Christmas Comes Early

Sometimes you just wonder...where have all my seconds ticked away? For me...most of them did went down the drain literally, but I still cherish those that made my days worthwhile. Of day and night, rain and shine...we've finally approach the last month of the year...a time of celebrations for most...a time of sharing for some...but a time of vacation for me! I still vividly remember what I am doing on this exact same day, same time and same moment...I was in my dreamland. No doubt, it now remained as one of the most wonderful time of reminiscence I could ask for ever since.

The Paris Disneyland

So what am I up to this time around? I would love to tell you now but best to keep it as a moment of surprise as I yet to discover it myself! Nonetheless...I am anticipating a classic White Christmas.

Speaking of that, the place where I'm living now, Kraków is no doubt white...and in this particular part of the world, the Christmas atmosphere is indeed undaunting for just anyone. Hence the come-about of the title for this post of mine. Apart from where I was and where I am going in Christmas period...which they are all secondary, an early Christmas for me also mean an early dedication of love from me to all my loved ones...both far and near. Scenarios might have been changed so far...from me assembling the Christmas tree to now only admiring others...from me anticipating a present to be anticipated for present (I'm still anticipating though...haha) but one thing doesn't change is the exchanging wishes of Merry Christmas. So...to those who can hear me...

                                   ~ Merry Christmas!  

                                                  Wesołych Świąt!

                                                                Joyeux Noël!

                                                                        圣诞节快乐! ~

Once in a Millennium

Well, it's 10.10.10. What is so significant on this date? Nothing so special to me but to sit in front of my laptop, thinking of what to blog about after about 2 months abondoning this page. However, I can't deny that such perfection on a date like this...what is more it's a Sunday...I need to commemorate it somehow before it ends (according to Polish time)...in a rather simpler manner of just pure out-from-the heart words without pics unlike the conventional style of mine.

Allow me to begin where have I been since the last post of my blog dated August 6th. A week after that date, 10 days to be exact...I left this 2nd home of mine namely Krakow to be back to my sweet homeland. I guess I should save the space on the elaborations of what makes me opt to rather go through the enduring journey of approximately 20 hours of flight one way to have a 5 weeks holidays back home, by just summarising them into..."to satisfy all my emotional needs".

Of family, friends, and food...they all leave me no regrets although it was rather a short period of time I must say. From Melaka to Putrajaya, then PJ and Shah Alam...to have a rendezvous...back to Melaka for family and old pals...eg dinner at home (which indeed is what on my top list of my itineries), playing with my baby nieces, yum cha till wee hours in the morning etc etc, nonetheless to complete the trip back home with more trips...to Sibu and Bintangor, a long anticipated temptation that become the main factor in converting my MI to MP if you know what they stand for. Finally, a completion of yearly trip with my parents, this time to Singapore.

Above all, I must say, I have been treated well...even to the level of laziness...of not even need my energy to think what's up next on my to-do-list, especially on all the trips. You know who you are...*shy la me to say out 1 by 1...lol*

Nevertheless, there might be some imperfection of me that tingled, scratched, or the worst case scenario, hurt someone of you in any possible way from it begins...I also would like to say here a sincere  ~"I am sorry...let bygones be bygones?
*with those charming little eye of mine  (^66^)*
Could we still be friends?  Could we always be friends? =)"~

Anyway, it's back to school time. Facing a new terms...with the not-so-used-to-be-me attitude of me to kick off with...yet still anticipating a fun and exciting one with those who I have around. The past 1 year in my academic year has really been a colourful one...filled with all sorts that myself would just sit back,rewind and have a good laugh. Nowadays, I am indeed just a simple man with simple needs. ~tat's my dad's quote alrite~ So what lies ahead? Will slowly wait and see.

 So what actually is this post have anything to do with 10.10.10? Nothing in specific I must say but on such a perfect day...it's to point out how a imperfect me could live a rather quite perfect life, have the opportunity to spend this perfect date in my lifetime with all those people around me that perfectly fit into my life, both near and far...I could not appreciate more but just with a perfect smile.

And yea...it'll be once in a millenium too for me to say all this. So it's a perfect post on a perfect date after all.

Signing off...

Really Italy...

It was indeed another fun trip in Italy...this time the cities in nothern and middle part of Italy namely Arona & Lake Maggiore, Pisa, Florence and Bologna

                                                       A view in Arona at Lake Maggiore

Rendezvous with my Cousin

I must say...Italy was once a country that only reachable by imagination - a place famous for pasta and pizza ( it's pronounced as 'pit-za' not 'pi-za' ) and no doubt of her histories and arts ~ where the Renaissance was evoked - has now even became a meeting place with my cousin! Oh...how ironic things can be.

Spent a good 3 days of catching up with each other's life after 2 years from the last meeting, savouring good food and wine and enjoying some holiday's mood in a beautiful place call Arona...so pristine and calm...a city by the great Lake Maggiore, overlooking the Alps from the Swiss' border...a mesmerising weekend indeed.

Bidding adieu to him...I went on solo to visit the city famed by mens' art blended into nature's will ~ voila...Pisa (now this is pronounced as 'pi-za' ) and her leaning tower - the onced was one of the 7th wonders of the world.

Me...the Leaning Tower of Pisa...and...the lady with style

Who say Pisa is boring as the only thing worth to visit Pisa is to see the tower? Well, I can't deny that fully but you have to have some local to help you in diving Pisa more...not literally...I mean for real. So I went down the beach of Pisa for some sunbathing, "eye"-bathing and a swim on this hidden Italian coast with my kind CS host.

                                    

                                                             Down at the Pisa beach

Done with Pisa, headed on to the city of Renaissance ~ Florence. The city of Leonardo Da Vinci, Michangelo, Galileo Galilei, the Medici family and the least ancient, Florence Nightingale is no doubt a charming one. I could just sit by the side of the square and be fascinated away by the intricate façade of the Duomo.

The 'il Duomo'

And not to be missed is also to check out those market that sells leather goods...aah..felt as if back in KL's Petaling Street...

Florence's Petaling Street

~ psst...don't forget to bargain...it's all the same technique in Europe & Asia ~

We are almost done here. Last leg- Bologna. This medieval city is grand...I mean the architecture. Never come across a city with huge rows of shop-building and covered walk ways- over 45km of roofed "kaki lima".

                                                     

                                                             The Walkway all the way...            

Iconic Two Towers

                                  *the shorter one is actually more lean than the tower in Pisa

As to close the story about my trip...let's check this out ~ Bologna hidden mystery

                                  Notice the what's more on the up that the down doesn't have?

Of couse no, you....ish ish...it's the same statue! ~ the famous Neptune Statue in Bologna, it's just the hand and it's finger from different perspectives. It has a history and interesting story behind...so I leave it for you to check it out yourself! Ciao!

Along the Way

A typical saying- "Hour ticks away, day passes by,month comes and goes but memories are here to stay". It is true indeed when you don't realise, time just flew by. The transition of the peak of my 1st year final examination period to my much anticipated weeks of travelling then back again to reality of life of summer clerkship happened like just in a blink of an eye. The past weeks although I had ventured wider across Europe, it is no doubt more than just a journey. To over 5 different countries and 8 different cities, I must admit this is no easy feat but we had all conquered them with victory. As for description for each places we had been over the 2 weeks period of hardcore travelling...I will try my best to highlight although not in-depth.

Let's begin from my 1st stop, Budapest. With new acquaintances but of common souls...I stepped into the city with the "Charlie's Angels"- Fiona, Christine and Ivy. It is also the only place we had CS-ing experience and again, a wonderful one from a nice lady named Judit.

2 cosy nights at Judit's

Budapest indeed is much more than anticipated...of sights of course!

                                 

                                                        A caption of Parliament at dawn...

A day after,with a bus...we are in Vienna- famous for music and art- an elegant city with distinctly pretty architecture...totally different from the norm of any Eastern Europe cities...not to mention the prices too. Also, you would not miss a sights of Mozarts from chocolates to miniatures.

                                           

                                                Even a Fake Mozart is not to be missed!

It's rare to be able to get a cheap flight connectng Vienna and Milan but with the "house-fly" plane(FlyNiki)...we buzz it thru. Milano- the centre of world fashion is no joke...but it's see-no-touch for us. Best area would be the Duomo region and the Gallery...where you can find the bull! In Milan, 2 new faces, Sam and Candice join in the voyage and that had boost the journey to greater excitement and fun.

                                     

                                           Me and the famous Bull with a hole right there...

                                                                   

                                                             Sam and Candice into the fun!

From Milan, we also made a day trip to the city of Juliet- Verona. Beautiful medieval city away from bustling city atmosphere, it's certainly worth the 2 hour train ride on purpose.

                                 

                                                                  Beautifully Verona....

