As much as a delayed blog post after a year, it is also that point of time when everyone's traveling. My insta story and snapchat feeds are filled with people going to Japan and it is making me miss Asian cities alot. Sobs. I'd like to go back ASAP, its funny to think that I like the living and social life there better but at the same time I really want to work here. Let's see how it goes in the next few months.
Summer has finally hit London, although it is still considered spring, the weather has now reached 23°C and here I am spending my sunny weekends at home blogging, been very lazy to socialize lately. It actually feels like I'm betraying myself because I have the time to blog but never for school work, hello school's starting next week I should be panicking because its FYPPPPPPP due in a few weeks bloody hell!
Putting aside all negative thoughts, if everything goes well I would say that this is my final spring break, so why not take this chance to travel? Honestly speaking, I'm just really bad at planning ahead of time... Even though I know my holiday period I still did not research places to go until my mom came over, and for this trip, I bought all the tickets and hotels like a day before departure. Can you imagine the pain in my bank account after that right? Last minute = nothing ever comes cheap.
With this abrupt decision, I opted for the countries nearby and to those I've been before because there were places I wanted to go but did not have the chance the other time... and one thing you know if you ever happen to travel with me is that... I think I need at least 3 days in one city to truly say yes I've been there.
I had the chance to share this trip with none other than my beloved mother and because I've been to these countries, it feels especially good to revisit the places - not the touch and go feeling.
So my itinerary went from London - Paris - Colmar - Zurich - Amsterdam - London ... It was over a period of one week but seriously when it comes to travelling from more than 2 cities, you just feel that this journey is so long and tiring... and this is the time that I actually regret still not knowing how to drive... yes I admit I'm a total noob and scaredy cat when it comes to learning how to drive... as many don't know I'm completely bad at body coordination. Much safer to take public transport I'd say.
Here's my tale of never ending food journey!
Day 1
Starting from Paris, we stayed at Hotel Andre Latin, which was close to both Luxembourg RER and Place Monge metro. It is a really nice location, close to many restaurants.
For me my idea of exploring always involve the search for popular food places so I did find and saved some to my google maps. First stop was the one nearest to my hotel which is this crepe place. Gosh the queue was like so looooongggg. Imagine how hungry me and my mom were but I insisted on trying how good this place is.
After an hour or I think it was more than just an hour, we finally had our turn. The portion's pretty filling... when I received the crepe in my hands I was like oh I can finish this, halfway through... oh no I think this is only what I can take in. Keep in mind that we were very hungry and still can't finish a crepe by ourselves. Its good anyways and pretty cheap as well, 2 crepes and a sprite all for €13.50.
For me my idea of exploring always involve the search for popular food places so I did find and saved some to my google maps. First stop was the one nearest to my hotel which is this crepe place. Gosh the queue was like so looooongggg. Imagine how hungry me and my mom were but I insisted on trying how good this place is.
After an hour or I think it was more than just an hour, we finally had our turn. The portion's pretty filling... when I received the crepe in my hands I was like oh I can finish this, halfway through... oh no I think this is only what I can take in. Keep in mind that we were very hungry and still can't finish a crepe by ourselves. Its good anyways and pretty cheap as well, 2 crepes and a sprite all for €13.50.
Au P'tit Grec
68 Rue Mouffetard
75005 Paris
75005 Paris
... and there's the happy me after getting my crepe after an hour's wait.
Kind of wasted half the day queuing and I think it was around 5pm that day I was a bit hesitant if we should go to the next destination but whatevs since we're there, we might as well go to Sacré-Cœur, and anyways it was the place I wanted to go last summer but did not have the chance to, so let's do it now.
I forgot which metro we exited from, but the journey up the basilica involves a long flight of stairs and on this trip I was reminded lots of times about how our parents' energy is not parallel to ours and not for just this city but for others as well, I've gotta slow down and take it easy.
Day 2
Versailles was crazy, it was hot, crowded. We queued for 2 hours just to get in. The line was so confusing it was too long and we did not know where it started from.
Château de Versailles, Pavillion d'Orléans
They have boutiques at other places too.
Escargots
Day 3
Café Kitsuné Paris
51, Galerie Montpensier
75001 Paris
75001 Paris
122 rue Montmartre
75002 Paris
Its a pricey éclair but you need to know the standard of pastries that makes you go mmmm, this is goood as compared to the normal chocolate ones. After this I want to try Maitre Choux in London since I did not have a proper taste that time.
75002 Paris
Its a pricey éclair but you need to know the standard of pastries that makes you go mmmm, this is goood as compared to the normal chocolate ones. After this I want to try Maitre Choux in London since I did not have a proper taste that time.
We went to Galleries LaFayette and a short dinner at a Japanese restaurant at Rue Mouffetard, it was horrible to be honest, thinking of it, it was the worst dinner I had over the whole trip. Back to the hotel to collect our belongings and rushed out.
PEOPLEEEE don't merely trust the timing google maps give! Always have like a 15-20 minutes headstart because just before the coach ride I think I had a mental breakdown I was panicking because I was scared we will not make it on time and the following plans will be ruined.
While taking the RER halfway, I decided to get off at Franklin D. Rooseveit and rushed out to take a taxi from there. Looking back it was luck that there were cabs right when we came out of the station and the total journey costs only 10 Euros. It was reasonable for me, I did not mind paying since I was so tensed up I couldn't stop shaking my legs.
Anyways we made it on time and off we were to Colmar!
Day 4
The lady gave us this cookie which is so cute! It was nearing Easter, therefore the town was filled with Easter eggs and decorations.
The most French meal I've had. Trying out petit déjeuner and it was satisfying. I can actually make this in London.
There was nothing to eat near the station except for Brioche Doree, so we bought a pastry each before our next journey to Zurich which was only 2 hours away. I had the pastry on the bus and I must say the Nutella Muffinoiserie from Brioche Doree definitely exceeded my expectation. If it came to London, I can say I will go there to buy at least thrice a week. It is that good.
Day 5
And now Zurich, probably had the time of my life there. It was the most exhilarating trip I've experienced. Gosh the mountains were a beaut! The overall atmosphere just makes me feel so happy I was seriously smiling the whole day long.
My moment of bliss on the cliff walk
Last but not least look who I met when I was up in the mountain? Bollywood stars!
Day 6
This whole day was just spent in the flight till we get to our next destination, Amsterdam. Guess where I went right after I checked in? None other than filling our stomachs with INDO FOOD! Oh yes that's why our heritage rules!
Sie Joe
Gravenstraat 24A, 1012 NM Amsterdam
Came back here again after coming here twice in a row the other time I came to Amsterdam with Claudia. It is an affordable Indo restaurant near Dam Square, maybe it was just me that did not go back for too long but it felt really delicious the first time I came to Amsterdam.
Day 7
Keukenhof
Day 8
Going to Amsterdam feels as if like I'm going back to my hometown because there are so many Indo restaurants there. Tried this restaurant near Rijksmuseum called "Sama Sebo" and its GOOOOOOOD. I will rank it better than Tujuh Maret that I ate just the day before. Basically eating Indo food everyday is completely fine with me.
So that's my trip over the break, and my mom just went back to Jakarta yesterday it suddenly feels empty in my house.
One thing to add on to this post because lately I probably feel pressured by those around me. Most of my friends in Singapore are already working, and new Indo friends I met here have also gone back, who wouldn't feel burdened. Like here I am seriously running away from responsibilities. When I say running away, its not that I'd come back and work on it again, I never come back to it. There are times I prioritise events and people more than my schoolwork, which I'm still unable to change at this moment.
