The Unknown World - Budapest

Starting on a slightly unrelated note, I wanted to show you some degree of insanity that exists within me.

This is a screenshot of a travel app I use online... I think there might be something not quite right with my head, or just a complete disregard for my grades and bank account. Having said that, I have a reading open beside me (not that I've been too successful at reading it).

I've decided to lump all the eastern Europe posts together because I don't think there will be many...

So Hungary! Prior to this, Hungary only really brought up a few things in my head: Budapest, Eastern Europe, Bela Bartok, and Franz Liszt. Oh, and goulash. Other than that, it was simply a big question mark. Even now, I can't say I know much about Hungary at all, but I've seen a little of Budapest and can say that I have learned something.

I arrived Saturday morning to a snow covered Budapest. Having missed both cold waves in Vancouver in the recent years, I really have not experienced much truly cold weather. This made me realize how cold the world could be. Anyway, I've resorted to wool mittens, wool socks, and a toque on top of my head with a wool sweater. Yea, I have no abilities to withstand the cold.

no, my panoramic addiction hasn't been cured yet, how could you tell?

There was a super funky church / cathedral that's built into the hill-thing. It's really cool looking, but I couldn't be bothered to pay and go inside. Went up the hill for a gorgeous view of Budapest instead. 

Actually, it's only the Pest side... Buda is right below me.

Walked around quite a bit and saw a few attractions before sunset, which was positively gorgeous against the white snow.

Citadel against the sunset.

The next day, there wasn't so much sun, and it was still cold. Walked around lots again, what's there to say? I decided that I liked Prague better, but this decision could have been highly influenced by the difference in weather.

I need to actually get off my butt and get the map so I know the names of these places...

Architecture-wise, it's a lovely city. I was told by a stranger I met at Starbucks who works for Campus Crusade in the Eastern European region that May would have been a better time to visit. The nice lady even gave me her business card so I can call her the next time I visit. Wonder when that would be. It was really cool to meet someone from the States who works for C4C so randomly, though!

The Basilica

Day 3: Wonderful weather, no travelling partner. @ Hero Square

Travel buddy bernZ left Budapest early, so day 3 was spent on my own, giving me a great degree of freedom! (Not saying I wouldn't have had it before) Went inside St. Stephan's Basilica, then to the Opera House, wandered out of town to Hero Square, Vajadahunyad Castle, went to the Parliament... then decided the weather was seriously too cold (my red hands being the evidence of the weather) and returned to the hostel for an early night.

Left out lots of photos because I'm too lazy to process them. Back to my (attempt at) reading. Please excuse the lack of detail... lumping 3 days into one post was harder than I thought.

By fishii with 2 comments

Trip Down Memory Lane: London

It has been 5 full years since I've last stepped foot into London. Not that London has changed that much, I don't think, but the feeling is completely different... or maybe it wasn't, I don't know.

This time, I spent a day with Cambridge with two old friends, walking around town, attending a Cambridge formal, it was all a new experience... strange, and foreign, but very interesting.

Outside the enchanted walls of Kings College.

It was foggy that day, making Cambridge look that much more mystical. It was just an amazing experience, all in all, to catch up with friends I haven't seen for 5 years. Honestly, one weekend wasn't long enough. I wish I had more time to spend with them!

A sweets shop at Cambridge that looks like a potions shop.

Being super sleep deprived (only 4 hours of sleep because of the flight and 6 hours the next night because we missed the last fast train from Cambridge back to London), I was afraid that I'd fall asleep watching Harry Potter in the morning at (apparently) the largest screen in Europe, ODEON. But I enjoyed it immensely.

After that, I had the first restaurant Chinese meal I've had in 3 months? It wasn't even that good, but it was so satisfying. Xiao Long Bao... why do you evade me thus?

I've also developed a strange (and probably unhealthy) obsession with taking panoramic shots...

Horse Guard Parade

Uhm... what's this called? ^^;;

Shaftesbury Square

Talfalgar Square

Just some more random photos, these from St. James Park. I saw pelicans! They're so... tall (yes, I'm short, so what?).

 

Met up with friends during different times of day on my second day. At night, mommy-munchkins, my friend, and I went on the London Eye! I know, you're thinking 18 quid for a ride on that Ferris Wheel? We were lucky and got a whole pod to ourselves! It's like... booking a pod but not paying the price! Ok, I'm just justifying it, but still~ it was all in good fun. Must mention that I had Korean cuisine that night. That was especially delicious, since I haven't had Korean served in a restaurant since I left home.

