Love/Hate: New York!

 

Our next stop on our impromptu trip was New York City! We booked a nice hotel on Times Square in Manhattan en-route.  Our first stop was the New Jersey side of the city and Liberty State Park. We walked around and talked about history--The history of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and more recent history of the Twin Towers. I am not sure how much of the history lesson the Muggles understand or appreciate, but at least it ill be there for when they are older and want to remember. 

There are things about NYC we love and things we really DO NOT love at all. Just like everywhere, there are good and bad about anywhere. 

We headed to Manhattan in the Holland Tunnel. Both of the Muggles loved the tunnels and the bridges in and out of Manhattan. So much fun to experience. 

We stayed in an area that had a GIANT wall of the "People of New York" It was fun to see. We parked the car and explored for the rest of the time (because driving in Manhattan is NOT fun). 

It was fun to see the New York Times building nearby. 

We had New York style pizza. It was a genuine experience complete with cars honking nearby and people yelling at each other over the crowds. 

We walked around Times Square. Saw all of the crowds of people. We went into the kawai store with all the cute Japanese Characters that both of these Muggles love. We also could not resist to going into the Disney Store. It was perfect for the four of us that are avid Disney fans. 

I came out of the Disney store and heard all kinds of screaming. I was confused. Then I heard someone yelling "BTS!" Then more screaming. Lady Hiva came out and wanted to take photos for all of her family that are fans of the K-pop sensations. I had to laugh that as everyone chased them down the street and she joined with her camera out. I was laughing because I am not sure she or I have ever even heard one of their songs...Maybe we should--we got stuck in LA once with them and saw them in NYC now too. You should have heard the crowd screaming at a fever pitch with the singers started to take off their clothes and throw them from the roof of their suburban! 

We made a stop at the LDS Temple in Upper Manhattan. It was fun to show the kids what it looks like for an inner-city temple, unlike all the temples in Utah when there is so much space around them. It was also that literal refuge from the crazy of NYC. 

Of course we had to stop for more food! We had pastries from the Paris Baguette--that ironically sold everything BUT baguettes! They also had plenty of pastries that are not really French, they were delicious, but not French. HAHA. We stopped for dumplings and ramen too. The best part is that it was all within a few blocks radius! Definitely a plus of NYC. 

The biggest HATE from New York was all the people smoking weed. It was way to strong. All four of us struggled with it. To the point that the kids kept saying it made them not want to ever come to New York again. Lucky Dragon saw this store as we were walking and said, "That is the motto for New York city!" haha. Smart kid

We did a night stroll in Central Park. It was raining, but nice to be in the bubble of some nature for a bit. 

We walked down to see Macy's flower display and to stand at the base of the Empire State Building. That rounded out our wonderful day! 

What's That Delicious Smell? ... CHOCOLATE!!

 

Lady Hiva tried to get home to Hawaii for a funeral of a dear cousin--someone that we both love so much. However, after two frustrating times of waking the children up at 0200h driving to the airport and then having flights cancel, it was time to decide to not go. I packed a quick bag and picked them up from the airport...we went on an impromptu road trip! 

This impromptu weekend trip took us to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, DC, Virginia, and Delaware! We did Hershey, PA, Philadelphia, PA, Rehoboth, DE, New York, NY. This blog will cover our first stop, Hershey, PA--the other stops will be covered in subsequent blogs. 

Years ago Lady Hiva and I went to Hershey, PA to see the chocolate factory. It was fun then, and when we told the Muggles about it, they wanted to go try it out! So our first stop from the airport was to drive to Hershey

We decided to do the tour to make our own candy bars. We dressed in factory clothing and we chose what type of chocolate, what types of things inside, and designed our own packaging. Some of our favorite parts were watching the lasers and the robotics work! It was so much fun. 

We made some really BIG Reese's peanut butter cups. It was so big. I am not sure who is going to eat these, but they were fun to make. 

This photo below Koala Bear wanted to take this photo because she was so excited when she read my name on the shelf!