WW: The Vessel, Unique Architecture in Hudson Yards, New York City

 Have you seen or read about The Vessel, unique architecture in Hudson Yard, New York City ?

Although we are still in the middle of the pandemic and we cannot travel freely as we used to, we can still visit those places virtually. For me, one of the best ways to beat my craving for traveling is looking into my external hard disk and publishing it.

And here's what I have.

THE VESSEL

The Vessel is one of the recent addition to the Hudson Yards Redevelopment project. Well, the unique, one-of-a-kind design which is inspired by honey comb started to be built in April 2017 and finished in March 2019.  I read that it costs approximately USD 200 million. Quite a fantastic amount of budget!

When I left NYC in August 2018, this building was not there yet. Then I was lucky to go back again in May 2019 and there it was, standing tall and grand, so whimsical that it certainly becomes the landmark in the Hudson Yards area.

It is very easy to reach this place. I only took line 7 of the subway and rode until the end of the line heading to Hudson Yards. Once you get out of the station, you will see the building on your right and you can also follow the sign.

It was very windy when I visited this place. You can see me frantically hold on to my fedora when I took the selfie LOL.

Here are some of the photos I took around the area.

You can get the ticket to go up taking the elevator or walking up the platforms. They have the quota per day so make sure you get here early. I was late and didn't get a chance to go up.

I have the video as well about my visit to the Vessel and it is uploaded to my You Tube account. Please take a look.

That's The Vessel, unique architecture in Hudson Yards, New York City. 

So what do you think? it's pretty unique, right? Will you visit this place once you can come to the Big Apple?

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WW: Hagia Sophia Revisited

We have heard from the news recently that Hagia Sophia or Aya Sofya in Istanbul, Turkey is now becoming mosque again. It was originally built as Cathedral then turned into mosque for several times before it functions as museum. Until July 10th, 2020, when President Erdogan of Turkey announced that Hagia Sophia will resume its function as mosque again.

I just remember my last visit there and  revisit this amazing place through my external hard disk. Again I just realize I have so many unpublished photos of Hagia Sophia. 

Even after all those times, I am still awed by its magnificent details.

Hope you like the following photos.

Read more stories about it at: A Little Note about Istanbul: Trail of Civilization #3: Hagia Sofia

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WW: One Cloudy Day at Paris, the City of Lights

While enjoying your #stayathome #workfromhome #studyfromhome period, I took the liberty to dig up my external hard disk and boy..  I have tons of unpublished photos from my previous journey. 

Well, I do miss traveling.

Terribly.

But for now, I fully enjoy staying at home because I know I'm saving my self, as well as the lives of my loved ones, my family and the community. 

I cannot deny that I was quite frustrated to see, to read and to hear so many sad news here and there. I am trying to follow all the latest updates on the issue of COVID - 19, be it at home or abroad, and to do my best to contribute, by donating some fund to certain movements and platforms as well as to those around me who need assistance. Simple things like ordering food online, buying your fresh veggies from the traditional vendors who still need to go out and sell things to survive, giving free food and basic staples to those who need them, and staying at home as well as obeying the prevailing regulations will certainly help. So let's be kind and considerate. We all in this together and we all can fight it together.

Anyway, I randomly chose this Paris visit folder back in spring 2018.

Spring is here so I thought it's appropriate to celebrate it by publishing series of spring photos. In some place, spring is not only identical with blooming flowers, but also with rain.

I stayed for two days for meetings and I got a chance to see Paris in between.

Coming here for about 5 times, I never get bored (at all) with this City of Lights.

Even when rain came pouring down the whole day, I insisted to see its ageless beauty under the grey sky. 

Here are some photos I took on that cloudy-then-rainy day.

I took the metro and sopped at Trocadero and walked at the surrounding areas. In the evening, we made a round-a-bout drive along the Eiffel Tower and enjoyed its blinding lights.

Isn't she the prettiest?

Trocadero..

In gold..

cloud and rain did not stop people from flocking around

at dusk..

