I'm too lazy to finish all my posts in UK... Have moved back to my old blog! ^_^
Loves! <3
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Solo trip Day 3
I'm back in OXFORD!
The weather was horrible (wet,windy,cold!) the previous time I came and I couldn't cover the entire area nor take good photos, so I've decided to come visit again to take more photos of this beautiful place. :)
I shouldn't have prayed too much that it won't be too windy because today was extremely hot! I got so tanned after being outside the whole day.
Arrived in Gloucester green bus station and the Oxford Backpackers Hostel was just less than 5mins' walk away. Left my luggage at the hostel, got a city map and started exploring.
I haven't eaten anything so I went to the covered market, bought a chicken cheese panini and hot chocolate for brunch. It was really delicious! There were a few stalls selling these same kinda Italian pastries and I randomly chose one. Turned out that this one was quite well-known and was featured on newspaper.
I didn't get to explore Christ Church, the largest college in Oxford the other time, so I headed straight there. There's the famous original Alice's shop in front of the entrance to Christ Church. They were selling all kinds of things related to Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass in the shop.
I bought a very cute book "How to be a British" which is kind of a comic book humorously(sometimes sacarstically) describing the behaviour and traits of a real British. Haha.
Spent half an hour or so walking through the trails around the Christ Church meadows, boy! It was HUGE! There were people punting along the river, feeding ducks, pat toh-ing and also cute cows grazing on the meadows. The students are so lucky to be studying in that college.
Paid 4.50pounds to visit the interior of Christ Church and finally saw the FAMOUS HOGWARTS DINING HALL where HARRY POTTER WAS FILMED! It's smaller than what's shown in the movie(computer effect la) but nevertheless, grand!
I talked to one of the guides and found out that the students indeed sit down in that dining hall to have their dinner together every night. It's like buffet style and they're free to come and go anytime within the 2 hours dinner time frame. He even showed me their menu. Damn cool! These students so 好命, just need to focus on their studies since they'll be well fed by the college.
The sun was so hot my forehead became one shade darker. =.= But excellent light conditions for taking photos. I went around the town to snap more pictures of the different colleges. Went into Jesus college. So beautiful and very English as expected.
Then I went to Blackwell's music store to look for flute scores. One thing I really love about UK is one can find famous music scores so easily and at affordable prices. Was looking for Bizet's Habanera from Carmen but to no avail but bought the scores for Nutcracker instead!
Later the evening, I dined in some nice peaceful pub, had some British sausages for dinner. My iPhone went dead for no reason which was disastrous to me cuz I'm so so SO dependent on it. All my travel info, hostel/ coach booking references are stored in the phone and I'm so used to using the Internet on the go! So I had to go to a nearby Internet cafe to check some mails and record the info.
The hostel was so warm and stuffy after being heated up the whole night and it kinda smells cuz I was staying in a 14 mixed dorm. 都是臭男人的错！But I was so tired and manage to fall asleep effortlessly somehow......
The weather was horrible (wet,windy,cold!) the previous time I came and I couldn't cover the entire area nor take good photos, so I've decided to come visit again to take more photos of this beautiful place. :)
I shouldn't have prayed too much that it won't be too windy because today was extremely hot! I got so tanned after being outside the whole day.
Arrived in Gloucester green bus station and the Oxford Backpackers Hostel was just less than 5mins' walk away. Left my luggage at the hostel, got a city map and started exploring.
I haven't eaten anything so I went to the covered market, bought a chicken cheese panini and hot chocolate for brunch. It was really delicious! There were a few stalls selling these same kinda Italian pastries and I randomly chose one. Turned out that this one was quite well-known and was featured on newspaper.
I didn't get to explore Christ Church, the largest college in Oxford the other time, so I headed straight there. There's the famous original Alice's shop in front of the entrance to Christ Church. They were selling all kinds of things related to Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass in the shop.
I bought a very cute book "How to be a British" which is kind of a comic book humorously(sometimes sacarstically) describing the behaviour and traits of a real British. Haha.
Spent half an hour or so walking through the trails around the Christ Church meadows, boy! It was HUGE! There were people punting along the river, feeding ducks, pat toh-ing and also cute cows grazing on the meadows. The students are so lucky to be studying in that college.
Paid 4.50pounds to visit the interior of Christ Church and finally saw the FAMOUS HOGWARTS DINING HALL where HARRY POTTER WAS FILMED! It's smaller than what's shown in the movie(computer effect la) but nevertheless, grand!
I talked to one of the guides and found out that the students indeed sit down in that dining hall to have their dinner together every night. It's like buffet style and they're free to come and go anytime within the 2 hours dinner time frame. He even showed me their menu. Damn cool! These students so 好命, just need to focus on their studies since they'll be well fed by the college.
The sun was so hot my forehead became one shade darker. =.= But excellent light conditions for taking photos. I went around the town to snap more pictures of the different colleges. Went into Jesus college. So beautiful and very English as expected.
Then I went to Blackwell's music store to look for flute scores. One thing I really love about UK is one can find famous music scores so easily and at affordable prices. Was looking for Bizet's Habanera from Carmen but to no avail but bought the scores for Nutcracker instead!
Later the evening, I dined in some nice peaceful pub, had some British sausages for dinner. My iPhone went dead for no reason which was disastrous to me cuz I'm so so SO dependent on it. All my travel info, hostel/ coach booking references are stored in the phone and I'm so used to using the Internet on the go! So I had to go to a nearby Internet cafe to check some mails and record the info.
The hostel was so warm and stuffy after being heated up the whole night and it kinda smells cuz I was staying in a 14 mixed dorm. 都是臭男人的错！But I was so tired and manage to fall asleep effortlessly somehow......
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Solo trip Day 2
A new friend found in Cambridge!
I had such a fulfilling time today and randomly made a new friend!
I arrived in Cambridge early morning and walked a MILLION mile to find the YHA hostel. Dumped my luggage there cuz obviously it was still early to check in. It Is commonplace for tourist to travel around Cambridge by bicycle... I should have researched on where to rent one. =.=
Went on to explore the historical city centre and grabbed myself a cuppa java chip ice blended on the way, from this shop called cambridge coffee club. It was good, better than starbucks!
Cambridge seem to be bigger than oxford cuz the different colleges are spreaded out much further apart from each other. I personally feel that oxford is prettier.
I went to the banks of river cam near Queen's college and there it is... the popular punting site, where many were rented punts/ rowing boats.
I found my way to King's college, probably the most beautiful and grand-looking college of Cambridge. Even though Trinity College is more popular and richer, its attractiveness wasn't reflected on the outside. I didn't pay the 10+pounds to enter Trinity as I did not wish to contribute further to its wealth. Haha.
As I was travelling alone, i yook very few photos with myself in it but King's College was so magnificient I just had to snap one with it! So I approached some Korean gals and asked them to help me take a picture.
As I continued walking, a gal suddenly approached me and asked if I was travelling alone. She was alone and had just arrived for the 2nd day so was quite lost and asked if we could walk around together.
This was how we acquainted and became friends! She's a Brazilian, really nice and friendly! We went on the punting tour on cambridge and gosh... I sure have become chao tahed!
It was really nice having a company for the day while we went sighttseeing and also accompanied her to buy some stuffs she needed to use in England.
I've walked the route between YHA hostel and city centre so many times my legs were breakig at the end of the day and I think I've become so familiar with the streets! (well part of it)Hahaha!
In the evening, we went back to our respective hostel to shower and rest before meeting up again for dinner at the Eagles' pub! The pub is famous because it used to be frequented by Watson and Crick and it was also the very place where they announced their discovery of the DNA structure! Well, very good ambience in the pub but food is just average.
It's so hard to bid goodbye, but I really hope to keep in contact with this new found friend. Afterall, it was such a super random encounter so I'm sure it's fate which brought us together to become more than just strangers. =)
It's a cooling night and this hostel's bed is clean and comfy so, good night Cambridge!
I had such a fulfilling time today and randomly made a new friend!
I arrived in Cambridge early morning and walked a MILLION mile to find the YHA hostel. Dumped my luggage there cuz obviously it was still early to check in. It Is commonplace for tourist to travel around Cambridge by bicycle... I should have researched on where to rent one. =.=
Went on to explore the historical city centre and grabbed myself a cuppa java chip ice blended on the way, from this shop called cambridge coffee club. It was good, better than starbucks!
Cambridge seem to be bigger than oxford cuz the different colleges are spreaded out much further apart from each other. I personally feel that oxford is prettier.
I went to the banks of river cam near Queen's college and there it is... the popular punting site, where many were rented punts/ rowing boats.
I found my way to King's college, probably the most beautiful and grand-looking college of Cambridge. Even though Trinity College is more popular and richer, its attractiveness wasn't reflected on the outside. I didn't pay the 10+pounds to enter Trinity as I did not wish to contribute further to its wealth. Haha.
As I was travelling alone, i yook very few photos with myself in it but King's College was so magnificient I just had to snap one with it! So I approached some Korean gals and asked them to help me take a picture.
As I continued walking, a gal suddenly approached me and asked if I was travelling alone. She was alone and had just arrived for the 2nd day so was quite lost and asked if we could walk around together.
This was how we acquainted and became friends! She's a Brazilian, really nice and friendly! We went on the punting tour on cambridge and gosh... I sure have become chao tahed!
It was really nice having a company for the day while we went sighttseeing and also accompanied her to buy some stuffs she needed to use in England.
I've walked the route between YHA hostel and city centre so many times my legs were breakig at the end of the day and I think I've become so familiar with the streets! (well part of it)Hahaha!
In the evening, we went back to our respective hostel to shower and rest before meeting up again for dinner at the Eagles' pub! The pub is famous because it used to be frequented by Watson and Crick and it was also the very place where they announced their discovery of the DNA structure! Well, very good ambience in the pub but food is just average.
It's so hard to bid goodbye, but I really hope to keep in contact with this new found friend. Afterall, it was such a super random encounter so I'm sure it's fate which brought us together to become more than just strangers. =)
It's a cooling night and this hostel's bed is clean and comfy so, good night Cambridge!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Solo trip day 1
I was so tired after I reached London that I could hardly open my eyes! Went to Hyde park intending to take a stroll but fell asleep on a bench instead.
Walked over to Buckingham Palace at around 11.10am and there was already a huge crowd waiting to see the changing of guards which will start at 11.30am.
I've been to London several times and yet I haven't seen the whole changing of guards ceremony so I decided to witness it before leaving. However, it was just too pack and I couldn't see a shit after the guards marched from the street into the palace. Moreover I reckoned it would be quite similar to the changing of guard which I saw in Taipei's Sun yat sen memorial hall. So I left.
Went to Camden market cuz I read about this palm-reading master who had good testimonials for being accurate. Although it's my 2nd time visitng Camden market, I still got lost so much! Can't be blame right! Camden is so ultra huge and crowded.
Finally found the palmistry master, after making a few detours and circles, and had a 8minutes palm reading session for 10pounds. Surprisngly alot of things he said actually corresponded to what the Chinese palm reader told me when I had the reading in NTU.
Hmmm...
Travelled east to the canary wharf in the evening and sat by the canal. The place looked so similar to the esplanade bay where you can see bridges and several tall office buildings for banks etc.
Returned to the hostel which was a 4 female dorm and the other 2 gals were already asleep. Went to shower on the first floor but someone switched off my bathroom lights halfway when I was bathing!
I was surprised that I didn't scream.. Probably too tired to care so I just continued bathing in the dark. Not exaclty pitch black cuz the matted window allowed a little moonlight to shine in.
Walked over to Buckingham Palace at around 11.10am and there was already a huge crowd waiting to see the changing of guards which will start at 11.30am.
I've been to London several times and yet I haven't seen the whole changing of guards ceremony so I decided to witness it before leaving. However, it was just too pack and I couldn't see a shit after the guards marched from the street into the palace. Moreover I reckoned it would be quite similar to the changing of guard which I saw in Taipei's Sun yat sen memorial hall. So I left.
