Lesson No. 1
When travelling during the Ramadhan month, DO NOT expect the husband to drive all the way from Jalan Ampang to Shah Alam within 2 hours during peak hours to pick you up and send you to the airport.
Because he won’t make it.
And you may just miss your flight to Australia. Unless, of course, by some stroke of genius you decide to drive yourself to the airport, break all speed limits, dump your car in the open air carpark with hourly parking rates, and rush in to LCCT to check-in just on time.
And pray that the husband finds the spare keys so that he can locate the car and drive it back, because there’s only 25 bucks left on the Touch ‘N Go prepaid card which you zapped for the parking.
Lesson No. 2
If like me, you decide not to spend 20 bucks by pre-booking your seat on Air Asia X, do not expect to ask your friends (who did pre-book their seats) to get a nice aisle seat for you. This is because you will still be allocated a seat, so do request for that aisle seat you have your eyes fixed on. Failing which, you end up being sandwiched between the businessman who uses the corniest pickup lines on the stewardess sitting diagonally opposite him (oh, you have Chinese features…good thing your mother taught you Mandarin hor, but your body shape ar…can tell look like Malay lor), and the sleeping beauty on the right who spills over to your side everytime there is air turbulence.
Lesson No. 3
Air Asia is punctual. So don’t bother booking a connecting flight to Sydney 5 hours later (in anticipation of a delay by the Malaysian carrier) coz by the time you visit all of ONE duty free store in the Gold Coast airport, it would take a whole 8 minutes, after which you will wonder if the book you’re carrying will last the remaining 4 hours and 52 minutes. (It won’t.)
Lesson No. 4
Learn to bake. Viva la pavlova.
Lesson No. 5
When visiting the Sydney Fish Market, it is best to bring your wallet. If you fail to bring cash, and you’ve already booked a place on the guided behind-the-scenes tour of the fish market, you will need to spend some time explaining to the guide, in front of the other 15 people who did turn up with cash, why you cannot go on the tour. Thick skin is absolutely necessary. Of course, the guide will most likely tell you that it is only 7.00 in the morning, and things will get better eventually, so tag along until some money magically appears. And of course, if you pray hard enough, and you’re able to make a call to a very sleepy uncle, the wallet will be hand-delivered two hours later by a stylo-milo uncle in sunnies and an open-top Beemer. The two hours before that is a painful lesson in poverty and starvation.
Kumamoto and Pacific Oysters
With money in hand, try the fresh seafood, both raw and cooked, at the market. Remember, eat outside and risk sharing your scrumptious seafood meal with the gulls.
Lesson No. 6
EAT! Scour the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide for an idea of what’s good out there.
Longrain Restaurant
Try Longrain, a restaurant with only 3 long communal dining tables, for a touch of Thai….
The food at Longrain is refreshing, and that’s how it is when one uses and pairs only the freshest of ingredients. Dining in Longrain, one can almost feel the energy at this place; there is a festive air as groups of people find their places at the long tables. And this is what communal dining represents – camaraderie, friendship and sharing.
Longrain
85 Commonwealth Street
Surry Hills, Sydney
Lesson No. 7
View from Altitude, Shangri-La Sydney
Make sure you get a table by the window, especially when you’re on the 36th floor overlooking the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.
Barramundi
For modern Australian cuisine with European influences, this is a great restaurant to dine at. Service is excellent and attentive. And if you’re thinking of surprising that special someone, call ahead and ask for this:
Ain’t nothin’ like swallowing your very own diamond.
Altitude
Shangri-La Sydney
Website HERE.
Lesson No. 8
Always carry a spare camera. Because when the right moment comes, you want to be able to capture it and show off the amazing National Geographic-like pictures of the whales that you saw after braving the tumultuous waves out in the unpredictable seas. “Thar she blows!” you shout excitedly, and reach for your SLR, only to find that. it. has. stopped. w.o.r.k.i.n.g. And the only proof you have is this:
Note: For pictures of the real thing, see Precious Pea’s blog.
