Paris 6 : Where You Have Your Insides Out?

For the art lovers... Centre Pompidou is the must-go place. The place is unique and outrageously artistic. Famous for its daring design where the interiors/utilities components openly displayed on the outside of the building, it created quite a buzz when it was commissioned. It remained as its special attractions till now.

Some art piece around the Centre Pompidou.

As typical as most tourist spots, you can't miss the souvenir shops nearby.

Being a movie junkie, I won't let go of chances to browse DVD store and guess what I found???? A copy of DVD of Edward Yang's (杨德昌) last movie YiYi (一一). Love this movie!!! It's not a surprise to find his movie in France as most of his later movies are funded either by Japanese or French e.g. Mahjong (麻将).

Paris 5 : Eiffel in the Day

I was blessed the day I went to Eiffel as the sky was full of cloud; the way I like it!!!!

I remember Pierre mentioned a lot of Parisians think the Eiffel was just a structure of steel which in the early days, have no absolute function at all! Of course now it's a communication tower and also exhibition site. There was a painting exhibition when I was there, held in the 1st level I think. How cool is that???

Long associated with romance and love as the city itself, Eiffel do have its magic, at least to me.

The area surrounding Eiffel is a picnic area with nice grass. Many Parisians just lay down to enjoy the sun or have some picnics with their kids and friends. Always love the gardens and it reminded me of the Hyde Park sans the magnifique Eiffel.

Marie and I got a cup of coffee and sat on the grass watching the day goes by. We chatted a lot on movies and musics. We even exchanged some nice songs. Thanks Marie for sharing the India.Arie's song with me. It's truly Beautiful!!!

Childhood is the best time ever!!!!!!!!

Marie and me parted ways as she had to go back to Pierre's place to get her luggage and go to the train station. I left Eiffel to continue my exploration of the City of Light.

Peace monument with different type of writing in different language. World peace!!!

Paris 4 : The Gardens.... (err...I forgot which Jardin)

I believe it's the Jardin des Plantes.

Blue-colored flower never fails to amaze me...

See how patriotic I am!!!! The hibuscus, Malaysia's official flower.

The blue ones again...

Paris 3 : Cathedrale de Notre Dame de Paris

I didn't manage to get nice pic inside the Cathedral.

The replica shown inside.

The people queuing outside the cathedral to go to the top.... sans moi of course.

The cathedral looks majestic from the back. Taken from the jardin.

Taken from the crossing bridge.

Paris 2 : A Delightful, A Delicious, A Delovely Lunch

A nice little restaurant we had our lunch in the Marais area (again... if I remember correctly)

The table setting at the upper stairs of the restaurant.

Marie, a friend of both Pierre and Stephane who was visiting them at the same time. We visited Eiffel together while waiting for her train back to her hometown.

escargot....

Marie had salmon.

nice....... very grassy taste though

thanks to Marie for accompanying me to lunch. we chatted a lot over that small bottle of wine.

Paris 1 : Quiet On Sunday

It was raining in some part of the journey and the ride took about 2 hours plus (if my memory serves me right...). The train stops at Gare du Nord which is very near to where my friend, Pierre stays. He picks me up from the station and it's great to meet him again after 2 years when he was doing his round Asia trip.

typical bicycle rental station with automated machine

Pierre suggested a bicycle ride in Paris to kick start my time!!! I never imagine the traffic is very minimal on Sunday in one of the world's biggest metropolitan city it's really a great feeling navigating around Paris on bicycle. And Pierre introduced to me the great bicycle rental system in Paris which I used most of the time during my next few days in Paris. It's very convenient with a rental fee of Euro1 (I couldn't remember exactly...) which you charged to your credit card. Then you have to set a password to take the bicycle (all DIY at machine) at the station which can be found a lot on the streets. If you ride on the same bicycle for less than 30 mins before returning it to the station, it's free. This means you can travel by bicycle from one place to another FREE if you change bicycle every 30mins. Isn't this fantastic??? And most of the places you wanna go will be of the vicinity of this bicycle renting facilities. I ended up only using Metro a few times during my stay there.

