Mainland Malta, Malta

Day 2. Everywhere you go in Malta, You will need to start from the central Bus station at Valletta. It’s like you go to Place A come back Valletta, go to Place B come back Valletta… Boring =P Too small a country. And these are their famous yellow Maltese buses. Single trip to anywhere in Malta  €0.47, 1-Day pass €3.49, 3-Day pass €9.32, 5-Day pass €11.65, 7-Day pass €13.98

A typical Pastizzia stall where they sell Tradional Maltese Pastizzi (Like a curry puff with either cottage cheese or pea fillings). €0.21  each..

Traditional Stone figures were usually made with detachable heads. Heads missing or stolen as always!

I went to the Museum of Archaeology, only a small museum but display one of the oldest stones in the World. Entrance Fee: €1.16

Mosta Dome Church. It’s the 3rd largest unsupported domes in Europe. The church is also known as the Rotunda of St Marija Assunta. On 9 April 1942, the church was nearly destroyed during World War 2. An Axis bomb pierced the dome of the church but failed to explode. The detonator was removed and a replica bomb is now displayed as a memorial. Lucky yeah?

Along the way to Rabat and Mdina, I passed by Ta’Qali Crafts Village. Some of the Craft displays

 

Hand-made Iron plate “Knights of Malta”

Glass blowers in Action!! They were much much better than those I saw in Denmark! They don’t use moulds at all… Look at that old man.. he was using only wet newspaper.. ZAI! And below are the beautiful glass products.. http://www.vallettaglass.com/

On the way to Rabat on bus, I saw this Beautiful Mosta Dome in the middle of low lying buildings! It was so nice so I alighted somewhere far and back-tracked all the way to this exact location. Took me 1 hr to walk Okay!! SO appreciate the photo.. Even if you dun like it…Pls… Hahaha

Last one!! Can you see the Mosta Dome?

Entrance to Mdina and Rabat.

Mdina, the charming “Silent City” was the ancient Maltese Capital, commanding a superb view of the island. It’s considered to be one of the most beautiful examples of an inhabited medieval citadel in Europe.

The cathedral dedicated to Saint Peter and Saint Paul.

The inside with a beautifully designed floor!

Local Cookies..

A quiet park in Mdina. Bibi..I wished the couple statue was us… how nice yeah.. Quickly come…

Rabat from far in the day……

Rabat from far at night……

Up-close Rabat.. Beautiful isnt it?

Right at the top of a highway in Mdina…

Heyhey!!! the Mosta dome again!!!! Hahaha… I love this dome

Mainland Malta, Malta

 

Finally I found an independent country Half the size of Singapore!! Hahaha.. But it lives only half a million residents not like 5 MILLION Singapore! Malta is a mediterranean country located in the Mediterranean Sean within Southern Europe and just 93 km south of Sicily Island of Italy. It can be a really hot country in Summer. During my entire week in Malta, I can wear Shorts!! Hahaha..shiok! Evertything is quite yellow in Malta (Everything is made of rocks, there are cactus too!) and there is not even 1 commerical high rise building there. Cost of living is the same is Singapore but standard is nothing near Singapore.. Everyone is Malta can speak Good fluent british English! Even those 90+ yr olds.. Oh.. yes! Malta has heaps and heaps of Old pple

1. Maltese are the Happiest people on the World (Source: Annual World Database of happiness 2006)

2. Malta is the 2nd best place in the World to retire (Source: Global Retirement Index & International living Magazine 2007)

3. Malta has the best climate in the World (Source: International Living Magazine 2007) I think is Bullshit!

4. Malta ranks 10th in thw World for its medical standards (Source: World Health Organisation)

5. Malta has the the lowest Crime rate in Europe (Source: World health Organisation)

1st few sights of Malta..

This is Valletta, the capital of Malta. Built is 1610, the citta’nuova, is a UNESCO World heritage City with 320 monuments all within an area of 55 hectares. Even Malta has a Capital, where’s Singapore’s? Sengkang? Hahaha..

A very long down and up Road.

Main Square in Valletta, Capital of Malta.

Local typical stall selling pastries.

Freedom Square.

One of the churches in Valletta outside and inside.

The Magnificent Grand Habour! Pictures below too =)

The garden within the Grand Habour.

