Around The World

Headed to frankfurt again. Its quite a boring place indeed, and the street seems quite gloomy. Even the weather dictates so.

The sky was starting to loom with clouds as I happy went out without an umbrella. It started drizzling and I continued walking under the rain until I was so irritated with the drizzles that I bought an umbrella at the drugstores.


The weird structure.

The exhibition/convention hall where everyone headed to.

In an attempt to head to the town area. The concierge told me to walk there which is only 10 - 15 mins but I was too lazy and decided to take a tram instead. In Europe its always kinda easy to get around in trams and I love it! The first time i took this tram, I paid for it but no one checked my tix. Subsequently I just gave up buying tix and took free rides. Just too troublesome trying to do that.

 

Took a pic of the station so that I can find my way back home after that. So I took tram 16 to HBF (Habahnof) where its a central station for transits.Then walked from KaiserStrabe all the way down the street but it was like a dead town where supposedly its the shopping area. Bought a sim card from T-Mobile for 15 euros where there's 10Euro of credits, and I can access the net with just 0.99C Euro per day. Good deal!

 

The building was being demolished and everyone was just taking pix of it.
 

This is the Zeil area which is much more happening. Its at the Hauptwache station. I could have just taken a train here instead of walking through such a long distance.
The only clothes I bought was from HnM. Everytime I headed into HnM i came out with something new! And even in New york, I only got HnM clothes! The european skincare brands like La Roche Porshay, Avene, Vichy was cheap here, and I had to stock up on my avene!

Back from New york this time. I was sooo shagged from the flight and had a nap once i touched down. Didn't join the rest for lunch cos I don't really know them and I hate having to talk to people when im so tired. Would love some quiet time alone, so here I was, happily having dinner without having to entertain others after a short nap. Wanted to continue sleeping but if I did that I wouldn't be able to sleep at night!

Wanted to try my luck to catch a symphony concert at Alter Oper but apparently the cashier closed at 2pm and I couldn't get any tix. Its so depressing, everything closes so early here. I still love asian countries the best, shops operate till late trying to stash every single cents from consumers. But shoppers happily shop till they close as well, so its a win-win situation.  

 

 

Had a awesome good night sleep and headed out to meet my batchgirl! yayss, so happy to finally meet someone you're really comfortable with.

Outfit of the day - H&M blazer and pants. Love the hot pink blazer and colourful pants. Both were a love at first sight and I HAD to buy it! Loving H&M!

Had a long walk to Mario Lino, the crew joint. Had cravings for the pink sauce pasta - its a mixture of cabonara and tomato sauce so its not too gelate after awhile. Taste really good! YUMS!!

It was a sunday so everything was closed except for the easteries and some random convenience stores. Luckily I went to the supermarket just a day before to get sausages and everything I needed! =) 

Touched down in sydney and checked in to Hilton Sydney. Its right smacked at the city center so getting around, eating, shopping is convenient! However, the wifi service is one of the worst in the world, like seriously! The wifi was down the entire day and they just connect you to their external service provider help desk when you have a problem with the wifi. Took me awhile to get it done and I couldn't get any wifi till just before bedtime.



Just after a nap, headed out to sydney opera house! There's a free shuttle bus, 555 and green in colour opposite the hotel which brings us to circular quay. From there, its just a short walk to the opera house!

 

Awesome view at sunset.

 

Took a ferry from circular quay to darling harbour cos I wanted to see the fireworks. Just nice that it was a saturday and there's fireworks every saturday! The ferry ticket only cost 5.60AUD for a one way trip. Ohh the ferry even has a name, and he's Mr Alexander! 

Gotta get a ticket at the ticket counter at Booth 5. There's also a ticketing machine for self-service. 

Awesome view we had at the edge of the ferry! Its sunset and I love it!

 

 

When the ferry first stopped, we all thought we have reached and happily jumped off the boat till we heard the crew saying "To darling harbour, here". oooooooops! Then we rushed back onto the ferry again!.

 

The exhibitionist koala! Just one little koala being put out there in the open area and everyone was trying to snap a picture of this cute little animal! Seems like my next trip to aussie is to the zooooo to see koalas and kangies!

Randomly popped into a pizza joint to have pizza. Its just outside the area where the fireworks are gonna be put so at least we won't miss it.

