Sunday 26 October 2008

Back in Malaysia

After a 10days stopover trip in Abu Dhabi, I finally touched down in KLIA around 2pm this afternoon. The trip to UAE is yet another interesting one (I shall talk about it in another post). My sister came to pick me up at the airport. After taking a nap we went out for dinner at the Petaling Jaya's SS2 food court and I had my long missed Penang Asam Laksa (but not very nice) and Penang Char Kuey Teow (fried noodle) and also Ikan Bakar (grilled fish). Yummy... more yet to come in the coming days, weeks, months...

Thursday 16 October 2008

Sayonara to UK for now...

Tomorrow I'll be heading off to Abu Dhabi for about 10days before returning to my home country, Malaysia. Got a few friends currently working there and are very kind to let me barge into their home and private life for that duration. I'll be touching down in KLIA airport on the 26th Oct. A record 16 months away from home, by far the longest time I spent away from home. Can't wait til I get back so I can meet all my friends and family again... and also to tuck in and indulge myself on all the Malaysian food and snacks that I missed o so much....

I shall return again to UK sometime after Chinese New Year 2009. I'm still not thoroughly done yet with UK and also I've barely touched on the Europe portions. So wait for me... I shall be back.

26th Aug 2008 - Isle of Skye - Edinburgh

Day 8

After a good nite sleep of 10 hours, I woke up at 7am, freshen up and went downstairs to cook noodles. While cooking, I had a brief chat with the elder man who was playing some wonderful guitar tunes last nite. He’s from Ipswich and he plays at wedding ceremonies. After breakfast, I set off to Edinburgh. Soon I was stopped by the highway maintenance guy telling me that the Skye Bridge is closed so I need to take the ferry from Armdale Ferry Terminal to Mallaig instead to go back to the mainland. Reached the terminal at 9.45am and the next ferry is set sail at 10.15am. The ferry cost GBP18.45 for the car and another GBP3.50 for myself. While waiting, I asked the ticketing officer what happened at Skye Bridge only to found that its now opened again after an accident last nite. Bummer... could have saved all that money but then just treat it as an experience :)

Under the instruction of the ferry officer, all the drivers drove their cars onto the ferry and nobody is allowed to stay in the car. Everybody went to the upper deck where there is a lounge and a small cafe bar. You can choose to stay indoor at the lounge or go outside to the open space where there are also some seats. I off course went outside but then it's really windy and cold out there. The ferry ride just took about 30 odd minutes and along the journey, one of the car's alarm went off non-stop. Five minutes before we reach the terminal, all the drivers and passengers were requested to go back to the car and get ready. Upon reaching, once again we were instructed to leave the ferry one car after another.

I continued my journey towards Edinburgh. The weather this morning has been cloudy and grey. At times, it was just a mild drizzle but other times its pouring down hard. The traffic along the route is generally slower as everybody is driving at a slower pace. I welcomed the slow moving traffic as it gave me more time to enjoy the scenery, contrasting with the views a few days ago in bright and sunny weather, the gloomy, misty and wet terrain presents a totally different feeling. There were quite a number of serious cyclist braving the rain, wind and cold at the oncoming direction. No doubt, they have my utmost admiration and applaud.

After about 5 hours, I arrived at the Hermiston Park and Ride site. It's free to park here and I only need to pay for my bus fare (GBP1.10) into Edinburgh town center. This is a very good deal as I heard it would be difficult to find a parking slot in Edinburgh town and not to mention the expansive parking fee. I am now carrying my full-size backpack plus another day-pack and walking on foot now. This is actually the first time on my entire trip that I have to carry everything on my back... and it's definitely not an easy job. Well, I guess this would be the exact situation when I go on my Euro trip next year so I better start getting used to it. Some guessing and asking for directions later I checked in to the Edinburgh's St. Christopher's Inn Hostel located one street away from the Royal Mile. I was located at the top floor (5th floor), OMG !!! But then staying up high has its own benefits as I am now further away from the bar downstairs (not sure what the situation is like for those at the lower floors) and also I get a good view of the Edinburgh town from the window of my room.

After days of grassland, hills, the mother nature with more sheep than human, I am suddenly walking amidst beautiful old buildings crowded with locals and tourists. It's the last day of the Fringe Festival 2008 so there are still some street performances going on. The authority has blocked up the Royal Mile making it inaccessible to public vehicles. I just wandered along the Royal Mile stopping off and on to watch the performances. There was one guy performing at the middle of the road and his performances was hilarious. He did a pretty good job imitating Micheal Jackson's moon walk and I am particularly impressed by his show of the Matrix in 'slow motion'. We all know how the slow motion scenes on movies is done but to see it being performed in real life, that is just incredible. At the other corner, there's a group of people playing various instruments (violins, drums, etc) and there is this crazy lady who put an electric drill through her tongue!

