Arrived in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia at around 2000 hours. This was quite a hastily arranged trip but the preparations were the exact opposite. This was the first time in quite a while where i actually dun have to rush down to the airport in order to catch my flight. Nothing much to mention about the flight except that it was the usual Jetstar Asia budget flight. Had my standard cup noodles during the flight to pass my time.
Had an arrangement with the hostel to pick me up from the airport. This was the first time I was using such a service but it seemed to be the norm in Cambodia, given that there was no railway or bus connection to the city. There was a small jam at the airport exit (to be expected given that it was quite a small airport, in terms of both size and passengers served) but my driver was quite resourceful and we managed to exit the airport in less than 15 minutes.
Checked into Rory's Pub and Guesthouse. It was pretty late already so i had absolutely no idea that it had such a superb location (right next to the National Museum and Royal Palace) The owner Rory and his guests were having a chill out session down at the reception and were actually kind enough to offer me a drink too. It was the best way to start off the trip, a form of hospitality that i never expected. Pity i was planning only to spend the night there (I was going to visit Phnom Penh on my return from Siem Reap and the night was only for me to figure out a way to get to Siem Reap first thing next morning) Even got invited to the stag night of one of the guys the next evening but i had to decline as i would no longer be around. The drink did knocked me out a bit and thus went my initial plan of trying to explore a bit the night life of Phnom Penh. Retired quite early, around 11 pm
The room was pretty spacious for its price. A single bed in with an attached bathroom (bigger than my Hong Kong hostel room, i must say) and a tv set. Unfortunately, i did not have that good an experience there though. Something was wrong with the power supply and it kept tripping repeatedly. The air condition kept turning on and off and for a while in the middle of the night, it was totally off. It got so bad that when i had to get up to pee in the morning, i had to do it in pure darkness because i couldnt even get the light switch working. A disastrous first hostel i must say but as i was going to check out and leave for siem reap first thing in the morning, i didnt bring out the issue and just treat it like a horrible nightmare. Guess it was sort of a reward for the good hospitality that they had shown me during checking in. First impression does matter it seems...
Friday, 3 October 2008
Old Memories, New Expressions
Still trying to find the best way to describe my travels. Hope the new method works...
Sunday, 29 June 2008
Firenze II
On a bit of time crunch as i entered into the 2nd day of my florence trip simply because of the big one minute boo-boo at the Duomo. Cut short my Pisa visit to reach back Florence on an early afternoon to visit one of the famed domes of the world, The Duomo of Florence (aka Santa Maria del Fiore). The Duomo was indeed a piece of architetural excellence for even i had to bow to it the moment i stepped into its vicinity. This is especially so after i had thought that i would have been a bit exhausted from seeing so much cathedral and churches on the trip. It was a different feel from that of St Peter's Basillica or any other churches. It was not exactly the biggest of all structures but it stood out for its striking outline and beautiful symmetry. The entire building contrasted sharply against the clear blue sky and even when it was dark, it still stood there brilliantly.
Michaelangelo famously remarked when he left to work on the Sistine Chapel that he may have left to work for a bigger dome but not exactly a more beautiful one was true to his words literally, The Last Judgement on the ceiling does not in any way pale in comparison to the one that graced the walls of the Sistine Chapel. What the other has in blue, it was eqaully presented with white here. The wide canvas that was provided here allowed a more comprehensive and thus more insightful thought of the meaning behind this story in the Bible. It was the ideal capping off to the visit of the cathedral but there was still this slight pity that i couldn't view it from a clearer and nearer view point.
I believed much had already been said about the Uffizi and thus would not need be to talk more about it. What particularly upset me was the queueing to get into the museum. Yes, if there's anything bad that i had to say about Florence, it had to be the tourism and the extremely long queues. I had woken up early and went to the museum on a rainy day half an hour earlier but i still queued for an hour outside the museum. Honestly speaking, i can't remember queueing up that long for the Louvre or the Prado and even the Vatican. And it totally spoilt the experience of visiting the Uffizi for i had to rush through the last few galleys. But despite the rush, i must say that there was still a few exhibits which still impressed me, in particular all the busts and statues of those historical figures.
And that concluded my Florence trip. Sort of round up my view of Italy as what i had kept emphasising. Matched and satisfied my expectations but nothing exceptional to make it an outstanding trip...
City rating : 4 stars
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
Firenze I -- 10th Apr to 11th Apr 2008
I had no idea why but images of the Duomo came to mind just now as i was lazing around at home, waiting for the rain to stop. And interesting enough, that wasn't the only occasion tonight where its image suddenly appeared in my head and hence, i guessed its time to blog about Florence (or Firenze, the Italian name which allows one to curl the tongue at the end of the phrase :p) Firenze was the city which promised much hope and yet was also the one which i feared would disappoint me the most. The It was the last 2nd stop of my Italian trip which i had expected much but then again did not exceed much also in expectations. Arriving in Florence was a simple affair. Had just left the Sistine Chapel and thus pretty much of me was still immerse d in the arty stuffs of Michaelangelo and Raphael. However, the first thing that striked me most upon arrival in Florence was the Chinese population there. I did notice there were Asians dispersed here and there over the various cities i had visited but it was particularly striking here in Florence, near the main railway station. Gave the city a pretty different feel from the rest of Italy i guessed.
