Travel makes my butt hurt

Especially when you took a 9 hr bus ride from London to Paris, followed by a 13 hr train ride from Paris to Lisbon.

Both trips had their classic moments. First the bus ride. Right before we left the station the French bus driver spoke to a man (don´t know nationality) in French. The man shook his head, stood up, turned around and asked, "Does anyone know how to get to the Dover Highway? Cos the driver doesn´t..." -Jaw drops-

The overnight train ride to Lisbon was one of those classic european train rides. Cramped compartment and drunken friendly louts who keep speaking to you in Portuguese as if you were a local, all in an old, stuttering, old style european train. Wicked.

Just went around Lisbon. I´ll post abt Portugal in a few days´ time. Right now? "Knackered".

You know it's time to slow down and take a break when you're losing your voice, caught a cold and feel too lazy to blog.

Wed 24 May






















Took the scenic route along the Thames, House of Parliament and St James Park to Buckingham Palace.
Seriously, the change of guards is overrated. Our NSFs can do better.

London really has an amazing selection of cool, beautiful open spaces. U know, the kind of place that you'd take your date to. Beautiful and romantic. Apparently Alex and Jesse have checked out all the spots. Cunning buggers.

Went on to the British National Museum and Campden Town and got to eat Chinese takeaway for 1 pound. The Nat Museum has an impressive collection of some of the oldest antique treasures around the world. (Com'on, we all know how much the Brits looted during the colonial era.) Campden is full of punks and people out to make a statement. Quirky fashion rules the place. Quite cool.




The Egypt section in the British National Museum







Went on to visit Jiakai in the evening. Honestly the guy is damn bro. I was late for 15 min, he didn't have my no and I didn't call him to tell him I was gonna be late. If it were me I would probably have left the station. But he stayed on and waited for me. Haha ok la bro enough, I can't complain.



Jk's cooking.

















Thur 25 May

Most stadiums in UK and Europe are huge complexes visible from miles away. But Highbury is different. It's situated right smack in the middle of a housing estate. That's why it's so charming I think. The place really embodies the history of Arsenal football club. It's sad that they have to demolish the place. I can't help but feel a sense of loss for one of the most successful clubs in English football.











That night I had a most unique and wonderful experience, and it belonged to Shakespeare. Went to catch a Shakespearean play at Shakespeare's Globe. The theatre is an enclosed area designed to resemble the old theatres of a bygone era. I stood in the yard, right in front of the stage, and the actors mingled and performed directly among the audience. It was very realistic.














Fri 26 May



















Cambridge is a beautiful place. It's a small town (or city? maybe) with the University taking up a large part of the land. Plenty of lawns everywhere within the colleges. I think one really does feel inspired to study in that place, particularly when you have such a rich history of excellence to upkeep.

Me, Kev, Sharleen and Chan Lek went punting in the afternoon. It was...haha, let's just say that Chan Lek decided never to go punting with newbies again after his experience with us. My punting was horrific, to say the least. It took me 20 min to turn 2 full circles and move a grand distance of around 10m. Lol.

After that we simply slacked the remaining hours away at Starbucks and a pub. It felt gd to catch up with Chan Lek again after so long. He was telling me how surreal it feels that we've all known each other for 5 yrs. True. Time really flies. Even now I still feel surprised at how close-knit we remain, what with so many of us scattered around different corners of the globe. It won't be too soon before another 5 yrs pass. Really hope that we can all continue keeping in touch and remain close for the rest of our lives. After all, these are some of the best friends I ever had.

Had a nice dinner at a London Chinese Restaurant. And we had a glimpse of the real London nightlife. The Brits really like their booze and their partying. It's amusing to see a drunkard every 500m. But then again it's their lifestyle, and they enjoy it, so what the heck. The LSE party we went to was quite disappointing though. Not as happening as what they make a London party out to be. Music wasn't great either. I think it must be because some of the University exams haven't ended yet.

