I'm Learning to Travel by Ferry

 Ferries are a way of life for many people in the world.  It was once believed that technology would render them obsolete, but as we have discovered; there are many places where the alternative is just ridiculous and won't work.  There are places where planes are not a suitable alternative and bridges are impossible.  This is where you still find ferries.  There are also many ferry routes around the world that are so traditional that there would be an uprising of the people if anyone were ballsy enough to try and take the ferries away.  It is in this spirit that I am beginning to live my new life.  I am trying to familiarize myself with all modes of public transportation; whether it be trains, buses, subways or ferries, so that eventually I can take the trip of a lifetime on these traditional modes of transport.  This summer I've spent some time getting a bit used to ferry travel.  I've been running back and forth some to Long Island from our home in Connecticut.

 I've not previously been a person who spends a lot of time along the shore, but this year I have.  It's been a whole new experience for me, and the travel is part of the awakening.  I do admit that it's hard to live my life by a schedule.  Most ferries that run around my area are easy to just walk on and go where you wish.  But, if you take your car, you need a reservation.  Then, when you arrive at the ferry dock to use your reservation, you need to wait in line until it is time; similar to readying to ride a roller coaster in an amusement park.  The ferry will show up.  You will see the vehicles unload and when it is time, the attendants will tell you how to get on the boat and where to park.  If there is more than one person, which is normally the case, because who travels alone; you will need an extra ticket for the ferry as a walk on for that person.  Only the driver and vehicle are included in the ticket.  Also, check the tables for that ferry.  Many times, if you have a trailer or a larger vehicle than a regular passenger car; you will need a higher priced ticket.  Face it, if you take up too much room; you need to pay more money. 

 The ferry that I have been experimenting with this summer is the Port Jefferson Long Island to Bridgeport, Connecticut Ferry.  This is a one hour and fifteen minute each way or so ferry.  It's just long enough to give you the idea of how it feels to take your car on a boat ride, but not too long to drive you completely insane and make you never want to go on a ferry again.  The question is; what is the perk to taking a ferry?

 For starters, there's the view.  There is something terribly calming about water, and if you can't find enjoyment in that on a ferry, then I can't help you and maybe you should just stay home.  Everything you see from a boat looks different than when you see it from land.  It's that way in a kayak and it's that way in or on any boat.  The ferry is unique in that it is not designed for your entertainment although the ones that cross Long Island Sound have snack bars and cocktail lounges in them.  But, a ferry is there to get you and your things from one shore to the other.  That brings about one of the best things about ferries.  They are not as expensive as other kinds of boats.  You get to take your car on a vacation instead of going on a cruise and being stuck close to port.  There are a chain of ferries that run all the way from Maine to Newfoundland up the Atlantic Coast and another that runs up the shores of British Columbia into Alaska.  You can really travel on ferries.  They are all over the world.  As a matter of fact, you can nearly circle the globe with your car because of them.  That's food for thought.

While there are several pleasing scenes to look at while traveling on a ferry, keep in mind that these boats are used for transportation.  They go in and out of industrial harbors all over the world.  There are ferries running around most areas that have several islands, all of the great lakes, from one country to another, and even across the Atlantic Ocean.  That's right; there's a ferry that goes all the way from Iceland to Denmark.  If you look into it, there are far more ferries than you would imagine.  There are two ferries that frequently pass from Connecticut to Long Island.  There are ferries all over Long Island that go to the area's smaller islands like Fire Island and Shelter Island.  There are ferries that go to the outlying islands around New England, like Block Island, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket.  There's a ferry from Boston to Provincetown.  They are all over and do many things.  There are ferry companies that also run tours to see lighthouses.  There are dinner cruises.  You never know.  Some of them, like one in Norway make full coastline tours.  There's one in Norway that goes all the way to Svarlbard.

