Walking Loka

August-September 2009: Southampton and Around

2009-09-20T15:11:00.000-07:00

"Soton" - Home of the Titanic

We came to Southampton twice to visit friends and finally, at the third time, we moved here. This is our last destination in UK/Europe, time to end the journey and to go back home.
Stay in the studio apartment above of my friends' restaurant, we are well taken care of with constant free and discounted meals. :P With their care and helps, we will leave this country with warmth hearts.

Titanic left from Southampton to New York. There were many people from Southampton were working on the ship at the time it sank. So there is a Southampton Maritime Museum that people generally called Titanic Museum.

Southampton is a port without beach. The nearest and better beach to swim is Bournemouth, which is at least one hour from here. So Bournemouth is always crowded when the sky 'unusually' blue or when the weather is a bit warmer.

We found this small beach at Hill Head. It is nearer to Southampton (20-30 min), but the beach is pebble beach, a bit muddy and smell seaweed strongly.
The water wasn't as clear as in Bournemouth and the strong wind here attracted many people for wind ski.
Not as good to swim.

The beach at Lee-on-the-Solent is our nearest favourite beach. It is just next to Hill Head, but the water is clearer and deeper for swim.
It is equally windy, but during sunny day (eventhough is sacred), it is still nice to be here and swim.

Stonehenge stands unperturbed by 80km/hr whipping winds and legions of people who have visited for over 5000 year.
For centuries, religious devotees have come to Stonehenge for its mystical karmic energies.
The most famous Stonehenge legend holds that the circle was built of Irish stones magically transported by Merlin.

The monument was once a complete circle of 7m high stones weighting up to 45 tons - dates from about 1500 BC.
The labourers' technological capabilities were more advanced than we can imagine.

16-19 July 2009: Luxembourg and Post-trip

2009-09-20T15:01:00.000-07:00

Luxembourg - Mir well bleiwe wat mir sinn
(National motto: We want to remain what we are)

The tiny Luxembourg is too often overlooked by travelers. The only reason we were there were because of we did not think we are likely to come to this country purposely next time. Since Luxembourg is on the way to go back to England, so why not?
Luxembourg is a notable European Union member and a prominent international financial centre. The Luxembourgian people have been significantly influenced by both German and French culture.

Luxembourg is a camping paradise.
Two people with a tent and a car cost us less than 15 Euro, including hot shower.

Although as an international banking capital it is home to thousands of frenzied foreign business executives, Luxembourg City is surprisingly relaxed and idyllic.

With medieval fortress perched on a cliff that overlooks lush green river valleys, and high bridges stretching all over the downtown area, Luxembourg city is one of the most attractive and dramatic capitals in Europe.

The 10th century Bock Casemates fortress, part of Luxembourg's original castles, looms over the valley and offers a good view.

Calais, France

Calais is the liveliest of the Channel ports to Britain.
i normally think a port town or city is rather drab, but obviously Calais do have gorgeous beaches and beautiful historical structures.

Greenwich, East London, England

Greenwich's position as the "home of time" is connected to its maritime heritage - the Royal Observatory, site of the Prime Meridian, was founded to produce star charts once essential to navigation.
Many people queued up to take picture at the Prime Meridian, which marks 0 degree longitude.

15 July 2009: Zurich, Switzerland

2009-09-18T04:23:00.000-07:00

Metropolis of Experiences?

This was almost the end of our adventure. We somehow did a detour just to stop over here before we went back to England via Luxembourg later. Unlike Geneva, Zurich is German speaking. But Zurich contains a disproportionate number of Switzerland's many banks too. The city is built beside of the crystal blue lake as well. Our short encounter did not leave us any deep impression of this city... We left here thinking this, this is just a banking and international fashion labels city.

We did not know the capital of Switzerland is Bern. We passed by Bern on the way from Geneva to Zurich. Unlike both city, Bern is named a world treasure by UNESCO, has a relaxed atmosphere.

The train station Hauptbahnhof, at the end of the rabid capitalism of the famous Bahnhofstrabe shopping district.

The landscape surrounding Lake Zurich is one of the world’s most prestigious areas to dwell.

Zurich's Altstadt and student quarter spawn an energetic youth culture.

14 July 2009: Geneva, Switzerland

2009-09-17T04:19:00.000-07:00

The State Religion - Banking

3/5 of Switzerland is dominated by mountains, featured in many James Bond chase scene. Except for its Alpine playground, Switzerland also reminded me of the bank, watch, swiss knife and chocolate. A true multicultural nation, Switzerland is French in the West, German in the central and north and Italian in its southeast. The Swiss maintaining one of the world's most stringent ecological policies to protect its fragile Alpine environment.

Our drive from Italy to Switzerland via France was very long and scenic but also awfully expensive (both Italy and France charged for highway usage).
Along the way, we passed by many small towns by the highway, in the valley surrounded by the mountains. Some had castles built on the hill top as well.

We crossed many tunnels and the longest one was Mont Blanc in France, which was around 13km, with the tolls of around 35 Euro itself for the tunnel. But once we came out from the tunnel, we were greeted by the snow capped mountains that inevitably "wowed" us.

The crystal blue, Lac Leman in Geneva.
Our campsite was just beside of the lake, so we could jump in the cold water early in the morning or late at night, and swam together with the ducks!
(We had been warned of the duck fleas though. :)

Multinational organizations including Red Cross and United Nations continue to lend Geneva an international feel.
It's true that one can find any kind of food in Geneva, but may need a banker's salary to foot the bill.

The Jet d'Eau, the world's highest fountain, spews a spectacular 7-ton plume of water 140m into the air.

The floral clock which pays homage to Geneva's watch industry.
It was said to be the most hazardous attraction here: The clock had to be cut back almost 1m because tourists, intent on taking the perfect photo, continually backed into oncoming traffic. ;)

Geneva began as a fortified city on a hill and the labyrinthine cobbled streets of historic vielle ville and the quiet squares around Cathedrale de St-Pierre are still the heart of the urban landscape.

During lunch time, the office staff, some looked like bankers, played the giant chess in Parc des Bastions.

12-13 July 2009: Venice, Italy

2009-09-16T07:12:00.000-07:00

Romanticism Dies Hard

A friend once told me that, when she got married, she would like to go honeymoon at Venice. Due to circumstances, she did not make it there with her husband. Due to circumstances as well, my husband and me had managed to arrive at this sinking city. The lavish palaces, the labyrinthine streets, the winding canals and the memory of the glorious past, any visit to Venice is a reminder of another.

Venice spans 118 bodies of land in a lagoon and is connected to the mainland by a thin causeway.
Venice is a veritable labyrinth. Ungluing the eyes from the map and going with the flow is surprisingly fun and make Venice spectacular.

The Canal Grande loops through Venice and the splendid facades of the palazzi that crowns its banks testify to the city's history of immense wealth.

