We arrived in New York Sunday without a hitch and proceeded to go to the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular! Bill had obtained amazing seats for us -- second row center stage! The show is just wonderful! They make just enough changes each year to keep it "new and fresh" but they retain the sets that are wonderfully traditional and give you that warm "Christmas " glow!
After the show, we went for a late dinner to Swing 46 -- A live jazz supper club! It was a lot of fun and there were two couples who got on the dance floor that were amazing. One couple has been on Broadway and the other couple certainly had very professional ballroom dance moves! Fun!
This VERY cold Monday morning, we met our guide and driver for the day, and set off on a "scavenger hunt!" We were given "clues" to solve to proceed to our next destination. At each stop, we were given a gift with the next clue! Good thing our guide knew all the answers since Bill and I had a few difficulties recalling "travel" clues that we should have known, but couldn't dredge up at the moment! I'm posting a photo of all the lovely gifts that we collected along the way on our "hunt"! It started with a wine bottle with a note inside. I thought it was the bottle we threw off the Queen Mary last March offering a reward to anyone who finds the bottle. It was wrapped to look like it came from Shanghai and I initially fell for it hook, line and sinker!
New York is such an historic city with so many interesting things to learn! We even got to eat lunch at the Oyster Bar in the renovated Grand Central Station. Wow! What a difference! When Bill and I last visited the station in the 60's, it was grimy with black ceilings and not at all glamorous. They have cleaned the ceiling (black from 100 years of tobacco smoke) to its original glory! The chandeliers that hung in the station were black and thought to be wrought iron and we're going to be discarded. BUT, they discovered they were NOT iron but gorgeous brass. They have opened small kiosk stores in Grand Central Station that have wonderful items for sale in the upper entrance lobby. We even took a walk in Central Park past the newly opened Icon, Tavern on the Green, which closed its doors during the financial crisis a few years ago! Oh, and walking by the Calvin Klein Store, who should we see, but Robert Redford out doing a little shopping! Always a surprise around any corner in this great city!
"The Royals", William and Kate, are visiting for three days and arrived last night. They are staying just down the street from us at The Carlyle Hotel. AND, as we were coming back to our hotel this evening, along come several black SUV's, an ambulance and a lot of police cars! And what to our wondering eyes does appear? Kate Middleton! We could clearly see her because her window was rolled down as the entourage passed us on a narrow street! Her husband was visiting Washington earlier today while Kate visited children in Harlem..
We are expecting a deluge of rain tomorrow, but I don't think it can dampen our spirits! We are having an absolutely wonderful vacation! There is something "magical" about this city! The Christmas windows are beautiful-- some more exotic then others, but all are fun! More adventures await us tomorrow, so check back again soon!
Before the show in Radio City.
Santa's Reindeer?
Santa makes his appearance!
Santa and his dancing reindeer!
They are SUCH amazing dancers!
The Nutcracker!
The very famous toy soldier routine!
Those snow flake "balls" float over the audience and then return to "sink" below the stage .
All the city sky scrapers are made of paper!
Tree at Rockefeller Center.
Renovated Grand Central Station!
This ceiling was black the last time we were in the station!
A live ice skater performing at Barnies window!
Another window at Barnies!
Moving wind sculptures! This was really beautiful. There was a vent behind the sculptures blowing air to make them spin!
Our scavenger hunt clues and gifts! What a fun and unique way to explore the city! Thank you, Arlene!
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