Au Revoir Paris!

Seriously, 4 days in Paris was not enough. Anastasia & I kept smacking our own heads for the '4 days Paris adventure' decision. There are so many more things to explores, places to see, beauty to experience. But, too bad...

I think we're actually meant to go back there :P

We'll be back... ngeeee....

Anyway, overall experience in Paris... what I love about Paris:

• Loved meeting my old friends. Great guys!
• Loved The Eiffel Tower
• Loved The Louvre Museum
• Loved the yummeh nutella crepe
• Loved the marvelous time we spent at The Grevin Wax Museum. 
• Loved the River Cruise.

Turkish food we enjoyed at a halal Turkish restaurant near metro station Riquet.
I sure enjoyed the lamb :)

The challenges for me in Paris:

• It's a city. So, it's crowded. People everywhere. Plus it's shopping for Christmas time. I'm a 'kampung' girl. I'll be happier in a place like Guilin :)
• The metro. 
• The confusing exits, inter-connections & ticket machines for first timers, the crowd (again), the narrow walkway.  If you complain much about the LRT system that we have in KL, then don't. The LRT that we have here is in much better condition. I feel like I was in a hole in the metro system. Their trains are older. But the trains are in good condition & clean. Some of the trains, you have to open the doors manually. Some are automatic So, if you ever ride a Paris's metro, be sure to look for a knob or button to open the door. 
• The best thing is, Paris metro system is well connected to all destinations. Once you exit, 'oh there's the Louvre', 'oh, there's the Arc de Triomphe', 'oh there's the Grevin'. Heheheee... convenient. When you take the RER, the train to the suburbs (you will take this because RER A goes to Disneyland... we didn't go there), you'll get a chance to ride on a double- decker train. Interesting :) 
• By the way, do you know how complicated and deep is Paris's metro system? I read about the metro system on early 2011 in a NatGeo magazine. The metro system goes deep & knowing about it made me a little bit claustrophobic :)  
• Errr... another thing, the metro is not for disabled friendly. All stairs, no escalators. Good for us the young & not so healthy but lazy to go exercise. Ngeee... 
• During our trips in the metro, there are people singing, playing music, recite poem & verses from the Bible (I guessed, from the bit of words that I understand). They entertain for a little donation.

I did have difficulties with Paris metro didn't I? Hmmm...

The Ocean's 11 gang @ The Grevin Wax Museum

What else I haven't talked about?
The Champ Elysees... a stretch of road full of boutiques, malls & restaurant along the way. You'll find LV, GUCCI etc here. During Christmas, there stalls selling a lot of stuff there. I loved the stalls. They made effort to decorate their stalls. Nice :)

Christmas decoration along Champ Elysees 

Where did we stay?

We booked a BnB because it's cheaper. Our BnB was near the Riquet station. It was on the 25 floor overlooking The Eiffel Tower & The Sacre Coeur. Can you imagine the view? It was just lovely. Our host was a lovely, friendly, helpful, resourceful & chatty lady who served beautiful breakfast and made delicious strawberry & peach jam. The room & the house was small but comfortable. We enjoyed our stay there :)

Breakfast prepared by Luce Namer, our host. Burppp... There's actually a baguette as well. I missed it from the lens there...

I guess that's all about my trip to Paris. In four words to summarize the experience...

I will be back!

Hehehehee...

p/s: Sorry it took me such a long time to complete this last entry of my Paris adventure.

 The Paris Nord station where we took our Thalys train to Amsterdam. 

Story & photos coming soon :)

Bonjour Notre Dame!

I didn't go into Notre Dame because we were trying to save time...

So, what can I tell you about Notre Dame?

Beautiful views surrounding it. The building itself is already amazing. Plus, there are a few souvenirs shops nearby that we found slightly cheaper.

Nothing else to tell. So, picture time :)

 While walking to Notre Dame...

 Another view that I enjoyed...

 Coffee shops, Paris style :)

Padlocks of loveeee... :)

Didn't see the Hunchback... but the view is awesome... 

Bonjour Musée du Louvre!

I love the Louvre Museum! Love it, love it, love it!

 In front of the famous pyramid of Louvre. I love this museum so much that I bought a book of the museum. I wanna go back... huhuhuuu...

