The most original idea for a film since 'Jumper'.Very funny. The younger audience will appreciate the story more but it was good because of the creativity and humour. Stay for the closing credits....Will Smith for President!
7.5/10. Lost half for the unnecessary twist.
Smile factor 4/5
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Movie - The Lost Kingdom
Billed as the first film with both Jet Black and Jackie Chan with an element of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, this had the makings of a good mix of affects, action and humour.
In fact, I saw it instead of the long awaited Mama Mia as I figured that will be on for a few weeks. There was probably a little more humour than affects but is was full-on action. Lots and lots and lots of swords with a good dose of magic.
7/10
Smile factor: 4/5
In fact, I saw it instead of the long awaited Mama Mia as I figured that will be on for a few weeks. There was probably a little more humour than affects but is was full-on action. Lots and lots and lots of swords with a good dose of magic.
7/10
Smile factor: 4/5
Movie - Mama Mia
Finally, I plucked up the courage to see the long-awaited Mama Mia.I say long awaited as I love Abba and loved the musical it is based on.
I wasn't sure why I needed courage. Safe to say that I didn't rush out to see it as soon it came out as it is very much a 'good on paper' film. I realised why when I got to the cinema, I didn't rush straight in but hovered outside the door to check my emails - the ones I'd checked 2 minutes before in the strangely absent cinema queue.
In any case it 5.20 on a Friday night - nothing urgent is going to come in (although I always check until 5.30 before I flick of my shoes and sink into my seat).I was dreading not enjoying it as much as the musical, which I had seen on Broadway a few years earlier. That was quite magical. It was Christmas, my first spent in New York and after a good year, I had treated myself to not just the trip and the theatre but a couple of nights at the Waldorf. After which I slummed it at the Chelsea Star Hotel as per usual.Anyway Christmas, Waldorf, New York, Broadway, Abba all added up to a lot of magic to live up to but along with all the hype of the film with its all star cast was enough for me to need a little courage.
I was right.
It started cringe worthy.The young couple about to get married that the story is based around exploded on to the scene and were so full of saccharine they drained the energy out of me. I sank into my seat thinking what a let down. It started brilliantly on Broadway and carried on that way throughout. I came out of the theatre absolutely glowing as did everyone else on to the cold New York wintry streets.
I decided the only way I was going to enjoy this was not to have any expectations. Things will get better when the adults appear on the screen.Thankfully I was right.
A smile broke out about half an hour in (yes I was checking my watch) as the grown-ups reclaimed this monster of a film and it stayed there until tears of laughter started. Firstly when the 3 old friends did their first number, ‘Dancing Queen’, together and then one of them did their solo to ‘Does Your Mama Know’. I could not stop crying for laughing after that and it was a huge relief.Of course the men were hilarious all the way through. The surprise was that Pierce Brosnan’s singing didn’t sound nearly as bad as reviewers, and the man himself had made out. He was James Bond for Christ sake – no one is going to make him look a complete fool! However, there wasn’t a minute in the film when I didn’t think these are huge cinema names making complete arses out of themselves for the sake of making me laugh.
I didn’t think of them as their characters – hell I cannot remember all of their characters names. Having said that, they were all fantastic – even though they seemed like they were just very drunk and happy at a close family member’s wedding.
I judge films partly on if I’d go and see it again. I would but miss out the first 25 minutes for sure.
8/10
Smile factor: 5/5
I wasn't sure why I needed courage. Safe to say that I didn't rush out to see it as soon it came out as it is very much a 'good on paper' film. I realised why when I got to the cinema, I didn't rush straight in but hovered outside the door to check my emails - the ones I'd checked 2 minutes before in the strangely absent cinema queue.
In any case it 5.20 on a Friday night - nothing urgent is going to come in (although I always check until 5.30 before I flick of my shoes and sink into my seat).I was dreading not enjoying it as much as the musical, which I had seen on Broadway a few years earlier. That was quite magical. It was Christmas, my first spent in New York and after a good year, I had treated myself to not just the trip and the theatre but a couple of nights at the Waldorf. After which I slummed it at the Chelsea Star Hotel as per usual.Anyway Christmas, Waldorf, New York, Broadway, Abba all added up to a lot of magic to live up to but along with all the hype of the film with its all star cast was enough for me to need a little courage.
I was right.
It started cringe worthy.The young couple about to get married that the story is based around exploded on to the scene and were so full of saccharine they drained the energy out of me. I sank into my seat thinking what a let down. It started brilliantly on Broadway and carried on that way throughout. I came out of the theatre absolutely glowing as did everyone else on to the cold New York wintry streets.
I decided the only way I was going to enjoy this was not to have any expectations. Things will get better when the adults appear on the screen.Thankfully I was right.
