Catching Arsenal In Singapore

I was excited when I heard The Arsenal were coming to Asia, never mind it was to Singers instead of KL. I actually bought the ticket to the friendly match against AC Milan just before going through security check at KLIA T2 when I was flying out to Nairobi. I only bought the bus ticket after coming back from Chiang Mai and as I’d be leaving early in the morning and taking the late evening bus fr Singers, I booked a room at Times Square as I envisaged I’d arrive before dawn like I did on a previous trip.

I left the hotel at 06:37 on 23 July 2025 and had to wait ages for the monorail train to KL Sentral (the bus actually also departed from Times Square but I didn’t notice it when I bought the ticket, duh me). The bus was supposed to depart at 07:15 but it only arrived at 07:45. I was actually embarrassed by the delay as there was a Japanese mother and her young son also taking the same bus.

We stopped at Yong Peng rest area to use the facilities before continuing on. The immigration process on both sides was such a breeze compared to the slow long queues of the past.

We arrived at Oxley Bizhub at 13:25 and I set off for the National Stadium, stopping en route at Masjid Wak Tanjong to perform prayers.

I went to have late lunch/early dinner first at Kallang Wave Mall then sat and read my book before queuing up to enter the stadium. No water bottle allowed but I managed to smuggle a small bottle in my bag and there’s also a water cooler and I filled up my water bottle.

The match begun just after 19:30. I was surprised to find many empty seats, maybe because it was a week night but there were just too many empty seats. And true enough, the announcer announced there were just over 22,000 spectators. What a pathetic number! And the atmosphere was blergh. Whoever at Arsenal who thought up of and arranged this tour should’ve considered KL or even Jakarta. It’d be a full house and the match more lively and atmosphere more electrifying.

The match, being friendly, was frustrating in the first half. Saka scored the only goal early in the second half.  I left right after the match and didn’t wait for the penalty shootout as I wanted to perform prayers at the space in Kallang Wave Mall and if the mall closed at 22:00, I didn’t have much time left.

After prayers, I walked to Lavender MRT station to wait for the bus back to KL. I was informed by some Indonesian girls that they’d received WhatsApp message from the bus operator informing that the bus would be slightly late.

Well, I only received the WhatsApp after 23:00 informing that we’d be picked up by a Transtar bus which would then bring us to The Plaza at Beach Road for us to change to another bus. The Transtar bus arrived at 23:24 and we arrived at The Plaza ten minutes later. I managed to doze off until we reached Tuas.

After crossing over, we had to change bus yet again. This third bus looked very comfortable and brand new. The driver increased the AC temperature so it didn’t feel like we were travelling in a morgue and I even managed to doze off!

Due to the delays and bus changes, we arrived at Times Square at exactly 06:00 (and I actually thought I’d have to stay awake to wait for morning prayers). After prayers, I went back to bed.

So that was my first trip back to Singers after the pandemic. Please, Arsenal, just come to KL or even Jakarta next time.

Birthday Weekend

I decided to utilise my second Malaysia Airlines Flypass and spend my birthday weekend by revisiting Chiang Mai. I’d been to Chiang Mai twice before with Mummy and Abah joined the second trip too. 

Friday, 4 July 2025

I left home early and made my way to KLIA. Was a bit surprised to find the gate was at the satellite building. I’d decided to carry my bag on board and not check it in so I’d packed quite lightly (except for the thick books). We took off on time and landed at 11:45. After asking for directions, I walked to Door 1 to catch the bus to the city. I’d booked hotel within walking distance from Tha Phae Gate. It took about ten minutes on foot to Budget Stars Hotel and I checked in and was able to go up to my room after ten minutes. I had to pay a deposit of THB300.

I ventured out in mid-afternoon and walked down to Changklan Road then walked up to Charoen Prathet 1 Alley and had halal beef noodles for late lunch.  Then I walked up to Ton Lam Yai Market but it was closed and deserted at that time of day. It started raining shortly after so I sought shelter outside some shops along Tha Phae Road. Thankfully the rain didn’t last long and soon I was strolling down Changklan Road and browsing the stalls that had already been set up. I stopped by a vegan stall at Pha Ploen Market and bought pomelo salad for dinner before returning to my hotel.

Saturday, 5 July 2025

I ventured out at about 10:00 and walked to Ping River. It didn’t impress me much so I turned and walked up Charoen Prathet Road. I came across a restaurant selling fish soup noodles and after checking out my options, had a bowl of fish noodles as my mid-morning meal.

I walked up to Ton Lam Yai Market and browsed the stalls. I found myself buying some dry snacks. There were some fruit sellers outside the market and I ended up buying a kg of mangosteens. I saw lychees too but buying another kg of fruits would be too heavy for me. I then crossed over to Warorot Market and after circling around the market, I bought some pouches as souvenirs. I returned to Charoen Prathet 1 Alley and had khao soi for lunch. On the way back to the hotel, I stopped by a jewellery shop and browsed. Oh dear. And I wasn’t planning to shop!

