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Saturday, December 19, 2009
Euro 2008 One of the most memorable experience during our journey was our fortunate and impeccable timing visit to Switzerland and Austria - right smack during the football frenzy, the Euro 08.
Okok, I know it is perhaps long overdue to be rambling about the Euro 08 when we are stepping into year 2010 but let's just imagine we just took a time machine back to good old year 2008 ok?
For a football fan, you will know that an unforgettable time is in store for you when you see an otherwise calm and peaceful city being transformed into a town decorated with everything football and houses hordes of fans in their national colours.
Seriously, you can't help but feel the amazing football atmosphere in every corner. Football and everything Euro were incorporated into every single object you see, from our favourite McD packaging, decorations on table to the street lamps.
There is even a freaking football at the top of the Jet d'Eau, the iconic Geneva fountain!
Everything just seems so happening.
Fanzones were erected throughout the host cities to allow the not-so-well-to-do-football-fans-who-can't-afford-a-match-ticket a place to gather, mingle, cheer and watch your favourite team battle it out on a huge ass screen.
Concerts, parties and events were all held in full force to cash in on the most happening sporting event in Europe every 4 years.
Even though we have no idea who those singers belting out in alien languages are on the stage, we still managed to soak in every bit of the atmosphere available and enjoyed ourselves tremendously along with the concertgoers and fans.
Speaking of fans, football fans have got to be the most passionate people. The would sing, cheer and scream in unison to protect the pride of their national colours.
Even to the extent of a football riot as I'd written here before. Which was a little too much for my liking. Especially when a missile missed my head by just a couple of inches.
If only Malaysian football fans have the same level of passion (without the riot and chair burning of course), we might actually be better. Well, at least we won in the SEA games this time around.
Oh, and I absolutely loved those roadshows that provide us free face painting. With a Swiss national flag on my face while watching the Swiss national team on the screen, I'd never had a welcome as warm as this from the fans. Absolutely brilliant.
Was so reluctant to wash off the face painting after that.
Well, it's time to step off my time machine and just reminisce the marvellous experience that was the Euro 2008. Looking forward to the World Cup in South Africa this time. Unfortunately, absolutely zero chance of me being there.
So fingers crossed I would strike a lottery and be on my way to Rio for the 2014 World Cup. That would just be sweet.
Monday, December 07, 2009
The Broken Chair This is an enormous chair.
In fact, this is an enormous, broken chair smacked right in the middle of Place des Nations, Geneva. In front of the European United Nations.
Standing tall with only three legs, this eloquent sculpture symbolises the fight against land mines and cluster bombs, understandably with its missing leg. Where better to position the broken chair than in full view of the world's delegates entering the UN building.
It is a wonder how a structure so huge can stand straight with only three legs without tipping over.
Let's hope it doesn't. If it does and crushes somebody's leg, that will be ironic.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
La Pedrera
Judging by the demure outlook of the La Pedrera at first sight, I wouldn't have known that this is another masterpiece by the famous Catalan architect - Gaudi himself. Let alone paying 10 euroes to visit it.
In fact, I was attracted to another Gaudi work nearby with its remarkable facade and bonelike balconies - the Casa Batllo and almost decided to pay 16 euroes for a tour...
...till our trusty guidebook saved us. You see, due to limited funds, we had decided to only visit one of La Pedrera or Casa Batllo, if we had chosen Batllo, we would never see what La Pedrera had to offer.
And luckily we chose the demure looking one. As they say, never judge a book by its cover.
La Pedrera, once an apartment designed by Gaudi now houses a museum dedicated to Gaudi's many works and exhibitions. You would be able to see how he designed the various known buildings and his artwork ranging from chairs, tiles to even the doorknobs.
At an entrance fee of approximately 10 euroes (I believe mine was cheaper thanks to my almighty student card), you would be given an audio guide which explains in detail everything through your journey in La Pedrera along with the how the apartment rooms once looked like.
However, the charms of La Pedrera does not lie within the museum or the apartments. What's interesting is on the roof!
