Italy + Brussels Trip Day 2 (27 Apr 08) (Part 1)

Day 2: Bergamo to Venice

We stayed in the lovely hostel for just 1 night and helped ourselves to the self-service breakfast. An interesting event occurred due to Janan's snoring and resulted in movement of bed by Gy and Wj to the kitchen! I was shocked when i realized the double bed opposite was missing when i woke up. Luckily i was able to tolerate the snoring in the bedroom.

Having breakfast

View of Bergamo from the hostel

Transfer of bed

The view of the quiet town in the morning from the bedroom

We left the hostel at around 9.30 am and walked to the train station. My original plan was to explore a bit of Bergamo in the morning before going to Venice but as we slept late the previous night, the general consensus was to forgo the exploration for more rest and head over to Venice directly.

Passing by some old buildings in Bergamo

Bergamo Train Station

As it was our first time taking trains in Italy, we did not know that there is a surcharge when we buy from the train counter. Thus, each of us paid 3 euros more which is 22.5 euros one way to Venice. As what Kian Shing say, sometimes we need to 还学费 (pay school fees) when we visit a new country.

We were a little surprised when we saw the state of some of the trains

We boarded this train that looks a little better

Playing cards on this side of the train

See the book and the notes that Mau, Ks and Venu are holding? So hardworking right?

I was taking photos of the scenery along the way

A glimpse of the snow capped mountains at the Italian Alps

Passing by a town

and a river and the mountains

The ride took about 3 hrs and we stopped at Mestre as i had booked the hostel at the town just outside Venice for much cheaper accomodation.

At Mestre train station walking to the hostel, I was leading 7 people for this trip

Passing by a church

and some statues

We unloaded our stuff at our hostel and went for some kebabs (as usual) for lunch near the hostel. After our lunch, we proceeded to take the bus to Venice!

At Venice Bus Station

Passing by a souvenir stall selling Venetian masks and other things

The weather in Venice was warm and we started taking a lot of photos of the beautiful city

On a bridge crossing a canal

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Italy + Brussels Trip Day 1 (26 Apr 08) (Part 3)

Continuing the walking tour of Brussels...

Palais Royal (Royal Palace)

In front of the Royal Palace

The nice castle garden

Parc de Bruxelles Warande (Brussels Warande Park)

Group photo at the park

Bursts of water

Palais de la Nation

Side view of Cathedral St-Michel

Front view of Cathedral St-Michel

Cathedral St-Michel + Statue

Back at Brussel Centraal Station

The train station can be better with some renovations

Taking the train to Charleroi Sud

Caught sleeping again!

We took the bus to the airport from Charleroi Sud train station to catch our flight to Bergamo in Italy.

Ryanair flight

It was dark upon reaching Bergamo airport and we took the bus that takes us to the bus station in Bergamo.

Taking the local bus in Bergamo

We then made our way to our hostel on foot and it was like walking in a rather undeveloped country. Some of the roads that we took had no pavements and we had to walk by the side of the roads. Luckily, there were 8 of us which is quite a lot or i will be feeling a little vulnerable.

Passing by old and rundown buildings with graffiti strewn walls

We reached our nice hostel safely!

We then proceeded downstairs to a nearby restaurant for our late dinner. We were all quite hungry and we ordered a pizza each.

First taste of authentic Italian pizza, it's not as fluffy (not much bread) and not as filling but the taste is slightly better

Dinner at last!

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