Skellig Island, Ireland | #MayThe4thBeWithYou

Star Wars’s The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi were filmed in Skellig Island.

And yeah! I’ve been here back in 2018.

Well, sort of.

Kira aci lah kan...

I couldn't afford to visit Skellig Island (where they shot Star Wars The Last Jedi) plus it was closed (reopen in June) hence a trip to Skellig Experience Visitor Centre pun jadi lah. Oh yah! Heads up, most of the shops around Dingle and Ring of Kerry souvenirs are of Skellig Island, Wild Atlantic Way and StarWars.

I’ve made a couple of trips inspired by movies that I watched, such as Greece – Mama Mia, Morocco – Bourne, Hawaii – Hawaii Five O/Fantasy Island/Lost/Jurassic park (but this was a free trip so kira taka ci lah kot kan), New Zealand – Lords of The Ring and India - Dilwale Dulhnia La Jayengge. So when we decided on Ireland, we need a convincing point aside from knowing for a fact that Games of Throne was shot here (tapi I tengok GOT tuh). A movie rang a bell, I remembered when watching Star Wars, where the scene where Luke Skywalker meditating on an island. I also remembered googling on whether this island actually exist. And it is.

Skellig Island, Ireland

Credit photo Vanity fair

Skellig Islands is located approximately 12 km off the coast of Portmagee in South West Kerry, Island. There are 2 islands, the larger one is named Skellig Michael and smaller island is the Little Skellig, it is declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site back in 1996. It is also known as Sceilg Mhichíl or Skellig Michael, reason being it was dedicated to St. Michael in the late tenth or early eleventh century.

Other interesting fact is that the animal that resides on Skellig Island is puffin. In fact, the movie Star Wars porgs was inspired by puffins there. They combined the sound of turkey calls, chicken chirps, and doves to make the porgs sound.

Skellig Experience Visitor Centre

Click HERE for video

If you are like me, unable to afford the cruise to the Skellig Island that is you can visit the Skellig Experience Visitor Centre situated on Valentia Island just off the famous Ring of Kerry. Kira aci lah kan.

There’s a café (itu yang we all terjah dulu sebab lapor), information on the history and archaeology of Skellig Island, documentary among others. You can also have a picnic outside the centre, it is really really beautiful. Kid you not.

Video : https://www.instagram.com/p/BiXfDUmAW8C/

Ring of Kerry

Credit photo Google

Located at the south-western of Ireland and is very far from Belfast/Dublin. One of the best place for you to experience Wild Atlantic Way. We made a few stop along the coastal road to feel the Atlantic breeze. Will share more in next blog.

Click HERE for video

I would like to suggest for you to stay in Portmagee village during the 1^st week of May to celebrate the Star Wars ‘May the 5^th be with you’ event. They have few activities during that time frame.

MUST MUST MUST visit.

The Skellig Experience Visitor Centre

Valentia Island

Co. Kerry

V23 YD52

Ireland

All about pastries in Krakow, Poland

I never knew that Poland has such a wide spread of pastries choice and I don't even have time to try them all. So I did the next best thing I know how, I decided to post all the pictures in my blog so that if I ever do a repeat (of which I know I will), I can easily refer to it and sample them. Pandai tak? *wink*

So here are those temptatious pastries.

For more pictures on my Facebook Page, please click HERE.

For more stories on my Poland trip :
Poland | By chance… It was Iceland’s fault!
How I fell in love with P…
Poland | Air BNB – Krakow (Review)
#TravelTips | Warsaw Day Trip
Auschwitz Concentration Camp / Nazi Death Camp, Poland
Harry Porter Graduation Tower. NOT! It’s the Wieliczka Salt Mine Graduation Tower

My favourite, bought it a few times.

There's more but I was to shy to kept snapping them pictures. Hehheheee.....

Oh yah! The exchange rate at that point of time was 1:1 hence I shop like crazy lah.

Harry Porter Graduation Tower. NOT! It’s the Wieliczka Salt Mine Graduation Tower

Looks pretty mighty and weird at the same time eh!

