From Milano to Geneve

As soon as I arrived in Milano I really wanted to get out. My first encounter with the Italian rough and non-hospitable ways was at Milano Centrale. The immigration officers all seemed very stupid to me. They had to go checked with their higher officers to ensure Malaysians don't need a visa and the warm Italian image I was totally erased by stupid and what to me seemed like a snooty Italian treatment of non-Europeans.

Also Milan was rather drabby and most of the folks are stodgy and chubby. My vision of a sophisticated and chic Milan was totally erased! Most of the telephone kiosks are not working, everything looked dirty and sooty and grey. Finally, I found a working one and made my call to TDC. There was also this interesting character trying to help me out.. but he seemed like one of the vagrant roaming Milano Centrale. He always sought me out whenever I came by Milano Centrale it seemed. He seemed to be a permanent feature there.

The e-mail I sent from Villavolid in Spain didn't go thru to my sister's fren in Milano and when I called TDC, she was on leave. Since I didn't know when I will be arriving at any one city, it was difficult to plan my arrival and making arrangements with folks ahead of time. En. Nasir another of my sister's fren and the Director of TDC in Milan luckily was in the office, while Rosa and Maria the nice Italian staff were very nice to direct me to their office at the posh Duomo and later on En Nasir brought me home. From En. Nasir's house, I contacted Ibrahim and his family, an acquaitance currently posted at United Nation in Geneve and at the spur of the moment, decided to go to Geneve on same day to utilize my travel days with the Eurail ticket. Being smarter and a bit more experienced in using my Eurail options by now, I decided to complete my 24-hour option by taking the train to Geneve thru the beautiful mountain regions. Instead of paying extra for the expensive Cisalpino train to Geneve, by using my 24-hour option, I only had to pay for the 1st class reservation fee, which is not so bad. So that was very very smart of me! I even managed to do all my laundry in Milan before I left for Geneve! and only brought my day pack and the lighest clothing I have to do Geneve, which off course was not very smart as the whole mountain region is the tallest in Europe and so bloody cold!

On the train, one of the huge quite ugly Swiss lady seemed to look me up and down rather snobishly.. I don't quite understand what she has to be snooty about when she was wearing ugly mountain outfit and looking rather huge, grungy and hairy to me :) while I on the other hand is wearing my classic burberry pants (mainly caused it was the lightest and my jeans was being dried in Milan). On the high speed Cisalpino train, twice Swiss border polices requested to look at our passports and the second time they brought huge Alsatian mountain dogs to sniff the passengers out. The border polices were nice and polite and there were no mishaps except for the snooty looking Swiss woman. Luckily when I arrived, some of the Swiss ladies at the very very very cold train station looked rather delicate and pretty or I will be stucked with this image of tall ugly huge mountain lady for Switzerland!

When I arrived at the train station, Ibrahim and his son was waiting for me at Geneve Central entrance. They drove me to their apt and dinner was Malaysian dishes with rice. It was a soothing feeling for someone who was sick dosing herself all the way from Lisboa to Milano and Geneve in 2 straight days. I had a very warm bed with the sejadah and qiblat all laid out for me and a very secure feeling that nite.

Gaudi's Barcelona

Sagrada Familia, Barcelona - ESPANA

Pics by Teliung

I stopped for a few hours in Barcelona on the way to Milano and it was worth it. Barcelona is not only pretty but must be one of the most efficient city in the whole of Europe. The people are nice and hospitable and it was easy to explore the city as the metro and public system is so efficient - especially the nice and modern train station.

For e.g. the left-luggage is so easy to find and conveniently located and must be one of the most efficient system thruout Europe. The tourist info office is also very efficient that you can inform the front desk how many hours you have and they can advise you in 5 seconds what you should cover and exactly where to get the next public transport. Conveniently all the major sites are within the metro stops, which really saved time. All the tourists info and brochures are also free unlike in many European cities say Italy and Berlin (which I found out later).

