The Wandering Stardust ~ Singaporean living in Madrid, Spain

Happy New Year 2012 & Hello to New Beginnings!

2011-12-31T11:45:00.000+08:00

Firstly, I have a confession to make.

As I write this post, I’m no longer living in Madrid but in fact, just relocated to a place far away and strikingly different. Things just seem to happen at the opportune moment and it’s now time for us to change the course of life yet again, and steer it towards a different direction.

The past 3+ years spent living and constantly wandering around Spain and the region had been absolutely fabulous and the experience was more than what I’d have ever expected. The exposure to the European culture, lifestyle and cuisine had certainly fuelled my love for travel & photography in a huge way. Not forgetting the friendships that I’ve built - something that I’ll cherish forever.

I won’t deny there’s a part of me wishing I could stay longer and I’m sure that I’ll be missing life in Madrid a lot. Perhaps one day I’ll be back in Spain taking a trip down memory lane, but for now, I’m actually really excited about what my future holds. I’ll be looking forward to every day with the same enthusiasm I had when I first got to Madrid. I’m really thankful for being able to truly live life wherever I go and I count my blessings every day.

Last but not least, as I begin a new chapter of my life, here’s wishing everyone a very Happy New Year ahead. May 2012 be a year for challenges to turn into opportunities, and for dreams to turn into reality.

Signing off from Shanghai!
xoxo, The Wandering Stardust

Amsterdam, the Netherlands

2011-12-30T14:59:00.021+08:00

On the way back home from Madrid to Singapore for the festive season recently, we squeezed in a brief stop-over at Amsterdam, making it the last city that we’d visit for this year.

With its intriguing concentric network of canals encircling the city, Amsterdam is sometimes referred to as the Venice of the North and its canal ring area was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List just last year.

Having only a full day to spare, we were all over the place from the city center to the countryside, checking out everything from cheeses to clogs, canals to “coffee shops”, Christmas lights to the red light district. All that, plus surviving the death trap of a staircase at our hotel!

Here’re some of my favourite photos…

Ancient Sites of Ephesus, Turkey

2011-12-14T06:56:00.010+08:00

Finally, in the home stretch of my journey, I visited some of the most ancient historic sites that Turkey has to offer. First up, we went to visit Mount Solmissos, where the supposed ‘House of the Virgin Mary’ is located.

The site was apparently discovered in the 19th century based on the reported series of visions of a German nun. It is believed that Mary was brought here by Saint John in fulfillment of his promise to Jesus to protect her, and this was where she spent her final days.

The simple stone house stands on a mountain overlooking the Aegean Sea and the ancient ruins of Ephesus. Near the house stands a wall where pilgrims leave their prayers as well as a source of spring water.

Next, we went to Ephesus, the ancient Greco-Roman ruined city. Here, the most impressive remains is that of the Library of Celcus.

Last but not least, we went to one of the two last remaining Wonders of the Ancient World (though it's barely there!) - The Temple of Artemis. You really have to use your imagination here!

A Natural Wonder at Pamukkale, Turkey

2011-12-14T02:29:00.001+08:00

After exploring Cappadocia, getting to the next destination on our itinerary was a little less straightforward.

First we had to take a flight from central Turkey to the province of Izmir in the southwest. Then we had to get to our hotel in Kusadasi, a coastal city which is an hour away from Izmir. From Kusadasi we had to travel more than 3 hours inland to get to Pamukkale near the city of Denizli to see yet another UNESCO World Heritage site...

Not quite impressive from afar huh? A snow covered mountain in the middle of nowhere?

Now here's what it is up close...

Here in Pamukkale lies a natural wonder that's unique in the world.

White-as-snow calcium terraces formed by cascading spring water which crystallizes, creating what look like frozen waterfalls on a cliff! Such a breathtaking sight!

As you can see, visitors are required to remove their footwear while walking on the travertines. Parts of it can be extremely slippery (the pools of water with traces of calcium), so extra caution is neccessary. The other parts that are soft and mud-like or solidified and coarse are easier to walk on.

Mother Nature's infinity pool!

The temperature of the thermal spring water here is about 35⁰C and it is known for its therapeutic and healing properties. Yay! We all go home with younger looking feet!

Apart from this spectacular natural phenomenon, the other monuments around this site include the ancient ruins of the Greco-Roman City of Hierapolis and an Archeological Museum which was once the site of ancient Roman thermal baths.

The Unusual Landscapes of Cappadocia, Turkey

2011-12-13T19:25:00.002+08:00

Cappadocia, located in the central region of Turkey, is also known as "the land of the beautiful horses". Although I only saw a grand total of 2 mediocre horses here, it didn't matter as what I did get to see literally blew me away.

Above: View from the roof terrace of my cave hotel in Göreme.

After the early morning hot air balloon flight where we got a preview of Cappadocia's unusual natural landscape from above, we continued exploring on ground, admiring the strange rock formations up close.

Our journey included a 4km hike and a mini van was arranged as well to take us between some of the locations that were further apart. Overall we were able to cover all of what made Cappadocia a UNESCO World Heritage site.

We started off at Devrent Valley, also known as the Imagination Valley as it consists of interesting rocks shaped like human beings, animals, or whatever your imagination comes up with.

I particularly love the peculiar 'Fairy Chimneys' found at Pasabagi and Urgup. These are tall, cone shaped rock formations each topped with caps! How cute is that?!

At Uchisar, we saw huge rocks with little niches hollowed out from it, forming multi-level tiny rooms. Each room is apparently inter-connected by passages, tunnels and stairs.

More rock-cut dwellings at Cavusin.

Finally, a view of the town of Orthahisar from a distance. The most prominent feature of the town is undoubtedly its 90m high rock 'Castle', blanketed by numerous stone houses.

Hot Air Ballooning over Cappadocia, Turkey

2011-12-13T03:30:00.001+08:00

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Yay! I finally did it! Hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia - CHECK!

While planning for my Turkey trip, this was one of the things that got me really psyched. I knew it was not exactly cheap and also there was the safety concern lingering in my head, but when I got to Cappadocia, I knew there's no way I could say no.
I just had to do it.

I had so many questions before the flight and was extremely eager to see how everything worked. The day before the flight, I spoke with fellow travellers who'd done it earlier, asking about their experience and checking out their photos. Everyone was telling me what a fantastic experience it was and how it was well worth waking up in the wee hours for.

So here's my own experience!

We were picked up from our hotel at about 5.30am (the plan was to catch the sunrise). First, we were taken to a 'holding area' where everyone could have some light breakfast and also wait for the supervising pilot to advise on the wind conditions. Once he deemed the conditions to be fit for flying (which took close to an hour and we missed the sunrise *sob*), everyone was split into groups of 10 - 20 and ushered off to vans where we will be driven to the take-off site.

Once at the take-off site, this was when the excitement began! Our balloon was already getting partially inflated by the crew and the wicker basket was laying on its side. With a few more blasts from the burner, our balloon slowly rose bringing the basket to the upright position, and it was ready for boarding!

In we clambered (yes it can be rather awkward) into the 'giant picnic hamper'. After further safety briefing by our pilot, the balloon started to ascend slowly. It was incredibly smooth and quiet. The ascension seemed so effortless, as if the basket full of people was weightless!

As we drifted further up into the calm sky, we could see all the other balloons around us, some lifting off, some still grounded, and others way above us! The sight was just breathtaking and almost surreal!

High up there, I didn't feel cold nor nervous as I thought I would. The whole time I was just busy snapping pictures, just like everyone else.

We glided over mountains and valleys, getting a bird's eye view over the dramatic and gorgeous landscape of Cappadocia. It was like getting a teaser of my Cappadocia tour - which I will be exploring on foot, on the ground later in the day!

Throughout the flight, our female pilot was sharing information about balloon flying and about Cappadocia in general. She was also constantly checking wind directions and navigating the balloon accordingly.

The flight lasted for about an hour and as soon as I started to notice other balloons descending, it was our turn as well. The pilot would communicate with the ground crew using a walkie talkie and determine the landing spot in advance.

As we gradually descend closer and closer to the ground, something amazing happened. Our pilot managed to land the basket snuggly right onto the trailer that was supposed to stow it away. It was a perfect landing! No bump was felt at all!

Looking up at the balloon, I was wondering if it was just going to collapse and fall over our heads if we don't get out soon enough. Thankfully that didn't happen.

Once the basket was securely grounded, everyone started climbing out of the basket. At the same time, the hot air was released through the parachute valve, deflating the balloon s-l-o-w-l-y.

Once everyone was out of the basket, it was time for the customary champagne popping ceremony. We also received certificates for our 'bravery'.

While we were happily clinking champagne glasses, these men were busy packing away the equipment. They sure made the job look really easy!

Having done it at last, I'd say there's no regrets at all. It felt completely safe (thanks to the skillful piloting) and worth every cent! Definitely an unforgettable experience. I'm a happy camper!

