Enchanted Barcelona

                        24- 26 September 2009

We arrived at 06.40 pm at barcelona, and it wasnt dark yet. the sun still shining. It looks like afternoon. i still felt strange even i knew that in summer and autumn noon is longer than night, and also converse for winter and spring. night is longer than noon. I saw many sails near the dock. many many of them. its remind me with Auckland. Well, after we finish look around we decide to see the market which near the restaurant. The market was selling many kind of souvenirs. bags, t-shirt, hats, glasses, brachelets, earrings, neklace, shoes, fan, key hanger, keychains, handphone chains, etc. My grandma bought one for my cousin, Angel. She bought a pretty bag for her. I didnt buy anything yet. Theres nothing interest me, maybe because the price was expensive and also all of them re made in China. Its not suprising actually, because we all know that almost everything all around the world are made in China. Even you go to Europe, United States. So its kinda hard to see the local brand. fiuuuhh.. In China, the manufacture cost is cheap, so all country around the world prefer make all things in China. But i hope the material that they used re not from China. 
Because its well-known that phone or things that made in China was eazily broke. 
and yeah, after we finish shopping around we were going to the chinese restaurant. The foods was fine, some re yummy. very delicate.
Then we back to the hotel. 

The hotel's name is Tryp Aeropuerto.
This hotel was sooo unique. its modern but inside the hotel was like flats with the simply elegant type. i cant describe it. lols. you must check it out to MR. Google. :P
the hotel was nice, and the interior was nice either. i love the room, its not big but really convenient to stay in. ;)

The next day, we're having breakfast and i loveeeee the breakfast there.
perhaps it just an usual breakfast, but it was very tasty and there's nutella and cream cheese!!! also theres koko crunch and  honey stars and also there were many kinds of honey with the cute packaging. XD i love the hot chocolate there, i tried the milk too. and the bread was so soft and delicate, the meats so fresh and the fruits either. ^^
But when we're out from there, i look someone from another group that caught by the security there that she bring food in her bag. The guard took all of the foods and she get fined. i felt pity and embarassed at the same time. it because the woman is from my country but i knew that she didnt mean to took all of the foods. okay then.

We're going to Estadi Stadium where the olympic 1992 opening and closing ceremony held. Estadi Stadium is located at the Monjuich Hill Region. Then we went to FC Barcelona. We went there because many request from the boys, like my brother and his friends. :P FC Barcelona is a sport club best known worldwide for its football team, three times winner of the UEFA Champions League. The place is so hugeee, and there are restaurants and also the souvenirs market there. my brother and his friends bought t-shirt for themself. and i just enjoy taking pictures. Personally i dont like football that much. 

then, we're going to Paseo De Gracia Street, its an elite regional where there are many antique building that made by Antonio Gaudi, like: Casa Mila and Casa Batlo. I love the structure and the details of the buildings, They are so fabolous, and shimmering like so many statues that glowing everywhere. The guide was telling much about this architecture and why Gaudi made it. The guide's name is Anna, she's tiny, blonde and fun! We're taking pictures everywhere, then we re going to the street where there are many markets there. all of the branded market (for the middle class) like Zara, Mango, Nav Nav, etc.The price is cheaper than in Indonesia, so better buy there. Mast of the clothes re made in China(obviously) and Maroco. There are also many cafe and bars, and also gelatto. So interesting! :D

we found many beggar there, but not the usual beggar that you can found in Indonesia. 
Beggar here were wonderful! Their appearance were very unusual and unique, like princess, stone, monster, etc. They acted too! Many tourists take pictures with them. They were so excited! Well, they so creative! and at least they try hard to entertain us, not just begging like the most people in my country do.

Then, we re going to Mc.D.
And you know whats going on after that? I cant see the stairs there, then i just walking like theres nothing in front of me, and it made me fall and my leg was sprain, and its very hurt. luckily theres guard who saw me and help me, after that my brother and my grandma help to massage my leg. OMG, it was horrible.

