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First Tour in New York City

It was summer when I went to the United States of America. There was a strong heatwave when I arrived in New York. It was 101 deg Fahrenheit and it would last until Sunday night, based on the forecast.
On the Sunday of July 22, EDT, we went outside and started my first ever tour in New York City.

Central Park and Museum Mile

We went to Central Park past 4 in the afternoon. The apartment is along Museum Mile. Museum Mile is the stretch of museums and fine arts institutions in the 5th Avenue. Because my friend lives in the Upper East Side of Manhattan and along Museum Mile and with the lush green sceneries of Central Park, I really loved and enjoyed my stay in New York. And because I loved museums, it was really a bonus of staying near the famous Museum Mile.
The Vanderbilt Gate is a gateway for a beautiful garden called Conservatory Garden. Fountains, lush green sceneries and flowers are seen inside. The garden is also a gateway for lover’s having a date. There’s also a bus stop near the gate.

A block away, which is the 104th East Street is the Museum City of New York. It was the location of different American series and movies. While walking we also saw the other museums like Guggenheim and Cooper Hewitt.
We entered another gate in Central Park and had a view of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. Here, people were taking a walk, jogging and exercising. The walkway inside the park will also lead to the most famous museums in New York, The Metropolitan Museum.

There were lots of locals and tourists enjoying the street show at MET. It was already 5PM when we arrived at the museum and the people were already coming out because they were already closing. There was a gathering of people from the stairways of the museum and enjoying the street dance and exhibition.

From the museum, we went to Madison Avenue. Madison Avenue is parallel to the 5th Avenue, which is also known for the flagship stores of luxurious brands that were concentrated in the 57th to 88th streets. While walking we went inside La Maison de Chocolat Paris and bought chocolate truffles. The chocolate was really good.
We went to 77th Street Station on Lexington Avenue to try the subway train. I bought a one-week subway ticket which was good enough for my stay in New York City.

Famous Landmarks in Manhattan

From the station, we went to Grand Central Station on 42nd Street and Park Avenue. Grand Central Terminal is coterminous of different trains and buses. The iconic landmark is the transportation hub in Middle Manhattan.

We ate at Shake Shack in Grand Central Station. We tried the Whispering Gallery in which you can whisper and the sound travel from the other side of the acoustic arch.

From the Central Terminal, we walked to the corner of 42nd Ave and Vanderbilt Ave to have a view of the Grand Central Station, Grand Hyatt New York and the Chrysler Building.

We went to the New York Public Library in which I only saw during my Universal Studios Singapore Trip.

Then to the Bryant Park where we sat and rest for a while. Locals were enjoying the fresh air although it was humid because of the heatwave.

We walked to 5th avenue and went to the Museum of Sex. We went to 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar to drink and had a great view of the famous Empire State Building.

We walked to the Madison Square park to the Flat Iron Building.

We rode at 28th street station to the 8th street station. We went to New York University to the Washington Square Park.

There are so many tourists and students in the park. After exploring we went to where the university students hang out and ate pizza at Architoke Basille Pizza. Another famous for the students is the Bleecker Street area.

Staten Island and Statue of Liberty

From the Bleecker Street station, we went to the Bowling Green and walked going to the Staten Island Ferry. We waited for 10 minutes before the ferry arrived.

It was already dark while riding the ferry to Staten Island. We went outside to enjoy the cool breeze of the wind while on a ferry. The night view of New York City was also spectacular. The lights from the buildings brighten the sky. We could also see the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.

Halfway to the island, we were traversing the Governor’s island with the view of the famous Statue of Liberty until we reached Staten Island. We disembarked and then waited to go on board again, which was actually free.

Time Square

From Ferry Station, we went to Time Square Station in 42nd street. We took a picture of the famous drop in Time Square. It started to rain and we had to go to the station again to ride going home. We alighted at the 110 street and walked going back to the apartment. I will talk about Time Square more since I went here multiple times during my stay.

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Manila to New York City: 16 Hours Flight

It was my first ever trip to the United States of America. I was early at the airport. I already checked in online. The checking of baggage was very meticulous and I had to open it again prior to baggage drop. After which I went inside the lounge area. And since it was still early, I went to Starbucks and ordered my favorite triple chocolate mocha. There were lots of people waiting for the coffee shop. After finishing my mocha, I went to the boarding gates and waited for the announcement to get on board. It was on the 21^st of July in the year 2019.

