Showing posts with label My Tours. Show all posts

Sunday, December 2, 2012

My Tour to Bremerton Island:

Sham S. Misri

(From: Seattle, Washington)

Since the weather is supposed to be super nice this weekend my son Sandeep and his wife Suprigya were suggesting to me to go to Bremerton. My son, Sandeep was in fact proposing to me about taking a ferry ride!

“I’ve never been to or Bremerton Island and I don't know much about it,” I said. “ Anyway, whatever you guys suggest for the visit I will have no objection. It looks to me like an Island that may have better food options but there may be more to see and do in Bremerton!

Saturday, 5th June, 2010.

It was a nice sunny Saturday and we planned to leave early our home at Redmond, Washington. We boarded our van and proceeded towards Bremerton, out destination. It took us nearly thirty minutes to reach down town Seattle, the point where from we had to take the ferry. The Settle-Bremerton route departs from the Washington State Terminal located on the Seattle central water front.

Bremerton is surrounded by miles of shoreline and waterfront and perfect for picnics and relaxing strolls. I was told that there are other ways from the south via the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and from the north the Hood Canal Bridge or Kingston and Bainbridge Island ferries.

There was a long queue waiting for their turn to board the ferry. We also lined up in the queue and waited up for our turn. During this period of halt, I took some video clips and some snap shots. The Bremerton Ferry is an automobile and passenger service that is operated and owned by the Washington State Department of Transportation. This service is known for being the third largest automobile and passenger ferry fleet in the world. It is also the largest fleet in the United States.

When our turn came our van full of passengers also boarded the ferry. Bremerton is connected to downtown Seattle by a 55-minute ferry route, which carries both vehicles and walk-on passengers. It is a seventeen (17) mile sailing from Seattle to Bremerton. When we reached the Island there was lot of fun.

Bremerton has several museums, many within walking distance of the ferries. They Include the Historical Museum, the Puget Sound Naval Museum; Children are Puppet Museum, historic ship, and the famous Amy Burnett Pyrex Museum.

During the First World War the city had increased their man power that worked on the construction of a submarine. The development of this city brought new families from around the United States to live. The first economic activity was the lumber and timber industry.

The city of Bremerton located in Washington is known for its unique variety of arts and entertainment. The most popular and most visited types of entertainment in this city are Admiral Theatre Bremerton, Bremerton Community Theatre and Bremerton Symphony. Other attractions and recreations available for people of all ages are the (Basketball, Cycling, Disc golf, Pickle ball, Swimming, Ping Pong, etc) , Dance and swimming lessons , City parks: Blueberry Park, Bachmann Park, Bataan Park, Evergreen Rotary Park, Haddon Park, Lake Park, Lions Park, Smith Playfield, etc.

The Bremerton Naval Base is known for being the third largest Navy organization in the United States. This U.S Navy organization was created in the year 2004. The Bremerton Naval base features: Four nuclear shipyards, two nuclear weapon facilities, and largest fuel depot.

Bremerton has a variety of schools. These schools are categorized as: Public, private and colleges. Bremerton is a city in Kitsap County, Washington, United States. The population is not more.

There is an interesting story about Bremerton. Around 1890 a U.S. Navy commission wanted to establish a shipyard here. Soon after in the year 1891, William Bremer, a German, had immigrated and settled in Seattle. He had started his own business here. William Bremer had a vision. He understood that a large number of workers would be employed in the shipyard. Thus Bremer, his business partner and brother-in-law, purchased the undeveloped land near Point Turner. Earlier, a Lieutenant had purchased nearly 190 acres of water front territory which was owned by the Bremer family. Later on, Bremer arranged for the sale of 190 acres to the Navy at $50 per acre. This land became part of the initial footprint of the Puget Sound Navy Yard. Then William Bremer established a town very close to the Navy naval station. The area came to be called as Bremerton.

Bremerton was officially incorporated on October 15, 1901 with a mayor. Progress in the new city soon faced a major crisis. There were reports from commanders that the Bremerton waterfront was common with prostitution, opium houses and frequent strong-armed robberies of sailors. Politics were probably also at play. Local newspapers reported that the city had no plan to expand the shipyard. A dispute ensued between Mayor who wanted to shutter all saloons in Bremerton, and three members of the city council, who attempted to block his efforts. Mayor eventually won and the council voted to cancel all liquor licenses.

Manette was linked to Bremerton by the Manette Bridge, a 1,573-foot bridge constructed in June 1930. Prior to this time, the trip could only be made by ferry or a long trip around Dyes Inlet through Chico, Silverdale and Tracy- ton on mostly unimproved roads. This wooden bridge was replaced with the present concrete bridge in 1949. At the shipyard, the 250-foot tall Hammerhead Crane was completed in April 1933. One of the nation's largest, it is capable of lifting 250 tons and continues to dominate the Bremerton skyline.

At the peak of World War II, the Bremerton area was home to an estimated 80,000 residents due to the heavy workload of shipbuilding, repair and maintenance required for the Pacific war effort. Most of the relocation was temporary, though, and only 27,678 citizens were left in the city by 1950. During the 1940s, presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman both visited Bremerton. Roosevelt made a campaign stop at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard on August 12, 1944, giving a national radio address. During the course of his 35-minute speech, it is believed the president suffered an angina attack, experiencing severe chest and shoulder pain. President Truman took a two-day tour of Washington State in 1948.