Lesson No. 9
Throw away your watch.
Relax.
Contemplate.
Rejuvenate your senses.
Breath.
The Bathers Pavilion
Website HERE.
Lesson No. 10
Embrace love.
Lesson 11:
Must ask Luscious Babe how to take good pics before going for vacation.
Lesson 12:
Must starve to afford Lesson 1-10.
Lesson 13:
Must learn to compliment beautiful posts.
Like this one!
😀
hahaha …. why SLR failed? so cham. but the drawing’s farny. how much was it for 2 ways traveling by Air Asia? and the seats cramped like domestic flights? (even my HK flight was sempit … worse than a bus). but their punctuality is commendable. highly.
how do you take such beautiful pics of the night scene? gorgeous.
hahaha..a brilliant summary of Australia..did u actually draw the whale scene out??
that camera must have sat out there on a tripod for awhile to get that kinda clarity..unless u tell me u went n use a human tripod haha
Dear LL, you captured Sydney sooo well that I felt like booking a flight ticket there straight away. Thanks for the tips! We have been warnedddddd lol
Lovely. I miss Sydney already…
HairyBerry: Here’s one more for you: Lesson No. 14 – Must learn to accept greatness in one’s self. Your India post is my standard.
J2Kfm: Including all the extras + baggage weight of 25kg, I paid approximately RM1,300 return to GC. Sydney’s extra. Yes, the seats were cramped. The night scene? I rested the camera on an object and snapped away. 🙂
lotsofcravings: Yes, I drew the picture. It’s exactly how it was in real life. Except in real life, the people had arms and legs. The night scene was shot while resting the camera on something. The rest were handheld. 🙂
Lianne: Awwww. Thanks, sweetie. I can’t wait for Germany one day!
nileey: Sydney is easy to like, isn’t it?
actually, your drawing was nice (Much better than my brother when playing Pictionary without timer). I still definitely waiting for my whale watching trip.
We don’t communicate much anymore, except through our blogs.
Read the article about you in the Star too.
Hope to see you soon in the flesh.
the martini is sensitive! hehe.. so cute… love the shots.. aww.. i feel for you about the whale! that sorta things happens to me too.. am really accident prone.. lol.. nvrmind can tell fm the b&w that it was excelllent anyway.. minus the puking lady !
HAHAHHA…..funnyyyyyyyyy…I was laughing all the way:)
What happened to your SLR? Bummer ya….and the picture of the whale was pretty neat ( I thought)
That a list of great tips; hehehe…I will not forget when I go to Australia:D
yunno something? you remind me of dina zaman lah! both of you have this knack of telling stories and making everyone burst out in laughter. and it’s not contrived. it’s very real. there’s so much sincerity and honesty in your writings that you totally draw the reader in.
I think I’ve to sell my @$$ (don’t worth a penny anyway) to have a chance in Lesson No. 7. You are one Lucky Babe 🙂 It’s a shame on the whales pic but there’s always next time ^_^
Welcome back and really nice picture of the night view lar.
oooh, i love the picture of the whale watching. what camera is that? i must go buy.
awww, aint that sweet, henry’s missing you. better reveal your flesh to him soon.
not THAT long-lah, the post. can still read without lapsing into coma.
Henry Yeo: Well, I drew that whale picture without a timer too. 😛 With timer, the whale would have looked like a dog.
cumi&ciki: The whalewatching experience was one of the most exhilirating moments of my life. Words can’t describe it. That’s why I drew that picture. 😛
Christy: My SLR camera konked out already. 🙁 I am now camera-less. Wonder if Canon would like to sponsor a camera…*hopeful*
yin: Wow, that’s an amazing compliment, and one I do not deserve! She’s up there, and I’m…hmmm….hehe. But I’m glad you’ve enjoyed my writings. It’s really great to get such feedback. 🙂
Live2Talk: No need to sell anything leh. It isn’t that expensive, and besides, the diamond will be paid be someone else, no?
jason: Thanks, Jason! And glad you like that pic. I took about 10 shots before I got one that I liked.
pre-holiday lesson no 1 ( and only one )
let us know first before you go , then yoiu will not need the other 10 lessons
hahaha
great you had a good holiday
lesson 15 – must give james enough notice to save leave and/or money to come with you to party!
