Europe Day 10: Paris, FRANCE
26 Dec 2006
That's the end of the imperial splendors. We had lots of fun and undoubtedly enjoyed the eastern europe. We parted the group and headed to the romantic city - PARIS, this time on our own.
It took us a while to get our heads around their check-in system
Done!
Those two behind Rick are not our friends and I don't know what they looking at!
Munich international airport
Paris!!
I had my doubt about Paris the minutes I arrived. The airport is rather old and run-down. And that's not it. my doubt went even further when the guy who took care of our airport-to-hotel transfer kept us stand waiting while he was having a long chat on the phone. How important was the conversation I don't know and don't care but treating us like Mr. and Mrs invisible just doesn't cut it for me! The least he could do is to apologise before continued on his chat. My first impression of Paris is BAD I tell you. And I remember saying to Rick, "This may well be my first and last trip to Paris". However, the city itself soon changed my mind.
Paris is no doubt the city of romance. It is my 2nd favourite among other cities I visited this time. Have it been as clean as Vienna it would have been my favourite! Strees in Paris are unbelievably dirty. There are litters and dog poos everywhere. I wonder, and still wonder why don't they treasure such a beautiful place? I was told the possible reason, being, the city is packed with too many people thus it sort of got out of hand. Nah, not a valid reason to me. Singapore has done it and Tokyo has done it! I think it is the mentality and I'll leave it as that.
Anyway, the place is a combination of romantic setting and fashionable classy people. The whole setting (excluding the dirtiness) is just perfect although the locals are snobbish as expected. Their faces are without much expression.
Once putting the snobbery and dirtiness behind, I soon found myself falling in love with this city.
Hotel Duminy Vendôme, where we stayed
As expected, the room is small and cramped. This is basically the whole room with a tiny bathroom on the left.
Place Vendôme
It is just a stone throw away from our hotel. The elegant place Vendôme is the home to some of Paris most exclusive boutiques and the Hotel Ritz.
The 43.5m tall Colonne Vendôme consists of a stone core wrapped in a bronze spiral that's made from 1250 Austrian and Russian cannons captured by Napoleaon.
Cracking the Da Vinci Code - Louvre
I wanted to take a pic with the Eiffel Tower, but could barely see it. Fog, fog, fog!!
Notre Dame de Paris
Notre Dame de Paris is a Gothic cathedral on the Île de la Cité in Paris. The first stone was laid by Pope Alexander III in 1163 and was finally completed around 1330.
The cathedral can accommodate over 6000 worshippers and it is the seat of the Archbishop of Paris. Notre Dame de Paris is widely considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture.
The Western Facade
Statues along the roof
Magnificent entrance graced with carvings
Statue of Charlemagne 
This was the last hotdog we had in 2006
The butter crepe for dinner
Paris by night
Labels: travel/adventure
Europe Day 9: The Sound of Music in Salzburg, AUSTRIA
25 Dec 2006
A very quiet and leisurely Christmas. We spent our morning visiting the filming sites of the famous movie "Sound of Music" and hear about the authentic history of Maria von Trapp's family. Then, we hopped on to a nicely decorated horse carriage through the beautiful village.
It's a cold, foggy morning
There was frost everywhere
Trees were decorated with pressies
Nice aye?
Christmas stalls
The frozen lake
Leopoldskron Castle, which was used as the Trapp family's house in the film.
A convent
Mr. Rudolph seems pretty slack and lazy. Must be the pressie delivery. Hehe
Gazebo from "Sound of music" (16 going on 17)
Hohensalzburg Fortress
Leaving the beautiful Salzburg back to Munich.......
Labels: travel/adventure
Europe Day 8: Christmas Eve in Salzburg, AUSTRIA
24 Dec 2006It's Christmas eve! We followed the Danube River and passed the Sound of Music lakeland to Salzburg. We had a pleasant stroll in the afternoon with a very nice local guide through the historical centre, admiring the exquisite Mirabell Gardens, St. Peter's Cemetery, Salzburg Cathedral and also visiting Mozart's birthpalce in the charming Getreidegasse.
Our hotel
Alter Mart
Alter Markt is the old market square of Salzburg, just between the Getreidegasse and the Salzburger Dom. The square unites a number of attractions.
