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From the Atlantic we head west into the lower Bay of New York. We can see the Verrazano Narrows Bridge in the distance, named after Giovanni de Verrazano, the first documented European to visit New York harbour, in 1524. The Narrows is a small opening into a beautiful natural harbour - the bridge like a portal into the city of New York.

Passing the bridge, you turn starboard and line the ship up with the Manhattan skyscrapers. Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island make up the five boroughs of New York City, all islands except for the Bronx. It is said that New York City is the most linguistically diverse city in the world – a city where 800 languages are represented!

In the Upper Bay you pass the Statue of Liberty on the port side - a symbol of liberty and peace, but also freedom, democracy and opportunity. Next it feels like you are going right into the skyscrapers of Manhattan, but you start slowly turning starboard, into Brooklyn harbour.

The famous docks along the Hudson River have disappeared, with shipping going to the New Jersey side, although the old docks are occasionally used for passenger ships. Once our green Ferryl drums were stored in the centre of Manhattan. But, nowadays shipping has moved to modern facilities and ports outside of the city – just like in Rotterdam or London.

Walking the Manhattan island, you can find the small stream that makes Manhattan an island, connecting the Hudson River with East River. Millions of cars cross the George Washington Bridge, driving over this small stream, not realising they are traveling to an island.

Walking New York City you can't avoid finding the green oasis of Central Park - green like Ferryl drums. Amazing!