Tuesday 18 March 2008

Very Venice lor



Venice happened in January. It was cold, windy and rainy but beautiful nonetheless. A whole bunch of us crew went out together which is great, like a tour group of multi-nationalities. Hotel rooms were pretty fabulous and it's an easy walk to the bus stop where we hop on to go Piazzale Roma. From there we took the public boat to Rialto.

A slow and distracting stroll (many shops along the way and places for pictures) later we find ourselves at the must-go St Mark's Square. It's a popular spot for tourists and pigeons, also the lowest point of Venice where floods can be a threat. On one side of the square you can see the 4 famous Saint Mark's Horses but those were replicas. The real deal is in the Basilica, sheltered and protected. We didn't enter the Basilica as it was getting late, and there was a queue and entrance fees involved.

Many photos later we wandered into the back alleys in search of something to eat. Herein lies many tourists traps - souvenir shops, over-priced Italian restaurants, McDonald's (but of course...). We settled for one of the said Italian restaurants and ordered various pasta, pizza and tiramisu items. Sucking up to the atmosphere I bought a Venetian mask - a rustic black and gold, cat-shaped mask.

Outing ended with a gelato, walk in the rain, the grand canal at night, and a visit to the supermarket on the way back to hotel.

More pictures here.

Wednesday 5 March 2008

Pictures from Dhaka



I've been meaning to put up the photos I took in Dhaka since 2 months back. My first stay in Bangladesh, went out with 2 girls, still slightly sore from the New Year's fall but managed to fall again on the steps of the bridge in Dhaka. Sore back and then buttock.

Bangladeshies are very hospitable, kind and full of smiles. They are very happy to have their pictures taken and even more thrilled see them on my camera display. Its city is full of life and colourful objects. Stay was good, nothing as bad as some crew make it out to be.

I had 2 Dhaka flights in January and flights like that require special skills like mind-reading and be effectively assertive without the use of English. Try that. Passengers on these flights don't travel often, don't know how to use the lavatories' locks and flush buttons, don't see the need to use seat belts, stare at you while you work, and man, they love their drinks. Still, despite these challenges, the one nasty Manchester flight in January beats all others hand down (and people on that flight are English-speaking, experienced travellers).

Please continue seeing this entry in my Dhaka album.