Watery Wednesday | Amsterdam Boat House Stay

My very first experience
Of being daringly impromptu
Tired. stress and of cause tense
Arriving Amsterdam, just us two
No booking nor research
Just hoping our lucks emerge

My worst fear came true
NO rooms nor hotels for us two
Why oh why! We ask anywho
Apparently answered you
Football match between the big two
Of The Netherland
vs. Old England

To our luck, thank goodness!
Offered the beautiful goddess
Boat house we can stay
"Cheap, clean and authentic "she say
Kiasu we are, us Asian girls
To experience both we certainly may
1 nights 2 days
So we stay

So, bloggers dear
My poem ends here
Between both the pictures
Which boat do you prefer?

:)

PS : We stayed in both *wink*

Tailed by a Drunkard

Day 11 (20 November 2006). Terrified.



Yes, The title says it all.


QUESTION.

What happened ? Well, after an uneventful day at Vasa Museet (nothing against the museum though - I like the R&R that day), something dreadful happened the next day (you know lar - Murphy's Law, sigh).
When did this happen ? Left Stockholm to go back to Paris for my journey back home. Everything was fine till I hit Paris. Shucks!
How did it started ? The guy noticed I was traveling alone with large suitcase.

BACKGROUNDER.

The day started as usual, woke up, pack my luggage, say bye bye to Elaine and walk to the train station (100-200 meter distance). Easy peasy.

Took the train to Central Station, I was early by 1.5 hrs ON PURPOSE so that I can walk in Gamla Stan (Old Town) to take some building pics and a little bit of souvenirs shopping (buying extra in case I might have miss some folks back home). Alone and very safe (I told you Stockholm is great, didn't I !?!).

Next, took the Flygbussarna airport coaches to the Skavsta Airport, I think it's the domestic cum Low Cost Carrier Airport (1.5 hours odd drive) to catch the flight back to Paris. Reach airport, check-in and was told my luggage is overweight and whether I wish to split some to hand-carry (how sweet I thought). I contemplate and somehow (strangely) I said I'll pay the overweight charges of RM500 (EU€100), my thoughts were at that point of time is that I wanted my hand to be free (since am also carrying my small backpack) for whatever reason. Thus I checked in all my luggage and waited for boarding time. All went smoothly.

Reached Orly Airport in Paris, took a 2 hours bus to the city (this was close to 11pm AT NIGHT - a bit worried), it stoped us far from the train station; have to walk a distance (with big luggage mind you) with NO escalator nor lift. Manage to get a train to the airport (flight was next day at 12pm, I buffered any flight delays hence I thought I should arrive 1 day prior). Still manageable so far (but a bit scared as people are getting lesser at that hour).
You tend to see train passenger coming in and out at every stop, some look friendly but some hemm.... I kept hoping to see few with suitcases thus knowing I won't be alone on the train ride to the airport; as I too did not know how to get around upon reaching the airport station (praying hard it is open, as I figure I will reach there by MIDNIGHT). Saw a few passenger with suitcase (PHEEEEEEEW!!!!!), however mine was the largest which miiiiiight be a liiiiiittle bit of a problem assuming no escalator nor lift (hemmmm....!).

HIM.

That's when I saw "HIM"; this old drunkard man (well, he looked drunkard as he kept singing loudly and talking to strangers). It was kinda of fine at first as we were seating very very very far a part (ie next coach), but then I caught a glimpse of him looking at me and my luggage, SHIT! I knew I will be in deeper shit!

Quietly and quickly I did a swap of my important documents and split all my cash AND credit cards in other pockets & places (just in case.... lone traveler must be prepared all the time!). When he wasn't looking, I too swap the seat to somewhere closer to "people" (Only god knows how I felt at that time!). Kept looking at the time, darn! It's approaching midnight, and the people getting lesser and lesser and even lesser (well, airport was the last stop and who in the right mind would want to go there in the MIDNIGHT right!!??!). And obviously the old drunkard man DID NOT get down at any stop! OH NO!!! I begin counting all the stops to the airport (and kept noticing him glancing over) and planning my escape route (abit drama here lar).

THE "GUARD".

Finally we reach Charles de Gaulle Airport, I rush to the door making sure I am ahead of other "human" and so that there's a gap between me and "HIM", True enough he followed, but then I can't move fast as they shut down the escalator (MIDNIGHT!), I lug my super large suitcase (THANK GOODNESS I did not split my bags, else I have to manage TWO). As I reach the upper floor, I saw security guard (YES!!!!!), I walked to them and inform there's a drunkard man which I suspected following me, GUESS WHAT!??!?! They say it's ok, normal. WHAT????? Are you crazy?!?!? Does this people even understand what I was saying at the first place!!! GEEE...... Am in bigger shit then before, because there's practically no one around. I asked the direction for the airport (obviously I have to take a shuttle bus to the airport lar... just my luck [I mean, I did mention in the earlier entry that the airport is super HUGE]).

