Travel In Life - Leaving Malaysia, Moving To Qatar

Year 2013 is coming soon. In just a week I am moving to Qatar. I am feeling nervous. I will leave my life in Malaysia. I need to start a new one in middle east. Did I make a right decision?

Few times I wanted to scribble some thought inside here, but time constraint just drifted me away from my beloved blog.
So many things happened in a year.
So much laughter and sadness come and go in 12 months.
Another level of maturity was developed within 365 days.

Yet, here am I.
Still the one and only Alvy.
Still holding on to the essence of myself, the basic me.
Still wanting to maintain me as I am.

A year has passed and I am moving to another place, another country to follow another dream and journey of the unexpected future ahead.

As this is life.
As this is an adventure.
As this world is full of surprises.
I just wanted to be a part of it.
Wanted to believe that my life is more exciting than just the normal daily routines in my home country.

Will I be a successful architect in Doha, Qatar?
A big transition in life.
A huge adaptation of new culture and living.
A tremendous hope of surviving this path that I chose.
A gigantic happiness and sorrow all together filling each of my day.

I need a huge career progression. I never want to be just another person in Malaysia who works and live surviving from month to month basis. I need more money. I need to travel. I hope I made the right decision.

May Allah bless me and protect me all the time. Amin.

-Alvy-

Travel In Life - My Birthday 4th February 2012

My Freaking F***ing Good Tasty Gorgeous Baskin Robbins Cake! Best!


I went to Bangkok on my Birthday this year and celebrate with some of my other friends. There were 22 of us. Well I can say that although I enjoyed the fun chaotic and madness caused by 22 persons on my birthday, but a simple yet warmth celebration afterwards when I came back to Malaysia with my close buddies had nevertheless leave a strong remark and sentimental value to my heart.

People always said, when you found an amazing best friend, you keep this person close to your heart. Well I found five amazing beautiful people and the six of us just naturally connect in every single fun and plan. I am so thankful to my five buddies who planned this Birthday celebration for me. Sometimes a close friend’s ceremony can be more meaningful than a feast with hundreds of people around and cheering for you.


Thank you so much Zack, Cam, Reza, Farah and Ella for this thoughtful party. I am touched. As we grow older, we will learn to know that we can make friends with thousands of people, but at the end of the day we will only keep the ones who are close to our heart. We are not getting younger. I have known a lot of people who have so many friends, but inside their heart are empty. Thanks also to Muhi, Anna, Keyrin and Yus. These are the people that I feel very comfortable to hangout with too. Not forgetting Dayat and Ella's brother too.




I love all my presents and gifts! Especially my BASKIN ROBBINS TUXEDO ice cream cake...! ;)




Muaxxxxxxxxx!!!!!!!!!

-Alvy-

Travel In Life - Stress. I Need More Travel

29th February.
Hmmphh as this is a very special date, very rare, once every 4 years, I chose to scribble something in my blog...

As my working life is completely pushing me to the core at the moment, I have no time for anything personal in my life...Busy busy busy...Yeahhhh it is kinda cliché when you hear someone said I am so f***** busy with work until I have no time for anything else. You may even laugh inside yourself quietly looking at this person and began to wonder how he or she ended up becoming such workaholic. I guess now I am laughing at myself everytime when I look in the mirror. Cause I promised to myself that I will never become like my dad. He was so stressed with his job until he had a stroke attacked and paralyzed until now for already so many years. Tears. Sob. ;'(

Especially the new project that I am handling now really stressed me out from day to day...make me becoming more like a sad person...killing the joy of a Landscape Architect’s life...making me feel like I wanted to quit my job...


Suddenly I missed the life I had when I was working with Sales & Marketing for 8 years. I had reached a salary number around 5-6K per month. I can work for 3 months and saved around 12K. At least the stresses I faced were worth! Now?? Now look at me and my misery life. Drama. Yes. I am feeling so emotional now.

When your working life is stressful, everything around you turned to falls apart. You had more quarreled with people surrounding you, your boss scolded you more as he is also stressed and expecting more from you, you always feel pressure doing your task instead of excitement.

The worst part is? The feeling you got when you wake up in the morning and refused to go to work.

I am lack of saving now for travel, but I need to travel so bad.

DAMN.

-Alvy-

Travel In Life - The End Of 2011

Sad...Happy...Sad...Happy...Sad...Happy...
Again and again...

The year of 2011 has come to the end. To be honest every time when the year is about to end, I feel a little sad. People might be happy celebrating the next coming New Year, but for me I felt a tremendous lost.

I lost another 365 days without I even realised it. I will keep on asking myself, WHAT HAVE I DONE IN THIS WHOLE YEAR? WHAT HAVE I ACHIEVED IN THESE 365 DAYS? DID I GOT MORE MATURED IN THIS TIME AROUND? THE MOST IMPORTANT, CAN I BE PROUD OF MYSELF?


As my life track records proved that I had always been a high achiever, I don’t wait for something to happen to me. I will make it happen. I got dreams, I will run to the moon to catch it. In my university, I became top scorer every semester, I won best student of the year, I became an architect earlier than I predicted, I became slimmer from 96kg faster than I expected etc. I will definitely feel sad if a year goes by without anything to be proud of. I don’t want a honeymoon year. As much as I hate stress, but I also would not want an empty life without a hard work.

