28.6.07

thoughts on brasov



After all that hustle and bustle of Prague and Budapest, getting into Brasov was a breath of fresh air. Here was a quiet little city that didn't try to overwhelm your senses all at once, and things ran at a remarkably slower pace.

Brasov itself is a pretty small and compact city, though not quite small enough to be called a town. However, one could very easily walk to anywhere in town, if you were on a tight budget. It's also the most rewarding way to look around town, with tiny little nooks that open up into a whole bag of surprises more often than not.

Most travellers, however, are drawn to Brasov for one very simple reason: Bran Castle, otherwise known as Dracula's Castle. However, it really is just a gimmick thought up the some enterprising locals from the nearby town of Bran to get some quick tourist dollars. The only references one can get of the blood-thirsty vampire are at the many stalls set up along the short path that leads to the castle. The inside of the castle has of course been converted into a museum (like many others), detailing its long history. Expect to be let down big time, if you're a vampire seeker.

21.6.07

thoughts on budapest




I probably won't do justice to Budapest in this review, as I'm sure many people have had a wonderful time here. However, I think I just got unlucky, getting a serious cold and being put up in a pretty cold and drab place (the hostel owner was really warm and caring though). To make matters worse, it rained the entire time I was there as well.

Although the locals will surely disagree, Budapest felt pretty similar to Prague with the same grand buildings and bridges. Even the layout seemed the same, with the main castle located across the river from the main town area. The city also operates extensively on a combination of the tram and metro systems.

However, there are some really important differences as well. Being closer to the Eastern European countries, there has been an influx of ideas and cultures from the East, which is very evident in the number of Muslim establishments in the city. However, the city is still very much European, and like mentioned has many of the architectural styles seen in other Central European cities.


There are a couple of places that did make Budapest a better experience though. The first was a visit to a bath/spring, which was thoroughly relaxing and enjoyable. After being in the cold rain for the best part of 2 days, the warm baths were definitely a welcome change.


The other place which I really found interesting was this place intimidatingly called House of Terror. It is actually a museum for Hungary's recent history, detailing life under the Nazi and then Soviet regimes. The exhibits were really well thought out, and is sure to leave visitors with a deep impression.

I think I'd probably have a better time in Budapest if I visited it again, it's sad I couldn't enjoy it as much as I could have.

20.6.07

thoughts on prague




Prague has a very rich and deep history, and its people certainly know it. When you step out of the main train station, you can't help but wonder how they seem to be so cosmopolitan, and yet the buildings are so meticulously restored and maintained to recreate a feel from days gone by.

As a result, almost everywhere in the city proper is a sight in itself, and almost every building has its own grand facade. There aren't that many outwardly modern-looking malls either, since they're all incorporated into the pretty buildings in the city centre. All of this made for a very pleasant walking tour.

But as mentioned, this is a very modern city, and its transport system has kept pace. It is efficient, clean, and brings you to just about anywhere. In fact, the trams are another great way to take in the sights while on the move, and is an experience in itself.




The main sight in this town would probably be its castle, with its beautiful cathedral and compounds. The feeling that one gets entering the walls would probably be being overwhelmed, it is huge and incredibly grand. It is no wonder that the place is packed full of tourists all day long.


A word of advice though, if you have vertigo: you may want to give the metro a miss, as the platforms are located quite deep into the ground. The escalators are scary looking to say the least.

14.6.07

thoughts on krakow



Didn't get off to the best of starts as I arrived at 11pm at night in near freezing cold (strange for May), but thankfully my stay in Krakow only got better from then on.

Krakow, like many of the other cities that I'm going to detail later, is a very beautiful city. Beautiful architecture, beautiful scenery, and of course beautiful people. Just sitting on a bench in the main town square taking in everything is very much a pleasant experience.

However, being very much the big city person that I am, Krakow does get a bit repetitive after a while, since it's a really compact town with everything pretty much within walking distance. Still, this gives the place a charm of its own.

I also enjoyed the food there very much. Pierogis are very addictive, very filling, and most importantly very cheap. I had them for lunch AND dinner one of the days I was there, it was that good.


Of course, for many people the highlight of a trip to Krakow would be a visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps complex. Personally, I was surprised that it wasn't as harrowing as I expected it to be, but still it was a powerful experience. Seeing all the buildings and exhibits really makes people think about how terrifying the Nazi regime was, and I saw more than a few people break down in tears along the way.

thoughts on frankfurt


Probably the shortest stay one could have in Frankfurt, I was in there for just over 2 hours to catch a train to Poland. But it was enough to have a taste of what Euro prices are like. Thank God I didn't have to stay much longer there, I doubt I'd have survived long with the pitiful amount of money I had.

The high speed train was luxury though, comfortable and quiet.

mini world tour

Will be starting a series of posts on the recent trip, with each post dedicated on a different destination.

Meanwhile, still uploading pictures, so there won't be that many up yet. Bear with me yes? (^_^")

13.6.07

ただいま!

I'm not sure about you but I sure am pleased to announce that I have returned home safely.

Took quite a number of photos, so getting them all sorted out is going to take some time. Meanwhile, uploaded some of the football pictures at this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8839429@N05/sets/

Enjoy!