Another Home (The 'Other' National Day Video)
NDP 2011 Theme Song - In A Heartbeat
Happy 46th Birthday Singapore!!
It's National Day for Singapore in another few days. I saw this video the other day and I think it is soooo cute.. Just to share with all the other Singaporeans who are away from home...
Düsseldorf
Over the last weekend, we made a short trip to Düsseldorf. As Mikka and myself has not been to this town before, we decided that it would be nice to visit. Mikka's main intention was to go to the Schüco Open 2011 which was held at the Golf Club Hubbelrath. We set off from Stuttgart at 7am and driving time was ca. 4hrs. After we arrived on Saturday, we checked-in at the Holiday-Inn Express Düsseldorf - City North which is about 5-10 mins away from the city by car... A very nice and cosy hotel but not recommended if you are not driving. It took me around an hour to walk to town... =S 
Shortly after, we made our way to the golf course to take a look in preparation for what Mikka has to expect the next day.. I have to say that the planning for the event was a little chaotic. The traffic from the parking place to the golf course itself was terrible and after we arrived, the staff seemed as clueless as all the others... After a little shuffle here and there, the players were finally introduced as the Match-Play started. Me being smaller than all those Germans was only able to sneak a peak every now and then.. lol.. It was interesting and being my first time at a Golf tournament, I had to say that its really a nice game but still too much walking for 'flat-foot' me.. We decided to go down to town to take a look before everything closes and we still had to get dinner. After a nice walk through Königsallee, the main shopping street in Düsseldorf, we made our way to the Altstadt on the other side where the River Rhein runs through. The Schifffahrt-Museum im Schlossturm is just by the river but we did not have time to visit.. Next time perhaps.. It was a really nice walk along the river, reminded me a little of Köln. Well, its the same river running through.. LOL. We finally settled at this nice little restaurant in the Altstadt - Benders Marie. 
They serve local specialities and I have to recommend the ‘Rheinische Sauerbraten mit Klössen, Rotkohl & Apfelmus’. Day 2 was as hectic... Woke up at 6am to have breakfast and Mikka left the hotel at 7am to avoid the jamm and chaos at the Golf course that is anticipated. I lazed around a little bit more and left the hotel at around 10am. I was contemplating on taking the train but decided not to as the train station didn't look very safe.. Yes, I am a scaredy cat but I would rather walk then get mugged. And so it was a loooong walk to town. My target was the Goethe Musuem which is located at the foot of the Hofgarten. I seriously had no clue where it was. Thank God for Googlemaps.. Lol.. After an hour, I finally stood at the front steps of the museum. 
The museum itself is 3 storeys and it is interesting to see the old writings, paintings and artifacts dating way back to the 1700's. I spent around 2 hours in there making so many pictures.. After I left the museum, I took a slow stroll through the Hofgarten towards the Altstadt. I was starving by the time I got there but there was definitely too much choices to decide from.. I decided that it would be nice to try something Asian in another German city.. Then a familiar name struck me.. Baan Thai... yes!! Thai food it is.. I finally had my fulfillment of my craving for Thai coffee. It may seem crazy but I was really missing it. The food is not too bad.. My most important Chilli powder is freely available so I am satisfied.. haha... By the time I had finished my meal, my legs were still aching from the long walk from the morning. I was supposed to meet up with Mikka at the other side of the Altstadt so I decided to just go there, find a nice spot to sit and read. I still find it a pity that ALL the shops in Germany are closed on Sundays.
If not I could go and get some shopping done... =( When Mikka finally appeared, we went for coffee and enjoyed the on-goings on the streets of Düsseldorf. This night, we decided on something Spanish.. yeah!! A recommendation from Four-Square landed us in Las Tapas. This restaurant is in Schneider-Wibbel-Gasse (I guess its a famous street) with at least another 3 Spanish restaurants.
Shortly after, we made our way to the golf course to take a look in preparation for what Mikka has to expect the next day.. I have to say that the planning for the event was a little chaotic. The traffic from the parking place to the golf course itself was terrible and after we arrived, the staff seemed as clueless as all the others... After a little shuffle here and there, the players were finally introduced as the Match-Play started. Me being smaller than all those Germans was only able to sneak a peak every now and then.. lol.. It was interesting and being my first time at a Golf tournament, I had to say that its really a nice game but still too much walking for 'flat-foot' me.. We decided to go down to town to take a look before everything closes and we still had to get dinner. After a nice walk through Königsallee, the main shopping street in Düsseldorf, we made our way to the Altstadt on the other side where the River Rhein runs through. The Schifffahrt-Museum im Schlossturm is just by the river but we did not have time to visit.. Next time perhaps.. It was a really nice walk along the river, reminded me a little of Köln. Well, its the same river running through.. LOL. We finally settled at this nice little restaurant in the Altstadt - Benders Marie. 
