New York Aquarium, Coney Island

"Ma, do you know that great white sharks can smell blood in the water up to three miles away?" exclaimed Bo while looking at the Shark sign
"And ooh ma.. Look at that tiny jaw. With sharp teeth! Touch it!" Said Obi while brushing her tiny fingers to the replica of piranhas' powerful jaws.

Bo et Obi happily bombarded me with questions and answer them themselves while we were walking along the Ocean view room at New York Aquarium, Coney Island, that day.

#summerisON!
And how we all look forward to have a lovely summer.

Here in NYC, kids have been enjoying their summer break since June 26. And since we have no summer classes this time, my hubby and I are working on making sure that the kids, and their parents as well :),  have an enjoyable, yet rewarding summer break.

Not that easy though..particularly as I still have to work full time and the UN, somehow, is still packed with meetings.

Nevertheless, whenever we have day-off and weekends, we try to go out with the kids.
During the Lebaran week, we managed to go to the Coney Island. 
Well, first destination here is the New York Aquarium.

Have you been here before?

New York Aquarium is part of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). As and ID NYC holder, my hubby and I can get 1-year free membership of the WCS which includes, among others, the New York Aquarium, Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo and Queens Zoo. So can visit those places for free. Cool, right.
As for the kids, as they do not have the ID yet, we still have to pay for their admission.
It usually costs $12 per person older than 2 years, but that day it was only $10.

New York Aquarium is undergoing a major change after the devastating storm Sandy.
They are rebuilding and transforming this place but we still have a lot to enjoy.

Coming from Indonesia, the largest archipelagic state, we pretty much miss the ocean and all its interesting creatures. And at this point of time, New York Aquarium is a prefect place to see those beautiful underwater world and spend some quality time with the kids, while at the same time getting closer and getting to know more about nature's wonder.

There are a few places you can visit and enjoy with your kids.

First, the Glover's Reef. 
This is part of the Ocean View Room, our first stop right after entering the aquarium.
And kids (as well as adults) will surely enjoy those great variety of fish and ocean critters from Atlantic, Pacific, Caribbean Oceans and more. Nemo or clown fish are abundant, so is Dory :). Not to mention mantarays and piranhas.

enjoy...

I really love this part as we get to see different types of fish from many corners of the world. My kids got so excited when they saw them so close, found out that piranhas are small yet have super strong jaws.

mantaray, electric blue and more exotic fish

For me who constantly missing the amazing underwater world of Indonesia, this spot is like a tiny home-sweet-home. I let myself immersed in those calming blue water and colorful schools of fish swimming freely right in front of my eyes. I wish I could join them.

the real 'aquarium' in Bunaken, Manado, Indonesia.

Then we also visit the Conservation Hall. And outside the Ocean view room, we have 2 sea cliffs, for walrus and penguins.
Love to see those cute penguins, critters in tuxedo :).
And they make cute noises as well.

What attracts most of my kids' attention is of course the Sharks temporary home. Bo has been smithen by sharks since he was on the 3rd grade. He has a lot of book about sharks and quite knowledgable about this amazing creatures. No wonder he was so happily flipped to see giants sharks in the nearby tank, together with giant mantarays.

the sharks behind the glass...

Before heading home, we watched the show at Aquatheater.
It was so much fun indeed. A 30-minute show with two intelligent sea lions who demonstrated great talents, including dancing, counting and mimicking. Super fun!
Bo et Obi really love the show.

up close and personal :)

You can also enjoy the animal feedings, scheduled at 10.30, 11.45, 1.30, 2.45, and 3.50 PM near the sea cliffs. We missed it because we wanted to see the aquatheater first. They also have 4-D theater featuring Spongebob Squarepants movie. I guess we have to go back here to watch it :).

And don't forget to grab some lovely souvenirs from the aquarium.
This way we can support the the NYAquarium project of rebuilding and transforming this oldest running aquarium in the US.

So, what are you waiting for?
Visit New York Aquarium, Coney Island and have a fantastic time with your loved ones.
We pretty much sure will go back here again :).

New York Aquarium
Surf Avenue and West 8th Street
Coney Island, Brooklyn
(718) 265 3474
For more info, visit nyaquarium.com

Super Humid New York City

Lately, New York City has been super humid.

We were lucky that NYC's weather was very friendly during Ramadhan, which was the second week of June to July. 

blue clouds...

But afterwards, all sunshine is coming and boy, it's hot.
And humid.

around 30 degrees C

Don't ask me why.
Because I have no answers, although I know the combination of heat and humidity can be very lethal, physically and mentally :).

