Lesson 1 in Malta

Our checked-in luggage’s were severe delayed due to at Luga International Airport. There was high level of security around a cargo aircraft. At first Johannes thought there could be an aircraft hike-jack as there were hundreds of police and custom surrounding the aircraft. As a result of that, our luggage’s were severely delayed by almost an hour. Later, when I overheard a conversation, that there isn’t any hike-jack but today is the arrival of Maltese’s Euro. The cargo landed prior to ours landing carried the Maltese Euro cash. No wonder the level of security are raised. Despite of an hour delay, the first lesson learned - the art of waiting and take things easy in this island.

FYI, Malta will use Euro as it official currency effective from 1^st Jan 2008.

Southbound – Prologue

26-10-2007 When we leave home for Schiphol, the temperature is around 5C. I haven’t see sun for days, and this is normal the typical weather. These photos were taken when I board the Malta Air KM399, the sky and temperature in Amsterdam is dusted with a pinch of grey.

However, as soon as we arrived Malta, the humid and warm 25C kissed my skin, it is indeed a very warm welcome to Luga International Airport. Although the weather is a bit hazy, the heat is overwhelming us. Imagine at the point of departure, I dressed for 5C to keep myself warm in the Netherlands, now I am behave like a peeling onion, stripping layer of myself to acclimatize with the humid and sweat for the coming days.

Countdown to Malta

Finally after months of waiting, we are going to embark to our Mediterranean vacation - Malta.

A small country at the Southeast edge of Europe south of Italy and north each of Africa country - Tunisia.

I am looking forward for this escape, hopefully the colour will change from the dull grey (as the Dutch weather) to some blue sky and that we will be greeted by the nice gozo blue colour of the sea. See you on 26th Oct.

Mosaic underground

These days, London underground stations can be as artistic and as creative as the metro stations in Paris.

I enjoyed the mosaic works at the Tottenham Court Road tube station. It really brighten the entire boring and aged underground and giving it a face lift.

KiaSu

The unofficial Singapore word or rather slang "KiaSu" has finally got its ground in the bustling London especially in the highly competitive restaurant domain. It must have not come easy but KiaSu is now the most striking and most talked about restaurant at Queensway, Bayswater district by the Malaysian or South East Asian community in London. Although the name is originated from Singapore, but the restaurant is actually serving typically classic Malaysian dishes. We visited this place twice just over one weekend.

The first dining experience was fantastic, the food was excellence and in fact the best so far compare to other Malaysian restaurants in the city. The otak-otak, satay, Nasi Lemak and my Char Kwai Tiao were just finger licking good!

We returned for the second time where Johannes ordered Bak Kut Teh and Hainanese Chicken Rice while I ordered Roti Phrata and Mee Siam. The Bak Kut Teh is not bad but of the lighter side, the Roti and Mee Siam was excellent and as good as it can be. However, the chicken rice completely put us off. They would have told us that the dish is not available than substitute it with the Hong Kong style steamed chicken as if we don't know the look and the taste of real Hainanese Chicken rice. This dish is complete disaster despite of all the highlight and satisfaction, I just hope that KiaSu will not posses the spirit of KiaSu (fear to lose) but be honest to its returning customers.

The City - Bank

18^th Aug 2007, 9.00 am

This morning I walked to the Bank Tube station to wait for Johannes who was taking the DLR (Dockland Light Rail) while waiting for Johannes to show up from the Bank tube station. This is the first time I stay in the City. This place is pretty much a dead town on the weekends as pubs, restaurants and shops are all closed over the weekends.

Meeting St. Paul's

17^th August 2007, 22C, Sunny

I took this photo of St. Paul’s on a rather sunny Friday afternoon when I sneak out from work to catch a bit of sun shine.

Again, St. Paul’s is flooded by tourists but it hasn’t lost it charms…