I ventured out in the afternoon in the drizzle (I borrowed the hotel’s umbrella) and walked to Mae Kha Canal. I then walked along the canal up to where it meets Suriyawong Alley. Then I walked up to Wua Lai Walking Street Saturday Market. I didn’t stay long - by now, the street markets had all started to look similar, selling the same boring things (souvenirs, t-shirts, ceramic things, clothes, repeat, repeat, repeat). I walked to Pha Ploen Market and bought some green noodles from the vegan stall, but not before stopping at the jewellery store and buying a baroque pearl necklace. We'll figure out when we’ll wear it later.

Sunday, 6 July 2025

This morning, I ventured to Charoen Prathet 1 Alley. I wanted to have some wanton noodles, alas, I wasn’t in luck. Upon recommendation, I had pa pa soi instead. After that, I walked along Tha Phae Road to Wat Chiang Man. I spent about twenty minutes there before I walked down to Three Kings Monument, which as the name suggests depicts the purported three founding kings of Chiang Mai. I then walked down to Wat Chediluang Varaviharn but I didn’t go in. Instead, I walked down Rachadamnoen Road on my way to Tha Phae Gate.

I literally stopped in my tracks when I spotted Prang Crocodile Leather shop. I found myself going in and I proceeded to spend at least thirty minutes there (and I wasn’t supposed to shop!!!). I found out that crocodile belly skin is the most expensive part of the whole crocodile. I left with a small pouch case (similar to LV key pouch). Aiyaiyaiyai! Oh, I was told there was a Sunday night market along Rachadamnoen Road. Righttttt. If there’s anything that Chiang Mai has an abundance of its massage places and street markets, the occasional tattoo places, Muay Thai places, weed shops.

Against my better judgement, I went out that evening and walked to Rachadamnoen Road to check out the night market. It seemed like the whole of Chiang Mai and their families were there. The same boring junk sold again. The market seemed endless, it went on and on and even at the side streets. I was getting pretty sick of all these commerce by then so I turned around.

I’d intended to walk again to the vegan stall at Pha Ploen Market to get some dinner but came across a halal restaurant at the corner of Pha Thae Road and Kampangdin Road so I decided to have my dinner there instead. After that, I followed Kampangdin Road back to Loi Kroh Road and back to my hotel.

Monday, 7 July 2025

I stayed in to finish a book I borrowed from the hotel lobby. I left at 10:40 and checked out. I got my deposit back and then arranged for a Bolt car (more economical than Grab). It took less than 15 minutes to reach the airport.

I had checked jn online but the airport staff made a big fuss as my online boarding pass didn’t have ‘binti’ in it. I explained that ‘binti’ means ‘daughter of’ and that it is not part of my name. I reasoned that the airline wouldn’t have checked me in if there’s an error but the machine also wouldn’t recognise the bar code on my online boarding pass so I had to get down and get a physical boarding pass. Moan, groan, mumble, grumble! This time, the machine was able to read the bar code. I went through passport control and waited for my flight back. Only remembered that I wanted to sell off my Baht for Dong but there was no exchange offices at the boarding area.

The flight took off on time and we landed back at sunny KLIA at 16:37. Will I return to Chiang Mai or any part of Thailand? At this stage, I much prefer Vietnam and Indonesia, thank you.

Maal Hijrah Weekend

Just back from a trip to Ipoh and Georgetown. I was last in Ipoh in March 2024 and Georgetown in end-May 2024. I made a booking and got complimentary stay in Ipoh - then I realised that I made an error in my booking. The resort kindly changed my check-in date and still allowed the complimentary stay, Alhamdulillah. (I had to make yet another change to my check-in date and after a few weeks, was informed that the resort agreed to change my check-in date again. Syukur).

We left KL just before noon on Wednesday, 25 June. We stopped for lunch at an R&R before continuing on. After a stop at Greentown to conduct some business, we finally drove to AC Hotel and checked in. Dinner was had at Ipoh Parade diagonally across from the hotel.

We went for a brief morning walk on Thursday morning. It rained earlier that morning. Sister and BIL checked out at around 10:45 and I hitched a ride from them to the city and re-explored the city. I’d been to the city before when the ETS was newly introduced. I was back in my room 3.5 hours later.

On Friday morning, I headed for the railway station after breakfast and rode the 10:55 Komuter train to Butterworth. I stopped for lunch at Penang Road Famous Laksa and joined the queue. Was only tucking into my bowl of laksa after 40 minutes or so. Then I made my way to Berjaya Penang Hotel, stopping en route at Gurney Paragaon and Gurney Plaza. After AC Hotel, Berjaya Penang Hotel was a letdown. It made me wonder how our maintenance fees had been utilised.

On Saturday morning, I walked to Georgetown and had Hokkien noodles before continuing on to the market at Jalan Kuala Kangsar. Alas, the vegetarian wan tan noodle stall was no longer there. I browsed the stalls then went to queue again at Penang Road Famous Laksa. I ordered char kuay teow and oyster omelette this time. Maybe it was just me but I didn’t feel there was anything to shout about. I then headed back to the hotel, the heat was getting to me, but not before getting a couple of vegetarian pau.

