The movers have taken my stuff – no backing out now!
I’m really moving to New York! WTF!?
Anyways, I’m back from New York and after a bit of drama and stress, I do have a place to live as well in West New York, New Jersey. Yes, it’s kind of hard to say that and not confuse people, but basically I will live in a city called West New York which is in New Jersey yet right across the Hudson River from Manhattan. The place is really cool and the roommate seems like she’ll be pretty easy to share an apartment with. I’ll put pics up of the place once I have some. The features of the building are very awesome: an A&P grocery store on the first floor of the building, as well as a Starbucks, a Ben & Jerry’s, and an extensive wine, liquor and beer shop. Excellent.
So obviously I headed out to NYC for 3 days last week. The flights turned out to be quite uneventful, which was refreshing. Perhaps it was because I was on American Airlines and NOWHERE near Chicago O’Hare Intl Airport or United Airlines…..? I’m just saying.
It was a fairly hectic trip though, with lots to do from the moment I landed. I saw three apartments that first evening and they went from pretty much worst to best in terms of quality and desirability. Really, only the first one was one in which I really knew immediately I had no desire to live there. But the last two were pretty cool – especially the last one. Basically for the view alone the last one was awesome, but the apartment itself was also quite incredible. But flash forward a few days and that last one, which had the dynamic view of Manhattan from Hoboken, was the one I did NOT get. It came down to not hearing back from the guy when he said he’d get back to me, and I felt like I needed to make a decision as I told the person (Shelly) whose apartment I liked second-best (and which I saw on the following evening) I would get back to her asap. Long convoluted story short, I am now living with Shelly in a place right by the river.
But there is more, especially in the way of pictures. Lots of pictures. First up are my pics from my 3-day trip to the greater New York City area. Enjoy!
5 Sep 2007 – 1st Day of NYC Househunting Trip
05-Sep-2007 13:50, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 9.028mm, 0.008 sec
View of Manhattan from my room
05-Sep-2007 13:51, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.9, 23.1mm, 0.004 sec
This is the harbor right next to my hotel - not a bad view!
05-Sep-2007 15:43, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.01 sec
Another view of the harbor
05-Sep-2007 15:44, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.0, 15.599mm, 0.002 sec
05-Sep-2007 16:30, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.5, 18.776mm, 0.008 sec
Here's the light rail that runs through the Hoboken area to get to the PATH trains into New York City
05-Sep-2007 16:30, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.006 sec
And this is the Port Imperial Ferry terminal complex I'll probably be using to go to work
05-Sep-2007 16:30, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.004 sec
This is that fantastic view of Manhattan. Truly jaw-dropping; this pic doesn't do it justice.
05-Sep-2007 18:28, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.0, 15.599mm, 0.3 sec, ISO 800
So on that first day, I took a cab from Newark Intl and got to my pretty nice room at the Sheraton Suites in Lincoln Harbor. As you can see above, it’s right on the river and my room had a pretty cool view if you looked to the right – there’s the damn Empire State Building! I did take other pictures that day of the apartments I looked at, but basically there’s no need to see them here, except for the picture of the view of Manhattan from the uber-swank place I didn’t get.
In the next section below, you’ll see my plethora of pics from my day of finally getting to sightsee Manhattan. If you recall, I didn’t get a chance at all to visit the city during the final interview because of all the ridiculous flight delays and weather nonsense. And because I didn’t have to see my next apartment until about 7pm, I pretty much had all day to kill. And boy did I. My first action was to jump on the Ferry that had a pickup right outside my hotel, which was a VERY nice perk to where I was staying.
