MY TRAVELS - GERMANY

My Travels - Germany - Bonn/Gemund/Cologne/Koblenz/Duesseldorf
Current mood: complacent
Category: Travel and Places



Five of us flew into Bonn from London one late summer. Good Samaritan (GS), Robert, Kate and their daughter Tania and of course yours truly - me .

After arriving in Bonn we immediately rented a small dark blue Opel. It was a stylish and sporty car. Five of us crammed into the car and with the number of luggages, I wonder how we managed!!

GS took over as the driver, Robert assumed himself as the navigator and we three ladies took our seat at the back. A pact was made that everyday we had to take turn to sit in the middle to be fair and square. GS had always been good at driving so the switch from right hand drive to left hand drive was no big deal for him. On the otherhand, the job of a navigator was kinda simple as one just need to scrutinize the map and be good at directions. Kate, Tania and even myself felt we too could do such a job. But Robert insisted and we gleefully laughed that it was the comfort of the front seat that Robert really wanted. He denied the allegation with a forced seriousness on his face..

With a map clutched tightly in his hand, and GS at the steering wheels, we were all ready to start our german adventure....................

We drove 40 miles away to a quiet town called Gemund where we stayed in a time-sharing resort called Gemunder Farienwohnpark Salzberg. It was located on some hills and the place was very quiet and peaceful. It was so serene and tranquil that one hardly hear any noise except for some occasional sound of passing vehicle. The apartment we were staying was clean and reasonably spacious. Robert family took the living area as it was bigger with sofa cum bed and we took the only room. It was decided Kate would do the cooking, Tania and I the cleaning and washing up, Robert would clear the rubbish bin and GS, the driving and overall maintenance of the car. We shopped in Gemund for provisions eventhough we had brought along some canned tuna and curries from Malaysia.

After a hearty breakfast the next day, we started our journey to Cologne just about 40 miles away. It was a scenic drive with vast wide open green fields on each side of the road. We reached Cologne and walked around the streets. The sun was shining brightly yet I felt intermitent coldness and my nose was continuously runny. I guess I was not made up to live in cold countries ...

From Cologne we drove to Koblenz where we took the Rhine river cruise. It was wonderful as the day was bright and we could see beautiful enchanting castles on each bank of the Rhine as we sailed along. As we approached a beautiful place called Bopart (Boppard), hundreds of tourists and locals who were having drinks and coffee at the river bank's open cafes and restaurants waved and called out to us. It was a wonderful sight with riots of colours, blooming flowers everywhere and everyone seemed in a gay and merry mood. As we stepped from the boat after it had docked, the feeling of joy and happiness were in the air. Everyone was smiling and friendly. We took photographs at almost every nook and corners and bought sovenirs and trinkets. It was a really nice feeling to mingle around in Bopart. The air of merriment was evident as shown by the smiling faces of the people there. We left Bopart some hours later and sailed back to Koblenz.

We visited Cologne again two days later and this time we went to the oldest cathedral in Cologne called Koln Dom.. It was tall and old, mysterious and gothic looking. It took 632 years to build this cathedral. There were many tourists and visitors around. We went inside and saw hundreds of candles burning. It was my first time in a church. I had never been in one before. I was all the time repeating my "shahadah" in my heart over and over again. Yess... I was in a church but I am a Muslim and Muslims are allowed to go into churches as long as we keep to our faith". It was just like the recent visit of the pope to the mosque in Turkey. However when I got back to the apartment in Gemund, I kept remembering those candles burning in the church...the inside of the church was kinda dark and with the hundreds of lit candles, it gave a strange intoxicating ambience which kept coming back haunting me and playing in my mind. I thought and thought about it and realised that something was changing me....(ooo... dun be alarmed...I hv not finished yet....) I took a look at my luggage and quickly rolled out my praying gown and mat, and prayed to Allah asking him for guidance and protection. Yess... I found the answer...it took a while to realise that my going into the cathedral had made me a better Muslim.. I thank Allah for that!!

On other days, we also travelled to Bonn and did some shopping. Bonn was trendy then with good shopping outlets. We took photographs around Beethoven memorial area (Bonn was Beethoven's birth place) and other nice sites. We also drove to Duesseldorf and shopped at Horten. We visited museums and a zoo. On most of our journeys, we stopped at small quaint towns and villages and walked around stopping for coffee and snacks at cafes. We made friends with some locals in Gemund. One shocked us by greeting us in Malay. He said he took language study in the Netherlands and he chose Bahasa Indonesia which is similar to the Malay language. We also went to a town called Bad Mansrafal which was famous for its glass factory. We saw demonstrations on how glasses were made. There were nice and unique vases and ornaments. I bought a few items and one big exclusively designed vase as a souvenir.

