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.

Barcelona

Barcelona, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

I really love the work of Gaudi. The buildings are just like painting and everywhere is curve ever the floor of the rool. La Sagrada Familia, the church that is still under construction, the column that supports the church is unique especially after seeing how it formulate by computer.

Casa Batllo is beautiful house with unique interior design and colorful chimneys. Park Guell is where you can find the lizard and La Pedera has a nice museum inside.

Of course, I also visited the Picasso Museum and the fresh market, Mercat de la Boqueria.

Segovia

Segovia, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Just 1 hour from Madrid, Segovia is a nice city with the Roman Aqueduct of 28m high. I have visited both Alcazar, the fortress with armor displayed inside and the cathedral, supposed to be one of the most homogenous Gothic churches in Spain.

And, I have tasted the roast suckling pig even though it is very expensive.

Back to Madrid

Madrid, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

El Rastro, is a Sunday Market selling all different kinds of stuff. It is like the combination of Ape Liu street, women street and Temple street of Hong Kong.

Porto

Porto, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Porto is famous for their Port Wine. Sweet in taste but contains around 20% of alcohol. It is a nice city with beautiful waterfront, Riberia.

I spent whole day in Vila Nova de Gaia, going to different Port-wine lodges for wine tasting as most of them are free!

Lisbon and nearby

Lisbon, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is easy to explore on foot. Here, the cost is cheaper than Spain and this make my life easier. But it just not fit my image of Portugal.

Evora, is another town surrounded by wall. The Capela dos Ossos, is constructed with bones and skulls of several thousand people.

Sintra, the Sintra National Palace has twin chimneys which shape is pretty interesting. Pena Palace is located up on the hill with bright color. Good for photos!

Cabo da Roca, the western most point of Europe. It is very windy and I hardly hold my camera.

Belem, both landmarks, Discoveries Monument and Belem Tower is located by the seashore. And of course, I tasted the famous Portugal egg tart in Belem!

P.S. Due to the excellent security control in the cypercafe in Lisbon, I cannot upload any photos to Flickr. So, this post grouped my photos of last 5 days.

Seville

Seville, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

May be I have already seen too much Muslim architecture in the past two days. The Alcazar, a Muslim fortress and palace, had no surprise to me.

I did not go to the cathedral there as the admission fee is too expensive, euro 7.50 for student age over 26.

Instead, I went to Plaza de Espana, a semicircle building with a big plaza in the centre.

The traditional famenco show, includes singing, guitar playing and dancing, is quite nice. Seville is Spain's flamenco capital!

Cordoba

Cordoba, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Mezquita, the cathedral of Cordoba, has arches in red and white color. It was originally built as a Islam mosque but changed into a church from 12 century.

The guide book said that the medival Jewish quarter is fun to wonder, but I found it is not interesting at all.

Best photos of South America

Thank you everyone for your participation. And you can see all the best photos picked by you here.

Try to click on each photo to see other´s comment and check which one is my favorite.

As one who take photos, it is no always easy to judge what is really good. So, your choice may surprise me sometimes. Beautiful things are beautiful by themselves and photographers are trying to keep most out of it, but never the whole. This is what I believe in photography.

Granada

Granada, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Alhambra, one of the greatest accomplishments of Islamic art and architecture. The place is not really Europe style because the Muslims have controlled this part of Spain for nearly 8 centuries. And Granada was the capital of the last Muslim kingdom in Spain.

The wall and ceiling inside the palace are stunning!

Ronda

Ronda, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

It is not easy to get out of Morocco as the transportation companies are on strike. I, together with one Japanese couple, take a whole day and finally passed through the Mediterranean sea.

Ronda is a little town on the top of the high land, beautiful white houses and the 18 century bridge, Puente Nuero, crosses the 100m deep valley.

The Plaza de Toros is considered the home of bullfighting but I do not have chance to see a real one, just an empty place.

