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Monday, August 30, 2010

PHOTO CHALLENGE BALIK RAYA!

WOKEH! "Photo Challenge Balik Raya" datang lagiiiiii!

Camne nak main contest ni? Tengok post ni dengan post ni sebagai contoh.

This time, even more interesting!!! Sebab? Ada HADIAH! Contest ni terbuka pada sesiapa saja yang ada blog. Setiap satu tajuk, hanya satu gambar saje yg bleh diuploadkan. Apa tajuk2nyer? Akan disenaraikan dalam post yg akan datang! Tungguuuuuuu! (Be prepared ye?)

Tapi, silalah baca syarat2nyer dulu...semuanya telah ditetapkan seperti dibawah :

1. Setiap gambar MESTI ada subject (iaitu BLOGGER tu sendri, adik bradik, anak, mak, pak, sume tak bleh) dan object (tajuk criteria yg diminta nanti)

2. Setiap gambar MESTI terang dan jelas (blur2 blakang tak main, kamera hebat2 ke cabuk ke tak kisah) dan kualiti betapa cunnyer dan cantiknyer gambar itu dek kerana kehebatan kamera kepunyaan blogger semua adalah bonus yg paling last skali

3. Setiap gambar AKAN diadili mengikut KETEPATAN tajuk criteria yg diminta (if kata depan, depan la, bukan tepi...if kata berdiri, berdiri la, bukan duduk)

4. Setiap criteria MESTI general, tak boleh ada NAMA tempat, benda, orang, apa2 kata nama la senang cite, or else, tak adil la if ikut negeri, bilangan family, and such

5. Setiap gambar HANYA boleh diambil bermula dari tarikh 6hb Sept 2010 sehingga 20hb Sept 2010 sahaja, maknanya setiap gambar MESTI ada printed date and time supaya takde yg menipu gambar tu gambar lama (mana la tau kot2 kena topik, tapi gambar lama, tak aci la kan) so set la kat kamera korang tu ye, kang kalah plak

6. Setiap entry post MESTI dikeluarkan pada 20hb Sept 2010 before 12.00pm di blog masing2 (tak bleh awal tak bleh lewat, mesti PADA tarikh ni ye) dan tinggalkan link email korang kat the next post yg akan dikeluarkan nanti

7. Pengadilan akan dibuat HANYA pada 21hb Sept 2010 pagi dan keputusan akan dibuat pada 22hb Sept 2010 pagi, so nak tau menang ke tak, datang ke blog ni ok?

8. Keputusan pengadil adalah MUKTAMAD dan semuanya berdasarkan KETEPATAN criteria dan PEMBAHAGIAN markah (sape kalah, terima je la ye...)

9. HANYA akan ada SATU pemenang, dan hadiahnyer? MISTERIIIII...(tapi kompem best gile la...mana la tau kot2 tiket kapal terbang ke destinasi rahsia ke haaaaaaaaaa...tak janjiiiii!)

SENANG GILE WEHHH!


-Originated and sponsored by Sekupang Team-

Beijing - Tianjin High Speed Train & Airport : The Return

“Dah? Takde apa yang tinggal?” Hubby asked.

“Takde…”

I towed my bag out from the room and went down the lobby. Checked out and caught a subway ride at Dengshikou Line 5 and made an interchange at Chongwenmen Line 2, and stopped at Beijing Railway Station. It was a tiring exercise as we need to lift up the bag, walking down the high steep stairs at every station, with thousands of locals occupied the subway area and the train! Argh!
At the railway station, we were looking for Fara (UKM lecturer cum PhD student that we met in Beijing) and her mom near the McD outlet, where we made this arrangement the day we arrived at Beijing. We looked around but couldn’t find them. We also made an arrangement where whichever couple reached there first, can make a move at 11.00am, if the other couple still didn’t turn up.

