JOURNEY'S END

On the 9th of August 2006, the day Singapore celebrated its 42nd birthday, I dragged myself with luggages more than half of my weight and headed for the airport. Awaiting me was more than 4 months of life alone(ok..not exactly alone) far away in the Scandinavian region. But before all that began, I started my journey at the world's most visited place, Paris. For a first timer in Europe, it was sure a memorable experience. To top on to that, I was there with another girl whom I barely know. NOTHING HAPPENED ...in case any of you wondered.

And so on the 16th August, I set foot on the Swedish soil for the 1st time, totally excited by what the new environment has installed for me. Unfortunately, the place was not really that exciting. Things got worse when I realized that I have no proper internet connection. Life was tough..haha. But I was lucky enough to find out that there were 14 other Singaporeans sharing the same sentiments in the land of Sverige(pronounced as Sveria, dun ask me why but by now you shud understand that their pronouciation simply dun make sense.. my Swedish Language teacher said that too..:P).

With them, I traveled to many countries within Europe, took the most number of flights and trains in my life(not to mention LONGEST TRAIN RIDE), and experienced many 'first time' of my life. We went to Copenhagen(we started from there actually), Stockholm(been there twice and its still boring), Munich(salty sausages was all I remembered), Berlin(the concentration camp still left a deep impression), Venice(great gelatos), Florence(attic experience), Pisa(ya...the tower of course), Rome(the NUMBER OF STAIRS TO CLIMB...plus gelatos...plus..the metro crash..), London(Lilywhites and jerseys galore!), Goteborg(gay encounter...), Kiruna(experience of a life time), Barcelona(totally gaudified), Madrid(...REAL Madrid..and the slithering pair of hands lurking around..), and last but definitely not the least, Sjobo(back to nature).

Well well...I've really traveled quite a bit. Still I missed Amsterdam, Norway, Poland, Greece and Turkey. But I'm glad that I'm lucky enough to visit so many places. So many places, so little time...and of course...so little money. Not to mention that the daily expenses in Sweden are like a little bit way on the high side. A simple comparison...

A plate of Fried Rice from Beijing, SGD$0.80
A plate of Fried Rice from Lund, SGD$14.00.
A plate of Fried Rice from Singapore....PRICELESS......k..a bit corny but then again...I bet Singapore's Fried Rice will taste the best among the 3. Nevermind, I'm less than 48 hrs away from that priceless plate of fried rice.

So tonight will be my last night in Sweden. Tomorrow morning, it will be a 1hr train ride to Copenhagen Kastrup Airport and a 10hrs flight to Bangkok from there. Another 2 hrs flight from Bangkok on Sunday morning will bring me back to the ever sunshine(though now its raining like xiao..still...beats Sweden ANYTIME) Singapore.

For those new friendship forged and people who've been with me for the past 4 odd months, its great getting to know you guys. Sweden couldn't have been better without you guys.

For those who are still waiting to go home from their SEP, enjoy your time away from work as much as you can. (HORROR STRIKES THE MOMENT U LAND ON SUNNY LAND...hoho)

And for those back home waiting...I know you are waiting for me to get back to WORK...haiz...still, it feels good to be going home, really.

A final gathering, a final meal, to bid a final farewell to this place.

BACK TO NATURE - SJÖBO

Finally, the last trip of this close to 5 months long journey. It's 'nature's call' this time round as 3 guys(initially there was supposed to be another person who's apparently on my solvil titus ad..:P) set forth to the country side of Sjöbo around an hour bus ride from Lund. I must say that I've kind of regretted not doing the farm stay earlier as I guess I could have gotten alot more photos than the pathetic amount I'm going to show you as there was not much daylight now. Still, it was a trip with a lot of 1st time for the 3 of us.

