Old Tiger Old Forum Travel Journal

well...I left on 11Th August with a Tarom flight from Brussels towards Otopeni airport(Bucharest)Tarom is a small company with only about maybe 30 planes who fly around=some Airbus..they told me they have very skillfull pilots(ahah)after a flight of 2.40h i landed safely on Romanian soil..took a private cab to my hotel where i stayed last year as well=see my old journal..Bucharest is a VERY bustling town with wide big boulevards and TOO many cars..I know my way in this crazy town==got myself a ticket for a 1 month unlimited travel on subway and local bus+trams..I must say that i am very impressed the way transport is organised in this big widespread town...one sees all kinds of things on the streets which one cannot imagine elsewhere,Roma gypsie ladies selling fruits,gadgets,beggars of all kind,homeless folks sleeping on benches,cars with flat tyres parked on pavement where normally people should be able to walk,the weather...It's BLOODY hot in Romania in august=always over 30 degrees=the locals call it==canicula days=heatwave...anyway..I can take sunny weather better then rain or wind(ahah)i will tell you about my 4 days i spend in Bucharest before I booked a train ticket to Mangalia(Black sea coast)oh..I loved the coast=mare neagra they call it in Romanian from Constanta,Mamaia up to Eforie Nord+Sud, Neptun,Venus,Saturn,Costinesti,Mangalia and finally Vama Veche which i would classify as the Ibiza from Romania=direct trains from gara de Nord (Bucharest) straight to Mangalia for 69 lei=and about 4h trip with the local folks who were very surprized to admire my beard(ahah)i talk a bit of the local language.so...not too much confusion really..(will be continued==keep on reading,folks)

the crew of Tarom airlines see to it that everybody feels O.K,landed in Otopeni on a heatwave temperature of over 30 degrees Celsius=in Romanian they call it canicula days which means something like heatwave?i took a private cab to the hotel where I stayed last year==good value and excellent staff...I know all of them...I feel at home there=they got 2 new girls on the hotel check in counter..after i reached at about 2.30 p.m=i needed a break and bit getting used to this heat(ahah)in the evening i went to have dinner in the English trafalgar pub which is situated in the same street,lovely place...good service,the waitresses recognized me from last year(hihi)got a few cocktails as well...where for heaven sakes they find names like blowjob or sex on the beach for a cocktail drink?i went also to a metrou station(subway)to make a pass for 62 trips valid for 1 month and also an unlimited bus+tram pass for public transport all over Bucharest,i must say that later on I was very impressed how public transport is organised in this BIG city...drink..crazy...nebun they say in Romanian language..  the next day i planned to do a museum or that doubledecker sigtseeing tour through Bucharest again..I will try to put some pics in this blog later on...in that way you can all travel along with me(aha)I will NEVER give up travelling,until my last breath i will try to see different places..it's in my blood..

 

a link for Trafalgar English pub==have a look at the menu and the cocktails..ahah..

P.S==I had an orgasm once in that pub(hihi)

 

 

O.K...next day announced itself as very sunny,what do you expect if it's already 28 degrees at 10.am(ahah)so i made a subway ride towards Piata Romana to have a cool local beer at a cafe terrace called Nescafe Milano=just a nice place to sit under wide parasols,friendly service and really relaxed environment..in Romania one always gets a small leather booklet with the bill included in it==a tip(baksheesh in Romanian)is not compulsory...but i always gave 1 or 2 lei anyway.. after that i decided to visit a few musea which had to do with Jewish Romania==subway to Piata Uniri and then asking the way towards Strada Mamulari 3==where one finds the Jewish Synagogue=beautiful building really and a good welcome by the rabbi..I even had to put a *keppel* on my head=see photo...very interesting museum which depicts the life and history of Romanian Jews=very educative,in fact one always comes to a point of the holocaust=one can see lots of pictures,testimonies etc..of that era.. i walked around in here for more then 1 hour and took some nice pictures..close by was another museum about Jewish history in Bucharest...I did find it very interesting,then afterwards i went into a big Carrefour supermarket which we alsdo have in Belgium with beers like Duvel,Leffe,Belgian chocolats etc... close to Piati Uniri one finds the old center of Bucharest called Lipscani with many pubs,restaurants,walking streets,old Greek Orthodox churches etc..I came back few times to this section of the city...I loved it..enz===taking a subway around 18.00h in Bucharest is bit of a hassle=one pops folks in like in Tokio subway...and also beware for the local Roma pickpockets=one calls them boezoenara in Romanian language===watch your belongings and pockets(ahah) never had any trouble myself===ah==i look like a bloody gypsie myself??

 

 

picture of me in a keppel...woooh

 

 

 

pic of me inside the Jewish synagogue(Bucharest)

 

 

 

 

inside the synagogue Bucharest..

 

 

 

 

http://www.inyourpocket.com/romania/...ewishbucharest

 

 

http://youtu.be/pCF_OKQAfDc

In the first place I did wanted to book a train ticket seat from Gara de Nord towards the Black Sea coast for 14 august,went to the busy railway station by subway...I love the metrou system in Bucharest=it's convenient,quick,reliable and cheap and it brings you where you wanna go...the subway stations are full of shops for food,drinks,gadgets,shoes,travel suitcases etc..they look like supermarkets sometimes...so...i got my ticket booked for 69 lei and a 4h travel time direct to Mangalia via Constanta...4,5 lei equals 1 euro..a train ticket in Romania tells you a vagon and a locuri number=wagon+seat number..I was looking forward for the experience of train travelling in Romania,I knew it's slow...but patience is a virtue,they say(ahah)in the Gara de Nord one can eat in KFC=that's chicken drums etc=pui in Romanian,and free WIFI,same for Mc.Donalds and subways which are also located in this railway station,there is a mini supermarket,plenty of stalls to buy softdrinks or a beer...after the visit to Gara de Nord I went by subway to Piata Victorei where I was looking for a street called Vasile.ALecsandri=had bit of trouble finding it but the people of Bucharest are very helpful(if the speak English that is)I wanted to visit a small museum called Storck=it's an art museum about sculpture and paintings,Storck was a German and he did some excellent pieces of art(sculpture)while his wife was a painter who got particulary interested in Roma(gypsie people)their house is now a museum,the caretaker was a frisky older lady who really gave me a good explanation in French=she was very proud to speak that language,and she spoke it fluent enough..I took some nice pictures in that museum...will try to put few here in this posting,after this visit I wrote a notice in the guest book and went for a cool beer...good heavens===it can be hot in august in Bucharest,but I loved it...it was about 35 degrees and many  places to sit and have a cool Timisoara or Silva beer for 10 lei...the beer is usually lager or pilsner but Silva dark is about 7%,Stejar beer as well,it's not Belgian beer but anyway...it quenched my thirst...in the evening i went to Trafalgar pub again near my hotel and had some food there...good service and an excellent place to relax...I love that pub..

 

some information about this worthwhile museum...

 

Fr. Storck and Cecilia Cutescu Storck Fine Art Collection Bucuresti, Muntenia

4 x ImagesZoom

Phone 021 2113889   021 6138515 Address Vasile Alecsandri, 16 Description

The museum, founded in 1951, is housed in the former home of sculptor Frederic Storck and his wife, the painter Cecilia Cutescu-Storck. The building, designed in the Anglo-Norman style, is the work of architect A. Clavel and was built in 1913.

The main front of this touristic site is decorated with stone ornaments (belts, frames, bas) made by Frederic Storck. The interior is distinguished by a number of murals, bearing the signature of Cecilia Cutescu-Storck.

The Museum’s collection includes graphics, painting and sculpture belonging to the artists of the family - Karl, Charles, Frederick Storck and Cecilia Cutescu-Storck.

Karl Storck (1826 - 1887), the first professor of sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bucharest, founder of the dynasty art with the same name, is present through works and models for public monuments.
Carol Storck (1854 - 1926), the eldest son of the artist, is also represented by several portraits and small plastic works.

The rich selection of works belonging to Frederick Storck (1872 - 1942), the youngest of the family, includes a variety of portraits, nudes, heads of expression in bronze and marble, medals, plaques and pieces of numismatic value. Cecilia’s creation is also represented through many drawings, oils and panels for mural decoration.

 

 

a picture which i took inside Storck museum..

 

welll...I can tell you all i do not only travel around to see a nice museum..I also feel the contrasts,the cultural aspects or even the discrimination or political issues of a place..in the case of a country like Romania i can write a book of what I've seen and encountered in my voyages going from Roma gypsies and their lack of integration into Romanian society,to the new rich of Bucharest who drive around along the big wide boulevards of Bucharest to show their status,their big luxury cars and wealth=where did they got their money??i also talked or met Romanians which are highly qualified in their job but they earn only a fraction of what they should be payed for their status?of course Romania is into the EU now...what does that mean?why everything in this world has to get disturbed or manipulated by this worst drug ever invented in this world=MONEY....i went to a shopping mall in Cotroceni(Bucharest)called AFI palace with an ice skating ring,a Lebanese restaurant with a waterfall around..what a luxury...I felt misplaced in there...and some folks told me===never go to Ferentari or Rahova neighbourhoods because of the Roma gypsies who steal your wallet?boezoenara==the average Romanian does NOT like Roma's because they do not adapt themselves into normal society...a Roma gypsie begs,steals,eats not enough...but where do they get their Mercedes car then?in 2013 the Roma gypsie king Florin Cioaba died while on holiday;he forced his 12 year old daughter to marry to a 15 year old boy==he said==traditions are traditions;..in Romania the legal age of marriage is 16..i bet the Roma question will always stays an issue in Romanian society...there is a village called Budesti=about 30kms from the capital where there is a population of 37% Roma's...in my opinion the average Romanian does not like Roma's,avoids them or is afraid of them..some folks are scared to go out because they think they will get robbed??is that a society to live in??i spoke to a lot of Romanians=young and old===i just find them to be lovely helpful people...but they are in a fix with themselves,their future,the way they have to lead their life..

 

I will go further into this issue because I care about the fact HOW people live,the why and why not in life;..we all got these issues..

Romania is a complex political world where corruption most probably gets its way..but where does it not?we even got corruption in Belgium..forgive me to say so..people are people and I do not like injustice,but sometimes it is inflicted upon them and it becomes a real society problem..we should do something about it really...but often we are just helpless..

let me tell you all==Romania is a beautiful country...with nice and friendly people...I simply loved it....and will go back one day!!

 

 

some information on Romania=see link below...

 

http://www.everyculture.com/No-Sa/Romania.html

so,last day before my train trip towards the Black sea=Mare Neagra resort of Vama Veche..

I decided to to the hop on/hop off doubledecker sightseeing tour again which I did last year as well...
it's always a cooling effect to sit on top of that bus and feel the breeze..
next link tells the stops where one can hop on or off,

click on the top link=more about Bucharest if you wanna know more about what to see or explore..

 

http://romaniatourism.com/romania-maps/bucharest/bucharest-hopon-hopoff-sightseeing-bus-tours.html

 

I got on at Piata Victorei=25 lei day ticket...quite a few tourists...and it was a bloody hot day as well..

to be honest=i did not like this tour as i liked it last year==the Arcul de Triumph is in restoration and covered with a plastic sheet,lots of streets are in construction work for new pavements,in fact Bucharest looked like a building construction site..

took few pictures of the city and also the Dambovita river,of course going on a bus tour like this is relaxing...

i cannot imagine myself walking big distances in such a heat of 35  degrees Celsius..

I include few pictures=first one from an avenue with some fountains working,lots of fountains in parcs were out of order due to the climate,I suppose,second pic is me gangster style on that bus,picture 3 shows the Dambovita river which runs through Bucharest

I got off that bus on Piata Romana,went into KFC for some pui(chicken)and a large cold Coca Cola(ah)

went back to the hotel by 6 p.m and went for a beer and a cocktail drink in Trafalgar pub...

tomorrrow my train would go at around 10 a.m..direct to Mangalia=i was curious about what would happen..

 

pic 1=some big boulevard with fountains..

 

 

pic 2=me gangster style(ahah)

 

 

pic 3=Dambovita river(raul Dambovita)

 

so..did not wanna miss that train(trenul)to Mangalia...I was way too early in Gara de Nord...plecare and sosiri==the departure and arrival panels which give you a linia(platform)my train would go from linia 14 at 10.20h,got some sofdrinks and a Stejar beer for the trip..only travelled with a small rucksack,some clothes,some toilet stuff,a camera,mobile phone and the necessary stuff to charge these things up..and cash money and my visa card which I needed to pay the accomodations booked ahead in  Vama and Varna..I was heading for a place called VAMA VECHE which is about 2kms from the Bulgarian border on the Black Sea coast=Vama Veche translated means old border..this place is famous for its beach,its bohémian feeling,it's parties on the beach+++I call it the Ibiza of Romania...the folks who go there are normal and abnormal holiday makers=with abnormal i mean folks who are always drunk,drug addicts,pickpockets,hookers etc...you will find a mix of people in that place...I am in the middle of normal/abnormal(ahah)in Romanian they say==nebun(crazy)the trainride=well...sat in front of an old Romanian couple who did not speak a word of English...so...I practised my Romanian(aha)nice people they were..bit shy to sit in front of a stranger like me..

the landscape between Bucharest and Constanta is somewhat desolate with stations where one still sees abandoned wagons from ages ago...very arid and dry landscape;..lots of open fields==Romania still got lots of free space on their countryside..

the train stopped for a while around Constanta,then went on to Eforie Nord=Eforie Sud,where I saw lots of birdlife around the sea=there is a lake called Techirghiol where folks take mud baths,saw some nudists on the beaches as well..that mud seems to have medicinal values...I'll try to get a link about it..the Mare Neagra is VERY popular with Romanian holidaymakers specially in August...after Eforie comes Costinesti which is famous amongst students..then followed some funny seaside resorts with names like Aurora,Olimp,Neptun,Jupiter,Venus,Saturn etc...reached Mangalia about 2 p.m in a scorching heat...35 degrees,met a student from Bucharest who told me we should go outside the station and take a micro bus to Vama..this is a small Mercedes bus who goes for shorter distances for a cheap price...finally reached Vama and booked into my accomodation=a nice hostel called Pura Vida=straight on the beach..I am gonna make 2 or 3 postings about Vama because I got lots to say about that place...I loved it..because...I am crazy=nebun..i got some pictures,links,and will tell you about the parties on the beach...

 

first link==Pura Vida beach hostel...i talked to the owners=a couple from Bucharest...well..they earn their money well...they have a hostel in Bucharest,rent an appartment there as well..I must say my stay in Vama in their place was O.K..I was in a 6 bedroom youth hostel style,with free toilets,showers,kichen,wifi..but take care of your belongings..really cheap and very convenient location...I loved staying there...very relaxed holiday mood 24h/24h...I booked 2 nights via internet..

 

http://www.puravidahostels.ro/hostels-in-vama-veche/pura-vida-beach-hostel-bar/

 

a link about the mud from around lake Techirghiol==good for reuma etc...==click a few links!!

 

http://www.mudnett.com/therapeutic_mud_benefits.html

 

a general link on Vama Veche..

 

http://wikitravel.org/en/Vama_Veche

So...at Pura Vida beach hostel it was full speed hectic life,there is a bar and one can sit or lay down in a place annexed to it,lots of travellers,mostly backpackers from all over,lots of foreigners as well...got shown into my bunk bed room where 3 Australians were snoring=they were out all night,I made my bed ready and believe it or not=the room could not be locked..that is not a safe feeling,but anyway...first had a beer on the Pura Vida bar,some Romanian stuff..then i walked bit around=i must say=Vama is a very hectic busy place,took some pictures of the beach,it was FULL house all over,i ended up in a hardrock bikerpub called La Pirati and got befriended with a bunch of bikers from the city of Cluj Napoja,nice people...we had a few beers together and  I took a picture of one of the girls..by the way=she is a dentist,she said..her boyfriend is an engineer in electricity and wanted to go to the USA,but she refuses to go...so they are stuck in Cluj...anyway..I put a you tube here about La Pirati=I am not such a fan of heavy metal like Manowar etc...this bar turns LOTs of hardrock music...headbangers style..I went to a pharmacy as well to get some unguent for my hand=in fact while gettting down from the train I made a dive on the tarmac...I slipped while stepping down...nothing broken,probably a sprain,still feel it today(ahah)food enough in Vama=pizza,shoarma,junkfood,anything goes...i had some pizza which the bunch from Cluj asked me to share with them..had some beers like everybody else did in Vama==i can take a beer or 2,what i do not like is that folks booze and get stupidly drunk or become agressive,that's not my point of view of having a party time..in the evening we all went to the beach==damn good music,mostly funk,R&B,hip hop etc...I loved it,danced my ass away really;..there are other dance pubs on the beach=check out Expirat,Goblim,Stuf, and Gulag..

came back to the hostel at 4 in the morning,bit tired I must say(hihi)

 

a you tube on Vama bikers mentality..

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=32xEOiOk-TA

 

 

biker girl from Cluj=a dentist..

 

 

 

this is how the parties go on the beach in Vama Veche...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vg9HYt69Wl8

 

pic of Vama Veche beach..

 

allright==day 2 in this crazy place Vama Veche announced itself again at over 30 degrees Celsius...wooh...

all these sun seekers were on the beach for sure?..I just went back to the hardrock pub but did not find anyone who was there yesterday..were they all drunk yesterday? i found a nice hippie clothes shop where i bought a colourful Nepali shirt==as a matter of fact I do not wear anything else?am I nuts?well no...I simply love the material,the colours,the ease of wearing a Nepali shirt...

after that I took some food=a soup=vacula(ahah)and them some pui(chicken dish)the waitress wanted a backsheesh because I payed here the exact amount and she said=it's the same amount(hihi)so i fished out few lei out of my pocket and she gave me a multumesc smile...oh..is money the most important thing in life?I found out for transport towards Bulgaria for my next day==result==there is no transport from Vama towards Bulgaria=there is a Ukrainan bus service between Odessa-Varna(Bulgaria) which does only stops in Vama if one has reserved a seat online...and I did not do that...so..I decided to  walk to the border or hitch hike===it's only 2kms from Vama to the Bulgarian border=my destiny was Varna where I booked a nice hotel called Odessos...for 2 nights..I was curious...but that's just the thrill of adventure=one never knows whats gonna happen next day..so..this day...I went to explore Vama Veche beach...lots of activity..every beach got its own name with an adjacent beach bar in fact==i sat down at Expirat and in the late evening I guess i saw a local band called Vama Veche who played at one of the beach bars...do not recall which one exactly..went to the hostel quite late again=i guess it was 3 in the morning..I was quite curious about what Bulgaria would be as a country...i was only going up to Varna and then return into Romania towards Constanta and Mamaia...to be honest...they told me that Bulgarian gypsies are the worst when it comes too stealing ..they are specialised in stealing cars..but since I did not have a car..I did not worry that much...(ahahah)(will be continued)

next morning...got up around 9 and left Vama towards the Bulgarian border,there was no other option then to walk the 2kms or to hitch hike..I did both(ah)nobody picked me up,i can understand that around borders,and most of the cars were full anyway..it was a bloody hot day,luckily i took some cool softdrinks..reached the Bulgarian border..an exchange for valuta=so..i changed some euros into lev==1 euro is about 2 lev...on the border lots of cars waiting to cross,there was a small cafetaria where i again got some soft drinks because I had to hitch hike and i was expecting a long wait into the scorching sun...i was surprised how easy i got into Bulgaria,the border official just said O.K after showing my ID,...i had to reach Varna because I booked 2 nights in Odessos hotel..started walking and just over the border there was a van with a Bulgarian,he called me and said=I take you to Shabla for 25lei..which was a rip off...i tried 15 lei but no,so..i took that ride,in fact I was glad to get away there,between the border and

Shabla comes Durankulak,quite monotonous scenery=just dry fields..the fellow who took me worked as a waiter for 20years in Berlin(Germany)so we could have a decent conversation..he dropped me at the bus station in Shabla and told me there was a bus to Varna at 12.20h...which was NOT true...the bus station looked deserted,the ticket office was closed,not a soul inside,some Bulgarians came along and they told me there was a bus only at 16.30h because it was saturday...i decided to go on the road and hitch hike direction Varna,took me 2kms to get out of Shabla..stood more then 1 hour in the hot sun,finally got a ride with a Bulgarian young musician,he took me up to Kavarna which was a better town to take a bus towards Varna..got myself a ticket for 9 lei for a mini bus towards Varna...everything is in cyryllic script,nobody understands English..;i was in for an adventure..oh yes..after Kavarna very nice scenery around Balchik..nice town=there is a botanical garden,nice beaches around as well...but..had no time to stop there...reached Varna..first impression=nice place,good roads,lots of traffic...from the bus station I took a cab which also was a ripp off,i guess...but anyway...this Odessos hotel looked like a 5 star to me..woow..got a room on the 3d floor wiith shower,toilet,nice big bed,fridge etc..free WIFI and even a balcony...i paid 78 euro's there for 2 nights,breakfast included..friendly staff who finally spoke English...refreshed myself and made a walk towards the beach=this hotel lies at the corner of a big walking street called Slivnitsa...and it's a 5 min walk towards the beach...I will put a few postings on my stay in Varna===really nice city...i made a walk towards the beach,had my dinner and a beer,nice beach but not like Vama(ahah)lots of activities on the esplanade in front of my hotel=saw a group of Bulgarian hip hop street dance fanatics..well...I must say acrobatic performance...

made a walk on Slivnitsa bulevard==it reminds me of the ramblas in Barcelona...lots of animation,restaurants,pubs...I loved it..

 

picture 1=Bulgarian border..

 

 

 

 

pic 2=Odessos hotel Varna..

 

 

pic 3=Varna beach...

 

pic 4===a Belgian Stella is never far away=on Varna beachfront..

day 2 in Varna...and also my last day in Bulgaria since I only planned a short visit this side,perhaps in the future I might visit Bulgaria again==not so bad at all as a country,I reckon?I wanted to visit 2 places today in Varna=1=the Orthodox Cathedral and the etnografic museum...the morning looked not very promising weatherlike=the hotel staff told me it was gonna rain...first I made a stroll around Slivitsna boulevard and few side streets=i got lost a a matter of fact...i wanted to visit the etnographic museum and i couldn't find the exact location==stupid me..it is marked on tourist information poles

=museum=300 meters...I  did like that information..so...I finally found it=it's on Ulica Panagjuriste  which is a small alley down from a main boulevard...open from 10.00h until 17.00h=entrance 5 lev=the lady at the ticket office was surprised to see me because I was the ONLY visitor in the whole museum==photography forbidden,but..I couldn't resist it==I did not take ANY pics with a flash..there was  no control so I went ahead..am I a naughty boy?nice museum which depicts a traditional Bulgarian house with clothes,jewelry,furniture,well..I must say one can learn something about a Bulgarian lifestyle..I will try to put few pics here..do not tell anyone,please(ahah)I did like the traditional costumes..upstairs is a complete old Bulgarian living room=salon,drawing room and bedroom from the middle class society living around beginning 1900's..interesting,i must admit...after that I was walking towards the Orthox Cathedral of the Assumption==to take pics in there one had to pay a certain amount..but..i find these Orthodox churches really worthwhile to visit=they all seem bit similar after a while,i visited lots of them in Romania and i will tell you all about that later...this Cathedral was allright=it dates from 1886..and there was a service going on because it was sunday=it's amazing to see believers of this faith making crosses,burning candles etc...some nice icons in there as well...I always feel bit conscious about taking pics in places like that?but..i did...after that i went for a stroll and guess what,=it started raining..i got lost and could not found Slivitsna Boulevard..I am a fool in directions and orientation...finally after asking the way...

I got back to the hotel...and the only option was to stay inside because it really was pissing rain...and in the evening it still did...pity..i did not go out=had some good food and a cocktail in the hotel bar...talked to the staff about going back towards Romania=seems to be not so easy...I could take a Ukrainian bus going from Varna towards Odessa,they told me I should inform myself about prices in the bus station=bus towards Odessa should go at 13.00h..stopping in Constanta which was my next destination=i booked 2 nights in hotel Maria via internet..

what a fucking rainy day in the afternoon...I did not like it at all...

 

pic 1=inside the Orthodox Cathedral..

 

 

pic 2=Orthodox Cathedral..

 

 

pic 3=a detail in this Orthodox church..

 

 

pic 4=traditional Bulgarian costumes=ethnografic museum..

 

well...next day I intended to go towards the bus station in Varna,book my ticket and since I did not know if there were vacant places left i was much too early in the bus station,took a cab,young guy who told me that taxi drivers do not earn much,long working hours,different companies in Varna etc..always nice to have a talk with a local=his knowledge of English was moderate...enough for a little conversation...reached Varna bus station around 10 a.m already..the ticket for Constanta was done via Eurolines...the ladies in that office were not very friendly,but anyway..I got my ticket for Varna,they made one mistake==they did not give me a seat number...i went for some food in the bus station buffet restaurant=nice people on the counter but they did not understand 1 word of English..and I did not know 1 word of Bulgarian(ahah)at 12.30h still no bus to  be seen,finally it reached...I must say...bloody nice bus(see picture below)an Italian guy came along and he said he had trouble with the office ladies as well...he wanted to go to Vama Veche,but they told him they could not issue him a ticket for Vama,only for Mangalia,but at the end everything got solved,he said...so boarding this Ukrainian bus...

2 drivers...i wanted to take a seat in the middle of the bus but some Ukrainian lady came along claiming i was sitting on her seat number...I excused myself and went to the drivers in front of the bus=they looked at my ticket and said.O.K...that's the only English they knew,I reckon..so..they finally gave me and Antonio the Italian guy a good seat in front with an excellent road view...nice bus...and nice Ukrainan folks on board as well..

so we started on this sun drenched day==same route as i came before=Balchick-Kavarna-Shabla-Durankulak and the Romanian border checkpost..we reached the border...some official collected all the passports and ID cards...we had to wait 1h until we got them back...took some softdrink,toilet facilities...I recognized the fellow from the snackbar because i passed here 3 days ago=nice fellow..finally we got our papers back==the Italian was able to get down in Vama which was only 2kms further...I told him..just party and dance your arse away(ahah)i was surprised about the condition of the road between Vama towards Constanta==excellent tarmac...I came by train the other day...Vama-Constanta could be 50kms...do not know exactly,but anyway the drivers told me this is Constanta==it was somewhere in the outskirts on a hotel..I started walking and hopped on a bus without paying because I did not know about the system,anyway...got down somewhere in the center of Constanta==in fact near the railway station..asked for hotel Maria and it's only a 5 minute walk..I must say...very nice hotel...and I will tell you all...If you ever go to Constanta==go there,they serve the BEST breakfast i ever had in my life=they call it breakfast Swedish style..I will tell you later about it..

refreshed myself and had my dinner=ciorba(soup)and a main dish followed by a local beer...

well..to be honest with you all..I was happy to be back in Romania(ahah)

next morning in Hotel Maria==oh well..the breakfast alone deserves a stay in this nice hotel=it's buffet style

eggs,bacon,different cheese,cornflakes,saucages,fruitjuice,coffee,tea,hot chocolate,very confortable hotel,with excellent friendly staff..I highly recommend this place=it was about 75 euros for 2 nighs+breakfast,Constanta seemed to be a nice town,but since I only had 2 days planned here and because i reached this town the day before after 17.00h,i did not really investigate or visit most of the sightseeing points,maybe in the future?Constanta seemed to be a busy city to me,I went into the railway station first to book a ticket towards Bucharest for the next day...i particulary wanted to see Mamaia beach resort which lies 6kms north,a bus ticket costs 2 lei in this city,took bus 41 towards Pescarie which is very near to the famous telegonda cablecar,

it was a good experience to get high up above this beach resort and watch it all from 50meters high,it's a 2kms ride in cabins with 8 seats..I got the whole thing for myself..costs a 20 lei for a single ride,i took some nice pics,got down on the main bazar street of Mamaia,made a stroll on the beach and the pier,it was really crowded=it looked like a human meat market to me(ahah)restaurants,fast food joints,pubs enough in this place,i went to the beach to take few pics,made a stroll on the pier,had a Timisoara beer,and went into a Romanian style self service restaurant,took some soup+chicken dish...around 17.00h took a bus back to Constanta,got lost because the bus did not go all the way to the center,nice walk,back to the hotel,just relaxed in my room,sat down in the courtyard with a glass of wine...next day..train to Gara de Nord Bucharest...

 

pic 1+pic 2=Mamaia beach..

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pic 3+4=cable car Mamaia(telegonda)

 

 

let me take you all on a cable ride above the Mamaia beach resort===I LOVED it...

 

http://youtu.be/PhYIXUkJ8x0

so...next morning..walked to the railway station,and was again much too early,but I wanted to know the linia(platform)in Romania a ticket is issued with a vagon number and a locuri(seat)number=for example vagon 6,seat nr.78..Constanta got a nice train station with the necessary food stalls,not like Gara de Nord Bucuresti but that's not so important..the train was in time and we set off...I was in a compartiment with a Bucharest family from Berceni==nice folks who spoke English exept the grandmother...the scenery...nothing famous really..funny names like Cernavoda,Fetesti rolled by...I did not like the way it all looked...too desolate..finally we reached the outskirts of Bucharest=Basarab looked like a ghetto from the train=lots of flats with dirt all around...the folks from Berceni told me to avoid Ferentari and Rahova areas in Bucharest=it's not even safe for the locals..too many Roma's,drug addicts,criminality,gangs,prostitution etc..as a matter of fact the Roma's are all over in Bucharest streets...never had any trouble with them...in a way...

i like the way their women are  dressed=they wear long colourful maxi's...from time to time i had to deal with Roma beggars but I always told them get lost...i am going to put a you tube here in which you will see why I do not like Roma's too much...allright..they are human beings,but they should try to live an honest life...Romanian gypsies create problems abroad as well as in their own country=see you tube...I cannot understand that folks exploit their own folks for the benefit of money..this you tube is bit shocking to look at,but it shows the contrasts how real gangs exploit others to build big villa's in the middle of nowhere in small Romanian towns where Roma's really create a problem..

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=oJRGC8pMQU8

 

so..Gara de Nord Bucuresti..i was bloody hungry and took some chicken(pui)dish in KFC,then took a subway to my hotel around Stefan Cel Mare..

and went to the Trafalgar English pub close by..nice place...I like that pub a lot..

tomorrow I was gonna see my girlfriend and her family...very nice people..I must say!!!

This morning I moved out of hotel Casa Gabriela and went to my girlfriend's house...her father owns a flat where nobody lives in and he told me I could use it for free...it was in the area of Drumul Taberei..we went there by cab and they explained me how to use everything in the flat=I got the keys and I cannot thank this family enough for letting me stay over there...I really enjoyed my stay over there,it's in a safe neighbourhood of Bucharest and finally I made use of my bus pass which was valid for ALL bus,tram and trolley connections in greater Bucharest...it's a 20 min bus ride from subway Universitate by bus 137,138=to tell you all...I was really surprised about public transport in this vast city..the subway(metrou)is safe,punctual and user friendly,there are security guards observing trouble...one minor thing=avoid taking a subway ride in the peak hours...they pack folks in like sardines..and then pickpockets get their chance==so..watch your purse or pockets...a subway ride for a return journey costs 4 lei...i used my 62 ride ticket(for 1 month)a lot..one just has to validate it every time,for the bus or tram one does not have to validate anything with the bus pass I took...it's a 1 month card=looks almost like a visa card with your proper name printed on it..taxis are all over as well and they cost 1,40 lei a kilometer,which is fairly cheap,beware the taxis in the airport==they ripp you off...so this day...I settled in into the flat,shower+bath,nice sitting room,bedroom and kitchen,and even a balcony to dry my clothes...I made a bus ride from Drumul towards Universitate,then a subway to Piata Romana...I know a very interesting pub there with tables and umbrella's===Cafe Nescafe Milano..good for a cool drink and protection for the blazing sun as well..took my food in Mc Donalds just next door to this pub..then went towards Stefan Cel Mare by subway...and took tram nr.1 up to Cotroceni Afi Palace,walking distance from the flat,but I took bus 137 again which comes by there(ahah)

 

you tube=a subway(metrou)ride...I used the north to south line a lot=Pipera-Berceni..but other cross lines as well...I LOVED it..

 

pic 1=subway platform Bucharest..

 

 

 

pic 2=relaxing at pub Nescafe Milano at Piata Romana..

 

 

 

 

 

http://youtu.be/pt9hfmODkxs

Out of the 40 days I spend in Romania and Bulgaria.I got 2 days rain=1 in Bucharest and 1 in Varna(Bulgaria)

this day announced itself as very cloudy and rainy=a surprize for me since Bucharest in August is always *canicula* weather as the locals call it=that means temperaures between 30 to 36 degrees Celsius..so...i decided to have a lazy day..I ventured outside without an umbrella=I did not get the rain too much because the bus stop was very near by,took bus 137 for 1 stop=AFI Palace Cotroceni..now;..let me tell you about this place=see picture and you tube...this ultra modern shopping mall opened in 2009 and I was really taken back that in Romania consumer society is in full bloom..to be honest=i do not care much for shopping malls and their luxury goods and shops...Romania is often pictured as a poor country but if one goes into Bucharest city with malls like Baneasa,Bershka,Carrefour etc... then one starts to think that this society has changed tremendously since 1989 revolution and Ceauscescu's departure..I  do not wanna go into politics here...I think Romania is a country of contrasts specially Bucharest and some cities versus the poverty of the countryside...it's a vast difference...just let me tell you=why does Bucharest needs casino's,sex shops even?in my eyes the jet set of Bucharest indulge in too much luxury...more then they need...i have seen Porsches,Ferrari's,big Mercedes cars just driving for showing off they got these cars..they just drive the big city boulevards...anyway...I entered this mall and wandered around all over,took some food in KFC,in front is a rock climbing wall with a Lebanese restaurant on top...I wonder what a menu will cost there?there is an ice skating ring as well,..a cable car,a fun park for kids etc..

I felt out of my place in this mall...i can go there for a drink,or some fast food,but I would not buy anything in these shops,in fact...i do not need fancy clothes at all...a pair of jeans and a Nepali shirt,some good strong walking shoes..and a smile on my face...that's all i need..and some money...pity we can't do without..i believe there is too much consumer society around us and we all get tempted to involve in spending money...that is...if we have the bucks(ahah)i returned by bus towards the flat and did some reading about Brasov city which I intented to visit for a weekend trip...

 

 

pic 1=entrance of Afi Palace Cotroceni..

