The Sweet Escape

My trip was an enjoyable one eventhough it was a bit too short. The husband & i had many unforgettable moments and beautiful experiences together. Honestly, we had a splendid time.

Let me share with you the details of my trip.

Day 1 - 09/03 (Fri)

I left for Manchester on Friday itself right after school. My flight was @ 11.05pm.

Day 2 - 10/03 (Sat)

Reached Manchester Airport @ 10am after a 14hr ride with a 2 hr stopover at Ataturk Airport, Istanbul without any in-flight movies. The system was down.How unlucky can i get? Dear hubby fetched me @ the airport and brought me for a spin at Manchester City. I caught a glimpse of Old Trafford and hunny showed me the university he used to study at(UMIST). So cool, a university in town, just like our very own SMU but a much bigger version.

Manchester City, always gloomy

University of Manchester Institute of Science & Tehnology(UMIST)

We were hungry so hunny brought me to Rusholme for lunch @ Kebabish. We had kebab, the biggest i've seen by far. Vast difference compared to those in Spore. It was super yummy...

After lunch, we drove up to Liverpool and went to Anfield Stadium. So Liverpool fans out there, if you haven't been there, eat your hearts out!!Hehe...



We went for the museum tour and bought some souvenirs for ourselves and guess wat i bought for myself??

A Liverpool scarf and...

A baby jumper for keeps

Hmm...when will i start trying for baby again i wonder? Someday soon i hope. Then this jumper will be my baby's first regardless of gender. Hubby got himself a jersey and a mug. Well oh well, he is a die hard fan, you see. Truthfully, i was a Man U fan as i was born into a family where everyone supports the Red Devils. Eversince i dated my hubby, i 'converted'. See wat love make you do? Silly things...

After Anfield, we went to Albert Dock. Nice place. We even paid a visit to The Beatles Museum. Bought some stuffs and we left.

Albert Dock

We drove to Liverpool John Lennon Airport to catch our flight to Paris @ 7.25pm. We reached Paris Charles de Gulle @ 9.50pm. My lovely cuzzie, Kak Eda & hubby, Joel fetched us from the airport and ferried us to their home. Wat a lovely sanctuary they own. She cooked us some light dinner as my dear hubby was hungry. Soon after, we turned in as we were knackered.

My lovely cuzzie, Kak Eda & Joel

Day 3 - 11/03 (Sun)

Woke up to the aroma of the French baguette that was ready to be eaten. Showered and hd our breakfast. They brought us to experience the Metro ride. We went to the flea market. well, a replica of our pasar malam. I bought a set of sheesha as the one we used to have at hm was unintentionally broken by me last year. So we needed a replacement. We walked further up and came across another better, bigger flea market. Well, nothing much that i fancied or perhaps nuthing enticed me much.

Had lunch @ a nearby restaurant, called Le Paristanbul, mebe a cross between Parisian and Istanbul dishes.

Our French man is very particular with his meals. He takes his meals on time. Not like us, when we feel hungry, we just buy sumthing to munch.But he doesn't. He follows his meal regime religiously.

We went to Montmartre to see the Catholic basilica. Montmartre is the highest hill of Paris.Once atop the hill, the view was grandly majestic. Even with your naked eye, it is so picturesque as if a postcard bought off the shelf.

Montmartre

I love the flowers and fruits sold there. So fresh and the colours so deep.

Next, we went to Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris.

Our feet were begging for mercy by mid-afternoon. We strolled thru the park to see the only mosque in Paris. It is quite big and well-maintained. It even has a restaurant in it. How kewl rite?

the mosque

Day 3 - 12/03 (Mon)

We ventured out on our own w/o the cuzzie as she had to go for her French class and her hubby had to work as it's already Monday. Took the Metro. Tried getting our bearings and figure out which train line should we take to our destination. It is the day i've been looking forward to. My visit to the Eiffel Tower. Once we got out of the train and onto the streets, i could see the tower from a distance. The feeling was indescribable. By the time we reached the tower, the queue was rather long. Almost an hr of queing up before we eventually reached the entrance.Took the lift up. The view from atop was breathtaking. I felt literally on top of the world.

see the shadow of the tower?

