New York is most densely populated, comprising of five counties in three islands: Bronx, New York (Manhattan), Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island, at the mouth of the Hudson River, flowing southward to the Atlantic Ocean
Next day, all of us went to Lincoln Hospital, by METRO train, took Mexican food and proceeded to visit the extinct World Trade center. The original World Trade Center ( North Tower and the South Tower), known collectively as the Twin Towers, were the tallest buildings in the world, located in the heart of New York City's downtown financial district and were destroyed in the September 11 attacks of 2001.The process of cleanup and plans for a rebuilt at the World Trade Center was taking shape at the site. We proceeded to Battery Park a public park located at the southern tip of Manhattan Island in New York City, facing New York Harbor. Along the waterfront, Statue Cruises offers ferries and we took a ride in Hudson river, sailing under the famous Bridges, passing through Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx . Brooklyn Bridge is an engineering masterpiece and the world's longest suspension bridge upon its completion. One of the most recognizable structures in NYC, the bridge has been featured in countless movies and television shows. We saw the Statue of Liberty in Ellis island, a gleaming beacon for generations of immigrants seeking a better life in America, is perhaps New York City's most recognizable historic landmark. { celebrated its 125th anniversary in October 2011}.
New York City's skyline is truly awe-inspiring. The iconic skyscrapers, bridges, waterways, islands and monuments create a breathtaking panorama that is instantly known worldwide. You can feel the immensity of these surroundings from anywhere in the City.
We landed at Battery Park, and saw the SPHERE which once stood at the center of the plaza of the World Trade Center and damaged but not destroyed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. This was reinstalled in the Park along with an eternal flame to memorialize the victims of 9/11/2001. { The construction project of World Trade Center, in the Seventies, involved excavating a large amount of material, which was later used as landfill to build Battery Park City on the west side of Lower Manhattan }
We took Metro to visit EMPIRE STATE BUILDING. We experienced the thrilling SKY RIDE show there. We took an elevator ride up 1,000 feet to the 86th-floor observation deck of the Empire State Building; New York City's second-tallest structure (after World Trade Center), this soaring masterpiece offers a completely unobstructed, 360-degree view of the city below. We were on the top of the {erstwhile} tallest building in the world. Never felt so high ever before in my life. Fantastic view all around, highest buildings dwarfed, looking like pygmy from such height. Spectacular vista.The grandeur of the cityscape is best viewed from above.The famous Central Park looked distinctly green in the midst of the concrete jungle....
We moved further through BROADWAY, NASDAQ to the famous TIMES SQUARE. We were totally bewildered where to look while walking through world-famous Times Square. With massive digital billboards whose bright lights make midnight look like mid-day; star-studded Broadway and shows. We saw a Spider man look alike , TV News shooting, tattoo and other street shows happening there, including a fanciful cycle-rickshaw driven by an young lady carrying tourists. Everything all around attracting attention of the visitors. Times Square is pedestrian-friendly and delightful . We saw Madam Tussuad Museum, Police on horse back. Too much dream-like scenes happening on the first outing itself.
Next day, we went to New Jersey by Metro.....We returned and got down at the sprawling GRAND CENTRAL STATION, magnificent structure. We came out and walked in the streets {42nd street} watching Met life, Hyatt, UN Buildings and finally reached the banks of Hudson river where INTREPID, an aircraft carrier built during World War II for the United States Navy. Intrepid Museum Foundation established it as the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum, moored in Hudson river, to honor the heroes, educate the public and inspire the youth. It is a dynamic, interactive and educational journey for all ages to go through the Sea, Air & Space Museum Complex. A museum displaying airplanes, helicopters, Marines, Space rockets and also the CONCORDE British Airways turbojet-powered supersonic passenger airliner. Supersonic jet flight from London to New York in just three hours giving the chance for people to experience supersonic air travel, at the speed of sound,without emanating a sonic boom.We went inside and had a close view of the fabulous sound barrier-breaking aircraft.We also went inside the Sub marine USS GROWLER, an early cruise missile submarine of US NAVY; The guided missile sub participated in a variety of battle and torpedo exercises armed with nuclear warheads, and patrolled under a strict cloak of secrecy. A first time unforgettable experience. When we left the place, we saw a very big dog {Doberman} chained and held by a small girl---- quite a frightening situation.