A smile broke out about half an hour in (yes I was checking my watch) as the grown-ups reclaimed this monster of a film and it stayed there until tears of laughter started. Firstly when the 3 old friends did their first number, ‘Dancing Queen’, together and then one of them did their solo to ‘Does Your Mama Know’. I could not stop crying for laughing after that and it was a huge relief.Of course the men were hilarious all the way through. The surprise was that Pierce Brosnan’s singing didn’t sound nearly as bad as reviewers, and the man himself had made out. He was James Bond for Christ sake – no one is going to make him look a complete fool! However, there wasn’t a minute in the film when I didn’t think these are huge cinema names making complete arses out of themselves for the sake of making me laugh.
I didn’t think of them as their characters – hell I cannot remember all of their characters names. Having said that, they were all fantastic – even though they seemed like they were just very drunk and happy at a close family member’s wedding.
I judge films partly on if I’d go and see it again. I would but miss out the first 25 minutes for sure.
8/10
Smile factor: 5/5
New York for Thanksgiving - my lowdown
You are probably already aware, New York is built on a grid so very easy to get around and find your way.
The Avenues go from north to south and the streets go from west to east.
West and South Side is divided by 5th Avenue and by Central Park uptown.
The streets finish downtown at Houston Street, the start of Soho.
Shops
There are now shops everywhere - even Wall Street hasn’t escaped the commercialism of New York as there is a massive bargain basement store in the Financial District, Century 21.
Shops generally open at 10 and usually at 12 till 6 on Sundays (although that may not affect you depending on what time you're landing)
To get your basics; bottles of water, snacks etc just pop into one of many Duane Reed or CVS drug stores which generally open till very late or indeed 24 hours. They are great for toiletry bargains – especially make-up to keep the ladies happy!
The designer stores (Tiffany, Channel, etc) are on 5th Avenue between about 50-60 Streets although I’ve never been!
The only one I frequent to get my regular supplies is Henri Bendel – small and perfectly formed boutique style department store – a bit like Harvey Nicholls. Beware the stores don’t generally have café’s; only the huge ones like Macys. They do have toilets but can be hard to find. Don’t forget they call them Powder Rooms or Rest Rooms!
I like the more individual shops in the Village, Soho and especially Upper West Side and Madison Avenue uptown.
Of course you must go to Bloomingdales but it’s all the way out on Lexington Avenue, about 15 minutes walk from 5th Avenue shops. I think it’s around 59th Street but just follow the famous bags! There is a smaller Bloomingdales on Broadway in Soho if you can’t face the walk but this store is a New York tradition. As is FAO Swartz – a huge toy store that I haven’t been in since the 80’s when it used to feature a giant piano – as in the film Big!
Neighbourhoods
The Village - Greenwich Village which also houses WestVillage (my favourite part of the Village and close to where you are) andEastVillage. WestVillageis the gay area so very friendly but there may be one or two shops/sights that make you laugh or stop and stare!
Further downtown after the Village is Soho (South of Houston Street) which leads onto a huge ChinaTown and therefore a rapidly reducing Little Italy.This neighbourhood used to be much bigger but now blink and you miss it. If you want to experience it, take a bus down to the bottom and walk up Mulberry Street. Will be nice for lunch or coffee and cake. Don’t worry about seeing ChinaTown – you can’t miss it but it’s always unpleasantly crowded. From here you just head into the Financial District. The numbered streets going across have stopped by here so it’s not as easy to find your way round but you can’t get lost as the Avenues still go down.
Just before the Financial District on the West side is an area known as Tribeca(Triangle betweenCanal Street).
Upper West Side is my favourite neighbourhood. Unfortunately it now has a Gap, Starbucks and other ‘High Street’ stores which is extremely disappointing!! I love Zabars which is just a busy homewares shop and supermarket but I feel it gives you a flavour of real New York. There are loads of places to eat and watch the world go by.
Upper East Side includes the northern bits of Park Avenue and 5th Avenue so very wealthy and highly residential – traditionally Jewish.
This is where the Museum Mile is. It’s also the neighbourhood where we used to stay when I first started going to NYC in the 80’s. The mayor’s residence, GracieMansion is on the edge of the water somewhere around 86th Street if you fancy the long walk across. Lovely views from the waters edge of the rest of New York.
Madison Avenue is the next road going away from the Park and has smaller shops and more places to eat. A favourite walk of mine.
Midtown is pretty much from where you are based all the way up until you reach the Park, encompassing the bright lights of Times Square, the famous 42nd Street, all the nice shops on 5th Avenue and over to the east Waldorf Hotel and Grand Central Station. Both are a must-see and close to each other around Park Avenue. In the US, you can walk into pretty much any hotel anyway (which is handy for the facilities) but the Waldorf expects tourists. You can go up and down the lifts and as you walk in from the revolving doors entrance, you should hear Cole Porter’s piano being played. There is even a Starbucks at the entrance – they just get everywhere!
