First Departure.

I hate to face departures and separations.
Yes, nothing goes on forever in this world.
There will always be an end.
Last night, the first person in our group left.
It's this Hungarian guy.
I am supposed to be mugging super hard which apparently I am
But I promised to be there to bid goodbye at his "party"
So I went.
I don't interact with him much
Probably around 5-6 times but he takes really good care of me
Like when we go out to watch football matches etc.
He says he thinks I am a very well-behaved girl, carry myself well etc.
So he asked me when am I going to visit him in Budapest?
I told him about my problem with the expensive tickets to Budapest at around 80 EUR.
Guess what he said?
"I will pay half the price for you."
Plus accommodation is provided.
He's a rich guy apparently.

I would love to do that but NOT THIS SUMMER I GueSS
My trip has already been planned.
I don't want any changes. :)
But bidding people goodbye is just so sad...
I could contain my tears though because we still weren't that close.
I can't imagine when I have to bid someone goodbye,
I doubt I can control my tears.

The thought of not seeing someone maybe for the rest of my life just hurts me so much. :(

"It's too late......"

Grona Lund.

Grona Lund.24th May 2008

Grona Lund is the theme park in Stockholm! It's like the Tivoli in Copenhagen but I think it's slightly smaller? I missed the tivoli gardens in Copenhagen because it was Easter and winter. Theme parks only operate in summer!

Posing with all the small kids! :)

There's even a live band performing inside the theme park!!

It was a great day out. Kenneth.Seng Wee.Fazli and I were supposed to be visiting the secret rooms of Stockholm that morning but the queue was long everywhere so we decided to skip it and go straight to Grona Lund first. :)

Anyway, one lesson learnt in Stockholm-NEVER EVER MEET UP AT MACDONALDS!
Why? Apparently there are always a million Macdonalds wherever you go. So Kenneth told me to meet at the Macdonalds at T-Centralen when he was actually at the Central Station Macdonalds. The thing about all these European Cities is that there's always the RAILWAY station (Central Station or Terminal Station they call it usually) and the Metro (MRT) Central Station. It's different! Yes, the metro and the railway station are usually close to each other but it's still not the same! So I went to 2 different Macdonalds in T-Centralen and I couldn't find them! Fed-up as I was, I just called him and asked him to explain where the exact location was? Then I REALISED he was at the one at CENTRAL STATION!!! But I don't blame him. I should have guessed it was that one because he said it's the SJ ticket centre and SJ is the service for regional trains to go to other cities in Sweden or maybe Norway or Copenhagen.

Hanging around by the river before we set off for Grona Lund. It's just so relaxing. Which explains why I don't want to leave...

There's like this March Pass on our way to Grona Lund.

We bought a RIDE PASS plus the Entrance which costs us 290SEK since we got a group discount because we bought 10 tickets altogether. There were some other students from the school that Kenneth and gang were studying at and surprisingly, they are students from SINGAPORE! 1 NUS.1 NTU!! Surprise! Their friends were mostly Engineering students and from what I observed, I really think that Engineering students are in stark contrast to Business or Finance Students! Their thinking, their behaviour, their attitudes, their DRESSING... I would argue that their personality and their field of major is like the chicken and egg problem. Does their personality determines the kind of major they choose or did the major they choose shaped their personality? Like my neighbours and friends from Stockholm or Europe in general, they are always about being stylish, appearance, communication etc.. But those Engineering students that I met were more stylish, simple and casual, less open etc... Of course, I am not judging anyone here. It's just my personal comments and observations... :)

Crazy Frit Fall...

See how high we were!

Katapult.It bounces while in air. Damn Scary but I like it! There's this waiting period which lasts about 20 seconds in between and I thought we would be lowered slowly already since we have gone up and down twice! So I just talked to my neighbour pointing at the sky tower which we see from afar. God knows the katapult was released 1 second after I say "SKY TOWER!" Shucks. Totally unprepared.

