Budapest : Great Market Hall

I have a thing for markets. It makes me feel closer to the local people and and I get to see what they do daily. Not forgetting pretty close up photos. Markets have always been my favourite place becase it haouses all the needs of a home, especially fresh produces that were delivered in the early morning. And this market is no acception.

Budapest has a few markets in the city, but I went over to visit this particular one, the Great market Hall, Nagycsarnok (I can't pronounce that) in Hungarian, which is by the Danube. This market is the largest in the city and is 150 meters long. It was opened in 1897 and restored in the 1990's. Unlike other markets that opens on weekends, this market closes on Sunday.

It opens daily quite early and closes around 5 in the evening. The nearest metro to the market is the Kalvin ter station, on Metro Line 3. You'll need to walk a bit though, but its really quite easy. They have already placed signs indicating the way to the market. Right in front of the market is a tram stop, Fovam ter, where you can catch tram number 47 and 49. These Trams also go across the river and you don't have to walk across.

(L) Salamis, fresh meat and goose pate' 

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(R) Pork crakling 

Fresh Goose wings!

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Paprika. The Hungarian icon

Some sites states that this market has 3 stories. I've only seen two. The ground floor and the 1st floor. Maybe there is a basement underneath. Like any other market, the ground floor places the wet market including the vege market. If you walk along the center of the market, stalls and stalls selling fresh meat and salamis would be greeting you.

Fresh Fruits

massive watermelons and peaches

Along the sides of the hall are stalls of fresh fruits and vegetables. They also have stally selling pastries, sweets and strudels. Not forgetting stally specializing in Paprika. Paprika is a Hungarian icon. Everywhere you turn, they'd be paprika.

Richly embroided wear for the ladies.

These embroided flowers are also used on their folk Wear.

 A Hungarian Lady stitching away in the busy market.

The first floor is where the locals come to grab a bite. It's quite narrow up here. Half of the area is used to sell handicrafts and souvenirs (here is where you get the cheapest souvenirs. Not in town). the other half sells local delicacies like Langos (which Rick Steves consideres the best. I agree!), Pork knuckles, Goulasch, Goose legs and such.

Pork Knuckles

Ordering more than you could swollow.

If her mum only knew. haha.

They are a variety of Langos to choose form. It adelicious fried bread with topping you can choose. You can either choose a sweet or savoury topping for your langos. More like choosing a Crepe. You want to know what it taste like? It tastes like cha-koi. You know, those fried long bread sold in stalls every evering. Very yummy.

A Traditional Langos

Savoury Langos on display

Our Langos. With chocolate and bananas. You can't go wrong with chocolate and bananas right?

We were actually quite stuffed after having lunch at one of the restaurants in the market. But we really wanted to try the Langos. So after lunch, we walked the market for a few hours to let our lunch digest. I even had a foot massage from a Thai expo downstairs. We were there for quite a while, until the market was about to close, which was around 5pm. We then took our blessed tummy for an evening walk along the Danube, and up to the castle. We walked because the tram line on the Buda side was under construstion. I think I practically killed my two legs, but my fat still won't die *sad*

Budapest : Great Baths in Hungary

One thing I learned about Hungary is that it has miracle water. Not the SKII kind of pitera water that makes your face looks like its suppose to glow in the dark kind.Hungary has more thermal baths in the world than any other country (almost 1000 thermal springs in the country, which many have been turned into baths and spas). How blessed its grounds are!

Thermal Baths are good for health.Their water are sourced from natural thermal and mineral water deep in the ground. Spending time in a thermal bath helps relax stiff muscles, especially now that most of us spend time sitting in front of the computer. It also helps treat other medical conditions including rheumatism, circulatory problems, insomnia, bronchial asthma and gynecological disorders. Just don't be too excited to jump into one if you have high blood. That might not be good.

While we were at it, we had our day out at Szechenyi Bath (a famous one) in Budapest. There are a few baths in Budapest, and it's mostly filled with tourists. I heard from the lady who share my coach with me the night before that the baths in Budapest are a lil more expensive that ones outside because it generally is a tourist attraction. She goes to a bath almost every two days! She also said that the bath that I'm going to visit was one a palace or something for royalty. I could'nt find and source for that so I won't elaborate. All I read about it was that it was called "Artesian Bath". But the place is really pretty. At the entrance, you wouldn't know that you are entering a bath. It looks more like a hotel, with carved ceilings, chandeliers and statues.