I imagined Venice like Prague on an island. However, despite the crowds near Piazza San Marco, Venice is surprisingly pleasant and "real" to me.
While we weave our way through the city, from time to time, we saw signs of people living here: Socks, clothes, shoes ... hanging outside of the houses by the canals.
Well... but the 1.50 Euro per entry to the public toilet is definitely more 'real' than 'pleasant'.

Basilica Di San Marco, one of the main sights in Venice.
The nearer the shops or cafe to Piazza San Marco, the more inflated the price of the things.
eg. Standing/take away coffee is 1-3 Euro, but sitting in the restaurant, the price will become 4-8 Euro. Yes, a cup of coffee.

The gondola is at the rate of 20 minutes (or 40 minutes? don't remember) for two persons at 60-80 Euro. The price increases after sunset.
This is not a good price for us, not to mention after paying the most expensive accommodation for our Europe tour.
So we just sat by the canal, soaked our foot in the cooling water and watched the passing by gondola for hours.
This was effective to ease the sore foot and to cool down after walking around in the hot summer sun.
The legend said, a couple who kisses below the Bridge of Sighs would have a ever lasting love.
If the bridge was not under renovation, then i might have insist to take the gondola though! :P

The masks are the popular souvenirs and the prices are very similar for all stalls and shops.
Check out a few shops/stalls, sometimes some places do have some kind of better deals.

The Ponte Ricalto arches over the Canal Grande and symbolizes Venice's commercial past.

11 July 2009: Vienna, Austria

2009-09-10T04:21:00.000-07:00

The Sound of Music

We did not come to Austria for its brilliant artists, writers or musicians. Definitely not to ski during summer as well. It was just a pass by for us to get to Italy. But the atmosphere of the Vienna coffeehouse made us lingered a bit longer than just to have pastries and coffee.

With the overpowering Alpine landscape, hiking and camping are obviously rather common in Austria. So having a camp site near city centre Vienna is in fact not unusual. But not to expect to get into the nature, it is more about having a cheap place to stay.

Like any other European cities, the horse carriage services are always there to remind you of the rich, grandiose history of the city.

Albertina Museum is the home of one of the biggest graphic collections of the world.

Some of the small souvenirs from the tourist shops.
The price is not 'small' though.

Vienna's most treasured symbol, St Stephen's Cathedral or Stephansdom, under renovation.
The North Tower was originally intended to match the South Tower, but construction ceased after a spooky tragedy...
In the 16th century, during the construction of the North Tower of the Stephansdom, a young builder named Hans Puchbaum wished to marry his mater's daughter. The master promised his consent if Hans finished the entire North Tower, alone, within a year. Faced with this impossible task, Hans despaired until a stranger offered to help him - on condition that Hans not speak the name of God or any other holy name. The tower grew by leaps and bounds until the young mason spotted his love one day and called out her name, "Maria"! Unfortunately, Maria was also the name of the Blessed Virgin. The scaffolding collapsed and Hans plummeted to his death. Rumours of a satanic pact spread, and work on the tower ceased, leaving it in its present condition.

Unlike most of the European cities, smoking indoor is allowed and accepted in Austria. They have non-smoking areas as well, but obviously nobody can control the direction of the smoke.
This ice-cream or dessert cafe had at least 100 people sitting there while we joined the crowd for an ice cream and cake.

The drive from Vienna to Italy was very scenic. We passed by the snow-capped Alpine peaks, lush meadows of wildflowers, thick and dark forests and castles - The Sound of Music in a nutshell. :)

9-10 July 2009: Prague, Czech Republic

2009-08-18T07:04:00.000-07:00

My Dreamed City in Europe

When i was a teenager, i read the travel column in the newspaper which talked about Prague. i saw the beautiful pictures and from that time, i told myself that, one day, i am going to this place. I am grateful that, we made it here, eventhough i don't feel as impressed as i wanted to. May be, if Prague is the first European country that i went after UK, then i would response in the "wow" way that i thought i would. Never the less, Prague is still one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, like Edinburgh.

In compare with Western Europe, Czech Republic is relatively cheaper.
We stopped at this small border town with Germany and row of shops like this reminded me of those back home in Malaysia.
We bought the 7 days highway vignette (the least day that we would buy) and changed a bit of Czech money (kc).
The most expensive fuel we got was in The Netherlands, eventhough Shell is from there! It was around 1.4 Euro per little, while in Germany, it was around 1.2 to 1.3 per little.
Over here, the fuel is around 1 euro or less per little, so we saw quite a few of the German car bought the fuel in big tanks.

The entrance to Prague Castle near to the old steps. Prague Castle is the biggest castle complex in the world and it feels more like a small town than a castle.

St Vitus Cathedral is a glorious French Gothic structure. Visit to the nave with beautiful stained-glass windows is free of charge.

One of the popular souvenir here is obviously the puppet which move by the strings. Some like this old woman puppet, is not something that you want to hang in your house.

The cheapest thing to eat is probably the street food. We found this hot dog interesting as the hot dog was 'embedded' in the bread. They did not have vege dog though.

This side of the River Vltava is overlooking the old town and seems like a popular place for pictures taking.

Charles Bridge crowded by small merchants, beggars, tourists and street performers.

The old town square and Jan Hus Manument, erected on the 500th anniversary of the religious reformer's execution at the stake.

Berlin, Germany: 8 July 2009

2009-08-13T04:15:00.000-07:00

Reunited Metropolis

My impression to Germany are, it is an advanced engineering country and one of the leaders in sustainable living. In the other way, nobody can forget about the legacy of xenophobia and genocide left by Hitler and the Nazi Third Reich. We came to Berlin just for the former Berlin Wall, two decades after the fall of it.
By the way, the no speed limit highway is true. But there are no free toilets any where in the city or highway. Even at the restaurant where you eat, sometimes they will still charge you 50 cents euro.

For decades a barricaded gateway to noway, the Brandenburgh Gate is the powerful emblem of reunited Germany and Berlin. Standing right in the center of the city, today it opens east and west.
There is a quite room nearby, where one can go inside the room and enjoy the peace with quietness.
This is obviously a place for both tourists and street artists.

Student band by the Brandenburgh Gate, at Pariser Platz.

A private tributes to the Holocaust victims at Tiergarten.

The Reichstag is the German parliament building, one of the most famous Berlin attractions. It is the seat of German Bundestag, place where laws are made. “Dem Deutschen Volke” (To the German People) mounted above the western portico of the Reichstag Building.
Tourists queued up to enter the dome in the building.

The memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe.
There are 2711 stelae from flat to the height of more than 4 meter.
There is an information centre underground. A series of texts and pictures shows the development that led to the Holocaust and the process of the extermination of the European Jewry, as well as the persecution and murder of other victims groups.

Checkpoint Charlie was once the gateway for Non-Germans during the Cold War.

The remaining of the Berlin Wall.

