Far From Home: Part IV

Soundtrack: Staring At The Sun

Friday, 20 September 2019

I woke up early and after a light breakfast, I walked to the train station. It was about 07:20 when I left and it was just nice as it was neither too hot nor too cold. I finally found the train ticket shop at the other end of the station (there was also counters selling bus tickets) and I went to buy a return ticket to Monte Carlo. The cost was an eye-watering whooping €78.90 *gulp* but hey, it’s not everyday that I would find myself in a situation where I could visit Monaco. I boarded the train for Nice Ville and we reached Nice Ville almost three hours later. As there was about 30 minutes until my next train, I decided to exit the station and check out a bit of Nice.

I returned to the station about 15 minutes later and the machine couldn’t read my ticket. Damn, it probably was because I wasn’t supposed to exit the station. A few others couldn’t enter the station either and I decided to follow what they did: tag along behind someone. I managed to clear the gate although a warning sound emanated. I walked on with my best poker face and headed for the platform for the train to Monte Carlo. I made it with seconds to spare and the train was full to the rafters. There were quite a few Brits in the train all wanting to catch the last of the summer sun. The train made many stops before it pulled into Gare de Monaco station (a station situated underground). I walked out and walked up until I reached Office du Tourisme de Monaco and continued on. I wandered into Jardins de la Petite Afrique then back to the main street and walked on and on. There was an understated opulence and wealth everywhere I looked and I walked on and on before turning back. Although it’s such a tiny hilly country, somehow everything seems to fit in place. The sun was out and blazing, the flowers blooming, the lawns and garden and tiny parks were well-manicured and maintained, that it was hard to feel anything but happiness and joy walking there.

I had bought the return train ticket scheduled to depart at 15:00 so I returned to Gare du Monaco at 14:48. Again, I had to change trains at Nice for the train back to Marseille St Charles. Back in Marseille, I ventured out of the station for a bit before returning to the Airbnb. I walked 17.6 km today.

Soundtrack: Rain

Saturday, 21 September 2019

The day started off hazy and overcast. I left at 07:15 and after a brief stop at the train station to buy ticket to Arles, I walked to the port of Marseille. It was a blustery morning at times too. I walked until I reached the lookout near Eglise Saint Laurent before turning back. Marseille is also a hilly city.

Now, a bit about the train ticket. Before I left, I had checked SNCF website and determined that I should take the 12:14 train to Arles and it would cost me €12.90. From Arles, it’s a standard rate of €8 to Avignon, and from Avignon to Vitrolles station, it’s a standard fare of €18.30 *gulp*. So I was pleasantly surprised when the lady at the counter advised me to take the 11:18 train and that she would sell me a day return ticket for €5.00. I asked if it usually cost more to buy online and she said yes. Eh? Then how do you encourage people to purchase their ticket online then?

I returned to the Airbnb at 10:00 and left at 10:40. I walked back to the station, walking up and down the road. It started to drizzle lightly after a while and I hurried on to the station. I reached the station at 10:55 and went to find the platform and was not amused to find the train would be delayed and only arrive at 11:26 or so. It was a full train with hardly any seats left (not as full as the train from Nice Ville to Monte Carlo the day before though) and we reached Arles 51 minutes later. It was raining in Arles and I walked in the rain to the city centre. It was a miserable day and I didn’t even have a hoodie so I wrapped a shawl around my head and soldiered on.

I was walking and wandering some back streets when I felt some weight on my Speedy so I turned and was furious to find two white teenage-looking girls following me. One of them had unzipped my Speedy. Damn you! I followed them and glared at them. They stopped to pretend to admire some building and I asked them if they were trying to pickpocket me. Damn you! Well, Allah protected me that day and every day, alhamdulillah so your evil plan was unsuccessful.

I returned to the station for the 14:01 train to Avignon (if I missed that, I would have to wait for the next train at 16:01 so no thanks). I paid €5.00 for the fare and we reached Avignon 17 minutes later. I walked into the city centre. There was a climate change demonstration today and police were everywhere too to control the protesters. But it was all peaceful. After a brief stop at the Office de Tourist d’Avignon, I continued on to the Palais des Papes. It continued drizzling on and off. I wanted to check out Pont d’Avignon but the queue was long and the guard was checking each bag. I doubt he’d be thrilled having to check my suitcase (if it was even allowed in) so I walked on.

