Chimneys in NYC

These chimneys on top of a co-op building on Park Avenue and 60th Street are quite unique and interesting. I believe the apartments in the building have individual wood burning fire places, which are rare and found only in very old and expensive apartments. Nowadays, new buildings have electronic heating systems that negate the use of steam pipes or fire places to keep the place warm.

I have never lived in a house with a wood burning fire place. But I find the concept very appealing because of all the beautiful imageries I saw in movies and television while growing up. I would love to spend a winter vacation in an old house so I can build a fire in the furnace and curl up next to it while drinking hot cocoa. And maybe toast some marshmallows.

Have you ever lived in a house with a fire place? Did you enjoy or was it more work than it seemed?

Hairless Dog

I saw this hairless dog at the downtown street fair a couple weeks ago. It received a lot of curious stares including a couple of "Ewwwww!"s from the kids. The dog demeanor was very nervous and jittery like a chihuahua but it is about the size of a Jack Terrier.

The owners told me the dog was specifically bred for its hairless qualities. Have you seen anything like this before? This was my first time.

Ouch! Is that a fruit?

I took this photo a couple months ago at the Patel Brothers, an Indian supermarket in Jackson Heights, Queens. It is a tropical fruit that is quite delicious.

Can you guess what it is?

Update: It is a jackfruit, which is a kin of the mulberry tree. Click on the highlighted word on the left for more information.

Ming Goes to Washington

I was in Washington DC for work earlier this week and managed to take some great photos of the subway system there. Even though these photos are not of New York City, I hope you would allow me the opportunity to post the photos from my trip.

The subway system in Washington DC is spotlessly clean and absolutely gorgeous. The design of the platforms and tunnels in the waiting area look like a futuristic movie set. And like the Paris Metro, there are electronic billboards announcing the wait time for the next available trains. Unfortunately, the subway lines there cover only a limited area and shut down after midnight.

Do you have a rapid transport system or subway in your city?

Green Leaves

I took this photo while looking up from under a tree. It was a very spontaneous and random shot and the photo came out very nicely. I love the colors and the textures of the leaves.

Do you have a spontaneous or random shot that came out better than you expect?

Fire Escape 3

This is another beautiful fire escape of a building in Nolita (North of Little Italy), which is located between Bloome Street and Houston (pronounced as House-ton) Street. Nolita is currently a hip retail district where small boutiques sell clothes and home furnishings by up-and-coming local and international designers. Recently, there has been a push by local businesses to bring in higher-end Italian retailers like Armani, Versace and Gucci to establish the area as an extension of Little Italy.

Fire Escape 2

This is a beautiful and ornate fire escape on the back lot of the Puck Building in SoHo (South of Houston Street). The building, or the front facade of it, is probably most famous as the place where Grace Adler of the tv-series, Will & Grace has her office.

The building got its name from the two gold statues of Puck, the Shakespeare character in "A Midsummer Night's Dream," at the front entrance. It is now home to the New York University's Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.

Close Up of the Tree in SoHo

A lot of you asked me about the tree in yesterday's photo. Here is a close-up of the tree with the green buds growing out of its branches. It is definitely an odd looking tree. Does anyone know what kind it is?

Fire Escape

Older apartment buildings in NYC like this one in SoHo has to have an external fire escape because it does not have a water sprinkler system inside. The fire escape, however presents a security problem because it makes it easier for burglars to enter the apartment.

My first apartment in New York City was burglarized many years ago. The burglar climbed up the fire escape and entered the apartment through my bedroom window. Luckily, nothing important was stolen. I remember being traumatized for days after that. I was afraid to come home and when I did, I would ring the door bell a couple of times before entering the apartment. Obviously, I can laugh about it now but at the time, I had lost my sense of security.

Sunday Brunch

I love Sunday brunch. This is one of my favorite breakfast meals -- eggs cooked sunnyside up, sausages, home fries, rye toasts with butter and a cup of good coffee. Yes, it is cholesterolville and not something to be eaten every morning but it is a perfect meal before a visit to the museum or a walk around the city on a Sunday morning.

Chuckeroon of Richmond upon Thames Daily Photo has a totally different idea of a perfect Sunday breakfast. And I think his choice is healthier than mine. What would you like for Sunday brunch?

N.B.: I will be in Washington, DC for the next couple of days. Two&2 of LA Daily Photo will be posting the photos for me if I do not have access to a computer in DC.

Takashi Murakami at Gagosian Gallery

I have been a big fan of Japanese artist, Takashi Murakami's work since he exhibited his sculptures in front of the Rockefeller Center a couple years ago. This month, his art work is being exhibited at the Gagosian Gallery in the Upper East Side.

Takashi Murakami is probably most famous for his cartoon work and hangbag design for the Louis Vuitton label. He has frequently been compared to Andy Warhol because of his commentaries on consumerism and pop culture through his art work.

