New York

New York …. Frank Sinatra , Alicia Keys here I come....

Start breaking the news… I’m leaving today.. I want to be a part of it New York New York …. Among all the states in the US, New York entices me the most. It has been my dreams to visit Manhattan for years. The yellow taxi cab, the Wall Street, Central Park it’s just luring. Hollywood movies did all the magic that brings me to it.

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After the exciting trips in North Carolina, I headed to New York. My jet arrived in LaGuardia Airport; we took a shuttle bus to our hotel in Times Square. It was exhilarating even though it was confined in the shuttle bus. I can’t wait to get to Times Square where everyone talks about. After the shuttle bus drops few passengers at their designated hotel, we were finally arrived. The hotel looks fancy enough as it is in its website.

We dropped our luggage headed to Times Square. We explore the area in Times Square. Judging by the laziness of me to walk we opt for the New York Hop on Hop off Sightseeing bus.. It is the easiest way to explore New York, New York from the East to the West, North to the South!

Our first stop was at Battery Park. It was way crowded to board to the ferry to get across the Staten Island so I took a little picture of the lady then walk up north to the Wall Street, check out ground zero. We then walk to the Brooklyn Bridge athwart to Brooklyn.

Battery Park . Mesmerizing at the Statue of Liberty.

We then walk up North to the Wall Street. The Bull caught my attention.

There is one in Pavillion, KL as well.

Ground zero was at the back of the red pillars.

Since the site was under construction, we walk towards Brooklyn Bridge.

This photo was taken in the middle of the Bridge.

Opposite of the Bridge is the Manhattan Bridge.

View of Manhattan during the day.

Chinatown. I am not sure if its still early. It kinda seem quiet. It is certainly big!

We stop at Rockefeller. We didn't manage to go up toThe Rocks as we were kinda chasing the time. So we stop take a few snaps of photos at the ice skating ring. Then head to NBC, bought few souvenirs from the NBC store.

Magnolia Bakery! If you watch Sex and the City you might want to try their cup cakes.

Few shops ahead you will see the Radio City Hall.

Walking is the best way to learn and discover New York!

There are only selected photos in here.

After that I visited the Hudson River and went up North Side of New York to the Harlem.

If I am not mistaken I have almost reach the 207th Street.

Look at the crowd in Times Square

Even Sponge Bob wants to be there!

At night we cruise around again. The city which never sleeps is a must to check out!

Chrysler Building. although Empire State Building is the tallest building in NY.

I find Chrysler building is much more unique and beautiful to place in here.:P

New York at night while we were cruising. We were heading to Brooklyn.

As we finished our sightseeing and touring around in New York,

we roam freely around in Park Avenue and Madison Avenue then towards Times Square
the day after.

Yes it's time to walk and shop now.

We start with a morning walk in Central Park. Too bad the trees are still dried without green leaves.

On the way to Fifth Avenue,

I was there to check if I pad was out . Too bad was told will be out early in April. Darn it!

Time Warner..... the first place where my shopping starts.

I was here .

Women gets crazy in here. It was having sales !
Shopping in the Fashion district was truly outrageous.
From Coach to Victoria Secret. You name it!
I love to shop in New York!
I didn't get the chance to watch a play in New York. If only time permits.
I will definitely be back for more.

If a movie is scene is in New York, I would say almost all the landmarks of New York has been conquer by me.
Trump Towers, Bryant Park, The Plaza Hotel, Bergdorf Goodman,Schwarz, Saks.. you name it!
I have been there...
I love New York!!

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How it starts in US – Winston Salem

I am back to the good old US of America! I am a big fanatic for USA! Flying to US was fun and at the same time tiring.

We transit in Shanghai ate few Shanghai-nese “Siu Long Pau” and beef noodles before we departed to Chicago O’hare Airport. The tarmac was covered with snow when the plane landed. Kent was really inspired to see the whole trail was covered with snow. What excites us most was when we notice our favorite diner at the corner. JOHNNY ROCKETS! After 2 and half years we finally get a bite one the fries and burgers. Well the taste is a bit out of our expectation. It’s not the taste we had while we were in Coconut Groove.

Arriving in Chicago Airport

Johnny’s Burger.

We departed to Greensboro, North Carolina via a jet where it can only occupy less than 30 passengers. It kinda looks like a private jet. It was a cool experience to be in one of that kind of jet. The size of the jet is less significant than a coach.

How the flight looks like. Smaller than a bus.

As we reach Greensboro Airport, we were greeted with a big FAVE FAN WINNERS welcome banners. We were showed to our limo with a big Fave Fan sticker at the side of the limo’s door. It was posh and I felt like a celebrities. As when we reached the hotel, man I was totally amazed. You should check out Gralyns. It was a first manor house I ever lived in. I couldn’t sleep that night I was there to explore the manor house. It was truly amazing to be in it.

Grayln House Manor

Inside…

There are 9 winners of Fave Fan around the world. We were all treated like Kings and Queens not only in the mansion but everywhere we go. We were greeted by a band, the mayor, CEO of Krispy Kreme, we were escorted by police, cameras, videos, what I love most we have fans and we were on TV news! It was eye opening and I felt proud at every moment.

I get to gain knowledge of and understand the cultural from all the winners, tasted the Moravian pie, I have the comprehension to make doughnut. How a multinational company’s CEO can be that kind and nice. How the organization of a Western company is so much dissimilarity than the Chinese companies. How the first tobacco came to Winston Salem. Identify who RJ Reynolds was. Exploring RJ’s house and discover history.

