Which Skin Care That Works For Me?

Hi, I'm sleepy but excited...but I'll be sleepy tomorrow sigh...:-(

What am I so excited about?

Well, I had been using SK2 Facial Treatment Essence (FTE) for ages n then I stopped a while, recently I went to SK2 counter looking for something to lighten my scar and the girl told me that I should use cotton pad to dab FTE on my skin n leave it for 1 minute to absorb before applying other products on the skin. I thought I could use every drop of FTE by using my fingers n not waste on the cotton pad!

Anyway, I followed her advice and did the following steps for 2 weeks. The findings:
Week 1:
I went for facial at Aster Spring and comment from the therapist "your skin very dry and dehydrated! use mask regularly blah blah.

I went home and didn't do anything different with my skincare routine.

Week 2:
I went for facial at Sothy's and comment from the therapist "you have been using Vitamin C ahh? your skin very smooth, scar lightened and improves a lot!"

SK2 works for me!

My routine:
Morning / night:

1. Cleanse with dermalogica tri-active cleanse http://reviews.dermalogica.com/1012/67/dermalogica-tri-active-cleanse-reviews/reviews.htm
2. follow with dermalogica daily microfoliant http://reviews.dermalogica.com/1012/11/dermalogica-daily-microfoliant-reviews/reviews.htm
3. follow with SK2 whitening source clear lotion http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=141201/Whitening_Source_Clear_Lotion/SKII/Treatments
4. follow with sothys preparative lotion hydrating / brightening action http://www.beautybridge.com/sowprlohyac.html?cmp=cj
5. dab SK2 Facial Treatment Essence http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=9726/Facial-Treatment-Essence/SKII/Treatments
6. Kiehl's blemish control daily skin-clearing treatment http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp?ItemID=141621
7. SK2 facial treatment repair C http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp?ItemId=16599
8. SK2 whitening spots specialist http://fashionesedaily.com/blog/2011/12/12/the-one-that-gets-my-spots-to-vanish-sk-ii-whitening-spots-specialist/
9. Clarins Shaping Facial Lift lipo-drain serum http://www.yskreview.com/2011/01/clarins-shaping-facial-lift-lipo-drain.html
10. SK2 signs up-lifter http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp?itemid=105204
11. secrets by sothys eye contour serum  http://www.beautybridge.com/soseeyecose.html
12. day - mixture of dermalogica gentle soothing booster http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ID=16798/Gentle_Soothing_Booster/Dermalogica/Skincare_-_Face and sothys brightening fluid anti-ageing / iluminating action http://www.skinsentials.com.au/sothys-brightening-fluid-anti-ageing-illuminating-action
13. night - mixture of dermalogica overnight repair serum http://reviews.dermalogica.com/1012/138/dermalogica-overnight-repair-serum-reviews/reviews.htm  and secrets de sothys soin global anti age destressant http://www.beaute-test.com/soin_global_anti-age_destressant_-_secrets_de_sothys_sothys.php

 Previously, my skincare routine:

1. cleanse with sothys cleansing cream radiance / brightness action http://www.essentialdayspa.com/sothys-w-cleansing-cream-p_14522.htm
2.  follow with dermalogica daily microfoliant http://reviews.dermalogica.com/1012/11/dermalogica-daily-microfoliant-reviews/reviews.htm
3.  follow with sothys preparative lotion hydrating / brightening action http://www.beautybridge.com/sowprlohyac.html?cmp=cj
4. dab SK2 Facial Treatment Essence http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=9726/Facial-Treatment-Essence/SKII/Treatments
5. Sothys clarifiying  correcting serum http://organicskincare.com/checkout/pay/sothys-clarifying-correcting-serum-1-oz/
6. Kiehl's blemish control daily skin-clearing treatment http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp?ItemID=141621
7. day - Kiehl's powerful-strength line-reducing concentrate  http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=87201/Powerful-Strength_Line-Reducing_Concentrate/Kiehls/Treatments
8. night - sothys serum anti-age reconstituant replenishing anti-ageing serum grade 4 http://www.essentialdayspa.com/sothys-replenishing-anti-p_12180.htm
9. secrets by sothys eye contour serum  http://www.beautybridge.com/soseeyecose.html

Which Skin Care?

Hi all,

I had been advising my nieces to look after their skin diligently and once they can afford it ie earn own income, they should go for regular facials; but cost is their main issue.

Anyway, last 2 weeks I took them out for lunch at 1Utama and since I'm a regular at Aster Springs  http://www.asterspring.com/ (formerly Leonard Drake) we dropped by to 'map' their skin n check out what products are suitable for them but all therapists were busy. So, I decided to dedicate this posting to them so they can decide which brand to go for.

So, which skin care?

For me, I started my first facial experience with Clara  http://www.claraibg.com/ , why? well, at the time I just started work (they were affordable) and their outlet was near my office at the time (Jalan Ampang).

Then, I switched job and my new office was in Subang USJ, searched around for new facial place and found Leonard Drake at Sunway Pyramid. why? well, they use Dermalogica a well known brand, and again location and affordability determined my selection.

Then, I realized, not that convenient as I can only do my facial on weekend (not after office hours like before) and I have to drive all the way from Sri Damansara to Sunway for my facial! So, I asked them if they can transfer my file to 1 Utama and they agreed! So, I had been with them ever since but last few months they had quite a major renovation and closed their 1 Utama outlet! All customers to go to other outlets to continue with their programme; well, again location is my issue; so looked around 1 Utama and found Sothys and I signed up with them  http://www.sothys.com.my/

Well, all the above are proper facials where you have plenty of treatments to choose from for whatever issues you have with your skin, but I discovered recently a basic place to do your facial! Very pleasant discovery which prompted me to write this topic in my blog.

What happened was, I always have good skin then I started using Dermalogica sun screen and I slept without cleansing my face and that's where the problem started; my skin started to break out and I had lots of scars on my forehead n chin and once the old one healed, new ones will popped up! I stopped using the sunscreen but the scars were stubborn; so I looked around for products to reduce the scars and to stop new zit from appearing, I tried Sothys http://www.sothys.com.my/ , Dermalogica http://www.dermalogica.com.my/our_products.php , Clarins http://www.clarins.com.my/ , Kiehl
http://www.kiehlstimes.com.my/sep2012/ ,  Lancome http://www.lancome-usa.com/  and SK2 http://www.sk-ii.com.my/en/index.aspx 

Hmm this is where the story begins, after I bought Lancome from Isetan 1 Utama, the promoter told me with the purchase I was eligible for free facial! just bring the products I purchased during facial day. I got home and googled about Genifique http://bionic-beauty.com/review-lancome-genifique/  n Visionnaire http://www.truthinaging.com/face/lancome-visionnaire-lr-2412-4-advanced-skin-corrector  and was concerned with some of the findings; my zits had stopped appearing and the scars are lightening (not sure which products contributed to those since I used so many brands) so I dare not use the wrong product again, so I went n bought SK2 http://princessbeautyblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/sk-ii-facial-treatment-repair-c.html and http://fashionesedaily.com/blog/2011/12/12/the-one-that-gets-my-spots-to-vanish-sk-ii-whitening-spots-specialist/ n keep Lancome untouched! Then I receive a call from Lancome that they have a facial slot for me on Sunday, so I was thinking hmm..I already have the products, just go n try it.I expected the facial will be done at the counter but I was pleasantly surprised, Isetan has a pampering section called Beauty Garden "Beauty Gardens, a pampering area for customers, which uses international skincare brands available at Ground Floor as well as I-Club, to attend to member¡¯s needs" http://koreanpress.net/news/view.asp?idx=3104&msection=4&ssection=5

Beauty Garden is at Isetan 2nd Floor, they have many treatment rooms inside http://pienkcat.blogspot.com/2009/09/treatment-raya_14.html , I notice they have La Mer http://www.lamer.com.my/   , Kose http://www.kose.com.my/brandlist.asp , Shiseido http://www.my.shiseido.com/ , Neal's Yard http://www.nealsyardremedies.com/brightening and of course Lancome. The therapist was waiting for me, I gave her my untouched box of Genifique youth activator, visionnaire skin corrector, genifique eye, gn shield and genifique mask. She did the usual facial thing by using my products n it was a pleasant experience and comparable to facials received at all the salons that I mentioned above! The difference? Very basic facial, no neck treatment, no eye treatment, no tidying up your brow or removal of upper lip facial hair (offered complimentary by Sothys) or squeezing of blackheads or shoulder/back rub. It is good for those looking for basic facial, or those like me ie facial in between appointments with my regular salon (Sothys n Aster Spring). I'm not sure about the other brands (with treatment rooms at Beauty Garden) ie whether you need to pay for facials or they also adopt complimentary facial with purchased products practiced by Lancome. Anyway, I'm happy with Lancome, will definitely go again for the facial. Just need to make sure I have all 3 product (2 serums and mask) with me during facial day :-)

Facials at Aster Spring n Sothys are expensive, samples of price here http://sugarcoatedmuffin.blogspot.com/2011/06/aster-spring-facial-1-utama.html  n here http://thepowderroom2u.blogspot.com/2008/07/service-menu.html but you could get discount when you buy during festive promotions or birthdays and that's how I ended up with plenty of treatments; but with Beauty Garden I think I can save some money, perhaps I don't have to sign up so many courses with Aster Spring/Sothys as I can alternate with cheaper facial at Lancome Isetan.

