We had Breakfast in our hotel in Venice and at around 8 a.m. drove towards Milan. It was around four plus hours journey. We stopped in between in a local Italian store which was selling local items like cheese, olive oil, chocolates, etc. I found things were quite expensive.
The Bus stopped at a High Way Petrol Station. The Driver could not start the Bus. Some Snag. It was around 11.30 a.m. and everybody waited patiently The driver was trying to repair and was calling for mechanics. It was 12.30 noon by then. We were to have an Italian Lunch in Milan. Our guide took the decision and cancelled the lunch, and asked us to pick up lunch in the high way restaurant. Lucky we got stuck where we could get some lunch. We could get some grated carrots, boiled beans, boiled potato, fruits, cake and that was indeed a good lunch.
A vine yard on our way to Milan.
By then Driver had managed to repair the bus and so we started towards Milan. Milan looked like a industrial city (outskirts). City is modern with wide roads. In outskirts the apartments are ugly.
A fountain near the fort
We went straight to the city centre to see the Castle. It is huge and a moat must have existed. There is a Museum but by now I am used to the idea of not looking towards the Museum due to paucity of time.
From now on it is a completely walking tour.
The fort
Inside the Fort.
The Moat?
Outside the Fort
I found a Niche for myself in the fort.
We went by walk to the Milan Cathedral which is called the Milan Duomo. Oh My! It is so beautifully and artistically built. The roads are Cobbled roads and no vehicles are allowed. Only cycles and modern cycle rickshaws are there which looked very very cute.
The Lovely Cobbled Road.
Should I call this modern Cycle Rickshaw....
The square in front of the Cathedral leads to a shopping Mall. Should I call it a a road. Wow beautiful buildings on both sides housing the world's best brands. The street has a high roof and looks nice.
The Closed Roof Street or is it a Shopping place
The lovely flooring of this Street.
Just outside that Street.
The Branded shops on The Street.
This Street leads to the Opera house and City hall. Opposite the hall there is a big statue of Leonardo DA Vinci.
The Town Hall
Leonardo Da Vinci's Statue
The whole area has a laid back look and at the same time happening place. We could see relaxed tourists walking along with trendy youngsters. People sit in street corners and in the big court yard in front of the cathedral. So many shops are there you can just shop if only you have the money and the inkling to own a branded product.
The Duomo.
Side View of the Duomo.
The Pinnacles.
We went inside the Cathedral and repair work was going on or should I say restoration.
.
The red light showing The Nail.
The Nail with red light.
Inside the Duomo.
It is supposed that the Nail of the Cross in which Jesus Christ was crucified is kept in this place and it is marked inside the cathedral with a red light near the roof. Once in a year it is taken out for public display.
The Expo 2015 is going to be held in Milan and city is getting prepared for it, spruced up and all. I remembered Expo 70 happening in Tokyo when we were in College.
In this Road corner we sat watching the crowd
The Ferrari Store.
When we were sitting we watched a group of Hare Rama Hare Krishna group singing bajans on the road with tabla and all.
We just walked around and sat in a street corner, enjoying the hustle bustle around.
It was time to meet up our group and go for dinner.
We had a Chinese dinner and as usual Nalini came to our help. The hotel where we stayed was in a place called R.H.O. an hours drive from the city.
Next day was our last day and our flight was in the night. The guide suggested that he would take us to a near by city in another country Switzerland if all agree. We paid for the charges to go to that place which was around 40 kms from Milan . We were excited.
We vacated the hotel after breakfast all packed and set.. We left around 9 a.m.
There was no hassles in the border as we had Shenzhen visa . (only we needed visa. Malaysian citizens do not need visa to Shenzhen countries or even to London)
Only the driver and the guide had to get down and the Bus just passed through to Swiss. Without problem we entered another country.
Lake Logano in Swiss.
There is so much difference between Italy and Swiss. This is much more cleaner and lovely houses and lovely terrain. It is a hilly terrain where we enter and has a very huge lake called Lake Logano. The city which is also called Logano is very cute with up and down roads. As usual the Driver managed the big Bus so well in the ups and downs of the roads especially the sharp turnings.
