Attending Conference at Berlin - Travelog Day 2

Landed at London

This is the first time I travel in a big airplane. Although it is not as big as the new Boeing series, but it is enough for me.. But of course, the seat is just fit to my body.

I sat beside two malaysia (husband and wife). They are going to London as the husband is attend conference there and then both of them will go for vacation.

The big ben?

The travel hours was long.... It tooks us more than 12 hours journey from KL to London (Heathrow Airport). Around 12 pm, I got dinner meal (a sandwiches, coffee, and fruits). Then they turn of the light. I was waiting for good scenery but seems that the plane was travelling above the sky as I can only see darkness outside. Can't sleep so I play games and then watch movie, The Real Steel. Then, try to sleep again but still failed. So I decided to play games until it got hang. Wait for a while and get my snack (only people that don't sleep get it :))... Then open the flight-on-board computers. It still hang. Get assistant from the flight attendant. While waiting, I tried to get some sleep again.

Heathrow Airport at night

It was difficult to go to toilet when you are sitting near the window and people in-front you bring their seat down to sleep. But I'm so lucky that the person beside me don't get angry. He and his wife are so nice to me (both of them are Chinese).

Around 2pm (flight time but malaysian time is around 9am), I got breakfast which I don't like it but had to take it since Nasi Lemak is finished. Got omelette + potatos... not food that I wished to have in flight. Still can't sleep... I watch another movie, The Amazing Spiderman. A new face of spiderman and it is boring. I've played all the game that I like and see 2 movies and watch few dramas (half way as it was boring).

During landed, I get to take some pictures of the airport. The only I miss was the runway which is much better scene.

At 5:55am, we landed at London, Heathrow Airport. Yes, I can bend my body, do some stretching before taking another flight to Berlin. And yes, my eyes already feel pain. Can't sleep and afraid to sleep as afraid to miss the flight.

Berlin - Here I come

Check in at the airport straight away as the time is already 6am. Had to spent half an hour at Check-in counter as we don't have Visa. Told the ladies but she seem to have different expectation. She was expecting a visa from us. So she had to call someone, verified with the person and we are good to go. Alhamdulillah, they allowed us to go as we have program itinerary which indicates that we will only stays less than 90 days and visa as we said, will be provided upon arrival at Berlin.

So, we check-in, then had to go through their immigration counter and another check-up. I was stop at the screening. The detector somehow detect me having metals in my body although all things including my wallet, phones, etc, I've put into a drawer and push it through the x-ray section. So, the guard had to search me through, put their hands inside my pants just to notice that there was nothing in there. Hmmm... Might be too many ion in my blood :).

The plane to Berlin

After going through that, I went to find a place for solah. Go to toilet and take wuduk. Thought of defecate but the toilet don't have water-tap at all. Just tissue. Hmm had to hold it for few more hours. So after taking wuduk, try to find a place but end up praying while sitting on a chair. Looks like my Iman is not that strong yet as still think of other people (western) mind if I were to perform solat in a pathway. After prayer and change my seat to near by charging station, then only I found a proper room to perform solat, The Multi-Faith Room... Did not go there and don't know the look n feel of the room.

Ready to depart

We then we to waiting area. My eyes already feel uncomfortable especially with the sun light. Smell some good coffee but everything was in pound and to use credit card for a drink of 2.50 pound, it will not be suitable. So had to wait :(

At 10:55am, we get into the flight, a smaller flight and looks like cheap-fare flight like Air Asia. It is ok. As long as we can get to Berlin. Around 11am, the flight take off. I was given only biscuits and sprite. My colleague get better meals as he was sitting in front :). It is ok... everyone has their own 'Rezeki'.

Yes, It is Berlin

We landed at 1:30pm of local time. Had to find taxi. It was not like Malaysia whereby you have taxi counter for you to book your taxi and you pay upfront. So you know how much you need to pay although you don't know the location. But here in Berlin, you had to take taxi which you will not know the exact amount of money until you reach at your location and you don't know if the driver is cheating on you or not.