We went into the city, Dresden, on our way to Czech Republic. The Allied bombing in 1945 killed 50 thousands people and destroyed 75% of the city centre.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands: 7 July 2009

2009-08-10T11:48:00.000-07:00

Freedom... Sex... Drugs... Canals

i always wanted to go to Amsterdam. So that i can buy hash or marijuana legally at the coffeeshops? No, no... That is not my cup of tea. i don't very much fancy the art scene, windmill, tulips or wooden shoes as well. What i wanted to see is just the red lights district. From my typical Asian upbringing, the sex scenes are very intriguing. i wanted to see and feel the kind of openess that people have over the sex and drugs, which are both taboos from where i come from...
We surprisingly found out also, The Netherlands is quite an environmentally conscious country. There are certain town which plastic begs are not allowed. So you have to either bring your own shopping begs or sometimes, you can pick up the packaging boxes of the supermarket to put your groceries. We think this is really a good idea, rather than dismantle the boxes and pill them up behind of the shops.
All Dutch who we talked to, such as asking for direction, speak very fluent English.

Amesterdam is a canal-lined city, which i did not know before.
The country is masterful feat of engineering, since most of it is below sea level, vigorous pumping and many dikes were used to create dry land.
If God created the rest of the world, the Dutch created The Netherlands.

War meomorial near to Damrak and red lights district.
We paid the most expensive hourly parking fees for our Europe trip here, 2 hours for 8 euros.
After this, we never really drove right into the city centre of any country again. The endless one way streets and hefty parking fees are just too much.

Damrak, the street when one comes out from the central station and where tourists buy inexpensive survenirs.

i personally feel that, the red light district is surprisingly liveable (especially if you compare with red lights Geylang in Singapore) and in many ways the area is less outrageous and seedy than i have expected.
Like Clichy and Pigale in Paris, the streets are full with pushers, porn shops and live sex theaters.
There are many kebab shops and Asian restaurant or take away, not to forget, fine cuisine restaurants and bars/ pubs.

i heard that before: The prostitutes displays themselves in the window. They pay tax like any tax payers as well.
Many tourists were attracted by the prostitutes dancing in the window. Some knocked at the door/ window and asked for the price, but we did not see anyone got inside and engaged the service of the prostitutes.

Besides from the aroma of marijuana and the city's infamous sex scene, it is romantic to stroll along endless cobblestoned streets and canals sparkling with lights.

Brugge, Belgium: 5 July 2009

2009-07-28T13:03:00.000-07:00

Prologue

When i was in Asia, going to Europe sounds romantic and extremely expensive. But since we are staying just in UK, going to Europe is just like going from Singapore to Malaysia. Nothing 'grand'. However, due to the weak pound stirling, traveling in Europe is indeed more expensive than UK.
This is supposed to be our honeymoon. In consideration with the overall cost and others, we decided to drive from Scotland to as far as Czech Republic and camping all the way. It proved to be quite a good decision. The car did not break down :), we got lost sometimes, but always managed to find our way later. We really had fun, eventhough our 2 weeks journey was not a luxury Europe trip that people would expected for honeymoon.
Well... the 'homework' and preparation for such a DIY trip is very essential. We found all the campsites that we wanted to go and then printed out Google maps for the direction to go from one city/campsite to another. We also had to find out about the driving requirements of different country, such as are our driving licenses accepted and what are the traffic rules. Eg: In Czech Republic, one has to drive with the headlights always on, eventhough it is day time.
We search for visa requirements as well, eventhough we knew that, likely both of us do not need any. This proved to be an extra works, since border crossing by land in Europe does not have border control anymore! We were assuming that, there would be some kind of border control for non-EU citizen, as like in airport, but the fact is, everyone just drive through the border, overpassing the now empty border control offices. The only border control we got is from UK to France and France to UK.

Note: After more than one year of traveling around, we are gradually not very keen in pictures taking. We didn't even use up our 2GB memory card for camera in 2 weeks. I think, after a while, all places look alike, especially in Europe and we enjoy more to soak in the atmosphere rather than snapping around. :)

Our trip started from Scotland. From the last experience, it took us 12 hours to drive from Wales to Central Scotland. So this time, we decided to break our journey to London at The Lake Side District, Morecambe.
Our car is so old that, we do not really mind about it. So we chopped our vegetable on top of the car booth and sometimes even cook on it.

Chocolate, Channel, Romance ...

The only thing that came across my mind with Belgium is: chocolate. That is all i knew about this country. i don't even know that, people here speak Flemish and/or French as their first language. When i left the country, i knew, besides from chocolate, this country has delicious Belgian waffles (gaufres) as well. :)

Chocolate in different shapes, designs, tastes ...

Brugge is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and the largest tourist attraction in the country. Canals carve their way through rows of stone houses.

The dizzying 88m Belfort towers high at the center of town, presiding over the handsome square of the Markt.

The Burg Square is dominated by he flamboyant Gothic facade of the medieval city hall. Around, there are many restaurant and bar for dinning.

Small enough to be thoroughly explored by short walks and lined with the gorgeous canals, Brugge is best seen on foot. The best nightime entertainment is wandering through the city's romantic streets and over its cobblestoned bridges.

Isle of Skye & Inverness, Scotland: 26-27 June 2009

2009-07-27T06:52:00.000-07:00

The Inner Hebrides

Skye or the Isle of Skye, is the largest and most northerly island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. It is often described as the shining jewel in the Hebridean crown. Skye is one of the top three tourist destinations in Scotland besides from Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The drive from where we stayed to Isle of Skye was around 6 hours. It was a long ride but yet scenic and pleasant. Along the highway, there are many viewing points where people can stop the car and enjoy the scenery.

The island's capital, Portree, in the northern side. It has busy shops and attractive harbor.
We did camping at a campsite a few mile from the town.
In Summer, the day was so long here that, we woke up at 3.30am, been waken by the sun and thought it was already 9am.
We had to leave the camp at around 8am, as the tent was scorching hot under the sun.

The beautiful harbor is still in used with fishing boats and fishermen busy with their own business, while the eager tourists taking pictures.

In the island, traffic is not that heavy and there are many sheep walking around, sharing the road with the traffic users.

Loch Fada, Trotternish, looking towards The Storr.

We made a loop around the Northern part of the island and passing by Uig, a town in the sheltered bay and also the terminal for ferries to Lochmaddy and Tarbert.

No visit to the Highlands is complete without the sighting of the highland hairy cows.

Inverness, the Highlands Capital

The name Inverness is Gaelic and translates as 'mouth of the river Ness'. This is the city where you will pass by or visit, in hunt of the Loch Ness monster.

Inverness Castle.

The River Ness flowing through the city.

We drove around the other side of Loch Ness in search of Loch Ness Monster or Nessie and to avoid the crowd at the other side.
Loch Ness is large, deep .... and very cold.
It was a bravery to try to swim in it, but unfortunately, without the sun, it was just too cold to even try to deep one's feet, not to mention to swim.

