Andrzejia 安祖亚

还没有题目。。。

2009-03-23T00:36:00.004+10:30

。。。所以就加点照片！

第一就是《太原飞雪之景》，其实这不是冬天拍了，可是二月末，春天之后。冬天一点雪都不下。可是这场下雪真值得那么长得等候：

第二个是《我与墙壁》，红色的是我从内蒙古呼和浩特拿回来的蒙文春联。中间有我亲手写的书法标语和一个‘拿破仑’的写真画。嗯，中间也有我。照片里我在穿着我中式长袍：

第三个是我早上起床从窗户看到的景物。可是，我认为最合适的名字就是《末日之后》因为其实这个景物太恐怖。象一个被核弹攻击以后的现场！于此真象末日一样：

太有意思，对不对？下周加更多照片儿。

为了亲爱的王涵博。

2009-03-14T01:11:00.002+10:30

你现在是不是高兴？你看，这个博客消息全是为了你。是为了你与关于你。可能你是我的唯一的读者。其实，我打算改变这博客的名字，改成《涵博迷博客》。

可是，可能你回给我提意见。什么都不想写。我的生活实在没意思，所以没有写博客的灵感。哎呀，这辈子。

那好，我拿定主意，我要添照片。一字千金，一图千字。

所以，下面的照片是《朴安祖的悉尼的中国花园》，欢迎欣赏一下。

好吧。你是不是满意？

安祖亚恢复啦！Andrzejia Returns!

2009-03-07T22:02:00.002+10:30

Notice: Henceforth this long overlooked blog will be entirely in Chinese. The reason for this is that I wish to both improve my Chinese writing skills, and simultaneously provide a better way to communicate with Chinese speaking friends. Although those friends and family who do not read Chinese won't understand the words, I still plan to include plenty of photos. Therefore those who can't understand the words can still appreciate this blog. To some extent.

通知：从此这个长时间忽视的博客就是全体用中文。原因是我要提高我的中文写作水平，可同时让给说汉语的朋友们更方便联系。虽然几个只会说英语的亲人朋友们当然看不懂，可是我还是打算包括很多照片，等等。所以看不懂的读者们还会欣赏这个博客。差不多。

词源学 - Etymology

2008-04-20T18:25:00.004+09:30

Studying Chinese can be a rather infuriating process at times. So many characters, many with only a vague relationship to what they are supposed to mean. Not so with all characters however! Below are some of the interesting etymological things I have discovered.

To begin with, 尸 shi (first tone), means corpse. It looks, one imagines, vaguely like a corpse. One that is square shaped with a long tail. In any case, this is a corpse：

However, when you add the character for water, 水 shui (3 tone) underneath a corpse, you get, wonderfully logically, the character 尿 niao（4 tone), meaning to urinate, or urine! Perfectly logical!

If that didn't astound you, however, then there comes the next logical step: what happens when you put the character for rice, 米 mi (3 tone), underneath a corpse? You can see where this is going can't you? That's right, the resultant character is 屎 shi (3 tone), meaning of course: excrement, faeces, or dung.

If this didn't amaze you, then what about that other bodily expulsion that is neither urine nor excrement of some sort, but is, as we can say, somewhere in between. By this I mean 'breaking wind.' To create this, one simply adds the character for 'to compare or contrast,' 比 bi (3 tone), underneath a corpse. The resulting character becomes 屁 pi (4 tone) 'wind from one's bowels.' Logical and to the point.

That is the etymological study for today. Excitingly simple, and educational too!

Studystudystudy...

2008-02-28T05:40:00.002+10:30

I've been rather studiously studying lately. But also going bowling. Yes. Qiqihar has its own ten-pin bowling facilities. Its more enjoyable to watch the antics of the bowling-pin resetting machine (or whatever its called) than to actually bowl though. A tad bit of repairs might be needed there...

Anyway. I'm not sure when the semester starts, but its studystudystudy till then. We'll see.

I'll put pictures of things and so on on later. Quite.

Sickness.

2008-02-17T04:01:00.001+10:30

For the past two weeks or more I've been out with 'Ganmao' which is the Chinese word for flu/cold. Mine was at the nasty end of the ganmao spectrum with horrible sore throat and fever. Now all is fine and I can continue with the Study Offensive against the Chinese Language. Hurrah!

Travelling!

2008-01-12T01:15:00.000+10:30

I am off!

Tomorrow I leave for Changchun, then Beijing, then most likely:
Qingdao, Weihai, Dalian, Dandong, Shenyang, back to Qiqihar.

Tchuss!

I should be back on the 26th or 27th.

Ta ta!

Qiqihar Hutongs

2007-12-29T22:17:00.000+10:30

As one walks north-east through the university, one eventually reaches the outskirts of its trimmed and modern attributes. One finds that the hideous apartment blocks, which spray out garbage such as in the picture below, shrink to small crooked lanes and houses barely taller than myself. These are reminiscent of Beijing's much talked about 'Hutongs.' In fact I found Qiqihar's to be more pleasant than Beijing's. They did not have that claustrophobic and artificial feeling which Beijing's had. Perhaps because Qiqihar's are not a tourist attraction, and judging by the pace of 'development' they probably will not exist for much longer at all. Perhaps it is a shame, perhaps not.

Garbage coming from the garbage chute of an apartment block. No rubbish bins in sight, not even mushroom shaped ones.

As QiDa trails off into Hutongs, things start to look more interesting. This photo is the entrance to the compound of Hutongs behind QiDa.

Perhaps poorly constructed, and perhaps dirty, yet I like the look of this scene much more than the blandness of what is Qiqihar's modern architecture.

A sign on one of the Hutong house's gate, 'Xiaojie lou hutong' which I translate as 'The Miss's Building Hutong.'

More Hutongs.

The bottom of the roof is just above my eye level, so these are certainly not tall buildings. The vegetables hanging from the rooves are onions. Even in -10 degrees when this photo was taken, they hang them outside to preserve them, and eventually eat them. We know, because we asked a passerby, who seemed shocked at first to see foreigners amongst the hutongs.

The red flag of China flying over the hutongs.

A more traditionally structured building with tall roof.

A wooden-fenced pen for holding...goats perhaps?

One of the many central heating stations dotting the city, behind which one can glimpse the university's sports hall.

Typical Qiqihar apartments, these with a small garden in front. Winter makes them look more grim then they perhaps are...well...no...even in summer they are fairly grim.

A frozen water pit...or something. Tempting to label this simply "Qiqihar", but that would be too harsh.

Humility.

2007-12-13T12:33:00.000+10:30

Occasionally, when a taxi driver says my Chinese is good, I feel a small swell of pride. However I need only to think of the above photo to feel more humble again. This is one, only one, page of a Chinese History Book on Modern History. Note my excellent use of the margins. At least this way it looks more colourful. Don't worry, its a photocopied page, so its not like I've defaced an actual book with my lack of vocabulary. There are 589 pages in the book....One day, one day...