The Financial District is of course where Wall Street is located. This is now a pedestrinised Street and they were still working on it last time I was there. I love seeing it in the early morning as people are going to work on the worlds financial markets. You can visit it the Stock Exchange although I haven’t yet. There are a few places to have breakfast. This is also the edge of ManhattanIsland so from Battery Park, which is the very lowest tip, you could see Liberty, Staten Island, New Jersey (my favourite NY borough outside of Manhattan)and on the other side Brooklyn, particularly if you look across through the famous Brooklyn Bridge. Contrary to popular opinion, most of the tall buildings our just down here with the exception of Empire State (5th & 34th) and Chrysler (Park & 42nd), Top of The Rock (Rockefeller Centre) and the Trump Towers. Uptown doesn’t really have any tall buildings. If you head this way, go to the South Street Seaport Centre which is up Water Street away from Wall Street as there is a little shopping centre which has a huge food court upstairs. Perfect for a rest with stunning views of the famous bridges. There is also another theatre box office here so you’ll probably see the queue!
Central Park is huge and it’s easy to lose direction and go the opposite way! Keep a landmark in mind and head for it so you walk in the right direction. There is a great restaurant at the bottom of the Park – Tavern on the Green which I have yet to experience but it’s on The List.
The only part I’ve left of isHarlem which is way north of 110th Street so a bus ride up. You may not have time but it’s interesting to see the contrast of 5th Avenue when you get this far up North. Of course it houses the famous Apollo Theatre and Bill Clinton has his office here but not much else to see.
There are lots of other smaller districts and just to the west of your hotel is the Garment district where each street seems to have different accessory shops, one for handbags, one for jewellery etc. This is all for trade sales though. All the way on the other side on 1st or 2nd Avenue is where all the catering supply shops are and then there’s a little stretch of lighting shops. It’s all very organised!
Coffee/rest points
There are millions of coffee shops including the dreaded Starbucks – unavoidable!
However, my favourite, Dean and Deluca used to be just one store and is now a very small chain but I still love it. There’s one on Broadway just as you’re going into Soho on the left and one hidden away in Rockefeller Centre (another must see). Just look to your left as you’re looking towards Top of the Rock. I found out last time that Dean & Deluca have little coffee shops hidden away in the big book stores.
Watch out as coffee shops often only have one toilet which either doesn’t work or has a huge queue.
Attractions
There are 100’s of things to do but here are a few:
New York Opera House – stunning if the Christmas Tree is already up but fantastic anyway. It’s all part of the Lincoln ‘cultural’ District which has a large cinema and a few shops too. It’s located about 60th and Broadway and you can go and have a look around even if you’re not seeing a show.
Rockefeller Centre, opposite Saks on 5th Avenue, around 50th Street I think. It is stunning inside and out and now has Top of The Rock – a great tourist attraction in the style of Empire State Building but it also tells you the history of the Rockefeller family and the impact they have had on the building of Manhattan. This is where they have the famous ice rink at Christmas but I’m not sure if they have it there in time for Thanksgiving. It’s also where they have apparently the biggest Christmas Tree in the world.
Statue of Liberty. I haven’t been up since the 80’s and it’s a lot harder to get there now. You need to purchase the appropriate tickets so best ask the hotel to do that for you. Make sure you buy one that actually allows you up Liberty but beware, you have to go up a spiral staircase and the only way down is when you have reached the top – unless they have changed that.
Columbus Circus is worth stepping of the bus for. It’s at the bottom of Central Park on the West side and there’s am up-scale shopping centre with a food court upstairs. However, the best thing is the view of the Park, TrumpTower and across to the East side. Last time I was there they had a fantastic photography exhibition.
Theatre
I’ve seen Rent and Mama Mia recently but there are plenty of traditional musicals you can see. You can book ahead, ask your hotel to book when you get there or queue up for half price tickets on the day at the box office. Won’t be much fun in the cold though and you can simply walk into any theatre when people aren’t queuing to get in and buy tickets if available.
I’ve been trying to see the Jersey Boys which has now become a huge hit.
Museums
The best museum that you simply must see, if just for the building is Guggenheim close to 88th and 5th Ave and overlooking the Park. Hopefully the scaffolding has come off so you can see the beauty of it.
There are several along here as it’s the Museum Mile. The Natural History Museum is on the other side of the park and must see too but you need to allow plenty of time. Great views of the Park from there.
There are few more further south towards mid-town. Just follow the park down and there is also one on Madison Avenue.
Restaurants
Because I walk everywhere and know roughly where everything is, I can’t remember all the street names but here goes:
Good Enough to Eat – around 86th and Amsterdam. (West side of Park) My absolute favourite place in New York where I go for a breakfast of chocolate and coconut pancakes and unlimited coffee. They do a full breakfast range but they do get a few tourists now as some of the hotels in this neighbourhood have started attracting tour groups. Get here early – 8.30 latest for breakfast, 11.30 for lunch. Nice to have a drink in there in the evening too although this neighbourhood is awash with diners, restaurants and bars. It is still essentially residential and fairly upmarket.
Tartini – somewhere in a highly residential road on West 11th Street. Similar to my other one with the addition of loads of fabulous little cakes which you can also buy to go. Whilst you’re down there, see if you can find Assault & Battery, a fish and chips shop and Tea & Sympathy both run be an ex-Brit on Greenwich Avenue. (Apparently this is the new ‘Little Britain’ although I’ve never noticed!)
