European Jewels Day 4 Part 1

It has been awhile since my last post about my Europe trip.

Now, blogging has been made easier with Windows Live Writer.

Previously, I need to process my photos using another software, upload them and blog online.

Now, I can process my photos and blog one shot using this program.

And the best thing is, I can do this offline :)

I can pen down a few lines whenever my thoughts come.

It's so convenient and I believe that I will be able to update my blog more frequently from now onwards :)

Thanks TP for recommending this program to me.

Ok, now let's continue with my European Jewels trip.

It's day 4 and from Munich, we are heading to Innsbruck, the capital of the Tyrol, Austria followed by Venice, Italy.

Day 4

Munich, Germany --> Innsbruck, Austria --> Venice, Italy

I mentioned in the previous post that the breakfast we had on day 4 (at Tryp Munich Hotel) was the best and tastiest throughout the trip. Show your the photo now :)

We have a great variety of food, especially warm food (compared to other hotels which only served breads, croissants, cold ham, fruits and cereals).

Here, we have different type of sausages, ham, scramble egg, potatoes and etc.

I think they have different types of breads and croissants too but sorry, I am not not going to eat these giving that I can opt for warm and delicious meat :p

Too bad we didn't have much time to savour the breakfast coz as usual, we have to catch up with the tight schedule. It was 5.47am when I took my breakfast :s

Then, it's time to board the coach and lay my butt on the seat for hours again.

The buildings @ Munich.

6.35am

Scenery along the journey.

7.04am

Look at the snow covered on top of the mountain.

8.17am

8.29am

We are at the town of Innsbruck, Austria now.

8.30am

8.35am

It's a beautiful town with mountains around.

Snow starts covering the top of the mountain.

If I were here few weeks later, I would be having fun with snow!

The buildings @ Innsbruck

Note the 'thing' hanging from the wall.

Every shop has a different one.

It's unique.

Swarovski @ Innsbruck

This is the original retail shop.

As expected, lots of crystals in the shop.

More crystal.

And more.

It just makes you want to buy some crystals here, since you are surrounded by crystals.

Even the hanger knob on the door in the wash room is made of crystals.

Neh, the hanger knob that you use to hang your hand bag when you want to pee.

The 'thing' for Swarovski shop.

This is just one of the pretty crystal dog among the others.

Despite being surrounded by lots of beautiful crystal, I only spent Euro 9.50 for a pair of Swarovski crystal earring. That's the cheapest thing that I like which I considered affordable :)

Enough for crystal, let's explore abit this beautiful little town by the mountain.

See the mountain is so near.

What a nice picturesque town.

More buildings.

9.45am

Look at the seat cushion, so colourful.

Must be very happy sitting on it :p

It's 9.50am.

Time to leave and continue our journey for the day.

Bye bye Innsbruck.

Now, we are going to drive over the Brenner Pass to Italy.

Stunning Dolomites' alpine scenery coming on our way...

To be continue...

Cooking is Fun :)

It was the first Sunday of 2009.

We decided to do some cooking.

Haven't been doing this for so long.

My last time was during 2007 when I was at Europe.

Muahaha :p

After shopping for the ingredients, we headed back to the chef's house to do the cooking.

Well, I was the helper not the chef ;)

But, I will be the chef next time!

I wash and cut the vegetables, I open the can, I wash dishes, I prepared the drinks and bla bla bla :p

Ok, let me show you what we have got.

The linguine

I like linguine :)

Thicker than spaghetti but thinner than fettuccini.

Just right in the middle!

Yellow and red capsicum

(Stirred fry with olive oil)

Of course you can also use green capsicum.

Garlic pepper seasoning with grinder

(RM9.89)

I super duper love this.

While the chef was cooking, I sprinkled some of this on the plain linguine and it was so delicious!!!

I discovered that I can savour the pasta just with this magical seasoning in hand ;)

Italian seasoning

(RM3.49 per bottle from Tesco)

Personally, I don't quite like this, it has strong favour.

Garlic pepper seasoning still rocks!

Steamed broccoli and cauliflower

The chef sprinkled some salt on it.

Tasty!

Italian sausage with paprika powder, garlic pepper and Italian seasoning

(Stirred fry with olive oil)

Yellow onion

(Stirred fry with olive oil)

Put all the ingredients together (except broccoli and cauliflower) and mixed with extra virgin olive oil.

TADA~~~The initial product.

The chef wasn't very satisfied because it was abit dry.

While the chef was preparing the cabonara sauce, I was enjoying a drink :p

A cool and refreshing honey lemon drink :)

Not forgetting the salad consisting baby tomato, corn, romaine lettuce.

Mixed with extra virgin oil and lime juice.

Simple and nice.

TADA again~~~The final product, with cabonara sauce.

Buono appetito :)

(It's direct translation from French 'Bon appetit', not sure if it's correct. I figure that this dish is Italian so I should be saying in Italian right? haha)