Central Scotland, UK: Summer 2009

2009-06-26T06:05:00.001-07:00

This is an area of enormous beauty and variation. It is accessible too, with most major centres within easy reach and yet it feels miles away from the rat race, offering quick and convenient option for washing away urban grit.

Bridge of Allan, Stirling Region

This was almost the first warm sunny day since we arrived at Scotland. We went picnic at this laid-back former spa town.

The river was very clean, but most parts were a bit too shallow to swim. There were midges all around as well.

Stirling

When i told my brother-in-law that we moved to Scotland, he said, oh, "Braveheart". The movie by Mel Gibson, about the scottish patriot, William Wallace.
This impressive Victorian monument is dedicated to William Wallace, who was hung, drawn and quartered by the English.

St Andrews, Fife

This golf town (it's the location of the world's most famous golf course, the Old Course) has a surprisingly intact medieval layout and dramatic ruins.

The ruins of St Andrews Castle with dramatic coastline views.

St Andrews is nestled into the wide and sweeping bay. St Andrews University was the first university founded in Scotland.

Besides from the beautiful coastline views, i like the most this striking ruins of St Andrews Cathedral.

Falkirk Region

Falkirk Wheel, the world's first rotating boat lift: Raising vessels plus ~300 tonnes of water, 35m in one steel caisson, while descending boats are carried down in the second caisson on the opposite side of the wheel.

Northeast Scotland and West Highlands, UK: Summer 2009

2009-06-26T05:48:00.000-07:00

Northeast Scotland

Except 2 of Scotland's 4 largest cities - Dundee and Aberdeen, the countryside of this areas is also a place to meditate the mystery and to relish the royal heritage.

Glamis Castle, the birthplace of the late Princess Margaret (the Queen's sister) and was the legendary setting for Shakespeare's Macbeth.

The mysterious pictish (a warrior tribes who inhabited here 2000 years ago)symbol stones is thought to be set up to record Pictish lineages and alliances, but no-one is sure exactly how the system worked.
We 'hunted' these stone (they were scattered around) at Aberlemno in the rainy day.
An American woman who was on the mission as us told us that, the Z rod and double discs symbolised sun, the double omega shaped symbol at the top left side symbolised soul and the mirror liked symbol at the bottom right side symbolised wisdom.

The Brechin Cathedral round tower is one of the only three that survive in Scotland. It is of a type often seen in Ireland.

West Highlands

This part of the country is an adventure playground for outdoor sport enthusiasts. The mountains draw hordes of hill walkers and rock climbers in summer, and skiers, snowboarders and ice climbers in winter.

We passed by this loch on the way to Glen Coe. There were many people picnic and camping, but none really swam. We decided to join the crowd. When we got into the water, we knew why nobody was swimming. Eventhough the weather was warm, but at the deeper part of the loch, the water was still icy cold. Real real cold...

My friends said, this scene with a bridge like this, looked like one of the scenes in Harry Potter, which the train took the students to the school.

Glen Coe is Scotland's most famous glen and also one of the grandest. It is also one of Scotland's five ski resorts.
We suspected the whitish 'chunk' that we saw on the top of the glen was snow, which haven't melt down since winter.

The West Highlands areas meet exactly my expectations towards Scotland. Mountains, lakes and greens.

Edinburgh, Scotland, UK: 24 May 2009

2009-06-24T06:39:00.001-07:00

Gorgeous Edinburgh

i totally agree that, Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and the most beautiful one i have ever visited in UK. The city is big, but not as massive as in London. Every where within the city centre is just within the walking distance. i would say that, i feel lucky to had my wedding pictures taken here. :)

Edinburgh Old Town Street stretches along a ridge to the east of the castle. It is a jagged and jumbled maze of masonry riddled with alleys and narrow lane, stairs and vaults. The renovated Old Town today is crammed with cafes, restaurants, bars, backpakers and souvenir shops.

There are quite a number of "Ghost Tour" to explore the tunnels or churches in the Old Town.

The street performers at the Royal Mile. The mile-long street earned its regal nickname in the 16th century when it was used by the king to travel beteen the castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

St Giles Cathedral was named after the patron saint of cripples and beggars. The interior lacks grandeuar but is rich in history: It was at the heart of Scottish reformation.

Edinburgh Castle from Elephant House cafe. The cafe where J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter before she became famous.

The panorama view of Edinburgh from Calton Hill.

Glasgow, Scotland, UK: 16 May 2009

2009-06-24T06:10:00.000-07:00

Party Glasgow

i like the people in Glasgow, i think even in a big city like this, people are still the friendly Scottish. However i do not really enjoy the famous pub scenes here, likely to because of we are non-drinker. There are just one pub every ten steps in the city centre and people started to drink and get drunk since mid-day.

The pedestrians walking street is one of the heavens for shopaholic in Glasgow. Glasgow is said to be the UK's largest retail contingency outside London.

Gallery of Modern Art have its focal point in the social issues. It can be interesting to see some thought-provoking artistic interpretations of the more marginalised people in today's society.

George Square and the beautiful historical city council.

We get the impression that, after Merchant City, the East end of the city is kind of more run-down.

The Barras, Glasgow's flea market. It closes around mid-day. We were there a bit too late. What we saw was just the empty street full with rubbish, some drunk men and a few patrol policemen. We don't feel particular safe here.

Glasgow Green, near to the rejuvenated River Clyde.

Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire, Scotland: Summer 2009

2009-06-03T04:20:00.000-07:00

Water, Forest, Cold ...

Tillicoultry

It rained continuously for 6 days on/off when we just moved to Scotland. It was cold and wet all the time. Somehow, we were lucky to find a flat by ourselves for short term, near to Stirling, below the Orchil Hills, in a small peaceful village called Tillicoultry.

This is our neighbourhood. We could just hike up to the hills as we want. The foot path to go up is 5 minutes from our house.

There are hills and of course there is a river!
The river is just right beside of the road after the first left/right turns to our house.

The small park just below of the hills.
This place is so quiet that, there is even no wireless internet around the areas.
If i switch on my macbook in Cardiff or Brighton, it can detect at least 10 wireless networks.
Overhere, we are the only house where there is internet connection.

Callander, Scotland: 10 May 2008

When KY and KL came to visit us, they told us that, their tour guide said, Callander is a place for old people. May be that is true. The town is of medium size, with mountains for easy hike and water falls / rivers to chill out.

From the small village that we stay, we drove by Bridge of Allan and Doune to go to Callander. It took around 1 hour. On the way, there is a wind field. It seems like there are quite a few wind fields around Scotland. We normally see it along the highway.

Unlike the other part of UK, there is forest in Scotland. It was so pleasant to just walk in the fresh cold air in the forest. The walk was straight forward and easy.

We arrived at Bracklinn falls with our swimming wears in the beg, wanted to brave the cold water at this time. However, there were no way to go down to the falls. The hike stopped above at the falls where we could only look and not able to touch the water at all.

