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Central Asia - Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan (Sneak Peek)

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that one day I will visit Central Asia countries. Thanks to AirAsia once again for making another of my bucket list turn into reality with their direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Almaty, Kazakhstan. 


Here is a quick sneak peek from the trip I went end of August recently covering both Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan: 


#1: Aeriel view of the snowcapped mountain. Tips: Book on the right seat for this marvelous view.
 
#2: Almaty International Airport - the gateway to the Central Asia countries 


#3: One of my favourite shots from my new toy, Sony ZV1 


#4: Riding horse is one of the activities must do when visiting Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan 


#5: My favourite place in Kazakhstan - Kolsay Lake 


#6: We're blessed with great weather on the day of visiting


#7: Cross border from Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan 


#8: Kyrgyzstan is also known as "The Land of Horses" 

#9: Skazka Canyon (Fairy Tale Canyon) on the south shore of Issyk Kul Lake 


#10


#11: We got to experience staying in the Mongolian yurt

Apart from Almaty where we explored the city on our own, we engaged a local tour guide throughout our trip in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. In case any of you would like to get the details of the local tour guide, you can leave a message. 

Not sure when I will be able to do a full post on this as I still have long list of backlog waiting for me to blog about them. You know the life of a new mom after having a baby. I can only have my own free time to do my work and stuff after the baby sleeps at night. However, I will try my best to update my blog, if my baby allows me to do so. Hahaha... 
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The Kuala Lumpur Journal Hotel


Everytime when I go and visit Kuala Lumpur, I will definitely choose to stay at the lively streets of Bukit Bintang area. Right after we came back from our Switzerland trip, we decided to overnight in Kuala Lumpur for two nights before heading back home to Kota Kinabalu. Luckily that we have decided to stay over for 2 nights instead of 1 cause our flight from Istanbul to Kuala Lumpur with Turkish Airlines was delayed for 6 hours. 

While browsing through few hotels to stay in Kuala Lumpur, this is where I discovered The Kuala Lumpur Journal Hotel (obviously from the social media). And the best part is that we hit the jackpot where we got to book this retro-inspired boutique hotel for less than RM200 per night from Klook

24-hour reception and cafeteria

Love this tagline "Eat Well, Travel Often"


DELUXE KING ROOM
Decorated with natural wooden elements, the 28 sqm room is stylishly furnished and equipped with ergonomic mattress and microfibre pillows. What blow our mind the moment we stepped in into the room was we're assigned with a room overlooking the monorail track through the large and high floor-to-ceiling windows. 

Deluxe King room - Fit for the king bah!

Backdrop of an exclusively commissioned Kuala Lumpur street photography project by the famous local photographer

The room is equipped with ergonomic mattress and microfibre pillows

Wardrobe with iron and ironing board

40-inch flat screen smart TV with the functional workspace 

Coffee and tea facilities with electric kettle 

Ensuite bathroom equipped with premium toiletries and hairdryer 

Room amenities:
  • 40-inch flat screen smart TV with free satellite channels and Netflix
  • Luscious king-sized bed with ergonomic mattress and micofibre pillows
  • Spacious ensuite bathroom equipped with high-pressure rain shower, premium toiletries and hairdryer 
  • Free high-speed Wifi and functional workspace
  •  Coffee and tea facilities with electric kettle
  • Wardrobe with iron and ironing board 

HOTEL FACILITIES
Even it's just a small boutique hotel, The Kuala Lumpur Journal Hotel is packed with numerous facilities; such as rooftop infinity pool overlooking the city with poolside bar, a fully equipped gynamsium, cafeteria, laundry services (additional charge) and free basement car-parking.  


Rooftop infinity pool overlooking the city with poolside bar

Fully equipped gynamsium

Cafeteria 

Conveniently located in Bukit Bintang where it is just short walking distance to shopping malls like Pavilion, Lot 10, Sungai Wang and popular feast street of Jalan Alor.


