description

"A little girl from Singapore, A big boy from Sweden, together they meet, and together they fall in love with each other "

Tracy Chapman - Change

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Trip to Edinburgh, Scotland!

During the stay in Manchester, my colleague and moi took the express train up to Edinburgh,Scotland.

My sightseeing kakis!!
Don't you think she looks alot like Jamie Yeo? With the big doeful eyes and flawless complexion....
The train ride from Manchester to Edinburgh took like 4hours and cost 52pounds (S$156) for return tickets. Edinburgh have a New town and a Old town. Im sure you guys know what to expect in an old town. Think charming old building and cobbled stone pavements.

Along the Royal mile of the Old town

Check out when this building was built!
Year 1630...that's like 323years ago!!
We passed by two men rubbing the big toes of this statue. When asked what's the significant of rubbing the big toe, they explained that it would bring good luck to people who do so....

Moi took a close look at the Statue's big toe and true enough, the big toe looked really wore out...like tons of people had rubbed the big toe before.

Okayyyyy... i don't really believe in stuff like that...but what the heck?

Moi wants GOOD LUCK TOO!!!
(Did a google search and found this it's a statue of philosopher David Hume (1711 -1776) , completed in 1995 by sculptor Sandy Stoddart)

NOTE: Nothing was mentioned about rubbing the big toe for good luck
-_-
Our walk brought us to the entrance of Edinburgh castle

It was here that mo saw the first Scotsman (and ancient looking if you asked moi) in their traditional Kilt outfit.
(btw, im so so so tempted to lift up his kilt and find out for myself whether he's going commando style!!!)
A shop selling traditonal Kilts outftsRight at the other end of Old town is another palace, the palace of Holyroodhouse.
This is where The Queen stays when she visit Scotland.
Holyroodhouse's souvenior shop. I feel like a Queen!!Modern day Braveheart!!
Moi feel like screaming "FREEDOMMMMMMMMMMM"
If you had watched the movie, you'll know what i meant.
Pipe piper earning a living!!We went in search for the famous dog statue, Greyfriars Bobby!
The story: Bobby belonged to John Gray, who worked for the Edinburgh City Police as a night watchman, and the two were inseparable for approximately two years. Then, on 15 February 1858, Gray died of tuberculosis. He was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard, the graveyard surrounding Greyfriars Kirk in the Old Town of Edinburgh. Bobby, who survived John Gray by 14 years, is said to have spent the rest of his life sitting on his master's grave.
On the top of Calton hill. Beautiful view of the Holyrood Park in the backgroundAt the top of Calton hill, you could find the Nelson's monument as well as the National Monument.

Nelson's Monument is a commemorative tower to Admiral Horatio Nelson.
The National Monument is Scotland's memorial to those who died in the Napoleonic Wars and is modelled upon the Parthenon in Athens. Finally, our last destination. The Holyrood Park where we attempt to climb to the peak!!
Ganbatte!!!
A sign telling climbers to beware of falling rocks!
*gaspz*
It is truly steep! We climbed halfway or maybe just a third and gave up.
Both of us panting like hell
The view of the The new Scottish Parliment Building which opened in October 2004.
It's kinda amazing that we managed to cover so many touristy places in 4hours
By the time we finally got back to Mancester, it was almost 10pm and chilly as hell.

Planned to head down to Man U stadium the next day but woke up feeling totally sick. The day was spent shopping around the city area instead.

I spend 10pounds on this Mango T-shirt just to get their reuseable bag!! Haha
Tom thot i was crazy.Went for a nice Italian food during one of the night.
SEE!!! I don't always eat Vietnamese Beef noodle!! HmmphJust like London, the living standard here are pretty high. My fresh M&S 1liter Orange juice cost moi 3pounds (S$9). Survived on tesco's sandwiches (cheapest i could find) and M&S microwave food during my stay there. Tell me? Where to find cheap food like S$3 chicken rice or S$2 fish ball noodle?That's why I can't stand it when i hear Singaporeans lamenting about the rising cost in Singapore and how eating out is so expensive, Utilities bills increasing, GST increasing and blah blah blah...

