Switzerland - Mount Titlis

Switzerland - Mount TitlisA glacier paradise with ice and snow at 10,623 feet (3,238m) and highest viewpoint in Central Switzerland.
In the mountain of Urner Alps located in the canton of Obwalden in Switzerland.
A the entrance of Mount Titlis, March 1999.
The scenery and surroundings here was enough to take my breath away.




A photo I cut out from a brochure and pasted in my photo album.
Showing a Rotair.
We went up the mountains by three different cable cars.
Last one was the Rotair - first revolving cable car in the world.


First Adventure...Into an ICE CAVE!


We were so excited and my tour guide kept saying "Air is thin up there, if you feel breathless or unwell, please come down immediately..."
But on one seem to be hearing what the tour guide was saying.
Everyone was busy looking for their best spots to take photos.
Anyway, the air up there was the purest and best, in my point of view.
We all got crazy throwing snow all over the place.
A very fun place to be and of course the view is simply spectacular.




Although I was very happy to be there but a bad thing happened to me.
I was rolling all over on the snow... so happily that I forgotten about my videocamera in my bag.
It's was... ... crushed! The viewing screen broke!!!
That's the price for rolling on the snow...
Anyway, I did continued to use the videocam. It was still able to function with the normal recording.
Only thing is that I've to connect in to the TV at home for viewing.
Cannot view on the videocam anymore...





Who says at the top of the mountains, you'll feel lonely?
Look at these crowds...

Even though, I've accidently broke my videocam, I was still able to enjoy very much my day there.
No use crying over split milk. Can't be undone and I might as well enjoy my limited time there.
Mount Titlis is a place, I would like to visit again if I have a chance.
Then I would really try to learn how to ski...

Switzerland - Rheinfall

We got near the Rheinfall at Switzerland in the very early morning.
About 7am and I'm not really fully awake yet even though I had a great helping at breakfast.
It is Europe's largest waterfall.
I can feel the power of the water, flowing and hitting the rocks.
A very magnificent sight to behold.






Rheinfall Data :
Approx. Age : 16,000 years
Width : 150m
Height : 23m
Depth : 13m
Average flow in summer: 600 m³/s
Average flow in winter: 250 m³/s
Lowest flow ever: 95 m³ (in 1921)
Highest flow ever: 1250 m³ (in 1965)

Austria - Innsbruck

Innsbruck is the capital city of western Austria.
It's a very beautiful place located in the broad valley between high mountains.
A city with about 110.000 residents.
People were also friendly and I had my first MacDonald lunch in Austria.
Places were all very well kept and the building's were painted with vibrant colours.
This is also one of the places in Europe which I liked very much.

Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl)
Built in 1500.
Decorated with 2657 fire-glided copper tiles for Maximilian I Roman Emperor.






An old district town of Innsbruck with the famous Golden Roof.
From here, one can also view the alps at the end.
It's too faint to see in here in these photo.
But when we were they, the location gave us a very spectacular view.




There was a Swarovski crystal shop location in the pinkish orange building.
I got my eyes set on a crystal miniature grand piano. The price were I think about 40% cheaper than what I have to pay for it in my own country. But I didn't buy it as I was afraid it might break during my travel. I was already been paranoid over the Michelangelo's david stone statue I've brought in PISA. It's about 2ft in height with a marble stand. I got in wrap up with all tons of tissue and a big towel...it did however finally arrive home in one piece!
Hehe, now I'm in a bit of regret for not buying that crystal piano... ... ...


Postcard Image of Leopold Fountain (Leopoldsbrunnen Fountain)
A statue of Archduke Leopold V (1619-1632) riding a horse.
I was there when it was already dark and my photos...oh well, was also dark in the background!
This is price of not reading the camera manual properly before travel...aha!

Liechtenstein

Liechitenstein is located in the Upper Rhine valley of the European Alps.
A doubly landlocked alphine country bordered by Switzerland and Austria.
Doubly landlocked country means a landlocked country surrounded by other landlocked countries.
A person in such a country has to cross at least two borders to reach a coastline.
There are only two doubly landlocked countries in the world.
One is Liechtenstein in Central Europe and the other is Uzbekistan in Central Asia.
Liechitenstein is also the 6th smallest independent nation in the world by land area.
Their official language is German and currency used is Swiss Franc.


On my way to Lichtenstein, we stopped by at one of the highway checkpoint.
The town gives me a sense of peace and I wish I could live in places like these.
Away from the noisy city and bright lights...


Image captured while travelling in the coach.
Along the way, we passed by many beautiful houses like this.


