Notes From The Sea By Caroline Tompkins

Caroline Tompkins captures New York City from its historic ferries in her serene photo series ‘Notes from the Sea.’

New York City’s waters provide rare sanctuary from its urban frenzy. High-rise buildings that dominate the skyline hide the city’s identity as a historic port, a place of hellos and goodbyes down the centuries. In ‘Notes from the Sea,’ Brooklyn-based photographer Caroline Tompkins focuses on the ferries that transport commuters and tourists across the city’s archipelago. With her subjects facing out, gazing at the city ahead, Tompkins emphasizes New York City as a destination, while evoking the tranquil atmosphere of the river. Contrasting unfamiliar perspectives with traditional cityscapes, ‘Notes from the Sea’ tells the story of a city forever in flux.

This piece is part of Culture Trip’s original fiction project on the theme of arrivals and departures in London, New York City and Hong Kong.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.