DAY 17 LONDON / HONG KONG

It took around 13 hours from London to Hong Kong, I was exhausted so beside eating, most of the time I was sleeping on the flight :P I didn't even want to do anything!! So the flight time seemed not too long for me this time!!

I enjoyed this journey very much but it was the most exhausting trip for me coz I didn't stay in the same city long and I had to carry my heavy luggage all the way. It was a bit rush and I think I could enjoy more if I could have longer vacation to relax!!

It was so happy to see old friends and meet some new friends. And it was a very good experience to travel on our own with some local people. In this journey, it was my 2nd time to visit those cities and it didn't feel like the same at all with travelling on tour. I could see more and it was more flexible to visit on our own.

I enjoyed the food, shopping and culture in Europe!! It was so much fun and I didn't want to come back! But holiday is holiday, it will end!! So I'm looking forward to my next vacation!! Gotta work harder and save more money!! :D

DAY 16 ROME / LONDON

Our vacation is ended today!! We couldn't do anything sightseeing today coz we had to take the flight from Rome to London, and then from London to Hong Kong.

I had bad impression of people in Rome coz it seems they like to take advantage on the tourists. Me and Connie wanted to buy the train ticket from Rome train staion to the airport on the self-served ticket machine, it only had Italian language and we needed to take time to figure out how to buy the ticket. An Italian guy came over to ask us where we were going and helped us to buy tickets from the machine. We thought he was just trying to be nice and friendly but after helping us he asked for 1Eur for buying coffee!! So crafty!!

When we arrived London Gatwick Airport, it was nearly 2pm. But our flight to Hong Kong was at London Heathrow Airport so we had to take the bus from Gatwick to Heathrow. The fastest way was to take direct express bus and it only needed around 1 hour and 30mins. But our departure flight to Hong Kong was at around 10pm so we got plenty of time. So we used another way to go to Heathrow Airport.

We took a bus from Gatwick to Victoria Coach Station first, then took another bus from Victoria Coach Station to Heathrow Airport. We didn't have enough time to visit London but at least I could see this lovely city on the bus.

When I arrived London, I felt like home coz I could speak English finally!! I mean I could communicate and understand what people say!! It was frustrating in Italy coz people couldn't speak English well and they didn't even have English menu in some Italian restaurants. Paris was ok, at least I know a bit French and the people I met in Paris could speak English quite well. And in German, mostly of the time I had Michele and Kristin to translate for me so everything was fine :D

We didn't have time to visit London but we had time to try fish & chips!! It was only ok coz I don't really like greasy food much.

We got a little problem when we checked in at the airport. The ground staff told me that the seats were overbooked and we might not be able to take that flight!! I was shocked!! I didn't want to be delayed or changed to another flight!! I didn't mind if they could upgrade us to first class!! All I wanted is to get on the flight!! Of course finally we could get on and depart on time! Goodbye Europe!! I'm sure I will be back again!!

DAY 15 ROME / VATICAN CITY

It was the last day for us to sightseeing in Italy! We had breakfast in a cafe and then we visited Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. This basilica is the largest church in Rome dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.


Then we took the underground to Vatican City and visit the Basilica di San Pietro. We took pics at the square but we didn't get in. I've been there inside 6 years ago, I still remember there was the statue of St. Peter and it is believed that touching his feet would bring you luck so his feet were slick!!

We then had lunch at a bar but it was the most expensive lunch I ever had!! We had chicken leg with chips, sausage with vegetable, seafood salad, Ravioli and 2 drinks. It total costed 52EUR!!!! Crazy!! We didn't check the price before ordering coz it was a self-served bar and we didn't expect it would be so expensive. The food was just ok and it wasn't deserved to pay that much!!

I think we order too much and we were too full to finish all the food but we tried our best to eat them all coz it costed 52EUR!! We didn't want to waste the food (money) LOL

After lunch, we just walked around to buy some souviners and relaxed. We didn't want to rush the last day. We just wanted to enjoy our last day in Rome.