Some ferries take off and sail into absolutely nowhere, like the New London Connecticut to Orient Point Long Island Ferry.  There's not much at Orient Point, but there is a bus that will take you into eastern Long Island.  It's all set up for you.  Some ferries have overnight staterooms, like the ones up the coasts and the ones that cross major bodies of water.  If you have to be on it overnight, there are probably overnight accommodations available.  You will have to book that in advance just like taking the car with you. 

Here's one thing to learn.  Ferries are big boats, but they are not ocean liners.  When the weather kicks up, you can have a bumpy ride.  This happened on my last trip.  I'm insane and loved the feeling of adventure.  The ferry staff wasn't concerned, so neither was I.  I was afraid that my car parked precariously on the back opened edge of the ferry would pitch into Long Island Sound, but other than that, I still had a good time. 

So, my goal is to make a trip around the world by using ferries, buses, trains and the like.  I've spent the last couple of months getting a taste of ferry travel.  I have other ferry trips planned in the near future and I think I will enjoy them.  It's a whole new world, but it can take you around the world so it's worth a try.  The journey is part of the trip.  Make the journey stand out and take a ferry.  Enjoy!

https://www.aferry.com/?msclkid=c30a7c3d945110cf4b1d279caaa8d72c&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=COM%20-%20AFerry%20-%20General%20-%20Desktop&utm_term=ferry&utm_content=General%20-%20SKAG%20-%20Ferry%20-%20Exact
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/
https://sanfranciscobayferry.com/
http://www.nywaterway.com/ferryroutesschedules.aspx
https://www.siferry.com/
https://88844ferry.com/default.aspx
https://www.ferry.nyc/
https://www.bcferries.com/
http://www.alaska.org/transportation/ferry
https://www.galveston.com/galvestonferry/
http://ferries.com/
https://www.steamshipauthority.com/
https://www.phuketferry.com/
https://www.blockislandferry.com/
https://toryferry.com/
https://www.cmlf.com/
https://transportnsw.info/travel-info/ways-to-get-around/ferry
https://www.catalinaexpress.com/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Catalina%20Express&utm_term=Transportation%20to%20Catalina&utm_content=Southern%2FCalifornia
http://www.poferries.com/en/portal
https://www.ferries.ca/
https://ferries.greeka.com/
http://roatanferry.com/schedule-fares/
https://trip.experienceandamans.com/ferry/government-ferry.html
https://www.bostonharborcruises.com/provincetown-ferry/
http://go-lanai.com/
https://www.dfdsseaways.com/
http://italiantourism.com/ferries.html
https://www.stenaline.co.uk/ferry-to-holland
https://www.millerferry.com/
https://www.manxferries.com/
https://www.jadrolinija.hr/en/ferry-croatia
http://www.smyrilline.com/
https://www.directferries.co.uk/asia.htm
https://www.longisland.com/ferry-schedules.html
http://www.ctvisit.com/listings/new-london-orient-point-long-island-ny-ferry
http://liferries.com/
https://www.inkitt.com/ninakindred/settings
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/721980
https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B06Y1C2MS7
https://www.fictionpress.com/u/530752/Nina-Kindred
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1545104298/ref=cm_sw_su_dp
https://www.cafepress.com/artisticcreationsbyninakindred1
https://www.zazzle.com/imagings
https://terri-dixon.pixels.com/
https://www.facebook.com/adventuresforanyone?fref=ts

Tips for New York City 2018!

 Ah, New York City.  This is one of my favorite spots, and this year it was time to take my son and his girlfriend to the city for their graduation trip.  My son wanted me to play tour guide for them, and there's nothing else that I love to do more.  So, while on that trip, I picked up some current tips and new discoveries.  Here they are.

First, I always stay on Wall Street.  On the weekends it slows down, and only the tourists remain.  Fun fact, most of them go away after 5 pm.  Makes it a quiet neighborhood with all the conveniences that you need.  My favorite hotel will always be Club Quarters on Wall Street.  This place is the best spot in town, particularly on the weekends.  The staff there will put up with any of a plethora of situations, which I unfortunately tested this time.  They will be unbelievably polite, helpful, and expedient.  They will let you check in as soon as your room is ready for the day.  They will hang onto your bags before and after you check out so you can roam the city.  They will find the stuff you left behind and get it to you.  They are, in a word, wonderful. 

