10 Jan - Finally arrived into London Gatwick airport after 2.5 hours flight! Finally get above freezing point! Around 7 degree!! As the express train to Victoria was under maintenance, I have to take southern train which takes 1.5 hours to arrive into London Victoria.. Only managed to check in after 1.30pm after the long train ride..
Went to Leicester Square and meet an important friend and catch up for lunch.. Head to Big Ben and catch a glimpse of this tower..overlooking at London eye as well! Went to Trafalgar Square to snap some pictures and recapture all those good memories I had in London. To my surprised, I don't have to get Oyster card for the tube as I could use my credit card from Singapore to tap and go! How cool is that! Went to Chinatown to feel Chinese again before grabbing dinner there! Had a great meet up with old friends and spent splendid time drinking and getting tipsy... I really love London and spending 23 hours there is simply incredibly short! Slept around 12am as I have an early flight to catch the next day!
Big Ben
11 Jan - woke up early again and catch the train to Gatwick airport again! This time, with easyjet, took off and arrived safely at Seville, Spain after 2 hours! It's my first time to Spain and I can't hide my excitement! What is Spain to me - soccer, bull fight, sangria, flamenco and tapas!
Seville is 80km away from Atlantic Ocean. The furthest European country I have travelled so far! And also the nearest I have come in contact with Africa continent! Anyway, after check in, I went around the city. The city is a mixture of Islamic and Catholic feel. I can see Islamic design on some buildings. It's kind of unique experience! Then I headed to Plaza de toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla to where the bull fight and bull ring exist! There is a free tour every Monday after 4pm I think. The guided tour comes in Spanish and English and its really informative for me. I didn't know that the Bulls have to be killed after that..
The street also have a lot of orange trees and so many oranges fell along the street. Felt like spring although it's winter time! Lol
In the evening, headed to Metropol Parasol, waffle-like crown structure comprises the world's largest wooden structure. The entrance ticket comes with a free drink at one of the selected cafes! On the top of the structure, can really see all the cathedrals lighted up nicely. It's a shame that the signboards were in Spanish. So I only enjoy the breeze and the view.
12 Jan - Woke up by the bells from the cathedral, had a hot chocolate n croissant for breakfast. Headed to Alcázar of Seville (palace of Seville). It is royal palace in Seville, Spain originally developed by a Muslim kings. It is the oldest royal palace still in use in Europe. So the palace used a lot of ceramic tiles and formed the design. Very Islamic design. The palace also has big park and garden. Can really spent a day there exploring the whole palace. After that, walked over to Seville cathedral. It is the largest Gothic cathedral and the third largest church in the world. It used to be a mosque. The cathedral was huge with such high ceiling. There was so much sculptures. It's worth going! There is also a bell tower which I went up. There are about 40 curves before reaching the top! The view was magnificent. Overlooking the city in a glance. As Seville is seriously warm (around 11-14 degrees), I even bought an ice cream and eat at my rooftop while looking over at the cathedral.
Had a coffee and then headed to Virgin Mary cathedral (virgin of hope of Macarena). Just sit there and wondered why she was tearing.. She seems very popular in the city as I could see a lot of them pray to her. Went back to the waffles structure to catch them in day light and ended the day having tapas and sangria.
Sangria
Had a quick brunch after that and heading to maritime museum (Museo Naval Torre Del Oro). Understand the naval history and how this tower was important in the past during war times. Had tapas for lunch again. This time, it's my first time having a medium rare pork in my life! I was surprised that the outer layer was grilled perfectly and the flesh was still red and raw. I convinced myself that it is edible (I even google it after my meal to make sure it's ok). It was so delicious that I finished all the medium rare pork! Yummy! Then headed to flamenco museum (Museo del Baile Flamenco) to understand abit of history and their outfits. Very cool and interesting museum! Went to do some shopping before heading to a cafe beside the Seville cathedral having chocolate churros. I think don't ever go near to the cafes beside the cathedral. It was terrible! I paid for the view only and I never even tips because there were no service at all!
In the evening, headed to this restaurant la carbonería to watch the free flamenco performance. Ordered a sangria and a sandwich and sat there. It was crowded and full of Koreans. I highly recommend to go to this restaurant to have a feel of flamenco dancing before considering watching the paid performance. Had a fanastic dinner afterward at a tapas bar before having a chilled better to call off the night. Packing my luggage again for my final destination.
