Winter Tulip, Is That Possible?

This year, global warming really wrecked havoc to the world's weather ecosystem. While the Far East experienced early and very warm spring, the West were pounded with snow even in the late months of March/April. Weather is still freezing cold as of this posting which is already coming to the month of May. I returned to Holland earlier this month hoping to see beautiful tulip fields all over the landscape. To my disappointment, I only got to see dirt fields stretching far and beyond. The weather was so cold and no flower is ready to spring from the ground in such harsh conditions. The famous Keukenhof Gardens tried their best to please visitors by putting some potted tulips grown from the greenhouse around the huge garden. But I pity those tulips as it was trying so hard to survive in such cold weather. Luckily my trip was not wasted as they managed to grow beautiful tulips inside their huge greenhouse and opened it for visitors. I spent almost all my time indoor rather than outdoor to admire the tulips and also partly to escape the cold temperature outside.

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For those interested to know how it looks like during the full tulip bloom, you can also check out my previous trip here: Tulip Mania, 2011

I have also returned to Zaanse Schans to visit the windmills, but on my own time own target instead of joining bus tours. I finally had the chance to explore all the windmills without rushing. You can easily take Bus 391 from the Amsterdam Central Station and alight directly in front of Zaanse Schans at the last stop. Both return tickets can be purchased on board the bus. If I'm not mistaken, it's 8 euro for 2-way.

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Sakura 2013, Tokyo

This year, many people would end up feeling disappointed if they had booked their sakura tour to Japan based on the bloom forecast from previous years. Due to global warming, this year's winter was exceptionally warmer and spring came very early. Sakura in Tokyo bloomed at least 2 weeks earlier than forecast. Now, the flowers would already been falling off. By the time visitors reach there with their tour groups next week, they would be fuming mad because what's left for them to see is just green leaves. Even though not expecting to see the full bloom initially, I was there at the peak bloom period due to this global warming. Ueno park is always the best place to see sakura in Tokyo. It doesn't have nice landscape like the Shinjuku Gyoen or other parks, but the trees here are very old. The older and more mature the trees are, the whiter and denser flowers they bloom. Because this park is free, it could get very crowded especially during the weekends.

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Because I brought my camera this time, I also have the chance to finally shoot the Gundam in high resolution. Gundam lovers, check out who I found beside the gigantic robot.

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Mini Travel Log: Windsor, UK

This royal town is home to the Windsor Castle which still being used as working castle and sometimes the residential palace for Queen Elizabeth. Situated just about 40 minutes train ride from London and next to Heathrow Airport, this beautiful royal town is the most popular tourist spot apart from London itself. Should you visit this castle, you should plan to reach here before 11am so you can watch the changing of the guard before exploring the rest of the majestic castle. The castle visit is worth every penny as you'd be awed by the grandeur inside the castle itself. Photography is not allowed inside the royal rooms but you'd bring away wonderful memories nonetheless. In the late afternoon, you can always explore the royal town of Windsor itself. If you bring kids along, there is also shuttle bus services to the nearby Legoland. Else you can spend a romantic day in the town having a-cuppa English tea while admiring the beautiful surroundings.

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Mini Travel Log: London, UK (5)

It is a rare opportunity to get nice weather in London. Most of my times in London were spent on not so good and sometimes rainy weather. I love to see the sun and clear blue skies. So even after my tiring flight, I fought the fatigue and went out. I walked down Thames river while enjoying the nice cool weather. Further down the river after the London Eye, I discovered the busking street which leads down the river all the way till Tower Bridge. Here you can see all kinds of street performers and buskers showcasing their trade of arts and skills. The most notable one that I found is the fiery tuba player. He plays music while blowing out fire from his tuba while sitting on his antique music player.

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Related link: Mini Travel Log: London, UK (4)
Related link: Mini Travel Log: London, UK (3)
Related link: Mini Travel Log: London, UK (2)
Related link: Mini Travel Log: London, UK (1)

Mini Travel Log: Lake Maggiore, Italy

Lake Maggiore is a very charming place just north of Milan in Italy. The Barromean islands and islets on the lake is so beautiful that you will fall in love with this place at first sight. Beautiful small little towns and villages dot the landscape around the lake, surrounded by the beautiful snow mountains of the Alps. I took a boat ride from the small little town Stresa; which is easily accessible by trains from Milan. Unfortunately because of winter period, few of the Barromean islands were closed to tourists for restoration works on the castle and gardens. I could only admire the beauty from far on the boat. I will definitely return again during summer to enjoy the full attractions of this place.

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Mini Travel Log: Barcelona, Spain

During winter in Barcelona, many tours and excursions were shut down. So I spent my time in the city; re-tracing the steps I took 5 years ago during my backpacking trip in Spain. Barcelona was the first Europe city that I stepped my foot on. During that time, I had limited time and rushed through everything; skipping many hidden jewels in the city. This time, I had all the luxury to slowly explore and enjoy the magnificent architectures around this city. With no crowd this time, I finally managed to step my foot into the famous church of Sagrada Familia. This church was constructed a century ago and yet to be finished. Although more than 100 years old, the interior totally looked light years ahead and alien to me. Initially I thought I have stepped into an alien spaceship. The rest of my days in Barcelona were spent visiting other Gaudi masterpieces like the Casa Battlo, walking by the beach, visiting the grand Barcelona Cathedral and also the Poble de Espanyol (Spanish village).

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Related link: The Summer Catalunya Tour
Related link: Spain: Barcelona, Madrid, Seville

Earliest New Year 2013

This year, I experienced being one of the earliest person to celebrate the arrival of new year 2013 in a major city. With GMT of +13, I clocked in the first day at least 24 hours earlier than the last island and people to welcome the new year somewhere in the Pacific islands. New year celebration in Auckland is not as grand as the ones in Sydney and other big cities. In fact almost every year, they only have very low key fireworks display from the Auckland Tower.

Fireworks

Timelapse: Welcoming the first light of 2013, Auckland

Mini Travel Log: Hong Kong, China (4)

It is always great to have relatives in the country you visit because they can bring you to beautiful places less well known to tourists. This time in Hong Kong, my cousin brought me to Hong Kong outskirt places like Sai Kung, Shek-O and Stanley Bay. Sai Kung is actually a very interesting place where you can find "水上人" (water people) that live on their boats and trade their daily catch of seafood. There are many seafood restaurants here with huge varieties of seafood to choose from. Or you can simply buy live seafood from the "水上人" and bring it home to cook. Shek-O like its name is a rocky bay area at a secluded place south of Hong Kong island. Here you can find interesting rock features with many bungalows built on the cliffs overlooking the vast ocean. I'm sure this is one of the hot place for wedding photography for the locals because I think it provides a fantastic backdrop. While I was here, there was a couple taking their wedding shots here. Stanley Bay is just another small residential area but with many pubs lining the coast line. People flock here during the weekends to look for drinking hole and also food.

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Related link: Mini Travel Log: Hong Kong, China (3)
Related link: Mini Travel Log: Hong Kong, China (2)
Related link: Mini Travel Log: Hong Kong, China (1)