10th Nov

I am now on the coach leaving for Paris. It is said need to check in an hour before the bus departure …. So, I was kinda rush ...

I woke up early in the morning, around 6 am. Then, I took my bath and did my packing. After breakfast, I checked out and started my exploring…

Got the one day pass, then headed to Westminster Abbey. I had been there last night, but it was night. So, I went back again to take some day photos for Brian. I didn’t go into the Abbey as it costs £16 and no photography is allowed. I have seen so many churches and cathedrals in Europe …. Milan Milan’s is the best …

I am sleepy … I think I should take a rest then only continue …..Milan Milan’s is the best …
Today is 12th Nov liao … so fast .. too fast … I am on my way to Mont St Michel, the old lady who is sitting beside me told me that it is the seven beauty in the world … she was there 20 years ago !!

After the abbey, I walked past the Thames River, Parliament Square and Big Ben again .. the other side is London Eye … Got my ticket for a ride on London Eye and a 3D show as well … hehe.. I took some photos when I was in the show but not good at all .. hhaa ..blind shoot as photography is not allowed again !!

Oh, yea .. there are lot of places in England where tripod isn’t allowed to use .. I asked the reason, they said it is a rule especially in private place … the guide in oxford said he also don’t know why have such a stupid rule … but the other told me that as lot of people walk around, so, it is afraid that someone will trip over and fall … this is the most reasonable answer I got !!

· I am listening to the Music of the Night ... love it very much !! My tears dropped when I was in the theatre !!

Riding on the London Eye … what’s the feeling ?? mmm … not really have any special feeling … not high enough actually .. 125 m ?? Am I correct … heehe.. will check it back later …

No time for photo lah … I have to head to Haymarket where the Majestic Theatre situated … find the place, I have walked past it at the 1st night there … confirmed the place then looking for a place for lunch.. I had KFC at last .. a snack box and a breast fillet !!

1415, I was in the theatre hall .. it is not so grand as thought .. kinda small … I took a few shoots of the theatre hall … 1440, here it started .. I made a very stupid and embarrassing stuff … when I switched on the small torch to slot in 50 pence to hire the binoculars, I pulled the panic alarm accidently … wowow .. all the people looked at me … luckily, I was able to fit it on quickly .. phewwwwww !!

The theatre was really GREAT especially the Christine Daea, EXCELLENT AND GORGEOUS!!
Her fiancé is handsome as well but the Phantom is kind fat and short … He should be by someone who is tall and handsome .. anyway, it is okay as most of the time, his face is covered … hehe … but he really sings very very well !!

I would give 6* for the show … the changing of the stage, the decorations , the costumes … it is well worth !! yea, i got the matinee show for £39.50 … GO FOR IT, I would suggest to anyone … I met a traveler who had watched it in New York too , she said it was great as well

After the theatre, then I walked around the city and took a bus to The London Tower .. walked across it and took a few shoots, I should have back to hostel and took my coach to Paris ! Rush.. rush .. rush .. and I have no time for my 3 courses dinner in England !! Anyway, I would and I must do it on the last day .. will be going to Cambridge if the time permitted !!

15 minutes earlier from the check in time … once I was there, only I knew that, I am not necessary to check in an hour before the departure time … so, was waiting there for 1 hour 15 minutes !!

Ahhh…. I almost left my passport in a small grocery stall.. it runs by a Sri Lankan .. luckily .. bought some food there … still with me .. too greedy !!

Got on the coach .. free sitting .. got a seat and started to sleep … really old liao .. can sleep tightly during journey … around 0030, there was a passport checking at the custom but no stamping on the passport book ?? why ?? I am going into France wor !! Took a few shoots , then I fell asleep again !! see, I am really tired !!

I didn’t even notice how the coach got in to the tunnel train, when I opened my eyes, the whole coach is in the cabin … basically, there is a coach in each cabin … when it arrived .. the door opened and the coach moved out of the cabin … fun fun fun !!

