LAKE CONSTANCE - Meersburg

A couple of weeks ago I went for a vacation in Germany and Switzerland with Yi Lin and Yin Ling (both were my senior). We took Ryanair from London Stansted departed at 1350hr and touched down at Friedrichshafen Airport around 1620hr local time. The journey took about 1 hour and 20 minutes. The airport was surprisingly small reminded me when I was in Lahad Datu, Sabah. Right before our flight landed, a clear and astonishing view of the lake could be seen from the tiny window in Ryanair airplane. Shape of the lake is exactly the same as shown in Google Earth. Arriving at Friedrichshafen we took a bus (Group ticket 7.90Euro) to Stetten - a small town where the hotel where we were staying located.

Upon arrival we searched for Gasthof Rebstock (Haupstrasse 15, 88719 Stetten) and checked in our luggage. It was surprisingly comfortable in there with reasonably priced, 25 Euro per person per night + Buffet Breakfast = VERY CHEAP (Big thanks to Yi Lin and Yin Ling for their research on hotels). Plus, it has a very romantic room setting - suitable for those who plan to have their honeymoon :) Shown in the picture is the room for me alone :D

My room

We took dinner at the Hotel before heading off to tour around Meersburg for a night walk. I took a breaded pork with salads and chips + Apple juice.. My favourite on that night was the fresh apple juice (100% apple). It was stunningly fresh and tasty - how could I tell it's fresh or not - just fresh..

Apple juice

Meersburg is a very small castle-like-town with romantic and soothing surrounding. It's an ideal place for a relaxing walk. We walked all the way down from the upper part of the town across the steep walkway to the lower part - waterfront. It was reposeful to walk along the steep walk way. Pubs were occupied by most of the visitors and locals who enjoy wine and beers very much - I only enjoy wine :P. It was great experience except for they could hardly understand and speak English. Night walks over and we got back to the hotel - shower and sleep..

We decided to wake up early in the next morning - around 6 and go for a jog then breakfast. Yin Ling managed to jog around Stetten but I just can't wake up that early - so I slept longer ignoring the jogging plan in the morning. We took a bus to the harbour and then boarded a ferry across the lake to Konstanz. The 2 ways ferry ticket from Meersburg to Konstanz cost us about 3.50euro per person. As we arrived at Konstanz - hurried to the Information Centre Office and get the brain updated with some interesting sightseeing places. We took Bus No. 1 and requested for a FAMILY ticket (6.70 euro). I became the Old Daddy with two little daughter. Konstanz, as compared to Meersburg is more attractive but it's a bit busy with cars and people flooding the streets. We went to the Market Street - a lot of coffee shop, Fish Market - don't really see any fish and the Imperia - a Lady statue in front of the council building. Lunch were at a Seafood restaurant next near the Market street - got myself 2 raw herring (nasty but great) and some fried potatoes and a smoked Mackerel (delicious).

Raw herring with potatoes and salad

After Konstanz, we took a ferry back to Meersburg and walked a round the castle town. Sunset was absolutely wonderful with the sun reflection on the lake. We had our dinner at one of the Restaurant near the waterfront. I had some fish + Salad + Potatoes accompanied by a glass of red wine.

Meersburg town

My dinner at Meersburg

That's a day of travelling around Lake Constance. Next up will be Luzern...

Tiring day!!

Woke up around 7 and went to meet my old friend, Shiun Lei whom just arrived at Heathrow from Malaysia. I took a train from WhteChapel to Piccadilly Circus via underground. Waited in front of the exit gate ( where you touch your Oyster Card) for quite almost 30 minutes... It happens that he was waiting for me on the ground and I was just right under him...

I became his KULI - carrying his 24kg luggage around London - went to have breakfast at McD near China Town - non of the shop in China Town opened before 9. I had a breakfast meal before accompanying him to Euston National Rail station.. First Job's DONE!!!

So I head back to QueenMary. Once I arrived at the entrance, guess what I met Linda and the rest carrying their Summer storage from the very nearby Safe Storage Company. Huh... What an exercise to do... And here I am - muscles pain and exhausted!!

EMIRATES BUSINESS CLASS

My recent flight back to London is my best airline experience since 1997. Title of this post is the reason why. I never been on a business class seat until this flgiht to DUbai. Many people ask me how did I ended up in Business class while paying for Economy class. To be frank I have no idea at all but I can share on what happened during the departure day.

I checked in my luggage with 32kg in total not knowing I've been promoted until I am at the boarding gate. I hand my boarding pass to the officer and when he scanned the pass, the machine suddenly beeping loudly accompanied by red light - indicating Boarding pass error (which is supposed to be green if otherwise). I was really worried at that time - they got my adrenaline pumped up.. The officer then direct me to a counter to solve the problem. Bla bla bla. One of the officer took my boarding pass and give me a different pass with " Congratulation, you've been promoted into a Business class seat. Enjoy your flight!" That's what happened..

The flight to Dubai was at my most comfort with a big LCD screen in front of me and digitally adjustable massage chair. I can change the position of the chair all I want. Food served in Business class is much better than the economic and also I was allowed to try some wine in the menu list. The best part is when my sleeping comfort. Back pain no more when you are in Business class.

