Pisa, Italy '08

Pisa is a city in Tuscany, central Italy on the right bank of the mouth of the Arno River on the Ligurian Sea. It is the capital city of the Province of Pisa. The most famous landmark in this city is the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Me with the Leaning Tower of Pisa The Monumental Camposanto in the Piazza del Duomo Another angle of it The Baptistry of the Cathedral View of the Duomo from the Baptistry Climbing up the Leaning Tower The winding stairs .. On the roof of the Leaning Tower Compare the railings against the landscape in the background

A miniature Leaning Tower

Pompeii, Italy '08

Pompeii is a ruined and partially buried Roman city near modern Naples in the Italian region of Campania, in the territory of the comune of Pompei. Along with Herculaneum, its sister city, Pompeii was destroyed, and completely buried, during a catastrophic eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius spanning two days on 24 August 79.

The volcano collapsed higher roof-lines and buried Pompeii under many meters of ash and pumice, and it was lost for nearly 1700 years before its accidental rediscovery in 1748. Since then, its excavation has provided an extraordinarily detailed insight into the life of a city at the height of the Roman Empire.

View of Mount Vesuvius from Pompeii

A typical house that was buried... Me filling my water bottle from one of the water points in Pompeii. Was not really sure if the water's clean but I was willing to take the risk in the hot weather! Rows of pillars "Olden times" terrace houses Me

Me again

This is the very pavement covered in volcanic rocks and ash almost 2000 years ago...

One of the humans "retrieved" from the ashes *Gulp*

This stall selling Prada orange juice (SGD7 for a small cup!) outside Pompeii is a welcome sight of colours after the depressing colours in Pompeii

Siena, Italy '08

Siena is a city in Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the province of Siena. We did a day trip to Siena from Florence.

The Torre del Mangia

City of Siena

Me with The Torre del Mangia in the background

Down I go!

Siena Duomo

Stained glass

Me outside The Duomo with my peach

Street of Siena

A real owl - first time I see one so up close

Siena's gelato!!

Capri, Italy '08

Capri is an Italian island off the Sorrentine Peninsula, on the south side of the Gulf of Naples. It has been a resort since the time of the Roman Republic and easily accessible via a quick ferry ride from the city of Sorrento. Took a day trip to the island.

View of Capri while approaching the island Me with the boats docked at the harbour Me on a boat to see the Blue Grotto. Check out how blue the sea is Me on chairlift to the peak of the mountain on Capri Amazing blue! Mount Vesuvious in the distance Life's good for this Capri cat

Milan, Italy '08

Milan is located in the plains of Lombardy. It is renowned as one of the world capitals of design and fashion. The famous Duomo, the world's largest collection of marble statues

Close-up of The Duomo
On the roof of The Duomo

An "artistic" shot
Stained glass window inside The Duomo

Ticket to the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie

Me outside the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, which houses one of the most famous paintings of Leonardo da Vinci - The Last Supper

Nagvili Canal

Gelato for the day! :)

One of the better chicken chops

Milan is supposedly famous for their yellow risotii - so I had to try it when I was there.

Pasta with cheese and tomatoes

This is barley with olive oil, carrots, peas and tomatoes. It was served cold and really yummy!!

Due to mis-communication, I had this huge bowl of salad with a few pieces of tuna fish when I thought I had ordered tuna fish with veggie. Some of you would know that I am not a great fan of salads! :P