Must See And Eat In New York’s Chinatown

Chinatown is excellent to be explored at one’s own pace, with a wealth of attractions, restaurants, and things to do that won’t leave couples, groups of friends, or families in want of an excellent adventure. Here are some must-have sights to visit – and food to eat – in this district. 

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The Visitor’s Kiosk provides free copies of Time Out magazine and pocket-sized foldable subway maps to help one in exploring. Popular attractions include Baxter Street and the Manhattan House of Detention, once the sight of a swampy area called Collect Pond and provided drinking water to Colonial New York. It became the site of New York City’s jail. 

Manhattan Criminal Court Building is next to the House of detention, and the criminal courthouse is open to the public. Columbus Park and its surrounding streets are a sight to behold for those seeking a taste of Chinese culture. The Museum of Chinese in America offers a crash course of the relatively short history of the Chinese in the country. 

Chinatown’s restaurants are more than just dim sum and Pecking duck, although one would definitely enjoy the tastes at restaurants like Nom Wah Tea Parlor, Mission Chinese Food, Royal Seafood Restaurant, and Spicy Village. 

The area is also a melting pot of French and Chinese fusion restaurant Aux Epices, or the playful SoCal-inspired café Dimes, where the lineup changes weekly. 

Find a visual feast of brick tenement apartment buildings on Pell Street, or get your fix of sweets at Aji Ichiban Candy Store. The choices for a unique Chinatown experience are all yours. 

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John Clemenza is a surfer from Oahu, Hawaii, who enjoys eating and is fond of New York and its rich diversity of tastes and cultures. More on his interests here.

Best Tourist Destinations In New York

New York City is one of the most popular cities in the world, and if you’re visiting for the first time, here are must-visit places that should guarantee that you’ll get a big bite of the Big Apple. 

Statue of Liberty

No other NYC attraction is arguably more iconic than Lady Liberty, a gift by the French government to the United States.  A climb to the crown will give visitors a panoramic view of New York harbor.  There’s also a must-see museum on Liberty Island that showcases the rich history behind the making of the towering structure.

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Central Park

The U.S.’s first landscaped park, envisioned by designers Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, is an 843-acre plot depicting the harmonious balance of pastoral, formal, and picturesque scenic elements.  Just consider the open lawn of the Sheep Meadow, the tree-lined mall, and the wooded paths of the Ramble.

Brooklyn Bridge

This bridge is an elegant reminder of New York’s history of architectural innovation.  Opened in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was the first structure to cross the East River and, at the time, the longest suspension bridge in the world.  It attracts thousands of visitors for its spectacular views of lower Manhattan and other city landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and Governors Island.

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Empire State Building

No photo of the NYC skyline will be complete without the spire of the Empire State Building.  The 1,454-foot Art Deco emblem was the city’s highest building upon completion in 1931.  It is considered by many as the beating heart of the Big Apple.

Hi, I’m John Clemenza, an 18-year-old surfer from Hawaii. I’ve been catching waves since I was seven, and I hope to bring my surfboard to the Big Apple soon. For more on my hobbies and interests, drop by this page.

The Best Beaches Down Under

If there’s a country that doesn’t get enough props for its beaches, it’s Australia. There are over 10,000 beaches that will take every visitor’s breath away. Here are some of the best ones.

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Byron Bay Beach

Byron Bay Beach can be found in New South Wales and can be reached from Gold Coast and other areas in the city. It is a long island filled with surfers and beach lovers. There are a lot of things to do such as hang back in cafes, visit markets, and yes, surf.

Bondi Bay

One of the most popular beaches in Australia, Sydney’s Bondi Bay is quite a historic beach. Over a century ago, the Surf Life Saving Club was founded.

Wineglass Bay

Found in the exotic Tasmania, Wineglass Bay is every bit as picturesque as its contemporaries. The sand is white. The sea is deep blue. And when not riding the waves, visitors have the opportunity to hike on the beach-side trail.

Noosa

For decades now, Noosa in Queensland has been a haven for surfers, marine biologists, and just about everybody who loves the sea. The marine life is exquisite with dolphins and other lovable sea creatures claiming the waters around here as their home.

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The name’s John Clemenza. Since I left New York, I’ve been all about surfing. More on the stuff I’m passionate about here.

Ditch the board shorts: A guide to having the right surfing gear

When I was younger, I always thought surfers only wear board shorts and bikinis. As my passion for the sport deepened, I found that these won’t suffice when it comes to being hit by the waves, and there’s a chance the wave can leave me shorts-less. 

