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| Are you ready for winter? |
A woolen hat is essential and these are not expensive at all. Sure you can spend over a hundred dollars/pounds on a woolen hat made from the finest wool with a designer label, but a hat that costs £2.50 from a market store in Petticoat Lane Market or Primark would probably do the trick just as well. Would a cheap hat leave your head feeling cold? No, it wouldn't - the material is just probably not as fine and comfortable as expensive wool but you're unlikely to feel the difference. If you are venturing to places where the temperature will fall to below -10, then you will need a much thicker hat. If in doubt, ask the shop assistant for help and recommendations.
More expensive hats do not keep you more warm! You are paying more for a more exclusive designer label or perhaps a finer (and more expensive) type of material. If you're not sure, then try the hat on and you will probably get pretty good idea how warm it will keep your head . Note that women with long hair should search in the women's section for hats as there are hats designed specifically for women with big hair. Speaking of women with long hair, please ladies - your hair will not keep your head warm. You're not a bear with thick fur - you will lose heat through your head if you do not wear a hat. You'll thank me for this tip.
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| Yes a hat is essential for winter. |
Ear muffs are not practical. Yeah you could get cute looking ones and look like some K-pop singer in a music video dancing around in the snow looking cute in a very aegyo way. But ear muffs only keep your ears warm when you can lose a lot of heat through your entire head so a woolen hat is far more practical in terms of keeping your head warm.
Your Neck
Invest in a scarf - your neck will get cold once the temperature is in the single digits especially when it is windy. Once again, the same principle applies as with hats when it comes to price - you can spend an obscene amount of money on a scarf, but you're paying for the designer label and the finer grade of wool - rather than a scarf that will keep your neck warmer just because it is more expensive. You can probably get a cheap scarf for under £5.
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| It was so cold then I had to pull my scarf over my face. |
Firstly, you need to invest in a good winter jacket. I have talked about this in my previous post on winter wear and if the temperature is going to fall near zero or below zero, then you need to layer up with fleeces - again, this was so comprehensively covered in my last post I am just going to direct you there.
Your Hands
When the temperature drops below say 5 degrees, your will appreciate having a pair of gloves handy. I tend to prefer gloves made of waterproof material as wet gloves are miserable. Even if the snow or ice is very cold and below melting point, the body warmth from your hands will make the snow you touch melt. And don't forget, as long as it is above zero degrees, it can still rain and wet gloves are very, very miserable.
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| Make sure your gloves are waterproof! |
I find that my lower body tends not to get cold at all. I tend not to wear anything special for my lower body until it drops to around -10, that's when I get the ski trousers out. Otherwise, I am perfectly happy from my ankles to my waist wearing what I normally wear. There really isn't that much designed for the lower body and any kind of thermal underwear just makes me itch - they're not particularly toilet friendly either. Believe you me, you'll thank me for this: always make sure whatever you wear is toilet friendly.
Shoes and socks
Again, I tend not to get cold feet until it drops to around -10 or so and would not bother with any kind of special socks or shoes until it drops to below -10! It all depends if you're going to be walking around in the city visiting malls, museums, offices and restaurants or going hiking in the snow. If you are doing the latter, then you need proper hiking shoes. Also, this may sound like common sense, but make sure that your shoes are wet weather friendly - the last thing you want is to realize that you're wearing damp shoes and socks after trudging through the melting snow. Boy that's a miserable feeling I can tell you that.
A lot of common sense goes a long way. If it turns out to be 14 degrees, then ditch the big winter coat and enjoy the nice weather. You are far more likely to feel cold if you are hungry, so make sure you do have your meals - I like having hot soups and curries to warm me up on a cold winter's day. It's the perfect weather for a laksa. Always bear in mind that windchill plays a big part in just how cold you can actually feel, so always check the weather forecast. And lastly, if you did forget something - it's not the end of the world. Just go into the shop and buy whatever you need.
Lastly, do remember that as long as you are well prepared and appropriately dressed for the weather and the kind of activity you're doing, you will feel warm and comfortable even if it is -40 degrees out there. If you have any questions, please do leave me a question in the comments section below. Cheers and enjoy your winter!
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| Limpeh in Austria |
Ear muffs are too passe and unnecessary. You are so right. Also, unless you are young, those ear muffs will make you look "undoh". A good woolen hat that can be pulled over your head will do. I pay next to nothing for my hats. A few bucks should do. Also, I tend to lose my hats a lot. I like a soft scarf. Again, no need for cashmere. I think Singaporeans travelling aborad tend to either overdress or underdress for winter. Think layers! I usually do not wear anything special unless it is below 10 C. A long sleeved top and jeans will do, and then a light jacket/sweater for 10 degrees and above. That's just me. Below 10 C, I may wear my gloves if I am walking, However, I always wear sensible shoes. Ladies, forget those fancy heeled boots. They don't keep you warm. In slippery weather, you will trip. Not so fancy when you are limping with a "bengkok" leg. LOL!
