DAY 5 PARIS / MILAN

The sky was still dark when we arrived the Beauvais Tille Airport at around 6am. We took Ryanair, the airticket was cheap so the airport was small as well. We took an hour bus and we were extremely sleepy.

My luggage was so darn HEAVY!! Everytime when I go travel, I complain about it but finally I still bring a lot of things. This time was really crazy experience!! I knew Ryanair has limitation for the weight of each luggage, I thought it was 20kg but it was only 15kg!! Shit!! When they weighted my luggage, it was 26.5kg!! WTF!! They asked me to take out my stuff to hand carry to the flight or I could choose to pay extra 30Euro for 1kg!!

Of course I didn't want to pay and I got no choice! Imagine how hard it is to take out 10kg from my luggage!! If I could do that, I wouldn't have brought so many things!! All are my necessaries!!

I took out my big bag, put most of my clothes and jeans into it. I had to throw away something such as a bottle of bath gel, a pair of slippers and some cream and lotion. I also had to wear some clothes and Connie helped me as well. Finally the weight of my luggage was down to 16.6kg and it was passed!!

When we arrived Milan, it was nearly 10.30am, I put all my stuff back into the luggage and then took the bus to Milan main train station. Before we planned to go to the outlet in Foxtown (the border between Italy and Switzerland) but unfortunately we didn't have much time so we skipped it.

I called Stephano and told him that we would arrive earlier and then we took the metro to the LODI T.I.B.B station. He was sleeping when I called him but he still waited us at the metro station and we walked back to his home and dropped down our luggages.

We then went out to visit Milan, the weather wasn't so good. It rained a bit in the morning but overall it was cloudy for the rest of the day. There were nothing much to see in Milan, we visited the Duomo, shopped around and bought a lot of things again.

There were a lot of piegons in this square, when we were taking pics, a guy came over me and put some wheat on my hand. Then it attracted a lot of piegons! They grabbed my hand and ate the wheat, i was so scared!! I didn't like it much!! But after that, this guy asked me the money of the wheat, I didn't want to pay!! He asked me for 10Euro! WTF!! I bargained with him and finally I still had to pay 2Euro >.<

We went back to Stephano's home in the evening, put down our stuff and then we had dinner at a pizza shop near by his home. The pizza wasn't so good coz it was only a fast food restaurant. The dough was too thick and oily.

After that we went back to Stephano's home, took a shower and he took us to a club for party. Unfortunately there were not many people and it wasn't crowded at all!! I guess maybe becoz it was weekday. There were live band show but the atmosphere wasn't so good. Stephano then took us to another club but it was quite the same, empty inside!!

Finally we headed back home coz there were nothing much we could do. It was quite disappointing coz I thought the nightlife in Milan would be very fun and great!! Stephano said it would be many people during weekends and we were just not the right time there. What a shame!!

I think there is nothing much to see in Milan and it's a place to shop around rather than sightseeing!

DAY 4 PARIS

We planned to visit Vasaille Palace today but it is closed on every Monday so we went shopping in Lafatyee and other shops. We didn't buy anything for these two days and we really wanted to buy something in Paris. Finally I bought a lot of things!!

I bought some clothes and accessories and a wallet. We had tax refund at Lafatyee so it was hard to resist buying things!! We also did crazy shopping at H&M and ZARA!! I know it would be crazy and we have those shops in Hong Kong but women are born to shop, right? :D

We shopped for whole afternoon then we went to Arc de Trimophe to take pics again. Just wanna take some funny "jumpy pics".

Then we visitied the Eiffel Tower. It looks very impressive and beautiful especially at night!! It flashes on every hour. Again I regretted for not bringing the tripod!! Maybe I should blame someone who didn't give me the small light tripod?

We met Tony at the Tower at night after he has finished his work. And he took us to a nice French Restaurant "Le Champ de Mars". We wanted to try real French food so much so we let Tony to order the food and drinks for us.

He ordered foie gras with toasts, escargots, preserved duck with potatos, champagne and red wine! It was a wonderful meal!! Everything was so delicious!! Especiall the foie gras, it was perfect match with the toasts!! It felt so good to sip the champagne and then eat foie gras!!

I liked the escargots and preserved duck too!! They were very delicious!! I was sooooo full after eating them all!! I' was so happy that I could taste real French food!! :)

After meal, Tony sent us back to Vincent's home. Thank you very much for his kindness coz he lives far away from Vincent's home!! It was great to meet him!! Thank you Christophe as well :)

When we arrived Vincent's home, it was midnight already. Vincent helped us to call the taxi coz we had to catch up the flight to Milan at 8.30am. There were not many ways to the airport coz it was too early and we had to be there 2 hours before. We had to take the taxi to the bus stop and then take the bus to the airport.

We couldn't sleep much, we only slept for 1.5 hour and then gotta go. I didn't expect to take taxi but we had no choice. The meter charged 7Euro in the begining and it costed nearly 25Euro from Vincent's home to the bus stop. Kinda expensive but acceptable!