There was once I dreamt that I want my whole year to be filled with only joyous and fun. I wanted when I looked back to remember, I only remember happiness. But then as I got matured, I began to value life more than before. I began to understand that it is ok to feel the sadness. Joy gave me satisfaction, but it was the sorrow that makes me wiser.

My mother once said, "If you look back throughout your year, if you can feel really sad at one point and not just remember happiness, then you had a good year..."

I cried every time when I remember my mom’s wisdom words. The sorrow I felt, it wasn’t for nothing, it made me become a better man than I was before. She was right. Thanks Mak.

-Alvy-

Travel To Salisbury, England - EuropeTrip Part 1

TRAVEL TRIP (AUGUST 2011)

One short trip that I did not clarify during my visit to Bath was I took a tour to see Stonehenge in Salisbury. I am always a person who is fascinated by ancient wondrous. I adore all of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in Wiltshire, England, about 3 km west of Amesbury and 13 km north of Salisbury. One of the most famous sites in the world, Stonehenge is the remains of a ring of standing stones set within earthworks. It is in the middle of the most dense complex of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments in England, including several hundred burial mounds. Archaeologists believe it was constructed from 3000 BC to 2000 BC. The surrounding circular earth bank and ditch, which constitute the earliest phase of the monument, have been dated to about 3100 BC. Radiocarbon dating in 2008 suggested that the first bluestones were raised between 2400 and 2200 BC. Another theory suggests the bluestones may have been raised at the site as early as 3000 BC. The site and its surroundings were added to the UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in 1986 in a co-listing with Avebury Henge. It is a national legally protected Scheduled Ancient Monument. Stonehenge is owned by the Crown and managed by English Heritage, while the surrounding land is owned by the National Trust. Archaeological evidence found by the Stonehenge Riverside Project in 2008 indicates that Stonehenge could have been a burial ground from its earliest beginnings. The dating of cremated remains indicate that deposits contain human bone from as early as 3000 BC, when the ditch and bank were first dug. Such deposits continued at Stonehenge for at least another 500 years.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonehenge

TRANSPORTATION

Basically my travel style is always try to use public transports as much as I can. Somehow, as per my study to get to Stonehenge by public transport will be more complicated and tiring. Amesbury and Salisbury are both small towns on the countryside of south England. And Stonehenge is located outside of these towns circuit. Therefore I decided to use tour for this trip. Please check this link:  https://www.scarpertours.com/tour/stonehenge

ACCOMMODATION

For my opinion, to spend even just for a night in Amesbury or Salisbury is not worth. Unless you are really looking for a countryside experience and quiet life during your holiday. I believe to overnight at Bath and visit Stonehenge for couple of hours is more reasonable option in here. Bath has definitely more things to offer for exploration and experience.

PLACES OF INTEREST

If you are still interested to see Amesbury or Salisbury, you can walk around these towns and explore probably in just half a day after visiting Stonehenge (that is to assume if you come to Stonehenge by yourself i.e. public transport etc).

 

If you use a tour like me, usually it is common for the guide to fetch you from Bath and will take you back to this town after the visit. Along the way, the guide will also drive you to see some of the other interesting elements before reaching Stonehenge. Mine was the same.

The journey was about 3 hour returns. On the way I got the chance to see Chalk Hill Carvings, Celtic Hill Forts, Thatched Cottages, Burial Mound and Crop Circles. They were all amazing. I kept on wondering throughout the journey how magnificent people in the old days were as they managed to build all these exceptional creations. The story and facts about the Stonehenge too are very impressive. We were given an audio guide throughout our visit.

The big question that you will always read regarding visit to Stonehenge was 'Is it worth to go through all these, or spend more money for tour?'

Some people regrets their decision, but for travelers like me who love ancient history and civilization, we don't feel it's a "waste to spend for piles of rocks and stones" as what have been claimed by certain individuals.

It is worth every penny for the journey.

-Alvy-

Travel To Paris, France - EuropeTrip Part 1

TRAVEL TRIP (SEPTEMBER 2011)

Finally, I came to my last destination before returned back to Malaysia. Paris! Bonjour! Como tele vu! I always wanted to go to Paris since when I was small.

As soon as I saw Eiffel Tower, I completely fell in love. Never for once, I dreamt that I would be able to fulfil my dream at the age of 27. I like travel, but come on? I need money! LOL. I always tell myself, “Relax Alvy...although you want to go to Paris so bad, the timing is still not perfect. Your financial is not stable. Wait till you become a little older then you may have enough money to go."

But when you talk about 'rezeki'? God works in his own mysterious way fulfilling my dream earlier than I expected. Alhamdulillah. I was so grateful as this is the place that I had set my mind in, I have to visit before I die.

TRANSPORTATION

1. From Malaysia
If you are travelling from Malaysia, usually you will departure from KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport). KL or Kuala Lumpur is the federal capital with lots of city attractions.