Istanbul, Turkey

2011-12-12T19:58:00.026+08:00

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Turkey, truly a melting pot of civilizations...

Turkey has been a travel destination in my bucket list for the longest time. I recently spent 7 (short) days travelling just some parts of the country and it certainly did not disappoint. In fact, I was absolutely enthralled!

Straddling 2 continents (Europe & Asia), sandwiched between 2 seas (Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea) and bordered by 8 countries (Bulgaria, Greece, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Syria), Turkey is an exciting and diverse country that’s not only extremely rich in history and culture, but also blessed with amazing natural wonders. There’s just so much to learn, discover and photograph. What else can I ask for?

My 7-day itinerary took me through the following fascinating places, most of which are UNESCO sites:
> the beautiful city of Istanbul, the financial heart of Turkey
> the breathtaking landscapes of Cappadocia in the central region of Nevşehir
> the ruined city of Hierapolis and the extraordinary white calcium terraces of Pamukkale near the southwestern city of Denizli
> the ancient city of Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary near the southwestern coastal province of Izmir

Come check out my photo journey through the remarkable & captivating Turkey!

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1st Stop >> Istanbul!

Istanbul is such an amazing city. Today, despite being a large, sprawling metropolis with modern skyscrapers, shopping malls and fancy restaurants, the city’s ancient mosques, traditional bazaars and humble kebab stalls still continue to draw and delight.

I’ll never forget waking up to the beautiful view of the sunrise over the Bosphorus from my hotel room in Sultanahmet, but the real pleasure comes from actually cruising down the strait that separates the city’s European and Asian sides. Capturing a panoramic view of the ‘Golden Horn’ in Istanbul is a must, and so is sipping tea throughout the day, just as the Turks do…

The historic areas of Istanbul are considered UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. Check it out here.

Figueres, Spain {Part VII of VII}

2011-12-09T17:36:00.000+08:00

After visiting the picturesque Montserrat, the final stop on my list for this road trip is the town of Figueres, situated at the northeast corner of Spain near Costa Brava.

Much like many other Spanish towns, Figueres has a historic center boasting impressive neo-classical architecture, encircled by a medieval wall that’s more than 3 kilometers long. It has an 18th century Castle of Sant Ferran sitting on top of a hill, and also a main promenade La Rambla where commercial activities take place. Typical and somewhat insipid?

Hold on, Figueres does have something pretty extraordinary up its sleeves.

Above: The exterior of the Teatre Museu Gala Salvador Dalí building.

Just like how Barcelona is synonymous with the magnificent architect Gaudí and his great works, Figueres is similarly so with the flamboyant and eccentric artist, Salvador Dalí. Born in 1904 and laid to rest 84 years later in this very town, Dalí is recognised world-wide for his surrealist works and his iconic moustache trademark.

Designed by the man himself and housing several of his renowned whimsical, dream-like and provocative pieces, the Dalí Theatre Museum is definitely a 'must-see' attraction in Figueres for fans and non-fans alike!

Above: My favourite installation has got to be this one called "The Face of Mae West" - a painting of a 19th century American actress that came to life in the form of a living space!

Above: One of the few souvenir shops outside the museum that sell replicas of Dalí's works and other surrealist-themed art works.

Above: The Church of Sant Pere, where Dalí had his baptism, first communion and later, his funeral. After death, Dalí's body was buried in a crypt at the basement of his museum.

Together with the Prado Museum in Madrid and the Guggenheim in Bilbao, the Teatre Museu Gala Salvador Dalí in Figueres certainly goes into my list of favourite museums in Spain.

Finally, we've come to the end of my series of posts on the road-trip. Look out for my new posts soon!

Montserrat, Spain {Part VI of VII}

2011-12-07T05:45:00.000+08:00

One of the destinations I’ve always wanted to visit in the Cataluña region is Montserrat.

Quite some time ago, I came across the unforgettable photo of a Benedictine Abbey nestled high up in the most unusual looking serrated mountain range (hence the name Montserrat). The jagged mountains resemble saw-like teeth that are actually pretty ugly in a fascinating way!

Montserrat is particularly well known for its Basilica that houses the much revered 12th century Black Madonna wooden sculpture, as well as the choirboys who perform there daily.

Apart from the religious significance, Montserrat also attracts visitors simply because of the tranquil surroundings and stunning views it offers. About 1.5hrs away from Girona and only 1hr away from bustling Barcelona, it literally feels like another world all together up there.

The highest point of the mountain range can be reached on foot after arriving at the top funicular station of Sant Jeroni. It may take a whole day to explore and fully enjoy Montserrat, but it is without a doubt, worth every minute!

Incredibly foggy when we first got there, the skies eventually cleared up, revealing the massive rock face.

Several buildings make up the entire complex. Besides the basilica, some of the other buildings include museums, hotel & apartments, a tourist centre, a huge cafeteria and gift shop.

Girona, Spain {Part V of VII}

2011-12-03T01:10:00.003+08:00

After travelling through the French cities of Lourdes, Toulouse & Carcassonne, we finally crossed back into the Spanish border, arriving in the evening at the city of Girona.

Girona may not be as popular as Barcelona (which is just an hour plus away), but it does make an attractive stop-over spot. Easy to explore on foot, the old town of Girona offers a mix of attractions that include the old city walls, churches, museums and an old Jewish quarter.

Running through the heart of the city is the Onyar River, and one of the ‘must do’ (also my favourite on the list) is to get onto one of the many bridges for a picturesque view of the riverside houses along it.

Then, take a stroll down Rambla de Libertat, the main thoroughfare which runs parallel to the river in the old town. As the street gradually tapers and splits, get lost in the narrow cobbled stone alleys and stairs… you’ll never know what you’ll chance upon.

Above: Expect the unexpected - I walked right into a face-off between a car and a giant bee! All part of the Festival de Sant Narcis street celebrations.

The City of Carcasonne, France {Part IV of VII}

2011-11-29T14:30:00.000+08:00

Just about an hour away from Toulouse is the medieval city of Carcassonne - a well-preserved, 12th century fortified French city. Complete with drawbridges, towers with conical spires, cobbled streets, and encircled by a 3km long defensive wall, the city of Carcassonne provides the perfect setting for a fairy tale.

Some of the main sites within the ancient walled city include the castle (La Château Comtal), the basilica (La Basilique St. Nazaire), and a square (La Place Marcou). Sitting on top of a hill, the fortress offers a fantastic view over the countryside.

Almost demolished in 1849 by the French government, the city was saved by the community and in fact, restored 4 years later and preserved as a historical monument eversince. In 1997, the city of Carcassonne was inscribed on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Above: Restaurants and shops surround the square, La Place Marcou.

Above: The castle, La Château Comtal.

Above & Below: La Basilique St. Nazaire

Above: The bridge, Pont Vieux over the Aude river outside the city.

Above: View of the medieval city of Carcassonne on a hill from afar.

Toulouse, France {Part III of VII}

2011-11-27T14:30:00.000+08:00

Some describe Toulouse as ‘la ville en rose’- the city in pink - thanks to the mostly red brick buildings radiating a warm, pink blush as sunlight hits. One of the major cities in the Southwest of France, Toulouse is also a stopover place for pilgrims doing the ‘Walk of Saint James’ on route across the Pyrenees into Spain.

Place du Capitole, the centre of this pink city, is dominated by the imposing Capitole Building that houses the Town Hall and the Theatre du Capitole. Around this main square, lots of smaller lanes lead you to discover Toulouse’s churches, museums and charming little cafes and shops.

Beyond its ‘rosy’ image preserved by its historical centre, Toulouse is also a high tech city home to the Airbus Headquarters and one other interesting attraction, the Space City. I didn’t managed to go check that out but I’m sure it’s worth a visit!

Above: The fountain of poet, Pierre Goudouli in Wilson Square.

Above & Below: Place du Capitole

Above: Church of Notre-Dame de la Dalbade

Above: Pont Neuf or 'new bridge' over the Garonne River.

Above: Just like how Provence is famous for its lavender, Toulouse is famous for its violets! You can find all things violet here, from soap to candy.

My obsession with duck dishes continues...

Lourdes, France {Part II of VII}

2011-11-25T23:15:00.001+08:00

Similar to the town of Fátima in Portugal, the small town of Lourdes, located at the foothills of the Pyrenees, is widely known to be a major pilgrimage site. Lourdes is famous for its Marian apparitions to a little girl named Bernadette Soubirous.

The story goes that on 11th February 1858, ‘a lady in white’ appeared to Bernadette at a grotto while she was out gathering firewood. The apparitions took place for a total of 18 times, the most significant ones being the 9th apparition, when the lady miraculously revealed a source of water underground, and the 16th apparition, when the lady finally revealed her identity as the “Immaculate Conception”. These revelations eventually convinced the sceptical authorities that Bernadette’s visions and claims were indisputable.