(too bad there’s no hooters in sydney nic)
Extra Class Lesson: At the Sydney Fish Market, get your fresh sashimi from the shop outside the building and not the ones inside the building. Look for a nice slabs of sashimi and tell the person, for eating right away, he will slice it nicely for you. Then bring out your packed tube of wasabi and bottle of premium soy sauce. Look for a seat under the brollies (important) facing the boats. Enjoy! (Sydney friends bawa kita pergi punya) haha….
Extra Class Lesson: Eh eh! Book 3 to 6 months early for a seat at Tetsuyas! Compliment the food/cook, and sometimes the ‘guy’ himself comes out to pose for photos and give you an autograph book!
Extra Class Lesson: Get friends who know chefs in the those 3 chef hats places. haha.. you still pay for the food, but whatever that chef which is the friend, he throws in complimentary dishes for free. Hmmm…. *blink blink*
the whale sketch sure made me laugh out loud! looks like you had a whale of a time in Sydney! ;p
I just read this and thought it should be a lesson here.
Make sure you book a flight to the Correct Sydney! (In Australia and not to Canada). LOL…
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/09/25/1222217371083.html
fatboybakes: Good camera hor? I must patent it. As for revealing the flesh, why fatboy, perhaps you’d like to go on da market too? Two for the price of one?
backstreetgluttons: let you know first? Why ar?
james: Ya lor, but you so busy with gf, where got time to come to Sydney to see me ar? Next trip, Melb, k. (Got Hooters there ar?)
keropokman: *wail* Why you never tell me?????? Actually, my fault coz I didn’t tell many ppl abt this trip oso. You got so many good tips leh! How often you go there ar? NEXT TIME YOU”RE GOING WITH US!!!!! 🙂 As for the Sydney vs Sydney….hehehe….can’t believe ppl can make such mistakes, but hey, that’s a very good tip too!! hehehe.
sc: Aiyoh, that funny ar my drawing??? But yeah, whale of a time indeed!! hehehe.
Lesson No. 9 is teh winner.
Nice angle. That drawing of yours. Can never get it with camera from where you were cursed. =D
I also have not seen you very long time di. Hor? *sniggers*
Well, would write more but let’s wait till we catch up. Since I haven’t been writing much on my blog lately, the only chance we get to interact is when we meet in person. *sniggers some more*
Okay, okay… any more komentar and I bet someone’s gonna kill me… 😛
Hahaha! Thank god you decided to drive to the airport..i was so so worried that you might miss the plane. Yeah, i was still pretty upset with the pre-booking of seat, will going to post on it soon. By the way, you drew that pic of the whale? I almost turn up to be one of those who vomitted. Anyway, wait for my whale watching post cos I have lots of pics to show. 🙂
fbb and ll: ramadhan buffet or high tea?
i am intersted in the Barramundi… ^_^
Darl, thanks for giving me a good giggle. Your writing goes from strength to strength. Also let’s talk about travelling together. 😉
Oh, your whale sketch is hilarious. And the creme brulee pic is to die for. Woman, you should write a book.
wat a wonderful trip filled with adventures 😀
btw wat happened to your cam which i thot was pretty new??
Chong: I love Lesson No. 9 too. 🙂
Tummythoz: Yeah, the angle’s a little bit elevated, hor? Maybe I was levitating when I drew this. 😛
Life For Beginners: Take a number. 😛 Ok ok…kidding…but hey, we’re two busy ppl that I guess the only time we get to meet is virtually. Take care of your health, and get well soon!
