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| Morocco | June 2006 |
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Destination: Fes, Merzouga, Todra Gorges, Marrakech
Before I went to Morocco, this country is a mystery to me, not much information I can get from the people around me. I did some research on the internet and found that people have good comment about the country. So I like to experience it myself.
I went down to Morocco from Malaga, Spain. I spent 13 hours on the road, first bus, then ferry, last train. When I got out of the boat in Tangier, I was scare because I could not understand any of the sign. I thought I could use English but no one there seems to understand. A group of Spanish I met on the boat offered me a ride to the train station and helped me with my ticket. I then met a family from US on the train. I asked them if I could stay with them. They were so nice, they added an extra bed in their room for me. We arrived in Fes at around 8:00pm. When we went out for dinner, we did not see any woman eating at a restaurant.
When I got up next morning, my fear was gone. We went out for breakfast and we had some pan cake (Moroccan style, I have no idea what they called) and mint tea. The mint tea was too sweet, I did not like it. We tour around the Medina in the morning, and went back to new town in late afternoon. After say goodbye to the American family, I went on to catch the bus for desert.
I know in Morocco, grand taxi is shared by 6 people, petit taxi run on meter. If someone hired a petit taxi, the driver shouldn't stop for other passenger. When I called for petit taxi, they stop even with passenger inside. I was in a hurry, otherwise I would wait for the next vacant one. I think this is very common in Morocco as the passenger has no objection. If I were the passenger, I would definitely reject for anybody to get in the taxi.
I took an overnight bus to Rissani. When I arrived in the morning, my tour guide was there at the bus stop. I felt a bit strange to stay with a guy I hardly know in a town which look like some western cow boy town I saw on TV. I don't think it is common for single woman to come out to the desert alone. What made me felt uncomfortable was I didn't see a single woman on the street. We sat down next to the taxi stop for a cup of tea while waiting for other people to share the taxi. The taxi ride from Rissani to Merzouga was less than 30 minutes, I saw some stones stack up about 1 to 2 ft height side by side on the road. This is how they indicate a road in the desert.
There was a heavy rain storm struck the village of Merzouga in late May. When the guide showed me around the village, I saw some houses were destroyed by the flood. Government had provided some help but the money was not enough for every family. They have to live in tents until they get help to rebuild their house. I have so much sympathy for those people, but there is nothing I can do.
I stayed in the tour guide's house for a nap, have lunch and played card with his little brothers. When the sun came down a little bit in late afternoon, we started the camel trek to the beautiful sand dunes. The rode was bumping, up and down on the sand again and again felt like I was in a boat. My stomach was not feeling well and I felt like I'm going to puke in any minute. I thought of jumping out from the camel but I did manage to finish the ride and reach our camp site in close to 2 hours. When I saw the sand change to peach color as the Sun sank into the sand, my uncomfortable feeling was gone.
After dinner, we lie down outside the tent and watch the stars. It was incredible beautiful. So many stars on the sky and we hear no sound but silent. It was so peaceful and calm, I wish I could stay longer. Next morning, I woke up at 5:00am, I went to the top of the sand dune to watch sun rise from horizon. After we have breakfast, we packed and make our way back to Merzouga. This time, I did not get up on a camel, I walked instead. It felt good to walk on the sand with my bare foot, but it wasn't easy to walk up to the top of the dunes because I kept sliding down by the sand.
I did not believe there is a lake in the middle of the desert when the tour guide told me. We were going to ride bicycles to visit the lake, but strong wind holding us back. May be my destiny is to come back to the desert for second time. If anyone interest to visit the desert, you can find out more information from this website whitecamel.com
The way to Todra Gorges has first get a mini bus to Rissani then grant taxi to Errachidia, another local bus to Tinerhir and grant taxi to Todra Gorges. I spent 7 to 8 hours on the road and all the car are without air condition. Travel on local transportation without Arabic or French is very difficult. Without the help from my Moroccan friend, I would not have easy way to get around in the south. The weather in the mountain is much cooler. At night, I could still see the sky full of stars. It is as beautiful as in the desert but without the dry air. My nose was blooding everyday when I was in the desert.
Next day I went to Marrakech, this is another 8 hours drive and the road pass thru High Atlas. The scenery was beautiful but I did not enjoy much because the road were bended and curved all the way thru the mountain and I felt dizzy. When I arrived in Marrakech, the noise, crowd, busy street, heavy traffic make me feel uncomfortable. Marrakech is a city full of excitement. I stayed in the busiest place Djemma el Fna. There was a mosque nearby the hotel, around 4am in the morning, I was awake by their pray from a loud speaker. It was very disturbing, in fact, I heard noise every night since day one I landed in Morocco.
| Laos | Dec 2007 | View photos |
Destination:Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Vientiane
Sabadee, this is the first word I learn in Laos. What I like about the country is they have good food, nice people, great scenery, with mountains and rivers; you can do a lot of activities. The best time to go is between November and February, they have less rain and the weather isn't too hot, so here I come, my Christmas and New Year vacation in Laos.
I flew from Bangkok to Luang Prabang, stopped for few days sightseeing in and around, then moved southward to Vang Vieng, my last stop was Vientiane, the capital city. Then I took a train back to Bangkok.
Luang Prabang has a small airport, one luggage claim area, only allow small aircraft to land, but the government have plan to re-build the airport to accommodate Boeing and Air Bus. The airport is about 4km from the city center, there are plenty of guest house in the city. I did not make arrangement but have no problem finding one after I arrived. However, if you visit around National New Year or Laos New Year, the room get fill up quick, you need to book ahead.
The places I like the most in Luang Prabang are Wat Xieng Thong and Phu Si Mountain.What is so impressive of Wat Xieng Thong is in the rear of the main temple, a “tree of life” mosaic set in red background. Several other mosaic set can be seen in nearby building. I was invited by a monk to go up Phu Si Mountain, this is the highest point in the city and best place to see sunset. I went up just before 5pm, the place was fill with people all waited for the sun to come down.
