Entries for May, 2007

May 7th, 2007

Italy Trip Day One, Rome

Italian trip turned out to be DSP TAPpies trip. It's simply becos only 4 of the TAPpies from DSP went for this trip. It's a 9-day trip to Rome, Pisa, Florence, Venice and Milan. Hehehe... Yup2, that's a lot of cities. We tried to go this once and for all. =D

As usual, we spent the night out at Stansted. My second staying over at Stansted and like the first one, I slept well. =P We took the morning flight at 0610 and reached Rome Ciampino at 0945 on 18APR07. We came out from the station and took a bus to Rome City. The bus operator is Terravision. It cost us 7EUR. The queue was damn long for this bus. We have to wait about 30 mins to get to the bus. They said it's due to the traffic. While we were waiting, one lady approached us and she gave us two tics for the metro. The tics is a three days tics which last for another two days. Thank you, nice lady! The Terravision bus was also very warm. By the time we reached the Termini and get out. Phew... It feels like I'm alive again. =P

From Termini station, we went to our hostel It's Hostel Vacanza. We need to go to the cafe to get the keys and they took us to the room which is two blocks away. To our surprise the owner of the hostel is Chinese. She came from China. Hehehe... They are really nice people. We had a bit chit chat and they warned us about the pickpockets in Italy. To take care of our things. Apparently pickpockets there are really skillful. Hahaha...

After a bit of rest and wash up, we continued our journey. First stop, Colosseum. Forget how much it cost to get in. I lost the tics =( So much for my ticket collection. The Colosseum is huge. The place is big. The place where the gladiator used to fight. Amazingly they have this lift system that brought the animal up from the underground to the fighting arena. Really good. The seating is depended on how reach you are. Some of the seat has name of people, the seat was booked for them. Hahaha...

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Colosseum

From Colosseum we went to Forum. It is another big ruin. It's just opposite of Colosseum. It's used to have big buildings from the Roman empire long time ago. We went to the Palatino also.

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Forum

Next stop, Trevi Fountain! The famous fountain that is located in Rome. They have sculpture. I am not so sure who the scuplture are. =P Well, you know me. I just seeing around. Not really in to the history. Maybe I should! Next time, I better read to know about the place more!!! =D A lot of crowd around the fountain, mostly tourist I think. And some people selling flowers (rose that is), some playing toys. Not sure whether people bought it or not. Oh ya, we flip the coin to the fountain. It was said that if you threw one coin to the fountain, you will come back to Rome one day. So we threw the coins. Hahaha... I threw one penny coin that I have from UK. Very cheapo hor... Hahaha... =P

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Trevi Fountain and me getting ready to throw the coin

It's late. It's time to rest! We came back to our hostel and rest.
Posted by ericb34r at 09:56 PM | 2 Footprints

May 8th, 2007

Italy Trip Day Two, Rome


ericb34r
We started early this morning to catch up the queue at the Vatican City where the Pope stays. Nope, we didn't meet the Pope. I texted him that day. I think he was too busy to meet us. =P First, we went to Vatican Museum. We reached there at about 0800 just to find that the queue has already started! Yup2... It's started although the gate is not opened yet! for quite some distance from the entrance. So, FC and DGTP queued while me and XH went to the front and see the conditions.

We asked the guard there and he said that the gate is opened at 1000. We have like 2hrs of waiting??? That's really waste of time! Then me and XH went to get breakfast. Then exchanged with FC and DGTP. We decided that while waiting, two of us can go to St Peter's Square and Basilica first while the other two are waiting. XH and FC went first. Not long after they went, the queue start moving. Hmm... That's weird. I quickly checked in front just to find that the gate is opened!!! What?!?!? I quickly text FC and XH, hoping they receive the message and come back. Then, I receive text from XH, they are coming back but I dunno know how far they were and the queue is moving fast! Almost in front of the gate, I saw them, I waved, they ran! They made it in time!!! Phew... We happily entered the Musei Vaticani!!! =D

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Musei Vaticani

I like the museum in the sense that they make a good route so that we see a lot of thing. It's a good crowd control I should say. As you may know, I am not art person. So, just browsing through. Kinda bored after a while. But I like this Map Room. It's a long hall where there are maps on the walls and ceilings. It's really nice and the lighting is good! Sistine Chapel is the chapel that is inside here. It's where the famous paintings on the ceilings by Michelangelo are placed. The paintings are on the walls and ceilings. Next is the St Peter's Square and Basilica. The square is big! There are a lot of chairs on the square. I think they have a big mass here. I went there a week after the Easter, so they should have a big event during that day. The Basilica is huge! They have giant sculptures inside, there are tombs of previous Popes as well in there.