Other facials appointment (promo) that I signed up but yet to try:
- Mary Chia http://www.marychia.com/
- Jesley http://www.groupon.my/deals/klang-valley-selangor/jesley-beauty-and-slimming/715881641

Skin Care that I had tried and still using:

Primary:
- Sothys - face http://www.sothys.com.my/
 - SK2 - face http://www.sk-ii.com.my/en/index.aspx

Support:
- Dermalogica - face http://www.dermalogica.com.my/our_products.php
- Kiehls - face http://www.kiehlstimes.com.my/sep2012/
- Lancome - face http://www.lancome-usa.com/
- Clarins - body http://www.clarins.com.my/
- Loccitane - body http://www.loccitane.com/a-true-story,29,1,2270,106327.htm

Cosmetics/Make-up that I'm using:
- Bobbi Brown http://www.bobbibrown.com.my/
- Averine http://www.averine.com/

Products that I stopped using:
- Rejeune; expensive and I don't find it to be effective  http://rejeune.com.my/
- Bio Oil, I don't find it to be effective http://www.bio-oil.com/en-us/
- Body Shop, I don't find it to be effective http://www.thebodyshop.com.my/skin-care
- Clara. well not that convenient to buy anymore  http://www.claraibg.com/

- Dior. Not suitable for my skin (caused break out) http://www.dior.com/beauty/int/en/skincare/faceskincare/premium_anti_ageing_skincare/lpremiumantiageing.html

 - Payot, I love this product n used to buy from ex-colleague but not that convenient to buy anymore http://www.payot.com/MY/en/the-products/skin-care

 - Nutrimetics well not that convenient to buy anymore, used to buy from my sister http://www.nutrimetics.com.au/portal/skincare/anti-ageing/

- Nu Skin; I liked the product, my bf's friend's wife introduced to me but I lost touch with her n I emailed to Nu Skin on how to buy their product (tru website) and no reply! I guess they are not interested to expand their business to new customer! https://www.nuskin.com/content/nuskin/en_MY/products.html

 - Babor; I hate being conned! I ran out of cleansers (Dermalogica) and I was flying to Paris n I hate not having skincare with me even for 1 morning or 1 night and I can't use products from Watson's, Guradians etc as they dry up my skin, so I went to salon near my house (Sri Damansara) to look for cleanser. I went to Assata, the lady couldn't understand English or Malay much and seemed not interested to do business with me! So, I went to the next salon ie Babor, she sold me a sample! http://www.babormalaysia.com/ will never ever use Babor really bad ethic! same goes to Assata poor customer service http://www.assataskincare.com/

- Kao Biore; used when I was younger but no longer suitable for my skin http://www.kao.com/my/products/facialcleansing.html

- Follow Me; used when I was younger but no longer suitable for my skin http://tohtonku.com.my/Products.aspx?BrandID=14&CategoryID=202

- Zaitun; used when I was younger but no longer suitable for my skin http://www.tuugo.my/Companies/zaitun-industri/0190003078677

- Kanebo used when I was younger but no longer suitable for my skin http://www.kanebo-my.net/

- Johnson & Johnson used when I was younger but no longer suitable for my skin http://www.nextag.com/JOHNSON-%26-JOHNSON--2700066/brand-html

Avon  used when I was younger but no longer suitable for my skin http://www.my.avon.com/PRSuite/skincare_home.page

Other brands tried and found not suitable for my skin:
- Eucerin http://www.eucerin.com/home/
- Loreal http://www.loreal.com.my/_ms/_my/
- Simple http://www.simpleskincare.com/
- Olay http://www.olay.com/Pages/DefaultFlash.aspx
- Nivea http://www.nivea.com.my/products/face-care
- Roc http://www.rocskincare.com/
- Biotherm http://www.biotherm.com.my/espace/treatment.html
- Clinique http://www.clinique.com.my/?q=website_admin/node/14/&menu=133&cm_mmc=Google-_-Brand-_-Brand-_-clinique

- Jurlique tried in Bangkok (I did my facial there); don't like it http://global.jurlique.com/skin-care/skin-concern/age-repair/

and few others that I can't recall.