Following the series of apparitions, the destiny of Lourdes changed forever with the building of a Sanctuary dedicated to ‘Our Lady of Lourdes’ at that site as per her wishes. Each year, whether it’s for spiritual renewal or for the hope of a recovery from illness, millions of pilgrims and tourists flock to Lourdes, which is believed to have the most number of hotels in France after Paris!

Religious reasons aside, Lourdes is actually a really pretty town surrounded by lush greenery and the river Gave de Pau running through it! I stayed at the Hotel La Solitude and was given a room with a balcony that offers a gorgeous panorama of the river as well as the Castle of Lourdes.

Also, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes was just a short walk from the hotel, with what seemed like endless rows of souvenir shops along the way.

Above: The colourful mosaic-decorated walls outside the Basilica.

Above: Mass being held at the grotto where the apparitions occurred.

Above: The house of Bernadette's father which originally belonged to the Mayor of Lourdes.

Above: The taps through which the miraculous spring water flows from a source near the grotto. Believed by many to have healing effects, visitors are welcomed to collect the water for drinking or bathing.

Above: Night view of the Basilicas from the spacious esplanade.

Above: The grotto stays open at night offering a quiet & peaceful moment for prayers.

Andorra la Vella, Andorra {Part I of VII}

2011-11-21T02:44:00.014+08:00

First, a quick recap of my recent roadtrip. We started on 1st November from Barcelona where we rented the car. Over 6 days, we drove in 3 countries making stops at 7 locations.

Our itinerary included Andorra la Vella in Andorra, one of the smallest countries in the world. After that we continued on to Lourdes, Toulouse and the City of Carcasonne in Southwestern France. Finally, we came back into the Cataluña region, visited Girona, Figueres and Montserrat before returning the car at Barcelona and flying back to Madrid. Quite a journey!

The general outline of it is depicted below.

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Andorra is a small landlocked country located on the eastern Pyrenees mountain range, sandwiched between Spain and France. To give an idea of its size, Andorra is approximately 2.5 times the size of Washington, D.C. but smaller than tiny Singapore!

During winter when the mountains are covered in snow, skiing is one of the popular leisure activities to do in Andorra. There're also lots of other stuff like mountain climbing, trekking and exploring the rural countryside on horseback or bicycles, etc.

But let's face it, I'm hardly the sporty, adventure seeking type. Besides, the incessant rain literally washed away my plan to visit the Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley, a UNESCO site.

So what's a girl to do in a place known to be a tax haven? Go shopping!

The capital city of Andorra - Andorra la Vella - is famous for being a tax haven. Surrounded by mountains, the city center is like one huge shopping paradise. Malls, fashion outlets, perfumeries, electronic goods and luxury goods stores - you name it and you can probably find it here in Andorra la Vella.

Typically, prices of goods that can be found in the same stores in Spain are cheaper here in Andorra la Vella without the taxes. Also for the bigger ticket items, it saves you the hassle of having to claim your tax refunds at the airport.

Above: Stopping for lunch at a restaurant by the roadside between Andorra and France.

I have an obsession with French duck dishes. Here I tried the Duck Confit and it was to die for!

Next stop >> Lourdes.

Coming up next...

2011-11-15T15:29:00.009+08:00

Hola!

November started off as an exceptionally busy month for me, jam packed with travels (6 countries in the last 3 weeks) and well, let's just say there're also some 'big changes' happening in the midst of everything.

Meanwhile, I've got TONS of photos to edit. Soon, I'll be sharing more about my road trip beginning from the Cataluña Region in Spain across to Andorra, France and back.

Following that, I can't wait to tell you more about two of my travel dreams coming true in Turkey - hotair ballooning over the landscape of Cappadocia and walking on the white travertine terraces of Pamukkale!!!

Last but not least, my visit to the city & countryside of Amsterdam - a sweet way to wrap up my November holidays :)

So stay tuned!

Communing with Nature

2011-11-06T22:50:00.000+08:00

@ Retiro Park

Farm Animals in the City

2011-10-31T00:16:00.013+08:00

Earlier today, all vehicular traffic leading towards Puerta de Alcala had been blocked off for an unusual reason. Hundreds of farm animals such as cattle, sheep and goats were herded through the center of Madrid in an annual procession defending ancient grazing and migration rights.

Long before cars and pedestrians began to shuttle on the asphalted roads in the heart of the city, these paths were part of the livestock trail used by shepherds in the autumn to bring their animals from north to south for better grazing in warmer weather. This tradition has been kept alive today despite urban development.

Farm animals in the city? Oh, it's just another day in Madrid.

La Coruña City, Galicia {Part IV of IV}

2011-10-19T00:20:00.002+08:00

Located on a promontory surrounded by water, La Coruña City is home to a busy port and thriving industries. Despite that, the city exudes a certain kind of laid back atmosphere which makes it a great place for a leisurely weekend getaway.

While it does not have an ancient cathedral to rival that of Santiago de Compostela, La Coruña city does have a striking old building in its city center grand enough to wow its visitors. The 20th century neoclassical Palacio Municipal (city hall) with its three domed towers looks stunning sitting at the Plaza de Maria Pita.

Above: Palacio Municipal in Plaza de Maria Pita.

Apart from exploring the historical centre, La Coruña city also has a handful of beaches along its coves for people to enjoy the sun, sand and sea. However, what I find really appealing about this place is its maritime walk which almost encircles the whole city.

Whether you choose to walk, cycle or take the tram service, this route provides access to most of the city’s best attractions and scenaries. Keep your eyes peeled and you’ll also notice lots of interesting sculptures dotted along the way.

Above: A stretch of 'galeria-style' buildings with enclosed glass balconies facing the marina.

The most iconic landmark of La Coruña city has got to be the lighthouse referred to as the Tower of Hercules. Built to warn ships approaching the rugged coastline from the North Atlantic Ocean, this lighthouse of Roman origins is known to exist and been in use since the late 1st century. Possibly the oldest lighthouse in the world, the Tower of Hercules is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Not far from the Tower of Hercules is a Sculpture Park that is well worth a visit.

Above: The Tower of Hercules lighthouse.

Above: A monument dedicated to those who perished during the Franco dictatorship.

Above: These are not ancient monoliths erected by pre-historic people. It's a set of sculptures known as 'Family of Menhires'. The two tallest stones are the father and mother, while the rest represent the children. Each stone is strategically placed and has an opening through which the Tower of Hercules, the sea or the setting sun can be seen.

Above: Try getting lost in this maze...that is if you have time to spare.

Above: The 16th century Castle of Saint Anton, a fortress built to watch over the harbour. Today it houses the city's Archaeological Museum.

Above: The Tower of Hercules from afar.

Cabo de Finisterre, Galicia {Part III of IV}

2011-10-15T17:55:00.000+08:00

Cabo de Finisterre is a cape at the westernmost edge of Spain, along the North Atlantic coast. On top of a mountain here sits a lighthouse that looks out to the expansive body of water separating Continental Europe and North America.

It is known that many pilgrims doing The Walk of St. James continue to make their way to Cabo de Finisterre for a 'burning ritual' after having completed their journey to the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.

To mark the end of their pilgrimage, the pilgrims follow the tradition of burning their clothing and boots here. Great for those whose shoes haven't been kind to their feet!

Muros, Galicia {Part II of IV}

2011-10-12T19:15:00.001+08:00

Leaving Santiago de Compostela, we headed towards the fishing town of Muros taking the coastal road. The drive was enjoyable and the coastal views prompted us to make a few stops in between to snap some pics.

It didn't matter that there aren't alot of attractions in this town, the harbour of Muros is attractive enough for me. Lined with a row of restaurants, bars and shops facing the harbour, Muros makes a great stop-over destination for a leisurely lunch followed by a stroll along the promenade.

Santiago de Compostela, Galicia {Part I of IV}

2011-10-11T00:10:00.003+08:00

{Back in April 2009, we made a road trip from Madrid up to the province of La Coruña in Galicia, northwestern Spain. We first arrived at the town of Santiago de Compostela, then drove clockwise along coastal roads passing the seaside town of Muros and Cape Finisterre before ending up in the city of La Coruña.}

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The town of Santiago de Compostela is popular for being one of the major pilgrimage sites in Europe. The Pilgrimage Route (The Way of St. James) as well as the Old Town of Santiago are both inscribed separately in UNESCO’s World Heritage list.

The Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, the actual site where the pilgrimage culminates, was built to honour St. James and believed to house his remains. Possibly the most recognizable Cathedral in Spain, an image of the Cathedral with its elaborate façade and lofty medieval towers appears on the back of the 1, 2 and 5 cents of the Spanish euro coins.

