New York Trip - 03.10.2007-12.10.2007

After a terrible experience with US embassy in sg, the horror continued at the US Custom. Me and my Indonesian colleague were held for an hr, being 'interrogated' at JFK airport. We were already tired with the jet-lag effect, so it really made me felt upset on how they treat on certain nationality. Halo, if not due to the invitation, I won't thk of going yo your country too!

Other than that, I really feel the courtesy of the organizer and the people in NYC. Yeah, courtesy. Say, when you ask for direction or you drop something, you can expect someone to give you a helping hand volunteerly. Everyone seems friendly. But, when day turns into night, it was my instinct to stay alert from any kind of crime. I don't feel safe at night.

Have to overcome the jet-lag on the 1st day. But, my team mates were already talking abt shopping. Words like 'Coach bag', 'True Religion', 'Ed Hardy', 'Abercombie & Fitch' kept being reiterated. Eventually, we went to shop at Woodbury warehouse. Absolutely fantastic shopping experience! And, Macy's deparment store too (The world's largest!) Tonnes of cheap branded stuff. 5-star recommendation!


Time Square at night: It is a MUST that every retail store to parade their brand in such vibrant ads. This area never sleep!

UN: This land area is owned by all the members in UN. Given by the US gov. No wonder US not shy to use their veto.

Underground Steaming System: It keeps the NYC warm. Reaching every neighbourhood.

Grand Central: Equivalent to KL Sentral but much better managed of course. The very beautiful Chrysler Building, once, the tallest building in the world before overtaken by the Empire State Building.

NYC Subway: The most sophisticated subway routes in the world. Cover almost every corner in NYC. But, the train & the statis looks rather out-fashion and a bit stuffy and smelly. Heck, as long as it brings the convinience.

Nobel Medal in UN: Special dedicated to TBK. Make sure you fulfill your promise ok!

Rockefeller Center: Equivalent to Suntec Singapore conceptually but far more larger in terms of vision and the size of development. Rich with history & vision. Can only feel it when you know more abt it.

NY Financial Center: View from Brooklyn side. The JP Morgan dinner was held in 1 of the tower in picture.

NYC Night View: From Empire State Building. Misty night.

Intercontinential Hotel: Nice. Sponsored by JP Morgan.
Statue of Liberty: Finally, I got to know why is it so special. History it is.

Empire State Building: Made famous by King Kong. In fact, that film rescured the building owner by making it a fame via the film. Full occupany after that.

Sky scrapers: Matchless in any other cities. Hardly feel the sunlight unless you are at the crossroad.

Parade of Sky scraper: Basically, that's the height of each building at each block in NYC.

Church in NYC: Each church is uniquely built by each nation along 5th Ave. Italy, Norway...

Time Square at dawn: Their never turn off the light.

Former Venue of World Trade Center: Paying tribute to this landmark... World Peace everyone! Imagining the magnitude of the destruction. All the buildings around it still undergoing repair.


It's an eye-opening trip indeed. A city rich with history. History of American entrepreneurship, American Dream, bold vision to develop the city, city of opportunity for all the post war immigrants. I have to admire how those people built this mega city.