Liverpool vs Tottenham
After work one Wednesday, J and a few fellas headed out to Tottenham to watch a Carling cup match between Tottenham (obviously) and Liverpool. Bec opted out since her last trip to a Soccer match had been oh so successful, so Big Blue escorted young JJ to the game. Tottenham won 4-2 with some of Liverpool's biggest players missing.

Wallabies vs England
Late one Thursday I received a message from a friend informing me of 2 tickets to the Wallabies vs England in the rubgy, going cheap. Keen as I quickly snatched them up and the following Saturday J and I found ourselves ringside at Twickenham Stadium cheering on the green and gold. The stadium was chockers (with mainly English supporters) and although we felt slightly out numbered we still came out on top winning 24-12!

Portobello Rd Markets
The following Sunday we headed into Portobello Markets for a bit of a sticky beak. But the slight rain had kept some vendor's away. With a brief look around the stores that were open Bec still managed to come home with a knit dress, pair of boots, ballet slippers and a belt and J came away with a roast lunch (probably the worst ever) to compensate for Bec's impulse buying!

Ice-staking at Somerset House and Canary Wharf.
Well we have officially welcomed the festive season with a spot of ice-staking... so far we have visited Somerset House Ice Rink on opening night and Canary Wharf today, with a few more left to tick off. A little rusty at first and no stacks to report as yet, we can both now spin on demand... well sometimes at least ;).

We will let you know how our adventures continue.

Jamie Oliver 15 logo - so cool! I bought a hemp bag for 4 quid with it on it!

Bossman himself!

Liverpool vs Tottenham.

J, me and Pipes at the rugby.

I have no idea where this photo is taken - but i like it! :P

Us looking happy and wet on Portobello Road.

On the ice at Somerset House.

Watch him go!!!!