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...
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
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.
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.
Friday, February 19, 2010
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!
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!
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| glimpse of snow can get a tropical weather person so excited, eh?? |
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| capturing memory in front of Eindhoven Station |
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| 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!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
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, 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?!
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.
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!
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?)
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!
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!!!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=148406&id=773979033&l=f5d88da79f
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.
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| 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 |
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) |
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| the stairs leading to my room after the lift |
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| my tiny room (lucky enough to have attached bathroom) |
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| view of Beurs Street from my room's bay window |
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| gloomy skies - flock of birds |
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!! |
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.. |
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| bridge and more bridges.. |
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| 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!!!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=148406&id=773979033&l=f5d88da79f
Friday, December 11, 2009
Being lost in Lost World of Tambun
We received complimentary tickets from my brother to Lost World of Tambun. What can I say-we are a bit lost finding the place..hehe
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
A seafood galore in Bagan Lalang
A friend of ours recommended this place as a good place to enjoy seafood, so we set a date for dinner with a group of frens. OMG!! it's so far away from home - more than an hour journey to reach a place for dinner (there, you have to wait for your meal to be cooked, so it would not be advisable to go there in really empty stomach like I did, duhhh..lesson learnt!)
Anyway, the seafood was fresh and all the menu that we chose turn out yummiliciously good!!
Anyway, the seafood was fresh and all the menu that we chose turn out yummiliciously good!!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Nasi Lemak Tang Lin
Tang Lin is actually a name of the famous road situated within the Perdana Lake Park. There used to be an old road-side stalls serving 'nasi lemak' and also wantan noodles, but nowadays, a proper food-court has been built and people can comfortably enjoy these menu.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Kota Bharu vs Kuala Terengganu
I have been to Kota Bharu before, but this would be the first time I'm flying over to Kota Bharu. Via Firefly, it was only an hour journey - hey, it really saves time and energy compare to the idea of driving up all the way from KL. The Kota Bharu airport is basically small in scale, I would say about the same footprint as Skypark, but still carries the 80s signature interior with tremendous need to refurbish its washroom facilities! I would say - euww!!
Am actually heading for working visit to Besut which is roughly an hour journey from Kota Bharu and it would only be a day trip for me. I was scheduled to fly back to Kuala Lumpur that very evening from the Kuala Terengganu Airport.
Kuala Terengganu Airport!! What can I say - I was struck by the mammoth of its size, I mean architecturally it's a giant upscale mimic of 'terengganu traditional house' as their Airport! Am strongly feels that an airport should not be designed in such manner just to make sure it belong to certain state or country. It was nothing grande for having so 'grande size of everything'! I'm not sure about other people, but I was struck in awe!! This is what we call as 'mammoth architecture'.
Another 'first impression' that I receive was the view of collapsed roof of the Main Stadium right in front of the Airport!!
Am actually heading for working visit to Besut which is roughly an hour journey from Kota Bharu and it would only be a day trip for me. I was scheduled to fly back to Kuala Lumpur that very evening from the Kuala Terengganu Airport.
Kuala Terengganu Airport!! What can I say - I was struck by the mammoth of its size, I mean architecturally it's a giant upscale mimic of 'terengganu traditional house' as their Airport! Am strongly feels that an airport should not be designed in such manner just to make sure it belong to certain state or country. It was nothing grande for having so 'grande size of everything'! I'm not sure about other people, but I was struck in awe!! This is what we call as 'mammoth architecture'.
Another 'first impression' that I receive was the view of collapsed roof of the Main Stadium right in front of the Airport!!
Mammoth Architecture of Terengganu
I have been to Kuala Terengganu before, but never with airplane. So the first time I travel to Kuala Terengganu with plane I was shocked with the giant upscale mimic of 'trengganu traditional house' as their Airport.. this is what we call as 'mammoth architecture'.
Another 'first impression' that I received was the view of collapsed roof of the Main Stadium right in front of the Airport!!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Skypark Subang
Well, to those whom has not been to the old Terminal 3, you are sure to be surprised with the new look of it. Now known as Skypark, where it provides a better environment as well as better facilities for travelers, and most of them would be Firefly's frequents. It is not as jam-packed as LCCT and if you are really in rush because you actually being late (haha..tell me about it), the environment will actually help you to cool down, it's much shorter journey compare to driving all the way to LCCT. Also, you can grab your cuppa from Starbucks if you reach there early (yess..they're open even at 6am) or you can enjoy your cuppa McD's style ;)
The waiting area is the sort of typical waiting lounge that you can see at any other airport and most importantly, it has always been kept clean (the washrooms too).
Also, Firefly nowadays fly with new plane (believe me, it's no longer those old fokker plane!) and it's comfortable (well, what can you expect for being economical traveler?). Most importantly, I don't have to wakes up as early as 4am to catch a 7am flight..it's just a 15minutes drive from home.. :D
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| Skypark terminal from its taxiway |
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| check in counter |
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| ample space as waiting area |
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| link-bridge connecting the car park to terminal |
The waiting area is the sort of typical waiting lounge that you can see at any other airport and most importantly, it has always been kept clean (the washrooms too).
Also, Firefly nowadays fly with new plane (believe me, it's no longer those old fokker plane!) and it's comfortable (well, what can you expect for being economical traveler?). Most importantly, I don't have to wakes up as early as 4am to catch a 7am flight..it's just a 15minutes drive from home.. :D
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