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. ;)

Snippets in Paris...

For now another important exam had just ended so I think now would be the best time to share some of my first trip in Europe over the last Christmas break in December since I would not be posting about any new places most probably not till April! ( only will have Easter break by then)

Well, the last trip covered Paris, Rome and Prague. Three most beautiful cities- I personally agree with many comments on them after seeing with my own eyes. I shall begin with my first stop...Paris- The City of Light.

Not too details on what we do...but some interesting stuff that might catch ur attention in Paris!

Bonjour! Excusez moi...est que vous parlez anglais? Oui. Merci! Voila...with these few words in head...off we go to Paris from Krakow! (phew...u know wat...we survived! Lol...u know why)

A lil picture 1st I guess...

Le Tour Eiffel...

A day view...

Night view of Tour Eiffel from Arc de Triomphe for it's hourly light show is magnificent...see pic above!

A day view from Palais de Chaillot at Trocadero...that is what you can see as in the second pic.

Tips:- Save some of your euros...climb Tour Eiffel till 2nd floor and take the lift up...u save about 3 euros by taking lift straight up to top and also to enjoy some view!

*ATTN:NVR USE THIS OPTION IN WINTER UNLESS U WANNA BE "PRESERVED".

Arc de Triomphe

Ooo...Champ Elysees (view from the Arc)

City of Light- true indeed. Next...what else is more important to pay a visit to Mother of all paintings...The Mona Lisa...

                                                  

These are few of the many places a must visit in Paris displayed...wait wait...you must be wondering...is Ng Ming Lee missing one of the most important place in Paris?? Well, Eiffel Tower is in...Arc de Triomphe is in...Champ Elysees is in as well...what else? U muz have thinking of this especially you ladies...jeng3...

 

LV Paris...(with 3 floors of collections)

No joke...I went in...grab a few display to try...worth of RM 5-6000 a piece...well, you are in LV Paris!

Haha...that was to get away from stiff travelling documentary...let's get back to some more imprtant places...2 more to go. ( of course there are more...for those...I leave it for you to check out yourselves)

 

The Notre Dame...

Make sure you are here to signify you are in the Paris "old time"...lovers of Disney's...it is this where the site of Hunch Back of Notre Dame focused on.

Since we talked about Disney's...hey...don't forget...there's a Disneyland here! The Disneyland Paris...

  

The Sleeping Beauty's Castle in Disneyland Paris...with my companions

A day trip to Disneyland mark the last day of our trip to Paris, France. Next up...Rome, The Eternal City.

Au revoir!

All roads lead to Rome...

The phrase "all roads lead to Rome" is indeed true when one steps foot in the eternal city and thus it become the first title of my new concept of blogging...a journey to the world. Altho it seems I would have reached the final destination in my journey to the world as the phrase sounded...I had just begun from there.


No doubt...travelling opens up our heart and mind not to mention our eyes of course! I must say it is a blessing from others that I am able go around this part of the world which I only had them in my day dreams before this.


The recent Christmas break had end my 2009 with a whole new experience, making me ready for more in this brand new year of 2010. Join me in search of new places, new people and new outlook of life!


Next stop....