5 Countries 7 Cities in 18 days (Part III)

del Colosseo street

What people say about Europe countries:
"Heaven is where:
the police are British,
the mechanics are German,
the lovers are French,
the chefs are Italians,
and it is all organised by the Swiss."

Bass on Draught, one of the restaurant in Rome

Talk about 'Food'!
How can people resist Italian cuisine right?
Pizza! Spaghetti! Gelato!
All are from Italy! *''ok'' fingers to the mouth* yum yum~

Italian cuisine : Truffle risotto, seafood risotto, and various types of pasta and pizza!

Not to say that the food there are the cheapest among all the Europe countries we have been in this entire trip!

Random street in Rome

I don't know.
But the people we met there are more easy-going.
This place is just right.
Along the street you can occasionally heard random musician playing instrument and singing song.
Slow-paced lifestyle, sitting in the cafe tasting wine, enjoying life, sun bathing, kills time by meeting with people and tasting good food.
Everything seems to be more "European" than I have imagine it to be.
Talk about 'Romantic', this place is definitely more romantic than Paris!
No wonder la TVB drama "Triumph in the Skies" were shot here for some scenes!
See! Why don't they go Paris! This must be the reason!

Just married! < 3

The buildings here are very unique. They are not very modernised like in KL city.

Tall skyscrapers? No! you can hardly find one here in Rome.

But very cool la, as you walk around, the feeling where you went back time to a historical city that you can name it in the Sejarah book!

Random leftover structures of the buildings? (not sure lol)

In order to take over Rome, the most simple way is to buy a Roma Pass.
Thank God they have a very developed and organised tourist-friendly package to sign up.
This pass cost each adult €34. It is quite costly, but with the ''easier access to every where in Rome'', worth it.
Roma Pass includes free use of the city’s public transport network (including the Metro underground train, bus and tram) some of the major museum entry, and Sant' Angelo Castle and Coloseum!
(There are more, can google it up)
But this pass only last for three days la, i.e. from the day you bought it.
And you can easily get it from most of the magazine stores in the train station.

In the Colosseum (with the Roma Pass, we can cut the long queue to get priority entry)

Thank God my jie's friend are joining our trip this time. The 'fear of getting lost in the middle of no where' has now officially gone! Cos he and my jie are the two persons who has been here. So there is two persons who are a lot more familiar on all the ''how to go''. Hooray!
Her friend brought his parents too to join us. So good la, my parents have chit chatting members this time! *to share the pasar pagi's talks and all~

In the Colosseum 

Most of the historical attractions we went really amazed me. Like, how the past centuries people manage to did this kinda buildings! The crafting, the art of the building, the gigantic structures, etc. They are indeed very historical. But erm, I am not a big European history fan though, so all the places turns out all looks the same to me. Like, I get very excited for the first visit, ''wah'', then ''oo'', then ''hmm'', then ''I've seen this before, didn't we visited this place?'', then ''I must be from the past, this building look familiar to me''. HAHAH!
Sorry again for my ''kampung-ness''!

Random street in Rome

But something I did really enjoy is when we walk along the small and narrow streets of this city. I like to cherish the moment of the locals having their own time. I like the way they treat their life like there is no tomorrow. I like it when they don't live in a hectic and fast pace. I like to see they enjoy food and enjoy the moment meeting with friends and family. I like the air I breath in, the music I heard, the small cab that pass by, the cyclist who cycles slowly, the language they speak that I don't understand, the smell of the pizza and pasta, the red plant hanging beside the door of the restaurant, the kid sleeping in his mum's shoulders, ...

Instead of the people in Asia where 'breakfast' is 'breakfast', 'pass me the fork and spoon now cos I need to finish my lunch before I get back to work', and 'there is no dinner without rice!', etc.

Random mansion in Rome

We all behave differently according to the culture we are born and raised. So sometimes you may think the people there are lazy, why are they not working, and stuff like that. But this is culture, afterall. This is the culture that we and they practice differently though.

On the side note, the Metro underground train in Rome is almost like the one I described in the post on the trip in Paris. It's creepy, in certain tourist attraction's stations are very packed, and it is dangerous. After my jie's friend's family has join us together, we always move in a group of 7 peoples. Kinda a big group already. But with our ''tourist-ty look'' written all over our face, we are still the favourite target for the snatch thief. Actually they don't "snatch", they steal. If you are not cautious enough in taking care of your bag or wallet, they can easily steal your belongings with their skillful techniques within a blink of an eye. At least it was how I was informed by my jie and her friend.

