MALDIVES - seeing is believing. but to physically be there, that is another heavenly story!

Ehem.

I think Imma write about Maldives. A very very very (pls multiple the 'very' by gazillion times) beautiful country. You would never look at islands and beaches the same way again if you've been here. It was just magnificent.

And yeah, it is forecast that by year 2028 (or something like that) this country would be wiped out due to the risen of the sea level. 

So, if you decide to come here, these are the very basic questions you gonna ask: 
1. How much is the flight tix for round trip?
2. How much money do i have to allocate for this trip?
3. How long should i stay there and the interesting place/s to go?

--Let us go one by one shall we?

Ok, on to numero uno question. This is what i found on the net. IT is relatively cheap compare to my last trip there. And I was right, there are still 3 flights which offer trip to Malé[pronounce Malé (/ˈmɑːl.eɪ/; Dhivehi: މާލެ NOT male as in  (♂) ]. 

reasonable isn't it.

 With the exception of Malaysia Airlines, the other two carriers will have a stopover in their home country (Sporeair in Singapore and Lankan Air in Colombo). I've tried all 3 airlines and not to be bias or what, I would prefer Malaysia Airlines. The food and feels are just like home. Plus, you get to hear them say 

"DAN KEPADA WARGA MALAYSIA, SELAMAT PULANG / AND TO ALL MALAYSIANS, WELCOME HOME"

... Trust me, after more that a week abroad (I used to travel sometimes up to two weeks, jumping from one country to another), the announcement will hit you and makes you feel very proud! 

Ok, coming back to the airlines. My experience with Lankan Air was ok. The flight attendant attire is very distinctive. The wore saree and with belly button up for show. haha. The food is not to my likings but yeah, ok if you are into biryani and all that sort. But be cautious, their biryani is unlike the ones we have here in Malaysia. Sri Lanka version is fiery hot and spicy. Not that I'm complaining. We have different taste bud and preferences, let's respect that. The stopover in Colombo is a bit longer compare to Spore Airlines. We were asked to disembark and change flight. Overall, it's about 3-4 hours long. But you are allowed to roam around the airport (it's a lot nice now. my first 2 trips, the airport was under massive renovation to make it appealing and international like. Otherwise, it looked old, dated and a lot like Subang Airport in the 80s).

But first, lemme share you some of the pictures taken from my trip there. Been there four times so yeah, the photos are not gonna be in sequence, I'm just gonna randomly post it here with some stories to tell. 

Songs That Remind Us of THAT Moments

Hah. 

psssttt... my all time favorite song, Yellow by Coldplay.

Songs play major part in my life. I do not have any particular genre when it comes to preference, as long as it suits my ears and seem right at that particular moments and encapsulate the essence of the experiences; i am all go. whenever i travel, the most important item i bring is the Sony mp3 player. This one-lah: 

i had two of these. lost one and bought the second one. it's 2gb and you could store about 200 songs init.

that was JO, kak milo and kakyat. we were facilitating a camp at Sungai Congkak.

The ultimate 90s song.

Prior to this, i resorted to Sony handphone and songs are stored there. yea, way back when sony ericson handphone was the talk of the town, before Apple and Samsung, right after Nokia lost its touch. Personally, I think that the walkman handphone series was great for traveling whilst you could store up to 1gb of songs, the quality is compared to none. 

coolness comes in small package. i wish Sony could come out with this kind of phone. It's their niche. 

 

Happy days. Kebajikan Camp at Port Dickson.

 Anyway, back to topic. Shoot, i digress a lot, ain't i? hahaha. anyway, my first trip oversea was in 1996. We went to UK. It was direct 13 hours flight using Malaysia Airlines. And, without KLIA, we departed from Subang International Airport. True. Tak percaya ke? eheh. I still remembered, the departure time was about at 4 something in the evening. We were so excited. And in the plane (no handphone yet this time), these two groups were just being introduced to local music scene. OASIS and SPICE GIRLS. I listened to it continuously. Among my fave are Don't look Back In Anger, Roll With It, Champagne Supernova. And of course, from the delicious Spice Girls, the ultimate Wannabe was personal favorite. 

Oxford Street, London. The year, 1996. weehoo

Eiffel Tower, Paris, 1996. Pardon the quality, we were still in flimstrip back then

with good friend Safuan (he's a Doctor now!) and aetone (punya, hehe). This was taken on the way down from Brinchang Hill, Cameron Highland.