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St Peter's Square and Basilica

Then, we headed to the Castle St. Angelo nearby. On the way there, we bought Gelato!!! It's really nice! They have a lot of flavour, they even have Viagra flavour (God knows what that is since I didn't try it) Hahaha... Almost everyday we bought Gelato and try different flavour!!!

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St. Angelo Castle

Anyway, we went up to the castle. There are cafe on top of the castle. They have display of weapons from ancient time. =P Went all the way to the top of the castle. If not for that stupid crane, the view will be much better. We went to Spanish Steps, although we were in Italy. There are a lot of tourist there. There were flowers on the side and the center of the steps. I guess becos it's spring, the flowers are blooming. It's really good. Opposite of the Spanish Steps are the branded shops. Girls must love to come here. It's like the shopping centers, on the street that is. Hehehe... But ya, can shop around here.

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Spanish Step and Trevi fountain

We decided to go back to Trevi Fountain to get the night view of the place. It ended up to be really good. With the lights on, it's different from day view. =D It's late. Time to go home!!! Tomorrow we are going to Republica, Basilica San Giovanni, Pantheon, Four Rivers Fountain and Colosseum!
Posted by ericb34r at 05:15 PM | Footprints

May 13th, 2007

Paintball!!!


ericb34r
In the country side far from city, the forest like battle field, a fortress. We, heroes from Lonza, fighting for our glory, capturing the flags, crushing our enemies, with gun on our hand, plenty ammunition on our back, grenade and smoke bomb in our pockets. For Queen and Country!!!

Off track from Italy Trip, my company organized a team building session during shutdown in our company. They organized a Paintballing session on the 27APR07, a day after we came back from Italy. The paintball was really fun, in spite of the bruises that we got from the paintball. I got few bruises on my leg, one at my back and a bump on my head. Hehehe... The day after my legs and body were aching. The result for not having exercise for a long time I guess. =P But I think that's the proof of our heroic act. Hahaha.... Just kidding...

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Divided into two team, blue and red. I am in Red team. Each team consist of like 30 people. Hehehe... They have like 4 fields to play. First one is with the giant pipe where we can hide behind it. The second one is with barrels. The third one is in the fortress where we need to defend. The fourth is like the first and second but it's in the forest, we hid behind the trees. We played total of 12 games in one day.

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Me, without the gun, can't take the gun out of the field

It needs a team work for this Paintball, we need to cover each other. Me and NE made a good team in the forest, until I was shot. =( Me, FC and KK really good in the giant pipe field. We hold that one spot almost till the end. They can't shoot at us. Hahaha... Good game people!?!?!

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TAP DSP Warriors

Oh ya, we really had grenade. It made loud voice and has paintball inside. When it exploded, the paint all splashing. Huhuhu... Cool hor. And we can create smoke with smoke grenade. Useful for reduce the enemy's visibility.

On the last game, we all have a God mode. Nobody dies even you got shoot. And when the Marshall shouted "Free for All." We all can shoot anyone we like even on the same team. I think it's a way to use up all our ammo. Hahaha.. Well, as you know, this ended up with bruises bcos of the short range shooting. Hohoho...
Posted by ericb34r at 09:06 PM | 4 Footprints

May 14th, 2007

First Summer BBQ


ericb34r
The leftover tiredness from Italy trip plus the exhausting Paintball session made me really tired. I can't keep my eyes opened anymore and decided to sleep early at 2200. I woke up in the morning at about 0900. Yup, 11 hours. It's been the longest time I slept for a long time I think.

