Eat & drink like the Scots

Irn-bru
A Scottish soft drink, or also an energy drink? My colleague termed it like "Red Bull", but instead of yellow it's orange. Apparently it does contain caffeine but as said on Wiki, the exported version excludes it. Kristy kindly got me one to try, after a few nights in the hotel, I finally had to courage to open it ;) It was sweet, that's my first impression, but unlike the normal soft drinks, it tastes more like a sports drink to me. Or like a combination of coke, fanta orange and sports drink! Kinda weird! They also have it in a few variety, check here.

Buttery
Flaky, buttery, salty and a crossiant which has been ran over by a truck, and so... flattened. But it feels like a compact piece of pastry that has been deep-fried till crispy. It feels very heavy, even with my tea. After a few bites, I had to chuck it in the bin because it's not doing any good to my waistline ;) Sorry, boss. But buttery is truly Aberdonian, just in case you can't find them in other parts of Scotland.

Haggis
A mash of sheep's organs, or as Wiki said, sausage in casing of sheep's intestine. I didn't have it this time but I had it over 5 years ago when I was on a tour around Scotland. I guess it's a hate or love relationship, just like the foreigners have with durian. LOL. The closest thing I tried was Haggis flavored chips and they fortunately didn't taste anything like the real thing!


On the side note, I must mention that I brought over durian sweets for my Scottish colleagues and almost all of them spat it out within seconds. This is how some people hate the taste of durians. I felt so apologetic thereafter but everyone especially boss was having a good laugh watching their expressions. One of the guys actually went red in the face... and it cracked everyone up.

Hello Aberdeen

I shall write a little summary of my trip to the UK, as it was a business trip, there wasn't much I did in Aberdeen really... In London, I met Angela, my BFF and we spent some good quality time together, I shall share about this later on.

Aberdeen, Scotland's 3rd most populous city, is truly scottish. I think I can really tell the Scottish architecture apart from the English, they are so different, it reminds me of Edinburgh, not quite but some resemblance. As Aberdeen is near the coast, many would expect it to be colder but it's not. In fact, the winter was quite mild when I was there, it was always about 6°C and only when it rained, it was a bit harsh. But otherwise, I quite enjoy the weather. Aberdeen is also well known as the Granite or Grey city as most buildings were made from granite, and thus a little grey. It is also increasingly becoming a popular place for business because of its reputation as the Oil Capital of Europe since the 1970s.

As I was staying near the office, everywhere I went was on foot, even to the shopping district which is not far away from our office. The shopping wasn't great but it was good enough for me, I found more good buys than I did in London where everyone was competing with you for the winter sale.

The working hours in Aberdeen is also much better than Singapore's, there they do 7 hours daily whereas we do 8.5 hours here (crazy!!). I should try to find a chance and land myself somewhere in the cold ;) My team is a bunch of easy-going people, and they did make my life easy over there :) My extended team too, everyone else in the Web Application team are quite fun-loving and I realised that on the Dinner & Dance night in Aberdeen.

Thanks to Gordon, he was very patient teaching me my very first Scottish dance, I think I almost stepped on his foot a few times... but I was quite a quick learner, in no time, I have memorized the steps and I was actually enjoying it! Also Kristy, whom has been a really great friend to hang out with, she took me on a daytrip to see New Slains Castle outside the city, and also with James (with his cutie pie, Rosa) to see Haddo House and have a lovely tea there.

My boss (from Singapore) left earlier to see his family and headed back to London and Singapore. It was a weird feeling, as I have always been an independent traveller, but once on business trip, I actually felt a little handicapped. LOL. But I got used to it pretty soon; solitude and Blackberry (fortunately with data plan) were my best companions. I also got to meet my boss (based in London) as he was in for 2 days.

Everyone had a great laugh with the durian sweets experiment. In fact, no one really liked it except for one lady whom said she actually enjoyed it. Most people spat it out in like 2 seconds. I felt a little guilty introducing them to something they didn't like... LOL. Hopefully I have compensated that with the other stuff I brought.