Eiffel, i'm in love...

at the foot of the tower

Kak eda came by and joined us after her class and we met up at the foot of the tower. Brought us to Arc de Triumph.

the arc explains its name

Well, this was the best part. A trip to Paris is not complete unless u've visited the Louis Vuitton boutique. Hmm, i did and i sinfully rewarded myself.

pampered myself with this...thanx to u hunny

Around the corner, i saw something strange. I think i've seen this before in my email. My head was spinning when i saw it up close & personal.

So anti-climax, when we were nearer, it's just wallpaper.Cheh...

Anyways, Champs le Elysses is one of the best shopping area. So many shops(LV included) and sidewalk cafes. Shopping is never enuff but we had to leave to get in line with our itinery. Went to see the Louvre. Something i've always wanted to see. Remember watching Da Vinci Code? Yes that's where the museum is.

the inverted triangle

outside The Louvre

area surrounding The Louvre

we rested our feet @ The Louvre

Lastly for the day, we did some shopping at Chatelet. Best!

Day 4 - 13/03 (Tues)

We had to leave for Amsterdam. Sad to leave Paris and my dearest cuzzie.So i told my hubby we gotta come back again(in the pretext of visiting my cuzzie).

We bid our goodbyes.We walked to the train station with my cuzzie. We hugged real tight upon reaching the station.

Bye Kak Eda, we'll be back someday,insyallah. Thank you for everything.The food, the bed, the warmth, the company and the hospitality.

Took the train to Amsterdam with a stopover in Brussels, Belgium.


stopover @ Brussels, Belgium for a couple of hours

Then continued the ride to Amsterdam. We reached Amsterdam Central @ ard 4pm.

Checked in to our boat+hotel = BOTEL. Nice...overlooking Amsterdam Central and within walking distance.
We freshened up a lil and out we go to the city area. First thing that caught our eyes was the Sex Museum. Contemplating whether to go in or not. But we did eventually. Dunno if i shld put the pics.But who cares, i tink its cute. We laughed ourselves silly looking at certain things in there.

Nautty, nautty!!


I simply love Marilyn Monroe, the Hollywood icon. It is no wonder she is the ultimate sex symbol. Just look at how beautiful she is.
Walked to the red light district but no photos could be taken. N so, no photos were taken there. Not impressive either. Some are slightly above average and some are going thru 'mid-life crisis' i think(cannot make it).The better ones get snapped up easily...even the China men are queing up for them whereas the 'cannot make it' ones are left begging for attention desperately.N wat's funny,there are even he-shes. Such a turn off. We felt so inquisitive that we went round and round the alleys to see who had or had not been snapped up yet. Once the curtain closes, dat means they are getting jiggy inside.

Amsterdam is the only place where smoking pot is legal. Tourists from around the world go there to go to 'coffeshops' to get their cannabis legally bought and consumed. For your info, all forms of cannabis are mind-altering (psychoactive) drugs. We saw many men and women going 'crazy' on the streets. Laughing for no apparent reason. Marijuana makes a person high. Unlike drugs, it's not addictive.It makes u stoned and makes u happy. And it can make you thirsty and crave sweet things, this is called having the "munchies". It also enhances your creativity. there u hv it! Eh, am i promoting or what? But we didnt try... i didn't want to! Mebe im such a wet blanket...

which one would u choose?

By nite, we were exhausted. Ate dinner and headed back to Botel. Had a good nite's sleep.

Day 5 - 14/03 (Wed)

Rise & shine. Showered, hd breakfast @ the hotel's restaurant and checked out. Left our luggage at the baggage room. Walked to town. Did alot of shopping for souvenirs for people back home. Was hoping my luggage won't overload. We then went for a river cruise around town. Nice scenery. We enjoyed it, wats with our guide trying to act like a comedian, we simply had fun.

I amsterdam!

Walked back to Botel to collect our luggage and re-packed. Took the train to Schipol Airport.