 

 

you tube about AFI Palace Bucharest....

 

http://youtu.be/H0LVtObP5tA

in my previous posting I told you about consumerism in Bucharest..but...there is a big but here...Romania is as i said a country of contrasts=one sees extreme wealth and bit further extreme misery and poor or horrible living conditions..I do not wanna go into a political debate here but in my opinion Romania underwent a too direct evolution from dictatorship and its rules towards a free society after 1989,we all know horrible stories about orphanages and their un hygienic health conditions...in Bucharest,believe it or not one sees every day remnants of neglect. and total lack of discipline,abandonded cars with flat tyres,garbish and litter on the streets,cars parked on pedestrian pavements,begging gypsies,it did not escape my eyes..;an average tourist sees only the big boulevards,the stylish buildings,the nice pubs,cafétarias and restaurants..but..there is another Bucharest as well..

 

in following you tube I want to give you all an idea about how  the society should NOT BE=that means drug addicts,prostitution,criminality,

HIV positives,desperate people living in miserable conditions...in my own opinion they should clean up these sewers and place these folks into proper institutions with health care..but...I think it is too late...i don't think anyone cares about it?I have seen some guys in Gara de nord openly sniffing their black plastic bag..I think that's wrong..if you are claustrophobic,please do NOT watch this you tube...can I get some comment in my blog,please..or do I only post here towards myself?

 

http://youtu.be/TwadpGdskCM

you know..Bucharest apart from all that poverty and misery..is still a place in my heart which I can treasure for its beautiful architecture and buildings..and also its lively streets and boulevards,..and most of  Bucuresti folks I met just smiled at me..today I was gonna do a museum called George Enescu on Calea Victorei==really impressive building..it's Romania's national music composer,he lived from 1881 to 1955..i give you a website here..      http://unknownbucharest.com/cantacuzino-palace-george-enescu-national-museum/

so  i entered this museum before noon=there were 2 visitors me and an eldery Romanian lady who lives in Dusseldorf(Germany) for 20 years...later on in she started a conversation with me herself asking me=why are you interested in classical music?i did not know what to answer her because I do not like classical music...i told her..I like to find out about this museum since it has got its history and certainly the presence of this fellow called Geoge Enescu=they created a special exhibit to this museum with personal belongings,his piano,his rooms etc=the pavillion.....really interesting..now... I did payed my entrance fee..and an extra fee for taking pictures...it was worthwhile anyway..I will put some pics here..a museum looks to me like a lot of other musea=one looks at pictures,artifacts,to be honsest with you all==i easily get bored...but in this one...I took interest in what was displayed in a learnful matter=lots of pics,even everything this dude did in his life,his works,his tours around the globe,it's all about his works,his music..nice outlay in this museum...I enjoyed walking through these rooms...took some pics etc..

so==this pavillion==on the entrance a lady was sitting there...telling me I had to put plastic covers over my shoes...Oh well..yes...why not?the lady met me there in one room and we had a discussion about whether Romania is better now then before==she told me that she had mixed feelings about the Ceaucescu times since in these days the elite had everything while the common folks did not(she was from a town called Craiova)and in these days she said nothing really exciting to live in as a town..anyway...I went out of this museum with a good feeling..and spent my day walking around on this vast boulevard called Calea Victorei...I recommend to all of you...I found a little parcul to relax near a biserica(church)after that i had my food in a small side street of Calei Victorei in Lipscani area...very nice walking streets and pubs...i will tell you later about it...

 

 

pic 1=entrance to George Enescu museum...beautiful building...but to my opinion,bit in decay?

 

 

 pic 2=the violin of this famous composer=they told me Yehudi Menuhin was a pupil of him?

 

 

pic 3=personal piano of Enescu displayed in the annex pavillion..

 

 

pic 4=my feet while visiting the Enescu pavillion...I told the lady i got no HIV or ebola=she was smiling...

 

one fine saturday while I was strolling along Calea VIctorei towards the old town neighbourhood called Lipscani...i came across a church(biserica)where a wedding service was going on,since I was curious i walked inside the church and asked someone if I could take pictures...oh no objections...everybody smiling and in a very happy mood...I must say i was quite impressed about how a wedding church ceremony is going on...the couple and probably best men,family members etc..stood before 2 priests who conducts the service,these churches are so beautiful inside...i was able to take a lot of pictures and when the ceremony was over I shook hands with the groom and even could kiss the happy bride..one boy asked me to pose for a picture with his mother because they said I looked like father Christmas..lots of giggles from these ladies(ahah)when the couple leaves the church some white pigeons are released and flowers are put over their heads,I even was invited for the wedding,some fellow said...If you want I will give you the adress...you are welcome...i did not because I was not really dressed for the event(ahah)it was a very good experience to witness a traditional Romanian wedding...in the you tube below you will see what happens..I loved it..people are always so happy when they marry,is it not?and their happiness spreads towards the folks around...the bride looked wonderful in her dress.;when they left the church I could shake hands with both bride and groom..

 

pic 1=bride and groom standing before the priests..

 

 

 

 

pic 2=they are a couple now...

 

 

pic 3=couple leaving the church..

 

 

pic 4=group picture..

 

 

 

 

pic 5=the happy bride...

 

 

 

 

you tube about traditional Romanian wedding...

 

http://youtu.be/2i2GT23vn24

I wanna say something about the parcs(parculs)in Bucharest...in this vast city I noticed that every neighbourhood got 1 or even more parcs...

and some of them are really worthwhile visiting...I am talking about Herastrau,Floreasca,Circulu,Cismigu,Tineretetului etc.

I visited all of these(exept Cismigu)to escape the turmoil of the traffic..i must say the best one is certainly Herastrau..but i loved the ones of Floreasca and Circulu as well...Oh yes..i got good memories of just relaxing on a bench seeing life rolling by before my eyes...if you ever visit Bucharest city please try to include Herastrau on a saturday or a sunday...one can reach it by the Berceni-Pipera subway=get down at Aviatorilor subway station...then you're just at the entrance of the parc..one can rent bycicles for a few hours..there are special marked bycicle paths in this parc..but be careful...do not skid or fall because it's very crowded and sometimes folks do not watch where they are going(ah)

so this day...I decided to have a stroll in Herastrau..there was LOTS of activity==it was a saturday and there was a music festival going on...

i enjoyed the stalls with CD roms,food,and the music...saw a band from Istanbul(Turkey)=good music i must say!

during other days=let's say a tuesday...one can really sit on a bench and meditate even...very few people..and that's a good thing because one can really feel ALIVE in the midst of nature...I recall one particular bench with a willow tree and a lake in front and a view on the adjoining Satului museum..so peaceful...I LOVED it..oh well..I love nature...its beauty,..it gives a beauty to the heart as well..

in Herastrau one will never starve...one can get some snacks,drinks in a lot of corners of this vast parc..also a thing to do is to take the little ferry crossing around the lake=a lake steamer..or hire a rowing boat and row around..I must say...on weekends it can become very crowded,because the folks from Bucharest escape the hustle and bustle of the big boulevards as well...I will go back there one day...I LOVE this place..Herastrau was laid out as a parc in 1936 already,so..It got its own history..the youngsters from Bucharest did like MIchael Jackson because I saw a memorial stone in this parc about his visits to Bucharest...just try to visit Herastrau parc if you happen to be in Bucharest==you will never regret it...i did NOT..Oh no...I LOVED it..

'll try to put some pics...nice memories really..

 

pic 1=just a view on Herastrau parc..

 

 

pic.2=the lake steamer...

 

 

pic 3=a view on Herastrau parc..

 

 

 

 

 

pic 4=rowing on lake Herastrau=i did not do it,...but...I might do it in the future(ahah)

 

Another worthwhile museum which I re visited because i had been there last year as well is the village museum=Muzeul Satului..

it's on Soseau Kisseleff not far from Arcul de Triumph..it borders lake Herastrau and walking through the lanes here takes you to houses,churches,barnyards from all over Romania in their typical old architectual style..lots of tourists visit this place..

I took my time her one sunny afternoon..one can enter this museum from an entrance in Herastrau as well but it's not always open..

closed on mondays..one can see about 300 houses etc..reconstructed here from the countryside..museum opened in 1936..

a lot of houses are constructed in  wood and have a typical veranda called *prispa*...i did find the interior of these houses quite interesting...

very colourful..small beds though..were people smaller in these days(ahah)?i will put a few pics here including the museum cat(pisica)

oh no...I saw lots of cats there really...i am a catlover...always will be...i finished my visit in the museum shop where one can buy very beautiful Romanian handicrafts going from clothes,dolls,T-shirts,postcards,gadgets etc...if you go ever to Bucharest...do not miss this museum specially on an August summer day..I highly recommend it..it is like going back in time really!!

 

pic 1=typical view in the village museum..

 

 

pic 2=interior of an old house..

 

 

pic 3=an old village water well...

 

 

pic 4=a Romanian pisica=cat...

 

As I said before..Bucharest can be very hot in August...I took a subway towards Piata Victorei and started my walk along this lovely boulevard..crossed George Enescu museum again...but my goal was the old town of Bucharest=an area called Lipscani...I wanted to visit Hanul Manuc and the maze of little streets around,the Stavropoleos church,.there is a particular very old church(biserica)on Calea VIctorei=it's called Kretulescu church...the interior is splendid but it' not allowed to take photographs...it's a church which dates from 1722 and came out of 2 restoration projects..i saw some murals in there which are unbelieveable beautiful...pity I could not take a picture..I'll do it next year...i will be trespassing,I know...am I a sinner then?so I reached this famous Hanul Manuc===this place got a history because it was a caravanserail...built in 1808 by an Armenian=typical building with lots of wood,go and visit the toilet...something special...this place is very popular with tourists because in the courtyard one can really enjoy a glass of wine or a dish,the staff is very friendly and it's all served with lots of style...i had a ciorba..a vacutsa(ahah)based on beef meat...and a local softdrink from the house with lemon and honey...it's a good thing to sit there and watch the tourists(and locals)it's not a cheap place,I must say...but it's worthwhile that extra lei...

I loved Hanul Manuc and went back another day..just outside is an old church..just went in there to look.;;and guess what?,a baptizing ceremony going on==see picture...the couple did not mind...but one should not get pics to close by?as a matter of fact one of the family members told me that I had to go bit further away...after all this...I strolled through the narrow pittoresque streets of Old Bucharest=Lipscany==lots of eateries,pubs,and a famous church as well called Stavropoleos=another beautiful place to visit..picture taking allowed free..I always am baffled by the beautiful interiors of Romanian churches...Stavropoleos still got a community of monks living there...bit further away is another highlights for tourists=the beer house called Carul du Bere==to be honest...I did not like this place too much..It's so luxurious inside I thought i was in the lounge of a Hilton hotel...not cheap either...but VERY popular with tourists...it was full house when i came there...just had a quick beer there...but i did not like the crowd...give me Hanul Manuc where one can sit at ease,comfortable and in style...after that...walked to Piata Uniri and went back by subway and bus to my lovely flat in Drumul..oh well..yeah..it was like coming home in Bucharest for me every day...

 

pic 1=the entrance of Hanul Manuc..

 

pic 2=the courtyard of Hanul Manuc..

 

 

pic 3=baptizing ceremony in Old Courts church near Hanul Manuc...

 

 

pic 4=inside the Stavropoleos church=ceiling picture...

 

I decided tthis day to go to a bookshop called Carturesti close by Piata Romana subway,in fact just along Mc Donalds..

so...I took a bus instead of the subway because where my flat was there is no subway...

so bus towards Piata Romana from a place called Favorit which is very nearby Drumul...

taking a bus in Bucharest was an adventure for me...I must say...quite comfortable and the stops are announced on a digital screen in front of the bus...since I had a free bus pass..I did not even have to validate my ticket like most other folks had to...reached Piata Romana and found this bookshop===i wanted to buy some postcards and also some dictionaries to learn Romanian with English as a base language..if you go to Bucharest=please visit Carturesti=friendly staff and very good selection of books,gadgets,souvenirs,music CD roms..anything really..I bought 3 books for Romanian language studies=I recommend the pocket guide Linghea which gives you English/Romanian and Romanian/English..very useful..another good dictionary is the Niculescu=only English towards Romanian but very much going into detail..i must say..;i love the Romanian language a lot=it's a mixture of Italian,Latin,French...very nice sounds...after Piata Romana I took a subway to Stefan Cel Mare and a bus from around Floreasca towards this beautiful parc called Circului..now..this parc is very special since it's very peaceful,and what's more==it was full of lotusflowers in bloom...on top of that the pond in that parc is also a heaven for ducks,rather big fishes,little birds and yes..Florida turtles...I saw dozens of them..

Bucharest is a place which one has to discover...most tourists stay few days...but..I was surprised of the many parcs,supermarkets,food stalls,

pharmacies,restaurants etc..I sat on a bench in Circului parc for a long while and I got excellent memories from that place...see pictures...after that went to a wok restaurantant on calea Floreasca...very good Chinese soups..then another bus and tram 1 from Stefan Cel Mare towards Cotroceni...

and a bus to Drumul...which I called home...

 

pic 1=Carturesti bookshop..

 

 

 

 

 

 

pic 2==lotusflowers in parcul Circului==if you look well...you wil notice Florida turtles..

 

 

pic 3=lotusflowers at parcul Circului Bucharest..

 

Since my old journal also showed the gigs i went to...I am going to mention this in this blog as well...

coming saturday..I'll travel by train towards Ghent for a GOA psy trance night..

starts at 23.00h in a disco hall called Decadance... :bandana:

it goes the whole night through as usual(ahah)and ends on sunday at 13.00h..

the line up is something to really look forward to=Khetzal plays violin while he turns Goa,..

Anoebis is perhaps the best Goa dJ over here in Belgium...I know him personally...

guess what...he's a schoolteacher and teaches the subject religion...great dude...

i'm gonna see some of my good friends back...Oh...i'll put my dancing shoes on...

Goa trance is always a feast for the eye..I consider these folks as hippies=the way they dress etc...

 

 

 

 

I'm ready for it..I will go to a gig in Antwerp on 29th November as well=also GOA

I will put a full rapport about both events...

I wanna say something about this gig in Gent..the Decadance dancing was allright but in my opinion bit cramped for a Goa psy trance outline like it was anounced...I arrived by train,made a call to my friends who picked me up by car...

reached a place around the Overpoortstraat where they could park their car in a safe way..that's important because I do not wanna take my ID card or smartphone to a gig=things got stolen sometimes...I lost a Nokia once that way..

the drinks in Deca were 2,30euro,bit absurd price,because they have to give you change back with these silly small euro coins,..

the dJ's like Bandagor,Gnome and certainly Khetzal with his violin were just out of this world,Dimensions was also worthwhile listening to..it became VERY crowded around midnight and it stayed like that until we went home.around 6.30h..I did some good dancing(ahah)my friends got tired and wanted to leave so I went along and took a train+bus back home...

I have made a posting in my old journal about Ghent city...if you ever visit Belgium=please include Ghent in your visit..

It's a good place to be..this famous Overpoortstraat where the Deca is situated is a famous students hangout with very heavy nightlife..

 

Overpoortstraat is a street packed with 34 pubs and bars where during the week (especially Wednesday and Thursday nights) all the students go crazy. On Thursdays, it's so crowded that the dancing usually happens on the tables. Some notorious bars/clubs are Decadance(house, techno, drum&bass), Boom Boom (rock'n roll), Den Drummer(rock and metal), Twieoo (often new wave and holebi parties), Cuba Libre(also known as the Puta Libre(commercial, R&B,...), The Frontline underground concert venue featuring mainly metal, punk and hardcore concerts...

 

and some general information about Ghent city...

 

http://wikitravel.org/en/Ghent

 

some music of Anoebis..very popular not only in Belgium because he went already to Israel,Finland,U.K,Brazil,Croatia etc...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRvDmaWjMmI

Another gig announced for next saturday 29th November..this time in Antwerp with Goa Old skool DJ's from Israel,Spain,Germany and France and perhaps some local Dj's as well...there is a possibility I might go towards this one..I've been there before last year=location is along the river Schelde in Antwerp..it's a disco...I recall the big bouncers at the door..I still will continue postings about Romania later on..I will put few postings about Brasov city...what a nice place that is really..I loved it..

 

 

something about the line up..

 

TRIBAL ROOTS
Saturday November 29th 2014


A trip to the roots of trance...
all artists will play oldschool/retro sets!


ASTRAL PROJECTION (Israel)
retro live set celebrating 25 years in trance

X-DREAM (Germany)
retro set by Jan Muller

TRANSWAVE (France)
retro set by Dado

THE MUSES RAPT (Spain)
live set by Juan Verdera

YO-EL
All Funghed Up - special oldschool vinyl set

GOWAX
Dance-a-delic

BONAS & SENSE
Mental Gymnastics - Goametric - Dacru Records


Unique deco concept for a total mindblowing audiovisual experience!


@ Petrol
d'Herbouvillekaai 25
2020 Antwerp
Belgium

Plenty of free parking available
Doors: 22h - 09h


Limited Capacity!!
Presale: 18 euro
Doors: 22 euro

Some comment about this gig...as I said I was in the Petrol club last year as well..

big parking space...the area looks bit neglected..it's along the river Schelde..

doors at 22.00h,no problem to get in=the bouncers were very friendly..

the decoration was something to gaze at..really very colourful,artistic and beautiful..

about the music=the highlights were Astral Projection from Israel with a stunning performance... :bandana:

also the Muses Rapt=a DJ from Spain ==not bad at all..lots of crowd..all GOA freaks..

I did meet lots of peeps I met before at other gigs...I stayed until the end=09.00h in the morning..

it was bitterly cold coming outside..some friends gave me a ride...

I took a train home,but the connections were not to my liking,..

not funny to wait 45min in a railway station where the waiting room was closed...

finally reached home by train+bus..another gig done..it was worthwhile...

 

here some music from the Israeli D.J Astral projection=it's GOA trance at its best..

 

http://youtu.be/onquKz5SYRs

Let's go back into Romania..I love this country,the people,the language,the scenery...

as I said...i was planning a 2 day trip towards the city of Brasov..

went to Gara de Nord in Bucharest to book my ticket in advance...it's very easy..

so..that friday morning i left my home=Drumul..for Gara de Nord and a train towards Brasov...

Gara de Nord is always busy and hectic...they warned me about pickpockets..never seen anyone there...

train came in time and was going end destination Sighisoara but serving Brasov Central..

I did not book any accomodation in advance as i usually do==makes it all more an adventure,is it not?

Brasov was originally called Kronstadt because of German influences..it is surrounded by mountain scenery...

Bran=Dracula's castle is not far away...i was there last year and consider it as a tourist trap=too commercially..

the train ride was fine...I crossed places like Ploiesti,Sinai,Busteni,Predeal and finally reached Brasov..

took a cab to a place called Piata Uniri and a youth hostel called Liberty Villa at Strada Democratiei..

nice cab dude..the cabs are more expensive then in Bucharest==they charge you 2,22 lei /killometer..

anyway==later I found out I could have gone there for 2 lei by bus nr.51 from the railwaystation..

but i always wanna discover a place bit first...very friendly girl at the counter in this hostel..

i got a 6 bed room for myself==nobody was there==bunk bed hostel style...I loved it!!

kitchen,toilet,shower,free WIFi,breakfeast included...really a nice place where I will go back 1 fine day in the future...

it's located in the old quarter of Brasov called Schei=really worthwhile..i directly felt very O.K in this hostel...

so..I booked 2 nights..and went by foot towards the city center==directly outside this hostel is St.Nicolas church..
had a quick look into that church=beautiful..further on one crosses the Poarta Schei==like a gate leading to the city center..

i noticed some small side streets+interesting old buildings on my walk towards Piata Sfatului which is really the central market square..

reaching there...i had a local bere(beer)impressive square really..lots of folks,lots of activity...I loved it..

they had put a big stage in that square and i asked==what's this?the locals told me==Romanian national music awards..

so..something to look out for on saturday..music related..hip hop style,R&B..very popular in Romania..

will be continued...i'll try to put some pics(ahah)

oh..in the evening when I came back to the hostel==there were a bunch of crazy happy Polish boys and 2 girls...also staying

in the hostel..they were celebrating someone's birthday...nice people...they travelled in a van... :bandana:

 

pic 1=St.Nicolas Church...

 

 

pic 2=Piata Sfatalui==the central market square..

 

 

pic 3=every day at 18.00h some folks show up on this tower...and play some music...a local tradition perhaps?

 

 

pic 4=preparations for the Romanian music Awards 2014..

 

As I said in the heading of my blog..it's about travelling,gigs,music and etc..this posting belongs in the etc...

I know my blog is looking bit topsy turvy...sorry for that..but..I am like that..i do not wanna change it...it's just me...

now into this etc stuff...last few days I've been thinking about life..is it the time of the year?(ahah=)NO..i always think about life..

we all have dreams about life=I wanna say this=in nowadays society it's not so easy anymore to realize our dreams..
too many things come at us and have a direct reaction at our way of beliefs and thinking..we should never underestimate the strenght of positive thoughts and good intentions..maybe our mind goes a 100 times a day towards things which can contribute towards HOW we feel ourselves=be it good or bad..but..if we end up in a negative thinking way..the good seems far away sometimes..and then things happen which we do not want to happen..could be low self image,depression,or some guilt we cannot get over because we cannot live with the fact we did something wrong in our life?I believe that each one of us got a path in life where we have to consider the fact that life is not always sweet like roses and moonshine..happy positive feelings bring us to insight in ourself and others,self confidence,trust,courage and a feeling that life is worthwhile to live..while negativity on the other hand pushes us down into anger,a feeling of low self esteem and certainly also the fact that we see life as a burden..if we are strong enough to bend something negative into a positive thing for ourselves or for others around us...only then we really FEEL we're on a good path..positive thinking starts in ourself..we should go out from the fact there are always worser things in this world..if we can transmit that positivity into others around us..that's the core of  why or wherefor hippies always have been around..and we should treasure these feelings..as a matter of fact we should try to let the balance in our life..get a bit over that happy feeling,..as a matter of fact...too much of a good feeling is not such a good thing to consider as well..this world is based on good/bad...beautiful/ugly etc...it's something we got to accept..anyone of us got dreams we want to realize..happy thoughts bring us into that circle in life....which should never end..if we can manage to STAY in that circle..then our dreams are real and fulfilled..on the contrary..if we get into too much black thinking..where sometimes we find out we cannot do anything against because of certain circumstances?then we develop elements of fear,distrust in ourselves..and we create a self defense mechanism which others probably will not understand..and that puts our dreams down the drain..I think life should be?or can be?a self control of a how?a why?a what?and how we deal with it..and if we can realize that...it's a positive asset..you know(ahah)when I was younger..(wooh..that's a long time ago)I did have my problems in life..I analysed them myself...and I always solved them as well..I had days i told myself=what's the purpose of life?my dream as a young dude was to become a sailor..experience lots of adventures..see the world etc..well..this dream has become true for a great deal..not as a sailor(pity)but I can look back at a life full of adventures,glad and sad moments,joy as well as depression..I have not been a saint..but i do not feel bad about it..life is a path which we have no real grip on==it just happens..I do wish now that i can end my life in a healthy way these few years i got left before i depart to the eternal hunting fields..to be honest to you all..I am afraid of death..i do hope it's not gonna be painfull for me..I wanna conclude here and say to you all==try to realize your dreams in life..it needs courage and self determination..

but do me 1 favour==please...GO for it,folks..

 



.



 

Well..I can go on about Brasov==this beautiful city in Transsylvania...fact is...I wished I could have stayed on longer there...

due to these musical awards..eveything went bit into a turmoil...the whole town was in a wave of music...I had my breakfast in the hostel=very simple=just bread,jam or cornflakes...the girl who runs this place=Christina...deserves a positive wink because she runs this place totally on her own;..and she does a good job...I liked my stay there...last day today...so.;i walked from Schei towards the city center..saw a pisica=cat..so..I had to take a picture of it(ahah)further on the way I passed little side streets,a Jewish Synagogue,people are so relaxed in this town...nobody really bothers you..the side streets look like out of a fairytale...reached the main Sfatului market square...and i went to a pub for a  drink...the whole square was busy preparing for the big event that night=the Romanian 2014 Music Awards..I must say...a lot of glamour and glitter..on the square these fairytale girls posed for me..did not grasp the meaning of why they were dressed up like that??i did not ask them either...since that all show was only starting between 20.00h-21.00h..i visited a Greek Orthodox church,a bookshop,the main Brasov streets..there is a cable car ride.. I did not do it..around 19.00h i sat down on a table and had a palinka fiata=did not even ask what it was about=turned out to be a plum brandy served hot in a small glass..not bad..one has to learn stuff about Romania,is it not(ah)by 20.00h i took my place around the stage...lots of youngsters...teeny boppers really..just like in Belgium they cannot leave their mobile phones alone for more then 5 minutes..crazy...well..I must admit I enjoyed the musical awards presentation...the ladies who presented it were all known television girls and the folks who won an award were mostly hip hop,rap,r&b style performers...the crowd was jeering and went out of control==Romanians LOVE music,you know..i went out there around 23.00h and lost my way to the hostel...

in fact..I totally went the wrong way...some helpfull Romanian fellow took me back to the street which was the right way towards Schei..reaching the hostel..Christina did not hear me=the door was locked...and she said she fell asleep..after 5 minutes she came to the door.;.so..went to my room...i was tired..next morning train towards Bucuresti=to my home in Drumul...I enjoyed Brasov..it was a  worthwhile trip..I might go back there one fine day..I will add some pictures as usual...

 

pic 1=in Schei...I could not resist taking a pic of this pisica=cat(ahah)

 

 

pic 2=in Brasov one easily finds a table to have food or a drink..oh YES..

 

 

pic 3=these fairytale girls again..oh?

 

 

pic 4=oh yeah..the Romanian Music Awards 2014==I loved it..

 

So..trip back to Bucuresti==first a breakfast in the hostel=simple enough=coffee,tea,bread with jam or corn flakes...

the bus stop direction railway station is a few minutes walk from the hostel...

took bus nr.151..could book a ticket for a Bucuresti bound train leaving at 12.20h===

international train coming from Budapest towards Gara de Nord Bucuresti..

train came in time...to my surprise a Dutch girl was sitting on my reserved seat...but we switched seats;.

she was with a group of international students going for a geographical congress in Predeal..

noisy bunch of backpackers..Predeal was only few stations later...so..it became bit quieter in that vagonu(ahah)

for the rest up to Ploiesti+Bucuresti I had a comfortable train trip,very relaxed..

in front of me was an old Romanian man who was thinking I was a Romanian since i spoke few sentences of Romanian to him...

he started talking a whole lot...finally i had to tell him===noe intsjeleg,..sunt strain...which means...i do not understand,I am a foreigner..I must say trains are not so bad in Romania...the locals always complain they are slow...well...if one has got the time..it's simply nice to look out of the window,read a book..whatever...we reached busy Gara de Nord by 3 p.m..i felt hungry so first a chicken menu in KFC..it was good to be back in Bucuresti...i felt like going home really...subway towards Universitate and a bus to my flat..Drumul is my home..i like that flat a lot,it's safe,not noisy...and i got the necessary privacy...nobody really bothered me..took a shower and did not feel to go out very far==just went to supermarket Mega Image just around the corner...stocked up some food+drinks..made a little walk afterwards..just in the vicinity of Drumul..I loved this place...cannot thank the Romanian family enough for giving me the key of this flat..I made some planning since it was the last week of my holiday...I wanted to visit the national history museum,

the botanical garden and the military museum,and some parculs(parcs)to relax as well..

 

pic 1=my bed in the hostel in Brasov(ah)

 

 

pic 2=the breakfast room at the hostel=free coffee,tea,bread,cornflakes..as much as one wants...

 

 

pic 3=inside a CFR train=Romanian railways second class...I love train travels.

 

 

pic 4==subway(metrou)on the way back home to my flat in Drumul=Universitate station..

 

It's been a while since my last posting in my blog..well..i am bit lazy sometimes(ahah)i still have to do few postings about my Romania visit..particulary about Bucharest...so...one fine day...after a visit to the natural history museum on Piata Victorei..i saw a sign which led me into the cafetaria and garden area of this beautiful museum(which I think is a must for any Bucharest tourist visitor)I will put a posting with pictures on this famous museum later on in another posting...now...that sign in the garden said===exhibition on tropical butterflies...so...I got myself a ticket and went into a completely sealed off tent in some strong plastic material...coming in there I felt the temperature rather warm because after all there were various different tropical butterflies flying around freely...they had cut oranges and bananas in small plates and pots because these butterflies probably liked that..i was very surprised about some of their colours=there were butterflies from all over the world freely flying around...some of them sat on my hand and even one on my face(see pics)I stayed in there for 1 hour taking pictures and trying to get the butterflies on my hand or my body,not easy...they fly,then sit for few seconds,and fly around again...next few postings will be on the natural history museum and its vast information about the world,people,animal life,environment,very educative museum I must say..

 

pic 1=butterflies like bananas..

 

pic 2=a butterfly on my hand..

 

pic 3=a nice coloured tropical butterfly..

 

pic 4=and suddenly these butterfly liked my face(ahah)

As I said before...I am gonna put few postings on my visit to the Grigor Antipa Natural history museum from Bucharest...this museum is a marvel amongst educative musea on nature,human beings,wildlife etc...first I am posting a link with musea all over Romania;.

could be useful..some of the links are in Romanian only,but the bigger well known musea got an Enlish translation..just click on it..

 

http://www.cimec.ro/muzee/vlmp/defaulte.htm

well...i took a bus+subway towards the city center starting from Drumul(my home)since i wanted to visit the natural history museum..I did hear lots of good about this place..but in August when Romanians have their holidays and tourists as well...there is always a long waiting queue..and it's not such a pleasure to stand in the scorching sun..so...i went in September=nobody outside waiting to get in,nice entry hall..friendly staff..huge museum this is really...I started my discovery and followed the arrows..this museum got about all one has to know about animals,people,continents,wildlife and nature life..for folks who really are interested in this subject...I reckon 1 day is not enough to see and study every subject..the animals are behind glass mostly and i must say...they almost look real..i will put few pics here..I highly recommend a visit..i took my time...taking lots of snapshots..there were not so many visitors walking around so ample of space and time to read the signboards about what was shown in front=i must say it's very educative..I might go back there this year..they sometimes have extra exhibitions...the exotic butterfly exhibition was one of them..I really enjoyed my visit...see pics..

 

pic 1=a wolf family..

 

 

pic 2=a Polar fox..

 

 

 

 

 

 

pic 3=some wild animals..

 

I am gonna go again to gigs starting from february onwards...

6th of February a GOA psy trance gig very close to my home...

we're gonna go there with 12 folks from around my village...and for some of them it's their first GOA gig..

bit of dancefloor activity,i bet?I will give you all a full report...I go most probably to other gigs on 14th february+14th March..

I'll keep you all informed...gosh...I love music..it's such a good vibe..

taakulur...is a DJ from Norway...playing on that gig..and the music goes like this(ah)

strange music if you ask me==very psychedelic..

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgufuy8NEv4

So my holiday in Romania was almost coming to an end...but first i wanted to explore the Dimitrie Brandza Botanical gardens,they told me it's a lovely place but bit neglected concerning maintenance?i took a subway but took a wrong exit station=Grozavesti..i should have taken Eroilor..in both cases it includes a 10 minutes walk..from Grozavesti it got complicated because I got lost...had to ask the way twice but after a while I found the entrance...it's open from 08.00h until 18.00h..one can make nice walks here..and i did that..it was hot(canicula days the locals call it)but benches enough and some shade sometimes...i saw some nice flowers and plants...the greenhouse was not open that day..i stayed about 4 hours walking around,taking snapshots of flowers...very few visitors..but it was september already...I was kinda surprised that so many flowers were still blooming..i will include some pictures...went to Eroilor subway and then back to the city center amd my home in Drumul..nice day...in 2 days time I was gonna fly back home..stayed 40 days in Romania/Bulgaria==a trip to remember..this year I'm gonna go back from 1st August until 15th September...I am intending to visit some other Romanian cities and probably either Odessa in Ukraine or Chisinau in Moldova...and I might go back to Vama Veche for a beach party...

and oh yes...I'll see my beautiful girl friend back as well..she's a gem..not only extremely beautiful,but most of all very intelligent..

 

pic 1=a bit of shade perhaps...but not on this bench(ahah)

 

 

 

pic 2=the gardens pond..always ducks around as well(ah)

 

pic 3=a rose in detail(rosarium)

 

 

pic 4=some more roses..

 

 

pic 5=i found my bench...very quiet place and some shade..

 

My 2 last days in Bucharest i went back to hotel Casa Gabriela...because..from there my transport to Otopeni airport would be much better,directer...and easier.....my return flight was at 07.15h in the morning...and usually i am always MUCH to early in an airport(ahah)so..these last 2 days..i wandered around the Bucuresti bulevards,took a metrou to Gara de Nord,had food and drinks in the English pub Trafalgar near the hotel..

I think I had an orgasm there...Oh forgive me==it's a cocktail on their list of drinks...bit of humor,please...

the staff of Gabriela was happy to see me again...I know all of them==very nice and friendly folks...

last evening before my departure I went back to my guest family..to return the keys of my appartment in Drumul(=my home)

I love these people..so generous and friendly they are...i told them I will be back in 2015..

to be honest=most tourists do NOT know Bucharest..they stay 2 days and move on...I find Romanians luvly people who are curious about where I came from?why I like Romania etc..i am going back starting this year most probably from 31st July until 15th September..I got planning enough..

Cluj Napoja,Vama Veche again?Bukovina,Maramures,The Danube delta, and i would like to explore a new country=Moldova=

=starting either from Iasi or by direct bus from Constanta....and I might do a festival end of August..I'll see...

and last but not least...my girlfriend..she's so eager to listen to my travel stories,my philosophy of life...Oh well..yes...

 

so..the day of my departure..I ordered a cab around 05.00h in the morning=nice cab driver who did not speak a word of English...

reached much too early of course in Otopeni airport...to my surprise it was extremely busy..since so many flights departed that time of the day..

I always get bit nervous in airports=all that fuzz,customs etc...boarded the plane..smooth flight..

with NO turbulence..reached Brussels by 09.15h...but...to my surprize=long waiting to get out...

very crowded Brussels airport..took a train+bus back home...

what an adventure this Romania/Bulgaria trip has been...wooh...