To book the airlines ticket, you have two choices. Try AirAsia (www.airasia.com) for a better rate as this is Malaysian low-cost carrier. AirAsia flies only to few international destinations. You must check where is your departure airport in Malaysia because most of AirAsia flights fly from KLIA2. For another option you may also check MAS (www.malaysiaairlines.com) as this is the national carrier of Malaysia, price could be higher. But you will be surprised during promotion, price is very competitive. MAS definitely takes off from KLIA, not KLIA2. Journey will takes about 13 to 14 hours by direct flight.

MAS will lands in Charles de Gaulle Airport while AirAsia in Orly Airport, Paris (check for update information).

2. From London
By Road:
You may travel by car/bus/taxi to Paris. Journey is about 8 to 9 hours as there are many stops along the way. With car the journey will be faster. The National Express coach is very reliable. National Express is an intercity coach operator providing services throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

By Air:
London has six major airports: London Heathrow, London Stansted, London Gatwick, London Luton, London City and London Southend. Various airlines company provide direct flight from London to Paris.

From London Heathrow Airport:
www.airberlin.com
www.iberia.com
www.airfrance.com

www.britishairways.com

From London Stansted Airport:
www.easyjet.com

From London Gatwick Airport:
www.easyjet.com

 From London Luton Airport:
www.easyjet.com

From London City Airport:
www.cityjet.com

www.airfrance.com

 

From London Southend Airport:

www.easyjet.com

By Rail:

If you want to travel by train, please check this website www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com. The journey will also takes about 3 hours (fast train). Train to Paris will departure from London St Pancras Station and arrive in Paris Gare Du Nord Station.

ACCOMMODATION

Before deciding on places to stay in Paris, you need to choose which area is your preference. There are 5 favorite neighborhoods with its own characteristic that may help you to decide:

1. Eiffel Tower to St Germain-des-Prés
The charming left bank delivers the perfect mix of grand sights with a hypnotic sleepy village ambiance. The west, near the Eiffel Tower is renowned for being one of the safest, quietest and most prestigious neighbourhoods. A Popular district with families and those after a retreat from the bustle of metropolis Paris. Being one of the most desirable residential districts in Paris comes with a hefty price tag, especially if the room comes equipped with a view of the iconic Eiffel Tower. For something a little less pricey and a little livelier head down towards the enchanting Germain des Prés. You’ll find a mix of affordable hotels and boutiques that line the maze of delightful twisty streets.

2. Latin Quarter to The Islands
Join the eclectic mix of thinkers and undisciplined students in the second arrondissement, beautifully nestled between the Seine and Luxembourg gardens. The picturesque Latin Quarter famous for its literary heritage still remains a lively cultural student hub hosting more restaurants and cinemas than any other neighborhood. This historic Parisian district oozes awe inspiring architecture and showcases a fine display of some Paris’s must see monuments such as the impressive Notre Dame and the beautiful jewel studded Sainte-Chapelle. There is a real mix of bourgeois and bohemian accommodation in this district. A good range of small hotels with plenty of character can be found on Ile St Louis and Ile de La City.

3. The Louvre to Arc de Triomphe
It’s hard not to be swept away by the exclusivity and grandeur of the first arrondissement. Renowned as the royal heart of Paris, it contains all the glitz and glamour you would expect. Centrally located, this district is ideal for museum lovers, art appreciators and serious shoppers and is a stone throw away from a selection of Paris’s finest sights, including the Louvre, place de concord, arc de triumph and the infamous Champs-Elysées. You’ll be sure to find an array of upscale boutiques and ritzy hotels in one of Paris chicest postcodes, keep in mind such an exclusive area comes complete with an exclusive price tag.

4. Le Marais to Bastille
Medieval Marais provides a pleasant retreat from the hustle and bustle and is home to some of the oldest surviving streets in Paris. The picturesque area has now become a well frequented fashionable districted but has managed to retain its peaceful and tranquil ambience. Here you will find a variety of boutiques, budget hotels and a number of old exceptionally converted mansions, all at reasonable prices. The trendy Bastille area is ideally located for easy access to many of Paris’s must see sights such as Place des Vosges, Notre Dame and the controversial opera house. The area is well populated with metros for access to cross city venues and has an abundance of funky bars, clubs and restaurants to suit any budget.

5. Montmartre
For picture postcard Paris with winding streets, ivy clad house and exquisite gardens Montmartre is your go to district, if you don’t mind the hilly location. Although besieged by the typical tourist trail heading towards the Moulin Rouge and Sacré-Coeur, the area still has a distinct village character. Montmartre has the highest concentration of hotels and going out is generally inexpensive which make its popular amongst backpackers. Montmartre is a ceaseless hub of activity bursting with an eclectic selection of quirky bars, chic cafes and lively nightclubs populated by an abundance of artists, musicians and thinkers. Best avoid Pigalle area late at night, especially families with young children. Although a little further out there is ready access to metros and buses.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Well to talk about Paris generally, I would say yes, it is a great big city with lots of attraction. Somehow it was not as beautiful as it is branded to be. I guess sometimes in life, that is why we must know how to ‘brand’ ourselves. Getting yourself hired in an interview is a good example. Paris to me is all about ‘branding’. It was great, but not as per my huge expectation. 'Indah Khabar Dari Rupa'. One thing that I am not keen to say but the truth, Paris is a dirty city. Yet, I have to admit that it is an exciting place to live, considering you must know how to speak French.

