Long awaited post; USA/CANADA 2011!

Gonna blog about my year end trip now.
It'd be pretty lengthy, so don't say I didn't warn youuuu.

On board our Emirates flight to Dubai! Seriously the most comfortable flight ever, plus there are stars on the ceiling when they turn off the lights... *v* And the food was fantastic too, which adds onto the already great service that we had on board. Touch screen in-flight entertainment!! ^^

Singapore to Dubai - 7 hours
Transit in Dubai - 3 hours

Dubai to New York - 14 and a half hours

Let's hear it for Newyorkkkkkkk! We landed and despite feeling a little jetlagged because I virtually didn't get any sleep at all on the flight. We were more pumped up about surprising my cousins, as they had no idea that we were on the same tour as them. But when we were finally able to do so, they all had knowing grins on their faces. After exchanging a few barbs, we were all geared up for the 2 weeks Vacation in USA/Canada! First stop was the United Nations HQ followed by Times Square where I witnessed happy sales ladies dancing to the latest radio heats whilst working @ Sephora. It was such a jubilant and lively atmosphere! :) Really brings in the holiday mood. 

Empire State Building was up next! It always reminds me of the scene where Chuck was waiting for Blair at the top of the Empire State Building. We didn't stay for long as winter has short days and longer nights so we hurried over to Grand Central Station. Again, it's just like in the movies just a little more real this time now that we were at the site itself. Ended the night by checking into Sheraton Parsippany Hotel in New Jersey! They served the most delicious breakfast and a huge assortment of choices too. Off to Boston for the day to visit MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) + Quincy Market!  

I still remembering going on a rampage in Victoria Secrets. They have the most amazingly comfortable underwear. If i had known it's such a good fit, i'd prolly have purchased more. What's more, the lotions are a must-buy since they are so cheap. Visited A&F, American Outfitters, Gap, Aeropostale, etc since they are all in Quincy Market. It was deadly cold that night, maybe around 7degrees or less? And i was suffering from a really bad flu that night, so it didn't make things any better :( We spent most of the time travelling between places, so it was a real chore having to sit in the coach for such a lengthy period of time. Spent the night in Exeter, New Hampshire. 

Heading North for Canada on this day! The tour guide told us to gear up for the harsh winter as it would be -15 degrees in Quebec. (*Cue Jawdrop). Lunch stop was in Vermont right before we crossed the borders to Canada. Met two really cute old ladies who struck up a conversation with Yewt and I. Really friendly and warm people in the town there. Smooth transition at the immigration side and we were finally in Quebec! It's a beautiful place, and it topped the favourites on our list. Just a handful of photos below to show you the snow-capped views and snapshots that we managed to capture. It was however, a teeth-chattering -15 degrees at that point of time so we were really struggling to keep warm. Struggling but with huge smiles of course, it was a splendid sight :> 

Super super super... Statuesque. Can't seem to find the right word to describe the place. But anyway, we had heaps of fun playing with the snow flurries and taking tons of pictures. And my joke of a sister always makes the most classic of expressions, it is really her misfortune for letting me capture it on my camera because i've been publicizing the picture everywhere. I have also developed it to put in the family album, both the actual and zoomed in version (as seen below, #1 and #2 pictures). 

The #3 photo above really makes her look like an eskimo and a paddington bear at the same time. IT IS VERY FUNNY. HAHAHA. Couldn't take it. She doesn't seem to find it as hilarious as everyone else did, when i zoomed into her face and showcased it to the other 7 people. Hehe. Anyway, the cold was getting to our head so we stopped by one of the quaint cafes to grab some hot chocolate. Mom got us 13 macaroons to share too! I have a weakness for them, plus the ones we got there was so very tasty. ^^ Visited the Parliament Hill in Ottawa before proceeding to 1000 islands in Ontario! Western lunch at a little cafe there, by the rockport :) Hit the streets of Toronto at night, the H&M there was so huge and so many things was going at like... 9 SGD? Madddd cheap. Also because it's the pre-christmas and pre-boxing day sales so everything was so cheaply priced. Explored Toronto the next day :) (Old City Hall, CN Tower, Uni of Toronto, etc) 

The long awaited destination... Niagara Falls ^^ Nothing can beat the sights of this place. Niagara falls is the collective name for the 3 different falls over there - Horseshoe Falls, American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. Niagara falls forms the international border, like a bridge, between Newyork and Canada! Ontario to be specific. We had a really panaromic view of the entire falls plus the weather was on our side, it was shining brightly that day plus a rainbow appeared in the mid day for us to wow at. Honestly, the place was really beautiful :B :) :P Hehe. So glad I got the chance to see one of the natural wonders of the world, alongside the few others i have got the chance to see. We got to take a walk down Falls Avenue and shopped a little before being taken to the Skylon Tower where we could look down on the Niagara Falls! Took even more awesome pictures from the top, as seen below. 

Then we were taken to the falls again, to catch another glimpse of it at night. It's still so lovely :B Then we crossed over the Canada Border to complete our journey by catching a glimpse of Niagara Falls from the America side, since there are both sides to the Falls. We couldn't take the boat ride as it was far too cold, boat rides were stopped in late October. Apparently, one of the streams actually froze into a huge block of icicle which fell eventually. And this could have hurt people or caused a huge tide to ensue, so they stopped the boat rides after Winter season is in full force.  

Travelled to Philadelphia and we went to Hershey's Chocolate Factory. Everyone went on a crazy chocolate frenzy as we only had an hour to grab all the chocolates we want to purchase before they close for the day, it was Xmas Eve so they were closing early. We celebrated Christmas way later than everyone in Singapore as we were 13 hours behind! Haha. On Christmas Day itself, we travelled to Washington. Toured around Capitol Hill, The White House, Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial :) I've always had a huge interest in History, this never waned even years after taking History back in Secondary School. Haha. Independence Bell was in Pennsylvania, which was our last stop. 

Got to see the Statue of Liberty the next day!!! :D It was so huge. We had to take a ferry to Liberty Island to see it actually. Haha. Back to New York after that. Wall Street next, right after we got to see the remains of what's left behind of the 911 incident. An almost solemn atmosphere hung around the Battery Park where the Sphere was at, it was as though it had never left. Can't quite envision the number of people who have been directly and indirectly affected by the tragic incident. It's sad really. After which, Mom and I popped by Trinity Church which is the church opposite Wall Street. The church experienced a surge in visitors after the 911 incident, apparently many of those who had to seek solace there were involved in the tragedy.. some way or another. It's a beautiful church, and we could only sit through the first part of service before it was time to go. Kinda reminds me of masses that I had to go through back in STC and Kellock days. Something I'd miss, especially the signs of peace we'd give each other in the form of hugs and virtual handshakes. Our trip ended off with shopping at Woodsbury before we took a really long flight back to Singapore the following day. 

Newyork to Dubai - 15 hours

Transit in Dubai - 6 hours (!!!!!)

Dubai to Singapore - 7 hours

And so I conclude my rather lengthy post on my year end trip. I am really tired, gotta run! HAPPY CNY EVERYONE ^^ I love this festive season. Hehe :D