Elaneman.com

Europe 2009 - Dance with us!

Sat, 16 May 2009 18:15:42 +0800

So what happened to our recent Eurotrip? A lot.

And we danced.... ridiculously.

Watch.

We thought we'd make our own version of Matt's travel video. And although our dance is worse than his, it's nice to be able to say "we did it too".

Our trip covered 7 countries: England, France, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg, Holland and Belgium. This is roughly our travel route:

We drove all the way. It was a fantastic journey. It was the journey of the year!

Tags: Eurotrip, travel, dance, Europe

Jauh perjalanan, luas pemandangan

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 02:23:45 +0800

All these while I was never pretty sure whether the ending part of the original Malay idiom of "Jauh Perjalanan" is supposed to be "Luas Pemandangan" or "Luas Pandangan"? The former translates to "The more you travel, the more you see", while the latter translates to "The more you travel, the wider your knowledge". Whether the correct version is "Pemandangan" or "Pandangan", all of us pretty much look at it as "Pengalaman", which is basically the combination of both "Pemandangan" and "Pandangan". Of course, the more you travel, the more experience you gain. What you see (pemandangan) and what you learn from it (pandangan) becomes your experience (pengalaman). And 'experience' is worth every penny that you spent for your travels.

Sunset in Bude Summerleaze beach

Engaging the breathtaking view over the Boscastle cliffs

Being in UK for so many months now, I have gained experiences I could not have imagined I would ever get if I had not accepted the offer of coming over. I've been to places no other typical foreign tourists go to. I've seen different cultures from different parts of England, and actually living in one. I've met interesting people from all walks of life. I've experienced the unique four seasons of the European countries, visited historical castles and cathedrals, hiked up hills and cliffs, walked through parks and valleys, drove through cities and countrysides..... and I still have years to go before I come back to Malaysia.

Over Great Malvern hills

Window decorations in a B&B in Cornwall

The reason why I'm expressing my gratitudes in this entry is because I still remember the huge dillema I had few months before I flew over to UK. That dillema was about whether I should retain my current lifestyle and proceed with my own personal "life plans", or should I simply leave them all behind to live and work in a different country thousands of miles away from home. One side of people influenced me not to go, telling me how unworthy it is and how sorry I will feel if I go, while the other side tells me not to think too much and just go for it. Had I listened to the first side of people, I will miss out all the opportunity to experience life as what I had always fantasized when I was a little kid. I finally realised that we should not plan our life too much, because life itself already has plans for us. All we need to do is - as what a close friend of mine once said to me - "just go with the flow".

Leaning house in Canterbury

Overlooking the Devils Dyke valley

One of the most important lesson that I learned whilst living abroad is that we have to be more appreciative of what life has given us, to always feel grateful for whatever we currently have, own and achieved... and to always say our thanks to God for letting us live in such a beautiful and magnificent world.

There is just too many things to see and experience when you are abroad that it is almost absurd if you don't travel when you have the chance to.

Life is to be lived to the fullest. Don't let your life plans get in the way

Rain

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:51:47 +0800

It's been raining all day today.

I had a brief meeting with an old friend at lunchtime. I was expecting a longer chat but he had to leave early as he's in a shift job and had to have enough rest before clocking in tonight. Friends are very distant nowadays *sigh* Anyway that's a different story.

The rain poured just after we departed, so instead of heading straight towards my car, I went into Ampang Point for some short window shopping. The rain still poured down when I unintentionally bought a novel titled 'At First Sight' by Nicholas Sparks, so I thought I'd settle down for a cuppa and check out the book while waiting for the rain to stop.

I went into San Francisco Coffee, paid for a small cup of latte and a sandwich, and sat at a table right beside the window where I can watch the rain drizzle.

You know, I always love the rain. There's something magical when it pours down. Somehow the coffee would taste better, the book more enjoyable, and the whole atmosphere just feels calmer and relaxed.

You gaze at the little drops of water from the sky, hitting eveything beneath it; the cars, the asphalt, the trees..

Those people running, soaking wet, covering under the big tree...

