2014年12月31日 星期三

回顧2014

回顧2014,肯定是突破的一年。

努力讀書工作了半生,換到的是可以選擇自由。所謂的環遊世界只是一個籠統的叫法,說穿了,就是自由地做自己想做的事,當中包括我們最愛的自在悠遊…在喜歡的地方多待幾天,行程隨心而行,這才是我們的節奏。

旅途上總有意想不到的情況。誰想到南亞之旅突然在元陽的客棧住下來,還是當上店掌櫃和小厨師,然後現在又回來了。誰想到會因此結識了一群好朋友。誰想到原來兩人遊偶爾搭個伴會這麼愉快。

有想念工作嗎?暫時還沒有…我不討厭工作,只是現在的生活很滿足很快樂!!

來年還是計劃旅遊…想搭個伴的要報名了!

By: Jo

Looking back at 2014, it is definitely a year of change!

Have studied and worked hard for half of my life, what I earned is a choice of freedom.  Travelling round the world is only a simple way to put it, the real idea is to do whatever we like, including travelling according to our own pace...stay longer where we enjoy and not have to rush, go where we want,  this is how we travel.

There is always surprises when you travel.  Who can tell that we stopped at Yuanyang during our SEA trip and ended up working as guesthouse reception and cook.  Who knows we would meet a group of good friends at Yuanyang. I didn't expect to have such a great time having extra travel companions!!

Do I miss work?  Not yet....I don't mind working, it's just that I am really happy and satisfied with my life right now!

Heading into 2015, still planning for more travelling.  Whoever wants to join us will need to rise their hands now!

By: Jo

2014年9月22日 星期一

住在民宿的日子--法國西部的石屋 Days at bnb – Stone farmhouse in West France


Mont St Michel 是法國其中一大景點,附近的酒店都是昂貴的星級酒店,我們在民宿網站上找稍為遠一點的鎮上住宿,也選擇不多。

決定豪一次,預訂了一間在法國西部傳統石屋的房間。

一路上超喜歡法國的石建小屋,很有鄉村風味,也感到非常有歷史感。

入住這民宿共有三個套房在二樓,我們住了原來主人住的套房,他們倆暫住在停在旁邊的旅行車內。地下是大得可舉辦一個百人戶外婚禮的綠色草坪,很大的厨房和客廳,室內和戶外的風格也是我們喜愛的。總之是住在郊野,又有酒店般的享受,一切都很好; 我們和主人Jo&Jack的交流也很舒服,他們是非常健談的英國人,用英語交流的感覺非常好。

到此,本來已是100分的民宿….誰知道還有下文。

第二天的中午在家中休息時,隨手番了桌上的相簿,有了驚人的發現! 相簿放滿了一間破爛石屋的照片,雖然是破爛的,但我們馬上意識到這就是我們現在身處的地方



五年前,JoJack厭倦了在英國每天營營役役賺錢的日子,來到了這個法國西北部的小村落,用四十萬港幣買了一間破爛的石屋,屋頂的鐵皮都全掉下了,本來是兩間小屋,其中一部份是造cider的工場,也有馬住的地方。

他們兩人,用了數年時間,把整間石屋大部份拆掉,重新建成現在這漂亮的石屋!我們真天真,以為這石屋是從一開始就這麼漂亮,還可以維持那麼多年!他們沒有雇用建築工人,全部是他們兩人(也有爸爸的幫忙),讓這古石屋重生成現在的樣子….

不止石屋本身,連內部的裝修也是他們自己做的。水泥工建成的火爐,陽台,台階。還有所有的木造部份,包括木地板,木門,厨房的原木餐桌等等,都是從運到這裡的原木樹幹鋸出來,打磨,自己做出來的!!



對於我們這些香港人來說,自己建屋簡直是天方夜談。雖然我們聽說在外國因為工人的費用很高,很多人都自己動手,但能達到這種水平的,恐怕也沒有很多吧!!

這石屋的故事讓屋內的一樑一柱,一木一石更動人,我們會温柔的撫摸一下木門,細細欣賞當中的淚與汗!!



當我們一次又一次驚嘆,Jo跟我們說,只要你想做,是一定能做得到的吧!!

by: Jo



Mont St Michel is one of the most touristic attractions in France and all the nearby hotels are expensive.  We search for something on Airbnb and there aren’t many choices.

So, we decided to spend a bit more this time to live in a typical stone built farmhouse, typical style of West France.

When we were driving in France, we always love the stone built houses.  They have a very country side and historical feel.

The farmhouse has three en-suites in the second floor, we have taken the big room which the hosts used to live.  They temporarily moved to the caravan parked on the side.  In the ground floor, there is a huge grass field which can easily hold a hundred guests wedding banquet.  There is a huge kitchen and a big living room.  The exterior and interior are both tastefully decorated and we love the design and style.  You live in the countryside and at the same time is enjoying hotel standard environment.  We also had a good time chatting with Jo and Jack who are British.  As you know, felt good talking in English.

At this point, already felt that this bnb scores 100 points… but then, there is something else.

On our second day, we relaxed in the living room and I just casually picked up a photo album from the desk, and found something!  The album contains many photographs of a really broken stone house.  Although it was very old and broken, we immediately realized that this is where we are sitting right now...

Five years ago, Jo and Jack were tired of their lives in England, where they were both  working crazily to earn money.  They came here and bought this old and broken stone house for around HKD400k. The roof of the house was completed collapsed, there were two smaller houses at that time, including a cider manufacturing site and a stable.

They spent a few years to rebuild the whole house.  Most of the external stone walls have been torn down and rebuild into the beautiful house we see today.  We were so naive to think that the house has been always like this for all those years.  Mind you, they did not hire any workers, they were doing all these work themselves (and with some help from Jo’s dad) to give a new life to the house…

It’s not just the stone house itself, all the interiors are made by them.  Casting all the walls, the balcony, stairs, etc.  The wooden parts, including the flooring, the wooden doors, dining table, were all made here from scratch from tree trunks!  They had to cut the trunks, polish them and turn them into actual furniture!

