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..