Chilling out at cafes…Just enjoying the sun!

Local leisure angler.

Sights of valletta >>>>

A war memorial for Pilot that died during the WWII.

Many of the 320 Monuments in the city.

Triton Fountain at night in Valletta in the middle of the central bus station

Kiruna, Sweden

I woke up very early in the morning at 6.30am to do some cross country skiing with Rick and Jiang Hua.. I was Skiing on the lake just in front of our cottage.. Cross country skiing is different from Alpine Skiing.. The skis are longer and narrower for long distance.. And you basically walk and skate across snow and ice.. It’s a extremely tiring sport!! But the best part of Singaporeans.. It’s FREE!! haha..

Enjoying the morning sun! So beautiful…

Some serious exercising now..

A smaller lake in the big lake? Hm…. funny…

Now coming to the best part again… Snow man building and igloo digging! This was the preliminary Small snow man done by Mala, 大哥, Ning yang, Guangyan and Jiang Hua.. Dun think it’s so small.. it’s freaking difficult yeah.. And very heavy!

Final product.. Though I never actually help in the building, I gave morale support so I can take a picture.. (I was doing something more massive in the meantime) hahah…She almost as tall as me.. Pure Hardwork I tell you…

Saw that hole.. I’m did that… I love holes… hahaha…

A group picture please… Thank you! =)

And yes… Me in action in my favourite Igloo digging.. I’m the chief engineer in this project..  Helping me, I have Guangyan, LiYang and 大哥.. To ICE HOTEL Management: Please employ me for your 2009 reconstruction.. Take a look at my picture resume.. Haha

3 hours and still not enough half.. Haha.. And it’s getting harder… but luckily more spacious! =p

Finally after more than 6 hrs! I did it…. =) It’s a 1 bedroom, 1 living room studio apartment! Rental: SEK500 per day..

We stole Ice glasses from the Ice Bar.. Typical Singaporeans!

All 9 of us can squeeze into my huge Igloo.. hahaha.. yes.. It’s quite big okay!!

Me and my favourite favourite Igloo!!!!

Yes!! We finished that bottle of Liquor…..

And that’s the end of your 4 days in Kiruna.. GOOD BYE KIRUNA…. I WILL BE BACK…

 And Back to boring Linkoping..

Kiruna, Sweden

Day 3. We booked a snow moblie tour to the Famous ICE HOTEL.. Me and my fellow co-driver, the Crashable Jiang Hua.. The tour cost me SEK 1000. ($220sin) Includes 3hrs Snow Mobile, Reindeer lunch and Entrance to Ice hotel.

All of us before the trip..

Not even 5min out of the starting point.. Jiang Hua flipped the snow mobile… Hahaha… But we kepy laughing and laughing… Still can’t believe we could flipped the 200kg Machine.. Everyone else took the chance to take pictures! KNN

Take picture lo!! I’m at the Extreme left! hahaha…

Back on track everyone! Safe Distance of 50metres…

Finally we reached the ICE HOTEL…. Was just magnificent! An eye-opener! The Ice hotel is reconstructed every year, and are dependent upon constant sub-zero temperatures during construction and operation. The walls, fixtures, and fittings are made entirely of ice, and are held together using a substance known as snice, which takes the place of mortar in a traditional brick-built hotel. Adult entrance fee is SEK255 for your info.

Entrance to the ICE HOTEL..

Ice craving in a huge block of Ice.. *Looking through the hole*

Fucking in the Ice hotel cathedral.. Hahaha… Don’t worry darls.. I haven’t turn gay on you.. =P

The following are designers’ rooms, which we can actually pay and enjoy a night in the cold…          Now Enjoy the ICE HOTEL>>>

 A drink at ABSOULT ICE BAR…. One Ice glass–> SEK100

Yeah… Reindeer meat BBQ lunch.. Happy day!

Kiruna, Sweden

This is the small cottage we all stayed in, called camp Alta! It’s about 15km away from downtown but has free transfer from almost anywhere in Kiruna.. At the end of tour stay, they even fetched us back to the airport at 4.30am! How nice people they are!! And we were lucky to have this cottage that faces the whole frozen lake!! =) Total 9 of us, SEK90 per night (20sin)

The Frozen lake in front of our cottage.. View taken from inside the house!