When I enter a temple, at least one monk comes to say Sabadee. They like to talk to foreigner in English, they eager to learn, like to practice the language whenever chance. They also study different subject beside Buddhism, at least one foreign language, some go to school for course and some do self study. They only go bare foot in Alm giving ceremony, other time they wear slipper. They go to internet café, ride in the backseat of motorcycle; they go outside to play after 6pm. For cloth, they have option for colors, they can choose according to their liking, yellow, orange, dark orange and darker orange.
I tried Laos best known coffee; they filtered thru a socking bag, mixed with condensed milk. The color was very dark, I thought it will taste very strong like Vietnamese coffee but it was not. They usually serve with a cup of tea. I had one from a food stall on sidewalk just outside of Royal Palace Museum, it taste better than the one I had from a restaurant and cost less.
I have noodle soup for every morning, either pork or chicken. Lao like to put lime, chili sauce, fish sauce, and sugar into the soup to make it sour and spicy. They also like to crush deep fried rice cracker or Buffalo skin into the soup. I asked the man next to me to give me a taste of his soup, it taste good except I do not like the Buffalo skin.
Another tasty snack was dry seaweed, they put garlic, sesame, tomato on top of seaweed, then sprinkle seasoning water on top, air dried for few days. When serve, cut into small pieces then deep fried, eat with sticky rice. I also like sweet sticky rice, they stuffed into a bamboo then cooked. I tried the one nearby the bus terminal in Vang Vieng. I also tried the banana pancake with condense milk or chocolate. You can find one in every corner in Vang Vieng. Forget to mention the good taste Beerlao, Laos like to drink it with loads of ice, they said easier to drink but I said diluted the taste.
From Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng was via bus on Rte 13, the road was curved and bended. It built along mountains, so prepare for 6 hours non stop roller-coaster ride. Two people in the bus felt dizzy, I slept all the way.
A lot of activities you can do in Vang Vieng, water tubing, kayaking, caving, cycling, trekking. I rode bicycle to a cave 7km away, it was on unpaved road, so the ride was bumpy. The cave entrance was about 200m above the ground, I climbed up to the entrance, the cave is large and deep, but without light, it was complete darkness. My flashlight was weak and there were no sign for direction. I was scare, if I trap in there, no one will save me. I did not stay long and did not go too far.
I read from book that there is curfew at 11:30pm; a lot of people still hang out after the hours. Curfew is just for shops. A good place to hang out is along Nam Song River bank, my Laos friend was able to get drinks after shop closed, we went sit by the river until early morning.
The ride from Vang Vieng to Vientiane was about 3 hours. The city doesn't impress me at all, everything is spread out. I had to go around by bicycle. I make friends in temple and was invited to go for a ride to the south of the city along Mekong River. I was also invited to go for drinks. We went to restaurant where they played Thai music. Lao listen to Thai music and watch Thai TV, and later to Karaoke. It was the night before New Year Eve, I celebrated with too much drinks, I drunk but Borpunyang who care.
The weather was nice, around twenty something in the mid day, but chilled in the morning and evening. A light jacket with keep you warm.
The food was great, people were nice, I do miss the country. I been to the North, I'm sure there is a lot to explore in Southern Laos. This gives me a good reason to go back. My friends in Laos, I might see you soon in the near future.
| Yangshuo, China | June 2007 | View photos |
Destination:Yangshuo, GuangXi
When I first heard of Yangshuo, I have no idea where that is, even after people told me it is near Guilin, I still have no idea the exact location. But I can imagine Yangshuo should look similar to Guilin.
We started our journey from Shenzhen, we hired a 53 seats bus, since we have 48 people, and it will be cheaper to charter a bus. For individual who like to take public bus from Shenzhen to Yangshuo, they have express sleeper bus for around 250 Yuan one way.
We aboard the bus at 9:15pm, it was estimated to arrive Yangshuo in the morning. On the road, I found it wired that I saw people walk on highway in the middle of the night, stand still in the middle of countryside road even there were some cars approaching. I was afraid we will run into accident so I couldn’t go to sleep.
We arrived in Yangshuo around 7:00am, we settled down in a hotel locate in West street. Then we went to have our first meal in Yangshuo. It was Guilin rice noodle. For 50 grams it is 2 Yuan, 100 grams for 2.5 Yuan. The store place couple small tables and stools on the side walk for people to have their noodle.
After breakfast, we started cycling. We leave Yangshuo county ride in the direction of Yu Long River. Along the way, we passed through small village and green fields, with beautiful shape hills all around. It was magnificent and I enjoyed every moment. After we reach Chaoyang Ferry, we took off for a bamboo raft. The cost was 100 Yuan per raft, maximum 2 people in one raft. Looking down from the bamboo raft, the water was crystal clear, I can see the bottom of the river. The water is clam, even for people like me who don’t know how to swim don’t need a life jacket. On both sides of the river, it was all green mountains, we saw local woman wash cloth beside the river. With mild wind and beautiful panoramic view on both sides, I fell in sleep in that 120 minutes raft ride. Lucky me, put on some sunscreen lotion, otherwise, I will be like other people became barbecue Pig.
After we get off from the raft, we continue cycling to Moon Hill. The weather changed so quickly, from hot burned sunshine to pouring rain, a lot of us was soaking wet from head to toes. We have lunch at one of the restaurant in Moon village, we can see the Moon Hill right from the window. The mountain has a large moon shape look like hole in the middle, this is how it gets the name. After lunch, the sun came out again, we ride back to Yangshuo, we passed by Butterfly Spring and saw couple westerner climb on one of the hill.
West Street is in the heart of Yangshuo, the busier street since its open to foreigner from 1978. The street is full of stores, bars, cafes and hotels. You have choice from western food to Chinese food, local products to antiques or even craft from ethnic groups. Simple English can be heard everywhere in West street. I spent some time in the evening to browse thru all the shops. For dinner, we tasted the famous beer fish and spring water chicken.
