Milano- Italy

After three nights in Zurich, we left for Milano-Italy Tuesday at 10am. The train ride was smooth albeit a little delay. The weather here was just as cold and rain is expected these few days. The apartment we are staying is just across the Milano Central Train Station. As this is our first time visiting Italy, we decided to stay here for 4 nights. 

The next day we took the train for a 2 1/2 hour ride to Venice- the old city. The place is not what as depicted in the media or in the tourism literature. It was just a small area with many dilapidated buildings. Sad that it was not adequately maintained. Anyway the 5 hours spent there was quite exciting especially taking on the gondola ride. 

          

Zurich

After almost 5 hours, 3 train transfers and a delay of 1 hour, we finally arrived in Zurich on Saturday 10th Dec under moderate snowfalls. A 5 mins walk from the train station brought us to Bristol Hotel whete we gonna stay for the next 3 days. 

Due to snowing, we decided to book a day trip to Mt Titlis the next day instead of going on our own. The trip cost $500 and I thought I’ve made the right decision due the the weather condition. The whole tour took 9 hours.

Cologne

Arrived in Cologne after 2 1/2 hours train ride from  Amsterdam. Weather was cold as expected during winter. As it was nearing Christmas, the city was abound with Christmas Market where tourists and locals shops for festive goodies. Had a good 3 days walking around the old city.

  

Amsterdam

The time to travel finally begin after three years of hitus due to the Covid pandemic. After much deliberation, wifey and I decided to fly to Europe for our long due holiday  

Our first stop - Amsterdam, arriving last Sunday. Been there thirty years ago and it seems nothing much has changed. Although its winter time, the place is always crowded with tourist. Its a nice place for a short trip with beautiful city sceneries dotted with rivers and canals. After three nights there, we took the train to Cologne.

Post Pandemic family road trip - Up North

Last weekend family members gathered and did a road trip up North to Kuala Lumpur for a 3 nights trip.  The trip was planned mid of this year by the Kids and wifey and I as grand parents agreed to join in this post pandemic trip. The last time we travelled together was in 2019 to Adelaide. 

Yanti, my daughter managed to book a penthouse that can accommodate 15 of us. It was huge, with 5 bedrooms and toilet in each room. 

We started our journey at 5am to beat the congestion at both CIQ in 3 cars. But we were wrong. The traffic queue was already bad at this hour. We took 4 hours to clear both sides CIQ. Finaly at 5pm, we arrived at our destination- almost 400 km long drive with 2 stops for breakfast and lunch. Tini (another daughter of mine) who took a flight with her family arrived much earlier   

The trip was well organised and having everyone under the same roof was something all of us look forward to. 

the youngest boy in the family

having a pool game

'death stare'

lunch stop at Ayer Keroh

buying home made ice cream from a car boot

lunch at Putra Jaya

Family - At the park

 

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Today, we went to East Coast Park spending some time together. The kids enjoyed playing at the playground and the adults were just lazing around under the shade. 

 

  

Today, after more than 2 years of living in fear of the corona virus life gradually returns back to normal but not after the whole family being infected with the virus last week. 

   

This morning, managed to go out for breakfast after being confined at home for the whole week. Alhamdulillah  

When state borders opened middle of this year and inter state travelling allowed, many took the opportunity to drive up north. We did a road trip up north with some family members during the June school holidays. A long awaited one since the pandemic disrupt our life since 2020.

Our 1st stop for the night- Melaka

Lunch stop over in Putra Jaya enroute to Kuala Lumpur

2nd stop - Kuala Lumpur

Enroute to Frasers Hill from KL - need a tyre replacement due to unforeseen circumstances

Waiting along the road in KL whilst awaiting tyre replacement for the other car

Next stop at Frasers Hill

A round of golf at Frasers Hill

Family shot

Next stop- Genting Highlands

Final stop- Melaka