After 3 long weeks in Secaucus, I finally managed to get myself to go to New York. I had gone around NY when I came to the US for the first time in 2018. And maybe that’s why I didn’t feel like going again. And also this time I am alone and sightseeing without company is something I don’t really enjoy! But yes, I finally made it. So here’s how my day went..
The weather in the morning was cloudy and this is the view from the bus before we entered the Lincoln tunnel which goes under the Hudson River that you see in the photo. Thankfully it got nice and bright and sunny once I got into Manhattan.
Few shots as I moved towards the 9/11 memorial
The United States Court House
The New York Public Library
Though I had visited the 9/11 Memorial the last time, I was still filled with heavy heart and a sense of wonder as I stood there this time.
Located where the Twin Towers once stood, there are now two large grey chasms in the ground from which water cascades down all four sides before gathering in a pool and finally plunging into a dark void in the middle, seemingly descending to the center of the Earth.
On the brass rims around these twin pools you’ll find stencil-cut names of every person who died in the terrorist attacks of February 26, 1993 and September 11, 2001. At night, lights shine up through each letter illuminating the names.
Today, at the World Trade Center site you’ll not only find the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, but also the Oculus building which is both a train station and shopping mall designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava.
Its wholly unique design has been likened to everything from a bird’s wings to an armadillo to the twisted steel structures found at Ground Zero. Regardless of what it’s actually meant to be, the bright and lofty architecture is absolutely breathtaking and clearly provides some light to it’s darker counterpart, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
Across from the Oculus and 9/11 Memorial & Museum is the One World Trade Center (unofficially known as the Freedom Tower), the tallest building not only in New York City but the entire Western Hemisphere comprised of 104 floors and a height of over 500 meters.
On levels 100, 101, and 102 of the One World Trade Center, visitors can access the Observatory for a 360° view of New York City and the surrounding waterways.
From here I next visited Trinity Church where I was lucky to catch a service that was about to start. The choir was heavenly!
The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) was very close to Trinity Church. Also caught a glimpse of the Charging Bull, sometimes referred to as the Bull of Wall Street
Next I saw the Statue of Liberty from Battery Park. Being a Sunday the ferries were super crowded and even though I had a ticket, I just felt like avoiding the crowds.
At Battery Park is also a memorial for those who gave their lives in service of the Navy during the second world war
Next to Battery Park is the National Museum of the American Indian
From there I went to Central Park which is so majestic and beautiful. There are horse carriages to take you around as well as cycles. I walked around a little. It is tooo huge to cover in a day. This lush 843-acre patch of nature in the middle of Manhattan. The park is home to scenic hills; meadows; playgrounds; skating rinks; ball fields; and many well-known attractions, including Strawberry Fields, Belvedere Castle, and the Central Park Zoo.
On my way back to the bus station, I passed by Radio City Music Hall where the Grammy’s and Tony’s are hosted as well America’s Got Talent and many other shows. You will also see the building which hosts Jimmy Fallon’s The Tonight Show.
Before I got into the bus station, I finally managed to get a clip of this big group of cyclists roaming the streets. I had crossed them twice during the day.
The Port Authority Bus Station is HUGE! I had to catch my bus back to Secaucus from here and what amazed me is that every bus number had their own little escalator to the waiting area for the bus.
And that is how I spent my Sunday at New York! 🙂
Kenrick Vaz 