It rained early Sunday morning. I left the hotel at 6:35 and waited for the bus no. 101 to the jetty. The bus came after nine minutes (it felt longer than that!) and we arrived at the jetty 14 minutes later. Too late to ride the 07:00 ferry. I rode the 07:30 ferry across then went to find breakfast.

The train was delayed due to some tree which fell on the track. We had to board the train at platform 2 (instead of platform 3) and we finally reached Ipoh at 11:37. Just enough time for me to get down and up the stairs and across to exit the platform and join the queue for the 12:05 ETS back to KL. The train actually left at 12:04.

I think that’s my last stay at Berjaya Penang Hotel.

East Africa Trip 2025: Part III

Monday, 5 May 2025

Of course I could hardly sleep a wink. The coffee shop was not walled or glassed in so mosquitoes were free to fly and feast on us. It started getting colder during the night too. Finally just before 05:00, I got up and walked back to Terminal 1D. I performed prayers after security check then went through another security check.

We boarded the plane for Lamu - I somehow not only managed to fit everything in my bag but also lifted it up into the overhead compartment! But I removed my iPad, neck pillow and thick book of course - and landed about 70 minutes later. I followed the other passengers and went to the jetty where there were boat operators waiting. I boarded the public boat for the boat ride to Lamu island. The fare was KES200. I noticed the ground was wet and the boat captain confirmed that it rained early that morning.

People are so friendly in Lamu (and I had read that they preferred to be left to their own devices!) that they started coming and asking you to follow them. I asked one of them to help call my host, Sultwan, and he came within five minutes to show me to his place. We stopped at Tawakal office to buy my bus ticket to Mombasa for the following morning before going to his place. Of course it had to be at the very top of the building and only accessible by some narrow stairs.

I rested for a bit and ventured out after performing prayers. I wandered around the Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and it reminded me of Stone Town in Zanzibar. I visited the museum and found out that the island, just like Zanzibar, has an Omani influence. The museum entrance for foreigners is KES500 plus KES50 charge.

After the museum, I wandered along the corniche then the back streets and then went to find lunch. I had coconut rice and fish soup, then returned to my room to rest.

Tuesday, 6 May 2025

It rained again during the night and woke me up. I got up at 04:30, showered and performed prayers. I finished packing and left at 06:00 and Sultwan led me to the boat that would take me to Mokowe. As we were beneath the jetty, I only realised that it was raining when we went out into the open water and boy, were we drenched! There was some plastic covering but it was inadequate. We reached Mokowe and I grabbed my bag and walked to Tawakal bus.

The bus left at 07:06 and made many stops to pick and drop off passengers. We finally reached rainy Mombasa at about 13:40. It rained all the way and indeed throughout Kenya. I took a tuktuk to my Airbnb which is at a building behind Premier Inn. After getting directions from the locals, I managed to locate the building and went to the apartment on the fourth floor. Yup, such is my luck on this trip.

My clothes were all damp from the rain but the Airbnb host kindly allowed me to hang them in the corridor.

I ventured out at about 4 p.m. and walked to the railway station. A matatu driver helpfully explained that I could come anytime between 06:00 to 06:30 and get the bus or matatu to the Nairobi terminus. The fare would be KES300.

I turned back and dropped by a supermarket to buy some buns.

Wednesday, 7 May 2025

I woke up early for morning prayers then tried to sleep again but sleep was elusive. There was a blackout since 04:00 and by the time I left the apartment at 09:00, it hadn’t been restored. I walked to the Tusks at Moi Avenue before walking down to Fort Jesus, stopping at a few forex offices to enquire the rates. I met some over friendly locals who wanted to take me on a tour and I declined. I had to pay the entrance fee by card as cash was not accepted and I didn’t have M-Pesa. There was transaction fee and service charge, but of course.

Another chap brought me in and I was starting to feel annoyed. What does it take for a girl to be left alone? What made you think I craved company? And it turned out the tour would cost extra and I said he should have made it clear and transparent at the beginning and that I already mentioned at the start that I didn’t want any tour. I then explored the fort by myself just the way I like it. I’m sorry if I sound rude or snobbish but trust me, I love my own company.

I spent an hour in the fort then walked to Old Town. I really like walking in the narrow streets of old towns, looking at the buildings. And there were many cats too, to make up for the lack of cats I met the previous week.

I had lunch at a restaurant on Moi Avenue and had beef pilau and passion fruit drink. The woman who worked there kept touching and holding me and I told her slowly a few times not to touch me. I wonder if I’ve come to dislike being touched by anyone. I think I’m still ok if my schoolmates touch and hold me, well, some of them that is.

After a quick visit to the supermarket, I returned to the apartment to rest and charge my iPad. It had been a windy and hazy day today and dry for a change.

Thursday, 8 May 2025

It started raining after 05:00 and continued raining throughout the morning and better part of the afternoon. I was ready to leave after 13:00 but the rain picked up so I waited until it petered off again. I headed out at 13:45 and walked to get to the Likoni ferry.