DAY 3 PARIS

We woke up at around 9am and started our 2nd day visit in Paris. Vincent didn't go out with us today coz he had to meet his parents so we went out by ourself. We took the metro to Notre de Dame then had a lunch at a Greek Restaurant.

We didn't know what to eat and we just wanted to find a cheap and nice restaurant. Somehow we went into that Greek Restaurant and the set lunch menu was 10Euro! So crazy!! I knew it would be expensive in tourist area but we didn't have many choices.

But then when we got in, we couldn't find the 10Euro menu, there were only 15Euro lunch sets. I ordered salad, oysters, steak and dessert. The salad was quite good but the oysters were too salty!! How come? I thought the oysters in France would be very tasty and fresh!! But there weren't!! The French oysters in Hong Kong were more delicious!! The steak was ok but I didn't really like the blue cheese sauce. It was too strong for me. And the dessert crême blûee was quite good. Finally including the tax, it costed total 40Euro for 2 people!! What an expensive lunch!!


After lunch, we went to visit Notre de Dame, we took a lot of pics and we tried to get in! Many people were queuing outside coz there was no entry fees!! Of course we went inside as well!!

It was quite big inside and there were a lot of statues and candles. People were praying inside quietly. Luckily it is allowed to be photo taken inside.

Then we walked along the Le Seine to Pont Alexandre. It was pretty long way and we walked slowly and stopped for taking pics. It took us nearly 2 hours from Notre de Dame to Pont Alexandre. We were so tired!! Unfortunately Le Seine was very stingy and it wasn't so fun to walk along it.

But the view was beautiful along Le Seine, we took a lot of funny pics on the bridge!! Silly but fun!! :D

Then in the evening, we went to Le Louvre again coz we wanted to take the night pics of it. I didn't bring tripod for this trip coz it is very heavy. I was a bit regret coz it was so hard to take night pics without tripod!!

We went back to Vincent's home at around 9pm and then we chatted for a while and sleep. After a long walking day, I just wanted to sleep and rest!!

DAY 2 LONDON / PARIS

We arrived Heatheow Airport at around 5am and then we had to rush to transit to another flight to Paris.

When we arrived Paris, it was around 8.30am. We then first looked for the metro station and bought the ticket to Montparnasse Bienvenüe. The Paris metro was much more complicated than the one in Hong Kong but it wasn't so difficult for us. The problem is that they don't have escalator in the small stations!! Darn!! How come they are like that in Europe? Really hard to believe!! I had to carry my 23.5kg heavy luggage and walked upstairs!! Next time I really should never bring so many things to go travel!!

We arrived Montparnasse Bienvenüe at around 11.30am and we called Vincent to pick us up. The we walked back to his flat, took the shower and started our visit in Paris!!

For saving time, we bouht some sandwiches and ate at the metro. We bought the combo: sandwich + drink + dessert. The sandwich was so big and my first meal in Paris was very full!!

We visited Arc de Triomphe, it looked very impressive!! I still remember when I first visited Paris in 2002, I joined the tour and I could only have 5 mins to take pics of Arc de Triomphe. This time I could walk closer and stay there as long as I wanted!! Vincent told me that the flowers on the ground was to memorise the French soldiers in the WWI. I could feel how French people love their nation and country!!

We walked alng the Avenue des Champs-Elysees. There were many brands and shops and of course we had a look at Louis Vuitton. There were many people inside!! I'm not so into the things of LV so I didn't intend to buy anythings there.

Then we walked to Petit & Grand Palais. On the way, we saw many people protesting for their rights. They fought for their salary. The protesters were quite mild and they didn't do any violent things.

And we walked through Jardin de Tuileries, it was a very big garden!! Many people just relaxed and had sunbathing there!!

We didn't get chance to get into Musée du Louvre, it was too late and there were too many people!! Vincent said at least we had to wait for 2 hours to get in!! We only took few pics outside. I'd love to go inside to see the artworks if I got more time!! Maybe next time!!

Then we took the metro to the Basilique du Sacre Coeur. We had to walk up the stairs to there coz it was a bit high. But it worthed to walk a bit coz I could see the beautiful skyline of Paris!! It was very impressive!!

We sat down on the square and enjoyed some music coz some guys were playing music and singing on the square. I think it is a very nice place to chill out!! Very relaxing!!

Vincent's friend came to meet us up coz he was going to party with Vincent at night. We went back to Vincent's home but me and Connie didn't go out coz we were extremely tired and we wanted to catch some sleep. It is pity that we didn't get chance to enjoy the nightlife in Paris!!

DAY 1 HONG KONG / LONDON

I had a very busy day woek today. Everybody just came up and asked me something about the work and they wanted me to help them before I left. I still didn't feel like holiday yet!!