I have also visited the Casa del Rey Moro. It has a stairway cut inside the rock to the bottom of the river. The stairway is around 60m deep.

P.S. This is your last chance to pick your best photo in South America, I will let you know what are the other´s pick very soon.

Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

A peaceful little town on a wide valley in the Rif mountains. The houses in the town are white and blue, very beautiful.

I just wondered around the medina and took some rest.

This is the last stop in Morocco and the first thing I will do when I am back to Europe is... Have a big mug of beer. You know? Without beer for nearly 10 days in Morocco!

Fes

Fes, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

The oldest of the imperial cities, Fes, its medina is one of the largest living medieval cities in the world. It is less touristic than Marrakesh and people do live inside the medina; the old town surrounded by wall.

Fes is also the home for handicraft and you will see people in the workshop making leather goods, cloth, shoes, etc.

The famous tanneries is the place where workers prepare and dye leather. Different wells in various color to process the leather with strong smell. And, I bought a leather bag here for around HKD110.

I have passed through a classroom like place with lovely kids. It is strange that the teacher keep on asking me for money. I saw some tourists gave her big notes. Instead, I just go to the nearby store to buy every kids a pen.

In Fes, you will have so much attention as you walk along the street, shopkeepers and unofficial guides shouting at you. However, one of them took me to a home stay as the nearby hotel were full. Here, I had mint tea and home made dinner!

Casablanca

Casablanca, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Casablanca, well known because of the film with the same name. I came here just to visit the Hassan II Mosque, the world third largest mosque.

The Hassan II Mosque was built in 1993 and it is very luxury and modern. The prayer hall can accommodates 25,000 worshippers with movable roof. The materials used to built the mosque are the finest. For instance, they use titanium to make the door!

Back to Marrakesh

Marrakesh, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Palais el-Badi, used to be the most beautiful palaces in the world. However, nothing more than rare mud brick after the stripping of Moulay Ismail.

The beautiful Saadian Tombs have detailed unique pattern on the central tomb. But you are allowed to appreciate it only in a distance.

The souqs, dusty market in twisting alleys, always give me surprise. Although you are always ask to pay for taking photos. Sometimes, I can get some shots for free. To be honest, I really do not like to pay for photos, not only because I am mean. I do try to pay for several time, but those are not really good shot. So, most of the time I just shot and run, or just skip the shot.

Sahara Tour

Sahara Tour, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

I joined a 3 day tour to Sahara desert. I do not know much about it and there is no information on the guidebook. All I know about this tour is the information of a website written by a Hong Kong guy. So, not really know where I am going.

The tour passed through Ouarzazte and finally reach Merzouga, the Sahara desert.

The desert is really small. I do not think that it is the real Sahara desert. As on the top of the sand dume, I can see the end of teh desert. May be, as someone said, it is the beginning of Sahara desert.

Marrakesh

Marrakesh, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Just 2 hour flight, I am now in a completely different city, Marrakesh of Morocco in North Africa. I spent the whole afternoon in Djemaa el-Fna, a open-air space. Here, you can find snake charmers, stalls selling orange juice, people selling herbs, cooked snails for eating, and all strange thing including someone selling teeth.

Such a place!

P.S. For all friends and relatives who choose the photo you like most in South America. Pls choose only ONE photo, only the best ONE.

Toledo

Toledo, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

A little old town surrounded by river; right on the small hill. Narrow street with plenty of old building. I have been to the cathedral, very nice.

Madrid

Madrid, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

This is the first Europe city I arrived and the first thing I encounter is the difference in price. Everthing is so expensive! I really need time to adjust.

I visit a couple of museum, Museo del Prado and Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, both are great museum. But for me, just good to be there. Some stuff are quite interesting. I also went to a park, quite nice.

Bye! Chau! South America

After spending 4 months in South America, I am now flying to Madrid in business class. I was upgraded due to overbooking of my flight : )

I have uploaded 1,055 photos for my trip in South America and Antarctica. May I invite you, to pick the photo which you like most. Your support will make me feel good and continue to take better photos.

