Union Square

One of the most colorful places I've visited in NY. It felt like UP in some kind of way because there were artist, musicians, and people of every color going about spending a lazy early evening. This was almost 7pm summer sun still way up looking like 3pm. We were waiting for S and G to meet us for our dinner in one of the Vietnamese restaurants in the area. All these happening with Jamaican beat on the background. We were just sitting there on the steps at Union Square watching people pass by.

be who you are!

borrowed this from M's blog

I am a fan of Dr Suess, that is why when I was in New York, I went to Strand Bookstore and bought baby a huge Dr. Suess book on sale 6 books in 1 for only 5$. Will post more about Strand in future post.

Lady Liberty

One of my most memorable visit is my time with Lady Liberty and Ellis Island. She is immense and awe inspiring to say the least. I had a very contemplative early afternoon with her. I ate pandesal the sandwich that E prepared for me that morning while staring and straining my neck looking up to her. The wind was blowing and the sun shining. The island is filled of people from all over the world. I've seen her so many times in the movies and tv but it is indeed quiet a different solemn experience spending a summer afternoon with her. What she represents and what freedom means to each one of us.

NYC

My first day in New York.

My first at New York City!

This is my first view and photo of New York City after emerging from the subway at Penn Station. It is just an ordinary photo but for me this is my first ever photo of NYC. Like I mentioned in my previous post, NY has been in bucket list of places to visit for as long as I can remember.

Many more photos and post to come! NY is such a photogenic city!

The Olive Garden, NYC

Straight from JFK International airport we headed to the Olive Garden restaurant. M and E picked me up in their silver sedan with a small Philippine flag at that back and we arrived just a few minutes before the Italian restaurant opened that morning.

It was one of the best salad, pizza and pasta I've tasted. I guess it is more evident because I was eating airline food the past weeks hehehe.

M and E are pregant and expecting a baby that week. I am so grateful to them for welcoming me into their home in New York. During lunch they told me that they are transferring houses that week as well so many things going on. Then they provided me with a map of mid-town Manhattan where I can spend the rest of the afternoon. Maan lent me his unlimited train pass and oriented me with the map. E gave me a box of Stride along with the tips of what to doin the subway. I said no problem as I've been on the trains in Sydney and HKG so I think I will have no problem. (but wait, the train stories merit a special post all its own. Will do that in the coming days).

So there, we had our delicious Italian lunch and off we went to see the new place their renting near Flatbush Ave. in Brooklyn. Then they dropped me off at Flatbush subway station.

I was soooooo excited to say the least to finally see NY. It has been in my bucket list for years!!!

South Beach andun ako!

After a refreshing nap, we decided to have a walk on the beach. And it is not just one ordinary beach. Yes! it is the famous South Beach. Kung saan pinangalan ang diet ng South Beach Diet hahahahaha :) kakatuwa! It is one of the longest white beach I've visited. K said it goes up to Ft. Lauderdale. It is a public beach very much nicer than Waikiki Beach in Hawaii.

Top photo shows a sign of a turtle nest. We found these marked along the beach. These nest are protected by Federal Law. We saw a couple of these turtle nest.

What's so nice about summer in the US is the sun is up til 10PM.

memories of palawan

In Miami, K was kind enough to open her home for me to stay in. When I entered the house and saw the futon it distinctly reminded me of my room in Palawan. I met K in circa 1997 when she was Peacecorp for Sibuyan. It was only after 10 years that I met her again. Thanks to D who is a close friend of K. Everywhere in the house there are reminders of the Philippines. The bathroom mirror there is the Ifugao fertility necklace. Here in the photo the native backpack. I really had a good afternoon nap and dozed off after I took this picture of my foot and the surf board.

Miami Everglades

One of the state national parks in Florida is the Everglades. It is a huge flowing river that is only a few inches deep. That Saturday morning, K drove up to Ft Lauderdale and we drove up to the Everglades. We got into one of the small airboats. These airboats glide over the water it is powered by a genuine airplane propeller. We had to wear earplugs while were riding on it. It was an amazing ride with the wind blowing in your face and no seat belts. The whole great expanse of the Everglades before you. I imagined myself a true explorer those that I watch only on TV or movies. There are alligators all around. Birds flying. Even heard that anacondas can be found in these waters.

exploring the canals

Ft. Lauderdale canals. I took this photo on top of Pier 66.

