WHEW!  It's been pretty hectic since being back home especially in the midst of the holidays.  I finally have some time to add more pictures.  These were taken on our second day in New York.  Such fond memories for me and the Fab Five!  One thing is for sure....it's a lot warmer in Hawaii than in New York.  I don't need my blue beanie and scarf anymore....


On the subway on our way to Battery Park to catch the ferry to Statue of Liberty.



Subway - The Red Line #1 to Battery Park.

The ferry port to Staten Island



View of the Statue of Liberty from the ferry.

 

One of the many ferries making a round trip to Staten Island.  This looks like the one we are on.

 

On the upper deck of the ferry.




Upper deck of ferry with all the other tourists.  Cold, but sunny day.

 

Keoki and the Fab Five with Lady Libery.



“The Statue of Liberty conveys its message of freedom through a number of dramatic symbols.  The broken shackles at her feet signify escape from tyranny.  In her left arm she holds a tablet of law inscribed in Roman numerals the date of American Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776.  Her crown’s seven rays suggest the seven seas and seven continents.  Most significant of all, however, her torch and flame symbolize truth and justice enlightening the world.”



Isn't she beautiful at 125 years old?  And, check out that clear blue sky! 

You don't see too many pictures of Lady Liberty's backside, but it is just as stunning.



View of Manhattan from the Statue of Liberity

 

View of manahattan from Liberty Island.  Windy and cold, but beautiful sunny day.

 

Inside the immigration waiting area at Ellis Island.

 

9/11 Memorial - South Memorial Pool



9/11 Memorial - North Memorial Pool - Heather Malia Ho of Hawaii.

Flag of Honor displayed at the 9/11 Memorial is made up of names of the victims.



Evemomg at Times Square

Times Square's many Broadway shows' billboards.

 

Times Square

 Stayed tuned.....more to come!

Working on the next blog post.

There is a saying that goes..."What you do not see, do not hear, do not experience, you never really know." 

Well, in regards to New York...we came, we saw, we heard, we experienced, and now we really know.  It was a trip of a lifetime for five friends who turned 50.  Who says 50 is old?  50 is fabulous!  Here's to friendship.  Here's to the Fab Five and the next 50!

The ladies still need to get together, but here are more pictures.  Tried to put video clips, too, but having some technical difficulties.

Thank you again for your continued interest in this blog.  It has garnered close to 1,000 hits since it's inception thanks to all of you!



10 luggages and 5 carry ons.  The shuttle guy looked at us with dismay.  Haha!

  We stayed at the Jewel Hotel:  http://www.thejewelny.com/index.php

On the bleachers at Times Square (Who's that guy?  He just stuck his face in there.)






NYPD

 

NYPD and Yellow Taxi in the background



Passes for the NBC Studios Tour

 

"Top of the Rock" observation deck at Rockefeller Center



St. Patrick's Cathedral

 

Organ pipes at St. Patrick's Cathedral



Across Trump Tower

More to come...

The Fab Five and I are safely home!!

Because you have all been so supportive and excited for us, this blog was a way to share this experience with you.  Thank you for following it.  This is not the end of the blog.  Final thoughts from each of the Fab Five and more photos will be posted when the ladies get a chance to get together to gather all their photos.  So, please check back from time to time.

Also, I will share the winners of our hoss election for categories such as, "The one most likely to take care of Keoki."  "The one most likely to stay up with Keoki."  "The one who could care less for Keoki".

But for now, I'm signing off because I'm still on New York time and right now I should be sleeping.

More to come..

My snack on the plane.



Today was our last full day.  Rain was predicted, but it was a beautiful day again (50s-60s).  The Fab Five was one short today because sadly Robin was not feeling well.

The ladies explored more of the city and did some last minute shopping.  As if yesterday wasn't enough!

Kosher pickles at Junior's Restaurant in Grand Central Terminal.  Kosher pickles are like appetizers in NY and is complimentary.

They walked around Rockefeller Center one last time.


The Hawaii flag proudly flew among the other 49 state flags at Rockefeller Center.




Skating rink at Rockefeller Center.


We came across the Philippine Consulate while on Fifth Ave.  You know, for some reason, people here assume that just because four of the ladies are Filipino that they can actually speak the language and start speaking to them in Tagalog or Ilocano.  How presumptuous of them!

We strolled through Bryant Park, which is the site of Fashion Week in the spring and fall when the most prestigious designers such as, Vera Wang, Ralph Lauren, Dolce & Gabana, Calvin Klein, etc., show off their hottest creations to celebrities and fashionistas.  The park is turned into a sort of International Market place in November and December where artisans show off their creations.  (Think high-end International Market/craft fair.)  And we were lucky enough to be here during this time.  The ambience was very cool and classy.

And right across Bryant Park is the New York Public Library.  It's huge!  It even has an outdoor reading area where you can read your book and drink coffee.  It looks like a huge Starbucks.



New York Public Library



Then, the ladies walked to Grand Central Terminal the largest train station in the world.  This is where they filmed the AT&T commercial where the guy breaks into a dance all by himself because he didn't get the text that the flash mob was delayed.  It's filled with many restaurants and shops for commuters.



Grand Central Terminal from Lexington Ave.



The famous stairs at Grand Central Terminal



View of the opposite end from the the famous stairs.



The evening was spent one last time at Times Square.  The Fab Five less one took in the sites and savored the moment one last time knowing that same time tomorrow they will be back home...



Hanging around my bud Matt Lauer at NBC.



The Fab Five with Matt Lauer at the NBC Studios



Posing with my new friends at NBC.



Hiding from the Fab Five.  They thought they lost me.  Teehee!  (They didn't think it was funny.)

 Today was a little warmer (60's-50s).  The Fab Five spent the day doing damage on 5th Ave., Park Ave., Madison Ave. and Lexington Ave., baby!!  Talk about shop till you drop!

We had lunch at Serendipity Restaurant and the ladies shared their Frozen Hot Chocolate with me.  This is the famous dessert that John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale ate in the movie Serendipity.  The ladies just love that movie.  They met the owner of the restaurant, Stephen Bruce, who signed his Serendipity cookbook for them.


"Yummy!  This beats a banana."



Enjoying Serendipity's signature dessert--Frozen Hot Chocolate



Desserts at Serendipity



Fab Five with their Serendipity shopping bags in front of Serendipity.

 The evening was spent with the "Jersey Boys" at the August Wilson Theater.  It's a story of how Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons were formed.  OMG!  It was EXCELLENT!  The Fab Five laughed, cried and were up on their feet cheering.  They agreed that it's one of the best shows they've seen, along with Wicked.  The ladies loved them before and even more so now.  It was very special for them to see it together on Broadway because of their mutual appreciation for the group and their songs.



At the Wilson Theater



The evening weather was cool and misty.  We hear that it's been raining in Hawaii since we left.  We must have brought the sunshine to New York because we've been blessed with clear, sunny, cool weather the whole time.  But rain is predicted for tomorrow.  It's probably because it's sad that tomorrow is our last full day in this grand city...