Astounding Amsterdam

Amsterdam was pretty much what I had expected, chain-smoking weed smokers, very safe and touristy red-light districts and surprisingly good shopping. To get your one and only legal opportunity to see how weed is grown and smoke the drug itself, you definitely have to make a trip here and see it for yourself. Weed smells surprisingly nice before it is smoked. Perhaps with only good old organic weed.

 

The famous red-light district in Amsterdam

We took a €8/person red-light district tour by neweurope tours, which ended with a jagermister shot at a club. It was an eye-opening experience to see the girls parading themselves in “windows”. And something interesting we learn on the tour, “red lights” are girls and you also have “blue-luminescent light” that are “half-girls” if you know what I mean. They are far worse-looking than our famous/infamous “Changi-boys”. Alleys and alleys we walked and all kinds of girls parading themselves we saw. Another interesting fact, less than 5% of the girls are from the Netherlands. Also, the city mayor was apparently attempting to do a “Rudy Giuliani” and revamp Amsterdam, by removing the “windows” because prostitution was breeding crime. The funny thing was that the area was perfectly safe and home-owners actually liked it there (The red-light district is one of the most expensive residential areas!) and was protesting against the ugly-looking “designer-togging” mannequins that the local government had replaced the windows with.

 

Shopping in Amsterdam

Shopping was surprisingly good, and Shernice bought a nice-looking black trench coat for €40. Prices here were so much lower versus London and Paris, a rhetoric statement at least. But it is really true. That’s why we did not even get anything there…except for the fantastic dark brown leather biker-look coat I had gotten at the very affordable Camden Markets back in London. It was indeed of exceptional quality. One could gauge the excellent quality immediately upon holding or smelling it. It is a heavy leather jacket unlike those you find in Zara / Massimo Dutti. Or perhaps it is simply a way for me to justify my extravagant purchase.  

 

Boring Brussels

Brussels is indeed a city mentioned by the hostel-world guide. Brussels is a city unlike that of London, Paris or even Amsterdam. It is different. I personally feel that either you like Brussels or you don’t. Well, the 2go4 hostel I stayed at, was great. Free and fast wifi everywhere, plus the clean and new décor easily made it the best hostel stay ever. Me and Shernice even cooked our breakfast for the first time and three-days in a row, limiting ourselves to a combined €3 budget. Our breakfast ranged from croissants, sausages to bacon and eggs. Talk about a low budget. The finishing touch was added by 2go4’s free-flow of fantastic coffee in the morning. Excellent cappuccinos were to start each day.

 

Best Mussels ever

We made our way to the best mussels meal ever at Chez Leon at Rue de Bouchers. The restaurant sources their own mussels, assuring you the top-quality of the catch. Many people flock there, and it is indeed a must-do on anyone’s list. The mussels are clean, plump and are of exceptional quality, unlike the other restaurants attempting to sell the same thing. Do not try it elsewhere, like what we did. Though it was very much cheaper at around half the price, it was something we terribly regretted.

Amazing Italy

Italy was a nice country to be in. We had extremely fantastic weather when we were there. It was definitely not as cold as in Paris, but the clear skies and the hot sun explained Italians’ love for sunglasses. They go everywhere in it, if you don’t already know. One interesting thing about Italy, restaurants open for dinner at around 7.30pm till 12 or 1 am. Those who like to have their dinner early, do take caution. Or else, paninis, take-away pizzas are pretty much the way to go, and they ain’t that nice after so many days. We found out that spending just under 3 days in Rome is sufficient, at maximum one-and-a-half day for Florence and just 3-4 hours for Pisa (which includes queuing up to go to its famous leaning tower). Italians are friendly and they are cool about it. We had a way too over-enthusiastic host over back at our hostel in Rome, which we pretty much swear never to return ever. Yet, we had a nice and friendly Leonardo back in Florence. Overall, Italians are a nice bunch of people, and we had pretty good service at most of the restaurants that were recommended. I can’t guarantee anything for the ad-hoc ones one would choose to go.

 

When in Rome, do what the Romans do

We liked Rome for the majestic Vatican City, St. Peters Basilica, the Pantheon, the Coliseum and its ruins. Other than that, we did not exactly have the best Italian food we had hoped to have. Definitely not tiramisu either. Pizzas and pastas were horrible. Perhaps the Italian food back in Singapore was highly suited to the Singaporean palate, with lots of other meats added, and other exotic sauces. Authentic Italian pizzas and pastas involved a hell of tomato sauce, different kinds of cheeses, bacon, olives and mushrooms ONLY. It was entirely not quite what we had expected. Oh well, eat what the Romans eat. Sigh.

 

Something I liked about Italy’s transportation system, in particular buses. Transportation in EuropeRome, just do what the Romans do. pretty much works on the guilt system, you buy tickets and validate them on the bus. The bus driver more or less does not care if you have a ticket or not. It is not his job responsibility but perhaps that of the bus conductor. Otherwise, follow all the young Romans and board the bus either through the middle if not the front and ignore stares from middle and old-aged Italians. Otherwise, when in

 

Lovely Florence

We fell in love with small Florence. It made us realise that we do not need to spend too much time in one city, an optimal amount would be great, and anything more would just turn you off. Paintings in Florence were exactly great after seeing all the earlier vivid paintings that of the Louvre in Paris, the National Gallery back in London or perhaps Museums in Amsterdam. But statues are indeed the main attraction. You can find arguably the most famous statue in the world, Michelangelo’s David. The real one is in the Gallery Academia, there are two copies elsewhere. Do see the authentic one first if you can. Both of us were awed by the carver’s magnificent skill in portraying David’s victory in an elegant and not grotesque manner with that of the Goliath’s head. Food was good, try Florentine steaks at Aqua II, and two out two good tiramisus definitely make Florence a favourite city of mine. The main attractions are David, the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and perhaps the Uffizi Gallery (which I found pretty sub-standard). Do drop by Piazza Michelangelo in the sunset evening for fantastic city views.

 

Getting the tickets
Getting the tickets wasn't exactly easy. I had managed to get a contact in Manchester after some awesome "googling skills. 60 pounds for a season ticket seat 9 rows from the pitch is a bargain compared to any deal one can possibly get! The actually prices are around 40 pounds but it is almost hard to get. The initial deposit was scary, but I was constantly assured by the seller as he had gave me all his contacts and was very helpful throughout the process. A great guy to get your Man Utd tickets from! We used season passes! So no fruadulent tickets! The real and truly authentic experience! Truly once in a lifetime! Contact me directly if you want the contact details.

The Old Trafford and Manchester Experience
Simply entering the walkway into my seats, looking at the pitch, breathing in the fresh-smelling grass of the pitch was just simply exhilarating on any account. I was happy that Man Utd staged a comeback from a goal down to win 3-1. Hands down to Cristiano Ronaldo and gang! Fantastic! Love the crowd, love the old faithful chants and simply the awe-inspiring atmosphere! Truly one of the things one must ever do before he/she dies, even if you are not a soccer fan. The trip down to Manchester from London was not all that comfortable, but I personally thought it was worth it, though there are other thoughts... Nightlife in Manchester is indeed awesome, exciting clubbing not the mass-St. James kind but the uber-chic Zouk kind.