Europe Backpack - Switzerland

14 Sept 2010 - Night - Lucerne

By the time we reached Lucerne, it was already night time. There was nothing much to see, and whole day traveling made us tired, so we head to our hostel, which was once a jailhouse. We found out that this place is where the contiki tour group is staying. The staff is here is nice enough to let us use the kitchen, even though it was already closed. 

15 Sept 2010 - Jungfrau, Interlaken, Lucerne

We traveled early morning so that we can stay longer up at Jungfrau. The train ride to Interlaken is extremely nice, with the standard view of snow capped mountains, greenery, and villages.

Standard view of Switzerland.

Up the mountain Jungfrau, however, the scenery changed to contrast white and dark brown. Amazing sight itself. We went to the ice palace, which we see many interesting ice sculptures. The temperature outside, very very cold. I though my ears and nose is going to fall off. Coming down Jungfrau, we strolled around Interlaken before heading back to Lucerne.

Glacier

??? - Squirrel from Ice Age

Europe Backpack - From Rome to Venice

 12 Sept 2010 - Rome

It was no joke when I heard from the Italian couple back in Doolin telling us Rome is HOT! It was tiring traveling to Rome, then looking for our hostel. The staff there had a bad attitude; the kitchen opens late and closes after a while; you have to pay internet there, M&J Hostel is the name. Well, that made us hate Italy.

Anyway, once we settled our things, we went sightseeing. Rome is all about ruins, which we got a lot indeed! Visited the Colosseum, Roman forums and the Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II (too bad we didn't have the time to explore). 

 

Romulus and Remus, legendary founder of the city.

Roman Forums

13 Sept 2010 - Vatican City to Venice

The next day we head out for Vatican City. (missed the pope yesterday...) Visiting St Peter's Basilica, making us visit 2 of 4 major basilica in Rome. (we wandered unknowingly to St Mary Major the day before) We too wandered unknowingly to Trevi Fountain, the largest baroque fountain in the world. Then we head out in the afternoon for Venice.

 St Peter's Basilica

Reaching Venice at night, there is nothing much to see. One thing of note is that there are many Asians there. Again, by 2 companions insisted on eating Chinese food again, so we went to a overpriced Chinese restaurant where the owner charged us with table fees.

14 Sept 2010 - Venice

The next day we took a ride in the ferry for the canals. (cheaper alternative to gondolas) Missed the churches in Venice too, mostly due to the lack of interest of my 2 other companions. In the afternoon, we left for Switzerland! To sum up Italy, we had a bad experience there; but I would go again, especially Rome, and maybe together with Naples in the future.

Venice is about Gondolas, although we did not ride them.

Happy New Year!!

Joining the countdown in front of Khatib MRT, I flashed back the year 2011. What I achieved:

1. getting my first job in Singapore.
2. meeting my niece and nephew for the first time.
3. traveling overseas for vacation on my own for the first time.
4. first business trip of my life, which is Korea.
5. bought insurance using my own money.
6. officially manage my own finance for the first time.
   
7. getting to know more of my relatives, especially in Singapore and Johor Baru.
8. get to meet lost friends from secondary school and college.
9. getting a new phone.

2011 was a year of beginnings and reclamation. My beginning of work life, and my reclamation of social life. This year 2012 will be challenging. I will be tackling with PR application, the big plan to travel Japan, and handling the hectic work of my company. Of course, I need to finish recording my logs here ASAP!! (overdue from 2011)