ROUND THE WORLD TRIP

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2926, 22 August 1925, Page 1

ROUND THE WORLD TRIP

The following l is a further instalment of a series of articles to ho written by the editor of (his journal during his world lour:— This letter is written from Rome

(llio Eternal City!). Wo arrived 1 1 cto from London via Dover, Boulogne, France and Switzerland, on June 29th. The train journey from Victoria station to Dover took about three hours and afforded us the opportunity on route of seeing the Kentish Imp-garden and strawberry gardens. The hops are not yet ready for picking hut numbers of women and girls could be seen picking the strawberries for market. ' The country through which we passed was looking at its best, hut ' (hero were large areas uncultivated. The train journey was made comfortable |>y reason of the fact that our courier had arranged a reserved

compartmoiu for us ami this applied on our long Continental railway journey. We would strongly advice any one contemplating a Continental tour to hook through one of the firms who eater for tourist-, as it saves worry and other dijlieulliens an interpreter aecompanies the party. Our party had no difficulty in passing the customs at Boulogne —in fact our baggage was not opened. 'Palking of our party. T forgot to mention that it consisted of about 20 people—tin* majority were Americans —some of whom were on i pilgrimage to Rome. There was

only ono Australian with us. making three from under the Southern Cross. The crossing over from Dover to Boulogne occupied about two hours. It was a lone- and wearisome journey all night and the following day to Genoa. We were aide to see the cultivated area of France—not long since devasted by war. One would nvor believe that the miles of cultivated country

throne'll which wo passed had hoen the scene of torvific warfare—except for numbers of ruined buildings, now replaced by up-to-date structures. England could take a lesson from France in the cultivation of its waste lands. The meals served on the trains are very good —except that a cup of tea if de-

sired, is more expensive than wine! One dish was appetising': a (ish pie will) potato pastry —the fish. Ilnvonred with snails, in form something like small oysters. Of course we did not know we had been eatingsnails until informed subsequently. Anyhow, the pie was very nice. The pastry is also very good, but the butter was abominable. On the second day we arrived at Basle and proceeded via Lucerne, Cbiasso and Milan (through the St. Oothard tunnel to Genoa. It would take too long to describe the grandeur of the Swiss mountains and lakes, seen under such ideal weather conditions.

Thoughts flashed hack In the Cold Lakes for comparison. Tin* “Remarkables” are more majestic in

their glorious setting in my opinion, but the grandeur of the Swiss mountains must be seen to the fully appreciated. Talk about tunnels! T lost count of them but thank heaven the trains were electrically driven in this region. The whole scene was magnificent. .Many of the mountain peaks were wreathed in mist. Hydro-electrie plants were generating current in different lo-

calities. In fact 1 should imagine that this place could supply power for the whole of Europe. The Si. Glolhard tunnel is about 10 miles in length. \Ye arrived at Genoa on the [•veiling of the second day, feeling fairly worn out with the long train journey. A bath, for which we had o pay, freshened us up and after a few hours spent in the town we retired to rest fully fagged out. Genoa is ,■) riiy of supreme beauty and interest bv reason of its numerous marble palaces, museums, churches, public squares, and promenades.

We visitor] (lie renowned Campo Santo cemetery, the marble tombs and statuary of wtiioii are incomparable in any part of the world. Coinin'; and going-from tliis glorious eemeterv we encountered several military funerals. We were informed ihal every Sunday, the bodies of soldier-. who had fallen on the liold of battle in any part of Europe, were exhumed and re-interred in whatever part of Italy from whence they came and the whole expense in connection therewith is borne by the State. They gave their lives for the Stale and the State brings their bodies back and uncords them a military funeral. The interior of the old palace is gorgeous'and contains priceless tapestries, paintings etc. It was here 1 saw Paganini’s violin and the great masters decorations. The next day we arrived at Pisa and visited the famous Leaning Tower and climbed the stairway to the top from which we obtained a fine view. We were also present at the church when High Mass was celebrated by the Cardinal. On the fourth day we arrived at Home —the Eternal City At (Concluded on Page 4).