Parisians are mostly like Malaysians I would say. To compare on one thing, when I was in UK, people obeyed to laws/rules even though when there was no authority watching. I remembered standing by the street for the pedestrian crossing red light to go green together with the locals although there was no car around. Discipline. In Paris, even when the car was coming so close, people tend to run across the street like chicken (the scenario is same as in Malaysia).

The best thing about Paris for a traveler like me was the street name. The signs were all very clear. Frankly speaking I saved a lot of money by just walking (and with help from Mr. Google Maps). Walking in Paris was a pleasant experience. Unlike UK, some of the street’s names is nowhere to be seen, therefore I need to ask a lot. This is probably associated with the city planning. And I also took some of the public transports for free. Was it just my luck? I didn't know how to pay and nobody asked me for fare. For example my brother said he was asked to pay 16 Euro for the bus that took him to Orly Airport. I took the same bus and got in for free. I went into the bus and nobody asked me for fare until I reached the airport.

The places I visited in Paris were all really good. The one true undeniable fact about Paris is, it has its own identity. Each place that I visited has its own grandeur signature. I went to see the:
1. Eiffel Tower

2. Arc de Triomphe

3. Notre Dame

4. Champ Elysees

5. Versailles Palace

6. Pantheon

7. Eglise de la Madeline

8. Invalides

9. Sacre Coeur

10. Assemblee Nationale

11. The Louvre

12. Montmartre

13. Central Paris

and many other places. All these names that I mentioned are the ones that you must go if you visit Paris. They were so incredibly beautiful and different, especially when you are at Sacre Coeur, which is the highest peak of Montmartre, you would be able to see the whole city of Paris. I sat there, drinking my hot chocolate and croissant, while watching the sun to set and rest on my last evening in Paris. It was an unforgettable moment.

Adieu Paris! I miss Paris tellement.

-Alvy-

Travel To Manchester, England - EuropeTrip Part 1

TRAVEL TRIP (AUGUST 2011)

From Edinburgh to Nottingham I decided to stop at Manchester and spent my whole day there. I departure from Edinburgh at night, and after another almost a 10-hours journey, I woke up in the morning and found myself arrived at Manchester bus station.



TRANSPORTATION

1. From Malaysia
If you are travelling from Malaysia, usually you will departure from KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport). KL or Kuala Lumpur is the federal capital with lots of city attractions.

There is no direct flight to Manchester (check for latest update). You may choose any airlines that fly out from KL with transit before continue to Manchester for example KLM and Etihad Airways. Duration of the journey depends on your airlines transit country, layover period and amount of transit. My advice is too study the world map. Choose an airline that transit somewhere in the middle of the journey. For instance if you pick Cathay Pacific Airways, the fare might be cheaper but the route to Hong Kong for transit is diverting from going straight to England.

You can also do as what I did. Fly to London for a visit and take a bus/train to Manchester. MAS will lands in Heathrow Airport while AirAsia in Stansted Airport, London (check for update information).

2. From Edinburgh
By Road:
You may travel by car/bus/taxi to Manchester. Journey is about 9 hours. By car the distance should be shorter without stops along the way. The National Express coach is very reliable. National Express is an intercity coach operator providing services throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

You can check this website for more information on UK National Express: www.nationalexpress.com.
You can check these websites for car rental: www.avis.com.my, www.europcar.com.my, www.thrifty.co.uk, www.hertz.co.uk, www.enterprise.co.uk.

By Rail:

If you want to travel by train, please check this website www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com. The journey will also takes about 3 to 4 hours. Train to Manchester will departure from Edinburgh Waverley Station and arrive in Manchester Piccadilly Station.

ACCOMMODATION

Before deciding on places to stay in Manchester, you need to choose which area is your preference. There are 5 favorite neighborhoods with its own characteristic that may help you to decide:

1. Piccadilly and the Northern Quarter
The redbrick Piccadilly area pinpoints the middle of Manchester city center. Just across the canal the aisles of the Arndale Centre shopping center stock high street brands while vintage boutiques can be found in bohemian High Street and Tib Street in the Northern Quarter. South of Piccadilly, dragons and phoenixes guard the elaborate oriental archway to Chinatown, where eastern kitchens have taken over the Industrial Revolution’s old cotton mills.

2. Salford Quays
West of the city center, the Salford Quays development now fills expanses left by once-prosperous warehouses along the Manchester Ship Canal. Contemporary architecture reigns over the waterfront, the silvery fronts of the Imperial War Museum North and The Lowry arts center reflect each other over the footbridge. Families flock to the Lowry Mall for factory outlet bargains and films at the Manchester Lowry multiplex cinema.

3. Millennium Quarter
To the north of Piccadilly, the Manchester Evening News Arena plays host to huge-scale pop concerts. Wander down Victoria Street to see 19th-century restoration on medieval foundations at the Manchester Cathedral. Urbis, the state of the art exhibition center, looks over the serene Cathedral Gardens here in the city’s Millennium Quarter. Catch a graffiti, pop culture or photography display on the floors of this structure made of 200 glass panes. Next door Printworks once a newspaper publishers, houses avenues of bars, restaurants and the only IMAX cinema in the North West.

