A romantic city of Venice

Venice, or Venezia, one of the most romantic city in the world, isn't it? The first time I visited this city, well, I have to admit that Venice was so beautiful :) 

Even so, it would most likely not be the fantasy that it is in reality, a fairytale of canals and breathtaking architecture. What can be more romantic than a gondola ride down a canal, or a walk over narrow bridges, getting lost through narrow lanes, and ending up at monumental squares? :p

The beauty of Venice, a city crossed by canals and with colorful buildings sitting on the water's edge. It's also one of only a few cities in the world that can be described as truly unique, where main streets are canals. There are no cars or traffic jams :) 

The fairytale atmosphere was then enhanced by the carnival mask shops, romantic gondola rides, and colorful palazzos. Everywhere I turned was a postcard image of this unequalled urban masterpiece.

I fell in love at first sight and will stand in awe of its architecture, piazzas, and canal views until the very last minute before I leaved. It was summer and the degree at that time was 39-41C. My skin was getting sunburn and became darker. I didn't care! as I enjoyed it hahaha. Nothing can prevent me from going back to standing by a canal admiring the most spectacular city ever created, over and over again. 

- to be continued -

Let It Snow!

In winter season, York, England, United Kingdom

One of my best experiences ever --> Finally, I touched snow! Yeayy! :D I never thought that I could see the snowflakes and even touched it. The degree at that time was -6 degree Celcius. It was predicted that the snows wouldn't fall down at that time. But then, suddenly, it changed! I even made snowball then. Really awesome! 

- to be continued -

When It Turned to Winter

York, Yorkshire, England, 2012

Perhaps, I'd be the most old school girl on earth (or...you might feel the same :p). As an Asian traveler like me who have been living and grown up in such a tropic country which only has 2 seasons in a year (dry and wet), then went abroad to such a developed country like United Kingdom with 4 seasons, I felt like...well, I gotta  deal with a cultural shock, like seriously, including the weather. It was indeed my first time in my life accustomed to winter season. The degree I had to acclimatised was below 5 degree Celcius and I was almost...frozen! >_< But, it became my marvelous experience for sure hahaha. I visited the city of York, the most historic and romantic city I've ever seen in the United Kingdom. I went here with my Indonesian colleagues and did explore this enchanting city. I was adored! This city was so beautiful! (ain't hiperbolic statement. Trust me :D)

It was that time of year when things got a bit colder and darker outdoors, but thanks to some incredible winter festivals held in the city centre and a cup of hot chocolate I bought at a small coffee shop inside the railway station, I've got a lot of ways to keep things bright and warm :') Moreover, my most fave things when it came to winter was the bared unbranched trees. If only I could climb till the top of those trees (and I really wished I could do so :p) Would you find me odd? Hahaha well, forget it!  

Anyway, there were hundred splendid pictures I took (I too fell in love with nature). The scenery never failed to astonish me and always uttering, "Oh Lord, Glory be upon You." Here are stunning photos taken in March 2012 :') 

Leazes Terrace ~ A Piece of Memories

Newcastle, England, United Kingdom

It brings me back to such splendid memories, always, when it comes to the United Kingdom. I touched down this lovely country for the first time on September 2011, when the British season turned to Autumn. Yeah, it was the first season I acclimatised, 10-14° C. I sorta shivered. Felt so lame! hahaha. I directly reached the city of Newcastle by Emirates. The students from Newcastle University greeted me at the airport and picked me up to the University accommodation then.

Voila! it was Leazes Terrace, such an old house built more than 100 years ago, yet honestly, it was really comfy and cozy flat I lived in for one year (September 2011 - August 2012). There were more than 500 students occupied this flat, came from various continents & countries. This flat was indeed provided for Masters & PhD students only. I made friends with overseas students, shared TV lounge  & kitchen (one kitchen was available for 6-10 persons), and we mostly cooked together. Furthermore, we sometimes hung out somewhere to get some fresh air (like visiting a village named Beamish etc). Superb! Here are some pics of my flat, Leazes Terrace, taken from different angles :')

