I came close to seeing NYC many times as I passed through the cities airports. On one flight to Boston I departed from Newark airport as was nearly bursting with excitement as we flew slowly and very low over Manhattan.

It wasn't until 1999 that I finally got to see the city 'in the flesh.' I visited the Empire State Building and saved the best till last. My long awaited trip to the very top of the World Trade Center.

My excitement at achieving this seemingly small goal was caught on video, the only time I have taken a video camera to the States. Part of me still finds it hard to believe that after an act of terrorism those towers are gone forever.

On August 19th 2002 I returned to Lower Manhattan, to the site of the World Trade Center, now known as Ground Zero. This was not some voyeuristic tourist trail for me. I wanted to bring the whole experience to an end somehow. I wanted to pay my respects in person.

These are the pictures I took while I was there. (See also an article I wrote about September 11th)