We were taken to a chocolate factory and we bought some nice chocolates .
We proceeded to the Logano City Center which is a lovely small town center on the banks of the lake. We both started walking and others went to the super market for shopping. The road lead us to a lovely park with lots of flower beds. We just walked around and went to a Pizzeria for our lunch and had Vegetarian pizza our last Italian food of our trip.
The Swiss Knife.
The roads were up and down and we saw roads were connected by steps. Imagine coming down from home and forgetting something important . What a pain it would be to climb back.
We had such stone steps in N.R. Colony (not this long) where we lived when we were children, connecting our road 3rd Main Road and 4th Main Road. Unfortunately I heard recently they demolished those steps and in that space where the steps were, a building has been built. Really we don't know how to preserve lovely things.
On a path way on the shore of the lake.
Garden.
Waiting for my Pizza in the Pizzeria.
We joined the group after lunch and the Bus took us to a big outlet mall inside Swiss near the border.
Such a huge crowd was there . It must be a very popular shopping place. We bought a Samsonite suitcase and Puma running shoes. We bought the 'must buy' Swiss Knife and also the famous Swiss Bell. Had a wonderful Coffee (of course Italian) in the mall. Tax rebate was given for people who bought goods in Single receipt for more than 300 Swiss franks. The Tax rebate was given in Italy also for purchase of goods bought for certain amount and refund was given.
We came directly to the Airport in Milan from Switzerland.
We were little early. After check in, there was a big queue in the immigration and it was really very stuffy.
We had some Fries and Yogurt in the Airport before boarding the Plane. It was not very expensive.
Our Change of Flight was in Doha (Qatar Airways). Airport though big was not good. Services are very bad. Not enough Rest Rooms. Coffee was so expensive 5 U$ for one small cup. That too not good. (Oh I had already started missing my Italian Coffee)
Long winding Bus journey to board the Aircraft just like Dubai.
We reached home in KL and just crash with exhaustion.
The Bus stopped at a High Way Petrol Station. The Driver could not start the Bus. Some Snag. It was around 11.30 a.m. and everybody waited patiently The driver was trying to repair and was calling for mechanics. It was 12.30 noon by then. We were to have an Italian Lunch in Milan. Our guide took the decision and cancelled the lunch, and asked us to pick up lunch in the high way restaurant. Lucky we got stuck where we could get some lunch. We could get some grated carrots, boiled beans, boiled potato, fruits, cake and that was indeed a good lunch.
A vine yard on our way to Milan.
By then Driver had managed to repair the bus and so we started towards Milan. Milan looked like a industrial city (outskirts). City is modern with wide roads. In outskirts the apartments are ugly.
A fountain near the fort
We went straight to the city centre to see the Castle. It is huge and a moat must have existed. There is a Museum but by now I am used to the idea of not looking towards the Museum due to paucity of time.
From now on it is a completely walking tour.
The fort
Inside the Fort.
The Moat?
Outside the Fort
I found a Niche for myself in the fort.
We went by walk to the Milan Cathedral which is called the Milan Duomo. Oh My! It is so beautifully and artistically built. The roads are Cobbled roads and no vehicles are allowed. Only cycles and modern cycle rickshaws are there which looked very very cute.
The Lovely Cobbled Road.
Should I call this modern Cycle Rickshaw....
The square in front of the Cathedral leads to a shopping Mall. Should I call it a a road. Wow beautiful buildings on both sides housing the world's best brands. The street has a high roof and looks nice.
The lovely flooring of this Street.
Just outside that Street.
The Branded shops on The Street.
This Street leads to the Opera house and City hall. Opposite the hall there is a big statue of Leonardo DA Vinci.
The Town Hall
Leonardo Da Vinci's Statue
The whole area has a laid back look and at the same time happening place. We could see relaxed tourists walking along with trendy youngsters. People sit in street corners and in the big court yard in front of the cathedral. So many shops are there you can just shop if only you have the money and the inkling to own a branded product.
