Water Water All Around

and not a drop to drink! My journey to Venezia was an amusing one. I had no idea the trains would be so full that I can't get tickets for the time that I needed... So I bought a ticket for the 5PM train, but hopped on the 11AM one. I'm a rebel. Luckily I didn't get checked, the operator was only a few rows away when we arrived at the terminus station 2 hours away.

And what shall greet me upon my first step out of the station? A gigantic Geox billboard. I literally stopped in my tracks at that second. I couldn't stop paying attention to these billboards from the moment I saw the photo with the Hyundai billboard... Travel buddy!!! Alas, the blues of the canals were awe-inspiring under the warm winter sun. At that moment I felt like I understood why Venice is such a popular destination.

I'm lamenting the fact that I don't have a photo of the billboard.

It's the return of the panorama (near Piazzale Roma).

I didn't stay in Venice proper, rather, I stayed about an hour away by Vaporetto (Venetian water buses) on the island of Lido. On the ride to Lido, there is lots to see, many a beautiful scene to capture. With the sea breeze blowing, it quickly got chilly. So note to whoever goes in the winter, make sure you bring enough to wear! It was nothing compared to the blizzards that southern Netherlands was facing at that time, though.

Many of these bridges around town, that's what happens when your city is built on canals.

People don't drive cars, they drive... these things. What are they in English?

Something strange is happening here too.

Then I got to Lido, where I realised that Google Map was lying to me. I walked in the wrong direction for about 10 minutes, then stopped for directions to realise that... well, I was going in the wrong direction. Wasn't too difficult from there to get to the Bed and Breakfast, though. Was a small home, cute little place, really. Again, no photos. Where was my brain?

Along the coast of Lido

Trying to artsy fartsy, lol.

Main street of Lido, short and lined with shops and restaurants.

Top of a cute home on Lido under the warmth of the early winter sun.

I totally did not have enough time in Venice to see much, only had enough to take a leisurely stroll around Lido. Enjoyed Lido, though, it gives me a feeling of being a laid back suburb surrounded by water. Boats dot the canals that almost seem like a parking in front of each house. It's a strange and wonderful sight in its own right. The blues of the canals took away some of my homesickness though the company of my travel buddy was still thoroughly missed. Let's try to do it again!

Ok, the backlighting makes the boats difficult to see, but they're there!

Oh so blue~~~ the colours are absolutely gorgeous.

Colourful buildings such as these make me happy.

This marks the end of my Christmas Tour around Italia, and pretty much the end of my trip around Europe. I've definitely left yet another part of me behind in the beautiful architecture and scenery of Italy, and a whole lot more of me is left in wonderful Maastricht. Just waiting for the day when I get to revisit.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. I'll blog about Whistler briefly next, then go back and record parts of my summer that I've missed (Shanghai and the Expo). 

By fishii with 2 comments

A Foreign Land with a Stranger

I've read about Academia Hostel being a great place to meet other backpackers, and it proved to be a truthful statement. The next morning, over breakfast, I sat with a girl from China who had just finished her exchange semester in Finland. Since we were both alone, we decided to take on Florence together. Probably for the better since we were both getting a little homesick.

Amongst the numerous statues that stand on the streets of Firenze.

After seeing a queue that probably would reach the moon if unwound, we decided to bypass the museum and take a look at random visitor's attractions en route to Piazzale Michelangelo. One of the attractions is Ponte Vecchio. This bridge used to be populated with fish stores (mmm... fish...), but then the stuff that got washed off the bridge contaminated water sources, so now they're banned. The bridge is now full of tourist traps gold shops selling all sorts of expensive jewellery.

Ponte Vecchio from afar.

Delicious. I want some now!

We strolled around in town for a bit, and I introduced my travel partner to gelato (yes, this is where I would expect gasps of "she didn't know about gelato?"). OK, truthfully, travel buddy, you didn't know what was special either, did you. But that's ok, because that means I get gelato, plus I was looking for this famous gelato shop anyway. Anyway, I just did some research on wiki, sugar content and fat content in gelato is lower than most ice creams, and unlike commercial ice creams, gelato is generally frozen (and made?) in small batches. Coincidentally, Florence was where this mouthwatering dessert has its roots. Mmm, gelato.

One of a series of stickers on signs.

From Piazzale Michelangelo.

Piazzale Michelangelo, at long last. It took some getting lost and lots of walking to finally reach the outskirts of the Firenze core. But the view was rewarding enough, and I can't let the gelato go straight to my waistline, right? I spent the rest of the day lazing around, since my new friend had to get on the train to get to Vienna.

From here on, I go to Venezia!