As the sunsets, the temperature drops and I decided to go back to the hostel for shower and also change to a thicker jacket. Later, I got myself a Subway sandwich as dinner and while munching, I heard some drum thumps and also bagpipes music. It's actually a band playing some really good highland music. Their performance were brilliant but too bad I arrived a bit too late as they are doing their last piece of music for the nite and also for the festival. I enjoyed it very much hence I bought their CD album and got them to signed it. I lingered around a little longer after that before going back to the hostel.

Wednesday 15 October 2008

25th Aug 2008 - Isle of Skye (Cuilin Hills & Portree)

Day 7

Rise and shine, the rain has stopped, I woke up @ 6.45am to this great view although the sky is still quite overcast... not too bad eh =) I made myself a hot chocolate (not really hot but more like lukewarm) and ate some biscuits while enjoying the view. Later, I packed up my stuff and took some shots of the surroundings before heading off again. Next destination is Glenbrittle.

Along the way, I saw some cows (mountain cows?) which are so cute !!! Papa cow, mama cow and baby cows... with long hairs and sharp horns. I didn't stopped very long as I needed a toilet break (that's the first thing you do when you wake up at home but out in the wild you got to go and hunt down one :p) I thought there would be one at Glenbrittle but to my horror it's just a beach with no toilet! The view of the beach was great but I think I'd enjoy it more if the nature's calling was not as urgent. I quickly head to Sligachan for the Cuilin mountains. There is a toilet but it's only limited for their hotel/restaurant customer only. I saw a signboard saying there's a public toilet 3miles away at Sconser. Off I go in full speed. The village of Sconser sits on the shore of Loch Sligachan at the foot of Glamaig, one of the Red Hills (sometimes called the Red Cuillin) of Skye. It is also the ferry terminal for onward traveling to Isle of Raasay (20minutes ride) and also home to Isle of Skye Golf Club (a 9 hole golf course). But all this means nothing to me as I'm here for the toilet :p

After that, I went back to Sligachan again, parked my car and went for a walk. This is the entrance route to the Cuilin Hills. The Cuilin are a range of rocky mountains located on the Isle of Skye and are counted among the most spectacular peaks in Scotland. The true Cuillin, also known as the Black Cuillin, to distinguish them from the Red Hills across Glen Sligachan, each with a distinct character. The Red Hills are lower and, being less rocky, have fewer scrambles or climbs, are formed of red granite, and rounded and gentle in appearance. The Black Cuillin on the other hand, are mainly composed of basalt and gabbro, they are very rough rock which makes for superb grip for mountaineers. Note however that these hills (especially the black) are for serious climbers.

From here I got a very good view of both hills with the Red to my left while the Black to my right. The peaks were hidden behind misty clouds making it rather dangerous and mysterious. The route was rather flat hence I ventured in happily. I walked quite far in nearing the base before I turned back as it started drizzling. Out at the entrance, there's a very beautiful stone bridge linking the main road to the footpath.

Back at my car, I had an apple while looking back at the magnificent Cuilins before heading back to Portree. Arrived at the Bayfield Backpackers hostel reception at 1.45pm but it's not opened until 2pm so I went to the harbour for a stroll. The sky has cleared up and the sun is shining brilliantly hence there's quite a lot of tourist around the the harbour enjoying fish & chips bought from the shop next to the Lower Deck Seafood Restaurant. There's a huge flock of seagulls loitering around the harbour and fighting fiercely over the chips thrown to them by the tourists. It's quite interesting to see how some bigger and stronger seagulls protecting their turf by spreading their wings and with a open beak, running towards other approaching young seagulls, to chase them away.

As it's time, I went back to check-into the hostel. The Bayfield Backpackers is definitely one notch higher in class than the Portree Independent house, with just a pound more in cost. It is very clean and new with fantastic view from both the dorm room and the dining room. For just GBP14 pppn, it's definitely a steal. So the first thing to do of course is to take a long hot shower and then went out to Somerfields to buy some food. Bought a quiche and salad for dinner. The hostel's dining room had a great view and the owner played some very nice and relaxing music making it so much cozier. Although the kitchen here is smaller but its sufficient and the dining room is so much airier here. I felt so relaxed sitting here, eating my dinner, reading up on Edinburgh and also writing my trip report. I've decided to turn in early tonight as tomorrow will be another long journey to Edinburgh hence I need to start early. Back in the dorm room, there's a senior couple where the guy was playing some beautiful songs on his guitar while his partner was reading at the bed.

24th Aug 2008 - Isle of Skye (Round north Isle)

Day 6

Skye or the Isle of Skye, is the largest and most northerly island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The island's peninsulas radiate out from a mountainous centre dominated by the Cuillin hills. The main industries here are tourism, agriculture, fishing and whisky-distilling and the largest settlement is Portree, which is known for its picturesque harbour. Just over 30% of the residents on Skye speak Gaelic.

