Europe 2004 Photos and Movies

This is where my travel adventure all started. It was in January 2004 when I first landed in Belfast with my fellow exchange friends. It marks the beginning to non-stop fun and adventure throughout Europe in the many months to come.

This site served as a tribute to my fellow friends where we spent the many months together, exploring Europe and having great fun. We are really a perfect group together; with many things to talk about and adventures to go for. This is for my SEP friends - SiYu (Ho Ho Ho), Elizabeth (Queen) and Joshua (Daoming).




Even after we were back in Singapore, we still maintained close contact. I still very much look back to the days in Europe and I specifically found a job which will allow me to continue my travels.

Here are the quick links to the Europe 2004 travel:

1) Best of Dublin 1 [28/02 - 29/02]

2) Best of Dublin 2 [13/03 - 14/03]

3) Best of Edinburgh [26/03 - 28/03]

4) Best of Belfast 1 [28/01 - 02/04]

5) Best of London [02/04 - 07/04]

6) Best of Rome [07/04 - 12/04]

7) Best of Florence and Pisa [12/04 – 15/04]

8) Best of Venice [15/04 – 18/04]

9) Best of Como and Milan [18/04 – 20/04]

10) Best of Côte d'Azur [20/04 – 23/04]

11) Best of Liverpool [23/04 – 24/04]

12) Best of Glasgow [29/05 - 01/06]

13) Best of Belfast 2 [25/04 – 08/06]

14) Best of Munich [09/06 - 12/06]

15) Best of Salzburg [12/06 - 15/06]

16) Best of Vienna [15/06 - 17/06]

17) Best of Krakow [18/06 - 19/06]

18) Best of Prague [20/06 - 22/06]

19) Best of Berlin [22/06 - 25/06]

20) Best of Amsterdam [25/06 - 28/06]

21) Best of Paris [28/06 - 02/07]

Best of Paris [28/06 - 02/07]

28th June (Monday)

We took a fast train from Amsterdam to Paris. A brief stop was made at Brussels, and thereafter arrived at Paris Nord. Our accommodation is a metro ride to our hostel at Auberge Internationale des Jeunes. It cost 14Euros a night.

After settling down, we are ready to explore Paris. First stop for the day is Louvre, possibly the largest museum in the world.



The Louvre is famous for the Mona Lisa painting.



Here is a painting depicting water being turned into wine.



We took the subway westwards towards Le Defense. There is this amazing picture printed on one of the buildings.



Here is the other building directly opposite.



The La Defense Arch.



The sun is setting soon. This area is notable for its large commercial centres.



We proceeded on to Moulin Rouge.



Took a mini-tram up to the hill behind Moulin Rouge. We were rewarded with a beautiful twilight scene of Paris.



We proceeded next to the Eiffel Tower.



The lighting up of Eiffel Tower which sparkles in the night sky.



29th June (Tuesday)

Our first stop for this day is to visit Luxembourg Park. Here I am lazing in the beautiful morning sun.



And to check out Notre Dame which is round the corner.



We proceeded to Napolean's Tomb next. Here is the ceiling of the memorial.



Napolean's Tomb.



Here I am crossing the bridge and posing with a statue.



It is shopping time and we went shopping. Checked out the Arch de Triumphe along the way.



From there, we visited a church at the top of the hill. It gives a view of the Paris city.



Us posing with the church.



30th June (Wednesday)

This day is given to the Palace of Versailles.



Our group photo at the palace.



The interiors of the palace.



The opera house.



A beautiful park surrounds the palace.




1st July (Thursday)

My last day with the rest of the SEP is spent in Euro Disneyland!



It is a small world!



The Princes and Princesses parade.




Here we are posing with a crown.



We with Lion King masks on.



2nd July (Friday)

I bid farewell to all my SEP buddies and I took metro follow by RER and bus to airport.



I took a flight from CDG airport to London Heathrow. As I have many hours to kill, I just find a spot in the airport and hole up. The plane from Amsterdam was delayed. It arrived 20mins late at Amsterdam, thus I missed the transit flight.