I did not stop to stay overnight in this place.
It was very rush and we managed to only grab a few bars of chocolates and we were on our way again before the day turns dark.

Italy - Verona

Verona is a city and provincial capital of Veneto in Italy.
Population of about 260,000 people.



Street of Verona - Piazza Erbe (Vegetable Square) It was a raining day when I was there.
Most of the streets stalls were close.
I did manged to buy a packet of fresh purple grapes from a fruit cart.
We were all in a rush, so I didn't really have much time for sightseeing.
But overall, it was a nice place to visit.

Verona is the setting of William Shakespeare "Romeo and Juliet".
This place has since became a tourist attraction.
Postcard view of the Juliet's balcony and Juliet's tomb.


Casa di Giulietta (Juliet's House)Romeo and Juliet may or may not have actually existed but it has attracted tourists and lovers from all over the world.
The story of Romeo & Juliet were repeated endless everyday to the curious tourists.
Juliet's house is very near to Piazza Erbe.
Build in the 13th century.
A massive restoration were made in 1920s including adding of the balcony.
It was once owned by the Dal Cappello or Capulet family.
No entrance fee to be in the Courtyard.
But there is a fee for entering Juliet's house - $3 euro.
Open everyday from 8.30am till 7.30pm except Monday (1.30pm - 7.30pm)
Romeo's house was not open to public previously but it has now been converted into a restaurant called "Osteria Dal Duca"



Statue of Juliet Capuleti
A bronze statue by sculptor Constantini.
It was donated by the Lion's Club to the city of Verona.
Myth : If you rub the right breast on this bronze Juilet statue, you will have good luck.



William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet quotes :"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet". (Act II, Scene II).

"O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?". - (Act II, Scene II).

"Tempt not a desperate man". - (Act V, Scene III).


Image of a Postcard - The Arena


The Arena built with an elliptic design measuring 138,77 x 109,52 meters on the outside.
This Roman Arena dates back to the 1st century A.D. holding events and even wrestling matches.
Since 1913, the Arena has been used as a site for Opera festivals.
The Amphiti theatre can hold up to 20,000 spectators.

Italy - Venice

(Above Image from a Travel Brochure)
I was told that some of the buildings I saw there as 1st storey was actually the 3rd of fourth storey of the buildings!!!
Because the 1st few storeys of the buildings were already been submerged into waters.
The people famous transport is of course the Gondola.
Upon arrival at Venice, everyone has to stop at Piazzale Roma.
The Piazzale is built in 1933.
A water transport would them bring is into the heart of Venice - Grand Canal.
Venice is made up of 118 islands, intersected by 160 canals and connected by 400 bridges.

RIALTO BRIDGEThis Rialto Bridge is the oldest one within the canal.
Suprising, it was originally made of wood but it collapsed in 1440.
Then it was rebuilt again...wood again!!!
Only in the 16th century it was then properly built by Antonio da Ponte.
He completed it in 1592.
Rialto is a single span bridge, 28 m in length and with a maximum height of 7.5 meters in the middle.
It has two rows of shophouses on it!



The view opposite the Rialto bridge - Grand Canal.
It's a very beautiful place.


We walked into the small alleys in the busy streets of Venice.
The distance between the houses apart were mostly builted very closely to each other, about a full arm length apart.


In the photo, you can see the "BRIDGE OF SIGHS"
The bridge was designed by Antonio Contini in a 17th century Baroque style.
Joins the Doges Palace to the Prigioni Nuove (New Prisons).
The name is derived from the fact that the prisoners were being taken across it before being sentenced by the judge.


BASILICA OF ST. MARK'S
The mortal remains of St. Mark was brought into Venice in 828.
Thus a church was built to house this precious relics.
Built between 11th and 15th century by many different people but the result is a harmonious blend.
Standing in the middle of PIAZZA SAN MARCO
An open space where pigeons fly around, people enjoying art works, relax...etc.
Can also buy seeds to feed the pigeons when I was there.
But recently I've heard that this practice is banned!


At the Side of Basilica of St. Mark's


Venice In High Water!
Sometimes San Marco will be flooded...
Image from a Postcard.


Streets of Venice.
People are able to take Gondolas from here.
If you are there, I would highly recommend you to try a Gondola ride.


DOGES' PALACEA magnificent example of 14th century architecture.
It is a great museum containing works by many famous artists.

Venice... A place that I like very much beside Bavaria, Germany.
Surrounded with waters.
It a place where it is able to give one a romantic, exciting and yet also quiet and calm feelings...