New York New York

The city that hardly sleeps and the city that has so much to do and no amount of time would seem like enough.
After a broken plane and a large delay out of Boston I touched down in NYC! My original plan was to orientate myself with the city and wander a little before heading to a concert on my first night.

However the reality was a little different, I landed in enough time to check in, have a shower and change clothes and head straight to the Gramercy Theatre to see Augustana and meet Michey. The concert was great it was fun to finally meet Michey and to also meet her and experience a band I have listened to for ages for the first time. The Gramercy theatre was also a special place as it is where 5 of 5 was filmed!
This concert also lead to my first subway ride, I was a little apprehensive as I had to try and do it in limited time and not having even walked around the city so, luckily I met a really friendly American who sorted out my ticket and ensured I got on the F line going Downtown and helped me which stop to get off at. Google maps was my friend also.

After the concert was my first New York taxi experience, since the concert finished just before midnight and I really had no idea where I was staying not even the address just the name of the place, Michey helped me hail a cab and sent me on my way to my hotel. The ride was well interesting, the driver who was a foreigner asked me if I had a pet kangaroo and if I rode it, If i had met the queen and many other strange questions. However the weirdest and most off putting of them all was if I wanted to marry him to get my green card. I declined and was relieved when I could fall into bed and sleep.

A picture tells a thousand words

I have been pretty bad with the pictures in the last post, so here is a picture post for those wanting lovely photos!

Did I just step onto a movie set

Boston day 2, I started with breakfast a muffin and fresh OJ - Finally some I could stomach and not want to throw up just at the smell of. This little cafe has become my favourite place cheap, good fresh food and so close as well

I started today with a private tour, the driver was nice and was spouting off random facts and trying to see what I knew and didn't know about the city - trust me I didn't know much. Fenway park was my first stop, this is the home of the Boston Red Socks - Baseball team for those who are unsure. There is a lot of history behind the team and the stadium.
I am not a huge baseball fan, truth be known I don't know much about the game at all, but I really enjoyed the tour there were only two other people on it. We got sit in the Green Monster seats (the best seats in the whole stadium) They are actually raffling of these seats this year because they are so highly sort after.
The press box and press areas were interesting, to be able to see how they are assigned where they report from (rankings, and separate area for out of town journalists)

After Fenway park it was time to try and make myself feel smarter a trip to MIT and Harvard (note: it didn't make me feel or even become any smarter). I loved wandering Harvard and Harvard square I however have a lack of photos as some people mistook me for a student and I loved that so much I didn't want to look like a tourist. Even shops were asking if I had my student card for student discount. Harvard also meant shopping - I was missing an amazing friends 30th Birthday and she really wanted a Harvard Hoodie and coffee mug so I happily made this happen.

Back to Quincy market for some more shopping - a Hoodie for myself, seems to be what I am getting from each place, I also had a bite to eat. I tried the much talked about Boston Cream Pie, which isn't a pie but a cake. My overall thoughts really average and not something I would have again.

After a quick stop back into the hotel, I gathered a large bag of things to post back to Australia as I am already running out of room, I don't want to think about how much it costs me to post and the fact I didn't post that much stuff lol, but it did give me a little more room in my suitcase - which I am sure after a few days in NYC will be no more room at all.

After finding a post office and sending my package I wandered back to Boston Common and to the frog pond, it really felt like I had stepped onto a movie set with the lights in the trees, people ice skating, it was so magical and something I could sit for hours and watch.
I didn't try ice skating here as I think I will attempt it in NYC - Watch this space for reports of broken arms or severed fingers - we all know I lack coordination

After another busy Boston day I had to go back and pack eeeeekkkk ready to hit NYC in the morning

Boston - my new love!

So I know I said to be continued on the last posting and it will be, however I have those blogs hand written so I want to type out whats happening in the past few days whilst I have a 5 minute break.

A 4am start seemed way too early, not to mention the fact that I was going to freezing cold was not appealing. Today was my day to go to Boston. After I struggled to pack everything, maybe a box will be going home earlier than I thought.

