Marpig bought a Nintendo DS Lite!! Yeah!!
Used to be a gaming fanatic (PC games, not internet gaming) where Marpig will play games round the clock till morning.
Still rem when Marpig was in pri sch, went to a frenz place to play games and 4got bout the time and went home late. Got a good thrashing and scolding!!
Then, in sec sch, Marpig am hooked onto arcade games. So much so tt she will drop her bag after sch, get changed and go arcade to play games. Even went arcade with PS on the eve of GCE 'O' levels chinese paper!! (Managed to get A2, and tt was the best Marpig did, even on the 2nd attempt :P)
Realised itz not cost effective to go arcade and since Marpig had grown up, Marpig spent more time with the comp.
Started playing PC games (RPG like Might and Magic, AOE, The Sims, etc) Partly to numb Marpig of certain events... (u noe wat it was...)
Anyway, hadnt been playing ever since graduation. Then, took up a little bit again when Marpig was in the UK for masters.
Now, smtimes Marpig goes bowling etc with colleagues and realise the joy of playing arcade games!! :D
Currently, am picking gaming up again. Will do so when new laptop arrives in September. Meanwhile, Marpig am playing Nintendo DS Lite!!
Oh boy!! It is sooooooooo fantastica!! Basically, it is like mini version of Wii. Gosh. Itz so fun, Marpigz sis also want to buy!! (Of cos, she only plays practical games like Brain Academy or simple classic games like Mario Bros)
How much? Well, itz a long story.
Bought it from a HK games website. The European colours of the console (Black, white, pink) are selling £90 (the cheapest now) in the UK. Other colours like Ice Blue or Enamel Blue cannot be found in Europe xcept Asia (mostly Japan)
The website sells the European colours @ £87!! AND itz FREE shipping!! So ttz really a bargain (Marpig loves bargain!!) While the Ice Blue (really cool!!) was selling @ £97. But since it is a nice colour and u don find it in the UK (itz unique) so Marpig went for tt.
Then, Bought a matching Ice Blue hard case for the console @ £4. A total of £101.
The story goes with Marpig xxxcitedly waited for the delivery!! Alas, when it arrived, itz a wrong colour!! They delivered an Enamel Blue console and no case!! GOSH!!
So, Marpig wrong email to them to inform them immediately of the wrong delivery. A lady @ the HK side replied and said they got the logistics wrong. So, Marpig sent the wrong parcel back to HK while they send Marpig her order. Of cos, they refunded the postage fee tt Marpig paid for.
Then, a guy called Marpig from HK!! Apparently, he apologised for the boo boo and asked why Marpig did not buy any games from them. So, being honest, Marpig told him Marpig wanted to try their svc out and see if itz gd b4 placing more future orders. But "am disappointed"
So, he apologised again and throw in a game card with 27 games!! WOW!! Though some are really crap games like Strawberry Shortcake (Blueberry pie, VICTORY, victory victory is our pride!! Pardon Marpig, itz so unresistible not to recite the Houses cheer!!), itz also include huge popular games like New Super Mario Bros, Cooking Mama (this game is great!!), Big Brain Academy, Brain Age, etc!!
So, story coming to an end where now, Marpig plays on her Ice Blue NDSLite every single day w/o fail till past midnight or even 1am!! Gosh. Once u picked it up, u just cant put it down!!
Oh, little bit ol' information still... Marpig went to Marpigz sisz house during a bank holiday, bringing along the NDSLite.
Marpigz intention was to show the NDSLite to her and to let her play so tt she will have smth fun and she can relax. But of cos, Marpig also knew perfectly well Marpigz sisz "chain reaction":
1st, she will scold/nag Marpig with a side glance, saying smth like, "U have alot of $ hor" and the way she says it can be classified as chilling/menacing/sacarstic
2nd, she take a look @ the console itself, try it, find it abs 102% fun and interesting, get all xcited and buy it herself.
True to Marpigz prediction, ttz wat she did.
Still rem ever since tt day, she decided to get the same console as Marpig from the same HK website. Even gave Marpig numerous calls during the next Sunday every few secs to tell Marpig how many games she found and dl!!
Cos, NDSLite can be "cracked" and wat users could do is, get a Micro SD card and dl games files with ext .nds and using a R4 adaptor, play the games!!
Can u imagine... shez more crazy than Marpig!! To date, she has dled 40+ games (including sm tt Marpig told her tt Marpig wants!! :P), even b4 her console reached her!! hahahahhahaha
Oh boy, really!! NDSLite is sooooooooooooo much better than PSP!! Bcos, the only th tt PSP can boasts is itz graphics. Then again, serious gamers noe their gadgets and NDSLitez graphics is not bad!! Plus, games are cheap and fun. PSPz games? Well, Marpig personally think tt pple with PSP are FREE advertisers for a technology/show-offs/novice gamers...
Wednesday, August 29
Itz Been A Long Time
Right, Marpig hasnt been keeping up with blogging. Why?
1) Busy (No. 1 universal xcuse)
2) No time (No. 2 universal xcuse)
3) No $ (No. 3 universal xcuse, NA here but just tot itz appropriate to mention)
4) In office working (many pairs of eyes...)
5) No internet @ home
6) No comps @ home
*Looking up*, loads of xcuses (sm are really valid; not nos. 1,2,3 though)
Anyway, been working and getting bored since not so challenging... sigh... cos projects progress ylwols since they are @ the initial stages where many ths need to be finalised, approval from authorities need to be obtained, finance for the projects, etc.
Work aside, Marpig has been planning the Dec Trip (abbre. DT hereafter) Used to look 4wrd to Dec Trip. Now, don even feel like going. Drastic change? Yup. Why?
