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Ellis Island
Vinod told us that tourists wanting to visit Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty, normally take the ferry from New York. So the ferry from New Jersey is less crowded and nicer.
Vinod parked the car and bought the tickets for us.
We then walked to the water front past the Historic Rail Road Building. On the way, we could see the Jersey City sky scrapers against the back drop of the New York City sky scrapers in the distance.
The ferry service takes passengers from the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal to Ellis Island and back again from Liberty Island. The building was constructed in 1889. Wikipedia
We boarded the ferry. Passengers photographed the receding Jersey-City skyline.
The ferry reached Ellis Island in what seemed like a couple of minutes.
Ellis Island is an island that is located in Upper New York Bay in the Port of New York and New Jersey, United States. It was the gateway for millions of immigrants to the United States as the nation’s busiest immigrant inspection station from 1892 until 1954. Wikipedia
This is what the ticket for this tour looks like.
Everyone who had a ticket could also get an audio tour to listen to. I did not find the audio useful because in the little time I had, I wanted to read the displayed information, and the audio clashed with my reading.
But you might find it useful if:
** You had more time
** If you did not know English but knew one of the other languages in which the audio tour is available.
We did not have much time to spend at Ellis Island, as we had many things to get done. A ferry left Ellis Island for Liberty Island every half hour.
People who entered the country between 1892 and 1954 had to register here first.
This picture shows you that some things have not changed. The floor was the same as the one I was standing on when clicking the picture. The windows were the same.
Another exhibit that I found interesting was about the sermon preached by the puritan John Winthrop in the 1630s.
A quote from the sermon is: “For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us. So that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause Him to withdraw His present help from us, we shall be made a story and a by-word through the world.”
Upstairs is the large Registry Hall
Among the different passports of the period on display was this one of a Sikh from India.
By this time, it was very late and we did not have time to read about the various displays. We took some fun pictures instead for the last few minutes.
Time to take the ferry to Liberty Island
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor in New York City, in the United States. The copper statue, designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, a French sculptor, was built by Gustave Eiffel and dedicated on October 28, 1886. It was a gift to the United States from the people of France. Wikipedia
As we embark from the Jersey City ferry, we can see the crowds lining up for the ferry to New York.
The statue of Liberty through the trees, a view obviously possible only in winter.
From just outside the Statue entrance
The door at the entrance
From just inside the entrance, a replica of the torch that is part of the Statue of Liberty
Interesting displays of replicas and historical trivia pertaining to the Staute were on display.
This exhibit was meant for touching.
Experimenting with feminine figures before arriving at the final design
Some notes on how how such a stable structure was possible. Note the pylons for the main structure and a little one for the hand.
Then we took the stairs to the pavilion.
I wonder how the photographs of the others have come out
Time for a selfie
Time for lunch
We then went to the Liberty Island store and bought souvenirs, before boarding the ferry.
In a few minutes we were back at the Rail Road Terminal in Jersey City.
Passing near the 9-11 Memorial
Vinod drove through one of the tunnels under the Hudson River to reach Manhattan.
On the way we pass a sign pointing to Brooklyn but do not go in that direction. Instead we pass by the 9-11 memorial.
Where the World Trade Center buildings once stood.
Brooklyn
GB worked as a librarian in Brooklyn Public Library for two years in the early 1960s. It was here that Mrs Nelson worked; she was his boss. I have writen more about her in my first America Post.
Vinod was kind enough to drive through Brooklyn. The houses looked a bit like the Cosby-show house. I was sitting on the left side of the car and the moon sailed over the roof tops of the houses as they went past. The GPS took us to a building that it recognised as Brooklyn Public Library. It was a lot smaller than I imagined, shockingly so in fact. It took me a while to realise that Brooklyn Public Library had many branches, and I was looking at one of the smaller branches.
The Brooklyn Public Library is the public library system of the borough of Brooklyn in New York City. It is the fifth largest public library system in the United States. Wikipedia
We did not have the time to go to the Central Library. But that is OK.
Times Square
Intoxicatingly vibrant and colourful.
Times Square is a major commercial intersection and neighborhood in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue, and stretching from West 42nd to West 47th Streets. Wikipedia
I don’t think Sekhar Annan realised that he’d been looking like Moses all evening.
Can you see what I mean?
Vinod helping a stranger get a photograph of himself
We wanted to have some street food. Started with caramelised nuts.
We took our time and finally decided to get Chicken and Lamb gyros from the Halal cart at the corner of 46th St and 7th Ave. We did not have the time to eat the food, so we took it home and finished it later. (Both the chicken and the lamb gyros were excellent.)
After a long drive, the tired group reached home. Preeti Akka suggested that we all clap hands for Vinod, our patient tour guide and driver. We all did.
Courage to tremble 
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I came across your site by accident and I was so amazed as to the beauty and the undertaking of your commitment into putting together such a beautiful, loving and blessed sight. You have given this 70 year old lady a trip to her pass; and reminded me of what I have missed. Born and raised in NY, in the borough of Brooklyn, I have not even been to the Statue of Liberty; although I did make an attempt before leaving for Florida to retire and that was 30 years ago, my husband took early retirement; but since; as gone home. Bless you for doing this; I mean that! My husband and I had planned on doing the whole cross country trip someday; but someday came and went. It’s wonderful that you have taken this beautiful endeavor yourself and to share with us in cyber-land for all of us to enjoy and also taking some of us to memory-land. You are blessed and you need to know; that this is your purpose in life; to bring happiness and joy, especially to those that are not there with you; but yet, maybe we are; in God’s eyes I mean. This sight was no accident; thank you Jesus for letting these beautiful people give this blessing to those of us who love to receive it. Bless you for doing this as well; I will be back when time allows. Again, thank you!
Getting old; but better (with a smile of course) Nancy