Here is a synopsis of our holiday.
First stop was LA. We prepared for the worst and hoped for the best flying with Matty on this long 13 hr leg. As it turned out, the flight wasn't all too bad, luckily for us the 13 hrs didn't feel as long as it was.
This is as close as we got to the "Hollywood Sign"...too hot on the day to venture too far.
We searched long and hard for "Brad Pitt" on the Walk of Fame, even the locals had no idea where he was. Unfortunately for Alyssa, she had to settle with Matt Damon.
Did someone mention it is hot ? Hey Daddy, these prints remind me of what we do at Day care...I could be famous one day too.
From LA, we flew to Toronto for 4 days. The primary objective of our Toronto stop over was to visit our cousins, whom we've never met for over 20 years. It was great to catch up with everyone, making it certainly a highlight of our trip. Our family in Toronto is not too dissimilar to our own in Sydney - a large close family with lots of little kiddies. Thanks again to you Sun, Conan, Wayne, Sandra, Benson, Auntie & Uncle for your hospitality and time. We hope to see you in Sydney some time.
Alyssa with Sun and Conan's beautiful daughters - Mya and Indiana.
CN Tower - we stayed at the Intercontinental which was right next to the tower. Our visit to the top of the tower was marred by Matty's Big Tantrum No 1 on the trip. I'm sure Sun & Conan will still remember this.
On our last day in Toronto, we hired a car and drove down to Niagara falls. It was a very easy drive out, and quite an enjoyable day spent visiting one of the world's most famous falls.
The might of the falls.
Traveling with Matty, we didn't go on the boat that takes people right up close to the falls. It was quite a sight seeing all these people with rain ponchos cramped on a small boat heading towards a certain down pour.
From Toronto, we made a short 1.5hr flight to New York - where we stayed for 9 days. NY was planned to be the main destination of our holiday. We picked the Hilton Times Square on 42nd St as our base, and it turned out to be an ideal location. Right in Times Square, and within walking distance to most attractions both north and south of Times Square. Our stay in NY was dominated by shopping, shopping and more shopping. Between Alyssa and I, we both most definitely put our own fiscal stimulus package in the US economy, but it was worth every dollar. Oh...and we did get to do some sightseeing in our stay in NY too.
Matty and Mummy in Times Square.
Iconic NY cabs... its almost impossible I think to take a photo of Times Square "without" a NY cab in it.
The famous Statue of Liberty. A hassle to get to, but once on the island, well worth the effort from persevering the long ferry queues.
Rockafella Place, from 5th Avenue.
On top of the rock at Rockafella Place. NY has two main famous Observations Decks - Empire State Building and Rockafella Place. Rockafella has the vantage point for views over north Manhattan and Central Park.
Rockafella @ early morning = no queues.
Reconstruction works at the site of the "World Trade Centre".
Empire State Building.
Views from on top of the Empire State building. Lining up to get to the Observation deck was a daunting experience...(the ingredients of long queues and a 2 yr old certainly don't mix), but luckily for us it turned out to be fine on this occasion.
Views of lower Manhattan.
Central Park was certainly a magnificent place. So much to do and see, so many attractions and street entertainers all in the one place. We even took Matty to a Zoo located in the park. The atmosphere of the park was certainly a great contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city.
Times Square - probably the most busiest place in the world per person per square metre.
Always far more crowded at night - like moths to the light, people everywhere swarmed towards the neon lights.
Many of the wacky street performers in Times Square. Like to see these guys strut their stuff in the middle of December.
M&M world @ Times Square. Trying to get Matty out of the place = Big Tantrum No 2
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Actually all of Matty's remaining tantrums on the trip occurred in NY. Big Tantrum No 3 = outside Abercombie & Fitch store on 5th Avenue, I think Alyssa still haven't forgiven me for shopping so long in the store. Big Tantrum No 4 = in our Hotel one night when Matty just didn't want to sleep...had one guest complain about room noise... requiring daddy to stroll Matty around in the hotel foyer until he finally fell asleep at 1.30am !
We had high expectations coming to NY because of all the rave reviews we got from people who've been before ....and our 9 day stay certainly lived to expectations. NY is definately a place we will revisit...most certainly though without kids !! From NY, we flew back to LA...flight was 6 hrs, complete with a last but not least Matty Big Tantrum No 5 ! = (trying to settle him to an afternoon snooze...much to the relief of fellow passengers when we eventually did get him nap).
The last leg of our holiday was spending 3 days in Disneyland. We stayed at the Hilton Anahiem, which was a block away from Disneyland. To be honest, at first I wasn't too sure how disneyland would be - would Matty be too young to enjoy it all ? Would it be too contrived for us grown ups? The reality was, it was most definately another highlight of our trip. We had heaps of fun...and Matty was so excited everyday we took him to the park, we had many many priceless moments with Matty over these 3 days. .
We were there around Halloween time - such a big celebration in the States.
Of the 3 days we were there, Matty got to go on every ride he was able to (but for height restrictions).
We were there around Halloween time - such a big celebration in the States.
Of the 3 days we were there, Matty got to go on every ride he was able to (but for height restrictions).
Every ride was met with much excitment.
One of Matty's favourite rides at the park...also one of the parent's favourite too, in terms of waiting times.
Farm animal patting area - daddy do you think I can ride this goat?
Daddy, can you wait until to get on the ride before you put on these goofy glasses....you're so embarassing!
The park was organised into many "themed areas"...all very nicely done. This one was a creation of New Orleans.
Farm animal patting area - daddy do you think I can ride this goat?
Portrait painting disney style..probably by some amateur uni student come wannabe artist = ie Chinese mainlanders does it better ! (note Matty being fully cooperative for full 20mins = just how long a packet of large potato chips lasts)
With Woody from Toy Story.
Looney Tunes land...just like being on a cartoon set.
We're not alone....strollers galore. No tickets for illegal parking here.
They say Disneyland is the happiest place in the world...kids love this place simply due to the atmosphere and fun and exciting rides. Parents love this place, simply just seeing their kids have so much fun...oh, and probably also a little to do with the fact that it's the only place in the world where you feel right at home with everyone else when your kid decides to throw a very public tantrum !