Our flight to Liverpool was @ 6pm.
Reached Liverpool @ 7.30pm. We drove back to Manchester which is only about 45 mins drive. Our tummy were growling as we reached Manchester.Stopped by Macdonalds and had our dinner. We then drove to Selford Quay for a free homestay courtesy of Ashraf & his lovely wife. Thanx dearies for the warm hospitality. We'll be waiting for u back in Singapore.Do visit us, ya? We'll bring you guys to Nite Safari for sure!No worries...

Day 6 - 15/03 (Thurs)

Woke up slightly later than usual as we were both too knackered due to the travelling. Got ready and hunny brought me to Trafford Centre. I wish all the malls in Spore are as big as that. We walked around and still were unable to finish looking at each and every shop. It was lunch time, so we were undecided what should we go for. Saw a Spanish restaurant and decided to give it a try. Tried the vegetable paella instead since seafood paella wasn't available at that hour.

La Tasca the Spanish Restaurant

We left as soon as we were done with lunch as i was already eager to go to Old Trafford Stadium. Being the sourgrape that he is, my hubby lambasted Man U continuously. Fine love, yes Liverpool rocks to the max!!! Well, he drove me there. Wow, the stadium's damn big. Much, much bigger than Anfield. It used to be one of the richest club.So of course they have lotsa funds. We went for the stadium & museum tour. The stadium tour itself took slightly more than an hr. Gosh, tiring! So Papa, Farah & Is, this part of trip is meant for u guys. I went there to capture the moments being in one of world's best clubs and get it signed, sealed & delivered to all 3 of u back in Spore.Haha...O ya, the highlight of the day was that the lady at the ticket sales counter thought that hubby & i are students.So even before we could tell her we'r in fact very much adults, she passed us junior tickets. Thanx a great deal lady, we don't wana pay more if given the choice either. You did us a great favour.

Old Trafford Stadium

After the stadium tour, we skipped the museum tour as we were rushing for time. Went to the boutique to get some Man U souvenirs for my family and some frens.

After we were done, drove to Manchester City & parked the car @ Shazlan's place(another fren staying ther) and walked to town. Whilst walking, hunny brought me sightseeing at his uni. We sneaked in as students and walked through the area breezely. He showed me around and exited at the other side of the uni which leads to the city area.

I'm having the feel of a student

Walked to Arndale, another huge mall. I did some last minute shopping there as i'l be leaving for home the day after. Bought a pair of pants and lotsa stuffs from Marks & Spencer which is relatively cheaper there.
Made a date with Ashraf & wife to dine @ Nando's near hubby's uni which is the only outlet dats halal. We had a good talk n good laugh. Enjoyed our hearty meal. 4 of us headed bk hm.

Chatted again when we reached home then i decided that i should pack my stuffs. Felt so sad as i had to leave....while the husband had to stay behind. Hunny helped me to pack. That nite we hugged each other tight till we both fell asleep.

Day 7 - 16/03 (Fri)

Goodbye my love, goodbye Manchester!
I had a blast during my one wk trip. Like i've said before, good things come to an end. So does my trip. Back to reality, back to work once i'm back in Spore. Sigh...i wish i don't hv to go back home w/o the husband. I wish i could put time at a standstill.

Anyways, hunny brought me to Rusholme for some grocery shopping to stock up on his food. Rusholme has lots & lots of halal restaurants and halal poultry/meat stores. Hunny will be moving in to his new cottage on that Sunday which has a kitchen. So it is more convenient for him to cook his dishes. Dun have to eat bread & bananas anymore. Done with grocery shopping, we went for breakfast. This time we ate at a North Indian restaurant. Dat was the only restaurant opened that morning.
After breakfast, hunny sent me to the airport to check in my baggage.That was the saddest moment.
Can i not go back?

But like it or not, i had to leave. Hunny stayed around till it was time for me to go. We hugged and kissed real tight...i dun wana let go. I walked away n didn't wana turn back cos i noe i'l burst out crying.It was tough, real tough. I felt so lonely. I dun wana be alone again. I dont wana lose him again. All i could think of was him. Throughout the 14 hrs flight hm, i felt so miserable. Thank goodness, once i reached Spore, i was greeted by my lovely family. I felt loved again. For a moment, the loneliness crept away. And now, as im typing away, i pray that my hubby's trip will be shortened. Pls do come home soon, love. I miss u...