Sunday, December 4, 2011

Copenhagen

First weekend of November I was in Copenhagen. My first visit. I was impressed by smooth organization.  There is so much elegance when things are well organized. The airport is almost hassle free. Security is smooth. The boards inform you how long does it take to pass security (1 min was my experience!!).

A train ticket from the airport to the center costs EUR 5. A ticket for a rickety bus from Boryspol to Kiev is more expensive and you will stand in the bus too.
I was lucky with the weather. Sunny and warm. Overall had great time and I am looking forward to go back.
Photos:
https://picasaweb.google.com/116335751057137184269/Copenhagen?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCPaz9_2Kn-3gXg&feat=directlink

Highlights of the weekend visit:

The Royal Library - the Black Diamond. The photography exhibition by Gregory Crewdson "In a Lonely Place" http://www.kb.dk/en/dia/udstillinger/crewdson.htmln Photos have a magical atmosphere.

The Royal Opera: the ballet "Evening for Broadway" in the stunning building.

The Thorvaldsens Museum: amazed how productive life he had. Great building with funny exhibition of photos where sculptures where put contemporary items on.

Christiania - but it deserves a separate post.

Monday, October 31, 2011

Halloween

Igor is ready for it:

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Langkawi


Lovely beaches. Friendly and helpful people. Faboulous hotels. Amazing spas.

Have no idea why I bought a return ticket to Kiev. Hope photos can tell it better than words.

ERP in Sing

Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) is an electronic system of road pricing based on a pay-as-you-use principle. It is designed to charge use of the road during peak hours. In peak hours it costs S$ 1 to pass each ERP sign (that's how taxi driver explained to me).

Singapore was the first city in the world to implement such an electronic road toll collection system for purposes of traffic jam pricing. It was introduced in 1998. Wonder whether it would be ever introduced in Kiev.



Singapore - Marina Bay Sands

Returned from the vacation in Langkawi.
On a way to Langkawi had a stop over in Singapore. Used few hours in Sing to visit Marine Bay Sands.
Found it overwhelming.
Last time I was in Sing was in 2007 and Marine Bay was a construction site I could see from the hotel window. Now it's a splendid imposing complex.
Coming from a country where construction (in general) is slow and where stadium catches fire on its official opening - visiting Marina Bay built (with delay) in about 3 years was impressive.
The lift takes you to the 56th floor in seconds but you do not feel it moves. Seems lift moves so fast a body has no time to register changes in altitude.
I was only on the skydeck as tours for the skypark (1 hectar of park with real palms and famous swimming pool) were fully booked. But I could take a peek of the amazing swimming pool.
If I'll go to Sing again - I hope I will find some good discounts on the web for the Marina hotel so I can stay in it and enjoy Sing's skyline from the pool.
Standing on the deck and enjoying the twlight over Sing I felt how much is happening in Asia and how fast things move.
It was so exciting to stand at the top of a great building and enjoy a spectacular view of men-made landscape. Snapshots at: