New Year Eve at Nilai Square

We head for a picnic, on the eve of new year at Nilai Square - it was a moderate celebration. Actually it was not a celebration at all, we were actually enjoying ourselves, spending time together with cousins-nieces-nephews-aunts and uncles!

Another trip home from Kuantan

What else can I do, other than giving full concentration to the drive? traveling alone bores me at times, when I have running out of songs to listen to or when I have gotten bored with all these monochromatic grey lanes..and when the temperature was up to 42degrees and I don't feel like making any pit-stop, so this is what I do to keep me awake and focus!! sight seeing..

rays of light through the cumulus

rays of light through the cumulus

it's scorching hot!

passing by the rays of light ..

A day-trip to Pelangai

It's Pelangai not pelangi as in rainbows..a unique name for a place 130km away from KL city centre, right in the middle of Pahang (I think!) You would have to exit through Karak from East Cost Hiway, and although it was roughly a 40km away from the town of Karak,  it actually took you more than one hour to get to the place as the road was so narrow and crooked with bad road-surface and landslide at certain part of the roads..the fastest you can go was a mere 40-50km/hr!!

However, since you can't drive fast through your journey, you can enjoy the greens, undisturbed lush of jungle on your left and right, and quite a stretch of durians orchard along the road.. (unluckily it wasn't the season)

And, why do I have to take all the trouble going through such journey? It's part of my job!
Oh, if you have the chance, get yourself to Karak town for good 'nasi lemak' - location: right opposite of Caltex Station and next to Bomba Office! nothing fancy but a good one!!

And, guess what - I was actually driving with an expired driving license - luckily there's a post office where I can immediately get it renewed! phewww..

right in the centre of Karak town

Karak - view from side mirror

where I update my driving licence

Enjoying 'taufufah' at Funny Mountain

'Taufufah" is actually a delicacy - a soy based jelly-like dessert. However, don't be fooled, we ain't climbing any 'mountain' to have a taste of this smooth dessert, it is just a name of the stall-FUNNY MOUNTAIN, famously serving the silky smooth dessert in the middle of Ipoh City! Nice!!


And, owh..it's also available as a 'drive-thru'!!

I missed the Lunar Eclipse of Dec 21!

The moon was so bright and appears bigger than usual, I thought I'm gonna be able to catch the eclipse, but apparently I missed it - it is not visible along Malaysia path and were only clearly visible in California..auwww..I have to wait for June 15th, 2011 for another total lunar eclipse which is due to be visible along asia..hopefully, I can remember the date by then!

Revolving tower

We had a great time at KL tower today - lunch treat at the revolving restaurant !

The revolving tour starts at 330pm and we are lucky to have KLCC as a view to start with. By the end of the course - which exactly about 530pm, we were delivered back to the same spot of KLCC view! Nice!!

View of KLCC from the revolving restaurant

I missed the Geminid Meteor Shower

Photo of a Geminid meteor falling through the sky over Mont Aigoual in the south of France on Dec. 14.

I missed the opportunity! It was long, long time ago since the last time I saw a meteor..and I missed the peak season of it this year...

http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2010/1215/Geminid-meteor-shower-gets-rave-reviews-as-best-of-2010

Getting to know the highway to Kuantan

For the past 3 years, for the record, I think I have been traveling back-and-forth KL-Kuantan for a record that has surpassed my hubby whom was once a Kuantan denizen! Of course the hiway is not as good as NKVE catering KL-Ipoh route, but it's still better than 10 years ago where it takes almost 5hrs to reach KL (now, I usually make it around 2hrs - toll to toll) Hey, for a 250km journey, I'm not really speeding my way, but occasionally I have to speed up to avoid monotonous boredom of driving alone.

Catch the Geminid Meteor Streak Between 12-14 Dec

The 2010 Geminid meteor shower, peaking the week of December 12-18, should be a good one. Why? The time when the most meteors can be seen should coincide with the time the moon is at the opposite side of the sky and in the process of dipping below the horizon. The less moon, the darker the skies; the darker the sky, the brighter the shooting stars!

