Europe Trip; Bristol (Day 1 & 2)

I never imagine in my wildest dream that I could breath the air in European countries. Alhamdulillah, praise to Allah, everything happened in my life is all with His power.

I was blessed that I was accompanied by my most beloved parents through out the whole journey. We booked the flight ticket to London-Heathrow Airport on March 2013, where the Matta Fair took place. The ticket fare was ridiculously cheap. We got the best deal for the ticket flight which is only for RM2800 per person using Malaysia Airlines. The next step is to plan the whole trip for 2 weeks journey.

For the first day, we arrived at London-Heathrow Airport and straight away drove to Bristol. Bristol is 2 hours away from London. Since I was doing a twinning program with University West of England in Bristol, I took this opportunity to have a visit at this university.

Once we arrived at Bristol, we check in to the hotel that I booked using Booking.com. Truly convenient, cheap and everything you need is just a click away. Only at one time I had to use Hostelworld.com because the hotel that I want is not available in Booking.com.

The hotel that I booked in Bristol is The Malago Guest House. For 2 nights and a room of 3 people, it only cost RM 700. Although the room is quite small, but basic needs for travelers like us are all provided. Not to forget the friendly receptionists behind the counter. This hotel is located at the quite far from the city center, but there are bus station nearby the hotel and you can take bus 75 and 76 to get to city center. What I like about European countries is their public transportation. Punctual and frequent are the key words to describe them.

Since we arrived at Bristol quite late, we just had to take a short tour around the city center. Thanks to summer because the day was longer than usual. You can get a sunset only at 9.30 pm.

 Bristol Cathedral

 Monument in front of Bristol National Library

 Bristol Harbourside

On the second day, we went to University West of England. It is a huge university that I could get lost if I did not bring my 'tourist guide' along. It is a green campus with a nice old architecture building at certain faculty.

 The campus

 Student village / Student hostel

 The landmark

 Surrounding area at the library

Next stop is Bristol Clifton Suspension Bridge. The highest bridge I ever been. Next to the bridge is a castle. Visitors can climb up to look inside the tower, but we just do not want to because it is freaking cold up there.

From the suspension bridge, we walked to the Brandon Hill where the Cabot Tower is located. The best thing about this place is visitors get to see the whole city of Bristol. And sunbathing as well. Although the stairs in the tower are steep and small, but the view you get at the top was a worthwhile.

 The Brandon Hill

 The Cabot Tower

 The view from the top

Bristol is a nice and peaceful city and it has a lot of things to discover, but sadly, we did not have enough time to visit all attractions in Bristol. I start to miss this place. Next stop will be Italy. Till next entry, bye x

Long Distance Relationship: Relevance or Not?

Do you know how it feels when you have to be separated with someone that you used to see everyday?

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Frankly speaking, I never thought of having any long distance relationship with anyone. Just because i have trust issue with everyone. But in life, you always get what you do not expect because that is the sweetness in life. Long distance relationship is just hard for me in a few weeks after he flown away to another part of world.

Time zone is different. When he wakes up, I fall asleep. When I wake up, he gone to bed. Communication barrier. Hectic schedule. Everything. You feel you are not synchronize with your partner life. Until at one point, you are tired of waiting the person.

But I believe, great things always happen to the people who willing to wait, even for hundred years. So, I gain my strength, pick up myself back, wipe my tears, and fight against the distance. My friend said, which I take this as awakening call, if you do not want to be in this relationship, just get rid of it. If you want this, you have to be strong. Or else you will be drowning in your own tears.

So, to all couples out there who are afraid of long distance relationship, just take a second to think of this. Yes, you cannot meet that person everyday, you cannot hold that person, you cannot do anything together anymore. But you can feel them, you can hear them. Or even you can meet them virtually. Come on, we are in 21st century. Technology are beyond the boundaries. Use Skype, Tango, Whatsapp, etc. But after all, you can get to know how does it feel of missing someone so much. It is beautiful. Truly amazing that you shed your tears. Happy tears.

Big arguments? Yes. I have faced it for almost every week. But that is only for first few months of our long distance relationships. I believe, either you are living together or being separated away, arguments are still gonna exist. What most important that how you handle them. Don't talk about how much tears that I wasted because words can't describe them.

But, for these past 8 months, I see myself growing into a new person that I never imagined. Trusting someone is the most biggest changes that I made. The arguments that we had days and nights, they made me more tolerance person because ego does not bring your any further.

If you ask me, long distance relationship is relevant or not, I would definitely say yes, without a second thought. I have seen how my parents live for 4 years being apart, and I believe everyone can do if they really want to. Good luck to love birds, go against distance!

Cuti-Cuti Malaysia

Yeah, I've been hiatus for like a year and I feel bad about it. So I decided to make a come back. (I assume like people care if I have been hiatus, but the real thing is, no one care. *insert evil laugh*)

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After for so long, finally I got the chance to go for a family vacation. Even it was in Malaysia, I was contented. We've been to Sabah, but not all part of Sabah. To be specific, Labuan, Kota Kinabalu and around Kundasang. I was happy to meet my niece, which she is so fatty bum bum now.


Let's picture do the talking.

Proven. This fatty bum bum is the one making me having all this muscle paint.

Subhanallah. Beautiful sky.

Finish holiday at Labuan. Moving on to Kota Kinabalu.

In front of state mosque

Yayasan Sabah, which once upon a time, it used to be the tallest landmark at Kota Kinabalu.

Crazy people at Tanjung Riau. Beautiful yet crowded beach.

Fresh and huge lobsters and other seafood dishes can be found at Philippines Market.

Having great dinner at Restoran Nelayan. They have traditional dance show also. You won't get bored while waiting for your delicious food.

Did a little bit of shopping at Pasar Tamu, Kudat. If you wonder what is Pasar Tamu look like, it similar to Pasar Malam here.

Guess where are we? At the tip of Borneo. You can see on the Sabah map, I think it was at its ear. (Incase you don't understand what ear am I talking about, look into Sabah map and you would see a picture of dog's head. So we were at its ear. Mu pehe dok?)

Pusat Pembuatan Manik.

Long house

Pusat Pembuatan Gong.

Jambatan Tamparuli which the local people believed that it keeps thousand of history.

Now, moving on to New Zealand. What? So fast can reach to New Zealand? Okay, lame!

We were at Dairy Farm which keeps hundreds of imported cow, I believed from New Zealand. And it is freezing cold up there! Look how freezing I am in every picture.

Moving on to lower part in Kundasang, to War Memorial Park. This is the first memorial park that does not look like memorial at all, instead look like a beautiful park where people come to take beautiful pictures including newly brides. It surprises me on thousands of war prisoners and local people have been killed during the Japanese era in our country.

How Kundasang look like.

Last tourist spot we went was tea plantation. Sadly, we came during holiday so we cannot see how the tea is made in the factory.

After all, Sabah is a nice place in Malaysia to visit, although I missed the chance to go to Mata King and Sipadan island. I believe next time I will. Despite how terrible the road is around Sabah, with gravel road everywhere, I still love Sabah. Such a beautiful place to get away from the hassle of Kuala Lumpur city.

Till next post, take care ♥