6 Sep 2007 – 2nd Day Begins at the Lincoln Harbor Ferry Terminal
The view from the ferry pickup
06-Sep-2007 07:35, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 10.0, 12.523mm, 0.002 sec
06-Sep-2007 07:36, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 10.0, 12.523mm, 0.002 sec
Here's my hotel
06-Sep-2007 07:36, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec
06-Sep-2007 07:36, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 14.0, 23.1mm, 0.003 sec
06-Sep-2007 07:38, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.004 sec
And there's the gangway to the ferry
06-Sep-2007 07:38, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.008 sec
On the ferry and looking towards Manhattan
06-Sep-2007 07:45, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.002 sec
06-Sep-2007 07:46, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.002 sec
Looking north on the Hudson River towards the George Washington Bridge
06-Sep-2007 07:46, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.9, 23.1mm, 0.002 sec
06-Sep-2007 07:47, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.005 sec
Looking towards the city of West New York, my future residence
06-Sep-2007 07:47, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.005 sec
After taking the quick ferry across the Hudson river, it drops you off at the Pier 79 complex Ferry Terminal. What is then really cool is you then can get on free New York River transport buses that go to fairly popular street destinations (34th St, 42nd St, 49th St, etc) which is part of your fare. Nice. I’ll be able to use the 49th St one for sure when I start commuting to work! Anyways, I jumped on the 42nd St bus that morning because I figured I’d then get to the subway station on 42nd Street and head to Ground Zero. It didn’t dawn on me that 42nd St goes right to Times Square, so when we started being surrounded by ridiculous amounts of neon and tourist stuff, the lightbulb went on and I was like, “Hey, let’s go see Times Square”. And you’ll notice that I become a plural entity when talking to myself. So I jumped off the bus at Times Square and let my jaw drop just a little because really, Times Square doesn’t disappoint. It’s a canyon of beautiful skyscrapers covered in neon advertising. You can see ABC’s studios, MTV’s studios, all these crazy over-the-top versions of megastores, tons of tourists – everything you have ever imagined Times Square to be…. it is. Now I just can’t wait to go back and see it at night! One revelation I had: I had no idea there was actually TWO giant panels of neon advertisements in Times Square, but it makes sense since the intersection is a diagonal street crossing a typical north-south/east-west intersection. So one faces south and one faces north and there’s tons of ridiculous traffic everywhere.
So I definitely got enveloped in the excitement and took lots of pictures and went to yet another Virgin Megastore. Let’s see… that means I’ve now been to the following cities’ VMs: Los Angeles (Sunset Strip and Burbank locs), New York City (Times Square), London, Paris, and Frankfurt. Cool. I’m such a world traveler. Yes, be jealous.
6 Sep 2007 – Times Square
I don't know what it is, but it's big and exciting
06-Sep-2007 08:11, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.005 sec
Just about to peek around the corner to see the eponymous Times Square
06-Sep-2007 08:11, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.008 sec
A fanciful and neon-covered 42nd Street Subway station
06-Sep-2007 08:12, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.01 sec
Ah, there it is.
06-Sep-2007 08:12, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.002 sec
And right in the middle of it all: a recruiting station
06-Sep-2007 08:13, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.002 sec
Looking back at the first big neon panel
06-Sep-2007 08:15, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec
Looking forward/north again
06-Sep-2007 08:15, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.008 sec
A clearer view of the north end of Times Square
06-Sep-2007 08:16, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 3.5, 12.523mm, 0.002 sec
Right in the middle of it all. MTV studios is to the left; ABC is to the right.
06-Sep-2007 08:16, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.008 sec
Looking again at the south end of Times Square
06-Sep-2007 08:16, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.004 sec
Hey, it's Me!
06-Sep-2007 08:17, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.008 sec
Had to point. My pointing entertained multiple tourists this trip.
06-Sep-2007 08:17, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.002 sec
There's a good view of MTV studios
06-Sep-2007 08:18, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec
06-Sep-2007 08:19, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.002 sec
South end of Times Square, with what looks like the Ghost Busters or Daily Planet building on the right
06-Sep-2007 08:21, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.006 sec
06-Sep-2007 08:24, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.167 sec, ISO 141
The Virgin Megastore
06-Sep-2007 08:51, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.017 sec
And the theater where I'll be on Nov 17th! Thanks guys!
06-Sep-2007 08:51, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.0, 15.599mm, 0.005 sec
Looking up at the MTV studios (the 2nd floor)
06-Sep-2007 08:52, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec
After the excitement of Times Square, I got back on track to what I originally wanted to see first, which was Ground Zero. So I got myself a Metrocard for the subway and successfully navigated my way down to the south part of Manhattan where Ground Zero is. Very much unlike how my Dad and I traveled the length of Manhattan many many years ago – which was all walking back then. Anyways, I did get to see what is ‘left’ of Ground Zero. I say it that way because there’s really nothing to see at the moment – it’s a humongous construction site for the Freedom Tower that will eventually be 1776 feet tall. Right now they’re still building all the foundation stuff and subway tunnels that will traverse through there. There’s a small area where you can peek through fencing to see the efforts and above it is a list of names of those firefighters, policemen, and medics who died trying to help that day. You can also try to sign up for a guided memorial tour of the area but it apparently fills up fast, and I did not take it. Maybe in a little while once I’m living there.
