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Flight to New York

Avaldatud: 28.09.2018

Today is our next travel day from the west to the east coast of the USA. Or rather, since we have a night flight, a suitcase-packing-resting travel day.

We took an 'Uber' across the city to get to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac).

Fortunately, we were able to weigh our suitcases again before checking them in. So we repacked a few things into my suitcase.

The airline employee was very surprised that we didn't have to pay for checking in our luggage.

At the airport in Seattle
At the airport in Seattle


After that, we quickly passed through security and looked for something to eat.

Our flight didn't leave until 22:30.

The 4.5-hour flight time didn't go by quickly. Unfortunately, I could only sleep for about 2 hours out of the 4 hours. Flo was completely fine, though.

Goodbye Seattle, one last view from above
Goodbye Seattle, one last view from above

Nevertheless, we arrived slightly exhausted at Newark Airport in New York at 5:00 local time.

When it's an overnight domestic flight, like ours, there's only a small snack and something to drink on board. Otherwise, you're supposed to sleep during the flight.

Approaching New York City and Newark Airport
Approaching New York City and Newark Airport


Our arrival airport is about 17 km southwest of New York City. However, the connection to Penn Station Regional Train Station in New York is very convenient. The airport's 'Airtrain' connects all terminals, the parking lot, and the regional train station. It's free for everyone.

This is what the Airtrain looks like at Newark Airport
This is what the Airtrain looks like at Newark Airport


From the Newark Airport Regional Train Station, we went directly to Penn Station with only a few stops. From this station, our train line to Brooklyn also departed.

Before that, we quickly got weekly tickets for each of us.

So around 9:00, we reached our last accommodation for our USA trip. Since check-in is only at 14:00, we could at least leave our suitcases in the hallway. We said a quick 'hello' and got some breakfast tips.

In 'Rue Dix' a few blocks away, Mareyke had French toast and I had an omelette with sweet potato fries.

Breakfast No. 1 French Toast
Breakfast No. 1 French Toast


Breakfast No. 2 Omelette with Sweet Potato Fries
Breakfast No. 2 Omelette with Sweet Potato Fries


After getting energized, we went to Manhattan to do some sightseeing.

To get a good first impression of Manhattan and its direct neighbors New Jersey and Brooklyn, we started our stay with a boat tour on the Hudson and East Rivers.

The whole thing took about 2 hours. The tour guide talked about the city throughout the entire ride, pointing out what you can see and the historical background of everything.

The highlight of the tour was definitely the French lady, the Statue of Liberty. It is a gift from the French to the Americans, given in 1886, about 100 years after the Americans won the Revolutionary War with the help of the French against the British.

In front of the Statue of Liberty
In front of the Statue of Liberty


Of course, we also saw the Empire State Building, the One World Tower, and the Brooklyn Bridge from the water.


Elis Island
Elis Island

Lower Manhattan skyline with the One World Trade Tower
Lower Manhattan skyline with the One World Trade Tower

Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge

After the boat tour, we visited the former long-distance train station of New York City. Grand Central Terminal was inaugurated in February 1913 as a terminus station and has had the most tracks since then. The multi-level station has 67 tracks (41 on top and 26 below) which terminate on 44 platforms.

 

Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal waiting hall
Grand Central Terminal waiting hall

In the basement of the station, there was a vault called the Whispering Gallery.
You stand on two different sides and say something into the corner.
On the other side, it comes out at normal volume, as if you were standing next to the other person.
We just had to try this, of course.

Whispering Gallery corner on one side
One of the Whispering Galleries

After Grand Central Terminal, we went back to the accommodation and were totally exhausted and tired.
So we quickly went to sleep because we have a city tour on Friday.









Vastus

USA
Reisiaruanded USA