But, there's more to staying on Wall Street than just the hotel I love.  In less than one block from the hotel is a lovely open plaza to hang out in.  There is a building with an open public space to hang out in when it's cold or it rains or both.  There are at least five coffee places including a Starbucks and a Dunkin.  There is a Duane Reade for all your pharmacy and convenience store needs.  There are three subway stations.  There are food trucks with great food and an amazing deli.  There is a bar and restaurant.  This is all within a block.  Not joking.  You are also in the neighborhood with Trinity Church, Federal Hall, the original Tiffany's, and the New York Stock Exchange.  You are walking distance from all that goes on around One WTC.  You are a few blocks from the waterfront at pier 11 where you can catch all kinds of ferries and water taxis to just about anywhere.  You can also take a helicopter ride.  It's really an amazing neighborhood and a great place to stay.

 Things to remember.  Citibike is a great way to get around, but make sure you stop in and park the bike at a station every 30 minutes or so.  You will get charged extra if you don't do that.  Also, if you love IKEA or the food trucks at the Red Hook Ball Fields on the weekends, take the shuttle provided by the NY Water Taxi.  The shuttle costs $5.00, but it's a cheap ride to Brooklyn.  The Water Taxi also provides it's hop on hop off service to all the major sights in south Manhattan from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Intrepid Museum.

 Speaking of the Intrepid Museum.  We went for a visit and had a great time.  For those of you who haven't been there in a while, there are some changes.  They have a pop up planetarium at the moment with fascinating shows.  It's in the Exploratorium, but it's great for adults too.  Also, there is a virtual reality ride that is worth a try.  As always there are great things to see and do for kids of all ages, even mine. 

 One of my favorite Intrepid surprises on this visit was to find that viewing the space shuttle is now part of the regular admission price.  Last time I was there it was extra.  So, finally, we can just take a look.

 Always remember when visiting waterfront attractions that you are getting an added bonus. The view.  I love the Hudson River and the Intrepid is a great place to get a great view of the river.  It's part of the trip.

Here's one thing.  The subway is my choice of travel in the city, but there are no subway stations particularly close to the Intrepid.  Did you know that there is a shuttle bus service for the NY Ferry which is right next door?  It's a thought.  Just saying.

 In other news this season.  There are many things going on in Times Square.  There are several art displays worth looking at.  Unusual and interesting stuff.  The Hershey Store is gone, but the M & M's Store remains.  Kinky Boots is still playing on Broadway, but not for long.  Anastasia is coming back to Broadway soon for all you Romanov fans like me. 

In other news, there's a lot of work going on at the World Trade Center site.  The Westfield Shops are now opening in that thing that looks like a whale skeleton.  There are a couple of other buildings that they are working on too.

O'Hara's is still going strong, but I think the secret is out.  So many of us have discovered the magic of learning about 9/11 at this amazing location that it has become seriously popular.  We could barely find a place to sit this time and the noise was unbelievable.  My advice; go there during the week if you can.  It has to be more intimate and quiet then.

There are a lot of subway lines being worked on, so make sure you check the work and delay schedules at most stations. 

Little Italy has not changed one little bit and Casa Bella is still my favorite spot.

So, when in town, notice the differences.  I visit NYC at least once a year; normally more often.  I will always provide the little tidbits that I pick up on my visits.
Enjoy!

