浪漫的爱琴海:Day 1

一直以来都很向往这座岛屿，蔚蓝的大海，还有依山而建的白色的洞穴屋，是我自小以来就从电视上看过，只是不知道名字的岛屿。

后来到了英国读书，才知道这个地方叫Santorini。当他要来找我的时候，我们就决定一定要去Santorini了。我们俩都爱大海，一起去过不少的岛屿，这个地方算是最特别的一个了。

爱琴海总会让人觉得消费很高，但其实不一定。我们俩去了一趟Sipadan，算起来在那的住宿还比Santorini还高一些，虽然是包吃但在Santorini也一样可以找到平民价钱的东西，经济又美味。

之前在欧洲住的酒店通常都选二或三星的酒店，就觉得两个人还年轻不需要太奢侈，但我的他对酒店还是会有一定的要求，希望有自己的厕所，不用和别人共用。但这一次，我们破例定了一家超出我们预算的酒店，就希望能宠宠自己，好好享受，既然难得来到那么一个浪漫的地方，就花点钱住间较好的酒店。

看了许许多多的reviews，我们最后选择了Asteras Villa。两个怕输的我们在十一月的时候就定了四月的酒店，还真是佩服自己。那个时候也是觉得既然都订了机票就干脆定酒店了。

时间一转眼就过了，我的两学期也就这样过去，去完了意大利的主要城市和雅典就到了我们最后一个目的地---Santorini。

到了机场，一出门口就看到有人拿着我的名子的牌。那就是我事先定的Smart Cambrio，付了钱，拿了车，我们就驾车去酒店啦~

我事先用了google map找去酒店的方向，结果谁知道google map的路是竟然是后巷，唉害我们在斜坡上要reverse冷汗直流（santorini依山而建，fira不是很平坦），还真感谢我的他，在我hysterical screams之下还能保持冷静，没撞到别的车，更没撞到人（当时有个小孩在我们差点驾进那后巷的时候还跑出来在我们的车前面玩耍，真是感谢这小孩对我们的信心，对了他妈妈好像也在那，但也没阻止他。。。)

最后，我的他下车去问了个陌生人要怎么去我们的酒店，那个人没听过我们的酒店，还替我们打了个电话到酒店去问方向，真的是很感激。。。（虽然那个时候我被锁在车上完全不知道为什么我的他这么慢）

转回大路后，再经过一连串的迷路还有问路，我们终于到我们的酒店了。话说当地人还真的很愿意帮助人，我问了一个老伯伯哪里有parking space他还亲自走路带我们的车到附近的家乐福，还用走的为我们找了个泊车的位子（我们一直都在车上）。那个时候我迷路的快疯了，没好好的向他道谢，也是太不好意思了。

终于终于，我们到了我们梦寐以求的酒店啦~到的时候，酒店负责人还给了我们free upgrade，让我怒气减了不少，再看到房间美丽的景色，什么怒气都没啦~

我们private balcony的景色

那么漂亮，怒气全都没啦

第一天就在附近走走，去家乐福买了水果还有当地的葡萄酒，准备看夕阳的时候，在我们的private balcony一边喝葡萄酒和吃晚餐，啊真的是太爽了~好像现在就回去呢~

Athens-- The cradle of Western civilization

Airport

The first impression of Athens was a great one. The airport was one of the most modern ones we have came across in our trip. We even got the student-priced tickets for the shuttle bus to the city! It costs only 2.50 euro instead of 5 euro for normal adults. The bus transfer took us about 1 hour plus to reach Syntagma Square that is just 5 minutes walk from our hotel.

First impression of the city

When we got off the bus, we found the city extremely quiet and there were very few people even at the main street. We even saw a truck carrying soldiers/people in uniform while there seemed to be a protest going on right at the place where we alighted the bus. One old woman went to the street and had a look at what was going on. Two of us being really clueless at what was going on went to ask this woman and she simply shrugged and seemed not to be aware of what was happening too. 