The visit to MADAM TUSSUAD'S and the three hours spent there was unforgettable, seeing all GREATS face to face, so real and lively. Scientists, Artists, Kings, Sportsmen, icons all lined up on display. We
took pictures with wax celebrities at Madame Tussuad's, In 62nd street, we saw the house where President T.Roosevelt lived. We walked through the island of MANHATTAN packed withs more legendary icons into one compact area than any other place on Earth. Manhattan is the seat of the City's government, the home of Wall Street and a place where much of America's early history unfolded.
We moved towards the CENTRAL PARK and had pleasant pastime, far away from maddening crowd of people and cars.The Central Park spanning 843 acres in the heart of Manhattan, is one of the world's greatest urban oases, encompassing a diverse landscape of fields, natural rocks, walking trails and tranquil bodies of water. We saw horse driven Victoria's plying in the nearby streets, carrying fun seekers. It is the centerpiece of the City's public parks system
The American Museum of Natural History in 77th street, Manhattan in is one of the largest and most celebrated museums in the world. African Mammal Hall holds one of the world's greatest museum displays. Hall of Meteorites contains some of the finest specimens in the world including Cape York meteorite which was found in Greenland. The meteorite's great weight—at 34 tons, makes it the largest meteorite on display at any museum in the world containing diamonds more than 5 billion years old. Hall of Human Origins..Hall of Gems and Minerals..Hall of Ocean Life.. Museum displays great fossil collections of Dinosaurs, large Mammoths, whose fossils are from an animal that lived 11 thousand years ago.Our visit to NEW YORK MUSEUM was inspiring awe and wonder of things displayed there, what with Moon rock, geological wonders, Animals, Birds, prehistoric animals, mammoth skeletons; it is a virtual treasure house of Knowledge. We also found time to visit the MUSEUM OF MODERN ART displaying some of the world's important contemporary artworks.
Next day we visited the NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDENS one of the premier botanical gardens in the United States, located in Bronx. The extensive Bronx Park and is home to some of the world's leading plant collections in different gardens. It is a World of different species of of plants and trees from around the world - some centuries old trees - the largest remnant of original forest, serene cascade waterfall, over million varieties of botanical specimens, flowers, etc., It is a virtual museum of living plant collections offering a day long sight-seeing fiesta. A tram was moving around all gardens carrying visitors. The Green House is the highlight, besides the Rose garden. I have never come across such eyeful of variety, all at one place, anywhere else. A virtual heaven for botanical lovers.
The most unforgettable visit was to the BRONX ZOO the largest urban wildlife preserve in the United States, with many species of animals from around the world. The large zoo comprises of park sites and naturalistic habitats, through which the Bronx River flows. The world's largest metropolitan zoo exhibits, such as World of Birds, World of Reptiles, Butterfly Garden, Monkey House etc are home to several authentically re-created habitats that house thousands representing many species. We walked past African Plains and Wild Asia, looking at lions, zebras, Giraffes, polar bears, peacocks, bats, Pythons, herds of gazelles and African wild dogs. We took a safari watching baboons, monkeys, crocodiles, otters, gibbons, leopards, sea lion and penguin feedings. Congo Gorilla Forest offered close eye contact with many nonchalant Gorillas in their natural habitat, attracting quite a crowd. "Wild Asia Monorail" took us on a long ride and we saw tigers, elephants, rhinos, horses and native animals in their natural habitats along the Bronx River. We took CABLE CAR ride over the Zoo watching Gorillas in their Forest.
Next day we went to JACKSON HEIGHTS to make some purchases which looked more like India, with Delhi Palace, Bombay Diner, Shringar Sari Palace, Sabzi Mandi etc., with crowds of Indian moving in traditional dresses. Later we took Metro rail to FLUSHING and watched with wonder the multi storeyed railway traffic system. We visited the GANESH TEMPLE there and saw the Patsala and Balaji Grocery nearby. Beautiful idols of Gods were on display for sale, besides Tamil magazines Kumudam and Ananda Vikatan. Dosa Hutt was nearby. We took a bus ride also to Metro rail and reached home.
Our visit to NEW YORK was coming to a close and we took AM TRACK train to Pitts burg, a few hours journey and stayed in RADISSON HOTEL and visited BALAJI TEMPLE there. I was surprised to know that one of my cousin was a Member of the Board of Trustees. I could not meet him that day. Next day we left by car to Columbus, OHIO.
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