On one of our road journeys, we came across hundreds of trucks of different sizes and models. It was like one big festival going on. Kate was so curious and asked what was happening. Robert answered curtly that those people were "truckers". Kate grimaced and echoed..."truckers...what is that???".. and we burst out laughing. We laughed and laughed at Robert thinking that as usual, he made that up to have his say/way. When we returned through the same road that evening, we were able to get a better view and as normally would a Malaysian and tourists alike, we slowed down and tried to get a good look at what was going on!! .. and sure enough there was a big banner with the words "Truckers Annual Racing Competition" or something to that effect!. Kate, Tania and I were taken aback...what Robert had said was true.. there was such thing as Truckers...!! And it seemed they competed in a race using trucks!! It was something totally different from normal car racing. They raced in trucks!!We were slightly embarrassed. GS was laughing and said aloud..."See Bert, u were right about truckers"..! Robert snorted and said..."These people... (refering to us) they have not seen life..!! Kate and I looked at each other and grinned sheepishly all the way back to Gemund!!

We drove around alot and went into Belgium and the Netherlands border towns. We found that most of the few places we visited in Germany besides Bopart, were rather quiet and inconspicuous except Bonn which we found it to be lively with shoppers and tourists.

During our stay, I found that Kate and GS could not get along well.. they were always bickering over non issues... whereas Robert, Kate and Tania were fine with me...I guess the german air had got something to do with their differing opinions...lol. Otherwise it was one nice, wonderful trip for all of us.

We flew back to London for a few days stay before departing for dear Kuala Lumpur.

Last year whilst touring Italy and Austria, I got the chance to travel into Germany again but this time it was into Neuschwanstein to see a beautiful castle of King Ludwig... the mad King...and it was captivating indeed....

Germany... I may be back again...with or without planning...



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MY TRAVELS - INDONESIA, Medan, Brastagi, Lake Toba

My Travels - Medan, Sumatra - Brastagi, Lake Toba - Indonesia
Current mood: awake
Category: Travel and Places


My travel to Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia was unplanned. It was due to some technicalities and documentations pertaining to my Indonesian helper that I had to resolve, thus I had to undertake the journey. And since I had to make the trip, I reckoned, why not make it a trip of business cum pleasure.

I arrived with my 'entourage' in Medan around noon. At the small airport, there was a hive of activities with touts and travellers alike, haggling. Friendly men rushed to you to help you with your bags but not without a price. Tipping was expected and one must be ready with some cash as not to be caught by surprise.

Our guide cum driver welcomed us with a big warm smile and helped us dispensed all our luggages in the back of the van. He drove us to a nice restaurant for lunch before dropping us at our hotel. Throughout our drive in the streets of Medan, motorists honked and honked their way and that reminded me so much of Cairo.

GS couldnt come with us earlier as he was caught up in a meeting and only arrived on later flight after 5 pm.

The next day after a nice breakfast, we were taken for a tour to the old palace. It was a traditional indonesian palace with so much of yellow hue in most of the decors. We also went shopping at the shoppers market place where varieties of clothings, souvenirs, household items and many knick knacks were sold at very very reasonable prices. It was a haven for tourists.

We finished our business at the Malaysian Consulate as per our helper and it was time to move on for a real holiday and adventure. We checked out of the hotel and started our journey to Brastagi. It was a wet day, raining all the way. We travelled through rough narrow roads and stopped along the way at small bazzars to buy more souvenirs and items. The scenery was filled with mountains, small quiet mysterious kinda villages, muddy terrains, greens.. jungles.. volcanic sort of landscape..Sometimes the atmosphere felt kind of mournful and eerie with the rain, dark skies and quiet stretches ..

We passed stretch of houses along the way and was very stunned to see graves in their compounds. Our guide told us the law was laxed before and out of tradition and culture, the people buried their dead in their houses' compound. So it was a common sight to see graves with crosses and monuments infront of the houses.

As we proceeded further we saw what we thought was a hugh waterfall cascading. By this time the rain had stopped. It was a lovely sight to behold but when we were nearer we realised that it was actually fog coming out from a deep ravine. We were amazed at the spectacular sight..it was a sight money could not buy..so to speak.

