8th day of #KimGarethEurotrip

This was taken at the Duomo.
image

Dress and belt from Bangkok. Pouch from YSL perfume and sandals from Ipanema Gisele Bundchen. Sunglasses from Bazzarro. Camera from Canon (tourist alert!!)

========

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!
image

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!
image

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.
image

# – Oh my lard. The antipasto was mind-blowing.
image

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.
image

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…
image

Also made another video.

# – Italy by Gareth.

Sforzesco Castello – what a beautiful place!

# – Nice.
image

# – At the castle’s courtyard.
image

# – Need to google this one.
image

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
image

# – The simple pasta was really nice too. Sauce made from fresh tomatoes.
image

# – And I couldn’t resist a beef tartare. Beautiful…
image

# – Some kind of mille feuille. This was like *angels sing*
image

# – Husband having an espresso at 11pm. Wtf.
image

Then, we made our way back to hotel, happy and satiated.

6th day of #KimGarethEurotrip

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

# – Leg crossed.

image

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

=======

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!
image

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.
image

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

image

# – The landscape of Liechtenstein.

image

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.

image

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!

image

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

5th day of #KimGarethEurotrip

Taken at some highway rest stop between Belgium and Luxembourg.

# – Leg bent.
image

Shirt from Forever21. Shorts from Bangkok. Scarf from don’t know where. Shoes from Bangkok. Sunglasses from Bazzarro.

=========

After a nice breakfast at Restaurant Sainte Catherine, the one below our hotel in Brussels, we made our way to Luxembourg City in Luxembourg; a 2 hour plus drive.

# – Our simple breakfast.
image

The drive was pleasant and uneventful and we reached Luxembourg in no time.

Such a beautiful country. My pictures can’t do justice to it :(

# – The Passerelle that was built between 1859 and 1861. It is massive!
image

# – A terrible picture of the Aldophe Bridge, built between 1900 and 1903. I blame the direction of the sunlight.

image

# – I wuz there!
image

# – Luxe in Luxembourg.
image

Had some mediocre food….mediocrity probably exacerbated by my teeth, which had decided to move A LOT today #braces

Then we drove to Germany, specifically Karlshure – an intellectual city famed for science and tech. The driving was interesting as Germany has possibly the worst highways we have encountered in our trip so far.

It was scary to drive in the dark as there’s no street lights or adequate reflectors for the entire couple of hours journey. Roads also not that smooth by Britain’s standard.

And cars were going fast on the autobahns. AND we were driving on right side, which is permanently unnerving basically haha.

What a surprise, thought the Germans would make better roads. Maybe it’s just the one we were on.

# – Mercedes taxis. No big deal…
image

# – At Karlshure Central Railway Station. “Hauptbahnhof” means main station. I googled.
image

Speaking of the German language…we were wondering why there were so many roads on the highway going to this curious place called “Ausfahrt”.

Discovered later it means “exit”.

Checked into our hotel which is right next to the main railway station and went to McDonald’s for supper.

# – Porked up, fast food style.
image

They have Mcflurry Bounty, arghhhhh!

Anyway, we are sitting in our hotel lobby, leeching wifi, figuring out the next leg of our journey and of course blogging.

Till next post!