view
From the title of the post, you could probably already tell what this post is going to be all about. Previously I mentioned climbing Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh, and how we go lost through thorny bushes and braved the strong winds? Well if you're not much of a climber/hiker or you don't have that much time to spend a morning climbing a hill, but you want to get a nice view of Edinburgh, here's another alternative. Calton Hill. Don't be fooled by the word "hill" in its name, it really isn't much of a hill.
I had a huge lunch on my last afternoon in Edinburgh, and so to work it off, my friend and I decided to climb up Calton Hill - Mostly because I saw a nice picture and then decided I wanted to see "that shot" in real life. Plus it was one of those great sunny days, that the UK doesn't see much of. All the more we should take advantage of it right?
We walked up to towards Carlton Hill, and through a nice, quiet cemetery. I thought the cemetery was part of the hill, and I was like... "oh thats it?!" But it was not. We headed up the hill, past the shot that I wanted to see, and went all the up to see the unfinished replica of the Grecian columns. This replica is also known to people as the "Athens of the North" and its actual name is the National Monument. According to a friend of a friend we met, he said something about the Scottish wanting to replicate the building (The Pantheon I'm assuming?) but gave up halfway because they were like, "Why the hell do we need to be copying someone else?" and so they stopped working on it.
That was what the story registered as in my head, but I could be wrong! Hit up wikipedia if you want to know why this happen, please don't take my word for it! It seems like a legitimate story though. From the pictures you can clearly see that they just stopped building. The edges aren't finished off neatly, it is just there. It just stops.
I find that pretty amusing. And I guessed, being unfinished, it draws extra tourist attention to it. From the front, the columns look stunning and perfect, but when you walk around the corner, oops, that's it.
A very 2D experience.
But, the view up on the hill is GREAT. You get an aerial view of Edinburgh, without having to strain your calf muscles! Nobody can complain about that. In addition, there is a HUGE green space up at the top of the hill, perfect spot for a summer picnic!
(I feel a sense of deja vu when I type the words "for a picnic" it seems as though i've said it about so many places, and I have yet to go on any picnics since Summer of 2014. Why. I definitely need to have a picnic this summer!)
But yes, even though I enjoyed my climb up to Arthur's seat, and the whole experience with the thorny bushes, I must say, from the top of Calton Hill you practically get the same feeling of almost being blown away by the strong Edinburgh winds and a view that is just as great (ok, it comes in a close second, but its good enough!)
All WITHOUT having to "work for it". Now who wouldn't want that? :)
Calton Hill - Great View for Little Effort
18 April 2015 Calton Hill, Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh EH1 3BJ, UK
I think I got lucky with this whole trip to Prague. Europe typically has lesser tourists during the winter, and I was fortunate enough to have 3 days of clear skies great weather when I was in prague. The beautiful weather meant that you could see the entire city when you climb up to get a bird's eye view of the city.
The panoramas in Prague are so captivating with their myriad of colours - especially during sunset. Some buildings are pastel in colour, others vibrant shades of orange and yellow. From rustic architecture of the old town, to other modern looking buildings in the commercial districts, you literally get the greatest view from above.
Getting up to the look out points of Prague is also incredibly easy.
The photos in this post were taken in 2 different locations, 1st was from Petřín Hill, and the second set of photos with the gorgeous view of the river was from Vyšehrad.
Petřín Hill does not require any sort of climbing. No stairs or steep hills, but you have to buy a funicular ticket to get up there.
There are many other attractions atop Petřín Hill as well, and you could walk to the Prague Castle from there. We ended up entering the mirror maze - I got enticed by the image, however, it was pretty much an illusion. It was not as big as it appeared to be. Whilst we were in the maze there was a segment with contorting mirrors, and 2 little french girls there kept going "Je suis grosse!" and bursting into laughter. How adorable! It is no doubt a perfect activity for kids and families, but considering I'm (sort of) an adult, I did not find it as amusing or impressive. That being said, I did have a little fun with the funny mirrors that contort bodies, momentarily indulging my inner child.
