Wednesday, June 13, 2012

六天

今天为了要邮回鞋子去了一趟Beeston。
一个人走着,
突然很不舍得这个地方,这个大学,这个小镇。

会想念,冷冷的天气。
会想念,不用烦驾车塞车的日子。
会想念,Sukho Thai的蛋炒饭。
会想念,看到人们在街道上溜狗狗。
会想念,新鲜的樱桃草莓。
会想念,有礼貌的英国人,虽然有时候他们的脾气有点像天气一样灰。
会想念,不用害怕被rape, rob, kill 的日子。
会想念,Tesco Sainsbury's 的半价哈根达斯。
会想念,在这里认识的不同国籍的朋友们。
会想念,休闲放松的步伐,得空晒一晒太阳,看看湖边的鸭子。

真的想在这里呆多一会儿,
认识更多不一样的人,
更想要去更多的地方旅游,
看看这一边的世界。





明天将会一大早起床去City, 希望可以看到英女王!

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

28 Days

Hello Bloggie, it's been a while.
Can't believe my last entry was last August! Almost a year weh. *sweeps off dust*

So I was in Ningbo campus in China for student exchange and now in Nottingham.
My very last 7 days in Nottingham, and it marks the end of my student exchange programme.
I was busy planning my Europe trip, mom and sis purposely fly over early so that I don't do crazy shit like travelling solo.
Seriously, I do think that Europe is MUCH safer than Malaysia.
Heck, even China is safer than Malaysia!

My family and I do travel a lot, but normally we would just go by tour but every time it feels like I didn't see enough, it's all so touch 'n' go. So I've convinced my dad to ditch tour and just DIY this time.
Hope we don't end up stranded in some strange city penniless.
Planning is a bitch, I often find myself researching for a hotel to stay for hours.
Which hotel to stay? Which city to go? How many days here? How many days there? Blablabla.

It's annoying, but I do enjoy it.
Before this, I am not sure which country goes where in the map.
Now I am familiar with most of the cities in Europe.
Definitely the best way to learn Geography!

The voyage shall begin on the 21st June 2012, 14 cities, 28 days.


Wednesday, August 10, 2011

il Lido. That building by the end of the street.

Whenever I pass through Yap Kwan Seng street,
I am always curious with that building by the traffic light.
It's il Lido Italian Dining + Lounge Bar.
I pestered my dad to bring us there cause I know the price won't be pretty.
And my wish came true last Sunday.
With a little help from my little sis, he said yes.


The space was tastefully decorated. Modern & luxurious.
It wasn't very crowded that night, we were the third table.


Mom after reading the menu: How do I order?


Her very last meal before sending her back to school.
Another week of decent food deprivation.


All four of us had the classic set. The set consists of five dishes with coffee.


Amuse Bouche
They served us freshly baked Foccacia with virgin olive oil & balsamic vinegar.

The first dish. We laughed when we saw this!


We were amused by how huge the plate is just to serve a couple of beans plus a slice of cheese.

My very Chinese daddy was definitely not used to fine dining.
Considering that he was famished at that moment.


Appetizer
Pan Roasted Scallops with Cannelini Beans, Carrot Jus and Bottarga.
My favourite dish for the night.
Pan fried scallop, added with some sauce and fried shallots.
Beautifully done I must say.


Pasta
Squid Ink Taglierini with Crab and Saffron.
Pasta matched with chunks and chunks of crab meat, mostly from the claws.
Absolutely divine.


Main Course
Angus Beef Short Ribs Braised in Barolo Wine.
I am never a fan of fully cooked beef because the meat gets really chewy.
However, this one is an exception.
The meat is tender and juicy, complemented with some fragrant sauce.
Just perfect.


Dessert
Traditional Tiramisu.
There you have it. The most anticipated dish for the night.
Completed with sweet sour berries: strawberry, blackberries,
raspberries & gooseberries.
The tiramisu was impeccable.


Coffee & Petit Four.
An Italian meal wouldn't be complete without coffee.
The aroma was simply heavenly, it transported me back to my days in Italy.
An espresso after dinner is a must for my host parents.
Petit Four, the bite-sized sweethearts.
It includes dark chocolate with a touch of coconut,
white chocolate & almond biscuit.
These cute little creatures are perfect with coffee.


My very rare full course fine dining.
This is probably only my second or third time dining in such divine restaurant.


The dinner was simply exquisite.
I am pretty much impressed by il Lido. Impeccable Italian cuisine, outstanding service & lovely ambiance.
A marvelous place to spend the evening.


Oh, Cafe cafe is another splendid restaurant as well.
Serving French cuisine, they serve the most amazing foie gras & wagyu beef. The tiramisu is a must-try too.
I felt as if I was in old Paris when I dined there.
Hopefully I get a chance to dine there again so that I could have a post about it.

Monday, August 8, 2011

What are your rules?


Well said.
I live on these rules.
This is what I believe.
And I intend to keep it up.
This year is an emphasis on "Travel Often", next year as well.
Peace. : )

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Vandalism For Love. The Romantic Graffiti.

Verona, 
the things that I remember about this city:
Romeo & Juliet, 
The Arena, which looks like Colosseum, just a smaller version of it,
Ahh! And that double chocolate gelato.

Verona is famous for Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet.
We went to Juliet's house.There's a corridor right outside Juliet's House.
Lovers would draw graffiti all over the wall, the gate and even on the tiny machines that are supposed to show you the story of the famous pair.


 There's also a bronze statue of Juliet in the courtyard. 
Tourists would touch her right breast, they say it would bring good luck. 


Juliet's Balcony. This balcony is supposedly to be where Juliet cried out to Romeo. 


This is a must-do for couples here in Verona.
I need to find an Italian hottie to come with me next time. Tehee.


Look what I found. The union of China &Taiwan.


The Arena, a mini version of the Colosseum.


The streets of Verona. As usual, it has the unique beauty of Europe.


The market in Verona. They sell from fruits, veggies, masquerade masks and toys. 


Around the city of Verona.


The ancient red brick wall surrounding Verona.


Must-have #1 in Italy : Gelato!


Must-have #2: Cappu.