U.S.A. and Canada East Coast Travel Part VI(New York)

November 16, 2015 by admin · Leave a Comment
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U.S.A. and Canada East Coast Travel Part VI(New York)

Day 10 Sunday, 21 June 2015

At 8.30 in the morning we left our hotel, Reanaissance Woodbridge Hotel at Iselin in New Jersey and went 31 km north-east to Pier 15 on New York Harbour in Lower Manhattan to see the Statue of Liberty on a tiny island called Liberty Island.

Map showing the Hornblower boat route from Pier 15 to the Statue of Liberty and back

Hornblower Boat Cruise

When we arrived at Pier 15, the sky was cloudy and we were worried that it might rain. After queuing up for half an hour together with other tourists, we boarded a Hornblower boat. When it was going to the Liberty Island we were glad that the sky became bright and the Statue of Liberty could be seen in the distance, clearly.

Visitors queuing up at Pier 15 for a Hornblower boat cruise to the Statue of Liberty

Visitors on a Hornblower boat that is moving, slowly, to the Statue of Liberty

A boat-load of visitors at Pier 15 going to see the Statue of Liberty

Bridges and Skyscrapers of New York City

As the boat was moving, slowly, towards the statue, we saw bridges, Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge, connecting New York City and Brooklyn on Long Island, and skyscrapers of New York City moving away from us.

Then, half an hour later, the boat stopped for awhile near the Statue of Liberty, and we and others on the boat were excited and began to snap photos of the huge apple-green statue.

Pier 15 in the foreground and New York City skyscrapers in the background

Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge connecting New York City and Brooklyn

Skyscrapers of New York City during a cloudy day

Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island

Created in the image of a Roman goddess, Libertas, in 1886, the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island was a gift to the U.S.A. from France as a gesture of friendship. Standing at a height of 34 metres on a 27 metre-pedestal, the goddess holds a torch high in her right hand and a tablet in her left hand with the inscribed date of the American Declaration of Independence: “July 4, 1776”. Besides, there is a broken chain lying at her feet symbolising freedom from bondage.

Statue of Liberty on Liberty on Liberty Island

In 1984, the icon of freedom was designated as a UNESCO heritage site. In the UNESCO’s “Statement of Significance”, it declares that the statue is a symbol of “liberty, peace, human rights, abolition of slavery, democracy and opportunity”.

Ellis Island

Near the statue is another island known as Ellis Island. It was the first stop and gateway for 12 million migrants who were mostly Europeans to places all over the United States from 1892 until 1954. Since 1990 the main building on the island is made a museum of immigration.

Choo Chaw and wife on a boat-cruise to see the Statue of Liberty

Ying Zi and daughter on a boat-cruise to see the Statue of Liberty

Helen and daughter on a boat-cruise to see the Statue of Liberty

Soon we went back to Pier 15. After disembarking the board at the pier, we walked to South Street, crossed the road, and walked to Wall Street.

Wall Street, New York City

Wall street stretches from South Street to Broadway, a length of 1.1 km. It is narrow with multi-storey buildings on both its sides. Located in the New York Financial District, Wall Street has become a metonym for financial and corporate sector. It attracts lots of tourists from all over the world.

Map showing the significant landmarks in New York Financial District

Wall Street joining South Street in the background in New York Financial District

Choo Chaw and wife on Wall Street that joins Broadway in the background in New York Financial District

1 Wall Street Court

As I was walking along the street an unusual building of 15 storeys high and in a triangular shape caught my eyes. Located at the intersection of Wall Street, Pearl Street and Beaver Street, it was completed in 1904 and first occupied by Munson Steamship Co. and later by many other companies. Known as 1 Wall Street Court, it now becomes a residential building since 2006.

1 Wall Street Court in New York Financial District, New York, U.S.A.

New York Stock Exchange

Soon we came to the world’s largest stock exchange by market capitalisation that is located at 11, Wall Street. Known as New York Stock Exchange(NYSE) and built in 1903, it provides a means for buyers and sellers to trade shares of stock in companies registered for public trading. It has an index, NYSE Composite Index, to measure the overall market performance over time. It has other indices too, like Dow Jones Industrial Average(DJIA), Nasdaq Composite and S & P 500.

New York Stock Exchange behind Rama and wife in New York Financial District, New York, U.S.A.

American Stock Exchange Building

There is another building nearby. It is at 86, Trinity Place which was built in 1921. It was used as a stock market for equities trading by the New York Curb Exchange which was renamed the American Stock Exchange in 1953. The building then known as American Stock Exchange was closed on 1 December 2008 and all its equities trading activities were moved to New York Stock Exchange at 11, Wall Street.

American Stock Exchange closed in 2008 after over 89 years of equities trading in New York Financial District, New York, U.S.A.

