Winter Wonderland @ Neuschwanstein Castle

Woke up to snow in the morning! Snow in Spring! And the temperature forecast is at a -4 deg up in the mountains. It’s going to be a cold cold day! Was re-thinking our plans to go up to the Neuschwanstein Castle for the day, but in the end, we decided to go ahead, and I’m really glad we did!

Took the 9:52 train from Munich (using the Bayern Ticket) and reached Fussen at 11:55am. Took a short bus ride (bus 73) and reached the tickets collection center. Glad that we made the ticket reservation and was able to join the shorter queue and got our tickets in less than 10 mins. The queue for the non-reserved tickets was long!

Unfortunately for us, the bus service was not operational. We opted for the horse carriage ride, but after waiting for 30mins, and the Queue doesn’t seems to be moving, we decided to walk up. Our tour time was at 1:35pm, and it was already 12:15! Walked up the beautiful slopes and it started snowing again! It’s super cold, but yet, the scenery was really beautiful, trees and ground covered in the white snow, making it so magical – a magical walk up to the castle.

After around 40mins, we finally reached the entrance of the castle! It’s beautiful, really as magical as it can be, covered in snow and sunlight! Glad that we made the trip and made it for the tour. Not able to take any photos inside the castle, but it was beautiful. After the tour, made our way back down and got nice delicious and hot donuts on the way down to the horse stable. This time, we waited for the horse carriage and took the carriage ride down.

Made our way back to the station, and took the train back to Munich. It was really a magical day out. Snow in Spring! Loved it.

 

A first to Euope 2017

finally, planned and made my first trip to Europe. A DIY trip to Germany, Italy and Holland.

really took a lot of research and time to figure out the train connections, tickets and such and finally, we are on our way!

Germany -Nuremberg / Rothenburg

Arrived in Frankfurt on Good Friday. After a night of rest, took the train directly to Nurnburg. Finally realise that every where is in german language and English signs are almost non-existent! even in some places of attracttions. at least some have an audio guide to help is understand.

Visted the old town and happened to chance upon an Easter market whole we are at the Altasdt in Nurnberg! yum yum food and interesting things they sell!

walked up the castle, and by the time we finished walking back, and had a dinner of Pasta,  most of the shops are closed and it's pretty quiet on the streets by 8pm!

Rothenberg

The next day, we took the train to Rothenberg. Took us 2 changes and we were super confused by the platform and train details which is all in German! lucky managed to asked and got help from a passerby!

it's a beautiful little town with it's own character. but as it's the good friday / Easter holiday,  almost all the shops are closed. we could only window shopped literally! but it still makes an interesting visit!

Alishan & KaoShiung 2016

March is supposedly a beautiful season to visit Taiwan, with the cooling temperature and nice weather. But alas, the weather turned sour on us on our 2nd day onwards.


Took the early flight out from Singapore, via Scoot. Took the KRT directly from the airport to ZuoYing, caught the HSR and managed to meet the last bus up Alishan (1310) but the bus was full. Left without much of a  choice, we took a taxi up (NT$1500), but was kinda of a blessing. On the way up, we passed an area with the Sakura with a full blossom and the taxi driver stopped for a while letting us take some beautiful shots.


Reached our Minsu at 23.5 Sunrise around 3 plus, checked-in and had our tea break provided by the minsu. The tea-break was all made by the owner which is pretty amazing. Took a free ride to Fengqihu and spend the afternoon walking around and of course got the all famous Fengqihu Lunch box set.


The next morning, we woke up very early(3.30am), checked out of the minus, and got all our luggage up the mountains. Managed to get the cab driver that gave us a better rate then the minsu. Took the cab to the mountain top, queued for the first train ticket and hope on the train for the sunrise viewing. However, the morning was too foggy and all we see is a sea of white. Did a morning hike at the mountain, and shortly, it started raining. It's a beautiful day, but as it got later, the crowd of tourists also increases. Finally around 9am, we gave up, and went back to the main train station. Despite planning to spend the day at Alishan, we took the 1030am bus back to the Chiayi HSR. Cold and wet morning, and finally we reached our hotel in Kaoshiung around 3pm. Just in time for check-in and a rest.


