New York City: A Big Visit to "The Big Apple" (Highlights of New York, USA)

"In New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made, oh... There's nothing you can't do, now you're in New York..." - just few of the lines of Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind" ft. Alicia Keys which gave me some chill while exploring one of the world's top cities: New York City (NYC)!

I will be sharing on this post the major highlights of the most populous city of USA with photos :

1) The New York Times - this is the very first building structure that welcomes you when you enter the city through bus via Port Authority Bus Terminal.

2) Time Square - the iconic attraction of NYC, where all kinds of races are on the busy streets to feel the ambience of this popular spot of the city along with large, colorful billboards (trip won't be complete without walking through point to point of the place). This is also where the New York Police Department (NYPD) is situated.

 

3) Central Park - this 778 acres of city-owned land is the most visited urban park in the United States. One day won't be enough to roam around this point of NYC.

4) 9/11 Memorial - known as the "World Trade Center" Memorial, the place commemorates the September 11 attacks of 2001 which killed approximately 3,000 people. Situated in Lower Manhattan, New York, the  One World Trade Center (1 WTC, previously called as Freedom Tower) is now the main building of the World Trade Center complex.

5) Wall Street - considered as the financial district, named after and centered on the eight-block-long street running from Broadway to South Street on the East River, situated in Lower Manhattan, New York City.

6) Grand Central - (Grand Central Terminal) the commuter rail terminal station in 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.

7) The Empire State Building Observation Deck - one of the worlds famous skylines, the Empire State Building View Deck will give you a better view of New York City, especially breathtaking city lights view at night.

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NBA Live Experience: Chicago Bulls vs New York Knicks - Madison Square Garden, New York City, USA

When visiting USA, never miss to watch at least one game of this pre-eminent men's basketball association in North America (according to wikipedia), the National Basketball Association a.k.a NBA. Yes, this was actually part of my plans during my US trip. 

The Event: It's 'Chicago Bulls versus New York Knicks' game. It was a game or venue-dependent situation on my case since I had limited days left prior getting back to the Philippines. (Boston game was also an option for me but the schedule was a bit risky at my end that time)

 

The Venue: Fortunately, it's held at the world's most famous arena, the Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, New York City, USA. Oh well, I was amazed with the interior which was so perfect for taking photos or shots using a wide angle lens (I used a tokina 11-16mm f2.8 lens that time).

 

  

The Rate: Oh well, a bit pricey since I bought it (online, 1-day delivery) 3 days prior the event which budget-wise shouldn't be (I see tickets are cheaper when bought weeks or even month earlier, that's common nowadays).

The Highlights: Half-time breaks were great: the proposal, the kissing and the "OMG-im-on-screen" faces :)

Over-all Experience: Majority of my blog readers would really ask "How's the experience watching NBA Game Live in the arena?", I always give an honest answer: "One of the best in my US trip...". Everything was worth the price: the game, the excitement, the venue, the people (amazing energy of Knicks fans even though they lost the game, fortunate enough to have a fun-to-be-with seatmates) and all. You take the game differently when compared to a televised viewing.

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Cathay Pacific: An Experience with 2012 World's Best Business Class Airline

I'm writing this post here at the other side of the world - Waterbury, Connecticut and it's 13606 kilometers or 8455 miles or 7347 nautical miles from my home country. My immediate travel is a work-related one (though I can do travel stuffs with different states of US during weekends). I arrived here last October 1, 2012 around 10AM and I'm currently staying in one of the Marriott Hotels in USA, the Courtyard Waterbury. I'll be here for 3-4months or even more if needed. This is an all expense trip by the company. Many then would ask what airline that took me here (the usual question my blog readers would ask) and I can answer you guys with this post.

Cathay Pacific is one of the official airlines that our company partner with when it comes to international travel (Philippine Airlines for domestic travel). Since it's a long-haul travel, a business class will suite my needs and fortunately the company was able to cater such. Below is my flight itinerary heading from Cebu, Philippines to New York, USA.

