Our first day in New York

schiphol

A few months ago we decided to go to America.  But everyone seems to be too busy to help me figure out what to do and to see. So I had to decide on my own. Searching on the internet what would be the best option. (in fact the best option is to book your ticket yourself, book your car and pick it up at the airport, and make a reservation on the internet for the first hotel in New York and for the last day). There are more than enough hotels to go to.

But no, we were not  experienced enough we thought to do it ourselves. So I have found a travel agency who could offer the things we wanted to do and see.

new york

We would like to stay in normal hotels, not the expensive ones, but neither the very cheap ones. Because I had been searching for those hotels and I did not like them at all! No problem I payed for the more expensive ones and I will have a good night sleep during my stay in America. How could I be so wrong!

On the day we left  we checked the papers we received, I did not check them before, because we had an extended email contact about the hotels. So I assumed the hotels where the same as I booked. Of course I had seen the vouchers, but just a quick look and counting the vouchers.

ground zero

So on Monday 27^th of april we were heading for Badhoevedorp to leave our car with some good friends. They were curious where we were going to stay in New York,  they had been there a few month ago. I told them we were staying at the Helmsley Middletown in New York. Coincidence, they have been there too. So checking the voucher, my heart almost stops beating! It was a complete different hotel (or better, motel) In New Jersey!! How are we going to get there when we arrive at the airport? I do not want to stay there!! Neither did my husband, so we called the agency. Because of the time difference they could not change the hotel for the first night so we had to go there. And later they called back, that also the second night was not possible to change. Ha ha joking right???? No he was not. We started our trip with a bad feeling.

But we arrived at the airport and go to New York anyway.

ground zero

Once we found the right bus to Manhattan (we had to wait a while ) we realized that we never would have made it to new jersey without a travel plan.

The map from lower Manhattan

We took a cap and went to ground zero! (about 14$)  The weather was very nice 32 C . So we spent that time on walking among the Hudson river. Nice cool breeze. Strolling along the river you will see a lot of monuments. We had our drinks in a very nice small Italian restaurant along the river. Sitting under the trees enjoying the view. After this we had to visit Wall Street. Crowded over there!! And took a taxi back to the hotel. I even can’t remember if we have been eating something. I suppose not just fruit. Too tired!!