A Youth Backpacker in Europe

Part II Chapter VI

Venice, the Sinking City

Venice is very beautiful.

That’s the arguably the first utterance of people related to Venice. Undoubtedly, it is unique; an entirely auto-free archipelago surrounded by numerous meandering canals and is connected by more than 400 bridges. Not to mention also is the world renowned gondolas that promise to burn your pocket mercilessly.

Venice is said to be virtually the same as it was six  hundred years ago and many believe the romantic charm remains even in this fast paced century.

When I was in Milan, one of my hosts shared his love story with me. He and his girlfriend weren’t lovers back then. But during his now girlfriend stay in Venice, he went to Venice and proposed a relationship with  her, which was fruitful of course, under the famous Realto Bridge followed by strolling a night out in the late summer breeze.

Indeed, the atmosphere of Venice was certainly conducive for the invention of many romantic epics that would be dwelt upon with great relish for at least a period of a life time. But perhaps avoiding the summer vacation period would be a requisite condition.

Travelled alone to Venice in mid September, I was as usual never short of company from the swamps of international tourists. It was especially true when I was at the Realto Bridge, impressing myself with the breathtaking and mesmerising view of the Grand Canal. I endeavoured to paint a very romantic love story with prevailing couple kissing passionately at the proximity of the bridge.

Sadly, the constant camera shutter beeping and the proverbial “say cheese” chant inevitably pulled my legs down to the ground for the entire time. Fortunately, I didn’t get hit by camera as I had experienced in Musée de Louvre.

Celebrating my sheer luck in successful avoidance of camera accident, I noticed that in Venice, despite the fact that horrendous Italian English is as cliché as Venice is very beautiful, every Italian was surprisingly fluent in English. If intoxicated in an incomprehensible foreign language is your kind of romantic illustration, I am afraid it will render a pathetic outlook here. Not to forget is also the potential grimace of pain on your face whilst squeezing in your path on the jam-packed Realto Bridge.

Enough about Realto Bridge, what about Saint Mark’s Square and Saint Mark’s Basilica, and also the Venetian masks? Well, three words to describe these three objects: massive, splendid and plentiful respectively. 

Did I buy a Venetian mask? All I can say is instead of investing time and money in choosing the perfectly matched mask, I indulged in cone after cone of Italian ice-cream and satisfied with the purchase of a Venetian mask pin. What I looked forward to was not the worry of damaging the expensive mask in my luggage, but the immense energetic waving in front of me.

Join me next time in the grand entry to the ancient powerhouse, Rome, a.k.a. the eternal city.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A Youth Backpacker in Europe
Part II Chapter V
Milano, the Glittering City


I was profoundly excited to have finally reached Italy, the arguably most frequented European country. Origin of Renaissance, Italian ice-cream, paradise of world leading fashion brands including my favourite Dolce and Gabbana, and the world renowned horniness of Italian men, the inundation of street kissing scenes and the constant bombardment of “Ciao bello!”, Italy surely never lacked of charming characteristics.

In Milano, the heaven for fashion lovers was however surprisingly less attractive. It was shocked to learn from my Milanese hosts that Milan is actually the most expensive city in Italy, even more so than the capital Rome, and the city is famous for businesses rather than tourism.

After three days in Milano, I couldn’t agree more with my hosts. The only attractions in the city were Piazza Duomo and Castello Sforzesco. Exacerbated by the gloomy weather and heavy downpour during my first day of visit, Milan was surely nothing more than a hectic business centre that was drenched in heavy wet blanket.

However, when the weather was delectable, it was definitely joyous to wander on the multiple-lane boulevard with a waffle con ice-cream capped with especially liquirizia flavour, and to immerse myself in the energetic and fast-paced atmosphere of the city.

I wasn’t stayed in the city centre. Instead, I spent my 4 days with my host in Inzago, a suburban area of Milano. It took me an hour of bus and underground rides each time before I reached the city centre. It is worth mentioning the difference between these two places despite the fact that they are just some tens of kilometres away.

The major distinction between Inzago and Milano was the disparity between the rich and poor. Certainly, the rich are those living in Milano city centre and the poor are the suburbanites.

It was very interesting to pass by the dazzlingly glamorous street cafés with people dressed up in flawlessly pressed suits or glimmering trendy dresses, as if they were gold coated statues posing with their extravagantly served Italian cuisines and sipping in their soul grasping cappuccino or espresso. You can tell from the scene that even the cameriere were attired in supreme quality uniform.

Contrary to the sparkling portrait of Milanese, people living in Inzago were severely plainly touched. However, the friendliness, the warming hugs, and the passionate culture sharing that got me accustomed to Italian culture sooner than I had anticipated, which were scarcely available in Milano centre was abundant here.

My hosts weren’t filthy rich people. In fact, they watched their spending cautiously. But during my stay in their house, the munificent of Italian hospitality was never inadequate. It was in their house that I truly experienced that an adventure in the local culture depends not on solvency. It could be simple garden picked fresh ingredients for pesto mixed with homemade penne pasta, accompanied by an afternoon of lazy conversation on a swinging chair with two gigantic and human language literate dogs.

English was of course a major obstacle. But the eagerness of Italian to make you understand of their conversations was what I truly appreciated.

It was indeed a good chapter of introduction to my Italian voyage and I was thankful to my Milanese hosts. They had given me the best hosting experience and they had surely proved friendly Italian hospitality plausible.

Continuing my journey, I came to Venice, the sinking city. Were there really artists clothed in Venetian masks in Piazza St. Marco? Join me next time in Sambal Delivery Post to find out.








