Between Heaven and Earth

Finally seen the fairyland-like Switzerland.

And the beauty of this country that host most of the Alps, beckons me back... For my own hiking holiday...

No wonder my mum was so excited for the entire month when i told her i wanna bring her along, and how her face fell whenever there wasn't news about the ticket balloting status, and when my leave change may also jeopardise the trip.

Though the idea came to me as long as almost 2 months ago, i've been procrastinating the research for the trip til the day i'm due to leave for Zurich at night. =9

First day was supposed to be the Rhine Falls aka Schuffhausen. But thanks to the "expert" directions concierge gave the 3 of us, they sent us to god-knows-where. To another town call Rhinefellen 1 hour train ride away, situated at the border of Switzerland and Germany, thinking we wanna see the Rhine river. Our destination, the waterfalls, is in the opposite direction. *Smack my forehead*

No wonder when we asked for directions at the train station when we arrived @ Rhinefellen, the first thing the man commented which completely puzzled us was," That's like North and South Korea."

LOL. Thought he was racist or what... But we soon understood why, after he showed us the map.

It was too late to travel all the way back to Schuffhausen and the train tickets aren't exactly cheap. Thus the 3 chest-fallen us just walked around trying to make the best out of the trip. Turns out it wasn't completely wasted afterall cos ..........

we were in Switzerland one moment (see the flag on the right behind me) ..........


a short while later, after crossing this bridge, with those cottages behind me still Switzerland........


we are in Germany! See the plate reading "Deutchland"? ;)


No passports required, no custom checks, in fact noone guarding. You could just walked over the bridge as if it was connecting Toa Payoh and Ang Mo Kio. *WoW* But we didn't realised it that fast. Wasn't until we were on Germany's side then we noticed the houses on 2 sides of the river bank carry different country's flag.

Nothing much there, strolled around and after an hour, back to the train station, headed back for Zurich. But we are simply amazed with the discovery we made =9


Jungfraujoch, the next day.
(pronounced as "Yong-frau-yoke")

Named the "Roof of Europe", not because it's the highest peak but rather the highest place, a train can fetch us to. The train station stands at 3454m above sea level.

Managed to capture the famous 3 peaks while on the coach. From left to right, it's Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau.


After the coach had sped by many of such serene towns......


We arrived at Interlaken, the town nearest to Jungfraujoch. Interlaken, literally means 'In between lakes', as it is situated between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun.

On the cogwheel, the journey up. Simply stunning.


The tourguide's very experienced and he knows exactly where, at which point of the train ride, which angle, will make a good picture ;P


The first station, in the hollows of Eiger mountain.


View out of and down the infamous Eiger North Wall.

Again, suggested by the tourguide. The famous Jungfraubahnen.


With mum in the Ice palace.


Actually it wasn't really cold out there. With such strong sun bearing down on us, very soon we started to feel warm in our jackets.




Breath-taking? ;P


And talk about leeching on other people's effort.
Thanks to whoever who 'built' this headless snowman wannabe, for the picture =p




Stupid Doug says i look like Michael Jackson here. Of all pple, MJ ?!?!?!!!


Doesn't these pics look like i paid bomb to take in a studio? The scenery look so surreal.



Oh- word of caution, sunglass is a necessity up there. Almost went blind with the intense glare of whiteness, and after a while our eyes starts to hurt. Thank god i did my research and found this piece of advice. For once, my aviator shades weren't just there to look cool. LOL ;P



The huskies' residence, halfway down the mountain.

Wanted to try the huskies ride up at Jungfraujoch, but because they "knock off" at 3 pm, there wasn't much time for us. It's either picture taking, exploring the place or Q-ing to ride them, given the short 2 hours we have up there. Hiak~


All i can say is: Magnificent.





That's it.

Back to the town. Crossing more of such on our return journey.


Looking at these places, i wondered very often what these people do during their free time. Obviously these places don't have cinemas, shopping centres, fancy restaurants, archades, clubs blar blar blar.... the normal entertainment sources in every cities.

Along the way, i found some answers to my questions. We saw people hiking, kayaking along rivers, sun tanning in their backyards, playing with their enormous pet dog(s), chilling out with a cold beer, mountain biking etc etc. And i was actually pretty envious of them. Such a beautiful place to residence in, being so close to nature.

I often condemn myself as the spoilt city kid, whom is so used to the fast paced life in city that i can hardly sit still for long. But everything is about getting use to. Never thought I'll find myself very lure by the tranquility of nature, with such a beautiful backdrop for a very different kind of lifestyle. *Thinking*

Thrice in a Life-Time

We all know that 1st Birthday is a Once-in-a-Life-time affair, Kirsten's Dad says it'll be thrice in a life time for her.

Cos Kirsten gets to celebrate it 3 times ^.^

Haappie Birthday!! Such a pretty cake!

