How not to get lost in a Big City
America
01 CHAPTER
NEW YORK
BENEFITS OF LIVING BY THE OCEAN.
It is difficult to imagine a much greater advantage, than living right next to the Atlantic Ocean, and New York City, in addition to its gigantic skyscrapers, Broadway shows, endless entertainment, and busy nightlife enchants you by its immediate proximity to water!
You begin to appreciate this nearness to the ocean even more during the summer, in the hottest months of the season, when Manhattan's stone jungle gets filled with suffocating heat. Local beaches are helping you to cope with the heat by becoming the only escape.
And even during the last warm days of the passing summer, there is no greater joy than strolling on the almost empty beach, now mostly filled with lonely fishermen, while greedily inhaling some fresh air, and letting all the sorrows be swept away by the wave that just rolled back into the ocean from the coastline.
But what’s more surprising is that In New York, the busiest port in the world, it’s possible to see whales, and you can do this by going on a boat trip that departs from the most bustling beach in the city: Fort Tilden!
Humpback Whales in New York Harbor.
Who would’ve thought that there are Whales in New York Harbor, right near the coastline? I was a little skeptical at first, when I discovered that the whale watching boat tour is possible in New York, the busiest port in the world! Apparently, in the waters surrounding the city, the mind-blowing experience is booming! While we were cruising on the boat, two huge Humpback Whales were spotted near the Rockaways. As the crew members informed us, ten returning whales have been seen this season, and 130 were new to the region. They are favoring west New York bay area, as their feeding ground, returning for food every summer from warmer winter breeding waters. Although these whales are among the largest animals on the planet, they are acrobatic and playful to watch. I saw them jumping clear out of the water, slapping their tails, regularly leaping from the water, and landing with a tremendous splash. The onboard team also told us that these mammals are altruistic by nature. They can teach us about compassion. Humpbacks often deliberately interfere with attacking killer whales to help others in distress. Not only they defend their babies or close relatives but also human beings or other sea creatures who are in trouble. Whales are fast swimmers and it was hard for me to capture the moment. I quickly learned that when you see a school of fish breaking the surface of the water, is where a whale would eventually appear and gulp down its prey. Did you know that Humpback whales are also known for their magical songs, which can travel for great distances through the world’s oceans? I was amazed to learn that and to watch the world’s most majestic creatures’ activity right before my eyes. Who would say now that the water in New York harbor is dirty?
Summer is a special time, especially when you spend it in New York! It is very unique here, not to say the least. Everything comes to life and begins to rhythmically move and sound. The city is literally filled with variety of summer sounds emanating from parks and public beaches, where the locals are expressively shouting; from the screaming seagulls, that are flying above the ocean, over the heads of peacefully relaxing townsfolks; from the street cafes, where the clinking of dishes can be heard from miles away; from crickets and nocturnal paradise-birds, which are enforcing you to stay restless. Music is sounding from almost every passing car, and it is very diverse - from the Latin bachata, new-school hip hop, and classic rock – to Russian chanson. And yet, you can absorb all of these tunes in five minutes, while standing in a traffic jam, returning from the incredibly crowded public beach during the summertime.
To Be Continued...