‘You are not special’ 3 ways how I choose my next travel destination

“Go to Paris to be in Paris, not to cross it off your list and congratulate yourself for being worldly.” from the video, a very inspiring video.

I think this was how I used to choose where to go: just to choose somewhere I never been to, maybe in the bottom of my heart, I just want to cross another country/city on my list. Now that I travel more, I see more, I start realizing crossing the list is cool, but it shouldn’t be the reason to travel. It’s nothing to proud of that you’ve been to 20 countries in 1 year, because when you think you are cool, there are someone else in the world travel to 30 countries in 1 year. What I mean is, you think you are cool? There are someone who is cooler out there. So now, when I want to travel, these are some reasons to determine my next destination.

1. Friends

Throughout the travel I had before, I met a lot of interesting people. I want to meet many of them again. So when I know we are close, that’s a motivation to see  them again and visit the places they are at.

2. Cultural

Last Christmas, I was in Europe. I really would like to spend Christmas with an European family to experience the difference of celebrating Christmas in Europe and in Hong Kong. I also would like to go to the Tomato Festival in SpainOktoberfest in Germany…etc.

3. Place I never been

Instead of checking the list, I still would like to explore places I never been. But I would like to experience and enjoy the place rather than just for the sake of being there.

3個倫敦吸引我的地方 3 things that London attracts me

很多人喜歡倫敦的英倫氣息,典雅的英式下午茶,歐洲的時裝大都會,還有那些紅色的巴士、郵筒、電話亭,對於來自曾是英國殖民地的香港人,更別有一番滋味!很多朋友也告訴我,他們喜歡倫敦的繁華熱鬧,但對於我這個來自寸金尺土、人出山人海的香港人來說,以下是倫敦吸引我的地方!

1. 棟篤笑

在朋友介紹下,發現了一個很有趣的棟篤笑表演,他們的表演是免費的,就是在結束時讓你隨意給他們一些報酬,是隨心的,不喜歡可以不給。我喜歡的那個組合是做即興的表演,跟觀眾有很多不同的互動,向觀眾問問題,再從答案取靈感。他們的表演是每星期定期演出的,雖然我沒有太多錢給他們報酬,但我可以做的是介紹不同的朋友去一同欣賞他們的演出!

2. 音樂劇

倫敦處處也有很多不同的音樂劇上演,平則十多鎊也買可以飛觀看,聽著聽出耳油的音樂和精彩的演出,實在令人目不暇昅!我最喜歡的還是這種會看音樂劇的氣氛!

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3. 四周綠油油的地方

閒時我喜歡到綠油油的郊外下,享受一下大自然!當春天一到,我已急不及待到城內的Hyde Park一遊,或是到Richmond Park親親小鹿和其他小動物,又或是到格林威治時間的起源地Greenwich,在草地上午睡片刻!

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Many people like the British culture we can find in London: British High Tea, a fashion hub for Europe, the red bus, post-box and telephone-box! Many of my friends told me that they like the liveliness and busy-life in London, but for a girl coming from a place which has the highest population density in the world, these are what London attract me!

1. Comedy Show

Recommended by my friends, I was introduced to a free comedy show. They will ask you to give them some money as you wish in the end of the show. It’s okay if you not give any, but usually I will give a bit, because they did a good show and they deserve some appreciation and reward. Though I can’t afford a lot, I will recommend the show to my friends and spread the words around. One thing I like their show is it’s an improvised comedy, so there are quite a lot of interaction between the audiences and the comedians.

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2. Musical

There are a lot of Musical shows around London! Sometimes when they have offer, the ticket can be as cheap as GBP12. Listening to the great singing and watching the awesome acting are really great, but what I like the most is to feel the atmosphere and the culture that people like to go to these shows!

3.Green-area around the city

I like to enjoy the nature very much, just to chill and forget about our busy life. Thus as soon as spring comes, I try to indulge myself in Hyde Park – the biggest park inside the city, or going to Richmond Park – a park with deer and other little cute animals, or an afternoon in Greenwich – where Greenwich-Mean-Time are from is also nice to relax for an afternoon!