Went to Camden market cuz I read about this palm-reading master who had good testimonials for being accurate. Although it's my 2nd time visitng Camden market, I still got lost so much! Can't be blame right! Camden is so ultra huge and crowded.
Finally found the palmistry master, after making a few detours and circles, and had a 8minutes palm reading session for 10pounds. Surprisngly alot of things he said actually corresponded to what the Chinese palm reader told me when I had the reading in NTU.
Hmmm...
Travelled east to the canary wharf in the evening and sat by the canal. The place looked so similar to the esplanade bay where you can see bridges and several tall office buildings for banks etc.
Returned to the hostel which was a 4 female dorm and the other 2 gals were already asleep. Went to shower on the first floor but someone switched off my bathroom lights halfway when I was bathing!
I was surprised that I didn't scream.. Probably too tired to care so I just continued bathing in the dark. Not exaclty pitch black cuz the matted window allowed a little moonlight to shine in.
Solo trip day 1
I didn't sleep a wink last night, partly cuz lots of things have been going through my mind. Like I keep thinking back on the past half a year, how I've changed my thinking and grown to be more independent, how I'm starting to miss home etc. I couldn't sleep partly also because those crazy football fans are making so much noise downstairs after getting high on alcohol.
So here I am on the megabus on my way to London for the 4th time! =D
It's a super early ride supposed to depart Coventry canon park at 5.15am but it was 35mins late! Atrocious man!
Now as I look around, almost everyone is sleeping, some even had fluffy small pillows with them lol! Guess Im the only energetic one still blogging?!??! and munching hungrily on the sandwich I bought from Tesco before departing.
Lots of thoughts running through my mind yet again, as the bus drove through Coventry. I wonder if I'll ever get the chance to come back here to Coventry again. Afterall, it is not one city which tourists would specially visit.
Every now and then, I would remind myself how lucky I am to get the opportunity to come for an exchange in Warwick, and how fortunate I am to have parents and bf who were so supportive of me.
Travelling alone makes me more conscious of the surrounding happenings. It's a very special nice feeling. I just wanna treasure more of the last few days' time in England...
So here I am on the megabus on my way to London for the 4th time! =D
It's a super early ride supposed to depart Coventry canon park at 5.15am but it was 35mins late! Atrocious man!
Now as I look around, almost everyone is sleeping, some even had fluffy small pillows with them lol! Guess Im the only energetic one still blogging?!??! and munching hungrily on the sandwich I bought from Tesco before departing.
Lots of thoughts running through my mind yet again, as the bus drove through Coventry. I wonder if I'll ever get the chance to come back here to Coventry again. Afterall, it is not one city which tourists would specially visit.
Every now and then, I would remind myself how lucky I am to get the opportunity to come for an exchange in Warwick, and how fortunate I am to have parents and bf who were so supportive of me.
Travelling alone makes me more conscious of the surrounding happenings. It's a very special nice feeling. I just wanna treasure more of the last few days' time in England...
Been so busy the past whole week with research and packing up my room (cuz I'd to ship some of my things back to SG) that I didnt have the time to update blog.
Oh my, so much things that I wanna blog about so it'll be stored as part of my memories cuz I grow very forgetful easily. I need to preserve my memories. =(
Tomorrow, I mean later ...at 5.15am (crazy I know! but tt's the cheapest bus fare), I'll be taking megabus to London for a final travel before leaving England.
By now, most of my exchange friends have already gone home. The ones left either have their own plans or do not want to travel anymore. So I'll be making the trip to London, Cambridge, Oxford (again...cuz the other time it was raining and I didn't get to see everything!), back to London then Coventry.
Summer sales are everywhere so hopefully I'll have a fruitful shopping trip in London! Damn excited!
I also wanna catch Love Never Dies!!! It's a sequel to the Phantom of The Opera musical which is new and just opened this year in March 2010. I'm a die-hard fan of Phantom and wanna watch its sequel ASAP. Cuz if I were to wait till the musical make its tour to Singapore, it might be a number of years later. Even though I've heard alot of mixed reviews with respect to this musical, I still wanna see it for myself to judge its good and bad.
Alrighty, shall update after I'm back on campus. Well hopefully I have the time and don't feel lazy. Need to preserve my memories. Need to.
Oh my, so much things that I wanna blog about so it'll be stored as part of my memories cuz I grow very forgetful easily. I need to preserve my memories. =(
Tomorrow, I mean later ...at 5.15am (crazy I know! but tt's the cheapest bus fare), I'll be taking megabus to London for a final travel before leaving England.
By now, most of my exchange friends have already gone home. The ones left either have their own plans or do not want to travel anymore. So I'll be making the trip to London, Cambridge, Oxford (again...cuz the other time it was raining and I didn't get to see everything!), back to London then Coventry.
Summer sales are everywhere so hopefully I'll have a fruitful shopping trip in London! Damn excited!
I also wanna catch Love Never Dies!!! It's a sequel to the Phantom of The Opera musical which is new and just opened this year in March 2010. I'm a die-hard fan of Phantom and wanna watch its sequel ASAP. Cuz if I were to wait till the musical make its tour to Singapore, it might be a number of years later. Even though I've heard alot of mixed reviews with respect to this musical, I still wanna see it for myself to judge its good and bad.
Alrighty, shall update after I'm back on campus. Well hopefully I have the time and don't feel lazy. Need to preserve my memories. Need to.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
FRIGHT OF THE DAY!
I bought a packet of eggs from Costcutter on my way back to hall after lab cuz I was too lazy and tired to walk to Tesco.
For dinner, I made Herbal Chicken soup and was going to fry a mushroom omelette when all of a sudden...ARGGHHH! This is more horrifying than a horror film to me.
CAN U SEE THE FEATHERS STICKING OUT OF THE EGG!??!
This picture was taken AFTER I dumped the whole carton into the trash. I was happily frying the mushrooms with one hand, while the other reached for the carton and opened the cover. When I glanced around and saw these dubious thingy sticking out of the box/egg, I shrieked so loud I scared myself. -.-
Damn disgusting. A closer look at the eggs made me realised 2 had cracks on them and the others look dark and.....and...plain weird. I just had to throw them away! Just in case I crack one of the normal looking egg and there hatch a chick foetus or wadsoever, I would faint and never dare to eat eggs again.
Moral of the story: Open the cover and check your carton of eggs before buying.
(Like duh... research 烧坏我的脑...)
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Apparently...
I was so surprised when she told me the campus actually had a nature reserve site where many people would take strolls and relax. So we transformed into explorers and discoverers (sounds so Dunmanites again =) to check out the place.
The duckies would miss the exchange students after we leave.
Scary scene! LOL!
Cute Pi-pi.
Wandered off into the nature reserve.
Love the reflection!!!
Sway with the wind!
Jennifer & I! ^^
After the nature walk, we went to TESCO (my fav) and bought groceries to cook dinner.
That's Bah Kut Teh soup, Tomato scrambled eggs, Broccoli & Salmon! ^^
Hungry girls. (^o^)
I wish I had more time to spend with the exchange friends...
Good times always come to an end.
Singapore is my home afterall.
EXAMS ARE OVER!
Even though I took only one paper this term, well I HAD my tough times ok. Struggling to cope with the adapting to life here and shortly after I settle down, attend lessons, I had to take 4 exams. Those days were stressful man. And I still dunno the results yet. Super efficient.
Just like any other Last-day-of-exams, I felt kinda lost and suddenly "goal-less" after I come out from the examination hall. No need to discipline myself to bind to the table to do last minute revision, lots of time to slack around, cook slowly, bathe slowly,walk slowly etc.
This reminded me of my last day of O levels, after P.Chem paper, me and the other girlfriends (think is Lauren & Xian... can't remember), we sat on the sofa outside Mrs Neo's general office, not knowing what to do or where to go even though we should be feeling excited that the major exam is finally over! I guess it's a mixed feelings that we had ba... Os over = secondary school life is history. Aww, the bitter-sweet memories.
And how did I even digress so much back into the good-O-times!
But well, after my last paper Polymer Chemistry (makes disgusted face).. I went straight to the library to discard, I mean return the books. Yeah, library books saved my ass cuz the lecture notes are haiz....
Then I met Jenn to explore the wildlife reserve in Warwick!
I was so surprised when she told me the campus actually had a nature reserve site where many people would take strolls and relax. So we transformed into explorers and discoverers (sounds so Dunmanites again =) to check out the place.
The duckies would miss the exchange students after we leave.
I doubt the locals feed them as much. LOL!
Scary scene! LOL!
My friend Christine is scared of birds and ducks' and those relatives species. I think she will faint if she had seen these giantic er...goose?
Cute Pi-pi.
Wandered off into the nature reserve.
At this point, I already don't know which part of the campus I'm at. Hahaha!
A group of Malay students, seen in a distance, picnic-ing on this big field. How nice!
Love the reflection!!!
Sway with the wind!
Jennifer & I! ^^
After the nature walk, we went to TESCO (my fav) and bought groceries to cook dinner.
That's Bah Kut Teh soup, Tomato scrambled eggs, Broccoli & Salmon! ^^
Hungry girls. (^o^)
I wish I had more time to spend with the exchange friends...
Good times always come to an end.
Singapore is my home afterall.
Friday, June 11, 2010
ICE CREAM IS MY GREATEST SIN!
Many of my friends and relatives have been commenting that I've become fat. LOL!
YES I HAVE.
BUT, I still dunno how much weight I have gained cuz I haven got the chance to weigh myself yet. Hopefully I wont give myself the shock of my life by hitting the number 5...(50kg) just within 6 months!
I find it so hard to curb my diet especially when ice cream is so cheap here. Just as I'm typing this entry, I'm having this whole tub of B&J's to myself! A 500ml tub only for 2.50pounds (~.5.20SGD) on promo!
The other day I also bought Magnum Almond ice-cream which was even more ridiculously cheap! 3 in a pack for just 99p! (~2.10SGD) WTH!
Actually come to think of it... TESCO is my life saviour... or rather every student's.
You can get all kinds of food there at low prices. Definitely made this 6 months of living in UK much easier and comfortable. Eating well. Over-nutrition.
If you were to compare the cost of living between Singapore and the UK, or at least England. Here's is much more affordable.
Say if an Englishman earns an average of over 2000+ pounds per month (according to my british friend, they do), which is comparatively the same as the amount Singaporeans could earn on avg per month in SGD, one could actually spend lesser on food, nice clothings and entertainment here as compared to in Singapore.
For example, some of the most ridiculously cheap buys one could find in TESCO:
15 eggs for 1.49pounds
7 chicken drumsticks for 1.53pounds
One big bag of mushrooms for 89pence
etc etc...
Nice clothings from NewLook/Topshop for maybe around 25pounds+ is considered reasonable (according to British friend)... whereas in Singapore you have to pay so much more for similar brands in SGD. I'm not considering the conversion rate if you get what I mean.
Ok, the whole idea is to bring out the high cost of living in Singapore and how I envy the ppl living here. It's quite a pointless post...getting nowhere... but it's my thoughts on my blog afterall.
HAHA. hmm....ice-cream overdose... Ciao~
Friday, June 4, 2010
I just had the most fucking-est bad day that I almost broke down and cry.
Sorry for the ultra crudeness...but I really need a platform to express my deepest unhappiness today.
...................................................................................................................................
I was gonna start blogging about what happen today but I'm really too tired. Reckoned that it might have been better if I use this "grumbling on blog time" to do something else that could cheer myself up.
Furthermore, as my blog is not private, it might be dangerous cuz wadever I'm gonna complain and criticize is related to 华威 大学。I'm not so stupid to be caught by some 教授 who happen to chance upon my blog and then sees it.
NOW, I'm gonna go grab a big piece of the chocolate gateau which I bought from tesco, cheer myself up a little before I start cooking a nice dinner.
Life's just full of ups and downs. I don't FML.
Sorry for the ultra crudeness...but I really need a platform to express my deepest unhappiness today.
...................................................................................................................................
I was gonna start blogging about what happen today but I'm really too tired. Reckoned that it might have been better if I use this "grumbling on blog time" to do something else that could cheer myself up.