To get to the Szechenyi Bath, you'll need to get a metro line 1 (yellow line) to “Szechenyi furdö”. It actually a big park and on the corner, there a great yellow building which is the Bath. We got a day pass at the entrance with a cabin shared by two people. It was around 2900-3750 HUF. They do offer other services such as massages and spas. There are a few ticket counters around the building. Instead of waiting in a long line, one of the attendents showed us another way to the other counters around the building.

Middle olympic pool that requires a swimming cap

 The pool with a whirlpool within

The yellow bulding is where all the other pools are

In the Szechenyi bath, there are three outdoor pools with different temperatures. Mostly were between 35 - 40°c. In one of it, theres a whirl pool in the center which spins like a hurricane. One frequently has air jets like jaccuzis which everyone will be waiting for. The center pool is like an olympic pool which you would need a swimming cap to get in. I did'nt have a swimming cap so I could'nt enter.

Cabins for rent

Then theres a building opposite the entrance. At first we thought it hold changing rooms. Lo and behold, unlock a new level of thermal baths! This was mad. The building was filled with rooms equipped with steaming rooms, saunas, and even more hot pools (and cold pools, some were below 10°c). The color of the water was a bit yellowish due to the minerals in it. There was also a pool for aerobics with an instructor and anyone could join. We tried almost every pool and I can't even remember how many there were. I did'nt have any pictures because I just want to dip myself in the water without worries. Outside, the temperatur was a hot 35°c and we were comfortable in our pools at 38°c. There were many people there for their first time to and there were dipping from pool to pool like we were. Personally I think I like the outdoor pool the best.

It was a beautiful day.

Other than this bath, there are a few more baths to visit in the city. See here. One in the middle of the city is the Gellert bath, which was at the end of the green bridge, if I'm not mistaken. It was turned into a grand hotel so I doubt it'll be a little more costly.

Spending a day in a bath on a visit to Hungary is definately a must-do.

*Budapest was officially declared an International Spa in 1934.

How happy is your heart?

pic taken from Google

Hello dear readers,

may I ask you, how happy are you today? Were you happy yesterday? Most of us find happiness in different ways. May it be shopping, having a cup of coffee, watching children laugh, seeing families back together, and etc. Most of the times in our daily lives, are we happy? we may ask ourself. Does this job make me happy, do my colleagues give me positive vibes, does looking at my books make me a happy person?

As a human being, I shall make it a human right to always a splash of happiness everyday. No matter in what situation it may be. Be it soaked shoes on a rainy day or being fired from work. We should still manage to smile don't we? After all, tomorrow is a new day, and 10 years later yo won't even remember about those silly incidents that people around you put you through.

So while at it, my best friend and her sisters came out with an idea to put everyones happy stories to good use, which is sharing. You may not think that your stories are any happier than another persons, but you know what? It may probably touch lives or lighten up a persons day, whoever it may be.

Isn't happiness worth sharing? And it doesn't even cost anything!

Here's the link to I have a happy heart.

Send you happy stories to mailto:mihaveahappyheart@gmail.com and brighten up someones day! We need positive people!

Budapest : Along the Danube

Ganges may be one of the great rivers in Asia, Danube is one great river in Europe. The Danube river originates from the Black Forest in Germany, runs through the south of the country including Regensburg (where I'm currently staying), down to Eastern Europe, through Austria,  Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Moldova, Ukraine and Romania. It eventually discharges at the Black Sea, nearby Turkey.

The Danube is a big part of Budapest, which is in Hungary. Budapest is known as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. And indeed it is amazingly beautiful. Lets get out from the London, Paris, New York idea shall we? There are many other places in the world much better then these.

Buda on the right, Pest on the left, saperated by the Danube

Budapest is made out of two parts. The Buda side and the Pest side. The Danube river saperates these two parts of the city. The city is connected by a number of great bridges which one of them is the Szechenyi chain Bridge, right in front of the Buda Castle which is on the Buda side of the city.