The rest of the trip was spent at Kaoshiung. One of the days was spent at Fo Guan Shan. My 2nd trip but still as amazing. We took the cab all the way up to the main temple, and from there, we walked around the temple grounds for around 1.5 hours, before making our way to the Buddha Memorial where we spent the rest of the day. The day is still a rainy day, making it cold and wet but we had a very spiritual day and it was really energizing.


The fourth day, we actually planned to visit Cijin Isle. But due to the rain, we decided against it, since our main intention is to ride the bicycle. Walked around and went to the British Consulate instead. The view up there is beautiful despite the rain. Took a walk all the way back down to the bridges and finally we decided to take the ferry to Cijin just to have our seafood lunch. Heading back, visited the Takao Railway Musuem.


On the last day, we went by Pier-2 Arts center, and came across their weekly Saturday Flea market. It's really full of little curios! Bought a few interesting souvenir's back for my friends. On the way back, we took the Duck Tour along the Love River. We passed by a Labour museum and had a eye opener visit to the small but interesting museum. they happened to have

HK 2016

Back from my 4 days of escape to HK with Ah Von.
IT was really a misty and magical 4 days. Almost everyday is a misty white due to the fog.
This trip, we did a bus ride (no. 15 from Admiralty Station) to the top of the peak and hike all the way down to Pok Fok Lum Reservior. It took us about 3 hours (ard 9am to 12noon). But it was a magical walk, probably due to the mist/fog. Everywhere is  misty white and with the morning dew and the fresh morning air. True, our knees almost turned jelly due to the down stairs but it's still a worthwhile walk.


Another memorable part of the trip was our walk from Mui-Wo to the waterfall. It's kind of rural areas with many expats with their kids. The walk took us around 2 hours, slowing exploring the area, and the houses around. Beautifully quiet. Saw that they planted quite a few Sakura trees along the pathway at regular intervals. Once grown, the place would be super beautiful.


Oh we made a little off trip to discovery bay on one of the foggiest day. We couldn't really see anything , it's just a blanket of white!


Of course the rest of the trip is eating and shopping. We had dim sum, very nice coffee and much much more! Yummy Trip.

London~~off for a while more

Seems like my "fate" with the Europe countries have still not arrived. The Planned for trip to England has to be postponed, since my friend's sis is uncertain due to the financial commitment for this year. Maybe next year (hopefully).


anyway, decided to do another short trip with my friend. It has been years since we last travelled together. Hopefully we can make it happened. A short trip to Vietnam would be good! haha Phu Quoc would be nice. haha....

it's HK & TAIWAN!!

Finally, me and friend decided to go for the "cheaper" option, and choosed HK via Cathay Pacific! We decided to have a rest and relax trip since it's only $248 for the return airtickets. But actually deep down, we really wanted to go Taipei hahaa...it's a big deilima for us! haha but it's done deed.

Shortly after, i saw the airfare promo for SCOOT and it's offering a 30% discount for flights to Kaoshiung. Reminded myself of a promise i made to my mum. Wanted to bring her to Fo Guan Shan in January, but we were waiting for my bro. So at the end, decided to take up this offer, and due to the dates, i ended up flying off to Kao Shiung the very next day upon my return from HK! This make my this twin trip into a "long vacation".

haha, can't wait for march to be here. Thinking of both, where i should be staying and doing in HK and Taiwan!

Likely going to Alishan for the Taiwan trip. Seems to be the Sakura season, but journey up is kind of complicated. Let me research a bit more. Apparantly, some of the b&B only open for booking 3mths in advance. i'm too early it seems, but i really wanted to get the booking of room over and done with! let me think a little more.. or maybe Yilan can make a good stop...i wanted to visit the Jimmy's park!

still lots of time for me to slowly do my research! :)