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Park Güell, Barcelona

Back from Barcelona, Feb 2009

Mobile World Congress brought me to Barcelona, but it doesn't take long for Barcelona to grow into me. For a start, the weather is just perfect, no gloves needed on the street in Feb (heavy snowfall and well in the sub-zero in Oslo)! The architecture is out of this world! Gaudi really made his mark in this Catalunian city. If Paris is all about aesthetic buildings, Barcelona is about avant-garde and wacky architecture. Can't help thinking I am walking in a Tim Burton movie set. And did I mention the dirt cheap tapas and paella? I am definitely coming back here!

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Golden autumn, Oslo

New in Oslo, Aug 2008

Growing up in Melaka, god knows that I would one day call Oslo home. Came here mig Aug, just before the trees change their colours, been traveling a bit and started my new job in Nov. The language is tricky at best, but the Norwegian lessons provided in the office come in handy. Will write more, when I can, may be in Norwegian! I always go around introducing myself as "Jeg heter Dennis, jeg kommer fra Malaysia, men nå bor jeg i Oslo". :P

My swans picture from Edinburgh is getting pretty popular, apperaring on National Geographic Daily Dozen, December Week 1& BBC, Your Pictures: 2 Jan - 9 Jan, Picture 6!

26th Jan 2009 - So much to see, too little time. Thought I came here in Aug, I only managed to travel to Stavanger, Paris & Edinburgh/London. So much ground to cover here. With the odd holiday system in Norway, it will take a while for me to see most places in Europe. Not to mention the need for me to get my fix of good food in Malaysia, living abroad I miss my char keow teoy, siew mai, roti canai, nasi lemak, laksa the most! Though they have equally good Malaysian food in London.

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Tian Tan Gong Yuan, Beijing

China, Apr / May 2008

My 1st ever visit to China. Been putting China on hold for too long. My 1st packaged-tour in a very long time. Also, I hope to be my last, but will go to that later.
Everything you read about China on the media is true. This country is really booming! (But the gap of the filthy rich and poor seems to be huge!) Ads of automobiles and everything you can think of are all over the streets. The traffic in some major cities are much worst than KL.
Perhaps this is an understatement, China is really an interesting country, and the history, I don't even know where to begin. But you just have to careful in China, all the rip-offs on the streets and shops. But, perhaps the the biggest rip-off for me is the tour agency (Asia Cathay Travel a.k.a. Malaysia Harmony Tour & Travel) which sent us there. Very disappointed with the places they took us to, a lot of our time were wasted in silk factory, tea factory, jade factory and Chinese herbal factory. God knows the cut they made from us. I made my intention clear to the tour leader, but was told this is an "industry practice" for tours to China. But she is very kind and professional in dealing with pain in the as* like me. 1 thing I'm pretty happy with in this tour is the lunches and dinners, very good food indeed, and we got a good deal for 10 people.

It was a rip-off!! Instead of paying RMB 16 to the airport from Beijing city, I paid RMB 160 (but they asked for RMB250 on their 1st attempt). More on my Beijing page.

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Rice temple, from Kuta to Ubud

Bali, Apr 2008

My 3rd visit to Bali, won't be my last. This island never fails to disappoint me. Had some nice weather, took some wonderful pictures, especially those on the paddy fields.

Spent most of my time based in Ubud. Our driver took us to a nice paddy field in Jatiluwih, can't find this spot on Lonely Planet, pleasantly happy with this little discovery. Wanted to go to Candidasa, but can't find the time.

Also, our driver told us there will be a huge cremation for the king of Ubud on 15th July, the king died not long ago. The Hindu believes 15th July will be a good day for the cremation. Perhaps this is all the reason I need to go back to Bali.

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It's a grey, cloudless day in Stockholm

Stockholm, Dec 2007

My 1st winter holiday in Europe. Scandinavia specifically. Enjoyed Stockholm too much, but I think most would agree with me when I say Stockholm is at its best in the summer! For the little 4 days I was there, the sun is sorely missed, no snow though. Taking pictures in the grey, cloudless sky is quite a challenge, as you can see.

Also, check out my new pictures in Oslo. And the pictures I'm happy with in Vigeland Park, in white and golden.

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Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque

Brunei, Oct 2007

Don't quite enjoy my stay here. Bandar Sri Begawan is a sleepy city, perhaps I wasn't in the right place, walking down the streets in BSB on Friday evening, barely 8pm, but it feels like 4am. Dude, where is everybody?
Should have read my LP before boarding the plane. Was told our hotel doesn't serve any beer, even in the bar. Found it a bit hard to believe, picked up the phone in my room and got the operator on the line.
"Hi, I can't find any beer in my mini bar", I said, rather monotonously.
"Sir, this is a non-alcoholic country." Is the reply from the phone.
Need I tell you more what to expect in this country? In a way, I'm glad KL is none like BSB.
Spent a bit too long in Brunei, got there on Thursday. By Saturday evening, how much I wished I'm back in KL! Yawn......

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Reaching for the sky, Vigeland Park

Norway, July 2007

My most expensive travel destination to date! Everything is so exxxxxpensive in Oslo!!!! (Also, notice the absence of blue sky, it was mid summer, where is the sun when you need it?) From Oslo, we took the train to Flam & Bergen. Finally coming back to Oslo from Molde through Geiranger. The weather could be better the week I was there, but the views from the cruise and train is breathtaking.