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A Youth Backpacker in Europe
Part II Chapter VI
Thusis - Filisur - Pontresina - St. Moritz - Tirano

Travel Dates: 10/9/2008-11/9/2008


After Zürich, my Swiss journey embarked with a cycling trip from Thüsis to Filisur. I picked up my pre-booked bicycle at Thüsis train station, which costs me circa €30. It was a 3okm cycling route marked grade 6 in Swiss standard, which is the hardest. I believed it wouldn't be too bad. But I truly underestimated the overestimated average stamina level for a normal person in Swiss standard.

Still looking naively happy before the real torture kicked in. Sigh...

But seriously, even with crystal clear road signs, downhill was just too limited. It was good to perform some exercise, but I just didn't want to commit suicide whilst surrounded by heavenly environment.

It was plain exhausting. There was literally near to zero enjoyment. So I gave up in the end when I saw the sign showing Tiefencastel. Thanks God it was downhill this time. And whilst I was in the train to Pontresina, there was a sight which reminded me of my own misery - two cyclists paddling up the impossible Alps.

A side dish, the good thing about this kind of train I took is you can stick your head outside of the carriage and enjoy the fascinating Swiss natural beauty, if the massive glass window couldn't already quench your thirst for more. But be mindful, you wouldn't want to bang your head on the entrance of the too-many tunnels.

Before settled down in my only hostel in the entire Swiss travel at Pontresina, I went to the world renowned Landwasser Viaduct. at Filisur It is a UNESCO World Heritage. But seriously, not all that impressive to look at it up close. The weather probably didn't do it any justice as well. So I left. And who knew a check in to the hostel made me three new friends?

The next morning, it was an unexpected hiking trip to St. Moritz with these three newly made friends. It was easy walk but uneasy digestion to the constant bombardment of breathtaking scenery. Luckily I survived.

After 15 minutes more of walking, we arrived at St. Moritz. This is where winter Olympics was held for three times. The most number of times of the same city hosting the event. But of course, it doesn't look winter-y in September. Still a few hours before my train departure, what to do? What about a cheese fondue? Yum yum...

About an hour later, there it was the final Swiss tourist attraction - Brusio Viaduct. Yes, another one. But do you know this one is a cock screw like viaduct that revolves to a full 360 degree?

I quickly grasped the soon-going-to-be-missed Swiss Alps landscape whilst I still can. Did you see the snow capped Alps? Did you see how snow turned into stream? Did you see how there is always a lake suddenly? Now, are you feeling the same way as me - sourly jealous of Swiss to have this scenery everyday? Having reached the end station in Southern Switzerland, it is officially the denouement of my Swiss travel experience. Stood literally in between Switzerland (yellow building) and Italy (white building), a sense of thrill surged from the bottom of my heart. Can you believe I was finally in Italy?

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A Youth Backpacker in Europe
Part II Chapter V
Zürich, the Best Living Quality City

City: Zürich
Country: Switzerland
Currency: Swiss Franc
Travel Dates: 07/09/2008 - 10/09/2008


Contradictory to many common beliefs, Zürich is not the capital of Switzerland. Instead, Bern is actually the capital city. However, Zürich often steals the lime light as the commercial and cultural capital of Switzerland. Does it have the quality to be crowned such a heavy title? I can’t do the justification as Bern wasn’t in my travel list. But if the best living quality city is the title of survey, my vote will definitely be casted to Zürich.


Located just 30km north of the Alps, Zürich is definitely a green city. With great hiking spots such as Uetliberg just a subway away from the city centre, Zürich is definitely offering its inhabitants the perfect blending quality of life between work and a peace of mind.









And if wooded hills are not dazzling to you, the very scenic Lake Zürich or Zürichsee, which had now cliché scenery to me, was another charming facet of the city. Lake Zürich if according to me is a literally harmonious living environment for human, animals, and commerce. Boarded on a city boat at central station to casino stop had opened my eyes to the optimised utilisation of the lake. Very often, an observation to a protruding human head next to a boat in the middle of the lake, with slight decoration of a few lazing swans as background was not something bizarre.

I didn’t visit to any pub in the city, which of course is what a typical day in Zürich is famous for, as I had a great host orgainising various activities for me. But I reckon if I am literate in German language, which is the common language spoken at this part of Switzerland, I am sure inundation of the liveliness of Swiss living lifestyle is inevitable and pretty much welcomed. Even a simple stroll along Lake Zürich soothed my sight with ordinary people appraising the finest quality of living.








Swiss people claim lifestyle in Zürich is hectic. Undoubtedly, the traffic was slightly busy than any other city in Switzerland. However, this is a city that shows a brilliant management and coordination of human manoeuvre. And most importantly, despite being labelled one of the most expensive living cities in the world, public transports was surprisingly very tourist friendly.

A simple day ticket that grants access to all mean of transport is cheap. And if you have the various discount package, for example the half price ticket as I had, transportation in Zürich could mean literally nothing in your expenses.






But surely, infamously known as the most expensive city in the world is not without reasons. A simple sandwich package bought in a convenient store could be some 30% pricier than any other capital in Europe. But with the average earning well above the average in other capitals, who would care about the prices here?

One good thing about travelling in Zürich in September was the weather was lovely. The weather was nicely ranged between 14C to 22C, with much appreciated sunshine. And even though I wouldn’t risk my life again in the future, I would still recommend a free bicycle rental from one of the many points around the city that gives you the pleasure, if not nerve wrecking, to explore the city’s relatively fast paced traffic. Beware of the speedy and less considerate cars though as there is no specific cycling lanes in most parts of the city. But this doesn’t affect much of a great impression left for the city.





If there is one place in the world that worth lifelong living consideration, Zürich is definitely highly recommended. I enjoyed my time in Zürich, and certainly the €26 for 16 tiny chocolate balls.


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