In 2000, Bremerton saw the opening of the waterfront multimodal bus/ferry terminal and a hotel/conference centre complex in 2004.

The popular Blackberry Festival is held annually during Labour Day weekend on the waterfront boardwalk to celebrate everything Blackberry. Local residents, shopkeepers and growers bring their Blackberry ice creams, pastries, pies, jams, jellies, candies, and even ciders and wines to this annual event. Free entertainment includes music by local musicians and entertainers performing throughout the three day festival. Bremerton climate has warm dry summers and wet semi-mild winters.

Historical populations: During Census 1910 the population was 2,993: which went up in 1950 to 27,678: and in 1990 to 38,142

U.S. Census of 2000 showed there were 37,259 people, 15,096 households, and 8,468 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,644.2 people per square mile. There were 16,631 housing units at an average density of 733.9 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 74.97% White, 7.50% African American, 1.95% Native American, 5.53% Asian, 0.93% Pacific Islander, 2.57% from other races, and 6.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or of any race were 6.59% of the population.

There were 15,096 households out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.4% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.9% were non-families. 35.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18; 15.5% from 18 to 24; 30.3% from 25 to 44; 17.2% from 45 to 64; and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 103.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,950, and the median income for a family was $36,358. Males had a median income of $28,320 versus $23,523 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,724. About 16.0% of families and 19.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.7% of those under age 18 and 11.4% of that age 65 or over. Because of the military base Bremerton's demographics are extremely diverse.

Bremerton has produced many notable men like; Nathan Adrian, American swimmer and Olympic gold medallist. Dan Attoe, painter and sculptor; Jill Banner, American film actress; Norm Dicks, Fifteen-term U.S. Congressman, was born and raised in Bremerton; Howard Duff, the actor; Brent David Fraser, actor; Bill Gates Senior, father of the Microsoft billionaire, was born in Bremerton and began his law career with the local firm of Merrill Wallace. The elder Gates' father operated a furniture store and ice cream parlour in downtown Bremerton.

After spending the day we returned home late in the evening.

Monday, November 5, 2012

The Globe Theatre

Sham S.Misri

(On my recent trip to England, 16^th March to 15^th June, 2012, I, had an opportunity to see The Globe Theatre)
Elizabeth I (1533 – 1603) was queen of England and Ireland from November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty. She was short-tempered and an indecisive ruler. Towards the end of her reign, a series of economic and military problems weakened her popularity.Elizabeth's reign is known as the Elizabethan era. This era was famous for the flourishing of English drama, led by the famous playwrights such as William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe.

Some of Shakespeare’s most famous plays were first performed at the Globe Theatre, which was built on the South Bank of River Thames in 1599. Going to Globe Theatre was a grand experience those days. The building was roughly circular in shape. It had flat sides

The Globe Theatre was an open air theatre. The plays were only put on during day light hours in spring and summer. People paid a penny to stand in the central space and watch a play, and this part of the audience became known as ‘the groundlings’ because they stood on the ground. Some place in the tiers of seating was kept beneath the thatched roof. The place under the thatched roof had a slightly better view. The thatched roof also prevented the people from getting wet if it rained. A person had to pay some extra cost for the place under the thatched roof.

The Elizabethans did not bath very often and the audience at the Globe were smelly. Fine ladies and gentlemen in the more expensive seats sniffed perfume and bags of sweetly – scented herbs to cover the stink rising from the surroundings.

There were no actresses on the stage. All the female characters in Shakespeare’s plays would have been acted by boys, wearing wigs and make up. Audiences were not well behaved. People clapped and cheered when their favourite actors came on stage. The bad actors were jeered at and sometimes pelted with whatever came to hand.

Most Londoner’s worked hard to make a living and in their precious free time they liked to be entertained. Shakespeare understood the magic of the theatre so well that today, almost four hundred years after his death; his plays still cast a spell over thousands of people that go to see them.

In Elizabethan times, any sword scene which would end in a murder would have been seen with full glory visual effects. To make sword fights seem more realistic, pigs’ bladders filled with blood were hidden, in the actors’ costumes, and pierced with the point of a sword or a dagger. The audience would have been spellbound by the murder scene.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

My Tour to Natural Bridge Caverns

Sham S.Misri
(From: Austin, Texas)

Friday, 8^th March, 2002

One of the best ways to escape the heat of Austin, Texas, is to tour underground caverns. It was Friday, the 8^th of March, 2002, when Sandeep, my son proposed to have a tour to a different site- The Natural Bridge Caverns.

Being new to the USA, perhaps my first visit to USA, I loved going to see new places here, and today it was the Natural Bridge Caverns. Having left our residence at Austin, we proceeded towards the Caverns. I was accompanied by my wife, Sarla. My son Sandeep along with his newlywed wife Suprigya also joined me in this tour. The journey from Austin to Natural Bridge Caverns is nearly seventy miles, and was covered in around two hours.

On reaching the cave, I, along with my family members was very much excited and fascinated to see it. The first thing that I did was I didn’t forget to grab pictures of the new place! After having purchased the entry tickets we moved in a group to enter the cave.