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更多相關資訊 More related information: Shoot from the hip!

相關博文 Related blog articles:

3個讓您在外國留學時有家的感覺的簡單方法 3 simple ways to feel like home when study abroad!

離鄉別井來到外國留學,礙於行李重量的限制,可以帶的東西極為有限!想讓自己每天回到房間也有賓自如歸的感覺?以下的小貼士可能幫到你!

1. 帶備相片

在離開前曬定一堆您喜歡的相片,到達後用以裝飾房間!留學期間想念家人朋友時又可看看他們的面孔!

2. 海報名信片

善用身邊有的資源,看見漂亮的名信片可以買下來,然後貼在牆上!有時看見雜誌有喜歡的廣告,也會剪下來,令自己的房間更有個性!

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3. 傢俬擺設

剛到達新房間的時候可以看看傢俬擺放的地方是否合心意,不喜歡的話可以稍作移動,讓自己覺得房間是自己喜歡的樣子!也可以到特賣場,找找心儀的裝飾,讓房間更個人化!我在丹麥時便把床放到屋頂的窗下,晚上可以看星星,早上可以看藍天!

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Leaving home alone and studying abroad, there are not too many things you can carry along because of the luggage allowance. If you would like to feel like home whenever you go back to your new room, here are some of my tips!

1. Photosss!

Print some of your favourite photos and make use of them to decorate your room! You can also ‘see’ them every day when you miss them!

2. Posters and postcards!

Make use of the resources around you! I collected free postcards when I was in Denmark, or just buy some when you see it! Cut your favourite advertisements from the magazine, and stick them all on the wall!

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3. Furniture!

When you first arrive, check if there’s any possibility to move the furniture around and suit what you like! Go to some markets or IKEA, buy some nice and cheap stuff to decorate your room, make it YOURS! I put my bed under the attic window when I was in Denmark, so I can enjoy the blue sky in the daytime and look at the stars at night!

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其他相關文章 Other related articles: 5個旅遊或留學前的收拾小秘密 5 secrets when packing for traveling or study abroad trips , 到外國留學認識朋友的必學4招 4 ways to get to know new friends when studying abroad

海外升學相關網站 Related website about studying abroad:EF Education First 海外升學計劃

3個去完要再去…再去的城市 3 cities that worth to go again…and again!

作為一個剛畢業的女生,在剛過去的3年大學生涯有幸去了大概24個國家,有些待得久一點,有些只是匆匆看一看。不能說是去過很多地方,而且也不是對所有地方都很瞭解,所以我相信不久的未來,會有更多的城市我會想再去。一般去旅遊的時候也會選未去過的,但是客觀而言,有3個城市在不知不覺間,已經俘虜了我的心。這次要倒數!

As a girl who just graduate recently, I’ve been traveling to around 24 countries throughout my 3-year-university-life. I stayed longer for some cities, but for some, I could only manage to have a glance. I couldn’t say 24 countries are a lot, and I may not have thorough understanding to each country as well, and I believe I will keep adding some other cities to the list eventually. Usually when I choose a travel destination, I like to go somewhere I never been, but frankly speaking, there are 3 cities I went to that have secretly lured my heart in some sense. This time, I have to start from the bottom to the first!

3rd place: 巴塞隆拿(西班牙)Barcelona (Spain)

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巴塞隆拿是一個充滿驚喜的地方,只要您花一點時間細心感受,仔細觀看,會發現這個城市充滿不同的建築,而且是在其他地方看不到的!Gaudi的建築,跟一般在歐洲看到的哥德式或羅馬式建築很不一樣!除了出名的Sagrada Familia(聖家堂), Casa Batllo(巴特婁之家), Casa Mila(米拉之家),隨便在街上停一停細看,也能發現有趣的建築。

初初很擔心小偷的問題,後來發現小心一點,也沒有大問題(其實有時候是香港比較太平)。而很多當地的西班牙人其實也很友善,且非常樂於助人。位於沒海岸線上的巴塞隆拿,只需步行一會便來到長長的沙灘,一邊看著海灘,一邊享受Sangria和Jamon、Paella(西班牙火腿、西班牙海鮮飯)等美食,還有甚麼不喜歡這個城市的理由呢?