IBIS.

FINE! I hurriedly look for the exit and saw IBIS Hotel entrance few feet away.... (YEEEESSSS!!! God still love me!), I WALKED right in... linger at the lobby (VERY SMALL lobby!), procrastinating check in or "lepak" there (hemm.....), I saw "HIM" liger outside the hotel pretending to smoke. WHAT !??!?! ARGH..... check-in! Anyway, my flight is not until at 12pm next day and I am already at the airport, I can at least (finally) get sufficient beauty sleep before I say bye-bye to Paris. But not before ensuring my luggage is BLOCKING my room door!

What a trip. What an ordeal. What an adventure. What laaar Lily!

Hyperlink & Pic Credits : Nature Travels, Flygbussarna, Ibis, Webster Dictionary,

Wakey Wakey! Vasa - Viking

Day 10 (19 September 2006). Sun - beaming, birds - chirping, Stockholm - glowing, Lily - smiling ...

Why? Backgrounder.... we left early morning since Elaine & Boon Han are going to their Sunday church service thus the night before they've suggested places that I can go on my own. Oh boy! They were superbly worried the night before on whether I can handle Stockholm alone for the day. Boon Han kept briefing me on how to take the train, very much concerned that I might confuse and gotten myself lost in the city - sweet of him huh! (You one lucky girl Elaine!). To dismiss their “highly concern brain” on my “capability” (with a tiny sense of perasan here of course), I open up Paris Metro map (which I still have it with me then - phew!) and put next to Stockholm Tunnelbana map. After looking at "it", they basically .... Err .... calmed-down, but not without "hai yaaa" & plenty "giggling" sound effect. Hahhahaha... I guess they slept peacefully after that. Hahhahaaa.....Back to WHY do I sounded so happy? Simple. The Stockholm morning mood pic tells no lie....

... BACK TO REALITY! But, don't you just fall in love with Stockholm?

I've chosen 2 tourist sites to visit; the first is a MUST for it happens to be my favourite - SHIP!!!! Not just any ship, an original-one-piece-still-standing-strong VIKING SHIP! Unfortunately it doesn't sail lar... tak apa, janji dapat pegi tengok - LIVE!

Seriously, I think as a kid I read way too much Asterix (And Tin Tin of course), hence once I know am going to Sweden = E.X.I.T.E.D. It's Viking-away for me man!

What makes it so special?

From Wikipedia : Vasa was a Swedish warship that was built from 1626 to 1628. The ship foundered and sank after sailing less than a nautical mile (ca 2 km) into her maiden voyage on 10 August 1628. She was located again in the late 1950s, in a busy shipping lane just outside the Stockholm harbor. She was salvaged with a largely intact hull on 24 April 1961. She was housed in a temporary museum called Wasavarvet ("The Wasa Shipyard") until 1987, and was then moved to the Vasa Museum in Stockholm.

Vasa was built top-heavy and had insufficient ballast. Despite an obvious lack of stability in port, she was allowed to set sail and foundered a few minutes later when she first encountered a wind stronger than a breeze. Vasa sank in full view of a crowd of hundreds, if not thousands, of mostly ordinary Stockholmers who had come to see the great ship set sail.

Kinda funny right, sunk on its maiden voyage barely 2km from harbour. I thought that was classic (joke), I spent hours and hours here as they also show how - during that time - with minimal sophisticated technology help - they are able to locate/lift/bring the ship to surface.

Once completed, I took a tram to meet up with Elaine for lunch and a visit to the Old Town centre. I thought Stockholm is so cool since almost everywhere can be done on foot which is much to my luck (or maybe only these places are of a walking distance, I might be a sucker here. Hehheee…).

We walked by the river near Stockholm National Museum. By the way, did you notice that most of the buildings in Stockholm are bit more squarish then those in Paris, Barcelona, Rome? Do you think it is because of the location & weather impacted their design & character? Hemm… interesting right.

We took a walk near the Royal Palace, and I as usual would ask the silliest question; whether the royal families take a walk here and whether I stand a chance to “bump” into them? NO! Of course not lar…. But one thing for sure, they are much loved by their fellow country man. Who wouldn’t!!!

