New York City - Sunday

Glancing over the long crazy posts I've already done, I'll try and keep this one short!

On our final day in NYC, we hit Central Park. The weather was perfect and we wandered around for hours taking in the strange people, performers, squirrels, Obama rallys, and other things that were going on. I for one, had NO idea how incredibly large the park actually was. It's like being in the middle of the country. Amazing.

Just near the park was another painting vendor, like the ones we'd seen near the Liberty ferry, and we managed to pick up a large black and white painting of Times Square. One of those great paintings you could stare at for hours and keep seeing new things. Not sure how I'm going to take that one home....

After enjoying a lazy day, we had a quick Japanese Seabreeze and Edimame at Amber with Robert before bidding our farewells and heading back to Chicago.

Loved New York. You have to see it.

New York City - After The Sunrise

Fresh from our lack of sleep thanks to our rooftop adventures, Dave and I cautiously ventured out of the apartment, keys in hand, on Saturday around noon to explore Soho and do some necessary shopping.

Robert caught us as we left however, and proceeded to take us to the nearest bar for breakfast. Luckily there were omelette's and such available so we stuck to the tamer options on the menu, but Robert, in true 'Austin Powers' style, impressed us with his three breakfast Screwdrivers.

Feeling quite shown up, we then grabbed a cab and hit Soho.

Although I had great visions of coming home with dozens of shopping bags full of impressively fashionable Sex And The City purchases, I only bought one thing in Soho. At least I found something! A fab pair of 7 jeans from Barneys.

Saturday night crept up on us quickly and after scouring Broadway for tickets to a show, we lucked out and managed to get two seats to see Phantom of the Opera. What a fabulous show. The only thing I hate about shows like that though, is that I always seem to leave feeling quite talentless. Ah to be able to sing!

Wandering down the road from the Majestic Theatre where Phantom was playing, we found a gorgeous place called Marcellina's, which was Moroccan wine and tapas bar on 9th and 44th street. Open all night for late night diners like us, we tucked ourselves into a corner and savoured an array of dips and nibbles while we enjoyed a glass of wine or two.

To top off the night, we hailed a bicycle cart thing which were absolutely everywhere!), which allowed a Pommie guy called Gregory to peddle us around Times Square in the carriage attached to the back of his bike for half an hour or so. He was the WORST driver I've ever seen and I'm not sure how we avoided being hit by the cars, but we did and it was hysterical. He even narrated the entire ride with a history of the square and all its quirks.

And yes, that night we had the key to the apartment so we managed to get a decent night sleep... haha.

New York City - The Sunrise

Ever wonder what New York City looks like as the sun rises through the buildings? I've seen it. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Let's start at the beginning.

Dave and I arrived in New York via United Airlines on Friday August 1st, just in time for lunch. After taking a cab to Manhattan, we discovered the 26 story building that was to be our home for the next few days nestled into the corner of a busy New York street in the Upper East Side that was littered with cafes, bars and restaurants and only a few blocks over from Central Park.

We were greeted by our fabulous "Austin Powers" style host called Robert (in the picture with me), who owned the apartment we were staying in, and after showing us our room (decorated with barn year animal prints and wallpaper?) we were treated to a gorgeous view of the city from the building's rooftop.

Robert then proceeded to guide us to the nearest restaurant, one of his favourites, called Tiramasu, which was as authentically Italian as they come. Located right around the corner from the apartment building, we were tucked into the corner of the restaurant where we enjoyed pasta and wine while taking in the hustle, bustle of the NY Summer scenes before us. Did I mention how hideously humid it was?

Refreshed from lunch, Dave and I parted ways with Robert to go and explore the city. Taking the subway all the way down to the Financial District on the water's edge, I felt very much the fish out of water, and loving every second of it. The park at the end of the subway line (that sits on the water) was bursting with activity. Dozens of street vendors crammed along the footpaths selling paintings, water, hot dogs, hats, souveniers, and other wonderous keepsakes. We were tempted to get our portraits done by the street artists, but being the ultimate tourists, we opted for a ferry ride to Liberty Island to see the Statue of Liberty.

Do it once for the experience. Don't try this twice though, Wow. Nearly three hours of lines, security and waiting in the sun made for a VERY long and tedious afternoon, but with the thrill of being in New York, the time floated past as we people watched and took in everything that was happening around us.

Statue of Liberty done, it was back to the apartment to freshen up and then into a cab to hit the meat packing district for some dinner and drinks. Our first stop was to be the 'Buddha Bar' which was a gorgeous venue that was dimly lit but full of ambience. The music was a little loud for talking, but the Japanese cuisine was to die for, and the cocktails were amazing. I'd recommend the Coconut Mojito and Berry Mojve cocktails to start with and the Chicken & Chickpea Dumplings and Chiken Samosas to follow. Then try the Lobster Risotto Three Ways for a main. Wow.

After dining, the Buddha Bar turns into a nightspot for the city's chic crowd and the DJ that plays to you while you eat turns things up a notch for those wanting to party. After a few drinks post meal, we moved on to see what else the district had to offer.
As far removed from Buddha Bar as you can imagine is a place called Gaslight. We stumbled across it and stopped in for a quick drink that turned into shooters, beers, vodka and more. We'll blame the Irish guys we met there for sending us wayward. We couldn't understand them so we just drank. And drank some more. To explain this bar, think late 90s R&B, raunchy dancing, hilarious pick up moves and a flash back to a time that has slipped into many of our pasts. At least we were safe at the bar!

Around 2am we thought it was time to call it quits, and we retreated back to the apartment building where we were staying. I think it was around the time we were at the door, that we realised Dave had forgotten the keys inside the building. Our gracious host was fast asleep inside and we were officially locked out. This is how we came to sleep on the roof. Or attempt to. And this is how we saw the beautiful sunrise over New York City. Thank god it was Summer.

What to do in New York CIty!

Thanks to all my fabulous GLAM members - here are the suggestions I've received for my New York jaunt on Friday.... sooo much to do. So little time. Argh!

• Do the Hip Hop Tour through Hush Tours
• Eat at London in Times Square
• There is a wicked rooftop bar called 230 5th, which is located at 230 5th ;)
• Do a (rain)dance for me in Times Square Kell....even use a hula hoop if ya want...John
• Take the staten island ferry, its free and gives you a great view of lower manhattan.
• Hang out in the meat packer district. Its awesome.
• Go see the Yankees if they are playing.
  Do The Accomplice- http://accomplicetheshow.com/- a great 2-3 hour scavenger hunt through NYC.
• Do the Sex and the City Tour...you even get a muffin from the Magnolia Cafe which is to die for, you go to SJP's house in the series which so cool. The tour covered some great site seeing and was a great laugh.
• Don't forget to pop into some Karaoke bars...they actually do have some great talent.
• Take a helicopter tour over NYC..
• Go to a club called the cutting room, owned by MR Big himself. Chris Nolfe, Ladies night friday night, you actually might meet him.
• Take a carriage ride around central park
• Go to" Maze" gordon ramseys restaurant.
• Go and see the gospel singers in harlem.. do not get off the bus! Trust me.
• Buy shoes from everwhere they are so cheap (nine west etc) $40 per pair!
• Victoria secrets - STOCK UP!!!
• See The Late Show With David Letterman. Tickets are free. They pre-record during the day and from what I've heard it's hilarious.
• There is also the Sex and The City shopping tour.
• Get to the Sullivan Room. Best Dj's and coolest club in NYC.
  Go and see a taping of "The Insider" that's filmed there isn't it....hahaha. What a classy show that is.
• Check out soho for clothes.
• 8th street for shoes.
• Roof top bar on 5th.
• Meat packers district is great for for clubbing.
• Katz deli in the lower east side for a pistrami on rye (the best sandwich i ever ate)....
• Catch a water taxi from any of the piers its a great way to see the outside of the island (we walked to eastside then got off in battery park n walked up broadway (plenty of shopping).....
• Around 2nd 3rd ave (sorry can't remember the street) lots of little dress shops with local designers - my girlfriend had a ball....
• Go to a bar called Cube

A Fish Out Of Water

Have you ever felt like you've been thrown into a hidden camera scenario, where you're sure the joke is just about to be revealed so you just need to stiffle your laughter and play along? This is my life right now.

Since arriving in Chicago a few days ago, what I've seen of the American way of life is straight out of every sitcom, drama, TV show I've ever seen.

I'm waiting for reality to kick in, but I just don't think it's going to!

I think the fact that I've been taken to so many cool places helps with the illusion too, but even the small things, like people saying "Shut Up" to each other when they're impressed with a story, or surprised but the outcome, makes me giggle.

Where I'm staying is fabulous. Lincoln Park is just North of the city, and is right along the side of Lake Michigan (the third largest lake in the Great Lakes chain). My apartment overlooks a gorgeous 'Central Park' style area, which borders the lake, but the view is similar to that back home in Adelaide - that of an ocean. I'm still struggling to believe it's a lake. Seriously. The beaches, volleyball, boardwalks with thousands of joggers and cyclists also doesn't do much to change the illusion of this massive body of water. But enough about nature. Let's talk about my specialities - shopping, food and drinking!

The day I arrived, Dave, my supurb tour guide and fellow Aussie, took me to a great little bar which was a short walk from the apartment called Zuppa. Complete with beer garden out the back, this experience allowed me to sample Bud Light and some other hideous beer while trying to combat my jet lag. At least we provided some amusement for the staff who couldn't believe I'd come straight off a plane into their establishment. Go the Aussie spirit.