Back to what we did... it was crazy! All the free falls, katapult, roller coaster, viking ship, magic carpet, scary train blah blah.. We figured out that we need to complete 11 stars to break-even with our ticket so we visited all the 3-stars rides first. Also, it's because 3 stars are usually the more exciting ones that give you the adrenaline rush! The whole idea was about SCREAMING! If you don't scream, you don't get the excitement and thrill. I see some people who were really cool during the whole ride and I seriously wonder if they feel anything?? How can they just keep quiet and not make any sound at all?!!?!! I can't wait to go to Gold Coast to try on the THUNDERBOLT. Everyone says it's damn scary but I love such excitement! It thrills me!! There were videos too but you guys gotta go to Facebook to see it because Kenneth tagged me in them but I am unable to download it.

5 adults squeezing into a small teacup! Gosh! We are so extreme. But it's fun!

Reliving our childhood. That's the merry-go-round horse ride. :)

Along the journey, we met these 2 really cool kids, one from Russia and the other Ukraine! The Russian one was slightly older and he could speak English rather fluently. The Ukraine one was so reserved and he's quite closed to outsiders. I thought he was really cute and our conversation was as follow:

71:"Do you speak English?"
UB:"No."
71:"Where are you from?"
UB:"Ukraine."
71:"Do you know Shevchenko?"
(Ukraine Boy immediately takes off his jacket and turns 45 deg displaying his AC Milan Jersey with the wordings Shevchenko!)

I decided to disturb him a bit so I took off my outer jacket and showed him my MANCHESTER UNITED Jacket. Guess what he did?

He gave him a THUMBS DOWN.

Throughout the conversation, we were just using body language to communicate. But he's so cute! I think he should be a Chelsea fan now though he's wearing a AC Milan shirt. Further, Manchester just beat Chelsea to the UCL. So that explains the THUMBS DOWN!

I wanted to take a picture with him but he wasn't too willing to. The Russian kid was more spontaneous and immediately agreed! To spice things up, before he left, he said,"Give me a call if you want. My number is 2919**!"

All of us were STUNNED! He's probably 10 or 12 at most but he sounded he's like 20 or 22!

Russian.Ukraine (him & his Sheva Jersey).Singaporean.

Don't you think that Ukraine boy is really good-looking? Ukraine boys are smart! :)

To the rides.. Initially everything was great. But the thing about theme parks is the queues are long so after some time, you get sick of it when you have to keep queuing for it. So we started to get a bit restless but I would say we covered at least 70% of the rides so it was worthwhile! Then it was almost sunset by the time we leave at around 8:30 p.m. Managed to get a few really good photos but we didn't watch the sun set totally because that would probably be around 9:30 or 10:00 and we were starving already since we didn't really eat anything for fear that we will all PUKE!! haha...

Group photo! :)

And the beautiful sunset at 8:30 p.m at night! :)

Anyway, it was a really nice day out! Something I like about Europe, you slow down. After the whole thing ended, we just "recky" around the island. Btw, the time was 9 p.m when this photo was taken. The sun never sets fully now!
Honestly, would you ever have a picture of your friends and you just sitting on the grass in Singapore? I doubt so. :( But we should try when we get back okay? But you have to not mind the dirt and wet grass though. :) We all have to learn how to slow down seriously.

Out-dated pictures. Stockholm Panorama.

Milan (day 7.8)-8th.9th May 2008

Headed to Milan in the afternoon at around 2p.m.
Our ticket was actually an evening one at 5.17p.m
But we decided to go early so that we can walk around Milan a bit.
Seriously, Milan is BORING!
Just get there if you want all the High-End goods.
The only famous attraction is probably the Duomo Cathedral.
Honestly, everyone is Milan dresses in the most fashionable way possible.
So you really have to watch what you wear.
LV.Prada.Gucci.Bulgvari.Chanel
They are everywhere!

