Just came back from Amsterdam. Gazillions of thanks to Sister Myra (my senior in high school) who sincerely provided me with 5-star accommodation and full service in 5x24 hours in Haarlem, Netherlands. As promised, these are the entries about my Italy trip.

Venezia! (Venice)

Greg-Siang Leng-Apratz-Yeok Tho-Michelia on the way to Maestre Station, Venice

First scenery after stepping out from the Venezia Train Station

Masquarade!

Everyday is a carnival!

Honestly speaking, the trip in Italy was supposed to be the most awesome of all, if and only if we didn’t -by any chance- force ourselves to carry our 10 kg bags while walking here and there. However, back-pain and injured leg hurt me the most within this whole trip, which deteriorate my full-satisfaction of traveling.

You can find gondola in every corner ^o^

On the way to the famous Rialto Bridge

We spent a day in Venice. Venice is anciently unique in its own way. Being created on a series of mud banks in a lagoon, with canals in every corner of the roads, these sceneries kinda remind me of Shakespeare’s ‘Merchant of Venice’ and Cornelia Funkel’s ‘The Lord Thief’ as those stories have Venice as their settings. This is one of the perfect place for a daydreamer *pointing oneself =p*.

The main characteristic of Venice’s buldings is gothic *Apratz is screaming*. This city is a fabulous treasure of art and architecture, built in a series of islands, where there are gondolas as cars and canals as streets. Venice also reminds me of couples of beautiful cities in some Role Playing Games (how I missed playing those T_T).

St Mark Basilica from behind

The Famous St Mark Basilica

La Piazza of St Mark Basilica (Plaza in front of St Mark Basilica)

Can't stop praising the basilica from every side T_T

Hundreds of pigeons add its gorgeousness!

St Mark Basilica blends architectural and decorative styles from east and west to create one of Europe’s greatest buildings. The first basilica in the 9^th century is built to enshrine the body of St Mark. Many treasures (statues and icons) were brought to St Mark after the 4^th crusade had plundered Constantinopel in 1204.

The Grande canals

Gondolas!

Hotel above the water

Traffic jam of gondolas XD

I happened to ride a gondola with 6 of my fellow travelers, and explore Venice within canal to canal! It was breathtakingly beautiful since the rider gave us explanation about almost every building that we passed by.

Sunshineee, finally after thousand of years covered in snow XD

Ways to Ponte della Paglia

St Maria della Salute

Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

Famous paintings inside Santa Maria della Salute

The Altar, inside Santa Maria della Salute

This is the great baroque church of Santa Maria della Salute, standing at the entrance of the Grand Canal. Almost every church here begins with the name 'Maria', so I had difficulties to truly recognize them each =S, pardon my ignorance.

Balcony of Doge's Palace

Can you see the statue of Angel on the top? It was built in early 15th century.

Random Statue in front of Doge's Palace

The official residence of the Venetian ruler (doge) was founded in the 19th century.

It happens to be a church but i didn't remember the name >_<

My sincerest apology for my incapability to remember the names. They were unfamiliar for me (since all of the names are in Italian), and I didn't do much research about Italy before coming down here (I was over-fascinated about London and seemed to forsake Italy -and now I regret that so much >_<).

The Rialto-Bridge (don't ask me about the naming purposes since i also have no idea =S)

The famous bridge of sigh

The bridge was built in 1600 to link the palace with the state prisons. It reputedly acquired its name from the sighs of prisoners being led across it to face trials. Anyway, the (in)famous womanizer Casanova was the only person who can runaway from this water prison! Again, it's too-RPG-too-be-true T_T.

It is surprising that most Italian that we've met didn't understand English =S. So, Greg bravely settled this matter by speaking so-called Spanish to all of them (since Spanish and Italiano is almost similar XD), then Bell jokingly told that He could use his Danish when we come to Germany (but I don't think they're closely related *lol*).

Next city : Florence and Pisa, will be updated next time =).

I seriously NEED to STUDY!