Date Stayed: 8 May - 9 May 2022 (1 Night)
Type of Room: Deluxe King
Room Rate: RM196 per night (Booked from the Klook)

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Entering A New Chapter Of My Life - Motherhood

Referring to the title above, now you know the reason behind why I barely update my blog lately.

Born on 17 October 2023 [Weight 2.89kg with the height of 50cm] 

Yes, I'm officially a mother now. Both of my husband and I were beyond blessed on the arrival of our baby boy. Honestly to say, we, or should I say me wasn't have any high expectation on this pregnancy at all. Of course both of us wanted to have kid after married for 2 years but I didn't expect I was pregnant when I had 3 confirmed tickets last year. At the end, I had to burn all the confirmed tickets as my gynae said I wasn't fit to travel due to my health condition. Oh well, travel can wait right? 


So how's my current life being a newly mom? Intense, struggling, exhausted and lack of sleep - that pretty much sums our life after having our baby. After all, it's not an easy task and indeed a challenging one, especially for new parents just like us. Only for the first month where I was doing my confinement at the post-natal care centre, but right after that, both of us took care of the baby on our own without getting any help or involvement from the both side of our parents. We don't even hire any nanny, maid/helper nor caretaker.    

The post-natal care centre where I did my confinement for a month

Though it's pretty overwhelming and sometimes upsetting, this little "sonshine" does bring boundless of joy and immeasurable happiness to us. He fills our life with laughter and warmth and creates countless unforgettable moment together as a family of 3. Holding this tiny little one in our arm while watching him sleep will instantly melt our heart. Every little milestone of him has made us emotional and at the same time, fascinating to us.

My little boyfriend


Who will ever thought that both of my husband and I who used to love to travel so much will end up with raising a baby together, making milk, feeding him and changing the diaper every single day nowadays? Hahahaha... 

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Central Europe [Part 11]: Slovakia, My 60th Country

 << Previous Post: 2D2N In Budapest, Hungary <<


DEPARTING FROM BUDAPEST TO BRATISLAVA 
Apparently, there are 3 main international railway stations in Budapest; Keleti (Western), Nyugati (Western) and Deli (Southern). As mentioned in my previous post, Budapest Keleti is the largest transportation joint for railway travel and most of the times I arrived at Budapest Keleti. However, as we're heading to Bratislava, the capital city of Slovakia, the train departs from Budapest Nyugati as this station serves trains heading north. 

From where we stayed in Budapest which is pretty near to Budapest Keleti Railway Station, we took public bus to Budapest Nyugati Railway Station which was about 20 minutes ride. We bought the single ticket from the vending machine and it costs HUF350 (approx. to RM4). You can purchase the ticket from the bus driver but the cons are the price of the ticket is higher and there is a possibility that the driver may not have change or may refuse selling you the ticket on board during the peak hour. Hence, it's wise to get the ticket from the nearby vending machine. 

#1: It's advisable to purchase the ticket from the vending machine.
And please remember to validate (stamp/punch) the ticket your ticket once boarding the bus or tram. 

#2: Opppsss. Actually this is our coach but I think this person was drunk and slept inside it.
We had no choice but sat on other coach.


ARRIVING AT BRATISLAVA 
The train ride from Budapest to Bratislava is fully covered under Eurail Global Pass and after nearly 3 hours of train ride, finally we had arrived Bratislava, the capital city of Slovakia. And this marks the 60th country I've visited to date. 

Most of the international trains stop at Bratislava Hlavná Stanica (Bratislava Main Train Station) and from here, you can either take bus or tram to the city center. We got the 24-hours tickets from the ticket vending machine before boarding any of the public transports to the city center. And always remember to validate the ticket immediately in the validation machines on the bus or tram once hopping inside. 

