Up North

Hello! :)

I'm now in Baguio, for work, but it's fine, because it's only my third time here, and it's only now that I am getting the chance to go around and explore the city.

It's so cold here, but I really love sweater weather (10 degrees)!

During the day, I stay in our office's "branch" here in Baguio. Just outside is this ----

So calm. So cold.

Seeya!

Binky

Europe Post: Berlin, Part 1 (Historical Walkabout)

From Amsterdam, we took a night bus to Germany. It was really not the most comfortable ten hours of my life, but I knew it was going to be worth the sleeplessness. I was going to Berlin! :)

Like most of Europe, Berlin is a historical city. However, large parts of it were destroyed in the Second World War, and have gone drastic changes with the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall. 

What's left of the old world, of course, lends to a more beautiful and dynamic city.  

Among the cities we visited, Berlin is unique in that it looks and feels more modern than old --  four-lane roads instead of narrow cobblestone streets, glass/steel structures instead of intricate gardens, high rise buildings instead of grand palaces, and... more street art and grafitti one can stuff inside a museum. 

Here are a few sites we visited.

The East Side Gallery. This is the longest preserved part of what used to be the Berlin Wall. The Gallery consists of paintings done by artists from all over the world. 

We also saw this near the Wall, a gig poster of one of my favorite bands, The Temper Trap. Too bad we didn't get to see them.

The Berlin TV Tower, one of the highest structures in Europe. 

Berliner Dom and beside it, the Altes Museum (Old Museum)

Here's Bee, being silly again.

We followed the stream of tourists to the iconic Brandenburg Gate.

Darth Vader and a Storm Trooper by the Gate. 

The Reichstag -- home of the German parliament (Bundestag), equivalent to our Congress. 

The Holocaust Memorial, built as tribute to the Jews who died in WWII. 

That's part one of my Berlin post.  

Binky

~photos by Star, Bernard and Binky, please don't steal. :)

Europe Post: Keukenhof

We were so lucky to have visited Holland in spring, because we also got the chance to spend a day in Keukenhof. 

I think the photos can speak for themselves! :P 

Laters, 

Binky

~photos by Star, Bee and Binky, please don't steal.

Europe Post: Amsterdam

I always thought that Amsterdam was a crazy party city where everyone gets high, trippy and wild. But no, it was one of the more relaxed and easygoing cities we visited. And did I mention? It was absolutely beautiful. (And if you really want to know, it did smell like weed everywhere.)

From Paris, we took a mid-morning train to Amsterdam, and got off at the Central Station.

This is where we stayed -- Mae's B&B (third building from right). Don't mind Bernard, please. :P

Like in Paris, we ate breakfast with other guests. We were served all sorts of breads and cheeses and assorted fruits and mini Dutch pancakes!

Amsterdam is pretty easy to navigate. The quickest way around is by riding the tram. Walking is a lot of fun, too.

No trip to Amsterdam would be complete without a visit to The Red Light District. We have this one photo, because I think I read somewhere you aren't supposed to take pictures here (though I can't vouch for this, I might just be making things up, hehe!). Again, I expected a big party scene, but even in this part of the city, people were so subdued. Perhaps, we visited at the wrong time of the year? Hehe!

Of course, a few museum tours were in order. We decided to go to just two museums, after we've Louvre-ed ourselves out in Paris. :P No photo-taking allowed inside.

One of the most exciting things we did in Amsterdam was to visit the Heineken Museum. Where history meets fun! Ahaha! Not only will you learn the story behind the famous Dutch brand, you'll also get an awesome amount of free Heinekens, and even learn how to properly drink a glass of beer. Really so fun!

We also took the canal cruise -- a leisurely tour of Amsterdam's famous waterways.

Inside the ferry, me being silly with my favorite Stroopwaffel and a hot cup of coffee from Starbucks (Bee's not mine). 

Amsterdam, so pretty at night! 

Our Netherlands adventure did not stop in Amsterdam, of course. There were also our side trip to Keukenhof , which I will be posting soon, too! :) 

Laters, 

Binky