Easyjet brought us to Madrid

Easyjet - our first budget airline within Europe. All 3 euro-ventures we had so far, train has been our mean of transportation. We bought the ticket probably about 2 months before our trip, after we have confirmed our 5 days travel pass for Eurail. 

1. Rome - Florence
2. Florence - Venice 
3. Venice - Milan
4. Madrid - Barcelona,
5. Barcelona - Paris, France ( the night train) more about this, later. 

It was a 2 hours 25 minutes flight, just like Zukry's flight from KL to Labuan :) Free seating, so that made me a little nervous. In case, we didn't get to sit together. But I guess as we were in the middle of the long queue, a few rows of seats left when we boarded. 

A guy dressed in a superman suit, (I think he lost his bet) boarded the plane with us too. The attendant announced that "Superman is on board"! Everyone cheered. Hehehe... We looked through their magazine, tempted to order something, we spent €5 for the simcard that we barely had to use.

We arrived in Madrid like an hour or so before the night fall. The walk to the subway station felt like a long one even though it was within the airport. After a few, "hello, how-tos", we paid for two tickets at the main counter - worried the machine won't be at help much; but the girl only gave us 1 ticket! Tipu~ Desperate to be at the budget hostel area fast, we were bothered but malas want to go and make a scene to complaint. 

Ha, ini cerita yang menyebabkan I taksuka Madrid. I was almost Alhamdulillah just ALMOST pick-pocketted! Geram plak mengingatkan that time. I was with my backpack, my sling bag where all the important stuffs were (camera, travel purse for our passports, another purse for my euros and my loyal Coach purse where my credit cards and RMs were in) and a cabin bag where I put my sling bag onto. 

Tengah duk leka tengok where we were and how many more stations we had to pass, sorang minah ni menghimpit. Ingatkan dia nak keluar cause I was near the door. I gave way and smiled, she just geleng kepala. Pastu, datang plak a guy asking if I'm Italian trying to find his way. Damn it, do I look like an Italian? With a bawal scarf on, seriously?! I geleng2 kepala, decided to move behind and find Zukry; time tu I nampak the hand of that minah was inside my unzip Longchamp sling bag! Ting-tong, the door opened; she panicked and left with her entourage. Rasa nak  bagi penampor pn ada instead I reported to Zukry hoping for some sympathy. Nothing lost but I started to hate ke? Harsh sangat... Dislike lah, the place. 

The episode of finding our hostel was somewhat scary because it was at night, the hostel was on the first floor, there were people still hanging out drinking but we took the wrong turn. As usual, we had to loose our way before we found the right one! The guy who greeted us was somewhat menakutkan too. Huhuhu... He was with a garang face and 'Ola!'.

It was a basic room with two single beds and a toilet in the room. Not fancy at all. We just tawakal and drank water from the sink, even made Maggie mee and 3in1 milo with the hot tap water. Just went tido to get ready for Madrid excavation the next day starting with Estadio Santiago Bernabeu! 

My Zukry in the bus from a station to another. We were in Milan just for a few hours. Most of the time, having lunch in a McDonald's :P 

Most of the luggage were with him. I was with another backpack and obviously a camera. Check-in for our easyjet flight to Espana... OMG, we went to Spain (Craaaazzeeeyyyy!)

That's the flight to Madrid. The usual check in, nothing too unusual. We were already checked in, but the luggage need to be too. So, off we went waiting in a long line.

Our usual entertainment kit. The new Ipad. We got the seats to ourselves. So alhamdulillah...

Here's the simcard that did nothing whatsoever to us. We need to explore on about roaming. Maxis wasn't much of a help during our time there. Mahal~

September is almost over

Today, I had my ACD.

I would like to think that it went well. I had a good vibe from the assessors. If that was not the case for them, syok sendirilah nampaknye.

This weekend, is another traveling weekend for me. Having just came back from a training last week. Hey that reminds me, all actually fits together. Timing to be upgraded to the next level was somehow really just perfect. Over with training and ACD. Tunggu result.

