New York

Having left the ship we got a taxi to our hotel-another driver who wasn´t sure of his way around New York! Our hotel 4^th floor room overlooked Ground Zero where major works are under way to build 5 towers of differing heights and a major water feature memorial.

We were in New York for 5 nights but moved to a small Chelsea hotel on the second day.

We walked for miles of course but did use the subway on several occasions. We intended to go to the Statue of  Liberty but the 2 hour wait for a boat was too much. So we did the 15 minute helicopter ride which was spectacular. We did the Circle Line 3 hour boat trip right round Manhattan again which is a must. We visited the Rockefeller Centre and went to the Top of the Rock at about 68floors. We did the tour of Radio City and saw that magnificent auditorium and heard all about the Rockettes-even met one! We ate in the Hard Rock Café at Times Square and saw a great show in Cages aux Folles. We were amazed at the crowds in Times Square on Saturday afternoon-we thought London was busy but this was something else. We strolled around Central Park on Sunday morning and watched the joggers and walkers enjoying the sunshine (we were lucky with the weather for all of our stay). We even managed to find some friendly bars in the Village and Chelsea. Overall we had a great time and want to go back sometime less than the 19years it is since we last visited!

On Tuesday morning we had to pack yet again and wait till lunchtime before we could taxi to Brooklyn Cruise Ship Terminal to join QM2. We had a taxi driver who actually knew where he was going! But the approach to the terminal is awful-what a run down area!  We queued for a short while but checking in was largely straightforward and we were on board at 1400. Another part of our wonderful adventure was about to begin!