Material History of Qiqihar #1: Rubbish Bins

2007-12-13T12:15:00.001+10:30

Qiqihar's Rubbish Bin Culture has a rich and colourful history:

The earlier displayed Soccerball Type Rubbish Bin (Note: Photo taken in September, hence it is warm)

Standard Type One Mushroom Rubbish Bin. This comes in two colours, blue and red.

The more advanced, Standard Type Two Mushroom Rubbish Bin. This only comes in red. Note it's sleek design and curves. The Mushroom Types One and Two are the most plentiful.

A Mushroom Type One Rubbish Bin after it was ignited by some of the Russian students at the sushe (the dormitory). A tragedy.

The comparatively rare Puppy Dog Rubbish Bin. You apparently stick garbage into his brain cavity, via his ears.

The Brave New World of Rubbish Bins: the sleek, efficient, yet soulless New Model Rubbish Bin. Note you can both recycle and place waste in it...apparently, if you don't recycle, your rubbish is exploded back out towards you. At least this is what I can make of the red symbol on the bin.

The Chairman.

2007-12-07T03:24:00.000+10:30

MAO: The Fruit Drink, discovered in Austria prior to leaving for China. A nice counter-poise to:

MAO: The Statue. This is the very impressive statue of Mao in Qiqihar. This is one impressive thing which Qiqihar can boast of. Look as he guides the ship of state with his massive arm.

The square from the front, similarly impressive.

Some idiot is in the way now...

An artsy shot which could probably be called 'the long shadow cast by Mao' or something like it.

QIQIHAR

2007-11-25T17:30:00.000+10:30

Photos of Qiqihar!

Taken in the summer, you can see that QQH has some very lovely aspects. The red building across the lake is the GouWuZhongXin, or Shopping Centre. The foreign teachers live to the right of that building - actually in the same building as its connected.

Another view of the lake. The tall buildings across the way are the under-construction new Qiqihar Uni buildings - we will be moved into them next year probably, though I don't want to.

More views of Laodong Hu, Labour Lake. The curved roofed building is the swimming hall.

Myself posing with a rubbish bin. Qiqihar has two types, Soccer Balls, and Mushrooms. Actually, three types, there are also Puppy Dog shaped bins too. The Mushroom types are the most abundant, then the soccer balls, then the puppies.

The QiDa (Qiqihar Daxue = Qiqihar University) sculpture of a Red Crowned Crane, Qiqihar's emblem/ mascot. The sculpture is...very...pointy.

The Lake at night from the roof of the building. Note the pretty coloured lights.

Though they have subsided for the moment, there are often fireworks at night. During the day as well, though these are just for the noise. China likes noise.

More of the lake, at night.

Infront of the GouWuZhongXin at night. It was snowing in this picture, of a few weeks ago, of course you can tell that all the others are of summer. Though it is sunny in winter as well.

In the Middle Campus, walking from the Number One Building (where I teach) to the Gouwuzhongxin and the PeiXunZhongXin (the official title of where we live) Note the 'wild' plastic animals on the lawn. How beautiful they are. Yes...some nice wild deer.

Myself riding the baby deer at night.

A creepy sculpture of...a red alien death ray thing? A banana peel? No one knows...Why, Qiqihar Uni, why?!

And that is enough for the moment...

ANDRZEJIA REVIVED

2007-11-23T17:32:00.000+10:30

Yes yes, after three months of silence (and no photos!) Andrzejia returns, triumphantly and dramatically! Yes. I am, and have been, in Qiqihar! Its cold here now. -11 or so. It will get colder, hurrah. Anyway. Here are some photos of Qiqihar...briefly, I arrived in Beijing, travelled to Harbin, then Qiqihar, then in the October break I went to Shanghai. I've been in Qiqihar since then. There is a big holiday in January and February...we'll see what I do. Ok. Photos!

This is the dusk view of Qiqihar from my room. This was taken several months ago. Hence the lake in the photo is now ice. The lake is 'Laodong Lake' or 'Labour Lake.'

The view from my room at night. It has a certain...gritty charm to it. In the day its a bit more friendly looking.

The same view with more of the lake in the picture. The view shows the brightly lit lights around the lake at night. Very colourful, but it actually works alright and looks pleasant.

The view of the trainstation, my first view of Qiqihar. The words on the station mean, from L-R: "Long Live the Communist Party" and "Long Live Mao Zedong Thought."

View of the demolished slums/ construction zone across from the Laodong Lake.

This is just a sampling of the exciting collection of photos of QIQIHAR. More I will reveal, once I get around to it.

China

2007-08-15T19:05:00.000+09:30

I have shamed the Melbourne University Chinese Department.

My three years of Chinese Study has resulted in the following (in English Translation):

Me: Hello. Do you - you - [pause] ....you have - ph - ph - ph...[pause] card - ph ph ph [pause]card? Phone! PHONE card?

Shopkeeper: Yes.

Me: I wwwww....I wwwww [pause] ....I wwwwwant one.

OR

Me: Hello. Do you have t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t. [pause] Trrrrrrr. [pause] Do you have tttttttttttt-TRAIN ticket?

OR

Me: One bottle water, hhhh. H-h-h-h-h-h [pause] Hhhhh-hhhhh- HOW MUCH?

As you can clearly see, there is either something wrong with me, with my language skills, or both. Indeed, I think it is probably a mix of the two, but mainly with me. I have no problem saying these simple sentences to myself. However whenever I actually talk to someone, things begin to go rapidly downhill. Indeed, I usually end up stammering for a good few minutes before simply gesticulating for what I want. Once I obtain said thing, I usually end up feeling depressed, as I see other foreigners with NO Chinese language skills what so ever, quite easily getting what they want. Sigh.

In anycase, I am in Harbin at the moment, and I have noticed some small signs of language improvement. Enough to both excite me and also lull me into a false sense of security, whereupon I being stutttttttering again. Sigh.

In anycase, in two days I will be in Qiqihar. We will see from there how things go.

Zhongguo Zhongguo Zhongguo

2007-08-10T00:02:00.000+09:30

I will be leaving for China in about half an hour. Till then!

ARMENIA - I

2007-08-09T09:41:00.000+09:30

...I still managed to make it to Armenia for Sonia's wedding - which was great, because Armenia really was amazing and took the cake for most memorable experience for a while: All of these photos are of Yerevan.

Sister and I at a cafe.

Republic Square, aparently one of the largest communist design squares, or something...

Republic Square. In detail.

An old/ perhaps not really old/ church in the backstreets of Yerevan.

The Opera.

The Cascade.

The Family.

The Siblings.

Heading up to the Cascade...

Overlooking Yerevan. You can see Mt. Ararat in the distance...

Statue of Khachaturian.

The 'bucks night' - just what one wants after a sleep deprived flight and day, but still, was good fun!

Shant and myself in said party - the flash, as you can see, was very effective.

UKRAINA - VI

2007-08-09T09:28:00.001+09:30

The following are a mix of photos of Kyiv...

