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>Monaco – Final Post

Posted by: dianateodt on: April 28, 2011

In: Europe Trip | Goin' Places | Monaco | Travel
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In case you miss out my Monaco Part 1 post, then click here for more info and understanding.

Cont: We visited Monte Carlo, which is one of Europe’s leading tourist resort. It is one of the four areas of Monaco, is the principal residential and resort area. At here, we catch a glimpse on a few, ok, not a few but lots of luxury cars. Frankly to tell you, really a lots lots lots of luxury and expensive cars during our tour to Monte Carlo.

~dt~in Monaco

If you are fans or love to watch the fastest circuit-racing car, you will know that Monaco is also one the street circuits where Formula One Monaco Grand Pix will be host annually.

This is the Ferrari car I saw at Monaco. Brrooommm, broooomm……. Smart and elegant car by the way.

Now is time for me to test you:
If Monaco is the second smallest country in the world, then which country is the SMALLEST country in the world?

That’s is my second and final part of Monaco. Do follow me for my next destination.

>Monaco – World’s Second Smallest Country

Posted by: dianateodt on: April 24, 2011

In: Europe Trip | Goin' Places | Monaco | Travel
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Short Note: This is my 2008 Europe trip, which happens almost 3 years ago. Please bear with me and hope you like it. Thank you for reading it.

Monaco, officially the Principality of Monaco is the second smallest country in the world. It is located on the Mediterranean Sea along the French Riviera, which is the southern coast of France. Monaco is 18 kilometers east of the French city of Nice and near the border with Italy. (OK! A little brief of geography to understand where is the location of Monaco)

The name “Monaco” means “of the old town” which was derived from the ancient Greek Monoikos and it is usually associated with Hercules, the mythical hero.

Port of Hercules, La Condamine – Well known for its distinctive wide harbour and moored expensive yachts.

French is Monaco’s official language but not too worry, as English are also widely spoken and understood. Along our way to the casino, we came across a cathedral by the name of “Saint Nicholas Cathedral“. This church is well-known where the wedding of the late Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly who was American actress married to Prince of Monaco was held there.

Saint Nicholas Cathedral

Monaco famous for its casino, one of Monaco’s main sources of income. This is also the place of wealthy people lived where there is no tax being levied on them. According to my tour guide, to become Monaco residents, all you have to do is you need to pay 1 million Euro as deposits and this is non-refundable. Gosh!!! 1 million Euro is equal to RM5 million. They are really rich and wealthy people over here. The funny fact of Monaco is Monaco’s own citizen are not allowed to gamble in the casino. Luckily our Malaysia government doesn’t implement any rules that Malaysian citizen are not allowed to gambling in Genting Highland.

Monte Carlo Casino, one of most notable buildings in Monaco.

Out of most of the Casino, this is the only Casino we afford to enter as it doesn’t require any entrance fee.

So, now you know that although Monaco is the second smallest country but never thought it is occupied with lots of rich and wealthy people. In my upcoming post, I will post what we saw the most during our visit in Monte Carlo, Monaco. So, please stay tune.

[Credits to Vincent, Nicole and Felicia for the photos. I brought a lousy camera to UK that time. Too bad :(]

>The Tourist & The Venice

Posted by: dianateodt on: January 2, 2011

In: Italy | Memories | Movies 'n' Drama | TTM
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>Just came back from movie “The Tourist” at Suria Sabah with TTM.
It is our first movie for the Year 2011.

The movie acted by Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp. Anglelina Jolie is awesomely gorgeous in the movie. I just can’t blink my eyes when watching her in the movie. The movie is not bad at all. Worth to watch as both are truly Hollywood A-list celebrities.

The other things that I amazed in this movie was the place of this movie being shot; which was in Venice, Italy. Venice is one of my favourite place when travelling around Europe.

Back to Year of 2008 where we took Gondola in Venice, Italy

Venice is one the place you must visit before you die.

>Around Europe in 20 Days [Part 7 – Italy]

Posted by: dianateodt on: January 19, 2009

In: Europe Trip | Goin' Places | Italy
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>28th – 29th September 2008

This will be my last post of Italy. Let me introduce 2 wonderful city of Italy

Verona

Verona is a city in the northern Italy. It is one of the main tourist destinations in north-esatern Italy, due to its artistic heritage, several annual fairs, shows and operas, such as the lyrical season in the Arena, the ancient amphitheatre built by the Romans.