0530 ( UK’s time ) and 0603 ( Europe’s time ), I stepped my feet on France !! Looking for the ticket machine to buy the metro ticket , it Is very easy but I didn’t have coin and note is not acceptable and I don’t have European credit card .. so, I went to the counter, thinking of made some changing .. the guy asked me to go to the ticket counter to get the ticket !!

Got my ticket .. and got my way to my destination !! It is very easy to catch the metro in Paris as long as you have a metro’s map !!

Get out of the station .. Volontaries Station , then followed the instruction, I found my hostel .. 1st of all, I looked for the Toilette .. they called it so, never used washroom !! The guy is a bit lazy to stand up to do my check in … he said that I can go for my breakfast if I like which wasn’t included for today !! After wash up, then put my luggage in the luggage room then I went for my 1st meal in France .. took a photo of course !!

Went online for free…rest a bit then started my day in Paris .. I decided to go for a Free Tour and put my planning aside … I reached the gather place very early … so, I wandered around the place … looking for ice cream .. but the shop wasn’t open yet … and I lost my way in the small alley .. bought some potatoes to try .. I told them I wanted 200g … was it was quite a big portion … costed £2.30 !! It is a big price in Malaysia then for baked potatoes !! The taste is as the one usually served when having western food but nice to eat the hot stuff during cold weather …

The best way when you lose your way is to go to the main road .. then it will be easier to find the way out than strolling in the small alley … so, I managed to join the group but I stopped half way with a Chinese lady from Canada .. she loved to shop very much … it is funny to see the way she shopped … Tous .. a Spain brand .. see if I could get a better price when I am in Spain … to get some souvenirs for siblings …

I headed to the Royal Opera .. it was crowed there … took some photos , shopped and then got on the Metro to go back to hostel .. I was exhausted !!

Once in the hostel, ate something, packed my things, took my bath … and came online .. thinking of going to Eiffel Tower but BO LAT LIAO ….

Headed to bed around 9 pm and woke up around 0430 as the roommates from Mexico were leaving to Rome .. they gave me 4 Metro’s tickets that they left !! Since I couldn’t sleep, so, I went downstairs ( Yea, I stay at the 3rd floor , around 40 stepssss ) to go online .. after that, I got ready myself to Eiffel Tower but I didn’t manage to reach there .. it is said 15 minutes by walk ! NO way, impossible !! I walked for almost an hour … even though I did stop for shootings but it also didn’t take such a longer time .. I asked a French lady, she asked me to take Metro 6 !!

So, I walked back …

8th Nov

Woke up early in the morning, around 5 am .. but it is too early. Tried to sleep back but on and off and finally left my bed at 6am .. did some simple packing and got ready myself to go out for a walk … there wasn’t anyone on the street beside the street cleaner …. It’s already 7 am !! Good, then I could enjoy my photo shooting liao … hehe … my target was back to the Salisbury

Cathedral … the most beautiful and finest cathedral in England … yea, definitely it is !! The most beautiful Cathedral that in my mind is always the one in Milan, Italy … no one can beat it ….. but now this Salisbury Cathedral is another which I really wanted to go inside when I reached yesterday …. I caught lot of pictures of it last night .

Back from the walk, straight away headed to the dining area to take my breakfast, I planned to be back to YHA at 0830 but was late for around 15 minutes … had a fast breakfast , 3 glasses of orange juices , a sausage, ham , potato and baked beans … and some pickled fruits with dressings !! Then, checked out and left the YHA at 0910, my coach to London is at 0930. Reached the bus station at 0920, 10 minutes before departure …

Yea … I am now on my way to London via National Express … the bus was broken down and sent to service .. so, it delayed for almost an hour .. wasted my time actually .. in fact I wanted to buy a sweater that I saw in The Next( open at 1030 on Sunday ) .. hopefully I can get it in London, only 22 pound !! When I was about going to ask the driver if was there possible for me to go and buy something, he walked out and said the bus is coming !!

It is very cold today and was drizzling ….. now, getting warmer in the bus … I should have taken off my jacket !!