Next day after breakfast, we headed north to Xingping town. Xingping is an old town next to Li River, 25 km from Yangshuo. Nearby attraction include Lotus cave. We split the group into two, one took a boat trip to visit Li River, one walked on a trial along the river. On the west bank of Li River, we came across Yellow Cloth Shoal. This is large yellow flagstone lies under the water, look like a piece of yellow cloth. This is how Yellow Cloth Shoal got its name. This scenery is also the design of the back of 20 Yuan bank note, so don’t forget to take out the note and compare.
We continued to walk toward north, we arrived Mural Hill about 120 minutes later. This is also known as Nine Horses Mural Hill. It got its name because of the naturally shaped images of nine horses in different positions on the cliff, but I have no imagination, can’t see any of the horse. We had lunch in one of the village restaurant where we tasted fresh vegetable right from the farm, freshly killed chicken and fish. After lunch, we headed back to Xingping town, again we split the group into two, one took motor bamboo raft, the rest took small farmer automobile.
After arrived back in Yangshuo, we have to pack our stuff prepare to get on a night bus back to Shenzhen. We spent our last meal in a restaurant in West Street named “Red Star”. We had pizza, spaghetti, and Mexican food, they all very tasty. We got on a bus at 9:00pm and arrived in Shenzhen around 7:00am next morning, the journey ended here so as my memories.
| Taiwan | Sept 2005 |
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目的地:南投縣集集鎮
日期:(四日三夜)
行程:
第一天
時間全用在交通上，早上7:00離開家門，本來10:30飛機但延遲了一個小時後才飛。到步已經差不多是下午2:00，剛好趕到2:00去台中的飛狗巴士，費價$250(TWD)，在機場櫃位買票有折$230(TWD)。車廂寬闊，坐位舒適，但千萬不要坐近洗手間，否則後果自負。
兩小時高速公路車程到達了台中市，在市內共有12個站，從第一個站到終點站，需時差不多45分鐘。但若駕駛私家車，只需十多分鐘路程。我需要在終點站干城轉乘小巴，剛好趕得上5:00pm的車。票價分路段收費，到集集收$135(TWD)，這部小巴途經很多地方，先經大里市，再入草屯，中興，南投，名間，龍泉，到集集已經是晚上7:00。可能是放工放學時間，車上跟本沒有位企，但司機都照樣讓人上車，我本想拿字條向司機問路，但苦無機會，好彩好心伯伯見我手拿字條四處張望，幫我跟司機叫落車。我一天的旅程就這樣完結。
第二天
一大清早就被雞啼，狗吠，雀仔聲叫醒，起床時才6:00am，但陽光已很猛烈。9:00am吃過早餐後就步行十多分鐘到集集火車站，這裡是旅遊區，很早已經有大旅遊巴一車車地把旅客運來。火車站週圍當然有很多商店，吃的，賣手信的，淋淋種種，還有很多出租自行車店舖，專門租給旅客來遊覽整個集集鎮。除了腳踏車，還有電動自行車，一小時車租
$100(TWD)，外型十分像真的機動電單車，可以在街道上行走。我們騎著電動的往一條叫"綠色隧道"的山路走，其實"綠色隧道"是名間至集集段的台十六線公路，兩旁的樟樹，是民國廿九年間種植的，樹齡已有五十年以上，繁枝綠葉，交錯重疊，形成綠色拱形隧道。綠色隧道全長 4.5公里。昨天晚上我坐的小巴才在此飛行，這條山路彎彎曲曲，因此我覺得很危險，但朋友堅持私家車懂得避我們，我們就騎了差不多半小時後才走回程路。
午餐吃筒仔米糕，當歸鴨湯，這舖在南投市很出名的，筒仔米糕只做一定份量，賣完就收舖，通常不到1:00pm已賣清。南投市是一個小鎮，沒有什麼值得去看，若你是悠哉悠哉的去喝下午茶也不錯。我們在一間有design的房子喝茶，聽說樓上是店主自住，屋內只得數張檯和梳化，每張檯都有屏風隔開，客人說話都是很輕聲。通常他們一坐就是數小時，我是好奇店主怎樣可以收支平衡，這樣做生意跟本賺不到錢，或者台灣人真的很有錢，只為興趣不求回報。
第三天
今天租了一款迷你電動烈火戰車，因為車身矮重心低，初起步時被嚇了一跳，但其實也不難控制，不過我此終覺得在路面上行走非常危險。 我們用了一個多小時，到過武昌宮，它在921地震時差不多整個一樓也下陷到地下，現在封閉了整座建築物，只開放了外面給遊客參觀。目仔窯，它在民國二、三十年代建造，目仔窯舊跡主要生產磚塊。集集小火車站，建於昭和八年（民國二十二年），以純檜木建造，係全省最古老火車站之一，現已成為觀光旅遊點。
本想午飯後再度出發四週參觀，可惜天不做美，直到傍晚才停雨，我的心情也被拉倒下來。
第四天
我的假期就此結束，又要踏上長長的回程路。
| Thailand | Jan 2004 |
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Destination: Bangkok
今次已是第二次到曼谷所以選擇自由行，泰航早機去晚機返要$1450HKD ，住BTS Chit Lom Station附近的Arnoma Hotel，地點方便，就在Central World Plaza對面，即舊World Trade Center，Big C superstore 就在隔離，晚上開到10:00，食完飯重可以行超市買水果。經康泰定要$480HKD 一晚，不過我發現當地book只需$400HKD。兩個多鐘頭的機程到達曼谷後第一個感覺就係熱，相信連陽光照射有成30度左右，我們從機場坐的士到酒店需時大約30分鐘，高速公路橋費連車資$300BAHT 有找，維起港幣$60 ，行到咁遠好底坐。第一天的lunch就去泰網友在胡慧沖網頁推介的 Oishi Japanese Buffer，12:00-14:00時段$499BAHT，個人認為不太好吃，可能之前網友講到好正，令我對佢既期望好高，比起之後我們吃既餐，我覺得唔底食。重有一提是我們吃的泰國沙律，又咸又辣，D辣味重久久不散，好難頂。