As Hong Kong people, building our own house is far from reality.  Although we heard that due to high labour costs, many in the Western world build their own houses, I have never imagined something to this standard!

The story behind the house gives live to each column and beam.  We will gently touch the door and appreciate how much sweat and tear were there to make it!

We cannot stop saying how amazed we are, and Jo just said “well, if you want to do it, I guess you just will be able to do it!”


by: Jo





2014年9月1日 星期一

風之巨人 The giants of wind

十七世紀初,唐吉訶德出發實踐他的騎士夢,在路上遇到風車巨人,跟他們大戰多場,遍體鱗傷,敗北而回。

我們一行五人,駕著大「哥」,遊歷西班牙,途上也遇到一群一群聚居的風之巨人。

起初遠遠看到一兩個已經很開心,遠眺他們的風釆。在往火腿鎮的路上,我們偶遇他們,就在路邊,忍不住把車停下,和巨人合照。


























在往撒拉哥撒的公路上,聚居了很多巨人,他們住在山坡上,山坡上長了太陽花,只是花期已過,否則這美景定必非常震撼!


今天一路上,看到遠處的山脊上連綿不絕的巨人,大哥一直飛馳,向著巨人的方向,我一直在等一個跟他們更靠近的機會。終於,巨人村就在不遠處,把握機會,把大哥駛到公路旁的休息處,往村莊進發。

第一次與這麼多巨人見面,真的很興奮。幸好我們遇到的風之巨人,雖昂藏七丈,卻都温文風雅,否則如果要跟他們大戰一百回合,恐怕我們合五人之力,還是小命不保!!

By: Jo





In the early 16th century, Don Quijote set off to revive chivalry.  He came across the windmills which he believed were giants and he attacked them.  Of course, he was badly hurt.

Now, the five of us, driving a “VW Golf”, travelled long way in Spain.  On our way, we have come across many villages of giants of wind.

At first, we were so thrilled to see a few giants from far away, just watching at a far distance.  On our way to Trevelez, we met a few of them just besides the road.  Couldn’t help but stopped the car and took photos with them.

When we were driving to Zaragoza, there were many giants on the hills and on the slopes, there were arces and arces of sunflowers.  Unfortunately, the flower season was over, or it would be such a stunning scenery!

Today, we saw giants on hills at the far end of the highway, there were just countless number of giants all the way.  The car was racing to the direction of the giants, and I was waiting for a chance to get closer.  Finally, we got to the bottom of the giants village and drove the car into the picnic area.  Here we come, giants!

We were very excited to meet so many giants!  Luckily, all the giants we met are very gentle and elegant.  If we have to start a battle with them, we could end up losing our lives!


By: Jo




2014年8月31日 星期日

很難渡過的兩天

在歐洲住過這麼多民宿,發覺只要和戶主第一個照面,踏進屋內一看,就會感覺到你是否喜歡這裏….

兩天前,我們一進大門,右邊就是我們的睡房,睡房小得可憐雖然床不小,但床以外就沒有空間,要放我們兩個背包也有點困難,也幾乎沒有任何桌面空間,只能把一個殘破的12吋電視挪開,用來放東西….屋內的其他地方也一樣,到處堆滿東西,雜物,不能說很亂,但很多,感覺很大壓迫感,有點透不過氣。

接下來,我們去超市購物回來,發覺冰箱內一點空間也沒有,我們打算挪一挪找點空間放東西,她馬上制止我們,一定要她去安排怎樣放….我心想,今次真是中計,這個人肯定非常麻煩。

本來屋內應該是住了女主人,和一對子女,但至少這兩天,她有兩個朋友都是住在屋內,至於是剛好這兩天在,還是一直在住,就不得而知。我們開始準備晚餐,惡夢又來了,她有很多規條,當然保持清潔是很基本,不說我們也會做,但她一步一步的跟在你後面一洗手她就把毛巾拿過來,說不能有水滴到地板上我回頭拿個東西,她就挪一下我的切菜板顫顫兢兢地吃過晚飯,她馬上來催促說她們要和朋友在這裡吃飯,就好像我們「阻住地球轉」一樣。

浴室又是一經典,本來已經很小的浴室堆滿了東西,能掛毛巾和衣服的所有地方都掛得滿滿的,我們連掛一條毛巾的位置也沒找到,心裡的感覺是我們的入住是「多餘的」,根本我們不應該存在的

我們住過所有的民宿,浴室和厨房內的用具我們都是自由使用的,屋主經營民宿的理念就是你把這當成自己的家。可能我們是可以多口問一句(明知她是個麻煩的人),但因為用了她的沐浴露,又被她指責一番,說我們沒有禮貌,我真的是覺得挺委屈的...從來沒有一個民宿主人會覺得我們是沒有禮貌的住客。不過當時當然給她道了歉。今天晚上在新的民宿,我就實驗了一下,問主人我們可否用浴室內的沐浴露,他當然是一臉錯愕的看著我說:「當然可以」

在預訂民宿前,我都會看清楚說明,和其他人的評價。明明說好是包早餐的入住的第一晚,她問我們第二天早上幾點出去,我們說十點多吧,她就吩咐說早上要輕聲點,因為她要睡覺,什麼她女兒下星期就要上學,要多休息之類….結果,我們九點多起床,除了她的兩個朋友己經起來,所有人還在睡,早餐連影也沒有。我們想,難道她以為我們十點才起床,再等一下吧到十點半,她還在睡,我實在忍不下去,就問她的朋友,她是否會給我們預備早餐。結果,她的朋友把她喊醒了,你應該也能想像她的一副嘴臉當時有多難看加上她給我們吃她自家製的很難吃的麵包,我們真的是食不下嚥
第二個早上,她要求我們十時要離開,因為她的下一位客人十二時會到。這基本上沒有問題,早上八時多我們起來,餐桌上已放了早餐和留了張字條,但在開首和結尾再三責難我們用了她的沐浴露又是一個食不下嚥的早餐。

直到我們離開,她還在睡….還是她的朋友給我們開的門。


 by:Jo





2014年8月26日 星期二

一個小鎮,兩份悲哀

為了看野生紅鶴,我和Jo住在保護區旁邊一個叫亞爾Arles 的小鎮,相信沒多少人注意過,但說到梵高這個名字就大部份人也聽過了!他大部份名作也是這地方完成,但遺憾的這個小鎮卻沒展出任何一幅他的作品!