1) Expensive
2) Going with boring person who talks bout nth but where he jogged and how far he jogged
3) Boring person leave Marpig to plan the entire trip on her own and remain indff and seem boh chap bout everyth
4) He keeps telling Marpig places to go (cos enroute) but did not give any information as to how to get there, when to go, how much, availability, etc (no solutions)
Xian like anyth. If Ding wonder why Marpig 12 plan for Dec Trip, itz cos in Europe, Xmas and the New Year are HUGE affairs for the ang mohs. Even more so than our CNY. And Marpig will be travelling precisely on "risky" dates; 22nd Dec 07 - 2nd Jan 08.
Without advance booking, itz impossible to get any reasonable deals anywhere. Even now, with advance booking, cheapest single coach from Bristol to London only costs £17, not lest to say travelling on 25th, 26th, 31st, 1st.
Backpacking in Europe is sightly diff than backpacking in Asia. The diff is more pronounced when backpacking during European holiday period. Last minute accomodation/travel are never cheap, unlike last minute in Asia.
Plus the fact tt the period is winter, night sets in around 3pm, it is dangerous to be walking in the streets after dark. Therefore, it will be foolish to be stranded.
Been feeling so xian bout it tt even boring guy said Marpig "sounded harsh and angry"
How to tell him tt Marpig am pissed off with planning and planning and getting no inputs or solutions from him? Marpigz patience is running out. Sigh, the th is, he is a gd fren but not a good travel khaki/bf/husband. End of story.
To date, not many pple noe the angry Marpig. In fact, to date, (other than @ home), only... *thinking* 4 pple noe how terrible Marpig was when she was angry. Only those 4 pple felt Marpigz fiery. 2 remain frens and are still in good contact. One is total stranger (never was a fren, really) and the last one is still a fren, just tt we sorta lose contact.
Just hope to finalise the Dec Trip and get done over with. Just don like to leave ths hanging in the air. Kao.
1) Busy (No. 1 universal xcuse)
2) No time (No. 2 universal xcuse)
3) No $ (No. 3 universal xcuse, NA here but just tot itz appropriate to mention)
4) In office working (many pairs of eyes...)
5) No internet @ home
6) No comps @ home
*Looking up*, loads of xcuses (sm are really valid; not nos. 1,2,3 though)
Anyway, been working and getting bored since not so challenging... sigh... cos projects progress ylwols since they are @ the initial stages where many ths need to be finalised, approval from authorities need to be obtained, finance for the projects, etc.
Work aside, Marpig has been planning the Dec Trip (abbre. DT hereafter) Used to look 4wrd to Dec Trip. Now, don even feel like going. Drastic change? Yup. Why?
1) Expensive
2) Going with boring person who talks bout nth but where he jogged and how far he jogged
3) Boring person leave Marpig to plan the entire trip on her own and remain indff and seem boh chap bout everyth
4) He keeps telling Marpig places to go (cos enroute) but did not give any information as to how to get there, when to go, how much, availability, etc (no solutions)
Xian like anyth. If Ding wonder why Marpig 12 plan for Dec Trip, itz cos in Europe, Xmas and the New Year are HUGE affairs for the ang mohs. Even more so than our CNY. And Marpig will be travelling precisely on "risky" dates; 22nd Dec 07 - 2nd Jan 08.
Without advance booking, itz impossible to get any reasonable deals anywhere. Even now, with advance booking, cheapest single coach from Bristol to London only costs £17, not lest to say travelling on 25th, 26th, 31st, 1st.
Backpacking in Europe is sightly diff than backpacking in Asia. The diff is more pronounced when backpacking during European holiday period. Last minute accomodation/travel are never cheap, unlike last minute in Asia.
Plus the fact tt the period is winter, night sets in around 3pm, it is dangerous to be walking in the streets after dark. Therefore, it will be foolish to be stranded.
Been feeling so xian bout it tt even boring guy said Marpig "sounded harsh and angry"
How to tell him tt Marpig am pissed off with planning and planning and getting no inputs or solutions from him? Marpigz patience is running out. Sigh, the th is, he is a gd fren but not a good travel khaki/bf/husband. End of story.
To date, not many pple noe the angry Marpig. In fact, to date, (other than @ home), only... *thinking* 4 pple noe how terrible Marpig was when she was angry. Only those 4 pple felt Marpigz fiery. 2 remain frens and are still in good contact. One is total stranger (never was a fren, really) and the last one is still a fren, just tt we sorta lose contact.
Just hope to finalise the Dec Trip and get done over with. Just don like to leave ths hanging in the air. Kao.
Friday, August 17
七情六欲
Right, long time no see chinese characters!! Comp in office do not have chinese installed. Had a difficult time to find chinese character dictionary online so tt Marpig could find the word and copy and paste!! Not bad actually, try:
http://www.mandarintools.com/chardict.html
Talking bout the subject matter, had been wanting to blog bout it but could find the time to do it. Now Marpig cant rem why it suddenly popped into Marpigz mind.
Think Marpig thought bout it when Marpig reminded MZ to tell Marpig all bout the 廿四孝 stories (which MZ hasnt done it yet!!) Why 廿四孝 stories? Cos when Marpigz mom was still with her, Marpig would occasionally crawl onto her bed and asked her to tell Marpig a bedtime story... recalling... Marpigz mom did told Marpig a minute few... but Marpig could only rem 1...
Years later, Marpig tried finding books on 廿四孝 stories but to no avail... there was once, however, Marpig chanced upon 1 such book... cant rem wat happened...
Anyhow, keeping tt in mind as well as noeing XT had learnt some Buddhist teachings + the fact tt Marpig am still sitting on the fence + Marpig always wanting to noe more about everyth, Marpig started thinking bout 七情六欲 when she watched TVBz <<向世界出發>>
So, wat are the 七情?
