Euro Travel & More

This is the Tyne Bridge in Newcastle – also known as Newcastle upon Tyne in England – I had only been to Newcastle once – but I’m sure all football fans know where Newcastle is right?

This is the Millennium Bridge which is just as famous as the Tyne Bridge.  This tilt bridge can be used by pedestrian and cyclist – a pretty amazing looking bridge if you asked me.  I think the bridge was just opened not too long ago – in 2001 when I had taken a short trip for business in NewCastle.  I wished I had stayed longer – to check out more cool stuff in NewCastle.

Did I mentioned that I was in Glasgow for 4 yrs?  if  you don’t now you do and like many students – we take this opportunity to travel around Glasgow whenever time and money permits.  This is the Eilean Donan Castle in Scotland found in the  picturesque village of Dornie on the main tourist route to the Isle of Skye.  This is the bridge to the castle.

Roll of Honour of Clan Macrae inside Eilean Donan Castle Grounds. Set in a type of alcove around the corner from the castle entrance is the MacRae Roll of Honour. Flanked by two guns which have recently been painted grey, this huge bronze plaque lists all the MacRaes who died in World War I. Including Canadians and Australians there are over 500 names. It is a replica of the memorial in Flanders in memory of Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae.

The Castle was immaculately cleaned and both exterior and interior were gorgeously kept.  The scenery were to die for – and the day that we were there – the sky was clear – it was beautiful.

Many years ago – when I was studying in Glasgow – I met a wonderful girl in the University of Glasgow – from Malaysia, when we graduated she stayed in UK and got married years later.   Her spouse and her had their wedding at the Belfast Castle – and it was a truly magnificent wedding.  We – her oldest friends from the good old days – gave her a huge box for a present and in it were prenatal vitamin – yes a huge box of it !  You see my girlfriend wasn’t getting any younger – so the prenatal vitamins were to encourage her to start a family immediately.  We had so much fun that night  – it was one silly/joke present and another and another.  But the groom and bride was a good sport and let us have our fun.   Food was good too – the castle catered the wedding reception and I bet they weren’t cheap.   Want to be a princess for one day – the Castle is out for hire – minimum 2 hrs.

Yes I have a thing for UK – if you don’t know by now – see I was in UK for 4 years – finishing my university.   But right about now – it’s almost spring time in UK and it’s beautiful – not too cold and not too hot.  The Abbey in St Albans is a definitely must to see – as he was the first Britist Saint – so we heard.   The Abbey is really beautiful with lots of greens and it quite amazing to see all the work done inside the Abbey.

There is a tour if you want to follow – but we chose to just walked around on our own and explore.

Loved the stained glasses – on the windows of the Abbey.

The arch and columns are so 1930s.

Painting on the wall – telling a story of St Alban – I think.

The cruxification of Christ.

More on The Abbey in St Albans – in another post.

Have you ever done something as crazy as chasing your idol a pop star or movie start who is on a tour?  well, I have lots of crazy friends as you can see.  One traveled all the way from United States to Hong Kong for a singer’s funeral and another traveled to UK for Lady Gaga’s concert in December last year.

I guess I’ve never adored someone this much – that I had to be there to watch them perform – I’m probably a very practical person.  But for those who travel for their idol’s concert – I definitely admire your passion.

Found some old pictures of London – and thought I should post it up before I lose the pictures again.  Trafalgar Square located at the heart of London – and everyone goes there just to get a picture taken there.

The eye of London

Parliament House

Near the river of London Eye.

Everyone knows where the Borough Market is – after all it is the place where one can get not only good food but quality food.  For the amateur cook like myself – I always visit the Borough Market whenever I have a chance.  I did after all lived in Scotland – not too, too far away from London.  At the Borough Market – you can feel the vibrant of the place – it’s like no other food market that i’ve been too. And each time I am there – I eat too much and buy too much to bring home and then I need to get the best weight loss product to help me lose all the weight I gain from my trip.  You cannot imagine the amount me and my friends spent at the Borough Market – but those were the good old days.

Fresh, organic and home grown veggies – I loved them all.  But look at the sweets and pies I buy too!  hahah!!

Yes! wild boar pie! how did it taste?  pretty yums!

Heavenly pastries – with pear – cranberries – figs ! yummy!

Yes! i’m pretty familiar with Edinburgh – capital city of Scotland – since I did spend 4 years in Scotland finishing school.  Edinburgh is not only beautiful – it’s almost magical – castles and beautiful building and lots of history.  Did you know that Harry Porter’s story started from this place?  yes JK Rowling started writing her book here – one cold day – when she didn’t have any heat or power – so they say.

The National Museum of Scotland – one shouldn’t miss going there of course. Open to public – admission is free – learn all about the history of Scotland – if I am not wrong – there are 5 more such museums around Edinburgh.

This is the University of Edinburgh.

The famous Greyfriars Bobby – what so famous about the dog?  He is Scotland’s most loyal and famous dog.

Heading to Edinburgh castle – more on this in another post.

I’ve lived in UK for closed to 5 yrs finishing school in Scotland – not exactly in the heart of London or near England but every chance I get – I would go on short trips with my friends and co – workers.  You see I had to work part – time to pay for my school even though I was on bursary.  So when i friend posted this picture showing me that they were at the Western Hotel in St Ives UK – I was like – Ohhhh!! i stayed there before many years ago! haha!   some things you just remember forever eh.  The hotel is right in the center of town very near to the beaches and galleries.

St Ives Habor is actually a fishing village – as you can see here – there are lots of boats all around.  The fishing industry has declined just like here in the town I am in currently.

September is the best time to be in St Ives – they have lots to offer – festivals every other weekend.

Lots of tourist from around UK come here for short vacation.

I think this road leads to Bedford Road if I am not wrong.

Beautiful and quaint – this little town is.

Shopping in UK need not be in London alone – in fact – there are different part of UK – that one can travel and see lots of historical and cultural stuff.  I was once in Leeds, UK for a festival in the summer and found that I can come to like Leeds a lot too.

I love all the old buildings in Leeds – they make me think of the Kings and Queens in this modern world of ours.  So where is Leeds – I hear everyone asking me – when i returned from the festival – well it is in West Yorkshire, England.  So how did i get there?   We took the railway from London up to Leeds and if i remember correctly – it didn’t take too long to reach Leeds from London Kings Cross.

Look at the beautiful and majestic looking arch – i lived for old constructions like these.

More shopping if you want to.

My favorite store.

We started early in the day after breakfast – therefore you don’t see much people around – but later in the afternoon – this area was bustling with people.

Gotta love these independent shop houses.

English bears! i know of someone who has one since 1982.

The Light – plenty of shops here – from exclusive shops to the luxury – and have a cup of coffee in one of their quaint cafes if you are tired.

Unfortunately, we didn’t get to the museum nor watch a sport game – which Leeds is very famous for.  Maybe the next time eh.