NY City

After an uneventful drive through DE and NJ we entered gridlock as we emerged from the Lincoln Tunnel. Took us 20 min to move a car length.

We eventually arrived at our hotel-The Marriott Marquis--and Dick surprised me with a room that over looked Times Square. I saw where the ball drops on New Years Eve, and all the flashing screens and buildings that are backdrops for the morning talk shows.

We walked in the rain that evening to see Rockefeller Center. Saw the big tree and the ice skaters. Because of the weather we went back to the hotel for dinner and then relaxed and watched the view from our window--Times Square.

The next morning we left the hotel for the Brooklyn terminal to board the Queen Mary II. It took hardly any time at all to go through all the security checks and settle on board. We were greated on the gang plank my Santa and his elves. Nice

We have four great table mates and one of the wives will be celebrating her birthday on 2 Jan. That makes two birthdays at our table. The highlight of the departure was to watch the Queen neatly slip under the Veranzono Bridge. It was brightly lit and an awesome sight.

Today is a sea day and we are going to relax with books we borrowed from the 9000 volumne collection on board the ship. I think it will take us the total two weeks just to explore all the nooks and crannies of this ship.

I brought along my scrap book of my voyage on the original Queen Mary and went to the cruise office and they upgraded me to silver status. That means I get another bottle of champagne. WaaaHooo. The ships Capt. dropped by at that moment and wants me to make an appointment with his secretary so he can spend a few minutes looking at my old stuff.

Last night was one of supprises as the stewards kept coming to the room to deliver a tropical floral arrangement, shopping bag, canapes, wine, cheese, port from our Travel Agent. We also recieved a 2ft decorated Christmas Tree from one of Dick's sons. Thanks for all the wonderful treats. We love them all. The Tree is starting to accumulate Christmas packages. Santa has found my location after all. Smart Fellow.