Silver Spurs – if you happen to come across it somewhere in the Village on a main road. I think on Bleaker or Houston Street. A good little diner although you’ll see more on the Upper West Side.
Times Square, Macys, etc are of course very touristy so just depends on what you’re looking for.
Waldorf – of course it’s all beautiful but you’ll need to book ahead.
There is a huge diner underneath Empire State Building that is just geared up for tourists but if you haven’t found anywhere for your first night, it’s an ideal standby. It’s huge so you’ll always get a table but beware the huge portions! The queue outside is likely to be for the EmpireState.
If you want to takeaway something to eat back on the hotel or whilst sitting outside on a sunny day, lots of the Deli’s have take out counters with a huge variety of food.
Central Park
The only place to escape the shops and beautiful any time of the year. Starts at 60th Street between 5th and 8th Avenues and goes all the way up to 100th Street towards Harlem.
There’s also a zoo in there. Go on a sunny day or if it snows. Perfect!
Cash
Even coffee shops now take cards. I have an American Express Travellers cheque card which I credit with cash before I go and use everywhere. I can even take cash out at machines although this does cost. Your bank may be help or you can get one from http://www.americanexpress.com/uk/tcc/index.shtml?uk_nu=subtab
If you pay with cards, you’ll need ID in most stores. I use the photocard driving licence.
Obviously, just like any city in the world, I wouldn’t carry any more cash than you need for the day. I also wouldn’t get your map out in street. Anything that makes you look like a tourist (maps, ruck sacks etc) makes you stand out from the crowd and everyone knows tourists have cash on them. However, New York is the safest city I have ever been to with its zero tolerance policy, there are police everywhere. (And always in Dunkin Doughnuts!)
Transport
Taxis are very cheap and good to hail from the street after a long day walking or late at night. I never use them though as the best way to travel is on the bus. On all the avenues (5th Avenue, Park Avenue, Madison Avenue) the buses go EITHER uptown or downtown. They are quite frequent, very clean and pleasant – except in the rush hour!
To give you a guide, 5th Avenue buses go downtown and Madison go uptown and it alternates like that. Only exception is Broadway (your hotel is between Broadway and 5th) which depends on where you pick it up as it cuts across the avenues. It’s a good road to pick up a bus on as you see all the sights through Times Square without being in the crowds. It’s always a slow road though although there’s traffic everywhere in New York. I still think it’s nice though as you see everything at a fairly slow pace. You get on at the front of the bus and get of in the middle. You need to press the button to signal your exit. Beware that Express buses don’t stop everywhere so if you want to be specific, check with the driver. Also, as you go away from mid-town, buses will drive of the avenues and go down different routes so check the destination at the front of the bus.
Buses are $2 for every journey and you must have correct change – no notes. Best thing is to get a Metro card from any tube station which you can both use. Just buy up $10 or $20 worth from the machine which takes notes or cards and use it up during your stay. I don’t know anything about the Metro as I always like being over ground so I can see the sights!
Weather
It will be very cold outside in November, possible snowing but very warm inside shops and restaurants. I'd advise wearing layers that can be peeled of and carried.
Thanksgiving
I've checked several sources and Thanksgiving is on 22nd. www.thanksgiving-day.org.
You're extremely lucky to be in NY on this magical day in the US calendar. As I've said before, this is the 'US Christmas' and the most important day for families in America. It is complete shutdown although you'll still see a few 'suits' trying to do business. The ones that can afford to will take the whole weekend off as the holiday entitlement is typically 2 weeks in the US so long weekends are the norm.
I spent my first ever time in Manhattan during Thanksgiving and it’s still my favourite day ever! Mainly because it snowed, which normally comes later in the year.
If you’re going to have one great meal, I’d have it on this day but you’ll need to book for a decent restaurant so just do that as you pass one in your travels. The shops will be closed but you should be OK for coffee shops. My choice would be the Waldorf which will be full of families – if you can get in.
The biggest event is Macy’s parade and as you’ll be within a couple of minutes, you won’t have to go far. All the parades in New York are on 5th Avenue so just follow the crowd. The road will be shut for the day.
I hope this all helps. It’s all just come from my head so apologies if the info isn’t all perfectly correct!
22nd July 2007
The Avenues go from north to south and the streets go from west to east.
West and South Side is divided by 5th Avenue and by Central Park uptown.
The streets finish downtown at Houston Street, the start of Soho.
Shops
There are now shops everywhere - even Wall Street hasn’t escaped the commercialism of New York as there is a massive bargain basement store in the Financial District, Century 21.
Shops generally open at 10 and usually at 12 till 6 on Sundays (although that may not affect you depending on what time you're landing)
To get your basics; bottles of water, snacks etc just pop into one of many Duane Reed or CVS drug stores which generally open till very late or indeed 24 hours. They are great for toiletry bargains – especially make-up to keep the ladies happy!
The designer stores (Tiffany, Channel, etc) are on 5th Avenue between about 50-60 Streets although I’ve never been!
The only one I frequent to get my regular supplies is Henri Bendel – small and perfectly formed boutique style department store – a bit like Harvey Nicholls. Beware the stores don’t generally have café’s; only the huge ones like Macys. They do have toilets but can be hard to find. Don’t forget they call them Powder Rooms or Rest Rooms!
