2009 Grand Vacay (Last Part): Finding the Philippines in New Jersey…

After the 4-day stay in Miami Beach, we flew back to New York and spent the remaining day of my second US trip in New Jersey – to rest some more and of course, to do the mandatory last minute shopping for “pasalubongs” and more vanity stuff from the outlet shops.  Some highlights on the remaining hours before flying back to Manila and Jakarta are as follows:

Lau kept on saying that we're going to Jollibee - but then I know that the only Jollibee store in East Coast is in Queens, New York and we were in New Jersey! Unfortunately, I realized that I was wrong after seeing this shop which apparently has the same name!

Although, the shop didn't offer any Chickenjoy or Yumburgers... but Pinoy stuff including these "Balikbayan" boxes which will be instrumental to my coming home...

Obviously, this store belongs to a Pinoy - read the sore signage and figure out why!

And finally, we're doing Filipino dinner (read: lotsa rice and fat) in an intriguing resto called "Wazz Up"!!!

Viand 1: Crispy Pata!

Viand 2: Sinigang na Baboy!

The night ended with a trip in the "National Bookstore" of the country to search for the elusive book "Turning Thirty" by Mike Gayle - Lau and I realized that we have to finish reading the book before we actually get into the "big three-o"!

Second to the last day, a final trip in Whole Foods! Simply love this retail chain!

Last supper - where else but the same place where we flocked in Manila, but this time, Jersey style!

Appetizer set!

Salmon for a change...

But of course, some things would never change... wherever life leads us!

Thanks Lau for being such a gracious host... best travel buddy I would have to say! See you in Europe next year!

After 25 days and 14 plane rides, this year’s grand vacation ended with me returning back to the comforts of my apartment in Jakarta – with a better perspective in life, a renewed spirit and a mindset that is ready to face what’s ahead, no matter what.  Perhaps, this is just exactly what I needed, a time-away from what I had been so accustomed to so that I can clear my head, have a good time and realize the great things that I should be thankful for despite the odds.

I’m also glad to realize that one of my plans at the start of the year was accomplished – to go back to the US and explore what’s on the other coast.  Just for the fun of it, if I were to rank my favorite places in America, my list would be something like this: tie in # 1 spot – San Francisco and the combination of New York and New Jersey, # 2 – Las Vegas, # 3 – Miami Beach, # 4 – Los Angeles, # 5 – Arizona.

Year 2010 will be another hallmark year – it’s gonna be the start of a new age decade for me!  Hopefully, my dream of spending my 30th via a European backpacking trip will come to fruition.  If that would be the case, then this “Grand Vacay” post will have its counterpart in 2010…  Let’s see how it would pan out! 

2009 Grand Vacay (Part 6-D): Sleepless in the City that Never Sleeps – NYC!

The fourth day started early…  reason being, I need to meet up with a colleague in our global headquarters.  Yes, this is a vacation for me, but meeting the people whom you just encounter in emails and at the same time seeing your main office and having a tour of it isn’t a bad idea.  Not to mention, advertising agency life can really be felt where it all started – Madison Avenue!  After that, we proceeded to the day’s itinerary which is highlighted by meeting Lady Liberty…

The address of our global agency office... 437 Madison Avenue... Go figure!

After touring the office, I was treated for lunch at this resto called Brassiere. After the meal, I said goodbye to the agency... will I be back in here? Hmmmm, let's see...

Now time to do the touristy stuff... First stop is the ferry station leading to Liberty Island. One striking structure stood there was called "The Immigrants" - an impression of those people way way back who arrived in the "land of the free" and eventually became citizens of it - and am I one of them? Another "hmmmm"...

Around 30-minute ride before finally meeting "her"...

There she is...

Walking towards Lady Liberty while going through the details of her story...

Read it... pretty interesting!

Simpy glorious...

I thought she was white, but apparently she was sooo green! Hahahaha!

Another mandatory shot, but at least done in a less boring way!

While we could hop to Ellis Island, we have decided to just hie-off to see Ground Zero and see the remnants of World Trade Center...

While we have reached the path of World Trade Center, it was unfortunately closed for re-construction. Hence, we jumped to South Street seaport...

...to capture a closer view of the 3 famous bridges: Manhattan, Brooklyn and Williamsburg...

There, the 3 of them on the background...

And finally, who says that taxis are only for land transportation?

We ended the last day of NYC tour early as we have an early plane to catch for the next leg of my pit stop, i.e. Miami!  I was excited to leap to the next destination as I really need to physically rest – despite this being a vacation, the non-stop walking was killing me!  Yet, definitely no regrets as NYC is really a place that is worth seeing!

2009 Grand Vacay (Part 6-C): Sleepless in the City that Never Sleeps – NYC!

Woke up late on the third day, but just in time to have a sumptuous brunch – after that, we did more touristy stuff that made me totally fall for NYC…

Today's cuisine... French! Though it's damn cold outside, we chose to dine al fresco still!

Appetizing appetizer!!! White cheese, potato, vinigrette, less the olives and lettuce...

