Haze Day Rant
Right now the PSI level is 401 and PM2.5 concentration level 246 here in the Eastern part of Singapore.
For the past 3 days I've been cooped up at home trying to avoid the haze. I say "trying" cos my Indonesian maid has a problem understanding the dangers of the haze. Everytime I close the window, she ends up opening them up again somehow. I am inclined to believe that she is used to the haze. Even after countless advising it is still happening. I am thus forced to stay in my room even though I really wanna watch TV outside!
So on social media, everyone is ranting away about the Singapore government, or the Indonesian government or about the haze in general. I've some matters I wanna get off my chest too. I get that what is happening in Indonesia is pretty much beyond the Singapore Government's control. They can have meetings after meetings, but we have to face the fact that the damage is done and the priority is to help Singaporeans. My family has been having trouble getting the proper N95 masks, driving all over the place, checking all pharmacies and alas! all out of stock. (Joel is in Bangkok now and the pharmacies there are all out of masks?!) So I can only imagine the vulnerable groups (elderly & sick) who are unable to get up and out to find these masks. It is really the survival of the fittest and the most resourceful. I'm really wondering why our government is leaving us to fend for ourselves. :/
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Well, since I'm stuck at home, will try to continue with the Grad Trip post. Didn't think that I would take so long to complete it! :/ There are just too many pictures to filter through!
Day 8: New Bedford, Massachusetts and Mystic, Connecticut
Checked out of our motel and left Cape Cod. Drove for about an hour to New Bedford to visit the Whaling Museum. After our whale-watching trip, we were especially curious to know more about whales, so this was the perfect visit to make! (:
First thing that greeted us when we entered was the skeletons of 2.5 whales. Why 2.5? Well cos when they found this whale pictured below, she had a baby inside ):
Got this from the website:
"Reyna is a 49 foot (14.9m), 15-year old, female North Atlantic Right Whale. She was ten months pregnant with her first calf when she was accidentally struck and killed off the coast of Virginia, in Chesapeake Bay. She washed ashore a week later along North Carolina's Outer Banks." Photo credits to: NBWM
"Kobo is the skeleton of a 66 foot, rare, juvenile Blue whale, acquired by the Museum after he was accidentally struck and killed by a 498-foot tanker and was brought ashore in Rhode Island in March 1998." Photo credits to: NBWM
While we were looking at the exhibition, a friendly museum guide approached us and started telling us more about the exhibits! In the end, he gave us a tour of the entire museum (:
This is an authentic whaling boat used to hunt whales in the past. Massachusetts was an active whaling area but is now geared towards the preservation and protection of whales.
The guide showed us the markings made on the boat. Each marking signifies each whale killing made. So can you imagine how many whales the crew in this tiny boat killed? ): As I mentioned in the previous post, whales don't have a sense of the danger these boats possess. I asked the guide, "These whales are big, why didn't they attack the ship?" to which he answered that they just aren't aggressive creatures. :'( They just don't have a sense of what's going on.
In the past, the whale hunters would target the baby whales. But the real prize would be the mother whale who comes to the rescue of the baby. The mother would never ever abandon the baby, so both would end up killed.):
The Whaling Museum is also home to the largest (replica) of a whaling ship.
The guide explained to us how the sailors went about capturing the whale, cutting it up and collecting the blubber (for oil).
Out on the roof to see the bird's eye view of New Bedford. Him giving us history anecdotes on the area.
After the tour ended, we wanted to tip the guide, but he wouldn't take the money (which is pretty rare for Americans). We felt that he was really doing it out of passion! I get a warm feeling from knowing that there are a lot of people out there who care about whales and marine life (:
Back on the road again and check out the beautiful sky! You really don't appreciate these amazing sights until they're gone. Now I can't even see the sky in Singapore.
Arrived at the Olde Mistick Village! Just a small place with cottages and shops built to model the historical architecture of a small village.
Cinnamon sugar-coated almonds! Yum.
Next up, drove to the Mystic Seaport.
It was a "whole-day" kind of place to hang out, to see the ships and stuff, so we chose to forgo paying the entry fee and left after taking a few pictures.
Stopped at a random snack bar along the road, just cos Joel was craving for shrimps! He couldn't get the juicy shrimps out of his mind. Haha. This place was totally random, but the shrimps were soooooo good!
View while waiting for the food. Love love the blue water and blue sky!
As usual, we ended the day with shopping at Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets. No pictures!
Day 9: New Haven, Connecticut & Flight to Florida
Stopover at New Haven once again cos it's on the way back to NYC.
Visited the The Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, home to Yale University's archives of rare books and manuscripts. Found it interesting that the walls are made of marble panes that allow light to filter in.
At Urban Outfitters cos Joel wanted to scope out some good deals again. And he succeeded! Here's me bored and pretending to read.
Love the "Carpe That Fucking Diem" pillow!
Macarons? Look again!
Left Connecticut and drove two hours to New York City.
Dropped off our rented car at the Dollar rental place and waited for the shuttle to La Guardia airport.
