Ask the crew: Arpha Mak's New York hotspots

Whenever I’m in New York, no matter the time of year, I go running. In snow, in heat; nothing puts me off, except possibly torrential rain. Of course, the best time to be outside in New York is autumn, when it’s crisp in the morning and sunny in the afternoon.

Must-do

I usually run along the Hudson River, starting at Liberty Park in Lower Manhattan and passing all the major tourist attractions until I reach the George Washington Bridge. I always make a stop at Strand Book Store , an iconic bookshop on Broadway. Even closer to my heart is Central Park. The scenery is lovely, and I can grab a coffee and a muffin from a kiosk then sit back and people-watch.

Must-eat

I’m a pasta person. I have two go-to places: one is Gelso & Grand in Little Italy. It’s a modern, industrial-chic restaurant, serving beautifully plated dishes and excellent wine. The other is Carmine’s in Times Square. The portions are very generous – and after a long run, I need carbohydrates. After dinner, I might also go for a cocktail at Docks Oyster Bar – it’s a Cathay Pacific crew favourite. That’s my routine: run, pasta, happy hour!

Must-pack

I carry almost nothing while I’m running – not even a water bottle, because there are fountains along the Hudson River and in Central Park. I fit everything I need – my credit card, hotel key card and metro card – in a small coin wallet. It’s extremely lightweight and convenient.