Furthermore, as my blog is not private, it might be dangerous cuz wadever I'm gonna complain and criticize is related to 华威 大学。I'm not so stupid to be caught by some 教授 who happen to chance upon my blog and then sees it.
NOW, I'm gonna go grab a big piece of the chocolate gateau which I bought from tesco, cheer myself up a little before I start cooking a nice dinner.
Life's just full of ups and downs. I don't FML.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Research is getting so mundane...
I felt quite 气馁 today cuz my experimental results didn't seem to be too optimistic.
I'm sick and tired of running flash column chromatography cuz there isnt a single motor/ electric pump in the lab! We're only using manual squeeze pumps. Sounds like no big deal, but try doing that for 3 column in a row!
Squeezing the pump exerts my arm/shoulder muscles so much that it hurts my spine. SUCKS man.
或许以我的性格真的不适合做 research work.
Well... pray for the NMR results to be good and let me get my product soon!!!
I felt quite 气馁 today cuz my experimental results didn't seem to be too optimistic.
I'm sick and tired of running flash column chromatography cuz there isnt a single motor/ electric pump in the lab! We're only using manual squeeze pumps. Sounds like no big deal, but try doing that for 3 column in a row!
Squeezing the pump exerts my arm/shoulder muscles so much that it hurts my spine. SUCKS man.
或许以我的性格真的不适合做 research work.
Well... pray for the NMR results to be good and let me get my product soon!!!
Monday, May 31, 2010
Picnic by the Lake!
The term is coming to an end soon and one by one, many of the exchange friends are leaving Warwick to go home. ='(
Emily was leaving the next day so we had a last gathering with her to picnic by the lake.
Everyone brought along some snacks. Tadah!
Emily,Christine & I.
Somehow our food attracted a swamp of ducks and ducklings and we started feeding them with bread. It was cute at first but long after it started to smell bad cuz the duckies were poo poo-ing all over the place. Urgh. =/
I was so afraid that the duckies would bite the half-eaten apple which I was holding in my hands.
Ugly ducklings. Where's piyo-piyo!?!
Later, some of us walked around campus and explored some of the areas we haven't been to before. Unfortunately, the skies weren't that bright so no nice sunlight for perfect photos as it was drizzling earlier on.
There used to be a whole land full of yellow flower (think is rapeseed flowers) but apparently they have started wilting. No longer that yellow anymore. =(
Time flies...
DANDELIONS!
We played with dandelions, they're so pretty! Happy Me! ^^
and the girls started collecting flowers while we were walking along Lakeside.
Later on, I caught Alice in the Wonderland (I know I'm slow, better late than never! Haha!) with Charmaine at Warwick Arts Centre. We wanted to experience how the Warwick cinema feels like before we leave UK.
Turned out better than I expected! The cinema IS really cinema; with comfy seats, air-con, large screen and nice sound system. The best thing is...we paid only 3.50pounds for the movie! It was really enjoyable.
The cinema will even be screening Sex and The City in 2 weeks' time. Not bad eh.. but I've already watched it in oxford. Hehe =D
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Day trip to OXFORD!
Took the megabus from Canon Park Station which is just outside the campus, directly to Oxford Water Eaton station. Megabus is usually very on time and it departs/arrives at the stated timing. However, it was almost 25mins late behind schedule due to a major traffic held up on the highway.
Why? BECAUSE IT RAINED!
RAIN!!! Such spoiler to a day excursion! Don't be deceived by the 2 lovely pictures above, they're taken only after the sun came out in the late afternoon.
When I reached Oxford (which is an university town), it was already drizzling quite a bit and the skies were dark. HATE IT! Because it meant not enough sunlight---> ugly photos!
I felt lost for a moment after alighting from the bus but eventually followed the road signs and arrived at the tourist information centre to book a Official Oxford Walking tour for 2pm & bought a map. It kinda sucked cuz I arrived there at about 1.02pm and the 1pm tour had already started. Thanks to the traffic jam; thanks to the rain.
There were still some time before the tour so I walked around nearby and spotted BLACKWELL! It's well-known for its large collection of books, music and art pieces. It occupied the area of 9 shops! They sell very special things like medieval music, musical/opera audtion etc.
I browsed through some of the DVDs and there's so many which I wanted to buy! Mozart's Die Zauberflote (The Magic Flute), Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker, Shakespeare's Romeo&Julie. These are all classic performances!!..but pricey too. In the end I only bought Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake ballet DVD performed by Kirov Opera at St Petersburg!!! I really want to watch a russian live ballet performance someday. =]
Oh! The british royal ballet is performing Swan Lake in London from 9 -19 June, but I guess I probably have to give it a miss. =(
I walked further down the streets and randomly discovered... The bridge of Sighs!
Actual name is Hertford Bridge. No idea why it is called bridge of sighs but it's said to bear close resemblance of the bridge in Venice.
Sheldonian Theatre - sort of like the main hall for the collective colleges of Oxford university. Matriculation/ convocation ceremonies are held here.
This is just one of the many college courtyard.. forgot which college this was.. Haha. Way too many..
The buildings are actually residences of the students and also comprises of several college facilities. Such nice campus right... Lucky smart cookies..
Yup, this is not the famous dining hall scene in Harry Potter but Oxford are generally well known for their grand dining hall. This is for real. On scheduled nights, students will sit down together in this dining hall and enjoy a good meal. (They are fed by the college.. how nice.. dun need to go Tesco shop for groceries and slog over the stoves)
Duh...Oxford leh... Creme de la creme..
Perhaps Cambridge students could have their laundry done for them as well so they'd have more time to study. LOL. That's a total exaggeration. =X
The Divinity School - which is the filming scene for Hogwarts' hospital ward in Harry Potter.
The Divinity school is also the very first examination hall, whereby students are examined 1:1 by a professor or head of the college...whatever you call it in the past. The guide told us that each student was examined orally, whereby the examiner ask a question/ post a topic and the student have to talk and talk....and talk until the examiner thinks that the student has displayed deep knowledge of the topic. This could go on for THREE DAYS! Can u believe it!!! It's true... IN THE PAST!
This is probably the only place I took a photo with myself in at Oxford. Got some Asian uncle to help me take and this was the result.... -.-"
It's nice to have my full body in the pic.. but.. the focus should be on the Radcliffe Camera (the cool building at the background)!!!
I wasn't pleased with the photo but thanked him anyway cuz he and his family were nice people. =)
I walked around to take other photos and then randomly asked for a caucasian auntie to help me snap a photo with the Radcliffe Camera again since it's kinda like the landmark so I really wanna take a photo with it. Turns out much better after she kindly took 3 shots. Very friendly auntie too. Hehe. ^^
After going for the Bodleian Library Tour (covers Duke Humphrey Library and the Divinity School), it started to rain quite alot and totally dampens my mood. It was so hard to get around cuz the map was drenched. I couldnt make it in time to the Alice's shop and was too cold to head to the Thames river (where punting activities were), so I went to the Odeon cinema and bought a ticket to watch Sex and The City 2!
Luckily I'd checked out the timings before coming as a wet weather plan. Reached the cinema at 5pm, bought tickets from the patient lady who had a total miscomm with me, grabbed some southern fried chicken with chips at the Kebab shop opposite and went for the movie at 6pm. Perfect timing!
It would have been a totally enjoyable day out if not for the rain! I think I haven't seen all of Oxford yet. Hopefully can go back again.
I quite like travelling alone cuz it's always OTOT, no one to rush me and I can do whatever I like, EXCEPT for the fact that it's hard to take nice pictures with myself in it. LOL!
Friday, May 28, 2010
For the past week I've been in research lab cuz there's actually no more lessons for me to attend this term. Research has been well so far, FINALLY!...after so much confusion in trying to get me started with my project. =)
When I first started going to lab, I felt so lost. I wasn't given clear instructions as to what was expected of my work etc. If you're not a Chemistry student, you perhaps might not know the difference between an undergraduate teaching lab and a research lab.
So anyway, the research lab is so much more messy and dangerous-looking as compared to the teaching lab. It looks as if there'd been mad scientistSss working on some experiemnt using complicated setups & equipment. I've seen the research lab in NTU before so it's not that shocking to me when I started to work here. The point is! I was so unfamiliar with things I had to spend long time searching for apparatus and chemicals. NTU is definitely more organised...and NEW!
It's been one week though and I'm doing fine, I guess. =D The thought of doing Final Year Project instead of Industrial Attachment did cross my mind while I was working in the resarch lab. Hmm.. still too early to tell if I'm really suitable for that or not.
It is now exam period in school and every single soul seemed to be immensely busy with exam preparations except me (cuz' I had majority of my papers last term, when I was stress like shit. Still waiting for results which will only be released on 29/6. WTS. Pls lemme pass man...)
The more slack I am now, the more I feel out-of-place. My daily routine for the past 1-2 weeks after the Easter hols have been: sleeping till late, go lab do research, come back cook dinner, chase drama serials (direct translation from Mandarin)till late. I ought to be shot!
By right,I am not exactly THAT free cuz' I still have an exam to take on June 15! Polymer Chemistry and I haven't started reading a single bit! I skipped alot of the lecture due to exams last term cuz this is Year 2 module while I'm taking Year 3 modules last term. Aiyah. it's complicated.
Anyway, I'm going to Oxford tomorrow! I'm not gonna wait anymore. Everyone has different schedule or has been to different places. Just my luck. I'll go there alone then, cuz I really wanna see the place/ university. =)
Hope the weather will be good~
Last week when I went to London for Carmen, I thought I've teleported back to Singapore. Felt so warm even though it was only around 26degrees celcius & I was sweating in my room! Seriously can't imagine stepping out of the Changi airport basement carpark (to fetch my father's car probably) which would totally have me baked alive as if in an oven!
The news had reported, though, that last weekend was sort of like the hottest days for the whole year in UK and it was gonna get colder subsequently. True enough, these few days had been cool and windy again. ME LIKE IT~
Ok. Gonna sleep already. Nitez. ^^
When I first started going to lab, I felt so lost. I wasn't given clear instructions as to what was expected of my work etc. If you're not a Chemistry student, you perhaps might not know the difference between an undergraduate teaching lab and a research lab.
So anyway, the research lab is so much more messy and dangerous-looking as compared to the teaching lab. It looks as if there'd been mad scientistSss working on some experiemnt using complicated setups & equipment. I've seen the research lab in NTU before so it's not that shocking to me when I started to work here. The point is! I was so unfamiliar with things I had to spend long time searching for apparatus and chemicals. NTU is definitely more organised...and NEW!
It's been one week though and I'm doing fine, I guess. =D The thought of doing Final Year Project instead of Industrial Attachment did cross my mind while I was working in the resarch lab. Hmm.. still too early to tell if I'm really suitable for that or not.
It is now exam period in school and every single soul seemed to be immensely busy with exam preparations except me (cuz' I had majority of my papers last term, when I was stress like shit. Still waiting for results which will only be released on 29/6. WTS. Pls lemme pass man...)
The more slack I am now, the more I feel out-of-place. My daily routine for the past 1-2 weeks after the Easter hols have been: sleeping till late, go lab do research, come back cook dinner, chase drama serials (direct translation from Mandarin)till late. I ought to be shot!
By right,I am not exactly THAT free cuz' I still have an exam to take on June 15! Polymer Chemistry and I haven't started reading a single bit! I skipped alot of the lecture due to exams last term cuz this is Year 2 module while I'm taking Year 3 modules last term. Aiyah. it's complicated.
Anyway, I'm going to Oxford tomorrow! I'm not gonna wait anymore. Everyone has different schedule or has been to different places. Just my luck. I'll go there alone then, cuz I really wanna see the place/ university. =)
Hope the weather will be good~
Last week when I went to London for Carmen, I thought I've teleported back to Singapore. Felt so warm even though it was only around 26degrees celcius & I was sweating in my room! Seriously can't imagine stepping out of the Changi airport basement carpark (to fetch my father's car probably) which would totally have me baked alive as if in an oven!