Mozartplatz
The square is dominated by the statue of Mozart which was unveiled on 5 Sep 1842 in the presence of Mozart's sons.
Petersfriedhof (St. Peter's Cemetery)
Petersfriedhof is the oldest Christian graveyard in Salzburg, dating back to 1627. The cemetery is all decorated by candles, fir branches and colourful flowers. It is peaceful, and yet beautiful. It looks just like a garden! The cemetery was also used as a setting in the Sound of Music movie.
The cemetery is a burial site for many noble families of Salzburg and other noted persons. Among them are Santino Solari, architect of the cathedral; Mozart's sister, Nannerl, a talented musician. Today, the cemetery is still a popular burial site for many aristocratic families. We were told that getting a spot here is awfully difficult but once granted, it would be a great honour to the family of the death.
View of Salzburg
Mirabell Gardens
Mirabell palace was built by Prince Arbishop Wolf Dietrich in 1606 for his mistress, Salome Alt who bore him 15 children (of which 10 survived). The palace has one of the most beautiful Baroque gardens of Europe, Mirabell Gargens. The world-famous Mirabell Gardens was also feature in the film “The Sound of Music”.
Today the Palace accommodates the office of Salzburg's Bürgermeister (mayor) and the municipal administration.
Other attractions
Mozart Residence: Located one block from Mirabell Gardens, this is where Mozart and his family moved when he was 17. Mozart composed numerous work here including symphonis, serenades, and five concerts for violin and piano. 
Residence of Christian Doppler, an expert on acoustic theory
Christmas Even Dinner
....at the hotel, together with the fellow tourists in our group. We had a belated birthday celebration for Rick and another person in our tour group (couldn't remember the name)
Gift from our tour director, Briggette
We had a nice and peaceful, yet enjoyable Christmas eve!
Labels: travel/adventure
Year of the Pig first day cover
......adding to my repertoire. Thanks to Rick, muaksss! (^_^)
Labels: notepad
The way we celebrate Chinese New Year
....is definitely not the traditional way. Well, so much we would like to visit friends and family, gobbling down those irresistaible, lip smacking cookies and all, we could only spent the day BBQ-ing with some pals. Though this is absolutely nothing close to celebrating CNY back home, this is the best way to celebrate, for not being at home.
Friends are what you could lean on when you are far far away from family......
Labels: Event/Celebration, food/drinks
Chinese New Year Eve
年除夕如無法與家人團圓, 我想.....同朋慶祝是再好不過的了.......
當然, 過年怎少得了賭呢?
可是.......我還是好想家喔~
祝大家:
豬年行大運
豬年快樂
Labels: Event/Celebration
Valentine @ Thai Panom
We normally plump for european/western restaurant when we want to have a romantic dinner. This time however, we thought we should try something different, so opted for Thai Panom located at Cambridge Terrace.
It is said that the restaurant offers authentic Thai cuisine. Well, authentic or not, I don't know, not until I've tried the local food in Thailand itself, but I can certainly tell you that their food is good, especially their green curry! I can see why it was recently been dubbed the "Best Thai" award by food and wine critic David Burton.
As for the setting, hmmm.....only average, very typical, nothing impressive really. Go there if you are after a good feed, for a romantic dinner, I say no.
Me being silly!
Labels: Event/Celebration, food/drinks
Europe Day 7: Wien, AUSTRIA
Saturday, 23 Dec 2006
We had a whole day at leisure today so we decided to join the optional excursions to the infamous Schonbrunn Palace to appreciate the summer residence of the Hapsburg. Then we spent the whole afternoon exploring the city on our own. Later, we attended a concert in one of the city's elegant concert halls.
Early in the morning, people already busy putting out Christmas trees for sale
and these are the real things, look so much nicer than those plastic ones
Schloss Schönbrunn
Schönbrunn Palace was commissioned in the 17th century by Leopold I and extended by the Hapsburg Empress Maria Theresia. This magnificent imperial summer residence is certainly one of the most beautiful palaces in Europe and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. We visited 44 dazzling staterooms and the impressive baroque gardens.
at the front gate
Dog is strictly prohibited
The Christmas Market at the palace
The Garden
The Gloriette at the top of the hill behind the palace
Schönbrunn Palace, as seen from the garden
Random pics
The traffic was bad during this time of the year. Everyone was rushing for their last minute Christmas shopping.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Statue of Mozart in Burggarten. The trebleclef is normally full with colourful flowers during summer/spring.
