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Photos from the Circle Line Cruise

Circumnavigating Manhattan

Trip Over to New York

After a late and lazy start on a very cold New York morning – we walked down to the Corner Café at 6th Avenue and 23rd Street, bought some Smoked Salmon Bagels with Scallion Lox to go. Then wandered down 22nd Street to the Hudson River, from there we had leisurely walk all the way up the Riverside to the 42nd Street Pier where we bought tickets to go on the Circle Line 3 hour boat trip right around Manhattan Island, and sat down to eat our bagels before boarding.

Taking up our positions outside on the upper deck in seats at the back of the boat, it was absolutely freezing, but that was the best place for taking photos. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, the wind chill certainly made us wonder what we were doing on a boat. Once we got going there were plenty of opportunities to run inside to warm up. My hat, gloves and scarf certainly earned their keep that day.

As the ferry pulled away from the pier the excellent, informative and entertaining commentary began, John really knew his stuff and how to deliver it, we learned so much along the way. First going south down the Hudson past Chelsea Piers with the golf driving range jutting out on the river, then on towards Ellis Island and out past the Statue of Liberty – everyone onboard went wild taking photos of the statue and each other with Lady Liberty in the background. The boat then turned back past the Staten Island Ferry Terminal and started heading up the East River, the wind was like ice!!

Past the New York Helipad with a constant stream of helicopters landing and taking off, then under Brooklyn Bridge, under Manhattan Bridge, under Williamsburg Bridge, past the ruins of the Roosevelt Island Smallpox Hospital, under the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge and the Roosevelt Cable Car, past Gracie Mansion where the NYC Major lives, should he choose to.




At this point I discovered that local New Yorkers are quite uninformed about landmark bridges outside New York. As I was flying in to NYC a week or so earlier, we flew over Manhattan, I could see a bridge that looked like a much smaller version of Sydney Harbour Bridge. One evening we were chatting with a waitress at the Ace Hotel Lobby Bar about things to see and places to go in NYC, she had asked where we were from, etc, etc. I asked her what the name of the bridge that looks like Sydney Harbour Bridge was. She replied, “I don’t know what Sydney Harbour Bridge looks like”. I was quite shocked. Is it just me or should educated people in first world countries know this? I thought Sydney Harbour Bridge was up there with the great monuments of the world that all kids learn about at school, and all adults hear about regularly? Eiffel Tower, London Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge, Empire State Building, Sydney Harbour Bridge…….??

On another occasion, I was at the ‘Top of the Rock’ taking in the magnificent view from the top of the Rockefeller Center. From there you can see the bridge in question, I asked the security guy what the bridge that looked like Sydney Harbour Bridge was called, he looked and said, “That’s the RFK Bridge”. But no, on the Circle Line Cruise John informed us the rail bridge behind the RFK Bridge is Hell Gate Bridge, he went on to tell us it was the prototype for Sydney Harbour Bridge, (I’ve heard that the Tyne Bridge in Newcastle, England was the prototype………………..?!!?)

Anyway, to cut a long story short…….the bridge that looks like Sydney Harbour Bridge is actually called Hell Gate Bridge!!!! It’s a rail bridge only, opened in 1916. The Tyne Bridge in Newcastle, England was opened in 1928. Both clearly influential in the design of Sydney Harbour Bridge, but I believe it was the builders of the Tyne Bridge who won the contract to build the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Cruising on further up the Harlem River, under Wards Island Footbridge, under University Heights Bridge and many more bridges, past the Columbia University Boat House, past Yankee Stadium and up to the tip of Manhattan Island, under the High Bridge Aquaduct (now a foot bridge), under the Henry Hudson Bridge where we had to wait for the Spuyten Duyvil Bridge, a pivoting rail bridge, to open up to we could pass through, then it spins back into place for the rapidly approaching train to cross. Trains have priority and everything is timed perfectly – generally. Only a few mishaps along the way, like the time someone drove a car on to the bridge into the path of the oncoming train (and survived!), or the time a boat hit the bridge and brought the trains to a standstill……… From here we were able to turn down the Hudson, and mercifully a change of wind direction, no longer quite as icy.