Salisbury .. I love the most

7th Nov

I love Salisbury the most !!
Today is a cloudy day out there !! 8th Nov …

Time, dont go too fast

6th Nov

Wow …today is 6th already..
I planned to write every day but once I back to room … I am just so tired
After emailing, almost feeling sleepy …

Ok, I have to rewind back my stay in Stratford Upon Avon on 4th Nov
Play back ……..
I was waiting almost 7 hours at the Stansted Airport …
Basically I didn’t sleep …
Wandered around the airport and took some photos …
Was sitting there and listening to 2 other guys chatting …. Very funny, one of them was in the same aeroplane .. they travel a lot and know a lot of things .. I am shame of myself then …
The guy that same plane as me was kinda “innocent” ..i remembered the Indonesian guy asked him do u know about XXXX .. he answered I don’t know and said I am not familiar at all with London then the Indonesian guy asked him again , do you know stansted … haha… he answered I don’t know … then after a while he realized … eh, here is it …
I shopped at the groceries ..bought a bottle of mineral water and a bottle of chocolate milk … I did take a photo of it … 2 items costed 1.81 pound ?? I ate the corn flakes as breakfast from Mc D, LCCT .

P**achelbel Canon … I am listening to it now .. I am now on the coach to Bath Spa … depart at 0950 arrive at 1155 …

Around 0530, I prepared myself to take the coach then walked to the coach station through the underground …

Looking through the window …. The scenery out there is so nice … green field and birds flying …
1st time to catch the National Express, so, better to ask where to wait for the coach … how to open the door ? oh, push the button , I thought that is for disable as there is a man on the wheel chair symbol .. ahh .. I should take it later !!The lady told me where to wait .. then I walked to there .. no way .. I am going to Stratford upon avon .. not London Stratford … so, I asked the driver there … then I learnt to the way to get the coach !!

Got on the bus … there was only ME … the coach left sharp , never like in Malaysia .. have to wait the bus almost full then only started …It is still dark out there , the bus driver is quite cool ..i was thinking to ask if he is allowed to talk to passenger s during driving but I didn’t …
Ohhh…. Again horses in the field ( Music of the night is playing … cant wait to watch the theatre play in real ) haha…I just took some photos of the wind mill … modern type .. there are 4 of them in white … will upload and show .. there is no sun today …

Back to the topic … yea , I was alone in the bus together with the driver … as a precaution I got ready my swiss army knife and the pepper spray as the panic alarm wont work !! dark and silent road. After around 30 mins of drive, arrived at a station, picked up a lady then I started to enjoy my photo shooting lah …. From time to time, getting more passengers on the coach … the stop at the Luton airport was the best stop, the airport is just open , you can see there are lots of private jets and the taking and landing is so near to you … I did catch some photos too , yeah …. And a photo of a guy who was going to Milton Keynes, the place where my friend, Theresa stays!! We planned not to meet as my schedule in UK is rush rush rush …. But fun fun fun !!

If you ask, do you feel bored travelling alone !! No, definitely not .. I met roommates from Taiwan, parents and daughter … will write more later !! Oh, now is 1035 .. time never stop for us, it just flies ….

Basically, the coach driver is a serious guy. He didn’t talk much but he is a very patient guy or this is the driving attitude of uks’ .. there are so polite and well manner … he almost greeted the other drivers on the coach … some, responded but some didn’t …

0935 I reached Coventry .. my coach to SUA ( Stratford Upon Avon ) was at 1100 … so, I wandered around the city .. Coventry University is just situated beside the station … I saw a Cathedral when I was on the coach … so, I followed the signboard and walked there …. Pretty old cathedral … took some photos and visited the internal of it … a priest was playing piano … it was so peace and comfortable inside it … there will be a function at 1030 .. but I was not able to join though …..

Ahh, I met a “guy” when I was shooting outside the building … he asked why do you want to take such building … they are all rubbish… he said that he doesn’t like here … and kept criticizing the place … I didn’t respond to him actually … then, he walked away …

After that, walked back to the bus station … the coach reached on time and left on time as well … ahh, this driver was friendly. I kept shooting from time to time and slept on and off … the driver was trying to post for me … hehe ..cute !!

