WW: Seward Johnson in New York City

Have you seen Seward Johnson's work?

 We have 'em in New York City ;)

Such a vivid work-of-art in life-size dimension..

Super...

the details are soooo amazing...

Miss. Monroe..

the iconic pose...

Join us on Wordless Wednesday and enjoy bloghopping :)

Brooklyn Bridge through my smartphones

Brooklyn Bridge is indeed one of the landmarks here in the big apple.
Even for those who stay here for some times, like us :). 

Take the subway, walk a little bit and there we are.. 
Arriving at one of the most iconic bridges in the Big Apple.

Coming back to spend some evening (and also afternoon) with the kids and Udi, we can't help but take pictures here and there. And most of the time, we are too lazy to bring our camera and voilaaaa, we pretty much depend on smartphones.

We all know that smartphones are indeed smart. 

Panorama? Checked.

Selfie? Checked.

Short movie? Checked.

Slo-mo video? Checked.

Time lapse? Checked.

Everything is at your finger tips.

One magic button and you have them all :).

So I was looking at my photo album and I just realized that I have thousands of photos. Surprised, surprised..

As I am transferring most of those treasured, immortalized moments from my phone to my PC and later to my external hard disks (Yes.. I have used 3 1 -Terra-GB for all those photos and videos ;)> ), I found that I have some from the Brooklyn Bridge.

Some were taken last fall, some from recent visit this spring and the beginning of summer.

All of our visit to the oldest bridge using hybrid cable-stayed suspension in this country is always rewarding. And it is also easy to go there...Either you are heading there with the help of Waze or Google map while driving your car, or take MTA Subway line 6 to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall and walk a bit, you are good to go :).

Once we got the sunset.. 

Then the twinkling sceneries of Manhattan at night, as well as sweet ice-cream session in this beautiful bridge.

when the night comes..

The construction of this bridge was done in 1883 and up until now, you can see Brooklyn Bridge in many movies, TV series, souvenirs and even chocolate :).

There is something about looking at Manhattan with East River as the foreground. 

I have to say it is bellavista that I can't get enough of.

Manhattan on the other side..

We have passed through the bridge with our car as well but we haven't tried to walk across the bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn or the other way around.

So far, my favorite spots are the Brooklyn bridge promenade, the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory and Pier 6. Bo et Obi loves this promenade as well as it is perfect for scootering :)

cheeers...

It's just simply rewarding to witness this beauty. 

How about you? Do you like taking pictures with your phone? What's your favorite object(s)?

Strolling around Midtown Manhattan

Summer break is here but works continue to pour like rain :(.

Well, at least in my case...

I haven't got a chance to take my leave and can't wait to have my break in August. 
Hopefully by that time we will be able to really enjoy some quality family time. 

Meanwhile, whenever we get a chance, we always try to go out and enjoy NYC.
I feel bad of spending so much time at work while Bo et Obi are staying at home.
Sometimes they come to the office and to the UN with me and that's when we stroll around Manhattan just to enjoy some fresh air and outdoors.

I forgot where exactly it was :)

As the UN and my office are located in Midtown Manhattan, we some times walk around the blocks. We usually end up in a restaurant or shops :). 
And strolling around Midtown Manhattan is indeed a pleasure...
Not long ago we just walked around midtown, took some pictures and ended up at the Rockefeller Center. We didn't go up to the Top of the Rock as we didn't really have much time. But even walking around here is nice..

We went here during winter when they have the ice rings and all those lovely Christmas decoration. But even without it, it looks nice :)

And here are some pics from that day...

ada yang capek jalan..ada yang asyik baca peta hehehehe

cheers from Obi...with Empire State Building at the back..

The Rock...

How about your summer break? Do you like strolling around the blocks as well like us?

New York City from above

I just notice that I have some shots taken with my smartphone just before landing in NYC.
I know it's been quite some times but it is amazing to see any city from above.
When you are flying up high and about to land.
Especially NYC...

With its scaterring islands, deep blue sea, hi-rise buildings and great bridges.
What a sight to enjoy :)

make me wanna swim :)

George Washington Bridge

Enjoy the beauty of sky wherever you are and join us in Skywatch Friday

WW : NY Transit Museum at Grand Central

The latest exhibition at NY Transit Museum here at the Grand Central...

New York's Transportation Landmarks

Let see some interesting displays :)

Grand Central in the past..