We found it by chance, not knowing what it is.

Mind my ignorance when writing this as I will share my experience.

It started with both Anna and I wanted to cover the famous UNESCO site Wieliczka Salt Mine, after looking at the entrance price, I decided to be kiam siap (stingy) for whatever stupid reason. Occasionally I do this during trips despite I told myself not to, after spending a bomb on a trip, I should just close my eyes and pay for the entrance fee (of which I now regretted not visiting [padan muka Lily!]). So we decided, to do a self-discovery trip Wieliczka town, rather quaint seriously.

#TravelTips 1 : I would highly recommend for you guys to do an overnight trip here here, the country site is awesome and calm to look at. And do check activities you can do at the meadows, farms or country site.

We departed during the midday and arrive just before noon I think, or perhaps at noon. Upon checking out the Wieliczka Salt Mine plus mapping and ticking those attractions we covered, we noticed that there is thing called Graduation Tower which we were curious of. We obediently head to the tower direction, while looking for any place interesting for us to look-see look-see or perhaps drop in and get some souvenirs. There was almost none. Sigh….

It was pretty easy actually, as we got down from the train and cross the main street (a rather small street), within 50m or so, you’ll notice an Information   Booth/Counter, just go right in and get a map, they will be able to point you the right direction to whether you should start your walking excursion. Yup! You practically can walk to most of the attractions.

#TravelTips 2 : Depart as early as possible as the queue can be super long.

#TravelTips 3 : Where a proper walking shoe and bring a bottle of water

Our first point of interest was the Salt Mine, of which we later head to the Graduation Tower, here, we decided to stay abit longer due to the health benefit…gitew.  It is one of the most interesting structure I’ve seen and coupled with the health benefits, I guess I am more impress with how the Polish able to combine this 2 element and build this tower.

Graduation Tower

Also called a Thorn House, the graduation tower wall is made of bundles of brushwood/blackthorn against a wooden wall-like frame. You will see salt water dripping on the brushwood from the top and partly evaporates; it is said that some of the minerals from the solution are left behind on the brushwood twigs. This mineral-rich water droplets are regarded as having beneficial health effects similar to breathing in sea air. Hence, it is often visited for health reason.

Who and why should visit the graduation tower?

Inhalations at the graduation tower are recommended for persons suffering from recurring and chronic ailments of the respiratory system. Thus patients with rhinitis, sinusitis, laryngitis and during the period of post-therapy of acute infections of the respiratory system will feel a relief. The brine aerosol also helps patients to remove mucus during such ailments as, for instance, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma.

The benefits of inhalations at a graduation tower are well known. The salutary effects can be observed especially with patients suffering respiratory system disorders. Inhalations at a graduation tower have a positive impact on the mucous membrane of our nose, throat, sinuses, trachea and larynx, confirms doctor Magdalena Paciorek, Assistant Health Treatment Consultant at the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine Health Resort. The microclimate of the area surrounding the graduation tower is also serves as a preventive measure for healthy persons cleansing their respiratory tract and improving their body defence system. This allows to protect oneself, at least to a certain extent, from recurring infections.

The best treatment effects can be achieved while standing not closer than 30 meters from the tower while the recommended duration of a single visit is 15 to 30 minutes, twice a day. It is also recommended to have a brisk walk after the visit to the graduation tower or take a stroll along the park avenues. You can also enter the roofed platforms or the tower from which you can admire the magnificent view of the surroundings. But, if you just want to relax and take a deep and healthy breath in the area of the graduation tower there are plenty of benches to sit on in the area.

Source from http://www.wieliczka-saltmine.com/the-wieliczka-salt-mine-graduation-tower

#TravelTips 4 : The brushwood twigs are usually changed every 5-10 years.

#TravelTips 5 : Prepare to spend longer time at the Graduation Tower.

The place is rather scenic I must say, in fact I think the whole town is scenic, quaint and full of history. I fell in love with it immediately.

