HOTEL CENTRAL,
ZURICH, 12th June 1958
My darling Children,
We are now in Rome but before I tell you what we did here I might give you some of the general impressions I gained with regard to Greece or shall I say ATHENS. Except for the poor service we got from our Hotel we enjoyed very much our stay there. We saw quite a number of things there within the time available. ATHENS while being full of hills are also full of ruins of old Temples and Churches for which the Greeks are naturally very proud of. The City itself was pretty clean and repairs to old buildings seemed to be afoot. Taxis plying in the City were mostly big American cars. They drove very fast but the Taxi drivers seem to be good-natured. We have not seen an occasion when a Taxi driver glared or shouted to any foolish pedestrians. Under the circumstances they just pulled up smartly and would let the pedestrians pass.
The Greeks, generally speaking, are humorous and good-natured - except the staff in our Hotel! They seem to be curious people - they way they stared and gaped at Mak. The shops were well stocked and seem to indicate prosperity but looking at the rural areas the Greeks, to a casual observer, were generally poor. The soil appeared to be hard and dry. Quite a great deal of land remained uncultivated. The rural people's mode of living looked to me to be rather backward. They drew their water from wells, houses rather crudely made of stone blocks and mortar, horses and asses were still generally used for transportation of goods.
Mak's impression of the girls is that they are quite, generally speaking, beautiful except that they have unshapely legs. I do not wish to dispute this, but there are quite a number with nice legs too!!
7th June (Saturday): We left ATHENS by B.E.A (British European Airways) plane. There was the excitement of looking forward to a new place. There was also a lacking of uncertainty of what lie ahead - new City, new people, new custom and new currency. The plane and the service were first class - even better than BOAC. We had one of our best lunches on board during the flight of 3 hours & 10 minutes. The time in Rome was one hour earlier. We passed over a volcano, the VESUVIUS, which was doormant - beautiful to watch from the air. We got to Rome after a very pleasant flight and even got through the Customs more quickly than when we reached ATHENS. We were told that entry by a Malayan to Italy would not, in future require a visa. At the Air Port we were advised by an Accomodation Bureau to stay at ALBERGO (means HOTEL) D'INGHITERRA - not the Hotel reserved earlier and we did. The atmosphere in this Hotel was definitely better than that in Athens. We strolled a bit in the City until 7.30pm.
At 8.30pm we went out on a tour of a bit of Rome by night. We began with a dinner at a fairly decent Restaurant. Called ALFREDO. We were served Italian food - I could not catch the name but it's something like "kueh tiau". I was served from an oval plate into an ordinary round one and the balance of the food in the oval plate (serving plate) was placed in front of Mak to eat from. It seems that was an Italian custom. Very pleasant surroundings. We were made to understand that Churchill and Eisenhower has had meals at this Restaurant during the war. The R estaurant had obtained signatures of famous people and have them bound in book forms. Mak an I were also asked to sign! We wrote a message and signed in English and Jawi.
From there we proceed to a Night Club, the CISTERNA, and listened to Italian music and songs. Nothing exceptional and from there we went to a modern Night Club - typical of one anywhere. From there we went to the Fountain * (I must check the name later) where one could make a wish to come back to Rome. Mak and I did it. We had to close our eyes, took the coin in the right hand and throw the coin over the left shoulder. Then we proceeded to another night Club called FLORIDA where we saw some floor shows. Lastly we went to another night club called PICCOLO BUDAPEST ( meaning LITTLE BUDAPEST) where we listened to Bohemian gipsy music and songs. We ended up with a meal and went back to the Hotel at 2.30AM. It was a very enjoyable first night in Rome but it was, on the other hand, rather tiring.
Sunday, 8th June: We were so tired and did not get out of bed until about 10.00AM. After breakfast we just strolled in the City. After lunch we went to TIVOLI, a place about 12 miles out of Rome. We visited Villa d'Este famous for its fountains - about 500 of them of all sizes - amongst lovely gardens. It was a very lovely spot. I wished we could spend more time there. We went to bed quite early.
Monday, 9ty June: We toured the City both in the morning and the afternoon. In the morning we passed the famous steps they called the Spanish Staircase which was shown in the picture "Roman Holiday". This was quite close to our Hotel. You will also find here flower Market. One of the buildings we were shown was the PANTHEON which means the Temple of Old Gods. This was the most classical pagan temple of Rome built in 27BC. From there we drove along the TIBER river to see the Stadiums. The football Stadium was very nice and it could accomodate 100,000 spectators. The Athletic stadium could accomodate 45,000. The Swimming Stadium was being prepared for the 1960 Olympics which would be held in Rome in 1960! Lastly we visited the biggest Church in the world - Church of St Peter. The architecture was wonderful and the gilded ceiling was very attractive. 160 Popes were buried here. At 12 NOON POPE came out at a window of his residence and blessed the people of down below. Thousands flocked to receive his blessing. (This is all wrong according to Muslim beliefs). Some were looking up on their knees! Here we met a Malayan (Indian) PoliceOfficer and his wife. I did not know his name. Speaking about Churches we were told that there were 500 Churches in Rome. The population of Rome is approximately 2 million.