My advice? try whatever product caught your fancy, don't go for big tube, ask for trial package or the smallest tube available; if your skin feel tight, dry, peels or you start to break out then the product is not suitable for you. Some people is lucky, they can use cheap and harsh products and their skin keep looking good, others like me with sensitive skin has to spend lots of money to find good product that will not cause problems to the skin.

If you can afford it, try to go for regular facials/pampering :-)

Which Perfume??

http://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Dolce-Gabbana/D-G-484.html
For some reason I had the urge to document what perfumes I have with me now. I guess I just want to document them so that should I run out of perfume of one particular brand I'll remember which one to buy :-) Pretty silly huh? I had a Fendi before, I loved the smell and either I lost the bottle of I've used up all the perfume I can't recall and now I couldn't even find the same perfume online! I guess I need to go to perfume shops n test all the Fendis there! Anyway below are perfumes I have now (for my future reference):  

Sheer Beauty Calvin Klein for women
Calvin Klein launches a new edition of Beauty fragrance from 2010 named Sheer Beauty. The original evokes timeless beauty and elegance, while the new edition turns to young women and emphasizes naturalness, self-confidence and charm. The composition is floral – fruity, opening with notes of bergamot, red berries and peach Bellini. The perfume’s core includes flowers of peony, pink lily and jasmine. The base is velvety due to accords of sandalwood, musk and vanilla blossom. The bottle is designed as its predecessor, refreshed with pearly shades of blush color. The face of the fragrance is model Daphne Groeneveld. It is available from January 2012 as 30, 50 and 100 ml Eau de Toilette.  

DKNY Be Delicious Fresh Blossom Donna Karan for women
Donna Karan presents a new gentle fragrance Be Delicious Fresh Blossom, which arrives ad announcement of spring 2009 and is as gentle and airy as the first spring days and shy buds which open the door to awakening of nature and new yearly cycle of colours and scents. It is composed of luminous accords of grapefruit mixed with rose and jasmine petals. This is a flirty, joyful and ultimate scent of spring, freshness and energy. Perfume Be Delicious Fresh Blossom is available in a characteristic apple-shaped flacon, which is created in a combination of metal and pink glass on this occasion. You can find it in amounts of 30, 50 and 100ml edt (1, 1.7 and 3.4 oz), accompanied with a fragrant, spring bath in amount of 150 ml (5.1 oz), from February 2009.  

Euphoria Eau de Toilette Calvin Klein for women
The new Euphoria (EDT) arrived on the market in 2009, accompanied with glittering shimmer and a composition created of Sicilian bergamot, peach and green notes in a top, lotus, champaca, orchid and white honeysuckle in a heart. A base incorporates sandalwood, liquid amber and accords of Bailey's-a. This glittering, sensual and mysterious fragrance is available as 30, 50 and 100ml edt. 

Emporio Armani Diamonds Giorgio Armani for women
This perfume was created by Thierry Wasser of Firmenich and the fragrance is classified as gourmand-floral. The top notes are litchi and raspberry, the middle notes – freesia and lily of the valley, and the base are vetiver, cedar wood, patchouli and vanilla. The Emporio Armani PR team says: ' We're using the rose but in a very gourmand way, like a flower that can be eaten'. The perfume will come in 30ml, 50ml and 100ml bottles. The face and voice of the perfume is singer and actress Beyonce Knowles, to which this is not the first appearance in ads. Before this, she appeared in Pepsi (with Britney Spears, Pink and Enrique Iglesias in one, and J.Lo and David Beckham in another), L’Oreal, and Tommy Hilfiger's perfumes True Star and True Star Gold ads. The video and ad are in black and white and Beyonce, together with the bend, sings (and dances, of course) the famous Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend, which before her sang Marilyn Monroe in "Gentlemen Prefer Blonds" and Nicole Kidman in musical "Moulin Rouge", in which it was shown as medley with Madonna's Material girl. In the Hilfiger's True Star ad Beyonce was singing the 1970s hit Wishing on a Star of Rose Royce. Emporio Armani Diamonds was launched in 2007.  

