Translation from Dutch into English with GOOGLE TRANSLATE

Saturday, October 28

The alarm goes off at 5.30, it's definitely vacation again. Piet wants still can not tell where we go, I get so gently a little crazy. Patrick and Marike get up at goodbye, but it nevertheless raises some suspicion. They appear to bring us to leave, we're going to Schiphol. Once there Marike and I found the car in the parking garage may (Have to) go, so that Piet and Patrick go together check-in. Weather will be later before I know where we going. If Marike and I come back Piet says that we are transferred to the flight and that I take my passport to the check to show you. It says the ground stewardess that we Indeed, on standby, but I do not need to making. Because the ground stewardess turns around, I can still not see where the journey goes. Patrick and Marike take goodbye and we go to the gate. Only I hear what our destination is NEW YORK CITY. Because the flight booked World Business Class, we can fly. That is fantastic again, at 9.45 we are already on the champagne. Before an hour is all we have white wine the appetizer, main dish and red wine with Amaretto in the coffee. On this flight we even have its own TV screen with a choice of movies and we get a case with personal things like a toothbrush and a pair of socks. This is really very luxurious and we find that terribly annoying. At the airport (JFK) we first had to transport desk for controlling the transfer. Piet who had already made, but we had them here indicate that we were there. Then sit we are one hour in a van by NYC to come to our hotel. We also had to what other hotels, but now we got what a nice idea here for a traffic chaos can arise actually quite nice so. It is a nice hotel, a lot of red plush and gold chandeliers and stuff. Actually, just like in Cairo, albeit cleaner. We need a bit of unpacking and then do some walking. After the first overwhelming, we wanted to walk into the hotel beer to do, finally you have the good traditions of life maintain. Unfortunately, we have the first (and hopefully only) hotel on this earth without bar found. Then again to outside of our first introduction to Central Park. Piet another great location picked out, around the corner Central Park. Around the other corner, we are after a fifteen minute walk on Broadway, and there are around subway stations. During the walk we passed the tourist office, where I but as metro tickets bought for the upcoming week. In a supermarket I then drink (beer so) and what sandwiches that we bought in the room have eaten. After dinner we were threatening to fall (also through the long day time difference) and we went a little outside. the first times on Broadway and Times Square declined. It is very cozy, full of people and plenty of shops and restaurants. On the way back we had a drink bought in the supermarket, we have not yet found nice pub. The time difference of 6 hours was quite a tiring day, there is also a reminder slid under the door that the clock one hour should be related to the winter time. that we really do not attract more and are therefore at half past 10 in bed.


Sunday, October 29

This morning we woke up at 5.45 from ourselves, we were there yesterday at half past 10. When we went down to out to breakfast turned out sweet rolls and coffee are. Unfortunately there was no place to eat, so we had upwards, so breakfast in bed. First this day we took the subway to Harlem to the Abyssinian Baptist Church to attend a service. We had wait because the first believers were allowed inside. There was a special place for "viewers" that we have been. The service lasted one hour and three quarters, but bored for a minute. The minister was quite rocking, sometimes it seemed inflammatory language. Especially the part about vote was fun, it did not matter on whom, but especially ga votes he said. (He said that there are at least under Clinton in the Blacks were spoken, and that they had to remember when voting). Then we walked to the Riverside Church, through Harlem back. Lots of old streets, but friendly people who greet you as you pass by. Before we arrived at the church we have here on the campus of Columbia University walked. At the church arrived, there was a service going to be and we could not enter. So we have lunch at the Amsterdam Cafe, then we went to the Church of St. John the Divine walked. A fairly large church with contrasts in the interior, next to ancient ecclesiastical matters images such as carpets and also many modern art that fixed also will have been religious, but I could not see ex. Then we have the subway to South Ferry taken to the boat to Liberty Island with the Statue of Liberty next to go. It was terribly cold on the boat and on the image itself, but very nice. On the way back to the hotel we have 2 minutes in the row for show tickets stood tomorrow but try. In Spanish restaurant in the street we have a wonderful meal with fish and paella. It was be quite expensive (U.S. $ 75.00).


