The Fakawi Traveller 2011

Corregidor Island , Philippines

2011 has been a kind year for my travels. I started with a short trip to the Philippines which included visiting Corregidor Island which was one of my childhood dream destination as I am a military history buff since schooldays. I reached my goal of visiting all the 10 ASEAN (Association South East Asia Nations) countries. I do hope that Timur Timur would be accepted as a member and I do have a reason to visit.

Next was my trip to Europe visiting Portugal, Spain, Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia, Croatia, Montenegro, Kosovo,  Greece, Italy, Monaco and France.

Lisbon , Portugal

Barcelona , Spain

Bucharest , Romania

Sofia , Bulgaria

Tirana , Albania

Podgorica , Montenegro

Sarajevo , Bosnia

Pristine , Kosovo

Thessalonaki , Grecce

Genoa , Italy


Monaco , Monte Carlo

Cannes , France

To all my Friends in The Fakawi Traveller.Com I would like to thank you for the support that all of you had given. Insyallah (God Willing) the year 2012 would be a very prosperous year for all of us. Amin

OP * Durian Feast , Manong , Perak 2011

Manong Town

20 Dec 2011

It was a days trip to have a "Durian Feast" at a plantation owned by one of my seniors during my Boy's Wing Royal Military College days.The plantation is located in Manong,  a small and sleepy town by the banks of Sungai Perak (Perak River) in Kuala Kangsar, Perak. The convoy of five cars from Kuala Lumpur met up at the Simpang Pulai Toll Plaza. We were then met by one of the organizers for this Durian Feast OP * Anuar Mayo who led the way to Manong bypassing small towns like Batu Gajah and Parit.

The Eating Party

Sungai Perak (Perak River)

Durian Fruits

On arrival at Manong we were greeted by the owner of the plantation who is OP Zainal who led us to the plantation. The durians on the trees were a welcome sight. We started picking the durians that were strewn on the ground. We could afford to be picky in choosing only the fresh durians that is recognizable by the colour of the durian stem. The lighter the colour,  the fresher the fruit. The feast started and some of us were lucky as we had the fruits that have just fallen from the trees...really fresh ones.

On the way to the Plantation

Collecting the Durians

Dipping in the nearby stream

There was more....... the sight of the Pulut (glutinous rice) and the Bubur Durian (Durian Porridge) which was prepared by OP Zainal's wife Salina was welcoming. After the feast some of us had a dip in the small stream that passed through the plantation. I left Manong full of unwanted cholesterol at around 4 pm heading towards the Royal Town Of Kuala Kangsar passing the small town of Jerlun.  I found out that Kuala Kangsar does have a golf course. I made a short stop at Ipoh for a quick dinner at the Gunung Rapat Mc Donalds.

The perfect host OP Zainal and wife Salina

Pulut (glutinous rice) and the Bubur Durian (Durian Porridge)

On my way back to Kuala Lumpur using the North South Highway it rained heavily and it made me slow down on my driving plus felt a bit sleepy due to the durians . I reached Kuala Lumpur at 10 pm and slept on a heavy stomach full of durians... I can't blame anyone tho....

I would like to thank the perfect host OP Zainal and his wife Salina, OP Anuar and all the OPs and families that made the trip a day to remember..

Serve to Lead...

* OP..... A current student of RMC is known as a Present Putera, while a graduate of the institution is known as an Old Putera or "OP" in short. The term Putera, literally meaning prince in Malay, is attributed to the RMC's royal status.

Europe Day 27 2011 Doha- Kuala Lumpur

6 Nov 2011

The plane landed at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and after clearing the Customs and Immigration procedures I called my Father to wish him a Happy Birthday and Selamat Hari Raya Haji.

As I reached my apartment I had a long hibernation period before driving to my parents house to celebrate both occasions.

Europe Day 26 2011 Barecelona - Doha

Waiting for the bus to El Pratt Airport Barcelona

5 Nov 2011

I walked to the Plaza de Catalunya from the hostel which took me about ten minutes. On arrival I found that the Airport bus stand was full of people. I thought being early would get me on the first bus. I did get the third one though. On arrival at the El Pratt airport the Qatar Airways check in counter was not opened yet and I had my breakfast and also bought some souvenirs using my last available Euros. I was the first to check in as I hate waiting in the long queue and I was right. The flight was full.

The flight took off on time and as the plane was climbing I looked down and I could see Barcelona and the towns that were close to it. I looked back on the trip that I made and made a wish that I could visit all of the places again. The Qatar Airways in-flight service was first class even as I was sitting in the Economy Class. No wonder they were voted the Airline of the Year by several travel magazines.

The plane landed on time since the transit period was short.  Kuala Lumpur bound passengers were given the priority during the security checks while entering the Qatar International Airport Terminal. Despite that, the flight to Kuala Lumpur was delayed as many passengers from other delayed flights to Kuala Lumpur were late in checking in.

The flight to Kuala Lumpur took off after an hour delay.

Europe Day 25 2011 Barcelona

Barcelona Harbour

4 Nov 2011

It suddenly rained heavily as the bus reached Barcelona Nord. I still had one destination which was on my list for the trip which was Andorra, a small country that is located between France and Spain. But due to the weather factor and the time which I had left,  I decided to give it a miss as my flight back home was the next morning. I did not want to gamble as anything could happen along the way there and back . This is the only disadvantage when we purchase a discounted ticket. Miss the flight and the ticket is worthless.......

La Rambla

I found a hostel much to my liking after walking from the bus station heading towards the Plaza de Catalunya which is the heart of transportation in Barcelona. Refreshed myself and began walking around the city center. I started at the Ciutat Villa district which is the oldest part of Barcelona. The Picasso museum is also located in this area as well as the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar and the Mercat del Born (Central Market).

Barcelona Marina

I managed to find the La Rambla where it is always full of tourist in the day and full during the night if FC Barcelona wins any matches. The Barcelona Habour is next to the Colombus Statue and Port Vell where I had lunch nearby with my parents earlier on this trip.

Barcelona Central Market

The Olympic Port where the Barcelona Casino is, is also located in the area. I made the right decision of not going to Andorra today as I could see Barcelona more in detail by walking rather than taking the Hop On Hop Off bus service again.

Plaza de Catalunya

There were many places of interest that Barcelona has to offer but it has to be done in a few days. I walked around that area until it started to rain. Shame. Well I enjoyed the day and as I walked backed to the hostel I dropped by a sundry shop to buy some groceries for my dinner as we are allowed to cook in that particular hostel. My plan to taste some of Barcelona night life was dashed as the rain became heavier and there was no way I could walk to the bars and restaurants. Taxi rides are expensive in Barcelona. I spent the night surfing the Internet as I had an early flight tomorrow. The receptionist even offered to wake me up but I know the hard and expensive way of missing morning flights. It was already 4.30 am and started walking to Plaza de Catalunya to catch the shuttle bus to the Airport ..........