Memorial Day 2016 quick trip to New York City
New York City is only less than 5 hours away from where I live, yet, I had not been there for over a decade. Finally we took this long overdue trip on the Memorial Day weekend in 2016. (Click on each image to see the high-resolution version)
After arrving in Manhattan around noon, we took a stroll. I've always been fascinated with the Atlas Statue in the Rockefeller Plaza just across the street from St. Patrick's Cathedral, naturally I paid a visit (though I rather detest Ayn Rand's book and philosophy).
Atlas
Our main activity on this day was a visit to the One World Observatory. Incidentally, this was the last day of its first year since opening. The One World Trade Center was a glass and steel marvel to behold, but it also evoked mixed emotions as many years ago (probably 1999) I was on top one of the original World Trade Center buildings which no longer stood.
One World Trade Center
Unfortunately for us, this hot summer day (the hottest so far in the year) turned cloudy once we reached the observatory. We salvaged whatever we could and lingered until dusk to take some pictures.
Sunset (seen from One World Observatory)
Manhattan at night (seen from One World Observatory)
The next day we woke up early and took a walk in Central Park.
Central Park
Central Park
Central Park
The Obelisk
The Eldorado (a highrise luxury apartment building) and other buildings across the reservoir
The Eldorado (a highrise luxury apartment building)
It was cool in the morning and the walk was pleasant, if uneventful (spring migration season was over, and most birds we saw were the resident birds such as robins and starlings). The only bird pictures I took was of this fledgling American Robin/
Robin Fledgling
We went back to the World Trade Center sites and the 9/11 Memorial. The sites of the original buildings were tastefully converted to two pools, making one ponder the events and history.
9/11 Memorial (with One World Trade Center in the background)
9/11 Memorial
9/11 Memorial
One World Trade Center
A subway ride took us to Grand Central Terminal, arguably the grandest of train terminals in the country if not the world.
Grand Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal
Ceiling of the Grand Central Terminal
Finally, a night walk to Time Square rounded up our short trip. We fled rather quickly, overwhelmed by the throngs of people. On the way back, I also took a picture of the Helmsley Building, clad in the holiday attire.
Time Square
Helmsley Building