Back to the big Apple
Thursday, 16. July 2009, 00:28:26
Last weekend, I took a break from the camp and went for a quick trip to New-York with Dalexia and her children. For Dalexia and her son, it was their first trip out of the country but for her daughter it was her second visit to the big city since she has went last year on a school trip. For me it was also my second time there. Two years ago I have spent 2 days in the Big Apple when I have done my summer trip to the East Coast. Trip that has been fully related in what I have called back then Chronicles of a Lonely Traveller. You must remember, it was at the time when I was a real active blogger. 
The trip went well, although we were short in time since it was a 7 hours drive to get there and since we were staying in the city's surroundings to avoid paying the expensive price of the downtown hotels. When I look back, I'm not sure anymore that it was such a good plan. When you calculate the price of the gas, the highway tolls(4.50 US), the paying bridges(8$ US), The parking lots(one of them asked me 70$ US for the day!! :crazy: ) and all the time lost turning around to get where we wanted to, but New York is an expensive city and when you go there you have to pay, it's reality.
For me the most enjoyable moment was to finally see Dalexia's son impress by something. The 13 old kids always react no matter what activity we do by saying something like “it's stupid!” or “it's lame!”. But for the first time, when we were in Time Square, I ask him “And now is it still lame?” and he answered “No!!!”. Yes, we have won!
Besides Time Square, we went shopping to the Chinatown, we took the boat to the State Island, we hate at the Hard Rock Café where Dalexia's daughter saw the signed bass guitar of Duff from the Gun's and Roses
and we also went up the Empire State building. Unfortunately, an electric storm happened at the same time we were stepping out on the outside observatory and the security ordered us to go back inside. 
The next day we went to Central Park and made the 7 hours drive back home plus a 1 ½ hour waiting at the USA/Canada border.
When we arrived home, we were all exhausted and I wasn't very happy to having to wake up at 6:00 the next morning to go back to the camp.
But still, it has been a great opportunity to take my Project 52 photo. So good that I have decided to post two this week. A nice change from the foxes and other wildlife photos...
The trip went well, although we were short in time since it was a 7 hours drive to get there and since we were staying in the city's surroundings to avoid paying the expensive price of the downtown hotels. When I look back, I'm not sure anymore that it was such a good plan. When you calculate the price of the gas, the highway tolls(4.50 US), the paying bridges(8$ US), The parking lots(one of them asked me 70$ US for the day!! :crazy: ) and all the time lost turning around to get where we wanted to, but New York is an expensive city and when you go there you have to pay, it's reality.
For me the most enjoyable moment was to finally see Dalexia's son impress by something. The 13 old kids always react no matter what activity we do by saying something like “it's stupid!” or “it's lame!”. But for the first time, when we were in Time Square, I ask him “And now is it still lame?” and he answered “No!!!”. Yes, we have won!
Besides Time Square, we went shopping to the Chinatown, we took the boat to the State Island, we hate at the Hard Rock Café where Dalexia's daughter saw the signed bass guitar of Duff from the Gun's and Roses
and we also went up the Empire State building. Unfortunately, an electric storm happened at the same time we were stepping out on the outside observatory and the security ordered us to go back inside. The next day we went to Central Park and made the 7 hours drive back home plus a 1 ½ hour waiting at the USA/Canada border.
When we arrived home, we were all exhausted and I wasn't very happy to having to wake up at 6:00 the next morning to go back to the camp.But still, it has been a great opportunity to take my Project 52 photo. So good that I have decided to post two this week. A nice change from the foxes and other wildlife photos...
WIDGETIZE
gdare # 16. July 2009, 05:42
I am wondering, though, why didn`t you get a plane? Is it that expensive?
Only 1.5 hours at the border? You should try to cross some of the borders here in a summer tourist season. It is 1 to 6 hours as usual, depending on a part of the week, it is better to avoid fridays and saturdays but the best is tuesday
saritina # 27. July 2009, 16:37
ça devait être une chouette excursion avec Dalexia et les enfants
Bises
volkuro # 27. July 2009, 22:54