Finally A Sunny Day in NYC

The day started off pretty early as we booked a 9am ferry to visit the Statue of Liberty. Got up really early as we do not wanna miss the ferry. We had great fun jogging/running around battery park to warm up as the weather was quite cold. Alright, I’ll admit it we are late again. Haha. It seems like the theme in NYC is being late. Faints. This time however, we manage to get on the ferry. Hehe.

Waiting in line with our breakfast
View of Manhattan from the ferry

Why is he staring at the sky?

After a short 20 minutes ride, we finally approach the Statue of Liberty. So huge and nice. Really excited about it. Furthermore, it was actually the first day in NYC that we have a f*cking ‘bad’ weather. (The reverse psychology worked as it did not rain at all for the whole day in NYC. Hehe)

My Imitation

Ranjan Liberty

We learn at lot about the Statue on a guided tour. Apparently there is so much controversy and delay in the building of the pedestal that it was delayed by 10 yrs. Stingy ppl no willing to pay. Gosh.

We did not stay too long outside the park as the wind was very very strong. So strong that it blew my sunglasses away! The visit inside the pedestal was just ok. There is a museum with exhibits but nothing really impress me too much. Just a side note the security officer and customer service at the place is horrendous. I encounter rude ppl twice. But it did not dampen my holiday mood. Bleh!

It might look like I’m putting my hand on his shoulder but No I Did Not!

Picture Perfcect!

We decided to skip the visit to Ellis Island as we are running out of time. There is really so much to do in NYC. Next up on our list was Wall Street. The weather in NYC is super unpredictable. Wind was blowing so strongly by the time we get to lower Manhattan that we need to take shelter and a deli which led to a huge dysfunctional conversation among the group. (okay mostly me Haha)

There is a total of 2 museums that we plan to visit today. No it is not those 2 famous Metropolitan Arts and Natural History. We visited Museum of Sex instead. The museum was small but the exhibit is kinda amusing and exciting. Not sure whether the 10 dollars is worth it but I did enjoy the visit. Our mdm also learn a lot from videos at the museum. Lol. The visit to the other museum did not materialize as it was close on Monday. Sigh.

Sexy Scandalous

Most amazing macroni shape I've ever seen

Time for Central Park. It was such a beautiful piece of man made landscape. It looked so natural that it is hard to believe all these are actually a planned and engineered development. We did not check out the whole park as it was too big. Only went to those famous places like the Bethesda Fountain and the Boathouse. There is so much happening around the place. We spotted photo shoot, preparation for birthday party and a quote about being squirted on. Lol

Bleh! Funny!
Calm lake at the boathouse

We left Central Park when it was almost sunset time. Rushed off to the subway to get to the other side of NY, the Brooklyn Park. We decided to grab some coffee from Starbucks to help warm ourselves up as the nights can get really chilly at NYC. (Turned out to be a blessing in disguise for one of us who have yet to have his digestive system cleared in days. Ewww) The view of Manhattan from Brooklyn is really just like the movie. So bright and lovely. Think I am really falling in love with this city.

Beautiful Sunset

Magnificent isn't it?

Best shot that we could get without a tripod

To complete the experience, we walked across the Brooklyn Bridge despite the cold. It was a long 30 minutes across the bridge. We must be crazy! But we were glad that we did it the felling is just great!

We rounded up the night at an old American pub called 1849 at Greenwich Village. Really good atmosphere and the best thing is the huge chicken wing is only 20 cents per piece.

I love NYC!

Another Rainy Day in NYC

Today is moving day. We all got up extremely early today to move out stuff from the hotel to hostel = heaven to hell.

Taking a picture of Manhattan from the Jersey side

Lots of Luggage

After leaving our luggage at the hostel, it was already 10.30am. Out tour starts at 11am. We rushed like we were New Yorkers, to the subway and across street up the escalator and guess what? Despite that, we were still late. The bus left without us. We had to travel to the next stop to catch up. What a pain in the ass. Luckily this time we got it right. The tour was ok but not amazing. Making me wonder why we all run so hard for it….The photos we got from the tour was great though.

