So, there I was, strolling on the Millennium Bridge for the last time-with the magnificent St.Paul's cathedral overlooking me from behind, and the amazing view of the River Thames on both sides of the bridge.
All of a sudden, there's this weird admiration, deep down, towards the architect behind this bridge. It seemed to me he must have thought that such beautiful scenes shouldn't be enjoyed separately by the people on two different islands.
People should be able to share the scenes together in the middle of the river. Well, that's just what I thought. Maybe that's what a farewell tribute to a city does to my imagination.
This reminds me of the many beautiful bridges that have laid before my eyes, when I was travelling around the world. Some of the notable ones are the Tower Bridge, The Golden Gate Bridge, and the Brooklyn Bridge.
If you look closely enough, they are like the modern castle in the air, an impossible piece of art in the middle of a river stream.
And what they do is to bring people from different sides of the islands to meet each other in the eyes. Well, sometimes it could lead to more than meeting the eyes.
Some encounters are for the sunset of today, while some are for the sunrise of tomorrow. We never know.
What we do know is that, if you don't cross the bridge, you will only see half of the scenery, and the other half could just lie right at the end of the bridge.
31 July 2013
15 July 2013
Note for London #003 - Imperial walking tour, Down memory lane
I was telling myself this, when I was resting at a small park near St.Paul's Cathedral.
"Imagine yourself doing a walking tour from Earls Court to Imperial College. How would that be?"
I always have this crazy dream, that one day if I become famous, the route from where I lived in London to the college I studied in would be a path that people would love to retrace and visit.
This is exactly like what I did in Paris. To follow the route where Hemingway went to Shakespeare and Co. to borrow the books he wanted and went to La Closerie des Lilas to have a cup of coffee.
This is exactly like what I did in Paris. To follow the route where Hemingway went to Shakespeare and Co. to borrow the books he wanted and went to La Closerie des Lilas to have a cup of coffee.
And so, the journey begins at 15, Longridge Road, somewhere near Earls Court.
A short walk along Cromwell Road, and we will arrive at Lexham Garden. It will then lead us to this small lane, somewhere between two old white houses, right behind the private garden in the middle of the neighbourhood.
Come autumn season, the Cornwall Garden Walk will have colourful leaves that fall from the trees. It's as beautiful as the flowers that you see in the summer, as if the flowers bequeath their wonderful colours to their counterparts.
Oh, don't forget about '50G, The Little House'. A cute and memorable name for the tiny house. It's just located at the top of the slope, after the Cornwall Garden Walk.
You will also see the 'Babboe Big' children cart at 66, Cornwall Garden. The children cart is attached to a main bicycle, just like those that you see in Amsterdam. Probably a Dutch family, I guess.
Pay a visit to the Kynance Mews too. It's like a hidden garden, shying away from the hustle and bustle of Gloucester Road during the day. Some of the houses are painted in different colours, similar to the houses in Burano or Cinque Terre.
Towards the end of the road, you will see an arch covered by vines, as if the plants are welcoming you into a hidden tunnel, to a different world.
Then, there is this Cafe Deco at 62, Gloucester Road; where students will buy the 1 pound baguette every weekday after 6pm. Well, given the price, the quality is largely compromised.
Or, the students will buy the lamb briyani or chicken curry rice from The Sandwich Shop, at 54 Gloucester Road.
In between these two shops, you will find a small, modern french art studio, displaying some of the most stunning and impressive arts at 58, Gloucester Road.
Can't really believe that I will somehow miss the route to college.
Or, the students will buy the lamb briyani or chicken curry rice from The Sandwich Shop, at 54 Gloucester Road.
In between these two shops, you will find a small, modern french art studio, displaying some of the most stunning and impressive arts at 58, Gloucester Road.
Can't really believe that I will somehow miss the route to college.
14 July 2013
Note for London #002
I go on the same route, back to college, and see what have I missed along the way.
Nothing much. I wondered, whether there isn't much to see along the way to college, or is it that my eyes have lost the ability to spot the hidden beauty?
Post-college life is a complete chaos of mixed feelings. Part of myself feel out of place, with this familiar route that I have taken everyday back then.
So familiar that now it's so strange to retrace the path.
The Queens tower is still there. Standing tall, overlooking the freed men, and those who are still chained to the slavery of courseworks.
Many things happened in the past 4 years. Some relationships are still there, some are not, some you are not even sure what have they turned into.
That's Imperial College for you. Many from the outside would like to enter, and many from the inside would like to escape from it. Can't believe we have been living with the irony for 4 years.
Nothing much. I wondered, whether there isn't much to see along the way to college, or is it that my eyes have lost the ability to spot the hidden beauty?
Post-college life is a complete chaos of mixed feelings. Part of myself feel out of place, with this familiar route that I have taken everyday back then.
So familiar that now it's so strange to retrace the path.
The Queens tower is still there. Standing tall, overlooking the freed men, and those who are still chained to the slavery of courseworks.
Many things happened in the past 4 years. Some relationships are still there, some are not, some you are not even sure what have they turned into.
That's Imperial College for you. Many from the outside would like to enter, and many from the inside would like to escape from it. Can't believe we have been living with the irony for 4 years.
13 July 2013
Note for London #001 - The Beginning of an End
Very often I get this question from my friends, "Since you travelled quite a lot, which city or country do you think is the best? "
And, I couldn't find an answer for that. Because I think, the more you travelled, the more you realise that the world is so diverse, that each city or country has her own beauty.
There isn't one best city that everyone should live in. But there will definitely be one city that can accommodate you, and make you happy.
Today, my supervisor asked me something different, "After travelling to so many cities, which one would you return to?"
