#we went to a cafe in the centre and had coffee with ice cream and it was so quiet | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

crescent-quill-writings · 3 years

Text

Rockefeller Ice Rink

Fandom: Hamilton - Miranda

Words: 2489

Relationship: James Madison/Marquis de Lafayette

Additional tags: Fluff, Christmas, Ice Skating, Modern AU

Inspired by @ovrarches!

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December in New York City was as charming as it was any other year. It was still early in the season, but the city had already been caught up in the full swing of the holiday spirit. Businesses had been decorated with reds, greens, and golds, and the landmarks of the city were preparing their own grand displays for the coming holidays.

James couldn’t help but smile as soft snowflakes landed amongst his eyelashes. As much as he tried to keep himself from getting caught up in the chaotic festivities of the city that never slept, the little things always got to him.

Once he turned the corner and ducked into the little niche of a cozy cafe, he pulled his ochre scarf below his chin, sighing as he left the winter-chilled air behind him. He allowed the scent of fresh coffee and seasonal spices to fill his nose as he stepped into line, and it didn’t take long before the attention of the barista was focused on him.

“I’ll take a dark chocolate mocha, hold the whipped cream.” He instructed quietly, offering the barista a nod in thanks as she went to prepare his drink and he took a seat in a booth by the window.

James was quiet as he waited for his drink, watching as the hustle and bustle carried each passersby throughout their day. He was happy that the café was quiet save for the instrumental carols that provided a classic, festive atmosphere to the little café. It was pleasant, although James would never fully admit it.

Soon, his name was called and he stood to collect his drink, his lips twitching upwards at the little pair of reindeer painted on the side of the cup as he returned to his seat.

He barely got a chance to bring the mug of warm chocolate to his lips before a familiar face stepped through the door.

“Jemmy! It’s good to see you,” Thomas called, walking past the counter to sit across from his friend, taking a moment to shake some snow out of his hair before he continued, “How’s the season been treating you?”

“It’s nothing that isn’t normal,” James replied with a small sigh as he set down his mug and leaned back in his seat, “I appreciate your concern, Thomas, but you shouldn’t worry yourself over me. We’re not kids anymore; I’ve mostly grown out of my asthma.”

Thomas gave him a bit of a strained smile as he folded his hands in front of him. He was bouncing his leg; James could feel the motion slightly shaking the table and creating little ripples in the surface of his mocha.

“Something on your mind?”

“Sort of,” Thomas began again, giving James another smile, this one nervous instead, “Are you busy at all today?”

“Not particularly, why?” James knew what Thomas’ tone meant. He was about to ask for a favour, or spring some social event on him. Or both.

“Do you remember Lafayette? I roomed with him when I was working in France a little while ago,” Thomas replied, tilting his head as he tapped his fingers on the table, “He actually just moved here last month, made fast friends with Alexander and his group too.”

“And you're telling me this because…?”

“I may or may not have already told him that you could go ice skating at Rockefeller with all of us today.”

And there it was. James could only sigh in response, shaking his head and pinching the bridge of his nose, “Thomas, you know I’m not exactly a social person.”

“I know, I know,” Thomas replied with a sigh of his own, looking down and away from James in shame, “But he really wants to meet you, Jemmy. I told him a lot about you back in France and he’s excited about this.”

“Don’t ‘Jemmy’ me now,” James muttered, turning his gaze to his mocha in an attempt to ignore the pouts and whines that Thomas was trying to persuade him with.

“Come on, Jemmy, just this once? For me? It’s only a couple of hours, and I’ll owe you big time…”

“Fine,” James relinquishes with a huff, “You better not forget about this favour either.”

He didn’t give Thomas time to respond before he stood, taking his mug with him as he approached the counter and cleared his throat to get the attention of the barista.

“Could you put this in a to-go cup?”

*~*~*~*~*~*

The Rockefeller Centre was busy enough any other time of year, packed with native New Yorkers and tourists alike. The holiday season only dialled up the crowds to eleven.

The Christmas tree, though it was still in the process of being decorated before its grand unveiling, still caught the gaze of the many from the grandeur of its sheer size. There were streams of people coming in and out of the stores surrounding the square, the buildings of which were all dressed up in festive colours and to market themselves for the holidays.

It was New York’s beautiful, chaotic, and imperfect celebrations were well underway.

“I still miss the South’s way of celebrating this season,” James muttered as he did his best to keep up with Thomas’ long strides while he struggled to swim upstream through the mass of people, “It’s much classier, and causes much less anxiety too.”

“As much as I agree with you, James,” Thomas replied with a shake of his head, looking down and back at his much shorter friend, “Try to keep your chin up, alright? We’re here to have fun with some friends.”

James only huffed in response, looking down at the cup he held in his gloved hands. He just hoped he’d get a chance to finish his mocha soon.

“Thomas, mon ami! I am so glad that you could make it.”

James looked up as another man began to approach them. His resemblance to Thomas was uncanny, and save for a few details of his face and the neat bun that held back his thick curls, they could have easily been identical twins.

“I always keep my promises, Lafayette, it’s nice to see you too.”

James watched as they shared a few more words he couldn’t make out, most likely because they weren’t in English, before they pressed a pair of quick pecks to each of each others’ cheeks. It confused him for a moment until he remembered something about French greetings, and then Lafayette’s attention was on him.

“And you must be le petit James! Thomas has talked a lot about you, I am glad to finally meet you in person.” Lafayette’s demeanour was sugar, spice, and everything nice.

James had to catch himself before the icy appearance he usually kept with strangers melted away. He sent a quick glance to Thomas to ask for a translation of the words he didn’t recognize, but when he received a shake of the head in response, he decided not to dwell on it.

“Thomas has said many things about you too,” James replied with a curt nod, shifting his mocha to his left hand so he could extend the other for a handshake, “It is nice to meet you too.”

Maybe Lafayette didn’t see James’ hand, or maybe he simply ignored it, because as he a warm laugh bubbled past his lips he leaned down and pressed two quick kisses to James’ cheeks.

Almost immediately heat rushed to his faced as he stared up at the Frenchman with a flustered gape, opening and closing his mouth like a fish out of water as he tried to find an appropriate response.

“Oh, mon Dieu! I am so sorry, James, I forgot- I was only trying to be polite. That is how I would greet friends back in France.” Lafayette quickly replied once he realized what he’d done, taking hold of James’ still-extended hand in his mitted grip as he continued to murmur apologies.

Thomas, who had been watching this scene unfold with a guileful grin, couldn’t hold back his laughter anymore, “Don’t worry about it, Laf. James doesn’t take offence that easily, right?”

In the moment James finally managed to collect himself, giving a simple nod in response as he tucked his hand back in his pocket, “Of course not. Uhm, are the others here too?”

At the change of topic Lafayette smiled again, offering a nod in response, “Yes, they’re already on the ice. I just wanted to wait for you two.”

“How sweet,” Thomas replied, giving the Frenchman’s shoulder a pat to grab his attention, “Why don’t we go grab ourselves some skates and get in on the action before they’re all tuckered out, hm?”

Lafayette smiled brighter this time with another nod as he followed Thomas to the little skate rental booth, going on to chat about something or other in his same sweet excitement.

James simply watched them leave, letting out a breath he didn’t know he was holding as he turned away to find a place by the boards where he could watch. It’s not like he had the skills to join in on the fun anyways, and here he finally got to enjoy his mocha.

He was quiet in his content as he sipped at the dark chocolate drink. It had lost some of its original heat, but it was still pleasant to hold and helped warm his chilled body. He turned his attention to the skaters a moment later, searching for the faces he recognized.

He saw Alexander and John laughing together as they ducked and wove between the other skaters in a rush to go nowhere. He watched for a moment as Burr stumbled for a moment before catching himself on Hercules, a giant of a man that looked a little out of place on the ice. Then, his gaze drifted back to Thomas and Lafayette, though he was only focused on the Frenchman.

James couldn’t help the way his lips twitched up in a smile. Lafayette’s eyes were warm, like the gentle glow of a candle on Christmas Eve. He watched the corners of the Frenchman’s eyes crinkle up as he laughed, and James felt himself mirroring the expression before he snapped himself out of his little daze.

“Get a hold of yourself, James.” He muttered, turning away as he finished off his mocha.

Still, he couldn’t help himself as he went back to watching Lafayette.

And that’s when their gazes met.

The Frenchman’s lips curled down into a frown, tilting his head in show of his confusion before he said a quick goodbye to Thomas and started to approach.

“Do you not want to join us, mon petit? I hope it is not because of me, I truly did not mean you any offence.”

“No, you’re alright,” James replied, hoping that it wasn’t noticable how his breath hitched when Lafayette touched his hand, “It’s just…”

“Is something the matter?”

James glanced away, clearing his throat. He tried to force down the embarrassed flush that tingled in his cheeks as he spoke, words not much more than a whisper, “… I can’t skate.”

Lafayette blinked for a moment, and James still didn’t look back at him before he heard sweet laughter bubble past the Frenchman’s lips. “If that is it, mon petit, then there is nothing you should worry about! Come, I will teach you.”

“I- I’m sorry?”

“I will teach you!” The Frenchman repeated with a beaming smile that James just couldn’t bring himself to say no to.

James’ cheeks were still warm with embarrassment as Lafayette hopped over the boards and held his hand, both figuratively and literally, through the process of renting and tying his skates before leading him to the edge of the rink.

“I’m not so sure about this…” James murmured. His steps were already shaky enough as he tiptoed behind the Frenchman, he didn’t know what would happen if he dared to step on the ice.

“Just don’t let go of my hands, yes? I will make sure you don’t fall.” Lafayette reassured, his words gentle and his smile as sweet as sugar.

James nodded, taking a wobbly step into the ice. He nearly slipped right out of the gate, but Lafayette was there, keeping his hands in his tight yet comfortable grip.

“See? It is not so hard. Just follow my lead, I will make sure you are alright.” Lafayette added with a soft laugh and a little smile. Sugar, spice, and everything nice.

James wasn’t sure if his legs were wobbling because of the skates or the fact that at this rate the Frenchman was going to make him melt.

He gave a small nod in response, smiling a little bit as he began to slowly glide forwards. Of course, Lafayette was doing most of the work, but he still let himself feel a little proud that he was getting somewhere.

James let his lips twitch up into a smile as he glanced up at Lafayette, and a different kind of heat flushed to his cheeks at how the Frenchman was looking back at him.

There was a gentle pride shining in his eyes as he smiled back down at James, giving his hands a little reassuring squeeze. He was nothing but genuine, soft and sweet in all his actions and words.

James couldn’t help the heat that flushed to his cheeks again and how his legs began to wobble. Whatever was left of his icy composure had long melted away, and apparently so did his balance.

“Oh Dieu!”

Lafayette wrapped his arms around James’ waist in an attempt to keep them both upright, but the Frenchman had already been knocked off balance. He fell back, landing flat on his backside with James pressed flush against his chest.

They slid to a stop a moment later, both staring at each other with wide eyes and flushed cheeks.

James burst into laughter; it was all he could think to do in the moment. The sound rang clear like a bell as he relaxed against Lafayette’s chest. The Frenchman soon joined in, his own laughter a bright chiming sound that tickled James’ cheeks as it bubbled up from his chest.

“I’m sorry,” James began to speak, slowly calming down after taking a few deep breaths, “I don’t quite know what happened there.”

“It is quite alright, mon petit,” Lafayette replied, shaking his head. He was still laughing, though the chime had quieted down, “You did quite well for your first time, you should be proud.”

James smiled more with a quiet hum and a nod in response. He began to shift so that Lafayette would be able to stand again, and in turn, the Frenchman helped him back up onto his feet.

“I should repay you for doing all of this for me… Do you like hot chocolate? I know a good café that’s not far from here.”

“That sounds like a wonderful idea, mon petit.”

#Hamcember 2020 #my writing #Madlaf #fluff #christmas #ice skating #two sweet boys #the coffee is a slight metaphor for James' demeanour #Hamcember prompt 7 #Hamcember

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loveylangdon · 5 years

Text

Satisfied // pt. 3

Word count 2.4k+

a/n: thank you guys for requesting! this is a little filler I'm already working on part 4 and it should be up Sunday/Monday love you all please leave feedback it’s greatly appreciated I hope you love this Xx

masterlist

pt. 1 - pt. 2

*not my gif credit to owner*

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y/n p.o.v.

“He’s still calling me” Connor chuckles putting his phone on silent and making his way over to sit next to you on his couch

“Well let him, he’s your boss isn’t he, shouldn’t you be answering that?” You question up at him and he raises his eyebrows at you

“Yah he’s calling me from another country because he wants me to work for him right now, while we’re on a break” Connor chuckles raising his eyebrow at you

You shrug your shoulders “I don’t know creativity never sleeps right?” You joke at him

Booking a flight to California is exactly what you needed a seaside vacation away from Shawn and Brian. It’s been a week and having Connor be in the loop about everything that was going on he was more than happy to let you stay at his place in Laguna. Luckily for you, it was far enough from Los Angeles to not draw attention to “Shawn’s new up and coming videographer UCLA student.”

You and Connor have been locally chilling and only going into Los Angeles when he had projects or work which he gladly let you tag along to. He successfully kept your mind off of anything Canadian.

“When are you going to talk to him?” Connor asks moving your legs that were stretched out on the couch and placing them over his so he can sit down next to you.

“Never? Is that a possibility?” You chuckle “I can’t believe I let myself think I was in the wrong, I genuinely thought what I did was horrible and yes it was horrible but I let myself sit there and hate myself for something I don’t even remember when he goes out on tour and sleeps with anyone he wants too” you groan in your hands and lay back against the armrest. Connor is rubbing your legs that rest on his lap trying to soothe you.

“You know what I think?” Connor asks and you look over at him

“What do you think I should to Con?” You asked genuinely and you see him smile a secure smile which makes you happy

Connor being the baby of the tour always got treated like the baby, it was all in good fun but one night he confided in you that the jokes hurt. He didn’t want to be seen as the baby and that he was way more than capable of doing the work yet everyone treated him as if he couldn’t pull his weight. He worked so hard to make sure everything was perfect having backups for his backups. He loved being able to feel needed and like all his hard work wasn’t for nothing, yes the fans praised him but he didn’t believe it was for his work ethic but more so for his California looks.

On tour you and Connor started having heart to hearts, he confided in you and you confided in him bringing him back to his feeling of being needed and knowing his opinion mattered somewhere that he was being taken seriously.

