ID: That Bandung Trip

Am too lazy to do daily entry for Bandung trip since everyday (except Saturday) was the same thing.. jalan-jalan pergi shopping... :-))

On Thursday, instead of hiring a transport, we opted for taxis. Two taxis to fit six of us. It was a wrong choice. It was raining and not easy to hail the taxi on the street, especially if you want to hop on/off from one shop to another. To make the matter worse, it was raining on the way to Rumah Mode, our first destination to shop.

After that, we walked to a nearby Mode Plus and then the next outlet adjacent to Mode Plus (can't remember the name). Visit to these three outlets have taken nearly 3/4 of our day :-)) By noon, I got headache - something you want to avoid when travelling. Probably due to dehydration and the intermittent rain. We decided to go back to the hotel. Called for Blue Bird taxi and within 30 minutes, we were at the hotel.

Had a good nap and after maghrib, we were in the cab again - direction to Heritage outlet and the nearby outlets. Nothing interesting for me at these outlets.

On the second day, my elder brother arranged for a transport. So, this time, it saved a lot of time and very convenience to go from one place to another. It is a bit pricey, around Rph400.000 per car. We took Innova and it fit 6 of us nicely. Our first stop was to Golde Money Changer to change some Ringgit into Rupiah. I would recommed this money changer - it has the favourable rate, better than in Kuala Lumpur. There are only two branches of Golden Money Changer, one along Jalan H. Juanda (next to Kartika Sari) and the other is near Pasar Baru. The one along Jalan H. Juanda has parking lots. Therefore more convenience.

Then, spent most of our afternoons at the outlets. Late afternoon, we went to Pasar Baru. The shops here closed at 5pm, so, it is advisable to go to Pasar Baru in the morning or afternoon. And be careful with pick-pockets. I was told that the pick pocket situation here is not bad as in Tanah Abang in Jakarta. My mum loves this place. She said this is what shopping is all about - not the outlets :-)) Sorry mum, majority rules :-))

Some of the outlets visited....

On Saturday, we went to Mt Tangkuban Perahu. A must visit when you were in Bandung. The day started with a fine weather. Once we reached Kawah Ratu, it started pouring. Stayed there until lunch time before we proceeded to Sari Ater for a hot spring. Paid a ticket to get into the hot spring area - thinking that we can dip ourselves in the hot sulphur pool. We were wrong. We needed to pay to get to the pool.

Tangkuban Perahu & Sari Ater

On way back we stopped by few more outlets (shopping lagi :-)). And the dinner was Nasi Timbel at Ampera. I love the chicken and sambal.

Sunday was a packing day - with a short trip to the one outlet for final shopping. Then, had Nasi Padang for lunch at Restoran Sederhana before we bid goodbye to my brother and went directly to Bandara Soekarno Hatta for a flight back home.


~ MT @ Indonesia
~~ CGK, Jakarta

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

ID: Family Trip

Time for a family vacation. This is the first time for me to have a family vacation overseas. The planned trip is to Bandung, Ind0nesia. I have booked tickets with KLM, the Dutch airlines and my brother settled for the accommodation and ground transport from CGK to BDO.

We left for KUL at 1:15pm and reached the airport within one hour. My younger brother was already there waiting for us. Since I already checked in via the internet the night before, I just need to drop the luggage at the counter. Unfortunately, this was not what happens. I have to “recheck-in” for boarding passes and was also issued an e-ticket. According to the lady behind the counter, a print out from the computer might pose some problems over in CGK when checking in for return flight.



The gate for today’s flight is C15 and the flight was full. The “City of Dubai” departed on time and as expected, the service on-board was way below what you experience with Asian airlines. The flight time was 1hr 30 minutes and was expected to land as scheduled.

The flight was uneventful and nothing great to share on my first time with KLM. Overall, I would rate the whole experience with KLM only 2 out of 5. Most of the negative points are from the service on board. But the food was not bad though.



Landed on 25R and within 10 minutes we were at bay E71. Not many arrivals at Terminal E at that time, so immigration was a breeze. So did our luggage. Within 5 minutes after immigration formality, our luggage arrived at the carousel. Not bad...