We got a taxi and driver was an Indonesian whom works here for almost 20 years. Had family and still able to speak Indonesian... and his indonesian slang is still there. Not like many of us whom when to overseas and after few years the slang was like overseas people talking in malays. A friendly driver. However, either I felt like he is trying to cheat me or he don't know the exact location. I saw the hotel on the left but he turn to right and asking us if the hotel is in row 2 or what. I told him that the hotel is on the left road which he turn right and request him to u-turn. Then only he asked me, 'Is it?'. Lucky I say the hotel name, or else, he will mingle around and the fare will increase to amount of unknown.

We went to check-in the hotel at 1:50pm. Had trouble to check in due to the name register for the voucher (main name) was another person which was not able to come and replace with someone else. But when we promised that the voucher (the earlier version) will be email to her, then only we were able to check-in.

After successful check-in, I take a nap for an hour before my colleague come for dinner/lunch.

Arab restaurant

Waiting for my meal

My colleague dinner

It took us an hour of walking in a cold weather (13'C) and about 2.5km to find a Halal restaurant (Arab area - many Arabic's restaurant and shops). Along the way, I took some interesting pictures :). Tomorrow we decide to rent a bike (bicycle). I've rice with salmon and two waters (juice and mineral water) and take-a-way bun with salads and chicken. My colleague choose rice with meat and the meat don't really taste nice. Mines is ok :). The name of the restaurant is El Reda located at Huttenstrasse. And it took us more than 1 hour to go back as we had felt tired :).

My dinner

Once reached our hotel, I straight away went to my room, perfom solah, on my computer to chat with my kids but they already went to sleep. So I decided to go to sleep. A long journey and already tired and exhaustive.

See you tomorrow Berlin and conference day starts tomorrow..

Few more pictures can be see here.

<< Day 1            Day 3 >>

Attending Conference at Berlin - Travelog Day 1

Final preparation

I was a bit unprepared this time. My new baby born a week ago and then I attended training on Elipse Power Studio. Many things to catch up within few hours.

my lovely kids - helping me to pack.. is it? hehehe

In the morning, I have meeting with the team member and our consultant for a pilot project in TNB. Then, I rushed to prepare all required material for attending the conference. I was lucky that Azlia was there to help. Thanks Azlia. The only things that I did not complete was advance money. So, I went to Berlin with limited financial and left to my wife only RM300 for 1 week. Hope it is enough.

After friday prayer, rush back just to sign documents and leave for Eid-Adha for my team member, and sign the advance payment (thanks azlia again for helping out and hopefully can have the money bank-in by Tuesday). Call credit-card bank to activate my card for international used for this 7 days and also call my mobile operator to activate my international roaming. Then
call taxi to book.

Around 2.30pm, rush to Keramat to pick-up my pants from tailor. And then rush back to home. Reach home around 4pm and starts to finish my packaging.

Around 5pm, I call the taxi again and too bad that they just keep silent when there are no taxi coming and it is already 5.30pm when they told me about that. This is very challenging man... another obstacles for me.. hmmm.
But Alhamdulillah, when I went to search for taxi, one of my neighbour whom also a taxi driver was at home. So lucky as he is also going to pick up some people at the airport.

Around 6.30pm, he came to pick me up.

Check-in at KL Sentral

I check-in at KL Sentral around 7.15pm. Then went around to change money to euro. Not much.. just around 200 euro and hopefully my credit card can be use to support the limitation.

In KLIA Express - on the way to KLIA

Around 7.40pm, I depart from KL Sentral using KLIA Express. And reach there around 8.30pm. Met with my colleague there. When for solah and then join him at cafe. Yet to eat, so I've my heavy dinner :), Fried Rice Special with Teh Tarik.

Depart from KLIA

At 9:40 pm, we went to departure section, check in at the immigration counter, and went towards the waiting  area. My colleague look for cigarette.. wow, it is damn cheap. A total for a cartoon is only RM64 which means it is only RM6.40 per box of 20s compare to local market which the cost is RM10 per box of 20s. Hmm... the smoker will never feel the price :)...

