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North America » United States » New York » New York » Manhattan
September 17th 2007
Published: September 18th 2007
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Midtown Mahattan at nightMidtown Mahattan at nightMidtown Mahattan at night

A view from the Top of the Rock
A very expensive trip but have eventually achieved one of my 'thing to do before I.....'

My YMCA hostel near Central Park costs me $100 per day with about 40rooms sharing 3 toilets and showers at one floor. Me being the last person to take shower at midnight will have to make sure that I didn't take any deep or heavy breath until I've finished my shower (felt like in a Chinese vampire movie).

Some highlights of my trip:

1. The Statue of Liberty - long queue, crowded ferry, sunburnt but how can one misses her when visiting the Big Apple.

2. Watched two Broadway shows - Mama Mia and Stomp - expensive tickets but satisfied!

3. Time Square - almost been there everyday, what a typical tourist.

4. West /East Villages - nice place to shop and eat.

5. Park Av - watching people carrying branded paper bags walking on the street. Surprisingly most of them are some middle-aged Chinese women.

6. Soho - Just few blocks away from the chaotic Chinatown, but it's a totally different world.

7. Chinatown - Very Chinse, and it was no different with our Petaling
The lady with the torchThe lady with the torchThe lady with the torch

After a long queue at the Battery Park I've finally met this lady!
Street / Mongkok.

8. UN Building - A tour inside the building is actually a lot better and interetsing than I initially thought, especially when the tour guide is a beautiful Chinese girl.

9. Bronx - spent a night at my ex-Couchsurfer's apartment. First time being a guest and Im glad that the experience is wonderful! Thanks Lee!

10. Central Park - spent three hours wandering around the park, and being warned a few times not to go into the park after dark, or else I will be the character of The Brave One.

11. Organic food market at Union Square Park - surprisingly that it was fun!

12. Top of the Rock - favourite spot for the night view of Manhattan, at least you can see the Empire State Building from here, which is the only significant skyscrapper that can represent NY.

13. Ground Zero - the WTC site. I think the locals must have thought we tourists are crazy - taking photos at nothing: no statue, no memorial park, no monument, no flowers but just some ongoing construction work and machineries....

14. Empire State Building - I've wasted my time visitng
Midtown Manhattan Midtown Manhattan Midtown Manhattan

Another view from Top of the Rock
the building - always better to look from far.

A lot of walkings and subways, but still I've missed some interesting places like the American Museum of Natural History and Brooklyn Bridge (the locals will say: it's just another bloody bridge, what 's the big deal?) Some websites have mentioned that Manhattan is a lot safer than other big cities in US, at least safer than Orlando. Somehow I felt that might be true, at least I felt comfortable walking back to my hostel from Midtown.....

Also being told that never leave New York without trying the local bagel, pizza and chese cake.....well, I have spent a lot on food, and Im glad the choices are so much variety than in Orlando. I've been visiting Malaysian restaurants here almost every lunch, and have found the Overseas mooncake - with USD24 for 4nos, but still worth the price, at least it has cured my homesick temporarily, and also have met many fellow Malaysian here.

In fact I really like the city and somehow I felt that it would be better if I can live in this city rather than being just a tourist, but before that I have
Tourists busy taking photos on Top of the RockTourists busy taking photos on Top of the RockTourists busy taking photos on Top of the Rock

It's better to visit Top of the Rock than the Empire States Building - at least you can see the latter from the former.
to make sure that I have enough money to pay for the sky-high rent....









Additional photos below
Photos: 33, Displayed: 24


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Ground Zero - the World Trade Center SiteGround Zero - the World Trade Center Site
Ground Zero - the World Trade Center Site

It looks like a new construction is underway.
Midtown Manhattan before sunsetMidtown Manhattan before sunset
Midtown Manhattan before sunset

A view from the Top of the Rock
The lonely Empire State BuildingThe lonely Empire State Building
The lonely Empire State Building

Without the WTC, all the tourists focus their camera on the Empire State Building.
Downtown Manhattan Downtown Manhattan
Downtown Manhattan

A view from the island of Statue of Liberty
A view from Central ParkA view from Central Park
A view from Central Park

In that moment I thought I was somewhere in Europe....
Central Park SouthCentral Park South
Central Park South

A view near the Columbus Circle
Central ParkCentral Park
Central Park

The park is so big where I have spent three hours walking and still couldnt finish touring the whole park.
American AngelAmerican Angel
American Angel

At the Central Park.
SohoSoho
Soho

The name says it all…..
United Nations Building United Nations Building
United Nations Building

It may seems dull and not a typical backpacker's destination, but the guided tour around the building really worth a try.
Inside the UN HeadquaertersInside the UN Headquaerters
Inside the UN Headquaerters

I have seen this hall many times in the news and even in the movie 'The I?nterpreter'.
Time Square Time Square
Time Square

Even at midnight Time Square still crowded with tourists flashing their digital cameras.
Time SquareTime Square
Time Square

From another corner
Time SquareTime Square
Time Square

Now you can say I have had enough of Time Square!
US Armed Force Recruiting Station welcomes you at Time SquareUS Armed Force Recruiting Station welcomes you at Time Square
US Armed Force Recruiting Station welcomes you at Time Square

This is where all the disaster begins……
Bionic Woman at Time SquareBionic Woman at Time Square
Bionic Woman at Time Square

Can't wait to watch the show!


18th September 2007

u really enjoy ur life...friend
20th September 2007

My best foreign friend¡¡
Pictures are wonderful but I would like to see a Pic of you in NY city¡¡¡ Ur Best firend in Perú, Patty
21st September 2007

nice and amazing
where is your beautiful chinese girl in UN building?? haha...nice and amazing of your pictures...but where is your personal picture...really want to see how u look like now...
16th October 2007

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11th December 2007

Hei dude
It has been a while since my last visit to your blog. What can i say since my last vist? You are SO FUCKING lucky! Damn...your photo shots are GREAT! Wonder if i can ever have the chance to go to all the places that you have been to. It has been a while since our very very very very....very very last catch up. Do include yourself in the damn pic, geee...Is it years since we last lepak together? See ya...
12th December 2007

Coming home soon
Coming home next week, but u r not in Malaysia right?

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