CK IN2U for Her Calvin Klein for women
Calvin Klein launched a new duo CK IN2U, his first duo instead of unisex fragrances. This trendy pair is intended for young generation, that Calvin Klein cristened as "techno-sexual generation". CK IN2U expresses freedom and possibilities of young people to explore the wolrd. The young and sexy juice is in the urban bottle, simple and attractive in its minimalist design. With CK IN2U Calvin Klein demonstrates that he still knows what young people need. Described as a fresh floral with a woody oriental base, the composition opens with fresh pink grejpfruit and bergamot with a note of red currant leaves. The interesting notes of sugar orchid and white cactus are in the heart. The base notes are: amber, red cedar and vanilla. The perfume was launched 2007. CK IN2U for Her was created by Bruno Jovanovic, Jean-Marc Chaillan, Loc Dong and Carlos Benaim.  

Eternity Moment Calvin Klein for women
Calvin Klein’s classic fragrance Eternity has a nre version: Eternity Moment, ment for modern, young women. Its fine and fresh floral aroma is invited to capture the eternal moment of two souls meeting, gazing at each other, touching for the first time….The notes are: litchi, pomegranate blossom, water lily, Chinese pink peony, guava, musk and woody notes. Here you can read our article’ Calvin Klein in step with time’. Eternity Moment was launched in 2004. Eternity Moment was created by Harry Fremont and Jacques Cavallier.  

Romance Ralph Lauren for women
Romance is a scent of romantic love and intimate moments full of joy and happiness, with an endlessly positive aura. At the beginning of the composition the notes of rose blend with citrusy oils and receive an unusual, unique melody. The pellucid flower of water lily, lily and romantic white violet give this perfume its silent grace and the spicy notes of carnation and ginger refresh. Patchouli, oakmoss and white musk finish the composition gently. The perfume was created by Harry Fremont in 1998.  

Weekend for Women Burberry for women
This relaxing, powdery fragrance is dedicated to weekend. A relaxing country style perfume, named Weekend for Women. Top notes include sweet and zesty mandarine and aromatic grassy notes. Heart notes contain blue hyacinth, iris, nectarine, peach flower, red cyclamen and wild rose. The drydown is a perfect blend of sandalwood, cedar and musk. It was created by Nathalie Lorson in 1997.  

D&G Dolce&Gabbana for women
This classical, intensive, feminine aroma belongs to the group of aldehyde-floral fragrances. D&G is the first fragrance of Dolce&Gabanna. The composition is based on contrasts: sweet and bitter, feminine and masculine. The top notes are aromatic-citrusy and include mandarin, bergamot, basil and aldehydes – a rather strong opening. The heart is feminine floral created of jasmine, floral-spicy carnation, sweet orange blossom and lily. Silky sandal wood in the base is complemented with the sweet and balsamic notes of vanilla, Tonka and musk. This fragrance is recommended for evening wear and special occasions. It was created in 1992. D&G was launched in 1994. The nose behind this fragrance is IFF.  

Egoiste Chanel
Egoïste is a very conservative masculine fragrance composed of spice, wood and vanilla notes. The top notes, intensive and fresh, include rosewood and coriander. Later on, the fragrance character becomes warmer and mysterious due to Bulgarian rose, carnation and warm cinnamon in its heart. The main theme of the composition (long and intensive woodsy trace) reaches its full expression in the lingering base composed of sandalwood, intensive vanilla and ambrette seeds. The perfume was created in 1990. The nose behind this fragrance is Jacques Polge.  

Eternity Calvin Klein for women
Eternity is another very successful fragrance of Calvin Klein, which was designed as a tribute to his marriage. Eternity is a hymn of eternal values: love, family and peace. The composition opens with fresh citrus and green notes, that is followed by the note of violet and lily-of-the-valley. The note of carnation with its spiciness gives the floral heart slightly peppery accord. The final notes are gentle with powdery heliotrope, pink sandalwood and transparent musky notes. The perfume was created by Sophia Grojsman 1988.  

Obsession Calvin Klein for women
Obsession by Calvin Klein is a Oriental Spicy fragrance for women. Obsession was launched in 1985. The nose behind this fragrance is Jean Guichard. Top notes are green notes, mandarin orange, vanilla, peach, basil, bergamot and lemon; middle notes are spices, coriander, sandalwood, orange blossom, jasmine, oakmoss, cedar and rose; base notes are amber, amber, musk, civet, vanilla, vetiver and incense.  

Paris Yves Saint Laurent for women
The perfume is named after Paris, the adored city of Yves Saint Laurent, who created it as a tribute to the Parisiennes who are always elegant, romantic, vivacious, ironic, simple and charming. Paris is a brilliant harmony of roses and violet flowers. This woody-floral starts with bergamot and violet, followed my may rose and iris at its heart, ending with sensational warmth of sandalwood. It was created in 1983. Here you can watch an advertising video for Paris by YSL. The nose behind this fragrance is Sophia Grojsman.  