The sound of distant thunders in between, and the whistling wind, and the water drops, or the running ones...

Ahh, life's a pitstop when it rains...

Executive Lessons - Prelude

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:38:57 +0800

I used to keep quiet when it comes to telling people how to do this or that (I'm not a fan of those self-proclaimed "experts" who spend their time advising and telling others what's wrong with them). The main reason was that I did not feel I had enough knowledge and experience to write anything of that sort. And at the time, that really was a fact after all.

After having been working for three and a half years at a managerial level, exposed to three different sectors, and handling almost 30 staff, I believe I already have the basics and capacity to not advise, but to share what I learn from the office. Another factor that prompt me to start this strings of personal lessons was that I need to record what I learn so I could see how much I progress from a junior officer to, God willing, more senior levels.

This is just an entry post. I'll be posting the 'Executive Lessons' from time to time as an extra in our 'Thoughts' section.

Hope they'll benefit all!

Shopping in Bandung + Jakarta

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 18:24:47 +0800

Welcome to Indonesia, a country whose people speak a language almost similar to us, culturally almost identical, and a land swarmed with Malaysians everywhere. With such a familiar setting, working your way around is very easy and you won't feel off the beaten path, which is why Malaysians love this place so much, because we can concentrate on what matters most in this bargain-price country - shopping!

In the Angkut on the way to Cihampelas

Nisha showing the map of Bandung

Taking the train from Jakarta (where we landed) to Bandung costs only 45,000 rupiah (around RM15), and the journey was pleasant with many interesting views outside the windows which changes from cityscape to kampungs to mountains and valleys and lush vegetation. Bandung sits high up on the mountain with a cool climate. Just the way I like it.

The theme of going to Bandung ain't backpacking, nor much on touring. The central theme was simpy shopping. And shopping here can be endless, since Bandung is jammed with Factory Outlets and caters a Pasar Besar which is a one-stop building of great bargains. The strategic plan was to try to visit every shopping streets there - Jalan Riau, Jalan Dago, Jalan Cihampelas, and Rumah Mode. But the ultimate target would be to buy branded things at very cheap price.

Oops! Guilty of shopping!

Echah showing off her cake. I'm showing off my new tshirt :P

You can easily notice that while they are factory outlets, some of the apparels aren't the real thing. So the challenge here would be to find the ones that is genuine, or at least has a 99.9% copy-accuracy with the original ones. I think I bought a lot (for a man's standard that is. The girls...uff you can't imagine how their bags turned out on the last day). I now possess t-shirts with labels like Armani Echange, Desigual etc., a Burberry jeans (can anybody confirms to me that Burberry really produces jeans??? ), Geox sandals and other branded apparels!

Tangkuban Perahu, one hour drive from Bandung city

Group pose near Tangkuban volcano crater

Even with our tight schedule of shopping spree, we still managed to slit on Saturday a visit to Tangkuban Perahu, a touristy volcanic crater site (the name derived from how the volcano looks like from Bandung city; a capsized boat). Nearby was Ciater, a hot spring area where we had our tired feet dipped.

Shopping in the middle of the jungle

Reviving tired feet in Ciater

On the last day, we went back to Jakarta and I was actually done with shopping in Bandung, but the girls still can't quit, so you can guess what happened; a stop at Jakarta's shopping spot, Mangga Dua, on the way to the airport! Phewh!

Tags: Bandung, Indonesia, travel

The Berlin and Potsdam experience

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 06:47:59 +0800

It's been a few weeks since I came back from Berlin but now is the only time I actually have the time to write about it. So did we had fun during the trip? Let me put it this way - I left my heart in Berlin

Basically, we managed to cover mostly everything as planned ... and within budget too! We didn't use more than €150 each for the whole 3 days 2 nights trip - and this includes return air tickets and a 3-star hotel accomodation!