Well we're gonna be stuck in London till Mon night. No train tickets. I just hope I get my voice back by the time I get to the Continent. Damn it.

21st May

Ever had one of those days when everything just seemed to click and turned out fine? Well that was basically wat summed up today.

We woke up and sat down to a wonderful breakfast of ham omelette, cornflakes and bread, courtesy of Alex. After breakfast it was time to visit St Paul's Cathedral, one of the most recognisable landmarks in London. We managed to get in free of charge as it was holy Sunday. People were streaming into the Church, getting ready for the service.


To say that the murals were beautiful is an understatement. They were glorious. Even as a non-catholic, I felt inspired simply looking at the paintings and the sculptures decorating the massive vaults and pillars of the cathedral. An aura of spiritual peace reverberated off the walls. Everyone spoke in hushed whispers, taking pains not to shatter the quiet sanctity of the place.

I lingered for a while to observe the service. By then Kev had left the cathedral to attend mass at Westminster abbey. After observing the initial proceedings I left the cathedral and made my way towards Millenium Bridge.

As I approached the Bridge I could see from a distance a gathered crowd. Cameras were flashing and I even saw a camera crew. For a moment I thought someone had died. I don't know why, but I always assume the worst when I see a random gathering on the streets. I think I'm one of those who always focus on the ugly side of human nature before anything else.


It soon became clear to me. About 50 odd people were lying together in the open area before the bridge---naked. It's a peaceful demonstration. I was shivering in my thick woolen coat, and these people actually took off their clothes and lay there topless. What was all this for? Human rights? Democracy? World peace?

Nope. It's for something else.



I was amused and delighted to bump into the gathering. I mean, how often do you get to see people lying naked in front of you in a peaceful demonstration? In Singapore we hardly even see a semblance of a demonstration, let alone something as creative as this. Not that it had anything to do with the nudity. Of cos not. Hee hee.


Lau Tee Koh


Went on to Tate Modern to take a look at the exhibition. Some of the pieces on display were puzzling to say the least. They call it modern art. At times I wondered which was more disturbing; the art or the artist? Oh well, what do I know about art? Wanted to take a few pics and let everyone see the works for themselves, but after only two shots I was told by an attendant that photography is not allowed. So too bad, I can't reproduce the art pieces here.

Took the coach to Liverpool in the afternoon. The first thing that I noticed when I stepped out of the coach---Liv is colder. WTF.

22 May

LIVERPOOL--CITY OF CULTURE 2005

When people talk about Liverpool three things come to mind: the Beatles, the football and the accent.

Well, before I started my actual tour of Liverpool, we took a short bus trip down to Manchester in the morning. Manchester is largely an industrialised city with tall buildings and boring architecture. But all that didn't matter. I knew I was there for one reason.

And there it was. My Theatre of Dreams.

Went into the Old Trafford Museum and saw for myself all the trophies (or replicas, I wouldn't know lol) that the Red Devils have won over the years. A pity they were all enclosed. I would have loved to get a feel of the trophies.



Anyway, we enquired about entering the terraces and seeing the pitch. The staff told us that we can only enter the grounds via the stadium tour, which starts at 11 am. Kev told me we didn't have enough time because the coach back to Liv leaves the station at noon. Oh well, so be it then.

Then we got back to the station and Kev took out the tic. DEPARTURE TIME--12 45. WTF. WWWWWTTTTTTFFFFF. Lesson learnt: Never visit Old Trafford with a Liverpudlian. Tmd.

We made our way back to Liverpool and visited (yeah, guess wat) Anfield. This time round, we DID take the stadium tour and saw the dressing room, pitch and players' tunnel. You can tell that Anfield is the pride of Liverpool. They took great pains to immortalise the achievements of the club over the years.