The news had reported, though, that last weekend was sort of like the hottest days for the whole year in UK and it was gonna get colder subsequently. True enough, these few days had been cool and windy again. ME LIKE IT~
Ok. Gonna sleep already. Nitez. ^^
Monday, May 24, 2010
Carmen - 1st Opera held @ London O2 Arena!
I went to London alone over the weekend...
As crazy as it may seem, spending the time, money and effort to travel to London for the opera, I really wanted to watch the show cuz since a long time ago, I've been fascinated with CARMEN.
The music was FANTASTIC! Probably couldn't get any better cux it was conducted live by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra! Totally gave me the goosebumps when they played the songs and for that very instance, I felt it was all worth the trip!
(even though money-wise wasn't really worth it..hmm...)
CARMEN is the 1st opera to be held in the O2 arena, which usually holds concert performance by bands and popstars such as Lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas etc.
The O2 Arena is at North Greenwich Station, all the way at the east of the city, while my hostel was at Kensal Green (North-west area).
There's so much disruption to the travel route because many of the tube lines are closed during weekends. That's one thing I loathe most about London. Damn it. Waste time, waste effort...
FINALLY! I was elated on seeing the signboard. ^-^
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra!
The view from where I was sitting... not super fantastic/near but it was already a 60pounds-valued ticket. I got it for 33 pounds online though. Good thing.
The overall settings of the stage. It was intentionally shaped like a serpent. The arena was HUMONGOUS! I wonder what joy could the people sitting in the cheapest fare section get from watching at such a FAR distance.
Overall, the music was really really praiseworthy, but the fact that such live acting performance was held in a huge theatre like this actually ended up with poorer visual effects as compared to those regular theatre with a front stage. Cuz at the circular setup of the O2 arena, there'd be some point whereby the actor's back faces you and you wouldn't be able to admire the expressions essential to make you feel connected.
I enjoyed CARMEN very much, but still felt that Phantom of the Opera musical is the best so far! <3
SPECIALLY TO WATCH CARMEN THE OPERA!
As crazy as it may seem, spending the time, money and effort to travel to London for the opera, I really wanted to watch the show cuz since a long time ago, I've been fascinated with CARMEN.
The music was FANTASTIC! Probably couldn't get any better cux it was conducted live by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra! Totally gave me the goosebumps when they played the songs and for that very instance, I felt it was all worth the trip!
(even though money-wise wasn't really worth it..hmm...)
CARMEN is the 1st opera to be held in the O2 arena, which usually holds concert performance by bands and popstars such as Lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas etc.
The O2 Arena is at North Greenwich Station, all the way at the east of the city, while my hostel was at Kensal Green (North-west area).
There's so much disruption to the travel route because many of the tube lines are closed during weekends. That's one thing I loathe most about London. Damn it. Waste time, waste effort...
FINALLY! I was elated on seeing the signboard. ^-^
The massive O2 Arena.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra!
The view from where I was sitting... not super fantastic/near but it was already a 60pounds-valued ticket. I got it for 33 pounds online though. Good thing.
The overall settings of the stage. It was intentionally shaped like a serpent. The arena was HUMONGOUS! I wonder what joy could the people sitting in the cheapest fare section get from watching at such a FAR distance.
Overall, the music was really really praiseworthy, but the fact that such live acting performance was held in a huge theatre like this actually ended up with poorer visual effects as compared to those regular theatre with a front stage. Cuz at the circular setup of the O2 arena, there'd be some point whereby the actor's back faces you and you wouldn't be able to admire the expressions essential to make you feel connected.
I enjoyed CARMEN very much, but still felt that Phantom of the Opera musical is the best so far! <3
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
HELP ME!
I think I'm ill...
I think I'm ill...
I can't STOP shopping!
I went to Coventry this afternoon, after lunch with the exchange friends, to run some errands and unknowingly came out from Primark with a huge bag of shopping loots. Everything seem so nice and must-buy, now that the summer clothings are out in store. Lovely!
My shopping loots of the day:
Cardigan - £11
Dress - £7.50
Romper - £9
Tee - £4
Tank top - £4
Shorts - £9
Handbag - £3 (UP: £7)
Shoes - £2!!! (UP: £4)
Jacket - £5 (UP: £11)
Talk about dirt-cheap when there's sales. OMG.
BUT... the trouble rises when it comes to packing my luggage back to Singapore. Shipping costs too if it's too heavy yeah.
I never knew I could be addicted to shopping in UK.
Somebody STOP ME!!!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Gosh, I realised I've been MIA from my blog for so long. LOL.
Well I guess partly because after I met up with BF, we're busy experiencing the joy of travelling, and also the travel plan disruption due to the volcanic ashes really kills my joy a little. I was rather affected by the sudden change in plan that got us stuck and spoilt our itinerary, that we've taken careful planning for.
Hostel reservation had to be cancelled, deposit forfeited, train tix rebooked, money wasted. BUT, at the end of the day when things finally goes well... WE ALL HEAVED A SIGH OF RELIF & afterall enjoyed the trip very much! ^^
I'm sure that when we looked back at how we overcame the problems that occurred during this trip in future, we'll all be laughing silly at our learning experience. =)
This 6-weeks' long Europe tour at one go would probably be a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I'm fotunate to be able to experience it. Some exchange students might have more time to travel far more places, but due to the nature of my course of study and its exam timetable, I couldn't do the same. BUT, I am already thankful for the chance to come on this exchange programme; for the chance to 大开眼界 & built many beautiful memories. =D
One and a half more months to stay in England before I finally head home. Time flies. How I wish I could stay till Decemeber to watch the first snow of this year. As much as I dislike going back to scorching hot sunny island, "tiny red dot" with strict rules, home is still where I belong, where my love ones are. Many of my exchange friends will be leaving Warwick much earlier, in June, but I still have one exam to take and gotta work for my research project which has been postponed for many weeks!
Basically this term 3, summer term, is a super slack one for me and I feel as if I'm still on holidays. Good or bad? I think I'm getting a little far too "nua" now. Gotta brace myself up and treasure the little time I have left in Warwick.
I went to the lab today to order chemicals needed for my research. Hopefully I will be able to start the experiment on Wednesday. =)
Well I guess partly because after I met up with BF, we're busy experiencing the joy of travelling, and also the travel plan disruption due to the volcanic ashes really kills my joy a little. I was rather affected by the sudden change in plan that got us stuck and spoilt our itinerary, that we've taken careful planning for.
Hostel reservation had to be cancelled, deposit forfeited, train tix rebooked, money wasted. BUT, at the end of the day when things finally goes well... WE ALL HEAVED A SIGH OF RELIF & afterall enjoyed the trip very much! ^^
I'm sure that when we looked back at how we overcame the problems that occurred during this trip in future, we'll all be laughing silly at our learning experience. =)
This 6-weeks' long Europe tour at one go would probably be a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I'm fotunate to be able to experience it. Some exchange students might have more time to travel far more places, but due to the nature of my course of study and its exam timetable, I couldn't do the same. BUT, I am already thankful for the chance to come on this exchange programme; for the chance to 大开眼界 & built many beautiful memories. =D
One and a half more months to stay in England before I finally head home. Time flies. How I wish I could stay till Decemeber to watch the first snow of this year. As much as I dislike going back to scorching hot sunny island, "tiny red dot" with strict rules, home is still where I belong, where my love ones are. Many of my exchange friends will be leaving Warwick much earlier, in June, but I still have one exam to take and gotta work for my research project which has been postponed for many weeks!
Basically this term 3, summer term, is a super slack one for me and I feel as if I'm still on holidays. Good or bad? I think I'm getting a little far too "nua" now. Gotta brace myself up and treasure the little time I have left in Warwick.
I went to the lab today to order chemicals needed for my research. Hopefully I will be able to start the experiment on Wednesday. =)
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Easter trip Day 34 - Nice to Barcelona
We've just checked in to a super budget €10pppn hostel(with the most atrocious shower ever) in Barcelona, gonna stay here for the night and continue out journey tml morning, 5hrs train ride from Barcelona to Seville. Will reach Seville only at 2pm. =(
I'm so sick of taking trains now, after today's freaking 14 hours journey from Nice to Barcelona. Haiz, so much time wasted. Really feel like teleporting to Seville right at this moment. But more practically, I'm going to sleep now lest I oversleep again tml morning!
I'm so sick of taking trains now, after today's freaking 14 hours journey from Nice to Barcelona. Haiz, so much time wasted. Really feel like teleporting to Seville right at this moment. But more practically, I'm going to sleep now lest I oversleep again tml morning!
Easter trip Day 34 - Nice to Barcelona
I can't believe this man. We actually overslept and woke up at 6.30am, exactly at the timing which our train departs! We missed the most important train that could restore the flow of the second part of our trip! FML.
We're now on the next earliest train but wouldn't be able to reach Seville on time by tonight. Will have to spend the night in Madrid before another 2 hrs train ride to Seville tml morning.
The most troubling matter is that our train reservation tix have become invalid. And we couldn't complete the journey in a day on our eurail pass = much more cost incurred. Damn pissed with ourselves.
法国人are super fucked up. Wake up your idea and stop thinking that your language is superior or international cuz it's not!
Haiz. Everything was going so well in the first part oft he trip with Denz they all, BEFORE THE STUPID VOLCANO ERUPTS! Totally screwed up our plans and left us running around making alternative plans for the trip.
On the 1st train now and only 3 hours have passed. 15more to go... How exciting......................
We're now on the next earliest train but wouldn't be able to reach Seville on time by tonight. Will have to spend the night in Madrid before another 2 hrs train ride to Seville tml morning.
The most troubling matter is that our train reservation tix have become invalid. And we couldn't complete the journey in a day on our eurail pass = much more cost incurred. Damn pissed with ourselves.
法国人are super fucked up. Wake up your idea and stop thinking that your language is superior or international cuz it's not!
Haiz. Everything was going so well in the first part oft he trip with Denz they all, BEFORE THE STUPID VOLCANO ERUPTS! Totally screwed up our plans and left us running around making alternative plans for the trip.
On the 1st train now and only 3 hours have passed. 15more to go... How exciting......................
Easter trip Day 33 - Nice, France.
Today is a super slack day. We cooked pasta for lunch and I went out to do a little shopping from H&M, before having dinner at out favourite chinese restaurant with the guys.
I'm lying on bed now.. Going to fall asleep soon. In 4 hrs' time, I'll be waking up to catch the train at 6.30am.
CS and I will be taking the train all the way from Nice to Seville, an 18hrs journey with 7 train changes! Sounds like a friggin troublesome process. Hopefully the seats are as comfortable as the ones on eurostar Tren Italia so we can all have a good sleep on it lol!
Will be meeting BF in exactly 24hours' time! Feeling so excited and pray hard that everything goes well. =D
Denz, Jus & Sean will be taking train back to Edinburgh too cuz their flight got cancelled. Ultimate suayness. If I'm not wrong their train journey is even longer, approximately 24 hours!
Hope everyone has a safe trip home and no more disruption to plans again!
I'm lying on bed now.. Going to fall asleep soon. In 4 hrs' time, I'll be waking up to catch the train at 6.30am.
CS and I will be taking the train all the way from Nice to Seville, an 18hrs journey with 7 train changes! Sounds like a friggin troublesome process. Hopefully the seats are as comfortable as the ones on eurostar Tren Italia so we can all have a good sleep on it lol!
Will be meeting BF in exactly 24hours' time! Feeling so excited and pray hard that everything goes well. =D
Denz, Jus & Sean will be taking train back to Edinburgh too cuz their flight got cancelled. Ultimate suayness. If I'm not wrong their train journey is even longer, approximately 24 hours!
Hope everyone has a safe trip home and no more disruption to plans again!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Easter trip Day 32 - Cannes, France.
Cannes!, yet another beautiful coast.
I woke up rather late this morning as I was feeling rather moody and tired. Luckily CS was nice and he went to the train station to buy our reservation tix first in the morning. We shifted room for the 2nd time in Hotel (hostel) Pastoral, this time into the 8ppl dorm where Justin and Denzyl are staying.