這個小鎮,沒有作品展覽,只可以找到的是梵高精神病發自割耳朵後被送往的醫院,當然同時也附送資訊,大概知道他的悲慘人生: 生前沒受到賞識,只賣出過一幅畫,折算生活指數只值現時港幣幾百元,三十多歲有精神病,自割耳朵,住精神病院(偏偏很多出名作品也是出於這時期),幾年後自殺…一直為他提供經濟援助和照顧他的弟弟受不了打擊,半年後也死了…作品卻十年後才漸漸被變得有價值!

這個小鎮,也會看見很多很多類似教堂的建築物,我之所以這樣說,是因為很多古蹟,包括一千幾百年前的教堂、羅馬浴場… 在法國大革命時被政府出售了!現在變成了私人酒店,住宅,博物館… 任人遷拆改建的有些只剩牌坊,有的是一幅牆,更有的只有一條柱…

整體而言,這小鎮和很多歐洲小鎮一樣的寧靜美麗舒服,只是同時也有著不少悲哀劃過的痕跡…


By Mat

2014年7月21日 星期一

住在意大利 Living in Italy

在意大利住了四個星期,基本都是住在民宿。自從認識了airbnb後,每次出門都在這裡找住宿。出門在外,住酒店的感覺不太好,特別是要長期住在酒店更焗促。

Airbnb提供了一個很好的平台,讓一些「個體戶」把自己的地方出租給旅客,我喜歡它一般空間比較大,也比較有家的感覺,而且在歐洲這些民宿跟背包客棧的價格差不了多少,而生活環境寬敞得多了!

發覺在意大利的住宿,縱使是同樣一個房間,一人和兩人住在價格上是有區別,而且很大。就算是多人間的床位也一般要花上每人25歐元。


我們兩個人找民宿,目標價在60歐元以下,要求獨立房間,一般浴室也和屋主共用,有些會有自己的浴室。能用厨房也是必須的,我們幾乎每天的早晚餐都在家中解決,除了省錢,當然也因為在歐洲不像香港,在外面什麼都吃得到,也非常貴。我們除了意粉,有時也看能買到什麼材料,弄點新意...炒個青菜也不錯嘛!



有些airbnb上的民宿是整間屋只作出租用,主人不同住。兩個人的話如果選這種有兩個可能性,一是超細的「劏房」式單位,二是全屋的房間出租,可能和其他旅客共用屋內的公共空間。

其實我比較喜歡真正的民宿,即是我真的是租住屋主的家中的客房,和主人共用公共空間,也有機會和主人交流聊天,感覺就是到了朋友家中借宿一樣。





而且一個房子有人在生活是不一樣的,屋主也不介意你共用他們的消耗品,如烹調的調味料,吃他們的一大堆餅乾和意大利粉!比到了一間很整潔但空空如也的房子舒服多。


有人生活的地方設備也更不容易出問題,有問題也可馬上解決。我就看到朋友租的獨立房子有各式的問題,我們也試過網絡出現問題,找屋主又聯絡不上,實在很煩。不過,如果一家子人出門,租下整個單位是最方便的。

最後,我們也還會看其他客人的意見,會看到很多也許屋主本身沒有註明的詳情。有些房子雖然看來不錯,但一個留言也沒有,我們也不會選擇....生怕入住的都是有入無出!哈哈!

希望我們這些經驗對你們有用!!  祝大家旅遊愉快!!

By: Jo




It has been a full month in Italy, and we basically live in BnB.  After getting to know airbnb, I have been using it as my source for accomodation. Being away from home, it does not feel great at hotels, esp on an extended period of time.

Airbnb provides a very good platform for individuals to lease their property to tourists.  I like to stay in bnb for it is a lot more spacious and the price of bnb is similar to that of backpacker hostels in Europe and offer much better quality of living.

In Italy, even for the same room, the charges for one guest and two guests are different, actually quite different. Even if we look for dorms that take 6 people, it will still cost 25 euro each.

When I was searching for bnb, I use 60 euro as my target price ceiling and look for private rooms with shared bathroom with host. Some of them have private bathroom as well.  The use of kitchen is also a must, we almost always cook our own breakfasts and dinners.  Apart from saving money, Europe just cannot compare to Hong Kong for the variety of dining options and they are all expensive. Apart from pasta, we will, depends on what we can get from the supermarket, cook something slightly different, such as simply stir fry vegetables.

Some properties are solely for guests, i.e. The host does not live there. If we only have two, you either can find a small studio apartment or you may have an apartment with multiple rooms that are all for guests. In that case, you share the public area with other guests.

Personally, I prefer to stay in a real bnb, and live in the guest room of the host's own apartment. We love to share the public area with the host and chit chat with them. This feels like you are visiting and stay with your friends.

Moreover, an apartment that has someone living in is different. The hosts would not mind you using the consumables such as seasonings in the kitchen. They also welcome you to eat their biscuits and pasta, whatever you find in the kitchen.  That is different from living in a clean but empty apartment.

