New York - Day1

This was our second trip to New York. Now to think of it, I wish I had logged our last trip to NY too.

Anyway my mother-in-law is visiting us, and she had not visited NY, so we decided to take her there for Memorial Day Weekend 2010. We started off from the MDW airport from Chicago on Saturday morning and reached NY at around 10:00 am. Our close friend Sudipto's mom and SIL also were him. Co-incidentally they also had planned a trip to NY on the same weekend. So we decided to join forces and hang out together :). Well, we believe the more the merrier.

So they drove from Baltimore and came to pick us up from the JFK airport. After meeting and talking we start driving to Manhattan. New York has a welcoming air around it. That's what you love about it. We reached Manhattan around 11:00. And surprise surprise - it is cheaper to park in MY city, in Manhattan than for more than 2 people to take the public transport. We parked the car for 12hours for a mere amount of 20 bucks. The car put in place, it was time to feed the tummy. Everybody was famished. For some reason, I get very hungry whenever I am on a holiday.

So the first pit stop was a take-out/gourmet Mediterranean vegetarian place.
















After eating a big meal, we went to decide on what bus tour we were going to take. After negotiating and half an hour later we were in the line standing for our tour bus.

We got the first glimpse of Times Square waiting for the bus. It was teeming with people and full of life. Totally invigorating.




































We ultimately boarded the open top bus. The weather was glorious - hot in fact. The plan de jour was to reach Battery Park and get off and visit the Statue of Liberty.

Passing all the landmarks and listening to the tour guide's commentary we reached Battery Park. There was a humongous line for the ferry to go to the Ellis Island. We waited almost more than 2 hours in line for the ferry. Well no pain, no gain I guess.



Aboard the ferry.

















The first view of the Statue.





















After an hour and numerous pictures later we decided to start back.
We went to the cafeteria there and ate some fried snacks - like onion rings and burgers. Those were the only vegetarian choices available. After filling our stomachs and feasting our eyes on the statue - we made our way back to the ferry.

The view of Manhattan skyline from the ferry.

After a nice and windy ferry ride later we got to the bus stop and were waiting for our bus ride back to the times square.















We got back to Times square in the bus and we were just amazed by the lights and the ads there. We were all very tired it being a long day, but as soon as you reach the Times Square - you get back the joie de vivre. It was great to see scores of people going their way.




















After the tiring day, we decided to head back to New jersey where our hotel was and check in to the hotel. We reached within 45 minutes and inquired at the hotel reception if there were any Indian hotels in the vicinity. With two moms in the group we decided that eating Indian food at the end of a tiring day would be ideal. So we headed towards the receptionist's recommendation - Jyothi. I have to say it was one of the better Indian food restaurants I have eaten at. After a scrumptious and hot meal of rotis, paneer jalfrezi, dal makhani and chicken masala and rice we headed back to hotel to end the day and fall asleep.