Yummilicious pizza! Pizza can never go wrong when you go to western countries.

 

Attracted by the loud music and the crowd, so we took a peep into what's going on. This duo street busker dancer has good moves and rather entertaining. They go around doing handstands, somersault, spinning each other around and they must have been practising alot!

Waited for awhile before the fireworks started. Its supposed to start at 8pm as said on the internet, but till 830 that it began! Arghhhh but its super nice and I love it! So, the wait is still quite worthwhile.

 

 

 

Had lunch at one of the restaurants along the street of food where this guy was trying to get us to eat there. The price seems quite reasonable, like 10.99euros for a set meal with drinks and fries and salad and main course, and 5.99euros for pizza. But the fries and salad and main course all came in one plate, so feel a little cheated? Like isn't it supposed to be that way anyway?! Then we ordered a proscuito pizza to share.



Alfresco dining at these colourful chairs and tables. Its only possible with the nice weather around



 

Beautiful view of the city and the river. Too bad didn't had a chance to take the boat along the river.

Only had limited time to shop and had to rush for dinner that we were forced to go. Ohwell, luckily the food was still not too bad if not I'd curse and swear till she goes rotten!

There's this DUTCH FAT ASS STEAK ?! HAHAHHA so issit the ass of the cow that you're eating?

Castell is famous for its ribs so I ordered this and shared, since we were still full frm lunch just a few hours ago? It looks kinda awesome, and quite tasty too. Its on this wooden board atop the rattan mat so gotta eat on my lap. Quite uncomfy though and my leg was numbed after eating.

Then headed out to the well known red light district. Didn't know about it until I heard from the rest! So it was a pretty long walk esp under the uncomfy shoes that I was wearing, or rather the pain from my feet!

Had to walk to dam square, and its just another 5 minutes walk.

Walked past this shop full of graffiti, and I wonder how they make money out of it!


Walked around the red light district and I was damn amazed how liberal they are about prostitution and sex. Walked down an aisle with small rooms lit up in florescent light such that everything seems pinkish and glowing; kinky stuffs hanging around the room. The prostitutes clad in glowing bikini danced and shook their butts behind the doors. Once they have business, the curtains are closed. There's some aisle where the girls are kinda fat and gross, and we past by this monstrous looking woman who looked damn freaky. No pics are allowed in the area, and when this china man across the river tried taking picture of a prostitute, she totally flared up, opened the door, pointed at him and screamed at him, then slammed the door. Then we were trying to take self shot pictures of us, and the prostitute across the river thought we were taking pictures of her and she just shouted at us. Like look at yourself in the mirror??

Then walked past this moulin rouge live sex theatre where the guy pulled us aside and said STUDENTS have STUDENT PRICE. Funny how asians all look so young to them and they thought we are students! Its only 25euros and he claimed its an hour show which goes on all night long repeatedly. Ok, so we got persuaded by his "student price" and bought the ticket. Its all part of The Amsterdam Experience. Ok, so inside is damn pathetic, like in front of the stage there's only one row of seats and the rest are all at the side and gradual raised platforms. What a stupid layout? Only those at the front seats have a proper view. Those poor students like us are blocked by big heads. Its quite a crappy show anyway - no curtains and the girls after stripping have to pack up their own clothes and leave the stage? like so pathetic right? Then there's this damn clumsy fat girl who was damn rough and unsexy, such a sore to my eyes. Actually all the girls are kinda fat and low standard, nowonder its only 25 euros! HAHA, cheap things doesn't come good.


Swans spotted along the river.

Brunch at the famous pancake corner. They sell everything pancakes - sweet, savory, even pizza! Interesting!

Hawaiian pancake!

 

 Took a tram to central station to take a train to the village at Koog Zaandijk. The train ride is just 30 minutes away. Its actually quite easy to get around in europe with the extensive network of trams and trains! Think the only difficulty is the language barrier that makes it hard to communicate with others when you lose your way or try to get a ticket.

 

Bought some random snacks, and saw this machine where you can just slot in coins, then open the ledge and get your snack. Its still piping hot and tasting nice! Good for rush hour morning bites grabs!  

 

Yay, finally at the village where all the windmills are!

Blueberries spotted on the walkway!

 

Amazed by the lift bridge!

 

Green wooden houses which are the traditional dutch architectures.