Travel travel travel

Came across this travbuddy website
this map shows where I've travelled to,
it really doesnt look like much on the world map
How biggg is this world.....

it amazes me sometimes how sm pple
can just assume that they've travelled the world
when they really havent even seen a whole continent..
The World's too big to be explored completely
and I wld be happy enough to uncover it inch by inch..

It's always been my passion to travel
I guess it started with island hopping in SEA
Had this really good travelling partner Jwenda,
we wanted to see the same things, we had the same pace,
we were young n full of energy to see the world.
we dont keep in touch at all these days
it's a pity cos I rarely find someone right to travel with.

I realise how impt it is to travel w a right partner.
Then again, there is NEVER a 'right' travel partner,
there are only suitable travel partners,
whom u have the same aim,
feel comfortable with n have no qualms making decisions w.

I have found the perfect one,
Alberto has been my best travelmate.
I never felt mentally exhausted or the need to be alone,
when I travel with him.
I always feel relaxed, nt stressed to decide where to go,
wat to do.. it always seems like a real travelling experience, with him ;)

Anyhow, this year's been filled with lotsa travelling,
I'd almost fulfilled my destination list: (for the NewYear 07)
1. Turkey
2. Morocco
3. Venice
4. Egypt & Africa --- nxt on my list! saving hard for it!!
5. South America-- that will have to wait...till we get enuff savings..

Dont get me wrong,
Travelling, to me, isnt about conquering the world,
or ticking off a list of 'places-to-go-before-i-die'
it's about a whole process/journey of discovering myself,
of taking a step closer to finding out what life is.
It's the beauty of discovering someone else's culture, traditions,
their heritage and their way of life.

World's too big, life's too short
I still have loads to uncover.
I can't wait to see more of this earth...

Venice enchantment

Aft mths of planning,
I gave Alberto a hugeee surprise ;)
I broke the news thru' a surprise dinner
(i made him think tt i was out with melinda lol)
and Voila!
a feast of seafood salad, mixed grill & Cava...
i told him we were going to Venice!

I booked a real nice hotel Villa Dori
where we had my dream-come-true 4-poster bed
ahhh how romantic...

the lobby was beautifully designed
victorian style walls, n furniture..

we were starving...
some Paninis and Italian beer!

we hit central Venice!
Piazza Roma
first thing: gelato!!!

I felt like I was in dreamland..
a dream come true for me
a whole city built on sea
unbelievably natural n gorgeous..
i was immersed in romance ;)

everywhere was unique Venetian masks, & gelato!

me & Alberto at the local market

Ponte de Rialto

narrow canals were filled with Gondolas..
of cos we didnt take them,
they were for rich silly tourists..

a peek at the magnificent Piazza San Marco

tons of pigeons filled the Piazza
Alberto stretched out his arms
n pigeons flocked onto them
it was pretty incredible...

Palacio Ducal

Chillin' by the Gran Canal..
I tried Venetian Spritz.
mixture of Wine n an apertif..

Gran Canal

We took the vaporetto instead of the Gondola
to cruise along the Gran Canal
and take in a wonderful view of the floating city..
it was the most memorable part of the trip
n the beauty of the architecture, colors n smell..

DINNER
We picked a romantic restaurant along a canal
I had fantastic seafood tomato-based pasta
Alberto had a tiny cream-based tortellini..
it was so tiny, i bet he was still hungry aft
Wine in Italy is always the best
nowhere else beats that..

1st thing we did on 2nd day
was TO GORGE OURSELVES
with Italian foooood!
we went to a superb restaurant, had a set menu for 12.50euros
(2 courses, appetizer, wine & bread!)
it was motherfucking yummylicious!

For the 1st dish,
I had spaghetti bolognaise (simple, bt w havenly rich sauce)
2nd dish, I had the Venetian bites
an assortment of local fish
cooked in various culinary styles..
the best I've ever had..

luv the unique Venetian masks

Walkin' thru the tiny streets and narrow canals
admiring the natural beauty of the whole city
intrigues me how it was constructed centuries ago..

Masks, local sweets, & playing with dogs..
taking a relaxing walk in Venice

we both bought Venetian masks
in the crowded market!!!
managed to get a great bargain!
look how mysterious we look,
i swear Im gonna use mine the nxt Halloween..

Nxt day, we visited the Basilica in San Marco
it was magnificent n historial
the view from the top was awesome as well..

