#throwback to Gossip Girl

Everything I think of NYC, the first thing that comes to mind is Gossip Girl. I would dream of the Grand Central Station, and how the girls ...

Everything I think of NYC, the first thing that comes to mind is Gossip Girl. I would dream of the Grand Central Station, and how the girls were always hanging around upper east side and the steps of the New York Public Library. And then there were the TedTalks the spoke about public spaces and all the beautiful parks in NYC. I was more than excited to see all these for myself.

In all, we traveled around NYC for 8 days and took a day trip out to the Jersey Short Outlet for a day. The $31 one week travel card was a great discount (until I lost mine and had to buy another) and we never used any of the city passes. We weren't interested in most of the observation decks stuff and the museums we visited went by donations, which meant we could pay as much/little as we liked. The only tour we took was a walking tour that went by donations as well. We could pay as much as we wanted at the end of the tour and that left us with much more budget for food.

While we were there, we stayed at an airbnb apartment in Harlem. It's a black people neighbourhood and it was generally safe as long as we didn't return too late at night. Ed said he heard gunshots and saw drunks on New Year's Eve after the countdown, so celebrations might be an exception. Otherwise, the house was wonderful and cosy and located just 20 mins (or less) by metro to everything.

 Outside Chelsea market. The first day we arrived we went to Chelsea market only to find it close, cos it was Christmas. The next time we went back, it was on new year's eve and most of the shops closed early. Guess we never got to fully see the sights and sounds of the market.

 The highline. A public park that was converted from an abandoned rail road site, built at a height from the ground. I wish Singapore did the same with the KTM tracks. This is probably one of my favourite places in new york city. 

 The Grand Central Terminal 

 Can anyone spot a Serena? Ahaha

 The exterior facade of the Grand Central Terminal and the Chrysler building
 Walking around the super packed and congested Times Square 


 The Metropolitan Museum of Art. It was so crowded and there are so many exhibits. To think I thought the Anthropology museum in Mexico City was huge!

 Guggenheim museum. We went on the free thursday night and the queue was so long it went round the block 

 Naruto ramen, at the upper east side, surprisingly affordable and the portion is so huge, I couldn't finish my noodles. 

 Taken outside Grey's Papaya, a hot dog store. It was recommended on some of the sites and I thought we try it, but it turns out to be nothing fantastic. 

American museum of natural history. Surprisingly this museum needed us to queue too, despite normal opening hours. And likewise it was packed inside. The exhibits are mostly about animals and are more suitable for families though


 Central park. Now I know why it is so important. Because its the only non crowded area within this bustling and noisy city. 

 Most fascinating thing I saw in the Central was probably this bunch of people throwing the disc and doing tricks out of them with every catch. Didn't take a photo cos I didn't want to be rude, but I never knew people actually does this with the disc

 This looks amazing. Totally out of every movie scene 


 How could we not visit the Statue of Liberty. I did however regret not doing enough research and booking the pedestal/crown tickets prior, which allows us to access the interior of the statue. Our USD$18 ticket only brought as around the statue and to a museum on the nearby island.

 UMAMI burger. Ed and I had such a great time singing this little tune we made for it and we're still singing it now that we're back 
 The New York Public Library! So upset the main reading room was closed, but nonetheless, it's a dream to see the steps of this place. Couldn't imagine how they shot the scenes with so many people going in and out all the time though. 

 We went early in the morning and queued for an hour for a cheap broadway ticket, but the cheapest we got was CHICAGO and there were no regrets, cos it so good! I'm absolutely in love with the cast and the Mr. Cellophane song is still stuck in my head. 

This was my favourite song in the musical, this is a school's rendition, can't beat the one I watched, but it's close! 


 More ramen! 

 This is built in the shape of the angel's wings to commemorate the tragedy of 9/11

Where one of the world trade centers once stood 

 Trinity church 

 Wall street! Like wolf of wall street, ahaha.

 Inside trinity church

 Near the court houses 

 Chinatown. Everything seems so much cheaper here 

 A few blocks away and its little Italy! 

 Soho! Apparently all these fancy patterns on the buildings are casted iron overlaying plain brick walls

 The brooklyn bridge 

 We hung out here from daylight till nightfall on new year's eve





Hi, I'm Melissa from the sunny island of Singapore! I'm currently into water colour painting and party ware goodies. Check out my carousell store on the sidebar!

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