Euro Let's Go! Road less travelled

Kenneth Leung Start Date: Jul 28, 2020 - End Date: Nov 27, 2020
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Vacation/Personal Trip
  • Milano, 義大利
  • Marseille, 法國
  • Nice, 法國
  • Berlin, 德國
  • Vienna, 奧地利
  • Copenhagen, 丹麥
  • Amsterdam, 荷蘭

My Travel Story

by: Kenneth Leung Start Date: Jul 28, 2020 - End Date: Nov 27, 2020
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Vacation/Personal Trip
Introduction

In light of COVID-19, going anywhere seems like such a distant dream. In the case of Europe, many fall victim to the coronavirus, yet Germany stood tall and strong. It begs the question, if history is set to repeat itself, would there be a different and better outcome? Was the whole strategizing all wrong? Why are “us” taking all the blame if things don’t turn out right? What is left in “our” future- is it grim and gloomy? Should we care and is it actually our business to deal with?

It’s complex. But one thing I’m 100% sure the world will never be the same after COVID-19 pandemic. So merely advocating everything stays the same won’t work out and will result in a stand-off and stand still. Can we find a better way to deal with it? I am sure we can. I think reinventing the classics is a great idea to initiate discussions and get us to think about things. For many of “you”, the European countries and cities I intend to visit may seem all too familiar, for work or leisure. But for me, it is all new as I have never been to most locations and experience quite like the same in person. Ultimately, travelling should be personal and not collective/political, and of course it’s never about putting salt on people’s wounds. Just like when “you” are billions dollar richer, I haven’t even pocketed a single penny into my wallet. I’m a poor guy, but I am proud. In the end, love your life and live your life. Yes, it goes up and comes down. It can be challenging, emotional and stressful at times. But we strive to make it better, and not to make it miserable.

If anything goes, it will be some time next year. If any reader strikes a chord with me, being touched, it’s time to make donations. I particularly welcome small ones. For five special donors of HK$80 (US$9 or EUR$9 approx) you will receive a postcard mailed to you from Europe when this trip finally takes place. For another five special donors of HK$160 (US$18 or EUR$17 approx), you will receive a small souvenir by mail as a token of appreciation. The locations to visit will include Milan (Italy), Marseille and Nice (Cote D’azur- France), Vienna (Austria), Berlin (Germany), Amsterdam (Netherlands) and Copenhagen (Denmark). I will elaborate what catches me and why I find these places fascinating and intriguing. Travelling is exploration and exhausting, but should never be brutal and worrisome. If you fear and feel utterly anxious, then the whole purpose is totally defeated.

Milan (Italy)

Milan is Italy’s fashion capital, and hosts some of my most favourite designer labels. To truly understand what fashion really is about, I will need a special Milan fashion tour with a local guide and an insider. Start with visits to private labels and meet with their designers, then visit their shops and workshops/factories and listen to their stories. Learn about their history, their growth and their vision, and how they will propel fashion forward.

Meanwhile, the Prada Foundation in Milan is unique and really difficult to miss. Located in a former distillery, one of the towers appears to be solid gold while the other is bright white with harsh lines and greenish glass accents. With innovative, constantly evolving and exploratory exhibitions by contemporary artists, it aims at dialogue with the viewers and challenges the status quo with its avant-garde style.

My next point of interest is the renowned medieval Italian artist and scientist Leonardo da Vinci.  He spent much of his life in Milan, and his legacy is entwined with the history of Milan. He created many masterpieces throughout his life, and one very famous art piece The Last Supper, is located at Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. The Leonardo 3 museum at Piazza della Scala in Milan hosts more than 200 interactive 3D machines, in addition to physical reproductions of Leonardo’s machines, many of which he never even built and are seen here for the first time ever.

We all knew pizza originated from Italy, but are you curious like me how Italian pizza is made? I think the best way to get a taste of it is to learn how to prepare it from a local Italian chef. By taking a cooking class, I will grasp the techniques of the perfect dough, the rising and baking times, the toppings and how to insert your pizza into the oven. Sometimes we grab pizza for food because it’s quick, simple and easy, but lack the appreciation of it as truly authentic gourmet.

And of course we should never forget that Italy for its cappuccinos and espressos. There are plenty speciality coffee shops in town, and trying a few good ones won’t hurt. I will take the advice from Big Seven Travel (https://bigseventravel.com/2019/03/the-7-best-coffee-shops-in-milan/), since I’m quite familiar with Illy and Starbucks Roastery and it’s always good to try out the small ones. The coffee beans and milk make all the difference in flavour.

