A big day today! We finally think we've worked out how the subway system works and this morning at 8am we caught a train to visit the Empire State Building. There aren't enough superlatives to adequately describe this experience. Apart from the sheer engineering facts about this building which was completed in 410 days in 1931, and the incredible view from the top, the beauty of the art deco finish inside the lobbies and the lift is overwhelming. It was a crisp, clear day and we had great views in all directions. Certainly one of the main highlights of the day. After a coffee in the Starbucks at ground level we caught the subway to Battery Park, right on the southern tip of Manhatten, where the ferries to the Statue of Liberty depart from. Things slowed down a bit at this stage as the queue for the ferries was about 1 hour long, but eventually, and after enjoying some of the buskers entertaining us as we waited we finally boarded the ferry. Approaching Liberty Island and then finally seeing the Statue close up was a very exciting experience. Unfortunately, since the 9/11 attacks access to the statue itself is limited and no tickets were available when we arrived. Despite this this visit was another highlight. From here we caught the next ferry to Ellis Island. Some 12 million immigrants were processed here up to about 1929. The installation has now been fully restored and is now an immigration museum. We found this a very moving experience and once again a real highlight.
Tomorrow we pick up our hire car and drive to Wanamassa, NJ which is where John and Sandra lived for some time in 1983. From there we will continue on to Philadelphia.
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