We got up just before 6am to go outside on deck to see the sail-in to New York. It was very warm even at that time. Bill Miller the expert on New York was giving the commentary. We began to see the skyline of New Jersey before coming in to Manhattan. The majestic Statue of Liberty was of course the highlight. It is a kind of green colour because it is made of copper and has oxidised with the atmosphere. The statue was originally a gift to America from France and is a sign of Freedom and Liberty. It was a great sight.
We saw Ellis Island where the Immigrants from Ireland, England and Europe came through to the United States for a better life. My two Aunts will have been processed in this way probably in the late 1930s. Ellis Island is a Museum now and they have records of everyone who went through to the New World.
The local pilot had come on board to guide the Captain in to the docking area in Manhattan.
The pilot boat was sailing alongside the Rotterdam as we approached Pier 88.
Bill Miller pointed out the re-construction of the Twin Towers after the devastation of 9/11. The new building will be even higher than the one that fell on 9/11. It is up to about 70 floors already and it will be over 100 on completion.
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The Empire State Building is another great landmark in New York and was once the tallest building in the world. We could see it clearly from the ship as the day was dawning.
There is a British Airways Concorde aeroplane in the Harbour. I think you can go inside. It looked quite small. Amazing that it could do the Transatlantic in just over 3 hours. It has just taken us 7 days !!!
The Rotterdam safely docked in New York and we prepared to disembark the ship and to spend the next two days in this exciting city.
Got to get going. We have to go through Immigration shortly.
Just to let you know that we are thinking of you all.
Lots and lots of love
from
Sally XX and John XX
sally's space 