Went to waiting area, and open up my laptop while waiting. Later, the plane arrive.

Waiting to depart

This is interesting, we have upper and lower dock. Of course, I'll be sitting at the lower dock. But, it is big. Although it belongs to British Airways, but it was managed by MAS. Around 10:50pm, we went and sit. I have my seat beside the window. Hopefully to get some night scene.

At about 11pm, we depart from KLIA to London as transit before went to Berlin.

Bye-bye KL. Will be back after one week :)

Day 2 >>

Soffiyya nama anakku

Baby dengan mama nak balik

Dalam pukul 8am, selepas anak lelaki aku naik bas sekolah, isteriku call suruh datang ambil dia petang nanti. Apa lagi, habiskan baju yang perlu dibasuh dan plan dengan anak-anak aku yang lain.

Dalam pukul 12, anak lelaki aku balik. Aku ajak gi masjid solat jumaat, terus naik atas mandi tukar baju. Aku tukar suruh dia pakai baju sekolah tadi, dia naik tukar baju untuk main dan cakap tak nak pergi pula.. huk aloh... tak pe lah.. aku pun tak pening nak mengatur semua... cuma sayang sikit sebab dah bersemangat tadi tapi dilunturkan oleh aku lak.. hmmm...
 

Sampah kat hospital!!

Dalam 12.40 tu, lepas jemur baju, terus hantar dua orang anak aku ke rumah pengasuh. Manakala si kakak ikut aku pergi makan dulu. Lepas tu aku terus hantar dia ke sekolah. Awal juga la. Siap pesan suruh ibu tolong amik lagi.

Lepas solat jumaat, aku terus gerak ke hospital sungai buloh.

Baby balik rumah

Sorang je

Sampai je, terus aku naik walaupun bukan masa melawat. Malas nak tunggu. kang tak sempat nak bayar dan macam-macam hal lagi. Tambahan pula hari jumaat, memang sesak le.

Sampai je kat wad, nurse bagi borang biru suruh pergi bayar dulu. Aku gi kaunter hasil. Lama juga menunggu. Dalam dok tunggu tu ternampak satu majalah yang salah satu tajuk artikelnya tak bagus langsung (tak menyihatkan minda).

Agak-agaks sesuai ke letak kat hospital?

Lama juga le menunggu sebab seorang je staff dia. Yang lain tak masuk lagi.. huh...

Tunggu abah selesai bayar... ye ye nak balik

Lepas bayar, terus naik dan ready untuk balik. Tapi terpaksa tunggu lagi sebab nurse ada banyak benda lak nak 'settle' kan. Lepas tu nak tunggu kerusi roda lagi... hmmm...

Dalam pukul 4, dah clear... Jom balik...

Soffiya namanya

Sampai rumah, bagi dia orang rehat dulu. Wife aku pun tak leh gerak. Kena papah. Siap jatuh lagi uri dalam perut tu.. (dan esoknya jatuh lagi uri.. doktor kat hospital tak buat betul ni... lepas tu tak periksa betul sebelum discharge) ... Lepas tanam uri yang baru jatuh (semalam dah tanam dah) aku tak pergi ambil anak lagi. Lepas solat, pergi makan, baru ambil anak-anak.

Sedapnyer tidur kat tilam..
(tapi lepas tu mama letak tilam tepi sebab bau kucing)

Balik je kakak dan abangnya, bising... semua berebut nak peluk adik. Masa aku tanya nak bagi nama apa, kakak dah lama ingin bagi nama Aishah. Cuma aku masa makan malam tadi terfikir nama lain. Kebetulan, masa makan tu teringat pada pelakon Wardina Saffiyah... lepas tu teringat pula kat TV9 ada cerita Soffiyya ... jadi aku cakap kat dia orang nak bagi nama soffiya. :)

Mulanya akak tak setuju, tapi lepas aku cakap, kalau Aishah, dua bunyi je.. tak sama dengan mama, kakak, dan syasya.. baru lah dia setuju...