At one of our stops, a small village, we were so much in need to relieve ourselves. Unfortunately, the only toilet was in a real deplorable state. I had no choice but to go to one of the small thatched houses. I gave my salams (islamic greetings) a few times before I heard footsteps walking towards the door. As the door creaked opened, my eyes met..what I should say... the naturest of natural beauties I have ever laid my eyes on. The lady was about twenty. She had dark flowing hair and flawless porcelain skin..(SKII eat ur hearts out...lol!!) Although she had Javanese features but they were very nice, well balanced and in place!! Her row of white teeth could be seen in between her lovely pouting lips. Her eyes were a bit of almond shaped but they were framed by natural dark long lashes. And there was not a dot of make-up on her face and she already looked like young Elizabeth Taylor...Javanese version...hehe!!

And the best part was... she was clad only in a sarong up to her chest...lol. Then I suddenly realised I was staring at her and suddenly we were both embarrased. I asked her in Malay if she could kindly let me use her bathroom.

She bowed her head and as beautiful as her face was, so were her manners and hospitality. Like a trained hostess, with smiles on her lips, she ushered me with so much politeness and humbleness to her house bathroom. After I finished my business, I was about to leave the bathroom when I noticed the beautiful 'naturalist' busy trying to start some fire using woods to boil water. I casually remarked if she was boiling water and she enthusiastically replied that she was boiling water to make tea for me. I was pleasantly surprised but of course I would not trouble this beautiful lady and furthermore the others would be waiting for me and there I was, sipping herbal tea!!!

I thanked her most profusely for her hospitality and declined graciously because of the time constraint. She seemed disappointed and I assured her I would have tea, if I did not have other people out there waiting. I shook her hand to thank her again and left some token in form of money in her palms. She looked horrified and said "No madam, I am sincere in letting you used the bathroom, you dun have to give me this". "Please... I am most sincere too to let u have this... juz as a token of remembrance" I said. She shook her lovely head and declined to take the money.. " As I did not have much time to engage in a "slanging match" over RM10 (USD3), I decided to give her my brooch instead which I was wearing. Her face lighted up as she opened her palms to receive it with delighted sincere appreciation. "Its not easy to get this thing here.. u know mam.. she said with sparkles in her eyes and a very nice smile. Now that was another thing money couldnt buy!! So I thought!!

That was a very nice encounter. What a lovely woman she was. Though just a village lady, living in a remote area with very basic facilities, she had dignity, charisma and class, which can put some city lass to shame...hmmmm

We arrived at the resort and a change of atmosphere had taken over. There were loads of buses, tourists... activities going around. Our sobre mood changed as we unwind at the hotel lobby. Everything was so lively. The children were so excited .. and off they went with the maid to have some whatever fun. I decided to check out what facilities and activities the resort had.

I found that we could request for massage service at our room. And boy... I really needed a good one after the long journey! So an arrangement was made for the lady masseur to come. She was professionally dressed in white blouse and pants. She was small built and kind of thin with long fingers. I was thinking...I would have a really relaxing massage and looking at the lady, I did not anticipate any problem. So with imagined bliss, I closed my eyes and waited for the feel..... and boy!!! was I in for a shock... her long fingers just needed to touch my skin, already sent me screaming ... goodness she had the most powerful touch!! I gasped in between screams... pls pls its painful..." She looked at me in total disbelief.... "I havent even massaged u yet mam...I have only touched u" ...haha!!

But that night, I had the most blissful sleep in years. The massage really did good to my twisted veins and limbs...:PPP. So do not underestimate small skinny woman ...

We saw traditional Indonesian houses (batak house) of long ago. It was very unusual because they did not seemed to have any window.(Maybe there were windows

but we could not see...) Only doors. So made us wonder how those people of long ago breath in the house??? Also the roof curved upwards at both end and looked kind of sharp. We went to the marketplace and the children had fun time on horses and playing with rabbits. There were thousand and one thing we could have bought because things were pretty cheap there. Throughout my visit, I have noticed that most of the souvenirs were made of wood , and gothically carved. I was not so keen on the gothic designs.



