Known for its bright, pastel- coloured houses and lace industry, Burano is an island 40 minutes away from Venice by vaporetto. It’s a very pretty and idyllic place that it felt very unreal. The bright, cheerful colours of the houses that lined the canals and streets are very charming and attractive.

One thing I learnt from this trip was another way to tie a scarf. I was charmed by a red lace scarf displayed at a tiny shop by the corner but I was a bit anxious for not knowing how to wear it. The shop keeper was so keen to show me the proper way to put it on. He was quick to tie the scarf around my shoulders that there was no other way but to purchase it!

There is also the leaning campanile of the Church of San Martino which if people didn’t know that it was leaning will find my photos slanted. 

I could have chosen a different destination for this romantic summer holiday. But I chose Venice. I wanted to see its beauty, to experience traveling by vaporetto, to hear the beautiful Italian language, to see fascinating people, to taste good food, enjoy the gelato, the coffee, the music and all nice things.

I did all that and more. I love Venice. I enjoyed walking its narrow road, passing by its colourful and magnificent architectures, watching beautiful people, looking at the expressive Italians waving their hands while they speak, the friendliness, the beautiful live music … They said it will be jammed pack full of people. They said it would be too hot. They said it would be too expensive. But none of this bothered me. I enjoyed every minute of it.

Coming back to the hotel after a wonderful day exploring the city, I found a candle, a bottle of champagne and some chocolates in the room courtesy of the hotel. This was to celebrate this lovely time in this romantic city.

I was circling the Stonehenge and was really, really cold. Was it not supposed to be summer? The thing was, I had no plans of circling the Stonehenge. I did not plan to go there. But the coach needed to stop on the way to London from Bath so that tourists can have a look and enjoy. But it was cold!

Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in Wiltshire, England. It’s an ancient stone circle which evolved between 3,000 BC and 1,600 BC. Its exact purpose remains a mystery. 

Although it was freezing cold that afternoon, I was happy to be asked by excited tourists to take their photos. I don’t know why because my hands were mid frozen. Did I mention it was June? 

It was an unexpected trip. I didn’t plan for it. But a friend once told me that Bath is beautiful and a must place to go if ever I’m in UK. Well, I’m in UK again. And somehow, I found myself in Baker street, waiting for the coach to take me to Bath, a two hours ride from London.

I didn’t know what I have to see in Bath but there are really beautiful architectures along the way to the main square. In the main square, I basically followed what others did, visiting the Roman Bath which was established between the first and the fifth centuries AD and Bath Abbey which was built in 1499. Walking around the city centre was quite fascinating even though the weather was cold and the skies were grey.

At the square, I saw a stall selling handmade leather products. There was a question posted on the wall that says, “Tired of paying too much for pointless brand names?” Well, I did thought it was a great question and ended up chatting with the seller.

I did surrender my sandals as it was rain, rain, rain in Dublin. The seller wished me happy warm feet after he handed me my red Keds. Yes, Dublin was certainly an experience. It was my first time to visit a country on my own with no apparent reason other than to see the place.

But it was beautiful. I enjoyed walking by the River Liffey during the sunset, strolling on O’ Connell Street and Grafton Street, having a sandwich on the park bench at the Saint Stephen’s Green, taking the bus many times around the city to see many places many times. I visited St. Patrick’s Cathedral, attended a church service at the Christ Church Cathedral, had a Viking experience, etc. It was an interesting three days. But what I loved most was visiting the Dublin City Gallery and especially the National Gallery. I did quite a commotion at the National Gallery when I asked the guards where was this and that painting that it almost became a museum tour! One of the most beautiful and emotional paintings I’ve ever seen is Frederic William Burton’s The Meeting on Turret Stairs,1864. It tells about Hellelil’s love for her bodyguard Hilderbrand, whose death was ordered by her angered father. What a tragedy!