Catching up with life in Singapore....

Me and Kevin are at this lodge in a Barcelona suburb now. It´s a really cool place, on a hill slope with nice weather and lots of pine trees and yadder yadder yadder... It´s a perfect setting for a summer retreat. And all this for 14 euros per night!!

Anyway, I spent some time reading my frens´ blogs this morning, and I realised I missed out on a couple of things back in S´pore. Like Tris´s bday. Sorry dude, i guess it´s too late to wish u happy b day now, but I´m glad you spent ur b day in such wonderful fashion. Hehe. And I´ll be missing my Dad´s b day too. And of cos theres gonna be law camp tht I´ll be skipping as well. To all my law frens: Have fun! I´m sure law camp will be a success. And to MJ, Kwok and Yang: Enjoy Taiwan, and dun waste too much time taking pictures of the la mei there. Haha.


Anw, I think I´ll blog abt some of the ppl I know/gotten to know thru´out my trip so far.

Clive is this American guy we got to know in Madrid, and we watched the bull fight with him. Quite a cool dude. Travelling alone, hates his own country sometimes for their warmongering and hates the Republicans.

Clive (American): ¨So Alan, your country seems to be on the verge of sth big...I mean the infrastructure´s been growing at an amazing pace, you know what I mean?"
Me: ¨Not really, China´s the one that is really growing. We have more or less stagnated."
Clive: "Isn´t Singapore in China?"


Leroo is a South African white. A law student, he worked in London for a few months to sponsor his own travelling. Loves France, spent half his time there I think. Plans to return to South Africa after his travels and settle down.


Catia´s a portuguese law student. She studied in Norway for a period of time, took a yr off from her studies and went to Mozambique as a relief teacher. Now she´s in Spain working and waiting to resume her studies in Portugal. Really inspiring and compassionate individual, she impresses me with her life philosophy.


Zhang Zhen is a teacher in China who came to Sweden for his Masters, and is now travelling before returning home. Down-to-earth, very intellectual and a really nice guy. You really learn a great deal abt China by talking to this guy.

There´s a lot more, and also many more new ppl I´ll get to meet I´m sure. Aiya thts abt it. Take care everyone.

Barcelona: Where you find the Catalan soul

This is the first time that I actually have the computer all to myself, without anyone waiting in line and trying to make me feel bad about hogging the computer. Finally, back to some serious blogging.

Barcelona is the pride of the Catalans in Spain. Without a doubt this coastal city sits right at the top of the list.

We walked along La Rambla on Tue, the most buzzingly busy street in Barcelona. They have really good buskers and street performers there. One cannot help but applaud the creativity and the novelty of it all. You have angels, devils, hip hoppers, vikings, goths, ballet dancers, magicians.... whatever, the list goes on. The whole street is simply full of performers, hawkers and ppl who are there just to get a feel of the buzz surrounding this quaint street.

The waterfront is not as impressive though. Maybe its becos I expected a really beautiful beach and waterfront before I arrived in Barcelona. Or maybe its becos of the influx of tourists making the whole beach so crowded. I just didnt find it so impressive. So wat if its a nude beach? (BTW I am using a spanish keyboard now, and i cant find the blardee apostrophe, so forgive me for the grammatical errors.) But then again, I love the feeling of a sunny beach with cool winds. Not hot, doesnt burn ur skin the way it does in Spore. Spent 5 hrs suntanning today without any sunscreen and yet I didnt get burnt. Shiok.

Museu Picasso was alright. I wasnt that impressed by Picasso honestly. Maybe its becos Ive been to Museu del Prado in Madrid, where the likes of Raphael, Velasquez, Rembrandnt and Goya make Picasso pale glaringly in comparison.

The finest son of Barcelona was undoubtedly Gaudi, one of the finest architects ever to walk the streets of this city. Gaudi obtains his inspiration from nature. And you cannot miss that when u look at the buildings he designed. Sagrada Familia---the Temple of the Holy Family (I think), is the most representative depiction of Gaudis genius. Park Guell, a man-meets-nature marvel, could not possibly have achieved the same effect without the touch of this genius. I thought both were awesome. Enough said; one has to see it for himself.

I have mixed feelings abt the night life of Barcelona. I mean, the pubs are great for soccer. I love the atmosphere. Had a great time watching the world cup with Kevin, Christian, Justin, Ruby... Seriously, when it comes to football, our own pubs cant hold a candle to the pubs here. (Plus the beer is so freaking cheap.)

But every now and then something happens and it really spoils your impression of the place, u noe wat I mean?