It was getting dark and we decided to head home, Elaine was such a good sport for taking me around despite her bad morning sickness. I feel so bad, I can only offer what I do best - being the live wire. To a point she laugh and laugh and laugh so hard that got me worried whether she gonna deliver right there and then (Definitely not in 1st trimester lar… But mana lar tahu kan…! Risau gak).

So love my host! Bestest couple!



PS : Elaine, hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Muaks!!

Credit Hyperlinks : Wikipedia, Vasa Museet

Underwear Under Wear

Day 9 (18 November 2006). What were you thinking of? Ah-hah! Naughty naughty!!! Hahahhaha....




GREAT! Now that I got YOUR ATTENTION! MUAHAHAHAA...... My evilness will ENSURE the "underwear" story is riiiiiiight at the end *cheeky wink* (not a choice lar, I have to follow the daily chronology).

This is the thing about this trip, I haven't seen my darling friend for at least minimum of 10 years (should definitely be more lar) hence, missing her like crazy has made this trip a VERY CHATTY one... hahahhah... we were too busy catching up, gossiping & looking back at old photos; so much fun we had. Oh! And of course I will brag on getting the first hand news on her pregnancy (even if am not the first one to know, I still like to believe so... hahahahhaaa - kiasu) - Made in Sweden Baby I would say.

Obviously, due to the reason above; nothing else matters right, even for a person who love to take pic like MOI - friends come first. I remembered clearly *chuckling* as we were leaving her house in the morning. I came out of the guest room all geared up & ready, and Elaine was still & practically (darn sure) putting AT LEAST 3-4 layers of every winter clothing ever existed. Not that I am complaining since I kinda look thinner then her (YEAY! For once!!! *sweet angelic smile*). The moment she saw me with my black turtle neck top and denim jacket ready to kick start my day, she burst out laughing; here I am a tourist whom just reach this bitter-cold-winter-land wearing my bare minimum attire in November winter and she herself all bundled up like a cute-little-cuddly-red-bear. Hemm... I should do a poll, guess which one base in Sweden and which just arrive from all-time-summer-land Malaysia. HAHAHHAHAAA..... I vividly remembered she reconfirm with me whether I will be ok or not (since I dress thinly), I said I survived Europe, should be ok lor *giggle*... farnie lar you Elaine.

Oh! Oh! Oh! *Gasping* and apparently ABBA is also from Sweden (Ignorant me! Bet everyone knew) and that Sweden is popular for or was it their #1 export or something lar (selective memory working now), is their.... jeng jeng jeng... MUSIC (I thought it was fish or something). All these info was from dearest Elaine. SEE! That's why Elaine should remain in Stockholm and not come back *sob sob*, for I believe in educating your friends is very important! Selfish LILY! But I bet Elaine felt the same. Ngam mou?! *Wink wink*

Do you also know that the Noble Prize ceremony is being held in Sweden? I know I don't and bet everyone else don't as well. The highlight of the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony is held in Stadhuset City Hall (Nobel Banquet), Stockholm. And I can proudly say I've been there but not receiving any prizes though... but "been there" nevertheless (jadi ler yek).

Then we saw that colourful-Swedish-famous horse - pic must take! Googled - Dalecarlian horse or Dala horse (Swedish: Dalahäst).

Incept from Wikipedia : 'It is a traditional carved and painted wooden statuette of a horse originating in the Swedish province of Dalarna. In the old days the Dala horse was mostly used as a toy for children; in modern times it has become a symbol of Dalarna as well as Sweden in general. Several different types of Dala horses are made, with distinguishing features common to the locality of the site where they are produced. One particular style has, however, become much more common and widespread than others. It is stoutly carved and painted bright red with details and a harness in white, green, yellow and blue.'

Then I also realised and experienced shorter day light and when I say short; I mean really SHORT. Why? Because my day has ended lor....hahhahaa.... we headed back to Kista.

Ahh..... on the way home, we decided to stop over at the Mall near Elaine's house as Boon Han wanted to buy something (Can't remember the mall's name pulak... ish!). OK lar I thought. Right at that moment, I saw it.....

... the most expensive undies (Well, boxer actually) ever!!!! Kr 199 = RM 100. Tahi Suci!!! (Translate this from Malay).

Pure 100 Merino - GUARANTEED is Kr 390 = RM 195... What the....(made in New Zealand - strange I didn't see this when I was there. Hemm....!?!)



I suppose the man's manhood will be well protected lor hor.... hehehee...

Credit Hyperlinks : Wikipedia, Nobel Prize, iGuide, Abbotland