Day 3 (April 22, 2016): Big day, big birthday, Big Apple!

The famous ball atop Times Square. We will have to return some day on New Years Eve to see it drop!

Ellis Island, where millions of people arrived in America.

And, of course, the piece de resistance -- Lady Liberty herself!

Yay! All ten of us keeping Lady Liberty company. 

Nothing can describe the feeling of seeing this statue with Manhatten in the background.

The Financial District, dominated by the Freedom Tower.

It may be an island of concrete, but Battery Park (jump off point for the Statue of Liberty) also had an unexpected surprise:  beehives!

Out of the rubble of the World Trade Center has arisen this testament to the determination of America:  the Freedom Tower, standing a proud 102 stories.

The site of the two former World Trade Center towers now contains two reflecting pools, each surrounded by engraved names of the 3000 people who died on September 11th, 2001.

The 911 Museum hard to describe:  architecturally inspring... gut-wrenching in its content... sombre.  The story told here is of major importance to NYC, and to all of us who lived through that time and remember it like yesterday.

The remnants of a firetruck from Ladder 3, partially destroyed by the fall of the Towers on 911.  All the crew members perished in the collapse.

After a day of sightseeing, it was time to celebrate the Woman of April 22nd!  The dinner was held at Robert, overlooking Columbus Circle and Central Park.  What a beautiful setting for a very memorable evening.

The pastry chef at Robert created a perfect lemon cake for Mrs. Knight.

The view from the restaurant"  of Central Park's southwest corner.

The view of Columbus Circle from our restaurant table.

And the same view when darkness fell.

The unbelievable lights and screens of glitzy Times Square - marketing on steroids!