A pool which could be just nice to swim, but couldn't go down there! We ended up just picnic.

Snowdonia, Wales, UK: 11-12 April 2009

2009-05-22T10:04:00.000-07:00

Eryri (Snowdonia in Welsh) - Eryr (Eagle) or Highlands

The English name for Snowdonia derives from Snowdon, which is the highest mountain in Wales and England at 1,085 metres (3,560 ft). Many of the hikers in the area concentrate on Snowdon itself. It is regarded as a fine mountain, but can become quite crowded, particularly with the Snowdon Mountain Railway running to the summit. There are many path from easy to difficult, which takes from 5-8 hours return for the hikers to walk up to the summit. Unfortunately, i wasn't well on that day and the railway had too many people, so we did not go to the summit.

We did camping at one of the camp sites at Llanberis. At this time of the year, it is still quite cold and the camp sites had suprisingly many campers. At night, it was very very very cold. We had to bury ourselves in the blanket totally. The camp ground we got was not flat and sleeping on a slope wasn't that comfortable as well. But the views were good.

Snowdon Mountain Railway on the way to the summit. But in fact, at this time of the year, the steam train did not go to the summit, it stopped a few miles below. Some hikers think the rail track and train spoiled the natural views, but i think this is actually a good way for some people who aren't fit to walk up all the way, to enjoy the view and the feelings of "top of the world".

A small walk to some of the smaller hills could provide quite a good views of the surrounding as well.

Snowdonia used to be a mining place for slate. The slate mining closed down due to the running cost. It is said, the slate from this region can last as long as 200 years. The slate museum provides interesting displays of the tools and technologies people used years ago in the mining. The museum staff, an ex-miner, showed the visitor how the miner separates or cut the slate.

People holding advanced diving license can don into the lake to explore the old mining facilities now hidden under the water.

Snowdonia was our last tourist stop before we moved away from Wales. I was a bit disappointed with the views. In my mind, i always imagining trees on the mountain, but for almost all mountains or hills that we had been in England or Wales, there are basically no trees, just grassland for sheep or cows grazing. Even at the cold North East of Canada, there are still many trees on the mountains. So i suspected that, weather is not an issue. All the trees here probably had been chopped down long time ago to support the energy needs of the mining industries.

Bath, England, UK: 15March2009

2009-04-28T12:16:00.000-07:00

Glorious Spa Town

The Roman name for Bath, Aqua Salis, means "the waters of Sul", the Celtic goddess of springs. Jane Austen lived here from 1800 to 1805. The UN declared Bath a World Heritage city - the only one in Britain - for the quality of its Roman remains and Georgian splendours.
Today, Bath is a compact but i would say, tranquil in her way.

The three-arched Pulteney Bridge spanning the River Avon.
This is one of the only three shop-lined bridges in the world.
The U-shaped weir below was added later to safe guard the city from frequent floods.
This is my favorite sight in the town.

When we walked on the bridge, we didn't feel that we are walking on a bridge. The bridge is spacious and the shops are just one by another. It was amazing to go inside the shop, look through the window and realised suddenly that, we were on the bridge, right above of the river!
A mask like this reminded me of the masquerade at The Phantom of the Opera. :)

My picture here doesn't show the magnificent of the Royal Crescent.
i do not have the right software to do the stitches to join the series of pictures i took.
Basically, this historical landmark is 184metres in a single, curved facade and lined with more than 100 Ionic columns.

A big tree in Royal Victoria Park.

Around the famous Roman Bath spa complex, dedicated to the goddess Sulis Minerva by the Roman.
The greenish water in the complex has not been used for bathing since the late 1970s and the square nearby the complex is popular with street performers and sellers.

Bath Abbey (actually a parish church) is dubbed the 'lantern of the west' due to its huge and plentiful stained glass windows.

St Ives & Land End's, Cornwall, UK: 4-5April2009

2009-04-25T15:56:00.000-07:00

More than Cornish Pastry

St Ives undergone a smooth transition from a fishing village to today's holiday haunt. This is the town of picturesque nooks and eyes-catching vistas. My favorite thing to do is to just walk in the maze of disorientating narrow lanes and either visit to a cafe or just a gallery or even a shop.
Land's End is England's extreme Western tip. It doesn't "match" very much to have a big amusement complex in a place like this, but it was pleasant to walk on the turf-covered cliffs still.

The steeply build town of St Ives has broad sand beaches and higgledy-piggledy flower-decked lane.

One of the restaurants lined at the harbour's coastline. Many of the shops or houses we saw have small and short door.

A narrow lane at night. We feel rather safe to walk in a small lane like this at night and all the lanes are very clean.

Except from Cornish pastry, there a quite a number of shops selling fudge as well.

Porthmeor Beach. The beach or water in St Ives is one of the best in UK. The water is clear and blueish.

I would say, it was such a bravery to challenge the coldness to swim at this time of the year. There are a few surfers with their wet suits in the sea, but as for swimmer, he was the only one.
He came back to the shore in less than 10 or 5 minutes though. :)

Even the cat couldn't resist the juice-dropping cornish pastry.
Actually, it is like a bigger version of Malaysian karipap.

The promontory, St Michael's Mount, can be approached on foot along a cobbled causeway during low tide or by frequent small ferries from Marazion.
It was initially a monastery complex and later on became the fortress and castle.

The amusement complex that dominates the Land's End come closes to irreparably violating the spirit of the place.

The traditional Land's End souvenir: a photo taken next to a signpost showing distances to New York, John O'Groats and your hometown. It was 9 or 12 pounds a picture (don't really remember). If you don't want to pay, just take the picture without the distance to your hometown and from outside of the wooden fence.

Besides from the scenery, the coast path is a good place to observe the diverse wildlife as well.

Around South Wales, UK - Winter & Spring 2009

2009-04-23T03:30:00.001-07:00

Croeso, Cymru

At South Wales, Welsh is not very much dominant. We do not hear many people speak Welsh, eventhough every signs are bilingual in Welsh and English. Welsh is dominant at North West Wales. Welsh is an ancient language. For us who don't understand it, the double "ll" or consecutive consonants are just couldn't be pronounce and incomprehensible. Eg: i don't understand = dw i ddim deall.

Pernath

Pernath is nick named, the garden city by the sea. i do agree with this. It is a pleasant town just beside of Cardiff. Seaside and small and not too jam-packed with people.
This old church could be see on top of the hill, on the way from Cardiff to Pernath.

We walked on the cliff top by the beach.
It is a great place to come for a brisk seaside walk, a world away from he Cardiff bustle.
As in Brighton, Pernath's beach is pebble beach instead of sand beach.
However unlike in Brighton, Pernath is kind of quiet and never really give me the kind of "party" town feeling.

Barry

Barry Island is now a peninsula, but was an island until the 1880s when it was linked to the mainland as the town of Barry expanded.
Now, i think it has the best beach around Cardiff areas.