One important lesson i learnt here is that the next time i was to hover around the outside of any building which required admission, do not hesistate but just go straight in. I wsa standing outside the Duomo at around 425 pm, deciding which room to enter first and when i finally decided that i will visit the main cathedral first, it was closed. Yes, closed at 430 pm sharp! Imagine my horror and disgust that i was only a few minutes late and my entire schedule had to be rearranged for i had anticipated completing the cathedral on the day itself... ith the main attraction closed, i had no choice but to wander around and leave the entire Duomo package to the floolowing day =(
Next up would of course be the view at Piazza Michaelangelo. Here lies my first encounter with
the 3 statues of David that was to be found in Florence. These bronze version was the one that i felt was the least impressive because of the state that it was in. But then again, it was similar to all the bronze statues that was found all across Europe, badly weathered and fading in colour. Nevertheless the panoramic view that greeted me was again breathtaking. A must see for all those out there who are fit enough to make the climb =)
The 2nd David was located outside the Uffizi and it was my favourite David (despite it not being the original one). It had all the essence of the real one and yet it was able to weather the elements with little signs of wear and tear. It was also located at a place where it was able to show off its beauty admist all the other statues which were on display.The last David was of course located in the Academia where it was highly commercialised with a computer panel that allowed one to examine his features in great details on the computer screen.
Would have been a great piece of art if not for the techy stuff. It was also the one which look the most grand as it towers above all in the gallery. The lighting also did much to bring out its beauty. But David aside, it is also the place where the significance of the artists' work dawned on me. As i lay my eyes on the unfinished work of Michaelangelo, i realised the hard work that had to be put into these statues and the difficulty that faced the artists. They had to carve the shape out of a rectangular block of marble or stone and its unimaginable how much effort and skill it took for them to come up with the ultimate perfectionism...
Would have been a great piece of art if not for the techy stuff. It was also the one which look the most grand as it towers above all in the gallery. The lighting also did much to bring out its beauty. But David aside, it is also the place where the significance of the artists' work dawned on me. As i lay my eyes on the unfinished work of Michaelangelo, i realised the hard work that had to be put into these statues and the difficulty that faced the artists. They had to carve the shape out of a rectangular block of marble or stone and its unimaginable how much effort and skill it took for them to come up with the ultimate perfectionism...
To be continued...
Monday, 16 June 2008
Valencia -- 5th to 6th April 2006
Decided to post another entry since i feel like I m on a roll currently but the decision to blog on which city was a bit difficult, partially due to my success in being able to include pictures in my previous posts. As i had mentioned previously, i was still armed with my analogue camera on my maiden Europe trip and thus there was no soft copy to rely on. Tried scanning in my photos but the end results was horrendous so i decide to abandon the idea.
Valencia, the 2nd Spanish city on my itenary is the 3rd largest city in Spain (behind Madrid and Barcelona). A city that reminded me so much of Singapore as I walked through its streets at night. Surprising? Absolutely for who would think that i would actually be able to find a city that was so similar to ours in both feel and appearance.
First thing first, the thing that striked me most was the relatively calm feel as i took a gentle stroll at night along the path to the famed Museum of Arts and Sciences. Throughout the path, i see residents jogging and walking their dog all around, without fear of being robbed or beaten. This sense of confidence in the security of the place was not typical of most European cities as far as i know. It actually touched me so much that i thought to myself that this was a place which i wouldn't mind living in if given a choice.
And as much as i would try not to compare, the Museum reminded me so much of our Esplanade. It was built in the shape of a helmet, an aberrant just like our durian. From afar, it cuts a lone figure standing in the dark nut go nearer and as u gazed over its architetural intricacy, one will come to appreciate the beatuy of its modernist feel. And just like our dear durian, the more i look at it, the more absorbed i m by it.
Enough for the similarities, i shall now go on to the difference. Just like any other Spanish cities, there is again the usual cathedral and fort that characterised this port city of years ago. Nothing spectacular but still worth a quick glance if one likes all the historical and cultural stuff. But the 2nd thing that impressed on me a lot was again the path leading to the Museum. As i had mentioned before that there was a lot of residents hanging out on the main path but what i did not mention was the lining of the river bank just underneath it. It was a sport path made of alternating basketball court and street-soccer court interspersed with a few tennis court here and there. This is indeed a truly sports park i would say and it just add to the attractiveness of the city.
And what would a city tour be if i did not visit the stadium of my adopted supported team in Spain. The Mestalla, a famed stadium in Europe for its famed supporters did not disappoint. Located in a quiet neighbourhood, it may not cut as majestic a figure as the Nou Camp in Barcelona but it was a grand old dame no least. The simple grey walls and terraces actually reminded me of our dear old Kallang. I m not joking when i say it and its a pity i did not get to enter the stadium but i m sure it would give the same feel as our national stadium back home.
Yup and that's enough ramblings about the city of Valencia. Pretty much to talk about for a one day one night tour but it really left a deep impression on me. Valencia, a modern city mixed with old Baroque charm, a city so far but yet so similar to the one close my heart...
City rating : 4 stars
Valencia, the 2nd Spanish city on my itenary is the 3rd largest city in Spain (behind Madrid and Barcelona). A city that reminded me so much of Singapore as I walked through its streets at night. Surprising? Absolutely for who would think that i would actually be able to find a city that was so similar to ours in both feel and appearance.
First thing first, the thing that striked me most was the relatively calm feel as i took a gentle stroll at night along the path to the famed Museum of Arts and Sciences. Throughout the path, i see residents jogging and walking their dog all around, without fear of being robbed or beaten. This sense of confidence in the security of the place was not typical of most European cities as far as i know. It actually touched me so much that i thought to myself that this was a place which i wouldn't mind living in if given a choice.
And as much as i would try not to compare, the Museum reminded me so much of our Esplanade. It was built in the shape of a helmet, an aberrant just like our durian. From afar, it cuts a lone figure standing in the dark nut go nearer and as u gazed over its architetural intricacy, one will come to appreciate the beatuy of its modernist feel. And just like our dear durian, the more i look at it, the more absorbed i m by it.
