Well as suspected we have been flat out and too busy to update the blog regularly but here we are, our last day in New York and here is a wrap up of some pics from the past few days.

We have had such a great time here. Both Roddy and I could happily stay on for another week or so. Every day has been an adventure. We have seen something new, met new people, eaten lots of great food and have had lots of fantastic experiences to take back home with us.

In the last few days we have taken the ferry to Staten Island, walked over the Brooklyn Bridge and spent a little time in Brooklyn (Brooklyn is beautiful - certainly warrants a second visit!), visited the Guggenheim Museum, more shopping in Soho, wandered around Greenwich Village, saw a show on Broadway, had a few drinks in a bar with a native New Yorker (very entertaining!), wandered around gourmet delis (which are on nearly every corner), visited Grand Central Station,  and rode the subway uptown, downtown and across town.

So today we reluctantly leave New York. We have had the best time. Although the weather has been cold, we have had clear blue skies and sunshine and we would love to return, maybe in summer, so we can seen yet another side of this amazing city and its people.

Enjoy the pics!

Inside the Guggenheim Museum

Crossing Brooklyn Bridge

The 9/11 Memorial

The architecture is amazing!

The Marrimeko store in SoHo - a visual feast!

Lots of different olives........

and cheese......

and cakes........

and flowers........

and mushrooms.........all in the corner deli!

Frank Sinatra was right!

New York – what can I say -  It has certainly won me over!

It’s a city filled with excitement, beauty, but most of all it is unique. It is nothing like any other city in the world that I have experienced. It’s true – a city is a city – but New York has something else. It is really hard to explain, it is something that needs to be experienced, but there is a pulse in the city that keeps it moving at a fast pace with people who are friendly, helpful, confident and who are fiercely proud of their city and welcome visitors with open arms.

On Monday we did a 7 hour walking tour with Gregory from RealNewYorkTours. He shared New York’s history, its architecture, its problems its achievements, he showed us so many places, taught us how to use the subway, shared his first hand experience of 911, and took us to ‘Joe’s pizza’ where all the movie stars go.

We had the best hot chocolate we have ever had at a special shop in Greenwich Village, he took us to a tiny bakery in Sarah Jessica Parker’s neighbourhood where we munched on fresh baked choc chip cookies. He showed us where Bob Dylan made his first record and where the likes of Seinfeld and Chris Rock made their start.

He told us about his family, his future plans, he took us through China town and Little Italy, Central Park, Strawberry fields, showed us where John Lennon lived and died. So many experiences, it was a fantastic day. Gregory was so friendly, he had so much knowledge, and we admired his passion for New York that he so generously shared. I would highly recommend RealNewYorkTours if you ever find yourself in this great city.

The temperature here has hovered between -3 and 1 degree, so it has been a bit chilly, but each day we have rugged up and headed out on our adventure. So many or our misconceptions about New York have been debunked. We feel totally safe here, even walking around at night. The subways are clean – no graffiti! – we have more graffiti in Sydney! People are extremely polite – we have not come across one rude New Yorker yet!

So we are off to explore a bit more today – I think the ferry to Straton Island. Here are some more pics - mainly of Central Park – enjoy – feel free to leave a comment – we would love to hear from you. x

Gregory in Central Park

Roddy enjoying Joe's Pizza

Working done - time to play

Hi thanks for stopping by.

We finished our workshops and it was great to meet up with old friends and also make some new ones. There were 16 of us in total at the workshop including colleagues from Austria, Saudi Arabia, United States, South Africa, Switzerland, Dubai, Singapore, England, Canada and of course Australia.  It’s great to catch up with people from all over the world. After spending 3 days working together, going out to dinner and chatting over a few drinks, we all feel like one big family. It’s a fantastic experience. Our next workshop will be in September in London (Vallie - we need to talk!), so we are all looking forward to meeting up again and continuing our work.

Pool at our hotel at Cape Canaveral

We have arrived in New York and our feet have not hit the ground!  There is so much to see and to do. We are loving it!  - here are some pics.

Our hotel  in New York - Downtown Dream Hotel 

Chelsea Markets

Chocolate Pasta !!

Chelsea Markets

View from the Hi Line Park

M & M's world- we couldn't resist!

Original Starry Night by Van Gough - at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

Paul Cezzane

Munch's original Scream 

View from the top of the Rockefeller Building