Can you imagine yourself in an exotic place where cool sea breeze greets you every day and night? If after a hard days work, on your way back home a genie happens to meet you and asks you to wish for something, what would you wish for? Obviously, it would be ‘Money’ since this is the most essential need of present day expensive life. Now, the question is what would you do with that money? Will you go for shopping, buy cars, latest gizmos, jewelry or a destination where you can party whole day long and watch sunset while walking barefoot on cool sand of beaches?

Freeport Bahamas is a city located on the Grand Bahama Island and is a free trade zone and the hub of commercial activities on the island. Freeport, Grand Bahama Island is the ultimate tourist destination where you can spend some time far from the madding crowd of cities. It is one of those most enchanting tourist destinations where one feels rejuvenated and spends time relaxing on far stretched white beaches.

There are numerous fun and adventurous activities that you can enjoy doing in Freeport Bahamas:

• The reef and corals ( the island has third largest reef of the world)
• Bone fishing and saltwater fishing
• Sea diving
• Windsurfing
• Scuba diving
• Golfing
• Beach Combing
• Casino Gambling
• Snorkeling, hiking, biking

Besides sport activities you can also enjoy the flavor of Freeport night life. It seems as if whole world has come alive in the dark and you will be treated with live performances of the bands of Bahamian and reggae music. This is not yet the end of nightlife in Freeport Bahamas as you have many hotspots in the city that rock with music and are filled with aroma of native liquor. Whether you want to have a laid-back time sipping cocktails at a bar on the beach or you’re ready to dance all night, you’ll find this all in Freeport. For club-mongers some of the chic clubs are available including Amnesia, Club Rock & Roll, and Illusions.

Whole of the Bahamas is renowned for its scenic beauty, beaches and turquoise blue color sea. There is no difference in the day and nights of Freeport as city keeps buzzing with tourist activities every hour. Some of the most beautiful places that must not be missed at any cost are:
• Lucayan National Park
• Pinetree Stables
• Grand Bahama Brewing Company
• Xanadu Undersea Adventures
• UNEXSO Dive Shop
• Watersports at Pirates of Bahamas
• Rand Memorial Natural Center
• Peterson Cay
• Cooper’s castle

If you want to see the ethnic culture of the city, travel towards Freeport Bahamas downtown which embodies the essence of Bahamian culture and traditions. The downtown market has some strip malls, bunch of local shops and corners where you can get some utility and eatables. But this is interesting place to be in since here you can find native people who are warm hearted and welcoming in nature.

Situated along with a handful of other striking and picturesque islands in the Eastern Caribbean, lies the unique island of St. Lucia. With charming small towns, “drive through” volcano, stunning bays and beaches and rich plantations of bananas, you really can’t get enough of St. Lucia and its beauty.

Check out the ‘can’t-miss’ list of attractions and activities you can explore at the Caribbean island of St. Lucia.

Pigeon Island

Pigeon Island is a beautiful and mysterious tourist attraction of this Caribbean island, with all sorts of relaxation and holiday features. Tourists and visitors on trip to St. Lucia often take a break by unwinding in the peaceful and not so crowded beaches of this island. The secluded Pigeon Island is a perfect way to enjoy your holiday in St. Lucia with no crowd around. The island is also home to the old, yet well preserved forts and barracks, used in the 1700s by the British. Many tourists and visitors prefer this island for its romantic and mysterious environment.

The Pitons

Pitons or the Peaks, Gros Piton and Petit Piton are among UNESCO’s world heritage sites. The twin peaks are another amazing tourist attraction worth visiting when on a trip to St. Lucia. You can always have adventure by climbing or trekking through one of these peaks. The climbing here may be a little exhausting but offers a view that makes it well worth it. Do not forget to take a water bottle and camera with you.

Marigot Bay

Marigot bay is known as the heaven of this Caribbean island, especially for those tourist and visitors who love to sail. This tourist attraction also pleases those looking for coconut palms, sandy beaches and some of the best eating joints. For those on a trip to St. Lucia with the family, this Bay acts as a perfect picnic destination. You can take fun rides on the yachts parked on the harbour.

