By George Bailey
Niagara Gazette
NIAGARA FALLS —
Traveling from the Niagara region to New York City has just gotten a lot easier.
When I decided to visit the “Big Apple” for the day I learned that Rainbow International was offering new flights from the Niagara Falls International Airport for around two hundred dollars.
From the moment I purchased my ticket I was spoiled.
I learned it was only necessary to arrive at the airport (where parking is free) half-an-hour before the flight and that the captain of the private 30 passenger Saab jet, John Antoniades, would check me in personally.
I’m not kidding about this.
Other then verifying my identity there was no security check. Earlier I had given my name, citizenship and birth date and I was cleared ahead of time. Apparently, planes flying less than 60 passengers can pre-clear passengers using the government’s “No-Fly” list. I even took on a full bottle of water. Wow.
I took the 8:22 a.m. flight and planned to return the same evening at 8:26.
When I arrived at the private Signature Airport in Newark, I walked fifty feet from the tarmac to a private waiting room where free freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies and a cup of Starbucks coffee awaited me. The waiting room with the cushiest seats was one of the coolest I’ve ever been in.
As I waited for my limo I checked outside the window and saw several of the latest Gulf Stream Jets. Apparently Donald Trump keeps his plane here.
I pinched myself again, could this be true? Something good still happens when you fly.
I had opted to spurge a bit and take the limousine ride for $75 for the 30 minute drive into Manhattan. You can also take the super-shuttle into the city for $19.
The rhythm of life was everywhere in downtown Manhattan. I knew I was in New York when my neck started to hurt from looking up at the massive tall buildings. The streets were alive with restaurants, food vendors, big brassy stores and hawkers peddling sightseeing tours. I loved it. There was a lot to take in. I took the mandatory tour to the top of the Empire State Building. The wait to get to the 86th floor takes about one hour and you have to go through checks like you’d find on most air flights (I had to check my pocket knife). Old guys like me (seniors) pay $29, ages 13 to 61 pay $36 and children 6-12 pay $25. It was worth it. The view was superb.
New York City is filled with hidden urban treasures that often don’t make it into the traditional travel guides. One of them was B and H Photo on 9th Avenue. It’s one of the largest photo electronic stores in the world. If you’re a photographer you’ll be in heaven.
After walking a few hours I had whetted my appetite and sought out the Gotham Bar and Grill listed as one of the cities best ten places to eat. I happened to luck out because reservations are recommended one month in advance. Here you can rub elbows with the well-healed. Apparently actor Richard Gere, who lives near the restaurant, had just left. I had lunch with CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric, who just happened to be at another table at the end of the restaurant. This lovely 150-seat, high-ceiling restaurant where all tables are covered with sparkling white linen table cloths proved to be one of my highlights of the day. The lunch time meal started with sweet corn soup and an entrée of Scottish salmon, with fregula sarda and a desert of Gotham chocolate cake. I washed it all down with an Apple Martini (it’s not on the menu, a local told me to order it). Surprisingly, the bill was just under $50 which included a healthy tip for the excellent service.
There were plenty of things to keep me busy until it was time to be picked up for my return trip to the airport.
This time it was Captain Corrine Lyon who had me back to the Niagara Falls airport by 9:30 the same day.
Three daily flights from this American city continue until October 16th.
It’s a steal.
George Bailey is a freelance writer from Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. He can be reached at wonderful.life@sympatico.ca.