In an apartment with the hosts, the facilities are also less bourned to have problems and problems can be fixed on the spot. We saw some friends living in a whole apartment and had various issues with the facilities. We also had experienced wifi issues and the host was no where to be found.  But of course, if a family travels together, renting a whole apartment is the best option.

Lastly, we always check comments of other guests. You get a lot of information which the host may not have mentioned in the listing. Some apartments which appears nice but have no reviews … we avoid them also. Just wondering people who stayed there never survived .... Haha!!

I hope you find this useful.  Happy travelling!!

By: Jo







2014年7月19日 星期六

各處鄉村各處例

到了意大利一個月了,雖然還只能算是一個遊客,但對這裡的生活狀況和文化習慣,總算有些體會,很多事前也沒注意到的…

- 這裡的物價比想像的高,據說是從本國貨幣里拉轉做歐元期間,物價就一直往上衝了

- 油價是我旅遊那麼多年,見過最高的地方,比香港還要貴!
- 一直聽說港式pizza不夠正宗,意大利的沒有厚批,而薄的是香脆底像餅乾… 我來了這裡幾乎每天也有吃pizza, 從南部pizza發源地那不勒斯 吃到北部接近奧地利,發現這裡的pizza 不是港式,但也不是傳說中的薄脆意式的,而是薄和“ 軟bel bel”,只有批邊部份是厚身硬一點,如果想直接用手拿著1/6件來吃,那絕對會把大部份批餡倒掉的,所以除了用刀叉之外,必須用手拿來吃的話,只有把三角尖尖部份往批邊先卷起來,是一個意大利人教的
- 這裡喝紅酒非常普遍,如果在一伙人用餐時,你選擇了清水作為飲料,那大家舉杯 cheers 的時候就要注意,沒有人拿清水來 cheers 的,因為那代表眼淚!(當時的我頑皮的心想“那紅酒也可代表血腥呢”!當然話沒真的說出口 :P)
- 還有一點實在是出乎意料,因為是跟我們的傳統剛相反~~就是這裡 “預祝生日是不吉利” !必須要當日或過後才能慶祝,背後概念大意是 “世事難料,你能否平安渡過生日也不知道,成功過了才值得慶祝” 我聽了後想一下也很有道理,就正如沒有人會在巴西入四強時就慶祝他們拿冠軍一樣,這樣事後只會更難堪!


除了上述的,還有很多小不同,這些都是我喜歡旅遊原因之中,看看這個世界不同的地方,不同的人,不同的生活,欣賞體會之餘,也提醒著自己,人生並沒所謂必然,尤其是當你發現就算錯過了女友生日也可安然渡過時(只要她是意大利人) :P  就更明白,在你周邊每人每日幹著同樣的事,並不代表就是你唯一的選擇… 除了當個房奴,為子女排隊拿入學申請之外...

人生,其實還有很多可能性...


By Mat


2014年7月14日 星期一

佛羅倫斯 翡冷翠 FIRENZE

無論是佛羅倫斯,翡冷翠還是Firenze, 無論那一個名字都漂亮,讓我對這地方充滿著浪漫的遐想



在佛羅倫斯朋友家中寄宿了八個晚上,生活很閒適。一部份時間在幫忙朋友準備婚禮的裝飾,但更多是在享受意大利美食和悠閒地休息,和老友聚舊。別的不說,家中有一個會做飯的男人,是一個女人的幸褔!! 想來想去,我們四個真應該住在一塊(至少在旁邊),有人煮飯,有人洗碗,而我們倆就享受這生活,天天做手作,如果手作能糊口當然更好….做夢中….



在外面吃的固然是美味,美食推介是牛肚和超大的T骨牛扒。我們已習慣了意大利人對於我們兩個人點一個薄餅的蔑視目光,聽說我們那天十個人點了兩份各1.8kgT骨牛扒,還是有點...待應建議十人應點51.2kg,即是共6kg,就是說每人要吃上1磅以上!! 天呀! 還有「意式天婦羅」也不錯,會炸意大利番瓜的花,,和其他瓜菜,但炸香菇是首選,濃得化不過的菌味現在還回味中。



但外面的美食再好也及不上家中大厨!! 特別是他對煮食的熱愛和「豪邁」的烹調風格,感覺如行雲流水,絶不造作,我們這些食客享受的不止是結果,還有當中的過程!

遊客活動當然也有,但不是重點,博物館已看膩了,就是Duomo真的很漂亮,算是到現時為止,我覺得最有感覺的大教堂。但只要看外面就夠了,不用排隊進入,內裡基本沒什麼。


在意大利,我最享受的是在大街小巷閒逛,家家戶戶的陽台都種了萬紫嫣紅的花,或可愛的「肉肉」植物,都是一片風景。一盞吊燈一個招牌都是名信片的好題材。佛羅倫斯橫街小巷都得漂亮,都像電影內的場景,隨便在街上蹓躂也是一件樂事!

by: Jo



Firenze, and its two translated names in Chinese, they are all beautiful names.  Because of the names, I have always had a wonderful and romantic fantasy about Florence.

We live in a friend’s place for 8 nights, and have been really relaxing.  We were helping our friend to prepare a few things for the wedding, but even more, we have been enjoying Italian cuisine, relaxing, and chit chat with old friend.  No to mention the rest, I always believe that it is a woman’s bliss to have a man who cooks!  I really believe that the four of us should live together (or at least next door), one would cook, the other would do the dishes and we will get to enjoy life!  We can do our handicrafts all day, and hopefully some of them can make money also …. Day dreaming….

Delicious meals at restaurants, highly recommend trippa and huge T-bone steak.  We are already used to Italian’s despise look when the two of us order one pizza.  Apparently, ordering two 1.8kg T-bone steaks for ten are still …. The waiter actually recommended that we should order five portions of 1.2kg, which means 6kg and each person has to eat more than one pound of T-bone steak!! Oh my god!! I also like the “Italian tempura”, they fry zucchini flowers and also other vegetables, but I personally love the fried mushrooms.  The strong mushroom flavor is still something that I miss over time.