Barcelona is a place full of surprise! If you spend some time to feel the city, and look around carefully, you will find the cities are full of different architecture that you can find nowhere in the world! The famous Gaudi architecture is so different from the typical gothic or roman architecture we usually find across Europe. Other than the cliché Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo, Casa Mila, if you stop in the middle of a random street in Barcelona, you may find some interesting architecture too!

At first I worry a lot about pick-pocketing. But later on I realize if you have all those ‘safety precautions’, there are not much problem. (Probably it’s just because where I come from, Hong Kong, is too peaceful and safe.) Spanish people are very friendly as well, they help us as much as they can whenever we ask for anything! Also as a city along the coastline, beach can be reached within walking distance. You can enjoy the beautiful view with some Spanish delicacy like Sangria, Jamon and Paella, or maybe a siesta  on the beach as well…! I just can‘t think of any reason not to like this city anymore…!

2nd place:威尼斯(意大利)Venice (Italy)

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長長的貢多拉船狹窄的運河交錯,令這個意大利水都充滿特色。

遇上神祕、詭異的威尼斯嘉年華(Carnevale Di Venezia),更令當地的景緻更具色彩!看著來自世界各地的旅客也前來慕名而來,穿上浪漫華麗的服飾、戴上手工精巧的面具,興高采烈地遊走在這個意大利的小鎮中。

除了感受威尼斯的氣氛外,來到意大利,當然也要一嚐各式各樣的意大利美食,意大利粉、Pizza、Gelato(軟雪糕)、Tiramisu想起也滋味無窮!

The long and romantic Gondola ride, and the narrow canal around the whole water village, just because of these, they are already making Venice unique!

If you came to Venice at the right time, you may come across the mysterious and glamorous Mardi Gras – Carnevale Di Venezia! Visitors from all over the world come to this little city just to celebrate the carnival! They hide their faces behind the mask and wear enchanting costumes, from walking among tiny streets and bridges to showcasing their fascinating look at San Marco Square, this is definitely one of the most beautiful and breathtaking carnival you can ever been!

Other than the beautiful scenery and magnificent carnival, you can’t leave the city without enjoying Italian cuisine, pasta, pizza, gelato, tiramisu…etc. There’s no way that I am not coming back to this city again!

1st place:  塔斯曼尼亞(澳洲)Tasmania (Australia)

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可能是來自一個大城市,我比較喜歡去一些充滿自然美的地方,而還沒有太多污染的塔斯曼尼亞便是我的首選!

森林景色到沿海景緻,塔斯曼尼亞讓人忘卻繁囂的生活,回到大自然的懷抱中,親親特有的澳洲小動物,享受這個世界的美好!景點雖然沒有在大城市旅遊這麼方便,但在人煙倜密的大都市或旅遊城市,要找一個無污染的地方,又談何容易呢?

Maybe because I am coming from a big city called Hong Kong, I love to go to some relaxing place to enjoy the nature and life during my trips. Thus the UNPOLLUTED Tasmania becomes my first choice out of all the cities I ever traveled to!

From forest to seaside, Tasmania is a place that will let you forget all your troubles and stress. Enjoying birds singing and the cute Australian animals instead of noise made by cars and party music, looking at trees and the sea instead of flashy advertisement signs… Even though traveling is not as convenient as you can do in big cities (like going around every sightseeing spots with metro or on foot), living in this overpopulated world nowadays, can you imagine how difficult it would be to find an unpolluted place?

相關旅遊資訊 Related Traveling information :Barcelona Turisme, Venice Tourism, Discover Tasmania

相關博文 Related blog article:5樣女生初次獨遊異地不可不知的事 5 things girls need to know when traveling alone for the first time