Republic of Ireland: Driving and thoughts about Ireland

Driving outside Dublin is easy. Everything is clearly marked. The route, road and the attraction, historical or geographical will be marked clearly and we didn't get lost not even once. Of course at the airport I bought a book of map of the Irish Island (North Ireland included), with some info on places of attraction and the car's GPS somewhat helped.

While on the ferry

But from our trip, main attraction was clearly marked and here and there, you must've seen the wave shape among the attraction with a light blue background along the route we took. There's one in the picture below and this one was on scenic route R559 also known as the Slea Head Drive or Slí Cheann Sléibhe which Google translate as Mountain Head Drive. 

Thus, we introduce you to the amazing Wild Atlantic Way!

Republic of Ireland: The Secret Trip (7minute flight to Inishmore Island)

The family that we rented the Air BnB gave us a hearty breakfast that morning. We left early from the house because our destination is to an airstrip not far from the house owned by Aer Arann at Connemara Airport. We are going to visit Inishmore the biggest of the Arann Islands.

flight from Connemara to Inishmore

Aran Islands are a trio of island on the Galway Bay. We are visiting the Inishmore Island, the biggest. There is also Inishmaan and the smallest, Inisheer which we will not be visiting.  On Inishmore we will be doing some hiking to an Iron Age fort on top of a cliff on the other side of the island. There will also be seal spotting along the way. BTW, you can also get to the island by ferry and there are a few operators which you can browse online. 

Connemara Airport

one of the three Britten-Norman Islander aircraft

Republic of Ireland: SPRING 2017 - Places we visit

Spring break 2017 and we went for a short excursion to the Republic of Ireland (or Ireland). It was a self driving trip from Dublin to Killarney, Ring of Kerry and Skellig Ring, Galway and back to Dublin. 

Rock of Cashel

Between Dublin and Killarney, we made a detour to Rock of Cashel in Cashel, County Tipperary. It's a collective ruin of medieval structure consist of a castle, a cathedral, a chapel and the oldest structure which is a Round Tower built sometime in 1100AD. On the lawn outside the northern side were graves and the whole structure which sits on a plateau are enclosed in a wall. From Rock of Cashel, you will get a commanding view of the area around it. 

Rock of Cashel

NIGERIA: NIGERIAN 101 - Wash and Dash

These are the two words that most foreigner (oyinbo) would caught off guard when in Nigeria. 

The first one is wash, it does not reflect the actual act of cleaning for wanting a hygienic environment and the other one is dash, has anything to do with running or sprinkling small quantity  seasoning into cooking. 

Washing

Let us take a closer look at wash or washing. 

Scenario 1: Ademola just got his first wheel after saving enough money to buy one by saving his .... Later that day, he brought his mom and dad (btw he is still single) to an eatery where they ate and celebrate his success and pray for more success in the future.

Scenario 2: Madam just turned 40! A big milestone in her life and since she is 'Madam', powerful and influential in its own right; decided to pull the stops and celebrate with her colleagues at office. On her birthday, she bought packed foods, cakes and drink for everyone in the department and selected few outside the group. 

GHANA: Accra - Hot is an understatement...

Last week, Madam and I went to Accra, Ghana for a short business cum visit. Two weeks before depart, I managed to send an email and set contact with the Malaysian's in Accra. Khairy of Matrade office in Lagos (MATRADE - Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation) also provided me with a few numbers of Malaysian residing in Accra. Short trip, 3D/2N only.

Day 1

We departed from Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos (LOS) to Accra's (ACC) Kotoka International Airport (KIA). It was a 40minutes flight on an Embraer ERJ 145LR and may I add, it was a little bit claustrophobic for me.

Aircraft safety card

Landing time! (P.Ramlee fans will get this)

NIGERIA: Be safe

I am currently living in a country where there's only a handful of Malaysian here. There are 5 families in Lagos plus some blokes who are on various assignments with some of the multi-national companies based in Lagos. In the mix, we have Shiela Madu who married a local man many many years ago. 

In Abuja, there's about the same number of us, but from time to time; Khairy from Matrade office in Lagos would announce there are Malaysian currently in Nigeria on attachment as consultants to some other international or reputable local companies in other locale (e.g Port Harcourt, Calabar etc). 

Since there's only several of us here, we know each other quite well and always within contact; just to be on the safe side. 3 years in Nigeria had thought us a lot on being constant contact within the group. Like I mentioned to prospective business group back in Malaysia, it's generally safe but like everywhere else; things can go wrong. So, it's best in to be in contact with the rest of Malaysian here, staff of the High Comm included. 