A view of the Pest side taken from the grounds of Buda Castle

Pest side

The lady who ate watermelon. Made us crave for it for a week.

During the summer, I got on a night train alone from Munich at almost midnight. Train I travelled in was a sleeper coach. It was quite comfortable to sleep in and was reasonably priced. It had bunk beds, fresh sheets, blankets and pillows. My 3 bedded private coach was equipped with a face towel and a sink. I only shared it wth a lady. So there were two of us in the cabin. It was my first experice riding in a night coach. The journey was roughly 8 hours, and I reached Budapest around 7am. Before arrival, sandwiches and a hot baverage was served.

The appartment where we stayed

Budapest is a great place to go if you love walking around aimlessley because you'd be sure to find something fascinating. After I found my appartment for my stay, I walked around alone while waiting for Delia to reach from the UK. She arrived roughly around 3pm. Before that, I strolled around the Danube river, read history about the city and had a peek at town (and look for a reasonably priced Currency Exchange). In the summer, lots of restaurants have their tables out on the streets and gelato stands seems to be everywhere.

Riverside Promenade on the Pest side

The Buda side, which is on the west bank, generally holds the elite community. Proudly stands above the whole city on the Buda side is the Buda Castle. The Buda Castle was once the Royal Palace of the Hugarian Kings. Most would not know much about the castle but I'm sure you have seen it if you're a mainstream music fan. The Castle grounds are frequently used for music videos including Selena Gomez; Round and Round and Katy Perry; Firework MV (and they do have amazing firworks here!!) Mind blowing I must say.

Fishermens Bastion on the Buda side

To cure our aching feet.

Coffee Heaven :: beats Starbucks anytime.

I will write more on the Castle on another post. We were there during the St Stephens Festival and they had a Folks fest up in the castle where people would sell local produce and dress up as if it was the mid century.

10 Things I Love Doing : Taking long walks alone

It's not easy to admit you like being alone. But sometimes it does take the best out of you. Hi. I'm Ruth Reeyau and I'd like to tell you that I like spending hours alone. In town, in trains, theough the forest, by the river. As I get older in life, I realise that a lot of people don't really matter to us. Some will just come and go, some leave scars, some pull your spirit down, some will leave you broken, some would just want to take advantages of you. And I've been through all those just like any human being would.

So I took a pledge on my own, if a person isn't that important, don't make them an important aspect in your daily being as a successfully normal human being. Not that I have ill feelings towards anyone. I just don't want to make a big deal out of life because of some people who have shifted my colorful painting into a dull one.

No, I'm not a loner. I just pick people to be in my life specifically.

So most of the time, I'll take myself out. Especially during the summer, and especially during stressed out moments when I'd question the hell out of everything. It's what I'd do. I'd ride my "late" crooked bike to the dam not far away. Sometimes I'd just sit there as time goes by and come back with sunburn on my face. I'd just leave my phone back in my room and just concentrate on me. I've been to movies alone, taking the train from Landshut to Munich. Shopped alone, just being able to entertain myself alone. Sometimes there would be tears in my eyes after all the pain I go through. I've been many times a crazy girl with tears in my eyes on a bus ride. At these times, I'd just take really long walks. I only need the guidance of my Lord that no one will kidnap me or rape me.

It's not only depressing times that I'd do this. When I'm happy, I'd do it too. When it's autumn and the leaves are changing, it's just so pretty to be out there alone. You know the case when you bring someone and they'll rush you to do things you don't want to do, nor appreciate what you see. Sometimes I'll drift away and find a nice spot to sit, take some photos and send it to loved ones. Because it just simply reminds me of them.

I do eat in public alone, shop alone, travel alone, buy groceries alone. If you can do it alone, why bother people who are so reluctant to be by your side? I know some people who cannot eat alone in public, nor watch a movie alone. One thing about me is that I really don't care what random people would think about me. I'm not so psyched about what people have to talk about me behind my back. So what if I'm alone eating by myself? Are you going to make me a millionaire? The thing about communal people is that they are so afraid of what people would think about them, they never grow. Their minds are always afraid of judgements another broken human would make. The only judgement I'm afraid of is Judgement Day. Other than that, screw you.