On the bicycle around the Montmarte area I guess... very near to the Moulin Rouge I think....

Walking from/to the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel

Ain't No Sunshine???

Be Strong

Taken during the hike with Guy and Michel.

Preview 3 : Paris Je Taime (UPDATED)

I bought the Lonely Planet photo book, One Planet which I had been eyeing for quite some time. Since it's sold at discounted price in Times Bookstore, KK, I decided to buy it and just like what I expect, it's a browsing copy where some of the binding came off but it doesn't matter as it's 50% discount. Found some nice quotes in it and it reminded me of some of the pics I took during my travel.

Paris, In The Eyes....

UPDATE :

The question is not what you look at, but what you see ~ Henry David Thoreau

於心有愧 Eason Chan

Eason is one of the rare Chinese male singer that you can't go wrong buying his album. His latest is such a joy to the ears and I particular like this sad tune. 林夕 once again gave one of his best lyrics.

如果我听歌可眼红 何以待你好偏不懂

自细做过多少美梦 慈悲的伟论

连乞丐喊穷心也痛

竟怕放怀拥抱你 让你露欢容

追悔无用 转眼发现 你失踪

曾听说过 你某夜结婚 未曾露笑容

实在不敢知道我是元凶 大概当初我未懂得顾忌 年少率性害惨你

令人受伤滋味 难保更可悲 这心地再善良终生怎去 向你说对不起

良心有愧 原来随便错手 可毁了人一世

立志助世人脱贫以为 便伟大到像多麼有为

这种刺猬 连谁曾待我好 都可带来伤势

被我害过来接受我跪 是我在制造眼泪居然想救世

就算积储献尽饥荒赤地 而太多债没处理

累人累己滋味 余生也记起 数一数 我实情不只得你要说句对不起

良心有愧 原来随便错手 可毁了人一世

立志助世人脱贫以为 便伟大到像多麼有为

这种刺猬 连谁曾待我好 都可带来伤势

被我害过来接受我跪 是我在制造眼泪居然想救世

于心有愧 原来随便错手 可毁了人一世

立志助世人脱贫以为 便伟大到像多麼有为

这种刺猬 连谁曾待我好 都可带来伤势 内疚内疚内疚没作为

直到在某年某日我能安息於葬礼

仍想你一家 可到齐

Does This Confirm the Conspiracy Theory?

The Conspiracy Theory : You couldn't help but wonder if the recent power ration going on in the state of Sabah is the consequence of the fierce objection to a coal-fired power plant which is still being kept hidden from the eyes of the Sabahans with all the cabinet ministers denying approval while you can't confirm on the validity of the EIA reports, endorse or otherwise. The power plant was initially planned to be in Silam, Lahad Datu but canceled due to the environmental effect it will cause to the ecosystem and later to be moved to Sandakan. The proposed area will even create a greater damage as it's the river bed of the rich ecosystem which will cause damage to the famous Sepilok if its dynamic is being disturbed. So, you couldn't help but wonder right?

And then the official of SESB (Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd) official came out and say this.....

On committed and planned power plants, Peter said there are four in its plan, namely Ranhill (190MW), Kimanis Phase I and II (300MW), Coal-Fired IPP Phase I and II (300MW) and Upper Padas Hydro and Liwagu Hydro (300MW).
He said the Ranhill power plant is expected to be ready by next year while Kimanis Phase I in 2012, Kimanis Phase II (2019), coal-fired IPP Phase I (2013), IPP Phase II (2014), Upper Padas (2017) and Liwagu (2018).
Meanwhile, SESB Managing Director, Baharin Din, said there is a very serious need for a power plant to be set up in the East Coast of Sabah.
And at the moment, he said the most efficient would be to set up a coal-powered plant but that it has met with strong objections.

Read the full article here, from the Daily Express. Sabahans, you read it and also pay some attention to the news lately and form your own judgement.

Happy Labour Day

Happy Labour Day to all!!!

Well, somehow or rather, no matter rich or poor, we are a labour to someone. Paid or unpaid, that's the only difference I guess.

Happy Holiday!!!!!!!