On day 1 itself, we actually got targeted by a group of three bearded guys in the train station when we about to go back to the hotel. It was almost 12a.m. in the midnight. There were this three guys pretending to be a tourist by holding a map. Me and my mum notice them and were very suspicious of their intention already. How can three bearded middle-aged man who all has some big tattoos on their hands be always keeping an eye on us while holding their map. They don't even look like a tourist. No big bag, no water bottle, not wearing proper shoes, and their look, just didn't seems like a ''tourist'' to me and my mum. So immediately my mum warn us to get to the next door after the train arrived. Without surprise, three of them follow along. In the mean time while waiting other passengers to get down of the train, we quickly get in and they try to squeeze in between us. C'mon! Don't be silly, why you guys wanted to squeeze into the same compartment of the train together with us. It is 12 midnight and not even crowded anymore! We all started to stare at them with the "not this time, buddy" look. And they left the train afterwards before the door of the train closes. They already know we have been noticing them and hence difficult for them to take further action, so they gave up.

Phew. We all were panic as hell. The way passing through each station in the train takes almost like "forever" to us. We wanted to get down quickly and get back to the hotel as soon as possible before we become the target of the next thief.

Aihhh. Don't know la if we are just bad luck. For some reason, we always got this special ''treat'' from the local. I guess that is their "welcome gift" la.

Anyway, overall the trip to Rome and Vatican City is fun though. ADVENTUROUS ok!

Here are some pictures taken in Rome :

Colosseum

Colosseum

Colosseum (in the day)

Colosseum (in the night)

I have been collecting information about various kind of photographing skills before I went for this trip. 

Still a beginner trying his best to capture the best moment he seen right into his eyes. 

I didn't bring tripod, so a lot of the pictures turn out blurry in low light condition. T__T

Trevi Fountain (in the day)

Trevi Fountain (in the night)

Trevi Fountain, the most famous fountain in Rome. Impressive monument! People can toss coin into the water to make wishes. Toss it over your shoulder with your back to the fountain. Legend has it you will return to Rome if you throw a coin into the water. :D

Piazza di Spagna (a.k.a. Spanish Step, widest staircase in Rome)

Castel Sant'Angelo (English: Castle of the Holy Angel)

Castel Sant'Angelo is a museum now. It was built in the Roman emperor day.

Castel Sant'Angelo (Vatican City)

St. Peter's Basilica, a Roman Catholic church within the Vatican city

St. Peter's Basilica, the most renowned work of Renaissance architecture. It is still the largest church in the world. 

We don't really understand some of the ceremony they will be having every year. But in case you don't know, this is the place where the pope will be here wave to their religious believers.  lol. sorry if I get the concept wrong. Google it for more info. 

But confirm la, the monuments and structures inside the church are JAW-DROPPING-ly amazing. 

St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica (the guard? with colourful costume!)

Pantheon

Pantheon, the "temple consecrated to all gods"

Inside the Pantheon, the dome, where sunlight will shine into the building according to the time and location of sun

Inside the Pantheon

Italian Gelato! Soft texture, creamy, and very delicious!

Italian Gelato! 

tbh, all the photos taken for the entire trip can't really show the "true pictures" of the scene, unless if you personally be in there to feel it. I'm quite disappoint with the photos turn out cos they don't trigger my whole experiences and memories when I was in there. 

I don't know about you? do you have the same thought as mine? 

Photo can't pictures the true experience/feeling.

Next post will be about trip to Pisa, Venice, and Milan.
Read Part I (from London) and Part II (Paris) here. :D

Laziness...

Time flies!! It is SEPTEMBER!!

OMG OMG OMG!

Next week I will have to go back to my university already! 

HOW DEPRESSING!

For some reason, I used to be very excited and desperate to go back to university after my long semester break. But I am not feeling the same way this time! 

I am not ready yet!!

I mean, I am still doing the same thing during this long break, i.e. do nothing. 

But this time the 'ohm' is not there!

I don't feel motivated!