Lucky, I saw them behind one big pole that almost blocked them up, just in front of the McD. We made a move and headed to the ticket office. Since too many people queuing, we decided to purchase the ticket at the vending machine. I bought first, and then followed by hubby. Too bad, we were stupid enough to buy 2 tickets separately, so the seating were then separated. Unlike us who bought second class ticket, Fara chose to buy first class ticket, but unfortunately, first class tickets were sold out.
We walked up to the waiting area and started to walk into the queue, but was called up by one of the officer,

“Yes, this way please.” She directed us to wait next to her.

“Eh why ar?” I whispered to hubby. The queue was super long and we had to wait next to her? "Are we in trouble?" But she was smiling...

“It’s ok. It is our pleasure to serve you. Where are you coming from?” She asked.

“Malay-xia” we told her.

She then asked us to snap her picture with us and gave her email address, and asked a copy to be sent to her. Hahaha! What a nice officer. Maybe her superior will reward her with something for this initiative. Hehehe!
She then walked us to the front and opened the VIP gate, for us to pass in. WOW! Believe me, EVERYONE who was queuing, looking at us, and I bet, cursing like hell! Hahahaha! What to do…tourist got in first maaaaa! Hahaha! (We bought second class coach, not even the first class coach wor!)
Since we have tried the first class coach the day we came, we didn’t bother to have another round. Second class coach wasn’t bad at all thought seats were smaller. 30 minutes journey from Beijing to Tianjin getting fun and exciting when we finally experience the highest speed of the bullet train, which was 333kmph! (Maximum is 350kmph, anyhow, top speed that ever being recorded was 333kmph!)
We also saw few replicas of Eiffel Towers on other buildings! Hahaha! These were two of them!
Once we reached Tianjin Railway Station, we straight away walked to the Taxi station. As what Gary has informed earlier, we NEED to hire a metered taxi to Tianjin Benhai Airport, to avoid getting ripped off by illegal cab drivers. We queued up along the railed-pedestrian and waited for our turn. All cabs are in half turquoise and half grey colors.
When it was our turn, we had to quickly dump in our bags in the boot and quickly jumped in the cab, without having to say anything to the driver. He (who was the driver) had to quickly drive out from the station, as more and more cabs approaching behind us. It was a very speedy process!

All four of us still didn’t say anything to him, and started to talk in Malay to each other.

“Ni macamana nak bagitau dia ni?” Fara asked.

“Tu la pasal…paham ke?” I answered.

“You tolong bagitau dia…” I asked hubby, as he sat next to the driver.

He looked at the driver and said, “Airport?”

The cab driver spoke Mandarin.

“Ah sudah! Dia tak paham!” We worried.

“Airport? You know airport?” We kept on talking in English.

He kept on saying something in Mandarin.

“Tianjin Airport? TI-AN-JIN AIR-PORT?” I tried to speak slower and clearer.

He still didn’t show any sign that he comprehended. He stopped the car at the road side.

O.M.G! What should we do???

I quickly asked hubby to show sign language of “aeroplane doing take-off”. Hubby then showed to him “Tianjin Airport…flight…fiuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu” with his hand showing flight take-off.

He still didn’t get us. I then repeated the sign, over and over, complete with the sound of flight taking off.

Suddenly,

“OOOOOOOO…wor sher ni ter blablablablabla” and showing the sign of BIRD FLYING!!! WITH BOTH HANDS BECOMING THE BIRD’S WINGS, FLAPPING UP AND DOWN!!!

“KAHKAHKAHKAH!” WE LAUGHED LIKE HELL! Finally he understood that we were asking for an airport!

Along the journey to the airport, I kept on praying that he didn’t bring us to the Zoo or Bird Park. Then we surely missed our flight to Chi Lompo (that’s what they call Kuala Lumpur.)

With God’s willing, we reached the Tianjin Benhai Airport and we had so much time before boarding. I finished all my Renminbi (China’s currency) and bought one little panda for Aqilah, at one of the Tax Free Shop.
Half way flying, we had in-flight food and were too overwhelmed to see rice! And for the first time, I’ve added couple of sandwiches too! Owh goddddddd, I can’t live in Beijing lah! So long Beijing…babai!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Wangfujing Street : The Shopping Street

“Dinner mana?” I asked hubby.