Zaragoza, Aragon

2011-10-07T20:03:00.000+08:00

I actually visited the city of Zaragoza back in late 2008 after learning that they just hosted the World Expo earlier that same year. As like any host city, Zaragoza underwent some major transformation for this huge event. They built new buildings, put in place new infrastructure, and consequently became known as more than just a half way point between Madrid and Barcelona.

I was however, more intrigued by what’s old rather than new in Zaragoza. Situated by the Ebro River, this capital city of the Aragon Region in north-eastern Spain continues to preserve some impressive remnants of its Islamic past that are recognised today as UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.

The most striking landmark in the historical city centre is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar. Originally just a small chapel built by St. James to honour the Virgin Mary, the site is now home to a huge baroque style temple that is famous for its image of the 'Pilar Virgin' on its column. Its outstanding interior features are matched with an equally grand exterior appearance with several cupolas and towers. You can read more about the basilica here.

Next to the Basilica stands the City Hall of Zaragoza. The plaza in front of the Basilica had quite an unusual water feature resembling icebergs. I reckon it had something to do with the 'Water and Sustainable Development' theme for the World Expo '08.

Above: The Church of Santa María Magdalena and the San Salvador Cathedral (La Seo).

Apart from the Basilica, another major monument in Zaragoza located some distance away from the historical city centre is the Aljafería Palace. It is a fine example of the Muslim Mudéjar architecture from its Islamic past. Once an Islamic Royal Palace, the building today is the seat of the Aragon Parliament.

Above & Below: Day & night at the city's shopping street, Calle de Alfonso I.

Above & Below: The outside and inside of the recommended 'El Fuelle' restaurant that serves traditional local cuisine. It was way too packed to get any seats or even the waiter's attention.

Coming up next...

2011-10-05T18:02:00.004+08:00

I'm in the midst of planning a series of trips for the month of November (which I'm reeaaalllly looking forward to), but meanwhile, since I’ll be staying put in Madrid for most of October, I thought I’d like to take the opportunity to share a little blast from the past.

While going through all my photo albums recently, I realized that I’ve got batches of photos from various trips that are yet to be published somehow. Yikes.
So in the next few posts I’ll be sharing some of them from around Spain dating back to 2008.

Porsche Museum @ Zuffenhausen, Stuttgart, Germany

2011-09-30T18:05:00.000+08:00

{Part 8 of an 8 part Summer Road Trip 2011 series. YAY! Click here to read the previous posts from the bottom up.}

Crossing back into German border, we head towards one of our trip's most anticipated stops in the north of Stuttgart city. There was really only ONE reason why we came here.

It's none other than for the Home of Porsche!

Above and below: The exterior of the Porsche Museum and the Porsche Showroom on the opposite side of the road. The architecture of the museum itself is a work of art and its avant-garde, sloping form actually reminded me of an indoor ski slope in Madrid.

The interior of the museum is pretty neat too. Its clean, barrier-less and minimalist look allows one to go up close and truly admire each car in all it's glory.

Tickets cost €8 and audio guides can be rented in addition to the brief text descriptions next to each exhibit. The museum takes you through the history of the brand and evolution of the cars from the early days to present time.

Above: Resembling an alien abduction scene, this cool device is designed to give you a sensory experience of the Porsche engine when revved. You can feel the vibrations beneathe your feet and hear the sound from the overhead speakers.

From here, you can see that the museum is actually 3 storeys high and you basically walk up in a spiral way and go back down to the main lobby via the escalator.

Back down at the lobby area, there is a restaurant as well as a bistro if you just want a quick snack and drink. Of course, last but not least, it's a must for all Porsche aficionados to check out the museum shop.

Take home your favourite Porsche for 5 euros! The miniature version that is.

After visiting the museum, it took about 20min to get from the museum site to Stuttgart city center. Being a Sunday however, all the shops were unfortunately closed and it was all quiet apart from an outdoor Mercedes-Benz fair that was incidently happening at 'Karlsplatz' square.

There were car exhibits, a stage set-up, food and drinks stalls and people were forming queues...I can't even find out what they were queuing for before it started to pour! Heavily! It's a shame I can't share any pictures of the city, maybe next time.

From Stuttgart, we headed back to Frankfurt for the evening before taking a flight back to Madrid the next day.

So that's it! This post wraps up my summer road trip covering parts of Germany, Luxembourg and France. Hope you enjoyed it :)

Strasbourg, Alsace Region, France

2011-09-27T00:15:00.002+08:00

{Part 7 of an 8 part Summer Road Trip 2011 series. Click here to read the previous posts from the bottom up.}

Leaving the city of Nancy in Lorraine, we continued our journey into the Alsace region of France, to the city of Strasbourg. Oh how I love Strasbourg!

Touristy without being too tacky, Strasbourg looks as pretty as a picture and offers so much to see and do. Its vibrant atmosphere, delectable cuisine plus a variety of attractions are sure to captivate you. From historical monuments to museums, a stroll by the river to a walk in the park, rustic restaurants to trendy wine bars, flea-markets to up-market shopping, the charming quarter of Petite France to the student district of Krutenau, my two nights stay was simply not enough!

The unique flavour of this Alsatian capital city is derived from a blend of both its Latin and Germanic identities. Not surprisingly, the entire historical center of Strasbourg known as the Grande Île (Grand Island) in the middle of the River Ill is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Best explored on foot, it is also possible to hop on a mini-tram to discover the city center or perhaps even better, take the Batorama boat cruise for a fantastic view of Strasbourg’s charming riverbanks from the River Ill!

Above: The bustling Rue du Maroquin, lined with hotels and restaurants.

Above: The Cathedral of Notre Dame, towering over the city at a height of 142 metres, is a masterpiece constructed with rosy red blocks of stone. It takes 332 steps to climb up to the top of its tower.

Above & Below: The Riverbanks of Strasbourg.

Above & Below: The produce market by the riverbank.

Above: Les Ponts Couverts or 'The Covered Bridges' with its 3 defensive towers.

Above: The L'Ancienne Douane or 'Old Customs House' which once housed the port & taxes authorities. Today it houses a restaurant and it does look a little more welcoming on the other side.

Above: Saint Paul's Church.

Above: The European Parliament building.

Above: The Petite France quarter with streets lined with half-timbered houses from the 16th & 17th centuries.

Above & Below: Picturesque views from the river.

Above: Some of my favourite dishes & snacks!
Magret de canard, escargot, seafood, gingerbread men, pretzel donuts!!!

Next up after Strasbourg, we make our way back into the German border. But before heading back to Frankfurt where we first took off on this road trip, there's just one more final stop to make - Stuttgart!

Nancy, Lorraine Region, France

2011-09-19T18:38:00.031+08:00

{Part 6 of an 8 part Summer Road Trip 2011 series. Click here to read the previous posts from the bottom up.}

Like Metz, Nancy is an attractive city in the Lorraine Region of France. One name that doesn't go unnoticed in its history is Stanislas Leszczynski - the Duke of Lorraine who laid the foundations for the elegant and impressive Place Stanislas in the 1750s.

Taking 4 years to complete, the 18th century Place Stanislas is a beautiful square enclosed by a few important buildings - the City Hall (Hotel de Ville building), the Opera Theatre, and the Fine Arts Museum.

Set in between the Old and New Towns, Place Stanislas together with 2 other squares, Place de la Carrière and Place d'Alliance, are inscribed in UNESCO's World Heritage List.

At the turn of the 20th century, Nancy played a pivotal role in the Art Nouveau movement, adding richness to its already facinating ensemble of architectural styles.

Apart from the monumental buildings that line Place Stanislas, the square is also surrounded by fountains framed with ornate wrought iron gates heavily adorned with gold leaves.

No words or pictures can do justice to a place like this. Like a work of art, its grandeur is simply overwhelming. In addition to the beauty of Place Stanislas itself, one other highlight is the laser light show that happens daily at 22:45 and lasts approx. 20 minutes.

To be honest when the hotel staff told us about the show, I was only half interested (cos I've seen similar ones before). Nonetheless I stayed on and I must say I actually enjoyed it! Well it's still pretty much the same, but yet different...if you know what I mean.
The laser lights are projected against the façade of the palatial Hotel de Ville, literally bringing the building to life!

Above: Not far from Place Stanislas is Nancy's Cathedral.

Above: The exterior of Boutique L'Huilier, a shop selling gifts and decor items.

Above & Below: Place de la Carrière and the Arc de Triomphe at the opposite end.

The Old Town (Ville-Vieille quarter) is a seemingly quiet maze of stately private mansions or townhouses with architecture that differs greatly from those in the New Town.

Above: Hotel Farraris, previously an 18th century private mansion with a Fountain of Neptune sitting in its courtyard.

Above: Palais Ducal, once the residence of the Dukes of Lorraine, currently a museum.

Above: The 14th century Porte de la Craffe / Craffe Gate.

Above: Rue de la Faïencerie.

Above: Place Saint Epvre, a market square back in the Middle Ages.

