Eventually my parents went back to Thailand. I drove them to Heathrow and just got back.

It started last year, this plan. I went to Switzerland with Tik and was so impressed by its natural beauty. At that time, the only thing I thought was to give my parents a chance to experience the same thing (which is their dream.). I planned it one year in advance; I planned to take them to Switzerland and they should be staying with me for 1 month. I have never thought it would be this hectic for I didnt know my schedule as a 2nd year PhD student.

Anyway, I have managed to take them to more places than they have ever dreamt of. We went to Switzerland, Spain and Southwest of England. Of all 5 weeks, we have traveled for 24 days. Of all those 24 days, I was a driver, porter, photograhper, guide and etc. Super tired but I'm happy to see them happy.

For the first time in my life that I took care of my parents. For the first time, we have spent time together almost 24 hrs a day. For the first time, I learnt that I possess their characters. For the first time, I learnt about my family.

The love that they have for me is the only true love of my life.

After suffering from bad quality photos management in MSN spaces for a year, I finally decide to join facebook (www.facebook.com). It is one of a kind embeding the concept of social computing. I had so much fun exploring it last night. The first two photo albums I posted on facebook are for our day trip to Exmoor national park, covering two cities: Lynmounth and Lynton. (This is the trip for Ay farewell.) It took 2.5 hours driving. On the way to Exmoor, we did stop for breakfast at Glastonbury. It was such a lovely day and everything is perfectly fine.

Lynmounth is called England's Switzerland; is where rivers and sea meet with the mountains. Lynton has stunning view of valley of rocks. It's such a lovely day for all of us: Ay, Em (photographer), Dalia, Ali, James, Pete, Sab, and our chauffeurs - Hagen and Yun. Thank you everyone for all the good time together.

This trip is also to test my 2 new cameras: Fuji s6500fd and Canon IXY L4. The former is great, the latter is ok with portrait but not for view or moving objects. In general, I am quite happy with them.

Take a look at:

http://bathac.facebook.com/album.php?aid=7687&id=853930141

http://bathac.facebook.com/album.php?aid=7678&id=853930141

ps. The only weakpoint I found in facebook is that there is no slide show function when displaying photos. Flickr is another online photo management that is very popular at the moment.

For my 18-day trip to Italy, I have covered Rome, Florence, Pisa, Siena, Milan, Venice and Padova. Two-hour flying with EasyJet, I arrived my destination in no time. As a city, I like Rome the most. They said a lifetime is not enough for Rome, it's true. But the most vibrant city is Milan. People just love or hate Milan. Pisa is a small but nice. Siena is beautiful for its ancient buildings. Venice is spectacular but it's too touristic, travelling inside the city via vaporetto is not enjoyable if you want something quick. Walking in Venice is more fun. Padova has much more to give so it's worth spending my days there.

Milan, Venice and Padova are where I was with friends which is why I really enjoy these cities.

In Milan, I stayed with Karthik (an architect and designer) and Ganesh (a dentist, dancer and fashion designer). Karthik is my cool dude from Summer school. Through him, I know Ganesh and I would say that he is one of the coolest people I have ever known in my life. We had a big party at home where I also met Liliana and Carlos (from Summer school) and Shannon, a Salsa teacher, and other several cool people. We had another night out in Milan's bar with Francesco. It's cool and fun.

In Padova, I stayed with Claudia, also I met her at Summer school. We had another dinner parties: one with her cute friends, Valentina, Alicia, Aliscia; and another with her sister and Luca. For all parties, I cooked Thai food (I brought ingredients from England). I am glad that all people like my food as much as I like theirs. I have learnt a lot about Indian and Italian food. Prior to this trip, I don't eat pizza and I dont drink much wine. All of my perception about Italian food have changed. Now I really enjoy the real good pizza (which I can't find anywhere else yet). I must miss it a lot. (In the photos, see some Italian ingredients n wine that I took back. I even bought a tool for cooking tiramisu - that makes sense....And I also bought one coffee machine but I dont drink coffee....)

I fall in love with Italian food as well as with Italian girls... Claudia is my angel and all her friends have killing look that takes your breath away. Okay okay it's a bit exaggerated but they are all cute.

Italy should be in the list of your dream destinations. I dont know how much time you have for travelling. If you have so little, you might have to prioritize them. During the year 2006, I have travelled all over UK, I would recommend London, Bath, Cambridge, Oxford, and Edinburgh. If you do enjoy UK, other destinations can be explored. I think I have enough for UK. So from now on, I will go around EU, to see and learn from travelling.

Next section contains tips and brief info for travelling in Italy.