LUNCH
decided to skip nice lunches in the posh restaurants
instead we bought lunch
n ate it sitting by the square..
gave me a different feel, a more authentic one.

A Calzone
(pizza folded into half, melted cheese &ham..)
u get the picture

An involtino
woho~ that's gotta be the best wrap Ive ever had
lotsa meat, lettuce, cheese, ham, tomatoes..

Cruisin' to the 3 neighbouring islands
we paid 20euros for a 4-hr excursion to 3 interesting islands
Murano, Burano and Torcello..
all of which produce typical products of Venice

1st stop: Murano
it's famous for the Murano glass it manufactures
world-wide fame has of cos caught up w this tiny island
We went for a show
where the expert displayed his skills
in designing/manufacturing this special glass
he was more of an artist
it was pretty interesting actually

2nd stop: Burano
its colourful houses line the canals
adding a vibrant touch to this otherwise small town
It produces the lace that is sold all over Venice
n of cos we had realli good gelato again in this lil island..

lotsa masks again..

Saying goodbye to enchanting Venice.
As touristic as it might be,
Venice was much more beautiful and natural
than I had ever imagined.
A city built on sea,
it truely is a phenomenon
that everyone shld take a look once in ur life.

Italy never fails to charm me
with that relaxing, comfortable atmosphere..
the laughter of the people,
the easy-going ambience..
I think I might would love to live there
to experience the real Italy myself ;)

This trip to Venice was like a dream
mystifying, surreal n charming..

Life's changing 'cos Summer's here

So summer's officially here.
the longest day in the year has come and gone.
the arrival of summer also means
a long holiday for me...
and transitions in my life...
everything feels like it's coming to an end.
everyone seems to be just walkin ard, soakin up the sun,
there's no more work or hectic lifestyle.

Friends from backhome have just left
Melinda's travelling in Italy
ALberto's still busy working
so are my other friends..
that leaves me, myself and I...
Spending some time by myself
can be quite therapeutic and relaxing
but excessive time just makes me go crazy!

Having time to myself
always allows my mind to run free, n wild
some thoughts that never occurred to me
always pop up in my mind like a lightbulb
it always has got to do with my travelling plans...

Nxt week I'll flying off to England
for a summercamp that I don't exceptionally look forward to
bt well, one has to work n feed oneself..
and this's a great opportunity
to save up! and to see my frens back in the UK!

Looking forward to the summer aft England
we'll be driving along Costa del Sol
visitng all the beautiful beaches I've heard so much of
seeing one of the most beautiful islands in the world (according to a magazine...)
and going on a cruise ard the Mediterreanean!

Life's full of hope
I shld be embracing it!

Hitting the beach in Valencia

One last trip with Ivar before he left for home
we headed to the most popular beach getaway for the Madrileños
VALENCIA!!!
after a 4hr drive, we got our asses there
first thing- hit the beach!!
it was all warm and sunny
ahhh thank god it was pouring in Madrid

so we lazed alil on the beach
the white boys just cldnt stand the heat within an hr
damn! these losers..
there were loadsa topless chicks thou,
such a waste

After the beach,
we checked out the world famous Oceanographia!
Europe's biggest Aquarium.

Together with the Museum of Arts & Science,
they impress the world with
state-of-the-art technologically enhanced architecture
The white slick designs
with the turqoise water as a background
brings out the best combination..

Modern technology can be beautiful too..

Ivar playing with the water..

And then, it was back to the hotel
Ivar'd booked an expensive, bt nice hotel in the suburbs
great view of the pool
and al fresco dining area
a Wedding took place in the evening
n we thot of crashing the wedding!
(imagine the endless flow of laughter, n alcohol..)
too bad it rained!!!

Nxt morning
we cldnt wait to sunbathe
and have some fun in the pooooooooooool!!!!

the wedding crowd
we were eyein on this table filled with bottles of rum n vodka..

Lunch by the beach

woohoo~ the food was greeeat
esp the Mussels.. my all-time favourite..
n of cos we had to try the Original Paella from Valencia
it was alil disappointing thou

Walking round downtown Valencia
was tiring, but loadsa historical buildings to see

The Bullfighting ring, the main cathedral...

us with stupid actions
we decided our usual poses are too boring
so Ivar made us jump, or stand on a leg.. :P

That's it! Valencia was a superb city
i sure hope to go back someday
Ivar's gone, bt im sure we'll see him soon!!