Back to the traveling weekend, I'm off for Labuan on Saturday. Since Zukry has moved into a bigger house with 3 other guys, I'm going to spend a night stay at a hotel. Of courselah with him too! So, at the moment, I'm thinking about swimming... This may be the last weekend / trip to Labuan for me. I hope to leave the island, bring Zukry out of it too insyaAllah soon.

Doakan.

Picture: London 2011/2012

This was in my draft mode since early 2012... :) Tak abis pun, tapi rugi plak kalo tak post. So enjoy yeah~

While I'm on the blogspot page, why not throw a few pictures from my trip to London 2011/2012. I may not post all, but hopefully I will cover the important ones. If you have me on FB, you should be able to see more pictures there - although still, not all. Huhuhu...

You will see me always in only two winter jackets, a red one and a yellow one with scarves that I repeatedly used according to my comfort. But you also have to know that I actually dressed up, it's just that - it's Winter and I needed the jacket. Booo!

You know, Zukry was playing host when we were at Loftus Road. He was just there 2 weeks earlier for the Director's Box seat. So, that's me - unashamedly grinning in front of the stadium; trying to fell what it's like to be on an EPL stadium on a game day. That particular day, QPR was supposed to beat Norwich City but unfortunately, that didn't happen...

Another visit to yet, a stadium. This time, at the Gunners. Emirates Stadium, the home of Arsenal. We were from Burberry Outlet near by, just a few stations away.

Let Me Be Better...

Today, when we were in Salvatore Ferragamo KLCC; Bapak  cakap Bapak wants to buy me a Ferragamo bag when I have a baby. A bag that was meant for diapers, bottles and whatever else. Well, I take it like that lah... although what happened was he asked to look-see a messenger bag for his notebook, but didn't like that it's big. So he said, "Kalo kamu ada Baby nanti, Bapak beli beg ni. Boleh isi botol susu, sume..." DANG!

- Ada sedikit stress kerana nampaknya both of them makin anxious dan makin kurang dapat bendung perasaan tu... 

- Ini juga adalah message kepada bakal menantu Bapak especially yang perempuan for my Abang and Mizan, anda mungkin menantu paling bertuah dalam dunia :)

Pulang ke Miri, jumpa Zukry, buat Baby (eh! Hahahaha :P)

Stop complaining!

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

Maaf Zahir Dan Batin

Doa istiqamah habit yang dah di'develop' during Ramadhan. InshaAllah...

Dear Readers, (I'm sure the amount of you must be thinning by now... I noticed that it has been 2 months since my last post. I don't know - I have nothing to blame really. I have one long entry but that was personal so I decided that goes into my actual 'Jurnal' :)

Life is as usual. Not much of change... By now, I think I have regain the weight loss during Ramadhan... So, I need to start doing something about that. Work-Life balance is also at a stagnant phase. I'm not super busy at work, nor I am at home. Most of the time, you could see me browsing the Internet, watching TV, nothing productive whatsoever....

I will be launching something soon... Hopefully, I'll share the outcome with everyone and post it here as well. In the meantime, I just want you to know that something is cooking - up in and on my head :)

Venice, Italy

A first class ride from Florence to the famous island of Italy, Venizia :) First class means riding with businessman/woman traveling what looks like a routine. We changed our reservation from 1900 HRS to an earlier one since I have got my 3 things to do in Florence checked! :)

So, after a the second last station (I'll find out which); we were the only two in the coach! Oh, we didn't get a seat together. The highlight of the trip was that the woman who sat beside me who couldn't utter an English word not even one; wears THE bag! The YSL Chic in Black!!! OMG, I should have written to start a conversation probably specifically on the BAG itself! Sigh, I dream BIG - can't help myself. Hehehe...

We were greeted with a helpful lady on the Vaporetto counter; she's Marina - saw that on her name tag :) After paying €50 for 2 passes of 36 HOURS ride on actv rides and additional €3 for a Venice Map (they don't give one free here), off we go to Veniglia Venezia Guesthouse at Santa Elena.

What a view! Breathtaking... I've been to Venice twice, this third time - the same 'cantiknya' came out from my mouth. We reached the area when the sun was setting down. In no time at all, we found the place; just like how Izza described it.