There is a beautiful story about how the Natural Bridge Caverns were discovered. On March 27, 1960, cave explorer Orion Knox and his three friends from St. Mary's University in San Antonio were in a cave below the Wuest family cattle ranch. They had explored the caves there three times before. Knox, then 19, was the smallest in the group, so he was often tapped to crawl through tight spaces. Armed with a rock hammer and carbide light on his helmet, he inched through a narrow crawl way. Once out, an expanse of darkness greeted him.

"I said, 'Hey, we may have something here,'" Knox said.

Knox and the others were likely the first humans to set foot in what is now called Natural Bridge Caverns, the largest known caverns in Texas and one of the state's top tourist destinations.

The caverns have a unique underground world of sweeping tunnels and bizarre rock formations that lie as deep as 180 feet below the ground. The caverns are named for a bridge like rock formation on top of the cave entrance.

Geologists think the cave began to form about 140 million years ago.

When Knox and fellow students announced their discovery, Clara Wuest, a widow who farmed cattle and goats on the ranch, was initially uncertain. The family had always known about the natural bridge, the sinkhole entrance and the caves within, but, to their knowledge, no one had ever ventured as deep inside as Knox's group, her grandson Travis Wuest said.

After Travis Wuest’s father confirmed what Knox and the others had seen, Clara Wuest, who died in 1997, "became convinced that she had a spectacular natural feature on her property," Knox said.

About 1961, Travis Wuest said, his grandmother remarried and began to discuss ways to develop the property and turn it into a tourist attraction.

She went to the state and national park agencies, but for various reasons, they weren't interested in developing the caves. So Wuest decided to do it herself, mortgaging her ranch to fund the development. It was very risky. Had the venture failed, Travis Wuest said, the family would have lost its home and only source of income.

"She transformed herself from a shy ranch wife into an entrepreneur and businesswoman," Wuest said. He said he doesn't know how much the development cost.

Knox dropped out of college to help with the two-year effort to develop the caves. Knox and others worked 14-hour days to excavate a route into the caverns, creating paths and tunnels for tourists to move through. The caverns are so large that development didn't disturb most natural features.

The caves opened to the public in 1964, quickly becoming a boon to the state's tourism industry, Knox said. They were made a registered U.S. natural landmark in 1971.

Knox now lives in Central Austin and likes to reflect on his discovery. "This was a life-changing event for me," he said. "Any time I go to the cave and see people enjoying it, it's such a rewarding feeling."

As for the Wuests, the caverns have become the family business.

Natural Bridge Caverns is one of the most treasured natural attractions Texas has to offer. This beautiful and historical cavern system offers an experience that is fun and family oriented.

Whether we are a first timer, or an eager caver, Natural Bridge Caverns waits with a once in a lifetime experience we should never forget. My visit to the cave made me so much to do, see and learn .

Caves are unique and fragile natural resources that may contain records of archaeological and paleontological change. Caves provide us useful information about habitat for unique and endangered species. Calcite mineral formation inside caves preserves record of earth history. From the caverns San Antonio is nearly tem miles away. If anyone is in the San Antonio area then this is a must see. The facilities are well maintained and the caves are spectacular. The experience surpasses all expectations. The lighting enables to see the real beauty of the cavern. In addition, we always felt safe on the stairs and the handrails were very sturdy.

Hear all the names....stalagmites & tites and straws and what not Regardless of their names, they are stunning to see. We saw the largest underground cavern in Texas and were amazed by its size.

We also discovered some other fun activities to do on the grounds, which made for a full day. Texas Travel Facts for the Natural Bridge Caverns:

We did Lots of walking in the cave. We were dressed in lightweight clothing and comfortable walking shoes. Strollers are not allowed in the cave. I had taken my camera with flash and no one objected to it. We had parked the car in the free parking lot.

First, when we arrived, we wanted to take the tour for Hidden Passages, but we were told that the wait would be nearly two hours. To wait for two hours was dropped and we did not go to Hidden passages. We did not go to the Hidden Passage as we had to wait long for that. The caverns were cool and spectacular. Once we were inside the cavern we were told, and it was written “You can't touch anything here! Don't forget to take a picture! “

My experience one of the world's premier caverns, Natural Bridge Caverns. Millions of others have seen - an incredible underground world of natural beauty. This 75-minute tour travels through a half-mile of the largest and most spectacular show cavern in Texas.

Leaving the cavern we proceeded to San Antonio a distance of nearly ten miles from here.

The San Antonio River Walk:

Millions of people visit the River Walk each year to enjoy this unusual urban sanctuary that winds along the San Antonio River in central San Antonio.

The lush landscapes, old fashioned pathways, tinkling waterfalls, quiet pools, outdoor art and relaxing outdoor patios are things to see here.

The River walk in San Antonio is one of the world's most distinctive meeting places -- old and new friends meet up, travellers pause, families congregate, lovers gaze; and weddings, reunions, business meetings spill over into the River Walk. It is a coolest River Walk. There are many food eating points seen all along the path. Great place to eat on the River Walk.

Since my son was newlywed, a dinner on the elegant patio of a River Walk hotel .was due. While I was busy with my own wife to enjoy the River Walk, I did not disturb my son in having a quiet stroll, hand-in-hand, along the River Walk, or through the park around.

