Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

We put in our order for snow for Christmas and got sunshine.  I guess if we can’t have snow, sunshine is a pretty good second choice … even if it is still cold.  It is winter after all.  It’s been a lovely few days relaxing and in good company. 

First real Christmas tree I've had in years - thank you Sue, Jim & Lily

As well as seeing the Hershey Sweet Lights Christmas Lights drive through show we took Wally to see Chocolate World.  Well, we couldn’t send him there by himself now, could we?  There might have been a new development in the world of Hershey chocolate and it wouldn’t have been right to miss it.  We also went to the Chocolate Museum, how we missed that the first time we were in Hershey is beyond me.  With all that chocolate around you’d think we’d be over it.  Hardly!

Even the most hardened cynic would manage a smile or two driving through here

Hard to keep the camera still while driving - neat effect though

All geared up for the 4D movie

Milton Hershey encouraged innovation by his employees - these wheeled bathtubs moved liquids around.  Mmm, liquid chocolate.

Most of the time we were in Hershey though, it was about relaxing , spending time with friends and family and generally not doing very much at all. We succeeded.  Did manage a few walks around the local neighbourhood and that was pretty much the extent of our activities.

You'll laugh when you see it - that's an E behind the flag if you haven't already guessed

Had an early Christmas with family back in New Zealand, with Skype calls to Napier and New Plymouth.  It was so lovely to see and talk to everyone back home … at least until the internet finally gave up on us. 

Out to dinner with our hosts

From Pennsylvania we headed into New York.  We’re staying right in the thick of the action, just off Times Square.  Got a taste of the crowds walking these crazy streets once we dropped our cases off at the hotel.  People everywhere.  Mostly tourists.  Sensible New Yorkers go anywhere but Times Square.  

Metal Rats of New York City - these are on the Graybar building

Rotating globe from the 1930's in the News Building

Who recognises this building from a popular 1980's movie?

Pockmarks on this Wall Street building are from a 1920's bomb blast - no one knows who set the bomb off or why but the Stockmarket was back in business the next day - they just never got around to fixing the building.

Chrysler Building

Had a bit of fun at the Jekyll & Hyde Club the first night we hit town.  The food is average but the entertainment and ambience more than makes up for it.  Getting to the bathrooms proved to be a bit of a challenge.  First you have to find the secret entrance in the fireplace then a secret door in the library.  There are 3 so you need to be careful that you choose the right one.  But we’re not allowed to talk about it so my lips are sealed.

Entrance to the Jekyll & Hyde Club is through a telephone box, password required

Find the hidden doors in the secret passageway

One of the many animated characters at the Jekyll & Hyde Club

No visit to New York would be complete without a visit to the World Trade Centre Memorial.  The new World Trade Centre building is pretty impressive – loved the way it appeared to pierce the clouds when looking directly up from the ground.  The Memorial Pools are quite lovely just to stand at the edge of, running your hands over the etched names of the victims and watching the water flow.  We were definitely reminded of the season at the Memorial pools – ice around the edges.  

One World Trade Centre

Reflecting pool, one of two in the footprint of the old World Trade Centre

Wandered through the gathering crowds at Times Square – some arrive to get a prime position shortly after lunch.  With our hotel being on 46^th Street we were able to cross 7^th Avenue and marvel at their resilience.  No food, no alcohol, no toilets for all that time.  Crazy people.  We satisfied all three necessities before becoming three more of the crazy people.  At midnight, by pure luck, we found ourselves not at 54^th Street where we joined the million other revellers but a lot closer to the ball drop, at 48^th Street.  Fantastic view from that close and not too far to head back to the hotel when it was all over.  There was a huge police presence all night long keeping quite good order to the chaos and apart from one cop who was ultra-aggressive and doing his best to spark an incident, the night seemed to go without a hitch.  Kudos to all those that contributed.

Gearing up for the night festivities

And so it begins

Got close to the pink hat wearing and balloon waving brigade

 

Happy New Year Everyone

And the ticker tape came raining down

New Year’s day found the streets full of people once again.  We joined them at the Empire State Building.  What a contrast getting up to the Observatory between now and twenty plus years ago.  It took over an hour just to get through security.  The views from the top more than make up for it though – still as awesome as ever.  We also took in a Circle Line cruise around Manhattan.  Managed to get almost the exact same photo looking down Wall Street towards Trinity Church – not much as changed.

One of the iconic photographs from the building of the Empire State Building

Looking towards Downtown

... and 24 years ago

Looking down Wall Street to Trinity Church

... and 24 years ago

The grand old lady is still standing tall

The Little Red Lighthouse under the George Washington bridge and the star of a children's book in the 1940's.  Due to be demolished there was such an outcry by Joe Public it's now a protected building.

 And with that we took our leave of the Big Apple and headed south to reunite with our pickup and RV and continue with the last 2½ months of our tour.  It’s been a lovely break.