Firstly, it was of course our first ever farm stay. Then we had our first 'non-ICA'(Swedish Supermarket), authentic Swedish Meatballs. We were also lucky enough to have our 1st ever horse ride, plus a ride on the horse wagon. I guess we also dug our first ever carrots fresh from the ground, and we walked the dogs (I ran with the dog apparently.... :S), traveled into the forest and experience mother nature Sweden has to offer. We also made some figures from the sweet doughs the family prepared for us. It was also so nice of the family to perform some christmas songs on clarinets and bassoon for us and they were probably one of the nicest people we've met in the entire Sweden.

I must say I've pretty much enjoyed the overnight stay and if only I've started exploring Sweden from this point, my impression of this Scandinavian ice land might be somewhat different. Anyway, the last of the last, photos from Sjöbo.

The Nature

The Farm














The Accomodation






The Horse Jockeys








The Everotts Family

By the way, this farm, owned by the Everotts' Family is apparently more of a dog breeding farm. They specialize in Rottweilers and have won many international acclaims for the dogs they breed. Just check out the number of tags at the back of the group photos. No pics of the Rottweilers cos they were so hyper active and friendly that they would always play with you and lick your hands. I was worried that they start to lick my cameras. :P Its a pity that I've not been able to capture enough decent photos as well. Still, hope you've enjoyed the pics and that should be about all that I have for my entire Europe trip. Next Stop, SINGAPORE.

OLAH! ESPANÃ

Spain was the last trip for me outside Sweden before I head back home. Initially I thought it was a good chance to 'thaw' myself a little before going back to the tropical island. Well...it wasn't the case cos the temperature in Spain was kinda erratic with fluctuations ranging from 1-15 degrees.

Still, it was a trip of quite an adventure especially when we have to be on full alert whenever there's a crowd or when we are in a subway. Why? well...because Spain probably has the most professional pickpockets you can find. Of the 6 people who went on this trip, 3 of us were being tried on. While non were really successful, one of us, Shengzhi's boyfriend, Kenneth was kind of unfortunate yet fortunate to lose his umbrella to those slithering hands.

However, I actually thought it was quite a nice trip if not for those extra pair of hands around. It was like another architecture pilgrimage for me when we were in Barcelona. The 2 hostels we stayed in were also really nice and we had probably one of the fullest meal(k..make that 2) for all the traveling all this time. Fresc Co. was the name and if you wanna have a full and pretty decent meal, look out for this place when you are in Spain. It serves a wide variety of salad bar buffet and some pizzas and pasta as well. K, shan't write another letter if not someone will complain again. Here are the pics taken. Enjoy.

BARCELONA | GAUDI LAND







The Sagrada Familia. The symbol of Barcelona. Another 30 years before its ever completed....





More of Gaudi's buildings above, Casa Milla followed by Casa Botlló

















Photos from around the city..lazy to name them all..haha.

Following are few other famous architectures in Barcelona.



Torre Calatrava by...Calatrava of course..




Torre Agbar by Jean Nouvel

And of course, how can we forget the ever so famous, most talked about architecture that we've come across, the legendary Barcelona Pavilion! Apparently, these are photos of the replica and this site doesn't really do justice to the pavilion. In fact, it kinda spoil it quite a bit and it did not really impressed me like Villa Savoye did. Probably its small and there were too many people inside. Still, some photos were taken after I paid $2EUROS to enter...yes...and I spent like probably 10 minutes inside?...bleah

The famous Barcelona Chair.




My favourite for the pavilion.




A group pic by Catalunya's National Art Museum


MADRID | FOOTBALL LAND











Pics from around the city of Madrid.




and yes....SANTIAGO BERNABEU



The Galacticos



the trophies..and this is not all...too many to take..:P



this's the reason for the trophies.






UEFA CUP



me by the interview stand, no stunts this time..haha. More of Madrid follows.









Barajas Airport Terminal 3 & 4 by Richard Rogers.




Retiro Park

Above is my favourite shot in Madrid. In fact the entire trip. The leave was on this frozen shallow pond and beneath it was more of the same kinda leaves. Below is another group photo by the entrance of Retiro Park. So that marks the end of my Europe Escapade...actually not quite cos there's still the farm stay. so Next up, back to the nature.