Our remaining time in NY was fantastic, definately have to go back there.
We saw another show 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' with Daniel Radcliffe. Amazing singing and dancing and very, very funny. The view from the Empire State has to be seen to be believed. It did make me think when a plane went over though. Macey's department store could take a day on it's own, loved the old wooden escalators. The lights and signage, day and night. Our tour through Central Park was just the best - we never would have seen or learnt as much trying to do it on our own.
NY - A very alive and exciting city, day and night.
The flight home was long, and the wait in Auckland frustrating, but a certain little girl running down and leaping in to my arms at the airport in Wellington, soon made you forget all about that. It was so nice to see all the family. Have to say our greeting from Becks wasn't quite what we expected, we might as well have been at work for the day!! How soon they forget.I can't believe it's over! After waiting so many years for my OE, I didn't really know what to expect. I had the best time ever, better than I ever, ever imagined.
Michael's directional radar was a god send, and saved us getting lost so many times. I got so involved with what we were looking at, I'd forget to take note of the basics. I surprised myself (being the organised control freak I am) by not getting stressed about things and going with the flow (regardless of what Michael says) and I think that made a huge difference. My travel companion was just the best.We're now back home, back at work and I have to admit I've started thinking about what / where we could go next trip.
I've had lot's of people asking me what was my favourite place. Lot's of favourites for different reasons, and then I remember something and I change my mind!! For now though....
Favourite for people ... Stokenchurch (of course), locals - hosts at Genoa and Barcelona, staff at Zermatt, Florence with Pat and Margaret (awesome friends), guide at Central Park and Vatican, staff on the ship 'washy washy' (catch phrase for hand santitiser everywhere)
Favourite for history and sites ... Rome, Venice, Barcelona, Eiffel Tower at night, Vatican Tour, little historic streets of El Born Barcelona, walled town of Lucca ......
Favourite for atmosphere ... Barcelona, Hong Kong, Lucca, Florence, Dubrovnik, just the two of us looking out at sea from our balcony and remembering how lucky we are.
Favourite for the unexpected / not plannned ... live paintings by actors to music in Florence, square and park full of galleries in Paris, hill top town of Taormina, fresh water fountains all over Rome, top of the hill at Dubrovnik, watching the pilot get off and on the ship, wooden water tanks on all the buildings in NY ....... so many!
Favourite for weather ... South of France, Dubrovnik, Zermatt, evening sunsets and mornings on the shipFavourite for food/meal ... a toughy .... Barcelona, Florence, or maybe all the seafood dishes in Italy! A steak in Zermatt.
Favourite for scenery ... Switzerland / North Italy, Croatia, Tuscany, St AgnesFrance
Favourite for scary / excitement ... driving on autostrada's South France, bus ride round the lakes North Italy, way, way, way down in the metro in Paris, packed metro ride peak hour in Rome
Favourite for need to go back to or see more of .... London, New York, Tuscany, Spain, Switzerland ... and everywhere I haven't been!
Favourite for reflection .... Twin Towers site, Pompeii, mother and baby on train begging, lighting a candle in the little church at the top the mountain for family and friends in Switzerland, Pantheon, Sagrada Familia ...
We were so lucky .....
- a perfect mix of trains, cars, ships, boats and planes, and an awesome mix of B & Bs, hotels and apartments.
- only 2 days with rain over 2 months
- no luggage lost or late
- no transport issues
- no muggings or robberies
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