Also in that area is the area known as Wall Street. So after getting a little bit turned around at first (with no real landmarks to go off of like mountains or the water, which you can’t see at that location, it’s kind of tricky to get oriented accurately) I did indeed find the legendary Wall Street and also the New York Stock Exchange. Unfortunately you can’t go inside the NYSE anymore, as I totally would have done that. But alas, security concerns override tourist curiousity. Didn’t stop me from taking pictures though!
On a side note, here’s a link to a site that has a comprehensive amount of pictures of New York and specifically the World Trade Center, both before, during and after 9/11.
6 Sep 2007 – Ground Zero & Wall Street
The walls that greet you upon emerging from the WTC subway station
06-Sep-2007 09:27, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec
Before you'd have seen nothing but WTC skyscraper right here
06-Sep-2007 09:27, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.004 sec
Here's a view into what is happening at the site
06-Sep-2007 09:34, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.005 sec
Looking a little up to imagine that the towers used to be here
06-Sep-2007 09:34, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.004 sec
Another view inside
06-Sep-2007 09:34, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.005 sec
Looking down in to where I'm assuming the trains are going to go
06-Sep-2007 09:35, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.0, 15.599mm, 0.002 sec
A look at the wall of names of heroes
06-Sep-2007 09:36, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.025 sec, ISO 141
06-Sep-2007 09:37, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.013 sec
The church that heads up Wall Street
06-Sep-2007 09:57, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.002 sec
06-Sep-2007 09:59, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.006 sec
And here is Wall Street - appropriately named, don't you think?
06-Sep-2007 09:59, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.002 sec
Getting closer to the Stock Exchange
06-Sep-2007 09:59, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 3.5, 12.523mm, 0.002 sec
My 'clever' shot of the NYSE title and the Wall St street sign
06-Sep-2007 10:00, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.9, 23.1mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 289
06-Sep-2007 10:00, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.5, 18.776mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 315
06-Sep-2007 10:00, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 122
And there's the front of the NYSE with a humongous US flag
06-Sep-2007 10:03, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.004 sec
After that little jaunt around downtown, I hopped back on the subway and headed north to Midtown, so that I could go see my future place of employment: 30 Rock! Basically Midtown is the most expensive part of Manhattan and also has some of the most expensive and famous hotels and shops there, including the Waldorf-Astoria hotel, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Radio City Music Hall. Of course, 30 Rockefeller Center is also there. I ended up in a subway stop that was a bit away from the actual Rockefeller Center plaza, so I started following signs that led me through corridors underneath the streets, which was a bit surreal as I was the ONLY one down there. Anyways, I finally ended up at the Rockefeller Center shops in the sublevel to the main plaza, and while walking through there I saw the entrance for the ‘Top of the Rock’ Observation deck on top of the 30 Rockefeller center building. I hadn’t planned on doing that, but it was a beautiful day and I really had nothing planned except for taking a river cruise. So I paid my money and up I went to the top which lies at 67 floors up. And wow, what a view! It really is one of those million-dollar views because you can see all the city PLUS the Empire State Building. That’s what you’re lacking when you go to the top of the Empire State Building – actually seeing the building. So I would have to argue that with the WTC towers gone, the Top of the Rock is probably the best public view in Manhattan. As is evidenced by the photos below. There’s lots, so pace yourself.
Anyways, after spending a while up there, I then headed back down and wandered the plaza a bit, reveling in the fact that this was going to be my place of employment in a few short weeks! CRAZY. I stumbled into the lobby I had been in a month prior when here for the final interview and it brought back those memories full-force. It really is a cool building though, and very Art Deco.
