Sunday, September 26, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Bratislava
Ok, lets talk about Bratislava for this entry.
I went to Bratislava last weekend. Left my apartment at 6am to ensure that I will be at the bus station on time. The bus left Budapest Nepliget bus station at exactly 7am. It was a 3 hours bus ride on orangeways. A return ticket costs euro 20. I could have paid lesser with student's agency bus company but I had problems paying for the ticket online. Anyways, it was an uncomfortable bus ride as it was a 60+seater bus! -.-
I arrived in Bratislava slightly before 10am. The initial plan was to walk to the city centre but I was too lazy. So I ended up buying a 15 min trip ticket for 50 cents. Got onto the bus but decided not to validate the ticket because it was a short bus ride (2 stops). Luckily for me, there wasn't any ticket conductor on the bus.
Bratislava's old town is a sweet small one. It's easily walkable. People here seemed friendlier then their Hungarian neighbours. The streets are cleaner too. The only thing I hated was the 987654321 tourist groups that crowd the streets. urgh!
Decided to go for a CS gathering in the evening and boy was it a good idea. I had lots of fun chatting with the CSers both from Bratislava and from abroad. We shared interesting travel experiences and I invited some of them over to Budapest. Some of them who were travelling showed interest and we'll probably meet again sometime next week.
I went to Bratislava last weekend. Left my apartment at 6am to ensure that I will be at the bus station on time. The bus left Budapest Nepliget bus station at exactly 7am. It was a 3 hours bus ride on orangeways. A return ticket costs euro 20. I could have paid lesser with student's agency bus company but I had problems paying for the ticket online. Anyways, it was an uncomfortable bus ride as it was a 60+seater bus! -.-
I arrived in Bratislava slightly before 10am. The initial plan was to walk to the city centre but I was too lazy. So I ended up buying a 15 min trip ticket for 50 cents. Got onto the bus but decided not to validate the ticket because it was a short bus ride (2 stops). Luckily for me, there wasn't any ticket conductor on the bus.
Bratislava's old town is a sweet small one. It's easily walkable. People here seemed friendlier then their Hungarian neighbours. The streets are cleaner too. The only thing I hated was the 987654321 tourist groups that crowd the streets. urgh!
Decided to go for a CS gathering in the evening and boy was it a good idea. I had lots of fun chatting with the CSers both from Bratislava and from abroad. We shared interesting travel experiences and I invited some of them over to Budapest. Some of them who were travelling showed interest and we'll probably meet again sometime next week.
Friday, September 10, 2010
SELAMAT HARI RAYA
Selamat Hari Raya people.
Went to the mosque early morning but somehow it's closed. Maybe other mosques are open but I've yet to find their locations. oops. Anyways, i was standing on the pavement minding my own business when this toot toot man from across the street shouted "HALO YOU". I had a feeling he was trying to get my attention so i ignored him. He continued shouting blah blah kinai blah blah. (kinai=chinese in Hungarian). I was like wth you ignorant man, im not a kinai ok.. So after a while, he left when realising whatever he was doing is useless. It was then that I realised I was standing in front of a Kinai Bufe. -.-
Went to the mosque early morning but somehow it's closed. Maybe other mosques are open but I've yet to find their locations. oops. Anyways, i was standing on the pavement minding my own business when this toot toot man from across the street shouted "HALO YOU". I had a feeling he was trying to get my attention so i ignored him. He continued shouting blah blah kinai blah blah. (kinai=chinese in Hungarian). I was like wth you ignorant man, im not a kinai ok.. So after a while, he left when realising whatever he was doing is useless. It was then that I realised I was standing in front of a Kinai Bufe. -.-
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
new stuff
I've finally moved into my new apartment. Everything's fine except that there's no internet connection yet. The tenant, who is a fellow flatmate will be calling up the telephone company so the internet will probably be up in a couple of days time. The other flatmate is a French student who I have yet to meet. Anyway, had a feast with Charles last night. He cooked rice while I cooked chicken curry from the can. LOL!
And in the day, I met up with my prof at the university. Lucky me Porf. Bela Boddi is a very friendly person. He personally introduced me as the new exchange student who flew all the way from Singapore! haha! He showed me the labs which I feel was of a standard similar to SBS labs, or maybe even better.
And in the day, I met up with my prof at the university. Lucky me Porf. Bela Boddi is a very friendly person. He personally introduced me as the new exchange student who flew all the way from Singapore! haha! He showed me the labs which I feel was of a standard similar to SBS labs, or maybe even better.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Erd
Ok, what an awesome evening it was last night.
The day started out when I left the hostel, took the tram to the terminus, took another tram to one of budapest's main train station before hopping onto a bus to Erd. Erd is a small town which is about 20km outside of Budapest. And as usual, I got off the wrong bus stop so I had to walk back 3 bus stops before continueing on the righ path leading to Michel's place.
The was going to be a couchsurfing gathering at a yurt which was in his garden. Yes people, a yurt. How cool is that? Anyways, it was real nice meeting other couchsurfers, especially Andras who shared the same interest as me (planes). He works for Turkish airlines as a station manager and has criss-crossed the world many time!
Dinner was nice. I had pasta with tuna and baked beans. More people came later in the night and we all sat round the campfire sharing stories.