The Kop stand was named to commemorate the death of 11 Scousers who fought in Africa (on a peak named Scion Kop) a long long time ago. The stand faces the peak, so they named it the Kop.
It's a nice place, Anfield. Basket after that I realised how much I missed. Well, it doesn't matter so much becos I know I'll definitely visit Old Trafford again. And when I do that, I swear, it'll be a Match Day.





We made our way to Albert Docks after that. Want to know how cold it is? Well, Kev took a pic of me at the Docks.

But before that he took one before I smiled for the camera.


Yeah. This basically summed it up.


Had a nice dinner with our hosts Ida and Joanne after that. Went back to their place and hoppen onto the bus to London the next day.

My nephew and me at Changi Airport. The little guy sure doesn't seem like he's gonna miss me.

"Good morning....Welcome to Europe"

My head jerked up and my eyes snapped open as the pilot's voice sounded over the PA system, jarring me from the unrestful half-doze in which I've spent the last few hours. Furiously blinking in a vain attempt to clear the stinging redness in my vision, I couldn't be more thrilled when I heard the words "Dear passengers we are arriving at Heathrow Airport in 10 min time... Welcome to London". This is it. Trip of a lifetime.

Welcome to Europe I say. I had every reason to be excited. There's a reason that this destination is always in vogue. The ground has been stained by the blood of countless battles. Breathtaking architecture engrave the genius of great men into every observer's mind. It is simply.... Europe.

Kevin and me passed through the airport and the customs without incident. The customs officer did hint that she had every right to deny us entry because of inadequate information (on the address in UK). Then we saw Alex and Jesse, and the reunion started.

First thing you notice when you step out of the station: IT'S FREAKIN COLD! We quickly hopped onto the Tube and made our way to Leicester Square.

Midway the train suddenly stopped and the PA system announced, "We apologise for the delay. The train has been stopped due to unauthorised people on the rail tracks." -jaw drops-




The Tube.












LONDON--HYBRID OF THE ESTABLISHMENT AND THE AVANT-GARDE

Mighty London exudes the splendour of a bygone age. Its majestic architecture and glorious monuments all point to the force of its imperial history. At the same time, London's modernity leaps out at you everywhere you go. It is, after all, the 'hottest and coolest city in the world" (according to some at least).




One thing about London is the weather. It's cold, that's a given. It's the showers that are really depressing. They come and go as unpredictably as the performances of England's football team. One moment it's bright and sunny, the next moment the rain starts pattering down. The skies are mostly downcast and overall, the weather is depressing. No wonder Jose Reyes wanted to go back to Madrid. And they wonder why Thierry is stalling on his contract.










The River Thames--the river that flows through the heart of the city.

Trafalgar Square

The central square of London. People congregate here when there's a major celebration. The pigeons apparently love it here too.









Tate Modern has a huge collection of some weird and wonderful offerings. They call it modern art. Didn't go in though.











View from Alex's apartment, where we're staying. That's the London Eye. The Big Ben stands proudly on the opposite bank in the distance.



We visited Borough Market, the trendy marketplace of London. Tried the Huntsman Pie and the Wild Boar Pie. They're basically pies with MEAT, MEAT and MORE MEAT. Nice at first, but the fats and the cholesterol can kill.






Walked down Flint Street and was captivated by the simple beauty of the place. Even better, we were pleasantly surprised to find Temple Church (the place where Remy and Silas 'kidnapped' Teabing in Da Vinci Code). Then we realised that the Church was open for 2 hours (which, according to Alex, is a rarity). Coincidentally, the window was open at the moment we chanced upon the building! It was a wonderful moment for the Da Vinci Code fan, for me. A pleasant surprise on a depressingly rainy and dreary day.
















I met up with Aunt Molly, Uncle Charles, Amanda, Paul and their daughter Amy at Wagamama later in the day. It's a fusion Jap restaurant, extremely popular with the Londoners. Had a great time catching up and talking to them about Europe and its exciting sights.


Well I'm sleepy after a long day... dozing off. Gonna get a good night's sleep. On to Liverpool tomorrow!