First day in New York

After a late night last night trying to work out phones and spa/showers, we got to bed late.  I woke up at about 7 and thought I'd jump in the shower/spa.  There was a shower nozzle in the corner, I turned the water on, got it the right temperature then got in the spa and pulled the nozzle out....it was about 2 foot long.....I had to get on my knees, support the shower head between my ear and shoulder (like holding a phone) and soap up, shampoo then hose off, all while trying to keep warm under the water, you are lucky there are no photos....scenes like that could not be unseen!!  Pam also did the calisthenic shower experience and declared a protest was in order.  Within 10 minutes they had changed our room for us, amazing, a normal room.  They must have needed the other one for their 'ladies of the night' experience?
Anyway, all's well that ends well.
Still battling with the phones so I'm sure no-one even knows we are still alive?
Got going today into Manhattan.  We got the bus to the Subway, then got the Subway into Midtown Manhattan, we could have gone Uptown or Downtown also but thought Midtown was where we'd see the most.  Ended up walking 42nd Street, 5th Avenue, Broadway....all those iconic names were everywhere.
As soon as we emerged from the Subway we got on a 'Hop-on-Hop-off' bus and did a circle into Downtown Manhattan (one day I'll tell you about our various guides).  It is an amazing place with very interesting history.  Went past Broadway, the 9/11 site, Wall Street, Soho, Greenwich Village and back into Times Square.
Got off the bus and walked to Times Square where we had a healthy American McDonalds feast.  We have had one everywhere else we have gone and they all seem to taste a little different, this one was straight from the Aussie recipe.   Walked onto a group of naked people being body painted, the site almost blinded us.....why is it only ugly people are the only ones wanting to get their gear off.....better luck tomorrow maybe?
Went down to Battery Park and got the Staten Island Ferry over to...you guessed it...Staten Island.  Had a nice view of the skyline of Manhattan, Queens on Long Island (where we are staying) and the Statue of Liberty.  Did the 20 minutes over and 20 minutes back, found an Irish Pub near Times Square, had a 'Brooklyn Lager' and a white wine, bought a salad to take home for tea and decided at about 8pm to head home.
Had fun getting home between trains and buses....who in their right mind travels the underground in New York after dark??   We do Pam, it will be fun I said!!  Of course it was fun, and we got to meet some very interesting people along the way who were all very eager to tell us where to go.  I'm not sure Pam wants me to plan the next trip?

You will all be very disappointed to know that Vernon let us down with his lack of research into the New York Transport system!!!!!!!! There was no research!!!!!! I asked lots of people lots of questions to get us home in the dark in New York! One man told us two ways to get to the bus stop but 'take the safe way, the other is wild', he said!!!!

Couple of photos from today's travels.

Vernon in front of our motel, very authentic.

For the Grandchildren - a Police Department New York rescue vehicle under lights and sirens.

Vernon and fashion - bet you never thought you'd see those two words in the same sentence?

The Flation Building - where Cary Grant worked as an elevator guy before he found fame. Very triangular.

On the deck of the Staten Island Ferry with the Brooklyn Bridge in the far background. I may have got a little sunburnt today?

Staten Island Ferry with Downtown Manhattan in the background.

Typical terrace 'brown houses' in Manhattan.

United Nations Building

'Wave building'...no I can't remember its' name, reflecting sun in the late afternoon.

The 'beautiful lady' with sailors in the foreground.

The 'beautiful lady' on Ellis Island.

The beautiful lady with the Statue of Liberty in the background.

One of the buildings replacing the World Trade Centre twin towers, with the historic waterfront buildings in the foreground.

Magnolia Bakery, something to do with Sex in the City, cupcakes in there sell for $4, not sure why I bothered Amanda and Emily, but Mum made me???

Times Square just on dark.

Queens skyline from Battery Park.