Lovely Leiden (South-Holland, The Netherlands)

So, yeah. I've been busy in the past months finishing some school stuffs and requirements for graduation. Finally, I'll be a bachelor degree holder. Anyway, I went to Leiden, 15-20mins. from Schipol (Amsterdam Airport) last March 26, 2012. The main purpose of my travel there is to meet my good friend, Sheila. I met her when we were freshmen in college, she's now staying in Stuttgart, Germany, studying Human Medicine at University of Heidelberg. I stayed there for 3days and 2nights. Let me just say this, lovely place. Good people. Epic adventure. I'm in love with Dutch girls. Everyone's nice.

You guys might want to check this compilation of clips I took during my stay in Leiden.

I arrived at the airport almost 3 hours prior my flight. Better be sure, this is actually my first time to try a budget airline in EU. Check-in time is too easy and quick. I haven't checked-in online, so, I fall in line and got the boarding pass. The good thing about easyJet is that you don't need to worry about the weight of your hand-carry luggage, as long as it follows the IATA (International Air Transport Association) Rules and you can fit your stuffs in 1 bag/luggage. The size of the bag/luggage should be 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (22" x 17.7" x 9.8")

While waiting for my flight. I was bored at the airport. Almost 3 hours earlier prior to the scheduled time. This is the timetable and the schedule of flights.

I bought this Blueberry Muffin and Hot Cocoa for €5.00 at easyJet flight from Milan to Amsterdam. This serves as my lunch during that day.

First photo I took in Leiden. Somewhere around the "centrum", Shopping vicinity.

Every streets in Leiden has few quotations on the walls. Poetic city.

You can find some fast food chains around the city. It's best to try the local foods.

Since, Leiden is a part of The Netherlands, smoking weeds is legal here. See that girl? :)

This floating restaurant amazed me. So, I though I might give it a shot.

This photo was located right beside the photo above. Nice place, isn't it?

Facing the city center.

There are many coffee shops around the city. this one's different, it's really a café.

This is gothic church situated somewhere at the city center also.

Infront of the gothic church.

Like, yeah. Traveler mode.

The body of water in Leiden is quite large. This is one of the bridge somewhere at the town center also.

Caution: You might hit by a bike. Lol. Better watch out.

Enjoying the view, eh?

Smilin' like a dork.

This is the town municipal of Leiden.

A typical Dutch bike.

Notice the size of the buildings. All of the sizes are almost the same.

Cannabis.

Valk Windmill. I believe, it's now a museum.

My beautiful friend, sheila.

Trying to smile in front of the sunlight. Lol.

Dutch pancakes and a glass of sweet wine.

Where I actually stayed in Leiden. This one's Ollie's flat. Sheila's bf.

Preparing the bike taht we are going to use.

Living, Young, Wild and Free. Lol. Biking aroud the city is awesome.

Bikes are everywhere. When I said everywhere, it's really everywhere.

Had garlic mussels for dinner and a glass of dark Belgian sweet beer.

So, yea. Meet Ollie. The oher guy in the pic. Shei's great bf. He's also cool.

The lightning is nice. The old Belgian ambiance was astounding.

Belgisch Bier Café Olivier.

Outside the Belgian restaurant. The dinner was terrific. Fine dining, really. Thanks for the treat, shei.

Good coffee for the day. Cappucino.

Shei prepared our English breakfast. I'm full, just looking at this picture.

On the way to Amsterdam.

Next  Post: Legal Amsterdam

The kid who had the time of his life in Holland,
Aaron.

Beautiful City of Kota Kinabalu (Sabah, Malaysia)

So, this was a post from my Facebook. I just posted it here in my blog, anyway, it's a travel blog. Everything's in detail and brief. Forgive my poor writing skills.

This is near their City hall. I think this is located at the center. Left side is the Kota Kinabalu City Hall.

This is the guard's quarter in the hotel.

Had a great time with Grandma (I call her Mama) at Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia (East) last March 23-25, 2011. We booked online 2 months earlier because of the airline promo. Got to book a good hotel also for not-so-expensive-price, my Lola's right knee is not in good condition that time when we traveled, we even asked for special assistance (wheelchair) for her to become much more comfortable during our travel. Fortunately, we haven't had a hard time passing through immigrations and all. I enjoyed the whole time I spent with her, even if she just stayed in the hotel for like two days and went out on the last day.

Inside our room. It's a two single beds. Please visit: Hotel Eden54. For more information. 

I checked this hotel through Tripadvisor, it was Best Hotel in Kota Kinabalu. We had a pleasant stay at the hotel. 

Day 1: We arrived at the city at around 8:00PM, went to the taxi booth, paid MYR30 to take us to the Hotel Eden 54. Went to the supermarket beside the hotel. Chat with my Dad and Alessia. Slept at around 12MN.

The Mango shake I bought on streets.

The Suria Sabah mall is located near our hotel. It's across the street.

Day 2: Went to the Suria Sabah mall. It's just a 5minutes walk from the hotel. Bought some KFC foods for our Brunch. Took pictures of the cool graffiti art. Went to Wisma Merdeka to change our Peso to Ringgit. Walked through the Gaya Street, took some pictures of the Kota Kinabalu City Hall, City Bus, Ect. Bought a Mango shake. Unfortunately, our own (Mango Farm or Fruitas) shake version is way better. Tried the Hailam Chicken at The Chicken Rice Shop and the huge donuts at Big Apple Donuts & Coffee, also bought a massage oil (cheap MYR 5) at Guardian. I went to the Night market at around 9PM while my Gran's having a cool talk with Ted (Born-again Malay staff) we've met at the hotel. Saw the Atkinson's Tower that was existed during the WWII, got to see also the City park and the Filipino Market (where I bought some pasalubong). I also even tried the Satay and Hot chicken wings, masarap! Malay food's good. I just don't like that distinct-ginger-taste in their rice, it's better to order "white rice" instead of that "chicken rice" (for me). Went to a supermarket beside the hotel, grabbed a canned milo and a strawberry yogurt. Slept at 11PM.

Monetary in Malaysia is called Ringgit or Malaysian Ringgit (MYR). 1 MYR = PHP 13.76 

Had sumptuous breakfast at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Wisma Merdeka alongside with Suria Sabah.

Went to the port at the back of Wisma Merdeka mall, the port is facing Sout China Sea.

My favorite 3 layer tea at The Chicken Rice Shop in Suria Sabah Mall. Here's how to make the 3 layer tea.

City bus. Transportation information in Kota Kinabalu.

Somewhere at the center of the city. 

Day 3: This is our last day in Kota Kinabalu, woke up at 9AM. Went straight to a nearby coffee house without taking a bath first (LOL.), has some scones witth strawberry jam and a large hot dark chocolate. Went to the seaside - Near Jesselton port. At 11AM, my Lola and I decided to have an early lunch because we need to check-out at 1PM, we roam around the Suria Sabah mall. Had lunch at the Chicken Rice Shop, met some locals. Bought some sabah teas and some consumables as pasalubongs. Went back to the hotel, at the reception area, they have this cool area wherein you can actually swap or exchange your book, there is a pile of good book selection (you can choose from). I exchanged mine with an intersting book about 'Rabbit Stew and a Penny or Two'. After that, we waited 'til 3:30PM, called a taxi, pay MYR 30 then, went straight to the airport, checked-in (ang sungit nung malay lady sa check-in), asked for a special assistance for my Lola, and she was like "We can let you borrow a wheelchair, but, you'll be the one who will take your Gran to the gate." and, I was like "Yea, I know right. Easy!" (In a good manner), As expected, our flight was delayed. Thanks, Cebu Pacific for an hour and a half delayed. My kwento was Detailed. All in all, I enjoyed this trip. Definitely, going back and explore more about the city and their good aqua sports and activities there. Thank You, God for this opportunity to travel.

On our way to Manila. It's always nice to see the sea of clouds above the skies.

The kid who have always been in love with the sea of clouds above the skies,

Aaron.