“Kita try je la Muslim Restaurant tu…” hubby said.

“Ok…but nanti malam kita beli lagi la buah plum tu, kan you kata sedap dan murah hehehe!”

Since I had no more baju to wear, I straight away wore the newly bought "I Love Beijing" t-shirt. We went out and walked away from the hotel, heading to the Wangfujing Street, the famous shopping street in Beijing.
Suddenly, “Comelnyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!” “Baik plak tu duk diam-diam…” “Amik gambar dia!”
OMG! It was a super cute white furry kitty sat on stool in front of its owner’s shop, where I bought 5 set of bookmarks for souvenirs. Without looking at us, it jumped down and went in. Siut tul! Hahaha!

At then end of the “hutong” (alley) we heard music came from the small park right before the beautiful church. A group of locals gathered around and blocked my view, left me no idea of what was going on. I had to climb two levels up to have a clearer view, where I then saw a band playing musical instruments. Since there was nothing to capture, we snapped few pictures in front of the church that has one big hotel besides it. Haha! Ok…let’s moved on.
There were billboards along the street that has the face of Jet Li (Jet Li loves milk hahahaha) and other known artists, including the giant-sized China most popular basketball player. From this view, we saw many big and colorful shopping malls and shops.
When I said many, it means REALLY MANY la. See how many malls they have at one street?We walked to the end of Wanfujing Dajie and saw one International Expo held at one of the junction. Since it was free, we went in and saw many local products like shoes, beers, sweets, foods and drinks, being sold alongside international booths.
“Takde makanan halal langsung ke? Kot la buah ke, cucuk-cucuk ke…haihhhh…” we complaint.

“Nak try tengok McD?” hubby suggested. We went in and looked at each other…speechless. Everything was displayed in Chinese. How on earth la tourists know how to read Chinese? How to order?
“Jom la…kita tengok KFC camne…at least bleh beli mash potato ke kan…” hubby suggested again. We went in and no surprise, everything was written in Chinese as well. Zzzzzz…how leh?“Kita belasah je la cari Muslim Restaurant yang Dong Lai Shun tu…dalam complex je kan?” hubby talked to me while I was looking at the tour cookbook for the address.

“Haah…”

Entering the complex made us smiled and said “Ha, baru la nampak yang class skit…” See, how different the high class, middle class, and lower class people in China. Seriously, you can see the different on their dressing, make up, attitude and look. Those who shopping in complex look cleaner and trendier (and had their armpit shaved!)

“La ni ke kedai dia?” “Panjangnyer…mesti mahal…”
Yup, it can goes up to RMB200 per person coz they serve steamboat. Dang! I’m not going to waste my money just for a steamboat! I’d rather waste my money on a Peking duck! Nasib baik takde yang halal, or else, I’m 100% sure that I will get one.

With hungry tummy and sad face, we walked down the escalator and went out from the mall. There were 2 set of cartoon figures that happened to be so cute and fascinating, and I didn’t let go the chance to pose with them.
On the street, we walked towards the end of the expo and stopped at one detachable food stall. Hubby bought a bottle of ice lemon tea and sat on the bench. We shared the drink while watching one guy playing with one of his hot selling item, which was a RC helicopter, like what we had in Sg.Wang. He knew that everyone was watching him demonstrating the RC and suddenly,

“Panggggg!” HE KICKED THE HELICOPTER, HARDLY! “Ktung ktang ktung ktang!” The helicopter was rolling over and over and stopped few meters away from us.
THEN HE MANUVERED THE RC HELICOPTER UP AND HIGH!

“Fuiyooooo! Ni tahan lasak punya helicopter nih! Kalah kat Sg.Wang nih!”

