I was feeling homesick for quite a while and I have been wanting to go and see New England since December. One of my closest friends in Connecticut is celebrating her birthday and it was a perfect timing and excuse to go see and celebrate with her (and our other friends) and, at the same time to satisfy my want of being in NE. And so I booked a trip on February 8.
Portland Headlight house at sunrise on February 10.
Jenna, our friend for almost 20 years is celebrating her birthday in Maine!
The day I arrived was Jenna’s Birthday. She’s also traveling from New York. After I picked her up at the train station in Milford, we went to David’s house to rest while we waited for him. We planned for a dinner at a Korean Hotpot that night with another friend, Ulyn. When evening came and David had arrived, all three of us went to meet her at the restaurant. It was actually Jena’s 51st, but with my frequent forgetfulness, I thought it was her big 50. She didn’t mind celebrating her special day like her milestone though.
The following morning we picked up another friend, Ryan, at the airport and travelled to Portland, Maine. I have been friends with Jenna and David for almost two decades now, and our ride to Maine consisted mostly of reminiscing of what we were as we begin our American dream almost 20 years ago- thoughts about our former colleagues/room mates and where are they now; the struggles working in one of the badass neighborhood of Connecticut- Bridgeport, and the fun stuffs in between. It was the shortest three and a half hour ride I had because the stories were non-stop.
We made multiple stops (to eat and pee) before we reached our final destination. We got off to Kennebunkport for the sunset and stroll around town. Famously known as the summer Whitehouse because the former president Bush’s (the older one) spent summers here. We took a few photos and bought some souvenirs then we headed to our hotel at dusk. The long day depleted all of us and so we decided to just stay in the hotel, eat the left over and called it a night.
Top Photos: David and Jenna, my friends for almost 2 decades; and Ryan since our university days in UP Diliman.
Bottom: Dinner at the Korean Hotpot in Milford with my BHCC homies!
Top: Exploring Kennebunkport on our way to Portland on Friday.
Bottom: Portland head at Sunrise
Exploring parts of coastal Maine. I woke up at 5AM the following day. All my friends were still asleep, so I tiptoed to get myself ready and walked out the room without disturbing them for my sunrise. It was an 8-mile drive to Cape Elizabeth, where Portland Headlight house is located. this place was beautiful! I could say that this is one of the prettiest lighthouse I have seen. I spent a significant amount of time moving from one post to another capturing photos and witnessing the sunrise despite the cold and the wind. I left the park when the sun is full on blast. When I returned my friends were having breakfast.
When all were ready to explore, we headed to Old Orchard Beach Pier. This was my first time here; I never been this part of Maine. Not too long ago Maine was hit by a back to back storms, and I wasn’t sure if the rogue waves we witnessed were remnants of these storms; but nonetheless, they were mesmerizing to watch. After that we headed to Commercial Street in Downtown Portland to have a drink ( actually just myself) and light lunch of a bowl of clam chowder. We did a little bit of sight-seeing- walk around town, peek inside local shops, took a photo of the “Welcome to Portland” sign, then we decided to go back to the hotel to take an afternoon nap. Before the day is over, we drove back to Cape Elizabeth to see Portland Lighthouse at sunset. We stayed here for sometime until the park is almost dark, then proceeded to Luke’s Lobster Restaurant in downtown for our lobster dinner as requested by the birthday girl.
On Sunday we went again to Portland headlight house for the last time then drove to Nubble lighthouse in York. While this is also a beautiful scenery, I prefer the former one personally. We stayed here briefly as we (just Jenna) encountered a minor mishaft. Then we decided to drive back down to David’s house in Connecticut. I couldn’t believe how fast the days went by. What a weekend that was.
The casts of Maine Adventure!
Old Orchard Beach Pier
Nubble Lighthouse in York, Maine