New York, New York! Friday, November 18

Wonderful afternoon sailing under the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, which at times I wasn't sure our tall ship would make it under!--then along New York Harbour to see the new World Trade Center Building, the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, the narrow streets surrounded by hugely tall skyscrapers, and the Intrepid.  There was a tall building of condos that looked like someone had stacked blocks up randomly, kind of like a Jinga tower--I think that's what the stacking game is called.  Anyway, a young man standing beside me began talking to me and told me that a condo in the top floor costs $20 million dollars!

As we slowly cruised into the harbour, I couldn't help but think of all the emigrants and refugees who've come here on ships over the years, hoping for a better life.  So sad to think of this with our recent elections.  We passed by the Statue of Liberty who stood so proudly in her green garb, holding up her lantern for all to see.  I remember last time we cruised into here and sadly it was a much different world then, much better in my opinion.

We docked in one of the Hudson River docks near the Intrepid, which we plan to visit tomorrow.

We don't plan on getting off the ship tonight, but since we are staying in dock overnight, we have a full day of plans to walk around tomorrow.

Maheadran and Joan wait on our table number 516 every night and they are so kind and thoughtful.  If I don't eat every bite, they want to know if I would like something else instead and if I do like what I had, they want to know if I want a second one.  Joan is especially funny and loves to "crumb" the table for me and keep me hydrated.

The wait staff is excellent, but sadly we have been less than pleased with the food.  I honestly think they serve all the excellent quality food in their specialty restaurants and the lesser quality goes to the Dining Room.  Or maybe it's just a cut back for financial reasons, or maybe the chef in our restaurant just loves bland food.  Anyway, we get better food if we go up to the Windjammer Cafe.  Right now I am craving Sol y Luna and Waffle House--and that's very sad to say when you're on a cruise ship.

New York in view:

 

 

Under the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge--yikes!--looked closer than it was:

 

 

 

Bridge that got Chris Christie in trouble:

Statue of Liberty:

 

The new World Trade Center:

 

"Stacked" building of condos:

 

Empire State Building:

 

Golf Putting course!:

 

Don't know what THIS is on top of this building:

 

Empire State Building again:

 

Aircraft Carrier Intrepid with Space Shuttle Enterprise inside cover:

 

Submarine Growler:

 

The Concorde:

 

Interesting apartment building:

 

cool way to park cars when you don't have a lot of space: