We started the day early (again!) and headed to the Wall Street area and to the stock excahnge. There were lots of great sign posts with info on them about the history of the area and where it all began (who needs a guide book!)
We then headed to the Financier Patisserie on Stone Street (I think) (Between Mill Lane and Hanover Sq) New York, NY 10004.
I had an egg white omlette and toast- it was so good and the coffee was brilliant. See there website here.
After breakfast we walked along the walk way right on the riverside. In the background is the Manhatten and Brooklyn bridge where we had cycled across on the Sunday.
We jumped on the tourist ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Mistakenly we timed it badly as we'd thought if we went about 10am we could beat the crowds but ended up with a full school trip aboard our ferry! joy!.. we didn't stop off on the island to get a closer look at the statue of liberty as it was so cold!
The Statue of Liberty was a lot smaller than I had imagined.
The Statue of Liberty with Manhatten in the background.
Nathan and I on the ferry.
We stopped off and spent a lot of time on Ellis Island. Nathan thought it had a bit of a creepy feeling but we both agreed the exhibition had been done well and you really got a feeling for the place and all that happened there. I was amazed at some of the tests they gave the immagrants to determine how fit and intelligent they were.
Looking out from one of the rooms. I was imagining what it must have been like to be stuck there unable to get off until your husband brought money or a train ticket for you to your final destination.
We found a photo of a Pike family who had travelled over through Ellis Island in the early part of last century. They have computers there with details of all those who passed through so you can look up your ancestors.
Beyond the hall where everyone was held, at the bottom of the stairs, was the kissing point as this was where families were reunited. I read one quote from a women who had come through Ellis Island as a young girl. Her father had gone ahead of their family to set up a home and get work. She said when they were finally reunited with her father she had no idea who he was as it was years earlier that he had left their native country.
Nathan and I re-enacting the kissing point!
Ellis Island. I loved the building.
Later that evening we went to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Gardens. Nathan had booked the tickets in advance of our trip and he was very excited. He had originally been joking with me about proposing at the game! (thank godness he didn't do that!) See their website here. He got a great deal on tickets and this included a "meal deal"- ie. a hotdog, chips and a soda.... well, you have to submerge yourself in the culture!
The teams warm up on the court. The game we attended saw the Knicks win- which was uncharacterist of them. My favourite players on the night were Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler. I have to admit though I know nothing about basketball but I really did enjoy the night. The chants and music and entertainment between the play was great!
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