我們第一日的行程就是行Siam，從Siam Square到MBK，到siam discovery Center，到Siam Center，就好似行銅鑼灣咁，行到我地腳都軟晒。Boots 就週圍都有賣，價錢比香港平，而且選擇比香港多，我唔係用開呢個牌子所以冇乜研究，至於Wacol就港人必買，至於到那裏入貨就冇所謂，因為是公價貨品。我發覺在這裏有些東西比香港平，有些貴，最緊要自己知價錢，買當地牌子和made in Thailand會有著數。晚餐到了 Big C 樓上的山箱日本餐館，這裏的日本餐比香港平很多，而且水準也不錯，我們用了$340BAHT for two即港幣$68就有兩個 Suishi dinner set。
第二天我們坐BTS 到Mo Chit站，行最大既跳蚤市場 Chatuchak weekend market，原本以為不會好大，但從 Sky train望過去，這個weekend market範圍真是很廣，我們行了不到5個鐘頭就離開，因為又熱又多人，而且很多店鋪賣的貨品也大同小異，我在這裏見識了鬥雞用的雞是怎樣的，牠們的腳特別粗壯，我個人認為鬥雞這類玩意太殘忍，所以沒有看。
有介紹說Big C樓上開了間Bowling，咁近當然要去試試，$300BAHT per hour，租鞋$35BAHT，只需說出你著size，就有專人拿鞋到你面前，而且你不用自己入info，當你開lane時填寫你個名，往後的全部有人服務，連埋單都好像在餐館一樣，只需揚一揚手，就有服務員拿單來，所有過程都不用離開條lane，咁既服務係香港邊道有呀，我們玩了6個 game，維起HKD$10 per game, 好底玩囉。晚上我們到了紅燈區Patpong，經過很多go go bar，從外望進去，見到很多著三點式的女郎在台上跳舞，但我就沒膽量進去坐。
第三天就到budget traveller聚集的地方Khao San，我真係見到好多背囊友，我都曾經拿住背囊四圍去，但又重又辛苦，現在沒有必要我也選擇拖住個o急好過。我們見到很多穿著移民局制服的人，相信他們是來捉拿非法勞工。這裏有很多間批發銀器店鋪，本來是要到胡慧沖網頁內介紹的 I-Rin，但到了中午12:00還未開鋪，不知是否發了達或早已關門大吉，我們唯有選擇其他店鋪。這裏做批發的都以重量計算，我見有些寫了$9.5BAHT/g，$10BAHT/g，有些店鋪要起碼買夠$10000BAHT -$15000BAHT 才可用批發價，至於零售價就比批發價mark up三倍，我們用了$5300BAHT買了大約200g，但後來想想，只需付多些少錢，就可以用批發價買多三倍既銀器，自己真笨。跟住我們坐的士到了唐人街南星食魚翅，$1000BAHT 一個濃湯翅，結論是不外如事。飯後我們坐的士到皇宮參觀，但皇宮每天只開放到下午3:30，而我們也沒有穿著整齊，所以不得而入，到皇宮參觀不可著冇袖衫和拖鞋，我們唯有在外圍走走和影相，其實泰國既建築物都差不多，而且我們也不是要拜佛，所以不覺有損失。
到曼谷的第四天，本相參加 local tour 去參觀曼谷72公里外的Ayutthaya，但要晨早7:30出發，而且回程要坐船，所以取消這念頭改為到Sukhumvit區行，但其實我們發現這一區沒有什麼好行，所以再回到Siam Center。當天整天都下大雨，更加令我們想留在室內。 在Siam Discovery Center有間叫Zen的日本餐廳，那裏的套餐幾底食，而且品質不錯，魚生都好新鮮，兩人食了$842BAHT ，即港幣$174，至於UCC餐廳既咖啡重底，blue montain都只係賣$80泰幣，cheese cake加coffee都係$90泰幣，至於晚餐我們到了World Central Plaza既Zen Japanese Restaurant，但這裏的魚生沒有在Siam Discovery Center咁新鮮，可能人流沒有那麼多，而且服務態度沒有那麼好，等了很久也沒有服務員來service。
在曼谷的最後一天，我們先到水門區，這裏就像深水埗，很多廉價衣物批發店鋪，跟住我們轉到Central Chit Lom的 7th Floor，這裏是被介紹為高檔foodcourt，入場每人派一張card，睇中食物落order時就會在張card裏入數，吃完出閘時才計算，就像金鐘太古廣場的西武樓下的Great，食物都算OK，勝在環境乾淨，$50BAHT 海南雞飯，$80BAHT 冬陰公面，$90BAHT Cheesecake。
| Shanghai, China | Oct 2003 |
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Destination: Shanghai
本來對到國內旅行沒有大興趣，但見電視電影中的上海是很現代化和文明，所以決定要驗證一下。十月的上海平均氣溫都在十多度左右，選這個時刻去會比較舒服，從香港到上海只不過用了1小時45分鐘，但從機場到浦西的酒店卻用了一個鐘頭，是塞車。
放下行李後我們就急不及待走到街上找吃，我們先從四川北路向南行，在地道的食店吃了一客蟹肉小籠包和蟹肉雲吞，味道一般，也不大吃得出有蟹肉。我們繼續行，到達了去南京路步行街，其間在路邊吃過串燒雞肉，羊肉，菜肉包，不知是否肚餓，所以吃這些食物時都覺得很滋味，我們一路行一路找好吃的東西，不知不覺已行了4個小時，在南京路步行街也來回走了兩次，終於決定在一家叫"吳越人家"的食館停下，我們要了脆皮咸雞，酸辣白菜和排骨年糕，三道菜才$30，好低食。其實這家食館出名是麵，那個裝麵的湯碗肯定大過你個人頭，可惜我們實在太累，忘記了叫碗麵來試試。
一大早我們就到外灘去，上海的天空實在太恐怖，因為空氣污染，整天都是煙霧迷漫，沒有散去。日間的外灘實在沒有什麼好看，不去也罷。好彩午餐可以吃大閘蟹補數，不然會覺得一大早起床是白起的。這是我今年吃的第一隻大閘蟹，大約有四，五両重，也算不錯了，但我最想吃的是蟹粉造的菜，不用那麼辛苦拆蟹但又可嚐到大閘蟹，正。
我們午飯後到上海市郊的水鄉朱家角，這裏曾是無綫劇集"情牽百子櫃"的拍攝場地，風景也算不錯，那處有很多賣肉棕，肴肉等地道特色小吃的店鋪，我們也敢膽試了肉棕一隻，其實那裏有很多烏蠅飛來飛去，沒事也算好彩。又是一輪塞車後，我們又返回上海市，要提一下這裏的交通，大型車也能兩條線走三部車，車與車之間可算沒什麼距離，有好幾次差點給在旁邊的車碰過來，很驚險呀！
淮海中路是商店臨林，遊客必到地，我們找到在旅遊書裏介紹的鋪頭"滄浪亭"，剛好那裏的師傅正在做出名的三鮮豆皮，我們很快的買了票，乖乖的排著隊等新鮮熱辣的三鮮豆皮，這是糯米，冬菇和腐皮放到平底鑊裏煎的。跟著我們到了"豐裕生煎包"吃了雪菜肉絲麵，雲吞和生煎包，最好吃是那生煎包，包底又脆又香，$20就把我們三人吃飽。飯後我們決定遊外灘，坐地鐵到附近的河南中路站，意想不到的是地鐵很乾淨，也很現代化，不過只行走到晚上10:30就停止。原來晚上的外灘才靚，燈光下所有建築物都變得很美。
第三天，我們到豫園城皇廟吃那裏出名的南翔小籠包，這間南翔饅頭店有三層，樓上兩層有座位的，樓下是外賣的，我們花了大半個鐘才等到位，其間樓下有人為爭排隊而打架，感覺上海人是那麼燥火，動不動就郁手。我們坐下後要了兩籠小籠包，每人吃了十二，三隻，再吃不下了。
