Innsbruck

Innsbruck, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Innsbruck, my first stop in Austria and then I will head to Salzburg. The city is very small and the famous Golden Root here is not very special.

The train in Austria is much better than Italy, especially I am always first class!

For my birthday, I have a big beer in the beer garden of Salzburg.

Verona

Verona, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

A pretty Italy's city with the story of Romeo and Juliet. The Juliet's house with a balcony where Romeo met Juliet in secret. And the poor statue of Juliet, her breast was rubbed by every tourists for good luck.

Andrea and his wife, who I met in Venice, invited me for dinner and I had a very nice Veronese dishes with horse meat. I had a great night and thank you so much for the dinner.

Venice

Venice, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Venice is a nice city but it is not my cup of tea. May be it is too touristy. The place is very interesting indeed as it is a very flat Island with many canals. I do not know how or why people built this up, but it is unique. The nearby islands is similar but has different character, Burano has colorful houses while Murano is the home of Venetian glass.

Milan

Milan, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

The Duomo in Milan is French-Gothic design with beautiful color windows. I had my dinner in a Italian restaurant and found out it is run by Chinese! And the food was nice!

Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Cinque Terre means Five villages and it is one of the Unesco-protected coastline. I spent an afternoon walking from one end to the other. For me, the view is quite ordinary. May be the weather was no good.

However, in the mid way, I met some locals having a big party as today is their National Liberation Day. They offered me free wine and smile. What a day!

Pisa

Pisa, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

The Leaning Tower is one of the famous icon of Italy and it is not very big actually. It is funny to see many tourists with the same posture of pushing the tower for making photos.

Siena

Siena, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Climb 400 steps for 102 meters and you can reach the top of Torre del Mangia, overseeing the whole town with pretty red roof.

I1 Campo, is the place where horse race hold twice a year. But, you will find plenty of tourists laying around for sunbath in normal days.

Florence

Florence, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

This the place to see the masterpieces and wait in lines. For the most famous sculpture in the western world, David of Michelangelo, one hour before the Galleria dell Accademia. For the Birth of Venus in Palazzo degli Uffizi, 2 hours waiting please.

The Duomo, is stunning outside but nothing special inside the church.

Rome

Rome - Pantheon, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

It has been six months since I left Hong Kong, half way of my trip. Sometimes, I really do not know how to enjoy Europe. May be it is different from South America. May be I need to be relax, both myself and my budget, focusing not only on the sightseeing point.

In the Vatican Museums, I saw the painting by Raphael, The school of Athens, with one of my favorite philosopher - Socrates.

Naples

Naples, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Naples, where pizza was created during 18th century and I have tried the No. 1 pizza place. And you can see what is the best pizza in the world look like.

Pompeii was a Roman city but buried after eruption of volcano. It is a town two thousand years before. The most interesting to me is that they have a place for prostitute with special painting on the wall.

The Grotta Azzurra in Capri Island is beautiful and expensive. For 2 minutes stay inside the cave with magic blue color, you have to pay 9 euro. But, the water color is wonderful!

Meteora

Meteora, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

"It is free of charge. Make you remember this place and this country." Doctor said. He told me after his consultation. I was really touched, as all the local people I met always want to rip you off, especially in Turkey. And.... I will remember Meteora, the monasteries on the top of the rocks. The doctor with genuine smile and warm heart.

Athens

Athens, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

In Greece, I skipped the Island hopping. Because it is not the right season and also they are too romantic for a lonely traveller.

I spent the night in the ferry from Samos Island to Athens. And this is the most horrible night trip of my journey. I bought the cheapest fare, the deck class. Actually, I got a seat inside of the ship but the light did not turned off all night and the TV was so loud to keep you awake. This is the first time that I need to use eye mask and ear plug.

Athens, just let me think of the Japanese cartoon, young fighters fight for Athena. I think you know which one if you are the same age group as mine. And the blog photo is Athena in National Archaeological Museum.

I love frappe, ice coffee in Greece, which make me feel like ice tea in Hong Kong.

Ephesus

Ephesus, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

The city of Ephesus was once Rome's capital in the province of Asia. The best sight is the monumental library of Celsus.

I stayed in the nearby town, Selcuk. Because the price here is much cheaper than Istanbul. So, I had my haircut, enjoyed hammams (Turkish baths), tried the water pipe and had a big meal of lamp chop.

Pamukkale

Pamukkale, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

As said in the guidebook, the beautiful photos of the white pools is no longer existing. Many pools have been dried out and people are no longer allowed to soak into the pool. However, the while color over the hill is still impressive and the Hierapolis ruins on the top is not bad, dated back around 1-3 century A.D.

Cappadocia

Cappadocia, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

You can find fantastic natural rock formation in these area, especially in the town I stayed, Goreme. I stayed in the cave dorm, for around HKD60 per night.

The underground city in Derinkuyu is very big with many levels, the rooms are much bigger than I expected.

Also, you can found many rock-hewn cave churchs, the biggest one is Selime Monastery which happened in Star War movie.

Istanbul

Istanbul, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Istanbul is a special place for me, not because it locates between Europe and Asia continental, not because of the historical site as Aya Sofya, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace or Basilica Cistern, but the reason is my parents came and met me here.

We spent 5 days in Istanbul and the nearby town, Bursa, to enjoy mineral baths. To be honest, not much impressive sight to be seen. However, I really enjoy my stay with my father and mother. And.. the cup noodles that they brought to me.