adventures of a New York wanderer | day 5

Our last day in New York started much like every other, with a filling breakfast! Our flight back to the UK wasn't due to depart until 9pm and our transfer from the hotel to JFK airport wasn't due to arrive until around 4pm. So what were we to do until then? Why, more sightseeing of course!

We packed our cases and checked out of the hotel, but thankfully they offered a left luggage service and for the princely sum of just $2, we had somewhere safe and secure to leave our suitcases.

We didn't want to walk too far, so we checked our map to see what landmarks were within a 10-15 block radius and Grand Central Station and Rockefeller Centre came up trumps. I'd heard that Grand Central was an impressive sight, but nothing prepared me for the opulence and splendour that greeted us ...

My photos really don't do it justice, it is simply magnificent. It's the most ornate train station I've ever seen (though St Pancras station in London comes a close second!) ...

We almost walked straight past the Chrysler Building, which really isn't that impressive at ground level (just my opinion!), it's beauty is all up top ...

We grabbed a cuppa tea before strolling along Lexington Avenue and over to St Patrick's Cathedral. Sadly, the exterior of the cathedral was completely under scaffold, so I didn't get any photos. After a quick look round the interior, we popped across the street to Saks Fifth Avenue, one of the city's classic shopping experiences!

A short stroll down West 49th Street and we arrived at Rockefeller Centre ...

The NBC Studios are located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza and it was here that we caught a glimpse of two stars of the small screen, Tina Fey and Tracy Morgan. They were filming (presumably an episode of 30 Rock) right there by the NBC Studio entrance of the GE Building!!!

For the most part, we had decided we'd try and eat local cuisine (i.e. not from a franchised fast food chain) but on this one occasion, we did treat ourselves to a McDonald's milkshake with added whipped cream and a cherry on the top too! Chocolate for Hazel ...

Strawberry for me ...

All too soon, it was time to head back to the hotel to await the arrival of our airport transport, but there was still enough time for Hazel to pose with one of the giant pumpkins ...

This was the exterior of our hotel, The Edison ...

I LOVED every second of my time in New York and it has strengthened my determination to return again; one day! But until that day arrives, I'll just have to be content with browsing through my photos and reminiscing with Hazel ... "do you remember, when we were in New York ...?"

Things ticked off my "must see / do / eat" list today were:

• meeting under the clock in Grand Central Station
• shopping in Saks Fifth Avenue
• watching the sunrise at 35,000ft as we returned to the UK