The last leg of the race

I think I deserve to take part in the Amazing Race, I am sure that I will be able to compete in that without much problems. Heck, might even win!

Can't believe that I am almost at the end of my travel, 7 long glorious weeks of wandering (almost) around Europe. Just the other day, I realised that I've actually taken all possible modes of transportations! Planes, trains, subways, trams, funiculars, boats, cars! You name it and I would have done it already. I even managed to use all 3 of Paris's airports! Crazy. Yes, indeed when I look back at what I have done, I can't believe I actually did them.

Am now in England. Can't even remember the time I started wanting to come here. It is like a dream to be here. Visiting monuments and areas of names that I know so well but yet have never been to is just a fantastic experience. I only wished that I had enough time, energy and money to visit Stratford-upon-Avon, Stonehenge, Oxford etc. I will have to come back here another time. For now I am contented to be just in London, to see the Phantom, to visit Madame Tussauds (absolutely amazing!), the British Museum. The best part? NO language problem, yeah! lolz... brilliant!

Photos of Venice below, check it out!

cheers, J

Does it look postcard-ish or what?

What is Venice without gondolas?

Alyona, Marc and me at St.Mark's Square

Me and Marc on the vaporatti (water bus)

Venezia Sept 05-07

Norway 25th-30th Aug

Norway.... land of Vikings and of trolls... of terrible tales and heroic voyages. Also a land of fjords and wonderful sceneries that only New Zealand can rival with.

Bergen is Norway's 2nd largest city, after Oslo. But it is so different from Oslo. It seems that Bergens to not consider themselves to be part of Norway.... or so the tour guide said as we took a quick bus tour around the city's attractions. Must be the region thing, which is not at all uncommon in Europe.

So here are some photos to titilate your senses... and a quick note to the last few photos on food... in order... whale meat, reindeer, and moose. Yes, you have read it correctly... those 3 are Norway's specialities... ^_^

Yours trolly.... J

from your friendly trolls in Flam (pronounced Flom)

Norwegian food

Moose....moose...moose...

reindeer! yes... rudolf...

raw whale meat....

more more scenery...

scenery...

A stave church, typically Norwegian

With Alyona. Both of us enjoying the sun ^_^

First day in Bergen, Norway. Gorgeous weather, fairytale town.

My French classmates (well half of them anyways) and my professor who is in pink. This was a class excursion to a park in Paris.

Ciao!

ITaly... Venice... canals... gondolas... After a month in Paris, and a quick tour or Norway, I finally made it to Italia....

Venice is gorgeous. And why shouldn't it be? With great sunny weather that reminds me of home, and after the coldness of France, what a welcomed change. 7 of us, a small house to ourselves for 3 days 2 nights. What wonderful liberty!

Between riding on the vaporatti (water buses), strolling down the well trodden and narrow streets of Venice, being part of the 20 million visitors that come to Venice each year, can't say things aren't great. However, one must be highly aware of pigeons (+ pigeons poo) at St Mark's square!! Standing still/ seating still regardless makes one perfect pigeon's poo's target... as yours truly have discovered.

The downside of Venice? IT is sinking... and amongst all its beauty, there is an air of fatiguity that one cannot not miss. Being back in Florence, and having to choose between the Italian cities that I have been to (which is not a lot, just Rome to make it 3), I must say I like Florence the best.

BUt other than that, I was in good company, a wondeful guide and friend who made my short trip excellent and memorable. Thanks Marc!