Graduation Trip
Washington, DC
4 February - 7 March 2007, Part Two

After New York City and Atlantic City, my third destination was Washington, DC the capital city of the United States. If New York City is `Buildings, buildings and buildings`, my first impression of the city would be `pillars, pillars and pillars` or more professionally known in structural engineering is `columns, columns and columns`. The term column in architecture refers specifically to such a structural element that also has certain proportional and decorative features. A column might not support any major structure but be a decorative or triumphant feature with example a statue on top.... Well okay this is my travel log, i shall back to the topic. =)

It`s no secret that Washington, DC is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the states, a great choice for everyone. In the nation`s capital, you will find endless assortment of fun, educational attractions that appeal to travellers of all ages, and many of them are free of charge. Museums are interactive and engaging, and the lengthy list of noteworthy monuments memorial and government is unmatched. There has a lot to see and do, and putting together the perfect Washington, DC itinerary can be a daunting task, but that is where the world traveller comes in. If you have just two or three day on your visit, dont try to see everything. Make a must-see list and save the rest for your next visit.


White House.

My first destination was White House. I guess everyone knows what is it and who is living in White House. If you have nowhere to stay, you may consider camping in front of White House and please dont join the protestants if you wish to go back safely.


Washington Monument.

I then saw a tall white obelisk monument afar off. I guessed it must be Washington Monument and headed towards it without wasting any second. It was reopened to public for visitation since April 2005. Free Washington Monument tickets are available beginning from 8.30am at the street kiosk in front of the monument. There i saw line of visitors queuing up to go up to the observation floor for the city bird`s eyes view.


View of National Mall and the US Capitol from top of the monument.


National World War II Memorial and Lincoln Memorial from Washington Monument.


National World War II Memorial.

Located between the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial, this memorial honours those who served during World War II and supported the war effort from home. This memorial features two arches, both Atlantic and Pacific and a reflecting pool in the middle.


Lincoln Memorial.

The Lincoln Memorial is a United States Presidential memorial built to honour President Abraham Lincoln. This grand memorial overlooks the Washington Monument and the US Capitol. The building is in the form of a Greek temple and contains a large seated sculpture of Abraham Lincoln inside.


The 19-foot marble seated sculpture. The interior of the memorial.

I crossed the bridge on Potomac River built behind Lincoln Memorial (Washington, DC) and after a while i came to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. It is a military cemetery in the states and established on the grounds of Arlington House during the American Civil War. The States funeral, Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies are hosted in the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater. The Marine Corps War Memorial is a military memorial statue located near the cemetery. Its design was based on the photo from the Battle of Iwo Jima.


Arlington House flag flying at half-staff.


The Cemeteries. Arlington Memorial Amphitheater.


Marine Corps War Memorial.


Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is another presidential memorial that dedicated to the American Founding Father, Thomas Jefferson. Beneath the marble rotunda, the statue of the third US president is surrounded by the Declaration of Independence preamble and other famous Jefferson writings.


Jefferson statue. The front steps of the Jefferson Memorial.

I missed the public guided tour and viewing the chambers of the House of Representatives and the Senate. So, remember that timed entry passes to the Capitol are offered on a first come, first served basis, beginning at 9am. Passes are distributed at the kiosk at the corner of the street in front of the East face of the Capitol.


The west face of the Capitol.

Chinatown is marked most noticeably by the friendship arch that was built cooperatively by the local government and its sister city, Beijing. There you can find traditional Chinese restaurants mainstay and impressively mix with the contemporary shops like Benetton and Aveda.


Friendship Arch, Chinatown in the Penn Quarter neighbourhood.

Spend one day in National Mall and you will learn it has something for everyone. For the history buffs, there`s the National Archives and the National Museum of American History. For science lovers, there`s the National Museum of Natural Science and the National Air and Space Museum. And those who just cant resist galleries and art sculptures, countless museums and galleries in every corner to be discovered.


National Museum of Natural Science.

Come and see the 45.5 carats Hope Diamond, dinosaurs, the mammals hall and the world`s largest African bush elephant underneath the rotunda inside the National Museum of Natural Science.


Hope Diamond. The Hall of dinosaurs.


The African bush elephant.

The National Museum of American History will never fail to give visitors a chance to study the fascinating American history. I however dint spent much time in this museum, probably i am not interested in American history or generally history.


National Museum of American History.

The National Air and Space Museum is not only one of the most popular museums on National Mall, but my favourite museum also. It has many of history`s icon of flight and still maintains the largest collection of aircraft and spacecraft in the world. Almost all space and aircraft on display are originals or backup crafts to the originals. I was like a little kid running here and there, fascinated by both aircraft and spacecraft. The museum took my three hours away but frankly i enjoyed very much.


National Air and Space Museum.





A variety of aircraft and spacecraft displayed at the museum.

National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden was not bad as it provides an outdoor setting for exhibiting number of pieces of contemporary sculpture collection as well other than a collection of galleries that tell different stories.


National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden.


Your dream house? Brick pyramid?

The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden is in a striking cylindrical museum that focuses on contemporary and modern art adjoining an outdoor garden with impressive sculptures.


Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.


Nymph (figure for `The Three Nymphs`). The Burghers of Calais.


Holocaust Memorial Museum.


The interior. Colourful painted tiles.

Washington, DC has evolved into fascinating, lively world capital that known for its vast green centres, urban spaces, wide roads, sweeping memorials ad majestic neoclassical architecture. I loved Washington, DC so much thus i decided to take the night view of my favourite landmarks of the city on my last night.


The US Capitol.


Thomas Jefferson Memorial.


Washington Monument.


Lincoln Memorial.


National World War II Memorial.

It snowed the next morning, the day i left the city. It was freaking cold, luckily the past two days i travelled around the city were warm. I took Metro to Washington National Airport, ATA to Chicago then Southwest to Los Angeles. I was so looking forwards to go to the West! Wild wild west. =p Stories about Los Angeles and San Francisco are coming soon.

Tomb Sweeping Day

Let`s have a quick review of what had i done last week. Well, last Thursday was the Tomb Sweeping Day or what we commonly call as 清明節 (Qing Ming Jie) in Mandarin. For the Chinese, it is a day to remember and honour one`s acestors at graveyards. It is the day where all the relatives working outstation come back for a family outings. Young and old pray before the ancestors, sweep or clean the tombs and offer food, tea, fruits, libation to the ancestors and burn (joss) paper accessories. The rites are very important to most Chinese and still practised until today.


Tanjong Malim Chinese Cemetery.

Probably i had been studying in Japan for five years and then travelling around the world, and lately busy with my job hunting, i totally had forgotten the festival until my mother told me day before. We went to pray my grandfather quite early in the morning to avoid the traffic jam. There, we gotta first pay the GUARD of the cemetery a visit before heading to my grandfather`s tomb. This is a very important custom.

The GUARD and our offerings to HIM.

My grandfather`s grave site, before and after.

My grandfather was buried on the right side. So we could only burn the josssticks and candlesticks on that side. A particular red paper covered on the left side of the tombstone is represent that my grandmother is still alive. Therefore, the left half shouldnt be touched. Well we bought and made my grandfather`s favourite food and fruits. My father even burned him a cigarette.


The offerings for my grandfather.





After cleaning my grandfather`s grave site, and got all the offerings served, we started to burn the paper accessories such as money, clothes, watches, cigarette, cellphone, passport and DVD player that kept inside the boxes. I am wondering how does my grandfather`s life look like up there? With the influences of the technologies, one`s can even now buy paper camera, PS2, MP3, WiFi, etc for his/her loved one.

Well as an educated people who concern the environmental issue, i certainly not agree to the custom that have been followed since thousands years ago. See, just only us, we already had burned so much. How about the other millions of Chinese in Malaysia? Not only here, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, China and other countries that have the same custom as well. Air pollution is another issue, but what i worry most is the global warming issue and widespread melting of land ice.

Albany Bacon Stir-fried with Asparagus, Capsicums and Carrot
Type of dish : Central dish
Meal types : Lunch, Dinner



Ingredients
A : 2 rashers bacon, cut diagonally into 3cm lengths.
B : Carrot, cut diagonally into 3cm lengths.
C : Red and yellow capsicums each, cut diagonally into 3cm lengths.
D : 16 medium asparagus spears, trimmed and cut diagonally into 3cm lengths.
E : 2 tsp chilli paste.



Method
1. Heat oil in a frying pan.
2. When hot, fry chilli paste until oil rises.
3. Put in bacon until fragrant and simmer the gravy.
4. Add in carrot, stir-fry well until it is cooked.
5. Drop in asparagus and stir-fry thoroughly.
6. Put in capsicums, toss briefly to combine, taking care not to overcook.
7. Dish out and serve immediately.




Rating : 90% Colourful, nutritious and yummy dish.

Tips : Dont make the mistake of only the young or soft part of the shoots of asparagus can be eaten. The hard part can be eaten too. Just simply peel off the skin and cook together with the young roots. Asparagus is low in calories, contains no fat or cholesterol, a good source of dietry fiber. However, asparagus are metabolized and excreted in the urine, giving it a distinctive smell though.


Albany Bacon Stir-fried with Asparagus, Capsicums and Carrot.

This recipe was born in Albany, New Zealand. My first dinner was instant noodles with hams and eggs. My friend, Kimmy seldom eat vegetable but likes meat very much. I couldnt find any vegetable in the refrigerator but ham, bacon, drumsticks, beef and other frozen food were occupied the space. I am an omivore (but more to herbivore), of course i wont be satisfied if my meal contains only meat.



My first dinner in Albany, New Zealand.

So the next day i decided to get some vegetables in the nearest supermarket. Asparagus, capsicum, carrot, cabbage and lettuce were cheap, so i brought them all back home. And i randomly picked what i had bought for the dinner of my second day in New Zealand. Finally i had a proper meal. Again she fried two eggs. She likes eggs so much. (I guess any kind of egg. lol) Apparently, the big portion one was mine. I ate a lot yet still lost weight during my working holiday there.


My second dinner in Albany, New Zealand.