Cincinnati

I was in Cincinnati last spring. Cincinnati, Ohio is a sleepy town in the sense that everything closes at 5pm and the town is suddenly very very quiet. There were some stores that were permanently closed and looks like a semi ghost town in certain parts. Nothing much to see but I like it that Cinncinati is a small town that we can walk around on foot. But the city is quiet after 5pm as most people live in the suburbs. Leaving us tourists and visitors in town.

Cincinnati

 

 



Carew Tower - the second tallest building in Cincinnati with its French Art deco architecture



 

Street art anywhere

 

 

Fountain Square in Cincinnati



People gathering for free concert during spring


 

The Paul Brown Stadium which houses the football team Cincinnati Bengal

Side view of the Paul Brown Stadium

 

View of bridge crossing to Kentucky. I have a thing for bridges. We crossed the bridge across to Kentucky and went round the town for a bit. But we were creeped out because it was more like a dead town so we crossed back in by tram.

 

Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame



 

Cincinnati Ball Park - home of the Reds team

Vegetarian chili with black beans was delicious and filing!

Greeter inside the hotel elevator

First a nose

Then an ear. Oh dear what could it be??

It was just art on the shower stall wall. creepy, but cool. I stayed at the 21c Museum Hotel in Cincinnati, that's why there is artwork everywhere even in the shower!

Artwork in the National Underground Railroad Museum. This was a museum dedicated to black slave history and the movements by some people who helped shelter the slaves from their master

Actual slave house exhibited in this museum

 

Statue of Liberty

Last fall, Oct 2014 my parents & bestie came to visit NYC. We had loads of things planned and one was it was the visiting the Statue of Liberty, because come on, that is like the the icon of NY.

 

So we bought tickets online from www.statuecruises.com because this is the only website sanctioned by the US Department of Parks to actually stop on the Liberty Island and Ellis Island. If you buy it online (and it is preferable to buy the tickets weeks in advance online because during peak season you will not be able to get tickets). Once we arrived at the check point near Bowling Green, we had to go through screening much like airport security - where bags are scanned and belts and coats need to be taken off. Then we proceeded to board the ferry.

Upper deck of the ferry facing downtown Manhattan. Freedom Tower on the left side

The journey from pier to island is only about 10-15 minutes and it is such a pleasant journey with nice photo opp of downtown Manhattan and the looming Statue of Liberty. The day we traveled was late fall and it was such a windy day, everybody was shivering from the cold wind and once we reached the island we had to stop at the café on the island for a nice cup of coffee with some French fries to keep our bodies warm.

 

We were given a handheld device to listen to facts about the statue which was FOC. W then went around the statue to have a good look and the best angle to take some photos.

Lady Liberty. Once you are here, you would be surprised to find that the statue is not that big. It is tall because of the pedestal that was built to house it. This was originally a lighthouse. The natural green colour of the statue is from oxidation of the copper layer which is called patina.

Me and bestie

With parents

Viewing scope pay a quarter to see view of Manhattan from the island

Bestie horsing around with some random statue

After that all of us decided to go up to the base because our tickets were basically allows us to go up the pedestal. To go up we had to go thru another round of security, complete with scanners and all. This time they are more strict as they do not allow backpacks and food or water to be brought up inside the pedestal. Once we past security, we wen into the lobby area were the original torch was kept. there is also an in house museum which has more information on  the history of the statue.

I think this was the original torch for Lady Liberty and they had to replace it due to corrosion

We took the elevator up to the base of the statue and some stairs up and this is the view

The view from the base. On the left is New Jersey and on the right is downtown Manhattan

Under Lady Liberty's skirt. Fun fact: do you know that the thickness of the statue is only the width of a penny pressed together?? It's not that thick!

If anyone have the stamina, they can climb up the 192 steps up this spiral staircase to access Lady Liberty's crown

The very nice ranger who manned the elevator going up and down the base

Rear View of Lady Liberty

After Liberty Island we departed back to Manhattan. We didn't stop by Ellis Island because it was cold and everyone was tired and hungry (again!) after the excursion to the Statue of Liberty. But all in all, it was an enjoyable trip and a must do for anyone visiting NYC.