The Geminids, created by the embers of a disintegrating asteroid, seem to be blasting out of the constellation Gemini (hence their name) just to the left of Orion, in the southwestern night sky.
Since this time of year Orion and Gemini are seen in the skies of the Northern Hemisphere, the Southern Hemisphere gets short-changed on this one. The Geminids begin to be seen in early December at the rate of one or two an hour. But things gradually pick up. Scientists point out December 13-14 is not the end of the Geminids, however, and more could be seen on in the next few nights after the peak.

If the weather doesn’t cooperate for you, or you just can’t get to a good viewing spot, you can actually watch this year’s Geminids on your computer! NASA says it will feature live webcams this year of the Geminids. Go to www.nasa.gov on the evening of Dec. 13 to log on.

http://www.bashewa.com/wxmeteor-showers.php?shower=Geminids
http://www.meteorblog.com/2010/12/december-meteor-shower-schedule/
http://jerrygarrett.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/where-amp-when-to-watch-december-2010s-geminids-meteor-shower/
http://www.bashewa.com/showers/geminids.jpg

East Coast (3rd Day): Besut

7:00am: It started drizzling again in the morning - really hope it won't turn big so that I can attend the meeting and Site Inspection as schedule.

Well, it still rains even in Besut and the program has be to be re-schedule to later date (ouch)

Anyway, we are making our way back home and here's the weather update:
061210 10am: Besut - raining
061210 12 noon: Merang to K.Tganu - bright and sunny, with dark clouds building up, temp 32deg
061210 6pm: we reach Kuantan and looking for place to have dinner. Opt for a place call Marina at Tanjung Lumpur and had the best crab dish - yummy!! but the fried squid is a failure.. after dinner he head straight to KL and again it rain all the way through the nite!

East Coast (2nd Day): Kuala Terengganu

The morning starts with a light drizzle, but we pray hard that it would still allow us to explore Terengganu. We chose Kuala Terengganu for a start.
Went to the State Museum, the majority of the exhibit was still the same as those that I have been in the year 2000 and the whole complex was in serious need of periodic maintenance - pity.
Then we had lunch before we make our way to the Crystal Mosque. And on the way back, we stop by at Kampung Losong to get some 'Keropok Lekor' (fish fritters)
PITY: every place I went in Terengganu are lacking of good periodical maintenance!

East Coast During Monsoon Season

dark clouds hovering over us through out the journey

Journal of the journey to eastcost during monsoon:
041210 10:30am: Subang, Gombak, Karak - cloudy, Temerloh, Gambang - drizzle, temp 25deg
041210 1:30pm: Kemaman, Kerteh, Paka - drizzle, temp 24deg
041210 3:30pm : Dungun,Rantau Abang - drizzle, Marang-heavy rain, temp 23deg041210 6:30pm: Kuala T'ganu, Merang-Setiu - raining, been travelling thru a very 'wet' day..

BUGGED!

OMG! apparently my blog has been bugged!!
need to take off every single entry from public in order to rectify the matter...

Another weekend in Ipoh

Another weekend in Ipoh means good food, good bonding time...and most of all, the best time ever to catch up on missing naps!! yayyy

main road through Tambun Town

existing post war shop houses facing the main road of Tambun town

quotes of the day

Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers.
~Alfred Lord Tennyson

bonding sunday

Gathering of 'girlfrenz' took place as early as 10am which begins at Ikea and lasted till 5pm at another location in Kota Damasara.. it was a blast!! the only setback was just, Ikea no longer a suitable place to hang out..too many people, too chaotic..and the 'best thing'- all the coffee machine broke down except one - auww c'mon, if I were the floor manager on duty I would put in my resignation letter with immediate effect - bad management! Should have clear the matter before weekend comes.

Anyway, I guess we have all 'moved on', we ain't no more 'freebies', so goodbye Ikea - we'll find a new place to blab our hearts out without those chaos!! Girlfrenz, lets nominate a new place, will ya?!

