21 Sep, Fussen - Swan Castle - Munich - Milano
22 Sep, Milano
Another MacDonald breakfast after the night train, guess just don't want to be deceived/cheated by the sneaky Italians again. After travelling around, really don't feel that I like Italy that much, apart from the branded stuff. The service here is bad, people are not that kind, and not safe to travel alone. Germany, on the other hand, seems to be more developed and wealthier than Italy. I guess most of the backpackers might agree so.
Luckily I took the night train with the couchette and sleep through the whole journey (10pm - 6:30am), otherwise my face will really look shitty today. This week is pretty tough, Monday took the night train from Prague to Frankfurt, Wednesday took the romantic road coach from Frankfurt to Fussen (8am - 7pm), yesterday wake up at 6:30am, took the bus at 8am to the castle, finish and come back to the train station at 12pm, took the train to Munich at 1pm, stay in Munich for the Oktoberfest from 4 - 6:30pm, took the night train at 8:56pm and arrive Milano at 7:45am this morning. Don't know how do I make it, but yes, I arrive Milano now. I guess human being's potential is really incredible ^^
Initially was thinking to go to the other castle(s) build by the king, but seems auntie would prefer me to be in Milano during the Fashion Show exhibition. I could only leave Germany and come to Italy. Fortunately the Oktoberfest is fun, but honestly I don't want to stay more than a day there by myself. People are drunk there, and I don't really think it will be ever fun to be hassled by a group of drunken Germany guys.
I was in one of the beer tents taking the photo, and an old guy sitting in the table just in front of me invited me to join them. Yeah, one young German guy sat next to him is cute and I would love to enjoy the Oktoberfest with local people. It's good to enjoy the atmosphere, and initially they are all very nice to me, plus, speak very good English. I could only remember three names now, David, the tall guy sitting opposite to me, a little bit shy, speaking fluent English; Stephen, with attractive eyes, and quite cute and handsome; Willie, the old guy who can't speak English but seems to be a nice uncle. They just keep drinking, flirting and having fun, but later on when I noticed they are having drugs, it's really time to say goodbye because I don't want to get myself into any troubles and miss the train.
Ok, time to wonder around and get back to the hotel waiting for auntie to come back. Ciao.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Back to Western Europe
(Originally emailed on 20 Sep 2006)
Hello,
Just arrived Frankfurt this morning from Praque and will follow the "Romantic Road" tomorrow to Fussen to see the famous Neuschwanstein castle. It´s the first time I took the night train and because I didn´t book any sleeping car or couchette, I ended up sleeping in the normal compartment with my sleeping bag. Finally realised how useful a sleeping bag could be...
Prior to three days in Praque I was in Berlin for four days and it's really a great city to be, combining rich history and modernism. Most of all, the walking tour I had in Berlin was the best I ever have. Initially it was only for 4 hours, but I guess we ended up having almost 5 hours tour and gone through all the major sightseeing spots in Berln with comprehensive background introduction. The guide is passionate about what he is doing, and I think he is a History PHD with Ivy degree. What a gift to us!!
I never expect that much from Berlin but I am havig a great time there. People I met are nice and friendly, and I was even traveling in Praque for three days with an Amercan girl I met during the walking tour. Prauqe is not initially on my itinery because of the safety concern, but I am glad that I make it to come here. It's indeed beautiful, like the mix of Paris and Florance; however people are not generally speaking English and it's funny that you could really sense some sorts of the remaining communism here. It's even prettier in the winter when everything is covered with snow (from the photo I saw), but yeah, it will be damn freezing......
Although I have been traveling in Europe for a while, it's the first time I really stay in a real hostel in Praque, with mixed dorm and open shower place. And today in Frankfurt, the hostel is not far away from the central train station but sort of in the middle of the red light district. I think I will experience more of the different hoste life when I travel further.
I had uploaded some photos on my MSN space (not yet with the subtitle) and if you had added me on your list, you might be able to see that; otherwise just add my MSN and you should be able to access it after the athorisation.
Till then, take good care of yourself.
Hello,
Just arrived Frankfurt this morning from Praque and will follow the "Romantic Road" tomorrow to Fussen to see the famous Neuschwanstein castle. It´s the first time I took the night train and because I didn´t book any sleeping car or couchette, I ended up sleeping in the normal compartment with my sleeping bag. Finally realised how useful a sleeping bag could be...
Prior to three days in Praque I was in Berlin for four days and it's really a great city to be, combining rich history and modernism. Most of all, the walking tour I had in Berlin was the best I ever have. Initially it was only for 4 hours, but I guess we ended up having almost 5 hours tour and gone through all the major sightseeing spots in Berln with comprehensive background introduction. The guide is passionate about what he is doing, and I think he is a History PHD with Ivy degree. What a gift to us!!
