Stay with me

Chapter VIII

Weeks passed by, these continuous assignments and exams had too much pressure on us both, and only after all that hard work things had to switch ways. As Laura was in my arms talking about what we could do in our semester break, she said she would love to visit a town nearby known as the blue city. But I had eyes for something even more attractive to the lady.
Unexpectedly, I asked: “what do you want from Thailand?”
She left my arms and sat straight then replied: “what made you mention that?”
“I remember you said you liked Thailand”.
“Yeah, I did” she checked my head to feet doubting my intentions. “Are you hiding anything from me?”
“What do you want from Thailand Laura?” I repeated.
“I want the magical lamp, why?”
I opened my backpack and handed her the object she desired for long, and even more, I showed her flight tickets.
“What is that!” she screamed as loud as she could out of happiness touching her lamp all over.
“And these are tickets!”
“Where are we going?” her happy tears almost fell but I confronted them with more compassionate words.
“come” I sat on a chair properly and began to explain my plan to her. “Hear me out, we have twelve tickets to six countries”.
She checked the flying tickets and got more excited than ever!
“Italy, Greece, France, Turkey, Switzerland...Thailand!”
As we sat down to plan our adventure, we decided to start by France, where we would explore the museums and historical places. we spent the first day of our trip in Paris visiting some of the most famous museums in the world. we began at the Louvre, where we spent several hours exploring the vast collection of art and artifacts, including the famous painting of the Mona Lisa. Afterwards, we headed to the Musée d’Orsay, where we admired Impressionist masterpieces by Monet and Van Gogh. Next, we travelled to Mont-Saint-Michel, an island with a medieval monastery in Normandy. The island was surrounded by the sea and the tide came in quickly, making it an exciting adventure. We continued our journey towards the city of Lyon to explore the Roman ruins and the sample delicious French cuisine. From there, we went south to Nice where we visited the beach and enjoyed the Mediterranean sunshine. We wrapped up our day at the Centre Pompidou, where we were intrigued by the modern art exhibits and enjoyed the stunning views of the city from the rooftop terrace.
As we extended our stay, we found ourselves discovering more about the city. We started visiting lesser-known sights, which allowed us to learn about the city’s history, culture, and its people. We didn’t just drift around the city, but we sought the guidance of locals and off-the-beaten-track guidebooks to help us find the hidden gems. One of the highlights of our extended stay was the Jazz Festival that was ongoing when we were in the city. It was an unforgettable experience as we listened to incredible musicians perform in outdoor venues, under the starry Parisian sky. Her and I loved the jazz music, and the festival’s atmosphere was contagious. The city’s culinary scene was another highlight of our extended stay in Paris. We had the chance to explore diverse foods from several regions of France. We tried famous French dishes like Croissants, Escargots, Steak Frites, Duck Confit, and more. The nightlife in Paris was also something we loved. The Parisian’s nightlife was something we had only read about in books, but we were fortunate enough to experience it first-hand. Apart from exploring the charming streets of Paris and enjoying its nightlife, Laura and i also spent time resting and rejuvenating. Paris was full of tranquil spaces, and we took full advantage of it. We spent some afternoons strolling along the Seine River banks, enjoying French wines and cheese over picnics, and finishing the day off with a long, leisurely stroll. As our last days in Paris drew close, we couldn’t help feeling grateful for the past few weeks we had spent in the incredibly vibrant city. We had a chance to immerse ourselves in the Parisian lifestyle, having tasted, heard, and smelled every part of it. The city had left its mark on us, and we knew that it would be a momentous memory that we would always cherish.
The second day of our trip was in Rome, where we continued our exploration of history and culture of this wonderful place. We started our day in the Vatican Museums, marvelling at the opulence and grandeur of the Sistine Chapel and other artworks by Michelangelo and Raphael. After a quick lunch in a nearby restaurant, we headed to the Colosseum, where we were transported back in time as we imagined gladiatorial battles taking place on the arena floor below regarding that we shared the same love for it. We then visited the nearby Roman Forum, which was once the epicentre of political and social life in Ancient Rome. After a long day of sightseeing, we relaxed in a cozy café, sipping espresso and savouring Italian pastries. We were particularly drawn to the museums with exhibits about ancient Rome, as we were fascinated by the city’s history. One of our favourite museums in Rome was the Museum of Roman Civilization. This museum had a stunning collection of ancient artefacts that brought ancient Rome to life. We saw incredible sculptures, household items, and everyday objects that people used thousands of years ago. The museum also had a great 3D model of ancient Rome which allowed us to see how the city would have looked during its heyday. We were simply amazed. Another museum that we really enjoyed was the Capitoline Museum. The latter was located on top of one of Rome’s seven hills and offered a stunning view of the city. Inside, there was an incredible collection of art and sculptures from ancient Rome, including famous works such as the Capitoline Wolf statue.