https://www.intrepidmuseum.org/
http://nywaterway.com/
http://www.mta.info/
https://www.timessquarenyc.org/
https://www.iloveny.com/
https://official.nyc.com/broadway_tickets/?msclkid=1379045359281aee888a5fca6df229c1
https://www.nycgo.com/
https://www.onewtc.com/
https://oneworldobservatory.com/en-US
https://www.911memorial.org/
https://www.westfield.com/westfieldworldtradecenter
https://www.citibikenyc.com/
https://southstreetseaportmuseum.org/
https://www.seaportdistrict.nyc/
https://www.nywatertaxi.com/
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/01/nyregion/oharas-ground-zero-pub-where-memories-are-a-badge-of-honor.html
https://www.facebook.com/OharasPubNYC/
https://www.getyourguide.com/-l3414/?cmp=bing&campaign_id=326239222&adgroup_id=1258941012759903&target_id=kwd-78683941385290:loc-190&loc_physical_ms=44738&match_type=p&ad_id={creative}&keyword=tour%20wall%20street&ad_position={adposition}&feed_item_id=&placement={placement}&partner_id=CD951&msclkid=b36d14db9f2a160314e24f42a9997465&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=united%20states%3A8%7Ccore%7Cen%7Cus&utm_term=tour%20wall%20street&utm_content=new%20york%3A59%7Cf5%7Cwall%20street%20ny%3A3414%7Ctour%3A942%7C%7Btd22%7D%7C%7Byr16%7D
https://www.thewallstreetexperience.com/
https://www.hotels.com/
https://www.booking.com/
https://www.airbnb.com/
https://www.expedia.com/
https://www.amtrak.com/home
https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B06Y1C2MS7
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/721980
https://www.inkitt.com/ninakindred
https://www.cafepress.com/artisticcreationsbyninakindred1
https://www.zazzle.com/imagings
https://terri-dixon.pixels.com/
https://www.facebook.com/adventuresforanyone?fref=ts
http://ninakindred.wixsite.com/ninakindredgroup/connections

Kykuit...The Rockefeller Estate

The Hudson River Valley is a great place to escape to on a questionable weather day.  I recently went to see yet another great mansion in the area.  This time we visited Kykuit, The Rockefeller Estate.  This fabulous place was created by John D. Rockefeller and his family lived on this palatial estate up until Governor Nelson Rockefeller.  There were several changes over the generations, and they are all fabulously showcased by the historians who run the tours and care for the estate.

The Rockefellers were not only amazing wealthy, but slightly eccentric, which makes it fun to visit.  The fountain at the entrance to the estate is the largest privately owned fountain in the country, even though it is now state property.  The Rockefellers were also known for having an art gallery in the cellar with Picasso tapestries on the walls. 

The estate's name is a Dutch word that means lookout.  The estate was placed delicately on the top of a hill overlooking the Hudson River, Sleepy Hollow, NY; and the Palisades.  John D. Rockefeller wanted to have the perfect view, so he had the very top of the hill removed for optimum viewing.  The grounds are exquisite at the site, and the views, to defend John D., are amazing.

Governor Nelson Rockefeller was the most diligent of the art collectors in the family.  He made the art gallery in the lower level.  There are beautiful gardens at the estate and they are littered with art.  There are gates rivaling Versailles.  There are Rodins in the yard.  There's abstract art and a statue of Aphrodite in a temple.  The amazing pieces seem to never end.  There are fountains, statues, and buildings that are all art.

Even the stables are amazing.  The spiral staircase to the offices is nothing.  I love the Tiffany chandeliers and the Middle Eastern saddle.  It's an impressive location and the horses must have loved living there.  The opposite side of the stable housed the fleet of cars that were driven by the staff of the Rockefellers over the years.  It now makes an impressive car museum.

That being said, this is an estate that is amazing and I loved seeing it and hearing all the stories of where the art came from and who lived there when.  However, keep in mind that you will be spending a lot of time outside.  You are not allowed to take any pictures in the house and you only get to see the main floor and the art gallery downstairs.  I was happy that the weather cleared up that day, because of the two and a half hours that we were touring the estate; a lot of time was spent outside.  So, while I loved it--not lying, it is not a rainy day venue.  You will also ride a shuttle bus from the visitor center to the house, so don't even try to drive there.

