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I want to go to Bhutan and Seychelles!
I know it has not even been 2 months since the Europe trip, and that I haven't even really settled down, photo-sorting wise and emotionally wise. But, I want to go to Bhutan and Seychelles!
The fact that Bhutan relies on GNH (Gross National Happiness), instead of the usual GNP to measure the country's progress amuses me. And that it is tobacco-less! haha. I think the whole world should really take Bhutan as an example. Yes, in terms of GNP, Bhutan can be rated as a poor country. But from a totally different point of view, beggars and homeless are non-existent. Japan IS rich, but take a walk in any of the parks, you can still see homeless camping here and there.
Of course, this is not the only reason bringing me to a country where only it's own airline monopolises all the flights into the country the and allows no individual travellers. For those who love architecture, all buildings in Bhutan is conform to Bhutanese traditional design. And for those who travels to experience, and thus understanding cultural differences, Bhutan is often described as the last surviving refuge preserving it's traditional Himalayan Bhuddist culture.
As for Seychelles, it can't compare to Bhutan in government policy nor architecture nor the culture. However, for people who loves the beach, who loves snorkelling or diving, who just loves being under water, Seychelles should be listed in one of the must-go lists.
The idea of going didn't really hit me, until when I came upon a small article about Aldabra in Seychelles yesterday in the Time magazine. And after google-ing it, the idea has planted it's roots in me. Taken from the Lonely Planet page:
Aldabra is the original habitat of the giant land tortoise.There are about 200,000 of the tortoises on the atoll, as well as thousands of seabirds, including the white-throated rail, the sole remaining species of flightless bird in the Indian Ocean. The only people who live on Aldabra are scientists, and they're only here three months of the year.
Aldabra is like paradise. The extent of how much I really want to go? I dreamt of the tortoises last night. I was swimming with them. :)
*Just thought I should put this down here as a record, to make sure I do get to Bhutan one day. and Seychelles, probably this year or next. *fingers crossed*
I love working on holidays to Jack's music.
Feels like I'm in Hawaii, under a tree, feeling the see breeze, and hearing the ryhthm of the waves.
Reminds me of London. Bird, No. 1 & Caryn. Flat 9. Oh. And not forgetting, Jack the Onion. :)
In one word, Edinburgh was beautiful.
And if in two, breathtakingly beautiful.
I must say that I was blessed, that the weather had been perfectly well for the few days I spent strolling through streets of the old and new town of Edinburgh. Everybody knew Edinburgh was famous for its very unstable weather due to its geographical location. Sunny this second, and raining the next. Fortunately when I was there, it had been clear blue skies, with little chunks of clouds scattered out.
Best of all, it was snowing on my last day there. Many would have dreaded the snow, making it wet and muddy all around. But for me, it was just perfect. Edinburgh was already beautiful just the way it was. But, the snow made it beautiful even more.
As many would know, Edinburgh has been listed as a UNESCO world heritage site since 1995. And my trip there reassured me that Edinburgh earned it. What I really loved about Edinburgh was not the castle, nor the national museum. But it was the feeling of walking through the streets of the old town. It just felt so comfortable strolling around. Perhaps it was the weather. Perhaps it was the people. Or perhaps it was just Edinburgh. But one thing for sure, it was cozy, at heart.
And because it was so compact, I didn't really had to decide where to visit today and where the next. Instead, I just left the dorm after consuming as many pieces of toast as I could, and explored the city. The viewpoints up at Calton Hill and Salisbury Crags was superb. The daily consumption of baked potatoes was tasty, even though the shopkeepers English accent was indigestible. The Childhood Museum was fun. And the haggis was an adventure.
In short, I loved it. And no doubt, I will be back. :)
veg
cheese!
brownies!
french loaves!
dried fruits and nuts
this place has got very yummy scones
chorizo man at work
chorizos at high temperature
beef burger in the process