No doubt this is one of the most photographed rooftop in the whole wide world (as I'd read somewhere). Cause I can't stop myself from snapping away at the distinctive view.
The rooftop just oozes uniqueness and eccentricity as I trust that nobody would like their chimneys looking like those nostalgic Ultramen or Easter island statues.
The view from the top of the building over a dense but organised looking Barcelona city enhances the amazing feeling I had on the rooftop at a UNESCO heritage site.
Never would I have known that such a demure outlook has an amazing rooftop.
La Pedrera is definitely one of my recommended place to visit if you are ever in Barcelona - just for the rooftop itself. Furthermore, its cheaper than a tour to Casa Batllo which according to hearsay, doesn't have that much to offer in the building compared to the bonelike facade. Nevertheless, I would totally pay Casa Batllo a visit if I'm ever gonna be in Barcelona. Good to see what I have been missing eh? Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Colours of the Aegean 20 plus years of city life, I have never seen such bright pastel colours since pre-school.
Stepping foot on those Greek islands, I can't help but feel that I was transported into a fantasy land that only exists in childrens books.
Bright white houses painted with eye catching pastel blue. Grey well painted pebbly walkways. Brown. Yellow. Red. It seems like all buildings are painted within the lines, just like how a child would with a pack of crayons.
No rust. Nothing fades. No boring looks.
If you remember Mamma Mia, that is how most Greek islands looked like.
The quaint and charming looks of the islands' architecture warrants a visit whenever you are in Greece. If the beautiful beach and amazing party life ain't enough to tempt you already.
It is a shame really that we didn't had the chance to visit Santorini, the most popular tourist island in the Aegean Sea. But 2 of out 3 most popular and prettiest Greek island ain't too shabby after all.
With such gay colours every nook and corner, I suppose I finally solve the mystery of the gay crowd abundance at those islands. Hmm... Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Tipping in Budapest One thing great about dining in most 'standard' places in Europe is that you know what you are paying for. No service tax, no government tax and the hassle of recalculating your budget - everything is inclusive. Unless the service is top notch, it is not compulsary to tip either especially for frugal students like us.
So, there were we sitting in the wonderful Cafe Vian in Budapest sipping the local goulash and savouring the Hungarian styled duck meat with paprika counting our lucky stars that food in Budapest ain't as pricey as other parts of Europes.
The waiters were nice too and spoke decent English! After a hearty meal, we asked for the bill. The waiter brought us the bill with such a presentable smile. Hmm, pretty reasonable price considering the nice food and cafe we were in so we counted our Forints (Hungarian currency) and paid the nice man.
The waiter thanked us and returned back to the restaurant while we continued sipping our sky juice (which happened to be free!). Then, the waiter reappeared with the menu and a not-so-presentable smile. Must be a demanding customer next table ruining the waiter's day we thought. Shockingly, the waiter returned to our table. To refill our free sky juice perhaps? He looked, mumbled something and smiled at us. We looked back at him puzzled. He flipped open the menu and pointed at a not-so-fine print in the bottom corner of the menu. Something along the lines of: "Compulsary to tip at least 10% of the total bill price." Wow, didn't know we were in the States! Needless to say we paid only the exact amount previously. Sheepishly, we digged our pockets for some extra Forint coins (exactly 10 percent of course, lol), apologized and went off like the wind. Piece of advice - Always read the fine and not-so-fine prints on the menu before making a fool out of yourselves. Damn those kiamsiap asians, the waiter must have mumbled.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Revamp Any volunteers to give my tangled yarn ball of a blog layout a vamp up? The owner is just plain clueless on this alien language called HTML codes. Meal on me! Thursday, October 22, 2009
Neuschwanstein This is Neuschwanstein Castle.
I dare you to spell that with your eyes close. Located on top of a hill in Bavaria, this is one famous landmark that tourists would flock to when they are in Germany.
'Famous?' you asked? Well, if you haven't heard the name, I bet you have seen it before.
