Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Thursday, February 18, 2016

If you love beer and chocolates, you should visit Bruxelles

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Royal Palace of Brussels
Brussels - home to the EU's headquarters, and it is separated into North and South with north being the Dutch speaking part of Brussels and South - the French. With the recent terror attack in Paris, it has increased its security at major cities in Belgium (I was there in December'15/January'16). I have never came this close with so many armed soldiers and military tanks before.

Military tank parked by the street

If you love beer, chocolates, waffles, or fries, you need to visit Brussels, fullstop

A variety of chocolates stacked up in stores
They have a vast amount of chocolates and premium beers for you to choose from. You might think I am overrating these, but trust me, if you don't mind spending extra dollars on chocolates, buy Neuhaus, this will be the best decision ever. As for beer, it can be pretty cheap to buy good quality beers from grocery stores, there is a wide variety for you to choose. A good quality beer range from 1 to 2 Euros per bottle. So far, one of my favorites that I have tried is Chouffe - Soleil.

Waffle with Dark Chocolate
Apart from that, waffles and fries are the other reasons you should visit Brussels, waffles not so much. Some say that the waffles taste just like any other waffles you could find in other parts of the world, I kinda agree with that. However, with the fries, you would love it indefinitely. It is thick and crunchy on the outside. Freshly made for you. You could also find similar fries in Amsterdam.

La Grand-Place


One of the Guild Houses

The one thing I did not like is the dull colors of the city. The buildings' colors are red bricks, brown. grey, and to make it worse, GREY skies.  I could have done more in Brussels and other cities in Belgium, but because I had limited time and budget, all I could do was eat, more food, and eat, and do free stuffs: sight seeing.

one of the main street, with cloudy skies


Sunday, October 11, 2015

Kellie's Castle, Malaysia

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Kellie's Castle

One of our stops in Malaysia was Kellie's Castle.  It is an unfinished mansion built by a Scottish planter William Kellie Smith who died before finishing the castle meant for his family. His wife was too upset and decided to move back to Scotland.

Entrance fee is RM5 for Malaysians, and RM10 for foreigners and we stayed at the castle for about 1 - 1.5 hours. Here are some photos that we have taken. And, I think this is actually a good setting for wedding photos.





A secret passage way






Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Malásia

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This summer, He visited me at my hometown :)



Chilled for a few days around Kuala Lumpur, and our FOOD trip begins.

Places visited:
Puchong (My home)
Kuala Lumpur
Melaka
Sekinchan
Batu Caves
Bukit Tinggi
Ipoh
Taiping
Sepetang
Pulau Pinang

Malaysia is famous for its multiculturalism. And, food is of course one of the way to express this, thus our FOOD trip. I can guarantee you that we do not eat the same food every meal for 2 weeks (except once or twice) but that's it. And that does not mean that we have covered all the food. Sadly, there're a lot moreeee that we did not try. Also, he was shocked by some restaurants' hygiene level (can't complain).

Being a tourist in your own country, you explore more things that you don't usually do. You realized how convenient it is for you to own a vehicle to travel around some places or NOT. For example, I would never have taken the free KL bus if I drove downtown KL which I would say it is a great initiative by the government and very convenient to get around (but you want to avoid driving to KL cause it is always congested).

Photos are on my Facebook. Am too lazy to upload it twice. >< but here's a photo of the famous Twin Towers at night.


Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Western Caribbean

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Carnival Conquest was amazing! They had a good variety of entertainments on board and the Cruise Director, Mike was entertaining. The fine dining restaurants were amazing, food was up to standard.
We stopped by Falmouth Jamaica, Cayman Islands and Cozumel Mexico. The water color range from aqua to turquoise blue, it is amazing! I have never seen ocean water that blue before! 

We paid around USD500 incl. taxes each for the 6nights Western Caribbean cruise trip and extra charges of USD12 per night of gratuity. Apart from that we did an offshore excursion - scuba diving at Cozumel, Mexico at USD90. It was a pretty good deal with all inclusive meals and board.

