For more information, look here.
Just found out about another one on the 28th of January at 7pm. See the promotional ad below.
Shop from Amazon!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
CNY celebration
There will be a CNY celebration at St. Georges Market, Belfast this coming Sunday 25th January from 1-5pm. Lord Mayor of Belfast will be opening the event.
For more information, look here.
Just found out about another one on the 28th of January at 7pm. See the promotional ad below.
Shop from Amazon!
For more information, look here.
Just found out about another one on the 28th of January at 7pm. See the promotional ad below.
Shop from Amazon!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Happy Chinese New Year!
Dear Readers,
I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year!
牛年快乐
恭喜发财
万事如意
身体健康
心想事成
Monday, January 12, 2009
Photos from Athens
The long awaited (ok, maybe not) photos from my trip to Athens. You can view the slideshow here or if you prefer bigger photos, head over to Webshots or Flickr.
Athens, Greece
Shop from Amazon!
Athens, Greece
Shop from Amazon!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Athens
I have been asked many times over the week where are the photos from my Athens trip. Well just to keep the interest in, I will blog about my trip first, before the photos as I am still editing them. I know I am a bit slow but I have had quite a number of reports to finish up since university started again.
Anyway, the trip to Athens was superb and best of all relaxing. The only let down was it rained quite a lot (we must have brought the rain from Belfast), and was a bit chilly at times (though not as cold as the UK). We arrived about 7-8pm in the evening on the first night, and after checking in to the hotel, set out to find some food. Because it was Christmas eve, almost all restaurants were closed, and the ones opened seemed too Greek as they do not have English menu. We ended up in McDonald's (for fries and apple pie) and bought some stuff from a nearby supermarket.
The weather on the second wasn't too bad, it was sunny. We went to the main square, the Syntagma Square (where many riots took place before we arrived). It was filled with people, with lots of people about and kids. This was because there were some Santa Clause about, taking photos with kids. Something new that I have never seen before was ponies! There were so many of them. You can take photos with them but you will have to pay. There were also lots and lots of fake goods, from DVDs to Gucci handbag. A sight I never thought I would see in an European country. The main road from Syntagma Square leading to Plaka was filled with these vendors.
The third and fourth day just kept raining and raining. We set out to look for China town on boxing day but it was raining so heavily and most shops were closed. There wasn't really a China town, just an area where there are lots of Chinese businesses, and the whole area looked so run down. It was then back to Syntagma Square and shopping. We were going to visit Acropolis but thought would be a better idea to hold it first because it was raining. We visited the National Archaelogical Museum, which is right next to the Polytechnic that was the base of the riots. The whole school was covered with grafittis.
On Sunday, the rain slowed down and we set out our visit. It was indeed a good idea to visit on Sunday as all the archaelogical sites are free of charge on Sunday! First was the Panathenaic Stadium, which was where the first Olympic games were held. It looked so simple and yet there was some kind of grandeur to it. All the gates were locked so we only managed to see from outside. Next was the Temple of Zeus, which only has a few columns left and Hadrian's Gate. From here, you could see Acropolis and the view was great. Would be better with some sunshine and blue sky!
After the temple, we started going uphill towards the Acropolis. The whole are seemed much smaller than what I imagined (this was the same when I visited the pyramids in Egypt, probably due to all the photos which showed these monuments much bigger). Anyway, the I can imagine the place when it was first built long ago. Before going up to the top where Parthenon is situated, there are others on the slope of the hill, such as The Odeion of Herodes Atticus and The Theater of Dionysos. On top of the hill, there were a few more temples besides Parthenon. The view of Athens city from here was magnificent.
From Acropolis, we headed towards the Ancient City of Agora. It used to be a market place and city centre for all types of discussion and trading. Not far from here, there is also Tower of the Winds, where sundial, waterclock and weather vane was built. Walking from here, we headed towards the Philopappos Hill, just next to the Acropolis. Something funny happened here as we got chased by a dog, that apparently barked at anyone that came close to it. Terry was a bit too terrified and kept shouting at me to keep walking (he might have other comments :p).
After all this, we had late lunch in the weirdest vegetarian restaurant I have ever seen. I can't explain it here, except that the place is used as a bar/disco at night. The food was ok though, probably because I was very hungry then. After lunch, we took a stroll down Plaka, a very nice area with lots of shops and restaurants along windy, narrow streets.
On the next few days, we went to the Piraeus Port, visited more museums and most notably, the Mount Lycabettus. Piraeus Port is where all the cruise ship stops, and you can get onboard ferries to the Greek Islands, Egypt, and anywhere. There's nothing much here so was just a waste of time (luckily the underground only costs 80 cents). We went up to Mount Lycabettus at night, and from here, we were able to see the night view of the city and Acropolis all lit up.
On the way to the airport on our last day, we got on the wrong train. Well, we got on the train towards the correct direction, but the train doesn't go all the way to the airport. We were a bit late getting down at the final station, and the train just moved on and stopped inside a tunnel! Everyone has left the train, except me and Terry and a lady who slept very soundly. When the train driver was crossing to the other end, he saw us and luckily the train was moving again so we get to go back to the station and wait for the airport train. It was really funny and reminded me so much of the movie The Midnight Meat Train.