We both made fun of the scene. What if we get this helicopter and demo it in front of the salesperson in Sg.Wang, kicking and throwing and smacking this helicopter arrogantly, and yet, it still in good shape to make a take off. Hahaha! See, see, yours can do meh? Can meh? Panggggg, I kicked again. THIS IS CHINA MADE MAAAA! Hahaha!

I did…see the guy and jokingly asked how much it cost. It was about RMB500 which after bargain, I was offered as low as RMB200. But I didn’t buy la. Gila ka…(ok, I admit, I almost bought it..)

Another funny thing that caught my attention was these dancing donkey and messy-haired lion, where we can get this type of toys at cheap souvenir shop in Malaysia. You know, those battery operated toys doing hula-hoop dance move?
Aaaaaaa…CHINA MADE donkey and lion, don’t do hula-hoop ok…THEY HEAD BANGING! HARD & ROCK! HARDROCK! Hahahahahahahahahahaha! I tell you hor, we can die laughing, watching these donkey and lion doing that move, again and again! (Thought of buying one of them for Aqilah, but afraid that Aqilah will cry looking at how crazy it can be.)

Still hungry…and thought that we shouldn’t eat each other. We decided to walk back to the hotel. On the way back we saw one big panda with single star cap on its head.
“Panda komunis!” Hahahahaha! So funny!

Sigh…still hungry…walked in the Fair Price Market and met the owner. He guessed us right, “Malaysian?” “Ya ya ya ya…” we still hungry. We bought one kilo of plum (RMB3 for 7 biji, gile murah!!!) and went back to the room.

Still hungry...“Ahah! Kita rebus telur nak?” I shouted to hubby. I boiled hot water, dipped in two eggs in two separate mugs, and waited. While waiting, I snapped three pictures of souvenirs and Chinese Renmimbi (ni je yang tinggal for tomorrow…)
“Dah siap?” hubby asked. I took out those eggs and cracked them up into two new separate glasses.

“Eeeeiiiiii…not even half cooked, not even quarter cooked, this is uncookeddddddddddd!”

(We swallowed, anyway…)

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Great Wall of China : The Fun Climbing

Our journey then continued to one of the seven wonders, THE Great Wall of China. Cruising on a winding road along the mountains, God has given us the opportunity to enjoy His creations, the scenic villages, river, and trees. Although we were somehow disappointed with the hot summer weather of almost 36 degrees, and haze that have restricted our sight, we learn to adjust to the weather, and appreciate those nice and wonderful landscapes, approaching one of the Great Wall sections, Mutianyu.

"Sampai dah...tak sabarnyerrrr!" We walked towards the ticket office, where lots of street hawkers selling souvenirs at both side of the main road.

Since the tour did not include the cable car fees, the guide has advised us to choose the mode of getting to the top of the Great Wall. We had given few options:
1)climb up and down on foot
2)climb up on foot and take cable car down
3)return cable car ride
4)and the coolest and attention-grabbing way is to take cable car up and use toboggan slide down.

Without any hesitation, we chose to go with windowless-cable car ride and toboggan slide down. The rest of tour members followed us (yup, they didn't even know there was a toboggan slide there...d'uhhhh...that is why you need to fully equip with info on which place you are going to...), while the Spanish girls chose to climb.
"Camne nih?" I questioned on how to hop on the MOVING cable car.

"Stand there." The staff pointed to the marking board where we are needed to stand on, faced him, and quickly sit down once the cable car swiped us off from the back! Then he quickly lowered down the bar.

"Hahahahaha! Gile!" We was so happy and teruja!
Getting up via cable car was a total fun, as our feet were hanging, dangling over the mountainside. From afar, we hardly saw the Great Wall, as the surroundings still hazy. Looking below, few visitors were screaming out loud, enjoying the toboggan thrills.
“There! There!” I pointed to one of the towers, one of the best-preserved parts of the Great Wall. Can’t wait to reach there!