The first thing is I'd like to stress again how convenient their public transportation system is! Apart from being cheap (€6.50 can take you ALL AROUND Berlin for the WHOLE DAY using ANY public transports available and covers up to the city of Potsdam), no one actually check the tickets too. There's no need to swipe the tickets anywhere before and after you take the ride. That means it is possible to ride those public transports without even buying any tickets at all because the entrance to the stations are wide open. However, most people still purchase the tickets due to 'social responsibility' and not wanting to be caught without a ticket. Another notable thing about their underground trains and trams is that you need to push a button on the door before it opens for you (fooled me a couple of times ).

The Berliner Dom

A warrior statue outside Museuminsel

I like the fact that we covered almost all major landmarks and important places in just 2 full days. Not just that, we also had a few encounters with weird, funny and interesting people. If you come to Berlin, chances are you will be approached by someone who starts by asking, "Excuse me, do you speak English?". Never respond to them as they are just beggars who claim that they are from Bosnia who needs some cash to go back home. Apart from that, we also met some nice chaps both at the airport and during our travels. We bumped into Malaysian tourists as well. We had a few inches encounter with the Chancellor of German itself. And best of all, I had a nice chat with a pretty Polish girl who sat next to me during our flight back. Isn't having a pretty girl sit next to you during a flight a dream of all men??!

Gendarmenmarkt

The Reichstag Dom

We also learnt quite a lot of German words during our trip especially things like exit (Ausgang), caution (Achtung), gents and ladies (Herren and Damen), a whole lot of German-sounding names for locations such as -strasse, -platz, -markt and -tor, and all other -achs and -ichs. Those wordings and terms still play around in my head whenever I look at sign boards

Memorial to the murdered jews during Nazi regime

Mercedes is common as taxis here. Want a ride?

To sum it up, Berlin is one of those rare places that keeps haunting you for weeks and weeks after returning back from the travel. The dark stories behind the city, the buildings, the people (especially those supperrrbbbb German chix! ) makes Berlin worth another visit!

Preparing for Berlin, Germany

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 11:17:53 +0800

It's amazing how much you can learn about a place by just planning your trip before you even travel to the place. I personally felt like I have already mastered every corners and histories of Berlin as I plan my routes for the short three-days-two-nights Berlin trip this coming Tuesday.

The sketch of my travel route around Berlin and Potsdam (not in map)

One of the thing that amazes me about Berlin is how brilliant their public transportation system is. Their train-tram-underground system is so well connected that I can literally close my eye (note the singular 'eye') while planning the route all around the city. Thanks to the wonderful technology of the Internet, the use of Google Maps and BVG.de combo makes it even more convenient to sketch down my itineraries and footpaths.

Some of the interesting places that I'm REALLY looking forward to visit are the Reichtag dome, the Brandenburger Gate, the Museuminsel and Gendarmenmarkt - all of which scatters closely to each other around the Unter den Linden stretch. I obviously will bring along my DSLR to snap some beautiful shots!

Although a bit depressing, I'm also looking forward to delve into the dark histories of Berlin at an open exhibition known as "Topography of Terror" (the name itself already gives me the creeps). This will include the age of Nazi Germany, the massacre of millions of Jews, the stories behind the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie and other fascinating historical stuffs.

I haven't yet been to Berlin but I already like Berlin. I know I will appreciate the place simply because I enjoyed just planning my daily routes around the city.

Besides, nothing is worse than traveling to a place and feeling lost, not knowing what to do, where to go, what to see, and how to get to places. So better plan well ahead!

Tags: Berlin, travel plan

And The Winner For Singapore's Best Destination Is...

Sun, 11 Jan 2009 19:57:04 +0800

I just came back from a short travel in Singapore for the new year (Hope it’s not too late to wish a Happy New Year 2009!)

I initially wanted to blog about the Singapore encounter but then I wish to dedicate this post to the coolest thing I came to know about Singapore � the Changi Airport. Yep, you betcha, the airport was so cool, I actually happily trotted out of the airport at 10pm even though my plane landed at 1.30pm that day!

You’d expect that an airport will generally consists of terminals, lots of seats here and there, many ‘flat-escalators’ called travellators (and by the way, it’s called travellators and not stand-lators for a reason damn it, you lazy people don’t block the way!), still-expensive duty free shops/food/chocolates, and recently, you can also expect free internet access. Other than these, airports would differ only in terms of it’s interior design and the ladies at the counters . That’s it.

