How should one feel when one sees one's conuntry's flag fluttering in front of the United Nations?  Proud, right?  Well, after blogging at the library yesterday, I went to the United Nations building and looked at all the flags.  First thing I noticed was the Malaysian flag so I thought to myself that cannot lose out, mut find the Singapore flag as well.

Well, after a long while, found it and as I saw it fluttering int he sky, I felt..... nothing.  Guess the National Day fervour has not reached me yet.  Booked the hostel to stay in Washington DC.

Spent the night exhausted.

This morning (6th August US time), went to see the rest of New York.  First thing I did was go to the beach but nope, there were no babes as it was early in the mornign and it threatened to rain so I was alone at the beach...  Went to the Grand Central Station, Port Authority, Rockefeller Plaza and Washington National Park.  Yes, in Rockefeller Plaza there were a lot of national flags as well but did not bother to look for the national flag.  Booked the greyhound ticket for an overnight bus ride to Washington DC.

The trip to New York was rather uneventful except for the fact that Stockholm airport seems rather disorganised and the plane took off one hour later than sheduled.  Other than that, nothing much to say here.

From Newark airport to the hostel, I took the shuttle service.  Originally, I was supposed to stop at Port Authority in order to take the subway but missed the stop and ended up at Grand Central station.  After losing my way a few times, and it was late at night already, I made my way to the hostel. 

It is said that in order to get a proper feel of the town, one must travel on foot.  This is what I did today.  I took the train from the hostel to Chambers station.  From there, I walked to the World Trade Center, the Observation deck and the park nearby in order to see the Statue of Liberty.  I tot of taking a boat ride to the statue but after seeing the crowds, forget it.  After all, I have seen the statue already. 

Following that, I walked to the Empire State building.  I had no idea it was so far away for I thought it was all near each other.  It was a walk of over two hours before I reached the building.   Afain, there was a very big crowd there so I did nto bother to go to the observation deck. 

The plan for the day is to walk to the UN building and then back to the hostel for some sleep and maybe do some laundry.  Now I am in the New York public library using their free internet.

The plan for tomorrow is to tour some areas of Upper Manhattan before catching my transport to Washington DC.  DId I mention that neither my transportation or accomodation for Washington have been booked yet?  Going to do it now.   

As is tradition, I am now here in Changi airport about to board my plane for the long awaited trip.  The route of the aircraft is Singapore - KL - Stockholm - New York.  From New York, it will be on the ground all the way to Los Angeles where I will catch my flight home.

This trip is a modified version of another trip which I might or might not take.  The original trip included a trip by train from China to Paris but it would take months to complete and since I have only three weeks..........

There is a certain amount of sadness at this trip because thie is the last planned solo backpacking trip of my life.  It has been eight years already and I think it is time to call it a day.  This is not to say that there will notbe anymore backpacking trips or any travelling but rather, no more solo backpacking trips or if I do travel, it is to visit a friend but even then, I do not plan to go solo anymore.

I also feel that there will be a lot of changes in my personal life on completion of this trip and I cannot be sure if it is for the better or worse.  It is 50-50, either yes or no.  Anyway, life must go on, the trip must go on.....

Well, on Monday I will fly off on the long awaited trip.  I cannot say for sure how I will travel but there is a tentative route that I will take.

I will first of all, land in New York city where I will spend at least two days before heading to Washington DC where I will spend at least two days or so.  I plan to make the trip via greyhound bus though I might take Amtrak but this will be my route of transport.

I will take the Greyhound bus next to Chicago to rest in the hostel if there is a hostel available otherwise I would travel southwards towards Atlanta or so where I will rest.  If the route is ok, I will spend the next night at Colorado before heading to Las Vegas for a night.

After Las Vegas, if I still have time, will head on to San Francisco for a day or so before heading to Los Angeles. 

I will be travelling mainly by Greyhound and Amtrak unless I meet another backpacker who is driving in the general direction and if that happens, then I will join him.  I plan to stay in hostels along the way with one or two motels thrown in.  If it is possible, I will sleep in the churches along the way.

Once in every while,
when I see you smile,
that is oh, so bright,
everything seems so right.

Every morning of every day,
there's one thing that I always pray.
That we'll be friends forever more,
that you'll never find me a bore.

I'm sure you remember what I've said,
but it seems you'll never learn.
When your fingers start to burn,
it might just be much too late.

Perhaps this poem makes no sense,
for the topics are not the same.
But I say now t'is no game,
perhaps one day you'll understand.

Well, as is tradition, back at Changi and blogging what happened over the past 24 hours.  In the morning, woke up late and thus missed the train to Katoomba by a few minutes.  The next train took anohter hour to arrive.  As this was the day I was to fly off, it was rather rushed for me.

At Katoomba, took the trolley bus to the three Sisters, took a few photos, toured the town a bit before taking the train back to central and to my friend's place. 

The trip back was rather uneventful except that we transitted at Brisbane from Sydney before flying to KL then on to SIngapore

Well, yesterday, went out with a friend to go exploring Sydney.  I bought the day tripper.  For AUD 16 I have unlimited rides in the buses, trains and the feries.  Went to Bondi beach and the environs, then off to Watson's Bay by ferry.  I went on to Manly Bay and had dinner at hungry Jacks and met some form of racism there.  Well, the way he and I would have settled the issue would have been very different but it is all water under the bridge now....

Today, the plan is to make a day to make a day trip to Blue Mountains before heading back to my friend's place for a ride or train ride to the airport.