Had our lunch together at Mi-am, a restaurant which sells tasty Chinese food at reasonable price. I've been having it everyday for the past few days that I'm here.
We took a bus to visit Cannes, which is supposedly nearby, also in the French Riviera. But..... The journey took us a friggin near 2 hrs' of bus ride! Much longer than we've expected!
We arrived and walked around aimlessly cuz we did not research on what to do in Cannes. Eventually found our way to the Tourist information centre and got a map of thr city centre. Apparently, the stretch of beach was way too long we couldn't possibly have time to walk the entire length as it was getting late.
We strolled abit along the beach and saw the panoramic view from a hill. Cannes is in fact quite similar to Nice, except that it has nicer sandy beach while Nice's beach is rocky.
Cannes is similar to Monaco in the sense that you will be able to find many branded boutiques just along the coast. Meaning u just have to cross a road from the beach and voilà! You see LV, Chanel, D&G etc!
Cannes is perhaps most well known for it's film festival in May but perhaps that's about it. I still prefer Nice to Cannes though in fact, both are really similar. I guess these are what coastal cities in the south of France have to offer. =)
Anyway, today is officially 1 month since I left Warwick to tour Europe for the Easter holiday. Couldn't go back to UK for a pitstop due to flight cancellations affected by the damn volcanic ashes from Iceland. Therefore, I'm still on the go! Travellig directly to Spain next.
Well, even though I get to do my laudry occasionally in the hostels, I'm getting super sick of wearing the same clothes over and over again for 1 month now! Gosh! I seriously need some retail therapy SOON!
I woke up rather late this morning as I was feeling rather moody and tired. Luckily CS was nice and he went to the train station to buy our reservation tix first in the morning. We shifted room for the 2nd time in Hotel (hostel) Pastoral, this time into the 8ppl dorm where Justin and Denzyl are staying.
Had our lunch together at Mi-am, a restaurant which sells tasty Chinese food at reasonable price. I've been having it everyday for the past few days that I'm here.
We took a bus to visit Cannes, which is supposedly nearby, also in the French Riviera. But..... The journey took us a friggin near 2 hrs' of bus ride! Much longer than we've expected!
We arrived and walked around aimlessly cuz we did not research on what to do in Cannes. Eventually found our way to the Tourist information centre and got a map of thr city centre. Apparently, the stretch of beach was way too long we couldn't possibly have time to walk the entire length as it was getting late.
We strolled abit along the beach and saw the panoramic view from a hill. Cannes is in fact quite similar to Nice, except that it has nicer sandy beach while Nice's beach is rocky.
Cannes is similar to Monaco in the sense that you will be able to find many branded boutiques just along the coast. Meaning u just have to cross a road from the beach and voilà! You see LV, Chanel, D&G etc!
Cannes is perhaps most well known for it's film festival in May but perhaps that's about it. I still prefer Nice to Cannes though in fact, both are really similar. I guess these are what coastal cities in the south of France have to offer. =)
Anyway, today is officially 1 month since I left Warwick to tour Europe for the Easter holiday. Couldn't go back to UK for a pitstop due to flight cancellations affected by the damn volcanic ashes from Iceland. Therefore, I'm still on the go! Travellig directly to Spain next.
Well, even though I get to do my laudry occasionally in the hostels, I'm getting super sick of wearing the same clothes over and over again for 1 month now! Gosh! I seriously need some retail therapy SOON!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Easter trip Day 31 - Nice, France.
Nice is really nice!
CS & I explored the city of Nice today and strolled along the stretch of beach.
The scenery is beautiful and the weather is just nice and warm. Not prickling hot like in Singapore.
Lots of people sun tanning on the beach although I would have preferred a sandy beach to the rocky one in Nice.
Nevertheless I'm just so happy to be in Nice. This is such a slow-paced city with breathtaking scenery. Perfect getaway in the midst of the chaotic air traffic breakdown; relaxing place to get "stuck" in.
I love places with water! Makes me feel like swimming and I wanna learn scuba-diving! Haha kk. This is random. =)
Anyway, we went to the supermarket to stock up on some toiletries and food since we have fridge and microwave in the hostel room. Surprisingly good right!
We were on our way back to hostel when we bumped into Denz & Jus infront of our hostel. It shocked us for a moment because they were supposed to leave for Marseille today but apparently the tix was much more expensive than expected and not worth it, so they're staying and moving over to our hostel too! This is reunion for the 2nd time in Nice! =D
CS & I explored the city of Nice today and strolled along the stretch of beach.
The scenery is beautiful and the weather is just nice and warm. Not prickling hot like in Singapore.
Lots of people sun tanning on the beach although I would have preferred a sandy beach to the rocky one in Nice.
Nevertheless I'm just so happy to be in Nice. This is such a slow-paced city with breathtaking scenery. Perfect getaway in the midst of the chaotic air traffic breakdown; relaxing place to get "stuck" in.
I love places with water! Makes me feel like swimming and I wanna learn scuba-diving! Haha kk. This is random. =)
Anyway, we went to the supermarket to stock up on some toiletries and food since we have fridge and microwave in the hostel room. Surprisingly good right!
We were on our way back to hostel when we bumped into Denz & Jus infront of our hostel. It shocked us for a moment because they were supposed to leave for Marseille today but apparently the tix was much more expensive than expected and not worth it, so they're staying and moving over to our hostel too! This is reunion for the 2nd time in Nice! =D
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Easter trip Day 30 - Monte Carlo, Monaco.
Super cars @ Monaco!
We took a day trip to Monaco today which is approximately an hour's bus ride away from central Nice, with just €1!
I haven't really heard much about Monaco previously so I simply went there without any expectations.
Indeed it was fast and furious on the streets. Casinos, super cars, wealthiness, beautiful coast... That's what it's all about!
We saw the Monte Carlo casino but didn't go into the gambling hall cuz some of the guys were wearing slippers and were not allowed to enter. There were so many posh cars parking outside the casinos and tourists taking photos of them as it they were exhibits.
Anyway! It was coincidentally the last day of event "Top Marquee" - the live super car show in Monte Carlo. We got to see quite a number of those powerful cars which I'm sure would drive my didi crazy. Lol!
There seem to be no speed limit on the roads! Every few minutes u can hear a super car zoom past with it's powerful engine sounding so fierce. Ferraris and Porsches are everywhere; B&W and Audi are a commonplace!
We had lunch on the beach...super expensive and not-worth-it fusilli bolognaise. But I love the Nutella panini though! I wonder if Nutella is a product of France cuz over here, you can find so many different kinds of Nutella food which is not common elsewhere like nutella milkshake, panini, crepes, waffle, snack bar and biscuit!
1 day in Monaco and I'm already contented with what I've seen. Monaco is indeed an eye opener and live up to it's name of a super car city! ^^
We took a day trip to Monaco today which is approximately an hour's bus ride away from central Nice, with just €1!
I haven't really heard much about Monaco previously so I simply went there without any expectations.
Indeed it was fast and furious on the streets. Casinos, super cars, wealthiness, beautiful coast... That's what it's all about!
We saw the Monte Carlo casino but didn't go into the gambling hall cuz some of the guys were wearing slippers and were not allowed to enter. There were so many posh cars parking outside the casinos and tourists taking photos of them as it they were exhibits.
Anyway! It was coincidentally the last day of event "Top Marquee" - the live super car show in Monte Carlo. We got to see quite a number of those powerful cars which I'm sure would drive my didi crazy. Lol!
There seem to be no speed limit on the roads! Every few minutes u can hear a super car zoom past with it's powerful engine sounding so fierce. Ferraris and Porsches are everywhere; B&W and Audi are a commonplace!
We had lunch on the beach...super expensive and not-worth-it fusilli bolognaise. But I love the Nutella panini though! I wonder if Nutella is a product of France cuz over here, you can find so many different kinds of Nutella food which is not common elsewhere like nutella milkshake, panini, crepes, waffle, snack bar and biscuit!
1 day in Monaco and I'm already contented with what I've seen. Monaco is indeed an eye opener and live up to it's name of a super car city! ^^
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Easter trip Day 29 - Nice, France
Voila!!!
We're finally in NICE after a 9 hours train ride from Rome this afternoon. It was an impromptu decision to come to NICE since most alternative flights out of Rome were cancelled.
Fortunately the train running at the time we took the train was eurostar Tren Italia, and it was really a comfy ride. The seats were spacious and looks new. CS and I occupied the entire table seats and had our lunch on board the train. Chinese food and Macdonald's!
I've always wanted to visit Nice but it is located all the way south of France and not really on the way to incorporate into this Easter trip plans.
Since we are kinda left with no choice due to the volcanic ash disruption, it might be a good chance for us to explore the French Riviera!
This is the first time I'm travelling without any plans in advance! So exciting! Yet I still feel damn sore that I can't go back to UK on time and we have to give Lisbon a miss. =(
CS & I have just met up with Denz and Jus to discuss our plans for the following days a little. They're currently staying at an apartment quite a distance away from our hostel.
Experiencing mixed feelings seeing them once again in Nice when we thought that Rome would be our last stop travelling together. Even though I'm really happy for this reunion, but it also means that our initial travel plans have been screwed.
We're finally in NICE after a 9 hours train ride from Rome this afternoon. It was an impromptu decision to come to NICE since most alternative flights out of Rome were cancelled.
Fortunately the train running at the time we took the train was eurostar Tren Italia, and it was really a comfy ride. The seats were spacious and looks new. CS and I occupied the entire table seats and had our lunch on board the train. Chinese food and Macdonald's!
I've always wanted to visit Nice but it is located all the way south of France and not really on the way to incorporate into this Easter trip plans.
Since we are kinda left with no choice due to the volcanic ash disruption, it might be a good chance for us to explore the French Riviera!
This is the first time I'm travelling without any plans in advance! So exciting! Yet I still feel damn sore that I can't go back to UK on time and we have to give Lisbon a miss. =(
CS & I have just met up with Denz and Jus to discuss our plans for the following days a little. They're currently staying at an apartment quite a distance away from our hostel.
Experiencing mixed feelings seeing them once again in Nice when we thought that Rome would be our last stop travelling together. Even though I'm really happy for this reunion, but it also means that our initial travel plans have been screwed.
Easter trip Day 29 - Rome to Nice
OMG! We're about to leave the guesthouse for Rome fiumicino airport when one of the Korean gal told us that all Easyjet flights from Rome have been cancelled.
I can't believe this man! We've just booked the tickets yesterday night and this morning the volcanic ashes have spreaded over to Italy!
BF also informed us that his flight from Singapore to London has been cancelled, next available flight tentatively on 20th April. Since CS and I can't even fly directly to Portugal, we're only left with 2 choices. Take the train to Switzerland or France and see how we can get on to Spain from there.
The train station is chaotic with long, atrocious queue to the ticketing booth!!!
Due to the closure of Rome airport, people are flocking to the train station to get tickets and travel by alternative route.
We were lucky to be able to buy our train tickets to NICE from the self-service ticketing machie, without the need to queue at the booth. Phew! Finally found a way to get out of Rome and hopefully will be able to proceed on smoothly to Spain afterwards!
I can't believe this man! We've just booked the tickets yesterday night and this morning the volcanic ashes have spreaded over to Italy!
BF also informed us that his flight from Singapore to London has been cancelled, next available flight tentatively on 20th April. Since CS and I can't even fly directly to Portugal, we're only left with 2 choices. Take the train to Switzerland or France and see how we can get on to Spain from there.
The train station is chaotic with long, atrocious queue to the ticketing booth!!!
Due to the closure of Rome airport, people are flocking to the train station to get tickets and travel by alternative route.
We were lucky to be able to buy our train tickets to NICE from the self-service ticketing machie, without the need to queue at the booth. Phew! Finally found a way to get out of Rome and hopefully will be able to proceed on smoothly to Spain afterwards!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Easter trip Day 28 - Rome, Italy
Mysterious Vatican city!!!