White Musk The Body Shop for women
White Musk is a comfortable and velvety female fragrance, dedicated to every woman and perfect for every moment and occasion. It opens with notes of ylang-ylang, galbanum and basil, followed by the heart of jasmine, rose, musk and lily,and settling at the base dominated by musk along with jasmine, rose, iris, amber, patchouli, vetiver, peach, oakmoss and vanilla. Besides an intensive 30 ml eau de perfume, White Musk is available as 15 and 30 ml White Musk Perfume Oil and 30 and 60 ml eau de toilette.

Paris & Barcelona Part 2 of 2

Day 6 22/3/2012 (Thursday)
Woke up early as we need to go to airport for Barcelona.
The hotel called for taxi n we left at 7.30am.

We took Easyjet to Barcelona, only about 1hr flight. We took a cab to the hotel, along the way everything is totally different from Paris. I mean in South East Asia, if you go to Singapore or Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur or Siem Reap you can spot some similarities but Paris and Barcelona...I can't spot any similarity even though they share same continent.

On the way to hotel, we passed by Sagrada Familia with its hordes of tourists...WOW! Turned up our hotel just 5 to 10 minutes walk to the Church.

We reached the hotel and after checking in just as per Adagio, first order of business SAMAK with samak soap http://fyi-penang.blogspot.com/2008/02/taharah-natarul-soap-samak.html

Our hotel ie apartment is in Eixample is bigger (2 bedrooms instead of bedroom when we were in Paris), cheaper and much nicer in every aspect as compared to Adagio. We stayed at Apartaments Restaurant Hispanos 7 Suiza
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/hispanos7suiza.en-gb.html?tab=4&aid=306395&rid=390492952&label=review_am

Eixample http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JUPJ9Nl2ZA

We rested, unpacked, checked out the TV and later once everything settled walked to nearby supermarket and checked out Sagrada Familia. Wow! awesome! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vP7hnoy9Tw

It was getting dark and we went back to the apartment.

Day 6 expenses:
- Taxi from hotel to Charles De Gaulle Airport 75 euro (the hotel took 23 euro n the balance of 52 euro paid to the taxi driver)
- Breakfast on Easyjet - Starbucks coffee 2.50 euro; shortbread 1.50 euro
- Taxi from airport to Eixample 48 euro
- Grocery 7.33 euro (2kg oranges 1.85 euro, strawberry 4.29 euro, detergent 1.19 euro)
- Travel voucher from the hotel to purchase hop on and hop off bus ticket 12 euro per person

Day 7 23/3/2012 (Friday)
Woke up early and walked to Sagrada Familia. We then bought hop on n hop off bus ticket right in front of Sagrada 20 euro/pax http://www.barcelona-bus-turistic.com/

Same as Paris just hop n off as you like. We reached Park Guell and I suggested to everyone that we should hop off and visit the park. My sisters looked at the hill that we have to climb and she decided to hop on back to the bus! I proceeded on my own, hop on and off to explore the followings and occasionally just sat in the bus to enjoy Barcelona sights.

Parc Guell http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Deq8vfb71kE
Tibidabo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zindu_ssomU
Catalunya Square http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLmkSK9MvL4
Las Ramblas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWWgsNPj4f8
Port Vell http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i2f0H-wDVY

I missed the bus as it stopped operating at 7pm. So decided to take a metro back. again reached home at about 10pm or so and my nephew complained why I always came back late...

Day 7 expenses:
- Grocery 5.56 euro (baguette 0.68 euro, milk 1.25 euro, yoghurt 0.89 euro, orange juice 1.75 euro, oreo 0.99 euro)
- Turistic bus hop on n hop off ticket 20 euro/pax
- Drinks 2 euro (coke n bottled water)
- Souvenirs 50 euro
- Tibidabo funicular ticket 7.50 euro (and donated 1 euro to another tourist that did not have small change)
- Falafel + fries 8 euro
- Metro ticket 2 euro
- Orange juice 0.91 euro

Got home and asked my sisters what they wanted to do tomorrow. No suggestions so I suggested Las Ramblas n Port Vell and Montjuic as I think they may enjoy it.

Day 8 24/3/2012 (Saturday)
We walked to Sagrada Familia again. We thought of visiting Sagrada mercat (market) as we spotted it yesterday from the hop on and hop off bus. My nephew spotted playground in front of the Church and decided to enjoy himself first. Meanwhile my sister took the opportunity to snap photos of the church.