The top photo was taken at the top floor of the Pier 66 tower. You can see the convention center just behind the draw bridge with the shiny windows. I was really excited to take a picture of the bridge with the roads up in an angle.

water taxi

Here are my friends from Vanuatu from L to R: Kalo, Chris and Zaidy. We went for a ride on the water taxi with Toni. We only did the outbound route and didnt have time to see the inbound route.

It was mind blowing how much these mansions and boats cost as narrated by the tour guide. We saw the Miami Vice house, Tarzan's house, Cher and Lucille Ball's mansions and other boats seen on movies. Instead of cars in their garage each mansion have boat parked outside their homes.

trolley surprise

On Thursday, there was a long lunch break so Zaidy (my friend from Vanuatu) and I decided to check out the nearby shops. it was really hot humid day. on our way back we saw a trolley parked in a corner and since there are no tricyle or bus or taxi in sight we dashed from behind the trolley and got a ride. I was trying to get a dollar from my purse when someone said "they are free on thursdays"! Wow I thought what luck! We decided to take a short ride to see the sights and went back just in time to catch the last batch of talks before the banguet dinner. We took this photo when got off the trolley! God is good all the time, indeed!

imax

We got free tickets to watch Deep Sea 3D at Ft. Lauderdale IMAX theater. it was yet to be released and the tickets were a special screening for the ICRS participants. Ticket ran out fast. This was my first ever full length 3D film on IMAX.

beer bottle

There were flowing drinks at the evening receptions four days in a row. What really intrigued me was the bottle of beers. when I asked for a bud light, i realized that the bottle was made of plastic. I asked the bar tender why and he said "because of the games".

And I noted that the bud light bottle was re-sealable :)

babies at icrs

There were many babies at the symposium. How I wish that baby can be with me. This mom looks super cool!

M at Seattle was giving me the Kelty baby carrier like this one in the photo. But I opted not to bring as baby Isay already uses one that was made by R for his baby H. We used it in HK last year when baby Isay was just a year old.

Thanks M for reserving that one for little bro.

the bus

This is the bus that took us to the convention center everyday except the first day when we walked from the Bridge at Cordova. It is a modern bus but the design is the classic truck like front which is really interesting.

We didnt stay in the listed hotels but we got this good place for boat crew people as Ft Lauderdale is a yatching community there are many accommodations that are mini apartments with complete kitchen and ensuite bathrooms. All that for only $155 per week per person! Great deal!

Seaweb: journalist and scientist

This photos was during the Seaweb reception where scientist and journalist was face to face trying to understand each other. It was funny and a bit intense in some parts. i think they have an update on this in their website and will refer you to them for the details.

it was good to meet Pulitzer prize winner Ken Weiss of LA Times here ( the white haired guy behind the vase of flowers) only posting partly hidden photos here.

I wasnt able to finish my chardonay.

apple juice

We had blueberry muffins and apple juice for snacks the first day. I was happy to have apple juice as I rarely have these at home. But it was only the first day that they serve this. The next 4 days sobra nag tipid na coffee na lang ba sa umaga. In the afternoon coffee then popcorn...can you imagine? and then next day coffee and ice cream popsicles but I enjoyed it na rin. :) kakatuwa lang idea naisip ko para hindi mailagay sa bag ng mga utaw.

turtle in the carpet

This is one of the lobbies in the convention center in Ft. Lauderdale. Sobra lang akong naaliw sa carpet because the theme are all marine animals :) I love this photo! This is just outside the 3 ballrooms were the reef management and reef restoration presentations were made.

There was free wi-fi to boot in this area.

Opening Ceremonies at 11th ICRS

This is the opening ceremonies last July 7th. I was funny in a way it was very short and different from the opening ceremonies in Okinawa 4 years ago with all the drums and cultural dances.