But it surely reminds me of Jakarta, my dearest Capital back home.

Ada rasa rindu yang anehnya menyelinap saat buliran keringat menghiasi kening. 
Saat mata menyipit menentang matahari, senyum saya terkembang. 
It feels like home :).
Well, NYC has been my home for the last 2 years indeed.

And after quite some times, we get some sweat sans exercise.
Good for my walking plan (sans chasing Pokémon :). 
With back-to-back meetings at the UN, a lot of walking is indeed involved. 
And I have to admit I am enjoying it.

In front of the UN

One thing I always remember is taking pictures of the NYC skies.
We can see some clouds are beautifully formed.

roses, tall buildings and skies

No two clouds look alike.
That's another reason why I never stop looking up and taking pictures of those floating cotton clouds. And during super humid days recently, clouds were building up differently.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Joining me on Skywatch Friday and enjoy those beautiful skies from many corners of the world.

Wonderful Wednesday with Oh My Heartsie Girls

Can you imagine it's the last week of June already?

July is waiting in the corner :)

Time surely flies, when you have fun ..or not.

Last weekend we had busy days, with Ifthar and birthday parties to attend to.

Obi has a lovely Sunday with her friends at Bounce n' Play.

having fun at Bounce n' Play

On Saturday, we all went to Al-Hikmah Mosque for the Indonesian Muslim Community in NY for ifthar.

preparing for ifthar...

It was a wonderful gathering indeed. Something that I miss dearly from home whenever we observe the holy month of Ramadhan.

cheers...

Then on Sunday, we had a short visit at Astoria Park Carnival. Boy, it was so crowded and the kids were having fun as well. Bo tried his luck in ball games and Obi rode her pony on the carousel. It was a merry night.

at the carnival

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Bo et Obi at the Boone Hall Plantation, Charleston, South Carolina

Remember our #Roadtrip this summer to the southeastern part of the US?

One of the most memorable stops we made was at the Boone Hall Plantation in Charleston, South Carolina.

I know I haven't really shared the story about this historical place but I will.
I will :).

This time, I just can't help sharing our photos there, particularly Bo et Obi :)

my Obi :)

Morning sky at Mid Beach, Miami, Florida

Morning sky at Mid Beach, Miami, Florida

It was taken right behind our hotel in Miami Mid Beach, Florida

during our #roadtrip this summer ;) 

I edited the photo using Lightroom and preset Zoo Benches for the first and the second photo...

giving me the purple hue on the sky :)

Join us un Skywatch Friday and enjoy the beautiful sky from all over the world :)

Welcome to Miami, babe..

Alriteeee... 

Back to #MyItchyFeet story for the #roadtrip this summer ;). 

After Orlando, we hit Miami and we're loving it.

It was 4 hours drive from Orlando and after a magical day in Disney Magic Kingdom the night before, we really took Miami nice and relax. 

Just chillin'.. Soaking in the pool, strolling at the beach and grabbing some yummy bites in the Marina. Saying hi to the Atlantic Ocean ;)

We stayed in Holiday Inn Ocean Front which is located in the MidBeach. It's a nice place with lovely pool the kids love.

It took around 20 minutes to go down town the Bay Marina and had some dinner there. We truly enjoyed Cuban food at Mambo Cafe at the Marina and Udi had Cuban steak while I savoured the oxtail and sipped my virgin Pina Colada. Supeeer yuuum indeed.

the Cuban steak

oxtail :)

the virgin one :)

That night we drove around the city with our car as well. Passing Little Havana et Little Haiti, the famous Calle Ocho. 

The next day, before hitting Key Largo, we visited the famous South Beach, had our brunch, strolled around the Art Deco district and took pictures here and there. 

one of the lovely Art Deco buildings in South Beach

We managed to play in the water but didn't really swim although pretty much tempted ;).

blue water...

It was scorching here, about 31 degree C, and even for us, Florida sun is a torture ;). Sun screen and lots of water help but we didn't spend too  much time under the direct sun.

Bo et Obi really enjoy the beach but we had Key Largo waiting. And we'll have pur snorkeling session and more beach down there.

One last stop in Miami was the Cuban Crafter ;).

We have a big fan of cigars here and this is the closest we got to the real Cuban cigars. The original Cuban rollers. And fresh rolled cigars.

the roller..

Rolled freshly in Miami :)

Be right back with more episodes of our roadtrip ;)