Lau's pick! Yum!

My choice... More cholesterol, but yummier!

To conclude the meal - strawberry and mango sorbet... Sarap!

One of the best restaurants in Manhattan: Pastis! It's located in the Meat Packing District which is currently being developed to be one of the top spots to explore in the city...

After that hefty brunch, we toured Meat Packing District and explored the newly built attraction called "High Line" - previously a railway now turned to an urban park.

High Line boasts with its serene atmosphere...

...its amazing view from above

...and its enigmatic over-all feel,

making it a great getaway destination to escape the busy and crazy streets of Manhattan!

Time to hit the streets again to board the subway leading to our next destination... While walking around, I was just struck by this path - a typical apartment lane that I just used to see in Hollywood movies.

Next stop, Madison Square Garden!

While walking towards Empire State Building, Lau pointed to me the first ever Macy's... Such a classic!

Then we reached this other monumental pit stop... Here at the first floor...

...then at the view deck on the 84th floor - seeing the whole of Manhattan in 360 degrees perspective!

The other side...

And there goes the mandatory shot!

Spotting the famous "flat iron" building...

...and my favorite, "Chrysler Building"!

Just a dramatic shot...

Ending the Empire State experience with a this photo, followed by a trip to the souvenir store to buy the mandatory ref magnet for mom and Aids, plus the shot glasses promised to Kandi!

Prior to walking some more, we grabbed a quick bite here. So amazed to find a caffeine-free Diet Coke!

Then the walkathon continued... A few more steps, we reached NYC's Public Library (trivia: this was the setting of that supposedly wedding of Carrie and Big in "Sex and the City: The Movie").

We did not enter though - just sat down in that only table outside the library...

Not very far from the library (just one corner away) is another park called, "Bryant Park". Since its right at the smack of the city, people flock to this place after work and watch special shows for free...

That afternoon, we witnessed an opera... feeling cultured!

After a quick rest at the park, we walked again and passed by the Philippine Embassy... Just want to pay homage by stopping and "almost" singing "Lupang Hinirang"...

A picture of the thickly populated and truly busy NYC in Penn Station...

Where to go? How about Harlem? Hmmmm...

Everyone's busy... except me!

This time, going to the opposite view of the Empire State Building... Didn't go up though, it's the same skyline anyway!

Another NYC landmark - that famous rink and the huge Christmas tree during the yuletide season...

Not to forget the flags of various nations...

Quick stop for Chai Latte...

Dean & Deluca's velvet cupcake is sooooo good!

Just across is NBC Studios - this is where "The Today Show" is aired daily...

More of NBC, then we also passed by FOX studio...

Then we proceeded to Broadway... still had the hangover of "Wicked" the night before, so we decided to check out 2009 Tony's Best Musical - "Billy Elliot"! True enough, it deserved the award!

While debriefing about "Billy Elliot", we went to Times Square again, just to see it once more and simply do nothing before having a late dinner...

Saw 2 out of3 of those shows... Wish I could have seen all!

Dinner time!!!! Huge burger that I failed to finish - yes, believe it or not!

Now time to go home... how?????

Meeting my new found friends in the Subway!

2009 Grand Vacay (Part 6-B): Sleepless in the City that Never Sleeps – NYC!

My second day started rather quite late – from sleepless, I managed to gather a few hours exhaling my loud snore, allowing me to be wide-awake and ready-for-adventure…

Brunch in Room Service, Chelsea... From Korean last night, we move to Thai cuisine this time...

The extremely yummy chicken honey with black pepper appetizer!

Chicken Rice with Tom Yum soup

Pork something... Nakalimutan ko na! Basta may kanin na kasama!

After that hefty meal... Updating my FB and Twitter!

And of course, the routine smoke after eating... By the way, since it's the fall season, it's quite cold already - this day I remember it was around 50-55 degrees Farenheit, hence, the trench coat...

Another observation - despite having a car, it's better to just park it in a reliable parking garage then take subway or a bicycle. Spotting a parking slot in the city is very very slim!

Or if those options are too physically tiring, the ever dependable Yellow Cab is also available... With a free TV screen, map and more info about the city...

And the list of options continues... Like these bicycles with carriages (in short pedicab)... Anyway, we arrived in our next stop that day - Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) along West Central Park... One of my most favorite spots in NYC!

The museum's Roman/Greek (I can't seem to figure out - help!) inspired facade

I am fascinated by pillars... Saw a lot from the museum but this turned out to be the most eye-catching one...

A mythology cliche...

One ceiling display that reminds me so much of Bellagio's lobby - different execution though...

Is this the right way of contemplating over a work of art?

Peek-a-boo!

I seriously love this painting... Fits well in my office room!

This one too!!!

So this is what you call American Art?

The Nose... Bow!

Cool mosaic execution...

By the way, there's an on-the-spot sculptor in the museum! Using me as the model, this was the output!

And the puppies escaped!

Done! Yup, that was fast because we walked in 30 minutes prior to closing... One benefit though, we saved around $30 since entrance is free when MET's nearly closing!

