New York 2

Liberty Enlightening the World. That's the original name of the Big Lady better known as the Statue of Liberty. She is perhaps the most well recognised symbol of America and has greeted immigrants coming through New York from the sea especially late 19th and early 20th Century.

After the September 11th tragedy she was closed to the public and was only recently reopened but allowing visitors only to the base not all the way to her crown.

Also visited Ellis Island, the ex-immigrant processing centre that saw millions of immigrants come through to the USA. Many interesting and moving stories presented.

Emma Lazarus' poem is integral in understanding the significance of the Statue and Ellis Island.

The same ferry that took me to the Statue of Liberty also stops at Ellis Island. Good views of Downtown Manhattan and the Statue.

TIP for visitors: Book your ticket online (US$1.75 processing fee). It saves queing up at least for one queue. Lots of lining-up especially with security checks, for ferry, for elevators etc. AND get the 'Monument pass' to get to go up the base of the Statue. The 'monument pass' cannot be obtained on the Island and there are limited if you get it from the ferry terminal ticket booth. Online it needs to be booked at least 24 hours ahead. www.statuereservations.com