Since I have only like 4 hours, I decided to do only Sagrada Familia and walk about the town center and park a bit. I also got a break when a group of tourists decided that we'll get a better discount for the entrance fee with more people in the group, so a bunch of us were invited to join them so that we got a 25% discount off the entrance ticket, which I have no complaint at all :) Sagrada, Gaudi's masterpiece is a steep climb but the view from the top is quite worth it.

I breezed through Barcelona, but it is a city one probably want to do in more depth, perhaps best with a bunch of frens - as it is known for its party atmosphere and lots of great place (especially some of the gardens and other Gaudi's masterpieces..that I really wanted to explore but limited by time) and interesting food to check out. As I keep saying, the Spanish hospitality is one of the most professional thruout Europe. Unfortunately, my last attempt to hunt for the most famous Churro-con-Chocolate (fried doughnut dipped in chocholate) throughout Spain, with Barcelona as my last stop, failed ): Striked that out from my to-do list (to eat churro in Spain), the last churro I tried was in Disneyland in Los Angeles!

Sintra

8th century Moorish arch

Pics by teliung

Sintra was a wonderful surprise.

I have never heard of this place until I reached Lisboa on Easter week and got stuck in Lisboa as there were no seats on the train to Barcelona or Milano. Peering thru my loyal Lonely Planet guidebook, Sintra was highlighted as a must do if you only have time to do one place only. It was the best decision and Sintra was really cheap to do as well. It took only the subway ticket to Sintra and it was very accessible. Once we get there, there is a tourbus to take us up the hill to the Palecio de Pena and the Castle de Mouros.

What a beautiful place it is. I definitely will try to go back there.. as soon as I can!

Castle de Mouros

Pics by Phoebe



Pics by teliung

The Moroccan influence can be felt everywhere .. in the architectural structures, the details of its village, the sounds of the beautiful Fado in the air, the beautiful features of its denizens and the food, pastry and beverage, as well as in the quaint village at the middle of the hill.

Palecio de Pena with its whimsical color, made me feel I am in a fairytale scene.. well I can just feel Shrek is coming to save Princess Fiona :)



Pics by Phoebe

I would include Sintra as a honeymoon destination.. The sceneries are so beautiful, the air so fresh and it is totally secluded and detached from the rest of the world.

At the foot of Sintra

Pics by teliung

Lisboa, PORTUGAL

Pic by teliung
Boy and his dog, Lisboa

I took a picture of this boy and his dog on my way from the Pascao to the train station. Somehow the image of this boy and his very tiny dog holding an equally tiny tiny basket still haunts me.


Lisboa, PORTUGAL 
pic by teliung

Museo del Prado, Madrid

Pics by teliung

One of my favorite painting as a child was La Nina by Velasquez and I made a point to stay back when the group left for KL to do Museo del Prado for a glimpse of La Nina. The Prado is worth all the euro for the wonderful masterpieces it hosts.

Heavenly Al-Hambra

Al-Hambra Jannatul - Water Gardens, Granada

Pics by Teliung

If there is a man-made heaven on Earth, the Al-Hambra would come very close to it.

Al-Hambra Gardens, Granada - ESPANA

Pics by Teliung

Moroccan heritage.

Al-Hambra: Details of Wall Panelings, Mihrab and Ceilings

Pics by Teliung

One would think the angels themselves did these honeycomb carvings..

One can spent hours looking at these details except our darn tour operators keep telling us to move on! sigh..

Sevilla

Sevilla in one of the most interesting place we visited in Spain. Our guide arrange for a trip to the Gypsy area..one of the most surreal and cleanest cave-like architecture I've seen. The Spanish gypsies are very clean and organized group of people, with beautiful features, jet black hair and mesmerizing eyes. The Spanish gypsy music and flamenco dance are something one must experience when visiting Sevilla.

Our efficient shuttle bus maneveur its way along the winding and narrow road leading to the gypsies' abode on the steep hills..

