.::. Statue of Liberty .::.

What is a trip to New York City without visiting the Statue of Liberty? It's one of those things which you must do as a tourist.

We booked crown tickets online 3 months ago, so that we can climb all the way up. It's really exclusive as there are only 240 tickets available a day. Once you reach the island, you've supposed to visit the vistors' center to register with your passport and tickets first. Security was also very tight and we had to deposit all our belongings in paid lockers provided. We only went up with the camera, which was a good thing since it was a good, hard climb up.



The last time the boyfriend came, he got tickets to the pedestal, but did not get to go up as he missed his timing! They were so busy snapping pictures around the statue that they forgot the time!

Thus, we got there early! The ferry to Ellis Island gave a very good view of New York City.

This is the winding stairs up to the crown.

It is a 334 steps climb!

Here I am, finally reaching the top of the Statue!

It was hot and stuffy on the narrow, winding staircase! I was dripping sweat by the time I reached the top!

Here we are, on the Statue of Liberty's crown.

There are 2 soldiers stationed at the crown. They rotate shifts every hour and climb those stairs at least once a day! It's so hot and tiring, but I guess they must have got used to it.



This is a glimpse of the torch from the dirty windows from the crown!

There isn't that much to see from the small and dirty windows at the crown. The view wasn't that fantastic either. Part of me wondered, why the hell did we want to get the crown tickets anyway??

I never questioned the boyfriend when he enthusiastically got me to book the tickets 3 months in advance - I just did it. It's like like the many climbs up churches in Europe. The mentality is always - since we're already here, why not climb up to take a look?

It's always very tiring, since traveling is hard on the feet! However, the experience is always memorable, because of how tiring it is! He's always the happy boy bouncing up the stairs and laughing at me when I'm sweaty and tired.

It's a really narrow climb up, my feet is even bigger than the stairs and it makes me giddy turning round and round! I had to hold the railings and climb down really carefully. Not for the faint-hearted!

Here is us at the pedestal. It's windy and I felt so much better getting out of the stuffy interior. The 360 view was alot better here and you had more space to take pictures and walk about.

Statue of Liberty and us.

Miss Liberty is heavy, she needs to go on a diet!

And here's the boyfriend with Miss Liberty.

Funny shots are obligatory as you see rows of people trying to take all sorts of funny pictures! It's fun, abit like our experience at Pisa.

Did you know that there's a mini Statue of Liberty in Paris near the Eiffel Tower? I didn't know that until the boyfriend read up about the Statue of Liberty. If I had known, we would have visited it when we were in Paris!

Anyway, the crown access to the Statue of Liberty will be closed for reworks for a year. Luckily we got up before the renovations, otherwise I would have been disappointed - just like how disappointed I was about the reflections pool renovations in Washington!

.::. Peek-a-boooo .::.

We were at Boston, too lazy to open up the tripod for a group picture.

So he took a picture of me.

And I took a picture of him.

Then, he said, 'the most go back photoshop lor.'



There you go.

He really did!

My unprofessional eyes couldn't tell any difference.

To think that he ends up being the one learning photoshop when I have been the one wanting to learn it since god-knows-when.

I need to start setting goals!

.::. Jump! .::.

Jumping Jack Joel.

He's a total natural.

And he always looks happy in these shots.


We tried to take some jumping shots together. In fact, we tried so many times.

But it became apparent that he's such a natural and I suck at it.

It makes me laugh, looking at his expressions.

.::. Qubec .::.

We stopped by Qubec for a day trip after listening to all the wonderful comments people have of this place.

It's no doubt beautiful, in a European way. I loved it, it's like I'm back to Europe. Apart from the beautiful buildings, I love the laid back feel and character of Europe. It's like everyone is so relaxed. Nothing beats sitting around and watching the world go by.

It's just like those small European towns which has an area preserved. A day trip is enough to stroll around and experience the old city inside the walls.



By the deck. The best moments are when you've someone to share them with.

Beautiful.

With the famous Fairmont hotel in the background.

Right on top of Citadel.

The view from the peak of Qubec.

And how I love those European streets.

Grab a coffee and watch the world go by.

.::. Attacking Singapore? .::.

This was finally published!

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_685238.html

We encountered this around Times Square in New York City about a month ago and it was disturbing! He stood around with this huge board, and shouting 'Singapore' very loudly. The first time, I thought I was mistaken. But the second time we walked past, I saw the sign and was really disturbed.

It wasn't about our Prime Minister, but his wife, Ho Ching. Something about condoning some sort of discrimination? It just sounded really offensive. He looked abit crazy, otherwise I would have took a picture of the sign. I tried googling about it, but didn't find anything.

I wonder if our government is going to catch him and bring him to court?

It seems that he lost his job in Singapore, which resulted in such behavior according to Singapore's reports. But seriously? Who knows?

It's disturbing. I wonder, when people think of Singapore, what is their first thought?

.::. Rockpot .::.

Rockpot is a little quaint town near the coast. It's famous for its cheap and fresh lobsters. We drove for about an hour from Boston to get there, and it was one of my favourite stops of the trip.

It was so cold, about 8 degrees and drizzling.



This is the famous lobster shop. Roy Moore's. It's one of those small shops with lots of character. They serve their lobsters with fries, and you can eat them behind the shop, with a sea view. You sit on crates, and it's just really traditional and nice.

Alas, it was too cold and wet that day. I was shivering when I got out the car and there was no way I was going to enjoy eating lobsters out in the cold. I wished we could have ate on the crates outside though we ended up at their restaurant down the road.

The famous dishes were clam chowder and lobster, and that was what we had. I am really good at eating lobsters! Got the meat out super fast and clean while the boyfriend wondered how to do it. *beams with pride.

We were both enjoying the lobsters really. It was so fresh and sweet.

I really liked this town. We had the famous apple strudle, and took fun 80's pictures in a small studio (pictures of that another day).

On the way back to the car, this bird stayed so still even when I keep inching nearer to take a picture. He just stood so still and looked at me.

If only...the weather was good then. It would have been spectacular. I think I would have loved strolling along the coast and enjoying lobsters and apple strudels by the sea.

Someday!

.::. Us @ Niagara .::.



This may be my favourite picture of the whole trip, simply because I remembered being very happy at that moment. We were so near Niagara, and the force of the water and wind made it difficult to keep our balance. Yet both of us were trying so hard to take pictures, despite being worried about getting our camera spoilt.

I enjoyed the 'Maid of the Mist' very much, so fun. Beautiful memories.

Oh, and my teeth looks so straight and white! I didn't edit the picture! =p

.::. Magic Kingdom .::.

I'm not sure it's new or an Orlando Disney thingy, we were given a 'photopass'. You could give this pass to any of the many photographers around the park and they'll scan it to take pictures for you. After that, you can go online with your unique pass number to view all the pictures taken.

Honestly, I think it's amazing! But obviously, we were very skeptical about things like that for they always cost a bomb. We didn't take that many pictures with the pass since we wanted the pictures in our camera instead.

In the end? It really cost too much! It's a ridiculous US$14.95 for 2 4R prints. You can edit photos and add borders, and do many fancy things with it.

I couldn't bear to buy the pictures. However, I did a pretty smart thing - I did many printscreens of the pictures! I have all of them now, abeit at a not-so-good quality.



Walt Disney's world.

I really appreciate this man's amazing dream which came true and as a result, brought so much happiness to so many people around the world!

I love Mickey and Minnie!

The photographer, this very old man went like, now you can kiss her, go. Lol.

I find myself loving Disneyland more and more everytime I visit it. I really wouldn't mind going again!

It really does feel like the happiest place on earth. I always laugh so much when I'm there, and everyone's so nice and happy.

Let the memories begin.

.::. Brooklyn Bridge .::.

This is my favourite view of New York City for I seem to 'feel' the city standing across the bridge.

I seriously think that this view is better than the bird's eye view from the top.

Isn't it beautiful?