跟著我們去了新天地，那裏有很多bar，cafe之類的店，有點像香港的蘭桂坊，在晚上會熱鬧很多，在這裏才見到穿著打扮像樣的人，我還發現了型男尹子維也坐在那裏喝咖啡。下午在淮海中路行街的人越來越多，有點像在行旺角一樣，我們去了在襄陽路的跳蚤市場，那裹就像女人街一樣，專賣冒牌貨，我發覺上海人真是沒禮貌，行路橫衝直撞，撞倒人也沒有道歉，過馬路時又亂穿亂插，紅綠燈只是用來作裝飾，險象環生，後來我們也學懂了怎樣過馬路，就是跟著別人動，不然等足成個鐘也過不了一條馬路呀。
我認為淨遊上海三天已很足夠，上海雖大，但遊的地方都差不多，我們待最後一天才到這間曾獲獎的金茂大厦，本來想坐進54樓的咖啡廳欣賞一下，但可惜碰著自助餐時段，要到下午2:30才開。這次上海之行可以看清楚，原來電影拍出來的總是美很多，我相信再來的機會不大，但未到過上海的人來看一看也可以。
| Japan | Nov 2000 |
Destination: 仙台、箱根、東京
今次日本之旅用了兩個月時間來計劃和搜集資料，第一站是仙台 (Sendai)，坐機到達東京後再匆匆轉乘東北新幹線北上，時間緊迫，慢一點也趕不上到仙台的特快車。到步下車時已是黃昏六時多，旅舍離車站大約二十分鐘，也可坐巴士只需十分鐘，但我在火車站附近來來回回找巴士站己花上半個鐘時間。上車後才發覺落車顯示跟網上打印出來的地圖指示不一樣，唯有數站數下車，下車後也找不到要去的街道，問路人和便利店的人也不清楚在那裹，可能是內街，很難找。那時的天氣又凍，我又肚餓又疲倦，更迷路，心想好彩是在日本，起碼感覺治安比較好些。
好不容易才給我找到，負責人見了我也很高興，因我比預定時間遲了一個鐘，他說很擔心我一個女子可能迷路或是有什麼事發生，我很感動，突然有點回到家的感覺，要自己動手鋪床單、枕頭套就更像回到家的感覺。
我的同房是一個日本女大學生，但我們沒有共通語言，只有用手勢表達。沖涼的地方是大圍同浴，但分男女的，我機本上是不介意脫光衣服面對別人的，但也不想自己的賤肉把別人嚇跑，但環顧四週原來我的豬腩肉也不太過份
^_^ 這裏的環境跟在電視上看過的差不多，我突然想問，姨媽到的日子應怎樣在這環境沖涼。
沒有預計仙台的氣溫只得五、六度，凍到手腳僵硬，鼻哥都變紅，但不想錯過拍照的機會，唯有頂硬上。至於吃方面就找有圖顯示的餐館，把名字抄底，入內舉起一隻手指表示一個人，把早抄底的字給他們看，食物來時就點頭應一下，食飽後到收銀處看機比錢，過程可以不用出一句聲，把口只用來吃東西的。
離開仙台坐了三個多鐘頭車到了箱根 (Hakone)，另一處境色迷人的地方，我當然沒有錯過坐吊車遊覽，也跟別人一樣要嘗嘗溫泉蛋的滋味，但一包最少有六隻，我一個人怎可以全吞下呢，唯有留作晚餐、宵夜及早餐。後遺症是之後的一個月見到雞蛋也怕怕。
可能睡不慣塔塔米的關係，來了日本幾天也是每天睡到早上六時多就因為腰背痛而醒，剛好我住進箱根這間旅舍沒有單身女子入住，我可一人獨霸所有床褥被鋪，在加厚的床褥下我才可睡到八、九點。旅舍有一個溫泉可免費享用，我當然不會錯過，當我坐在溫泉中四圍看時，發覺溫泉的另一面是落地玻璃，因為是晚上外面太黑，但我猜外面好像是旅舍的後園。我在明，別人在暗，若別人要看什麼也可看得一清二楚，沒關係吧，當是我送給日本人的見面禮。
箱根的環境很舒服，空氣清新，還可看到紅葉，令我想起加拿大，原本想到果園去走走，但附近的果園剛過了採果期，己關閉不再開放給公眾採摘。坐火車回東京時，站在月台上突然聽到好像飛機靠近的聲音，跟著來的是像地震般的郁動，原來是有子彈火車經過，可見它的速度多快多震撼。
當我一步出東京 (Tokyo)車站，就有一種好強烈的壓迫感，人群從四方八面的衝過來，差點令我喘不過氣，好不容易才在新宿找到我入住的酒店，若不是好友預先拜託了在東京的日本朋友照顧我，我想來到東京後是不大願意外出的。我有一個習慣，就是到每一處都喜歡到他們的大學參觀，可能是我讀的大學沒有我理想中的校舍吧。到了早稻田大學覺得跟其他的沒大分別，可能此終是城市裏的大學，當然沒有一大片草園，湖之類的東西。
這裏的商店都有很多很漂亮的東西，但卻令我花多眼亂，我連踏進一步的興趣也沒有，回港時，我除了要買必需的手信草餅之外，真是一點東西也沒買。對日本的感覺除了東京之外還是不錯的，服務行業的人尤為禮貌，我在巴士上見司機跟每位下車的乘客道謝，雖然我不懂他說什麼，但我猜是多謝乘搭，小心行路之類的說話，我才不信他會叫人快點下車不要阻住地球轉。現在香港的司機可能也不會這樣罵你，但會在你下車後才罵你。套劉德華的話，今時今日咁既服務態度點得架，要知道車廂內還有其他乘客，司機背後罵人，全車乘客也在聽的，真的要檢討檢討。
| South America | Nov 2001 |
Destination: Chile, Argentina, Brazil
南美洲對很多人來說是一處好遠的地方，對我來說除了遠還有些神秘，原因是還沒有認識到去過南美的朋友，不能從他們的口中知道那邊的風土人情。本以為身在北美洲飛過去南美洲會比較方便些，但事實也要用上十多個鐘頭的飛航時間，真是坐到我的屁股都有點扁了呀。
十一、二月的南美正是夏天，我從下著飄雪的多倫多坐飛機到智利的首都聖地牙哥(Santiago) ，一下機就差不多要把所有的衣服脫掉，氣溫在三十幾度以上，陽光非常猛烈，坐巴士到市中心沿途所見皆不是華麗漂亮的景色，我感覺到這國家的人民生活比較清貧，我落腳處是在離市中心不遠的青年旅舍，負責人會說英語，我的同房有來自西班牙，也有來自澳洲的，她們都是在這裏上短期課程。
我在聖地牙哥逗留的幾天，每天起床後就照編好既行程四圍去看，交通工具就只有我兩條腿，因為在地圖上看來並不太遠，也為了節省金錢，可惜現實並不如此。這裏的人有午休的習慣，可能因為天氣太熱，又或是食飽睡一睡好過做元帥的關係，午市過後舖頭都關上兩、三個鐘。我因為言語不通，變得冇啖好食，唯有到超市買乾糧充饑。我並不太敢拿相機出來拍照，感覺上會有很多人會打我的主意，為免財物損失，都是少影為妙。
在這裏最後的一天，給我發現了一個海鮮批發市場，有些熟食檔在旁，還有食物的圖片顯示，我當然不會放過啦，指著一碟蜆的物體就落了柯打，奉上來的是一碟剁碎了的生蜆加很多很多檸檬汁和蔥之類的東西，杰撻撻的賣相令我有點兒不敢放進口，不過想想本死無大害，死也有很多人陪我一起，就且放進口裡，食落又覺幾滋味，終於很滿足地離開。
晚上從旅舍望出窗外，整個天空都佈滿星星簡直多過假日崇光百貨對開馬路的人群，好壯觀呀，南美洲的夜空是我見過那麼多個最美麗的天空，可惜不能把這景像影下來，更沒有伴在我身旁與我分享。
離開聖地牙哥後就向亞根庭與巴西的邊境進發，拉瓜樹大瀑布(Iguazu)是我這次的目的地，到步後發現這瀑布很壯觀，比美加邊境的尼加拉瓜瀑布還要大，難怪王家偉的"春光詐洩"也拉隊在這裏取景。我入住的旅舍離瀑布國家公園比較遠，本來計劃坐公共巴士進去參觀，後來在旅舍結識了一個墨西哥女孩及兩個德國男孩，我們一起包了導遊去看瀑布和這小鎮。行程本包括到與巴西只有一橋之隔的巴拉圭城(Paraguay City)，但當我們的車駛進過邊境的車籠時，大批的小童蜂擁而至，圍著我們的車，我已忘記他們手中賣的是什麼，但已把我們嚇怕了，決定轉頭回程。原來巴拉圭是一個很窮困的國家，巴拉圭城就位於邊界，遠處望過去有點像深圳，但比深圳恐怖幾萬倍，巴拉圭的人民都希望可從比他們富裕些的巴西那邊賺多些錢 。
下一站是到亞根庭的首都布誼諾斯艾利斯 (Buenos Aires) ，一個外表看來沒有那麼窮的國家，但卻聽聞政府限制市民提款。原來繁華都市總有窮人，看見老嫩乞兒坐在遊客區搵食，更慶幸自己生於富裕國家，不用受這些苦。在逗留其間得知一位舊同事的死訊，才二十幾歲，因為太突然，令我在餘下的旅程裏常想人們不能預知明天發生的事情，那為何不趁今天做自己喜歡的事。在離開亞根庭數天後，當地的人民再也忍受不了政府的迫壓而發生了暴亂。
