Holiday in Manchester, UK (April 2013)

Hey everyone,

During my trip to Europe last month, we went to Manchester for a couple of days from the Netherlands. The main reason is to visit the Old Trafford as my husband,s favourite football team is the Manchester United. From Schipol Airport, we went to Manchester on Easyjet. You may check the pricing here http://www.easyjet.com/en. 

We stayed at Travelodge Manchester Airport as it is easier for us to travel anywhere as the airport has everything. I reckon the hotel is quite cheap as we got only £15 per night and is it quite a good one as well. You may check the pricing and book a room here http://www.travelodge.co.uk/.

How to get to the hotel from the airport? Easy, a shuttle service runs to and from the airport. Just call the number stated at a few corners at the airport using the telephone provided. For one way travel the cost is - 1 person £5.00, 2-3 people £7.00, 4 people £8.00, 5 people £10.00, 6 people £12.00, 7 people £14 and 8 people £16.00. It also runs vice versa, just book your shuttle at the reception counter a day before you plan to go to the airport.

Now, I had the trouble to get the shuttle on the day we arrived in Manchester as the hotel did not pick up the phone. So we found the alternative way to get there, just take the bus no. 18 from Stand K and get off at the Airport Cargo Centre. From there, just go to your right and you will see Travelodge right in front you. This would be cheaper and will cost you £1.30.

On the first day we arrived, we went to the city by taking a train from the airport to Manchester Piccadily. You may check the pricing here http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/.

Travelling around Manchester is so easy as they provide  Metroshuttle bus (free city cente bus service). We started our journey by doing a few shopping.  We took the Metroshuttle 1 (orange colour) from the Piccadily Station and get off at Marks & Spenser at the Market Street.

Surprisingly, we found a halal KFC at the food court there and we had our lunch like we've never tasted KFC before :p.

Get more of the Metroshuttle bus info here http://www.tfgm.com/buses/Pages/metroshuttle.aspx

Hard Rock Cafe Manchester is within the shopping area as well. From the Marks & Spenser, just take your left and go straight. You will see HRC right in front of you.

Our next trip, was the MUST HAVE itinerary, which is visiting the Old Trafford Football Stadium where the MUFC is. Take a tram towards Altrincham at the Market Street and get off at Old Trafford Station. 

From there it is a straight walk down the Warwick Road and then Sir Matt Busby Way to Old Trafford itself. The signs may be able to assist you as well.

MUFC

Wait for my next entry on our day trip to Liverpool.

XOXO :P

Trip to Keukenhof, Holland (April 2013)

Hey everyone,

During my visit to Holland, we had the opportunity to visit Keukenhof as I love tulips. Keukenhof is open every year from March to May and it's situated in Lisse. According to the official website for the Keukenhof Park (http://www.keukenhof.nl/), approximately 7,000,000 (seven million) flower bulbs are planted annually in the park, which covers an area of 32 hectares.

You can buy the ticket online and I would advise you to buy the combo ticket (bus & entrance ticket). Just decide from where you would like to board the bus (from Amsterdam/Schipol/Harlem/Leiden). An adult ticket will cost you €15 and a combo ticket will cost around €22-27.

Unfortunately, due to the long winter, some of the tulips hasn't bloomed yet. Nevertheless, I managed to take picture of some of the tulips and also a few lavenders. Just look at how beautiful they are.....

XOXO :P

Holiday in Holland (April 2013)

Hey everyone,

I just got back from my holiday and after a while missing from the blogging world, I shall resume with my recent holiday in Holland, UK and Belgium which will be written in 3 different entries. Now, let's start with my trip to Holland.

I had a friend working at The Hague and she was kind enough to let us stay at her house during our visit. Hence, we saved a lot on accommodation. However, if you wish to visit Holland one day, I would recommend you to stay at any hotel/hostel in Amsterdam.

So, from Schipol Airport, we had to take the NS train to Den Haag HS and from there we took tram to her house. You can buy the train ticket from the machine (only accept coins, debit card and credit card) or from the counter. The tram however, you will have to buy from the driver and it will cost you €3 one way.

Travelling around Holland, we took the NS train most of the time. You may plan your trip here (to check on the price and train schedule) http://www.ns.nl/en/travellers/home. 

Our first stop was of course the Amsterdam. Just stop at Amsterdam Centraal and everything is in walking distance.

A few minutes from the train station is the SexMuseum. It's €4 per entry.

Not far from the museum is the fries shop called Mannekin Pis. The fries is quite large for 2 persons and it's tasty. You should try when you get there. There's also a lot of Halal restaurants in Amsterdam and you don't have to worry about food.