The enchanting Lake Toba (crater lake) lived up to its name. Or rather to me it was hauntingly enchanting. As we cruised the lake, we could feel an air of mystery. A feeling of uneasiness, a feeling of fear??? Or perhaps it was the rather dark day when we cruised the lake! We went to the Batak Village (the bataks were cannibals - not anymore of course!!). The natives tried their best to make us feel at ease because they knew of our apprehension. We toured the village, and we were brought to see the old bataks graves. There were many souvenirs and as I was skeptical about the gothic designs, I hardly bought any. We were about to leave, when GS remarked that he was surprised to see that I did not buy any wood carvings sourvenirs. He teased that I did not know how to appreciate art..:P. However just before we boarded the boat, my eyes caught a black wooden carving of old traditional indonesian batak house with curved sharp roof at both end ... house with no windows :PP. Remembering GS's words, I thought...what the heck!! and bought the black wooden house without anyone's knowledge. I quickly asked the man to wrap it up because I did not want anyone to see my black magic wooden house!!!lol. I hurriedly pushed the whole thing inside my big sling bag and covered it with other items.

Off we went on board the boat and cruised back to our resort. My daughter Farah had a very bad fever that night. Her eyes rolled and I was so scared and recited the quran verses. She was actually playing on the Bataks old graves when we were touring them. GS had to get assistance from our guide to drive Farah to a clinic. Oh well.. luckily she was fine after the doctor gave her some medication. Like they say... "dun mess around with old graves" especially if they were Bataks!! The next day we also went to some hills to see volcanic mountains and landscape from afar. We walked around. The air here was fresh and cool and it was quite nice. Most of the locals were really nice and humble people.

It was time to leave wonderful Brastagi. On our way back, we took a different route, I believe, because I felt it was not that far compared when we first came. Or was it my imagination ?:)).

This time we passed several small villages where tourists stopped to have one last fiesta. Durians!! (durians are fruits great in taste but strong in smell) We seated ourselves on stools and also on floor mats and were served with fresh flesh tangy nice tasty durians. We ate to our hearts content! The ladies attending to us chatted and told us stories and legends and we had a great sociable durian lunch and this was bliss too! (Ask any Malaysian, he can tell it is bliss to eat durians in open air environment without a care to the world..heheh

After the feast, we travelled back to the airport and on one of the roads, we saw a big crude building with hugh writings across the wall in red "Restauran Babi" (Pig's Restaurant)!!! Wasnt there a more refined way for a signage or an advertisement?

At the airport departure area, I was startled to hear someone calling me...Kakak (big sister..). Did I know any Indon?? apart from my maid?? I turned around and was pleasantly surprised to see my male Indonesian tailor grinning at me. Of all the place and time, my male Indonesian tailor (he sewed my Baju Kurung (traditional malay dress) had to travel the same time as me! Place? Well Medan was his birthplace. "Kakak... have you been eating durians??" He inquired. We both burst out laughing. Indeed the smell of the durians had reached him and I wondered how the passengers on board the plane could had stand the aromatic smell of six durian eating passengers! He was very pleased indeed to know that I had been to Medan, his birthplace and to Lake Toba and was proud too.

When we arrived in Kuala Lumpur, it was back to good old Kuala Lumpur with no air of mystery, not much 'naturals' and...hmmm .. humbleness?

A few years ago, I was moving house and was going through some old bags when I chanced upon a hard item wrapped in old newspaper (surat kabar lame). I was scared and curious. Why would a mysterious looking wrapped up item be in my bag? Who could have put it there? I recited the quran verses and gingerly unwrapped the mystery package and ... opocot! (hey presto!) staring at me in my hands was none other than my black magic wooden sourvenir!!! lol. I rolled on the floor laughing my head off. In my haste to hide the souvenir, I had totally forgotten to take it out of the bag all these years.

Looking at it then, well it looked kinda..hmm...ugly, grotesque.. but on second look... it did seem tough and strong..and with its roof's sharp ends..would make a good defence weapon, especially if you are out alone on your early morning walks..hehe


Oh well... anyway I left it somewhere for some antique enthusiast to pick up...:).

Medan, Brastagi, Lake Toba... hey you are not far from me... we are almost alike yet we are not the same...


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MY TRAVELS - JERICHO..

My Travels - Jericho
Current mood: amused
Category: Travel and Places


We were on our way to Jerusalem from Amman, Jordan and the first stop was at Jericho for our lunch. As we entered the restaurant we saw many tourists, some were Japanese and mostly were caucasians.