No matter how well we dine out, the chef at home is better!! Especially when you see the passion in cooking and watch the way he cooks, so casually and naturally.  We do not only enjoyed the dishes but the process also!

We of course did some tourist activities also but not the focus here.  I was tired of going to museums.  The Duomo in Firenze is truly beautiful though, it is by far the most beautiful cathedral I have ever seen.  However, you really don’t need to queue up to go inside, nothing much to see in there.  

What I enjoyed most in Italy is wondering around on the streets.  Balconies always have some colorful flowers or different types of cactus, each one is a picture.  Any one street lamp or a hanging sign board is something for a postcard.  I love the streets and alleys in Firenze, they are all movie scenes, wondering on the street is so enjoyable!

by: Jo


拿坡里 Napoli

會因為喜歡一本書的書名而買一本書。

計劃行程時,預算玩7天然後出發到佛羅倫斯,看著地圖,莫明地喜歡拿坡里這名字好吧!就到拿坡里。

後來當然知道了不能錯過的龎貝古城,但其他行程都沒有預先規劃。在火車上慢慢看資料,看到了一個想去的地方,再加上龎貝古城,市內再逛逛,應該差不多了。

酒店就在火車站旁邊,我們一心想今天先休息一下,到火車站找找資料,輕輕鬆鬆的。在遊客服務中心,遇到了一個極不友善,而且非常不幫忙的小姐,不知道她一直是這樣,還是對中國人特別不友善。我想參觀的地方是Borbonico Tunnel,必須確認三天証是否包括,她先是告訴我說這地方只開星期六日,拿了單張隨便指了一個地方,說四點就關門了,你們去不了….一邊走回去,我再看一下單張,發現她是亂說的,我們要參加的普通團最後一團是五點半,我們就回頭再問。她先是堅持說五點半是結束時間,經我堅持,她致電查詢,確認最後一團是五點半,但告訴我說只有意大利語的….我再問哪有沒有英語的,她說沒有,我沒有問把我氣得!!

回到酒店,自己上網查到是有英語的,讓酒店的主人幫我再打電話確認,真的是有英語團!可恨的是,我們必須回去跟那個討厭的女人買三天票!

經過一番折騰,終於可以出發。幸運地,我們堅持了, 這個參觀,是到目前為止,最讓我們愉快的經歷。

Borbonico Tunnel 的挖掘本來是作為皇室人員的逃生通道,但最終沒有完成,後來在二次大戰期間,被用作防空洞。這隧道在1970年完全被棄用後,直至八年前由兩名地質學家決定重新發挖研究,建成了這個地方,每星期三天開放讓公眾參觀。實在,這一個半小時的參觀,不止讓我們多了解了這城市的歷史,更重要的是我們的嚮導員是一個對這地方超有熱誠的女孩,她的熱誠表現在整個導賞中,提供了許多有趣的資訊,而且能感受到她的直接參與而不是依書直說。

我們絶對誠推介這地方,當然希望所有導賞員都像Lucia一樣讓人快樂!!

除此之外,拿坡里也是一個很漂亮和舒暢的城市,有城市外也有海邊散步的地方。我們酒店附近有一個街市,超多海鮮,還有活八爪魚,但活的就非常貴。




聽說這裡是薄餅的發源地,所以也到了非常地道薄餅店朝拜一下,人多得很!



by: Jo



I will buy a book because I like the title.

When we were planning our trip, we know we have 7 days before going to Firenze.  We looked at the map and I just love the name “Napoli” for no apparent reasons.  Yes, let’s go to Napoli.

Later, we obviously found out that Pompeii is what we cannot miss, apart from that, not really know where we will go.  We read on the train and I decided one place I want to go.  With that plus Pompeii will make our trip.

The hotel is right next to the train station.  We thought we will just take a rest today and gather some information at the train station.  Unfortunately, we had this very rude and unhelpful tourist information officer.  I am not sure if she is always like that or if she doesn’t like Chinese… I would like to visit the Borbonico Tunnel and I need to confirm if the 3 days pass includes the ticket I need.  First, she told me that the tunnel is only open on weekends and she randomly pointed on the brochure and said it closes at 4pm and it is too late for you now.  On our way back, I was looking through the brochure and found that she is wrong, the last regular tour is at 5:30pm.  So, we went back and she first insisted that 5:30 is the end time.  With my perseverance, she called and confirmed that the last tour starts at 5:30pm.  But then, she said that the tour is in Italian only.  I asked a few times whether or not they have tours in English, her face is so bad and she said “I don’t know, I didn’t ask…”.

We went back to the hotel and found from the website that the tours are in both English and Italian. We asked the hotel staff to call again and confirm they will have the 5:30 tour in both languages.  The most annoying thing is then I need to go back and buy the pass from this lady.

Finally, we are ready to go.  The good thing is, we insisted and this is the best experience so far in Italy.

The Borbonico Tunnel was dig originally as escape route for the royal family, but it was never completed.  Later on during WWII, it was being used as shelter for the people.  The tunnel was fully abandoned by 1970s and it was only until 8 years ago that two geologies decided to clean up the tunnel and open it to public 3 days a week.  In this 90 min tour, we got to know a lot more about the histories of Napoli.  More importantly, the tour guide is a girl who is so passionate about this place and she fully reflects that in the guiding.  She provided so much interesting information, her direct involvement makes the whole thing a lot more personal and not just book reading. 

We highly recommend this tour and I hope all the other tour guides can be the same as Lucia, and brings joy to visitors.

Apart from that, Napoli is also a very comfortable city to walk around, and you can walk by the seaside also.  There is a wet market near our hotel and there are lots of seafood, including live octopus, although very expensive.

