Macsurfer's ';live '; Trip Report Part 5

Monday 9th:

Today we thought we%26#39;d head down to the Staten Island Ferry. Luckily like the last few days its mostly been sunny, so we got good views of Manhattan and the SOL.

Rather than just head back we were in an exploratrory mood so we got an S74 bus (when you exit the ferry you are in the bus station) to Richmond historic township.

Now, in my head I thought there%26#39;d be some nice old houses (yes) a coffee shop or two (er no) some stores (no) some loos (no again)some people (err thats a no again).

You%26#39;ve seen the films where somebody is dropped off a Greyhound in the middle of nowhere, with a suitcase under their arm. That%26#39;s Richmond!! so we wandered around the (quaint) little township, nothing was open, we asked a guy when it was open, and its a ';I don%26#39;t work here bud'; kind of answer...

So we wait for a bus and eventually get back to the ferry and grab a sandwich and jump on.

Then its time for coffee and cake in Starbucks before another marathon walk. Starting in Wall Street we head up for a look at the lobby of City Hall (dang that guide book, now not open to Joe public anymore!) we then queue up for the Municipal building with people recording births, marriages etc for another lobby. I think to check my guidebook again and realise I%26#39;ve got the wrong building!!

After confessing my planning has gone a bit pear shaped we walk up through Chinatown (Mott Street) across through Little Italy (Mulberry Street) andhave a look at the Cast-iron district in Soho (and the obligatory visit to another AppleStore!) Dropped into Kath Kidston (British designer) to buy a present.

Next to the ESB but yes regular readers just for the lobby!

Then on for dinner at the Carnegie Deli, yes I know I resist %26#39;toutristy%26#39;, but I%26#39;ll come out, I am one after all. Meal was fine, waiter was not at all rude, so was obviouly new and hadn%26#39;t read the employees manual. Portions were big but very good. not sure about the corned beef. That%26#39;s something we have in the cupboard at home in case we run out of real food!

Althea returned to our hotel and Joseph %26amp; I headed for the Javits centre for the Auto show. By co-incidence passed the Cheyenne Diner which is on the cover of my bedtime reading! (The Hard Way by Lee Child) Show was very good, but small compared to European shows.

What does tomorrow hold? Our penultimate full day, Part 6.....

Macsurfer's ';live '; Trip Report Part 5

City Hall is a VERY handsome building, well worth seeing, and it does have free tours -- but you cannot just drop in. Since you are already in town, you can call 311 for information; those coming in from out of town may look here for more information:

nyc.gov/html/鈥ity_hall.shtml

Macsurfer's ';live '; Trip Report Part 5

Oh, and the lobby you wanted to see was probably in SURROGATE%26#39;S COURT across the street, which was built as the Hall of Records -- it looks like a smaller version of the Paris Opera. You can also see a grand frescoed lobby at Manhattan Supreme Court, at 60 Centre Street.

Thanks GWB we%26#39;ll check that out!

Our corned beef is NOT the same as yours. Our corned beef is what you call salt beef. What DID you eat at Carnegie if not corned beef? Pastrami?

Hi NYWhiz, no we didn%26#39;t have either corned beef or pastrami actually just an observation. interesting that%26#39;s its different though.

Will write Part 6, the final part in the morning!