Join us on (almost) Wordless Wednesday and link up here :)

Giant Ferris Wheel in Times Square

You might be wondering where exactly this giant ferris wheel is in Times Square.

As if Times Square is not crowded enough with those huge billboards, blinding lights, street performers and constant noises.

Aha...in Times Square indeed ..
The intersection of the world :).

We finally got a chance to try it in one of the long weekend days we enjoyed some time ago.

Originally, I promised Bo et Obi to get Sponge Bob's toys, but then we ended up lining up for this lovely giant ferris wheel in Toys' R Us Times Square. 

Yes, Ferris Wheel :).

the giant ferris wheel

We have come to this store many times but never really tried it.

and we realized that it would be fun indeed to try it.

So, we went to the lower floor, bought the tickets for USD 5 per person (kids 2 y.o and under are free) then lined up waiting for our car.

the ticket

There are several cars in there, including toys story, megablocks, fisher price and my little pony, Obi's favorite. She really wanted to ride the wheel on that car but we couldn't choose the car. So whatever we had in front of u will be ours. That's the rule.

At that time when we lined up, it was not very crowded, so the kids were okay and not really that crancky for queueing too long.

While waiting, we were looking at those cars and hoped for the little pony one. But I have said to Bo et Obi that whatever  car we have, that's what we'll take.

Once you are hopping to your car, the staff from the store took your photo that you can purchase after the ride. Perfect for souvenirs for those who just come to NYC, I suppose.

colorful cars..

We managed to get the M&M's car and it's super cute as well :).

Once we buckled up, we were ready to go up ...

Bo was slightly nervous when we were on top but I said stop looking down and tried not to move around. It was a bit wiggly, but if we stayed still, it's pretty nice and safe.

These are some snaps from above :)

Obi was enjoying the ride :)

cheeers....look at Bo's face :)

Hellooooo Mr. Superman :)

Do you like Ferris Wheel as well? or you prefer other attractions?

Welcome to the American Museum of Natural History #3 Dinosaurs

Aaarrgh...

The claws are hanging high, ready to snap whatever standing in front of it...
The head is slightly tilting to the upright, checking what's coming from behind.
And the smile... those jaws are grinning widely, letting out the roar we are so familiar with...

Yuuuup... I'm talking about the dinosaurs.

Well, we're not back to the era when all these giants were alive and kicking. Or in the middle of the movie theater clinging our hands on our seats as the t-rex were viciously chasing their dinner.

We were on the 2nd floor of the American Museum of Natural History here in New York.

Fossils Hall, to be exact.

Welcome to the American Museum of Natural History #3 Dinosaurs

I have to admit that when I first asked the kids and Udi to come and visit this museum, dinosaurs are the main attraction that I used to lure them in.
And as always, it worked its magic.

We started our dinosaur tour from David H. Koch Dinosaur Wing. 

And by the time you enter this hall, you'll be amazed to see those giant structures fulfiling the room.
The exhibits we have in this hall belongs to Ornithischian Dinosaurs, those which are classified as bird-hipped dinosaurs. In short, they have similar structure as big birds, if I'm not mistaken. 

Like this Stegosaurus, for example

Do you see how big they are ... although they are obviously not the biggest one.

It's amazing that Stegosaurus can manage their big body with one small brain and even with this huge structure and fierce look, they were actually herbivore.

Stegosaurus...

There is something misteriously attracting many, if not all, of us to these extinct giants.

Well, as we no longer see them alive,  anything to do with them successfully intrigued us. At least in my family's case.

The eggs, the bones, their tracks, the magnificent structures, even the replica of it all have kept us digging for more and more information.

wanna have some eggs :) ...

As you can see above, we had Stegosaurus. 
Below, we saw Triceratops, which is also classified as Ornitischian dinosaurs.

Those large frills are their trademarks, including their horns. 

aaaargh...Bo et Triceterop and his scooter :)

Another highlight of this hall is Corythosaurus.

In the photo below, Corythosaurus is the one on the wall...that looks like big bird running with its hind legs.

While two big ones here are Anatotitan or the duck-billed dinosaurs.

Another major group of the dinosaurs is Saurischia Dinosaurs, or the reptile-hipped dinosaurs. Some of the examples of there dino are Velociraptor. and again, the famous T-rex.