Precious Pea: Thanks for all your help and for looking out for me in Bald Eagle’s absence. You and hubby rock!! Oh, I’m sure I’m going to be damn jeles when I see your whale pics. 😛
Henry Yeo: Tak paham leh! Mana ada masa lagi ar? Tiap2 hari pun ada benda nak buat. hehe. Maaf ye.
ling239: The food in Oz is really good!! Can go mad with all the choices!
Nigel: I would LOVE to travel with you!!! But no diving trips for me pls. I look like a blimp in a wetsuit.
Argus Giggling: So you reckon I can write a book AND illustrate it too?? hehehe. Actually, when an idea like that comes from you, the QUEEN of writing and editing, I am deeeeeeply honoured! Cannot sleep di!
babe_kl: My cam kaput on the whaling boat leh. Musta been all that vibration. Or that vomiting woman. But anyway, yeah, I have great memories from this trip. 😀
wheeheeeeyyyyy what fantastic pictures! Makes me want to go to Sydney now. One of the more memorable meals I had was at Longrain. The drinks are to die for! And I don’t even like to drink. Much. Well. Anyhoo, did you have a stigmata? (The cocktail at Longrain not spontaneous manifestation of wounds)
Eh, I tarak queen of whatever lah, unlike you, gorgeous queen of DSLR and writing. AND now drawing! Anything you can’t do?!
You be the Malaysian Edward Gorey plus-plus — illustrating one’s own unique writing with quirky sketches (and beautiful photos).
Your photos are really beautiful 🙂
Hello there. i stumbled across your lovely montage of slideshow of holiday in sydney. Thanks for sharing the lesson the thoughts. Lesson 5 and 8 in particular. Love da way you present it in sketch in which u added a sense of humorous. haha. think u have got da potential to be culinary design lecturer.
My parents will be paying a trip to Australia end of da year for my graduation. I hope they don’t create a scene in front of a group of people 🙂
once again. thanks !
Great post and great pictures. Love it.
Awwww… *hugs* Still, it sounds like you had fun.
Juz walk around with a sketchpad and pencil la. You draw marvellously, gurl! Imagine the electricity you save by not having to charge your camera.. 😀
Great fun and wonderful tales of travel…Great pics! Sights, Food, Objects and Animals! :o)
Paprika: Longrain does rank high in my books too. No, I didn’t have the stigmata. Sounds like a disease. What’s it made of?
Argus lives on writers’ block: Oh dear, it’s getting more and more unbelievable now!
tigerfish: Thanks!! Glad you like ’em.
Ai Rene: Hmmmm….that’s a thought…never thought of being a culinary design lecturer before. Awww, parents will be parents…proud of their precious children and always willing to show them off! 🙂
Simon Seow: Thanks!!
Chubbypanda: Oh yes, I did have lots of fun! These are the things that make a holiday memorable!
GPOAD: Errrrrr. Are you saying my sketching’s better than my photography? 😛
wmw: Just learning from the best. 😉
nice post! Personally, I prefer Melbourne to Sydney since Melb is my ‘kampung’ but Sydney does have its fair share of fun!! Really enjoyed the post and love your pics!
haha thats funny!
Really nice pics there. I wonder what DSLR and lens you use to capture the excellent pictures? Sydney market is great and love to visit it again soon.
Dharm: I have yet to visit Melbourne! Your kampung ar?
sam: Thanks.
Siew: These pics were taken with a Canon EOS 400D, the ultimate in light SLRs (excellent for holidays!). Most of the pics were taken with a 50mm lens.
Oh, those oysters look divine! I love Kumamotos. Just wish they were as big as Pacifics 😉
Love the pictures. BTW, next time you can come over to Brisbane- the city where the sun shines and the beaches are white, clear and the surf is great!!!. YOur camera will love you for it. But first, I guess you will have to save enough vitamin M and accumulate enuf time for holidays. I heard from Singaporeans that they will flock over to Australia due to the fall of Aust currency – it is almost 1:1 ratio now for SGD currency to convert to AUD currency. Lol. Anyway, will chat with u some more. Have to go to another pesky meeting to talk about budget and insurance planning.