Eid Adha in Bukit Mahkota

this year around, the Eid was celebrated at a very minimum scale of celebration due to the fact that the holiday falls onto the mid of week where we could not get any further leave (I wonder why it couldn't be declared with additional leave, as it isn't practical to do your Qurban then go to work a day after?)

Refreshing Coconut Drinks at a fraction of the cost in Subang Jaya

I don't believe it-I was scrutinizing the change that the 'makcik' puts on my palm.. it actually cost me RM1.60 for each young coconut that I bought in Tambun to have a refreshing coconut drink, whereas it cost me a bomb of RM3.50 near my office in Subang Jaya...

Magika tonite

Went to catch MAGIKA @ Cineleisure the Curve - interesting movie with some need of improvement here and there..like the hairdo of Badang and Pak Pandir and the interior of Nenek Kebayan's house could be better. I love the mysterious persona of M.Nasir as the Guardian!! (Aleen+Po-z; you guys should watch this), but skinny Apek as Hang Tuah?? hilarious!!

Anyway, on overall rate, it's entertaining alright! a brilliant idea from the KRU brothers!! since we also have all the folk stories which I believe if given better promotion could be at as other folklore..


p.s. do you know that Cineleisure provide dedicated parking for female drivers, right in front of few entrance and it's color labelled-pink, lets hope no blind or deaf men would sneak the privileged!!

Concert @ Bentley Hall, Mutiara Damansara

Bentley Hall located next to Ikea in Mutiara Damansara, was chosen as the venue for the Annual Concert of Q-Centre. The Hall was modernly design and could fit in 500 pax at one time.

On overall, the concert was entertaining!

Kuantan+Besut+Benta: 3 town + 3 hectic days in a row!!

Tuesday in Kuantan,
Wednesday in Besut and
Thursday in Benta!!
phewwww!! what else can I say!
this serve as reminder - never ever allow this to happen again in future - NO MORE out-bounds meeting in 3 straight days!! NOPE..never shall it be!!! Even if you to travel via air...even if your pay is tremendous bomb. NOPE!! it simply doesn't work even how many multi-vits you popped-in.. it'll get you 'killed'!!

'stranded' in Bandar Tasik Puteri

Gosh!! can't believe it ... being 'stranded' for 6 good hours and it just went by like that.. 


Well, Bandar Tasik Puteri is quite far away from city centre, which makes me really wonder how does my girlfren that we are visiting can cope with all the long distance traveling every day!! It took us like almost an hour (plus getting lost of course) to get to her place, so imagine the time that she had to go through every day?? Anyway, she's just being lucky that the place was 'cool' - nice view with quiet neighborhood.


today is actually a Raya gathering - where everyone would be bringing 1 dish to celebrate together. And what do you know, by the end of the day, everything was gone - licin!! haha..what do you expect when 9 adult gather from lunch to dinner?!

Anyway, had a blast of time..thanx girlfrenz...we should do this more often?!

Journey from Klang to Kinta to Bujang valley: the Celebration

Travelling Day:

We really cherish the 'soul' of Eidulfitri this time around, making our way from Klang valley to Kinta valley then travel north to Bujang valley..visiting aunts and uncles, cousins allowing the children to mingle with the nieces and nephews and the second cousins etc etc.. and not forgetting the opportunity meeting up good frens which become distant due to distance.. I really cherish those moments!! it's simply a blessing by Allah s.w.t and it shows that being good between human without expecting anything in return would actually 'give you more'!! alhamdulillah, syukur...