I returned to the station and bought ticket to Vitrolles. Again, I paid €5.00 for the ticket and again, proving that it was not worth purchasing train ticket in France online. There was supposed to be a 17:41 train to Vitrolles taking 53 minutes but that train was delayed and we had to take the 17:47 train that took 90 minutes to reach Vitrolles. At Vitrolles, we all ran out of the train and down the stairs to the bus stop. If anything, the rain was getting heavier. The bus came within a few minutes and at the airport bus station, I ran to Terminal 1. Autumn had indeed arrived and with a wet bang.

I freshened up and sat down to catch my breath. My flight out was at 22:25 so I had some time to kill. I went in at 21:00 and sat down to wait to board. My seat had to be at the back of the plane of course and I slept throughout the flight. I was that exhausted.

We landed at Barcelona El Prat Airport at 23:15 and I hurried out. I found the bus station but missed the 23:30 N17 Nitbus so I hopped onto bus no. 46. It would take me to Gran Via too and I paid €2.20 for the fare. There was WiFi provided by the city and I tracked our progress and then sent a message to Luis, my Airbnb host. Luis was waiting for me in front of his apartment building and he brought me up and spent time to explain things.

Sunday, 21 September 2019

I woke up early and had some breakfast after showering then called home. I had to rush off to Barcelona Sants to make the 08:15 bus to Andorra. It was already promising to be a hot sunny day in Barcelona. The bus trip to Andorra la Vella took three hours and I enjoyed the view along the way. From the bus station in Andorra la Vella, I walked along the La Valira river to explore the city. It was an overcast day and I was concerned if I was underdressed or if the weather was too cold when I saw the locals in their down jackets. Fortunately, it was a mild autumn day. Andorra la Vella is surrounded by the Pyrenees mountains and you can see the mountains all around you. NI had warned me and discouraged me against going to Andorra as he found it boring and the journey up and down the mountains can make you throw up but I was determined to go. And I was glad I did for I enjoyed the small city.

I returned to the bus station to catch the 13:15 bus back to Barcelona (I think it was the same driver as before although I wasn’t sure if it was the same bus). We reached Barcelona three hours later and I walked back to Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes. I went back to my room and spent the rest of the afternoon reading before venturing out again to find food.

I stayed in the rest of the evening and was glad I did for it started raining while I was having dinner and continued raining for some time.

Monday, 23 September 2019

I woke up early, showered and had breakfast. I finished packing and left just after 08:00 and made my way across the road to the bus stop for the bus to the airport. You could take the metro to the airport and if you spend a longer time than I did, you could buy the T10 Travel Card which is more economical but I was there for only a short time and didn’t need to use the metro. Also, it was easier for me to take the bus instead of struggling down and up the metro stairs. The traffic was already building for a new work week but it was moving. The airport was only about ten km away anyway.

Conveniently, Etihad counters are at the same level as the bus station (I didn’t notice this when I arrived) and I headed there to drop off my suitcase. I also managed to change seats from row 38 to row 19. Then I went up to departure level and queued to clear security. We then had to clear passport control according to the zone of your boarding gate. This was a long slow process and I was glad I arrived early. Surprisingly, there was only one duty-free shop when we cleared passport control (other duty-free shops were at the lower levels) and as I couldn’t browse, I walked to my gate after filling up my water bottle.

We boarded at 09:45 and as it turned out to be an empty flight, I moved up two rows. I had the whole middle row all to myself. Sleep was elusive though.

We landed at Abu Dhabi Airport at 19:25. After a brief browse at duty-free, I walked to my gate. I went to freshen up first before sitting down to catch up with social media. We had to board a bus to the plane. The flight took off later than scheduled and try as I might I could not sleep.

Tuesday, 23 September 2019

We landed at KLIA at 10:10. It looked as if the haze had gone (I found out later that the new monsoon season had started today hence why there was no more haze as the wind are now from the north-east and not south-west). I took the bus to KL Sentral and made my way back to Ampang Point. Dad picked me up and shortly after I got home, I was cooking vegetable dish for lunch as I refused to buy vegetable dish from the stalls.

So that was my trip this time around after passing through seven airports and discovering four new countries and four new UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Alhamdulillah.