“I think you need to talk to Brian and figure out what happened before you can talk to Shawn” Connor spoke to you staring into your eyes so you knew he was being serious

Huffing you pulled your legs from his lap and turned over so you could lay your head on his thighs and look up at him

“Brian, Con that's the answer is Brian? If he wanted to talk to me about it he would’ve but he doesn’t because he doesn’t care it only matters that he got laid” you huff again and Connor smiles down at you “Don’t give me I know ‘I’m right look it's annoying” you huff

“He does care y/n he came back and shoved me into a closet and told me what happened, he didn’t tell Shawn because he was scared he would beat the shit out of him”

“ha unlikely Shawn isn’t capable of throwing a punch” you chuckled along with Connor

“Talk to Brian clear the air. Nothing is going to be resolved or changed if you don’t talk to Brian first. There will always be what if’s in yours and Shawn's relationship if you don’t talk to Brian.”

Groaning you know he’s right but you really didn’t want to talk to anyone. Quite frankly if Brian wanted to talk about it he could’ve but he didn’t he went back on the tour like nothing happened.

“Baby Brash when did you get to smart” you huff up at him to see him throw his head back laughing.

“Always been, none of you guys listen to the little guy” he half smiles at you and you move so your face is in his stomach and he’s holding the back of your head playing with your hair “Do you want to do anything today? I have to help Sam shoot a campaign in Malibu but that's not till around sunset, we can go to the Palisades and do some window shopping, grab lunch and ice cream before we head down to Sams?” He suggests

Looking up at him you see him smirking down at you

“What,” he asks

“Nothing blue eyes” you laugh and sit up next to him crossing your legs “Thank you for everything Connor seriously you’re young you should be out living it up while you’re home and you’re here with me making sure I'm okay I appreciate it” you pull him into a hug

“You make it sound like your so old! You’re only a year older than me” he laughs and pulls away “you’re like my sister why wouldn’t I be here to make sure you’re okay” he brushes a strand of hair behind your ear and gets up from the couch “lets go lazy we have window shopping to do” he extends his hand out so he can pull you up from the couch to get ready for the afternoon together.

——

“What do you want for lunch,” Connor asks looking at you clinging to his arm with an ice cream cone in one hand and a shopping bag in the other. You look at him with wide eyes

Furrowing your eyebrows “was this not lunch Connor Brashier?” You ask tilting your cone towards his letting out a laugh

“Food y/n we need food”

“Can we get coffee first?” You look up at him

“You’re ridiculous, yes we can get coffee first well why don’t we just find a cafe then?” He asks pulling out his phone after finishing his gelato. He moves you guys to the side of the sidewalk out of the way while he searches for a lunch spot.

Leaning your shoulder on Connor's bicep you sighed in content eating your gelato. You guys spent the early afternoon walking around the Palisades ‘window’ shopping which turned into minimal shopping in a cute boutique, to getting gelato and just walking around. Connor basically letting you do whatever you wanted with him trailing next to you letting you get your mind off of everything.

Looking down at his phone you saw him swipe away a notification from Shawn

“You still not talking to him?” You ask finishing your gelato

“I talk to him but about work Andrew has sent me, I’m on break he shouldn’t be bothering me” he rolls his eyes when four more texts come through swiping them away “Oh and he’s asked about you” he exits the map he’s on and locks his phone walking in the direction in which you assume is the cafe

Humming in interest you follow along after throwing your trash away. You spot the cute cafe and it wasn’t even a 10 minute walk.

You and Connor have been shopping and exploring Laguna and Los Angeles when he has to work on something spending days in the cities eating gelato and drinking copious amounts of ice coffee before you guys go home and watch movies and call it a night. Connor hasn’t left your side once and it's sweet.

Opening the cafe door for you he grabs your shopping bags to hold while you grab the menus and sit down at a table close to the window looking out into the small shopping centre. It's cozy inside and gives off a homey vibe that fills you with warmth. There's probably a handful of customers scattered all along the place leaving you and Connor to yourselves. Connor sat your bags down next to him as he took a seat across from you.

“Coffee first or food and then coffee,” Connor asks opening the menu you handed him

“I want to say coffee first but I know you’ll say food, you win this time Brashier” you look over the menu at him and he’s chuckling looking at the menu shaking his head

It was too late when you saw someone approach your table, the one person you didn’t want to see in blue jeans and a white t-shirt. Huffing in annoyance after you made eye contact with Shawn who had an emotion you couldn’t identify flood his features you looked back down at your menu.

“what? what's wrong?” Connor asked looking up from his menu seeing distress dance across your features with annoyance. His back was towards Shawn so you knew he had no idea, you were about to answer when Shawn spoke up

“Tiny, y/n what are you guys doing out here,” Shawn asked shoving his hands in his jean pockets his calm, collected demeanor gone

“We were leaving right Connor,” you ask looking at him whose eyes go wide looking between you and Shawn, going to stand up Connor scrambled to his feet too.

You exited before you had the chance to hear what they were saying to each other. Standing outside looking through the window you saw Connor pat Shawns shoulder and grab your bags and make his way outside following you out of the cafe.

As soon as Connor walked out of the cafe you grab your bags from him and wrapped your arm around his bicep again leaning your head on his shoulder already walking in the opposite direction of which you came “Who does he think he is, seriously”

“he was just saying hi” Connor shrugged looking down at you

You stopped walking pulling your arm from him “He didn’t even say hi Con he automatically went into ‘what are you doing here’ god the nerve he has” you huffed as Connor laughed at your impression of Shawn

“Y/n” you hear come from behind you not even having to turn around to know who’s voice it was “can we talk?”

You turn around slowly to see Shawn. Taking him in fully you realized he looks defeated, he had bags under his eyes and his hair wasn’t clean curly it was fluffy meaning he had been running his hands through it too many times or he hasn’t showered in a couple of days. His skin tone was looking grey and you could tell he was exhausted. He cleared his throat and brought you back into reality, you looked back up to his face and he wore a small smile

Shaking your head to get rid of your fuzzy Shawn induced brain you spoke up clearing your throat “Me and Con have lunch plans and he has to shoot later, we kind of had the day planned out” you look up at him slowly nodding your head and see his eyes glaze over

“oh yah, um how about I meet you at your hotel later? Maybe we can talk then” he tries again and runs his hands through his curls tugging on them and you feel Connor tense next to you

“I-“

“Please” Shawn chokes out softly looking at you like he’s never looked at you before and your heart breaks a little. He didn’t deserve this.

Cleaning your throat you look at Connor who nods his head subtly “um I'm staying at Connors in Laguna we only came out here for his Shoot” you close your eyes already picturing the shock and hurt that dances over his features while his mind jumps to conclusions. You open your eyes to see just that shock, hurt and anger. You can see his mind going a mile a minute while his gaze goes hard towards Connor.

“Shawn” Connor starts ready to defend himself but Shawn cuts him off

“Shut it, Brashier, I’ve been texting you calling you trying to get you to help me find her and you’ve hidden her to keep her to yourself.” He starts raising his voice and you see the vein in his neck get prominent “you know what fuck you, Brashier.” he scoffs “we all know you have a crush on her maybe she’ll be as easy as she was for Brian and let you have fun for a night if you haven’t already” he stares hard at you smirking knowing he hit a nerve, rolling his eyes he makes his way pushing in-between yours and Connors interlocked arms walking past you

“Fuck you Shawn” you yell at him anger radiating off of you. He didn't even turn around.

How dare he, you don’t realize you’re standing there visibly shaking in anger until Connor tugs on your hand and you don’t see Shawn anywhere having walked off already

“y/n I can-” Connor starts off looking down at the floor quickly when you make eye contact with him

You interrupt him by placing your hands on either side of his neck making him look at you “Connor you have nothing, nothing to apologize for okay, I’m sorry he said anything if its true it wasn’t his secret to tell and that's not fair he said it out of anger.” You look at him and see him nodding his head “Let's go get lunch yah? And we can talk about it or we don’t have to it can wait till later” you smile at him and see him breathe out a sigh of relief

Connor runs a hand through his blonde hair “Lunch?” He looks at you with a dopey smile and sad eyes

“Please, I’m starving” you grab his hand and squeeze it as a form of reassurance he squeezes it back as you wrap your arm around his bicep again head resting on his shoulder as he places a kiss on your head.

This is something else that would need to be discussed outing Connor. Shawn wasn’t making wanting to talk to him any easier on himself. Hoping wherever Shawn was he was satisfied with the deeper hole he dug himself in.

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a/n: thank you guys for requesting a part 3 there will be a part 4 this was kinda a filler to fuel to the fire thank yall so much. don't forget to leave feedback like and reblog all that fun stuff it’s very much appreciated, my inbox is always open Xx

taglist: @anyasthoughts @haileyofthefandoms @winterin127 @ucanttakemyyouth @turtoix @learning-howto-be-myselfx3 @shawn-youth @unsolvedhearts

#shawn mendes #shawn mendes x reader #shawn x reader #shawn mendes angst #shawn mendes blrub #connor brashier x you #connor brashier x reader #connor brashier #shawn mendes x you #shawn mendes imagine

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missguomeiyun · 5 years

Text

I’m back from Korea

I feel like October didn’t happen at all .. but at the same time, it happened & it happened too quickly =/

I was away for 2.5 weeks in Korea, & then when I came back, it was a mini series of night shifts so I practically did nothing. .. & by the time I realized it, it was Halloween & I was working evening shifts so I didn’t go out. O_O it has been 1 crazy month. But November is here now, & things are returning back to normal: my vacation withdrawal is over, & I have some “normal” combo of shifts, & it’s time to say bye-bye to the hot weather. It’s gonna be great~

Okay, let’s be real: I’m never “over” a Korea trip lol the other day, I was really craving that budae jjigae. The struggle was real. So I made it for lunch ^^

For my 1st return post, I’ve decided to keep things simple & just share a brief summary of my 2.5 week-long trip with you!

Day 1-4: I stayed at my usual Seoul home, Namsan Hill Hotel. I was unable to book a longer stay at this place =( These 1st few days, I revisited some places in Seoul: Namdaemun (for hand-cut noodles called “kalguksu”); Sinchon/Ewha Womens Univ area/Hongik Univ area for shopping & ; Gyeongbokgung area for Tongin Market & some art museums; Insadong/Samcheongdong/Bukchon Hanok Village for some relaxing strolls around traditional Korean housing. Some new places I went to include:

- a cafe called “Kopi Han-yak-bang” (lit. trans.: “coffee Korean pharmacy”). Look it up! It’s super cool! The owner believes coffee has a healing power, just like traditional herbal medicine, so the cafe is like a vintage herbal medicine shop/pharmacy. It feels as if you’re entering a movie set rather than a cafe.

- The Skyfarm for brunch! Pretty place with amazing view of Seoul.

- Seongsu area for industrial warehouse cafes. It was a valuable & memorable experience bcos Seongsu used to be an area for large factories (making of leather products & shoes, & car-fixing shops), but it’s revitalizing & the large factory spaces are now being converted to hip coffeeshops. Many of which do collabs with local/emerging artists & fashion designers so there’s lots of artsy things to see in these coffeeshops.

- Seoul Forest. There’s like a picnic area, some basketball & tennis courts, walking trails, etc. .. I had a convenience store goods dinner in the picnic area, & watched the sunset there.

Day 5-8: I moved over to Savoy Hotel located in the heart of Myeongdong. It’s ~15min walk away from Namsan Hill Hotel. Great location but also quite loud. My options were slim when I was booking stuff, & I needed to stay close to Seoul Station bcos I arranged 4x 1-day trips! I didn’t realize it at first but then I was like, “I have 4 back-to-back day trips right now.” I was essentially out every day from like 0700h to 2100h.

Trip 1: Paju~ for Heyri Art Village & Provence. I have been to these places before & really liked it so I went back, esp Heyri Art Village. After the day trip, I met up with 2 of my coworkers for K-BBQ in the Hapjeong area.

Trip 2: Jeonju~ I only went to 1 place in Jeonju & that was the Jeonju Hanok Village. It was raining all day that day. However, it was still very enjoyable. The village was a beautiful place, & under the rain, it looked even more picturesque.

Trip 3: Incheon~ for Incheon Chinatown & Wolmido, which is an island connected to Incheon via a highway. Due to its close proximity to China, Incheon became a major port for trades back in the day, & the Chinese immigrants basically settled here, hence it’s the largest Chinatown in Korea. I met up with my friend Ji Yoon in Chinatown & we spent some time catching up.

Trip 4: Gangneung~ For the annual Gangneung Coffee Festival; its title was “Voices of Coffee” this year! It was held at the Gangneung Olympic Ice Arena. I can’t recall how many shots of coffee samples I had that day, but it was a lot. I also went to the Anmok Coffee Street, which is a line of cafes along Anmok Beach - all the cafes face the beach so the view is pretty. Even more so on the day I went bcos it was cloudy =]

Day 9: remained in Seoul today. Went to the Seoul Botanic Garden, which opened its doors in May 2019. Very pretty displays~ Huuuuuge space too. It was like Telus World x Muttart Conservatory x Devonian Botanic Garden. Lots to see, & if you go, allot more time for yourself here. & then in the evening, I camped out by Yeouido Hangang Park for the annual Seoul International Fireworks Festival, which was named “Life is Colourful” this year. So many ppl! I was expecting that before going but it was beyond my imagination. It was truly an experience- the streets were blocked off for pedestrian traffic & literally, it took like 10mins to move 5meters after the show as over! Then at the subway station nearby, there was a bottleneck, where apparently the capacity inside the underground station was reached so we needed to wait outside the exit.. . still, it was fun!

Day 10-12: 1 way train ticket to Busan. Yes, train to Busan ;) I was safe though hehe Busan was beautiful! In hindsight, I should’ve spent more time here but . .. NEXT TIME! I went to BIFF Square & Gukje Market, which was like across from my hotel, Stanford Inn Busan. Gamcheon Cultural Village was super cute; although I would hate being a resident there =/ The Busan Int’l Film Festival was happening then, & I visited the Expo & Convention Centre for the film market. Can’t go into the exhibition, but that whole area was filled with ads/posters of BIFF - it was a big deal! It was cool to witness such a big event & to experience the sheer scale of it. I then went to Shinsegae Centum City, which is the largest shopping complex in the world. Haeundae Beach was also cool. I went on a cloudy day & it was awesome! That same evening/night, I checked out the Jagalchi Fish Market, which is the largest seafood market in Korea. It has 7 floors total, with 3 underground parking levels :O On the last day, bcos I only had the morning available to do stuff, I had Busan fish cake for breakfast & strolled in BIFF Square again.