We found abundance of this kind of seaweed at the shore.
They got balls of air like the brown seaweed Sargassum back home.
i couldn't find more information on the internet on regards of them though.

I was happy enough to see lives at the shore, in the cold weather like this.
There are snails, barnacles and limpets.
I was trying to find a sea star under the rocks but couldn't.
(Not sure that there are even sea star here.)

This one looked just like the banded bead anemone back home.
i am really curious about what kind of mechanism or differences are there for these similar animals which i found back home and over here.
Obviously there is a great temperature different between two places.

The main beach, Whitmore Bay.
There are all manner of attractions on the beach, the promenade, and in the pleasure park and amusement behind the beach.
i think these are some residential houses or holiday houses along the "cliff" by the beach as well.

Caerphilly

The hugely impressive Caerphilly Castle is the result of restoration done by the marquis of Bute.
One tower leans precipitously as the result of subsidence rather than battle.

It was snowing when we were there at the castle.
The scenery along the journey looked beautiful but we were a bit worry with the slippery road condition as well.
There is no winter tyres for the car here.

Newport

Newport, like Cardiff, was one of the leading coal port in Wales.
It is now of of Wales' busiest industrial and commercial centres.
Along the pedestrian walking street, there are some sculptures or art pieces. Some are looking rather bizarre to me.

The old locomotive beside of River Usk, along with the modern bridge, formed a beautiful blend of new and old.
At the same time, reminded you of the old and new status of this city.

Steel Wave - The sculpture represents steel and sea trades which have played an important roles in Newport’s development.
This major riverside sculpture is one of Newport's most controversial pieces of public art.
Standing 40 feet high, it used tonnes of stainless steel.

I think, this transporter bridge is just the 'classic' of Newport. It is is a fascinating piece of engineering work.
This aerial ferry allowed people and cars to cross the river without obstructing shipping.
It is still working and visitors can cross between the west and east banks of the river Usk.

Swansea

Swansea is the second largest city in Wales.
Its Welsh name, Abertawe, describes its location at the mouth of Tawe, where the river empties into Swansea Bay.
This remains of Swansea castel date from the 14th century.

The pleasant cliff top walk at The mumbles.

Big Pit Mining Museum, Blaenafon

This is an interesting museum to visit. Miners extracted coals from here for 200 years. We got the chance to descend 90meter into the mine, using the old mine lift, to explore the tunnels and coal faces under the guidance of an ex-miner. It is hard to imagine how people used to work in this kind of darkness and dank using candle lights and in some parts of the world, people still do so.

Brecon Beacons National Park

The national park covers some 1347 sq km of high, grassy ridges interspersed with wooded valley, moorland and farmland.
Around 38% of the park is common land and the rest of the park is privately owned, and the slopes provide grazing for tens of thousands of sheep.
We took the park's classic walk, the 1.5 mile climb to the top of Pen-y-Fan and Corn Du.
Pen-y-Fan at 886m, is the highest point in Southern Britain.

The walk to the top was not difficult and it took around 3 hours return.
The weather was a bit cloudy when we set off and at the top, it was rather cold, especially when we were in the middle of the cloud.
At the peak, there is a flat platform and people have been throwing stones to form a mini peak or pile of stones. May be to mark for their "achievement".
The walk was pleasant and it worth every efforts to be there.

Cardiff, Wales, UK: Winter & Spring 2009

2009-04-17T10:42:00.000-07:00

The Red Dragon

In my mind, Cardiff is always quiet and cold (weather). May be because of we moved to Cardiff during winter, so there were nothing much going on. People only go out and get drunk during weekend, and the normal weekdays are pretty much quiet on the street. So on Saturday and Sunday morning, the main streets are always full with rubbish. I am amazed that, some people think littering is "acceptable". The council street cleaners work hard early in the morning. If you want to witness the "wonder" of how much rubbish over just one night, you got to be on the street before 6am.

Wales Millennium Centre at Cardiff Bay. It is home to seven of the Wales major cultural organisations.
When i think about Cardiff, i would remember this stone-age looking building at first.

The space ship looked building is Wales Millenium Stadium, cost 110 million pounds to build.
The stadium and city get really busy during the Six Nations Rugby game. Big match like this paralyses the city centre but nobody seem minds.

Around the stadium areas during Six Nation rugby game, Wales vs Ireland. Ireland won with a grand slam since 65 years ago.

We stay at this immigrant areas called Riverside, right in front of The Millenium Stadium.
The community suffers from tip-flying and for some reasons the street is always full with rubbish at all time.
Besides from this, there are quite a few pakistani, Indian, Sikh and Chinese grocery shops around.
So it is always easier for me to buy some oriental food stuff.

The main shopping arcades is formed by High Street, St Marry Street and pedestrianised Queen Street.
There are many small shops and cafes around this area.

Cardiff Castle is enclosed by this animals wall.
The animals looked so lively that, i won't be surprise if children growing up here believed that, the animals come into live at night!
This is my favourite structure in Cardiff.

i got the impression that, many of the sights in Cardiff is donated by the marquis of Bute to the city, such as Cardiff Castle and the Bute Park just right beside.
This spiky tower which looks like a medieval rocket has some extravagantly decorated rooms inside.
Right now, i am a Cardiff resident who pay Cardiff Council tax, so i am entitled to apply a resident pass and got years of unlimited free entrance, as long as i continue to stay in Cardiff.

View from The Keep of Cardiff Castle.
The domed and sculptural flourishes white stone buildings are Cardiff Civic Centre, house the City Hall, National Musuem & Gallery of Wales and ...

Around Llandaff Cathedral is a green and peaceful suburb that feels more like a village cluster. The beautiful Cathedral was built in a dip to hide it from potential seaborne invaders.

Saint Fagan, The Musuem of Welsh Life is an open musuem, where rescued buildings from all over Wales have been reconstructed . I got the impression that, Welsh were mainly coal miners and farmers (from the amount of sheep we still see now). It is a pleasant place to walk around with each "display", such as a mill house, within the short distant with another display.

Saint David's Day Parade - 1 March

Saint David's Day is the feast day of Saint David, the patron saint of Wales, and falls on 1 March each year. The date of March 1st was chosen in remembrance of the death of Saint David on that day in 589, and has been celebrated by followers since then. The date was declared a national day of celebration within Wales in the 18th century.
In 2003 in the United States, St. David's Day was recognised officially as the national day of the Welsh.

The baby girl dressed in the traditional Welsh costume.
According to common belief, the Welsh costume comprises a high hat, petticoat, bedgown, apron and shawl, the whole of local manufacture.
The bedgown was a sort of long coat, forming a waist, and closing over the bust, and a long tail which folded behind over the petticoat, with the apron hiding the petticoat front.

Cambridge, England, UK: 17 Jan 2009

2009-03-30T12:06:00.000-07:00

Chinese New Year Celebration

In celebration of Chinese New Year 2009, we (or I :) had decided that, we were to make a day trip to Cambridge at the weekend before.
This would be the last sightseeing place around east England, before we moved to Wales later.
The university began around 800 years ago, when rebels defected from Oxford to this settlement on the River Cam.