Just come back from UK-Italy-Germany trip with severe sun-burnt, fatigue and injured spring. I will be going to Amsterdam tomorrow, so this is just a quick glimpse about previous trip.

London

St Paul's Cathedral

Still, St Paul's Cathedral

The evening London plus its double decker!

Les Miserables!

Catch 'Les Miserables' with Anes XD

Cool English-Pub

London was super awesome; I spent 5 days alone in London (minus Oxford, since I have no time left). I lurveee this city, as it is so vibrant, so multi-cultural, so fairy-tale yet so bloody. I kept reciting Beatles’ ‘Penny Lane’ when I was here, since I can catch the atmosphere. I managed to watch ‘Les Miserables’ musical show, which made me trembled and crying (my top 2 choices were ‘Phantom at the Opera’ and ‘Les Miserables’, but since I initially can spot the plot of Phantom, I turned out to ‘Les Miserables’). I had my hostel in Greenwich area, which amazed me since I was once in the center of the time in the entire world.

Sherlock Holmes statue in front of Baker Street station!

England's Public Telephone Box *lol*

The London Eye!

The UNESCO's world heritage : Tower of London

I am a great fan of Victorian Literature as well as England-Tudor bloody histories, so I was super excited about going to Baker Street and spotting Sherlock Holmes statue (in fact there’s nothing much there =p). The most interesting place of interest is the Tower of London, whereby all those murders and execution took place. A friend of mine told me that ‘the greater the empire is, the more bloody the histories are’, and I found that is utterly true. Now I realized that the thirst and sudden urge to attain power and the fanaticism of religion have been the main reasons to slay innocent people.

Whaa Cavalryy!!!

Inside the Cavalry Museum (my hand even didn't fit the gloves T_T)

Errrr, not suitable for the light hearted T_T

The bloody field where all the execution takes place

London Bridge! Just beside the Tower of London (the place where they hanged the head of those executed people as a shock theraphy for the citizen)

A parade in the tower of London estate

The white tower

The Tower of London’s main function is meant to be a fortress, a royal palace and prison, until the gore occurrences keep on happening after the ‘mysteries of princes in tower’, whereby the two sons of King Edward VII have never seen again in the tower after their uncle, Richard III of England sent the two young princes to the tower. The boys were indeed murdered, I am sure of it (as this story is too-RPG-too-be-true!). Certainly, Richard III was the murder, since he intended to remove the two princes from the succession, because he was the last person alive in this commotion (the last person being alive is the murder, as quoted in almost all detective stories *grin*).

Ways to the Bloody Tower

With one of the guard

There were also some explanations about London’s famous ‘Gunpowder Plot’, whereby Guy Fawkes, a Protestant fanatic attempted to assassinate James I of England. Reversely, the tragedy of Bloody Mary happened when Queen Mary I, a catholic, murdered a lot of Protestants until she herself was being executed by Elizabeth I. Lessons learnt are mostly, fanaticism of religion is the most dangerous thing, as once one claimed that one belief is true, one can kill and defend one’s faith under the flag of religion (which also made me pondering the current occurrences that were happening nowadays).

Robbie Williams!

What’s more? I had a lot of fun visiting Madame Tussaud the wax museum and taking pictures with famous figures *grin*. Surprisingly, I found that Christina Aguilera and Sarah Michelle Gellar are not taller than I am *lol*, and even Tom Cruise is not as tall as I imagined before.

The British Museum

Mummies!! *yikes =S*

National Gallery

I went to British Museum and National Gallery as well. I saw countless of famous paintings in National Gallery that I can only find in the book, such as famous ‘Madonna of The Rock’ and some others paintings with biblical references. They were so magnificent and wonderful, but too bad taking pictures were forbidden there. British Museum was the biggest and best museum that I’ve ever visited, as everything there starting from the traces of Mesopotamia and Greek to Egyptian's mummies are original and not replicas.

Gate of Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace

I ran to the Buckingham Palace to see the Changing of The Guards at 11am. Unfortunately there were too many people, and all that I can see was only heads T_T. It was super crowded until I cannot feel a thing. I better go to Oxford or Windsor Castle if I knew this earlier *sigh*.