7 nights passed by in Aberdeen real fast, I was feeling reluctant to leave on the last day but I had to as I was going to see my best friend in London. But I felt so relieved to be out of the hotel (read about my complaint on the earlier post)!

Just in case you are wondering, the Aberdonians' English isn't anything like those in glasgow, I managed to understand them without much difficulty (unless they're drunk!). They don't have a very strong Scottish accent, fortunately ;)

Ridiculous service @ Park Inn Aberdeen

Below is the review I wrote for Park Inn, the hotel I stayed in Aberdeen (pardon all the grammatical errors as I wrote all these off my head and has no time to amend before sending it in).

Rubbish hotel

"The 1st night, everything seems perfect except for having a sandwich which said to have avocado (my favourite) in it but turned up without it! I was put up in the Business room for 7 nights (which appears like a normal room to me) but is an okay size for me since I was there alone. The location was great as it was near to my office.

I ordered room service a couple of times and they were pretty efficient, also the breakfast in bed was delivered on time - impressed with this one. But after one time of breakfast in bed, housekeeping never seems to replace another door hanger for me to request for other occasions. I didn't mind going down for breakfast as the food is always nice and warm, but there wasn't a varied menu for 7 days.

Not to mention that I am in a business room and complimentary water was not replenished on a daily basis. I don't mind if I have some water left on some days, but I am AMAZED at how terrible the housekeeping service is, they left my EMPTY BOTTLE there and never bring up a new one. On two occasions, I have to ring up for water to be delivered to the room. I have to say I have never been to a hotel that never replenishes drinking water - even if you have not drank the ones in the room, additional ones are always put in the room on a daily basis. Also complimentary tea bag, coffee or hot chocolate packet are not being replenished in the room. BUSINESS ROOM but crap service!! I have to also say once when I rang up reception, and was transferred to room service, no one actually picked up the phone!

I saw a sign that says put the stuff on the floor in the bathroom if you want them changed, so I left the towels and bath robe one of the days. To my HORROR, they hanged back the bath robe (without replacing a new one), though they did change my towels. I have to say I'm very pissed with such service. How can you not take it away for me??! I was presented with 2 bath robes when I checked in, they could have just taken the dirty one away, I do have another spare but instead they put back the dirty one for me. This sucks.

On the weekend (saturday morning) where I slept a little longer (about 9+am), I was awaken by noises of someone dragging the furnitures around. This is not good!!!

The worst experience is they never pick up my laundry. What's the point of having a checklist, laundry bag and drawer for laundry in the room when we actually have to bring it down (later the manager told me)?!! As laundry was not available during the weekend, I packed the stuff for it to be done on Monday as I was checking out on Tuesday. When I got back, it was to my DISBELIEF that the laundry bag is still there! I even left a note to say I have to get it back before I check out. Is the housekeeper blind or just didn't bother - what customer service is this?!! Even if we were to bring it down (we weren't told), someone cleaning the room would have spotted and if the service is that great, they would kindly bring it down. But no, instead, I came back to a room with dirty laundry, dirty bathrobe, empty water bottle and complimentary tea bags/coffee that wasn't replenished.

This is one of the worst stays I ever had, I would not recommend it. Maybe for 1 night if you're in town for business, but anything longer it is a nightmare. My boss wasn't impressed with them too. I don't need a reply to re-assure me of the bad service, please look into your lousy housekeeping, maybe you need to change/train your staff."

Scottish travels IV

My favourite city award goes to...... EDINBURGH!!!! *loud applause*

Chapter 8 It is not finished yet!