#TravelTips 6 : For those whom love to take ‘creative’ memorable photography, bring your graduation robe and take a picture here J *wink*.

Oh! This ain’t over yet for Wieliczka town, I have more to share in my next entry. Stay tune.

#TravelTips | Where to stay in Berlin, Germany

This is very key, you need to read this and take note on what I am going to share.

#TravelTips 1 : Never plan a trip during a convention in town.

#TravelTips 2 : If you plan your trip and realized it later, then please please please book your accommodation way in advance, else you’ll get into a big trouble like us.

Pic source : Jugendgästehaus Hauptbahnhof website

Now that I got your attention.

This Scandi cum Europe trip was planned yet ad hoc. Why do I say that?

We have been planning for awhile but yet to purchase the flight tix, and when we did, it was 1 month before the trip. When our busy schedule and all, we apparently did not book anything except our flight. So. Our plan was to book our first accommodation and decide it in Copenhagen on when to stay in Iceland, and when in Iceland, purchase a flight tix to wherever and book an accommodation right after. Smart right. NOT.

Upon arriving in Berlin, we immediately fell in love, on everything we see, do, eat (there’s a lot of halal food near the highly populated Turskish/Middle East area), history, souvenirs and SHOPPING (because there’s Primark there and Anna wouldn’t mind coming here daily [me too *wink*]). The plan was 3d2n in Berlin and on the 2^nd day we decided to make it 4d3n and we figure it was easy to get an accommodation hence we went and book our bus the day after and you can guess…. We couldn’t get a room on the 4^th day. What happened in Amsterdam is going to happen again, history is going to repeat itself. We gonna sleep on street. I see this coming.

We tried to find an affordable accommodation; we tried everything, from hostel to Agoda/Expedia etc, to Air BNB or 1 to 2 star hotel, that was how desperate we were. Then as Anna was showering I bumped into a local hostel site, the hostel is located near Berlin main train terminal, which is perfect as our bus is departing late at night, we can just walk to the station, safely. I gamble and booked, worried that I might not find another place that is affordable, near and convenient. The only worries were, is it dirty and noisy, after all, it is a hostel (wanting to set the right expectation for myself).

Pic source : Jugendgästehaus Hauptbahnhof website

Jugendgästehaus Hauptbahnhof Hostel was simply perfect (unfortunately I did not manage to take any pic as there were already guests in the room, so I will use the visual from google and the hostel itself). Located at approximately 10 mins walk from Berlin Hauptbahnhof (main train stationattach to a small mall), near the hypermarket and walking distance to some of the attractions is a place if you are a budget traveller. Everything is clean and proper, facilities was great if you ok with just basics.

#TravelTips 3 : They also offer storage area.

#TravelTips 4 : Their canteen is super huge, they even have an ATM machine at the lobby.

#TravelTips 5 : WiFi is only available at the lobby.

#TravelTips 6 : Common toilet/bathroom for dorm.

Family Room

Pic source : Jugendgästehaus Hauptbahnhof website

And they even have family rooms, apartment (1-6 mths rental) aside from the usual hostel dorm.

Family Room

A double bed and a bunk bed

Bathroom with shower and a separate toilet

Balcony

Apartment (Minimum rental period - 2 months)

One bed/living room with a double bed (160 cm), a sofa, a dining table and a wardrobe

Balcony

Kitchen with refrigerator, electric cooker, dishes, washing machine

Newly renovated bath room with shower

Central heating

Laminate floor

Flat screen TV with DVD player

Internet (DSL, 16.000 kBit/s) and telephoneflat rate

Apartment

Pic source : Jugendgästehaus Hauptbahnhof website

I kinda like this place and wouldn’t mind to stay here again, probably will get a twin sharing room.