#3: Bratislava Hlavná Stanica (Bratislava Main Train Station) 

#4: We got the 24-hours tickets from the ticket vending machine


ONE DAY IN BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA 
Because we spent two nights in Budapest (Hungary), we had no choice but to shorten our trip in Bratislava. Initially, I planned to spend at least 3 days 2 nights but at the end, we only have less than 24 hours in Bratislava. 

1) Devin Castle 
As we arrived Bratislava pretty early, hence we decided to venture out of the town to Devin Castle, which is about 20 minutes with bus no. 28 or 29 from Bratislava Main Station. Locally known as Hrad Devín, the castle standing on a massive rock hill above the confluence of the Danube River with the Morava River. 

Opening Hours: 10.00am to 5.00pm (Closed on every Monday)
Admission Fee: €6 (April to October) and €3 (November to March)

#5: Bus 28 or 29 from Bratislava Main Station to Devin Castle 

#6: Devin Castle is part of the oldest history in Slovakia 

#7

#8


2) The Church of St. Elizabeth or known as Blue Church 
From Devin Castle, we went back to the town for a short sightseeing. We stopby at The Church of St. Elizabeth, commonly referred to simply as the Blue Church for obvious reasons. Both the interior and exterior of the church are painted in shades of pale blue and decorated with blue majolica; even the roof is tiled with blue-glazed ceramics. .  

#9: The Church of St. Elizabeth, simply known as the Blue Church

#10: Unfortunately on the day of our visit, it was closed.


3) Bratislava Old Town
Bratislava has one of the smallest historical centers around but the charm is more concentrated and compact. The streets have been completely renovated over the last ten years, bringing life back here. Since then a multitude of cafes, bars and restaurants of all kinds have opened here, accompanied by a few souvenir shops and fashion stores.

#11

#12 


4) Čumil, Man at Work
In Slovak word means watcher, Čumil is bronze statue resting at the top of a manhole who tipped his top hat to everyone he passed on the streets of Bratislava. Situated in the middle of Old Town, your trip to Bratislava is incomplete without saying Hi! to Čumil and make sure to take photo with it as it's one of the most photographed objects in Bratislava. 

#13: Čumil. the watcher in Bratislava

#14: One of the most photographed objects in Bratislava 


5) Savouring Traditional Slovak Dishes
Ended our night at Slovak Pub which is not far away from our hostel by savouring few of Slovak dishes before leaving this capital city of Slovakia. And these are what we ordered:

#15
  • Bryndzové Halušky - Potato dumplings
  • Bryndzové Pirohy - Sheep cheese dumplings 
  • Kapustové Strapačky - Potato gnocchi with cabbage and bacon

#16
  • Kapustnica - Traditional cabbage soup with sausage, sour cream and bread
  • Kofola - A popular Slovak cola drink


OUR STAY IN BRATISLAVA 

#17: Hostel Folks in Bratislava 

#18: A double room with shared bathroom 

Hostel Folks  
Date Stayed: 3 November - 4 November 2022 (1 night) 
Total Room Rate: RM220 for a double room with shared bathroom (Booked from Booking.com

Things I Like About This Accommodation:
  • Location just right in the smack of the city centre 
  • Large and organised lounge area. They even have Playstation too (my husband spotted this)
  • Although the hostel located on 1st floor, there's a lift within the building. Don't have to worry about carrying heavy luggage. 
Things I Dislike About This Accommodation:
  • Only two toilets/bathrooms available 

#19: As always, magnet, postcards and stamps are part and parcels of my travelling life. 


TOTAL EXPENSES FOR 2D1N PER PAX IN BRATISLAVA

PARTICULARS

AMOUNT

RM

Accommodation

Hostel Folks

 

Transportation

24-Hours Ticket

 

Admission Fee

Devin Castle

 

Food and drinks

Burrito for lunch (Shared)

Slovak Pub for dinner

 

 

-

 

 

4.00

 

 

3.00

 

 

3.15

13.55

 

110

 

 

19

 

 

14

 

 

15

63

 

TOTAL

221

Note: €1.00 = RM4.65 as at October 2022
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