Rome 罗马

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.

Germany 德国 – Berlin 柏林

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.

Zhuhai 珠海

I got to know a IT  Professor in Beijing Insititute of Technology in Zhuhai 北京理工大学珠海学院. Followed his instructions, I took a bus (S$7) from Zhenshen to the University and stayed in the campus for 2 nights.

I took the bus (20 cents per trip) and visited a few places while I was in Zhuhai. The new Yuan Ming Yuan 圓明新園 is a place that I would recommmend you to visit if you are in Zhuhai

From Zhuhai, I crossed the border to Macau.

Auckland 奥克兰

The days in Auckland was full of fun and excitement. I met up with people from the United States, Vietnam, Malaysia, India and the locals. We gathered together and had a day trip to the Upper Nihotupu Dam. This is one of the five reservoirs in the Waitākere Ranges that supply water in Auckland. We also walked along the soft sand beaches to have a view of the beautiful late afternoon scenery to end the day. A few of us had another day of cooking in one of the members’ house. Besides, I went alone to tour around the city, parks, habour and visited the Auckland Museum. The entrance to the museum is free but there is a mandatory 5 dollar donation we have to pay. From Auckland, I took the morning train to capital city of New Zealand, Wellington.

Taipei 台北

 I have visited many places in Taipei. Here are some of them : National Palace Museum National 國立故宮博物院 / Maokong Gondola 貓空纜車

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Jiufen (九份)

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Ximending 西門町 / LongShen Temple (龍山寺)

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Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall 國父紀念館 / Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall                 (中正纪念堂)

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Danshui (淡水)

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Hot Spring (溫泉)

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