Sulphur Springs

This tourist attraction offers hot and steaming springs, often visited by tourist and visitors looking to capture something unusual in their trip to St. Lucia. The springs are also near the Diamond botanical gardens and Toraille waterfalls. For those looking for more than a hot baths, jungle biking at Anse Chastanet brings an adventure filled journey through orchids and French colonial ruins.

Best time to holiday in St. Lucia

This Caribbean island is an amazing holiday destination and the best time for a vacation at St. Lucia is from mid December to mid of April.

Mexico is known for its climate, cuisine, cathedrals and colonial architecture. With some of the best tourist destinations for travelers and tourists from all over the world, Mexico dazzles all with its glittering and vivid nightlife, historical places, museums, theatres and striking cities.

The following are some of the places you must visit when holidaying in Mexico:

El Zocalo

This famous tourist spot is a plaza surrounded by a cathedral, coffee shops and has a rich historical and architectural value. The best time to enjoy the plaza is at night, when it’s surrounded with tourists and visitors, their to enjoy a band playing in the center. When on a holiday to Mexico, you can always enjoy a great evening by visiting the plaza and watching dancing and listen to music out in the open.

Palacio de Bellas Artes

This white structure of marble is another famous tourist spot in Mexico and is situated at one corner of Alameda Central. The Palacio also displays museums like Museo de la Arquitectura and Museo Del Palacio de Bellas Artes. With an art centre and a huge concert hall, the place is often surrounded by tourists and visitors waiting to experience the richness of sculptures, arts and paintings during their Mexican holiday. The museums also hold a collection of renowned artists like David Alfro Siqueiros, Rufino Tamayao and Diego Rivera. The glass curtain of the theater’s stage is another major attraction that draws large number of tourist and visitors to it.

Templo Mayor

A holiday in Mexico is not complete without a visit to the major temple of Aztecs which has a rich historical value to it. Built in the year 1375, this temple was later rebuilt and enlarged in different phases. The museum also has a remarkable museum, exhibiting artifacts or objects excavated from the original site and these relic objects also provide an outline to Aztec civilization. The stone art work is also a reason for those holidaying in Mexico to visit this tourist spot.

Guanajuato

Found in 1558, this colonial gem of Mexico is a city with a rich historical background and is worth taking a trip to when on a holiday in Mexico. This city adds a touch of history and beauty to your Mexican holiday with its amazing architecture, ancient buildings, narrow valley, museums, churches, irregularly but gorgeously positioned streets and houses, hidden plazas, underground tunnels and steep stairways to reach the houses built on slopes. The city is a major tourist spot because of being it declared a world heritage site by UNESCO.

Zona Rosa

This downtown region is great tourist spot for tourists and visitors looking for relaxation during their Mexican holiday. The place is home to shopping, dining and dazzling nightlife with streets displaying amazing shops, bars, cafes, hotels and restaurants.

Best tome to holiday in Mexico

The ideal time for a Mexican holiday is in the months of July and August, but October and May are also the right time because of the pleasant weather.

Turning out completely different then i inteded it to be.Touristing at became somewhat of a challenge to me not only in technical ways.I always wanted to do a project with self representation (even though i feel slightly uncomfortable in front of a camera) and i thought the Aritst in Residence would be a good opportunity to portrait myself as a Tourist in Coimbra. At first i was planning to shoot the pictures myself with an external self release shutter but unfortunately it stopped working after one shot ,so i was more or less forced to ask the most embarrasing question i could imagine to others : Can you take a picture of me ? was the sentence i was going to ask on a daily basis .After the first pictures i found out that it wasn´t that embarassing to ask at all and for others it seemed to be something pretty natural that a Tourist needs a picture of himself posing in front of some national monument.During the first days i still tried to controll a lot of how the picture was taken and what should be inside of the frame.But after i saw the first results with fingers in front of the lens, pictures taken vertically instead of horizontally i felt it was very hard to describe to others what i see and that people had their own minds of what should be inside of the frame. I had quite a hard time in the first days to let go of that creative controll i otherwise have when i do the images myself but i came to see it as a coproduction with unpredictable results.I still consider it as an unfinished project because for me it still lacks the YES thats it feeling coming up normally after I´ve finished a project so i thought i will continue with asking others to take pictures of me.