Enough for the similarities, i shall now go on to the difference. Just like any other Spanish cities, there is again the usual cathedral and fort that characterised this port city of years ago. Nothing spectacular but still worth a quick glance if one likes all the historical and cultural stuff. But the 2nd thing that impressed on me a lot was again the path leading to the Museum. As i had mentioned before that there was a lot of residents hanging out on the main path but what i did not mention was the lining of the river bank just underneath it. It was a sport path made of alternating basketball court and street-soccer court interspersed with a few tennis court here and there. This is indeed a truly sports park i would say and it just add to the attractiveness of the city.
And what would a city tour be if i did not visit the stadium of my adopted supported team in Spain. The Mestalla, a famed stadium in Europe for its famed supporters did not disappoint. Located in a quiet neighbourhood, it may not cut as majestic a figure as the Nou Camp in Barcelona but it was a grand old dame no least. The simple grey walls and terraces actually reminded me of our dear old Kallang. I m not joking when i say it and its a pity i did not get to enter the stadium but i m sure it would give the same feel as our national stadium back home.
Yup and that's enough ramblings about the city of Valencia. Pretty much to talk about for a one day one night tour but it really left a deep impression on me. Valencia, a modern city mixed with old Baroque charm, a city so far but yet so similar to the one close my heart...
City rating : 4 stars
Sunday, 15 June 2008
Barcelona -- Part 3
Guessed its also time to finish up on the leg of my Barcelona travel. Can't blame me much for its after all my first overseas trip and alone some more. The world out there is so huge and there is really so much to rave and rant about ^-^
The Sagrada Famillia (or the Temple of the Holy Family) essentially took up my final day in Barcelona. This was a majestic complex, a an architetural wonder that leaves me rooted the moment i saw it when i stepped out of the metro station. It was built more than a hundered years ago and the unbelievable thing is that its still uncompleted. I am sure my friends out there would have read about it on my main blog but i guess i need to reiterate it again. The concept of this temple was pioneered by Antonio Gaudi in what was to be his final piece of work. Intended as the last great sanctuary of Christendom, the temple was to have 3 grand facades reflecting the 3 major events of Christanity, namely Nativity, Passion and Glory. Gaudi passed away in 1926 but others have since taken up his work and the expected date of completion would be in 2026 way down the road.
It may sound funny how an uncompleted project would leave so much fascination within me but to me, this project epitomises the numerous cathedrals scattered throughout Europe and brought realism into them. To see a project being constructed in front of me and the prospect of being there when its completed simply excites me. The temple is currently halfway through as 2 facades had already been completed, leaving only the Passion facade yet to be constructed.
Just to dwelve a bit more into the various facade, i shall start with the Nativity panel. True to the Baroque style that is found throughout Spain, sculptures of various biblical characters are found throughout the facade. Their intricate details and the beauty generated by the overall feel left me dumbstruck. A magnificent introduction to what it would be like. The Passion facade was next-in-line. I still feel that it was greatly influenced by one of the great artists that lived during that period -- Picasso. His imprint was clear (though a bit subtle). The characters had the typical box-like feel that was so characteristic of his works. A clear differentiation from the initial facade and given it a spanning through centuries feel.
Work had already started on the Garden of Eden. It was too early for me to make any conclusion about its beauty but i looked forward to its completion. However, deep inside me, i can't helped but wished that it should not be completed that early, especially the Glory facade. Both the Nativity and Passion facade were reflective of the dominant art forms during their respective period. Unfortunately, there did not seem to be a dominant art form at this current moment. Artists we no doubt had a lot but there is none who can stakely their claim and say that this is my art and its the art of the late 20th centruy. There may be a deadline to meet, to hope to complete the project by 2026 but i do hope that its not acheived at the expense of a dull Glory facade, no different from that of either the Nativity or Passion panel. Even the Garden of Eden, seemingly a separate entity from the 3 facades had a touch of modernism to it where it reflects the technological advances that was made in the 20th century, with accurate mathematical and computer technology applied to its calculations and colouring...
And with this, i conclude the 3-part series of my Barcelona tour. The pictures may be a bit grainy for i had not had yet a digital camera. Barcelona, a modern cosmopolitan city filled with rich cultural heritage of its inhabitants that lived here centuries ago. It continued to shine among Spain's cities and with its unique identity, it had managed to secure a special place in my heart...
City rating : 4 stars
The Sagrada Famillia (or the Temple of the Holy Family) essentially took up my final day in Barcelona. This was a majestic complex, a an architetural wonder that leaves me rooted the moment i saw it when i stepped out of the metro station. It was built more than a hundered years ago and the unbelievable thing is that its still uncompleted. I am sure my friends out there would have read about it on my main blog but i guess i need to reiterate it again. The concept of this temple was pioneered by Antonio Gaudi in what was to be his final piece of work. Intended as the last great sanctuary of Christendom, the temple was to have 3 grand facades reflecting the 3 major events of Christanity, namely Nativity, Passion and Glory. Gaudi passed away in 1926 but others have since taken up his work and the expected date of completion would be in 2026 way down the road.
It may sound funny how an uncompleted project would leave so much fascination within me but to me, this project epitomises the numerous cathedrals scattered throughout Europe and brought realism into them. To see a project being constructed in front of me and the prospect of being there when its completed simply excites me. The temple is currently halfway through as 2 facades had already been completed, leaving only the Passion facade yet to be constructed.
Just to dwelve a bit more into the various facade, i shall start with the Nativity panel. True to the Baroque style that is found throughout Spain, sculptures of various biblical characters are found throughout the facade. Their intricate details and the beauty generated by the overall feel left me dumbstruck. A magnificent introduction to what it would be like. The Passion facade was next-in-line. I still feel that it was greatly influenced by one of the great artists that lived during that period -- Picasso. His imprint was clear (though a bit subtle). The characters had the typical box-like feel that was so characteristic of his works. A clear differentiation from the initial facade and given it a spanning through centuries feel.