Yeok Tho, Bell, Greg, Siang Leng, Apratz in front of Parlement Building in Westminster

Westminster Abbey!

Westminster area!

Spent a day in Westminster Area (the busiest district in London) and saw Westminster Abbey, the church where various tombs of famous historical figures of England buried. Unfortunately I didn’t go inside the church as the ticket is kinda expensive. Around Westminster Abbey, there were Parlement Building and the famous Big Ben. Actually I want to join the ‘Jack the Ripper Walk’ that was held within this area every night but nobody wants to join me *sobbing*. Jack the Ripper’s murders took place in Westminster Area.

Baker Street Underground Station (dedicated to Adilla)

Apratz, Yeok Tho and Siang Leng in front of Westminster Abbey

Apratz in front of Westminster Abbey

Big Ben!

I want to visit Sherlock Holmes, Charles Dickens and Shakespeare museums as well but again, I have no time left *sobbing*.

Last Scenery before leaving London

Honestly speaking, I was so sad when leaving London. This is the best city that met my very expectation, (even perhaps I overrated it). Everybody speaks good and proper English. I do hope that I can come back again here someday, or even work here later *daydreaming*. I want to stay here longer.

By the way, we had too much Subway and McDonalds here (even Greg wants to vomit when we mentioned Subway in front of him). Funny things are, we found the prices in London are CHEAPER than in Copenhagen! Now I realized that Copenhagen is an un-friendly city for cheapo travelers T_T.

Good bye London, next destination : Amsterdam (updates about Venice, Florence, Pisa, Rome, Vatican City, Milan and Berlin will be written after returning from Amsterdam, hihi)

This is the best sceneries so far, Thames River and Big Ben at night T_T

Name : Apratz
Current occupation : Full time traveller, full time daydreamer, part time student
Status : On duty!

Readers, I will be off for 2 weeks onwards. I will be travelling around UK,Italy,Germany and Netherlands. See you later by 16th of April the earliest =p.

For Thou who has exam, all the best, Apratz will certainly cross her fingers on you (and not middle finger off course).

Vi ses i moneden, Farvel!
Ja mata, sayonara!
Bid you all adieu!

I feel like writing stories.

In times of adversities, insomniac, anxiety and such, myriad peculiar inspirations swell in my mind. They come up in the form of stories –sad, intriguing and angst plot to be more exact (I have no idea why I sweat so much when trying to build up lovely and pleasant plot T_T).

First Plot :

Rhapsody of Lady Murasaki

My name is ‘death’, coz my parents want me to be dead

And I want you too, to be dead

Toru, A popular composer meets a strong-willed boy-prostitute in a night club, whose fearless eyes leave him with great impression. The day after, he meets a street performer having the same eyes (and not to mention face) with him. Interestingly, he doesn’t seem to know him as well as their previous meeting. His name is Sai. He is very decent and shy but he can sing very well.

Toru then tries Sai to sing his composed songs, and he can perform it naturally without hesitation. Toru then reform a band called ‘Lady Murasaki’ with Sai as vocalist and lyricist, while he acts as just an outsider and let the band gains fame with their own effort. It is not hard times for them, since Sai’s angelic voice has power and his lyrics are so transparent and honest, both a reflection and satire of contemporary society nowadays. ‘Lady Murasaki’ becomes an icon and is loved by so many people.

Strange things happen when ‘Lady Murasaki’ released their first complete-album. A number of suicides in the town begin to increase steadily. By the time they released their third complete-album, most of their fanatic fan-girls are killed, either by committing suicide or having unnatural death. This is questioned by Toru who has neither evidence nor proof that ‘Lady Murasaki’ itself is involved. He wants to meet Sai but is unable to; since they are getting very popular.

‘Lady Murasaki’ is going to have a large-scale live concert. Toru is watching them rehearse, and suddenly realizes there is something strange with Sai. The one sings in podium is no longer Sai, that heavenly voice, those deadly moves, that infectious fiery glare, those are him. Him, whom Toru met two years ago. He noticed Toru’s presence and then smiles to him.
“Welcome to the world of the dead, Toru”.

