Monday, 22 July 2013
And that concludes my USA trip...
Day 18
Honestly these last few days in the US were pretty empty/slow since after Jersey, I was really mellow and going at a very relaxed pace. Day 18 was pretty much dedicated to souvenir shopping. Loaded up with chocolate from the Herscheys store, as well as a few Friends memorabilia from the NBC store, I went and waited in line at TKTS in Times Square for discounted tickets to Avenue Q (40% off). Ended up waiting in line for about 75 minutes before I got my tickets, but thankfully, once you buy once, if you decide to go see another show in the following seven days, you get to go straight to the front of the line. Definitely was going to use that advantage.
Wednesday, 17 July 2013
Avalon thankfully nothing like the Jersey Shore...
Day 15
ROAD TRIP!! My friend, Dave, who I met while backpacking three years ago lives in New Jersey and he said he would pick me up from Newark (North NJ) and we'd head to his holiday house in Avalon way at the bottom of NJ. A short train ride later, I was in Newark station waiting for my ride. And it was dirty. Not only that, there were hobos everywhere and I actually felt a bit unsafe just sitting in one spot so I constantly walked around. I guess it was my own fault for getting there half an hour early. Upside though was that the station had a strong police presence so that put me at ease slightly.
ROAD TRIP!! My friend, Dave, who I met while backpacking three years ago lives in New Jersey and he said he would pick me up from Newark (North NJ) and we'd head to his holiday house in Avalon way at the bottom of NJ. A short train ride later, I was in Newark station waiting for my ride. And it was dirty. Not only that, there were hobos everywhere and I actually felt a bit unsafe just sitting in one spot so I constantly walked around. I guess it was my own fault for getting there half an hour early. Upside though was that the station had a strong police presence so that put me at ease slightly.
Sunday, 14 July 2013
The city where dreams supposedly come true...
Day 13
After a good night's rest on Jen's couch, I was ready to set out and see what NYC had to offer with Nikki as my tour guide. Unfortunately it was a really gloomy day. Low hanging clouds forced us to postpone our trip up to the top of the Empire State Building, with visibility very poor according to the staff working there. I believe the exact words were "you can go up but I don't see the point". Despite the weather, I still had a really full day in terms of sightseeing. First stop was Grand Central Station, which I initially didn't think was that impressive mainly because I wasn't in the grand foyer part. Once I entered the large open area, I understood why it was such a tourist attraction, but honestly, I thought Antwerp's train station was more impressive (one of the largest in Europe).
After a good night's rest on Jen's couch, I was ready to set out and see what NYC had to offer with Nikki as my tour guide. Unfortunately it was a really gloomy day. Low hanging clouds forced us to postpone our trip up to the top of the Empire State Building, with visibility very poor according to the staff working there. I believe the exact words were "you can go up but I don't see the point". Despite the weather, I still had a really full day in terms of sightseeing. First stop was Grand Central Station, which I initially didn't think was that impressive mainly because I wasn't in the grand foyer part. Once I entered the large open area, I understood why it was such a tourist attraction, but honestly, I thought Antwerp's train station was more impressive (one of the largest in Europe).
Friday, 12 July 2013
I didn't go to Orlando, I went to Harry Potter World...
Day 10
Woke up to pack my things before enjoying one final meal with my cousins at a great little café which called Breakfast Klub (all the C's were replaced with K's so I loved this place). They were famous for their Southern hospitality, which I definitely felt straight away everyone working there, as well as their signature dish of Waffles and Wings. Combined on the same plate, it was an interesting (and delicious) experience to eat wings slightly dusted in sugar. And once you finished the wings, you poured the syrup and ate the waffles. I contemplated dipping the wings in the waffles, but alas, I just wasn't brave enough. Breakfast done, I bid farewell to my cousins and bid farewell to the Lone Star State!
Woke up to pack my things before enjoying one final meal with my cousins at a great little café which called Breakfast Klub (all the C's were replaced with K's so I loved this place). They were famous for their Southern hospitality, which I definitely felt straight away everyone working there, as well as their signature dish of Waffles and Wings. Combined on the same plate, it was an interesting (and delicious) experience to eat wings slightly dusted in sugar. And once you finished the wings, you poured the syrup and ate the waffles. I contemplated dipping the wings in the waffles, but alas, I just wasn't brave enough. Breakfast done, I bid farewell to my cousins and bid farewell to the Lone Star State!
Tuesday, 9 July 2013
Weddings bells ringing in Houston...
Day 6
The day of the wedding. The whole reason for this trip. And
it was such a perfect day. The weather was fine, even slightly cooler as if to
accommodate to those forced to wear suits. Speaking of which, I looked good in
my new suit. Definitely a good investment.
As with the Chinese weddings, the morning began with the
traditional tea ceremonies. For those unaware, this involves the bride and
groom paying their respects to their elders by offering them tea in exchange
for their well wishes (and often money and gifts). Call me old-fashioned but I
like these little traditions. It’s a nice homage to my Chinese heritage, and
honestly, a nice way to pay respects to our elders. I look forward to the day
when I get to do this at my wedding, and then further down the track, when I am
the one being offered the tea.
Friday, 5 July 2013
Viva Las Vegas and howdy Houston...
