Day 1: Langkawi 122520

Since the pandemic started, I have not gotten any break, vacation, getaway or even a staycation. The last getaway I had was just before I started this job which was August 2019 to Penang. During this difficult time, let's not talk about overseas vacation. Let's face the truth and be practical.

Finally, I managed to get a super short albeit something I really needed for a long time now. All our vacation plans had to be canceled, put on hold, or delayed for God knows how long. My assumption is for another year. Even a staycation sounds like a luxury these days.

So, let's not talk anymore. 2 weeks before Christmas, we have decided to cruise to Langkawi. It's not the best bet for an island, but this would do for now.

We drove to Kuala Kedah, held one night in Alor Setar (or in fact, it was just a couple of hours) before we headed over to the jetty.

Right after we picked up our car for the next few days, we headed here. The Scarborough Fish & Chips. It's recommended in Trip Advisor. Have your fish and chips overlooking the Andaman Sea. Why not right?

Here you go, my snow fish. This place is kinda secluded, so you need to search for it with their little humble signage. It is made to order, so you might need to wait awhile.

So when I go to places like this, I have this habit of ordering mango juice. Haha. 

We stayed in Tanjung Rhu in Langkawi. It is the opposite end from Kuah. Check in time was 3pm. The rooms were not ready at that time. I want to understand from a hotelier's perspective but at the same time I can't when 3pm is a commitment. 

We supposed to kayak that evening but due to peak season, there were no slots for us. So what can we do? ATV it is. 

We had a volley ball session after that. Haha!

Here we are at the comfort of Tanjung Rhu beach for the sunset. I must say that it's a very pretty sunset.

We then went over to Kuah for dinner. I have never done anything like this before but everything has a first time, right? It was just the 4 of us but holy cow! We finished 10 dishes with one big jar of ice lemon tea and chinese tea each. Obviously, we had food coma. haha!

It's time that we explore more domestic traveling. It's not that we can right now, but this is the chance during the pandemic whenever the government ease the restrictions. We are lucky that we have beaches and islands in Malaysia.

Let's Cuti-Cuti Malaysia!

UK: Bath & Stonehenge

After we left Cardiffthe day after,  we went to Bath and Stonehenge before crossing the English Channel.

That's the Red Crescent. Maybe, justice is not done through pictures.

This is Jane Austen's exhibition in a street called the Gay Street which she's an English romantic novelist and has the most widely read novels in English literature.

The town in Bath. Ignore that face.

Bath Abbey

Canal again

Then, it was another few hours drive over to Stonehenge. This is actually in the UNESCO World Heritage back in 1986. Even after having visited the monument, I don't see it why.

It's a monument in the middle of nowhere. It's a prehistoric monument. I don't get the whole idea of this. It was some solar, some sunrise, and when you stand at a certain spot, you see something. In conclusion, I don't get this whole thing. I don't know how to appreciate things like that. Give me the mountains anytime haha.

So, the distance of the entrance and where the Stonehenge actually is quite a distance away. You need to take this ride there.

In the end, I enjoyed seeing this more. Haha.

My Euro & UK trip has come to the end. We have gone back to Morden, London and just that few more days, I flew back to the reality, KL. It was a great trip, despite missing out to meet some I wanted to. There will be another chance, maybe not so soon, but there will be another time. It was amazing and what I like about traveling, it's the experience that comes with it.

I don't travel just because I wanna see things and all that, but the most important part? Really, it's that experience that cannot be bought. I love to see from the architecture of the buildings, to the people, and how people live and all that. Of course, the history of the place too. Not to forget, going back to the place I once was for studies, it was really great except, I didn't get to go to Luzern. It's too bad, but who knows, next time.

UK: Cardiff, Wales

Tadaa.... after the last stop, we went quite a distance away to Wales.

Wales, that's wheree Ryan Giggs is from. Voila. Like the football team. haha.

If I am not mistaken, this is Caerphilly Castle, located in the South of Wales, and surrounded by 7 surrounding hills.

Finally, we have arrived to Cardiff. It's the capital and the largest city of Wales. Cardiff is where the major football matches are being held. Damn!

We went to this mall and it was dead. Shops close early over there, unlike Asia.

This is ... Ebenezer Chapel, located at Charles Street. What else does it do? Worship and pray.

I can't believe that it's so peaceful, or did I go at the wrong time? I guess, it's the population. A reported of 350,000 in 2014.

We ended up at the bar, which played live band. It was good. We left early of course.

We need to prepare for an early departure the next day, and I will believe that we are departing back to London the next day.

UK: Liverpool & The Birthplace of William Shakespeare

That was it, a night in Liverpool and we left the next day. It was a very quick stop. Well, there's nothing much to do there anyway. Before we left, we did a bit of a bus tour before we leave the city.

This is Radio City in Liverpool, an independent local radio station tuning at 96.7 FM and the first song they played here was Stevie Wonder's You Are The Sunshine Of My Life.

Then, to St George's Hall where they act as concert halls and law courts too. In this hall, there's an organ here built in 1855.