Beautiful sunset on some golden domes...

Ibid, but by the Khmelnicki Statue Square.

Lovely photo of Andriyivsky Church.

The under-construction waste-land we wandered into...much like a ghost town.

The CELTA classroom. Happy blue colours to make everyone feel happy and loved etc...

David prepares one of our fine quality meals - frozen pizza cooked on frying pan. Its actually quite nice. This was, also, AFTER my appendix betrayed me, the stupid bastard.

The glass upper windows through the toilet and shower - a bizarre architectural feature of the apartment...we added the two figures ourselves: a cleaning lady, and Tom Cruise giving thumbs up to those in the toilet.

Grimacing whilst I celebrate the Metro being empty (a rare treat)

The excited expressions of Chris and David after we took the metro to the very end stop.

And this is what we found.

And that is sadly the end of my Ukrainian adventure. It was sadly reduced due to appendicitis. I did though really enjoy things in Kyiv. A great place, and I met some great people...

UKRAINA - V

2007-08-09T09:05:00.001+09:30

Kyiv had much to do, remarkably little of which I actually did...however, amongst the previous things I also saw/did:

Well...ok, this is the Maydan again, but from a more dramatic angle.

The 'rainbow arch' showing Russo-Ukrainian friendship. Very...very...un-friendly looking actually.

Overlooking Podil, the old district of Kyiv.

On a river cruise of the Dnipro River.

The excellent Kyiv metro can be seen passing over the bridge.

David with his friend, Mr. Cigarette.

The Lavra monastery from the boat.

On the boat...obviously.

The funicular railway leading from Podil up to the main part of the city.

Andriyivsky Church - to my mind the most beautiful church in Kyiv.

Puzata Khata - the only restaurant to go to in Kyiv. Cheap and good...and generous.

The lenghty ascent from the mentro - which is very subterrainian.

UKRAINA - IV

2007-08-09T08:04:00.001+09:30

Kyiv provided much excitement. Though most of it was spent couped up in the apartment doing the rather tiresome CELTA work...

The room I lived in for the month...

The evening view from the apartment's balcony. It overlooks the Polytechnica Institute.

David, my flat mate, and I went to the Kyiv Zoopark. Zoopark!

The steps leading up from the underpass by the Metro station. A much traversed route.

A Stalinist building in Kyiv - on Khreshchatyk - the main boulevard.

Zoloti Vorota - the Golden Gate...now with...lots of concrete...

A statue to the Cossacks. Cossacks!

Some of the International House Kyiv CELTA course gang on the Maydan. L-R: Nastya, David, Myself, Laryssa, Sveta.

This impromptu gathering took place at the Elton John concert on the Maydan....Elton John. How bizarre. I did not expect to see him in Ukraine.

Some of the crowd at the concert.

One of Elton's biggest fans.

More of them...

...Leaving after the show is over.

UKRAINA - III

2007-08-09T07:30:00.001+09:30

KIEV, or KYIV!!!

Near the Bessarabsky Market at night.

Myself with two bottles of beer underneath the statue of Bohdan Khmelnicki. Wojna!!!! Drinking beer and wandering around Kyiv was great fun - and it fitted in neatly with the locals.

Golden domes.

Plaque commemorating the Orange Revolution...

...which took place on the Maydan Nezhalnosti

Near the lavra monastry.

Ibid.

Rodina Mat! Mother of Victory!

...in the dark...

...and up close. Like the statue of liberty but angry!

UKRAINA - II

2007-08-09T07:13:00.000+09:30

Then I journeyed to....pleasant...Ternopil.

It has a lovely, as far as they can be, man made lake.

And a nice square....that is a little barren, but was used for a strange concert when I was there.

The view from the Hotel Ternopil (quite a name, I know)

And the same at night.

UKRAINA - I

2007-08-09T06:51:00.000+09:30

The first stop in Ukraine was Lviv. Glorious city!

The main drag of Lviv. I think this was a political rally. Exciting!

The Stary Rynok

View from Castle Hill.

To prove that it is in Ukraine.

The interior of the stylishly fading Hotel George.

The Rynok from the history musem.

More Rynok.

The old style city walls.

Lykachivsky Cemetary. Quite beautiful.

Polish graves from the era of the Russo-Polish war.

Lviv at night, near the Mickiewicz statue - Hotel George is on the right hand side.

POLSKA

2007-08-09T06:44:00.000+09:30

Things must be quick...am off to China in less than 24 hours...shooooooo.....ok....but back to the past: I went through spiritual homeland Poland on the way to Ukraine:

THe lovely Rynek in Krakow

Krakow

Ibid.

ÖSTERREICH - Home

2007-07-28T21:44:00.000+09:30

After so much excitement and travels, it was time to head to the family to recuperate, in Vienna.

Schwarzenburg Platz

The Graben.

I could not stay still for long, and this is in the Monastery at Melk, about an hour away from Vienna, which is very grand, and very beautiful.

More Melk.

The monastery library.

Melk and parents.

Family Photo....except, hmmm....I think I had a sister. Nah, it doesn't matter.

Ahah, but this isn't Melk. This is nearby Durnstein - where King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned on his way back from a crusade.

Lovely.

Wooo.

Ahaha!

The ruins of Castle Durnstein. It was destroyed by the Swedes when the Swedes still did that sort of thing.

Birhday dinner at the Gasthof zur alten post. In Krems actually.

DEUTSCHLAND

2007-07-28T21:29:00.000+09:30

From Paris I headed west to Bochum to visit Sarah K. She had work most of the time, but it was fun nonetheless. We went bowling in Wuppertal, then I headed to Koln (Cologne), as you do when you are bored in Bochum.

The view from the Koln cathedral.

The bottom of the cathedral.

The...rathaus? Maybe? Its some important building which to my mind looks vaguely Venetian.

The view of the Rhein (I'm fairly sure).

More of Koln.

Bochum.

FRANCE

2007-07-28T20:47:00.000+09:30

After a late night arrival in Paris I was met by Tee Wee. The next morning we had a look at the fair that is held (weekly? monthly? annually?) in his area of town, namely Levalloise.

This is the Levalloise Town Hall. It struck me as so very....French! Perhaps the flags gave it away? Beautiful!

Gloire!

My true feelings about George Clemenceau and his statue. After about 15 attempted photos, this is the best. Well, Clemenceau was a loser anyway.

Tee Wee and I!

A storm descended over Paris on the first day. Very sudden. The road we were on was also closed, for some unknown reason...

...which turned out to be because the fastest train in the world was being paraded down the Seine. You can see my excitement.

Some church somewhere.

Bon. Tres bon.

The men play boules! They really do! I was captivated for minutes!

Looking down the thigh of the Eiffel Tower.

Les Invalides.

Guerre.

Napoleon's Tomb. My incantations to raise the dead and march on parliament went unanswered.

Ahahaha! Take that monsieur le tourist-bus!