Nice and Marseille (Cote D’Azur- France)

Cote D’Azur (a.k.a The French Riviera) is the Mediterranean coastline of the southeast corner of France. It’s unique not just because of its beautiful scenery of the Mediterranean waters but also it’s very wealthy, full of foreign residents and holds many super yachts. For anything in life, “seeing is believing, looks are all deceiving, when I take you for a ride”. In the end, don’t be on the inside looking on the other side.

Nice

For the best experience of Cote D’Azur in Nice, I will take a walk along the famous Promenade des Anglais, so-called because it was created by the English, who in the late 18th century would often spend their holidays along this lovely stretch of coast. The walkway, a pretty division between the sea and the palm trees, was built in 1820 and today can be enjoyed as a place for a leisurely stroll or some relaxing sunbathing on the deckchairs dotted along its edges. To fetch a sparkling aerial view of the Mediterranean coastline, I will climb up to La Colline du Château (Castle Hill) to check things out. The castle in the park was torn down by French King Louis XIV centuries ago, but a few crumbling walls remain.

Also a visit to Russian Orthodox Cathedral would be fascinating. Donated by Tsar Nicholas II in 1912 in commemoration of his son who died of TB in Nice, the Cathedral is a magnificent structure built with classic Russian architecture. To the unknown of many, Russian nobility often frequented Nice during the 19th century, revealing the ties of Russians to Nice.   

Strolling around Cimiez (the French name for the Roman city of Cemenelum) would also make the journey to Nice utterly memorable. Mostly in ruins, the area includes an arena, amphitheater, thermal baths, and paleochristian basilica. The arena and amphitheater are still be used for some local events these days, and the thermal baths (both hot and cold) still do wonders as a cultural scenery.

What not to miss for tour to the Marché aux Fleurs Cours Saleya (Flower market)? Ranked by France's National Council for the Culinary Arts as being one of the country's special markets, this popular open-air marketplace features flowers, food items, produce and live fowl directly from the neighboring farms.

Marseille

Unlike many, my first point of interest is a visit to the city hall of Marseille. The Town Hall’s current site was occupied by the Maison de Ville where traders and consuls gathered from the 13th century then the Palais Commual in the 15th century. The current Town Hall was built in the 17th century. It was the symbol of the city’s new political status commissioned by Louis XIV who awarded the city’s management to county magistrates and changed the port regime.

My next stop will be at the old port. Marseille’s history has been performed on the Old Port for 26 centuries. During Antiquity and the Middles Ages, the Greek (Massalia), Roman (Massilia) and Medieval (Masiho) city expanded on the northern bank and to the south in the 17th century. Entry to the port was henceforth guarded by two forts, Fort Saint-Nicolas and Fort Saint-Jean.
One of the iconic symbols of the Old Port was the transporter bridge, a metallic structure opened between both forts in 1905 which, unfortunately, was destroyed after the war. The Old Port was renovated in 2013, and to this day, the Old Port is the beating heart of Marseille.

Of course, a visit to the stadium of Orange Velodrome and watching a live soccer match there is like a dream come true. Ideally, doing a day tour at the stadium visiting the locker rooms, pitch sides and exclusive areas and watching the Olympique de Marseille team play in the evening would be magnificent. With the stadium’s ability to hold 67,000 spectators, the atmosphere and vibe is absolutely electric.

And a walk on most well-known boulevard in Marseille, The Canebière, is certain a must given its lively history that includes drugs, prostitution, beheadings and riches. It gets its name from the Latin word for cannabis. In Provençal dialect, “canabiera” was the area around where the avenue now exists. From the Middle Ages, this area was full of hemp fields, a type of cannabis grown for its industrial uses. During the Louis XIV era, this boulevard expanded and became affluent, which perfume houses and sweet shops were opened. During the French Revolution, a guillotine was erected for public decapitations on the The Canebière. After the French revolution, the red light district can still be found by the top end of the street.

Towards the end, a local tour to witness the unimaginable beauty of Provence’s lavender fields would be fascinating. Marvel at the endless, undulating fields of lavender and soak up the distinct fragrance that perfumes the air, particularly in the middle of summer. Stop by a local village to pick up a bouquet and some essential oils to take home!

Vienna (Austria)

Vienna is the capital of classical music. Among many great composers, Mozart was one of the most influential. During his time in the city, Mozart resided at numerous locations, a few of which can be visited by the public today. He died and was buried in the city’s Cemetery of Karl Marx. So the first thing to do is to trace Mozart’s footprint in the city and follow it through. In the evening, I will sit back and enjoy a spectacular performance at the Wiener Musikverein, one of the finest concert halls in the world with superb acoustics.