Far From Home: Part III

Soundtrack: Beautiful Day

Wednesday, 18 September 2019

I was up at 03:55 and got ready. As far as I was aware, the Russian mother-daughter team did not even stir and both were snoring throughout as I prepared to leave. I had asked the hostel to arrange for a cab for me and the cab arrived just before 04:00. It took only 25 minutes to reach the airport and the ride cost me 105 lei. I couldn’t take the airport bus as it departs from the city only at 06:00 and my flight was at 06:10. I went through security (I was asked to remove my scarf and I told them ‘Musulman’ and they let me through) and passport check and then once in, went to perform prayers at the nursery room. I had another wait before I could board the bus that would take me to the plane as the airline staff tried to determine if I needed visa to enter Italy. I told them I didn’t need a visa but they went to check anyway. I was finally cleared to board the bus. Good-bye Moldova.

We landed at Milan Bergamo (Ciao Milano! Ciao lovely friendly Italiano!) at 07:50 and after freshening up, I went out. After a light breakfast on the food I bought at Chişinău Airport, I joined the queue to clear security then walked through the duty-free area to my gate, stopping to buy a bottle of water first. For some reason, I couldn’t access WiFi so I sat down to read instead. We started boarding for the plane at 09:30.

We landed at Porto Airport at noon. It’s a big modern airport and we had to walk quite a bit to exit. You could take the metro or bus and I opted to take GetBus to 24 Agosto station (the metro would take 33 minutes, the bus would take 25 minutes and cost €2.80 but the metro is more frequent while the bus is not as frequent (timetable here)). I headed for the Tourist Information shop to ask for some info (the lady there also advised me to take GetBus instead of metro) and collect some maps then sat down to wait for 13:00 and then went out to wait for the bus. Well, the bus was late and I even thought I had missed it or waited at the wrong place so I went in again to ask. This time I found the desk for GetBus and the lady told me which stop to wait. When I went out again, the bus was there and people were boarding. Phew, alhamdulillah.

We reached 24 de Agosto bus station and from there, I walked to my Airbnb. I had to call my host to ask her to let me into the building. Fortunately there was a lift. The apartment was on the second floor anyway but I felt like taking the lift. I was happy with the room and bathroom but when I enquired after towels, I was told that they would provide it at a charge of €2. Well, I refused to pay that (sadly, I don’t earn Euros). Good thing I brought a thin towel along. After performing prayers, I checked the map again and walked to Campanhã train station for the train to Aveiro. I knew Porto is hilly and how! I had read the time wrong (my iPhone time switched to Italian time and didn’t switch to Portuguese time. Portugal, like the UK and Ireland, is an hour behind Western Europe) so I had some time before the train was due to leave.

The train ride took an hour (there are faster trains taking only 33 minutes but they cost about four times more) and I arrived at Aveiro at 17:13. I exited the station and walked down Avenida Dr. Lourenço Peixinho to the canals. Aveiro is a charming city known as the Portuguese Venice that is famed for its canals, Nouveau architecture and colourful Moliceiros boats (barcos Moliceiros) and I walked happily along its streets and canals. I spent an hour there before taking the train back to Porto.

Once back in Porto, I walked back to my Airbnb apartment but decided to walk further in search of a supermarket. I was pleasantly delighted when I found a shopping mall within walking distance from the Airbnb and although most shops were closed, the supermarket Dia was still opened.

Thursday, 19 September 2019

I woke up early to perform prayers and after showering and a light breakfast, I left to explore Porto. I had limited time in Portugal. It was what it was and I was lucky and blessed enough to have any time off what with dad and work so I had no complaints. I just have to make the best out of the situation.

I left at 07:45 and walked to Capela das Almas de Santa Catarina. Then I walked to Igreja de Trinidade and down to Câmara Municipal do Porto (Porto City Hall) and Praça da Liberdade. Then I walked up to Igreja dos Carmelitas, passing Fonte dos Leões on the way. I then went back down and passed Livraria Lello, a historic book store. I wanted to go in badly but it only opened from 09:30 and I didn’t have the luxury of time so I decided to walk on and return later. I walked back down to Praça da Liberdade then turned and walked down Avenida Dom Afonso Henriques and on until I reached Ponte Luiz I. This is an arched bridge carrying low-level road & a high-level metro line between Porto and Vila Nove de Gaia. I was a bit apprehensive walking across to the other side of Douro River so I made my way across slowly and gingerly. Unfortunately, the weather had been somewhat hazy since I landed yesterday and today wasn’t any better.