By fishii with 3 comments

From Roma to Firenze

Alas! The last day in Roma. Regrettably, we didn't have much time as it was the day my travel buddy and I went our separate ways.

From the Spanish Steps.

Blessed with wonderful weather, we set out one last time to see a few attractions, and the view from the Spanish Steps greeted us with warm colours of the Italian architecture. Perhaps because of the weather, the attraction was very busy.

And at the bottom of the steps were a group of horse-drawn carriages. I wonder if it's a popular option for tourists.

But away from the hustle and bustle was this quiet museum (Galleria nazionale d'arte antica). Its unpretentious exterior didn't draw many tourists into its grounds that day, so it was a wonderful place to relax and slow down. The second floor opened up to a garden, it wasn't the best kept garden, but the tranquillity made up for it.

There are a number of crazy stunts that Romans pull off on the roads, and this guy was playing soccer / football in the middle of cars! As soon as the light turned red he rushed out into the middle of the road to exhibit his abilities to juggle (is it what it's called in English?) the ball. 

After grabbing a sandwich on the go, I hopped onto the train to Firenze (Florence), this time making sure I was on the right one. When I arrived, I realised I didn't really know how to get to my hostel... So I randomly went one direction, found a map, then located my destination. Next time I'll try to be a little more prepared...

Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore

At this attraction, you can climb over 400 steps to overlook Florence. However, I chose the wrong set of stairs to find that there was a fence at the top of this one! Was slightly upset, but wasn't going to go down 400 steps and climb back up another 400 to where the crowds were. I'm a satisficer (don't mind the consumer behaviour language kicking in here).

Overexposed shot of the view at the top (sorry, I just slapped one of the many that I took on here)

Republica. Are they all over Italy?

Tortellacci di ricotta e spinaci ai funghi porcini

At night I visited a restaurant recommended by the receptionist at the Academic Hostel (because one of the museums nearby is called Accademia). I asked the hostess for a recommendation (luckily she spoke fluent English), and she brought me this! The tortellacci is supposed to be made fresh at the restaurant, I think, and I actually ate (almost) all the tomatoes!

Please excuse the poor image quality this time, I needed to procrastinate but don't have enough time to post properly. Next post will be better as I head into Reading Break! Hang around for Firenze part 2.

By fishii with 3 comments

For the Love of History

Beside the Colosseum lays the ancient ruins of Rome (I had accidentally said is this the ruined ruins? Leading to "Roaming Rome"... LAME). Part of me now thinks that our conversation took up a little bit too much of my attention! I actually acutely remember singing Brooke Fraser's Lead Me to the Cross, but remember some of the sights that I have captured with my camera less clearly... Need to reflect on that a little, perhaps?

From the Colosseum

Walking from the entrance to the Forum

Photodump! Do you wonder what it used to look like?

Parts of the ruins had been ruined destroyed by the construction of the road that leads up to the Colosseum. 

The Terracotta Warriors was paying a visit in the Roman Ruins. Couldn't figure out why because it didn't say (in English anyway) what the purpose of the exhibit was. The whole exhibit was of ancient Chinese arts. There were a few small exhibits of Italian sculptures that had presumably stood in the ruins area.

From the ruins, we proceeded to the next attraction.

I had written about the Vatican City last week, this week it's about the Vatican Museum, which we had a little trouble finding... It was late by the time we got there, and it was quite a rushed tour through the building to see all the masterpieces that reside within the walls of this "country". One of the things we really wanted to see was the staircase that graces the page of the Rome Wikitravel page.

View from a window at the Vatican Museum, nearing sunset.

There this patio looking area that looks out to St. Peter's Basilica. Because of the gorgeous weather and the time of day we visited, this generally beautiful sight was coupled with the perfect lighting, creating one of the most picturesque scenes of this trip.

Thank goodness I brought my beloved camera with me.

Oh such grandeur! The exquisite craftsmanship cannot be matched today.

As we were admiring the artwork, a staff member of the museum warned us that the Sistine Chapel was only going to be open for another 30 minutes. At this point, we abandoned all the other less known pieces and ran to the Sistine Chapel (I was intent on visiting it). Unfortunately, no photos were allowed and I felt like abiding by the rules. It was somewhat noisy at times, with a guard periodically whispering "shhh" as loudly as he can manage. Would've appreciated a quieter atmosphere, alas, it's one of the most famous tourist attractions, so what can you do?

And the staircase! It looks better in natural light, but I had decided for us that the photo could wait for the end of our tour around the museum (sorry travel buddy!!). Plus, I don't have a good angle on it, so it looks kind of flattened. 

Only half a day of Rome left! Oh this visit was too short.

By fishii with 3 comments

Pope Merchandise Anyone?

Picking up from the Vatican City...

