15 Oct, Paris - London via Euro Star
Last night was the last night in Paris. I was on the top of the Arc de Triumph looking at the night scene of Paris for the last day. Paris is indeed charming. I feel sad again that I am going to leave this city. Although this time I didn't do much sightseeing, mainly shopping I guess. Arriving Paris last Sunday morning from Zurich, the itinerary of the week is like:
Sun - Flea market, Musee d'Ossey, Centre du Pompadour
Mon - Champee l'Esyee, George V, that's also where I met David & Giogia
Tue - Mufftard Street, Latin Quarter, St. Germain
Wed - Versailles
Thurs - Lafayette, Pritempt
Fri - Marais
Sat - Lafayette, Moutaine
My hand is still hurting because of dragging the very heavy luggage, and my brain isn't really working because of only 6 hours sleep. This is 2 month and 1 week already for my trip in Europe, and honestly I do feel like going home have a nice shower, facial massage, hair treatment and good night sleep.
There are several touching moments on this trip, the first was when I entered the St. Peter's church in Rome, the second was when I was in the Versailles, looking at the ancient architectures and interior decoration. Wishing my parents could also be here to look at the great work. The third is on the last night knowing that I am leaving Paris. Oh, the Lion Memorial in Lucern is also touching. You seem to be able to feel its pain when looking at its face.
The Euro Star is pretty fast, think it's 2 or 3 times faster than the normal train, still feel sleepy...
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Friday, October 6, 2006
Travel Journal: Lucern
6 Oct, Lucern
Was concentrated looking at the Lion Memorial until a group of Taiwanese tourists arrive. Feel lucky that I didn't join any Taiwan group to come to Europe. The tour guide is saying something very funny, like the pound in front of the Lion is a "wishing pond", and you can throw two coins to the back (like the fountain in Rome). Gosh, it's the first time I have ever heard the story. At least the Contiki hasn't taught us things that ridiculous.
Throughout the journey, I indeed feel that I am luckier than other people who can't understand English. Although English is still yet not well spoken in many European countries, at least it's more prevailing than Mandarin. You get to know more than being fooled around by nonsense guide.
The Lion does look sad, you can even feel his pain when looking at the statue. I didn't ask anyone to take the photo for me, don't want to become another sad Lion!
Was concentrated looking at the Lion Memorial until a group of Taiwanese tourists arrive. Feel lucky that I didn't join any Taiwan group to come to Europe. The tour guide is saying something very funny, like the pound in front of the Lion is a "wishing pond", and you can throw two coins to the back (like the fountain in Rome). Gosh, it's the first time I have ever heard the story. At least the Contiki hasn't taught us things that ridiculous.
Throughout the journey, I indeed feel that I am luckier than other people who can't understand English. Although English is still yet not well spoken in many European countries, at least it's more prevailing than Mandarin. You get to know more than being fooled around by nonsense guide.
The Lion does look sad, you can even feel his pain when looking at the statue. I didn't ask anyone to take the photo for me, don't want to become another sad Lion!
Escape in Switzerland
(Originally emailed on 6 Oct 2006)
Hello all,
After a busy life in Milan running between different show rooms and trade fairs with the family, a very Italien life in Vicenza enjoying the relaxed atmosphere and delicious Italien food & wine with my high school classmate, I arrived Lucern Switzerland yesterday and make an escape to small town Zug today which is only 20 minutes train from Lucern. Both Lucern and Zug are beautiful, all have big lakes and stunning mountain views. Compared with Lucern, Zug is an relatively less touristy area. I guess I might be the only Asian tourist there as I have yet seen any others along the way. There is also a cable car going up to Zugberg, where a well-known international boarding school is located and a nice area for hiking and overviewing the whole Zug area. Everytime when I come to Swiss (the fist time is in Aug with Contiki), it always reminds me my another home New Zealand. This kind of the quietness and peacefulness, it's a treasure for me after almost two months continuous traveling.
Nest week I will be in Paris, then London in the following week before heading to Taiwan on the night of 19 October. There are a lot of thoughts wanted to be shared, loads of photos needed to be loaded, packs of luggages waited to be unpacked (including the luggages moved back from New Zealand), and so many thanks to be said to people who had helped me along the journey.
The Internet time is running low now, better to finish before getting cut off. Take care, and speak soon,
Hello all,
After a busy life in Milan running between different show rooms and trade fairs with the family, a very Italien life in Vicenza enjoying the relaxed atmosphere and delicious Italien food & wine with my high school classmate, I arrived Lucern Switzerland yesterday and make an escape to small town Zug today which is only 20 minutes train from Lucern. Both Lucern and Zug are beautiful, all have big lakes and stunning mountain views. Compared with Lucern, Zug is an relatively less touristy area. I guess I might be the only Asian tourist there as I have yet seen any others along the way. There is also a cable car going up to Zugberg, where a well-known international boarding school is located and a nice area for hiking and overviewing the whole Zug area. Everytime when I come to Swiss (the fist time is in Aug with Contiki), it always reminds me my another home New Zealand. This kind of the quietness and peacefulness, it's a treasure for me after almost two months continuous traveling.
Nest week I will be in Paris, then London in the following week before heading to Taiwan on the night of 19 October. There are a lot of thoughts wanted to be shared, loads of photos needed to be loaded, packs of luggages waited to be unpacked (including the luggages moved back from New Zealand), and so many thanks to be said to people who had helped me along the journey.
The Internet time is running low now, better to finish before getting cut off. Take care, and speak soon,
Thursday, October 5, 2006
Travel Journal: Zug
5 Oct, Zug
Just arrived Lucern from Milan yesterday afternoon. The hostel I stay is just nearby the Lake Lucern. Very beautiful scenery along the lake, like Queenstown in New Zealand. Start missing home.
Today wake up at almost 10am, like the life I am having in Denmark. Decide to come to Zug for half a day trip. Upon arrival to Zug, realised that the school is up in the mountain, need to take bus 11 to the end station on Schonegg, then take the cable car up to Zugerberg, where the Montana Institute is located.
Right now I am sitting in the restaurant just next to the cable car station. It's quiet here, right now the sun is out and the lake view is even more stunning. After almost two months traveling in Europe, it was like first time I don't need to be in a rush, just enjoy the atmosphere and the quietness. It really reminds me home, like the normal Sundays relaxing under the sun. Don't know whether I will have this kind of the life again once I go back to Asia.
Cable car will arrive in another 30 minutes, means I will have another 30 mins to be away/escape from the city life.
Just arrived Lucern from Milan yesterday afternoon. The hostel I stay is just nearby the Lake Lucern. Very beautiful scenery along the lake, like Queenstown in New Zealand. Start missing home.
Today wake up at almost 10am, like the life I am having in Denmark. Decide to come to Zug for half a day trip. Upon arrival to Zug, realised that the school is up in the mountain, need to take bus 11 to the end station on Schonegg, then take the cable car up to Zugerberg, where the Montana Institute is located.
Right now I am sitting in the restaurant just next to the cable car station. It's quiet here, right now the sun is out and the lake view is even more stunning. After almost two months traveling in Europe, it was like first time I don't need to be in a rush, just enjoy the atmosphere and the quietness. It really reminds me home, like the normal Sundays relaxing under the sun. Don't know whether I will have this kind of the life again once I go back to Asia.
Cable car will arrive in another 30 minutes, means I will have another 30 mins to be away/escape from the city life.