Liverpool Cathedral is the Church of England Cathedral of Diocese of Liverpool and is the seat of Bishop of Liverpool. This Anglican Cathedral is one of the two in this city. The organ here is the largest pipe organ built.

Moving on next is to the house of John Lennon where he lived when he was 2 up til 22 with his aunt. This house has been conserved and was bought over by Yoko, his wife as a remembrance.

There's actually a little history in a lane called Penny Lane. If you don't know yet, check out the song by the Beatles. It's a song written by Paul McCartney credited to the partnership of McCartney-Lennon. It was a street name where both of name would meet and take a bus ride down town.

The next, we took a drive down to Stratford. This is your place if you are into literature. To be precise, William Shakespeare.

Welcome to the world of the man who wrote 38 plays, William Shakespeare. That's where he lived and even until he got married.

I'm sure we somehow have come across his works. I did, back in school and just not sure how to appreciate literature back then. Perhaps, I got better now, still not very much though. His house is actually now opened to public like a museum, with an entrance fee. Look into the life of the man behind all those plays and books.

The design of the houses are so familiar, just like what I see in Genting. haha.

 As we walked further away, we got to Stratford upon avon, with beautiful lake and swans.

That's where I got tricked. I thought they were really caught in this position for the longest time, and then I was told, it's a chair he's sitting on, but we don't see it as it's in his pants. I'm that noob tourist, haha.

Tadaaa, it is almost time for our coach to arrive. Let's pose while we waited for Andy.

UK: Liverpool, England

After the Lake District, let us all cruise in to Liverpool.
 
Who don't know Liverpool? Everyone has heard or know about it.

Before the Liverpool Football Club, it's the local rivalry. Football fans should know this. Goodison Park, the homeground for Everton!

Just look across the road, there's the You'll never walk alone club - Liverpool.

It was actually raining when we checked in. We were given time to rest and stuff. It's actually a free evening/night and of all places, we ended up in China Town for dinner. It was raining, I was wet. Gosh, again? Then, we walked at the streets!

This is a very famous club in Liverpool. It was made famous by Beatles! They used to play their gigs here and they debut from here.

It's very stuffy as it's an underground club, just like the clubs I use to go in Swiss. The bands play the Beatles' song there, as well as dress up like them too!

Well, that was the street while walking back to the hotel. It wasn't late, nor was it early. It's summer, the sun doesn't go down like in winter!

 So, here I was back in the hotel with that whatever face.

UK: Lake District, Keswick

Next, after Scotland, we went to Keswick. When we left Scotland, we didn't stop at the border. It wasn't prominent enough and there's no indication if you have already left Scotland. Only when you enter Scotland, a small tomb stone is there.

That's the Lake District. Fun-filled lake. Some water activities you can do.

Or, you can do some picnic, chill out, take your dogs for walk. I'm sure they will be really happy.

There's even a dog-based accommodation. How dog-friendly it is here! I'm so happy for the dogs!

This is Keswick's Market. It's not exactly that near to the Lake District. You can definitely reach by foot. But, it's just a matter of time with the pace you take.

Since there's not much we can do there with just an hour or two, ate the lunch, see and look around and we left. Next stop, Liverpool. Say hi to the furry friends.

UK: York

It was just a little a half day self-tour in Cambridge and we headed over to York.

Depending on which way you take, by average, I guess it's about 3 hours, a little over or a little lesser. I was sleeping, so ... haha.

This is Micklegate. It means great street. Apparently, this place is famous for the clubs and bars.

Apart from Micklegate, I guess this is the other attraction that York has. It's York Minster, instead of West Minster in London. As one can probably tell, it's a cathedral and it's one of the largest of its kind in Nothern Europe. All these cathedrals usually have bells, clock chimes and an organ. 

Then, there it is Constantine the Great, proclaimed the Roman Emperor.

His recognition of the civil liberties of his Christian subjects, and his own conversion to the faith, established the religious foundations of Western Christendom. As a summary, he is a figure in history of Christianity.

This is an old street here in York, called The Shambles. It has over-hanging timber-framed buildings. This street is like open-air slaughterhouse in the past.

From Micklegate's wall, I took this picture of the railway station. Standing up high, taking the small town.

UK: Cambridge

We got picked up at the hotel the next day, and then it's the beginning of our UK Tour.

The first stop is Cambridge. Who haven't heard of Cambridge? It's where University of Cambridge is located and Cambridge is in Cambridgeshire, England. It's not exactly far, just 50 miles from north London. The Vikings were once here too and not to mention the Romans. They are everywhere!

This is one of the main activity and attraction. It's the punting. This session should bring us all to visit the sights in Cambridge. I was looking forward to this, the punting experience. Due to some communication error, this had to be canceled. Darn it. It's all paid for, so we will be compensated in other means.

The ducky duck haha

All I can do is to take pics with the punting boat

This is King's College, part of the University of Cambridge. University of Cambridge is the top 5 universities in the world. If you're there, you're something. haha.

 Aww, the swan.

Not to forget, St. John's. St John's is also a constituent college of the University of Cambridge! Well-known for its choir! Oh we have a St.John's here too back in KL, but it's a school instead of a college.