My favourtite sports again! Skiing!! The SKi field is just 30min walk from the town centre. Ski rental (SEK165), Ski pass for the whole day (SEK170). I skied yesterday and today! And I happen to make friend with the in-charge. I was skiing free for the 2nd day! =)

I dun need poles again anymore.. Hahaha…

Some loser child playing in the snow…

Me and the chinese girls..

All of us again.. Oh.. where is 大哥?? Hahaha… Crawling…

After a tired day of skiing, we relaxed by the campfire… Siting on reindeer skin watching the aurora and drinking cold beer… Ahh……. Shiok! Wake up Singaporeans.. “this is then called ENJOY LIFE”, not cycling in East Coast Park…

All of us again and again…

After which the guys went for Sauna!! Yes.. they freaking have Sauna.. Using real fireplace to heat up, not electricity.. In the Sauna, they drilled us a big hole so that we can dip in later.. The hole is connected to the the freezing lake water..Yes.. 0deg cold water.. But.. To end a traditional Swedish Sauna, we need to do a roll in the the snow!! WE ALL DID BOTH!! =) It just too beautiful….

Back in our small but cosy Cottage! We are basically sleeping everywhere.. Hahaha… Fucking Asians…

And of course.. A good meal…with hot potatoes soup!

Yes.. The 5 of us have a presenation the min we get back to Linkoping..KNN.. But at a closer look, I was not in the picture.. (I was slacking as usual) Haha

Kiruna, Sweden

Kiruna is the northenmost city of Sweden, situated in Lappland province. It’s actually a small town with nothing unless you want do some dog-sledge, ice fishing, skiing, snow mobile, make your own snowman and igloo and of course, see Aurora Borealis and the Ice hotel. But that’s should be Enough! Haha.. Finally I can reunite with my fellow exchange friends.. *Kiruna Airport*

Kiruna – Full of Snow!

Churches in Kiruna. The last one is a Sami-designed church. It’s the place where I dropped and found my handphone too. Haha.. Damn lucky! Phew….

SKIES >>>>>>>

Beautiful skies in Kiruna.. Taken at different time and places on the same day.

Kiruna SNOW FESTIVAL park. All the sculptures were part of a competition in earlier in Jan 2008.

That’s us!! Mala, Chen Hui (大哥), Guangyan, Ning Yang, 我!, Li Yang.. The 2 block of ice have the word KIRU-NA written in it.. Just too white to be seen.. The sculpture behind us is awarded the 1st prize. It’s a hollow tower… ???

Then it’s destroyed by the 3 of us!!! TOTALLY… And it’s just so fucking fun.. Hahaha…YEAH~~~

Full house! We ate at an Italian restaurant. Reindeer meat Pizza! About SEK 60 (15sin). Featuring <From Left up Right down>: Jiang Hua, Evans, 大哥,  我, **, **, Ya Ying, Mala, Rick, Ning Yang, Guangyan, Li Yang. Total 12 of us! =)

Now is the best part: Aurora Borealis!!!

Northern Lights are natural different colored light displays, which are usually observed in the night sky, particularly in the arctic circle. In northern latitudes, it is known as the aurora borealis, named after the Roman goddess of the dawn, Aurora, and the Greek name for north wind, Boreas. It often appears as a greenish glow (or sometimes a faint red), as if the sun were rising from an unusual direction. They are caused by the collision of charge particles and the Earth’s magnetic field.

We were just damn lucky as we had heard of friends returning without a glimpse of it… The best part was that it happened just outside our log cabin!! Was a little faint but massive (covered the whole sky). We were just too happy!! All the 9 of us were screaming and shouting like idiots.. Hahaha… Now everything is worth it…….

Jokkmokk, Sweden

Good morning JOKKMOKK.

Siberian Huskies. Tamed and beautiful.

Huskies- sledge

Traditional Sami Reindeer herder and Sami Woman.. If you can see.. I’m wearing a Reindeer glove! Cost SEK700!

Sami Knifes.. The handle is made of reindeer skin and bone and the cover is made of it’s antlers.. It’s very exquisite and very expensive.. SEK 40000 ( $10000sin)

<Featuring the Reindeer parade> Enjoy ba…

Reindeer 1: WTF you Looking at, HOMOSAPIEN!!??