Once everyone happy we decided to walk and look for the mercat, after a while we couldn't find the place n both kids started to throw tantrum. and the mother was stressed out.So decided to take a taxi to Las Ramblas.

We reached Las Ramblas n while strolling, my sis (the 2 kids' mum) broke down, I guess it was just too much for her. She spent thousands of ringgit for the trip n unable to enjoy herself, the kids being kids whined and cried and she had to follow their schedule n I guess being harassed she couldn't be nice to us other adults n I couldn't take that sort of crap n we had a row the night before. Anyway after a while she calmed down and started to enjoy the place.

What we did:
Strolled along Las Ramblas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhNCrWNn_P8&feature=related
few halal restaurants along Las Ramblas n we had lunch at one of them.

La Boquera http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TMwBw43iaY

While walking, my nephew and I got separated from my sisters. We proceeded to Port Vell n my nephew started to enjoy the sights. Hours later we received a text message from his mom who frantically been looking for him. Hello! I love him too and will never let anything happen to him.

Port Vell - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65KOAqyzXeQ
We took a boat ride around the harbour

After the boat ride they were tired and decided to go back. I continued with my exploration.

Discovered many wonderful sights and enjoyed Gothic Quarter Barcelona.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8oewfpCBZE
While exploring I stopped by for coffee n cupcake n few hours later coffee n churros.

Again took metro back to hotel.

Day 8 expenses:
- Taxi from Sagrada Familia to Las Ramblas 6 euro
- telescope coin 1 euro
- boat ride 23 euro (6.50 euro/adult, 2.60 euro/child)Las Golondrinas
- La Boquera drinks 2 euro; calzone; fruits
- memory & art game trencadis de gaudi 8 euro
- football jersey 40 euro
- cupcake 1.50 euro
- coffee 2 euro
- churros & coffee
- Metro ticket 2 euro

Day 9 25/3/2012 (Sunday)
End of Barcelona visit. We left the hotel when it was still dark at 7.30am.

Reached Paris to another apartment. This time right at the centre of Latin quarter and the most expensive apartment (compared to the earlier 2). Location is superb! minutes to all the major attractions.
http://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/citadines-aparthotel-saint-germain-des-pres.en-gb.html?tab=4&aid=304142&rid=943962343&label=review_am

Checked in, unpacked, samak, had lunch. Everyone fell asleep. I woke up and asked the rest if they want to walk and check out the neighbourhood, after all it is our last night in Paris. They declined as they were tired. Wanted to shop but shops close on Sunday! I proceeded on my own, started with Latin quarter, then went to Marais neighbourhood.

Latin quarter http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTzzZUwV87o
Marais http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hfz3_6Kat_s
Centre Georges Pompidou http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzKk7rQZbQ8

Day 9 Barcelona expenses
- Taxi from hotel to airport 48 euro
- Breakfast at airport 2.80 euro (2 croissant at 1.40 euro/pc)
- bought easyjet toys for my nephews 13 euro x 2
- Airport bag 2 units at 1 euro each
- Airport last minute souvenir 32.90 euro(choc 15.60 euro, cookie 6.50 euro + 6 euro x 2)
- Airport buy - kit kat 5.70 euro, bottled water 1.20 euro

Day 9 Paris expenses
- Taxi from airport to hotel 62 euros
- drinks x 2, 4.50 euro (coke n bottled water)

Day 10 26/3/2012 (Monday)
End of Paris visit. Our flight was in the evening, so we packed n checked out at 12noon, stored our things at the hotel luggage room. The 2 kids decided to stay at lobby with my eldest sis while my youngest sis explored nearby shops. I took a taxi to Sothy's salon at 128 Faubourg St Honore. Ha ha can't believe I'm at the very address that is shown on my skincare tube! Caught by surprise on the price, product that costs RM773 in M'sia is only 158 euro (RM632), another that costs RM412 in M'sia, sells for 57.30 euro (RM229.20), another costs RM362 in M'sia n in Paris 41 euro (RM164) and I can go on and on and on top of that I received free products due to the amount spent n plenty of samples n I enjoy VAT refund of 184 euro. Basically I spent a nett of 1,256 euro n enjoy products worth 1,587 euro. I'm happy!!

Took a cab back to hotel and packed my newly bought purchases n off to airport.

