Fourth Day In Madrid - Our Last & Final Day

Since it's our last day in Madrid, we try to make a relaxed and laid-back one. No more another an hour long day-trips like we did to Segovia and Seville two days before. Plus, we had been travelling for more than two weeks, it's our 15th day here in Europe and so, we want something which is free and easy type. My mom and cousin would love to visit Primark (not again!) for another shopping spree and so, I proposed that we do the sightseeing activities first before end our day at their favourite shopping store.

Before we get ready for the day, I accompany my mom to few nearby supermarkets to get groceries in order to prepare for our breakfast. As you know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and we should eat like a king. My mom told me that she is pretty satisfied with the place I booked in Madrid because not just that she can cook and utilise their modern and fully equipped kitchen, she is also enjoying using their washing machine. I'm wondering, so many things to wash meh?

A Day Trip to Seville - Royal Alcázar & Plaza de España

On the second day in Madrid, we head to Segovia, a historic city on the northwest of Madrid.

As for the third day, we proceed to Seville, the capital of southern Spain's Andalusia region. 

Because the train ride from Madrid to Seville takes almost 3 hours even with the high-speed AVE train, we need to get up and leave our place in the early morning. Not even got the opportunity to witness the sunrise in Madrid itself.

FROM MADRID TO SEVILLE 

Just like what I shared on my previous post, there are two different two stations in Madrid - Chamartin and Atocha. The first one served those trains mostly from northbound whereas the latter served trains from southern Spain. Therefore in order to get to Seville, we need to depart from Atocha. Luckily is just less than 10 minutes walk from where we stayed without the need to take any metros. For our round-trip high-speed AVE train tickets between Madrid and Seville, we purchased in advance from Renfe website. 

A Day Trip to Segovia From Madrid

If you ask me are there many things to do and see in Madrid, I have to be honest with you - My answer would be "No!". But what's the reason behind I stay in Madrid for 4 nights? It's because I want take this opportunity to visit those nearby cities without the need of frequently hop on and hop off along with my heavy and bulky luggage together. 

There are few stunning and amazing cities you can do a day trip from Madrid; cities like Toledo, Segovia, Seville, Avila, El Escorial and more which are perfect getaway to escape from this hustling and bustling capital city of Spain. But because we're pressed for time, we can only pick and visit 1-2 cities only. And so, I began with Segovia first. Oh well, it was actually last minute decision to proceed with this plan after discussed with both of my mom and cousin on the night before we depart to Segovia. Luckily nowadays all the tickets can be purchased through online without the need to get to the train station. I purchased my train tickets online from Trainline.

2019 Bangkok & Kanchanaburi, Thailand (Sneak Peek)

It's a shame to say that I've yet to complete my 2015 Bangkok travelogue, and now I just came back from the city I love the most. If you ask me what's my favourite country, I would definitely say Japan but if you ask me how about the city I adore the most, I will pick Bangkok for sure.

I posted this 4 years ago and even until now, I still stick with it.

Initially I booked a trip to Bangkok with my mom early of this year but due to some personal issues as well as due to work commitments, both of us decided to cancel our trip. But sometimes, things in life come unexpectedly. The boyfriend gave me another surprised by buying a round-trip to Bangkok. Good news to KKians cause AirAsia is currently flying direct from Kota Kinabalu straight to Bangkok, without the transit in Kuala Lumpur. Now I can go back to Bangkok every year. Yahoo!!! 

Since this is my 4th trip to Bangkok, I try not to repeat the things I did and see previously but then looking forward for something new, something which I never done before, like: 

#1: We went to Kanchanaburi for Erawan Waterfall which situated more than 4 hours from Bangkok.

#2: The entire length of the seven tiers span approximately 1,500, through the thick rainforest of the park. And guess what? I came here with unprepared - I didn't bring a proper entire but go ahead wearing a off-shoulder top, long skirt and a sandal but I glad I survived the two-hours hike. 

#3: If you are planning to visit Kanchanaburi, do consider to stay in this Westory Design Postel. It's chic and cool stay (although we didn't stay here where we accidentally bumped into it)

#4: After staying in Kanchanaburi for a night, we went back to Bangkok and stay in two different accommodations - both hostel and hotel. My favourite one would be this - First House Hotel just next to Pratunam Market. I will do compilation of all the hotels and hostel I stayed in Bangkok. 

#5: Ratchada Rot Fai Train Night Market - So colourful and energetic


#6: Wat Arun - The temple of dawn


#7: ICONSIAM, a newly built shopping mall on the banks of the Chao Phraya River which opened to the public on November last year.

#8: After You Dessert - Finally I got to try this after see all over social media but I personally think it's overrated. 

#9: Can't leave Bangkok without shopping. However, I shop less compare to my three previous trips due to our week Ringgit Malaysia. Imagine 4 years ago, the rate was around RM11.25 for 100 baht. Now? RM13.65 for 100 baht. So sad!

P/S: Trying my best to complete My 2018 UK & Europe trip first, before proceed to other travelogues. 

Farewell Barcelona! And Our First Day In Madrid

"So long, farewell. Goodbye! I hate to go and leave this pretty sight."

HOW TO GET TO MADRID FROM BARCELONA

No matter how you adore a city or a country, you can't stay forever. So it's the time again for us to waive goodbye to Barcelona and hop on to the next city of Spain - Madrid, the nation's capital city. There are several options to get from Barcelona to Madrid; from plane to train and bus. Of course, the best way to travel between these two cities is by taking the AVE high-speed train. It's the fastest way to reach the destination in just under 3 hours with its modern and luxurious train. 

#1: Barcelona - Sants Train Station, the main and primary train station in Barcelona 

Barcelona Other Top Attractions

For Barcelona, I felt like spending 4 days and 3 nights are absolutely not enough to discover and explore this city cause there are plenty of things to do and see here. If not because we're pressed for time, I would definitely would love to spend almost a week here. Minus the overcrowded population, this city offers numerous of awe-inspiring and magnificent buildings which impossible for me see in elsewhere and this indirectly make me fall in love with the city even more. 

Apart from Plaza Espana, Park Guell and La Sagrada Familia where we're successfully went and visit during our stay in Barcelona, there are also other few top attractions we managed to squeeze in into our itinerary and catch a glimpse, like: 

1) Casa Mila - Popularly known as La Pedrera or "The Stone Quarry" was the last private residence designed by none other than Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi. However, I decided not to pay visit because I would prefer to visit in the early morning cause as you know, by the noon time, the crowd is getting uncontrollable. So the only thing we did to keep as a memory is by taking the signature pose right in front of the building. Say cheese! 

Tokyo For 5 Consecutive Years

"Once You've Been To Japan, You Will Feel Like Going Back Every Year" - I never thought this applies to me. 

#1: Back to my favourite country - Japan

For the past 4 years, I've been visiting Tokyo every year since 2015 to 2018. Just when I thought this year I might not be going back, something came unexpectedly and here I am again back to Tokyo for the 6th time. Probably it's a sign I need to go Tokyo every year. 

My Previous Posts on Tokyo:

2015 Tokyo

2016 Tokyo

2017 Tokyo

2018 Tokyo