Today, we arrived in the heart of Manhattan after a quick journey from Newark International Airport. We got settled on the Upper West Side and started our exploration of the Big Apple.
We were extremely fortunate to have free accomodation with a dear friend who lives right at Lincoln Centre for the Performing Arts. Her apartment – our temporary home for the next 7 days – was steps away from 65th Street Station, right on the ➊ subway line. The shot above was the view from our bedroom, and below are some additional shots of Lincoln Center.
We dropped off our luggage, ventured up Columbus Avenue and found dinner at a decent mexi-American-style diner. After our first Manhattan culinary experience, we walked two blocks over to the eastern edge of Central Park. I knew it was big, but didn't realize how big it would be. The massive green space – "every New Yorker's backyard" – is 4km long and almost 1km wide, making it over 800 acres. We didn't know where to begin, so we walked leisurely towards my top Central Park destination, the iconic Bethesda Fountain. Below are a few shots of the beautiful water feature and the surrounding Bethesda Terrace.
We needed some groceries for the week, so we got to have our first experience of Trader Joe's on the Upper West Side. Other than having really great, healthy food at affordable prices, they also have some of the best grocery store signage I've ever seen. I was completed enamoured with the expressive lettering and use of colour. Love!
In the evening, we joined some friends for dinner at a lounge in Hell's Kitchen called Bar Bacon – fun & delicious! After a big day of travel, we headed home at a decent time to get rested for tomorrow's adventures. The love affair with New York has begun.
TIP: If arriving from Newark International Airport (EWR), save your cab fare and take advantage of Newark's and New York City's excellent public transit systems. From the airport, catch the 62 bus to Neward Penn Station ($1.50 USD), and then jump on the Manhattan bound train, destination New York Pennsylvania (Penn) Station ($5.00 USD).