Slideshow:
http://www.theportfolioproject.org/marliesplank/touristingat/slideshow

Thailand, known as a premiere tourist destination in Southeast Asia, offered a remarkable experience for tourists from around the world. Therefore, my husband and I drove all the way from the Philippines to visit that country.

It was midnight when we landed in Thailand Airport. Once when we left our luggage and successfully complete all custom controls, we drove into the lobby. It was not as crowded as I thought, perhaps due to the fact that it is already midnight.

Wehave a room booked in Loma Resort and Spa in Pattaya, so that a taxi was everything we needed. Some drivers refused because the track was just around Bangkok. Meters with no option other drivers and was already a fixed rate amount. The price was totally inappropriate, but we have not the time to act, as we were completely exhausted. Although we had a taxi driver, the most important thing was deceived sure the resort to reach.

Pattaya, which is 150Kilometers southeast of Bangkok, was a great choice for families and couples who wanted a memorable vacation. It was famous for its vibrant nightlife, especially in Walking Street, where bars, restaurants, nightclubs, bars and cabarets, stood in each corner. Probably it was a remarkable place for single men and women, as well as gay and bisexual men.

During the day, white beaches and shopping malls would definitely very tempting. A variety of local andinternational cuisine and entertainment also contributed to Pattaya 's success as a tourist destination.

Apart from Pattaya, we are still next few days on Koh Chang – Thailand's largest island after Phuket.

We stayed at the Grand View Resort Paradise Resort & Spa on the third week of June, during the early rainy season. The weather was no obstacle for some rain forest adventures, such as elephant trekking and motorcycle driving experience. Scenic ViewWaterfalls and Buddhist temples were magnificent, like the beaches, restaurants, bars and resorts.

The trip would be complete without a stay in Bangkok. We stayed at the JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok, two minutes walk to Khaosan Road. The hotel was surrounded in the vicinity of Sunset Street, a phenomenal street with many restaurants and entertainment, as well as tourists from different countries.

Some of the attractions were the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Cobra Show, Tiger Temple, River Kwai Bridge andgolden temples such as Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Po and the Golden Mount.

Traveling with a tuk-tuk, enjoy a Thai massage, drinking Singha and Chang beer and selling fried squid, cockroaches and grasshoppers were also part of Thai culture and tourism.

In addition, Thailand was absolutely the "Land of Smiles", as most Thais offered their big smiles.

Shopping would be very interesting, too. There were street stalls on Silom, Sukhumvit Road, Khaosan, shoppingShopping centers, Floating Market, Flower Market, Chatuchak Weekend Market, Patpong Night Market in Bangkok and China Town.

In addition, our three weeks holiday in Thailand experience has been very spectacular.

Capital of Gran Canaria, Las Palma de Gran Canaria is an attractive holiday destination enriched with culture and heritage. Form historical sites, rich architecture to exotic beaches, Las Palma has lots of imposing activities to offer for an incredible holiday.

Below are some of the things to do and see when holidaying in Las Palma:

Pueblo Canario

Designed and structured by Nestor and Miguel Fernandez de la Tore in the year 1930, this tourist attraction is a canary village formed by island houses, turrets, atriums and gates. Tourists and visitors on a holiday in Las Palma can shop for arts and crafts in the large square situated at the centre of the village. The centre square is also famous for being a venue for shows on the island’s folklore.