Done with Milan and Verona, it's time to the ancient city of Athens. Although just a short 1 day trip roaming on the ruins and rubbles of Zeus and Hercules' city...we saw mostly all of them including the Olympic Stadium as well as tasted some authentic Greek food- best is Mousakka.

                                    

                                                                 Parthenon- the original...

Tired already? No way, more to come...after Athens, we took a 9hr ferry to one of the most beautiful island in Aegean Sea...Santorini. Sunset there is just breathtaking, not to mention the sea, the hill, and the houses...oh...Santorini.

                                    

                                                                          Santorini's Icon...

                                     

                                                      Volcanic sand beach, sea and people

                                                 

                                                                          Testing the water...

                                    

                                                                           Sunset in Oia...

It was indeed a long journey to and fro this amazing island but it's all worthwhile. Credit to Miss Ngui for suggesting such place which had never cross my mind as a travel spot...what's more to visit for real. Our stay at Tony's, food at Uncle Miami's and tanned from Santorini's sun made the stay even more memorable.

That was all for Greece, and now Espanol! Barcelona is our final stop for this euro trip. Everyone was nothing but tired and exhausted. Although this last leg hasn't been explored too much, but all essentials are done. Managed to enjoy some Gaudi's and had some real good seafood feast...worth the price...worth the price.

                                                   

                                                            Me & Ladies in Sagrada Familia

                                            

                                               Savouring my 1st lobster in La Rambla! Mmm...

                                         

                                            A day out to Montserrat, Barcelona (1hr train away)...

A pretty relaxing 4 days 3 nights in Barcelona wraps up the series of episodes of my Euro tour with 4 ladies and a buddy.

To have made a 2 weeks trip, covering over 5 countries, almost 8 cities for 6 persons...it's certainly a task nearing to that of Herculean...was glad I wasn't alone in making this trip a reality. Additionally, it is the people that had fill this trip with the essence of laughters, sweats and tears, and above all...it is the process from strangers to friends that brings about a friendship that was built over mere 14 days and are meant to last forever that matters the most.

                                     

                                                                   From a friend to friends...

Glad to have you both as my guests, companions and friends throughout the journey...

                                             Hope it did leave us all a memory to be remembered...

                                    So long ladies, also to Sam and Candice....till we meet again.

Dedicated to my companions ~

Ivy Koh

Fiona Ngui

Christine Ng

Sammuel Chan

Candice Ti

It's been a while...

Wow...it was the last day of February I wrote my last post. Now it's the end of May already. How did time flies...a total of 4 months just flew by. Before stepping into my last month of 1st academic year in university...I think it's time to keep previous events into this small archive of mine and be ready to receive more in the coming months of pure holidays...yeap...it's Summer Holidays!

Well, last post I did mention a little about the All-Poland Medical University Anatomical Knowledge Competition 2010 that I intend to participate. Many elimination rounds I had underwent and just recent last weekend...I am glad and proud to announce that I had brought back the Golden Scapula. It was a gruelling, mental and physical challenging experience yet a motivating and inspiring moment as a student, as a colleague and also as a son. No matter how expensive or exclusive is an achivement...it's the smile carved on my parents' face marks the greatest value of all.

                                                Individual Prize-2nd (& my team got 1st prize)

That's a snippet on my somewhat- latest academic achivement. And to steer off this pretty much lame story...it's about travelling again! Yippee...when's it's about travelling...all the energy flows in like waterfall (on the other hand when I start to read my notes...my eyes will just shut as if there's an elephant hanging on them...I wonder why...)

So...my latest trip for now was to Belgium and Netherlands. Not to boast, but I consider myself visited the whole of that 2 countries in my 7 days trip. In Belgium, I touched down on Brussels, Brugge(oh...one of the most enchanting city I've ever been) and Antwerp. While in Netherlands, Leiden and Amsterdam (two must visit to see Holland) and of course other cities one would definitely passes by when taking train. So...checklist...Belgium ✔, Netherlands✔. I think I wouldn't elaborate them much here as there's just too much...so as usual...check in my Facebook if you might want to have a little idea what are these 2 places all about. =)

Next up...well, summer holidays are always the "highlight" of all people in Europe. But I must consider myself lucky because I've found the travelling way- the Couch Surfing way. From my last trip to Belgium and Netherlands, I've been an active couch surfers. It was definitely a great experience to be able to see a place in its real insights and know new pals along the ways - a way to make this world a better place to live in too- as it's all based on the word "TRUST".