We went outside of the arrival hall and walked to adjacent Terminal D. My elder brother arrived via MH 30 minutes after our landing.

My brother has arranged for two transports, one for us to go to Bandung and another for him and his work colleague to down town Jakarta. However, before we parted, we went to old town for a dinner at this restaurant called “Pondok Laguna”. The dinner was good and I don’t know how much was the damage. :-)

After dinner, we made a small tour around Jakarta – MONAS, mosque and passed by some busy streets of Jakarta. We said goodbye to my brother at MONAS and soon we were on the highway to Bandung. Driving here is crazy! The emergency lane is used as a fast lane… crazy….

We reached the hotel in Bandung just before midnight and once unpacked, I doze off for the shopping day tomorrow...


~ MT @ Indonesia
~~ Aston, Bandung


~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

MY: A Trip Home...

Left apartment for the airport around 6:15pm.Originally, plan to leave around 6pm, however, have to wait for AI/MR to send some stuff for their parents and Zal went to pick AZ from his apartment. AZ is going back for good after a year in DOH. I promised him that I will check in arnd 20kg of his luggage.

Checked in was abreeze. A definite positive point when you are traveling with Premium Class on Qatar Airways. A special terminal for you to check in where you will be treated like a real person and wonderful QR ground staff. I wonder why QR can’t station the same trained people at the main terminal.

I was assigned to seat 1E, a typical seat if I travel with QR. I prefer not to take window seat or aisle next to window to avoid disturbance to the next person. No one queuing at the immigration and there were two immigration officers. One was busy playing with her phone and another served me. Asked about my visa expiration date and was told it will expire on the July 8th., the same day I am due to fly into Qatar. The officer advised me to apply for a new one to avoid complication. Oh well.. let see whether it can be done on time!











Make a short round at the duty free – couple of things attract me, but I avoid buying them… BOSE noise canceling headphone, dress watch.. and few Arabic CDs… I will have one more trip via this Premium Terminal, I told myself that I will buy it next time.. :-)

Went straight to the lounge for Maghreb prayer and some dinner. The lounge was deserted. Less than 20 pax over there. After prayer, I looked for a remote table with a plug for my laptop. Since there were a few passengers, I guess I will connect to internet at the dining area. Chat with Zal and read few blogs.

The flight was a bit delayed, from 2030 to 2055. So, more time for me to surf the net.

Overall, the food was terrible. No taste at all. They served steam rice, grilled veggie, dry pasta and baked fish. Very plain taste.. in fact when I asked for chili sauce, they don’t have it.. tu nasib baik tak mintak kicap… definitely I will complaint.

Boarding started at 8:30pm and it was a full house for Business Class. One thing I can never understand QR is how they always successfully split family members traveling together. The same case I experienced during the flight. I was caught in the middle of family of five (parents and three small kids). I have no choice so I volunteer to take the window seat. Arrghh.. how I hate window seat when there’s somebody sitting next to me!











QR didn’t impress me at all this time. In fact, I sensed the service level has gone down.. This aircraft, A7-AFC still have old seat.. smaller than old seat that MH has in their Airbus fleet. Small and limited reclining. Food, don’t mention about it. No improvement.. still same menu and the omelet for breakfast was awful.

Landed in KUL 15 minutes late. No other international arrival at that time, so the terminal and immigration were not crowded. My luggage came in quite fast and be a responsible traveling partner, I waited for AZ to join me at the luggage carousel and waited for him while he went shopping for chocolates :-)

Took ERL to KL Sentral and my brother came to pick me up from there. Reached home around half past noon, just nice to unpack before Friday prayer…

Home Sweet Home… at last… is it really sweet? Errrrr……

~ MT @ Malaysia
~~ Ampang, Selangor

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

MY: First Thing First

When I came back home, I have a list of what to do. It is important I utilize my home leave to the fullest. So, on Friday, after the Friday prayer, Iwent to Kay-El-Em icketing office to pay formyfamily trip to neighbouring country. Then, drove straight home for a nap. I needed a rest after uncomfortable flight. Slept until 6:30pm and went to SD to pick up my friend. On way back, stopped by at Upt0wn. Apa lagi, melantak le... I had char kuay teow,then rojak, then kerang...

