My friend Pam from work, a savvy Tribeca-dwelling New Yorker, had gotten tickets for a Hidden Harbor Boat Tour, that was organized by Open House New York. As Pam explained it, Open House New York celebrates New York's architecture and design and hosts popular programs that showcase 'secret' New York that most people never get to experience.
For many New Yorkers, 'first', 'secret', 'unknown' and 'insider' are bigger triggers...which of course can be an accomplishment in a city of eight million people.
As for me, I'm just happy to get out on the water!
We left the Seaport and cruised past Dumbo, Brooklyn Heights and Red Hook, and then past Governors Island.
Suddenly the "harbor" as I knew it just seemed like two rivers. As Manhattan faded into the distance, and we went past the Atlantic and Erie Basin, I began to appreciate the enormity of New York Harbor.
And its role as an active Seaport. 
By water, Port Newark and Port Elizabeth Container Terminals looked beautiful, with airplanes taking off in the distance to points unknown.
Returning home just after dusk, the twinkling lights of Manhattan grew brighter, with skyscrapers and bridges and an empty patch of sky where the Twin Towers once stood. Ever since I've been back, I just haven't been awed by the skyline when I've arrived from a plane trip or the Long Island Expressway.
This time was different. As the island grew larger, the voices of JayZ and Alicia Keys were in my head.
"...New York
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There's nothin' you can't do
Now you're in New York
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you
Let's hear it for New York, New York..."
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It was a really such a nice night out on the harbor, thank you for joining us, and thank you for writing about it!
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