New York take two.

So according to my friends I didn't put up nearly enough photos of my trip away. I literally have thousands so thought it only fair I add a few more.

I've been two New York twice now and although I'm definitely not a pro on all things New York, in the coming days I'm going to write a post containing favourite restaurants, shops, galleries, secret places etc that I loved going to. I have been sending a lot of emails to friends about where to go and what to see, so this might be the easiest option.

These photos are of Manhattan, the Adirondacks and Montreal.

New York

Rockefeller Centre - ice skating rink.

Duh - Radio City Music Hall.

Rockefeller Centre - the Christmas tree usually stands here. This is looking across the skating rink.

More Rockefeller goodness.

St. Thomas Church, 5th Ave (I don't know where my photos of St. Patrick's Cathedral are).

The Plaza. This whole holiday reminded me of Home Alone, especially being here and in Central Park (across the street to the right).

Apple store - directly opposite the Plaza Hotel. Some trivia - a lady in her 80s (I think) is suing Apple for $1mil after she allegedly walked into the glass walls and sustained some facial injuries....

Macy's obviously...

The view from Madison Square Park.

Madison Square Park - one of my favourite parks.

Another view from Madison Square Park.

Buildings.

Back at Macy's - such good sales here. You apparently can also get further discount as a traveller (I couldn't be bothered working it all out).

Where Big stood Carrie up. The New York Public Library.

Beautiful day in the city.

The HighLine.

The HighLine. Apparently this building is great for the voyeurists amongst us. 

Adirondacks

Gorgeous walk along our private road with August the hound.

Tiny maple leaf. I tried to smuggle heaps home, but customs were onto me...

The hike we did up an icy mountain front.

My sweet snow shoes.

The view from the top of Silver Lake Mountain. I made it!

Baby pine cones.

The ice was beginning to melt on the rivers.

Ditto.

At the neighbour's house. He showed us around his maple syrup distillery. 

Moonshine!! I had a few shots - this stuff was potent. My favourite was the apple cinnamon flavour.

Montreal

Food stall in Montreal. Amazing fresh produce.

Notre Dame Cathedral.

Erm... can't remember what this was. Maybe someone can enlighten me? I just liked the architecture.

New York

I'm pretty sure I was sitting in Bryant Park here.

500 Fifth Avenue. Obviously 5th Avenue is the shopping mecca and you can see under 500 is Zara - directly opposite in H&M and then if you continue walking North (toward Central Park) the shops are insane.

Central Park

Treated to a symphony orchestra in Central Park.

The Boat House, Central Park.

Dog walker in Central Park.

The Survivor Tree, 9/11 Memorial. This is an amazing story. This tree was originally planted at the World Trade Centre in the 70s and survived both terrorist attacks. It has now been re-planted in the memorial grounds.

Wall Street.

New York Stock Exchange, Wall Street.

Bleecker Street.

I heart New York.

My last post was some time ago, but I have a good excuse. I've been in New York for three amazing weeks.

I have been to New York before, about 12 years ago, and even back then I felt that energy that everyone says New York has. But having gone back as an adult it really was that much better. You can feel the energy as soon as you leave the airport and hit the fresh air. 

I was lucky enough to stay with a new friend in Brooklyn, so I got to explore both Manhattan and Brooklyn, which are both great places to live. I quite liked Brooklyn though as it has a very hipster crowd and it wasn't as insane as Manhattan.

The middle week I was away, I got to spend up in the Adirondacks, which is about five hours north of Manhattan, and two hours south of Montreal (which I also went to as well). The mountains were certainly the antithesis of New York City... I was surrounded by beautiful scenery and got to catch my breath after the hustle and bustle.

My final week I was back in Manhattan (I'm definitely a city girl) and did a LOT of shopping (which I will post about). The shopping was amazing to say the least. My favourite store was by far Anthropologie, but a close second is Opening Ceremony.

The weather gods actually put on the perfect show for me... I got to experience a few really cold days in New York, snow (for a couple of days) in the Adirondacks, freezing weather in Montreal and once back in New York spring had definitely sprung and was really warm. It was perfect.

If I were to move to New York, I would find myself in either Brooklyn (Williamsburg or Park Slope) or Chelsea or Soho. Of course, all of the places that would be out of my price range... but they had something over me!

This is the first time I have travelled by myself. Although I did have some apprehensions, I have to say it is so liberating to do things by yourself. This came at particularly good timing for me and I've learnt some very interesting lessons from this trip!