After a long time, we met my cousin Brady when his ship Queen Victoria docked in New York harbor. At the same time, we also met Mharla (his sister) and Roy when their Royal Carribean ship was also docked at Bayonne, New Jersey.



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If we are to believe the New York newspapers, the Hamptons are filled with self-indulgent models, celebrities and wannabees on a trek to see and be seen. I guess for about 8 weeks in July and August, that’s probably true. In that time frame, people pay outrageous amounts of money to rent mansions along the south shore of Long Island, the roads between the towns are always clogged, beaches are jammed and the top priority seems to be how to get into the “hot” club each night.
But the Hamptons that insiders know and love, is the Hamptons that exists the other 10 months of the year. The series of small, bucolic villages that dot the southern shore of Long Island, NY and known as the “Hamptons” starts at Westhampton and stretches out to the eastern tip of the island at Montauk.
Immortalized in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”, the Hamptons (more specifically Southhampton) has long been the summer respite of New Yorkers seeking to escape the heat of the City. Twentysomethings who “share” houses during the season, rub shoulders with celebrities, politicians and high powered business types during a frantic summer of partying that leave most exhausted by Labor Day.
But before the crowd gets there and after they have returned to the City, the Hamptons offer a wonderful weekend retreat of pristine beaches, quaint shops, antique stores, wineries, top rated restaurants and plenty of things to do to occupy your time.

Staying in a place that feels like your own personal mansion tops all those attractions. Singing 'til the past midnight, drinking wine and cocktails, breakfast on the outside patio overlooking speeding boats on the harbour, relaxing on the heated pool and cruising the river wondering what famous people own those luxurious waterfront mansions. What a relaxed and an enjoyable weekend...

There's really much to do in the Hamptons, Long Island's summer playground for the rich and famous.




Don't forget to watch this video. My first try on using the Flip UltraHD camcorder and the Cyberlink PowerDirector.

See also our last year's summer trips, click here.

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Strolling around Manhattan with my fellow Abadians, Laura Vera & Jopas Romero. From Macy's at 34th Street to Times Square & 42nd Street - Sephora, Ripley's Believe It or Not, Sanrio, Hard Rock Cafe... Browse our photos here.



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At Times Square, August 1, 2009. View rest of the photos here.

Summertime. Company picnic at the Forest Park. Click on the photo or view the album here.

Six Flags Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom in Lake George, NY



See more galleries:
Lake George Album 1
Lake George Album 2
Six Flags Album 1
Six Flags Album 2

Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey

New York International Auto Show at Javits Convention Center, 11th Avenue between 34th & 39th Streets. April 11, 2009.



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At Times Square, January 3, 2009. View rest of the photos here.