After I have my own private time, I'd feel refresh. I'd be more grateful, thankful for still being alive. That I still have important people to share my life with, share my photos with, buy gifts for. It's an eye opener, that my little problems aren't so massiv. That God dressed the grounds with pretty flowers hat never fail to amaze me. That birds still sing in the sky, and another bright day will come after the storm. That without a doubt, after the winter, the trees will be able to have green leaves again.

It's not a negative thing to be alone. Well, not most of the time that is.

I aprove this massage on behalf of those people who eat out alone in public. Thank you.

A handphone of memories

So I was clearing out them pics and vids on my handphone. I don't want to label my phone. It's still a phone even if it's a smartphone, iPhone or a Nokia Torchlight (you know, those with the flashlight on the top). Funky how people label their items like how a baby stroller from the manufacturer McLaren is called a McLaren. it's not like it could go any faster right? Simply racists because of it's a brand. Ok enough. I'm using a HTC Desire Hd btw. Just to say.

Ok, so I transferred pics I took from my phone to my PC. I haven't cleared it since summer.

 My bunch of birthday present for my 23rd birthday.

I sometimes forgot I am 23. Too fast..

I sold my guitar to buy new camera lens, Tamron 12-24mm. I was'nt any good at playing it though.

So my guitar stand turns into a handbag holder. *practicality*

Condoms on display in a shop in Amsterdam. I took this pic for my sister. haha

Our summer picnic in Munichs English Garden.

We were craving watermelon for a week after seeing a couple having them in Budapest.

Munichs Oktoberfest 2011

Halloween in Prague 2011.

No specific creature. I was thinking of Mystique.

Me after my visit to the saloon. Please tell me you see a difference..



The rest are mostly pics that didn't even matter. Like this one here.

Ini adalah produk buatan Malaysia. I noticed it because it had a .com.my

This years flashback

As the year comes to an end, this like this are quite common. I was voting on CNN's top 10 highlights of 2011. It was a disaster. 2011 was a disaster in the news. With most of it quite depressing. We'll remember 2011 as a quite depressing year, with the only positive news was of the Royal Wedding. And number one on the poll was the capture and death of Osama. And many more deaths, including Gadhafi. And the 77 kids who were slain in Norway. Not forgetting the many victims of the tsunami, floods and hurricanes which was all over the news this year. We need a break don't we? Why are all these news nothing but negative ones? It's as if God wanted to sweep humans off the face of the earth once more, like the times of Noah. 

Seeing the glass as half full, why don't we put out our own lists of the best times we had in 2011? I mean, the world may be awful and corrupted or maybe plain awfully corrupted, but I'm sure as individuals, we do encounter something positive, no? Something that would put a smile on our face and make us tell stories of "Ahh, that was in 2011. Good times". Isn't it up to us to make something positive out of ourselves and our lives? Be an impact to others.

So here's my top 10 Good Times for 2011 :

1. My travels (it'll always be on top)

2. My mums big 50th Birthday. I especially went home for this.

3. I got an Internship placement at an amazing company.

4. I caught the Korean FEVER! I have so many people to blame for this!!

5. Even though it hurt quite a lot, I was glad I had my tooth extraction!

6. With my own pay, I bought my first designer handbag. *proud*

7. My very close cousin and my good friend popped babies!

(Even if it was'nt me popping them, nor have I seen any of them, I'll always remember this.)

*thinking hard of something good*

8. I moved to Regensburg for my Internship

9. I dyed and permed my hair.

Ok, this is a very big thing for me sine I've never done anything to my hair.

10. I'm (still) in love. (ok, I don't know what else to think of. LOL)

So start counting your blessings and start remember this year as a good one even though if it was'nt that good.

Believing in Eternity

Eternity seems impossible. The life we live in isn't the life of Damon Salvatore nor Edward Cullen. But how I really wish it was. Would'nt it be just easy to rip a person out especially when they've pissed you off and flea to somewhere out there and not need a visa or a passport. But I'm not a great fan of eternity. As in to live forever. This life has already taken a toll on me and I'm just a 23 year old still trying to figure things out while everything seems to collapse at its own phase. Nothing lasts. We all know that. Forever was never meant to stay.