*Note: I actually hit all the things on my itinerary EXCEPT for the Busan Museum of Art, which was closed on Mondays =( but the security guy let me in to see the lobby bcos he knew I was a tourist. Thank you!

Day 13-17: Flew from Busan Airport to Jeju Airport. I used more time than needed for the whole process- turned out foreigners have their own line at the Busan Airport, so it’s faster than locals. There’s also a domestic terminal & international terminal, so from arrival to being checked in & through security.. . it took less than 25mins. It was great! In regards to Jeju, I did the following:

- stayed in Jeju City for the arrival afternoon/evening, with my hotel being Astar Hotel. Had a street food dinner at Dongmun Market; they were having this night market/festival event so a bunch of street food stalls were open from 7pm-midnight. Smelled like heaven haha

- I did my 1st hike ever on Hallasan Mountain, specifically the Gwaneunsa Trail, & I reached the peak. It was.. . hard. I can’t say I particularly enjoyed it; however, it has proven to me that I am a land person, & I belong in museums, cafes, & street walking lol. Look up the details of the trail! Was it ambitious of me to go on this for my 1st hike ever. .. without any hiking gear? I went with what some ppl would consider gym shoes, a hoodie, leggings, & a backpack with water, juice, kimbaps, 2 bananas, 6 mandarins, & some snacks (cheese crisps & pineapple cream-flavoured crackers).

- The day after the hike, my legs were still okay. But it was my glut that was starting to get sore XD I went to Osulloc Tea Museum & Innisfree Jeju House. The aesthetics <3

- Went to Black Pig Street for black pig bbq. I was hoping a restaurant or two was taking solo-diners & thankfully, the 2nd restaurant I asked did! I ordered pork neck instead of pork belly - it was quite tender & kinda chewy, actually. Later that evening, I went to the Tamra Cultural Festival 2019. It was neat~ There was an outdoor night market, as well as a stage for cultural dance/play/music.

- Jeju Island is actually quite small, & it takes approx. an hour from 1 side of the island to the other side. Thus, for my 3rd (full) day, I went to the Jungmun (Jeju City is north of the island; Jungmun is south coast) & visited the Yellow Cafe, Chocolate Land, Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum, & Yeomiji Botanical Garden.

- From Jungmun, I took a local bus to Lee Jong Seop Street in Seogwipo, the next city over. The street is very pleasant & chill, with artwork along the street, coffeeshops & eateries, as well as little gift shops. Totally my thing! It reminds me Bukchon Hanok Village in terms of vibe, but minus the traditional housing look. The Seogwipo Olle Market is nearby, & is a great place to buy Jeju souvenirs. The pricing, I heard/read, is cheaper than Dongmun Market in Jeju City - it is true! There are also less tourists here, which was what made it enjoyable for me, personally.

- Only the morning on my last day was free for activities bcos my flight to Seoul was early afternoon. I visited the area around Jeju City Hall, which was ~20min walk from my hotel. It was a very leisurely morning, where I sat down & enjoyed coffee at Coffee Finder & had a build-your-own-ramen bowl at a place nearby. The architecture of Coffee Finder was unique; it used to be a 2-floor house, with like a driveway/sidewalk. But the ummm first floor ceiling/second floor flooring was knocked down so there’s a “hole” in the middle of the cafe. The cafe has very homely vibes as the placement of tables/chairs are in what was (at one point) rooms of the house. It’s open but also you can get some privacy at the same time.

Day 17-18: Back to Seoul, & stayed at Namsan Hill Hotel~ Itaewon is a must! I need to go to Passion 5 every time lol. & I also revisited the Leeum Samsung Museum of Art bcos I like it. & then I had my last day as a “free” day, where I didn’t plan ANYTHING. I’m a very intense planner & when I go on trips, I literally plan to the minute haha & guess what, I ended up in Hongdae. Honestly, it’s my kinda place. Sadly, the transportation situation there isn’t convenient for the rest of my itinerary, or else I would choose a hotel that’s in the vicinity. I nearly spent 2.5 hrs at Coin Su Noraebang haha I realized that if you score high enough, time gets added to your paid time :O I can’t let that go to waste =P

There ya go, Korea 2019!

PS: I haven’t decided what/how I’m gonna go about posting my trip. .. There are wayyyy too many photos & it will take me a million yrs to write/upload. Perhaps expect unexpected Korea posts scattered between my regular posts :P I will, however, share with you the coffees I’ve had in Korea. I tried diff ones, from franchise to small local cafes, adventurous flavours & the typical black Americano. I didn’t have any poor experiences but there was 1 particular one that I will likely never order again - tbh, I should’ve expected it but I still went for it anyway *shrugs* so I guess it was all my fault haha ok, I’ll ttyl~!

#korea #korea travel #travel korea #korea trip #korea 2019 #solo travel #vacation #seoul #busan #jeju island #paju #incheon #gangneung #jeonju #tourist

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eyesopen2019 · 5 years

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Chickenpox in Cunit

We got the train from Seville to Barcelona on 23rd June which was very comfortable and an easy trip. Our apartment was basically across the road from the train station in Seville which was handy. When we got on the train we had the usual arguments about who was sitting where………. Aiden always wants the window seat, Lani and Leon always want to sit with me, no-one ever wants to sit with Aiden so it is always a bit of a fight until usually I have to step in and tell everyone where to sit! Leon had to sit next to Aiden on this train so wasn’t very happy to start with, but eventually got over it.

While waiting to board the train I noticed Kai was breaking out in red spots. We had a few mosquitos in Seville and initially I thought he’d been bitten, but over the course of the journey he got more and more spots coming up until he was almost covered in itchy blisters…..chickenpox. Leon and Lani had a few spots the previous week and some headaches but I’d thought they were tired and had mosquito bites, so I now think they’d all had chickenpox – except Aiden. Poor Kai was covered in spots by the time we got off the train. Luckily, he didn’t feel too bad – just itchy.

We arrived in Barcelona Sants at 9.30pm and had to get a regional train to Cunit which is where we were staying for the next 2 weeks. We decided to stay out of the city due to cost and also we needed to stay somewhere for a bit longer so we could apply for our visa to China.

Cunit is a beachside holiday town for Spanish tourists approximately 45mins by train south of Barcelona. Our apartment is across the road from the beach and a short walk to the train station and supermarket. There is not much to do in Cunit besides the beach, but they do have a few good cafes in town with great coffee and a very friendly and relaxed feel to the town.

The night we arrived in Cunit we got off the train into the pitch black and found fireworks and firecrackers exploding all around the train station and town. The streets were filled with the smoke of crackers going off everywhere and the sound was constant and very loud. We had no idea what was happening or why this was all going on. We walked about 20 minutes through the streets trying to avoid being hit by stray fireworks. It was a bit scary as we had no idea what sort of place we had ended up. Looking around the streets they were filled with old and young people as well as young children with their families which made me feel better. The beach was filled with people setting off fireworks and sitting around fires. When we arrived at our unit to be greeted by our host and her DIL on the phone she explained that it was the celebration for the summer solstice all throughout Spain. After we settled into the unit and watched the fireworks from our balcony. They continued until well into the early hours and sporadically for the next few days. It was good to see families out enjoying themselves well into the night with no intoxicated people causing trouble.

Our first few days in Cunit were spent trying to sort out our China visa. We had great difficulty getting information about what documents we needed for visa application. We were unable to call or email and get a response from the visa centre in Barcelona, so we decided to visit in person where they answered all our questions. For the next 2 days we managed to get everything together and all forms filed in and documents printed and collated (90 pages!). I made an appointment to apply for the visa and Kai and I went to the visa centre. While we sat there waiting for our turn, I noticed that not many people had their applications and passports taken off them during their turn and that they were sent away for corrections or more paperwork. When it was my turn, I handed the consulate staff my 6 forms and passports and she was a bit surprised there were so many. I explained that we were unable to apply in Australia as we’d been travelling since February and really need to apply today so we could get the visas back before leaving for France on the 8th July. She was very friendly and helpful, and we spent the next 4, yes 4, hours filling and refilling in forms and paperwork so it was all correct to submit. It was a very tiring and difficult process before we finally had it all right and she took all 6 applications off me. I then went to pay at the cashier and my card was declined!!!! So, Kai and I had to run to the ATM to get cash before they closed their doors 10 minutes later. We made it back and paid the money and I was so happy to get out of there. I felt a great stress relief once it was submitted and now we just wait 8 working days to go back and pick them up. Fingers crossed……..

To get out of the heat one day we went to the Port Adventura water park which is a bit like Wet’n’Wild at home. We all enjoyed the rides with Leon and Lani going and going all day long. Kai loved the lazy river and Hung tried some of the waterslides, but he got pretty sick so napped most of the afternoon. Leon was the most adventurous and went on the King Khajuna which was 31m high with a near vertical drop and he survived. We were all really tired the next day from being out in the sun all day and had a resting day at home.

We noticed there were heaps of mosquitos in Cunit and we struggled with the heat at night and lack of aircon in our unit. We cranked up the fans and Hung rigged up some temporary flyscreens with mosquito netting which helped. We were up at the beach most mornings before it is too hot. The beach is very calm with crystal clear water. Lani loves to sit and play on the beach for hours, digging holes and building castles. Everyone has been swimming, except Aiden, and enjoyed cooling off in the water. On the weekends the beach is packed with extended Spanish families with their umbrellas, coolers and chairs where they will spend most of the day.

I spent a few days out in Barcelona with Aiden watching a couple of movies (we saw Rocketman which was my choice and John Wick 3 which was Aiden’s choice) in the heat of the day and then visiting the Gothic Quarter, La Rambla and some of Gaudi’s famous buildings. There are endless gorgeous alleyways filled with little shops and different foods to explore. He had his hair cut and rebleached one night while I waited in a nearby café which was very relaxing just having a wine and watching the passing traffic. After that we wandered around for a few hours until we jumped on the train home. Hung and Aiden went into the city one night and went vintage shopping. Aiden picked out a shirt for Hung which Aiden really liked. Aiden bought himself some beige pants and a jacket in a particular style he’d been looking for since Japan.

We spent some time near the Barcelona Cathedral and Leon and Lani enjoyed watching the various people on the street trying to scam tourists out of money by giving their kids balloons or jumping into people’s photos. They couldn’t believe it when the clown snatched the balloon back from the child when their parent wouldn’t give them any money or demanded the photo be deleted from the tourist’s phone. We visited La Sagrada Familia and learnt about Gaudi and his obsession with the building. It is a Roman Catholic Church inspired by faith and nature and has been under construction since 1882 and continues today. All the kids enjoyed looking at the building and admiring the wonderful decorative exterior. We also wandered down Passeig de Gracia to see Casa Batllo (House of Bones) redesigned by Gaudi in 1904 where Leon and Lani were more fascinated by a nearby tree…..

Hung and I celebrated our 19 year wedding anniversary in Cunit and spent an evening out at the Picasso Museum with the kids and had a lovely dinner together when on our last night in Barcelona.

The Picasso Museum was interesting, and the kids were interested to learn Picasso started painting so young but were unsure why he was so famous when they thought they could do his paintings also. Leon and Lani both were keen to try a cubism drawing in their journals the next day.

Hung and Lani rented an electric bike one day and spent the day cruising around together. They came home with a fish and some anchovies that they bought and fried them up for lunch. It was funny to watch Lani pull the jaw off the fish and scoop out the eyballs then eat the rest – she really is Hung’s daughter! Lani out of all the kids enjoyed the beach and the water the most and could spend all day there if able. She’d much prefer that than walking around a city looking at buildings…….

On June 7th we caught the train from Cunit back to Barcelona where we were due to collect our passports the following day. Hung and I went out for a dinner at a local Spanish restaurant and had a delicious seafood paella and tapas dishes. We shared a bottle of Spanish red wine which we thoroughly enjoyed as we did the ice cream on the way home. We got up early the next morning and Leon and I headed to the Chinese Visa Centre to collect our passports with hopefully our visa inside. I was pleased that we just were able to head to the counter and collect our passports straight away with no problems. I breathed a big sigh of relief when I had the passports in my hand and all the details were correct.

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mrandmrsvex · 6 years

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Rating: General Audiences Relationships: Percival "Percy" Fredrickstein Von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III/Vex'ahlia Additional Tags: Valentine's fluff, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Secret Admirer gone wrong gone right Summary:

Vex doesn't care about Valentine's Day. She doesn't mind being alone, not at all. But a message from a secret admirer is far too interesting not to follow.

Percy doesn't care about Valentine's Day. He forgets about it, mostly. But a message from a secret admirer piques his interest.

Vex didn't care for Valentine's Day. It was overblown. Commercial. Fake. Why demand to excessively celebrate love on a particular day? What nonsense. She didn't care for it, not one bit.

This, of course, had nothing to do with the fact that she was single on this year's Valentine's. It was a matter of principle.

After all, there wasn't anyone she was interested in anyway. No one she could think of to even ask for a date, not even a non-committal one. And even if she did, he wouldn't be interested. He didn't care for Valentine's Day either. So she didn't care. She'd enjoy the day alone, and it would be perfectly fine. She didn't care for Valentine's day at all.

Vax could only sigh as he listened to her replay this particular rant for the umpteenth time in the last two days. Valentine's was tomorrow, and Vex was committed to pretending like it was no big deal.

„That's good to know.“ Vax said in the most monotone voice he could muster. „Then I won't have to feel bad being out all day with Kiki.“

„Not at all. Go have fun. I'll enjoy myself.“

Vex had two tubs of chocolate ice cream, a good movie, and a cuddly dog. She didn't need anything more. Valentine's Day was no big deal.

Percy genuinely didn't care for Valentine's Day. In fact, he'd mostly forgotten about it in the past few years, even as shops and television commercials covered everything with pink hearts. It wasn't really something that registered as important on his radar.

He remembered the few awkward attempts at secret admirer gifts in his early teens, sure. He also remembered everyone's confusion when he'd decided to not pursue any kind of date later on, even when they were offered by strangely interested girls (he never understood what they could see in him, what he would have to offer, except maybe the promise of paying for the fanciest restaurants with his parents' money), while his siblings were out and about celebrating each year.

Percy just didn't care for any of it. It worried Keyleth, to some extent.