Above: The neo gothic Saint Epvre Basilica.

Above: Some of the 'Art Nouveau' style buildings in Nancy.

On a sweeter note, what good is a trip to France without a trip to a macaroon shop?

Here in Nancy, there are lots of places where you can get your macaroon fix. One of them is Maison Des Soeurs Macarons - a traditional looking little shop which holds the secret macaroon recipe handed down by two Benedictine Nuns. This pair of nuns became so popular and successful that they were nicknamed the 'Macaroon Sisters' and their macaroons were often referred to as THE Nancy Macaroons. There's even a street named after them!

But alas! The shop was closed for lunch when I got there.

Above: The fancy, modern Patisserie Hulot where I eventually bought my macaroons.

Next up after Nancy, I'm headed to Strasbourg - the most anticipated part of my roadtrip!

Metz, Lorraine Region, France

2011-09-15T01:15:00.002+08:00

{Part 5 of an 8 part Summer Road Trip 2011 series. Click here to read the previous posts from the bottom up.}

Here's a quick re-cap >> I set off on this road-trip starting from Frankfurt in Germany, travelled to Cochem and Trier, then crossed the border to Luxembourg City, and at this point I'm across yet another border into France.

So I've made it to in Metz (pronounced 'Mess') - the capital of the Lorraine Region in France!

Since I was starving by the time I arrived, I could only think of one thing - to sink my teeth into an authentic quiche lorraine...in Lorraine!

Above: My Quiche Lorraine with salad and french fries.

I randomly walked into an alfresco bistro and ordered a quiche lorraine which I happened to be really pleased with. I liked the thickness & portion of the quiche, and how the richness of the filling was not too overwhelming. It was just perfect!

So after a quick but satisfying lunch, we were ready to check out the city of Metz.

The history of Metz dates back some 3,000 years and it is known to be one of the birthplaces of the Gregorian chant. In the 13th century, Metz became an independent republic but was subsequently caught in the tug of war between France and Germany in the centuries that follow. It was eventually taken over by the French in 1944, and grew steadily to become an industrialised city.

Also home to the University of Lorraine, Metz is today a vibrant city with a rich heritage.

Above: The Cathedral of Saint Etienne, the impressive centerpiece on Place d'Armes.

Above: Temple Neuf located on the tiny strip of island called Petit Saulcy, in the middle of the Moselle River.

Above: Also on the island is France's oldest Opera theatre, built in the 18th century on Place de la Comédie.

Above: Moyen Pont, the fortified 'Middle Bridge'.

Above: A row of sturdy buildings along the river at Les Roches district as seen from the island of Petit Saulcy.

Apparently the city of Metz lights up pretty nicely at night, but unfortunately I wasn’t planning on staying the night here. Instead, I’m off to Nancy…

Luxembourg City, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

2011-09-08T21:41:00.003+08:00

{Part 4 of an 8 part Summer Road Trip 2011 series. Click here to read the previous posts from the bottom up.}

One of the smallest countries in Europe, Luxembourg (officially known as the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg) is landlocked, bordered by Germany, Belgium and France. Luxembourg City, its capital, is the cultural, financial and political centre of the country.

The city's fortifications and impressive underground defence system in the old quarter reveal remnants of various European military architecture spanning several centuries and several dominions. This intriguing, cross-cultural past of Luxembourg City had left it with a number of historical monuments which are currently listed as UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. Coupled with a gorgeous and lush natural landscape consisting of parks, rivers and valleys, Luxembourg City makes a great destination to pleasure in both history and scenery.

Above: The City Palace located at Place d'Armes.

Above: Equestrain statue of the King and Grand Duke William II.

Above, centre: The Palace of the Grand Dukes.

Above: What an enchanting view! I love the greenery and how the city appears to be set on different levels.

Above: The Adolphe Bridge.

Above: Clock tower of Place de Metz as seen from across the valley at the Constitution Square.

Above: The Gëlle Fra Memorial commemorating Luxembourg's soldiers who perished in WWI.

Above: The 'corniche' defence walls on the right provides an amazing view of the Alzette Valley.

Above: A gorgeous view over the Neumünster Abbey at the Grund quarter of Luxembourg City.

Above: The Passerelle or Luxembourg Viaduct, built over the valley.

Above: Dinner at Am Tiirmschen Luxembourgish Restaurant.

Perhaps much like its language, Luxembourgish cuisine is somewhat French and German influenced. At Am Tiirmschen Restaurant (recommended by the staff at our hotel) we tried the pan fried foie gras, sea scallops with risotto and puff pastry with mushrooms & chicken in cream sauce. Everything was absolutely delish! Just what I needed to whet my appetite before I move on to my next destination - France!

Trier, Germany

2011-08-20T19:11:00.018+08:00

{Part 3 of an 8 part Summer Road Trip 2011 series. Click here to read the previous posts from the bottom up.}

Located in west Germany near the Luxembourg border, historical Trier is said to be Germany's oldest town, with a past that dates back to 16 B.C.

In ancient history, Trier was referred to as "the second Rome", where the first Roman Emperor Constantine the Great once lived. Trier later came under French occupation until the year 1815, when it was subsequently proclaimed as part of the German Kingdom. In 1818, the German town saw the birth of Karl Marx, the founder of the theories of Marxism. Today, Trier is a pleasant and lively town that still boasts several well preserved Roman monuments which are inscribed in Unesco's list of World Heritage Sites.

With the limited amount of time I had at this stopover, I headed straight to the centre of Trier, the bustling Hauptmarkt or market square, and walked down Simeonstraße, the pedestrianized street all the way to the town's most important Roman monument, Porta Nigra.

Above & Below: Right in the heart of the market square with tourist shops, attractive fruit and flower stalls.

Above & Below: One of Trier's most important Roman monuments, the Porta Nigra or the 'Black Gate' - a 2nd century Roman city gate. The only remaining gate out of four that once existed, the Porta Nigra was saved from destruction by a much revered Greek hermit monk who went to live in its ruins.

Above: The romanesque Cathedral of St. Peter (the oldest in Germany) and the gothic Church of Our Lady of Trier on the right.

The Cathedral of Trier apparently houses the Holy Robe of Christ (which I didn't get to see) which draws many pilgrims.

Above: The ornate baroque domed ceiling inside the Cathedral.

The other sites to visit in Trier include the Roman baths and Amphitheatre, the Roman palace Basilica Aula Palatina, and also the house of Karl Marx.
But alas! I had run out of time as I had to move on to my next destination, Luxembourg!

Cochem, Germany

2011-08-19T03:41:00.022+08:00

{Part 2 of an 8 part Summer Road Trip 2011 series. Click here to read the previous posts from the bottom up .}

After almost 2 hours drive west from Frankfurt, I arrived at the quaint little German town of Cochem, situated in a valley by the bend of the Mosel River.

Cochem has a history that dates back some 2,000 years and it is today a gorgeous vista of vineyards surrounding a pretty half timbered town. The most outstanding building in Cochem is the imposing Reichsburg Imperial Castle, sitting on a hill watching over the town. Originally built in the 11th century, this fairy-tale like castle was destroyed by French forces in 1689 but rebuilt in the 1870s.

Walking though the winding narrow alleys in the old town, you’ll notice parts of the preserved medieval walls, gates and towers, giving you an idea of how Cochem was once fortified.

After exploring the old town, I took a short hike up the hill for a view from higher ground.

Cochem does make a great stop-over town to visit if you have some time to spare. I'm glad I stopped by!

Next up, I'm off to check out the Roman ruins left in Germany's oldest town...

Frankfurt, Germany

2011-08-19T02:54:00.029+08:00

{Part 1 of an 8 part Summer Road Trip 2011 series. Check out my route here.}

After visiting Munich in July last year, this time I chose Frankfurt, another popular German city.

Frankfurt is known to be the financial hub of Germany and it often plays host to international trade fairs and events. Some nicknames the city had acquired include ‘Bankfurt’, thanks to the existence of a large number of financial institutions here, as well as ‘Mainhattan’, due to its location by the Main River and that it has a skyline almost resembling Manhattan’s.

Above: The Börse / Frankfurt Stock Exchange and the pair of bear and bull outside it.

Above from left to right: Some of the gleaming skyscrapers of Frankfurt -The Nextower & Jumeirah Hotel, The Westhafen Tower (resembling an apple wine glass), and the Westend Tower.

Despite being a thriving metropolis with many modern skyscrapers, Frankfurt does have an attractive historical city centre. The areas that I fancied most include Römerberg (for the traditional buildings), Saalgasse Lane (for the modern townhouses), Freßgass’ (for the food street), Zeil (for shopping) and Old Sachsenhausen (for its cozy, rustic restaurants and apple wine pubs).

Above: Römerberg, the historical center of Frankfurt with a row of traditional half timbered houses, St. Nicholas Church with the tower on the extreme right and the Fountain of Justice in the middle of the plaza.