ReplyDeleteWaterproof outer layers are important. This March, we had so much snow in London but as it was spring snow that fell when the temperature was between 0 and 3 degrees, it was very wet and heavy and melted very quickly. I remember wearing the wrong coat one evening when it snowed heavily and I felt very wet as the snow settled on my non-waterproof coat and melted, soaking me in the process. Yikes.
DeleteYes. Waterproof is important. I live and work in the suburbs, so I drive everywhere. That allows me to be more lax in dressing warm. Certainly back in the university years, it was thermal longjohns and socks! Imagine this high maintenance Singspore girl walking to 8:30 am clases in minus 25 temperature!
DeleteThermals are bad though ... cos you walk into a well heated building (say 23 degrees indoors) and you're just too hot if you're wearing longjohns indoors!?
DeleteI had to wear long johns coz the temp was minus 25 to minus 35 with windchill. Had to walk 6 blocks to campus. Now I just drive. Thank goodness.
DeleteI lived in Canada in an area where it was always minus 10 to minus 30 and below during the long winters, and the air was also dry and vaporizes any moisture or water in seconds. Basically, I think that in all cases, one should remember to bring a ski mask or scarves, and use them to cover one's face during the blizzards. Other than the necessary clothing, avocado oil(for cosmetic uses) or grapeseed oil are extremely good for protecting chapped skin all over, and a healthier alternative to petroleum jelly too. Generally, sneakers are supposed to be a no-no, but I do realize that the Canadians are rather hardy, and even capable of walking on ice :p hahah. I never try that, although I must say that I do know how to see ice and walk on the snow instead of dry ground, because ice can look deceptively absent on the dry floor or ground, and then you might fall to your death without warning. Shoes should ideally have some form of traction, with rugged edges unlike flat shoes (think, Converse and the like).
ReplyDeleteMind you, the English winters I get are so mild compared to what you get in Canada - it barely gets to like -5 here in London even during the coldest winter days. I do only encounter severe winter weather when i go skiing and that's when I can get -30 when i am up on the Alps.
DeleteWhat are your go to brands? Just want to know since its not easy going winter clothes shopping in SG.
ReplyDeleteHi there, let me try to give you a sensible answer.
DeleteI've never tried to go shopping for winter clothes in Singapore but from what I have seen, the range is limited and very expensive. It is treated like a premium product - ie. if you're rich enough to travel to cold countries, you are rich enough to pay a lotta money for this. Whereas in somewhere like London, winter clothing is just normal stuff you know, that everyone rich or poor has to wear when winter comes, so we do have lelong-lelong cheapo winter clothing brands which offer value for money and then of course, at the end of winter (march/april) there are these huge SALES where shops try to get rid of their winter stock to make space for summer clothes and you can get HUGE discounts on quality winter wear.
None of that exist in Singapore of course, that's why you pay full whack in SG whereas in London, there are always discounts & bargains to be found. I would say, if you're traveling to a big city, go with the minimum and shop there - that's the best solution IMHO.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your insightful post!
I will be heading to UK in Dec for the first time. Do you have any shops to recommend for buying winter clothes and nice waterproof boots/shoes in London? I will be wearing the minimum to UK, because honestly speaking I don't fancy the designs that they have in SG.
Elle
Hi!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your insightful post.
May I know if you have any shops to recommended to buy winter wear and waterproof boots or shoes in UK?
I will be wearing the minimum to UK and make my purchases there. Don't really fancy the ones in SG and the ones I like simply cost too much.
Thanks!
Hi there, I am going to assume that the last two comments were from the same person. You must be passing through London right? But any of these shops will have chains nationally so no worries even if you're not going to be in London.
DeleteIf you're looking for accessories (hats, gloves, shoes) and you're really after the cheap bargain basement stuff, then try shops like Poundland (Pound stretcher, 99p store etc) - it is like the Daiso of the UK where everything is £1 (that's about S$2) and you can pick up a hat, or a pair of gloves for £1. That's ridiculously cheap, compared to what you'd have to pay elsewhere. Since you live in S'pore and won't have to use the gloves regularly, it really doesn't matter if they're cheap. Your hands will still be warm enough, it's just that the designs aren't nice and maybe the material isn't made of the finest wool, but why spend £20 on a pair of gloves when you can get it for £1.
As for the winter wear, shoes etc - I recommend Primark. Oh yeah, cheap and cheerful. My current winter coat was from Primark, full price £15 but I can wear it for work, I wore it to go skiing, no problem at all. Just google Primark UK for the nearest store to where you are staying. Also, look up Shoe Zone to see if there is a branch near you - they are a bargain shoe retailer.
You're adopting the right strategy. In the UK, everyone experiences winter - even very poor people, hence winter wear retailers do cater for the lower end of the market. But in Singapore, only rich people get to travel to cold countries, so winter wear retailers will assume you're rich and try to flog you the expensive stuff.
