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. 

BELGIUM: Brussels: Going Home (Day 6)

Everything comes to and end....the worse part is when you somehow got the hang of it..but need to leave for home. 

The name of our lodging during our stay was apartmensapart.com . They also advertise in Booking.com, the portal which we usually use for hotel reservation. 

other location of the apartments

the living hall

 they prefer the sofa...

BELGIUM: Brussels: Spring has sprung (DAY 5) - One last stroll....

The best day to walk around is usually on the last day of the visit. Trust me....Last year, my friends and I spent 2 weeks in Europe and the last 2 days were phenomenal. Same thing happened in Brussels...it was either raining or just gloomy weather. But on the last day, the sun was out in its full glory.

The last day is usually the day to buy some grocery and souvenirs. The weather was nice, cool air and my sinuses well behaved....I went to a bookshop, not actually book shop but a 'Japanimation' store (click here) at Rue Saint-Catherine....the area looked like a mini China-town in Brussels, IMHO.

visitors and mourners at Belgian Stock Exchange

Tin Tin cartoon at the side
of a building

BELGIUM: Brussels: Spring has sprung (DAY 4) - Pissing and chocolate sampling

Right after our hearty breakfast, courtesy of Madam...we strolled around the area navigating using the tourist map  (found around the area) showing all the attractions within our vicinity.

The first task we did was to look for an iconic statue of this city, but in a female form. The location on the map put her in a cul-de-sac (no exit, no through road, dead end) packed with cafe and restaurants at Rue de Bouchers.

the cut-de-sac or dead end, full
with cafes and pubs sign

Jeanneke Pis

BELGIUM: Brussels: Spring has sprung (DAY 3)

Day 3, we left the apartment earlier. Madam insist we leave early so we could cover more ground today.

The plan was to visit the Army and Military History Museum first, followed by the Natural History Museum. 

We took the Metro...again, stop at Merode station and walk to the Army and Military History Museum which is at the Cinquantenaire Park (Ben said its the 50th Anniversary Park), created in 1880. 

The Triumphal Arch

BELGIUM: Brussels: Spring has sprung (DAY 2)

Had breakfast and a few minutes stroll, we arrived at De Brouckere metro station. Like I mentioned in the previous posting, army presence were high. At every corner of the station, there would be a pair of them on duty and stopping checking our bags ..... you know just in case. I am totally cool, thanks for "Lagos School of Life".

I can tell you, I felt safe to see all these men in uniforms with machine guns patrolling the station and street....just like Lagos. Not to mock anyone...but you do feel safe. The children got to see other types of machine guns, other than AK-47 that they're so fond of using....again in Lagos. 

Took the metro number 6 to the end of line towards Roi Baudouin (Heysel station was closed)....to visit the Atomium and Mini-Euro.

NIGERIA , Lagos - NETHERLANDS, Amsterdam - BELGIUM, Brussels: Spring has sprung (DAY 1)

We left Lagos a few days after the school ends. We wish not to caught up with the rush to leave Lagos, but simply wait until Madam has had enough of her work and wants some RnR.

We choose Brussels simply because we have friends there. We, did not, in any way choose to put our children into harms way when the calamity happened. We've had booked hotel and flight ticket months earlier, and when the calamity happened, only cautionary statement given by most of the High Comms in Brussels. Not even one gave out restriction to travel to Belgium. So we proceed, with caution.

Schiphol Airport train station

We left Lagos and traveled to Amsterdam at around 10.30pm after a delay about an hour regarding fuel. Ohhh don't let me start on fuel ooo... Anyway, we arrived in Amsterdam without a hitch and immediately we went to Thalys counter to get our ticket to Brussels. 

Dear Boss, we're in holiday mode. Madam
is still with her laptop...

Sprinter train

NIGERIA: Lagos: Spring Break

Since February, I was tasked by Madam to look for a place to  go to during the school Spring break. There were requests by the children, visit toy store, dinosaur museum etc...all except "I want to play snow" requested by the little angel.

Travelling with children and Madam, I really have to lower my expectation bar. Not much adventure, just a straight forward travelling together in relative comfort and hassle free. 

I have this ritual where I would open the Google Map of the world and write down a list of potential places to go. Next go to www.visitacity.com to see if there's a ready made itinerary of the city you're visiting. People travelling with children share their itinerary and some places to visit clearly marked as "kids attraction" which makes your decision easier.  You can even adjust accordingly to your preference. Lastly...of course the accommodation which you can trawl over various site in the net.

All set and done, I was happy and just wait for the Spring break to arrive. A few days before travel, trouble struck! We had chosen Brussels as our destination and now....with the bombing...it seemed not possible due to safety reasons. The Malaysian government thru the Embassy in Brussels replied my email regarding travel ban to Belgium if any. So far, most of the country did not impose any, only reminded their citizen to remain vigilant while in Brussels. The best thing I could do was to give as much info (flight, train, accom., date of arrival and departure and phone number) to the Embassy.

Now thinking about it...oh no! I forgot to say thanks since we came back! Thanks also in order for the H.E Datuk Lim  Juay Jin (Malaysia High Commission to Federal Republic of Nigeria) with his diplomatic skill and reasoning put us at ease to continue our trip to Brussels, Belgium.

P/s: Datuk Lim had given an interview to the magazine, Leadership which you can view it here (click please)