This mzungu joined the locals to board the ferry across. Those in vehicles are allowed to board first. Pedestrians get to ride the ferry without any charge. It took about seven minutes to reach Likoni. I walked up along the main road and spotted a restaurant which happened to have fish briyani so I ordered a Una fish briyani. It was all right, nothing to shout about. It certainly didn’t taste like the briyani I’m used to, maybe they use different spices over there.

After that late lunch, I walked along the market stalls down to the ferry. I didn’t have to wait long before one arrived. Back on Mvita island, I walked along Azania Drive up to Mama Ngira Drive until I reached Burhani Garden then I turned and walked back to the Airbnb.

I had an early night as I had an early start the next morning.

Friday, 9 May 2025

I woke up at 04:30, had a shower and performed morning prayers. I then finished packing and left at 06:20 with Virginia, my host. I made my way to the railway station and I was lucky to get a seat on the matatu. We left at 06:33 and reached Mombasa Terminus at 06:58. We had to line our bags up on a plank and have a dog sniff at them, then collect the bags and have them scanned. Those of us purchased their tickets online must get proper tickets from the machines in the ticket office before we were allowed in. There was an ID check against the ticket and a body check.

I boarded the train at 07:45. The train left at 07:59 and we arrived at Nairobi Terminus at 14:09. We had to cross over the platform to get to the train for Nairobi Central and stations in between. The ticket cost KES50.

From Nairobi Central, I made my way by foot to the apartment I’d booked at Charles Rubia Road. The hustle and bustle, the dust, the dirt, the black fumes, the noise all hit me all at once.  After a one-mile walk dodging fellow pedestrians, peddlers and vehicles, I found the building. I had a bit of difficulty locating the caretaker but some locals helped me, Alhamdulillah. Finally I was in.

After prayers and a little rest, I ventured out again into the crazy atmosphere and went to find Quick Mart supermarket to get some food. I noticed street traders selling books (most likely pirated) which include Diary of a CEO, Atomic Habits, The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck, etc, priced from KES500 each. I was so tempted to buy.

I tried searching for dinner but in the end, decided to just have instant noodles for dinner. You can take this Asian out of Asia but you cannot take the Asian out of her. Haha!

Saturday, 10 May 2025

I woke up early for prayers and didn’t sleep again. I left quite late, at 10:20, and made my way to the National Museum of Kenya. Then I walked towards the University of Nairobi area and continued on to the City Market. I spent some time at City Market and bought some souvenirs there. Then I walked to nearby Jamia Mosque and the McMillan Memorial Library just next door to the mosque. This is the oldest library in Nairobi and the second oldest library in Kenya after the Seif bin Salim Library in Mombasa.

After that, I walked to Kenyatta Avenue and went to a few foreign exchange offices to check the rates. After changing money to pay for my stay, I walked to the Cathedral Basilica of the Holy Family, passing Kenyatta International Convention Centre. Then I continued to the Railway Museum, passing the Parliament along the way.

After wandering around a bit more, I returned to the apartment to perform prayers and rest. I couldn’t help thinking that I’d be home in two days’ time and that in 48 hours, I’d be preparing to rest to return to the office the following morning. Le sigh. I stayed in the rest of the day. It rained around 19:00 for a short while.

Sunday, 11 May 2025

I stayed in this morning and made good progress on my book. I brought eight books on this trip including a four-in-one Reader’s Digest hardcover compilation and had given four of them away - and the recipients were all delighted to receive them. I also finished packing.

After performing prayers (I’d asked the host for a late check-out), I checked out and left. I walked to a nearby Swahili restaurant selling halal food and ordered a beef pilau. It took at least an hour to be prepared. After paying for lunch, I had a chat with the cook who told me that he was originally from Lamu but had stayed in Nairobi most of his life and that he’d been to Indonesia for two months. He even remembered the word ‘Terima kasih’!

I then made my way to Moi Avenue to get a bus to the airport. One came shortly after but of course we had to wait until the bus was full first. The journey took more than an hour because of the stops and traffic. It started raining as we were approaching the airport which quickly turned heavy. It reminded me of walking in to Bujumbura Airport in the rain and I was praying that my clothes in my suitcase would remain dry. 

I made my way to Terminal 1B. The rain stopped but started again when I was safely in the terminal. I had a long wait and finish my book while waiting to drop off my bag. There wasn’t any prayer room at the check-in area so I performed evening prayers in a corner.

The check-in process was slow as we had to go through a document check first before we were allowed to approach the check-in desks. Some passengers were seen repacking their bags to adhere to the allowed check-in weight.

After clearing passport control, I went up to the gates and wandered around the duty-free. Our gate was changed from gate 11 to gate 4 barely an hour before our scheduled departure.

Monday, 12 May 2025

We took off late, almost an hour late. I declined to be served food that early in the flight and tried to get some shut-eye but of course sleep eluded me.