I like the more individual shops in the Village, Soho and especially Upper West Side and Madison Avenue uptown.
Of course you must go to Bloomingdales but it’s all the way out on Lexington Avenue, about 15 minutes walk from 5th Avenue shops. I think it’s around 59th Street but just follow the famous bags! There is a smaller Bloomingdales on Broadway in Soho if you can’t face the walk but this store is a New York tradition. As is FAO Swartz – a huge toy store that I haven’t been in since the 80’s when it used to feature a giant piano – as in the film Big!
Neighbourhoods
The Village - Greenwich Village which also houses WestVillage (my favourite part of the Village and close to where you are) andEastVillage. WestVillageis the gay area so very friendly but there may be one or two shops/sights that make you laugh or stop and stare!
Further downtown after the Village is Soho (South of Houston Street) which leads onto a huge ChinaTown and therefore a rapidly reducing Little Italy.This neighbourhood used to be much bigger but now blink and you miss it. If you want to experience it, take a bus down to the bottom and walk up Mulberry Street. Will be nice for lunch or coffee and cake. Don’t worry about seeing ChinaTown – you can’t miss it but it’s always unpleasantly crowded. From here you just head into the Financial District. The numbered streets going across have stopped by here so it’s not as easy to find your way round but you can’t get lost as the Avenues still go down.
Just before the Financial District on the West side is an area known as Tribeca(Triangle betweenCanal Street).
Upper West Side is my favourite neighbourhood. Unfortunately it now has a Gap, Starbucks and other ‘High Street’ stores which is extremely disappointing!! I love Zabars which is just a busy homewares shop and supermarket but I feel it gives you a flavour of real New York. There are loads of places to eat and watch the world go by.
Upper East Side includes the northern bits of Park Avenue and 5th Avenue so very wealthy and highly residential – traditionally Jewish.
This is where the Museum Mile is. It’s also the neighbourhood where we used to stay when I first started going to NYC in the 80’s. The mayor’s residence, GracieMansion is on the edge of the water somewhere around 86th Street if you fancy the long walk across. Lovely views from the waters edge of the rest of New York.
Madison Avenue is the next road going away from the Park and has smaller shops and more places to eat. A favourite walk of mine.
Midtown is pretty much from where you are based all the way up until you reach the Park, encompassing the bright lights of Times Square, the famous 42nd Street, all the nice shops on 5th Avenue and over to the east Waldorf Hotel and Grand Central Station. Both are a must-see and close to each other around Park Avenue. In the US, you can walk into pretty much any hotel anyway (which is handy for the facilities) but the Waldorf expects tourists. You can go up and down the lifts and as you walk in from the revolving doors entrance, you should hear Cole Porter’s piano being played. There is even a Starbucks at the entrance – they just get everywhere!
The Financial District is of course where Wall Street is located. This is now a pedestrinised Street and they were still working on it last time I was there. I love seeing it in the early morning as people are going to work on the worlds financial markets. You can visit it the Stock Exchange although I haven’t yet. There are a few places to have breakfast. This is also the edge of ManhattanIsland so from Battery Park, which is the very lowest tip, you could see Liberty, Staten Island, New Jersey (my favourite NY borough outside of Manhattan)and on the other side Brooklyn, particularly if you look across through the famous Brooklyn Bridge. Contrary to popular opinion, most of the tall buildings our just down here with the exception of Empire State (5th & 34th) and Chrysler (Park & 42nd), Top of The Rock (Rockefeller Centre) and the Trump Towers. Uptown doesn’t really have any tall buildings. If you head this way, go to the South Street Seaport Centre which is up Water Street away from Wall Street as there is a little shopping centre which has a huge food court upstairs. Perfect for a rest with stunning views of the famous bridges. There is also another theatre box office here so you’ll probably see the queue!
Central Park is huge and it’s easy to lose direction and go the opposite way! Keep a landmark in mind and head for it so you walk in the right direction. There is a great restaurant at the bottom of the Park – Tavern on the Green which I have yet to experience but it’s on The List.
The only part I’ve left of isHarlem which is way north of 110th Street so a bus ride up. You may not have time but it’s interesting to see the contrast of 5th Avenue when you get this far up North. Of course it houses the famous Apollo Theatre and Bill Clinton has his office here but not much else to see.
There are lots of other smaller districts and just to the west of your hotel is the Garment district where each street seems to have different accessory shops, one for handbags, one for jewellery etc. This is all for trade sales though. All the way on the other side on 1st or 2nd Avenue is where all the catering supply shops are and then there’s a little stretch of lighting shops. It’s all very organised!
Coffee/rest points
There are millions of coffee shops including the dreaded Starbucks – unavoidable!
However, my favourite, Dean and Deluca used to be just one store and is now a very small chain but I still love it. There’s one on Broadway just as you’re going into Soho on the left and one hidden away in Rockefeller Centre (another must see). Just look to your left as you’re looking towards Top of the Rock. I found out last time that Dean & Deluca have little coffee shops hidden away in the big book stores.