That's a feeling that I never thought I'll get from visiting a museum. Heheheee... Plus, I'm never into art... I can hardly understand the meaning of a painting. Art illiterate... that's me :)

 A winter view around Louvre... 

The main reason I visited Louvre was because of Mona Lisa & The Da Vinci Code :P

 So much colourful painting everywhere... Nice colours... That's what I can appreciate from a painting... Kesiannnn I... hahahaaa...

Full of paintings all the way. If you study the paintings, you'll notice a few interesting things. Some of it makes me wonder what the painter trying to tell. Some of it gave eerie feelings despite it being bright & colourful. I must go back & try to understand the paintings. Such mystery :)

This painting is so huge that it occupies the whole wall! I was amazed!

Who knew I'll be having so much fun at the Louvre & regret that I only planned for a couple of hours at the museum *sigh* I wish I could spend more time at the Louvre.

On the way to see 'Mona Lisa'.

After much struggling, inching my way through a swarm of people, I finally get to take a picture of this famous painting. Notice the slanting angle... Not easy shooting a photo in a middle of a crowd of avid fans... But I made it! Heheheee...

There are a few halls at the Louvre Museum. But, we only spent time at the Denon hall because that's where the 'Mona Lisa' is. Once when we got inside the halls, we had so much fun spending time with the sculptures. Hihihiii... art lovers might be offended with the way we posed with the sculptures, but we can't help it :P ngeeeee... 

View of the sculptures hall...

Call me close-minded, but I seriously think that people use art as an excuse to allow 18SX stuffs. 

This sculpture is one of the examples...

The museum is very accommodating. The information counter was attended by a group of helpful staff, there were brochures about the museum in a few different languages. There's a book store, a cafeteria and souvenirs stalls. The best thing is there is a place where you can leave your bulky winter coat & luggage. So convenient.

Another form of art that I don't get. But, it's funny! I love it!

We went to the Louvre on a Sunday... Entrance to the main halls is free on Sunday :) Any chance to save $$, we'll take it. So did everyone else. So the museum was crowded. My advice, if you love art, you are going to love this museum. Therefore, it's not worth saving your money. Pay for the entrance & go on days other than Sunday when it is not so crowded. You want to be able to appreciate the place :)

Another advice, go to the Louvre Museum. You'll love it!

Bonjour La Tour Eiffel!

Woot woot... apa tuuuuu???

You know what that is. I don't need to introduce you the famous structure right? But, what I can do is share you a few more pictures... and share a little bit about my Paris experience :)

Mmmm... I guess I'll start with what I love most about this city of love *wink*.

Eiffel Tower & The Louvre Museum!

Love them both!

And.... the crepe! The Nutella crepe! Yummy!

This is my favourite picture.

A friend of mine said Eiffel Tower is just a 'besi buruk', but to me it is not. To me, there is something romantic about Eiffel Tower. I don't know what it is & how is that possible... but that's what I felt. It is made of steel, not concrete like other towers. That what makes it special.

Mr. Eiffel. 

If you ever go to Eiffel Tower, make sure you take the elevator up to the top floor. Another friend told me there's nothing to see up there. But for me, even though the queue was very long, but it was worth it. The view from the top was amazing. You get to see an aerial view the city of Paris. The air at the top was cold! But I loved it! Loved it to bits!

The long queue for ticket. But, it was worth it :)

I was lucky that the sun was shining brightly on the first day, despite winter... the sky was bright blue. Therefore, my Eiffel Tower pictures are good :) By the way, just FYI, I'm a bad winter photographer. I just found that out during this trip *sigh*

On the elevator to the top :)

We took the metro to go to the Eiffel Tower. The best thing about taking the metro to the Eiffel Tower that day was, we got to see a fantastic view of the tower a few moments after the train exited the subway. It was in the afternoon, nearly 2pm. But the sun was shining, the sky was blue and the colour of Eiffel Tower blended nicely with the lights and the cool air of winter. It was wonderful. I remember watching Eiffel Tower with an open mouth from inside the train. The view was amazing!

City of Paris from Eiffel Tower

From the metro station to the Eiffel Tower, we bought crepe, a famous desert in France. I chose a nutella crepe. The rich chocolaty taste of nutella combined with the warmth and softness of the crepe made it feel like it was the best meal I have ever had in Paris. Just lovely & comforting :)

 That's me. Happily posed in front of Eiffel Tower... 

