Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam - The flight - Part 01

I was invited to present two papers at an event in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam organised by the IDB. Took a Royal Brunei airline from KLIA. It was the last flight into the airport which arrived at midnight.

Beautiful and modern airport. However, it does not operate 24 hours and when I arrived, the terminal was closing down for the day. Everything was being turned off. 

Waited for my airport transfer to the hotel.

(to be continued)

Working visit to Tokyo, Japan - Sightseeing in Tokyo - Part 5

Continuation from:

Working visit to Tokyo, Japan - ABMF Conference at the ADB Institute - Part 4

After the conference we got half a day to kill before our flight back to KL. So we took a walk to see the Imperial Palace and Gardens.

Took a walk which was nice as the weather was cool. Was surprised to see the number of people on the street (lack off). I always imagined the sidewalk will be full of people.

The gardens.

Grand looking moat and battlements.

One of many ancient gates to the gardens.

Well taken care moat.

No cars are allowed here.

The modern buildings surrounding the Imperial Palace and garden.

One of the entrance to the Imperial Palace.

We then found ourselves at Ginza.

Shops everywhere.

Now you start to see the people.

Also walked pass the Tokyo Tower.

By night time we found ourselves at the Shibuya Traing Station were we found the famous statue of the dog Hachiko.

Dinner at a Korean restaurant.

To be continued.

UK Trip December 2015 - Part 05 - Visiting the Imperial War Museum in London

Continuation from:

UK Trip December 2015 - Part 04 - Walking along the Thames river and Tower Bridge

After Tower Bridge we went back to a Tube station and headed towards Lambert North Tube station. From there we headed towards the Imperial War Museum on Lambeth Road, London SE1 6H. 

While walking towards the museum we happen to stumble upon the house of William Bligh, the Commander of the 'Bounty' (1754 - 1817). Wow, a house that is more than 200 years old. Looks just like any typical house in London.

The museum is situated next to a park. We went through the park and I saw this giant sundial. Unfortunately, it was a downcast day and we can't see any shadows.

The first thing that greeted us at the entrance of the museum was a pair of 16 inch naval guns. Massive.

The front of the museum.

The shell is more than a tonne in weight.

The breach of the massive guns.

The entrance of the museum. The museum is housed in part of the former Bethlem Hospital (Bedlam), built in 1811 and relocated in 1930, with the museum arriving from South Kensington in 1936.

The main hall of the museum has a number of major exhibits like old WW2 aircraft and modern jets like the Harrier Jump Jet pictured below.

There is also the famous Spitfire as well as the V1 and V2 weapons from Nazi Germany.

I particularly like the WW1 exhibition. Here is an advert asking people to invest in War Bonds.

A T34 tank.

A German 88 mm anti-aircraft cannon.

The German sidecar recon BMW bike.

A replica of the bomb that destroyed Hiroshima.

The Supermarine Spitfire.

The highest floor of the museum.

Selfie.

Had a wonderful time at the museum, the kids enjoyed it.

 To be continued.

UK Trip December 2015 - Part 01 - Flight to London

Decision to go to UK was made in less than 24 hours after my daughter was given an opportunity by one UK university to do her degree there. Buying flight tickets and getting all the accommodations and traveling needs sorted in Kuala Lumpur was a breeze with the power of the internet. The adage 'With Credit Card Will Travel' definitely rings true.

Our journey started at KL Sentral at the ERL station. Flying by MAS was an advantage as we got to check in our luggage as well as get our boarding pass there an then without any hassle of queuing at the airport terminal.


The only snag is that the ERL Express to KLIA Airport is always full and hard to get seats. However, since we will be on our butts for the next 14 hours, standing for 28 minutes is not that bad at all.

The girls are busy texting because for the next week, the change of getting an internet connection was not guaranteed.

Before we headed towards the departure hall, we saw this cute warning sign.

At the departure hall, we had our traditional Burger King meal before flight.

To be continued.

The 2015 Company trip to Tanjung Rhu, Langkawi, Kedah - Beach, sea, sand and food galore

This year, we decided to go, as a company, to Tanjung Rhu Resort in Langkawi, Kedah. This destination has been our first official company trip back in 2011. Luckily there happened to be a long 3-day weekend during the Merdeka period for the whole company to make the trip without the need to break the event into two sessions. For risk management purposes, the company was split into two flights, an hour difference.

We flew by MAS and for some of us, we decided to start the journey at KL Sentral via the ERL. This also gives us the opportunity to check in our luggage and get our boarding pass at the station itself. On the outward bound part, I had one bag in the cargo (with another bag in that bag) hold. This is anticipate the stuff I could buy in Langkawi.

It is 7:23 am in the morning and the train should be by the platform in 5 minutes time.

After an uneventful flight, the resort arranged a van to pick up the first batch.

Since this holiday is going to be a food heaven, I weigh myself prior to going 'food-crazy'.

My room and bed.

The resort is very quiet and extreme low density. Hence why we like it. Here is a picture I tool of the family pool from the pool cafe area.

Lovely weather. Can't wait to hit the beach after lunch.

On the beach with a pair of sunglasses.

Miles of empty beach.

Sunset....just beautiful.

Low tide and you can walk on a sand bank.

Company dinner.

After 3 days and 2 nights, it was time to go home. On the second day, I went to Kuah town for chocolate shopping. The stuff I bought required two bags to be put inside the cargo bay for the trip back.

Enjoyed the experience of the resort.