The mass transit system is one of the few in the world that runs 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. The subway system is the fourth busiest transit system in the world. Its 'one price for all' system is one of the cheapest in the world; it does not matter how far or short the distance is, you can go anywhere in the five boroughs for just one price!

August 5 2008, Tuesday: My flight to Toronto was cancelled. Luckily, I was able to get another flight into Toronto. My Air Canada's flight to Zurich was not very good. The in-flight service was working for only 2 hours during the entire 8-hour flight.

August 6 2008 , Wednesday: Arrived late at Zurich International Airport. It was nice of Kelvin, my old friend to wait for me at the arrival hall. I took the train to the city center which stopped at the Main Station in Zurich (CHF6.50). Not much has changed in Zurich. But I saw Starbucks! The Americans have arrived! The trams in Zurich are always so efficient. You can get an unlimited 24-hour day pass for CHF6.50.

August 7 2008, Thursday: Today, I walked all the way from Kelvin's apartment to Lake Zurich. It was a good 3-hour walk. Along the way I saw the same old hog that was here in Zurich 5 years ago! I sat near Lake Zurich and watch the world went by. As I head back to Kelvin's apartment (I walked again), I noticed a mini roundabout in the housing area. It's probably there to slow down traffic. Zurich is probably one of the best cities to live in the world - less stressful, gorgeous weather, and low crime rate.

August 8 2008, Friday: Kelvin took me round window shopping. Things were not cheap compared to what I can get in New York. I paid US800 for my Canon HF10 camcorder and I saw the same one selling for CHF1999 (approximately USD1,900). Later that day, we went home to watch the opening of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Zhang Yimou - you made us proud.

August 9 2008, Saturday: Today is the day. Street Parade in Zurich.

August 10 2008, Sunday: Steven (an old friend) came to visit us. We had a nice BBQ dinner. It was my last day here in Zurich as I was going to Ljubljana that night. One way ticket for an overnight train was CHF146.

August 11 2008, Monday: I missed my stop in Ljubljana. I had to wait an hour for the next train heading back to the city. It was quiet in the city - less crowd, less traffic and more space to enjoy. Suprisingly, the city is a lot smaller that I thought. Most of the attractions are around the old town. Stayed at Hostel Azur for €15.

August 12 2008, Tuesday: Today I went to Postojna Cave. It was €6 one way by bus; station is just right outside the Main Train Station. The journey was less than 2 hours. The cave was amazing. It was definitely the highlight of the day for me. However, be prepared to pay €19 for the entrance.

August 13 2008, Wednesday: I went up to Ljubljana Castle this morning. Nothing really much to see up there although the view from the top was nice. The first thing I noticed as I sat down in a restaurant for lunch was that you get an ashtray on the table immediately. It made me realized I was not in America. After lunch, I took a 2-hour train ride to Zagreb (cost €12). I arrived in Zagreb the same day. The city looked intimidating because it was so much bigger than Ljubljana. Hostels are so scarce in Zagreb. I walked for hours and I could not find any availability. Finally, I had to settle for a hotel close to the Main Train Station.

August 14 2008, Thursday: I had breakfast at the hotel this morning. I went to Strossmayer Gallery. Pretty nice collections but unfortunately, I did not enjoy myself as the rooms were just too hot and stuffy. The air-conditioners in the rooms were not cold at all. I walked to the main square and the old town area. There were major renovations at St Catherine's Church and St Mark's Church. That night, I was craving for something Chinese for dinner. I paid USD15 for egg rolls and fried noodle with beef at the restaurant but the food taste like any take-out in NYC. I decided to stay up all night in the park which is just across the Main Train Station - Trang Kralja Tomislava. Pretty interesting at night. The people were using the park not just for relaxation but also as a public restroom. Men especially, were seen peeing almost everywhere. I caught one lady doing the same!

August 15 2008, Friday: I took bus no.106 at Cathedral Of The Assumption (Kaptol Square) to Mirogaj. It has one of the most beautiful cemetery in Europe. Simply gorgeous! Most shops were closed that day. I could not do anything; so I just sat in the park and did some window shopping. My train to Zadar was an overnight train leaving around 9 pm. I had to take a shower in the main train station (cost 45 kuna, approximately USD8). I had coffee and later, beer in the bar watching the Olympic Games to pass time. I slept almost the whole night through my journey to Zadar. Train to Zadar 156 kuna, about USD28).

August 16 2008, Saturday: I arrived in Zadar early in the morning. Day was cloudy. It was a pretty nice town. It was good that I decided to stay there for a few hours as there was nothing much to do. I left Zadar for Split by bus. It was a 3-4 hour bus ride (100 kuna or USD20). I cannot believed that the bus would run when the air-conditioner was not working. It was so hot. I arrived in Split and the owner of the hostel picked me up at the bus station.

August 17 2008, Sunday: I stayed at a very nice hostel. I woke up early this morning, and walked by the coast and the Diocletian's Castle. Split is quite similar to Zadar except that it's much bigger. I thought I might need another full day in the city, but I managed to cover almost everything in Split. I took a bus to Mostar that day. It was a 4-hour bus ride (105 kuna or USD20). I met a nice lady at the bus station. She told me she has a nice room for €15 a day. And, it was indeed nice.

August 18 2008, Monday: I woke up in the morning with a cup of coffee on a silver tray from Maida, the lady whom I rented the room from. Mostar was hot. I walked to Old Town and saw what I came to see - Stari Most. I thought I could get some souvenirs here but unfortunately, the locals took so much pride on the bridge that most souvenirs have the image on them. I left Mostar late afternoon for Dubrovnik (28 kuna or USD6 for a 3 hour ride).I arrived around 8.30 pm at night. Luckily the hostel that I was staying had someone pick me up. Met a girl from Malaysia, who is currently living in Melbourne. She stayed at the same hostel as me.

August 19 2008, Tuesday: Another hot day. It was also my last day in Croatia. I walked to Old Town Dubrovnik. It was not an easy walk as Dubrovnik was quite hilly and congested with traffic. Met a nice couple from Italy. We were talking about the signs in the city. There were directions to 4/5 stars hotels but not a whole lot about directions to anywhere else. I spent the entire day in Old Town. I took a walk around the city walls during sunset. It was a good 2 1/2 hour walk.

August 20 2008, Wednesday: My flight back to Zurich was at 3pm. I woke up early to have a cup of coffee at a nearby shopping area. Later, I sat in the front yard of the hostel; just enjoying myself before I head to the bus station for my ride to the airport (35 kuna or USD7 one way). I picked up a few souvenirs at the duty free shop, and I was so mad that the customs confiscated 2 of the items I bought. The officer said that the 2 items exceeded 100ml which I was not supposed to carry on in my hand luggage. If that was the case, why was there no warning sign about what we can carry and what we can't.