Looking up we could see the Cloisters, which form part of the Met Museum exhibition, built from parts of various European Monastries, all shipped over to New York over one hundred years ago. As we got closer to George Washington Bridge we could see the “Pumpkin House” (named because at night it looks like a Halloween pumpkin), which sits surronded by towers of apartments. An amazing piece of architecture that once sat all alone perched out from the cliff face looking over the Hudson.

The Little Red Lighthouse sits under George Washington Bridge like a toy, dwarfed by the giant bridge. Further down we passed Grant’s Tomb, and tribute to General Grant. He and his wife lie here in the tomb based on Naploeon’s Tomb. Then passing the Riverside Church and the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. Then the geology changes – the northern end of Manhattan needs parkland around the coast to sure up the island to support the buildings, south of 72nd Street the island is sitting on deep bedrock right down to Lower Manhattan so the building goes right to the edge of the island.

As the boat cruised back towards 42nd Street Pier, past Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, John told us about the day Captain Sullenberger brought Flight #1549 down on the Hudson and all 155 passengers and crew were safely rescued – Circle Line Cruises were on hand to pump water out and help with the rescue.

Book a tour on your Trip Over to New York

Itinerary for Trip Over to New York

Flew from Sydney to New York on Qantas via LA.

Arranged to be picked up at JFK Airport with Viator for the drive into Chelsea, also used for the return trip.

Stayed for a month in magnificent artists loft in Chelsea, found on VRBO.

Bought a one month travel ticket for the NYC Subway.

