It was long way home from New York to Melbourne but we didn’t do it too hard. First up a shower and a few beers and nibbles in the JFK lounge followed by row four on a brand new Qantas 787 Dreamliner to Los Angeles a trip that  took about 4 hours. The new layout is pretty comfortable with lots of space.  We reach LA and enjoy a bit over an hour in the Qantas First Class lounge sipping on a few whiskeys before jumping on the Qantas the upper deck of the A380 for the around 14 hours home. Beds were good  so we got plenty of sleep (probably had something to do with the red wine..it was tasty and free flowing) We arrived fairly sparky at Tullamarine 7:30 am and headed home.  – Another great adventure – I wonder what will be instore for our next adventure….

Last time we visited New York the highline had just opened and in the years since it has really developed into one of the best things to do in the city. Once a elevated railway line the 2 1/2 kilometre strip has been transformed into a walkway with much of the magnificent vegetation being made weeds native to the area and many self sown trees. Many of the old buildings along the track have been converted into modern use with the incredible Chelsea Market at one end and a impressive ultra modern new city block at the other where a gold vertical walkway lookout is just about finished that will complement the highline in a very impressive way.

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Rudy’s is one of the best dive pubs we have ever been to. We have visited it every time we have been to New York City and nothing has changed. Baron Von Swine the pig is the mascot to this amazing place found down in Hells Kitchen area of the city. Beer is ultra cheap, a jug (or pitcher) has only gone up 50 cents in the 5 or 6 years since we were last here. They still have free hot dogs and the couches are still patched (well sort of 100% patched) with red duct tape. The staff and crowd are so friendly and its a fun and very affordable afternoon of beers.

After trying a can of Bronx Brewery beer down in Battery Park yesterday we though we would be brave and head down to the notorious Bronx and visit the Brewery and try some of their other refreshments.  We took the subway and headed down the 100 or so blocks to the Bronx and walk a few blocks in a bit of industrial area and found the brewery tucked in between a few sheds.  The place had a cool vibe with a heap of great beers and a great little bear garden out the back complete with a food truck selling sloppy joes and other treats making for a fun afternoon.

6th Avenue was transformed into a giant Brazilian party with a massive market stretching around a dozen blocks jam packed with gifts, novelties and some incredible food. Giant turkey legs, roasted corn, huge sausages and the most delicious empanadas which these fried pastry treats filled with succulent meats and other juicy items.  At the end of the market strip was a stage with massive video walls and vibrant Brazilian music that thousands enjoying in a fun party atmosphere. 

Another example of Apple building spectacular stores in a sensitive place, this time New York’s Grand Central Station.

The World Trade Centre is pretty much complete with some amazing pieces of architecture

With Coles and Woolies having virtually all our supermarket action they don’t offer anything like supermarkets do over here with all the competition. This is Wholefoods.

Ok its off the Brooklyn Brewery one of the most famous small breweries in the country for a tour around the facilities and a taste of their tasty beers.

We caught the train over to Brooklyn to explore Willamsberg and it was a pretty cool place with lots of old buildings being transformed into new funky businesses. We need to go back and explore a bit more as our lunch (which didnt end up including food) took up a little too much of our time thanks to much fun at the Rosemary’s Greenpoint Tavern. Rosemary was a treat, topping our beers up when they were half full and following it up with complentary whiskey.  It was a big day..  

We have come across some fantastic street markets around the city They block off several city blocks and line the streets with food, gifts, clothing and other interesting fare. The Times Square one was right out side our hotel and stretched more than a kilometere up the street. The smells were amazing (not like some other other smells here- boy it needs to rain) with kebabs, Italian Sausages, BBQ meats and all sorts of tasty treats.

+ Tax + Tip   …it was a bit chewy but ok  and a few plates of $12 sides it was filling.