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++ Recommended Guide Books: DK eyewitness and Let's go plus detailed map of each city

++ Recommended Itinerary

Rome

Day 1 Piazza Republica, Spanish steps, Piazza del Popolo (get on top), Trevi, Piazza Navona, Pantheon (must see inside), Santa Maria Maggiore (All free)

Day 2 Colloseo (fee), Palentine (fee), Roman Forum, Vittorio Emanuelle II, Trajan Markets, Santa Maria in Trastevere (tram no.8)

Day 3 Vatican museums (close soon, must see, featured Michaelangelo's works)(fee), St.Peter's (fee)(wanna meet Pope, go Wednesday), Castel Sant' Angelo (fee)

Time left: Villa Borghese and museum (featured Bernini's sculptures)

Buy Roma pass for 3-day free transportation + 2 free museums of your choice (Most of destinations are in walking distance but subway might make life easier when you are tired.)

Florence (Firenze)

Day 1 Santa Maria Novella, San Lorenzo (n markets), Galleria dell Accademia (for David), the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria (Palazzo Vecchio if needed), the Uffizi (3 hrs +), Ponte Vecchio, Santa Croce

Day 2 Bargello, Piazzale Michelangelo, Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Garden

Pisa

0.5 day for just the Leaning Tower and the Duomo

Siena

0.5 day for Piazza del Campo and the Duomo

Milan

Day 1 Castello Sforzesco, The Duomo and shopping around Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Day 2..n Enjoy life and nightout in Milan near the canals

Venice

Day 1 Exploring the islands on foot, get inside St.Mark's (At the end of the day, buying day ticket for use tomorrow)

Day 2 Enjoying sightseeing grand canel and taking boat on different routes, then getting into the Ducale at least 2 hours before it closes.

Padova

Day 1 Basilica Sant'Antonio, Basilica di Guistina, the Duomo and Palazzo della Ragione and city sightseeing (has one famous Cafe), have to book for Cappella Degli Scrovegni (featured Giotto's fresco) ( http://www.cappelladegliscrovegni.it/eng/index_e.htm for booking via website)

Day 2 Cappella Degli Scrovegni and museum Civico Eremitani plus Palazzo Zuckermann

++ Recommended Accommodations (try to get one near main train station) Useful links: http://www.hostelworld.com/

Rome Funny Palace Hostel, Via Varese, 31 (www.funnyhostel.com) B&B Maggiore, Santa Maria Maggiore, 11 (http://www.romeby.com/maggiorebb/index.html) (I give *****)

Florence Hostel Trebbio, Via Trebbio 4

Venice Mestre Hotel Venezia, Piazza XXVII Ottobre (www.hotelvenezia.org)

++ Recommended Places to eat (places near train station turn to be good in most cases)

Rome

Al Vantaggio, Via del Vantaggio, 35 (near Piazza del Popolo)

Trattoria Angelo, Via Gioberti 35/A

Florence

Il Portale, Via L Alamanni 29/R (left side of train station when face in)

Milan

Luini Penzarotti, near the Duomo (eat original)

Venice

Antico forno, S.Polo 970/973, near Rialto bridge if on foot, reach this before Rialto

Osteria Alla Botte, S.Marco 5482

++ No pass for transportation in Italy, no student discount for most cases

Quote

Orkney & Skye

Orkney:

 

Another day, another tour, this time to Orkney, the Scotland's far north highlands.  After 3 hrs sleeping on the coach, my first visit is at John O'Groats, it's very similar to Land's End, so I didn't pay much attention.  The ferry took another 1 hr to arrive Orkney Islands, where formally belongs to Scotland but the inhabitants are independent.  The attractions include Skara Brae, Scapa Flow, Stormness, Standing stones, Kirkwall cathedral and the Italian Chapel.  The guide tour today is also funny, he's lovely though.  What I dont like today is the coach, so crowded and too small.  After 4 hrs of travelling back, I am so exhausted, then it's time to go to bed again with another new faces.  PS. I got a thank note from the Indian guy who I lent an adapter last night.

 

Skye:

 

The last tour day in Inverness, I bought the tour to Skye, on the way, stopping at Eilean Donan Castle, one of the places you have to go before you die.  Yes, I've been there.  It's a nice castle though.  THe sky is not so clear so the photo is not as seen in the travel book.  Then we headed to Skye, stopped at Clan Donald Center (Armadale), visiting its beautiful garden, taking a walk on the blue and red trekking trails.  Thank to PeterStorm trekking shoes I bought the other day, it helps a lot.   At Skye, I also have a guide/drive named Skye McDonald (if it coincided, I dont know), she drove around the isles and showed us very stunning scenic routes, told us a lot about the places, full of information (I would say overload, she just didn't stop talking at all.), including the information about Cuillin Mountains, and Five Sisters of Kintail.  On the way, we crossed to Skye by the bridge at Kyle and returned by the Kylerhea Ferry (manual operation).

 

In conclusion, the 3 day tours gave me quite different feelings and experiences.  I cant deny that Scotland is marvelous and stunning.  Its scenery is breathtaking.  After 3 days, I am so exhausted and get enough.  Thank you for all the fantastic guides, Alison - very funny and interactive, Stuart - polite and funny and Skye - very informative and knowleagable.  This trip makes my journey in Scotland complete, both Lowlands and Highlands, spending days and nights, being with groups and alone.