We landed at KLIA T2 at 15:50 and I quickly made my way to the baggage claim. I decided to perform prayers while waiting for the bag to be out and was pleased and thankful when it emerged just as I was approaching the carousel. Alhamdulillah.

I caught the trains back and reached home at 18:40. And that was the end of my East African trip.

The end

East Africa Trip 2025: Part II

Wednesday, 30 April 2025 

I woke up almost every hour and finally at 03:10. I quickly performed tahajud prayers then got ready to leave. I was down by 03:37. The apartment guard came out to accompany me. It was foggy but surprisingly not as cold as I expected it to be (I only packed a very light jacket). I had to go up again to use the WiFi to contact the shuttle company and was told they were running a bit late.  We finally left at 04:20. I didn’t know how the driver managed to drive in the fog where visibility was only five metres at best. After a hour or so, we finally drove out of the fog. We stopped a few times to pick up and drop off passengers and stopped for ten minutes at a restaurant to use the facilities.

We finally reached Kayabwe just before 10:00 and I asked a shopkeeper to help take my photos at the Uganda Equator. I noticed there was a similar structure across the road for those coming from the north of the Equator but didn’t manage to take photos at it. As almost immediately, I saw a minibus and boarded it after the conductor confirmed it was heading for Kampala.

It was a long ride to Kampala and we only reached the bus terminal at almost 13:00. A boda boda driver offered to take me for UGX5k plus UGX2k for my bag. Then along the way we had an argument because he misunderstood where my hotel was. I told him that it was not my fault that he misunderstood where my hotel was when i specifically had told him the hotel was in Katwe area. He wanted me to pay him UGX15k and I refused. In the end, I paid him UGX10k and he was about to comment but stopped when I glared at him.

After having my bag scanned by the guard at the ground floor, I had to climb up two flights of stairs to the reception. Don’t these people believe in lifts? I was then served by a girl who was vying for the slowest receptionist award.  After prayers and a short rest, I ventured out into the afternoon sun and walked up to where I could find moneychangers. After clean and orderly Kigali, I found Kampala a shock to my senses and mind you, I had been to a few African cities. Potholed roads, vehicles belching fumes, reddish brown soil… I kept asking myself what I was doing there and why the locals couldn’t improve things.

After changing money, I rode a boda boda to Kasubi Tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I almost shrieked out loud whenever the driver weaved his way in and out of the traffic and running the lights. After about 25 minutes, we reached Kasubi Tombs.

I had to sign in a guest book before buying my ticket. Foreign adult visitors are charged USD20 which I thought was steep. Girls aren’t allowed to wear trousers in the tomb so the ticket girl helped put a sarong on me. A guide then showed me the way and provided some background of the Buganda kingdom and kings. I spent about 40 minutes there before leaving. 

I rode another boda boda back to the hotel then walked a bit around the hotel to find dinner. I’m not sure why the hotel was even built there because there is a lot of hardware business and shops around. I couldn’t find any supermarket and in the end, bought a 1.5-litre bottle of mineral water from a small shop below the hotel. No food stalls, no restaurants, nothing. Good thing I packed some bread.  It had been such a long day that I dozed off around 10 p.m.

Thursday, 1 May 2025

I woke early for tahajud and didn’t sleep after morning prayers. I lingered in the room, showered and only called for breakfast after performing dhuha prayers at 09:00. I then ventured out almost reluctantly and walked to the train station. It was drizzling lightly when I left but stopped when I reached downtown. I was a bit dismayed to find the train station closed. I then walked up the hill past Victoria University to the old-fashioned National Theatre with the Parliament Complex across from it. Then I walked up a bit and turned into Nile Avenue and walked down to the Independence Monument.

After that, I walked down and found myself in the shopping area. And my, I think half of Kampalans were out there. I couldn’t take it after a while: the noise, the chaos, the disorder, the bad roads, the dusty sidewalk. I just don’t understand how people can continue with the way things are instead of improving the situation. I hurried back and before returning to my room, made an attempt to find some lunch but apart from a street seller selling some samosas (which had been left uncovered), a small bread shop and some street vendors selling grilled bananas, I couldn’t find anything else so I returned to my room. I stayed in my room for the rest of the day and caught up with my reading.

Friday, 2 May 2025

The rain during the night woke me up. I got up for tahajud and morning prayers then finished packing. I checked out after breakfast, at around 10:35. I left one book with the girl at the reception and she was so happy to receive it. The rain had stopped by then. A matatu heading for Entebbe passed by barely ten minutes later and I rode it to Entebbe. The fare was UGX5. The 35-km trip took 90 minutes because the matatu stopped every few hundred metres to drop off and pick up passengers.

I walked from the taxi rank to my hotel. Part of the road was terrible: think red country road. The early morning rain didn’t help either. I reached Skyway Hotel about ten minutes later and checked in. After prayers, I ventured out to buy some water and food then went to Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa.

I returned to the hotel and stayed in.