The Christmas tree in the QVB is in place rising up into the dome. . . . . #qvb #queenvictoriabuilding #christmastree #christmasdecorations #christmasdecorationseverywhere #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneycbd #sydneyhistoricalbuildings #sydneychristmas #shoppinginsydney #christmasready #sydney #sydneylocal #seekandyoushallfind
Looking down Barrack St, peeking between the Burberry Building and the old Sydney GPO, now the Fullerton Hotel, at Martin Place getting set up for the Christmas markets. . . . #christmastree #christmasmarket #martinplace #barrackstreet #martinplacechristmastree #starontop #sydneycbd #sydneychristmas #sydneylife #sydneyshopping #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneylocal #sydneyhistoricalbuildings #seetheworldthroughmylens #australianflag #explorethecityyoulivein
The Martin Place Christmas tree is set up, but I am so over seeing it every year with the red and green beach ball look, surely we can have something different occasionally. Looks great for visitors, but if you live here........same old, same old...... . . . #martinplace #martinplacechristmastree #sydneycbd #sydneylife #sydney #sydneyhistoricalbuildings #sydneylocal #christmasinsydney #christmasiscoming #sydneylunchtime #fullertonhotelsydney #seetheworldthroughmylens
Sydney on weekdays - beautiful blue sky, blue water, I'm settling back into Sydney after returning from London, walked home from work across Sydney Harbour Bridge, I then cheat and catch the bus up the hill from here!!🤣🌞 . . #sydneyharbour #sydneyferries #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneycbd #sydneylocal #sydney #sydneyinspring #sydneywalks #walkinghomefromwork #bluewater #bluesky #waitingforthebus #perfectday #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme #myhometown #travellerau
Another of my favourites at this year's Sculpture by the Sea, nice and calming on a day of torrential rain, followed by wild winds, but as it was the last weekend of the exhibition I had to brave it! . . #sculpturebythesea #sculptureart #sculptureinthepark #artinpublicplaces #arttherapy #artinstallation #artinsydney #sydneybeaches #sydneyweekend #sydneybythesea #sydneylife #sydney #sydneylocal #sydneywalks #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmylens #travellerau #traveladdict #traveltheworldwithme
Christmas has come to Sydney!! The Strand Arcade always beautiful anyway, now dressed up in it's finest festive kit. . . . #strandarcade #strandarcadesydney #christmasinsydney #christmasiscoming #christmasdecorations #christmasdecorationseverywhere #christmasdecoratingideas #festiveseason #sydneyhistoricalbuildings #historicalbuildingsenrichourlives #shoppinginsydney #sydneylunchtime #sydneylocal #myhometown #traveladdict #seetheworldthroughmylens
David Jones Elizabeth Street Store, Sydney Spring Flower Show always attracts attention. . . . #davidjonesflowershow #davidjones #elizabethstreet #orchids #roses #pinkflowers #yellowflowers #purpleflowers #whiteflowers #sydneycbd #sydneylife #sydneyshopping #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneylocal #sydneyinspring #neverstopexploring #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
This is the life, a magnificent place to live on the River Thames up past Richmond on the way to Hampton Court. They've got the house, the garden, the boat house and a narrow boat tied up out the front🌞 . . . #riverthames #lifeontheriver #dreamhome #boathouse #narrowboat #thamesriverboats #thamesrivercruise #westminstertohamptoncourt #daytripfromlondon #upriver #travelbyboat #outonthewater #londonlife #londontravel #londontrip #londondaysout
Along the sculpture walk at Walsh Bay, worth a look before going to the Sydney Theatre. . . . . #walshbaysydney #walshbay #walshbaysculpturewalk #artinthestreets #artinpublicplaces #sculptureintherocks #sculptureintherocks #sculptureart #shoesasart #silvershoes #explorethecityyoulivein #sydneyharbourwalks #sydney #sydneyaustralia #seekandyoushallfind
David Jones Spring Flower Show, at the Elizabeth St store in Sydney CBD. . . #davidjonesflowershow #davidjones #elizabethstreet #orchids #yellowflowers #pinkflowers #celine #dior #pinkdress #sydneylife #sydneyshopping #sydneyaustralia #sydneycbd #seekandyoushallfind #sydneylocal #sydneyinspring #neverstopexploring #explorethecityyoulivein #lunchtimewalks #seetheworldthroughmylens
Super clean water in the bay at Tunks Park, looks inviting.....apart from the temperature of it, and the shells that would rip your feet to shreds....but apart from that..... . . . #tunkspark #tunksparksydney #sydneywaterways #loveyourwaterwayssydney #sydneyharbourwalks #springday #sydneyinspring #sydneylife #explorethecityyoulivein #seetheworldthroughmylens
This looks like it is upside down, but no, these flowers are all hanging from the ceiling in David Jones Elizabeth Street store at the Spring Flower Show. . . #davidjonesflowershow #davidjones #elizabethstreetstore #flowersontheceiling #whiteflowers #pinkflowers #sydneylife #sydney #sydneyshopping #sydneylocal #sydneyinspring #sydneylunchtime #springflowershow #sydneycbd #seetheworldthroughmylens