4. Deansgate & Castlefield
Stretching south from Manchester Cathedral, the mile-long main road Deansgate is lined with restaurants. High-end shoppers turn on to King Street for Armani, Boss and DKNY, or pop into posh concessions at Harvey Nichols at the northern end. Deansgate Locks at the south of Deansgate attracts discerning drinkers to its exclusive string of archway bars. Across the locks from Deansgate, cobbled Castlefield is a canal village within a city with its quaint lock-side pubs.

5. Old Trafford
Just to the south of Salford Quays, Manchester flaunts its sporting prowess at Manchester United’s Old Trafford ground. Nearby Lancashire Cricket Club’s oval pitch hosts international matches at Old Trafford. The Alps come to north-west England near the M60 motorway real snow is pumped on to the slopes all year at the Chill Factor snow dome.
Source: http://www.hotels.com/articles/ar000047/where-to-stay-in-manchester-a-travel-guide-to-manchester-s-neighbourhoods/

PLACES OF INTEREST

To be honest, there was nothing much to see when I was in Manchester. Among all cities that I visited in UK, I think this is so far the most boring. Thank God I bought my ticket to Nottingham on the same day, or I might not know what to do there more than a day.

The only reason I came here because I am sort-of a Manchester United fan. I used the word 'sort-of' because I don't follow football match that much. But when I do, I always root for MU! In Manchester, the only memorable place in my head was the football club. That's all. That's it.



Even I was walking around the city, I did asked few locals about the interesting places for me to visit in here, and their respond were almost the same. They might put their comments in different words or sentences, but at the end of the day, it means YOU HAVE NOTHING MUCH TO SEE IN HERE.

These were some of the comments:
“Well I am sorry lad, guess that's it”.
"You can go the mall too"
"Have you seen the football's club?"
"Besides MU club, I have no idea where to suggest for you"
"Museum? But we also have few only"

I guess it is because Manchester is an urban city that was recently developed. Even to compare with Liverpool that is just nearby, the buildings in here seem more modern. The older buildings that can be found in Manchester too, they were not as exotic as the ones I encountered in other places.

Another thing that I might want to highlight in here too is a feeling that I didn't like when I was there. As I walked around the city, I got this 'dodgy' kind of feeling about this place. I saw graffiti spray paint almost everywhere. I saw three backstreet fights in just that few hours of walking. A man suddenly punched his fist to a bus stop glass panel and it broke when I was walking nearby. He was angry while talking in phone. When I was walking, a lot of people stared. It was awkward. I didn't got this treatment when I was in other England cities/towns. At night especially, I didn't feel safe at all.

The good thing that I feel one might enjoy in here is the social life. I guess Manchester is well-known for its nightlife and fun activity. Before took off my night bus to Nottingham, there was a small fiesta for Gay and Lesbian just around the corner at the bus station. It seems that people are cool and very open about it in here.

-Alvy-

Travel To Edinburgh, Scotland - EuropeTrip Part 1

TRAVEL TRIP (AUGUST 2011)

As explained in my previous post, from Liverpool I took a 10-hours bus journey and reached Edinburgh early in the morning. You can quote me on this "As I stepped down the bus, I looked around me and completely fell in love." The city was so beautiful. Do you know the feeling you get when you saw an outstanding landmark or great monument that you have never seen before? It was that feeling. Amazingly in this case I didn't see any landmark thus the whole place that actually evoked this sensation in me. How great was that? The whole city in contact created a beautiful picturesque to my mind. Not because of any singular effect. It was a unity sensation. I have been to many places, Edinburgh is one of the best cities in my heart!



 

Locals were kind and helpful too (although I did not understand the Scottish accent well). The buildings and nature correlate in a great set up that interpret such magnificent scenery. The old vintage edifices were well kept, and surprisingly unlike most old cities where the town planners did not plan their city’s permeability and structures grid well, Edinburgh general city arrangement was good. The buildings allocation, the texture, the rhythm, the movement of the city skyline and beautiful landscape were all well-coordinated. I was really impressed how the developers here in their old generation had come to this great of sensibility.

TRANSPORTATION

1. From Malaysia
If you are travelling from Malaysia, usually you will departure from KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport). KL or Kuala Lumpur is the federal capital with lots of city attractions.

There is no direct flight to Edinburgh (check for latest update). You may choose any airlines that fly out from KL with transit before continue to Edinburgh for example KLM and Etihad Airways. Duration of the journey depends on your airlines transit country, layover period and amount of transit. My advice is too study the world map. Choose an airline that transit somewhere in the middle of the journey. For instance if you pick Cathay Pacific Airways, the fare might be cheaper but the route to Hong Kong for transit is diverting from going straight to Scotland.

You can also do as what I did. Fly to London for a visit and take a bus/train to Edinburgh. MAS will lands in Heathrow Airport while AirAsia in Stansted Airport, London (check for update information).