King's College. It is said that, the chapel is the best among all colleges.
My first impression to Cambridge is, this town is pedestrians-friendly. Cars are not allowed at certain parts of the city centre.
The buildings are old and beautiful, but i wasn't feel as impressed as when i first arrived in England.
There is a good vegetarian restaurant right in front of the college, which is a big big plus than the chapel. :)

Taking boats at Cam River seems like the best way to see the colleges, since most of them (or all?) charge an entrance fees to visitors.
The route is scenic and relaxing as well, but not the best thing to do during cold winter.

The street near to St John's college, one of the Cambridge collages founded by women but for men.
There is a Venice copy of Bridge of Sigh.
Somehow, we think, all the people here are just ultra-smart and we assumed that, everyone was either the student or the graduate from the world renown university.

Not sure what is the name of these flowers in English, but i am quite sure that, these are mei2 hua1 梅花 .
The flowers we used (but faked flowers) to decorate the house during Chinese New Year, to celebrate the over of the winter and the arrival of Spring soon.

This area around Magdelene Bridge looked more modern, with the restaurants and pubs lining by the river.

London Chinatown

We decided to come to London Chinatown during Chinese New Year eve, to feel the festive mood.
I don't have many Chinese New Year that i spent without my family members, this was the second one that i could remember, but the first one that i was so far away from them.

Reunion dinner, but only two of us.
We chose this restaurant because it got a vegetarian menu, but nothing really inspiring,
Family dishes are just simply the best during the festival time.
Miss my mom's specially.... The adapted version of vege rolls from the meat rolls. This is my family cuisine which could only be eaten during "big occasion".

Paris, France: 29Dec08 - 5Jan09

2009-02-24T12:00:00.000-08:00

Romance...Cafe...Champs-Elysees...Disneyland

Paris in my imagination is people drinking latte at Champs-Elysees and then go shopping at LV, then visit to The Louvre. Images of the equivalent of relax and romantic scenes. Little did i expect that, Paris is crowded (a bit less than New York though), is fast paced and is like any other metropolitan around the world.
The different is, this capital of France has such a long story that, i think most of the buildings in the city centre are just kind of historical and beautiful. I used to think London is great in terms of all the old buildings in the city centre, but now i think Paris is the best.
We decided to spend our New Year 2009 at this capital of Eiffel Tower. The main reason is because our friend, Vivien, is there in Paris and we would like to have a great reunion with him for the new year. To visit the MAIN attractions only, i think it takes probably merely 2-3 days.

We were supposed to enjoy the panoramic view of Paris from the 56th and 59th observation floors of Montparnasse.
But the weather wasn't the best and we had missed the "particularly breathtaking sunset over the Eiffel Tower" (as per the advertisement. :)
However, the 360 degree view of Paris kind of gave me a bit of the sense of the direction in the city and where the attractions were situated.

There was a long long queue of people to enter Notre Dame and there was a hail raining. So we decided not to go in on that day.
It ended up that, we went in for free on Sunday night service. :)
Outside of the Cathedral, i met Lee, a Malaysian who was on his months of "world tour".
(i recognised him as a Malaysian from his English accent.)
i invited him to join us and he traveled with us for two days. I would say, it was nice to meet someone from home in a foreign country.

The Pantheon is the mausoleum for the great and the remains of giants of French culture such as Hugo and Marie Clare (the only woman).
The mausoleum got ALL of its explanations in French, so ya... It is a bit frustrating if you don't read French and do not know a thing about "how great" these people are, to be "buried" here.
The interior is great though, with its old wall paintings and Foucault's Pendulum swinging from the dome. While the pendulum appeared to rotate over a 24-hour period, it was in fact the earth beneath it turning.

A free toilet at St Michel.
i actually like this facility. The toilet is self-cleaning and is conveniently located to ease people's "need".
The one that i saw in UK, need to pay 20 or 50 pence and the door will open by itself if you never come out within 20 minutes!

La Defense is Paris's prestige business district. The huge Grande Arche (the white hollow cube clad), stands at 112 meter.
This area is a no car allowed zone.

My first very real experience of snowing during winter.
The snow flakes falling down from the sky and covered the ground and building with a layer of white coating.

The Concorde with the gold-tipped obelisk from the temple of Luxor, Egypt, in the centre of the square.

Napoleon's pink marble Arc du Carrousel, which originally formed a gateway for the former Tuileries Palace, looked a bit out of place and definitely forlornly upstaged by The Pyramide.

i always thought, nobody shouldn't not able to recognise the pyramid of the Louvre or not to know the Louvre.
But i proved to be wrong. There are indeed people who doesn't know anything about the Louvre.
The Louvre itself, from the building to the collections inside are just all masterpiece.
There is free entrance on every first Sunday of the month and enter using Porte des Lion, guarantee you a no queue situation and if you want to, you can even be the first one to arrive in from of Mona Lisa. :)

Tourists started to crowd in front of Mona Lisa.
err... We were the top 4 persons to arrived in front of the drawing.
Of course one can spend a lot of time in The Louvre, but after 2 or 3 hours, i found things to get a bit intense and tired.
So i think unless one is hardcore to musuem or arts, the maximum time to spend here should be half day.

The Arc de Triomphe was started by Napoleon as a homage to the armies of France and himself but it was now dedicated to the French army in general.

The Champs-Elysees is synonymous with the Parisian glitz and glamour, studded with luxury hotels and top fashion boutiques.
I couldn't really afford or willing to spend that kind of money to buy anything here, but i like the of luxurious feelings in the air.
We wanted to go into LV, but was put off by the queue outside.

We spent new year 2009 with thousandssss of people under the famous Eiffel Tower.
The tower was in blue instead of the normally golden or yellow color at night, due to the President of France was the president or head of European Union in year 2008.
(The EU flag is blue.)
It changed back to yellow color on the first second of Year 2009.

It is interesting to know that, this quintessential symbol both of Paris and of the brilliance of industrial engineering, was designed to be a temporary structure, for the 1889 Exposition.
It was saved from demolition by the sudden need for "wireless telegraphy" aerials in the first decade of the 20th century.
They are many illegal African and immigrant merchants selling cheap souvenirs here. They ran away went the police came. You couldn't find any where for cheaper than what they offered and you can negotiate price, like the way people do it in Asia... "12 Euros. No, 5 Euros, final, (and walk away). Ok, ok."

Flea market at St Ouen. It is like pasar malam (night market) in Malaysia, but without food. There are a few of them around this areas during weekend, products ranged from souvenir, clothes, second-hand things, pirated branded begs to antiques.
There a small merchants (likely to be illegal), doing on-street gambling. Each bid is 20 Euros!
It was interesting to watch though.