 

link about Bucharest international airport...

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Coand%C4%83_International_Airport

Another posting in my blog which has to be classified under the etc..

I have always been a music freak..from 1955 until now..and I still go to gigs nowadays...

as a matter of fact I'll go to a party tomorrow not far from my door=Mystery party at Beringen..
there are 3 big tents set up with music from the 70's,the 80's and the 90's..some dubstep DJ as well..

the organisers do a good job..they also arranged 3 free party bus routes..

for bringing folks to the party and bring them back home at 04.00a.m..great..

 

now...I put a link here which i think is worthwhile...it's in fact a jukebox with you tubes from 1960 until 2013...

do not click where there is NO image,because these links do NOT work..

all the others do...I've put the link to the year of Woodstock=1969...

but by scrolling completely down you can change the year and listen to music from that year...just enjoy,folks...

 

Tiger

 

 

http://thenostalgiamachine.com/years/1969.html

well..what the Mystery party was concerned...good vibes and music...I realy enjoyed myself..
in the 70/80/90's tent much less people then in the main tent which was rave/techno etc..

party over at 04.00h..it was a misty morning...big bummer was that the organisation had promised party bus back to my home town...

nope...no bus...so...i bloody had to walk the 10kms home...taxi's not available either...

it was a good exercise...but..I was glad I made it..about few kms from my place I got a ride with some dude who was gonna buy cigarettes in an esso station close to my home...these Esso stations stay open 24h/24h...even food available like pizza etc...

tomorrow night another gig==a flowerpowerparty in Beerse..which is a difficult connection for me by train+bus...

it's weekend...so very irregular timings...but...that gig is really worthwhile anyway..
gig starts at 21.00h...entrance 5 euro...I know the DJ who plays there==he's a friend of me...

I reckon it's gonna be over at 04.00h..and it's in the middle of nowhere..on a sunday..no transport...

I will probably find someone who can give me a lift towards a train station(=Herentals)where the first train will run at 6.42h..

so with a bit of luck..I'll be home at 7.30h...what an adventure life can be...

the music is mainly 60+70' music...but also perhaps 80's....I'll dance my arse away....it's gonna be fun...

and on sunday...it's my birthday as well...wooooahhh...

 

 

it's about thime i put something in my blog again..

last few months i went to a few good gigs,flowerpower,rave,techno,psy Goa trance..

the jong van hart gig from previous posting==well...i saw lots of my hippie friends again there..

every year they come to this gig...and it's good to see eachother and talk again about our life experiences..

recently 3 rave/techno parties in my own village..the local folks always are glad I show up..

most of them are much younger then me...why am I always the oldest dude?

I reckon the dancing keeps me as i look...i burn my calories away(ahah)

2 weeks ago i went to a Goa psy trance gig which was done in a castlefarm in the West Flanders province...
I appreciated the way they organised this gig=location,music,deco,the people,food and drinks...

it was just fabulous..that gig staterd at 21.00h and ended next day at 16.00h...i did not stay that long...

some good friends gave me a ride to Ghent St.Pieters railway station...and i took a train+bus home..

in the month of June===some gig which I probably wanna go to=Goa Gil is coming again to Belgium..

this Californian started the whole psy trance music scene from Goa(India) in the 70's.

 

a pic of me from a while ago==taken on Harley days Leopoldsburg...

about this Harley rallye in my town=I believe it's going bit down the drain...we got a new lord mayor in our town=

he decided that all bikers MUST wear helmets,and that the event will be reduced to one day=saturday==this year on 25th July....

petitions are going round to go back to the old style Harley days like it always has been=no helmet within the town=it's only a few blocks and on everyones OWN responsability...well..politics rule..even in events...i do not like it..but WHO am I?

 

P.S...in August and most of September..I might be on the road travelling again=Romania,Moldova,Ukraine...we will see what happens..

 

 

Coming friday a psy trance gig not far from where I live..
i fixed a ride with some friends...they do lots of Goa gigs...
and they live in my town as well..nice folks...good friends...

i bet it's gonna be forest or dark psy trance music...

 

 

Noize Bug is a DJ from Norway...here how his music sounds...

 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/xd0UDfbWCSY

wel..It's time I do a posting in here again...comment on the last gig so you think you can trance..

it was done in the cantine of a football team..but guess what?

they had decorated the whole place with balloons,colourful deco..nice bar as well..

then the music==waaaw....great line up...i really enjoyed the people as well==

lots of old friends which i have met at other gigs..it's like a family..

we ALL come for the music,the dancing...just having a ball..

at about 23.00h the place became really alive and it lasted until 9 a.m in the morning...

I got a lift with some friends from my village but they always sleep in their van until quite late..

the organiser arranged a little shuttle service towards the railway station of Diest...great dude...

i went home by bus..around 11.45h i jumped into my bed..needed a sleep really..

 

now on saturday 13th June there is an open air Goa psy trance gig at about 10kms from my town...

i have been there last year...I know the fellow who organises it...it's a free gig..one can donate if one wishes...

but it's not compulsory...it's held in a small stretch of meadows..and the DJ's who play there really do their best...

last year we were VERY lucky with the weather...we all saw the sun come up...and it went real sunny early morning already..

I will be going to that gig of course..here is the line up...

 

Virus 002 ,open air party in Koersel Belgium

starts at saturday 13juni 19u /until sunday 10u

 

Line Up==

 

 

19u/21u Neyah
21u/23u Annunaki (new)
23u/01u Shamanu
01u/03u Lani(Thomas Moon)
03u/05u Fraktophon (live)
05u/07u Tipsy Gipsy
07u.... Planetary Apes feat Strofooria & AK Monkey

 

Deco

Decoration by JT Designs
 

Info

Free entrance & camping
Dogs allowed

Location

information released 48hours before party

P.S..here is a picture of the deco of the gig Virus 1 in 2014 in Koersel...

to organise a gig like that they need an open space,some simple deco,music installation,speakers etc...

these people know what they are doing..there is a bar with soft drinks,beer etc..but no food...

 

 

this is full on style Goa psy trance from Annunaki=he plays at this gig between 21.00h-23.00h...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg25kOEWv-U

8th of August in Geel=about 30kms from where i live===Yellowstock festival...
I would like to see a performance from Hawkwind again..saw them once live in Derbyshire(U.K)

great band who play space rock...but the line up looks allright===some other good bands as well...
don't know yet if I will attend...but I have a great desire to be there(ahah)

 

https://www.last.fm/de/festival/4043558+Yellowstock+Festival+2015

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yao_T2adl14

Man, you get to all the cool festivals!  :)

 

Do you remember the group Camel?

 

I got to see them once in California.

 

Progressive music from the 70s.

Hey Skip,

No,never heard of the group Camel...

in a few weeks the top festival for reggae freaks...

yearly 2 day gig in Geel..

 

http://www.reggaegeel.com/nl

 

P.S..Click EN on top of page..

I might go to an open air Goa gig in Torhout(West Flanders province)

some Goa freaks from my village might give me a ride..it's a bit far away

gig starts in the afternoon of 18th July and goes oin 24hours non stop..

entrance 15 euro if we come in before 19.00h...food and drinks available...

I LOVE open air gigs..I know that location==been there before...

I know lots of the DJ's who play there as well...i''l put the line up...lots of them play live...

weather looks O.K...NO rain announced...

 

Line up....

 

14.00h===FREEEE

15.30h===MOYA

17.00H===MISLUKT

18.30h===FERRATEK(live)

20.00h===PSYGASUS(live)

22.30h===LUNAR DOWN(live)

24.00h===PROXEUS(live)

01.30h===PSYTEK

03.00h===KA-SOL(live)

05.00h===CRIX

06.30h===NEBULA MELTDOWN(live)

08.30h===GNOME versus SJAMADAN

10.00h===CHAKRAS versus PSYMUSH

11.30h===LOTUS

13.00h===EXOGEN

14.30h===STIEJ-NEN

16.00h===ALFA TOE

 

s

 

 

II

 

This open air gig...let me tell you==the location is simply superb,not to close to any house...

so...I reckon the police will never come there to tell the organisers to put the noise down..

i got a ride with some friends from my village..we reached about 10 p.m...the gig was going full swing...

I really enjoyed myself dancing...the music was great...the DJ's did their best.....the decoration was superb...

bit after midnight it started raining..and it did NOT stop until 5 a.m...pity...I do not like rain at all...

to be honest...i got bit tired...and in the morning i went to the van from my friends..

they were all snoring like hell in there..so..I decided to walk towards the train station..

and took a trainride home via Bruges,Ghent,Brussels..reached home shortly after noon...

i put a you tube from a friend DJ Gnome(Wouter)==see second you tube=he plays good stuff really..

I give a 10 to the location,decorations,drinks,food,the people participitating etc..

I met LOTS of friends which i know from other gigs...we get so spoiled here in Belgium what GOA psy trance is concerned...

 

here are some short you tube...it goes like that on gigs..everybody gets crazy(ahah)

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4B7wqbIWqCg

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Yn_mMX_nRo4

August looks groovy to me...yesterday i went to an outdoor art market called Montmartre Mol...together with a 60 year old lady friend..

she a painting artist (style Jeroen Bosch=abstract)nice lady...typical gypsie type...we had a nice time together yesterday..   :bandana:

next saturday==Yellowstock festival in Geel==i got my ticket booked online and printed it out..

it's a fesival I've never been to==stonerrock,spacerock etc...even a group from Mali is performing there=probably Tuareg rock...

then on 21st until 23th August===a festival which i REALLY like===Swing Wespelaar===see link...it's 100% blues music...

then on 26th I fly most probably with Qatar Airways direction Malaysia to explore that country..it's always a dream for me to visit...

I might include Singapore as well...if they allow me in? :devil: because they are bit strict towarding hippie types(hihihi)

here is the link for the blues festival...nice line up with international blues music performers..   :bulb:

 

http://www.swingwesp...e/?locale=en_US

I am looking forward to the Yellowstock festival in Geel next saturday 08-08...
as i said in an earlier posting==i got my ticket confirmed online...

i received the line up recently..Hawkwind plays at the main stage at 23.00h until ?

 

line up....

 

RUNNING ORDER
* STILL CAN CHANGE A LITTLE BIT!! *

14.00: Doors open

MAIN STAGE: 
14.30h-15.15h Coogans Bluff
16.00h-17.00h Black Flower
17.55h-18.40h Condor Gruppe
19.25h-20.20h Terakaft
21.15h-22.15h My Sleeping Karma 
23.05h-0?.??h Hawkwind

INSIDE STAGE:
15.15h-16.00h Roy & The Devil’s Motorcycle
17.10h-17.55h SardoniS
18.40h-19.25h Yama
20.20h-21.10h Pyramidal
22.15h-23.00h Tubelight
01.00h-02.00h Radar Men From The Moon


Adres;
JH De Bogaard
Diestseweg 135
2440 Geel

Now about this Yellowstock festival...I can say nothing else then very positive remarks...

I took a train from my place to the village of Geel...rigt on the train station square there is t'Kelderke..

now...another surprise===ithis pub is famous for over 200 different beers...I had a few..I met 3 of my friends there...

around 2 p;m..we walked towards the festival venue==a brisk walk of 20 minutes...

the festival place was so well organised...there was a main podium with a large grass field in front..

toilets enough available,waste bins,drink bars and a Korean food stall with noodles,rice,dumplings etc...

the first aid had a tent as well..gig started at 14.30h on the main stage with Coogans bluff...good rock...

what i liked here in the line up was the fact one did not miss ANY band...

because when one band finished at the main stage..a short walk towards the indoor venue where another group started playing..

I saw Sardonis there..good stuff they play...and few others as well like Pyramidal...always full house there...

I met some good friends which I had not seen for a while..around 19.00h i was hungry and there was a Korean food corner..

for 8 euro's one got baked rice or noodles with dumplings etc..excellent...

I saw Terakraft but in my own opinion this group does not belong on a psychedlic rock stage..

Terakraft is playing with 2 original members of Tinarewen=they play Tuareg rock...

the best performances where the 2 last ones on the main stage==a German band called My sleeping Karma..

and then everybody was waiting for Hawkwind===what a performance they gave===unbelieveable..

i reckon the only original member of this band was Dave Brock(=now 74 years of age)who formed the group in 1969...
but the show and music they performed..I rarely have seen this..they always have an act with a girl dancer...

the old one from the 70's left,this time it was more like a ballerina girl who could stretch her body in impossible angles===go go girl type..

Hawkwind really shook my breath...they stopped but then came back on stage to play Silver Machine...

 

I put 2 links here where you all can listen to ALL the bands....greetings from Tiger

 

http://www.last.fm/festival/4043558+Yellowstock+Festival+2015

 

http://www.last.fm/festival/4043558+Yellowstock+Festival+2015/lineup#all

a you tube from Yellowstock Geel with Hawkwind live...the go go girl...not bad===she could turn her body in impossible corners(ahah)

let the you tube run on,because there is a you tube from Hawkwind on 7th August in the Melkweg Amsterdam...

put it on full screen,will you?I love that spacerock psychedelic sound...woooh...

 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/DN_X_HAF5vI

Last day of my trip  through Singapore and Malaysia...I am flying back home tomorrow evening.. 

I will start my postings as soon as possible..i took over 700 pictures during these 3 weeks..

healthwise i have been O.K..there is a lot to see and visit in Singapore/Malaysia...

I have visited Kuala Lumpur,Singapore,Mallacca,Ipoh en Penang ...

people are helpful and friendly and both countries are safe to travel..

see you soon,peeps...

Tiger

So..time to start my blog again with some stunning pics and adventures in these 2 beautiful countries=Malaysia and Singapore...

I started on wednesday 26th August==bus+train towards Brussels airport...I am always way too early at airports..

Qatar Airways is according to me in the top 3 of best air companies in the world...

so..at 14.00h local time..made my entry again in that Dreamliner Airbus..wooh..

flight went fine and we landed safely in Doha...few hours waiting...then flight towards K.L=(Kuala Lumpur)

reached at local time 14.00h...coming out of the plane one feels the tropical heat...it really hits you!!

time difference with Belgium is 6 h ahead...i must say..that i was very impressed with K.L international airport...well organised..

changed some euro's into the local ringgit currency at a rate==1 euro=around 5 ringgit..

went through all these customs stuff without any hassle...when entering Malaysia one has to give fingerprints into a scanner..safety perhaps?
first time in my life i gave my fingerprints away..there is a special boot for taking a fast train connecting to K.L.town=the KLIA express...

35 rinngit for a real comfortable ride straight to K.L Central station...everything looks a bit confusing for the first time...

K.L Central station is a railway station like i have never witnessed in my travells before..bit confusing...

few days later i even couldn't find the keluar=exit to get out of that station and landed up in a shopping mall 7 storeys high where i got lost again...

oh...my goodness===consumption society...O.K..in the station there is a booth called budget taxi stand===one gives up destination and gets a voucher..taxi's are waiting outside and take you to the destination you wanted...I had to go to Jalan Tun H.S.Lee nr 30 for backhome hostel where i booked 4 nights at a rate==around 15 euro's/night+breakfast==244ringgit=4 nights...not bad really...I was welcomed by the friendly staff at the desk..got a room in a 6 bunk bed mixed dormitory..even got a big personal locker which i could close with my own padlock,2 sockets on the bedside to charge smartphone etc...nice shower+toilet facilities,a good lounge with 2 computers to get online...and a breakfast place with long wooden tables...free coffee/tea all day long..i was really impressed with this hostel...i highly can recommend it to any traveller getting into K.L..moreover this location is few minutes walk from MRT=subway station Masjid Jamek...

I met some other backpackers=one staff member Chinese girl called Tee,and a French girl from Lille with Algerian roots...nice people...

one can get drinks as well in this hostel,softdrinks and also Tiger beer for 11 ringgit..there is a chill out room...a television and real cool air in there..
went out with some Malaysian boys who came to visit their girl friends who work in backhome hostel==went to an Indian food restaurant around the corner==i got rice and rengdan=local name for beef...was bit tired from the flight etc..so...stayed at the hostel socialising with other backpackers...

nice place to stay...i'll try to put few links...

 

links for backhome hostel==it gives really a good look at this hostel as it is in reality...

oh...on each bedroom door...they write thenames of the folks who stay in there..crazy..

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjbYXyWGc2o

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9efseVMy5CE

 

 

a good link on transportation for Malaysia..

 

http://www.klia2.info/

 

 

some other good information about Malaysia tourism..

 

ttp://www.tourism.gov.my/en/intl

 

http://www.malaysia-traveller.com/top-kl-attractions.html

 

http://www.hostels.com/hostels/kuala-lumpur/backhome-kuala-lumpur/35901#

Had a good night sleep in backhome hostel,in my room were a Dutch girl,a German girl and an American who lives in Taiwan,and a fellow from Bali...nice people...breakfast in this place=coffee or tea,as much toasted bread as you wish,jam,peanut butter,kaya==some coconut local stuff..cornflakes,and papaya...after breakfast i was ready to attack town...walked out towards the Pasar Seni bazar..but the stalls were all being set up...So...I wanted to take a subway ride to Central station...now...these subway lines...there are several ones..and a commuter line,a monorail line etc...they work with a blue token you have to get out of a machine...cost=1.30 or 1.60 ringgit for the distances i usually took...bit complicated to get that token in the beginning...first you get a screen with destinations,click destination,then again,then cash...put the money in and then one gets that token...without that token you cannot get into the subway system,neither can one go out...you have to screen that token while going in and out..i got some help from a local Malaysian...and later on...it was a piece of cake to get that subway token out of the machine..I was going a lot on the Gombak-Kelana Jaya line...I must say==the subway in K.L===well organised and efficiently quick,sometimes bit crowded...i went to Central Station and wanted a taxi for the Lake Garden Botanical gardens==no problem==ask for the budget taxi booth and tell them your destination==they give you a ticket...outside the taxis are waiting==the driver takes the ticket and drives you to your wanted destination;..a lot of cab drivers are Chinese Malays...some of them speak fluent English,others don't(ahah)got dropped off near the entrance of the botanical garden...ask for Perdana botanical garden near Masjid Negera==a huge mosque..nice botanical garden...,but i felt like i was the only visitor in the beginnning..I did pay no entrance at all..it's a huge place..I did like the orchid garden,and the hibiscus garden..it was very very hot weather...I was sweating like a horse...walked back to Central station...took some soft drink and got myself a ticket on the KTM line towards these famous Batu caves=Hindu temple...I am gonna start a new posting about that...because I got lots to say about that...few pics of the botanical garden...i found out  later that the Singapore botanical garden is much much better then the K.L one...anyway..

 

pic 1===orchids

 

 

pic 2===hibiscus

 

 

 

 

pic 3===a little waterfall...

 

 

 

 

 

pic 4===tropical vegetation around a water pond...

 

so...I wanted to visit the Batu caves north of K.L...certainly really worthwhile visiting==very touristical as well...

one can go there by the KTM=komuter train==the line Port Klang-Batu Caves...very cheap...i reckon i payed 4 ringgit...

Batu caves is the terminal station...what i noticed is that they have lady wagons==only women allowed...well...yes...

comfortabe ride...got down at Batu and I must say==the stream of tourists who visit this place is unbelieveable...

there is a cave where Hindu mythology(Ramayana)is made up in colourful statues,chariots,Gods..and even a natural lingam(penis)

of course the main thing is a huge golden statue of Lord Murugan(Hindu God of war)just everyone shoots that picture...

at the foot of the hill..then one starts the climb of 272 stairs to the top===not  a laugh in a heat that makes one sweat like a horse...

I stopped inbetween to take my breath..and it's full of monkeys all along who can be very nasty,and quick...

i took a pic of a monkey playing with a flower..monkeys seem to be popular with tourists anyway...

the view from the top is amazing,there are some tourists souvenir stalls etc...I stayed a while up there...

going down i stopped at the entrance of the dark caves...35 ringgits to visit with a guide...

one gets a helmet and a torchlight...it certainly was worthwhile it's money spent...the guide did a good explanation of the different insects which live in this cave==spiders,worms,crickets,even a snake who can eat bats alive,bats are on the ceiling high up and drop their guano shit on the soil below from which these insects feed and can live..It is forbidden to shine the torch towards the ceiling because it might frighten the bats...we could hear them all the way..

the guide was very good and he explained us a lot about the cave which we walked along a pathway...2kms long..we saw lots of funny rock formations very different from stalagmites,stalactices etc...very interesting visit...I was glad i did it...after that visit I walked down and took some coconut drink...the juice of a cut coconut is very thirst quenching...all by all..down at the foot of the cave it is all a bit too commercial with gadgets,pencils,t shirts,anything really...took the train back to Central station K.L,went into a shopping mall for food..and I got lost in there...couldn't find my way out...I had some soup in a Korean restaurant===by the way...I cannot handle bloody chopsticks...I will never be able to use them(ahah)

 

pic 1===the statue of the Hindu God Lord Murugan...

 

 

 

 

pic 2=the natural lingam(penis)in the Ramayana cave...

 

 

 

 

pic 3=one of these Batu cave monkeys playing with a flower...

 

 

 

 

pic 4===another view at Batu Caves steps...

 

 

pic 5=a small Hindu shrine

 

The next day...well...2 very noisy days ahead because of anti government demonstrations with thousands of Malaysians on the streets of Kuala Lumpur shouting Bersih which means clean in Malay language..this protest was against the fact that prime minsister Najib Razak was accused of fraude and putting billions of money in his own pocket..it was O.K to go out as a tourist,no violence...but it was nearly impossible to walk on the pavements due to such a crowd in yellow t shirts with 4 slogans on the back asking for more freedom etc...around Masjid Jamek huge crowds...it was like a carnival atmosphere...i took some pics of the demonstrators==all nice and peaceloving people who came up for their rights,that's all..

 

pic 1==demonstration around Majid Jamek..

 

 

 

 

 

pic 2==lots of yellow T shirts..

 

 

pic 3==the yellow T shirt slogans..the demonstration was called illegal by the police authorities...but no violence happened...

 

my last day in Kuala Lumpur I was gonna visit these famous Patronas twin towers..

even with demonstrations going on in the city...the subway system was running normal...

took a subway ride up to KLCC,on the Gombak line..getting out there one sees nothing but high buildings,shopping malls etc..

the Petronas towers was the highest building in the world between 1998 up until 2004..it is 451m high..

there is a skybridge platform which joins both towers together between  the 41st towards the 42st floor...

the tower was designed by an Argentinian architect=Cesar Pelli...and built by Chinese and Korea workers..

it has 88 floors because according to Chinese numerology 8 is a lucky number...so 88 floors as well..

so,to get in here==one needs a ticket and a tour in group=85 ringgit..going in is like going through security in any airport..

i was in the 13.00h group..so..into the lift with a guide...up to the skybridge..spectacular views...each group gets a limited time on this skybridge...i would NOT recommend a visit to these towers if there is a haze hanging over .K.L city...because one sees the whole thing bit gloomy then...I was lucky,bit of haze...but still a good view over the city..later on I found out that KL Menara tower is a better alternative...if one wants to view K.L from over 400 meters above ground level...I will tell you all later...because last day of my trip I did visit K.L.Menara tower...great place..of course these towers are a big tourist attraction...but...in my opinion...one pays a price..and when we reached the observation deck on the 86th floor...I can only say what a commercial consumerism this tower has become==souvenirs from ball pens,T shirts,books,anything really...and the tourist he or she buys..i took some stunning pics of K.L city..I  was impressed with these towers...for a country like Malaysia it is an honour..a worthwhile prestige project..

i would recommend the budget you have to spend on it....one only visits Petronas towers once in a lifetime...well...I do..

imageshack seems to be out for the moment...

 

pic 1==view from 86th floor Petronas Tower....

 

 

pic 2==Kuala Lumpur skyscapers...

 

 

 

view from Petronas

 

all my pictures in my blog=on page 2 etc..are gone..something is wrong with image shack...i might upload via Imgur..could be a better option...it's a shitload of work...but...i'm working on it...oh thank you imageshack...all my Sri Lanka pics in my old blog are gone as well...I can put them back...but it will take an awful lot of time to do that...update=I managed to put a great part of my pics back via Imgur..I do not agree with the fact that a site like Image Shack suddenly without any notice gives me a no acces to  my pics...I can not get logged in for the moment...and as a matter of fact hundreds of pics are on their server...I have send them an e mail....and I hope they give me an answer...

 

now..let's go back to Malaysia...after my K.L stay i was flying with MAS=Malaysian Airways)from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore...

i booked the ticket online from Belgium==not cheap for a 45 minute flight..but.I just wanted to fly MAS because with Air Asia one can only take a minimum weight of luggage=I travell light anyway..10kilos+7 kilos handluggage..so...that monday morning my flight was scheduled at 11.35 a.m departure..so...KLIA Express train from K.L Central station to the international airport...very comfortable and quick==28 minute ride...reached the airport safe...i do not like all that fuzz about security and customs at airports..so...I always are way too early before departure..at the airport i had to go to a kiosk service as they call it in Bahasa Malaysian language...that meant i had to go to a computer machine to print my boarding pass..I got assistance from a MAS hostess.so..no problem..the flight...before we were buckled in..we were almost landing(aha)45 minutes is the shortest time I ever flew in my life...MAS got 2 main disaster crashes lately==remember Ukraine :devil: they give good service..no meals for a short distance like this...but we got sweets and fruitjuice..we landed safe in Changi airport Singapore..temperature of 30 degrees Celsius announced...beautiful airport it is Changi....i went through the customs like butter...friendly smiling staff...changed some euros into Singapore dollars..1 euro is about 2 Singapore dollars..there is also a taxi service to Singapore town where one gets a voucher which one hands over to the cab driver and he takes you then to that destination..got a cab=Chinese dude who spoke Chinese English but I understood what he was talking about...my first impression of Singapore was its organisation,clean and well maintained roads..I had to go to a Chinese run hotel called South East Asia hotel on Waterloo Street=very centrally located to the Bugis subway...I booked 4 nights via booked com online,i like booked.com because one only pays when one is at the hotel itself..not cheap that hotel=100 dollars+breakfast..the Chinese lady at the desk..to be honest..i had difficulties to understand her English..got my room on the 3d floor...good enough with a nice bed,fan,airco,bathroom and toilet attached...i reached there around 2 p.m...i made a walk later on around Bugis..

in Bugis there is sort of a covered bazaar with hundreds of little shops,clothes,food,drinks,shoes===anything really..

I tasted a durian juice...later on I will tell you all bit more about durian fruit..it smells horrible and is forbidden in hotels,trains,airports etc...but they told me it tasts nice..the juice was O.K for few dollars==sweet...one can get lost in that Bugis area because there are lots of street stalls,vendors,2 temples in Waterloo Street where I stayed..i felt allright...i went to the subway station and got myself a 3 day pass for unlimited bus+subway travel=30 dollars..but if you deliver it in the last valid day they pay you back 10 dolllars...the subway in Singapore as well as the one in Kuala Lumpur==i simply loved it and used it to the maximum..subway stations in Singapore are spotlessly clean==so is this city...life is expensive but if one looks around a bit one can eat cheap...my last 2 days in Singapore I stayed in Rucksack Inn===a backpackers hostel..I loved it...I will tell you more about it later on..I planned a botanical garden visit next day...took some nice pics...

 

pic 1=Kwan Im Buddhist temple on Waterloo Street

 

 

 

pic 2==Buddhist temple shop...

 

 

pic3=durian juice...

 

pic 4===fruitjuice stall in Bugis shopping center..

 

 

 

a useful link about Singapore...

 

http://www.yoursingapore.com/en.html

Old Tiger, I hope you're not in Singapore now!  Too much smoke.

 

You can always post pics here.  And our Hip Gallery has been online since 1997 or so.

@Skip..No.I'm back home since 29th September..the haze is not only in SIngapore but also over Kuala Lumpur and Penang...they say it comes from Indonesia where they burn forests for recultivation?if there is a haze it is useless to visit Petronas twin towers or Penang hill because the visibility for taking pictures is practically nihil..I was lucky...i experienced the haze but just the day i visited both Petronas our Penang hill there was sunshine...I went through few heavy rain outbirsts as well in Malacca and in Penang...the East coast is worser but I did not go there..october and november are the worst months for rainfall in whole of Malaysia..I am working on my pics via Imgur...Image shack excused themselves for being offline=they said during the weekend everything would be normal...but i still fear that all my pics are gone..I'll put them back...my new blog is almost done...the old one needs some work on Sri Lanka pics...they are all gone...

so..second day in Singapore town...oh...this hotel charges a small fee for WIFI use..the breakfast=there was a choice of continental and Eastern...

i always took continental=nothing much to write home about their breakfast==2 slices of toast,some butter and bit of jam...and coffee or tea...

sunny hot day it was as usual...i walked to Bugis MRT=subway and took the East West line=towards Joo Koon direction===I had to get down at Buona Vista and change there and take the circle line direction Marina Bay and get down at Botanic gardens...I must say here that i was very impressed with the subway system in Singapore...fast,spotlessly clean and well organised...in the beginning it's confusing because there are 5 different lines...

one has to screen every time while going in a station...and screen again when going out...got down at Botanic gardens=these gardens are the best I ever have seen...there is an orchid garden,a ginger garden,a rainforest,a good restaurant named Halia which means ginger in Bahasa..the trees and flowers are very well maintained and much better then Kuala Lumpur botanical gardens... look at this link   https://www.sbg.org.sg/.

 

click on marvels within and then open VIP Orchid gardens on the left panel...and for that matter other garden pictures as well...

there is no entrance fee to visit these gardens...i wandered around for a whole afternoon...i did like the orchids,and the strange trees in the rainforest..

took a subway back towards Bugis Street and got lost in a huge shopping mall in which i went for a Korean soup dish..and I can tell you all===i cannot handle chopsticks(ahah)I reckon I never will..walked around until 10 p.m..got tired and went back to the hotel..there was another lady at the reception who could talk good English,but she was so over talkative and kept on telling about history,Chinese traditions etc..

link for the hotel   http://www.seahotel.com.sg/

 

 

I am gonna put some pictures from this garden which i took...maybe I will need 2 postings...

 

pic 1=

 

pic 2==some strange tree roots..

 

pic 3===a tree...

 

 

pic 4==

 

 

pic 5=a water lily pond..

some more pics from botanical garden...

pic 6==

 

pic 7===a waterfall around the ginger garden..

 

 

pic 8==

 

 

pic 9==a photo spot..

 

 

pic 10==

 

Any visitor to Singapore visits Chinatown...so..after breakfast i decided to go towards Chinatown and Little India...

subway from Bugis=i took the downtown line which goes to Chinatown...any Chinatown in any city of the world is a delight for the eyes,on top of that good food,cheap accomodation,strange smells in the air...and above all very nice people although some of them do not speak one word of English...coming out of the subway in Singapore into Chinatown is like stepping into another world=lampions,lots of little shops,colourful display of all kind of goods,medicines which one cannot find anywhere else etc...I loved it...wandered around through Pagoda street,Temple Street,Smith street,Mosque street and some little alleys as well==one can easily get lost...i visited Sri Mariamman Hindu temple where a ceremony was going on,also Masjid Jamae Mosque,but what i liked the most is strolling through Chinatown and go in and out these little shops..the Chinatown heritage center was closed due to renovations,it was bloody hot and i settled down in a restaurant for a cool Tiger beer...met some Chinese girls sitting next to my table...oh well...they look like dolls==beautiful...after that went into a little market street where a group of Australian tourists got a very interesting explanation how the durian fruit looks...smells..and tasts...the Chinese guide cut a durian open,all of them got plastic gloves on provided by the tour guide...and a whole explanation followed about durian..i was not part of the group but i stood very near to them...and listened along...did you all know that taking durian together with alcohol....is a very dangerous combination==one starts feeling sick,vomiting,and even death can occur..I could barely believe it..but an old Chinese fellow in my hotel in Malacca(Malaysia)later on confirmed this as true fact...one can die from that combination durian-alcohol..because it heats up the body too quick and too strong...after Chinatown i went into Little India where i had some food on these stalls where tandoori chicken/rice was served...not bad...in Singapore one is never far away from a shopping mall or a luxury hotel...went into a mall full of Indian clothes,very colourful..got some Neem oil from an Indian pharmacy because i got an insect bite=most Indians in Singapore speak good English,specially the shop keepers....they are mostly of South Indian Tamil race...went back by subway and got into a shopping mall in the food sector and got into a South Korean restaurant where i tasted kimchi==did not even know what it was all about..I was just curious for that dish==turned out they are fermented vegetables(ahah)did some shopping in a supermarket,went back to the hotel....they charge 5 dollars for 3 hours WIFI..most of the places i stayed i got free WIFI...

 

 

about durian==I put 2 comments here plucked from the internet...

 

click on the durian picture for a you tube on durian....in the link below...

 

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/australia-food-blog/2014/oct/01/durian-the-worlds-most-divisive-fruit

 

 

Durian-alcohol mixture can be deadly

SIBU: Durian and alcohol can be a deadly mixture.  Ask Rimong from Rumah Paong, Batu Niah, and he would advise mixing the two which nearly caused him his life.

"I thought I was a goner. I felt my head spinning, and it was hard for me to breathe. The pain on my chest was unbearable," he related his experience some years back.

Rimong, in his 40's, was fortunate as he was a quick thinker. He drank a lot of water till his stomach was full and vomited.

"I don't know how much water I drank at that time but I can assure you that it was a lot. I repeated the life saving method for several times till my body weakened. "I fell unconscious after that," he said , assuring that would not dare to eat durians after having alcohol drinks.

Ambau ak Japang, 32 from Semarak Estate in Bintulu had seen the potent mixture when he experimented a few years ago.

"After hearing so many stories of durians and alcohol, I decided to experiment out of curiosity. When I dipped the durian into a glass of alcohol, I could see gases coming out.  "Then the liquor changed colour from brownish to black.

"Alcohol and durian can generate so much heat if taken. If both are taken at the same time, the human body would not be able to stand the heat. That's why so many people died after taking durians and alcohol at the same time," he said.

His advice: "If you have taken alcohol, wait at least 12 hours before you can eat durians. But like the don'tdrink and don't-drive saying, it is better not to drink and eat durians at the same time."

A middle aged man in Batu Niah was recently found dead on the floor of his room by friends. He was covered with foams of mixed saliva and blood in his mouth.

Friends found that Panggau, in his 50's had been drinking four bottles of branded liquor and ate some durians in his room.  "It was horrible. His face had turned dark with foams of blood and saliva coming out of mouth," they said.