Back to my points...I've aimed to cover almoz the whole Italy by several trips...a step down South to Greece and hopefully Turkey, Istanbul...some West to Spain, East to Romania and the Black Sea and a little North to Germany for the world famous- Oktoberfest. The most challenging right now is to Germany for Oktoberfest. As it would be packed...and crowded with all visitors around Europe and the world...it's not only costly but also...hmm...unfavourable to budget traveller like me...haha. But as the spirit is there for now...I'm working my way there. Nothing is impossible right?

So...transition back to reality, I have officially 18days counting down before I could declare myself a traveller and a 1st Year Medical "graduate"...provided all exams are scored well. Also I would try my best not to left my blog to "collect dust" too.

Till next post...cherrio!

Snippets- Out of Traveling Period

Although this blog is intended to share where I have been but I guess I should make it more versatile as well, as it is not I'm on the move for travelling 24-7.

So, before March come, indeed I feel there had been much went through and learned as well as to expect in coming days and months. It would be a moment of "pouring" all out to be able to be filled again.

As to say, life is stranger than fiction. Well, it is true to me to some extend but it is not that weird after all. There may be some up and downs in the perspective of work, social life and play...it sailed pretty smooth all this while. However, I indeed felt the recent earthquake in Chile had also some after-effect in my sails. Thankfully nothing disastrous. Instead, it shook me up pretty much and make me realised- "hey,it's time to come back on track." Well, it doesn't mean that I took the wrong path in something but just dwelled a little too much. Perhaps it is suppose to be drowned before one learn how to swim.

For now, with a sigh of relief...it is time to venture into coming months, begins with March. It is just recently that it come to me realisation that March is no joke a busy month indeed. With few exams coming up, the 1st to begin 2 days immediately it begins and  will end with a 100 question anatomy qualifying exams-for the Golden Scapula Competition. It is a all-Poland anatomical competition that is somewhat prestigious and a moment-of-medical-student-life achievement. Basically, it is to compete with other brilliant international medical students all over Poland and one will get this :-

yeap...a Golden Scapula indeed...

It is going to consume up pretty much of brain tissues, effort and time to be able to get hold of that. It is a motivation. It is to be achieved indeed. So "no more talking, get working!"

Alright, with that I am suppose to end. But before that, it would not be suitable if my post have nothing to do with any traveling juice since this is a dedicated travelling blog. So, some snippets of plan for coming holidays, 1st in April, next....2 months of pure holidays- summer holidays (a months has been deducted for working purposes). With an ambitious plan in head to cover Benelux area- Luxembourg, Belgium and Netherlands in 6 days, it would be on my strategy table if were to be able to obtain a green light in the nearest exams which is on the 2nd of March. So, "work hard, play harder".

Till next post...March, Here I Come!

Prague it is...

The City of Light, the Eternal City and now the Golden City...Prague.

Basically I had not spoken much of Czech during my 2-days stay in Prague...ok maybe juz Dobry Den? Haha...I would have to say...Polish has much similarity to Czech but definitely English is obviously understandable more by the people there in comparison to even Krakow.
In the initial plan, Prague was not in the itinery but luckily we did included it in for transiting before heading home back to Krakow.

So...landing at Prague International Airport at midnight from Rome...it was snowing heavily and no joke...

-15C it was.

However...this is what actually anticipating us.

Prague...

Prague no doubt one of the most beautiful...perhaps charming city in tthe world. The feeling of being brought into a wonderland like in those childhood story immediately surface when one just view it...awesome indeed.

 

The Dancing Tower...

Being enlisted in one of the weirdest building in the world...this is no means a great architecture. Only in Prague. This is considered modern architecture...but look at these...

 

Astronomical clock...

Prague Castle...

The astronomical clock will have a small performance every exact hour...then a guy will blow a trumpet as well. We have the trumpet blowing version in Krakow and an interesting story lies behind it...but I'm not sure is it the same historically for Prague's...perhaps different although similar. As for Prague castle, it is indeed worth the hike even with chilly wind blowing and with shivering legs. Magnificent for the top hill view and the castle of course as well.

As we were day during the Christmas season...it is a tradition to visit the Christmas's Market...well, we actually did not miss in any of the cities we had been...and each has different feeling. But in Prague's, it was really really freezing cold...so tip...don't underestimate the Czech's winter. However, with our tour guides, Terri and Adeline around also the nice Christmas snacks treats...the warmth blanketed those moments.

 

Prague's Christmas Market...

 

Of treats and friends...

