La Sagrada Familia - Gaudi's Unfinished Masterpiece

Like they said, a trip to Barcelona is definitely incomplete without visit any of Gaudi's masterpiece of architecture. So we went and visit Gaudi's awe-inspiring park, Park Guell on the second day, how about on the third day? 

Luckily on the third in Barcelona, we don't have to wake up pretty early like we did on the day before cause one of the Spain's landmark monuments that we intend to visit will open to public at 9am onwards. And the one I mentioned is none other than the impressive enormous unfinished Roman Catholic church, La Sagrada Familia. 

#1

Do you know that La Sagrada Familia has been under construction for more than 130 years and yet, it's still on-going project even today? It's expected to be completed in 2026 marks the 100 year centenary of the death of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi in 1926. When the church is finished, it will be 144 years after the first stone was laid. 

Share:

Park Güell - Gaudi's Iconic Park in Barcelona

4.30 in the morning - that's where my alarm rang.

Normally, I'm not a morning person but for the sake of travelling, I can get up early than my usual working hours. That shows how powerful travelling is. I prefer to arrive those popular tourist attractions as early as I can in order to beat the crowd. 

So, what's the agenda on the second day in Barcelona that causing me to wake up so early? None other than Park Guell, one of the top rated tourist attractions of Barcelona. It's remarkably popular among the visitors and to be wise, it's best to get there earlier. 

HOW TO GET TO PARK GUELL

To reach here, the nearest metro is either Lesseps or Vallcarca Station under the Green Line (L3). However, both stations require 20 minutes walk to the park. In case you are lazy to walk so far away, you can continue by taking bus 116, 24 or H6 from any of the two stations mentioned earlier. 

#1: Park Guell before the sun rise

Share:

Adeus Lisbon and Hola Barcelona!

Continue from here...

After spending two nights in Lisbon including a day trip to Pena Palace of Sintra, it's time to bid goodbye to Portugal and proceed to third country for this leg of our trip - Spain! 

FROM LISBON CITY CENTER TO LISBON AIRPORT 

Generally for a budget-conscious traveller, it's always better to use public transport - buses or the metro system. You can take metro from any place in Lisbon city center directly to Aeroporto Station (Lisbon Airport) for just €2.00 (including €0.50 for the reusable card). But because you know, we had quite number of luggage with us plus they were heavy too, we opted for Uber. There is no issue in getting an Uber cause it is available throughout the city. From where we stayed in Lisbon straight to the airport, the Uber fare was €6.45 - it's relatively affordable cause we don't have to go through the hassle of changing station. 

FLYING TO BARCELONA WITH TAP PORTUGAL

#1: Barcelona, wait for me!

Share:

10D8N Silk Road Trip of Lanzhou, Dunhuang, Jiayuguan & Zhangye

Three China trips within half a year.

Second desert experience in a year, after Morocco trip February this year. 

All these never within my plan until the boyfriend came across a news of AirAsia is commencing a new route to Lanzhou and without thinking any longer, he booked immediately. Guess what, he even tagged me along as well. It seems like I can't run away from travelling every month for this year.

Both of us just came back from our 10D8N trip to Lanzhou last week and without wasting any time, now it's time for me to share our travel experiences and adventures to "The Mecca of China".

DAY 1: KUALA LUMPUR → LANZHOU

Not just that AirAsia X is the only carrier serves this route from Kuala Lumpur but surprisingly, it is also the only foreign carrier that fly-in into the capital of Gansu Province. Bravo and good job AirAsia! 

Share:

Pena Palace of Sintra, Portugal

"To beat the crowds is by getting there early - the rule of thumb for visitors."

On our second day in Lisbon, we woke up pretty early in the hope of catching the earliest train to Sintra. Our main highlight of the day is to visit Pena Palace (Palacio Nacional da Pena), one of the finest tourist attractions in Portugal and exemplifies the 19th century Romanticism style of architecture. Definitely must-go when in Portugal. 