We were supposed to have a nice dinner for our last day in Rome but we spent more than we expected at lunch so finally we bought some bread and salami and went back to the hostel. Not too bad tho, at least we had something to eat :D

We've changed the room and we had a new roomate from South American. She was very friendly and nice so we invited her to have simple dinner with us in the room. We talked about everything, she is going to study in Germany and she travelled Europe for 10days alone. There are quite a lot of travellers who like to travel alone! I wanna try too!!

DAY 14 ROME

It was a nice sunny day in Rome!! Comparing with other Europe city, Rome was hot!! We didn't expect that but we both liked this nice warm weather.

The hostel was closed to Colosseo so we just walked to there. Colosseo is one of the greatest work of Rome architecture!! I was interested to get in to see how it looked like but again there were many tourists lining up there so we just took some pics there and had a quick breakfast.

We then walked around to see this ancient city. Actually Rome is a modern and cosmopolitan city but on the other hand she has many ancient buildings that make Rome so lovely. No wonder why it is the 3rd most-visited tourist destination in Europe.

Rome isn't the city that I like most but it is the city I would like to suggest to go especially if you like to take pics!! Definately you can take a lot of nice pics here!!

Fontana di Trevi is another must-go-place in Rome!! A legend holds that it brings luck to throw coins into the fountain, using your right hand and tossing backward over your right shoulder. Trowing one coin supposedly means you will return to Rome; throwing two coins ensures that you will fall in love with a beautiful Roman; and three tossed coins means you will marry that lucky lady or gentleman!

6 years ago when I first came to Rome, I did throw one coin!! See I come back now :D For sure this time I threw the coins again!! :D Just let the legend comes true!! Yay!!

We then had lunch in a bar, we ordered coffee, lasagne and risotto. Many people say that the Cappuccino in Rome is the best and that's why I ordered it!! I can't say it was the best coffee that I even had but it was really good. The Lasagne was average but I didn't like the risotto coz it wasn't hot enough and the taste wasn't so good.

After lunch we walked around Piazza di Spagna and shopped around as well coz there were many brand shops near by Piazza di Spagna. Shopping time again!! I bought some accessories from D&G and it was very cheap!! I like Dolce & Gabbana!! :D

We went back to hostel in the evening, put down our stuff and then went back to the restaurant where we had dinner yesterday. We went there again coz the food was good and also it was closed to our hostel. We were too tired to walk and look for other nice restaurant.

Tonight we had cream sauce spaghetti with clams and pizza. Pizza was still delicious but the spaghetti wasn't as good as I expected. It was a bit hard to chew but the sauce was quite good.

We didn't do many things at night in Rome, not becoz there was nothing to do, it's just we didn't dare to hang aroung too late at night. The area where our hostel located was a bit far away from the train station and it didn't look so safe to walk around there at night. So we just headed back to the hostel after dinner.

DAY 13 FLORENCE / ROME

Waking up in the early morning again coz we had to take the morning train from Florence to Rome. It wasn't far away from Florence to Rome, it only needed around 1 and half hour.

We met some Japanese tourists in the train, they were a big group and I borrowed a map from them to see where the Japanese tour would like to visit in Rome. Mostly it was quite similar with what Hong Kong tour but they also focused on going to supermarket and Japanese department store. It's strange that the tour were arranged to shop around at Mitsukoshi!!

We didn't do many things in Rome today, it was kinda like wasting time but sometimes you never know what it would happen when you go travelling. It could be unexpected but we learned a lesson!!

We checked in in the hostel in the evening and then we went out for dinner at a local Italian Restaurant. Italian people usually have dinner quite late, we chose this restaurant becoz many people were there and we guessed it could be quite good.

We ordered house white and red wine, I liked the red wine! Surprisingly the wine was even cheaper than coke!! We ordered pizza and some pork as well and they were very good!! The dinner didn't cost too much and we were so full already!!

We shared a hostel room with a lady from Finland, she travelled alone. She slept so early and we didn't want to wake her up so when we got back to our room, we just slept right away.

