Switzerland - Rheinfall

We got near the Rheinfall at Switzerland in the very early morning.
About 7am and I'm not really fully awake yet even though I had a great helping at breakfast.
It is Europe's largest waterfall.
I can feel the power of the water, flowing and hitting the rocks.
A very magnificent sight to behold.






Rheinfall Data :
Approx. Age : 16,000 years
Width : 150m
Height : 23m
Depth : 13m
Average flow in summer: 600 m³/s
Average flow in winter: 250 m³/s
Lowest flow ever: 95 m³ (in 1921)
Highest flow ever: 1250 m³ (in 1965)

Austria - Innsbruck

Innsbruck is the capital city of western Austria.
It's a very beautiful place located in the broad valley between high mountains.
A city with about 110.000 residents.
People were also friendly and I had my first MacDonald lunch in Austria.
Places were all very well kept and the building's were painted with vibrant colours.
This is also one of the places in Europe which I liked very much.

Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl)
Built in 1500.
Decorated with 2657 fire-glided copper tiles for Maximilian I Roman Emperor.






An old district town of Innsbruck with the famous Golden Roof.
From here, one can also view the alps at the end.
It's too faint to see in here in these photo.
But when we were they, the location gave us a very spectacular view.




There was a Swarovski crystal shop location in the pinkish orange building.
I got my eyes set on a crystal miniature grand piano. The price were I think about 40% cheaper than what I have to pay for it in my own country. But I didn't buy it as I was afraid it might break during my travel. I was already been paranoid over the Michelangelo's david stone statue I've brought in PISA. It's about 2ft in height with a marble stand. I got in wrap up with all tons of tissue and a big towel...it did however finally arrive home in one piece!
Hehe, now I'm in a bit of regret for not buying that crystal piano... ... ...


Postcard Image of Leopold Fountain (Leopoldsbrunnen Fountain)
A statue of Archduke Leopold V (1619-1632) riding a horse.
I was there when it was already dark and my photos...oh well, was also dark in the background!
This is price of not reading the camera manual properly before travel...aha!

Liechtenstein

Liechitenstein is located in the Upper Rhine valley of the European Alps.
A doubly landlocked alphine country bordered by Switzerland and Austria.
Doubly landlocked country means a landlocked country surrounded by other landlocked countries.
A person in such a country has to cross at least two borders to reach a coastline.
There are only two doubly landlocked countries in the world.
One is Liechtenstein in Central Europe and the other is Uzbekistan in Central Asia.
Liechitenstein is also the 6th smallest independent nation in the world by land area.
Their official language is German and currency used is Swiss Franc.


On my way to Lichtenstein, we stopped by at one of the highway checkpoint.
The town gives me a sense of peace and I wish I could live in places like these.
Away from the noisy city and bright lights...


Image captured while travelling in the coach.
Along the way, we passed by many beautiful houses like this.


I did not stop to stay overnight in this place.
It was very rush and we managed to only grab a few bars of chocolates and we were on our way again before the day turns dark.

Italy - Verona

Verona is a city and provincial capital of Veneto in Italy.
Population of about 260,000 people.


Street of Verona - Piazza Erbe (Vegetable Square)
It was a raining day when I was there.
Most of the streets stalls were close.
I did manged to buy a packet of fresh purple grapes from a fruit cart.
We were all in a rush, so I didn't really have much time for sightseeing.
But overall, it was a nice place to visit.

Verona is the setting of William Shakespeare "Romeo and Juliet".
This place has since became a tourist attraction.
Postcard view of the Juliet's balcony and Juliet's tomb.

Casa di Giulietta (Juliet's House)
Romeo and Juliet may or may not have actually existed but it has attracted tourists and lovers from all over the world.
The story of Romeo & Juliet were repeated endless everyday to the curious tourists.
Juliet's house is very near to Piazza Erbe.
Build in the 13th century.
A massive restoration were made in 1920s including adding of the balcony.
It was once owned by the Dal Cappello or Capulet family.
No entrance fee to be in the Courtyard.
But there is a fee for entering Juliet's house - $3 euro.
Open everyday from 8.30am till 7.30pm except Monday (1.30pm - 7.30pm)
Romeo's house was not open to public previously but it has now been converted into a restaurant called "Osteria Dal Duca"


Statue of Juliet Capuleti
A bronze statue by sculptor Constantini.
It was donated by the Lion's Club to the city of Verona.
Myth : If you rub the right breast on this bronze Juilet statue, you will have good luck.


William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet quotes :
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet". (Act II, Scene II).

"O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?". - (Act II, Scene II).

"Tempt not a desperate man". - (Act V, Scene III).

Image of a Postcard - The Arena


The Arena built with an elliptic design measuring 138,77 x 109,52 meters on the outside.
This Roman Arena dates back to the 1st century A.D. holding events and even wrestling matches.
Since 1913, the Arena has been used as a site for Opera festivals.
The Amphititheatre can hold up to 20,000 spectators.

