Paris Metro ticket

A typical ticket for the Paris Metro/Bus/Tram. Careful not to place the magnetic strip near electronic devices

Paris has one of the easiest-to-understand public transportation in Europe. They are divided into the following types:

• Metro Subway Lines 1-15 (like LRT)
• RER Train A,B,C,D & E (like KTM Komuter Trains)
• Paris buses
• Paris Trams (very limited areas)

Why is it one of the easiest-to-understand? Because a single ticket can get you to most places in Paris. This is the t+ Ticket, which is just an individual ticket. You can use a single ticket to transfer between Metro & RER lines, or Buses and Tram lines. But NOT Metro/RER and Bus/Tram lines. For that, you will need 2 tickets. Also you need to take note that this ticket is valid within Zones 1 & 2 only. For transfers to the airport, you will need a different ticket to be purchased at the counter or through the ticket vending machine.

One individual ticket costs €1.70 whereas 10 individual tickets, also known as a carnet, are €12.50. These tickets do not expire, you can pass it around to anyone, and are quite worth the money to purchase. I personally do not recommend purchasing the other Paris Visite Pass or Navigo Pass or Mobilis, because you frankly wouldn't need to use the trains that often if you are following the way I travel.

Where do you buy this "carnet"? At any RER or Metro station through the counter or at the ticket vending machine. If you are buying it from the counter, try out your French.

"un carnet, s'il vous plait." = One book please.

Hokkien version:
"Ang Kah Neh, Si Bu Peh" = Red Leg leh, *** mother father

No insults intended. :)

Europe 2011 - Day 1 Arriving Paris

Date: 7 April 2011

14 hours of flying time was surprisingly manageable especially with iPad in hand. We set timers for 1 hour, where we did an exercise route around the airplane cabin that involved extensive stretching. Our pre-booked International meal turned out to be chicken cordon bleu and chicken bonne femme. Both quite delicious, but small portions. Luckily I brought along chicken rice and hard boiled eggs to accompany the meals. Hahaha.

Chicken Cordon Bleu with additional Chicken Rice & Egg brought from home

View of Paris Orly just before landing

I won 2 tickets to Paris!

Event Date: 11 November 2010

I won 2 return air tickets to Paris, thanks to AirAsiaX! Many many people have asked me, "How did I win it?". Ever since then, I have been very embarrassed to say what my winning slogan was. In fact, I truly believe that I did not deserve to win. Based on my past failure at AirAsiaX slogans, I knew that they normally do not pick the entries with the most fanciful English. Without thinking for 2 seconds, I wrote whatever garbage that came to mind, and for the first time, I'm letting everyone read my (lousy) winning entry.

The slogan that won me 2 air tickets to Paris. It wasn't too creative, nor was there a real "him" behind it. Paiseh!

But thank you nonetheless to AirAsiaX, for allowing me to win this and opening my eyes to the joys of traveling to Europe. From the moment I realised I had won, planning for the trip had begun. For those who don't know me, I am a meticulous planner. I go back and forth over 10 times for even a simple hotel selection, until I feel that it is perfect. Even after I have booked, I can still cancel and change my mind and rebook elsewhere. It drove my travel partner absolutely crazy!

What I paid for my free ticket

Following this post, will be a series of our adventures in Europe. Stay tuned!

Mummy the Superstar

Mummy got a treat in May 2006, a makeover by Christian Dior at KLCC. You need to spend about 2.5 hours in total to get your hair done, makeup done, put on some fancy coat and frills, and wait a moment for them to photoshop all your wrinkles away. The result? Voila, this is mum at age 63! She's just as pretty either ways.

Before After

Kuching 5-7 May 2006

Money Spent:
Airfare = RM139.98 incl taxes
Hotel = RM144 x 2nights / 3 person = RM96
Food = RM50
Transport = RM10
Shopping = RM30
Total = RM326

Took off for the first time from LCCT. Parking costs RM2 for first 2 hours, and RM2/hr thereafter, up to a maximum of RM30 a day. LCCT has only 2 restaurants, McDonald's and Asian Kitchen and Coffee Bean. A Big Mac Meal will cost you RM10.80 and a nasi lemak with rendang chicken RM12.00. After entering the departure hall, there is one more cafe called Buy & Fly that serves airplane boxed food like Mee Siam and Nasi Lemak for RM7.90 each.

Kuching airport was housed in a new terminal building. It is freezing cold, and be prepared to walk 1km from where the plane stops, to the baggage claim area. A taxi to the city costs RM17.50.

We arrived at the Holiday Inn Kuching, and was delighted to be upgraded to a Deluxe room. I had booked 2 Queen Beds in a Standard Room, facing the river for RM144. Our room was beautiful!

If you see a similar sign, you'll know this hotel is exceptional

Went to eat at Topspot Food court, ordered Bidin with belachan, fried mussels and what was supposed to be oyster omelette. Only the bidin was nice. "Oyster Omelette" turned out to be one large oyster on a pizza-slice-size of deep fried flour.. no egg in sight. Not cheap eating at Topspot, RM60 spent for not-so-nice food.

The only place open at 9.30pm Oh Jien ... sorry I prefer the Penang style

Siem Reap 17-19 Feb 2006

Money Spent:
Airfare = RM160.76 incl taxes
Hotel = US$28 x 2 nights / 2 person = US$28 x 3.8 = RM106.40
Food = US$20 x 3.8 = RM76
Guide = US$40 x 1.5days / 4 person = US$15 = RM57
Shopping = US$20 x 3.8 = RM76
Total = RM476

Arrived Siem Reap airport at 11.45am. I previously read that it was advised not to bring check-in luggage because of the long wait of clearing customs. This was untrue, how to survive with just a carry-on luggage?! The arrival process is like this. Step 1, get your visa on arrival if you require one (Malaysian and the Philippines passports do not). Step 2, all must go through the immigration, a very slow and tedious process. Each person will take 2-3 minutes. By that time, your luggage will be waiting for you.

I booked at Angkor Than City Hotel (http://www.angkorthan.com) for US$28/night which includes a free airport pickup. On the way to the hotel, everyone drives incredibly slow at less than 60km/h. I soon realise that it was because of the bad road conditions that didn't allow them to go faster. Siem Reap is a left-hand-drive city.

Siem Reap Airport, please pay US$25 upon departure! The Angkor Than City Hotel

Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Festival
Date: 19 Mar 2011

7:15am, it is amazing to see that many people up and about at this hour. Carparks are almost full; if you come any later, you should bring a 4WD. That way, you can just drive up to any pavement and park anywhere you wish (ahem ahem). It is even more amazing to see the number of persons carrying DSLR cameras in one small area. All for a good reason too, it's the annual Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Festival! 

 

This is the DSLR-access area. What this means is, if you aren't carrying anything that looks like a DSLR, you will not be allowed entry to this area. Balloons are slowly being filled up with air, and you get to see balloons slowly "waking up" in the morning. Since I brought my photographer friend along with the DSLR, I didn't have access to this area. Reminder to self for next year: buy the plastic DSLR-lookalike to bluff the authorities.