Yes, that Sleeping Beauty castle logo you see on anything Disney? Totally inspired by Neuschwanstein. The Neuschwanstein Castle can be an enchanting view with its majestic facade and the breathtaking surroundings..
...Only if you are viewing it from the Marienbrucke (A not-for-acrophobics bridge across the castle) or the only son of Krypton.
Up close and personal, not so much.
To get to the castle, you will have to hike a distance littered with horse shits if you are a pauper like us, or pay approximately 15 euroes to sit a smelly horse carriage that moves above 0.2 m/s faster than foot. Your choice.
Although the surrounding atmosphere was amazing when you reach the top, the crowd of tourists can be quite a nuisance. After a few compulsary camwhoring sessions, we purchased our tickets and waited for our turn for a guided tour in the Neuschwanstein itself.
To add to the air of fantasy, our tour guide was a meek, scrawny, wooden, soft spoken guy alike those castle servants or butlers straight from a fantasy book. We were led through the rooms and chambers once accomodated by a certain Ludwig II.
Disappointed to say that the tour was pretty short and no photos were allowed in the premises. What a bummer.
Fortunately, none of us were acrophobic so off we hiked to the Marienbrucke which promises a great side view of the castle itself while enjoying the cool air, tranquility, strong winds and shaky railings. Such bliss!
To end this post, I should attempt spelling the name with my eyes closed. neusawstein...nsrudvhsesndyrin.......neauschwanstein.... me give up. Sunday, October 18, 2009
The Nottingham Nostalgia My friend took me down memory lane by tagging me in a facebook note reminiscing the good times we had during our year in Nottingham UK. After leaving university for a while now, those memories are indeed sweet and precious. Nothing feels better than a little nostalgia. So, to rehash what I'd written in facebook, these are some things that I miss in Nottingham, just for old times sake. (If case some photos looked familiar, that is because I had used them before.)
Am I the only one who misses university life? Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Eating in Greece Seeing that I was absent for long, I was about to go on a long Mediterranean food journey through Greece describing all the exotic and awesome food that I'd tried...
...before I realised, I can't actually remember much about Greek food. Not that there is nothing special to eat in Greece, its just that we didn't have much opportunity to savour them - with the paid for hearty cruise meals that we were entitled to.
But there were two Greek cuisine that was etched on my mind though - apart from the rather delicious cheap McD chicken burger there of course. First of all, you can't go wrong with souvlaki. (or gyros? I am still confused at the difference)
Pretty similar with kebab, this grilled and succulent piece of meat (and some greens too..pfft) wrapped in pita bread is one of the most inexpensive and tasty fast food found in Greece.
I believed I gorged on a couple of these fantastic meat during my days in Athens. The hot juices and sauce that splurt out of those pita, orgasmic I assure you, if done well. The next on the list would be this thing here:
Ok, I don't know about you but when I ordered grilled octopus, I was expecting to see at least parts of an octupus body, like those seasoned Japanese octopus in medium size you know. Hell'a', not just ONE freaking tentacle! To think I have to share this dish as well. It was pretty pricey as well. Possibly the most expensive body part I'd eaten ever. Quite yummy though. Oh, I remembered another Greek dish I'd tried. Something that looked like the lovechild of pasta and lasagna called the Pastitsio.
As the description suggest, it tasted just like lasagna mashed with loads of pasta stuffed into its gut. Quite a filling dish nonetheless. Despite the fact that my taste bud did not go wild during my time in Greece, rest assured, my eyes did. Greece is a pretty pretty place. But of course, I will leave it till next time. Procrastination rocks.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Slow At the rate my procrastination is going, my blog is gonna die a slow and painful death. So much material, so little time. Perservere!
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Your's truly Age: 22 years of age attempting to stay young forever. Gender: Male Location: Klang, Selangor, Malaysia Schools: SJK(C) Hin Hua, Sek.Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, Taylors College, University of Nottingham Interests: TV addict, Online junkie, Slumber. Idolize Juan Pablo Montoya. Supports Chelsea Status : Full time student, Part time member of Anti Assignments Society. Entries with an * indicates advertorial
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