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We were supposed to start early but getting the boys up and at em is a difficult task. We were going to use our Hop On Hop Off bus pass to get us downtown but a late start meant we had to take the subway. What an experience that was. You climb down a few flights of stairs and immediately there is this overwhelming heat that hits you. It took us a bit to work out the ticketing system (still not sure we have it right) but eventually we were in the heart of the subway. People moving in all directions but with the NYC Subway app, it was really easy and everything was well signed. We were soon on our way to Charleston / Church Street Downtown. Getting off the subway you felt like you'd visited another world. We climbed up I'm not sure how many flights of stairs and came out into this pristine white building that we soon discovered was the new World Trade Centre. A short walk and we were at the 9/11 memorial. I can't put into words the experience of visiting the memorial for 9/11. Moving, depressing, overwhelming, striking, speechless, empathy, compassion are just a few that come to mind. The memorial itself is very well done to the point where what remains of the existing building has been incorporated into the memorial itself. After nearly two hours we decided to leave and get some lunch as we hadn't had any breakfast (again getting the boys out of bed puts everything behind schedule). We then walked to Battery Park which is beautiful, as all parks in New York are, and headed out on the ferry to the Statue of Liberty. Liam and I were lucky enough to have tickets to climb up inside Liberty. Over 200 steps - steps that are in a very confined space and spriral and quite daunting - we made it to the top to be greeted by the most magnificent views of New York. Going down all those steps was worse than going up but we made it. We then headed back to Battery Park via Ellis Island to be greeted by a group of young men who were putting on a street show. Dylan was lucky enough to get called into the show which was very funny. Another subway ride back to Times Square and a mad rush to get ready to head out for my birthday tea to Buddakan. We decided to try Uber which was so easy and no money is handed over at the end of the trip, all linked with your card. Australia needs to get on to this, it's awesome. We arrived in Chelsea early so had a wander around the Chelsea market then headed to Buddakan for the most amazing meal ever. They were so nice there they didn't charge us for our dessert as a birthday treat. Another Uber ride back home and hopefully an early night - didn't quite happen that way.
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