While in St. Peter's Basilica, we were bombarded with photos of the current Pope. I was somewhat amazed at how much of a celebrity the Pope is, and somewhat confused as to why there needs to be so many products with the Pope's face plastered on it... I confess I did not know what the Pope looked like prior to my expedition to the Vatican.

Well, now I know.

(Un)fortunately, I didn't take any photos of the merchandise.

Moving onwards from the Vatican, we proceeded to Castel Saint Angelo (I think?), which was topped with a statue with a rusting sword.

You can't really see the rusty sword, but it would've glimmered if it's not rusty, right?

This castle gives a pretty good view of the Vatican City. It's not a tall building, but everything else in Rome are pretty close to the ground. At night, the street lamps shimmer on all sides of the castle. Since it's a little quieter than the streets below, I remember it as a relaxing stroll. As these memories distance themselves from me, I can't tell you how much accuracy there is in my statements.

Afterwards, I got my first gelato in Rome! It was so good that I got one the next day, and two days after... Many many gelatos to contribute to my weight gain.

The Ruins

On the way to see the Coloseum, we stopped by the ruins for a somewhat spooky photo at night... took many shots to get the lighting "right". My photography skills need some nurturing!

After seeing the Coloseum at night, we returned again in the day for a look of the inside. Did it look bigger from the inside? I think it did, but will need my wonderful travelling companion to remind me... My memory has failed me. Regardless, it was a little surreal to step foot into such a historical site. It was rebuilt, though, wasn't it. Again, my memory fails me, Wikipedia to the rescue (when I have time)!

Roman soldiers still patrol the Coloseum!

It's amazing, isn't it, that Roman soldiers still take posts there? *You can imagine me falling out of my chair from laughing how lame my joke is here* The line outside the Coloseum is long, as advertised everywhere. We decided to pay for the audio guide to "queue jump", though we didn't pick the guide up because there was a line for that as well (I think it was an extra €4?). It must've saved us about 30 minutes? Can't remember that either. Memory deteriorates too quickly. Perhaps the guided tour would've been interesting?

Guess Rome requires a part 3 post. Stayed tuned if I haven't bored you out of your mind yet. It's just fun for me to reminisce.

By fishii with 2 comments

Roma, Roma-ma

I had to, Lady Gaga was playing in my head way too much when I was in Rome, just ask my poor travel buddy!


My flight to Rome from Eindhoven was cancelled courtesy of horrible weather, so I embarked on a 20 hour train ride instead. From Eindhoven, I took the train to Venlo, then Düsseldorf, to Mannheim, Basel, Arth Goldau, Milano, then finally Roma. I was completely washed over with relief when I saw my travel buddy at the train station. I'm glad I made it all the way to Italy.

Republica after the rain, sort of.

Strangely enough, I found Rome to be extremely charming in the rain, at night. The lights reflected off the cobblestone roads, and the city almost seemed a little quieter than the other nights. Perhaps I'm unconsciously adjusting this memory now that I'm no longer there?

a nameless side street

I can't remember that well anymore, I guess I waited a little too long to write this, but I've always been a fan of the view after the rain lifts.


Rome was a busy city, the cars rushed about on the roads, seemingly sparing little thought for the pedestrians. Sometimes it was difficult for me to cross the street, but I've never been gifted in that department. There were always crowds of tourists at the attractions, taking a photo became such a difficult task at times! Lucky December is the slow season for tourism in Rome, I can't imagine trying to manoeuvre my way through even larger crowds!

St. Peter's Basilica at Vatican City

We actually visited Vatican City on a Sunday morning, greeted by the most beautiful weather. Strangely enough we found no queue to go through the security check for St. Peter's Basilica, but a huge crowd standing in the square looking up. We rushed into the security check area moments before we heard a roar of applause, followed by a booming voice speaking in, presumably, Italian. Attempts at trying to attach a face to the voice were unsuccessful, and so we waved the pope off as "just another celebrity" and made our way into the Basilica.

Looking out from St. Peter's Basilica

I honestly would not recommend paying for the audio guide for St. Peter's. Yes, it provides a lot of information and insight, but for however much we paid, just thought it wasn't worth it. In fact, I found the audio guide to be a little long winded. Plus, there was a time limit of 2 hours. I'm sure the whole program was longer than 2 hours (I stopped after track 6, I think...).


Not sure if I found the Treasury to be worth it, but that's personal preference.


We proceeded to climb up the Dome (costs €5 to walk all the way, and €7 if you want to walk only part way), which proved to be worth every Euro cent. The top of the Dome provides a panoramic view of the city.

Thank God for wonderful weather.

Sleep beckons, next part of Rome to come soon.

By fishii with 2 comments