Work had already started on the Garden of Eden. It was too early for me to make any conclusion about its beauty but i looked forward to its completion. However, deep inside me, i can't helped but wished that it should not be completed that early, especially the Glory facade. Both the Nativity and Passion facade were reflective of the dominant art forms during their respective period. Unfortunately, there did not seem to be a dominant art form at this current moment. Artists we no doubt had a lot but there is none who can stakely their claim and say that this is my art and its the art of the late 20th centruy. There may be a deadline to meet, to hope to complete the project by 2026 but i do hope that its not acheived at the expense of a dull Glory facade, no different from that of either the Nativity or Passion panel. Even the Garden of Eden, seemingly a separate entity from the 3 facades had a touch of modernism to it where it reflects the technological advances that was made in the 20th century, with accurate mathematical and computer technology applied to its calculations and colouring...
And with this, i conclude the 3-part series of my Barcelona tour. The pictures may be a bit grainy for i had not had yet a digital camera. Barcelona, a modern cosmopolitan city filled with rich cultural heritage of its inhabitants that lived here centuries ago. It continued to shine among Spain's cities and with its unique identity, it had managed to secure a special place in my heart...
City rating : 4 stars
Santorini -- 20th Apr - 22nd Apr 2008
I realised that it's hard to keep track and recall my travels based on timeline for it defeats the spirit of carefree blogging as and when u like it associated with travelling. Mood comes and goes and so the same can be said for fond recollections of a particular place.
Santorini island, much had already been said about this beautiful Greek island among tourists. There are places which failed to match up to expectations but this was one which not only exceeded expecatations but whose inherent beauty could not be expressed in words alone. A simple airport greeted me as I landed on a sleepy Sunday afternoon. (Time constraints had prohibited me from taking the ferry) My first impression of this island was how well it fit into the Aegean sea -- the cliffs, the sand, the waves and the clear blue skies. Even when the skies turned grey as the night sets in, it seemed to merge seamlessly with the coastal line. It was off peak season but there was no need for the mass partying that characterisd such beach resort islands to bring out its beauty.
Food was good at the island and it was a good introduction to the Greek cuisine that littered the place. I had opted for a small town called Perissa near one of the beaches as my base, hoping to relax by the beach before i re-enlist. The hostel owner was a good man, giving good recommendations to the various hotspots on the island. Santorini is different in the sense that most of the recommended places are not tourist attractions per se but instead are areas where good views of the Aegean Sea can be obtained. I rode in my 4-wheeler all across the island to the lighthouse which turned out to be just a simple building that was locked. But as i made my way around that place, imagine the surprise i got when i found myself atop a cliff overlooking the vast horizon. Lying on one of the rock, i closed my eyes and recalled on the beautiful events that had happened so far throughout my life. And unlike at some beaches, there was no hordes of people the moment i opened my eyes. Instead, it was all peace, calmness and serenity as i saw waves and waves hitting against the rocks below. It was just an indescribable feeling as i stared down at the skies and sea, my minds totally at ease with the place.
Fira was the main town where u have the typical restaurants lining up the cliffs overlooking the seas but Oir is another amazing town. Touristy it is without a doubt but its the promised sunset at this town which set the tongues wagging. I was unfortunate that it was too cloudy a day to be able to witness the scene that was always potrayed on paintings but even the mere sight of sitting by the old fort and admiring the backdrop where this was supposed to happen was breathtaking. Santorini was indeed a gem in every sense when views are concerned. The beaches are another wonder. Black beaches are found all over the island because of its volcanic origin. (in case, u hadn't known yet but Santorini was also the location of the fabled island of Atlantis which was supposedly sunk by a volcanic eruption). The sand was hot but yet soft, dark yet clean. Walking on it gave a soothing feeling and i would have loved to lie and laze in it if not for the time constraints. And yup, there was always the red beach, made primary from the stones that had been weathered. Scorching hot they were but it served to reinforce the cool refreshing feel of the waters which they neighboured. It was a bit far from my hostel so i did not wade too far out for i was not in my swimwear... The blue roofed white-walled houses were another celestial addition to the town to bring out its identity. It was hard work to have to paint the houses every week but i must let the people of Santorini that it's definitely worth their effort for it was precisely these houses that gave the island its identity and memories of their homes would immediately surfaced whenever we see images of these houses no matter where we are...
All in all, Santorini was a wonderful experience and it was the perfect introduction to my Greek journey. Rest and relax was my initial aim and Santorini fufilled it perfectly. Everything ranging from accomodation to food was perfect and i can jolly imagine myself spending a week there in the future, just chilling and doing nothing. And for the first time, i can truly say -- Believe in what u see on TV for it's that real and more :D
City rating : 5 stars
Saturday, 15 March 2008
Barcelona - Part 2
The night of the El Classico was (haha pardon the pun) classic. The match started at 10 and ended at 12 but that was only the start. People were pouring all over the streets, dancing and celebrating as if they had won a title or something. And this party lasted all the way till morning. (I was a bit tired still so retired to my bed early but my hostel mate only came back in at 6) He was beaming all the way and i guessed it was worth his effort travelling down across the Atlantic from Mexico.
Finally realised that the Barcelona cathedral was a major landmark in Barcelona and so took the opportunity to sneak a quick look at it while the girls returned to their hotel after breakfast. Sadly, it wasn't that beautiful for 2 reasons.