In the morning, I left Michel a note saying I was leaving before making my way to the main road. This was when I decided to hitchhike back to Budapest. I told myself that I will continue to stay put with my thumb out no matter how long it is. And yes, it oook me 1 hr before I got a ride from this family of 5. They're probably on their way to visit a friend or relative as the dad stopped by a florist to buy 3 flower bouquets. And thank's to that, I'm now addicted to hitchhiking,
The day started out when I left the hostel, took the tram to the terminus, took another tram to one of budapest's main train station before hopping onto a bus to Erd. Erd is a small town which is about 20km outside of Budapest. And as usual, I got off the wrong bus stop so I had to walk back 3 bus stops before continueing on the righ path leading to Michel's place.
The was going to be a couchsurfing gathering at a yurt which was in his garden. Yes people, a yurt. How cool is that? Anyways, it was real nice meeting other couchsurfers, especially Andras who shared the same interest as me (planes). He works for Turkish airlines as a station manager and has criss-crossed the world many time!
Dinner was nice. I had pasta with tuna and baked beans. More people came later in the night and we all sat round the campfire sharing stories.
In the morning, I left Michel a note saying I was leaving before making my way to the main road. This was when I decided to hitchhike back to Budapest. I told myself that I will continue to stay put with my thumb out no matter how long it is. And yes, it oook me 1 hr before I got a ride from this family of 5. They're probably on their way to visit a friend or relative as the dad stopped by a florist to buy 3 flower bouquets. And thank's to that, I'm now addicted to hitchhiking,
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Day 3
1. Had sahur with German room mate whom I accidentally woke up while getting to the kitchen. Blame it on the squeeky floor.
2. Went to do Friday prayer at mosque near ELTE.
3. Went to real estate agent.
4. Went to look at the district where I might stay for the next 5 mths.
5. Walked down Vaci Utca. Watched street performers.
6. Broke fast at hostel.
7. Went to buy bread in slippers and t-shirt. BAD BAD BAD IDEA.
That sums it up for day 3.
2. Went to do Friday prayer at mosque near ELTE.
3. Went to real estate agent.
4. Went to look at the district where I might stay for the next 5 mths.
5. Walked down Vaci Utca. Watched street performers.
6. Broke fast at hostel.
7. Went to buy bread in slippers and t-shirt. BAD BAD BAD IDEA.
That sums it up for day 3.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Day 1 & 2 in Budapest.
Day1:
The Railjet train which I took from Vienna arrived at Budapest Keleti 15 minutes late. As I stepped out of the carriage, I was approached by several people asking if I wanted a room for the night. Several taxi drivers were there too to offer their services. Now, that scene reminded me of Indonesia and Cambodia.
I had several options to reach the hostel from the train station.
a) take a cab.
b)take the underground (need to change lines)
c) take tram (then walk)
d) walk
And option d was what I chose, mainly because I did not want to waste money and trouble myself going up the stairs as there are no lifts in the metro. -.- It took me some time to find the hostel. It's not an easy feat too while dragging one large trolley bag and carrying 2 other bags. I was thankful I arrived safely at the hostel but the receptionist informed me that I couldn't go into my room yet as they only had 2 keys and both keys were with the other two future roommates who were out. Luckily, one came back about 1/2 hour after I checked in. Oh and she was flexible enough to let me pay the whole amount of my stay when I've confirmed the number of days I'm staying there. ( currently finding an apartment).
After dumping my bags, I took a stroll towards Oktagon and the opera house. Reached Deak Frank Ter station and bought the monthly student's transportation ticket.
Day 2:
Similar to day 1 except that I went to the computer shop to get my laptop fixed (for free). And went to WestEnd shopping centre to get my Hingarian prepaid sim card. Apparently, that's the only place you can get it. Weird but oh wells.
The Railjet train which I took from Vienna arrived at Budapest Keleti 15 minutes late. As I stepped out of the carriage, I was approached by several people asking if I wanted a room for the night. Several taxi drivers were there too to offer their services. Now, that scene reminded me of Indonesia and Cambodia.
I had several options to reach the hostel from the train station.
a) take a cab.
b)take the underground (need to change lines)
c) take tram (then walk)
d) walk
And option d was what I chose, mainly because I did not want to waste money and trouble myself going up the stairs as there are no lifts in the metro. -.- It took me some time to find the hostel. It's not an easy feat too while dragging one large trolley bag and carrying 2 other bags. I was thankful I arrived safely at the hostel but the receptionist informed me that I couldn't go into my room yet as they only had 2 keys and both keys were with the other two future roommates who were out. Luckily, one came back about 1/2 hour after I checked in. Oh and she was flexible enough to let me pay the whole amount of my stay when I've confirmed the number of days I'm staying there. ( currently finding an apartment).
After dumping my bags, I took a stroll towards Oktagon and the opera house. Reached Deak Frank Ter station and bought the monthly student's transportation ticket.
Day 2:
Similar to day 1 except that I went to the computer shop to get my laptop fixed (for free). And went to WestEnd shopping centre to get my Hingarian prepaid sim card. Apparently, that's the only place you can get it. Weird but oh wells.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
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