Say hi to uncle T :)...photo is taken from here

You see...there are definitely many types of dinosaurs, not only T-rex that is notoriously famous :)

It's also very convenient to get more information from one of the monitors provided there..

Very handy for me who have almost-zero knowledge about dinosaurs except what I got from the movie :). And kids love to check it out, too ...

After the visit, for sure my kids are getting more  and more obsessed with these giant creatures.  And we were lucky enough to find one colorful children book Bones, bones, Dinosaur Bones by Byron Bartan.

And the kids instantly love it... Asking mama to read it again and again before bedtime :).

bones, bones, bones.

In this floor, we have many more exhibits showcasing primitive animals, advanced animals like mammoth and saber-tooth cat, and many more.

Our visit to American Museum of Natural History, especially the dinosaurs parts, is indeed a very rewarding one. Would definitely come back and explore more :). Truly one museum in  the long list of NYC attractions that you shouldn't miss :)

Do you or your kids like dinosaurs as well? Which one is your favorite :)..

American Museum of Natural History  (AMNH)
Central Park West, 79th Street, New York City, New York, 10024-5192
Phone: +1 212 7695100
Open daily from 10 AM - 5.45 PM, except on Thanksgiving and Christmas 

Thank you :)

Welcome to the American Museum of Natural History in NYC #2 Islam

Hellooo and welcome back...

As I have promised before, I will get back with some more stories and details about the American Museum of Natural History in NYC. I feel like there are so many details that are too good to pass. And as we are in the middle of Ramadhan, the holy month for Muslims all over the world, I feel like sharing some segments of the AMNH about Islam.

So let's see what we have here :)..

Welcome to the American Museum of Natural History in NYC #2 Islam 

Awalnya saya tidak menyangka ada bagian khusus yang menampilkan Islam  di American Museum of Natural History ini, karena saya pikir akan banyak display mengenai alam dan kekayaannya. But of course I was wrong.. Dan display mengenai Islam sangat menarik lho, bahkan buat saya yang juga muslim.

Being part of the Gardner D. Stout Hall of the Asian Peoples, we found many interesting facts about the journey of Islam in many parts of the world. Especially in the beginning of the 7th century onwards. Even for a moslem like myself, I feel priviledged to know and learn more about Islam here in this museum.

Some of the artifacts being shown are hand-written Al- Quran, the holy Koran, that was found and brought from Africa. Some other artifacts, the old ones I should say, including elaborated swords and handicrafts can be witnessed here as well. One that caught my attention was the sword and something that looks like a club to me. 

As it says on the display, "Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia harbor relics of a cult of crocodile scabbards for ritual swords and knives...".  So the scabbard was made of crocodile . I have to say it looked like on as well :). Interesting... Have a closer look...

Do you see the croc in there..

On the same area, we also have more display of  the chart of Prophet Muhammad SAW (PBUH) and the Kulafaur Rashyidin, or the great khalifah after Prophet Muhammad SAW (PBUH) passed away.

There is sort of an introduction of the architecture of mosque and its minaret (tower), mihrab (niche) and courtyard. It makes me miss the many beautiful mosques we have back home.

And the music of Islam... How's that for another interesting  face of Islam. 

Too bad I didn't really catch the details of it. Do you see any familar musical instruments here? 

Another colorful spot we have here is about women of Islam. 
Some traditional yet beautiful costumes from different part of the Islamic countries  are there to see. Love to see them.. So elaborated and fashionable. Some even looks like haute couture to me :)...

Women of Islam

As we walked along the hall, we found the replica of the pillars and the windows of La Alhambra's famous Nasrid Palace. I just remembered our own journey to this amazing place of La Alhambra as I shared here.

I found this part of the displays very informative. Not only for us Muslims who like to know more about the journey of Islam in many parts of the world, including here in the US, but also those who are not familiar about this religion.
The basic 5 pillars of Islam, for example, is also explained here.

it was a bit dark but the information is clear..

And the display is superb as well...
Clearly depicting  the Islamic spirit and cultures ... 
in beautiful patterns and bright colors :).

I took all the photos using my smartphone, so some of them are not very clear.

This very segment also displays the rise of other religions like Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism. 

So, what do you think? Do you find this part as interesting as I do?


American Museum of Natural History  (AMNH)
Central Park West, 79th Street, New York City, New York, 10024-5192
Phone: +1 212 7695100
Open daily from 10 AM - 5.45 PM, except on Thanksgiving and Christmas