PS. It doesn't get that cold in the UK in Dec - day time about +6 or 7, night time near zero.
Thank you so much for your reply!
DeleteSorry for the duplicated comments. I thought the first one didn't get through.
Yes, i will be staying in London for about 6 days before moving on other places. Tempted to do a Jane Austen tour! :p
I will definitely check out Primark and Shoe Zone when I get there! =)
I just hope that the immigration clearance at Heathrow won't be nightmare as what others have mentioned.
Thanks a million!
In this case, you will definitely be able to get everything you need in one of the big Primarks in London. It is really lelong-lelong there as they cater for the bottom end of the market.
DeleteHeathrow immigration = your luck. If your plane arrives at the same time as a plane from India, China or Africa and you get stuck behind the queue whilst the custom officers struggle to interview some of these people, then you will wait. It's the same thing for me at Changi airport (I have a UK passport), when I get there and see that a bunch of PRCs ahead of me struggling to communicate with the Indian or Malay customs officer, I know I am in for a long wait.
Yes, I guess it's all up to luck at the airport. So far looking at the arrivals schedule my arrival time would class with another American Airline flight from KL. Keeping my fingers crossed! :)
DeleteYou can never tell though - your flight (or other flights) may get delayed. Good luck.
DeleteThank you! :) Hopefully things will be fine!
DeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteIt's me again! Sorry to bother you.
I will be making detour to Iceland and I know the winter wear for London definitely won't make it go Iceland.
Will probably do dog sledding, visiting glaciers and waterfalls and diving.
Any place in UK that sells good and cheap winter gear including winter hiking boots?
Or can I get everything at Primark?
Thanks!
Remind me when you will be coming here? Cos when I was in Iceland, London was colder than Iceland. The strange thing about Iceland is that the weather can be unpredictable and it can get unseasonably warm in winter if they get a southerly wind. http://limpehft.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/tourist-season-part-8-iceland.html
DeleteThe stuff at Primark is perfectly fine unless you intend to sleep outdoors - which I think you won't.
I'm going over during the December period. :)
ReplyDeleteMost of the trip we have booked accommodation. :) But my friend is thinking of camping outside for a night or two. 😁
Yeah I was in Iceland in December too - and sure enough it was WARMER than London whilst I was there. Kinda disappointing as it didn't live up to its reputation. It reached like 6 degrees in the day time and was around 2 degrees at night, but too warm for snow and we got rain instead. Miserable, that meant no northern lights! And when I left London, it was -2 degrees. The bottom line is do not assume that Iceland will be cold - you can arrive in London first, check the weather forecast then decide what you need, see if you're having really low temperatures or if it will be around the same (or warmer) than London.
DeleteCamping outside? Don't be xiao lah. Aiyoh. You won't sleep and you won't be able to enjoy your sightseeing. But Iceland in December, the sun rises at 11:30 am and sets at 2:45, be warned! You have just over 3 hours of daylight so make the most of it.
Oh my ...
DeleteThat's really disappointing! I was hoping to see snow in December. 😣
We are still deciding how long to stay because we only bought a one way ticket. We will be staying in Reyjavik and Akureyri but thinking of extending because we need to factor in no-fly time after diving.
Secondly, because of the limited daylight we know we are quite limited in terms of the number of places we can visit a day and we do want to visit the Jokulsarlon Glacier and the black sand beach in the south. 😁 kinda seem like too many places not enough time. 😣
Unless we want to visit everything in the dark. Something which my friend is kinda excited about. Well, I'm not the one driving so I guess if the driver is fine with it then it's fine then.
My friend is used to driving in Germany, will driving in Iceland be worse in Germany?
I will try to talk my friend out of camping in a tent with sleeping bags. Lol! Not sure I wanna sleep with raining pouring down on me. If it's snow I still wouldn't mind.
I also read ur post on Iceland. We initially wanted to go blue lagoon but a lot of ppl says its overcrowded and overrated.
Was it very crowded when you were there? Since we will be driving up to Akureyri, we were thinking doing the natural baths in Lake Myvatn.
If it rains does it mean skiing is going to be a washout?
Sorry first time traveling to Europe so it's a big trip for me. Haha ... Kinda like a sua gu here.
Hi there, allow me to answer your questions on Iceland.
Delete1. The weather in Iceland varies with the wind direction and you won't know till like a week before weather it is going to be +7 and raining or -10 and snowing, so don't worry - just keep your fingers crossed. It all depends on the relative position of the jet stream: I had bad luck and couldn't see the Northern Lights :(
2. The amount of daylight was shockingly little in December (I was there before xmas) and there's only a window of opportunity of like 3 hours and you have to plan carefully, do NOT eat your lunch during that window period and waste precious sunlight. Have a late breakfast (ie. 10 am plus) and pack snacks so you can keep going until after 3 pm when the sun has set.