Bos melawat

tidur je kerjanya

Hari Ahad, bos aku datang melawat. Dia ceritakan bahawa nama anak aku yang ini ialah nama isteri nabi dari keturunan Bani Israil (Yahudi) yang juga paling cantik. oooo.... baru aku tahu... sebelum ni terfikir juga apa maksud nama anak aku... hmmm... Moga cantik parasnya dan lebih cantik budi pekerti dan imannya.... aamiiinn

Soffiya - Khamis (6.25pm), 04 October 2012

Ahli keluarga yang terkini - si kecil ku dilahirkan

4 October 2012

Pukul 6.00 pagi, isteri ku tersayang minta jangan pergi ofis. Dia kata sakit sangat dan minta aku hantarkan ke hospital. Apa lagi, terus hantar email pada ofis dan terus set hantar anak ke sekolah dan dan dua orang lagi ke rumah pengasuh. Dalam pukul 9, sampai di Hospital Sungai Buluh, Dewan Bersalin.

Isteri daftar masuk dan aku menanti di luar. Nasib baik ada phone baru. Dapat juga menghilangkan boring menunggu.

Ke UiTM

Dalam pukul 10, aku dapat message dari UiTM kata aku punya status jadi GUGUR TARAF. Terkejut sekejap. Selepas periksa isteri dan tengok dia lambat lagi, aku bergegas ke UiTM untuk periksa. Rupa-rupanya aku terlupa untuk bayar yuran. Walaupun dah nak hantar tesis, aku masih perlu bayar yuran. Apa lagi, terus bayar bersama denda dan selesaikan masalah. Selepas itu, aku bergegas ke Hospital semula.

Sampai di hospital, isteri cakap belum lagi. Aku pergi solat dan makan tengahari. Belikan isteri nasi kukus bersama ayam goreng berempah. Lapar katanya... aku lak, boring sebab tak tau nak buat apa. TV pun tak leh buka.

Nasib baik dah beli smart phone... apa lagi, aku layan FB, email, dan games sementara menanti untuk dipanggil masuk. Charger extra pun dah beli... so senang le sambil plug-in sambil layan....

Baby dah keluar

Tunggu punya tunggu punya tunggu... tak juga kena panggil. Pukul 5pm lebih kurang, aku maklumkan pada isteri aku nak pergi solat. Bila isteri cakap line-clear apa lagi, bergegas aku ke surau dan solat. Siap mandi lagi tu.. hahaha panas beb. Lama menanti lepas tu pula dewan bersalin tu punya pintu mengadap dewan bersalin.

Dalam pukul 5.30pm aku kembali ke tempat menanti. Tengah menanti tu aku dapat message dari bos tanya bini dah bersalin ke belum... aku cakap belum pastu minta dia kongsi surah untuk aku baca bagi menenangkan diri aku dan juga memastikan isteri senang melahirkan anak. Dalam pukul 6.15pm, bos aku bagi mesej sarankan aku baca surah Maryam. Nasib baik ada smart phone .. hehehehe.. dan nasib baik dah download aplikasi Quran For Android. Terus buka, cari dan baca... Merangkak juga aku baca.. Almaklumlah, sejak masuk kerja di sini dan anak dah baca Quran, aku mula buka kembali lembaran Al-Quran. InsyaAllah, akan aku jadikan kebiasaan nanti.

Tengah merangkak membaca tu, aku dengar nurse kat depan dapat panggilan suruh suami Alia masuk. Tersenyumlah aku. Terus Sadaqallahulazim dan berjalan ke arah nurse. Aku harap dapat le sambut bayi aku yang terakhir ni InsyaAllah (hanya sambut yang pertama je sebab yang kedua dan ketiga tak sempat). Tapi kecewa bila aku sampai je kat bini aku, dia dah bersalin. Cuma kesian aku tengok isteri aku sebab tak pernah lihat dia dalam keadaan teruk seperti ini. Terpaksa aku urut badan dia jap dan biarkan dia pegang aku. Lepas dia rehat dan ok aku tengok keliling anak aku tak de... mula aku rasa semacam.. terus tanya isteri anak kat mana.. dia cakap nurse amik bagi bersih.. fuuuhhhh...