We walked up the stairs to a big hall of diners having their lunch. We were seated at one corner of the restaurant. Having travelled awhile we were famished. The weather was hot and there were only fans in the hall. But our spirits were high as we anticipated our onward journey to the mysterious Jerusalem with much ardour. We chatted and joked whilst waiting for our food to be served.

Suddenly...a big group of 15 people arrived. There were men, ladies and children. We were told that this family was a prominent palestinian family. As they entered the hall and seated themselves we noticed to our shock, two tall handsome men carrying machines guns on their arms. One was a handsome blackman, statueques and purposeful. The other was caucasian, looked Italian with curly hair and hunky structure. Both stood a good 1.8 metres or taller. They wore turtleneck shirts and black trousers. The scene looked so much like one from a James Bond film.

We looked at each other. Suddenly I felt so scared. Never in my life have I encountered having lunch with machine guns hovering around. At least not in my dear country Malaysia. According to our guide, those two men were the family's bodyguards and they were there to make sure the family had a safe lunch. At anytime something went amiss, they would not hesitate to open fire to protect the family.

Our food arrived... .I noticed that all of us was not as enthusiastic as we first arrived. We sort of gobbled our lunch and each of us knew, we only wanted to get away from the scene as soon as possible.

As we ate, we cautiously looked over our shoulders to the family's table. We saw the waiters bringing sumptuous food to the table and as the family began their lunch, the two bodyguards each stood at each end of the long table. With their machine guns ready in their hands, they looked around observing and scrutinising. One of the men's eyes locked with mine and I alarmingly darted my eyes away .. my heart missing a beat. Not that I fell head over heels in love with him... but the machine guns and the thought that he would not hesitate to use it even in a busy restaurant like the one we were in, was enough to chill my heart and others.

We finished lunch, asked our guide to lead us out. He did with a smile on his face..."dun worry..." he assured us..."it is quite ok"... oh ya... I thought...better safe than sorry...

Once out of the restaurant, we managed to take some pictures and walked around. It was really a nice place. "Ready??" our guide enquired... "Oh yes we are, absolutely ...." and off all of us jumped into the waiting van, so glad to be away...!




This was one experience I will cherish. I have come to a place so different from mine and I think this was what made it worthwhile and memorable...

Jericho .. I do not know if I will ever pass your away again...:))))


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MY TRAVELS -EYGPT....Cairo, Alexandria

,My Travels...Cairo/Alexandria
Current mood: cheerful
Category: Travel and Places


As Royal Jordan wheels touched the runaway, most passengers aboard the plane clapped their hands vigorously.. We were surprised and amused. It was their way of saying "bravo" for safe landing...

We arrived Cairo on a hot afternoon. I found that Cairo was a noisy city. Everyone was honking at each other and according to a friend, this was because there were not enough signs and traffic lights so the drivers had to honk their way in order to avoid accidents. We were ushered for lunch in a posh looking semi open air restaurant with fancy decors and colours. There were big platters on low tables and round low sofas with throw cushions. We sat ourselves comfortably as the waiters served us cold drinks. Moments later plates upon plates of rolled beef/chicken/mutton/veges were laden on the big platter. Sauces and gravy with fresh salads were brimming to the sides. We ate with gusto as we were hungry and almost finished everything on the platter. As we were contemplating dessert, in came the waiters with hugh plates of beriyani rice and chicken/mutton/beef with bowls of salads, gravy and sauces and curries. Our jaws dropped. What was that we had just eaten??? Wasnt that lunch??

We found out that those served earlier were actually appetisers! lol. Like it or not, we have to eat the tasty beriyani and chicken, and mind you, it was not a small portion.. it was gigantic enough to feed 2 - 3 people. That was our 2nd surprise. Luckily our dessert was just a big hugh basket laden with succulent grapes and fruits!!

The next day we were brought to Cairo Museum to see early civilisations. There were relics and artifacts, ornaments and trinkets. Ladies assessories worn by the egyptians of early civilisation were now worn by ladies of today. Our guide was a burly young egyptian with speaking skills full of zest and fury. All his explanation, descriptions were explicit and detailed. We were more awed by the way his mouth and hands moved than his polished facts..heheh

I paid 30 pounds to see the mummies. The rest stayed away for reasons only known to themselves and one of my friend's husband teased and cautioned me to be careful as the spirits of the mummies could follow me back and I could fall sick and feverish. I laughed it off and went ahead to see the mummies. It was really amazing to see bodies of dead people hundreds of years ago still intact and preserved. I looked at the faces and realised that they had certain characteristics...for example, their noses...all were hooked. Was glad I took the opportunity to see the mummies because I would not know when I would be able to visit Cairo again.