While in Salem Winston, I visited Reynolda Village and House, Old Salem, few university, renowned NBA basketball court. Then everything and whereabouts is Krispy Kreme headquarters, factory, and etc. I will let some pictures do the talking.

My Own Coffee Doughnuts

Reynolda’s Mansion

Police escort

The crowd of fans

The first heavy snow experience

Basketball players locker

The Basketball court

Moravian Chicken Pie

How they used to wear in Old Salem

Old Salem

London and Paris

I went for a 9 days trip to London, Brighton and Paris. I don’t really need to pull out my pocket maps searching for details for the tourist spots and stuff as Helen and JY (well I consider them the localsat the moment) were doing their impression and guiding us all the ways for the trip which was kinda really good. So I sit back relax and enjoy them pulling me thru the whole journey in UK.

My flight arrived at the Terminal 4, Heathrow Airport wee in the morning. Hours of gooey and sticky in the plane were finally over. I don’t feel fresh when I am on plane. It was a 12 hours journey flight, well not too bad. I slept for like 8 hours then munch my food; day dreaming and I don’t really enjoy the entertainment given on flight. It was dead as hell. I only miss dad.

So as we reached, (I went with my dearest aunt and cousin). We took a cab to the nearest airport hotel and took a shower as my cousin was there the night before. Then off to the inn by a taxi, we stayed over night in Mayfair which is in Oxford Circus. Yes we did loads of shopping that day. We traveled by the Chiltern Railways, got our tickets to Bicester North to the Bicester Village where branded outlets items were sold. So there we were shopping and getting weary the whole day. We returned to London, head to China Town for some crispy duck for dinner. In London, traveling is easy. All you have to do is to buy a one day ticket return for both underground and bus which is available at every underground station which is sold at approximately 6 Pounds for one person. Before night ends, we head to local bars for few pints then head to bed.

Bicester Village

Oxford Circus

A pint of beer wont hurt...

Underground

Oxford Circus

We continue shopping on the early of second day. Then off to visit the icons of London with our shopping bags. We made our stop at Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, The Eye of London, London Bridge, Tower Bridge, Winchester Palace, Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s cathedral then lunch at the in Borough Market. All icons can be access via underground and London buses. We took few snaps of the Great Britain’s Icon. We returned to our inn, packed and taxied ourselves to Brighton.

Eye of London

Big Ben

Tower of London

Trafalgar Square

In Brighton, our hotel was just in front of the bay front which was lovely. A slower pace and is also a lovely place to live in. It took around one and a half hour to travel from London to Brighton by a taxi. Not to mention the fare was costly too. I got to say that I had a great steak for dinner that night.

Watching the sea breeze and the sunrises at the bay front which is exactly sited in front of our hotel was mesmerizing. We went to the Brighton Pier as to our dismay it was still closed. So we ended up strolling in theBrighton. Window shopping, sight seeing. And then the main reason of this trip is to attend a special event of my cousin’s graduation. It was an honored to be invited to attend his graduation. I have been attending his graduation / convocation all this while. By night, he took us to Marina, where the restaurant is a boat serving Chinese food which is kinda like Jumbo restaurant in Hong Kong but smaller, for dinner. The food was totally awesome with real Malaysian taste bud.

Bay Front

Brighton Pier

Next day we return to London, a visit to Hyde Park is a must for me. It’s like visiting Central park in New York. After a short walk we then continue to Bond Street with more ladies shopping.

Helen returned to Taiwan and left us four with our journey to Paris. It took us 2 hours to reachParis via Eurostar. Weather was really freezing. Snow was to spot on the ground. I guess it snow the night before we arrived. Frankly, I hate the underground subway in Paris. It was a total chaotic and it’s pungent and dirty. Their amenities and services are not up to the standard. I was kinda disappointed to see such a romantic country in such a filthy way. While cousin was sleeping in the hotel, I brought my aunt and Jia Yuen for a stroll in St Germain – St Michael – Odeon and the Latin Quarters. Dog turds are spotted everywhere. It’s really disgusting. You might want to be aware where you are walking or stepping.

We opt for an open tour via a hop on hop off Double Decker bus for 2 days in Paris which is really convenient than to travel by the subways. The bus really does the entire job for us. We stop at the Lourve, Champs Elysees, Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, Bastile, Siene River. We just hop on and off as we like. I love that bus! By the end we stop at the Boulevard for our dinner. I got to tell you I love every meals serve in Paris.

Every one knows what this is

The lourve

Paris was more like sight seeing for us. Shopping is crazily expensive there. We stop at Champs Elysees had a stroll and shop a bit. The last day of Paris was truly unforgettable as we had French Cuisine in a fine dining restaurant in St Germain. It was lovely and a bit chaotic at first with the personal Seafood Platters. I am happy that I get to taste few authentic French Cuisine such as Foie Gras, French veil, Escargot, the fresh seafood platters which I worried I will get sick after few oysters well it didn’t happen. It’s only about food and sight seeing in Paris. I love French croissant!

The very next day we return to London. Flight back home was at night. Last minute shopping and family good byes….

What I love most about this trip is the experience, the love and honored which my aunt and her families have given me, the hospitality, and last but not least the amazing food I had through out the journey. This astonishing trip will never be forgotten and will be kept as an experience of a life time.

Trips advice - When sightseeing in London is best to travel via underground and buses. As for Paris for both sigh seeing and shopping its best you opt for the Open Tour!

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