Wednesday 30 December 2015

Girl VS Globe: Europe

It has been way too long since I last wrote an entry, and what better timing to blog about my Europe trip other than now that I am back from my recent backpacking trip. I'm presently on my summer long term 3 months break from school and I am enjoying it before I resume back to a stressful semester a month from now.

I digress. Schools aside, imma make the most of my holiday first. #priorities

//

A couple of months back, I had the time of my life traveling around Europe. I jumped from cab rides to trains, hopping on the aeroplane halfway and more cab rides. Of course if you are good with directions, you can explore your way through without helplessly relying on the cab driver to show you directions.

Going around Europe is a lifetime experience and it was an eye opener. Despite the fact that frankly, I never felt that tired before - from all the walking and exploring. I can say I was really shagged moving from a place to another yet the curiosity in me to explore more places in the world certainly finished it off.


AMSTERDAM


 



I took a midnight flight from Singapore which transited in Doha Airport for 2 hours before I departed for Amsterdam. I arrived at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in the afternoon and had to take the train to head down to Amsterdam Centraal Station, where my hostel was located at. 


(This was the exact moment when I was lost, couldn't figure out the train system. So I took this picture to calm myself down before I attempted to understand the system again. lol.)

Amsterdam Centraal Station is the primary train station in the heart of the city. It is always busy and constantly packed with the locals and tourists. My friends who flew down from Edinburgh were decent enough to pick me up at the train station and led me to our hostel. 



Our lodging was a convenient 15 minutes walk from the train station and 10 minutes walk to the Red Light District. Despite the hostel was not really up to my liking (really squeezy), I shan't grumble much! The life surrounding the hostel was amaaaaazing and I was glad I booked it.

My friends spent a couple of days in Amsterdam before me, so they knew exactly the places I ought to go and what to expect. We had an early dinner at a restaurant which was located 5 minutes away before we shopped in Primark. 



Ok so anyway, here's the thing I realised about food portion in Europe - it is HUGE. For a small eater like me, I generally had to either share with a friend or waste my food. I remembered ordering a pasta and sure enough, the portion could feed a cow. Alright maybe I am exaggerating but you get what I mean! 

Over dinner, my friends were telling me about their exchange in Edinburgh and how they miss Singapore's......food. Which I sort of concur in light of the fact that all through the trip, we were actually looking out for instant noodles and chilli sauce (haha). 


So then, my friend randomly asked me:

"Ezza, are you ready for the Red Light District?"
"What do you mean...ready?"
"Its a whole new world out there. Brace yourself."
If I could describe the Red Light District in one word, I'd say its astoundingPeriod.

To be completely forthright, there is no better way to unwind after a scrumptious dinner other than watching half to almost naked hot young ladies  in glass displays luring men to come closer, or get into their own private space inside the glass for sex. Ok now, when I said the girls were hot, I am dead serious. I felt my own self-esteem dropping.

If you're all confused and wondering what I am talking about, here is a picture I Googled to let you get the rough idea. Pictures of these girls in real life were not permitted, so I didn't manage to snap any unfortunately. However to all the men out there, if real women don't satisfy you, there are gay guys in their own glasses too. The choice is yours!



Apart from the sexy girls, the whole stretch of street was filled with happy locals and tourists. And when I said happy, I meant reallyyyyyy happy. You'll know what I mean if you're old enough! (GRINS :B)






It was one of the things I wanted to do - visit a sex museum. So I was really excited when we bought tickets to one. It costed us 7 Euros each to see a display of wax figures and other fascinating stuffs that has got to do with foreplay and etc. I wish I knew more about these toys but most times I find myself pointing and asking "What does thaaaaaat do, hmm?". Guess the museum is more for older adults......but it was a great experience nonetheless!

Close to our hostel at Warmoesstraat 73HS, is a shop selling the BEST burger ever. It's a hamburger shop called Burger Fabriek.









Have I also mentioned that our hostel was located really near to where they sell the best souvenirs? We did not have a hard time walking around to find souvenirs for our friends and family. There are a lot of the shops around, so you'll have to survey for the cheapest!











PARIS


We took the train at Amsterdam Centraal station itself towards Paris. The train ride took about 3 hours passing by Brussels, Belgium.












After spending a few days in Paris, I can conclude that 1) it is a lovely place 2) you HAVE to learn basic French if you suck with directions 3) there really is not much to do except for Eiffel 4) the metro stations do smell like pee.












Let's start with the Eiffel. I can't deny that it was huge and really stunning. We spent half an hour attempting to get the perfect shot. The weather was really hot too, so we were pretty much sweating. I think I stood in awed for a decent few seconds to swallow the fact that I actually made it to Paris - something off my bucket list! Also, there are many men going around selling selfie sticks/keychains. Which got pretty annoying after some time because they are all selling the same things and they will keep coming to you. There's no harm purchasing from them, but be careful because the rest will start approaching you too!

