Wow this past 12 days has been a blur to me now as I sit down quietly and think back.. my family came to visit me (as I type now they are at Heathrow waiting to board their flight home.) It has been a mix of excitement and stress I must say! It's my dad's first trip to Europe (hurray) and Denise too. My brother, like me, was here 12 years ago so I think that doesn't quite count. He must have not remembered much of it anyway.
SALZBURG
Salzburg view up on the fortress on a beautiful day
The Salzach river
We went to Salzburg (and surroundings including Untersberg, Hallstatt, Mondsee), our titled "lakes and mountains" trip as requested by my brother. We had a really great time, weather was perfect on the first day and then it became cloudy and then rainy on our 3rd day (a shame I think altho they insist it's still nice).
Mirabell Gardens all over again for me
some arty shots: of Ed and the siblings
The cable car ride up to Mt Untersberg was awesome and I think that was the highlight of the trip for my brother.
up on Mt Untersberg
"She ain't heavy, she's my sister" haha
have you not realised I have a poser brother!
He says his prayers reaches heaven faster here.
Hallstatt was recommended by Alicia coz they went there last Dec and being a Unesco Heritage site, I thought it would be really nice too. It's actually a very small town enveloped by a lake and the mountains. Along the way, we travelled in the valley of the Austrian alps which was really picturesque and reminded me a lot of Switzerland.
Gosau - can you believe such an all beautiful and serene toilet stop? Enroute Hallstatt
Hallstatt (above)
LONDON
Back in London.. they did the touristy stuff as usual while I was at work. In between, the guys made their "mecca trip" to their fav Manchester United's Old Trafford. One of the must do in London, weather permitting, is of coz, picnic!! I love picnics man esp when the sun is out a shining, and it's lovely to bring some food, juice and fruits and simply just... laze around. Instead of the usual Greenwich Park near my place which is already v nice, I suggested Kensington Gardens and yes, we all loved that sunny sunday afternoon.
PARIS - Bel's 3rd time lucky
Yes this is actually my 3rd time to Paris! I haven't even got down to blogging about my 2nd trip there with Cynthia last month heehee.. well my bro and his gf wants to go see the Eiffiel Tower as well as the main sights of this "romantic city" so... since it's more of the company that counts, I decided to join them too. And while they went for the 3h walking tour, I went to *drumroll* Musee d'Orsay!! Finally!! Why I am so excited (or relieved?) is that I missed it on my first trip there and was bent on going there with Cyn last month and alas I didn't realised that all museums are closed on Mondays in Paris!! boohoo I think I was shocked and uber disappointed so yes MO is another reason why I went back Paris again. I am an avid lover of impressionism art so yes that is my mecca trip. Again we walked super a lot (I always say this coz in Europe, people walk super a lot lah.).
I've also been displaying my culinery skills to them, it's almost like my "graduation". Cooking for them what I've learnt over the past year from Cynthia, friends, and of coz my dear grandma (calling home for recipes). And yes, they gave me a pass! (eh why no distinction?)
Chicken rice dinner with steamed egg & minced meat, and fried french beans with carrots
braised pork belly
bak kut teh soup using the premix satchet
And on a side note, see what they brought for me to satisfy my craving??
Overall, we all really had a great time even though it has been such a rushing and fully packed trip for them. And now all of a sudden, the house is all quiet again.... hmm time for Bel to relax and look forward to a do-nothing weekend.
SALZBURG
Salzburg view up on the fortress on a beautiful day
The Salzach river
We went to Salzburg (and surroundings including Untersberg, Hallstatt, Mondsee), our titled "lakes and mountains" trip as requested by my brother. We had a really great time, weather was perfect on the first day and then it became cloudy and then rainy on our 3rd day (a shame I think altho they insist it's still nice).
Mirabell Gardens all over again for me
some arty shots: of Ed and the siblings
The cable car ride up to Mt Untersberg was awesome and I think that was the highlight of the trip for my brother.
up on Mt Untersberg
"She ain't heavy, she's my sister" haha
have you not realised I have a poser brother!
He says his prayers reaches heaven faster here.
Hallstatt was recommended by Alicia coz they went there last Dec and being a Unesco Heritage site, I thought it would be really nice too. It's actually a very small town enveloped by a lake and the mountains. Along the way, we travelled in the valley of the Austrian alps which was really picturesque and reminded me a lot of Switzerland.
Gosau - can you believe such an all beautiful and serene toilet stop? Enroute Hallstatt
Hallstatt (above)
LONDON
Back in London.. they did the touristy stuff as usual while I was at work. In between, the guys made their "mecca trip" to their fav Manchester United's Old Trafford. One of the must do in London, weather permitting, is of coz, picnic!! I love picnics man esp when the sun is out a shining, and it's lovely to bring some food, juice and fruits and simply just... laze around. Instead of the usual Greenwich Park near my place which is already v nice, I suggested Kensington Gardens and yes, we all loved that sunny sunday afternoon.
PARIS - Bel's 3rd time lucky
Yes this is actually my 3rd time to Paris! I haven't even got down to blogging about my 2nd trip there with Cynthia last month heehee.. well my bro and his gf wants to go see the Eiffiel Tower as well as the main sights of this "romantic city" so... since it's more of the company that counts, I decided to join them too. And while they went for the 3h walking tour, I went to *drumroll* Musee d'Orsay!! Finally!! Why I am so excited (or relieved?) is that I missed it on my first trip there and was bent on going there with Cyn last month and alas I didn't realised that all museums are closed on Mondays in Paris!! boohoo I think I was shocked and uber disappointed so yes MO is another reason why I went back Paris again. I am an avid lover of impressionism art so yes that is my mecca trip. Again we walked super a lot (I always say this coz in Europe, people walk super a lot lah.).
nous petit-dejeuner @ St Michel
Eiffiel excitement!
I've also been displaying my culinery skills to them, it's almost like my "graduation". Cooking for them what I've learnt over the past year from Cynthia, friends, and of coz my dear grandma (calling home for recipes). And yes, they gave me a pass! (eh why no distinction?)
Chicken rice dinner with steamed egg & minced meat, and fried french beans with carrots
braised pork belly
bak kut teh soup using the premix satchet
fried pak choi with garlic; and of coz, how to forget my speciality dish
And on a side note, see what they brought for me to satisfy my craving??
Overall, we all really had a great time even though it has been such a rushing and fully packed trip for them. And now all of a sudden, the house is all quiet again.... hmm time for Bel to relax and look forward to a do-nothing weekend.
Comments
photos are lovely. So glad that you had a great time with your parents. We need to catch up soon, ok?
x
yes I sent u you an email today, not sure if you read it but we do have to meet up soon, it's been too long!