Above: On the opposite side of the plaza stands the Rathaus / City Hall housed in a former villa with a 3 gabled roof.

Above: My favourite local food - Pork Knuckles, Pretzels, Sausages!

Above: The Old Opera House

Above: Freßgass’, also referred to as the pedestranised glutton's street filled with shops, cafes and restaurants.

Above: A futuristic looking MyZeil mall on Zeil Street, the main shopping stretch of the city.

Above: A nutcraker figure in the foreground, St. Paul's Church in the background.

Above: A traditional building housing a restaurant, and the Kaiserdom / St. Bartholomew Cathedral.

Above: Saalgasse Lane, with a row of modern townhouses on the left, each designed with a unique façade and built by different architects.

Above: The Eiserner Steg (Iron Footbridge) connecting Frankfurt's old town to the Sachsenhausen district.

Above: A stroll by the River Main.

Above: The Sachsenhausen district, across from the old town.

After spending one day and night in Frankfurt covering most of the city center, it was time to pick up our rental car the next day from Hauptbahnhof, the main train station. Thus the roadtrip begins!

Next stop, Cochem!

Coming up next...

2011-08-16T22:38:00.011+08:00

..................................................
Guten Tag! Moien! Bonjour!

I just got back from a *FABULOUS* one week road trip covering 8 cities across 3 countries!

Starting from Frankfurt, Germany, we travelled anti-clockwise to the charming German towns of Cochem and Trier. Following that, we headed across to Luxembourg City, and then down to the Lorraine (Metz & Nancy) and Alsace (Strasbourg) regions of France, finally returning to Frankfurt via Stuttgart.

I literally have hundreds of photos to sort out!

In the coming weeks, expect posts with photos of picturesque half timbered houses, pretty river views, delectable local cuisines, opulent palatial squares, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and a peek into the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart.

See you soon!

Art on a Building, Madrid

2011-08-12T19:16:00.006+08:00

While out having lunch one day, I stumbled upon this striking building on the corner where Calle Campoamor & Calle Orellana meet. I can't believe I've never noticed it before!

The artwork on this 19th century reburbished building was done by painter, Jack Babiloni. It was apparently completed in under a month, using just 4 paint colours.
The unconventional idea of juxtaposing modern art on an old building is so refreshing.
Just one of the things I love about Madrid!

Elche, Alicante, Comunidad Valenciana

2011-08-06T18:30:00.002+08:00

Elche is a city like no other in Spain. It’s a city known for its footwear industry (with apparently more than a thousand factories) and something even more incredible.
Palm Groves!

An extraordinary green oasis in the heart of the city - in Spain, in Europe!

Located in the autonomous community of Valencia, Elche is about 4.5hrs drive from Madrid. The reason Elche made it into the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site is obvious - the city itself is a sprawling orchard of thousands of 'tropical' palm trees! Also, the palms are known to exist since some 2,500 years ago, with irrigation techniques passed down from the time of Muslim influence in Spain. What's remarkable is that even with modernisation and urban expansion, the city of Elche has managed to preserve its heritage within its current landscape in a seemingly harmonious way.

Apart from the Palmeral de Elche, the historical old town of Elche contains a number of monuments that are well worth visiting.

Above: The Calaforra Tower, one of the last remains of the ancient city walls.

Above: One of the iconic landmarks of Elche is the Basilica of St. Mary with a bell tower and a gleaming blue dome. On the right is a replica sculpture of the Dama de Elche (Lady of Elche) that was discovered near the area in 1897. The original Princess Leia perhaps?

Above: The Altamira Palace and fortress built back in the 12th century. Today, it is part of Elche's Archaeology & History Museum. A fantastic view over the city can be enjoyed from the top of its walls and tower.

Above & Below:
The Huerta del Cura Palm Garden - one of Elche's most popular attractions - features an impressive collection of different palms from all over the world, as well as some giant cacti. The garden’s ‘celebrity status’ plant however, is the Imperial Palm. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it was growing for several years as a single trunk plant, and only when it reached a height of 2 meters that it split into 7 arms, resembling a huge candelabra! This tree is more than 165 years old today.

Above: On the left is the building of the Town Hall. Next to the Town Hall stands the Calendura 'clock' Tower. Looking closely at the top of the tower you'll notice an automaton (named Miquel Calendura) responsible for chiming the hours.

Besides wanting to check out the amazing palm plantations in Elche, the other reason that I came here was for the beach. It's almost a summer tradition that I have to follow, to squeeze in a trip to the beach - ANY beach - because as you know, one does not exist in Madrid.

The nearest beaches to Madrid are the ones at Valencia along Costa Blanca. Although Elche is an inland city, it’s close enough to a handful of decent beaches like Arenals del Sol, El Carabassi, and also a coastal town called Santa Pola.

Well done, Elche. You've successfully got me (make) believing I’m far, far away in some tropical city, even if it’s just for a while...

Valladolid, Castilla y León

2011-07-30T17:22:00.001+08:00

Before Madrid, a province located in the region of Castilla y León named Valladolid was the capital of Spain and it played an important role in the Spanish history.

Valladolid today is an industrial city and also a cultural centre. It still has a handful of well preserved historical monuments scattered in its old quarter, the notable ones being the Cathedral, the church of Santa María la Antigua (oldest in the city), the church of San Pablo, the gothic church of San Benito, and a university with a gorgeous baroque façade.

Interestingly, I noticed that the city has an artificial beach called 'Playa de las Moreras' created by the Pisuerga River. There's even a beach bar to boot.

It may not be the most attractive beach, but for an inland city, it's obviously not a bad option for the locals!

Set in the wine making region of Spain, Valladolid is known to produce good quality wines and also specialises in wood oven roasted suckling baby lamb. Try them if you visit!

2011-07-29T18:23:00.003+08:00

Hola! Is anyone still there?

Sorry about the hiatus and thanks for still coming back to check for updates. I don’t exactly know what happened to July. It just flew past me! Must be the summer spell.

New posts are coming right up and I’ll try to keep them regular again!

xx
::stardust::

Los Molinos de Viento, Consuegra, Castilla La Mancha

2011-06-24T04:00:00.000+08:00

The Windmills of Consuegra, Toledo, Castilla La Mancha.
I hope you like Windmills.

Following my trip to Alcázar de San Juan, I decided to continue on my trail behind the dusty legendary tracks of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza on their mounts.

Particularly intrigued by the story of how Don Quixote foolishly mistook the windmills on the plains of La Mancha for ‘monstrous giants with long arms’ and vowed to take them down in battle, I was excited as I approached the town of Consuegra - whose skyline is outlined by a 12th century castle and 12 beautifully conserved windmills on the hill, Cerro Calderico.

Above: The view of the town from the hill.

So yeah, I checked. The windmills are not monstrous giants made famous by Cervantes’s creative story-telling :) Before they are there sitting pretty on the hill attracting tourists and Don Quixote fans, they actually did serve a purpose of helping millers in Consuegra grind their grains with wind energy.

Another important stop in the Don Quixote route is Campo de Criptana, not far from Consuegra. Despite having been to Campo de Criptana two years ago to get my windmill fix (I have a thing for windmills and I love photographing them), I knew I couldn’t skip Consuegra.

It’s not difficult to see how the landscape of La Mancha had inspired Cervantes to pen his magnum opus. The splendour of the castle and windmills still impresses today. Indeed, no trip to La Mancha would be complete without a sighting of Don Quixote’s infamous foes.

I've got more windmill pics here!

Alcázar de San Juan, Castilla La Mancha

2011-06-21T20:01:00.008+08:00

Last Sunday, my day trippin' brought me to the town of Alcázar de San Juan in the province of Ciudad Real, Castilla La Mancha.

Alcázar de San Juan got its name from previously being an old Arab fortress (Alcázar) which was later taken over by the Knights of Saint John (San Juan in Spanish).

Not only is it a privileged town set along the wine trail of La Mancha, Alcázar de San Juan is also set in a "route of fantasy", serving as a background where much of the adventures of Spain’s most popular fictional character, Don Quixote de La Mancha took place.

It's obvious that this locality closely associates itself to the protagonists of the famed novel as well as to their creator Miguel de Cervantes, as one can see they are immortalised as statues and images all over the town. Some even say that this is the birthplace of the renowned author.

Above & below: Iconic sculptures of the fictional characters Don Quixote and his sidekick, Sancho Panza, located in the heart of the town facing Plaza de España.

Above: The Municipal Market at Plaza de España.

Above: The neo-classical style Town Council or Ayuntamiento of Alcázar de San Juan.

Above: Iglesia de Santa Quitéria.

Above & Below: Buildings around Plaza Santa Quitéria.

Above: A mother and child stone statue monument titled ‘Cántico a la Maternidad’ located at Plaza de Santa Maria.