The visit to Vatican City marks the end of the first part of my europe trip, and of cuz last day in Rome, Italy too.
We set off early to beat the crowd for entry into St. Peter's basilica in the vatican city.
The basilica was amazingly grand with beautiful decors/sculptures. You can actually feel the 名副其实的 holy-ness. But as described by Justin, the beauty of the basilica cannot be perfectly captured on photos.
We spent quite a while marvelling at the impressive structure and wandering around to take photos. I'm really curious about this small independent city run by the pope himself and would very much like to explore the residence area inside Vatican, which apparently was not open to public at all.
I sent a few postcards from the Vatican post office and we then rush back to the Korean guesthouse to settle our flight issue, initially due to depart this evening.
We can't go back to UK on time! Damn the volcanic ashes!
Lastest news updated, in fact more or less expected, our evening flight back to London has been cancelled too!
Our initial itinerary was to fly back to London, take a day rest in Warwick, and go to London the next day to meet up with BF, before flying to Portugal to start the 2nd part of the Europe trip.
Now the plans are kinda screwed up and we need to plan for alternative travel routes instead. Shit man! =S
Denz they all have already bought the train tix to NICE, departing later at 3pm. I guess CS and I will most probably be flying to Portugal directly from Rome to explore Porto first before BF arrives.
We just wanna get out of ROME!
The visit to Vatican City marks the end of the first part of my europe trip, and of cuz last day in Rome, Italy too.
We set off early to beat the crowd for entry into St. Peter's basilica in the vatican city.
The basilica was amazingly grand with beautiful decors/sculptures. You can actually feel the 名副其实的 holy-ness. But as described by Justin, the beauty of the basilica cannot be perfectly captured on photos.
We spent quite a while marvelling at the impressive structure and wandering around to take photos. I'm really curious about this small independent city run by the pope himself and would very much like to explore the residence area inside Vatican, which apparently was not open to public at all.
I sent a few postcards from the Vatican post office and we then rush back to the Korean guesthouse to settle our flight issue, initially due to depart this evening.
We can't go back to UK on time! Damn the volcanic ashes!
Lastest news updated, in fact more or less expected, our evening flight back to London has been cancelled too!
Our initial itinerary was to fly back to London, take a day rest in Warwick, and go to London the next day to meet up with BF, before flying to Portugal to start the 2nd part of the Europe trip.
Now the plans are kinda screwed up and we need to plan for alternative travel routes instead. Shit man! =S
Denz they all have already bought the train tix to NICE, departing later at 3pm. I guess CS and I will most probably be flying to Portugal directly from Rome to explore Porto first before BF arrives.
We just wanna get out of ROME!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Easter trip Day 27 - Rome, Italy
4th day in Rome and we've almost seen it all by now.
These few days staying at Korean Guesthouse has been a nice experience but on the contrary, rather tiring. This is because we have to wake up at 7am every morning to have our breakfast, according to their culture/pratice and waking up early is always a torture to me.
Breakfast is always rice with many different kinds of veg, kimchi and sometimes soup. They have the habit of brushing teeth/ washing up only after the meal. I tried to follow suit and found myself eating while only half awake most of the time, lol!
I'm really happy to be able to experience the Korean way of life and hearing them speak to each other makes me wanna learn korean well even more than ever. If only I could understand everything they were talking about.
Anyway, we went for the Rome free tour today but sneaked off half way cuz the guide sucks! We definitely would not want to tip for such a lousy tour, much less waste our time following them around.
We went to the colosseum to check out the entry fee but decided not to enter because it wasn't worth the price. I'm already satisfied just admiring it from the outside and taking lots of photos for keepsake!!!
We had so much free time on hand so we bought snacks and drinks and sat in front of the colosseum to chill. Can't believe all my life I've been seeing pics of colosseum online and today I had the chance of being there by it. It's really amazing how this structure manage to survive 2000 years since the Roman period. More amazigly how they were able to build such a magnificient building.
I wonder how many more years will it stand strong. Hmm...
We've just received news that the volcanic eruption in Iceland has caused massive volcanic ashes to be blown over the UK and the air traffic is severely disrupted!
We're scheduled to fly back from Rome to UK tml and currently denz's & juz's morning flight to Edinburgh has been cancelled. I'm getting real worried that our flight to london will be affected too, which is most likely the case. =(
Now we just have gotta wait for the online news update for tml's evenig flight.
These few days staying at Korean Guesthouse has been a nice experience but on the contrary, rather tiring. This is because we have to wake up at 7am every morning to have our breakfast, according to their culture/pratice and waking up early is always a torture to me.
Breakfast is always rice with many different kinds of veg, kimchi and sometimes soup. They have the habit of brushing teeth/ washing up only after the meal. I tried to follow suit and found myself eating while only half awake most of the time, lol!
I'm really happy to be able to experience the Korean way of life and hearing them speak to each other makes me wanna learn korean well even more than ever. If only I could understand everything they were talking about.
Anyway, we went for the Rome free tour today but sneaked off half way cuz the guide sucks! We definitely would not want to tip for such a lousy tour, much less waste our time following them around.
We went to the colosseum to check out the entry fee but decided not to enter because it wasn't worth the price. I'm already satisfied just admiring it from the outside and taking lots of photos for keepsake!!!
We had so much free time on hand so we bought snacks and drinks and sat in front of the colosseum to chill. Can't believe all my life I've been seeing pics of colosseum online and today I had the chance of being there by it. It's really amazing how this structure manage to survive 2000 years since the Roman period. More amazigly how they were able to build such a magnificient building.
I wonder how many more years will it stand strong. Hmm...
We've just received news that the volcanic eruption in Iceland has caused massive volcanic ashes to be blown over the UK and the air traffic is severely disrupted!
We're scheduled to fly back from Rome to UK tml and currently denz's & juz's morning flight to Edinburgh has been cancelled. I'm getting real worried that our flight to london will be affected too, which is most likely the case. =(
Now we just have gotta wait for the online news update for tml's evenig flight.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Easter trip Day 26 - Rome, Italy
Magnificient Colosseum!
We walked so much today my boots are really on the verge of giving way. I really hope it'll last me another two days till I get back in Warwick before I change to another pair of shoes to go on the 2nd part of the Europe trip.
Today's weather was clear and not too windy. The morning was slightly cold but the temperature increased to a relatively nice degree later the day and it was a good day to sight see around the city ad take photos.
After watching Angels and Demons last night, we mapped out the route taken in the movie where they searched for the stolen canister and went around to see the sites where some of the movie scene was filmed, such as St Peter's square and the panthione.
We finally saw the ancient Roman ruins and the colosseum!
The colosseum was much more massive than I expected. Probably we might pay the fee to enter the colosseum for a sight-see tomorrow, we'll see how.
Korean Bibimbap was for dinner and it was really delicious and authenic. I was so full by the end of the meal, that's what makes the lodging fee at the Korean guesthouse so worth it.
We bought chips and beer, wanting to enjoy while watching the Da Vinci Code but it was a disappointment in the end cuz the movie had no subtitles. No point watching it since we couldn't hear the speech loud and clear enough either as we were playing the movie from the laptop.
Sleep then. Tomorrow is the last full day in Rome, and also with the guys. Afterwhich, Justin, Denzyl and Sean will be heading back to Edinburgh while CS and I continue to embark on the 2nd part of our journey. =)
We walked so much today my boots are really on the verge of giving way. I really hope it'll last me another two days till I get back in Warwick before I change to another pair of shoes to go on the 2nd part of the Europe trip.
Today's weather was clear and not too windy. The morning was slightly cold but the temperature increased to a relatively nice degree later the day and it was a good day to sight see around the city ad take photos.
After watching Angels and Demons last night, we mapped out the route taken in the movie where they searched for the stolen canister and went around to see the sites where some of the movie scene was filmed, such as St Peter's square and the panthione.
We finally saw the ancient Roman ruins and the colosseum!
The colosseum was much more massive than I expected. Probably we might pay the fee to enter the colosseum for a sight-see tomorrow, we'll see how.
Korean Bibimbap was for dinner and it was really delicious and authenic. I was so full by the end of the meal, that's what makes the lodging fee at the Korean guesthouse so worth it.
We bought chips and beer, wanting to enjoy while watching the Da Vinci Code but it was a disappointment in the end cuz the movie had no subtitles. No point watching it since we couldn't hear the speech loud and clear enough either as we were playing the movie from the laptop.
Sleep then. Tomorrow is the last full day in Rome, and also with the guys. Afterwhich, Justin, Denzyl and Sean will be heading back to Edinburgh while CS and I continue to embark on the 2nd part of our journey. =)
Easter trip Day 26 - Rome, Italy.
It's our third day in Rome today and we have checked out from the Korean guesthouse because we wanted to keep our options free and search for a better one because the previous one had too few toilets and was not that ideal.
Sean found us another guesthouse just across the train terminal and it is run by an old couple. Very cure grandparents! The moment we checked in they started feeding us! Haha like what grans always do. They gave us 김밥, blood orange and made us felt really welcome and at home. ^^
We're going out soon to start our third day in Rome! Going to see the colosseum today!
We downloaded and watched the Angels and Demon last night. It's so damn cool to watch it in Rome and see the familiar scenes of the Vatican city and places in Rome! ^^
Sean found us another guesthouse just across the train terminal and it is run by an old couple. Very cure grandparents! The moment we checked in they started feeding us! Haha like what grans always do. They gave us 김밥, blood orange and made us felt really welcome and at home. ^^
We're going out soon to start our third day in Rome! Going to see the colosseum today!
We downloaded and watched the Angels and Demon last night. It's so damn cool to watch it in Rome and see the familiar scenes of the Vatican city and places in Rome! ^^
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Easter trip Day 18 - Vienna to Venice
We're now travelling on the overnight sleeper train for the second time this trip, departed Vienna and heading towards VENICE!!!
I love sleeping on trains, it just feels so cool. Previously we slept in couchettes, cabin with beds, pillow, blanket and even bed linen. This time we wanted to save money and opted for just inclining seats. But it turned out that the seats could be set up into beds, just that pillows and blanket are not provided. It's still comfy!!!
Venice has always been my dream country since young. Never thought that I'll have the chance to visit it sooner than I expected. I'm really looking forward to it and hopefully the weather would be good.
The guys are conducting an orchestra here with their snores and the train has been stationary for the past one hour as I lay awake. Wonder if there's something wrong with the engine. Ok, I shall catch some sleep now, waking up in 6 hours' time!
I love sleeping on trains, it just feels so cool. Previously we slept in couchettes, cabin with beds, pillow, blanket and even bed linen. This time we wanted to save money and opted for just inclining seats. But it turned out that the seats could be set up into beds, just that pillows and blanket are not provided. It's still comfy!!!
Venice has always been my dream country since young. Never thought that I'll have the chance to visit it sooner than I expected. I'm really looking forward to it and hopefully the weather would be good.
The guys are conducting an orchestra here with their snores and the train has been stationary for the past one hour as I lay awake. Wonder if there's something wrong with the engine. Ok, I shall catch some sleep now, waking up in 6 hours' time!
Easter Trip Day 18 - Vienna, Austria
Today's weather is finally much better! Super sunny but still tortured by the merciless strong wind!
We had breakfast at a small local cafe with some simple meal of burgers, frankfurters and apple strudel. It's hard to find true Austrian food here in Austria. In fact, I don't think there's such local dishes as most of their food simply followed the German style.
We went to the Schönbrunn Palace, which was once the imperial summer residence for Queen Maria Teresa. The palace also houses the Vienna zoo, various gardens and is now preserved as one of the national heritage site by the UNESCO.
We paid for the entry to the gloriette and took lots of photos in the beautiful garden. I love the greens and the water in the pond!
After visiting the palace, we went back to the city centre foe lunch. I was so hungry that I ate a plate of Spanish rice with fried fish (very stingy portion), one piece chicken from KFC and one chocolate sundae from Mac.
We were too tired after lunch so we went back to rest and wash up in the hostel. The guys cooked us spicy Korean instant noodles for dinner! Cheap and delicious!