On wed night I went out with this bunch of friends I made at the hostel. At one pt I needed the loo, so I went looking for one by myself. I came across this bunch of young spanish punks, and then they started shouting, ¨Hey Chinos, U spk Ingles?" Then they blabbered some spanish gibberish, laughed and pointed the middle finger at me. Sad racist bastards. Wat did I do? I walked away. Utterly disgusted, yet slightly amused and more than a little afraid. Lol.

On thur night I went out again. Yeah I noe. Dun blame me. I love to experience night life. Esp when the alcohol is cheap. Anw, as we were walking along La Rambla around 2 in the morning, i got separated from the grp and got myself surrounded by this grp of spanish punks. (Yes. Young, white spanish punks. Again.) They blocked my way and wouldnt let me pass. I dunno why but I stopped. (I think I was kind of thinking, "ok, lets see what u can do. Come and get me if you can." Hell I was fucking pissed with young white spanish punks by then.) Anw, they surrounded me and then I felt a hand slap my back jean pocket. Obviously the fucker was trying to rob me. But they didnt get anything cos my hands were holding onto my valuables in my jacket pocket. The next instant I pushed one of them aside with my shoulder, barged thru and walked on. Screw them.

Wat else did I do? Oh I started educating myself on cooking skills. The fiasco in Alexs kitchen was the turning pt i think. At that moment I realised I simply cant put off learning cooking any longer. Lol. It feels gd when your pasta looks and tastes better with each passing day.

There are tons of other stuff and ppl I can blog abt during my stay here, but I am tired. Its late. So maybe I shall continue another day. After all, Ruishan said this to me,
"Put pictures la you stupid idiot. No one wants to hear your long-winded talk."

It aint my fault la. U noe how freakin long it takes to upload the pics? I gotta share the computer with others. (except now, but its really late and im tired)

Watever. Still, I gotta say i love barcelona. The seafoods great, the football rocks, the ppl are beautiful (generally), I made some amazing frens here, awesome beaches.... Now, on to belgium.

Ill miss Spain. Adios, Espanya.

Beautiful ppl, beautiful landscape, and delighful food... thts wat ESPAÑYA is all abt.

Madrid- The heart of Spain

The first thing that strikes the first-time visitor in Madrid lies in one word--- beauty.

Hailing itself as the heart of Spain, this busy capital has it all... grand buildings, wonderous parks and most tellingly, lip-smacking superb food.

Las Ventas

Anyone in Madrid knows what Las Ventas is all abt. It´s the arena for BULL FIGHTS.

I got no time to outline the whole event here. Put simply, the bull is taunted, stabbed, and eventually sluaghtered. The Madristas go crazy when the bull takes its final bow and collapses to the ground. It´s like they enter a bloodlusty frenzy. I didn´t exactly like the killing, but I kind of found the atmosphere cool.ç

Madrid has a throbbing pub scene. (Im only saying this cos beer costs 3 sing dollars for a half pint. Shiok.) Anyway it was fun to go pubbing with such a cosmopolitan and varied grp. (A south african, a canadian and two Americans)

Dont have time for pics now. In the hostels there is always a long queue for internet. Adios!

Spirited yet unassuming, Portugal retains a dusty patina of faded grandeur, reminding every visitor of its glorious past as a colonial power. Even as it flows towards the economic mainstream of the EU it seems to gaze nostalgically at its past glory.

Lisbon, or Lisboa as the Portugese know it, is more than just the capital. Situated near the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon became the conduit between the world and the Mediterranean region. You can hardly find any modern skyscrapers in Lisbon. Much of the landscape remains as that of a colonial era port. Although it has the crowds, noise and traffic of a capital city, its low skyline and breezy position beside the Tagus River lends it a small, manageable feel. The Portugese are a friendly, warm people. Most of the young generation speak fluent English.


Lisbon, quite simply, stands in a valley, with the Tagus running through it. The Castelo Se Jorge, a medieval fortification, stands at the top of the city. It obviously served as a defensive fortification for the capital in past ages.


The food is cheap! We actually get fine dining at about 8 euros each, which is cheaper than Singapore (VERY VERY RARE IN EUROPE). The place has a thing for al fresco dining. Almost every other restaurant offers al fresco dining. Who can blame them, when the weather´s warm, sunny and cosy?

The thing about Portugal, and maybe most of europe in general, is the laid back lifestyle. People here bother to slow down, take a breather, enjoy life. They´re not hemmed in by the busy pace that Singaporeans are so used to.

And the sea, undoubtedly, is one of the Lisbonese favourite.

And one more thing: alcohol here is damn cheap. Wines go generally for 10-20 euros. 12 euros (24 SGD) can get you a decent bottle of red. Beer goes at 1-1.5 euros. Yep, it´s cheaper than water.

Now I need to eat my dinner.

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.