HOW TO GET TO PENA PALACE FROM LISBON 

Pena Palace is doable as a day trip, although the journey from Lisbon to Sintra might be slightly long. Hence, it's advisable to start your day trip as early as possible. In Lisbon, we head to Rossio Railway Station. You can reach Rossio Railway Station by taking metro under blue/green line and align at Rossio Metro Station. To pay for the journey from Lisbon to Sintra, you can use Viva Viagem card and a single fare costs €2.25. The train runs every 30 minutes and it takes approximately 40 minutes to reach Sintra. 

Share:

Keep Safe & Stay Vigilant When Visiting Lisbon, Portugal (2018) - Part 3

So, now I've seen the best of Portugal's second largest capital, Porto and wondering what will Lisbon be? Will this capital city of Portugal as charming and beautiful as Porto, or it's just another overrated city to visit?

Let's find it out now.



FROM PORTO TO LISBON WITH HIGH-SPEED TRAIN

Share:

My 3rd Europe Solo Trip For Three Weeks (Sneak Peek)

Looks like my backlogs forever will never complete cause I just came back from another trip again. Yes, this is my 3rd round of solo trip to Europe after I experienced the first solo trip to Europe in 2017 as well as last year to Istanbul, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Croatia. I never thought that I will get addicted to travel alone cause previously, travelling solo is never my cup of thing. But somehow, life hits me so hard and I realised life is too short and I only live once. If I don't do it now, then when? 

I can say this one is impulse buying (not again!) when I saw another hard-to-resist deal from Singapore Airlines June last year. And I don't know what got into my mind, I decided to book a three weeks trip in the end. Somehow, I did regret and almost want to cancel this trip of mine due to work commitments but with the support and encouragement by the boyfriend, I proceed at the end. Turns out many things I didn't book in advance - including hostels as well as ground transportation especially the intercity one. It's so not me cause normally I will book everything and plan my trip well prior to the trip. But I glad that everything went well and smooth though I encountered several uncomfortable experiences and issues.

Three weeks - I've been to 8 different countries and 16 various cities & towns and for this post, I specially highlight those I really love the most, such as:


#1: Peles Castle in Romania.
I spent almost a week travel around Romania cause there are so many beautiful and mesmerising cities and towns in this country that worth for visit.


#2: Sofia, Bulgaria
I encountered an uncomfortable experience nearby the bus station during the beginning of my trip but then that don't stop me from discovering the beauty of Sofia.


#3: Skopje, Macedonia
Do you know that this is the birthplace of Mother Teresa? There is a small memorial house dedicated specially for her.


#4: Ohrid, Macedonia
The downside of didn't plan the trip well. I did a day trip to Ohrid from Skopje and it's really a quick and fast visit. I should at least overnight at this amazing and spectacular deepest lake of the Balkans.


#5: Prizren, Kosovo
With its rich cultural heritage, cafe culture and mountain backdrop, Prizren is Kosovo's best kept secret.


#6: Berat, Albania
One of the oldest town situated in southcentral of Albania, this town has its nickname known as "City of a Thousand Windows".


#7: Kotor, Montenegro
This is one and only town that make me stay for almost four days but still, I refuse to leave. Normally I will stay maximum of two days in a city/town and I chao immediately but not this one. Kotor does looks alike Dubrovnik to me.


#8: "World's Largest Tulip Carpet" in Istanbul, Turkey
Back to Istanbul for the second time. However, I found out Istanbul is overcrowded with tons of tourists. I hardly visit any of their attractions cause everywhere long queue. But I glad finally I managed to witness the tulip festival after saw it from the Internet few years back.


#9: Done with 6 out of 8 Balkans countries. Guess which two I don't make it.

P/S: Really wish that I can finish all my backlogs as soon as possible before my next trip is approaching soon. 

Share:

2 Days in Porto, Portugal (2018) - Part 2

When comes to talking about Portugal, the first city will instantly hit one's mind is none other than Lisbon. But then, have you ever heard of Porto before? Neither do I. I never knew about Porto until Mytravelmatez shared with me about this coastal city and he said I should make a visit there. And so here I am in Porto for another new discovery and adventures together with my mom and cousin all the way from London after spending three days three nights there.