Furthermore, Italian pizza originated from Napoli.  We tasted it at a local pizzeria, long queue!!

by: Jo




2014年7月13日 星期日

One night dance with a central girl

到了意大利北部lake garda,一半原因是看名勝古蹟看得累了,換換口味轉為欣賞湖光山色,另一半就是因為這裡有個爬石區Arco,可以拜訪一下,就算沒機會認真爬也總算是到此一遊。

有人說過身處外國沒私家車,等同沒腳,雖然有點誇張,事實上去旅遊熱點勉強還可以的,但還想貪心去攀岩點則確實有點困難,我從幾十個爬點找了一兩個最容易到達的,看看之餘,希望還能碰上有其他“爬手”,可以借線來玩玩…一想借線心裡就很不自在,因為從少到大我也不習慣這種所謂“靠黐”的行為,絕少要別人幫忙那種(但反過來我倒沒所謂的,就是傳統那種寬待別人,刻苦自己的笨性格),有時自己能力做不來的,就情願選擇“放棄需求”... 但這次只好厚著臉皮破例一下了!

這次和jo的優悠遊,主要是為了遊歷觀光,jo 不是爬手,如果幾個月旅程裡面只為了幾天過手癮 而把所有攀爬設備都帶上,對一個背包旅客來說是不可能,所以出發前一天思前想後,決定只帶了屬於跟身裝備的安全帶和鞋,這決定是基於爬石必需有parter, 如果真的要找parter的話,就索性找個有帶繩和扣的好了… 旅途中,我嘗試上網看看有沒有一些討論區可以找climbing partner, 發現我這種人很難有機會找到的~ 沒固定時間,沒固定地點,沒裝備,只為路過玩玩兩天就鬆人~說條件出來,恐怕我自己也討厭自己!

結果我決定選擇身心也最沒重量的“一夜情”模式,沒約定時間,沒固定人選,就希望如電影裡的一夜情橋段: 到行內人熱點,看看有沒有合適的人選,打個招呼,聊一下,可以的話就來了,立即去運動… 一輪流汗和喘氣之後,筋疲力盡,開心過後,就分手說聲bye,名字也沒記下來!



前因交代太多了…說回我選擇了一兩個容易到的熱點,到了其中一個的時候,只有一組人在爬,那我就去打個招呼說明一下來意,他們也很大方說沒問題可以一起玩,和我搭檔的看上去是一個二十來歲女孩,很友善也算可愛,運動前也樂意聊一下, 問她是從哪裡來,她回答了一個名字,我聽不懂,再聽一次,還是沒聽過的名字,我以為是我語言能力差,望向jo, 她頭上同樣也打了三個問號??? 那只好再問是在歐洲東南西北哪裡,她說大概在歐洲中心位置,這就更令我驚訝了!德國奧地利瑞士…這些地方名字我也聽過呢!結果我不停猜了六七個我認為有可能算中心位置的國家也沒對…最後忍不住拿Google map 出來問,結果是……
真的沒想起有那個國家,更沒想到她會認為那裡是歐洲的中心!

我突然想…到底是每個國家的國民教育都把自己當成中心?還是我們都被矇了眼睛,中心也傾斜到經濟大國呢?

PS: 大家可以試試先不查資料不看地圖,看看能不能猜出來?

by: Mat

2014年6月24日 星期二

Photo Album Sharing - Yunnan

以下是2014年在雲南相簿的分享:


元陽梯田

元陽市集

雲南建水

雲南大理


羅馬假期 Holiday in Rome

當我告訴朋友說我未到過歐洲,大家都以奇異的眼光回應我好像不能相信我沒有到過歐洲。其實也不是完全沒有,有一次在挪威玩了十天,加上好幾次的愛爾蘭出差,僅此而已。

一直沒有很想到歐洲,其中一個原因是我個人對博物館之類的景點興趣偏低,而印象中的歐洲好像都是充滿了博物館(可能這有點偏差,但就是我一直以來的印象)

買了三天的羅馬旅遊卡,第一天就朝聖了最著名的景點羅馬鬥獸場,雖然遊客很多,但感覺還可以,這也是我心目中來羅馬唯一覺得必需到的地方。




聖彼得大教堂內每一寸都似乎是藝術品,雖然是很漂亮,我卻感到有點太多了,超過了我個人修為能欣賞的極限。被聖彼得大教堂沖昏了頭,下午繼續走訪了很多地方,第三天把卡拉卡浴場和古羅馬市場都遊過後,我感到我的羅馬之行已經算是任務完成….
.
對於我們這些一不懂歷史,二不懂宗教,三不懂希臘神話的人來說,這一切都實在有點難以深入欣賞,感到處處摸不著頭腦。

我對羅馬整體的感覺還是不錯的,一個有歷史的城市到處都是寶,非常有趣。但個人還是更喜歡大自然風光,和宏觀的欣賞建築物,至於箇中包含的很多意義,我實在是囫圇吞棗,到後來更是吞也吞不下了。

P.S.

第一天出行,就幸運地遇上了羅馬的當地特色~~~扒手。

忘了是在那一個地鉄站,列車到了,我們沒有馬上上車,亮用手機拍車身上的塗鴉….拍完了,準備上車,前面有兩個女子,其中一個擋住了我的去路,我正想繞過她,就看到她的手在手袋的遮掩下往我的腰包伸過來。我用手按住自己的腰包,瞪了她一眼,她一縮我就上車了。兩個女子也跟上車,但就在車門關閉前又閃人了。我們也可以說是有備而來,身上帶的是防盜腰包,本來就比較難得手,加上她的手法實在有點生,我才避過一刧!!!


by: Jo


When I told my friends that I have never been to Europe, they all respond to me with this strange look…. as if they cannot believe it.  Well, it’s actually not never, we have travelled in Norway for 10 days and several business trips to Ireland, and that is about it.