I just didn't want to move..

The metro is very handy

 And when the night came..

Tell me ...  do you think Paris still looks glamorous even under the pouring rain 

and gloomy sky?

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Spring time in Japan

Staying at home for two full weeks, although amidst never ending home works for the kids and my own assignment, makes me take the liberty to dig up my files and post some old photos and videos. I realised I have tons of them even from 10 years ago, when we lived in Geneva, Switzerland , and took so many photos during our road trip to more than 20 countries in Western and Central Europe. Well, let's see whether I can bring them back alive and put them in My Purple World.

One thing for sure, it is now spring in many parts of the world, particularly in the western hemisphere. In Indonesia, spring is probably all year long, as we only have dry and rainy seasons along the year. 
And I love spring.
It always brings back the colors and the fun after a long, dull, cold winter.
It brings hope for new beginning, a new chapter of life.
Something to look forward to.

Well, as we are now fighting the pandemic, wherever we are, we long for that beautiful and warm spring, don't we? But as many of us are practising physical and social distancing, some are even in lock down, let's celebrate spring virtually. 

Morning cherry blossoms walk in Ueno Park, Japan

I still have so many photos of spring that I haven't really put here.
Including those from Spring time in Ueno, Japan, back in March 2018.
I transited in Tokyo on my way to Noumea, New Caledonia in the Pacific.
It was two years ago but it felt like yesterday.
That was also my first time coming to this Land of the Rising Sun.

I just managed to make the video of my spring trip to Japan.
I know..it's been too long but not that long enough to forget how lovely the trip was.

Feel free to enjoy the photos as much as I do and tell me what you think about spring.

I did manage to go to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden as well to see more cherry blossoms and enjoy more spring in Japan.

But hey, spring time in New York City is also beautiful.
We had so much time enjoying the cherry blossoms in Brooklyn Botanical Garden, the UN Rose Garden, and Flushing Meadow, Corona Park, Queens.

Cheers from the Brooklyn Botanical Garden

Now I kinda miss the UN Headquarters which looks lovely every spring due to those beautiful lines of cherry trees blooming in the Rose Garden, against the background of East River and the Queensboro Bridge. Well, you can see how I miss those places!

Happy spring, everyone!

So how do you enjoy spring in your place?
Is it your favorite season?

Meanwhile, wherever you are, stay healthy, happy and safe!
Happy spring and cheers..

WW: St. George’s, the Capital City of Grenada

I know it’s a #throwback edition of my visit to Grenada, the Island of Spice as I made my journey there in 2017. 
But as I was just finishing the video of my little adventure down here (better late than never) brings me all those good memories back. And I have to say, St. George’s, the capital city of Grenada, has a lot to offer.

I stayed in Grenada for 4 days and most of them were filled with endless meetings.
Nevertheless, Grenada has been a wonderful host and we really got a chance to actually see the city.

had so much fun diving in Grenada..

So besides diving and Catamaran sail, I did visit Fort Frederick, the historical site of the country as well as the best spot to see the city from above.
Not to mention a little stroll we had in the local market.
As I have probably mentioned before, Indonesia and Grenada are closely related, as we both

The local choco from Grenada

Mini me and I way back then..

I was there for a UN meetings and in between, we managed to see the beauty of the lovely state in the West Indies of the Caribbean.
I was lucky to stay at the Radisson Hotel right by the Grand Anse Beach.
The hotel is lovely and I had the full view on sunset on the beach.  

Let's explore the beach..

Down town at the city, we strolled around the market and bought some souvenirs.
We went up hill to see the bird eyes' view of the St. George's.
I love it!

right in the middle of the city

The rainbow..

Here are some photos I took along the way.
Most of them were taken around Grand Anse beach, the famous white-sandy beach in the country, as well as downtown.

Getting ready for our diving trip

Let's sail..

Care for some souvenirs

Yummy salad..

Let's relax..

The Radisson Grenada Hotel

the rainbow over the St. George's

Feel free to check out my video at my YouTube channel as well.

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