„I'm not saying you have to have a date tomorrow. You're free to do whatever you want! I just wanna make sure you really don't mind being alone. I know you're alone a lot, but, you know. I can still tell Vax to postpone our date if you want!“

„Keyleth.“ He sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. „Even if I did care, I wouldn't dare make an enemy out of Vax by keeping you to myself on Valentine's. For heaven's sake, go out and eat all the cake he can afford to buy you tomorrow. I'll be fine.“

„Okay. But you know you can call or text if you change your mind. Any time!“

Vex woke up the next day with an empty, aching feeling to her stomach. No, goddamnit. She wouldn't mind. She didn't care. She repeated her mantra while she got dressed, and on the way out to the mailbox. Why she'd check today, of all days, she didn't really know. All she could expect were some love letters to Vax, sent by secret admirers (Keyleth went the more personal route, she knew, handing over any letters personally), or maybe some unwanted bills as usual.

She didn't expect the small red box full of chocolates, a tiny white envelope with her name on it on top.

Time seemed to halt for a second as she stared at the letter inside.

Meet me outside the art history museum at noon

Vex's heart was racing even while she sat on the side of the large stone stairs leading up to the museum. This was ridiculous. Stupid. What was she doing? Waiting for someone she didn't even know. On Valentine's Day. In one of her nicest dresses. Make-up on, even.

She was an idiot. But somehow, she had been unable to resist. It was hard to admit, but something inside her had become excited, almost overexcited, as she was getting ready.

And here she was now, waiting to see her secret messenger.

The large clocktower of the museum rang. 12pm.

Ten past noon.

Quarter past.

Half past twelve.

No one was coming. People were strolling past her. Couples, holding hands.

Her rage was rising. Why was she still waiting? Half an hour. Even if the mysterious messenger showed up now, they shouldn't expect to see her anywhere. They should be ashamed.

Almost as ashamed as she felt right now.

Her eyes scanned the street once again and stopped at a familiar mess of white hair, peeking out from beside a column of the building's side. A glint of golden glasses.

It couldn't possibly be Percy. He'd never be late to anything, especially not to a date he set up himself, she thought to herself before hearing an equally familiar voice.

„Vex! Hi.“

It was Percy. In front of her now. It couldn't be – he wouldn't send – would he?

„Are you waiting for someone?“

It wasn't Percy. She wasn' sure whether she felt relieved about that or not.

„Yeah, just... waiting for a friend. But I think they forgot. No one could be that late. What are you doing here?“

„Oh, nothing, really.“ Percy's mind was racing. He had to come up with a convicing lie, quick. It was usually easy, but this was Vex. And he could barely lie to her when he was prepared for it.

„I wanted to find someplace to hide from all this cutesy loveydovey mess everywhere, and I figured the museum would still be safe.“

Good. A believable lie. It looked like she believed it, at least.

There really was no need to tell her the truth. He embarassed himself in front of her often enough. She didn't need to know about the ridiculous situation he'd put himself in now.

What had he been thinking, following the offer of that stupid letter he'd found in his workshop this morning? Of course there'd be no one wearing a red skirt anywhere. It was a prank, from Vax maybe, or Scanlan and Grog, hiding somewhere right now laughing their asses off at his idiocy. That he'd seriously believed it could be someone, maybe someone he knew, someone he wanted to spend the day with-

Vex's dress was cream-coloured, and it wasn't even a skirt. He'd noticed when he approached her, but still. He'd hoped. For a second.

„Would you mind some company on your quest for a sane refuge? Or is this a solitary mission?“ Vex winked at him, and Percy blushed.

„No, of course, by all means.“ He offered her a hand as she stood up.

He paid her entrance fee, of course. It was only the polite thing to do.

Vex had rarely ever had more fun at a museum. Percy knew surprisingly much about art – then again, he seemed to know a little bit about almost anything. She smiled softly as he began his impromptu guide tour in the way that Vax had titled „Professor de Rolo style“ long ago.

In the medieval section, though, she couldn't keep down a short giggle while nudging him in the side, pointing at several paintings.

„They all look like they're incredibly suspicious about each other. Just look at Mary giving the stink-eye to an angel.“

Percy tried to keep his serious face for barely a few seconds before snickering himself and pulling her over to the Renaissance room.

„That's nothing. I'm far more impressed by all the buff Jesus babies. Look at the six pack on this one.“

The security people in each room became more and more tired of their giggling as they snarked their way through almost the whole exhibition.

The Impressionist's wing was a different story. Vex fell silent almost as soon as they entered, and bee-lined to a particularly large painting full of soft blue and golden hues.

„This is incredible.“ She mumbled as Percy came up to her side.

„Do you want to sit and watch for a while?“ He gestured to the conveniently placed bench behind them.

„Yes!“ She was already sitting down. „If you don't mind, I mean-...?“ „Absolutely not.“ He sat down beside her.

She was far too entranced with the painting to notice that Percy wasn't giving it much more than a second look. He was far busier watching her, wide-eyed and smiling as her gaze trailed across the colours.

„I have to say.“ Vex smiled at him as they walked down the stairs, the sun already setting. „That was definitely a nicer way to spend Valentine's Day than I'd planned.“

„I'm glad I could make for good company.“ Percy returned her smile as they reached the street and stopped for a second. „I, uhm, I was wondering, actually, if maybe-“

„Yes?“ „Would you like to get some dinner?“

„Yes, absolutely!“ She wrapped her arm around his elbow. „Provided we can find a place that isn't completely booked today.“

They strolled down the street towards the city centre. Percy was glad he hadn't seen the mysterious red skirt anywhere. Vex had already forgotten the rage against her messenger's non-arrival.

In a cafe across the street, Keyleth nervously slurped down the last of her milkshake, peeking out the large windows and trying to hide her bright red hair as best as she could.

„Do you think we did the right thing? That was a kinda mean trick.“

„Aaaah, no, Kiki.“ Vax grinned at her as he watched his sister turn the corner. „We did good. We did real good.“

„We're not, uh, telling them, though, right?“

„Fuck no. Never.“

If you think I did a good job writing this, and you have some copper to spare, consider buying me a coffee?

#Critical Role #CR #Perc'ahlia #Vex'ahlia #Percy de Rolo #Percival Fredrickstein von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III #Vox Machina #my writing

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tournesoldansunjardin · 6 years

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Dear Emma, May 30th Vancouver day trip

I decided to go into Vancouver since it was the only place I could purchased the CBD cream for my knee. Well, what I am saying? If CBD is good for aches and pains, my goodness it should do wonders for all my aches due to Fibromyalgia. I will just get it and slather it all over the sore areas…which are plenty.

My host was kind enough to drive me to the bus stop, which saved me a good 30 minutes. I had loaded extra $ on my Compass card, so was not too worried of transfers and getting to the Waterfront in Vancouver. What I had not anticipated was the bus did NOT drive into the city as a few locals had told me last night. The bus stopped at Bridgeport SkyTrain station and I saw everyone get off. I walked up to the front and asked the driver if this was the end of the line…yuppers!

I remembered Waterfront line since it is close to our Vancouver office and chose that line to get in town.

I had the address of the Cannabis Lounge where I was hoping to get my cream. In BC you don’t need a prescription to get it but in Montreal we do. I have my request put in for that when I get back from vacation but I wanted to try it now since my knees were so painful as well as neck and shoulders, so what had I to lose? My intention was to buy it, try it and then mail it to me in Quebec because there was no way I was flying with that or going through customs with it. There is barely any THC in it and it does not affect the brain/mood but it is supposed to be healing and soothing for inflammation…so they say!

(C)Clr’18 Vancouver, GasTown, Hastings Street

I got in town and started walking in circles…yes, that is me. I look at Google Map on my phone and argue with it thinking I know better well, that means I go in circles and get so fed up, I give in to Google and voilà I found the place

I was a bit apprehensive since it is on Hastings Street and there is a section that is quite sketchy but this place was not that far East…phew! As I walked in, there were three clerks at the centre of the shop on a raised platform surrounded by a counter. There were so many smoking paraphernalia and most I have never seen…well, maybe in a movie! As I walked in, one clerk was lighting up a joint and then gave it to his colleague and calmly [they sure ARE calm!] asked if he could help me.

I started, “I come from very far…” and explained that I heard the MJ Pain cream was very good for joint pain. One of the clerks said he uses it regularly on his wrist and it works…I doubt it was just the cream…[wink wink]

The small jar was $45 and the larger one $100…so I took the small one. I left and looked around for a comfortable café where I could put the cream on my knees, neck and shoulder and sit and relax with an Americano and wait for the magic. I found a Starbucks on an nice corner with a terrace, so I stood in line for the washroom first. After a good fifteen minutes, I entered and put the cream on, and placed the jar on the toilet paper shelf. As I put it there, I told myself, “I had better not forget it now!.” Why the hell did I not put it in my bag straight away? I wanted to wash my hands first.

I ordered my double shot Americano and sat comfortably in an armchair and relaxed…I felt a tingling in my neck but still pain. My knees had not budged…I mean the pain did not subside even a little. My shoulders were the same but my upper arm seemed painless. Hmmm, well, maybe I need to slather this on a few times before seeing any difference.

After an hour of reading and writing on my iPad, I messaged a colleague who now works in the Vancouver office and asked if I could take her out for dinner on her hour break later. I am so glad I did. She brought me to this funky bar called The Taco Shop actually just across the street from The Cannabis Lounge…another coincidence? I was thrilled hearing the jazz music as I walked In. I was so delighted. Of course I ordered seafood burritos with guacamole and chips to start. My friend chose the local beer for me as she had a good idea on what I preferred. It was great!!

We could only eat half so we doggy bagged the rest (which I will be eating as my bedtime snack tonight) and I went to join her at the office. I wanted to show her my jar of magic potion. I looked in every section of my backpack…then she looked for me and then an image flashed before my eyes ‘Brown jar marked MJ Cream’ on the shelf above the toilet paper’. I slapped my forehead with the palm of my hand out of sheer frustration! Darn!!! I forgot it there.

Then I remember the woman going into the washroom after me, I warned her that there was no more toilet paper (for which I was pleased I had carried Wet ones in my bag). I saw her later and she looked at me weird…NOW, I know why. She was probably waiting for me to ask the clerk if anyone had found a jar of cream. But I had not realized it at that time. Well, my coffee ended up costing me $55.00 (including Americano and a danish).

I was kicking shelf but then I finally let it go and figured if anyone who more pain and fell upon it, then I’m happy someone can benefit it. I know I will not order it online, having tried it, I need something stronger which I noticed they have another blend for arthritic pain. In any event, I shall discuss it with my rheumatologist before I try that again, since I am sure he has referred many of his patients to alternative pain relievers.

Walking back home away from home slowly and stopping often to take in the v

Getting back home on the sky train was fine (I double checked with a local to make sure I was taking the correct line since it was getting late and late transit is not so great outside of the city). I got at the bus stop at 10:30pm and looked on my app Transit to check the stops to make sure I got the right transfer. When I got at the stop at 11:15pm, there was no one waiting for a bus, so I asked another local and the lady was going to call the transit company not trusting my phone app. Just then the 321 transfer bus arrived, so we checked and the driver said this was the right line. The bus was a fifteen minute ride and the driver told me to just keep walking straight ahead and the road will become the street I needed to get to. WELL HE WAS WRONG!!!!

I walked onto a highway crossing and realized I could not be going in the right direction. Thank goodness the moon was so full and bright but boy was I getting frustrated, tired and after 30 minutes of turning in circles, I was getting scared. I did not meet ONE person on the streets where I was walking. This is so different than back home. My phone was losing juice quickly at 7% and often it closes down at 5%…I didn’t want to call the host of my AirBnB as I knew she turns in early (compared to me) and I wished for once that Uber existed in B C. If I would call them (like I did once in a similar situation when it got too dark in San Diego to retrace my steps) I called Lyft (similar to Uber) and they catch us on their GPS and pick us up straight away. I have to say we should have that service at least outside of major cities where transit is scarce. I could not have called a taxi, since they don’t have the GPS system Uber has. My last resort if I could no longer find the house was to call the police.

There was 1% left on my phone and it stayed on by pure miracle …yes, I said a few prayers too! And I finally got home at 12:30. I had walked 12km that day but 5km just getting home since it was supposed to be 2km!

Oh well, at least it gave me something to write to you about, Emma. Right? I took a nice hot shower when I got it to soothe every aching muscle and slept like a baby.

May 31st,

Today I woke up at 8 am but my body wouldn’t budge. I picked up my phone and finished reading an e-book, then I snoozed a bit off and on and did not get out of bed until noon. It took me a while to get moving but I took my time. And now here I am at a café

I started with a cappuccino and called my uncle in Ontario to wish him happy 90th birthday and then treated myself to a double scoop (did not realize they were so BIG) of rainbow chocolate…YUM!!

I sat inside to savour the ice cream and the music turned to Jazz which seemed to attract my muse and voilà, I just finished another post!

It is such a treat to by typing my post in front of the ocean…time to leave and sit on the shore now…one last time. Then walk the 4km back.

I picked up s few souvenirs at Whitby’, a place recommended by a grienf who used to live here in White Rock I wanted so much there but the owner said I could order online too.

I sat on the beach taking in all I could , meditating and trying to be st one with my surroundings. After half an hour I decided to walk back home slowly hopefully my to find a spot tovrst closer to my lodgings.

Unfortunately, I did not find a restaurant or fish and chip place open after nine. Boy!!! it’s a bit like Toronto was like in the early 1990’s. Ih well I guess ti each its own.

There were some other places further away from my lodgings, so I thought about the half seafood burrito I saved from last night. Phew! I also brought some good aged cheddar from Montreal. I am all set for my last night in BC.

Unpredictable Whimsical and enchanting Like Mother Nature

Unpredictable The weather In Canada

Whimsical and enchanting Getting to know A new lover

Like Mother Nature Humans influenced by the moon And the stars

(C)Tournesol’18-05-31

Daily Moments – unpredictability- May 31-18 (troibun)

Dear Emma -III – May 30-31 Vancouver (GasTown) (C) Clr’18. Inspired by the jazz playing in the cafe Dear Emma, May 30th Vancouver day trip…

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allovertheworldblog · 3 years

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A prisoner in Sucre

Trying to leave Sucre wasn’t proving easy.

Thankfully the hostel I was staying in was a five minute walk from the bus station.

So, I went to check out what time busses to Santa Cruz were at.

I couldn’t find any morning or daytime busses from Sucre to Santa Cruz, only nighttime busses. That was ok.

Only trouble was this was Saturday.

The bus companies I went to were either full or for some reason not running busses that day.

Travelling by bus in Bolivia can be difficult enough what with poor quality roads, old uncomfortable busses, but now I couldn’t even get a seat.

I found one of the last seats out of Sucre for that night, but it wasn’t going to Santa Cruz, where I was bound for.