南美之旅最後一站是巴西，常看電視中介紹巴西嘉年華，想這地方一定是很熱鬧的了，對！是非常 "熱" "鬧"，氣溫高達差不多四十度，真是熱到"媽媽聲"，重唔係熱鬧咩！！
我在曾是巴西的首都里約熱內盧 (Rio de Janeiro)入住近海灘旁邊的旅店，方便到沙灘曬太陽，但這裏的熱浪太驚人，恐怕走不了兩條街就會被灼熟。我更發覺這裏臭氣燻天，不知是人們的體臭還是街道上垃圾發出的臭味，我真是受不了！在這種情形下，我當然是參加當地的旅遊團去四處參觀，除了一路上有冷氣之外，也可避開別人因我有白哲肌膚而發出的艷羡目光！旅遊團還安排了一頓巴西美食，也是我這次旅程中唯一的一餐有熱的食物進肚，巴西人不知是不是全都是食肉獸，他們用長鐵叉把肉類串起來烤，熟了就拿到你身旁切給你，味道也不錯，但種類太多，吃一兩啖已很飽。這裏的人工很低，你給些少小費，他們已待你如貴賓。
本應回程途中在轉機的城市亞特蘭大 (Atlanta)停留幾天，但多天來的寂寞，變得很想家，加上好友離開，同事死訊，再也沒有心情在外邊遊玩，在臨離算開里約熱內盧的最後一天把機票改掉了。
| Australia | Dec 2004 |
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Destination: Sydney, Great Ocean Road, Ballarat, Philip Island, Melbourne
| France | June 2008 |
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Destination: Paris, Lyon, Chamonix Mont Blanc, Annecy, Sisteron, Marseille, Arles, Avignon
| Greece | May 2006 |
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Destination: Santorini, Mykonos, Athens
I started my journey from London, I flew to Santorini, but there was no direct flight, I have to change flight in Athens. The airport in Santorini is very small, only one baggage claim area. I stayed in a hotel 20 minutes away from the center, it is in a quiet area without sea view. Everything is OK except I did not like them to kept my passport. When I asked them for my passport, they insisted me to pay right away.
I met young couple from Beijing who came for their honeymoon. They were so nice and friendly, they visited Italy before they came down to Santorini so they passed me all the info they have for Italy.
The sun was very bright in the morning and the dark usually did not come until after 8:30pm. I saw a lot of people burned like roasted pork, I did not want to get burn so I put a lot of sun block. You can't really go anywhere without sun glasses. I wanted to hired a motorbike, but I ran into small accident when I drove on sand road. I have minor scratch on my legs and palm.
I visited the old port in Thira, but there is nothing much to see, only donkeys and their poo-poo. I went Kamri Beach for dinner, while I was enjoyed my food, a cat came along and stared at me seem like he want to share my food. No way, I'm scare of the cat and I didn't want cat come near me. I had to put up my feet on another chair until I finished my dinner. Oia was famous for sunset.
All the days I stayed in Greece, I have Gyros most of the time because it cost less than 2 ��. Eat at a restaurant will be too expensive for me. I love Gyros but not everyday, I think I'm going to scare Gyros for the rest of the year.
I took a boat from Santorini to Mykonos. It took around 2 hours and 30 minutes. The town was just next to the port, not far away and it is very small that you don't need to take any transportation to get around. But I was lost inside the town because every house looked the same, they painted in white and have blue windows.
I flew from Mykonos to Athens, it was a Sunday, and I was lucky that the public transportation was free until 2pm that day. The entry to Acropolis was also free. So I went with a Japanese guy I met at the hostel. We walked very far away and finished all sightseeing in one afternoon. Then, we went dinner together and I had a moussaka, it is minced meat, potato and some kind of pasta or egg, and it tasted good.
