Boston
Cape Cod Bay
Cape Cod Canal is an astonishing manmade waterway lined with New England towns and dense forest and overseen by the towering Sagamore and Bourne Bridges. The Pilgrims crossed these waters from the tip of the Cape, Provincetown to Plymouth, Massachusetts. Cruising up the Bay, you could see gentle hills rising from shore behind low bluffs and golden-sand beaches.
We ate our way through the North End or better known as Little Italy; cookies & biscotti from Bova Bakery and dinner at Nico which was 5-star. We had cannoli at Mike’s Bakery and some other pastry at Modern Pastry. Boston’s Little Italy is larger and far better than New York’s!
We walked up Newbury Street, then down Boylston Street. We walked part of the Freedom Trail, stopped at the Old North Church made famous by Paul Revere’s midnight ride and, “One if by land, two if by sea.”
We walked through Boston Common which is the country’s oldest park, Boston Public Gardens where the swan boats are located, the Public Library, and Copley Square.
We walked through Faneuil Hall and had pizza slices at Quincy Market.
Day #2 – Again, we hopped the shuttle to the Long Wharf and started off walking in the rain. Our destination was the West End. On our way, we saw Mass General and Shriners Children’s Hospital. We weren’t quite sure what we were looking for but knew we’d know it when we got there. We found the Causeway which took us to the West End, an area of cafes, restaurants, boutiques, and bars. We were warned about the rivalry between sports fans and told if we were to enter one of these bars, to be careful what you said, who you said it about and whom you said it too.
We strolled into the elite area of Beacon Hill which is where the State House is located. This building was completed in 1798 at a cost of $133,333 (more than five times the budget), and has repeatedly been enlarged. It was designated a National Historic Landmark for its architectural significance.
We’re on our last hour in Boston and find ourselves back in Little Italy. We went into a café for lattes and were talked into cappuccino’s and pistachio muffins. Best decision we made that day. These cappuccinos were so incredible that we may never have lattes again.
Last stop is at what’s supposed to be the “Best” Italian Sandwich Shop. We climbed down the stairs to this tiny hole-in-the-wall shop – oh boy! It’s gonna be so good! We ordered one Italian sub to go and ate it when we got back to the ship. Not bad, but definitely not the “Best”.
Manhattan, New York City
We walk through Hell’s Kitchen to Lincoln Center to see if we could get tickets to Dizzy’s Jazz Club. No luck, so off we go to Central Park where we watched a few horse-drawn carriages go by, then up 5th Avenue. Yes, we walked by Trump Tower surrounded with all kinds of police protection, then by the original Apple Store which had a line of people trying to get in, even in pouring rain. We continued on to the UNIQLO Store. They create innovative and affordable clothing designed to make your life better. Spent a couple hours shopping all four floors. We always find something we can’t live without and today was no exception.
We continue to Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, and Times Square. We saw a guy selling apples and couldn’t resist. Apples in NY, in October, it just doesn’t get any better. Crisp and juicy.
Rain was easing up and we needed pizza; there’s nothing better than eating a slice of NYC pizza standing at a sidewalk table watching people. We passed by Columbus Circle which is a heavily trafficked circle located at the intersection of Eighth Ave, Broadway, Central Park South and Cental Park West.
We headed to Bryant Park known as Manhattan’s Town Square. It is visited by more than 12 million people each year and is one of the busiest public spaces in the world. We watched as city workers were installing what’s called The Rink at Winter Village. It’s the only free admission 17,000 square foot ice skating rink in NYC. Bank of America is the annual donor. When the winter season ends, city workers come back and lay sod until the next winter season. Across the street from Bryant Park is the NY Public Library which is an attraction all its own.
We stop at Birdland (another jazz club) to see about tickets. Scored dinner tickets for tomorrow night to see the Ron Carter Trio. HOORAY!
Last stop is an Eatery in Hells Kitchen called Turco Mediterranean Grill. It’s a tiny little place but awesome. Took half my meal back to the ship.
Day #2 – No rain today so we head back to Lincoln Center because across the street every Thursday is an open air market. We buy more apples and 2 scones. By the way Lincoln Center is home to the NYC Opera, the NYC Philharmonic and the NYC Ballet. It’s such a classic Performing Arts Center.
This is our 4th day in a row of hard walking so we decide to get a 1-day subway pass. No longer available. OK, a 3-day pass, no longer available. So, we get a week’s pass and hop a subway to B&H Camera. This is like the UNIQLO store only for cameras. The delivery system alone is enough to make a visit necessary. You order from a counter. You go to another counter to pay. In the meantime, your purchases are being transported along rails on the ceiling to a waiting area where you are. Very, very efficient and the people are over and above helpful. All for security.
Time for lunch so we head to the Haymaker District and take an elevator to the rooftop of RH (Restoration Hardware) where we had an elegant lunch.
Back on the subway to SoHo. We walk the streets wandering in and out of stores. We do the Eastside, the Westside and Greenwich Village. We walk to our favorite pastry shop only to find it’s out of business. That was probably a good thing. We continue on to Washington Park which sits next to NYC University. We hear some really good jazz by a group of 4 students, and it’s sunny.
We find ourselves close to Grand Central Station so in we go to look again for the only brick that wasn’t replaced when Jackie Kennedy fought to save Grand Central. We find it in the same place as the last time we were there. Grand Central is absolutely beautiful and not simply a transportation hub; it’s also a shopping, dining and cultural destination, all under one incredible roof.
Time to head to Birdland. Dinner was terrific and the jazz was incredible. We walk back to the ship at 11PM.
Day #3 – Still not raining. Took subway to Bleaker St and walked to Mulberry which took us to Little Italy. Ended up at Café Roma for coffees and pastry. Walked further and had to sample 1 cannoli that we shared from a street vendor. Walked on through Chinatown and up to REI, then the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) Store.
For our last lunch in NYC, we chose Empanada Mamas and were not disappointed. We stopped by our favorite bakery on Houston for 2 cherry knishes to go. Finding these stores by just walking around Manhattan was surprising easy, even though we were there a few years ago.
Our final stop was for iced coffees at Starbucks located at 50th & 8th which is next to the apartment we always stayed in when we visited NYC. Time to head back to the ship. Bye NY, until next time…