Belgium

Oct 17 (Sun): Bruges, Belgium

FINALLY...my last post for Europe trip!!! Last but not least...our final destination was Bruges, Belgium...another extremely short pit-stop (2 hours)...basically just 'touch & go'. =.=

Hmmm...very interesting balloon welcoming us to Bruges!!

Random buildings....again. =.=

I was bored so took pictures of angmoh kids and dogs instead...haha!!

Belgium is famous for its chocolates...but guess what I 'discovered' in this choc shop. :p 18sx-themed chocolates...lol!! So would you like a black or white one?? :p

Another thing that is famous in Belgium...Beers!! Rachel introduced Hoegaarden to me so I tried this one with citrus...didn't taste like beer lo. =.=

Time to say goodbye to Europe...took SeaFrance ferry back to London from Calais.

Coincidentally met WenLin 'again' when we we 'da bao-ing' roasted duck rice for dinner at Bayswater. We bumped into each other in Venice...then in London again...so ngam!!

This post rounds up my 16-days Europe tour with Expat Explore. Overall, it was really an enjoyable journey...went to so many beautiful places, met lotsa nice people in the tour especially the older ones, and had lotsa fun and laughters along the way. I know I'm extremely fortunate and blessed to have the opportunity to travel to so many places as a student...all thanks to my dearest daddy and mommy. =) I know it ain't easy for them to  fork out this huge amount of money so I saved a lot on food and hardly eat out throughout the trip just so that I can save more money. :p 

This blog has been a great platform to record my entire journey...not to show off but just for my own record. Memories fade, and that's why I'm making an effort to cherish all these good memories. =) 

Amsterdam!

Oct 15 (Fri): Amsterdam, Netherlands (Holland)

Welcome to the capital that is famous for clogs, windmills, tulips, legalized prostitution, space cake, magic mushrooms, 'drugs', etc. :p Don't get me wrong, I wasn't interested in the latter ones...lol!! To me, Amsterdam was just another country...nothing much special apart from the Red Light District...yes I know I'm boring. :p Besides, this was our 2nd last destination for the tour so I was kinda tired already.

Our first stop...Clogs & Cheese factory. I dunno why they had so many 'antique' vehicles there though.

So many clogssss!!

Clog-making demo.

Some clog-themed souvenirs.

Posing with the giant clog.

Saw windmills at Zaanse Schans. 

The weather was rubbish (very British...lol!)...was raining all day while we were there. Had to edit all these photos coz it was all gloomy and dark.

Zaanse Schans was just a 'picture-stop'...snap snap and cabut.

Took the opportunity to take pics with our tour guide (Samie) and driver (Steve) coz it was their last day in the tour. We had another driver & tour guide for the last 2 days of the tour.

Volendam...fishing village.

Honestly, I had no idea why were we there coz there was nothing to do or see. =.= 

Back to our hotel for dinner after an afternoon of sightseeing.

Went to the city center after dinner for our Red Light District night tour. 

We were advised not take pictures in Red Light District to avoid being splashed urine or acid by the prostitutes...so these were the few pics that I took. =.= Btw, coffeeshop there is not like our 'kopitiam', you don't go there for food...you go there if u want to get some 'high-ness'. :p 

This interesting shop has so many different designs of condoms. There's 'Big Ben', elephant, etc...you name it, they have it. :p

Oct 16 (Sat): Bumming in the hotel

We spent almost 2 whole days in Amsterdam...pretty good coz we had the second day free to explore the city ourselves. But guess what I did on the 2nd day?? Hehe...I was lazy to walk so decided to stay in the hotel for the entire day. :p Some people may think that it's a waste to stay-in the hotel after coming all the way (kiasu mentality). But I've seen most of the things that I wanted to see on the first day and as I've mentioned earlier, it was the end of the trip and I was kinda tired already. After all, it's 'my' holiday. :p

Went for a walk and took some pictures around our hotel. It was so freakin' windy that day that I thought I was gonna be blown away by the wind!!

Quickly took some pictures of the blue sky before it turns dark again. I was too free so used my tripod to take some crazy jumpshots.

You see bicycles everywhere in Amsterdam.

Hangout with our tour mates at the hotel on the last night of our tour. We've spent 16 days traveling so many countries together and it was finally coming to an end. 'Auntie' Mary & our tour guide belanja 6 bottles of red wine. We had so much fun chatting and laughing all night...good times! :) Didn't miss out trying Heineken in Netherlands too!

Deutschland Pit Stop

Guten Tag!! I'm back with my Europe trip updates...getting bored yet?? :p I've got lots to update and I'm seriously lagging behind now...arghh!! =.= 

Oct 14 (Thurs): Rhine River, Germany  

I've been to Germany but I haven't really seen Germany coz Germany was really like F1 pit stop for our tour...stayed 1 night only and left the next morning. All we saw was Rhine River...that's all for Germany...lol!! Well I guess that gives me a reason to travel back in the future. :p We stayed in a place called Boppard...nice little town but too bad we arrived kinda late so didn't really get to see much.

We took a cruise along Rhine River to get to Rheinlust Hotel. Rhine River is the longest river in Germany...1,300km!! In fact, the highlight for Germany was actually the hotel coz it was the nicest hotel throughout our trip and the buffet dinner was good. Too bad we only spent few hours there.

Along the way to Boppard...lotsa vineyards.

Lotsa castles too!

Had some time to walk around before boarding the cruise. Bought some souvenirs and was almost late for the cruise...whoops! :p

Sceneries along the river.

We were all busy taking photos on the top deck...it was so windy and cold!!!

Finally arrived our hotel. Rheinlust hotel. Usual routine...unloading all the luggages.

Nice hotel right by the river!! See the only room with balcony in the first pic? Haha...we were lucky to get that room. :p 

View from the balcony. That was the cruise that we took.

Walked around our hotel before dinner...nice and quiet surrounding.

The buildings looked pretty interesting.

Buffet dinner at the hotel with our tourmates.

That's all for Germany...told ya it was a pit stop. :p Next...Amsterdam!

Remembrance

Counting down 2 days to big bro's big day. My mission to complete Europe tour updates totally failed coz I've been busy working on bro's wedding slideshow for almost one whole week. 

Btw, this post is dedicated as a remembrance of Nana...very sad to hear that she left us on 4 Nov 2010. I was shocked when I saw Daniel's msg this morning...this was too sudden and unexpected. :( But at least it's good to know that she left without suffering at all. My heartfelt condolences to Donna, Daniel, Anna, and the rest of the family. It's always tough losing someone you love.

I'm glad that I had to chance to get to know Nana and spent time with her when I was in the States, all thanks to Anna & Daniel. She was really a nice and lovely grandma.I remember helping her set up Christmas ornaments, taught her computer, went shopping with her at Bridge Street before I left, and her Alabama keychain that she gave me as a farewell gift, etc.  She will be greatly missed. R.I.P. Nana.

Nice smile!

          

Grandkids...the greatest gift of all! :) Lovely grandson & grandma.

                               

I can see that she's really proud of her daughter and grandchildren.

            

 Treasure your loved ones while you still have the chance to do so.