I booked a 16-hours non-stop flight in Philippine Airlines from Manila to New York. I was seated at the last row from the left side of the plane in a window seat. The good thing was I didn’t have to bother anyone from behind since we were in the last row, but the problem was going to the washroom and there were two passengers on my left.

It was a comfortable flight, I watched two movies first, charged my phone in the charging USB from my personal space. But because of the busy schedule I had a month before my trip, I was exhausted and I slept the entire trip and whenever I woke up, it was already time to eat. I would wash up after every meal, then go to sleep after 30 minutes. I lost track of time but my belly was full after 5 meals, 3 meals with rice and 2 heavy snacks.

When I was awake, I would look from my window seat with the moon blazing into the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Or I would keep track of the plane’s navigation as it went to the sides of the North Pacific Ocean over the Vancouver skies and landed at New York JFK International Airport. And I was really excited to see the New York skyline with all the night lights while the plane descended. I could finally say, Welcome to the United States of America.

It was past midnight when I arrived. It took time to get out of the plane. I talked to my seatmates and found out why they were traveling in the USA since it took time for us to get out of the plane as we were on the last row.

We headed to the electronic immigration to scan the passport and the visa. We went to another line to be interviewed by the immigration officer before being allowed to get our baggage. It took a little while to get the bags. It took an hour before I was finally getting out of the airport. Ms. Gwen, the person I was seated invited me to her sister’s house in Queens since it was already past 1 in the morning. I told her I would just take a yellow taxi and head to my friend’s house in Upper East Side Manhattan.

They looked out on me while I board the taxi and they told me to keep in touch once I got into my friend’s house. It was one-hour drive from JFK airport to the Museum Mile in the 105^th street. The ride was okay, the driver was from Indian descent. He was not a safe driver since every traffic light that we stopped, he seemed anxious to drive. Until we hit the 106^th street, he drove while the traffic light was red. I heard the wailing of the NYPD car from our back and we had to stop. Three policemen came to the yellow cab and talked to the driver. I was already scared as it was my first time in the USA and it happened in the wee hours of the morning. I called my friend and told him what happened and he told me that I was near the apartment already. After 15 minutes, the policemen let the driver go and we were heading to my friend’s apartment. And eventually, I saw my friend once I got out of the taxi.

He said that the apartment was small. It was located on the first floor at the end of the hallway before the stairs and emergency exit on the right side. It was a two-bedroom apartment and I would say it was still big compared to a small apartment in the Philippines. I settled inside and it was at 5 in the morning when we decided to sleep after catching up.

You can also check my post last year after my trip to New York City with the title A Summer in the United States of America

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Singapore in 2013

It was our first day in Singapore, together with my mother and my sister. This was the first time I traveled to Singapore where it was not because of work and training.

V Bencoleen Hotel

It was raining in Singapore when we arrived. From the airport, we went to our accommodation which was the V Bencoleen Hotel. I chose to stay in Bencoleen because of the nice hotels and accessibility to MRT station and affordable hotels in the area.
However, the street of Bencoleen was closed at that time because they were building an underground MRT station below our hotel. And we could hear the constructions in the area.
We checked in into our hotel and went to Sentosa.

Singapore Cable Car

We road the subway train going to HarbourFront Station. From the station, we walked to the Keppel HarbourFront Tower 2 to ride the Singapore Cable Car.

The Singapore Cable Car was the first aerial ropeway system to span a harbor. It is a gondola lift with a magnificent view of Singapore skyline connecting a link between Mount Faber on the main island to the resort island of Sentosa. The next time I’d try the Mount Faber Line.

Sentosa

We arrived at the Singapore Cable Car in Sentosa Station. We went to Merlion Park and Merlion Walk. We then went to Siloso and Palawan beaches. We also rode the bus going around the island.

Sentosa is a resort island that can be reached by a cable car, a monorail and by traversing the Sentosa Gateway Tunnel. Major landmarks are seen on the island like Resorts World Sentosa, Universal Studios Singapore, Capella Hotel and Fort Siloso.

Vivo City Shopping Mall

We went back using the monorail and alighted at Vivo City and we decided to eat at Fish & Co in the mall.