The pose struck by Mozart was created in 1896, depicts a scene from Don Giovanni
Looking from another angle 
Me and Mozart, hand in hand.....hehe
The Palace Gate, which once protected the older parts of the Imperial Palace
At the background is the statue of Archduke Charles of Austria who are remembered as great military leaders
Mozarthaus Vienna
Domgasse number 5 is the apartment the great composer, Mozart lived from 1784-1787. Although Mozart lived at a dozen different addresses in Vienna, it is the only one of Mozart’s apartments that still exists today. The apartment is now a museum where the life and works of Mozart are presented.
Shit, I looked like I had a bad hair day! The damn hat...(>.<)The afternoon snack
Rick and his birthday presentIt was Rick's birthday the day before. Our tour director, briggette had the whole touring bus singing the birthday song to him yersterday morning. And today, an Aussie couple was so sweet to give him a birthday present, albeit belated. Now that's a very special birthday!
Yes, this is the present
I
t's vienna chocolate!
*drooling*
Labels: travel/adventure
Europe Day 6: Wien, AUSTRIA
Friday, 22 Dec 2006
Vienna! The city of music!
Coming from some background of music, it is no doubt one of my "dying to visit" destination, to experience the city, to see how it has given inspiration to the great composers, breathing the air that they breathed.
This romantic city of music was home to many famous composers like Mozart, Beethoven, Strauss and Schubert. It was suggested that ‘during the period 1740-1800 more music of recognised greatness was composed in Vienna than in any other city of the world’.
From Budapest to Vienna
Beautiful plain all the way
I couldn't believe I was still thinking of work. What a slave! Not good, definitely NOT GOOD!
There were lots of mistletoes along the way. Sooooo CUTE!
The place we stayed
Random Pics
Albertinaplatz
The Albertina, located in the Innere Stadt (First District) of Vienna, is considered one of the most important museums on earth due to its famous graphic collection. It sits on one of the last remaining section of the fortifications of Vienna, the Augustian Bastion. It is founded in 1776 by Duke Herzog Albert of Saxe-Teschen.
The museum houses one of the largest and most important print room collections in the world with approximately 60,000 drawings and more than 1 million prints.
The museum is currently only open for exhibitions, whilst the print room remains closed.
Graben
Graben is one of the most important streets in Vienna's first district, quite close to the St. Stephen’s Cathedral. It is also serves as a main shopping area. It takes its name from the wall of one of the moats of the Roman encampment of Vindobona which was located there in ancient times.
A store dedicated to Mozart, selling souvernirs and gifts all relating to Mozart. Items range from Mozart chocolate, decors to T-shirt
The Mozart Cafe!
Even their Christmas tree decors are mozarted!
St. Stephen's Cathedral
Austria's most renowned gothic edifice, which was first built in 1147 and rebuilt and expanded over the centuries.
Visitor can climb the 343 steps to the tower-keeper's room to enjoy a breathtaking view of the city.
Gothic stone pulpit carved by master craftsman Anton Pilgram
The attention to details is unbelievable!
Tomb of emperor Frederick III
Hofburg Imperial Palace
Hofburg Imperial Palace is known as the winter-residence of the Habsburgs. It was original a castle built in the 13th century and only inhabited by the imperial family since 1918 due to the increasing power of the Habsburg dynasty. The palace is now the official residence of the President of Austria.
Augustinerkirche (St. Augustine's Church)
The church was founded in 1327, by Duke Frederick with a cloister for the Augustinian friars, hence the name. The church has been the parish church of the imperial palace since 1634 and was scene to many Habsburg weddings. There was the wedding of Maria Theresa to Duke Francis of Larraine in 1736 and later, Elisabeth, Empress of Austria, Queen of Hungary (known as “Sisi”) was married here on 24th April 1854.
