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Amsterdam Trip

Travel Date: 10 August 2012 - 12 August 2012

Day 1 / Day 2

The flight departed at midnight and with the flight time of near 12 hours, I arrived at about 0700hrs.


The first thing I did was to have my breakfast. It's a long day today. I was sleepy but actually I did had a good rest in flight. Perhaps my body clock was not tuned properly yet.

After settled down in the room, I decided to catch the train to the city. My agenda for today is simple, a visit to Sex Museum and the heritage windmills - Zaanse Schans (as suggested by my friend).


The trip to the city was just mere 18 minutes by the train. Just take the normal train instead of the high speed train when you are traveling around the city. There is not much different and you save on the fare.

From the Amsterdam Centraal station to the Sex Museum is just a 10 minutes walk. It's a good place to learn more about sex (I think). The museum does cover the history predated from BC. (I really don't know how to explain this).

Basically, it's porn. Just try not to get a hard on looking at the pictures and sculptures. Not much picture taken and definitely I will not post it here to to the x-rated content.


After the museum, it's time to head to Zaanse Schans. The train network is really complicated. For iPhone user (Internet required) do download NS Planner. It's will tell you the details of your intended stations for easy planning. I got lost btw and ended up in some rural area.


To get to Zaanse Schans is actually quite easy. Just go down at Koog-Zaandijk station and follow the sign. It's really simple and just 15 minutes walk you be reaching you destination.


I learned that there are different kind of windmills - wood mill, oil mill, spice mill, paint mill, and few other more type of mills. The visit was really good. I get to learned about the history of windmill harvesting. Such technology at the era.


Since its a 'park' theme area, it's a good stroll around the area with local architectures. Apart from the mills, I got to experience cheese making and tasting. Some museums and the scenery of the farm and river.


After a good three hours walk, I decided to head back to the hotel and call it a day.

Day 3

It's time to fly.

Amsterdam Trip

Travel Date: 05 August 2012 - 07 August 2012

Day 1


This would be just a short trip. How short, well just a day to be exact. So I decided to make use the whole day fullest.

I arrived early in the morning. Since the hotel is at the airport. It just a walking distance from the terminal. I was staying at Sheraton Schiphol for the night. Basically I didn't sleep at all the night and here I am going to a scenic walk around the city.


Just after I checked in, I went for the breakfast. Lovely presentation of the choices.

The best part of Amsterdam airport is that it has it's own mall for people to shop around. Well, that was later in the evening.


Bought the train ticket. The normal train is good enough at the cost of €3.80 per trip to the Central. It's better to buy the ticket at the ticket machine as there is service charge or €0.50 if you decided to purchase it at the counter. You'll be in the city within 17mins and there are trains every 15mins during normal hour. I guess they trust the people as there is no gate or people checking if you actually have a valid ticket.

The city attractions are just walking distance from each other. So I just walk from block to block. The design of the city is very systematic of a semi circle design. Apparently yesterday was the Amsterdam Pride 2012. So there was a lot of rainbow flags around the city. There even a street with few shop dedicated for the LGBT.


For those who love to shop, the premium brand are cheaper and most of the shops around the city do give a tax refund. So bring along your passport. You will be able to claim the refund when you flying back to your next destination outside of EU.


As many of you know, Amsterdam is famous of their red light district. Nice to see. But pay up if you want to touch. It's like window shopping as the girls would be standing in front of the window as preview. Also there is a porn cinema. I wonder how the people restrain them self from all the heat. If you know what I mean.

The next most famous thing in Amsterdam is weed. The sell it openly to everyone. Above 18 years old I presume. It's ok to try but once or twice. Just hope you don't get addicted to it. There are rules in regard to the consumption of weed now. So know the legal limit and the rules if you decided to have it a try.


After four hours of continuous walking, my leg started to give up on me. So I decided to head back to the hotel for some rest.

Once I'm back with hot shower and early dinner, I'm up with energy again. Schiphol Plaza would be my next visit. It's crowded alright. People saying good bye and welcoming back friends and family from their journey.


The best part of the airport would be the Panorama Terrance. Here, you have the 270 degrees view of the airport. Looking at the planes taking off, landing, taxing and parking close to you. For me, it's really a relaxing view. I spent almost two hours before headed back to the hotel and call it the night.

Day 2 / Day 3

It's time to go home. The flight time of 12 hours and with so many time zone crossed, I reached back Kuala Lumpur on the next day.

Sharjah Trip

Travel Date: 03 August 2012 - 05 August 2012

Day 1


I arrived in Sharjah early in the morning. Be in mind that even though it's morning, the temperature already at 33C. It was really warm. I guess it's my first time experiencing the summer in Middle East.


Once I arrived at the hotel, all I can do is sleep. I don't know why but I was too tired to do anything and to go out. I guess the hot weather was once of the contributing factor as well. I ended up staying in the room for the whole day.


Day 2 / Day 3

Today I decided not to waste my time again staying in the room. I know it's hot but there always first time for everything. The first thing I did was to check out the pool and beach. Well, it's only 10am but the temperature was at 41C already. In the end I went back inside the hotel to cool down.



There is a free shuttle from the hotel to Diera City Centre. I'm staying at Radisson Blu. It's a little bit far for Dubai city. The travel time to the mall is approximately 30mins. It's one of the many mall Dubai have.


 I have nothing to buy except for some chocolate dates for souvenirs for my friends and relatives. Just walk around the mall floor to floor to kill the time before the shuttle back to hotel.

This time I decided to walk around the city of Sharjah. Around the hotel. It's still very hot - 43C. So I just walk as fast as I can to snap some pictures. I wonder why most of the places such as museum was closed. I know if it's Friday, nothing will be open except for the shops at the mall. I can't figure out about Saturday. Perhaps since it's hot, nobody like to work.


 I was basically dehydrated. Luckily I didn't faint on the street. I just kept walking back to the hotel. It just an hour walk but due to the heat, all my energy drained out. Rested at the hotel.

Departing early in the morning to Amsterdam.

Servisair Lounge [No 41] (AMS)

The lounge is a collaboration with Menzies company. Located at the center of the terminal just after the departure hall.

The lounge is big with two separate location for meal and leisure. A computer area (chargeable) and a TV area. The wifi is free for 60 minutes provided by the local cellular company.

Food are simple. Drinks are plentiful.

I personally like the view overlooking the gate.