A shot by Anastasia with a photo composition that really works :) 

Love it!

2011 best travel experience :)

Hello y'all! How are you??? Y'all doing fine I hope :)

Almost a week after I'm back from my holiday. Stories & photos coming soon ok :) First thing first, I want to share with you guys about my best experience during my holiday.

Wait wait wait... have you guys guessed which country I went to this time? If you haven't, no worries! It's not important... heheheeee...

What is important, during my travel, I got a chance to meet up with three impressive guys! Three! It's hard to find even one impressive guy & I met three! Can you believe it? I can't believe I'm friends with this people... It's either that I'm lucky or I'm impressive myself *tongue*... I'm hoping both *wink*

Two of them in Paris. One is my oldest online friend. We've been friends for 15 years & my first time in Paris was the first time we have ever met... and his best friend. They are both nice & kind people, polite, very smart, very cool & very funny. Anastasia & I were so impressed! Honestly, I was not hoping for a fun meeting. We are from different cultures, different religions... so I thought it would be awkward when we finally meet. But it was not. It was so much fun! I had the best dinner, the best conversation, the best first time meet up ever, the best laughs, the best night in Paris. It was so unexpected that 4 people with so much difference can click in just seconds. We totally get what each other was saying and we get each others' jokes! OMG! I miss those two! Hopefully there will be a next time & I'll get a chance to meet with their wives & children too.

Another one, in Amsterdam. We've been friends for almost 15 years as well. The last time we met was 7 years ago... I think. I also thought that after 7 years, it would be awkward to meet. But not! The chit chat & the laughs hardly stopped. We had such a good time meeting him. We even had a chance to watch him at his thesis defense & received his PhD. That's right. He can use the initial 'Dr.' in front of his name now. Such a proud moment :)

Looking back, I made real good friends with good people 15 years ago... and they didn't just stay good. They have grown to be a better person. The kind that makes you feel good about yourself... because you know that you are in the right & positive circle of friends :)

Am I lucky or what?

Lucky. Definitely.

2011 Holiday of the Year

A holiday that was planned & anxiously waited for since 9 months ago...
A holiday destination that is totally different than the original plan...
A holiday destination that we have been dreaming of for a few years but never get to it...
A holiday that is a mix of nature, culture, entertainment, shopping, hoping to meet my longest time pen- pal and... meeting & supporting a dear old friend.

Now...It is a holiday that is finally here!

I can't believe it! I'm so excited!

2 countries in 6 days... in a white season. We're going to brave the low temperatures & enjoy every bit of it :)

• Passport - checked.
• Flight ticket - checked.
• Accommodation - checked.
• Train ticket - checked.
• Schedules - checked.
• Money - checked
• Credit card - checked
• All other things - checked... for sure :)
• Wait, wait... Big Oly - Checked! (my LOMO camera, a birthday gift from my artsy brother is accompanying Big Oly this time *grin*)

Big Oly has PoP9 as a buddy now :)

 Anastasia & I are off to the airport now. See you guys soon! Wait for my update ok! I'll try to take the best shots & share it with you guys.

*Skipping with a stomach feeling a mix of excitement & nervousness...*

Anne & Anastasia nervously flying off :)

The Power of The Young Tigers :)

SEA GAMES 2011 - FOOTBALL GOLD MEDAL = MALAYSIA

Wuhuhuuuuuuu.... It's never too late to brag about this & it would be so unfair if I don't :P

I am so happy & proud with Malaysia’s ‘Young Tiger’ a.k.a ‘Harimau Muda’.

Adik- adik… you all memang hebat. Dah terbukti yang terbaik di Asia Tenggara.

TERBAIK! KACAK LAGI!

Pic borrowed from kosmo.com.my

Congrats on your Gold medal at the SEA Games 2011. I am so proud & impressed with your coolness, determination, spirit, teamwork & bravery…

Having to ride a tanker because your safety was jeopardized… that’s like going to war right?

I admire you guys… nothing can bring down your spirit, nothing can affect your performance. Not a threat to your safety, not a bad mouth, not a rude hand sign... nothing. That is the true character of a champion.

No doubt you guys deserve the Gold medal.

That gold medal is not just a gold medal. It means a lot more & represent so much more...

Congrats! I am so proud of you guys and I wish you more gold medals in the future.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!

See you guys at the Olympics, London 2012. I pray for you...