越南下龙湾 ( Halong Bay) 的划皮艇

2008年6月25日, 炎热的下午, 我在下龙湾想起我大学的 Kayak 好搭档, 杰. 还记得我们会一起在每一个星期三去练习, 参加新春捞柑比赛, 邦咯岛的"远征", 考试, 学翻船救人... 我好怀念大学的生活,真是一段美好的日子.

现在的我们已经踏上人生的另一个里程碑.我因为工作,常常一个人在国外, 每次到一个地方都有点无奈的寂寞与孤单. 有一个像杰一样让我可以想起的朋友,实在难得可贵. 谢谢你,杰!　

越南下龙湾的皮艇要启航了!


杰的划皮艇技术不赖, 我和他搭档, 只是担任补助的角色. 一般上都是他发号令, 控制方向, 指导和鼓励我. 毕竟这运动需要不少的体力, 我常常很快就累,要他不断的激励和说笑话, 才找回能量继续前进!现在想起来，还是难为他了．

我这个小徒弟在下龙湾却当起老师来．．．我的徒弟－娜菲莎 (Nafisa) 来自乌兹别克斯坦（Uzbekistan), 一个在苏联南部的内陆的国家．她第一次划皮艇，名师出高徒，表现不错！

我们在同一家烟草集团公司上班，也同时被选为　２００８的环保大使，到越南协助蝴蝶保育活动．（文章有关这项活动在　http://tansoonshuen.blogspot.com/2009/10/blog-post.html）我们俩完成任务后, 继续留在越南, 并结伴到河内及龙下湾自助旅行.

娜菲莎是我所有回教女生朋友中最特别的．她吃猪肉，好像从没见过她祈祷，有一个老外男友，不穿头巾，比基尼的泳装比我还性感．她说回教在她的心中，永永远远！不过话说回来，她的确是个好人，乐观积极，坚强有冒险精神，聪明又干劲十足，独立开明，善良谦虚．．．我还要向她多多学习．从娜菲莎的身上，我深深的感受到, 一个人的宗教信仰,不是挂在嘴边, 显示在衣着饮食, 更不是生活上的各种教规习惯; 一个人的宗教信仰, 是发自内心, 活的精彩, 然后很真实的感动身边的人.

我要当一个身体力行的基督徒, 成为他人的好榜样!!!

鲜橙色的皮艇, 载着两个不同国度的女生, 却一样的清楚知道自己人生的目标, 价值, 与梦想.

季节

我有时候在想，春夏秋冬，我最喜欢哪一个季节？

春天很美好。

夏天日长夜短，旅行最划算，可以从早游山玩水到晚上９点，天还是亮亮的。。。　可是夏天炎炎，有时候整个人被太温暖的太阳晒，有点不太好受。

看不出来是晚上9点了.我和同事还在青草公园上玩遥控飞机.

也可以看场热血沸腾的球赛, 让呐喊尖叫,汗水与热情都融为一体.

或喝星巴克夏天才推出的清凉沙冰果汁饮料

在不然就席地而坐,享受阳光



秋天凉凉，微风吹来，感觉很愉快，加上诗情画意的落叶，不知不觉中，人也浪漫起来。

水里的落叶... 那么清澈，颜色美丽啊～

冬天就不太行。除了下雪会让人兴奋，大多时候穿上厚厚的冬装，很不方便。阴阴湿湿陈，日短夜长，下午３点钟就暗了下来。。。　好沉重。冰冷会使我发狂！

小鸟却那么悠哉游哉在雪地理轻轻地走...

还有结成冰的湖面，让我不敢恭维．

我到底最喜欢那一个季节???

我没到过非洲, 却有四个非洲朋友

在比利时　(Belgium) 的时候, 认识了四个很特别的非洲朋友. 他们来自非洲的各国，获得联合国奖学金, 到荷兰参加为期一年的课程. 我们还真有缘分。他们四人乘着复活节假期，从荷兰到比利时旅行；而我因为复活节的公共假期，不必上班，一个人从荷兰出发，打算用三天两夜来看一看比利时。

结果我们不期而遇, 结伴同行.

由于大家的名字都非常的难念, 我们就很直接的以国家来称呼彼此. 他们很热情的叫我 "Malaysia, Malaysia... " 哈哈！！　

这位是 " Somalia". 我一听到他是来自鼎鼎大名的索马里海盗国，就一直要他告诉我当地的真实情况。国家的长期内战导致教育，经济，建设发展等等都崩溃，民不聊生。劫持，勒索其他国家船只的海盗都不伤害无辜，只求赎金。"Somalia" 是该国少数受过教育的人之一，他在联合国的机构上班，说得一口好英语。我问他是否有想过离开自己的国家, 他摇摇头说：我国家需要我。我真的被他感动。一个来自那么落后国家的朋友，竟然时时刻刻为国家着想，而我们马来西亚人常常移民是为了让自己或后代有更好的未来，从来就没想过国家。“不要问国家给了你什么，要问你给了国家什么？”这是美国第３５任总统约翰肯尼迪说的。

灰色外套 "Nigeria" 的国家尼日利亚是民主国家，有丰富的天然资源和石油，算是非洲国家中发展还算理想的国家．"Nigeria" 很稳重, 可是有不失亲切, 我猜是因为和他曾经在美国工作有关. 他见识很广,虽然没到过亚洲,却了解亚洲的历史,地理,文化,经济,政治... 我十分诚心的邀请他和他的家人有一天到马来西亚来.