Jugendgästehaus Hauptbahnhof

Lehrter Straße 68

10557 Berlin

Tel. 0049 (0)30 398350-0

Email : gaestehaus(at)berliner-stadtmission.de

Auschwitz Concentration Camp / Nazi Death Camp, Poland

Built during World War II, the German Nazi erected  the German Nazi in Auschwitz –Birkenau. Aside from this, there are other 45 satellite camps. History told us that Auschwitz I was constructed to hold Polish political prisoners and the German SS systematically killed at least 960,000 Jews deported to this infamous camp, of which 74,000 of them are Poles. Thus, the Holocaust also known Shoah was the largest genocide in a single location in the history.

#TravelTips 1 : The history is very overwhelming, hence I highly suggest for you guys to read before visiting Auschwitz –Birkenau.

How easy is it to get to Auschwitz –Birkenau?

#TravelTips 2 : Get your bus ticket at the Bus Terminal located at the Central Station.

Of course you can also take a train there, however I noticed that the station is slight far versus the bus stop which stops just outside the camp museum.

#TravelTips 3 : As there are 2 main areas that you need to cover, and the distance is not feasible for one to walk, shuttle buses is available for your convenience.

As you noticed, there are direct train tracks leading to the concerntration camp, this is to transport Jews to the camp's gas chambers from all over German-occupied Europe. This happens between the year 1942 until late 1944, where they were killed with pesticide. And as for the death toll, I found a site stated the below, which says that there are might be more than the number mentioned earlier.

‘These people were not entered in the camp records; that is, they received no serial numbers and were not registered, and this is why it is possible only to estimate the total number of victims.’

Source : Jewish Virtual Library

#TravelTips 4 : Highly suggest for those planning a trip here to start your day early as the queue  to the museum is very long and the bus trip takes an hour plus to 2 hours.

#TravelTips 5 : If you are taking a public bus or train here, do take note that there aren’t many cafes or restaurant except the one at the museum and a snack stall nearby. My suggestion is to bring a bottle of water and probably some snack, if you are on a budget trip that is.

As we were walking into the camp, I saw students from Israel on a school trip. What they saw obviously sadden and hurt them emotionally. I was also asked by a few followers and friends on my feeling when I visited the camp, it was a feeling that I am unable to describe. I have visited a few war museums and I personally feel the one in Vietnam was the hardest to accept and comprehend. Hard to comprehend in a sense that how another human can be so mean and hurtful to another human, and the terror and torture to the locals were gruesome. After seeing such a grotesque torturing done to mankind, I guess the camp was milder in comparison. Having said that, it was still cruel, one don’t deserve to die is this manner. God created us equal, regardless or skin colour, race and religion.

#TravelTips 6 : I was here in September, and it was cloudy and rainy when we were there. Bring a rain poncho or an umbrella.

#TravelTips 7 : Take note on bus time heading back to Krakow as you wouldn’t want to miss it.

We breezed thru the museum as we don’t want to miss the last bus. The museum contains of a few building blocks with old articles, clothes and camp relics. Reading the old war articles, seeing the prisoners’ uniform and pictures of families and child being detain was not a pretty sight. I do feel their pain.

I suppose what I regretted the most is not buying a book on  Auschwitz Concentration Camp.

 

#TravelTips | Warsaw Day Trip

I so much wanted to write on Nazi Death Camp but I thought I should wait until the next post, it is such a heavy topic that I have yet to decide on how to angle my post as I might not do it justice. At the moment, I will just share on my day trip to Warsaw, covering only the Old Town.

Macam ni lah kalau gi trip tak plan…

I shall call my whole 2 weeks odd trip as a recce trip.

Why? Cos I will surely repeat. Them. All.

I am so in love with all the countries picked.

Every. Single. One. Of them.

As most of you would have known by now, I usually spent 3 days min per city and I love it so very much, I will extend it. Poland was the same, well…. Kinda. After falling in love with Krakow (you can read more about my love story here), how could I not make a short and quick trip to Warsaw right, after all, Warsaw too has a HRC (camtuh pun boleh?!?! Hehhehehhe…..).

The decision made was pretty easy.

Me “We must go to Warsaw as well, ok or not?”

Anna “Of course”

Decision made.

Trip confirmed.

Remember what I say about an unplanned trip. Yeah… we woke up, took the tram to the central station and took the train.

