The 3-day conference that Dear was supposed to attend starts today. He was free in the morning and we took the time to have breakfast at Bouchon Bakery, with Ms Hamster who wanted to tag along.
Dear was still so generous to treat Ms Hamster to breakfast, who I bet was un-appreciatively thrilled at her good luck.
We managed to get a window seat and watched the world hurry by.
And this was our view at out window seat: the live filming of the NBC morning show. Although filming was over by the time we were there but still so cool to be near the action.
I ordered the grilled cheese sandwich which is supposed to be one of the best in NYC. I think the bread at bakery is very good. My sandwich was very crispy and yummy.
Pistacho macaron to share
And the Thomas Keller cookie to share, which is a salty version of Oreo.
After breakfast, we walked around the Rockefeller Building
Pretty flowers in bloom
We wanted to make use of time to travel further downtown to visit more landmarks before we had to head back to the hotel. I didn't really enjoy the first part of the walk which Miss Hamster tagged along as she was walking so fast that we had no time to enjoy the walk, and enjoy our own private time. Hmph.
Some shots of the streets along the way
First landmark that we visited that morning was the Grand Central station. The interior is so romantic.
Awesome ceiling
The trains at the tracks waiting to whisk you away to somewhere else.
Next up was the Public Library. The two iconic lion statutes were really cute. But I guess lions wouldn't like to be called cute right?
Stepping into the Library: feels like stepping into Hogwarts isn't it?
And the interiors of the Library which is full of paintings and artworks. Imagine studying in a place like this. Maybe we'll all be getting very good grades.
We headed further downtown to the Empire State Building which was very disappointing as there wasn't anything to see if you are not buying tickets to go up the building. Visitors can go as far as the lobby which basically had nothing to see, not even a touristy gift shop, and had to head out after that. This was the only thing that you can see.
The exterior of the Empire State Building, which I also don't get what is go great about it, except that it is very tall. Dear said it is considered a great building because it was considered an architecture feat during its time. Ok~~~
Love the shot of this cute mailbox which certainly livened up the dull colours of the city. We took the photo of the Empire State Building from this road junction, which was across the building.
We made our way back to the hotel and came across Macy's. Of course we had time to chiong in for some quick shopping. But more specifically, we chiong in for Dear who had to use the washroom and we took 15 minutes to locate the washroom lor. Thanks largely to the way New Yorkers like to give general directions. Argh.
While waiting for Dear, the efficient me managed to choose 2 souvenir to buy back, haha.
Also walked past Madison Square Garden. I came back the next day for a guided tour.
We rushed all the way back to the hotel as time was a little tight by now and it was starting to drizzle. After we reached the hotel, Dear prepared to leave for his conference and I took a break before going to the High Line- a former railway track that has been turned into a park.
It was my first time walking around in a foreign country by myself (work trips excluded and I usually have company), esp first time in an ang moh country. So Dear was nervous for me, and I was nervous for myself too. Esp when I was very brave (and maybe stingy) to be only roaming on my Singapore line, meaning I don't have data on the go and cannot communicate easily.
I felt like the kid who is having his first day in school. Haha.
The first day in school didn't start out too well though. When I walked out of the turnstile at the subway, I realised there were two exits and were not sure which one to take. I took a few minutes to look at the maps inside the subway station and suddenly someone asked me if I needed help. I turned and saw a man waving a cup with coins at me, and quickly realised he is probably a homeless man. I was quite freaked out as I was underground with him alone(there was no station master, wth) and he must have came down the subway when I was looking at maps and I didn't hear him at all.
Suddenly I realised why the underground subway can be so dangerous. I just told him I am going up to exit the station and thankfully he left me alone.
It was my first time walking around in a foreign country by myself (work trips excluded and I usually have company), esp first time in an ang moh country. So Dear was nervous for me, and I was nervous for myself too. Esp when I was very brave (and maybe stingy) to be only roaming on my Singapore line, meaning I don't have data on the go and cannot communicate easily.
I felt like the kid who is having his first day in school. Haha.
The first day in school didn't start out too well though. When I walked out of the turnstile at the subway, I realised there were two exits and were not sure which one to take. I took a few minutes to look at the maps inside the subway station and suddenly someone asked me if I needed help. I turned and saw a man waving a cup with coins at me, and quickly realised he is probably a homeless man. I was quite freaked out as I was underground with him alone(there was no station master, wth) and he must have came down the subway when I was looking at maps and I didn't hear him at all.
Suddenly I realised why the underground subway can be so dangerous. I just told him I am going up to exit the station and thankfully he left me alone.
A second hiccup soon happened. I quickly realised that the directions that I had to the place was wrong when I couldn't find the place even though I was at the address of the place. Google Maps let me down again. So I had ask three people for directions, including a hotel receptionist, before realizing that something was wrong and quickly popped into a cafe to use the wifi. Luckily wifi is available pretty easily in NYC.
After much walking around in circles, I finally found the entrance to one end of the High Line.
After much walking around in circles, I finally found the entrance to one end of the High Line.
There is a lift and staircase up to the grey tracks which has been transformed into a garden in the skies.
The park
Since I had time, I walked the entire length of the track. Different sections had different designs. Many people were chilling around.
Saw another photoshoo. Dear asked me when he saw this photo:"Why is the photog so fat?"
View of the suburb with a colour wall painting
For a late lunch, I exited at the point closest to the Chelsea Market.
Settled on this in the end. I also bought brownies from the famous Fat Witch Bakery for ourselves and Dear's colleagues. See I am so nice.
After you get your tacos, you can add toppings like salsa to it. Of cos, I chose some spicy Mexican topping and it was really good.
See the smudge beside the lime? It was the spicy Mexican topping that I had put at the side of the plate to try first. It was really spicy and warmed up the belly. It even drew tears to my eyes, becos I add more of it to my taco. But it was so shiok, and the spiciness was so comforting after a few days of American food. Haha.
I went back up the High Line to finish the whole course and exited to the West Village for a stroll before making my way back to the hotel to meet Dear and the rest for dinner.
This is supposed to be the hip place where those with good tastes come to buy clothes and hang out.
I found the nearest subway and returned to the hotel. Dear had already finished his conference for the day and was back in the hotel. I am so proud of myself for making it back to the hotel, wahaha.
There was a welcome party for the conference participants that night and I went with them to wait outside the party while they look see for a while before coming out for dinner.
Dinner was at the expensive Musuem of Modern Arts restaurant which Ms Hamster wanted to try.
Even though we had made reservations, we waited for 15-20 minutes before a table was ready.
Dinner was at 8 plus, so by the time we finished and walked back to the hotel, we were only left with the energy to bathe and sleep.
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