We were greeted by a boy, the son of the owner. We were set into a room, view exactly as pictured in the web. 5 minutes, Adriano arrived and we did a little registration complete with a FREE map of Venice and short briefing about the city itself! He recommended us to walk straight as the crowd thinned down at the time but we were already tired. So after refreshed and solat, we went down to the Automatica Bar to get a sandwich and drinks through the many vending machines available :)

In the morning, we started off with a walk to Piazzale San Marco. Zukry in one hand and a camera on the other, the serenity of the area - the sound of boat engines was somehow muted by the water splashing the shore. When we started to walk, the day hasn't start to the tourist. So we got to view how the venetian all ready for work and sending kids off to school. But as soon as we arrived at the center, tourist start to pour in.

We got a little cleverer this time. I decided that we need a new camera, and when we bought this awesome GX1 Lumix; it came with a tripod. So you could imagine us posing for the many shots together, thanks to no 'tembok' but a tripod ;) Yeay! It was still not an easy task, as too many people accidently passed by our camera! Huhu, expected-lah kan!...

We have no idea where each alley lead us to, but I know to bring Zukry to San Marco square, Rialto Bridge, where the gondola rides take place and to my surprise; we found Hard Rock Cafe Venice! (where we had our brunch)

After a complete round the many blocks, we then head home (oh-so-near, I Love it!) to refresh. Up next is another island famous for its glasswork, Murano. It was a 40 mins vaporetto ride away. The second we arrived, a man waiting by the stop announced that there is a free glassmaking show just opposite. So, no thinking there - we head straight to it. A man explained the process in English with a heavy Italian slang - which was somehow nice to listen to although I could only get some of it :P

A €10 for 3 bowls made of Murano glass; we immediately head back to Rialto, hoping to see the market. Unfortunately, it's closed. Only the smell of fish lingered around the area.

Florence, Italy

I have maximum of a week persalinan. Our laundry spot was Venice. So Bravo Tini, I don't really need all the clothes in my wardrobe I guess. Hehehe. 

Everyone looks so intense in this pic including Zukry. The others were probably dreading work, Zukry on the other hand was watching a lame movie :)

It was indeed a beautiful sight. Much better than the hustle and bustle of Rome which I think have nothing but the ruins to be proud of.

I have only 3 things that I would like to fulfill here in Florence. 1 is to really see the Duomo. What was it about, as the last time I was here in 2006; it was Maghrib time and all I could remember seeing was a large crowd of youngsters loitering around the area. It was indeed the same thing now... The building was not preserved or was it in the process of preservation? So, I didn't miss anything much then I guess ;)

Sorbet to cool off :)

No 2 is to climb up to Piazzale Michelangelo and watch the sunset. I did it. In a maxi skirt and a pair of Adidas sandal! It was quite a climb BTW :) Berpeluh! The view, just like what was described in the reviews I read about the place. The perfect view of Florence and it's Tuscany countryside. The hills, the country houses, the Duomo from afar (significant from other buildings) with music sounded like Jason Mraz-ish (there's this guy selling his music - serenading us) while sitting on a stairs canoodling with husbands/wives/bfs/gfs etc. enjoying the beauty of the city from an ascended view.

No 3 cost a me a fortune - that I have included in my budget BTW. To spend on a pair of Florence pride in fashion brand 'Salvatore Ferragamo' - a black pumps! I have done my research and decided on one particular shoe and all I got to do is enter the boutique. After much research on which shoe to buy, I didn't find out where the boutique is, just believing it's gotta be huge. So, Zukry did all the map stuffs and when we got to the place; I'm just this girl who grins and stomps her feet making rounds of trials in the pumps that she dream of. After 10 pairs of different sizes in two types patent and normal matte finish leather black pumps, I got the perfect pair and gleefully announce, 'yeay to first Ferragamo' to the salesperson who attended me - less than 2 mins after that, I accidentally dropped the bag containing the precious pumps on the floor, probably my way to say Arrivederci to the boutique :P