We also stopped past a little cafe, almost diner style, which provided us with the largest choice of meals and the most ridiculous portion sizes I've ever seen.

Next stop was the supermarket, where I quickly discovered that Rocket, Pine Nuts, all fish varities I knew, wine and pretty much everything else that I usually bought, was either not available or was called something COMPLETELY different. The exciting part of this was that I discovered that Grey Goose, Belvedere, Moet, Verve and all the other good stuff I normally like to drink was all under $35. It was like Christmas all over again.

Since then, I've been to a BBQ at someone's house I didn't know, lazed on the beach, gone for a run whilst playing Frogger to avoid the mad scramble of bikes, roller blades, dog walkers and others around here, visited the zoo across from my apartment, frequented the roof top pool here and listened to American college students tell their sitcom stories to each other, gone shopping on the Miracle Mile (fabulous street of all your favourite designer and other great stores), seen the Chicago River, gone to the Navy Pier for a Venetian Night spectacular (complete with dressed boats - which I missed - and a great fireworks display - which I saw), gone for a lovely ride on the famous ferris wheel, had a gorgeous brunch at Lot 36 (great wine bar/restaurant next to the House of Blues), gone Spanish with Paella and Sangria at a very authentic, noisy restaurant in the city, wandered the streets until I hit a MAC store, and had a variety of other fabulous adventures. And I haven't even been here a week. Oh, and here's a cracker. I've taken public transport. Yee har.

Korea. Sound of Vitality.

Korean Air is a great airline, don't get me wrong. But if you're not a steel stomached flier, I woudn't advise flying with them. After four attempts at landing in Incheon airport in a thick steamy fog, I had begun to understand how Indiana Jones felt when his planes suddenly veered skyward to avoid the mountain that had appeared out of nowhere. Luckily we had a plane full of pilgrims to bless our journey and get us onto the ground in one piece. That doesn't mean their contstant singing and clapping was appreciated over the nine hour flight, but hey, it was a small price to pay for divine protection.

Once I hit the immigration line in the airport however, my joyous feelings of arriving in one piece crept into the back of my mind as the humidity started to take control of my senses. Monsoon season. I had forgotten what it was like.

Growing up in Korea brought with it fabulous memories, but I seemed to have blocked out that suffocating humidity that July brought with it.

On a more positive note, once I had hit the main part of the airport and was dealing with my poor choice of clothing (jeans and a t-shirt), I was incredibly impressed with how helpful all of the staff were at making sure bewildered travellers such as myself made it to our hotels in one piece.

Once at the hotel, the challenges began.

There was a control panel for the toilet (with built in bidet). Let's just say that I was lucky not to get a jet of toilet water in my face while searching for the flush.

Then there was the control panel for the shower, air conditioner, lights, tv and computer. All in Korean. No pictures. I felt utterly lost, but figured it wasn't something a nice cold beer couldn't fix.

Enter "Coss Fresh, Sound of Vitality" beer.

It was everywhere, and evidently it was calling my name.

Across the road from my hotel was the "Gentle Organiser Bar" which sounded promising, so I stopped in for a quick, refeshing ale before wandering across the road to a restaurant which looked like it was straight out of a Texan Ranch. The tables and chairs were all made from thick, lumbering furniture made from tree stumps and cross sections. It was somewhat comforting so I settled in for a meal, hoping my favourite Korean dish - bulgogi - was on the menu.

Close.

Through a combination of pointing and poor pronunciation, I mananged to get "Hea Jang Kuk" (subtitled - A Broth To Chase A Hangover). I guess the foreign visitors they get must all be drinkers? Haha. Anyway, there was a Dduck Bulgogi version of this (which is actually beef), so that teamed with another cleansing "Coss Fresh", set the tone for the night.

It was raining and humid and the mosquitos ate me alive, but I enjoyed sitting in the warm, sweet air under the verandah of this restaurant and watching Incheon Airport City buzzing past me.

Familiar smells from my childhood resurfaced, sharp voices carried over the unrehersed stage show of traffic that was playing out before me, the smell of garlic, people wearing white cotton goves, and the beads of condensation running down the bottle of beer in front of me.

I finally felt like I was on holiday.

Today's The Day!

Well after months of planning, lots of stressing, and even more last minute running around, today is the day. I'm leaving my cosy little home in beautiful Adelaide and taking to the skies in search of adventure.

My suitcases are crammed with the latest South Australian fashion to show off while I'm away, I've reduced my pairs of shoes to just 8 and I'm ready to roll!

My dreams of taking my favourite SA Aussie wine with me have been dashed (due to the new, liquid laws on international flights), but it hasn't stopped me from stocking up on stupid amounts of Coopers merchandise for gifts, a McGuinness McDermott Foundation Monopoly game to show people a glimpse of Adelaide, plus a few surprises.

So now it's off to Ocea Beauty Bar and Celcius for some last minute holiday pampering and I'm away!