Nairobi

Nairobi, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

As the guidebook said, the nickname of the Capital of Kenya is "Nairobbery". So, I arrived here with extreme cautious, no bag, no camera, no watch. I was trying to find the Safaris company in the airport but the price were out of my expectation. So, I headed to town and spend the next day to find better deal.

I did not dare to go out at night, only had dinner in the restaurant nearby my hotel. But, I did go to a bar in the evening (just opposite to my hotel). It is interesting that they have a butcher in the centre of the bar. I asked a local how come it is. And they said that you can have fresh food with the beer!

Best of Europe

I have grouped all photos which my friends have voted into the following set.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/leungchitak/sets/72157600743734489/

If you have not chose your photos or you find your favorite photo is not here, pls vote! And I will put them into the same place. So that other people can share your view.

Lalibela

Lalibela, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

I come here because of the photo of the rock-hewn church. Here, the church was carved from the top of the rock and formed the whole church. You can image the work required during 12-century.

South Omo

South Omo, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Mursi, Hamer, Benna, Karo...... different tribes in South Omo area. Each has their own dressing, hut, hair style, custom. It is quite difficult to access them with public transportation. So, I joined a luxury tour on 4WD for 10 days with another English girl who I met in travel forum over the web.

The people are really still living their own way with nothing from modern world. However, when our jeep arrived at each village, everybody come and ask us to take photos for them which cost around 2 HKD for each shot.

Below pls find a vidoe tape of the traditional dance of Hamer tribes.

Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Addis Ababa of Ethiopia, the first place I stepped in Africa. Here, even in Africa but at an attitude of 2400m high, weather are really cool. Not the feel that you will expect in Africa.

The people are really friendly here which I cannot find elsewhere. Most people will smile at you.

The Mercato, the largest market on the African continent, are big with lots of people.

I am going to South Omo Valley by 4WD tomorrow for 10 days to visit different tribes...

By the way, the internet connection here is really really slow.

Too long? Europe

Another 4 months in Europe and now I am heading to Addis Ababa of Ethiopia. For me, countries in Europe do have some difference in various aspects, but they share a lot of common features. So, I do feel bored sometimes.

My photos in Europe may not as good as those I took in South America. But, I still invite you, to pick the photo which you like most. Your support will make me feel good, always.

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 collection,
5. Pick Europe and browse country by country
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 23 Jul 2007. After counting your choices, I will let you all know the photo which has most votes. I am not sure about how often I can get connected, but I will try my best to let you know.

P.S. Pls leave the photos of Morocco to the voting of Africa.

London

London, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

London, my last stop in Europe. Here, everything is so familiar, the people, language, the traffic light..... London is very similar to Hong Kong, or should I say Hong Kong is very similar to London?

This time, I stayed in my cousin's place, quiet living district not far from the centre. I also went to the birthday party of their relative. Good fun!

Newgrange

Newgrange, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Newgrange, the Irish passage tomb built in 3000BC of the stone age, i.e. iron and copper were not yet used by human.

It is a big dome like structure where the stone are moved from distance to built it. Inside of the tomb is complete darkness, except every winter solstice, at 8:58, the sunlight passes through the roof box via the passage reaching the tomb chamber. Interesting!

Aran Islands

Aran Islands, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Before heading to Aran Islands, I spent one night in Galway, which located at the west coast of Ireland. It is a nice town with lots of sea birds around the old pier.

Inis Mor, the largest of the three Aran Islands, has the semicircular Dun Aengus located on the south cliffs. The cliffs here is amazing and no fence is installed. So, you can sit on the cliff, like me.

Dublin

Dublin, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Dublin, the capital of Ireland, was famous for Irish Pub and Guinness.

Rain, sun, rain, sun and then rain again. You never know what will be teh weather like next minute, the cloud are moving very very fast. But you should never forget to bring your raincoat.

Here, the Guinness draught seems not so bitter.

I stayed in the apartment of Kristupas, who I met in the ferry from Turkey to Samos. Now, he went back his home country, Lithuania for holiday but he still let me stay in his place. Super good guy!

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.