CEBU --> HONG KONG --> VANCOUVER, CANADA --> NEW YORK, USA

First was the 2hr-and-40minute flight from Cebu to Hong Kong. Here are the details of this flight:

 

Flight: CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS, CX 0920
From: CEBU MACTAN INTL, PHILIPPINES (CEB)
Departs: Sunday, 30 September 2012 8:05pm
Departing Terminal: Not Available
To: HONG KONG, HONG KONG S A R (HKG)
Arrives: Sunday, 30 September 2012 10:45pm
Arrival Terminal: TERMINAL 1
Class: 1B
 Seat(s): 16A
Status:Confirmed
Meals: Dinner
Aircraft: AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A333 JET
Distance (in Miles): 1060
Stop(s): 0
Smoking: No
Duration: 02hr(s) :40min(s)

 

 The Aircraft and services? It was ok, but I must admit it's one of the best Airbus I had so far. The flight attendants were so accommodating, they will really make you feel special and your at ease with their untiring assistance.

The food? simply WOW! Deliciously made dinner was served to me and they served it at guest's convenience or choice of time. Everything was perfect from meal to dessert to drinks!

I arrived earlier than the expected time of arrival in Hong Kong International Airport and had an invitation to stay & wait for the next flight at a lounge exclusive for First &  Business Class guests of Cathay Pacific.

Next was the 12hr-flight from Hong Kong to Vancouver, Canada - the longest one so far for me. Below are the flight details:

Flight: CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS, CX 0888
From: HONG KONG, HONG KONG S A R (HKG)
Departs: Monday, 01 October 2012 12:30am
Departing Terminal: TERMINAL 1
To: VANCOUVER BC, CANADA (YVR)
Arrives: Sunday, 30 September 2012 9:25pm
Arrival Terminal: MAIN TERMINAL
Class: 1B
Seat(s): 23A

Meals: Dinner Snack
Aircraft: BOEING 777-300ER JET
Distance (in Miles): 6383
Stop(s): Intermediate at VANCOUVER BC, CANADA Change of equipment may be required
Smoking: No
Duration: 11hr(s) :55min(s)

The Aircraft and services? The best of its kind I guess, I didn't wonder that time why they were proclaimed as 2012 World's Best Business Class Airline. I had no issues with the facilities, everything was comfortable enough and I even had a good sleep that time, watched some movies (Amazing Spiderman, etc.), listened to music (nice that they have variety of choices, even OPM) and more. They still have these friendly attendants on board, most of them are Chinese and they're very accommodating.

 

 The food? Another WOW on my trip, they served one of the best meals every traveler would want to. The attendants actually serve you food either heavy or light one when you're awake or watching movie, playing games or reading magazines. Yeah, they just stop serving food when you're asleep. :) When I asked for fruits, they served it immediately and when I asked for ice cream, they served me not just once but twice (since I asked for another Haagen-Dazs, haha). I couldn't ask for more on that flight - perfect!

We arrived in Vancouver, Canada just on time. We had an hour wait at Vancouver International Airport for change of attendants and aircraft maintenance. The waiting lounge wasn't that bad.

Below is the flight details of my 5hr-flight from Vancouver, Canada to New York, USA:

Flight: CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS, CX 0888
From: VANCOUVER BC, CANADA (YVR)
Departs: Sunday, 30 September 2012 10:50pm
Departing Terminal: MAIN TERMINAL
To: NEW YORK JFK, NY (JFK)
Arrives: Monday, 01 October 2012 7:00am
Arrival Terminal: TERMINAL 7
Class: 1B
Seat(s): 23A
Meals: Dinner
Aircraft: BOEING 777-300ER JET
Distance (in Miles): 2433
Stop(s): 0
Smoking: No
Duration: 05hr(s) :10min(s)

The aircraft, services and food? The same with the previous one, nothing changed at all except for the food & wine menu being served (still delicious and perfectly served). Also, still very friendly and accommodating attendants.

Saving the best for last? Definitely yes, though this was my last connecting flight for this trip, I was really amazed with the view when daytime and nightime met at the horizon. Below are the shots taken during that time, also the beautiful city of New York. :)

We arrived on time at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport New York. I was picked up by a shuttle service from New York heading to Waterbury, Connecticut where I will be staying for my whole business trip.

Over-all, Cathay Pacific is totally a 5-star airline and deserves the title as 2012 World's Best Business Class Airline. :) My US trip will be posted soon (I have to visit at least 10 states, LOL) so stay tuned.

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