1. The cathedral was still under renovation and thus the anterior facade was bleah
2. It was SUNDAY! Yeah and that means the cathedral was open for prayer session and not for tourist so i was unable to visit the place at all
Went to the Picasso museum thereafter. The queue was pretty long but i was impressed at how the museum was hidden among the little calle that lined Barcelona. Quite a lot of Picasso's works were displayed and we were brought through his different stages of maturation and the art form that evolved. Maybe i m not that artistic still so nothing much to say about it. Hehe...
Went to Parc Guell in the afternoon. The instructions said that if we were to take the metro, it would be a long walking distance up the hill to reach our destination. Had a power nap on the bus (was still tired from the late night the previous night) and so was able to reach the place fresh. This visit really showed me the advantage with travelling with people who had done their homework for i would never have thought of visiting this place on my own and i must really thanked the girls for it. Parc Guell was really beautiful. Gaudi's use of mosaic on almost every structure in the park may look weird initially but i can't help but admire his skills as i walked further in. The chamelon is of course the landmark symbol of the place but there are also the pillars, the candy houses and also the porch that overlooked the city. Even the benches there were modelled after his mosaic styles.
Went to chocalate cafe for some nice creamy silky chocolate after that. Once again, i was pretty amazed by their ability to source out the place by just looking at the guide books alone. Quite a good meal (though i must say its quite sinful). Las Ramblas was next. It was just next to my hostel but hadn't explore it yet because of the busy itenary. It was just like the Pasar Malam that we had over here where people set up stalls to sell stuff. Accessories, food and clothing stalls lined up the whole length. There were however a few differences in that people there looked more lively. The street buskers were more interactive while artists were more than willing to demonstrate their stuffs.
Tried out the Sangria for the first time during dinner that night. Tasted not bad but maybe it's just that i m not that an alcoholic person. The fish was true to Barcelona's reputation as a coastal port city. (Oh did i mention that haha the restaurant was actually quite a big one over there and we had to queue for abt 30 minutes before the restaurant had even opened its doors in order to secure seats)
To be continued...
Finally realised that the Barcelona cathedral was a major landmark in Barcelona and so took the opportunity to sneak a quick look at it while the girls returned to their hotel after breakfast. Sadly, it wasn't that beautiful for 2 reasons.
1. The cathedral was still under renovation and thus the anterior facade was bleah
2. It was SUNDAY! Yeah and that means the cathedral was open for prayer session and not for tourist so i was unable to visit the place at all
Went to the Picasso museum thereafter. The queue was pretty long but i was impressed at how the museum was hidden among the little calle that lined Barcelona. Quite a lot of Picasso's works were displayed and we were brought through his different stages of maturation and the art form that evolved. Maybe i m not that artistic still so nothing much to say about it. Hehe...
Went to Parc Guell in the afternoon. The instructions said that if we were to take the metro, it would be a long walking distance up the hill to reach our destination. Had a power nap on the bus (was still tired from the late night the previous night) and so was able to reach the place fresh. This visit really showed me the advantage with travelling with people who had done their homework for i would never have thought of visiting this place on my own and i must really thanked the girls for it. Parc Guell was really beautiful. Gaudi's use of mosaic on almost every structure in the park may look weird initially but i can't help but admire his skills as i walked further in. The chamelon is of course the landmark symbol of the place but there are also the pillars, the candy houses and also the porch that overlooked the city. Even the benches there were modelled after his mosaic styles.
Went to chocalate cafe for some nice creamy silky chocolate after that. Once again, i was pretty amazed by their ability to source out the place by just looking at the guide books alone. Quite a good meal (though i must say its quite sinful). Las Ramblas was next. It was just next to my hostel but hadn't explore it yet because of the busy itenary. It was just like the Pasar Malam that we had over here where people set up stalls to sell stuff. Accessories, food and clothing stalls lined up the whole length. There were however a few differences in that people there looked more lively. The street buskers were more interactive while artists were more than willing to demonstrate their stuffs.
Tried out the Sangria for the first time during dinner that night. Tasted not bad but maybe it's just that i m not that an alcoholic person. The fish was true to Barcelona's reputation as a coastal port city. (Oh did i mention that haha the restaurant was actually quite a big one over there and we had to queue for abt 30 minutes before the restaurant had even opened its doors in order to secure seats)
To be continued...
Tuesday, 11 March 2008
Barcelona -- 31st Mar to 3rd Apr
My only impression of Barcelona prior to this trip is simple
1. It has a football team that used to be my favourite in Spain
2. It had hosted the Olympics Games in 1992
3. It was the city where F4 visited during "Meteor Garden II"
and the reason why i ended up here is because well its the only European place where people i know is going for their post-graduation trip.
Anyway, i guessed it turned out to be a huge blessing in disguise for i fell immersely in love with it after i had gotten to know about it. The day started on a tiring note. Yup dunno whether is it jet-lag or train-lag but the moment i arrived at my hostel, i zonked out immediately after showering. Surprisingly enough though, all it took was an one-hour power nap and i was re-charged again. Took the afternoon to walk around the place and try to find the girls' hotel. True as to my navigation instinct, i actually took the long way round and thus ended up finding the place only after about an hour. Nevertheless, it was a good way to explore the city, making one way (yup, yet again) thorugh a couple of book stores and novelty shops along the way. But then again, i must embarassingly admit, i actually missed out on the giant structure known as the Barcelona cathedral that was standing opposite their hotel ^-^
In addition, alos managed to squeeze in a visit to the Nou Camp. It was the day of the El Classico and thus the way to the stadium was packed with eager fans. The Nou Camp was majestic not because of its size but because of the numerous flag poles that lined its perimeters. What is unique about this stadium is the walkway that leads to the stadium, lined by 2 rows of trees. I can never imagine such a scenic way to line the road to the stadium. The area surrounding the stadium is also no barren land. I believed it is the academic centre of Barcelona for i see the faculty of pharmacy, as well as, a lot of other faculties surrounding the big stadia. And interestingly, there is a club nearby too where queues of teenagers forming up to enter are seen. Haiz, it's a pity that i wasn't in the correct attire =(
To be continued...