Photos will be uploaded soon!
Shop from Amazon!
Anyway, the trip to Athens was superb and best of all relaxing. The only let down was it rained quite a lot (we must have brought the rain from Belfast), and was a bit chilly at times (though not as cold as the UK). We arrived about 7-8pm in the evening on the first night, and after checking in to the hotel, set out to find some food. Because it was Christmas eve, almost all restaurants were closed, and the ones opened seemed too Greek as they do not have English menu. We ended up in McDonald's (for fries and apple pie) and bought some stuff from a nearby supermarket.
The weather on the second wasn't too bad, it was sunny. We went to the main square, the Syntagma Square (where many riots took place before we arrived). It was filled with people, with lots of people about and kids. This was because there were some Santa Clause about, taking photos with kids. Something new that I have never seen before was ponies! There were so many of them. You can take photos with them but you will have to pay. There were also lots and lots of fake goods, from DVDs to Gucci handbag. A sight I never thought I would see in an European country. The main road from Syntagma Square leading to Plaka was filled with these vendors.
The third and fourth day just kept raining and raining. We set out to look for China town on boxing day but it was raining so heavily and most shops were closed. There wasn't really a China town, just an area where there are lots of Chinese businesses, and the whole area looked so run down. It was then back to Syntagma Square and shopping. We were going to visit Acropolis but thought would be a better idea to hold it first because it was raining. We visited the National Archaelogical Museum, which is right next to the Polytechnic that was the base of the riots. The whole school was covered with grafittis.
On Sunday, the rain slowed down and we set out our visit. It was indeed a good idea to visit on Sunday as all the archaelogical sites are free of charge on Sunday! First was the Panathenaic Stadium, which was where the first Olympic games were held. It looked so simple and yet there was some kind of grandeur to it. All the gates were locked so we only managed to see from outside. Next was the Temple of Zeus, which only has a few columns left and Hadrian's Gate. From here, you could see Acropolis and the view was great. Would be better with some sunshine and blue sky!
After the temple, we started going uphill towards the Acropolis. The whole are seemed much smaller than what I imagined (this was the same when I visited the pyramids in Egypt, probably due to all the photos which showed these monuments much bigger). Anyway, the I can imagine the place when it was first built long ago. Before going up to the top where Parthenon is situated, there are others on the slope of the hill, such as The Odeion of Herodes Atticus and The Theater of Dionysos. On top of the hill, there were a few more temples besides Parthenon. The view of Athens city from here was magnificent.
From Acropolis, we headed towards the Ancient City of Agora. It used to be a market place and city centre for all types of discussion and trading. Not far from here, there is also Tower of the Winds, where sundial, waterclock and weather vane was built. Walking from here, we headed towards the Philopappos Hill, just next to the Acropolis. Something funny happened here as we got chased by a dog, that apparently barked at anyone that came close to it. Terry was a bit too terrified and kept shouting at me to keep walking (he might have other comments :p).
After all this, we had late lunch in the weirdest vegetarian restaurant I have ever seen. I can't explain it here, except that the place is used as a bar/disco at night. The food was ok though, probably because I was very hungry then. After lunch, we took a stroll down Plaka, a very nice area with lots of shops and restaurants along windy, narrow streets.
On the next few days, we went to the Piraeus Port, visited more museums and most notably, the Mount Lycabettus. Piraeus Port is where all the cruise ship stops, and you can get onboard ferries to the Greek Islands, Egypt, and anywhere. There's nothing much here so was just a waste of time (luckily the underground only costs 80 cents). We went up to Mount Lycabettus at night, and from here, we were able to see the night view of the city and Acropolis all lit up.
On the way to the airport on our last day, we got on the wrong train. Well, we got on the train towards the correct direction, but the train doesn't go all the way to the airport. We were a bit late getting down at the final station, and the train just moved on and stopped inside a tunnel! Everyone has left the train, except me and Terry and a lady who slept very soundly. When the train driver was crossing to the other end, he saw us and luckily the train was moving again so we get to go back to the station and wait for the airport train. It was really funny and reminded me so much of the movie The Midnight Meat Train.
Photos will be uploaded soon!
Shop from Amazon!
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Happy New Year
Happy New Year! I have been back from my trip since last Friday but was too lazy to upload my photos and write my blog.
So for the first post for 2009, I shall include a link to a 2 for 1 Pizza Express voucher. There is a catch, but a good one, is that the more expensive main course will be free! It is valid from 5th - 29th January. So hurry!
http://www.pizzaexpressoffers.co.uk/
Stay tuned for more photos update on my trip to Athens.
Shop from Amazon!
So for the first post for 2009, I shall include a link to a 2 for 1 Pizza Express voucher. There is a catch, but a good one, is that the more expensive main course will be free! It is valid from 5th - 29th January. So hurry!
http://www.pizzaexpressoffers.co.uk/
Stay tuned for more photos update on my trip to Athens.
Shop from Amazon!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
