28/3/13 – OWTC, Chick Statue and the High Line

As Peter and I had already paid our respects at One World Trade Centre, we decided to sleep in, which in hindsight was a stroke of genius since we couldn’t move anyway because of all of the food we had eaten the day before. So Bo and Kristie did the tour of OWTC alone and by all accounts they really enjoyed it, especially as they had a guide to take them around the whole area. We met up with them at 12.30pm and as they hadn’t had any breakfast – no surprises there - we took them for lox and bagels at a nearby deli. 

Next on the list was the Financial District so we took a short walk around the bottom of the island before hopping on the Staten Island Ferry. Peter and I marvelled at how much the place had transformed since we were last there. Battery Park had undergone a facelift and the damage and rubble that was left after Superstorm Sandy hit this area was gone. Many of the areas that had previously been restricted were now ‘open for business’ and looking great with the spring blossoms bursting from every twig or garden bed.

Peter took us to his ‘secret spot’ on the ferry as there were many tourists on the starboard side of the upper decks that try as he might Bo just couldn’t get a good photo of the Statue of Liberty from up there. But from down below at water level there were hardly any passengers at all, so we were able to enjoy uninterrupted views of this city, the statue, Verrazano Bridge and Staten Island.

Despite all that has happened to her over the years, Lady Liberty still exudes a unique combination of strength and grace. I think I would have liked to know the woman who provided the inspiration for this iconic work as to me she always seems to have an alluring twinkle in her eye.

Once back on dry land, we took the subway uptown and then walked west to the start of the High Line. Bo was keen to see this New York landmark, a park in the sky on the site of the long abandoned West Side Elevated Railway. In the end I think he was impressed with the way the planners have gone about this urban renewal project. It is truly a wonderful mix of old, new, industrial and natural landscapes. Peter and I particularly enjoyed seeing the blossoms and how the landscape had transformed since we were there in the cold only four weeks earlier.

We walked the full length of the park from West 30^th down to Gansevoort Street and then headed over to the ever popular ‘Johnny’s Pizzas’ on Bleecker Street where we had some beers and pizza to finish off the night. All good until someone suggested ice creams and we jumped a cab to the Plaza for some frozen yogurt and sprinkles. Then Bo was finally happy … and it really was all good!