UNESCO headquarters with Tee Wee! The monument is enscribed with part of the UNESCO charter: "Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed."

Looking down at the Japanese garden in the UNESCO building and to the soon-to-be-renovated wing of UNESCO.

O-hohoho! I have entered the inner sanctum!

No visit to UNESCO would be complete without the ladies! I mean...er....these are Tee Wee's UN friends.

They are chivalrous.

We also supported the French Champagne industry as much as we could.

Viv le France. I want to live there. I want to speak more French than "Je suis le roix" and "Je vudrais un cannard." Bon.

UNITED KINGDOM - VI

2007-07-28T07:40:00.000+09:30

In the cold, sober light of day, Trafalgar Square seemed surreal...

...but this was infact due to the (fairly odd, I must say) English folk dancing. It really amazes me sometimes how a nation of be-ribbonned prancing men managed to take over so much of the world. The shame.

Rachael and I at the National Portrait Gallery cafe. Our only concern was that we couldn't find Cromwell. Hence my angry face.

A dynamic photo of a dynamic square.

My 30 minute rendezvous with Sarah - who had just arrived in London and just lost her wallet (with 400 pounds!)...which she later found, phew! This is the Eurostar terminal at Waterloo station. The way to France passes through Waterloo, ah, the irony.

Bon.

UNITED KINGDOM - V

2007-07-28T07:25:00.000+09:30

A-hahaha! AHAHAHA!! I think this my cure for pleasantness in London. The Pub: Shakespeare's Head (? I think?)

Sausage, Chips, Ale. Rule Britania.

Grrr.

Kai and James, my homies.

We drank a fair bit.

The skilled predator. James and I after our successful late-night hunt for kebabs.
A fitting finale to my last night in London and the UK...

UNITED KINGDOM - IV

2007-07-28T07:00:00.000+09:30

Using Cambridge as my base of operations, I made daring ventures to visit Sharon in Guildford, and to my cousins in Oxford, and then back to Cambridge.

Sharon in the courtyard of...a building in Guildford.

Guildford, a royal city, has it's own castle. As, of course, do many towns in the UK, and the world at large really. But still. Guildford's had its own weathered charm.

The Star Innn: Sharon's favourite pub.

Lucking for ducks in the Surrey University in Guildford.

Ibid. Well...not exactly 'ibid,' as we weren't looking for ducks in this photo.

On the way back from Guildford I spotted that abomination of all Britishness: the three wheeled car, a la Mr Bean. Frightening.

More pleasntness in Cambridge. This one, however, I know is St. John's College, as it is where Sophie goes. Or is affiliated with.

Ibid!

Pleasant.

Pleasanter.

Oh God, no. They have tennis courts in their backyard. Its so pleasant you almost feel sick!

Sophie and I surrounded by pleasantness.

Thankfully, after overdosing on pleasantness, I returned to London for something arguably more or less pleasant!

UNITED KINGDOM - III

2007-07-28T06:28:00.000+09:30

Ah yes, after Scotland, I returned to the UK (because Scotland will be free, any minute now, anyyyyy minute...) I visited Cambridge, which, in summary, is...pleasant. The word is apt.

A pleasant image of....King's college (maybe?) where C.S. Lewis tutored/taught/resided/ whatever. One of the windows is where he lived. I can't remember the name of the college for sure nor the exact window. This was because of the strain of, accidentally, joining the 'Christian Heritage Tour of Cambridge.' A long and not-entirely-entertaining story, the essence of which is I walked around Cambridge, wearing a 'Christian Heritage' sticker, with a very loud American woman and several other loud, and not less fundamentalist, people. My plan of subtlety was dashed.

A pleasant gate...King's College?

A pleasant courtyard.

Isaac Newton, in which ever college he went to. King's? I was 'persuaded' to have my photo taken by the over-enthusiastic guide. Note my nervous smile and the sticker I am trying to hide by my bag strap.

Pleasant.

A pleasant road in Cambridge.

The oldest church in Cambridge. I wonder why this was on the tour?

The plaque commemorating the Eagle pub where Watson & Crick announced their discovery of DNA. From my tour I learnt that, unlike Newton and other God-fearing scientists, Watson & Crick were arrogant and didn't love God. Um...thanks Christian Heritage!

Pleasant...waitttt.....this one is King's college I think. The others were probably Trinity?

This is, definetly, the King's College Chapel's roof. Quite mesmerising. Though if anyone from the chapel asks, I didn't take this photo.

Pleasant. This of course being _______ college.

Kings? Pleasant?

The Isaac Newton bridge or something. It was originally built without nails? Pleasant.

Frank in the grounds of the all-girls college. It was very pleasant. I must thank Frank for letting me stay with him, as he, also, had final exams!

SCOTLAND - V

2007-07-13T01:10:00.000+09:30

Alas, time goes too quickly, and Glasgow was my last day in Scotland:

Having been met at the train station at about 9 am by Alison, we explored the city. Well...we walked to her place to leave my bag. This statue is of Wellington. Aparently people spontaneously started putting the 'hat' on him in about thirty years ago. Now they don't stop. He looks much better that way anyway.

Crossing the river Clyde into...the Gorbals (on the left)! Apparently the worst area of anywhere ever to live in - and it's where Alison lives! But don't worry, she lives in the new Gorbals. Ahhh. Much better. Actually the apartment was lovely and no one tried to stab me, so what more could one want!?

George Square, near one of the train stations (George station maybe? I can't remember). There were scores of statues here...all important for some reason or other.

The Glasgow tourist bus which we joined...and later left with heavy headaches due to the rather too eager guiding of one tourguide with a loud microphone.

The People's Palace...was actually kind of scary. A free museum, yes, but also a bit odd.

Alison and I (or should I say 'eye', as thats all you can see! sigh....my jokes, my jokes....sigh) at a cafe where we spent nearly 2 hours as we were sick and tired of your buses.

But we were still game enough for the Glasgow Transport Museum - which our incessant guide sang the praises of (which should have given us grounds to avoid it). Note how the Transport Museum houses several exhibits on...shopfronts and....'Cheese Cheaper'. Odd.

Two very small boats.

A car? In the transport museum? No!?

This sums up my feelings for the museum: leaky roof and an old car.

The museum did have several hundreds of miniature boats...including this little fat one used by the tsar...well...used by miniature tsars.

The world's first bicycle, I think. Made entirely of wood.

The most artistic photo I took during the entire trip: The Rainy Streets of Glasgow.

Statue of Donald Dewar - the first Scottish First Minister...and someone who looks like a thin version of John Howard I think.

The end of my Scottish Odyssey. Paul came down and we reunited in a pub...it was fun, but sad. Scotland, how I hardly knew you!! But yes, thanks to everyone I visited in Scotland: Michal, Paul, and Alison! I had a great time and really was sad to leave!