The pipe organ that was once played by Bach
Monument to Archduchess Marie Christine, daughter of Empress Maria Theresa, sculpted by Antonio Canova, commissioned in 1798. The monument shows the procession of six characters into a tomb. The first three characters represent Virtue and her maids. The following three signify three ages of man (young/adult/old) as a metaphor of death looms regardless of age.
Stadtpark
The Viennese City Park is the park with the largest number of monuments and sculptures in Vienna.
I still can't get over the mistletoe!
Here again, one last time I promise!
Franz Schubert
Oh my! Johann Strauss!
Beethoven
A night affair
Labels: travel/adventure
Europe Day 5 (PART 2): Budapest, Hungary
Thursday, 21 Dec 2006
After a packed morning, we took it slow on a private boat cruising on the danube enjoying spectacular river views of the city's main sights over a light lunch. After the 1.5 hr cruise, we explored the city on our own to burn off the calories!
Lunch Cruise on the Danube
Taking a sip on their famous schnaps. It tastes like coughing medicine!
Széchenyi lánchíd (Chain Bridge): a 375m long suspension bridge that spans the River Danube between Buda and Pest, is one of Budapest's most famous landmarks.
Citadel
Budavar (Buda Castle)
Chain Bridge again
and again.....
Hungary Parliament
Gerbeaud
In the afternoon, we made a trip to Budapest’s most famous coffeehouse, Gerbeaud to experience the real splendour. The legendary Gerbeaud, founded in 1858 completes with an elegant late 19th century setting. Crystal chandeliers, marble tables, glossy wood panelling, velvet drapes and walls adorned with beautiful arts. What would be the best way to spend a quiet afternoon than sipping a fine coffee and enjoying fine pastries in this magnificent traditional coffeehouse?
Saint Stephen’s Basilica, Pest
Some random pics
Magyar Állami Operaház (Opera House):
Completed in 1884 and considered as one of the most important historical buildings in Hungary. The façade of the building is decorated with statues of 16 of the world's greatest composers including Mozart, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky.
Budapest nyugati pályaudvar (Budapest Western Railway Station)The Railway Station was completed in 1877 built by the Eiffel Company in Paris. The beautifully restored building houses the world's most magnificent fast-food restaurant, and the Information Office of the Tourism Office of Budapest.
This is the yummiest hot dog I've ever tasted!
Christmas lighting
Labels: travel/adventure
Europe Day 5 (PART 1): Budapest, Hungary
Thursday, 21 Dec 2006
This morning, we followed our local guide through through Budapest, seeing the elegant Andrassy avenue and Heroes Square. Then, we visited the 13th centruty Matthias Church, and later enjoyed a panoramic view of the sprawling city from the lacy lookout towers of Fisherman's Bastion.
Hősök (Heroes' Square)
Heroes' Square lies at the end of Andrássy Avenue is one of the major squares of Budapest, Hungary. The Millennium Memorial at the centre of the square was built in 1896 to celebrate the millennium of the Hungarian conquest of the Carparthian Basin.
The square consists of a 36-metre high column topped with Angel Gabriel holding St Stephen's Crown. The column is encircled by statues of the seven conquering Magyar tribal chiefs on its base; and two semi-circular colonnades encompasses the column with statues of Hungarian kings and heroes in Hungarian history:
(From left to right)
King St Stephen - Hungary's first king, founder of the Hungarian state
King St László - a noble and strict king, several miracles are attributed to him
King Kálmán Könyves King Coloman de Beaiclerc - annexed Croatia and Dalmatia to Hungary
King András II - participated in the Crusades
King Béla IV - rebuilt the country after the Mongol invade in the 13th century
King Charles Robert - created a strong and wealthy Hungary in the first half of the 14th century
King I Nagy Lajos (Luis the Great) - son of Charles Robert, during his reign Hungary reached the greatest expansion of its territory
King Matthias - a Renaissance King who made Buda Europe's cultural centre in the 15th century
István Bocskai - as a result of his fight against the Habsburg reign Transylvania became independent in 1606
Gábor Bethlen - prince of Transylvania in the 17th century, leader of an anti-Habsburg uprising
Imre Thököly - leader of Hungarian Protestants against the Habsburg rule
Ferenc Rákóczi - leader of the War of Independence against the Habsburgs in the 18th century
Lajos Kossuth - great patriot and statesman, leader of the 1848/49 War of Indepedence
Figures on top of the corner pillars symbolise:
War
Peace
Work and Welfare
Knowledge and Glory
The square is flanked on either side by the Szépmüvészeti Múzeum (Museum of Fine Arts) and the Múcsarnok (Palace of Art).