If your expectations are as mine, you’ll find Changi Airport a big surprise.

Computer. Laptops. Feel free to choose

I should start with the internet facility. Of course, most major airports would provide this. But not many would provide so many computers scattered around that you wouldn’t have to wait for your turn or make a run for it. And for those more comfortable with laptops, yes, some areas are equipped with this too.

Sofa, flat-screen tv, squeezed by Coffee Bean and sandwich bar!

The seating areas are sofa-seats equipped with a flat-screen television that features certain channels like Discovery, Travel & Living, Starworld Movies etc. You can walk around and find your favourite channel before settling down. The sound would come out from your sofa, so you can sit at the back without having to worry not hearing what’s on it.

Playing for the hundredth time!

I walked around and found some places offer big screen for better viewing with Hi-Definition, so you could really appreciate ESPN for example. Damn, that’s cool. But wait, there’s more! I eventually found out that this airport even have a free-to-enter cinema that runs 24 hours! How about that!

Guys, check the Entertainment Zone!

Then there’s the Entertainment Zone, which was simply a boy’s heaven. PS2, PS3, X-Box, you name it, they’ve got it. There’s even a cyber-caf�-like room for LAN gaming among other travelers! For music lovers, the zone also provides music lounges simply for listening to the CD collections with Bose sound system. And all these are provided for free. Simply class. I think I spent like 2 hours here, hehe

The two-storeys Butterfly Farm

For those not interested with techie stuff, head to Terminal 3 and you’ll find that this super-airport even have butterfly farm for you nature lovers to enjoy! A big butterfly farm! Geez! And that’s also free to enter, so even I who don’t frequent such places had to drop by…

For a few dollars, you can pamper yourself with some of the more upscale facilities like swimming pool, gym area with shower, spa and massage.

When I got tired browsing around their excellent ranges of duty-free shops in all the three terminals and checking out the facilities, I took a rest (eventually a nap) at the resting area; lazy chairs with blankets provided, overlooking planes taking off. I almost thought of sleeping a night there! This place really is a hotel, shopping complex, entertainment city, lifestyle club all merged into one. And yes, I personally think Changi Airport is one of the best destinations in Singapore!

Backpacking: Traveling On The Cheap

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:50:17 +0800

When traveling, one of the most common questions that people would ask you would be “Where are you from?”

As a citizen of a progressing nation amongst the Third World countries, I would stand proud and tell them I came from Malaysia. Of course they have heard of us.

But here’s a thing. At a guesthouse near Boeung Kak lake in Phnom Penh where I stayed for USD5 per night, the owner asked me and my fellow companions the common question. Bored of giving straight answer, I asked him back if he knew where we could be from. As the owner of a place where international travelers come and go everyday, I assume he would easily make the right guess.

Boeung Kak Lake

Unfortunately, he only made one correct guess, which was my Indonesian friend (which happen to be the easiest to guess since she wore the Indonesian scarf). My other Malay friend got Vietnam, and my Indian friend, Sri Lanka. As for me, he thought I was from Philippines.

On another account during a boat ride across Stung Sangker river in Cambodia on my way to Siem Reap, I had a brief chat with an Israeli traveler. When I informed him I was from Malaysia, he made a look and said, “I’ve never actually found a Malaysian traveler before.”

Stung Sangker river ride to Siem Reap

On yet another account in Philippines while I was staring at the beauty of Mount Mayon in Legaspi (12 ½ hours away from Manila by express bus), a local who has been guiding tourists there for 2 years told me we were the first Malaysian she ever known to have reached that far of the land.

With the guide making weird pose near Mt. Mayon, Legaspi

You should already get what I’m trying to point out. It’s apparent that Malaysia is an alien country to the travelsphere. We Malaysians travel a lot, but when we do, it’ll most probably be a tour that will involve the travel agency, a finely prepared itinerary, and far, far away from the real taste of the visited country.