Animals and Birds From Astro Galaxy

I've posted places of interest for seeing animals, birds...etc in my Astro Galaxy blog.
It's better to create a link over there, than to copy my entire post over here.
Aha,I might just confused myself...

For Singapore Jurong Bird Park, please click here!
There is a total of 4 post on Jurong Bird Park
1) My day at Jurong Bird Park
2) Jurong Bird Park Show
3) Parrots and Lory
4) Penguins! Penguins! Penguins!

For Singapore Zoo, please click here
My visit this time was not very good as it was raining the entire day.
Many attractions were undergoing remakes. So, I didn't really enjoy my visit this time. I'll probabaly be visiting the zoo again in a few months time. Hopefully I can get better animals photo shots.

Italy - Venice

(Above Image from a Travel Brochure)
I was told that some of the buildings I saw there as 1st storey was actually the 3rd of fourth storey of the buildings!!!
Because the 1st few storeys of the buildings were already been submerged into waters.
The people famous transport is of course the Gondola.
Upon arrival at Venice, everyone has to stop at Piazzale Roma.
The Piazzale is built in 1933.
A water transport would them bring is into the heart of Venice - Grand Canal.
Venice is made up of 118 islands, intersected by 160 canals and connected by 400 bridges.

RIALTO BRIDGE
This Rialto Bridge is the oldest one within the canal.
Suprising, it was originally made of wood but it collapsed in 1440.
Then it was rebuilt again...wood again!!!
Only in the 16th century it was then properly built by Antonio da Ponte.
He completed it in 1592.
Rialto is a single span bridge, 28 m in length and with a maximum height of 7.5 meters in the middle.
It has two rows of shophouses on it!



The view opposite the Rialto bridge - Grand Canal.
It's a very beautiful place.


We walked into the small alleys in the busy streets of Venice.
The distance between the houses apart were mostly builted very closely to each other, about a full arm length apart.


In the photo, you can see the "BRIDGE OF SIGHS"
The bridge was designed by Antonio Contini in a 17th century Baroque style.
Joins the Doges Palace to the Prigioni Nuove (New Prisons).
The name is derived from the fact that the prisoners were being taken across it before being sentenced by the judge.


BASILICA OF ST. MARK'S
The mortal remains of St. Mark was brought into Venice in 828.
Thus a church was built to house this precious relics.
Built between 11th and 15th century by many different people but the result is a harmonious blend.
Standing in the middle of PIAZZA SAN MARCO
An open space where pigeons fly around, people enjoying art works, relax...etc.
Can also buy seeds to feed the pigeons when I was there.
But recently I've heard that this practice is banned!


At the Side of Basilica of St. Mark's


Venice In High Water!
Sometimes San Marco will be flooded...
Image from a Postcard.


Streets of Venice.
People are able to take Gondolas from here.
If you are there, I would highly recommend you to try a Gondola ride.


DOGES' PALACE
A magnificent example of 14th century architecture.
It is a great museum containing works by many famous artists.

Venice... A place that I like very much beside Bavaria, Germany.
Surrounded with waters.
It a place where it is able to give one a romantic, exciting and yet also quiet and calm feelings...

Italy - Florence & Pisa Tower

An Overview of the City of Florence up on the hills.
Florence is also known as "Cradle of the Renaissance" or "Athens of Italy"
We arrived in the morning hours still feeling rather sleepy.


A place with very good view of the city.


Piazzale Michelangelo
Here in the centre of the square is Michelangelo's David
One of the world's most reproduced statue.


Giotto's Belltower and Cathedral
This belltower started it's construction in 1334 by Giotto but was completed only after his death by Andrea Pisano and Francesco Talenti.
This tower is 85 metres tall.
The Cathedral construction started in 1289 and since many alterations have been added.


At the bell tower!
The streets around it is also quite busy, full of people walking around...


Piazza Della Signoria
This is a lively square and have many statues on display.
A very artistic place.


At the south side of the square that has three great arches of Loggia Della Signoria.
Built in 1380s by Benci Di Cione and Simone Talenti for public ceremonies and later became an open air sculpture museum.


Streets in Florence, Italy


The Leaning Tower of PISA
Construction begun in 1174 by Bonanno Pisano and completed only in 99 years later by Giovanni di Simone.
This monument is 55.863 meter high.
Has 8 floors and a slope of 4.500mt.


Pizza del Duomo
The "Square of Miracles" consist os the Cathedral, the Tower, the Baptistry and the Monument Cemetery. Built by different people over a time span of more than 300 years from the 11th to 14th century.


The Cathedral at Pisa Tower was built from 1063 by Buscheto.
Consecrated in 1118 by Pope Jealaus II and only finished in the late 18th century by Rainaldo.


Picture from a Postcard