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New York: Times Square

We arrived in our hotel at around 3PM in New York. We headed straight to Korea Town for having a late lunch, after that we decided to go to Times Square for our first New York tour.

Times Square is indeed a popular destination for NYC visitors. Thousands of people goes here every single day.

Every New Year's eve since 1907  New Yorker held a tradition which still continues today at 1 Times Square celebrated with a fireworks display and the famous ball-lowering, husband and I loved to watch. 

Times Square is the most bustling square of New York is known for its many electronic billboards display, Broadway theatres, cinemas, restaurant, hotels, and stores to name a few. It is one of those places that make New York a city that never sleeps.

Sea of people is totally normal sight you can see right here in Times Square. Like I said a bustling area.

The supersigns.

There is nothing you can't do here in New York. Let alone the Times Square area entertain your stays much like Disney Land. Hehe If you want to eat, there are so many restaurants in here. If you want to shop, mostly major store brands house are also here from electronic, clothing and shoes, chocolate and candies, anything like pcamerica, souvenir shops, Disney store, and so much more.

Travel Period: April 2012

New York: Ellis Island Tour

We hop a ferry to go to Ellis Island after our Liberty Island tour. The islands are closer to each other it only take us a few minutes to get here. The $14 fare is inclusive for both Liberty Island and Ellis Island rides. 

Upon arriving on Ellis Island this is what greet us- a beautiful facade view of the once immigrant station.  This was built in 1900 the second building after the first one (original) got completely destroyed by fire.

We're nearly here to enter in the museum.

Finally we arrived! The moment I'm here I feel nostalgic.

 The Ellis Island signage. In case you were wondering, a queue of people on the right photo is waiting for a ferry ride to Manhattan. Going to and out on the islands (Liberty and Ellis) is a breeze. The National Park Service is very systematic. Great job!

At the hallway, if you look at the ceiling the USA flags are beautifully hanging on to welcome the immigrants before. How excited they can be knowing they're step foot in the land of the free, honey and milk.

Upon entering the main building of this museum the first exhibit you can see is the Baggage.

Vintage luggage on display at the exhibit were unclaimed by its owner. Timeless piece of possessions.

This exhibit show us how the passport in the past looks like. A piece sheet of paper that is.

A closer view of an ancient passport.

Since the museum is entirely vast there are many options to see around all exhibits via elevators, escalators, or by foot.

In this exhibit they show us the many portraits from the people in the past who came to live in the USA.

and what the immigrants brought with them from their countries through their journey in USA. Lots of interesting stuff (such as Shoes, Womens Hats, Jewelries, Kitchenware, Clothes, etc.) that I really like. So vintage.

Statistic shows in the past how New York state marks number one as many alien arrivals. No wonder New York seems the center of America.

That walls where the names of immigrants engrave who were arrived here on Ellis Island. Not all though because this is optional you have to pay for it.

Outside the Immigration Station. Pretty cool. As an Immigrant myself being here feels relevant to me big time. It might have lots of changes on Immigration processing, the timeline and so on, but to finally live here in America is a dream come true.

Travel Period: April 2012

BSA Basics

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New York: Liberty Island Tour

We purchased a day  advance for our Liberty and Ellis Island ferry tickets at our Hotel concierge service. It cost us $14 per person for that ferry fares, and we booked the 11:00AM departure schedule. When the day has arrived we were supposed to take the subway 1 line for South Ferry station instead we took the Uptown station. We got lost that means we will gonna missed our ferry schedule. Worried if we'll missed our ferry ride scheduled they won't take us if we have to take the next available ferry but thank goodness that's not the case. When finally arrived in Battery Park where the ferry station is I approached the guard in the gate told her we need to take the next departure schedule cause we missed our schedule. She politely explains to us that we can take anytime we want from the ferry schedules as long the ticket is valid for single entry.  What a sigh of relief !  :)

Before embarkation there's an obligatory security check to go through before to enter in the waiting area. Same thing when you take an air flight.

Looking at the harbor from outside the gate of ferry station you can see the Statue of Liberty afar.

Spotted water taxi and a ferry coming back to Manhattan. There are so many ways to see the Statue of Liberty..