If you are in Paris, you should check out Champs Elysées which is arguably the most famous shopping district in town. You can find branded shops like Nike, Adidas, Sephora and more. There were a huge variety of shoe designs on display.....you'll go broke if you fail to control your spending. Of course, I won't forget to thank Nike Paris outlet for having Air Max 90 size 5 readily available. I was really in dismal when my size was sold out in Singapore and even Japan (when my mum was there and checked for me). So yay, Paris! 














 




The whole stretch really reminded me of Orchard Road, except it was much longer. If you continue walking towards the western end, you'll be able to see Arc de Triomphe. The triumphal arch was built in honor of those who battled for France amid the Napoleonic Wars. And while I'm at it, I should also say that the view does looks so much better during sunset. No regrets!


We also travelled down to The Louvre and was saddened when we found out the museum was already closed by then. So we hung around a bit and I could not resist taking the typical Louvre tourist shot. 












15 minutes walk away from The Louvre, we stumbled upon a huge funfair with thrilling rides and delicious candy flosses. There were bumper cars, haunted houses and....here is the highlight - a huge swinging capsule that brings you high up to see the whole of Paris before it swings you up and down at 120km/h. I AM NOT KIDDING. I almost shat bricks and regretted my decision straightaway when the capsule stopped high up in the sky. It costed 10 Euros which is a little pricey but hey, it was definitely worth it. (I think I sort of passed out halfway through, HAHA.)














I'd say Paris is worth a visit to experience it once in a lifetime, but not really for a second time unless you have to complete an incomplete love lock like me. Shoutout to my future husband, *coughs*.

En route to Italy!






VENICE

Ahhhhhhhh, Venice. 


The whole place was far more cinematic that any movie could ever do justice to. Not even the movie which starred Angelina Jolie in 2010, The Tourist. I remember watching this movie and telling myself that I MUST visit this place. So there I was. I can't even find the right words to describe it. You really have to see it for yourself to know how beautiful it truly is. 






Connected by canals, Venice naturally has no cars or motorbikes. Your only mode of transport is the boats. You can ride the bicycle - but you'll have to dismount and carry your bicycle across the bridge every few minutes. As you explore this city, you need to be mentally and physically prepared to climb lots of stairs. Yes, with your huge luggages too.













Apart from its picturesque view everywhere, the food here was quite affordable and delicious. Although it was still pasta since my stay in Amsterdam, yet all was good. Every corner of Venice is picture worthy (not kidding).









Piazza San Marco, the principal public square of Venice, Italy,  is generally known just as "the Piazza". It was about 10 minutes away from my apartment. Here, you'll find yourself deeply intrigued with the amount of birds around - like I was. 



(Grand Canal)



We managed to score ourselves tickets to the La Biennale Arts Festival in Arsenale. We took the boat MRT and alighted about 4 stops later.





(Me trying to understand art.)
The Venice Biennale is an arts organisation, and also the original and principal exhibition it organises. Not very much of an artsy person but I did enjoy myself with the display they had.





"Going to Venice and NOT taking the gondola is like going to Paris without visiting the Eiffel" - the gondolier. Gondola has been the main transport here in Venice serving as traghetti as they call it which is also known as ferries. The price for a gondola touring the Grand Canal is 80 Euros = $124.

 

 






I was pretty bummed having to leave Venice after spending almost a week here. I'll make it a point to come back here in the future. Hopefully this beautiful city will stop sinking!

I took the train to Rome from Stazione di Venezia Santa Lucia - which took us approximately 6 hours, passing by Florence along the way. I spent my time catching up on my sleep in every train ride there was.


ROME


When I first arrived, I was surprised at how compact Rome is. I needed some time before I could read the map properly. All the sight seeing spots were quite close to one another which also implies that I spent most of the time walking around to these places.








The Roman Forum is a rectangular forum encompassed by the remains of a few critical antiquated government structures at the focal point of the city of Rome. It became the Romans public life for centuries - the site of triumphal parades and elections, the venue for open discourses, criminal trials, and gladiatorial matches and the core of commercial affairs. It is located in the little valley between the Palatine and Capitoline Hills. You will be able to find unfinished archeological excavations and building parts sprawled in Roman Forum. 














The Flavian Amphitheatre or now more commonly known as Colosseum (Colosseo in Italian), was built by Emperor Vespasian in AD 72, who's son Titus, later further enhanced the place by Domitian.

The Colosseum was used for gladiatorial fights and public spectacles. The last recorded event that was recorded there was in the 6th century. It was every so often used for public executions. The individual would be killed by the mythology - either burnt to death or eaten by animals as spectators watched. Yikes!











We paid a visit to Vatican City in hopes to see the Pope but sadly we were late by a few minutes. Nonetheless, I had a great time exploring the area and doing our silly poses.

























 

--


My overall stint in Europe has been beyond amazing. To all the new companions made, new experiences gained, bucketlist checked and overcomed fears – I am thankful to be given this opportunity.


There’s still more parts of Europe that I have yet to discover. Say, 2016? x



Love,
EzzaJay