Inside the Ricmond Lock, gates closed and the water starting to flood in to raise us up to the water level on the next section of the Thames on our way from Westminster to Hampton Court. There are more pics and info on my website. Click the website link in the bio. . . . #richmondlock #richmondlockbridge #richmondlockandfootbridge #richmondlockandweir #thamesriverboats #thamesriverboatservices #thamesriverfinds #riverthames #daytripfromlondon #traveladdict #londonpics #londonlife #london #londontravel #londontrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme
On the Walsh Bay Sculpture Walk opposite the Sydney Theatre a variety of sculptures to enhance your walk around the edge of the Harbour. . . . #walshbaysydney #walshbaysculpturewalk #walshbay #sculptureart #sculptureintherocks #sculpture #artinstallation #artinpublicplaces #artinsydney #arttherapy #sydneyharbourwalks #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneylocal #sydney #seetheworldthroughmylens
As the sun sets over Sydney Opera House, shows why this is the golden hour, or maybe the golden 10 minutes at this time of year!! By the time I walked to the northern end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge it was dark. . . . #sydneyoperahouse #sydneyoperahouseaustralia #sydneyferries #circularquay #bennelongpoint #sydneyharbour #sydneyinwinter #walkinghomefromwork #walkacrossthebridge #myhometown #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #travellerau #timeoutsydney #traveltheworldwithme #eveningwalk
All Christmas ready in the Strand Arcade in Sydney!! . . . #strandarcade #strandarcadesydney #christmasinsydney #christmasdecorationseverywhere #christmasdecorations #christmasiscoming #startingtolookalotlikechristmas #shoppinginsydney #sydneyhistoricalbuildings #sydneylocal #myhometown #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneycbd #sydneyshopping #sydney #sydney_insta #seekandyoushallfind
Waratah in full bloom along the waters edge at Tunks Park in Sydney. Another magnificent winters day, started off cool and crisp, then beautiful in the sun 🌞 . . . #tunkspark #tunksparksydney #waratahflower #waratah #sydneynativeplants #nativeplants #nativeflowersofaustralia #walkinthepark #sailingboats #mooredboats #boatsonthebay #bluewater #bluesky #sydneyinwinter #explorethecityyoulivein #seetheworldthroughmylens
The Alfresco Emporium at the QVB, all Christmas ready 🎄!! . . . . #alfrescoemporium #alfrescoemporiumqvb #alfrescoemporiumchristmas #queenvictoriabuilding #christmastrees #christmasinsydney #christmasdecorations #shoppinginsydney #windowshopping #sydneyaustralia #sydneylocal #sydney #sydneylife #seetheworldthroughmylens
Kookaburra sits on the old park bench.....that's not really how the song goes, but he wasn't laughing in an old gum tree at the time!! Just taking in the views on a sunny winters day at Tunks Park in Sydney's northern suburbs. . . . #kookaburra #kookaburrainthepark #outinthewintersun #tunkspark #tunksparksydney #walkinthepark #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seetheworldthroughmylens #sydney #sydneyaustralia #myhometown #travellerau #sydneysuburbs
Another beautiful survivor from the best period of Sydney's architecture, the Strand Arcade is a lovely example of how a shopping mall used to be! . . . . #strandarcade #strandarcadesydney #sydneyarchitecture #sydneyhistoricalbuildings #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #historicsydney #sydneycbd #georgestreet #sydneylife #sydneyinwinter #sydney #sydneyaustralia #travellerau #traveltheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmylens #myhometown
More on the Walsh Bay Sculpture Walk, the one in the middle seems to have moved on...! . . . #sculptureart #sculptureintherocks #sculpture #walshbaysydney #walshbaysculpturewalk #walshbay #artinpublicplaces #artinpublicspaces #explorethecityyoulivein #seetheworldthroughmylens #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia
Deep blue hydrangeas at the David Jones Spring Flower Show at the Elizabeth Street store. . . #davidjonesflowershow #davidjones #bluehydrangeas #goldscreen #flowershow #blueflowers #pinkflowers #whiteflowers #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydney_insta #sydneycbd #sydneyshopping #sydneylocal #sydneyinspring #explorethecityyoulivein
Just flying in for a close up time check on the Sydney Town Hall clock tower. The clock face looks like a mini Big Ben one! . . . #sydneytownhallclocktower #sydneytownhall #townhallsydney #seagull #sydneytime #timeoutsydney #travellerau #mysecretsydney #sydneyinwinter #sydneycbd #sydney #sydneylife #timecheck #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #historicsydney #myhometown
David Jones Spring Flower Show in the Elizabeth Street store in the Sydney CBD. . . . #davidjones #davidjonesflowershow @davidjonesstore #chanelbag #orchids #pinkflowers #yellowflowers #notchelseaflowershow #sydneyinspring #shoppinginsydney #explorethecityyoulivein #seekandyoushallfind #sydneylife #sydneycbd #sydneyaustralia #sydneylocal
Circular Quay, Sydney's ferry terminal, don't know how that big brown box of a building got there, I'm sure it wasn't there last time I looked!! Good to see the Overseas Shipping Terminal, on the right of the photo, without a gigantic ship in it blocking out the view of ..... everything really! . . . #circularquay #sydneyharbour #sydneyferries #overseasshippingterminal #sydneycbd #cahillexpressway #viewfromthebridge #walkingonsydneyharbourbridge #walkinghomefromwork #sydneyatdusk #sydneyinwinter #travellerau #myhometown #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneycbd #sydneylocal

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