Scotland Roadtrip to the highlands

It was Fall (September 2008) when I visited Scotland. From Manchester, we (me & Ivy) took a train heading up north and arrived at our destination, the beautiful Edinburgh (pronounce E-din-braah).

Edinburgh Castle

Located in the heart of Edinburgh city, the castle stood almighty on a the highest hill surrounded by beautiful architecture of the Old Town. We walked along Granny's Green Step (stairs that lead up to the castle) from Grassmarket Street.

Royal Mile

A street with most souvenirs & alot of pubs. Walked along the street and you'll end up in Holyrood Palace (warning: it was a vary long street to walk!) We stumbled upon a local fudge shop and bought a few hundred grams to fill our stomach. The best fudge I've ever eaten actually. Behind the Holyrood Palace, is the Arthur's Seat. Hiker's can climb upon it have a magnificent view of the entire Edinburgh city.

Edinburgh - Stirling

Rent a car (Ford Focus running on diesel) from Thrifty for a day. With help of Google Map directions and road signs, we drove from Edinburgh towards Stirling Castle on the M9. Brave Heart movie really inspire me to visit Stirling. Another castle situated on a hill, surrounded with beautiful landscape.

"He who hold Stirling - holds Scotland".

However, we didn't manage to get to William Wallace monument (kinda lost, so we proceed up north).

Loch Lubnaig, Oban, Loch Ness

Scotland in the highlands is simply amazing! To be honest, the grass here does look greener, the blue sky & the deep blue sea water. Everything seems perfect including the weather! It was a long ride to complete the highlands in one day. On the way we stopped for a rest at this beautiful lake, Loch Lubnaig (loch means lake in Scottish). Freezing water flow freely, the scenery is just breathtaking!

We drove along A84 & A85 to reached Oban. Someone told me that time stops in Oban, and I couldn't agree more. Oban is a beautiful little town located by the sea. Delicious battered fish n chip are served. There's a tour service, which if you are lucky enough you may spot a dolphin or a sea lion.

From Oban to Fort William we took the A85 & A82. Since I get to know the existence of a legendary Loch Ness creature, I had been keeping a dream to set my foot step there (yerp, crosings one of I-have-to-go places list, leaving few more). Its almost about 6pm when we finally reached Loch Ness.

Can't stay long, because we are only half way done. We drove all the way up to Inverness and drove on A9 &M90 to get back in Edinburgh by midnight.

Rosslyn Chapel

Became famous after the Da Vincci Code movie. It was about 45minutes ride (by bus) from the city to Roslin. Its just a small little chapel which was built with clay. The entire chapel is cold (maybe because of the clay). Carving is everywhere. We stayed for the free tour that took place (because I am to fond about the movie, listening to Rosslyn history is a bonus!)

Total mileage in a day exploring the highlands : 650KM with a fuel tank (about £55)

Really hope that I could get back to Scotland someday...

Europe : Blackpool, u made us walked home at midnight!

It was July 2008, four month after I stayed & work in the Manchester, England. Both of us (its me & Ivy all over again) decide to go to Blackpool which is about hour and 40 minutes away by train from Manchester. Having fun buying those train tickets with our Young Person railcard. We got 1/3 discount on train tickets using the railcard. We bought our tickets online and collect the ticket at Manchester Piccadilly Station in town.

***Young Person railcard are for youth from 16 - 25 years old in the UK and are available to all with a yearly fee of £24

To Blackpool, we hoped on Northern Line Rail train. You need to pay attention to which coach you are in. The train may split into half at certain stops and you might be going to a wrong destination (penalty will be imposed if you are holding the wrong ticket).

The weather was absolutely amazing as we arrived. The sky was blue with white patches of cloud. Ala-ala sepoi bahasa yg sgt best. In the northern part of UK, this kind of weather is very rare. We got lost at first caused we couldn't see the Blackpool tower, so it effects our sense of direction. Once we got sight of the tower, we are walking towards it, with a little help of the ocean. Wasn't something Im expecting. Tapi ok lah, its been quite a while since I last went to the beach.The water was so damn cold and ppl are swimming in it, definitely not for me.

Ku sangka panas ke ptg, rupanya hujan di tengahari... The lovely weather turn into a vary dark cloud in few minutes. Both of us was running for shelter. We stopped by in front of Louis Tussaud's Waxworks. Got ourselves a buy 1 free 1 ticket and happily walk in. The building was separated into a few levels. Get confused between a human and a wax figurine. Took plenty of photos.

To name a few : Sir Elton John, Johnny Depp, Eric Cantona, Robbie Williams & Beckham. There is also a basement section with all the creepy character such as Freddy Nightmare, Bram Dracula, Emily Rose (that room was really scary. I hate it very much). It was late around 5pm when we walked out from there and it is still yet outside.

Had our dinner and walked to the train station. Unfortunately, the jinx continued. Our train was delayed to almost 2hour! By the time we reached Manchester Piccadilly Station it was almost 2230 and we missed our last bus ride. The only option is to take the tram towards Eccles and walked home (which is about 20-minutes walk) Took the tram, stopped at deserted pekan Eccles. Only arm with payung & pepper spray, we brave ourself to walk home. I was praying to Allah & Ivy was praying to her God...

Luckily we got home safe (we actually run home) We stumbled upon a drunk guy whose saying his address out loud and he was asking us to help send him home. Obviously he was very drunk to notice that none of us are locals.

Blackpool infos : There is a Blackpool Pleasure Beach Park blackpoolpleasurebeach

[backdated] Home of the famous football team

March 2008

From Manchester International Airport, we took the most famous means of transportation in UK - the train into the city itself. Through the window, a view that I've seen in Harry Potter movies. Small houses with dark brick features and a large backyard with trampolines. Brick fence that was about waist heights. There was absolutely no grills like the typical Malaysian house.

Thanks to Emirates for serving 4x meals, manage to keep me going till later in the evening. In search of our booked Hilton Chambers Hostel, we decided to took the cab. Not taking any chances to lost in a new strange city, yet (even the language spoken here is English!) Checked-in for the next four nights in the 6-bed girls en-suite dorm. Oh ya, me & Ivy struggled our strength to bring our 29-inch trolley bag up the stairs on 2nd floor!! (this is why I hated trolley bags).
More info about the hostel @ http://www.hattersgroup.com/Hilton/pictures.php

Hilton Chambers Hostel in Manchester

Jet lag at it worst, and start hunting for a room. Not an easy task since my sense of directions is still mess up. Area of where we manage to discover around Greater Manchester while looking for a room was:

• Fallowfield (student area with alot of bus access)
• the Curry Mile - Rusholme (student area with plenty of Pakistani halal food)
• Old Trafford (the landlord was too picky)
• Eccless (nice small town like pekan with Morrisons, Aldi, Wilkinson)

Public transport are easy to manage once you discover the magic of http://www.transportdirect.info

We picked Eccless to be our home for the next 12 months. It was the only white house on Monton Road. Only at £175 permonth, fully furnished, view facing the main road with bus stop just a walk away, including all bills. The best part of all, we are the first to move in and get to choose our own room.

Once paid the deposits & rent, cash level is getting low. Desperate call for a job. Life just get tougher by day. Merasalah jadi spt bangla/indon di tanah org.

Mark was the kind hearted landlord, while Kyle drove us in a SLK.

I've got pictures, plenty of it. I might misplace it somewhere in the 120GB hardisk in KL.

[backdated] 17032008

It was my first time to be far far away from home in search of a new life adventure. I wasn't alone. There was my partner in crime, Ivy (known each other for half of our lives. go figure!) walking confidently (as there is no turning points at this moment) towards the immigration counter leaving our family & close friends behind.

On board the Emirates flight bound to Manchester with a 4 hour transit in Dubai. The journey is more like a time travelling, gaining 8 hours as we reach Manchester International Airport with ETA @ 1050 hours.

Here is where all the adventure start as Manchester greet us with a chilled welcome spring air (approx. at 6degrees)... as I mumbling, cursing the chilled weather knowing absolutely nothing of what surprises awaits in front of us.

p/s : I finally get my mood to start blogging once again... and these pictures was taken two years ago