I must say that my travel plans over the first 3 weeks has been very very very very relaxed. in fact, too relaxed! should've seen more, really. Nevertheless, let me summarize it here.
5th - 6th september - Latvia, Riga
This is our first country - a transit to Paris actually. But we spent a night over at Riga at the old town which is really charming! I kind of like the place as it's very slow paced but yet not affecting me. Architecture is beautiful, night life with live jazz bands as well as musicians busking along the streets.
6th - 8th september - France, Paris
We met Siyun, Zhenchang and Huiwen in Paris - and leeched their accom of course :D but they are really kind in providing us a roof in Paris as it really costs a bomb just to stay in Paris. We stayed in their hostel, which is Zone 5 (the outest zone of Paris) and transport to central paris is expensive - 5.80 euros.
Over the three days, we spent our time on Notre Dame, the Louve, the arc, and the eiffle tower. We did alot of people-watching too. The louve is really awesome, i'd love to go again! as i've only covered maybe one quarter of the museum only. yes it is THAT huge.
Some disappointments in Paris were like.. I did not manage to taste the macarons, and other pastries that france is famous for.
8th-12th september - France, Nice
Nice is probably the nicest city in France where I've visited. I simply love the hostel that we were staying in - saint villa expuery. We met lovely people from Finland, Italy and Swizz!
We did day trips from Nice to Monaco, eze village and some other small places. And one thing which we are quite amazed with - sandless beach. It's really quite painful to lie on those pebbles! We swam too! but was really cold. and Tey got picked up by some Romanians on the beach ha!
On our last night in Nice, we went to a jazz pub and had dinner. Our only wine in France - Rose wine from Provence which is a famous product in France. I must say that French are really romantic people.. but sometimes too passionate. Maybe it's just the guy we met haaa..
12th september - France, Marseille
This city is a really old town, more rugged than Nice. Not many tourists, but the city is pretty pleasant but we felt that it's not a very safe city to be in as tourists, especially at night. but the good thing is that since it is not very touristy, we can view the real side of people in these small towns in southern france.
12th - 15th september - Spain, Barcelona
When we reached barcelona, we were half dead. That's because we took a night bus which took 10 hours to reach barce. Nevertheless, Barcelona is one of my favourite cities! Simply because I was finally having some "city life". I can't do sight seeing for a long period of time - I get bored ya know. We met up with SMU people again, and of course.. leech the accom! Thanks to Tey. We bunked in with Brandon, Jit and his friend. We cleaned up their house and tidied up their place haaa!
They were an awesome bunch of people who showed us around barcelona, brought us for lunch and went to some places together too. In barce we went to the famous Sagrada Familia, park gruell, shopping, and flamingo dance performance. Really wanted to catch an opera or concert there but too bad we did not. Weather wasn't too good when we were in barce - rained for two days! but we still managed to go to the city beach and had a half nude tanning session. We too went to visit the night life in Barce which was awesome. Mojito in barce - thumbs up!
15th - 17th september - Spain, Ibiza
We met up with Alan in barce and flew to ibiza together. Jiali should've been with us!
Ibiza the party island i'm sure most of you know about it. It wasn't as fantastic as i would have imagined. Kind of wasted money there. On our first night we decided to pre-drink so we dont spend much in the club. But we drank way too much and the night wasn't pleasant.
The second day we went for some sight seeing, went to the old town of Ibiza. The view was fantastic and yeah, pretty beautiful place :) For the night, we decided we should not drink too much.. so we had too few drinks and we had to spend some cash in the club. It was 15 euros per drink *ahem* and the entrace to the famous club - Pacha Ibiza was 40 euros!!! We bought the tickets from the black market, else it'll be 60 euros. that's madness!! Actually clubbing in SG is so much cheaper.
17th - 18th september - UK, London
Finally having some freedom to do what i want. I'm not saying company is not good, but sometimes you just need to do what you want :) It's my first time travellign alone as well! Was really excited about it.
Once I reached London, settled in my hostel, I proceeded to buy my tickets for Wicked the musical. I do not need to say much about it as people who watched it will definitely watch again if possible. :) That was for my first night, and the next day i went for the london royal day tour. Was pretty good, went to the beckingham palace, and some other palaces in London. In the afternoon, I went to the Borough market which was highly recommended by timothy. Bought the famous brownie which wasn't THAT fantastic. but was good still :)
Then...... I rushed back to my hostel, grab my bag and took the tube to Victoria station. I ran like a mad woman as i nearly miss my bus to manchester!! Gosh that was awful. I sweat in London.. wearing a sleeveless top. I was in drips of sweat and that's crazy. Managed to catch my bus in the end. and that was the beginning of a 5 hour bus ride to Manchester. Having kinda mixed feelings about going Manchester but boy, I enjoyed my stay there.
18th - 22nd September - UK, Manchester
Five boys picked me up at the coach station - Thank you! :) Being the only girl is such an advantage. I got my own room, with a big bed. But the poor guy gotta squeeze on the couch for four nights. With the fur throw on the bed, it gave me lotsa warmth. I'm so gonna buy it back to SG :D lovin it. It is the best accom i had so far, and for the rest of my exchange.
Home cooked meal in Manchester as well. Shopping's great, and soccer match at the pub was awesome. Was my first time watching soccer match! (yes, i've NEVER watched it with Thomas before if you are wondering). I went to the old trafford as well. The guys are such nice people. Rio accompanied me for shopping on my 2nd day there. and poor him! gotta wait for me while I tried on tons of clothes. 50 pounds damange on shopping. and jon accompanied me to old trafford even though he had been to the tour before :)
Did not do much in Manchester, but I really enjoyed my stay there :)
alright.. gotta go to the gym now, will post up pics maybe next week :)
posted by Cecilia @ 2:24 AM
