Standing Tall

We visited the Statue of Liberty this weekend. Though, the excursion is a bit worn-out for the seasoned traveller -- who likes to explore the unknown... Statue of Liberty sounds a bit too touristy to me as well. Yet, I enjoyed it!

Visiting Lady Liberty can be quite exciting for anyone visiting New York City or even New Jersey. The trip, not only allows a peek into the American history and heritage, it is an ode to every immigranat in this country. And, of course, it is of great visual appeal and offers many great camera shots. Add to it a nice breezy ferry ride on the Hudson River.

The statue itself is enormous and a must see. One cant even gauge the size of it unless he sees it for real. Very few know about the statue's history -- that it was a gift from France to America on the occasion of American independence. The statue was built in France itself and then shipped all across the Atlantic Ocean to America, where it was installed next to the Ellis Island just off Manhattan.

What could be more surprising? that an exact replica of the statue (at a much smaller scale) is also installed in Paris on the Seine River... And is also visible from the Eiffel Tower.

For many years, the statue served as the American landmark. Ships travelling through the Atlantic Ocean, knew they have reached New York when they could see the statue from afar. They then docked at the Ellis Island, where the passengers had to clear immigration before entering the US.

Today, the Ellis Island still harbors the American museum of Immigration. And one can take a look at the old immigration records by stopping at the Island en-route the Statue of Liberty. All ferries make a stop at the Ellis Island, which is also included in the fare.

And why is the statue green? It is built with sheets of copper. Over the many years, the metal has reacted with oxygen and water and has changed the statue's color from original bronze to green.

The Circle Line ferries run from Liberty State Park in NJ and Battery Park in New York. Make sure you chose a bright sunny day and don't forget to take your camera along, or you will Miss the great views of the world-famous Manhattan skyline, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Verazzano Bridge.