Day 2 in NYC: A Cheeky Frolic in the Big Apple

The Clearys Conquer the City That Never Sleeps

Hello there, my lovely lot! Buckle up, because Day 2 in the Big Apple has been a proper laugh. The Cleary clan is out and about, and let me tell you, today was packed with all sorts of cheeky shenanigans. Grab a cuppa, get comfy, and allow me to regale you with our escapades.

An Early Start: Who Needs Sleep Anyway?

Now, starting the day at the ungodly hour of 5 a.m. isn’t exactly what you’d call a “lie-in,” but we’re on holiday, so who’s complaining? After all, when you’re in the city that never sleeps, who needs a proper kip? To our utter surprise, we all managed to get a decent bit of shut-eye, courtesy of the ridiculously comfy beds at the Hotel Riu in Times Square. And if you know my darling wife, Michele, you’ll know this is nothing short of a miracle. She even caught a few Zs! I might have to get her one of those hotel beds for home.

Breakfast Buffet: The Quest for Free Food

By 8 a.m., we were off to the breakfast buffet, included in our booking, and free food is always a winner, right? But hold your horses—the queue was as long as a Black Friday sale at Harrods. Still, the promise of a free meal kept us going. Besides, who can resist the allure of unlimited eggs and bacon when you’ve got a day of sightseeing ahead?

Skorts and Central Park: A Fashionable Stroll

With our bellies full and energy levels somewhat restored, we hit the streets of NYC, ready to explore. Michele, ever the fashionista, had one thing on her mind—skorts. Yes, you heard right. Skorts. For those not in the know, they’re a marvellous invention that combines the best of both worlds: the elegance of a skirt with the practicality of shorts. Genius, right?

So, with Michele on a mission, we headed towards Central Park. Can you believe neither of us had been there before? Shocking, I know! We were like two kids in a sweet shop, eyes wide with excitement. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and the park was as green and glorious as we’d imagined.

Bumping into Old Friends: A Small World After All

As we wandered through Central Park, we had one of those “it’s a small world” moments. I’d arranged to meet an old mate of mine from my days at Arcadis Manchester. He’s now living it up in Manhattan with his wife and kids. What are the odds, eh? We had a good chinwag, reminiscing about the old times while the kids ran around, burning off that endless energy they seem to have.

Riverside Relaxation: Beer and Bliss

After catching up with my old colleague, we decided to take things down a notch and headed to Riverside Parkour Park. Now, don’t get the wrong idea—we weren’t about to start leaping off walls and doing backflips. No, this was more of a “sit down with a tinny and relax” kind of vibe. We picked up some tinned beers from the local supermarket and spent a couple of blissful hours just soaking in the surroundings and enjoying life’s simpler pleasures. Classy, right?

The Epic Trek Back: Michele’s Walking Record

The walk back to the hotel was one for the books. Michele, bless her, managed to smash her walking record, clocking in over 10 miles on her Fitbit. The woman’s a trooper, no doubt about it. I reckon she’s earned herself a well-deserved foot massage—and perhaps even a spa day. Note to self: look into spa packages for a very deserving wife.

A Toast to the Day: Beer and Steak Sandwiches

After our marathon of a walk, it was time to unwind. I snuck in a cheeky beer at the hotel bar with my colleague before he headed off, and then it was time for dinner. Now, we didn’t fancy anything too posh, so we opted for takeout from the Playwright Celtic Pub (Irish bar) across the street. And let me tell you, nothing says “high class” like chowing down on a steak sandwich and chips in the comfort of your hotel room. But you know what? It was perfect. Sometimes, it’s the simple things that make a day special.

Wrapping Up the Day: A Goodnight Chuckle

As the day drew to a close, we couldn’t help but chuckle at the wonderfully chaotic day we’d had. It was one of those days where everything just felt right—full of laughs, surprises, and little moments that make you appreciate the madness of life. As we snuggled into bed, we bid goodnight to cousin Julie (who’s always with us in spirit, if not in person) and let our dreams take us away, ready for whatever tomorrow brings.

So, my dear readers, stay tuned for more tales of our travels. Tomorrow’s bound to be another day of delightful chaos. Until then, keep smiling, keep laughing, and always embrace life’s funny little moments.

Cheerio for now, The Cleary Family