四人中唯一的女生, "Kenya" 是两个孩子的妈妈．她在肯尼亚的政府部门担任高职，生活过得不错．"Kenya" 是虔诚的基督徒，乐观，有冒险精神．肯尼亚和马来西亚一样是英国殖民地．我在中学的时候参加共和联邦（Commonwealth) 女童军营会时, 也认识到该国的朋友, 所以对肯尼亚并不陌生.

" Ethiopia" , 听起来有点想 "乌托邦" , 其实是衣索比亚. 我这个井底之蛙还是第一次知道这个国家.它位于非洲东北, 邻国为索马里, 经济以以农业, 相当落后... "Ethiopia" 的英文水平有限, 我和他谈得有些辛苦, 还要比手画脚. 语言不通的确是人于人之间的障碍, 没有办法好好地交流.

好啦！有机会我要去非洲！！！

蜗牛餐 Escargots

到了法国, 第一件事就是想要吃蜗牛!　招待我们的唐太太带我们到家乐福 (Carrefour) 买现成的方便蜗牛．家乐福开始于法国，是欧洲最大的零售百货市场公司，也是 Wal Market 之后的世界第二次大零售百货市场公司. 在巴黎看到熟悉的家乐福标志, 里头却与马来西亚的有大大不同.

蜗牛买回来后,直接放进微波炉烤就可以吃了. 蒜,葱,奶油,调味料和蜗牛加起来的味道咸咸香香,ＱＱ的好像在吃螺类海鲜.




一般上,蜗牛法式料理的前菜 (starter). 很讲究吃的唐先生在第二天晚上, 和唐太太请我们到一家在巴黎高级的不得了的法国餐厅．难忘的一顿晚餐，我品尝了在小说里看过和想象过的法国菜如鹅肝（Foie gras) 和蜗牛（Escargots) .

上菜的方式有点不一样, 蜗牛已经去壳, 烹煮后盛在有小圆孔的陶瓷盘类器上, 在左手边的是专门吃蜗牛时用的小叉子... 要开动了!!!




我不知道我们一共花了多少钱, 我想, 欧币兑换成马币的话,应该是把我当时的一个月薪水吃完了吧!　


第三次吃蜗牛是在越南的山区, TamDao. 越南被法国占领成为法国的殖民地, 所以越南人的饮食习惯多少受法国的影响. 有一天吃饭的时候, 负责人很神秘的说要让我们试一道可能大家都不敢吃的地方菜, 结果一看, 蜗牛!




每一只蜗牛还用一片类似班兰叶绿色植物来装饰, 在碟子上滚动!!!　我们就这样配着白饭吃，感觉上还带着泥土的味道，深褐色的壳也不怎么讨好．哈！！！　

后来回到越南的首都河内，到了一家相当有格调的法国餐厅，也点了蜗牛作前菜，卖相和口感还算过关！

第五次吃蜗牛, 也是在一个与法国有密切关系的国家 - 加拿大. 我在法语为第一语言的蒙特利尔 (Montreat) 的一家得奖无数的法国餐厅, 吃了非常美味的蜗牛...

我好怀念这道法国特色名菜, 不知道下一次的相遇是何年何月, 在那里....

Travel ideas for Italy

I have not been to Italy, but i planned the 6 days 5 nights Italy trip, covering 6 cities for my sister and her husband. I feel so proud of myself and below is my achievement :)

Route : London - Rome - Vatican City - Pisa - Florence - Venice - Milan - London

Accomodation :
2 nights in Rome (Vittoria B&B)
1 night in Florence ( International Student House Florence)
1 night in Venice (Hotel Alloggi Agli Artisti)
1 night in Milan (Hotel Demo)


International / National Transport :

London Stansted Airport - Rome Ciampino Airport (Ryanair) , 96.54gbp for 2pax
Rome Termini Railway Station - PISA C
PISA C / PISA AE station - Florence Santa Maria Novella (FI SMN)
Florence Santa Maria Novella (FI SMN) - Venice Santa Lucia Train Station
Venice Santa Lucia Train Station - Milan Central Staion (Trenitalia)
Milan Bergamo ( a.k.a Orio al Serio) Airport - London Stansted Airport (Ryanair)


Airport Transfer :

Return train London Liverpool Street to London Stansted Airport, 53.6gbp for 2 pax
Bus from Rome Ciampino Airport to Roma Termini Railway Staion (walking distance to Vittoria B&B)
Bus from Milan Central Station to Milan Bergamo ( a.k.a Orio al Serio) Airport

Local Transport :

1 day Rome Day Pass
Pisa bus, taxi, train
Florence bus, taxi, train
Venice Vaporetti Pass
1 day Milan Day Pass


Activities :