Athens is not a very good city to live; a lot of buildings were old and not well maintained. People are careless about others, motorcycles everywhere and they don't stop at the sign. There were 3 American girls in my room have the same feeling, they all said Greek guys are impolite and rude.
| Italy | June 2006 |
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Destination: Rome, Vatican City, Firenze, Venice
I flew to Rome from Athens, my first impress of Rome was not good. I saw beggar near by the train station, car go so fast and won't stop for people when they cross the road. I have to run across street every time. The hostel I was staying was nearby the Termini in a very old building. My room has 8 beds, its all bunk beds and I stayed on the top. Whenever I or the person below me turn, the bed shake like an earthquake. The room has no locker and door has no lock, even the shower room has no lock
I got up early to go visit Vatican. There were already thousands of people waited in front of the plaza at 8:30am. I turned around to go to the Vatican Museum first, but I still have to wait for 45 minutes to get in and I spent 2 hours there.
I bought a beg of seasoned Risotto for dinner, because the instruction was in Italian, I had to guess how to cook it. I did cook it with plenty of water but it did not come out very good. And stupid me, 1/4 of the risotto stick on the bottom of the pan, I have to use a knife to scratch them off, it took me more than half an hour to clean it up. I also tried one of the Chinese restaurant near Fontana de Trevi, I ordered sweet & sour soup, but the size of the bowl was so small. I also had spicy meat tofu, rice and a beer. The bill was 11.4��, I can make better tofu than this one, with the dish size and taste, this is a very expensive lunch.
The Colosseo was closed for Union meeting when I went there. I walked around the area and met a Taiwanese guy who also travels alone. We went sightseeing together for half day. I also met a British girl in the hostel at Firenze's. We went together to see Duomo, Piazza San Lorenzo and some other places. I was very enjoyed the time with her.
I did not like Venice may be it was the hostel I stayed was not in good condition, and this blemished my mood. The Bascilia in San Marco was so beautiful, the ceiling was all with gold. I sat down in Plaza San Marco to have lunch I bought from supermarket. An old couple sat next to me started to talk; they told me they have the most expensive coffee they ever had. It cost them 29�� for just 2 coffees because there were someone playing music in the restaurant and the music was charged on the bill. I could hear the music from a distance and no need to pay a penny.
| Switzerland | June 2006 |
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Destination: Lucern, Zurich, Interlaken, Bern, Geneva
The train from Venice to Lucern took 7 hours. I arrived in Lucern after 7:30pm and everything was closed. The hostel I stayed was a big one but very noise and with a lot of school kids. They seem like never stop talking and they stayed up late too.
