As Frank Sinatra sang so well, New York is an amazing city that never sleeps.
After an 8-hour flight, I arrived at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York where a famous yellow taxi was waiting for me. Destination, downtown to start your search. Please note that there is a 6 hour time difference between Belgium and New York City. In other words, if it’s 8am in Belgium, it’s 2am in New York… I’m not telling you the “Jet Lag” I’m going to have but I’m holding on.
DR
After arriving in the Big Apple, the thing that amazes me the most is the size of the buildings in this big city! I feel like a little ant at the feet of those colossi made of stones, metals and iron.
At the end of the day I go to the Empire State Building where, when I arrive, everything is done to welcome the tourist: a very friendly welcome, explanations in the form of animations in different languages and then, the elevator that leads us to the 80th floor with a 360 ° view of New York at night! What a great view: Central Park, Times Square, The Edge, the list is endless. New York animates, vibrates and grabs you by the throat.
And it’s not over: I have the opportunity to go up to the 86th floor and go on a tour of the Empire State building. It’s a bit cold but the view is interesting. A moment that will still be etched in my memories. And to finish in style, Times Square where skyscrapers and illuminations become one! I don’t have many words to describe this image but I can say for sure that only in New York you can get these amazing views!
DR
A perfect day in New York always starts with a good coffee in Times Square! A dose of caffeine that is necessary to start a crazy day in the most beautiful city.
Lead the Hudson River which is the natural border between New York and New Jersey. On my way, I see a large ship in the distance…and planes on board. To my surprise, I move forward and find the Intrepid: 274 m long and weighing 38,112 tons! An aircraft carrier that was active in World War II and has now been converted into a museum dedicated to naval, aviation and military history. It’s just unbelievable to see this in the middle of the city!
DR
I am then on board a cruise ship that will take me on the waves of the Hudson River to this statue that the French offer to the Americans: the Statue of Liberty! 93 meters high and weighing more than 225 tons, its turquoise green color, under rays of sunlight, with the river flowing peacefully at its feet, freezes me in place! What beauty, what presence and what discovery. It was a dream for me to meet her and I am speechless.
DR
I then go to Lower Manhattan where my next trip awaits me. On the road, I see a red door in the form of a portico and above it, a ghost crosses it with a red line across it. I’m not crazy, I found the legendary setting of the movie that influenced my childhood: GHOSTBUSTERS barracks. It’s just crazy to think that this movie was shot in this place and I’m standing in front of its entrance. Wow, but New York is so awesome!
After this great surprise, it is time to feel when the site of the World Trade Center is discovered. I find the memorial with its black pool, the first name and the last name engraved in the stone and this water that falls in the middle and puts us the memory of the fall of the Twin Towers. I have to say that even all this time later, this sad feeling is still very strong.
I go to the World Trade Center, which is located on the site of the World Trade Center towers and more precisely to the One World Observatory. A place full of history that starts directly in the elevator: 102 floors to climb with a view that will make you dizzy where you will have the idea of being inside one of the Twin Towers with this landscape passing by on the rhythms of his mare. 382 meters higher, I am in the observatory where I can see a panoramic view of 360 °. It’s amazing, on one side the city of New York and the skyscrapers and on the other side the Hudson and especially the magnificent Brooklyn Bridge illuminated on both sides!
DR
“But I’ll be there for you when the rain starts pouring I’ll be there for you like I was there before, I’ll be there for you because you’re there for me too”
These words surely remind you of the stories of Rachel, Phoebe, Chandler, Monica, Joey and Ross. And yes, I’m talking to you about the Friends series that was filmed in New York. I found this mythical place, seeing this building brings back good memories and makes me want to rediscover this series that I ate in my wildest years.
DR
Do you know the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt! At 427 meters high, it offers visitors an amazing view starting from the reception area to the panoramic platform. Imagine, a 3-story platform covered with mirrors that reflects the inside and the outside, it’s just incredible.
DR
I take the subway, head to Brooklyn and its famous bridge: the Brooklyn bridge. How can I put it… 1km800 long and the span between the pylons reaches almost 487 metres! Crossing this bridge that overlooks the Hudson and its restless waves, seeing all the rusty cables that defy time and passing under the American flag that ‘flowing in the wind, well it’s just amazing.
DR
In the distance, I can see The Edget and its wide platform! But what good!! I discover THE platform with a glass triangle in the middle with a bird’s eye view of 335 meters. Imagine lying down on the ground and seeing the ground 335 meters below, amazing isn’t it?
2024-08-15 07:00:00
#York #Ludo