NIGERIA: Depression...Househusband

Let me quote a paragraph from the last posting:-

Ahhh..the life of an expat's spouse. Hah! Nothing rosy about it. Basically an emigrant, for want a better word. The life of an expat also comes with depression, especially to the not-working-previously-working spouse, moi. Ohh....How I wrestle with my ego...put it under wraps. But once a while, it reared its ugly head out and well....there were exchange of words. OK....why not put a stop here and talk about it at length in another posting, yes? 

New place, new environment and adjusting expectation versus reality. I had to put a few notches down, hmmm maybe a few more. 

view of VI from Five Cowrie Creek

Prior to our arrival, the company sent in advance the 1) Invitation letter to the country for each of the family members and 2)  A brochure of the country including the Do's and Don't and first time arrival at the airport. The keyword was 'discreet'. Not to attract any attention. Oh my..

NIGERIA: Throw back Thursday: I beg your pardon!

I'm frequently at school and I think spending extra time with the children; not just at home is a big plus. I'm lucky to be able to do that and happy to do so. BTW, Madam is just too busy. 

"Time spent with the children are priceless" my friend MJ said earlier today. (He's 2 years my junior and we went to the same boarding school in the 90's, same 'Mat Shah house' and now we meet again in Nigeria. Imagine the odds!) We just came back from volunteer work when we had this conversation. 

Ahhh..the life of an expat's spouse. Hah! Nothing rosy about it. Basically an emigrant, for want a better word. The life of an expat also comes with depression, especially to the not- working-previously-working spouse, moi. Ohh....How I wrestle with my ego...put it under wraps. But once a while, it reared its ugly head out and well....there were exchange of words. OK....why not put a stop here and talk about it at length in another posting, yes? 

Back to the children and school etc... Since I spent quite a bit of time in school, I was asked this awkward question a few months back... and my...it was a very tongue in cheek enquiry.

"Where does your spouse work? Which company is he working for?"

Spot the mistake? hahahahahahahahahaha

I answered "My WIFE works in so and so and SHE works for so and so"

I'm pretty sure had made the capital letters loud and clear. The parent apologise for the mistake, it was a joke btw she said. But I was way ahead. I mentally pictured a bald 41yo man with a waistline to match and I was sure I didn't wear any of those tight t-shirt and still I am of the fairer sex? Stressssssss....

Jump into the Lake Atter (Attersee) in Austria. Traveling with Rarecation.

INDONESIA: Bandung - One last visit....

Some say the bond between human so strong that once the loved one left, the other tend to follow not long after that.

Mak Cik Su and Hazim (eid 2015)

My sister and I traveled to Bandung, Indonesia last April when we got news that our 'aunt Su' or Mak Cik Su, the one  who took care of Hazim and all of us for 27years became ill. I flew in all the way from Lagos, Nigeria and took a low cost carrier, Air Asia to Bandung. The closest city we could get to reach her. We hired a driver there and the journey from Bandung to Pamanukan took almost 4 hours by car. 

The journey through rain took us to a very hilly region till we arrived in Subang where the scenery changed from tea plantation to paddy fields. The harvesting season just came to an end and they lit up the fields to prepare for the next round of planting; the area was choked with smoke. 

Finally we arrived at our destination. Walked a few metres to a small green house which she called home. Her frail body was on the bed and a standing fan was blowing air slowly. The room was smoky from the open burning and no window shutter ... I wept bitterly. She was just skin and bones. 

NIGERIA: Me a Tai tai?

Tai-Tai

A wealthy married woman who does not work or a privileged lady with lots of time to spare and money to spend...

I am not sure if there's any antonym for it but certainly I have the time but need to work harder on the money department.

The first time I heard the term was on my way back to Malaysia during one of the flight on Business class deck on a 380 Airbus at the lounge. With children in tow, of course we were barraged with questions from everyone else. 

"You're travelling with children, from where" one asked

"Lagos, Nigeria" I said

"Wah lao (some sort of exclamation.. frequently heard in Malaysia and Singapore) ... that far eh?" another one adds, an engineer for the airline flying home for much needed break.

"yup, 20hours flight time... not many would do, especially if flying to Africa.. " TRUE.. I've flown multiple airlines that serves Africa continent and mostly are 20+ trip. 

The next question would usually be along the line of ... How did I ended up there? Wife, would be sufficient answer. Nigerian lady? Nope Malaysian... I don't mind another one, I laughed. Then, from the bench...the engineer again said something that would make me laugh.

"You must be "tai-tai"... lucky you!"he said

"hahahahahahah" we both laughed... I wish.