Monday, October 30

Weather (nice) woke up early at 5.15 (here we really need to do something). Fortunately, there Every morning a New York Times for the door. We see that the New York Yankees again even have won the World Series (baseball). There seems to be a parade and a ceremony to come, we'll see. After bath and breakfast at eight o'clock, we decided to walk. Because it is such fine weather, the though the sun is shining bright, we first go to the Brooklyn Bridge. We get by the subway to the other side and stroll sit in the sun on the bridge back to Mahattan. It's 9 o'clock already incredibly busy people who the heroes of the NY Yankees want to entertain. At one time we walk among the fans in a trap and should (and could) not get out. Fortunately there was a policeman who believed that we did not wanted to go to another place to look. He made ??sure we still under police escort through the fences to "outside" were allowed to continue our city tour convert. Then we went to Pier 17, maybe we can fun souvenirs. Unfortunately that is a bit disappointing, we have there is coffee. As is the case everywhere, the cups again big idiot. Then we walked through Chinatown and have a skewer ate a street cart. We walked along the building the United Nations, St. Patrick's Church and Rockefeller Centre. Even at Macy's inside for some shopping (it's here anyway all very expensive, so we bought nothing). Then, exhausted to the hotel to sleep for an hour. Nice broke awakened. Anyway back on the road, we go to the Empire State Building "climb". Upon closer inspection was 86 floors still very high and we took the elevator. Actually that was also better, we have not finally paid U.S. $ 9.00 per person to walk to the top. The view was magnificent, but it was terribly cold up there. Fortunately there was also a souvenir shop where they sold hot chocolate (and horrific souvenirs). The last day that we take the subway to The Washington Square arch gone, we have no pictures, the light was wrong and that we therefore still a times during the day. The Mac still eat French fries, we had done nothing to the dinner and then a leisurely return to the back to the hotel. Of course, even a beer bought at the supermarket (pity there is no bar in the hotel, but a lot cheaper).


Tuesday, October 31

Broken Sleep up to 7 hours. Of course back in the breakfast room with that delicious sweet rolls with jam and chocolate. First but in a telephone confirmed the flight before we standby. Then we took the subway to Battery Park gone, I do enjoy the sun the cards to the written acquaintances, while Piet some pictures of the park and environment was going to make. The next thing we did was visit the World Trade Centre (WTC). It is truly immense. Again we had a ticket buy, this time as much as U.S. $ 13.50 per person. But we could also with a super fast elevator. In less than a minute he took us to the 117th floor, where a lookout complete with exhibition, video presentation, souvenir shop and restaurant was. The entire floor had glass walls, so you was able to look everywhere on New York. You could also continue with a escalator to be outside on the roof to watch, of course we did. It was a lot better than the Empire State Building, the sun was shining and the wind blew, but was not as cold. After visiting the upper part of New York, we to Wall Street to run over there to watch. Actually it's a small street, but it is very busy. You also here (just like the WTC) that people who want a cigarette smoking outside. In America they even crazier as our when it comes to banning smoking in public buildings. They have often not even a smoking room for staff. We also have Wall Street in the Memorial Hall. there was not much, but they had a toilet. Then we walked to Trinity Church because we are also portion of our ancient culture should have (as far as possible in America) . Time for shopping: on to Bloomingdale's, the most famous department store in America. It's a bit like Harrods in London and of course far too expensive. In a tent on Broadway We ate and then we went to the hotel. Taking a break and then we went to something Piet when booking had already taken into account: the Halloween Parade. Indescribably cute, just look at the pictures in the album (and then there is not even half in because they are too fast, and So too far, taken or were too dark) . It is only, just as with the Carnival, bad for feet and back. On our lesiuring we then went back to the room, it was a tiring but very fun day.