Ok, fast forward. in campus, i traveled a lot. well, mostly local. eh not mostly, all of it local. eheh. student being a student, where got money meh to travel oversea. plus, flight fare wasn't as cheap as today. and definitely, no Airasia. The only carrier that we knew of was Malaysia Airlines, and god were they expensive. so, travel dalam negara sudahhhh. 

Why so serious? Of course la, we were at Leadership Camp and I was in charge as Quarter Master.  This was taken at Lanchang, Pahang. *a kind of forest reserve cum camp site cum chalet. Very near to Elephant Sanctuary, Kuala Gandah.

Anyway, hahaha see! I'm digressing again. 

This was in Kelantan during High Risk '01 activity. I think it's it Dabong, Gua Musang

Ok, I was quite (well quite was the way to tone it down. Very is the most appropriate) active in the campus. Prior to holding any position, I was just happy running around and a lil bit of culture shock (I was from Johor, that's south of Malaysia), I got distracted a lot. I frequented Modestos, Bali, HRC, etc. etc. heheh And when I decided to turn my life around, I involved a lot in college activities. There I get to travel around Malaysia. IT WAS FUN traveling with friends, wholly sponsored by the University. In fact, my highlights and best memories in the university was busy with these sort of activities.

MTM Retreat at Seri Juliana Chalet, Cameron Highlands, again.

I remembered Matchbox Twenty, Smashing Pumpkins, Everclear, Backstreet Boys (as much as I love to deny it, well, let's face it! haha), Incubus, Lenny Kravitz, Jewel (oh Jewel!), Jamiroquai, are among few of the artists that hogged my playlist. I still remembered we were traveling to Sungai Besar, Kuala Selangor for Kampung Angkat Project and As Long As You Love Me became the ultimate road trip song. From UPM to Kuala Selangor took us about 2 and a half hour, driving Anim's kancil. 

Facilitator Camp to welcome new freshies to the college. We had it Kuala Gula, Perak. This is a place for bird watching as gazillions of different species of birds come flocking this area. Kinda R&R for them migrating from the Siberia.

this was taken at Blok Helang common room. We were preparing for inter blok video clip contest. A true hard rocker, our blok chose Knockin on Heaven's Door by Guns N Roses. We lost. But we had fun!

This was during Ramadhan. We had this inter blok competition for Bubur Lambuk and Dessert.

I bought Matchbox Twenty cassette (yup, you read it correctly, freaking cassette heh!) at Mines. Their first album entitled You, Yourself or Someone Like You. The best ever!

Tadaaa. My room back in college. Fancy eh.

Eh, forgot to attach any photos. Wait aaaa lemme find some for you viewing pelasure.

With Bbt/Sharhan. A junior which in many many many years after that, becomes close friend. *that many years are now.

The lots of us at the backstage of Experimental Theatre, UPM  for inter college Drama Competition.

To Travel OR Not To Travel

Some people hate traveling. As much as i like to disagree to this, i must first admit that everyone entitle to their opinion. I respect that. There must be a very good reason for not wanting to travel. And by travel, notwithstanding overseas. Local is as good as going abroad.

Caen, France. We took tram from Syed's apartment to the city. The arrow pointed our location.

Ive asked a few close friends why wouldn't they travel and these are the top reasons for not doing so:

1. Financial 

2. Hate packing and unpacking

3. Bad experiences

Hmm, sounds valid ain't it. To divulge further into this, let us read with open mind. Yes, financial is the one and utmost challenges when it comes to traveling. It'll become even more challenging when you have family. Every nickel and dime are accounted for. Not only for the traveling but mostly for living expenses, daily. As for singleton, finance would not be as burden as the married lot, but it also poses the same dilemma. 

Heathrow Airport, Terminal 4. We waited for nearly 7 hours for Julie to arrive from Dublin. Managed to walk around and discover interesting places nearby. 7 jam, lama tu. eheh.

My best take is that if you want to travel, then start on with your little piggy saving dedicated for your travel. Separate it with your other savings. Well it worked for me. Also, if you have travel buddies, start a travel fund together. Decide a fix amount each member must contribute and be very disciplined. Once you reach the desired amount, GO TRAVEL! 

Mary had a little lamb. This was taken along the scenic view of Ireland's countryside. On the way to the Cliffs of Moher. About 4 hours drive from the Dublin.