2. From Liverpool
By Road:
You may travel by car/bus/taxi to Edinburgh. Journey is about 10 hours. By car the distance should be shorter without stops along the way. The National Express coach is very reliable. National Express is an intercity coach operator providing services throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

You can check this website for more information on UK National Express: www.nationalexpress.com.
You can check these websites for car rental: www.avis.com.my, www.europcar.com.my, www.thrifty.co.uk, www.hertz.co.uk, www.enterprise.co.uk.

By Rail:

If you want to travel by train, please check this website www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com. The journey will also takes about 4 to 5 hours. Train to Edinburgh will departure from Liverpool Lime Street Station and arrive in Edinburgh Waverley Station.

ACCOMMODATION

Before deciding on places to stay in Edinburgh, you need to choose which area is your preference. There are 4 favorite neighborhoods with its own characteristic that may help you to decide:

1. Old Town
Encompassing iconic areas such as the Royal Mile and Grassmarket, Edinburgh’s Old Town is the medieval heart of the city, with grand old tenements and twisting cobbled alleyways to explore. Here you’ll find the magnificent Edinburgh Castle, St. Giles’ Cathedral, the Royal Museum of Scotland and the atmospheric ruins of Holyrood Abbey. Arguably the most central area of Edinburgh, the Old Town has a diverse range of accommodation, allowing visitors of all budgets to stay within sight of the Royal Mile. Arty hostels share streets with international chains and classy hotels.

2. New Town
As its name suggests, this part of the city was built more recently than the Old Town, but it’s still not really ‘new’. It was slowly built over a century from 1765, in a grid format of Georgian and neo-classical architecture. The New Town features Edinburgh’s main shopping streets, including the famous Princes Street. The streets of Edinburgh’s New Town are stuffed with attractive and traditional hotels, some of which are five star rated. This area is also a good choice if you are looking to stay in a private apartment.

3. West End
To the west of the center and encompassing the other train station of Haymarket, this area of Edinburgh is another charming district of Georgian streets and crescents. The West End is a prime location for culture vultures, with venues such as Usher Hall, the Royal Lyceum and Edinburgh’s classically independent cinema, The Filmhouse. The West End is home to some of Edinburgh’s most upmarket hotels, offering both international brands and local gems. Perfect if you fancy a four poster bed or a need a posh conference center.

4. Leith
Built around the old port of Edinburgh and on the shores of the Firth of Forth, the vibrant and exciting area of Leith is a couple of miles outside the city center. With a distinctly different feel to Edinburgh, Leith has a flourishing gourmet scene, several cultural festivals and unrivalled waterside walks. Visitors to Leith find hotels to be more affordable here than the center of the city, when comparing the same national brands. You’ll also find cheap and cheerful hotels and guesthouses around the park of Leith Links.
Source: http://www.hotels.com/articles/ar003274/where-to-stay-in-edinburgh-a-neighborhood-guide/

PLACES OF INTEREST

As I always said in my previous posts, POI depends on the traveler him or herself. Things that excite me might not work for other people. That is why I hardly list down any places of interest as they are very subjective. It is an individual personal choice, for instance I am not a museum person. I would never list down museums as places that I will go for a visit. I can only share based on my interest, you may not want to miss these; Edinburgh Castle, George Street and Arthur's Seat.



Although Edinburgh might not be as 'happening' as London or Paris in particular, but the essence of this city still leaves remark on me until today. I took the City Sightseeing Bus Tour for all of my trips where I had very limited time frame (especially the ones I did not stay for a night). By taking this bus, I can come down at every stop of the service (each stop for different attraction) and maximize my time there. The weather in Edinburgh was also kind to me. It was sunny with very few light showers, making the day perfect for my adventure.

 



POI that I love so much in Edinburgh is the Edinburgh Castle because it resembles greatness plus the one million dollar panoramic set up on an enormous hill of the city. Edinburgh Castle dominates the city skyline from the peak of an extinct volcano. An ancient stronghold, it has been home to royalty for hundreds of years including Queen Margaret, Mary Queen of Scots and James VI. I spent hours in here.



George Street is home to some of Edinburgh’s trendiest, shops, bars and restaurants, George Street is the perfect spot to indulge in some retail therapy and catch up with friends for drinks, dinner or a light bite.



I also climbed a hilly mountain nearby the city (Arthur's Seat) to reach at the top and see the whole Edinburgh city from this height. It was a breathtaking moment. With amazing views to start your day set off early to enjoy the spectacular vistas from Arthur’s Seat. For walkers, this 251m high extinct volcanic summit is an easy 30 minute climb from Dunsapie Loch but can be accessed by bike or car for a quick circuit around the steep hillside. A superb location to watch the sun rise but be sure to wrap up warm to make the most of this experience.



The memory in Edinburgh was so unforgettable and meaningful for a solo traveler like me. It was one of those places where you just chill back, relax and walk around the city to enjoy the place yet did not feel bored at all. And it still excites me until today whenever someone asked me which are the top cities in my list that I might want to go and live there one day. Edinburgh is still in the top 5.



I definitely will come back for a longer stay!

