Let Me Take You On A Journey To The Sea - Norwegian Jade Cruise

Hey hey!

My 7th Happy Week working at Nuffnang! :) One amongst many other things I shared in common with my fellow Nuffies is the fact that we all went on a cruise last year. Although my experience was fairly different from them, I would also like to share snippets of my trip after reading about their awesome trip through their blog posts.

If you know me, you'll know how much I love the sea. I don't like what's under the sea, just the cliche SUN, SAND and the SEA.

Being on a cruise when I was a kid is different from being on a cruise as an adult. I know I certainly enjoyed my time as an adult cruiser more than I did when I was a kid. Heh..happy times!

I got loads of pictures to share but I really don't wanna overkill it in one post. So I'm splitting them into a few parts to post when I can find the time to do so again.

This post is more about what went on on the ship during the day.

I know that it is important during a holiday to bring sunscreen, make up and nice clothes.

Unfortunately for this trip, if you're read my previous post about how I only have 45mins to pack for 7 days, you'll know I even forget to bring my facial wash. But lucky for me we can get them on the ship!

Minimal make up and fats. Please don't judge me!
 
During this trip, I know for a fact that my beautiful fair skin will be gone for good.


I don't know what game this is, but the oldies seemed to be enjoying it a lot while the children watched.

Giant Chest.


It's so huge it's not funny. It probably reached my underboobs.


Golf for everyone. Shame that they don't have Miniature Golf on the ship or I'll probably get worst tan than I already did.


Just wondering around with my juice.... hey, I'm on a holiday!


I love the colours on this particular picture of people playing basketball. So cool.


Looking at these pictures, really brought back tons of great memories.


I love staring down and see if I can spot a dolphin or two. And no, I didn't spot any.


If the world were flat.


I love holidays. They make me happy. Especially if I'm in a place where nobody cares aboutwhat's going on other than just wanting to have some fun.




Jason Mraz's I'm Yours must have been on my playlist when I'm looking at this view, mesmerised by it.




Fat white people sun tanning. Some of them were so burnt, they reminded me Ben Stiller's wife in the movie, Heartbreak Kid.


I was chilling on the top deck myself. Look at the kids queuing to go onto the slide. And no, I didn't go onto the slide okayy..(even though I'm probably their height) - too much work to just get up there!




Many parents allow their daugthers to wonder around just with their swimming bottoms. I seriously think that, it's like an open invitation to the paedophiles considering some of them already developed boobs. *shakes head*



A better view perhaps?

Cruise crew preparing for BBQ in the evening.


Alrighty then, that's all for now. I'm off to bed! xoxo

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

Before I ever stepped foot on the soil of Italy, I always thought that Pisa was a city or at least, a town.

To my surprise, all that was there were the leaning tower,a marketplace and a whole lot of tourists! LOL That obviously showed that I was lacking in geographical knowledge and I don't read many travelling books.

Since it's one of the 7 Wonders of the World along with the fact that I appreciate historical architectures, visiting the place is like a dream come true.

I love the Gothic, the Cathedral and the Tower.

The leaning tower is apparently in danger of collapsing. I'd be gutted if I didn't get to visit the place before I die.

On the way to the tower from the tour bus. If you've visited the place, you must have passed this road.


Look, the leaning tower of Pisa is right at the end.


Never fail to camwhore. I love being a tourist. Felt great.


Madly windy and sunny. Don't mind my goofy grin. I was actually really happy then!


Check out the goth in the architectural.


That pose is a must-do at Pisa.


Yeap, this pose. You haven't been to Pisa if you don't have a picture like that!

***

Ah! How about a little game of : SPOT THE DIFFERENCES!
Picture #1


Picture #2

Okay, so how many differences have you spotted?

I was surprised that I actually held the same pose with the same look for both the pictures!
***

This is probably the coolest tower I've ever seen.



McDonald's so global.



A simple Italian cafe.


Having some juices while waiting to get back into the tour bus. Look how tan my arms were.

T.T...it's still very tan now! :(


Okay, last picture before I left the place. Not sure if I'll ever go back to see the tower again. Unless of course, if I am filthy rich and have no where else to go, I'll come back to see it again if it still exist at that time.


And yes, you'll be passing this street on the way back to where tour buses were parked. I thought it was a beautiful sight. The flowers reminded me of Bunga Kertas.


On the way back to the ship.

****

Alrighty, I'm going to bed now. Hope you enjoyed reading this post!

The Walking Tour of Monaco and Monte Carlo

Wow, it took me so long just to edit and upload these pictures. So y'all better appreciate this post.

That being said, I'm happy to be able to share my joy with you. I love to travel and this is seriously one hell of a trip.

I'm one who appreciates culture and sceneries. I felt quite enriched during this trip.

Of course, every great thing comes with great consequences. We're quite poor after the trip and I got bad tan lines all over my body.

And I gained 2 kgs!

Fuck.

The trip was so rush that we only booked the plane tickets 4 hours before we board the plane. And that left us with only 45 mins to pack 8 days worth of personal belongings and clothes.

Vanity beats comfort for me anytime but I wasn't so stupid to such extend that I bring heels for the trip. But with limited time, I only managed to grab a pair of gladiators (to go with every single outfit) and my fave clogs (which I didn't use much, cos it's so high!).

