Maui Island 4

It's another year, and this time I'm spending it at home. Not home home (Malaysia) but home. Since Maui Day 3, I still have a couple more to share. So, bear with me. Never have I thought that I would be going to Hawaii. It's just something I used to watch on tv, or hear about it. All the pictures below took place in Haleakala, an active shield volcano that forms 75% of Maui Island. The peak is at 10,023 feet above sea level. The most recent eruption was an estimated 600 to 400 years ago.

Anyway, Haleakala is known for their sunrise. Only limited numbers of vehicles are allowed to get in between 3am to 7am. Tickets are open 60 days prior. We tried a few days consecutively but it was all fat hopes. The window is at 5am but it's gone in minutes. It's cheap just $1.50 per vehicle, but it's impossible to secure that ticket haha. Anyway, it's not like we could get up that early to see sunrise. Since we weren't able to get the tickets, we went for sunset instead. There is no restriction or tickets for sunset, just go. But to be mindful of the crowd that's going to appear there. We went there early, got a fairly nice spot for the family. Don't forget the coat and jacket as you'll be out there for hours before the actual sunset takes place.

This was on the way up, look at this, so heavenly, like paradise.

There's me haha

Not sure if this is clear enough, look at the humans camping witnessing the beauty of nature during sunset. It's just beautiful. I have a soft spot for sunset.

Different feel but still as beautiful.

After sunset, from a different camera. If you live in a city, it's rare to see so many stars. The days when I get to see stars are long gone.

We went walking about and there is a trail, we stopped by and look at this, geez. 

 If there is an opportunity to do this, do it and don't skip. It's an experience you don't get to see everyday. Oh btw, since when do we have emojis on blogger? haha. ✌

Part 2: Seattle, Washington

This was actually in 2016. I thought of giving up, but I thought again, hey, since I have done this for so many years. I should continue blogging. I was in Seattle for a month in May. The place I come from is really hot, so summer here for me, is not. Still, I don't really like the sun. That's how life is. The grass is always greener at the other side. haha.

Rocky is so cute. I cannot describe enough how cute he really is. But, he's so adorable and well-mannered.

 They are the reason why I re-consider my decision to not go to US.

During the sunset in Mercer Island. It was such a peaceful resident area.

 Just like back home in KL, we have the KL Tower. In Seattle, they have this, the Space Needle. It's Seattle's icon or symbol in the state of Washington. This observation tower stands at 605 ft.

They have buildings with unique designs too. That's the Amazon's office. haha.

We did groceries too. There's a whole section for Asian food. haha. That shows the amount of Asians here in Seattle haha.

That's Lake Washington. It's the second largest natural lake in Washington state. When the weather gets better, we can actually see Mt Rainier from where we were.

From the corner, there's this very sweet smell at downtown. Only to find out, it's all bubble gum or chewing gum that they stick at the brick wall behind me. Authorities tried to clean it up, but gave up as they later deem this as a tourist attraction. It is! I was amused when I first saw it. Those with extreme OCD can choose to stay away. haha.

 Is today your lucky day? haha

Seattle is famous for this pig at Pike Place, downstown Seattle. It's a really good landmark to meet people. haha. In front of this pig, there's where the market is and when there's crowd, the traders would throw fishes around to entertain the customers. Nice!

Day 1: Dubai, UAE

It was quite an unplanned trip. I was thinking of going to Laos, or even Vietnam. But, it's mad to be going alone there. I know everyone will be like, don't be crazy! I know! I know! That's when SP said, come to Dubai! Fate fall upon me. MAS was having a promotion, for that 2 days. After I bought it, it increased to 3K plus. Insane.

That's when in March, I flew over to Dubai, all alone. It has been so many years I haven't flown alone.

The moment I reached to Dubai, left my luggage in SP's house, then we headed over to Dubai Mall haha. Had dinner at Desperados and omg, this is crazy. I had currency shock, with Buy 1 Free 1, we still paid 100 each.

That's the skyscrapper, Burj Khalifa, tallest man-made structure in the world. The main contractor was from Samsung, South Korea haha.

This is just at Souk Al Bahar which means market of the sailor due to its stones and architecture of the building. There are restaurants, shops, bars, cafes here. Of course, there is a musical fountain here. It's actually located between Burj Khalifa, Souk Al Bahar and the Dubai Mall. It's actually a dancing fountain that plays every half an hour after 6 PM with variety of songs. I enjoyed this!

Then, we headed over to Dubai Mall with the giant aquarium!

Of course, it's then time to head back to SP's place in the Financial Hub and it's about 15 minutes walk to the Metro station haha. Oh when you talk about the Malaysians there, somehow you meet people from the hospitality industry. That happened to be working in the same hotel as me before. haha.

Day 2: Huahin, Thailand

We had to go to bed early because we have to be up to catch the minivan to Huahin the next day.