DAY 12 FLORENCE

I was very tired but I hardly slept on the train coz we had to watch out the strangers in our carriage. We sat on the window side and in the middle there were a German mother with a girl and on the aisle side there were 2 Italian men.

But the German mother and the girl got of the train in the midnight and there were only us with 2 Italian men. We were a bit worried coz they looked a bit scary LOL But finally we started to talk together and their destination was Rome. On and off some people came into our carriage and left, I fell asleep for a while and tried to walk on the aisle to keep myself awake.

When we arrived Florence, it was early morning!! I was a bit disappointed that it rained in Florence!! We looked for the bus station and took a bus to the hostel. We missed 2 stops so we had to drag our luggages and walk back to the hostel.

The roads in Florence were so rough, it was not easy for us to drag our luggages under the rain!! The hostel was not conspicuous, we kept walking around and asked the local people where it was. When we arrived hostel, it was nearly 9am. We wanted to take a shower coz we were wet and sweaty but they didn't have early check-in. So we just let them to keep our luggages and start to visit Florence.


Florence is not very big, it is good and easy to stroll around this historical city. We crossed the bridge to Piazza della Signoria. And then we visited Duomo, San Giovanni and Giotta as well.

The design of Duomo looked so special and grand!! It was even bigger than I expected. We took some pics and then walked around the shops. The leather goods are famous in Florence and for sure we had to buy something!!

Shopping around until noon, we were so hungry and had lunch in a Italian restaurant. Surprisingly there were many Japanese tourists in the restaurant! I think maybe the Japanese guide books recommended this restaurant.

We ordered a seafood risotto and T-bone steak. The risotto was so delicious!! It was one of the most delicious risotto I ever had!! And the T-bone steak was good too!! We enjoyed this meal a lot!!

After lunch, we walked around again and then we visited Chiesa di Santa Croce. The Basilica is the largest Franciscan church in the world.

The Arno river is in the Tuscany Region which passes through Florence, Empoli and Pisa. The view or Arno River and the buildings were so great when we took pics on the bridge.

Nearly evening, we took the bus to Piazzale Michelangelo, it is the most famous tourist attraction in Florence. And you can see the magnificent skyline of Florence!! So beautiful!!

We took a lot of pics there and we just sat down to relax and waited for the sunset. What a wonderful moment!! I like Florence!! What a shame we couldn't manage to visit Pisa as well!!

DAY 11 MUNICH

I had a very long sleep last night coz it was so comfortable and I feel good and relaxing whenever I stay in Michele's home! I don't need to worry about anything and I'm glad that I come to Munich again this year!!

Michele and Kristin has to work so after shower and breakfast, we went to the supermarket to buy some sausages and snacks as souvenirs. We like the salami a lot!! It's so cheap in Germany!! But we couldn't buy too much coz we still have to carry our luggages and visit 2 more cities in Italy.

We went to the city centre and then shopped around. It's shopping day!! I bought some clothes, shoes and sun glasses. Time usually runs fast when I go shopping!! Comparing with the shops in Italy, Munich is a bit more expensive than Italy!!


We didn't do any sightseeing today coz we only wanted to shop around. Also we visited some tourist attractions already last year so we didn't need to rush to do anything in Munich. We just relaxed ourselves!!

We came home in the evening, Kristin was home already and she was preparing the dinner for us. We had to took the night train at 9pm from Munich to Florence. Kristin and Michele were so nice to make dinner for us again before we left!! :)

The pasta was so delicious!! I liked it a lot!! Really wanna learn how to make good pasta sauce!! Do Italian born to cook? :D

After dinner, we had to get ready and leave. We only stayed few days in Munich but it was very happy to have fun with Michele and Kristin again. Michele said that he would go to Singapore and Hong Kong again!! I hope so!!

Michele sent us to the train station and then he even helped us to carry our luggages to the carriage. It was a bit sad to say goodbye but I'm sure we will see again soon (if he comes to Hong Kong)!!

The last stop of this train was Rome but we got off in Florence. It was an overnight train and it took us 9 hours from Munich to Rome!! We didn't book the sleeping carriage and we had to find something to do coz we had to take shift to keep our eyes on our luggages!! We shared the carriage with other 4 strangers!