Next morning, stomach ache... hahahahahahhahaha

~ MT @ Malaysia
~~ Ampang, Malaysia

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

QA: What A Day....

Today, I guess is the most eventful day in D0ha for. It all started at lunch time when few of us decided to have lunch at one Italian restaurant just opened near to our client building. Since the restaurant is just nearby, about 150m away, one of us uttered a suggestion.. "Let's walk!" And everybody sort of no objection.. including me.


Well, what a wrong decision! It was sooooo hot and the short stretch of road have no pedestrian walkway. Ahh... how can I totally forgot that this country has no mercy on pedestrian! Since we already half way there, we just continued walking.


Reached the restaurant, was greeted by Svdanese/Ethi0pian/Eritre4 waitress (I forgot to ask), we chose the biggest table for five of us. Opened the menu, OMG... hotel price....hmm.. better worth it.. as one of my collegue said.. "hotel price minus the alcohol...." :-)

Just we were about to finish our lunch, we got a call from our office (at the client site).. The message was simple but enough to make us rushed back... "Fire alarm, need to evacuate..." aarrghh.... there we went... running from the restaurant to the client building wearing an office attire under the hot and dry weather!


Packed my stuff, and drove back home. On the way, I saw this accident. Poor woman! She was stucked in the driver seat.




Reached the apartment area and the parking was full. The workers at the nearby site hijacked our parking spaces. *&#^$& &@^#!!!!!


Then I witnessed this... No safety device/strap attached to that worker!


(btw,the brown building at the back is QR (female) cabin crew apartment)....


I shouted "It is dangerous!" to the workers nearby, and they just gave me a smile! Yeah.. you just love to see something happen to your collegue.....


Got at the apartment, opened the door... urgghhhh.. what a stinking smell.... apparently, the cleaners did not mop the floor properly and left some residue.. It was sticky... and for the smell, I didn't know where it came from..


Called the guard and summoned the cleaners. Reminded the guard to ensure the cleaners clean properly next time and gave a mop, a pail and a bottle of Dett0l to the cleaners. Asked them to mop the floor again.


I went to have a cold shower. Yes.. very nice and chilling 30 seconds shower before it turned into hot boiling temperature! Forgot that this is summer in desert and the water tanks are on the roof!


To make my day, I went to Zar4 sales and spent RM600 on a suit.... that's it.. a happy ending... just like in the movie....


~ MT @ Qatar
~~ Bin Mahmoud, D0ha


~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

QA: Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to my younger brother...

~ MT @ Qatar

~~ Bin Mahmoud

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

QA: Breakfast @ 1:30

Invited few friends to join me and Zal for breakfast/lunch today. Originally planned for breakfast, however, due to Friday prayer rush by 11 a.m. we decided to have the "makan-makan" after the prayer around 1:30 pm. So, we had breakfast at 1:30pm :-)

I cooked Nasi Kerabu and Zal cooked his favourite, Nasi Lemak Sambal Udang and Rendang Dinding (?). He also fried some bihun.

This was the second time for me to cook Nasi Kerabu and surprising it was well received :-) probaby due to 5 guests are Kelantanese.

We had good fun and thisis the first time alo we met Aina, another fellow MiME blogger and her husband. Thanks Aina for coming. Glad that you met your ex-collegue all the way in D0ha... what a small world indeed..

I was very happy with today's makan-makan. The food was enough and everybody seemed to enjoy themselves. At around 3.30pm, we started the karaoke session until everybody lost the voices. Then some of us ushered to KM's place to watch the malay horror movie, "Jangan Pandang Belakang".

It was a very tiring day, but lots of fun :-))

~ MT @ Qatar
~~ Bin Mahmoud, D0ha

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

QA: Bowling Nite..