According to Buddhist teachings they are 喜、怒、忧、惧、爱、憎、欲
2) 鼻 - 要闻香的
3) 耳 - 要听好的
4) 嘴 - 要吃好的
5) 触 - 要舒服的
6) 意 - ... u noe lah..
Marpig guess with the knowledge of the above, pple are encouraged to "cultivate" simplicity and humility etc (according to 道德經) to achieve Nirvana... oh well... just some thoughts...
Has been a while since Marpig read chinese novels... used to read quite a few... think shall pick up again... been really interested in 四书五經 currently!! shall read up too... plus the 5 great chinese literary works.
Marpig managed to finished 2.5 out of the 5... cos The Romance of the 3 Kingdoms is pretty boring; Marpig didnt finish it. Most of us definitely know The Journey to the West!! Marpig had also read 金瓶梅. As for 红楼梦, itz just seems too complex!! As for Water Margins... well... only read a few chapters from the 老夫子 versions... :P
Am currently trying to find/purchase the chinese version of the Rumiko Takahashi's comic, 一磅的福音!! Up until now, Marpig could only find the english version of it selling online as well as Kino. Hmmm... wonder where can Marpig get the chinese version... sigh... BTW, 相聚一刻 by the same author is really fantastic too!!
Finally, JM!! So lazy!! For juicy news, u cant just read the latest bloggie entry!! U got to follow it!! heheheheh
http://www.mandarintools.com/chardict.html
Talking bout the subject matter, had been wanting to blog bout it but could find the time to do it. Now Marpig cant rem why it suddenly popped into Marpigz mind.
Think Marpig thought bout it when Marpig reminded MZ to tell Marpig all bout the 廿四孝 stories (which MZ hasnt done it yet!!) Why 廿四孝 stories? Cos when Marpigz mom was still with her, Marpig would occasionally crawl onto her bed and asked her to tell Marpig a bedtime story... recalling... Marpigz mom did told Marpig a minute few... but Marpig could only rem 1...
Years later, Marpig tried finding books on 廿四孝 stories but to no avail... there was once, however, Marpig chanced upon 1 such book... cant rem wat happened...
Anyhow, keeping tt in mind as well as noeing XT had learnt some Buddhist teachings + the fact tt Marpig am still sitting on the fence + Marpig always wanting to noe more about everyth, Marpig started thinking bout 七情六欲 when she watched TVBz <<向世界出發>>
So, wat are the 七情?
According to Buddhist teachings they are 喜、怒、忧、惧、爱、憎、欲
As for 六欲, they are basically referring to wat our senses (mentally & physically) always yearn for:
1) 眼 - 要看美的2) 鼻 - 要闻香的
3) 耳 - 要听好的
4) 嘴 - 要吃好的
5) 触 - 要舒服的
6) 意 - ... u noe lah..
Marpig guess with the knowledge of the above, pple are encouraged to "cultivate" simplicity and humility etc (according to 道德經) to achieve Nirvana... oh well... just some thoughts...
Has been a while since Marpig read chinese novels... used to read quite a few... think shall pick up again... been really interested in 四书五經 currently!! shall read up too... plus the 5 great chinese literary works.
Marpig managed to finished 2.5 out of the 5... cos The Romance of the 3 Kingdoms is pretty boring; Marpig didnt finish it. Most of us definitely know The Journey to the West!! Marpig had also read 金瓶梅. As for 红楼梦, itz just seems too complex!! As for Water Margins... well... only read a few chapters from the 老夫子 versions... :P
Am currently trying to find/purchase the chinese version of the Rumiko Takahashi's comic, 一磅的福音!! Up until now, Marpig could only find the english version of it selling online as well as Kino. Hmmm... wonder where can Marpig get the chinese version... sigh... BTW, 相聚一刻 by the same author is really fantastic too!!
Finally, JM!! So lazy!! For juicy news, u cant just read the latest bloggie entry!! U got to follow it!! heheheheh
Thursday, August 9
Interesting Bits & Bolts
First of all, Marpig am feeling happy and sweet now. :P Why?
Received a call from Marpigz dad telling itz National Day today!! GOSH!! Marpig actually 4got bout it totally!!
So he rang and we chatted for a while. The conversation goes on to Marpig updating him tt Marpig am going backpacking to Paris and etc with D***k.
His immediate reaction was repeatedly asking Marpig to take care, cannot "ta4 chuo4 yi2 bu4", at night sleeping must be careful, why not ask D***k to stay smwhere else.
So, Marpig told him, Marpig am not interested in D***k and tt Marpig will take care and will not be silly.
Then, Marpigz dad sorta sigh and said "aiya, 9 out of 10 men cannot be trusted"
Hahahahaha!! What precious advice from a father (and a man too)!! So, tt notion of "9 out of 10" is universal; not just among the ladies!!
Actually, now Marpig understands why juveniles feel happy to give their parents trouble and to see them worry... the feeling of being loved and sm1 showing care & concern.
Right, moving to Smurfs, nth much to say xcept Marpig am gonna go Belgium in Dec, where the Smurfs originated!! Will definitely starts to go crazy & spend lotsa $... sharks!!
Gargamel!! Hiak!! Hiak!! Hiak!!
Next, to cramp everyth in a single bloggie entry & to continue the tradition of showing off her cooking skills...
Lor bah & lor neng!! Whip it up after work in 2 hrs. Neat right!! Marpig thinks so too. Ingredients are chicken thighs, garlic, ginger, eggs, chicken, oyster sauce, sugar, soy sauce, black soy sauce. Nope, no salt. Marpig don normally put salt in her food. Not even french fries, if she can help it.
