Cruise to Europe - first day NYC

This is Times Square and was the least impressive of the things we saw.

We could have spent days. So many things to see and a great place to visit. Every square inch is used, width, depth and height.

The volume of noise and people is overwhelming. We were up early walking in the area and soaking up as much as we could in just a few hours.

Grand Central station is indeed grand with many levels, shops, buses, trains, taxis, etc. The NYC subway system was originally many independantly operated lines. But, the different owners could agree on a central station so most lines either go through here or end here. The concourses are lined with every kind of bakeries and eateries and the smells as you pass are delicious. What a great place to people watch.

It is hard to get photo from the ground, but I got this one of the Chrysler Building reflected in the glass of the next building. We visited the beautiful lobby with inlaid ceiling. This is just one of the mosaics of an airplane.

I'm not sure about cab drivers. We got in a cab and had to get out because his meter wouldn't work. Then we got a cab, but the fare was twice as much as expected since we went on a street with many blocks of construction. Hmm..... We must have looked like tourists.

We boarded the Rotterdam a 1,360 passenger cruise ship by Holland America and wandered the ship checking out our new home for almost six weeks. Our bags arrived quickly so we took the time before sailing to get settled. Then it was out to the deck as we left NYC and sailed past Ellis Island, the Lightship Nantucket and the Statue of Liberty.