The Duomo.
Side View of the Duomo.
The Pinnacles.
We went inside the Cathedral and repair work was going on or should I say restoration.
.
The red light showing The Nail.
Inside the Duomo.
It is supposed that the Nail of the Cross in which Jesus Christ was crucified is kept in this place and it is marked inside the cathedral with a red light near the roof. Once in a year it is taken out for public display.
The Expo 2015 is going to be held in Milan and city is getting prepared for it, spruced up and all. I remembered Expo 70 happening in Tokyo when we were in College.
A shop which I liked .(to see)
When we were sitting we watched a group of Hare Rama Hare Krishna group singing bajans on the road with tabla and all.
We just walked around and sat in a street corner, enjoying the hustle bustle around.
It was time to meet up our group and go for dinner.
We had a Chinese dinner and as usual Nalini came to our help. The hotel where we stayed was in a place called R.H.O. an hours drive from the city.
Next day was our last day and our flight was in the night. The guide suggested that he would take us to a near by city in another country Switzerland if all agree. We paid for the charges to go to that place which was around 40 kms from Milan . We were excited.
We vacated the hotel after breakfast all packed and set.. We left around 9 a.m.
Lake Como in Italy.
We crossed Lake Como in the outskirts of Milan just before entering Swiss.There was no hassles in the border as we had Shenzhen visa . (only we needed visa. Malaysian citizens do not need visa to Shenzhen countries or even to London)
Only the driver and the guide had to get down and the Bus just passed through to Swiss. Without problem we entered another country.
Lake Logano in Swiss.
There is so much difference between Italy and Swiss. This is much more cleaner and lovely houses and lovely terrain. It is a hilly terrain where we enter and has a very huge lake called Lake Logano. The city which is also called Logano is very cute with up and down roads. As usual the Driver managed the big Bus so well in the ups and downs of the roads especially the sharp turnings.
Chocolate Fountain.
We were taken to a chocolate factory and we bought some nice chocolates .
We proceeded to the Logano City Center which is a lovely small town center on the banks of the lake. We both started walking and others went to the super market for shopping. The road lead us to a lovely park with lots of flower beds. We just walked around and went to a Pizzeria for our lunch and had Vegetarian pizza our last Italian food of our trip.
The Swiss Knife.
The roads were up and down and we saw roads were connected by steps. Imagine coming down from home and forgetting something important . What a pain it would be to climb back.
We had such stone steps in N.R. Colony (not this long) where we lived when we were children, connecting our road 3rd Main Road and 4th Main Road. Unfortunately I heard recently they demolished those steps and in that space where the steps were, a building has been built. Really we don't know how to preserve lovely things.
On a path way on the shore of the lake.
Garden.
Waiting for my Pizza in the Pizzeria.
We joined the group after lunch and the Bus took us to a big outlet mall inside Swiss near the border.
Such a huge crowd was there . It must be a very popular shopping place. We bought a Samsonite suitcase and Puma running shoes. We bought the 'must buy' Swiss Knife and also the famous Swiss Bell. Had a wonderful Coffee (of course Italian) in the mall. Tax rebate was given for people who bought goods in Single receipt for more than 300 Swiss franks. The Tax rebate was given in Italy also for purchase of goods bought for certain amount and refund was given.
We came directly to the Airport in Milan from Switzerland.
We were little early. After check in, there was a big queue in the immigration and it was really very stuffy.
We had some Fries and Yogurt in the Airport before boarding the Plane. It was not very expensive.
Our Change of Flight was in Doha (Qatar Airways). Airport though big was not good. Services are very bad. Not enough Rest Rooms. Coffee was so expensive 5 U$ for one small cup. That too not good. (Oh I had already started missing my Italian Coffee)
Long winding Bus journey to board the Aircraft just like Dubai.
We reached home in KL and just crash with exhaustion.
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