The above is Mee Siam. Well, no bee hoon so Marpig replaces it with spaghetti. The Mee Siam paste is from Prima (Marpigz sisz fav brand)!! Now Marpig noe why Marpigz sis is impressed by Prima's range of Singaporean delicacies!! Tastes really like Mee Siam!! Marpig cant help eating and laughing to herself!! Ingredients are fishcakes, prawns, chinese leaf, leeks, eggs, spaghetti, sambal this & tt with Mee Siam paste. *Scrumptious*
Finally, the above road is in Bristol. So cool (get a coat)!! :P
Received a call from Marpigz dad telling itz National Day today!! GOSH!! Marpig actually 4got bout it totally!!
So he rang and we chatted for a while. The conversation goes on to Marpig updating him tt Marpig am going backpacking to Paris and etc with D***k.
His immediate reaction was repeatedly asking Marpig to take care, cannot "ta4 chuo4 yi2 bu4", at night sleeping must be careful, why not ask D***k to stay smwhere else.
So, Marpig told him, Marpig am not interested in D***k and tt Marpig will take care and will not be silly.
Then, Marpigz dad sorta sigh and said "aiya, 9 out of 10 men cannot be trusted"
Hahahahaha!! What precious advice from a father (and a man too)!! So, tt notion of "9 out of 10" is universal; not just among the ladies!!
Actually, now Marpig understands why juveniles feel happy to give their parents trouble and to see them worry... the feeling of being loved and sm1 showing care & concern.
Right, moving to Smurfs, nth much to say xcept Marpig am gonna go Belgium in Dec, where the Smurfs originated!! Will definitely starts to go crazy & spend lotsa $... sharks!!
Gargamel!! Hiak!! Hiak!! Hiak!!
Next, to cramp everyth in a single bloggie entry & to continue the tradition of showing off her cooking skills...
Lor bah & lor neng!! Whip it up after work in 2 hrs. Neat right!! Marpig thinks so too. Ingredients are chicken thighs, garlic, ginger, eggs, chicken, oyster sauce, sugar, soy sauce, black soy sauce. Nope, no salt. Marpig don normally put salt in her food. Not even french fries, if she can help it.
The above is Mee Siam. Well, no bee hoon so Marpig replaces it with spaghetti. The Mee Siam paste is from Prima (Marpigz sisz fav brand)!! Now Marpig noe why Marpigz sis is impressed by Prima's range of Singaporean delicacies!! Tastes really like Mee Siam!! Marpig cant help eating and laughing to herself!! Ingredients are fishcakes, prawns, chinese leaf, leeks, eggs, spaghetti, sambal this & tt with Mee Siam paste. *Scrumptious*
Finally, the above road is in Bristol. So cool (get a coat)!! :P
Wednesday, August 8
Answers!!
Right!! Now, the answers to the questions and riddle!!
Ding got the 1st question right!!
Explanation: Big one for horse-drawn carts or pple on horsies while the smaller one is for pedestrians.
No one got 2nd question correct!!
Explanation: Overtaking is NOT ALLOWED. The tricky bit here is tt it is left-hand drive in Germany!! It is the same as what we have in Singapore (cannot overtake on the right) but cos itz left-hand drive in Germany, the red car is now on the left, meaning no overtaking on the left!!
Question 3!! Look VERY CLOSELY and pay attention to details!! Sexy Lady got this right!!
Explanation: The goblin looks grumpy cos he injured his right foot; it is in bandages.
XT & Ding got the 4th question right!! Bingo!!
Explanation: As XT said, "let's just leave those two in peace" :P
Last question!! No1 got this correct!!
Explanation: The brown pigeon has been ostracised by the black ones!! heheheheh!!
As for the riddle, what Marpig have in mind is a balloon. But XT gave a few answers which could easily fit into the riddle!! Bravo!!
:D_
Ding got the 1st question right!!
Explanation: Big one for horse-drawn carts or pple on horsies while the smaller one is for pedestrians.
No one got 2nd question correct!!
Explanation: Overtaking is NOT ALLOWED. The tricky bit here is tt it is left-hand drive in Germany!! It is the same as what we have in Singapore (cannot overtake on the right) but cos itz left-hand drive in Germany, the red car is now on the left, meaning no overtaking on the left!!
Question 3!! Look VERY CLOSELY and pay attention to details!! Sexy Lady got this right!!
Explanation: The goblin looks grumpy cos he injured his right foot; it is in bandages.
XT & Ding got the 4th question right!! Bingo!!
Explanation: As XT said, "let's just leave those two in peace" :P
Last question!! No1 got this correct!!
Explanation: The brown pigeon has been ostracised by the black ones!! heheheheh!!
As for the riddle, what Marpig have in mind is a balloon. But XT gave a few answers which could easily fit into the riddle!! Bravo!!
:D_
Saturday, August 4
Goes Back to Melancholy Thinking Again
Marpig once was abit lost as to which direction to take a bus home. Approach a black lady fro directions and she was so helpful. Had a bit of chat with her and realise she was working as an office cleaner over the weekends. Kind and hardworking.
Smtimes, really felt the ang mohs are so pui. Of cos, therez always black sheep in a trip of sheep (collective nouns for sheep can be as many as 6!!) If every1 can treat every1 collectively as humans, then, colours, races, religions, etc... oh well.
Really, Marpig realises & sincerely believe, even if sm1 physically look ugly, if tt person is really and truly kind, she/he is one of the most beautiful creatures that God has bestowed onto the world.
Another idle riddle:
"I go wherever the wind takes me.
Land wherever and whenever I am weary.
There I shall stay until such fate which I am taken away."
Was looking @ the sky (a clue again!!) one day when Marpig thought of the above...
So, wat is it tt Marpig is describing?
Smtimes, really felt the ang mohs are so pui. Of cos, therez always black sheep in a trip of sheep (collective nouns for sheep can be as many as 6!!) If every1 can treat every1 collectively as humans, then, colours, races, religions, etc... oh well.