From Dubai to London Heathrow, I was in economy class :( it was a 7 hours flight and I felt extremely torturous with limited space to move my body unlike the business class. Ha ha. Anyhow I am glad I reach Heathrow airport safely. It was a wonderful journey.

SUMMER HOLIDAY IN MALAYSIA

It had been a month plus since I updated this site. Had been enjoying oily and unhealthy diet back in Malaysia - Chicken rice and Char Kuey Teow and Fukien Mee.. My favourite cheap foods :D for the whole month of July I've been to Pahang with Shiang Jin and Eilyn to visit Ah Seng. It was a great 3 days stay over at Ah Seng's house. All of us were fed well with a lot of Durians :D I miss durian now :P Visited a couple of places around Kuantan before heading back to KL. Without Ah Seng being the unpaid tour guide in Kuantan, it wouldn't be as enjoyable. So have someone to bring you around is much more better than going alone at place like Kuantan :D

On a spontaneous plan with Eilyn and Seng, the three of us went for a sudden trip to the Water World in A' farmosa in Malacca. I remember the last time was here back in 2001, this place is very very popular and fun but now it's like an abandon water park with an expensive entrance fees of RM 40 per-person :( Most of the facilities in there are not well maintained which contributes to my resentment over it. After a Long day in the water park, We went for a night tour around Malacca - THE JONKER STREET. It is a famous street decorated with variety of stalls from magic merchandise to delicious food. The most interesting part of this street is the Chinese line dancing SOCIETIES - There are loads of them dancing cha cha in group and tourists will be watching and snapping photos excitingly. I was really tempted to join the dance:P The next day involved a lot of walking.. Went for Malacca river boat ride and also the Taming Sari revolving tower. It was a short but wondrous trip for Kuantan and Malacca. I wish I could spend more time exploring them.

G-FORCE

There is this new movie on screen from Walt Disney production of animated G-FORCE 3D. Fantastic and cheeky screening - These bunch of genius and energetic hamsters carry out missions for the FBI in the cause of protecting the world from the evil...

-Watch the trailer on the youtube -

PC fair 31st July - 2nd August 2009, KLCC Convention Centre

PC fair was as awful as ever filled with human beings walking in the crowds. It took at least 2.5 hours to walk through the whole Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre without stopping by to buy some gadgets. I went on the last day which is on Sunday 2nd August. It was so crowded that I only be able to walk with the speed of 1 foot persecond or lower. Oh and guess what I discover during this PC fair, DONT GO ON THE LAST DAY if you are buying stuff like external Harddisk cause it is not going to be any cheaper and you won't get free goodies. I bought an external harddisk WESTERN DIGITAL ELEMENT 500GB (2.5") and a notebook KINGSTON 2GB RAM (800GHz) - spent a total of RM404.. Now I felt so poor :(


I met up with my old colleague from TMNET Booth. haha Most of them are still there and it reminds me of the day I work with them.. bravo.. Keep it UP buddies.

OH ya , before I forget.. this is about the parking services everyone experienced in KLCC. Which I define TERRIBLE.
From this picture, the long queue is blocking the pedestrian way. It took at least 30 minutes before you could pay for your parking ticket. Of course patient is virtue but efficiency makes everyone happy. Guess how many AutoPay Machine in there??

Eason's Moving On Stage 26 live in Malaysia 2009 - 16 August 2009 - DISCOUNTED TICKETS

Hey ladies and gentlements, especially fans of the popular Eason Chan... I am having 10 tickets of EASON'S MOVING ON STAGE 26 concert live in Sunway Lagoon, Malaysia on the 16th August 2009. Price for each ticket (category B: Free Standing) is RM155 (originally RM198). Grab it fast..


These are the seating for the Concert... Category B can get the best view of Eason's performance with this affordable price...

I'm back!!

I am finally back in Malaysia. After 13 hours and 55 minutes of flight and 7 hours of transit in DUBAI at last. Can't wait to eat!! Malaysia food.. I had too much of pizzas and pastas. Way too much especially during my exam period. Feel good to be back.

Winner of the [GREEN] race!!

Forgot to add the most significant picture of the winner.. Here you go..!!! The winner for group 3 race. Forgot what's her name.. haha. She got 10 pound cash as prize from Mr Graham Gosling!! Bravo bravo..

Winner receiving cash (GBP10) from Mr Graham Gosling

Race of the...

.. First year Ruberband-powered car.

Today is the race between members of Group 3 workshop. The race started at 1.30pm. Winner of the race was rewarded 10 pound. below are the pictures and videos I took during the race. Enjoy it..

Ready!!!?

GOOOOO!!!!!

Mr Graham Gosling having fun competing with fellow rookies..

Bored!!

The racing track!!

Static pictures does not give much information about what's going on there. So let some motion pictures to entertains you readers..

This is when the race just begin.

Engineers doing the job

Crash, wrong way and many more....

Mr Graham Gosling's Show time!!