Europe Back-pack Trip...Part 1 (Vienna)

It's been a month since I came back from Europe, and I feel it will be a waste if I don't record down any of my experience there. Actually I took time to still be amazed of all the experience that I went through. My colleague at work can tell by most of my conversation, where there definitely be something that relate to my experience there or anything at all that has to do with Europe. Be it their beautiful scenery, their culture or even just the cobble stone street. Every single thing of it manage to amaze me (except for the fact that I have to be away from my family..I don't like that!)

Date: 01/04/09 - 11/04/09
Places Visited: Vienna, Hungary, Prague, Munich, Salzburg and Innsbruck
Went with: A cousin (so that makes two of us)
Airplane: KLM
Whole Cost: Airfare RM2326 + RM3000 (inclusive credit card charges)


DAY 1

Arrived at Amsterdam airport at about 6am. I don't feel anything much except for everyone around you is all 'mat salehs', because you don't get to see outside as you're still in a building. We transit here only for 1hr 15min. We thought that was ample time, but got to go through the immigration so we had to run as we're running out of time. That's the beginning to all the 'walking', 'hiking' and 'running' session all through the days in Europe. To add up to all the time spent queuing up, I was detained, as in my bag I carry with me, there's a B.ody Sh.op lotion more than a liter (haruslah kene buang dlm tong sampah kan..) I didn't realised it was in the bag. It passed through though during the check in Malaysia Airport. Took the 'City plane' to Vienna. It took about 2 hrs (still I can sleep dgn nyenyaknye..).A

Arrived in Vienna Airport around 8.30am. We then took a train to the train station where we kept our bags in the locker provided at the train station. I was so excited to explore Vienna city at that time. But before that, I need to at least wash my face and change my shirt to something more comfortable to get the feeling of my 1st day here in Europe, thousand miles away from HOME!!So, we took all our things needed, and went to WC(WC=TOILET. Until now I don't what does WC stands for.)

OK..skang dah ready nak jenjalan...memula kitorang gi Schonbrunn (betul ke spelling ni??) Palace. Kat situ ade Easter Market so everything there is Eggs and Bunny. Masa ni kan baru sampai so sangat jakun dengan roti yg besar2. Semuanya nampak best. Kitorang amik gambar kat compound palace, kat garden die and dgn kereta kuda. Supposedly, the view from up hill a little bit further from the palace compound would be a lot more nice but masa tu aku sakit kaki so tak naik lah..lagipun kitorang tengah warming up, so man-man lah kaan..



Sebenarnye 2 minggu sebelum aku gi Europe ni, aku telah terseliuh ankle dgn hebatnye! sampai kaki aku bengkak macam org kene untut. Pastu aku gi urut slps seminggu kene lak tu. I was told by my cousin that it's gonna be like walk..walk..and walk..and another walk..Aku takut dah..my vacation was gonna be spoilt by the condition of my foot but Alhamdulillah ok..cuma ade lah sakit gak kalau jalan banyak and lari mmg takleh laa.

Lepas dah ambik2 gambar, laparlah pulak so beli entah apa entah...'macam aiskrim tapi bukan aiskrim' and also potato cooked with herbs (nice!!).

Basically hari first ni kitorang sight seeing sambil melayan perasaan jakun sbb baru sampai. We used the 1 day unlimited ride card naik tram, pusing2 bandar vienna. The feeling at that time was, I feel so safe in this city. It's a a city with all the freedom you need but yet still have some degree of control until you feel really safe and comfortable to be in this city which is a stranger to you. Masa ni jugaklah kitorang amaze dengan Park diorang yang sungguh best dan sungguh ramai orang dengan hal masing-masing di park ni. Ade yang jalan2 bawak anjing, ade yang jogging, yang jogging tak pakai kasut pun ade, ade yang macam training nak masuk competition lumba lari, ade yang just lepak2 baca buku je, ade yang naik basikal ade carrier untuk anak-anak ( anak-anak ok..means tempat carrier die lebih dari satu!)Memang KAGUM gile lah kitorang ni..Siap rasa kalau lah negara kita ade Park macam ni..CONFIRM! (siap confirm tu..) aku akan rajin jogging!

