Trius Travels May 2009: From Russia With Love Episode 2 - Moscow

After a brief flight from St. Petersberg, we touched down at Moscow's Domestic Airport at about 2pm. The taxi ride lasted 2 hours! Cause he got lost too but ...

Maxima Zarya Hotel is where we stayed. Lavish room 306 with 1 2 bed room and 1 single room with a common bathroom and toilet all connected in a communal hall.

We met our contact Alene at 6pm and she took us out for lunch at My My (Mu Mu) on Old Arbat street. We had the local dishes.

And after a hearty meal, we made our way to the Red(Beautiful) Square for an Intial taste of Moscow as well as to find out the Tour Agency's office we are to go to the next day.

Along the way we enjoyed the sights sounds and people of Moscow having fun.


We bid Alene farewell and good luck for her exams. How gracious to take some time off to meet us. =)

2 June 2009

Metro had sum issues, and so we were late for the morning City tour. But as usual we caught something extra which was......

A walking tour in the Kremlin!

It is said that every Moscovian newlyweds would come to the Kremlin to pay respects to the Memorial with the eternal flame. As eternal as the flame would be, I suppose it symbolizes the immortality of their relationship. And for other occasions.....Good Luck :P

After a fantastic tour (and photo opportunities) we continued with other 3 hour city bus tour around Moscow!

These are called Matryoshka, nesting dolls. Originally there are seven layers. Mother, 4 sisters, a brother and a baby. It was inspired by a similar nesting doll from Japan. And it has been popular as a Russian Souvenir ever since. the other popular one is the Eggs, which happen to be one of the most beautiful souvenirs one could ever get.






Finishing back at the Red Square, we had a light tea and decided to find Targankaya's lovely decorations.
Unable to find the decors OR the secret Bunker, we headed back along the Ring Line towards home. On the stop back to the Grey Line we manage to see a fantastically Decorated Station the Novoslobodskaya.

One thing about this trip, missing out on something almost always means gaining something new and unexpectedly better!

3 June 2009

I decided to spend some time to check out the Moscow State Museum. Purchasing the right to take photos in the Museum I walked in seeking for fantastic shotz!

With the ocassional "Do you have a permit for that camera" stops at every room by retired Russian ladies (Which was diffused with a simple flash of the ticket). I manage to get some of many awesome pictures.

Having an early morning flight, we decided to camp at the International Airport. Hence we took a taxi from our hotel (which we made a deal with earlier) to bring us to the airport.

Moscow,
an interesting underground city that I have yet to fully explore.

A city of Patriotic Symbolisms, footsteps of Communism and treasures of Dynasties' past.

Moscow is nevertheless still a rich hub of beauty and culture.


One that will continue to flourish and evolve as a prominent Power in the history of our World.

The End...

Credits:

I'd Like to thank Mom and Dad for accompanying me along this Trip.

Alene for your kind time out of Studying for your finals, Really Really Appreciate it.

British Airways for the fantastic Flight service both in Business and First.

S7 for the Transit St.Petersberg - Moscow.

Taxi drivers who were so kind to send us to Hotel and back to Airport.

LYS for accompanying me on the transit back in London.

And Russia for having such wonderful cultures and permitting us VISA to visit you marvelous Country!

Spacibo and Dasvidanya!

From Russia with Love ;)

Trius Travels May 2009: From Russia With Love Episode 1 - St.Petersberg

Wednesday 27th of May 2009...

We've been planning for 3 months now for this trip and now it has finally come to be. 4 nominations stood: Greece, Scandinavia, Japan, Russia... After much weighing, this was the path laid out. We would travel...by Bus from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore. Make our way by air to London. Connect to our first destination St. Petersberg for our first 4 nights. Take a morning flight to Moscow 3 nights. Back to London where team 1 will make their way to Michigan, while I make my way back home via Singapore.

The Russian Saga actually begins on Thursday 28th of May 2009, after a 12 hour long flight from Singapore to London, and a 4 hour one from London to St.Petersberg. Thanks to my contact, Alene in Moscow, we pretty much prepared for the worst scenario that one traveler could ever have.

Communication Barrier.

Russia is a country that has been cold to America and the other English speaking countries. Hence, Russians speak Russian. Alphabets are different, grammar and the fact that it is their prime language (only language) makes it harder to communicate. But with A "Inyourpocket" guide of both Russian states in hand, and a podcast on Russianpod101, we pretty much survived on russian numbers. And Some International Signs like this one.


Well as alwiz, first leg of the journey after the customs starts with the ride to the hotel. You are filled with baggage and have no clue where your hotel is and you have to skim through Conmen and honest Taximen to get there. We bought our taxi voucher as a precaution to our hotel costing about 700 Rubles (Russian money). Not fluent in Russian, we tried to be on the safe side of bargaining, which apparently is a trend.


Russ Hotel or what's it spelled like in Russian.

As always the trend after settling our luggage is to survey the area for kwiky-marts and the metro. We needed to head to a 24 hour money exchanger as we did not have enough rubles to last us. We walked to маяковская or Mayakovskaya metro area. we did not find our tour agency but we found our money exchanger.


With haste we replenished our local currency stash then took a metro one stop to Nevksiy Prospekt. There we saw the most colorful Church.

Deciding to have a look around, we located a Bazaar and our hop on hop off alternative instead.


Thought of the Day "With each passing wrong turn, we learn something new and unexpected. Be not afraid of the path less traveled, and explore what you find to justify the journey in the end."
29th May 2009

We journeyed to the hop on hop off stop at the "Blood spilled Church".
Trius Fact: Number of Interesting Tour Guides holding interesting objects = 3



Took a round city tour for an overview.

The plan was that after lunch, we would concentrate on particular places of interest and spend alittle bit more time getting to know them.

Our first stop was at the Aurora stop. A Russian war ship favorite to a monarch himself.

Unfortunately, a jam started and after a while of waiting we decided to walk to the next stop.

We wounded up at a Blue mosque @ Kamennoostrovskiy prospekt

and tried to take a tram South back to the city. But it went the other way. And so started our 18rb per person trip round to the otherside.

Luckily all was not lost as we came across a gorgeous Russian lady, Natalia who helped us translate.

We got to know how to head back and after a good bye found ourselves at the Rostral columns stop.

Thought of the Day: Lost is a state of mind known as Laziness to think. Once you start down that path, nothing will make sense. The good news is, All one has to do to remedy laziness...is just opening up and ask. This anti-ego act cures all thoughts of Laziness.

30th May 2009
After much discussions, we took a journey to Peterhof! down to Авото station and a 224 bus to Petershof. we spent a splendid afternoon there.

When we came back, St Petersbergers were all around us celebrating their holiday! What a Sight!

31st May 2009

Peter and Paul Fortress was first up.

We were suppose to take a train to Gor'kovskaya st. but the station was closed. so we had to take a 46 down to the stop. (thx macdonald person)

The Island was also known as Hare Island hence his icon of a hare on the side of the Bridge leading to the Fortress.

The afternoon we made our way to Hermitage to spend the last hour looking at artifacts....before it closed its doors.

After 4 days @ St.Petersberg,

i find that the ppl here are

in Love,

Helpful and curtious! the place is gorgeous!

Thumbs Up for Saint Petersberg

Next up...Moscow!

Singapore Photo Trip 2009 (feat. Trimusflyz)

Another 3D/2N, this time with my fellow colleagues, Framus, Nightfly, and Fisholow. Doing it on the Labour Day weekend, We took an afternoon Tiger Airways from LCCT (Low Cost Carrier Terminal) down to Singapore's very own Budget Terminal (Not mentioned what sort of budget, pretty clever)!


Arriving at around after lunch time, we checked in to Wilby's Service Apartment room @ Queen St. Very Spacious 3 Room (inclusive of the Living room), kitchen everything. SImply superb especially the internet connection VERY Commendable!

Gearing up, we took a walk to Peninsular Plaza initially for some camera shopping (unfortunate that it was closed on Labour Day). Guitar shops with fantastic electric guitars.

We spent most of our time at Boat Quay that evening.




Getting very interesting shots ...in fact the most interesting amongst the other sights of my trip.

We had dinner at Via Veneto, Clark Quay. After a drink at a nearby bar next to the Ultimate Bungee and the Huge Swing, we decided to call it a night and adjourned back to our apartment.

MAN: Hey girl Get me on one of em Ultimate Bungees!!

Anecdote 1:
On the way back, we were confronted by a Becaman (Trishaw person). Were at a crossroad waiting cross the road when the rider appear to our left. We were minding our own business when suddenly he started swearing at us. "KNLBCCB" was like prolifically repeated. We decided to keep on walking when he followed us on his ride then stopped infront of us got down and pulled out a metal whip. He swung it so hard it wrapped around his body. Decided not to cause any trouble (since we still had another 2 more days in SIngapore, which was a good move considering my colleagues bumped into him in the mornings after). We changed our route back to our apartment.

Found out later that, these were usually the kind of people who have failed in society. But were given jobs to survive and not create more hassle. One concept that I once thought possible, realized in Singapore. Not bad at all. Just dont screw them over lol.

Day 2 -Orchard
Framus decided to do some extra guitar shopping, so Night fly and I when on to Orchard road for more street photography.




Frame Facts: Number of Monks on the road = 2




Frame Facts: Number of Kids on the Shoulder = 2
Frame Facts: Number of Musicians on the Street: 2


After lunch we rendezvous back at the hotel and took a cab to the Merlion Park where we spent some time taking pictures.

Also went to the Esplanade (The Durian shaped building) to listen to some cultural music.



A Bokeh of an Interior scene in the Esplanade
Shakuhachi

Balinese

That Night, I manage to contact two of my friends, Seng Kiat and Lys. Met up with SK that night over a cuppa Sprite and 6 piece nuggets. Was a while since we've met, seem to be well. Can't believe we've been acquintance for almost a decade. Only seem like yesterday that we were in college listening to Mr. Chan say " A man is pushing on the wall *pushes wall*, what is the work done?"

Day 3 - Leisure

Had breakfast with Framus (who was gonna meet his friend), and Nightfly(Who wanted to head to Little India). This would be the 2nd 'Bak Chor Mee' that Ive tasted (no diff), shall blog it very soon...hmm should open another blog for food hahaha.
Unlike SK, Ive only recently met Lys, and its really cool to bump into each other in an international scale lol. Fantastic Dancer! Had lunch and then walked around Orchard for a bit. Then decided to watch a movie. (Yea I know....of all places).

But it was a good meet up. Enjoyed it very much.

Also met with her BFF Sally. Pleasure meeting you.

Time to Go, reached Wilby's in time for the taxi back to the terminal.

After a dinner, we departed back to LCCT ending our journey.

My take on Singapore, Metropolitan city with lots of buildings, perfect for slow-shutter night skyline photography.

People: especially Orchard street events, many oppurtunities for candids. But try not to piss off Beca-men (Trishaw persons).
Culture and Arts: very good mix. Plays ..more than KL.

Food: erm oklar, didnt really explore much, ooh yea got more Pork hahhaa.

Make sure you tune in Next time for the Next Installment of Trius Travels! Goes to Russia!!

Fin

Melaka Trip 2009 (feat. Karen)

Last weekend, my friend Karen and me made a trip to Melaka for some sightseeing! This time, she was my tour guide. It was a 3D/2N vacation and headed down South on the 17th Evening. Took us about 2 hours to get there. Mind you it was my first drive down south, so be gentle on me K?

Luckily, I had Karen as my navigator, and we eventually reached our destination.


Oh did I mention that the basis of the trip was to make use of a lucky draw for a stay at the Naza Hotel? The Deluxe room was HUGE! fitted with a long Sofa, king sized bed, TV and lots and lots of space! As much as I can describe the room. I just realized that I havent got a single picture of the room =.= but trust me its awesome! :)

The first night was just settling in after the journey. We were tired but hungry, and ended up taking a bite at the nearest KFC opened.

My first picture of the day :P


Our first point would be the Dataran Pahlawan @ Benda Hilir.
A Famosa



Stadthuys



The Square


The water mill

The Ship

We had lunch @ Zen when we figured our car was already summoned for not having a coupon. Most expensive parking in Melaka =.=

In the evening we headed to the most celebrated part of Melaka. Jonker Street! As lively as it was, we somehow could not find any nyonya food for at least half an hour.





Nancy's Kitchen, relative of Karen's was apparently visited by Lilian Too before. Great for tasting Nyonya food and snacks.





Next Day we went looking for more Nyonya Heritage places. First Karen took me too the oldest temple in Melaka. Showed me the oldest Mosque next to it too.






Then we went lookng for the Nyonya Heritage Museum, but be didnt go in (had to pay 5 bucks). We went to Hotel Puri which is apparently the hotel that they used to shoot "Little Nyonya"





Really a short trip. But Learnt and experienced alot of History and Culture ...not to mention food ....along the way.....throughly a Beginningless Journey in Heart...

Like to thank Karen for navigating and showing me around Melaka and accomodating to my photographic hobbies ^.^ Thank you so much for your time!

Thank you Readers, hope u enjoyed the entry.

Trius Out..... Next up Singapore and Moscow!

2009 is Malacca and Moscow!

Dear frenz,

Its been ages since I've blogged here, infact its been a year Exactly!!

Ive not blogged my Borobudur Bali trip which was at the end of last year. But I suppose its in my WAYN site hehe.

Just like to say....Im back! and this time ..I'll be heading to few places near and far. Singapore, Malacca and Moscow! to name a few!

So Stay tuned!

Next up! Malacca! also in Trius Apertures !

Portugal, Spain & some say Morocco Trip 2008 - In the Makings...

Hey peeps, Shukram! Currently in Morocco!

Leaving for Barcelona tomorrow, which is my last stop of this final voyage. Sigh can't believe I won't be able to fly without perks anymore. Anyway, ive been constantly updating my travelblog on my WAYN site and will continue to do so as i end my journey in Barcelona. Pictures will also follow suite too lol. Cheers!!

dem i hate these Moroccan keyboards. :p

Portugal, Spain & some say Morocco Trip, 2008 - Preview

Up Next a Two week Trip to Lisbon, Madrid, Barcelona and Casablanca!! Journey Begins on the 6th of April 2008 to 20th of April 2008

Catch Regular updates also at

My Trip site on WAYN

Don't Miss it ;) Trius' Travel's Final Sponsored Destination!!

This time Trius has a new toy as well!! A Video Camera!! ^^ Stay tuned ppl!! Trius is about to change!!

UPDATE (8 April 2008)!!!
Due to some reason I cant get access to my WAYN site from here so Im gonna put my log to this address at the moment www.mytb.org/triblade84 but do check back if theres any new updates THanks!!

UPDATE (9 April 2008)!!!
Lisbon Entry on WAYN. Pictures yet to be added, computer here lacks the facility to read my card. Be back soon ^^