I never expect that much from Berlin but I am havig a great time there. People I met are nice and friendly, and I was even traveling in Praque for three days with an Amercan girl I met during the walking tour. Prauqe is not initially on my itinery because of the safety concern, but I am glad that I make it to come here. It's indeed beautiful, like the mix of Paris and Florance; however people are not generally speaking English and it's funny that you could really sense some sorts of the remaining communism here. It's even prettier in the winter when everything is covered with snow (from the photo I saw), but yeah, it will be damn freezing......
Although I have been traveling in Europe for a while, it's the first time I really stay in a real hostel in Praque, with mixed dorm and open shower place. And today in Frankfurt, the hostel is not far away from the central train station but sort of in the middle of the red light district. I think I will experience more of the different hoste life when I travel further.
I had uploaded some photos on my MSN space (not yet with the subtitle) and if you had added me on your list, you might be able to see that; otherwise just add my MSN and you should be able to access it after the athorisation.
Till then, take good care of yourself.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Travel Journal: Prague
18 Sep
Right now I am sitting in MacDonald, having the Mac Chicken meal before taking the night train to Frankfurt. The lady in the train station is helpful, speaks good English. The young boy in MacDonald is also very helpful, also speaks perfect English. I guess not all Czech are like the shitty people we met over the past two days. Just we shouldn't have expected people to speak our language. They don't need to be.
This MacDonald is not very far away from the train station, 400m away. Luckily I am carrying the luggage, otherwise it will be damn heavy to walk to here with a backpack. Looking out from the window, here is one of the busiest area in Prague, the New Quarter. Many travellers just like us, dragging the luggage, holding the guide book, somewhat look confused. Feel touched, can't believe that I really make it to travel to Europe on my own, travelled many countries, experienced many different things, have so many touching moments, meet many nice people who are willing to help you when you get lost. Yeah, getting lost, this is the most frequent thing happening daily. No matter you speak the local language or not, you just need to find the way out. I don't feel frustrated, instead, sometimes getting lost is good to wonder around, to experiment things which might not happen on the normal journey. I am really glad that I could use English to communicate to people, to be able to understand so many things which are not written in Chinese.
Going to leave Prague, 有點不捨, but don't know what reason. The city is beautiful, especially the river come across the Charles Bridge. In the night time when there's water reflection on the river, along with the church, the palace, all the buildings around, it's indeed pretty, which is not experienced in any other cities I travelled so far. In particular the river is so wide, like the ocean. That will be even nice to come here in the winter time, to feel the "white" miracle.
Another one and half hour I will be on the train to go to Frankfurt. My ticket is only the plain seating one, doesn't include any sleeping car or couchette, and I can't upgrade it. Guess my face will look pretty shitty tomorrow when I arrive Frankfurt.
Need to get ready now, 4 days later I will be in Milan taking a short break, and finally do some really clothing shopping ^^
Right now I am sitting in MacDonald, having the Mac Chicken meal before taking the night train to Frankfurt. The lady in the train station is helpful, speaks good English. The young boy in MacDonald is also very helpful, also speaks perfect English. I guess not all Czech are like the shitty people we met over the past two days. Just we shouldn't have expected people to speak our language. They don't need to be.
This MacDonald is not very far away from the train station, 400m away. Luckily I am carrying the luggage, otherwise it will be damn heavy to walk to here with a backpack. Looking out from the window, here is one of the busiest area in Prague, the New Quarter. Many travellers just like us, dragging the luggage, holding the guide book, somewhat look confused. Feel touched, can't believe that I really make it to travel to Europe on my own, travelled many countries, experienced many different things, have so many touching moments, meet many nice people who are willing to help you when you get lost. Yeah, getting lost, this is the most frequent thing happening daily. No matter you speak the local language or not, you just need to find the way out. I don't feel frustrated, instead, sometimes getting lost is good to wonder around, to experiment things which might not happen on the normal journey. I am really glad that I could use English to communicate to people, to be able to understand so many things which are not written in Chinese.
Going to leave Prague, 有點不捨, but don't know what reason. The city is beautiful, especially the river come across the Charles Bridge. In the night time when there's water reflection on the river, along with the church, the palace, all the buildings around, it's indeed pretty, which is not experienced in any other cities I travelled so far. In particular the river is so wide, like the ocean. That will be even nice to come here in the winter time, to feel the "white" miracle.
Another one and half hour I will be on the train to go to Frankfurt. My ticket is only the plain seating one, doesn't include any sleeping car or couchette, and I can't upgrade it. Guess my face will look pretty shitty tomorrow when I arrive Frankfurt.
Need to get ready now, 4 days later I will be in Milan taking a short break, and finally do some really clothing shopping ^^
Tuesday, September 5, 2006
Second day in Denmark
(Originally emailed on 5 Sep 2006)
Hello,
It's me again and I am in Copenhagen Denmark now. Finished the group tour last Saturday and right now I am totally on my own for further discovery. Luckily the first stop is somewhere I've got a friend and the accomendation is within a very safe and quite place on the East side of Copenhagen.
