This blog is a medium to share and to archive the memories of my travels around the world, interior decoration works, photographic images and cooking recipes. Other than sharing, it is hope that this blog would spark some colourful ideas to some of the people out there. You are welcome to comment, advice and share your experience here too. Have a nice day!
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Edinburgh.....the Capital City of Scotland
Hollyrood Park, Salisbury Crags and Arthur's Seat
This post will introduce you to Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland. When I was in Scotland, I used to visit this historical rich city at least once every year, just to run away from the busy Glasgow. Edinburgh is located at a region of iconic landmarks known as the Lothians. What are the interesting places to visit or to do here?
Edinburgh Castle and the main entrance
A must see attraction is the Edinburgh Castle, one of Scotland's most iconic attractions, sits on its own volcanic rock at the top of the Royal Mile. It was the mighty fortification and favoured residence of Scotland’s kings and queens. The Royal Palace located inside the castle was created in 1617 in honour of James VI. The real Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny are kept in the Crown Room. Since 1861 at 1 p.m. daily, watch and listen at the One O'clock Gun fire. Admission fee for the castle is about GBP 14.50 to 16.00 (RM71 to 78) depending on season.
The Royal Mile
Next, why not leisurely stroll down the Royal Mile? The Royal Mile is the main road of Edinburgh's Old Town that runs from the Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Most of the museums are located near this route. While strolling down, observed the building surrounding and feel the historical vibration. John Knox's House, the oldest Royal Mile mansion is also located somewhere near the middle of the stretch.
The museums; the People Story, the Writers' Museum and John Knox's House
Running off at right angles in a fishbone pattern along the Royal Mile is a unique collection of closes, vennels and wynds. These relatively small but bustling passageways gave access to the many dwellings, businesses and spaces which lay behind the Mile. At the bottom of the Royal Mile take the opportunity to see inside the Scottish Parliament on a free tour.
The closes
Afterwards, if you’re feeling up to the challenge, climb to the craggy top of Arthur’s Seat for dramatic views of the city below. If you still have the energy and MOTIVATION, then climb to Calton Hill, set right in the city centre. It is unmistakable with its Athenian acropolis poking above the skyline. The acropolis is in fact an unfinished monument - originally called the "National Monument". Initiated in 1816, a year after Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo, it was meant to be a replica of the Parthenon in Athens, as a memorial to those who had died in the Napoleonic Wars.
The National Monument on Calton Hill
The top of Calton hill is a usually quiet place to come on any day, with its grassy slopes and panoramic views of the city. From here you will have a good view of the ruddy-coloured cliffs of Salisbury Crags, Arthur's Seat, and the undulating slopes of Holyrood Park. There are two observatories on the hill, the Old Observatory House and the City Observatory. Also of interest is Nelson's Monument which has a famous timeball mechanism by which ships used to set their chronometres.
The Museum of Edinburgh
Edinburgh has plenty of fantastic museums and most come without paying admission. Try spend your time exploring the vast collections of the National Museum of Scotland or learn about the history of the capital at the Museum of Edinburgh. Just stop by the Writers’ Museum celebrates the lives of three great Scottish writers such as Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. Then view masterpieces by the Impressionists and Dutch Masters in the Scottish National Gallery, or see portraits of the country’s most iconic figures in National Portrait Gallery.
The Monument of Sir Walter Scot....the great writer
The Queen's Gallery and the Old Town of Edinbvrgh
Princes Garden and Princes Street
A poem by Robert Burns....in Scottish accent
Although Scotland is very glummy, I still miss Scotland very very much!
What to do if a ready made furniture is not able to fit in the space that is available? Your choice will be either build a customised furniture or hacking a furniture for a different purpose. Hacking a furniture will cut almost 70% of the work required to build a customised furniture from zero. Here, I share a step-by-step process on one of my DIY weekend projects converting bedside table to portable wash-stand. What will be required for this project? Tools (e.g. saw, metal ruler, hand drill), sand paper and brushes for wood work, base furniture to be hacked, water-resistant paint and metal knob. STEP 1. Get some ideas on the design and materials by visiting several furniture galleries/shops. For example here, the idea was from an IKEA wash basin base cabinet, Lillangen. The material mainly particleboard, which might not be that suitable for Malaysian humidity and bathroom practice. For that reason, I choose solid wood material the project. The dimension of the IKEA cab
The time available for me to explore the Town of Reading was limited, as my worktrip was quite packed with formal meetings at the University of Reading and vis it to hospital and community establishments. Reading is located on the west of Heathrow Airport for about 26 miles and Greater London for about 42 miles. The Town Hall of Reading with grey and red bricks Lets go to the main landmarks of Reading. The first one is Reading Town Hall. The building was built between1786 and 1897. Currently, the town hall is used as Reading Museum and a large concert hall. Actually, the frontage was newly built with grey and red bricks, and terracota ornaments. The new facelift included the clock tower. Sadly however, the building suffered severe air raid in 1943. The latest refurbishement was completed in the year of 2000. On the southside of the town hall, you can see a dominant tower like structure that is the St Laurence’s Church. The Reading Town Hall, a vi
Oppsss! I think I should introduce the lens, camera parts and photographic terms first before going to image composition. This time, I just want to share and introduce the terms and parts of lens. It is applicable for whatever lenses especially for the DSLR camera. The different will only be the terminology or abbreviation used by the specific manufacturer. Lenses can be categorized to many types such at wide angle, standard, prime and zoom. Each type of lenses have specific features and is used for specific purpose. For example, wide angle lenses are usually used for scenery/landscape and narrow space photography. Each lens will be marked with zooming distance (look at the numbers which ended with mm; see photo bellow). This number will gives you some ideas about the width of view when a photo is captured. A number less that 35mm can be considered as wide angle, the 50 - 55mm as normal lens, and the 75 mm and above as zoom lens. Wide angle lens will highlight the perspective of an
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