6 Sep 2007 – 30 Rock & the Top of the Rock Observation Deck
The weird and EMPTY surreal underground passage to Rockefeller Center
06-Sep-2007 10:32, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.125 sec, ISO 233
Radio City Music Hall from the Top of the Rock entry foyer
06-Sep-2007 10:41, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.013 sec
Apparently Fashion Week was going on
06-Sep-2007 10:42, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.013 sec
This is looking up through the ceiling of the elevator up to the Top of the Rock
06-Sep-2007 10:46, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.6 sec, ISO 141
It's a trick - when you first go in, it looks like a normal elevator. But once the doors close, the lights go out and the ceiling turns clear showing you the blue elevator shaft
06-Sep-2007 10:46, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.167 sec, ISO 800
Ah, the top. Here's a look north towards Central Park
06-Sep-2007 10:48, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.005 sec
And Northeast over towards the CitiGroup building
06-Sep-2007 10:48, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.005 sec
06-Sep-2007 10:48, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.005 sec
Me and Central Park
06-Sep-2007 10:49, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.004 sec
Better view of the CitiGroup building
06-Sep-2007 10:50, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.008 sec
06-Sep-2007 10:50, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.002 sec
And there's the Empire State Building
06-Sep-2007 10:51, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.004 sec
Me at the lower level of viewing and the ESB - note that there are THREE levels, with the topmost having no glass
06-Sep-2007 10:51, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec
ESB
06-Sep-2007 10:51, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec
Me at the lower level of viewing and the ESB - note that there are THREE levels, with the topmost having no glass
06-Sep-2007 10:51, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec
Me and the ESB again, with pointage
06-Sep-2007 10:51, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec
The ESB and the Statue of Liberty WAY in the distant background
06-Sep-2007 10:53, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 11.0, 15.599mm, 0.006 sec
'Artistic' zoom-in
06-Sep-2007 10:53, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 14.0, 23.1mm, 0.006 sec
Turned my widescreen option on its head to see the ESB and some foreground
06-Sep-2007 10:55, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 3.5, 12.523mm, 0.002 sec
What a cool building
06-Sep-2007 10:56, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.9, 23.1mm, 0.002 sec
There's the Chrysler Building hiding behind the MetLife (formerly PanAm) building
06-Sep-2007 10:57, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.0, 15.599mm, 0.002 sec
Looking down in to the urban concrete jungle
06-Sep-2007 10:57, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.002 sec
You can see another big skyscraper is getting built on the right
06-Sep-2007 10:57, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec
06-Sep-2007 10:57, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.0, 15.599mm, 0.002 sec
Trying to pick out the Brooklyn Bridge
06-Sep-2007 10:58, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.9, 23.1mm, 0.002 sec
06-Sep-2007 11:01, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.5, 18.776mm, 0.002 sec
Here's the second level observation deck
06-Sep-2007 11:02, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec
There I go getting artsy again with my photography
06-Sep-2007 11:02, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 9.028mm, 0.005 sec
Looking down from the top level to tourists on the second level
06-Sep-2007 11:03, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.008 sec
06-Sep-2007 11:04, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec
Arches and ESB
06-Sep-2007 11:05, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.004 sec
06-Sep-2007 11:07, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 9.0, 10.487mm, 0.006 sec
06-Sep-2007 11:07, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 9.0, 10.487mm, 0.003 sec
An in-progress Bank of America tower
06-Sep-2007 11:08, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.9, 23.1mm, 0.002 sec
A compass to orient yourself
06-Sep-2007 11:10, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 3.5, 12.523mm, 0.001 sec
06-Sep-2007 11:10, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 9.028mm, 0.003 sec
You can just see the streets below
06-Sep-2007 11:11, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.0, 15.599mm, 0.003 sec
06-Sep-2007 11:11, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 11.0, 15.599mm, 0.005 sec
06-Sep-2007 11:17, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.006 sec
ESB again
06-Sep-2007 11:17, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec
A nice German guy took my picture and I took his - fair trade
06-Sep-2007 11:18, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec
Pointing, again. I told you I entertained many tourists this trip with my pointing.
06-Sep-2007 11:18, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec
Couldn't stop taking ESB pics. These aren't even all of them. I actually didn't post them all.
06-Sep-2007 11:18, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.006 sec
The Art Deco stylings of the deck. The top level is up there.
06-Sep-2007 11:19, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.004 sec
Back down on the ground. This is in the lobby of 30 Rock.
06-Sep-2007 11:30, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.125 sec, ISO 141
That's the walkway to the elevators - I went that way for my interviews back in August and will go that way to work every day.
06-Sep-2007 11:30, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 141
Right outside the doors they had set up a Nintendo WiiSports Tennis match to coincide with the U.S. Open
06-Sep-2007 11:30, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.002 sec
06-Sep-2007 11:31, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 3.5, 12.523mm, 0.003 sec
The crowded walkway in front of the entrance to 30 Rock.
