.. Some North American Airs..

Realised that I have not been blogging for donkey years! As a sign of guilt, I have decided to put up some photos of my recent trip to US to occupy some byte space. It has always been my long cherished dream to visit the States which means I would have been to at least 4 continents of the world. Although the trip was only to the east coast but this is probably where most American history begins. It is one thing to travel on one's own and another thing to join a tour. For my very first trip to the US, I decided to join a tour instead. Firstly, I do not have to plan for anything except to pay money and to make sure I catched the plane on time. Secondly, this is my first time there and I have no idea what to expect. In Europe, the train is the mightiest but the trains in US do not instill confidence. There are many ghost stories around to deter venturing out on my own although I also have lots of assurances from friends who have been, lived and travelled there!

I guess the American dream still lights in most citizens and the by-product of its involvement in world history in the last century can be clearly seen in its many monuments in Washington. My tour group was made up mostly of people from the other parts of the US and they are of Chinese and Vietnamese origin. Thus the tour leader spoke in Mandrain, Cantonese and English (cos she cannot speak Vietnamese!). In spite of the H1N1 virus, the coach was full and there are about 3 coaches from the same agency starting the tour on the same day. Guess either we were "gangho" people or we simply are ignorant of the health scares that were going around the world! Anyway, no one was wearing a mask and walking the street of New York!

The tour started on a Sunday from New York where we visited Ground Zero where many have fallen on the faithful day of September 11 2001, Wall Street where they are now trying to save the economy and the Madoff scandal, Empire State building, United Nation HQ, Intrepid (First time i am on an aircraft carrier) and a few others. From New York, we went on to Philadelphia for the historic part of town where u see the independent bell (featured in National Treasure I). Then on to Washington for the White House (seen from afar), monuments (Lincoln, Jefferson, Washington, Vietnam war, Korean war), National History Museum (in under 1 hour, have to walk the whole museum although the focus is suppose to be on the Hope Diamond. I did see 1 statute from Easter Island) and Capital Hill (photos photos).

The elephant that grazed the entrance to the Smithsonian's National History Museum at Washington.

From Washington, we move on to Buffalo (where the original Buffalo's wings are invented) for Niagara Falls (US side) but stopping for Hershey's Chocolate World and Corning Museum along the way. It is different seeing the falls with your naked eyes and from photos or website. It is magnificent! From the border, we crossed over to Canada to be overwhelmed by the Niagara Falls (Took the maid on the mist boat cruise, lunch on top of the Skylon Tower and IMAX experience) again before heading towards Ontario. Surprised to find that just off main shoreline of Ontario are offshore islands where it looks like u are in Amazon and not near one of the busiest city in Canada!

42th Street in New York. Musicals tinkling but no time for any!

External metal staircase found in old buildings along New York Street. This kind of architecture will have failed current fire Safety regulations.

After Ontario, we were ferried to Ottawa which is the Capital (Honestly, I have no idea that Ottawa is the Capital. Tot it was Ontario which also starts with "O".). Before we hit Ottawa, we went on a Thousand Islands cruise (islands that lie between US and Canada) where we were treated to the views of holiday homes belonging to the rich and famous. Some of the houses look like they are going sinking. Wannabe Robinson Crusoe may find these islands good training ground!

A house on one of the islands of Thousand Islands.

In Ottawa, our coach broke down and we were stranded in the vicinity of Ottawa University for a few hours before we were rescued and delivered to Montreal. What did we do in Montreal? Had dinner, stayed overnight and then left for Quebec the following morning. Quebec is a nice old town that resembles Europe. In Quebec, a must to visit the La Citadelle (motto: Je me souviens or I remember) and old town of Quebec.

I tot this is pretty interesting. Should consider having such stickers for toilet seats in Singapore.

Quebec was the last place we visited in Canada before going back to USA. Forward we travelled to Boston where Harvard and MIT are! Had wanted to get a Havard or MIT sweater but the designs at the Quincy Market were not very nice. Anyway it is too hot to wear a sweater in Singapore. What else is famous in Bostom? Lobsters! I do not take lobster so I watched while the others ate.

Trash from Harvard! Just to show they are human too!

The empty shell of a lobster head! Cost US$14 to have a whole lobster.

Cannot remember where this was taken. Probably Canada.

Beholds the magnificance of the fall!

In this set of chess, the pawns are made of chess!!

In Boston too, my mum met up with her friend who is staying there with her family. After Boston, is time to go home! Our plane took off from New Jersey Newark and this marked the end of my first USA trip!

Planning for a followup trip soon! I still have not visited their factory outlets or shake hand with American Mickey mouse!

"The true value of dialogue is not to be found solely in the results it produces but also in the process of dialogue itself, as two human spirits engage with and elevate each other to a higher realm." - Words of Wisdom by Daisaku Ikeda