SCOTLAND - IV

2007-07-12T07:02:00.000+09:30

On the Sunday after my two triumphs in Edinburgh, it was time for the Follow In The Footsteps of Scottish National Heroes Tour! On the itinerary were: Falkirk, Stirling (and the William Wallace Memorial and site of the Battle of Stirling Bridge), and Bannockburn (site of Robert the Bruce's famous battle). We begin this pictorial expose at Falkirk High Train Station:

This is Paul with his trusty car, Elismere. Ok...I made up the name. But it is Paul's car. Why does he look displeased? Because we had to wait an extra 30 minutes for Alison! We won't hold it against you Alison.

This is Falkirk. Or part of it.

Paul and Alison!! After she finally made it, we made our visit to the Falkirk wheel! This is taken at said wheel, when the weather turned particularly petulant.

The Falkirk Wheel! This clever device links two canals of differing heights by spinning the boats up and over! Very impressive, and quite an attractive design too!

The wheel in mid-swing...with better weather too.

Our Pilgrimage to Stirling Bridge. The William Wallace Memorial Tower is above. The rather hollywoodised monument below is well...

...Now you can see that it says "Freedom!!!!" of which Alison is proud.

The view from the hill upon which the tower is built. By the river is where the victorious Wallace fought the battle of Stirling Bridge...well...actually, it was fought on the bridge...which isn't in the photo. The Castle on the hill is Stirling Castle.

The Three of us at Stirling Castle...which...we didn't really go inside as it was far too expensive. We just got into the free section. And the gift shop.

More of said expensive castle.

Scary deserted car park. This is just after my 'Haggis Burger' which was quite nice actually.

The Stirling Bridge! Or Maybe it is the one we are on. I think that is the case actually. Anyway. These are Bridges over the Stirling River!

On the look-out for the English.

The bridge, looking up to the monument.

The Three again, on the bridge.

The monument to Robert the Bruce at nearby Bannockburn...it was cold and we felt threatened...

...threatened because of the scary Scottish Street Youth who have made the Bannockburn memorial their gangsta' home. They were rather scary. Shouting "Hey Lads" and seeming like a pack of wolves as we approached. Here they are after we made our getaway.

Alison leaving on the train to Glasgow...this was at Falkirk High Station. Earlier, we saw a drunk piss right next to us! Two thumbs up!

SCOTLAND - III

2007-07-12T03:02:00.000+09:30

One visit to Edinburgh was not enough, and the day after I visited with Michal, I visited with Paul. Paul! A real Scotsman! From Grangemouth!

Paul in the Edinburgh castle - which is, incidentally, quite expensive.

Myself with the morning paper. The circular building behind and to the left of me is where Paul works.

Ahahaha! They should never have given me cannons!

Take that main entrance to the castle! Ahahaha!

Arthur's Seat and the direction of parliament? No problem! I've got hundreds of cannons! Ahahaha!

And finally, a cannon that actually works: the aptly named 'One O'clock gun,' which, surprisingly, fires everyday at one o'clock.

Paul is an MSP? Well...one day. This is the main hall (or whatever its called) of the Scottish Parliament. Everything everywhere in the building has a lot of symbolism, we were told, however none of it could be explained (by our rather too eager tour guide) because 'its a building for the people'. Democracy? I guess so, it sounded like an excuse to me though. In anycase, its a nice building.

The outside. Very modern, no?

Walking up a different path to Arthur's Seat. Its almost as if the highlands had been transplanted into the city.

Paul triumphant atop the seat of Arthur's Seat.

Etc.

On the way back down, we passed this idyllic scene. It looks like something 1000 years ago.

SCOTLAND - II

2007-07-12T02:23:00.000+09:30

Michal and I visited Edinburgh:

The Walter Scott Memorial, with a bagpiper on the right. Isn't he cute.

A nice looking staircase leading up to Edinburgh's older district.

Now that the SNP have won, it is a legal requirement that all cars have to be painted in a tartan pattern.

The Royal Way in Edinburgh.

This is a piece of the aforementioned Tay Bridge which collapsed in the 1860s. This is in the Scottish National Museum.

The Museum of Toys and Childhood...was, actually, remarkably creepy! Note the prematurely aged facial features of the wax 'schoolboy.' Grim.

Gimmick photos are always great.

Climbing on Arthur's Seat, a big impressive rock/hill in the heart of Edinburgh: the view is of the Scottish Parliament. Note the many TV trucks and crews: these were here because we were visiting on the day of the Scottish elections! It was exciting! Trust me!

Wait...I've got Scottish ancestry, maybe I should join 'the call' (and get slaughtered inWWI) just maybe...

Edinburgh Castle. The weather improved and the castle could be viewed in all its glory. And it is glorious! This is taken from the beautiful gardens at the bottom of the hill.

SCOTLAND - I

2007-07-12T01:35:00.000+09:30

Ok, ok, so Scotland is (still) part of the United Kingdom...but its just...its just....SCOTLAND! Besides the SNP won the election whilst I was there and they are all for Scottish independence. Well. In anycase, Scotland:

This is Dundee. As Michal says, it is the biggest village in the world. It is indeed very quaint. Though I did love the weather - 6 degrees, and this is summer!

The main shopping zone was quite pretty though.

The Dundee cemetery. Quite pretty actually.

Michal as we crossed the deceptively long Tay Bridge. It takes a good half an hour to walk across it - one way!

On the other side of the Tay (river? inlet? bay? I don't know...its just..."the Tay"). The Tay Railroad Bridge can be seen. This is the reconstructed one after the original collapsed disastrously in a heavy storm in the 1860s. It killed several tens of people as a train plummeted into the depths. My train (the Great North Eastern Railway "Route of the Flying Scotsman"), went right over without any problems, thankfully.

Look! A pilon!

More pilons! See the two apartment blocks next to the bigger one on the right hand side? That is the bad aread of Dundee. Pizza delivery cars aren't even allowed to that area. Michal lives on the left hand side of Dundee, where university students live (as opposed to drug addicts on the right hand side).

The Polish Embassy in Dundee. Ok, maybe not. This is the house next to the house Michal lives in. Five Poles and a Palestinian, and myself. It was such a bizarre but excellent mix!

Looking out over Dundee from...the...big hill. It was a pleasant walk.

A drug-dealer's house in Dundee. Um...should I have put this picture onto the web? Will they track me down? I don't know...I hope not.

UNITED KINGDOM - II

2007-07-12T01:22:00.000+09:30

The British Library, home of the Rex Imperator...well...it should be anyway.

This man made several people, who were on their way to (several) pubs laugh. This is near the LSE where Kai goes. I'd like to think that the man in the photo has no connection to that, or any other institution.

These houses struck me as very quaint and very English. As James pointed out to me, they probably cost hundreds and hundreds of thousands of pounds. I can imagine that it was from these sorts of houses that stale and palid Englishmen planned the conquest of millions around the world.

James and Myself in his dormitory room...a poor photo I know, but one of the only ones I have! From James I learnt much about my camera.