Anyway, some funny stories on the train to Milan!
Because we didn't take the train that we are supposed to
Halfway through the journey when the ticketing officer came up
We had to alight.
Otherwise we have to pay a supplement of 27,40EUR for the more comfortable train.
Yet another trick learnt.
I think I am becoming so dishonest!!

It's a pity that we didn't manage to see the steps in the Duomo Cathedral.
The opening hours to get up is 9a.m-5p.m
By the time we were there
It was already 6p.m!
I definitely can't go the next morning because my flight to Greece is at 11:50 a.m
Yvonne could have gone there herself but she didn't want to.
So she went to the Airport together with me.

This is one of the most stunning Cathedrals I've seen. Too bad we didn't manage to get up the steps. You can't see it from here...

The interior.

The most scary thing that can happen when you travel happened just 50 minutes before my flight.
Apparently she forgot to bring the credit card which she had used to pay for her flight back to Singapore.
The airport personnel didn't allow her to fly.
It was stated very clearly on the booking itinerary.
They suggested that she buy another ticket at 900EUR! That's insane!
So there was a lot of discussion, phonecalls all around and finally we managed to settle it at 11:15 a.m, in time for me to fly to Greece.
I can't imagine what would happen if she had to buy another ticket.
I can't miss my flight to Greece either because I've paid for everything.
So lesson learnt: Always bring the credit card which you make your booking!

Milan Malpensa Airport. Hong, does that ring a bell to you?

This girl is damn cute. She was running all around the bus. Why this bus? It's actually a shuttle from the terminal building to the air-plane. Many of Italy's airport has this feature. It's not because it's budget. Their runways are just too far away from their terminal building. :) Her mom was busy making some phonecalls and kept asking her to sit and stop moving about but she just refused to listen. When she call me taking photos, she posed for me! So I asked if she wanted to have a shot, CHAK. I took it. She was so happy when she saw it. Btw, her name is Michelle. :)

71 to Michelle:'If one day when you grow up and am able to surf the web, I hope fate brings you get to this blog so you can see how you looked like years back and remember this brief encounter of us.'

Ciao Bella Italia, Hihi Greece!

Venice (day 6.7) 7th.8th May 2008

Before we could reach Venice, we had to wait for the night train as usual. It was a long wait! We reached Campo Di Marte train station at around 23:15 a.m and our train was at 01:47. So basically, we waited 2.5 hours! As usual, all the weird people in the train stations. Chatting was our way of killing time I guess.... But it was nice. I had a lot of insights from that talk. I discovered new ways of bettering myself. :)

We were really fortunate because on the train, we met this group of REALLY NICE Italians traveling in a group of 4. The husband guarded the door for us the whole night. He got a stool and sat outside the cabin while his wife was snoring away inside the cabin. He was very helpful. Though he couldn't speak English well, he tried to make conversations with us. The thing about traveling on trains is you have to be really careful not to miss your stop. Otherwise, SCREWED is the word that you gotta pull out from your dictionary once again. Haha... I told him where we were heading to, Venezia apparently and 2 stops before Venezia, he actually woke me up and told me we are reaching. Of course I'd the train timings and I'd set my alarm but his reminder beats my alarm clock isn't it? Then when we finally arrived at Venezia, he helped us with the luggage etc. I really appreciate his help. There wasn't any way I could thank him except telling you guys about him.

As the city comes alive!

Arriving at 5:40 a.m in Venice was definitely not a wise choice. The city is still fast asleep and though we found the hostel in 20 minutes, the reception was closed. I'd to ring the bell 3 times before the lady was willing to come down and store our bags... Tired to walk, we just spend 2 hours waiting outside the reception. This time, we slept. hahaha... Check-in could only be done at 8 a.m! WTH?