That night before I went to bed, I heard knocks on my room door...When my friend opened the door, she found that it was my friend whose husband had cautioned me about the spirits. He was having fever and was uneasy and sick. She asked for some panadols. She left and I thank god that I was not sick nor hit with a fever. What a co-incident!!

Giza, Cairo was scorching hot when we arrived. The pyramids and sphinx were tall and magnificient. They looked supreme and mighty, mysterious and enchanting. We were excited and started taking photographs with background of the pyramids and sphinx... just to let the world know...hey!... we have been here :P!! Soon my friends drifted away from me and as I was busy focussing my lens on the view infront, I heard a coarse voice calling..."hello... hello.. camel ride and photo...juz 10 pounds." I looked up and was taken aback when I saw a tall big camel hovering over me with a bedouine master on its back. I moved away and shook my head. I walked a few paces and the camel and its master followed suit. I looked around and was startled when I realised none of my friends or other tourists were in sight. They were all so far away close to the pyramids and I was in the vast open desert with the camel and its master in pursuit.

It was really a hot day..but my heart felt cold and chilly. God I was scared. I walked towards the pyramids and the camel and its master followed. The master kept on calling. I looked around in fear ..and far away, I could see my guide waving frantically at me and the driver driving at full speed towards us. He braked dramatically and the guide shouted some arabic words to the bedouine and then faced me and asked me to go and find my friends and not walk alone. I sheepishly asked why and he grunted ..."The camelmaster might just carry you away into the desert for good...ma lady.."

I gasped...."really...oh...how romantic!!! A camel and his handsome master kidnapping me and carrying me away into the desert horizon...lost in the sunset ...forever.. hmm..not many ladies will get such opportunity " ..heheh :P.

It was time to go into the pyramid. As we lined up for our turn, we were again surprised when we were told to go down on our feet at the entrance. Oh why?? we asked and was told the passageway was narrow and low and the only way to move was to duckwalk our way inside. We wriggled and waddled to our destination. A great tip for ladies: Make sure you dun't have a male waddling behind you. It will not be a pretty sight unless you have a butt like Jenniffer Lopez..

Inside the pyramid was empty cubicle save for some machinery which I believe could be the airconditioning system or oxygen machine so that the air inside would not be stuffy and suffocating. There was no treasure inside, not even a small golden trinket embedded on the walls. Looked like everything had been taken out and polished clean..lol. That night we all dreamt of pyramids and sphinx, camels and handsome bedouines...kidnap and romance... but most of all, we dreamt about old fat ducks and drakes waddling...wriggling.. gasping....oooh our tired legss....our bended knees..painful feet...lol

The Nile night cruise was really enchanting and beautiful. As the boat cruised the legendary Nile river, singers sang and danced . International buffets were served and we were entertained with belly dancing. The men liked this part very much..:). Also there was this guy with flowing colourful skirt dancing round and round and round...in circles and it kinda made my head dizzy....and my eyes squinted.. . However, I appreciate his efforts and skills... simply awesome..! "This is one cruise one should never miss ...especially if you are on honeymoon (now I sound like someone from the tourism department heheh).".

At other times, we visited mosques and famous sites and tombs. We took walks after dinners enjoying the cool air and talked to the locals. We befriended other travellers and went shopping for crystals and knicknacks. It was really an enjoyable stay in Cairo.




We left Cairo for a day trip to Alexandria. Alexandria was and is famous for its beach and resort. The scenery here was simply refreshing and invigorating. We returned to Cairo that night, tired but happy and started packing our bags for home sweet home.

Cairo will always stay in my heart...coz I know u have many more surprises instore for me...



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AUSTRALIA....Sydney, Brisbane, GoldCoast

My Travels - Sydney/Brisbane
Current mood: nostalgic
Category: Travel and Places


I travelled to Sydney, Australia way back... many many moons ago..

I went there with someone whom I will now call "the good samaritan". In short I shall call him GS. The best nickname given, considering the all adverse happenings!!!... but.. hey .. thats another story...!!...

