My first Christmas and New Year in Europe. Not in london because I'm going to Spain early tomorrow morning. Barcelona - Ibiza - Palma - Seville. Will be back early morning of 2 Jan.
Take care and see you in the new year!
The other day, took a night walk along River Thames to go see Tower Bridge. And we were so lucky and actually saw the bridge open for a ship to go pass!
Tower Bridge all lighted up
The Tower of London looks quite eerie right?
The bridge opening
See the ship!
Ice-skating is very popular in London during winter. Almost everywhere, there will be an open air ice-rink. It's quite cool i must say. The most beautiful and popular one is at Somerset House.
Ice-skating in the open
Me and Peifen at Somerset house
After Stuttgart, we took a 2.5hrs train ride to Konstanz, which is at the border of Germany and Switzerland. It's a small town which has beautiful views of the Austrian and Swiss alps.
View of Bodensee
Nice view of the lake and houses
See Germany?
You're in Switzerland!
Me with a foot each in Germany and Switzerland!
The Christmas market at Konstanz. Nice too, but not as big and crowded like the one at Stuttgart. 
See the view of the German, Austrian and Swiss Alps in the far, far distant.
A nice view
Houses again.. simply reminds me of the houses in Amsterdam!
The Prostitute, which is one of the symbols of Konstanz. In one hand, she has the Pope, and in the other, she has the Emperor. What does that mean? Think for yourself... hee..
More of the Alps
Me and the houses!
The Alps look so near ... How i wish i'm going skiing any time now..
Taking a ferry across Bodensee to Meersburg.
Arrival at Meersburg, a picturesque and historic town
The Germans love to decorate their houses. See what I mean? 
A traditional German house
Trying to climb up to a chimney, Mr Santa?
View of Konstanz from the ferry pulling in to the pier
Welcome to Konstanz. 
Konstanz christmas markets with the lights coming up.
After that, we rushed to catch a train to the Zurich airport to catch our flight back to London. It was really a quick trip.. short but fulfiling. Quite sad that I didn't manage to eat another bradwurst before leaving Konstanz.. coz it started to rain and we had to make our way through the crowd to get to the station to catch our train in time. Nevermind, I'm sure I'll have more chances to go Germany again! :)
On the weekend of 8/9 Dec, me and liping flew in to Stuttgart and met up with my cousin, Yvonne, who is doing an exchange at Konstanz. Yvonne has very kindly brought us around, and let us stay in her cosy apartment. :)
First store we see along the shopping street of Stuttgart
German bradwursts!! How I miss it!! Yummy...
At the Weihnachtsmarkt - Stuttgart Christmas Market. The German xmas markets are really unbelievable. The atmosphere is so wonderful, it really makes you feel like christmas is coming!
Me and Yvonne
The stores are all so beautifully decorated...
So cute!
Walking around at the Stuttgart Square
Enjoying warm Gluehwein (mulled wine) and tasty potato wedges
Lights on!
There's nothing much at Stuttgart actually. We followed the city tour map and took a walk around the city which covers all the important sights. but, I still enjoyed the Christmas markets the most! So much to see and so much to eat! :)
OMG! Just read from internet that Maria Sharapova is going to play a game in singapore at indoor stadium! and the tix are selling for $80, $180 and $280!! So expensive!!!
it's only 1 match and I guess it won't take more than 1.5hrs? Unless they deliberately play long long since it's an exhibition match? Don't understand why the tickets are so expensive. I guess it must have been difficult to get the 2 glamorous ladies to come play in singapore.
Wimbledon tickets are also very expensive at around £61 - S$180. but at least can watch 3 matches at least.
At La Pedrera - one of the main Gaudi residential building
I really like this roof with the different chimneys and curvey designs. very abstract - totally not something that I thought would be designed by someone in the 1900s
More of the roof
All these are chimneys, built with a variety of modern shapes.
The Courtyard stairs. Some of the lower floors are occupied by offices and apartments. Only the last floor and roof are open to the public for viewing.
Another residential building designed by Gaudi - Casa Batllo.
We didn't go into this one because it was so ex - double the price of La Pedrera! But I'll definitely go when I go to Barcelona again this weekend. Coz Shuwen said this is the best!
See the glum on my face? Sigh.. the Barcelona Cathedral is also under reconstruction! So sad. No wonder I read this graffiti on one of the toilet doors at Sagrada Familia - "Everywhere in Europe is under construction. It's really hard to be a tourist these days!" Haha....
Exploring the small little streets of Barcelona - Many small cafes and shops are lined along these streets.
Pretty little flora stores along La Ramblas - I'm glad I stayed at La Ramblas. This street is so fascinating. With such little stores, and lots of very imaginative performing acts waiting to get some of your tourist monies.
Final picture at La Ramblas - Ready to leave Barcelona!
We started the third day with a vist to Mercat St Josep. See my new colourful gloves! I love it!
Mercat
The market is bustling with activity. Locals and tourists alike are shopping here.
At Placa de Espanya
Standing at the columns which are at the foot of the gateway leading up to Montjuïc
View from the top of Montjuïc
View of Museu d'Art de Catalunya in the background
Museu d'Art de Catalunya
Montjuic is where the Olympic park is situated.
The Montjuic Telecommunications Tower in the background.
Surrounding area of the Telecommunications Tower. Very beautifully landscaped.
At the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Stadium. The stadium actually looks quite disappointing 15 years down the road.
We then made our way to Parc de la Ciutadella hoping to see the Cascada, a triumphal arch with waterfall and fountain. But..........
It's under construction!!!! So disappointing again... Cascada is designed by Josep Fontsere and assisted by Antonin Gaudi in his younger days as a student.
The Barcelona Arc de Triomphe in the background.
Picasso museum - but we didn't go in coz it was quite late by the time we got there.