Sights of Rompin

From my archive: some of my favourite sights when I was in my hometown Rompin, sometime ago. Probably because of the coastal area, I've always loved the scene of swaying palm trees, the sandy beaches, the blue skies and blue ocean. One of the reasons why I like to go back to Rompin, the atmosphere feels different because it is more laidback, and somehow charming with a blend of Rompin old town and new town.

On the way to Rompin town via Pekan - Nenasi - Lanjut

Bridge at Nenasi with the boats docking. When I reach here on my journey, I know that Rompin town is not far off, probably another 20 minutes or so.

When we were little and travel back to Rompin from Kedah or Kelantan or wherever we may be, my parents always makes it mandatory to stop and stay a night at this rest house - now called Puteri Inn

This is the landmark for Bandar Rompin - watermelon! Unable to get a good shot as this was situated at the junction.





Another thing Rompin is famous for is the udang galah because it is near the Sg Rompin. About RM45 per kilo for Grade A type udang galah. 

View in front of Tok's house

This is me inside looking out the scenery just from the front door

Close-up of the scenery - with this kind of scenery, you would feel relaxed and feel green

Nasi dagang wrapped in daun simpul only in Rompin! As opposed to most nasi dagang Terengganu which is wrapped in banana leaf

Nasi dagang with lauk ikan tongkol

Rompin old town where mak used to live with her family when she was little until the shoplot burned down (left side of the road)

Best roti canai in town, still soft even after a few hours. It was reported that Jalan-Jalan Cari Makan came here to report and cover about the roti canai, many many years ago

Cape Sounion, Greece

I was very inspired by Cape Sounion when I wrote this blog. So here goes..


Therein in Cape Saunion lies a temple which was dedicated to Poseidon, the God of sea by offering gifts, prayers and sacrifices to avoid misfortune. One can't help but feel that the people of Greece really love their ancient Gods and value the rich history that makes Greece what it is today.

Our journey to Cape Saunion started around 5pm in the afternoon on a hot summer's  day. The journery  by coach took about 1.5 hours out from the city. It is a pleasant drive with scenery of beautiful people, houses, and the sea....the sea is the best view of all, as it is clear blue, fresh and slightly cold as it is just the beginning of summer. The sea follows us all the way from Athens to Cape Saunion. On the way, we saw many people parked by the roadside to take a swim in the sea, some are private beaches, some are public beaches, the Greeks do love their sea.

From far the temple sits atop a hill overlooking the Aegean sea

As we inched closer to Cape Sounion, we could see the hill with the temple on top. The bus driver obligingly stopped for us to take some pictures while the guide was giving us some background story of the temple. Even from far, it is beautiful. We continued on till we reached the foothill. There was an entrance fees of 6 euro. Then we climb up the hill which has a breath taking view below where there's a resort and a private beach which would be full come summer. For now its idyllic with just the occasional visitor.

 

Breath taking view of the Aegean sea as we climb up the hill to see the temple

The Temple of Poseidon

It was said that this temple was where Zeus stayed during the day and at night he would travel back to Athens to preside over. I can see why Zeus wanted to stay here during the day. The air is fresh and breezy, the view is breath taking with maybe a 100 foot drop down the sea and the sun set is just magnificient. I don't know how Zeus traveled and I would imagine being a God, he would be able to fly or in a blink of an eye just traveled back and fro Athens and here just to catch the sunset. The Greeks believed that the gods are immortal, could change shape and can travel anywhere instantaneously.

Don't know what is this phenomenon, but looks like the cloud is eclipsing the sun as it inches down to set

 

We waited till sunset to enjoy the view

The trip to Cape Saunion is one of the most memorable trip in Greece. Not because the temple was so magnificient but because of where it is situated made you feel like you are on top of the world - here to enjoy God's creation. Historically, the temple also served its purpose as a watch tower over the sea for invading troops as it has a vantage point for lookout.