We had to take BTS over to nearby Victory Monument from Ratchawitee Hospital. We felt that taking the minivan is the most convenient way. It's 200 THB to Huahin and no reservations needed. Unlike a bus, tickets have to be booked at the bus station beforehand and it costs 160 THB and it takes a longer time to arrive.

Generally, it's 2.5 hours to 3. Yeah I think it took us 3 hours. Knowing Bangkok and its rowdy traffic jam, so put in more time for that.

When we were told that it's a very long way from the place we were dropped off to the hotel we booked, we didn't believe them. We didn't. We thought, we can walk. We did, and it didn't seem like we were going to arrive, at all. Finally, we arrived at the hotel, drenched in sweat, and we collapsed from exhaustion and dehydration. That doesn't mean that we can stay long in the hotel room, we had to keep going to maximize the time we had.

That's the super hot burning weather. It's a surprise I didn't get home black.

We have all heard about Santorini Park in Greece. What do you do if you can't travel all the way to Greece? We go to the one in Thailand haha. It's really out of the way, far far away. So, we had to pay the cab fare and it's not cheap. Not at all. I can't remember how much and since we were already there, might as well right.

This is nice where it's shaded at this part. At least, we can breathe without the sun.

Ferris wheel again!

So, you wanna fly?

Playing with the monopod haha.

There were restaurants and cafes there too. We stopped by at this place that served desert. Yums.

It wasn't any fancy dinner but it was definitely a great one. Beer time! After the beer time, it's good to sleep. Sweet sweet dream. Hehe.

Socially Awkward

There are socially awkward people around. Or even, ourselves, are sometimes caught in this situation too.

Generally, if majority of the time, one feels that way, then most probably they are. I don't know how they feel, or should I say, if people see you as one, and majority of them do, then most probably you are. Some are more serious, and some not so.

We tend to get awkward in some social settings, but that doesn't mean you are a socially awkward person in general terms. Maybe, it's just for that. But, if you are consistently feeling that way all the time, then it's time to get yourself checked.

I have come across one, that I am very much convinced he falls into this category. He comes out as having a weird behavior.

I find this person so weird. With the same type of conversation, one is socially awkward and one is not, it's so difficult to carry on a conversation with the socially awkward person. It's really very difficult, to not get annoyed. Maybe, it's his ways of talking or having a conversation but it's not something acceptable to me.

This person would ask me a question, after he has the response, he will go on and on about explaining the answer you gave. Really, what's the point? Then, why not, ask the question, answer it on behalf, and then explain it too in 10 or 30 minutes. It leaves that other party speechless. The outcome? They probably will just wanna walk out.

Maybe, they should know how to structure their sentences, the questions to ask, so basically the topic of conversations. There's no conversation flow, and it's certain it doesn't flow naturally at all.

If someone tells you that they don't have time to text you or reply you and they only reply important messages, that is sufficient to know the person doesn't want to be communicating with you any longer. If that person seldom responds to your text messages and all are 1-2 worded replies, what does it say? What took you so long? Most importantly, there's no connection. For a normal person, they would have stopped and left. Sometimes, it's entertaining, yet irritating.

First of all, they should know and understand social norms. That's the first. Maybe, self help books and guides may or may not be helpful. I don't know. It's absurd. Take that one step forward, to understand.

Day 1: Bangkok, Thailand

It was just a day of crapping away in a cafe in Cheras, that this idea came up. Let's go to BKK! Checked the flight ticket and booked! So, we are going to BKK! This was back in November last year. Also, it has been quite awhile we didn't travel with each other, just the two of us. It's a good time to do just this. I've never thought about anything else in my mind. I was so eager to go that I have forgotten my friend's wedding that fell on the same day that I flew out. Oooops~ That being said, another friend that's getting married end of this year had warned me not go leave the country, or outstation. Haha!

Honestly speaking, as sad as this may sound, this is only the second time I am stepping foot into Bangkok. The first was in 1995, and a break of 19 long years, I finally managed the second time. That's a super long gap in between!

This is very cliche, a typical travel photo. The wings, the cloud, and the blue sky from the window seat.

After all the transits and transfer from one form of transportation to another, we finally arrived at the hotel we stayed in. It was such a strategic location nearby Platinum mall haha.

Then, it's time to get going. Let's get out! Oh, managed to pass this stall selling pork and he's like the best seller there. We decided to join in the crowd. Yummy! It was really a hot day. Thank God, it was already the evening.

That was a pit stop. Our intention was actually to go over to Asiatique. We had to take a boat over from Taksin Bridge using BTS. BTS is their train.

Finally, we arrived here at Asiatique. The boat is crowded but it isn't too bad because it's not long. It's a nice windy stroll here. Different types of restaurants, shopping, and also spa is available there. It's a very touristy place really.

The ferris wheel. There were signs of celebrations for the New Year.

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.