Then..sambung lagi jenjalan naik tram..singgah minum air je! kat McD..(gile kedekut! Bukan kedekut, tapi baru sampai kan..so tak tau how's he expenses gonna be like, baik jimat dari end up kene call family suruh hantar duit guna Western Union kan...). Air yang boleh refill tu..sambil2 minum sambil tengok orang lalu lalang, sambil recharge balik, sambil still rasa macam mimipi dah sampai..perasaan still rasa macam dok kat JB ke..Penang ke..paling2 pun Kelantan..

Pastu..kitorang ni kan baru sampai so aku ni dua tiga tapak berjalan nak snap gambar, gambar view and building je. Gambar sendiri tak banyak pun sbb pemandangan sekeliling lagi best. We were very hungry so we just bought a kebab to be eaten in the train on our way to Hungary, our next destination. Our train is at 7.50pm. Sebenarnye agak cuak gak lah sebab masa pkl 7 tu kitorang still tengah tunggu tram nak ke train station (mana tak lambat, kitorang masuk ade satu kedai macam Watson ni, nama kedai tu BIPA. Very familiar in Europe.Kagum sebab range Nivea, Neutrogena and banyak lagi memang takde kat Malaysia. Murah lak tu. Tapi tak beli apa2 beli stokin je). Tapi nasib baik sebelum kluar berjalan tu dah usha dah kat mana the terminal will be. Not far from where we kept our luggage. Tapi cousin aku dah cakap awal2 kejap lagi kita kene lari.

Sampai je kat train station, terus lari sambil bawak beg yg agak berat lah. Tapi masa ni ok lagi. Maklumlah baru sampai, semangat lagi nak explore Europe, so penat pun redah kan aje. Kitorang naik train pukul 7.40pm. Since my cousin dah book awal, so tempat kitorang dah reserved. Seat die dlm cubicle with glass slide doors. Since takde orang, kitorang conquer the whole cubicle so tido baringlah jawabnye..Sangat best sbb penat. Makan kebab pun tak habis! (Tapi kebab die serious besar gile! Macam 3-4 org makan). Journey dalam 4 hours. Memamng tido lah...


TO BE CONTINUED....HUNGARY is coming next!

Gua Tempurung Experience

See the title? Exactly! I went caving in Gua Tempurung last weekend. I went with my bestie Fiza and Syed. They were cool!! (In the sense that they are very adventurous, spontaneous AND they can last without sleeping for days I guess!)

Ok! We were from the office. I thought that it would be right after my office hours ( which has already entered the next day as I work odd hours) but the journey only started from Fiza's house at 8AM if I'm not mistaken. I was Sooo sleepy at that time. But no worries as I can have my sleep in the car. Syed was the driver so he really has to be awake all through the journey. As for Fiza, since she's the co-pilot she too has to be partly awake at least.

I was asleep all through the journey except for the last 5km before we arrived. ( I didn't know they took the no-tol road, traffic jam was all the way..oh..how asleep I was as usual.)

We arrived around 10.30am, changed aour clothes and ready for caving. According to Syed, It has 4 stages altogether. 1-4 (less adventurous - most thrilled). We took the 3rd stage. What an experience! The adventure varies from just a normal walk to crawling in a water, to sliding down a hill and holes and climbing 'Batu Cave'-like stairs. It's a real training and test to all your muscles and stamina. Surprisingly it was not bad after all. I thougt I was gonna 'pancit' but I didn't. Nearly, when I climbed the stairs but managed to pull through with a correct breathing technique, mind motivating and always listen to your body. If your body can't go anymore, take a quick stop to regain. Altogether the caving journey took about 2hrs or maybe 2.5 hrs.

We finally found our way out from the cave! Phew...hehe actually I feel like I was in a film like Indiana Jones or King Solomon's Mine. What I like most about this caving experience is you never know what's your next obstacles. Is it gonna be another slide? or crawl? or you have to swim maybe? That's the exciting part of it to me. Ok! when we came out, the first thing that we did is EAT! We had ABC and Mee hoon or Kuey Teow. I didn't finish my food maybe because I'm already full with the satisfying caving-journey.