There is an interesting story about the San Antonio River Walk. In the 18th century, the Spanish church established five Catholic missions along the San Antonio River. This was primarily to extend its power and to convert the native population. The first mission established in San Antonio was, the Alamo. The Alamo, though strong, was built for a mission, and not for a fortress. The walls are thick, and of plain stone-work. The main wall is a rectangle, one hundred and ninety feet long, and one hundred and twenty-two feet wide. On one corner was attached the old church, a large building, and containing the soldiers' quarters. Adjoining this on the east side was the stone house for horses. About midway of the east side of the main wall, but within it, was a two-story stone building; the upper story being used for a hospital, and the lower one for an armoury, soldiers' quarters, &c. There were four pieces of artillery mounted on the side toward the town, and a like number facing the north; two on the side of the church, and four to defend the gate which looked toward the bridge across the San Antonio River. The place was supplied with water from two aqueducts running on either side of the walls. But it was greatly deficient in men, provisions, and ammunition.

It was already 100 years old when it fell in the notorious Battle of the Alamo. Rebellious Texans had captured the city of San Antonio in December of 1835 and had fortified the Alamo, a fortress-like centre of town. Mexican General came with a massive army and laid siege to the Alamo. For 13 days in 1836, around 200 Texas defenders held the Alamo from over one thousand of Mexican General’s troops. The defenders would die fighting overwhelming odds for freedom. The General attacked and finished the defenders in less than two hours. None of the defenders survived.

The banks of the San Antonio River have attracted settlers for nearly 300 years, leaving the city with the best aspects of diverse cultures from all around the world. European, Spanish and Western traditions all blend together into a personality that’s uniquely San Antonio.

San Antonio's long history and its lively art scene reflect the city’s confluence of cultures. Local bands provided all soundtracks.

Floating down cool rivers, strolling quaint Main Streets in search of unique bargains or hiking, biking and riding horses through rolling, scenic terrain – all this and more await on a trip to San Antonio.

This was my first experience of one of the world's premier caverns, Natural Bridge Caverns. It is an incredible underground world of natural beauty. This 75-minute tour travel was a great experience at the caverns! The caverns themselves are beautifully lit and well preserved. It was an awesome sight to see!

Once we have experienced Natural Bridge Caverns, we feel like visiting the cave again

Monday, October 22, 2012

My Tour to New York

Sham S. Misri
(From: New York)

Thursday, 4^th July, 2002

Having left our lodge, Holiday Inn, at Washington, we proceeded towards The New York City. On reaching our destination we stayed in a Hotel in the heart of Manhattan.

A global power city, New York exerts a significant impact upon commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and entertainment. The home of the United Nations Headquarters, New York is an important center for international diplomacy and has been described as the cultural capital of the world. The Statue of Liberty greeted millions of immigrants as they came to America by ship in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is a globally recognized symbol of the United States and its democracy. Times Square, an icon as "The Crossroads of the World", is the brightly illuminated hub of the Broadway theatre district, one of the world's busiest pedestrian intersections, and a major center of the world's entertainment industry.

New York traces its roots to its 1624 founding as a trading place by the Dutch Republic. New York is the most populous city in the United States of America. It is one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. The city is referred to as New York City, and is a part the State of New York. Located on one of the world's largest natural harbors, New York City consists of five boroughs, each of which is a state county. The five boroughs—The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island—were consolidated into a single city in 1898.

New York is the most densely populated major city in the United States. As many as 800 languages are spoken in New York, making it the most linguistically diverse city in the world. The New York City is the United States' largest, with 18.9 million people distributed over 6,720 square miles.

The city has many world renowned bridges, skyscrapers, and parks. New York City's Wall Street in Lower Manhattan, functions as the financial capital of the world and is home to the New York Stock Exchange. It is the world's largest stock exchange by total market capitalization of its listed companies. Manhattan's real estate market is among the most expensive in the world. Manhattan's Chinatown incorporates the highest concentration of Chinese people in the Western Hemisphere. The New York City Subway is one of the most extensive rapid transit systems in the world. Numerous colleges and universities are located in New York, including Columbia University, New York University, and Rockefeller University, which are highly ranked in the world.

In early times New York City was inhabited by various bands of tribes of Native Americans, including the Lenape. Their homeland included Staten Island, the Long Island including the Brooklyn and Queens, Manhattan, and the Lower Hudson Valley.

The first visit by a European was in 1524 by Giovanni Verrazano. He was an explorer in the service of the French crown. He sailed his ship into Upper New York Harbour and spent one night aboard ship. He sailed out the next day. He claimed this area for France. A year later, a Portuguese sailing for Emperor Charles V of Spain, entered New York Harbour and named the Hudson River as Rio de San Antonio. Heavy ice kept him from further exploration.

In 1609 English explorer Henry Hudson re-discovered the region when he sailed his ship into New York Harbour. He proceeded to sail up what he named the North River, and now known as the Hudson River, the site of the present-day New York.