For point number 2, try not to pack the whole house when traveling (exception for those with small kids). You buy as you travel (without im telling you so, this is in fact, TRUE!). So, be a light traveler and pack the most important stuffs only. Example, if im traveling for one week, i will only pack 1 pair of trousers, 2 shirts, and few briefs (not including the ones im wearing). That is all you need. When you reach your destination, you will definitely buy tshirts and trousers again. And if you stays longer, laundry is everywhere. So, go figure! 

The famous World's End pub, Edinburgh, Scorland. I've posted it's story/history in the previous posting. Checkidout!

I cannot deny the fact that we all have bad experiences when traveling. Clashes with the authorities, lodging issues, lost in the middle of nowhere, ripped off and cheated by the locals, etc etc. You name it, i've experienced it. But that does not stop me from traveling. In fact, it excites me further. We all learn everything new every single day. And trust me, along the road, faw years after that bad incidents, you will laugh at it and smile upon it and glad that it happened. It becomes part pf you and make you a better person. 

That's me! Cliffs of Moher, IRELAND. Honestly, I don't mind coming here again, and again!

Why do we travel

There's this saying: The world is your oyster, TRAVEL!

As cliché as it may sound, there's some truth in it. Oyster, famed for its aphrodisiac (read: medicinal) purposes and of course, and by that, it metaphorically signify that it provides pleasure. And no one can deny the fact that traveling gives you joy; regardless for whatever purpose, mean, distance and who you travel with. 

arc de triumphe, paris 2013: that's me blowing kiss to y'all! hahah

The mood swings and severe headache from planning and scheming would cease once you start your car, or step on the plane to embark for the journey. The sense of relief is indescribable and you will sheepishly smile loudly! I have traveled to quite a number of countries for the past 20 years. The first overseas trip was when I was an undergraduate student. It was like a dream come true and I enjoyed every bit of it. 

the younger version of me back in the heyday where life was simple, fun, 
and no worry (except exams and deadlines!)

Despite financial challenges, I could proudly claim that I did it! Stepping foot in the London was a lifetime dream and when the opportunities knocked, without any hesitation, I jumped to the offer! And it was worth every bit of it. 

first time reached Normandy (read: Saving Private Ryan). beautiful town with centuries old architecture. 
we crossed the English channel via Brittany Ferry for good eight hours.

And yeah, I don't know whether this is true or not, there's this study on the things your are passionate about with your blood type. Guess what, I'm a B positive type and travel fits nicely with the people who like to travel. Coincidence? You tell me. He he he. 

When it comes to travel, all of us have preferences. Some like to travel lavishly while others prudently. Your status too say so much about your traveling style. For student, you may look into the opportunities that allow you to travel with an edge i.e through education means like university or college mate trips. 

this was back in campus years. we hiked the Gunung Tahan. Tiring. But fun!

Traveling as a student was one many highlights that I will always cherished. Sometimes its not about the destination. Rather, who you travel with. One of the biggest hurdle traveling as students is the financial aspect of it. For that matter too, you travel with friends because it close the gap you are facing when cost is accounted in. You split the cost, you shared your food and chew gum when there's not enough money to buy food (TRUE STORY HEH!)

Below the Eiffel Tower. The weather was unpredictable. Cloudy and drizzling 
and all of a sudden, it was bright and shiny.

The GO TO PLACE when you are in MANCHESTER

Well, take a wild guess, THE place to go when you in Manchester. Without even think I'm pretty sure the reflects and your whole thinking would automatically say: OLD TRAFFORD. ahaha I knew it! And like others, albeit I am a no fan to this club, felt like it's a pilgrimage that you step foot here.

So, how to get there? I can only direct you from where I stayed i.e. from Sachas Britannia Hotel. The keyword you might want to find if you are there, would be Chinatown or Manchester City Center; that is where the humongous train station is located. Below map (I hope) would allow you to get better picture:

Thanks En. Google. :)

haha i blurred the image. what's important is the sign behind.

 So, this is what u gonna see when u reach Old Trafford via tram. Not me, the tram station. hehe.

caution: the walking is quite a distance

From the tram, you will have to walked about 1-1.2 km I guessed. But against the pleasant weather (back then it was nearly spring, so the weather was quite chill and windy). I liked it nonetheless. Walking in the UK has never been a problem for me. Be it winter, autumn, spring or summer.

This is what u gonna see when u first arrive.

There's no charge here. However, there is tour to the stadium which you can purchase beforehand. It is advisable that you arrange it prior to arriving here cos I heard it sold out real quick. Well, I'm not a fan, so figured. hahaha.

The famous Best-Law-Charlton bronze statue welcomes you

Hahaha.

Sir Matt Busby. The stadium is named after him.