 

Tomorrow I have to pack and prepare myself for another conference in Glasgow.  Following the summer school, I'm now not just travelling, I do it with my eyes wide open.    At the hostel, there are many friendly people around, but may be I dont feel like we have common ground so I dont talk much.  I do miss all friends and family.  Was wondering whether they feel the same.   It's always better when we're together.

 

 

Switzerland (Summer 2006, 20 - 29 June)

I was just back from Switzerland, 10 days covering 15 cities including Geneva, Bern, Luzern, Interlaken, Grinderwald, Thun, Speiz, Lauterbrunnen, Vevey, Montreux, Lausanne, Zermatt, Brig, Engelberg and Rivaz. It's a perfect place for travelling. I covered a variety of attractions such as walking in town, excursion to mountain tops (Titlis, Jungfraujoch and Matterhorn), visiting a magnificent waterfall (Trummelbach), hiking, chilling by the lake and river (Lake Geneva, Lake Luzern, Thunersee, Brienzersee, River Rhone, River Ayre), etc. Thank you for the Summer, I have longer period each day.

In total, I spent 600 pounds inclusive of flights, 500 are of accommodations (backpackers) and transportations (for Swiss pass and excursion to mountain tops), a hundred pounds are both for Movenpick (ice cream of Switz) and food. Now I think I'm so keen of travelling in Switz in Summer. I can plan this 10 day trip to be completed in 6 days. So next year I'm gonna take Mom and Dad with me to Switz. If you want to join or want more information, you can mail me.

Please note that travelling in Switz, all you need are "money" (in CHF), hiking shoes, polarized sunglasses, sweater and sunscreen.

Tips:

1. always go to mountain top in the morning (normally train starts operation at 4:00 or 5:00 morning).

2. always checking the train route and timetable, then you know on which side of the train you should sit to get the best view especially the golden route from Luzern - Interlaken - Montreux. (btw, I prefer the first half from Luzern-Interlaken to Interlaken-Montreux since I like lake more than mountain.)

3. polarized sunglasses in Switzerland is cheaper than in the Duty free shop

4. always check the opening hours of COOP and MINOR (they are big departmentstore/supermarkets), your budget depends on how cheap you can buy food.

For me, the best time for travelling to Europe is during Summer. June will be ideal since the weather is nice and it's the early Summer so the price is not at its peak.

PS. I dont write detail of the trip, if you are interested, please visit Tik's webblog at http://tiiik.spaces.msn.com/ (written in Thai)

Thank you:

- Tik for calling me into this trip

- Greece and Cyprus embassy who didn't issue me a visa so I have to redirect route to Switz.

- Myself for working so hard to earn money for this trip.

Good news:

- On the departure day to Switz, I was informed that I'm accepted to a Summer school (for HCI - my PhD) in Scotland. I was on the moon. Will be there this mid August.

- Today I was informed that I'm accepted to the biggest HCI conference in UK named BritishHCI2006 which will be held in London this September.

I have other two - three conferences on the way to apply this year and will also have my first Viva this week. Things should be OK.

From now on, it's gonna be a damn busy life for me. Though I dont have to work during Summer, I've got so many things regarding my PhD on the way. Next week, will have to go to London again, both for visiting people and attending HCI workshop at the UCL London. I like being busy this way, It's kinda fun for me. By the way, I will not stop travelling. It's so cool to get to different places, to have a look, to feel the lives.

See you again in my next entry. and I wish I see some of you next June for the Switzerland trip with me as your organizer. (I am also thinking about continuing to some country like Turkey or Croatia.)

I left Bath on Apr 5th to catch the EasyJet flight at Bristol airport. The first trip ever outside UK, the first time I got fined for not carrying Railcard. :) I have no time at all to read about the destinations. The first time to join with the group that I know only 1 of 12 people. I was completely lost when I arrived Czech since I didn't know how to get to the pension. Btw, I finally made it.

P'A in Prague

Red Welsh Dragon

It's so cold and super windy today. We had lunch from Subway and ate it on high street against the wind. We were freezing, no wonder.

The Color of Cardiff's High Street

P.S. Strange that there are many punks in Wales and believe me that Crape and Waffle in Thailand are very much better tasty.

After finishing meal, we walked along the high street then walked to the Civic Center, This impressive, tree-lined area of white Portland stone buildings reflects the wealth that the coal and steel industries brought to the city in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Winter Wonderland in front of the Civic Center

Give more if you get more!

   Yummmyyy!! 

Me in all dimensions

This food costs me 7.5 pounds

Can u imagine that grilled pork and 1 small pack of sticky rice here costs one pound each. You must be rich selling food in UK.

Anyway, this will push me to learn how to cook diff type of food. If anyone can do, so do I. No more paying for expensive food.