Even relationships don't last. Even your new iPhone will be history in the next few years. Forever? No. And since the Engagement and Wedding season is in, it makes me wonder even more. How much is that all worth? How long can they stay together? Most importantly, how do they know that he or she is the right person to take the toll of the highest mountains and the deepest sea with.

I'm not agaist marriage. Nor am I against relationships. It must be all out of love. If not, what else right? (money, house, car, fame. etc) I do believe in love. It's the only good thing available in the world these days. But taking the step, big huge step to slip a jewellery on your partners hand and promise to cherish and to hold, it sacres me a little.

In a persons life, there are many occasions that make them human. The new job, new house, new car. but nothing beats taking another person to be your other half right? Of course you have to make a really big decision. Will that person not be a sour grape after 10 years of marriage? Will that person not be a fat lazy couch potato? Will that person not pay the bills, cheat your money, cheat You? Take another partner to have sex on your bed while you are out for work an your kids are sleeping in another room? Questions after questions bombareded into the tiny brain of a human who only uses 20% of it. Ironic.

Everytime I get on a bus on a weekday afternoon, highschool kids will be out from school. That too, scares me. On the day a child was born, everything seemed so perfect. Their eyes, little tiny mouth, tiny legs. Fast forward to 15 years later and what happens? It's not that their parents did not bring them up in a proper way. But why do they still become rebels who fight with their parents day and night, come home drunk and occasionally bring some one random to share their bed with? How fair is that to the ones who clean their poop? I'm not saying that every kid becomes chavs one day but it looks like the numbers are growing. And so is the rate of divorce. And it's not because we worship Kim Kardash.

So where is forever in that? Until which point of time will children become angelic little creatures, or until when will you tolerate your partners imperfections? Forever?

I was quite dissapointed that Lynette and Tom Scavos marriage failed in Desperate Housewives. They were the only perfect family on the lane. No one would make a drama if it wasn't for reality right?

I do want to find a person to share my life with. And when I do, even with all these psychotic questions in my 20% used brain, I pray that that would be the right person.

So how do you know? For those who are already married, how did you know? Did you regret it?

10 Things I Love Doing : Travel

In no particular order, here's one of the things I love doing. I love to travel. That's why this blog has lots of travel posts. And maybe some even bores you. And I haven't posted aout all of my trips yet.

I only started traveling since three years back, which is in 2008, when I first stepped into Europe. When I was back in Malaysia, travelling was such a big luxury that people can only go for vacations after saving money for two years or planning them for the last five years. This, I mean the middle class people who earns about Rm2000 monthly, with a spouse and two kids. I can't say for families with four kids. It's very difficult really. Even planning a family trip from East Malaysia to West Malaysia takes a year in advance! Since I'm from the east, it's not like we can drive up to Songkhla in Thailand. We need to take a flight to be able to got the West Malaysia. And that already costs a bomb. A standard two-way economy clas ticket would cost around Rm400. It's a pity. Some East Malaysian who graduate in West Malaysia can't have their parents attend their convocation just because they can't afford it!

So Rm400 for a domestic, which equals to less than 100€. Here, a two way flight to Spain with RyanAir (which is like Air Asia) costs about 30€-50€ during low seasons. So this makes me smile from my left ear back to my left ear. How coul I resist that. There's always so many choices to choose from and even the supermarkets have travel packages, be it winter or summer. It caters to everyone because it's very affordable.

Then there's the German Rail that connects to every possible country it can reach. Or you may transit in another big city : Paris, Rome, Madrid. Even Moscow is possible to reach. Compared to flights, trains are more expensive but you can take a night train if you would like to save on accomodations. My first time taking a night train was from Münich to Budapest (7 hours) last summer. I was travelling alone and it was really safe! There are sleeper coaches which generally means you get a bed. Busses are abundant and rediculously cheap. They do take quite a while to reach destinations though. Not as comfortable as a train, but it's a cheaper choice.

Since I've stayed in Germany, I've been to most of the countries in its surrounding. My first ever trip outside of Germany was to alzburg, in Austria which was about 3 hours by train from my place. It was a day trip in autumn and it rained like nobodys business. I went there a second time lat year in winter and it snowed like nobodys business. Tough luck.