Some of the Flamenco dancers are just drop dead gorgeous with their beautiful and colorful outfit. Some of the guys in our tour group literally fell off their seats drooling over a few of the more exotic looking dancers! :P

Unfortunately my digital camera ran out of battery and I couldn't took any pics ): Kak Long promised to email me some of those beautiful pics of the flamenco dance, but until now I am still waiting..

Sevilla is also famous for its orange.. bitter orange that are made into our favorite marmalade. It's such a beautiful sight wherever we go.

Toledo, ESPANA

Toledo, ESPANA Pics by teliung

Window of Toledo


Pics by teliung

I have a thing for windows..... here's one colorful one in one of the alleys of Toledo. My tour operator always egging us to hurry up and I am always the one to lag behind.. now you know why. How can I leave without taking pic of this sceneries :)

El Mesquita de Cordoba

El Mesquieta de Cordoba

Pics by Teliung

Roman Fort, Cordoba

Pics by Teliung

Spanish Palace

Pics by teliung

Mad Dash for Madrid

I left Paris for Madrid on May 20th, sent off by Abi, Kak Fatimah's first born.

Our first trial to get me off to Madrid failed miserably.. we went to the wrong bus station after an expensive Parisian cab ride and still missed the only euroline bus going to Madrid today and no one to assist us this Sunday morning. We felt like kicking ourselves for not giving enuff buffer time to allow for emergencies, since we preferred to climb Eiffel Tower this particular morning! We also got a good scolding :) from Kak Fatimah whom Abi contacted, on her way home from a badminton game. I also have a feeling she and her husband were worried about me going on my own, as they preferred I stay put in Paris instead of galavanting around Europe on my own.

I was booked into and still end up with a very expensive ticket I can't use..but the Euroline guy at Gare Austerlitz took pity on me and changed my ticket for a 6 month validity.. to be used until September (so I guessed I have to come again in September :)

Failing the bus option and the fact I must meet my tour group before they left Madrid for the Spanish tour, it dawned on me (duh!) that I should use my Eurail pass option - to take the last train from Paris to Madrid Charmatin in time to make it to Barajas Airport to meet the Pfizer group and Kak Long and Kak Ngah morning of the 21st.

AGAIN Abi and I made a mad dash (with many metro changes!) to another train station across town to catch the last train to Madrid. We felt like having a heart attack if we could't reached the station in time or if there is no more seat available on the overnite train. But FORTUNATELY we did make it in time, and FINALLY got to catch a breather (ahhh..:) and rewarded ourselves with a very late lunch, Baskin Robbin ice-creams and coffee while waiting for the train to arrive.

THANK YOU Abi! :)

Paris Gare Austerlitz - waiting for train to Madrid Chamartin with fellow passengers

Pics by Teliung

Paris in March

Paris in March 

Paris is beautiful in March.

Spring is in the air. The air is crisp and the whole city imbued sophistication and culture. My first window is Champ d' Elysee and Arc d'Triomphe since it is just around the corner of rue de Presbourg where I stayed. A trip to downtown on the first day consisted of a quick tour of Lafayette, the Lourve and the L'Opera area.

The Lourve is one humongous antique building. Everything in Paris is so old and antiqued compared to what we are used to in Asia and America. There are no skyscrapers and one has to acclimatize to sceneries of low buildings. The horizon is expansive with intricate architecture. Even the lamp posts are antiquated. The only thing the city needs to improve on is its subway system and hygiene. It's unfortunate with such beautiful sceneries, one's nose is baraged with strong smell of dog poo and urine in its subway and along its beautiful buildings.

It is also fun to wake up early in the morning before the sun shine to jog with Kak Fatimah around Champ d'Elysee, around Eiffel Tower and the Japanese Theatre. Paris is also being cleaned by the batallion of immigrant workers at this unGodly hours. Every morning our routine was to say hi to these folks before continuing on our way. I enjoy the magnolias and boxwood blooms along the way. Paris reminds me of Washington DC, with the former copying it's city design system and landscaping.