I made it across the river successfully heh and stayed there for a while to enjoy the view. Spotting some people atop a hill, I walked and climbed the hill to Igreja da Serra do Pilar. I spent a few minutes here before reluctantly going down and across Ponte Luiz I. I quickly made my way back up Rua das Carmelitas to Livraria Lello. It had gone just past 10:00 and while the bookstore was already opened, the long queue outside outside told me I would not be able to enter it after all, at least not on this trip. Sigh. What a shame.

I walked back to the apartment, this time taking Rua de 31 de Janeiro and then taking roads I’d never taken before, I somehow made it back to the apartment. I was gone for more than 2.5 hours and my bladder was bursting at this point (oops TMI!). I hurried back, recharged my devices, finished packing and then asked my host if I could leave at 11:30 instead of 11:00. She said OK so I stayed on and left at 11:30 sharp.

I was contemplating taking the metro to the airport but thought I saw the GetBus pulling into the bus station and decided I would check it out. If it was there, I would take the bus; otherwise, the metro. And what do you know, the bus which was supposed to depart at 11:30 was still there with people scrambling to board so I joined the mad queue. We reached the airport just after 12 noon and after finishing up my drink, I joined the queue to clear security. It was such a long queue that I was glad I arrived early. While waiting for the gate to be announced, I went to explore and even found the multi-faith prayer room. I had to run to the gate though (yes, I know, despite arriving early) which of course turned out to be at the other end of the terminal - but of course considering Murphy’s Law and all that.

We took off on time and landed at Marseille Provence Airport at 17:10. I had decided to take the train into the city and went to find out the platform before heading for the bus station which is between Terminals 1 and 2. There is a regular bus from the airport to the small train station called Vitrolles and the fare to Marseille St Charles was €5.20. You can see the sea from the train platform but it was such a bright hot late afternoon that we were trying desperately to seek some shade instead.

From the train station, I walked to my Airbnb about 15 minutes away although it took me slightly longer as I stopped to consult my map every now and then. The host was away and I had to wait a while until his mother returned at 19:15 to let me in. I decided to walk to Carrefour Express but it was closing by the time I arrived so I returned to the apartment and had biscuits for dinner. It was pretty warm in the room but there was AC although I decided not to turn it on as the small roof window was opened.

To be continued

Far From Home: Part II

Soundtrack: Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me

Monday, 16 September 2019

Woke up after 2 and couldn’t sleep thereafter. I guess I was afraid if I would oversleep and miss the alarm. I finally got up at 03:30 and got ready. I left the flat at 04:25 and walked to the office to return the keys. That stretch of Leningrad Street where the office was at was dark but I had read that the crime in Belarus is very low. I then made my way to the Central Bus Station, taking the underpass.

I reached the bus station at 04:41. The bus left on time at 04:50 and I performed prayers on board. We reached the airport at 05:40 and I waited for the check-in counter for my flight to open at 06:00. While waiting, I went to the exchange office and sold off my last Ruble note. 

After dropping off my bag, I went through security check and then passport control. I walked around the duty-free before settling down at my gate.

We had to board a bus to the plane. The plane took off on time. Even though it was a morning flight, no breakfast was served; instead Belavia served water and tea/coffee (no juice or soft drinks) and a cream-filled wafer. That was their idea of breakfast, I suppose.

We landed at Chişinău Airport at 09:20. We disembarked and walked to passport control. I was told to step aside and wait for five minutes before the officer resumed processing my passport and again, my poor passport was subject to the same intense scrutiny and again, the officer alternately looked at my passport photo and me. She also rifled through my passport and seemed to scrutinise each and every page. Really, was that necessary? While I had expected some delay in processing my passport, I do wish I wasn’t subjected to it. When my passport was finally stamped and I walked out, my bag was the only one left on the stationary carousel. Ironically, Moldova’s tourism slogan is ‘Be Our Guest’. Why treat me with suspicion then?! Shame.

John, husband to my MBA mate, Angela, was already waiting outside. I’m not sure he remembered me but as I was the last to emerge, looked foreign and had my scarf on, it wasn’t hard to guess.