DAY 10 MUNICH

I woke up at around 10am and I got hangover. I really drank too much yesterday!! But I was still fine and not too sick.

We had brunch at home, Kristin prepared a lot of food and she still remembers that we likd foie gras!! Elka came over to Michele's home and we had food together. She would to to Oktoberfest again in the evening coz her friends had reserved tables there and it would be the last day of the Oktoberfest.

Michele joked that we could go if we want. Of course we could go but we said we would worry about him coz he had to work on the next day.

Then in the afternoon we had a walk in a garden. The weather was so nice and it was good to have a walk outside.

Many people just sat outside and had food and beer. European really enjoys sunbathing!! I like the warm sun but just don't like to get tanned.

We had a ride on the boat on the lake. It was very relaxing and fun!! I enjoyed a lot!! I know it would be tiring to ride so I didn't try. I preferred just sitting on the boat and enjoy the breeze and the nice view.

There is nothing much to do on Sundays coz the shops and even the supermarkets are closed on Sunday. I just don't understand that and I think it's hard for me to get used to it!!

After walking around the park, we went back home and then Michele asked us if we would like him driving us with his bike. I told him I wanted to drive his bike more but he knew that I don't have license LOL It was my first time to be ridden on the bike!! It was very exciting!!

Michele didn't drive too fast, only 60-70 km/hr but I could feel the speed!! The wind was hitting my face and I felt so cold!! Other than that it was really fun and exciting!! I liked it a lot!! Really hope that I could drive a bike one day!! Michele said he could drive me to highway next time if I had proper clothes. He even said he had driven 200km/hr once!!

Then we went back home, Michele made the pizza for us. There were a lot of ingredients such as hams, salami, tuna, cheese... etc... I thought it would be difficult to make a pizza but it looked easy!! Kristin made some salad as well. I liked both pizza and salad!! They were delicious!! :)

DAY 9 MUNICH

I woke up at 6.30am this morning coz Michele said we had to go to Oktoberfest very early. We had to depart home at 8am. I thought he was joking coz last year we didn't go there so early. Kristin didn't come with us coz she has baby and she can't drink and smoke.

We arrived at the tent at around 8.30am and Michele said it was a bit late coz there were many people waiting outside the tents already!! I was a bit surprised!! The tents were opened at 9am to 11pm and becoz it was the last weekend of Oktoberfest, so many people go there on Saturday.



It was so cold with rain, a big contrast with last year!! Last year was very hot!! It was freezing to wait outside the tent!!

We met Michele's friend Elka outside the tent and then we got in at 9am. We ordered 1L beer mixed with lemonade and some bread for breakfast. It was strange for me to drink beer in the early morning!! Michele said Beer mixed with lemonade wasn't beer and he only counted it as half liter of beer on our bet (I didn't expect that!! I thought it counted as one liter!)

Then later Michele's other friend Toby came and we ordered some white sausages (Munchner WeiBwurste). It tasted very good!! I liked it very much!! Michele said it was a traditional sausages in Munich as breakfast. People eat a lot in the Oktoberfest and then they won't get drunk easily.

Inside the tent it wasn't as hot as I expected. Last year it was very hot but this year was cool. This tent was smaller comparing with last year but the atmosphere was still good. They had live which was started at 12pm and people danced and sing when the live band started.

I drank 1L beer mixed with lemonade and 3L of beer!! Amazing!! I drank more than last year!! But of course I didn't have clear mind after drinking that much beer. I hardly remember what I did in the afternoon. I only remember we talked a lot and took some pics. At around 4pm we changed to another table coz our table was reserved. We met some young lads and we talked to them and drink again.

We went back home at around 9pm but I can't remember how we went home. Michele and Connie told me that we went home by taxi from the train station. And we had food at Burger King before going home. They told me that I did something silly but I don't believe it!! Michele said he won the bet and he made fun on me that I couldn't drink at all!! Shit!! I really did drink 4L in total!! What I can say is German beer is too strong!!