Lepas tu suapkan isteri makan...sikit je dia makan.. tapi aku paksa dia makan buah sebab kang lagi lemah badan tu. Lepas tu minta nurse bawa aku ke tempat baby... lepas nurse dah selesai, aku ambil, diazankan di telinga kanannya dan diiqamahkan di telinga kirinya... dicium sekali dan aku letak kembali dan pergi lihat isteriku.

Dalam pukul 7.15, isteri dan anak aku dibawa ke bilik. Aku ikut serta tetapi ikut jalan lain sebab kena ambil pas pelawat. Sampai je, terus bantu isteri aku ke bilik mandi untuk dia salin pakaian. Teruk kali ini. Terpaksa papah dan pegang dia ketika dia mandi. Banyak juga darah keluar. Doktor yang jadi bidan tu buat tak betul katanya. Ada ke patut tak de ubat bius masa nak bersihkan uri yang tertinggal. Udah le tu, tak bersih lak tu. Masih ada yang tertinggal kata isteriku. hmmm....

Lepas mandi, rehatkan dia, dan aku susun barang dan bergegas pulang kerana ada 3 orang anak yang menanti aku di rumah pengasuh untuk dibawa pulang ...

 
Bye bye isteriku sayang dan anak bongsu ku... esok jumpa lagi ye...

Muslim World Biz @ Jakarta - Travelog Last Day

Tanah Abang again

Today is my last day in Jakarta. Woke up as usual and took few pictures of sunrise. Not really amazing picture since the view is not that good.

Final sunrise in Jakarta... bye bye...

This time around, I did not go to gym. Had packed all my things in the big bag and ready to go.

Had breakfast and took few pictures of my breakfast using my new HTC ONE S. Not promoting it but it is reliable phone :). After had my lunch, went to Tanah Abang using Bajak as I don't want to waste time (or get tired walking as need to travel back to Malaysia today :)). The same cost; that is Rp15k. But I learn that it should be cheaper which should be Rp10k only. Anyway, still fine to me (but actually should bargain for the price).

Just to share.. Tanah Abang and Tamrin City (or new place known as Mangga Dua) is equivalent to our Jalan TAR or Bazaar (in Penang) which the two places I can recall but in better condition. :)

Reach at Tanah Abang around 9am and not many shops are open yet. My target for today is just two jubah (but it is called something else and definitely not abaya) and kain sarung for men.

However, it turn out that I bought more than that ... hahaha... I have Tudung for my mom, wife, and my mother-in-law which cost me about Rp60k.

After wondering around and see more and more shops opened, I drop by at just opened shop-lot. There are two nice kain sarung. The actual cost was Rp60k. After bargain and she insist to sell (for good fortune @ barakah as first customer) I have it at Rp40k. The material is good :) and you won't get the same price here in Malaysia which in Malaysia around RM12 (for two) and it is impossible to get that price with that kind of material. I think, if I have money, I will definitely come there and buy lots of clothes to be sold at Malaysia :).

Then, went up and down (there are 6 floors) few times and stop by at a shops just near by the exit and finally got the jubah for Rp195k for two. The material is good but I can only get to reduce the price Rp45k. Should be able to reduce more if I buy at least 5. It is fine as the cost is still cheap (converted into RM will be around RM32/each.. in Malaysia you won't get the same price with even the cheapest material).

Then, took the ojak (a motorcycles that used as taxi ... for easy, faster, cheaper and short distance but a bit dangerous.. hehehehe) to Sarinah Mall (near to my hotel). The cost for it was Rp10k.

 Final Check

Arrived at hotel around 10.15am. My team member went to Tanah Abang too.. I thought he already finished but ... hmmm... anyway, after arrange and pack all my things, went for good bathed (in warm water and stay for 15 minutes). It was good after that... really feel good.

Around 11am, my team came back... done final check to ensure none of our belongings were left out. Around 11.15, we proceed to counter and check out. Bye bye Sari Pan Pacific.