Hotel

Our hotel receptionist at Metropolis Hotel was not as friendly and helpful as the people we met in Rome and Venice too. And the whole room smelled like detergent. We thought that 60 euro for a hotel in Athens was not cheap since a room in Venice being a much more expensive city costs us the same too. And the room in Venice was more nicely decorated and we even had a room with a canal view!

Attractions

Athens is easily walkable and most of the attractions can be reached by foot. Taxi might try fixing fares with you and it is best to stay firm and not get conned by them.

To visit the Parthenon, it is a must to bring your student card with you. Students from the EU get to enter for FREE! And students from other countries in the world get a half price discount--6 euro for the entry to many historical complexes including the one with Parthenon, Ancient Agora (with a museum entry as well), Temple of Zeus etc. I didn't bring my student card out with me that particular day because I was afraid of getting snatched (LOL) and I had to pay the full price for the entrance...

You get a great view of Athens from the top.

Troop marching around the ancient complex

The Parthenon

Massive Greek flag that is visible from most part of the city

Temple of Zeus with Parthenon as the background

Change of guard that takes place every hour at Syntagma Square

Greek food

Grilled meat is quite common in Greece and they are similar to the kebab that I have in London. So normally going for the grilled meat/grilled seafood is a very safe option for both of us.

Greek coffee on a hot day is such an indulgence

Greek salad with feta cheese. Never really love cheese so much-- feta cheese was a tad too strong for me

Grilled meat platter for two of us to share. 

The food was quite good and we had the whole floor of the restaurant to ourselves with a view over the street. 

Myself posing on the exclusive balcony with just us two

The sunny balcony

It was too sunny that we moved in eventually

Myself with stewed lamb that was tender and yummy and the boyfriend had his favourite, fried squid

The view of Parthenon at night from our restaurant. 

If you have got free time, go to Adrianou Street and shop for something that you might like. We bought some cloth with really pretty Greek design that could potentially be used in our future home!

What to do in Rome?

Rome has so much to offer and probably you could spend a week here and not get bored with the offering she has got. We had only 2 full days here in Rome and we merely got to visit the major attractions of Rome.

1. Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palentine Hill

"Colloseum is the largest amphitheater in the world and it was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. "

Colosseum has been around for 1900 years as the constructions completed in 96AD. It was really a mind-blowing piece, considering the size and amount of labour that had to be devoted into building this iconic building. It is not difficult to picture the scene where gladiator fights for his life with the beast in there.

Tips: Do try to get the Roma Pass if you are planning to spend a long time in Rome. Or try pre-booking your tickets or getting tickets from Palentine Hill or Roman Forum entrance which both sell tickets covering the three sites: Roman Forum, Palantine Hill and Colosseum. Also, if possible go for an underground because many other travellers have said that the underground tour was indeed eye opening and apparently the excavation for the area underground has just been completed recently and it would be great to make it for the tour. We wanted to have the tour but our time was really limited so we had to forgo the tour.

View of the Roman Forum

2. The Vatican City

We took a cab from Colosseum to the Vatican City and in less than 10 minutes we just got to another country (From Italy to Vatican City!)

Saint Peter's square

 On our way to the Vatican Museum, we could see people lining up to get into the museum from probably more than 1km away. Seriously it is really a must to pre-book your ticket if you want to get into the museum.

In the Vatican Museum, at the gallery leading to Sistine Chapel. The entire museum was severely congested. With people taking picture of every single thing and it made the entire experience a really bad one.

The interior of the Saint Peter's Basilica

As it was the Holy Saturday, we read from the news that the Pope would baptize two persons in the evening.

Tips: Try getting into St Peter's Basilica from the exit at the Sistine Chapel so that you don't have to join another insanely long queue.

3. Trevi Fountain

This world-renowned fountain has been featured numerous times in various dramas and most of us have heard about it. It is said that if you throw a coin over your left shoulder you would get back to Rome. The fountain was really much larger than what I expected and the sheer scale was really breathtaking. However the crowd can be a huge turn-off and you have to really put your politeness aside and find your way into the heart of the fountain to get the best view.