At the Crosby House

Friend’s Apartment

Rice to riches used in the movie Hitch

We also learn about this red permit shows that filming will take place in the area. Look out for this to stalk your favorite star ok.

We check out Madison Square Garden next as the rain came pouring once again. We quickly grab a bite and walk around Macy’s before heading back to the hostel for check-in, only to find out that they screwed up our reservation. We now need to share room with other people and the hostel has no in-room locker. Argh!

Set off to the Top of the Rock Observatory that night. Ranjan had to see his friend so he did no join us. The view from the top is amazing. They are no fenced up like the one at the Empire States Building so you get to see an unobstructed view of the place and the best thing is we did not need to queue up for hours to get to the top.

Magnificent Sunset View

Hendrik the Spoiler of a great photo.

View of Central Park

Photo Perfect!

Empire States Building

Rockefeller Center concourse at night.

After the observatory, we went to Times Square to get those photos that we did not get last night. As it was too cold, Sosan decided to take shelter in store while me & Hend went out to take pics of the buzzing place.

Lights Lights Everywhere

Times Square at night

Outside the Virgin Records Store.

New York New York

Today we finally started exploring the Big Apple. Weather was great after last night’s rain. All of us are so excited about the day.

Waiting for the PATH train at Newport station

Our trip became so much more 'exciting' after we realize that we are gonna be late for the tour we booked. All thanks to the slow subway on weekends. Argh! We ran and dashed towards the tour meeting place. But having the need to run 15 blocks in 10 minutes is crazy. Luckily, the tour center is kind enough to let us change slot to the next day.

We are so busy talking until we miss the camera timing. Haha

The lateness appeared to be a blessing in disguise as we found out that there is a street market going on along the whole stretch of 7 Ave. We shopped for all kind of stuff.

Sunglasses for $10 each

Baby shirts only for $4 each

And the NYC police, $$$$$ (no money to buy la, haha)

After the long shopping, we decided to head to Times Square to grab our tickets for Broadway later the night. It was certainly a busy part of the town. Yellow cabs and jay walkers everywhere. Honk Honk Honk. Goodness the noise never stops.

Another busy sight of Times Square with classic the yellow cabs.

Times Square in the morning

Radio City Music Hall in the morning

We checked out M&M’s World as the ticket booth has yet to open when we are there. It was huge but less impressive than the one at Orlando. We have a great time exploring the place.

The pillow is so comfortable.

Eat too much M&M’s you’ll become like this. Haha

Checkin' for nuts?

We headed off to the TKTS booth in only to find out that the queue was so long. No it was not a centipede. It is like hundreds of centipedes. Set off for the South Seaport booth instead. Lucky I did my research Haha. We did not even have to queue for more than 10 minutes for the tickets.

View of the South Seaport area

Nice ship

This busker is sure attracting a lot of attention

We headed off back to Times Square area after grabbing our tickets. On the way we stopped by the Rockefeller Center for some photos. It was so hard to even get a photo spot. The crowd there is way too thick.

Finally a good shot.

I just luv this tall building

Next up was the St. Patrick Cathedral which they used in the film, Spiderman. We just happen to pass by so decided to go in for a while. I really liked the place a lot. Not too gothic like those in Europe but still maintain an ancient style of its own.

The exterior

The interior

The Broadway show that we are gonna catch is actually Chicago. I was so impressed that the minimalistic stage setting they used still managed to bring the story to live. A very smart piece of play I must say. It is still appealing after 11 years since it came out in 1997.

Queuing up to get in

Our plan to explore Times Square at night was spoilt by the rain that came pouring. Rushed back to the hotel all drenched that night. Man we sure did a lot today as I blog this down. No wonder we all felt so tired. So that’s end of day 2 in NYC.