Sunday, August 10, 2008
Paris
Pictures from a year++ in the MERDE.
Springtime in Paris.
Wintertime!
and summer time in Paris.
Versailles.
In summer, there's a big hoo-haa because the fountains at Versailles are on...you have to pay to enter (duh), and i expected a musical fountain show of some sort. But nope, just water spurting out into the air, and nothing else happened despite us waiting for 10 mins. But there were alot of fountains to see, and some of them were quite pretty.
Carousels.
Chinese New Year.
Pere LaChaise Cemetery.
Galeries Lafayette...
...at Christmas time! Best window displays ever!
Notre Dame at Christmas.
Eiffel, and the view from the top.
Inside the Opera, where a lake, but no scary and musically-talented phantom, really lies beneath.
Shakespeare and Co. Oldest english bookshop in Paris. Lovely place.
Demonstrations. Some amusing...(those clowns blocked traffic for a good 20 mins)
...some not so...
Bastille Day. More interesting watching the people watching the parade.
Travellator at Montpartnasse has different speeds. I took the 9km one on my way to school everyday, unless im wearing something with a heel - not a wise idea to do so!
People watching.
Free style skating on the bridge near Notre Dame.
Fete de la musique.
MissTic. quite a famous artist, I learnt, who leaves graffiti art at quite a number of places in Paris.
Peered into a shop window. Never seen so many Russian dolls.
Arc de Triomphe.
The walls of the Seine river bank, from on board the Bateaux Parisiens.
Springtime in Paris.
Wintertime!
and summer time in Paris.
In summer, there's a big hoo-haa because the fountains at Versailles are on...you have to pay to enter (duh), and i expected a musical fountain show of some sort. But nope, just water spurting out into the air, and nothing else happened despite us waiting for 10 mins. But there were alot of fountains to see, and some of them were quite pretty.
Carousels.
Pere LaChaise Cemetery.
Galeries Lafayette...
Notre Dame at Christmas.
Eiffel, and the view from the top.
Inside the Opera, where a lake, but no scary and musically-talented phantom, really lies beneath.
Shakespeare and Co. Oldest english bookshop in Paris. Lovely place.
Travellator at Montpartnasse has different speeds. I took the 9km one on my way to school everyday, unless im wearing something with a heel - not a wise idea to do so!
Moulin Rouge. Paid 70+ euros to watch a show there. I was out of my mind, but Yixiu managed to convince me with her opportunity cost theory. No photos were allowed inside.
MissTic. quite a famous artist, I learnt, who leaves graffiti art at quite a number of places in Paris.
The walls of the Seine river bank, from on board the Bateaux Parisiens.
Labels: france
June 2007 - Turin
Turin, hometown of Fiat, Fererro Rocher, and I can't remember what, was a surprisingly nice place to be in! I was here alone for 2 days, as a stop over from Milan before I went back to Paris. The air was a little polluted, but other than that, the small town, laid-back feel made it a really pleasant stay. In fact, some parts of it reminded me of Malaysia! Like the picture on the right below of the rows of houses.
While I was there, it was also the anniversary of Fiat's founding, and there was a really big and elaborate festival going on. The river was filled with flowers and little cars, and the main square was lined with Fiat cars (that looked like VW beetles). Everyone who owned one of those cars drove down and parked at the main square. So united!
On my second day I went up a hill to find a church. The hill is also the site where a plane carrying Torino's football team in the I cant remember 1940s or 50s or 60s crashed. So behind the church where they crashed there's a memorial to the team.
This building here, is on the Italian one euro-cent coin.
Before I took the super-scenic train ride back to Paris (I saw Mont Blanc - part of the French Alps and a rainbow beside it), I went to visit the church, where the shroud of Turin is. The shroud of Turin is the cloth that was used to cover the body of Jesus when he was buried (before he resurrected). And it has the imprints of his body on it. It's only taken out for viewing during the holy(?) years, so the next time it'll be on exhibition would be something like 2040 or 2050. They had a very interesting and detailed museum dedicated to the shroud - exhibits were about the history of the shroud and how they verified its authenticity etc. the old people tending the museum were really sweet too.
While I was there, it was also the anniversary of Fiat's founding, and there was a really big and elaborate festival going on. The river was filled with flowers and little cars, and the main square was lined with Fiat cars (that looked like VW beetles). Everyone who owned one of those cars drove down and parked at the main square. So united!
