The New York Pass

If you are visiting New York City, a great way to see the Big Apple without hurting your pockets much is to buy the New York Pass. We made use of this during our visit to the city way back in 2003. For a 3-day pass, which we paid USD 125 per adult. This year, cost of the same pass is USD 135. I'd say not much change in a span of 9 years.

The pass comes with a 176-page guidebook which has extensive details about hours of operation and directions to New York Pass attractions. It also has detailed maps and insider tips which are of great help for every tourist.

Madame Tussaud's in Manhattan (2003)

One of the free admission attractions included in our NY 3-day Pass.

Madame Tussaud's in Manhattan showcased some of the most famous and influential people in the world - both living and dead.

Here were some of the celebrities we brushed shoulders with during our visit.

The actors and actresses....

 Jenifer Lopez

Genting Highlands in 2003

(warning: some information is a bit blur to me now so please bear with me. This was written few years too late)

Short-weekend trip to Genting Highlands with the family and sis-in-law.

We took a very cheap tour package - return coach to Genting, one night First World Hotel accommodation with breakfast, cable car ride to bus terminal.

The bus trip took more than 6 hours. We had 2 stops on the way. One was at Yin something, and somewhere in KL.

When we finally arrived in Genting, it was a bit chilly (we were high up in the mountains, right). We headed to our hotel, only to find out that there was a VERY LONG queue for check ins. There was no way we were gonna get a room in just 15minutes. So we asked around on where we could leave our small luggage (for overnight only). We decided we could leave our things behind while we walk around the premises. We went to see the amusement park and the mini vegas style attractions of sorts. Had lunch at a fast food. And then headed back to the hotel reception to check in. Good thing the queue was shorter this time. We got our room keys, unpacked our things and headed back to where the action was - at the amusement park.

We took a ride at this hanging gondola. Looked at the roller coaster inside. Tried our hands at archery.
We were not able to go to the amusement park outside because the weather was not good. Too bad.

After a long day of travelling and going around the hotel and amusement areas, it was time for us to settle for the night.

The next day, we had a sumptuous buffet breakfast. Kelvin couldn't decide what to eat. He had fruits, cereals, bread, sausages and milk.

After breakfast, we did our final rounds on the attractions and got ready for the cablecar ride down to the bus terminal.

The cablecar ride was a bit frightening but at the same time exciting. It was a long ride down to the bus terminal. 

Readers Digest, NY (2003)

My aunt brought us to visit her work place at Readers Digest. To those who are avid fans of the magazine, here is a glimpse their office "compound"

From Reader's Digest HQ

The main office building

Atlantic City (2003)

We also spent a night at one of the hotels at Atlantic City. No gambling though.

San Francisco, CA (2003)

This is our second visit to San Francisco. But we intended to spend the whole day this time because the first time was almost like just passing through the city and not seeing much of it. This time we really wanted to go around the city and see the sights.

From San Francisco, CA

What better way to see the sights in San Francisco (other than taking the tram) but to take a cruise to see Golden Gate Bridge up close (from the sea) and also Alcatraz (but did not go to the island because the tours need to be booked days before). It cost $20 per adult and $12 per child.

MONTEREY BAY, California (2003)

July 14, we checked out from Hotel and headed to Monterey Bay and visited their BIG aquarium. After which, we took the amphibian ride (almost same as the one in singapore Ducktours).

From Monterey Bay

posing along the beach.

Knott's Berry Farm, CA (2003)

First thing we did upon arriving was go to the 1st themepark in America -- Knott's Berry Farm in Orange County. It is around 30minutes from downtown LA. And if you are staying around the area, you can easily drive to Disneyland which is 10minutes away!

From Knott's Berry Farm Orange County, CA

SEAWORLD San Diego, CA (2003)

July 13, woke up early morning to send Maricris and baby JP to the airport (they were flying back to Georgia). Then we drove around LA, Beverly Hills area to check some of the houses of famous people (unfortunately we dont have the map to guide us). We also drove by Rodeo Drive but didn't get the chance to stop and go for window-shopping.

We headed back to San Diego again this time to visit Seaworld. We watched Shamu (the famous whale from the movie). It was sizzling hot while walking around Seaworld!

From San Diego Sea World

LEGOLAND San Diego, CA(2003)

We visited Legoland on a weekend. It was around 2 and a half hours drive from LA. Stopped by at Goodah for breakfast (yummy filipino food in the States!). We went with Tita Nora and Tita Emma, and Maricris and baby JP (on another car). Legoland is heaven for legolovers. There are miniature lego figures of San Francisco and other famous places and sights all over the world. There are also human-sized and giant-sized lego figures of einstein, bionicles, starwars cast, and a lot more.There was also a boat ride where we were taken around the grounds of legoland with the showcase of different scenes in the nursery rhymes and classic stories.

NY 2003: Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum

 a view of the USS Intrepid while we were on board the Circle Line Cruises

Included in the New York Pass attractions is the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum. It's a military and maritime history museum with a collection of museum ships in New York City (wikipedia).

USA 2003: 2nd time around - From West to East

enjoying his new toy while thousands of feet in the sky

Going back to the US just a few months after our last trip in Oct 2002 was a blessing indeed. Although Kelvin was only 3 years old then he was well-behaved the whole trip, from our flight from Singapore to Narita and Narita to LAX. He was contented playing with his matchbox and hot wheels cars. And, of course, his fair share of the orange juice served on-board. No tears, no tantrums. 

Manhattan, New York, USA (2003)

We initially stayed at Holiday Inn in Manhattan for 2 days. Then we moved to my Aunt's place a few train stops away, near Pelham Station. We explored the city that never sleeps for a few days armed with maps, a stroller and our strolling-ready feet.