Vivo City is a huge shopping mall overlooking the Sentosa and Resorts World Singapore. The best place to enjoy the view is the rooftop garden or the Vivo City Waterfront Promenade.

Spectra: A Marina Bay Sand Light and Water Show

Another special event with dancing lasers, waterjets and art projection is a free show every night. We witnessed the one with the Marina Bay Sands as a backdrop where we watched it from Esplanade. It is an hour show that runs from Monday to Sunday at 8pm and 9 pm, and an additional run for Friday and Saturday at 10pm.

Sands SkyPark

Another place to enjoy the skyline of Singapore is to go to Sands and SkyPark Observation Deck. The Marina Bay Sands observation deck is on the 57th floor in which you will enjoy the panoramic cityscape of Singapore.

There are 2 restaurants in the SkyPark, Ce La Vi Restaurant and SkyBar and Lavo Italian Restaurant and Rooftop Bar in Tower 3 Spago Dining Room and Spago Bar and Lounge in Tower 2. The infinity pool is for the guests to enjoy.

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It was our first day in Singapore, together with my mother and my sister. This was the first time I traveled to Singapore where it was not because of work and training.

V Bencoleen Hotel

It was raining in Singapore when we arrived. From the airport, we went to our accommodation which was the V Bencoleen Hotel. I chose to stay in Bencoleen because of the nice hotels and accessible to MRT station and affordable hotels in the area.
However, the street of Bencoleen was closed at that time because they were building an underground MRT station below our hotel. And we could hear the constructions in the area.
We checked in into our hotel and went to Sentosa.

Singapore Cable Car

We road the subway train going to HarbourFront Station. From the station, we walked to the Keppel HarbourFront Tower 2 to ride the Singapore Cable Car.

Sentosa

We arrived at the Singapore Cable Car in Sentosa Station. We went to Merlion Park and Merlion Walk. We then went to Siloso and Palawan beaches. We also rode the bus going around the island.

Vivo City Shopping Mall

We went back using the monorail and alighted at Vivo City and we decided to eat at Fish & Co in the mall.

Vivo City is a huge shopping mall overlooking the Sentosa and Resorts World Singapore. The best place to enjoy the view is the rooftop garden or the Vivo City Waterfront Promenade.

Spectra: A Marina Bay Sand Light and Water Show

Sands SkyPark

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Universal Studios Singapore

Universal Studios Singapore is a theme park located within Resorts World Sentosa. It is the second Universal Studios theme park in Asia, as Universal Studios Japan being the first. The soft opening was in March 2010 and the Grand Opening happened on the 28th of May, 2011.

It was my very first Universal Studios right before I experienced Universal Studios Japan after three years. My mother, sister and I went to Singapore in 2013.

We went to Vivo City Shopping Mall to ride a train from Sentosa Station to Resorts World Sentosa. We alighted at Waterfront Station in Sentosa and took a picture in the Lake of Dreams.

We bought the tickets and entered the Universal Studios Singapore. Here is the different themed zone in which we explore Universal Studios.

Hollywood

New York

Sci-Fi City

We enjoyed the Transformers.

Ancient Egypt

The Lost World

Far Far Away

Madagascar

I also loved the animals of Madagascar roaming the park.

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Singapore in 2011

It was the third time I was exploring Singapore. We went for training again from my company and stayed at the Strand Hotel Singapore in Bencoleen.

Singapore Flyer

We started to walk from the Singapore Flyer. It is Asia’s largest Giant Observation Wheel and standing 165 cm from the ground. To get to the Flyers, alight at Downtown Line DT15 or Circle Line, CC4.

Youth Olympic Park

It is located along Raffles Avenue near the Singapore Flyers. It is an art park where you can read the poem “Lion Heart” by Amanda Chong and the iconic maze by Aniket Chavan.

The Helix Bridge

It is a footbridge designed with a DNA structure. The bridge connects the Youth Olympic Park to Marina Bay Sands. From the bridge, we went to The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort and explored the mall.

Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade

From the Shoppes at Marina Bay, the Waterfront Promenade is in front of the Shoppes. It is a 3.5-kilometer along-the-bay walkway with the view of Merlion Park and Esplanade. It is an iconic façade of Marina Bay to enjoy attractions like Coller Quay, Marina Centre and Bayfront.