We had breakfast at a small local cafe with some simple meal of burgers, frankfurters and apple strudel. It's hard to find true Austrian food here in Austria. In fact, I don't think there's such local dishes as most of their food simply followed the German style.
We went to the Schönbrunn Palace, which was once the imperial summer residence for Queen Maria Teresa. The palace also houses the Vienna zoo, various gardens and is now preserved as one of the national heritage site by the UNESCO.
We paid for the entry to the gloriette and took lots of photos in the beautiful garden. I love the greens and the water in the pond!
After visiting the palace, we went back to the city centre foe lunch. I was so hungry that I ate a plate of Spanish rice with fried fish (very stingy portion), one piece chicken from KFC and one chocolate sundae from Mac.
We were too tired after lunch so we went back to rest and wash up in the hostel. The guys cooked us spicy Korean instant noodles for dinner! Cheap and delicious!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Easter trip Day 17 - Vienna, Austria
It seems like Vienna has become the pit stop for our trip instead of Salzburg. Out of the 3 days we're in Vienna, 2 of the days collided with the Easter holiday and the shops along the streets are all closed, except for the tourist attractions like museums and arts performances.
It didn't affect us that much actually since shopping wasn't our agenda in the first place. The main issue that affected us was the difficulty in finding restaurants for meals since shops are closed.
Yesterday evening, we bought standing tickets to watch an opera at Staatsoper (states opera house), my first opera experience which was terrible!
This is going to surprise u but merely 20mins into the show, people are falling asleep or getting up to leave the theatre even though it was a 5 hours opera!
Firstly it was the language barrier. The opera was staged in German and the story itself is really boring. For half an hour the actors were all old and ugly men, visually unappealing. I already forgot the name of the opera but i'm glad that we're not the only ones who didn't appreciate the opera. Fortunately the ticket cost only €4.
Today, we slept quite alot and woke up only after 10.30am. We were supposed to visit Schönbrunn palace with our new found friends from Taiwan and Egypt but the weather was just so bad we had to forgo the plan. It was raining and the wind is typhoon-like, could almost uproot my hair and skin. lol!
I really didn't expect such weather in Europe at this month so the clothes which I brought along are not entirely suitable. The temperature now seems ok but it's the killer wind that frozen us.
We decided to visit the palace tomorrow so all we did today was to walk out to the city centre to buy the tickets for the Vienna concert, chill at starbucks then head back to hostel to hide from the bad weather. Hostel Ruthensteiner is really a great place to simply chill, keep warm and male friends. =D
In the evening we had dinner at a Chinese cum sushi buffet but it was horrible. The food was stale probably kept too long cuz there was hardly any business, but the auntie was a nice person. The guys were funny, after having such a terrible meal, they keep wanting to pretend that the dinner never occurred cuz it was a "horrifying experience" LOL!
In the evening, we watched a concert by the Vienna Residenz Orchestra which comprised of a small band, ballet, opera and waltz performance. It was amazing! They played really beautiful pieces by W.A Mozart and John Strauss! I had a good view of the pretty flautist lady and could marvel at her fast fingerings!
It was my first time watching a live ballet performance and I was entirely captivated by their elegant moves. I wanna watch a full ballet in near future, probably The Nutcracker or Swan Lake!!!
The theatre wasn't very big, unlike yesterday's state opera house but it was entirely worth the €29 and most importanly, I really enjoyed the concert. Finally felt that...
I AM IN VIENNA!
It didn't affect us that much actually since shopping wasn't our agenda in the first place. The main issue that affected us was the difficulty in finding restaurants for meals since shops are closed.
Yesterday evening, we bought standing tickets to watch an opera at Staatsoper (states opera house), my first opera experience which was terrible!
This is going to surprise u but merely 20mins into the show, people are falling asleep or getting up to leave the theatre even though it was a 5 hours opera!
Firstly it was the language barrier. The opera was staged in German and the story itself is really boring. For half an hour the actors were all old and ugly men, visually unappealing. I already forgot the name of the opera but i'm glad that we're not the only ones who didn't appreciate the opera. Fortunately the ticket cost only €4.
Today, we slept quite alot and woke up only after 10.30am. We were supposed to visit Schönbrunn palace with our new found friends from Taiwan and Egypt but the weather was just so bad we had to forgo the plan. It was raining and the wind is typhoon-like, could almost uproot my hair and skin. lol!
I really didn't expect such weather in Europe at this month so the clothes which I brought along are not entirely suitable. The temperature now seems ok but it's the killer wind that frozen us.
We decided to visit the palace tomorrow so all we did today was to walk out to the city centre to buy the tickets for the Vienna concert, chill at starbucks then head back to hostel to hide from the bad weather. Hostel Ruthensteiner is really a great place to simply chill, keep warm and male friends. =D
In the evening we had dinner at a Chinese cum sushi buffet but it was horrible. The food was stale probably kept too long cuz there was hardly any business, but the auntie was a nice person. The guys were funny, after having such a terrible meal, they keep wanting to pretend that the dinner never occurred cuz it was a "horrifying experience" LOL!
In the evening, we watched a concert by the Vienna Residenz Orchestra which comprised of a small band, ballet, opera and waltz performance. It was amazing! They played really beautiful pieces by W.A Mozart and John Strauss! I had a good view of the pretty flautist lady and could marvel at her fast fingerings!
It was my first time watching a live ballet performance and I was entirely captivated by their elegant moves. I wanna watch a full ballet in near future, probably The Nutcracker or Swan Lake!!!
The theatre wasn't very big, unlike yesterday's state opera house but it was entirely worth the €29 and most importanly, I really enjoyed the concert. Finally felt that...
I AM IN VIENNA!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Easter trip Day 16 - Vienna, Austria
Vienna! The capital of MUSIC!
After a 2.5h train journey from Salzburg, we've arrived in Vienna! However today is a Sunday so most shops are closed. Fortunately, Sean had brought along some Korean Ramen so he cooked us lunch in the hostel!!!
We're staying in Hostel Ruthensteiner, a damn cool hostel with a nice bar, big garden with BBQ pit, kitchen, laundrette and musical instruments for us to play. I really love the relaxing enronment of this place. We're now waiting for Denzyl and Sean to finish their game of English chess before we go out to explore the Vienna city centre!
After a 2.5h train journey from Salzburg, we've arrived in Vienna! However today is a Sunday so most shops are closed. Fortunately, Sean had brought along some Korean Ramen so he cooked us lunch in the hostel!!!
We're staying in Hostel Ruthensteiner, a damn cool hostel with a nice bar, big garden with BBQ pit, kitchen, laundrette and musical instruments for us to play. I really love the relaxing enronment of this place. We're now waiting for Denzyl and Sean to finish their game of English chess before we go out to explore the Vienna city centre!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Easter trip Day 14 & 15 - Salzburg, Austria
Salzburg is a mere 1.5 hours train ride away from Munich. I had no idea and no expectations of how Salzburg would look like. The only thing I've heard about this city is that Sound of Music was filmed here and I actually remembered only a small part of that movie.
Upon arrival at the Salzburg hofbahnof (central station), the scenic view of the alps overlooking the city already made my day!
For the two days that we were in Salzburg, the weather had been good. Sunny with a tinge of warmth and not too cold or windy like the past few days in Munich.
We checked into Yoho hostel, 6men room with ensuite toilet. It was a real pleasant stay as the room was big ad nice with huge security lockers and clean bathroom and toilet. =D
1st day we went to explore the city centre which wasn't really that big but I really love the laid-back towny feel of Salzburg. Justin and I visited the Mozart birthplace and Mozart residence.
One thing about Salzburg is that they are commercializing too much on Mozart for tourism, just because Mozart is born and raised there. But nevertheless, the Mozartkugel is a very nice salzburger chocolate!!!
We climbed up to the Salzburg fotress on the 2nd day, it was really tiring to take the steep slope. Also saw the catacomb, which is a beautiful graveyard, no idea what's the history behind it though =X
The weather was so nice we had our lunch by the river bank, where u can see lots of angmohs taking off their clothes to sun tan in whichever patch of grass the sunlight shone onto. IN THE CItY CENTRE! LOL.
Last night on Salzburg, we went up to the terrace bar on Hotel Stein to grab a drink and enjoy the night view of Salzburg.
I really appreciate the serenity of this special city. It has served as a great pitstop for our Easter trip!
Upon arrival at the Salzburg hofbahnof (central station), the scenic view of the alps overlooking the city already made my day!
For the two days that we were in Salzburg, the weather had been good. Sunny with a tinge of warmth and not too cold or windy like the past few days in Munich.
We checked into Yoho hostel, 6men room with ensuite toilet. It was a real pleasant stay as the room was big ad nice with huge security lockers and clean bathroom and toilet. =D
1st day we went to explore the city centre which wasn't really that big but I really love the laid-back towny feel of Salzburg. Justin and I visited the Mozart birthplace and Mozart residence.
One thing about Salzburg is that they are commercializing too much on Mozart for tourism, just because Mozart is born and raised there. But nevertheless, the Mozartkugel is a very nice salzburger chocolate!!!
We climbed up to the Salzburg fotress on the 2nd day, it was really tiring to take the steep slope. Also saw the catacomb, which is a beautiful graveyard, no idea what's the history behind it though =X
The weather was so nice we had our lunch by the river bank, where u can see lots of angmohs taking off their clothes to sun tan in whichever patch of grass the sunlight shone onto. IN THE CItY CENTRE! LOL.
Last night on Salzburg, we went up to the terrace bar on Hotel Stein to grab a drink and enjoy the night view of Salzburg.
I really appreciate the serenity of this special city. It has served as a great pitstop for our Easter trip!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Easter trip Day 13 - Munich, Germany
It's our last day in Munich today and
we visited the Dachau concentration camp memorial site. It was a super cold and windy day, almost snowing flakes, and there was a gloomy atmos phere looming over the concentration camp.
We first watched a documentary about the history of the camp and then looked at the exhibitions and the various areas of the concentration camp.
It makes me feel sad and also hard to believe that wherever we stood was the actual site where massive deaths and brutality had occured in the past. So many people worked to death / were killed in the camp. All these war shit always remind me of the Japanese occupation and made me so emotional. Where the hell is humanity. Damn.
Ok anyway, we visited the BMW showroom (local production) and the
Olympiapark which houses the 1972 Olympic stadium. It looked quite old and dirty, not very marvellous but then again, back in those days it could have been quite an impressive architecture. BMWs are everywhere on the road man!
Last night in Germany! We just had to stuff ourselves with more pork knuckles, wurtz and drown ourselves in beer cuz I'm so sure I'm gonna miss it after tonight.
We went to Hofbrahaus which was the first biergarten in Munich. It was amazing! From the moment we stepped in, we could sense the strong German feel, men drinking beer in their traditional costume (which I don't know why, probably some festival going on), beer ladies in their costume walking around serving beer and pretzels. A small band playing traditional folk music and huge mugs of beer on the table.
We ate and drank to our hearts content, ending the visit to Munich on a high note. Surprisingly the bill wasn't really expensive considering the amount of food that we ordered.
Good food makes me happy. I'm so gonna miss the pork knucles!
we visited the Dachau concentration camp memorial site. It was a super cold and windy day, almost snowing flakes, and there was a gloomy atmos phere looming over the concentration camp.
We first watched a documentary about the history of the camp and then looked at the exhibitions and the various areas of the concentration camp.
It makes me feel sad and also hard to believe that wherever we stood was the actual site where massive deaths and brutality had occured in the past. So many people worked to death / were killed in the camp. All these war shit always remind me of the Japanese occupation and made me so emotional. Where the hell is humanity. Damn.
Ok anyway, we visited the BMW showroom (local production) and the
Olympiapark which houses the 1972 Olympic stadium. It looked quite old and dirty, not very marvellous but then again, back in those days it could have been quite an impressive architecture. BMWs are everywhere on the road man!