#TraveTips 1 : HRC is located across Warsaw central station, probably 2 mins walk. In fact, you can see it from the train station.

First thing first, we look for information counter and ask how to get to HRC (masa tuh blur blur lagi), then how to get to the Old Town from HRC. After getting this ‘crucial’ information, we walk to HRC to settle our stuff and make our way to the Old Town. It was pretty straight forward but what make it so sweet was that there was this 2 teenagers that is so curious of both Anna and my origin so they decided to strike a conversation. After telling them where we were from, how long we will be in Poland and the other countries we visited and where else are we heading to. It was our turn to ask, are they local, how old, what are they studying and obviously, how to get to Old Town. And you know what, they we were so sweet that they said to follow them until reach this one junction whereby we are to turn left and walk straight. Darling aren’t them. Forgot to ask for their names pulak. Duh Lily.

#TravelTips 2 : It is approximately 10-15 mins walk from the central station to the Old Town. A really pleasant walk.

# TravelTips 3 : You can also take the bus but I have no idea the number as walking was cooler and more hipsters. Eh. Hahhahahhahaaa….

We were shouldered between beautiful buildings with rich architectural culture, street art being showcased, there were bicycle race that took place nearby, prominent buildings of famous international public figures and interesting cafes waiting for its patrons. Buskers’s music, crowd laughing and cheering can be heard. We quickly breeze ourselves to the Old Town, as we reach there, we were ecstatic as the courtyard is so huge, enveloped by old great buildings with stories waiting to be told.

#TravelTips 4 : I would recommend for you to stay at least a night in Warsaw and not rush it, this way you can sample the great cafes, street food and getting lost in those colourful lanes.

Upon reaching the centre, I was jumping with joy as the sunny blue sky is a bonus for I am sure my pictures will turn out nice and I can be all lazy and not focus on composition and whatnot. Macam lah gambar gambar sebelum ni lawa sangat. Poyo. First I heard this 2 guys playing guitar of which I fell in love (senang benor nak fall in love) and begin to take their video.

And I thought that was it until I saw a group of dancers with their musician. Running out of time, we decided to walk to another square, this is when we bumped into the group of dancers with their musician. And I was so lost, grasping of the concept and festival. All I can say is that they definitely grabbed the public attentions.

I have to say, Warsaw folks really know how to enjoy music and performances as I saw another street performer that catches everyone’s attention. A Beatles puppet show.

Then we realised the day is getting dark and we need to rush back to Krakow. Macam tuh lah cerito nya…

Poland | Air BNB – Krakow (Review)

Hey, I’m Gosia!

Kraków, Poland

A photo-showcase near the Old Town.

She’s my Air Bnb host in Krakow, love her to bits. Very clean apartment, friendly (but you will need to start the conversation first) and accommodative. Her apartment is located 3-5 stops from the Central Station/Old Town via the tram which is simply perfect.

She prepared a few Krakow brochure in the room, spare keys was given, called us to ensure we are okay, their home is very clean, their bathroom is superbly clean. No issues with the washing machine as it is located in the bathroom. Her kitchen is well equipped and clean too, basically they are pretty much a minimalist. Simple layout and mostly white.

As for the neighbourhood, it is quiet and safe to our liking, there’s security guard as you enter, password or key is required for you to go up to her floor (for safety reason). Oh yah…. There’s a small sundry shop 5 mins walk from the apartment, so you can get your grocery there (if you feel like cooking that is) and there are also a small toy/Lego shop just next to the sundry shop. You will see a girl selling fruits and vege just 1 min walk from the sundry shop… fruits are reasonably priced.

One tiny problem if you don’t like animal, she has a dog (of which she stated in her profile). Chico is so friendly and obedient, he won’t come near you unless you call his name. Gosia was so kind and thoughtful as she send Chico to her parents place while we were there. Sweet kan.

Gosh, I can’t find a single thing not to like with her place. To me it’s perfect, perhaps I should migrate there. Hemmm…