The ride to the city took 35 minutes and we hit a traffic jam at Strada Pushkin. John had to make a circle around the block as the road was one way. We then walked up to Hostel City Centre on the fourth floor (third floor to us). The hostel is part of the Sun City shopping complex and to access it, you need to walk through the door next to Bristol Hotel. There was a lift, Alhamdulillah. I couldn’t check in yet so I left my suitcase behind. John had to return home to attend to their elder son who was not well so after thanking him, I went to explore the city. There were many beautiful buildings in the city but some were sadly neglected and abandoned. I even went up to to Water Tower before going down the steps to Valea Morilor Lake. It was a hot hot day today despite signs that autumn had arrived.

I then returned back and walked to City Hall. The Tourist Information Centre was there so I dropped by to get a map and ask for some information. I was waling back to my hostel and wandering around trying to find a place that served food that I could eat when I heard someone calling out my name. It was Angela! She was returning from a lunchtime physiotherapy session. Her schedule was jam packed today but she still wanted to meet. I asked how she spotted me and she said she saw an Asian girl in a scarf looking like a tourist and decided it must be me. She later told me she was on the phone with John then wondering what I was doing when she spotted me.

I returned to the hostel at 14:30 and had to wait 15 minutes before the reception girl came and showed me to a four-bedded female dorm. I was given the upper bunk. After prayers, I went out to ask if I could switch to the lower bunk (the person hadn’t checked in yet) and was reassigned another dorm two doors away. Well, as long as I got a lower bunk. Two women came in with the receptionist and after a while, I determined them to be a mother-daughter pair and when I asked, I determined them to be from Russia.  

I was resting and charging my devices when Angela messaged that she was at the hostel so I went to meet her. After changing €40 at an exchange office in Sun City, I then followed her back to the office at Sky Tower and chatted with her. I was a bit shocked to see No Pistol allowed signs at her office.

We left at 18:00 and walked around. Angela showed me to a restaurant and a supermarket selling fine food before she left. She was walking home today.

I went to another supermarket and bought some mushrooms and bread. I then returned to the hostel and had ramen for dinner. The hostel looked like it was running full occupancy today and I had to wait some time before a shower room was free. My one complaint about the hostel is that only two shower rooms seemed to be working (one was locked throughout my stay) and both clogged which made for uncomfortable showers, never mind that I normally shower very quickly.

I stayed in for the rest of the evening and went to bed at 23:00. I walked 16.5 km today.

Tuesday, 17 September 2019

I woke up at 03:55 but went back to bed. My Russian mother-daughter dorm mates were snoring away all night but Alhamdulillah I still managed to fall asleep again every time their snores woke me up. It must be exhaustion from not managing to sleep the evening before and the long day yesterday. I got up at 06:10 to perform prayers then checked my emails and caught up with my timeline.

I had breakfast at 08:30 and ventured out at 10:00. Well, I must say I was glad I arrived the day before and had explored the city centre because it was raining when I went out! I walked around but returned back to the hostel before noon. The Chişinău city tour was done for me. I bought some chocolate dessert and a kg of grapes to bring over to Angela’s - I’d be having dinner at her place tonight.

I decided to have lunch at the Cats Cafe which is connected to the hostel and can also be accessed from Sun City. There were about a dozen plump felines in there with fur as smooth as silk, some dozing away, some playing and some walking around. They must be accustomed to strangers for they were calm and didn’t run away. Some were bold enough to sit with customers! We were not supposed to feed them and I explained this to them. What? Of course I talk to cats!

After lunch, I reluctantly bade farewell to the kitties and returned to my room. I packed then read a bit before hitting the shower and getting ready. I left at 18:25 and walked up Strada Alexander Pushkin to her house at Strada Universității. Wow, her house was big alright. I was supposed to stay with them but they have a bulldog (which they kept in a cage when I came over). I met up Leo and George, Angela’s sons, and went on a short tour of the house. I even met their housekeeper whom they brought over from Yerevan.

We had dinner prepared by John which was some fish dish and some potatoes and salad. The boys didn’t join us for dinner and Angela said they don’t force the boys to have dinner if the boys don’t want to. After dinner, Angela and I caught up and we even talked about our respective late mums and scoliosis (I found out Angela has it too) but unfortunately I had to leave around 22:00 as I had an early start the following morning. Angela called a cab for me and I reached the hostel five minutes later (the driver did drive like a maniac). I quietly went into my dorm, performed prayers and went to bed.

To be continued