1. It has a football team that used to be my favourite in Spain
2. It had hosted the Olympics Games in 1992
3. It was the city where F4 visited during "Meteor Garden II"
and the reason why i ended up here is because well its the only European place where people i know is going for their post-graduation trip.
Anyway, i guessed it turned out to be a huge blessing in disguise for i fell immersely in love with it after i had gotten to know about it. The day started on a tiring note. Yup dunno whether is it jet-lag or train-lag but the moment i arrived at my hostel, i zonked out immediately after showering. Surprisingly enough though, all it took was an one-hour power nap and i was re-charged again. Took the afternoon to walk around the place and try to find the girls' hotel. True as to my navigation instinct, i actually took the long way round and thus ended up finding the place only after about an hour. Nevertheless, it was a good way to explore the city, making one way (yup, yet again) thorugh a couple of book stores and novelty shops along the way. But then again, i must embarassingly admit, i actually missed out on the giant structure known as the Barcelona cathedral that was standing opposite their hotel ^-^
In addition, alos managed to squeeze in a visit to the Nou Camp. It was the day of the El Classico and thus the way to the stadium was packed with eager fans. The Nou Camp was majestic not because of its size but because of the numerous flag poles that lined its perimeters. What is unique about this stadium is the walkway that leads to the stadium, lined by 2 rows of trees. I can never imagine such a scenic way to line the road to the stadium. The area surrounding the stadium is also no barren land. I believed it is the academic centre of Barcelona for i see the faculty of pharmacy, as well as, a lot of other faculties surrounding the big stadia. And interestingly, there is a club nearby too where queues of teenagers forming up to enter are seen. Haiz, it's a pity that i wasn't in the correct attire =(
To be continued...
Sunday, 9 March 2008
Transition point - Aeropuerto de Barcelona "El Prat" [BCN]
My Air Berlin flight landed at Barcelona airport close to 930 am. Despite spending the previous night on the bench of Dusseldorf airport, i was more excited than fatigue for this is where my trip really starts! And it is this sense of euphoria that i feel will make my assessment of the airport unfair. After having hear stories of how dangerous airports can be, i had been busy reading my Lonely Planet book to make sure that i make a smooth exit out of the airport and so i was more busy trying to spot the tourist information counter than taking my time to absorb in the sights and sounds of Barcelona airport. Nevertheless, the number one thing that striked me about this airport is the whiteness of the walls admist the sunlight that was shining into the airport. The ceilings were high and the airport gave a very spacious feel. Haha i know its a bit out of point but actually i was quite engrossed in deciphering the messages that were broadcasted over the PA system. (Yup u could have probably imagined how big my eyes looked when i realised i am actually able to hear Spanish being spoken and i actually understood some of the announcements... )
One thing to mention about this airport is the lack of directions to the main metro station. I actually exited the airport and walked to dunno where in trying to find the metro station. (Well i did try to as for directions but their instructions were not excatly idiot proof...) Wel luckily, i was decisive enough to abandon my plan and hopped onto a bus that happened to stop near me and on top it displayed the sign "to city' =)
Airport rating : 3 stars
One thing to mention about this airport is the lack of directions to the main metro station. I actually exited the airport and walked to dunno where in trying to find the metro station. (Well i did try to as for directions but their instructions were not excatly idiot proof...) Wel luckily, i was decisive enough to abandon my plan and hopped onto a bus that happened to stop near me and on top it displayed the sign "to city' =)
Airport rating : 3 stars
Saturday, 8 March 2008
Transition Point - Flughafen Frankfurt am Main [FRA]
A short mention on Frankfurt International Airport, the airport in which our beloved national carrier has an established hub. Quite a typical intenational airport, true to German efficiency. Why i happened to be here was a long story. I somehow got the misconception that Frankfurt was near Hamburg and so bought a connecting flight from here to my next destination. (Brrr... it was a real expensive mistake and i had to remind myself not to make this kind of stupid error again...)
Anyway, arrived past midnight at the airport. Its such a major airport that the airport actually has a train station which the intercity train stopped, away from the city centre. Thank goodness for that as i shuddered to imagine me carrying my big backpack and trudging all the way from the city centre to this place...
A very quiet and peaceful airport i would say. maybe i had been spoilt by our dear Changi or it could be due to the fact that it was way late for there was no busy hustle or bustle. All the shops were closed also, even the check-in counter for my fight Luckily there was seat aplenty and so i made myself comfortable on one of them and went to sleep. First time sleeping at an airport lobby to make for an interesting experience. Maybe its because i have a lot of faith in the Germans but i did feel quite safe sleeping at the airportthe shops were still not opened yet by the time i left, except for the duty free place which was a couple of small little shops. Nothing much to mention i guess as i connect with my Air Berlin flight to Barcelona
Airport rating : 3 and a half stars
Anyway, arrived past midnight at the airport. Its such a major airport that the airport actually has a train station which the intercity train stopped, away from the city centre. Thank goodness for that as i shuddered to imagine me carrying my big backpack and trudging all the way from the city centre to this place...