:( :(

*suddenly turn into a bitch whining about my dissatisfaction

So I turn on my computer, log into my page, and start typing random shit hoping that I can realise how lazy I have been doing.

Devilish aH Wai : Look! You useless shit! Slack at home every semester break. Is this what you call a life?

Angelic aH Wai : *innocent face* No ~ I know exactly what I am doing. I just want a break ~ Break is for break not for keeping yourself busy ~
Devilish aH Wai : Wait, I should be the one encouraging 'laziness', right?
Angelic aH Wai : *strokes chin* yaaaaaaa lah. 

=.=''

Ok. All I'm trying to say is, I do realise how lazy I am.
So I hope the future me, in whatever, whenever and wherever circumstances, can feel guilty and be a little more motivated after reading the old posts in this diary blog.

Nonetheless, university 2nd year semester summer break is the only time left for me to indulge myself into this whole 'laziness' to the max. Cos I won't be this lazy anymore after that.
In fact, I CAN'T BE!
3rd year I will be having the 12 weeks internship, 4th year will be busy with FYP, and then BAM! Graduate.
Once graduated will be all the way to start the new chapter of my life! By that time, I SHALL PUT ALL THE EFFORT ON MY WORK MAN!! SHOW THE BOSS WHAT YOU MADE OF!! STEEL!!! AS HARD AS A STEEL! A CONDUCTOR! wtf
and then it is time to find a girlfriend you pathetic nerdy geek!!!!! GET A LIFE! JUST Kidding, still not that desperate lah.

*sob

- The end of this post -

10 songs of the moment:

1. Counting Stars - One Republic
2. Applause - Lady Gaga
3. We Can't Stop - Miley Cyrus
4. Tonight I'm Getting Over You - Carly Rae Jepsen 
5. Everything Has Changed - Taylor Swift ft. Ed Sheeran
6. Wasting All These Tears - Cassadee Pope
7. Roar - Katy Perry
8. Royals - Lorde
9. Can't Hold Us - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
10. Young Love - Eli Lieb

This section has been gone for a loooooooong time. Just some songs I will get excited when my playlist started playing these songs.

;)

The Crab Island - Pulau Ketam !

Ops! I think I did a slight mistake on the title of the last two posts. It's 18 days not 28 days. lol. sorry!
If 28 days in Europe we will be broke liao. lol. no wonder la friend thought I went there for a month. wtf.
I am so significant for you to notice that I was away for that long? I thought I am invisible to many. #patheticme #happyme

tbh I am getting lazier to update my blog about this trip already la. thanks for those who has been reading and supporting my blog.

kthanksbye

lol. no la. still will be writing, but have to wait the mood is back la.
In the mean time, I will be still writing about my trip, but, to Pulau Ketam!!

Pulau Ketam

Not like any other Pulau(s) in Malaysia, Pulau Ketam ain't no place for you to swim! (in case la, for those who don't know where is it LOL)
Pulau Ketam is only 30 minutes away from Port Klang by a speed boat, and 45 minutes away by an air-conditioned boat.
I don't remember how many times I have been here, but as far as I can remember, the last time I was here I was still in primary school or lower secondary school kot.
My uncle is a fishing hobbyist. That time I was with him for fishing. Everytime I fish I could just fished a pufferfish, and my uncle said that was 'suey' cos no other type of fish would get hooked by your bait after you hooked a puffer. wtf.
I didn't know my life is already suey when I was still little! fml
He has the point pun, cos puffers are poisonous, so the hook on your fishing rod will get contaminated after puffer bite the bait la. So no other fishes would dare to come already. T__T
That time onwards I thought fishing is not cool. hahaha. *gave up so easily
But I had a great time though. Until now I still remember how fun it was. I believe young kid nowadays won't have a chance to experience this pun. Children nowadays only busy tapping iPad and only in a special occasion will they put down their gadget and lift up their head to do something we would do when we were a kid.
But they are born in this generation, cannot blame the kid pun.

We went there at the first day of Hari Raya, and we didn't expect the queue at the jetty was SO LONG!
We went there by a speedboat after more than an hour of wait. *grumpy face
aH Wai travel tip : If to travel by speedboat, you actually can straight away cut the queue and get down to the jetty and ask for the ride. RM10 per person and no ticket is required. The queue is only for those who wish to go there by an air-conditioned boat. RM7 per an adult ticket.

