New York City - Day 4

It's the final day of our tour. We took a little side trip to Hoboken, New Jersey to visit none other than Carlo's Bakery that is made widely famous by The Cake Boss TV series.

Because the kitchen is behind an open counter, we were able to see the employees busy at work.








.

Geo is saying, "I'll take that one!"

All the items in the display cases were so temptingly decorated. I knew it would be difficult to choose what I'd most enjoy, so I read a few reviews ahead of time. The "lobster tail" seemed to be very popular - pastry filled with a custard cream and flavored with Bailey's Irish Cream. That's what I had. YUM!

Geo selected the strawberry cheesecake.

I'm so glad we had the opportunity to visit this bakery.

Final stop on the tour was the New York Botanical Gardens. Actually there is a collection of 50 gardens here with at least a million living plants. Everyone said that the rose garden was a must-see, but with limited time we just did not make it there. I did, however, spend a lot of time with the orchids - my favorite flower.

The orchids are displayed behind glass in the entrance room of the library.

One flower is more beautiful than the other.

We came home with happy memories and a real appreciation for what we've seen and learned on our NYC tour.

NYC, we hope to visit you again sometime!

New York City - Day 3

No tour of NYC is complete without viewing the Statue of Liberty. We were there early on a rainy morning and we were ahead of the crowds.

Lady Liberty

This statue, a gift to the United States from France, was dedicated October 28, 1886.

My Grandfather was an immigrant to America in 1904 when he was just sixteen years old. He came through New York. So I'm thinking he viewed this same statue then - 111 years ago -  as I do today. 

We made a stop at Ellis Island, before heading to Chinatown where we had lunch.

Chinese spring rolls were served as the appetizer. This little restaurant offered the very best spring rolls I have ever had anywhere before. 

 

For my entree I chose a vegetable lo mein. It was very good, and a generous portion.

Then it was back on the bus and on to Herald Square where we toured Macy's. This store has been in this same location for 114 years and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Macy's logo always includes a star.

Macy's tour guide gave a presentation on the history of the store and current strategies in retailing. The store is huge. As an example, the guide said that there are 300,000 pairs of shoes in inventory. Thousands of people are employed at this location.

What fascinated me was the wooden escalator that dates back to 1902, and is still in use. We enjoyed taking it a few times.

From Macy's it was on to the American Museum of Natural History. Another major museum - here I focused on looking at rock formations.

This is the Acasta Gneiss. the oldest rock found on eath, located under the Canadian Shield. 



The rock contains zircon crystals which helped in dating it as being some four billion years old. 




It was also amazing to see and feel petrified wood. This log came from a California Redwood; it still looks like wood, but because it is petrified, it feels like rock.

This was the first time I came up close to a real meteorite.















Final stop today was Buca di Beppo's, an Italian restaurant on Broadway. Our meal was served family-style, so we kept passing the platters around the table. The salads were especially good with tasty ingredients, and the CHEESECAKE was the best! 

I heard that one of the dining rooms is called The Pope Room. Before leaving, I made sure to see it. Sure enough, there were photos of the popes around the room and a display of  what looked like a cardinal's hat. Our own Pope Francis was featured. 

If Buca di Beppo's ever opened in Vermont, I'd be a "regular."

Only one more day left on our four day tour...

New York City - Day 2

First stop on the second day of our NYC tour was the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This is the largest art museum in the United States. Our museum guide said that even she had gotten lost here.

Rather than rush through to see as much as possible, we focused on a few masterpieces which were described to us in depth. The first one was The Burghers of Calais by Auguste Rodin, created in 1884-1895. 

The Met's bronze was cast from a plaster model in Paris. It portrays prominent citizens of Calais, being led to their death during the Hundred Years' War, not knowing their lives would be spared. Larger than life, and fascinating.

 

On the way to the next gallery I stopped to admire this Tiffany window.

Here's Geo crossing the painting Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze, 1851.

Our guide interpreted this painting in detail, pointing out that the likeness of our second President John Adams is portrayed directly 
behind George Washington.





We also examined the Van Gogh's. 
Detail from one of his works:

Back on the bus and through the traffic, we passed:

 and the Charging Bull in the financial district.

Our highly anticipated stop was at the 9/11 Memorial. The Freedom Tower now looms higher than the Twin Towers, 1776 feet.

The Reflecting Pools are surrounded by walls that are etched with names of the victims of that tragic day.

Next on our schedule was a "Noshing Tour," sampling food at some of the Delis. Then it was on to The Brooklyn Bridge - YES, I walked over the bridge. 
                                                                                                               

Views are incredible!

Walking across the bridge has been a highlight for me
on this trip.

Dinner at the Stardust,  
1 Times Square.

A memorable day in NYC!

New York City Day 1

New York City, here we come!

A little tired, having been up since 4 AM (I am not a "morning person"), but I was eager to begin our adventure in NYC.

Definitely, not in Vermont anymore!

Our first stop was the Pearl Studios where we met with cast from:

They shared a little of what it's like to be working (or not working!) on Broadway musicals. Best of all, they led us in learning a musical score from the show Wicked.

Next stop on our tour was the Intrepid  Sea, Air, and Space Museum.

HUGE - We viewed just a small part. The USS Intrepid is an aircraft carrier that was first commissioned for World War II and in service through the Vietnam War until 1974. It was also a recovery ship for space missions.

        

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              We walked around the planes on and under the immense flight deck.






After our first day of touring, we checked into our hotel in Secaucus, New Jersey. Then it was off to dinner at one of the local landmark diners - The Tick Tock.

Looking forward to Day 2!