I checked out my mobile and found that TW texted me asking me whether I am free in the evening for a BBQ. Huaaa... What's all the sudden of the BBQ??? Well, since I got nothing to do that evening, I replied "Ya, sure. I am on!" It's BBQ cum their house warming. I was told to bring some snack for munching while waiting the fire.

Their house is a two-bedroom house. The house is located at a quiet place near Cippenham village. The structure is almost like my old house. It's really nice place I find. The garden not too big but enough to do BBQ. =D

This is one of the different BBQ bcos this time, more and more people coming instead of people cancelling. Hehehe... In the end, we have just enough food for everybody. =D Hohoho... As usual, there are chicken wings, drumsticks, sausages, pork ribs. Plus garlic bread, sweet potatoes, chips, ice creams and not forgetting the booze (thanks to IK =D) Hehehe...

After the BBQ, we watched Any Dream Will Do. It's a reality show where they are choosing the leading actor to be the Joseph in the Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. I haven't watched it before since I don't have TV at home. Ya, I don't have TV. Well, I survived with my laptop. =)
Posted by ericb34r at 01:23 AM | 4 Footprints

London Escapade


ericb34r
London escapade... FC and DA was organizing the trip to London to do the touristy stuff there. =D They invited a lot but ended up only 4 of us plus another 2 came in the evening.

So, we went early at 0900. Due to engineering work in tube on weekend, as you probably know, we have to make our route a bit farther. We reached British museum at about 1000. The museum is big. It housed the sculpture from Egypt, Greece, UK, American, etc. The Rosetta Stone is also there. It's the stone which they decipher the old ancient languange. It's an interesting museum.

From there, we went for lunch in nearby deli. We had omelette. I never thought that omelette can make me full. But it did. Huhuhu... I am surprise. Is it my stomach capacity become smaller? Well, it's made from three eggs, with ham and cheddar cheese, and came with fries as well. Maybe that's the reason. =P

Anyway, we continue our journey to Embankment tube station. There is where we are gonna take our boat trip. After we bought our tics, the boat left the jetty. We needed to wait for almost an hour for the next ride. We decided to go to a wine bar near there. It's supposed to be the oldest wine bar in London. It's called Gordon's Wine Bar. It has a nice ambience. It's located underground. The ceiling is low and it looked like it was a tunnel. We had a bottle of wine. Can't remember what we had. HJ chose for us. White wine from South Africa is all I can remember. =P

The boat trip was run by Catamaran Cruisers. We boarded the boat at 1500. We took it all the way to Greenwich. It's about 1hr 20mins ride. In Greenwich, we went to the observatory where the Zero imaginary line that set the time in the world. There is this huge park also in Greenwich. It's nice to have picnic or playing football or walk with your dogs here.

From there, we grab a pint in Trafalgar Tavern by the river side. Then, we headed back to Leicester Sq tube to meet with AD and SKT for dinner. We had chinese food. Hehehe... So, FC is suggesting some food and we eat together. Yummy... I like the roast duck!!! =D

Then we decided for a drink after the meal. We wanted to go to this bar but FC got held by the bouncer. He didn't bring his IC. Only got the student card. Although his birth date is shown on the student card, they doesn't accept it. What?!?!?! So, we all moved to another bar. Grab a pint, chit chat and head home after that. Huhuhu... I enjoyed the day! Really nice to go out for touristy thing in London. Thanks to FC and DA!!! =D
Posted by ericb34r at 11:13 PM | Footprints

May 19th, 2007

Mike The Marathon Man


ericb34r
Mike The Marathon Man has just finished 126 hours of radio broadcast non-stop without sleeping!!! He was attempting to break the world record which is currently 125. Well, not anymore since he already broke the record! Congratulation Mike!!! You did AWESOME!!!

He did this part of the raising money for the local children in Berkshire (Berkshire Give A Child A Chance) where I stay. He raised above £6000. Thank you Mike!!! Thank you to those who donated the money as well!!!
Posted by ericb34r at 09:12 PM | Footprints

May 20th, 2007

Just one question


ericb34r
Just one question, What's your goal in life???

A question, millions asked, millions answered, millions confused... =P
Posted by ericb34r at 07:22 PM | 28 Footprints
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