HURRY UP AND WAIT DAY
We were up early this morning, went for breakfast, and left the ship by 8:20. It only took us about fifteen minutes to pick up our luggage and wend our way through US customs. The place was a zoo as another large ship had docked and was disembarking at the same time. But procedures were organized and we found ourselves outside the terminal in no time. Here the picture changed into one of disorganized chaos. We were told that we had to cross the street, we couldn't stand there. We ran into Jim as we were being herded across the street. Since we had no idea of where our driver would be, Jim located his cell phone and I called the company. They were not open on Saturday. Norma guarded the luggage as I walked back and forth for three blocks at a time searching for a car with my name in the window. Our pickup time of 9:30 passed, then 9:45, then 10:00. Our faces must have reflected our panic as we walked up and down on the street searching. Luckily, another company's Limo driver noticed us and used his cellphones to reach the dispatch centre. He found that our driver was waiting for us across the street. He had the dispatch centre put him in touch with our driver so that he knew exactly where we were waiting. It took until 10:30 for him to get across the street to pick us up - a combination of construction and heavy traffic held him up.
I asked if we had time to visit the World Trade Center Memorial and be at the airport before noon. We did. We arranged a pickup place and he dropped us off for a 20-minute visit. It was well worth it - very moving - in fact it was difficult to hold back tears and I must admit, we both succumbed. I should mention that our rescuer was named Mohammed.
We were at the airport just before noon, actually approached the correct counter, no lineup. Our baggage tags and boarding passes were printed, our luggage was weighed and mine was 4 pounds overweight. I was told to open the large one and remove 4 pounds and put it in my carry-on. I removed 3.5 pounds of the paper information I had collected and was forgiven the extra half pound. Security was a breeze - didn't have to remove the iPad or take off my shoes and watch. Again, there was no lineup. Here we are sitting in the lounge with our parkas at 12:15 looking like crazy Americans who think Canada is a land of ice and snow all year round.
We are both home! Had a very smooth flight, called Akira after we got through customs, went outside to wait and there he was. He and Blue drove me home while Norma took her car from their place. Thank you so much for the taxi service. Norma just called to say she arrived safely. Lots to do in the next while - loads of laundry, mail to sort, groceries to get. Where is that "clean-up button?
P.S. I am three days behind in sending the latest photos as my iPad is almost out of memory. If you want to see them, check in again in about a week.
Wednesday, 21 September 2016
On the Riverwalk, NYC
This divided walkway for bikes and pedestrians ran all along the Hudson River. If you look closely, you can see Norma and I reflected in the sculpture.
Saturday, 17 September 2016
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
We were up at 6:15 as we didn't want to miss sailing past the Statue of Liberty and the skyline of NYC. We waved at the NBC helicopter that did a flyby as we entered the Hudson River. Don't know if we made the news. We docked by 8:00 and were lucky enough to be on the side that faced the Intrepid Military Museum with view of Midtown Manhattan and the Hudson River rather than the dock side with no view and noise of trucks coming and going.
After breakfast we headed out for the Highline about a mile away on a divided bikeway and pedestrian path along the Hudson. This abandoned streetcar line is being restored as a walkway with plantings of wild flowers, grasses, and trees. Unfortunately, this area is undergoing a boom in construction so it was terribly noisy. It is also incredibly popular so was very crowded. Many school groups and meandering pedestrians made the walking slow. We did, however, walk its full length twice - there and back. Once back at the ship we took a bit of a break for a bite to eat before heading out again.
This time we took the divided bike/pedestrian path in the opposite direction before heading up to Central Park. We entered the Park at the John Lennon Memorial, strolled by the lake, before heading to explore the Upper West Side neighbourhood. Central Park was very crowded but the noise of the city was more muted here. From there, we headed back down to the pathway back to the ship. This lovely walk runs right along an elevated freeway so you can imagine the noise.
We were exhausted by the time we got back. We figure we walked over ten miles? I tried to print our boarding passes but was unsuccessful as we need our passports scanned and that has to wait until we get to the airport. We sat on our balcony with a much needed glass of wine enjoying the warm weather and the view, tried to nap but minds were spinning so started to pack. By the time we finished, we were too tired to go to the dining room so ordered from room service.
Tomorrow is hurry-up-and-wait day. Hope all goes smoothly.
We were up at 6:15 as we didn't want to miss sailing past the Statue of Liberty and the skyline of NYC. We waved at the NBC helicopter that did a flyby as we entered the Hudson River. Don't know if we made the news. We docked by 8:00 and were lucky enough to be on the side that faced the Intrepid Military Museum with view of Midtown Manhattan and the Hudson River rather than the dock side with no view and noise of trucks coming and going.
After breakfast we headed out for the Highline about a mile away on a divided bikeway and pedestrian path along the Hudson. This abandoned streetcar line is being restored as a walkway with plantings of wild flowers, grasses, and trees. Unfortunately, this area is undergoing a boom in construction so it was terribly noisy. It is also incredibly popular so was very crowded. Many school groups and meandering pedestrians made the walking slow. We did, however, walk its full length twice - there and back. Once back at the ship we took a bit of a break for a bite to eat before heading out again.
This time we took the divided bike/pedestrian path in the opposite direction before heading up to Central Park. We entered the Park at the John Lennon Memorial, strolled by the lake, before heading to explore the Upper West Side neighbourhood. Central Park was very crowded but the noise of the city was more muted here. From there, we headed back down to the pathway back to the ship. This lovely walk runs right along an elevated freeway so you can imagine the noise.
We were exhausted by the time we got back. We figure we walked over ten miles? I tried to print our boarding passes but was unsuccessful as we need our passports scanned and that has to wait until we get to the airport. We sat on our balcony with a much needed glass of wine enjoying the warm weather and the view, tried to nap but minds were spinning so started to pack. By the time we finished, we were too tired to go to the dining room so ordered from room service.
Tomorrow is hurry-up-and-wait day. Hope all goes smoothly.
Thursday, 15 September 2016
The Last Supper
Hugh and I are the ones standing. Norma is sitting between Phil and Jim. We are drinking our desserts - Brandy Alexanders at the Tastes Restaurant.
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