Where to go with kids below 5

As much as kids love being with their parents everywhere, they also love playing and running. Fairuz and I love traveling and exploring. Before we had 2 extra humans being living with us, we would travel whatever style we like. The budget was even less!

Some parents may be blessed with kids that are not as demanding as ours. Wildan isn't really keen with city sightseeing. He loves the museum, running around in the field, playing at the playground. I mean he's 5 and a boy. Alana doesn't really care most of the time. Just make sure she is not hungry nor tired then she'll be fine. Be it a city or a beach. But of course, give her beaches she'll rave about it forever.

When I was small, my parents took me everywhere. We travel the world. My dad particularly, being the wise man he is, he only brought us traveling when it is only involved beaches, Sunway lagoon, Disneyland and the likes. If it is a city or adult type of sightseeing, they'll leave us with the grandparents and have their own sweet time. Until today I remembered the details of all our travels and I remembered how happy I was. To that, I was very thankful for the memories.

Here are a few tips on places to travel with kids below 5.

1. City sightseeings are not for kids. To an extent of course. A city with parks and playgrounds and museums are for kids. Occasionally bring your kids to playgrounds. They will love you for that even if it means sacrificing a sight or 2 for us.

2. Beaches. IT. NEVER. FAILS.

3. The Huge field/garden outside of a mansion or a castle or a chateau. Running is somehow their passion. I supposed they needed a medium to let out the energy inside of them. What not to like! Gorgeous view and a plus point that you get to see your kid even at a distance. You'll thank me later.

4. The zoo. Well, it depends on your kid. My boy isn't really an animal kinda boy, he likes museum better. Alana loves the zoo.

5. Recreational or family center. Disneyland, Legoland, Center Parc, Waterpark. They will rave about it forever. I swear.

If you parents out there have more places that are kids suitable and friendly, please let me know. We love exploring as a family.

Our first Ski Lessons, Fort William Scotland

After done playing the waiting game we decided had to have some snow. When Fairuz's best friend Helmi whatsapp him telling him that he is coming to the UK and lets go skiing, we jumped to the opportunity. Wil had wanted to play with snow for the longest time. He keeps on saying he wanted snow. But sadly we weren't getting any despite the forecast telling us we will have a white christmas last year. Poor him.

We choose Fort William Scotland for our ski lessons. Reason being, it is close to home and it probably saved us slightly in the cost department. Although Scotland is closer to home, the journey to Fort William took us almost the whole day. 1st it was an hour and a half journey to Standstead. Then an hour or so in the flight to Glasgow. Then it takes us another 3 hours to drive from Glasgow to Fort William (If there is a place where we can go skiing without having to drive for 3 hours from the airport people then please this momma know). Thank god the kids where in their best behaviour on that day. They were sleeping throughout the 3 hours driving.

The ski lessons was supposed to be held on Sunday. Unfortunately the weather was windy and the gondola that goes up the mountain was closed. So we had to postponed to Monday. Thank god the place was opened on Monday because if it wasn't it will be such a disappointment especially for the kids.

I wasn't able to joined in the whole period of lessons (despite paying! T_T) because Alana was so clingy and there wasn't enough adult to look after the kids. My dad had to go home halfway through and Helmi's helper had to hold on to their baby sleeping most of the time. So I was left with 2 kids and a clingy toddler to watch and feed. What a day. But it turns out it was so much fun watching the 2 kids having their first lesson and Wil was amazing. This is one proud momma obviously.

A few tips & notes to parents (with kids, toddlers & babies) out there who want to go skiing with them to Fort William or someplace else.

1. Check the weather prior to booking.

2. Plan your journey. The shorter the better when you have kids, toddlers and babies

3. If you know nothing about skiing, you have to take lessons unless you wanna wing it. It cost us probably about £41 per adult for just the lessons. Equipment rental costs are separate.

4. We had to pay for the gondola. Prices are their website.

5. Make sure you bring helpers with you to look after the kids while you have your 2 hours lessons.

6. It can be quite cold up in the mountain when the wind hits so some toddler might not enjoy being there. Be prepare to stay indoor all the time.

7. Bring lots of snacks, kids can get hungry (A LOT) in the cold. They have cafes up there but the food are a bit blunt, limited and quite pricey

8. Wear proper waterproof clothes & thermals even if you're there to just enjoy the snow and not going skiing.

9. Forget strollers. Take carriers instead.

10. And don't forget to have fun and take lots of pictures.

10 interesting facts I found after 6 years of living in London.

Six years I have lived in London. I have grown to learn the city that had partly shaped the person I am today. From taking her red double decker buses to where I am needed to driving and stopping at her generous amount of traffic lights every 2 minutes. I have grown to love the city and never get tired of it.

Like the saying from Mr Samuel Johnson goes "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford".

Busy but exciting. Crowded but interesting. Old but breathtaking.

For a Malaysian that lived, studied, fell in love, being married and gave birth there for all those wonderful years, I could not be more grateful enough for the opportunity. Most Malaysian that I've met are either intrigued or very interested in knowing life in and visiting London. Here's what I wanna share;

1. Everybody seems to be speaking their own languages but english there. Almost but not all people you've encountered are foreigner.

2. A Londoner would stands on the right side of the escalator. And walks up or down on the left side.

3. Bayswater seems to be a Malaysian Village. That would explained it as the Malaysian Hall is there and Malaysian tends to go wherever 'a Malaysia' flag stands even when we are traveling.

4. The Malaysian Hall offers the most cheap and affordable restaurant and accommodation. Although it is not the best in terms of cleanliness and the men and women have to be separated. But hey, it's super cheap. 1 tips. NEVER convert.

5. A Malaysian traveller would think of a Malaysian who lived in London is a snob and unfriendly because we never seems to smile or say Salam to them. But the fact is there are so many Malaysian in London that if we stop and say hi to each and everyone that we've encountered, the event could go on forever.

6. But we LOVE it when they smiled and said hi to us and we are more than willing to help them if they ever needed some help.

7. We prefer either to take the bus or walking than the Underground. The Underground could get a bit stuffy and crowded. Underground in the summer. Oh. My. God. Don't get me started it's the worst.

8. Pickpocket is everywhere especially in crowded places like the bus and underground. So try not to put your valuable in your most easy access bags or pockets.

9. If you are alone, everywhere you go there will always someone to help with your bags or your stroller. Or if you are pregnant, they will give you their seats. Makes you wish all the people in your country are like this.

10.  The renting home could cost us up to about 2/3 of our monthly income. It is that expensive. No we're not rich when we live in London. Except of course if we work in the investment area or got paid by the hourly.

There we go. 10 interesting facts. As much as I love London and I consider it's home, I love my kids more. My husband and I decided it's best we lived somewhere more suburban (sounded posh ey? Haha but it's not) and get the kids to enjoy a little bit more space to run around.

Hence I am no longer staying in London but every so often you could see me there.

St. Ives, Cornwall, England.

We had our easter break this weekend. A week before the royal wedding everyone is on holiday so it's a chance to reconnect with friends. It's been a while since we went for a holiday as a group now that everyone have been real busy with work and stuff. And it's been a while too that we went to a beach!

One of our friend Shean Lin, who tagged along with the trip is going home for good after a few years working in a bank here in London. I think he wants to get married and his gf is in Msia. Ahh everyone's gone now. It's sad. Fairuz won't have his golf partner anymore and I think he's going to drag me instead. Ayo! What is this golf thing again??

We went to the most breathtaking St. Ives, way down south of Cornwall, England where the land's end .For 3 days. It's was short and sweet. Rent a cozy holiday cottage just beside the beach and the boys was ecstatic like school boys. They don't care even when the sea was ice cold. They still plunged into the water. Boys....

St. Ives was so beautiful. Everyone just had to agree.

It was raining the day we arrived. But still the city was full of characters overshadowing the gloominess. But the next day it was so sunny that the sky was as blue as it can get. It was wonderful. We all got a free sun tanned.Thank you. 

Then we went to the famous Minnack theatre. The highlight of the trip. A theatre built just on the cliffs of Porthcurno beach. Beautiful architecture, we can spend hours staring at the sea. Most of the shows starts in May, so anyone going there in summer should check out what's in store. It'll be very romantic to watch theatre outdoor with the sound of tides and the smell of fresh breeze. Then watch the sunset while eating in the cafe nearby. 

And then there was the land's end. The extreme south-westerly point of British mainland, and the extreme westerly point of the mainland of England. We were there to see the cliffs like in the movie. High dangerous cliffs. Hehe.

Blue sky, green soft grass. It was simply bliss these kids can even sleep on it.

That was by far my most pictures loaded in a post. I feel like sharing all of them. It's so beautiful. So I guess you guys have one more added to your "place-have-to-visit-one-day" list right? Go put it now, you won't regret it.

Istanbul, Constantinople

Istanbul was unique. Located on the breathtaking Bosphorus strait and encompasses the natural harbour known as the Golden Horn which extends both on the Thrace (European) and Anatolia(Asian) sides of the Bosphorus making the only metropolis in the world situated on two continents. Oh I have plenty to tell on my personal experiences. But I'm too excited to start it off with pictures. I've tried to contain my excitement. But oh well, screw it! Here we go

Despite the gloomy and raining weather, my spirit was there. A bit chilly some days but most of the time we didn't realised it. The people is utter nice when you're married and in hijab and the food. Oh the food, seriously can knocked off 10 years of me and my husband's life but we don't care. Now instead of actions, I have to sit and think about how should I lose the holiday pounds. Haha.

There was nothing to hate about this city.

Friendly cats and dogs roamed about the city just like the citizens itself. In every inch of its fibre there's mosques. Literally every 10 steps you take. Though it sadden me that less than a quarter of their moslems only practice. The magnificent blue mosque from the Ottoman empire still standing perfectly. The controversial church/mosque Hagia sophia is beautiful.

Thousands of shops accommodate the Grand bazaar. The exhaustive hilly walk to the massive Topkapi palace. The smell of the sea. The delicious delicacies. The antique deco. The romantic walk at night with the sound of flute played. I could go on forever. And most importantly the city pretty much a safe place for tourist if you're not a party type.

My favourite was the character of the city itself. Dedicated persuasive touts but not persistent, affable fisherman ready for photos whenever a fish was caught, a man with a big heart feeding a big loft of pigeons - it was a photography heaven.

I'll keep the story short and leave the whole story to those that have Istanbul in their list. One thing for sure, Istanbul is worth it.

A cliche but Istanbul sure is one of my most favourite city I've visited. A city must be visited by an adventure seeker, food lover and most importantly, a person who truly appreciate a good old history. 

I'll shout it out loud here - I love Istanbul!

Credit : Some of the pictures taken above are inspired by lovely sister Shaliza Mokhtar.

I'm off

Bon voyage

I'm heading Istanbul way for business/holiday/birthday and I'll be off for 7 days. I'll be in tune.

P/S : for my other traveling experiences, check out my travelogue tab. :)

Hello Summer

I was captured by this marvellously breathtaking gigantic building when I was on the way to the British Library with my sister. This is by the way the St Pancras international rail station. And part of it is a luxury hotel. And other functions which I'm not aware of. And I swear the pixel resizing didn't do any justice.

Did you guys noticed the blue sky? Despite losing an hour of my sleep last night because of the daylight saving (Read about: daylight saving), I don't really care. Because summer decided to come. Finally!

"Oh hi summer!! Hellloooooo...it's sooo nice to finally meet you again"

Though college spring term have ended, I'll still be in college to work. But I'll be taking out my SLR again for next week I'll be heading to Istanbul. I. Am. Excited.

You guys be good okay. And drink a lot of water.

P/S : Above pictures were taken by Nex-5 and the contrast was increased as to compensate with the resizing.

Beijing briefly

When I travel I prefer to be free.. Free as in I traveled and planned my own journey instead of taking a tour package. I like planning and researching it. From scratch. Because "You learn it best when you experienced it first hand" literally.

There's a lot of stories to tell about beijing. A lot to be impress of, a lot to be rant about and a lot to be learn from too.

We didn't had much time in Beijing. 4 days in total. Moreover, it was extremely cold -12 in the city and  -15 in the mountains of great wall. The night came earlier so by the time it's dark there's nothing much can be explore. And the wind..Oh the wind. Fairuz said he was this close to get frost bite. I think he was exaggerating much there but it was that cold to be honest. I promised I won't complaint anymore when I'm in London.

Architecturally speaking, Beijing can't be compared to Italy. Because China is under communism, they pretty much have the same building all over. The same architectural, the same colour and sometimes they wear the same clothes. But what's interesting the most about going to that country is the people. Yes, the people itself.

Gosh. There are so many interesting things and behaviours about these Chinese citizens. I promised I'll tell you tomorrow. For now I need to hit the sack as I have to wake up early for a meeting.

Good night!