The last weekend of Governor's Island

It took me 5 months to make it out to Governor's Island. I'm ashamed that I went on the last weekend of it being open for this season, which was the weekend of October 9th & 10th, but it was so hot this past summer I just couldn't make it outside unless it was to go grocery shopping (Governor's Island opens sometime in early June).

I went with a friend for Oktoberfest but the event was at capacity by the time we got there so we settled for a beer and a walk along Water Taxi Beach. While there I enjoyed the views of Lower Manhattan and the Jersey City skyline across the Hudson River.

There were also great views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, along with glimpses of cruise ships, sailboats and water taxis passing by.

And it is a quick 7 minute ferry ride from the Battery Maritime Building in Lower Manhattan (by the Staten Island ferry terminal). I hope to make it out there more often next summer and fall...

View of Lower Manhattan across the Hudson River


View of Lower Manhattan and the Jersey City skyline from Water Taxi Beach


There are bicycles for rent or you can bring your own to Governor's Island


Interesting street names along the promenade


An empty, historical house on the island


Old cannons at Fort Jay

A visit to Battery Park City

After visiting Ground Zero on September 11th, I decided that instead of going home to watch a movie and relax, I would finally stop by Battery Park. I've been meaning to stop by there for a while—I've only been there 3 times in the last 4 years so I took the opportunity to revisit.

I started at Bowling Green (because that's where the subway is) and came across the Flags of Honor and Heroes and then walked down by the water to take in the view of the Statue of Liberty out on Liberty Island. I could also see Ellis Island, Liberty State Park in Jersey City and even the Colgate Clock (I out in Jersey City as well (I always wonder why that thing is there!).

As I walked up the esplanade, along the water heading north toward the North Cove Marina and The World Financial Center, the Statue of Liberty stayed within my view. There wasn't a moment when I wasn't amazed by everything surrounding me. The beautiful Jersey City skyline, the sparking light on the Hudson River, the butterflies in the bushes, the many secluded park spaces and the cool, random sightings along the way, like a guy riding what I believe was a cupcake bicycle.

Passageway by the esplanade


View of the Statue of Liberty



The Jersey City skyline

Tiny city

Staten Island isn't far, but it's far enough away to make the city look like it's far away and less intimidating than it actually is.

It's been about a year since I've been on the Staten Island ferry and gotten a front row view of downtown Manhattan's skyline, as well as the Jersey City skyline, Ellis Island, Liberty Island and The Statue of Liberty. I'm thinking of going again soon to check out the 9-11 Memorial and enjoy the views some more.

tiny city

tiny famous statue

Views from Liberty State Park

Last weekend I went out to Liberty State Park in Jersey City for the Earth Day 2010 event. I took the PATH, then the Hudson-Bergen light rail, then a shuttle bus–and it all took quite a while! But along the way there were amazing views of the city skyline, the Statue of Liberty and its close neighbor, Ellis Island. It amazes me every time I see these famous places and sites. I've been out to Jersey City nearly every other weekend lately, just to take it all in.

Manhattan Skyline—mostly downtown and Battery Park City


View towards Ellis Island (and the Statue of Liberty is hidden behind it)


You can see the top of the Empire State Building over the hill




View toward Midtown Manhattan and the Empire State Building

Wherever work takes me...

Sometimes my work takes me to high-up places! As a Graphic Designer in the marketing department of a corporate housing company that provides furnished apartments all over Manhattan, I sometimes get to view the apartments in person to take pictures or plan video shoots.

A while ago I took part in a video tour at Tower 31, a luxury high-rise in The Flat Iron District and got to photograph the views from inside one of the rental units. And there are more to come following this one!

This apartment, located a block away from Times Square, was amazing because it provided views of all of New Jersey, Downtown Manhattan and The Statue of Liberty. My personal favorite is the view of New Jersey. To me it is amazing to be able to stand in one state (New York) and SEE another (NJ).

It was a bright and sunny afternoon up on the 60th floor of this luxury high-rise. I can't wait visit again!


Looking South towards Downtown Manhattan


Battery Park City, Jersey City and The Statue of Liberty


Looking West towards New Jersey


View towards Chelsea and Gramercy; the New York Life Insurance Building and Met Life Tower (gold top)

Inside Ikea

I'm a long way from Strawberry Fields now (that's the title of this photo blog - "I could not stay in Strawberry Fields forever"). I started writing this about a year ago in April when I noticed how amazing the change of seasons was. I had a lot of photos from when I lived a few blocks away from Strawberry Fields in the Upper West Side, and those photos were starting to pile up along with new photos of other parks and neighborhoods throughout Manhattan and the other boroughs (Queens and Brooklyn).

Maybe not every day, but most days I try to go on an adventure and see a new place or revisit an old one during a different season so that I can capture a different image of what it looks like. I've been to Brooklyn a lot, but never out to the new Ikea store in Red Hook and I finally got the chance to go this past week.

Rather than shop for sofas and poang chairs, I took some pictures and enjoyed the view of the Statue of Liberty from inside the upstairs cafeteria where I had chicken fingers and french fries. It's always so amazing to catch a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty. I was excited enough as it was just to see it through the windows of the water taxi on the way there... and here I was sitting in a Swedish chair at a Swedish table eating what I suppose were Swedish chicken strips, enjoying a view of one of the most famous statues in the world.


View of the Statue of Liberty from inside the Ikea cafeteria


The Ikea cafeteria

View of one of the put-together rooms

Signs were everywhere for their food, ha ha!

On the way to Ikea

Visiting the new Ikea in Brooklyn is more than just a chance to buy home goods for your city apartment, it's a chance to see the Statue of Liberty while you shop! I went out there via water taxi from one of the piers below Southstreet Seaport and was able to get a view of the Statue of Liberty on the way there. The water taxi passes by Governors Island and nears Staten Island as it enters the docks on the edge of Red Hook where Ikea is located. The ride is free and convenient, and it's quite an experience to get to a shopping store in NYC by boat instead of the usual car or train or bus!

Views from inside the water taxi

The back of Ikea viewed from the dock where the water taxi parked