Thanks a lot to my Uncle for being the organizer of this trip. If it were up to just us, we’d probably still be debating where to go! As someone who’s used to planning trips back home, organizing adventures in US is a whole new challenge. With my Uncle and Rajha’s knack for planning, we were all set to roll. My Uncle had this whole itinerary mapped out, and all we had to do was nod along. I mean, it’s my first time venturing out of state, so I was game for wherever we go. Literally.
So, when departure rolled around on Friday night and the return was set for Tuesday, I was like, “Four days and five nights of adventure, here we come!” Little did I know, it was gonna be quite the ride.
We kicked things off by picking up our rental car. Yep, we needed a whole car because squeezing into ours wasn’t an option. Then, after 9 pm, we hit the road straight for New Jersey. Shoutout to my brother-in-law for pulling off that epic drive. Seriously, 11 hours including pit stops? That’s dedication right there.
Jersey City, NJ
Now, picture this – windy, chilly weather, and me without a jacket. Smart move, right? Long sleeves were all I had to brave the chilly wind. But hey, with the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island as the backdrop, I couldn’t complain. Snapping pics left and right at Liberty State Park, trying to capture the whole park with the stunning NYC skyline in the distance – unforgettable.
As we strolled back to the car, my stomach was rumbling like a thunderstorm, reminding me that it was time for lunch. We skipped breakfast, so I was definitely overdue for a hearty meal. My Uncle mentioned White Castle burgers. I figured, why not? Well, let me tell you, those two-bite burger didn’t just fill me up but also knocked my taste buds. No wonder my uncle is such a fan! It’s a shame they’re nowhere to be found in North Carolina, let alone the Philippines.
Atlantic City, NJ
We checked into Eldorado Motor Inn around 3 pm and, boy, were we ready to stretch our legs. Well, except it was freezing outside, so we opted to cozy up indoors for a while. But eventually, we hit the boardwalk around 7pm. And let me tell you, it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. My Uncle mentioned how it used to be bustling with people, but hey, I kind of liked the quiet vibe too.
As for food, we stumbled upon this Mexican diner – a total jackpot. Wraps, sandwiches, chicken wings – you name it, we devoured it. And the portions? Huge! Definitely meant for sharing, but who’s got time for that when the food’s this good?
Stay tuned for Day 2 of our adventure!