Now, that being said; the tour was great, because the tour guides know a lot about the Rockefellers.  The also point out the other parts of the estate while you are coming and going on the bus.  That's a great perk.  The gardens and grounds are amazing, so it is worth the time and money to go.  Also, there are several other historic homes and land trusts to visit in the area, making Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown, New York a great weekend venue.  If you live in the city, it's all only a train ride away on the Hudson Line of Metro North.  With a great view of the new Tappanzee Bridge and waterfront parks, it's a great place to spend some time.  Enjoy!

https://www.sleepyhollowny.gov/
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/02/realestate/sleepy-hollow-surrounded-by-history-and-legends.html
https://hudsonvalley.org/historic-sites/kykuit-the-rockefeller-estate/
http://www.cityroverwalks.com/kykuit-day-trip-from-nyc/
https://hudsonvalley.org/
https://www.visitwestchesterny.com/things-to-do/history/historic-hudson-valley/
http://www.hudsonriver.com/history/great-estates-hudson-valley
https://untappedcities.com/2014/09/23/27-historic-estates-to-visit-in-new-yorks-hudson-valley/
http://www.tarrytowngov.com/
http://www.explore-hudson-valley.com/tarrytown-new-york.html
http://lyndhurst.org/
http://web.mta.info/mnr/html/planning/schedules/
http://www.hudsonriver.com/
https://www.hudsonrivercruises.com/
https://www.visitwestchesterny.com/
http://www.dutchessny.gov/
https://www.dutchesstourism.com/
https://usarivercruises.com/cruise/hudson-river/
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/721980
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y17BJP8
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1545104298/ref=cm_sw_su_dp
https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B06Y1C2MS7
https://www.fictionpress.com/u/530752/Nina-Kindred
https://www.cafepress.com/artisticcreationsbyninakindred1
https://www.zazzle.com/imagings
https://terri-dixon.pixels.com/
https://www.facebook.com/adventuresforanyone?fref=ts

Did You Know This Stuff About Booze?

In America, it's a hot topic that never ends, along with gun control and abortion.  For centuries, the world has brewed, distilled, mixed, poured, drank and argued over booze.  Here are some facts that I thought you would all find interesting about the world as it relates to booze.

Did you know that the United States has the highest legal drinking age in the world?  There are only 11 other countries in the world that make young people wait until they turn 21 to drink alcohol.  The United States also has some of the toughest criminal laws associated with drinking and some of the most stringent regulations in the world.  Coincidentally or not, the United States also has one of the highest death rates associated with alcohol.  Countries with a low or no drinking age, have less deaths from alcohol than any other countries in the world on average.  They also have less commercially produced alcohol and less people and less cars.

Another interesting fact is that the temporary prohibition of alcohol in America started the very year that women gained the right to vote.  Did they have anything to do with one another?  Interesting question.  Other facts about prohibition include that the major manufacturers of alcohol did not go out of business during the 13 year fast.  NASCAR was a direct result of rum running and bootlegging during that time.  Crime rose and deaths did not stop.  I would guess that's why booze is back.

But, drinking is a thing around the world.  There is no alcohol in Arab countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and so on.  Most countries in Africa have no real drinking age.  Not all, but most.  Europe regulates drinking to anywhere from 16 to 19 years of age, depending on the country.  There are some nations around the world where the drinking age is only 10.

All that being said, there are many interesting facts about people and alcohol.  Alcohol has been part of travel for a long time.  The country that we know as the Czech Republic these days has been a tourist spot for drinking for millennia.  They have an amazing history of beer in particular, and Prague is home to the oldest pub in Europe.

France is famous for wine and other spirits.  Absinthe is a French spirit that was banned in many countries for years.  Famous for being forbidden, it is now legal in most places again.  Champagne, as we know, comes from a province of France, as do Bordeax, Burgundy and many others. 

Guiness comes from Ireland and is one of the most popular beers around the globe.  Travelers come every day to take a tour of the main brewery in Dublin and learn how to make the shamrock in the head when they pour the beer.