A visit to Café Central is a not to miss destination, not because of its coffee but its richness in history. Located at Herrengasse 14, the café occupies the ground floor of the former Bank and Stockmarket Building, today called the Palais Ferstel. Throughout 19th century, this coffee place was a key meeting place for Vienna intellectuals, including famous psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud.  The café was often referred to as the "Chess school" because of the presence of many chess players who used the first floor for their games. Members of the Vienna Circle of logical positivists held many meetings at the café before and after World War I.

A guided history walking tour around Vienna would also be great. It begins with the Habsburg Empire, and about all its kings, queens and revolutionaries. As we walk, we will be briefed about architectural and historic landmarks located in two major shopping districts, learn about Habsburg religion and ritual at a trio of extraordinary churches, and see traces left by waves of invading forces from Ottomans to Nazis. In sum, it will be diverse, fruitful and full of stories.

Of course, a visit to the The Swarovski Kristallwelten Store Wien in Vienna is to pay respect to the true origin of Austrian crystal. With three storeys, an array of jewelry, accessories, decor objects and figurines are on full display. Magical installations from world renowned artists are exclusive to this venue, along with a Moët & Chandon Bar. 

Berlin (Germany)

When we talk about food and drinks in Europe, we often relate to French or Italian the most. But I think it is time to do German food justice, with a journey to Berlin. First comes to first, German sausages (Wurst) are some of the best in the world. In particular, Berlin is famous for it currywurst, with over 70 millions consumed every year. Currywurst is a kind of pork sausage covered in curry ketchup, and the oldest and most famous one is said to be found at Konnopke’s  Imbiss. Next, I will try out world-famous snack brezel (pretzel), the knotted shaped bread at a bakery. For a sumptuous meal, Schweinshaxe with sauerkraut (pork knuckles with fermented cabbage) is certainly cool and the best one can be found at Augustiner am Gendarmenmarkt. Of course, we can’t miss on the Kartoffelpuffer (Potato Pancake) and Kartoffelkloesse (Potato Dumplings). It’s commonly found and served at most cafes and restaurants.

You can’t tell others you have visited Berlin without trying out their beer. Berlin has an incredible selection of beer, ranging from traditional to craft German beer. The Berliner Kindl Weisse has gone down in history as one of the most popular beers in the German capital. Cloudy and sour, Napoleon’s men even referred to it as the ‘champagne of the north’. This award-winning brew has a distinctly sour taste, a must-try when in the city. Rothaus Pils is a cheap beer – about €1.50 for half a litre – and widely available, and it comes with a subtle sweetness that makes it easy to drink. And one of my favourite is Warsteiner. This premium pilsner is slightly bitter with a firm taste and is the product of more than 260 years of brewing history.

A visit to the Museum fur Fotografie (Museum of Photography) is not the most popular but definitely worthwhile. Here there’s a particular interest at Helmut Newton, a German Australian photographer. His work is said to be radical, edgy and a times racy.  He depicts many nude women, all of which are provocative, erotically charged and sexual at times. The exhibition also reconstructs his quirky Monaco Office, and his oversized made-to measure beach-buggy.

With a slight taste of history, I will set my foot in the Berlin wall memorial and briefly run through the little bits and pieces of material that lay beneath the wall. Afterwards, a visit to the first major public housing developments in Germany (Gropiusstadt) is welcoming. This project is seen as the social utopia imagined by Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius. The goal is to turn the neighbourhood in a satellite city with schools, shops and leisure facilities. Full completed, the project is plain architecture in sight unlike the rest of Berlin. What’s not good to enjoy a cocktail “touch the sky” at the rooftop terrace at the Hotel de Rome? It features a great view of the Berlin’s state opera building, the TV tower and St. Hedwig’s Cathedral. If the mood is there, a late night visit to the Club der Visionaere, a very cramped wooden pier with DJs spinning throbbing electronic music spark fun and excitement.

Amsterdam (The Netherlands)

Though sounding cliché, getting on board a boat and sailing on the canals of Amsterdam is pleasant and enjoyable.  As the boat cruises along Amsterdam's most beautiful canals, Amstel River, 7 bridges and the Skinny Bridge, the host and the captain narrate some fun and interesting stories along the way. It’s a 70 minutes tour and the good thing is that drinks are complimentary.

The Anne Frank museum is true legend of its own with a bang, and it’s certainly a go to place. During World War II, Anne Frank (Jewish wartime diarist) hid from Nazi persecution with her family and four other people in hidden rooms at the rear of the 17th-century canal house, known as the Secret Annex (Dutch: Achterhuis). She did not survive the war but her wartime diary was published in 1947. Ten years later the Anne Frank Foundation was established to protect the property from developers who wanted to demolish the block.