Parque Santa Catalina

Popular as a park and a town square, this tourist attraction is an amazing beauty of Las Palma. Those holidaying in Las Palma must visit this square which presents superb nightlife with discos, bars and clubs as it gets dark. The same site is completely different during the day time with most of the activities being a centre for shopping, cafes, a place for people to sit, relax and play chess, cards, and dominos or simply have a relaxation time with friends. On the other side of the square stands another tourist attraction, the museum of science and technology.

Reptilandia

Situated close to Agaete, this tourist attraction displays a variety of reptiles and crawlies. The major attraction of this park is the largest lizard, Komodo dragon. Other such remarkable attractions offered in this park are tortoises, snakes, monkeys, spiders and turtles.

Beaches

Tourists and visitors looking forward to some beach time during their holiday in Las Palma should not miss the Alcaravanera and Las Canteras beaches. Known as a major tourist attraction, Playa de Las Canteras is a 3 kilometer long beautiful beach that attracts sports lovers and swimmers alike holidaying in Las Palma. The best way to relax when on a holiday in Las Palma is to take a stroll along the beach and enjoy its cafes, restaurants, snack bars and shops. You can also find impressive street entertainers. Playa de las Alcaravaneras is the second longest beach as well as a sandy tourist attraction of Las Palma. The beach is the pride of the local people and attracts many tourists and visitors holidaying in Las Palma. You can take a stroll on the beach, drink the local beer called Cana de Tropical and enjoy the local cuisines.

Festival

When on a holiday in Las Palma do not miss its most important town festival. The Las Palm Carnival is a yearly tourist attraction that is held during the month of February and presents a glimpse of the amazing tradition and culture of the Canary Islands.

Best time to holiday in Las Palma

This canary island is cooler as compared to other islands in Gran Canaria. The ideal time for a holiday in Las Palma depends upon the purpose of holiday. The summer temperature varies from 26 ºC to 28 ºC or more, the winters in Las Palma are somewhere between 22 ºC and 24 ºC.

New Delhi is the National Capital of India and one of its most fascinating cities. Being the Political centre and having the second largest metropolis by population, the city has a strong effect on the people of India and the direction in which the country has developed.

 

I love Delhi for its amazing diversity and interesting culture. The markets, the temples, the bustling business, the stunning sunsets and the great night spots. I would be difficult to ever get bored in this city. Here are 8 of my favourite things to do and see when in Delhi:

 

1. Bahai Lotus Temple

This is a temple dedicated to the Bahai faith and is a more recent addition to the architectural jewels of Delhi. I have never been close to it but I have driven past many times and it is just as spectacular at night as it is in the day. Reminds me somewhat of the Opera House and the Waratah Flower of Australia, maybe that’s why I like it so much. It took me at least 4 sightings of this to finally get an understanding of what it was and it is always at the top of my list for must sees in Delhi!

http://travelinsider.qantas.com.au/lotus_temple_south_delhi.htm

2. Qutub Minar

The World’s tallest free standing brick Minaret. An islamic structure which has a number of beliefs surrounding it. The intricate detail and craftwork which covers the entire structure is worth a look alone. Entry here is cheap and there is a fabulous mix of cultures all marvelling at the magnificence of this unusual sight.

http://www.info2india.com/rajasthan/qutub-minar-delhi.html

3. Dilli Haat Markets

Resembling the traditional craftsmen and trade markets, Dilli Haat offers the traveller a chance to experience a unique style of shopping . It’s the first permanent fair for regional foods, crafts and cultural activities. It’s a completely new experience and a great day out.

http://www.delhi-hotels-india.net/dilli-haat-delhi.htm

4.Red Fort

The Unesco World Heritage Site which could easily be mistaken for the Taj Mahal…. except that it’s red. I was very confused when I first saw it as it was so similar to the Taj Mahal in style, but once you see them in comparison, you understand the difference. This is where the Prime Minster addresses the people at the celebrations of Independence day, 15th August. If anything, it’s a beautiful building to see, octagonal in shape as is the style of such Islamic architecture.