Europe is never top on my list because my perception of Europe is a lot of museum hopping and I am not a great fan of museums.  This may be a wrong perception but it has always been how I feel. 

We got a 3 days Roma pass and the first thing we do is to visit the coliseum.  Although there were a lot of tourists, it wasn’t too bad at all.  The coliseum is the only place that I do not want to miss on my stay in Rome. 

Every inch of St Pietro seems to be a piece of art.  They are very stunning, but it all seems a bit overwhelming for me.  It has exceeded my ability to appreciate.  After gotten really overwhelmed by St Pietro, we continued to a few other places in the afternoon.  On the third day, we went to Terme del Caracalla and Foro Romano which accomplished my trip in Rome…

As someone who knows nothing about history, religion nor any of the Greek legends, I really find it very hard to appreciate all I see in Rome.

I still feel very good about Rome, find it very interesting, definitely a city with histories and stories, and a lot of treasures everywhere. However, personally, I enjoyed the most are natural sceneries and the bigger architectural side of the sites.  With what lays behind the buildings, I had been trying to absorb all the information but really don’t have the appetite for….


P.S.

On our first day out, I was so lucky to meet the local specialty – pickpockets.



I forget which metro station was that, we did not board the train immediately when it arrived because Mat was taking photo of the graffiti on the train.  When we are ready, two women were in front of me and one of them was blocking my way.  While I was trying to pass her, I saw her hand hiding under her bag and trying to reach my waist bag.  To begin with, we are prepared with anti-theft bags.  Secondly, she did seem a bit green... So, I was lucky to have escaped this time.


by: Jo




2014年6月5日 星期四

客棧日記 Guesthouse Diary – The last day


5/26/2014

大夥走了之後,我們休息了兩天,雖然沒有客人,但打掃18個客人走後的客棧也花了好一段時間(真不知道旺季是怎麼過)

524,胡姨和叔叔終於回來了,我們見了面非常高興之餘,也看到了非常美麗的雲彩!!


接下來的一天,我們忙著在離開之前為客棧設置各樣東西,店裡的日常工作就交回棒給叔叔。

526日是我們打算要離開的日子,剛好導遊小符和三個法國客人正要離開出發到建水,我們就搭個順風車。計劃好是早上小符先和客人出去玩一玩,中午約在景區出口處,再一起去建水。

早上,來了很多人,其實早一陣,已常有奇怪的人出出入入...原來是很多的政府官員來了,說是今天要來拆掉違章的建屋。青旅的咪咪說她們那邊也有一些官員,而且也有很多村民開始聚集在村內。

由於一直在下雨,小符他們不知道還會不會出去玩,所以我們都提前收拾好行裝,只等小符的指示我們就可以走。終於等到停雨,還有時間,小符和客人出發,我們應該就等他們玩完再會合。

可是,出門才十多分鐘,胡姨匆匆忙忙跟我們說:「快拿行李上去,不走就走不了,路要被堵啦!!」於是,我們馬上拿了行李,匆匆道別就走,小符和客人就在停車場等著上了車,開到主路上,只開了100米左右,幾十個村民在路上,跟我們說路不能走了,只能繞老虎嘴那邊的彎路。我們看到前方有一大挖泥車,再往前有荷槍實彈的警察排成一字。

跟相熟的當地人也順道道別了,我們掉頭開住老虎嘴。

這是一條彎彎曲曲的盤山路,很久沒有坐車的我還有點暈車浪….剛才不是說好剛停雨嘛。梯田是要有雲霧才美,就在我們離開的這一天,看到了最美的雲海!!!



暫別了元陽,出發到建水。

by: Jo



After the big group left, we had no guests for two days.  But, cleaning up after 18 guests left is no small deal, I don’t know how the guesthouse survive during the peak season.

May 24, auntie Hu and uncle finally return.  We are happy to see them come back, and at the same time, saw the really amazing clouds when we picked them up.

The next day, we were busy getting setting up stuff for the guesthouse before our departure.  We turned the daily tasks back to uncle.

May 26 is when we planned to leave.  Fu is a French speaking guide who happened to be leaving with his customers today, we are able to get a ride.  The plan is that Fu will take his customers out in the morning and we meet around lunch and go to JianShui together.

A lot of people from outside show up at the guesthouse in the morning.  In fact, there have been a lot of strange people lately… They are local government officials, coming to push down illegal buildings today.  Mimi also told us that there are also many people in YHA, and many locals gather around in the village now.

It’s been raining in the morning, Fu is not sure if they can still do sightseeing today.  So, we pack all our bags early in case we leave directly from here. Finally, the rain stops, and Fu decided to go with his customers and we meet afterwards.

However, it is only 10 min after Fu left, auntie Hu come by and ask us to leave immediately before it is too late since the road will be blocked soon.  We took our bags and leave immediately, Fu is waiting at the carpark… We get into the car and drive onto the main road.  Only 100m away, there were tens of locals gathering on the road, and told us that we cannot leave from here, have to detour to LaoHuJiao.  We saw a big excavator, and behind that, is a line of armed police.

We said goodbye to some local friends, and turned back to take the route to LaoHuJiao.

This is a very windy road, I get kind of sick since I have not been travelling for quite some time…The rain had just stopped, as you know, rice terraces are most beautiful when there are clouds.  We saw the most beautiful sea of clouds on our departure day!!!


Say bye to YuanYang and we are on our way to JianShui.

by: Jo





2014年5月23日 星期五

客棧日記 Guesthouse diary – 明天就要走,盡興吧!!

