Lugano, Switzerland: Short and Sweet

One foggy morning, my aunt and uncle living in Como, decided to take me on a short trip to Lugano, a  rich town located near the border of Switzerland and Italy. It is just about 30 minutes from Como. They speak Italian here but the money is in francs. Here are some photos I took after our 3 hour visit!

Once we've arrived from the train station, we had to walk all the way down to reach the lake.

There was a little market going on around the center.

We were greeted by a breathtaking view of the lake. Even though it's raining, there are still a lot of people around.

Swans

Swans!

And more swans!

Flowers like these poppies are wonderfully arranged around the lake too.

The Swiss flag

A church located near the station overlooking the lake.

Summer in the Countryside!

Just a while ago, I went for a short bike ride around the countryside. I'm surprised by the beauty of summer. The fields are golden although the red poppies are dying.

Fields of gold

I picked some chamomile flowers for a sweet tea.

Sikh Festival in Italy

Last April, the Indian community from Punjab celebrated their Sikh festival. It's an annual celebration attended by hundreds of people. 

Mother and child watching the parade.

The sacred book

They parade barefoot

Performers entertain the audience with their unique performance.

A test of strength

Rose petals were thrown from a helicopter during the middle of the feast.

People from other religions can also participate in the celebration and are invited to eat inside their temple.

The Most Beautiful Park in Italy

    Last month, my friend and I went to visit a place dubbed as 'The Most Beautiful Park in Italy'. It is this 60-hectare paradise named Parco Giardino Sigurtà. It is a perfect place to visit during spring.  You can hire a golf cart or a bike to roam around. It has ponds, fountains, a mini-zoo, a hermit-house, function hall, bar, rose plantations and off course its famous tulips. Each flowerbed is carefully arranged by color, height and kind. No need to go to Holland! There are also different kinds of trees, shrubs, herbs and flowers!

Bees are busy this time of the year!

The ground is large enough for kids to run around without hurting themselves!

It includes ponds and fountains too.

Just a kilometer away from the park is this beautiful town called Borgetto. It is an old village situated near the river of Mincio. It's one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.

Borghetto is a unique town where you can feed a swan while drinking cappuccino.

Love locks.

Boating after breakfast?

'Good luck',  the bucket says. There is always something interesting everywhere you look.

Hello Spring!

Venice Carnival 2014

     It's Carnival time in Italy! Everyone is just so happy to welcome the spring. On top my my bucket list for 2014 is to experience the Venice Carnival.

 I was met by thousands of tourists upon my arrival. Participants of the carnival are usually the rich who can afford to pay more or less than 3000 euros for each costume. They are very willing to have their pictures taken. Who wouldn't be?

The luxurious carnival can also be a place for poor East Europeans who take advantage of the thousands of tourists to beg.

Sweet music can be heard from anywhere.

Best place to read a newspaper.

Tourists, tourists, and more tourists!

A street art telling the sad truth about Venice.

It was a great day indeed!