Makansutra Glutttons Bay

Makansutra Gluttons Bay is a hawker food stall along Raffles Avenue near Esplanade. It serves a wide variety of local Singaporean cuisines while also enjoying Asian dishes. The tag line of Makansutra is celebrating the best Asian food culture and lifestyle. During dinner, you can also enjoy while eating the display of lights and sounds in Marina Bay.

Clarke Quay

Clarke Quay is a historical landmark in a riverside quay in Singapore. It is famous for waterside restaurants overlooking the Singapore River.

The cruise and boat tours also start here. There are bars and night clubs and a wide park to enjoy. There’s also a display of fountain. Hotels and malls surround Clarke Quay.

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Singapore in 2009

My second trip to Singapore was also because of training. This time I had my colleagues with me and a friend I visited and toured me in some attractions in Singapore.

Strand Hotel Singapore

Strand Hotel Singapore is located in Bencoleen which within the walking distance with numerous shops, restaurants and museums. There are convenience stores and food courts nearby. We love the Food Republic in 51 Bras Basah Road which serves Asian, International, and Singaporean cuisines. It is like a modern hawker food court with affordable prices for the menu.
The nearest MRT station is Bras Basah station on the Circle Line and just recently, Bencoleen station was also constructed using the Downtown Line.

National Museum of Singapore

The National Museum of Singapore is the nearest place to see from Bencoleen. We went to the Museum of Singapore which is only walking distance from the Hotel. It is the oldest museum that exhibits the history of Singapore. The museum is along Stamford Road.
Other museums in the area are Singapore Art Museum, National Design Centre, The Private Museum, to name a few. There are nearby churches in the area, the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd and Church of Saints Peter and Paul.

Chjmes

Chjmes is a historical building complex along Victoria Street in the Downtown Core. The complex has Caldwell House, Convent Orphanage house, the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus Chapel. The Caldwell House and the gothic style chapel – Chjmes Hall used as function hall and venue for weddings became national monuments.
The complex has dining, shopping and entertainment centers. We had our dinner in one of the restaurants here called Carnivore Brazilian Churrascaria as we had a memorable Festive Dinner Buffet.

Merlion Park

After the training, we went to the Merlion Park. Merlion is an iconic symbol of Singapore, a half fish and half lion which resides at the Merlion Park waterfront. The Merlion is in front of the Fullerton Hotel and overlooking Marina Bay.
You can also enjoy the river cruise that goes to Boat Quay and Clarke Quay along the Singapore River.

Esplanade

Esplanade Bridge is a bridge from Merlion Park going to Esplanade. Esplanade, also known as Theaters by the Bay is a venue for Singapore’s national performing arts. We enjoyed the view of the towering buildings around the park and the Merlion.

Suntec City

On my 3rd day, I met my friend who was my colleague in a former company. She was also the first person I was with when I went to my first notable trip which was in Bantayan Island.
I met her in the building where she worked. It was along Orchard Road. We rode the MRT and went to Suntec City to eat first. My friend wanted the Shabu-shabu dish and we went to the famous Shabu Sai along Temasek Road. It offers authentic Japanese and Asian fusion cuisine.
After eating we check out the World’s Largest Fountain in the World which is found in Suntec City. The Fountain of Wealth is also listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Sentosa

We went to Sentosa. It was already night time but we explored Sentosa. We arrived at Vivo City Mall and entered Sentosa Station going to Sentosa.

We briefly explored the famous attraction in Singapore during night time enjoying the beach and the oceanarium.

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Singapore in 2003

My first Singapore trip was in 2003. I had a training for one of the scientific products I was handling. It was a week before Christmas day, and the plane ticket was very expensive and the flights were fully booked. This was my first time going abroad alone. It was also my first time sitting in a business class.

I arrived at Changi Airport and took a cab going to the Orchard Hotel Singapore. The Orchard Hotel Singapore is a 4-star hotel located at Orchard Road. It is near the city centers, where there are restaurants and malls. The nearest public transport is the subway at Orchard MRT Station.

The trip was a 3-days training to Agilent. The Agilent office is located at Yishun Avenue in the northern center if the North Region of Singapore. I tried the MRT going to Yishun.

On my second day after the training, I went outside and walked into the Orchard Road. There are so many malls along Orchard like Since it was only a few days before Christmas, there were so many Christmas decorations along the road outside and inside the mall.