Queens Library, Flushing

This is the Queens Library on Main Street, Flushing. I did not get a chance to go into this library but I do love visiting local libraries around the city. When I was a kid, my parents would leave me at the public library by myself every Saturday morning and come pick me up right before lunch.

Obviously, this was at a different time and place when it was safe to leave children alone at the library. But guess what I read at the library? I read all of Jackie Collins' trashy novels before I was 12 years old.

So what naughty things did you do as a kid?

Update: It's Roast Duck, Silly

I was told the last two photos I posted were roast ducks, which are totally different from Peking duck. I stand corrected!! To be honest, I have only eaten Peking duck once when someone ordered it for us. Thanks, Carol from Oh for the love of food for the information.

Also, please stop by Chris & Deb's Minneapolis Daily Photo to see how we can enjoy ducks in a different way.

Peking Duck Take-Out Window

This is a fast food take-out window for Peking duck at a restaurant in Flushing, Queens. I know how oxymoronic it sounds especially since a good Peking duck takes more than a day to prepare. I guess the owner managed to incorporate the best of the East and West to bring the cuisine to the masses.

The photo here shows how Peking duck is traditionally served. It is encased in a steamed bun and then topped with scallions and hoisin sauce. However, I think the restaurant here served it with julienned slices of cucumber instead. Each of these little Peking duck stuffed buns costs $0.75.

Peking Duck in Flushing, Queens

I was in Flushing, Queens for dinner recently. I arrived early so it was a good opportunity to take some photos of the local scecne before meeting up with my friends at the restaurant. Flushing is the second biggest Chinatown in New York City. The biggest and oldest Chinatown is in downtown Manhattan and there is a smaller Chinatown in Brooklyn.

This is a photo of a Peking duck being prepared by the chef for dinner. Peking duck is a specialty dish that originated from Beijing and is primarily enjoyed for its crispy crackled skin. The duck is first boiled, then air dried before being roasted to achieve that crispy caramely skin.

Maine Monument at Southwest Corner of Central Park

This is a photo of one of the statues at the base of the Maine Monument located at the south west entrance of Central Park. The monument, created by Italian sculptor Attilio Piccirilli in 1913, was commissioned by the city to honor the merchants who contributed to the success of New York City.

This area of New York City is called Columbus Circle, named after the explorer, Christopher Columbus. Lori of MissBinNYC has a spectacular night photo of the Columbus Circle monument.

Guggenheim Museum

I went to the Guggenheim Museum last Friday, which is located on 5th Avenue and 89th Street in the Upper East Side. The spectacular structure that houses the museum was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1959 and today, it is still one of the most distinct and recognizable buildings in New York City.

The museum was undergoing an extensive exterior renovation so I was not able to get a good photo of the building because of the scaffoldings and wire nettings. However, I was able to take some great photos of the interior architecture. Photography of the art work was prohibited. In fact, we were allowed to use the camera in the lobby area only.

The permanent art collection at the Guggenheim Museum is fairly small compared to the other museums in New York City. It relies extensively on special exhibitions of selected works borrowed from other museums to attract its visitors.

Has anyone been to the New York City Guggenheim Museum? What do you think of it?

Happy Mother's Day

First off, I would like to wish every mothers out there a very HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.

This photo of a pink magnolia tree is only a few blocks from my apartment. Unlike the white magnolia tree that was in my grandmother's garden, this variety does not give off any scent or perfume but it does produce enough blooms to cover the entire tree.

Since I began taking photos for this blog, I noticed that I have become more curious about plants and flowers than ever before. I would stop on the street, at the park or in a store just to admire a flower or a plant. I guess this blog has made me stop to smell the flowers.

How has your daily photo blog changed you?

The Lake & The Boathouse in Central Park

This is The Boathouse Restaurant seen from across The Lake in Central Park. The photo was taken a few steps away from the Bethesda Fountain from yesterday.

Central Park used to have a notorious reputation because of the crime rates in the city. But in the last decade or so, the park has become a very safe place to visit even late in the evening. However, I don't suggest anyone hanging out there after midnight.

Bethesda Fountain in Central Park

The Bethesda Fountain is probably the most iconic and recognizable structure in Central Park. The fountain, which was designed by Emma Stebbins in 1686 and unveiled to the public in 1873, has an 8-foot female winged angel on the top and four 4-foot cherubs representing Temperance, Purity, Health and Peace at the bottom. It is located just north of 74th Street in the middle of the park.

North of the the Bethesda Fountain is The Lake, a huge body of water where one can rent canoes and floating bicycles for an afternoon of recreational activities. The Lake is extremely popular among young couples in love who are looking to spend a romantic afternoon together. As a matter of fact, Central Park is one of the most romantic places to visit in New York City. I have taken some of my dates here for a nice walk after a romantic dinner.

So what are some of the most romantic things you have done for your significant other?