Triangel

Triangel

Two writeup in a day..hmmm just feel like writting this since I am actually hooked on watching this TVB re-run series on Astro entitled 'Triumph in the Skies' which was a story on pilots and they had many scenes in Rome and Hokaiddo.

In fact, the reason I wanted to go to Rome so much during my first Europe trip back in 2008 was because of this show. And my brother even went gaga over a Triangel (a doll made popular in the series which initially belong to Flora Chan). We saw one of these 'angels'/dolls while walking around in Venice and bought one home. I still think the Triangel in the series looks much better.

Triangel doll symbolize as a Guardian of Love. Got this story off the internet

The Triangel originated from a famous Italian allusion. In the times of ancient Rome, there was a kindhearted lady falling in love with a young man who was witched to be indifferent to the lady. The lady was so depressed and sit in front of the window crying day and night. Finally, her love had touched the Gods. They sent the Triangel to the lady which could make the witch appear in front of the young man. The young man realized that his true love was the lady and they had fallen in love again!

Now, in Italy, girls like to place their Triangels in their rooms and let the Triangels bless them.

venetian mask

magnets and miniature Colosseum from Roma

O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?

Juliet's balcony

Sound familiar? That's the famous quote from the balcony scene of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. I had a chance to visit the 'birthplace' of the famous Romeo and Juliet in Verona, Italy, an easy day trip from Venice. The journey took about an hour plus from Venice to Verona Porta Nouva and we had the whole day to explore the town on foot. The town is easy to navigate and most attractions can be reached on foot. It was here in Verona that Shakespeare set the scene of the famous play. Among the highlight of the attractions is off course the famous Juliet's balcony where Romeo declared his love. There are also the Montague house as well as Juliet's tomb.

Colliseum?
nope it's the Arena


the Arena is still being used


inside the Arena


view from top of Arena

Although Verona is not as famous as Venice, Florence or Rome, the place is worth spending time in. It's a good place to just chill out and discover the romantic traces of the star crossed lovers.
After all, there are less tourist here and you can tried out their famous horse meat which sadly we couldnt locate any restaurant selling the meat.

Juliet's tomb


two layers in Verona


Juliet's house


Juliet's statue
supposingly to rub her breast for luck


the Balcony


lovers around the world declare their love here


the town






Romeo's house

La Serenissima

Venice, a city of water, well known for her canals and canals and canals.

The city is practically floating on water and during summer, these can be annoying especially the smell. But hey, smell or no smell, she's one must visit city in Italy besides Rome although you might see more tourists that locals.

I had a chance to fufill my dream of visiting this place when I was backpacking around Europe in 2008 after my business trip in London. Yea, I know, this was two years ago but I guess, good and significant memories do retain and photos can help much in detailing a story. At that time I still had my old camera, actually it's my bro's old ancient Canon camera and so all photos credit to him.

We left for Venice from Florence in the early morning and decided to take the slow train (Trenitalia) instead of the fast train because of an incident in Rome to Florence which I shall write in my Florence travelogue. We alight at St. Lucia train station and find our way to the hotel which was very very expensive. In fact everything in Venice is expensive.

first sight of canals


no, there no wedding, it's just the deco





water taxis, the main transportation mode here

the main canal


gondoliers fishing for riders






plenty of bridges at Venice

Oh btw, if you had visited Venetian hotel before, Venice is nothing like that. Venice is best explore slowly and getting lost along the way. If you are not lost, you are definitely not enjoying Venice to the max. Leave the map at the hotel and just follow your instinct and of course the crowd. At least that's how we managed to navigate our way to St Mark's basilica and back to the hotel :)

And yea we were lost many times but during these times, we found little gems around corners such as the less expensive magnets as souvenirs. They were a must buy and it's only found in Venice. I regretted not getting myself a Venetian mask due to the logistic problem. Venice was the third pit stop and we had like 10 more cities before heading back to London. Dont think I can carry a fragile mask that far.

St. Mark basilica

little girl playing with pigeons








climb the clock tower for the panaromic view of the square


Venetian masks, aplenty in Venice

For food, try out the famous black ink squid pasta. I wont disclose how it taste like here.

black ink pasta

And for those couples who fancy a ride in the gondola, go for it. I didnt go the last time as money was tight plus there nothing romantic riding a gondola with you bro though. Oh, dont expect the gondolier will sing for you. It only happens in Venetian hotel.

the bridge used to be a prison














St. Lucia train station @night





quiet night after the tourist crowd subsided