Tag Archives: travel

January 30, 2019 · 5:35 am

54 Days at Sea — New York sights Part 2


New York City sights

As I noted on Monday, this is the last week in my 54 Days at Sea series.

New York City sights

Times Square

New York City sights

MS Prinsendam would depart New York around 6:00 p.m. on the evening of May 14. On our way out New York Harbor we passed Ellis Island, which welcomed immigrants to the United States of America starting January 1, 1892. The last immigrant passed through the Ellis Island Immigrant Inspection Station on November 12, 1954. Over 100,000,000 present-day citizens of the United States had ancestors pass through this historic site.

Ellis Island — “Immigrant Central” from 1892 until 1954

Just beyond Ellis Island, on the much smaller Liberty Island, the Statue of Liberty (officially: La Liberté Éclairant le Monde — Liberty Enlightening the World) bid us farewell as we began the last two-day leg of our 54-day odyssey.

Lady Liberty bidding us, “Farewell”

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January 28, 2019 · 5:35 am

54 Days at Sea — New York sights Part 1


Times Square

This week will conclude my 54 Days at Sea series, as New York was our last stop before returning to Fort Lauderdale the disembarkation. The MS Prinsendam was home for us for nearly two months, and Ursula and I would miss her when we left. Indeed, our sense of loss is perhaps even greater now, nine years later, since finding out that Holland America has sold this small yet magnificent ship. Holland America is currently leasing back the “Elegant Explorer”, but MS Prinsendam leaves the fleet this July. She shall be sorely missed, as she had many return cruisers over the decades.

New York City Sights

Today and Wednesday we’ll take in the sights of New York City, and follow that up with some of my favorite New York City photos on this week’s Fun Photo Friday. Here is today’s gallery and slide show:

New York City Sights
New York City Sights
New York City Sights
New York City Sights
Times Square

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January 23, 2019 · 5:35 am

54 Days at Sea — New York City’s famous Katz’s Delicatessen


Looking north on Bowery at Bleecker

There is one place in New York that Ursula and I consistently hit at least once each and every time. That is the incomparable Katz’s Delicatessen and their indescribably delicious pastrami sandwiches. Those sandwiches are piled so high that, if you take one along with a side of their marvelous fries, you better be prepared to share. Indeed, I doubt I could finish one on my own even without the fries. Look in the lower left corner of the photo below to see what I mean:

Katz’s Delicatessen

Katz’s is always busy every time we go there. But if there’s a wait, it’s definitely worth it.

Katz’s Delicatessen

Here’s a shot of Ursula waiting patiently for our shared pastrami on rye with a side of fries:

Katz’s Delicatessen

While Katz’s is world famous, I mentioned in Monday’s article that a rather suggestive, uproariously hilarious movie scene only further added to the mystique of this New York landmark. Yes, this was filmed in Katz’s Deli, and the last time I was there a sign hovered over the table that hosted Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal:

I doubt anyone can truly duplicate the wonderful flavor of Katz’s pastrami, but this week look for a special edition of Fun Food Friday as I come up with a really close impersonation. Until then, enjoy these New York City scenes:

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