Watch out as coffee shops often only have one toilet which either doesn’t work or has a huge queue.
Attractions
There are 100’s of things to do but here are a few:
New York Opera House – stunning if the Christmas Tree is already up but fantastic anyway. It’s all part of the Lincoln ‘cultural’ District which has a large cinema and a few shops too. It’s located about 60th and Broadway and you can go and have a look around even if you’re not seeing a show.
Rockefeller Centre, opposite Saks on 5th Avenue, around 50th Street I think. It is stunning inside and out and now has Top of The Rock – a great tourist attraction in the style of Empire State Building but it also tells you the history of the Rockefeller family and the impact they have had on the building of Manhattan. This is where they have the famous ice rink at Christmas but I’m not sure if they have it there in time for Thanksgiving. It’s also where they have apparently the biggest Christmas Tree in the world.
Statue of Liberty. I haven’t been up since the 80’s and it’s a lot harder to get there now. You need to purchase the appropriate tickets so best ask the hotel to do that for you. Make sure you buy one that actually allows you up Liberty but beware, you have to go up a spiral staircase and the only way down is when you have reached the top – unless they have changed that.
Columbus Circus is worth stepping of the bus for. It’s at the bottom of Central Park on the West side and there’s am up-scale shopping centre with a food court upstairs. However, the best thing is the view of the Park, TrumpTower and across to the East side. Last time I was there they had a fantastic photography exhibition.
Theatre
I’ve seen Rent and Mama Mia recently but there are plenty of traditional musicals you can see. You can book ahead, ask your hotel to book when you get there or queue up for half price tickets on the day at the box office. Won’t be much fun in the cold though and you can simply walk into any theatre when people aren’t queuing to get in and buy tickets if available.
I’ve been trying to see the Jersey Boys which has now become a huge hit.
Museums
The best museum that you simply must see, if just for the building is Guggenheim close to 88th and 5th Ave and overlooking the Park. Hopefully the scaffolding has come off so you can see the beauty of it.
There are several along here as it’s the Museum Mile. The Natural History Museum is on the other side of the park and must see too but you need to allow plenty of time. Great views of the Park from there.
There are few more further south towards mid-town. Just follow the park down and there is also one on Madison Avenue.
Restaurants
Because I walk everywhere and know roughly where everything is, I can’t remember all the street names but here goes:
Good Enough to Eat – around 86th and Amsterdam. (West side of Park) My absolute favourite place in New York where I go for a breakfast of chocolate and coconut pancakes and unlimited coffee. They do a full breakfast range but they do get a few tourists now as some of the hotels in this neighbourhood have started attracting tour groups. Get here early – 8.30 latest for breakfast, 11.30 for lunch. Nice to have a drink in there in the evening too although this neighbourhood is awash with diners, restaurants and bars. It is still essentially residential and fairly upmarket.
Tartini – somewhere in a highly residential road on West 11th Street. Similar to my other one with the addition of loads of fabulous little cakes which you can also buy to go. Whilst you’re down there, see if you can find Assault & Battery, a fish and chips shop and Tea & Sympathy both run be an ex-Brit on Greenwich Avenue. (Apparently this is the new ‘Little Britain’ although I’ve never noticed!)
Silver Spurs – if you happen to come across it somewhere in the Village on a main road. I think on Bleaker or Houston Street. A good little diner although you’ll see more on the Upper West Side.
Times Square, Macys, etc are of course very touristy so just depends on what you’re looking for.
Waldorf – of course it’s all beautiful but you’ll need to book ahead.
There is a huge diner underneath Empire State Building that is just geared up for tourists but if you haven’t found anywhere for your first night, it’s an ideal standby. It’s huge so you’ll always get a table but beware the huge portions! The queue outside is likely to be for the EmpireState.
If you want to takeaway something to eat back on the hotel or whilst sitting outside on a sunny day, lots of the Deli’s have take out counters with a huge variety of food.
Central Park
The only place to escape the shops and beautiful any time of the year. Starts at 60th Street between 5th and 8th Avenues and goes all the way up to 100th Street towards Harlem.
There’s also a zoo in there. Go on a sunny day or if it snows. Perfect!
Cash
Even coffee shops now take cards. I have an American Express Travellers cheque card which I credit with cash before I go and use everywhere. I can even take cash out at machines although this does cost. Your bank may be help or you can get one from http://www.americanexpress.com/uk/tcc/index.shtml?uk_nu=subtab
If you pay with cards, you’ll need ID in most stores. I use the photocard driving licence.
Obviously, just like any city in the world, I wouldn’t carry any more cash than you need for the day. I also wouldn’t get your map out in street. Anything that makes you look like a tourist (maps, ruck sacks etc) makes you stand out from the crowd and everyone knows tourists have cash on them. However, New York is the safest city I have ever been to with its zero tolerance policy, there are police everywhere. (And always in Dunkin Doughnuts!)