Journey through the 3 Valleys: the sound of crickets, frogs and snores

Day 2 in Bujang Valley (Kodiang)
I'm still wide awake while everybody else has doozed off..
I was blinking away every seconds and minutes while looking up at the blank ceiling listening to the sounds of crickets, frogs and the spinning fan and also those snores..
living the life in kampung was fun during daytime but dreadfully null when nite came.. no network, not even EDGE-I have to safe this journal as draft, and waited when I come to 'civilisation' to upload it..he he

Everybody has lay like a log before the clock strike midnight!! and those rhythm of snores..he he

Putrajaya during Ramadhan

Putrajaya is the new center of administration for Federal Administration. I have to admit that it has been beautifully design, however it's lacking of public accessibility. If you were to go to any of the Department/Ministry Offices located here, you have to be ready to walk a kilometer away from where you park-provided you get a spot to park your car. So, if you were in heels like I normally do (well, I have to look presentably good because, I usually here for a task), be prepared with a bottle of yoko-yoko in your car-you may need to apply it on your legs once your appointments/meetings are over..

But, having to go through all this when you are fasting - it's so torturous!! to add on to that, it's 5 in the evening where I've should already be at home, cooking up meals for iftar!! Well, a day of an architect's life!!

the main administrative building in Putrajaya

The Red Resident of Lipis

Today's trip would be my third trip to Kuala Lipis, and my host has been kind enough to show me around town especially the Red Resident or also known as the Rest House of Resident Hill which prominently located on the top of Resident Hill facing the old administration of Lipis and was being painted RED. The building still looks good despite the age.

Experiencing Cherating Without the beach..

We basically reach Cherating around noon from Kuala Lumpur. The place we staying (Residence Inn Cherating) wasn't impressive as a first impression but it turn out to be okay. A little setback for beach lovers - it doesn't connected directly to any beaches!!

Residence Inn Cherating

Recreational activities

Spending a direct 24hrs with all the activities was quiet tiresome, to be frank.. but neverthelessly, everybody seems to be having fun!! However, you have to walk/drive a kilometer away to get to the nearest beach..

the nearest beach..

stamp on the sand!

We end our journey with a visit to famous stall serving barbequed-fish-paste (satar) in Kuala Kemaman and also a visit to Turtle Sanctuary, before we head home to Kuala Lumpur

Interesting view of Lake Kenyir from the air

I'm all excited over this scenery - Lake Kenyir from the air!!

At first, I didn't know it was Lake Kenyir - but the scenery was phenomenal that I have to get confirmation straight away from the locals. If you are taking a flight, from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Terengganu, make sure you make a seat reservation on the left of the plane as you could only sees this enchanted view from that side of the plane (I couldn't see it on my way back as I was seating on the left - the lake can only be clearly seen if you are sitting on the further right of the aisle if you are heading forth Kuala Lumpur)

groups of small islands in the middle of Lake Kenyir - view from air

groups of small islands in the middle of Lake Kenyir - view from air

Stargazing on July 17th 2010

After the sunset, when darkness creeping up, I notice a bright 'stars' at the bottom right of the crescent moon. Capturing it with my auto olympus didn't do much justice of describing how wonderfully-bright the stars is!!


and I just find out from (http://earthsky.org/tonight) the bright stars is actually the planet Venus (this bright right white Venus is readily visible above the western horizon from half an hour after Sunset) and there are actually more to it, with a string of bright stars which is actually the planets Saturn and Mars! and there could be Mercury at lower bottom if given a clear sky!! OMG!! am serious in need of good reliable bino (hmmm.. it's still remains as part of wish list)


also check out this link http://astroblogger.blogspot.com/2010/07/dance-of-moon-and-planets.html#links


this could be how the line-up over the skyline would look on 22.07.10!!

Enjoying the activities @ Desaru

The journey from Subang Jaya to Desaru could be voted as one of the most longest-time-taking-journey by car ever. It took us more than 8hrs to get from one end to another (via USJ exit to Kulai exit all the way through South Klang Valley Expressway with toll rate at RM41.20, and you have to continue you journey after Kulai through Kota Tinggi before you reach Desaru and very end tip of Johor)

As summary to a 2 days of get-together, it is basically a fun packed activities, the telematch was hillarious - tarik tali was done sampai putus!! then the water slide - I can't believe I did it!! after lunch break more games!! cari gula dlm tepung using ur mouth - haha..imagine that!! then it was dinner+karaoke+prize giving ceremony!!