The weather itself already got us so heated up, what makes us more angrier is that the people in the queue are not in line at all. *grumpy face x 2
aH Wai smart advice : just stay at home during public holiday

Pulau Ketam is a fish village. The people here mostly are the chinese.

Once you reach here just walk straight for about 3 minutes you will see a booth for people to sign up for a one-day guided tour to walk around the island.  It's RM15 per person. To visit fish farm, taoism temple, etc.
We didn't signed up for tour cos we thought the weather is too hot for us to follow a tour.
and so we just had our seafood lunch here and we were already very desperate to get home. lol
hot weather definitely not a day to travel outdoor.

But we did walk around the village to see see.
Here are some pics to show:

Pulau Ketam

Pulau Ketam

Pulak Ketam

In the making of taoism prayer's stuff - don't know the name lol

Pulau Ketam - packed with local tourists

Dried seafood product

Souvenirs! *lol

Chinese Chess Association of Pulau Ketam 

Dried salted fish

Pulau Ketam fish village

One of the Taoism temple in Pulau Ketam

One of the Taoism temple in Pulau Ketam - look at the wood bridge! ><'' look so fragile

One of the Taoism temple in Pulau Ketam - before the sea level rises

One of the Taoism temple in Pulau Ketam

Air-conditioned boat back to Port Klang

Pulau Ketam is very small indeed.
It is recommended to come here to have seafood lunch/dinner if you enjoy eating fresh crab! Their crab is delicious! yum~ drooling.
But other than that, not many tourist attractions though, it is a fish village afterall.

5 Countries 7 Cities in 18 days (Part II)

DISCLAIMER : This post is not meant to be written in a proper English. Cos the writer is unable to write so. fml. Plus, the entire trip is to be described based on observation and personal opinion, not on how the media/public usually portrayed it to be.

Oh, once I stepped into this city, the air I breathe almost got me pregnant. So romantic!

Eiffel Tower, Paris

Paris!

It is a place where I believe every lovers wants to go.
This city gives the impression to the public that it is somewhere filled with romance, artistic, and high fashion.
It might be true. But my experience there was not so much the same.

Random street in Paris

From London to Paris is about 2 hours+ train ride. We took a reserved-seat-train and the journey was good. Travelling by train is so much better than travelling by plane. We just need a passport to get stamped in the London train station and we are all ready to get on the train. Don't need check in luggage la, 100ml liquid bottle to put in plastic bag la all. Not to mentioned the train is much more spacious.

From London to Paris

The train literally travelled under the sea for about 15 minutes to pass through the sea between the two lands. But don't need to hold our breathe though. There is enough oxygen in there. lol

Eiffel Tower, Paris

After we had our lunch, we head straight up to the location of Eiffel tower.
I think I did mentioned before, I am born with the lack of sense of direction/position. So reading map is definitely a challenge for me. And guess what, I totally believe it is a genetic thing. My jie actually not that good in reading map too. Especially when we were trying to figure out which station to transit. Try look at this crazy map.

Tube map of Metro Train

I apologize for complaining our KL KTM map earlier in my previous post. I think one thing they have this so complicated underground tube route is because France has a very old history in developing train. I mean most of the Europe countries pun sama la. They have a very developed underground train system indeed. And it was really impressive. But maybe it is one of the reason why the train is actually quite 'lau ya' also. The maintenance has not done enough. Apparently the train is quite dirty. The station itself is also quite dirty, the air in the station are not so pleasant, the place is very dark, and to be frank, it's a little bit scary.

My jie has warned us earlier to take good care of our belonging, because there are already a number of thefts have been reported there. And one of his friend was the victim before.

So unlucky, we had our 'moment' too.
So, here is how our story goes. A bunch of kids, like two or three of them, approached us asking us to make donation when we are buying tickets in front of the ticket machine. They speak French which obviously we don't understand any words at all. They were so desperate and didn't even give us the chance to say "sorry, I am not interested", and they already start grabbing your hand, and then your bag. Four of us stared and yelled at them to ask them to go away. But they keep grabbing until we ran to the place where there is more crowded.

That was so terrifying!! My camera bag almost got snatched!