I want to remember these 3 things and my stay at Hotel Pensione Ferreti in Florence. After what was not a disaster, but not exactly fancy B&B in Rome; Hotel Ferreti (link here) was a nice experience. Located almost too near from the train station (Santa Maria Novella Stazione), we went a whole block to find the place! Thank you to free wifi service around the center of the city, we were brought back to the hotel. Greeted by a friendly face at the reception area, and "the world is little" as I was surprised that a group of Malaysian chinese were also registered at the same hotel :) 

Given a mighty heavy key, we were told that it needs to be given away to the reception if we are going out. The room was the exact picture as what was on their website. All white and a little green with curtain to match. We got a view of some of the small alleys in front of the hotel. A small sink in the room, a bed that was measured by cm in the description to notify us that although it's not queen size; it's not exactly single size too (Just enough for my big butt and Zukry's. Haha!) and a clean shared bathroom with rather interesting foot paddle to pump the water up at the sink! 

Breakfast was not included; but with additional 5€/pax, the little cafe with self-service spread of breads and croissant, drinks, cereals with a quaint ambiance - I'd say it's an experience of a true Italian home breakfast :) 

We had our dinner and lunch there too, tried the variety of vegetarian and seafood pasta but there were not to our liking somehow... Not worth the highlight - boleh tak? :P

See you in Venice, Italy

Rome, Italy

Rome is almost over. I'm typing on iPhone note while sipping cafe latte at moka - a food court in Termini. We just had our first Italian meal - pasta al-pomodoro for Zukry and Pasta Salmone+ Rucola for me. Both veggie and seafood base... They were OK, nothing exciting. The most is just the fact we're brave enough to try...

So, what do I think about Rome?

We can't help it, we love London more... Our first day was almost ruin by an incident. There was this boy trying to find his way but he asked us in Italian so I thought if you're local; why ask us? Who BTW were trying to find our B&B. The drama started when a police ( or is it not? Cause he's not wearing his uniform, just showed his police ID ) stopped us and asking to see our ID and money - in case we have exchanged them for drugs! Syukur, Ya Allah I showed them what's in my purse - the RMs! So the 'police' let us go... 5 minutes after, we arrived at the so called B&B... Alhamdulillah!

The B&B as what it is called in Agoda, is just a flat run a guy 'Joseph' who rent his 3 bedrooms and provide simple breakfast at 8AM every morning. The room is small, tiny with a bunk bed, a 1 door cupboard and a fan. The WC is clean so that's a definite plus but all other things like the kitchen and dining table - as what he wrote on them "No Use" which I believe means "Don't Use" ;)

Rome truly starts when we went out after about 2 hours of rest and refresh. Come to think of it, it's not exactly Rome as we went exploring Vatican City first. We already bought our Roma Daily Pass, so train ride was no problem.

As we were walking towards the Basilica St Pietra, banyaknya org Bangladesh and Hitam trying to sell their fake stuffs - handbags, purses, etc. But as the authority drives along the way, they pack and run for hiding (kononnya); within minutes after the car went off, they start again - and this goes on and on and on... ) We watched while having gelato at one of the cafeteria on the sidewalk.

Vatican City, a holy place for Christians and the queue to enter was as long as we-don't-have-the-patience-to-wait kind. So we took pictures. From the outside, it's majestic. I thought "so this is where the pope lives!" The Sunday Mass obviously is over by the time we arrived... So we couldn't really see what going on except for the long queue to enter...

We then decided to not enter but only at that time cause we came back feeling it is somewhat not right for us not to go in as we are already in the area! Rugi. But honestly, behind the magnificent statues and painting, this was just a church where Christians pray...

The day wasn't over even though our feet were killing us. Thank you for the Asics bought in London earlier this year, it wasn't as bad. So we explored a little bit more. Next was the Spanish Steps - ramainya orang (again)!

Take pictures. Decided to stroll along a street that locates most of designers boutique and entered Furla. I got really frustrated to finally find out how Candy Bag feels like. It's damn heavy! I know it's made from plastic, of too good quality - on it's own is already maybe little less than 1 KG! Think water hose use at your house, the thick one - ha, camtulah material dia!

