Bryan Wong: roaming in Europe December 2011

[chialc]

My brain wave resonance with Bryan this morning when he talks about his solo European trip last year. No camera crew and with nobody.

Bryan is a very special person and if I were to go for a guided tour, I'll choose to go with Bryan. VWY=Versatile, Witty and Young at heart.

He suddenly has a urge to run-away (typical isn't it?).

Impromptu, he landed in Frankfurt, train to Austria, took a taxi up Alpine, train to Hungary, ordered a table full of feast and touched a soul on Charles Bridge.

The following pictures documents what happen from my imagination:

Busy, busy: Immersed in the sights and sounds at Vienna opera house:
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Reflection: Is there a mountain we can go? Bryan asked a taxi driver.
When he reached the mountain (likely part of Julian Alps), he became wild and charged down the mountain screaming out loud from his toe to his hair.... The powerful "Sound of Music":
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Fighting the lonely monster: At Hungary, Bryan thought that this is the time to splash and he ordered a table-full of treats. As for me, I'll zoom down to the Goulash:
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Lost in Budapest: Bryan was trying to lost his way one night and decided to trace back his route, wanted to have a deeper understanding of these places...
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A bit of history: For those who remembered, many years ago, during the cold war, Eastern Europe including Hungary was closely tie up with Russia. So, when the first McDonald opened in Budapest, imagine those rich people from all over eastern europe (Russia included), flop to Budapest just for a taste of the freedom (err... I mean McDonald)

Enjoy!
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[brattzz]

do wat u want with ur life!

GO GO GO!! don't hold back!

[chialc]

yup, I hope to go with Bryan next time...

[chialc]

Salzburg, anyone?

[Prelude: at Hotel Check-in]
My hostess recommended me to purchase the popular Salzburg Card. She says that all transportation will be included and she suggested a simple itinerary that’s bundle with the card too.
How nice… Danke.

[Next Day]
I eat my breakfast happily and step out into the sunshine. It’s summer time. it’s bright and sunny so early in the morning.

I bus to the city center and board the ferry to begin my itinerary. I intent to take the FIRST boat out and so wake up so early today. Nice and cool.

Despite the engine working hard, the boat is moving slowly. I put on my thinking hat and notice that we are on a river… and the water is flowing rapidly…but we are going against the rapid current…no wonder. This is going to be a long ride.

After we tunnel thru the Salzburg Bridge, the mood becomes peaceful as both sides of the river are densely vegetation and we are under the shades.

The river is rather straights and atmosphere getting more relax.
Suddenly, the boat makes a right-turn and from this angle, over the forest canopy, I saw a snow-capped mountain towering in front of me. Wow!

Million dollar view… I took a picture with my eyeball.

++++++++
Our boat stops at a small jetty and everyone come out and board a tall white coach.

Few minute later, we stop at a courtyard… in front of a bright yellow building. I read the signboard – Schloss Hellbrun.

The palace tour guide gets everyone to be seated in an open-air theater. He also invites some of us to sit around a stone table. After that, he goes through the history of the palace. Half way thru, everyone jump up from their seats and scream out loud…. (I leave it to you to find out when you’re there.)

++++++++
Later, I walk out of the Schloss and back to the courtyard. I notice a few tourists standing around a bus-stop but I’m not ready to go back. Some couples are walking along the road on the left hand side and I decided to follow them.

After walking 100m, they stop at a lamp-post/bus-stop. Mmm…
The bus comes and everyone go up. It rides thru the forest and stop at a place that looks like residential area to me.

I take a pause and look at the bus-schedule… I need to know when the last bus is leaving this place… still got plenty of time.

I noticed that everyone entering a small hut in front and follow them. It’s a cable-car station. The cable-car is fully enclosed and it is big enough to take everyone from the bus.

It’s a long ride up, probably the longest cable-car ride that I had taken. We ride past the forest, past the alpine trees, past the tree line into bare land.

The moment I step out of the cable-car, I sense that something is not correct.
It’s freezing cold. (Although I’m wearing my summer clothing, I felt naked.)
My survival instinct kick-in and I’m in high alert mood.
However, without hesitation, I walk out of the cable-car station.
I found a bench which is covered by the powder snow. ( I could barely distinguish its shape under the snow).
I use my hand to push away the snow…easy, easy.
I sit down and bend back to scoop up a handful of snow and it disappear into my mouth…
I lowered my eyelid and meditate.
I see myself transform into a small fairy… dancing, kicking, jumping, flying, and dashing in the snow.
I belong to the mountain, I am part of the nature, I am mother earth.
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Amazing Salzburg at Summer time.