Wednesday, November 1

It's all good: we both slept until 7:30. Nice quiet dinner, and read the newspaper gebadderd (he is still every day for the door). At 9.30 we went. First with the subway to City Hall, there is still a bit of the decoration of the ceremony of the New York Yankees. it is great weather, so we walk in the sun outside in a sweater. The way we pass one of the oldest skyscrapers New York: the Woodworth Building. I had read somewhere that the inside was very nice and so we went inside look, so it is indeed very beautiful, with copper ornaments and decorations everywhere in the ceilings and walls. After some photos and enjoy the sun, we are back went to Wall Street, yesterday we had seen them tours gifts and went back to see if that today was. And happy was the same, so we can have a look take on the most hectic trading floor of the world. It is indeed a madhouse, but fun to see. Then we have taken the subway (what a comfort such metro card) to Washington Square where Piet a picture of the arch wanted to make. Meanwhile he tried that against the sun (it must be with his camera) I sat on a nice bench of that sunshine to enjoy, I really holiday and it is really fantastic. The whole rest of the afternoon we spent walking through SOHO and Little Italy. We ate a sandwich in a shabby tent and then walked back for tickets at TKTS for a "Show on Braodway" for tonight. It has become Chicago, in that the prices are halved in TKTS it is also payable (U.S. $ 90 for two tickets). Of course Piet pulled back a flap from his pocket, where he is coming from, I know the not, but it seems to be no end to it. Back on the road to the hotel to eat and for the evening to We dressed up nice and we walked on Broadway in a shop has earrings and a necklace bought holiday. During that walk we also drop the Flatiron Building, which is one of the most unusual skyscrapers, he is really a point built. By subway, we went back to the hotel, road names we have pizza and beer, we had no time for extensive theater to eat. After we had getut we enjoy at our leisure to the theater went and enjoyed the musical.


Thursday, November 2

Today we follow a route described by the Belgian book by Brooklyn. In the beginning it was fun with different kinds of beautiful houses and everything, but there was not much to see. You walk here especially between the skyscrapers, which is apparently reserved only to Manhattan. It was in any case is beautiful weather so we have pretty good relaxing walk. At lunchtime we have a great shopping street in a supermarket eaten hot and cold buffet and beer in a brown bag (we seem really bums). Piet drink it so, I do yet the least in a cup. The table stood in the window behind a lot of plants, it was all very special. the food was good and certainly not as expensive as in a restaurant. Fortunately we are not alone, it's not just fighting for a table, but the moment you leave, is there someone waiting to take your place. In the afternoon we made a walk through Central Park, nice and quiet. Amazing how such a large park in the middle in have been able to build the city. It is so great that there are two two-lane roads running through it. In the park looking at the memorial for John Lenon and visited the castle where an exhibition about the animals in the park. Furthermore, only looked at sports people who are cycling, jogging or skating were. In the evening we went to the Turk in a street off Broadway eaten. Piet again the stress on the wine list. we got white wine, which turned out to be pink. Very sweet, but i found him be nice. Furthermore, there was for each drink and / or court other waiter (so it seemed) and we made also a chat with one of those guys. Eventually it was cheaper as the Spaniard and equally delicious.


Friday, November 3

Unfortunately, already the last day in this great "durp". nice slept, bathed and then the bag packed. At half past ten we went walking. First to Citygroud Centre, a large mall, was a bit disappointing. Then walked to the United Nations. There we had a guided tour, very very nice to see. The large room that you always TV shows we have visited, but there they were at the meetings, and we were so once again no pictures. The guide told us a lot about the things that the UN and do how far they already are a number of projects. After a cup of tea Annan we moved to Central Park for a photo Central Park Plaza just outside the park. The Park Plaza Hotel were the Israelis to negotiate (We heard later). By subway, we went back to Battery Park. By a signal interference took it all a little longer than planned and we now accustomed, but the NS has sometimes a fault and call as often or not and if yes then what is wrong. At Battery Park arrived we visited the Indian Museum. Very fun but a bit too expensive for a of souvenirs to bring back (Eventually we no souvenirs except photos and memories). In a tent and made a cup of coffee back to the hotel, with a stopover late afternoon stroll in Central Park. It's always a bit difficult to stop if it's fun is. On the way to the hotel also eaten in the supermarket the street (Again, hot and cold buffet). At 10 for 7, we were back to the hotel, at 7:30 we would be met. And there it went so wrong. At 8 o'clock there was none, and we had at 9 am at the airport. Given the traffic was under an hour to be necessary. Just when I wanted to call there was a driver of society, which only came people from another airport and refused to take us. When he was called, the driver who should have taken us already at 7 and had the wrong people had brought. When he told me that he went coolly away with the Notice that I only had to contact the society. I called the office of the bus company and they said to me that someone would be a quarter past 8. Then at half past 9 still no one was we took a taxi, to us very nicely delivered on time at JFK. Anyway, that Pietr still had cash, otherwise we have yet to pins. A hectic end of a wonderful week.

(Eventually we still transfer the money from the OAD recovered)