After a non eventful flight, I arrived in Boston and checked in at the Boston Park Plaza and Hotel, once again I was lucky that there was a room ready and they upgraded me to a king room. I dumped my stuff, added a few layers and set off to explore.

It took maybe .5 of a second for nose to be frozen thankfully I had my gloves and beanie on. I am lucky my location is close to Boston Common so I wandered straight over to the park and instantly fell in love with this city. It is beautiful!!

As I don't have too long in Boston, due to the extreme cold weather I decided the best way to try and see everything I want to is the hop on hop off beantown trolley. My first stop was cheers, I wandered here myself and had a look around at the bar setting, the gift store then I started on the bus.

Boston has so much history behind it, and so many buildings are the original buildings and some of the oldest in the whole of the USA.

I spent some time wandering Quincy Market, it is 3 buildings, the two outer buildings have shops and the middle is food places, they offer a variety of foods and include some bakeries. I found a Yankee candles store which meant some purchases had to be made, for those curious the cupcake flavour was my scent of choice.

After the Markets I made my way back towards my hotel, but not before buying my ticket for my Fenway Park tour in the morning and another stroll through Boston park and common - this area is just so beautiful, and I love watching the squirrels such funny yet cute looking creatures. 

I had found a little self service cafe on my walk back to the hotel and got my dinner sorted some soup, a breadroll and a cupcake all to be consumed in the comfort of my room whilst I finally watched some television and had some downtime.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Harry Day, the alarm was set for 6:15am, it was the first dat I responded so quickly to the alarm. I made myself have some breakfast before my shuttle pick up and whilst waiting for my toast to pop mmmbop was playing in the food court - it was going to be a great day!

The shuttle arrived on time and had 11 people going to Universal from Pop, though I was the only one with the dreams unlimited deal. Once we arrived and walked to the front gate it was time for me to battle the will call kiosk. The first step remembering which card I booked with, second entering the reference number correctly.

Eventually I had my ticket, I found a representative to ask which gate to line up at, only to be informed that my tickets included promotional early entry, and given it was 8am I was free to enter and head towards harry world.

This was an hour before gates opened, the moment I glanced Hogwarts for the first time I had the biggest smile on my face. I stopped to talk to the cast member directing people towards the castle and told him I felt he had the best job as he got to see everyones first reaction on seeing the castle for the first time.

It is hard to explain how I felt I was will excitement, awe and amazement. It really is one of the most amazing places I have visited, from being greeted by the steaming hogwarts express to the little shop fronts as you wander through hogsmeade.

The shops are small and you don't feel as though you are in theme park gift stores but really in the shops in Hogsmeade. Having the early entry meant that the fobidden journey was waslk on and wandering through hogwarts castle was 'supercalifragilisticexpialidocious' there really are no other words to describe  the experience.

They have put so much detail into every little thing, they really have thought of everything, from Dumbledores office, to the back story and the talking pictures. The only downside to the ride being walk on was you didn't get time to appreciate all the details of the castle - but never fear the castle tour comes later.

The  forbidden journey is hands down the best amusement ride I ever ridden (sorry Disney fans), it is spectacular, I rode it 5 times pretty much back to back, and once 9am hit you could see the crowd levels rise very quickly and the lines begin.  I took this as my cue to see some of the other attractions.

The flight of the hippogriff was fun and gave some amazing views of the castle, you also got to see buckbeak and Hagrids hut. Dueling Dragons was so much fun and depending on which colour you went with you get a different rollercoaster track to go on.

Owl post was next, the owls were asleep so this gave me some time to write some postcards and send them, including ministry of magic stamps and a hogsmeade post mark. Zonkos and Honeydukes had some interesting products, though cool to see the evrey falvour beans and chocolate frogs and pgymy puffs were so cute.

Lunch was at the three broomsticks - Shepards pie with Butterbeer. I chose frozen butterbeer and it was an interesting drink though surprisingly delicious. To clarify for the non Harry Potter fans, it is a non alcoholic and non beer based drink, just something from the books and movies. It tastes like butterscotchy creaming soda without the bubbles and more creamy. Thats the best I can do without you guys all flying here and trying it for yourself - I do however vote for this option!

to be continued 

Who needs 80 days, around the world in 1!