Since I had a limited time, I went to my cousin’s house in Singapore on the third day after my training in Agilent.

On my 4^th day, I once again walked to Orchard road which was actually my favorite spot and the following day I went to the airport.

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Hong Kong Disneyland Resort

Fifteen years later, I was blessed to be back in Hong Kong. It would be my first Disneyland adventure. When I went to Hong Kong in 2000, the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort was not open yet.

Disneyland Hong Kong is located in the reclaimed area of Penny’s Bay, Lantau Island. The theme park opened in September of 2005. It became the largest theme park in Hong Kong after Ocean Park.

Our buses were first to arrive in the Disneyland car park. We waited in line once we got our tickets.

There are themed areas in Disneyland Hong Kong.

Main Street, USA

Fantasyland

Jungled theme park

Big Grizzly Gulch Mountain Runaway Mine Cars

Mystic Manor

Toy Story Land

The castle of Sleeping was under renovation at that time.

What I loved the most was the parade. We patiently waited near the gate where the parade would begin.

And there was the parade of lights in the evening. Right after the parade was the fireworks shown in the castle.

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Hong Kong Island, Hongkong

Here are beautiful places to see in Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong.

Victoria’s Peak

Fifteen years after my first visit to Hong Kong, I went back to Victoria’s Peak and it was different from what I remembered. Since we were on a group tour, we were on a bus going to Victoria’s peak. We used the Cross Harbor Tunnel to get to Victoria’s Peak. The bus ride going up the peak was spectacular because of the amazing view on the road.

The Peak Tower

The Peak Tower is one of the famous destinations for stylish architectural icons in Hong Kong. The Peak Tower has different shops, restaurants and entertainment venues. The highlight of The Peak Tower is the Sky Terrace 428 which has the highest 360 deg viewing platform to enjoy the skyline and lush green landscape of Hong Kong.

Peak Galleria

Adjacent to the Peak Tower is the Peak Galleria. It has a wide variety of restaurants and shops to enjoy inside the mall.

Madame Tussauds

Victoria’s Peak is famous for the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. It is located at Peak Tower in The Peak, Hong Kong Island. It is the first Madame Tussauds in Asia that opened in 2000.

The Famous wax figures in Madame Tussauds are Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt and Angeline Jolie, Princess Diana, Prince Charles, Barrack Obama and many others.

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Kowloon, Hong Kong

Here are some places to see in Kowloon, Hong Kong.

Nan Lian Garden

The Nan Lian Garden is one of the famous Tang-Dynasty style garden in the busy streets of Hong Kong. Located at Fung Tak Road in Diamond Hill in Kowloon and it has an area of 3.5 hectares. It is one of the Chinese Classical Garden opened in 2006 in collaboration with the Chi Lin Nunnery and Hong Kong Government.
One of the famous landmark inside is the Pavilion of Absolute Perfection and Zi Wu Bridge.
You can also see pagodas, temples and bridges, most especially the Blue Pond. There’s an exhibition for potted plants in the rockery and in the Rockery and Chinese Timber Architecture Gallery.

Chi Lin Nunnery

Chi Lin Nunnery is adjacent to Nan Lian Garden and one of the famous Buddhist attraction in Hong Kong. It is a place for stunning bonsai and different flower plants like bougainvillea and the large Blue Pond. It is also one of the Tang-Dynasty style attraction built in 1930’s as a retreat house for Buddhist nuns.

How to get to Nan Lian Garden and Chi Line Nunnery, alight at MTR Diamond Hill Station Exit 2. Follow the signs and walk for around 5 minutes.

The Avenue of Stars

The Avenue of Stars is Hong Kong’s Hollywood Walk of Fame. The avenue is located along the Victoria Harbor waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui. Opened in 2004 it is to highlight the Hong Kong artists.

Aqua luna

Aqua Luna known as Cheung Po Tsai in Cantonese is a Chinese Junk or Chinese Sailing ship. It is operating in Victoria Harbor and also docks at Tsim Sha Tsui in Pier 1. It is a cruise ship with two decks and has a restaurant inside.

A Symphony of Lights

To enjoy the view of Hong Kong at night, a spectacular show of sounds and lights staged every night at 8 PM. The Symphony of Lights is also called Victoria Harbor Light Show. The best place to enjoy the show is in the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, the promenade and the avenue of stars.

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