A wedding in Temerloh

A wedding in Temerloh: we are celebrating the wedding of my husband's nephew, being married to a local bride..Congrats

If you look around..

if you look around... what do you see?

what do you see on you right? bundles
what do you see on your left? bundles
what do you see right in front of you? bundles
and what cant you see behind you? blank
so, where are you actually?

Another visit to Zoo Negara in 2010

I would say, Zoo Negara today and it was then back in 2005 or be it in the 80s where I first came, were not much of a difference, I wonder whether the animal is the same they were as those yesteryears??

An evening in Teluk Chempedak Beach

We were actually visiting our SIL in Kuantan and we decided to 'explore' Teluk Chempedak Beach as tourist would do.. I mean, we were so used to that place that we find there ain't nothing spectacular about it. Of course there's now a drive through McDonalds and KFC at the entrance to the beach-line which creating a particular blockage for vehicle to get nearer to the beach. So, you had to park somewhere and walk your way to the beach..

Fancy, that there are people whom swimming their way through the water which is actually quiet dangerous to do so giving the fact that its topography beneath the water is not as shallow as what expect it to be. Anyway, after letting the children to enjoy the sand and play with their bubble balloons, we headed for some refreshment at the nearest rows of stalls. We particularly pick the one selling cool coconut drinks, freshly pick and we happens to order 'sotong kangkung' from the menu...taste deliciously good!

Europe Travelogue - Part 6 (Geneva Chapter)

Immediately after breakfast, we continue our traveling by bus, not on foot anymore. So our itinerary includes stop over in Lausanne-the Olympic Capital and Geneva.

On our way, we could see on both sides of the highway, white blankets of snow covering up most of the area. At certain angle, we could see the Alps!

We reach Lausanne first, where the weather was romantically cool for us to wander around the town. The town was quite hilly, and most of the time we were walking down a certain narrow hilly lane which actually leading to Lake Leman (Lac Léman to its French-speaking inhabitants).

We stop by a row of stalls selling fresh produce of the farm and we bought 2 packs of fresh strawberry - delicious!! We ate while walking our way to the tram station which would take us to Lake Leman in much faster time - err like 5 minutes (if I had time, I would rather walk and enjoy its architecture..but hey, I have to follow the team, remember). Lake Leman is so breathtaking - you can see the whole stretch of the lake where your eyes can set on were flank by the Alps with snowy peak of the higher Montblanc - magnificent!! My auto-cam doesn't do justice to the whole scenery, it doesn't really potray how breathtaking the actual coastal scenery is..goshh, you have to come so you could believe me and adore and you would thank God for such creation!

Architecture of Geneva

After Lausanne, we proceed to Geneva where almost everybody of the group was seen busying themselves in selecting souvenirs to take home. Souvenirs here in Geneva were quite expensive in comparison in Amsterdam. But I like the weather here..it's bright and cool! And I wish I could have more time to explore the city, its architecture especially and feel the life of it! oh well, it can't be done as I wish and if you want to know more about Geneva

It was almost 5pm when we decided to leave Geneva and headed back to our hotel in Zurich - time is so short to cover all these places and seriously, these men do shopp!! and I thought girls would be a big spender when it come to shopping...

Architecture of Geneva

strolling the streets of Geneva

Lac Léman

Europe Travelogue - Day 5: Zurich Chapter

The Fourth Day actually starts as early as 4 am for me as we have to be ready to leave the hotel at 5am to enable to catch the train to Zurich at 6am. It was a late night for me, packing-up the bags, the souvenirs all that..and I was worried that I couldn't wakes up on time to get things ready to go. Again, we had to walk really early in the morning to the nearest train station (gosh this bag is HEAVY-I have to thicken my face to ask favors from the guys every time we stumble upon staircases) We have to change train in order to get to the station that will get us to Zurich. And I wonder, isn't there any handicap people in Paris?? Because, there ain't any escalator or lifts at any of these stations!! and of course we have to walk fast in fear that we might missed the train.