Ang mga pedicab na naghihintay ng mge turista!

The face of NYC: culture, crowds of people and hotdog stands...

Oh, and tons of stalls selling anything and everything! Since it's the fall season, scarves are all over the place...

Paintings sold along the sidewalk...

Then after one quick bus ride, we arrived at the famous "Central Park"... Why was it called "central"? Simply because it's in the middle of the city...

The mandatory photo in that Central Park fountain... mind the bubble on the background - one of the gimmicks by some bubble maker there as an attraction for tourists...

Honestly, I failed to ask the significance or at least meaning of this! Hahaha!

And that dirty thing in opposite the fountain!

Some interaction with a local...

Strand --- cool concept, a loooong "strand" of all stuff. This one's a small version outside Central Park.

Used books!!!

Tree + Books = ?

After spending a little more than an hour walking around Central Park, we walked more and more (several blocks actually) and reached "The Plaza" - can't help but feel nostalgic about the movie "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York"

Focal point here is that Apple Store in front of "The Plaza"!!! Sooo cool!

Then there it is... Broadway! NYC tour will never be complete without watching at least one Broadway show. First pick - "Wicked"!

Perfect choice, I would say - the show's totally entertaining... Who would have thought that there was a sub-plot to "The Wizard of Oz"?!

Cultural phenomenon! Yes, it is.

After an hour and a half of "Wicked", we just walked a few steps and there was Times Square... The lights, the towering structures, the ambience - will really make you feel that you love NY!

Speechless?

Then, time to cap the night by coming to one of the happening clubs in Manhattan - "Marquee"! Good R&B tunes + Grey Goose Vodka Tonic + Eye-catching crowd = Perfect Day 2 in NYC!!!

2009 Grand Vacay (Part 6-A): Sleepless in the City that Never Sleeps – NYC!

Since it was my first time in the big apple, I was really excited not to just see it, but to actually experience how it’s like to be a New Yorker.  After 4 days very well spent in Las Vegas, I boarded 2 planes again – from LV to Memphis, then from Memphis to NYC.  After some hours, I arrived at noon in the remarkable city that is “New York”.  Here’s what happened on my first day…

Welcome lunch in Blue Water Grill by my gracious host and tour guide, Laurence... who also just came back from Vegas that same day... That's what you call real friendship! ;D

First great impression about the city - millions of great restos offering all kinds of cuisine! My first pick - a grilled salmon matched with white wine... Truly exquisite!

My mate's choice - Seabass, paired with white wine as well...

After the great frist meal, we just crossed the road and there goes Union Square...

A pretty laid back huge place with various crowds coming from different walks of life...

Another realization - if you have the talent, will and guts, you will survive in NYC - you just need to be enterprising and be persuasive in selling to flocks of tourists!

Look... A Latin American shirt artist! Oh, and beside him are musicians and dancers that will entertain you - just drop a few coins and they'll perform like they're in American Idol!

At the end of the day though, you can just sit down and be worry-free, as everyone does the same!

First subway ride... Various realizations: (1) it's better to buy a Metrocard good for a week than buy one everytime you ride - definitely more savings for a wholesale buy; (2) the subway is soooo dirty - unlike San Francisco's BART that is quite clean similar to Singapore's metrorail, this one's like Hong Kong's MRT - stinky and polluted!; (3) despite #2 though, it's amazing to see everyone riding it - from a rich looking financial consultant to a scary homeless man!

Next stop is St. Patrick Church... What's interesting is how it's situated in the very cosmopolitan area near Madison Avenuue - goes to show that despite all the madness, people really still do pray.

"Glorious" defined...

The tabernacle that would make you want to pray... seriously!

A closer look... Spot the very intricate design work...

It's such a huge church by the way...

...and adorned with those colored glasses

The Pieta

It's just amazing to see all the saints that I have a devotion to... First in line, St. Anthony de Padua.

Followed by the miraculous especially in desperate cases, St. Jude Thaddeus.

And of course, St. John Baptist De La Salle (perhaps a reason why there are lots of La Sallistas in NYC! Hehehe!)!

That was a great church trip ended with prayers and wishes (hopefully God grants them)...

Saw the Rockafeller Center after going out of the church - a quick photo before heading to Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)... Unfortunately, we were not able to take photos as it started to rain!

Moving on to 5th Avenue... First attraction is the NBA Store - the only one (they said, aint so sure about that though) in the US!

Something that I wasn't able to resist... Got that red one - topmost, second column! Hehe!

Someday... Hehe!

Finally, we ended the night with a Korean Dinner in Ichiro, located in the East Village which was thickly populated by kiddos and students (felt that I belonged in there! ). After that, Lau and I headed to see some buildings of NYU in the West Village...

The first night ended past midnight already – very tiring considering that I haven’t even slept from the trip that led me to NYC.  So from the busy Manhattan, we ended up in West New York, New Jersey where my host lives – a quiet and homey place, far from the hustle and bustle of “the city” – the place that I called home for the succeeding days…