Sunshine in Santorini and Pioggia in Prague

It's a big change of weather no doubt, from the warm sunshine of Santorini to the typical coldness of western Europe here in Prague. As expected, there was no free internet access back at my hotel so i m resigned to using the free comps here at the conference centre in between breaks.

Santorini was really cool. Met R, an Australian who was travelling around Europe as a way of seeing the world while her boyfriend was serving his tour of duty in the Middle East. Explored pretty much of the island on a MOPED (yup, its the 4-wheeler tuk-tuk look alike & i m the driver). Mingled around with a bunch of Texas medical students on their post-graduation tour and had a smashing good time. Definitely a place to re-visit again next time (and for those lovey-dovey couple, it's definitely highly recommended)

Prague was next thereafter. Had to shuffle between the conference venue and the city centre (which are by no means near) and so had to take about 2 days to visit Prague castle. Didn't get to see the crown jewels though as there was a super long queue for it (yes, its comparable to the nonsence queuing in Florence) and i simply refused to commit 3 hours of my time to it :p Anyway, took my time to slowly explore the place and also lazed around in the hotel room. (Wouldn't bore u guys with the contents of the conference but i did make it a point to come every day for the lectures i m interested in ^-^ There supposedly was another colleague here but didn't get to see his poster though :( Anyway, was trying to get an earlier flight to Athens but realised they only had 2 left so will be missing out on the fireworks there tonight...

Haha it does all seem a bit incoherent again but i guess its the effect of too much meat and drinks. R was mentioning about this detoxifiying diet that she took back in Austaralia which had set me interested. Anybody with any idea what is it about? Oh well, till next time...

Quick Roundup So Far

Well, the same pattern once again emerges. Upon movement into a true hotel for the final leg of my journey, i had to stop blogging for there's no longer any free internet access left. Anyway, just a quick summary of events so far...

Firenze is without a doubt a romantic city in itself. To put it simply into words, if Venice was like a love concerto tugging at your heartstring with every beat, then Florence will be a gentle melodious love song that leaves you savouring its sweetness after hearing it. Yup, the city had given me so muh emotions that i would have love to blog it on the spot lest for the accessibility (Well to be fair, the hostel did have internet access but it was occupied)

Milan, fashion capital and true to its reputation, everyone look trendy and cool. But sadly, the things are so happy that it makes a joke of the label "Ready to Wear" when all i can do is just see and dream. Oh but the San Siro is a different thing all together. I was pretty disappointed with the stadium tour, museum or store for it was not even up to the standard of Weserstadion but... The atmosphere that was transmitted during the Inter-Fiorentina match was indescribable. Pity, i can't remember the lyrics for the match song though but it was really an experience of a lifetime. The tremors of the stadium, the holy chanting, the firecrackers going off and finally seeing and supporting one of your teams in a historical stadium and being with them when they score the winning goals, WOW!!!!!!

Had a small stopover in Singapore for 3 nights after Milan. Did a call which was okay but the jet lag almost killed me. Did not acheive my aim of doing the ops tough for i think i sprained my wrist during my "Escape from Milan" (That's another story which doesn't fit the brief title) but yup tried to avoid going to OT because i feel that i can't do a proper job. The wrist still hurting today.

Yup and now i am back in the Meditarranean. Everyone kept talking about Santorini back home and the first impression that it gave me upon touchdown was that it was truly up to standard. Beautiful beaches, houses and rocks, now it makes me feel that 2 days is just too short. Anyway, since i just arrived, will try to see if i can blog more about it. There's a queue for the computer so ciao for now...

One Rainy Day In Rome

Well its 6 pm here in Rome and i bet u guys must be wondering what i m doing here blogging. It has been raining since morning and there is no way i can go anywhere. I had already done the option of going to the Vatican but i came out too late so there was not enough time to explore the museums and that can offer some shelter. As for the rest of Rome, well the monuments are all outdoors so its virtually no go. Sigh...

Anyway, just some words on Rome. Its a nice place really (not that i will say beautiful) but nice. Imagine walking down the streets and seeing monuments that were built by people hundreds of years ago and yet u r walking down the same pavements as them. Wow! I will not call it romantic but it has a special charm which distinguish it from the other Italian cities and more importantly saves it from the bad feel of many countries' capital. And the other thing i can't believe is that the metro stopped at 11pm. And for that matter, i had to make the entire journey back from the Spanish steps to the Vatican on foot. Was so exhausted that i totally dun feel like moving today (so it may actually be a good thing, the rain), not to mention the various blisters that are now on my foot. £&#@£$&%$7"/)

3 cities and 3 different feels. Italy is turning out to be quite an amazing experience. Will be having 2 more days here before i go to Florence. A bit worried though, Florence is the city i anticipate most but yet i now fear that it may not match up to my expectations so hopefully...

Beautiful Venice & Dangerous Naples

Finally embarked on my long awaited Italy trip. Spent the first 3 days in 2 cities which are simply contrasting in styles. Venice, one of Europe (or even the world) romantic cities and it definitely lived up to its name. It may have been replicated (both in Vegas and in Macau) and although i had never been to either, i truly believed that its spirit can never be replicated. Yup, comparing this city to Paris, it doesnt disappoint. St Mark's Square, a place that we read in books allures in the day with its courtyard full of pigeon yet continues to exude charm when night falls as the light emits a beautiful aura. The Rialto, a bridge made known to me from Shylock's mouth is bustling in the day, yet releases a rustic Venetian charm among the hustle and bustle. But what really moved me the most was an aspect that is not written in books. Take a stroll along the Canal behind the Academia (not the Grand Canal, but another whose name just slipped from me). The nice soothing breeze against the back drop of a setting sun as one views from afar the various churches with their beautiful domes on the outlying islands. Venice -- truly lovely...

And then we move on to Naples. Could have been the toll of travelling on the train without sleeping well or it could have been my eagerness to rush to my hostel for i let my guard down in the one place which i know i have to be on high alert. End result -- i got pickpocketed. They were really well prepared and organised for the action began the moment i crossed the road. They blocked my way to the entrance of the bus and i dunno what possessed me to actually board from the back. I was thus blocked and sandwiched in between the gang and the stupid me still hasnt realised i was duped. It took a good 30s before i felt a hand going into my left pocket when i realised what was going on. I slapped the hand but i realised i was already in trouble. And what nailed it was being offered back my card holder. Was pretty demoralised after the incident for i was upset with myself for being so careless. Also didnt know whether i should laugh or cry after the incident for the pickpockets were actually very "helpful" in the way that i was not allowed out of their net untill they returned me my documents. Yup they were quite good at blocking me out there and then. Fortunately for me, well i did not have a wallet so that was not stolen. The spare money that was put inside were not spotted, my handphone in my left pocket were saved in time and my camera was still in my bag. I don't think there was any loss but seriously i am still too stunned to do a proper check. Anyway, that incident spoiled the day for me and whole day i was reflecting on how careless i was. No longer felt safe in Naples after this and the look of the people on the streets after 8 all looked so shady. The shops were all closed also. One can say that i am biased after the incident but this is really one city which i do not dare venture out alone at night...

PS : To those who are reading, please keep Incident 2 from my mum...