Trots Around | Travels

Out Riding

2011-10-02T14:53:00.001+01:00

Thorn parked by 2 strangers…

Chew Valley Lake

Good day riding..

Sand Sculpture, Weston-Super-Mare

2011-10-01T17:33:00.001+01:00

For the 6th year, the sand sculpture festival is back in Weston-Super-Mare with this year’s theme being ‘Jungle’. Let the photos take you through the amazon jungle of wild animals, exotic flora and fauna and native tribes where I truly admire the artists’ attention to details and their creativity. Its a pity that they will be flatten after the festival.

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If you wonder how these sculptures are made to stand for almost four months, here are the steps.

Weston Grand Pier

2011-09-30T13:33:00.000+01:00

The new £39million Grand Pier that opened in 2010 after being destroyed completely by fire in 2008.

View of Brean Down from Weston’s beach

Love the father with kids moment

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The 2008 fire that destroys the Grade II-listed Grand Pier (open since 1904) at Weston-Super-Mare.

London Notting Hill Carnival

2011-08-28T23:20:00.000+01:00

Notting Hill Carnival, the biggest street festival in Europe or the second largest in the world after Rio Carnival taking place over the bank holiday. I was there on the first day which was more for Children and family. A pity I couldn’t make it for the main parade on Monday.

If you remember the riot few weeks back, shops (Paul Smith above) and houses (below) have boarded up and installed alarms in fear of the same will happen during the carnival.

She specially pose for me.. such a darling.

A little wobbly, she could barely hold the weight on her…

The truck which is the music source - with DJs and huge speakers

These speakers can send vibration through all your cells, even your clothes will vibrate.

Lots of dancing and paint splashing

Steel band performance

The result of paint and chocolate splashing which I’ve tried my very best to dodge.

Whistles on sale – make some noise people!

Media in action

Ear defender!!! Music might be too deafening for her.

Little lions

All covered in Chocolate… Cadbury chocolate

Pocahontas

Cute

The bunch who wanted to be in my camera

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Police everywhere, 6500 of them, in the rain and in the sun.

Police in action

Medical & toilet facilities

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Fire! Fire? Nah… its Jerked meats in making.

Very tasty jerked chicken with salad and red bean rice – GBP 7.

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~ BBC - In Picture: Notting Hill Carnival Day 1

~ BBC - In Picture: Notting Hill Carnival Day 2

Though I read that stabbing took place, I think overall the Carnival was still a success… truly love the atmosphere where everyone was in great spirits.

If you want to have a feel of the Carnival, below is the 2010 highlights uploaded by FutureStyles.

Bristol Urban Street Art – See No Evil

2011-08-20T17:55:00.000+01:00

Today, as part of an international art event “See No Evil”, Bristol hosted one of the largest permanent street art project in UK which brings together some of the world’s leading street artists to paint the facades of the buildings along Nelson street, an area which needed much revamp.

“Artists include New York based muralists, Tats Cru whose aerosol based work is dubbed to have ‘changed the perception of graffiti as art’ and LA artist El Mac whose work is prolific across every continent. As well as the US contingent, artists from France, Holland, Spain and Brazil will also bring their own unique styles to Bristol. Bristol born Inkie, one of the most notorious and prolific graffiti artists to emerge out of the 80’s Bristol scene will be joined by a raft of UK artists including Zeus and Nick Walker.”

Oops…naughty boys… see no evil…

Party time…

Come on down to Nelson Street to marvel the work of these brilliant artists when you next visit Bristol !

And I wonder if Banksy work will appear here someday…if you haven’t already know, Banksy is from Bristol too! Below is his work at nearby Park street.

Bristol Balloon Fiesta – Night Glow

2011-08-13T23:09:00.000+01:00

Waiting patiently for a couple more hours after the earlier ascend, the balloonists now get ready for the famous night glow.

A peek at them setting up in the dark… Below is a clearer view of them in the dark (after adjusting the camera functions)

Firing up the balloon

Almost ready

All the balloons are up and waiting for the chorographer’s signal to begin

Here is a short video that I recorded with my own music (the original was unbearable blasting sound as I was right next to the speaker)

And the night ended with Fireworks

Even though I’ve seen this a few times, I never seems to get bored of it. Audiences were ever so awesome with great spirits that rock the whole city. And I’ve got to say this year’s choreography for the night glow was great, encompassing 40 years of music. The fireworks were a little short though otherwise all things were superb. You gotta be prepared though as I was stuck in the carpark, at the same spot for 2hrs waiting to get out…what seems a 30min home turn out to be 3hrs.

Bristol Balloon Fiesta - Day

2011-08-13T22:12:00.000+01:00

Europe’s largest balloon festival took place in Bristol again for the 33rd year. The balloon fiesta attracted more than half a million people every year and its also one of the biggest free event in town. Read more on its history here. Don’t forget to mark it down on your calendar for a visit next year! Check out their website for more updates.

85 balloons managed to take off despite the cloudy evening

And everyone shouted…”Chicken Tonight”

Bag hands to our foreign friend… all the way from Switzerland!

Model balloons

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Balloon Fiesta in the past years

Fancy shapes in 2008 – Discovery Channel last year (after 10yrs) of hosting this free event. It is also Balloon Fiesta 30th anniversary.

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Year 2007 – Hosted by Discovery Channel

Mercado de San Miguel, Madrid

2011-07-31T22:31:00.001+01:00

One of my favourite spot in Old Madrid is no other than Mercado de San Miguel. Situated right next to Plaza Mayor, I was first attracted by its wrought iron structure which seems rather out of place in an old town. If you don’t fancy restaurant, this is an ideal place to grab a bite.

