that.light.too

moving from one wing to another, at this side, you still see the same light that comes to play but no more food or restaurants just some shops that selling vintage, recycle or self design items.  all things that you browsed are graciously display and done.

love this place, a different amsterdam experience!

that.light

you've never been so fascinated about light until you visited this place.  it's an old tram station converted to now a concept space that houses restaurants, shops, galleries, studio and event center.  it's an oasis in the city center.  for once you didn't feel that you're in amsterdam when you're here. you're transported to some quiet places with one of a kind arty crowds with emphasis on recycle. the recycle bike shop, the recycle or vintage general shops.  so refreshing and when the light comes to play, the atmosphere changes according to the sunlight that spike through the glass roof top or floor length windows...
you indulged yourself in the light, and every tram elements that remain today and the atmosphere that reminisce yesteryear.
the light and shadow challenged your photography skill to the next level and the self imposed constraint of capturing only using a 35mm put the challenge even higher. with such a beautiful high building and you only have a 35mm perspective and composition, thus you have to be creative but you thoroughly enjoyed this together with a sister who're also into photography.

1 john 1:5 this is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all

purple.sensation

 it has been windy and by looking at the fallen petals you could tell how windy it was....

 it's may, the daffodils and tulips are gone, what showing up is your allium

and some purple flowers that caught you by surprise and of course the chives that about to bloom again...

::workout::

when to your scheduled doctor appointment and the conclusion is you should try to shed off 6kg.  your weight has gone down (slowly) over the past few years but to get rid of another 6 would be really a challenge since your workout activities are almost at the max.  imagine in a week routine. monday and friday you go for piloxing while tuesday, wednesday, thursday and sunday you go for zumba.  although you're not following this routine strictly but you're at the gym at least 4 times a week, which is a lot compare to other people.
you'll try your best but as it's ultimately your goal also to get rid of some medication and perhaps not at all 6kg but a few more would help.
you love spring and the fact that you walk out from your gym the sky is still radiant with blimey light, and that's about 8pm in the evening.

::leisure::cafe::coffee:

for some reasons, almost all the lowland's public holidays are in the month of may.  with a free day, you went to the city, running some errands and visit some cafes.  it's just a normal day, fill with coffee and pastries and making it feels like a little special.  it's a public holiday after all.

current.read

you have been staying put for too long.  and when your days are not too busy, you just seize your moment in reading some travel guides soaking up some knowledge and anticipation for trips that you aren't sure if it will happen.
all in all, good read and brief escape while sipping your coffee and biting on the pastry.

the.light.factory

after your visit to the ceramic day, you grab your late lunch at this place.

 previously a light factory but now a restaurant cum cafe

 the interior is nice, high ceiling in a converted factory

 it wasn't too busy when you arrived and you got seated immediately

only your order has gone missing in the kitchen and so it took awhile before you're being served with the plank of hendrik. serving size is just right for you, and beside the pate that looks a little fatty, everything else was great, sweet, sour and savory all in a plate.

downstairs, it's also a bar and you could clearly see the tools used in the factory era still hanging at the corner (for decoration of course)...

::ceramic::

your first visit to gouda city even though gouda is the neighboring city to where you live.  it's just there's never a compelling event or occasion to gouda a visit.
you chanced into the ceramic day while researching for the gouda cheese market.  yes, you have never been to the cheese market after living more than a decade here.  but you actually set your feet on the city on ceramic day.
pleasant sunny day with a bit of chilly wind but not too cold to put you off.  you briefly explore the ceramic market which is in the old city center.  there're plenty of creative ceramic on display and for sales...
you took your time, strolling in your own pace, absorbing the creativity of the artist and their different styles.  there are plenty of stalls to browse, touch and watching the happening...
all in all a pleasant experience and certainly looking forward to the next one...

petite.restaurant.george

dinning out at amsterdam with your girlfriends...

chez george is a very petite restaurant that delivers great food.  you have no fault on all the three courses including the amuse bouche on the house.  all good, a pleasant night and friendly chat with the waiter who show genuine interests of your homeland.a

faro.sights

some sights of faro, mostly around the old town..
one last glance and you will be off to the airport...
and that's the end of your travel tale for algarve 

::faro.flavors::

you only spent a short afternoon in faro, basically overlay after your hotel check out time and before your night flight back to lowland.

still in such a few hours time, you manage to have your lunch here.  he opt for the generous portion of squid/octopus stew while you opt for a humble spinach soup and a piece of pastel de natal.  the squid stew is super delicious that you helped wiping the sauce clean with bread.

in the quest of bifana, you manage to locate a very small eatery that sells nothing but bifana. while it was delicious with piri-piri sauce, you still fancy the other one that you tasted in albufeira.

and then since you want to take some pastel de natal home, you went in search for the authentic pastelarias in town, taste a piece before you make up your mind

this pastelaria has most vote from portugese, the pastel de natal is however too sweet to your liking. generally speaking the cost is much lower compare to albufeira area.  at this old fashioned pastelaria, you had two bikini (small) pastel de natal and a glass of tea only set you back for 1.60 euro cents.

all.you.can.eat.fish

for a very reasonable price, all you can eat fish based on what is the catch of the day... and all fish served are fresh and in one style, grill fish with sprinkle of sea salt, it's so fresh that you don't need further seasoning, and washing it down with vinho verde.
while he stopped at the 7 dish, you literally stopped at the 8 dish. and that summed up all you can eat fish experience.  it's just too much and you know you will refrain from eating fish for a long while after this....

mother's day meal

 a simple mother's day dinner with your mil.  since it's only three of you, so you didn't order elaborately, just 3 dishes and one soup noodles which is mil's favorite.

you had high expectation to this steamed crab with minced pork.  the crab was delicious but the pork is a tad too fatty to your liking. so between you and him, he have the minced meat and you had a big share of crab.
happy mother's day to all!

leviticus 19:32 stand up in the presence of the elderly, and show respect for the aged. fear your God. I am the Lord