It was going to Cochabamba, which isn’t even in the direction I wanted to go, just anything to get out of Sucre.

I’d spent three days in the city, in reality, one day would have been enough.

I’d even tried to get a ticket to Villazon, which would have brought me back to northern Argentina, which would have enabled me move on with my new plan of travelling up through Brazil to The Guyanas.

But, those tickets were sold out as well.

When I was buying my ticket the seller tries to charge me 10 Blivianos more than the locals.

I make her sell it to me for the same price as the locals.

I have my ticket and I’m ready to leave. I spend my last day in Sucre.

I collect my bags from the hostel around 17.00 and walk across to the bus station.

My bus leaves at 19.00.

There’s a big rush of people to board the bus, what’s the rush, I wonder, they all have tickets.

Our bus leaves at 18.45 because all the seats have been sold.

A policeman stands by to marshal the people getting on the bus, but doesn’t do much.

As I’m standing on the platform a little old man with thick glasses who looks about 70 years of age calls out ‘hijo, hijo’ meaning son.

I assume he’s looking for his son in the crowd, maybe his son has the tickets. We board the bus and I’m sitting up in the front seat of the single decker bus.

The old guy who was calling out 'hijo’ on the platform turns out to be the driver of the bus.

He’s wearing padded trousers like a an airplane pilot from the 1950’s.

He blesses himself a couple of times and kisses the steering wheel. And then we’re off.

I get to sleep almost immediately in spite of everything.

We stop for a 20-minute break along the road in the dark. We stop at a row of houses and businesses along with a couple of other busses. I sleep again on the next leg of the trip.

We get in to Cochabamba at 05.20.

I buy a ticket to Santa Cruz, I’m charged 80 Boliviano’s.

Later I look at my folded up ticket and it says 70 Boliviano’s, was I ripped off, I don’t know.

As in all of Bolivia when you’re using a bus station you have to buy pay a tax. Sometimes they put a sticker on your bus ticket to say you’ve paid, sometimes they give you a small ticket.

This is then checked when you go through to get to the departure gates.

You also always have to pay a separate charge if you want to use the toilets in the station.

Our bus leaves Cochabamba at 06.30.

Right after we leave a guy in a suit is standing in the middle of the aisle upstairs on the double decker bus.

I didn’t see him sitting down so assume he’s the conductor of the bus.

He’s fixing a microphone.

I assume he’s going to introduce himself and tell us about the facilities and emergency exits, as a similar thing had happened to me in Peru and Argentina a couple of times.

The guy turns out to be a salesman, trying to sell tooth whitening toothpaste. He’s selling a miraculous paste along with a toothbrush for the small price of 10 Bolivianos.

One of the small octagonal boxes containing the paste is handed to all the passengers so that we can see what’s on offer. 'As seen on TV three times’ the container proudly boasts.

It’s not enough to encourage many of the wary Bolivians to part with their cash, the salesman makes a few sales, packs up his microphone and kit and is off at the next stop.

At the same time as the salesman is packing up his things

five local women get on the bus and go up and down the aisles selling their wares, egg and potato in a bag, chicken and potato in a bag, bread, juice.

It’s 07.00 already, I had hoped to get some more sleep but the business of business has put paid to that idea.

Then the music comes on. Mi Corozon music as I call it, meaning sad love songs. Literally Mi Corozon means, my heart.

It’s ubiquitous in song in Bolivia. Mi Corozon isn’t always in the lyrics of every song but you could be forgiven for thinking that it is.

The sun is coming up on Cochabamba of the 11th July 2010 as we drive along with the music blaring, por favor, mi amor, plays loudly on the radio.

I’m left thinking that Bolivia must be a land of deaf people.

We’re stopped at an army checkpoint later in the day for about 30-minutes. Everybody has to get off as the bus is searched.

I think they were looking for drugs.

Local people use the permanent checkpoint to their advantage and have set up beside it to cater to the waiting passengers.

They mainly sell ice-creams and jelly, just enough to keep you going.

Later outside the bus I see how the scenery has changed.

I’ve left the high Andes far behind.

The hills are green, the place feels warm.

We get in to Santa Cruz sometime after 17.00.

I go to an internet cafe and see what accommodation is available in the city.

I pass by a few pubs that open onto the street that are showing the final of the World Cup.

I stop by to see what the score is.

I take a taxi to my guesthouse after negotiating a price with the driver.

I’m worried that car mightn’t make it, it seems to be falling apart.

There doesn’t seem to be any suspension and we rattle along with something scraping on the ground.

The driver leaves me off where I asked him to.

My guesthouse isn’t in view straight away so I walk up and down the street. I find it after 10-minutes and check in.

I have a private room with shared bathroom.

I’m missing the hostel setting, where you’re nearly guaranteed of meeting people.

I ask directions of the receptionist to the centre.

It’s a few streets away, about a 15-minute walk.

He warns me not to be in the main square after 23.00.

Before I’d got to Santa Cruz I was worried that it could be a dangerous place.

I’d read about it being the right-wing centre of Bolivia.

The city usually votes against the populist President.

An Irishman who was implicated in a plot to assassinate the President was shot in Santa Cruz last year. I was going to keep my wits about me.

It was a warm pleasant night in Santa Cruz. I got to the Plaza 24 de Septiembre to find it thronged with people.

Friends and family catching up and people out for a stroll.

Men in jackets with small trollies with flasks of coffee plied their trade.

The place had a real relaxed atmosphere to it.

I go to a restaurant on the square.

My meal and bottle of beer cost more than the price of my accommodation. Outside, supporters of Spain, who had that day won the World Cup, cheer and run up and down the street.

After dinner I buy some ice cream and sit in the square.

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hooliainprague-blog · 6 years

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i ❤︎ prague

8.2.2018

People in my Czech class were talking a lot about Chipotle, and this inspired me to get a quesadilla from a nearby small restaurant. We walked there with some hot wine we bought from a stand in the streets.

The quesadilla was no Moe’s quesadilla, but it’ll have to do for now. After I ate, we walked back towards Old Town Square because my friend wanted another hot wine. I decided to get a nice touristy pivo (beer).

We had previously decided to go to IKEA after class today, but we didn’t want to get on the public transportation with our cups (or we don’t know if it’s actually allowed or not, so we didn’t want to risk it). Because of this, we decided to be extra touristy and hang out in Old Town Square for a little while so we could finish our drinks. I’m glad we did this because today there was a man blowing tons of bubbles in the middle of the square. It was fun to watch the little kids run around popping all the bubbles they could catch, and we snapped a few pictures, too.

We finished our drinks and went down into the metro station and started the 50 minute commute. After 20 minutes on the metro, we had to get off and switch to a bus. This is the first time I’ve ridden a bus here, and compared to the trams and the metro system, the buses are trash. It’s great that it’s included with the three month transportation pass and it’ll be nice to have options, but I prefer the trams and metro.

IKEA was a maze and was confusing and tiring to go through. We didn’t really need anything except something to do, but it was nice to see what was on the outskirts of Prague and to see where the store is. We even found a cool pasta poster on sale for 5 Kč, which is about $0.24. I got chocolate cake and it was great. Here’s some proof that we were here (and some nice dramatic shots of this succulent):

9.2.2018

My midterm went very well, a bit better than I expected. Our professor told us the national liquor of the Czech Republic, Becherovka, and said we had to try it. I bought some, and it actually tastes like Christmas. Me and a friend decided to go out for drinks tonight, and we found two super cheap bars.

At the first one, an older man tried to get us to sit with him, but we refused. The nice bartender gave us two lil drinks that tasted like lemonade for free. I also had a mixed drink with absinthe and it tasted like licorice in a good way. That older man kept trying to get our attention, so we decided to leave. On the way out, the bartender threw something at us to get our attention and said that we should stay longer, but we left anyway.

The next place was super chill and even cheaper. We met a guy around our age from Russia. He was very nice. He told us that 90% of Russians support Putin and Trump and didn’t understand why we don’t like Trump, but it was refreshing that he was polite about it. It’s interesting to hear someone from another country so invested in our political situation. It’s all about perspective, I guess. Also, the only picture I took today was a blurry one of this bar.

After we left, we sprinted faster than we ever have before to catch a tram because it just arrived to the station when we were a block away and the next one wouldn’t be coming for another 20 minutes. A little surprise when we got back to the dorm: someone paid for a bag of potato chips and left them in the vending machine. Free chips!

10.2.2018

This day was pretty relaxed. I liked it. I slept in because I DESERVE IT. Zuzana had another one of her cafe and gallery tours, and we went to the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art. I liked this place a lot more because of an exhibit titled DeTermination by Daniel Pešta. It was so intriguing and captivating and I never wanted to leave.

There’s also a giant airship that apparently hosts small concerts and speakers. It was trippy to be inside of it and it kind of hurt my eyes.

A nice quote from a journal in the shop:

The other artist featured in this museum, Plny, was strangely obsessed with the human body, especially his own. Some of his pieces invoked a lot of discomfort but were difficult to look away from. Overall, it was a great experience.

For dinner, we were going to go somewhere in the Old Town about 30 minutes away, but since it’s Saturday night, there weren’t any places that had room for eight people without a reservation. After wandering around trying to decide where to go for half an hour, we decided to go the whole way back to a Chinese restaurant five minutes away from the dorm. It was a bit frustrating, but luckily it was a nice night and everyone was in a good mood. We made the best of the situation.

11.2.2018

It’s a Sunday, and I wanted so badly to get out of the dorm and do something new. I started going through hashtags of Prague events on instagram, and I found something that said there was a festival in Prague 3. I mentioned it in the group chat, and we decided to head over there around noon. Little did I know, the caption on this instagram picture LIED TO ME. It either said it was in the wrong place, it was the wrong date, or I read it completely incorrectly and nothing was even happening. Luckily, the little square it took us to had a bunch of cute coffee shops and breakfast places, so we wandered over to a creperie and got some coffee and, obviously, crepes. I was so hungry at this point and the savory crepe I got looked so good that I completely forgot I wanted to take pictures for this blog. Anyways, here’s the cappuccino from here:

After, we just wandered in and out of various stores in the area.

12.2.2018

Our professor said we looked too tired to learn anything else, so she took us to get ice cream for the last hour and a half of class instead. I love this city.

On the way there, we saw the place where students of Charles University started the Velvet Revolution that ended communism in the country. I hadn’t realized that something this powerful started on a street that I frequently walk on.

After this, I met up with a friend to go to the Communism Museum. This was hands-down one of the most chilling experiences of my life. It’s still so strange to me that communism only ended here 29 years ago. I would try to explain how I felt walking through these exhibits and watching the videos, but I do not have words. I think it’s something you have to experience in person to truly understand that feeling, and it’s even more powerful when you’re in a country that it actually happened in. Communist soldiers marched and beat people to death in the same place I walk freely.

Here’s a little snippit about the Stalin monument that used to be where the Prague Metronome I went to earlier:

13.2.2018

This was a slow day, and I’m trying to be more okay with having slower days while I’m in Europe. I almost feel guilty when I’m spending a bit of down time in my room.

I got another fried cheese sandwich in Wenceslas Square after class (all my money will go to these).

I did some laundry again, and one of my friends asked if I wanted to go get a beer with her before the hall meeting. I said yes, because like I said, I was already feeling bad about spending time in my room. Also, beer.

This town, even at a busy tram station/metro entrance, is so beautiful. I am so grateful to be here.

After the hall meeting, we went to the cheap Chinese restaurant to celebrate a birthday. It’s a good place because even when we show up at prime dinner time with no reservation and 11 people, we still easily find a table because it’s never busy. I got a whole meal, an extra side of fries, a ginger ale, and a fried ice cream for under $10. Amazing.

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trpsluminous · 4 years

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I was standing outside of Jabal Al-Qalaa – the highest vantage point to the rolling hilled city of Amman. Open your eyes here and in the heart of the city below, you’d see the large buff-colored stones of the roman theatre, look to your right and standing tall are the formidable pillars of the temple of Hercules, close your eyes and you’d hear the muezzin’s calls to prayer reverberating through the countless minarets of the city.

Inhabited by humans since the Paleolethic period, the country of Jordan was occupied by the Babylonian and Mesopotamian empires, the Nabateans, the Romans, the Greeks, the Persians, the Ottoman; at various points in its history. All that have ruled here have left their distinctive mark on the country’s culture, design and architecture and this has culminated in one the most harmonious juxtapositions of the modern era.

Out trip to Jordan commenced with Amman as our port of entry. While being the capital of Jordan, it is the political, cultural and commercial centre and of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.

Prior to our trip, we had purchased a Jordan pass which is essentially a super pass for your stay in Jordan – it not only provides entry to many tourist sites but also includes a visitor visa for the adults. As for the children’s visas, it was a visa on arrival, the fees can be paid through a credit card at the airport immigration counter; rented a car at the airport and drove to our hotel.

A view from the window of our room

Day 1 – After breakfast we visited the old town. The narrow streets of the old town were clogged with selfie-snapping tourists and there was not a corner spared. We made our way through the most populous city in Jordan and reached King Faisal street in the heart of the downtown; here tucked away in a very unassuming by lane is perhaps the most famous name in Amman – the Hashem Restaurant. One of the oldest restaurants and an indisputable icon of Amman; it is a very humble street side joint but the best meal of Falafel, Hummus and Mint tea you’d ever treat yourself to.

After the meal we started walking towards the Roman Theatre. On the way we stopped at an Arabic sweet shop called the Habbineh – the kunafa and the baklava here are a must.

The Roman Theatre

Built into a hillside, the 6000 seat theatre was constructed during the time of the Roman emperor Antonius Pius (138-161 CE) and was oriented north to keep sun off the spectators.

The columns outside the Roman Theatre

Center stage

It is steep

The roman theatre with its steep seating has an excellent acoustics design (You can stand at the center of the stage and your voice will echo. The person sitting on top of the last row would be able to hear you clearly). It has an unbeatable vantage from the higher seats (the steps leading to the top are steep and the climb is tiresome but worth the effort). It is not happenstance that the theatre is hugely popular for hosting host various events even today.

A view from the top

The top seats of the amphitheatre were the revered ones. As against being closest to the performances, the royalty and other important dignitaries would sit in the top rows to get an unobstructed view of the performances, not to mention the incredible acoustics.

After visiting the roman theatre, we visited one of the popular malls in the city – the Abdali Mall. We then returned to our hotel and called it a day – a special mention for our hotel, the Amman Marriott, an exceptional property with superlative dining options.

