New York City 21st May 2010. After a busy and wonderful 6 days on the QM2 where we indulged ourselves with first class cuisine, great entertainment with musicals,plays, informative lectures, art classes. Gym workouts, sessions in the library and glamorous balls and dances, we arrived in New York. Had to get up at 4.45 am to see our arrival in New York harbour, We went under the Verrazanno big suspension bridge, then on to see the Statue Of Liberty. We tried to imagine how those new refugees and immigrants felt when they arrived in the US at Ellis Island havingfledfamine, religious persecution, war, all ready for a new beginning, a fresh startin a democracy. Such a shame our own country has to be so mean in welcoming new citizens who have come from terrible circumstances of war and persecution. Anyhow it has all changed in our time since we have to be worried abouthomeland security etc etc.

Well on with our time in New York. The Statue of Liberty was framed in the dawn light, and the Manhattan skyline looked amazing as we headed up the Hudson river to berth around West 53rd Street. Getting off the ship was well managed as disembarkation was done by your cabin floor number so they broke up the departure and even put on the same full breakfast for us all - as if we still needed feeding. Anyhow, went via taxi to Hotel Pod,on 51st street right in downtown, handy to everything. Went to Times Square and bought tickets to a Broadway Musical, Promises, Promises, which features Burt Bacharach, songs and was based on the play"The Apartment". It was very entertaining and we had great seats. Also went for a wander around the shops and streets, being in New York is like being in a big movie set. It is so busy and bustling.

The next day was also spent roaming around, there is always so much to see and do we didn't get through half of it. Met John Hendry for a drink in the late afternoon, it was nice to catch up with him. We then went to dinner at the best steak house in Manhattan, at Dylans in Greenwich Village - a treat from the kids to Jack for his birthday.What a lovely special occasion for our time in New York.

Next day we were packing again as we headed for Calgary in Canada.