City of Verona and Verona’s Roman Arena is on the right.

Besides that, we visit ancient Verona, where Romeo and Juliet played out their tragic love affair. From there, we could visit Juliet’s balcony as well as Juliet statue. You must grab this chance to touch Juliet right boob as they believe you will find your true love. Believe it or not, just touch it!

Juliet’s balcony

Remember to touch Juliet’s right boob at Verona

Venice

Last city of Italy that we visit. This is one of the place that I looking forward besides Paris. Venice has been known as the “City of Water”, “City of Bridge” and “City of Light”. It is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Venice is world famous for its canals as it built on an island.

St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, the Bridge of Sighs, Doges Palace, the Campanile and Rialto Bridge are the main sightseeing of Venice.

St Mark’s Basilica

Venice trip is incomplete without a ride through the canals in a gondola. Gondola is the classical Venetian boat which now is mostly used for tourists, weddings and other occasions.

Gondola

Our ride in gondola

Besides gondola, Venice is famous for its masks and pigeons.

Different typical masks worn during the Carnival of Venice

The friendly pigeons

After our ride in gondola, we walking around for few hours for shopping spree and shooting time again. Then at last, we decide to go back early to our camp to have a nice sleep as we were too tired. The funny thing about Venice is there is no sign board and we simply keep walking, turning left and right and at the end, we end up going back to the same place we were just now. So at last, we decide to take waterbuses. A boat looks alike bus on the water! It is quite interesting anyway.

At night, this is the first time we joined the other tourmembers to the pub and bar. They had persuaded us many times to join them but we refuse. But this night is special as we being requested by Pete Murray to dress up in Toga using the white bed sheet. What! Dress up in bed sheet. At first, we felt a little bit insecure to join but we had promise Ms Sarah that we will join them. So, in order not to dissapointed her, we join at last. So here is how we dress…

I really had a wonderful and unforgetable moments at Venice. If I had the chance to go Italy once again, Venice will be my choice.

>Around Europe in 20 Days [Part 6 – Italy]

Posted by: dianateodt on: January 19, 2009

In: Europe Trip | Goin' Places
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>27th September 2008

Vatican City

Early morning, we had to do exercise before going to the Vatican City. What I means was we were run again because our Miss Sarah scare of the long queue. This time the whole tourmembers run together and suddenly Andrew said a funny words. He said “Looks like we are signing for running tour.” It was really funny. When we reach, it is really almost long queue and the tour haven’t start yet. We were so lucky that time coz on that day, it was “TOURIST DAY”, which means every entrance fee is FOC! Vatican city is the smallest state in the world by both population and area. Overall, the tour is quite boring :P.. However, we had the have the opportunity to see some of the finestworks of art in the world – the paintings in the Sistine Chape.

Rome

Exactly at 12 pm, the tour finish and we continue our journey to visit Rome’s ancient monuments. Besides that, we were on our way to meet Liong Sung and our senior, Gan. While waiting for them, we take this chance to enter Colosseum as it is free. If it wasn’t free, the entrance fee cost 11 pound which approximate to RM55.

At last, we meet Liong Sung and Gan. After meeting them, Liong Sung said he was hungry and want to have his consider lunch. On the way to find some nice and cheap place to eat, we visit Victor Emmanuel Monument. This is a monument to honour Victor Emmanuel, who is the first king of a unified Italy.

>Around Europe in 20 Days [Part 5 – Italy]

Posted by: dianateodt on: January 17, 2009

In: Europe Trip | Goin' Places | Italy
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>26th September 2008

Orvieto

Orvieto is the third city of Italy that we visit. It is a historic hilltop city. We took cable car which almost looks alike Penang Bendera Hill’s cable car but we didn’t need to change twice to reach to our destination. The main focus of Orvieto is the Orvieto Cathedral or known as Duomo di Orvieto. The cathedral’s façade is a classic piece of religious construction, containing elements of design from the 14th to the 20th century, with a large rose window, golden mosaics and three huge bronze doors.

