The Big Apple

Our planned activities today were right down the other end of Manhattan but we did manage a quick coffee/tea, before investigating the in house breakfast.  Taking one look at the prices we exited hurriedly and decided we would find something on the way to Battery Park Ferry.  The room has a safe but when we tried to use it, all that happened was a shrieking noise and it was not activated.  We went downstairs to ask for assistance and the security manager was sent to investigate.  I'm sure he thought we were a couple of clueless oldies but when he tried, it was obvious it did not work so he advised we left our valuables at reception while he arranged for maintenance.  We were just going downstairs for this purpose when a technician arrived with a replacement safe so we waited for a minute or two whilst this was fitted (after first removing a passport we had left in the useless safe!!!).

We advised the security manager that the job had been completed and asked the best way to get to the Ferry.  The hotel is so convenient for everything as a station was just a block or two away.  We passed a roadside vendor and purchased coffee & brioche/pastry to eat on the way.  The subway was very hot and busy so after buying the appropriate ticket we were glad not to wait too long before a train came along.  We did not seem to be on the right line and a helpful chap on the train directed us to the right station and we were soon at the ferry.  We were then subjected to security checks similar to airlines - including removal of watches (never had to do this before), and belts so more time taken up at the end of this procedure with dressing again! (at least they didn't go as far as shoe removals!

Boarding the ferry at last, the swell caused a most unpleasant motion and we were glad to get moving.  A quick trip to the island and we disembarked to get to the pedestal level but were not impressed to find that no rucksacks etc were allowed even for that level and that we would need to pay $2 to store items in a locker with the most complicated instructions and actually none to get you started.  We also had to get change for the privilege as the machine did not give change. We were in quite a mood when we entered the pedestal area only to find that we had to undergo another security check!  Bearing in mind that everyone on the ferry had already undergone the first security we felt this additional step was just too much!   Thoroughly fed up we stomped up the hundreds of stairs to the pedestal but were rewarded with a fantastic view all around.  Climbing to the Crown is quite an effort we understand but tickets are sold out months in advance.

We then visited the Liberty Museum which was quite interesting and covered how the monument was devised and built.  After a quick glance at the prices of the food outlets (eek!) we caught the ferry back to Manhattan and picked up a hot dog from a vendor plus a cheese pretzel (nothing like those at home but very nice).

Our next stop was Staten Island Ferry (free!)  and we munched our lunch as we walked there.  On entering the terminal where a huge crowd waited, we found a fruit stall so lunch was complete.

Somehow all the people were accommodated on the ferry and we sailed across to the island where we intended to remain on the ferry for the round trip but this was not to be as they forced all the passengers off the ferry into the terminal building round the other side and back on the same ferry!!! why?!!  On reaching Manhattan we made our way to the Brooklyn Bridge to join the throng of people all with the same idea.

We took the subway back uptown, calling in at a market for some fruit and breakfast shopping, hoping for a communication with Alexander but they were on a train somewhere so we arranged for a call later.  After completing more blog work, we ventured out in the mild evening to find somewhere for dinner and actually had a choice of quite reasonably priced places serving meals other than burgers or steak.  A rather quaint place called Circle West Cafe which served home made soup or salad then vast plates of braised beef and meatloaf with a mountain of vegetables, bread, crackers and some odd little chickpea dish.  Delicious but about twice the amount of food required!