Our first trip to London

Then came my first travel by flight in Europe. It was during the winter semester break (Feb-March 2009). We were suppose to take a flight to Edinburgh, spend a night there and then to London. But we missed the bus to the airport. So we spend almost 12 hours waiting for the next flight directly to London. It was funny. Deprived of going to Edinburgh, I went for a Gawai visit to Glasgow, Scotland to meet relatives. It was a 5 day weekend during the Passover and we had holidays. Then My First Summer was spent in Switzerland, which we went by train. After the Switzerland trip, we all went back to Malaysia during the rest of the holidays. It was our first year, and we were all kind of home sick. That year, 2009, was ended in Vienna, Austria. There was a promotion : 30€ one way by speed train.

Summer in Switzerland :: Summer in France

Then came 2010, which highlighted my feelings towards the world of travelling. I went to Paris with my bestfriends (Worldcup South Africa Season 2010). After the exam period of the summer was over, we all took a train to Berlin, a bus to Coppahagen and a day trip to Mälmo. In the beginning of September we had more than a week of summer in Turkey and Greece. Turkey still stands high as my number one place I've visited. The culture, the food, the people. I wasa very extremely happy girl because I had lamb for almost every meal!

The trip which we laughed so hard. I can still laugh thinking about it!

Istanbuls famous Blue Mosque

And in the end of the year, we had a family vacation to Italy, France and England. My mum finally got her EPF after all those years of working so hard. So why not coem visit me right? It was fantastic! The three of us had so much fun having pasta in Italy, celebrating Christmas with Micky in Paris Disneyland and shopping in Londons all time famous Boxing Day. It was a good end to 2010.

Family vacation to Italy and France

My first travel this year was back home to Malaysia, during the winter holidays while most of my friends were off to Spain because they found a 5€ flight ticket. Back home, I took the opportunity to travel to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, since I've friends studying there. The flight was Rm120 if I'm not mistaken. I went alone because no one had holidays, but I had fun spending time with my friends over there. Sabah and Sarawak may neighbouring states but not everyone has the opportunity to travel here. The main reason I went back was ebcause my mum's birthay was in March and she turned 50. So we all got a ticket to Bali, Indonesia to celebrate, which was awesome!

A fine day strolling along the Danube in Budapest

During Summer holidays this year, I visited Amsterdam and Belgium in the beginning of Summer and went to Budapest, Hungary right before my practical starts. Last month I visited Prague which might be my last destination for this year. I've got to work hard for my exams in January, so I'm not travelling during the Christmas season. Intentionally I wanted to spend new years in Edinburgh and celebrate Hogmanay (biggest European New Year celebration) together with em Scotts but I can't because it was too expensive.

I usually don't travel when it's a very expensive trip (or expected to be). I save quite a lot montly to be able to afford my travels, and I usually do a survey three months before to see which places and tickets are the cheapest. Then I'll procede. You can even travel with 200€ to places like Prague and Budapest. It's a good bargain. I travel not because I'm rich, but because I've been blessed with lots of opportunities.

Up to the Prague Castle.

I sleep in hostels that I book on hostel world with good reviews, and of course it must be safe. Hostels are cheap and they have kitchen and common rooms to cook in. I most of all prefer hostels because I can meet other travellers too. And you can book a whole room if you have 6 people coming with you. Hotels are expensive, and in Europe, hostels are booked per head. So you can fit more than two in a double room. The third person has to get another room.

Travelling is a culture here. In the companies, after the summer is over, everyone will be asking their colleagues about their summer vacations. It's what they all do whenever they get to. (and they get 6 working weeks of holidays, and this does not include overtime. Some companies even have Vacation allowences every 3 months!)

Travelling isn't imposible. You just have to know how to make do of the little cash or savings you have. Air Asia does offer really cheap flights from Kuala Lumpur LCCT *stalker alert* (I was eyeing on a Rm500 two-way flight to South Korea). And travelling does'nt mean you have to go overseas. Cuti-cuti Malaysia no? There's Mount Kinabalu to climb, Sipadan islands to dive, Redang island to snorkel, Genting to gamble :D

So yes, I love to travel. Even if I have to sleep on a camel.