Tuesday, 22 September 2015

NYC

Off early again via bus and subway into Downtown Manhattan for our 9/11 tour. Had a great guide, John, very knowledgable of course and he was actually working at the closest hospital when the planes hit the towers, so had first hand knowledge of that devastating day. We went into St Paul's Chapel which is a remarkable place and through a few past incidences, and of course 9/11, not even a single pain of glass has been shattered! This Chapel was a place where relatives of those missing would go, post pictures of their loved ones on the fences, and rescuers and families could receive some comfort. Today, when those in the rescue services from around the world come to the chapel, some leave a badge or hat from their country on the pile of many, that regularly gets archived, as a sign of respect to their fellow rescue workers.
We then went down to the two memorials, where each tower stood, and the names of all nearly 3000 of those who perished are honoured there. The waterfall on the first memorial represents the tears being shed for those lost and it falls into an infinity pool. The second memorial has a smaller waterfall.
Going through the museum was extremely sad, of course, and couldn't help but cry when you see the photos of all of those people who died that day, recordings of last phone calls to loved ones, and the absolute devastation that day caused. Very, very sad.
Then we all went up the One World Tower to the Observatory, apart from Daryl and Luanne, as Lu's not keen on heights, so they stayed longer in the museum.
Wow, wow,wow! It takes 48 seconds to get up to the 102th floor, but seems even quicker! Of course the views are breathtaking! It cost $3.9billioan US to build and is 1776 ft tall, which is representative of the year that America was discovered. We had lunch up there and a good look around. Could see all of the places we've been to over the last few days, and the miles we've covered, then got the lift back down which popped everyone's ears!
By this time, we had to subway it over to Madison Square Gardens for an ice hockey game, as you do! New York Rangers v New Jersey Devils. It was great! Our team,the Rangers, won! A pretty cold venue of course, and we made some new friends who filled us in on all the rules and even extended their family homes to us on The Big Island in Hawaii in the future! Now Facebook friends as well! An interesting night, finished off with a couple of drinks at Hooters! Another big day!
One world Tower


One of the 9/11 memorials and waterfall

Some of the names at the memorial
of those lost 

In the museum where voices of those
who survived play, and their words
are displayed on these columns

Part of a stairwell from one of the Towere


A destroyed fire truck from the day


Great view from One World Tower Observatory

U.S. At the Observatory with a tiny Statue of
Liberty in the background


Looking down from the 102 floor

Looking Uptown


Do we jump?

At Madison Square Gardens for ice hockey


NY Rangers v New Jersey Devils


Hooters for an after game drink

In the elevator of One World Observatory

Sandra and I contemplating jumping!

2 comments:

  1. Incredible site and so well described, sounds like you were all very emotional at the memorial. Great views across New York up the tower, not sure Pam would be standing on the glass floor though!!! Good to see you got to an ice hockey game and you had someone explain the rules to you - that always helps!! You're certainly still busy - a holday in Hawaii will be just what the doctor ordered? Love Pam and Vernon

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  2. Yep been pretty full on, but really good for sure. Seen so much, but are looking forward to a bit of down time in Maui for sure xxoo

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