At 1100, I reached the leisure centre, I saw the hotel that booked on the way there … so, I just walked all the way down there with my heavy luggage !! why is it so heavy and it is getting heavier !!

Peter let me checking in earlier as the room was well prepared, he showed me my room and the wash room …. Oh, I forgot to turn off the heater !!

Then I walked to the information centre after the instant cup noodles … bought a ticket to visit 3 houses of William Shakepeare birth place … I was able to visit 2 houses only … mmm.. the Anna Hattaway wasn’t as beautiful as in the picture … kinda disappointing after a long long walk.. November isn’t the season to visit Europe … but this is my only holiday !!

After that, I went to Shakespeare birthplace ….I came to know that William Shakespeare married Anne when he was 18 but Anne was 26 and pregnant as well …. I couldn’t imagine , in that time 15 century … how did the people “see” Anne??

Bought some souvenirs ….
Wandering around the city … it was drizzling … back to hotel around 1750 .. took a bath and had my meal …. Came online .. thinking of going out for a walk again but couldn’t TAHAN liao … headed to bed around 1900 ?? and slept tightly …….. woke up around 0130 ( 0930 in Malaysia ) then came online again, emailed home and chatted for a while … back to bed again around 0345 lah … woke up around 0600, then cleaned myself and well packed all the luggage … it was raining, went to a nearby park and shot some photos …. Back to the hotel at around 0815 and had my breakfast .. an English style breakfast .. unfortunately, I am short of time …. Didn’t even taste the tea ….

Sheep in the green field again !! Love it … I can go close to them when I am in Mont St Michel !!
Checked out and said goodbye to Peter .. then left for train station … I wanted to catch a bus to Stratford Train Station but the people there said you could just walk there …. It was quite far ler … but the driver told me just 4 minutes is needed … no way, I walked pass it yesterday !! after walk for a while, I asked again , the lady told me around 10 minutes walk … ended up I walked around 30 minutes to reach there …. My walking pace must be very slow then !! 1st time to use the ticket machine, followed the steps, then I got my ticket … so convenient !!

Waited at platform 1 for my train to Leamington Spa then to Oxford … will be continued!!
Wow ..what a lovely city is this …. I am in the Bath though !! ok, better get ready myself lah …
OXFORD …. I am stepping in the Oxford Universtity …

Oxford … oxford … where did I stay yea ?? Really old liao …. Ok, I was staying at Oxford Backpackers Central … I reached oxford by train …. Followed the map , I got my hostel .. but turned a big round .. hehe …. Walked past it but didn’t notice … rang and checked it … put my luggage then started my exploring ….

1st of all, I went to Oxford Castle 6 or 9 pound entrance fee ?? I forgot again …. Since I hv some time , so, I climbed out the little hill, it used to be …… of the castle but was destroyed !! Oxford Castle is a newly open tourist spot … it used to be prison as well … so, it has no luxury interior design like all other castle … the guided tour started at 1230. The guide’s name is Jack Keith , a very humour guy, I should have enhanced my poor English … basically, it was great not due to the castle itself but a well experienced guide … climbing up 100 stairs … I was always the last although I am not the oldest … hahah … shooting ma ( what an excuse ) .. really the stamina is not as good as last time … should go for more exercising lah ….

After the oxford castle .. I tried to walk to Christ Church … should I pronounce it as kris or krais ??? was kept walking … then I reached the Pitt River beside it , there was the university botanical garden … took few shoot then found my way to the Christ Church … finally I reached the entrance of it .. was able to find the exit before the garden …

Oh, I forgot to save the earlier part that I have written?? Where did I stop ?? Christ Churh … a very famous church due to its dining hall .. The Harry Potter ‘s dining hall got the inspiration from it …..

