I ❤ NEW YORK CITY - 1

Big cities are usually not our favoured place for a holiday 

but we have always wanted to see New York. 

We arrived late in the afternoon and it was dark by the time we checked into our accommodation after more than 36 hours transit so it was an easy meal and off to bed for us.

( accommodation for 14 days at The Wellington Hotel - terrific !)

Next morning we set out to get our bearings so headed north a couple of blocks to Central Park and a leisurely stroll to wipe away the cobwebs. 

We were joined by lots of others with the same idea.

We followed pathways round corners and soon were a little lost 

but eventually arrived at The Boathouse in time for lunch.

It is no wonder New Yorkers love this beautiful park.

Times Square was a few streets south so we paid it a quick visit.

Been there, done that !

( best seen at night )

Next on the agenda was the Empire State Building as the weather was fine and sunny.

The art deco interior was very impressive and the view was MAGNIFICENT !

 

 AMAZING !

My favourite building was the Chrysler building with its pretty spire.

We had the opportunity to have a look inside later in the week and it certainly lived up to the exterior.

Later in the week we went to the Top of the Rock - at the Rockefeller building. 

Having first purchased a ticket we booked to go up in time for sunset on another fine day.

The sunset was magnificent and lasted for ages

yielding many wonderful photo opportunities for The Photographer.

Of course we visited this lady...

very impressive she was too !

More adventures to come !

Cheers.

CARRICK-A-REDE ROPE BRIDGE

Our cottage in Ballintoy was only a short walk to the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.

Just turn from our laneway at the little gate in the photo and walk down the pretty path

then along the grassy path towards the sea.

This is where you are aiming for 

but first you have quite a long walk along the cliff tops

then  down some very steep stone steps - there's a seat to sit and recover on the way back !!

and then you're there !

Carefully controlled,

no time to stop in the middle and take photos !

Once on the little island there are pretty views to take in

 Later in the day we drove back past the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge to a little park that gave great views of the bridge.

Such a pretty part of the world.

Cheers. 

A VERY GOOD REASON

This



is the reason why we try to go overseas when the weather there is cooler.



We 're not looking for hot sunny days and beautiful beaches when we go on holidays, we have them
 here !
 

This morning we drove for about 70 minutes to reach these lovely beaches.

We had breakfast.
Then shoes in hand and sun visor on, Tony and I strolled along the lovely white sands

 

 and paddled in the clear, refreshing water of the Gold Coast beaches.

The temperature was in the high twenties and we are facing six months of hot weather ahead but today was almost perfect.

There was even a humpback whale frolicking in the deeper water off the beach.

It's school holiday time and families were out enjoying the wonderful Spring weather.
 

Of course a delicious gelato was just what we needed before we set off back home.

It's a hard life.

Cheers.

PLANNING

 

I'm still working away at my photo book from this year's holiday

 

but I'm also researching next year's holiday.

 

This research lark can eat up a lot of time as you go back and forth

 checking out accommodation,

checking out distances to drive between stop overs,

checking out things to see,

zooming in on Google Earth.

 

 

Here are a few photos from the Internet of the places we're hoping to visit.

 

 

I look forward to posting my own photos of these lovely places.

 

Now what did I do with that Italian for Dummies CD ?

 

Cheers.