Leazes Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom

Leazes Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom

For more details, I have made a video review of my flat, Leazes Terrace. It takes only about 5 minutes, brief yet worth watching, I hope. Here you go! Piece of memories at Leazes Terrace. Just click on a small black box below. Enjoy! :')

Note: there will be some issues when the video above is clicked, the black box may not appear on some gadgets (no pictures nor sounds), perhaps due to bad network connections. It's recommended to watch it on a laptop / computer to get a better audio visualisation 

or 

just click the link below to get connected to YouTube directly :')

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mObcwCVRk4E

Let's Explore the Stadiums

To be honest, I wasn't interested in football at all or everything related to it before. But then, after living in such a country which has, let's say, famous football clubs & players, all definitely changed. It became vice versa, indeed. I was so enthusiastic whenever it came to football. I gotta say, "Dear England, I'm amazed by ya! Thou have successfully changed my interest in sport, especially soccer." :p In brief, I had been exploring the city of Newcastle -a small yet peaceful city I lived in for one year-, London, Manchester and Liverpool. All praise be upon my Lord, I finally could visit these well-known British stadiums. There are great experiences I'm gonna share to the readers :) 

The popular football clubs in the UK I have known so far are Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Newcastle United. I was sooo happy as I finally had a good taste in football hahaha. Ohh, one more, as I lived at a kinda flat that so close to the St. James Park stadium in Newcastle, I got influenced by it. Hence it ain't surprising me if I, then, became a football lover :p Well, I shall begin with Newcastle United. Here you go! :) 

~ Newcastle United ~ 

It previously was St. James' Park stadium situated in Newcastle city, Northeast England, but then the stadium name was changed and named as Sports Direct Arena stadium. This stadium was just next to my flat which only need 5 mins walk, more or less. Really close :p People mostly spent their weekends watching football matches in this stadium. They screamed out loud till I got annoyed by 'em, sometimes :p

St. James Park Stadium (Sports Direct Arena), Newcastle, England, UK

I got a chance to watch 2 football matches in Olympics 2012 held in this stadium: Japan vs Morocco and Spain vs Honduras. So crowded! I would say, "Wow! Super cool!" :p

Olympics 2012 ~ Football matches: Japan vs Morocco & Spain vs Honduras at St. James Park Stadium

Olympics 2012 ~ Football matches: Japan vs Morocco & Spain vs Honduras at St. James Park Stadium

Olympics 2012 ~ Football matches: Japan vs Morocco & Spain vs Honduras at St. James Park Stadium

Olympics 2012 ~ Football matches: Japan vs Morocco & Spain vs Honduras at St. James Park Stadium

~ Manchester United ~ 

I remember that time, in winter, I headed for Manchester city by Megabus with my medical colleagues. It took about 4 hours from Newcastle. It was such an exciting journey! :p I went to Manchie twice. The first one, I visited Old Stafford stadium and sightsaw the city centre. The second one, I visited the Mancity football club stadium. Well, some pics below are the main entrances of Old Trafford stadium. 

Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, England, United Kingdom

The United Trinity

Took a picture in front of the stadium

Inside the stadium. The red one :')

~ Manchester City ~ 

Few months afterwards, I planned to celebrate Eid al-Fitr with my Indonesian fellas in Manchie. I went to this city for the second time then. I visited Etihad stadium a day before the celebration. Here we go! The blue stadium :) Anyway, I got a chance to take pics of the Mancity football players, especially the goal keeper :p 

Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England, United Kingdom

Got an opportunity to take photos of these famous Mancity players, especially the goal keeper, Joe hart :')

~ Liverpool ~ 

My journey proceeded to the city of Liverpool. I visited Anfield stadium in summer if I ain't mistaken. Really impressive stadium! :)

This is Anfield! Liverpool, England, United Kingdom

You Will Never Walk Alone :')

~ Chelsea ~ 

I explored and stayed in London for about one week (christmas & new year holiday). I traveled from Newcastle by train for about 4 hours. I visited some stadiums I only knew such as Stamford Bridge and Emirates Stadiums. I went to Chelsea football club stadium at night so that it was closed already and couldn't take any photos of the entire stadium. 

Stamford Bridge Stadium, London, England, United Kingdom

~ Arsenal ~ 

Emirates Stadium, London, England, United Kingdom