Tag: traveling
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[THAILAND] o18. SALA AYUTTHAYA
![[THAILAND] o18. SALA AYUTTHAYA](https://viktoriajean.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/img_6678.jpg?w=1024)
Thailand might be most famous for vernacular and religious buildings, but its modern-day architecture has surpassed world-class standards. We hunted down this structural wonder, with the luxury of time and an inexplicable need for coffee, situated across the famed Wat Phutthaisawan, along Chao Phraya river. Sala Resort’s boutique accommodation in Ayutthaya features 26 guest rooms (all uniquely designed) including a duplex river view suite…
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[THAILAND] o17. AYUTTHAYA – OF RECLINING BUDDHAS AND WISHING WELLS
![[THAILAND] o17. AYUTTHAYA – OF RECLINING BUDDHAS AND WISHING WELLS](https://viktoriajean.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/img_6629.jpg?w=1024)
Following a seafood-induced food coma and a brief exposure to Thai Buddhist rituals at renowned Wat Phanan Choeng, our local Thai friends took us on yet another cultural tour – the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, also known as Wat Lokkayasutharam. At this point it would be useful to note there are more than 2 Temples with…
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SEOUL DIARIES 021: DONGNIMMUN GATE 독립문
In late 19th Century, the King was many-a-times escorted through Dongnimmun Gate, thereafter to demonstrate personal reception towards visiting Chinese envoys. Dongnimmun is 独立門 in Mandarin, the gate that signifies independence and free will of a country’s people. Built in 1897, the gate served to concretize South Korea’s sovereignty. Planted aesthetically in areas surrounding the independence gate are…
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Day One: BLU Home Guesthouse
7:45am – Touched down at Incheon International Airport 8:30am – Claimed all baggage and cleared customs 8:45am – Bought T-Money (Bus, Train, All-In-One Fare Card) and WiBro (incredibly fast and useful portable WiFi egg gadget) 8:50am – Boarded Airport Railroad (AREX) Commuter Line towards Hongik University Station 9:40am – Reached Hongik University Station (Hongdae!) Then…
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Biking the Golden Gate Bridge | Part (I)
In life sometimes it pays to be a little wild and adventurous. On check-out day, we took an early tram to Fishermen’s Wharf @ Pier 39, rented a pair of bikes and helmets, then peddled for a good half-day from San Francisco to Sausalito via the Golden Gate! This is where Part 1 begins, from…
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Micro-Chip, Macro Dreams
Could somebody invent a micro-chip for our brains, to programme us in such a way we can speak all the languages we will ever need? Frustrates me soooo so much that I can’t speak German, and I’m in Frankfurt where everybody rattles off in their native tongue and all I can mumble back are Guten…
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Sydney Opera House
Finally I have a picture at one of Australia’s most iconic 20th Century architectural masterpieces. A creative brainchild of architect Jørn Utzon, Sydney Opera House was built by detailed study of its topography and relationship to the harbour plus surrounding land marks. Construction of this grand soaring white roof sails along with its massive red…
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[MELBOURNE] oo2. Caffe e Torta
![[MELBOURNE] oo2. Caffe e Torta](https://viktoriajean.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/caffe-e-torta-interior-4.jpg?w=1024)
Upon touchdown I had managed to catch a good nights’ sleep (albeit, due to time difference, it was 3am Melbourne time when I finally crashed), and even woke up for hotel breakfast early next morning. Late afternoon, I ventured into the CBD area with hopes of locating Hardware Societe which was further out past Collins Street,…
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[THAILAND] o10.Lamai Beach Samui
![[THAILAND] o10.Lamai Beach Samui](https://viktoriajean.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/dscn4612.jpg?w=1024)
Ever taken a day from work to stroll all morning along the calmest beach on Koh Samui? I love how my traveling job makes it all easy to find myself on an entirely different city from day to day. Yet it makes me appreciative of nature’s beauty on a minuscule scale. I’m all excitement and…
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[THAILAND] oo9.Leaving on a Jet-Ski
![[THAILAND] oo9.Leaving on a Jet-Ski](https://viktoriajean.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/dscn4728.jpg?w=1024)
Eight of us embarked on 4-hour jet-ski safari that took us on a tour of 7 of Thailand’s offshore islands. While Josephine maneuvered the ride for the journey to the snorkeling island, I drove both of us back to Koh Samui. We had aching arms for days after the ride. Jet-skiing is such amazing fun…
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London Lovin’: Vintage Shopfronts
Shops like these you’ll never find them in Asia. Especially where I come from, space is so constrained that anything below 3-floors will be extinct in the next 5 years or so. Baffled by re-modelling works of architecture in the European cities where its aesthetic appeal lies in its vintage houses! Swarovski is sandwiched between…
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London Lovin’: Old Bailey
Chanced upon the Central Criminal Court, commonly known as Old Bailey, in West End London. In the book A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, it is the courthouse where Charles Darnay is put on trial for treason. In the beginning of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Joshamee Gibbs is tried in…
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London Lovin’: Time is Immemorial
One thing I’ve come to realise about most European cities: they have clocks or clock towers in almost every street. War Memorials too, it seems they value their history as much as time is immemorial. Says a lot about its people being proud of their history. xoxo, Viktoria Jean
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London Lovin’: City Grandeur
Overeager to see everything on my first trip to London, I took to exploring West End on foot. My fingers were working the shutter overtime, attempting to capture everything. Which I soon realised was impossible! Damn, the rush to see it all wasn’t worth it. Why click fast and leave for another touristy scene, only…
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London Lovin’: Oxford Circus
Stepping out from London Underground is like entering a different realm, and it did feel that way to me, exiting Oxford Circus Station. Topshop, Selfridges, Marks & Spencer, John Lewis, HMV, Debenhams have their flagship stores on this street. Each year, Oxford Street is decorated with festive lights. Each Christmas, a celebrity turns on the…
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London Lovin’: Wafflemeister
Amidst the London rush hour, the lost tourist a.k.a Viktoria Jean was trying to get to the ice-cream store just across the street on South Kensington. At 6pm in the evening, walking against the crowd is no easy feat. Everybody seems to be dashing somewhere, moving fast ahead with their lives, going with the incessant…
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London Lovin’: Just another day
I’m in a new city, all wide-eyed amazement, and the locals are like yea whatever, same old shit everyday! The perks of globetrekking: it’s never gonna be just another day to me. xoxo, Viktoria Jean
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London Lovin’: Langham Place
In Marylebone for a bit of sightseeing and neverending shopping. Popped by Langham place – best known for being home to BBC, London College of Fashion, and Roux at the Landau. Langham Place at Westminster is severely underrated. I love the wide selection of liberal brands: Tracey Neuls, Schuh, H&M’s Collection of Style, Hoss Intropia…
Viktoria Jean 