End of the tour doesn't mean end of my travel blog, just hang on for a few more Chapters okay?? I'm not going into Cologne, because the only thing I saw was the Dom and the river Rhine. It is just another shopping city!! So let me speak about Edinburgh and you're free to go thereafter ;)

Chapter 9 St Christopher in Edinburgh

Just in case you're wondering, that's the name of the hostel I was in. It wasn't the best but satisfactory. A number of us from the tour were staying 3 more nights in Edinburgh, all of us have got different hostels booked. I was the only staying at St Christopher since I've pre-booked. Budget backpackers would be a better choice, I was told to believe! We met up for a "post-tour-dinner" at Castle Arms which offered really cheap food and beer for the travellers :D

The guys decided to make a day trip to Glasgow the following day to catch up with the 2 aussies whom have gotten there the night before. I made up my mind to stay rooted to Edinburgh because 2 days is not enough lah. I am so glad I did, Edinburgh is the best city I ever saw, and it has now become my favourite city!

It has so much to offer. A visit to Edinburgh castle will be worthy for every single cent you paid; a climb up Calton Hill or Arthur's Seat (Holyrood Park) will give u a stunning view of the city; the old town with its narrow or long alleyways called closes or wynds (can't miss this, they're all over -- as seen on picture above), good choices of pubs and small shops with their own distinctive character; the Georgian new town with fantastic shopping, the fine Scott Monument, galleries and much more. Overall, Edinburgh is just so.... perrrrrrrrrrrrrfect for me!!! Even though it has a lot of steps and steep slopes everywhere, I don't mind as it keeps me fit.

My favourite street is the HIGH Street, there's a rounded about corner where they have very individualistic shops ;) I heard Grassmarket is good too, but I only saw the area at night when all is closed. So check it out when you're there!

Chapter 10 'Open Mic' Night

The good thing about travelling alone is meeting new people, and I realised I can open up more to Americans. I fit in better than with the typical beer drinking aussies or kiwis (no offence at all).

At my hostel, I met my bunk-mates Kelly and Shane (a canadian). Shane's the backpacker with a guitar, someone suggested him doing a song or two at the Open Mic which happened every Monday at this pub. So a couple of us from the hostel went to support him, even we knew each other for barely an hour! But it was totally cool, there were really some good ones out there ;) So were the Scottish pair we met.

It was really a shame when I had to leave Edinburgh... The sky was pouring, I know they wanted me to stay! Edinburgh, I love you :))))))))))

----- The very End -----

Did I forgot about Cologne... I think I just did. I was by the famous river Rhine, and the dom. In fact I think I have seen too many churches along the way but they do not appeal much to me anymore. The hostel stay was so-so, could be better and cleaner... but oh well, I still very much miss the cosy one up in Scotland. Sometimes in Germany, I'd prefer the much smaller places than the cities... I love the peacefulness.

Scottish travels III

WOOoooo... weather is getting better, we're singing along in the bus... life can't be much better than this!!

Chapter 5 SKYE magic

When I first heard about Skye after Angela's return from her scotland visit, it occurred to me as a really tiny island, with high mountains or hills as they called it the highlands. You can only walk on those paths and no more... But danggg I was wrong, very wrong! Skye is huge, big enough to drive around and actually occupied with residents. I can imagine it must be expensive, and the lack of a lot of facilities unlike the city. Can't be such a bad thing too to live with the greens, highlands, cattles...

I wouldn't say Skye is exactly special, but it is something not to be missed in Scotland!! One full day at Skye with a stroll at the Coral beach, adding new additions to my shell collection - from faraway Scottish Highlands, how proud can I be :P

Our next two dinners consisted of Pasta Bolognese and Mexican beans wrap with Tortillas, again prepared by the aussies... We have too many of them in the tour, so it's not that we are not rotating the duties ;) Only 1 Singaporean, can't expect me to cook up a feast eh!! Seriously they did suggest me doing for the last night, I can't think of any ONE dish I can do up for 16 people! I just had a lucky escape as we decided for the last night to go with Haggis - popular scottish delicacy, with some sausages and mash. I figured it was my turn to chip in some effort ;)

We also played lots of card games, board game, celebrity guessing game in the house :)))

Chapter 6 Loch Ness "Skinny Dip"

The sun is shining, the winds tamed... The perfect time for a picnic lunch on a sandy beach where all of us had a mini storytelling session! We would write 2 sentences on separate pieces of paper, someone will read it out and we have to guess whose life story is that! Fun eh!

