Bucharest such a mystery

I arrived quite late in the capital of Romania. Was so tired so I got myself an uber. Normally I would try local transport but I feel intimidated by this city. My driver doesn't know much english so it kept me focused on rehearsing my romanian thank you. Such a hard word, really.

Maybe because it is close to Istanbul thats why the words are quite similar. The cith itself felt so old and ruined. It looks really much affected by its past, the Soviet era. We reached my apartment after nearly 20 mins. Not bad traffic at all. I did say 'mulțumesc' for such a breezy ride.

Code was provided to me by my Airbnb host to enter the building. It looks really old, ironically next to much modern shops in front of it. When I entered darkness enveloped the hallway. Beam of light is visible towards the enormous stairway that leads endlessly to my apartment. And is like hundreds steps ascending circular towards fifth floor. I quickly transformed my luggage into a backpack. Thank God I bought this Samsonite light pack bag. After exhausting my last hurried breath, I did reach my room. Further hidden on another section called #15. It looks like an old school dormitory really. The door was kept opened and keh lying next to the table.

This will be a long night, I reckon.

Turkey is where the world meets

I woke up a bit excited cos rather than taking a low-cost airline or dealing with shaky train that takes forever. I, now have to board business in TK. First time, to add. Been with TK for morr than 5 years. So really I am that excited.

I got to BUD by bus after a few miles of draging my suitcase. On occasions, i would wear it as a backpack. The bus was convenient however I stood standing all throughout.

THY uses CIP for their business class passengers. It was basic and nothing to blog about.

As for the flight. My hopes were up so naturally I was a bit frustrated when it is a narrow-body aircraft. A319 or A320 and they had the middle seats blocked. The food were terrific but nothing to brag about. However the bread offering was just amazing. I met, Simit and has fallen in love with this bread.

Then there was the first impression on the newly opened world's biggest airport in IST. Really impressive. You can just easily get lost. That's why there were heaps of 'Ask me' guys just about everywhere.

But my first impression is that it was so enormous that I felt it can definitely accommodate millions of passengers. Definitely this is where the world meets. Technically geography-wise it is where Asia meets Europe.

Budapest exuding grandeur and elegance

Arrived in the morning via IC rail. Its a night train so i arranged sleeper cabin. The most privacy you can get is 3 beds. So good thing i still have my earplugs. The korean guy below is snoring heavily. The guy on top is quiet but i know he is in such a bad luck having two fat asians inside. Lol. I do snore too i reckon.

Soon as i arrived i walked  2km from budapest kelleti banhof to danubius gellert hotel. Bit hot that day and i had to drag my luggage. Quite a stretch and luckily the hotel checked me in early at 10am. But the catch is, the room is fugly. No aircondition just fan. No fridge, no free water, no toothpaste, no razor. I reckon its a maids quarter. I saw the other rooms look like much grand than what they give me. But ni qualms at least they check me in.

First agenda is to swim and enjog thermal pools, sauna and outdoor pool. Robe, towels, slippers, swim wear, swimming cap are all needed. They gellert baths just amazing. It is also within my hotel.

I slept a bit after. Reminded me of swim class at uni. Sleep at Philosophy class after the Swimming class. 1.5 hr powernap is all that i need to conquer the next super hurdle which is climbing the Gellert Hill under heat and slight humidity. But no pain no gain. I did see the best ever view of any european city has to offer. Budapest after seeing the view is now part of the top5 elite cities in my list (next to Paris of course). Then off to the Buda Castle which is an iconic symbol of hungary. Followed by the surpise that is Mattias Cathedral and Fisherman Batton. Its a big WOW! Lastly cross the London Tower lookalike. Followed by the Pest side (soundslike pesticide). Saw Shoes in Danube to commemorate Jews who were killed by Arrowcross militia men.  Then Hungarian parliament which is another icon, prayed at Stephen Cathedral. Then off to home seeing a beautiful sunset.

PS, try Hungarian Sausage from up the hill. Super good, i swear. However though that bread is.