Múcsarnok
Szépmüvészeti Múzeum
Millennium Memorial
Gabriel holding St Stephen's Crown
The first king of Hungary, King St Stephen
King I Nagy Lajos (Louis I the Great)
Castle Hill
Fisherman's Bation from afar
Mátyás Templom (Church of Our Lady)
Matthias church was built in 1255 in Gothic style and was rebuilt in 1470 by King Matthias, hence the name.
The church is rather unique, for its combination of the baroque and oriental character. It was converted into a mosque during the Turkish occupation. It was then reconstructed in baroque style after the reconquest of Buda but some of its oriental features are still preserved.
Replica model of Matthias Church
It is for the blinds to appreciate the structure and features of the church
Halászbástya (Fisherman's Bastion)
Fisherman's Bastion is a neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque style viewing terrace at the eastern side of the Catle Hill, on the Buda bank of the Danube, around Matthias Church. It was designed and built between 1895 and 1902 with the aim to provide a beautiful setting for Matthias Church. Its seven towers represent the seven Magyar tribes that settled in the Carpathian Basin in 896. The terrace offers a grand panorama of the city.
The Bastion takes its name as there used to be a local fish market during medieval times in the area directly behind the church.
Statue of Hungary's first king, King St Stephen
View of the Parliament
View of the Danube
We were told that this building is one of the victims of world war II
bullet holes all around the building
Souvenir Shopping at Castle Hill
Labels: travel/adventure
A happy day!
Went yum cha today, just me, myself and Rick (^_^) 
Then, ice-cream at the Waterfront......
Rock melon and mango on wafer cone, double YUM!!
Later, we drove off to the Warehouse at Rongotai to look see look see.....and found heaps of beautiful stochas major lavendars, the species that I had been searching for to replace those withered ones. Yay!
It's a good day, a lucky day......A HAPPY DAY! \(^O^)/
Labels: leisure
A break from eastern Europe
My blog has recently been all about my Europe trip, nothing but the trip. I'm not sure about y'all but I certainly need a break from this instalment. It's just too much (for me anyway) that even I myself find it boring and dull. Not that I have more exciting stuff to share but may be diverging from Europe would be a little refreshing, no?
I have been busy since my holiday, you know, the usual houseworks and errands in order to set my life back to status quo. Things like grocery shopping, settling the bills, washings, gardening, tidying my shopping catches, photos processing, bloggings and all. It's been 3 weeks and am still clearing my backlogs. Then, on top of all these, I also engage myself in the new Taiwanese series "花样少年少女", a very funny series which helps loosen me up :)
There were actualy three disasters we had to deal with when we're back. Rick's fish had died. "Cha Siao Bao" and "Kolap", we are so sorry......and will always remember you...:(
Then, our postbox was damaged, causes not found.
and that's not it, half of my lavenders had withered
So there you go, the aftermath of my 4-week holiday.
Not good, no good at all :(
Anyway, as a side note, we had a very yummy breakfast this morning at Kipp Cafe down at Lambton Quay.
Labels: notepad
It took us a while to get our heads around their check-in system
Done!
Those two behind Rick are not our friends and I don't know what they looking at!
Munich international airport
Hotel Duminy Vendôme, where we stayed
As expected, the room is small and cramped. This is basically the whole room with a tiny bathroom on the left. 
The 43.5m tall Colonne Vendôme consists of a stone core wrapped in a bronze spiral that's made from 1250 Austrian and Russian cannons captured by Napoleaon.
I wanted to take a pic with the Eiffel Tower, but could barely see it. Fog, fog, fog!!
The Western Facade
Statues along the roof
Magnificent entrance graced with carvings
Statue of Charlemagne 
This was the last hotdog we had in 2006
The butter crepe for dinner