Rome

Next, we heading to Italy’s capital, The Eternal City of Rome. After been through this wonderful and enriching tour, I think the day my foot step on Rome was my unforgetable day. There were 2 stories that I like to share with u all. We reached Rome on 26th September 2008. This date is special because is was my Queen of my heart birthday. Besides that, it was my classmate and also my housemate, Liong Sung birthday. So, we gave him a call to wish him. He told me that those who join Ken Air tour maybe somewhere around Rome. I was like is it impossible for us to meet them at Rome? OK, before I continue with my story, let me introduce some interesting places of Rome. First of all, Miss Sarah introduce us the Spanish Steps. These set of stairs is the longest and widest staircase in all Europe. It is also the craziest step which was crowded with people.

Spanish Steps. Alamak, so many people!

Next to the Spanish Steps was the Barcaccia Fountain. Miss Sarah told us that it is safety for us to refill water from this fountain.

Andrew refill his water to his bottle from Barcaccia Fountain.

Now the story continue from here. While waiting for my tourmate to refill their water, I was thinking of what Liong Sung told me. My eyes are keep searching and my mind is keep on thinking that will I able to see my other friends who join Ken Air tour? Suddenly I saw a gal that seems so similar was taking the fountain photo. Is that Jing Ying? Then I saw a guy and he is waving to me. And that guy is Joe Tan. I was so shocked and I shouted to Vincent, who was beside me that time that I saw them. It was really them. We were so happy when we ran to them and everyone is looking at us. It is so suprise to see them. It is impossible to see them as their tour was started from the Netherland while we started from Paris.

Us and the Ken Air tour members

Miss Sarah asked us if we had the intention to join them. We really wish to join them but it is better to join back our own tour as we unsure either Ken Air tour guide allow or not.

One of the place that u shouldn’t miss when visiting Rome was the fountain. This is the fountain I was searching for, Trevi Fountain. Few movies as well as drama had been taken here. If you are TVB lovers, you should seen this in the drama Triumph in the Skies where Flora Chan makes her wish and throw the coin at this fountain. Besides that, the teenager superstar movies such as Hilary Duff “The Lizzie McGuire Movie” and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s movie “When in Rome”. Not forgeting a few scenes of Bon Jovi “Thank You for Loving Me” music video was also taken here. Gosh! This place was totally crowded with lots lots lots lots of people and it is very hard to take a nice and beautiful picture unless you are very professional. While strugging to take photo, I found out lots of people was sitting at this fountain with their ice-cream in their hands while enjoying the view. Suddenly I feel like “I need some ice-cream”.

Trevi Fountain

After finish with our shooting, we go meet our tourmembers and some of them also eating ice-cream. They told me that ice-cream was sold for 3.50 euro for 5 flavours. Without thinking too much, I straight ran into the ice-cream shop and order my favourite dessert. Andrew, Nicole and Kyong Hee were following my footsteps too. However, 4 of us were unlucky. This is where my second interesting and funny story came. My tour had gone! Miss Sarah gone! All gone! Left these 4 people holding ice-cream in their hand? What should we do? We keep calling Felicia and Vincent for help but it seems impossible for us to find them since both of them also unsure where Miss Sarah gonna bring them. We haven’t finish our ice-cream and yet, we need to run like mad Ox to meet the others. Luckily Kyung Hee is so smart and she guess that the next place was Pantheon. Luckily we find the right place and when we reach there, they are having 30 minutes break. Thanks Lord or else, we need to run again!

Fuh!! So tired after run like mad people

The Pantheo and I’m still holding my Gelati

The final places I gonna introduce (By the way, it’s was not final but I will continue in the next post as I was too tired to type) is non other than Colosseum.

Me & my tourmates in front of Colosseum

Final part of Italy will be post in the next post. Chiao and Grazie for reading my non-sense post :P!

>Around Europe in 20 Days [Part 4 – Italy]

Posted by: dianateodt on: January 15, 2009

In: Europe Trip | Goin' Places | Italy
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>24th – 25th September 2008

Pisa

This is the first city of Italy that my tour stopby. Pisa is a city in Tuscany, central of Italy. Pisa is famous for the Leaning Tower which was one of the “Seven Wonders of the World”. The city is known worldwide for its famous bell tower.