***

The Swiss lady has left when I woke up and the other 2 Spanish girls were packing up to leave as well. While having breakfast, I chatted a little with the 2 guys sitting at the same table who were traveling on motorbikes. Later, I checked out from the hostel and went to the tourist information centre to get some maps and info about Isle of Skye. I’ve then decided to follow the route up north round the Isle. My first stop is the 'Old Man of Storr'. The Old Man of Storr is part of a weird wonderland of rock scenery and outcrops that lie below the cliffs. There’s a small area for car park at the side of the road. The climb is not too steep where you first go thru a thin wood before coming to a rocky clearing. The view is great even from here. I was hesitating (fearing for my knee) if I should hike up the hills to the stones as I could see that the way up is only going to be steeper. Well, I thought since I’m already here, I’ll just push it and be really careful. I wasn’t as tough as I thought although I did needed breaks from time to time but I made it to somewhere near the bottom of the big rock. You can actually go further to the rock itself but that would really require a little more serious climbing so I decided not to do it. The higher I went the windier and colder it gets, but still its well worth the hike as the view from the top is absolutely amazing. While at the top, I received a SMS from my sister. How I wished she could be here with me together to enjoy this magnificent view. The descending is fine but I almost slipped once and I can just start feeling the ache in my knee.

Back to my car, I continued on the road. There is no need for Sat Nav here as there is basically just one main road and the road signs are sufficient. Off and on I’ll just pull my car over at the side road to snap some photos. The sky is still pretty dull so I’m not sure how will the photos turn out. I arrived at Lealt Falls about noon time so I had my quick lunch here before proceeding to Kilt Rock, which has beautiful cliff views by the sea.

There's a waterfall at the cliff edge flowing into the big blue sea. Kilt Rock is so named because of the strange tartan-like pattern on the brownish basalt rock. Later. I reached the Museum of Island Life near Kilmur where they show how the islanders lived years ago. I was only interested in the outlook of the houses so I just snap photos from outside the fence and avoid paying the £2.50 entrance fee.

Going on, I reach UIG, the ferry terminal to the western islands. I felt that the place is more impressive when viewed from the top just as you branch off the main road to enter the town. I just did a quick walk around at the jetty and then went back to the car thinking of my next destination. I decided that I’ll go to the recommended Stein Inn for dinner. Stein Inn is a very nice and cozy pub beside the jetty. As the dinner would not be started until 6pm, I ordered myself a half pint of Tennents and wrote my trip report. There’s a cute little baby gal with her parents one table away and she is busy crawling around exploring the pub. At another table sat a man and 2 ladies. The man especially was rather playful and he would voice over the baby girl’s actions, which was pretty funny. It’s drizzling outside now and I just hope that the rain would stop soon as tonight I’ll be sleeping in my car. I think this would be quite an experience. Cold, I’m certain but fun nonetheless. I’m just so glad that I had my little Micra so I could go wherever I wanted and stop whenever I wanted. I’m starting to have second thoughts about selling it away before I go home. I ordered breaded haddock with salads and chips which was pretty good.

After dinner, I set off back to the main road B886 and then A850 towards Dunvegan Castle, in search for a suitable place to spend the night. It’s still raining and quite windy. I thought the castle could be seen from afar, but I was wrong. So I drove on towards Ose and along the way there were some places which would serve a good parking place but they were either taken up by other vehicles or they don’t have a good view. Yes, I am searching for a place with great views as well so I can wake up to it the next morning. It’s getting dark and I spot this perfect place overlooking the sea with the crossings of 2 hills in front. Best of all, this parking lane is slightly lower than the main road and there are some bushes hence my car will be hidden behind it. Happy and satisfied, I switch off the engine and climbed to the backseat and made my ‘bed’. Its only about 8.30pm so powered on my laptop and transferred my photos from the SD cards. After it was done, I put my lappy away and tried to sleep. Its still raining and the strong wind is rocking my little Micra so it felt as if I’m sleeping in a cradle. Very soon it went completely pitch dark. I was wearing 2 layers of jackets, 2 layers of socks and a pair of gloves. I also have my fleece blanket with me. The backseat is rather small so I had to curl up. I’m not sure how much I’ve slept but I woke up around 2am and decide to try the front passenger seat so I can straighten my legs on the deck. This is slightly more comfortable position wise but as I’ve moved and with my legs up on the deck, hence it got colder as I couldn’t reduce the heat loss. Just as I was trying to sleep again, my mind went wild with a couple of ghost stories I’ve heard or read before. So, I plug in my MP3 to try to divert my attention and calm myself down. Little by little, I stopped all the wild imaginations and dozed off.