I am putting Chinatown pics in a new posting...Imageshack is back,but I still use Imgur for uploading,in fact i use both(ah)

 

pic 1=Pagoda Street Chinatown Singapore...

 

pic 2=inside view of Sri Mariamman Hindu temple in Chinatown..

 

 

pic 3=shopping street in Chinatown..

 

 

pic 4===wherever you are in Malaysia or Singapore==just enjoy a Tiger beer..

 

 

pic 5===some very beautiful Singapore Chinese girls...

 

 

pic 6=inside a little India clothes shopping mall..

 

my third day in Singapore i was gonna visit Marina Bay,the Singapore river,the Merlion statue,and Raffles hotel...

so MRT=subway from Bugis towards Promenade=Downtown line,when i came out of Promenade subway station and walked towards Bayfront...I could not believe my eyes....i landed up in Marina bay shopping mall  and to be honest..I felt totally out of place==shops like Dior,Gucci,Armani..that's nothing for me...there is even a canal running through this complex where guests can take a canal ride towards their restaurant...luxury hotels as well around...i bet this is not a place for someone with a small money pocket(ahah)=read this link about Marina Bay and Marina bay Sands   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marina_Bay_Sands

there is also the Singapore flyer=a giant wheel 165m high which should be a good view..but i did not go there...instead I made a short boat ride(ferry)towards the Merlion statue..a very touristical spot because most of the tourists take a picture there...nice to watch these foreign tourists making funny mouth faces imitating the Merlion...nice spot...the luxury hotel the Fullerton is not far away...I took a subway again towards City Hall for having a look at that famous Raffles hotel where the cocktail Singapore Sling found it's origins...I managed to take a nice picture of that hotel...lots of luxury shopping malls around..i just went into a Mc Donalds and had a cheeseburger and a soft drink...afterwards later in the early evening i went into Bugis shopping mall and had a full meal in a Taiwan restaurant==nice food,good service...i felt tired since i walked a lot....

 

pic 1+2==taking a gondola inside a shopping center...Oh well..

 

 

 

 

pic 3=view over Marina bay

 

 

pic 4==the little ferry service on the Singapore river which i took towards Merlion statue..

 

 

pic 5==the Merlion statue

 

 

pic 6=view on the famous Raffles hotel

 

day 4 in Singapore....and my last day in South East Asia hotel...i suddenly realized i had misplaced and lost my reading spectacles...i always lose something when i travel(hihi)so...I asked around in Bugis shopping center and found a shop===bought 2 specs for about 8 dollars each...i could even read better with them(ahah)went to Bugis MRT to get a new 3 day MRT pass..and got 10 dollars back..this day i wanted to visit Tiger balm garden=Haw Par Villa...anyone of us remembers tiger balm unguent=the red or the white one against muscle pain etc...I was very curious to see what these gardens were all about...I heard it is a very funny place...almost a Dali like interpretation of Chinese mythology...so..Bugis MRT=subway on the East West line direction Joo Koon..change at Buona Vista and take the Circle line towards Harbour Front=Haw Par Villa  is the 3d station...

got down at Haw Par Villa...direct access to these gardens on a little hill===my first impression..bit desolate and certainly neglected...and strange as well...as I expected..I took some very funny pics...I did enjoy the surrrealistic statues and the way they put it into this garden..to get deeper into Chinese mythology that's a whole study,I believe...I wandered around this garden,shot some nice pics,almost no visitors,it was a hot day again,lucky enough one could get softdrinks out of an automatic machine..wandered around for about 2 hours in this place...and decided to use my MRT and buss pass

...so..took bus 143 from Haw Par Villa towards the city center and got down at Outram park because I saw an MRT=subway sign..after a couple of days i usually find my way into subways...whether it's in Bucharest,Budapest,Singapore or Kuala Lumpur...the bus ride==one needs to screen going in...and one cannot go out without screening again...so...hold on to that MRT pass..the bus is very clean,it was a doubledecker...so...I went on top on the front seat..good view on the road...meticulously clean==one cannot spot a paper on any road..that's Singapore,of course...from Outram park MRT i took a subway to Dhoby Ghaut==got lost in a shopping mall again(ah)to be honest==in Singapore and also in Kuala Lumpur...it is such a confusing experience to get out of any subway station and lose directions(ahah)...anyway..i found myself a supermarket,bought some things=food..and I also went for a soup again in a Taiwan restaurant..well...i will never learn how to use chopsticks....everything slips(ahah)

my last day in the hotel==i can recommend it for 2 days==not 4...tomorrow rucksack Inn==a backpackers hostel...

 

a good you tube about Haw Par Villa..I took my own pics==i will put them in 2 postings...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBo_aGb9nPI

 

pic 1=entrance to Haw Par Villa gardens..

 

 

pic 2==Chinese mythology

 

 

pic 3==bit Dali like images?

 

pic 4==nice view

 

 

pic 5=mermaids..

 

pictures enough in this link about this Tiger balm garden(ahah)

 

https://www.google.be/search?q=tiger+balm+garden+singapore&biw=1366&bih=594&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0CB0QsARqFQoTCJ_b39-ZsMgCFUKhGgodXmIEKg

 

about the unguent Tiger balm..

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_Balm

 

few more pics I took myself...

 

pic 6=Chinese mythology

 

 

pic 7==Chinese mythology

 

 

pic 8==Chinese mythology..

ine

 

pic 9=family scene Chinese mythology

 

 

pic 10==the Tiger car from the Aw brothers=inventors of the Tiger Balm unguent...

 

day 5 in Singapore...i packed my little suitcase and rucksack and checked out at South East Asia hotel..

it was O.K to stay there...I felt allright in the room,staff was friendly..breakfast was too little in my opinion...

now..Rucksack Inn==i took MRT subway from Bugis towards Outram Park=East West line direction Joo Koon..

in Outram Park i changed to the Northeast line direction Punggol=I needed the exit Clarke Quay..

not to much trouble handling my luggage in the subway=got down at Clarke Quay,get over an overhead bridge..

walk in the same direction of the traffic=first street on the left is Carpenter Street,next one is Hong Kong street..

look at for number 38 A=the backpackers hostel is on the second floor..i got a very warm welcome at the desk...

what i also liked about this place===one has to take off shoes before one goes in...I got my bed in a 6 bedroom dorm..

and the cost is 72 ringgit for 2 nights..free WIFI,use of kitchen,fridge,shower,laundry,lounge with 2 computers,television..

I felt very much at ease here..but had bit of problem with WIFI..but afterwards I used direct internet acces on their computers..

I met some nice people there...and the staff is very helpful and friendly..i did go out towards Lavender MRT exit,

but i found out the exit Nicoll Highway was much directer for the bus terminal station where i wanted to book my ticket towards Mallacca(Malaysia)

found the bus station=Golden Mile complex=booked my ticket to Malaysia==very friendly staff==they give you a plate number of the bus which one has to take=my departure was 11.30h...transport is quite cheap by bus..after i got my ticket i walked Beach Road,went into a KFC and had some food,then took the side street called Haji Lane..and had a Duvel beer there for well...7 euro's..the waitress took a picture of me==i did not ask her...but she offered me that option..nice...lots of shops in Haji lane==even a tattoo shop,tattoos are becoming very popular in Malaysia and Singapore..Haji lane runs over into Arab street with a few mosques,and lots of Muslim shops and restaurants etc..took some pics..in the afternoon i decided to stroll around Orchard Road and it's malls...i got lost and found myself going the same direction twice...Orchard road is a paradise for shoppers and luxury hotel lovers..it's full of high rise skyscraper hotels and buildings as well...not my style really..I did walk a lot this day...did some shopping in a supermarket around Bugis covered market...got some fruits,had some food...and went back to the hostel..3 people in my room..

oh...you tube about Bugis street shopping center==i got myself 2 very nice cat T shirts in there which I bought for my gf.. :bulb:

I love that shopping center==it's a maze of little shops really...one can get lost in there(ahah)did anyone say consumption society?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXHszR_XpbM

 

 

pic 1=Singapore traffic..

 

 

pic 2=a Belgian Duvel beer..even in Singaore..

 

 

pic 3==pic taken by the pub waitress==one Duvel=7 euro's..oh...

 

 

 

 

pic 4=view on Arab Street mosque..

 

Last day in Singapore..i did fully enjoy these few days...I reckon 6 days is enough to see quite a bit about this town,although there is much more to see..

i didn't dive into the night life etc..I must admit Singapore surprised me in a positive way...it's more expensive then most countries in Sout East Asia..

so this last day I decided to take it easy what walking was concerned==took a subway towards Suntec city mall=MRT Esplanade or Promenade...

from that point the hop on/hop off bus departs...not cheap..but it's an audio tour with headphones...so...I could learn something more about Singapore...

nice doubledecker bus...always tourists on board..to be honest...i was quite dissapointed about this trip...Singapore is a house and building construction site if one takes that tour...of course one sees some nice things as well like skyscrapers,clean streats,traffic,in the audio they explain that Nassim street near the Botanical garden is the most expensive place to live..houses cost a fortune...Singapore population is about 75% Chinese,..the rest Malays and Indians,..owning a car in Singapore is not an easy thing==every 10 year one needs a new license to have the right to drive a car in Singapore..and it's not a cheap issue to get that license...pollution wise it helps but nowadays there is a problem with haze coming from Indonesia...as I said Singapore is going through a building boom=new hotels,shopping malls?who knows?all workers are foreign guest workers I noticed...after getting down from this bus i walked toward Harbour front and got lost in Vivocity mall..from there a monorail goes towards Sentosa but I did not have the idea of going there=t is just a fun and amusement park..inside The Vivo city mall it was a hectic coming and going from shopping folks...lots of interesting shops but not made for my wallet really...i found out that chocolate is very expensive...i took my food in a burger King..it's junk food,I know;.but anyway..i took a subway back to Clarke quay...tomorrow morning==bus trip into Malaysia...I was asking myself==how about the border crossing?Malacca town etc..

 

link for the hop on/hop off==they got them in LOTS of cities worldwide nowadays....

 

http://www.hop-on-hop-off-bus.com/hop-on-hop-off-tour-of-singapore_5180

 

pic 1=the hop on/hop off Singapore sightseeing bus at Suntec City mall..

 

 

pic 2=view taken from the hop on/hop off bus..

 

 

pic 3=inside Vivocity shopping mall

 

 

pic 4=view over Harbour Front..

 

I checked out Rucksack Inn for my bus trip towards Malacca(Malaysia)took the subway from Clarke Quay direction Dhoby Ghaut,changed towards the Circle line direction Harbour front and got out at Nicoll Highway..short 5 minute walk took me to the Golden Mile Complex bus station...the bus company i took a ticket with==Star Mart Express===20 dollars=departure scheduled at 11.a.m..the bus was in time...very comfortable...trip of 4hours...first the bus took the Expressway direction Malaysian border...the customs place is called TUAS...reaching the border everybody has to go through customs,luggage included...got an exit stamp for Singapore and an entry stamp for Malaysia...no problems crossing the border...the trip into Malaysia goes via highway roads...and all one sees is palmtrees on both sides of the road...bit monotonous...but certainly fast...getting into Malacca looked very different then Kuala Lumpur==Malacca seems more like a provincial town...a very busy bus terminal==there is a prepaid taxi service where i booked my transit towards the city...i booked 3 nights in hotel Da Som Inn=Jalan Tukang Emas(old town=in front of Kampong Kling mosque)

nice hotel with very friendly staff..the fellow who welcomed me spoke Chinese English...but later on another Borneo Chinese man who works as staff there as well assisted me and his English was perfect...good spacious room with good facilities..free WIFI,attached toilet+shower,every day new towels etc...Malacca got a rich history and was associated to the Dutch east India and the British east India company...i went out for a walk...in the same street as the hotel is a Chinese temple Cheng Hoon Teng which is decicated to the goddess of mercy and is one of the oldest Chinese temples in Malaysia...the Masjid Kampung Kling dates back from 1748 and got a minaret in pagoda style...in the evening i strolled through Jonkers street where a street market was going on..very interesting...i got a pic taken with a strange man in gold who seemed to be very famous in Malacca town=he is the founder of a body building school and was also active in local politics..i went through some interesting but almost deserted streets and stopped for food in a Nyonya restaurant where i had a good meal...soup,fish,rice,chillies,a beer and also some sweets..Nyonya kitchen is famous in this part of Malaysia...it's a mixture of Chinese and Malay food...I will try to find a link...I will put few postings on this town..because I found it a very good experience....I think a 3 or 4 days visit is enough for this town...depends how much in detail you wanna go regarding sightseeing..

 

pic 1=the inside of the Star Mart Express bus towards Malacca..

 

 

pic 2+3+4=Cheng Hoon Teng Chinese temple...

 

 

pic 3==Chinese temple..

 

 

pic 4=Chinese temple Cheng Hoon Teng

 

 

pic 5==Jonkers street market==the man in gold...

 

 

a few links on Baba Peranakan Nyonya culture...I visited musea about this culture in Malacca and also in Penang..

 

http://rasamalaysia.com/recipes/nyonya-recipes/

 

P.S...I had a soup,the Acar fish and the Kuih Pie tee...i asked the waitress to put mild chillies..but..stiil strong(ahah)

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peranakan

Breakfast in hotel Da Som Inn was very good=coffee or tea,toast and fried eggs and jam...the staff is extremeley helpful and friendly...there was an old Cinese man from Kuching(Borneo)who was very eloquent in good English and we had few interesting discussions on life during my stay...i decided to rent a bicycle from the hotel for 10 ringgit/day...it certainly is much more comfortable to see places...first there is the heat,the crowds on the streets etc...one has to be careful with a bicycle in Malaysian traffic,because there are no rules as such=overtaking on the right or left,driving left,right...it's all possible..so a bit of concentration is necessary...I did enjoy bicgycle riding(I did the same thing in Penang later)i stopped at few interesting Chinese temples which probably i never would have found...i also went to the t'Stadhuys square in pink colours,all tourists go there,souvenir shops,and these colourful 3 wheelers to take tourists around..I did take a few nice pictures,cycled around the whole city,got lost in the new part of town and had to ask the way...visited little India,and also this very interesting museum Baba Nyonya Heritage museum which has to be visited with a guide only..Very intersting to see the interior of a Chinese Baba Nyonya house...the guide was an older Chinese lady who really explained things very well...pity one cannot take pictures once inside this house...one can only photograph the entrance before the tour starts..i took some nice pictures in Malacca...in the evening the streets look deserted in Malacca,apart from Jonkers street it does not look very lively..i went for a splurge in a well know restaurant where lots of tourists go...had a tom yam soup served in a cut cocunt==i did not like it,then had a rice dish,a cocktail and an icecream..i met the Hongkong girl who came with the same bus then myself from Singapore to Malacca..we had a talk...she had a short holiday and was flying back home next day...to be honest===I did like Malacca town=it is not so hectic then other towns  and people seem relaxed ,friendly and easygoing..i will put pics in 2 postings...

 

 

a link on Baba and Nonya Chan heritage museum Malacca...

 

http://babanyonyamuseum.com/#

 

pic 1==my bicycle in front of a Chinese temple...

 

 

pic 2=entrance of Baba Nyonya Chan heritage museum..

 

pic 3==

 

 

pic 3==view of entrance hall of  the Baba Nyona house..

 

 

 

 

 

pic 4=church

 

 

pic 5===popular transport for tourists=trishaws..

 

 

pic 6==a curious Malaysian cat in a souvenir shop..

 

 

pic 7=inside a Chinese temple..

 

 

pic 8= the Melaka river..

Malacca pics...

 

pic 9===entrance door of a Chinese temple...

 

 

pic 10=Kampung Kling Masjid=mosque

 

 

pic 11==Chinese Malaysians girls like photography...

 

 

pic 12==an icecream in Geographer cafe..

 

pic 13==the girl from Hong Kong I met on the Singapore-Malacca bus trip..

 

 

pic 14=a street in Malacca Chinatown..

 

Last day in Malacca...in the morning heavy rainfall...when it rains in Malaysia it really rains...after 1hour it was finished..and sunshine again...i took a cab towards the bus terminal because I wanted to reserve a seat in a bus towards Kuala Lumpur..nice cab driver who spoke good English==he drives regularly for hotel Da Som Inn...got a seat for KKKL bus company for the 11.30h departure,price=14 ringgit...close to the bus terminal there is a big supermarket Tesco(like the one in the U.K)so..I wanted to check out how that looked...it's a 5 minute walk from the terminal==got into this super shop where one can get all kind of stuff which one does not find in other stores...went into a pharmacy to get some eyedrops...the food and fruit section looks like a feast for the eyes==i saw vegetables I never knew the name from..i bought some dried fruits,some beer cans,and a hairbrush with a bamboo handle,some of the cashier girls wear headscarfs...no problem...after all Malaysia is a Muslim based country...i walked around this area a while and ended up on the Melaka riverside where there were few musea which had to do with ships and maritime live...was rather tired from walking..took a cab back to the city...visit to Jonkers street again,and the Masjid Kampung Kling,the old Chinese Borneo fellow from the hotel gave me a good tip for a restaurant close to the hotel in a little side street...I went there and had some soup and a rice dish...and a Tiger beer..it seemed to me the waitresses had never seen anyone with a grey long beard(ahahah)good food there...

 

pic 1=inside Tesco==want some chillies?

 

 

pic 2==on the cashiers counter at Tesco..

 

 

pic 3==an Egyptian Muslim perfume shop in Tesco..

 

 

pic 4==a replica of the Flor del Mar=an old Portugese ship==now a museum along the Melaka riverfront...

 

 

pic 5===my toilet in hotel Da Som Inn=a Muslim toilet..

one disconnects the handle..push it...and puts water on the ass(ahah)==I did it...

 

 

a link on Flor del Mar ship...

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flor_de_la_Mar

 

and a you tube on oudh perfume...very popular by Saudi Arabians an Middle East people...I saw an oudh factory in Penang..

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uECPWsNuZ_A

Today I had to go back towards Kuala Lumpur by bus...in the morning again rain...quite strong..

it cleared up after a while,took a cab towards the bus terminal with the same taxi driver=nice Chinese fellow..

as usual i was much too early so..i had to wait a while,the bus came along...comfortable seat and ride..

we reached in the new hypermodern bus terminal from K.L==Bandar Talik Selatan..

since I was there I booked my bus ticket from Kuala Lumpur towards the town of Ipok(Perak)..

Bandar Talik Selatan is on the KTM  comuter line towards Batu Caves=north of the city center...

I reached K.L in the afternoon,and took a MRT subway towards KLCC because I booked a hotel there for 2 nights..

not a cheap hotel,i must say...but it was my own choice since I wanted to be close to the Petronas towers..

hotel Le Apple Boutique==i would classify as a luxury hotel..they put me on the 14th floor...excellent view over the city..

good room with T.V,little fridge,bathroom with toilet+shower,fresh towels,soap,shampoo every day,

a safe as well and also a cooker to make coffee or tea..i went out for food into Suria KLCC shopping mall...

as usual I got lost in there(ahah)took some pics of Petronas towers..watched some television afterwards in my room..

tomorrow I was gonna try to go towards Chinatown,and maybe visit the aquarium first in Suria Convention center...

 

pic 1==the bus from Malacca to K.L.

 

 

pic2==view on Central Raiway station Kuala Lumpur..always a VERY busy place..

 

 

pic 3==a typical shopping mall in K.L..bit too chique...

 

 

pic 4=view on the Petronas twin towers..

 

Had a good nights sleep in that hotel on Jalan Ampang on the 14th floor..the view is spectacular...and at night even more...

this place does not serve breakfast..so..I had to go out and have something to fill my stomach...

food enough in a mall like Suria KLCC,so..had a latte coffee and some buns..not enough...still felt hungry(ahah)

i asked for the entrance towards the aquarium and finally found it==Malaysian people are helpfull and will always help you out...

not a cheap visit=65 ringgit..but..I got it for 43 ringgit because I told them i was a senior citizen(hihi)...

got in...and I must say==well done and spectacular how all the sealife is displayed ...I saw some funny fish shapes..

on the entrance it begins with pirhanas,and afterwards one comes into a place where all the sharks and other fishes...

just swim above your head in a giant tank,one can almost touch them...this space even got a slow moving escalator...

it's very popular with the public because of it's way of displayng sealife...lots of visitors..

I stayed in there for at least 2 hours taking different pictures...then wandered around the square where the Petronas towers are situated,

visited a Buddhist temple on Jalan Ampang near the hotel..took a MRT subway towards Central station...

got myself a KFC chicken meal...I met an English fellow who told me to visit the Menara KL tower for a panorama over Kuala Lumpur...

a better view then from the Petronas Twin towers,he said...I noted this down and I did this when I came back from my Ipoh and Penang visit...

and to tell you all..that fellow was right...Menara KL tower is better then Petronas towers...

i made long walks between Little India,Masjid Jamek area and Chinatown..very fascinating to discover all that hectic shop life of India,Chinese restaurants etc..worthwhile the walk..but...one gets tired walking around..i did have a beer or two in reggae bar on Jalan Tun.H.S Lee=

=same street as the backhome hostel...the beer was nothing to write home about...

my last 2 days in Kuala Lumpur i booked again in the backpackers backhome hostel==i love that place...

 

pic 1==Le Apple Boutique hotel..

 

 

pic 2=Buddhist temple on Jalan Ampang close to hotel Le Apple Boutique..

 

 

pic 3==piranhas..

 

 

pic 4==shark..

 

 

pic 5=rayfish..

 

 

pic 6==big fish..

 

took a taxi from the hotel towards the bus terminal...did not have any breakfast...

so...since i was too early in the bus station==had some coffee and some cake..

this terminal is hyper modern,clean and efficient...although my bus was in delay for more then 1 hour..

I was dissapointed about the condition of this bus as well...old and not as clean as the ones i took before...

we set off and drove to another bus station in Kuala Lumpur to pick up some more passengers...

as i said before...the ride is always monotunous because long distance bus always take the highways..

nothing else then palmtrees on both side of the road(ahah)this bus had Butterworth as end destination..

reached Ipoh after few hours...as usual i did make my connecting bus trip direction Butterworth...

ticket with Transnational bus company=15,50 ringgit,the girl said to come back to the counter on day of departure..

and ask for the bus numberplate..so cab towards Ipoh town=funny cab driver...I did not like his attitude...

first he did not put the meter on,then we made a deal...but he took 2 other passengers(Malay folks)along..

and still I reckon I payed too much...anyway..I had booked 2 nights in French hotel which is a 3 star place...

very centrally located,and about 276 ringgit for 2 nights+breakfast(around 30 euro's/night)

I could not pay the amount because i did not have ringgits enough,so I used my VISA card to pay...

nice and friendly Muslim girls with headscarf on the counter,one pays a deposit for the room key as well...

which is payed back on day of departure...the room==for that price i must say==excellent value..

great bed,airco,free WIFI,telephone,television,good toilet and shower facilities,electric kettle for coffee/tea....

even coffee,tea,sugar and sweetener provided...i went out to get some food into town..

Ipoh seemed deserted==went into central market..to be honest==it was smelling,dirt all over the place etc..

i found a square with lots of open air food stalls...and met a fellow who cooks decent food...he spoke fluent English...

he runs this small cooking stall together with his niece===she usually does the wok cooking inside...

also soft drinks,even Tiger beer....I ordered some soup first,then a rice dish with shrimps==excellent...

we had a nice conversation==if you are in Malaysia learn few words of the Bahasa language...I did...

just say this...and ALL Malaysians will give you a smile back==tsiki tsiki...lama lama...djadi bukit...

it can mean anything but mostly it's understood as===a lot of little things in life make one big thing...

in one of my next postings i will put some useful Bahasa sentences...

after food in that square i felt satisfied because my hunger was fulfilled positively,

i went back to the same place next evening...I took a pic of the owners....

one should ask first specially when there is a Muslim woman which you wanna picture...

they did not mind...nice people...went back to the hotel and had a good night sleep..

 

pic 1==the nice owners of the open air food stall..

 

 

next morning..delicious breakfast==toast,fried eggs,coffee...served in a nice setting of the French hotel upstairs..

I was intending to visit the famous caves from Perak Tong=about 6kms from Ipoh town..

Ipoh is a provincial town in Perak with not much to see for tourists=well..yes..the impressive railway station built in colonial style,

in front of it one can see the ipoh tree=i took some pics..then there is also the castle of Kellie==a crazy bloke from Scotland called William Kellie Smith who got stinking rich with rubber plantations==then built this crazy castle which in fact is not completely done,because Kellie died of a lung infection before..the whole thing is  built bit in the style of pink stone Indian,Arabic style..I did not go there...i got a taxi ride with Kumar who drives for the French hotel==he told me he would take me to the cave temple,wait for 1 hour or so,and then drive me back into the city===nice fellow...a typical Indian fellow who told me about his family etc....we reached Perak Tong..to be honest==i was very impressed with these caves which hold outstanding fresco's painted on actual rock...I did spend at least 1hour walking around==taking pictures of course....and drove back with Kumar===i asked him to drop me at Ipoh railway station,because I wanted to see how it looked....i payed around 35 ringgit for the taxi ride,waiting included..

walked around the railway station,got a soft drink in the restaurant..and took another cab to the city center...went again for food towards these food hawkers square...and took a different rice dish==good food,I must say...went back to the hotel...next morning busride towards Butterworth and 6 days in a Penang hotel...fantastic experience=Penang==just go there!!

 

pic 2==a giant Buddha statue in Perak Tong caves..

 

 

pic 3,4,5 and 6===rock paintings in Perok Tong caves..

 

 

 

 

 

pic 7=Buddhist devotees in cave temple Ipoh..

 

 

pic 8=railway station Ipoh with Ipoh tree in front..

 

so...after a good breakfast in French hotel Ipoh...I checked out and ordered a cab towards the bus terminal  Aman Jaya..

Kumar drove me again..nice fellow...I went to the counter where I bought the ticket=Transnational bus company..

the girl gave me a license plate number for the bus...it's a hectic terminal there in Ipoh since lots of bus companies go all over...

so...checking the plate bus numbers...my departure was scheduled for 11.00 a.m...no bus to see..a busdriver told me not to worry=

=the bus can come in 5 or 10 minutes late..finally the bus came==luxury bus==very comfortable..

i was surprised to see so little passengers..we were merely 10 in that bus..but in Malaysia there are LOTS of bus companies who compete in service,price,comfort,destinations etc...nice drive of few hours...coming into Butterworth one sees lots of factories and industry..nothing special..

but Butterworth is the end station..bit confusing...some taxi driver told me=go to the overhead bridge and follow signs for ferry pier towards Penang Island...Butterworth is connected to Penang island by 2 long bridges=the old one is 13,5kms long,the new one 25kms even..and toll has to be payed..therefore taking a taxi from Butterworth is useless,it costs 70 ringgit while the ferry crossing cost 1 ringgit only...so..I took that ferry towards Terminal Weld Penang==I was glad i reached that ferry since it was a bit of huffing and puffing carrying my luggage...it was a VERY hot day..nice ferry crossing wiith some soothing breeze...reached Pulau Penang ferry terminal..i booked a 6 nights stay in an Indian run hotel called Broadway Budget Hotel on Jalan Masjid Kaptan Kling==very centrally located..took a cab...friendly staff..i was on the 4th floor,no elevator..good room with the things I needed=airco,shower,toilet,excellent WIFI connection,good bed..price=77 ringgit/night,no breakfast service..but lots of possibilities to get breakfast in Chulia Street which was 3 minutes walking distance...in the hotel lobby soft drinks available+staff 24h on 24h duty...i went for a short walk around the hotel...Little India is just on the corner...i visited a famous Chinese Buddhist temple==just in front of the hotel==Kuan Yin Teng...dragon carved pillars,lots of incense sticks,full of worrshippers.I noticed beggars and poor folks..Penang is different,sometimes beggars,not so clean places etc..but luvly friendly folks in Penang...I am going to do few postings on Georgetown and its surroundings...I simply loved staying there...

 

pic 1==the Transnational bus inside...

 

 

pic 2==Broadway budget hotel on the corner of Little India..

 

 

pic 3==the famous Chinese Buddhist temple Kuan Yin Teng..

 

 

pic 4==incense sticks burn constantly in Kuan Yan Teng temple..

 

 

 

pic 5==worshippers inside Kuan Yin Teng..

 

 

pic 6==temple offerings..

 

Had a good night sleep...although early morning the muezzin from Masjid Kling woke me up(ahah)

breakfast==first i did take a tea on the corner of Little India...refreshing to start the day..

what I noticed in Georgetown is the  fact there are licensed money changers all over town..

firts i wanted to make a stroll into Chulia street==this is the street where every backpacker or tourist strolls around,

lots of restaurants,backpackers guesthouses,and interesting shops...i took always my breakfast in Stardust guest house..

excellent little place where they serve very good breakfasts like fried eggs/toast/bacon etc..friendly service...

i promissed you all few interesting and useful sentences in Malay language..

just say...apa kabar==how are you...they will answer you back kabar baik==i am O.K.

terima kasih==thank you..ya=yes...tidak=no...selamat pagi or selamat malam==good day..

selamat datang=welcome...selamat tinggal==see you,goodbye...sama sama=my pleasure...

bilek=room..katil=bed..berapa harga semalam==how much for 1 night?

berapa==how much?tandas=toilet..keluar=exit...tutup=closed..buka==open

I am sure you will come across these words when being in Malaysia...

lots of people will understand and speak English...so...no problems...

anyway...after a good egg/toast/coffee breakfast...I asked for the Air Asia office..

since I intended to fly back from Penang to Kuala Lumpur...in a few days time...

Air Asia is on Chulia street...booked a ticket for the 11.20h flight reaching Kuala Lumpur at 12.20h

total price taxes and extra charge for luggage was 206 ringgit..so..that was fixed and done...

I love Chulia street..,there is a side street called Love Lane which is also full of cheap guesthouses etc...

i walked around all the way up to Jalan Penang and Komtar building..Komtar is mainly  a shopping mall..

but also most of the bus services start from Komtar..I wanted to find out about going towards the snake temple near the airport etc..I wandered around most of this day around Chulia street,I loved these little side streets where one sees daily life of Chinese shop keepers,..i was really enjoying Georgetown..but...there was a but...it was very hot weather...high humidity as well..

in the evening i went for a nice walk through Little India..I found an excellent restaurant in Market street...

it's called Dindigul Biryani==excellent rice/curry/beef/chicken dishes..good service..good lassi drinks...

nice restaurant..i went back there 3 times..I can recommend this place for Georgetown...

 

pic 1==Little India flower seller shop...

 

 

pic 2==Hindu worship..

 

 

pic 3==tourist transport in Georgetown..

 

 

pic 4==a mango lassi in Dindigul Biryani restaurant...

 

Today I did plan to take the hop on/hop off bus through Butterworth and surroundings..

first i had breakfast at Stardust guest house...excellent value and service..

they even have Guinness or Tiger beer in bottles...nice place..

so..I walked the length of Chulia street,took a left on Jalan Penang up till Chowrista market...

at that spot one can board that bus..they have a 45 ringgit fare...but it includes a city tour and a beach tour..

nice views out of that bus...they take you through Georgetown..I was surprised to see such high rise buildings..

I did get out at the botanical gardens at Waterfall Road=6kms out of town..because i wanted to have a stroll..

well...a fellow drives a buggy through the parc and stops at some places..gives bit of explanation..

it's a nice garden,but not as good as the Kuala Lumpur or Singapore one...I took some pics..

on the exit there is a cafetaria and i had to wait for the hop on bus..felt thirsty..it was a hot day again..

although this day there was a haze hanging over Georgetown..I asked a local about this and he said=

this haze comes from Indonesia where they burn woodland,forests?hard to believe really..

in front of the botanical garden there is a place with trees which are always full of monkeys..

tourists feed them bananas and peanuts==quite a spectacle..monkeys are crazy...

this visit was not what i could call excellent...the hop on bus came along..stopped...but directly went on...

I ran from the restaurant...but...I missed that one...so next bus...

got down at Chowrista market and indeed a very compact and interesting market scene with lots of stalls,little shops...

a feast for the eyes really..i found a very good Indian restaurant where i took a nan/chicken tandoori dish...
good value for little money...it's a popular place...after that walked back into Chulia street...

had a Tiger beer in a side street of Chulia called Love lane..

this street is full of backpackers places...some nice old Chinese style houses as well..

then back to the hotel...and also a little walk again into Little India...I love these shops with Indian stuff...

 

 

pic 1,2,3,4 and 5==botanical gardens Georgetown(Penang)

 

 

pic 2..

 

 

pic 3

 

 

pic 4

 

 

pic 5

 

 

pic 6==the monkeys around botanical garden...if you look well..there is a monkey on top of the tree with a baby monkey...

 

 

pic 7===close up of a monkey..

 

 

 

pic 8==Chowrista market...

 

 

 

pic 9==inside Chowrista market..

 

 

pic 10==food display outside Chowrista market..

 

Again another day with haze hanging over Georgetown..so...i decided not to visit Penang Hill this day...because in these weather conditions the view would be nihil or at least not worthwhile...so breakfast in the same place in Chulia street and then I walked to the Komtar building...the shopping mall is not like the ones in Kuala Lumpur or Singapore but for Penang it's a rather good standard..I made the decision to go by local bus towards the snake temple which is about 12kms south of Georgetown centrum..so..i asked about the bus nr and waited for that bus to come along==took maybe half an hour==bus came..I asked the driver===snake temple??he said yes...but he refused a ringgit note===one HAS to pay with the correct amount in coin money===he told me get some change in the sofdrink shop...I did...shopkeeper changed my money...but when i came back to the platform the bus was gone...bummer...no other option then to take a taxi..I did for a good price(ahah)cab driver was a Chinese dude=he said he would wait at the snake temple and take me back to town afterwards...so...all for a good price of course...anyway...i wanted to visit this  Chinese temple full of living snakes..they told me some are poisonous but they have never bitten anyone...probably they are bit stoned due to the incense burning sticks==who knows(ahah)i soon discovered that this temple got nothing to do with relgion or praying..but...it's in fact a tourist trap...when i came into the hall one sees green pit vipers hanging around all over..they usually are asleep..but i would not touch them to find out if they are real or not...so...one can learn quite a bit about different kind of snakes..they are kept in cages..i saw cobras,rattlesnakes and other snakes i never heard the name of...fact is there is an albino yellow python which a lot of tourist touch or kiss because they say if you touch it from head to bottom it will bring good luck...i did not...but i could not resist a python and a pit viper around my neck for a photograph;..i do not know whether it is risky or not..a python is heavy,bit slippery feeling as well...i did not like that pit viper on my head since if they bite..it could give some trouble...it's such a commercial place=a tourist sensation...well...yeah...i got a python pic in my old blog which was taken in Galle(Sri Lanka)here it's a center where they keep all kind of snakes...one can learn something...after that visit cab driver dropped me back at the corner of Chulia street..and took few beers in Love lane...met an interesting American tourist who lived 30 years in China and even translates Chinese literature into English...he was from Chicago...brillianty intelligent dude...after that went to the hotel,and had food in Dindigul Biryani==an Indian soup,followed by an excellent rice/beef and again lassi...nice interesting day it had been..