Story ends, I don’t know how to go afterwards >_<. I should spare more time to ponder and fantasize *slapped by rottentomatoes*.

It seems like I am a maniac of death issue =S. The truth is, I AM very paranoid of death, and even write these things make me shiver *it’s true*. I’ve been thinking about this plot long time ago, and I guess it has more twists at that time (but I already forgot). The second plot is in progress, I’m still thinking of the appropriate names and title (but the theme is still around murder and death issue *boohoo*).

Gokil part I

What will you do if :

- There’s only DKK50 in your pocket

- And all hot meals cost you more than that

- Everyday is banana-day

- Nothing to do except waiting for the Easter break to come

- Presentation (assessment) is finished
- No buddies around (they are busy)

What I did :

- Went to expensive boutiques around the city
- Trying some piece of clothes
- Take pictures of them

(Did they notice the flashlights keep coming from the changing room? I wonder =S)
Okay Apratz, let’s stop these and back to ‘study’!

P.S.
I can watch “4 Mata” and “Jomblo TV series” via Youtube. Sweeetttt~~~~
(NTU people will kill me for sure T_T, all the best for exam everybody! I always cross my finger on you! *run*)

Nu Haircut

Haircut (Indonesia) Rp. 20,000
Haircut (Singapore) S$ 25
Haircut (Denmark) DKK 360

T_T

So I take a pair of scissors, steal some piece of newspaper, sit down in front of the mirror, and cutting here and there.

Voila!

(I’m not a narcissist, so the face is censored =p)

The Arc in the Sky

I recently opened some L’Arc-en-Ciel (Laruku) forums and was quite shocked to certain extent. How come people out there who declared themselves as Le Cielers can heartlessly bitch about the existence of Laruku. I really question their sanity, as in, how come they waste their time browsing through specific forums and spread the breathtakingly terrible news about Laruku, yet they still call themselves a loyal fan.

Some of them claimed that Laruku is rather overrated. Their key success factor is merely because of the god-looking Hyde playing as Casanova attracts numbers of girls being their fans. And these fans, they said, don’t really care about their music, instead are unpretentiously fascinated because it’s Hyde who sings! Meanwhile the rest of the members got no talent at all, compare to another legendary J-Rock band such as X-Japan or Siam Shade.

One person bravely stated that his friend can play bass even better than Tetsu, whilst said that Yuki has monotonous beats on his drum (and later added that Ken’s composed songs are barely called a piece of work), as again compare to the so-called super famous band which inspire Junichiro Koizumi, X-Japan.

Some others left Laruku because they said it is no longer J-Rock band (and turned out to be J-Pop), since their music is rarely stick to one type. Laruku can turn rock into swing, pop into jazz, beat into ballad, and even combine those all into fabulous medley composition, and they said that it is inconsistent, and cannot be indigenously acclaimed as J-Rock band.

And some others keep criticizing about the way they present themselves. Before succeed as a major band, Laruku went indie and wore bizarre costumes of girls in Mediterranean era, this is known as ‘visual key’. They stopped wearing those after they gained a huge number of fans within Japan. Again, our so-called loyal fans protested that they are becoming lack of originality by leaving ‘visual key’ and such, since they go mostly by casual clothes in their performance.

*

It's fine if you don't come, it's fine if you won't watch
Just don't bitch about it because this is what we've decided on

Don't say "Things used to be better"
Just what do you claim to know about those gleaming times anyway?
Don't just say malicious things
If there's a fault in our chosen path... we're not there yet
you have no bravery to know the truth

(Bravery by L’Arc-en-Ciel)

Tetsu, the bassist and the leader wrote song titled ‘Bravery’ in the mid 1997 –I guess, just after they fired Sakura (the old drummer) because of drugs. This song is dedicated to their ‘fans’. The theme of betrayal and treachery is fully reflected within the lyrics. At the first time I heard this song, it feels so agonizing as Hyde sang it in an utter ballad style with his falsetto voice. This song depicts their disappointment towards the fans, that explains why they insist not to play this song in their Live performance. Reading the lyrics, I can understand their pain considering how pathetic some of their fans are.

