Raleigh Day 1 270209

We finally made it to Raleigh, the state capital of NC state on the 27th of February. It was to be a short 2 day trip for the 3 of us over the weekends just to explore the capital and some of the more prominent museums and attractions.


Raleigh isn't that big really. But coming from Greensboro, it looks like a pretty huge place! We all went 'wahhhhh' for a short while.


Initial surprise over. Time to do some topography. Because we arrived there at late noon, all the attractions are already closed since it was a Friday.

We just decided to wander around the city and check out the main locations of interest. Fortunately our hotel was very well located. We were able to walk to all places on interest, thereby cutting the cost of transportation.


Our first stop - The Greyhound bus station. We got to Raleigh thanks to a friend of Ana who gave us a lift there. Since Raleigh is only about 1.5 - 2 hours of drive from Greensboro, we decided to take the Greyhound bus back. So we stopped by here first to buy our return tickets the next day. We were really excited as we heard and studied so much about the notoriety of the Greyhound buses.

The rumours you hear were right! Price wise for now at least! We were charged $22 bucks each for a one way short trip back to Greensboro. Sheesh! You even have to pay a bomb to experience a bad form of transportation service! Hahaha.


Ana posing with a typical American school bus. Best seen in Nightmare on Elm Street.


The North Carolina State Museum of Natural Science - The only museum in the world with a fossilised dinosaur heart. We just can't wait for it to open tomorrow!


It has a really long history. We just can't wait!


We like making her do funny poses like this. Ana trying to drink off a fire hydrant.


Greensboro is really ulu compared to Raleigh. Reminds me of good ol Singapore CBD skyline.


The state building. Just at the corner of our Day's Inn hotel.


Talk about professional graffiti! Graffiti like these can be seen all over America's alleys. And a lot of them are really very well drawn.


We wandered to the financial hub of Raleigh. Amazingly the financial hub of North Carolina is not in its State capital. The financial hub of North Carolina is based in the city of Charlotte, also in NC, which is considered to be America's second biggest financial hub! To think I thought that NC is just a really ulu backward state. I can't be more wrong.


Giant banks and financial buildings all over. That is the Wachovia bank HQ in NC in the background.


A typical restaurant that we can't afford to eat in. Or rather we choose not to.


Spring is coming!!! From a shrub outside the aforementioned restaurant.


Some random statue of Ghandhi. Don't know why its here too.


I love the street decorations. But its really different from Singapore. There's hardly anyone on the streets on a Friday evening! This is the state capital man! Where are all the people???


Check this out!!!


NC's official news broadcast station. Too bad the evening's news over. If not I reckon we could probably catch some live action.


The Broadcasting Studio

We then walked to Glenwood. A street that was promised to us by the receptionist as the 'most happening' place in Raleigh.

Well nothing much actually. It just turned out to be a street with pubs and restaurants. We finally saw more people hanging out at alfresco diners and pubs.


One of the more cheesy places to hang out. Well I guess its aptly named now in America's current predicament.


We choose Armidallo Grill!


A nice little pub cum Mexican restaurant that serves up really affordable food!


10x BBQ wings to share among us. On top of the tacos, a large refillable drink and a beef burrito that I got. All for about USD $7. Awesomeness!


Ana's food. Some Mexican rice and bean set.


We were really hungry too. Two huge bowls of cheese sauce to dip tacos in! And my cup runneth over...


I forgot to spit out my gum before posing for this picture. -_-"


Before long...


The cool bar just by the side


Back in the comfort of Day's Inn after a good start to the Raleigh trip. We were really comfortable here. Especially since we got free wi-fi and cable TV to entertain us.

That's it for the night! I will be back with Raleigh Day 2 soon!