UNITED KINGDOM - I

2007-07-12T01:03:00.001+09:30

Rule Britania! The British Library...the new one sadly. Not the one where Marx and Sun Yat-sen studied in. This is literally 5 minutes or less away from where James lives. This is also where I stayed. Thanks James! Another person who had final exams and which I crashed upon. Perfect timing, perfect timing!

This is because HM Treasury must be doing something wrong if its so BLOODY EXPENSIVE to do anything in the UK, let alone London, which is like severing the arteries of your wallet. Take that treasury!

Kai and I, chillin' in London. Kai also had final exams. Another case of great timing...

Ahaha! I am the...REX IMPERATOR....from 1901 to 1910, incidentally.

Myself in...Piccadilly Square or circus? Maybe? I don't know to be honest. This is what happens when you put up photos nearly three months after the event. Do note, however, that the red banner below the advertisement that says "DIG" is for Harbin Beer - Harbin being 3 hours away from Qiqihar, where I will be living in China. Ah how interconnected everything all is.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

2007-07-12T00:32:00.000+09:30

Ok...we're back to photos again...so these will take us back to...late April 2007...So, starting in Abu Dhabi:

Myself infront of the Emirates Palace Hotel...I think this is the most expensive hotel on earth to build, and probably to stay as well. A$900 will get you one of the cheapest single rooms, and A$14,000 the most expensive. Per night, of course. Don't worry though, a baby cot is complimentary, if you should need it. Incidentally, this isn't where I stayed...

The ceiling of the main foyer of the Emirates Palace. Mesmerising.

A corridor along the Abu Dhabi cultural centre.

Abu Dhabi at night. Viewed from the boat club? I think. Note the corniche on the harbour and the tall flag pole.

On the road to Dubai, and hour and a half drive - or 30 minutes if you drive at 200 kmp as some people seem to. The building in view is the almost finished Sheik Zayed Mosque. Sheik Zayed being the former leader of the Emirates.

Entering the chasm that is Dubai...walls of steel on both sides of the Sheik Zayed road.

Myself infront of the Burj Al-Arab hotel...another expensive hotel which I didn't stay in but snuck close enough to so as to get a picture.

This is the architecture inside the Ibn Batuta Shopping Mall...quite grand. Of course, I'm not quite sure what Ibn Batuta would think of it all were he here. In anycase, Dubai is loaded with shopping malls. Including the Mall of the Emirates which has an indoor ski field. We drove around in circles in the gargantuan parking lot for 45 minutes - to no avail. We did see some very fancy cars though.

And thus, briefly, was Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, where I stayed with the Breik family and had a lovely but too short time!

I Lost An Organ In Kiev.

2007-07-05T05:46:00.000+09:30

I never told my appendix how much I loved him...

...and now he's gone forever!!!

Yes, had Appendicitis last wednesday. Hospital in Kiev was great though, and so were the people from the Celta course who visited me in said hospital. Unpleasant is unpleasant though and such is life as a patient in a hospital, however nice.

Nothing stops me though! Haha, tomorrow off to Armenia, from Vienna where I have again crawled back to. What appendectomies do stop though, are the ability to lift heavy objects and as such to travel on the trans-siberian, or so my doctor says. Sigh.

At least, as my sister says, I have the honour of saying (as I will say with pride) "I lost an organ in Bogdan Khmelnicki's country, and I lost it with pride."

Sigh.

Ukraine!

2007-06-09T00:51:00.000+09:30

I'm in Ukraine! It is great! But very busy!

More later.

!

Marching Orders.

2007-05-30T08:01:00.000+09:30

At 9.06 am, 30 May, 2007, Central Operations Commence!

Plan as follows:
Wien - Krakow (by train)
Krakow - (train) Przemysl - (bus) Lviv
Lviv
Lviv - Ternopil (by train)
Ternopil - Kyiv (train)

As such, the next few days I will be out of communications. This also means that there will be, sadly, a halt to my picture postings until approximately 10 July.

In anycase, let the Ukrainian Advenure Commence!

Exciting News From The World Of Science

2007-05-29T20:06:00.000+09:30

Interested in seals? Interested in joke comments getting abused by angry busybodies? Yeah! So am I! Then look at this article which quotes the Admiral of the Fleet, Lord Pitcher (Ben)! Exciting!

MALAYSIA - VI & SINGAPURA - II

2007-05-29T05:48:00.000+09:30

Sadly my time in Malaysia drew to a close, and these photos tell the tale of this and:

The KLCC aquarium...in KL. A good way to waste time - just go around in circles in the underwater tunnel. I went twice. Great fun!

The entire gang of people who I knew and who were in Malaysia at the time on my last night in Malaysia. From L-R: SJ, Kim, Kee Win, Steph, Myself, and Su Fung. This picture was taken at Madame Kuan's, a nice restaurant in MidValley Mall - and also in KLCC where Harvard recommended it to me. Are you happy now Harvard? Harvard recomended I try the Nasi Bojari, which tasted excellent. If you have any other questions about what to eat, ask Harvard who is the BEST and MOST KNOWLEDGABLE person when it comes to Malaysian restaurants. His blog is at www.harvardwang.blogspot.com HAPPY NOW HARVARD? ;)

The same photo but this time when the waitress cunningly took it from a slightly different angle.

After Su Fung and Kim left, it was left to my hardcore guides, who I owe a lot and thank a lot, to go to an Irish pub to await the final end...of my trip...to Malaysia. But it was seriously a lot of fun and would not have been really possible or nearly as fun without any of you! Thanks so much guys!!!

As my travel plans called for an arrival and departure from Singapore...I headed back for one, last, HURRAH!

SINGAPURA - II: The Return.

Ok. This is the only photo I have of my triumphant and brief return. I was able though to have enough time for a nice dinner with L-R: Rofan (who was also at the earlier Singapura - I dinner), Teo, myself, and Qiaohui. It was a fun dinner at Cafe Iguana...or Iguana Bar...something to do with Iguanas. Incidentally, the reason I can't really recall has something to do with the numerous (very nice) margheritas that we drank...ok, mainly just Teo and myself.

And with the end of these photos I am thus brought back to the earlier post I wrote about Changi airport....it was after all of the preceding things that I left, sadly, but with good memories, to go to Abu Dhabi.

And, of course, those photos will follow shortly!

MALAYSIA - V

2007-05-29T05:26:00.001+09:30

Oh God, more!?!? Yes...

This hand picked selection of award winning photographs deals with such exciting topics as:

The Melaka Bee Museum.

What's a 'Honet' you ask? Well, so did we.

Ah but how the tables have turned my giant bee friend. Now it is I who will triumph over you!

After my victory over the giant bees we headed to the Straits of Melacca. A very historical place, this is where the Portuguese and lots of others I think, first landed. I followed suit as well, as you can see.

Kee Win sure does enjoy Melaka, just look at how excited he is. Incidentally, the car in the photo is his PROTON! Go Malaysian Automobile Industry!

Famous picture I felt obliged to put up here.