Monday is all about the famous ruins of Rome. We explored Colosseum, Palatino and Roman Foro. We were already with tickets bought online, but I thought hey, let's get the audio guide for additional information on the self- tour we were about to do. Additional €6 for the iPod guide.

As we are finally done with Colosseum; that is about 2 hours of taking pictures of different angles and views, reading and listening to the guide/info board, it starts to drizzle. More picture-takings outside, and it finally rain. I don't know it was out-of-spite or simply refusing business from the so-many-Banglas that it becomes irritating; I rather went soaking wet than buy their umbrella/raincoat! I guess, when people glared they must be thinking "dia pakai tudung, OKlah" Haha, pepandai!

So off we went exploring Palatino and Foro Roman in the rain ;) After a good walk in the rain, our lunch - halal nasi beriyani daging nearby Termini Stazione. Then, head back to the small room for a rest and refresh. To continue, we head straight to Vatican City to enter the Church of the whole World!

Like I said, nothing much just beautiful painting and statues made from way back when. After a few minutes, we were uncomfortable. A prayer was going on (not lead by the pop BTW), so we left.

The third day in Rome, we were on a roll! Rushing through time to get to some of the other attractions like the Pantheon, Piazzale Novona, another trip to Fonti De Trevi and searching for souvenirs ;) We bought posters for our new houses... Then head back to our room for the bags before our first trip of the Eurail Experience - From Termini, Roma to Santa Maria Novella Stazione, Firenze.

Kuala Lumpur - Doha - Rome :)

Packing makes me nervous.

A little guilt of leaving behind work.

A jolt of excitement of seeing yet another part of the world with Zukry.

3 in 1 of Nescafe... is it really necessary? I want to be able to drink real coffee. I bet they are many likes of Starbucks, CBTL cafes, etc. there. So, really - do i need these 10 sachets of Nescafe? Milo on the other hand - despite the many hot chocolate i could be indulging too, I feel it is somewhat necessary :)

Serkup - Is 3 enough? Well, plus another; the one I'll be wearing back from my trip Miri - KL. I'll be wearing it all day long EVERY DAY! So how many is enough?Don't you suggest I won't be needing it! Believe me, I NEED them... Important to avoid hijab fashion mishaps! (I boleh buat satu dedicated post pasal serkup sahaja... How they have evolved, NOT!)

Bring it on!

10 more days and I am just so swarmed with responsibilities, bloom to a another level of "growing up" - tell about this, much later insyaAllah... and many moments of slight guilt about oh-so-many-other things; I can't even taste the excitement! (Well, now I can. Writing about it helps!) That 10 more days is towards our getaway. This time even bigger, even riskier, even more adventurous. But is it? I'm glad most of the big expenses are already made.

• Flight tickets - We are going by Qatar Airways. This is my second time, the first one was way back when we went to Jakarta. Longer hours, so I have little expectation but not much. After 5 years of working with enough HLPs and business travels, I've managed to redeem my Enrich Miles for a one-way ticket for two (2)! Afterwards, I was left with only about 51 points. Hehe...

• Eurail tickets - Many thanks to my ex-housemate, Izza who studied them hard last year to get on which trains, what time and where. Ours arrived safely at Zukry's workplace. Some groundwork on reservation of seats and bunk beds for the night train can only be done once we reach Euroland; so that's KIV-ed for now...

• Accommodations. Well, only one requires cash upon check out but the rest insyaAllah taken care of. The guesthouse Izza recommended in Venice - that's one unsettle - Remember to have enough cash!

• Currency exchanged. Had them changed in April. That week that I go back for 'sesaje'...

I have been to most of the places we planned this time. I was in Milan & Venice twice in 2006, been to Pisa to see the 'menara condong' and see a little of Florence - I think it was only the Duomo and I walked around a bit but at night, so I didn't get to really enjoy it.

In the middle of Milan Piazza del Duomo

Pisa Leaning Tower at dawn

(Notice the same blouse, I was from Geneva - singgah Milan - then straight to find this tower in Pisa. We drove... Well, I didn't but I was in the car :P)

San Marco Piazza, Venice

So hopefully, with that little experience - I could make things a little bit easier for us (Sekali I yang confuse over2 kang! huhu)