http://www.tourmyindia.com/states/delhi/red.html

5. GK1 M- Block Market

A trip to Delhi is not complete without visiting this more upmarket area and the great set of shops and stalls located at the centre. The area is called Kalisah and it’s where the wealthy come to do their lower end shopping (so my high end.) There is fabulous jewellery, great snacks, luscious hair and beauty salons and shoe stalls as far as the eye can see. You may even spot an Indian Celebrity (I saw the queen of Beauty and skin care products of India… well, you couldn’t miss her! Diamonds covering every spare bit of flesh- LOVE IT!

http://www.delhilive.com/gk1-m-block-market

6. Shalom (Restaurant)

Amazing Mediterannean lounge bar with great decor and a very trance vibe. You can smoke sheeshah (hubbly bubbly) with flavours like apple and cherry and you can sip on sumptuous cocktails! Chill out sessions playing in the background with low lighting provide the prefect relaxing atmosphere for a great night out.

http://shalomexperience.com/

7. New Delhi Parliament

The Indian Parliamentary Buildings and India Gate are essential to the Delhi City Tour. It’s best to go here with a guide who can explain the area and chances are you will probably only see it from the car. Security is quite strict in this area and it can be difficult at times to get close. It was only in the 1920’s that Parliament was moved to Delhi from Calcutta and it has remained their since.

http://www.indiasite.com/delhi/places/parliamenthouse.html

8. India Gate

A slow drive down the Rajpath will allow you ample photo opportunities of the India Gate. This is a war memorial to over 90,000 Soldiers who lost their lives serving in World War 1. It’s a magnificent structure and a testament to the Indian people and their contributions during British Colonialism.

http://www.indiasite.com/delhi/places/indiagate.html

I hope you are able to see some of these great sites in Delhi. I strongly recommend going on a city tour or hiring a tour guide for one day to really get a good understanding of the history of the city and the many facets which make it the wonderful city it is today. To find out about the best markets and where to eat, chat to a local. The Indian people are very friendly and always more than happy to stop and give some advice to visitors.

…
First time visiting Jabal Al-Qala’a after living more than 18 years in amman… Felt like a tourist, in fact I had to actually act like one to get in at 4:15 because they close doors at 4:00 now… They knew we were joking and let us in for 2 hours a while…
The visit was worth it, if only for the pictures you get to take…

For the climate, for the culture, for the golf or for the stunning natural beauty; it’s not hard to see why Portugal has long been one of the world’s favorite holiday destinations.

Blessed with stunning natural beauty and year-round sunshine, Portugal offers crystal clear seas and a wealth of activities to suit even the most discerning world traveller.

The Portuguese coastline is a holidaymaker’s dream. Frequently hailed as one of the best golf destinations in the world, high-end resorts and world class courses sit side by side with an abundance of health and wellness spas that make the most of the scenery and tranquillity on offer.

For the adventurous, Portugal offers some of Europe’s best deep-sea fishing as well as every kind of water sport an enthusiastic tourist could dream of. But it’s where the ‘rolling plains end in unspoilt beaches’ that’s the real attraction.

The Portuguese coastline boasts nearly 200 Blue Flag beaches, many hidden from the main tourist trails by sheltered coves or decorated by countless colourful boats in picturesque fishing villages like Sesimbra – which also doubles as the fashionable weekend retreat of ‘well to do’ Lisbon families.

Alongside all the sunshine, beaches and activities – not to mention the glorious climate – Portugal’s history and heritage can almost be overlooked. Almost. From its Moorish legacies to modern day Lisbon, Portugal combines the past and the present with a timeless elegance. Whether you’re a history buff or simply in need of some old world culture, you can choose from UNESCO World Heritage sites like the magical cliff top village of Sintra or simply take in the quiet charms of historic towns like Guimarães, Évora or Angra do Heroísmo.

More than anything, it’s the pull of a more sedate and relaxed pace of life that bewitches visitors and keeps bringing them back for more. Perhaps it’s no wonder that over a third of Portugal’s tourists hail from the UK with many choosing the laid back lifestyle of evening strolls on the promenade at Sesimbra or the café terraces of Porto as ideal holiday home destinations.