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Gear for warm water 

Comfort is always part of the requirement when looking for something to wear for surfing. However, comfort isn’t the only thing that has to be considered; find a gear that stays put and doesn’t move around. If you desire to have that nice tan line on your body, it’s okay to wear board shorts and sporty bikinis, but beware of the chafing the sand on the board might cause to your body. Once you’ve achieved the tan you want, it would be best to wear a rash guard to protect your skin. A clothing’s flexibility and weight should be considered as well; leaving the waves naked is the last thing you’d want to happen to you. 

Gear up for cold water 

Depending on the temperature, you might need to wear a wetsuit. In very cold climates, a hooded wetsuit would serve you well. However, pro surfers are most likely to skip this as it gets too hot to wear. Even so, the gloves, hood, and booties are encouraged if the water gets too cold. A basic wetsuit will do if you’re surfing on the east coast of Australia or California’s sunny west coast. 

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Hi! My name is John Clemenza, and I’m an 18-year-old surfer from Oahu, Hawaii. My love for the sport began when my parents taught me how to ride the waves when I was 7. I’ve participated in some local and international amateur surfing competitions, and I think I’m ready to take on the challenge of turning pro. For more updates like this, click here.

A Few Things We Recommend On Your First New York Trip

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Every time we hear someone say they’ll be visiting New York City for the first time, we feel a twinge of jealousy. There’s just an awesome wonder when you visit the Big Apple for the first time. There are literally hundreds of things to do. Here are some of our suggestions.

Brooklyn flea market

The Brooklyn flea market is a world-renowned nostalgic treat for collectors of vintage items and memorabilia. You can find anything from old music records, to books (first-editions if you’re lucky), and many more. The food’s great as well.

Sheep Meadow

Sheep Meadow, located in Central Park is another popular place to visit in New York City. It’s been featured in hundreds of movies. Whether with family or friends, or even alone, Sheep Meadow is an ideal place to go.

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Flushing

Flushing, located in Queens is a paradise for foodies within a paradise for foodies. This is an ideal place to satisfy your cravings since almost every kind of food is available here, cooked in unique and unforgettable ways.

The Met

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, also known as the Met, is home to over a staggering 2 million art pieces collected in 5,000 years. There is something for everyone here.

Hi! John Clemenza here. I’m a surfer, foodie, blogger, and a college student. I also love to talk about my favorite city in the world, New York. Visit this page to know more about me.

Three health benefits of surfing

You may have noticed that surfers look younger than their age, are always positive, and are generally in a good mood. You can say it’s a surfer stereotype, but it’s generally true. And that comes from the benefits surfers get from surfing. 

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Here are three health benefits you can get from surfing. 

1. Surfing makes you physically stronger 

Surfing is a great cardiovascular exercise that keeps your heart pumping. And since a large part of surfing involves paddling, it makes for a good core and upper body workout. And once you catch a wave to ride, you are using your core for balance, and your legs to remain on the surfboard. 

2. Surfing helps you with weight loss 

If you’re planning on losing weight, then surfing is one of the best activities to do it with. The average person burns around 400 calories an hour while they surf. Since you’re going to enjoy surfing, the hour tends to go by very fast, and you’ll likely want to surf for another hour. 

3. Surfing provides mental benefits 

I’ve stated earlier that surfers tend to always be in a good mood. That’s because extended physical exercise leads to the release of endorphins that provide a natural euphoria and good mood. And since surfing is done in nature, you find this time a release from thoughts from your busy schedule.

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Hi there, John Clemenza here. I’m a semi-pro surfer from Hawaii. I have a part-time job at a smoothie station near Waikiki beach. Besides Hawaii, my favorite place to be is New York. Follow me on Twitter for more updates.

A few exercise routines for the surfer in you

Surfing is amazing. Whoever hasn’t done it is missing half of their life right there. The feel of the waves taking you along with it, the warmth of the sun blended with the refreshing ocean spray – there’s nothing like it on Earth or any other planet. But, it’s a very physical hobby, and your body better get used to the forces it’s about to encounter. Thankfully there are some exercise routines you could do to condition yourself. 

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First off, you have to understand that surfing is a full-body routine in itself. It works all muscle groups, but some more than others. One of the best exercise routines to help you get ready to face the waves is pretty obvious – swimming.

The entirety of surfing is literally in the water, which makes swimming the most practical of all the exercises. Swimming strengthens your whole body, especially your shoulders and legs. 

Speaking of which, routines that work the legs and shoulders should be prioritized as much as routines that strengthen the core. A strong core can keep you balanced through the tough turns on the pipes. Do squats, deadlifts, crunches and reverse crunches. 

Arm and back routines may also come in handy since there will be plenty of times for you to pick yourself up from the ocean and onto the board. 

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Hi there! John Clemenza here. There’s nothing I love more than surfing. Learn more about me and my passion here.