After the caving experience, comes another excitement, that is to see where we're gonna spend the night at. We drove the car in to see the camp-site. The road inside sees some fishing pond where Syed's friends will be fishing at, the coming night. To my amazement, we arrived at an area with huts on the trees. Fiza did mention of sleeping on a tree, but I thought she was just joking. Again, this adds the excitement in me. This whole area is ran by NOMAD CREW. They must be a bunch of creative individuals as the whole area seem to be set up by recycled things. The toilets are formed from water tanks (the black water tank). After checking out the place, we clean ourselves as we're going up to Cameron Highland for a cup or two of tea it seems (I really LOVE u guys to bits! hehehe..).

We arrived there but the place to drink tea was closed. So, instead, the macho-hensem-cool (bluerghh!!) Syed has lead us to go up the stairs all the way up the tea farm. If before this, during caving I feel not even 50% of my energy is really used, but this time, even only going up a tracked stairs, I was grasping for breath! Don't know whether I was already tired or its all the way up hill so you use more energy compared to caving where sometimes up, sometimes level and sometimes down. But it was however a worth push of yourself as the view up there is breathtakingly beautiful. We took photos and Syed tested his skills in photography by taking photos of us both. He did all the planning on how he want us to stand, where to look and even how to smile! ( naah just kidding..we just smiled as we like.)Then we head up Cameron for Starbucks actually, but we decided to go to its Pasar Malam. We bought Strawberry Dip with chocolate, thats for sure, Jagung Bakar, Cendawan Goreng and AYAM GoLEK. Had to wait for this last one. People waiting was like people watching something amusing at the Ayam Golek stall. Then, we make ourselves downhill back to our 'Lovely Tree-house'.

It was nearly 12am when we arrived. There was food for us as it was included in the package BUT packed and already cold as it was supposed to be served at 7pm but we were up in Cameron. So it was very kind of them to call us and pack the food to leave it at the door of our 'Cutie Tree-house'. Before we settle down to eat, here come the Survivor part. We collected twigs and branches to set up a fire-camp. I'm a bit useless when it comes to this part. Yes, I am adventurous but I do have some vanity in me. Yeah..it shows I have a mix of both male and female in me. I am more concerned with the mosquito bite than really all out collecting the 'kayu-kayu api'. So I end up holding the torch-light, where I find it's good enough, if you really know me that well.. hahahha..But thumbs up to both of them. It didn't take much time for them to set up the fire. IT comes with experience I guess. Then, we started to take out all the things that we brought. We made tea, open up canned foods and serve dinner-cum-supper AGAIN on our 'Sweet Tree-house'. We ate together on the 'Sweet Tree-house' (all 6 cramped in 1 hut). Finished eating, tidy up and ready to sleep. We slept but the guys, they actually recharge themselves to go fishing. I was so tired, I doze off in no time!.
UNTIL


The next day Fiza woke me up at 10 to eat breakfast. It is served by them as it is also in the package. They serve Nasi Lemak and kaya buns with Milo. There's nothing much done during this day. Me and Fiza just went to 'usha' the 'sungai'. We thought that we could 'mandi-manda' but the water does not seem to permit. Airnya deras ok..a bit frustrated but it's ok..I'll come again for water rafting.

As our attempt to 'bermandi-manda' fail, so we have to proceed the day with eating (this part cannot be missed in your everyday life, anywhere you are at anytime ok..)which means cooking session.

BUT, this cooking session was fully done by the guys, headed by Syed. What's the MENU?? 'Ikan Bakar' hasil pancingan..'sup telur + kentang' Syed and canned Sambal Tumis Ikan Bilis (If I'm not mistaken)and also 'Kicap' sebagai perasa tambahan..The fresh fish was SUPERB!! I was full but I can't stand to see the fish being thrown away as none of us can eat further. So I give my stomach some Moral Support to finish up all the fish and I DID IT! with full victory..hehe..

