Day 23: Au revoir Paris!

After almost 23 days into our trip, it was time to say goodbye to yet another amazing city. I love Paris. I really do.

The day started with a quick breakfast before we had to make our way to Gare du Nord to catch the Eurostar to London St Pancras International. We had to hurry as we were got a bit late trying to find the right terminal and then had to go through customs before we board the train.

We made it just in time. And soon we realised the air conditioning in our carriage was not working. Shouldn't be that big a deal in Europe you say? Well you are wrong, the route to London is under the sea and with 100+ people seated it tends to got pretty stuffy.

The entire trip it was just Tan and me. I was glad to finally meet family. My cousin Ryan came to receive us at  St Pancras International and he was a blessing. Or else we would have been lost a new city as usual. He introduced us to the Oyster card, it's a blue plastic card used for public transport - tubes and buses which you need to put credit on in order to travel. Wow! I loved it.

We then rode the tube, OMG this too is awesome, to his home which was at Clapham Common. We switched different lines on the tube to get there (more about the tube later) and the famous red bus to finally reach his home.There's a fabulous meal cooked. Chicken Xacuti, mashed potatoes and salad. Oh man am stuffed. Finally I ate a full meal.

Time-out! Will be back after my siesta...phew what a lunch.

Day 8: Bye Bye Italy. Hello Switzerland!

It's our last few hours in Italy. And from the time I have been here, that's about a week, I have grown to love everything about this country - the food, the people, the culture, the art,architecture, sculpture and even the language. I love Italy!

From Bologna we had to make our way to Switzerland - the land of snow covered mountains as far as the eye can see. We took the Intercity Plus to Milano (Milan) which cost us 20 Euros and from Milan to Interlaken Ost just 5 Euros aboard the Eurostar, thanks to our Eurail pass. They journey to Interlaken involved a lot of train switching. Milano Centrale to Spiez to Brig to Interlaken. 

The view on our journey was breathtaking. The Italian countryside is so laid back and wonderful. Few houses, a church in the middle of nowhere. Wow! Then we entered a long long tunnel which lasted for almost 20-25 minutes, in the meantime I dozed off as there was nothing to see, and then suddenly blingly light... voila! Switzerland baby! And I see snow. I almost do a little jig in my seat.

For those travelling to Europe and intend visiting Switzerland, make sure you apply for a Swizz visa. Then my Schengen Visa did'nt permit entering into this European country. 
Do note this was at the time of my travel. Please do check the Schengen Visa site for the latest updates. 

After quick switchovers at Spiez & Brig which are in Switzerland and temperatures hovering single digits, we find ourselves at Interlaken West. This city is just a kilometer long, which I discovered on my numerous walks. Thankfully the hotel - Hotel Central Continental was just across the station and it took no time for us to settle in the warmth of our room. Our room was beautiful. Huge French windows and the decor was glamorous yet with character.

The view from our room was awesome. We could see the snow covered mountains, a river just below our balcony window, swans, ducks paddling by...it was heaven on earth. After a long lazy soak in the tub, we stepped out to grab sandwiches (our staple diet) and sat on the balcony enjoying our dinner. I could'nt believe that I was enjoying this kind of a life. I feel blessed. I feel wonderful to be in Switzerland. 

Day 6: 3 cities. 1 day.

Bologna - Firenze - Pisa
Phew! What a day. I don't know how we managed it, but we did. Whoohooo! We got up early and made our way to Firenze. 

Firenze (Florence)

Having got to Firenze, we made our to the Duomo and were off to see David. The real one! Followed the map to Galleria dell 'Accademia. The streets were filled with street artist, musicians and fine artists, and graffiti. They lent the perfect mood and made the wait to enter the museum interesting. We even gave our hard earned Euros to the artists, appreciating their talent. There are some things you just had to do :). 

After almost an hour we enter the museum. It holds many of Michelangelo's unfinished sculptures. Listen and you will feel the sculptures talk to you. As you walk through the gallery, you see him. If the copy was so amazing, then believe me when I say that the real David was gorgeous. Tan and I were transfixed. We must have stood starring at David for eternity. Till we realized that we had to go. Mission accomplished. 

Having ogled at David, our train journey to Pisa, which took an hour, was all about David. And what a masterpiece of art it is. 

Check out my pics of Firenze



Pisa

Well, Pisa was kinda a disappointing. Having made our way to Piazza del Duomo, there wasn't much to see. You have the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Battistero di San Giovanni (The Baptistry of St. John). We spend a few minutes sitting at the steps of the cathedral and watched other tourist clicking the typical tourist snaps. You know the type that has them stopping the tower from toppling. Morons! 

Oh well, the thing that cheered me up in Pisa was a Ferrari flag flying high. Go Ferrari! I also picked up some marble miniatures of the Leaning Tower for my family. 

Well we missed our ride back, the direct train to Bologna, so we had to go via Firenze. At Firenze station we grabbed some hot dogs before we boarded the Eurostar. An expensive ride but we had a pass. We reached Bologna pretty late again. But this time it was close to 10 p.m. Had to take a taxi back, as it was the safest and fastest way. Anyway tomorrow is another exciting day. Venezia here I come. 

Check out my pics of Pisa

Day 4: Aaaaaah the Sistine Chapel

Roma

Having packed our bags we leave them at the hotel and rush off to Vatican City. The line to enter Sistine Chapel snaked all the way to the main road. It took almost an hour to get to the gates. Then there was a security check, baggages screening that were just adding to my anticipation. But the moment you walk up the stairs you know that every minute was worth the wait.

Our tour at the Sistine Chapel began with frescos done by the greatest Renaissance artists including Michelangelo, 

Raphael, Bernini and Sandro Botticelli. As I walked by each of them, I was filled with a deep sense of respect for each of the artists. The detail to each painting was so well done that it brought tears to my eyes. As an art student you always imagined seeing these masterpieces. Now all I could do was stare at them in wonder. WOW!

As we proceed, following the floor plan, we made our way to Raphael’s rooms. Amazing! Simply amazing each and every one of them. But nothing, I mean nothing, comes close to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescos. We were not allowed to click any photos and right so. No photograph will ever be able to capture the beauty of this masterpiece. I almost died of vertigo, staring up looking to absorb each and every detail. I don’t know how he achieved such perfection, but hats down to Michelangelo and his craftsmanship.

After this everything else passed in a blur. Went back to the hotel, picked our bags and… it rains! Looks like Roma was sad we were leaving. I promise to come back.

At Roma Termini we board the Eurostar. Wooohooo! We sit next to two gentlemen and to pass time, Tan and I begin to play Name, Place, Animal, Thing. These dudes we so amazed by this, that they kept stealing glances at us and our game. Damn Tan won.

Bologna
We reached a new city in a foreign country very late. No information counter open at this hour, it think it was about 9 at night. Bus was out of the question, so we ended up taking a taxi. That will be 18 Euros ma’am. Damn!

The hotel was at the end of the world. Nestled away in the woods. Modernity in the midst of serenity. I felt it was so out of place. It was so different from the one at Rome. Hotel Relais Bellaria was in every way modern. The room uber col. But as usual at the end of the day we are tied and munch on some snacks to keep the energy levels up. Today there wasn’t much of sightseeing as the day went at Vatican City and then shuttling between cities. Tomorrow we will explore!