Our flight from Kuala Lumpur was via Singapore as we had to catch the Quantas flight in Singapore. On the flight I noticed how busy the stewardesses were and they did not even had time to smile at you.. what more to listen to your requests. Anyway we had a good flight except that before landing in Sydney, we noticed our plane circling over Sydney once too often which puzzled us passengers. After disembarking, we were told after the plane took off from Singapore, workers found a plane tyre on the runaway and they reckoned it could come from the few planes that had taken off earlier. Before landing they had to make sure the tyre was not from our plane. How they managed to see if the tyres were all there.. only they knew.....Oh well... at least I had a good many delightful views of Sydney from air since I was at the window seat.

I had a good time in Sydney, having dinner at Sydney revolving tower, visiting Manly Beach, Seaworld and shopping at the many grand shopping malls. Not forgetting Sydney Bridge and Opera House. GS had to attend a meeting in Brisbane and we took a shaky flight to Brisbane as the wind was very strong and we had an almost screeching landing, shaking everybodys heart and soul. We rented a car and checked into an apartment not far from Surfers Paradise. It was off season and so Surfers Paradise was almost deserted. We drove most of the time to several places and we noticed most of the shop owners in Brisbane/Surfers Paradise were Japs.

One Sunday, GS and I drove all the way to Coolangata Golf Club as he was an ardent golfer and enthusiast - ( being a single handicapper). We walked around a bit and took photographs and talked to some golfers and then we decided to drive back to our apartment. On the way there were many warehouse shopping outlets and stopping at one, we found many interesting and reasonably priced items and goods. GS fell in love with the good choice of golf sets and then he realised that he had forgotten to cash our travellers cheque. Oh dear... and it was Sunday and he did not have his credit card with him. Forget my Amex, I was not going to mess up my budget ..lol :P. GS was about to forget the whole idea when we chanced upon a casino along the highway.with a big sign..."we accept travellers cheque". Well we stopped at the casino with the intention of cashing the cheque, which we did, and were so glad...! Before we left, GS suggested we looked around the casino as I would never had the chance to do so since Malaysia's only casino banned all muslim to enter. So I relented with the intention just to look around. That was my first experience in a casino. It was a hugh hugh hall with so many gamblers and busybodies like us..walking around ... so many tables and smart dressed croupiers. I stopped and watched these people betting, playing whatever they called it. I was then and am not now well versed. After walking around I made my way to one table where a group had gathered...I heard a loud voice amidst the sounds of laughters and conversations...it was a voice of a chineseman.. he was thin not that overly smart in dressing but his tone of voice exuded excited grunts and screams..he bellowed..."I am from Hongkong...today is my day.. am winning, winning...come play play...I'm rich" and everyone around was grinning and giving him encouragement.

He was in a frenzy. I believe he was winning and winning and winning and everyone was motivating and prompting him .. and he was carried away with joy, laughter and oh well.. the human nature.. arrogance...

After watching for a while and not knowing how the game was played, I decided to watch the next table where a small asian, most probably a Malaysian...haha was hunched playing religiously.... As I watched the quiet man seemed to stop playing and as quietly as he had played, he quietly reached into his bag and showed to me his winnings...lots and lots of chips. .of different colours and value, I believe.. well I did not know what was what but from his gait and action .. I knew this quiet unassuming man had won a lot... I smiled at him and turned my attention back to the Man from Hongkong!!

It was a totally different scene now.. Not many people were around him and most had quietly left. I walked to see what was happening and realised that this man had just lost a lot lot lot of money. His face turned ashen and he dismissed himself.. ... "aiyaaa... all gone, finished, bankrupt!!!" My mouth opened and I looked again at him...there was a tinge of regret on him face, a face that was just less than an hour ago... radiated and beamed with excitement and thrill... He removed himself silently and the few people moved away, some gave him sympathetic look, some sacarstic look and yet some indifferent look...I looked at him with full pity and realisation.

It was like I have learnt a good lesson that day in the casino. Human behaviours in several circumstances.. one was loud, arrogant, when he was at the top, the other was quiet yet winning effortlessly without the drums and trumpets..and when one lost...it was really sad looking at a man's face who had lost it all....

And the crowds... they cheered and they jeered..they cheered a man from wealth to poverty... and moved away when he was nothing ..

We left the casino...still thinking about the "Man from Hongkong".

"Wow did u see that" I asked GS. "Nobody wanted to be around him when he lost... he was practically alone!"

C'est la vie! was his short reply...!




We left Brisbane for Singapore/Kuala Lumpur a few days later... but the small lesson I learnt in front of my eyes was one of the experiences I would not forget!!

Hey Sydney/Brisbane... anymore lesson???

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