This prompts me to think very hard. I couldn't answer it immediately. However, after giving it some thoughts, the city that I will return to is London.
Yes, it's London.
Well, maybe it could be part of the graduation goggles, that I think I won't be coming back anytime soon. Hence, I miss it even more.
Or,
It could be this is the only city I have stayed for so long, other than Seremban. 4 years- a period of time which is short enough to leave, but long enough to miss.
This place used to be a dreamland, when I was younger, singing along with the London Bridge nursery rhymes; and then it becomes a reality, and takes part of my heart away eventually.
From Seremban, to London; and from London, to the world. The exposure, the people, the experience- they are just so great.
The best thing a city can offer is to give you space to explore more rooms for yourselves. And, London has managed to do that.
From science to engineering, to politics, to writing, to banking and finance, to entrepreneurship, to art and design, to coffee and to travelling.
Truly a melting pot, of thoughts and cultures.
Thank you London, for the amazing 4 years. I will miss you dearly.
And, I couldn't find an answer for that. Because I think, the more you travelled, the more you realise that the world is so diverse, that each city or country has her own beauty.
There isn't one best city that everyone should live in. But there will definitely be one city that can accommodate you, and make you happy.
Today, my supervisor asked me something different, "After travelling to so many cities, which one would you return to?"
This prompts me to think very hard. I couldn't answer it immediately. However, after giving it some thoughts, the city that I will return to is London.
Yes, it's London.
Well, maybe it could be part of the graduation goggles, that I think I won't be coming back anytime soon. Hence, I miss it even more.
Or,
It could be this is the only city I have stayed for so long, other than Seremban. 4 years- a period of time which is short enough to leave, but long enough to miss.
This place used to be a dreamland, when I was younger, singing along with the London Bridge nursery rhymes; and then it becomes a reality, and takes part of my heart away eventually.
From Seremban, to London; and from London, to the world. The exposure, the people, the experience- they are just so great.
The best thing a city can offer is to give you space to explore more rooms for yourselves. And, London has managed to do that.
From science to engineering, to politics, to writing, to banking and finance, to entrepreneurship, to art and design, to coffee and to travelling.
Truly a melting pot, of thoughts and cultures.
Thank you London, for the amazing 4 years. I will miss you dearly.
10 July 2013
10 quotes that will change your travelling perspective
1. You will have a tinge of regret, when you are about to board the plane at Gate 56. Like why I didnt visit this particular place or do particular thing. But, somehow tell yourself that it's fine, because that tinge of regret is the reason that you will come back to this place again. You will miss it dearly, and that's simply beautiful.
2. Constantly moving around in a city as a stranger will only see as much as your eyes can see. Take a short break at a local coffee shop which shies away from the crowd, and you will see more than your eyes can see.
3. Put a globe or a world map in your bedroom, and your dream will be bigger than the world that you have seen.
4. Challenges are in abundance when you are in a foreign land. The nature will challenge you spiritually, the city will challenge you intellectually, at the end of the day, it's not so much about overcoming the challenges, it's about stretching yourself to a new limit that matters the most.
5. Sometimes, we tend to force ourselves to feel differently about different cities. I do that too at first, and I found out that is harmful to ourselves, because the travelling objective has changed from observing a place to observing ourselves. This is not good.
6. Be a traveller, and not a tourist; for a traveller will tell his story with his eyes closed, but with his heart opened; while a tourist will tell his story with his eyes opened, but with his heart closed.
7. As much as we are changed by the cities we visited, the cities are changed by our perspectives as well. It's like the butterfly effect. You smile to the city, and the city will hug you back. One traveller can change another traveller, and it all started from just a warm hello.
8. Always remember the random routes, the random conversations, or even the random sights you randomly encountered at a place. These are the most random, yet most precious souvenirs you can get from a place.
9. Rather than listening to the stories from the sailors, sail out to the sea like the message in a bottle. Travelling is a voyage that will make the message meaningful.
10. Carry the dreams of your younger self while you are travelling. It could be - to see the starry sky in the desert or to hike the mountains like Indiana Jones. It helps to rediscover your dreams in life, and to answer the curiosity you once had as a kid.
2. Constantly moving around in a city as a stranger will only see as much as your eyes can see. Take a short break at a local coffee shop which shies away from the crowd, and you will see more than your eyes can see.
3. Put a globe or a world map in your bedroom, and your dream will be bigger than the world that you have seen.
4. Challenges are in abundance when you are in a foreign land. The nature will challenge you spiritually, the city will challenge you intellectually, at the end of the day, it's not so much about overcoming the challenges, it's about stretching yourself to a new limit that matters the most.
5. Sometimes, we tend to force ourselves to feel differently about different cities. I do that too at first, and I found out that is harmful to ourselves, because the travelling objective has changed from observing a place to observing ourselves. This is not good.
6. Be a traveller, and not a tourist; for a traveller will tell his story with his eyes closed, but with his heart opened; while a tourist will tell his story with his eyes opened, but with his heart closed.
7. As much as we are changed by the cities we visited, the cities are changed by our perspectives as well. It's like the butterfly effect. You smile to the city, and the city will hug you back. One traveller can change another traveller, and it all started from just a warm hello.
8. Always remember the random routes, the random conversations, or even the random sights you randomly encountered at a place. These are the most random, yet most precious souvenirs you can get from a place.
9. Rather than listening to the stories from the sailors, sail out to the sea like the message in a bottle. Travelling is a voyage that will make the message meaningful.
10. Carry the dreams of your younger self while you are travelling. It could be - to see the starry sky in the desert or to hike the mountains like Indiana Jones. It helps to rediscover your dreams in life, and to answer the curiosity you once had as a kid.
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