Here is the steps to pick your favorite:

1. If you have Yahoo account, go to Step 3. If not, go to Step 2.
2. Sign up for a Yahoo account (free of charge)
3. Sign in www.flickr.com using your Yahoo account
4. Go to my Flickr page, www.flickr.com/photos/leungchitak/
5. Choose your favorite photo, only one photo
6. Click on that photo
7. Click the [Add to Faves]
8. Type your name in [Add your comment], or add more comment if you like.

The timeline is 2 weeks and the deadline of this voting is 15 Mar 2007. After counting your choices, I will let you all know the photo which has most votes.

Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

This is my last stop in South America, I took night bus from Rio at 1:20am midnight, but it happened that the day was the last day of summer time. So, the clock will back to 11:00pm when midnight, 1 hour back to normal time. My hostel helped me to check with bus company to make sure that my bus is the new time but not summer time. However, when I arrived in the bus station, they did not change the clok. So, I missed my bus!

Then, what can I do? That was the last bus to Sao Paulo of that company. I asked fro refund and finally I got some of my money back and took another bus from another company which was the last bus of the whole bus station.

In Sao Paulo, I stayed in the place of my friend, Etienne, who I met her in Chile. She took me out to the city centre and Chinese neighborhood. Even though Sao Paulo is the third largest metropolis on the earth with more than 18 millions people, she still have some decent building and church.

And, I cooked chinese dinner which I have missed for a long time!

Back to Rio

Rio, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

After 29 hour bus, I am back to Rio. Just stayed here for a couple of days before heading to Sao Paulo to catch my flight to Europe.

Taking the cable car to Sugar Loaf adn have beautiful view of the city.ç

I joined a tour to Favela, the slum area where the poor people live. The area I visited is called Rocinha. In every guidebook, they tell the tourist not to go there because it is very dangerous. If you saw the movie, City of God, the story was happened in Favela.

However, I found that the people here is very friendly and the kids are very nice. Very interesting place to go!

Salvador

Salvador, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Carnaval in Salvador is the biggest party in the world. There are million of people dancing on the street!

Slow-moving trucks with huge speakers and live bands play on the top. Tourists, local, woman selling beer, kids collecting cans, all people dancing on the street following the trucks all night.

The Carnaval in Salvador last for six days. People drinking and dancing for the whole week!

Shall I share the joy and happiness here with you and wish you have a very very very happy PIG Year!

恭喜發財!

Rio de Janeiro

Rio, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Rio is the only place of Brazil in many people´s mind. Corcovado, the Chris in the hilltop overseeing the whole city and Rio is really beautiful surrounded by beaches and green.

I have gone to a Samba school during their Carnaval rehearsal. Loud music with the dancers moved their with crazy speed.

Watching Botafogo v.s. Flamengo in Maracana football field. I can still hear the screaming after the goal and the flag of the teams wave like I saw in TV games.

And, of course, the Copacabana beach, 4.6km long, is good for people watching.

Finally, I have to thank my friend, a very nice guy, Sergio, who I met during my Antarctica trip. He took me out and show me another face of Rio.

Itaipu Dam

Itaipu Dam, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

This is one of the seven wonders of the modern world. And it is really huge that it provide 90% of electricity of Paraguay and 20% of Brazil!

I do not know what is the environment impact they made to the surrounding but I know that they put lots of money for image promotion. Why I know? The tour to the dam is free of charge!

Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls (Argentina), originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

It is the most forceful sight I have ever seen. The Iguazu Falls is located between Argentina and Brazil where most of the falls are in Argentina. So, you can get a closer look in Argentina but overview from Brazil. It is really fall(s) as there are many falls around the area.

The most awesome one is Devil´s Throat which you can get really wet even though you are on the top of the fall. Powerful!