Above: The statue of Miguel de Cervantes stands outside the Tower of the Grand Prior - Torreón de Don Juan de Austria.

Above: Iglesia de Santa Maria La Mayor, the oldest church in Alcázar, believed to be built over an old mosque.

Alcázar de San Juan is also famous for some of its festivals.

One being the festival of Moors & Christians which is celebrated in conjunction with the Night of San Juan on 24 June, the other being the Carnival, which is celebrated in December between Christmas & New Year's eve, and declared as a Regional Tourist Interest.

MONSTERS in MADRID!!!

2011-06-13T19:13:00.016+08:00

......
Monster Trucks, that is!

Last Saturday saw 10 of America’s famed Monster Truckers & their “mean machines” packing in the crowds and causing a storm at the Monster Jam Show in Madrid’s Vicente Calderón Stadium!

This is one show that I’d never expect to catch live so I decided to go for it. I even got tickets for the pre-show Pit Party to get up close to the monster trucks and rub shoulders with the drivers. Not bad for just an additional 5€!

Check out some of the trucks up close!

Above: Pretty in pink "Madusa" was driven by Debrah Miceli - the only female in the competition!

After the Pit Party, the drivers got their trucks ready for the night’s competition. The show started off nice and easy with some basic circuit runs and intensified through the night with more daring, free-style stunts.

Above: "El Toro Loco", complete with horns, going loco in the circuit..naturally it's got the loudest cheer from the Spanish crowd.

Above: "Grave Digger" leaping over 4 brand new minis...this stunt is NOT to be confused with car crushing!

Lots of wheelies, car crushing, donut spins and massive air leaps! It was wildly entertaining! As the trucks advanced in the competition, more and more started flipping over. No one got injured though, after all, they’re pros!

Above: Spidey flipping over while crunching cars. [Click to enlarge]

Above: "Mohawk Warrior" doing Donut Spins. [Click to enlarge]

Above: George Balhan of "Mohawk Warrior" - the ultimate warrior indeed.

Above: Fireworks mark the finale of the event.

The winner of the competition is none other than George Balhan driving his “Mohawk Warrior” Monster Truck – my favourite from the very beginning! Coming in close at 2nd place was Charlie Pauken driving “Grave Digger”, another crowd favourite.
DO NOT MESS WITH THESE GUYS ON THE ROAD!

Burgos, Castilla y León

2011-06-09T23:42:00.033+08:00

Recently, I found myself suddenly thinking about a certain Spanish dish – Morcilla de Burgos. Although it’s not difficult to find it in Madrid, what better place to have it than in the city of Burgos itself! (Yes I'm one of those who really like eating Morcilla de Burgos despite knowing what it's made of.)

So we drove almost 3 hrs north from Madrid to Burgos, and the first thing we did was to head into a tapas bar and indulge in a plate of Morcilla de Burgos. I finished it so quickly that I didn’t even remember to do what I'd usually do – snap a picture of it!

Anyway, the weather in Burgos was absolutely fantastic. The city is actually really pretty with its gothic architecture, spacious plazas and the Arlanzón River running across it. Great for some leisurely after-lunch wandering!

Above: Arch of Santa Maria - "The Gateway to Burgos!"

Above: View of Burgos City from the Castle, located on a hilltop.

Above: Plaza Mayor

Above: The Arlanzón River running across the city.

Above: Plaza del Rey San Fernando. Buildings with glass window covered balconies appear to be typical of this city.

The city of Burgos forms part of El Camino de Santiago or The Way of St. James pilgrimage route and not surprisingly, the route passes the famous Cathedral of Burgos, located right in the heart of the city.

Possibly one of the most magnificent Cathedrals in Spain, the Burgos Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A true Gothic masterpiece, it is as impressive inside as it is on the outside!

Apart from the Catheral, Burgos has another important monument, the 15th century Casa del Cordón - where several historical events were known to have taken place.

Just as I was about to reach the historical building, 'Bread & Cakes' caught my eye and stopped me in my tracks. No harm side tracking for a little sweet treat!

Above: Casa del Cordón, the building in which Christopher Columbus was known to be received by the Catholic Monarchs in 1496 on his return from his second voyage across the Atlantic. What a piece of history.

Venturing out of the city center, my final stop was to visit the Real Monasterio de las Huelgas before heading down back to Madrid. Another of Burgos's fine example of Gothic architecture, its vast compound consist of a church, a monastery and a cloister.

That's it! Have a great weekend!

SPOTTED!

2011-05-27T23:25:00.017+08:00

Something big is about to happen. {Elephant street art by Bonom, spotted in Brussels}

Invasion of the Rubber Duckies. {Spotted at the Fountain of Neptune, Madrid}

Thought clouds. {Spotted in Brussels}

A hot dog keeping cool. {Spotted in Brussels}

McClean, a fancy name for the WC @ a railway station. NOT a subsidiary of McDonald's. {Spotted in Lucerne}

Travel Inspiration

2011-05-23T18:39:00.008+08:00

Hola! Look who I bumped into on the streets of Madrid this past weekend...

I’m sure you might have heard or read stories about exceptional individuals who stand out because they have the courage to defy their own disabilities or odds to achieve remarkable feats. Well I met one such person yesterday.

His name is Vladimir A. Yarets - a plucky 70 year old man from Belarus who followed his heart and embarked on his dream to travel round the world on his bike. Oh, and by the way, Vladimir is deaf.

Vladimir started his journey since the year 2000 and has come a long way since. (He's also been to my Motherland, Singapore!) I hope his courage and determination will lead him to fulfil his dream and perhaps earn him a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Check out his website to read his story and follow his progress!

Here's to travels!!!

Bragança, Portugal

2011-05-19T18:57:00.010+08:00

After exploring the city of Zamora, my original plan was to check out Lago de Sanabria - a lake located within a natural park northwest of the Zamora province. However due to bad weather, we decided to skip that and headed across the border into Portugal to a town called Bragança.

Bragança appears to be an ancient and somewhat remote town with a 12th century castle still standing. Its history apparently dates back to the Iron Age, when Celtic tribes were commonly known to hew sculptures of boars out of granite (purpose unknown). Some of these sculptures still exist in the town.

As the bad weather persisted (plus there really isn’t a lot to see here), I left Bragança after taking a few shots. Here’s some of what I took. I just love the little picturesque lanes lined with houses on each side!

Above: A charming street leading up to the Castle.

Above: Architectural details on a building.

Above: The Castle of Bragança.

Here's one more of those quaint little lanes...

Zamora, Castilla y León

2011-05-09T23:01:00.018+08:00

During the recent May Day holidays, I made a roadtrip to Zamora in the Autonomous Community of Castilla y León, not too far from Madrid.

Famous for its Holy Week or Semana Santa festivities, the city of Zamora is rather compact and can be explored on foot within a few hours. The Duero river that runs alongside the city lends a picturesque setting to Zamora's backdrop of medieval Romanesque architecture.

Apart from the old city walls & the old stone bridge, the many Palacios & Plazas, the Cathedral & the Castle, my personal favourite highlights of the city include the very charming street "Calle de Balborraz" and the quaint looking set of watermills "Aceñas de Olivares".

Above: A view of Zamora from across the Duero River.

Above: A sea of red flowers in an abandoned field.

Above: Images of Zamora.

Above: 'Aceñas de Olivares' watermills.

Above: Calle de Balborraz

Above: The Romanesque Church of San Juan at Plaza Mayor.

Above: Another example of Romanesque architecture - The Cathedral of Zamora.

Above: Housed within the restored medieval Castle of Zamora is the city's contemporary art center, displaying the works of local sculptor, Baltasar Lobo.

Not the type of Spanish city that is crowded with tourists, Zamora is a fairly quiet and pleasant place to spend the weekend or from which to venture across the border to Portugal, which I did.

Next up, a short post on Bragança, Portugal!

The Old World Charm of Budapest

2011-05-04T01:55:00.009+08:00

After a 7 hour long train ride from Prague, I finally arrived at Budapest, the capital city of Hungary.

Budapest was originally two cities (Buda & Pest) separated by the Danube River. Linked by the very grand looking Chain Bridge, both sides united as one since 1873. Apart from the many elegant historical buildings that speak of the rich past of the city, Budapest also boasts a chic shopping boulevard at Andrássy Avenue and hip (albeit touristy) restaurants at List Ferenc tér, just like many other major European cities.

Its unique attractions however, lie in the beauty of its riverbank views, its thermal spring baths scattered all over the city, its Castle hill, as well as its Millennium Underground Railway – all of which are recognised as World Heritage Sites.

Budapest may not immediately appeal to everyone in that ‘love at first sight’ kind of way. But scratch beneath the surface and you'll soon realise it does have a certain je ne sais quoi quality, a mix of Eastern and Western European charm. Perhaps still a diamond in the rough that is not (yet) as sparkly as its neighbouring capital cities like Vienna or Prague, it nonetheless in my opinion, qualifies to be among the most beautiful cities in Europe.