Given all that Portugal has to offer it’ll come as no surprise to know that tourist figures have risen dramatically over the last decade – extending well beyond the traditional Algarve destinations. So what now for the future?

The world wide economic woes of 2008 have hit tourist figures in Portugal as they have in many other destinations – although gross guest numbers for the first eight months of 2008 are actually up on the same period last year. It’s clear that the hey day of cheap flights and even cheaper properties has gone; but while hotel stays from international tourists have fallen by around 4%, the home grown market has blossomed – attracting almost 4% more overnight stays from Portuguese citizens in 2008. It seems that the Portuguese are increasingly discovering Portugal for themselves and helping to keep tourism as one of the country’s most important industries.

Portugal is almost uniquely blessed by the perfect climate and stunning natural beauty but it offers much more than just golf resorts and beach holidays. Even the government’s plans for the promotion of tourism in Portugal realise what makes ‘Europe’s west coast’ so special. They’re focusing on four factors: ‘climate and light,’ ‘history, culture and tradition,’ ‘hospitality’ and ‘diversity.’

Four great reasons to visit any country.

South India is one of the top most tourist destinations of India, which is rich in cultural heritage in India. It is home to various dance forms, superb sculptures and Hindu temples that depict the rich cultural heritage of southern states of India. Tour packages of South India enable you to taste the spiritual aspect of the country along with experiencing the various places that are plentiful with scenic beauty. These include sun-kissed beaches, temples, monuments, hill stations, wild life and Ayurveda centers. There are several places to visit while you take the South India Tours in India.
Here are some of the important places of the South India tours:
Bangalore
Bangalore is known for its historical buildings as well as modern edificies. It is also called as the garden city of India. New architectures include State Legislature and the Secretariat. You can also visit the Tipu Sultan Palace, which showcases Mughal rule in South India. The palace has now been converted into a museum for the visitors. One of the most impressive architectures of the modern world in Bangalroe is the ISKON temple that is an amalgamation of modern architecture with Dravidian style. The Lal bagh Garden is yet another must-see tourist site that is very attractive in Bangalore.
Mysore
Mysore holds a treasure of impressive buildings, grand palaces, beautifully laid gardens, sacred temples and a rich heritage of South India that is uniquely charming. There are several tourist spots like the Amba Villas Palace, Maharaja Palace and Chamundi Hills that quite attractive. Brindavan Gardens in Mysore are surely to be visited that are rich and lush green gardens playing musical fountains that enthrall the onlookers.
Nagarhole
Nagarhole is yet another popular tourist destination that is visited by many tourists around the year. One of the major attractions is Kabini River. Take a leisure ride on boating on this river to have a great fun-filled ride on silent waters of the river. There is also a National Park at Nagarhole, which you can visit by booking a jeep.
Conoor
Conoor is a romatic hill stations and many tourists frequent this tourist spot all round the year. It is one of the most popular getaways for the international tourists and spells romance in the air on the hills of Nilgiris laden with tea plantations. You can also enjoy your time watching birds or visiting the botanical gardens.
Cochin
Cochin is the natural harbor city of South India and is included in all South India tours as an important tourist destination. You can enjoy the natural harbor as well as the rough seas and its scenic view that are surrounded by Hindu temples, Portuguese churches and also mosques. Chinese fishing nets are one of the major attractions of this place.
Kerala
You can enjoy the peacefulness and tranquility of backwaters in Kerala that encompasses scenic beauty and absolute serenity. Enjoy your trip in a houseboat floating on cool backwaters and enjoying swaying coconut trees. There are numerous Ayurveda resorts that should be visited at least once during your trip, as Kerala Ayurveda is one of the most important aspects of the place.
Madurai
You can visit Alagar Hills, Meenakshi temple and Tirupara Kundran Rock Temple in this historic city of Madurai.
Mahabalipuram
Mahabalipuram was established by Pallava rulers of South India as the city of 1000 temples. There are at least 124 existing shrines for different deities and their wall paintings tell tales of rich cultural past. Visit the temples of Kailasanatha, Ekambaswara, Varadarajaswamy and Sri Kamakshi. Enjoy the rock temples and pagodas in Mahabalipuram, which are major tourist attractions.
Other important tourist destinations of South India tour are Tanjore, Kanchipuram, and Periyar that are also worth visiting during your South India tour.