On board Carnival Conquest

Montego Bay, Jamaica

7 mile beach, Cayman Islands

Clear waters, Cayman

Cozumel Island, Mexico
And so, checked: 
✔ Caribbean
✔ Scuba Diving

Next on my bucket list - Europe

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Goat Lake-Avion Ridge-Newman Peak

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This hike is thus far one of the longest I have ever did. We took about 9 hours roundtrip. Also, one of the moderate-tough trail in the area. I think it is totally worth it.

Going up to Newman Peak
The first part of the trail was kinda flat and then slowly it gets steeper and rockier. You need to be prepared to climb rocks, and walk on rocky hill slopes like the one below.

Avion Ridge

From the top

My first PEAK - Newman Peak
 Going down is easier but at times dangerous due to the strong winds and steep slopes. Some part of the trail looks like a dead end or you might think you are "off trail", but keep an eye for the Inukshuk stone sculpture as a guide. 

Back down to Avion Ridge
You will have to take loop back instead of taking the same trail.
Prepare enough food and water for the trip. There are also campsites in the area if you prefer making it a 2 day trip. :) 

Sunday, March 8, 2015

Bertha Lake, Waterton Lakes National Park

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Bertha falls is just like any other falls, I would say. The trail to Bertha Falls is easy, minimal effort is needed, it takes about 45minutes one way.


However, Bertha Lake is stunning! Continue with the trail after Bertha Falls, It might be harder, with steeper trails and a lot of switchbacks, but it is definitely worth while. It takes about 4-5hours roundtrip. Going up is the toughest part, but coming down is of course a lot faster.


Always be aware of bears while hiking in Waterton, they are not harmful as long as you do not threaten them, and I have never used a bear spray, just back your way up a few steps when u see one till they leave the vicinity.


Thursday, March 5, 2015

Some updates

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I am going to Miami right after exams, with no other than my dearest, Adylio. :) 
We will be going on a Western Caribbean cruise trip while we are there.

And, I booked my ticket back to Malaysia! Will be back home over the summer, found an internship with Tonah's help, at the Petrosains. :D and, if everything goes well, Adylio will be visiting me in Malaysia too! Hope all goes as planned :)

For now: exams, assignments, and finals.



Saturday, February 21, 2015

Blue Mountain

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So, we decided upon going for the Ski Trip hosted by one of the school clubs on the first day on Chinese New Year. 

Destination: Blue Mountain

The cost of the day trip with school group is CAD70 which includes equipment rentals and group lessons, which I think it was a good deal. It was a chilly day with wind chill at -40 Celsius. I am glad that I dressed warmly with ski pants from the kids department (its cheaper). This being my first time skiing, I think I sort of got the hang of it. And, it is important that you shall not be afraid of falling, which I did fell a couple of times, hit my head, and had a little concussion (I am okay now).

Beginner Ski Hill (proudly, I went up this 4 times)



the baby hill where we get group lessons


Blue Mountain Village



This place is a beaut! I would love to visit again, this time spending a few nights there, relaxing and doing nothing (maybe some skiing/snowboarding and enjoy the outdoor hot tubs). I think it is a great place for a short getaway.

Friday, February 6, 2015

Ouro Preto with Watsonites!

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Praça Tiradentes e Museu da Inconfidència

Ouro Preto (Black Gold) used to be a centre of rich gold mining area, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This place is famous for its churches, and European influenced architectures. 
A group of my first year residence-mates, met up after years and decided upon travelling to Ouro Preto. The scenery en-route was incredible!


Igreja São Francisco de Assis
Igreja São Francisco de Assis is a renowned church in Ouro Preto where the interior is covered by gold. It was worth visiting, but sadly, no pictures were allowed in the church. An interesting fact is that some statues in the church contain real human hairs. 
p/s: There's a minimal entrance fee if you have a student card with you.

More churches:




If you are planning to drive to Ouro Preto, you need to be ready for all the steep streets. The state of Minas Gerais has one of the most steepest streets ever (in my opinion)! I will never dare to drive in these regions.



and of course, not forgetting a group picture of us! :D






---Time for bed now, lights off.
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