Hellybelly, chundercopter, helichunder...any of the above summizing terms adequately describe my experience in the New York skies.

 

Taking a helicopter ride across the city can seem a ridiculously extravagant thing to do, but many tourists visit with the whole once-in-a-lifetime ethos. It's the smushy venture a doting boyfriend makes to his unwitting partner. It's something the wealthy family do on a fly-in visit, or in my case, it was a surprise gift for a 21st birthday that I was lucky enough to hop in on. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fifteen minutes of birds eye viewing for $130. On first thoughts this had seemed excessive, but after my ride I am forever turned and agree that such a ride is worth the heavy price tag.

 

Headphones on, lightbelt fastened and camera at the ready, we had glided at 1500 feet taking in the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty and Central Park.

 

Our merry little ride all changed when the green-faced, and slightly pertubed looking woman sitting across from me decided to splay up her breakfast, lunch, and I'm guessing the previous night's dinner, all over my party's shoes.

 

It seemed that while I had been pondering whether the schmoozy couple opposite were going to make us witnesses to some flambuoyant, air-borne proposal, Miss Sicky was paying less attention to the empty spot on her ring finger and more attention to the overly full spot in her belly.

 

Needless to say that while the ride itself is definitely recommended, the vomititous company is not. 

 

Get your fill of NYC's skyline, absorb the dazzling heights and marvel at the views, but opt out of the sickly episodes that apparently are such a hazard on helicopter rides.