There are also famous cities when it comes to drinking.  New Orleans in the U.S. is famous for partying.  They have so many ways to drink that no one can count them all.  They have alcohol slushies, voo doo pubs, entire holidays devoted to partying, and over 40 parades every year.  They are ground zero for American Mardi Gras and world famous for their pub crawls.  They now have a place called the Remedy Room where you can go to get hydrated before or after a wild time.  This is a medical style facility with IV's and B12 injections.

Munich is one of the most famous drinking towns in the world, with Oktoberfest at it's Zenith.  Every fall people from all over the world descend on this town just to drink beer.  It is one of the world's biggest parties, coupled with some lenient drinking ages in Germany.  They do not hold the world record for the world's biggest single party.  That too, belongs to New Orleans.

Some countries are a little different and so are their liquors.  It's called the Black Death and it is an Icelandic liquor.  This potent drink is the national drink of Iceland, which didn't have a national drink until 1989, when it's prohibition finally went away.  The lack of alcohol over the years made it extremely expensive to drink in Iceland.  They now have some locally produced beer and liquor, so the prices are getting better, but if you want to drink in Iceland; bring a lot of money.

Drinking and driving is a problem all over the world, so there are always drinkers looking for a solution.  The Netherlands came up with something that has become known as the Pedal Pub.  This is a moving bar.  It's a modified bicycle with the bartender steering.  The patrons pedal the bike, which is no longer a bicycle, but it gets people around without them driving.  It started in Amsterdam, like most other party things and now is available in many metropolitan areas around the world.

The pub crawl is another idea that has helped drinking and driving. This concept of walking from bar to bar in a single neighborhood and then calling an Uber has cut down on drinking and driving problems in cities dramatically.  There are pub crawls in most cities listed on websites with maps and meeting places.

So, what if you don't like to be told what to do?  What if you want your own booze?  What if you don't want to buy someone else's alcohol?  Then go to Washington State.  This place is home to over 1000 micro distilleries and micro breweries.  They make almost one fifth of all the micro concoctions in the United States.  You can try just about anything out there, and they have resources on the web that will help you find them all.

All my life I've been told about responsible drinking.  If that means peddling my bar, walking and calling an Uber, or driving through a package store and taking it home; then so be it.  I've often wondered if making less of a big deal out of it might make it less of a problem.  It works for other countries.  I don't think that it's a coincidence that we have strict laws and big problems.  America is a country of people who don't like to be told what to do.  We took prohibition and turned it into a major sport.  Is it any wonder that we aren't interested in following strict regulations and laws?

At any rate, there are some interesting tours, parties, festivals, parades, and cultures built on booze.  So, check the rules before you go and have a great time participating in some of the oldest traditions in the world.  Enjoy!

 


https://drinkingage.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=004294

http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/cause-of-death/alcohol/by-country/
http://www.theremedyroom.com/
https://www.smartertravel.com/2017/02/10/drinking-new-orleans-local-customs/
http://pedalpubpartybikes.com/
https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/the-boutique-booze-boom-in-washington-3/
https://thedrinknation.com/articles/read/11118-A-Map-of-All-1006-Distilleries-in-the-United-States
http://www.budweisertours.com/?token=bjgpdfmlkmieoiohmpnpbefinpedpbgofgpmgc
https://www.guinness-storehouse.com/en?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjqaG5anY2gIVD9NkCh29swFFEAAYASAAEgIdKfD_BwE
https://warontherocks.com/2015/09/your-guide-to-drinking-in-iceland/
https://www.europeanbeerguide.net/czecintr.htm
https://www.inkitt.com/ninakindred
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/721980
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16665814.Terri_Dixon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1520990944
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1545104298/ref=cm_sw_su_dp
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y17BJP8
https://www.fictionpress.com/u/530752/Nina-Kindred
https://www.cafepress.com/artisticcreationsbyninakindred1
https://www.cafepress.com/+gifts
https://www.zazzle.com/imagings
https://terri-dixon.pixels.com/
https://www.facebook.com/adventuresforanyone?fref=ts