Saturday, 3 May 2025

I was waken up by the heavy rain and thunders. After a while, the power went out (I had the fan on to dry my clothes). I woke up and showered in the dark before performing prayers. Power was restored shortly after so I quickly charged my iPad.  When I checked in, I was told breakfast was served at 07:00 but the dining area was empty when I checked. I was then told by another hotel staff that it would be ready after 07:30. And my transfer to the airport was at 07:45. I hurriedly ate my breakfast and we left at 07:55. We had to stop before entering the airport and I had to get down and go through security check before getting back into the car.

I got confused by the directions which wasted my time but I managed to drop off my bag in time. Thankfully the passport control was quick. I had to transit in Nairobi and was surprised when the crew remembered me - it turned out the crew which flew from Entebbe to Nairobi would also fly to Bujumbura with me.  I was not happy to find some idiot occupying my window seat but reasoned that I could get out more quickly if I sat by the aisle. The woman next to me was so annoying and irritating, she kept invading my personal space and shoving her arms about. At one point, I had to pick my glass because she was in danger of elbowing it into my tray and lap. Then she threw her used tissue into my glass. Hey, I could be wanting a second glass of juice, you bugger. I couldn’t wait to escape from her.

We landed at Bujumbura Airport and had to walk around to get to the terminal building. I had to apply for visa on arrival - I read this was possible but some sites said I needed to apply for one beforehand. I did try applying online but the cost was exorbitant (more than €100!) so I decided to just try get it on arrival. Thankfully it worked out and I had to pay USD40. The process was slow though. I glanced at the moneychanger and saw the rate was BUF2960 for every USD so when a guy came and offered to sell me BUF3000 for every USD, I took his offered and bought USD30 worth of Burundi francs.  Unfortunately, that amount wasn’t enough for some cabbies who insisted on getting BUF100k, arguing that my hotel in Kinindo is far from the city. I contemplated walking out until one cabbie called to me. He agreed to take me to my hotel for BUF90k. Then he told me the exchange rate in the city (black market rate) was BUF7,000-8,000 for every USD. I really didn’t get it. I find taxi fare costing USD30 to be exorbitant and now you’re telling me that I could’ve gotten more BUF had I changed my money in the city? But if I did that, how was I going to pay for my transportation into the city and beyond?

The ride probably took 20 minutes maximum and the tarred part of Avenue du Large suddenly stopped. The road continued but it wasn’t tarred. I was not impressed. I checked in and after a bit of argument with the hotel staff (finally I resorted to Translation app), I ventured out. The clouds were threatening. I found a small office that could change money but it couldn’t provide change when I wanted to break my USD note. I then walked to a hotel and while the hotel could change money with me, it didn’t have change for my USD note either. I turned back and returned to the hotel. Only a few hours in the country and I already found it frustrating. I also didn’t like the way the local kids came up and asked for money. If only you knew how much money I had to fork out to visit your country and found it less than interesting.

I returned to the hotel and it promptly rained just as I climbed up to the first floor to my room.

 

Sunday, May the 4th be with me

I woke up early for shower and prayers then ventured out at 07:35, I wanted to go to close to Lake Tanganyika, at 660 km long, the longest freshwater lake in the world. Despite my efforts, I could only look at the lake from afar. At one spot, I managed to get close to the lake but there were structural remains of some building in the lake (like they built something but the lake then reclaimed or took over). I also had my eyes peeled for a moneychanger. No such luck. The small office was closed today and there was no one at the hotel which I went to yesterday. I went back to my room after an hour and had breakfast.  I checked out after Dhuha prayers just before 11:00 and told the hotel staff that I wanted to stay until 12:15, i.e., after I’d performed afternoon prayers. I also changed USD3 with him at BUF7k to a dollar. I was determined to take minibuses to the airport. It started raining again but by the time I finished praying, it had petered off. I left and walked up to the minibus stand. The fare to the city was only BUF600.

I had to change minibuses in the city and had to ask directions before walking over to another nearby minibus station for the minibus to Maramvya. The fare was BUF1500 and I sat perched at a bench next to a plump local girl with her mother. This girl asked me for food. Really. I’m sorry, I’m such a snobbish visitor. But don’t you go asking for food from total strangers and especially from visitors to your country. Not everyone finds it cute.  It started raining again on our way. I went down at the roundabout outside the airport and walked in. Wow, I made it to the airport and the total fare was only BUF2100. That’s less than a dollar even if I had changed it at the airport moneychanger. WHAT THE HECK!

I went to drop off my bag and went through passport control. I knew the plane would be a bit delayed as Trip.com had emailed me earlier that the flight was retimed but I didn’t realise the delay would be pushed back again and again until one airline staff came to inform that there would be a further delay and that we could go to the restaurant for some refreshment. I then checked my emails and, heck, the ETD was 15:50 then 17:55 then 18:40.

We were allowed to order refreshment up BUF40k so I ordered an egg omelette and honey lemon tea. After my meal, I went to perform ablutions and evening prayers. Then we sat and waited and started smacking mosquitoes.