After that, I went to the bird park which has different interesting bird, very close to me and my camera!

San Ignacio Mini

San Ignacio Mini, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

It located in my way from Buenos Aires to Iguazu Falls. San Ignacio Mini is one of the remains of Jesuit Mission.

I am not good at history and I do not know much about the Jesuit. So I found the ruins are not very special.

Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

After 52 hour bus ride, changed 4 buses, I finally arrived Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina.

It is famous for steak and tango. It also has the widest road named Av 9 de Julio and different styles neighborhoods, like colorful La Boca.

And the most important, the Argentina girls are really beautiful.
But, sorry guys, no photos available.

Did I mention it is very hot here?

Antarctica

Antarctica, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

It has been 3 months passed since I left Hong Kong. From equator, I travelled south to the white continental of Antarctica, the south pole of the earth.

My ship, Antarctic Dream, take two whole days to pass through the Drake Passage before we reached the Antarctic Peninsula.

I spent 5 days on different islands, nice scenary, huge ice floating on the sea, surrounded by landscape all covered with white snow. Of course, there are penguins around me all the time. And whales may be spotted on the way.

Wish you enjoy the photos as I enjoyed my trip.

P.S. Pls click , My Photos (by Countries), and then select the set of Antarctica for slide show which is better arranged.

Ushuaia

Ushuaia, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Ushuaia, the southmost city of the world. It is part of Argentina, but it is strange that when I came by bus, I must pass through Chile again and then back to Argentina. So, this is an isolated part of Argentina when you see the map.

There is a lighthouse that happen in the movie, Happy Together.

I waited here for 12 days as I found a last minute deal to Antarctica, the south pole of the earth. The trip last for 11 days and I believe it worth my waiting and the money.

So, what I do during these days? Trekking to Martial Glacier, Tierra del Fuego National park, visiting museum, watching James Bond movie, cooking meals, seeing beavers, taking the end of the world train, writing, and mostly just hanging around with nothing to do.

Moreno Glacier

Moreno Glacier, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Crossing the border, I am now in Argentina. Here, the cost is similar to Chile, i.e. not cheap.

Moreno Glacier is located 80km from El Calafate and it is very beautiful. People waiting at the platform, only 300m from the glacier, wishing to get a photo of falling ice-peaks. And, you can hear the cracking sound of ice coming from the glacier!

Check the photos and see if you can spot the falling ice.

Torres del Paine

Torres del Paine, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Torres del Paine is a famous national park located in Patagonia, southern part of South America. It is also one of the 100 places to see in the earth. I did camping here for 3 days. And you know when did I camp last time? So long ago! I trekked 6-9 hours each day and it was quite tough for me. As, sometime I need to pack and walk with all my camping equipment including tent, sleeping bag, cook set, etc.

The scenery is excellent but it is very very windy. When it got strong wind, it just like No. 10 typhoon in Hong Kong.

Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

I took 5 hours bus to Puerto Montt and then 2 hours flight to Punta Arenas. The scenary on the flight is excellent that I can see snowy mountains and glaciars!

In Punta Arenas, I joined boat trip to Isla Magdalena, Penguin Colonies. I was so happy and

crazy as the penguins are all around. They are so many! I took 170+ photos in one hour!

They are so cute!

And right now I still have 6 hours before mid night, so Happy New Year 2007!

Pucon

Pucon, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Pucon is located in the lake distinct of Chile. I planned to go there because there is Villarrica Volcano. Tour can lead you up to the top of this active volcano and see the melting magma. I got up at 6:00am in the morning and the weather seem good. However, the guide told us that the weather is too hot that the snow turned into ice and it might be dangerous. It is only 50/50 chance that we can go to the top. Even though I can choose to go tomorrow, but who know weather of tomorrow. The guide told me that last time he reach the top with the group is 15 days before.

We trekked up the snowy path for two hours and then we stopped. It is very difficult to walk on the snow as it is very slippy even I have full set of equipment. But it is my first time and it is fun.

