Saturday, April 7, 2012

round the world....

its been some time again... 
its easter break right now and i'm suppose to be doing my work. 
but so sick of my 3d model i rather typ something right now.
so i decided to blog =)

just came back from another trip last week.
recently, I have been to so many places that it feels weird everytime when i manage my luggage. somewhat use to the passport handling and all that sometimes i feel that i'm missing something cause last time i would have to put more thought to packing.

After travelling to different cities and all, it really opened my eye to how different cities are like. Back then when I was home, I always said my hobby was travelling. Now that I'm experiencing it, its now something that has an entirely deeper meaning. 

Maybe explaining about each would be nice? Also for the benefit that I would be reading this again in the future and smile as I did earlier to past posts.

A. LONDON

I've always wanted to come here. Remember I used to watch documentaries about the city. The last time I've been there, I've told myself I had enough of the place. Don't get me wrong. Its a really nice city. Overwhelmingly nice.

Da shopping is horrendous.
Avoid when pockets are full or half-full or almost empty
Pic below: Urban Outfitters

The city is happening this way. 
When big occations come, everything just goes over the top - decorations, events, etc 


And finally, the architecture.
Went to all these places I see in the architectural book. 
Most of them are as nice or even nicer when I saw them.

Other than the lousy location, I love St Paul's, especially on the larger-than-life size aspect 

Most beautiful abbey ever - Westminster Abbey

Most disappointing destination - Buckingham Palace.
Didn't think it was anything great after seeing it


B. BATH

This place was surprisingly unique. When I went there, I thought I was gonna get my own retiring home there - or so I thought, since I have not went to the other places yet. Just love the place. Real hard to describe why it gives ppl a different vibe.




C. AMNESTY

Everyone says its a one-off thing. So we should just take a look right?
This pile of rocks had like tonnes of things to tell, according to the audio guides. 

It looks great but that's all there really is. 

Like really....

D. BERLIN

Upon visiting the city. There are three things that describes it: 

One, Cold (even the atmosphere it gives)

 Two, the great Modern Architecture.
Of course, being the origin of Modernism painting and all.
Not to mention, Bauhaus.


 and Three, the Air of the World War II that it brings in (or is it the Nazis?)


  I just think the aura of the past is still there. Or maybe its just the weather then - winter. Or is it the amount of holocaust museums that I visited.

E. France

hahaha.... I know its not a city. But can't leave this out. I have not explored the place or anything, since I've only passed by the country. Can't believe I've spent all this time buying a french dictionary and even writing a novel that took place there and all I did when I arrived there at my first time is to drive pass the place =_=


F. Amsterdam

When I signed up for this, I didn't expect to receive so much. The city really surpassed my expectations. There is the good and bad of course:

Not sure if this took place in Holland or Belgium or France, 
but the mix of the mist with the sunrise was just exhilarating.


Then, came the canals. 
I have not been to Venice so I do not know how nice would that place be. 
But coming to a city that has a canal at every 200m or so just gives that really chilling feel. 
Complemented with those cozy buildings with different details of every kind, 
I personally love this city to bits.

The Transportation.
Bicycles everywhere. 
the pathways for cars and bicycles are differentiated by mere difference of brick colours.
it was confusing at first - when the trams just randomly crossing through a small but happening shopping street and all.
 but after adapting, it makes the place that much more homey, due to the absence of tar and bitumen

Delft Blue
Just love the details.
Bought some home as well =)

Tulips
Never seen so many in my life.
I thought I would be seeing them with windmills.
But I guess those are just photoshop, or nowhere near amsterdam.



Now comes the BAD:

As pretty as the city might be. Its full of two things -sex and drugs.

Red Light District
although i can say that it was interesting to visit such a place,
it really is sad to see this face of amsterdam.

Sex Museum,
more than enough of 'parts' to last me for ten lifetimes. 

'Coffeeshops',
these are everywhere.
I never really understand how bad it is to have these at every street of amsterdam until i tried it myself.
The feeling when i got to that stage wasn't pleasant at all. 
everything was so blurred. so uncontrollable. so lost.
Didn't like it. Don't understand why others do. 
But oh well.

The culture, the people, the atmosphere of each city is different. Each has a different unique-ness that just makes them what they are. I really understand that now and would like to see more in the future. The public transport, the cashiers, the buildings - experiencing them all gives me new perspectives of how things can work. Its interesting to figure out why ppl in London are so distant while ppl in Amsterdam are so quick to be your 'next door neighbours'.

Nice. A post of my recent travels.
Was suppose to whine about all de nostalgia.
But I guess that shall have to wait.

Am done now. Bubbyez.