On my second day I went up a hill to find a church. The hill is also the site where a plane carrying Torino's football team in the I cant remember 1940s or 50s or 60s crashed. So behind the church where they crashed there's a memorial to the team.
This building here, is on the Italian one euro-cent coin.
Before I took the super-scenic train ride back to Paris (I saw Mont Blanc - part of the French Alps and a rainbow beside it), I went to visit the church, where the shroud of Turin is. The shroud of Turin is the cloth that was used to cover the body of Jesus when he was buried (before he resurrected). And it has the imprints of his body on it. It's only taken out for viewing during the holy(?) years, so the next time it'll be on exhibition would be something like 2040 or 2050. They had a very interesting and detailed museum dedicated to the shroud - exhibits were about the history of the shroud and how they verified its authenticity etc. the old people tending the museum were really sweet too.
Labels: italy
Saturday, August 9, 2008
June 2007 - Milan
Decided to join Yixiu and Victoria in Milan, cos I had some time between leaving Sciences Po and our summer trip to Spain/Morocco. Milan was.......just so-so. I remember the whole town being dead between something like 12 and 3, because of the afternoon siesta.
The only significant thing we did there was queueing something like 1 or 2 hours for tickets to see the original mural of Da Vinci's Last Supper. And all for 15 mins. It was much more faded then I had thought, but it was cool to see the real thing, on the wall of an ancient church. Apparently he painted it such that the mural seems illuminated by natural light coming in from windows at one side. No pictures allowed though, so no pictures of that.
At the shopping gallery in Milan. Turn 3 rounds on your heel on that hollowed out spot in the ground for good luck.
We took a day trip out to a lake near Milan, and it rained. So we spent quite a bit of time in a hotel sipping cappuccino.
The only significant thing we did there was queueing something like 1 or 2 hours for tickets to see the original mural of Da Vinci's Last Supper. And all for 15 mins. It was much more faded then I had thought, but it was cool to see the real thing, on the wall of an ancient church. Apparently he painted it such that the mural seems illuminated by natural light coming in from windows at one side. No pictures allowed though, so no pictures of that.
Labels: italy
London
These is a compilation of photos I took in London the few times I was there. Had a good time there the one half month that i was staying there this year, thought it was quite a comfortable city to live in, just somewhat dangerous. There were reports of teens being stabbed to death almost every other day the first 2 weeks i was there so i was a little paranoid for a while.
The iconic Big Ben.
taken on the london eye.
And the London Eye. Went up with wanhua when she was in London on a tour, and I must say...it's really not worth while.
taken at canary wharf tube, where chye was working.
Funny busker at Covent Garden.
London gay Pride Parade 2008!! Had a blast watching the parade...it was outrageous, the costumes and all!
This was even sweeter. Older LGBT community.
Amy winehouses. She actually lived in the same borough as us when i was there - she also appeared in the papers almost every day in an unflattering photo.
Check out the eye candy.
though these are really not my type...haha.
It was nice though, that a big part of the contingent marching at the parade participated as part of the LGBT network at their workplace. The police, fire brigade and other forces too were present.
Mayor Boris Johnson who marched in support at the head of the parade.
And, saving the best for the last, GANDALF!..Sir ian mckellen!..I was so excited after recognising him that this was the shot i got after I calmed down and realised i had to take a photo.
The iconic Big Ben.
taken on the london eye.
And the London Eye. Went up with wanhua when she was in London on a tour, and I must say...it's really not worth while.
taken at canary wharf tube, where chye was working.
Funny busker at Covent Garden.
Oh so sweet.
though these are really not my type...haha.
Mayor Boris Johnson who marched in support at the head of the parade.
At the British Museum.
Left - often see pple in the downtown areas of London being paid to hold signs like these, usually for restaurants or shops, sometimes even Mcdonalds.
Rt - Demonstration by animal activists outside harrods.
Left - often see pple in the downtown areas of London being paid to hold signs like these, usually for restaurants or shops, sometimes even Mcdonalds.Rt - Demonstration by animal activists outside harrods.
Labels: england
Friday, August 8, 2008
February 2007 - Berlin
Wow this trip was one and a half years ago. Went to Berlin and a few other cities with my parents when they came to visit me while i was on exchange. As usual, winter was a bad time to travel. My memories of the place are dark, cold and gloomy. It snowed a little while we were there, our first snow of the trip. Berlin was interesting cos of it's history, but it would be more so for museum buffs. We hardly went into any, cos my dad's attention span is pretty short. The hostel/hotel we stayed at was really good, staff dressed in french maid uniforms served us a really sumptuous breakfast every morning. Only complaint was that we had the exact same breakfast every morning so it got a bit boring - but it wasn't too expensive, so think that evens it out.