I went to Mt. Pilatus, I walked thru all the trails up on the top and the highest one reach 7000ft. The view from the top of the mountain was so beautiful.
Jungfraujoch is another mountain I went, it is much higher, the top of the mountain is at 11760ft. They also claim themselves top of Europe. It was covered by snow and the temperature was in single digit. I was not feeling well when I was up there. Big headache kept following me until I reach the ground. It was not a good feeling.
People here are so friendly and polite, whenever you want to cross the road at the pedestrian cross, they stop for you. The hostel in Switzerland concern a lot about energy saving. The light will switch off automatic after few minutes. The water shut off after one minute so when I took a shower, I have to keep pressing the button in order to pump the water.
Not much to see in Zurich, Bern and Geneva. When I was there, the weather was not good, it rain at night.
| Spain | July 2006 |
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Destination: Barcelona, Malaga, Sevilla
I flew from Geneva to Barcelona, the cost was 68��, www.easyjet.com cheaper than a train ticket and save me a lot of time. Barcelona is a very busy city, a lot of people and tourists. I love the fruit market La Boqneria, it was so colorful with all the fruits pile up together.
The Caterdral was under maintenance when I was there. They have nice beach so close to the city. I met a Taiwanese girl and a Korean girl there and we spent some good time together. This city is full of Gaudi 's work, I'm not a big fan of him so I just see his work as regular building.
The flight from Barcelona to Malaga only cost 26��. For cheap flight within Spain, check www.veuling.com. There is a bull fight stadium in Malaga but I only get in the bull fight museum. They don't have show on the day I was there, even if they did, I don't think I want to see because it is too violence. Sevilla is a nice city to visit, but it will be too hot in the Summer. I tried to avoid the sun during the day, went out only after 6:00pm.
| East Europe | June 2001 |
Destination: Prague, Vienna, London
從未到過歐洲， 很想去看看有什麼吸引，為何香港人常說要到歐洲旅行，選擇東歐是因為不想在外地撞口撞面都是黃皮膚，雖則也有香港人去那邊，但比起西歐相對地是少很多。
我去捷克的時侯，無論是任何國家的護照也要申請簽證的，但香港特區護照就不另收費，我用加拿大護照就收我差不多四百大元，真是無天理！不過現在不用說了，捷克跟其它神根國家一樣，給香港特區護照免簽證。
六，七月是東歐的夏天，到達布拉格(Prague)後便坐巴士轉地鐵到市中心，旅舍位於內街，機場取的免費地圖沒有清楚指示內街位置，找了差不多一個鐘還是回到原來位置，真後悔沒有選用有轆的行李箱，差點變了跎背。今次住的旅舍剛好沒有單身女性入住，我可獨霸一間房，還有私人廁所呢。布拉格是一個很寧靜的城市，我選擇了用雙腳去遊遍這個城市，我最喜歡河邊古城的風景，同場加送大胸脯女郎與男伴當街當巷擁抱熱吻，看到人真有點想找番件陪下。若要在這裏買手信，最好的是五顏六色的香水玻璃瓶，只是大約五，六十港元一個，我買的有限，回港後全送給朋友，可幸我拍了照片留念，這也叫曾經擁有吧。
不知是否捷克人喜歡節約能源，或是我已習慣香港人白天也把電燈全開，總是感覺火車站黑黑沉沉，我還以為是公眾假期或他們大罷工，這裏的指示牌真差勁，加上我看不懂的語言，差點找不到月台，在去奧地利的車程中，坐在我旁的是一位來自加拿大的型男，我當然不會錯過機會，希望有伴同行，可惜他到達維也納(Vienna) 後要繼續轉車南下。
可能我選擇落腳的地方是二，三線區，對維也納的印象沒有捷克那麼好，垃圾到處可見，還差點踩馬屎。對四周圍的景物開始有些沉悶的感覺，原來歐洲式建築物到處都是差不多，我敢說日後看回照片，分不清是什麼地方。我雖經常單獨一人進食，但此時此地看見別人三五知己聚在一起，我好羡慕。真要多謝現代科技發達，令我可以與分隔了半個地球的朋友用互聯網通訊，算是一止我的寂寞。所以無論我到什麼國家，事先或到步後也一定要找出提供上網服務的地方，讓我不至有孤身獨行的感覺。
在維也納最後的一晚看見別人進食海鮮，自己也非常想吃，但當初沒有換太多奧地利幣，除了要預留買車票到機場的錢，吃了就沒有足夠錢坐車回旅館。為了滿足自己的慾望，犯法坐霸王車都要博一博。這裏的地鐵系統是沒有閘的，政府相信市民是自動自覺的，購票後可以自出自入，但若一旦查票，會被罰幾百倍的車資與忘記多久的監。自己作賊心虛，若別人注意我的舉動，一看就知我是身有屎的。
當踏入倫敦 (London)，我有一種終於返回現代化的城市感覺，坐地鐵出市區時，發覺他們的車廂是非常窄的，我攜帶一個大背囊已經阻了整條通道。留在倫敦的幾晚都入住不同的旅舍，第一晚住的建築物外觀有些像紐約布諾侖區的房屋，令我有點不想進入的感覺。第二晚住的旅舍是我住過最多床位放在一起的房間，五張床層層疊成一個L字。來到倫敦後遇到兩件不好的事，第一是首個晚上看到雙層巴士剛撞到路人後留下來的滿地血跡，第二是坐地鐵途中遇上有人跳落路軌，我要背住重重的背囊四處找巴士轉乘到目的地，討厭，真當黑！倫敦就像我在外國生活的城市一樣，並沒有什麼特別。