THEN..came our turn to do the clearing and tidying as we have to get ready to go back to KL. We make sure that everything is as how we arrived at that place yesterday. Even stones taken was being put back at where it was taken. When I did the tidying up, I was wondering WHY does our tourist-attraction places like Waterfalls, Islands and Lakes are sometimes ruined by our own non-civic minded attitude. We litter as we like, we leave things as we wish, whatever that is easy for us, be it wrong or right, we just do it without any regret. BUT we people are not like that. Everything was just like how it was when we arrived. There's no one else except for our group, so if the place was left 'macam baru lps diserang garuda', who else right? AND, wouldn't want to tarnish our own good name especially Syed as he deals with these NOMAD people quite often.

We took bath in the 'water-tank-cum-shower room 'for the last time and OFF we go back to KL..and I doze off...ZzzzZzzzzZZZzzzz...as usual..heheh THE END.

Virgin Mary..

Last night, as usual I spend the whole night surfing the net. Sometimes the surfing is totally wasted in FB, sometimes it can be a total search of entertainment gossips..(bluerrhghh!! what a waste!), sometimes from the FB it can lead to Googling on anything that I find interesting to Google on from my friends' status. Some times I already have something that I want to Google on but most of the time not. Not to be forgotten, yes I like to browse the YouTube. I feel they have anything at all for you to know. At least I'm practicing my visual activity. I'm terrible at that. I can't stand a very long movies if it's boring. I yawn in Da Vinci Code Ok..I'm more of reader. I like to read than watching. But I like Youtube.

Ok yesterday night. I typed for 'English Movies' in YouTube. One of the results listed is 'Virgin Mary'. Its a movie by the Iranian, but they have dubbed it to English (but the dubbing was done by these Pakistanis and Indians so mind them the accent). This is really a great movie. It is totally based by what was told in the Quran.

I seriously encourage you guys to watch this movie as you can either refreshen your memory to what was taught or what you know about Maryam, mother of our Prophet Isa pbuh. or just about to altogether know what is the real story.

Wedding in Bintulu..My Best Friend's Wedding

I got so many things to tell on my friend's wedding in Bintulu...their warm welcome, their 'adat', Bintulu town and etc.

But right now, it's just time for me to get ready to work. It always have to be around this timing when I wanna start jotting. Whenever time is abundant I am always busy with other thing. But I promise u guys to tell about this soon. With pics!!

Ok...Daaa...(nampak sgt post ni sesaje nak activate blog yg dh lama tak ber'update').

Count my blessings..Alhamdulillah...

In my post this time, I will list down things that I should be grateful of my whole 27 years of life.

1. Given a good health. Never in my whole life so far I am warded in a hospital. Very rare that I get even cough and flu, what more dengue, kidney problem, diabetes etc. I have weight issue though..but even though I am a bit 'plus' here and there but I am all healthy. Alhamdulillah! couldn't ask for more.

2. Gifted with a good and smart brain. I have no learning difficulties. Even though I am not the Super Genius, but I managed to place myself in one of the Boarding School which to me is good enough. No ' pancaroba' even during Uni days up to when I took my Masters. Alhamdulillah..

3. This one is something that I really am grateful of. I am even not ready yet to face the fact that 'this' is ripped off me. My HAPPY FAMILY. I'd rather lose money rather than my family. It is the most precious thing that Allah has blessed me with until I don't think it is worth any sum of money. I have a very cool and supportive parents. Joyful siblings. The older we are the closer we get. (I could really see this). A healthy and cute Nephew (Nofal!!)My parents are still healthy. My dad can still work,my mom is still strong. None of us had problems in school. We had no problem in securing ourselves with a job right after we finished our studies.

When we are really blessed with all good things, every single thing come our way, it's either we get the blessing from Allah, or we are tested whether we see HIM in every 'nikmat' that we get. If we do, we pass the test. But what if we don't? If we don't, We seek for HIS forgiveness and guidance to bring us back to the correct path.
The peacefulness of mind and soul that we get from his 'Rahmah' and 'Barakah' that we should pray for it to stay in us until the end of time. AMIN!!

