New York City Summer 2025 Travel Log: Day 2 — A Stroll Through Central Park

We already visited Central Park Zoo, but it was such a nice day today — a perfect 23°C, sunny with a light breeze — that it would've been churlish not to take a walk through Central Park.

Central Park
Central Park Mall
Central Park Mall
Naumburg Bandshell
Bethesda Terrace Grand Staircase
Bethesda Terrace
Bethesda Fountain — Angel of the Waters Statue
Conservatory Water
Conservatory Water
Alice in Wonderland Sculpture by Jose de Creeft

This might just be the best free thing to do in NYC.

The Mall

Central Park

New York, NY 10022

(212) 310-6600

Naumburg Bandshell

Central Park

Terrace Dr. Near W 72nd St.

New York, NY 10019

(212) 501-7809

Bethesda Terrace and Fountain

Central Park

New York, NY 10024

(212) 310-6600

Conservatory Water

Central Park

E 72nd St.

New York, NY 10021

(917) 522-0054

Alice in Wonderland Sculpture

Central Park

E 74th St.

New York, NY 10021

(212) 310-6600

New York City Summer 2025 Travel Log: Day 2 — Exploring Central Park Zoo

Having a 21-month-old nephew who is fascinated by animals gave us a great reason to visit Central Park Zoo, which I had never been to before despite having been to NYC at least 30 times. So, we spent the morning exploring the flora and fauna:

Scarlet Macaw
Toco Toucan
Victoria Crowned Pigeon
Australian Ringneck
Plush-Crested Jay
Tricolored Heron
Banded Mongoose
Gila Monster
Bolivian Gray Titi Monkey
Black and White Ruffed Lemur
Japanese Macaque
Patagonian Mara
Emperor Goose
Mandarin Duck
Hydrangeas
Begonia Grandis
Canna Indica
Hydrangeas

As someone who doesn't particularly like spending time in nature, I hadn't felt the need to go to a zoo in over three decades and somehow forgot just how fascinating wild animals are. Kinda disappointed that we didn't get to see the leopards or bears or red pandas (toddlers get fussy REAL FAST and it was getting to nap time), but it does give me more reason to visit again. Of course, leave it to me to spend more time in nature in New York City of all places when I live in Canada…

Central Park Zoo

Central Park

830 5th Ave.

New York, NY 10021

(212) 436-6500

Pingle's Harvest Festival Apple Picking at Pingle's Farm Market

Minji and Daniel randomly invited me to go apple picking this weekend. I don't recall going apple picking after the age of 10, so I agreed to go in the spirit of fall, and we drove about an hour outside of Toronto to go to Pingle's Farm Market:

Pingle's Harvest Festival

Pingle's Harvest Festival

Pingle's Harvest Festival

Pingle's Harvest Festival

Apple trees at Pingle's Farm Market

Apple trees at Pingle's Farm Market

Apple trees at Pingle's Farm Market

Apple trees at Pingle's Farm Market

Apple picking haul!

House-Made Butter Tarts (Maple Walnut + Pecan) and Bumbleberry Blast Jam from Pingle's Farm Market

We picked ten pounds of apples (I got two each of Ambrosia, Honey Crisp, Empire, and Cortland varieties and had to stop myself from getting more because I live by myself and cannot eat that many more apples before they start to rot), indulged in apple cider and apple cider doughnuts from the cafe stall (I didn't take photos because we scarfed them down before I could even remember to, but you'll just have to trust me when I say THESE WERE DELICIOUS), and stopped by the market to get some house-made goodies to take home: a box of butter tarts (Minji and I split the pecan and maple walnut varieties) and a jar of bumbleberry jam. My only regret is not trying more pastries from the bakery because we were on our way to lunch and didn't want to get full. But conclusion: APPLE PICKING IS AWESOME. I think I will officially make this a new fall tradition. 

Pingle's Farm Market

1805 Taunton Rd.

Hampton, ON L0B 1J0

(905) 725-6089

Tokyo 2024 Travel Log: Day 4 — Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival at Ueno Park

So, we went to Ueno Park in the evening 'cause the Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival started and the park is illuminated after sundown and the view is supposed to be pretty damn spectacular.

Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival
Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival
Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival
Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival

Except we just saw hundreds and hundreds of barren trees because apparently the sakura are blooming late this year in Tokyo. But we did find two trees that started blooming and, hey, at least the lanterns are pretty!

Ueno Park

Uenokoen, Taito City

Tokyo, Japan 〒110-0007

+81-3-3828-5644

Osaka 2024 Travel Log: Day 5 — Walking Around Osaka Castle

We walked an hour from Namba to Osaka Castle and got there just as the queue to go in closed for the day (can you tell I didn't do any research before going?), so we quite literally walked around the main building:

Osaka Castle — Main Tower (South Side)

Osaka Castle — South Outer Moat

Osaka Castle — Main Tower (South Side)

Osaka Castle — Inner Moat (West Side)

Osaka Castle — Main Tower (Northwest Corner)

Osaka Castle — Inner Moat (Northwest Side)

Osaka Castle — Main Tower (North Side)

But you can be damn sure I took photos of the exterior from as many sides as I could. (And the moats. 'Cause who doesn't love a good moat?)

Osaka Castle

Osaka Castle Park

1-1 Osakajo

Chuo Ward

Osaka, Japan 〒540-0002

Hong Kong 2024 Travel Log: Day 2 — Walking Through Kowloon Park

Okay, so my mom and I decided to just take a stroll through the Jordan neighbourhood after breakfast because nothing was open yet and somehow ended up walking into Kowloon Park and guess what we found?

Flamingos!

FLAMINGOS!

FLAMINGO FEEDING TIME

Flamingo habitat

Aviary waterfall

Hibiscus flowers

Hibiscus flower

More hibiscus flowers

A massive fountain

Another massive fountain

Among other things, FLAMINGOS! FLAMINGGOOOOOOSSSS! Dozens and dozens of them just hanging out IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS MASSIVE URBAN CITY. WHY DOES NO ONE TALK ABOUT THE FLAMINGOS?

Kowloon Park

Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

Hong Kong