Venice is beautiful in the sense it's surrounded by water and buildings are really those typical ancient ones. Other than that, there isn't much to do. Yeah you have to go for the Gondola of course but it's freaking 100EUR for 50 minutes! Guys, it's definitely a great tool to propose to your girl. :)

There isn't any form of metro or bus to travel within the city. You either use the water bus or your legs! haha.. Of course we opted for legs. Why? The water bus is expensive, crowded, stinky but you get to see the city on the river. I wanted to get to Murano Island on the 2nd day but Yvonne didn't want to go on it and I didn't feel great leaving her behind so I opted out. Instead, we took an afternoon train to Milan.

We practically spent 6 hours walking one round the city.

Your legs get tired but you see every single inch of the island.
You cross at least 30 bridges along the way.
See at least 50 Gondolas.
Pass by almost 100 venetian art shops.
Glance at a minimum of 30 gelato parlours.
Smell the fragrance of Italian pasta and pizzas at least 30 times.
Admire the graffiti done by the locals.
Blah blah blah....

That's the advantage of walking. :)

Venice streets.

Tons of Venetian art.

HUGE PIZZA!

The million bridges that you will see...

I like this shoe! Even the rubbish bin has some design added to it?

Not to miss out, the most important place in Venezia! San Marco Piazza....
Have you ever seen the square in shows about the "pigeons square" in Italy?
Yes, it's Venice!!!
Never in my life have I ever seen so many pigeons at one instance.
See the pictures and videos and you will understand...

I wanted to go through the secret passageway in the Palace
But guess what?
It's fully booked! Unbelievable.
The next available timing is on the following Monday!
It's a pity... :(
Of course we didn't pay to go up the bell tower etc.
We are kind of sick of all these touristic thing already...
Plus after talking to so many of my friends who have been travelling around
We came up with a conclusion.
You don't have to pay and go into all those tourist attractions as an indication that you've been to that place.
Sometimes just walking around, sitting by the cafe, talking to the locals feel even better....
Of course you cannot miss out the highlights like colosseum etc but all those bell towers?
Skip them. :)

The no.of pigeons is equivalent to the number of tourists that you see.

Column of victory

A church. I don't remember the name though.

I like this clock tower!

Check? PROPOSAL SUCCESSFUL! Like I am some superstar with my fans behind.. wahahaha..

At around 5, we headed back hoping to get proper sleep!
Yeah, so I dozed off from 5-7!
Took another short walk at 7 because I want to catch the city going to sleep...
But the sky is still quite bright!
Anyway, the Venetians sleep early.
The city becomes dead by 8?
Yeah except for the bars and nightclubs of course.

Oops, highlight of the trip.
Yet another hunk I met.
We were bunking with these 3 other Americans in the hostel.
Yvonne couldn't find her mobile phone and my mobile phone is unable to call out because I don't have enough credits.
So I tried to borrow the cell phone of this hunk.
He thought I was asking him for his number and he took out the left-over portion of his SIM Card
I was so stunned and I immediately LOL and started explaining things..
At this juncture, a female friend of his inside the room stared really hard at me with the "What are you trying to do?" face.
As if I was flirting with his boy.
Oh come on, I need to BORROW the CELLPHONE not get his NUMBER!!
Anyway, his phone was flat so I turned to this other ABC for help.
God! He's damn stingy!
He was like,"Oh each time I dial a number, it eats away 1.50 EUR of my credits."
Come on, we can pay you back.
Don't be such a miser.
Anyway, after tossing and turning the bed countless times, we found the phone.
I didn't have much chances to talk to him.
All I know is he's from New Jersey and that he's on exchange in BARCELONA!!

Too bad he's heading back to NJ in 2 days' time otherwise I could have seek accommodation from him!!
Anyway, that's about it on my Venice trip.
We just walked around most of the time taking pictures! :)

The University area..

A different kind of mcdonalds burger. It's called Mctoast. Very nice!

This boy is so cute. I wanted to ask him to move a bit so that I could take a picture and he thought I wanted to take a picture. So he just walked nearer to me and I couldn't care less. I took with him. His parents looked at me in DISBELIEF! hahaa.. Omma, he's XMM in disguise. Watch his Cap?

2008_The year to remember!

As the city prepares to go to sleep....