After that we try to keep an eye on them whether they are still following us.

My jie explained that these kids are quite pitiful, as they have been bribed into this kinda illegal activity in order to live their life. Human trafficking.

I nodded and didn't even notice my whole head is already sweating like they are almost dripping down to my shoulders. I mean, come on, takkan you won't feel gan jiong at that moment.

That was the time I started to feel that French language is certainly not a 'romantic language' at all.

.
.
.

But then finally we have made it to EIFFEL TOWER!

Eiffel Tower

On top of the Eiffel Tower

We queued for more than an hour to buy the tix to get to the top. The elevator lifts us to the centre and we have to 'transit' to another elevator. The tower now is under construction which I believe they are trying to build a wider area in the middle for restaurant and stuff to attract more tourists. But I thought that was quite a bad idea though. Cos it might 'lose its originality'! Cos now their main target is just to attract more tourists and make money.
The price to get up is €14.50 per person.

Eiffel Tower to the top

The top is packed with tourists, no doubt. And the view is okay okay only la.
It is a bit look like Prontera city in Ragnarok Online. *lol geek!

The view on top of the Eiffel Tower

The view on top of the Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower is 324 metres tall and it is the highest building in Paris.
If to make comparison with KL Tower in Malaysia, it is about:

KL Tower is 421m while Eiffel Tower is only 324m tall

The fun fact about Eiffel Tower is that it was actually meant to be built for temporary only during a World's Fair for the French Revolution anniversary. Today this structure is one of the 'gold attractor' for the country.

Random street in Paris

For dinner, my jie found a restaurant on the internet that is recommended by TripAdvisor. The restaurants in France is normally has a very limited tables. So we went there earlier to make reservation. It wasn't a very big or very 'atas' restaurant though. A small and casual restaurant. And I wasn't expecting their friendly service. Cos normally French people has a 'busuk' face when serving customers, especially people like us who we look like a Chinese. Tbh, some of the Europe people don't like Chinese. Chinese as in China Mainland Chinese not Malaysian Chinese la. But for them we look the same. The reason why they don't like is because of the way that the majority of the Chinese behave in public, eg: the bad manners. Ok, to cut the story short, the service was good.

The restaurant

The menu

However, the food...

The food is cooked by local chefs. So the taste is 100% French! But the food are just not suitable for my taste bud.

Starter - Foie gras (pronounced as 'fwa-gra', is made of liver of duck that has been specially fattened.

okay, I bet you can sort of imagine the taste already right. Its taste is just like butter-ish animal's liver. It is used to spread it on the bread. And I believe it is served with some sweetened/marinated onion. 

Salmon fillet with creamy parmesan cheese

Roasted duck breast with honey and rosemary

The waiter said that red meat like duck breast meat should be served 'half raw' or '70% raw' I forgot.
Immediately I heard the word 'raw' then I looked to my sister.
We wanted a 'cooked' food. lol
Then we try to change to another dish.
However, they are very determined in convincing the customers to believe the cooking skill of the chef and to try the food they cook. I believe they want us as the customer to taste the best local dishes they can cook for us, and at the same time, to have faith with the chefs inside the kitchen.
Then, I looked eye to eye again with my jie trying to refuse but feel so paiseh after a few rounds of his convincing. So we ordered it.

The food is served. I cut the duck meat and it was raw. I can still see the blood all over that thick meat. I think the only thing that is cooked is the skin of the duck meat.  So I decided just to eat the side dishes i.e. the mash sweet-potatoes and some asparagus. My jie said it was not really cooked as compared to the one she tasted last time at the other place. She then requested for the meat to re-cook again. I am so sorry, we are just not used to eating raw duck meat. So the waiter send our plates into the kitchen. But the second round the meat is still quite raw. The only thing is that it is hotter, and I am happy they 'refilled' the side dishes for me. HAHA! Cos that was the only thing I can eat and I just can't get used to eating a half-cooked (less than half-cooked) red meat! Apologise for my 'kampung-ness'. So sorry!
No photo of the meat is taken though. Cos I don't want to show 'disrespectfulness' to the people. They are good. Their service is really good tbh.