Subhaanallah

It's weird when new converts realised more the beauty of Islam rather than us. These people treasure every moment and experience they gain in their quest towards Islam, whereas we the born-muslim felt that we've had enough of that. When they manage to get the meaning in every teaching of Islam, we merely feel that its a belief and a 'must-do' that we have been taught ever since we were small. Are we or are they more grateful?? to be given the chance each by Allah in our life?


p/s: The video above is on Malcolm X when he went to Mecca for pilgrimage and how he realised that the solution to racial problems and issues is only ISLAM...

Bread Puding..

Last Sunday...I decided to invite few of my friends over to my house for 'makan-makan'. My parents were not around so it was me who did all the cooking. I cooked spaghetti which to me was normal since I've done that a few times before this. So it wasn't really something unusual plus we have instant spaghetti sauce in bottles nowadays. But I did the sauce myself! Yet, I don't really feel the thrill because I know even if I tell people I did it myself but they can choose whether to believe me or not as spaghetti sauce are everywhere on the shelves in the supermarket. But really! I did it myself. Ok..whatever! Spaghetti was not the only dish that I cooked. I did bread puding too..heheh...(malulah..)Why bread pudding? There was one day when my officemate bought bread pudding she made, to office. It tastes really good until i decided to do it myself. (Not to say this is the first time I ate something good until I want to give it a try myself, but knowing from my friend that making it is very simple makes me want to try it.)

Ok..but still I was not sure whether I really want to do it or not. But to my own surprise, the next day I went to the supermarket, took 'susu sejat' (took time to look for this..kot tersalah ngan susu pekat plak), and vanilla essence. That's it..I really am going to do it. I still can't imagine how to do it. Haven't any idea of the flow of doing it. The ingredient, as it's not that many of things that's needed, so I just memorize after reading on the recipe in the internet.

So, when I reached home, I ran upstairs to my laptop and read the recipe once again. This time read it by heart. I'm going to do it so it better be by heart! Knowing myself, I never bother to take a pen and jot down the recipe. I trust my memorizing ability (berlagak..hahhaaa). Ok! I'm ready to blast! I mix the ingredient confidently. I trust my intuition when it comes to salt and sugar (ingat goreng sayur ke..main campak2 agak2 je). Mixed everything and now it's ready to be steamed. Since I'm all excited, every 5 minutes I will open the lid of the 'pengukus' to see how does my bread puding look like, what does it turn to. Then I realize that I'm not suppose to do that, I then can control my self to look at it every half an hour instead. It was supposed to be steamed in 1hr 15min (so do the math yourself on how many time I opened the lid).

It's time! Wahh..it smells good. I'm trying to compare with the one my friend did. Hers is thicker. Kenapa mine is penyek!?Lembik?...ok, I try to calm myself..collecting all my experiences seeing people doing cakes, pudding, cookies, etc...whatever..whatever..recalling all that can be done, has been done and needs to be done..maybe because it's hot. All hot things are lembik. Left it to cool and maybe it needs to be stored in the fridge for a while. Tried to console myself. It's ok..it's your 1st attempt..this is good enough!

Still I'm not confident enough to serve it to my friends. So I ended up only serving to my last couple of friends that came. I tried it..Ok, Sweet, but SALTY! Adoii! just imagine sweet yet salty. Not to say sooo salty but it's not supposed to be THAT salty..

When everything is over, time to sleep, I went back to my laptop and look at the recipe, now I got it why it's salty. The recipe says. 'A pinch of salt'. It really means you have to pinch and put it. But Me, I use spoon! Thank god just a tea spoon. But still! there is a big difference between pinch and spoon!

Moral of the story: Don't be too confident. Get a pen and jot down unless you're a pro!

But something good, I tried do it again the NEXT DAY! It turns better than before. Thicker and most importantly only sweet and 'lemak-lemak' not salty anymore. And, something even better, I'm gonna do it again! but don't know when.