Federal Hall National Memorial

There is an old building known as Federal Hall National Memorial across Wall Street from the NYSE Building. It was built in 1842 to replace the old one which was built in 1700 as New York’s City Hall that was later demolished in 1812.

Federal Hall National Memorial built in 1842 to replace the one as New York’s City Hall, New York City

When the new Federal Hall was built in 1842 it first served as the U.S. Custom House, later Sub-Treasury Building and now a national memorial that commemorates the historic events that had happened there. Among the events are: the former hall at the same site was made the first Capitol Building of the U.S., and used as the place where George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the U.S. on 30 April 1789 and the U.S. Bill of Rights was introduced in the First Congress.

Statue of George Washington outside Federal Hall National Memorial in New York Financial District, New York

A plaque of George Washington on his knees and praying outside Federal Hall National Memorial, New York City

A picture showing George Washington being inaugurated as the first President of U.S.A. on 30 April 1789 outside Federal Hall National Memorial, New York City

Trinity Church

Trinity Church can be seen from Wall Street. It is at the end of Wall Street and on Broadway. Built in Gothic Revival architectural style in 1839-1846, it is a parish church in the Episcopal Diocese of New York. This is the third church being built at the same spot to replace two old ones.

The first one was built in 1698 and destroyed in the Great New York City Fire of 1776. Then the second one was built in 1788-1790 and torn down later due to severe snow that weakened it during the winter of 1838-1839.

Facade of Trinity Church on Broadway, New York City

Trinity Church on Broadway, New York City

Trinity Church as seen from Wall Street, New York City

Zuccotti Park

After touring Wall Street, we walked to Zuccotti Park where trees were grown. At this park two sculptures can be seen. One known as “Joy of Life” is a 70-foot-tall sculpture consisting of bright red beams that look like three “X”s joining together in the middle. and the other sculpture known as “Double Check” is a bronze businessman with an open bag on his lap sitting on a bench. Out of curiosity, I looked at the things he had in the bag. There were pencils, papers, pen, stapler, stamp-pad and a communication-machine in it.

Zuccotti Park near World Trade Center, New York City

Helen and daughter with a sculpture of a businessman at Zuccotti Park, New York

Sculpture of “Joy of Life” at Zuccotti Park, New York City

This park is a tourists’ favourite place as they can see One World Trade Center towering high across the intersection of Liberty Street and Trinity Place.

One World Trade Center

One World Trade Center, the main building of the World Trade Center Complex, is 1776 feet(541,3 m) high consisting of 104 storeys. The figure “1776” is intended to symbolize the year 1776 when the U.S. Declaration of Independence was signed.

This modern building at 285, Fulton Street, Manhattan, New York, is the 4th. tallest in the world. It was built in 2013 and opened on 3 November 2014. It is built to replace the Twin Towers which were destroyed by the al-Qaeda terrorists in 2001.

One World Trade Center, the tallest building in New York City as seen from a Hornblower boat on East River

Twin Towers

The Twin Towers of the World Trade Center at the same site as One World Trade Center were destroyed by terrorists’ attacks on 11 September 2001 and about 3 000 people were killed. They were built in 1970s each over 1350 feet(410 m) high,

One World Trade Center was opened in 2014 and the other one is under construction in New York City

Twin Towers of the World Trade Center built in 1970s and destroyed by terrorists’ attacks on 11 September 2001

One World Trade Center has 104 storeys and is 1776 feet(541.3 m) high. The other building is under costruction.

Terrorists’ Attacks on World Trade Center on 9/11

In the morning of 11 September 2001 five al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked an American Airlines Flight 11 and crashed it into the North Tower. Several minutes later, another group of al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked a United Airlines Flight 175 and crashed it into the South Tower. The South Tower was burning for an hour before it collapsed, while the North Tower was burning for two hours before it too collapsed.

Twin Towers of World Trade Center under terrorists’ attacks on 11 Sept 2001 in New York City

Since those terrorists’ attacks or 9/11 attack, airport security is tightened worldwide. Passengers have to take off their shoes and belts, and go through full-body scanners at airport check-points. Besides, liquids more than 100 ml, knives, box-cutters, cigarette lighters and other objects that may be used for threatening life are not allowed to be carried by passengers into airplanes. These strict checks cause long queues at airports.

Charging Bull

Later, we left Zuccotti Park and walked to Bowling Green. At this place there is one large sculpture of a bull. It looks muscular and fierce. It is leaning back on its haunches, lowering its head, curving its tail like a lash and getting ready to charge.

Bronze Sculpture of “Charging Bull” weighing 3 200 kg at Bowling Green in New York City

But it looks so adorable that tourists like to gather round it and hope to get a chance to take a photo with it. Besides, they like to touch its head, nose and horns believing that it will bring them good fortune, and its testicles believing that it will give them fertility or virility power.