So, we finally reach the station in time so we boarded the train and finally catch our breathe!! The train was comfortable enough and there's no external sound coming in, so we can actually relax and catch a nap - which actually I don't! The journey takes us pass the time from dawn to morning, enjoying nothing but the bluish-gloomily vistas of snowy landscapes!! Gosh, it was cold!! and from inside the train which going at quite a speed, you can't see much except when it's nearing a station.

When we arrived in Zurich, we had to change our money from Euro to Swiss Franc. Well the toilet cost me 8SF-believe it or not!! but it was neatly clean as similar to a powder room clean!! We kept all our luggage and take a stroll towards what seems 'deserted' old town of Zurich on Saturday (I was told that all the shoppes actually closed on Saturday in Zurich!!) There seems to be a celebrations/parade going on, so we just hang out and enjoy ourselves. We did try to get on another river-cruise but I'm not sure why we can't make it - something to do with the schedule, I think.

The sky was truly of clear azure, and I can see the jetline within it's skyline!! I'm so at awe of such beauty!! We didn't realized that we have spent all day enjoying the parade - it was actually nothing much to brag about but it was fun since we had no where else to go since all other places were closed on Saturday - so forget about shopping ya, guys if you happened to reach Zurich on weekend.

Late in the evening, we walk pass the old town to get to the station where we kept our luggage and headed to our hotel. We have to get on board of a tram to reach our hotel and by the time we reach the place, we have to walk another 500meters or so with our bags. OMG, I didn't realized how exhausted I was when I finally sat myself on the sofa at the reception lobby-and it seems ages for them to process the registration!! I was feeling like the ultraman-blinking-out-red-light of loosing the power anytime!!

When, I reach the room (gosh it was a dreadful 20meters walk from the lift to the door), I really can't think much except I need to catch on my sleep-so freaking tired!! so, managed to popped-in some paracetamol, leave a message to the group leader that I'd definitely give dinner a missed - nothing feels better than a good sleep at that particular moment!!

Well, what happened next was humiliatingly disturbing!! I can't believe I was so deep in sleep that I can't actually noticed any of the ringing phones, ringing door bells even knocks on the door!! SERIOUS aloof of me!! (I'm not sure how deep have I been?!)

Anyway, the fifth day turn out to be better. We headed for tour to Lausanne and Geneva! and we are taking a bus right in front of the hotel ...

Europe Travelogue - Day 4: Paris Chapter

We arrived in Paris, really early in the morning- it's about 6am where the sky was still dark. From the bus-station, we had to walk to nearest train station dragging all our bags in order to catch the intercity train to our hotel which is located in the city centre. I can't really figure out which station that we were and which station that we stop for the hotel. Again we have to drag our bags and walk from the station to our hotel (our group leader was sure knew where he was leading us too..I don't!!) It was cold, wet morning and it was a quiet walk - Parisian are still sleeping!! not to mention there are people who sleeps right in the middle of the pedestrian walkways-I almost bumped into one!!

so Day 4 - after a quick freshen up (luckily we managed to get the room early) we start our Paris Tour with visits to the famous Eiffel Tower!! Majestic!! I'm seriously felt I was some sort in love with Paris. Eiffel!! I'm so in LOVE!! Unfortunately we cant make it through the top - the ques was already like a miles long even though it's only 10am at that time.. and the rest of the group wasn't as keen as me about going up there,so, we spend some time there snapping away pictures!


The opportunity to ride the double-decker bus was waived as we find that it wasn’t economic to do so for such a quick tour, which later we decided to do as what we did in Amsterdam - we take the cruise via the Seine River – it was said that it is the traditional and romantic way to explore Paris. The cruise starts from the quay nearby Eiffel Tower, and we make a stop at the Le Musée d’Orsay where I think it has a spectacular architecture but I was not able to enjoy it as the rest decided to make it a pass.



We continue the journey along the Seine where it is lined with old quays and crossed by many gorgeous looking bridges. The cruise pass-by the iconic Notre Dame - woww!!(magnificent detailing and the opportunity to see those flying buttresses outside the text book is tremendously awesome)

We make our last stop at L’Hotel deVille where we started our leg of tour by foot. I have two options - walk slowly with the 'backbenchers group' or follow the fast-pace of those 'road runners' (hehe..i chose road-runners!)


Looking for a place for lunch that could fit these guys basic requirements was tough (I was doing okay with bread and sandwiches-they don't!) So, we walk and we walk and we walk…under such good weather, whilst admiring the landscapes and the architecture, it makes you forget that it already way pass your lunch time and you only had your breakfast at 6am simply because you just doesn’t feel exhausted at all.



We finally make it to Champs Elysees, and from far you can see the Arc de Triomphe located at the other end of Champs Elysees Avenue. The traffic was heavy, but the avenue is so wide that it is so comfortable to just walk under the cool weather, plus there are so many things to look at that we didn’t realized we walked through it.


I do enjoy walking the avenue, feeling the Louis Vuitton boutique (woww, for 200 euro you can only get the key holder!! Lucikly, I'm not into it) but it was unfortunate that I just can’t make it to Arc de Triomphe – the rest decided to retreat.


We walk through the other side of the avenue and I get myself a bottle of perfume at the famous perfume shoppe... and then we headed back to hotel... this journey is something I wish to elaborate..so before we headed to Zurich ... I'll write more...

Europe Travelogue - Day 3: Amsterdam Chapter

We were taken to visits on more football fields/stadium at a few more places, Breda and Baker - more like the suburb of Amsterdam.. (as this visit is all about synthetic football field which going to be applied at the Sports School project that I'm handling).

On the evening of day, we boarded a bus to Paris instead of the initial plan on taking the speed train (it's 8hrs journey all through the nite inside a very tight space of four-seater bus - and I thought European people are big in sizes!). We missed the opportunity to board the speed train to Paris as there was a train collision in Belgium. However, we managed to experience snow fall that nite - yayy!! We were so 'jakun'!! haha ..Anyway, the journey was not really comfortable, and I managed to withheld any feelings of going to the loo as the public toilet was far worst than what we have here in Malaysia-talk about civilisation alright.

Europe Travelogue - Day 2: Amsterdam Chapter

On the second day, we board the double-decker train to Eindhoven, heading for the Philips Headquarters (yeahh, you are right - those philips lighting fixtures that we used at home). It takes us about 2 hrs journey and the weather of that particular morning was drizzling cold. We were given some presentation on lighting fixtures and a tour of their facilities - interesting!

glimpse of snow can get a tropical weather person so excited, eh??

capturing memory in front of Eindhoven Station

I think that's a entrance to subway? with Philips HQ at the further end..

Later, we went to their stadium for a guided tour - yes they got their own stadium for football!! the Philips Stadion-PSV. It was late in the evening when we finally make a move back to Amsterdam - we spend like, almost the whole day in Eindhoven! the gloomy post winter weather was slightly better than morning which allow us to enjoy some scenery while boarding the train.


After dinner activity for me was restricted to being indoor - inside my room as all the guys wanted to go hu-ha...moulin rouge, etc etc... and they begged me not to tag along.. Auwww, boring!! this is the un-interesting part of being the only female in a group of male traveling abroad!! and the TV channel sucks - big time!

Europe Travelogue - Day 1: Amsterdam Chapter

I have mixed-feelings upon the invitation to join the trip to Amsterdam. Even though, the invitation was like 'a dream come true' but at the same time it would actually means that I'll be away from home, from the children for a straight 6 days and I've never done that!! Anyway, there's always a first time for everything, and if I survive this, there might be a lot more coming     ;)


Well, the departure day finally sets in and it's going to be a transit in Changi before the actual flight to Schiphol (out of so many places in the world, our transit just turn out to be Changi - well, you cant expect much since you are flying with SIA-duhh).


So, Day1 (it was 18th in KL and 18th again in Amsterdam)

It's actually the first time I set foot inside the International Terminal of KLIA even though I was there when the whole complex was still in its skeleton form and there was dust everywhere in 1997. Unfortunately, I can't really takes my time admiring the complex so forget about KLIA, here come Changi.

Changi Airport Singapore

Changi, being design in such way that really out stand it as a huge air complex by integrating the 'domestic' terminal with the international but other than that, well it's still an airport so nothing much difference from KLIA though.


Upon boarding the plane - it's economy all right with 3-3-3 arrangement and somehow, am stuck with sitting in the middle of the middle row between a malay bloke (one of my entourage) and a danish bloke ( I presume) which interestingly looks like Einstein. Anyway, we were served supper in the middle of the night - talk about timing and the food - what do you expect?!

Schiphol Airport Amsterdam

It was roughly about 6am when we touch down in Schiphol, and it was expected to be negative 4 Celsius. When you are leaving the warmth of the plane loading yourself via the passageway, you can seriously feel the chill and woww, IT IS DAMN CHILL!! It was not a smart strategy by just holding on to your sweater instead of your coat as it does not seriously cover you up. It is freezing cold upon arrival in Amsterdam!!


Walking away from Schilphol Airport in order to get to our transportation was kind of 'challenging' (given the fact this would be the first time that I ever had to brave through minus 3celcius), you had to abstain the freezing cold while dragging your luggage and the windy morning doesn't help much even though it was just 100 meters walk ! Hey, I'm like those in the movies - breathing out cool air - seriously exciting despite the cold.

the lobby of Hotel Terminus (inset-hotel front)

Anyway, it was only half an hour journey to our hotel-Hotel Terminus. OMG!! I had to drag the bag through 2 up-going stairs and another stairs going down upon exit the lift in order to get to my room, and the corridor was very narrow! This is seriously an experience I would never forget! And the room was so tiny, unlike any standard hotel room that I've been with single bed and 3foot wide circulation area in between bed and the wall, but at least it has an attached bathroom and a bay-window overlooking the street!

the stairs leading to my room after the lift

my tiny room (lucky enough to have attached bathroom)

view of Beurs Street from my room's bay window

gloomy skies - flock of birds

After getting refresh, I'm all excited and at the same time, blessed of not having any serious jet legged upon arrival, but 13hrs straight in flight is really something that I'm not looking forward to indulge in near future!!




Walking your way through the streets in Amsterdam really beats you out - It's freezing cold, my nose freezing, and wearing head scarf doesn't makes any difference, you still need something else to cover your head especially your ears, learn my lesson!

And, most interesting of all, I stumble on this particular unit of what should-we-call, a shop or an apartment that is so tiny in width which barely could fit a single door, in between 2 standard size shops!! Also, almost all of the building were constructed to be tilted towards the road, for the reason - goods can be transported inside via the window and not the stairs (remember the narrow stairs of Terminus Hotel?)
 

it looks like the building is collapsing? NOT!!

My group and I went for souvenir hopping from shoppes to shoppes. These guys are serious about shopping - who said women can go nuts for shopping spree - wrong fact here, though  ;)  Anyway, the Orange Jersey cost a bomb and the workmanship was not so neat,so forget about the jersey! Bought some fridge magnet as souvenirs ..before we settle down for kebab as our lunch - the portion was huge!



Later in the afternoon we managed to get a ride on the river cruise boat. Amsterdam skyline was kind of gloomy due to the weather and somehow it suits all the architecture and I enjoy it!

the water is freezing, yet these ducks seems to be okay..

bridge and more bridges..

Red Light District at night!

After dinner we head towards the 'red light district' - the famous legalised prostitution area in Amsterdam ..euwwww grossss!!! all those women wearing skimpy bikini standing in front of the red-lighted bay window calling out for 'customers'...and they're huge-the sort of trans-gender size back in Malaysia!! However, other than that, I like walking through the night passing by all those building - the architecture detailing under low light create the fancy out of it, however walking alone is not advisable!! but imagine this - it could be quite romantic walking hands in hands with your love ones under the clear sky and very cool weather enjoying the architecture!! haiiihhhhh - dream on Medzz!!!



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