Transport
Taxis are very cheap and good to hail from the street after a long day walking or late at night. I never use them though as the best way to travel is on the bus. On all the avenues (5th Avenue, Park Avenue, Madison Avenue) the buses go EITHER uptown or downtown. They are quite frequent, very clean and pleasant – except in the rush hour!
To give you a guide, 5th Avenue buses go downtown and Madison go uptown and it alternates like that. Only exception is Broadway (your hotel is between Broadway and 5th) which depends on where you pick it up as it cuts across the avenues. It’s a good road to pick up a bus on as you see all the sights through Times Square without being in the crowds. It’s always a slow road though although there’s traffic everywhere in New York. I still think it’s nice though as you see everything at a fairly slow pace. You get on at the front of the bus and get of in the middle. You need to press the button to signal your exit. Beware that Express buses don’t stop everywhere so if you want to be specific, check with the driver. Also, as you go away from mid-town, buses will drive of the avenues and go down different routes so check the destination at the front of the bus.
Buses are $2 for every journey and you must have correct change – no notes. Best thing is to get a Metro card from any tube station which you can both use. Just buy up $10 or $20 worth from the machine which takes notes or cards and use it up during your stay. I don’t know anything about the Metro as I always like being over ground so I can see the sights!
Weather
It will be very cold outside in November, possible snowing but very warm inside shops and restaurants. I'd advise wearing layers that can be peeled of and carried.
Thanksgiving
I've checked several sources and Thanksgiving is on 22nd. www.thanksgiving-day.org.
You're extremely lucky to be in NY on this magical day in the US calendar. As I've said before, this is the 'US Christmas' and the most important day for families in America. It is complete shutdown although you'll still see a few 'suits' trying to do business. The ones that can afford to will take the whole weekend off as the holiday entitlement is typically 2 weeks in the US so long weekends are the norm.
I spent my first ever time in Manhattan during Thanksgiving and it’s still my favourite day ever! Mainly because it snowed, which normally comes later in the year.
If you’re going to have one great meal, I’d have it on this day but you’ll need to book for a decent restaurant so just do that as you pass one in your travels. The shops will be closed but you should be OK for coffee shops. My choice would be the Waldorf which will be full of families – if you can get in.
The biggest event is Macy’s parade and as you’ll be within a couple of minutes, you won’t have to go far. All the parades in New York are on 5th Avenue so just follow the crowd. The road will be shut for the day.
I hope this all helps. It’s all just come from my head so apologies if the info isn’t all perfectly correct!
22nd July 2007
Friday, July 04, 2008
My Fabulous Life so far
Music: Gambo on R2
Home, UK
Once upon a time there was a girl from Bedford.
The youngest of 6, I knew I was spoilt but this had the opposite affect on me. I grew up determined to make it on my own and be fiercely independent – from everyone!A happy childhood with 1 brother and 4 sisters also meant growing up with various influences, namely Cliff Richard, football, David Essex, David Cassidy, The Osmond’s, Marc Bolan and Elvis (in that order). It’s a wonder I ever made it out of there alive! I am indebted to my family for instilling strong moral values alongside an ambition to do ‘something’ (My Dad) and ‘always give back’ (My Mum).In late 1980 I went to my homeland, India and my life changed. From this time onwards I knew how I my life was going to shape up.After this trip, thankfully I chose my own and bigger influences. I came back just as Duran Duran launched their first single and the record industry was creating its first Entrepreneurs, including one, Mr Richard Branson. This may amuse you, from interviews with the band I learnt about paying income tax (or not!) and my first car was a VW Golf because John Taylor had one and my last one will be an Aston Martin because……….JT wanted one.
However I am not living in the past and don’t listen to 80s music with the exception of absolute underground classics I hear on the radio every now and then. Music is my life and I cannot live without it but have wide taste from funky disco to good old fashioned country, to Abba to solid guitar thrashing modern day rock ‘n’ roll. I don’t see the point of being awake if the radio isn’t on or the point of being in the car if the music isn’t fabulous.
In later childhood, business plans, budgeting forecasts and entrepreneurs surrounded me. I knew I wanted to be successful in business but never ever had any ambition to run my own. My oldest sister and brother were running their own businesses for almost as long as I can remember and I always thought it was too much of a sacrifice. Not that I mind hard work: I’ve been working 12-15 hour days for many, many years (since I’ve been managing) and have loved every minute, but always liked the idea of leaving it all behind at 6pm on a Friday night and not worrying. I have always loved my holidays and social life too, even if it is just to get to the pub by last orders or taking out 7 or 8 days abroad. I just love that balance of life.
Having been through the Rockies (to die for), all through northern Italy (scrumptious) and New York (the best there is) so many times, I achieved all my travel ambitions when I reached the Nou Camp back in 2002, which was up there in my list of favourite days, along with;Waking up for the first time in New York on Thanksgiving morning and it was actually snowingGoing to Wimbledon Championships on the first ever middle SundaySeeing Bruce Springsteen at one of his legendary 4 hour gigs back in the 80’s and a few other great artists including my all time favourite Bryan Adams (another influence – the reason why I went on my first holiday on my own to Vancouver)I have since been visiting my B list, New England in the Fall, New Orleans, Memphis and Nashville on the music tour. My biggest solo holiday was just before I started my own business and made those sacrifices that I said I would never make!