Above: Andrássy Avenue, the place to go in Budapest for some high end shopping.

Above: Heroes' Square with the Millennium Memorial Monument.

Above: The Széchenyi Bath - the largest Thermal Spring Bath in Budapest - is undoubtedly one of the ‘must visit’ places in Budapest, whether or not you’re planning on using its facilities.

Above: The Vajdahunyad Castle, which is built within the City Park, isn't really a castle. It was initially built for exhibition purposes and it currently houses the Agriculture Museum.

Above: To relive the by-gone era, get underground to check out Budapest’s historic Metro stations and trains (Metro Line 1).

Above: The interior of Menza Restaurant at Liszt Ferenc tér. I love the wallpaper and the restaurant’s chic, retro elegance.

Above: St. Stephen's Basilica. Here at Budapest's largest church, you can take a look at the Saint's mummified right hand, or enjoy a panoramic view of the city from the top.

Above: Hungary’s largest building – the Parliament House - looking splendid on the 'Pest' bank of the Danube.

Above: The monumental Chain Bridge, the 1st one that was built to connect both sides of the city.

Above: The Buda Castle as seen from the Chain Bridge.

Above: View from the Buda Castle.

Above: A street on the Buda side.

Above: Matthias Church, located further up from Buda Castle on the left bank.

Above: The sandcastle-like Fishermen's Bastion, whose terrace offers superb views of the 'Pest' side of the city across the Danube.

And hey, guess what? Budapest is also where Katy Perry shot her ‘Firework’ music video. Go take a look if you’re not already sick of hearing it on the airwaves.

For more of my pics of Budapest, check out my Flickr set here.

Prague, the jewel of Czech Republic

2011-04-28T01:25:00.005+08:00

Following the 1989 Velvet Revolution that brought an end to its communist rule, Prague - the capital city of Czech Republic since 1993 - has undoubtedly become one of the most visited cities in Europe.

Walking through the cobbled streets in the old town of Prague is like reading a history book filled with an enchanting mix of fairy tale, myth and folk. It's no wonder that this medieval city is inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage Sites list. Every corner you turn, you’ll stumble upon monuments of amazing architecture like the fascinating Astronomical Clock Tower, the stunning twin towers of the Tyn Church, or the prominent pedestrian Charles Bridge. Unraveling the story behind each of them is part of the fun in exploring this attractive city.

Separated by the Vltava River, both the east and west banks of the city have their own unique appeals. The east side is primarily split into the Old Town and the New Town. Most of the monumental buildings are clustered in the Old Town while sights in the New Town include Na Příkopě Street, Wenceslas Square and the Dancing House.

A cafe at the art nouveau style Hlavni Nadrazi (Prague's main train station)

Stained glass exterior of the Prague Municipal House

Caffe Per Lei in the Old Town

The Astronomical Clock Tower

View from the top of the Astronomical Clock Tower

Trdlo - traditional Czech pastry

Gingerbread Hearts

Charcoal grilled šunka

Prague Old Town in the day

The Vltava River

Charles Bridge

Na Příkopě Street

Wenceslas Square

Tančící dům building, also known as the Dancing House

Atop a hill on the west side of the Vltava River is the Castle district whose huge compound houses gardens, palaces and the magnificent St. Vitus Cathedral. South of the Castle district is an area known as Lesser Town, where several other interesting sights can be found.

View of Charles Bridge from Lesser Town

Prague Castle at night as seen on Charles Bridge

Prague Trams

Memorial to the Victims of Communism

The Lennon Wall

An ornate lamp post outside the castle

The Renaissance Schwarzenberg Palace

Royal Gardens

St. Vitus Cathedral

View from the top of St. Vitus Cathedral

Krizik's Fountain

For more photos, check out my Flickr set here.

I'm Alive!!!

2011-04-20T11:17:00.000+08:00

So is this Blog :)

Also, I've made some changes to the column on the right and hopefully this makes it easier to search for previous posts.

Check out 'The Stardust Trail' for the list of places in Spain that I've been to and blogged about, or take a look at my 'Other Travels' to see what else I've been up to.

Now please excuse me while I pack my bags for my next trip! Have a great Easter weekend!
xoxo

Carnaval Madrid 2011

2011-03-07T21:49:00.018+08:00

Referred to as Mardi Gras in some places, Madrid celebrates pre-lent Carnaval 2011 from March 4 – 9, with a line-up of activities including costume contests, street parades & performances held at various venues.

Here’s what I caught on Saturday evening – a whimsical & surreal masquerade parade, featuring a mish-mash of clowns, stilt-walkers, aliens, fire-eaters, witches, acrobats, fairy-tale characters, etc... – dancing through the heart of town by the Puerta de Alcalá!

The Carnaval wraps up this Wednesday, March 9 with the totally bizarre sounding "Burial of the Sardine" procession. Go catch it if you're curious!

Spring is in the Air!

2011-03-03T16:50:00.001+08:00

Early bloomers @ Retiro Park, Madrid.

Churros con Chocolate

2011-02-25T16:30:00.001+08:00

Back in Madrid and back to old habits...

Look! I'm drinking out of my lens!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

(I)dentified (F)lying (O)bjects

2011-02-21T16:38:00.002+08:00

Recently, I was having dinner at a riverside restaurant at Clarke Quay in Singapore when something in the distance caught my eye.

There were a couple of light emitting flying objects dancing about in the night sky, doing crazy swirl manoeuvres. At one point, one of them took an unexpected nosedive, only to be soaring upwards again moments later.

I eventually got to the source of them, which was an empty field next to Ord Bridge by the Singapore River. The UFOs, thus became IFOs.

There, a small group of hobbyists were playing with their really cool, no-strings-attached, remote-control kites with lights.

They make pretty neat light trails!

Love is...

2011-02-14T09:42:00.001+08:00

...what makes two people sit in the middle of the bench when there is plenty of room at both ends.

A couple seated by the Marina bay, enjoying Singapore's night scene AND each other's company.
Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Rabbit Year!!!

2011-02-04T01:24:00.012+08:00

Sorry if the blog’s not been updated this past week or so. Life though, has been anything but quiet!

You see a few days ago, I’ve flown some 7,000 plus miles from Madrid back home to Singapore just to celebrate the Chinese New Year with my family.

So between the jet-lag, preparations, running of errands, picking new or more importantly, RED outfits to wear, and refreshing the memory with auspicious Chinese phrases to say to the elders, I have hardly any time to sit down in front of the computer since returning!

The eve of the Chinese New Year fell on February 2nd this year based on the Chinese calendar and that was when we had our massive family reunion meals. Apart from having everyone from all generations gather for a meal, to celebrate this important occasion it is also a must to have the ‘Yu Sheng’ dish, which is associated with all things felicitous such as abundance and prosperity.

This raw dish consists of a colourful mix of ingredients such as julienned carrots, turnips, radishes & gingers, shredded jellyfish, chopped peanuts, sesame seeds, crispy crackers, various spices, sweet sauces and last but not least, some kind of raw fish slices like salmon. They may sound random, but once concocted, the colour, taste and texture are strangely fantastic.

In keeping with tradition, I had this with my family at a restaurant recently.

Here's our 'Yu Sheng', with the various ingredients (supposedly more than 20!).

This is the restaurant staff doing the job of reciting some auspicious phrases WHILE adding all the ingredients, spices and sauces to the main dish.

Once he's done putting all the ingredients together, then it's time we get our extra long chopsticks ready! (The normal length ones are for eating other stuff.)

Now we start tossing! The higher, the better! Amidst flying shredded vegetables and criss-crossing chopsticks, everyone throws in their own auspicious wishes of good health and prosperity, each trying not to repeat what the last person had just said. This is the only time we actually play with our food.

The aftermath.

It’s messy. It’s boisterous. But this is how we roll ;)

Here's wishing good health and prosperity in the Year of the Rabbit to all Chinese and everyone else celebrating it!!!
Gong Xi Fa Cai!!!

FUNKY GUNKY JUNK.

2011-01-25T18:06:00.014+08:00

On some days, my desk could look almost like this...

But this is NOT my desk, thankfully.

What it is (if you haven't come across it yet), is part of the wall of 'The Corona Save the Beach Hotel', or simply 'The Rubbish Hotel'.

With 12 tonnes of junk collected from some of Europe's beaches, German sculptor H.A. Shult fabricated this recycled hotel to bring awareness to the problem of pollution affecting the coastlines as part of the 'Corona Save the Beach Project'.

The hotel set up at Callao here in Madrid the past week is not just an art installation.
It actually has 5 double rooms and was in fact opened to the public for free stay.
It was about to be dismantled when I saw it yesterday, but it might just be coming to a city near you next.

I think I just found my inspiration for spring cleaning before the Chinese New Year next month...