But yeah, then we're going home and having dinner at Chinese Restaurant. again.
Not tasty, but fine. I wasnt into food at that time, because my leg was very hurt. like the pain was very horrible.

We back hotel. fiuhhh.finally.
anyway, we re stay for 2 nightsl ^^V


TRYP AEROPUERTO
Pargue De Negocios Mas Blau II Plaza Del Pla De L Estany 1-2, 08820
Ph:   00 34 93 3781000
Fax: 00 34 93 3781001

Nice Nice :) :) :)

 23-24 September 2009

Nice nice!!

Why i give the name Nice Nice, because Nice its definitely one of the nicest place that i ever been. Its nice to spend your holiday, or to live there. I dazzled at first time i arrived there. I arrived at night, around 7.30 p.m. The city was serene and not crowded like Rome. Instead of being scared of the silence city, I enjoy this serene. I felt peace and so fresh. Haha. I know it sounds weird, but these what i felt at that night. :P

Nice is a small city, but you can see beautiful beach there. Hmm.. the weather was so nice. I really like it. Inverse with Venice and Indonesia, air in Nice was so refreshing. cool and fresh. It so delighting. :) If you go to Anyer (beach in Jakarta) the air and the wind isnt that nice. Personally i dont like it. Its hot and sticky. So, i prefer to have vacation to hill or mountain than beach. But Nice is completely different. Okay, enough for the weather. :p

Lets talk about what did i look there and what kind of attraction there. 

So, we continue to the journey then. ;)

After visit Monte Carlo, we were going to Nice and like i told before i was dazzled with the city. It wasn't completely dark. There were many lights from the street lights and the restaurants. We were straight to  the NH Nice (hotel's name). NH nice was one of my fav hotel during my trip to Europe. NH nice's design was neuteric and simple, and it dominated with green. The design and the furniture were so minimalist and convenient. I love the furnitures, and also the bathroom. They re so sophisticated! Even i love classy things, but i can say modern hotel is better than the classic, because :

First, its new!

Second, its not creepy

Third, it just comfy! U feel like in your own house.

But sure, my dream house isnt minimalist concept. I prefer contemporary. Mix between classic and minimalist. It just like simply classic. (ups, i think im out of the topic)

Okay, back to the main topic.

After i enjoyed my new room, my dad call me and ask whether i want to join with the tour leader exploring Nice at night or not. I definitely said  YESSSS!!!!!!!

With extra speed, i take my things and bag then i knocked my friend's room then we together with a few peoples downstairs going exploring Nice :D

We're found a big gambling center. I wonder why there were many casino here. Like i found it  almost in eveywhere. hemm...

We re just taking pictures of the views, and in front of the unknown statue. :P

Theres no name on the placard. And i found a pretty Merry-go-round on the street. lols. i cant imagine that i can find such thing at Jakarta's street. But yeah, there was Merry-Go-Round in Nice's street. But unfortunately we can't ride it, because it closed. Theres chain that encircle it. :( so we just take pictures and continue our promenade. ^^

I saw the beautiful beach across the street, but i bet the water must be cold.

We found many boutiques, bars, cafes and restaurants. After we feel tired, we decide to try one of the restaurant on the way home.

Its like French restaurant. the ambience was so nice with the homey feel jazz instrument . I sit with my parents and my grandma, while my brother sit with his friends. We order socca (a kind of pancakes), random cakes and steak. :)

After we re full, we back to the hotel.

A bit information about foods and cuisine in Nice :

When they cook, usually they use their local ingredients such as Olive Oil, Anchovies, and vegetables. Nice's local dishes are:

1. Pissaladiere

A tart made from onions and anchovies ( i cant imagine what its taste >.<)

2.Socca( i ate it!)

I just knew from wikipedia that its made from chickpea flour. the taste is okay.

3. Farcis Nicois

Vegetable stuffed with the breadcrumbs.

4. Salade Nicoise

Tomato salad with green pepper, baked eggs, tuna, anchovies, and olives. (super complete!)