Finally on the plane otw to Florida! Flew via JetBlue and it's my favorite domestic (budget) airline in the States cos they serve free drinks and snacks. Here's my fav Arizona in a mini-size can.
Day 10: Miami, Florida
Palm trees, sunny day and blue sky! After the cold weather we had for the past 9 days, the sun was a welcome treat. But of course Joel didn't like it! He was too accustomed to the cold weather.
Visited the DASH store! Am a huge fan of the Kardashians ;)
Miami architecture is all about patterns and colors!
I'm in Miami beach! Yes, it's true. Almost everyone there is tanned and beautiful. If they aren't beautiful, at least they are tanned! lol.
Regret not wearing a tube top, cos I ended up with ugly tan lines that still would not go away (even after 20 days of being back in Singapore)! No matter how much I scrub or slap whitening cream on ):
The UV rays that reach Miami are really really much stronger.
Taking many shots cos the backdrop is soooo pretty. Blue sky, white sand. Too bad we were only there for less than 2 days ):
Apparently this was the home of Gianni Versace (founder of Versace), but he was unfortunately killed outside his home on those very steps (conveniently blocked by the blue car -.-")
Yay! Pinkberry! Perfect treat for this hot weather.
Can I just say how much I love Pinkberry? Free unlimited toppings! But of course, I didn't want to look too kiasu so I only chose three. I have recently taken a liking to mini chocolate balls with my froyo. (: Sadly, I did not stumble upon another Pinkberry for the rest of my trip. (How is that even possible?) ):
Walked over to Lincoln Mall Road, where all the big brand shops are at!
While walking back to the car, we found Miami Ink! Excuse my retarded face, don't really know how to pose. Not bad-ass enough. Haha. But yes I love to watch Miami Ink on TV but too bad they aren't showing it anymore. Was hoping to see Ami James (so hot!) but he wasn't around and we didn't feel brave enough to go inside the shop. lol.
Favorite buy from Lincoln Mall Road! Actually it was my only buy that day ): Didn't find anything to buy at Forever21 (cos I've practically bought every nice thing) or H&M. Wanted to get sunglasses but just couldn't find one to fit my face. T.T
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Shall end this day's post with a picture of a sunburnt me (check out my pink nose and shoulders) enjoying my favorite coffee ever! While watching "Kim and Kourtney Take Miami", Khloe Kardashian was hooked on Cuban coffee and I knew I just had to try it! So the whole time I was just looking out for it, but even a drive through little Havana was fruitless. In the end we found a cuban coffee house, right next to the hotel! And it's really the BOMB. Most delicious coffee I have tasted.
Day 11: Miami Everglades and Downtown Disney
The next day, (after getting my cuban coffee) we drove for about 45 minutes into the Everglades, a swampy area of Miami. We were there to take an airboat road to see the alligators! Behind me is said airboat.
The yellow patch on my top looks like a sticker but it's actually a mosquito patch! Heard that the mosquito in the Everglades can be quite vicious.
Gator spotted! I freaked out. lol. I literally jumped in my seat.
But obviously our guide treated it like his pet. Nothing unusual here - just feeding fluffy!
Gators are much less aggressive than crocs. If this was a crocodile, it would attempt to get onto the boat and attack us. :/
Good fluffy! Here's a treat.
Guide picked up water lilies for the girls on the boat.
It was only us and a pair of European tourists.
We spotted many gators that day, but only a few brave (or greedy) ones would swim up to the boat. Here's another one.
Mouth open ready to grab hold of your arm! *shudders* As you can tell, I wasn't a fan of them!
Guide brought us to a rest area, where a friendly raccoon came to greet us. So cute but as usual I was pretty timid and freaked out as well. But it's only one harmless raccoon after all right?
AND THEN I SAW ITS WHOLE FAMILY. Wtf.
The guide started feeding them and they all ran out and started munching and fighting and all I could do was hide behind Joel and whisper "Rabies! Rabies!" lol
Took a mini walk into the forest and this little bugger followed us.
It started drizzling and so the guide rushed us back to the starting point. What a pity we had to cut short the tour just cause of the awful weather!
The tour we took: Buffalo Tiger Everglades. There are a few companies you can choose from, with different prices. So do your research!
Scrump for company while on our 3-hour drive to Orlando!
Once we got into the car, it started pouring, and when we got to Orlando it was still gloomy. ):
Reached Downtown Disney in Orlando! Downtown Disney is an area consisting of Disney themed restaurants, shops and movie theater. It's basically like Disneyland, without the rides and entrance fee.
Pardon the gloomy pictures. It was drizzling slightly! And obviously the camera was feeling under the weather too heh.
Seeked shelter in the Lego store!
Weather cleared up after a while, and we saw a rainbow!
The view of the hugeeee Disney merchandise store!
Was pretty upset that day cos we had planned to buy our Disneyland tickets that day at Downtown Disney. But due to the weather, Joel didn't want to in case the weather became worse the next day. He wanted us to forgo the plans to go Disneyland! :'( The next day, the sky was threatening to rain, but the sun was out! And we went after all! (:
Next post: Orlando Theme Parks!
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