Heading to NYC with Mike on the new direct flight NZ2.

Flight was surprisingly good. Only disappointment was the movie selection.

Arrived at JFK @ 1930 local and got to hotel around 2200. Refreshed and headed to a place next door call Faces & Names with some of the crew. Left there around 0200.

It’s cold and wet….. but I’m in NYC 😜

Woke up in New York City. Slept late, rainy day. Meet up with Phil and Bec at Lexington Brass, for their lunch our breakfast.Phil’s been a friend for 15 yrs and is a private airline pilot.

Made plans to get tickets for ice hockey and Book of Morman. Headed to Madison Square Gardens for ice hockey tickets, then theatre for BOM tickets.

Grabbed a piece of fabulous NY pizza and some beers for a quick reprieve before heading to the theatre.

We missed seeing BOM in NZ due the pandemic so great to finally see it.

It was a drizzly day but ok for walking around.

Had dinner at the Irish Pub opposite our hotel on 54th. Surprisingly delicious.

Will be more organised tomorrow.

Another drizzly day. Had a wander thru Central Park, squirrels and bird life enjoying the damp conditions. Then had brunch at a cute French cafe/restaurant. I had the soup de jour, perfect for the weather.

Headed to Broadway and bought tickets to a play “A Piano Lesson” it stared Samuel L Jackson. Was a little heavy but good.

The theatre’s are all so busy. And I don’t belief there is such thing as cheap tickets. Well we haven’t found them. Maybe if you book way in advance.

Then to the ice hockey. Drinks first at the Pig & Whiste with Phil, Laura & Becs, then the MSG (Madison Square Gardens). Huge sporting / Concert venue. Last night was a basketball game, tonight ice hockey, tomorrow a concert.

Was heaps of fun. \240The New York Rangers v The Boston Bruins. It was a preseason game and the BB won 5-4.

Finally a blue sky day. Again a late start so breakfast was more brunch. We booked a Circle Line boat tour which departed from Pier 83. Perfect day to see Manhattan from the water. The tour was 2.5 hrs long and really great. Headed towards the Statue of Liberty and then up the East River under the Brooklyn Bridge and many other bridges. Around the top of Manhattan back to the Hudson river.

After we headed to 5th Ave for a bit of retail. The NZ $ is so bad that it makes everything so expensive- so it was more browsing than shopping.

Dinner was at Tao with Phil & Rob. A very cool Asian fusion restaurant. Delicious food. The standout was the dessert platter.

Back to the hotel and a roadie with the new crew in.

Big walking day. Headed south, still in Manhattan but away from the hustle and bustle of midtown towards Chelsea. We stopped for breakfast at Bluestone Lane cafe. Lovely location by the river. Then further south to West Village, where we stayed 10 years ago. Nice to see the 11th St Cafe still there.

Up to the High Line for our walk back up town. It was so busy. It has been developed and extended a lot in 10 years.

We headed to Grand Central Station - the Oyster Bar and oysters for someone.

Mike found an fly fishing shop and I visited the Library.

We got a reservation at Terra Blues, a Blues music club in Greenwich Village. $20 entry ($10 mid week). Had a bit to eat next door at The Malt House.

Terra Blues was awesome. Fantastic music and atmosphere. A fun night. Simon and Pete turned up.

Back to midtown for a roadie.

Last day - we leave this evening.

It is the first morning I’ve woken early and feeling refreshed. Headed out alone and hire a citibike. You do it thru an app. Then I cycled around Central Park. The whole loop took an hour. And it ain’t all flat!

Meet Andrea & Kiki (Jude’s sister)for lunch at MoMA, then has a browse of the museum.

Pick up was 2000 for ETD2150. A few delays getting away but a good flight time of 16.50 hrs.