5. Beignets de fleurs de courgettes 

6. Ratatuille ( probably you guys knew already from the movie :P)

Is a traditional French vegetable dish

7. Pichade

8. Daube

Ia a classic french stew that made from beef braised in wine, vegetables, garlic, and herbes de Provence.

Visit this link forum for more information:

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/day-trip-to-italy-from-nice-169190-2.cfm

Its a forum where people discuss about their experience about Nice, and I think it will help you guys who want to know more about Nice! :D

Enjoy! ^^

and the tomorrow morning, after we finished our delicious breakfast..we take walk for a while then continue our trip to Barcellona. The tour leader told us it will take 8 hours to get there. huaaaahh...

PosH MoNacO :o

23 September 2009

Adam Hotel itself just an ordinary hotel. The interior was stiff  with the brown ambience that made the hotel looks warm and ancient. I didnt really this hotel that much. the architecture was monoton and remind me with the hotels in the scary movie. The next day, i have breakfast with the other tour's peoples and many of them told me creepy story(i know it!!!!) my friend told me that when she was shower yesterday, she didnt lock the bathroom's door and when she opened the door, she cant open. she knocked, she hammered, and even she yelled but no one answering. She start freaking out til 10 minutes later her sister open the door. She said, " Oh gosh, thankyou so much, you dont know how much i love you" it made us laugh. its scary and funny at the same time. but the weird thing was her sister said that she opened the door not because she heard people scream or other loud sounds, she open because she want to wash her hands. she didnt hear anything, and yeah it sounds creepy for us because we know that the bathroom wasnt soundproof. 

The breakfast just ordinary. but i still love the bread, milk and the omelete. even the cereal wasnt that good.

so, end of the creepy story here. we begin to start our journey today. And you know what, before i went up to bus, i met my university's friend. lols. how amazing it was! her name is stephanie. she had the same faculty with me, tourism . The different is i was from travel industry management, and she was from hospitality. We dont know each other, so we just smiling. lols. i dont know why, but i always meet somebody that i know wherever i go, even the farest destination. is it cool? ;)

Nanananana, we're going to the Monaco.

Monaco is a superrrrr rich and small country.(Even Jakarta is much bigger than it :P) We re going to the Monte Carlo. Monte Carlo is the capital city of mOnaco. Even it just a small country, but never underestimate it. People who lives in MOnaco are not the real Monaco. There are still some of local peoples there, but mostly people who lives there are from another countries from around Europe, and some American. Monaco is the second  smallest country beside Vatican. Monaco is French's neighbour. Its located  in South Western Europe and surrounded by sea and rocks. Its a kind of cliff, and the view was so cool! i mean, its suitable for the rich people who want to spent their holiday here. its nice, really. beach, harbour, many ships and cozy restaurant everywhere. but why i said "the rich people?" it because i think peoples who want to spend their holiday here, must have lots of money.  everything here are so expensive. start from the product, the foods, restaurant, and  the casino. Mostly people who stay here were going to nthe casino to spend their money. i dont like gambling. it maked you addicted and theres no use for that. hmm...

the other reason why i told peoples in here are rich, its because the peoples that i met there (almost all of them) were wearing branded things. clothes and everything, they were so chick and glamour.you will understand when you look by yourself, and theres no general car here. If you look around you, you just see the recently Mercy, BMW sport, ferrari, limousine (even i never look that in my country, i just saw it from tv show or movie. :P) and also Jaguar. The funny thing is people who lives here are the rich peoples from around Europe. They move here, that simple. So theres no one begging for money or poor people here. We only visited MOnaco, but not stay here. Because the hotel price for one nigh was unbeliefable. seriously. 

We're taking lots of pict here, then we're going to the Palace. Reiner Prince II's Palace. We're taking pict in front of that palace, but we cant go in. uhh, so pity. :( 

For information, Monaco is the Constitutional Monarchy, and Prince Albert is the head of state now.House of Grimaldi has ruled Monaco since 1927. (Girls, do you feel familiar with the name of Grimaldi? :d It because i just knew at that time that perhaps Meg Cabot get inspiration for her books, Princess Diaries from here. hehehe).