They serve local specialities and I have to recommend the ‘Rheinische Sauerbraten mit Klössen, Rotkohl & Apfelmus’. Day 2 was as hectic... Woke up at 6am to have breakfast and Mikka left the hotel at 7am to avoid the jamm and chaos at the Golf course that is anticipated. I lazed around a little bit more and left the hotel at around 10am. I was contemplating on taking the train but decided not to as the train station didn't look very safe.. Yes, I am a scaredy cat but I would rather walk then get mugged. And so it was a loooong walk to town. My target was the Goethe Musuem which is located at the foot of the Hofgarten. I seriously had no clue where it was. Thank God for Googlemaps.. Lol.. After an hour, I finally stood at the front steps of the museum. 
The museum itself is 3 storeys and it is interesting to see the old writings, paintings and artifacts dating way back to the 1700's. I spent around 2 hours in there making so many pictures.. After I left the museum, I took a slow stroll through the Hofgarten towards the Altstadt. I was starving by the time I got there but there was definitely too much choices to decide from.. I decided that it would be nice to try something Asian in another German city.. Then a familiar name struck me.. Baan Thai... yes!! Thai food it is.. I finally had my fulfillment of my craving for Thai coffee. It may seem crazy but I was really missing it. The food is not too bad.. My most important Chilli powder is freely available so I am satisfied.. haha... By the time I had finished my meal, my legs were still aching from the long walk from the morning. I was supposed to meet up with Mikka at the other side of the Altstadt so I decided to just go there, find a nice spot to sit and read. I still find it a pity that ALL the shops in Germany are closed on Sundays.
If not I could go and get some shopping done... =( When Mikka finally appeared, we went for coffee and enjoyed the on-goings on the streets of Düsseldorf. This night, we decided on something Spanish.. yeah!! A recommendation from Four-Square landed us in Las Tapas. This restaurant is in Schneider-Wibbel-Gasse (I guess its a famous street) with at least another 3 Spanish restaurants. We ordered an assortment of Tapas to fill up our not so hungry stomachs. (Unfortunately, cos we both had a late lunch.) Very relaxing and nice atmosphere although the street was a little narrow. Then it was back to the hotel and our short short trip is over and we are headed home the next day...
Here's a video of the Tee shots at the Shüco Open that Mikka made...
Heidelberg
The last time I was in Heidelberg was 3 years ago when I was on vacation here. This time round cos my Aunty from Singapore had a stopover in Frankfurt for 2 days and wanted to meet up with myself and my dear cousin Dawn (who is in Bonn), we decided to go to this beautiful town to visit.
Driving time from Stuttgart to Heidelberg takes approximately around 1 and a half hours. We arrived a little earlier than the arranged timing and waited patiently at the train station.. First comes Dawn then Aunty Lena with her friend Aunty Yoke.At first we were a little lost with the directions to the Altstadt but thankfully for Mikka, the only one that speaks proper German in the group was there to solve these direction issues.. LOL.. And so, we started our walking journey towards the Altstadt. It was a long but interesting walk with much to see along the way.
The Altstadt (as like many other German cities) has very nice architecture. We passed by a shop selling Schneeballträume, a kind of cookie that is round and solid. It is a specialty in the regions of Heidelberg and Rothenburg. Interesting but we did not dare to attempt it as it was really huge and we all know we will not be able to finish it.. Schade!! Afterwards, we stopped by at a cafe at the Marktplatz and enjoyed the sun (while we can). The weather was a surprising 26+ degrees and its quite unusual to have such temperatures like this in Spring.
After the short break, we decided to head towards the Heidelberg Castle which is on the hill behind the Altstadt. When we reached the foot of the stairs leading up to the castle, all of us (except Mikka) was contemplating whether to climb or not... In the end, we only managed half of the 351 steps (I think it was...) and gave up.. LOL.. My aunty and her friend just could not climb anymore. Think I need more exercise, my legs were wobbling when I got down to the bottom again.. keke... Pity that we did not make it up to the castle but well at least we have some pictures and we went to the other 'must see' site.. the Old Stone Bridge which was erected 1786-1788.
Unfortunately we did not have much time as all had a train to catch (except me n Mikka) so we settled for a quick dinner at a small restaurant by the river. They serve excellent Gulash.. My favourite.. keke.. although the serving time was a little too long (baaad esp when u are in a rush). After that, we literally had to race to the Hauptbahnhof. Talk about getting indigestion.. LOL..It was a great day with good weather and family. After sending them to the train station, we started our drive back to Stuttgart.
