Qype: The Porto Metro in Porto

Porto

The one star is for the tram’s themselves. They work. Actually they work really well and run really regularly. And they are comfortable.
The four stars are lost for what must be the world’s worst ticketing system. A system utterly complex and confused. Imagine John Cleese portraying a lost Hungarian asking directions to his hotel using a Hungarian English translation book written by the same person who designed Porto’s Metro system. However declaring “I will not buy this record it is scratched” to strangers in London is far more likely to result in you finding your destination than trying to purchase one of these tickets.
For a start – it’s all divided into a huge number of zones that have both numbers and letters. You have to know which one you start in, which you go through, and which you will end up in. You can’t just press the stations name and then the destination.
Further, some cards are recharchable – but only if they are going to the same place. Working this out results in you getting a discount.
There is an English menu but the words don’t seem to relate to concepts of transport.
Asking the very helpful Portugese people is no use either, as they seemed just as baffled as the tourists.
Must be an awful lot of very frustrated inadvertent foreign fare evaders.
Check out my review of The Porto Metro – I am gotiges7 – on Qype

Qype: porto airport in Porto

Porto

It wasn’t summer so that accounts for some of the lack of people. But this airport, like so much of the spanking new tourist infrastucture in Porto, is being used to about 10 percent of its capacity.
This airport feels like it could rival charles de gaul or Melbourne. Just an endless processions of glass roofs, shiny floors and steel columns. I think we were at gate 29 and we had to walk past 18 other completely empty gates to get to our flight.
Either this place is really full in summer or some politicians are very hopeful about the future of tourism here. (or they have shares in an airport building company).
The facilities were OK though. People were friendly, there was more than one resaurant open and a selection of shops.
Bit post apocalyptic but otherwise not a bad joint.
Check out my review of porto airport – I am gotiges7 – on Qype

Qype: wood green cinema in London

London – Nightlife – Cinemas

I give stars for whether a venue meets the objectives of what it sets out to become. So this might not be the classiest cinema in London, but it is perfect for what it is.
Cheap – I’ve never paid over 4 pound here. (I go off peak) but even full price is less than 7 I think.
Variety – It caters for the mainstream and for teenagers. So can’t complain that the art house isn’t here. But, there are enough screens that I can normally find something.
Behaviour – I HATE talking in the cinema. I have actually found that this place has far more respectful viewers than trendier places you might find in Brixton (the ritzy) or in the west end.
Check out my review of wood green cinema – I am gotiges7 – on Qype

Qype: Wood Green Central Library in London

London – Education – Libraries

Unlike most libraries these days, you can still find a few books in this venue. Even a few useful periodicals.
My complaining aside, this is a wonderful community centre. Always packed with people studying, using the computers or just taking advantage of a free, warm, indoor space.
This library excells as a low cost DVD rental facility. A lot of their titles are art house and interesting and also cater for languages other than english.
Check out my review of Wood Green Central Library – I am gotiges7 – on Qype

Qype: Alexandra Palace in London

London – Arts & Entertainment – Landmarks

This is an incredible space. The grounds are enormous, very well kept and really diverse. This used to be my regular running track and I miss it. The view from the bottom of the grounds looking up at the palace is nearly as good as the view of London from the Palace looking out.
All manner of people use the park, including some excellent play ground facilities for children.
The bar at the palace is only really fuctional, however you forget this as you sit out the front with a drink and gaze South over London. It’s quite a carnival atmosphere.
Inside the palace is great with soaring ceilings and impressive stained glass windows at either end.
It has a reputation as a top music venue – particularly for raves – and I believe that this is well deserved.
Check out my review of Alexandra Palace – I am gotiges7 – on Qype

Qype: Tate Britain in London

London – Arts & Entertainment – Galleries

Except for the outside look of the building – I far prefer this place to the Tate Modern. The spaces are much easier to negotiate, the crowds are far less and their is more of a story running through the overall exhibition. I guess it’s all tried and tested stuff, well aged and appreciated. Like a comphy chair or an old port. Tate modern is brash, showy, often undercooked and overappreciated.
There are gems in the tate modern and I see it’s important place in the contempory and functional art world. But everything in the Tate Britain is quality.
Maybe I’m Lazy but these days I’d rather relax in excellence than adventure through a million tourists, and dummy decoys in search of hidden treasure.
Check out my review of Tate Britain – I am gotiges7 – on Qype

Qype: National portrait gallery in London

London – Arts & Entertainment – Galleries

There is a Billy Connily joke where his music teacher screams at him to appreciate! Appreciate Connily! Now!
Art can’t be enjoyed under pressure and that’s why the free galleries in london are so great.
I wander in here all the time and am rewarded with new exhibitions and new enjoyment of paintings I’ve already seen. For me the portraits of long dead or contemporary characters really brings alive the stories of my adpoted country.
Check out my review of National portrait gallery – I am gotiges7 – on Qype