Time flies and its 2016! Just looking back at some old pics reminded me of a solo trip I did back in 2013 at NYC.
It was the most exciting time of my life. I was afraid yet seeking adventure. Clueless yet curious.
It was one of those to-fulfill item in my bucket list of wishes - a trip that I could call my own. A trip filled with many of my ‘firsts’ (first musical alone, first tour alone, first etc).
I had put up at the Roosevelt Hotel along Madison Street and I still vividly remember those police sirens sounding throughout the day. Yes, that’s NYC for you. Busy Policemen and Policemen in every street. Quite a vast difference from Singapore.
 |
Lobby of Roosevelt |
Many had warned me that nothing out of Singapore is safe and I have to watch out for my bag and literally everything.
I wasn't any nervous wreck as I thought it wouldn’t be all that bad in an English speaking city. And true to that, it was relatively safe.
So my first visit was to Times Square; it was billboards galore. Never in my life had I seen billboards of that measure.
I am in America! My childhood dream from the movie ‘An American Tale’ came alive!
 |
Billboards Galore! |
 |
A Date with Spider-Man |
Day 2:
I went shopping at the Woodbury Premium Outlet (got tour tickets from viator.com). No pics here cos someone was just too busy shopping. Paradise, paradise: DKNY $5 deals, Cole Haan Loafers below $100, Coach Bags at below $200. Those were some of the top American Labels I snapped up at a steal.
The evening followed by the musical – Once.
Once is not a mainstream musical where you get to see huge stage props, loud explosions of pyrotechnics or outrageous stage costumes.
It was the most minimalistic stage I have seen with pure enchanting music from the cast that melted my heart. I left with such a good feeling.
 |
Rainy Day at Broadway...loving those Billboards |
 |
Once at Jacobs Theatre |
After my Musical, I roamed around Times Square and chanced upon M&M's World - Now in the US, when they say WORLD you can trust that it will be massive.
 |
Getting Lost in Chocolate Land |
 |
Miss Liberty x M&Ms |
Sometimes I feel like I live in Grand Central Station. Tonight I'm not takin' no calls ' Cause I'll be dancin' I'll be dancin'
(singing to the tunes of Lady Gaga's Telephone) oh so, this is Grand Central Station!
 |
Grand Central Station |
 |
Apple Store inside GCS |
Day 3:
Tour of NYC - the iconic buildings and the world famous symbol of freedom - The Statue of Liberty.
A big green block of copper and steel that bears a simple meaning behind it. A symbolic gesture given by the French to the Americans as a celebration of Friendship.
 |
My Touristy Pic |
 |
The amazing skyline of Manhattan |
 |
Empire State |
 |
Donald Trump's Twin Towers |
 |
Rockefeller Center
|
Day 4:
At 6am, Tourist CheChe met a guide at the Hotel Lobby for a Tour. A RUNNING Tour! Nuts! Who goes on Running Tours during Holidays? I did and it was splendid! A 9.5K guided running tour from Madison Ave to Central Park with Running Guide, Cole from City Running Tours.
 |
Central Park Run |
 |
'Race' Kit |
Cole and Me at the Entrance of Central Park
Right after the run was chill time. I visited places from Movies/Sitcoms/Novels.
Call me a romantic novel or movie buff, there were some places in my must-go in my list...did I feel like a Star? Perhaps not. Just to entertain my little whimsical dream in my own Unicorn Land - to eat a cupcake like Carrie Bradshaw that is..
 |
Dean & Deluca Flagship Store at SOHO |
 |
Buying Flowers for Me! |
 |
Sex and The City: Magnolia Bakery |
 |
Sex and the City approved Banana Pudding |
Day 5:
A morning of creativity and inspiration. A day to indulge myself in ART. In my opinion, MoMA is a love or hate museum. It's collection of modern and contemporary art is not easy to fathom and appreciate. Yet if you have a penchant for quirky and the abstract type of art pieces, sculptures, design and modern architecture like I do, you would love it.
 |
MoMA |
 |
Space and Form |
 |
A ghostly looking me against Andy Warhol's famous Campbell's Soup Cans |
 |
The Courtyard |
The afternoon was spent at the old-fashion retail Bleecker Street where I got lost...literally.
I was looking for iconic boutiques like Book Marc, Magnolia Bakery and the Flagship Marc Jacobs.
Little research and lousy map reading skills resulted in an extra hour spent. I counted that as extra calories burnt and discovered a bohemian side to the place. It was like shopping in Chinatown of Singapore, from shophouse to shophouse. Except that it was much more glamourous (yeah, *flips hair*).
 |
Street Pianist |
 |
Book Marc by Marc Jacobs |
 |
Magnolia Bakery |
And that marks my 5 days at NYC. An American Tale came true. I am looking forward to my upcoming trip in June!
Beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteEven higher, Ignition will give you you with|provides you with} a bonus that you can use use|you need to use} on both the stay poker part and slots. So, 토토사이트 it’s pretty convenient to say this on-line on line casino is a best choice for gamers of all shapes and sizes. When you obtain a welcome bonus from a web-based on line casino, there might be a wagering requirement connected to the bonus funds. Are the latest new casino presents to be added to the page.
ReplyDelete