3. Driving in Iceland will be a breeze as the roads are excellent and there's nobody - the population density there is v low and even the capital Reykjavik is a small town by any standards. Two factors to consider: driving in the dark = you can't see much scenery at all, apart from the well lit road ahead. Also, driving in the pouring rain/snow may be unpleasant.
4. Just the risk of rain in December will make you absolutely regret camping - esp if your friend is the driver, then she needs to have a good night's sleep otherwise she cannot drive the next day. Esp if you're not used to camping.
5. Alamak go to Blue Lagoon lah, it's a good thing to do when it is dark - yes it is crowded, expensive and touristy but go anyway and you won't regret it.
6. No it was not crowded when I was there. V few tourists. Probably they were put off by the short days.
7. The problem with skiing in Iceland is that it is weather dependent - in the Alps for example, if it is warm, you simply go up to over 3000m where the high altitude will ensure that the temperature will almost certainly be below zero and the snow won't melt. But in Iceland, the mountains are not that high, at Bláfjöl for example, it is only max 700m - that's not high enough to make a difference to the temperature to ensure the snow won't melt. And yes, if it does rain, skiing won't be a good idea as you'll get very, very wet. And miserable. But it may not rain - you never know, check the weather forecast and keep your fingers crossed.
Read my posts on skiing:
http://limpehft.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/2012-lesson-12-skiing-for-beginners.html
http://limpehft.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/lift-vlog-episode-17-skiing-in-flachau.html
http://limpehft.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/city-ski-break-2-holidays-in-one.html (I did talk about Iceland skiing in this one)
Oh and in Iceland, you'll have to get used to night skiing - ie. they have massive stadium lights to light up the ski slopes so you can ski all night 'cos the days are so short. Not as nice as skiing in the daytime of course, but what can you do when the days are soooo short in Iceland?
DeleteOh and there will be snow on the glaciers - it won't melt as there's so much of it, so even if it is +8 degrees and pouring with rain, you will be able to touch some snow when you get to the glaciers still. But that's hardly going to be a pleasant experience. Just keep your fingers crossed for good weather.
DeleteThanks for the insights!
DeleteI will be going before Xmas too.
Will definitely be keeping everything crossed and will try to make it to blue lagoon.
This iceland trip is proving to be very costly because of the tours. It's like 'since I'm all the way there just do it' kind of mentality. Plus both my friend and I are divers and have not dived in fresh water and in a dry suit. So we are all VERY very tempted to go. Plus it's diving between the tectonic plate! That alone will set us back around 470SGD per pax. For just 1 dive if lucky the weather allows it then 2. Then on top of that the extension of one more day due to no-fly. 😱
And the dog sledding and the skiing... 😁
So definitely hope and pray for the weather to hold up.
So far we are planning to prep food for road trip. We are not fussy eaters. Since we are staying in houses/apartment with a microwave/ stove, (thank God for airbnb) we will be having breakfast first and prep food for the road trip. Definitely will not stop for lunch. We will just survive on lots of hot dogs and sandwiches (our comfort food actually). Will also bring thermos for coffee (for driver) and my ginger drink! 😜
So we will reach our first destination by first light. Then hopefully can cover 2-3 destinations by last light.
As for skiing, will probably do it in Akureyri. Once again hoping that it won't rain. 🙏 I have never ski in my whole life before so haha.. Guess will have to make do with any conditions. In fact I just wanna see nice white clean snow n roll on it! 😜
My first experience of snow was less than pleasant because it's in China and the snow was filthy and slush-like.
Once again mountain tortoise here. 😁
After Iceland will be Paris! 😜
Hi there - I have read so much about the diving in Iceland and what you're doing is expensive but it is gonna be an experience of a lifetime. You're a very brave person to do it in December though, good luck!
DeleteThere are various packages you can book for the blue lagoon - mind you, let me give you some advice: if you were to book these packages, make sure you go through a local agent (power of the internet) and book directly with them. If you book via a Singaporean or British third party agent, then the third party will want a 10-20% cut and jack up the price. When I arrived in Iceland, I literally ran down the high street (not very long) and compared prices and the woman I eventually booked with was like, "what are they offering you next door? If I lower my price, would you book with me right now?" That's how I booked my excursions. Yes you can bargain even in a place like Iceland.
Skiing in Iceland isn't that great to be honest cos Iceland lacks the kind of majestic mountains of the Alps or the Rockies, but it'll be okay if you have never skied before.
Iceland is big - so do factor in how long you need to drive to get from A to B, you want to spend the limited daylight hours doing stuff, not driving. Reykjavik to Akureyri is 380 km - that's further than driving to KL which is like 355 km.
