The writer (third from left), his wife and friends had a lucky encounter with de Sousa (far left). — Photos: KANIKA
Planning for our European trip took nearly a year. My wife had been dreaming of the holiday for the longest time, and I was happy to help make it come true for her.
We were fortunate to have our friends Siva and Thaya, who live in Britain, join us. Thaya’s organisational skills were invaluable as she meticulously planned our trip across seven countries – Portugal, Spain, Italy, Finland, Switzerland, Germany, and Estonia, all within a span of three weeks.
Our adventure began with a 14-hour flight from Kuala Lumpur to London, and my wife was anxious about this. We spent our first two days in London recovering from jetlag and preparing for the tour, as well as catching up with Siva and his family.
To keep our travel “budget friendly”, we opted to fly with low-cost carriers, which allowed only hand luggage per passenger. Packing lightly was a challenge for all of us, but it added an interesting twist to our travel experience.
The writer and his wife at the Rhein Waterfall.
Our first stop was Lisbon, Portugal, a city brimming with tourists and adorned with Gothic architecture, ancient churches, and statues. Despite the warm weather, it was still breezy enough to make our exploration comfortable.
We had some problems searching for our Airbnb, but a kind local named Jose came to our rescue. Not only did he help us with our accommodation, he also showed us around Lisbon and treated us to dinner at an upscale restaurant.
An unexpected highlight for everyone was bumping into the president of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, at the same restaurant! This chance encounter and the conversation we had with him certainly left a lasting impression on us.
From Lisbon, we flew to Barcelona, Spain. This vibrant city was a blend of modern attractions and historic churches – we couldn’t miss visiting the iconic FC Barcelona stadium. The local Spanish cuisine and the bustling atmosphere of the tourist areas added to our enjoyment.
The Vatican Basilica.
Our next destination was Rome in Italy, where we arrived late at night. In the morning we spent a few hours visiting the Vatican City, which was swarming with tourists. We had a tense moment in the Metro, when I realised that someone was trying to steal my wallet. I thwarted the attempt, but it was a stark reminder to all of us of the high pickpocketing rate in some of these European cities.
Thankfully, that incident did not spoil our holiday mood, as we continued with our journey. Our next stop: Switzerland.
Our flight to Zurich was very early, but we didn’t mind it as we were excited about visiting the country renowned for its chocolates (and other things). We went to the famous Lindt Chocolate Factory, of course, and also the stunning Rhine Falls.
We met up with one of Thaya’s relatives too, who hosted us a delightful dinner. The next day, we explored the city and its surrounding mountains, marvelling at the beauty, yet also thinking about the high cost of living in Switzerland.
The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin.
Berlin, Germany was next on our itinerary. The city’s rich history, particularly its World War II landmarks and the story of German reunification, gave us a sobering walk through the past. We visited the Berlin Wall and other significant historical sites, reflecting on the city’s traumatic yet resilient history.
From Germany, we flew to Helsinki, in Finland, a Nordic city with a pace reminiscent of Russia, due to its geographic proximity. Despite the hot and humid weather, we enjoyed exploring the city and indulging in local delicacies like salmon and reindeer meat at a lively Sunday market. We also tried various modes of transportation, including boats, trams, and buses.
A day cruise took us from Finland to Tallinn in Estonia. This charming Baltic city, filled with tourists and lively music, offered a unique blend of historical intrigue and modern vibrancy. We strolled through its picturesque streets, soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying the extended daylight until 10pm.
The 'famous' salmon soup at the Finland Flea Market.
We returned to Helsinki pretty late after our day in Tallinn. During supper, the four of us chatted and reminisced about our nearly completed tour.
The following day, we flew back to London but before heading home to Malaysia, we spent a couple of days in Leicester with some of my old college friends. Our time in Leicester included a visit to the scenic Foxton Locks and some shopping at the bustling town square.
As we boarded our flight back to Malaysia, the memories of our whirlwind tour through Europe played in my mind. It felt surreal how quickly time had passed. Soon we were back to our daily routines, enriched by the experiences and friendships we made during our memorable journey.
The views expressed are entirely the writer’s own.