-Alvy-

Travel To Liverpool, England - EuropeTrip Part 1

TRAVEL TRIP (AUGUST 2011)

From Oxford I came back to Nottingham, stayed for two nights at my home Hyson Green before continued back on the road with National Express to further my journey up north. This part of my trip honestly were very adventurous and took more energy.

For the sake of experience to feel what it was like to be a real backpacker, I planned my route without any overnight at any hotel. I took an early bus at 7.30am and reach Liverpool around 12pm, wandered around the city until late at night before took another bus to Edinburgh for another 10 hours journey. The idea was to use the bus long travel period as an overnight accommodation. Sleeping in the bus was a challenging experience but finally I reached Scotland at dawn with cramp on my feet. I toured the city until late again (and without resting for a night), I took another bus from here to Manchester (9 hours) and reach there again early in the morning. I spent my time in Manchester until late at night (again), and then took another bus from there back to Nottingham (3 hours). CAN'T YOU BELIEVE THAT? But boy I save a lot on hotel/hostel!



What an adventure, I slept only in the bus! If I can describe my body's condition on that time, it felt like I had been crumpled and put into a sardine can. Worn out, completely! But I never regret it. Not even once I regret it whenever I thought about it now. I even cherished the moment every single time. The unforgettable experience was recorded in my book of life. And it will be remembered forever.

TRANSPORTATION

1. From Malaysia
If you are travelling from Malaysia, usually you will departure from KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport). KL or Kuala Lumpur is the federal capital with lots of city attractions.

To book the airlines ticket, you have two choices. Try AirAsia (www.airasia.com) for a better rate as this is Malaysian low-cost carrier. AirAsia flies only to few international destinations. You must check where is your departure airport in Malaysia because most of AirAsia flights fly from KLIA2. For another option you may also check MAS (www.malaysiaairlines.com) as this is the national carrier of Malaysia, price could be higher. But you will be surprised during promotion, price is very competitive. MAS definitely takes off from KLIA, not KLIA2. Journey will takes about 14 to 15 hours by direct flight.

MAS will lands in Heathrow Airport while AirAsia in Stansted Airport, London (check for update information).

2. From Nottingham
By Road:
You may travel by car/bus/taxi to Liverpool. Journey is about 3 to 4 hours. By car the distance should be shorter without stops along the way, around 2 hours. The National Express coach is very reliable. National Express is an intercity coach operator providing services throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

You can check this website for more information on UK National Express: www.nationalexpress.com.
You can check these websites for car rental: www.avis.com.my, www.europcar.com.my, www.thrifty.co.uk, www.hertz.co.uk, www.enterprise.co.uk.

By Rail:

If you want to travel by train, please check this website www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com. The journey will also takes about 3 to 4 hours. Train to Liverpool will departure from Nottingham Station and arrive in Liverpool Lime Street Station.

ACCOMMODATION

Before deciding on places to stay in Liverpool, you need to choose which area is your preference. There are 4 favorite neighborhoods with its own characteristic that may help you to decide:

1. Liverpool City Center
The City Centre has more hotels than you can shake a keycard at. These include eye-catching boutique pads located close to the Cavern Club and the shopping complexes. Many offer modern perks like free WiFi and on site spa facilities, meaning you will have all of the comforts of home with an added touch of sophistication.

2. Toxteth
While it'll never be mistaken for a glamorous quarter, Toxteth does have its attractions such as Sefton Park, a Grade 1 listed park which sprawls for hundreds of acres. The district is perfect for anyone looking to be away from the hubbub of the central and dockland areas and would like an affordable, comfortable place to rest their head. There's not a huge range of hotels in the Toxteth area, but you will find a few dotted around offering cosy home comforts. Some are within strolling distance of Sefton Park, and you can look forward to handy amenities like free WiFi and free parking.

3. Albert Dock
Albert Dock is one of the most trendiest areas of the city and is where many of the chain hotels can be found. It's a buzzing cluster of distinctive red brick warehouses converted into chic hangouts for foodies and culture vultures. The Tate Liverpool and Beatles Story museum are just a few of the attractions drawing in the crowds. The reliable chain hotels of Albert Dock cater for travellers on a budget as well as those looking to spoil themselves a little. Expect spacious, smartly decorated rooms, relaxed bars snacks and cocktails, and sparkling views over the River Mersey.

4. Princes Dock
The sleek and tranquil Princes Dock and its surrounding waterfront area is another part of Liverpool that's been gorgeously revamped thanks to energetic urban development. Overlooked by the twin birds of the Royal Liver Building, Princes Dock and the surrounding inland area is home to some of the more exclusive hotels that Liverpool has to offer. Expect deluxe experiences, with the hotels boasting plush, romantic cocktail bars, expansive indoor pools, and heated spas. Waterfront views make many of the guestrooms memorable places to unwind after a day's shopping and sightseeing.
Source: http://www.hotels.com/articles/ar011844/where-to-stay-in-liverpool-a-neighbourhood-guide/

PLACES OF INTEREST

You may find and read about a lot of interesting places in Liverpool, but each traveler might personally have his/her own taste of attractions that must be visited.