I love skiing - you need to dedicate at least 1 whole day to ski: the first half of the day is learning, hopefully, the second half of the day will be you enjoying yourself. Even if it is +5 degrees but not raining, then you can still ski lah - the snow will be slushy and soft but it's okay. But if it is +5 and raining, then you may decide that you don't wanna get soaked in the rain and get cold. Not pleasant.
Are you going to Paris on this trip? I used to live in Paris and know it inside out. I studied there at university, then I worked there for Google France not long ago.
Oh ... We are booking our tours directly with the Icelandic company.
DeleteFor my dives will prolly book with Magma Dives even though they are a little on the steep side. About 20-30sgd more than the rest of the operators.
Reason for choosing them is because:
1. Apparently they have better maintained suits. No complaints about water seepage into the dry suits. ( a very impt point to me)
2. Apparently they go in a much smaller group.
3. They reach earlier than the rest of the big tours so most of the time will be the first group in. So water will be crystal clear because no other divers are in to kick up the silt and and underneath.
3. The head guide is a former British navy diver. So I guess I'm in safer hands. 😂
For blue lagoon will prolly get tickets direct from the blue lagoon website. Unless I can get a cheaper deal from the tour operators.
The online price for one pax including the slippers, use of bathrobe and towels is 70€. The 55€ doesn't include slippers and bathrobe.
Was your tour around this price? Or cheaper? If it's cheaper and include transport (so that my dear friend can take a break from driving) I might consider going to Iceland itself and haggle. Haha!
I can't recall how much I paid for my Blue Lagoon tour - I do recall that the transport was included. I had a late flight out of Keflavik airport, so they picked me up in the morning from my hotel, dropped me off at the Blue Lagoon, then I spent the day there, had lunch there (expensive but what to do), then they picked me up from there and took me to the airport at an agreed time. It would have been a hassle to try to do it on public transport and since they offered a good price with the package + transport, I took the package, esp since I drove the price down with some good haggling. Limpeh very good at pasar-malam type bargaining situations one.
DeleteOh - and here's one good piece of advice: get an ice cream container and fill it with the blue clay from the lagoon. You can take as much of the stuff you want with you (and then just check it into your luggage after you seal the container well). They sell the stuff for like hundreds of dollars for a small tub, but once you're in there, it's just oozing out of the ground everywhere. The other tourists who knew what to do brought containers with them - I didn't! Damn!
DeleteYup! Planning to set off from Reyjavik at 6.30am so that we can reach Akureyri by 11 ish. Then by then the sun would have just risen. Then we go about checking out the skiing resort 20 mins away from where we are staying. Or might just look around the nearby attractions.
ReplyDeleteI'll keep in mind the rain and snow combi. Will scrape skiing if it does rain.
Heading straight to Paris from Reykjavik. I honestly don't know what to do in Paris other than the Eiffel Tower and Lourve. Plus we don't intend to rent a car over there. So prolly will be using the trains a lot. My colleagues who went recently all complained about feeling unsafe.
I'm not sure whether it's because of the recent attacks or just fear of pickpockets. Apparently one of them almost got mugged. (She screamed and the person ran away) She was kinda shaken but I guess she was an easy target as she had to tend to her young children.
So any die die must go place in Paris to recommend?
I'm understand that you are already a UK citizen and has been working there for a long time. Do you mind if I ask you about the job prospectives there? I'm thinking about relocating as well.
I'm not too sure if they need ppl from the education sector.
Once again, thank you!
Oooh a lot of questions. Let Limpeh slowly answer.
Delete1. Paris. Limpeh already got blog A LOT on Paris liao. Here are the links. Please read them all before you plan your trip to Paris as I always feel that you should listen to someone like me who knows Paris inside out, rather than a swaku Singaporean who has spent 3 days there (yes I am talking about your friend who didn't feel safe) - who is gonna know Paris better?
http://limpehft.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/my-first-article-on-alvinology-paris-q.html
4 Part guide to Paris: https://alvinology.com/?s=paris
Read my posts, then come back with questions, ok? I also have one of my vlog posts on Paris: http://limpehft.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/lift-vlog-episode-34-from-paris-with.html
I swear I know Paris better than Singapore, given how long I have spent away from S'pore.
As for job perspectives, can you be a bit more specific - in any case, I've written a LOT about it on my blog already.
Oh and just for the record, Paris is 100% safe. Totally 100% safe. Your friends are just suaku tourists who felt uncertain because they were lost in translation, unable to speak or understand French - their anxiety arose from that 'lost in translation' feeling, rather than any real threat to their personal safety. Limpeh has lived and worked in Paris and can tell you that a lot of these people confuse their 'lost in translation' feeling with real threats to their personal safety - it happens a lot and my knowledge of French doesn't keep me safer (like if someone was gonna rob me or stab me, they're gonna do it regardless of whether I speak French or not). It simply keeps me a lot more rational when it comes to evaluating threats to my safety and I can tell you that I have never ever had any issues at all with safety in France, like ever. Totally 100% safe. I can't stress that enough.
