Pixels-Inspired: America

2006-09-11T15:32:00.000-07:00

Welcome!

I've spent this past 2 months here in the United States, between inauspicious dates of July 7th, 2006 (1st Anniversary of the London Bombings) and September 11th, 2006 (5th Anniversary of the New York's World Trade Centre).

Along the way, I've gathered many pictures that I would like to share here in my experiment with Google's Picasa2 & Blogger.

I would like to thank God for His protection and blessings all through out my time here. Now refreshed, I'm heading back to the UK for a new challenge so please pray for His continued providence. Thanks.

I would also like to thank the many that made my trip so much more enriching.
Uncle, Aunt, Joyce, Poh-Poh, and the 3 Qian's: Thanks for everything, everything...
Keh Shiun & Family: Great seeing you again, enjoyed San Francisco.
Keh Yong & Family: Great time at Big Sur, and got to touch Pacific Ocean.
Mary & Alvin: Thank you for all the arrangements. Interesting table at Vegas, huh?
Vincent & Family: Penangites, we're really missing Penang food. Thanks for hosting.

Enjoy.

Blessings,
Alex.
September 11th, 2006

2006-09-11T02:40:00.000-07:00

Cycling Day-Out in San Francisco
September 9th, 2006

Took the BART from Fremont to Powell St.

Onto SF's infamous cable car: Powell St. to Taylor St.
They are here for a good reason: San Francisco Downtown is full of challenging steep hills.

At the end of the line, they use this to turn the car around...

... manually...

... and push it back on track.

Me, the Golden Gate Bridge, ...

... and my rented bicycle.

I prefer manual labour too, depending on me old skinny legs instead of fossil fuel. Biked the whole length of the bridge and back.
And snapped this photo as I was jumping off for a swim...!

Biked, hiked, walked, and downhill dash through Presidio.

Ocean Beach
Black and white.

Black... (it wasn't napping)

... and white.

Golden Gate Park
Riding through a park...

... you wouldn't expect to see...

... America Bisons.

After a long climb uphill to Alamo Garden, this was where the cramps started to really kick-in.

But I had to strive forward...

... because lunch was nearby at Japan Town, 6 hours after a light breakfast at 8am.

Returned my bike at 5pm after 6 gruelling hours.
Time to head home.

This time, I get to sit and stand facing out the cable car. Just don't fall off.

More manual labour with the cable car, this was the brake.

And this, the accelerator.

Powell St. to Fremont on BART again.

And waited for my 4th mode of transport for the day...

... the Bus.

After getting off the bus, I would have walked the remaining 15 minutes back to the house but my uncle and aunt were anxious to get me home in one piece. Thanks for the ride.

2006-09-11T02:31:00.000-07:00

Return trip from Vancouver, Washington to Fremont California.
September 3rd, 2006

My wonderful hosts at the Vancouver Train Station to send me off.

Another mode of transport conquered, Amtrak Train.

Views that I missed during our drive up to Washington.

Train food!
Not included in the $107 fare. Dining at the restaurant by reservation only, but there's also a snack bar. This was the salad entree.

Angus Burger, which gave me stomach cramps later.

Oh, forgot. Here's how it looks like inside.

Plenty of legroom, better than airplanes.

Good morning, sunshine!

Paddy fields, reminds me of Sekinchan.

Thanks for the tips on Europe and further insights into American culture, Robert. All the best in setting up your bakery.

2-hour transit time at Sacremento meant another place to conquer!

Went back into time to visit Old Sacremento.

Not so exclusive between Sacremento and Fremont, but still very comfortable.

Ask.com: Don't let habit prevent you from trying something new.

Take me out to the ball game...

I knew my 24-hour journey was coming to an end when I saw this.
Next stop, Fremont-Centerville Station.

2006-09-11T01:43:00.000-07:00

Labour Day Weekend in Washington
With Vincent and Family
August 30th - September 3rd, 2006

This was the only picture I took during our drive from California to Washington up north, because I drove through the most beautiful and exciting part of the journey. Great drive!

Had to bring some overdue homework along to finish. See the transformation?

Barbeque with Vincent's family: wrong shot, wrong time! Sorry...

Jagung! (Malay: Corn or Maize)

Great place they have here, the neighbourhood borders a local forest reserve.

Deers nearby early one morning. Not showing their best sides, are they?

Portland, Oregon, which is just across the Columbia River and a 20-minute drive away.

As seen on TV!

Boy, do I miss Indian food.

Thanks, Steven. Craving quenched.

Dinner with Techie & Trekkie.

2006-09-07T21:13:00.000-07:00

Today's Most Exciting Companies
August 11th, 2006

Address:
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA 95014

Recognise the signboard?

Apple Computer Inc.

Address:
1600 Amphitheatre Parkway
Mountain View, CA 94043

Goooooooooooooooogle...

And somehow, I ended up having dinner here...

Vincent was saying not a lot of people back home get to see this.
Address:
847 Gibraltar Dr
Milpitas, CA 95035

Solectron Corp.

Address:
2111 NE 25th Ave
Hillsboro, OR 97124

Intel Jones Farm Campus

2006-09-07T17:28:00.000-07:00

Las Vegas, Nevada
July 15th-16th, 2006

In the middle of nowhere...

... along this one road.

Stardust

Mirage

Caesar's Palace

Bellagio

(was already too late for water fountain show)

Luxor

... along with the sphinx and pyramid.

Mandalay Bay

... and Wynn, the latest and the greatest.

There are 2 things you're expected to do here in Las Vegas:

1. Watch a show.
Le Reve Show at Wynn, that had a bunch of people jumping of high wires in water. Nothing to shout about, would have enjoyed the Blue Man Show more.

2. Gamble, made $160 profit from my uncle's $200 by conservatively placing minimum bets of $15.

2006-09-06T20:25:00.000-07:00

Day-out with Keh Yong and Co.
July 12th, 2006

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park...

...for plenty of redwood trees...

... and hiking trails that leads to waterfalls.

Andrew Morela State Park

Hello, Pacific Ocean!

... with the occasional eagle.

Sights along Highway 1.

17-mile Drive
Pebble Beach Golf Course

Got lost, poor navigation by yours truly, this was all we managed to see.

China Rock - conquered.

2006-09-06T19:42:00.000-07:00

Day-out in San Francisco with Keh Shiun and Co.
July 8th, 2006

Coit Tower & Christopher Columbus

Downtown San Francisco

Lombard Street

An actual neighbourhood, the street is a steep and winding road lined with flowers.

Pier 39...

... to check out some sea lions lazying around.

Alcatraz: Good luck lining up for a ferry ticket to get across.

Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum

Little by little...

... strand by strand...

... section by section...

Golden Gate Bridge

2006-09-06T17:40:00.000-07:00

British Airways 1st Class
London - San Francisco
July 7th, 2006

Starters:
Loch Fyne kinglas smoked salmon and caviar creme fraiche.

Carrot and red lentil soup with orange creme fraiche.

Main Course:
Paisarn Cheewinsiriwat's yellow lobster and green papaya curry with cucumber relish and lemon grass brown rice.

Dessert:
Banana tarte Tatin with vanilla ice cream.

Snacks:

A selection of sandwiched featuring -
Prawn and dill
Free-range egg salad
Honey mustard chicken with spinach
Mature Cheddar cheese and tomato with red onion marmalade

And you can't beat this view...