We arrived at the Narrows Bridge, the entrance to New York harbour, about 9:30 on a beautiful warm Sunday. The new Freedom Tower glistening in the distance.

Past her ladyship …

Past downtown …

and then up to mid-town …

we docked early at about noon and EVERYone hit the ship’s buffet … nose bags flying – utter chaos!

We walked up to Times Square and found our open top bus for a tour of up-town. Through Times Square …

… this is a very flash video “billboard” … brilliant bright images in full daylight!

Jan’s jaw beginning to drop!

Past familiar NY icons … like Chrysler Building, Rockefeller Center, Sax 5th Ave and St Patricks, Radio City Music Hall.

In 6th Ave we wondered if anyone needed a taxi?

Then past Central Park …

… down the west side past some amazing and enormous apartment buildings …

Then up in to Harlem …

… which is now gentrifying in a big way …

… and has a couple of amazing churches … this is St John the Divine which is just huge …

Back at the Plaza Hotel on Central Park South ..

… Jan wanted a carriage ride …

so off we went through busy Central Park. Just the ticket for a sunny Sunday afternoon (and to celebrate Steph’s happy day!).

We peered back at the mansions on Park Ave peering at us …

We then wandered down 5th Avenue towards Times Square again, past all the flagship brands stores … name the BRAND, and it’s here! … And, we didn’t go inside a single one!

By the time we reached Times Square it was pumping … crazies everywhere!

Can you find Jan in this photo?

We retreated to a nearby Irish Pub before our appointed time to go to the Top of the Rock (see next post)

And after a tiring and fabulous day, walked back to the ship Past Times Square again …