Showing posts with label Long Island City. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Long Island City. Show all posts

Light Up the Sky - 4th of July Celebration at NYC

Happy 4th of July, USA.




I know it's been quite some times from the celebration itself but I haven't shared our story about how we celebrated the Independence Day of the US, here in NYC :).





Fireworks.

Fireworks.
Fireworks.



That's what we have in mind when it comes to the 4th of July celebration.
The blinding sights of bursting colors and shapes, coupled with thundering sounds, always captivate people's attention.
Well, it seems like enjoying fireworks during the 4th of July has been a long tradition here.
It's great indeed, because it's the official holiday where the UN is also observing and we can have a family picnic. So no complaint :).




Since 2014, the first year we lived in NYC, July is always in the middle of the holy month of Ramadhan. As much as we wanted to see the fireworks, long days of fasting and coming earlier to get the best spot is not the perfect combination. So by the time the 4th of July in 2017 is no longer celebrated during Ramadhan, we were thinking of getting to the best spot available. If we can.

As part of the annual celebration, Macy's 4th of July fireworks have been lit up and displayed on top of the East river for the last couple of years. 

We have several options for the designated areas for the fireworks.

Most of them are in Midtown Manhattan, particularly on the 42nd, 34th, 23rd and 16th and FDR. There are a few in Brooklyn as well. As for Queens, the Long Island City, particularly the Gantry Plaza State Park, was the designated spot. For sure people flock there and that's exactly where we're going :).

We know that we have to come early in order to get the good spot.
Judging from our previous years' experience, we really had to come early to ensure we have a great place to sit down and take pictures. Ton of pictures :).
So we have set our hearts on going at 2 PM and arriving on the spot at 3 PM at the most, before the police close the area. We have been reading and listening about all those street closure for that day.
And the fireworks started at 9.25 PM, so we had to wait for at least 6.5 hours.
Yes, 6.5 hours.
Under the sun.
Mind you :).
For sure it's no-pain-no-gain-game #whyamiboldingthis.

waiting for the bus :))

So we took the bus to go to Gantry Plaza. 

The 15 minutes ride by car became 1-hour trip by bus, due to the road closure.
Packed with 2 portable seats, our photo gears, food and drink, picnic mat and sunscreen, we went to Gantry Plaza. By the time we got there, it was not that packed yet but the prime spot for photos were almost gone. 


cheers..

Good thing we got the spot at one of the piers, got the wristbands and we had to stay there from 6 PM until the fireworks started at 9.25 PM. 
we were standing right across the UN headquarters, with Empire State Building in the background. Happy!


the wristband :

We waited for 6.5 hours indeed.

I bought books, fidget spinners (yes, the kids made sure they put them in the bag), games, tablets and 3 power banks.
Just in case LOL.
But our friends joined us at around 4 PM so 6.5 hours passed just like that.


With Habib's family :))

And it was hot, hot, hot!

Fully packed!
And such a loooong line to the toilet.
Although the officers in charge said we cannot get out of the pier after 6 PM, but they did understand that the line at the toilet was super long so we sneaked out at 5.45 and came back at 6.15.
Still have around 3 hours to go. 


the view from my corner

As the time came, we spent beautiful 25 minutes full of fireworks.
Light up the sky for the 4th of July celebration at NYC.
And I have to say, after 6.5 hours waiting and have the experience on seeing wonderful fireworks in Geneva and Melbourne, Macy's fireworks are awesome!
They said it was the country's largest fireworks by the numbers, with 2,400 burst and effects!
They also have performances actually, but we can only watch it live on NBC.


the pictures are taken from macys.com

Here are some of the photos we took.
Some were taken by iPhone 7 plus, some with our Canon 5D, taken by me or my husband :)













Here's a little video of our adventure to see Macy's 4th of July celebration fireworks


So that's how they light up the sky for the 4th of July celebration at NYC.
How do you celebrate your 4th of July?
Hope you enjoy it!  



Astoria Park in January


One snowy day is all it needs to get us out and have fun!
NYC has been bombarded by snow lately, although it usually is followed by rain so all the pretty white snow is washed away.

But last weekend, we have extra as it started snowing in the middle of the night until around 5 PM! And we all had one thing in mind: Astoria Park!




Last year, we had Jonas storm coming in January and yes, we went out to the same spot and took pictures. I even wrote that we had to do after the storm.

Snowy, windy and cold day apparently did not stop us from heading to Astoria Park, having fun with the snow and taking pictures :). The sky was grey and gloomy but hey, it's the winter sky!




enjoying the cold, kiddos?



So, do enjoy the snow as much as we do as well?

all white and grey, even the sky..

Stay warm, everyone!

Join us on Skywatch Friday and get lost with the  sky from all over the world



WW: Bidding Farewell

We were having a blast while bidding farewell to my dearest friend and sister, Rima Cempaka.

Four fabulous years here in NYC and she has concluded her term with our Mission to the UN. Amidst the crazy, mad days for UN General Assembly 71st session High Level Week, we managed to sneak out on Sunday and threw her a see-you-again-soon dinner party, with a bonus of endless photo sessions, as always :).

We chose Pepsi Cola sign, one of the landmarks of NYC

Manhattan seen from Long Island City

our yummy food :)

Rima..in black and white in glasses :)

girls just wanna have fun :)


cheers..the 5 of us, while waiting for 5 more :)

Join us on (almost) Wordless Wednesday  and have fun blog hopping :)


WW: Socrates Sculpture Park

Enjoying our leisure Sunday in Socrates Sculpture Park, Long Island City, New York.


the sign..

one of the exhibition for this year...

colorful one!

the four of us enjoying the weekend :)

Join us on (almost) Wordless Wednesday and have fun blog hopping 


WW: Street Art at the Long Island City, New York

Street art in New York City is indeed fascinating ;)..

And I am sooo thrilled to find out that we have so many incredible murals near our residence.

Long Islands City it is...

Batik Garutan
Save Yazidi Women

In Batik Garutan we trust...



Batik Garutan
Black, White, Blue and Red :)

I was comfortably wearing Batik garutan pants, black top, Pontianak beaded necklace and flowery green wedges...

One corner in LIC :)
One fine afternoon :)
One set of fabulous art work :)
One incredible husband patiently taking my pictures :)

Join us on (almost) Wordless Wednesday and have a lovely bloghopping day ;)