Saturday-Tuesday. September 17-20
By now you know that we arrived safe and sound, around the clock of nine, Saturday morning, in Newport.
The nightly yo-yo track past the shoals of Nantucket was easier than expected. Although it was wise for Edzard and me to share the middle watch. One did the map reading and the other steering the ship. Once in Newport we had to wait, after Edzard reported in by telephone at 0930, for Custom Officers. Fortunately, the weather is gorgeous and from other our quay we have a beautiful view across the bay. Many boats on the water, from tiny sailing boats to the classic 40 ft. class yachts. They tested our patience. Around 1500 hrs. Edzard called again. They just forgot us… In the end this might have worked in our advantage. They arrived after 45 minutes and in one hour the paper work was completed despite our Esta forms were not complete. In the end after paying 19 dollars our passports were stamped. We were allowed to enter the country and were not sent back home by airplane!
The six hrs waiting make us very thirsty so we take the first available water taxi to town.
It takes us to the city harbour. It’s converted to the free Newport Boat Show. Crowds of people and many, many restaurants, shops and terraces. As you will understand we have a wonderful evening and we decide to leave next day at noon for New York. We are moored alongside a 65-year-old German sardine fishing boat converted to a yacht. When we leave the mooring we are treated to a box of cold soft drinks and a dozen fresh baguettes. Left overs from a cosy weekend of our neighbours. In turn Edzard presents them with some original Dutch wooden shoes. The neighbour is completely delighted!
The nightly trip takes us between Long Island and the mainland of Rhode Island and Connecticut. Quiet seas, a light breeze except near the “ Race of …..”. A natural funnel creating currents with treacherous waves and whirls. Overnight only a few freighters and an occasional fisherman. At dawn while entering the New York waters we are greeted by our welcome committee, a patrol boat, a very nervous New York Coast Guard.
Not surprisingly, the day before there has been a bombing. The water was literally flooded with patrol boats and roadblocks everywhere in the city centre. We arrive in dark and rainy weather, gloomy but at the same moment it produces a beautiful view of the New York skyline.
We find a magnificent berth in the Liberty Landing Marina, New Jersey, exactly opposite the lower end of Manhattan. A perfect harbour with nice services and Wi-Fi. Ever since Iceland we haven’t had a land-based bathroom. Our ship’s bathroom is ok but it’s very comfortable to have some more space. After some housekeeping we take the ferry to the other side. New York is an overwhelming city and the 9-11 Memorial Monument is very impressive. At the location of the Twin Towers there are two enormous square holes, very deep. Water flows over the sides and falls and disappears into the deep….
At night the light of this Metropolis is breath taking. Like a large Christmas tree but then every day of the year. Despite the limited time, tomorrow we will continue to Norfolk, we get a very good impression of this lively city. The slogan “the city that never sleeps” is not completely true. The last ferry leaves at 2045 and in our harbour all is closed already. We go to bed at 2130 and we really need that.