View of the Piazza dei Miracoli

While the Leaning Tower is the most famous image of the city, it is one of many works of art and architecture in the city’s Piazza del Duomo, which is also known as Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles). The Piazza del Duomo also houses the Duomo (the Cathedral), the Baptistry and the Camposanto Monumentale (the monumental cemetery).

Florence

Florence is known as the “cradle of Renaissance” for its monuments, churches and buildings. Florence get its name from flourishing or flower, as it being known as city of flowers. We start our day with walking tour with the local guide, which means our Miss Sarah will have her off day on that day. We start our tour with Santa Croce. Basilica of Santa Croce or known as Basilica of the Holy Cross is the burial place of great Italian artist, Michelangelo.

Basilica of Santa Croce

Santa Maria del Fiore, known as the Duomo Catheral

Uffizi Gallery, one of the oldest and famous art museums in the world. Here, you can see Michelangelo sculpture outside the museum.

The narrow courtyard between the Uffizi’s two wings creates the effect of a short, idealized street

Michelangelo

Leornado Da Vinci

Ponte Vecchio Bridge, one unique bridge

Touch this wild board, and you will return to Florence again

Pigeons are looking at us

Paint on the street

Florence is famous for its shopping especially leather. So if you walk around, you will find lots of leather products such as bag, belt, jackets and shoes as they are selling at a lower prices in Florence than in other Italian cities. However, most of it was fake and it looks alike our own Malaysia’s Petaling Street. Although it is fake, the products that they sold was not really cheap. Almost cost RM400 for a small LV bag. Better go buy at Petaling Street.

>Around Europe in 20 Days [Part 3 – Nice & Monaco]

Posted by: dianateodt on: January 13, 2009

In: Europe Trip | Goin' Places
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>22nd – 23rd September 2008

Nice

The third place that we heading to is Nice, France. Nice is a city in southern France located on the Mediterranean coast. The city is a major tourist centre and a leading resort on the French Riviera, home of the rich and famous.

The hotel that we stayed was a strategic location as the whole street full with shop such as Top Shop, Zara, H&M and lots more.

City of Nice

We were lost and we need direction! Help US!!!

End up taking photo with dog. His name was Polo.

Old Town of Nice, where the narrow cobbled streets house hand crafts and traditional French wares could be found here.

Place Masséna, main square of the city

Nice is the second most popular French city after Paris. Nice has a Mediterranean climate where we enjoyed with the mild temperature.

Nice beach. This photo was taken by Vincent and Andrew. The sad new was Nicole, Felicia and I didn’t not made it to this place.

Monaco

Monaco famous for its casino. This is also the place of wealthy people lived where there is no tax being levied on them. According to my tour guide, to become Monaco residents, all you have to do is you need to pay 1 million Euro as deposits and this is non-refundable. Gosh!!! 1 million Euro is equal to RM5 million. They are really rich people over here.

Port of Hercules, La Condamine

Monte Carlo Casino

During our visit to casino, we saw lots of luxury cars. Really a lots..

Besides casino, Monaco Grand Prix was held annually in the streets of Monaco.

>Around Europe in 20 Days [Part 2 – Switzerland]

Posted by: dianateodt on: January 12, 2009

In: Europe Trip | Goin' Places | Switzerland
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>20th – 21st September 2008

Early morning our tour depart from Paris and travel through the French countryside to stunning Switzerland. Joining this Topdeck trip, it is very challenging because we having our lunch at the place where no one will even thought of it. We having at the small park beside the Shell petrol station. Well, it was not the first time we having our foods at those place as we had it for the first time in Paris.

We head on to Lauterbrunnen, a tiny village at the base of the famous Jungfrau and Schilthorn mountains. Once again, while doing research for this place, the name of Lauterbrunnen is a combination of lauter meaning “many” and brunnen meaning spring, fountain, or well. Did Ms Sarah told us about that? I’m really sorry coz I had STM. I better ask my mates about this.

Village of Lauterbrunnen

During our stay in the camp, we just drink the water without boiling it because the source of water comes from the melting snow high in the mountains which makes it is very pure and clean to drink it.

Schitzenbach, our camp site

Let me introduces the wonderful mountain that covered with snow, just like Snow White!