We finally boarded and took off around 19:20. I knew we flew over Lake Tanganyika because there was a dark expanse of space below for a brief while - such a pity the flight was delayed and we couldn’t view the lake. We landed at Kigali at 20:00 and I ran to make the transfer. I was boarding the same aircraft again 25 minutes later.

We finally landed in Nairobi at 23:15 - due to the time difference (Nairobi is an hour ahead of Kigali and Bujumbura). I wanted to spend the night in the airport but no one was allowed into Terminal 1D. The guy manning the door suggested I go to the coffee shop so I trudged there and joined a few other fellow flyers.

To be continued

East Africa Trip 2025: Part I

This trip was planned towards the end of last year. I reluctantly decided to fly AirAsia because there’s a direct flight to Nairobi. When I heard that Kevin had to endure a 21-hour bus trip from Nairobi to Kampala and remembering how I had to wait for ages for the bus to depart in my previous African trips, I decided to fly certain routes. The route became circuitous when I read that the land border from Bujumbura into Rwanda is closed due to dispute. Work in the new department meant I couldn’t finalise my trip as early as I would have liked and it was only in mid-March when I started to frantically book accommodation and buying the flight tickets within the region.

Unlike previous trips, I decided to start assembling things to bring a week before departure (clothes were only packed in the evening before departure).

Friday, 25 April 2025

I left the office at 15:17 and made my way to KLIA T2. I dropped off my bag (checked in bag weighed 10.1 kg but my carry on bags were not light). I then made my way through passport control and security check and even stopped midway to buy ticket to watch The Arsenal in Singapore in July.  The flight took off at 19:15 and having performed ablutions earlier, I performed prayers just after take-off. I was lucky not to have anyone sitting next to me although that didn’t really help when it came to attempting to sleep. Le sigh.

We landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 23:15 and boarded a bus to the terminal. Passport control was quick, only the bags came out late. I then made my way to Terminal 1A for the following morning’s departure. Alhamdulillah, the guard let me in despite my flight being hours away and I spent the night in the terminal. No one bothered me, Alhamdulillah. If only I could manage some shut-eye!

Saturday, 26 April 2025

I finally gave up on sleep and at almost 05:00, went to the washroom to perform ablutions. After morning prayers, I dropped my bag off and went through passport control. My next flight was at 07:30 and I did doze off for a short while before I was waken up for wet towel. A simple breakfast followed. I would have attempted sleeping again, only we were flying over Lake Victoria then and I was wide-eyed in amazement and wonder.

We landed ahead of time and the immigration process was intense for non-Africans. A Caucasian man at the next counter was asked to go to another counter. The Asian girl ahead of me whom I overheard informed the immigration officer that she worked for an NGO had to contact her friend before she was asked to step to the counter the Caucasian man went to. I’d experienced all this ‘stepping aside’ at passport controls before all over Europe and beyond so I was prepared to endure the same. To my surprise, I only had to answer some questions (where did I work, what was the purpose of my visit, where would I go after this etc), my passport was stamped. I did wonder what the immigration officers would say if told that I was a pensioner and no longer working like Kevin.

I’d read that there’s a bus to the city but when I asked around, I was told there was no bus or motorbike today because of Muganda, some community clean-up that takes place every last Saturday of the month. I finally negotiated with a cabbie to bring me to Belle Africa B&B and he quoted me RWF30k. We were stopped twice by the police asking what we were doing out on Muganda day. We finally reached the B&B after about 30 minutes. I paid USD10 and the balance in RWF in the end. I managed to check in early, Alhamdulillah, but the B&B staff didn’t seem to speak English. 

I ventured out at almost 14:00 and walked up to the centre. I walked all the way to the Belgian Peacekeepers Memorial where ten Belgian peacekeepers who were killed during the 1994 genocide before turning back. I bought a three-litre bottle of water and hauled it back. I met a girl in the B&B restaurant and paid for my room in USD.

I tried reading at night but the room light was too dim. Anyway, I needed sleep. The restaurant/bar (I didn’t notice any menu) was throbbing with noise.  

Sunday, 27 April 2025

I was woken up during the night by mosquitoes circling and singing in my ear. I covered up myself with the bed sheet but that made it hotter. Finally I got up to perform prayers.

I left at 06:50 and walked down to Nyabugogo Bus Park to find Trinity Bus schedule and fare. It was cool then. At the Trinity bus counter, I was quoted RWF20k which is the fare to the next stop after Kabale. Kigali to Kampala costs RWFf25k so of course RWF20k fare was steep and Kabale is just across the border. Rembo, a Trinity Bus staff, advised me to travel instead with another company, Cross Country, and that he would bring me to the office the following morning.

I then went to browse the Nyabugogo vegetables market then crossed over to Nyabugogo Modern Market. Not many stalls were opened despite it being or maybe because it was a Sunday.

I returned to my guesthouse and had breakfast. I was pleasantly surprised to have it ready when I got back at 08:15 because you know, Africa time means they have a very relaxed attitude towards punctuality. I rested after breakfast and in mid-morning, ventured out to Kigali Genocide Memorial. Don’t trust Google Maps when it said the terrain was fairly flat because it wasn’t.