We hopped off the moving cable car (yes, you have to jump on and off quickly as it never stops moving) and climbed up and down onto the man-made steps, just to reach the first tower. I swear, we were too excited my heart pumped rapidly! The first thing that we saw was an information board showing the Mutianyu Route Map.
We then had to climb few steps to reach the first tower. (Owh god, that's not few...that's many!) I was so tired and dehydrated, but being so determined to reach the tower, have made me a crazy woman.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAA! YES! We’ve climbed the Great Wall of Chinaaaaaaaaaa!” (Literally…and sweaty.)The view from inside of the tower was so marvelous and amazing. We didn’t waste any time, snapped pictures here and there, back and forth, left and right, in and out, up and down, pointed at every inch of the wall. We have conquered 3 watchtowers (out of 22) and we had no more energy to put out on the rest. At least, we’ve been there, we’ve done that, and we’ve made it!
The wall is long and massive! The panorama was beautiful! I had a question that kept on lingering on my mind, how they built THIS. How they had transported thousands blocks of heavy stones to this height, in the middle of nowhere, over the mountains? It’s like an out of this world constructions had taken place long time ago.
Watching other visitors climbing the wall was another wonderful experience. Since the steps are really steep, I was hoping that everyone was safe and strong, to avoid any bad incidents. Hubby decided to walk further up to the next and last tower of Mutianyu. But I've surrendered! He went up and took my picture, while I did the same to him.

"See me???"
"I see you...you see me???" Trying my best to locate him with my shortsighted eyes. Owh there he is. "Ya, I see you...hahahaha!"About one and a half hours, we started to walk down, back to the first tower, to catch the toboggan slide. The time given to us was actually too little. Two hours from the ticket office, going up via cable car, coming down via toboggan slide, plus shopping, was just too short.
We queued for a while to ride the toboggan. I hopped onto one single-brake-wheeled-car, followed by hubby at the back. The staff gave a super brief description on how to use it.

“Push down to go, pull up to brake.”

That’s it? Ok, simple. We started slow to get familiar with that machine, but then we realized that this beast was actually easy to handle. So, we slid faster!

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.”
“Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.” The more you bend over, the faster it will go. And don't worry, you'll see 3-4 staffs on the way down, who will shout at you to keep going if you stop. Haha!We slid down, left and right from the wall on a winding metal track. Occasionally, we had to stop when a group of family in front us, stopped to take pictures, ON the toboggan. So unprofessional, because we did SLIDE and SNAP! Haha!

Ten minutes later, we reached down, just behind the ticket office. A couple of old guys in Chinese opera costumes, complete with ancient armors, waited and offered visitors for a snap of photo. Some did, but we didn’t. We walked straight to the street hawkers to get some souvenirs for friends and family back home. Having to know the bargain tricks, I managed to get two Beijing baseball cap from RMB50 to RMB8 (each), and three Beijing t-shirt from RMB350 to RMB20 (each). Bravo!
“How much did u buy that t-shirt?”

“Cheap! RMB75!” the Dutch-born Chinese guy answered proudly.

“WHAT??? THAT IS NOT CHEAP!!!” I, one American girl, and an Australian-born married with Hongkie, shouted to him. His girlfriend smiled and said “…the aunty must have been called you a stupid…hehe…” and that guy’s face started to change.

“How much did you get?” He asked us. “I got it for RMB20” I answered. “I got it for RMB15” the American girl said. (Dang…how can she get cheaper than me? I’m the BARGAIN queen lah!!! Shame! Shame!) And he remained silent, dissatisfied, and embarrassed.

We've waited almost half and hour coz the Spanish girls and a couple haven't came back. Once all tour members came back, gathered, safe and sound, the bus started the journey, headed back to Beijing. Everyone was sleeping, except for me, who still admiring the Great Wall, one of the great seven wonders that still survives, and hoping to come back and check out, how the wall look like during winter, covered by beautiful white snow! (Nak ke datang lagi?)
“Zai Jian”, “Bai Bai”....Great Wall!

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