The year 1614 saw a Dutch fur trading settlement on the southern tip of Manhattan which was called ‘New Amsterdam’ in 1625. Dutch colonial Director-General Peter Minuit purchased the island of Manhattan from a small group of the natives in 1626 for a value of 60 guilders. In 1664, the Director-General of the colony of New Amsterdam surrendered to the English without bloodshed. The English promptly renamed the city "New York" after the English Duke of York. Several intertribal wars among the Native Americans and some epidemics brought on by contact with the Europeans caused sizable population losses between the years 1660 and 1670. By 1700, the native population had diminished to 200. In 1702, the city lost 10% of its population to yellow fever. New York suffered seven major yellow fever epidemics from 1702 to 1800. The Battle of Long Island, the largest battle of the American Revolution, took place in Brooklyn in 1776.

New York grew in importance as a trading port under British rule. It became a center of slavery, with 42% of households holding slaves by 1730. Most slaveholders held a few or several domestic slaves, but others hired them out to work at labour. Slavery became integrally tied to New York's economy through the labour of slaves throughout the port. In 1754, Columbia University was founded by George II of Great Britain as King's College in Lower Manhattan.

The Battle of Long Island, the largest battle of the American Revolutionary War, was fought in August 1776 entirely within Brooklyn. After the battle, in which the Americans were routed, the city became the British military and political base of operations in North America. The city was a haven for Loyalist refugees, as well as escaped slaves who joined the British lines for the freedom promised by the Crown. As many as 10,000 escaped slaves crowded into the city during the British occupation.

Shortly after the British occupation began the Great Fire of New York occurred, a large blaze destroyed many buildings in the city, including a Church. In 1789 the first President of the United States, George Washington, was inaugurated. By 1790, New York was the largest city in the United States.

Under the state's "gradual abolition law of 1799", children of slave mothers were born free, Together with slaves freed by their masters after the Revolutionary War and escaped slaves, gradually a significant free-black population developed in Manhattan. The city's black population reached more than 16,000 in 1840.

In the 19th century, the city was transformed by development related to the western and cotton trades, as well as European immigration. Discovery of the African Burying Ground in the 1990s during construction work revealed that tens of thousands of Africans had been buried in the area in the colonial years.

The Great Irish Famine brought a large influx of Irish immigrants, and by 1860, one in four New Yorkers—over 200,000—had been born in Ireland. There was also extensive immigration from the German provinces, where revolutions had disrupted societies, and Germans comprised another 25% of New York's population by 1860.The Brooklyn Bridge was under construction from 1870 until 1883.

In the 1920s, African Americans Migrated to New York City. The larger economic boom generated construction of competing skyscrapers that changed the skyline into its identifiable twentieth-century shape. New York became the most populous urbanized area in the world in early 1920s, overtaking London.

In the 1960s, job losses due to industrial restructuring caused New York City to suffer from economic problems and rising crime rates, which extended into the 1970s. While revival in the financial industry greatly improved the city's economic health in the 1980s, New York's crime rate continued to increase through the decade and into the beginning of the 1990s. By the 1990s, crime rates started to drop dramatically due to changed police strategies. New immigrants from Asia and Latin America came. Important new sectors, such as Silicon Alley, emerged in the city's economy.

The city suffered the worst nationally of the September 11, 2001 attacks, when nearly 3,000 people died in the destruction of the twin towers of the World Trade Center. Much of New York is built on the three islands of Manhattan, Staten Island, and Long Island, making land scarce and encouraging a high population density. New York City experiences a humid subtropical climate. The Capital of New York is Albany, and the motto: Excelsior (Ever upward).It is nicknamed as ‘Empire State.’ The large cities are New York, Buffalo, Rochester, and Albany. Many places of interest were visited here.

Empire State Building

More than any other building in the world, the Empire State Building represents the ambition of humans to build towers that reach the skies. It is New York's best known building and is prominent on many postcards. Though the building has been stripped from its title of the world's tallest building, it is a symbol of New York itself, and is visited by nearly two million people each year. At the time when it was built in the early 1930s on Fifth Avenue, the Empire State Building broke all records and was dubbed 'the 8th world wonder'. The building had 64 elevators (now 73) and was constructed in only 1 year and 45 days. The skyscraper has a height of 1250 ft.

Much of The Empire State Building was occupied by the Hotel, which opened in November 1897 as the city's largest hotel with 1050 rooms. It was one the most prestigious in New York and attracted an upper-class clientele. The Empire State Building was designed by William Frederick Lamb. A perfect work of art gave the building a firm grandeur. The building has a huge spire on the top of it. We visited the Empire State Building's observatory on the 86th floor from where we had a magnificent view over the city of New York.

Central Park

The land for the Central Park was bought by the City of New York in 1853. When the land was purchased, it was far away from civilization. The area contained sheds from colonists, quarries, pig farms and swamps. Central Park is one of those places that make New York such a great place to live. The huge park, 843 acres large, is located in the center of Manhattan. The park has several lakes, theatres, fountains, tennis courts, baseball fields, many playgrounds and other facilities. The Central Park Zoo and the Museum of Art are also there. The Central Park is a popular place for all New Yorkers. It attracts millions of visitors each year.