What's Amsterdam without visiting the Red Light District right? It's only 10 minutes of walking from the train station.

Not far from train station is also Madame Tussauds Amsterdam. Just follow the main street from the train station and you will definitely find it.

Visiting Hard Rock Cafe is a must for us. To get here, you can take the  tram line 1, 2 or 5 and get down at Leidsplein. From there you will see signage to the HRC at Max Euweplein. If you wish to walk, just follow the tram line and it will take you about 20 minutes. You will also see the Flower Market on your way there.

Our next visit is Zaanse Schans where all the windmills are. Just take the NS train and get down at Koog Zandijk. From there, it is a 10-15 minute walk through the village of Zaandijk (just follow the signs).

Alternatively, you may take bus 91 from Amsterdam Centraal Station which has its terminus right beside the main entrance of the Zaanse Schans. The bus ride takes you there in around 40-45 minutes and the bus leaves every 30 minutes (in rush hours even more frequently). The bus link at Centraal Station is at the bus station at the east side of the main station entrance, at the bridge. The buses are the only ones painted red, so you can't miss them.

Another possibility is to go by boat from the centre of Amsterdam. It is not very far and it is a truly lovely ride. You could even combine the ride to the Zaanse Schans with breakfast, lunch or dinner on board and you can ask the captain for a quick history lesson on the way. 

The lovely view at Zaans Schanse.

The windmills.........

If you wish to tour the Holland in only an hour time, you may visit Madurodam. The miniatures and their stories come to life in the new Madurodam. There is more to see, to experience, and especially to do.

You can load the containers on a cargo ship in the port of Rotterdam, have a plane take off from Schiphol and operate the Oosterscheldekering storm surge barrier to prevent the village that lies behind from flooding.

You will also experience together the stories behind many buildings in the Netherlands. During the process, you discover what makes the Netherlands so special and unique. And when you are done, you can let off steam in the new themed playground. In short, come and experience what makes a small country so big at the Madurodam.

To get to Madurodam, take the NS train and get down at Den Haag HS or Centraal. From there, take the tram line 9 and get down at Madurodam. For more information on Madurodam, check here http://www.madurodam.nl/en/.

On your way back, why not shop a little at the Den Haag Centrum.

Wait for my next entry on my visit to Keukenhof.......

XOXO :P

Beanieplex at TGV

Hey everyone,

Every time when I go to catch a movie at the TGV cinema, I will always pass through the Beanieplex and wondering how comfortable it would be seeing a movie whilst sitting on a bean bag. Unfortunately, I haven't had the opportunity to do it. Soon I hope....

This is how it looks like. I reckon it's a no no to catch a movie during midnight. Afraid that I would snooze zzzz......

4 of the TGV cinemas have Beanieplex which are in One Utama, Sunway Pyramid, 1st Avenue Penang and Tebrau City Johor Baharu.

Did you know that Thailand built an Archipelago cinema using recycled materials and local building techniques for the Film on the Rocks Yao Noi film festival and it's in middle of a lagoon! The theater was only a temporary structure designed specifically for the festival which began March 2012. After the festival, the designer stated that the floating event platform would be turned over to the local community to use for other events. Cool huh?

XOXO :P

New Year's Eve at Legoland Malaysia

Hey everyone,

On New Year's Eve, we decided to go to Legoland Malaysia in Nusajaya, Johor as we received 2 free tickets (who doesn't like free stuff rite?). 

The price for an adult ticket is RM140. I reckoned it's quite reasonable as compared to other overseas theme parks.

We started with the miniature of buildings built from legos. This is us, in front of hubby's office, the Prime Minister's Office, with the Twin Tower and KL Tower in view.

Some of the must rides in Legoland Malaysia : Project X

4D Show : I was quite disappointed as the chairs did not move as other 4D shows did.

Dragon's Apprentice : A roller coaster for kids but what the heck. We rode it!

The Dragon : Now this is for adults.

Lost Kingdom Adventure : Ride the car and try to shoot to get as many points as you can. Unfortunately,  I lost to my hubby :(.

Some of the decorations built from legos.

Legoland Malaysia does not allow you to bring outside food and drinks. Nevertheless, they have quite tasty food and drink. Food pricing from RM10-RM20 and drink pricing from RM5-RM10.

I must say, I'm quite proud of Legoland Malaysia. Rides are fun, food is good, landscape is superb and of course, they hired all local staff! If only Legoland Malaysia had the characters who come alive that we can take pictures with. I can't wait for the theme park and the hotel to be 100% completed.

XOXO :P