FLYING WITH RYANAIR TO PORTO FROM LONDON STANSTED

First time with RyanAir. I heard so much about RyanAir but never have I ever experienced it eventhough visited Europe couple of times, not until this trip. One way trip from London Stansted to Porto can be so cheap - it's like £17 (approx. to RM94) but after all those add-on such as baggage fee and seat selection, ended up in average we paid £46 per pax. Wondering why we rather pay for the seats instead of waiting for the time to check-in? Read below:

Share:

A Repeat Trip To London With Oman Air (2018) - Part 1

It's always one of my wishlists to bring my mom to London and Europe cause she never been to any angmoh (Western) countries before, including Australia due to family commitment. And finally my wish being granted when I happened to stumble upon cheap fare offered by Oman Air. A return airfare whereby fly-in London and fly-out Milan for RM1,800 which is certainly so hard to resist with this kind of temptation. And so happened at the same time, Malindo Air was having promotion where a return flight for Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur for RM225 only. All-in-all, the total fare cost RM2,025. Absolutely a great steal! 

(P/S: By the way, please don't keep asking me how I always manage to get all these cheap deals cause to be honest, it really depends on luck and also flexibility.)

It's my virgin experience flying with Oman Air, a national carrier of Oman based at Muscat. Normally I don't have any expectations towards any airlines I will be flying with cause for me, my priority is always the fare itself. But after flying with Saudia Airlines earlier this year to Morocco, I realised Oman Air is much more better than the Saudia honestly speaking.


#1: Virgin experience flying with Oman Air

Oman Air's Amenities & Services

• For economy class passenger, each is entitled to check-in luggage per-bag weight of up to 23 kg.
• Access a full range of complimentary in-flight entertainment and in-seat USB ports for passenger to charge their electronic devices. 

Share:

Celebrating My Birthday In Kun Ming, Shangri-La & Lijiang (China)

Looks like this year is where I blog only once every month. How I wish I have more time for blogging? 

Within less half a year, I went China twice. It's not my intention neither my plan, but I totally didn't expect the boyfriend surprised me a trip to China for my birthday this year. Like I mentioned before, a trip is the best gift for a gal who loves to travel. Last year November we went Wuhan for the boyfriend's birthday, and for this round, we went Kun Ming for my big day.  

The flight duration from Kota Kinabalu to Kun Ming takes 4 hours and 15 minutes.

FROM KUN MING TO SHANGRI-LA 

But Kun Ming serves as a transit only, we then continued with our next journey after resting at the airport for nearly 5 hours. Luckily Kun Ming Changshui International Airport opens 24 hours. We flew with Lucky Air, a low cost carrier to Shangri-la. Besides Lucky Air, you can also opt for China Eastern Airlines to catch a flight from Kun Ming to Shangri-La. The flights between these two routes are available daily.



For this trip, I unable to share most of the expenses incurred especially for the airfares and hotels cause everything booked by the boyfriend. He leads, I follow. Hahaha... 

Shangri-la, formerly known as Zhongdian and it was renamed in 2001. In Tibetan, Shangri-la defines as a land of sacredness and peace. 

We finally landed in Diging Shangri-la Airport after an hour and 40 minutes flight with Lucky Air from Kun Ming. The airport itself was pretty small, somehow reminds me of Wudang Mountain Airport which I went last year. It's funny where all of us, the flight passengers were asked to get out immediately from the arrival hall in order for the airport staff to lock the door. 

Once we stepped out from the arrival hall, we're amazed with the typical Tibetan-style paintings hung on the walls. There is no shuttle bus provided at the airport to the city center. So one either take a taxi, or like us, we requested for a transfer from the lodge we stayed. Guess what, the owner picked us up from the airport for free. That's so thoughtful and kind of them. 

Our Stay In Shangri-la:

Wanxinglo Ng The Inn (Can only book from Chinese website. The downside if you can't read Chinese like me 😟)

THINGS TO DO IN SHANGRI-LA 

1) Shika Snow Mountain 

We signed up a day tour with the inn's owner where he will drive us to two places in a day. The first place he brought us was the Shika Snow Mountain, regarded as a holy mountain for the local Tibetans. In order to get up here, you need to take two cable car trips which cost CNY270 per person. 