 

pic 1 and 2=green pit vipers...

 

 

 

pic 3 and 4==the yellow python..

 

 

 

pic 5 ==was I afraid of the python??or was the python afraid of me??

 

 

pic 6==a green viper on my head..but...i survived it(ahah)

 

 

pic 7==a deadly snake kept in a cage of course==the carpet viper..

 

 

 

pic 8==the temple cat got never bitten by a snake(ahah)

 

the weather this morning looked much better then it did yesterday==almost no haze to be seen,...and plenty of sunshine...

so I walked to Chowrista and did that hop on/off bus tour again...the reason I did this was that I wanted to do 2 tours=

the city tour and the beach tour..city tour stops in front of the Penang hill entrance...so..I got down there to visit this most famous tourist attraction for Georgetown...i got a ticket half price because I told the staff i was a senior citizen==normal price is 60 ringgit but I got it for 30 ringgit==return trip...

good deal..it was very crowded and to get in to the cable car there was a waiting queue...Penang hill is situated 6kms southwest of Georgetown in a neighbourhood called Ayer Itam..the ride with the cablerar to the top of the hill is quite steep and spectacular...one reaches 821 meters above the city..

i must say...i was very impressed,not only by the view but also what can be seen on the top==an Indian temple,a Masjid,gadget shops,snack stall

even a place to stay there=Bellevue..probably not a cheap option..i walked around and took some stunning pictures...there is also  a place where folks can have pics taken together with 2 live big parrots...couldn't resist it==for the same price the dude took 8 pics on my own camera...of course it smells to tourism commercialism just like it did in the snake temple...but anyway...i only come once in my lifetime to Penang..so..have a look at thie websites..must be a nice experience to stay at Bellevue hotel...

 

http://www.penanghill.gov.my/

 

http://bellevuehotel.my/

 

I will put quite a few pics taken from Penang hill..I will relate to the beach tour with the hop on/off bus in next posting...

 

pic 1 and 2==view over Georgetown...

 

 

 

 

pic 3==view on the cable car track..

 

 

pic 4==Indian temple on Penang Hill..

 

 

pic 5==a portrait artist at Penang Hill..

 

 

pic 6==a flower wall..

 

 

pic 7,8 and 9==few pics of the parrots..

 

 

 

 

pic 10==return with the cable car going down..

 

After coming down by cable car to the entrance of Penang Hill i took the hop on/off bus again towards Chowrista market an on that place one can switch to the beach tour route...so...i hopped on that one...the weather became grey and there was rain in the air..the beach tour goes along curvy roads towards Teluk Bahang..on that road there are lots of tourist resorts,hotels etc...beaches are called Shamrock,Miami,Monkey beach...mostly not so good for swimming purposes..I did like the scenic drive along the Penang coastline...i did not get down anywhere but stayed on the bus..there is a butterfly parc on that route but it was temporarily closed...on the way down again to Georgetown center it started raining VERY heavily with strong winds;..it was quite a sight really...I got down at Chowrista market and took shelter for about half an hour..finally the rain stopped...it's like that in Malaysia...it can rain very heavy for couple of hours...after that sunshine again...I did have rain in Singapore,Malacca,Kuala Lumpur and Georgetown(Penang)i did find a very good Indian restaurant just before getting into Chulia street...after that i walked back to the hotel..tomorrow was gonna be my last day in Penang...i made a plan to visit a few musea...

 

 

some information on Penang island...

 

http://wikitravel.org/en/Penang

 

 

pic 1==Miami beach..

 

 

pic 2==Denise(Singapore)on Monkey beach....

 

so...my last day in Penang annonced itself very sunny and hot...after breakfast in Chulia street I went to a shop where they rent bicycles on the rate of 10 ringgit a day...it's a good feeling to cycle around in these little side streets filled with shops mainly Chinese...i stopped first at an expat bar called Soho Freehouse on Jalan Penang where they serve alcohol full swing...even hard stuff and cocktails...believe it or not but i ordered myself a pussyfoot=who invents all these crazy names for cocktails anyway?nice bar really where few expats were having their chat on the bar..i had a Kilkenny Irish beer as well...not a cheap option to go for alcohol in Malaysia..well..after that i cycled towards the Penang museum==this museum is a must if you visit Georgetown=very educative and excellent display of earlier life on Penang..went into St.George's church nearby,then did the camera museum where i met an American girl who is a photographer and is on the road for 1 year==she is from Seattle...we had a nice talk..after the camera museum i did the coffee+chocolate museum and finally the blue mansion where i met Nicole and Steinar=she's a Chinese Singaporean and Steinar is Norvegian,we cycled together further on and visited a famous cake house in Armenian street,then visited Kaptan Kling Masjid,then I  had a beer with my new friends in Love lane...and finally went back to the hotel and packed my luggage ready for the trip to Penang airport and the flight towards Kuala Lumpur with Air Asia...I ordered a cab for 08.30 a.m..I will put lots of pics here and will refer it accordingly  to the places I visited that day...hectic day...but...very interesting...

 

 

P.S...these are the ingredients of a pussyfoot cocktail...

 

• crushed ice
• 1 ¹⁄₂ ounces white rum
• 1 ounce heavy cream
• 1 ounce pineapple juice
• 1 ounce lime juice
• 1 ounce cherry juice

 

As I said this Soho Freehouse bar is well organised,pool table,big screen television,excellent service...I took a pic of the list of drinks available==impressive for a place like Penang==after all Malaysia is a Muslim country..i visited another bar on Chulia street a few days earlier called Hong Kong bar==the walls are full of Aussie navy and army pics...the lady who runs the house is a Chinese called Jenny...it is said this bar is very full when the Aussie fleet visits Penang harbour..

 

pic 1==my bicycle..I loved cycling around with it....

 

 

pic 2==interior of Soho Freehouse bar..

 

 

pic 3==interior of St.Georges's Anglican Church==very simple..built by the East India company in 1817..

 

i took my time in Penang museum,it gives a good insight into the history of this island,the diversity of the etnic groups,their traditions as well as their houses,clothes,furniture,utensils etc...furthermore documents,lots of photographs,an art gallery...i did like roaming through the different exihibits...

i must say==a well organised museum which gives a picture of how Penang island was in past days...I photographed an original opium bed,Chinese furniture...there is a lot to see really...in the courtyard at the entrance of this museum is an old tram and as well a statue of the founder of Penang=Sir Francis Light...the entrance for this museum is only 1 ringgit..I put some pics which I took and also a link for Penang and one for the museum itself...

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penang

 

http://www.penangmuseum.gov.my/

 

pic 1 and 2==an opium bed..smoking opium was popular amongst the Chinese etc..in 1940 the British banned the use or trading of opium,nowadays use or possession of opium will result in a death penalty..foreigners who were drug traffickers in Malaysia will be locked up in Taiping jail in Perak state and might even await a death penalty as well...a good advice..stay clear of drugs in Malaysia

 

 

 

pic 3==a bedroom..

 

 

pic 4==old precious furniture..

 

 

pic 5==clothes of the Boria===mostly street musicians who played at weddings etc...clo

 

pic 6===wedding bed from the Baba Nyonya culture...

 

 

 

pic 7===photographs of Baba Nyonya families..

 

 

pic 8==something about the baba Nyonya culture..

 

 

pic 9==ornaments..

 

 

pic 10==a typical man pulled jinrikisha..

 

so..after the Penang museum i cycled on through Georgetown..and I stumbled upon the camera museum..

so...I went inside..entrance=20 ringgit...there were only 2 visitors in this place..me and an American lady..

i started a talk with her===she was a photographer and on a long travel trip..probably more then 1 year even...

she is from Seattle and likes travelling,photography and diving...adventurous woman...the museum itself...

well....lots of camera's of course...a must for camera freaks...hundreds of different type cameras..

it was all a bit too technical for me..but nevertheless an interesting visit...I took a few pics as well

 

http://www.virtualmalaysia.com/culture-heritage/penang-camera-museum/

 

 

pic 1 up till 8==camera museum Georgetown(Penang)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I happened to cycle through Leith street when I saw a sign==chocolate and coffee museum..

interesting museum about cocoa,coffee etc...chocolates are VERY expensive in Malaysia...

staff members offer you free tasting of some chocolates they produce only in Malaysia...

I took some pictures and when i came out i did meet another bicycle couple=Nicole and Steinar..

we cycled towards the Blue mansion together which is very near to the chocolate museum...

Blue mansion is a must to see in Georgetown..I will tell more about it in next posting..

some pics taken inside the chocolate/coffee museum...first a pic i plucked from internet..

 

 

pic 1==the chocolate museum..

 

 

2==chocolate is good for health...

 

 

pic 3==even durian filled chocolate..oh...

 

 

pic 4==or chilli chocolate..

 

 

pic 5===they make all kind of flavours in Malaysia..

 

 

pic 6==pure cocoa drink...

 

Before I give you all my personal comment on this fantastic blue mansion...just have a look at this you tube to see what I mean in my comment hereafter....do not miss a visit to this special tourism attraction while in Georgetown...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMZ7updMLls

the Blue mansion or Cheong Fatt Tze mansion is also on Leith street...this house can be visited at certain hours under guided tour...i took the 2 p.m tour==cost=16 ringgit...excellent tour guide who really explains in perfect English what's so special there...

what i liked on the outside was this strong blue colour..this house was built around 1880 by a Chinese Cantonese businessman called Thio Thiaw Siat..the owner was one of the richest Chinese ever=Mr.Cheong Fatt Tze=a Baba Peranakan who even produced his own wine etc..the tour guide takes you through the splendid architecture of this house,also explaining about the owners life,his wifes etc...this mansion was neglected so much after Cheongs death,so in 2000 the Unesco jumped in and gave a special price to the folks who did the restauration,i must say...they did a wonderful job..in this house there are 38 rooms,over 200 windows and one can notice Asian and Western architecture everywhere..in this house they turned a movie called Indochina with Catherine Deneuve in a head role...Cheong Fatt Tze was called the Chinese Rockefeller,because he developped Chinese railways,banks,vineyards and even was active in the opium trade...I really loved this conducted tour...I took few pictures...first a you tube about the restauration...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtG-zcSGe30

a few pics I took myself in this lovely mansion...as said before I met some new friends=Nicole and Steinar==very nice people...

 

pic 1=view on the entrance of the Blue mansion..

 

 

pic 2==inside the house..

 

 

pic 3==mister Cheong Fatt Tze himself...

 

 

pic 4==pic of the clothes of the wifes of the owners=he had 7 of them,i believe..

 

 

pic 5==the famous wine=Chang Yu..still very famous in nowadays China...

 

 

pic 6==view taken from the upstairs of the house...

 

 

pic 7+8==Nicole(from Singapore)and Steinar(from Norway)

 

 

so after this visit to the Blue mansion Nicole,Steinar and myself decided to cycle together towards the Kaptan Kling Masjid(mosque)

Nicole is a brave Singaporean with a lot of sense of organisation,discipline and sense of orientation...typical Singapore girl..

i lose my sense of direction easily and therefore get lost quite often(ahah)the Masjid is impressiv enough but visitors cannot go inside and Nicole and Steinar had to put on long robes supplied for visitors...i was O.K because i was decently dressed,the caretaker said..I think sometimes a visit to a Masjid is O.K...,but it's not my favorite tourist sightseeing place...after this visit Nicole guided us towards China house which is a favorite cake/coffee house with an artistic interior,a bar with live music etc..the assortiment of cakes/icecream,coffee,tea are truly great...we had each a different cake and shared it...i had a sachertorte with a mocca coffee..we explored this China house building=ask for Lebuh Pantia nr.153...after that it was about time to deliver the bicycles in at Chulia street=Nicole,Steinar and me went to reggae hostel/bar where we had a nice talk and a Belgian Stella beer...a Stella is never far away..I am surprised this beer became so popular all over the world...i know better beers..just in front of the reggae bar there is a Tibetan temple which is worthwhile visiting==i took some pics...what a hectic day it had been...i went to the hotel,walked Little India Market street again where i took a nice pic of a Ganesh Ganapati little shrine,had food in Dindigul Biryani restaurant and went to bed===tomorrow Penang airport,goodbye Penang island and back to Kuala Lumpur..

 

first a you tube for China house Georgetown==worthwhile a visit...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdsQ68LuOR8

 

 

pic 1+2==Kaptan Kling Masjid..

 

 

 

pic 3==a nice coffee at China house...

 

 

pic 4==the reggae bar in Love lane..

 

 

pic 5==a Stella with Nicole and Steinar at the reggae bar..

 

 

pic 6,7,8 and 9==Tibetan temple in front of reggae bar..

 

 

pic 7==Tibetan temple

 

 

pic 8==Tibetan temple

 

 

pic 9=Tibetan temple detail..

 

 

pic 10==Ganesh Ganapati in Little India(=Market street)

 

so..next morning 08.30h==cab towards the airport...nice driver=probably the regular taxi driver for Broadway hostel..

i must say i was surprised by the Penang international airport==well organised...i took my breakfast because i had time enough...

flight to Kuala Lumpur with Air Asia scheduled at around 11.30h,flying time about 1hour...

the airport is situated in Bayan Lepas=16kms.south of Georgetown...got very smoothly through all airport check ups...

the flight is a very short one=just under 1hour...Air Asia got nice hostesses in a very nice dress...no refreshments are served...

reaching K.L was allright...i took the express train towards Central station...it takes about 30 minutes...

i met a nice 70 year old Danish lady(=Lise)travelling with her daughter Dorit who lives in Australia..

we had a nice conversation on the train ride...I did book again my last 2 days of my trip in backhome backpackers hostel..

I really LOVE that place...i highly recommend it to anyone wanting to stay for a few days in K.L.

good rooms,free WIFi,good breakfast,2 computers to use,good and helpful information bythe friendly staff,laundry service etc...

 

http://backhome.com.my/room-types/

 

I reached by 2 p.m on a scorching hot day...I made a plan to visit K.L Menara tower next day..

they told me the view over K.L is superb,even better then from the Petronas towers..

met some friendly people in my room=2 nice girls from Denmark on a longer South East Asia trip...

I went to Central Station and into a shopping mall for an Indonesian resturant...had a bowl of good filling soup...

I felt bit tired from the trip,but also from the climate..the heat makes one bit lazy...

 

pic==internet computers in Backhome hostel=free to use...

 

my almost last day in Kuala Lumpur since tomorrow i was gonna fly back home to Brussels...

i must say...this Malaysia/Singapore trip will be an everlasting memory for me...

I saw a lot,met interesting people,made new friends..I love South East Asia..

now..for this last day...i was gonna visit the KL Menara tower...and on top of that...
and exploration of the Kuala Lumpurs elevated monorail system..nice experience...

took a subway from the hostel towards Central station..then the monorail system up to Bukit Bintang..

I found it different then the subway because on this system you see the city much better...

a you tube for this system  

 

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETdkYmCi044

 

 

I got out at Bukit Bintang===lots of posh hotels and shopping malls around...

I took 2 pics of the monorail and made a rather brisk walk towards Menara K.L..which is situated on top of a hill..

 

pic 1==monorail

 

 

pic 2==monorail between Bukit Bintang-Bukit Nanas...

 

so...from the monorail exit Bukit Bintang towards K.L Menara tower==it is still a brisk walk...i saw signs for big luxury hotels,also there is a split road at one point=Petronas towers or Menara...it's uphill and a rather steep climb...on the return there is a shuttle bus down...I must say...again...the tourist trap=an observation deck(glass covered) with the necessary tourist gadgets,key hangers,ball pens,souvenirs...i took the full option for 105 ringgit==that means the observation deck+the outside one bit higher in full open air where on a clear day one can see quite a good view over Kuala Lumpur skyscrapers...to get to the top it's all well organised with escalator people who tell you where to go=it all looks a bit too posh for me...I straight went first to the open air observation deck...and took some nice photographs,there was a little haze hanging over K.L..but anyway..escalator to the glass covered observation deck...lots of tourists..what i found interesting is the fact they put the highest towers on a wall with location,how tall they are etc...Menara is somewhere in the middle...highest is in Tokyo=Tokyo Skytree=634meters...i stayed quite a while on that observation deck...then took the elevator down again...on the ground floor even more activity...a Malaysian band playing,a clown making balloons for the kids...saw a film documentary on the building project of Menara tower,then i had a Tiger beer in a restaurant with a view...finally took the shuttle bus down...walked to Bukit Nanas monorail station,took a train towards K.L central station and since i was hungry...went to the 6th or 7th floor of the shopping mall where lots of food places are located...I believe i took a Korean style restaurant..went back by subway to the hostel where I had a few Tiger beers...tomorrow...really my last day...i was planning to leave for the airport by 16.00h since my flight to Doha was only at 21.15h...my bag was packed and I was ready to go back home...

i must say...this was a WONDERFUL trip..a real adventure....

 

a link on Menara K.L tower

 

https://www.menarakl.com.my/

 

 

a you tube on the observation deck...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qxzy66tO1_Q

 

few pics I took on Menara tower...

 

pic 1==the highest towers in the world=Menara is 7th highest...

 

 

pic 2==view from the open deck..

 

 

pic 3==another view from the open deck..

 

 

pic 4==view from open deck...

 

 

pic 5==view from observation deck(glass windows)

 

 

pic 6==sorry ladies...Muslim women in the theatre projection=a film about the buillding of Menara K.L

 

so...final last day in Malaysia..i took a good breakfast as always in the hostel...normally I had to check out of the room at noon..

which I did...but in this place it's possible to store luggage in a safe way...so...I put my bags in a locker and put my padlock on it...

I told the staff i wanted a taxi towards the railway station by 16.00h...i went out by subway to central station to buy a train ticket for the KLIA express to the airport=35 ringgit...really worthwhile,fast,comfortable service who takes people straight to the international airport in less then half an hour...I took a coffee in the central station,went backt to the hostel...in the morning it was really hot..by 3 p.m the weather suddenly took a nasty turn===heavy rain...i asked the fellow from the staff=how long will this take==he said==maybe 2 hours..bit before 4 p.m he rang up a cab...but..the cab did not make it through the disturbed traffic due to the really heavy rain...so this dude went outside with an umbrella...and tried to flag down an empty cab driver...which he finally could do...the staff in backhome hostel...well..they go out of their way to please the folks who stay in their hostel...the cab driver was a Chinese...suddenly traffic came almost to a complete traffic jam situation..we found out bit later...the road was in total flood...

and cars had to drive very slow through it...finally made it to the railway station...got into the train..in front of me a couple sat down with a baby...

that little fellow wanted to play with my beard,I believe(ahah)Christine and Mabin were a Borneo couple from Kuching(Sarawak)==nice folks..

Christine handed over Theophil(their child)to sit on my lap for a while..we split at the airport and they asked me to come and visit them in Borneo...

they  are Christian from religion...I doubt whether I will ever land up in Sarawak===usually i do not visit a country twice...but..it could be this time..

who knows?I still have contact with Christine and Mabin today...Kuala Lumpur airport was very busy...i had time enough...but check in for Qatar Airways started early enough...no problems going through security...I did spend my last ringgit in a meal...boarded the plane...safe landing in Doha..transit of few hours..had a Stella beer in Doha...they do not give you back in euro's but in Qatari rials..Doha airport is a VERY busy airport because all Qatar flights come together there before they fly anywhere else..then boarding the flight to Brussels in that famous Qatar dreamliner plane...

reached Brussels safe around 07.30h morning..very busy arrival hall..and going through security took some time...a lot of folks had their bags controlled..i was lucky..they let me through without even touching my bags..missed the train to Louvain by 2 minutes...came home around noon

...so...my trip was over..it has been a trip I will remember for a long time...Malaysia/singapore is a worthwhile destination...I do hope you enjoyed my blog...and i do hope it can be used by people who will travel that direction one fine day...it is not my last trip...because i will travel until I drop dead....

greetings..Tiger...

 

 

pic 1==the little Borneo fellow..

 

 

 

 

pic 2==Doha airport at night(Qatar)

 

Well...on 10th od December I am going to visit a Christmas market in the town of Bruges...

every foreign tourist which i know off wants to visit Bruges...for it's canals,historic buildings etc...

Bruges is a tourist place really...every year they also held an ice sculpture festival were artists scarve structures into ice..

sometimes whole cathedrals...I have never seen it,and as a matter of fact I have never visited Bruges Christmas market either..

the reason i go this year is that 2 Malaysian ladies are coming over to Bruges to see this market...

I have never met them but i have met familiy members of them in Malaysia during my trip...

I will only be very glad to assist them with accomodation(which i arranged already)and tourist information...

if any of you visits Belgium===please include Bruges into your program...
I will give enough links here,in that way...you have an idea about Bruges beforehand...

P.S...just like any popular tourist place...I do find Bruges a tourist trap...but...it's part of the vibes..

 

1//a link for accomodation...i booked 2 nights there...will give you all my opinion on it...but...it looks allright..

 

http://hostellybeer.com/

 

 

2/a link on the ice scarving festival==click photos...they keep the temperature at minus 5 grade Celsius....

 

http://www.ijssculptuur.be/en/

 

3/few links on what to do and see in Bruges town...

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruges

 

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Belgium/Provincie_West_Vlaanderen/Brugge-357609/TravelGuide-Brugge.html

 

http://belgium.beertourism.com/cities/bruges

Last saturday 28th November i went to the Petrol club in Antwerp..have been there before a few times..

always great to be in that place and dance the night away...I reckon every weekend year round they do gigs there..

this time it was Tribal roots psy trance with a couple of good Dj's..from the U.K even..

gig started at 22.00h and went on until sunday morning 09.00h..very nice deco,food available,small shop,good beer bar...

althoug hthe entrance and the drinks are expensive...i still like that club a lot..here a  link..

http://www.petrolclub.be/   I met lots of friends which i knew from other gigs..we're like a big family...and i made some new friends as well...

the music...for me it was simply great..the folks who really know psy trance said afterwards it was so and so...

here a you tube from Man with no Name who did a performance in the Petrol club(= a D.J from the U.K)

i went by train+taxi and went back by local bus+train=came home at 13.00h on sunday...nice rave it had been(ahah)

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d86LcgaGwk&feature=player_embedded

 

 

some comment on my 2 day visit to Bruges town..reached by train around noon...when i stepped down on the platform i saw my 2 Malaysian lady guests stepping down as well...nice coincidence..these  ladies were friendly and always smiling...lots of luggage..so cab to the hostel..Lybeer hostel gave me a good impression,friendly owner...the ladies were on the 3d floor==no lift and a bloody difficult staircase...the owner carried the heavy luggage to the 3d floor,i was on second floor in a 4 bedbunk room...nice and convenient==on each floor toilets and showers,very nice lounge and beer bar...the only negative point is the staircase..between second  and third floor the railing was bit broken and unstable...one of the ladies was bit scared on these steps...even me myself i had to watch my steps...we went for a walking tour towards the Christmas market which in fact was a bit of a bummer on this first day..the next day we found another Christmas market and since it was friday a lot more stalls were open...we talked to a stall owner who told us this year it's a disaster for what tourism is concerned=due to the terrror scare...we had some food in a burger bar...good...

next day we planned a lot of things=the ice sculptor exhibition,minnewater parc,shopping streets,Christmas markets etc...

I put few pics first on the first day...next posting will be more going into real Bruges tourism..it's a marvelous town..i can recommend it to any foreign tourist visiting Belgium...good beer,chocolate shops,nice architecture,excellent shopping streets..

 

pic 1==the lounge at Lybeer hostel==with Christmas decorations...

 

 

pic 2==Sheila..

 

 

pic 3==Rose..

 

So...after a good night sleep in the hostel..we went towards the railway station...on the square in front is the ice sculpture exhibition held..I had never visited anything of that kind..so we went in..attendance was not busy at all..in other years they told me there was always a long waiting row of visitors..this year no..when they opened the doors where all that ice was...i felt like going to the North Pole...i totally was not dressed for the occasion..my visitors from Malaysia were well clothed...and even they felt cold..

I must say..I cannot imagine how they can cut these sculptures in ice..very artistic..and of course they had put coloured light effects after them..we stayed in there for maybe 45 minutes..of course everybody takes pictures...i post few pics I took..

 

pic 1==the 2 ladies=Rose and Sheila...

 

 

pic 2==Sheila..

 

 

pic 3,4,5,6,7 and 8==ice sculptures..

 

 

 

 

 

I'm celebrating going into 2016 on a psy Goa trance gig together with a gf which recently became interested in psy trance...

the location is on an industrial area between the towns of Ghent and Antwerp,the line up of DJ's looks simply fabulous..

I'm looking forward to this gig called lost in time because on New Year's Eve everybody is in good moods...i will post the flyers done by Zita..and the line up..full report on 1st of January...Yes...2016 is nearing...I had a good year 2015..new travel adventures and lots of gigs...and I will continue doing so in 2016...travel planning can change...but I have some idea of going to South Korea in the spring and in october i will fly to Kuala Lumpur again because I am invited to an Iban Dayak wedding in Kuching..oh well...sounds very exciting...

 

 

 

Time Shedules

UPTEMPO
20-22: TBA
22-00: Dyonisos (new/oldschool goa)
00-02: Lugus (oldschool goa)
02-04: Psytek (acidic goa - forest)
04-06: Javi & Matka (goa / forest)
06-07: Charris vs Yani (darkisch/psy oldschool goa)
07-08: Javi & Skooma SEMI LIVE (forest - acidic goa)
08-10: SOLAR QUEST 100% LIVE (goa/acid/trance) (UK)
10-12: Laurentius (acid/trance)
12 - 02: Inada (goatrance)
02-03.30: Oktoman (melodic goa) (swiss)
03.30- ?: Elfra (goa)

DOWNTEMPO
22-00: Psytek (downtempo, breakbeat)
00-02: Eva D (minimal)
02-04: Djane Fatcat (minimal / progressive) (NL)
04-06: Solar Quest Live (downtempo) (UK)
06-08: Psygasus (downtempo)
08-10: Trala Lama (downtempo / psybient) (NL) 
10 - ??: Lazarus soundsystem (balkan)

 

The line up looks very interesting..i'm looking out to listen to Solar Quest from the U.K..and all the other dj's as well....

uhuh...last DJ plays  from 15.30 until ?..I do not think i can stay that long..we will see....

 

you tube from Solar Quest(U.K)

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDfQJpxS1MU&feature=share

old tiger you get to go to so many great events!

 

I gotta get outta this place...

my schedule for coming months===on 11Th of March i'll go to a gig in Sojo Leuven where 3 of my friends= DJ powerflower music will give a performance...usually i do meet a lot of likewise souls...just old friends who LOVE 60's music..

then beginning April...  i do have a plan to fly towards Osaka Kansai(Japan)=my main goal is more to visit Japan for 3 weeks...i do love this town Kyoto...cherryblossoms in full swing,I reckon...a link...it's not sure i will go...but...I am seriously thinking about it since Japan always has been a dream destination for me...If i go...I'll put pictures and postings about it here in my blog..

Tiger

 

 

http://kyoto.travel/en

The flowerpower gig in the Sojo Leuven on 11-3 was simply awful..

I love the location..Very small stage so one almost touch the folks who play..

I went by train and reached around 8 p.m..Rivercrest was playing...this band plays on improvisation..they just jam.

their style is a bit of a mixture of space rock,psychedelic,jazz,funk...they kept on jamming for maybe 2 hours..

i know timmo the drummer...meanwhile the club become filled with music freaks coming for the flowerpower d.J's..

they blew bubbles into the air===see pic..i stand somewhere in the middle of the right corner..but barely visible...

at around 11p.m everybody was on the dance floor...they have a special beer called Gageleer...

I stayed until the end which was around 06 a.m,my train was at 06.34h...good train+bus connections to reach home...

this was a gig to remember...i met LOTS of old friends,and made new ones...

 

pic==the bubbles(ahah)lovely...

 

well..it's time to start commenting on my Japan adventures...as i said before Japan always had been a dream trip for me..i knew one fine day i was gonna do it...so..the idea ripened in my head after i came back from my Malaysia journey last autumn..
when i travel i always plan my trip ahead,i buy a good travel guide,try to book my accomodation in advance..in this case I would highly recommend *Loney Planet Japan edition september 2015===900 pages of useful and worthwhile information on anything one needs to make a trip worthwhile...so...I needed a ticket return first..I booked a return via my travel agent for 577 euro/return=Brussels-Osaka with Lufthansa airlines...i think it was a good price...now..due to tragic events at Brussels airport=terrorist attack on 22nd March..my planning underwent a change in schedule and departure...instead of Brussels i had a flight from Liege towards Frankfurt,and then the main flight Frankfurt-Osaka...Brussels airport was closed and up till the last day before departure i still did not know from where i had to fly towards Frankfurt=it could have been Antwerp,Charleroi,Liege or even Ostend==nobody knew untill the last day before departure..so..I decided to leave on 31st of march and stay in a hotel near the Frankfurt airport...I found a decent priced hotel near the airport for 54 euro/night without breakfast=Hotel Meininger..I would advice this place if you wanna be near Frankfurt flughafen...adress=Bessie Coleman street 11...I booked my overnight stay via internet...so...the ride to Liege airport was done by private cab,since they advised people to book in 3 hours before the flight due to more security check ups...reached that airport and since i was early...not too much trouble getting through at least 4 security check ups..they even did a drug test on me and my lugguge...they put a sticker on the hands,body and luggage and pass it through a machine...i was clear of course(ahah)so...i boarded the plane for a 35 minute flight to Frankfurt airport..reached safe and took a cab to Meininger hotel..nice and convenient hotel at less then 3kms from terminal 1...my adventure had started..oh..well...i always get excited but nervous at airports...I don't know why...it's a tension in me i got no control over...

 

a link on this hotel....

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187337-d2399984-Reviews-MEININGER_Hotel_Frankfurt_Main_Airport-Frankfurt_Hesse.html

after a good sleep in Meininger hotel...had a breakfast for 10 euro===good value...i took the shuttle bus towards terminal 1...my flight was scheduled for departure 13.30h=LH 740==about 11h flight towards Osaka...the departure hall in Frankfurt airport was very busy...i wanted to be on time on my departure gate..but what the heck....the security measures in Frankfurt are very good...but time consuming and nerve recking as well...i had to go through at least 4 or 5 security check ups,passport control,a full body screening standing arms up in a cabine,nothing in the pockets etc..i was glad i got through all this necessary stuff maybe regarding security...but still not my cup of tea...so...finally i was waiting to board that Lufthansa flight...a Boeing B747 B..arrival time in Japan would be local time 07.30h next day..there is an 8h time difference with Belgium..nice plane...and a rather comfortable flight..but a long one...reached Kansai airport around 07.50h morning...nice airport with lots of good technology==Japan,you know...getting through the customs etc...was allright...not too much hassles or questions asked...i did have to open my suitcase..the customer official said something in Japanese to his fellow companion...they both smiled...allright then...here I put my first steps on Japanese soil...change euro's into yen first==the rate was between 122 yen towards 1 euro..

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaUFLZjrsuc&feature=youtu.be

so..now...i had to take a local JR train towards my hostel called J-Hoppers in Ajikawaguchi..oh what a name...

I got assistance from an hostess working at Kansai airport...she made my ticket via a vending machine...

it was all in Japanese...later i found out there is a button on top somewhere which changes everything into English language..

she told me not to go into Osaka main station,but to get down at Nishikujo and change there for direction Sakurajima...a very popular side line because Universal Studios is on that line...so..i boarded the train...very comfortable...a local train which stopped all over...but anyway..nice way to observe the scenery...the local people etc..scenery is a lot of similar build smaller Japanese style houses...i reached Nishikujo and got my train direction Sakurajima..i booked all my accomodations online via booking com or expedia and printed off the booking form,they always include a direction how to reach the hostel or hotel...Ajikawaguchi seemed like a smaller place but really nice..typical Japanese...i could not find the exact street,so...i asked a bypasser..that dude went out of his way to tell me in his best English HOW to reach the hostel...they use their smartphones a lot in Japan to look up an adress via street maps...i reached the hostel and got a very warm welcome by Mika=a receptionist girl...i loved her smile a lot=later on i met her colleague Saori who was equally smiling...Japanese people are very welcoming,helpful and they will go out of their way to explain in their best English how or what to do..the receptionists at J-Hoppers spoke fluent English of course...now..let me tell you about this hostel..which i would recommend if you stay in Osaka==i payed 10.500 yen for 3 nights which equals 83 euros...not bad..the policy is that one takes off shoes at the entrance already,change into slippers provided by the hostel..they have a kitchen with all the necessary facilities,free coffee,tea,use of fridge etc...WIFI available...i got a bunk bed in a mixed dormitory room,safe own locker etc..I loved it...normally one can only check in from 15.00h but it's possible to leave your luggage..to be honest..that first day..i did not go back into Osaka town..to begin with==jetlag,feeling tired after 11h hours in a plane,the hustle and bustle of airports...not my thing really..oh...I went to the toilet...another surprise in Japan...again other slippers to wear..then...a heated toilet seat and lots of buttons like massage,a jetspray on my ass...i used it and almost got an orgasm(ahah)all in all...I felt O.K at Hoppers...talked to some guests and Mika and Saori kept me busy as well...they called me Santa Claus...oh well..i went out to buy some snacks in a local supermarket...now..you will find these Family Marts all over...mostly open 24h/24h...I enjoyed my first day in Osaka...apart from feeling jetlag..but that's a  temporary feeling anyway..

 

a link on Hoppers==how to go there,facilities etc...

 

http://universal.j-hoppers.com/location.html

 

and a picture of these beautiful receptionists...very helpful and ALWAYS smiling...

 

 

Saori and Mika..nice girls...

 

ahah...Japanese toilet policies...well...it made me smile...look at these pics...