4. Campo de Fiori

5. Pantheon

And enjoy the Italian hospitality:)

How We Met the Pope in Rome

We arrived in Rome during the Holy Week, and both of us not being Christians, we did not know about this before coming. 

We just happened to realize that when the entire street that is next to the Colosseum was flooded with people. You can't walk through the crowd at all. It was massively packed. And only then we realized that the Pope was having a ceremony at the Colosseum, called "Way of the Cross". He was sitting under a tent at the Palentine Hill, which is right opposite the Colosseum and yeah we merely caught a glimpse of the tents that he was sitting under and also the cross that was lighted up by candles. More about the ceremony is here. 

When it was impossible to walk cross to crowd to get to the hotel. We headed back and found another route. 

Pilgrims from all over the world to attend the ceremony, where screens were set up and broadcasting vans were around to record the very sacred moment.

Indeed, it was an honour to be at the event at that time. And we feel really blessed with all the coincidence that happened during our trip in Rome. Thank you.

Walking through Hyde Park

Spring is finally here and flowers are blooming. Pictures above are flowers that I saw along the way from my home to Hyde Park.

Kensington Palace, where Prince William and Kate Middleton are living

I like how it says "Time flies" below the clock. I still remember coming to Hyde Park when I first arrived in London during my first year, and now, I have already finished my third year. Time flies, indeed. Perhaps in the future, I might be bringing my kids here?

A squirrel hoping that I have some food for her/him. Sorry I would bring for you next time okay? 

Squirrel: No food for me? Really?

At the round pond

Swans at the round pond

Squirrels are everywhere at they normally expect food from you. 

This squirrel saw me coming afar and started approaching me. I was quite excited because I always wanted to take a close shot of a squirrel. But I never expected this little thing to jump on my lap and I screamed in the middle of the park. Epic fail so embarrassing.

It was a really nice stroll around the park. Seeing the locals jogging in the park and tourists looking around with maps on hands. I was the half-tourist who was taking pictures of the interesting stuff that I like. Probably, when I am feeling down or stressed up by work, I should remember that Hyde Park is just minutes away and the world isn't just about the problem that you are facing.

The imperfections that made things perfect-- the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Why is the tower leaning?

The tower began to sink after construction had progressed to the second floor in 1178. This was due to a mere three-metre foundation, set in weak, unstable subsoil, a design that was flawed from the beginning. From wikipedia.

The civil engineers responsible for the tower must be in hot soup at that time... But this unintended tilt is also the point that draws tourists all over the world to see this tower. So yeah, when you are having a bad time think about Pisa and probably there is a silver lining to it and things don't have to perfect every single time...

What to do in Pisa?
Coming back to our trip to Pisa. We took Terravision from Florence to Pisa which costs only 5 euro per person. The bus took us to the airport and we took a taxi to get to our hotel. Pisa Airport is really close to the town itself so the taxi fare didn't really cost a lot (10 euro for the transfer right to the door).

Our hotel is called Window to the Tower and we had a room with a view of the Tower! After settling down in our room, we just went to the Tower which is literally 10s walk from the hotel.

I was actually quite scared to stand on that and I didn't want him to let go of my hand. He had to resort to the timer to take a picture because his right hand was with me.

After taking a few touristy shots, we went to walk around the city.

The same Arnos River that we saw in Florence.

Pisa being a really small town has nothing much to offer other than the Leaning Tower. It would be good perhaps to just have a day trip from Florence. But this also allowed us some time to recharge and slower down our pace and enjoy the peaceful Tuscan countryside before getting to the hustling city of Rome.

We went to a not-so-touristy restaurant called La Buca which is also minutes from our hotel. We had one of the best pasta in Italy over here and the price is also quite reasonable. I love the ambience of the restaurant too.

Where to Stay in Pisa?
If you like to have sometime to recharge yourself you could spend a night in Pisa. Window to the Tower is perhaps one of the most spacious and beautifully decorated rooms compared to our rooms in Venice and Florence (which was big but not quite furnished). We have breakfast in the morning too and we thought the breakfast was actually not bad compared to what we had in the hotels in Venice and Florence.