The altitude of this mountain is 4,500m above the sea level. Some visitors might experience altitude sickness and trust me, it's not a joke. Try to avoid vigorous physical activities such as running and jumping to prevent the altitude sickness. Get ready with some medicine against altitude sickness or even, buy portable oxygen tank before going up. 

2) Potatso National Park 

The second attractions that the owner brought us to after we had our lunch. This national park is famous for its well-preserved primitive landscape, which is endowed with lakes, wetlands, forests, meadows, streams, brooks, rare plants and animals. When we were there, majority the whole are covered with pure white powder snow. 

Entrance Fee: CNY180 (Including sightseeing bus)

3) Songzanlin Monastery 

Regarded as the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, this is my most favourite sight among the rest in Shangri-la. The monastery is full of treasures like plenty of golden figures of Buddha josses, golden lamps, Tibetan lections and so on. All of these magnificent collections accumulated from different dynasty. They are consider precious productions created by people of both Tibet nationality and Han nationality. 

Entrance Fee: CNY115

How To Get To Here from City Center: Take public bus #3 from Shangri-la County. A single bus trip costs CNY1 (approx. to RM0.60, that's incredibly cheap)

4) Shangri-la Ancient Town

Before leaving Shangri-la, we made a visit to the old town which not far away from our lodge. Maybe due to winter time, quite number of the shop owners went back to their homeland and therefore, many shops were closed. Almost the entire place was quiet and we didn't get the opportunity to experience the vibrant and happening life there. 

2D1N LUGU LAKE FROM LIJIANG

From Shangri-la, we took bus to Lijiang and stay for a night before leaving to Lugu Lake on the next day. I will share more about Lijiang later. 

Have you ever heard of Lugu Lake before? Frankly speaking, I never knew about this place until the boyfriend told me that we're going for a short 2 days and one trip out from Lijiang. Lies 3 hours away from Lijiang Old Town, this charming Lugu Lake is famous as the home of Mosou people and its last matriarchy society in China. One thing I never imagine is that China has such a beautiful and mesmerising lake encircled with hills and the water is so crystal clear and inviting. And then at night, we got to watch the Mosou culture dance. 

2D1N Lugu Lake Tour Package: CNY520 including transportation services in air-conditioned minibus, one night hotel stay with lake view, a breakfast, 2 lunch meals and a dinner. But the meals were kinda disappointing. Better bring along instant noodles. 

LIJIANG BRIEF TRAVEL GUIDE

So, now we back to Lijiang story. From Shangri-la, we took bus and the journey takes more than 4 hours with a short toilet break. Once we arrived in Lijiang, we took public bus #11 to Lijiang Ancient Town. 

Although we didn't stay long in Lijiang, but I personally fall in love with this charming and lovely town. I really wish I could have more time here. At least we managed to visit two old towns and for your information, old town/ancient town is always my favourite spot to visit as it offers authentic old-world experience with deep insight into the culture, architecture, and life in those times.

1) Lijiang Old Town - UNESCO World Heritage Culture

This historical center is situated not far away from our lodge and I went twice throughout my stay in Lijiang. It has a history for over 800 years and a well-preserved old city of ethnic minorities with brilliant culture. 

2) Shuhe Ancient Town

4km to the northwest of the Lijiang Old Town, Shuhe is a small village which has a similar old architecture as Lijiang but it's more relaxed and not as crowded as Lijiang. To get here, we took DiDi, which similar to Grab apps but China version. 

Our Stay In Lijiang:
Two Meters Love Theme Inn

Another thing I didn't expect is that the boyfriend surprised me with my favourite flower - a beautiful and lovely bouquet of lilies. This is my first time I received flowers in overseas. Absolutely overwhelming and unexpectedly! 

P/S: The reason why I have no time to blog is because I busy with two things; Girl Guides activities & events and also keep travelling. I'm currently in Singapore & Kuching for my family reunion to celebrate my nephew 1st birthday. 

Share: