New York City

What a place! Where do I start?

As I wrote previously, we took the train from Great Kills to the Staten Island ferry and rode the ferry to the Battery in Manhattan. Our fist view of the Statue of Liberty was amazing and right from the ferry! The commuters see this every day and its just part of the ride for them. We didn't attempt to disguise that we were tourists. It was obvious to the most casual observer. We took pictures of the statue, ourselves with the statue in the background, etc.etc.etc. Lots and lots of pictures. We haven't used our camera yet, not sure why we brought it along on the boat. The I phone and I pad take great pictures.

Upon arriving in Manhattan we went almost directly to the 911 Memorial, stopping at Trinity Church on the way. Mark, from Average Looper, a retired fire chief had made on line reservations for most of us. What a good idea that was as it avoided standing in a long line. Thank you Mark.

The memorial was recently opened and was very tastefully done. I was amazed at the mammoth size of the structural steel. Yes, I know how large the towers were but still the steel was immense. After about three hours we had enough sadness and had completed the majority of the museum. The chronological schedule of the terrorists wasn't of interest to us.

We enjoyed the experience of lunch in a New York delicatessen. Then we walked around and eventually took an open deck bus tour of the city. Our tour guide was an American whose parents immigrated from China. Although informative, her musical and comedic talents were marginal except in her mind.  Again, we saw and heard a lot more than we can remember. We got off the bus for a while in Times Square and saw the Naked Cowboy, who isn't totally naked and we weren't looking for him either. He told one gal to put the gratuity in his guitar because his underwear was full. If you have seen him in Times Square, it is the same guy. He has been there for 17 yrs.!

Wow, what a lot of people! I'm guessing there are many more tourists than locals in this place. The residents must either enjoy the amusing things tourists do or just go about their business and ignore the tourists.

As we returned to the Battery we moved down from the open upper deck on the bus tour because it started raining lightly. Exiting the bus we grabbed complimentary rain ponchos and I grabbed one too many. I gave the extra one to a man in a suit who immediately put it on and really appreciated it.

After returning to the ferry dock, we returned to Navigator by ferry and train and an enjoyable walk back to the marina since the rain had stopped. Great Kills is a very nice residential area. There were many nice, well maintained houses along our walk.

It was a full day! Tomorrow we will boat up the Hudson in our own boat. Exciting!!!

Staten Island Ferry with Manhattan in the background

From the ferry

What a magnificent sight! What a feeling seeing her and what she stands for.

We are so lucky to live in this country!

From the ferry on the return trip.

Don't drop it Jan.

One of the many parks in New York City

Freedom Tower

One of our first street scenes.

Trinity Church, where many people took refuge on 911. 

Wish that truck would have moved.

Bullish!

The exterior of the 911 Memorial, twin reflecting pools with all the names of the victims

Before 911.

This flag survived 911.

Imagine the heat.

Some of the original footings of the original towers.

I beams.

Project bike completed as a memorial to a fallen firefighter.

Explanation of the motorcycle above.

The Brooklyn Bridge

That building is made from shipping containers.

Times Square needs no further explanation.