Europe Mania Finale

Of course I can go on about my love for Europe... especially Scotland. Having left Ivan in Milan, I took my final leg with the one and only Stuey... it was the best time spending with a friend who've I've not lost but gotten a lot closer especially with him all settled and grown up.

Stuey was amazing, he collected me at the furthest possible airport and we headed to Glasgow the next day to stay with his family. But before that, I had to try crumpets with a view of daffodils growing in Stuey's front yard! totally amazing:

*please understand, in SG, the only daffodils we come into contact with are the plastic ones that we sell on charity days

on the way up, we stopped at some random place to grab food, really good food. and of course I was the only Asian there, but who really cares... with awesome bloody sausage and crab and lamb shank and duck and dessert

 then it was Glasgow!
stuey's parents' place was like a little farm!!! of course with the given extra fresh air and crispy tap water

 and of course when in the land of whisky....

after 2 days there, it was back to Britain. but not without stops of course!
first up... Birmingham where I shopped and read at their cool library. then, it was off to Shakespeare's town of Stratford

lunch was at oxford... at a local pub with yummy pies!

finally it was back in London for another day before it was goodbye stuey :(

Europe was just amazing and having to type all of it out was just heart breaking but with memories worth a lifetime.
Thanks to everyone for the amazing trip and till the next time!


 

Europe Mania p3

Upon landing in Milano, Ivan didn't pause before bringing me to eat nutella, marscapone crepes... only about the most decadent dessert on earth

and got to eat a traditional cannoli with pistachio shavings

and of course proper traditional Milanese food...

interestingly enough, there was a lot of polenta involved... which was great as I've not had polenta since the US

the next day, I got lost in a local market before ivan and I jumped on a train to Roma

Truly the land of Hercules, Ivan made me walk the cobbled streets of Roma in 2 days and we managed to cover most of the sights. Going to the Vatican 3 times too!

no trip to Rome would be complete without a look to the food I got to eat. and it was just simple great food that my local friends Giu and Alberto both recommended which was great including Rome's best gelato... which basically means the worlds best gelato really

after a whirlwind Roma, it was time to head back to Milan..
besides amazing food, Milano was rather boring. I feel in love with the food halls, bvlgari hotel and the gorgeous Duomo
after a day in Milan, Ivan n I decided to visit the outlets on the way to the Italian Riveria. in order to save money, we rented a manual car... yes me driving a manual. besides the major anxiety the day before, I only stalled 5 times? haha
we didn't quite make it to Portofino but stayed in Genova instead, home of Ivan's roommate.

i'll end Italy with a shot of marocchino

best thing Italy has not exported yet :(