My sister gave me a book by Dale Carnegie, when I was starting out at 17 or 18 and I never looked back. I then worked for 14 years in advertising sales, moving a little around the country, before making the switch to recruitment. It doesn’t make me proud to say the industry with the worst reputation and so totally against my strong customer service principles.I have worked for a few different companies large and small and learnt from each and every one of them. Especially from the small local one upon my return to Bedford that went under and still owes me several thousand pounds…….
I moved back to my beloved home town Bedford in 2001 and simply adored living there. I am a very proud Bedfordian. I’d always believed I should have been paid PR money to enthuse about Bedford but then I feel that way about my favourite English city, Birmingham and coastal city, Brighton.
I started my own business because I simply could not find the company or staff that would adhere to my high professional standards. I was unemployable!I have no ambition to be the next Richard Branson, although I think he is great business leader. I just want to earn a good living, doing something that I enjoy whilst keeping the customer service standards high and making a people happy along the way. The fact that quiet times in my business are December and August are a huge plus: August means walks just for the hell of it and listening to live music outside and December definitely means Christmas enjoying every second in New York.
I’m now living in my favourite UK City, Birmingham although for other reasons: It’s inspiring, it’s good for business, there’s more to do and it’s close to the airport for 9am flights to New York.Which brings me right up to date. I am going to spend more time in New York, or actually New Jersey. I can run my business from anywhere, with trusted colleagues back in the UK and my plan is to start writing. (You would never have guessed from this prose). I love New York, having been going there for nearly 20 years but New Jersey is a little quieter to write in – or at least the parts I have been to. I love Hoboken with its views of Manhattan and it’s laid back, old town, small town charm.
You’ve probably gathered by now that I consider myself the luckiest girl on the planet. I may have been through some of life’s heartaches; losing both parents, divorce, dis-funfunctional family, losing my life savings and having to start again and more redundancies than I can remember, but who hasn’t and hey, I’m still the Luckiest Girl in the World.I do whatever I chose, whenever I choose, with whom I choose. It’s called freedom and it leads to my only ambition; to live a happy life.Every day.
On my true great love, Music: I will always trust and buy ‘blind’ albums by Madonna, Bryan Adams, Duran Duran, El Presidente, Springsteen, Bon Jovi et al. However, I love the music around at the moment especially as I don’t need to buy that much as the radio, which is on all day, is just so good. Apart from the heavy guitar-laden stuff that parents usually disapprove off, I love funky dance and good old fashioned pop. My gay friends have called me a gay man in a straight woman’s body because of my taste in pop music, clothes, socialising and home style.On cars: don’t love but just incredibly fussy. I wouldn’t wear anything I didn’t love so why would the biggest accessory of them all be something I detested? Won’t drive a Ford or very many modern UK cars but like American. They ultimate dream car is an old Aston Martin (the one I’m going to get buried in so no-one is fighting over it) but currently drive my other dream car, Mercedes CLK. I’ll be running it into the ground as it’s such a comfortable drive. Straight male friends don’t understand but the gay lot know that it’s about the look and how fast it goes, not the technology. I don’t know how my laptop works either but it takes me where I want to be – fast, is easy to use, low maintenance and it looks good.Actually the low maintenance characteristic in untrue of both machines but what can you do.
On food: I’m fussy with meat as I won’t eat anything with a face or body. Could easily be a vegetarian if my favourite food wasn’t salmon. I adore entertaining but don’t cook. Life’s too short.
On Politics/religion: don’t have strong views on either although of course we are all political even if we don’t follow a party. My only points to raise are that we in the UK allow people to get away with murder by throwing benefits at them when we have so much work available.The other area I feel strongly about is our prison service. An awful lot of money goes to keeping convicts in prison when such a high percentage comes out to re-offend (7-8/10?). Why are they not re-habitated inside? I would love to place them all in jobs but understandably it is hard to find the employers.I spent 6 Christmases working with the homeless in the UK. Nearly all of these people had resided at Her Majesty’s Pleasure at some point.
These are two areas that I would love to help address one day.
Football: just follow it, not fanatical and don’t need to discuss every tackle/foul/goal/penalty/referee decision over several beers with anyone - they wouldn’t listen anyway. I just enjoy it – the technique, the winning and mostly the team spirit. I do have a very long-standing membership with 1 club though….I started following Man United as a young girl in middle school. It was an effort to be one of the boys whilst in craft class. (Yes, really). I never could stand being thought of as a ‘girl’. Also, I hated to be one of the sheep so didn’t go for Liverpool who were the biggest team then. Throughout my youth, United were just a team to take sides with when watching Match of the Day with my big brother every Saturday night. It wasn’t until Alex Ferguson took over that I realised what a ‘power house’ Old Trafford is and I have been hugely influenced in business and life by the way Sir Alex has run that team in the last 20 or so years. I will miss him madly when he finally retires.
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