Gosh, Mum and Dad could easily pass off as Kirsten's elder siblings. Don't they look good? ;)

I have to admit that i am such a horrible photograher. >.<"
Well, my Sanyo can hardly get a good angle when it has to battle many other semi pro cameras =(

Missing you.....


But this stage is important to me.

Otherwise, I'll never know

how much i love you so.

Bored.

Been doing a bit of clean-up for my room. Then this bo liao idea came up when i had to dust the shoe box corner.

=P
Nothing impressive.
But i never realise that i've got so many pairs i hardly wear....


And my latest addition. Also belong to the shoe category, but only with wheels attached.


Finally. After 10 years of thinking about it, and financially able to splurge on one.

A story i quote of somewhere....
"My husband is a scientist by professional. I love him for his steady-being nature, and i love the warm feeling while leaning against his broad shoulders.

Three years into courtship and now, two years into marriage, I have to admit, I am getting tired of it. The reasons of me loving him before has now transform into the cause of all the restlessness. I am a sentimental woman and extremely sentitive and exquisite when it comes to relationship and feelings. I yearn for romantic moments, just like a little boy yearning for candy. But my husband is the contrast of me. His lack of sensitivity, and of all, inability to bring in romantic moments into our marriage has dishearten me about love. One day, i decided to tell him about my decision, that i want a divorce.

" Why?" He asked, shocked.

"I am tired, and there aren't always reasons for everything in the world." I answered.

He kept silent and seemed to be in deep thoughts the entire night, with cigarette lighted at all times. My disappointment is getting intense. A man who can't even express his detainment, what else can i expect from him?

Finally, he asked "what can i do to change your mind?"

Somebody said it's hard to change a person's personality and i guess it's right. I have started to lose faith in him. Looking deep into his eyes, i asked,"Here's a question, If you have the right answer that's in my heart, i will change my mind.

"Let's say, i love a flower that's at the mountain cliff, and we both know that making you pick the flower will cost you your life, will you do it for me?"

"I will give you your answer tomorrow..." he replied. My heart sank.

The next morning, he was not around when i woke up. I saw a piece of paper with his writing underneath a glass of warm milk.

It goes....

"Dear, i would not pick that flower for you. But please allow me to explain further."

The first sentence has already broke my heart. I continue reading.

"You have to work on the computer but always mess up the programs and cries in front of the PC, i have to save my fingers to restore the programs for you.

You always leave the house keys behind, i have to save my legs to rush home to open the doors for you.

You love travelling but always lose your ways in a new city, i have to save my eyes to lead you the way.

You always have the cramp when your "good friend" approaches each month, i have to save my palm so that i can reflief your cramps in your tummy.

You tend to stare too long at the computer, and that does your eyes no good. I have to save my eyes so that when we grow old, i can help you clip your nails and remove those annoying white hairs for you. I will hold your hand and stroll down the beach, enjoy the sunshine together and tell you the colours of the flowers, just like glow on your young face.

Thus my dear, because i am sure that there will be someone else who loves you more than i do .... i would not pick the flower for you.... and die...."

By now, my tears has blurred the ink of his hand-writing. I continue to read.

And now dear, you've finished reading my answer, if these are the answers you are seeking, please open the door, i'm standing there with your favourite bread and warm milk...."

I rushed to open the door, and there he is looking so anxious, gripping the milk and bread in his hands.

I was sure that noone love me more than him and i've decided to leave the flower alone......"

Love is can be so simple. But being human, we have a knack of wanting more, thus overlooking the such simple bliss that surrounds us.

*******************

I have everything, but yet i threw it all away....

Like a friend put it, "Perhaps it has become so stable, that it has become not suitable for me at this stage."

I think that best describes it all, for now.

Seoul

My companion to Myong Dong, all for facial products. And the late lunch that follows =)


Yum Yum... Though i am not really a fan, but it's not bad really...

Just like me when i was here for the first time, she was shock at the over-enthusiasm and attention showered at us while shopping at FACE SHOP. The shop assistants love talking to us, and one of girls couldn't keep her hands off us haha.

3 storeys of Krispy Creme!


Managed to steal a picture of the doughnut production line... Interesting...

One thing i didn't know as well: Doughnut is cooked using so much oil!!!!! Seeing them floating on the oil reminds me strongly of 'Hum Jim Peng'. =9

And then we passed by a crowd, as usual the Kay-por us became part of the paparazzi crowd catching a glimspe of the actors.

When the camera wasn't rolling, my colleague asked,"Why both of them pulling such a long face?" Haha... Very much to our surprise la, cos we expect that all celebrities are as vibrant off screen as they are in normal life.

The male actor is cute, isn't he? Will some Korean drama fans tell me who is he? LOL