Went for a bowling session last night. It was great, with 11 friends turned up. We have to wait for around 45 minutes before got three lanes. There were practice session by the club members in preparation for the Emir Cup in a week time.

As usual, am not that good in bowling. I ended third from the bottom..hahahhaa... Zal, the "Style Bowler" was on top of the world... Maybe I need to practise more often..

~ MT @ Qatar
~~ Bin Mahmoud, D0ha

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

QA: Working Vacation Ahead

Got my ticket today. Well, my electronic ticket. Some how, I just don't like electronic ticket. It doesn't give you "that" feeling... you know, it just doesn't feel like a ticket!

So, my plan would be going to Bandvng on the first week of my vacation for a few days. On the second week, it will be working/vacation. May need to go down to SIN to meet my boss (he has been asking for it couple of months back and today, his secretary email me as well...) Hmm.. shall I cut my hair before meeting him?

~ MT @ Qatar

~~ Sadd, D0ha

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself~

QA: Gatal Tangan...

Nice title huh?... well, right now, my hands are getting itchy... so, there is a plan for a bowling this coming Wednesday and on Friday, I am planning for another makan-makan with few friends. :-) Planned menu are Nasi Lemak and Nasi Kerabu for lunch.... :-) anybody care to join?

Work wise, time is getting shorter and work keeps on increasing. I hope I can manage it.

~ MT @ Qatar
~~ Bin Mahmoud, D0ha

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

QA: This week..

This week is going to be a hectic week for me. ML, who comes from the US office is here and I have to work with him for one month - original plan. However, since I am planning to take two weeks off, I may have to reschedule the four weeks work with ML into two weeks only. Let see how it goes.

My travel agent contacted me and booked me on EY and QR. For both, am on waiting list to KUL. QR is more than QR1000 more expensive than EY, but returning on the day requested. Haven't decide on which to take. Another decision to make.

Flying QR will not entitle me for status miles with my LH Miles and More. Just a standard mileage. Flying EY will increase my chance towards silver status with EY Guest programme. And more importantly, the seat is more comfortable than QR and the service is better.

~ MT @ Qatar
~~ Sadd, D0ha

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

QA: Human...

Sometimes, I just don't understand certain people... especially those around us.. those who we regards as friends...

- Why do people have difficulties appreciating others?
- Why do people love to take advantage of others kindness?
- Is the word "sharing" hard to understand?

Makes me wonder...

~ MT @ Qatar
~~ Bin Mahmoud, D0ha

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

QA: Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to my brother.....


Find Free Clipart at School Clip Art


~ MT @ Qatar
~~ Bin Mahmoud, D0ha

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

QA: Another one..

Talked to my Project Manager this morning and insyaAllah I will be going for another vacation end of this month. The plan is from 22 June until 7 July....

Hope to be able to reserve a seat... unfortunately, this is the season where most people in this region going for a family vacation (summer school vacation is starting end of month). And their destinations are mostly Asian countries with KUL, SIN and BKK on the top spots.

So, as usual, anybody back home needs anything from D0ha? :-))

~ MT @ Qatar
~~ Sadd, D0ha

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

QA: ASSoc.

When I came to this country fourth quarter of 2004, there were around 400+ Malaysians (including family). Today, I heard the Malays1an community has exceeded 1000 perantau in this little country. Therefore, the need to have a proper management of the community is unavoidable. In fact, in year 2000, under recommendation by the then Minister of Tourism, Datuk KSF, Malays1an Associati0n of Q4tar was established. The ASSoc. was sort of "illegal" since it was never registered. I wonder whether it is registered now or not.

Here is the first logo used until year 2005.

Then, the Committee for the year 2005 changed to the new logo.

And again, the Committee for this year changed it again couple of weeks ago

That's about the logo. But, how does the ASSoc. communicate to the members?