06-Sep-2007 11:32, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.008 sec
There's NBC Studios and where the Today show is filmed just a block down.
06-Sep-2007 11:33, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.004 sec
Speeding subway I took after 30 Rock (which is on 49th St) to get to 42nd Street.
06-Sep-2007 11:38, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.125 sec, ISO 141
42nd Street and one of the most neon-y McDs you'll see outside of Vegas.
06-Sep-2007 11:47, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.0, 15.599mm, 0.008 sec
06-Sep-2007 11:47, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec
I knew I wanted to get in a boat cruise of Manhattan in before concluding my day’s adventure. I knew there was both a 2-hour and a 3-hour cruise, either of which would be fine with me as I was getting tired and I just wanted to get off my feet. So I took the subway from the Rock Center/49th St station to 42nd Street, then walked about 8 blocks east to the Circle Line pier where all the tours begin. That was a long 8 blocks though to walk, as I have now personally experienced that crossing avenues (the north/south lines in Manhattan) means much longer blocks than crossing streets (the east/west lines in Manhattan). So by the time I got to the Circle Line pier, I was very ready to do nothing but sit and ride on a boat. I ended up getting on the 2-hour tour which is a semi-circular tour of Manhattan; the 3-hour tour actually takes you completely around the island without repeating anything. I’d like to actually do that one day!
Anyways, the weather was beautiful for this. You depart from the pier which is about midway up the west side of the island, and then you cruise south on the river seeing the sights of Midtown, Greenwich Village, Hoboken, Jersey City, and then Downtown (the area around Ground Zero). But the real highlight is right after that, as you cruise right up to Ellis Island and Liberty Island, where the Statue of Liberty stands. The Statue of Liberty is quite an incredible sight. It’s not as big as I imagined it to be, but don’t let that make you think it’s small. It’s still amazing to observe and I can’t wait to actually go and actually get on the island. After heading that far south, you then head up the East River to go underneath the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queensboro Bridges, getting a different vantage of Downtown and Midtown as well as Brooklyn and a little bit of Queens. Once you hit the Bellevue Medical center area, the boat turns around and retraces its steps. I was pretty much done at that point and just enjoyed the rest of the cruise.
Below are my many pics from the cruise. Once again, I had to edit myself so these are not all of them, but these are all pretty good though.
6 Sep 2007 – Circle Line Boat Tour (includes Statue of Liberty & Brooklyn Bridge)
Hotness on the Circle Line
06-Sep-2007 12:29, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.02 sec, ISO 141
View from the tour boat as we awaited departure
06-Sep-2007 12:35, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 12:42, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
A look back towards MidTown and 30 Rock (the building with the white ball on top of it)
06-Sep-2007 12:43, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.9, 23.1mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 12:43, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.9, 23.1mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 100
There's a look towards the ESB and Chelsea
06-Sep-2007 12:43, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
That's the ESB and in the foreground on the right is the Ferry Terminal to points in New Jersey
06-Sep-2007 12:44, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 12:44, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 12:44, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 12:46, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 11.0, 15.599mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 100
Looking towards New Jersey and my hotel, which is just to the left of that long building in the water
06-Sep-2007 12:47, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 13.0, 18.776mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 12:48, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 9.028mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 12:48, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 9.0, 10.487mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 12:49, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 100
Looking south towards downtown (where the WTC used to be)
06-Sep-2007 12:52, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 11.0, 15.599mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 12:52, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 11.0, 15.599mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 100
Greenwich Village and where Friends would be if they existed
06-Sep-2007 12:56, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 13.0, 18.776mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 12:57, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 10.0, 12.523mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 100
Another downtown shot
06-Sep-2007 12:58, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 10.0, 12.523mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
Downtown
06-Sep-2007 13:00, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:01, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 11.0, 15.599mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:02, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 11.0, 15.599mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:03, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 14.0, 23.1mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:03, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 14.0, 23.1mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:06, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 13.0, 18.776mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
Now pretty far south of Manhattan and looking back at it
06-Sep-2007 13:06, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
There's Ellis Island
06-Sep-2007 13:08, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 11.0, 15.599mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:09, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 10.0, 12.523mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
And there's the Statue of Liberty
06-Sep-2007 13:11, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 13.0, 18.776mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:12, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 14.0, 23.1mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
Rounding the corner
06-Sep-2007 13:12, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 13.0, 18.776mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
It really is a beautiful structure
06-Sep-2007 13:13, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 11.0, 15.599mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 100
And there she is in all her glory