 

 

i pushed a few buttons...to my surprise i got a jetspray on my ass...ahahahah...

 

a good night sleep took me over the jetlag symptoms...so...next morning=coffee in the hostel==most Japanese hostels do not serve breakfast,but always one finds a family Mart were little snacks are available...so...I was ready to attack Osaka town...back to the Nishikujo station for a change towards Osaka station and Umeda...i must say...It can be very confusing once you're in Osaka town subway stations==they use 8 different lines...and it's very easy to get lost...I can tell you...I did...after few days one gets more familiar with the subway,but it's still confusing at times...but Japanese subway staff are really very helpful..the lines i used most is the North--South line called the Midosuji line==it connects Shin Osaka-Osaka-Umeda and Namba and Tennoji..these stops are already more then enough to explore this busy town..i took some other lines as well..often it takes a decent walk between connecting station...first thing i did when reaching Osaka station was asking for the tourist information office..I couldn't find it...and had to ask some people where it was...now...I would advice to go to this office with excellent staff who really give good information on anything you wanna know on Osaka..i got myself a 2day Osaka amazing pass which gives free rides on subway lines,bus and also free admission to a number of tourist attractions==cost of this pass=3000 yen/2 days...it was a worthwhile investigation because using the subway involves always a ticket which has to go through a ticket control and when going out the same thing...single rides go between 180 to 420 yen depending on distance..with this pass i was O.K...i got myself a good Osaka city map via grand Front Osaka and Umeda which is a maze of shopping malls,restaurants etc...a feast for the eyes really..first thing i wanted to do is a visit to the Umeda Sky building for a panoramic view over Osaka city..it's a short walk away via a tunnel from Umeda station...this building is in my eyes an architectual marvel..the designer was Hara Hiroshi which also made the Kyoto railway station..and that station in Kyoto..I have never seen anything like that in my entire life..so..I reached the ticket office for Umeda observation deck==they call it floating garden..the view from on top there is simply breath takingly nice==see pictures...P.S...do not do this building if the weather is cloudy...one sees nothing then..lots of tourists of course...normal entrance without the pass is 700yen=observation deck open between 10 am to 22.30h..one goes with an elevator via a glass tunnel towards the top...between the 2 towers...amazing...

 

i put a useful link on Osaka town which is certainly worthwhile looking into..

 

http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/

 

few pics i took from the Umeda sky building..

 

 

 

 

 

the architecture of this building is amazing....

 

 

 

 

The Umeda sky building seen from Osaka Grand front near Lucua shopping center...

 

after the Umeda sky building discovery..I walked back to Grand Front Osaka where i went into the Lucua shopping mail..huge building with spic and span display of all kind of shops...i believe 10 storeys high..later on i did go for food at a French restaurant on the 9th floor..they prepared the chicken dish excellently...i had few sangria's with it as well..now...in Lucua..there was some animation going on like ropepulling,cheerleadershow with gymnastics,lots of bystanders who really enjoyed the vibes...later on i decided to take a subway direction Namba..to visit that famous area called Dotombori.. with LOTS of restaurants,noisy *pachinko halls,pubs,and certainly last but not least enormous crowds..everybody likes strolling along Dotombori and its side streets,there is also a canal callled Dotombori guwa..lots of activity on the water even,cruises for tourists with boats,local boats race competition etc..i saw a bit of everything..normally i could have done a free boat tour with my 3 day pass,but fore some reason i did not..i took a stroll through a big shopping arcase..it seemed endless..i went into a pachinco bar...what a noisy place...Japanese are crazy about shopping,amusement halls,food etc...I never went into a huge department store like Daimaru  etc...lots of shops have hostesses who stand on the outside and try to win customers...in Dotombori everybody takes pics,i went into a Japanese food restaurant and had some food made on a hot plate...not bad...something with beef in it;to be honest..I'm not a big fan of sushi,shashimi etc..and i cannot manage eating with chopsticks either..I did like the noise and bustle of the Namba area...every tourist goes there really..P.S. I will put 2 other postings on Dotombori...

 

pic 1==rope pulling in Lucua shopping plaza..

I wil

 

pic 2== acrobatic cheerleaders performance..

 

 

pic 3=view on the Lucua shopping mail...10 storeys high..restaurants on nr.9..

 

 

pic 4==view on Grand Front square Osaka and entrance to Osaka station,subways etc...

 

 

pic 5==a lot of Japanese wear face masks..

 

 

pic 6==a street vending drinks automatic machine..like you will find them all over Japan..

 

Dotombori part 1...

 

for this area I will put a few postings because it's a very interesting area of Osaka town..

I took a subway towards Namba..starting from Umeda or Osaka station it is on the Midosuji subway line...

subway stations are mostly electronically announced in English..but not always...stations get numbers like M20 for Namba..

i found it often bit confusing=at first masses of people,some stations have several entries and exits..

take the wrong exit and you're into a puzzle..and sometimes  even my pass went through the machine while going out..but got stuck into the machine..

I would advice to use an exit boot next to the fellow sitting in a cabin...he's able to open the machinery and get your pass or ticket back..these fellows do their job in a good way..friendly and helpful..typical Japanese...if you travel with a single ticket it can happen that you cannot exit...this often means you have to pay a surplus of 60 yen or something...the guard will let you go through then..so...I came out of Namba subway..lot of crowds on the streets..Dotombori street is famous for illuminated huge blillboards,glamour and glitter and kitch mixed,lots of eateries for all palates...I enjoyed strolling along with the crowd...stopped for a look at the Dotombori canal at Ebisu bridge..lots of activity on and along the water..I saw the tourist boats,but also smal boats with Japanese folks using drums etc...fascinating...Dotombori is a delight for photographers...

since i got hungry seeing all these restaurants i decided to enter a Japanese beef restaurant,one gets a seat,then you order your choice,mostly outside on the entrance they put a sign with all the food photographically displayed..this beef restaurant was using a hot plate to serve the food...i enjoyed the food...i asked for a spoon/fork since I'm a fool with chopsticks(ahah)good food,but bit more then i expected..after this i went for a long stroll through the shopping district of Shinsaibashi...amazing shops,perfect displays,huge supermarkets like Daimaru..i will put some you tubes on Dotombori and also my personal pics...

 

pic 1==Dotombori street..

 

 

pic 2==Japanese food preparation in Dotombori...

 

 

pic 3===the crowds...

 

 

pic 4=this is how they display food in front of restaurants....

 

 

pic 5==preparing of Japanese food..

 

 

a you tube on Dotobori..

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVUCV50_6qQ

Dotombori part 2...

 

well...I truly enjoyed my day in Dotombori..it's simply an eye catching area full of Japanese activity...

i sat down on a little restaurant near Ebisu bridge to watch canal life floating by...enjoying an Asahi beer...

i made a walk through the shopping district of Shinsaibashi...shops abound for every taste=Japanese are shopping freaks..

it's a feast for the eyes how they display their goods..and very often hostesses in special dress try to lure customers inside their shops...

the walk between Namba towards Shinsaibashi seemed endless..nothing else then shops,restaurants,pachinco halls..

around Namba i went into a pachinco hall...it's simply TOO noisy...everybody sitting in front of a pinball machine...

even drum playing,dance performances etc...crazy place really...some Japanese seem to be addicted to these games?

all i can say is the fact that if you visit Osaka town==do not miss this neighbourhood..I did not go there at night...since i was already tired enough from walking around the whole day...i took a subway back from the Shinsaibashi station and i had trouble finding it..but some dude told me how to reach the subway entrance...back in Osaka train station i wanted to go the the G.P.O Osaka post office to buy stamps for postcards..the central post office from Osaka can be found at the Sakurabashi exit of Osaka station...the rate for postcards worldwide is a stamp of 70 yen..ask for air mail stickers as well...

 

pic 1==Dotonbori canal..

 

 

pic 2==rowers near Ebisu bridge...a drumplayer in front...

 

 

pic 3==the sighseeing boat for tourists on Dotonbori canal..

 

 

pic 4==famous street signs in Dotonbori street..

 

 

pic 5===a pachinko hall near Namba...

 

 

you tube on Shinsaibashi shopping streets...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EeTfiBWZzU

Dotonbori part 3..

 

yeah...in Japan one cannot escape food..it's just ALL over...

 

pic 1==in this restaurant i took a beef dish(Dotonbori street)

 

 

pic 2==my food served on a very hot plate...

 

 

pic 3==into a pachinko hall..

 

 

pic 4==the crowds in shopping streets...

 

 

pic 5==a subway scene in Osaka..

 

 

pic 6==and back to the friendly girls from J Hoppers hostel=Saori and Mika..

 

 

and again...a you tube on what to do while in Osaka town..

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rDDXTQt1t8

so..the next day i decided to visit the Osaka museum of housing and living located in the area Tenjinbashi on the 8th floor of some building..i did have to take the Tanimachi subway line to Tenjinbashi-suji-rokuchome and then take exit 3...it was not easy to get to this place because i took a wrong exit,very confusing..finally i managed to find that building and went to the 8th floor..i thought that this museum was gonna be very interesting because it shows how Japanese life was ages ago..,the main interesting thing was that a lot of people rent kimonos,walk around the museum in that outfit and take pictures...all in all this visit was bit of a bummer,most exhibits were explained in Japanese,and apart from the kimono girls and boys..nothing really exciting..i took a few pics...went out and got into a conveyor belt sushi bar...interesting..one sits on a chair while a whole row of sushi  passes your eyes...if you like something you just pick it out and eat it...pay on the counter..very friendly old Japanese lady who did not speak 1word of English..

i took some salmon sushi...normally i'm not a big fan of sushi...but anyway...after that i took a subway to Tenno-ji to visit the Buddhist temple Shitenno-ji...subway line Tanimachi up to Shitennoji-mae and then take south exit..it's a short walk to this temple...interesting visit really..since it is one of the oldes Buddhist temples in Japan,nice garden as well,the whole place looked a bit deserted to me...took some nice pics,even sakura(cherry blossom)in full bloom...i was going towards Kyoto tomorrow by train...and Kyoto is a highlight for temples,sakura blossoms,kimono clad ladies etc...after Tenno ji took a subway to Umeda and took dinner on the 9th floor in a Spanish based restaurant...good chicken dish,glass of sangria..then back by subway to my hostel in Ajikawaguchi...P.S...I'll do an extra posting on the Tenno-ji temple...

 

pic 1==oh..Belgian waffles in Osaka railway station...yummy yummy..

 

 

pic 2==some nice Japanese girls in kimono in the museum..

 

 

pic 3==sushi bar conveyerbelt..

 

 

pic 4==a lot of sushi varieties available..

 

 

pic 5==on the sushi bar conveyor belt...

 

 

pic 6== I took a salmon sushi...delicious..I loved the idea of a conveyor belt..=i 

 

 

a you tube on the museum of housing and living...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3MOl7OuavI

it was my last day in Osaka and after the visit to the museum of housing and living...i took a subway towards Tenno-ji..

few pics of this temple and it's surroundings...I did like the quietness of this place...not too many tourists either...

I will put another posting on this temple...pictures i took and which i liked a lot..

 

pic1==little Buddha statue at Tenno-ji temple..inside one can get good luck charms...

 

 

pic 2==on the courtyard of the temple...

 

 

pic 3==sakura(cherry tree blossoms)but the best place to see them is Kyoto...

 

 

pic 4==temple view..

 

pic 5==inside view..

 

 

a you tube on this temple and the Tennoji area around...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSJFo6M7eio

so...another set of pics from this temple...i would recommend a visit to Tenno-Ji..busy neighbourhood of Osaka as well...

 

pic 6==Buddhist worship..

 

 

pic 7==statue..

 

 

 

pic 8==view on a side temple...

 

pic 9==in the month of April Japanese trees and flowers are in full bloom...

 

 

pic 10==on the subway again...

 

so..the next morning=JR train towards Kyoto station from Osaka station===cost=560 yen..i made the ticket myself on a vending machine...

click on top on English and then follow instructions...it's not that complicated;..after few days in Japan one learns things...

the trainride was nice and comfortable...it took 40minutes to reach Kyoto..oh...what a railway station...i have never seen something alike in my life...

I was gonna stay 4 days in Kyoto and i tried booking a hostel but in the month of april=impossible...everything was fully booked...so...i managed via internet to book in Amenity hotel===a capsule hotel...interesting...and worthwhile its price of 40 euro's...i was bit scared of capsule hotels...because i thought i'll get claustrofobic in it...NOT at all...there is a curtain,air conditioning,reading lamp,and contacts to charge your phone...they had a bathroom with a hot bubble bath..I really enjoyed my stay there...first thing i did in Kyoto station was the tourist office...long waiting queue since everybody seemed to visit Kyoto...very helpfull staff..i bought a 2 day bus pass,also valid on the subway...but i never took the subway in Kyoto...the bus system in Kyoto is fantastic..what an organistaion..one enters in the middle and pays at the front at the driver===single ride cost 230 yen,but with my pass i went free all over...worthwhile investigation of 2000 yen...now..i boarded the bus towards Gion side of town..I asked the driver where to get out...he did not speak a word of English==result..i went out of the bus 2 stops too soon...started walking....asked the way...came into a little side alley...no joke with my luggage either because it was a warm day...finally i decided to ask the way in a little fish shop...the owner came,looked at the adress...and frowned his face and said in his best English...that's not gonna be easy...because it's far away...then he said...i'll take you there in my van..what a nice man...he drove me straight to Amenity hotel...he even made a phone call to find out the exact location...I told you Japanese are helpfull...here is the proof of it.. a link on Kyoto railway station..i took my own pictures...it's a marvel of architecture...same architect as Umeda Sky building Osaka...

check in at Amenity hotel is normally from 16.00h onwards,but one can leave the luggage in a room which will be locked..

the owner spoke very little English,but he was trying to explain the rules etc..he told me to visit the famous temple Kyomizu-dera which is just one uphill street away from Amenity hotel...this temple is very impressive...lots of tourists,sakura blossoms,women in kimono..it's a paradise for photographers..

i will put several postings on Kyoto...it was worthwhile staying there 4 days..

 

http://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/kyoto-station-guide-how-to-transfer-among-shinkansen-kintetsu-subway-and-jr-local-trains.html

 

 

a good you tube on this temple Kyomizu-dera and other temples in Kyoto...i loved the path of philosophy....i walked it in its total lenght....the cherry blossoms were just out of this world...that's why it's difficult to get a room booked in the month of April(ahah)

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Od6IoKKriXo

so. the Kyomizu derma temple is simply a stunning and positive experience...the uphill street which leads towards this temple is full of shops,people and activity..I loved it..the temple itself...well...it's an amazing sight...specially in april when the sakura cherry blossoms are in full bloom...young Japanese couples dress up in kimono and snap away their cameras..in Gion there are shops where kimonos can get hired.it's very popular amongst Japanese...although I've seen some foreign tourists walking around in kimono as well...I spend couple of hours in this magnificient temple...which is extremely popular with Japanese and certainly with foreign tourists..i took a set of stunning photographs and i'm gonna put them here in a few postings...so..after this temple visit i went downhill again to Amenity hotel which is not that far away really...the capsules are located on the 3th floor..

i got nr.328 capsule,a key to a locker just in front,a bath robe,towel,slippers...i was curious how it was gonna be sleeping 4 nghts in this capsule hotel formula...to my surprise...it was a real positive feeling..no claustrofobia at all since there is a curtain only...the bathroom===one puts clothes in a basket,go in complety naked...there is a little stool,and a bucket like thing to poor water in..one soaps his body...free shampoo and body wash supplied...then one can sit in a bubbling very hot bath tub..i did this every time..it's very relaxing..one feels like reborn..I'll put some pics of my capsule...even the jaccuzi bubblebath...this place is very safe...one storey higher there isa common room with a softdrink and beer automatic machine..and what's more..Amenity hotel is coupled with a Chinese restaurant downstairs...i went in there to have my food...took a good Chinese soup and some dumplings..excellent service and very friendly staff..

 

pic 1==my capsule bed for 4 nights..the lower one was mine==nr.328..

 

 

 

pic 2==oh..i recall this bubble bath...pic is bit unclear because of the steam....

 

 

pic 3==first impression of the Kyomizu derma temple..

 

 

pic 4==cherrytree blossoms and a kimono girl..

 

 

pic 5==yes...sakura(cherry blossoms)..kimonos..i saw too many of it that day(ah)

 

pic 6==view on the temple...amazing sight..

 

 

 

pic 6==there is something to tell about the little waterfall and the 3 wellwishers water outlets...very popular amongst Japanese...

 

 

this is that legend==another attraction of this temple is the Otowa Waterfall, where the waters are divided into 3 separate streams and you can use the cups given to drink from them=each of the streams is believed to have a different effect such as bringing success,love and longevity..you should only pick one of the three streams though,as it is considered greedy if you were to drink from all of them....

 

pic 7==it's a bit of a walk to another shrine in the distance...

 

 

pic 8==another general view on this lovely place..

 

few more pics on my Kiyomizu-derma temple visit...

 

pic 9==cherrytree blossoms,kimonos and beautiful temple decors.

 

 

pic 10==Japanese style restaurant..

 

 

pic 11==Japanese girls are photogenic...certainly when they wear a kimono..

 

 

pic 12==view on a shrine

 

 

pic 13==young Japanese couple...i reckon they love eachother very much..

 

 

pic 14==temple view

 

 

pic 15===Buddhist worship..

 

pic 16==small Buddha statue..

 

 

P.S...I still got more pics...but i reckon the pics I have put give you all a good reflection on this marvelous temple site....

next morning when i looked through the window=rain..and it rained the whole day long as well..

i did bring a small umbrella along..took bus nr.100 from Amenity hotel towards Kyoto railway station...

i have something to say about this station...it is build in a style i have never seen before..very futuristic..

this station has 15 floors...yes 15...one can walk the steps or take an escalator...on floor 11==restaurant section...

to give you all an impression about being in Kyoto train station...have a look at this you tube...too hectic...

some pics i took myself in Kyoto station...pic 1==main hall...pic 2==the stairs for going up the 11th floor were lit in the evening...

i took the escalators...it was pissing rain...nice fancy restaurants...did not take food there...

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx3-zlRc5m8

 

I went into the station to get my breakfast at Starbucks..a latte coffee..few sandwiches...

i decided to do the aquarium of Kyoto...no way to walk through this pouring rain anyway...

the post office is just aside the station..i went in there to get some stamps and to post some cards...

the landmark in front of the North exit is the Kyoto tower..coupled to the Kyoto tower hotel..

first i thought about doing that one..but what's the use of looking from an observation deck if the weather is cloudy..

so...i found out how to get to the aquarium..took a bus and went in...interesting display..lots of visitors...

i took some stunning pics...i'll try to find a you tube...now...i do think the giant Japanese salamander is an ugly bugger of a fish...

but it's the first exhibit fish you will see entering this museum...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d_TENp5qCE

i took pics of penguins,sealions,the giant tank,jellyfish,dolfin show with a whole stadium full of crowds...

this was not my best day in Kyoto..due to the rain...but anyway..one cannot change the weather..i will put some pics i took...

some pics on the aquarium visit....to be honest...not my best day in Japan due to the pissing rain..but anyway...

 

pic 1==view at the giant tank...lots of different fish swimming along...

 

 

pic 2==giant tank..stingray fish...

 

 

 

pic 3==giant tank..

 

 

pic 4==the penguin colony..

 

 

pic 5==this little fellow wanted a close up pic from himself(ahah)

 

 

pic 6==jellyfish...

 

 

pic 7==waiting for the dolphin show at the stadium...

 

 

pic 8==the dolphin show...the Japanese love shows..it was a noisy event really...

 

the next day==sunshine again...i was gonna do few temples that day...very interesting..

i decided to visit the Ninna-ji and Kinkaku-ji temples..Kyoto is full of temples...

the busride with bus nr.26 towards the Omuro Ninna-ji busstop temple was like crossing the whole town of Kyoto..

the Ninna-ji temple is a very old Buddhist temple with lots of gates,pagodas,and beautiful maintained gardens..

i saw exhibits with calligraphy done,this temple is also famous for flower arrangements called Omuro..

it will try to put few pictures i took there myself..but a you tube will give you a good impression..

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eNcXkWBTR4

 

pic 1==main entrance of Ninna-ji temple..

 

 

pic 2==temple garden and pond...

 

 

pic 3==worship hall Reimeiden..

 

 

pic 4==detail of worship hall..

 

 

pic 5==detail view of the temple garden..

 

after this temple visit i took a wrong bus..where my pass was not valid...so i got down after a while and went by local JR train back to Kyoto station...from there i took bus nr.205 towards the Kinkaku-ji temple...also called the Golden Pavillion...this is a very touristical spot,the main hall of this temple is covered in gold leaf,which gives it a special effect in the back of a pond as its surroundings...on top of the roof of this temple is a phoenix..it's really a very beautiful temple..it gives reflections into the pond..i went around there and of course took some very nice shots on my camera...i'll try to find a you tube...inside this temple are some relics of Buddha..this temple is classified as a Zen temple...surrounded by beautiful gardens as well..bit further on in the gardens lies Fudo-do with a stone statue of a Buddhist deity..the statue is known to have miraculous powers...first you tube==this Osaka girl Yuka gives a good example as i  did my visit to Kinkaku-ji...marvelous...second you tube tells more on the history of the temple...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBfbv-BEtY0

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bw6rEZsLirg

 

pic 1==bus driver on bus 205 towards Kinkaku-ji...he was wearing a face mask(ahah)

 

 

pics 2+3==Kinkaku-ji Golden pavillion temple..

 

 

 

 

pic 4==people throw money towards these stones for good luck...

 

 

pic 5,6,7 and 8==Fudo do worship

 

 

 

pic 6..

 

 

pic 7..

 

 

pic 8...

 

my last day in this beautiful town Kyoto..i took bus 100 towards the railway station to book a Shinkansen train ticket to Tokyo for the next morning...

i was really curious about this high speed train which gets speeds like 320kms/hour..the ticket is NOT cheap...i believe i payed almost 14000 yen which equals 115 euro for only a single journey...but anyway...i wanted that experience...

a link on Shinkansen trains through Japan...    http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2018.html

Shinkansen(bullet trains)have their own stations,platforms,booking offices etc...

i did Kyoto-Tokyo...then Tokyo-Osaka..Osaka-Hiroshima..Hiroshima-Kobe..Kobe-Osaka on shinkansen trains...I loved it....

i LOVE that streamlined nose===see picture..

 

pic 1==Shinkansen train...

 

 

 

today i was planning a visit to Ginkaku-ji temple,the Path of Phylosophy(=Tetsugaku no Michi) and the area bit up from Gion=Heian shrine Torri gate,temple and gardens...lovely place....so..I took bus nr.100 to the Ginkaku-ji temple=excellent gardens and temple...one can make nice walks there via a climbing path....I will try to find a link about this temple...it's a Zen temple..

 

pic 2=Ginkaku-ji

 

 

pic 3==view over Osaka taken from Ginkaku-ji temple..

 

 

pic 4==in Ginkaku-ji one can walk through nice gardens...

 

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-BYr3cez8E

 

so...I wanted to walk that famous Path of Philosophy starting from Ginkaku-ji...nice walk along a small canal with lots of cherrie trees in blossom...

little shops,souvenir stalls,coffeebars etc...lots of tourists...i made a nice stroll and met some nice people there..

this path got its name due to a Japanese philosopher named Nishida Kitaro...i took some lovely pics on that path...

i found a Japanese lady with a very simple food stall==she made chicken roast,sold beer etc...I sat down there and got 2 rounds of her chicken preparations..some friends joined in...her stall was very cheap according to Japanese standards..nIce lady she was...

I will put a special posting on the Path of Philosophy(=pictures)

The Japanese usually wear facemasks if they feel a cold coming on or feel sick so as not to infect others. Though with numerous health scares over the years (such as Sars) some may wear them to keep from getting sick.

When you were at Kiyomizudera, you were just one mountain ridge (towards Osaka) away from the temple I told you about---Fushimi Inari Taisha---check out a Youtube on that one, it is one of my favorite spots in all of Kyoto.

In Osaka's Shinsaibashi, there was an English pub---The Pig and Whistle. It was not far from the restaurant with the giant crab and the Shinsaibashi bridge you took pictures of. Foreigners would call it a meat market, because it was a place where foreigners could easily meet Japanese girls, and visa versa. I don't know if it is still there but it was a fun place. It was, of course, also a good place where foreigners could hang out with other foreigners.

now...this path of Philosophy...do not miss it when you're in Kyoto in the month of April==sakura season..

 

pic 1==i met this Japanese musician..he said it was a kind of a lute...

 

 

pic 2==small temple worship...

 

 

pic 3==kimono girls..

 

 

pic 4==in Japan...people love cats..

 

 

pic 5==cats...

 

 

pic 6==nice Japanese lady and her food stall...

 

 

pic 7==enjoying a Japanese beer with some friends..a German dude,a Dutch and a French girl..

 

 

 

pic 8=enjoying a beer along the Path of Philosophy..

 

pic 9==the Path of Philosophy..

 

after GInkaku)ji...i still wanted to see Heian jingu and the shrine garden..so again direction railway station and bus nr 100 direction Gion... a bit further on i got down around  the torrri shrine gate...walked all the way further on towards Heians shrine...lots of tourists..impressive sight...i got a ticket for the gardens because someone told me it's worthwhile for its layout and blossoms..i have taken some very nice photographs around Heian shrine...after this visit...back to Amenity hotel..a good bath,and tomorrow...my first Shinkansen bullet train towards Tokyo...I was curious about this train...i booked a reserved seat..car number+seat indicated..

 

pic 1==torii near Heian-jingu...

 

 

pic 2==the Heian-jingu shrine....

 

 

pic 3==total view on the Heian-jingu shrine..

 

 

pic 4==view from the Heian shrine garden...

 

 

pic 5==garden view..

 

 

pic 6==garden view..

 

 

pic 7==blossoms

 

 

pic 8==walking through the garden..

 

I have very good memories on these superfast Shinkansen bullet trains....

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdFD2hy7kFM

 

so....next morning in Kyoto station...ready for my first Shinkansen train ride...Shinkansen have their own platforms...

when this train comes in and if you have a ticket saying car 8...then exaxtly at that gate the train stops,the gate opens and you can board...the interior of a Shinkansen is very comfortable...and really to be honest..one does not feel it that one speeds at 320km/hour..i enjoyed this ride and reached Tokyo station...confusion...since Tokyo is very crowded with lots of subway lines,directions,exits etc...i could not find the tourist office and went the wrong way..after a few questions a helpful Japanese fellow showed me the right way.....i found it...city map,how to reach my hostel etc..the usual questions...

i wanted a subway pass for couple of days...thats in another building a block away...in the middle of an electronic shop..my hostel was in Shinjuku==called the Ace Inn...and i had booked for 4 nights there...it's a capsule style hostel...but very comfortable..excellent staff,showers on the ground floor...i was on the 8th floor...only 2 people in that room...one gets a locker in front of the bed..with a key provided..downstairs in the lounge free coffee,tea etc,internet,i must say the staff really go out of their way to help you out with any question you ask them...on day 2..a button came loose from my best trousers...and as usual i forgot my sewing stuff..I asked at the counter if they could fix it=a nice Japanese girl fixed it for me...no problem...to reach this hostel==take the Toei Shinjuku line,get down at Akebono-bashi and take the A3 exit..one sees a bypass bridge,just bit further is the entrance of Ace inn..I enjoyed my stay here===total for 4 nights was about 130 euro,no breakfast...

 

P.S..for a 2 day or 3 day subway pass go to Camera building near Yurakucho station...it's a block away from Tokyo central...ask anyone where you can purchase this pass==they will help you out in the Camera building....I got my 3 day pass there....

 

pic 1==the gate guard...

 

 

pic 2==Shinkansen...

 

 

pic 3==service in the Shinkansen...

 

Tokyo is a very hectic place with lots of interesting places to visit..moreover it got 13,5 million inhabitants,maybe 10 subway lines,in my opinion Tokyo is too hectic...I stayed 4 days and that's not enough for a city like this..i did the Skytree observation deck=second highest building in the world,the Shibuya crossing and the statue of that famous Akita dog Hachi-ko..the busy Ueno railway station with the hardrock café,a few shopping malls because i got lost in a subway station(ahah)then a cat café in Shinjuku...interesting...what i also found worthwhile= a river cruise on the Sumida-gawa river starting in the Asakusa regio=see you tube..and of course the very famous Buddhist temple Sensoji...lots of tourists..I must say I liked Tokyo but it's not my favorite city in Japan..I love Osaka more..and if you wanna see a smaller town...go to Nara...beautiful place...I loved it..i will tell you all what happened to me in Tokyo...the people of Tokyo are nice,friendly and helpful..all Japanese are...

 

the you tube shows the river cruise towards Asakusa...

I started from Asakusa Pier and took a return trip..very relaxing to see Tokyo from the river...

 

P.S..I got a 3 day subway pass from the Camera building which is 1 block away from Tokyo station..1500 yen...

the people in the camera building will tell you where to get this pass..

 

i will do more postings on Tokyo regarding the Skytree,Shibuya,Tenno-ji temple and the cat café Shinjuku...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGnF_fCJWwY

 

 

few pics from the river cruise..

 

pic 1==relaxing in the boat...

 

 

pic 2==Asakusa bridge,the pier and view of Skytree Tokyo tower..

 

 

pic 3+4==Sumida-gawa river views..

 

 

my second day in Tokyo i decided to visit that famous hectic crossing called Shibuya...

it's a few subway stops away from Akeobonobashi with a change at Shinjuku Sanchome..

Shibuya subway got 16 exits,..so it's better to get the right one...otherwise one gets totally lost..

i wanted the Hachiko exit because there is a statue of that famous dog..it's portrayed in a true story tearjerker movie..

this Akita dog came to Shibuya station every day between 1925 up till 1935 to meet his master..

but his master had died in 1925 due to a heart attack...there is a small statue to remember this dog...

I saw the crowds crossing when the lights went green..amazingly busy...

 

pic 1==Tokyo subway..

 

 

pic 2==the Hachiko statue..

 

 

pic 3==lots of people come to this statue to honour this brave dog...

 

 

pic 4==Shibuya crossing..very famous in Tokyo..

 

I made adecision to go up the Tokyo Sky tree==the second highest building in the world=634m high...

in Dubai stands the highest..so...a subway towards Oshiage=from Akebonobashi on the Shinjuku line towards Motyowata..

and change line at Suidobashi Jimbocho....it's the Hanzomon line to Oshiage Skytree..

Oh...these subway names in Tokyo...real tongue twisters(ahah)well..yes..

the exit at Skytree is quite confusing=shopping malls,souvenir shops,hordes of tourists,a labyrinth really...

i did have to ask the way before i got to the ticket office for this tower==it's on the 4th floor...

not a cheap affair neither...i only took a ticket to the Tembo deck...i believe i payed 2820 yen..

so...waiting for the elevator...bit of a queue as well...I must say==spectacular views on Tokyo...this deck reminded me bit of Petronas towers Kuala Lumpur...any observation deck in the world attracts lots of visitors..it was rather crowded..

took few stunning pics..what i do not like to much is the kitch and gadget business which one finds on these towers=keyhangers,bottle openers etc...not my cup of tea..going down again..I wandered bit through the huge shopping mall called Solamachi which is part of Skytree town..yes they call it town(ahah)  a good you tube on skytree tower...it must be spectacular at night time...shall i book again a ticket to Tokyo(hihi)?    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6hehfvsGtM

 

the elevator==quite an experience...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53iH2sra8lg

 

pic 1==Skytree tower..

 

 

pic 2==view from Tembo deck..

 

 

pic 3==view over Tokyo...

 

on the way back from Skytree tower i made a stop in Ueno Keisei station...wooh..what a confusion again...

i wanted to get a drink and found hard rock café...very nice interior and layout...excellent staff with a Japanese punky look...

i had a few sangria's there..the bartender and the girls..Oh..they know how to mix cocktails...interior looked bit reggae...

pics of Bob Marley...in that station Belgian Godiva chocolate shop as well...a lot of shops use an hostess to welcome you..

same style as i saw in Osaka..typical Japanese...i liked it...went into a tourist information shop to find out about cat cafés in Shinjuku

my last day was gonna be a highlight in my Tokyo stay==i planned the temple of Tenno ji in Asakura and also a visit to a cat café...well..since...I'm NUTS about cats...i took a picture of a the most beautiful cat I ever saw in my entire life...

and as you all know i survived 70 springs...so...that cat...was a special one==pic will follow in next posting...

in a connecting subway station from Ueno back to Akeobonobashi......i met this VERY strange Japanese dude==

a hobo??a gypsie...he had no shoes...but worn out sandals and plasic bags around them...

i asked him if i could take a pic..he nodded...but could not say yes or no in English...I gave him 100 yen...strange dude..

i asked a Japanese girl who are these kind of people==she said===a gypsie?

 

pic 1+2==Belgian Godiva chocolate shop=seems to be very popular with the Japanese...

 

 

 

pic 3==hard rock café...

 

 

pic 4==a sangria served with style in the hard rock café...

 

 

pic 5==Ueno station...

 

 

pic 6+7==the hobo gypsie dude..

 

 

 

I went to Tokyo central railway station to book my Shinkansen train ticket towards Nara via Osaka..no problem..

then i  took the subway Ginza line to Asakusa to visit the famous Senso-ji Buddhist temple..take exit 1..

i was directly overwhelmed by the amount of tourists visiting this place...lots of  unavoidable little souvenir shops..

this temple is really worthwhile...it holds a  golden image of the Buddhist Goddes of Mercy=Kannon...

one enters this temple through an enormous red gate..people burn lots of incense in a huge cauldron..

they claim that the smoke stimulates health...people rub it on their body and clothes..

it was very hectic with people in that temple...i did enjoy my visit 100%..

a you tube...and few pics I took..

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-2TLaH8HgE

 

pic 1==Nakamise street which leads to the Senso-Ji temple..

 

 

pic 2==gate..

 

 

pic 3==Mom and daughter in kimono...

 

 

pic 4==temple view...

 

 

pic 5==the incense cauldron..

 

 

pic 6==inside temple view...

 

 

pic 7==view on the temple ceiling..

 

 

pic 8==little garden shines..