The last night we were in Loch Ness Backpackers, cosy small hostel with some other travellers, but our tour group turned out to be pretty dominating in the hostel. Tell you more later... (next Chapter)

Before settling into the hostel, we came to Loch Ness for a "preview" - we are doing that tomorrow anyway. We sneaked into Urquhart Castle (by the Loch Ness), it was locked. We headed over the gates, stormed into the castle!! No, just kidding, we didn't storm in, we took our own sweet time walking about. Scotty, an aussie in our tour group, was the first to suggest and promised that he shall do a dip in Loch Ness. We didn't take much of that in, till a group of them decided to join him in his mission! WOW. I would have loved to, but it didn't strike me at that time. It was cold!!!! I was unprepared, especially to strip down to the under wear! No towel. Nothing to dry. I guess I'll just do my part of taking pictures, LOL.

Oh yes, if you want to ask me about Loch Ness monster, there is none ;) Click here for more info.

Chapter 7 Jump, Hump, Pump

The last night was more crazy, for me. I think everyone would have to say that, because they never encountered me dancing on the couch. "That little shy Trixy is on the couch, can you believe that!!" They didn't say this, alright, I figured it myself as they were talking about it on a "post-tour-dinner". We had a party in the hostel lounge blasting with music till probably 3-4am... oooo... I had my share till 2.30am!

The last day we had a short stop at coast of Loch Ness to take beautiful pictures with the glaring sunlight! A visit to Culloden Battlefield with some storytelling behind it, plus a visit to a smallest distillery. You can't leave without getting a bottle of whisky.

It was the end of the tour, time flew fast. Too enjoyable to notice it flying quick...

----- End of Scottish travels III -----

Scottish travels II

Weather sucks in the UK - unpredictable in London, wet and rainy in Scotland...

Chapter 3 I think I spot a PARADISE

On the train up to Edinburgh, I sat besides a chick looking like a punk and was learning French - what a combination! But I think I've weird judgement on this! I didn't talk to her except trying to offer her my Haribo gummies, but she wasn't keen. So I rather kept my eyes out of the windows... Then I spotted this paradise, the most magnificient sight of my life... seahouses lit up among the dusky sky, sitting on this fine looking stretch of beach - like a majestic piece of painting. Simply breathtaking!! And I know I want to go there someday ;)

The nearest main rail station should be Berwick-Upon-Tweed, it's the east coast of North England also named Northumberland... I can't be too sure, but I bet it's the seahouses! Edit: Looks like I found it but its not England, its Scotland! North Berwick coast.
 

Weather sucks in the UK - unpredictable in London, wet and rainy in Scotland...

Chapter 4 Wet in Scotland

The night I arrived was raining quite heavily, I decided to rest my feet for the coming 5 day tour. The next 2 days aren't better. Guess what's the most horrific thing - I wore my lovely new PUMA shoes for this crap. I haven't got a choice, I threw away my old Adidas sneakers and the only replacement to a good walking shoes is this pair which I just gotten as a present!! My new leather shoes was soaking wet in mud for the first two days of the tour - I'm terribly upset.

We did a lot more trekking than I expected; we had a few slippery climbs where some people had a slip or two. I was fortunate enough not to have a "four limbs on the ground" position or a "backside landing" with my pair of shoes which is neither for trekking or running!! We stopped in a couple of lovely towns, e.g. Stirling, even though we did not have much time to wander about, it was enough to get an idea ;)

We stopped at Inveraray, where our tour guide Kate bought a bottle of Whisky for the crews onboard. I just had a sip, knowing my limit ;) The rest of them seemed to hold their alcohol far better, can't blame them for being aussies, can you?? Not forgetting to get myself a mouthwatering pack of whisky fudge!!