Today was my first rope drop, those who do not know what rope drop is,  it is the opening of a theme park it is usually at 9am, though depends on magical hours. There is also a mini show at Epcot, they say good morning in all the different languages this was followed by streamers shooting out over the crowd to signify that the gates are officially opened. 

I was meeting people today to have lunch, so the plan was to meet just after rope drop to hit up the rides and slowly make our way around to Germany where lunch was. We started with getting a fast pass for Soarin, we then got to ride Soarin before our fast past return time.  I really enjoyed test track, which is similar to what they put cars through to test the safety.

Mission space was an interesting ride, I didn't hate it and I didn't love it. To be honest I probably wouldn't hurry back to it again (for the DIS boards people reading I did orange). I would also reccomend doing this before food and not after. 

The journey around the world, well world showcase began after the rides were done and also when tummys were starting to rumble. Wandering through the different countries I was amazed at how much effort and how realistic the country areas look. I was however disapointed that Australia was represented, especially since it was Australia day back home. 

Lunch was in Germany at the Biergarten, it was a buffet of German foods and desserts, the cheesecake was by far the standout of the meal, it was so light and delicious. I must admit though I did enjoy the fresh strawberries as well.

After lunch we continued around the world, in Morocco we watched the band and belly dancer - oh sorry I mean the great bass player - or so went the story.

Once we hit France it was time to visit the Boulangerie patisserie, I tired the highly recommended pastry with cream, it reminded me a lot of a vanilla slice but with lighter pastry.

We were still a couple of hours away from illuminations (the epcot night show), but as the sun went down I was getting colder, and had to call it a night before illuminations. Not to mention early start tomorrow for my first time ever at Harry World!!!

The Animals rule the kingdom

After a much needed sleep in my day started with the bus to Animal Kingdom. I had no expectations or ideas on what to expect in Animal Kingdom . After entering I picked up a map I started to work out which way to head and what I wanted to start with. 

The Safari was the first attraction of the day, whilst most places would load you up, drive you around and point out animals Disney takes it that one step further, they set up a back story and throughout the safari cast members play their role very well.

I think the safari would be fantastic early morning when the animals would be more active, though I did enjoy the safari and seeing the animals. I spent more time wandering taking in the little details and attractions and taking advantage of the photopass system ensuring I stopped at each one. 

My favourtie part of Animal Kingdom was Expedition Everest the ride is so much fun, and waiting in line you get to go through a museum which has different bits and pieces about everest and exploring the area. This ride was my longest wait yet but still under 20 minutes.

After Animal Kingdom it was back to Pop to have some down time and more importantly change into my flip flops (yep they have Americanised me) my feet were in need of a break of my joggers after full days of walking it was nice to let them relax a little. 

Downtown disney was the next bus I caught. I had heard a lot about the area but still wasn't 100% sure what to expect, what I found was MAGIC!! I want to move here, Disney music playing in the background, ships that are fun people who call you princess and to have a magical day. Not to mention the fact I can shop and charge it to my room and also have my packages sent to my resort.

My first store the lego store, it was impressive to look at all the statues they had made with lego these include the loch ness monster, buzz lightyear and many more.

The world of Disney store took up much of my time, including being duted with pixie dust and magical words to make my wishes come true.

I managed to restrain myself and only purchased a few things, mainly light to ensure they would fit into my suitcase. Other favourite stores include Days of Disney Christmas store it wa spectacular and I could have spent hours in this store and spent $100's but the pesky luggage limit strikes again.

A goofys glacier (slurpee) was required to wander the pleasure island section of downtown disney, whilst trying to find a place for dinner. Wolf Gang Pucks express was the chosen place, the meals were once again huge and I couldn't finish it.

After wandering some more, it was time to head back to Pop to get some sleep, tomorrow is my first rope drop and I am going around the world.