Liverpool is a beautiful modern city. What I like about Liverpool is, although it is a modern city, it still managed to preserve some of the old buildings and this has became the tourist attractions. I also like the fact that this city has many iconic urban buildings that suit with my taste as a landscape architect. I got a lot of inspirations from here for my design. The symmetrical, decon, geometrical urban shapes really triggered the creative side of me.



I also adore all Liverpool’s attractions that line along it famous seashore. It is like the attractions are versatile and diverse. It targeted different group of tourists. Some of the mains that I think a person ‘must’ see when they are in Liverpool are The Museum of Liverpool, The Eye of Liverpool, The Beatles Museum, Liverpool Cathedral, Metropolitan Cathedral and World Museum Liverpool (remember that I hate museums, but I still can enjoy the museums in here).

-Alvy-

Travel To Oxford, England - EuropeTrip Part 1

TRAVEL TRIP (AUGUST 2011)

For me, Oxford is not as wonderful as I heard. When you read in some of the travel websites, it says that Oxford is an interesting place to visit. I disagree with this statement. Yes the place is beautiful but I don't believe the word interesting is accurate. I felt a little bored when I was in Oxford.

Well who knows, maybe there were lots of travelers who think Oxford is fun and interesting. To me, Oxford is nothing than just a university town. Thank God I wasn't long there, or I might not known what to do with the ample times I had.

I came to Oxford from Bath by train.

TRANSPORTATION

1. From Malaysia
If you are travelling from Malaysia, usually you will departure from KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport). KL or Kuala Lumpur is the federal capital with lots of city attractions.

To book the airlines ticket, you have two choices. Try AirAsia (www.airasia.com) for a better rate as this is Malaysian low-cost carrier. AirAsia flies only to few international destinations. You must check where is your departure airport in Malaysia because most of AirAsia flights fly from KLIA2. For another option you may also check MAS (www.malaysiaairlines.com) as this is the national carrier of Malaysia, price could be higher. But you will be surprised during promotion, price is very competitive. MAS definitely takes off from KLIA, not KLIA2. Journey will takes about 14 to 15 hours by direct flight.

MAS will lands in Heathrow Airport while AirAsia in Stansted Airport, London (check for update information).

2. From Bath
By Road:
You may travel by car/bus/taxi to Oxford. Journey is about 1 to 2 hours. The National Express coach is very reliable. National Express is an intercity coach operator providing services throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

You can check this website for more information on UK National Express: www.nationalexpress.com.
You can check these websites for car rental: www.avis.com.my, www.europcar.com.my, www.thrifty.co.uk, www.hertz.co.uk, www.enterprise.co.uk.

By Rail:

If you want to travel by train, please check this website www.thetrainline.com or www.raileurope.com. The journey will takes about an hour and half. Train to Oxford will departure from Bath Spa Station and arrive in Oxford Station.

 

ACCOMMODATION

For big cities where there are lots of attraction, I usually will advise before deciding on places to stay in, you need to choose which area is your preference. Since Oxford is a small town, to be honest it does not really matter where you stay. I would suggest for you to pick an accommodation around the city center. It will be easier for transportation as you will only need to walk. Basically there are 3 favorite neighborhoods in Oxford (bear in mind that outside the city center are just countryside village atmosphere, thus I will not put any specific description as the sceneries were almost the same):

1. Oxford City Center

2. Grandpont

3. Kennington


PLACES OF INTEREST

There are few interesting places in Oxford that you should consider to visit from my opinions (sorry I am not a museum person).

 

I went to Alice in Wonderland Shop which was really awesome as I am always a fan. Alice in Wonderland is all about creating an imaginary world in the reality of our lives. In fact, when I was small, I remember Alice in Wonderland was one of my favorite bedtime stories. Lewis Carroll, the author who wrote Alice in Wonderland was inspired from his best friend, Henry Liddel’s daughter, Alice Liddel. Alice Liddel was always alone by herself and full of fantasies. Sometimes when the reality disappoint us, it won't hurt to create a fantasy world that will keep us happy. You can read about Lewis Carroll with his real name, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson. It is very interesting indeed.



From Alice in Wonderland Shop I went to famous Christchurch which was just across the street. Some of the Harry Porter’s scenes were shot in here. The place was really beautiful with green meadow and colorful flowers. Christ Church Cathedral is the cathedral of the diocese of Oxford, which consists of the counties of Oxford, Buckingham and Berks. It also acts as chapel for Christ Church College at the University of Oxford



I also went to University of Oxford to check out the big dining hall where Harry Porter’s main scenes were taken most of the times. There were also few other historical attractions in Oxford that I accidently found when I was wondering in the city by foot. I was a traveler back then and not a tourist. I only planned to see some of the places but others I want to encounter them by surprise. Wherever my foot took me. The best thing about English city/town is that it is always good to travel by foot. You will not feel too tired or drained walking around those places. The city is usually intimate. Locals are also used of walking, probably due to the weather. Unlike in Malaysia, the heat and humidity are too much for us to handle.



To conclude, all I can say about Oxford is that the city is beautiful with amazing landscape and stunning old buildings structures (most European cities are). But it was originally established from the growth of Oxford University residents. Therefore I believe this is the reason it is not so lively. The nightlife is very pale too. If you like a quite life, this city suits you.

-Alvy-