“The Flying Kiwi’s” - Epistle #3

**SPECIAL BLOG ENTRY from our very own MAMA KIWI**

Today was sign out day at the New Yorker, check out was at 12pm so we didn’t start moving until 11.30am.  So, we took our bags down to the foyer and left them there.  There were no plans for today other then picking me up some prescription reading glasses for $99 (as pictured below)..

Me and my new reading glasses.  They’re pretty cool, Dort said they make me look 10 years younger. 

Me at Madison Square Gardens - this is where they have America’s Got Talent.

The both of us at Madison Square Garden - SEE, no garden..

We did my eye exam and I was fine to keep looking around and shopping, Dort was getting short with me, I forgot how grumpy she gets when she’s hungry, coz we hadn’t eaten yet and it was 2.20pm.  So we went off to Madison Square garden to search for Krispy Kremes.  However, in order to sit down we had to also buy pizza from the shop next door.

We both didn’t know why Madison Square Garden was famous, but took a photo anyway

That was a good decision $6.99 for two pieces of pizza and a lemonade.  It was lovely!  So we had pizza and Krispy Kremes for lunch… the best part of it.. NO TIP.  I’m sure you are all aware of my stance on tipping.  Haha!

Us and our NY pizza

The Krispy Kremes

After lunch, we continued with our shopping ‘a-waewae’ and went to Macy’s.  There were 7 floors, although there were sales all over the store - 75% off the selection wasn’t that hot and it still meant paying about $40-$50 even with the discount.  So, after an hour we left with nothing, Dort wasn’t happy with that either, it wasn’t hunger this time it was jet lag and drowsy-ness from her medication for the tooth.  So we returned to get my ’new’ glasses and back to the New Yorker to pick up our luggage and head over to our new whare in Queens.

BYE New Yorker Hotel...

Apologies - No picture of Macy’s, no picture of our Taxi driver and no picture of the New Yorker.. When we get the shopping bug, we wareware about everything else.  Haha.

The doorman got a taxi driver to bring us from Manhattan to our whare in Queens - that was a good idea I had, because I didn’t want to be dragging luggage through New York subways and buses - we would have really looked like what Kiri has termed ‘Māori Hillbillies in New York’… 

***We just had a Krispy Kreme break - and now we have Krispy Kreme crumbs in our bed***

I’ll have you know it’s 1am here but it’s only 7pm there in New Zealand.

Krispy Kreme Break! Mmmm… crumbs in the bed...

Anyway, our doorman got us a taxi - his name was Sixtoe (not sure about the spelling) and I got “Are you sure it’s not Fivetoe” haha!  Dort said “I can’t believe you said that” but he laughed too.  He was interesting, he was from the Dominican Republic - I noticed there is a strong Spanish presence in New York.

As he was driving us to our new whare, it was getting a bit shady and I was saying ‘HAU DORT!’ and then HELLO, we happen to have a hotel opposite the Hilton - and one of the workers live in the Bronx.  He assured us it was quite safe to go out at night.  We came to our room and it’s got a beautiful view of Manhattan. 

Our view of Manhattan.

However, when we started settling it, realizing we were going to be here for 4 days, I started noticing the holes and inadequacies in our room.

This is one of the holes..

Here is a close-up of the missing blinds… You can see right into the other peoples rooms.

I was having dinner and the blinds were open, and I looked out to the next high rise building across the road and this fulla waved out to me from the other building.  I was like ‘hau’.. so I closed the curtains and the pictures above are the result.  He could still see me!  So, bearing in mind we are here for 4 nights I called and ‘informed’ them of these blinds and the ‘peeping Tom’ across the road - I said I want to be moved or have these blinds fixed up.  I hope it’s better then this one - but, Dort doesn’t want to loose the view - it is amazing!

I just remembered though, our dinner cost $17.30 - we walked to the restaurant, and they had free delivery, so we ordered and asked them to deliver it.  I asked the lady if he would have change and she said yes.  BUT, when he delivered the food we gave him $20 and he took it without a blink of any eyelid, turned around and marched off - No change.. Oh boy, I’ll never get the hack of this ‘tip’ business. Haha!

I guess the toilet makes up for the blinds - but we’re not sleeping in the bathroom.

Now we’re in bed having Krispy Kreme ‘oh boy’ I thought I was gonna loose weight on this trip.. Haha!  Tomorrow our plans are to go to the temple, so we’re going to sleep now.

The view from our balcony - I hope we don’t loose it when we move rooms apōpo.

Yeah - so that was day 3 today.  I hope everyone’s well on the other side of the world.  

This is Mama Kiwi signing out from Te Āporo Nui.

P.S - I gotta clean out the Krispy Kreme crumbs out before I go to moe

Mama Kiwi

Xox