Maybe you guys already know that Prince Rainier III married with Grace Kelly, the amrican actress. Monaco is not the part of European Union, and Monaco not allow the local citiaen to gamble there.

Monaco is well known by the tourism. so, want to introduce some of the entertainments. ;)

1. They have Formula One: Its called Monaco Grand Prix. It s one of the most pretigious automobil races in the world.

2. Monte Carlo Rally

3.Football

4.Rugby

There are 3 religions in Monaco: Roman Catholic(my religion :D), Anglican( a kind of Catholic, but with the different rules), and Jewish.

Anyway, our lunch was very yummy and the place was very comfortable. :)
The design was simple with the touch of mediterranean and mirrors.

i ate beef steak and mass potato with the sauce, and aslo theres the salad for appetizer and smoothies for the dessert. yummy :D i also look people order jumbo burger and other type of food that looks so yummy! I want to! I want to! but yeah, we just can order according to the tours budget. 

after we finished get sight seeing and shopping(or just look around :P) we're going to the church near the palace where Grace Kelly is burried.

And we continue our journey to Nice, the nice city. ;)

Nice is well known as "Cote D'Azur"

I will tell my story about Nice later. ;)

After this, we re going to the Nice Hotel.

NH NICE

2-4 Parvis De L'Europe, 06300 Nice

Ph : 003 492 008000

Fx:  003 493 262700

Mod Milan - World of designers ;)

 22-23 September 2009

I kinda glad that i leave Engelberg Hotel today. ike i told before, the hotel was kinda creepy. i know its classic, and eventhough i love classic stuff, but i dont think so if i must stay in the classic hotel. again . i dont think so. its uncomfortable. i love the design, but not for the unseen who lives there. :P

the breakfast wasnt that yummy, but i still like it. basically im not the picky type, so im okay with any kinds of food. :) after we ate breakfast, we're going to the Milan. Milan is a world of designers, and what i thought it would be like new york that so modern and fashionable, where we can see sophisticated building everywhere and also chic people everywhere. 

And after i arrived there, was it the same with my thought?

not at all.

i didnt say that Milan is bad or sort of it..

but i can't say that i like the city either. Personally when i arrived there, my first impression was far from my thoughts before about milan.

milan was look like....mexico, or kinda of that city. maybe argentina. south america type.

look hot there, even it was cold at that time.

i saw many of stores there. stores and boutiques. Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Armani, Versace, Hermes, so other.There are a few branded stores, but 

mostly are the designer's made. they are sell many unique items, and some were cute and fantastic. but because these things made by designer, u must be know that the price is amazingly expensive. errrr... and most of the design were so unique, so we cant wear that in indonesia. hahaha.

then we visit Lion MOnument, Old City and Chapel Bridge. Finally our last destination today was Duomo. Chatedral with the gothic style. very beautiful.
Duomo, which is the world's largest Gothic cathedral, and the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio, built in the 1st century, are landmark Milan attractions.

There are also many museums there (its pity that we cant visit at least one of them [and many of indonesian dontt like museum, so we dont have any schedule to there ;( ]) Theatre Museum at La Scala is a world famous opera house worth visiting. The 15th century Sforzesco Castle's Museum of Historic Art is also a major Milan attraction.

The Santa Maria delle Grazie is home to Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting, The Last Supper, and the Leonardo da Vinci National Science & Technology Museum has a collection of his designs for war machines and architecture.

After we satisfied with the ambience and many pictures that we got today, we re back to the hotel. :)

NB:  i think shopaholic and the opera lover would like this city. i like to shop, but the price just too high for me. :P and also, i want too watch the opera, but unfortunately we didnt have time to watch. :( maybe next time with my future husband. ;)

ADAM

Via Palmanova 153,20132 Milan, Italy

Ph:   00 39 02 2592551

Fax: 00 39 02 2592170