The wonderful Amman Mariott

Day 2:

Following breakfast we strolled through the old town again. Over the years, it has managed to retain its character reminiscent of an old Arabic Bazaar; many shops, however, have now been replaced by currency exchanges. The city also has its fair share of museums and art galleries. Another exquisite offering are the cafes here; the city is adorned with exquisite cafes. After a quick coffee at the Jafra Cafe we made a mandatory pit stop at the ice cream place outside the cafe and were on our way to the Amman Citadel.

The Amman Citadel

Atop the highest of the seven hills of the city is the Amman Citadel. It houses the ruins of the Temple of Hercules – the formidable towers of which are visible from almost any corner of Amman. Here, at the Citadel, you can get a bird’s eye view of the dramatic contrast in the architecture of the city below. It is absolutely mesmerising.

The Temple of Hercules

The Roman Theatre

Serious talk! with a view

The entire area is surrounded by a 1,700 feet long wall which has been here since the bronze and iron ages. There’s plenty to see here, but the most striking are the temple of Hercules and the Ummayad palace.

A view of the stone towers at sunset

After out visit to the Citadel , we went to one of the roof top restaurants. Amman has its surplus of quality roof top restaurants with breathtaking views of the the city that looks insistently graceful during the day time and surreal when illuminated under the night skies.

After dinner, we returned to our hotel and called it a day.

Stay with us to the dead sea

Private: Across Jordan – Amman (Days 1-3) I was standing outside of Jabal Al-Qalaa - the highest vantage point to the rolling hilled city of Amman.

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daenerysvan · 4 years

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Daenerys and the A1 Diner!

We awoke to a lovely crisp, sunny, blue-skied morning. After a coffee, I drove the short distance up the road to the A1 diner at the truck stop. Huge articulated lorries all sat in the parking lot enjoying their own silence.

I cannot remember ever going to a ‘diner’ before and certainly not a truck drivers diner!

Wonderfully, it was nearly all the stereotypes you’d have thought.

It’s actually quite a big place but the main ‘diner’ consists of red and white ‘booths’ and shiny aluminium work surfaces. A fleet of cafe workers (not all female!), in black and white checked hats bustled about. About half of the booths are occupied by a sole male, mainly with a certain ‘truck driver’ look about them. At times, all of the somewhat lonely looking faces, would be glued to the TV screen behind me.

This is not a ‘we’ll come and take your order’ type diner, though I couldn't help feel that maybe once, it was.

The menu was pretty extensive but the most noticable thing on it were the multiple types of breakfasts you could have! Interestingly, the ‘veg breakfast’ proffered no sort of veggie sausage or bacon - no, it was just all the things you’d expect from a breakfast, just without any meat or meat substitute. I kind of liked that - shunning modern food fashions somehow conveyed a special, loyal quality to this humble diner.

So you went and gave the order at the counter and when it was ready, your number was uttered over the in-house mini tannoy system summoning your presence to collect your fayre.

Florence decided to opt for pancakes with ice cream - as we are on Daenerys, many of the normal mundane rules simply fly out the window!

Following our breakfast, I drove to Morkery Woods and we had a walk round before then going to Isaac Newtons birthplace - Woolsthorpe Manor.

It was here, less than a week ago that Tim Peake came and planted an apple tree that had been grown from the seed of one of ‘Newtons’ apples that came from the very old tree in this manors garden. Tim Peake had actually taken several of the seeds aboard the ISS (International Space Station) with him back in 2016.

We had a guided tour round the house - they are always so much better than self-guided and you come away feeling like you have learnt more than if you'd been left to your own devices reading info boards.

The interactive science centre at Woolsthorpe is especially good too. They even had a Soyuz capsule made out of lego!

We carried onto Burrough Hill Fort, just South of Melton. I’d not been here for a few years and on such a lovely sunny day, I anticipated the views from the top would be fabulous - and indeed they were - but I was so busy looking at them, I forgot to take a picture!

So here’s one of the D in the car park instead - proudly displaying her new external fridge vents!

Now, back home, both of the van batteries are out and on charge. I shall get them tested this week and hopefully resolve the red light leisure battery issue!

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torontotravelblog · 5 years

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18+ Unique Things to Do in Toronto

You’ve smashed the standard Toronto itinerary. You’ve climbed the CN Tower for the views, shopped ‘til you drop at the Eaton Centre and snapped a selfie with the 3D Toronto sign at Nathan Phillips Square. So what next? This guide will share the best unique things to in Toronto including food, places to see and tours to take.

I (Gemma) went on a girls’ trip to Toronto, to spend time with my friend who flew over from Scotland, leaving my partner (the other Scot, Craig) back in BC. Never one to settle for the TripAdvisor top ten, I sourced tips on the cool places to go in Toronto using my good Canadian friend, Maddie, for her local tips. So let’s get started. Expedia asked me to create a guide on Toronto, all opinions are my own as usual.

18 Unusual but Cool Things to do in Toronto

1. Kensington Market

Kensington Market is where the interesting kids (and their dogs) hang out. The area is awash with quaint print shops, vintage stores, art, tattooists and every type of world cuisine you could imagine.

Want burritos and churros from Mexico – no hay problema! Arepas from Colombia – chevre! Frites from Belgium – Oui! Patties from Jamaica – Irie!

You’ll need some organic beer or hot cider to wash that down.

A couple of streets over from Kensington Market you’ll find Chinatown. Naturally, you can get cheap dim sum but we actually had the nicest pizza slice (C’mon it’s North America) on Spadina and College (Europeans – this means the crossroads where the two streets meet!)

We made Kensington Market our base and didn’t regret it. You can check out accommodation options for Kensington Market and other areas in the city at Expedia who offer great hotel options in Toronto for everyone.

2. Bata Shoe Museum

These boots were made for walking so get them stomping down to the pretty extraordinary Bata Shoe Museum (BSM) in Toronto where over 4,500 years of history is told through feet!

That’s a lot of souls shared through soles under the roof of this award-winning building. If you are looking at what to do in Toronto on a rainy day, the BSM is worth a stroll.

Expect to see everything from Chinese bound-foot shoes to celebrity shoes.

There are often special exhibitions at the BSM such as Manolo Blahnik’s The Art Of Shoes (made famous by those Sex And The City chicks).

Address: 327 Bloor St W.

Price: $14 CAD per adult.

3. Annex

The Annex area of Toronto (Bloor and Bathurst) is home to many of the University of Toronto students so you can expect coffee shops, discount stores, bars and cafes.

Annex is also where you can rock out at Lee’s Palace, visit Canada’s largest museum, Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) and catch a film at Hot Doc’s Cinema.

4. Philosopher’s Walk

South from Bloor (Annex) you’ll find Philosopher’s Walk which is a lovely green space in the city if you want to walk off a coffee high, poutine or a hangover!

5. Madison Avenue Pub

What does one do with three Victorian mansions? You open a number of bars and connect them all of course! The Maddy has booths, games, outdoor seating and serves food.

Address: 14 Madison Ave.

6. Live Organic Food Bar

Reward your hungover body with plant-based, sugar-free food which is served up daily at the Live Organic Food Bar. The menu which includes kimchi pancakes and pulled burdock burrito is organic, gluten and wheat free too.

Address: 264 Dupont St.

7. Toronto’s Half House

Rarely do you hear of a city v resident demolishment story fall on the side of the homeowner but in this case, we have a winner! The Valkos family of 54 ½ St. Patrick Street. won the battle to remain in the 1970s so the developers sliced it in half like a birthday cake.

Toronto’s famous Cube House looks to have lost its plot to a scrapyard so check out the Half House before the other half disappears too.

Address: 54 ½ St. Patrick St (thanks for the picture Andrew Stapley!)

8. Graffiti Alley

Obviously cool equates to graffiti in any city! Toronto’s Queen Street West has its own colorful corridor of street art. Unfortunately, the word is out at the two blocks of graffiti get rammed with visitors so go early for those Instagram worthy shots!

Address: Rush Lane.

9. Trinity Bellwoods Park

Grab a few beers from Bellwoods Brewery and head to Trinity Bellwoods Park for a serious people-watching sesh!

Address: 790 Queen St W.

10. Hipster Queen + King

Move over Kensington, there’s a hipper kid in town. Queen West was crowned one of the world’s hippest neighborhoods by Vogue but with notoriety comes price increase.

From Bathurst and Gladstone, over a hundred stores are occupied by studios, shops, galleries and bars. It’s a great place for brunching too.

11. CN Tower Edgewalk

Sure, everyone that visits Toronto heads to the Entertainment District and takes the elevator to the viewing floor of the CN Tower but how many tourists walk the walk?

Leave the comfort of the secured windows and hang handsfree from the circumference of the roof with The Edge urban adventure experience (356m/1,168ft above the ground).

This is probably the most expensive activity going in Toronto but if you are a thrill seeker you might just want to take the plunge (well, hang not plunge).

Address: 301 Front St W.

12. Toronto Island

Unlike Vancouver Island’s proximity to Vancouver, Toronto Island is actually close to Toronto!

The island can be reached by boat and takes about 15 minutes to cross Lake Ontario.

There are three stops – Ward’s Island, Centre Island and Hanlan’s Point. We exited at Ward Island and slowly made our way to Centre Island; I biked, and Helen strolled.

So what’s on offer?

Toronto Island is like a beautiful big park. Ward Island is unique because it’s a small town with a small number of beautiful houses. These are very sought after.

Rather than paying top dollar to secure a property, hopeful buyers instead have to add their name to a capped list of 500 in the hope of moving their way up to the 100 mark. When a property is available the top 100 will be offered it at a fixed price.

The ethos is to ‘keep it simple.’ With these views of Toronto’s skyline (below), you can see the attraction.

The Island Cafe is a popular family-owned lunch spot. The resident and cafe owners aim to use fresh produce from local farmers and also sell home baking.

Centre Island has a pier, small farm, lighthouse, fairground, maze and a clothing-optional beach.

No one needs to see these fading white bits so I left the towel back on the mainland!

13. St Lawrence Market Events/Tours

With over 200 years of action, I know what you are thinking – how is St Lawrence Market a unique thing to do in Toronto?

Although one of the popular Toronto attractions, this food and antiques market is special and it is the merchants that make it that way. With over 120 stores selling everything from shrimp to shortbread, you can easily swallow up an hour or two at the market.

Craig would be happy to see ‘proper bacon’ rolls being served too.

If you are in town for a few days, check out the special events, talks and maybe even a food tour in Toronto?

Address: 93 Front St E.

Just four minutes from St Lawrence Market you will find the stunning and extremely photogenic French Gothic, Gooderham (Flatiron) Building. Well worth a snap if you are a keen photographer.

14. The Distillery District

The red-bricked Victorian-era buildings of the Distillery District now play home to 40 boutique shops including clothes, craft beer and candles.

There is also a variety of restaurants and cafes from ice cream shops to oyster bars. A food market runs every Sunday during summer too. During winter, the Christmas Market sets up here.

15. Red Heart / Parliament and Gristmill Lane

This red sculpture was created for the Toronto Christmas Market mistletoe to hang come December but stands all year round for lovers to walk through and have a smooch underneath!

16. Lovel Lock Sign

Forget Paris, Toronto has a designated sign which spells out ‘love’ for its locks and it makes a great picture for Instagram! We saw two engagement shoots in the area.

Take a picture and show me it, lovers! Send me your shots [email protected]

Toronto Light Festival

If you happen to visit Toronto in January through to March, don’t miss the annual Light Festival which takes place to force residents outside during the -20 harsh winters. Expect installations, lights and even fire.

Address: Distillery District.

17. Ghost Walks in Toronto

90 minutes of gore, graveyards and ghosts sound appealing? You can take a Toronto haunted walk tour and stroll through the Financial District to the Old Town hearing stories of scary tales.

18. Nuit Blanche

During the first Saturday night in October, art opens up normally sleepy spots around the city to encourage locals and visitors to go outside and engage with the exhibitions.

Museums stay open late and public art runs throughout the whole night. Expect lots of crowds, I was really impressed with how many citizens were taking advantage of the well prepared annual event.

Nuit Blanche exhibitions include print, projections, light, film, DJs, political and social justice commentary. Some take place outside, others inside. I really liked the large elephants which came in lots of shades!

Toronto Essential Information

Shopping in Toronto

For brand names, the Eaton Centre is not to be missed but remember Toronto whacks a 13% HST (harmonised sales tax) on top of prices so shop with caution!

If vintage is your bag (like me), check out the shops in Kensington Market as well as those scattered along Queens Street and in Annex neighborhood.

You might want to check out our cheap accommodation guide cheap accommodation guide to Toronto too.

History

Toronto has lots of history, look out for the blue plaques on the side of buildings to find out what they used to be. We spotted the jail, the old post house and Gooderham Building (that thin one from Pinterest!)

Niagara Falls

No trip to Ontario would be complete without the ninety-minute journey to Niagara. We hopped aboard a group tour which stopped off at one of Niagara’s vineyards so we could taste the delicious ice wine from the Niagara region before getting wet at Niagara Falls.

Transport in Toronto

Toronto is a grid system and is really easy to navigate.

Full of beans, we pounded the streets for the first few days (walking from Kensington Market to the Old Town will take about an hour) but by midweek our feet were pleading with us so we used the streetcar and subway system.

You can purchase day tickets, which let you use any mode of transport to get around the city.

How to Get to Toronto From Pearson Airport

From Pearson Airport, the quickest but more expensive way to travel is by the Union Pearson Express (UPE). This train takes 25 minutes and costs just under $13 CAD one way to Downtown.

The more economical option takes longer, naturally. For $3 CAD, a 75-minute journey using the public transport system will get you to and from the airport. Take the Airport Rocket (bus 192) to Kipling (approx. 45 minutes) then the green line subway into the city, your stop will depend on where your accommodation is. You may then need a streetcar or the yellow subway line.

A taxi will cost approximately $60.

We did option two and I was a little hurried at the airport so leave ample time.

Toronto Packing List (Spring/Summer/Fall)

Nice dresses that can be layered with tops.

1 x jeans.

Sunglasses.

Skip the umbrella, invest in a sturdy but stylish waterproof like my Mountain Equipment Rupal.

1 x comfortable, good looking but waterproof boots (I recommend Salomon hiking boots).

1 x eco bottle such as TreeTribe – keeps hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold.

Electrolytes for the damn hangovers.

Battery pack like our Anker packs for phone recharge on the go.

Camera, charger and SD card.

Toronto Packing List (Winter)

Merino wool base layers Icebreaker’s range.

Trousers.

Hats, gloves, scarf.

Sunglasses.

1 x Mountain Equipment Rupal.

