Bethesda Beckons

 Jersey Iggy was enchanted by the "Angel of the Waters" on top of the Bethesda Fountain, the same way the movie "Enchanted" (which was filmed here) made her feel. This winged guardian of the Bethesda Terrace in New York's Central Park was designed by Emma Stebbins in 1873. Stebbins was the first female to be commissioned for a major public artwork in New York City.

The Bethesda Fountain is an iconic part of Central Park that has been featured in many Hollywood movies. People also love to visit this place which overlooks the lake for a feeling of having been "touched by an angel." Bethesda Fountain has biblical roots because it was named after that incident in the gospel of John where an angel descended to bless the "pool of Bethesda," making its waters miraculous.

During Miss Iggy's visit earlier this month, however, the fountain was dry!

Happy Earth Day from Central Park's Boathouse

The tulips were truly blossoming around the Loeb Boathouse in Central Park. This iconic location by the Lake is sought after for leisurely boating trips and for its full-service restaurant. The Boathouse is featured in the movie "27 Dresses" starring Katherine Heigl as her dream wedding venue. To see other film trivia involving the Boathouse, click here.

Happy Earth Day! Hug a tree, smell a flower. Better yet, plant one or the other!

Imagine That!

It's not Miss Iggy's first time at Strawberry Fields in Central Park, but when Fortuitous Faery and Princess Ody met in New York City for the first time last week, she happily posed by the "Imagine" mosaic plaque...also for the first time!

This circular memorial for Beatles member John Lennon was made by Italian artisans, meant as a gift by Naples fashioned as a replica from a mosaic design in Pompeii. Beatles fans usually congregate here on Lennon's birthday on October 9th and also on his death anniversary on December 8th. It is often decorated with flowers and other objects, sometimes arranged to look like the peace sign. Here, a tourist flung a single rose on it.

The "Imagine" memorial is easily accessible from the Central Park West entrance on 72nd St., just across Lennon's former residence, the Dakota Apartments.

"Imagine" is a song written and performed by John Lennon and was the opening single for his album of the same name and its timeless message of world peace rings true until today.

Nobody, Nobody But Cute (NBC)

Miss Iggy wanted to tour the NBC Studios at Rockefeller Plaza recently, but tickets were sold out for the next three days! She would have seen the sets of such shows as "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" and "Saturday Night Live." NBC is the network for hit shows like "The Office," "Heroes" and "Chuck."

Khmer Iggy and the Tale of the Vertical Airport

Over a year ago, I took Khmer Iggy on her first international trip outside of Cambodia to Laos. After several  bus transfers and two nights later, we arrived in the capital of Vientiane. 

Vientiane, is by far, the most laid-back capital I've visited, what a welcome change from the hustle-bustle of Phnom Penh! Early morning when we arrived, the streets were quiet and the people we met along as we walked towards our hotel seemed to be friendly and had welcoming smiles on their faces. 

One of the famous landmarks, and arguably the most photographed, in Vientiane is the Patuxai Monument. Also known as the Gate of Triumph and Victory Gate, Patuxai was built to honor those who died during the war against the French for independence. 

Miss Iggy couldn't help but notice its similarity to  France's Arc de Triomphe. It was indeed modeled after this popular French landmark but if you'll look up and train your eyes on the ceiling, you will see that the decorations are entirely of Laotian design and detail, from Buddhist mythical creatures down to the golden bling-blings.

Okay a little trivia here... Do you know that the Patuxai monument is also referred to as the vertical airport? Miss Iggy was very curious to know so we asked an expat who has lived in Vientiane for several years now. Story goes that in the 1960s the US government donated funds to build an airport in the capital. The funds were accepted, however, instead of building an airport, the then-Laotian government used the money to build the Patuxai monument instead. And so,  the nickname vertical airport stays even up to this day.

We also climbed to the top and we were glad we did -- it offers a breath-taking view of the city and is perfect for taking pictures. Luckily, Miss Iggy wasn't afraid of heights and went closer to the rails and enjoyed  the fantastic view.

Stop & Smell The Easter Bunny

Miss Iggy felt Easterrific at Rockefeller Center recently when she found the Easter Bunny made not of chocolates or marshmallows, but of ivy and colored daisies! This floral bunny wanted to impress because it had a giant egg on its nose!

All around were easter lilies and azaleas that just screamed "Spring!," although the weather has been more summer-like in the city lately.

Miss Iggy Says Happy Easter with (The Real) Winnie The Pooh & Friends!

Ever wondered what the real Winnie The Pooh looks like? Just visit the Children's Center at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building of the New York Public Library on 42nd St. and you'll see the original bear that inspired the works of A.A. Milne! Since 1987, Winnie and his friends have called New York their home.

Winnie the Pooh was a gift by A.A. Milne to his son Christopher on his first birthday on August 21, 1921. He was bought from Harrods department store in London and was originally named "Edward." Later on, more stuffed toys followed which became Winnie's group of friends. Each toy was well-loved and well-played by Christopher throughout his childhood that it shows in the tattered appearance of the bunch.

Can you spot where Piglet is on the display? For more fun facts about the Real Winnie the Pooh, hop on here!