On the last day of our trip in Southwestern Europe, we both decided to leisurely stroll through both Paris and Rome, taking in the beautiful surroundings and enjoying the local ambiance. We visited Parisian landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, admiring the stunning architecture and reflecting on the rich history and stories behind each monument, statue or building. In Rome, we discovered the cobbled streets of Trastevere, stopping to admire the ornate churches and quaint piazzas that dotted the area. We then enjoyed a slow-paced lunch at a charming trattoria, relishing the simple yet delicious Italian cuisine. Finally, we watched the sunset over the river Seine in Paris, grateful for the unforgettable experiences we had shared together on that trip.
In addition to our plan, we were elated to visit Greece and Turkey, two countries that are steeped in rich history and culture as well. In Greece, we were surprised by the towering columns of the Parthenon and the ancient ruins of Athens. We amazed at the intricate mosaics and stunning frescoes in the Byzantine churches of Thessaloniki. We enjoyed some of the famous Greek cuisine too, particularly moussaka and souvlaki. We spent our summer exploring the beautiful beaches of Greece, starting with the famous island of Santorini. As we stepped off the boat and onto the warm sand, we could feel the excitement building. The crystal-clear waters of the Aegean Sea called out to us, and we couldn't wait to dive in. We spent hours lounging on the beach, soaking up the sun and sipping on cold drinks. The salty breeze blew through our hair, and the sound of the waves crashing against the shore was music to our ears. We decided to try our hand at some water sports, and rented a jet ski. Laura was in the driver's seat, and I clung on tight as we zoomed across the waves. We laughed and screamed as we bounced over the swells, feeling like kids again. As the sun began to set, we strolled along the beach hand in hand. Santorini was ablaze with shades of orange, pink, and purple, and the sky seemed to be on fire. We stood in wonder, watching the sun dip below the horizon. Our time in Greece was filled with more beach adventures, from snorkelling in crystal-clear waters to testing their balance on stand-up paddleboards. We visited several islands, each with its unique charm and beauty. In Turkey, we were mesmerized by the stunning architecture of the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. We explored the bustling bazaars and sampled some of the delightful Turkish sweets and kebabs. We also took a leisurely boat ride down the Bosphorus Strait, taking in the panoramic views of the city. Regarding the shortness of time, we couldn’t stay for too long in Turkey, but we took a vow to come again with full energy to make sure of visiting every corner of the city of the world’s desire.
As for the pre-final destination, Switzerland, it was our dream becoming true. We couldn’t wait to explore the breath-taking beauty of the Swiss Alps, taste the delicious Swiss chocolates, and experience the serenity of the Swiss countryside. As soon as we arrived in Switzerland, Laura and I were captivated by the scenic view of the snow-capped Alps. We couldn’t resist taking pictures of the stunning landscapes and capturing unforgettable moments that we could treasure forever. We checked into a cozy chalet in the picturesque town of Zermatt, which was surrounded by mountains, streams, and green meadows. The chalet was spacious, well-furnished, and adorned with traditional Swiss décor. As a couple we were thrilled with the luxurious amenities, comfortable beds, and the breath-taking view from our balcony. We wasted no time in exploring the town of Zermatt. We walked along the cobblestone streets and admired the quaint shops and restaurants. We treated ourselves to some Swiss chocolates, cheese, and wine, which we savoured on a warm and sunny afternoon in a scenic cafe.
We returned to our chalet, where we indulged in a hot tub soak and sauna session, followed by a romantic candlelit dinner. We also visited some of Switzerland’s popular tourist attractions, such as the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, the Rhine Falls, and the Jet d’Eau fountain in Geneva. We were stunned by the beauty of these landmarks. Our stay in Switzerland was nothing short of amazing. We were pleasantly surprised by the warm and welcoming nature of the Swiss people, who made our stay even more enjoyable.
To conclude our journey in Europe, we went back to France and stayed for a week or two as we couldn’t get enough of the city of light, then we flew to Thailand where we went to explore the bustling city of Bangkok with its beautiful temples and markets. We then headed to the beautiful islands of Phuket and Phi Phi where Laura always dreamt to visit. The crystal-clear waters and sandy beaches made it the perfect place for relaxation. We snorkelled and scuba dived, experiencing the beauty of the underwater world. We finally headed back to Bangkok after two weeks of blissful island life. We visited the historic ruins of Ayutthaya, which were unbelievable. We tried out the delicious street food and visited the elaborate palaces of the Thai kings.
The two of us were exhausted but exhilarated after our adventure. We had discovered the beautiful sights and sounds of France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Switzerland as well as Thailand. We learned about the heritage of the places we had visited and made unforgettable memories. For sure we knew that our journey had only begun and that we still had an entire world to explore together.