Brooklyn Bridge

The construction of the Brooklyn Bridge started in 1869 and took 14 years to complete. It connects Manhattan with New York's most populous borough, Brooklyn. The bridge is one of the most magnificent landmarks in New York. At the time of construction many thought of such a large bridge as a folly. The driving force behind the whole project was a German immigrant who had worked for the Prussian government as a bridge and road builder. He launched an idea of building a bridge across the East River. The German immigrant John Roebling never saw the bridge he had designed. He died after crushing his foot in an accident during the construction. Many more workers died while working on the bridge. His son took over the leadership of the project. He suffered from the disease and was on his deathbed during the inauguration. That day, May 24, 1883, about 150,000 people crossed the bridge.

Roebling had not just made a bridge that looked incredibly strong; it also turned out to be just as strong in reality. A mesh of cables of which the four strongest have a diameter of 11 inches are anchored in the ground and keep the bridge from collapsing. But even if the four strongest cables would snap, the other cables would still be sufficient to support the bridge. Roebling even claimed that the bridge wouldn't collapse without any cables, it would merely sag. But even after the inauguration, many New Yorkers were not convinced the bridge was safe. To prove the doubters wrong, a circus man led a caravan of circus animals - including a herd of 21 elephants - across the bridge in 1884.

The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the greatest engineering feats of the 19th century. It is one of New York's most popular and well known landmarks. The bridge spans the East river between Brooklyn and Manhattan and stretches for a length of about 1.8 km. The Brooklyn bridge the world's largest suspension bridge.

The most noticeable feature of the Brooklyn Bridge is the two masonry towers to which the many cables are attached. The towers with large arches are 276 ft tall. Roebling claimed that the monumental towers would make the bridge a historic monument. He was proven right when the bridge officially became a national monument in 1964. An elevated pedestrian path not only gives the opportunity to cross the river without being bothered by the traffic that rushes past a level below, but it also offers a great view of the bridge's towers as well as downtown Manhattan's skyline. The views alone attract millions of visitors to this bridge each year.

Times Square

Time square is the busiest square of New York. It is known for its many Broadway theatres, cinemas and super signs. It is one of those places that make New York a city that never sleeps. In 1904, the New York Times built the Times Tower on 43rd street. The square facing the building was called the Times Square. The name is now used for the area between 40th and 53rd street and 6th and 9th avenue.

At the start of the First World War, Times Square was the center of the Theatre district and attracted a large number of visitors. This made the square an ideal place for billboards. In 1917 the first large electric display billboard was installed. 11 Years later, the first running electric sign was let for the first time, to announce Herbert Hoover's victory in the Presidential elections. The billboards have become a tourist attraction for the area.

In the thirties, the Great Depression led to a sharp decline in theatre attendance. Many businesses had to close down, and they were quickly replaced by strip teases and peep shows. The area continued to attract visitors and after the Second World War, the Theatre district was booming again. At the end of the sixties, the area started to go downhill and by the mid-seventies, tourists avoided Times Square, which had become a seedy, crime-ridden and drug-infested place. Around 1990 Walt Disney Company opened a Disney store on Times Square. This attracted more family-friendly businesses to the area. The area is like most of New York City - a safer now. The area is attraction for tourists and a center of New York's social scene.

Chrysler Building

At the beginning of the 20th century, the race for the tallest building in the world started and the Chrysler Building was the first building to top the then tallest structure, the Eiffel Tower in Paris. New York would keep the tallest building in the world until 1974, when the Sears Tower was built in Chicago.

For Walter P. Chrysler, from the car manufacturer, building the tallest building in the world was a status symbol. The Chrysler building was in a race with the Bank of Manhattan (now 40 Wall Street) for obtaining the title of tallest building in the world. It looked like the Bank of Manhattan would win the race, with an expected height of 927ft. against around 230 meter for the Chrysler building. But the spire of the Chrysler building was constructed in secret inside the tower. Just one week after the Bank of Manhattan had reached its top, the spire of the Chrysler building was put in place, making it 318 meter (1045ft) high, thus beating the Bank of Manhattan as the tallest building in the world.

United Nations HQ

The headquarters of the U.N. in New York were developed by an international team of architects. The main building, the Secretariat, was one of the city's first towers in International Style. In 1946, the United Nations were looking for a location for their new headquarters in New York. Rockefeller Jr. bought the 18 acre plot and donated it to United Nations. This site was then used to build the UN's headquarters. The whole area was converted into international territory and officially does not belong to the United States. The design for the United Nations complex was drawn by an international committee of architects, the United Nations Board of Design.

The largest of the four buildings is the Secretariat of the building, home of the UN's administration. The large, 39 story, building has become a worldwide symbol of the United Nations.

The General Non-violence assembly hall has a seating capacity of 1,800. The meetings with representatives of all UN members take place here. The conference building behind the Secretariat and General assembly buildings houses the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council.

Adjacent to the United Nations complex is a small public park bordering the East River. It is littered with artwork donated by many countries. Along First Avenue in front of the United Nations Headquarters is a display of flags from each member of the UN. It starts with Afghanistan at 48th street and ends with Zimbabwe at 42nd street.

Wall Street

Historically known as the center of New York's financial district, Wall Street is often associated with wealth and ambition in America. After the Dutch purchased "New Amsterdam" from the Native Americans, a wall was erected that formed the northern boundary of the new colony. That's how Wall Street got its unusual name. The first "walls" along the street were basic plank fences, but as time passed and tensions with the mother country grew, a stronger, taller wall was built in order to defend the colony against both the British and the American Indians tribes that still dominated the area. The British removed the wall around the turn of the 18th century.

