London and United Kingdom – There are lots of places worth visiting like the National Portrait Gallery where you can see Renaissance Paintings, Rembrandt, Monet, etc., The Historic Tower of London, Windsor Castles, The Bath, and other tourist attractions. There are too many to list here.
But what we enjoyed most was our visit to the prehistoric Stonehenge built some 3,000 years BC. There is a strange feeling when you are near this place, something that you cannot explain. While the Stonehenge is no longer complete as it was in its original form, it still exudes a certain aura of mystery and splendour. I took several pictures from different angles and could see the symmetry of the placement of the standing stones and the ones on top of them, including the openings and distance between the stones. The sight is indescribable and beyond comprehension that you really have to be there to really feel the strangeness of the Stonehenge. Nobody really knows the reason why the Stonehenge was built. One probable reason is that the openings are exactly where the first rays of the sun show during the summer and winter solstices.
Paris – On our first day, we walked to Notre Dame Church and attended Saturday mass.
From the outside, what I could imagine was the movie “Hunchback of Notre Dame” starring Anthony Quinn and Gina Lolobrigida. But inside, there was a feeling of holiness and serenity, the calmness when you are under the roof of a holy edifice.
There was also the Eiffel Tower but for me, it was just an empty towering structure while looking up and reaching the top through an elevator.
The Louvre is a modern museum. From the outside, I could not help but relate it with the Da Vinci Code movie, which is all fun fare. I appreciated more the Renaissance Paintings and sculptures from Roman and Greek Times, especially the Venus de Milo. However, we were disappointed with the famous Mona Lisa portrait. It was just a small painting and very much protected from the public. You can only view it from a good ten meters away and could not really have a close up look.
For me, the second best in Paris is the Arc de Triomphe because of its historical significance to France. Inside, you will learn all the events that transpired and passed through that entrance which served as the best landmark for France’s fight and struggle for freedom.
Rome – Rome is colossal, especially the Coliseum. We attended mass at St. Peter’s Cathedral but unfortunately, Pope Benedict was not in Rome at the time of our visit. But still, attending mass in Rome is something you will behold even if the Mass is in Latin, and the readings and other prayers are recited in Italian. The Vatican Church has that benevolent effect on you, with an indescribable feeling of an omnipotent entity present within. The Sistine Chapel and other parts of the Vatican are all magnificent, especially the Michelangelo painting on the ceiling. Other works of Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Rafael, and other famous painters and sculptors. Going back to the Roman Coliseum, this ruin is the best so far we have seen. Again, you could not help but relate this place with the Gladiator, Spartacus and other Roman movies. But knowing that these structures (the coliseum) existed even before the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, you could not help but admire it. You can dream of being within the area, amidst the roaring Romans clamouring for more violence and blood during gladiator fights.
Venice – The place is almost synonymous with the “Gondola” and we did ride it to go around this city which is surrounded by water. But we appreciated more the walking even if was very hard, with ups and down and countless bridges connecting small blocks of buildings. They say “Forget the maps, go and be lost in those street ways and small alleys and discover the real Venice.” We got lost several times but were not disappointed.
There are more than 400 bridges connecting the existing blocks of building in this small tiny city. There were no cars or available means of transport. Everybody walks. And the most funny and extraordinary sight, a newly-wed bride and groom walking up and down the alleys to their honeymoon hotel, with the bride carrying up her long train of heavy wedding gown by herself, followed by the groom pulling two big suitcases. It was a classic sight. – ?