RARECATION 13: Switzerland (Day 1)

This Rarecation trip is the 13th instalment by SNAP. So far there's been trips to India, China and Indonesia. They did Europe back then, and this one is a repetition of some sort.  Since it's close to my backyard, of course I'm interested.

The next day, SN informed there will be a breakfast together with the whole group instead of our designated 'canteen' (Two canteens in a group of 4 camper van). It was a get to know session. 

the usual suspects....Radzi and Harun, first to eat

Welcoming speech by SN

seating (l-r) Anz, Januarhaikal, Kamalia (K) and Tasha

seating (l-r) Didit, Sab, Kak Mona, Zach, Coke and Pah

RARECATION: Germany en route to Switzerland (WHAT ARE YOU DOING?)

We left the vicinity of Schwangau..the "Swan Land" and venture south towards Switzerland. We entered the Autobahn (highway) for some kilometres, enough for Syibli to key in into the Google Map for our next destination. 

Another aspect of Rare in this Rarecation is the fact that we travel, as much as possible not using the Autobahn or Autostrada, I mean the highways. The old road, the one less travelled? Those are the most scenic don't you think so? Old road or state road follows the terrain but highways...highways take point A and B, connect them in the most direct route. Mountain in the way? Either you bore through them or smash them into kingdom come. Need to cross a valley? Just build bridge with its support 100 feet tall or more.

rolling fields

road between the trees in autumn 

We were traveling along the road when suddenly from 'Temerloh' (Saiful Nang (SN) was driving) called in over the walkie talkie telling us to pull over..."berhenti! berhenti!" (Stop! Stop!)

RARECATION: Germany: Schwangau:- Schloss Neuschwanstein

Heraldry! A study of coats of arms has always been one of my interest. A family coats of arms evolves thru time. A marriage is the usual cause for it. But a city? I doubt any change...unless for a special reason. 

Lo and behold! Above is the coat of arms of Schwangau. A swan on red shield. Schwangau means "Swan Land". Must be lots of these gentle creatures roaming around these area for them to adopt such name in the first place. 

The Bavaria Coat of Arms on the flag
(horizontal light blue and white lozenges shape)

RARECATION: The Beginning...(Part 3) - END

My friends...(Rarecation buddies and readers), in this trip alone, I amassed almost 190GB worth of photos. Too trigger-happy... I am still learning. I apologise. 

File info...accidentally creen captured twice

In short...with too many pictures in my external hard disk, I will only be able to show just a few. Maybe some will be in IG and Fb or maybe a posting just about the photos. Anyway, it's just too many to show in one go...more less in one posting. 

Enough about the photos...

Meanwhile....Abang Rashid, Kak Mona and I had our own drama too! At the airport, I forgot one teeny weeny item. My passport and the copy of the luggage report! I moved from one camper van to another and I totally forgot about it. Oh no!!!! But the staff at the KLM counter was very helpful. Asked me if I have any other ID card (my Malaysian IC card and Nigeria's CERPAC card I always carry around in my wallet). 

RARECATION: The Beginning...(Part 2)

A few weeks before the trip, Saiful Nang (SN) or was it Syibli created a WhatsApp group for the lot of us. It was rather clever of him to do that. We mingled among us in cyberspace before the actual meeting on the 10th of October. 

There are (since the WA group is still pretty much active) 18 of us plus 4 crews (SN, Syibli, Harun and Dinie). The crew arrived a week earlier than us. They sent pictures, pretty good ones actually to excite us. It worked very well. 

The "on the way" picture of Syibli to Munich airport

SNAP crew in KLIA

Zach

Anz and Rose

meanwhile..Sab has arrived and with the crew

Rose, K (Kamalia, IG:kamaliakamal), Zach and Anz

Drama prone Didit and Hafiz  

Rose and SNAP ground crew

RARECATION: The Beginning...(Part 1)

Finally I am going to Europe for a short study-visit with some friends! 11 days around Europe. 

Trip begins from Munich in Germany - Switzerland's Rhine falls and its Alpine regions - Italy's Lake Como, Verona and Venice - Bovec in Slovenia - Hallstatt and Salzburg in Austria and finally back to Munich for a visit before departing for Lagos, Nigeria. 

All in all, it will be a ~2000km journey which we will be cooking our own food...make our bed...recharge the on board batteries...fill the tanks with water...empty the grey water tanks (used water)...clean the WC, all those on daily basis, because all of us will be travelling on these....

C1 Euro mobil by DRM

NIGERIA: Lagos: Banana Island Cultural Festival

There was the Small World earlier this year...then there's the Indonesia Bazaar in May just before summer holiday and finally (if I could say that) the Banana Island Cultural Festival to top it off for 2015.

Indonesia Bazaar ticket

Small World 2015

Small World entrance deco

NIGERIA: 55th Independence Day, 2015

Thursday, 1st October 2015 marked the 55th anniversary of the Independence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from United Kingdom in 1960. 

Google on October 1st

NIGERIA: Lagos: Eid al-Kabir (Part 2)

In the earlier post, I mentioned the Eid gathering of Malaysians in Lagos. Just a small get together, pot luck style. Most of us here in Lagos are just a few kilometres apart but to  meet up regularly is another matter. All caught up with work, children's activities, other function and in the case of Mogan and Karthig....either they were assigned outside Lagos for a period of time or just a simple case of being too busy to meet up. I suspect Mogan bar hopping all over Lagos...Island and Mainland included (yes, there's two parts of Lagos...another post..maybe)

Btw, when Madam expressed her intention to have a makan-makan (eating) session during Eid....I was unsure it would happen at all. I just love to tease her. I excel in doing just that. Without our helper at home (we gave her off day for Eid), she would struggle. But she can cook pretty well since we moved to Lagos. I love her Nasi Minyak or butter rice with some spice added to it. Maybe this time, this time it will be a breeze for her.

Well done, Madam!

Ladies in the kitchen.. Ida, Norhuda
and Dayang

NIGERIA: Lagos: Eid al-Kabir (Part 1)

We celebrated Eid ul-Fitr (Aidil Fitri) in Malaysia and that was during the school summer holiday, but Eid al-Kabir, Aidil Adha, Hari Raya Korban or Hari Raya Haji (Hajj) in Nigeria for a change. It's a two day public holiday, so going back to Malaysia is not an option. 

certainly a one way ticket for the ram

This year's Hajj season was marred with tragedy. First was the crane accident at Masjidil Haram in Mecca and the stampede in Mina (May Allah grant them Jannah). In my mind, the previous Friday's khutbah (sermon) by Imam Sulaiman Ibrahim urging Muslims to do the Qurban (slaughtering of livestock). 

If you've met or have Nigerian friends, they can be very animated during conversation, so does this particular Imam. 
He told the story of Allah's prophet Abraham and his son, Ismael in a very out of ordinary manner....but in a nice way, actually (all the hand gestures and slaughter was a hand across the neck). He mentioned about the livestock, the age, the condition, price and the dividing of the meat. Regarding price, he was talking about the need to strive for the best livestock...but within budget. Do not abandon your niat (intention) and focus on the reward in hereafter....and that is faith. He reminded the verse from the Holy Koran which we recite at least 5 times a day...

"Say. Indeed My prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my life and my death are all for Allah, The Lord of The Worlds"

- Surah Al An'am/The Cattle (6:162)

I put off the idea of doing the Qurban this year until the moment we were on our way back to Lagos from Abeokuta, Ogun state (story here) where we passed the Kara Market which was full with goats and cattle. 

Kara livestock market, Lagos