1 x padded down jacket, I like North Face

1 x Salomon hiking boots.

Hand warmers if waiting around.

1 x TreeTribe – keeps hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold.

Electrolytes.

Anker packs.

Camera, charger and SD card.

My Final Tip for Toronto

The only thing you need a map for is to look lost.

As soon as you take it out, a local will approach you to ask if you need help! It’s a help magnet.

And don’t believe what other Canadians say about Canadian city folk not being friendly, if someone in Edinburgh (Scotland) saw you with a map, they’d cross over the street!

The post “18+ Unique Things to Do in Toronto” was seen first on Two Scots Aboard

Toronto Naturopathic Doctor - Dr. Amauri Caversan

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rachelisnotatwork · 5 years

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Sweltering round the Fatherland

I did not leave Berlin willingly. In fact I complained constantly throughout the one final brunch I demanded. And on our way to the car rental place. And most of the drive down to Dresden. After nearly 5 weeks in our glorious Airbnb I felt like we probably had at least some light squatters’ rights.

It didn’t help that our apartment in Dresden was in what I’m sure an estate agent would describe as an “up and coming” area, i.e. a bit of a shit hole. It also managed, no matter what we did, to be hotter than the outside world and our host- clearly dubious about the continence of the guests, had covered the bed with extremely noisy plastic undersheets that heated the bedroom to essentially the equivalent of sleeping in a Finnish sauna. That plus a disappointing evening meal did nothing to discourage my belief that leaving Berlin was a mistake.

We had two days in Dresden and it’s surrounds. Because some of the museums are closed on Monday, we decided to use our Monday to go visit “Saxon Switzerland”. The name Saxon Switzerland sets the bar high and naturally it then disappoints because it’s more hilly than Alp-y. I would blame an over-zealous tourist board committee but apparently it was some homesick 18th century Swiss artists.

First off we visited a place called the Bastei bridge, which is a bridge built between giant rock formations. It is pretty beautiful although I feel someone without crushing vertigo could probably appreciate it more, especially since the top was also frequented by a man with an extremely badly behaved Alsatian, thus combining my fear of heights and dogs in one terrifying location.

Our next stop was more pleasant. We walked through the woods and then took a boat ride along the Obere Schleuse, which is a shallow river in a gorge between Germany and the Czech Republic. The boat was gondoliered by a guy who gave a little tour as he punted us slowly down the river. He had what I strongly suspect was a very thick local accent but Marcel thought there might be a chance he’d had a stroke. Either way it was fairly impenetrable to me, expect bizarrely a few minutes where he talked about lichen growth. So I guess that month at language school was really worth it?

The only downside of the trip was that the walk to the boat had been entirely down into the gorge and thus the walk home was entirely uphill. It was fairly steep and exhausting, and what wasn’t particularly reassuring was to find a gravestone half way up one of the steep climbs with a gravestone from the 19th century with a very specific time of death for a forester from something called a “Blutschlage” (literal translation: blood blow). So I guess I should be pleased we got out with just a few insect bites.

The next day we’d booked onto an English-language tour of Dresden. Almost everyone else was north of 75, which made us feel super young. And had also reached the complaining years. The ticket could be torn off to leave a free postcard of Dresden. One Australian woman then complained to the guide that it didn’t include a stamp and wouldn’t let it go.

The tour was pretty good though. The centre of Dresden is stunning as was mostly built by August the Strong, who really liked to party. My favourite fact from the tour was that he’d weigh guests before and after parties and those who hadn’t gained enough weight weren’t invited again because they were clearly no fun. He built a huge complex called the Zwinger for summer parties in addition to a huge palace for one of his mistresses (he had a lot) so he didn’t have to go far for the night.

The downside of touring Dresden is the crushing guilt you get to feel if you are British (or American) for brutally firebombing it. They have pretty much completed the reconstructions now but when you look at the before photos… well, it was no big surprise that both groups were some of the biggest contributors to the fund to rebuild the cathedral (the blacker stones are the only original ones).

After the tour finished we went up the cathedral for the view.

Then we went into the Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon. This is largely a collection of clocks and super creepy automatons from the 18th century, so right up my street. Afterwards we had coffee and cake on a cafe on the roof and I went on what felt like an epic trip in the boiling sun to find a toilet somewhere I could use (doesn’t seem to be a legal requirement for cafes to have one here) and ended up begging a cleaning lady to use a museum one. Think Marcel thought I was pretty much dead by then, I was gone so long.

The next day we headed up North. Whilst our final destination was the island of Ruegen, we had a planned stop for the day at a place called Godnasee. This is a lake in the middle of nowhere, where we had a delightful afternoon swimming, sunbathing and reading. The nice thing about East Germany is it is full of lakes and is rapidly depopulating, so it is very easy to find an empty swimming spot.

We got to Ruegen in the evening, just in time for a quick walk before dinner. There were two national parks we wanted to visit in our two days and because the weather was due to be better at the one further away, we went to the Nationalpark Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft the next day. The spot we picked to go to was a lighthouse on a beach that was a 5km walk/cycle ride/horse and carriage ride away from the nearest car park. We decided to walk because of my lack of cycling aptitude and because legs are a lot cheaper than horse-drawn carriages (thanks to the endless slow tragedy of UK politics, the Euro to pound ratio could be best described as...sub-optimal for us).

This turned out to be a mistake. Apparently Marcel had showered in mosquito pheromones that morning or something so after a few minutes he was besieged by such a huge crowd of them that, whilst he was the main attraction, some of them by dint of sheer numbers bumped into me. This lead to less of a “walk” through the woods than a mad charge frantically waving our arms until we eventually reached the lighthouse. The beach there is quite pretty and in typical fashion, once you walk a short distance from the lighthouse, quite empty.

We took a route back through some wetlands to stay in the sunshine and hopefully avoid the mosquito plague- a successful plan. It also brought us across a cafe that served the only accommodation in the park (a caravan park) so stopped to eat the traditional hot sunny day beach food of...struedel.

On our way back we stopped in the city of Stralsund. It is a pretty little city that used to be a Hansa city (so lots of nice brick architecture), spent a long time being part of Sweden and is now the political seat of Angela Merkel. We had a nice wander around and came across a Simson pharmacy, so I felt quite at home.

The next day we headed out to explore Ruegen itself. Our first stop was a wander along the chalk cliffs there. Sort of surprised we found them and that they were decently high as driving around the island it had seemed as flat as a pancake.

The previous day I had been messaging my friend Karo and mentioned I felt like I was the only British person for about a hundred miles and she directed me towards a place called Woody’s Little Britain, which is a British “emporium” featuring scones and cream tea in the middle of nowhere. Naturally we went. It was pretty boiling, which felt pretty unBritish and the cream was whipped not clotted (Debrett’s would be horrified) but the scones were pretty good.

Afterwards we headed to the beach. Ruegen has some huge long beaches, so we parked up and wandered through the woods to about 10km of pretty empty beach. Marcel went for a swim. I declined because the ocean was full of seaweed and also after Australia, I’m pretty convinced the sea is out to murder me. So I remained on the beach, which in the fashion of East German beaches was full of naked people and noted with amusement that the extremely elderly naked woman sitting a few metres down from us had cracked out a pair of binoculars to look down the beach. I initially just thought she was a shameless pervert, but apparently she was looking to see if her elderly nude swimming companion was coming down the beach (or at least I assumed that was what she was doing, because he did eventually turn up. We didn’t cover the vocab for that in language school).

The following day we headed West. Our first stop was the town of Wismar. Or more precisely a cafe within because we’d left without breakfast and then got stuck in traffic so were both hungry, overly-hot and grumpy on arrival. We then wandered around the town. It is again, a pretty Hansa city, although this one we bombed a bit. We went up a rebuilt cathedral, which I did point out to Marcel that thanks to our bombing could be reconstructed with a lift right up to the tower in (you’re welcome guys!). It is still a port city which apparently brings logs from everywhere to turn into sawdust, or so the giant piles of logs and delicious smell of sawdust that wafts through the town suggests.

After that we went to Schwerin, which is also lovely and historic. It also has a famous castle which looks a bit gauche if you ask me, but Marcel just says looks German.

We had a late lunch and then accidentally discovered some weird mooning monument with no explanation. A rather lengthily googling seems to suggest it is a scene from the life of the founder of this town, who got mooned by the folk of his home town when returning home for a visit because he’d directed all the trade that used to go to their town to Schwerin. I would have thought this was the kind of thing that merited a plaque as far lesser things have generated one, but apparently not.

We ended up having a subpar dinner in town and disappointed, both of us developed a craving for ice cream. This is apparently not something you can get in Schwerin after 9pm so we ended up driving to an out of town McDonald’s for late-night McFlurry’s and then I got all indignant that the lids weren’t hedgehog-friendly like we have in the UK, confirming to all the national stereotypes of weird British eccentrics who are overly sentimental about animals.

The following day we weren’t due in Luebeck, our next stop, until the evening and beautiful weather was forecast. So Marcel found us an amazing canoeing place to go. This was on the river Warnow and was a 15km trip down river through a nature reserve. The initial part of our trip was a little more exercise than I’d have liked as we happened to set off at the same time as a large school trip of teenagers. Not wanting to enjoy the beauty and solitude of a nature reserve with 30 shrieking teenagers, we decided to use our superior canoeing skills to put some distance between us and them. Annoyingly though either we are shitter at canoeing than we thought or they were perhaps a school canoe team as we had to paddle REALLY hard to keep any distance between us and them. And when we did create some distance, we managed to catch up with a family that had decided to enhance their trip to this protected nature reserve by mounting a boombox onto their canoe in order to play some incredibly loud techno. Thankfully they decided to pull over for a break before I could ram them and knock their stupid boombox into the water, and shortly after that Marcel wanted to take a side stream so we could “have a picnic at a castle”. This involved some very hard paddling upstream through a shady, stinky mosquito swamp that didn’t actually end in a castle but just in a village with the German word for castle in. Thankfully there was a field we could eat our picnic lunch in, and that placated my bad mood somewhat.

The advantage of this stop was that by the time we rejoined the river, pretty much no one was on it. We still had about 8km to go and this was the wilder, less-maintained stretch with lots of weaving around trees to be done. German prep for these sort of trips is also a lot more casual than English prep so a good few times we were left wondering where to go and which part of a rocky course was better to navigate. But it was beautiful, sunny, thousands of electric blue damselflies constantly flitted around us and there was a spot for a gorgeous (albeit cold) swim.

We finally got into Lubeck and our ancient house in the evening. We then had a great dinner at a place called Schlumacher’s, so that was a great day out. We fell into bed pretty exhausted, and then I nearly fell out again, because that is the problem with elderly houses with subsidence.

The next day we decided to go on a tour of Lubeck. Lubeck clearly doesn’t get a lot of English-speaking tourists as it only has a once-weekly tour in English and that did not happen to coincide with our stays. Completely disregarding my previous experience of near total incomprehension with a german tour, I merrily signed us up for one again. This went slightly better initially as our tour guide was old so spoke slowly and bellowed loudly, but it was boiling hot, I rapidly fatigued and the tour was two incredibly hot hours and by the end I was desperate for him to stop talking as by this stage I wasn’t really getting any of it and everyone kept laughing at jokes I couldn’t get. I ate a huge ice cream to recover from the experience.

Lubeck is an ancient Hansa city that is pretty much entirely a UNESCO world-heritage site for ancient buildings. However the original city was built on swampy ground with some eccentric choices (like a fortified gate that had 3m thick walls on one-side and 1m thick on the other, leading the heavier side sinking a lot faster). The whole town is full of extremely wonky buildings, which you are fairly surprised are still standing. On the outside you can see essentially ornamental pole ends that support the floors and hold the two sides of the buildings together.

In the afternoon, hot and having toured most of Luebeck (as it prides itself on being “the city of short distances”), we decided to retire to the swimming lake opposite our front door. There we wiled away an enjoyable afternoon swimming, sunbathing and eating hot chips with mayonnaise. Glorious.

My grandfather was born in Kiel and the next day we had a plan to drop in there on the way to our next airbnb in the countryside. We had briefly considered staying in Kiel before we discovered it was Kieler Woche, which is some sort of sailing festival shebang. So we decided to limit it to a day trip.

It was exceedingly hot and our trip to Kiel brought forth the following observations 1) sailing festivals are pretty dull if you are on shore and thus are mostly a series of kiosks 2) Kiel was apparently bombed to the ground in WW2 but unlike areas that went for a painstaking reconstruction, they went for the construction of multiple ugly shopping malls 3) I know it sounds like it is impossible but apparently the town has absolutely no shade in it and I had forgotten to put suncream on and get extremely grumpy when I’m too hot.

So all in all, I would not recommend Kiel and our trip there was brief. By the end of a hot sweaty couple of hours there we were both dying for somewhere to cool down and so googled the nearest beaches. We found a nearby beach called Heidkate and headed straight for there.

How nice the beaches are around there appears to be a pretty well-kept secret (perhaps real Germans know. Imitation Germans like Marcel do not). Miles and miles of white sand, grassy dunes and the clean, calm Baltic sea. We found a quiet spot, quickly changed into our swimwear and raced into the...well, Baltic water. It was cold, but in a lovely cold way, especially when you are hot. And lead to the strange dichotomy of having a boiling hot upper half that was sweltering in the sun, and a frosty cold lower half. The sea was so calm between the groynes (and shallow) that even with my sea-phobia I swam again and again, in between coming up to lie on the beach and warm up thoroughly.

It was really tough to drag ourselves away...and we ended up leaving rather late (it stays very bright for a deceptively long time here so what we thought was about 5pm was actually 7pm) so we didn’t end up getting to our airbnb in the North Friesland (apparently Marcel says it is a byword for German hicks) until 9.30pm. It was still light though, so we hung out on our terrace and watched a huge number of bumblebees flitting between the wildflowers.

The next day we decided to visit both “seas”. First we headed to the North Sea. There are huge “sands” here called the Wattenmeer. Or at least that’s what I thought they were. What they actually are is enormous windswept mudflats. This is exactly as appealing as it sounds. It was also 7c colder than where we’d come from, so we hastily turned around and headed over to the Baltic side again.

We found ourselves a lovely stretch of sand near Flensburg from which you could pretty much spit on Denmark (should you so want; I quite like the Danes so didn’t). The sea was incredibly shallow and warm as we waded out over the white sandy sea bed. And then noticed we weren’t the only things who liked the warm and shallow water. There were hundreds and hundreds of moon jellyfish. These can’t sting people, but sharing the water with a huge number of dinner plate-sized jellyfish is just a bit...off-putting. I decided this would more be a reading on the beach afternoon than a swimming day.