I arrived at the Memorial about 35 minutes later (after a few stops of photo taking). There was no entry charge but visitors are encouraged to make a donation of USD20 minimum. I gave away my RM50 note. There was a documentary and then we were led to another building with exhibitions of the history and origin of the genocide. Basically it just reinforces how wicked colonists are. In Rwanda, the German colonists introduced race to keep people distinct from each other and then the Belgian colonists used race to solidify their presence.

I left just before 14:00 and walked back to my room to rest. Spent the rest of the day indoors. There was again noise from the bar downstairs but not as bad as the previous evening.

Monday, 28 April 2025

I woke up early for prayers. After a quick shower, I finished packing. Breakfast was a bit late today at 07:10 and I quickly packed half of it before finishing the rest. I left at 07:40 and walked down to Nyabugogo Bus Park. Despite my bags, I arrived just before 08:00. After locating Rembo, I followed him across the road to Cross Country office but we were intercepted by some people who knew Rembo and who convinced him that their vehicle was ready to leave. Well, it turned out that we ended up waiting for an hour before the vehicle was full and even then, the man behind me was adamant that he would not let additional passengers in to squeeze beside him as he’d paid RWF7k to sit comfortably. I was lucky to have arrived early and I sat next to the driver. The driver was an Ugandan and he drove on the right.

We arrived at Katuna/Gatuna border post at 11:55 Rwandan time (Uganda is an hour ahead of Rwanda) and had to go through health check first: we were made to sanitise our hands (the lady officer who was there sprayed our hands liberally), had our temperature taken and I had to produce my yellow fever certificate. Then we had our bags scanned before queuing up to first depart Rwanda and enter Uganda. I also changed the balance of my RWF for Ugandan shillings.

Kabale is only half an hour from the border post and I walked from the roundabout where I went down to my accommodation at an apartment at Mutambuka Road. A supermarket staff kindly called the apartment owner and five minutes later, a lady showed up and brought me to the apartment which was on the third floor. So I huffed and puffed with my bags up the stairs. The unit overlooks Kabale Secondary School.  After performing prayers, I went out to find an exchange office. I then hired a boda boda driver to bring me to Lake Bunyonyi. The fare is now 10k one way (he initially asked for 15k). In the end, he brought me around, brought me to a friend’s place, took me out on a brief lake canoe trip, then brought me to a place where we had a birds’-eye view of the lake and its islands. It was breathtakingly beautiful. We then returned back and I paid him 25k for his guide service.

After walking around - I came across three Caucasians - I bought some water and walked back to the apartment. The street noise wafted up. I was surprised to see the ground wet later as I didn’t realise it had rained. The forecast was that it would rain tomorrow hence why I decided to visit Lake Bunyonyi the same afternoon instead of tomorrow.

Alas, the WiFi connection got cut off pretty early so I lost connection to the online world.

Tuesday, 29 April 2025

I woke at 03:45 and remained in bed. Woke up at 05:20 for prayers. Tried to WiFi router again, it still didn’t work. It was foggy when I looked out. Whoa, I only packed a light jacket for this trip.

The fog cleared up around 09:00. I finally ventured out at 10:00 and walked up to Kabale Mosque which I saw while riding the boda boda to Lake Bunyonyi the afternoon before. Then I returned to my room but not before asking someone to help contact the apartment owner. He said he would come in half an hour.

Walter showed up about 45 minutes later and gave me options on my next trip. I could either ride the bus the following morning at 08:00 and stop at Kayabwe, or I could take the shuttle which leaves at 04:00. Both options would mean finding another transportation to continue on to Kampala. He advised me against taking the night bus which was what I planned to do as I would reach Kayabwe around 03:00. Whoa. I told him I’d go with the second option i.e., taking the early morning shuttle. He said he would contact the company and let me know. He also fixed the WiFi toggle and showed me where to press.

I stayed in and finished my book. There was power outage that afternoon which lasted until 18:00. Walter messaged me saying he managed to get me a seat for UGX40k and that the shuttle would pick me up at 03:40. I had to go down and get someone to help pay for the shuttle in advance.

I went to bed at 21:00 but had a very bad night.

To be continued

April Showers

It’s been a challenging month so far work-wise and I’ll be honest, I’m not really enjoying myself. Didn’t take extra leave for Eid as I was saving my leave then the gas explosion happened and I was roped into a task force.

Genocide continues, the world watches on and does nothing. Then there’s the tariff brouhaha and condescending remarks on Chinese peasants.

Arsenal frustrated and thrilled me at the same time. We only managed to draw where I thought we should win. But we also beat holders Real Madrid both home and away. It’s been a season with injuries to key players and we really should’ve done better last summer.

I’ve been coughing, it started with throat discomfort which turned into a dry cough. I lost my voice but couldn’t take time off work. Not that I’m indispensable but I didn’t want to let my team down especially when I’m a newbie too.

Well, April Showers will not last so here’s praying all the challenges we face will be over soon too. Ameen