Cruise Holidays - Attheta Travel

I am proud to be certified by CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) as an Elite Cruise Counselor. The Cruise Counselor Certification Program is CLIA's most comprehensive training which requires agents to successfully complete a number of compulsory training courses and exams, attend cruise conferences, and conduct ship inspections. Anita Thompson, Attheta Travel, dba Cruise Holidays.

Monday, December 23, 2013

Three days in New York City

 
In early November, we were fortunate to spend a few days in NYC. It was our first visit to the city since 9/11.  We stayed in the Millennium Hilton, in lower Manhattan – right across the street from the memorial that is still under construction. If you have an opportunity, you really should visit the site of the World Trade Center: so much history, so many memories… The new Tower 1 nears completion, just a short distance from the footprints of the old towers.  I was surprised to learn that seven towers are planned.  
New Memorial in World Trade Center
 If you want to see the World Trade Center, then consider staying at the Millennium Hilton, it’s in a good location, close to Wall Street, Battery Park, and the subway entrance is outside the main entrance of the hotel. The hotel was clean and the staff was courteous.

One World Trade Center

The best way to get around lower Manhattan is by walking or taking the subway.  We took the subway to Central Park. It took a few minutes to understand the intimidating subway map, but the change attendant give us a few pointers in getting around the subway system. No problem after our first attempt.
Foot Bridge in Central Park
 It was my first visit to the park and I was impressed.  The trees still had a lot of fall color.  I still regret not taking a ride in a hansom cab around the park.   

Pond in Central Park
 
The weather was seasonal (cold) and the stores were beginning to prepare for the holidays.  We saw the Christmas tree unloaded in Rockefeller Center. Walked and shopped along 5th Ave and Times Square – played tourist!  Anita fell in love with Macy’s on 34th Street.

Anita in Times Square
 
One minor disappointment: the security staff at the Empire State Building were rude and discourteous on the Saturday evening we visited the top of the building. In my mind, it reinforced the stereotype of New Yorkers. In three full days, that was the only bad experience.    Unless you count the Saturday night bus ride thru Times Square... 
 
Anita near Brooklyn Bridge

One surprise: the Wall Street Bull is not on Wall Street!  After 9/11, the bull was moved to a small park off Broadway in lower Manhattan.   Someone should put directions to the statue somewhere along Wall Street.
After much looking, we found the Bull!

This year, our annual convention was aboard the Norwegian Breakaway, NYC to the Bahamas and back.  For us it was a long way to go to visit Nassau.  However, the visit to the city made it worthwhile.  Thanks, New York!
Lower Manhattan from the deck of the Norwegian Breakaway

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