Really, Marpig realises & sincerely believe, even if sm1 physically look ugly, if tt person is really and truly kind, she/he is one of the most beautiful creatures that God has bestowed onto the world.
Another idle riddle:
"I go wherever the wind takes me.
Land wherever and whenever I am weary.
There I shall stay until such fate which I am taken away."
Was looking @ the sky (a clue again!!) one day when Marpig thought of the above...
So, wat is it tt Marpig is describing?
Keep Seeing Babies
A short note, Marpig been seeing babies in the streets!! In Germany, in the UK. Even in the little pond on the way to office. The animals have their babies too!! Goslings, young birdies, maggots, lotsa teeny weeny spiders on their parachutes, etc.
Even saw a male pigeon keep chasing a female one just to mate with her (an impt clue to one of the questions in previous bloggie entry on Part 10: Aftermath!!)
Also, on the way home from badminton session with coleagues, Marpig and frens saw 7 (or was it 8?) young swans!! Wow!! Never seen such big young swans b4!! So cutey pies (please!! not literaly)!!
Even saw a male pigeon keep chasing a female one just to mate with her (an impt clue to one of the questions in previous bloggie entry on Part 10: Aftermath!!)
Also, on the way home from badminton session with coleagues, Marpig and frens saw 7 (or was it 8?) young swans!! Wow!! Never seen such big young swans b4!! So cutey pies (please!! not literaly)!!
Part 11: Journey Back from Germany & Amount of Money Spent
Right, there wont be no more photos now. Itz wordy time!!
Time to go back to grey UK, been having floods and heavy non-stop rain... in summer... gosh... and in 1 or 2 months' time, itz gonna be bitterly winter!! :S
Anyway, the flight back to UK on Lufthansa was ok. Xcept one can feel the plane making turns... kinda xciting yet scary!! Worse, no entertainment on board Lufthansa!! Yes, itz a short 1.5 hr flight but... no music at all!! Oh man. But the sandwich is good!! (Then again, anyth tt Marpig is willing to eat tastes good!! OR Marpig will make it sounds very good!! :D_)
The stewarts were middle-aged... not suave but ok lah. Aiyo, svc is still not as gd as Asia/Middle East airlines. Smhow, the ang mohs just don like the idea of serving others... bad.
Oh, b4 boarding the train, gosh. The flight was delayed by 40mins!! (And the pilot later said he will bring us to our destination asap... speeding in the air wor... Marpig only 12 be safe and sound and alive!!)
Why was the flight delayed? Don noe. But these happened:
1st, Marpig going thru the passport control. Germans and the UK (and maybe whole of Europe) still have this stamp chopping system. The passport control officer couldnt find Marpigz entry stamp chopped anywhere in the passport!! Luckily this officer likes Chinese (cos he wore a pendant with the word "Qing" = Love on his neck) and he doesnt mind. He just told Marpig next time must check and luckily Marpig kept the boarding pass!! Alles Klar.
Then, all passengers took a bus to the airplane cos itz a ladder entry. But, strange as it seems, all passengers were brought to the plane in the bus, but we waited inside (no air conditioning, hot and stuffy) for a good 30mins b4 the bus drove us back to the airport, all of us go thru security checks again, going up and down the stairs, going into the bus again, drove to the plane and finally boarded the plane.
Reason being, the other plane we didnt take has got a maintenance prob... wow.
To cut short grandmamaz story, Marpig reached LHR 40mins late, went to Marpigz sisz place for the night, took a coach the next day aftern back to Bris.
On the same day, Marpig put down all her stuff, quickly went out again to get 10kg of rice, a bottle of oyster sauce, 1 carton of maggie mee, 2 bottles of Tom Yum soup paste. Wow. Was really knuckled then!! Next day started work. Whew!!
Anyway, Marpig calculated, the entire trip, Marpig spent £180 just on food!! :D_
So, the end of updates on Munich, Burghausen and Salzburg trip!!
The next trip? Oxford in September!! Cos Marpig am attending a 2-day conference there. But, Marpig will reach there a day earlier to sightsee!! :D
Time to go back to grey UK, been having floods and heavy non-stop rain... in summer... gosh... and in 1 or 2 months' time, itz gonna be bitterly winter!! :S
Anyway, the flight back to UK on Lufthansa was ok. Xcept one can feel the plane making turns... kinda xciting yet scary!! Worse, no entertainment on board Lufthansa!! Yes, itz a short 1.5 hr flight but... no music at all!! Oh man. But the sandwich is good!! (Then again, anyth tt Marpig is willing to eat tastes good!! OR Marpig will make it sounds very good!! :D_)
The stewarts were middle-aged... not suave but ok lah. Aiyo, svc is still not as gd as Asia/Middle East airlines. Smhow, the ang mohs just don like the idea of serving others... bad.
Oh, b4 boarding the train, gosh. The flight was delayed by 40mins!! (And the pilot later said he will bring us to our destination asap... speeding in the air wor... Marpig only 12 be safe and sound and alive!!)
Why was the flight delayed? Don noe. But these happened:
1st, Marpig going thru the passport control. Germans and the UK (and maybe whole of Europe) still have this stamp chopping system. The passport control officer couldnt find Marpigz entry stamp chopped anywhere in the passport!! Luckily this officer likes Chinese (cos he wore a pendant with the word "Qing" = Love on his neck) and he doesnt mind. He just told Marpig next time must check and luckily Marpig kept the boarding pass!! Alles Klar.
Then, all passengers took a bus to the airplane cos itz a ladder entry. But, strange as it seems, all passengers were brought to the plane in the bus, but we waited inside (no air conditioning, hot and stuffy) for a good 30mins b4 the bus drove us back to the airport, all of us go thru security checks again, going up and down the stairs, going into the bus again, drove to the plane and finally boarded the plane.