Toulouse-Lautrec's inspiration, the Moulin Rouge, at the boulevard de Clichy.
People can watch very expensive can-can dance while having nice dinner here.
Most "normal" tourist like us, were just there to take the picture and "feel" of the place.

Sacre-Coeur, Montmartre, reminded me of Taj Mahal.
i am not sure which one is more "grand", but both are white with a dome.

It was the time that Isreal bombing Gaza.
At the Marias, which is near to the Picasso Musuem, where there is community of Jew living, it was said that, there were cars burning and demonstration from some angry people.
The burnt cars were just on the side way parking of the road.

At one of the metro underground station, a group of musicians are selling their CD and fund raising for the development of their musics.
They played very well, totally professional.
Sometimes in the train itself, the performer just went inside and started to sing or perform.
i heard that, some Parisian found the performance "disturbing" or "nuisance".
In Singapore, street performers need permit to perform and i somehow think that, it is "freedom" that people are allowed to perform anywhere. This is what i am expected (freedom to perform), from this capital of art as well.

People feeding ducks or birds at the fountain in front of Luxembourg Palace.

Going to the Disneyland was like, to complete my childhood pilgrim...
Thanks to Vivien, who was willing to accompany me there and made all the arrangement.
There are different "lands" in the Disneyland: Fantasyland, Adventreland, Frontierland and Discovery land.
I would say, to many, the pilgrim should be at Fantasyland...
The thrills of backward roller coaster couldn't be compared with the joy from the fulfillment of childhood dreams of been inside Alice's Curious Labyrinth or the Sleeping Beauty Castle.

The hair-raising Big Thunder Mountain roller coaster at the Frontierland.
The water from the lake will splash on you during summer.

Many people left after the grand parade.
The child behind me kept shouting: Mickey... Mickey...

Paris was snowing again by the time we left.
i think i will always remember that, i threw my first snow ball in my life in Paris.
Even until now, when the winter is almost over, i still kind of enjoy the "myth" of snow. "Snow" is just not something "usual" or to "get used to" for me.

Dieppe, France: 27-28 December 2008

2009-02-21T12:32:00.000-08:00

Admiring the cliff and the castle...

We went there after earning extra quids from working during Xmas and spending at big sales on Boxing Day. :)
It is relatively easy to go to Dieppe from Brighton. The ferry is early in the morning at New Haven, so we took taxi from Brighton (20 quids) to New Haven at 6am. Arrived at 6.20am, which proved to be too early. The ferry departs at 8am and officially, you should check in 45 minutes before the departure, but many arrived at around 7.15-7.45am.
The ferry ride was around 4 hours and pleasant. A bit like Star Cruise. In the ferry, there are shops, cafes, gambling machine or game areas, children playground ...

Dieppe is an enjoyable small-scale port. During the 19th century, Parisians came here by train to take the sea air.
The ferry terminal is within walking distance to the town center (20 minutes) and we were first greeted by this beautiful marina, with the backdrop of cafes, brasseries and restaurants.

The medieval Dieppe Castle, currently Dieppe Castle Museum, is built by the cliff. It is over looking the seafront and the town centre.

The castle is first constructed in 14th century.
For me, the museum most impressive collection is a group of carved ivories, shipped back to the town from Africa by early Dieppe explorers.

Like Brighton, the beach is pebble beach.
It is very pleasant to stroll through the extravagant seafront lawns.

There are a few nice old church in the town centre.

The centre of the old town is dominated by this huge restored cafe, built as an inn.
There are many boutiques and shops around this areas.
Dieppe is my first France experience. i would say, people kind of seems more relaxed here.

Brighton, East Sussex, England, UK: Autumn & Winter 2008

2009-02-04T14:31:00.000-08:00

Beach town, party town, international town, gay town...

Without realising, we actually stayed in Brighton for 4.5 months. We basically choose this place randomly from the travel guide book, one or two weeks before we left Montreal. The reason that we chosen this place: It seems like a rich town (Brighton & Hove is a city), where we won't have difficulty to find some kind of job. In fact, we both ended up to work for the council. Me through out our stays in Brighton.

We stayed in a hotel near by the beach when we first arrived. It is called "Churchill Hotel". The hotel reminded us so much with the hotel in India: The wet and not very clean red carpet, the toilet which couldn't flush, the shower head which wasn't working, the TV which was spoiled ...
So when we managed to find a place to stay from Gumtree Brighton, we were more than delighted to move. The neighbourhood where we were staying is called "Bevendean". We always feel lucky that, we could stay in this quiet place with beautiful landscape.

The first time we saw the Royal Pavillion, i was kind of "wow!" The exterior is the Indian style dome, while the internal is decorated with the Chinese taste. It is built by King George IV and is said to be the symbol of Brighton's reputation for hedonism. The Brighton & Hove council got the dome of Royal Pavillion as its symbol.
The resident in Brighton can get discount for entry, while there is free admission when the country changes time during winter time.

Brighton Pier is the center piece of Brighton's pebbled beach. When the weather is warm, hundreds of people fills the shoreline. Some folks call Brighton, Little-London-on-the-sea. Around 1 hr by train or 1.5 hours by car from London, Londoners come here to enjoy the beach and party.

The Lanes, a jumble of 17th Century streets forming the heart of the Old Brighton. Now, it is full with boutique shops and fine restaurants. Every Friday, there is a "ghost walk" outside one of the bar.

North Laine, a pedestrian walking street area. It is a place for shopping. One can get from Vegetarian shoes to jewellery. There are a few vegetarian restaurants around here, our favourite is Infinity Food.
The thing i like the most in UK is: It is so easy to find vegetarian option of food. Basically most restaurants have a few vegetarian options. Besides organic food is popular in supermarkets, in very affordable price.

Stanmer Park. It snowed a bit when we were there. It was just mid-autumn. The sounds from the snow dropping on the leaves were ... i would say, "cheerful".

Lewes is just a small town around 15-20 minutes drive from Brighton. Sometimes, we just drive here to have a coffee. The town is nominated by Lewes Castle, one of the oldest castle in England. I personally wasn't as impressed by the castle as by the Royal Pavillion. There is a very old brewery just right beside of the river.

Stunning views of Seven Sisters Country Park, where the winding River Cuckmere meanders out to meet the sea at Cuckmere Haven.

Eastbourne is around 1 hour drives from Brighton. Like Brighton, the beach is pebble beach and there is a almost similar Pier.

i got the feeling that, the existence of the town is because of this castle. Arundel Castle is still a family home and it reflects the history of nearly 1000 years. Magnificient! It is around 40 minutes drives from Brighton.

This is not East Sussex...
In Southampton, my friend's restaurant, Fusion Noodle Bar.
http://www.fusionnoodlebar.co.uk/
Frankly speaking, the website is really so-so done, but the restaurant is well decorated and the food & price are both good.
We went there to drop him a visit and of course to get a free meal! :) It was really nice that i got to eat some real Malaysian food, like back home...