Tourists gathering round the “Charging Bull” at Bowling Green, New York City

A tourist rubbing the bull’s testicles hoping to get virility power

Mr. and Mrs. Koh posing with the “Charging Bull” in New York City

The sculpture is known as “Charging Bull”, “Wall Street Bull” or “Bowling Green Bull”. Created by a sculptor, Arturo Di Modica and installed at the present site on Dec 21, 1989, it is made of bronze weighing 3 200 kg, standing 3.4 metres tall and having a length of 4.9 metres. It symbolizes aggresive financial optimism and prosperity. It is now New York City’s icon.

Choo Chaw and wife posing with the “Charging Bull” in New York City

Having seen the Charging Bull, we walked to our tour-coach on Battery Place where Roanne, our patient and friendly driver, was waiting for us. When all of were on the bus, Roanne drove us to another tourists’ place of interest called “Times Square”.

Times Square

Times Square is in Manhattan, New York City, and it is one of the most popular tourists’ destinations in the world. Over 300, 000 tourists visit the place, daily.

In 1904, a 25-storey building was built for a local newspaper company, The New York Times. Hence, the open space in front of it was and still is called “Times Square”. This building is now known as “One Times Square”. It has a large ball atop and will illuminate a kaleidoscope of LED coloured lights when it is lowered on every New Year’s eve ushering in a new year. Hundreds of thousands of revellers will be there to watch it. It is a site for other important events, too.

One Times Square in in the background Times Square in New York City

Continuous flow of tourists to Times Square in New York City

Tourists in Times Square in New York City

Adjacent to Times Square is a small area known as Duffy Square that was dedicated in 1937 to Chaplain Francis P. Duffy(1871-1932) who was a member of the New York City’s U.S. 69th. Infantry Regiment. A statue of him is erected in the square in memory of him. In the same square, there is another statue. It is of George M. Cohan(1878-1942) erected in 1959 to commemorate his invaluable contribution to the entertainment industry.

Duffy Square adjacent to Times Square in New York City

Statue of George M. Cohan in Duffy Square, New York City

Statue of Chaplain Francis P. Duffy in Duffy Square, New York City

Times Square is a place surrounded by over 40 Broadway theatres that offer live, large-scale performances, like musicals, plays and magic shows. Buildings at this bustling place are adorned with large billboards advertising foods, goods and Broadway shows or musicals like “The Lion King”, “Aladdin”, “Chicago”, “Mama Mia!” and “The Phantom of the Opera”. Over 13 million people watched performances in these theatres last year(2014).

Multi-storey buildings around Times Square adorned with large, advertising bill-boards

Multi-storey buildings in Times Square adorned with large bill-boards advertising Broadway musicals and shows

International Day of Yoga

We were in Times Square on 21 June 2015 and, coincidentally, it was International Day of Yoga. It was declared on 11 December 2014 by the United Nations General Assembly. So, in Times Square, there were hundreds of people doing yoga at the same time to celebrate the occasion.

Yoga participants celebrating International Day of Yoga in Times Square, New York City

Choo Chaw enjoying the sights and sounds in Times Square, New York City

Yoga participants celebrating the International Day of Yoga in Times Square, New York City

Later, three young, pretty ladies from the “Chicago” musical group appeared in Duffy Square and performed a short dance for the visitors. From a flier I received, the dancers together with others would be performing at Ambassador Theatre nearby.

Three young, pretty ladies performing a “Chicago” musical dance in Duffy Square

Choo Chaw’s wife enjoying the sights and sounds in Duffy Square in New York City

A flier advertising “Chicago” musical show at Ambassador Theatre near Times Square

After spending several hours at the vibrant, crowded Times Square, we walked to Rockefeller Center which was a few hundred metres away.

30 Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center consists of several buildings between 48th. and 51st. streets in New York City. But we visited one of them which is known as 30 Rockefeller Center.

30 Rockefeller Center in Midtown, New York City

Built in 1931-1939, 30 Rockefeller Center has 70 floors and 850 feet(260 m) high. It has an observation deck on its top that offers 360-degree panoramic view of New York City. The deck is popularly known as “”Top of the Rock”.

Choo Chaw and wife on “Top of the Rock”, an observation deck atop 30 Rockefeller Center, New York City

Southern part of New York City as seen from the top of 30 Rockefeller Center

Northern part of New York City as seen from the top of 30 Rockefeller Center

It was a sunny day when my wife and I went up to the “Top of the Rock”. Standing on the observation deck, we were mesmerized by the spectacular view of the whole city of New York, a city of hundreds of skyscrapers, seemingly, competing for heights.

Eastern part of New York City as seen from the top of 30 Rockefeller Center

Skyscrapers below the observation deck atop 30 Rockefeller Center

Western part of New York City as seen from the top of 30 Rockefeller Center

At 4 in the afternoon we ended our New York City tour and went back to our hotel, Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel, at Iselin in Woodbridge Township. It is 31 km south-west 0f New York City.