Reason being, the other plane we didnt take has got a maintenance prob... wow.
To cut short grandmamaz story, Marpig reached LHR 40mins late, went to Marpigz sisz place for the night, took a coach the next day aftern back to Bris.
On the same day, Marpig put down all her stuff, quickly went out again to get 10kg of rice, a bottle of oyster sauce, 1 carton of maggie mee, 2 bottles of Tom Yum soup paste. Wow. Was really knuckled then!! Next day started work. Whew!!
Anyway, Marpig calculated, the entire trip, Marpig spent £180 just on food!! :D_
So, the end of updates on Munich, Burghausen and Salzburg trip!!
The next trip? Oxford in September!! Cos Marpig am attending a 2-day conference there. But, Marpig will reach there a day earlier to sightsee!! :D
Part 10: Aftermath
Don noe if Marpigz bloggie manage to share sm ideas/perspective with frenz... don noe if sm bloggie entries stimulate yr thinking bugs... thought itz quite a reporting kinda bloggie with tons of food-talk hahahahahaha so, herez sm simple puzzles to think it through!! Marpig has a tendency to snap pictures of ths/pple all of a sudden if pple who travelled with Marpig noticed tt... cos it just meant tt an idea/thought popped into Marpigz mind!!
Took this @ the Burghausen Castle. Really huge thingy outside gates. Suddenly rem ttz this puzzle game tt is xactly like the above where a person need to stack them up into a pyramid. Played b4 right?! Itz one of Marpigz fav puzzle!!
Question no. 1: Why are there 2 entrances, a big one and a small one?
Question no. 2: What does this sign means? (Must elaborate in detail huh!!)
Question no. 3: Why is this goblin sulky-looking? (MW saw this and thought it looked "evil". But Marpig stood and thought of a better reason for itz grouchiness)
Question no. 4: What is happening here? (Need to elaborate in detail too :P)
Question no. 5: What happened to the brown pigeon?
Right, shall reveal the answers in a weeks' time unless Marpig 4got bout it... heheheh Next few pictures are just for visual enjoyment!!
Managed to capture them flying with camera phone lor!! Quite an accomplishment actually... :P
Art pcs on display outside a shop in Burghausen Old Town... really, u called this art as well? Oh man... every1 with a hint of weirdness can do equally well lor!!
Shi Tou!!
"Jian Dao!!"
"Bu!!"
"Brilliant!!"
Took this @ the Burghausen Castle. Really huge thingy outside gates. Suddenly rem ttz this puzzle game tt is xactly like the above where a person need to stack them up into a pyramid. Played b4 right?! Itz one of Marpigz fav puzzle!! Question no. 1: Why are there 2 entrances, a big one and a small one?Question no. 2: What does this sign means? (Must elaborate in detail huh!!)Question no. 3: Why is this goblin sulky-looking? (MW saw this and thought it looked "evil". But Marpig stood and thought of a better reason for itz grouchiness)Question no. 4: What is happening here? (Need to elaborate in detail too :P)Question no. 5: What happened to the brown pigeon?Right, shall reveal the answers in a weeks' time unless Marpig 4got bout it... heheheh Next few pictures are just for visual enjoyment!!
Managed to capture them flying with camera phone lor!! Quite an accomplishment actually... :PArt pcs on display outside a shop in Burghausen Old Town... really, u called this art as well? Oh man... every1 with a hint of weirdness can do equally well lor!!Shi Tou!!"Jian Dao!!""Bu!!""Brilliant!!"
Part 9: Letz Learn a Little Bit O' German
Kao. Cant believe Marpig am so wols in updating this bloggie nowsadays... no good. Oh, am in the office alone now using comp. Ok lah, since house is just a 5 min walk away. Grey weather in the UK and eh... thought itz suppose to be summer!! Kao. Wat a summer... as though winter never really leave... biangz.
Yup. Need to share photos of everyth and everywhere tt Marpigz been trotted on... but really don noe where to upload them, AND, only for the eyes of frenz only... Yahoo! is closing itz photos on 18th... therez webshots... hmmm... recently Ding has joined the vast no. of Facies, (new nick for pple who joined Facebook)... but, to comment on her photos required Marpig to join the Facies too... can Marpig not join? Last time received so many invitations to join Hi5, sms smth, blah blah blah and now Facebook... abit over-whelming leh...
Marpig only has Friendsters, which Marpig don go up regularly...
Oh, sorry, this bloggie entry is to teach sm German... ok, here goes:
(Below are romanticised spelling to ease pronunciation only, itz not the actual correct spelling of the words huh)
"Ger sund heit" : said when sm1 sneezed. The equivalent of saying "God bless u" to tt person who sneezed. Think an oldie chinese song sang by Bai Guang uses this wor...
"Choose" : informal way of saying byebye
"Auf vider sayhen" : formal way of saying byebye
"Das ist a-less" : TTz all
"Ger now" : Spot on
"Alles Klar" : All clear; luckily
"Alles Klar!" : U've got it!
Yup. Need to share photos of everyth and everywhere tt Marpigz been trotted on... but really don noe where to upload them, AND, only for the eyes of frenz only... Yahoo! is closing itz photos on 18th... therez webshots... hmmm... recently Ding has joined the vast no. of Facies, (new nick for pple who joined Facebook)... but, to comment on her photos required Marpig to join the Facies too... can Marpig not join? Last time received so many invitations to join Hi5, sms smth, blah blah blah and now Facebook... abit over-whelming leh...
Marpig only has Friendsters, which Marpig don go up regularly...
Oh, sorry, this bloggie entry is to teach sm German... ok, here goes:
(Below are romanticised spelling to ease pronunciation only, itz not the actual correct spelling of the words huh)
"Ger sund heit" : said when sm1 sneezed. The equivalent of saying "God bless u" to tt person who sneezed. Think an oldie chinese song sang by Bai Guang uses this wor...