[chialc]

Recommend: “小小传奇”

Amazing! Summer time and yet you were embraced by the white coat of snow at Salzburg's tall mountian "Untersberg".

Back to the town, you visited the famous musician - Mozart's house.

From that moment onward, your mind was filled with how talented Mozart was...
Your ears constantly hear his piano flying in the air...
The moment you close your eyes, you feel that you're floating in the air too.

Enjoy... http: Mozart music... the talented

Deep in your heart, you remind yourself that life is short.
Your life must matter!

Love Compassion

[chialc]

One of a easy way to spice up your trip or make it memorable is to engage in certain activities that either you always do it in your country or you don't.
If you plan for a cycling trip along the river...
I promise you that after 30 years, you'll still remember it vividly everyday. Maximum bang for your buck!


Are you ready to go to Donou 多瑙河?
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Tired？ took a train along the river:
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Enjoy the vineyard, ancient town and EXERCISE 3-in-1:
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picture googled from internet.

happy happy everyday.

[Temperament]

We (my wife & me) are planing to visit Italy or even Spain & Portugal next year. As we are Senior citizens with limited energy and limited strength to walk about, may we ask fellow travellers what is the most suitable way to tour ITALY. Maybe to forgo Spain and Portugal. Too old to take the stress of travelling too long and too far.

Actually, my dream is to attend a concert in Vienna Opera House -Austria. But we can not take the cold-Especially the cold with wind in any 4 seasons country.
So maybe tour AUSTRIA/SALZBURG, instead of ITALY.
Maybe spend a week or so in Vienna to attend more than one concert. And of course tour the Opera House.

[LionFlyer]

Take a land tour like trafalgar tours?

[Porkbelly]

Italy is very easy to get around.
The transport system is extensive and is kind for the elderly.

My wife & I are in our 50s and we have traveled in Italy last year ( Oct/Nov )
Particularly Rome/Naples/Assisi/Siena/Florence all using trains. Total of 16 nights and the total cost ( airfare, accommodation,meals, taxi, buses) was S$7,725.80. The exchange rate then was euro 1 = S$1.60.

We like self designed holidays and we spend at least 2 nights in each city/town. Of course that means lots of planning and research.. but its not unlike value investing! You gotta do the homework, and it is not all that difficult once a template, methodology is adopted.

I recommend this website :
http://www.roninrome.com/

An American who has created a very informative website to understand everything Italian! ( in English )
If you plan early, you may get good deals from airlines, hotels. We like to stay in unique hotels which are not part of a global chain.. your experience will be a little more intimate.

Like in all cities, countries.. risk management in safety & security should prevail. Italy is a very safe country to travel.. just observe common sense like you would when walking in Johore.

I am not much of an opera fan ( only musicals ) so I am sorry I cant say much there. Austria is a great place to visit too.. you could tie it in with Germany or Slovenia.. for the landscapes and vistas.
Just remember that Europe is old and many things tied to religion and history... to appreciate this you'll need to read a bit.

People should travel as often as possible ( not MRT!)
By the way, member Chia LC... thanks for all the wonderful pics and write ups on your travels.. its always refreshing to read.. Thank you!

[Temperament]

Italy is very easy to get around.
The transport system is extensive and is kind for the elderly.

My wife & I are in our 50s and we have traveled in Italy last year ( Oct/Nov )
Particularly Rome/Naples/Assisi/Siena/Florence all using trains. Total of 16 nights and the total cost ( airfare, accommodation,meals, taxi, buses) was S$7,725.80. The exchange rate then was euro 1 = S$1.60.

We like self designed holidays and we spend at least 2 nights in each city/town. Of course that means lots of planning and research.. but its not unlike value investing! You gotta do the homework, and it is not all that difficult once a template, methodology is adopted.

I recommend this website :
http://www.roninrome.com/

An American who has created a very informative website to understand everything Italian! ( in English )
If you plan early, you may get good deals from airlines, hotels. We like to stay in unique hotels which are not part of a global chain.. your experience will be a little more intimate.

Like in all cities, countries.. risk management in safety & security should prevail. Italy is a very safe country to travel.. just observe common sense like you would when walking in Johore.

I am not much of an opera fan ( only musicals ) so I am sorry I cant say much there. Austria is a great place to visit too.. you could tie it in with Germany or Slovenia.. for the landscapes and vistas.
Just remember that Europe is old and many things tied to religion and history... to appreciate this you'll need to read a bit.

People should travel as often as possible ( not MRT!)
By the way, member Chia LC... thanks for all the wonderful pics and write ups on your travels.. its always refreshing to read.. Thank you!

Sorry, what i mean is light opera like "The Phantom of the Opera". i also prefer musicals.