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Yaya

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

Preparation D-day 4

Salam,

Preparing for two weeks travel may be cumbersome and burdensome.

These are what we normally do:

1. Unpack the bag from the last trip.

Usually most of mystuff from last couple of months are still in the bag which I use for overseas travelling. My bad.

2. Browse azan website for prayer times in the cities to be visited.

If possible download the software. Always have a print screen copy just in case there's no internet connection, if you don't want to download.

3. Have print screens, jpeg and hardcopies of all your important documents.

Passport, credit cards, immigration visa, paper acceptance letter, hotel bookings,
registration payments, metro and lrt maps, hotel and venue maps etc. (I am referring to conference attending mostly). If possible the hardcopies should be kept by a person travelling with you and vice versa.

4. Start counting the forex.

If you are going to a more developed country than Malaysia, the expenditure will be twice as much the rate, even for the stingiest person. If you are heading for lesser then, an approximate rate should apply. WE want to SHOP too, right?

5. Dry food preparation.

Unless we are going to an Islamic country practising halal-food-only production, then it is best to bring all the Brahim products along. They might taste a wee bit yucky here, but they are going to be heaven sent in Japan or Sweden or Mexico.

6. Browse halal food outlets or butchers in the cities to be visited.

It is much more sustainable to the thin pockets if we cook our own food. It would be more convenient if the place you're staying provide cooking facilities. I normally choose youth hostels (sometime they accept mature adults who don't possess Youth Hostel member Card). If things are shared between our fellow travellers, a 250ml cooking oil, 1 kg rice, a dozen eggs and simple veges will elongate our preseverance to the absence of Malaysian foods. Halal chicken and beef/mutton parts can be kept at the hostel/hotel feezers, but make sure the cleaners do not find them around the latter's shift.

7. Prepare all sanitary products in smallest of quantity and packaging.

The types you prefer may not be found in the cities to visit or if found, can be pretty expensive. Chuck out the small packets/bottles/jars when you finished them because they will only add to the ever increasing size and weight of your luggage. Might not be too good if you are flying with low-cost carriers that generate incomes out of this potent tendencies many ladies are so inclined to make.

Seven steps to heaven. More will be coming up.

Thanksfor reading.

Salam

Yaya

Singapore Details 1

MRT FAMILIARISATION:

Our first encounter with MRT would be either from Lavender Bus Terminal or Tanjung Pagar rail station or Changi Airport. The followings only have Tempines as destination. Other destinations will be elaborated in other posts.

From Lavender:

Singapore has 4 main MRT routes and 2 LRT routes.
MRT: Green, Purple, Red and Yellow lines.
If we arrive at Lavender, then we take the green line i.e. Lavender Station
Most of the time, we will be going to Tampines to visit nenek. Tampines is about nine stations from our origin, terminal Pasir Ris. No need to change train at Tanah Merah, because only those going to the airport will have to.

From Changi: speaking of the airport. From exit of custom and immigration we transfer to Terminal 2 where the MRT station is located. The signage and directions are perfect, bringing exactly to the entrance to the station.
It is about 3 or 4 storey below the ground.
Mind you, the information counter does not sell tickets, so we have to purchase from the machines. But the personnels provide small changes should we require them.
Trains are at the right hand platform from where we alight the escalator from exit of Terminal 2. And change at Tanah Merah, look for platform leading to Pasir Ris.
Do not ride the one to Joo Koon.

Fare: about SD2.50, excluding the single ticket card (to Tampines).

From Tanjung Pagar:

From Tanjung Pagar, taxis are available.
But if we choose to ride the MRT, take the Green Line MRT. I am not so sure about this arrangement because it was so long ago. Maybe new development has occured when KTMB decided to change the terminal to Woodland.

Buses familiarisation:

We have only experienced very little bus rides.
One from Tampines to Street 11. From Little India to Orchard Road. From Clementi to NUS (National University of Singapore)

Places of interest:
FAQs:

Melbourne

Went to melbourne last August
Had convocation ceremony

Please wait for my updates.

Halal food: Esteller, Bismi
Melbourne airport and surronding:
Melbourne tram system familiarisation:
Melbourne city centre:
Malaysia Hall:

singapore

Singapre
- mostly on
family visit
usually
once a year,
now becoming more regular.
since atuk's departure have to visit nenek often.


Singapore is accessible from Malaysia by many means.
Yaya normally use coaches/buses from Kuala Lumpur.
Flights are easily accessible and we will touch down at Changi Airport
Yaya have also used trains.

ACCESS

Bus fare: about RM110 rtn
if riding Transnational, we will arrive at Lavender Bus Terminal
if riding Bus 88, most likely arrive at rear of Mustafa Centre

Flights: ranging from RM25 to RM600 rtn inclusive, depending on Air Asia/MAS etc and timing. Changi airport is one of the friendliest airports in the world.

Train: from KL Sentral or Station Kuala Lumpur, fare about RM120 to RM160 rtn.
Previously we will arrive at Tanjung Pagar Terminal.

I have never tried sea-faring activities to get to Singapore, but family members from Batam and Bintan have always used the ferry system.

HALAL FOOD:

Most MacDonald's restaurant foods are HALAL. So is Burger King.

Many eateries in airport also HALAL.

Where there are many Malay communities, halal foods are abundant.
We normally eat in areas around Bugis,Kampung Glam and Mustafa Centre (Little India).
There is one yongtaufu eatery in the Raffles Hospital building. Just opposite Bugis Station.
We have tried those in Tempines, like chili crabs and all nasi bungkus available
Address Tempines Street 11, behind blocks 136-138.

How to get there: see familiarisation with MRT

more to come:

MRT familiarisation
Buses familiarisation
Places of interest
FAQs

KIWI South Island I

Dear Readers and followers,

I am listing places of interest.
Have not covered no. 13 ...yet.

KIWI:

dari Wllington kitorang naik feri ke Picton

1. Picton: pekan feri. countryside
2. Kaikoura : ada seal, sealion colony tepi laut along the roadside, ada whale kalu nasib baik
3. Christchurch: bandar mcm kat England (building n landscape)
4. Arthurs Pass, only second to Brenner Pass kat Switzerland, tunnel belah batu..
5. Glacier : Franz Josef (sebut franzhozef) and Fox glaciers, no need snow forever if 've been here (it is all snow)
6. Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki: the fifth most beautiful sights I have seen
7. Wanaka and Arrowtown: on d way to Queenstown
8. Queenstown : lord of d ring
9. Lake Te Anau, Lake Gunn: cari Mirror Lake, ada pearl hitam and kerang cantik kat pekan
10. On d way to Milford Sound: the third most beautiful sights I have seen, hilltops in the clouds
11. Milford Sound
12. Invercargill: port to Stewart Island
13. Stewart Island (dpt certificate lowest point in NZ) tp ktrg xsmpai
14. Dunedin : ada cadbury factory and huge castle on the hilltop
15. Oamaru: ada penguin colony, (ada malaysian kat sini, bg no hp yaya dh hilangkan plks)

Enjoy, will be posting on KIWI Northern Island later.

Salam

yaya