But we opt to be at the islands to see up close of the Statue and to be also in the Ellis Island. The ferry ticket goes both ways into Liberty Island and Ellis Island. It departs to the island from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, and the last ferry returns to Battery Park is by 6:30 PM. Ferries takes passengers in and out every 30 minutes.

In the ferry, we stayed on the second deck at the back (right side) don't bother to sit down on the benches if you want to see a good spot and snap a good angle of the Statue.

This was where we standing at on the ferry. Perfect spot!

 
As the ferry slowly moving away from Battery Park station you can see a beautiful panoramic view of Manhattan skyline from a big picture till it faded away when we almost reach to Liberty Island. It was magnificent.

Another splendid sight is when we approaching to Liberty Island. The ferry stops every corner of the island so we can see and take a photo of every angle of the Statue of Liberty. It's just so amazing.

This is one of the famous landmarks in the world that everyone loves to see. And for those photography enthusiast this is a good photo op. $14 is so worth it.

These people is waiting to leave Liberty Island. The ferry's took us from Manhattan to Liberty is the one will take these people back to Manhattan.

Enter the gate in the Land of Freedom.

This explain why.

DH and I with Ms. Liberty up close and personal.

One of my favorite shot of her. Was taken on the island.

 

There are  basic concessions available for sale on the Island. Perfect cause we were starving already. There is also a souvenir shop, quite pricey compare to the many merchants selling the same stuff in Manhattan.

After exploring the park grounds we're ready to go to Ellis Island. We bid goodbye to Ms. Liberty. And wait not too long to hop another ferry to take us to Ellis.

Travel Period: April 2012

Outdoor Swings

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New York Eats: Shake Shack

After our American Museum of Natural History excursion in upper east side near Central Park we were starved thankfully only few steps away we found a Shake Shack! I convinced my DH and friend that we need to try their burger that many people from online raves about. Good thing they have veggie burger in the menu so that my husband can eat with us.

I ordered Shack Stack cheeseburger and a shroom burger topped with lettuce, tomato and shacksauce, while my DH got a vegetarian one- crisp-fried Portabello filled with melted Muenster and Cheddar cheeses, topped with lettuce, tomato and shacksauce. Plus, of course, we got some fries and my favorite peanut butter frozen custard shakes. You should try their custard shake, it is soooo delicious! I loved it. :)

We each got an electronic stub. It shakin when the food is ready to pick up.

Me and my DH are enjoying shake shack's burger. The only disappoint me is they only have limited chairs and tables. Their space is very tiny, but patience of waiting rewarded us with a great view of old brick stone building of the Natural History Museum from outside. Love also their reclaimed wood dining table, chairs, the beams at the ceiling, and the entire structural building rustic design of this restaurant it feels homey. :)

The burger is not oily and so as the fries. The mushrooms with bring flavor to it. It does taste good.

Travel Period: April 2012

New York Eats: Brick Oven Pizza

When in New York one can have pizza for to go, dine in, or delivery fresh from brick oven. You don't dare not to eat their pizza because it follows you, they're everywhere! Countless merchants making their own and selling pizza in mostly every corner of the streets because of that I had problem choosing where to buy my very first NY pizza. I saw a pedestal signage board in front of a cafe has written $.79 cent a slice of pizza- it almost convince me but I have to refrain myself from buying it I want my first NY pizza as good as I can remember it forever. After few days as I meandered the streets in Rockefeller Center, I found a cafe, and from outside the street you can see at the wide glass wall in the cafe a man making a pizza dough and baking  it at the same time right there and then I went in to eat my first NY pizza.

I went straight to the man and politely ask him if I can take a photo. He allows me only not to include him. We exchange conversation a bit, he's kinda shy, all he said is they're making their pizza fresh, dough including the sauce. He assures I will gonna like their pizza. I ordered and paid, after that I went back to him to give the stub. I waited for a  couple of minutes to bake my pizza and when it's finally ready he calls me to give the pizza I am longing for. I thank the man ( I noticed the servers including him did not wear name tags, and I forgot to get his name, even the cafes name. My bad!) for everything before I head to the available table.

Verdict? 5 stars. The thin crust have both crunchy and gooey (some part crunchy, some part gooey). The fun of eating it is when the mozzarella stretch as far as you can. It doesn't cut until you bite it. I love NY pizza. No doubt.

Travel Period: April 2012