Monday

Start of NY pass exploration. Today's a chilly day, think it's prob under 10deg thru'out. =P

First stop - Circle Line Cruise (Semi-circle cruise): a 2hr cruise past some of NY's most memorable landmarks, bringing us to a nose away from Statue of Liberty and presenting a bird's eye view of the breathtaking Manhatten skyline. Freaking freezy tho' when the winds blew, as we sat bravely, stuck chilled to the benches on upper deck. Others remained warm within the inner sheltered decks.


The infamous, elegant Liberty Lady


The postcard skyline


The Brooklyn Bridge

Next stop - United Nations Headquarters: a suprisingly enjoyable, educational 45min tour that brought us into the General Assembly Hall and the Council Chambers (Security, Trustee and Economic & Social), and clarified some of the common misconceptions abt peacekeeping, environment and humanity issues. Worth a visit for those who want to inject a little more meaning into touristy itinerary.


The UN Headquarters Building


Some of the 192 national flags beautifully a-fluttering

Third stop - Empire State Building Observation Deck: Breathtaking 360 deg view of the entire NY state. We were up there abt 7pm and the thermometer prob read 3 deg. Standing on the 86th floor with only iron grills breaking any falls, the wind was howling and the moon was a bright round pale yellow. The mouth cannot help but fall open at the sight of zillions of lights twinkling simultaneously below.


Skyline I


Skyline II

Final stop - Madame Tussauds NY: We looked, touched, stroked, caressed the wax figures of some of the VVIPs e.g. the Pope, Dalai Lama, Bush, Clintons, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez & Anniston, Woody Allen, Lance Armstrong, Hugh Grant etc etc. Cool. But thought the party could have been even bigger, the list of wax celebrities more exhaustive.. for there was still some faint yearning for more at the end of the 4 galleries.


Racing with Lance Armstrong


And who else but Ms Monroe

That's all for the day. Been a pretty long one. Nose nearly froze and clunk off. Dunno how it's gg to be tomorrow.

Btw, all pics uploaded are true, original copies. Gd ole trusty camera, working even at below 10deg. =)