 

in Shinjuku i got an adress of a cat café...so from my hostel Ace Inn it's a 20 min walk...

the café was called Calico cat café...there are few others spread all over Tokyo..it seems to me that Japanese love cats...

and tourists find these cafés as well interesting..so..;the last thing I did in this vast city Tokyo..was a cat café... :bulb:

it was situated on the 6th floor of a building...first shoes off like all over in Japan...then wash hands with detergents...

and then one can enter a room..sit on a bench to relax..see the cats,feed them if you want to,or just photograph then...

i reckon about 25 cats wander around,sleep or just sit there...price=1000 yen/hour...

i took quite a few shots..i'll put my best pics here..the most beautiful cat I ever saw in my life...i'll put first(ahah) :bandana:

she had a very proud attitude over her or himself..and a long thick tail which i found remarkable..

 

pic 1==my favorite cat...

 

 

pic 2 until pic 10==cats..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pic 10==cat in a bowl(ahah)

 

it seems to be gig time for me this month...and as you all know my blog is a mixture of travel,gigs,music..

i have a feeling 2016 is gonna be a fantastic year what gigs and travelling is concerned...here we go.. :bandana:

i go to lots of music gigs be it goa psy psychedelic trance,techno,rock,reggae,dubstep,hiphop,flowerfower,techno hardcore,jungle core..anything...i do not like hard rock and metal..sorry,folks..so...on 13th,14th and 15th May i got a ride with my friend Rob in his van to a place called Hilvarenbeek(NL)as a matter of fact not very far from where i live here in Belgium..Hilvarenbeek is know as an animal safari park where one can watch animals...but this time...in their wide parking and camping area a lot of GOA freaks went to dance and have fun at a 3 day gig...called Space Safari..it was organised from within Belgium..so...me and my friend Rob took off around 17.00h from our village and after few delays due to road works etc..we reached the location...oh well...the space..the way it was organised..entrance for this 3 day gig came down to 85 euro..

3 stages=toilet facilities,food,bars...everything allright...lots of enthusiastic dance freaks..I really had a nice time there..weatherwise...i must say==first day excellent and warm..saturday and sunday the weather turned bit colder..felt bit cold in the evening,not before midnight..because everybody danced his/her arse away(ahah)the deco was out of this world...so were the Dj's..good gig...judge for yourselves...and needless to say..i met a lot of friends...and made new ones as well..that's what life is all about,is it not?

 

the line up...

 

http://www.space-safari.com/

so...i was really impressed by the size and the hustle and bustle of Tokyo city...but..i was saying sayonara to Tokyo...

next morning my Shinkansen train was scheduled for departure 11.45h...switch in Osaka for a local JR line towards Nara...

travelling on a Shinkansen train is always an experience...trains come in time in Japan..reached Shin Osaka where i had to take a local JR line towards Nara...i was bit curious about this smaller Japanese town,very famous for its big Buddha statue in Todai-ji temple..my accomodation this time was the best hotel in Nara==Nikko Nara==a 4 star hotel...when i was trying to book a hostel via internet in Belgium...i could NOT get any booking done for the month of April...and by the way...i always include all kind of accomodations in my trips..from 4 star towards youth hostels...it's nice to compare the standards...I booked 2nights in Nikko Nara==price=around 140 euro/night...ahah...i never payed that much for a hotel night my entire life..but let me tell you...it was worthwhile...location..just next to the Nara railway station..very good reception with friendly helpful staff..impressive lounge,and dining room...my room...it was just perfect...to give you all an idea about this Nikko chain hotel...look at following link...

 

http://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/nikko-nara.en-gb.html?aid=356988;label=gog235jc-hotel-XX-jp-nikkoNnara-unspec-be-com-L%3Anl-O%3Awindows-B%3AgenericSdesktopSbrowser-N%3Ayes-S%3Abo-U%3Asalo;sid=3fdcf88b70d9c6ab6d40710924a98210;dcid=4;sb_price_type=total;type=total&;lang=en-gb;cdl=nl

 

 

pic 1==my room in Nikko Nara hotel..

 

 

pic 2==my good old Samsonite suitcase..it's old..i use it since the 1980's(ahah)

 

 

pic 3==view over Nara fom my bedroom window..9th floor...

 

There are still a few hippies around Japan---but your hobo gypsie is not one. Hobo is a good label. He is fall out from the Post-Industrial alienation that besieges modern day Japan. Or you could just say that he is one of the mentally deranged homeless. There are the homeless, in the large Japanese cities, and then there are those like him. I knew a guy just like him when I lived in Osaka. I would give him food when I saw him. A friend of mine (who was an old hippie) sold newspapers in the arcade their and would give him food too. He knew his family. Every few years they would go looking for him---take him home, give him a haircut, a shower, and new clothes and try to keep him home. But soon he would make his way back out on the streets and would soon look exactly like this guy.

I have heard about the cat lounges, and lounges with other animals as well, including lizardsm, and the latest, I think, is hedgehogs----Y1,000/hr----how Japanese!

I don't know if it is still there, but on a side street off of Nakamise Street is a kimono shop that sells used wedding kimonos. Brand new, a wedding kimono is more expensive than a good car. But rental shops will rent them out until they get a little bit worn, and then they are useless (Japanese are extremely picky in such matters). Some of them will end up in this shop, which sells mainly to foreigners-----at a typical price of Y10,000 (in the 1990's). They are really cool to hang on a wall spread eagle with the back showing. Of course the extended deep recession in Japan changed how Japanese feel about used items, and it is hard to say if it is still there. But with the gold thread and everything----those kimonos were a great value. Wedding kimonos are a bit unique as kimonos go.

Thanks for your input here,Wolf...always appreciated...i reckon you're right about that hobo dude..

he probably was just an homelessTokyo fellow...i've heard they usually hang around in Ueno parc...

 

i took a pic of a kimono shop in Tokyo...but.the real very expensive wedding kimono's..i bet they are priceless and VERY expensive...

i managed to take few pics in Nara where a Japanese couple was having preparations for a wedding..the photographer went up and down to fold a crease in the ladies dress etc==typical Japanese...how beautiful that couple was looking..so graceful really...

 

pic 1==a kimono shop...

 

 

pic 2+3==traditional Japanese wedding foto shoot..

 

 

oh..about Nara town...i'm gonna put lots of pictures for the simple reason that i took a lot of pics(ahah)

Nara is in fact after Osaka my favorite place i visited...it's not big,transport is well organised...and believe it or not...

if you love deer...go to Nara...i've never seen so much deer in my entire life..they wander freely around all over...

in the morning i took a breakfast in hotel NIkko Nara..it was buffet style,worthwhile...lots of choice..very tasty...

after that i picked up some touristical sighseeing leaflets.. and set off by city bus towards that famous Todaji-temple..

 

to give you all an idea how impressive this temple really is...here is a you tube...

it reflects my visit as well..although i took lots of extra pics,in the temple,the vast park,the deer..

i highly recommend a visit to Todai-ji temple in Nara...you will NOT be dissapointed..

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiGqHkHIPWs

I will give you all my personal opinion on Nara in a few postings since I took lots of pics...

the main attractions are the temple with the big Buddha statue,the deer park,the vast gardens around Toda-ji.

I only had taken out 2 days...one can see more then I did...but i mainly concentrated on Todai-ji,

there are more temples,shrines,the Nara City museum of art etc...but i did not do these...

when i was in Nara it was a sunny day...excellent for a stroll in this huge park full of deer...they are really all over this place...

first i took a ticket for a visit to the temple=500 yen..first one encounters the huge Nandaimon gate..

with 2 huge statues of wooden guardians ...impressive...see pics...then i walked up to the entrance of the Daibutsuden hall...

lots of tourists..and lots of deer as well(ahah)they are tame..but i reckon one should not tease them too much?

more about this hall in next posting...I have never seen such a Buddha statue in my life...

 

pic 1==the path towards Nandaimon gate..

 

 

pic 2+3==the guardians left and right at the entrance of Nandaimon gate..

 

 

 

pic 4==a cauldron for incense burning worship..

 

 

pic 5==close up of the cauldron..

 

 

pic 6==view on Todai-ji temple..

 

So,Nara...once inside the Todai-ji temple I was really imressed by the sheer size of this Buddha statue...

it's almost 15meters high and weighs 500 tons..I took several pics from different angles...

next to the Buddha are several boddhisatva images like the Kozuko Botatsu(see pic)

there areabout 16 smaller Buddha's around the Daibutsu's head...this temple belongs to the Kegon school of Buddhism..

 

pic 1==The Daibutsu Buddha statue...

 

 

pic 2==side detail view..

 

 

pic 3==side view..

 

 

pic 4==another side view..

 

 

pic 5==left from the main Buddha is a boddhisatva of memory and wisdom called Kozuko Bosatsu.

 

 

 

a few more pics from inside the Todai-ji-temple...

 

 

 

I decided to investigate that vast parc and he gardens attached to the Nara Todai-ji temple..

it is said around 1200 tame deer are wandering around...you find them all over...

i do not recall where all i went..lots of paths through this parc..

at a certain point i met 2 dudes from Montana(USA)and a Brazilian chick Marina...

they said they loved Japan...everybody does really..

Marina was travelling through Asia...she's from Rio de Janeiro==a carioca girl...

she asked me to take a pic of her and send it to her later on..which I did...

i saw some Buddhist wishing trees and smaller shrines on my way..

i had an icecream somewhere...went out and waited for the bus towards Nara Station...

and i did book my Skinkansen train reservation towards Hiroshima for next morning..

then i went to the Japanese restaurant in Nikko Nara hotel...excellent service...

i usually take a soup..it keeps me going...and...i asked for a spoon and fork..

i cannot handle chopsticks(hihi)

 

pic 1==The Binzuru=Pindola Bharadvaya statue..

Binzuru is said to be a disciple of Buddha...

read the English text on this statue..

 

 

 

 

pic 2==a shrine monument outside the temple..

 

pic 3==Marina==the Rio de Janeiro girl...

 

 

pic 4==wishes..

 

 

pic 5==walking path..

 

 

so..next morning..a buffet breakfast in the hotel...excellent service...cost=2000yen..

since Nara railway station is just next to this hotel...no problem being in time for departure towards Hiroshima via Osaka..

a Shinkansen journey is always an experience...to be honest the traject between Osaka-Hiroshima...I did not enjoy it really..

fact is the train goes through many tunnels..lots of them,then a bit of Japanese countryside..again a tunnel...

reached Hiroshima around 2 p.m,fine sunny weather...took a cab to my hostel called Santiago guesthouse...

it's close to Mitsui garden hotel,a Family mart on the corner...reception on the 6th floor..showers on 4th floor...

very cheap hostel..i payed 45 euro for 2 nights..the accomodation is basic and bit cramped room...but it was O.K..

good reception staff,lounge area,kitchen etc..since i was a bit tired..i relaxed in the lounge==setting up a program for next day...

in the same street I found a very good French restaurant..i had some steak and a sangria..delicious...very friendly staff..

 

pic 1==I had a fruitshake...

 

 

pic 2==entrance of Hiroshima railway station..

 

 

 

 

 

pic 3==my hostel bed at Santiago guesthouse...comfortable enough..

 

ohoh...this posting==bit different then Japan..

what a gig it was in Holland=Space Safari... :bandana:

in this you tube..you can see me close to the central pole...

a friend came talking to me...as a matter of fact==lots of my friends are in this you tube...

this is how we do open air gigs in Belgium/NL..

P.S...on the you tube==click the full view button=right bottom corner..

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abdumXi-4lE&feature=youtu.be

i expected a hectic day since i planned to visit peace parc,the atomic bomb dome and a ferry trip towards the island Miyajima...

Hiroshima is a modern and vibrant town nowadays,completey rebuild after the disaster which took place there in 1945..

so..that morning...i started walking towards Peace Memorial parc..few blocks away from Santiago hostel..

every foreign visitor here recalls the facts of the horrible atom bomb...the sheer useless of wars,violence etc...

i reached the parc which holds lots of memorials,there is the cenotaph,the flame of peace which will always burn until nuclear weapons will stop..but...we all know..it's an utopia....i do not wanna go further into that subject...

thee is a childrens peace monument,a huge Peace memorial museum which is in restoration,

finally i reached the main thing==the Atomic bomb dome==every tourist will photograph this from all possible angles...

this former building was called the industrial promotion hall and was created by a Czech architect in 1915...

that was...until the bomb exploded above it...everybody inside got instantly killed...so did lots of Hiroshima people as well...

i took quite a few pictures..well..everybody does...after that..took a soft drink somewhere..

and i was in doubt==should i visit Hiroshima castle?then...i saw the jetty for getting into the ferry for a river cruise to Miyajima island...it goes onto the Kyobashi-gawa(river)now...i did not regret getting myself a return ticket for this mini cruise...

there are lots of bridges in Hiroshima to span this river..I really enjoyed the ferry..very relaxing trip really...

after 40 minutes we reached the island Miyajima..I heard a lot about this place where millions of tourists come to photograph the *torii* gate which actually is in the water itself..i took LOTS of pictures..I will post them in few postings...

let's start with peace memorial parc and the Atomic bomb dome....I might put a you tube as well in here...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaEl1C5JOh4

 

pic 1==view on Peace Avenue...Oh..they have trams in Hiroshima..I took one going towards the station my last day...

 

 

pic 2==the A bomb dome...seen from the Kyobashi gawa river..

 

 

 

pic 3==another view..

 

 

pic 4==detail pic of the A bomb dome..

 

 

pic 5=childrens monument...

 

 

pic 6==about childrens momument...

 

so...I decided to took a return ferry ride towards Miyajima island...the departure jetty is very close to Atomic bomb dome..

on the island i took lots of pictures...so...i'll do few postings...I would certainly recommend Miyajima...do NOT miss it while visiting Hiroshima..return fare for the ferry=3600 yen...but..it was worthwhile that price...i enjoyed the trip...very relaxing..so..we reached the island jetty..the crew told me the returning hours...i thought 2hours is more then enough to see the main things on this island..it was a very sunny day....everbody walks the beachfront towards that famous torii shrine Itsukushima-jinja...it's one of the most photographed spots in Japan..a torii is a shrine gate...and this one is built into the water..so when the tide is low one can walk to it...on the way to this torrii the usual tourist traps,a fellow who drives people around in a riksja,kung fu girls and boys,a grill meat vendor,shops with the usual tourist gadgets...oh...and i took a picture of the world largest rice skoop(shakushi)..lots of tourists...I visited the Buddhist temple nearby as well...now..if i ever come back this side of Japan..i would stay few days on this island..i bet it must be VERY peaceful when the tourists are gone...i put 2 postings of pictures on this island...

 

pic 1==the ferry Hiroshima-Miyajima...

 

 

pic 2,3,4 and 5==well yes..few pics of that famous torii gate..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pic 6==not so bad that Miyajima beach..

 

 

pic 7==ninja fighting on Miyajima's beach front...oh?

 

 

pic 8==street vendor had bit of trouble with a deer?

 

so...Miyajima island...in this you tube you can have an idea how it looks...but...there is much more to see...i wonder how it would be in the evenings...when the tourists are gone,the shops are closed...the deers are perhaps still wandering around..i did not do the Mount Misen ropeway,the walking trails etc==lack of time...all i can say is that this island is packed with day tourists...clicking away their cameras..food is expensive,souvenir shops sell the gadgets one can expect...you know...one fine day..I wished i could go back to Japan with my girlfriend==she's very much interested in Japanese language,culture,haiku,manga cartoons...she's clever,intelligent and beautiful...I love her 100% :bandana: ...here is the you tube... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuUHz0QKjqs so...I walked around through the tourist packed streets of this place...lots of shops=food,souvenirs...the usual stuff...I had some grilled beef from a street vendor,had a softdrink,took some pics of the largest rice spoon in the world,went back to the ferry terminal and reached the jetty around Hiroshima Atomic bomb dome again...it's a 40 min ferry ride...wonderful and relaxing...I will put a few of my personal pictures...it was a very hot day..so.lots of softdrinks...but...after i reached Hiroshima again...i stumbled upon a beer tasting fair in a big market place...tasted lots of local beers..met some Americans,and also very friendly Japanese...in Japan they say kampai when they toast..Japanese folks are extremely friendly,curious and welcoming..I love them...but...I love my girl friend much more(ahaah)==no joke!!

 

pic 1==anyone wants a riksja ride?

 

 

pic 2==grill street vendor=even octopus..

 

et v

 

pic 3==Buddhist temple just next to the torri gate site...

 

 

pic 4==a pagode...

 

 

pic 5=view on the island..

 

 

pic 6==the world largest rice scoop=shakushi...

 

 

 

pic 6==view from the ferry on the way back to Hiroshima..

 

so...next morning...tram towards Hiroshima railway station...one pays while going out..the driver tells you the due amount..

so goodbye Hiroshima..I did like my visit here..most tourists think about the terrible disaster 1945 when the atom bomb distroyed this town...a new modern town has been build and I'm proud to say to the Japanese people...well done...reached railway station and took the bullet train==(Shinkansen)towards Kobe...as i said before...not a very scenic ride because too many tunnels..now..Kobe...i booked a 4 star hotel just connected to Shin Kobe railway station...Ana Crown Plaza..what a luxury...I was gonna stay here 2 nights before going back to Osaka...i payed 111 euros/night...excellent hotel and service..very good central location next to the Shin Kobe JR station,and the ropeway...up to Mount Rokko..is just next door to the hotel..I believe there are 37 floors...i took a cocktail one night on that floor to watch Kobe at night..fabulous..this hotel got style...the staff is extremely friendly and come towards you with a question...can i be of service to you to help you out?to be honest..this place is so big...i got lost in this hotel..the room was excellent...it's very good location next to the Shin Kobe railway station which is a big plus point...moreover..the herb garden ropeway up Mount Rokko is adjacent to this place...my planning for Kobe was to see Chinatown,do the Mount Rokko ropeway...and wander around a bit in Kobe..it turned out to be a splendid visit...I give Ana Crowne Plaza hotel a 10/10 what luxury,service and location is concerned...so...after settling in into this fabulous hotel..even the name of this hotel reminds me of my girl friend because her name is Ana(no joke)i went out for a stroll through Kobe town...Kobe is known for beef..I walked through the streets around Sannomiya railway station..I went into a karaoke bar..but the fellow on the counter did not speak 1 word of bloody English..so..i did not get in...i finally ended up in a street where i saw a sign**Brugge**well....it was a beer and restaurant joint..outside they put a board with all the famous Belgian beers..so...i was very eager to go in and taste a few..being a Belgian in Kobe(Japan)can you all imagine?i took place on a bar stool..few fellows from India into Japanese whisky tasting...the waitresses in this place were lovely...i tasted few Belgian trappiste beers...the interior of this place is so nice...excellent service as well...the Japanese know what they are doing,believe me..i had a nice talk with the Indian fellows==they were exchange students staying in Osaka...since I know India very well...the conversation went fine...so...finally...after a few Belgian beers...i walked back to the hotel=nice walk..i stopped at a pachinko hall...went inside..took few pics...why are Japanese addicted to pachincko?who can answer me that question?I went into the hotel..downstairs there is Oriental Avenue shopping centre...

and i found an Indian restaurant where i took a beef/curry/rice and nan..

 

pic 1==my room at Ana Crowne Plaza hotel..

 

 

pic 2==before i went out..i took a view from Kobe from my hotel room on the 29th floor..oh?

 

 

pic 3==a walk through a central Kobe street..

 

 

pic 4==the pub Brugge in Kobe town...

 

 

pic 5==the list of Belgian beers in Brugge pub/restaurant..

 

 

pic 6==a Westmalle beer+the waitress..

 

 

pic 7==a Rochefort beer+the waitress..

 

 

pic 8==pachinko hall...

 

next morning..after a good nights sleep...i decided to do the ropeway up Mount Rokko and the Herb garden..

not difficult to find the ticket office for the ropeway===return trip=1400yen..nice trip up to the top of this 400m high mountain...

there is a middle station on this ropeway where it's possible to get out..I did not..reaching the top...I wandered around...

had a beer and took some pictures,went into the herbal garden shop...unfortunately bit later..it started drizzling..I do not like rain..

my first plan was to walk down from the top towards Nunobiki waterfall...but..due to this rain...I didn't...

not too many tourists at the top...good panoramic view over Kobe town..so...after about an hour...

i decided to go down to Shin Kobe again..excellent and friendly staff at this cable ropeway..

it was a worthwhile experience..after a while..it stopped raining...had some snacks in the railway station...

and just outside...there is this green city bus called the cityloop Kobe..it's like a hop on/hop off system...

I am gonna put 2 or 3 postings about Kobe...since I took lots of pictures..i like this town...it's not too hectic like Osaka or Tokyo...

 

pic 1==the ropeway...

 

 

pic 2==view on Nunobiki falls..

 

 

pic 3==the midway ropeway station..

 

 

pic 4==view on the herbal gardens below..

 

 

pic 5==reaching the top of the ropeway...

 

 

pic 6==herb garden..

 

 

pic 7==the herbal shop..

 

 

pic 8==a curious Mount Rokko cat(ahah)

 

 

pic 9==nice shop with herbal products...

 

 

pic 10==I love these Japanese doll keyhangers...

 

pic 11==Japanese dolls..

 

 

pic 12==back down to Shin Kobe...in the rain..

 

so...after this fabulous ropeway experience...I decided to take that green bus Kobe cityloop line...

i took it just outside Skin Kobe railway station...in the bus there is an hostess who announces all the 16 stops...

and also gives some tourist information as well...my main purpose was to get down at Nankinmachi=Chinatown Kobe...

it's a good way to see some sights of Kobe...i got down at Chinatown...i always enjoy walking the streets of Chinatowns...
i recall Kualu Lumpur and Singapore...the Chinatown area in Kobe holds lots of restaurants,herbal shops,gadget stuff etc..

i wandered around in the streets there..and went into a little Chinese restaurant where i had a soup with pork..delicious...

Kobe is a harbout town+Meriken park,Harbour land  shopping mail..I did like the area around Sannomiya railway station..

very lively neighbourhood...i went back to the hotel...had some food..and afterwards went to the 36th floor to view Kobe skyline at night...

i did have a few cocktails...a Tom Collins,a Singapore sling..i put few pics of Chinatown and Kobe at night...

tomorrow was gonna be a train ride back to Shin Osaka...i booked 2 nights in Shin Osaka Youth hostel..

 

pic 1==inside the city loop bus..

 

 

pic 2==an hostess announces all the stops on the route..

 

 

pic 3==Chinatown Kobe..

 

 

pic 4==Chinese shop...

 

 

pic 5==Chinese sweets...

 

 

pic 6==pork soup...

 

 

pic 7==Chinese restaurant food display..

 

 

pics 8+9==cocktails at Ana Crowne Plaza hotel=36th floor...

 

 

 

pic 10==view on Kobe skyline from 36th floor..fabulous...

 

so..the last leg of my Japan trip==train from Kobe to Osaka..i took the shinkansen...i love these speedy trains..

i booked 2 nights in Shin Osaka Youth hostel which was supposed to be very near to the railway station..

but anyhow..i took a cab...the fellow had to use his common sense because he could not find the adress directly...

he stopped..looked on his GPS system,and still had to ask a fellow in the street...

afterwards i found it silly of myself to have taken a taxi,because from the Shin Osaka East exit it is only 5 minutes walk

==ask for Koko Plaza=if you see Corona hotel,walk to the left and at the corner on the Family Mart take a right...

then Koko PLaza comes on the right side...funny youth hostel if you ask me..with strict rules..

reception is on the 10th floor of an office building..bedrooms on the 9th floor...

now..everybody has to be in by midnight...they close the elevator,one cannot reach this hostel then..

now...check out is at 6 a.m,the elevator does not work as well before that time....

I had to ask special permission since i had an early flight to Frankfurt 2 days later..

the staff was very helpful and the elevator was gonna be available at 5.30 a.m day of my departure..

price=28 euro/night+breakfast..which is a very good price for Osaka town....

i left my luggage stored away safe in the hostel,because check in in most Japanese hostels is only at 16.00h..
i went out,walked to Shin Osaka railway station,found out about the possibilities to reach Kansai airport early in the morning,

there is a shuttle bus from nearby Osaka station,but later i found out that in Shin Osaka East...

i could take a direct trainline towards Kansai airport few minutes after 6 a.m...i booked that ticket ready...

i went to Grand front Osaka,wandered around in some Japanese shopping mall...oh...what a display for the eyes..

i went for food in a Spanish restaurant on the 9th floor..took a paella..went into an ice cream place..had a mango flavour..

my planning for my last day in Japan..i wanted to visit the open air museum of old Japanese farmhouses and also the Osaka Jo==the castle..

back in the youth hostel..a noisy group of New Zealand schoolgirls came in...on demand of a Japanese fellow they performed their national anthem in Maori style...so..my Japanese adventure was almost coming towards an end..it was a  worthwhile trip...just wonderful...

 

pic 1==Grand Front Osaka shopping mall..

 

 

pic 2==the mango monster icecream..

 

 

pic 3==nice young punky Osaka couple standing behind me in the row at the ice cream parlor..

 

 

pic 4==the noisy New Zealand schoolgirls doing the New Zealand national anthem at the hostel..

 

so..for the last day of my Japan trip...i filled in a good program..

i took a subway to Ryokuchi--Koen which is 3 stops northwards of Shin Osaka towards Senri-Chuo...

getting down in this little station and walking towards the Hattori Ryokuchi parc and the open air museum of old farmhouses..

was oxygen for me..bit different then Osaka city..really quiet and relaxed area...lots of nature around...

a well layed out parc with flowers,a fountain,and finally the entrance of the museum..

fee=500 yen..since it was before noon..i bet only 4 or 5 visitors in the whole museum..

i made a nice walk on this sunny morning...the farmhouses..well..I reckon to me...they all looked bit the same...

i took a whole lot of pics which i try to put in few postings...just to give an idea of these traditional farmhouses..

who came from all over Japan and where re constructed in this museum...for the Osaka castle i'll make another posting...

 

pic 1==subway ride towards Ryokuchi-Koen(ah)

 

 

pic 2==Hattori Ryokuchi parc...

 

 

pic 3==the way towards the museum..

 

 

pic 4==flowers in the parc...

 

 

pic 5==detail pic of flowers in the parc..

 

 

pic 6==a fountain display in Hattori Ryokuchi parc...

 

So...I entered this mueum of Japanese old farmhouses....sunny morning...nice walk through well lined paths which were leading me to all these different farmhouses...lots of utensils,tools etc...in one of the houses an old Japanese fellow was using a very primitive oven..he spoke fluent English and told me this museum tries to inspire the Japanese back into their history...i wandered around...came across some huge bamboo trees..as i said before==the style of these farmhouses=if one as seen one..they looked similar to me...but..in fact they are not...they all come from different regios in Japan with different architectural styles etc....i stayed 2 hours in this museum..there was a soft drink vending machine at the entrance...I had to use it..because it was a hot day...let me show you some pics...

 

pic 1,2+3===farmhouse utensils....

 

 

 

 

pic 4==a farmhouse..

 

 

pic 5==a walking path...

 

 

pic 6==bamboo trees..

 

 

pic 7==an old oven..

 

 

pic 8==interior of a farmhouse..

 

 

pic 9==an old Kabuki theatre...

 

 

pic 10==a beautiful entry towards an old farmhouse..

 

I took a subway direction Namba..changed at Hommachi station towards Morinomiya...i had to do a little walk towards the Osaka castle...this castle is extremely popular amongst foreign visitors...it is surrounded by a moat,huge walls and water...the gardens and parc around are a splendid display for the eyes...I took my time around Osaka castle...due to the huge crowds i did not take a ticket to the top..i sat on a bench...a nice Osaka older fellow came to talk to me..his English was surprisingly perfect...as usual in tourist spots like this a lot of animation==ninja battle fighting,gadgets,little food joints,ice cream...I took some nice pictures around there..after the castle i made a stroll trhough the parc,happened to witness a flower and plants market,then went back to the hostel...it was my goodbye to Japan...tomorrow flight towards Frankfurt..in a way i got a sad feeling coming over me..i had been here for 21 days...but..was it enough really??NO...it was not..i got very good memories of this country,the people,their culture,technology...the way they look at life..hardworking sincere people...I do hope you all enjoyed reading my comments...next trip will be starting from 25 sept..up till beginning november...i will give a full report with pictures again...thanks for reading my blog,you're all wonderful forum members..my girlfriend simply LOVES this blog of mine...she travells always along  with me she said...good girl she is...oh yes..I love her...

 

P.S...I will try to find a good you tube as well..about this castle...

 

pic 1==Osaka castle..

 

 

pic 2==thick castle walls and moat..

 

 

pic 3==Osaka castle...

 

 

pic 4==an old Japanese fellow was sitting on a bench with his cute dog...I asked his permission to take this picture...

 

 

pic 5==flowers in the parc around Osaka castle..

 

 

pic 6==flower and plant market..

 

 

pics 7+8==some flowers display...

 

 

 

a good you tube on Osaka castle..and the smile of this Japanese lady...so nice...I've seen so many smiles in Japan...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sy1R4YRgV2w&feature=youtu.be

I went back by subway to Shin Osaka station and had a soup with noodles.....quite filling sometimes...

no problem finding the way to t he youth hostel and Koko Plaza..the New Zealand schoolgirls had been to the amusement parc Universal Studios....I heard it's very expensive...but worthwhile for fun parc lovers..I'm not a fan of it...i was still worried about whether someone would be at the check in desk to open the elevator since my train to Kansai airport was running around 6 a.m=a 40 minute ride...very comfortable...i packed my bags ready...end of my Japan trip...I must say...it was the trip of my lifetime...i always had a dream about travelling to Japan...i really can recommend a journey through Japan..just do it,folks...early morning.the fellow was at the desk..took the elevator...walked to Shin Osaka and got the train towards Kansai airport...

I always like to be well in time before departure..it was not that crowded at Kansai..checked my luggage in,got my boarding pass for the direct Lufthansa flight to Frankfurt...i bought some Japanese whisky,some rice wine and a fruitjuice drink...and stashed it away in my hand luggage..silly me...I shouldn't have done that...i'll tell you why...it's a long haul=11h flight..I watched some movie,listened to several music CD roms,i was sitting next to an eldery French couple==nice people...reaching Frankfurt was a big chaos...i had to board a connecting flight to Brussels...and lots of flights had landed and all had to go somewhere...long waiting line just to go through the customs...I do not like check ups at customs..of course due to terrorist attacks they have to do what they do..but in Frankfurt...top security..it's like going through an x ray machine...while checking my handluggage the custom lady at service confiscated my whisky,rice wine and fruitjuice...she put it in the garbage bin...oh yeah...I bet working at the customs gives the employees lots of free drinks then?I should have asked a receipt and a bag in Osaka...then they cannot confiscate anything...well..I knew this...but in my hurry i did not think about it..anyway..that's a lesson for the future...to be honest...I do not like Frankfurt airport...the flight for Brussels was delayed 1 hour...i was tired from the trip...no control at all at Brussels...just walked through..since it was already 20.00h i had done a good thing to order an airport taxi based at my village...the same dude who brought me to Liege airport while leaving for Japan was waiting for me and dropped me right at my door...another trip done..what an adventure it had been...i got the pics of course as a living memory....another note..Lufthansa is O.K..but their service cannot tip on Qatar Airways for example...i took Lufthansa because they have direct flights from Frankfurt to Osaka..total price Brussels-Frankfurt-Osaka and return was 577 euro,...which is a very good price,i find..

 

this you tube shows us the immense Japanese technology...the airport of Osaka Kansai is a man build island in Osaka bay....

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTC3U67pHxU

since my blog is a mixture of travel,music and gigs..I will keep you all informed about what i am planning...

on 16th July coming up...I'll take a train ride from my place direction Vielsalm in the Belgian Ardennes....every year they hold Nova's Incident which is a very good rave Goa psy trance gig...I have been there once few years ago...i LOVED the music,..the location is on top of a hill far away from any nearby house...the people who go there..well...i love them...they enjoy music,fun,life,togetherness...I'll try to give you some info about this gig==flyers..

 

 

 

my friend DJ Gnome is playing..I know him personally==he's from Ghent town....plays good stuff...

listen to his music in following link..

 

https://soundcloud.com/gnome3/gnome-the-connection

i booked my ticket online for Yellowstock Geel 2016..=august 13+14th.

this is a very good festival with all kinds of music styles...

last year I saw Hawkwind live on that festival..

i will go for 2 days...probably will crash alongside the tent of some friends...

next saturday===Goa psy trance at Vielsalm==see posting above...they announce a sunny 24 degrees...so...great..

 

 

 

http://www.yellowstock.be/

let me tell you all about my adventures on Nova's incident Vielsalm..
this open air gig is held every year and organised by Dacru records..

free camping,food stalls,clothes shops etc present...dogs allowed..

the location is fantastic..on top of a little hill with a view over the surrondings..

the nearest house is reasonably far away,so the neighbours will not complain...i think they are used to as well..

so...i took the train from my village towards Hasselt..in Hasselt on platform 3 train direction LIège...

i met some youngsters there and i knew directly they were going to Nova's incident as well...

we travelled together and as a matter of fact became friends..nice funloving people..

reached Vielsalm in the afternoon,then..a good uphill walk towards the location=Rencheux=2 kms.

in fact we made a detour,but anyway...coming back next day i found a little side path on Rue du Vivier..

which leads directly to platform nr.2 of Vielsalm railway station...Vielsalm is a sleepy town tucked away in the Ardennes...

this year i decided to take my camera along so i can show how it looks around there...

on entering the grounds we all got a free CD  from Ephedric...great line up at this festival=see 2 postings above...

since it is only 1day ago no you tube yet from the rave...but i'll put one of 2015...so you all have an idea..

some friends from my village came along as well...i met them at the campsite..i took some pics of the friends i met on the train...

then the music...it wasreally  fantastic...the weather stayed cloudy a bit..but no rain at least;.

what i like at this kind of festivals is the freedom of expression...whether you have plumes on a hat,or rabbit ears...

nobody cares..and what dancing is concerned one can dance is own style..i did my usual stuff..really danced very hectic(aha)

i stayed dancing until the last sound on the main stage..that means from 4 p.m until 3 a.m

could not sleep very well...VERY noisy people at the campground..they all put music on in their cars or mobilhomes etc...

at 8 a.m went back to the main stage,..one could get bacon/eggs...so litttle breakfast for me..

i stayed up til noon listening to the music and took a little rest on the grass in burning sunshine..

went back by train,came home around 5 p.m;.nice festival..here are some pics of my friends,the festival ground..

on the you tube you can reall get an idea how gigs like that are going on in Vielsalm..