Day 1
530am arrive London Liverpool Street Station ( zone 1)
555am train depart from London Liverpool Street Station to London Stansted Airport (reservation xxx)
642am train arrive at London Stansted Airport at 642am, ready to check in
840am flight depart from London Stansted Airport to Rome Ciampino Airport (reservation xxx)
1205pm flight arrive at Rome Ciampino Airport
flexible time bus from Rome Ciampino Airport to Roma Termini Railway Station, 40 minutes journey
approximate 2pm arrive at Roma Termini Railway Station
5 mins walk from Roma Termini Railway Station to Vittoria B&B
Check in Vitorria B&B (reservation xxx)
3pm start to self explore around Rome on foot

Day 2
Breakfast included
Buy Rome Day Pass from Roma Termini Railway Station
Self explore around Vatican City (early morning) on foot, tram, metro, bus, self explore
self explore around Rome on foot, tram, metro, bus, self explore

Day 3
Breakfast included
Check out and keep luggage with hotel
Self explore around Rome on foot, tram, metro, bus, self explore
Back to hotel, collect luggage, walk to Roma Termini Railway Station
1209pm depart from Roma Termini Railway Station to Pisa C. (no reservation. Buy when you are there)
415pm arrive Pisa C
travel around Pisa
1030pm depart from PISA C / PISA AE station (no reservation. Buy when you are there)
1150pm arrive Florence Santa Maria Novella (FI SMN) Station
2 mins walk from Florence Santa Maria Novella (FI SMN) Station to International Student House Florence
Check in International Student House Florence (no reservation. Buy when you are there)

Day 4
Breakfast NOT included
check out from International Student House Florence
travel around Florence
1237pm depart from Florence Santa Maria Novella (FI SMN) Station (reservation xxx)
317 pm arrive Venezia Santan Lucia Station
5 mins walk from Venezia Santa Lucia Station to Hotel Alloggi Agli Artisti
Check in (reservation xxx)
4pm start to self explore around Venice on foot, boat, water taxi, canal, condola etc

Day 5
Breakfast included
Tour around Venice on foot
12noon check out from hotel, 5 mins walk to Venezia Santa Lucia Station
1250pm train depart from Venezia Santa Lucia Station to Milan (reservation xxx)
325pm arrive at Milano Centrale Station
5 mins walk from Milano Centrale Station to Hotel Demo
Check in Hotel Demo ( reservation xxx)
4pm start to self explore around Milan on foot

Day 6
Breakfast included
Check out and keep luggage with hotel
Buy Milan Day Pass from Milano Centrale Station
Self explore around Milan on foot, tram, metro, bus, self explore
Back to hotel, collect luggage, walk to Milano Centrale Station
1 hour bus journey from Milano CentraleTrain Station to Milan Bergamo (a.k.a Oria al Serio) Airport
320pm arrive at Milan Bergamo (a.k.a Oria al Serio) Airport and ready to check in
520pm flight depart from Milan Bergamo (a.k.a Orio al Serio) Airport to London (reservation xxx)
620pm arrive at London Stansted Airport
Train ( available every 15mins) from London Stansted Airport back to London Liverpool Street Station
approximate 8pm arrive London Liverpool Street Station

What should i bring for my next trip?

1) a lot of snacks such as chocolate, candy, raisin, cookies...

2) memory card for my camera if i do not have the chance to transfer photos to laptop. 3G is just not enough for two weeks.

3) more sanitary pads so that i can use freely and no need to use it on budget

4) body shampoo, shampoo, hair conditioner and body lotion. To be specific, body lotion is a must, as well as sunblock. Never assume that i have the sunblock and can use it as body lotion.

5) will be really good to have a hat or cap

6) at least two universal power plug adapters. One is simply not enough for the night to charge the laptop, handphone, blackberry, camera etc

7) contact lenses

8) sunglasses

9) raincoat or water proof jacket with hood

10) laundry powder or detergent

11) reading material

12) head lamp ( if it's a outdoor adventurous trip)

13) alcohol swaps or sterilizer

14) dairy and pen to write

15) additional bagpack besides trolley bag

16) first aid kit with medicine

Hiking to Tam Dao Peak at Vietnam

No, i didn't make it. The hike took 8 hours from 815 early in the morning and back to our hotel at 415PM.

Reasons i'm not joining :

1) I'm not fit for mountain hiking. Thank God i didn't go! All my friends came back and told me the hike was crazy!

2) I need more rest after days of on site Earthwatch Butterflies of Vietnam Project

3) I would like to save my energy fo the next day and day after, my Halong Bay trip

4) I need to recover from giant leech bite!!!

5) I rather not to push myself too hard. I'm not good at self motivation when come to hiking and i don't have a strong determination to conquest Tam Dao Peak


I stayed at the hotel room doing my laundry, reading, writing dairy, book my flight, nap, chatting with locals and called home.

It was so leisure, relax, with a lot of free time and taking photo of my wound dressing in toilet paper!!!

No personal laptop with me, and the internet cafe with six computers and very slow connection located quite a distance away from my hotel.

I spent time on day dreaming, thinking, eating the local fruit snacks... it was a different experience and i enjoyed it very much.

I was trying to play with plater but it jut simply didn't work well.

Conclusion, plaster with tobacco still the best solution :)