A Little Trip to the Big NY

I’ve not posted anything here for a long time, and I was very close to simply abandoning this blog the last time it came up for renewal and letting it drift away into the history of the internet. But at the last minute, I decided not to let that happen. So after 3 years, here’s an update!

I took a very short, very last minute solo trip to NYC last weekend. Was it worth it to spend just 36 hours in the Big Apple? Heck yeah!

One of the things that convinced me to take the trip was not that there was any special deal or anything – the flight prices were pretty much normal. But one thing that was very appealing is that I could tell at the time of booking that I’d be almost guaranteed upgrades to business class for all 4 legs – sweet!

As we climb out of Calgary, thunder clouds are building on a warm Friday afternoon.

Veria and I enjoy a Perrier – the only thing I’ll be drinking on this flight thanks to a very late night the night before 😦

After a reasonable layover in YYZ yet with a departure delay of about an hour, we head south.

I took the Q70 express bus from La Guardia airport to the #7 train. The bus was a free and quick ride to the subway.

Woohoo, we’re finally in Manhattan!

I took a slight detour instead of walking directly to my hotel, just to get a glimpse of this beauty before hitting the sack for some much needed rest.

After breakfast, I walk downtown towards the Village for a food tour that I’ve booked that will occupy me for a few hours.

It didn’t disappoint. Some interesting and tasty variations on relatively common foods, and also something totally new for me !

On the tour we notice a ton of people taking pictures of a particular building. Didn’t look familiar to me but it’s the Friends apartment building (just the exterior shots – the interior was on a set).

Here’s our tour group – it was fun! Definitely recommended – Secret Food Tours NY.

I gotta walk off all that food so I continue heading downtown, past Canal Street.

I step inside the gorgeous Oculus Transportation Hub at the World Trade Center.

I’ve had enough walking for a while so I hop on the Staten Island Ferry at Whitehall Street.

And then come right back, lol.

Walk around Wall Street and area to get some pics of familiar buildings.

And then, what trip to NY would be complete without a crossing of the Brooklyn Bridge?

Somebody who loves me loves Brooklyn so I pick up a hat for her from one of the many vendors crowding the walkway.

And then head down to Dumbo for more pics, like in the classic IG spot.

Getting really tired of walking by this point (over 20 km today) so I hop on the subway towards the Upper East Side with the intention of trying a Czech restaurant so I can verify its authenticity. But after I exit at 2nd Avenue and 72 St, I see exactly what I was originally looking for – a nice looking Peruvian joint – and it’s Michelin starred!! They squeeze me in as a last minute drop in at a counter in the very back, facing the kitchen. The ceviche was amazing.

So full after that meal, so I do a little more walking to get some pics in Times Square, busy as always; then back to my room.

I’ve got a 10:45 am flight but I don’t want to waste the rest of my time, so after a restful night I rent an e-bike from one of the plentiful citiBike stations on the street. I’m very impressed with the cycling infrastructure here! Here I am biking down Broadway at 7 am on Sunday.

Over the Manhattan Bridge, down to Dumbo again which is almost deserted at this hour.

And back over the Brooklyn Bridge – also deserted.

Time to go now, walking this time back to the 7 at Grand Central.

On this flight, we’ve both got room for an upgrade!

Pretty good breakfast for a short flight as we head into Montreal.

Still pretty hungry after all of my walking and biking, so I do partake of the food and drink on the transcontinental flight back to Calgary.

And after a nice cappuccino, that’s the end of this short but really fun trip!

Lots more to come later this summer.