The next morning we packed up and set off for Hamburg. Since our last couple of days were city days, we took the car to Hamburg airport, dropped it off in the lengthily car rental queue and took the S-Bahn into town. We checked into our hotel and went for lunch. Whilst waiting for our food, we got a call from Enterprise who were wondering where our car was. Because apparently we are sometimes great planners and book to drop our car off in the downtown area right by our hotel. It turns out though we are not great rememberers and were both convinced we had to drop it off at the airport. Somewhat mortifying. They did find the car eventually though.

Many, many years ago when I was at undergraduate, my friend had sent me a trailer for a place in Hamburg called Miniatur Wunderland as a piss-take. It showed a tiny model train world with dead prostitutes, red light districts and car accidents. I immediately was desperate to go. It took a long time to finally get there, but finally, finally it was time! Now you know when you hype something up massively, and then you go and it is actually a big disappointment? This was emphatically not one of those times! It was even better than I thought it was going to be. We spent three hours there and I could have easily spent longer watching tiny fire engines driving around putting out tiny fires and pressing buttons (there are so many buttons you can press to activate things- pro tip, visit in the late afternoon when all those 4 year olds that would normally be hogging them are having dinner). It was amazing. And also huge. I mean tiny, but huge in that it covers nearly two floors of a big warehouse.

The following morning we went on a free walking tour of the city. One of the things Miniatur Wunderland has is a tiny version of Hamburg. Having seen all of the sights in miniature the day before, this lead to a rather disorientating case of Alice in Wonderland Syndrome, where I started to doubt what size they were, or I was. It is quite a pretty city though (on one side, on the other is about a million shipping containers and container ships).

It has always been a big shipping centre so there are lots of historic shipping offices in there. Our guide took us inside one, nominally to see the interior décor but actually so we could ride in a Paternoster lift. These are the endlessly moving doorless lifts that are super dangerous, so everyone else got rid of them. Germans however are weirdly protective over them and refuse to let them decommission them. And whilst I appreciate they are super dangerous for kids, the elderly, anyone moving slowly etc, they are pretty cool to ride. Marcel and I agreed it was pretty much the highlight of our day (nerds4eva).

After that we climbed a tower for the views, then had some lunch. Marcel decided he wanted to do a boat tour of the canals. There weren’t any English language ones but I decided it would probably be okay with German (having again, learnt nothing from prior experience). This time though I was completely screwed because we got on the boat last of all and so were sitting at the back. Where the speakers were broken. So I couldn’t even hear him properly. Anyway, Marcel said he had terrible and monotonous delivery, so I probably didn’t miss much. And it was a nice sunny day to be pottering about on a boat.

After that we decided to go through the Elbe tunnel. This is a 108 year old beautifully tiled tunnel under the Elbe. It has a few additional bonuses in addition to that. 1) you can ride down in giant freight lifts for the occasional cars they let through and 2) It is really nice and cool down there. During a heatwave in a city with no air-con, it was quite hard to feign interest in getting out on the other side to see the view.

A couple of years ago Hamburg completed their new concert hall, the Elbphilharmonie. It was supposed to cost about 200 million euros and take 3 years to build. It overran by 7 years and the final cost was about 800 million euros. Had to admit to a slight schadenfreude in discovering we aren’t the only country that can’t organise a piss-up in a brewery when it comes to accurately and speedily building new projects. The concerts now sell out months in advance but you can get a free ticket to go inside it. So we did. Marcel was very excited as he discovered they have the world’s largest curved escalator. I was too because I imagined it might be curved in the way of a grand curved staircase in some Antebellum mansion. Actually it was just an hump-backed escalator. Underwhelming.

In the evening we decided to take full advantage of the fact our hotel was creepily empty despite being very nice (Marcel being blunt ended up asking why we were pretty much the only guests. They said it was because they’d newly opened, so I recommend getting in there for a stay before they fill up. Fraser Suites Hamburg) to use the sauna. I love saunas. However I normally only think of visiting them when it is cold out. It turns out if you’ve spent all day in a heatwave, it isn’t half as nice. Does mean if you wash your hair though it dries super fast, so less effort than a hair dryer.

Marcel knows me well so had booked a chocolate tour at Chocoversum for our final morning (softening the blow of leaving). I was keen because tours always involve free chocolate. But this was actually a really educational tour. You learnt all about the history of the plant, how to transport it in a cargo ship, how to roast and extract it, what all the machines are called and how they work, plus you get to make your own chocolate bar. So now if the apocalypse comes, I’m extremely prepared to restart civilisation/aka chocolate production.

After that Marcel wanted to walk around the Alster Lakes before our flight. It was pretty hot for walking but Marcel had picked a scenic restaurant quite far away. We got to there and it was a beautiful spot, on a pier so pretty much all of the tables had a lake view. To find it only took cash. And we were nowhere near an ATM and deliberately hadn’t got any more cash out because German ATMs charge you 5.99 to get cash out. So we turned back and found somewhere that would have been perfectly nice if we hadn’t just seen a better one.

And then, alas it was time to leave the Fatherland for the Motherland. It had been an amazing trip and we were pretty depressed to leave. But hey, London in summer is also full of endless sunny days...right?

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sowecanrememberourtrips · 5 years

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Tasmania 2019

One Week in Tasmania. March 17-24.

Tasmania is 100x the area size of Singapore, yet its population is only 500,000. If you want nature, National Parks, lakes and farms, coastal drives and forest walks, this is the place.

It is also home to animals such as Tasmania devils, quolls, wallabies, pademelons and kangaroos.

We squeezed a 7-day itinerary into 6 days. Kinda round the island in 2,000km. Do-able but a little tight on Day 1.

Took the red-eyed flight, and arrived in Melbourne to transit to Hobart. Our Quantas arrived in Hobart at 2pm. Jetstar may get you 4 more hours - precious as most shops and eateries in the woods close at 5pm!

Either flight, I would recommend staying one afternoon and night at Hobart, to rest up before driving west.

We rented a car from Apex car rental. Small local Aussie company, friendly and flexible service which allowed us to return the GPS when we learned that iPhone Google Maps can be plugged into the car system. Their office and carpark is 1 min away from airport departure hall. We called for their van transport upon collecting bags, and by the time we reached pick up point, the van arrived. We picked a Hyundai sedan, $41 a day. Functional, but if you have budget, go for a heavier car as traveling speed can go up to 120km/h.

Download map.me app. And then download map of Tasmania. This wonder offline map will save you when data GPS fails you in the forest.

Day 1 (Hobart to Strahan, total 5 hrs drive)

Upon collecting car at 2pm, we made our way from East to West. No time for proper lunch!

Buy the Multi-Parks Pass for $60. Useful and good as it covers two adults, one car, and all National Parks! We bought ours from ticketing counter at Russel Falls.

1 hr 15 min to reach Russel Falls, within Mt Field National Park. Do the walk up to Russel Falls, Horseshoe Falls and Tall Trees (Eucalyptus) trek. Takes about 3 hours return.

(If you start off in the morning, you may want to drive on 1.5 hours more to a recommended next stop for lunch. The Wall in the Wilderness Cafe)

From Mt Field National Park, it’s 3hr 45 min to Strahan. Tiring drive as night was falling. Wild animals come out more at night, and there are no street lamps, so drive with extra care.

Make stops for coffee or dinner - which we did not! Or rather, we tried to. We stopped at Queenstown, a supposed big town an hour before Strahan, but all shops were closed by 6. We met a nice lady named Joy at the Paragon Theatre who cooked up some carbonara for us and allowed us to dine in this old-school theatre screening hall - deeply appreciated at 10pm!

Salt Box Hideaways is more Airbnb than hotel. Self-picked the keys from a locked box. Apartment was hipster lovely! Morning surprise view of a lake as we raised the curtains!

Day 2 (Strahan to Cradle Mt, total 2.5 hrs drive)

Strahan is a sleepy, scenic town by Gordon River. A great place for breakfast is The Coffee Shack & Morsels, opposite Gordon River Cruise. Great avocado toast. Cruise is damn expensive, don’t bother. 42 Degrees is a restaurant on a higher ground - but not opened for lunch. Check online.

A 20 min drive brings us to Henry Dunes. A peculiar area of fine white sand on top of a hill - gentle climb up sandy slopes.

1 hour more brought us to Montezuma Falls’ start-off point. To see the Falls - highest in Tasmania - is a 3 hours return trek thru rainforest. We just trekked a bit in and out of the rainforest. Looking back, this is not a recommended spot.

Another 1 hr 30 min to Discovery Parks Cabin and Camping site. Buy food (raw or cooked) along the way and top up petrol. Discovery Parks is an accommodation facility WITHIN Cradle Mountain, which is important and cool. We got the Family Cabin (good for 4 pax) as the hip cabins were sold out. Camp site has no food. Bring your own to cook in communal kitchen. Toilets are communal too but they provide towels. But super near Cradle Mt National Park Visitor Centre, which is useful for the next day.

5 min drive away is Devils@Cradle. They organize Tasmanian Devils feeding at 5:30pm and /or 8:30pm. Check online.

Day 3 (Cradle Mt - Launceston, total 2.5 hrs drive)

One of the highlights is the World Heritage listed Cradle Mountain National Park. Very organized shuttle buses that bring you in, very Jurassic Park feels. Park your car at Visitor Centre for free, grab a coffee (opens 8:30am) and then take the shuttle (every 20 min from 8am). Remember the Multi-Parks Pass? Gets you free shuttle bus tickets. Show at counter to redeem. Bus service is a loop service with 5 stops.

We took the 9:30am bus to Dove Lake. A lake formed by glaciation some 10,000 years ago. Absolutely stunning scenery and tranquillity. Walk around the lake takes about 3 hours, many photo points. Including a boat shed.

We then took the shuttle bus back to our car and drove to Peppers Lodge/ Cradle Mountain Lodge Tavern for lunch. Good portions!

To come back for:

Some other 20 min to 1 hour walks, there is one apparently beautiful walk just next to Peppers Lodge. Or, the famous Overland Walk, that takes 6 days. Can fly into Launceston and drive 2.5 hrs here.

We went to Devils@Cradle, a sanctuary for breeding the endangered Devils, in time for a 1pm Keepers Tour. Very informative and you get to see Devils and Quolls.

From here, it’s a 2.5 hours drive to Launceston. Can stop by Sheffield (town of murals) or Christmas Hills Raspberry Farms for tea break.

Launceston is the second largest city of Tasmania. We stayed at Mercure, which is along Brisbane Street, their city centre where you could walk to cafes, eateries and shops. Ate at Pachinko, an Asian fusion place.

Day 4 (Launceston to the East, total 4 hrs drive)

A very short drive (5 min) from city centre of Launceston will bring you to Cataract Gorge. A pretty and easy park to walk around after breakfast (pancakes and French toast!) at Basin Cafe located right at the park. Spend about 2 hours here, including breakfast.

On the way to the East (2.5 hours to Bay of Fires), we stopped by Ledgerwood. To see the 9 unique war memorial carvings on cedar trees.

We also stopped here for lunch and ice cream at a simple Ledgerwood Kitchen.

If you like cheese, the next pee or coffee stop could be Pyengana Dairy Company. We stopped instead at a roadside kiosk for coffee with a mountain view, and a little stretch-leg shopping at The Shop in The Bush.

Bay of Fires is a secluded pristine white beach with rocks with orange marks, formed by lichens. After some photos, we drove down and visited a few other fine beaches, towards St Helens. Took us 1.5 hours to arrive at Bicheno. Bicheno town centre has a few eateries, we had fish and chips dinner at Beachfront Bistro.

We stayed in Diamond Island Resort and Penguin Parade in Bicheno. Owned by Koreans, the resort is on a good piece of property. It is linked to an island via a thin stretch of sandy beach, fairly unique as you can see waves crashing in from both sides. When tide is low, you can walk to the island. And on summer nights, you get to see peri-penguins coming onto resort property. We were lucky to spot one as soon as we stepped onto the viewing deck! Room is villa style with two floors - kitchen and sofa on the ground floor, and beds for 4 on the second floor. Maintenance could be better lah.

Day 5 (Great Eastern Drive, total 4 hrs drive)

East Coast Natureworld at Bicheno, a wildlife sanctuary 5 min from our resort is a must! Greatest animal experience feeding kangeroos, and meeting wombats, white peacocks, black swans and more Devils. There is a cafe that opens at 9am with waffles and coffee.

1 hour drive brings us to Freycinet National Park (Multi-Park Pass, again), and we had lunch at Robertson’s at Freycinet Lodge. High-end accommodation for my 70th birthday? Haha.

5 min drive upwards from Freycinet Lodge is the car park to start walking trek up Wineglass Bay Lookout. 1.5 hours return hike. Moderate to tough. Read and heard many said lookout point is enough. Don’t need to go to the beach, which is another 1.5 hours return. Super popular attraction, ie crowded with tourists wanting that postcard shot.

Freycinet to Hobart is a 3 hours drive. You may break it up with coffee breaks at Swansea (1 hour), Orford (45 min) and Hobart (1+ hour). We stopped by Kate’s Berry Farm for good pancakes, and awesome boysenberry (cross between rasp and black) ice cream!

Arrive at Hobart before 6pm to see the HarbourFront. We ate an assortment of seafood at Fish Frenzy, right by the water.

Day 6 (Hobart)

Our Airbnb was on the right street - Elizabeth St - that brings you down to the HarbourFront. But it was a 30 min walk one day!

We went to Battery Point to have breakfast at Jackman and McRoss, many friends recommended. And then a short walk to Salamanca Weekend Market (ONLY on Saturdays 8am to 3pm, so plan your itinerary well). Hop on the hippest ferry MR1 or MR2, the Mona Roma, to MONA - Museum of Old and New Art. $22 for two ways ferry, each ride 20’min. Book your return timing as soon as you reach museum. We took the 1:15pm ferry to, and 5pm ferry back.

Museum entry was $28. Worth it as it’s one of a kind. Eccentric!

We skipped Port Arthur, Richmond Village and Mt Wellington cos not very interested. If you have one more day in Hobart, you could try those. Or Huon Valley for a walk above treetops on the Tahune Airwalk.

Accounts:

Air Tickets - about $900 during March holidays.

Car - about $250

Accommodation

Salt Box Hideaway S$210

Discovery parks S$120

Mercure S$144

Beach Villa S$210

Hobart AirBnb S$156 x 2 = S$312

Daily expenses - about $800 for a week.

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