 

pic 1==Vielsalm station...

 

 

pic 2+3+4==nature on the walk uphill towards Rencheux...

 

 

 

 

pics 5==my friends at the campsite..before and after putting up their tent...

 

 

pic 6==my friends Erinke and Laurens inside their tent...

 

 

pic 7==main stage...

 

 

pic 8==as i said==dogs allowed...

 

 

pic 9==view at the canopy=deco..

 

 

pic 10==the beer tent+also breakfast in the morning...

 

 

 

pic 11==the funniest pic i ever saw of myself...great set from Rayman=an Australian DJ.

but who for heavens sake cut of my right arm,ahahah??

 

 

 

pic 12==my friends from my home village...always take funny un expected pics of me..i'm in dreamland on this one...

 

 

this you tube from 2015 shows how it goes on Nova's Incident..this year it was going in the same moods..

P.S..click on the lower right hand corner for full screen viewing....

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz1s9a1aF3c

well..yes....I'm going on another adventure trip from friday 29th July up till 9th of August...a friend from my village(Rob)

asked me if i wanna go along to OZORA festival near Budapest(Hungary)going from 1st August up till 7th August...

first I was hesitating..but finally i said YES...i have to share diesel expenses..no problem..

and Rob is so kind to take few tents along and set one up for me at the festival..

we are with a whole bunch of GOA rave psy freaks from my village...they always asked me...just come along..

this time i say yes...i love raves...and i know this festival just like Boom by the way..

is the equivalent of Tomorrowland but then for Goa rave party's...

I'm looking forward to this trip..i do not take to much stuff..no cell phone...

but certainly my camera..a sleeping bag,my good mood,my dancing shoes...

we'll see what happens..I will all let you know what happened...we're leaving on friday 29-7,and come back around 9-8...

now...have a look at this link..because.this is a HUGE rave..Goa Gil is coming but we'll probably miss him...

I am going to dance my old bones away for 6 days in a row...

 

just  click a few links=click menu,programs,main stage etc...

big festival,folks..as a matter of fact==my first one(ahah)==let's dance...

 

 

https://ozorafestival.eu/

i am a bit behind in my postings..I have to give rapports about the Ozora festival around Budapest...to be honest...it was a lifetime experience for me...me and Rob and Sebastian left by van around 2 p.m on 28-7in my village...we shared the diesel costs with 3...
long drive it certainly was..Rob is an excellent driver anyway,we got into traffic jams on the German highways around Frankfurt,Nurnberg and Regensburg..crossed the Austrian border around Passau at night time...finally drove up to Amstetten on the Austrian highway towards Vienna where we took some night rest...i could not sleep comfortable..next day another hectic day...we lost GPS control since Sebastian's phone got out of order,so we stopped in a benzine station to buy a road map of Hungary...but still we went wrong..so in the town of Shekesfehervar we found a mediamarket where Rob bought a new navigation system for 150 euro...he said afterwards it was worth its price....we needed to go on a small road towards Hagi and Ozora and it's often not easy to find these small roads..we reached the Ozora festival sight around 16.00h...got our ticket=150 euro's for entrance between 1st up to 7th august+camping facilities...now...Ozora...it's a huge festival sight and well organised as well..toilet blocks,food restaurants,beer bars,8 stages,workshops etc...I couldn't believe my eyes..we settled down in what we alled afterwards Belgium basecamp==all folks from my own province...and a Norvegian couple Damien and Agnete...who became one of us...very good friends..i went to see Goa Gil in the chill out stage...this dude starts playing and goes on for 48hours in 1 stretch..unbelieveable but true..more will follow in next posting... just a you tube about how Ozora feels like...if you like Goa psy trance==this is the PLACE to be,folks...i danced my arse away for 7 days in a row....
oh well..i'm surprised of myself i could do it....i LOVE dancing...

link on the very impressive opening ceremony on 1st of August with horse riders,fireworks etc...
P.S==click for the full screen view=below on the right side of the you tube..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEHqhojBFsM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WQf7_cRsCk&feature=youtu.be

pic of me and Anna(from India)and Ritu(from Nepal)=taken at Ozora festival beer bar..

Base camp Belgium was well organised...we all became 1 family and helped eachother out...

i forgot plasters...I easily develop a little blister...but Lynn took well care of my feet...

we even had a Belgian nurse,a lady with her 2 kids,several dudes with a van,a mixture of folks...

in the morning we woke up,went to the toilet blocks just on top of the hill,and a 5 minutes walk brought us to the shower block,NO hot water,but in a temperature like that...no problem at all...after that we all went on our own to the various stages where DJ's turned Goa psy the whole day...continuously...inbetween i took  food at the many stalls,a beer in the beer bar...even the local fire brigade came to spray on the peeps to cool them down,people from all over the world...i made friends with a couple from Slovenia,Indian and Nepali girls,a bunch of Greek girls,Norvegian,French..it was had work dancing in 30 degrees...a lot of drinking was the answer..there was a free water stall near the main stage..i went a lot to the chillout place..or to the main stage==i saw Sphongle there one evening.. great side show with 2 gogo girls from Japan..nice..the first night...well...funny story...late at night probably 2 a.m I wanted to walk back to basecamp but forgot my torchlight,during that day new tents were put up etc..and i couldn't find the bloody basecamp back...i walked around in circles until i saw a tent wit a sign conway motors..that was of one of our gang...so finally hopped in my tent exhausted...what a day it had been that first day..

 

Agnete and Damien from Bergen(Norway)oh...I loved these people..they became like Belgian base camp(ahah)

 

second day and all the other 5 days on Ozora were great...good but too hot weather...but one night bit of thunder/lightning and rain..i was worried Rob's tent was gonne let in water,but it did not...i usually took a shower in the morning...sometimes a queue waiting there,but i did not have to wait too long..I LOVED to stroll around from the chill dome area towards the main stage...it's full of eateries,and lots of little hippie stalls where one could buy things we usually cannot find anywhere else...I met the Belgian clan around the main stage..they brought their own party tent to sit down and get bit shelter from the scorching sun,around the main stage free water was available...the DJ's were great and people went out of their head dancing...one sees funny people on a festival like this...in the evening i saw a performance of Sphongle...great music...the night before i saw the famous Goa Gil...he started playing and went on for 36 hours in one go...crazy dude..Goa Gil is very famous in Japan,i met Japanese who specially came to Hungary for his session..in the chillout dome i saw the Orb with two sexy gogo girls..the Orb plays reggae with a message..yeah man,rastafara,men etc...but a good beat...second day...i found the camp easily...i had my torchlight and i knew exactly where we were situated,but in the dark everything changes easily...one can easily loose directions...i will post few pics to let you all enjoy Ozora festival as well...i can recommend Ozora to ANY GOA psy trance rave lover...it's GREAT

 

pic 1===Goa Gil behind his desk(ahah)

 

 

pic 2==the Orb performing at the chill out...

 

 

pic 3==in the evening i went to see Sphongle...great performance

 

 

pic 4==the crowds dancing around the main stage...

 

 

pic 5==i loved this wooden structure...well done...very artistic...

 

 

pics 6,7 and 8==few pictures of the hippie market stalls.great stuff really...

 

 

 

 

 

Sphongle live at Ozora like i saw that band...you can see the Japanese go go girl..who had long fingers on which she dipped from time to time in different paint colours..at the end of the show there was a whole tree painting visible..beautiful art..

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPWcD48n2XQ

 

 

 

Ozora means also huge crowds and people going nuts about dancing...It's like a trance for some...look at this you tube

click the full view button on the rright corner...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fhzw11sDjQk&feature=youtu.be

time to start up my blog again...I've been into Malaysia and Borneo for 33 days..amazing experience...which i will remember for a long time...since my flight was early morning on 23-9 i booked a room in Leuven youth hostel on 22-9 since it's convenient and not to far from the airport..i panicked a bit on 23-9 because i forgot to put my alarm and i only woke up arond 07.30h..train at 08.18..,reached the airport shortly before 9..what i had not incalculated was the queues due to improved security rules..long waiting line before entering the aiport...screening luggage... ..then again a security check..and again..all this was time consuming and i only reached the place to board the plane at 10.00..but i got there...airports make me always nervous..Qatar flight was in 2 stages..first to Qatar for 6 hours,a stopover of 2 hours..then a flight of 8 hours towards Kuala Lumpur...so...in total 14h flight..the Dreamliner plane of Qatar airways is a must for anyone who loves a plane,technology etc...it is usually a very good flight with hostesses which go out of their way to serve you...when i go long distance..I always look out for Qatar airways..it's nr 2 in the world right now...they deserve that ranking..so..smooth flight...bit of turbulence above India...but we landed safe at 07.30h local Malaysian time..temperature outside 30 degrees...wooh...KL got 2 airports which are connected by public train shuttle towards KL central station...i changed money into ringit,1 euro=4 ringit...train ride towards the center takes 28 minutes and costs 55 ringit...nice and comfortable...i booked a few nights in backhome backpackers at Jalan Tun H.S.Lee nr 30..a well loved adress for travellers...let me tell you something about that place...website  http://backhome.com.my/    i have been there before and i know the staff..They go out of their way to help you..dorm room of 6 with private locker,breakfast include with kaya==a cocunut jam..showers and toilets on the corridor.I must tell you==the showers are excellent..good jet and real hot water..It's always a delight to take a shower if you have been out into that scorching heat that K.L can become..it rains sometimes as well..I got rain this time...quite often,..mostly in the evening..it rains heavy for 1 hour...then it all goes back to normal..i talked to one of the staff girls..she got married with her dude and is gonna have his baby coming april..i met the dude..she told me i was there and he specially came to the hostel to say hello...i met them last time i was in K.L..nice couple...so..i rested my bones a bit,settled into my room...by the way,free WIFI,2 computers,free tea/coffee all day...use of kitchen,a chill out room with books,television etc...and a nice setting..the breakfast place is very cosy...breakfast is good and plenty...toast,butter,peanutbutter,kaya,tea or coffee as much as you want,watermelon,pineapple,cornflakes with milk...i loved it..after breakfast i went to the subway Masjid Jamek which is not even a 5min.walk..subway is well organised..I know the system...you have to make a ticket which gives you a jeton...

without that jeton...you're nothing..you need it to enter through a gate,and again at your end destination...I know how to do it,but in the beginning i did have some problems getting that jeton??first you click English,then a station,pay cash,put the amount of money...bit difficult sometimes because it is often not easy to use notes,coins are better..i took a subway to Pasar Seni which is the central market...every tourist passes there for the souvenir shops,food,fruits,clothes...i awill put few pictures here to give you an impression..it's a series of shops and stalls with lots of things to buy,anything really...i went there for my food,the vibes,the doctor fish tank who nibbled and cleaned my feet...i love the vibes in that market,fruits i had never seen in my life,lovely colourful clothes,stalls,smiling friendly shopkeepers..lots of tourists...i found an Indian restaurant later on where i came for breakfast because they had poached eggs,toast and excellent coffee...i did not use that breakfast when i stayed in the hostel,but when i came back into K.L i stayed 4 nigjts in ahotel around Pasar Seni...luvly hotel...i will tell you all later..so...My first day in K.L was loitering around in Pasar Seni=central market...i walked back to the hostel..a 20 min walk...I took my food,bought some postcards and stamps,main postoffice is in fact in Pasar Seni..stamps for Europe or USA=50 cents,bigger postcard sizes=2 ringit...

went back to the hostel,talked to some fellow travellers,went into the chill out room to talk to a dear friend on cellphone.

got myself few Tiger beers which tasted to me like dishwash water...listen...i am a Belgian...i love beer of 11 percent...

this was my first day in Malaysia...let me put some pictures..I take you all with me into my trip...

please feel free to give your comments...I love you all..Tiger

 

pic 1==the street which leads to Pasar Seni

 

 

pic 2==a typical fruit stall...notice the rambutan fruit...bit like a lychee type fruit...

 

 

picture 3==another stall...it's really a feast for photographers...

 

 

pic 4==a colourful display inside the market...

 

 

pic 5==inside the market scene...

 

pic 6==a shop on interior decoration..i loved the lamps...look at next picture details..

 

 

pic 7==how i loved these lampshades

 

 

pic 8==in Malaysia..it's about food and fruits(ahah)one cannot escape it...

 

pic 9==and finally i could not resist to this dish(ahah)

 

pic 10...i even had a second fruit drink==an apple /lemon juice thingy..nice...refreshing..

 

 

P.S..an update..if you order 2 Tiger beers in Backhome hostel==you get a packet of Bikaneri Bhujia for free...

google for bhujia..i can't leave that stuff alone once i tasted it(ahah)

Wonderful! A true hippie and gypsy traveler. Much respect to you.

Thanks for your comment,The Samantha...much appreciated...so...second day in K.L i went out towards the shopping malls of Central station and also the one near Suria KLCC called Jalan Ampang...both of them are a marvel for the eye and for window shopping,but not for my pocket...I am amazed that Malaysia is so developped regarding anything under the sun be it food,fashion,health shops,IT,souvenirs,tourism in general...the shopping complex of Jalan Ampang is a 7 or 8 storey high building with marble floors,fancy shops...i did go there for the food section...there is Korean,Italian,Western,

Indian,Malay,Chinese,Bengali,and so many other choices are available..i really enjoy a stroll through the different departments...

Malaysians in general like food and spending money on all kind of things...i had a glance at the Petronas twin towers,always lots of tourists around Suria KLCC and twin towers...i had been in there on my previous Malaysia visit...found it rather expensive and in my opinion the view over K.L is much better from the Menara tower....i put few pictures...

 

pictures1+2==Central station shopping center

 

 

 

pic 3==view from Pasar Seni subway station over the city..

 

 

pic 4== street view picture taken from around Central station

 

 

pic 5==a flower shop..always colourful enough..

 

pic 6...inside the shopping mall

 

 

pic 7==inside a Buddhist temple on Jalan Ampang

 

pic 8==durians in a fruit market...one smells this fruit from far away...

 

third day in K.L....breakfast in the hostel...coffee,toasts with peanut butter or kaya(coconut jam)delicious...

i booked myself in a message board for the Jalan Jalan Makan streetfood tour with a dude who works in this hostel and guides this tour...80 ringiit,food+drink included as much as we want...tour start=5;30 p.m until 8.30 p.m..we were 5 participants...i was getting curious because Malaysia got such an interesting food scene=Malay,Chinese,Indian,Nyonya etc...foodstalls and hawker stalls all over.K.L...a lot of the interesting ones are in Chinatown,but also widespread all over this city..ask for kedai kopi=streetfood stalls...it is good,cheap and hygienic..before 5 p.m..i went to the post office near pasar Seni..stamps for postcards towards Usa or Europe=50 cents..i strolled through the central market again..i love that place...went back to the hostel..had few tiger beers...the guide had told us..do not eat  the day of the guided tour...you will get ample of food during the conducted tour...O.K...so came 5.30 p.m..the participans===a Catalan dude from Barcelona,a U.K fellow from Newcastle,a German couple based in Munich,but his girl friend was from Colombia...and me and the guide...weather stayed dry=even sunny..so...we started walking....

our guide was excellent...a joker...and he gave us a lot of explanation about food,fruits,smells..we all appreciated his effort and knowledge about showing us streetfood and let us taste a lot of dishes..first stall was a stall where they prepare tongue(cow)looks horrible....i honestly did not like it too much..I think in total we stopped at 8 or 10 stalls where we could eat and drink as much as we liked..we went into the fruit and vegetable market,the meat and fish market called farmers market..we saw fruits and spices we never heard of..everybody was curious tasting durian...that smelling fruit which is forbidden in hotels,airports etc..it tastes o.k...still..;i did not like it too much...picture taking is popular during these tours of course...let me show you some..at the end we took a group picture of the participants...all of them were just travellers and we shared a great experience and talking....

 

pic 1==typical street stall food

 

pic 2==delicious food..

 

 

pic 3==i did not like the sight of that cow tongue..

 

 

pic 4==fruits i had never seen...or tasted

 

 

pic 5==the ayam=chicken market stall..

 

 

pic 6 ==a fish stall..

 

 

pic 7==Malay burger stand...

 

 

pics 8+9===finally for the first time...I tasted durian fruit...

 

 

 

pic 10==our group participants...the U.K dude next to me,then the German couple,and the Catalan dude...nice people..

 

so...last day in Kuala Lumpur before my departure with AirAsia to Kuching(Sarawak)...Rose got the ticket booked for me...

she was bringing her sister Amy along  sister  who works in Dubai...I was looking forward meeting them..

so..this last day.I went to the Central station...had some coffee and a snack...then went to a booth where one can order a pre paid taxi...you give them your destination...pay an amount and hand it over to the cab driver...he only is entitled to get the money written on that paper...so...no meter on..or not on in Kuala Lumpur...at least not if you use that system...i liked it...i headed for the Islamic Arts museum==a nice building,very spacious,marble floors,some nice Islam artifacts,Korans,etc...to be honest with you all i did not find it that impressive...i did like the gift shop..lots of books,rugs,textiles,ceramics,and a good parfum and scent section with strong aromatic essence oils...i got some oil...not cheap..but i did like the scent...just nearby is the national Mosque of Kuala Lumpur...I did not go inside...i tried to walk to Central station...but got lost because of too many roads crossing each other...so i ended up in a local train station where i could travel back to K.L.Central..i bbought my ticket for the shuttle toward the airport for next day..flight was around noon..1.40h flight to Kuching...

 

pic 1==inside the Islamic Art museum..

 

 

pic 2=the national mosque of Kuala Lumpur

 

 

pic 3==a palm tree with a funny shape?

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIRKgb7kTv4

something else then Malaysia..because this thread also tells about the gigs and raves i go to...

next saturday i'll  go to the Petrol Club in Antwerp..I love that place...big pity that music temple is going to close itsdoors forvever..

it will be the last Goa psy trance from Dacru records in this place...my friend Kaleido is a DJ and he gave me a free entrance...

i only have to tell my name at the entrance...I'm on his list of free guests..he plays in the chill out room..

I love this music..i can really move to the beat of it...gig goes from 22.00h onwards to the early hours...

i will meet lots of friends..i've been to lots of raves since last 3 years...I love it...

a link about this club...apart from Kaleido i love Man with no name(from the U.K)and Anoebis(the best Belgian D.J)

 

http://www.petrolclub.be/agenda/tribal-roots1

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2zc1Wi_30o

 

so..back to Kuala Lumpur...took a subway to Central station and then the shuttle towards the airport for the Malindo flight towards Kuching(Sarawak)as usual i am in an airport way to early...K.L got 2 nice airports..i was waiting for Rose and Amy..flight was only 1.55minutes...finally Rose and her sister arrived...we had some snacks and coffee..I was surprised about Amy..a very outgoing woman,working in Dubai..55 years old..good looking,good sense of humour..went through the customs without any problems..Malindo is a budget airline..that means if you want a fruitjuice you will have to pay for it..nice flight and we landed safe in Kuching airport...wewere picked up by Rose's family members and they drove us to her Moms house...felicia is over 80 years old but what a joker and joyfull lady she is...Roy(her son)and Julia(Roy's wife)take care of this lady and they have a nice house...they are very hospitable people..Iban tribals are like this..we had some chitchat..then Roy drove me to a hotel nerarby called One Point Inn==i must say i was very pleased with the accomodation...i booked in for 4 nights..price=70 ringitt/night,no breakfast...good place,friendly staff..comfortable bed and room...it's in King centre area=Jalan Tabuan Dayak..plenty of eateries next to the hotel..did some laundry with assistance from the staff..    http://www.onepointhotel.com/gallery.php

Roy picked me up again by 5.30 p.m..and drove me to his house...they had prepared a full dinner for me as a guest..I tasted food i never saw..

Rose was an excellent host,so was her Mom and most of her family...some people came along...probably curious about who i was?

the food was excellent...they served a fish which is only found in one particular part of Sarawak..it tasted delicious...

I had a nice chat with these folks..they are family to me..I felt directly at home with them...

after dinner Roy drove me back to One Point hotel...i will post some pics..nice and hectic day...

 

pic 1==food at Felicia's house...

 

 

pic 2==oh...Malaysian food..

 

 

pic 3==the special Sarawak fish==a real delicacy...

 

 

pic 4+5+6==food Malaysian way..

 

 

 

Kuching means *cat* in Bahasa Malay language...I got great memories of this nice city on the Sarawak river...

Roy picked me up in One Point hotel and drove me around Kuching town explaining lots of things...he dropped me near the riverfront and told me to go into a restaurant where they serve Sarawak food...so...I did..he promessed me that someone would pick me up by 5 p.m..O.K...so..I began exploring this city...i went into kind of a mall with a Sarawak restaurant..I had  a meal there..with things i had never eaten...local food...bit sharp...i had a talk with local musicians practising a *sape*=a local Sarawak musical iinstrument...sounded bit like a lute..but still different...then i started my stroll along the waterfront promenade..nice river...lots of local ferrymen and boats...did the shopping area and Chinatown...typical shops...lots of local handicraft stuff...

i stumbled upon some nice roundabouts with cat statues..cat statues all over in this town...i tried to find out to find a local ferryman to crossthe Sarawak river towardsthe Orchid garden...it was a terrible hot day...and guess what..forgot my suncream blocker...

I was gonna look like a red lobster in the evening?talked to a ferryman..but he told me the fellow who does the crossings was bit further afield...i found him...nice little boat with a roof...sampan style?for 1 ringitt he took me over to the other side... a 10 min walk towards the orchid garden==free entrance...and a very colourful lay out of different orchid breeds...i took some nice shots on my camera..after that i needed some soft drinks in the cafetaria..wooh...what a hot day...only very noticeable on this side of the river is the Astana=an official building where today the Sarawaks governor still lives...not possible to visit...at around 5 p.m Rose picked me up and drove me back to the hotel...nice day..tomorrow the big event=the wedding of Ivana and Karlson..I was curious enough..i got lots of pics...So.I will do this in 2 postings..first something about the sape..

It is mostly also with dance performances of Iban and Bidayu tribal folks...my friend Christine is a Bidayu tribal girl...

 

a sape sound

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4jpMAOtB_s

 

a traditional sape performance with a local tribal dance..

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyWEurSkIyg

 

pic 1==sape

 

 

pic 2==sape players

 

 

pic 3==local food..not bad..

 

 

pics 4,5 and 6===cats..

 

 

 

Love all those cat statues! Like in Egypt when cats were sacred! Wish I was there!!

so..next morning..a buffet breakfast in the hotel...excellent service...cost=2000yen..

since Nara railway station is just next to this hotel...no problem being in time for departure towards Hiroshima via Osaka..

a Shinkansen journey is always an experience...to be honest the traject between Osaka-Hiroshima...I did not enjoy it really..

fact is the train goes through many tunnels..lots of them,then a bit of Japanese countryside..again a tunnel...

reached Hiroshima around 2 p.m,fine sunny weather...took a cab to my hostel called Santiago guesthouse...

it's close to Mitsui garden hotel,a Family mart on the corner...reception on the 6th floor..showers on 4th floor...

very cheap hostel..i payed 45 euro for 2 nights..the accomodation is basic and bit cramped room...but it was O.K..

good reception staff,lounge area,kitchen etc..since i was a bit tired..i relaxed in the lounge==setting up a program for next day...

in the same street I found a very good French restaurant..i had some steak and a sangria..delicious...very friendly staff..

 

pic 1==I had a fruitshake...

 

 

 

pic 2==entrance of Hiroshima railway station..

 

 

 

 

 

 

pic 3==my hostel bed at Santiago guesthouse...comfortable enough..

 

 

would love to sleep in that kind of bed but up!

thank you,myself for giving a comment in my blog..I can appreciate that very much... :bandana:

 

so..1st October came..the day of the wedding of Ivana and Karlson...Roy,Julia and Rose picked me up in the hotel...

we drove to the church for the wedding ceremony in Anglican religious beliefs...the couple came in...

awww...I never saw such a beautiful couple in my life..the church service was really well conducted...

the priest was bit of a joker..there were cheers when the couple became husband and wife...

outside the church...lots of foto shoots...I talked for the first time to Ivana...she's so beautiful...so was Karlson...

after the chuch ceremony a brunch was held..and then we were all invited in a 5 star hotel called the Waterfront..

where the reception was held...Oh my...as a foreigner..I really felt so happy to witness this in my lifetime...

pictures will follow===mainly from the church ceremony and the foto shoot...i will put it in 2postings...

 

pic 1==the bride and her Dad...

 

 

pic 2==Ivana and Karlson are a couple now...

 

 

pic 3==just married..

 

pic 4==the bridesmaid...

 

 

pic 6...fotoshoot outside the church..

 

pic 7==fotoshoot

 

 

pic 8==me and Christine..thanks to her i could come to this wedding==she invited me...

Christine is a Bidayu tribal girl..married to Mabin..1child of 2 years old Theofilus

 

 

pic 9==fotoshoot..

 

 

pic 10==fotoshoot...

 

 

pic 11=fotoshoot...

 

 

foto 12==fotoshoot...

 

 

pic 13==fotoshoot..

 

 

pic 14==the brunch...well prepared Malaysian food...

 

still have to put some more pictures of Kuching town..as i said i took a short ferry ride which took me to the other side of the Sarawak river for a visit to the orchid garden..it's a nice river promenade as well with stalls etc...the shopping area is full of souvenir stalls with local Sarawak handicrafts..in the evening Ivana and her parents came to Roy's house for food..it was nice to know that the day before she got married..she's an outgoing person,so is her Mom...i did have some nice conversations with the people present.. evening went by...and was driven back to one point hotel..for next day my friends planned a picknick at a local beach resort about 20kms out of Kuching...i was curious...the place  is called Lundu beach..

 

pic 1==the local ferryman who took me to the other side of the Sarawak river...

 

 

pic 2==View on the Sarawak river..

 

 

 

 

pic 3==local cruise boats at the Sarawak river

 

 

pic 4==bit more luxuriuos cruise

 

 

pic 5,6,7+8==the orchid garden

 

 

 

 

2 more days to go in Kuching town...i was gonna fly to Miri since the bus trip was almost 12h...so..flying is so much easier...

booked my ticket with Air Asia...i was gonna stay 5 nights in Miri...so..this day Roy,his wife Julia,Rose,Christine,Mabin and the whole family came to pick me up at the hotel for a beach picknick at Lundu beach outside Kuching..they took lots of food,drinks because it was gonna be a barbecue..i felt so grateful that they organised this for me...i reckon Sarawak folks are very hospitable people...well..i know they are..the drive towards Lundu was on nice country side roads..it was a cottage like spot where people could go to the beach,stay overnight,have barbecues..the place was virtually empty..not too many people present..the beach view was excellent...palm trees,nice bay,fine sand..so..they started getting things ready for the barbecue,they brought ample of meat,beer,strong rhum etc..i really enjoyed it...Mabin is  a drone fanatic and he demonstrated flying his drone high up into the sky and landing again in front of our noses..the wonder of modern technology..first time i saw this...so a new experience for this tiger(ah)

the food was excellent...so was the booze..afterwards we made a stroll on the beach...and we drove back to Kuching town..

later on Mabin and 2 of his friends took me to the Cottage==a bar in town with live music=a Fillipino band with 3 sexy gogo girls..

could 't resist doing my stuff as an imitation breakdance on stage...I usually do..in Kuching one can order a tower of Tiger beer for 100 ringitt...we finished 2 of them..Mabin told me that the local habit is that after a night out ina bar he and his friends always go for food..so...we went to a Chinese market food stall at 4 a.m in the morning eating noodles and rice..wooh..few pics...

 

pic 1==beach vieuw Lundu

 

 

pic 2+3+4==barbecue+the food

 

 

 

 

pic 5+6==Mabin and his drone...

 

 

pic 7==beach fun...

 

 

pic 8==Christine...

 

so my last day in Kuching with my lovely friends..I call them my family...they showed me their heart..

i was picked up at my hotel by these 2 ladies who also were at the picknick...i am so bad at names...i think one was called Angel,

the other i do not remember...i told them i wanted to change money=euro into ringgit...now...in Malaysia it's no use to go to a bank..

go to money changers counters in malls etc..so we found a money changer...and afterwards they took me to a breakfast place where i had toast/fried eggs,then they wanted to show me the Sarawak museum...and i'm glad they did..this museum is in my eyes a must if one visits Kuching...it's extremely educative regarding culture,habitat,traditions,music,animal world et..there is an old wing and a new wing..in the old wing one can see an Iban longhouse,blowpipes,musical instruments etc...it takes time to go into detail,we didn't do this,in the new wing the history of Sarawak is explained from Neolthic times into the Brunei Sultanate,worldwar 2...interesting...we stayed for a while in this place,then i wanted to see the Chinese temple..impressive...I took my time to take photographs..after that the ladies drove me back to the hotel and Rose was gonna drive me to the airport tomorrow for my flight towards Miri=1 h flight with Air Asia..i heard lots of good things about Miri night life..i had booked 5 nights..

 

pic 1==outside the Sarawak museum..

 

 

 

pic2==the ladies..

 

pic 3,4,5==the Chinese temple

 

 

 

 

so..Rose dropped me at Kuching airport for my flight to Miri...how sweet of her,thanks Rose..

asusual i was way to early for my flight..so bit of walking around in this local airport..looks nice..

ticket Kuching-Miri is about 120 ringitt,Air Asia is a budget airlines..one pays extra for luggage...and drinks onboard..

flight went well...Miri is asmaller airport..cab to the backpackers hostel where I booked...

i booked 5 night in a private room at Next room backpackers hostel on Jalan North Yu Yeng Road==payed 285 ringitt

clean place,breakfast included,good bathroom facilities,excellent staff...

this street is the main street in Miri with lots of eateries,shopping mail,mini supermarkets,karaoke joints etc..

good place is Ming café=i went there every day for my food==excellent Indian,Malay,Western dishes

good for alcholic drinks==beer,stronger stuff,cocktails...I loved this café==staff is extremely friendly

just in front of Next room backpackers is a bar where loud music goes every day up till 3 a.m

style Beyoncé,Guns and Roses etc...nice go go girls as well..went there few times...it was not too busy...

 

pic 1==Lysa from Next room backpackers hostel staff..

 

 

pic 2==Ming café==my favorite hangout in Miri=food,drinks

 

 

 

pic 3==1 sangria in Ming café===second one free..

 

 

pic 4==local Masjid in Miri..

 

Great pics, interesting journey, beautiful bride.

Miri town is not that big and everything is easily accesible by foot..streets run paralell..

i had to go to the post office to buy stamps and as well post some postcards..

had to ask exactly where it was...but..I easily found it...bought stamps and posted my card..

I did go into Imperial shopping mall nearby..it's attached to a luxury hotel as well...
impressive mall..lots of interesting shops which invite people for window shopping..

very popular are body massage parlours..foods,clothes,health products etc..
always interesting to stroll through malls in Malaysia...Malay people love shopping...

i went into KFC and took chicken drumsticks,chips,coca cola..

i also found out about the ticket and bus station i needed for my next destination==

the country of Brunei...landlocked and sandwiched between Sarawak and Sabah..

i took a cab to the bus station to buy a ticket to Bandar Seri Begawan=capital of Brunei...

i could not buy the ticket for the simple reason i forgot my passport.ticket would be 50 ringit...

they told me one can purchase this ticket easily the day of departure..

went back to town with the cab and asked him to drop me in Chinatown near the fish market..

i went into the fish market...amazing how many different fish i really saw...some of them alive...

next to the fishmarket is a vey interesting Chinese temple...I spent some time in both places=see pics..

 

pic 1==sign of a massage parlour in Imperial shopping mall...

 

 

pic 2=music instruments shop..

 

 

pic 3+4+5==into the fishmarket..

 

 

 

Fish market was busy and slippery and smelly..what a relief to visit a Chinese temple..

i took quite a number of pictures in there..it was quiet with not too many people present...

i did love the massive doors..after this visit i walked back to the hostel..a brisk walk in hot weather...

at 8 p.m i was supposed to meet up in Ming café with Ivana and Karlson..the newly married couple...

they came around,we had a chitchat,few beers and talked about the wedding reception;.

they both looked happy and content.Karlson  works in Miri as a maintenance engineer for Malaysian Airlines..they told me they migt consider their honeymoon later direction Bali..

i went into the bar in front of my hostel...type of karaoke joint with a live band and 3 sexy go go girls...had a beer or 2 and went to bed..tomorrow bus towards Brunei..i ordered a taxi for 7.30 in the morning...the noise of that disco joint went on until 3 morning..in fact every day i stayed there..

 

a link on the Tun Pek Kong Chinese temple next to the fishmarket...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr-mYMXoBrQ

 

i also took a number of nice pictures from this temple..

pic 1,2,3,4,5+6==Tun Pek Kong Chinese temple Miri

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pic 7==Ming café Miri

 

 

pic 8==street market

 

I've been away fom the forum for a while...

i will soon start continuing my thread about my Boneo trip...next stop==the country of Brunei..the bus trip from Miri towards Brunei was quite comfortable..the border crossing and customs was a piece of cake..i just got an entry stamp in my passport..the bus from Miri stops once into Brunei and passengers from Brunei towards Miri got in our bus and we exchanged bus towards Bandar...i booked 2 nights in a hotel which was very centrally located...good service,but the WIFI gave bit of a problem..not such a good connection sometimes..hotel staff  were helpful and friendly..restaurant was attached to this hotel..the capital Bandar Seri Begawan can easily be seen in 3 days..few interesting masjids,a shopping mall,a bus station,a river crossing on the Brunei river towards Kampung Ayer which holds a collection of wooden houses built on stilts..very interesting visit..it looked bit dirty to me..a very interesting museum is located at the arrival pier on kampung Ayer...i will show some pictures...the Omar Ali Saifuddin mosque is a landmark in this city,i visited the Royal Regalia building as well..which shows the wealth of the royal family of the Brunei Sultan...well....Bandar was interesting but after 2 days i felt like moving on to Sabah(Malaysia)..

a you tube...     https://youtu.be/wW2y79D-9vk

 

i stayed in hotel Jubilee on Jalan Kampung Kianggeh=i payed 78 Brunei dollars/night+breakfast included...it is a good and for Brunei inexpensive place to stay...Brunei is expensive...few money changers around the bus station complex..

i took quite some pics in Brunei..

 

pic 1+2+3==the Omar Ali Saifuddin masjid...

 

 

 

 

pic 4==the Jubilee hotel

 

 

pic 5==littering will lead to a penalty in Brunei..