Month: August 2013

8th day of #KimGarethEurotrip

This was taken at the Duomo.
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Dress and belt from Bangkok. Pouch from YSL perfume and sandals from Ipanema Gisele Bundchen. Sunglasses from Bazzarro. Camera from Canon (tourist alert!!)

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We were totally taken aback by the weather in Milan, Italy. It was like being in Malaysia but hotter, FOL. Just a day ago we were in the cold weather of Swiss Alps then suddenly sweating balls.

No stopping of our epic journey though. We took the Milan underground to Duomo. It was 4.50 euros for a day pass…can go anywhere within 24 hours.

# – There, obligatory I was there, DONE!
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Took a picture and then ran to the nearest shopping mall for lunch.

We ate at a restaurant called Obika Mozarella Bar which is rated quite highly but the best thing about the place was the view!

# – Overlooking Duomo, baybeh!
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We had an epic lunch of mozarella degustation and cured meat platter. So, so, so nice T-T

# – 3 different types of mozarella – creamy, strong and smokey. Don’t remember the Italian names already.
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# – Oh my lard. The antipasto was mind-blowing.
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Aftwr lunch we took the underground or as the Italians call it, Metro, to Sforzesco Castle.

It was really hot so we made a pit stop at Bar Castello for some drinks.

# – My mad drink of lemon gelato, sherbet and sorbet.
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Then we walked over to the 15th century castle. There was a massive fountain at the entrance and locals were dipping their feet in water in the hot sun. So I joined in!

# – Super cool water. Ahhhhhhhhhh…
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Also made another video.

# – Italy by Gareth.

Sforzesco Castello – what a beautiful place!

# – Nice.
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# – At the castle’s courtyard.
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# – Need to google this one.
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We hung around a bit, chilled at the park and then made our way back to hotel. I wish we could stay longer because the castle is a haven of many mini museums and exhibitions but we were too late :(

We got back to hotel, turned the aircon to maximum chill and got naked. What a relief from the heat.

So yeah, if you’re ever thinking of going to Italy, not in the summer please. The heat was almost unbearable at times. Most business are closed during summer as well.

At night, we took the underground again, looking for dinner. After coming out of the subway and walking for about 4km….the restaurant we wanted to eat at was closed. FOL.

We decided to just eat at another restaurant we saw while walking called Norman’s. It was a great decision because we managed to eat the best pizza we have ever had in our lives T-T

# – Olives, artichokes, tomatoes, mushroom, parma ham…omgs
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# – The simple pasta was really nice too. Sauce made from fresh tomatoes.
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# – And I couldn’t resist a beef tartare. Beautiful…
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# – Some kind of mille feuille. This was like *angels sing*
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# – Husband having an espresso at 11pm. Wtf.
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Then, we made our way back to hotel, happy and satiated.

7th day of #KimGarethEurotrip

This was taken at the Swiss Alps while we were on the way to San Bernardino.

# – Quite chilly ah… maintain….

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Top and trousers and shoes from Bangkok. Scarf from don’t know where. Sunglasses from Bazzarro.

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We haven’t finished our trip but already I know that today would be the best day of the entire trip.

We woke up, finding ourselves in Switzerland. Had a pleasant breakfast of healthy muesli followed by unhealthy swiss cheese.

# – Healthy.

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# – Unhealthy.

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Made an instavideo….

# – Gareth on Switzerland.

Then, we made our way to San Bernardino Pass.

I thought the view from our hotel window was amazing. I was wrong.

# – View from our room for reference.

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15 minutes into our journey to the Pass, I started tearing up. Yeap, real tears.  Okay, I actually sobbed like a baby.

I felt so lucky, so grateful, so happy, so amazed, so stupefied….all at the same time.

# – Just a railway track by the lake.

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I have never in my life seen anything so beautiful. It all felt surreal, actually being there.

# -Just a part of the road we’re on.

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Everytime I thought we have seen the best, we would be assaulted again, in a nice way of course, by the sight of something even more epic.

# – Just a bridge to connect people from one mountain to another.

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Unbelievable! It was our slowest drive ever, not because of traffic jams but because we kept stopping. You know, to take it all in.

# – Just a lake at over 2000 metres above sea level at San Bernardino Pass.

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There were barely anyone, just a couple of handfuls of locals who were either hiking, cycling, biking or just lying in the grass while their dogs running round with frisbees in mouth. Made me miss my Charlie.

# – Obligatory I was there!!
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Then we had lunch of cured meat platter and carpaccio, washed down with coffee and hot cocoa. At the summit of San Bernardino Pass, at 2066 metres above sea level, overlooking a lake surrounded by the Swiss Alps.

# – Sorry, but our lunch pwns your lunch.
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And we the drove down San Bernardino Pass. Epic. I have no words.

# – Part of San Bernardino Pass.
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# – View from inside of our car.
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Really, pictures just can’t do justice to this place. I feel so fortunate to be able to experience this together with the love of my life, my husband.

# – Love you boobydoo ♡
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After the epic Swiss Alps, we drove to Lake Como, Italy. It is one of the most beautiful lakes in Europe.

# – Bellagio in the distance.
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We had a really nice dinner and then chilled out for a bit, watching people, taking in the lake and enjoyed some gelatos.

# – Parma ham with melons, lamb ravioli and seafood tube pasta.
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# – Nyamnyamnyamnyam.
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# – Happiness.
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Then we crossed Lake Como in a ferry to Milan!

# – The ferry.
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# –  On ferry in the dead of night. It was only 9pm.
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# – Night view of Bellagio, not the Vegas casino.
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We are in Milan now. Will stay here for a couple of days before our next destination.

Wow. What an epic day for us!

6th day of #KimGarethEurotrip

This was taken at Vaduz Castle in the tiny country called Liechtenstein.

# – Leg crossed.

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T-shirt from Treadless. Trousers and shoes from Bangkok. Scarf from don’t know where. Sunglasses from Bazzarro.

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The day started out really pleasant. We checked out from our hotel in Karlsruhe and found a gastropub called Vogelbrau.

Had some traditional German brunch of white veal sausages with pretzel and goulash. So, so good.  

# – Brunch!
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Then we made our way to Neuschwanstein Castle and got stuck in traffic for 4 freaking hours. Honestly,  was shocked by German drivers.

I’d say the driving ethics & standards are pretty similar to Malaysians. They overtake slowly, brake unnecessarily and switch lanes at the last minute. Shocking.

I mean not all were like that but these were the ones that caused the terrible traffic jams.

Anyway, by the time we reached the Castle we realised it was a major tourist trap. It was filled with people! So chaotic and messy, especially when we have experienced nothing but pleasant and calm sightseeing in the past few days.

I didn’t even bother taking pictures.

We continued our jouney into the Swiss Alps, passing Austria and making a pit stop at the tiny, weeny country that is Liechtenstein. The drive was amazing – magnificent mountains and rivers, couldn’t get bored.

Liechtenstein is stunning! So, so, so beautiful.

# – Vaduz Castle from afar.
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# – Hubs taking a picture. In the background is Vaduz Castle.

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# – The landscape of Liechtenstein.

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We then left Liechtenstein and made our way to Switzerland. Stunning landscapes…..pictures could never do justice. You got to be here to understand it.

# – A peek of the Alps. I took this picture when we stopped by the road for a bit.

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We reached our hotel overlooking the Swiss Alps. Just had dinner in a restaurant down the road – beautiful dinner.

# – Beef tartare, schnitzel & pasta, veal cordon bleu, tomato & orange ravioli soup and Swiss cheese platter. Burp!

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Great start, tough middle, great finish. That basically sums up our day.