The alarms rings out at 4am. Although not happy about it at the time, we are glad we went to bed at 9pm yesterday! Today, we are heading to LAX for an early flight to New York, ready for traveling from Santa Monica to New York.
We manage to drag Max out of bed, and get everything to the car and be on the road in record time.
Day 16
Today we started in – Santa Monica
We finished in – New York
Miles so far this trip – 1488
Tonight we are staying at – Westin Times Square, NY
The flight was normal, nothing real to speak off. As we are landing the pilot says he’s enjoyed having us onboard.
Did he? Was he partying up front in our honour, as we all sit back here, squished together. I doubt it. It may be me, but I also wish that little netting pocket on the back of the chair in front was empty. I don’t read the magazines, and I would much rather have the same for my own bits and pieces. But maybe that’s just me.
Travelling from Santa Monica to New York – New York City, the Big Apple here we come
Being a Domestic flight, getting out of the airport is a doddle. Although there was a mighty long walk from the gate to the baggage reclaim. I have a feeling they have dropped us at La Guardia, sent our bags to JFK, and made us walk to get them!
When we were visiting on our Florida & New York Road Trip in 2016, we discovered the relatively cheap NYC Airporter. Have a read here for a bit more information. For $19 each (Max was free) it took us into the city. $38 not bad, a taxi would have been considerably more money. A subway ride considerably more aggravation.
It did however, take us over an hour to do the 12 miles to the city. We look out of the window in anticipation of the impending, famous New York skyline. It comes into view after 30 minutes.
The Big Apple – New York at last
Max is 4. And this is his 3rd trip to New York. Suzanne and I have been many more times since we have been together, I have been even more times prior to that.
Yet, the excitement of seeing the iconic landmarks never goes away.
The 5 hour flight, the walk to the baggage reclaim and the hour bus trip into the city means it is now almost 4pm, and we are only just heading out.
The sun is setting and bright city lights are coming on. Times square is awash with flashing lights, noise, and general hub bub, as you would expect.
We roam around with no real agenda. The 4am rise and the travel beginning to take its toll. Having not had a decent mean all day, breakfast was rushed and plane food…well, we decided for an early tea.
4.30pm and we are seated in the Pig & Whistle, just off Times Square. 3 tired Chubbs make through tea, and within a couple of hours we are heading back to the hotel room. Traveling from Santa Monica to New York has taken it out of us.
En-route we see a group of street performers doing their thing, and enticing money and participation from the crowd gathered around.
Just around Doc Brown steps out of his Delorean, having travelled back / forward to the present time.
OK, so it wasn’t the real one, but it was a great replica!
Before we know it, we are tucked up in out hotel room, ready for a fresh whole day to explore the city.
We have planned some old favourites, but also a couple of new things none of us have ever done before.
See Full Itinerary of our trip here
