14.9.15 - Day 10. Monday - River Walk, GCS, Soho/Nolita/Little Italy/Chinatown, Bar 169, Mets vs. Marlins.

Well, today was a day of subway incidents. But to get back to the beginning of the day...
I had a small breaky and headed off East to the East River to walk along the foreshore - two walks - the Robert F 'Bobby' Wagner walk and John Fincey walk. Together, at least a few kms before turning inland to meet Lyn and Grand Central Station and do the Audio tour there. Pics and captions tell the story of the walk.

NYPD keeping the morning traffic moving and in check.

View of bridges along the East River.

Asphalt Green, which is an aquatic centre.

The gardens along the way were great, all tended by volunteers, a lady walked out of one as I was approaching.

 There was a small garden, in it were mushrooms under the greenery. I was surprised as it has been so hot.

More of that garden.

The bees are huge and furry.

Furry bee.

Old pylons and bridges.

I can't recall all these flags. Top one if obvious the Blue, white and Orange one is the City of NY flag, the black flag is POW/Missing in Action flag. Not sure of fourth one.

NYPD have many, many transport options...

Some of the gardens along Gramercy Park.

The second part of the walk along the East River - John Fincey walk along Carl Schurz Park.

The 81st Street bridge was closed, so I had to venture inland for a short couple of blocks.

More in the fire hydrants and tanks of NY Series.

An empty pool and park along the way.

Views along the way.

Cool reflection of Chimney stack.

Came along to Queensboro bridge, with Roosevelt Island Aerial Tramway beside it.

I finally had to leave the riverside to move into town to meet for next activity. Arrived at Grand Central Terminal with some time to do the Audio Tour included in our NY Pass, it was good to learn about the Terminal.

Came across Bloomingdales too.

The clock upon which time was based. Sits atop the information booth.

We then struck train issues on our way to meet up for our Soho/Little Italy walking tour. We had left plenty of time, but were foiled at every turn. This prevented us meeting the tour. Thankfully we were able to phone the tour company, who gave no guarantees, but suggested a meeting place. We ran into the other half of the tour sans Carolyn.

Some cool window dressing.

Street art.

In Little Italy  there was a festival celebrating San Germano - it was an area like Lygon Street on steroids and full of food stalls in the street, as well as some carnival type side show stalls. The two tour groups were near each other and we ran into Carolyn who joined our group for remainder of tour. 

We ate some delicious Mozzarella Sticks and some Prosciutto and Cheese balls for lunch from the Oldest Cheese shop, Alleva.

A street performer at San Germano festival.

Alleva, the Oldest Cheese shop.

A hipster server at one of the sidewalk cafe's.

Street view, Little Italy.

Creepy street art.

From Little Italy we moved to Chinatown, which actually surrounds Little Italy.

More of the tale of NY tanks and hydrants.

Sky View along the way...from Chinatown this one.

Covered tank.

Towards the end of the tour, our guide Erick, recommended a small shop, which sold $1.00 take out dumplings. After the tour, we went back with Erick and got some to share...yummy and amazing for one buck.

We also asked Erick for a recommendation for a drink. He suggested Bar 169, so we hiked back along the suggested track to find it. I had a Texan cider. It was a pretty hipster, funky bar. There was stuff hanging everywhere, lava lamps, mirror ball, chandeliers, statues, dinosaurs and even stuff in the loo.

Now there's a billiard table felt.

Odd bits and pieces everywhere in this bar.

Drinks drunk, time to get on the way again. Carolyn and Lyn.

We walked some way before...

More tenement, streetscapes

street scape

Oh boy we could have used this, but time was against us.

reflections.

NYPD, topping up the tank

I've walked miles today, we travelled via cab to Grand Central Station to meet Julie and Sandra to head North to Citi Field for our baseball adventure.

Chrysler Building view, from the outside of Grand Central Terminal.

We arrived at the Mets-Willetts subway stop and purchased some NY Mets merchandise. As we neared the stadium, there was a dog dressed in the gear...

For tips you could take pics.

We figured out some time later, that this was actually the Home Run Big Apple, not a tomato as I  first thought.

The Citi Field baseball stadium

We really had not much clue, but really enjoyed the atmosphere, the hot dogs, and trying to figure it all out. It was even better to learn that 'our team' The Mets, are on a winning streak and on top of the ladder, for the first time in 20+ years and to top it off, they had a win tonight, against the Miami Marlins.

Carolyn hasn't quite conquered the whole 'dawg' thing. She forgot to get the toppings. 

Lining up for the National Anthem.

Train delays en route home, a tad frustrating. Air Conditioning was freezing on way home, and we were stuck in one spot for ages with cold air blowing down our tired bodies. Finally home about midnight, bed at 12.50.