Once again we woke and organised ourselves at a leisurely pace, I think it's all catching up with us a little. There's just soooo much walking, and the stairs in the subway are never ending!! Enough of that... we're off to the East Village this morning cos Rodd missed it yesterday.



Even with all the stairs I just love the subway system, it's so easy to use ( once you've got the card swiping worked out ) and even though it doesn't go crosstown, with a couple exceptions, it's easy to get anywhere with a little planning. We did get stuck a couple times with late night and weekend changes but there is always so much information available on the platforms and over the speakers in the train to get you headed back on the right track!



So once again we walked to GCT, jumped on the 6 to Union Square/14th St and the L crosstown to 1st Ave and started walking!! and walking... and walking.... until we got to Tompkins Sq Park and there we stopped at the dog park and watched all the dogs playing... it's a wonderful sight seeing them get so excited about the prospect of a trip to the park, you see them leading their owners to the gate and once in it's straight off to play!! We're missing our babies, but are assured they're being well loved and taken for regular walks.



From here we headed west and ended up around Washington Sq area, the NYU area... there were uni students everywhere so when we decided to find somewhere for coffee and a restroom break, it was easier said than done!! But just as we were talking about maybe trying to make our way up to a place called The Australian on 38th between 5th and 6th there in front of us was the subway... decision made!! Also getting down into the subway meant getting out of the freezing wind, I swear l've lost my face it's numb!! We were greeted by a couple of rats down there... first time I'd seen them but Rodd says he saw the most enormous one a few days before, like a rat on steroids he reckons!



Quick ride up to 34th st/Herald square, took a wrong turn and walked a long block around instead of 4 short uptown/1/2 long block east... my confusion here lies in the fact that for some reason I thought Broadway followed 5th for a distance and it doesn't, it cuts diagonally across all the Avenues, sounds confusing but anyway what's an extra couple long blocks between friends??!!

Found the Australian but not open for another half hour so we went to a little cafe/deli a couple doors down. The food was pretty good in here but once again the coffee was atrocious! Oh well it was hot and tasted somewhat of coffee.



The plan from here was to catch the M from 42nd street up to 5th/53rd st to see Paley Park because somewhere I'd read that there is a piece of the Berlin Wall here. It's right there at the subway exit but once again we walked a block in the wrong direction.. now I'm not going to take the blame for this one cos when we emerged from the subway there was not one Street sign on the intersection. What I try to do is remember the direction the train is headed so I know uptown/downtown but some of those stations are such rabbit warrens you turn so many corners trying to get out and up to street level that I was all turned around!! Never mind it's half the fun!



So back to Paley Park... it's gorgeous, not a park so much as a space, a calm, peaceful spot in the middle of a chaotic city. I love that there are so many of these little havens in the midst of such a busy place. But alas.. no Berlin wall... hmmm I'll have to go back to my research source and check that!



It's about 1pm ish now, still another couple of hours before we need to go back for our Nanna naps!! I'm thinking I'd love to head out to Astoria, definitely on my list of places to go. Easy to get to.. just walk up to 59th St ( 6 short blocks... easy ) and jump on the N or Q.. walking, walking, walking.... feet and legs and hips aching.... oh look Trump tower, photo time!! and look it says Open to the Public... that's us!! This building is just gorgeous inside, all shiny and gold reflections and even a waterfall... it has an atmosphere of subdued elegance. We took the escalator up 5 floors to see the outdoor garden but it looked like it was being redone. Back inside and looking down from up here I'm awestruck, and toes tingling!!



Still trying to make our way to the subway, I spied FAO Schwartz and my first thought was... big store.. restrooms!! So we went in there and wow... the biggest toystore I've ever been in. Somehow we managed to miss both the M & M shop and Toys R Us in Times Square!! Of course we had to see The Big Piano but there was a bit of a line up so didn't play it.



Ok.. subway... Astoria.. remember the plan? But we looked at each other and just knew we didn't have the energy.. nanna nap time! Well actually I spent the time catching up on the blog and packing the bags for an early flight.

6pm we walk down one short block to 38th and across 2 1/2 long blocks back to the Australian. We heard of this place whilst on our very first day of this holiday.... at our home airport while boarding we started talking to someone we know as he was boarding the same plane. When he heard we were going to be in NYC he told us to come here... I'm glad he did. The guy that owns it is a West Tigers fan ( as is Rodd ), a Sydney boy, who moved to NYC 10 years ago and married a "local" girl. Matt, is his name and he's a great host and all round nice guy.



Next we're heading to Dallas BBQ on 42nd St for dinner and home by 11 for a 4am wake up! Dinner here was yummy and the Pina Colada was so good.



Took a few more pics on the way home especially wanted photos of "Our Trees".. these were our marker to know we were "home"... they are on 3rd Ave between 39th and 40th just around the corner from the Eastgate Tower Hotel.




So many things we didn't do, didn't see but we'll be back, one day....