Warsaw

Warsaw, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Warsaw, the capital of Poland, were heavily bombed during WW II. So, most building were rebuilt after war and the old town is not so impressive.

However, I had nice Vietnam noodle for dinner.

Wieliczka Salt Mine

Wieliczka Salt Mine, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Inside the mine, they have the largest underground church where lamps were made by salt crystal.

The entrance fee is a bit expensive adn you have to pay HKD30- more for your camera. However, the underground mine is huge even though there are lots of tourists.

Auschwitz

Auschwitz, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

The Auschwitz camp, the largest concertration camp set up by Nazis where 1.5 million people were killed, of which 90% were Jews.

At the gate of the camp, where Jews went to work everyday for their live, you can see "Abeit Macht Frei", meaning "Work bring freedom". This bring hope to Jews that they may be released someday.

Perhaps, we can set this as our office PC wallpaper..... Work bring freedom!?

Krakow

Krakow, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Krakow, a popular city with tourist in Poland. I visited the Wawel Hill with Castle and Cathedal on it.

Inside the Jewish Quarter, I visited ul. Lipowa 4, the Schindler's Factory. But nothing you can see inside, just the gate, which appeared in the movie, Schindler's list.

Cesky Krumlov

Cesky Krumlov, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

A really small town surrounded by river Vltava, click the "Photos - View on Map" on the left and you will see how it looks like from the sky.

The weekend I stayed there was happened to be festival for the Celecbrations of the Rose.

So, lots of events and people dressed in traditional way. Lots of fun, beer and photos.

Ceske Budejovice

Ceske Budejovice, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Ceske Budejovice, Budweis in German, is another stop of my Czech brewery tour. The beer from Budweis is called Budweiser, but do not confuse with the one from US. They are different company with the same name. And of course, this one in Czech is the original.

They told me that they also export beer to Hong Kong. So, try to get the Budweiser Budvar and taste it, it is one of the best beer I have ever tasted.

Plzen

Plzen, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Pilsner lager, the kind of golden beer we drink everyday, was born in Plzen (Pilsen in German) in 1842.

In the Pilsner Urquell Brewery, you can taste the unfilter beer in the brewery cellars straight from the beer barrels.

I also went to a pub where they have tap on each table and you can drink as much as you want. The bill is based on litre consumed. Around HKD22.00 per litre.

Karlovy Vary

Karlovy Vary, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Karlovy Vary is an old spa district along the river. Even though packed with luxury hotels and spa, you can still drink the hot spring water free of charge from the 12 springs along the river.

Normally, tourists will buy a spa cup which you can drink the water via the handle. I did not buy one so I tried to find models for my pics.

Sorry that I cannot find any beautiful gals with spa cup and the above pic is the best model I found.

Prague

Prague, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

I was told that Prague is the most beautiful city in Europe. And now I am here and it is really nice. However, I do not have mood to take photos. Don't know why.

I tried to get up early to take pics of Charles Bridge when there is no people (4 o'clock in the morning). But, I failed as I am too lazy. During the day time, the bridge is as crowd as Mongkok.

I spend 4 nights in Prague and watched 2 movies, the cinerma are comfort with really large screen!

Budapest

Budapest, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

My first Eastern Europe city, Budapest in Hungary.

Here, you can enjoy beer for as less as HKD6 for 0.5L of draft beer if you find the right place. You can enjoy the thermal baths in outdoor pools built in 19th century, Szechenyi Furdo.

And now, I can enjoy dining out with the price similar to Hong Kong.

Zurich

Zurich, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

I stayed in Anita & Heinz place in Zurich who I met also in Peru. They cooked Cheese Fondue for me, the melting cheese tasted good with bread and mushroom!

I went to Luzern for day trip to visit the famous bridge, Kapelbrucke.

Interlaken

Interlaken - Hiking, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

I took the Golden Pass scenary train from Montreux to Interlaken where I spent 3 nights in a party hostel. The weather is not very nice during my stay but the landscape are very amazing, beautiful flowers, waterfalls, snowy mountains, and I did:

- Ballenberg Open Air museum, where zou can see farmyard animals and demostration like baking bread.

- Hking from "First" to Lake Backalpsee, and then walked down to Grindelwald via Waldspitz and Aellfluh. Very nice walk around 6 hours.

- Took the train up to Jungfraujoch, highest train station in Europe. Tough expensive, but still nice that you can play on the snow.

- Stay overnight in Gimmelwald (single room!) and the window of my room is facing the snowy mountains.

- Visited the Trummelbach Falls, the waterfalls inside the mountain.

- Took ferry from Interlaken to Brienz.

Montreux

Montreux, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

The Chateau de Chillon is the famous historial building in Montreux, locate on the lakefront.

I have heard that Switerland is a very expensive country. So, I have stocked some food in France and I went to the supermarket today to check the real price, hmmm, as expected, quite expensive. Like 40HKD for 4 pieces of chicken wings. And the internet cost around 70HKD per hour!

Chamonix

Chamonix, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Chamonix, the town just under the Mont Blanc. I stayedin a traditional apline-style cottage, Gite La Montagne, surrounded by snowy mountains for only 13 euro per night.

Took the cable car to Aiguille Du Midi is a good experience that you need not hike to see the mountains. The sky was clear at the early morning. However, when I reached Pointe Helbronner, another cable car stop. The cloud was getting dense adn this was my first time seeing snowing. Quite excited like a child, watching the snow melted on my hand.

Annecy

Annecy, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Beautiful town besides lake and I planned to stop just a few hours. However, there is no luggage storage in neither the train station nor the tourist information. So, I had to carry my backpack with me during the visit. Really difficult to make photos.

Lyon

Lyon, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

I thought I can find little prince somewhere in the city. Yes, but only a small part in a wall painting.

They had festival near the church and people dressed like middle age and children enjoyed much in the counters about different things of their history. Why don't we have something similiar in Hong Kong for us, but not only for tourists? May be it is good to let our children know how chinese people live two thousand years before now.

Marseille

Marseille, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Nice city near the port. Here, I had my first meal in French restaurant to taste the bouillabaisse, a rich brown soup with fish.

Today, may be something special for their football team. People celabate around the city!

Avignon

Avignon, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Someone stole my breakfast! After shopping in supermarket, I dropped my crepes (pancakes) and chocolate cream on my bed and then went out for visiting. And it gone when I came back! Poor theft, XYZXXXXXX