This mountain is known as Jungfrau. The funny thing to pronounce this mountain is it starts with Y, so it is was pronounce like “Yungfrau”. Maybe this is the local people’s ancient. The only way to that mountain was climb it. Yes, climb! Just kidding. We took the cable car gondola and the journey took almost 2 hours to Jungfraujoch, which was Top of Europe. I wore 5 pieces of clothes before I went up there. Coz it is 100% covered with snow and ice. I had seen snow failing during my trip to China but I unable to touch it. Once again, another opportunity was approached.

Our ride in cable car gondola

Touching the SNOW!

Ice Palace was one of the attraction in Jungfraujoch, a collection of elaborate ice sculptures. Besides that, when walk outside the building, the whole place was absolutely covered with snow. We were so enjoy with lots of activies being provided here such as flying fox, husky dogs ride and board skiing. If you want to have a free ride on flying fox, all you need to do is “Take all your clothes and wear nothing”, which means you need to be nude to have a free flying fox. I wonder who will do this in the cold place and in the mean time, everyone is catching his/her eyes on you.

Ice Palace with Topdeck other members

Ice sculpture of bear

Husky Dogs

My butt skiing on board. At first, I was thought it was scary and dangerous but I played it twice 😛

Besides the mountain, when you step Lauterbrunnen, your eyes will caught by the waterfalls. It drops about 300 metres long from a hanging valley.

Me and Kyung Hee. But the focus point was not us, the waterfall behind us. Saw it?

Talking about dinner. Our dinner was having inside a camp. A truly camp using canvas. It was really cold as you could feel your hot coffee turns to cold coffee. But we were really having a delightful dinner as we having curry chicken rice. Besides that, we get the chance to taste cheese added with wine. Quite interesting as there is a story behind while local people of Swiss eat melted cheese added with wine.

“The unforgettable trip to our high-Alpine wonderland of eternal ice and snow is the true highlight of a visit to Switzerland. At an amazing 3454 metres, this is Europe’s highest-altitude railway station.” This was taken from Jungfraujoch official website and I’m agree with it coz I really enjoy myself.

~dt~ at Switzerland

>Disneyland Paris – Walt Disney Studio Park

Posted by: dianateodt on: January 11, 2009

In: Europe Trip | France | Goin' Places
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>19th September 2008

Now let me introduce you to the second theme park of Disneyland Paris, Walt Disney Studios Park. Right next door to Disneyland Park, discover the magical world of cinema and television at Walt Disney Studios Park – 4 cinemagical ‘lots’, featuring thrilling attractions and spectacular shows with your dreams centre-stage.

1. Front Lot

Front Lot is a studio lot based on the glamorous administration areas of Hollywood movie studios from the “golden age” of movies in the 1930s. It serves as the main entrance area of the park, with park services and several boutiques.

Its focal point, Disney Studio 1, is based on the first soundstage ever owned by Walt Disney himself.

The Earffel Tower is the icon for the this theme park. The tower stands 66 ft tall. The tower is based on water towers commonly found on Hollywood studio backlots of the first half of the 1900s, originally a safety measure to douse any fires on the film sets. In Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, it is known as Earful Tower.

2. Toon Studio

There are 5 attractions on the production zones; Crush’s Coaster is a spinning roller coaster inspired by the Disney-Pixar film Finding Nemo, Cars Race Rally which based on Disney Pixar movie Car, ride on a magic carpet adventure with Genie of the Lamp on the Flying Carpets Over Agrabah, Animagique where can see Mickey, Donald, their friends come alive, as well as Art of Disney Animation where can enjoy the fascinating history of Disney.

3. Production Courtyard

Stitch Live, CineMagique, Studio Tram Tour: Behind the Magic and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is formed part of these cinema and TV world. My friends and I are only able to face the mysteries of this abandoned Hollywood Tower Hotel. It is quite interesting where it comes with story of the hotel guests that fateful night back on October 31, 1939 when lightening struck and destroy part of the building.

4. Back Lot

This park features attractions related to action movies and special effects; Moteurs…Action! Stunt Show Speculation, Rock ‘n’ Roll Coaster starring Aerosmith and Armageddon Special Effects.