DeleteListen to Limpeh lah!
whoa! stumbled across this! will surely read thru the blogs. am 1st time solo backpacking at a not so young age on my bday month, March, hahaha... am worry more on night safety as i'm actually on a photography backpack trip.
DeleteGroan. You sound just like my mother - when she is confused by something, instead of asking questions to get the right information she needs to work things out, she just sits there in ignorance and chooses to worry.
DeleteWhat a dumb thing to do.
OK you come here and tell me you're worried about safety at night whilst back packing. Let's talk about it. Given that I'm older and an extremely experienced traveler who has been all over the world from north/central America to Africa to remote corners of Asia and all over Europe, I can probably answer any question you have about safety.
Get the information you need. Set yourself free from worry by enlightening yourself.
Don't be the stupid bodoh idiot who is too proud to ask for help and chooses to live in ignorance instead.
I am happy to answer your questions. Just FREAKING ASK damnit. Only bloody stupid people worry. Let me give you an example of how I deal with one such problem.
I am going to Sofia in Bulgaria next week. I want to go from downtown Sofia to Mt Vitosha, but heard that public transport can be confusing as I have to change buses and it takes quite a while. So I researched it via their website, found out how long it would take and came to the conclusion that whilst public transport is very cheap in Sofia, it is going to take a very long time and since I am on holiday, time is money and I'll just pay for a taxi to enjoy the convenience instead. It is going to be money well spent and taxis aren't that expensive if I can arrange them in advance and I know the price.
BOOM! Problem solved! I knew there may be an issue - I got all the information I needed and made a decision way in advance before I even arrived in the country, so I don't have to worry what I have to do then.
What is wrong with you dumb millennials? Us older Gen-X folks know how to deal with a problem. You young millennials don't even know how to deal with basic shit, you choose to worry instead of ask for help? Only a fool worries in ignorance, any reasonable person asks for help.
So you wanna go photograph a red light district at night, you're worried if it is safe or not, okay? You get the information and evaluate whether it is safe and then you make a decision here and now, BOOM, problem solved, conclusion reached, we move on with life.
You young people have a lot to learn.
Wakakaka!😂
ReplyDeleteI trust u!
I'll definitely look up your blog more thoroughly before posting questions. Might take a while though. U have quite extensive info around.
I'm picking up some basic French words before leaving. In fact, doing the same for Iceland too. I just like to learn new languages.
Did those tourist really took containers and store it?!
I only saw a video of the silica mud in a crater box and you stick your hand in to scoop it out? Won't the staff stop u or something?
Lol!
I prolly be too paiseh to do it. But my friend is already telling me to prep my Tupperware. 😂 sua gu here need to be a bit more thick skin.
I'm in the teaching industry. NIE certified. Not sure if it's recognised in the UK. Will scour your blog to find out more before popping anymore questions.
Gam Xie very much!
By the way, have u heard our slangs made it into Oxford dictionary?!
Well my friend, I've been blogging since 2011 and most people ask me questions about the same few topics and I would usually just point them in the direction of a blog post that I have already done on that topic. And if it still doesn't quite answer your question(s), then I'm always happy to oblige you with another post.
DeleteYes the silica mud is just oozing out of the ground everywhere, it's not something the staff place there for the tourists, it is literally oozing out of the ground in vast quantities - so much that the staff will just bochup if you were to take it because even if you took a few bucket fulls of the stuff with you, guess what? There are still zillions of tonnes of that stuff still oozing out of the ground. It's a bit like when I picked wild figs in Turkey, at first I was like ooops will someone come and scold me? Then I looked around and realized, that on the ground, there were overripe figs that had fallen off the tree - there was so much of the fruit around that even the birds can't eat them all, the locals can't be asked to pick them all, so I must have ate several kilos worth of the sweetest wild figs in Turkey that day. Get it? The key is abundance - the locals will bochup if they have so much of the stuff they donno what to do with it. So don't pai seh at all. Just take it, nobody will care.
Just make sure your tupperware won;t leak, you don't wanna arrive in paris to find that the mud has spilled all over your clothes. Aiyoh.
Hihi!
ReplyDeleteHave looked through your 4 part Paris tour guide and found it very useful.
I found a good and cheap accommodation in Rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine area. Is that place central enough? On the map it does look quite central. About 40-45 mins to Eiffel Tower from that area according to google map.
As for the job post I saw the one about the New Zealander girl and the one on people move around in UK esp to London to find work.
Sadly, don't have any privilege to be holding to any EU status nor having a bf/hubby that is from EU or Britain.
Just wondering if bilingual teachers are in demand over there. I know French and Spanish and German teachers are.