 

Our craze...

Our main focus in the Christmas Market was juz this...a kind of roasted bread roll...addiction of someone had had me influenced as well...altho it is pretty pricey...but really tasty.

Nonetheless, how could one even miss the most important landmark in Prague...the Charles Bridge rite?

 

The must touch on Karlov Most (Charles's Bridge)...notice tat got some part is especially shiny

Ok...for those who actually know the story...you must be laughing now for the pic show I'm actually touching the wrong side. So this is correct instead....

 

Touch the right on the stars for good luck n wishes... remember,not the left on the dog

So...it is also believed that with that being touch...a return to Prague will be promised. With that hope...I anticipate.

Tat's all mainly bout the 4 different countries I went (don't forget Vatican is a country itself ). It was indeed a memorable trip and worth the every moment of the journey in everything from sweat to laughters. Travelling opens up our heart and mind...broaden our views, perspective and mindset. No matter where and how we travel...the most important is to enjoy every moment of it for it is an opportunity that perhaps come once in a lifetime.

Next stop...juz wait and see! =)

Roamed in Rome...

Instead of polishing up my Polish, and cramming up for my Chem in about 2 weeks...I chose to bring you to roam in Rome. (what a rhyme...)

Well, The Eternal City is the second destination on my itinery for my last Christmas break, a continuation from The City of Light- Paris. About 2hr flight, there were we in Italia.

Ciao! Ci Ci....Allora...Ciao Ciao!

Don't get me wrong that I'm becoming a bird or something similar as I stepped foot into the ancient city. It is just this 3 Italiano that I learned during my 4 days stay there...mainly thanks to Letizia...our "landlord" for 3 nights.
*This is not advertisement but a pure recommendation- when you want to overnight in Rome...you would never want anything else than Lilliput Hostel.

As my large blog photo up there presenting the magnificent Colloseo, I must admit the picture said it all. Rome is a large city but with small vicinity...you can actually walk all on foot! It is one old city that need young spirits to let its beauty revealed.

Fontana di Trevi

A day view

Although it does not function specifically as a wishing fountain...I would say it is more suitable to name it as the fountain of  hope. When you are in Trevi's Fountain, it is a must for a coin to be thrown...not just "baling" or "lempar"...there's a way.

Tips : Turn your back against the fountain, hold a coin on your right hand...toss the coin into the pool over your left shoulder....and hence a return to Rome is promised...well...we'll see.

As for not-couple-yet "couple", if by any chance your coin stack above "yours truly", well, the Roman Cupid has his arrow right "bullseye" on your heart.

                                     

Pantheon...

For it has stood there for perhaps almost 2000 years...this monument certainly has it's significance for it has awed millions of visitors...but surprisingly not one of my 3 travelmates here.

If you have read the book "Angels & Demons"...there is one thing inside this building that certainly will catch your attention. It is the famous...

  

 

The operculum

More mysteries and clue? Follow me...

 

One of the many St. Maria's Church....but the most important of all

Know what is this? It is the Free Mason symbol...yeap...right there in one of the window of the same church above...if you have a 1 US dollar note...u'll notice it is there as well...

Indeed the ancient city is very big...not because of its vicinity as mentioned earlier...but it is the buildings that made it seems so...eg.

 

Plaza Venetia

If you would have noticed that the size of the statue in the middle of the building...it still looks the same as of the bus even we are indeed way further in front from it for this caption. So...I must stress...it is humongous.

Next up, this place is indeed a "romantic" place if you do some set up...for you can easily see people taking wedding photos, couples holding hands and of course...enjoy some Roman artist artworks where you can observe the sunset at the same time as well....it is none other than...

The Spanish Steps...

Last highlight of the our roam...

The Vatican...

Yes, it is the you-can't-miss St. Peter's Basilica that shines the night sky of Rome. But just to highlight something here it is that...practically this pic was taken 1 street down the magnificent building...technically, we did that from another country...trust me..I'm not "bullshitting"...it is The Vatican City picuture taken from  Rome, Italy.

 

Sky view from the top of St Peter's Basilica Cupula...

Main altar of St. Peter's Church...

It is a rather long blog post here I know but anyhow....Welcome to Rome!

ps- there's another fact you should know when you are in Italy it is that u'll never missed a chance to eat pizza and pasta if you didn't even thought about trying it here...it's more common than 7-11 back home. The tip is...go anywhere...the price is about the same...so don't be afraid to enter classy looking restaurant for a pizza or two. ;)