As the sponsor of 007 movies, the Heineken experience is wonderful for a beer lover like me. Following a guided tour, the host explains the history of Heineken, walk me through the ingredients of the beer and the brewing process, and allow for tasting of all Heineken brands and make myself a Heineken beer bottle to keep.  Certainly educational and fun what not to love! Meanwhile, the Dutch are also passionate about their dairy products, in particular cheese. The Amsterdam cheese museum not only offers free cheese tasting (vintage gouda), but a glimpse into the history of cheese making and its unique Holland flavor. I can also dress up as a Dutch cheese farmer and see the most expensive cheese cutter in the world.

For something flashy, I will strive to get a ticket at the Dutch National Opera and Ballet for the ballet performance at the time.  The theatre itself is located alongside the canal, and it’s large, modern and comfortable. A great review sums it up: Inside- full house on the night, very appreciative audience, standing ovation at the end. The production- terrific cast, superb scenery, magnificent dancing, sumptuous costumes, superb orchestra.  A very intelligent, traditional and engaging performance led by a world class company of dancers.  After the show, pass by the red light district for the kick. Sex work is legal and protected in Amsterdam, and prostitution is not a taboo. Just don’t disturb them too much they are in for business.

Copenhagen (Denmark)

Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is a fascinating doorway to once upon a time. In particular, the works of Hans Christian Andersen including The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling and The Emperor’s New Clothes have been translated into many languages and inspired ballets, plays and films worldwide. A visit to his fairytale house is a must. I will get up close and personal with the famous and beloved author through the exhibition, learn about his life and of course his many journeys that served as inspiration for his many fables. By pressing buttons, I can hear his stories in different languages which are intriguing.

Then, I’ll need to take a step into one of the oldest amusement park in the world, Tivoli Gardens, at the heart of Copenhagen. With the Copenhagen card, the admission is free and I can get access to more than 30 rides, shops, concert venues, children’s play area, a lush garden, casinos, and about 50 restaurants from gourmet to casual. There’s an interpretative dance show at the Asian pavilion and a light show at the end of the night. It’s such a magical place that even if you just walk around you feel great.

Do you love eating Danish pastry like I do? It’s time join a lesson on how to bake authentic Danish happiness (dansk hygge). Of course, a professional pastry chefs with years of experience will guide us through the whole process, teaching all the baking techniques including kneading, rolling and folding the dough with butter. It will be of course a great opportunity to meet other baking enthusiasts and exchange cultural/baking experiences along the way.

To wrap things up, a Copenhagen small group bike tour will be fulfilling. On a three-hour journey accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, I will bike around and get acquainted with the stunning sights in town. Most prominent landmarks, including Rundetarn, Amalienborg Palace and Rosenborg Castle will be touched upon, along with brief stopovers at the Citadel, the Little Mermaid, the Round Tower, Gefion Fountain and the Nova Fairy tales museum. So who will miss out on the rich historical heritage with such a fruitful expedition? Separately, if time permits I’ll make a half-hour stay at the Lego store in Copenhagen. With a mass collection of building blocks and interesting displays, I’m sure it will be worth the visit.

Afterwards

COVID-19 is going to live with us for years to come, but that does not mean the world stops and we are all done. This is a journey that draws upon emotional, fictional and real memory as the basis to review the relationship between “you” and “I” and the world moving forward. As I said, travelling should always be a rewarding and fulfilling experience, and not a frightening and coercive one. I am a big fan and a friend of European nations, and there is so much left to explore I totally look forward to the fascinating culture trip. With a bit of support from all of you, it will make life so much better and wonderful. Plus if you leave me a genuine contact or comment, I will review it and reply- you can always expect little surprise from me. THANK YOU and THANK YOU!!!! All the very best.
  • Milano, 義大利
  • Marseille, 法國
  • Nice, 法國
  • Berlin, 德國
  • Vienna, 奧地利
  • Copenhagen, 丹麥
  • Amsterdam, 荷蘭

Updates

2

  • We Live On.

    We live on.
    Dust to dust, ashes to ashes. Everything has a beginning, and there's an end to everything. This allow us to reset and regroup, as ESG will become an important consideration for investment. COVID will stay, we will live on, but the nature of things will ultimately not look the same. That's the gist

  • Who Doesn't Love Italy?

    Who doesn't love Italy?
    Make some noise here! It's your chance. Think about the good times ahead. Travel with love and passion, maybe we'll bumped into each other, but a total stranger can actually be a friend quick. That's genuine experience. All talk and no play makes Jack a dull boy :)

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