"Choose" : informal way of saying byebye
"Auf vider sayhen" : formal way of saying byebye
"Das ist a-less" : TTz all
"Ger now" : Spot on
"Alles Klar" : All clear; luckily
"Alles Klar!" : U've got it!
Wednesday, August 1
Part 8: Beer!!
B4 Marpig start blogging on beer (Dingz fav!!), the poetic bf was 10 euros instead of 6.50. Don noe how the waiter adds up the price, but anyhow, smtimes travelling is bout spoiling oneself :P_
Noticed how red Marpig had became!! And it was only 0.7L of the beer!! The rest was finished by Marpigz fren... :P_ *hick* xcuse me... *hick*
Then, erm... i don noe bout going back to a same place 7 yrs or wat, itz like love (starting to digress :P); Marpig feels tt there are certain ths we cant put a timescale to it, especially feelings bout a person/place. So long as we enjoy ourselves, does it matter if we indulge (a little)? ahhahahah but understand!! Diff pple, diff perspective!! Got!!
Next, beer!! Wont be much on this entry since every1 noes Marpig cant drink!!
The Germans love theie beers!! So, tz not only the Brits tt were avid drinkers.
Normally, there will be a live band (formed by a group of elders) dressed as above, playing in restaurant-pubs, beer gardens, etc.
The restaurant-pub where Marpig had her 1st dinner in Munich!! See the number of pple just sitting, idling and relaxing the day away~
1st day in Munchen and Marpig was introduced to Russ'n (rem? itz 1/2 lemonade 1/2 beer) cos told fren Marpig cant hold her liqueur. Yes yes, Marpig am lousy; after ciders, this is the nicest beer Marpig can drink!! :D_ Itz not bitter. Erm... sweetness... not too sweet... not gassy like ciders... erm... not like shandy. Shandy is Rudler, 1/2 lemonade, 1/2 filtered beer. TTz bitter & just don taste nice.
Normally, there will be a live band (formed by a group of elders) dressed as above, playing in restaurant-pubs, beer gardens, etc.
The restaurant-pub where Marpig had her 1st dinner in Munich!! See the number of pple just sitting, idling and relaxing the day away~
1st day in Munchen and Marpig was introduced to Russ'n (rem? itz 1/2 lemonade 1/2 beer) cos told fren Marpig cant hold her liqueur. Yes yes, Marpig am lousy; after ciders, this is the nicest beer Marpig can drink!! :D_ Itz not bitter. Erm... sweetness... not too sweet... not gassy like ciders... erm... not like shandy. Shandy is Rudler, 1/2 lemonade, 1/2 filtered beer. TTz bitter & just don taste nice.Anyway, the subsequent days are always going to the beer garden in Chinese Tower @ English Garden. Cos fren told Marpig tt pple can bring the 1L huge beer mug home if they forfeit the deposit tt they paid (included in the price of the 1L beer) Therez also a chip to go with it. So, returning the chip and beer mug, one will get back bout 1+ euros.
So the story goes tt Marpig go sightsee and makan spree ard Munich with fren and ended up @ the beer garden trying to drink & collect as much mugs as Marpig could stash in her backpack as souvenirs for Marpigz sis and frens.
:D_ Managed to kop 4 mugs back!! Filled up the entire backpack!! Each mug is the height of a big kettle, circumference is bout 15cm & weighs like 1kg!!
Initially, the plan was to kop 2 for Marpigz sis and BIL, kop 1 for Beenie, kop 1 more as part of a surprise to sm1 (will really make a gd combi surprise), kop 1 as the annual German Bridge trophy (will really make a gd trophy!!) and kop 1 to keep. So, in total, should kop 6. But, Marpig wasnt going to be therefor 6 days and in fact, it was Marpigz fren whoz been helping Marpig to drown tt 1L of beer each time (poor guy hahahahah don care!!)
So, reduced to 5 mugs; 2 for Marpigz sis and BIL, 1 for Beenie, 1 as part of a surprise, 1 as the annual German Bridge trophy. Decided not to keep one for Marpig.
Then again, Marpigz fren said too many, (and too heavy + no more space in backpack!! Cos must hand carry, cannot check into cargo)
So, reduced again to just 4 mugs. 2 had gone to Marpigz sisz and BIL, ttz a must. (Brought a pair of Smurfs for them too!! So rare now to find Smurfs!! They are resurfacing though!! Itz a fairy and devil Smurfs!! Marpig kept a pair herself as well as... Gargamel & his cat, Azrael!! More bout Smurfs later!!)
1 will be for Beenie. The last one is now divided btw either as a trophy or as part of a surprise... hmmm... shall not decide until Marpig finds another worthy trophy!!
Anyhow, when @ the airport security checks when Marpigz backpack passed under xray, saw those 4 mugs. How pai seh. But don care. The security pple laughed though, spoke sm German, guess they are laughing @ Marpig? But don care either. Who will rem Marpig anyway once she is gone? :P
Then, one fine day in the office, Marpigz fren suddenly email Marpig and told Marpig tt wat we have done (kopping the mugs thinking we paid for it) was ILLEGAL!! OMG!! Apparently, he doesnt noe either. He was saying, if we were caught, we will be fined!! OMG OMG OMG!! But hey!! TTz fun!! hahahahaha isnt these the sort of xxxciting and funny travelling tales to bring back too?!
So, bottoms (literally also can) up!!
Noticed how red Marpig had became!! And it was only 0.7L of the beer!! The rest was finished by Marpigz fren... :P_ *hick* xcuse me... *hick*
Part 7: To Salzburg
In the car of MWz colleagues... Going to Salzburg!! Where the Sound of Music was filmed!! OMG!! Yeah!! :D
Hmmm...