A very quiet and peaceful airport i would say. maybe i had been spoilt by our dear Changi or it could be due to the fact that it was way late for there was no busy hustle or bustle. All the shops were closed also, even the check-in counter for my fight Luckily there was seat aplenty and so i made myself comfortable on one of them and went to sleep. First time sleeping at an airport lobby to make for an interesting experience. Maybe its because i have a lot of faith in the Germans but i did feel quite safe sleeping at the airportthe shops were still not opened yet by the time i left, except for the duty free place which was a couple of small little shops. Nothing much to mention i guess as i connect with my Air Berlin flight to Barcelona
Airport rating : 3 and a half stars
Transition Point -- Dubai International Airport [DXB]
Realised i missed out on describing the airport, so i guess this will be a double post today ^-^. Airports are really important places and amazingly, they do affect my impression of the place.
Dubai airport is really a mixed cup of tea for me. The beautiful sands that greeted me as i made my descent reinforced the beautiful image that i had of Dubai from all the aggressive advertising that it had launched. Yup, its not the desert kind of sand that one comes to expect but the soft silky beach-like type of sand.
BUT the scene that leaves the deepest impression on me is not the sands but the customs area of the transit zone. To summarise it in 1 word, it was CHAOTIC. Yes and that is what i meant when i said the airport quality can easily affect the impression. Being centrally located between Europe and Asia, Dubai is no doubt one busy airport but it's no excuse for the lack of ordeliness when faced with a large transit crowd. There was no queue, no directions and people were cutting queue here and there. And to make things worse, the queue were so long that it almost stretched out of the building proper. (Gosh, it reminded me of the scenario at Johor customs... Eeewwwww...) To make things worse, i actually found myself having to walk across the whole transit terminal looking for a toilet. There were only like 3 to 4 toilets and all had long queues forming. (Yes, i m talking about the male toilet...) Yup, so poor me was like almost crawling in my attempt to find a loo to relieve my stomachache =( Nevertheless, on the other hand, i must admit that the cleaners are pretty effective in maintaining the cleaniness of the toilets despite the high turnover. It was almost real-time cleaning for the moment one finishes his business, the cleaner will go into the cubicle and clean the place up. Talked about efficiency, it at least negated part of the unhappiness that had been accumulating.
With nature's call settled, i began my exploration of the airport. Maybe it's because i haven't been to enough airport yet but the transit area really seemed very crowded to me. People were lying on the floor, chairs and everywhere, trying to catch 40 winks as tey await their next flight. Families were like holding a picnic (but without the food). Haha... Went to the duty free shop to take a look. Can't comen much on the price though cos they were all in either local currency or US dollars and i had absolutely no idea how to convert, being a travel rookie. Oh but one ting io realised is that the lonely planet guide book there is slightly cheaper than our local prices, so for people who are going to transit at Dubai in the future, u can always leave the purchase till u reach the airport =)
Airport rating : 3 and a half stars
Dubai airport is really a mixed cup of tea for me. The beautiful sands that greeted me as i made my descent reinforced the beautiful image that i had of Dubai from all the aggressive advertising that it had launched. Yup, its not the desert kind of sand that one comes to expect but the soft silky beach-like type of sand.
BUT the scene that leaves the deepest impression on me is not the sands but the customs area of the transit zone. To summarise it in 1 word, it was CHAOTIC. Yes and that is what i meant when i said the airport quality can easily affect the impression. Being centrally located between Europe and Asia, Dubai is no doubt one busy airport but it's no excuse for the lack of ordeliness when faced with a large transit crowd. There was no queue, no directions and people were cutting queue here and there. And to make things worse, the queue were so long that it almost stretched out of the building proper. (Gosh, it reminded me of the scenario at Johor customs... Eeewwwww...) To make things worse, i actually found myself having to walk across the whole transit terminal looking for a toilet. There were only like 3 to 4 toilets and all had long queues forming. (Yes, i m talking about the male toilet...) Yup, so poor me was like almost crawling in my attempt to find a loo to relieve my stomachache =( Nevertheless, on the other hand, i must admit that the cleaners are pretty effective in maintaining the cleaniness of the toilets despite the high turnover. It was almost real-time cleaning for the moment one finishes his business, the cleaner will go into the cubicle and clean the place up. Talked about efficiency, it at least negated part of the unhappiness that had been accumulating.
With nature's call settled, i began my exploration of the airport. Maybe it's because i haven't been to enough airport yet but the transit area really seemed very crowded to me. People were lying on the floor, chairs and everywhere, trying to catch 40 winks as tey await their next flight. Families were like holding a picnic (but without the food). Haha... Went to the duty free shop to take a look. Can't comen much on the price though cos they were all in either local currency or US dollars and i had absolutely no idea how to convert, being a travel rookie. Oh but one ting io realised is that the lonely planet guide book there is slightly cheaper than our local prices, so for people who are going to transit at Dubai in the future, u can always leave the purchase till u reach the airport =)
Airport rating : 3 and a half stars
Thursday, 6 March 2008
Hamburg -- 31st March 2006
Oh well, to make things simple for an uncomplicated mind like me, i shall adhere strictly to listing out the places in chronological order. There's quite a lot of backdating to do but i shall take my own sweet time. Haha anyway i doubt much people will be reading it also, so it will just be another one of my 虚度光阴 activity :p
Arriving in Hamburg was a major experience and i would say a significant milestone in my life. Yup, the wish of always wanting to go to Europe had finally been realised on my graduation trip (and yes, that's why i was so determined to go to Europe and not join the rest of the gang to Taiwan. Ok , maybe there was another reason :p butthe childhood dream definitely plays a big part ^=^)
Hamburg was definitely not part of my planned itenary. It just happened to be part of an Emirate Airline's offer which i gladly took up. The plan was to go Spain but all flights were full and so i had to think of alternative routes to get to my destination. Ha, well the expenses add up to almost the same in the end too. So much for being smart... Bleah!