I'm NIE-trained to teach Chinese but I have a degree in EL from SIM and I know SIM cert count for very little. 😔
Oh that area near Rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine is near where I used to work in Paris. I was just a little bit south of that at Les Docks. Admittedly, it's not in central Paris, that's why it is cheap. It is up to you lah, you will need to get on public transport, using the metro/bus to get into town - but Rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine is a very long road, depending on which end of it you're at, you're about 1 to 2 km from the Place de Bastille, which is the Eastern-most tourist attraction in central Paris. Then from Bastille, you're at least 1 km from Notre Dame and 1.5 km to Marais. Note that the 4 part guide I wrote were for North, West, Central-South and Day-trips. Why isn't there one for East Paris? Because it isn't that nice, tourists don't go there, nothing to see - and you picked accommodation there. In East Paris.
DeleteI don't know off the top of my head, but your NIE cert should be recognized here and you should be able to get work here as a Chinese teacher and there's limited demand for Chinese here, but that demand cannot be met locally. It is mostly kids learning Chinese here (not adults) and the standard is so low it is a joke aiyoh. Read this piece: http://limpehft.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/chinese-textbooks-for-british-students.html But bludgeoning Chinese into the heads of angmoh kids is something else altogether. Teaching Chinese as a foreign language as opposed to the way we were taught Chinese in Singapore requires a very different approach (ie. using a lot of English in the lesson).
Sorry for MIA.
DeleteCraziness at work. If you read the SG news recently, MOE system experienced a major technical glitch while we were trying to churn out report books. =\
This is the place https://www.airbnb.com.sg/rooms/11853769?wl_source=list&wl_id=142810421&role=owner&check_in=2016-12-15&check_out=2016-12-18&guests=2
Apparently, according to the host it's next to Faidherbe Chaligny Metro station. So if i'm going to execute my tour according to your guide, I guess the furthest will be about 40 -50 mins (max) train ride away? So I guess it's not that bad. I commute everyday from the east to north of SG and it takes me more than 1 hour to get work. I guess I can live with a bit of commuting.
Erm... need your expert advice on something as well.
Firstly, I might need to travel out alone to these two locations. Apparently, one of them, 54 Rue du Château des Rentiers, 75013 Paris, France is near Rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine but the other one which is 2 Avenue de la Cristallerie, 92310 Sèvres, France is at least an hour metro ride away. Just want to know how safe are these areas and should I be traveling alone.
On the other topic, I checked and UK Immigration has stopped supplying skilled visa. I guess it's hard to find companies or school who are willing to be my sponsors to go over. Maybe my UK trip will be a good chance to do some recce.
Oh, about teaching Chinese to non-chinese is getting pretty common here. Especially in a neighbourhood school. I've seen Thais, Burmese, Vietnamese, Philippinos (large ratio), Ang Mohs (Frenchs, Germans, Spanishs) in my 5 years of teaching. At times I feel as though I'm teaching in an international school without the autonomy that comes with it.
And yes these students who has no previous exposure to the language didn't take to it. In face only one or two manage to do it. So I feel sorry for them. Most of the time they regretted choosing Chinese as it ended up pulling their overall PSLE aggregate score down.
I Donno why my name becomes a title when I post using desktop. Weird ...
DeleteWith Paris, there is a balance between location and price - the more central you are, the more you pay. So it is up to you, if you wanna be more central, you will have to pay even more. It is not that cheap. Your choice.
DeleteAs for the two locations that you are going to, 4 Rue du Château des Rentiers, 75013 - that is in SE Paris, very near where i used to work. Yeah it is a quiet, boring, residential neighbourhood, I wonder what will bring you there - nothing of interest to tourists there, but totally safe. The only thing you need to fear is boredom. The other one, 2 Avenue de la Cristallerie, 92310 Sèvres, same thing - boring SW Paris suburb, totally safe, the only thing you need to fear is boredom.
Hi I am traveling to New Zealand in End August to Queenstown and Auckland! Which is winter there..also travelling from Singapore! Do u know of good winter clothing shops in Auckland? I'm sure it's cheaper there esp end of winter will be same time I hope!!
ReplyDeleteSorry I've never been to NZ. But I'm certain you're right that you're definitely gonna get better bargains there than in S'pore. Remember that everyone needs winter wear in a place like NZ, so there will be shops catering for the lower end of the market. No sense in investing in super expensive winter wear if you're just going to use it once in a while.
DeleteHi all! Me and my husband are travelling to Auckland and Queena for total of 10 days. do u know of good shops for winter clothes in Auckland?! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi ! It's me again!
ReplyDeleteNeed your advice for Paris again.
I found these few places that fits my budget and the apartments are nice.
Montorgueil - chatelet les Halle's
Montmarte - walkable distance to sacred heart
La Denfense 2000
Le Marais
Which area would you recommend? I know La Defense is a little out. But is it really very far from the attractions? Some days it's takes about 20 mins to Eiffel but when i use google map it says almost 1 hour! 😱
What's your take on it? I'm considering La Defense because of the. Hehe. The apartment is on the 41st floor.