Most of the attractions require an entrance fee and it was not worth it for the mirror maze unfortunately. Regardless, the view is stunning and that in itself deserves the trip up to Petrin Hill.
Right at the top of the hill, there is a beautiful church and garden. Perfect for a picnic. A Picnic with an awesome view. Why did I only think of this now?!
I think it's a MUST to get a panoramic view of Prague. I love seeing the bird's eye view of any city - I think I practically do it in almost every european city i've gone to, but if you hate climbing stairs, or hills, take the funicular up to Petřín Hill. It is so so worth it.
You'll definitely NOT be disappointed with the view.
If know i'll be walking for a long distance (usually practically the whole day) whilst traveling, my go to outfit would be something like this. Easy, cosy and comfortable. This pair of army green pants is so comfortable. It made so easy to climb up and down to take photographs, be it squatting down or climbing on rocks. Having a fluffy coat also makes it easy to lean your body / support yourself on your elbows while you lean over a rough edge to take photographs.
Now you know the things I do when I travel (and how silly I look at times)!WHAT I WORE
Grey Coat: H&M (similar here)
Burgundy Scarf: Primark
Army Green Pants: myCK (similar here and here)
Boots: Timberlands
So, are you for exercising to get great views of a city or do you prefer being close to the ground and admiring the different streets and people from there instead?
Prague's Panoramic Views + Outfit
10 February 2015 Petřín, 169 00 Prague-Prague 6, Czech Republic
If you've ever talked to me about sports, you'll know that my only form of exercise comes from dance. Or walking. I don't run or play sports, I've never enjoyed playing ball games, or made any form of effort to visit the gym/go for a hike. The only time I climb the stairs when I'm on a holiday, is to get up to the highest level of a building to get a good view.
Basically, I'm just quite lazy. If there is an escalator, i'd take the escalator.
The last evening in Barcelona, we took a little walk to Parc Güell. If I'm not wrong, it's the biggest park in Barcelona. We were walking from the train station and some how came face to face with a steep inclined hill, accompanied buy what seemed like 80 steps. We climbed up mid way and I questioned if we were heading in the right direction.
We approached a local, and she said yes, we were, and that we just had to go on straight, turn right, continue on straight, turn left, continue on ahead and we'd arrive at Parc Güell.
Well, that was when we realised every turning involved climbing more steps.
After finally reaching what seemed to be the park entrance, to my dismay, we saw a stretch of escalators leading up to it. On the account that my throat was sore, and my nose was blocked/ I was feeling really lethargic - that was pretty much a hike up a hill. The plus side to climbing up is you do get to enjoy really good views along the way, and stop to take photos. You can't exactly stop on an escalator.
We decided to sit down at one of the wooden tables and benches before attempting to find the place with the Monuments. When we were about to sit down, we saw the same old lady we met on our short "hike" up to the park. She was just chillin' at one of the other benches, as if her climb up was effortless.
And here's me post climb, standing there staring towards the sun looking very tired, refusing to move my feet. As 2 supposedly fit and healthy young adults, Jerald and I felt really ashamed for taking so long to get up there and yet, feeling quite tired from the climb.
Parc Güell has more of an organic feel to it, unlike the usual pretty well groomed and clean parks i'm so used to visiting in big cities. It felt more like a forest/jungle - really tall trees covering the sunlight, slightly muddy, and narrow trails. Well, I have never been to a forest or a jungle, but you get what I mean.
As I wasn't feeling too well that day, we initially thought of heading back early and giving the park a miss. But, I insisted (and convinced my body - mind over body!!) that I was well enough to continue with the day's plan and I was glad we ended up going to Parc Güell!
The part of the park with the monuments was more touristy, plus you have to pay to get in. That being said, it was nice to take a look at different parts of the park. After climbing all the way up, we might as well pay to go in since it wasn't that expensive. It was an interesting place to explore and watch the sun set. Unlike the other areas of the park, this area around the monuments felt more resort like. I don't remember if there were student offers, but if you do decide to go into the paid area of the park, ask anyway.