Now the Most awaited event: Reindeer racing!! Haha.. It’s really funny to see.. Everyone was laughing away..

That’s the end of lovely Jokkmokk… Now going to meet up with the rest of the group in Kiruna.. Took a Bus to Gallivare (Free) and a train to Kiruna (SEK70) Total time taken = 2hrs…

Good bye JOKKMOKK… I will be back..

Jokkmokk, Sweden

Situated directly on the Arctic circle, where the summer nights are bright and northern lights filled the winter, where reindeer herders and red fox hunters roam, is where you will find Jokkmokk! Jokkmokk is well known for its specialties from Lapland such as wild meat, fish and berries. It’s population boost ten folds to 30000 pple during the yearly Jokkmokk winter market – Europe’s biggest and most authentic winter market. -10degrees

Just beautiful trees in snow…

Local school in the midst of snow-covered trees..

Traditional Huts…

Gamla Kyrkan – The old Church.

The Jokkmokk’s Winter Market… Heaps of people and it’s only the 1st day! Something like IT fair in Suntec on Fri (Wait till Sat & Sun) Haha =P

This is a huge tent and guessed what..

… it’s a Huge indoor food court! Haha.. And it’s very very warm inside.. You can have hot chocolate drink or the more traditional Sami wine with reindeer meat kebah.. =)

And of course, REINDEERS!!!!! They are gorgeous animals.. So tamed and elegant and soft-spoken… You will feel so so soOOOoooo happy when you see them… They are like Angels…=)

Just beautiful…

I desperately need a photo with these incredible animals…

 

Ironically, I love the reindeer so much that I bought a reindeer skin, SEK600 ($120sin) and alot of smoked, dried, salted, minced reindeer meat! Hahahah….about SEK 100 for 1 block. My favourite is the Red Fox skin @ SEK 700.. It’s my new booster! Nice~~~

Red fox fur and reindeer skin hat.

 

Arctic animals products…

These creatures were just shot and when u pressed them they were hard because they were so frozen! * It’s tongue is sticking out* Haha…

My newly known friend from Holland! Guus is a taxidermist - The art or operation of preparing, stuffing, and mounting the skins of dead animals for exhibition in a lifelike state. And he loves all the market.. You should know why.. Haha.. He has 2 fridges in his apartment – One for food and the other for frozen dead animals.. Haha… I will visit his place on day in Holland!

The tradtional smoked trout!! It tastes really good and cost only SEK 70.

Ended off the day with a traditional Sami singing of highly spiritual songs called joiks. Joiks do not rhyme, and have no definite structure. They are like chinese 山歌.. Highlander Music! The lady on the right, Katarina Rimpi, is really very very good at Joiks! The singing is so soft and soothing that I was so relaxed that I keep dozing off… Like a Lullaby!

Luleå, Sweden

Luleå cathedral. One of the most beautiful I’ve seen so far =)

First time trying Ice skating. And you might have guessed it.. It’s on Frozen sea!! Equipments SEK 250. And I prefer skiing than skating. When you fall from skating is fucking painful… You can try by jumping up and land on your butt on concrete floor.. Feeling is the Same! Fuck up..

I was so tired from skating that I rested on the ice.. Then suddenly an idea strike.. I took off my blades and carved this on the ice for You.. I Love U darls.. Wish you were here falling for me.. *How nice*

First the Asian gathering..That was us celebrating CNY eve.. Lots of food for the 5 of us..

 祝爸爸妈咪 “新年快乐”, ”身体健康”, “万事如意”, “心想事成”

Then there was International gathering.

CATHERINE hongkong, MENGHUI singapore, FELICA china, JOSE spain, MICHAL poland, JIAQI singapore, BAHAR turkey, KIRSI finland, HK hongkong.

And that’s my hospitable Host… Wei Meng and I in the morning before I depart to Jokkmokk… Coffee and Semla.

Luleå, Sweden

Skiing Day 2! Crash too hard and fast till my pants split all the way down… =P

BUT I JUST LOVE SKIING SO MUCH!!! IT’S REALLY FREAKING GOOD!!!! AND I SKIED SO MUCH THAT I’VE NO $$$.. FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN’T TRY SKIING BEFORE –> STOP WASTING LIFE!