Bucharest, Romania - The flight - Part 01

Got another assignment. There is a World Bank event in Bucharest, Romania and I was asked to represent the country in a panel discussion. This will be the first time to that country.

Unfortunately, there is no direct flight to Bucharest from Kuala Lumpur. The most efficient way to get there is via Qatar Airways with a transit in Doha. Although not the cheapest alternative, it saves me from needing to collect my bag to change airlines (I may also have to change terminals!). Qatar Airways will be responsible for my bag from Kuala Lumpur right to Bucharest.

There is also another small problem. The flight leaves Kuala Lumpur at 3:25 am! Because of the timing, I had to take the KLIA Express train just before midnight. Since Qatar Airways to not have a check-in counter in KL Sentral, I would need to check in my bags in KLIA itself.

To ensure that I remember my bag, I took a photo of it. This is also to ensure if ever it goes missing (there is that chance since it would not be the same plane on the second leg of the journey to Bucharest), I would have some documentary proof to show for it. I do pray I don't lose it as the weather in Bucharest is chilly.

Trains about to come....

I have to say that the missing MH370 was on my mind then. If given the chance, I would have insisted to travel to Doha via MAS to show my support.

Luckily, this is a sanction company trip, hence the opportunity to travel by business class. Qatar Airways is part of the One World Alliance and the lounge is the MAS lounge. Although past midnight, I still tried  a lamb chop. By this time the airport and lounge was practically empty.

There were more service people then there were guests in the lounge. I got one section all to myself.

It is 3:00 am and time to board the plane. The airport is still bright but minus the people. Unfortunately, the shops were closed too.

After an uneventful 8 hour journey, I arrived in Doha. It was morning and the sky was clear.

Business class passengers getting ready to disembark.

Doha is currently in the midst of completing its new airport. Until that is ready, a couple of makeshift buildings had to be used as temporary terminal buildings. This meant climbing down stairs from the plane and getting on buses.

Due to the amount of traffic on the ground, what with the airport operational vehicles as well as the construction crews, it took us 15 minutes to get to the terminal from the plane.

The lounge was huge but nice.

To be continued.

A day trip to Malaka town for a nice Nyonya lunch

Over the weekend, I drove down to Melaka town to pick up my daughter and get a nice Nyonya meal. As usual, traffic in the city center was atrocious but I was able to get to Hutton Square to park my car. From there, it was all on foot.

Below is a photo I took from a pedestrian crossing.

After walking for some time, found this Nyonya restaurant. Ordered all the authentic Nyonya dishes.

My son ordered a jumbo size fresh apple juice. It came is a jug-like glass mug. Awesome.

The ultimate reading chair

This is what I call a reading chair. Love it!

Tokyo Trip: 02 - Arriving in Tokyo and the shuttle from Narita Airport to the Prince Hotel Tokyo

Please refer to the previous posting.

I arrived in Tokyo in the early morning of 24 July 2013. Weather was wet and very humid. As we were approaching Narita Airport, low flying clouds covered the ground.

The cost of Japan see through the  break in the clouds.

Despite Japan being an industrialized nation, it is still very much covered with farmland. Around Narita Airport, you can see cultivated fields.
 

Landed safely and immediately you can see the misty condition at that time.

The airline next to our gate was China Eastern.

The gantry operator maneuvering the walkaway towards the door of the plane. By the way, in case you were wondering, I flew with MAS.
 

The airport terminal was already full of people.

After buying a bus ticket, I proceeded to the allocated waiting area for the bus.

This is my first time to Japan and I am already impressed with the cleanliness and the systematic way public transport was organised.

In the bus. In Japan, bus passengers are required to wear seat belts.

Saw some cars at one of the car parks in the airport. I bet some of those cars will be destined to be reconditioned and shipped to Malaysia in the very near future.

The carpark design is very American. Provision for doors to swing open can clearly be seen in the photo below.

Crossing one of many rivers that pours out to Tokyo Bay.

The bus was relatively empty.

Good thing the roads signs have English translation as well.

The rain started. Wet but one brave soul still driving along with his car roof still tucked away.

Starting to enter the populated area. Buildings started to appear.

The city is still green with loads to trees.

The city of 20 million. Bustling and packed with low rise buildings.

As it lies on an active fault-line, Tokyo couldn't build many highrise.
 

Unfortunately, that means all the low rise buildings had to be built very close to each other.

Below is a typical housing flat.

Traffic into Tokyo during rush-hour is not that bad actually. Much smoother compared to Kuala Lumpur. This can only be explained by the extensive public transport system that practically everyone uses.

The business district.

A very ingenious way to greening a building. Plant trees on the facade of the building.

Passed the Imperial Palace and Park complex.

The ancient wall that surrounds the Imperial Palace grounds.

A typical junction.

Honestly, I was surprised by the lack of cars on the road during rush hour.

Turning into the hotel. The Tokyo Tower is directly behind the hotel.

To be continued.

Bad jam on the Kerinchi Link at 5 pm yesterday

Had a meeting somewhere in Damansara and had to head toward Petaling Jaya at 5 pm. I though going through Kerinchi Link highway would be fast. How wrong I was. The jam on the highway started even before the toll booth!

Trip to Penang Island & Hard Rock Hotel - Day 1.1 - The drive and the ferry trip

Last weekend, the whole family was invited for a wedding on Penang Island. We decided to stay at Hard Rock Hotel. On the way there, we took the PLUS Highway. To cross to the island, we decided to go via ferry.

Honestly, it would made better sense to go via the bridge as you do waste time queuing up and waiting for a ferry to pick you up. Below is the scene from the car of other cars patiently waiting their turn to go up the ramp into a ferry.

The way the ferry operators directed the cars (plus lorries and motor cyclists) to ensure balance in the boat looks haphazard but I guess they have years of experience. Once the boat left the pier, every stepped out of their vehicles to catch the view of the Straits Of Penang.

Note the red boxes on the ceiling. It is where the life vests are kept. I was wondering how to get at it in an emergency?

Cool salty breeze...

The ferry we were on is called the "Pulau Payar".

Clear sky and emerald green sea. In the distance you can see the Penang Bridge.

The main town on the island, George Town.

At the front of the ferry. Note the huge cruise ships on the right.

We are near the pier. Everyone started to get back into their vehicles for disembarkation.

When we disembarked, we also saw the huge cruise ship. At least 10 floors high.

To be continued.