If you are planning your next vacation in South India, learn about more cultural richness of this part of the country to enjoy your visit to the maximum. Visit pragematravels.com for all required information and detailed history.

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Jay-Z and Rhianna, said it best

“These streets will make you feel brand new.”

Empire State of Mind has not only been a Billboard favorite, but a New York anthem. I quickly learned that after arriving in New York and listening to it three times on the radio within the hour car ride.

This is officially my 4th trip out to New York, but I feel as if  I am experiencing it for the first time. Although there is that element of recognition there are and will always be buildings, stores, people who I haven’t seen before. There will be sounds and accents I will appreciate and smells or aromas that I will remember. It’s as though I am brand new again. The streets have taken over my experiences.

Traveling through the airport was a journey in itself. I along with a friend were taking a red-eye for the first time. Being able to sleep was my main priority and I wasn’t too sure if I could do that in the seat of a plane. We crashed and were able to grab our Z’s for the first flight. Landing in DC for a lay over was miserably cold and rainy.

Then when we thought things were going well for us we hit a spontaneous bump.

 I was flying into Laguardia from D.C. where she was flying into JFK from D.C.

 

Luckily she was able to jump on my plane and we figured to pick up her luggage once we got to the Big Apple. Much to our surprise the plane was a lot smaller and we had to run out on the runway just to board it! Tony was my row mate and he made it clear that he was up for a good conversation, while I was trying to make it clear that I needed to sleep as much as I can. I lost the fight. “Chatty Cathy” Tony sold advertising and we chatted about what to do and see in New York. Clearly our six-day trip was not long enough to see everything, but he shared his favorites and still half asleep I made sure to seem interested.

We were that much closer on the flight from D.C. to New York and a lot closer to the people in our now tiny plane. New York was now a hop, skip and a jump away.

The airport2airport drive

 Finallllly we landed in New York and drove to Laguardia to pick up long-lost luggage. New York! We were finally here. Of course to welcome us was Jay-Z and Alicia Keys. Could I say perfect timing or perfect timing?! Although we were not in the city we had made it to our destination filled with excitement, surrounded by cold wind.

Functioning on four hours of sleep we were ready to hit the town and dive into some sight-seeing. We drove through endless amounts of golden-colored trees and past the Mets stadium to Farmingdale. Farmingdale is located in Long Island and approximately an hour train ride from the city. We bundled up and jumped on the train and landed in Penn station. Surrounded by subways and not wanting to look like a tourist we quickly looked at a map and tried to figure out “the great transportation.” Feeling overwhelmed we dipped into the information center and just asked, “How do we get to Times Square?”

Doesn't This Just Look Confusing?!

Figuring Out The Map

We jumped on the subway confident and ended up going in the wrong direction. We were not only farther away from our destination, but we were in New York!! Naturally we walked up the steps to the city to take it all in. Food was the first thing on the agenda and what else to get, but Pizza. YUM! I ordered a deep dish pepperoni, mushroom and pretty much inhaled it. It was hot and delicious.

With full tummies we hit the streets continuing to admire the buildings and came across a cute park located on Broadway.

It was fresh and the soft drizzle added to the experience. Upon entering you felt as if you were entering another world so peaceful and serene. A few steps out of the park I was again faced with the hustle and bustle of the streets.

We returned to the streets of New York and walked up Broadway as the rain drizzled over our eyes. We walked blocks and what felt like hours. So we made sure to take a Starbucks break. Surviving off of one phone we rested and recharged. Back on the way we ended up taking the subway to the famous Times Square. It was just as I remembered it filled with lights and lots of oversized billboards to look at.