The thing about Barcelona is, sometimes, they don't display the student prices or announce that they have discounts/offers for students even though they do have them. So just double check to be sure you're not over paying.
Thinking back, I'm quite glad Jerald and I took a longer route up to the park. The climb up was nice and quiet. There were houses on top and along each slope, and its so cool how the people living there are so used to the "work out". An elderly man just walked right past us and he was not panting one bit!
I think everyone should climb up to Parc Güell instead of taking the escalator. It isn't that much of a climb really - compared to 300+ steps up various towers in Europe. If I'm pretty sure I would have enjoyed the climb so much more had I not been sniffling the whole time.
"Hiking" in Barcelona
2 November 2014 Park Güell, Carrer d'Olot, s/n, 08024 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
The 2nd part of the Belgium weekend trip with my fellow schoolmates interning around europe was spent in Brussels. From what i've heard from people who have been to belgium/fellow interns living in france, one day in brussels is more than enough to visit its iconic places. Honestly, I'm not sure about that, I would probably like to have a couple more hours (well Jerald and I had only 10 hours to spend in brussels) to enjoy the night lights and food more, nevertheless, we had a great time.
Well, before we headed to brussels, Jerald and I woke up bright and early for our complimentary breakfast at the hotel and headed for the Choco-Story Musuem.
Unfortunately we didn't have much time to stay and watch the whole chocolate making demonstration, BUT free chocolates is always a plus :)
Had to run for the train again for the 2nd time on this trip! The whole train running thing is scary. Its like running having mini shocks sent to your heart. Not good. Need to learn to estimate time better and give more allowance!
Unfortunately, we encountered a sad situation while eating here. We ordered 2 dishes to split and share because some of us weren't hungry and we wanted to eat other things like waffles after. When the waiter saw that we only ordered 2 portions he was pretty discriminating, and charged us less as if we were poor students.
Well, maybe we are, and I'm definitely not complaining about getting a cheaper meal, but it's so wrong to discriminate people BASE ON WHAT THEY EAT. Or if they choose to have tap water instead of 5euros coke. Get this whole judgement thing a lot when eating in the EU especially when I go out to eat with Jerald alone. Portions are SO HUGE here, I rather share than let food go to waste because I can NEVER finish. Why do people judge so easily. Its sad.
After lunch, we headed to the Digital Comic Museum. It was really really good. Huge museum which we didn't really have time to visit EVERY single thing, but managed to cover the bulk of it! It was so entertaining to read about the different types of comics and the process in from the individual sketching to the story board to actually forming and printing of the comic books. Definitely made me want to get into a comic series!
So continued to roam the streets until dinner time. I found Mr Bronze man. Remember Mr Gold Man from Amsterdam? Well Mr Bronze Man was just as nice, and he spoke in squeaks. Which was so entertaining!
Also we found Biscuits with a Message. One packaging said "Not only for good kids", and another "This is the Speculoos that will love you back". HOW CUTE IS THAT.
Famous Godiva Chocolate Strawberries everyone else convinced me not to buy and that I could make it on my own.
After walking around for a while with no where to go to, Daryl brought us all to this park that overlooked part of the city. Sadly, the cloudy weather meant not a very clear sunset view, but still, we had a nice walk there :)
That wraps up my short weekend getaway to Belgium. Visiting different cities in Europe is so much fun. The people and architecture of each country (even each city in each country) is so different all so very unique! I JUST WANT TO SEE THEM ALL!!
Can't wait to travel non-stop for 20 days during winter break! So glad for this opportunity to explore and live in Europe. For all the inconvenience and the getting use to a new culture, even sometimes the level of discrimination, being able to see these countries in real life and capture them in pictures, its all worth it.
10 Hours in Brussels
9 September 2014 Brussels, Belgium
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