Day 2 began with two ideas — should we head to Mount Vernon to catch the fall colors, or visit the Akshardham Temple in New Jersey? Since there was some uncertainty about how vibrant the fall colors would be in the mountains, we decided to go with the second option and drove to NJ instead.
And what a decision that was! The Akshardham Temple is truly magnificent — an architectural masterpiece adorned with intricate sculptures. Every inch of the structure seemed to have a story carved into it. I was amazed to learn that the temple was built entirely by volunteers, many of whom were trained specifically to sculpt the exquisite designs. The walls and ceilings beautifully depict stories from major Hindu epics, making the entire space come alive with spiritual and cultural richness.
The drive to and from Akshardham also treated us to lovely fall colors — golden yellows, bright oranges, and deep reds lining the roads. It felt like a double dhamaka — witnessing both nature’s artistry and a timeless spiritual landmark in one day.
Next on our list was the Statue of Liberty, one of New York City’s most iconic symbols. Unfortunately, by the time we reached, the statue was already closed for the day. But we didn’t let that dampen our spirits — we hopped onto a ferry to Staten Island, the southernmost point of New York, and enjoyed beautiful sunset views of Lady Liberty from the water.
Our next stop was Ground Zero, the site of the former World Trade Center. Standing there brought back memories of the heartbreaking news from 2001 — images of the hijacked planes, the collapsing towers, and the lives lost. Seeing the names of the victims etched into the memorial stone was deeply moving. The silence among the visitors spoke volumes; it was impossible not to feel the weight of that tragedy. We couldn’t bring ourselves to enter the museum — the thought of seeing the debris up close felt too heavy.
Dinner that evening was at a cozy Thai restaurant, where we recharged before heading to our final stop — the Empire State Building. This 102-story Art Deco skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan is nothing short of majestic. From the 81st-floor observation deck, we were treated to a breathtaking panorama of New York’s glittering night skyline — the city truly never sleeps.
One final highlight of the day was our multiple trips through the Holland and Lincoln Tunnels, which run beneath the Hudson River connecting Manhattan and New Jersey. Each time we drove through, we couldn’t help but marvel — how incredible it is that such tunnels were engineered underwater!
It was a day of contrasts — from serene spirituality to urban grandeur, from somber remembrance to awe-inspiring architecture. New York continued to surprise us at every turn.
No comments:
Post a Comment