**Better I skipped and go into the exact date !! à 8th nov
**ok, finished the 8th Nov … haha …

Passed through the arch , walking up the staircases …. There was a small hall before getting into the dinning hall … wow, it was ZHAN !! Not as big as the one showing in Harry Potter .. may be just 30% of it ?? Dining tables and chairs were well arranged … so did the cutleries !! There were portrait painting on each side of the walls , I didn’t know who are them but they were very attractive under the yellow table lamps …

After leaving the dining hall, went to the church ?? Oh, I have forgotten though .. have to check back the photos .. then I went into the Christ church .. will elaborate more on the structure later !!

It was kinda late though, walked past the library .. visitors are restricted .. through the window, there were lot of books in the library, the spiral staircases just like what In the Harry Potter .. took a few shoots then I left the church …

Wandered around the city, bought something to eat then back to hostel !!
Checked in , the lady told me this and that, showed me the places and my room …. Oh, there were 2 black guys in the room and no one liao … once left the room, I asked the lady, how many will be there in the room tonight, she answered 5 to 6 persons … that better !! After showing, she asked me if I have any questions ? I answered , Yea, I lost my way back to my room !!

After bathing, then I met new roommates from Taiwan, a late 50 aged lady started the conversation with me .. they are from Taiwan , Tao Yuan, her daughter is studying in North Uk and going to be graduated at the end of Nov , they have been travelling for almost 50 ++ days and will be leaving soon , I wondered why they didn’t stay to attend their daughter’s graduation ceremony … they had been to Greece ( 16days ), German, Scotland and now back to England ….
They are nice, we talked a lot especially the other day’s morning .. and we did take photo together ..i promised to email her the photo but the hostel’s line was unstable and I must do that when I am arriving London lah !!

After finished the simple breakfast, then I went out strolling again … yea, I did back to the Christ Church as I didn’t take any photos of its out look!!

Hurry .. hurry .. hurry … grabbed my backpack , checked out and left for the bus station .. on time !! Leaving to Bath on 6ht Nov !!

Paid 2.50 pound for the Church and 11.50 pound to The Roman Bath …. Sleepy now, better I stopped lah !!

Here goes my trip

3rd November 2010

0840
Slept for around 4hours…
Woke up at 5am and got ready myself in 30 mins .
Dad sent me to the Penang Airport. Reached at 0605..
Checked in then waited … Landed LCCT at 0805.
Claimed baggage then I am now having my breakfast at Mc Donald’s …
Flight to London is at 1535 .. now is only 0845 …..
London, I am coming !!
Please welcome me … hehe

1153
Another 2 hours 35 mins to check in….
Time passed quite fast too ….

2054
I am now on the flight …
Board at 1510 and took off at 1613 ..
Oh … only 4 hours 41 mins … another 10 hours ler ..
I did sleep ... on and off …
Should do some readings then I will fell asleep easily ….

4th Nov
0223 ( Malaysia’s time )
Just finished second meal …
Another 3 hours++ … I will be reaching London
Ahh.. hope that I can get through smoothly …
Good luck to myself …

0708 ( Malaysia’s time )
I am In London now … hooray
Was worrying about the entry ..
It ended up so easily with just few questions..
Is this your 1st time to UK? yes
Why are you here ? holiday
Where are you staying tonight ? airport as I hv to catch morning bus to Stratford upon avon
Which hotel ? applegarth
He asked so because I didn’t fill in the name of the place that I am going to stay on the arrival card as there are so many different accommodations I am going to stay ..hehe
Why are you going there ? it is the birth place of Shakespeare and the scenery there is so attractive .. he smiled and said very good…
So, u are going to stay here for 18 days ? yes
Do you have friend or family here ? yes
Are you going to meet them ? No, as I am short of time ..
Do you have the return air ticket ? yes, do I need to show you ?
Is okay .. you seemed to be well organized… he he!!
Nonetheless I did show him my return ticket too.
Yea, another question … you will be departing from this airport too ? yes !!
He he …. Nothing to worry actually !!
Now is 2314 in uk … my bus is at 0600 ..so, I have to wait another 6 hours and 46 mins …
Another waiting !!

