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.

...Also, we had a glimpse on the lifestyles of the rich and famous...

Summer runs from late-June through early September. Our weekends were filled with enjoyable and relaxing getaways. It'll be no wonder if we count this season as our favorite time of year. We are having fun.

As soon as we felt the heat, we took the road for a return trip to Hersheypark in Pennsylvania. They added a new water theme park, the Boardwalk, said to be the largest water play structure in the world.

Then we tried to unwind a weekend at the Splish Splash Waterpark in Riverhead, NY.

The plan on the fourth of July road trip was an overnight camp with canoeing and river rafting. But it was really difficult to look for a campsite during the holiday, so we headed to another theme park. It was the Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut. This theme park has a lot of unique rides including the world class Boulder Dash wood coaster. Though it is the largest water park in Connecticut, a seven-acre expansion is said to be added wherein the first phase is projected to open in 2010.

A weekend after (July 12), we had a privilege tour inside a luxury cruise ship, the Explorer of the Seas. This Royal Caribbean cruise ship is huge, there are lots of things to do on it. There is a shopping area, theaters, ice skating rink and a mini golf course. For those who love to gamble, there is also a casino. You will sometimes forget you are inside a ship. One more thing, the ship's crew are amazing. You will really feel like a royalty.

It wasn't the last great water-related experience we had. Our boating adventure in West Hampton in Long Island last July 26th tops our summer getaway. Cruising on the water just lifts your stress. You're too busy having fun to worry about work and just a time away from TV, phones and computers makes the boating experience a great one. Also, we had a glimpse on the lifestyles of the rich and famous.

Whoa! what a busy summer. Add to that the birthday parties and picnics we were invited to celebrate every weekend. Again, we are having fun!