Atop the London Eye

HA! I'm all caught up now! Except I'll fall behind again soon. This weekend will welcome Budapest.

By fishii with 2 comments

Sidestepping in Germany (Again): Köln

Yet another trip into Germany, and yet another rainy day. I don't know why I attract rain so. I went to Köln, Germany (Cologne in English) on November 6 (yes, I'm slightly behind). We had intended to visit the Dom and climb over 400 steps to get to the top of the tower... but there was smoke emerging from the tower and we were (for obvious reasons) not given entry. It smelt foul anyway, and we saw some firefighters pull in.

The Dom, under renovations...

I'm always amazed at the craftsmanship from earlier eras.

I really love prayer candles and the way they flicker...

So we had lunch at a local brewery and headed to the Gestapo prison / museum. Unfortunately, we were still making our way through the audio tour in the museum when the place closed, meaning no prisons for us...

The timeline on the floor corresponded with the displays

Ended off the day with a walk along the river and the Lindt chocolate factory (only to get chocolate though).

Just look at the packaging *whacks the marketing student in me*

Winter festivities?

Finally, I'll end with photos of really cool posters and one fail attempt at a panoramic shot at the Dom.

Next up, my amazing weekend in England. I can't believe I could bear to leave...

By fishii with 2 comments

Church Retreat

Little German towns are the cutest places.

Over the weekend of October 29 - 31, I went to an area near Monschau, Germany for retreat with Damascus Road International Church. It was great company and a lot of fun in cute little German neighbourhoods... if you could call it that.

With a lack of an oven here in the dorms, I've had this really bad craving to bake... lots. I've taken pretty much every chance I had to bake. Staying in wonderfully equipped and cozy self service apartments gave me the perfect chance to try my hand at baking cinnamon rolls. They... didn't turn out perfectly, but it was fun to make!

But I don't have a photo of that. I tried again last Saturday at friend's house... I forgot to add butter =.=;; but it turned out better anyway.

That aside, I've been blabbering. I figure I'll just make the rest of the post photos.

Oh yea, is there anyone left here? Just give me a shout so I know to keep updating my blog~ =D

By fishii with 2 comments

Luxembourg

This was the first time I've embarked on a journey to a foreign land all on my own. I've spent time in foreign places myself, but someone was always there to accompany me on the outbound journey. This time, I was accompanied by coffee from my favourite café from Maastricht, a coffeelovers frappé.

After 3.5 hours and a few train transfers, I arrived in Luxembourg.

The sign boards at Luxembourg Station.

The city feels like a place that you just have to experience for yourself. For me it was ultimately relaxing with too many options to explore for just a weekend. For others, it was a bore. Luxembourg city was filled with enchanting landscapes with many valleys and plateaus, and many layers at almost any given point of my path. It was somewhat like a maze to me, I never really knew which level to take.

On the plateau at Rue de Prague

Somehow, I just feel that photos fail to capture the magnificence of the landscape. I was once again wandering around the city with few destinations in mind, just soaking up the quiet atmosphere of Luxembourg and relaxing before exams started.

One of the destinations was a town about 30 - 45 minutes away from Luxembourg called Vianden. The tourist attraction of Vianden is a castle at the top of a hill. The scenery from the top of the chair lift was very attractive, though I wouldn't agree with wikiTravel about the impossibly picturesque part.

When I got off the bus at Vianden, a group of 4 older working adults approached me and asked whether if I would like to join their group for the day. They said they noticed that I was on my own and that they didn't like travelling without companions. I thought it would be fun to hang out with someone from a totally different background for the day and agreed to join. Even more lucky was the fact that they had an admission pass to everything for 5 people, so I got into everything free that day!

Back in Luxembourg at Casemates Bock

This is the fortification of the Luxembourg city to defend themselves against the numerous takeovers and rebellions that happened during the course of history. From the Germans to the French, then the Germans again... I can't even remember how many times these wars happened. It sort of looks like a cave inside the wall, and some areas of the wall extend very far down.

I feel like I haven't done a very good job in depicting what I experienced in Luxembourg. It was difficult to select photos that could tell the story, so perhaps if I get a chance, I'll tell you about it in person. I still wish I had time to visit Remich and Schengen, it would've been fun. Finally, I'll leave you with a photo of the Luxembourg downtown area at night and a wonderful lunch I had on my last day in Luxembourg.

Street lights reflecting off the pavement after a brief shower.

Salmon and swordfish, with super tasty potatoes and salad.

Next are the tiny towns of Germany, Monschau and Gemund!

By fishii with 1 comment