The First Blog of the Year

(sitting on my desk, enjoying the early morning - as I decided to stay awake)

Good morning everyone

So, how is your holidays? (I had a terrific one), hope your christmas hols was as fabulous as mine and my friend - as well as your new years.

Mine was absolutely wonderful. I went from 25 December 2006 till 6 January 2007. I went to Hannover, Hamburg, Berlin, Milano and Venezia. The last two cities was out of my original plan - which also mean that out of my budget. Hehehehe :) but really, it was exactly what I need. SO nothing to regret.

Hannover was the first city of my journey. I met Mellisa Sudjono (my classmate in HS) over there and stays at her friend's apt (Nadia) - many thanks for the host, Nad. We stay about three night over there and went to Hamburg on the 28th. Of course the best things of all my journey is meeting new friends. I met Stefanus, Aya, Kayako, Yoyo and Ari. Aya and Kayako is Japanese. While Stefanus and Ari is Indonesian. Yoyo is my special one! She is Korean - which I have always dreamt for on having Korean friend and learning the language - and being totally funny and nice. Stefanus and Ari were nice too, but since they are male, I was not clicked that fast. Still, they are really nice to show me around. I also met Endang and her husband, her children Lizzie and Daniel (they are Indo and so sweet and cute) - unfortunately no pictures was taken with them,

*Picture: Mit Yoyo and Mell*

On the morning of 28th I went to Hamburg by train and picked up by Steve (another friend of Mellisa). We stayed in his room in Hamburg and hang out with him for almost of the time. He is totally nice and come from the same city (Surabaya) as we do!!! Woooha!!! Then on the last day in Hamburg we went for cocktail drinks in a place , and met more friends: Eddy, Sarah+bf and Stefan, another two guys (but forgotten the name - sorry). We were about to meet again in Berlin on the new years eve in Berlin.

with Steve and Mell on the bridge to Stad huis, Hamburg

So, arrive in Berlin on the 30th. We stayed in an Hostel near the Zoological Garten. Nice place but Mell's stuff got stolen. Well, I guess no need to mention what was stolen but it has been a lesson for both of us.

New Years Eve
Dunnot remember how many of us, but we went to Brandenburger Tor where all people will gather and count down together. Again we chilled with the Hamburg-ers hehehe :) and it was fun!!! Another friends were there - I am sorry I was not so good in names, so please forgive me if you was not mentioned - to name are: Dus (the tour guide), Monique (Steve's sista), Antie, two other guys (really I am so sorry), and the rest is the Hamburg-ers. We walked together and spent the time together. It was about 3.30 AM that we got back to the hostel. We were hoping to chill in with the rest, but we have to leave early in the morning as we have to catch the flight to Milano.

New Years 2007
So, new years was spent on two places!!! cool!!! - Never ever thought that I would be able to do this!!! - Germany and Italy :) hehehehe
We actually arrived late in Milano, but still have some time to check around the city on that night and the next day. On my last day in Milano, I met my friend Paolo. We and his friends went for dinner - pictures will be attached below.







Here is after the dinner - they are really nice.








The next day we went to Venezia by train. It took about 3hours by train but trust me worth it!!! hahahhahaha :)
Venezia is really city on water, a lagoon!!! Definitely a recommended city to be visited. If you are Catholic, you might love this city. You really can feel the atmosphere, but again it is more than San Marco Basilica. I personally think that the Basilica was not that 'great' but of course it is not a realiable opinion as I might have too much sightseeing when I was in Germany I believe it supposed to be worth seeing things. Other nice churches is the Santa Maria del Salute - it is sweet from the outside.

Oh, one great things of all, they have a season where the Piazza de San Marco (San Marco Square) will be flooded by the sea and gondola can just past by in front of it. Isn't it cool? It happens when they have a high tide and was told only happens in autumn. So, mark your autumn calender that Venezia could be your next holiday destination. It actually happens for almost 1500 years already.. so nothing to worry.

Besides the churches, Venezia is famous for the Carnaval Mask. If you watch the movie of Casanova, then it's just exactly like that. I bought two masks, blue and red. I'll see if I can post any picture of it. Also, no underground like Milano, only vaporetto (the water bus) that operates like a small boat. Nice though...

with mell on the bridge to Academia

From Venice we headed back to Hannover on the 5th and the next day I went back to Rotterdam. Again, on the way back home met another German guy, Jannis. Nice guys and we are friends now. So, I guess that's all for my story.

Guys, I hope your new year is full of blessed!! All the best ok! Keep in faith and ciao yo!!!!

PaQi