Kee Win expressing his feelings for Melaka outside (or inside?) the old Church on top of....Peters or Pauls hill? Or something? Anyway I clearly forgot the name, but it is old and dilapidated.

What is left of the old fort in Melaka. Also this photo captures what an afternoon of no food, excessive heat and humidity, and nonstop museum visiting can do to one's enthusiasm.

After Melaka I was too tired to take anymore photos (well, of the rest of that day). Hence I don't hae any of my frogs legs eating experience, which is a shame. But actually, as the old adage goes "it tastes like chicken." I was surprised that it actually really did just taste like chicken!

MALAYSIA - IV

2007-05-29T04:52:00.000+09:30

This set of photos explores the excitement of:

A trip to Klang for Bahkukteh with Kee Win, Steph, Myself and SJ in another car.

Bahkuteh is yummy.

This is Klang. As this is where Harvard is from, I felt a special attachment to the place. How wrong I was. It is...an interesting place. The food was good. Although I am being unfair, as I didn't actually get out of the car in Klang except for the food. Incidentally the bahkuhteh was at a Hokkien Association. As none of us are hokkien (or was it Hakka?) we all felt quite at home.

Goddamn tourists. Note also Kee Win's exciting though dangerous 'no hands needed' driving style.

Putrajaya, the administrative capital, and a homeless person.

The excitement mounts outside the (closed) Putrajaya Tourist Centre as SJ and I pretend to be statues.

The Prime Minister's office. Other people work here too I am told.

The Putrajaya Mosque. Really very beautiful. Also, the air in the photo was about 40 degrees (maybe - but it was bloody hot!)

Look Out! It's Steph!

One of Putrajaya's similarities with Canberra: both have a man made lake.

Kee Win and a palm tree.

Just in case the last entry headings hadn't already told you, here is a flag to illustrate that I was in MALAYSIA (truly Asia).

Traffic jam on the way back to KL from Putrajaya. Note the EXCITING coincidence (or is it?) of the yellow 'Exit 1111' sign and the car's 'wfv 2222' licence plate. 1111. 2222. 1111!!!! 2222!!!! I was excited, even if you aren't.

Steph and I in the Japanese restaurant which had good food and also a name which I have forgotten. We also met up with one of her friends who also had a name of which I have also forgotten.

And that was that day, now for yet another.

MALAYSIA - III

2007-05-29T04:30:00.000+09:30

Ahhhh, so many photos!

The lovely view from the window near the toilets at Genting Highlands. This was the best view, everything else being some sort of gambling or amusement facility.

Orchard Heights! Kee Win's Dad's Durian Farm!

Wooooooo

Ahhhhhhhhh

Clouds!!!

Kee Win and Myself in the 4x4 on the land.

A fish which I 'caught' (after it fell out of the bucket in the back of the truck, and after several prior failed attempts on my behalf).

And thats that for that.

And In Nine Days Time...

2007-05-26T06:02:00.000+09:30

Just what you want to hear when you are about to head to Kiev for one month:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6691371.stm

Great.

MALAYSIA - II

2007-05-22T17:57:00.001+09:30

There's more? Oh yes, there's more!

After observing them from a far, I finally made it...the Petronas Towers Skybridge. Two hours waiting for ten minutes viewing...crazy.

View of one of the towers from the circular window on the skybridge.

After the Petronas success, I headed, to the Batu Caves, as you do.

A big Hindu Temple / Worship area in a natural sort of cavern.

One of the anry monkeys on the way up to the caves. One of them tried to attack the taxi driver who took me there. Odd.

Me in front of the rather...noticable golden statue at the Batu Caves.

Menara KL. A tower with a better view than the Petrons Towers (which, suprise suprise, you can see on the right of the photo).

Exhausted and unable to get across the barrier of highways and the river, the twin towers taunt me from a distance. This photo was after I visited the Army Museum - conveniently located inside the Ministry of Defence Compound near Damai. It was quite an experience.

What? The Petronas Towers again? This time viewed from the Eye on Malaysia which is located near Lake Titiwangsa. It was quite a fun little ferris wheel thing...airconditioned, and with laser light shows too!

The aformentioned laser show...no...actual...lasers in this photo...this is more of a video displayed against a spray of water. This was quite cool, but I think the video was just the Malaysia Tourism Ad repeated.

SJ and I infront of the wheel.

After the wheel we went to find Kee Win. He was here at a Karaoke place. He was not, thankfully, one of the strangers sitting in the glass column. That was a little odd.

Speaking of a little odd....this was the '60 Hour Challenge' or something...contestants had to touch the car for 60 hours straight and stay awake, thus winning the car...I'm certainly glad I wasn't one of them. This was somewhere around Bukit Bintang.

And that is all for Malaysia II....but wait, there is even more!! Later...

MALAYSIA - I

2007-05-20T22:43:00.000+09:30

The beautiful early morning drive to work with Kee Win.

The Tun Abdul Razak Memorial! Want to see the second Prime Minister's bathroom behind glass? Thats the place to go. Want to see his favourite arm chair? Its here! Its all here!

The National Mosque. Pretty in a retro-style.

One of the hundreds of photos I took of the Petronas towers. I'm quite fond of them. This is the view from the KLCC gardens/park out the back.

The Towers again. Oh, and with myself, SJ, and Kee Win in the foreground.

SJ, the King of Cool.

SINGAPURA - I

2007-05-19T22:19:00.000+09:30

Majula Singapura!

This is the new Judiciary (the spacecraft looking building I think) overlooked from Raffles Place.

This is the view from the tallest building in the first photo, the top of which is the New Asia Bar. The Old Asia Bar, aparently being somewhere less high up.

Fort Siloso on Sentosa Island. Teo and I had a rather enthusiastic guide of the fort. She was, in point of fact, rather too enthusiastic.

Myself, Joyce, and her friend Joe. At the fittingly named Gluttons Bay, along the Esplanade.

Myself and TEO!!! Bloody Legend Mate! Teo was the first to feel the wrath of my poor planning: visiting friends just when they have final exams! Great work on my behalf. I'm sure the Margeritas helped your exams no end right Teo?

The Armenian Church in Singapore. As I will be going to Armenia I took a photo. Apparently it was the first Church built in Singapore, though I find that somewhat hard to believe.

Owned by Malaysia, in the heart of Singapore, no one seems to care about the Tanjung Pagar Railway Station, the first view of Malaysia for me. The murals are quite nice though.

That is all for Singapore #1...But I return, briefly, in triumph after....MALAYSIA!

Erste, die Schwester.

2007-05-19T22:14:00.000+09:30

Prior to commencement of Left Flank Operations, at Sydney Airport, with Sister, with funny hat.

Stage One Completed

2007-05-19T22:06:00.000+09:30

The left flank of my 'Operation Get To China The Hard Way' is complete.

Now happily ensconsed in Vienna, I shall proceed to give a clearer account (with picures!) of the left-flank operations.