I AM HERE AGAIN

Today is the last day of October... haven't written here for quite a long time though !!
3 more days, will be on the flight to my destination ...
Haven't travelled since the Japan's trip ....
Time flew ....
Log in again ....
Thinking if i can write a bit about my trip as a memory ....
Friends asked : feeling excited for the trip yet ??
My answer will be : no wor, may be a day before the trip lah!
Anyway, this is normal to me ...
Nonetheless, still looking forward the 2 nights stay on the Mont St. Michel !!
Come to know about this island from a friend ... and told myself i want to be here one day !!
Hopefully i can get through the UK custom smoothly .. pray for me !!

心灵枷锁

很多时候,总有很多莫名其妙的想法浮现在脑海里,
总喜爱将这些毫无关连的点子串在一起,
编织出自个儿的梦想,
描绘出无名的画像,
偶尔涂上艳丽的色彩,
偶尔让她留白.......

心灵枷锁.....
总有一天我会将无形的妳撬开,
让我跳出框框,
让我活得更精彩 ....

(待续)

不续了....

百感交际

让音乐在这夜里响起....

一首首熟悉的歌曲,一首首触动心悸的旋律....

在宁静的夜里, 特别容易扰乱我的思绪.....

曾经与你分享的曲子,曾经深深喜爱的歌曲....

因为你的离去,不禁让我觉得百感交际 ....

回荡的琴声,跳动的音符....

似乎在呢喃着...

为何你有着一颗令人难以捉摸的心.....

偶尔的无情,蓄意的残酷...

一次又一次伤透了彼此的心.....

也许你早已离我而去....

也许你已再不是你.........

Nine Emperor Gods Temple of Butterworth

The Nine Emperor Gods Temple is one of the biggest temples in Butterworth. It was an attap shed that set up in 1970. By the effort of the devotees, the temple was rebuilt started from year 1996 and fully completed on 26 April 2000. The total cost for the rebuilding was RM7 million.

The Nine Emperor Gods are part of a Taoist cult belief known as Kao Ong Yah (Hokkien) or Kow Wong Yea (Cantonese). Every year, the Nine Emperor Gods Festival is held on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. During the festival, the followers will practice vegetarian diet for the least 1 day to 15 days in order to have a clean body. There are firewalking, spear skewering, playing of hot oil by the tranced mediums and many other events in these nine days that shouldn't miss.

Here are some of the photos i took last night. Still having the problems on the setting of the white balance, this time were too yellowish compared to the Kek Lok Si Temple which were too reddish ... More photos : http://www.flickr.com/photos/35124934@N05/

Kek Lok Si Temple

Went to Kek Lok Si Temple on the 4th day of CNY in the evening. It was the 1st time i went there at night time . My last visit was in May 2008, went along with friends from Japan. Hehe ... will only go to Kek Lok Si if do have friends come from abroad.

Departed around 5pm from B'worth, had dinner then arrived Kek Lok Si Temple around 9pm. So, can imagine how terrible the traffic was. It was jammed starting from the triangle path in front of Chung Ling High School. So, we had to use the other road to avoid it. Few cars broken down as driving up the inclined slope and had to queue for the car park space as well !!

Anyway, it's worthy as the night view ... wow ... was so stunning with the lanterns and colourful lighting decorations.

Did bring along my camera of course the tripod too. This was the 2nd time i took the photos at night ... tried few settings but still couldnt get what i want .. ended up the photos were having the grainy feel as the ISO was set to max ( too greedylah me ) . My shi fu told me shouldnt set higher than 800. Anyway, it was a good lesson. Due to lack of time ( stayed till around 1230am ) , so, was unable to walk and shoot from different angles.

Met a Form 6 CL's schoolmate as well, were looking at each other .. why so familiar the face ... haha, luckily still remember each other name !!

Just bought the remote control this morning ... hopefully i can get the photos of the fireworks on the 9th day of CNY lah :)