Week Nine

With 5 more days at Long Beach Island we continued to make the most of the summer weather; Soaking up the sunshine, Playing Tennis, Morning Runs, Cookie Dough Icecream, Basketball at the local courts for Bren and of course trips to the beach and swimming.  

Sunday evening we departed the Shore and set off to Dana's apartment in Jersey City. Being just outside of Manhattan, it is a very very easy ride into the city!

Monday Morning we navigated our way on the PATH Train and Subway out to Flushing Meadows to the US Tennis Open.

Bren picking up his new car...

We had the most amazing seats, saw world class Tennis and had a fantastic day! 

Bren picking up a few serving tips from Andy Murray as he practices...

Samantha Stosur (Defending US Open Champ) kicking some serious butt. Bren also managed to grab her autograph after the match. 

Creeping on Sharapova as she gets ready to also kick some bum...

We wished you were there to join us Mum, Dad and Kirby! 

Stopping in Grand Central Station for a bite to eat on our way home - it is the most beautiful building!! The photographs really do not do it justice. 

Tuesday morning we jumped back on the PATH Train and Subway into Downtown New York. Which as we get the hang of the different subway lines and currently have a 100% track record on successfully getting to the correct destinations, instils a strange sense of accomplishment and confidence in us - We are clever travellers and are mastering the New York Subway System! :D

 Visiting the new World Trade Buildings as they are being built - Beautiful! 

Wall Street - Financial District of New York

We then again wandered to the Subway and took it to Uptown New York to meet Dana at The Frick Collection Museum. 

From our very few Museum experiences we had both classed ourselves as 'not really Museum People'. Yet after our visit and special tour of The Frick we were both left 'wowed'! As we were unable to take photographs inside we thought we'd try and describe it a bit as we think it is definitely a Museum to visit when in New York! (especially if you can be lucky enough to set up a special 'behind the scenes' tour with Dana!)

The Frick Collection is an Art Collection housed in the former residence of Henry Frick. Not only is the Collection of Art amazing and very interesting but the building is stunning and HUGE! After wandering around the areas where the Public are allowed we were lucky enough to be taken on a tour to all the places in this amazing home that are not able to be seen by the public! All the bells and whistles that this very wealthy man had in his home. And it truly is a place that left us speechless!  

On our private tour...
The Penthouse deck of The Frick Museum...

After our Frick tour we went for a couple drinks at the Boat House in Central Park. Very pretty location right on a lake in the park with an awesome atmosphere! (Other than the Euro Travelers Pumping Alicia Keys 'I'm in New York' from there personal Ipod Dock)

We then made our way back to Jersey City for Dinner at Michael Anthony's - New York's equivalent to Boston's Tavern on the Water - located right on the Hudson river it has a beautiful panoramic view of Manhattan, from the Empire State Building right down to the World Trade Centre. As well as great food! 

Week Eight

8 weeks into our trip with 10 weeks to go! Time is flying by!

This week we were back down at Long Beach Island

Looking out on this view each day...

Soaking up the Sun...

Cooling off in the bay...

And watching the beautiful sunsets...



Monday night we set off to Atlantic City with Nana Ingrid!

It is very much like a Mini Vegas...

We had a bit of a gamble (unfortunately we did not become millionaires), had a very fun dinner at Carmines - Italian Family Restaurant and explored Atlantic City!

Making a wish...

Tuesday was Brit's Birthday - First Birthday ever spent in a Hot Climate! 

We took a morning walk to the beach

Back home for Brekkie then spent the day at the beach and by the water :)

The waves were so powerful that they had come up the bank and formed a river running along the beach.

Bren tackling the waves...

 After a beautiful day we set off a bit further down the Island to Beach Haven for dinner.

<3 

And a couple of Drinks at Daddy'O's Rooftop Bar to finish off the day.

Brit -  
I had an absolutely amazing day! So much Birthday love. Feeling like the luckiest girl in the world - I definitely have the most amazing family, friends and boyfriend <3