叔叔阿姨走了之後,我們到懸崖居混了兩個下午,小陳走了,我們過了兩三天平靜的日子。一天去牛倮普看了傳統的磨菇房,第二天和咪咪到多依樹村找到了土司庫。

一直未有機會介紹咪咪….我們來了未多久就認識了咪咪,她是在這邊的青年旅舍打工的一個寧波女孩。她聽說了陽光客棧,就過來看看,跟我們遇上了,後來有機會的時侯,我們就一起去玩。

5/16, 已經出去兩天了,有點累,下午沒事就在客棧看電影。剛看完,片尾曲開始播放的時侯,來了兩個人。他們說是青旅的咪咪介紹他們過來鑽鑽,就來了,坐著跟我們吹牛逼,吹得實在太爽,晚上我們就決定去青旅走一走,繼續聊,就是這樣開始的….

真的非常喜歡在旅行中踫到的人,大家沒有任何現實生活中的利益沖突,矛盾,都能敞開心扉真誠相待。如果不合,明天就分開,沒有壓力。可是二胡和小婉,木頭和小雪,來了元陽我們這一幫人湊在一起了…好像就分不開了,每天都說明天要走一共說了七天….

第一天~~~~~我們還未遇上,各自各的。木頭和小雪那天剛到,累倒了,六點就睡,和二胡小婉雖然在同一個四人間裡,但也沒認識。

第二天~~~~~二胡和小婉到陽光客棧走一圏,就把我們拉上了。當天還不算很熟,他們在青旅門外點起溝火,烤土豆,玩得瘋我們有點累,早點回去休息。



第三天~~~~~二胡和小婉搬到我們這邊來住,二胡和木頭從下午就待在這裡,說買了菜打算晚再攪個溝火做火鍋。想來想去,我們覺得溝火很難攪出火鍋來,而且他們再在青旅門口點火也讓咪咪很為難,就建議來我們這邊用電磁爐安全一點。他們買了很多菜和啤酒,青旅和另外一家客棧的兩個小伙子也來了,好不熱鬧,加上是我最愛的火鍋!!! 還有非常有趣的插曲就是,我們發現中國各個地區都對各種食物有不同的烹調方法,就是我們每個人說一下家裡皮蛋是怎麼吃,火鍋調料都放什麼,就讓我們樂上半天!!!



第四天~~~~~連木頭和小雪也搬過來了。前幾天我就想過要包餃子,你問我會不會包嘛,我覺得應該不會很難吧,把肉和菜混一下,擀個麵糰包一下就可以了吧他們一幫人也正好想做餃子,就幹起來了。嘩,不做不知道,做餃子也真有很多學問,雖然他們都不是天天做飯的人,但懂得真不少,我們學了非常多的包餃子的學問!!最後還做出了一百多隻餃子。本來還說如果有客人,可以賣,但做到一半,大家已經說不行啦,花了那麼多心思,捨不得賣,只能自己吃。

 


第五天~~~~~每天上午,課題就一個-----「今天走不走?」哈哈,今天還是走不了人生活著應該把每一天都視為最後一天,讓自己活得無悔!!他們就是這樣,每天都覺得明天要走了,一定要做點什麼! 今天我們決定燒烤!! 中午到勝村吃飯(就是我在元陽的外出吃飯第一回),然後買了肉和菜,居然忘記買炭(雖然可能根本沒有),於是在寨子裡用20元買了木柴。居然還用木柴燒成炭,今天唯一的以色列客人Ido是高手(都是在軍訓中學到的),他砍柴並且教我們把柴燒成炭,我們這個燒烤晚會氣氛火熱,肉香撲鼻,High!! Ido跟我們說這是他出來四個月以來感覺到最温暖的一天,非常感謝我們的款待,又一次因為別人快樂讓我很感動!!



第六天~~~~~兩天下來,剩了很多菜,也有沒用完的麵糰,大夥說簡單的做一鍋麵條...天呀,所謂的簡單也真一點不簡單,吃了一頓超豐富的哨子麵!! 麵吃過了,又是每天課題時間。不知什麼時侯我說了當胡姨回來就會把公雞殺了,做氣鍋雞替我們送行,木頭就說可以為了這雞再待一下...後來再想一想,算了,不等了,直接今天晚上自己做!! 今天我們有八個「星加坡」客人訂了房,肯定要做晚飯,我們不太方便他們一幫人在厨房裡攪...至於青旅那一邊,店長吩咐厨房是不開放給客人的,但咪咪眼見他們在這裡玩得高興,破例一次讓他們在青旅做飯!! 他們居然真的買了一隻雞,做了一窩氣鍋雞。我們忙到十點,終於等到客人都去休息了,就溜去青旅吃雞,而最感動的是,我們說了幾次想吃雞翅,他們居然真找到了雞翅,分別做了個可樂雞翅和三杯雞翅,讓我解了饞,真不知如感謝他們!!

 

第七天,是應該走了,說著說著,我們中間一直有新成員加入,小熊和婷婷都在問今天到底走不走....,決定不了,先烙個餅吃了再說。到了這份上,其實也應該要走了,但大家都很捨不得,小婉是最可憐的,要回北京上班;二胡23號要到麗江,新加入的也是應該會走,反而木頭和小雪真的是怎樣都可以...情感上還是離不開,糾結了好久,久得時間上已經來不及了....又多待一天,又從青旅搬回陽光,還是他們自己舖的床...這個晚上真是最後一個晚上了,天天高潮過後,說要寧靜安詳的一夜,只想把雞湯煮一下,下個掛麵....結果呢?也弄了幾個小時,美味得說不出來!!!


來到了真的是要離開的那天,大夥還是非常的不捨,在餐廳吃了亮做的pancake做早點,再吹牛逼吹到了接下來的行程,我們合組一家公司做翻譯以後不用上班....扯得越來越遠,只因大家都不想走...


就像二胡說的一樣,出來這樣多年,遇上很多人,但我們這一幫人,應該是還會再聚了!! 親愛的,我們瘋狂了一個星期,享受了很多美食,又交了志同道合的朋友!!有緣一定再聚,在天涯,或是海角?

by: Jo