Mini Travel Log: Munich, Germany (2)

What will a person do on a cold day? Snugging beside a fireplace and sipping warm coffee would be perfect. Unfortunately for a restless person like me, I just couldn't sit still. On a freezing cold morning, I got out from the hotel to brave the cold. Bad decision. I couldn't stand it and ended up in a warm restaurant. I had one of the best Bratwurst for my lunch. Feeling warm and comfortable now, I decided to change my sight-seeing plans into indoor activities. So I headed to the BMW showroom and museum for some fantasy shopping. If I cannot afford one, at least I was there to touch and smell the leather seats.

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The BMW Mega Challenge: To all the Beemer fanboys out there; it's time for you to prove your worth. See if you can identify all the models in this album. =D

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A very cool show from moving balls.

Related link: Mini Travel Log: Munich, Germany (1)

Mini Travel Log: Salzburg, Austria

Flying on my birthday is not cool. And arriving to a foreign place alone on Valentine's day makes it even sadder. Since I couldn't sleep and missed my fiancee badly, I decided to take some fresh air outside and hopped on a train to cross the border from Germany to Salzburg, Austria. This small romantic town was where the classical movie "Sound of Music" filmed. If you grew up in the 80s, you'd probably be able to recognize many places here from the film as you've watched it countless of times while singing along to the music of Do-Re-Mi. In this town too, a great music composer was born by the name of Mozart who brought wonderful music to this world. Along with him, another great scientist by the name of Doppler was born and lived here as well. Comparing to many other places in Europe, this is one of the romantic town that you must visit with your loved ones or for your honeymoon. The charm of this town will definitely melt the hearts. Visit during the summer for the best view and to relive your "Sound of Music".

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Mini Travel Log: Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo has become all too familiar to me. I've been there for the past 3 consecutive years. Knowing this complicated metropolitan city inside out is a big bonus. I can now walk without maps nor even need to speak to the majority of Japanese who don't want to speak English. Without prior planning, I can now just hop onto any train and go to where my heart desires. While shopping in Shinjuku, I decided to bring my colleagues for sushi. Among the hundreds of Yakitori pubs in the area, we managed to find a secluded sushi restaurant which serves fresh sushi on conveyor belts. We had the best meal on a bargain price. You don't have to pay premium price for good sushi if you know where to find it. Nor you need to wake up 4-5am for Tsukiji Fish Market sushi.

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Penang and Phuket Combo Trip

Hello all readers. Sorry for the lack of updates. I have been away for holidays and then bogged down with multiple backlogs and work. I took a trip to Penang for my colleague's marriage. Penang food is superb and I don't mind returning there for more.

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Continuing on from Penang, I took a flight to Phuket for my vacation. This small coastal town is the gateway to even more beautiful islands like the Phi Phi Islands. The scenery is just amazing and out of this world. In Thailand, one will not leave the country without trying out the massage. The Thai massage is just so good and cheap. For a person like me who doesn't like massage, I enjoyed it for the first time and did it almost everyday while enjoying the sunset by the beach. What a beautiful life!

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Mini Travel Log: Christchurch, New Zealand (2)

4 months since the massive earthquake that struck Christchurch, aftershocks continue to shake this region almost daily. In my 2 days here, I had already experienced 2 aftershocks powerful enough for the building to sway. Devastation from the earthquake is still visible in some parts of the city after so many months away. There are some parts in the city being cordoned off with rows of buildings still in ruins.

With nothing much left to see in the city, I took a trip down south to the mountains. Unfortunately, weather was not on my side this time. It was cloudy for most of the day. Nevertheless, I had a fun time with the speedboat that does insane speed down the beautiful blue mountain rivers. The trip ended with a 4WD around the farms and hills.

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Related link: Christchurch, New Zealand (1)

Mini Travel Log: Frankfurt, Germany

I never liked spending christmas in a Western country. And this is the 2nd time in a row I'm doing it. The reason is christmas is a family reunion day for them, so the whole city will be shut down while everyone is at home cosying up by the fireplace. I had a hard time finding food and stores to stock up on basic necessities. As Europe was lashed with snowstorm just before I arrived, it was very cold and was still snowing. At night, temperature dipped to as low as -22 deg celcius. Walking in the deserted snowy city provokes an eerie feeling, as if a bunch of zombies will suddenly lurch out from the alleys to feast on you. As all stores were closed, I chose an unconventional route instead in my sightseeing walk. To my surprise, I came across a T-rex let loose in the park. Following its path, I was led into a museum which surprisingly was open. And boy, inside it was full of interesting stuffs to see. If you have watched the movie "Night At The Museum", then this is the better version of it.

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As a last post for the year of 2010, I would like to wish all readers a Happy New Year!

Christmas Joy and Pressies

"Last christmas I gave you my heart,
But the very next day you gave it away,
This year to save me from tears,
I'll give it to someone special..."
Ok, cut the crap! This "Last Christmas" by Wham has won the most annoying christmas song of the year. TQ.

Back to reality, my last christmas was terrible too. I did not splurge anything at all for myself as I saved it all up for someone else. But my year only ended up worse. This year, I am determined to be happy again and back to treating myself to some luxuries. And I also gave my heart to someone special who knows how to appreciate it. This year is definitely going to be a great ending and an even more exciting new year will begin.

A gift from her:
"It is not the brand or price that matters. But the thoughts and heart put into finding such a fantastic watch which is exactly the kind that I wanted to get in the first place. These are the fine details that many people do not care or appreciate; which differentiate between a fake friendship and a true love. I'm really touched and I love her very much."
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A gift for myself:
"Iphone4? No thanks. Simplicity is what I'm looking for. A quick look on the main screen of Windows Phone 7 (HTC Mozart) will enable me to know every status updates of my friends and many more information. I don't want to acquire Iphone user disease of staring blankly at the cluttered pretty icons without knowing what to do next. I also don't need to go in and out every single app to do a simple task."
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And a surprise for her:
"Elegant, simplicity and style. Mmmm...I love it myself too."
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And folks, Merry Christmas to ya'll. May your new year filled with joy and happiness. I'll be spending my christmas in a snowy place far far away. How do you spend your christmas? Do share it with the rest of us.
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Mini Travel Log: Milan, Italy

I landed on a cold and snowy morning in Milan. While the snowstorm wrecked havoc across Europe, luckily it only snowed very little here. Devil loves this place. Why, because this is the fashion center for Gucci, Prada, LV and many more. You name it, they have it all here. And on the last weekend of Christmas shopping, the crowd is just crazy. It is a very unusual sight to see such a huge crowd shopping past 6pm in Europe. I was also seduced into the boutiques and didn't have time to take pictures. Oh, how not to be seduced on my next visit to Milan. Can anyone offer advice?

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