Moulin Rouge, the spiritual birthplace of the modern form of the can-can dance, where those ladies will kick up their legs when dancing. (and me looking tired, holding the tube map)

Arnaud Delmontel Bakery

The next day we went to pastry bakery shop for breakfast. The popular chef Gourdan Ramsy has been here before to make croissant. And the croissant here is SUPER DELICIOUS!!!!

The croissant!

Croissant is originated from France and the French people are really good at baking this! In fact, all the pastries we bought are SO DAMN DELICIOUS! The croissants are super crispy on the outside, and I can felt the layers of the texture in my every bite. IT WAS SO GOOD! THE BEST CROISSANT I'VE TASTED IN MY LIFE!

Stunning creation!

OMG, I almost fainted in the bakery shop! I WANT ALL OF THEM!

Look at these beautiful macaroon! 

lao zi getting lazier now.
The rest I'll just let the pictures to tell the stories.

Then we went to see

Arc de Triomphe, one of the most famous monuments in Paris

Arc de Triomphe

Arc de Triomphe

The Avenue des Champs-Élysées, the street with all the 'atas' brand that you can name it

There is a 12% of tax refund if you wish to buy a branded bag in Paris. So my mum bought one. happy mama. lol

Another one

Look! They have macaroon in their McCafe!

Ladurée, French luxury bakery house

We bought some macaroons here! It taste INSANELY DELICIOUS! 

@.@'' I can't! I just can't! SO BEAUTIFUL!

Ladurée is one of famous bakery houses in Paris, so there were a lot people queuing to buy those dessert. So while we were queuing, my dad was at outside waiting for us. Much later, my dad came in and told us that he almost got cheated by a random guy on the street. SERIOUS SHIT?!

This random guy approached my dad and he handed him a metal ring saying that it was my dad's. He say that ring fall off from my dad's pocket. In just a second, my dad thought the ring is his, so he took it to have a look. Then that guy just walked away. That ring is not even is my dad's! After a moment, that guy turns back, asked my dad whether can give him some money. My dad quickly hand back the ring to him and walk back into the shop to avoid talking to him anymore! OMG SHIT! I think if my dad didn't run back to the shop quickly enough, he might get cheated/robbed!

I had a goosebump after hearing my dad explain that incident that just happened!
My jie warned us again not to talk to any stranger on the street that approach you for nothing!
(*side note: The other day I saw the same incident reported in the news on Astro !! PARIS IS REALLY INFAMOUS FOR THIS SHIT!)
Again, please be careful la if you are gonna travel to Paris in the future.

On the way to The Musée du Louvre. Look at the weather! IT'S BURNING HOT!

Then we went to The Musée du Louvre.
It is a HUGE museum with many floors and sections!
The entry fee per adult is €12. But they didn't really check the tix. So I think you can just buy one ticket and enter la, then once you came out you can pass your ticket to your friend who wish to enter la. Can save money ma. (ah Wai travel tip of the day wtf) lol

The Musée du Louvre

The Musée du Louvre

The Musée du Louvre - the original painting of The Mona Lisa (If you are a fan of Da Vincci Code or Demon and Angels I am sure you will love it.)

The painting I find it rather more interesting in the Musée du Louvre is The Last Supper. This painting is so GIGANTIC! Impressed. 

The Avenue des Champs-Élysées

Random street in Paris

 Then we went to the famous Lovers Bridge.

The 'Lovers Bridge' that is crazy full of 'Love padlocks'! 

The fence along the bridge is full of padlocks! INSANE!

PAUL & COLEEN, MICHAEL AND MICHELLE, EDWARD AND BELLA, BELLA AND JACOB, VAMPIRE AND THE WOLF. lol

In the future if you wish to bring your boyfie/girlfie to come here 'lock your love' you may do so la.
I bet the fishes in the river are all fed with keys that thrown by couples ba. Pity those fishes. lol

Along the street you can see there are a lot of stalls selling old books. Very eyes-opening! O.O

Lastly, if you are familiar with the Disney Animation "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" then you will recognise this place.

Notre Dame

and I purposely wear green colour so that I can become the Hunchback. lol fml!

All in all, my experience in Paris was okay. If you are planning to backpack in Paris, please don't expect this trip will turn out to be the most romantic vacation out of all. (well, unless you have local friend/tour guide or you yourself know how to speak a fluent French!)

The next day we flew to Rome, Italy.

Check out the Part I here.