Left - the cute red and green man at the road crossings from Eastern Germany.
right - Summer palace of the royalty in the past empire.
A church in Berlin with only its facade left. the top of the tower and the whole of its back was destroyed by bombing during WWII. Was kept in this state as a reminder of the war. A new church with a really modern design was built next to it - the grids on the left makes up the design of the new building. It was really cool inside the new church cos inside each little square in the grid is stained glass, so when u are inside looking out, it forms a nice mosaic with really pretty colours.
My dad wanted to go to a shopping centre, so we went to KaDaWe, which i believe is the oldest one in Germany. Something like that. it had a expensive and not too bad food court style eaterie at the top floor.
Rt - I was amazed at how this guy played with so many sticks, but then after seeing some orchestras play during the musicals, i realised that there are others who do it too. Thought then that he was quite a genius.
Around Checkpoint Charlie, or Charlie Checkpoint as my dad calls it.
This would have been cool if i had brought my passport along.
The famous Berlin wall,
that was torn down in most places, 
runs through carparks in some places,
and are painted over with murals at the East Side Gallery.
Many souvenir shops sell a little chip of the Berlin wall as a souvenir. Imagine how much revenue that wall generated just by falling down.
Left - My dad here hiding behind the truck from the gusty wind.
Rt - my parents peeking out from behind the large pillars. Everyone's wrapped up as if it was 30 below.
The Bunde-something, the German parliament house if i remember correctly. We had to queue for ages to get in, other than pretty architecture and a good city view, it was for the most part not worth the wait.
Along the way to the entrance of the Jewish Holocaust museum.
Berliner Dom.
Left - the cute red and green man at the road crossings from Eastern Germany.
right - Summer palace of the royalty in the past empire.
A church in Berlin with only its facade left. the top of the tower and the whole of its back was destroyed by bombing during WWII. Was kept in this state as a reminder of the war. A new church with a really modern design was built next to it - the grids on the left makes up the design of the new building. It was really cool inside the new church cos inside each little square in the grid is stained glass, so when u are inside looking out, it forms a nice mosaic with really pretty colours.
My dad wanted to go to a shopping centre, so we went to KaDaWe, which i believe is the oldest one in Germany. Something like that. it had a expensive and not too bad food court style eaterie at the top floor.Rt - I was amazed at how this guy played with so many sticks, but then after seeing some orchestras play during the musicals, i realised that there are others who do it too. Thought then that he was quite a genius.
Around Checkpoint Charlie, or Charlie Checkpoint as my dad calls it.
The famous Berlin wall,
that was torn down in most places, 
runs through carparks in some places, 
Left - My dad here hiding behind the truck from the gusty wind.
Rt - my parents peeking out from behind the large pillars. Everyone's wrapped up as if it was 30 below.
The Bunde-something, the German parliament house if i remember correctly. We had to queue for ages to get in, other than pretty architecture and a good city view, it was for the most part not worth the wait.
Along the way to the entrance of the Jewish Holocaust museum.
Berliner Dom.
Labels: germany
Sunday, August 3, 2008
June 2008 - Epernay
Epernay is a town in the region of Champagne, yes - that's where champagne comes from! This was a really good day trip for us, I thought - or perhaps the bubbly champagne had distorted my perceptions. Well how could it be, nothing goes wrong with champagne. Anyway, we went to 2 champagne houses, visited their underground cellars and learnt how champagne was made. Reaaaaaallllllly interesting. The town was also really nice, quiet and clean. Obviously the champagne from the region has made it quite a well-off town.
The first one we went to was the famous house of Moet and Chandon. Our tour was in english, though the guide's english sounded deceivingly French even from 3 feet away. Anyway we guessed at what he was saying, made lots of our own inferences, probably half of them wrong. It was cool though, seeing their underground cellar. It stretched for miles, and all the bottles were covered with inches of dust like they've been there forever. The bottles also dont look pretty at all - they could be bottles of vinegar for all you know. And apparently the french like to say that there's a whole city beneath epernay, which is quite true i would think. epernay is probably quite hollow underneath..wonder how it holds up.
Anyway the cellar wasn't just like one big space, but with many corridors with caves along the 2 sides. kind of reminded me of the catacombs of paris, only the caves along the sides were filled with bottles, not skulls. but it was really quite similar. maybe the catacombs used to be a champagne/wine cellar too.