Last night in Germany! We just had to stuff ourselves with more pork knuckles, wurtz and drown ourselves in beer cuz I'm so sure I'm gonna miss it after tonight.
We went to Hofbrahaus which was the first biergarten in Munich. It was amazing! From the moment we stepped in, we could sense the strong German feel, men drinking beer in their traditional costume (which I don't know why, probably some festival going on), beer ladies in their costume walking around serving beer and pretzels. A small band playing traditional folk music and huge mugs of beer on the table.
We ate and drank to our hearts content, ending the visit to Munich on a high note. Surprisingly the bill wasn't really expensive considering the amount of food that we ordered.
Good food makes me happy. I'm so gonna miss the pork knucles!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Easter trip Day 12 - Munich, Germany
The city of Munich gives a very strong German feel. Almost all the signs and menus are in German, some even without translation.
We went for the free tour conducted by Sandemans. It was a great tour and we got to see most of the major monuments in the city. Towards the last few stops we actually got separated from the rest of the group cuz we were talking among ourselves and did not pay attention to where the group has gone. We felt so bad because the tour was conducted on a tipping basis and the tour guide was really nice, we didn't want her to think that we're trying to leech on a free tour and slip off towards the end without tipping her.
We are not Chao Ah Tiongs man!
Fortunately, we ran into her on the streets again coincidentally that evening and passed her the tips.
We went to the Englischer Garten, which is one of the largest and Munich's favourite park. The scenery was beautiful with large patches of greens and ducks wading in the pond. We climbed up to the Chinese tower and the view was breathtaking. We could have stayed on longer if not for the strong, cold winds.
German Wurtz, pork knuckles, saukraut, weisbier!!!
How can we claim to have visited Germany without eating all these local delicacies! I love their sausages super lots! And it was beer for lunch, beer for dinner... Had never drank beer so often in Sg but german beer is really nice and cheap!
We went for the free tour conducted by Sandemans. It was a great tour and we got to see most of the major monuments in the city. Towards the last few stops we actually got separated from the rest of the group cuz we were talking among ourselves and did not pay attention to where the group has gone. We felt so bad because the tour was conducted on a tipping basis and the tour guide was really nice, we didn't want her to think that we're trying to leech on a free tour and slip off towards the end without tipping her.
We are not Chao Ah Tiongs man!
Fortunately, we ran into her on the streets again coincidentally that evening and passed her the tips.
We went to the Englischer Garten, which is one of the largest and Munich's favourite park. The scenery was beautiful with large patches of greens and ducks wading in the pond. We climbed up to the Chinese tower and the view was breathtaking. We could have stayed on longer if not for the strong, cold winds.
German Wurtz, pork knuckles, saukraut, weisbier!!!
How can we claim to have visited Germany without eating all these local delicacies! I love their sausages super lots! And it was beer for lunch, beer for dinner... Had never drank beer so often in Sg but german beer is really nice and cheap!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Easter trip Day 11 - Munich, Germany
Hello Munich!!!
We had a good night's sleep last night on the train. It was comfy and a very special experience.
We arrived at 7am and checked into Jaeger's hostel which is less than 5 min's walk away from train station, very convenient! We had this spacious 4-men room with a nice ensuite bathroom and this already made my day!
No time to lose, we fully utilized our Eurail pass for the day and visited Füssen, a little town located at the foot of the Bavarian Alps 90mins away from Munich. The main attraction is the fairytale-like castle SchloB Neuscheanstein which inspired Disney Cinderella's Castle and SchloB Hohenschwan where King Ludwig II spend his summers. Both castles built by the mad King Ludwig II are spectacular and beautiful but apparently doesn't seem to serve any fortification purposes.
We spent about an hour plus in the castle with a guided tour. The castle just feels too grand to be true. I'm not really satisfied with the amount of area opened to public though, it's just such a small area. No doubt the structure of the castle is spectacular, but I still think that Warwick and Edinburgh castle offer a more realistic picture of the actual castle life in the ancient years.
We had a good night's sleep last night on the train. It was comfy and a very special experience.
We arrived at 7am and checked into Jaeger's hostel which is less than 5 min's walk away from train station, very convenient! We had this spacious 4-men room with a nice ensuite bathroom and this already made my day!
No time to lose, we fully utilized our Eurail pass for the day and visited Füssen, a little town located at the foot of the Bavarian Alps 90mins away from Munich. The main attraction is the fairytale-like castle SchloB Neuscheanstein which inspired Disney Cinderella's Castle and SchloB Hohenschwan where King Ludwig II spend his summers. Both castles built by the mad King Ludwig II are spectacular and beautiful but apparently doesn't seem to serve any fortification purposes.
We spent about an hour plus in the castle with a guided tour. The castle just feels too grand to be true. I'm not really satisfied with the amount of area opened to public though, it's just such a small area. No doubt the structure of the castle is spectacular, but I still think that Warwick and Edinburgh castle offer a more realistic picture of the actual castle life in the ancient years.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Easter trip - Amsterdam to Munich
I'm typing this entry as I'm lying on the couchette of the sleeper train. We've left Netherlands this evening and is now taking the overnight train on our way to Munich! In fact, we're already on the grounds of Germany!
This is the first time I'm sleeping on the train, as in lying down with mattress, pillow and blanket, and it's really an unforgettable experience. We bought burgers and pizza for dinner and had it here on the train
Justin and I went to brush teeth and wash up just now but we didn't close the cubicle door since the train was rather empty tonight. But we were brushing halfway when the train pulled into one of the stations and it really surprised us when we turn around to see many people at the platform waiting to board the train! So they could actually see what we were doing from the transparent window of the train. My messy hair and toothbrush in my mouth! What an epic experience! Lol!
It's feels so good to see that we're on the move as I look outside the window while lying down on the bed. Shall catch some sleep before we reach Munich in 5 hours' time! =D
Good night world & keep safe my loved ones!
This is the first time I'm sleeping on the train, as in lying down with mattress, pillow and blanket, and it's really an unforgettable experience. We bought burgers and pizza for dinner and had it here on the train
Justin and I went to brush teeth and wash up just now but we didn't close the cubicle door since the train was rather empty tonight. But we were brushing halfway when the train pulled into one of the stations and it really surprised us when we turn around to see many people at the platform waiting to board the train! So they could actually see what we were doing from the transparent window of the train. My messy hair and toothbrush in my mouth! What an epic experience! Lol!
It's feels so good to see that we're on the move as I look outside the window while lying down on the bed. Shall catch some sleep before we reach Munich in 5 hours' time! =D
Good night world & keep safe my loved ones!
Easter trip Day 8,9&10 - Amsterdam, Netherlands
We stayed on a houseboat in Amsterdam for 3 days and 3 nights. There wasnt wifi on board though so I couldnt really update my blog and stuffs.
It was a novel and memorable experience bunking in a boat on the sea. Although the cabin was rather tiny, it was quite comfy and the wash basin in the room made things more convenient too!
The moment I reached the houseboat I felt at home and without fear like how I occasionally feel weird about some accomodation ...as in feel eerie about the place etc. But not with the houseboat. Daily breakfast was included in the accomodation and it was not bad at all!!! There were cereals, toast, ham, cheese, milk, different fruit juices, coffee and tea. We all love starting off the day with it's breakfast.
Amsterdam was our first stop in Europe and I actually experienced quite abit of cultural shock! Probably due to the nature of the city's culture itself.
As mentioned, Amsterdam was a city full of sex and drugs.
Soft drugs like marijuana, hash, weed are legalized so everywhere u go, it's common to see COFFEESHOP selling space cake (muffin/brownie containing small doses of drug), cannabis lollipop or special coffee.
I guess this was what GF tried to warn me about before but it's actually not that scary. Instead of being doped with drugs unknowingly in the food/drinks, people actually pay to consume such stuffs and they're actually not cheap. Their so-called "coffeeshop" are shops "licensed" to sell soft drugs, they do not refer to cafe like starbucks.
We actually tried the space brownie which was at 5 Euro each for just a small piece but I think the dosage was just too minor to feel the effects of the drug.
Amsterdam is also well-known for its VIBRANT red district scene. Just google it on the iternwt and you might probably get to see those famous girl-in-window pictures.
From the free city tour conducted by Sandemans, we got to know that the prostitutes actually work by renting the window/room at variable prices per day depending on the location where they do their business. We actually saw all kinda of girls. From young sexy and pretty ones to the big-sized black mamas which was totally disastrous to my guy pals lol!
On almost every street within the city centre, be it the red light district or not, you will see sex shops or live shows theatre. Such open sex culture in the city really shocked and even frightened me at the beginning! I'm just wondering... How do Amsterdam kids grow up healthily in such environment full of sex and drugs.
Nevertheless, the city was a real eye opener. I really enjoyed the scenery with the interesting lean buildings on both sides of the canal running through the city and also friendly people who didn't turn out to be as mean and dangerous as I previously thought.
And of cuz! We had to visit the WINDMILLS! We're in holland!!!
On the second day of our stay, we took a train ride to the nice peaceful windmill village of Zanns Schanns and saw many beautiful windmills! The wind was so strong and it was irritating when you have messy hair in your photos though. Haha!
The guys weren't interested in the Anne frank house so I went alone and visited. It was quite an experience seeing the actual secret annex which The Frank family hid in away from the Nazi during the anti-Jewish period. I just can't help feeling sad upon seeing their living condition and abstracts from her diary. I want to read her book when I get back to singapore.
It was a novel and memorable experience bunking in a boat on the sea. Although the cabin was rather tiny, it was quite comfy and the wash basin in the room made things more convenient too!
The moment I reached the houseboat I felt at home and without fear like how I occasionally feel weird about some accomodation ...as in feel eerie about the place etc. But not with the houseboat. Daily breakfast was included in the accomodation and it was not bad at all!!! There were cereals, toast, ham, cheese, milk, different fruit juices, coffee and tea. We all love starting off the day with it's breakfast.
Amsterdam was our first stop in Europe and I actually experienced quite abit of cultural shock! Probably due to the nature of the city's culture itself.
As mentioned, Amsterdam was a city full of sex and drugs.
Soft drugs like marijuana, hash, weed are legalized so everywhere u go, it's common to see COFFEESHOP selling space cake (muffin/brownie containing small doses of drug), cannabis lollipop or special coffee.
I guess this was what GF tried to warn me about before but it's actually not that scary. Instead of being doped with drugs unknowingly in the food/drinks, people actually pay to consume such stuffs and they're actually not cheap. Their so-called "coffeeshop" are shops "licensed" to sell soft drugs, they do not refer to cafe like starbucks.
We actually tried the space brownie which was at 5 Euro each for just a small piece but I think the dosage was just too minor to feel the effects of the drug.
Amsterdam is also well-known for its VIBRANT red district scene. Just google it on the iternwt and you might probably get to see those famous girl-in-window pictures.
From the free city tour conducted by Sandemans, we got to know that the prostitutes actually work by renting the window/room at variable prices per day depending on the location where they do their business. We actually saw all kinda of girls. From young sexy and pretty ones to the big-sized black mamas which was totally disastrous to my guy pals lol!
On almost every street within the city centre, be it the red light district or not, you will see sex shops or live shows theatre. Such open sex culture in the city really shocked and even frightened me at the beginning! I'm just wondering... How do Amsterdam kids grow up healthily in such environment full of sex and drugs.
Nevertheless, the city was a real eye opener. I really enjoyed the scenery with the interesting lean buildings on both sides of the canal running through the city and also friendly people who didn't turn out to be as mean and dangerous as I previously thought.
And of cuz! We had to visit the WINDMILLS! We're in holland!!!
On the second day of our stay, we took a train ride to the nice peaceful windmill village of Zanns Schanns and saw many beautiful windmills! The wind was so strong and it was irritating when you have messy hair in your photos though. Haha!
The guys weren't interested in the Anne frank house so I went alone and visited. It was quite an experience seeing the actual secret annex which The Frank family hid in away from the Nazi during the anti-Jewish period. I just can't help feeling sad upon seeing their living condition and abstracts from her diary. I want to read her book when I get back to singapore.
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