For our first dinner, we had Scottish Salmon (can't compare the standard as they were cooked by our very own "aussies' chefs"). We stayed in Oban backpackers which has pretty rooms, cute nicknames for every bed and girlie bedsheets (because they are in red, I call them girly). I'm on Popeye for the night :) The second day of the tour was still gloomy, even though not as bad as the first... my poor shoes was again victimized. Fortunately enough, we had a stop at Fort William's little shopping street, I could just randomly picked a pair of sports shoes. And yes, very luckily, I found a cheap one going at ten pounds. I slipped them on, paid and ran back to the bus, phew - very happy thereafter! I stopped complaining about slippery climbs now - give me more give me more!! :)

We also visited Eilean Donan Castle at dusk, which is really really bewitching... The next two nights we had a house at Stromferry (belonging to the company's boss) to ourselves; it's a big house with kitchen, 4-6 rooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 toilet and a big lounge. If you're an earlybird, you will notice a fisherman and his boat by the small pier when you take a peep.

----- End of Scottish travels II -----

Scottish travels I

"Aaahhemmm..." now I can finally pat the dust off my hands and exercise those fingers. Yes, I'm finally back on blogging, sorry to keep you guys waiting... Likewise, I'm pretty anxious and eager to share my stories again!! This time is going to be a long one I'm afraid, take your time - test your patience ;)

Chapter 1 Train Journey to York

I thought Bath was the loveliest city in England... until I came to York. Before I go on about how beautiful historical York is, I shall speak of an interesting event on the train again. It becomes an exciting place to meet people in the train now (lot more easier than being on a plane)!!

I boarded the GNER train to York, the journey was 2 hours, I found my seat and it was besides this old lady. She's definitely an oriental lady, I didn't know how it got us started... Probably I did flash just a tiny smile ;) She was heading to Edinburgh to visit some friends, another 3 hours more than me. We were talking about how she first came to England (she holds a British passport) and why I was here... blah blah blah. Slowly we moved on to a lot of her past, it was when I began to get curious and asked a lot of questions. My only grandma couldn't speak to me in English or proper Mandarin so I never had this chance to hear about her World War II stories. This is amazing when she actually related her experience to me, how she escaped from the Japanese, joined the British, got a scholarship in England, married her husband... and now her children and family are all over the world! She must be in her 80s... and I've now one more person in London to visit. Also got contacts of her kin who are in Singapore, whom are doctors or entrepreneur. Her brother was the first Chief Justice in Singapore, wow, must be someone influential then!

Chapter 2 Haunted York

York is a beautiful, can't think of a better word to replace beautiful! The city itself says a lot of its history and that's what makes it so special. I love the city walls surrounding the city centre, walking around them gives you a good view of York and at the same time you can probably imagine how it was used for defence during the wars.

The little streets, little shops... really got me there. I was in a bookshop for soooo....... long, I couldn't remember because they have such fascinating and unusual book collection. I bought one titled "101 things to do before you're old and boring". York minister was worth a visit and a climb to the top of its tower; you can't miss the St Mary Abbey remains in the Museum Gardens; and of course the usual museum sightseeing.

York is said to be the most haunted city, so did they say the same about Edinburgh!! They have a couple of ghost walks going on, I picked one rumoured to be the scariest. It turned out to be more entertaining in fact, the guide was hilarious ;) And the rare coincidence is I actually bumped into a group of people on this ghost walk whom are later going on the same Scotland 5 day tour!!

Going around York nearly made me crippled, but I can't get enough of those "gates" they have around the city. The last 2 hours before my train up to Edinburgh, I decided to chill out in the hostel lounge and watched a video - such a good idea!!

----- End of Scottish travels I -----