06-Sep-2007 13:13, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 14.0, 23.1mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:13, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 13.0, 18.776mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:14, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 10.0, 12.523mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:14, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 10.0, 12.523mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:14, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 14.0, 23.1mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:14, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 14.0, 23.1mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 100
REALLY far from Manhattan when you're right by the Statue of Liberty
06-Sep-2007 13:15, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 10.0, 12.523mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 100
Looking at the perspective of the Statue to Manhattan
06-Sep-2007 13:15, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:16, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:18, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 9.028mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
The Verrazano Narrows bridge south of Manhattan
06-Sep-2007 13:18, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 14.0, 23.1mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:18, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.9, 23.1mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:19, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 11.0, 15.599mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:20, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.9, 23.1mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:21, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:21, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 9.0, 10.487mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:22, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 11.0, 15.599mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:24, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 10.0, 12.523mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:27, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.5, 18.776mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 100
The Brooklyn Bridge
06-Sep-2007 13:28, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:29, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 100
Getting closer
06-Sep-2007 13:29, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 9.0, 10.487mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:29, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 9.0, 10.487mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 100
Almost under it
06-Sep-2007 13:29, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
Now past it
06-Sep-2007 13:29, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:29, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:29, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
Downtown behind the Brooklyn Bridge
06-Sep-2007 13:29, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:30, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
This is the Manhattan Bridge with downtown behind it
06-Sep-2007 13:31, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
Queensboro Bridge (I think)
06-Sep-2007 13:31, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 10.0, 12.523mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:33, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
Looking south back at the bridges and downtown
06-Sep-2007 13:33, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:34, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 9.028mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:34, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:35, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:35, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 13.0, 18.776mm, 0.006 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:37, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 10.0, 12.523mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:38, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
ME
06-Sep-2007 13:39, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 100
From Empire State Building to the CitiGroup building
06-Sep-2007 13:39, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 10.0, 12.523mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:43, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
The United Nations building and the Trump International Tower (the black monolith structure)
06-Sep-2007 13:43, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.5, 18.776mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:43, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 9.0, 10.487mm, 0.004 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:43, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 9.0, 10.487mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:58, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 13.0, 18.776mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 13:59, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 100
06-Sep-2007 14:04, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 100
And those are my New York Pics. After the end of my circle line boat tour, I walked a block to the Ferry Terminal, crossed back over to Lincoln Harbor, and then hung out in my room for a bit. Around 6, I went over to visit the last apartment I had planned to see during this trip, and it was this one that I am now eventually going to live in. It’s a really sweet place and I really am looking forward to being there.
Alright, I have a few more pics from a recent dinner at Chili’s with my friends out here. There’s quite a few Hobie Farewell Tour events going on my last few days, which will be fun but only serve to hasten things along. I am going to actually drive out of the Springs on Tuesday morning, for better or for worse. My itinerary looks like this:
– 1st Stop: Omaha area
– 2nd Stop: Joliet, Illinois area and visit Jeremy
– 3rd Stop: Cleveland
– 4th Stop: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and visit Jenny
– 5th Stop: Atlantic City and gamble
– 6th and Final: West New York, New Jersey
And that adventure begins in just a few days!!!!!! YIKES.
10 September 2007 – Dinner at Chili’s
A poorly executed self-shot of 'all' of us
10-Sep-2007 20:51, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 141
Jeff and Susan
10-Sep-2007 20:52, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.125 sec, ISO 800
Eric getting felt up by KD
10-Sep-2007 20:52, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.067 sec, ISO 800
Awww
10-Sep-2007 20:53, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.077 sec, ISO 800
10-Sep-2007 20:54, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 141
A super close up of me
10-Sep-2007 20:54, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 4.9, 23.1mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 179
I don't remember being that drunk - I'm pretty sure I wasn't
10-Sep-2007 20:54, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 8.0, 7.7mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 141
Susan smiles
10-Sep-2007 20:55, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 141
10-Sep-2007 20:55, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 141
Maybe I was that drunk?
10-Sep-2007 20:55, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 141
10-Sep-2007 20:57, Canon Canon PowerShot SD900, 2.8, 7.7mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 141
