About a week after I got back from NYC last December, I headed out to Krabi with a few of my work buddies for a little more R&R, cos clearly, leaving New York was too much for my wee heart to handle and I needed to escape the harsh realities of this cold, cruel world, one that no longer involved imagining myself on some gorgeous movie set as I traipse around Central Park or sit at some quaint cafe in the Village with my girlfriends as we lament over my singlehood.
Can you tell I’m melodramatic?
Anyway.
Krabi was as picturesque as everyone told me it was going to be. Alas, none of them mentioned how commercialised it was. The town that we were in (Aonang) was raining tourists. And I’m totally cool with globalisation and stuff, but having more international eateries than authentic Thai outlets is a little much, don’t you think? Thank goodness for street food, which we gleefully indulged in.
And now, the pictures:
Krabi has many gorgeous limestone cliffs
This is Maya Bay, where that Leo DiCaprio movie "The Beach" was filmed
It was my first time snorkelling. :)
Tourists galore at Loh Dalum Beach.
3D2N was far too short. There are only that many cheap massages you can fit in. I definitely wouldn’t mind heading back to Krabi for more R&R. Not only cos I need regular beach vaycays to soothe my melodramatic heart, but also because R&R is totally my middle name.
This concludes my top 20 things about my favourite city in the world. I’m expecting this list to change/grow with each subsequent visit (yes, I imagine there to be many more trips to New York) but this will do, for now. ;)
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17. Hit Woodbury Common for a shopping experience like no other
Everyone who has been to New York couldn’t stop gushing to me about Woodbury Common, declaring that I simply have to go there. Well, well… guess who’s also on this gushing bandwagon now? We’re not exactly talking about discounts so great one could save a tiny third-world nation, but with the kind of brands available at this premium outlet, the savings are certainly substantial. So be prepared to spend. A LOT. Only problem is, I, like everyone else before me, completely underestimated the size of this place. I could advise you to catch the first bus there, and the last bus back, but even that isn’t going to help you cover the entire grounds. Truth is, I don’t think anyone can cover it fully in a day. Unless you have a very, very, very focused shopping list. Perhaps you may want to consider staying a night in the area? Trust me, you wouldn’t be sorry if you did.
18. Gaze at the Atlantic Ocean as you stroll along the Coney Island boardwalk
It is as old-school as it gets. You could just picture the cheerful screams, ringing bells and sideshows. And while it may be a lot more interesting during the Summer when the amusement parks are actually open, Coney Island still proved to be a relaxing and pleasant walk in the off-season. You kinda forget that you’re in New York for awhile. I’d definitely love to go back when everything’s in full swing. Imagine watching the fireworks setting the sky ablaze over the Atlantic Ocean. It doesn’t get more perfect than that.
19. Sink your teeth into a freshly-made pizza at Totonno’s
As bold as this statement may sound, I will declare that Totonno’s serves the best pizza I’ve ever eaten. I can already taste it in my mouth. It was that memorable. To me, the best pizza is all about the crust and the freshness of the ingredients and Totonno’s makes them exactly the way I like it. When I took that first bite, all I could muster was an inappropriate moan. I can’t quite recall if Dia responded likewise (although I think she did) but she was in pizza heaven too. We went with the pepperoni, mushroom & garlic and even though it appeared humungous at first, we didn’t couldn’t hold back, and licked up every morsel. Seriously. Best pizza ever. Until I try one that’s more earth-shattering, that is.
20. Take in the breathtaking views from the Fulton Ferry Landing, then cross the Brooklyn Bridge
We got a bit lost in Brooklyn because I didn’t have a proper map of the borough, but thanks to the app on my BB, we managed to find our way to the Fulton Ferry Landing without a whole lot of hassle. We only wanted to get there so we could try the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory (which wasn’t bad); little did we know that we’d find the perfect Kodak spot. Actually, the entire Brooklyn Bridge Park offers fantastic views of Lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s just a shame that we didn’t get to spend enough time here, or in Brooklyn for that matter. We absolutely LOVED Brooklyn for all the inexplicable charm that it exudes and for the major lack of tourists. We couldn’t help feeling like locals. :p I would definitely stay there a few nights next time I’m back in NYC.
With our tummies filled with ice cream, what better way to head back to Manhattan than a lazy stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge? It was a befitting end to a fantastic day in Brooklyn.
Here’s an industrial-chic place for food lovers, which we really should have frequented during our stay in Manhattan. There’s just SO! MUCH! IT! HAS! TO! OFFER! It’s not a huge complex but there’s more than enough to whet any appetite. Chelsea Market took over the former National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) factory complex which explains the industrial fittings, complete with ultra-heavy steel doors. And for foodies like my travel buddy, you’ll be excited to learn that the Food Network does its tapings of Iron Chef America in the same building. I’m still kicking myself for never letting the place register in my mind, even though I read about it several times during my research… At least I now have a sure stop for the next time I’m back in NYC. ;)
15. Get a different view of Manhattan from The High Line
My favourite go-to travel site had The High Line pretty, well, high, on the list of things-to-do in NYC. A park built on a freight rail line above the streets of Manhattan? Guys? It was gorgeous. Personally, it was one of my favourite things about Manhattan and I would completely appreciate having a park looking exactly like this in Singy. It’s the perfect place to get away from the busy streets and soak in the beauty of Manhattan – to be precise, the west side of Manhattan. The park takes you from the Meatpacking District right through Chelsea, and even runs through buildings. There are plenty of picture-perfect moments too, with the city and the Hudson River as your backdrop. A good portion of the park is still under construction but what we saw was enough to make us fall even more in love with a city that is already that magical.
16. Pay tribute to the heroes and the fallen at the Ground Zero Museum Workshop
Touted as the “biggest little museum in New York”, the Ground Zero Museum Workshop truly lived up to its name. Don’t expect a workshop in that sense of the word, or even a proper museum for that matter. This one here was no larger than 60 sqm at the most? But it has enough photographs and artifacts to let you comprehend the devastation and impact of the 9/11 attacks. It was a real bonus to be able to touch some of the artifacts and see them upclose. Particularly chilling were the Crosses and Stars of David that were created by a fireman, out of the leftover steel from the WTC. Also, to see actual glass fragments from the WTC windows, and a clock that will forever reflect the time when the first tower went down, was emotionally unsettling to say the least.
The museum was inspired by the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam, and while it’s not quite laid out in the same manner, it certainly does capture its heart. Many of the stories provided by the audio guide were heart-wrenching but you’ll leave feeling inspired and hopeful. Be prepared to shed some tears. I did, and so did many others.