Mission failed! The guide asked us to return and no more melting magma.

Valparaiso

Valparaiso, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

It is a small seaside city two hours bus ride from Santiago. It has some interesting hillside elevators, called ascensores, which were built between 1883 and 1916.

I had excellent seafood soup for lunch and bought strawberry with red wine for my Christmas Eve.

Easter Island

Easter Island, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Easter Island, or Rapa Nui called by local people, is one of the most isolated places on earth. It is 3700km from the nearest continental, South America. I took 5 hour flight from Santiago and all the way the flight map showing is only blue ocean. The island is not very big, much smaller than our Lantau Island.

The moai, enormous stone sculptures are made for honoring their ancestors. The big one can be 10M height. All the moai is made in same place, Rano Raraku volcano but they are all around the island, around one thousand in total. How can they move them to the coast during that time?

Santiago

Santiago, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Merry Christmas from Santiago, Chile. This is a big city that I missed for 2 months. I joined a wine tour, played street flighter, go to central market, make dinner for myself, do shopping before X'mas!

I changed my flight so I am heading to Easter Island tomorrow. So, wish you all have a good holiday in Hong Kong and cool X'mas!!

Calama

DSCN0438, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Calama is a town which I take my flight to Santiago. Bought cherry at the roadside stall at US$2 for half kilo.

Horse Riding

DSCN0430, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Today, I have nothing to do but to wait for another day for the flight from Calama to Santiago on 16 Dec 2006.

So, I went to try horse riding around the town. And it feel quite good!

And I took the sky observation tour at night for watching the star. The area has no cloud so it is one of the clearest sky on Earth.

San Pedro de Atacama

IMG_7162, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Chile is much more expensive than Bolivia. Everything cost twice here!

This city is a desert area so it is very dry and hot during the daytime and cool at night.

The dead valley has no any live due to little rainfall, no plant, no animal and even insect.

The moon vally is named due to its landscape like the surface of moon. See if you think so.

The tour guide said that the moon valley will change color during sunset. It sounds good, but I didn´t found any great color change during my visit. :(

Uyuni

IMG_7129, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

This is an amazing tour from Uyuni of Bolivia to Chile. I really need to say that my photos cannot capture the beauty of the scenary.

Salar de Uyuni, the world´s largest salt plain at 3653m above sea level covering 12,000 sq. km; lakes with different colors with hundreds of flamingos in it; Geyster basin with stream coming out from the earth; enjoying the hot spring at 4200m; colourful mountains in the derest which you hardly find any cloud in the sky.

Potosi

Mine, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Potosi is the highest city in the world, 4070m above sea level. And this height is same as the highest mountain of South East Asia, Mt. Kinabalu, in Sabah.

The town is famous for the silver mine in Cerro Rico hill found in 15 century.

I joined the Cooperative Mine Tour visiting the metal extraction factory, the miner street market to buy the Coca leaves adn alcohol (96%) for the miners. Then, we went into the mine. The mine inside has very little space, so we need to crawl sometime! The miners work there 6 day a week adn 8 hour a day. But, the environment is terrible!

Zip-line Canopy Tour

Zip-line Canopy Tour, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

As I cannot book the flight the day after my pampas tour, I need to stay for one more day in Rurrenabaque.

This half day program let you zip through the treetop. It is quite exciting, not bad.

Pampas Tour - Rurrenabaque

Pampas Tour, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

After the Jungle Tour, I joined another 3D2N Pampas Tour which go in the south instead of north. The pampas are swampy lowlands, with less dense vegetation. A boat trip along the river and there are many animals around.

The next day, we went to the swamp to find the anaconda, a big snake. The water is up to my waist and there are thousands of mosquitos around you all the time. But, no snake found. Sorry!

The last day, I swan with the pink river dolphins which are unique to the freshwater rivers of Amazon Basin.