Bye Bye Jakarta

We took taxi to the airport. By the way, if any of the reader of my blogs wishes to visit Jakarta, the taxi that you should choose is either Blue bird or Pustaka (from Blue bird group ... the color is blue) ... or Express (color is white). It cost us Rp120k from the hotel to airport.

For hotel, choose hotel that is either Sari Pan Pacific or near by (within Jalan Tamrin). Everything is near by here such as shopping mall, foods @ restaurant, etc.

At check-in counter... ushar habis

We arrived at the airport around 12pm. Went to check in but the counter has yet to opened. We decided to go for prayer first. Then when again to check-in counter and it is yet to open. Met my team member's family whom went to Bandung. They told me that the clothes and what ever I bought here, the price is much cheaper at Bandung. To compare.. I bought jeans (no brand) at Rp150k (equivalent to RM48) but they buy Levis jeans at Rp120k (equivalent to RM32).... huh.. but it is 3 hours journey from Jakarta to Bandung by Taxi and we don't have time for that.

Beg ready to go... :)

Waiting to board
at Oldtown White Coffee @ Soekarno-Hatta Airport

The counter opened at 12.45pm and the lady is 'wow' ... hehehe... she is lucky that I won't get angry to young and 'comel' lady... hehehe although she did another mistake when arranging my seat. I requested for next to window at exit door (for better view and ample space) but she gave me the middle seat and my colleague at window.. well at least we are in the same row. we can change that later :).

The Ipoh Char Hor Fun..
My favorite dishes at Oldtown White Coffee

After get our ticket and our luggage check-in, we have our lunch at OldTown Coffee House... I've my favorite, the Ipoh Char Hor Fun, bread n butter (but get kaya instead), and coffee and all of it cost me Rp90k. Still have money in Rupiah. Hmmm...

Went at the craft shops and bought few things... just to finish my money as I don't want to bring any Rupiah back to Malaysia.. not profitable doing that.

Not my flight :)

Around 2:45pm, we check-in at boarding area. Wait for 15 minutes.. The flight has yet to arrive. The flight arrive around 3pm. See my luggage goes into the plane...

At 3:15, the plane fly and that's end up my day at Jakarta...

Before that... took some last pictures at the airport

Blue ocean...

Touch down... someones flight... hahaha

You better check that flight aaa..

Come on buddy.. lets go home

My bag.. my bag... yes.. going in..

Ready to go....

Take off...

I am back ..

Its a bit boring in the flight. Don't have the earphone to listen or watch movies. But it give me good opportunity to capture few pictures of sky... You can see it below. And also play games on my phones until get bored... hehehe...

Yes.. landed at KLIA

Around 7pm.. Landed on KLIA. Yes.. I'm home... errr not yet... After getting my luggage, check my phone (old number) and saw 'SIMS crash'... arghhhh why this time. My wife did not pickup unknown number. After get my luggage, found Celcom booth .. It is still open... Get new SIMS but with my old number and the same package... Once activated, I get lots of messages and one of those is from CELCOM telling me that my usage is almost touches the hard limit... wow.. but just received few phone calls.. and for the last 3 days, my phone does not works at all... hmmm...

Touch down baby ... that's one is taking off.. :)

Anyway, inform my wife than I'm back and will arrive at Rawang shortly.... Go for solah and straight away go to budget taxi .. while at the counter, two africans out of nowhere come beside me and cut the 'Q' and straight away ask for taxi. *&*&#@Q*#@*# african... don't you know to line-up? But the lady does not entertain them and give the priority to me... and those african stays there till I finished. Really !(!@#!#(*#@(@# ... Anyway... while waiting for taxi, I've something to eat.. can't remember the name but it is good :). Around 8pm, I got taxi ... and it took me about 1.15hour to reach my home at Rawang. And the taxi driver is young.. the conversation with him goes well and he went back home after sending me as it is already 9:30pm when we arrived at my front-gate... :)

That's end up my last day of travel to Jakarta. :) ... arghhhh felt tired and tomorrow I need to attend Tx & Dx Conference.... need to sleep.... huhuhu

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