12.9.15 - Day 8 - Saturday. Subway lots, Brooklyn Flea, Brooklyn Fare, Bluestone coffee, Koi, Beautiful

Slow start for we 'locals,' Carolyn was out early seeking coffee - to no avail.

Headed out via several subway lines to Brooklyn Flea Market.

More of the station idenfiers in the subway. This one for Brooklyn Bridge station.

Some fabulous mosaic station names and art on the subway and on trains. We've decided to carry our better clothes with us in preparation for Beautiful - Carole King Musical tonight, just too much down time to come home and go back again.

and again with the tiling.

The Stations also have more standard sign-age as well.

The ever present rat. Though we've only seen a couple of live ones.

Typical subway station, though this one looks very clean.

This was the roof at maybe Port Authority station.

mmmm, not sure I know this one.

On board yet another train, checking out the route, Which colour. Maps out trying to work out which stop, which colour line etc etc.

again more amazing mosaics.

Another stop.

OK we are now wandering the streets of Brooklyn, in search of Brooklyn Flea Market.

NY numberplate.

Typical Brownstone in Brooklyn.

We spent about an hour looking around the Brooklyn Flea Market - lots of interesting knick knacks, clothing, foods and other stuff.

Brooklyn Flea Market

Amazing donuts...I had a plain cinnamon and sugar which was delicious.

There was also furniture.

quirky old scissors.

Carolyn checking out the number plates.

The old crates

Junk and stuff but very hipster cool

Sign out the front.

From the outside looking in. There was an eclectic mix of guff.

More Brownstones.

Amazing lunch at a small hip cafe Olea Mediterraneo. The Green Eggs and Lamb (sausage) I had was delicious. I've given up on coffee, it's too strong or too bitter- I just can't seem to win. Just near the cafe, Adelphi Street was blocked off for a street party, this was clearly advertised on the wall of our cafe.

Lyn and Sandra. We passed this great little cafe en'route to BFM, Sandra and Kathy ventured back to wait for lunch booking. 45 minutes later the rest of us made it too and waited another 5 or so.

Our resident 'foodie' checking out the menu. Carolyn.

Some people with their spoils from the Flea Market.

Lyn manning up with a drink at Olea.

After our very nice lunch we moseyed around the streets of Brooklyn to a supermarket on Carolyn's foodie list - Brooklyn Fare - we needed to purchase coffee for the apartment. Carolyn has all the foodie stuff down pat, with a reference list kept handy throughout. 

Brooklyn was a great little city, lots of quirky shops, street art, buildings etc.

Working on reno's on a brownstone entry. Nice bloke. Working on a Saturday, to get the job done.

Some Brooklyn Street Art.

More Street stuff, actually a bike rack.

Looking into a schoolyard.

Window of a store.

Lyn and Carolyn did a bit of shopping before we headed back over the Manhattan Bridge to Bryant Park in search of Bluestone Coffee, an Australian owned coffee shop Carolyn has tracked down. 

Travelling by train back over to Manhattan.

More mosaic in the subways.

On the way we passed through the Garment District. Lots of shops selling all the finery for stage
and general costumery.

Whilst at Bluestone, we booked a table for Koi Restaurant (another off Carolyn's list) for a 5.30pm pre-theatre dinner. 

We were a little early, so waited in Bryant Park, where a wedding was having photos on the Park Carousel. (Aunty Sue, there's a few wedding shots to come in this trip.)

Wedding in Bryant Park.

The boys were having fun. This guy was keen to get his own selfie.

Just across the road to Koi, where we went down to the restrooms to change shirts and tart up a little.

The meal was a taste sensation, Japanese. We (Carolyn, Kathy, Lyn and I) shared:

• Koi seared tuna a crispy rice
• Potstickers

Then I had Baked Lobster Roll and Green beans and pigged right out with Koi Sundae (on waiters recommendation) it had Vanilla and Choc icecream, a profiterole, wafer biscuit, brownie and choc sauce.

Koi was pretty flash.

Then it was off to Broadway via Times Square to the Stephen Sondheim theatre for Beautiful - the Carole King Musical. A trip through the music of the 50's/60's via Carole and her life and music writing.

Sandra went home to meet Julie, so we are all here now. 

Getting home was eventful, there was an 'incident' at Grand Central Station, we were ushered by NYPD folk, down to our line. As we travelled past, 2 stretchers being pushed along the platform. This resulted in a long delay to our line - eventually we found  work around and arrived home well after midnight.