Well, when I joined the ASSoc. as a member, I raised the issue. At that time, the communication was done via email and word of mouth. So, to make communication easier, the committee in year 2005 created a Yahoo! group under the name Malays1ans in Q4tar. It was a success. A lot of people joined the group since it intergrates well with internet email. However, Yahoo! group has its own limitation and the Committee in year 2006 launched this website [Not sure whether the link works or not. I have problem accessing it as well]. This is good, but it was a bit too late. The website was only launched after the new committee (year 2007) took the office. So, this website is not really being used or gives any benefits to the members. The committee cylce for the ASSoc. is from May till April.

And guess what now? The new committee, instead of utilising the existing website and Yahoo! group, they created another new website(at least that is what my understanding is based on my conversation with few Malays1ans during the "That" function). Huh? So, next year when the another committee takes over, will they introduce new website????

Sometimes I pity those office bearers. Earn tonnes of money with respected positions in big companies (mostly middle age, if not late thirties) but have brains of the babies. Giler kuasa ke? What I know is that the current ASSoc. chief has been vying for the post since 2004. When he was not elected, he was offered the ASSistant chief post, but he declined.

When living in a foreign land, we turn into fellow Malays1ans for any problems or to share our happiness. If we cannot live in harmony, talking bad things about others (I have experienced this), what is the point having the ASSoc. and functions?

I am very sad to see this happening in the community here. Even worse, most of these people are older than me. Malu! How to respect them if they are acting like kids?? I heard the same for the community and the country reps in another Gulf country (down south). The only better experience that I have was with Jedd4h community when I was working there couple of years back. They were very nice. In fact, the Consulate staff there were very down to earth. I miss their hospitality.


~ MT @ Qatar
~~ Bin Mahmoud, D0ha

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

QA: "That" function...

Last night, Zal told me that the Embassy is organizing a function in conjunction to Agong's birthday at its premise on Friday evening. I was a bit puzzled since I did not get the email. Hmm... may be I have been sidelined by the embassy? Huh... like I care... :-) As a responsible citizen, I did register with the embassy when it first open in 2004. And I don't know why my name never be in the mailing list lately. It was in there before.

One thing for sure is that the Ambassador is ending his term in Qatar and moving back to the Asian region - at least that is what I heard. Great.. unfortunately, the HoC is still to be here.. ahh.. I have got nothing to do with that guy.

At first I was reluctant to go, but when NN and KM were already on the way, Zal and myself decided to go there a bit later. Just to meet some friends (if any :-)) and show our faces. We reached there around 9:30pm and people started to leave the embassy compound already. The food aplenty. Boleh "tapau" lagi. For the first time I noticed there were leftovers during the embassy function. Before this, it is not enough at all.

It was a surprised to see lots of new faces at the function. Good that the Malaysian community is getting bigger and bigger, but does this mean the jobs market back home is deteriorating?

I didn't really enjoy myself there. Maybe I was late and did not see the program from the beginning. In fact, there was a slide show and it is all about the new committee of the ASSoc. Will write about this in another entry.... hehehehe. The function was more towards the ASSoc. function rather than Embassy function.

We left the embassy after an hour there and went straight to Mandarine Juices for hang out. Since some of us have to work on Saturday, our lepak time has to end at midnight (macam Cinderella pulak...).....

No photos since the function was dull... not worth it at all..

~ MT @ Qatar
~~ Sadd, D0ha

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

QA: After three years.. well almost

In yesterday's newspaper, there was a small article inviting non-Arabic speaking Muslims to join congregation for Friday prayer at FANAR (Qatar Cultural Islamic Center). I went there with Zal for Friday prayer and this is my first Friday prayer in Qatar where the sermon is delivered in English. We reached there around 11:30am (right after Zuhr azan) and the place is already jam-packed with people. Met couple of Malaysians there.

Today's sermon is about knowledge. The importance of knowledge for Muslims and how Muslims should utilise the availaibility of infrastructure and technology to gain more knowledge. It was delivered by Bro Bilal Philips, a Jamaican Canadian who now resides in Qatar.

At last, my Friday prayer will be different.. hopefully FANAR will organize this every week rather than once a month...

~ MT@ Qatar
~~ Souq Faleh, D0ha

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~