New York: Days 14 to 18 - a mixed bag

After two weeks of action packed sight seeing and touristy goodness, we started to get a little slack.  Plus the weather was rubbish which didn't help.

Day 14 consisted of Marc and I travelling to opposite ends of New York to look at potential cars for our trip.  The first stop was in the Bronx.  It took us over an hour to get there and as we travelled further down the train line the skies become progressively darker and more ominous.  The car wasn't the best so we moved on to our next choice.

The second car was in Brooklyn (or so we thought - more on that shortly) so we thought we would stop in Manhattan for lunch and then head over to Brooklyn.  I took Marc to one of my favourite vegetarian restaurants, Hangawi for a delicious veggie lunch.

Mmmm kimchi in rolled form.

Feeling full and self righteous we headed to Brooklyn to see about the second car.  We waited and waited and waited and wondered where the person we were meeting could be. He kept saying he was outside his apartment building but we weren't able to see him.  Eventually we decided to confirm his address and soon realised that we were at 28/40 Ocean Parkway instead of apartment building 2840 Ocean Parkway.  Slight difference there.  We eventually managed to get a cab/car service to pick us up and take us to what was almost Coney Island (not Brooklyn).  Once there it decided to bucket down and by the time we made it from the curb to the building we were drenched.  The guy finally met us.  We couldn't really see the car due to the rain.  He was rude and mean.  We didn't buy the car.  Day well spent really.

Day 15 was a little better.  The weather picked up and it was actually really hot.  We didn't have much planned but we were having dinner with Sara and her family again over on Staten Island.  How can you say no to a free home cooked Italian meal?!  We did a little window shopping before heading to the ferry to meet Sara.  Luckily as it was a week day the ferry wasn't as crowded and Marc was able to get some better photos.

Lady Liberty at night. 

Manhattan at night 

Day 16 was the day we attempted to sightsee.  Marc tried to see the 9/11 Memorial but hadn't pre-booked tickets so had to make do with the visitors centre.  We then tried to go to the top of the Empire State Building but had a two hour wait ahead of us so had to suffice with the entrance hall.
During the walk to find the 9/11 visitor center Marc came across the Wounded Warrior Project, US Edition. The Wounded Warrior Project was raising money for injured service men and women and their families with one of the marines running 100 miles for the cause. The marine had a tough challenge with a very hot and cloudless day in NYC.

Back in Queens with Cocopuff - the perfect end to an average day.

Day 17 was the day we actually did sightsee.  Instead of the Empire State Building, we decided to check out the Top of the Rock.  This turned out to be a fantastic plan as there was hardly any line and the view was better (speaking as someone who has been to the Empire State Building also).  After admiring the views and trying to see if we could locate the apartment we headed over to Brooklyn.  We had been recommended a vegan doughnut shop in Brooklyn that was meant to be amazing (and the only doughnut store of its kind in NYC).  We headed to Dunwell Doughnuts and bought an assortment of delicious vegan doughnuts.  After devouring two of the half dozen we headed back to Queens where Marc wanted to visit the Museum of the Moving Image. This was probably one of the best museums we have ever been too.  It was interactive and informative and just down right good 'ol fashioned fun.  That night, being our last night in New York, Liz and Steve hosted a barbeque on the rooftop of the apartment.  I would like to claim that it was solely for us but Liz and Steve are recently engaged (I like to think its because Marc and I set such an amazing example of marriage that we inspired them) so it was more of an engagement party.  It was such a lovely night and we were able to meet some of their friends which was delightful!

Lisa has taken animal form and come to New York

The bike used in Men in Black 3

What is this? 

A Star Wars nerd's wet dream.

Functional and inappropriate.

This could be a deal breaker

Liz trying to reassure me that I will survive death ladder.

Marc laughing at me as I start to climb, holding on to the rails for dear life.

View from the roof

Engagement Barbeque Time!
Liz, Marc, Mason, Kristen, Erin and Steve (wearing the cap)

Leigh, Liz, Stephanie, Mason, Kristen, Meg and Erin

Day 18 was our last day in New York before we headed to London.  We had an evening flight so we had time to squeeze in a little culture.  We headed to MoMA (Museum of Modern Art for those not in the know) where we mingled with hundreds of tourists all trying to get a glimpse of a van Gogh, Klimt and Picasso.

Marc's kind of art

IED Footwear for the modern Sailor

Spidy!

My kind of art.