Synopsis
I'm finally back from a 14-day trip to the US. Specifically, to the Big Apple - to quote Frank Sinatra's song, New York New York, 'it's a city that never sleeps'. This is especially true when one eats dinner at Times Square at 3AM in the morning, with the crowd still lively and showing no signs of exhaustion.
In a nutshell, NYC is a great city. I refer to it as the Capital of the World. Because 1) it's so big, 2) it's a melting pot of cultures and 3) it's both a financial heavyweight as well as a cultural as well as artistic centre of the world. Broadway musicals are held next to towering skyscrapers of Bank of America or Metlife. Shopping havens of SOHO, Times Square and even Greenwich Village all are located in the labyrinth of buildings in Manhattan Island. The comparisons will be endless.
The 14 days I spent in NYC were magical. It was so different and so radical a departure from right-angled no-nonsense Singapore. Here, the flats (apartment blocks) simply bore me but in NYC the architecture is brilliant. Because NYC has been featured in so many movies, mundane stuff like the subway stations, the Empire State building and even the World Trade Centre have literally become standing iconic landmarks for visitors. NYC residents may not feel the same way but I feel that they are very special to be the centre of the world's attention.
If I should say anything that's related to
GCZ, though, is that those Crown Victoria taxis are just great! Powerful and quiet and relatively well-built inside, I was really impressed. I was even more impressed though, when I got a ride in a Lincoln Town Car. Yes, it may be old but the idle, the noise level and the gearshifts are all excellent. Build quality is surprisingly good, too. Never underestimate American cars.
I'm still a little dizzy from all the new threads (like I mentioned in the Christmas thread) as well as the 18.5 hour flight. After uploading these pictures I shall be retiring to bed... Now, I shall share some pictures and save the words.

For you aircraft junkies: an A340-500.

We rented a Jeep (thought there would be snow) and drove from Newark in NJ to NYC. This is a view of the outskirts of NY - it's pretty polluted as you can see.

Entrance to Lincoln Tunnel.

Traffic was terrible.
A little detour brought us to a serene environment for a change...

The subway's excellent but very, very confusing. Nothing that a little practice wouldn't remedy though...
Times Square

Squirrel, for the fun of it.

Chrysler Building

The UN Building. I just heard in the news that they are going to revamp this place for more than a billion dollars due to leaking roofs and asbestos. It looks magnificent and it's a pity that should happen...

Dress made entirely of condoms. On display in the UN building.

A view of the... er, I don't know what room this is.

This is the General Assembly. For some reason, I couldn't find Singapore's table...

A portrait which signifies unity among all races.

Trump Tower. An apartment at the top costs a cool 18 million USD.

Fire trucks and their sirens are commonly heard in the city.

Ground Zero. It's difficult for me to imagine the Twin Towers when it was hit... It must have been massive because the site is simply huge.

Some murals to remember those who have been affected by 9/11.

A message left for a loved one lost.

A very strange building with no windows. Hmm... Anyone have any ideas what this building is all about?

Brooklyn Bridge.
Rockefellar Centre
The Empire State

Ferrari/Maserati showroom. No pictures allowed - pity... There was the 599GTB, 612 and F430 Spider among others.
Central Park
I have more automotive pictures @ the Spotted Today thread:
http://www.germancarzone.com/showthr...t=3055&page=57
Oh and BTW guys, the Maserati's parked at the workshop now, we'll be taking delivery by the first week of January. Stay tuned.
Hope you have enjoyed the pictures.