In the afternoon our tour took usin front of QUIRINAL PALACE, the residence of the Italian President. Again we went to TREVI FOUNTAIN. This is one of the 400 fountains in Rome! This place seems to be full of Churches and Fountains - just like ATHENS.We then passed by PLAZZO VENEZIA from where Mousulini (I am afraid I may not get the correct spelling) used to address the crowd from a balcony. We later went to the COLOSSEUM built by VESPASIAN in 72AD. Here was the place where gladiators fought and men fought with lions! You might remeber the film QUO VADIS. It is an imposing amphitheatre with wonderful architecture. it is a wonder how men of the old days could build such fine structure - huge and massive - of solid rocks without the use of modern machines! From here we visited a ruins and was shown the spot from where MARK ANTHONY addressed the crowd beginning with the words, "Friends, Romans and Countrymen; Lend me your ears; I came to bury Caesar ......." when Caesar was murdered. We were also shown the place where Julius Caesar was cremated. We lastly visited a church called ST.JOHN in LATERAN. This is the oldest Church in the World. Here was the steps from which Jesus Christ was supposed to walk down when a crown of thorns was placed on his head after he was beaten up and blood dripping from his body. When anyone wishes to climb up that steps now, one has to to walk on one's knees!
On the way back to the Hotel we went along the APPIAN WAY - a lovely stretch of road with pine trees on each side of the road - when we passed by the house of GINA.....(I can't spell her name) the Italian actress. It is a very lovely house in a beautiful gardens. Unfortunately we could not see her!
Thursday 10th June: We started off very early this morning - 6.30AM - for our trip to NAPLES without even a breakfast which we had later at a place called TERRACINA. This Town is on the Mediteranean Sea. We enjoyed our first "bomba" - sort of sweetened bread. It's quite good to go with coffee.
On the way we stopped at a CAMEO factory. Here all kinds of jewellery made of sea-shells were produced. We then proceeded to POMPEI and after lunch we visited the ancient Roman City by an eruption of VESUVIUS (a volcano) in 79AD. We visited the excavations and the Museum. The story went that out of a population of 23,000, 2000 were buried. The plastic casts of a man, a boy and a dog were exhibited in the Museum. Amongst the things discovered after the excavations were those which indicated the old civilisation - so much advanced even during that period. The pecularity of these streets was the existence of two blocks of stone at cross roads. These stones were meant for pedestrians to stop in to cross the streets during s rain to avoid getting their feet wet. From there we proceeded to SORRENTO along the picturesque coast road. We stayed overnight in SORRENTO, "the smiling town of orange groves". SORRENTO was a small, quiet town beautifully situated with a magnificent view of the VESUVIUS and the BAY OF NAPLES. We stayed at CARLTON HOTEL.
Wednesday, 11th June: We left for ISLE OF CAPRI. Instead of going by regular big launch we decided to go by a small motor-boat. There were about 25 of us - mostly American G.Is from Germany. The voyage took about 2 hours and it was very rough. Our boat was tossed about so much that many were sea sick. Mak and I just managed "to scrape through". We eventually reached CAPRI - my dream island - always referred to as the PEARL OF THE MEDITERRANEAN. The Island was so lovely - a rock island with beautiful villas built on the slopes, served by narrow winding roads just big enough for two cars or small buses. It was most exciting. We went round the Island in a small bus while the Island was bathed in the sun. There were many tourists dressed in all sorts of manner! This visit was most memorable and my dream has been realised. It has always been my dream to visit CAPRI. I only wished I could stay longer than a day. We returned to ROME tired but happy and satisfied. We would be leaving for ZURICH tomorrow.
Well, despite enjoying our tour we so much missed you all. In fact we long for news from you all now. Would you write to us by air mail as soon as possible? You might be able to catch us at PARIS if you address the letter c/o HOTEL ST JAMES & D'ALBANY. Would you?
We would like also to know if the new servants are taking their own food. If not, something should be deducted from their pay.
Another thing I would remind you is that Pa' Ibrahim should be paid on 15th and 30th or 31st of the month and $5/= should be deducted each time. In other words he should be paid $50/= only each time instead of $55/=
We are sending you some of the pictures (For explanation see back of pictures) taken with Pa' Sabri's camera. I'm afraid I do not handle it well enough as very, very few pictures have come out successfully. These pictures are to be kept as they will form the Album of our tour but whenever your brothers and sisters want to see them, the pictures should be shown.
Time is getting late. Mak is already asleep. Until you hear further, here's lots of love, kisses and salam from us. Also salam to Tah, Mak Leha, Pa' Hitam Suami Isteri, Pa' Ibrahim, Pie'i & Pa' Hussin Suami Isteri.
Your loving Parents
Mak & Bapak
*TREVI FOUNTAIN
P.S Sayang speaks more clearly now?
Adek studying well?
How is Intan? Playing a lot of football?
Kutom is not getting more boils? I hope not. Is she still playing football too?
How is Nor? Progressing well with her "KORAN"?
What are the chances of Adek Shor, Nan and Ajid in their School Sports?
Jamilah? Learning hard as well as listen to the Radio frequently?
And Yong? Looking after the house, brothers and sisters well?
ALL OF YOU MUST GET ON TOGETHER NICELY SO THAT MAK AND I
WOULD BE HAPPY.
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