Finally done it! Got to North America at last! Did it in style too on the Queen Mary 2. Southampton to New York, with a stopover in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, so that's two countries ticked off the list! Life looked great in Halifax too, a lovely day and a good lifestyle by the looks of it. After asking a local the directions to a good pub we discovered the Alehouse, a very nice pub and a welcome relief from the Canadian heat.Was a wonderful ship, the food was excellent, lots to do, no seasickness apart from one day going to pick up a capsized yachtsman, that made the news apparently. Would I go again, yes! Though the booze prices are quite high, not only on ship, but also, I was to discover, in New York itself.
Did lots in the short time in New York: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Harlem, Staten Island. Open top bus tours were ok, expensive though, and traffic is really bad. Did a lot of walking and went up Empire State, went to Grand Central, Central Park, Intrepid aircraft carrier attraction, walked Brooklyn bridge etc etc. The hotel was not too far from Central Park, and was OK, though it had a hostel feel to it and the walls had mirrors as the rooms were tiny! Weren't too bothered though, was out like a light after lots of walking mainly. Good pubs seemed in short supply in NYC, and at $8 a pint it was expensive as the ship! I guess going off the tourist trail would be cheaper, but we had very little time.Been back a while now, it's amazing how you get back into routine. Have to remind myself however to avoid Norwegian Airlines, the flight from JFK to Gatwick was horrible-and delayed an hour- as I was filled with gassy stomach problems, also how can anyone sleep upright? I certainly couldn't! And then the stress of getting through Gatwick for connecting flight! Would not want a repeat. Have lots to add, but this is, yet again, a rush to update before end of month. I know how you miss the updates on my exciting lifestyle...er/..or so..
The one with me with Canada sign is about the first one taken of me taken outside of Europe, at least for about 30 years. The photo at sunrise of Manhattan was taken from the Queen Mary 2, have many good photos of our arrival, were lucky with the weather. The guy in the suit was our cabin waiter, useless sod.