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Hongkong/San Francisco trip!

Sorry for the lack of updates recently... Super duper busy right now. Too many long flights this month (I'm not complaining!) and also in the the final process of getting our place in Punggol.

The good new is: We will be getting the keys to our place on the 18th Dec.

Finally *phew*
FYI, the whole process takes almost 5months. We signed the agreement in early August. It takes like two months to get the first interview. Another two months for the second and final interview.

More blogs on the Punggol place coming soon...

Moving on, My Hong Kong/San Francisco trip! Even though I've been there countless times, It's so amazing there's always new things to do or see .

My colleagues and moi chanced upon this Authentic Vietnamese joint while out shopping.

Their beef noodles are to die for!!
I just love beef noodle!!
Vietnamese style, Thai style, Hokkien style, Teochew style...Whatever
Just gimme gimme MORE~
We also ordered their Vietnamese coffee which comes in a really special cup!
Moi having hot coffee while my colleague ordered the iced coffee
The tin can placed above the cup contains ground coffee beans. Hot water is poured into the tin can which will then slowly seeped into the cup below.End result? Super STRONG COFFEE!!
It's the first time i have tasted Vietnamese coffee and lemme tell you, It's probably the strongest coffee i have ever tasted!

After the wonderful lunch, we headed over to Macy's cos moi needed to get Coach baggies for my friend. It's only end of Oct but the store is already selling Christmas decorations! There's always something interesting happening in San Francisco. The last time moi when here, there's was like a gun shootout between two rival gangs. This time round, moi happened to witness a peaceful demonstration outside GAP store. I don't really know what they are rallying about, nevertheless, it's interesting to watch..A quick detour to my favourite pizza jointPepperoni and cheese!
Moi was so anxious to chomp on it that i took a bite before taking a photo.
(Alrite, it was three bites!! BUT STILL)
Walked by a Juicy Couture shop. I don't really care but xiaxue (YESH!! I do read her blog!!) mentioned in her blog that she wanna go to a JUICY COUTURE shop when she's in the US.

Just wanna say to her, YAAY!!! IM HERE FIRST!!
YESH! I read Xiaxue and Dawn's blog REGULARLY!!
SO?
BACK IN HONG KONG
Giordano shops are so up market here in Hong Kong.
Check out their fitting room~
While waiting for my colleague. The prices are not cheap either. The black pant that my colleague bought cost her almost S$100.We then head to our favourite dessert place. I think moi had the exact same thing on my last trip. Who cares...it just taste so GOOD!!!
The place to be seem...
Yesh! Lan Kwai Fong
It was my first time there and moi was so overwhelmed~
My colleague has a friend in Hong Kong who brought us into the club, Dragon-I.
Partying in Hong Kong is definitely more happening as compare to Singapore!!
and the crowd are so spontantous... Think of pole, bar, even lounge chair dancing!!
The interesting design of their restroom. After partying, we head down for supper or should i say early breakfast at 4am?
Tom was really mad at moi. My phone was on low batt and it died in the midst of everything. I had mentioned to him earlier that i was going out for drinks with my colleagues. Imagine his conern when he tried calling my hand phone only to get diverted to voicemail and calling my hotel room at 3,4,5am only to get no answer .

Sorry Tom...Yesh, i'll be more responsible next time.

The next day, moi head down to Sogo to buy the famous Hang Heung's wife biscuits.
The prices are reasonable and the wife's biscuits are super tasty
(unlike another brand i bought previously..Hmmph)
Me friend, Desmond recommended it to me and when i mentioned it to my colleagues, they were like "ya ya, it's very famous in Hong Kong"
Hmm, then how come i didnt know about it till now?
-_-

Fat Angelo's giving out free money..Don't ask me why i took a photo with THAT!We got a new team ger, Mira.... Since it's her first time to Hong Kong, we decided to bring her to this famous sightseeing place in Hong Kong.
Actually i cant recall what this place is called and i'm too lazy to find out..Hah
No...it's not a ghost in this photo. Mira happen to jump into the scene just when my camera took the shot.Alrite, that's better. The nice skyline of Hong Kong.
Truly magnificent
Video clip of the night view.