So, brace yourselves! You'll see me in the same pair of shoes in every picture.

It's a pure horror story cos I brought loads of clothes and I CAN'T FIT MORE SHOES even if I wanted to.

You'll never know what type of clothes is needed for different events. I only know I have 45 mins to pack and shower and hop in the car for the 2 1/2 hours drive to the airport. So I stuffed everything I can find. Probably made some bad choices, but oh well. Deal with it. Cos I did.

Back to the topic of my day in Monaco and Monte Carlo, it's a walking tour and it's kinda like the shape of a lagoon. So it's like a shape of a U. The ship docked in one side of the U and we walked all the way to the other side of the U. You'll think it being so close, we'll probably be seeing the same sort of culture from on end to the other.

No, it's totally different.

Monaco is laid back, beautiful and scenic. Monte Carlo is designers, F1 and casino but still very pretty of course. The prices of the coffee will differentiate the different societies in both places.

So here goes. From one end to the other. Let's start with some mild introduction to the place.

Monte Carlo as a name of Italian origin meaning "Mount Charles". Named in compliment to the prince hen reigning, Charles III of Monaco.

Where he ship docked. Puffy eye after a long day the day before driving to the airport, hop on the plane to Spain and board the ship.

You must be thinking what's that dodgy blue thing hanging around my neck.

I'd say it's the best thing invented for tour guides and tourists. It's like a speaker that the tour guide speak into so everyone could hear clearly what he/she was saying. I like it cos I'd never want to miss an important information about the places I visit.


Norwegian Jade.


Looking into the U from one end.


It's so beautiful. Living there would probably be like living in a paradise everyday.


Camwhoring is a must!


Picture taken in a higher view.


Walking away from the ship to start the tour.


Happy tourist swimming in the clear and really blue water! Envy!


Mediterranean sea.


Monaco Open Air Cinema.


Monk Statue. Check out the stomach. I don't want that!


Crossed the bridge through the train station and we're in front of a museum and an institution.



Prince of Monaco. Still single but not available. According to the tour guide, he's very wanted amongst the ladies there. I guess, who doesn't want to be a princess right?


I asked him to take a picture of me with the statue of a human body, he just took a picture of me with the ding dongs. Huge ones as well.

Tour Train I didn't get to ride. But you get to see more when you walked.


Unicorn. I have the urge to climb on top of it for a picture but there's too many people around trying to take picture with it.


Two houses below belonged to Princess Stephanie and Princess Carolina. But I can't remember now which is which.




The beautiful park that apparently has been walked on by many famous people. It's heaven on earth. Trees, fresh air and flowers, overlooking the sea.


Characteristic buildings.


If I'm not wrong, this should be the court.


Council House.


The palace gate guarded. Just like every other palace.


Every 12pm, there would be the changes of guards and there would be loads of tourist waiting to watch it.


It looked breezy but really hot. With not many clouds in the skies. My ice cream kept melting and my dress keeps puffing up!


Looking from one side to the other!


The tiny Monaco streets. So awesome.


We want Gelatos!


I was jumping for joy with the amount of choices.


I chose coffee. It's so fine and have bits of hazelnuts in it. He had cherries I think.


Cute little restaurant!




There are more boats than cars. lols!


Summer treats!


Shame that it's only for kids. It looked really fun!


Okay here is the interesting bit. This Zebra crossing is where the line of the F1 race starts.


And these flats here made loads of money just by renting it out to spectators during the race.


You can see the boxes painted on the road.


Public swimming pool for everyone in the middle of the lagoon.


The Ship from the other side.


Garce Kelly of Philadelphia is the American connection. She married the Prince of Monaco. It seems that the American got closer to Monaco through Princess Grace. Along this road opposite this poster is where the row of designer shops starts. You name it you've got it. It's more expensive than usual though.


The entire principality is only half the size of New York City's Central Park. Monaco can be divided into six neighbourhoods. And Monte Carlo is one of the most famous in this world.


Here, casinos and top hotels like Hotel de Paris is located. The history of gambling have some of its roots here and the casino required its guests to dress formally.

And it only opens at 2pm, hence why we didn't get to enter and explore.

Hotel De Paris (I forgotten to upload the picture and now can't be arsed to do so) was established in 1864 adjacent to the casino. It is a heart of Monte Carlo and it's part of the elite Palace Grand Hotels in Monaco. And Monte Carlo has been featured in numerous films and television series such as James Bonds films and Alfred Hitchcock movies.

Monte Carlo, made out of the rich and tourists.


Cafe de Paris.

Cutest dog with a proud owner who didn't mind tourists taking photos of her doggie.


Chanel is at the far end behind that building with loads of poster.


It's so hot we needed the break. Auntie Bun. Damn hot. That also explained my tan line behind my back.

Funny how people in the west seem to decorate their interior, poster etc. with ladies from the east for an exotic and classy touch.


Regular Ice Tea and Ice Coffee for 20 over Euro. And we do tip.


Police also need a boat here. In case there's a boat theft right?

I would have thought it's a Police boat as well, but I'm not sure.


Alright, we've reached the end of this tour and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I do. I've tried to cover most of it, but nothing beats visiting the place itself.

It's definitely worth a visit. Till the next post!

xoxo,
M