Thanks!
Hi Ellevonn, I am doing the same thing as you, trying to sort out my accommodation for my next trip now that I have done the flights.
DeleteMy gut instinct is to go for Chatelet Les Halles or Marais, as both are so so central. Skip Montmarte, it is a less nice neighbourhood and a bit dodgy at night. La Defense is far out but it means having to take the metro to get into town and it won't be one hour, you get on the metro, depending on how long you wait, I'd say max 30-40 mins. If you are intrigued by being on the 41st floor, then go for it.
Hihi!
DeleteDo you normally stay in Airbnb or hotels?
I'm intrigued by the view from La Denfense but still not sure if it's worth the traveling.
Definitely gonna give Monmarte a miss.
Thanks a lot for your advise. =)
Which supermarkets do u recommend shopping in? Also if I buy a SIM card in London, does it have roaming charges in Iceland and Paris?
Hello. Increasingly, I have been favouring AirBNB for two reasons: I like the peer review system and I also like the way they tend to offer good value for money. I have only had one bad experience with AirBNB (she was the cheapest option in Paris and gosh, I realized why the hard way) and the rest have been brilliant - I have basically stuck to those who got 5 star perfect reviews and I can't go wrong. Hotels are not bad of course, but they tend to be more expensive. Again, if I have to, I will use tripadvisor for reviews before booking anything.
DeleteThe French supermarkets are all the same lah. The same way the Singaporean supermarkets more or less have the same stuff and prices are v similar.
And yes if you buy a SIM card in the UK, roaming charges will apply once you leave the UK (ie. when you are in France and Iceland).
Hi,
DeleteSorry just scrolling through and saw a nice place in Bastille. Should I consider that area as well?
Or which area would you recommend? I find the metro system a bit confusing as well. So trying to find the most convenient place that is close to the sights and have a direct line from Orly Airport.
Thanks a lot!
Bastille is alright, a little bit to the East but still pretty central in any case. If you really wanna be super central and walking distance, then well, pick something in chatelet or marais but given how big Paris is, you will need to take the metro at some stage. Do use Limpeh's walking guide to Paris (just google Limpeh Paris walking guide) for the details of the route. So just download it and stick to it, you can't go wrong. The metro system is very good actually - trust me, I am currently trying hard to figure out public transport in the Dominican Republic - a third world country and it is scarily confusing.
DeleteHow was trip to the Dominican Republic? I'm starting to get a hang out of Paris Metro system as well as the locations in Paris. =)
DeleteDecided to extend our trip to 6 days 5 nights so we have more time for some last min shopping or sight-seeing if need be.
Just out of curiousity, is it cheaper to change pound and euro in UK and France or should I change it in SG and bring over? Just read a BBC article on the rates at some of the airport. You know lah, Singaporeans normally change at Arcade or Mustafa. :p
Hi Ellevonn. Yeah I had a great time in Dom Rep - it was very hot but I did acclimatize after a few days. The metro system in Paris is very easy to navigate. Yeah always avoid changing at the airports, that's where they truly rip you off.
DeleteThere are two ways you can do it. Either search out somewhere like Arcade / Mustafa (and do shop around for the best rates) or do what I normally do, just use an ATM of a reasonably well-known bank and they would be very reasonable in their exchange rates & charges. My gut instinct would be for you to change it in Singapore - if you turn up in Paris or London with Sing dollars, they will rip you off as it is not a major world currency and in order to buy it off you, they will offer you a bad exchange rate. But at least the Sing dollar is pretty strong now against the pound, so you should find your holiday quite cheap.
oh my! Montmarte... me have a few spots for night shoot around Sacré-Cœur.
DeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the replies. Will stick to the 5 stars ones. Think those i shortlisted are either 5 stars or 4.5 stars.
For my first three day in UK I'm staying in Maida Vale.
Anyway thanks for letting me know about the SIM card. If that's the case I'll get an international SIM card. Since I'm traveling around the region.
Hi, would like to ask, what outer pants do male wear for winter? Every other blog just seems to care about woman. My ignorant guess would be that wearing jeans would sucks cos it can get wet then cold. On the other end, ski pants would be too much unless Im going skiing? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Pandapan.
DeleteIt depends on where you're going. I wouldn't recommend getting ski pants unless you're going to somewhere very cold, like if it is going to be around -10 degrees or so. In London, in December, we've had temperatures down to -4 and I just wear the same kind of trousers that I wear in summer, I do wear coats, sweaters etc to keep my upper body warm but my legs are fine. I don't feel cold in my legs.
I'm rather curious as to why you think they will get wet? Why would your jeans get wet? Like, unless you get caught in the rain or if you fall into the swimming pool ... or you sat down in a puddle of water. Or if you dropped a dink on yourself. I'm trying to think of more unlikely situations that would lead to your trousers getting wet in the first place.