Disappointment was veiled over my friends face as it just looked like a “Vegas-Hollywood-ish strip.” Truthfully that is a great description and without hesitation we checked out the Hershey chocolate store filled with candy and random knick knacks. Honestly, who needs a Resse’s mug and matching t-shirt?! We picked up another traveler

Mystery Beer

Quickly over Times Square we ventured off to East Village. A must destination on the list. If you live in L.A. then East Village easily compares to Santa Monica and Venice. I tried doing this throughout the trip…comparing places and areas to what I already knew. We didn’t venture in too far and were quickly distracted by a bar appropriately called, Cheap Shots. 

Cheap Shots Bar

Cheap Shots offered a $1 mystery beer that we all couldn’t resist. Being on a tight budget we drank the not so bad mystery beer and couldn’t help, but ask the bartender what we were drinking. She herself had no idea?!? She did know how to make a shot and were forced to drink a mystery shot right off the back. What was with all the mystery??

Our "Locals"

I laughed it off and we made friends with the “locals.” We asked them tons of questions as much as they asked about L.A. Our new “local” friends were cool and they even made sure we exchanged myspace/facebook 411.

It was getting dark and in an unfamiliar part of town we called it a night and made plans to take the rest of the night to rest up for the days ahead as well as map out what to check out.

We took the subway back to the train station and took the train to Long Island. Exhausted and hungry we hit up a local deli upon arriving in Long Island and pretty much wanted to order everything in sight. It was a great deli and the food was amazing. We had no idea what was in store for the next few days, but we made a pact to eat and see as much as possible!

By A.D. 50 it had changed course and it gave Britain its capital after the invading Roman armies established Londinium as a port at the highest point of the tide. (it now reaches farther inland due to rising sea levels and the fact that Britain is sinking into the sea at a rate of 15 cm every 100 years.)

The Romans consolidated the river as an international port (trade with the Continent had started in the Bronze Age), constructing mills, wharves, and bridges. The iconic London Bridge was the first water crossing, lined with houses and shops; it has been replaced several times, most recently in the 1960s when the previous one was taken apart and shipped to the USA. There are now 14 bridges in central London, the most recent being the Golden Jubilee footbridges built in 2002.

About 100km (60 miles) from the sea, the Thames becomes tidal, flowing “the wrong way” toward its source twice a day as the sea pushes up the estuary. As the tide falls, the foreshore is disclosed, and in the mud and slush you can discover fascinating clues to London’s past, including clay tobacco pipes and pottery fragments.

The Thames was most splendid under the Tudors and Stuarts, when the river-loving monarchs lived in lovely waterside palaces at Hampton Court, Kew, Richmond, Whitehall, and Greenwich, using the waters as a “royal highway.” Fittingly, the Thames saw many monarchs’ final journeys in the form of stately funeral processions, including that of Elizabeth I in 1605, and that of Henry VIII in 1547. Its said that during the overnight stop at Syon House his coffin came apart and dogs licked at his corpse.

Today you can travel the same waters on passenger ferries or tourist vessels from Westminster upriver to Hampton Court via Richmond and Kew, or downriver to the glittering stainless-steel Thames Barrier via Greenwich. Alternatively, you can walk all or part of the Thames Path from the river’s source at Thames Head down to the Thames Barrier, or meander along the South Bank with its riverside tourist attractions, restaurants, English pubs, and shopping malls. (Note that a walk along the Embankment on the other side can be frustrating for little kids because of its high walls.)

When you’re on the Thames, try to picture in your mind’s eye the Lord Mayor’s processions that took place from the 15th century to the middle of the 19th, in barges covered with gold, some rowed with silver oars. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Frost Fairs were held on the river during winter freezes, complete with fairground amusements and stalls, performing clowns, and ox roasts.

Today, The Mayor’s Thames Festival is a fantastic family-oriented celebration of the Thames, including the transformation of part of the shore on the South Bank into a temporary urban beach. The river also hosts a variety of annual regattas, including the famous Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race.