Day 3 The Big Apple

Well the morning started off a little crazy as it was absolutely pouring down rain. We were in a flash flood warning so what did we do? Of course we went outside walking! There was a impromptu stop at one of those stores where you can bargain the prices and 25 umbrellas were purchased for everybody to use and share. Umbrellas or not, most feet got soaked and fresh socks were purchased by many later. Besides the rain though, it was an exciting morning. We took the first of four subway rides this morning. There were many nervous children but they got the hang of it pretty quick. We took the subway UNDER the East River to the base of Manhattan. We had a nice breakfast and then it was time to start touring!

Heading into the subway

Dumping down rain

Huddling under the new umbrellas

Heading on in

Getting the specific instructions on what to do to get on the subway

Ready to commute to Manhattan 

Smiling faces on the subway

Arriving at the base of Manhattan we were able to see the new Freedom Tower. As you can see they are still constructing it. They just put the spire on top. The Freedom Tower is 1,776 feet representing the year 1776. After a brief walk we got onto a boat to take a tour near Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Normally we would go to both but Hurricane Sandy ruined those plans! Great views of Manhattan, bridges, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island. Since it had been raining so hard earlier there was hardly anybody on the boat. That was great as we were able to walk around freely on the boat and it was much easier to hear the stories of the places we were seeing.

Freedom Tower

Merchant Marine Memorial

Gavin and Leah

Da Guyz

Da Galz

Here's our boat

Ellis Island in the background

Kaua and Kekumu

Vincente, Gavin, TJ, and Zahya

Crystal, Kaulu, and Alia Marie

Evie

T.J. giving Lady Liberty a lift

Reaiah and T.C. still enjoying each others company

Reishan also giving Lady Liberty some help

Shayland

Kumu Piliana's ladies

Ale'a

Courtney

Kumu Loke leading her crew

CJ, Vincente, and Gavin

Zahya, Kaua, Kekumu, and Tekoa

Ladies of the 6th Grade

Getting discounts on candy by dancing for the workers

Violet

Violet, Makani, and Evelyn and the Brooklyn Bridge

Shayland, Keahe, Kaluhea, and Evie with the Brooklyn Bridge

After a great boat ride, we headed north in Manhattan. We started off at the old Custom House. Went to Trinity Church were Alexander Hamilton is buried. Also exciting is Trinity Church is the setting for the ending of National Treasure which we just watched the night before on our drive from Boston to NY.  Continued on to the New York Stock Exchange and saw the famous Bull Market statue on the way. Boy was that crowded. Then went to Federal Hall where George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the United States.

Learning about the old Custom House

Tekoa withe the prize for getting a trivia question correct

Kaluhea at New York City's oldest park, Bowling Green

This was located at the base of the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001

The kids of Kualapu'u are doing a fantastic job of taking things in and learning. Great job gang!

The famous Bull Statue

Rubbin' it for good luck

Learning about Trinity Church and some of the graves

Alexander Hamilton's grave

Channon taking it in at Trinity Church

Raining again at the New York Stock Exchange

Kaluhea using the same bible George Washington used when he was sworn in as the first President

Kanoe and La'a with George Washington. This is where he took the oath of office for President.

Kualapu'u with George Washington. Notice the imitator in the crowd!

The three smallest are so strong!

Kaluhea all be herself holding it up

T.J. flexing his muscles

Now we went on to see the World Trade Center Memorial. A very moving experience. There are two waterfalls that are at the base of where the Twin Towers once stood. The waterfalls are actually the largest man made waterfalls in the world at six floors. Seeing the 3,000 names along the waterfalls was a moving experience. Again, our Kualapu'u kids did an amazing job taking it in and being very respectful. Great job kids, you're making us all proud!

By this time some clouds had moved in and you couldn't see the top of the new Freedom Tower. But you can imagine how tall it is.

For the firemen that perished saving other's lives on 9/11

After the 9/11 Memorial it was time for another subway ride. This time we were heading to Little Italy and China Town for dinner. As you can see, now the kids are pros at riding the subway. Nothing worries these kids!

Crystal, Evie, and Evelyn

Takin' a seat and relaxing

Violet

We had about 45 minutes before dinner so we went off exploring the different stores in Little Italy. Some found cheap shirts and others found snacks.

Little Italy

Getting some Cannolis 

It's that time again! Yes, the dinner shot. Now you might not believe your eyes.......But not ONE SINGLE CHEESEBURGER IS IN THESE PHOTOS! Yes, we had a salad, chicken parmagiana, and a fried dough dessert.

After dinner it was off to Broadway to see Newsies. I was in the process of getting everybody's picture in the theater when I started getting scoldings about using my camera in the theater. Apparently I wasn't supposed to. I tried again after the play and got scolded again. Oh well.

Newsies was a great play. The kids said the really enjoyed it and when we got back to the hotel that night, many kids were practicing their tap dancing skills. Maybe they'll sign up for the tap dance after school class now?

One of two seat shots

The last one I got before getting in trouble

Newsies stage

Outside the theater after the show

The Nederlander Theater where we saw Newsies

After the show we hiked into Times Square. It was extremely crowded but we navigated the mass like pros. We took in all the lights, sounds, and noises of Times Square and took a group photo that every person on the trip will receive.

Stumbled upon the Naked Cowboy in Times Square

Guys in Times Square

The girls in Times Square 

Kualapu'u kids taking over Times Square 

Tekoa taking it all in

After Times Square we took a bus back over to our hotel in Brooklyn and got in the earliest we have yet for an evening. There was talk of getting to bed before midnight! We'll see if that happened for some or not. Tomorrow is more New York City and then a drive down to Philadelphia in the evening.