Come to think of it retrospectively, i actually began my Europe trip on a note that sets the tone for all my future travels, or simply put it, my Holland skill were there from the start. Haha. Anyway, i had set out from the main train station, using the station map that i was given. I had a good 4 hours to spare before catching my connecting train, so i decided to take a look at the place. The train station was like a divider, which divides the city into 2 districts, the posh and the forgotten. Well, mayb its a bit too harsh to put it as forgotten but the contrast couldnt be felt more. Anyway, it was really an eye opener for i unknowingly wandered into the gay/lesbian districts in Hamburg. It seemed like any other normal neighbourhood and i did not even realise it until i walked into one of the book stores that was on the street. Well, it was kinda reflexive cos i had the tendency to walk into book stores and so there i went when i saw it beckoning to me. Honestly thinking, i really have no idea that it was a gay bookstore because the guy was like any normal guy. I did wonder a bit when i saw the many magazines and books with hunky man on its covers. Plus, i atributed the multitude of books on homosexual topics to the liberalism of European society.. Hehe..
Anyway, i also took a visit to the hospital. Haha its not on purpose and honestly speaking, i was quite horrified when i realised i was standing in front of the hospital because thats when i realised i had wandered so far off from my map!!!!! Its quite a daindy little place with old style European lighting. Not exactly scary but not welcoming either. ha. In addition, it was here when i felt the strong German hospitality. All i did was to stand in the middle of the road when this nice lady actually came up to ask me if i needed help. This was only the tip of the iceberg, for i also had people who didnt know English offering their help.
Haha that's so much to write for one single day in Hamburg. Guess u guys finally realised why i didn't blog any of my travels on my main blog. And i m not ending yet. Yes, i havent mentioned that i actually found a shop selling local products there in Hamburg. (Yes, local products as in the canned longan, maggi mee and the lychee jelly). Oh, and there's also a public toilet where its not exactly that well covered. Haiz, so many interesting sights to see in Hamburg that i doubt my words do any justice to them.
Finally ended the day with KFC for dinner. Was quite tired out by the end of the day to look for anything else. Well , i guess my stupidity was to be blamed also. I actually forgot that i can deposit my bag in the locker at the train station and yes, i was lugging my entire backpack across Hamburg. Stupid me almost destroyed my own trip by being so stupid. Was one tired boy when i finally got on the train to Dusseldorf.
PS: One important thing to note when in Europe is that the cars are left hand drive, so one will have to reverse all that were taught in school on crossing the road. I used my left-right-left and was almost knocked down by a car. Right-left-right from now on! Right-Left-Right... Right-left-right... right-left-right...
City rating : Inconclusive (to be rated again)
Arriving in Hamburg was a major experience and i would say a significant milestone in my life. Yup, the wish of always wanting to go to Europe had finally been realised on my graduation trip (and yes, that's why i was so determined to go to Europe and not join the rest of the gang to Taiwan. Ok , maybe there was another reason :p butthe childhood dream definitely plays a big part ^=^)
Hamburg was definitely not part of my planned itenary. It just happened to be part of an Emirate Airline's offer which i gladly took up. The plan was to go Spain but all flights were full and so i had to think of alternative routes to get to my destination. Ha, well the expenses add up to almost the same in the end too. So much for being smart... Bleah!
Come to think of it retrospectively, i actually began my Europe trip on a note that sets the tone for all my future travels, or simply put it, my Holland skill were there from the start. Haha. Anyway, i had set out from the main train station, using the station map that i was given. I had a good 4 hours to spare before catching my connecting train, so i decided to take a look at the place. The train station was like a divider, which divides the city into 2 districts, the posh and the forgotten. Well, mayb its a bit too harsh to put it as forgotten but the contrast couldnt be felt more. Anyway, it was really an eye opener for i unknowingly wandered into the gay/lesbian districts in Hamburg. It seemed like any other normal neighbourhood and i did not even realise it until i walked into one of the book stores that was on the street. Well, it was kinda reflexive cos i had the tendency to walk into book stores and so there i went when i saw it beckoning to me. Honestly thinking, i really have no idea that it was a gay bookstore because the guy was like any normal guy. I did wonder a bit when i saw the many magazines and books with hunky man on its covers. Plus, i atributed the multitude of books on homosexual topics to the liberalism of European society.. Hehe..
Anyway, i also took a visit to the hospital. Haha its not on purpose and honestly speaking, i was quite horrified when i realised i was standing in front of the hospital because thats when i realised i had wandered so far off from my map!!!!! Its quite a daindy little place with old style European lighting. Not exactly scary but not welcoming either. ha. In addition, it was here when i felt the strong German hospitality. All i did was to stand in the middle of the road when this nice lady actually came up to ask me if i needed help. This was only the tip of the iceberg, for i also had people who didnt know English offering their help.
Haha that's so much to write for one single day in Hamburg. Guess u guys finally realised why i didn't blog any of my travels on my main blog. And i m not ending yet. Yes, i havent mentioned that i actually found a shop selling local products there in Hamburg. (Yes, local products as in the canned longan, maggi mee and the lychee jelly). Oh, and there's also a public toilet where its not exactly that well covered. Haiz, so many interesting sights to see in Hamburg that i doubt my words do any justice to them.
Finally ended the day with KFC for dinner. Was quite tired out by the end of the day to look for anything else. Well , i guess my stupidity was to be blamed also. I actually forgot that i can deposit my bag in the locker at the train station and yes, i was lugging my entire backpack across Hamburg. Stupid me almost destroyed my own trip by being so stupid. Was one tired boy when i finally got on the train to Dusseldorf.
PS: One important thing to note when in Europe is that the cars are left hand drive, so one will have to reverse all that were taught in school on crossing the road. I used my left-right-left and was almost knocked down by a car. Right-left-right from now on! Right-Left-Right... Right-left-right... right-left-right...
City rating : Inconclusive (to be rated again)
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