UK III

I HEART LONDON

Only what I can recall at this moment:

1. My first encounter : MALAYSIA HALL BRYANSTON



This was the most strategic place one can reside in. Near Oxford Street, easy access to the double deckers and tubes. Shopping haven for some but not for others. Definitely need to buy that I HEART LONDON t-shirt or the one with MY SISTER WENT TO LONDON AND THE ONLY THING SHE BOUGHT ME WAS THIS.

Can someone help me update the new hall, how it feels staying there, accessibility etc.?

I was made to understand that there are FELDA houses/apartments (20 quids per person per night) and Federal Government apartments (less than 40 quids per person per night, and bookings are a year in advance or so) as alternatives. Please, anyone kindly verify this.

2. My first kingdom and palace: BUCKINGHAM

Hyde Park. Changing of Guards (somehow this reminds me of one Mr. Bean's episode). The Golden (Eagle, was it?). The Gates. The sentry. The roundabout. oooppsss how can I forget the 6'4, blonde, blue eyed one in red and black who stole my heart and caged it in the guard post, never returning it to me.

3. My first tube and other experiences: TRANSPORTATION

I HEART TUBES. How many lines now? The only one I remember is Circle. It connects almost 8 of the other lines. There's another one that ends up in Walthamstow. My Cardiffians posse were there for ACCA. Miss you guys, Na, Dalila, Fizzy, Hanim, Yus.

Love the double deckers too. Always opted for the upstairs, magnificent views from the top. I wonder if they are faster now that Ken Livingston successfully installed those gantries/electronic tolling. The last I tried was 7.5 km per hour.

4. My first history lesson : AFTER A HIATUS OF 4 YEARS



London has a loooong history. Norman, Roman, Celtics, Renaissance, Bethan, Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian etc. One could not avoid the skyscapes and skylines which included the rooftops of cathedrals, abbeys, churches and other religions institutions. Westminster's should not be missed. Loads of weddings (very important ones) were held here. If we got a chance to visit one, please don't be too rigid on hukum. Do learn from the serenity, the peace and calm offered by all these god's houses. Against the oppression of the feudal system, many had sought refuge here. By the way, the majority of Brits are Protestants, so theirs are not too elaborated and fancy looking. Humble is rather a word to describe it.

5. My first, second, third, fourth and fifth visits : Cultural and Arts Museum and Trafalga Square.

This is a must visit landmark. I reckon I payed pilgrimage to London on average every year I was in the UK...so about five times.

I remember loads of marble/stone carvings of lions???..Loads of pigeons and "birds"...loads of tourists...fountains.

6. My first OTHERS.

Don't forget Madame Tussaude, Harrods, Piccadily Circus, Elephant and White, Docklands, the Parliament, Big Ben, Tower of London, Bakers Street, etc... and of course the Grand Mosque.

From an urban and regional planning viewpoints, don't forget to dig why they FIRST had the tubes underground....by the way, all these mentioned places are easily reached by less than five minutes walking from the nearest tube exits.

With that I leave you....Wassalam and thank you for reading.

to be continued.....

UK II

Salam,

Welcome to Manchester. I need a lot of verifications on this post.
It has been such a long time. I forgot almost about it. NINIE DZUE please help me.
As for the readers, please bear with me, it may take longer than you thought.

First,

1. Arrival at Manchester Picadilly.





2. Old Trafford and its very attraction.


3. Car Boot sales.


4. UMIST and surrounds

UK I

Salam,

Just briefly, I am sharing with you, all my children my experiences of travelling to Cardiff, London and Manchester.

They may not necessarily be applicable and valid at the time when you arrive in these cities.

Even though I promised myself to pay pilgrimage to my KAMPUNG every 3 years or so, there may gaps and inconsistency in my relating these experiences (1993, 1998, 2005, 2008).

Apologies to all readers too. Things may have changed even while you are reading this.



1. Arrival at Stanstead.

In 2008, travelling via Munich from Athens to Stanstead was smooth even after the September 11. The immigration officer was very interested in my passport because of the previous entries records I had in it. Never say "we are going to study here" if you only plan to pay a visit to a university which has invited you. Never say that "we are going to see and plan the city". You are in for a big huge gigantic chances to be immediately deported from the country.

There was a shuttle bus from Stansted to Victoria (coach) station, servicing every quarter of an hour or so in 2008. I payed about 15 quids for it.



2. At Victoria Station.

This is a station with all the buses or coaches (the Brits called them). To France, to Scotland, to Wales etc., everything is here. In addition to National Express, I also love Greyhounds and Megabus. Fares through the internet were cheap. I got to travel to Cardiff or Manchester or Birmingham using Megabus or NatEx for only one quid on "very good days". On a "bad day", your pocket will be thinner by some 40 quids.

I always had my lunches or dinner, previously near Malaysian Hall on Bryanston Square or Mawar restaurant. But, since MHall has moved, I never got the chance to visit the canteen. Nevertheless, foods are abundant in London. How to get there? Throw a stone along Oxford Street, one must hit a Malay or a Malaysia. Then him/her? Settled foodstuff talks.

My favourite is the Kebab Stall along the pedestrianised street when you come out of the Walthamstow E17 station. On Wednesday, they are the best. Why? I haven't a clue.

3. Cardiff Train Station/Bus Terminal.



From Cardiff Train Bus station, I always took the opportunity to visit Catherine street, previously about 3 halal food outlets. In 2008, only two left. Really enjoyed the fish n chips and kebab there, especially lamb ones.