After lunch we then went to visit Mercier, another house. This time, the guide's English wasn't french-y, so we managed to figure out what the Moet guy was trying to say in the morning. Champagne is apparently blended from more than 60 different kinds of wines, even up to 200. And the wine is from 3 types of grapes, pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay. that must be why its so ex. and after they get connoisseurs to blend the wines they still have to ferment the wine some more i think. and thats why the bottles were placed upside down in the rack like in one of the pictures above - the sediment falls to the bottom and then they extract it. Well anyway, the unique thing about Mercier was that he was a pioneer in marketing, and his aim was to make champagne available for the masses. 
This van was one of the marketing tools used to promote Mercier in the old days. Another more recent marketing gimmick was an event in which a car race took place in the underground cellar. And not a single bottle was broken during the race. Cool!
The first one we went to was the famous house of Moet and Chandon. Our tour was in english, though the guide's english sounded deceivingly French even from 3 feet away. Anyway we guessed at what he was saying, made lots of our own inferences, probably half of them wrong. It was cool though, seeing their underground cellar. It stretched for miles, and all the bottles were covered with inches of dust like they've been there forever. The bottles also dont look pretty at all - they could be bottles of vinegar for all you know. And apparently the french like to say that there's a whole city beneath epernay, which is quite true i would think. epernay is probably quite hollow underneath..wonder how it holds up.
Anyway the cellar wasn't just like one big space, but with many corridors with caves along the 2 sides. kind of reminded me of the catacombs of paris, only the caves along the sides were filled with bottles, not skulls. but it was really quite similar. maybe the catacombs used to be a champagne/wine cellar too.
After lunch we then went to visit Mercier, another house. This time, the guide's English wasn't french-y, so we managed to figure out what the Moet guy was trying to say in the morning. Champagne is apparently blended from more than 60 different kinds of wines, even up to 200. And the wine is from 3 types of grapes, pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay. that must be why its so ex. and after they get connoisseurs to blend the wines they still have to ferment the wine some more i think. and thats why the bottles were placed upside down in the rack like in one of the pictures above - the sediment falls to the bottom and then they extract it. Well anyway, the unique thing about Mercier was that he was a pioneer in marketing, and his aim was to make champagne available for the masses. 
This van was one of the marketing tools used to promote Mercier in the old days. Another more recent marketing gimmick was an event in which a car race took place in the underground cellar. And not a single bottle was broken during the race. Cool!
Labels: france
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
7 to 11 April 2007 - Luxembourg
Luxembourg.
They have 2 official languages there, if I'm not wrong - Luxembourgish, and French. Hmm...Singaporish.
Luxembourg wasn't quite what I expected. But I wasn't sure exactly what I expected, just not the way I saw it. It was surprisingly a very hilly country, not exceptionally picturesque. It was well, rather quiet, nothing much in particular to do for tourists. There's an old town, and a modern CBD district, like most major European cities. Chose to go there at the time though, just to find out exactly, well, what it was like.
At a modern art museum at the CBD, which was all the way on top of a hill in the far distance. Cherry and I got to go there cos we befriended a Mexican philosopher, Sacha, and his Austrian (then) unemployed architect friend (can't remember his distinctly German name). Well this museum was designed by I.M. Pei, the famous architect who designed the pyramid in front of the Louvre, which was why the Austrian guy wanted to go there.
Modern art is difficult to appreciate. As is architecture, if you don't know the facts.
Think this guy is restoring or cleaning the building.
They have 2 official languages there, if I'm not wrong - Luxembourgish, and French. Hmm...Singaporish.
Luxembourg wasn't quite what I expected. But I wasn't sure exactly what I expected, just not the way I saw it. It was surprisingly a very hilly country, not exceptionally picturesque. It was well, rather quiet, nothing much in particular to do for tourists. There's an old town, and a modern CBD district, like most major European cities. Chose to go there at the time though, just to find out exactly, well, what it was like.
At a modern art museum at the CBD, which was all the way on top of a hill in the far distance. Cherry and I got to go there cos we befriended a Mexican philosopher, Sacha, and his Austrian (then) unemployed architect friend (can't remember his distinctly German name). Well this museum was designed by I.M. Pei, the famous architect who designed the pyramid in front of the Louvre, which was why the Austrian guy wanted to go there.Modern art is difficult to appreciate. As is architecture, if you don't know the facts.
Think this guy is restoring or cleaning the building.
Labels: luxembourg
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