Which of course is a fine thing to do, and probably the more suitable option when you go with your family. But I’m inviting my fellow young Malaysians to try out backpacking travel. It’s cheaper, it’s adventurous, and I’d say the experience a whole lot different than the conventional, institutionalised form of vacation. If you’re feeling a bit nervous about the whole idea of independent travel, just give me a call and I’ll show you the way!

Shopping there and here

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 06:22:16 +0800

Shopping in Malaysia and shopping in UK are not quite the same. First of all, Malaysians typically do their shoppings in big shopping malls (Midvalley, Sunway Piramid, Pavilion, The Mines, KLCC, etc - sidenote: gosh I'm missing Malaysia just mentioning these names ). But in UK, people normally shop in the streets, typically known as the High Street. Each towns have their own High Streets which normally consists of shops on the sides of a long narrow street. It's pretty easy to tell if you are in a High Street of a town because they all share the same look-and-feel.

Gillingham High Street

Of course there are also shopping malls here in UK. However, there are not many of them around and none are as huge and grand as what we have in Malaysia. The biggest shopping mall here - which is the BlueWater - is only two levels high! And it's the second largest mall in UK! I know... I can't believe it as well

So yeah, people normally shop on the streets here. Even in London, the famous shopping places are Oxford Street, Piccadily Circus, Mayfair, Leicester Square.. are all street shops area.

(Note: People tend to avoid the High Streets during nighttime because there would normally be fights among young people, especially near bars)

Coffee Houses

First of all, I haven't seen any Coffee Beans around... even in Central London. I have the feeling that Coffee Bean never reaches England. Even if it does, it's not as mainstream as it is in Malaysia. Other non-Malaysian-thing coffee houses here are Coffee Republic and Costa Coffee. There are a lot of Starbucks chains here tho (thank God), but my favorite Java Chip blends are not in their menu (damn! ). However, the coffee prices are quite cheap in these coffee shops ranging from average £2 - £4 only.

Pharmacy / Drug Store

What's usually "Watsons" for Malaysians are "Boots" for British. The shop name is quite confusing because they are not selling any Boots in here. This is where you get not only your medical stuffs, but also beauty, facial, toilet, fragrance, and..... teddy bears. Just like Watsons!

IT/Electronic Store

This is another example of using weird shop name to sell totally something else. No... Currys doesn't sell any curries. They sell electronic stuffs... much like the electronic store in 5th floor KLCC opposite of TGV on the other side of the escalator (sorry... I can't remember the shop name ). People come here to find cameras, speakers, 42 inch flat TV screens, gameboxes, MP3 players... you get the idea.

Toys and Gifts

Lego is a favorite destination for people wanting to buy presents and gifts in the last minute. This is because it won't take you more than 5 minutes to decide what to buy once you're in there. Basically you just go in, head to the DIY action figures area, look at the boxes and pick any one that looks appealing on the cover. For souvenirs, just go to the keychain area that has Lego-man attached to it and repeat the previous steps.

If you want to pay £20 for a small box of chocolates as gifts, Hotel Chocolat is the place to do it.

Games

I noticed that people here really love game boxes (not PC games). Wii, GameCubes, Playstations, 360 XBoxes are very mainstream. I can't recall any games advertisement on any channels in Malaysia, but they do have lots of em here.

Fashion

Lastly, NEXT is the favorite outlet for people who wants to get good quality shirts, coats, dresses and jackets. They are not cheap though, but they are quite popular around here. It's probably equivalent to any other fashion outlets in Malaysia, only that they also sell home decoration stuffs as side-products.

This is also the only place that does crazy boxing day sales from 5AM onwards. As you can see from the pictures below, all the red bags are from NEXT. Me and my friends were also those who mercilessly drained our wallets to take advantage of the huge sales over there (we came at around 6:30AM and most of the good stuffs are already gone!)

So far that's all up to this point. Will update more on-the-go if I see anything interesting related to this entry. Fyeuhh this is a long one. I better get some rest. Cheers~

Tags: Shopping