Dear Carrie,
I'm sorry that I wasn't around to visit you last month. I just returned from Europe last week and this trip has nurtured me to a more matured person. I knew going to Europe was always one of your dream and allow me to share that with you.
I fondly remember the last conversation we had in early July where you called to ask about the weather in Italy. Weather has been the most talkable topic in central Europe. Summer was cold and everything seem to have gone upside down. Again, I must admit this got to do with what we have done to the mother's nature in contributing to the global warming. Trees are chopped down, animals were skinned and killed, earth erosion and every possible damage to the poor mother nature are happening in the span of each seconds.
I got into London on 18AUG and getting clearance at Heathrow was a pain in the butt. I endured a 2 hours queuing at the immigration for a tight & thorough check. Heathrow is a very old and nostalgia airport which resemble nothing of our KLIA. The journey tooks me closed to 15 hours (plus my transit in Survanabumi) into London. My butt was paining and I was walking round the aircraft to just relax my legs.
I left for Rome on my birthday, 22AUG07 and was warmly greeted by the kind weather and the city is one of the most ancient place I had been before. Colloseum was magnificent and roman forum was nothing less than that. I was so in awe to study the architecture which stand like 30 storey before me without a single nail used. My head was full of doubt that I wish someone can step forward to answer me how on earth they managed to bring such a huge stone and well shaped on stand. God's creation was always amazed me in many many way.
Rome can never be departed from the history. Everywhere I walked, there will surely a small sculpture or a proudly standing building to signify the glorious moments of Rome empire.
I was overdosed of pasta and pizza. The pizza was thin and crispy but nothing can ever beat the yummy Italian gelato (ice cream). I had like 10 cups in the course of 4 days and for that I have spent RM100 just for ice cream.....
I went to Pantheon and make a wish at Trevi Fountain. Spanish steps was forever crowded by tourist and from there, you can see the overview of the branded shops right from the steps.
The rest of the time in Rome was covered by sight-seeing and visiting museum. Sistine Chapel in Vatican city is so magnificient. I almost had my neck frozen to look at the gorgeous painting on the ceiling but every pain are just so worth it. Michelangelo's painting is the highlight there. Getting into vatican took me almost an hour with the overcrowded tourist.
After 3 night in ancient Rome, I moved on to Pisa. I was so excited to see Leaning Tower from far and taking photos was never easy. So you probably have to bear to put the rest of the tourist into your photo. After spending a great day in Pisa, I took a train up to Florence. Gosh! Florence was so beautiful in every way. I saw the great David by Michelangelo. It was a breathtaking place that is so enchanting in every way.
Then I went up to Venice for two days stay. Venice is absolutely gorgeous and it's so romantic. I had a great time there walking around, eating the famous black ink squid and had myself put on weight.....
From Venice,I flew to Berlin, Germany and spent 3 night there. I went to see the Berlin wall, got myself fell from the bike at Potsdam, hugged the peace bear and do lots of fun things there.
After Berlin, I went to Dublin, Ireland. Sweet Ganesh greeted me with a bunch of roses and chicken curry. Actually his cooking is not bad at all. I went to the birth place of Guinness and had 2 glasses of it.
I went to Wicklow and had my hair completely messed. It was so cold that my hands were shaking. The view was spectacular.
Having spend 3 days in Ireland, I got into London and went over to Paris for two days. Paris needs no introduction. Walking along the Sienna river is enough said. The mood was romantic and Eiffel Tower is absolutely breahtaking. I took a night cruise and saw the original Statutes of Liberty.
I went to the LV Headquarters and went in. Ganesh bought a purse there. I was so tempting to get myself the handbag that I have been eyeing for. I didn't buy anyway.
I return to London and cover the rest of the sight-seeing there. The trip has been one of the best and in anyway, I appreciate the chance for exploring Europe in a great deal of way.
Signing off for now.