Honestly speaking, I knew L’Arc-en-Ciel by accident. I was wandering around the store and found their cassette called “13 clicked singles best”, which I bought with no expectation. I have no idea about how hot Hyde and Tetsu are. Until I fell in love once I finished the whole tracks, as their music is so different from others, they got special characteristic in their music. Hyde’s vocal is unique, as well as Tetsu’s hardly imitated melodic bass and Ken’s exceptional guitar skill.

Then I ordered their live performance DVDs, and was surprise to find that those concerts are damn-energetic and vivacious. Even though they play the same songs for some live shows, they never failed to satisfy myself. In ‘AWAKE 2005’ concert, Hyde wears Nazi’s Uniform and sings song about war and peace, in ‘Light My Fire 1998’, he turns out to be a bloody hot vampire with tuxedo, blondie and red-eyed, in ‘Grand Cross Conclusion 2000’ he has a devil wing on his back and goes crazy when singing ‘Shout at the Devil’. They are not only selling music, but also fantasies and theatrical sophistication *grins*. How can I not love them?

Okay, I admit that I’m drooling over Hyde’s ageless beauty. A Hyde makes L’Arc-en-Ciel, L’Arc-en-Ciel. So what ? He’s not selling face over everything. He writes a gorgeous and poetic lyrics, he sings with damn-good falsetto voice, he has splendid and lively performance when it comes to Live shows.

I don’t care if L’Arc-en-Ciel is claimed to be overrated, and even always failed to grab an award from MTV Asia (even they’re not listed as nominators). So what? I admire Laruku, and not superficial and commercialized MTV Asia who promote R&B and western music (well, it is called ‘MTV Asia’, but those getting awards are always western artists, strange huh?).

Perhaps X-Japan and Lunasea are better than L’Arc-en-Ciel when it comes to J-Rock. So what? I listen to a bit Dir en Grey, Malice Mizer, Janne Da Arc, and even X-Japan, Siam Shade and Lunasea. They have their own characteristic as well, please don’t bother about comparing who wins over another, afterall they are all carrying the same genre of music, but I have to confess that Laruku represents my taste best.

Then if you are the real fans, please stop complaining. It’s okay if you don’t come, it’s okay if you don’t watch^^.

Ok, readers are vomiting already; I have to cut down my speech. At least I feel a bit relieved after expressing my anger into this. Finally, let me show you one of their shows, this song is super tranquil and calming. The titled is ‘My Dear’, this song depicts the condition during war (that’s why Hyde wears Nazi uniform *grin*), as I almost shed a tear when first time watching it. The lyric is very depressing, but still this is a very sweet ballad song.

My Dear

Now go out and look for love?
In the depth of the woods
That’s something I couldn’t find
Though I searched hard

Listen~~
Even though this world is tarnished by mistakes
I will never let your hand let go of mine
At least you can believe in that

Finally I reached out my hand and grasped it
And held it tight, overjoyed
So ephemeral it was that it died and decayed so soon

Someday when the whole world encounters joy
If I were to first meet you then
I would have never shown you
My endless sorrow

Where can it be?
Where can it be?
In my heart….

Listen~~
Even though this world is tarnished by mistakes
I will never let your hand let go of mine

Even if this feeling seems fake to you
It showers you with dazzling light, forever
At least you can believe that

Oh-My-Lousy Indonesian Passport

UK Visa costs me DKK575
Czech Visa costs me DKK217
Slovak Visa costs me DKK260

Balance in my wallet DKK50

Shall I go to Bratislava? *teardrops*

*singing* And everyday is just banana, slices of French bread, and banana, and slices of French bread, and banana, and slices of French bread, and did I mention banana?

Indonesia is one of the (in)famous 3^rd world countries with two digits percent of unemployment rate, yet our passport is extremely inflexible, and even still have to pay fiscal tax for Thou intend to go overseas. This is a robbery T_T!*cuttingthroat*