I don't quite mind spending a year or two in Paris if the opportunity arise :) especially to explore its country side, its impressive museums' collections and practising my French. Da Cour.

Mont Marte, Sacre Coeur and Michel

My second day in Paris was spent at Mont Marte..Sacre Coeur.

My host took me to Anvers to experience the cacophony of vendors of all creeds and colors, peddling all sorts of things under the sun.. from intricate french lace and museum-piece tapestries, to tacky shoes and cheap perfumes.

We stopped to have cafe-au-lait at a Parisian cafe, taking a break from the tourists traffic. Finding our way toward the end of the street, there in its stark white coolness, beautiful and serene Sacre Coeur standing aloof and alone on Mont Marte. Elegant and beautiful, despite us having to evade the swarm of African immigrants pushing tacky "love knots". Since the "butte" is quite a steep climb, my host Kak Fatimah and Dayangku preferred to do some shopping instead and let me climb the hill to view the sceneries.

There, on top of Mont Marte, while I was taking pictures of the
first cherry blossoms, tall dashing green-eyed (turqoise to be exact) Michel emerged suddenly into my lense view and asked boldly if he can take my pics. When I laughed it off and said NO, he persisted in buying me coffee and offering to show me the inside and out of Sacre Couer, from a French architect specializing in old building restorations perspective.

Mont Marte, Sacre Couer and Michel

Pics by Teliung

What are the odds? Yes, believe it or not, that's what Michel is..and he speaks perfect English! After 3 NOs and he still wouldn't budged (insisting that when he got up this morning, he saw Mont Marte from his bedroom window and was just compelled to come to meet me.. right! I'll say the Frenchman are overdramatic..), I gave up, finally acquised to let him show and explained Sacre Couer. And after assessing him as being "genuine" (knew his architecture stuff), afterwards let him buy me coffee :) So we had our first "date" at that cafe on top of the funicular train on Mont Marte.

When Kak Fatimah and Dayangku asked me if I want to wander around still after lunch, I decided to let Michel show me around Mont Marte including the winding roads leading to Picasso favourite pub and the last vineyard on Mont Marte. We had our second coffee at the same cafe where he proposed we meet again the next day..throwing caution to the wind I agreed.

What the heck, I am on vacation! :P and Paris seems to insist on fulfilling its prophecy as the city of romance!

Cherry blossoms on Mont Marte

Pics by Teliung

Paris 101

Bonjour Madames and Monsieurs!

I am in Paris! The most romantic city in the world and yes, I have to
say very very beautiful with its historical architecture..all the buildings seemed a bit overwhelming with its grandness! Every step my head made a 180 degree trying to absorb everything at once! :) Even the newspaper kiosks and the streetlamps are old and antique! (OK..you know now I have never really done Europe, except for short transits at airports! :)

2 nites ago I was still at work with a no window option, now I can see
both the Arc d'Triomphe and Champ Elyesse from my bedroom window!
There is a God! :-)

I landed in Paris at 5:57AM today and trying to absorb everything in at
once.. had tea and coffee Parisian style, was at Lourves (so huge that I can only peered at the outside first, and will have to leave the inside inspection on a later day :), Rivoli, Au Printemps, LÓpera and Lafayette. Gorgeous weather today, Spring is already in the air and you have to shed the jacket. There're Easter sales everywhere, but I am only interested right now in the weather and the sceneries :)

A biento!

Exploring Europe Spring 2005

Finally it happens. After three long years postponing my leaves due to deadlines after deadlines after deadlines.. in the last 48 hours my office has to acquiese that I will be going on a long leave despite new imposed tasks and shorter deadlines.. My leaves are finally secured and my flight is just around the corner!

I am in a energizer bunny mode trying to get everything chased at once, work instructions, travel details finalization, my tickets still being revised, Eurail pass still not confirm, checklist to follow up, apt to get ready for the long leaves, arghhh..