By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Wall Street was "the place" of a large financial institution or other big business. So many buildings sprung up on this tip of Manhattan that the Wall Street district began to boast its own distinct skyline. It was separate from the buildings in Midtown. People like J.P Morgan built headquarters at 23 Wall Street, which was - for decades - the most important financial institution in the country.

The Charging Bull Statue

One of the Financial District's most famous symbols is the 'Charging Bull' Statue (The bull represents a bull market, a constantly rising market).

Inspired by the stock market crash in 1987, sculptor Arturo Di Modica created the 7,000-pound (3175kg) bull statue as a token of optimism. In 1989 he placed it - without authorisation - in front of the New York Stock Exchange in Wall Street. Police removed the statue but thanks to a public outcry it was reinstalled, but this time on a small square annex park near Wall Street. The statue has become one of Lower Manhattan's most popular attractions.

Ground Zero

The previously known World Trade Center was known as "Ground Zero" after the September 11 attacks. It sits on 16 acres in Lower Manhattan in New York City. The previous World Trade Center complex stood on the site until it was destroyed in the September 11 attacks. The site was cordoned off at the time of our visit. We looked at the spot where the debris was being cleared from a distance. It was a horrible scene. Visiting September 11, 2001 site means that ‘A day that will forever be remembered.’

Let it not be remembered for the evil acts of violence targeted at fear, panic and death. Let it be remembered for the human spirit, the brotherhood of mankind, and the goodness of New Yorkers. May God bless our Ground Heroes?

Survival Tree

One of the many trees planted at the memorial site is known as the 'Survival Tree'. The tree, a Callery pear, was recovered from the rubble of the WTC in October 2001. Originally planted in the 1970s, the tree was badly damaged and burned but still had a living branch. It was nursed by the N.Y.C. Parks Department and recovered.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

My Tour to Niagara falls: Buffalo

Sham S. Misri
(From: Buffalo, New York)

6^th July, 2002

From New York hotel I, along with my wife Sarla decided to go to see the Nigra Falls at Buffalo. My son Sandeep and his wife Suprigya decided to go back home at Austin. So, the two groups went in two directions. From New York air port we flew direct to Buffalo. Prior message was sent by my wife Sarla to her brother Dr. H.L.Gurtoo. He has been in USA over decades. The moment he came to know about our visit to Buffalo he was extremely jubilant.

From New York City to Niagara Falls is nearly 406 miles. All the three modes of travel are available from New York to Nigra falls, Buffalo.

By car it's a 6.5 hour drive. Some bus services also ply to Niagara Falls. This route takes 9-11 hours. The train ride is great; much of the route follows the New York State Barge Canal and Hudson River. The trip takes nine hours roughly. By plane it is a 45 minute flight. I took the flight option. From airport to airport it took me nearly three to four hours.

When we reached Buffalo Air Port, he was there to receive us. It was late that night when we reached the air port. Dr. Gurtoo had come in his Limos car to give us a pick. When he spotted us at the arrival terminus, he just waved high his hand. It was quite conspicuous and we met with warm tight embraces. Dr. Gurtoo is a good talker and has lot of humour. While on the dining table he recalled some Dare Devils who had ventured into the Nigra Falls.

Some infamous Bobby Leach had plunged over the fall in a steel barrel. Bobby broke both kneecaps and his jaw during his daring event. Years later, while touring in New Zealand, Bobby slipped on an orange peel and died from complications due to gangrene! It was around 1901.

July, 1911: Annie Taylor was the first person to conquer the falls in a barrel. After climbing inside her airtight wooden barrel, the air pressure was compressed with a bicycle pump. Though bruised and worn out Annie made it. She expected fame and fortune. Annie died in poverty.

July 1920: Charles Stephens, an Englishman equipped his wooden barrel with an anvil for weight. Charles tied himself to the anvil for security. After the plunge, Englishman’s right arm was the only item left in the barrel.

July 1930 : A Greek waiter suffocated to death after his barrel was trapped behind the falls for more than 14 hours.

July, 1984: The first Canadian to conquer the Falls was Karel Soucek. Karel survived the plunge, but later that year Karel was killed while recreating the drop from a platform inside the Houston Astrodome. (Karel's barrel hit the edge of the water tank)

August, 1985: A Rhode Island bartender named Steven Trotter made the trip in a barrel wrapped in inner tubes. Steven was fined a total of $5,503.00

October 1985: A Canadian mechanic made a successful trip in his barrel. He could not get enough! He made a second successful trip on September 26th 1993.

September 1989: Two Niagara Falls Ontario residents accomplished the first duo descent of the Falls.

October 1995: Robert Over cracker rides a jet ski over the brink of the Horseshoe Falls to help promote awareness for the homeless. His parachute did not open and Robert ended up promoting better parachutes. He plunged to his death and his body was never recovered. An Egyptian tourist captured this amazing image.

