This is the three monthly installment of my travel log once again, and this time we bring you to: Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam under the blazing summer sun.
First stop, Paris!
First group photograph: Introducing the explorers (L to R) Joseph, Hui Min, Hui Wen and Ken Wee! FYI: Hui Wen = Hui Min's sister =PPalais and Jardin du Luxembourg: This gardens are an ideal place to relax in. They were originally laid out when the Palais du Luxembourg was built for Marie de Medici in the early 17th century, but were made grander in the 19th century.
We made use of the day pass and travelled extensively on the Metro. This is our first look at the Eiffel Tower, and the photograph was taken on Champ de Mars. Originally these were the parade grounds of the Ecole Militaire, and the gardens lead up towards the Tour (Tower) Eiffel.
The rest of the day was spent resting until dinner, where we ventured out in search for a good French restaurant.
Day 2: We went straight for the Lourve early in the morning. This museum hosts the greatest art collections, including Leonardo's
Mona Lisa. The Lourve was initially built as a fortress in the 12th century, remains of which can be viewed within the building.
The
Arc de Triomphe de Carrousel marks the beginning of the Jardin des Tuileroes. It stretches from the Louvre to the Place de la Concorde. These very French 17th Century gardens once belonged to the old Palais Tuileries. The past decade has seen a lot of replanting of trees, and the gardens are dotten with cades, ponds and modern sculptures nowadays.
This fountain is located at the Place de la Concorde. Originally named Place Louis XV, this square was the scene of more than 1000 executions during the 1789 Revolution. The traffic around this square is crazy.
Heading further down, we are back at Eiffel! Arriving from the Palais de Chaillot, we stopped for a while for a few photogs.
Joseph and Hui MinTour Eiffel is held together by 10,000 tonnes of iron, and it is arguably Paris's most famous landmark. Constructed by Gustave Eiffel for the 189 Universal Exhibition, this most soraring of structures stands at 320m and ramined the world's tallest building until the Empire State Building.
Hui Wen and Hui Min atop Eiffel. In the background is the Ecole Militarie and the Champ de Mars. On a clear day, we can see up to 80km from where we stand! And thats' what is in the background. Cool!
Day 3: Versailles. This is the garden of Versailles, with the Palace of Versailles in the background. Versailles is very huge, and by the size of the Palace in the background, you could probably guess that the Gardens is even larger. We spent a good 2 hours sitting around the garden just soaking in the sun and the breeze.
The lot of us sitting on the steps leading to the Sacre Cour. Every photo have to have a few spoilers walking around. Sacre Cour: In 1870, the Prussian army laid siege on Paris, cutting off all her food supplies. Two wealthy Catholics promised to build a church if their city was spared by the invading army. Hence, when the Prussian Army finally withdrew from the capital, this gleaming white balistica was completed in 1914.
Both the Sacre Cour and Moulin Rouge sits in the heart of the Montmartre district. The hill of Montmartre is the highest point in Paris, lying just north of the city centre. The base is surrounded by noisy boulevards, and it is not until you turn off into the winding side streets that the atmosphere changes from a big city into a cosy bollage. This old artists quarter was made famous by the likes of Matisse and Picasso who lived and worked here before WWI.
Day 4: We slept late and left the hotel very late. Needed to catch up on some rest after too much walking and exposure to blazing sunlight. It did us good, because we were all fresh to tackle what's left in Paris to come.
Ken, Hui Wen and Joseph, with Notre Dame in the background.Notre Dame. This enormous church was started in 1163 when Pope Alexandre III laid the first stone, but it was 170 years later and a couple of generations of architectural approach later before it was completed. The exterior is awash with flying buttresses and gargoyles, which inside, there are intricate stained-glass windows and medieval statuary.
I had to hunt for my dinner....After Notre Dame, we got ice cream from the famous shop on the Ile de la Cite. The rest of the day was spent site seeing, window shopping and food oggling. Dinner that evening was a great meal. Try melting cheese and dipping meat in them yum. It's a little salty though, but that's the price to pay for trying a novel meal
*grin*.Day 5 was a backpacker's disaster day: I had this conception that Belgium are full of unfriendly people, and Even on my third consecutive year travelling to that country, I still maintain that notion. We had to get tickets to Amsterdam the next day, and despite travelling to
Four Eurolines stations, we couldn't get anyone to help us.
Grr.. It was almost time for dinner by the time we got to our hostels, so we just stowed our bags and went out for a walkabout and search for dinner.
Day 6: Brussels.
Joseph and Hui Min, outside the Comic Museum, BrusselsThis museum houses the history, lifeworks and artworks of modern and traditional comic drawings. The most famous of all housed in here would be the all familiar Tin Tin.
Hui Min and Hui Wen inside the Museum.The rest of the morning and early afternoon was spent walking around the city centre, drooling over chocolates and buying chocolates. We boarded the Eurolines bound for Amsterdam that afternoon. It was almost 11 by the time we settled into our dodgy hostel called Shelter city, or affectionally called
Refugee camp. Now you know where not to go to in Amsterdam.
Day 7-9: Amsterdam at last.
Woke up early despite having a bad night and walked out to a rather dead Amsterdam City.
Ken, Hui Min, Hui Wen at the Herengracht.There are 3 main canals in Amsterdam, the Singel, Herengracht and hmm I forgot the last. But basically, the waterways of Amsterdam are always busy, but together with the rather unique architecture of the capital of Netherlands, it gives the place a very unique look (in the day that is).
Joseph and Ken at the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church).
Where we are standing on is the Dam Square. The original site where the first dam was built across the Amstel River in 1270. Dam Square lies at the heart of Amsterdam and contains a number of important attractions including the Koninklijk Paleis (Royal Palace) and Nieuwe Kerk.
Just beside it is The Koninklijke Palace in Amsterdam which is occasionally used by the Dutch Royal Family. Today, it stands as a landmark in the middle of the Amsterdam city centre, its open square the site for buskers and tourists.
Me and Hui Min at Westerkerk.
Amsterdam's skyline is dominated by this church which dated from the 17th century. There's a good view of the city from the 85m tower and Rembrandt is buried in the adjoining graveyard, although the exact location of his grave is unknown. We were running a little low on cash and didn't climb up the tower though the view would have been really magnificent. Why pay 5 euros to climb a tower?
Hui Min & Hui Wen, Canal Singel
Amsterdam isn't big, and we really covered a lot of ground on the first day here. By noon, we have finished walking around the Western Canal Strip, and we were headed for the South. These photos were taken as we continued with the walk.
Canal Singel with KenThe Bloemmarkt (Flower Market) is located at the Southern Canal strip. The flower market on the Singel between the Munt tower and the Koningsplein is one of the most colourful, sweet-smelling sightseeing attractions in Amsterdam. Of special mention are the goods which are set out on floating stalls. A tradition stemming from the time when all flowers and plants were daily transported by boat, fresh from the horticultural regions around Amsterdam. The flowers are still delivered daily but trucks have now replaced the water transport.
Hui Min, Hui Wen and loads of clogs
This basically looked like our typical Pasar Malam from far, but as you get close, your eyes would be literally blasted with the array of colours from the flowers, clogs, etc. Was a very pretty sight.
BloemmarktAmsterdam Night scene