There're so many things I want to record for this trip and the emails to all of you is the best way of keeping so far. Hopefully you are not 'bombed' by the somewhat sentimental or boring travel diary....
After Munich we went back to Austria again for the water rafting in Tyrol then to a village called Hopfgarten. I've done another challenging thing in my life, that is, paragliding!! On the way to the upper hill of the mountain by the cable car I already started feeling the fear, not to mention that I need to run downhill with a big ''umbrella'' from the edge of the mountain.....It's a nice view from the sky to see the whole village view, and the most challenging thing came after, spin (and double spin) in the air like sitting on rollercoaster! Oh my God....However upon landing I know I've achived another BIG thing, though I am not really sure whether I will do it again or not :P
Not yet fully recovered from the muscle pain accumulated from the water rafting, mountain biking and paragliding in Austria, we are in another beautiful country Switzerland. The place we stayed is in Lauterbrunnen, where we also took the train up to the highest part of Europe Jungfraujoch. Though it's in summer time, it's already snow everywhere and the view is spetacular. It's amazed how Swiss built the tunnel alone the mountain throught the two hour train journey from Lauterbrunnen to Jungfraujoch, and of course the sceneary alone the side is no doubt impressive again.
Before our final stop in Amsterdam (yeah the paradise to many young Europeans), we have rested ourselves nicely in Rhine Valley to appreciate the quietness in the small town St. Goar. Although we only stopped by Heidelberg for a very short period of time, it's a very nice town where you will find yourself fall in love with the different atmosphere presented in Germany.
Amsterdam.......well, a non-stop city where you find all sorts of different experience and exicitment no matter at day or night. There's Van Gough museum, Anne Frank's house, relaxing biking or canal ride, there's also legal soft drugs, 'populated' red light district with many appealing sex shows (window or in house). We did go to see one of the live porn shows and few of the guys on our group had also been invited to participate....... it's more of the amusement than turning-on :)
I've never lived so closely with so many young Europeans, from day to night, from breakfast to the late night drinks. Apprantely my grey hairs become less after the tour, though I know I always look pal due to the lack of sleep which is most needed for people at my age >.<
If I am lucky enough to book the ticket, I will be on an overnight cruise to Noway tomorrow afternoon. Keep finger crossed and will update more in the near future.
Take care,
Hello,
It's me again and I am in Copenhagen Denmark now. Finished the group tour last Saturday and right now I am totally on my own for further discovery. Luckily the first stop is somewhere I've got a friend and the accomendation is within a very safe and quite place on the East side of Copenhagen.
There're so many things I want to record for this trip and the emails to all of you is the best way of keeping so far. Hopefully you are not 'bombed' by the somewhat sentimental or boring travel diary....
After Munich we went back to Austria again for the water rafting in Tyrol then to a village called Hopfgarten. I've done another challenging thing in my life, that is, paragliding!! On the way to the upper hill of the mountain by the cable car I already started feeling the fear, not to mention that I need to run downhill with a big ''umbrella'' from the edge of the mountain.....It's a nice view from the sky to see the whole village view, and the most challenging thing came after, spin (and double spin) in the air like sitting on rollercoaster! Oh my God....However upon landing I know I've achived another BIG thing, though I am not really sure whether I will do it again or not :P
Not yet fully recovered from the muscle pain accumulated from the water rafting, mountain biking and paragliding in Austria, we are in another beautiful country Switzerland. The place we stayed is in Lauterbrunnen, where we also took the train up to the highest part of Europe Jungfraujoch. Though it's in summer time, it's already snow everywhere and the view is spetacular. It's amazed how Swiss built the tunnel alone the mountain throught the two hour train journey from Lauterbrunnen to Jungfraujoch, and of course the sceneary alone the side is no doubt impressive again.
Before our final stop in Amsterdam (yeah the paradise to many young Europeans), we have rested ourselves nicely in Rhine Valley to appreciate the quietness in the small town St. Goar. Although we only stopped by Heidelberg for a very short period of time, it's a very nice town where you will find yourself fall in love with the different atmosphere presented in Germany.
Amsterdam.......well, a non-stop city where you find all sorts of different experience and exicitment no matter at day or night. There's Van Gough museum, Anne Frank's house, relaxing biking or canal ride, there's also legal soft drugs, 'populated' red light district with many appealing sex shows (window or in house). We did go to see one of the live porn shows and few of the guys on our group had also been invited to participate....... it's more of the amusement than turning-on :)
I've never lived so closely with so many young Europeans, from day to night, from breakfast to the late night drinks. Apprantely my grey hairs become less after the tour, though I know I always look pal due to the lack of sleep which is most needed for people at my age >.<
If I am lucky enough to book the ticket, I will be on an overnight cruise to Noway tomorrow afternoon. Keep finger crossed and will update more in the near future.
Take care,