Tübingen
A few weeks back we made a day trip to Tübingen. Also known to be the traditional University Town in central Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The buildings and architecture in the old town is super.. As the second world war did no big damage to this part. Most of the buildings were unscathed and very well preserved. The Rathaus (City Hall), traditional half timbered houses & Schloß Hohentübingen are the main attractions in the Altstadt (Old Town). Just some pictures to share... =)
The Rathaus (City Hall)
Schloß Hohentübingen
Traditional Half Timbered Houses
Streets of Tübingen
Going 4 months and still having fun....
2 more days and its the 3 month mark for me in Germany.. How time flies... I was still just complaining that the weather is always cold cold freezing freezing.. now its Spring already. Still chilly but there is definitely more sunshine... =)Still 'struggling' with school but I made quite a few new friends. My class is super international.. We have classmates from so many countries. Spanish, USA, Canadian, Czech, Russia, Turkey, Peru, Ukraine, Taiwan and of course... China.. *winks* Its really interesting when we go out for meals cos there are some many different languages coming from one table.. LOL...
Other than the norm school day routine, I have managed to find some interesting 'close to home' food. There's a Chinese restaurant - Rice Man - in downtown Stuttgart that sells Sichuan Mala-Steamboat.. Was soooo elated and it actually tastes not too bad.. But do take note that the steamboat is on the second level. The shopfront is quite deceptive.. Looks well... not so appetizing.. If I didn't know it, I would never step in.. keke.. Last weekend I also found a great Korean restaurant - Eat Drink Man Woman - @ Schwabstraße a few stops away from Stuttgart by S-Bahn. The BBQ is great but personally, I would give the Kimchi soup a pass the next time.. =D Today is Mikka's birthday so I decided to try to cook some real German food. Poor Mikka, had to put up with my not East not West cooking.. but he's still alive.. keine panic!! So, for the first time in my life, I attempted the Schweinebraten... and it didn't taste too bad.. keke.. I also made Vanilla & Chocolate pudding for dessert.. Sweet right?.. *winks* Hope that he liked this Birthday dinner...
So much so for now.. will try to update more soon... Ciao!!
After 1 month in Deutschland.....
Okay.. I know I've been too lazy to update my blog but still trying to fit in to the new environment... =PHave been here for one month and ten days and still trying to get used to the cold.. lol.. Chinese New Year just passed by as a breeze as there is no big celebration here like Singapore. Was soooooooo homesick during those first few days and I would just die for some of the dishes on the reunion table.. You know what I mean.... Maybe next year I will go home for CNY... Still need some of these familiar traditions once in awhile.. *winks*
Mikka's parents are really nice.. For the fact that my Deutsch still sux, we had to trouble them when the building maintainence guy came along to fix the taps when we had our washing machine installed.. Gosh.. Was really surprised at how the parts were corroding.. Should have had these changed long ago... Thankfully they are staying really close by..Had the chance to meet up with Dawn & Kel when they came down to Stuttgart for a visit. Picked them up from Stuttgart HBF and hung around in town for the day.. Even brought them to Lola's (Towers is actually the name of the place but I call it Lola's.. a joke from last time) in Ludwisburg, my favourite Irish pub so far.. =D Hopefully will be able to meet up with Dawn again, maybe in Bonn before she finishes her work contract.
Also met up with my friend Cindy from the Deutsch class @ Goethe in Singapore. Her husband works in Nürnberg and they go back to Manheim where her in laws are staying once in awhile. So, Mikka & myself took a day trip to Manheim for a visit... =D All I can say about Manheim is.... its a city of cars & traffic lights.. LOL.. Mikka was going crazy at the amount of times he had to stop on one stretch of the road cos the traffic light intervals was like every 30 - 50 meters.. Maybe its really better to go around that town on bicycles.. keke...
So, what have I been doing for the last month... Hmm... playing maid, cook and carpenter... LOL.. Have been trying out different kinds of recipe and poor Mikka has to eat... can't complain.. heh heh.. I also built up a chest of drawers from scratch... First time in my life.. but it was quite fun.. At first it drove me crazy and I wanted to kick myself for even attempting.. Should have waited for Mikka to finish work and build that up together.. But after awhile, I got it.. LOL..Will be starting school next Tuesday @ the Henke Schulungen in Stuttgart downtown.. Compulsory Integration course that I have to take... Course will stretch all the way to July.. Hopefully I can catch up cos I'm actually joining another class that has already started....
Ohh.. and my ex company (the head office) offered me a 3 day translation job.. and I have to go to the city of Bielefeld which is (accordong to Mikka) around 300Km away from Stuttgart. After that, I will go to Hannover with them and join Mikka to come home... =D But that means I have to miss school for 2 days.. Think should be no problem.. plus I have to make some money for my monthly train ticket.. keke...
Will update again soon... =D