Orange trees
15 Jan - Another early morning and took the train from Sevilla to Madrid. It's about 2.5 hours ride and finally arrived in Madrid. Well, that's the only first class cabin I can ever afford in my life. Just in the train. lol. Madrid is totally different from Seville. The food is so much more expensive and less spaniard. More international or I should say cosmopolitan. After checking in, strolled aimlessly along the street. Had my first ever llao llao frozen yoghurt. There is a craze in Singapore and long quene. Well, look at my picture below and I'm the only customer in the shop! Nothing can beat having the "original" ones in Spain! Went to Plaza mayor, Madrid. Reminds me of Venice and my German. As the Royal palace was way too crowded, headed to Cathedral de la Almudena instead. Shop around the Madrid afterwards and even went to convent (Convento de Corpus Cristi)to purchase cookies from nun which made by them. Went to Mercado San Miguel to have sweets. I love that place! They sell everything! Highly recommended! Ended the night drinking beer by my apartment. What a day! Holy and yet having a beer! lol
16 Jan - Purchased the train ticket from Madrid train station and there we go! Segovia! Segovia is 90km north of Madrid and can be connected by taking a 30mins high-speed train. After arriving at the Segovia train station, have to take bus 11 to go to Aqueduct. I'm glad my friend recommended this place because The Aqueduct was nothing I have ever seen before! The Aqueduct of Segovia (or more precisely, the aqueduct bridge) is a Roman Aqueduct and one of the most significant and best-preserved ancient monuments left on the Iberian peninsular.
It was a bridge for conveying water from mountain to the people in the city in the past. It's crazy structure and wondered how it was built! Walked over to Segovia cathedral. There is a guidebook where I can read and understand the history behind every sculptures and painting. As I'm not a Catholic, I find it interesting to know about other religion. Halfway through the trip, I was asking my friend where I am. I have no idea where I am..just followed him blindly.. And realized I'm in Segovia lol.. Had sucking piglet and steak for lunch before heading to Alcázar of Segovia (Segovia palace). It is the most distinctive castle and palace. Not very informative as I don't know the background of the castle and there is no reading sign. Get an audio guide if you wish to know more! Walked along the castle after that. It was freezing cold -1 degree and we weren't prepared for this weather. I forgot about my scarf but thankfully I brought my gloves and hat with me. We had tarts and coffee for tea break. As Segovia is high in altitude, remember to wear more in winter! After the tea break, headed back to Aqueduct and followed the water channel. It was about 800m long. It is beautiful and Segovia is a must visit in Madrid! Went back to the train station and headed back to Madrid. I was snoring in the train. It was a Friday night, so had a rest before partying with the new friends I have made in Madrid. The night ends around 3am in the morning partying, bars hopping, drinking and getting drunk! Eye opening as I was the only Asian in the group or in the whole bar actually! Lol...
17 Jan - it's my last day in Europe! Woke up late around 11am and headed for chocolate churros for brunch. It was delicious!! After that, headed to Royal Palace of Madrid. The ceiling paining by the entrance was pretty. As no picture is allowed in the palace, you have to come to see it yourself! I have a great time understanding the room layout and history of the palace. Lastly, headed to Plaza de Cibeles. Went to the top of the plaza to have a panorama view of Madrid. I had mixed feelings on the top as I realized that the holiday is coming to an end. Very cool to be at the top overlooking the city. Also went to do last min shopping like Zara and Primark!
Then dinner was a bit woo-ha.. As we didn't make any reservation, dining on a Saturday night can be a hassle. All the restaurants were packed and full. Ended up in a Spanish cafe serving only Spanish menu and non English speaker waiter. All locals were dining here. Anyway, had an unforgettable dinner (fried potatoes and fried potatoes with ham). Trying to order the food can be challenging sometimes.
To end the night, went to watch ladyboy show. It was all in Spanish and left after an hour! Packed for my way home.
18 Jan - woke up around 9am and headed to airport to catch my flight at 12pm. Finally arrived into Istanbul around 6pm and since I have 7 hours lay over, I decided to explore the city alone. Once disembarked, i headed to the train station and bought the one way ticket at 4 lira to Sultanahmet. It was pretty easy to travel by train. The ticket/token can be purchased at any train station and each way is 4Lira. Easy! So, it takes an hour to reach Sultanahmet. It was raining heavily when I was there and also everything close around 6pm. So I strolled alone in the rain and witness the iconic blue mosque and also Hagia Sophia museum.
It was extremely quiet on the street and it maybe because of the explosion at German fountain in a week ago. A lot police on the street. I was totally drenched and wet. So I decided to have Turkish dinner. The resturant was totally empty. I was the only customer and I had full services from them. Ordered a kebab with hot tea to warm myself up. It was delicious. After that, I decided to stroll along the street. The whole street was empty. I bought some Turkish delights and magnets in the gift shop. Basically only less than 20 people. Then I started to see Syrian kids refugees begging for money. I sympathized them. It started to snow and I sympathized then begging in the cold. Later I saw someone was chasing the kids on the street (seems like being pick-pocket or rob). At this moment, I felt threaten and I quickly took the tram and train back to the airport. I was lucky to make it safe to the airport as I could feel I might be the next target.
Delays after delays (flight was delayed for 3.5 hours) due to snowing, finally catch my flight to Singapore at 8.30pm.
In the nutshell, I have a great trip and this trip cannot be more enjoyable and possible without some friends. You know who you are. I'm glad we met and also make some new friends along the way. The host for my Airbnb was great too! Great company, great trip, safely home and learnt so much new things. I am just lucky and hope for more upcoming trips to extend my knowledge even further!
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