I left work at around 6pm, rushed home and took the shower. Then meeting Connie at the airport at around 9pm. Our flight was departing at 23.15, it was pretty late but we could save 1 more day to travel.

I was extremely tired so after having meal on the flight, I slept right away. I didn't feel this journey was so long coz I only slept and ate. Time paseed very fast!!

STELLA & TIM'S WEDDING

One of my secondary schoolmate is getting married!! Congrats Stella and Tim!! I attended their wedding ceremony at the church and then went for the wedding banquet at night.

They are both Christian and their wedding ceremony was wonderful!! Stella looked beautiful!! She smiled a lot and was so happy!!

I enjoyed the banquet as well!! It was good to see old friends again! Just like another gathering!!

DINNER AT SENSHURAKU

Having dinner gathering at Senshuraku tonight. Senshuraku is like our canteen LOL Whenever we want to eat Japanese cuisine, we just go there!! Actually I wanna try a new restaurant but it was too rush to book and most of the restaurants were full!! Only this one is still available. Strange, huh?

The food there is quite good, not the best tho I enjoyed having dinner there coz I quite like the interior design and their service is not bad. I got the VIP card so no wonder I often go there :D

MAXIM'S SHABU SHABU

Dinner with Gi at Maxim's and we both had "Hokkaido Milk Soup Shabu Shabu". It tasted better than I expected!! Although the food wasn't so fresh, it still tasted quite good and I liked the soup a lot!!

Gi just travelled to Canada and had sea cruise at Caribbean Sea, that's so cool!! She got me a belt as a souvenir, it looks so nice!! Thank you very much Gi :) Would love to travel to Caribbean Sea if I got chance!!

After dinner I walked to TST pier and used my new lens to take some pics. Just wanna have a try before going to travel. I gotta get used to this lens. It is quite good to use this lens for taking night pics without tripod. I'm tooooo lazy to bring my tripod!! :D

MAMMA MIA

It was a very funny interesting musicals. This film was filmed at Greece and this is the reason that interested me to watch it. The story was entertaining and the songs were good! What a fun-filled film!! I enjoyed it a lot!!

EF 50MM F/1.4 USM

Went shopping in the afternoon, bought some clothes and then met Schindler at MK at night. I wanted to buy a lens so I asked him to help me to choose. This is a fixed focus lens which is mainly used for capturing images of humans. I'm not so keen on taking pics of portrait but it would be fun to have this kinda lens.

Then we watched the football game Liverpool vs Man United. I haven't watched football games for a long time. Schindler and his friends are Arsenal fans, only me supporting Liverpool. Fernando was on the bench and Steven only played on the 2nd half but luckily Liverpool won the game!! Yay!!

MY SISTER IS MOVING OUT

My sister is going back to university from this month. I'm so happy and proud of her coz she did it! She applied to live in the hall as well but I thought she wouldn't get approved coz our home is not far from the university. But today she got the notification and she said she was going to move in there on the coming Monday.

I have mixed feelings coz I really don't want her to move out. It's not that I'm jealous of her but I'm sure I'm going to miss her coz we have been living together since she was born. When we grow up, we will live apart but seems this day is coming too soon. She is no more my little sister who depends on the family, she has really grown up and is independent now. Maybe I'm the only one who don't want to grow up :D

FRENCH TEST

Got French test again!! This time I have to get pass in order to promote to the next level. I take so serious on the test but this semister really sucks!! I didn't really pay attention in the class and I often skipped the lessons... It's hard for me to catch up what I learned before...

We all cheated in the class :P It's shameful but we got no choice LOL I swear to god that I will spend more time on studying!! No more cheating!! :D Maybe I should consider giving up something... otherwise I can't manage all the things well...

SWAZILAND

I have been sick for more than a week already... Still can't eat much... I feel so weak and hungry... Just read a ridiculous news today and it touches my heart coz I know how it feels when you feel hunger. I can hardly imagine that the poverty gap can be like that in this world.

"Swaziland on Saturday held celebrations for King Mswati's 40th birthday and the country's 40th year of independence -- The so-called 40-40 party was preceded by demonstrations against its excessive cost — officially put at US$2.5 million, but widely believed to be at least five times more — in a country where 70 percent live below the poverty line. While the King has luxurious lifestyle, the people rising at dawn to collect firewood, making the trek to the river for water and scraping together a meager meal..."

I know some Africa countries are very poor but I didn't know some people could have such lavish birthday celebrations when other people starve to death. Then what is the meaning for the charities to donate money to the poor if the country has US$2.5 million to spend?

SICK

I have been sick since Monday. I thought coz I ate too much on weekend so I didn't feel well with my stomach but it was more serious that I thought. I saw the doctor today and he said I got Acute gastritis. What? I couldn't believe!!

I can't eat much... whenever I drink or eat, I feel so painful inside. That sucks!! I can't even eat congee!! It's really frustrating and I realise that how imporant is the health!! Hopefully I can get well soon coz I can't stand of it!!