I don’t know about you but I am one of those ‘plan to be at the airport at least 3 hours before’ kind of person. Despite the family sometimes complaining, it certainly has got us out of a pickle a number of times. This morning was no different. 
Traffic on the motorways toward Sydney were challenging and took us over 2 hours. So once we finally at the airport and checked in we only had about an hour before we ready to board.

A holiday hasn’t really started till you’ve had a bubbles right? So we headed for the lounge and settled in next a chatty couple from Dubbo on their way to Thailand. I’d met a kindred spirit, she LOVED researching and booking travel as much as I do. I have been dubbed the family travel agent because of this too. 
Before long we boarded and settled in for our 17 hour flight to Dallas. Relatively uneventful, other then me successfully spilling wine on myself 4 times, and a particularly rude older lady behind who took issue when I put my seat back to sleep, giving me a very unfriendly shove from behind. 

Luckily I had some Disney movies to enjoy. Mum and I slept well throughout and on arrival in Dallas we were met with a particularly understaffed passport control. 
So understaffed it caused us to miss our connecting flight. You can’t even get mad, no one cared you had another flight to get to despite having allowed ample time for our stop over. 
Fortunately we well looked after by American Airlines and that NYC had 3 airports to choose from, we only arrived a couple of hours after when we’d originally planned. A few quick messages to our driver on the other side, Charley, who was more than happy to pop to a different airport and at a different time. 
To fill the time we found a lively bar to grab a bite to eat and a bevvy where we entertained by what can only be described as a UN gathering, with all kinds of people from everywhere sidled up at the bar passing the time just like us. 
Our flight to NYC was only a few hours and again smooth sailing consisting of more napping and movies. 
Charly was there ready to greet us, and as we jumped into his car the time passed as he talked at us NON STOP for the entire journey. Mum and I giggled and nodded as he regaled us with all his facts about NYC. Not that we completely stayed across all he was saying but we were soon surrounded by yellow cabs and bright lights.

We farewell Charly and check in. It may be a little later, and a bit rainy, but we are so keen to check out Times Square by night. So we grab our coats and head out into the night. While I have been here before, it’s nice to share this ‘first’ for mumma. It’s a pretty spectacular sight, and the rain certainly isn’t dampening our mood to start our holiday exactly how we had wanted.

We wander around for just a little bit before deciding we should probably grab a bite to eat. There are so many options but we spot a Bubba Gump Shrimp Co and head for there on account of it’s dry, and well, who doesn’t love shrimp (prawns)? 

The rain hasn’t let up, either so we just push through and walk back to the hotel where I am drenched EVERYWHERE my snow jacket didn’t cover. I think we are going to sleep well as we are so ready to take on the city tomorrow and tick off a few bucket list items for mumma and a few places I am looking forward to visiting again.