Prague and its magic

It is my first time in Czech Republic. So it means that I only explored Prague. Well there is so much to see in this city. One day is just not enough. For a tight schedule it is still possible. It meant that comfort is the price you have to pay..

I arrived close to sunset via Transavia (low-cost carrier under KLM). I took an uber to the hotel and immediately started looking for the bridges. Just in time, i was lucky to capture the Prague sunset, which offers various array of colours as the sun sets.

Next day I only have the whole morning and afternoon. So just before midday I went to see the Old Town Square as well as the famed Astronomical Tower. It was a miss for me, the cuckoo didnt even come out. Or should it really not? But it was boring. It occurs every hour.

Then I got lost, I  just cant find Charles Bridge. Took me almost an hour walking. Next time I really need to stop and recalibrate as much as I can. It was jampacked witg tourist and i did use my Osmo to capture the moment. I eventually caved in and bought the chimney cakes. Kurtosh with strawberries and cream.

John Lennon wall. I thought  some of the spray paint was artistic and some are just full vandals. Verdict, do not stop there. Go straight to the castle. Because it is super exhausting to go there. I had to buy meds cos of my stupid cough, cold and slight feverish. Blame it on changing weather and fatigue... on the top, you can see Prague city landscape. Lots of gothic architectures and I am just enjoying every spectacle.

I called it an early night to recuperate. Prague beer is a must. I always think that it heals my sickie feeling. My favourite is Kozel and Pilsner Urquell. It did lessen thr mucous (eww!).

PS, my hotel was super amazing. Royal Court, location amenities price everything is perfect. It should be rated higher.

Paris, eternal love

I travel to Paris not only because it still is my top favourite city in the world but also to feed my cultural heart. There is always a surprise that awaits.

I really need to learn french. So much to see. So many museums and art nouveau which makes it even more inspiring.

The place I stayed is basic but lacking of practical needs for travellers. I stayed in L'Ouest Hotel. I need fridge and complimentary bottled water. Is it too much to ask? To be fair, the location is excellent. Next to Opera and few minutes walk to Champs Elysees.

The highlight for me is the Arc du Triomphe rooftop. The view of Paris is just mind-blowing. I also commend Musee Rodin for beautiful work of art through his sculptures.

Shopping and eating. Living it like a Parisien. I got my cup full again.

PR never ever again!!

It started with a horrific SYD gate where PR212 my flight to Sydney to Manila was scheduled to be boarded.

26A you say? I got apprehensive why is there a suffix after the gate number. Upon reaching the boarding gate lounge. I saw that one gate is shared to a maximum of 8 flights. Cos this gate doesn't have air bridge. It shared with 4 other flights. And of course Philippine Airlines was called last.

Ok then what? Then we boarded 45 mins late only to know that there was something wrong on the left philange (ask Phoebe!!). We went back to another gate. And took another 2 hours delay because they thought they can sort out the tech issue with the engine but they can't. And then added issue of the air bridge not working. Omg! It was horrible. PAL crew decided to give us appetizer to calm ourselves. Oh I forgot to mention I am on business class so we have preferential treatment. Funny how the Class Y pack were staring at our gourmet food while the board out. And yes, pilot announced we are deplaning so they can fix the left philange.

We were given 25$ meal voucher to buy us another 3 hours of waiting. Then we boarded for 2nd time. And then what?

Around 6.40ish, to add to total of 7 your delay the captain decided to call it a night because we don't have a philange. And they decided to go back to the gate and eventually cancel the flight.

Everyone was furious. Seems PAL doesn't know what to do in these circumstances. We were left getting our hotel accommodation booked paid of course by PAL. Worse thing they let us wait for further 1.5 hours for bus to come. And no ground staff was even there waiting with us. So you can imagine such chaos and we all lost faith with PAL.

Then after he long wait bus arrived. And when it reached Novotel I felt like a survivor from WW getting ration as I join the cattle in getting room booked. Another hour standing...