![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.soulbridgemedia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/DSC_1607-24-copy.jpg\" "\\"nyc\\"")
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Greatest city in the world? Or just another big city? Have we all been hypnotised by Frank Sinatra\u2019s pied piper call? But like a groupie getting offered a backstage pass at a Gunner\u2019s concert, the lure is too great to not at least take a peak\u2026 just nothing below the waist.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ll get into that shortly, first, rewind about a day.<\/p>\n
Getting up while its still dark is never fun, but with the notion of heading to what some call the greatest city in the world, there was extra motivation to drag ourselves out of bed and make a bee line to our shuttle.<\/p>\n
At the departure airport, by now I don\u2019t think I need to tell you that its best to get there early, at least 2 hours for domestic flights. Security is just as bad as international flights along with the snaking of ridiculously long lines and a dog\u2019s breakfast kind of organisation. Moral is, get there early and head straight to the self check in, worry about potty breaks, breakfast etc after you clear security. If you aren\u2019t travelling alone get one person to grab a spot in the baggage check line while the other does the self check in.<\/p>\n
A side note when going through security, if you have toys with small parts re: Revoltech<\/a> or model kits, let the x-ray person know, seems these tend to come up as \u201csuss\u201d. Also remember snow globes are still classed as liquid so you won\u2019t be able to have them in your carry on, make sure you wrap them good to store in your checked luggage.<\/p>\n As far as the cross country flight was concerned, I\u2019d have to say, I\u2019ve had better. We flew with American Airlines<\/strong>, while the thoughts of near and actual disasters were distant before hand, they became a lot more apparent when we boarded the flight. The seats were The attendants weren\u2019t much better. Half looked like their first attendee job was serving moonshine on the Wright Brothers\u2019 airline, while the rest were just not happy to be there, cant really blame them though, you can only be terrified for you life for so long before you stop caring.<\/p>\n Never mind, after breakfast (I think that’s what it was), a couple Neurofen plus was all that was needed to set a drift on memory bliss.<\/p>\n Out of JFK and into the ever reliable Super Shuttle<\/a> bus. Plenty of stop start peak hour driving through Queens<\/strong> on our way to Manhattan<\/strong>. Speaking of hotel, we stayed at The Comfort Inn on Times Square<\/a> reasonably priced, rather small rooms (still bigger than Tokyo\u2019s! The big plasma makes up for it), world\u2019s smallest and slowest SINGLE elevator but on the plus side, they did have a free brekky spread, free internet and gym and very attentive staff.<\/p>\n The Trip Advisor<\/a> whingers will say the FREE breakfast is sub par but come on, its not a restaurant nor does it pretend to be, just a tea room with what you would probably have at home on a normal day. The variety of cereal, bread, buns, bagels, muffins, pastries (including croissants), tea, coffee, juice, fruit and yogurt is more than enough to fill you up before heading out. If you want a greasy start, just head to Macca\u2019s otherwise grab an apple for the road and hit the shops!<\/p>\n Times Square - NYC<\/p><\/div>\n New York City part #2 \u2013 Shopping: Midtown<\/a>
\nslightly larger, no doubt to squeeze in those tubby Americans, but all the cushioning was so compacted you could feel the frame work underneath, not so good for an 8+ hour flight. The general state of the plane didn\u2019t get much better, plastic fixtures and compartments sported a 20 year old computer dirty cream, off yellow colour. Everything shook and rattled like an old railroad carriage, even one of the overheads popping open randomly, just like in the movies.<\/p>\n
\nTravel Tip: If you\u2019re staying in Manhattan<\/strong> and assuming you know where your hotel is (not too hard to work out even if you don\u2019t, \u201cstreets\u201d run horizontal, \u201cavenues\u201d run vertical) its best to just get out at a nearby hotel stop and walk (if yours isn\u2019t the next on the list!) a couple blocks. As our luggage was already getting to the point of \u201cexcessive\u201d we opted to stay on. Looking back, it would\u2019ve saved us a good 30-45min if we got out and dragged our way to the hotel.<\/em><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.soulbridgemedia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/10\/DSC_1670-66-copy.jpg\" "\\"nyc\\"")
\nNew York City part #3 \u2013 Bronx Zoo<\/a>
\nNew York City part #4 \u2013 Sight seeing \u2013 Manhattan<\/a>
\nNew York City part #5 \u2013 Sight Seeing \u2013 Brooklyn Markets and Gardens<\/a>
\nNew York City part #6 \u2013 Shopping: Soho<\/a><\/p>\n