Daddy's trip to Europe

Although Daddy's trip to Europe is a business trip, Daddy managed to squeeze some time to see some of the best parts of Amsterdam, Cologne and Brussels. Daddy has been to Amsterdam and Brussels when he was a student but Cologne is new to him.

This is a picture of me sending Daddy off at Changi Airport on 2 April 2008.

This is the Amsterdam City...

and one of its many picturesque canals

This is the famous Dam Square. Look who is here... Darth Vader!! The Stormtrooper has invaded Amsterdam!

Daddy also paid a visit to the Fo Guang San temple, where Daddy once visited in 2001. In fact, it was the FGS BLIA Youth Group of Manchester trip that brought Daddy to Amsterdam for the first time.

Unexpectedly but a pleasant surprise, Daddy met old acquaintance, Ng Guan Her (in the picture), in the temple. Guan Her is now the Youth movement chairman. Daddy was also introduced to Dharma Brother Wu, a Singaporean who has settled in Amsterdam (not in picture).

Daddy's next destination is Cologne and upon arrival, Daddy was awed by the majestic breath-taking Cologne Cathedral.



This is the interior of the Cologne Cathedral.


Next, Daddy headed to Brussels. Daddy had little time in Brussels but managed to visit the Grand Place...



and the famous Manekan Pis


and also Atomium, which is a model of atom magnified by 165 billion times.

At the Atomium, Daddy was approached by Belgian TV crew, asking Daddy to be part of their programme. So, Daddy asked what role would he be playing. The lady said - a tourist! Ah, that's easy. Daddy was already a tourist and how hard could that be?! Yeah right, EASIER SAID THAN DONE!

Daddy has been taking a lot of sandwiches, burgers and chips for his lunches and dinners. So, on the his last day of the trip, he went into a Chinese Restaurant and had this for his dinner. It was a roasted duck rice costing Euro6.95. And that's cheap!