Previously stayed at De Burgh Street, Lower Cathedral Road, but visited Najmi in 2008 and squatted at her place in Plantegenet Street. In this Riverside area (ward, the Brits called it), there are so many halal food outlets and butchers.

Cardiff's main attraction is the castle, smacked right in the city centre. Queenstreet mall, High street and St. Mary's street are all within walking distance from Cathays (where UNIVERSIY OF CARDIFF is located). Along North Terrace, our main campus and the previously South Glamorgan Council now our departmen are situated. I remember accidentally meeting AZAH ALI at a corner where Miskin, Salisbury and Woodveille streets meet. We bought "AYAM & DAGING" from the butcher, didn't we or we were off to the masjid?



Loved also St. David centre and its surrounds. I reckon the construction has completed where the PRIMARK shop was previously situated. Loved also the small CD shops along this alley. And, mind you, there is a lot of LOVEs going around in the UK. Everyone is LOVE, even the uncle who expertly handled the automated street sweeper.

Well, I need verifications from NAJMI on this post. but as of now, I am off to Manchester. Enjoy.

Salam.

PREPARATION D-DAY

Salam all,

This post is dedicated to my children who are going to the land of Kings and Queens.

Preparation for the trip, on the day of embarking may require attention to the followings:

1. Ensure return tickets are readily printed, with a hard copy held by your travel companion and vise versa.
Passport and hotel reservation copies should always be on your very person, not in the check in luggage, preferably held by your travel companion and vise versa.

2. Pack lightly if you are going to a land where food is plenty.

Pack loads of foodstuff and supplies for the first couple of days only if you are going to a land where finding halal food is a great difficulty. You shall be properly acquainted with halal foodstalls/restaurants if you walk watchfully through the city centre/downtown.

3. Pack loads of lotions or mosturisers if you are heading towards four seasons country.

Most likely these stuff are either expensive in little bottles or not suited to your (sensitive) skin.

4. Share toiletteries.

Except for toothbrushes, it is advisable to share because it reduces the weight of the luggage.

5. Orientate yourselves of the airports, train stations, main bus termini and major tourists attractions.

If you are saving by not staying put in a hotel or hostel, small and medium luggages can be easily temporarily parked at self- or machine-operated luggage storage. This reduces accommodation costs and can be a less costly alternative. Some even have shower facilities and all your grocering needs.

6. Stock some breads (mini buns not the huge loaf) and mini sachets of jam, butter or vegemites in your cabin luggage and handbags.

If you are travelling on Air Asia where there is no-outside food policy, buy some cups of coffee/tea/water/juices to pacify the stewards/esses when you are munching these mini buns secretly behind their backs. This saves loads of money while "on the go" too. Have some Malaysian ringgits in the pockets just in case, even though we have stacks of UK Pounds in the handback. The latter always came handy, whenever we are on Air Asia or Malaysian Airlines.

7. Say prayer a lot.

God answers most of my prayers when I was travelling. By the way, there is always room for praying on the flight if you ask the stewards/esses nicely. And we can always tayyammum using the dirt around the luggage compartments if water is scarce on the plane.

All the best to the blessed children. May your journey be one of the most unforgetful ones in your lifetime. Finally, EXPECT THE UNEXPECTEDs. They will enrich your journey and your very person.

Wassalam.

P/S: Coming up, a little hint on Cardiff, London and Manchester....kidari juseyo..

TAEHAN MINGGUK II

Day 9 : Arrival and Dinner with ALIVE OCTOPUS in Suwon : KRW38,000 : JAYBEE : KRW45,000
Day 10 : SKK and surrounds : Lunch Kebab: KRW5,000 : Suwon Fortress World Heritage Site: Myeong Dong : KRW23,000: LAVENDER: KRW45,000
Day 11 : SKK, Supposedly Everland: KRW40,000 : Guro CGV : KRW8,000 : Namdaemun : KRW100,000. SILKROUTE : KRW40,000.
Day 12 : Working Hard SNU : KRW3,000 : Dinner with the VEGETABLES : HOAM Guest House : KRW85,000.
Day 13 : Namdaemun : KRW10,000 : Transfer to Incheon : KRW4,600.

TAEHAN MINGGUK I

Day 1 : Arrival and transfer to Busan : Mugunghwa : KRW28,000 : transfer to Arpina: KRW77,00
Day 2 : Busan Mosque and Sasang : KRW3,000
Day 3 : Working hard BEXCO: KRW0 : Jurye and Sasang : KRW3,000
Day 4 : Ulsan Metro ITS (Taehwa Gang, Bamboo Forest) : KRW60,000
Day 5 : Busan Metro ITS : KRW40,000 : transfer to Jeju : KRW140,000-220,000





Day 5: Jeju transfer : Islamic Centre: Dinner around Daerim Apartu
Day 6 : Jeju Halla Eco Forest, Seogwipo, Cheongyeon Waterfall, Museum of African Art, JICC, and surrounds : Dinner around Daerim Apartu
Day 7 : Jeju Grand Hotel, Jeju Halla College : Jeju Museum of Art, Central Market: Coastal Drive, Odeng feasts: Dinner with ASAM PEDAS Jeju Style
Day 8 : Jeju National University : Working hard : Dinner with the Yakuzas
Day 9 : Transfer to Suwon : KTX KRW39,000 : Cheonan-Asan to Suwon : KRW3,000