October 22nd 2003 Kirk Jones from Michigan becomes first stunter in the history of Niagara Falls to survive the plunge wearing only the clothes on his back. Kirk's idea had been in the works for a number of years. While here on a visit with a friend, Kirk made the decision. They purchased a used video camera to record this historical event and went to the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side of the river. Kirk entered the water about one hundred yards upstream and began swimming out into the swift current. Eight seconds later Kirk made the 175 foot (53.3m) drop and swam to shore while passing up a free ride with the "maid of the mist" tour boat. Kirk was treated for minor bumps and bruises at local a hospital and released only after promising to return for court. For his stunt Kirk was fined a total of $2,300.00 dollars and banned from entering Canada for life. Unfortunately Kirk and his friend had been imbibing in alcohol before the stunt and Kirks friend couldn't figure out how to work the camcorder and the entire stunt went unrecorded!

When the gossip was over, we had some soft drinks, and the dinner was served on the table; we had late dinner and then had a comfortable sleep. Before leaving the table Dr. Gurtoo had said that the next day he had booked our trip to Nigra falls.

Tossing in the bed for rest of few hours, I had in my sub conscious mind the imagination of Nigra Falls...Falls...Falls, which is just twelve miles from his residence?

7^th, July, 2002

Niagara Falls is known as one of the most beautiful wonders of the world. I along with my wife, Sarla, her brother Dr. HL Gurtoo, his wife Lalita Ji, and their son Dr. Lalit Gurtoo accompanied us on this tour.

The Buffalo-Niagara Falls is a metropolitan area. It surrounds two counties – Erie and Niagara – in Western New York. There are three International bridges between the U.S. and Canada within six miles of the Falls.

500 yards from the American Falls is the "Rainbow Bridge" which offers a spectacular view of the fall. Niagara Falls has a very low crime rate. While going, we stopped at The Three Sisters Island. We had our snacks there and then proceeded further. On the US side we walked from the visitor’s center to the Point to catch the Maid of the Mist. In Niagara Falls New York we parked at the Niagara Reservation State Park near. The Maid of the Mist takes us to the base of the world-famous falls.

A powerful diesel-engine boat took us from the base of the American Falls, then into the basin of the magnificent Canadian Horseshoe Falls. The boat departs every 15 minutes. The big passenger boats are nearly 80-foot long and have high horsepower engines that carry the vessels against the powerful current. A souvenir raincoat is provided free with admission to help keep us dry from the mist and spray. The Maid of the Mist Steamship Company is privately owned.

As the boat moved, water rushed all around us and we got “soaked" in the excitement and explored the roar of the Falls. A historical ride aboard the world-famous Maid of the Mist is half an hour thrill of a lifetime! North America's oldest tourist attraction, millions of visitors have enjoyed the boat tours since 1846.

At the end of boat tour, we entered the Maid of the Mist Plaza, which includes gift shops, a quick serve food outlet, a Welcome Center and the ticket offices for the Maid of the Mist.

Buffalo is New York’s second largest city. As we travel north on the Great Lakes Trail, we closely follow the shores of the Niagara River. As the river starts to become more turbulent, we soon start to see the mist rising up from Niagara Falls. We stopped at Niagara Falls State Park to view the fall.

Buffalo was the typical 19th Century boomtown. Its position at the western end of the Erie Canal made it the Gateway to the West - the departure point for immigrants on their way to the heartland. Buffalo was one of the last stops on the Underground Railroad, a symbol of hope for runaway slaves seeking freedom on the far side of the Niagara River. Battles were fought here, the city put to the torch by British loyalists during the War of 1812. Fortunes were made here by William G. Fargo, founder of American Express and Wells Fargo. In 1901, William McKinley a President was assassinated here. Another President Theodore Roosevelt inaugurated the Wilcox Mansion on the city's grand boulevard, Delaware Avenue. Buffalo also sent two of its sons - Millard Fillmore and Grover Cleveland -to Washington as Presidents. We experienced 19th century life on the Niagara Frontier at the Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village and Museum.

In 1678, Louis Hennepin was the first European to describe the mighty Falls. This area was in the Buffalo Niagara region. The tourists started coming in bulk after the completion of the Erie Canal in 1825. Today, millions of tourists from around the world continue to come by plane, train and automobile to experience the grandeur of Niagara Falls.

The world famous Maid of the Mist cruises right to the base of the American Falls, then to the basin of the magnificent Falls. It's a fantastic journey through the crashing waters, surrounded by massive rock formations. The rocks have got cut by the powerful fast moving waters for millions of years. Observation elevator offers a dramatic view of the Falls. Elevators descend to the Maid of the Mist boat dock.

When we stepped aboard the legendary Maid of the Mist, we experienced the power and majesty of the combined waters of four Great Lakes. We were ferried to the base of the Falls and felt the rush of the water as it pounds the rocks below. From the moment we put on our giant blue poncho we knew we were going to have a wonderful experience.

Old Fort Niagara has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Niagara area, featuring the oldest buildings in the Great Lakes, spectacular scenery, and exciting special events. The spectacular views, the thundering roar the delicate mists and shimmering rainbows of this true national treasure. World-class attractions like the Maid of the Mist and the Cave of the Winds was a great attraction. It was an unforgettable 30 minute tour. Niagara Falls is sure to take our breath away. We hopefully travelled several other places at Buffalo, enjoyed some shows and after four days halt; we arrived back to Austin by air.