What do I mean by Left flank? Well, this is a geographical and temporal term indicating that those countries which I have proceed to thus far have been sucessfully visited. Left flank denotes their geographical...leftness or, I suppose, western position with regards to Vienna, the Base of Operations. Vienna is the temporal delimiter of Operation Get To China The Hard Way as well. Thus the Central Flank...wait, you can't have a central flank can you?...The Central Operations are now underway. These include Vienna, transit to Ukraine and Kijv, and Armenia and transit back to Vienna. The Central Operations will cease with my flight to Moscow on 24th July.

Don't I write in an absolutely garbled manner? I think so. Hence, without further ado:

Selected Photographs of the Left Flank Journey.

Several Days Later...

2007-05-10T09:08:00.000+09:30

According to the last mentioned post here, I was at Changi airport.

I remember those days well, but much has happened since. Little of it, evidently, being connected to writing on this 'blog'. I will write more detailed reports later, with copious photos, once these are available. For the meantime, here is what I was doing whilst not writing this 'blog', in chronological order from the departure from Singapore:

Abu Dhabi - Had a lovely time in Abu Dhabi. Six hour delays in transit in Bahrain aside, it was great! Except for also stupidly booking a ticket to Dubai and having an hour and a half taxi ride to Abu Dhabi. The Breik family's hospitality was so lovely, and I was really sad to leave. The hot weather was not too bad, as I was aclimatised due to Malaysia and Singapore. There is an enormous amount of wealth there, and more fancy cars than I have seen anywhere. Dubai was crazy, a thousand massive buildings springing out of desert. Abu Dhabi was more homely, which was nice.

London - Stayed with James...whilst he prepared for his final exams...great timing on my part. Was good fun though, and saw the British Museum and Library. Caught up with Kai, and sampled London pub fare...which...displeased my stomache somewhat. Its amazing that I last saw Kai 5 years ago.

Scotland - Dundee, Edinburgh, Grangemouth, Falkirk, Stirling, Glasgow. Though I only stayed in Dundee, Grangemouth, and Glasgow, visits to all of these places were fantastic. Firstly there was the weather - arriving in Dundee, it was about 7 degrees. I was delighted! Meeting up with Michal was great, and the house in Dundee was bardzo dobre - that is, a surreal but great experience of living with five Poles and a Palestinian - in Scotland! It turns out Nehad, from Palestine is, like Omar, also originally from Nablus. It is a small world. Michal and I explored Dundee, which is...perhaps not the nicest of Scottish cities, but nonetheless I enjoyed it, as well as catching up with Michal.
Speaking of catching up, it was also really great to catch up with Paul and Alison again. Really! It was absolutely great fun being with them, and staying with Paul in Grangemouth (poised between Glasgow and Edinburgh). Edinburgh is wonderful. The fact that we visited the Scottish Parliament a day after the Scottish Nationals (whose platform is Scottish Independence) won by a narrow margin the parliamentary elections made it feel even more exciting. Despite several hundred warnings and with great relief, I didn't get stabbed in Glasgow! The most dangerous (?) situation that occured was when a drunk accused Alison of being German (?) because she said she liked the Beatles...yes...we are all still trying to understand what this means.

Cambridge - Catching up with Frank has also been fun. Cambridge is rather...pretty, yet dull. If I were a student perhaps not, but sadly I am just a tourist - a fact that was made clear to me when I accidentally found myself on a tour, not just any tour, but a 'Christian Heritage' tour of Cambridge. Part of the package was that the guide and everyone else were very loud and proud of being American and God-fearing. It was, in anycase, an interesting experience. As were the derisive looks from ordinary Cambridgians and Students who look upon tourists, I think, as a common foe.

And that brings us up to date. By no means however, was that a detailed look at things. On the contrary, I will write more, or at least put up pictures later.

Next: Oxford (maybe), Guildford, London again, Paris, Bochum, Vienna and a rest.

Changi

2007-04-25T04:47:00.000+09:30

I am really quite tired.

Changi airport is quite peaceful at night. Except for the Gurkha's with machine guns who are casually walking around.

Have returned from a great time in Malaysia truly Asia, it was great to catch up with everyone I caught up with. The same goes for everyone I caught up with in Singapura, visiting you guys was really the highlight of the trip. Well. That and the Tun Abdul Razak Museum. I mean, you can't beat that now can you?

Well now, this internet terminal is free,but only lasts for 15 minutes before resetting, hence I must be quick, no?

Hmm, though it seems I have 5 more minutes. Thus, quickly, some lovely things I did in the Malay Pennisula:

-Margueritas...and Beer...with Teo
-Kee Win's Dad's Durian Farm
-Driving around Putrajaya with SJ, Steph, and Kee Win
-The Melaka Bee Museum, the only thing which can compete with the Tun Abdul Museum
-Dinner with everyone that I had dinner with and everything!

That is just a short short list, I had a sublime time really, and am quite sad to be leaving. However, onwards!
Next port of call: Abu Dhabi.

Jumpa Lagi!

Malaysia

2007-04-23T00:55:00.000+09:30

I am in Malaysia. Previously I was in Singapore.
In both places I am having a great time. My 'local guides' have been experts in their fields.
I have done a lot of eating. It is hot. It is a bit late, so I won't say much.
It has been good to catch up with people! Really great!!!
As for text for this blog....um....I was really planning on only putting pictures... So, as I have none yet to put up, I'll just stop writting! voila!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

2007-04-13T17:09:00.000+09:30

Must Pack. Get things done. Before imminent departure...

But first, reminiscences of Sydney:

The Cat, in Nature's nest. Goodbye Biskie!

The Sydney Gang (most of...). Bye!!!

The Northbridge at night, Farewell!

And now, onwards to (amongst possible others):

Singapore

Kuala Lumpur

Abu Dhabi
London

Scotland (is not a city, I know...)

Vienna

Kiev

Yerevan

Moscow

Ulan Baatar

Beijing

Qiqihar

I'll keep in touch, BYE!!!

A Fond Farewell

2007-04-10T22:09:00.000+09:30

Goodbye, my love...referring to the library, not myself...I'm not that vain.

Adieu.

Oh God, Not More...

2007-03-30T13:59:00.000+09:30

Me about to go to the shops.

Please, stop me.

2007-03-30T13:57:00.000+09:30

First Admiral of the Fleet, Lord Pitcher.

Sydney + Boredom = Dressups

2007-03-30T13:49:00.000+09:30

I think this is self-explanatory really.

Long Live Andrzejia!

2007-03-22T22:39:00.000+10:30

As a joke between myself and my sister, Andrzejia first developed as an imaginary nation-state in my head on a train trip from Krakow to Warszawa, 'Andrew-land' as it was then known is now a very advanced imaginary land with an impressive bureaucracy and set of laws. Its monarch-president is myself.

Whilst it is imaginary, this 'blog' is clearly not and shall serve as the organ for the dissemination of official news from Andrzejia. Long may it (the 'blog') live.