I felt like I was in a food wonderland. You can find anything from fresh seafood, wine, fish, fruits, meat, desserts… almost everything under one roof. Another good thing is it opens at 10am and ends till late at night.

How can one resist?

Oysters! Oysters! And lots of Oysters!

More seafood selections…

Cheap and delicious Canapés. Trust me, they are good.

Even the Royals tried it? How can I not have a go with this frozen yogurt. Strawberry and hazelnut sauce are perfect match..thanks to the stall owner recommendation! Oh so yummy…

A stroll in New Forest

2011-06-19T12:32:00.000+01:00

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Half day I.O.W Cycling

2011-06-04T21:53:00.000+01:00

Click here for Route Map

Semana Santa de Cuenca

2011-04-24T23:42:00.000+01:00

Easter procession in Cuenca where they commemorate the death of Jesus Christ with members of different brotherhoods dressed in their distinctive robes, parading the streets carrying religious statues to the sound of drums and music.

Today is Easter Sunday - Domingo de la Resurrección / Procession of the resurrected Jesus

The Crowd

Semana Santa in Madrid

2011-04-23T21:46:00.000+01:00

Holy week in Madrid where processions take the streets. It was still raining earlier on but surprisingly the sky cleared as the procession began…

I read that the wearing of hood was to signify the mourning of the death of Jesus Christ.

Mary the Virgin carried on huge heavy altar. Despite having to carry this float for hours, to these men, it was great honour. The little girl got really good view. While I was squashed and pushed.

After a good few hours, we are back at the cathedral.

Tomorrow I shall experience a slightly different procession (if I’m lucky) in another city (Cuenca) which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Almudena Cathedral, Madrid

2011-04-22T21:00:00.000+01:00

Cat’s Hostel – Madrid

2011-04-21T21:54:00.000+01:00

Don’t throw toilet paper into WC.. hmmmm….

Secured locker

Key tag to access your locker, doors etc

http://www.catshostel.com/

Metro stop: Anton Martin

Brean Down

2011-02-12T20:05:00.001+00:00

Kukup – Johor Bahru

2011-01-13T23:25:00.000+00:00

Lunch time

Back in JB town for dinner…

Zakopane, Poland

2010-10-31T20:30:00.000+00:00

Early start to catch the 0610hrs bus to Zakopane

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Arrived! After 2.5hrs ride.

Flowers for sale outside the cemetary

These are Oscypek ie smoked cheese made with salted sheep milk.

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Worse cup of hot chocolate I ever had but the view was stunning..

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A short trek up to Morskie Oko

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Dinner time! Felt like I could eat a cow after 5hrs of walking…

Polish Beetroot soup… I love it!

Traditional Highlander style foods

Restauracja Wierzynek, Poland

2010-10-30T23:02:00.000+01:00

Homemade Dumplings Two Flavours - cottage cheese
with potatoes and mushroom with cabbage

Plum & Honey Cake in Dark Chocolate with Red Currant Sorbet

Highly recommending Restauracja Wierzynek!

Rynek Główny 15 31-008 Kraków

Tel. +48 12 424 96 00

E: rezerwacja@wierzynek.com.pl

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Rounding the night with beer.

Krakow, Poland – Part 2

2010-10-30T23:00:00.000+01:00

Wawel Castle

Poland - Birkenau

2010-10-30T22:51:00.000+01:00

Auschwitz II

Memorial

Poland – Auschwitz

2010-10-30T14:17:00.000+01:00

@ Auschwitz concentration camp where 1 million men, women and children died. Walking into the past on a beautiful day. I left with a dampened heart.

Now

Then

‘He’ was hanged here on 16 April 1947.

Greg & Tom Hostel - Poland

2010-10-29T23:03:00.000+01:00

@ Kraków ul.Pawia 12/7

www.gregtomhostel.com

Conveniently 200m from main station & walking distance to town

Gruzinskie Chaczapuri

2010-10-29T01:09:00.000+01:00

Bigos Chlopski - traditional polish meat stew

Pierogi z mięse – meat dumpling, another polish dish

Not forgetting…Polish beer – Okocim. Don’t quite understand the need for straw though…

I chanced upon this restaurant in old town Krakow which served mainly Georgian food but they have minimal traditional polish cuisine too, enough to satisfy me. The very hungry me over ordered obviously as you can see its all very starchy and heavy. The stew was alright but the dumpling skin was rather thick. Be here if you are after really cheap and filling food… I was then too hungry and tired to go elsewhere and was lured in by the cheap prices on the menu.

@ ul. Grodzka 3, Krakow, Poland

Krakow, Poland – Part 1

2010-09-29T18:22:00.000+01:00

Into old town…

One of Europe’s largest Medieval Square

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Jewish Quarter

Old Jewish Cemetary

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A Part of Jurassic Coast

2010-08-29T17:37:00.000+01:00

Out for a spin towards East Devon… to check out England’s natural world heritage site…

The Jurassic Coast!

Sidmouth

“ ..formed in a baking desert some 240 million years ago during the Triassic period of geological time..”

Seatown

Eype Clay & mudstone member

Its not sandy beach with fine sand… its pebbles… every sinking step is walked with an effort.

Seeking bird’s eye view from the coastal path.

Steep!

Now on top of Thorncombe Beacon about 157m high. That cliff in the far end is Golden Cap, said to be 626 ft (191m), the highest sea cliff of England’s southern coast.

Life on the cliff

Exhausted and camera shy

my faithful 3.5 yo with the mess & my mascot… a keepsake photo cos me car will change hands soon.

My mascot. (To Coconut, I found your ‘Happy’ a friend)