In Salzburg already, but a day may not be enough. For this entire Salzburg trip, Marpig didnt manage to go to those places tt Sound of Music wwas filmed. Not even a single one. Why? Cos MWz colleagues werent as onz & crazy as Marpig. They complained the weather is too hot and they were too tired... gosh. To travel with pple tt holds u back is a pain. Anyway, the only place all of us went was the fortress in the picture above... No idea wat the fortress is... guess itz one of the must-see places in Salzburg... think itz called Salzburg Fortress?
Front... 
Side... Think in the old days, the horses do go down for a splash via this slope...
Famous Salzburg streets with all the hanging shop names... :D
How can we miss this?! This IS THE birth place of Mozart!! Need to pay quite a bit to go in. And frankily, smtimes, sm touristy places are not really worth to go into but just to "been there, done tt"
At bottom of the fortress, there is a church. Abit of renovation is going on as well as putting up of a stage as there is an evening concert...
See tt fortress up there?
View from the top of the fortress!!
Ditto.
Ditto, but facing the town.
Ah!! Need to go Salzburg again!! Next time, will visit those places where the Sound of Music was filmed!!
Part 6: Tour in Burghausen & The Longest Castle Complex in Europe
1st day in Burghausen, MW treated Marpig to dinner (refer to Part 4 for wat we ate) Then, she took Marpig to Austria, on foot!! Apparently, in Burghausen, there is a bridge linking Austria. So, in the picture above, notice Marpigz new Camper shoes (£85!! Kao.) as well as the drawings on the bridge. Guess itz there to indicate tt ttz the footpath used by pple; drivers be cautious.
This is the view from the other side of the bridge, i.e., Austria. In the picture is the longest castle complex in Europe (on top of the hills) and the Old Town of Burghausen.
Next morning, when MW silently left for work, Marpig woke up shortly & started the long walk to the entrance to Burghausen Castle to embark on the 1000m castle complex. Seems quite long & daunting but actually, itz not. Well, for Marpig maybe? :P
Therez simply too many pictures!! As usual, Marpig took too many pictures *snap snap snap!!* For this entire trip, Marpig took 1224 pictures, blasted & used up the mobile external + internal memories!! Why don Marpig use a camera? Cos itz broken. :S *sigh* Anyhow, the above is a enclosed well with a tower. The place is so peaceful & quiet!! Very nice feeling. Cos no tourists (@ tt time yet) so Marpig had the place for herself!! Hiak hiak hiak!!
Along the way... getting deeper into the inner walls of the castle. For general information, castles normally have multiple lines of defense, with the innermost/core area being where the King & Queen reside. Just like LOTR trilogy. Or, like an onion with lotsa layers!! (Quoting Shrek)
Medieval place this is, very nice and interesting Marpig... but bet sm of u are bored(?)
This is how the whole place should look like in the Medieval days...
Erm, one of Marpigz type of "yi4 shu4 zhao4"!!
This is seen from the middle of the castle, not facing the Old Town of Burghausen. There is a river? Gorge? Watever it should be. Pple can be seen sun bathing on rafts and swimming etc!! in fact, at the 1000m end of the long castle complex, is a club house like our Sea Sports Clubs where u need to pay to gain entry to this river/gorge/watever!! Therez even canoe, rowing boats to hire!! 
This is the view facing the old Town of Burghausen as seen from the castle.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Continuing the journey...
Nice picutre leh!! hahahahaha Wonder how did Marpig manage to take this picture depsite being alone?
Marpig inserted/jam her mobile phone into one of the crevices and set the timer... :P 
Walking down a "secret path" in the middle of the castle tt leads all the way down to the Old Town. Supposedly used by the princes of the old days to gain access to the Old Town... 
Emerges out to the Old Town of Burghausen!! Despite being a small town/village, therez only big, posh, shiny, new cars around... *wow*
Another of the Old Townz alleyway...
Therez simply too many pictures!! As usual, Marpig took too many pictures *snap snap snap!!* For this entire trip, Marpig took 1224 pictures, blasted & used up the mobile external + internal memories!! Why don Marpig use a camera? Cos itz broken. :S *sigh* Anyhow, the above is a enclosed well with a tower. The place is so peaceful & quiet!! Very nice feeling. Cos no tourists (@ tt time yet) so Marpig had the place for herself!! Hiak hiak hiak!!Along the way... getting deeper into the inner walls of the castle. For general information, castles normally have multiple lines of defense, with the innermost/core area being where the King & Queen reside. Just like LOTR trilogy. Or, like an onion with lotsa layers!! (Quoting Shrek)Medieval place this is, very nice and interesting Marpig... but bet sm of u are bored(?)This is how the whole place should look like in the Medieval days...Erm, one of Marpigz type of "yi4 shu4 zhao4"!!This is seen from the middle of the castle, not facing the Old Town of Burghausen. There is a river? Gorge? Watever it should be. Pple can be seen sun bathing on rafts and swimming etc!! in fact, at the 1000m end of the long castle complex, is a club house like our Sea Sports Clubs where u need to pay to gain entry to this river/gorge/watever!! Therez even canoe, rowing boats to hire!! This is the view facing the old Town of Burghausen as seen from the castle.Ditto.Ditto.Continuing the journey...Nice picutre leh!! hahahahaha Wonder how did Marpig manage to take this picture depsite being alone?Marpig inserted/jam her mobile phone into one of the crevices and set the timer... :P Walking down a "secret path" in the middle of the castle tt leads all the way down to the Old Town. Supposedly used by the princes of the old days to gain access to the Old Town... Emerges out to the Old Town of Burghausen!! Despite being a small town/village, therez only big, posh, shiny, new cars around... *wow*Another of the Old Townz alleyway...
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