Cocktails in NYC pt1

Lunch in Greenwich Village

Famous for their lobster rolls (Dira ate one) and I had the biggest fish sandwich I have ever ever seen!

9/11 Memorial

The pic doesn't do it justice...

Last day in NYC

Today we visited the 9/11 Memorial. It is a marvelous memorial to the people who died on that day. The waterfall is 30 feet high and the inner waterfall seems to go to the centre of the earth. The names of all who died are inscribed around the two waterfalls which sit on the footprints of the two World Trade Centre building sites. You can't help but be moved by the place. It is surrounded by construction workbuilding new skyscrapers around the area. We then went to Greenwich Village, passing by Magnolia Bakery of Sex in the City fame in Bleeker St. We then met up with Izac and Akiko for a final dinner in Williamsburg at a resturant named Gwenell St which has a former WD50 chef running it. We then went to the Angel bar for cocktails where we met a man investing in a hummus resturant. Dira and Izac suggested he concentrate on babganosh instead! He don't seem to think that was a great idea. we then went to Izac's home bar where he convinced Dira to have a Pickleback. This is a shot of whiskey followed by a shot of pickle juice. So not my thing! We left Izac and Akiko to head back for one final night cap on the roof of the hotel bar. Our final night at the hotel was quite an adventure, we decided that it was time for a sleep in as we were not going anywhere in a hurry. At 1am we were woken to a fire alarm quite a piercing noise that could not be turned off till the fire fighters turned up, it appeared to be a false alarm, back to sleep to have this repeated at 2 am, getting a bit spare by ths time. Back to sleep till 5.30 am, then again at 8am so it was up get packed and get out of there. I felt very sorry for the poor manager who greeted all the guests as they came down, well we did get a 50% discount. Off for breakfast to meet Izac and Akiko at Freeman's a quirky resturaunt with stuffed animals on the walls, a bloody Mary, hot artichoke dip then a taxi up to 53rd and 6th to catch the bus to Boston. We just love New York City, I don't think we have ever been in a city like it, will definitely return, sad to leave Izac and Akiko had the best holiday with them both but a god excuse to return and discover more.

Brooklyn Bridge

Brownstones

Brownstones and Bridges

Today we went to Brooklyn. Took the F train over and emerged on the corner of Prospect Park. We then walked through Park Slopes, leafy green streets full of that classic brownstone architecture. Beautiful and amazingly quiet, even one block off the main roads. So different from Manhattan... We continued on our long walk through Cobble Hill where basic terrace houses are 2.5 million and we couldnt even guess at the cost of those that faced the promenade and had views across the East River back to Manhattan. We finally made it to the Brooklyn Bridge. A short stair climb saw us on the walkway back to Manhattan. Fantastic views if a little hot. It was hard not to think about 9/11 and what must have gone on and how people responded. We remember seeing footage of people fleeing over this bridge which really is only a narrow pathway about 4 meters wide. We are going to Ground zero tomorrow. Back to LES and a good recommendation for lunch saw us at Inotecha, great italian food and cold peroni beer. Met up with Izac for dinner at a new Greek resturant Boudis and then up to "our" bar for nightcaps. Last day tomorrow, could do another week easily as we have not seen everything that we would like to, we are reviewing the bucket list daily.