These little town blues, are melting away.
I'll make a brand new start of it, in old New York.
If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere.
It's up to you, New York, New York.
I'll make a brand new start of it, in old New York.
If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere.
It's up to you, New York, New York.
- Frank
Sinatra
Monday 3 August
Eight hours sleep last night – winning! – and we woke up to
an absolutely incredible New York City day, with temperatures around thirty and
nothing but sunshine. After breakfast, we headed up to Burlington Coat Factory
(thanks for the tip, Erol) where they sell last year’s suits at a ridiculously
inexpensive price. I came away with an awesome navy blue Tommy Hilfiger suit
that cost me less than $200 USD. Can’t wait to wear it to the #LoveMeLonghini
wedding on Saturday in Chicago! I forgot my small backpack for day trips, and
managed to find a cheap one of those, too.
Shopping took most of the morning and after a stop at the
Shake Shack for a thick-shake, we caught the train up town to Cycle Central
Park, where we had bike reservations for the afternoon. Central Park is set up
beautifully for bike riders. Although you can only ride on the road, there are
cycle-ways marked everywhere, and you can ride the entire park without feeling
like you’re dicing with traffic – although some of the more insistent cabbies
seemed hell-bent on joining us in the bike lane.
 |
| The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Resovoir |
Nevertheless, it was great to be able to ride the whole
loop, despite the heat, and I’ve ticked so many iconic locations off of my New
York City Bucket list, including the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir – a massive
water supply, but one that apparently would now days only service the city’s
population for about 4 hours – the Belvedere Castle and the Strawberry Fields,
which was a monument erected by Yoko Ono for the late, great John Lennon. All
the places that I’ve seen for years on TV shows and movies set in this city, I
finally saw for myself today, and getting to ride around on a bike was an added
bonus.
Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love to ride, and I
always try to do some bike riding when I’m over here. Today was nice, but, as
far as American bike experiences go, I don’t think anything will ever top
riding San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge at sunset a few years back with Trev,
Nath and Lauryn.
 |
| Strawberry Fields |
I’m telling you now (and you’ll see what I mean from the
pictures), I don’t think we could have picked a better night to be out on the
water in New York City. From South Street Seaport, just a little south of the
famous Brooklyn Bridge, we headed out of the mouth of the East River, around in
front of Battery Park, passing the Staten Island Ferry terminal (and the
behemoth orange ferry, crossing to the island borough, too), and the World
Trade Centre site – we’re going to the new tower tomorrow – before skirting the
Jersey Shore at Jersey City, and cruising past Ellis Island, the entry point to
America for so many millions of immigrants for many years up until about the
1930s. It’s a poignant reminder of the multiculturalism that exists here.
 |
| Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges |
The real star of the cruise, of course, was Liberty Island
and the Statue of Liberty, and we arrived there just as sunset was really
taking hold. The boat circled the island slowly, giving us all plenty of time
to take photos and selfies, and the view back towards Manhattan was spectacular
as well. From the harbour, you can see right up the Hudson River, which
includes views of Midtown and the Empire State Building. There are landmarks
worth taking photos of literally everywhere you look.
On the return journey, we went up under the twin arches of
the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges before returning to the South Street
Seaport. If you’re in New York City and you enjoy being out on the water, take
a cruise at sunset. You won’t be disappointed!
 |
| Lady Liberty |
 |
| Lower Manhattan |
No comments:
Post a Comment