Portugal 葡萄牙 – Lisbon 里斯本

Posted on December 29, 2015 by The Traveller

I took the evening bus from Seville, south of Spain, to Lisbon and reached the Sete Rios metro station in the early morning where the trains were not in operation yet.

With other anxious passengers, we waited restlessly for more than an hour with hungry stomach as none of the shops was open during that time. Finally, I managed to board the first train and reached the Passport Lisbon Hostel at about 8am.

Actually I have already booked a bed online while I was in Seville but that was given to another traveler as I did not check-in before midnight. This hostel has a good location where the bus stop is right in front of the entrance and the metro station is just a few minutes walk. The breakfast provided was good. Worth the stay!

I asked the fat young man at the counter for directions and he was delighted to assist me to the places of interest around the area. I found that there was a free walking tour starting within a few minutes and *the meeting point is just in front of the hostel. I l*eft my luggage at the counter and joined in the tour.

*The beach is about 10 minutes walk from the hostel. There are many restaurants around the area and there is also a supermarket down the street. The main city is also nearby, about 20 minutes walk* from where I stay.

While I was in the centre, I witnessed a pickpocketing scene. The young Asian man was so thrilled with the street magic performance and kept on taking pictures. I went behind the performer and tried to take pictures of the crowd and happened to see this middle age European lady standing behind the Asian man and putting her hand into the sling bag the man was carrying. She took out a wallet and passed it to another lady next to her. That lady slowly walked away.

*I passed by the flea market where people were selling their previously owned goods.*

Valencia

Posted on February 20, 2015 by The Traveller

If you do come to Valencia, you must visit the City of Arts and Sciences as the place is very impressive. The Oceanogràfic is the biggest aquarium in Europe. The Hemisfèric is a digital 3D cinema with a huge 900 meter concave screen. The Science Museum offers different interactive exhibitions about science and technology. The Palau de les Arts is the place for performance of operas, concerts, zarzuela and ballet. The Umbracle is a huge, open-access garden. Moreover, there is the busy topless beach which you could tan yourself under the hot summer sun.

The bullring inValencia

Milan 米兰

Posted on July 5, 2013 by The Traveller

Italy is my first and last stop for the Europe trip. I arrived in Milan and flew back from Rome. Milan is a cosmopolitan metropolis with a European flair, and is considered one of the world’s fashion and design capitals.

A must visit place is the the Duomo di Milano (Cathedral). You could pay 7 Euro and climb up to the roof top to have a aerial view.

I joined the free walking tour and visited the Sforzesco Castle and other places.

Even if you are not into arts, Santa Maria delle Grazie is also a must visit. In this small church you could see the original Leonardo Da Vinci’s “The last Supper” painted on the wall. According to the website, you will have to book the ticket at least one month in advance as they only allow about 20 people per visit and each visit last about 30 minutes. I was lucky as one of the tourists did not turn up at the particular time slot when I was there. So, I took over the place. We were not allowed to take pictures during the tour but I still managed to get a few shots without flash.

See what the people have done to Milan.

I stayed in the town of Assmago when I was in Milan. I also stayed in another place but I do not know the name of that place.

Rome 罗马

Posted on July 5, 2013 by The Traveller

Rome is the capital city of Italy. I stayed in Rome for 5 days and I think this is not enough. There are so many places to visit in Rome and all of them are within walking distance. All the roads will lead you to the attractions in the center of Rome.

The Colosseum is the largest ancient amphitheater ever built, and it is still the largest standing amphitheater in the world, despite its age. There is an entrance fee for getting inside and I did not get in due to my tight backpacker’s budget.

The Castel Sant’Angelo is definitely worth the visit not because of the exterior beauty of the monument but you will also get an idea of how Rome has changed over a period of 2000 years when you are inside. There is a entrance fee to get inside but I just stayed outside to admire the building and took some pictures. Money not enough.

The Spanish steps attract tourists from all over the world. It have been the backdrop to notorious films, important events and fashion shows. This place is pleasant and interesting and I could see people flocking to here from all over the places. There is no entrance fee.

The legend of the Mouth of Truth is that liars who placed their hand inside the sculpture would immediately lose it. I did not put my hands inside the mouth as I was afraid that I would break the masterpiece and unable to pay for the damage.

Rome was not built in one day. There is a need for time to create great things.

I got free accommodation from the local for 2 nights and stayed another 2 nights in the backpacker.

The Netherlands 荷兰

Posted on July 4, 2013 by The Traveller

The Netherlands is informally known as Holland. The capital of The Netherlands is Amsterdam. When I reached Amsterdam, I realized that was the day of the Pride Parade.

Germany 德国 – Berlin 柏林

Posted on July 1, 2013 by The Traveller

The Brandenburg Gate is one of Berlin’s most important monuments for more than two hundred years. However, this landmark is in East Berlin and have been separated from the West by the wall for more than 50 years.

There are many old buildings in Berlin, especially in the eastern side. When I arrived in East Berlin in 1989, I was not allowed to wonder around in the airport and was escorted to the west by the coach. Coincidentally the Berlin wall collapsed one month after I left Germany.

20 years later, I visited Berlin again and this time I could walk from the West to the East freely. Now I could be a tour guide to Berlin.

The story of the bear and Berlin

I took the city tour bus to get familiar with the city

This is one of the best known pieces of Berlin wall graffiti art. The painting depicts the Russian leader Leonid Brezhnev and East Germany’s SED Party Chairman Erich Honecker in a socialist fraternal kiss during the 30th anniversary celebration of the foundation of the German Democratic Republic.

There was a cycling event when I was in Berlin.

This is the way to the nude beach

Rais is Singaporean working in Berlin and he arranged for me to stay in one of this friend’s house while I was in Berlin. I slept on a sofa that can turned into a bed.