I have to take the next day flight out. Thus I spent an additional day in Amsterdam which is shared in a separate posting. My return flight to Singapore is via KLM by business class to Kuala Lumpur first. It is my first time on business class flight.



And I arrived at KL International Airport. It really feels good to be close to home.



It is followed by a flight back to Singapore Changi Airport. After 5 months plus overseas, it really feels good to be back.

Best of Amsterdam [25/06 - 28/06 and 03/07]

25th June (Friday)

Amsterdam is a 6.5 hour ride from Berlin. We will be staying at Shelter Jordan for the next 3 nights which cost 17 Euros a night. After checking in, we are off exploring Amsterdam. The city of Amsterdam is also notable for its many canals and bridges; comparable with Venice.



We visited Anne Frank's House and walked around the city's famous Red Light district. The district is quite a vibrant place (and it is not sleezy as compared to Singapore's one). Many chinese shops are also located in this area.



We visited the Cannabis College. In there they gave a history and the benefits of taking marijuana. It is also known as Pot where visitors can take them in Coffeeshops.



There are several public toilets. One of which is below.



Amsterdam is a cycling city and there are bicycles everywhere. There is something unique about these bicycles. There are no breaks.



We had dinner at a chinese restaurant named Nam Kee. Thereafter we caught a soccer match and walked back to hostel after that.

26th June (Saturday)

The objectives for the day is to visit the windmills. We went to the Tourist Information Centre at the station to inquire on windmills. They recommended us to take a train to the outskirt which is a 15mins ride away. We had our lunch there and proceeded on to the windmill area. This is a place of farms and nature.



Here is a wind mill. We visited one of the windmill and found it is actually a light industry. It uses wind energy to power machinery within it.



Thereafter we visited some of the homes.



There is a cheese maker in the area.



Here we are holding on to three large cheese. They are really heavy.



A shop famous for clogs. He demonstrated to us how clogs are being produced the traditional way.



Our group photo.



We got back and had dinner at Nam Kee again. The highlight for tonight is to catch a Euro match between Netherlands and Sweden. We visited one of the pubs at Rembrandt Platz. Netherlands won by penalty over Sweden by 6-5 and the city erupted with celebrations.





27th June (Sunday)
This morning I walked with Joshua along Lumbaansgrachf to Museum Plein. The Vincent Van Gogh museum is there. I decided to check out one of the diamond factory along the way.



In there, I learnt about polishing of diamonds, the crown jewels and sceptre, as well as the world's smallest diamond.



I proceeded on to the Amsterdam historical museum. Amsterdam is actually built in a peat area. Trade played a focal role and the Dutch was a naval power in the past. Took a 1 hour break by listening to the afternoon band.

Thereafter I rendezvous with Joshua and rented a bicycle from Mike Bike which cost 5Euros. Let's cycle around city the Amsterdam way.



We cycled to Vandel Park and noticed a uniquely shaped building by the docks.



Here is skinny bridge. This is actually the residential area.



We got back to the Red Light District for dinner and decided to catch Casa Rossa Sex show which is 1 hour long. It cost 25Euros per person. A large Contiki tour group also went to catch the show.



3rd July (Saturday)

During the one day flight transit in Amsterdam, I stayed at this Ibis hotel. It is provided free of charge.



Here is how the rooms look like. We were given buffet dinner and lunch and it was just fabulous.



In the morning, I took 10.20am bus to airport. It was followed by another bus ride to Amsterdam Central, arriving at 11am.



I have the opportunity to visit a few sights which I missed out the last time. First of which is the flower market.




Today is the last day I am in Europe. So here is a photo of me after 5 months here.



I also visited the Bible Museum which mentioned about the Old Testament, and the variations of the bible across the different Abrahamic religions.



The temple of David.



I proceeded to walk along Herrengauze in search for the 15 bridges. There is this one spot where we can see 15 bridges all at the same time. Thereafter I took the bus back to the hotel and is ready to proceed on with my journey to Singapore.