Day 3
After conking out the previous night, I found myself woken by my alarm at 9am. I tried to get up, but I knew it wasn't gonna happen. I ended up getting out of bed, going to the door, putting up the "Do Not Distub" sign and climbing back into my bed. Next thing I knew, it was 12:30pm. I had already lost the morning, but in the city that never sleeps, this was hardly an issue.
This day was quite relaxed as I explored the various hotels, casinos and shopping complexes along the strip. Lunch was a buffet at Wynn which did not even compare to the Bellagio one, but it was still good. I eventually found myself at the new retail outlet mall near the end of the strip called Fashion Show, where I ended up buying myself a navy blue Tommy Hilfiger suit for only $280USD. Everything was on sale (65% off) because of the July 4th sales, and I scored a further $25 discount from the salesman because I'm awesome! New suit in hand, I trekked it back to the hotel, trying as hard as possible to avoid venturing outdoors to the blistering heat. Word of advice: many hotels have trams/monorails that connect to each other, as well as side entrances which are relatively close to side entrances of neighbouring hotels. Use these and you should be able to minimise your time in the heat.
After conking out the previous night, I found myself woken by my alarm at 9am. I tried to get up, but I knew it wasn't gonna happen. I ended up getting out of bed, going to the door, putting up the "Do Not Distub" sign and climbing back into my bed. Next thing I knew, it was 12:30pm. I had already lost the morning, but in the city that never sleeps, this was hardly an issue.
This day was quite relaxed as I explored the various hotels, casinos and shopping complexes along the strip. Lunch was a buffet at Wynn which did not even compare to the Bellagio one, but it was still good. I eventually found myself at the new retail outlet mall near the end of the strip called Fashion Show, where I ended up buying myself a navy blue Tommy Hilfiger suit for only $280USD. Everything was on sale (65% off) because of the July 4th sales, and I scored a further $25 discount from the salesman because I'm awesome! New suit in hand, I trekked it back to the hotel, trying as hard as possible to avoid venturing outdoors to the blistering heat. Word of advice: many hotels have trams/monorails that connect to each other, as well as side entrances which are relatively close to side entrances of neighbouring hotels. Use these and you should be able to minimise your time in the heat.
Tuesday, 2 July 2013
Over, on and in the Grand Canyon...
Day 2
When I previously left off, I was getting ready for my Grand Canyon tour. I had managed to find this tour online and it happened to also be partnered by Qantas so I could claim frequent flyer points - win! It was $350 though, but hey, you gotta splurge when you're on holiday. Anyways, I had a quick nap and was up at 5:30am, ready to be picked up by the tour company (breakfast was some good ol' Cruskits that I had brought from Oz).
After some paperwork and reshuffling of people onto coaches at the tour office, we were on our way! First stop was Hoover Dam, a magnificent architectural feat on the border of Arizona and California - too bad that it wasn't full, but when you're in a desert, you're glad for whatever amount of water you have. Annoying thing happened there, a woman refused to take a photo for me. Who does that?! And it's not like she didn't know how to because she was using her own phone to take photos. After fuming and raging silently at her, I found a much nicer (and more normal) person who helped me out. After a few quick photos, we were back on the road.
When I previously left off, I was getting ready for my Grand Canyon tour. I had managed to find this tour online and it happened to also be partnered by Qantas so I could claim frequent flyer points - win! It was $350 though, but hey, you gotta splurge when you're on holiday. Anyways, I had a quick nap and was up at 5:30am, ready to be picked up by the tour company (breakfast was some good ol' Cruskits that I had brought from Oz).
After some paperwork and reshuffling of people onto coaches at the tour office, we were on our way! First stop was Hoover Dam, a magnificent architectural feat on the border of Arizona and California - too bad that it wasn't full, but when you're in a desert, you're glad for whatever amount of water you have. Annoying thing happened there, a woman refused to take a photo for me. Who does that?! And it's not like she didn't know how to because she was using her own phone to take photos. After fuming and raging silently at her, I found a much nicer (and more normal) person who helped me out. After a few quick photos, we were back on the road.
Monday, 1 July 2013
Hayden does the USA...
So it's been a while since I last posted. About three and a half years since I returned from my amazing three month stint backpacking across Europe. I thought I should continue documenting my travels, once again for those interested and for myself to read when I'm old and reminiscing about my worldly adventures. I realise now that I should have documented my awesome road trip from Adelaide to Melbourne in Australia earlier this year, but I just completely forgot about this blog. I will really endeavour to update this whenever I have a worthy adventure anywhere.
Anyways, onto this current chapter of travel. The catalyst for all this was my cousin Ginny's wedding in Houston, Texas. It had been a while since I had seen a lot of the family overseas so I took this trip as an opportunity to see everyone as well as travel the US a bit more having never ventured outside of California. Long story short, I booked my tickets, and as usual, left most things to the last minute, and would wing the rest as I went.
Anyways, onto this current chapter of travel. The catalyst for all this was my cousin Ginny's wedding in Houston, Texas. It had been a while since I had seen a lot of the family overseas so I took this trip as an opportunity to see everyone as well as travel the US a bit more having never ventured outside of California. Long story short, I booked my tickets, and as usual, left most things to the last minute, and would wing the rest as I went.
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