MALAYSIA: Kuala Lumpur: Petronas Twin Towers and Skybridge

When the Petronas Twin Towers were completed in 1996, Malaysia had announced to the world that it had arrived. It was designed by Cesar Pelli, a renowned architect from Cesar Pelli and Associates of USA. The 452metres tall, 88 stories high building with Islamic geometric pattern as its base floor design and a skybridge connects both towers at levels 41 and 42. It was the tallest building when it was build, surpassed by Taiwan 101 but still, it holds the tallest Twin Tower record till today. 

Petronas Twin Towers

The skybridge (41st level) and 86th floor is open to public. It opens from 9am to 9pm (closes every Friday from 1pm to 2pm, and also during Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Kabir) and only 40 people are permitted each session. One session lasts 30 minutes and it covers both the skybridge and 86th floor. You can buy the ticket at Concourse level or buy it online (here)

Since my brother and his wife, Azmeir and Dina are Petronas  hard working employee (wink wink)... we followed him to office (well he went to office) ....went straight to the counter only to find this...

queue at the entrance!

NIGERIA: Lagos: Lagos Ethnic Heritage Centre

It has been a year and a half since we made Nigeria our home and we realised that not all is what it seems. They phrase about "do not judge a book by its cover" has been again and again proven correct here, especially in Lagos state.

on the bridge towards Victoria Island, Lagos state, Nigeria

Here, looks can be deceiving. Behind a hotel, you'll find a windowless structure is actually a nice Indian restaurant (Sheraton Indian Restaurant). Somewhere between another restaurant (Yellow Chillies in Victoria Island) and a private hospital, is the best Italian restaurant in Nigeria (my new friend, an Indian gentleman now in his 35th year in Nigeria said). 

What looked like a bungalow, is actually a restaurant. Come to think about it...that's how the setup of a some of the restaurants here in Lagos. Huge gate with a gate man (honk to enter, please). Some, you don't actually see the restaurants inside...it's almost like...secret! The Hard Rock Cafe, Lagos fits the description....beyond the gate, is the hippest place to be..but from the main road...just another grey building with big car park.

Entrance to the Hard Rock Cafe, Lagos... who would imagine. This is on a 4x4, imagine on a car...you would miss the sign on top of the building.

Anyway it reminds me of the area Bangsar, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where old bungalows around the area are converted to exclusive restaurants. 

Lagos Ethnic Heritage Centre (click here) 

But today (Tuesday, 12th April 2016) was a little different. We were looking for something else, but instead we found another. 

the resident model of this blog...Saifuddin of MATRADE

MALAYSIA: Muar, JOHORE: About an uncle...

After I bought my first ever camera, the advised given to me by the pros was...practise, practise and practise. Train your eye and the thing between your ears...your brain. 

So I began experimenting with the camera. The end result was a very trigger-happy camera noob. 

One of the best chance I had was when my dad's family organized a break fast kenduri (feast) at my late grandfather's school in Muar, Johor. My grandfather, Allahyarham Tuan Guru (it means teacher) Haji Mohammad Yassin bin Muhammad (I will check the spelling..it is quite confusing actually). 

My late grandfather

Allahyarham Tuan Guru Haji Mohd. Yassin bin Muhammad

The Long Trek Home..... LOS-DOH-KUL

Some pictures before we leave Lagos and on board the aircraft on our way back to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.....

16 hours total flight.

7hours LOS - DOH (Lagos-Doha)

about 2hours transit

7hours DOH-KUL (Doha-Kuala Lumpur)

It was the first time travelling on Qatar Airways. First time in Doha's Hamad International Airport etc..etc..First time in Qatar, actually.

Thankfully, managed to steer the children away from the toy shop at the airport....they just need to stretch their legs and waited for the connecting flight at the next gate. 

As usual, arrival in KL was with fanfare. Grandparents, uncle and aunts were happy. Home at last.....

Without Madam.....oh no!