So this is my way of saying that we slept really well.
Our plans for this day was to see the Grand Central Library (where our favourite Ghostbusters was filmed!), check out the Grand Central Station, visit Museum of Modern Art (AKA MOMA), Empire State Building, the Ghostbusters fire station, and get on the Staten Island ferry to get a view of the Statue of Liberty.
We got up, had our first shower of the day, had some NY bagels, hopped on our subway where we encountered the only other backpacker
before purchasing I LOVE NY tshirts from Hallmark in a preparation for our touristy photos.
The Library had scaffoldings unfortunately, so we couldn't get a good shot of the exterior.
But the interior was enormous. So many rooms, and hallways. I almost got lost trying to find the bathroom.
It was quite sensational being there to see the painting on the ceiling. And to be able to smell the aged books in this historical structure was truly amazing.
We lingered in all the hallways before moving onto our next destination: Grand Central Station. And we spotted an amazing looking pizza restaurant on the way - will have to visit next time!
This was yet another astonishing piece of architecture to see in person.
Everywhere we went was crawling with annoying tourists... pfft. Tourists... They are so unnecessary.
MOMA - Another place full of people that like to take photos of things they might've seen once in a women's magazine. ($20 per adult)
There were A LOT of really well known modern artists' work displayed here however. It was quite surprising to see how big they were in person.
So American
Look at this masterpiece.
Frida self-portrait
And our awesome lunch. Herb Roasted Chicken Paninis ($11)... mmm... so good. (at Cafe 2, Moma)
I mean, it's a room full of speakers that play different people repeating days of the week. "Sunday... Monday... Tuesday..."etc.
So here's our reaction to Bruce Nauman's "work of art"
I love art. I live and breathe art. I may not remember the artists' names all the time, but I know how to google. However there's some abstract modern art that I KNOW people don't get. But at least I'm not afraid to say "I'm bored. Let's sit down. What? I can't sit on this thing that looks like a cardboard box in the middle of the room?"
Empire State Building - It's not like how you picture it anymore. You have to line up to get a ticket, and then another queue to enter, another line to get in the elevator. I think it took us about 30 minutes to get to the top.
But it was really fun. It is totally worth going up to the observation deck. It's $18.45 per adult. And you don't need to get the express pass. It's just more stairs for you to climb for the extra $15 or so you pay.
Such exciting views!
A view of the Empire State Building from 5th Avenue
Ghost Busters Fire Station - 133 John Street, NYC
We finally get off the ferry, back in Manhatten, and go for another walk in the Wall Street direction. And we find the Bull sculpture - Dan gets terribly excited so we took a few photos.
We proceeded to walk down to Wall Street.
And look at the pretty view near the harbour.
We went back to our hotel to wash away all our sweat from the day. And looked up Lonely Planet for a good place to dine out at. It was at about 9 or 10 at night so not many restaurants were open.
We found Flor De Mayo. A Chinese-Peruvian-Spanish fusion restaurant and they were open till midnight. For drinks, I had a cosmopolitan and Dan had a pina colada.
For mains, I had one of the chicken specials with rice, gravy and yucca (I don't see it on this menu). Dan had Pollo Ala Brasa $11. He swears it was the best chicken he's ever tasted.
The service at this place was good. Attentive, but not invasive. Everything was serviced with smiles even when we came in after 10, and didn't leave until 11:30 pm. If we're ever in NY again, we are definitely coming back to this restaurant. A positive recommendation to anybody traveling to Manhattan.
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