On the way to airport, we passed by La Chapelle at 19th arrondisement. Wow! almost the whole stretch of the street line up with halal shops (restaurants n butcher shops)...hmm too late to discover for this trip ..Maybe next time.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Excerpt from http://goparis.about.com/od/parisneighborhoods/a/lachapelle-guide-paris.htm on this stretch of road:

La Chapelle Orientation and Transport
La Chapelle is relatively tiny in comparison to other Paris neighborhoods, located northeast of the Seine in the district known to locals as the 19th arrondissement. The Bassin de la Villette and the Canal St. Martin run to the east with Gare du Nord just southwest. Montmartre is not too far away to the northwest.

Main Streets Around La Chapelle: Rue du Faubourg St. Denis, Boulevard de la Chapelle, Rue de Cail

Getting There: The neighborhood is best served by metro stop La Chapelle on line 2 or Gare du Nord
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We reached the airport and plenty of time to browse about. Not as many shops as KLIA or Bangkok or Amsterdam but I still managed to buy something. Bought perfume for myself n my bf. also bought him a box of Laduree macaroon.

Boarded a plane to Amsterdam n same thing again when we reached Amsterdam we only had 1 hour to pass tru immigration and to walk to departure gate.

Finally on the plane and this time it was much easier to sleep. I woke 2 or 3 times but had a nice sleep throughout the journey.

Day 10 expenses
- taxi from hotel to Sothy's 15 euro x 2
- taxi from hotel to airport 75 euros (bad jam)
- Sothy's skincare (by credit card) 1,440 euro); VAT refund 184.20 euro (after deduction of 3 euro commission)
- Perfume (by credit card at airport):
- CK obsession for men 49 euro
- CK sheer beauty 67.40 euro
- Laduree macaroon http://www.laduree.fr/en/scene

Day 11 27/3/12 (Tuesday)
Reached KLIA at about 3pm. My sis's hubby picked us up. End of a holiday...

Day 11 expenses
Souvenir 15yr Glenfiddich RM218 x 2

TOTAL SPENT (excluding hotel n flight):
Cash = 722.14 euro (RM2,888.56)
Credit card: RM5,924.80

Total spent = RM8,813.36 + flight KLM 3,065 + Easyjet RM590 + hotel RM1,726
TOTAL EXPENSES: RM14,194.36 (excluding preparation like clothes, bags etc). I guess if I don't spend my money at Sothy's it only cost me less than 10k. But, I use Sothy's, so better to buy cheaper products in Paris than buy here in M'sia in the near future and spend more money.

Hmm....not bad...

I prefer relaxing holiday as I feel our trip was quite rush but we don't have a month or 2 months to spend in Europe so I guess it is still better than tour group holiday...

Holiday with family is good I would say, but family being family somehow you tend to create some tension when you spent lots of time together and when fatigue, stress kicked in it is so easy to explode amongst family members as compared to amongst friends. But good thing about family, you fight, you made up and everything is ok again. With friends you may not see them again after the holiday :-)

Paris & Barcelona Part 1 of 2

Salam all,

I just got back from Paris & Barcelona last Tuesday (27/3/2012) I was there for 11D/9N with my sisters and a 5yr old nephew and a 1yr old niece. It was a free n easy holiday. We booked our flight tru KLM way back in August 2011 when they had a promotion and booked our accommodation vide booking.com.

The preparation took us a long time ie since August 2011, since then, we slowly gathered information tru internet as well as travel books. of course we slowly saved money and started buying things for the trip such as clothing, food etc.

We took lots of photos but they are for private collection. So videos n pictures links that I posted here are from those published in the internet from other tourists.
===============================================================================
PRELIMINARY BUDGET

Flight KL-Paris-KL RM3065/pax

Sim card RM80 to RM120

Taxi from airport to hotel to airport RM160 x 2 (RM106/pax) 18/3/2012 & 26/3/2012

Accommodation Paris 18/3 to 22/3 (4n) RM2778 (RM926/pax)

Accommodation Paris (1n) 25 march RM886/nite (RM300/pax)

Transport in Paris - on foot n metro/bus/train/trams.

- mobilis card unlimited travel for 1 day in 2 to 6 zones (RM24 to RM68) or

-paris visit unlimited travel n museum discount 1/2/3/5day RM35/ RM58/ RM79/ RM114

Tours:

Eiffel tower - RM53/pax (cheaper with discount card)

Museums (about 8 euro/museum) - RM330/pax (use museum card bole dpt discount on tickets, 2d/4d - RM129/RM194) cheaper with discount card

River cruise RM40 (cheaper with discount card)

Versailles RM60 (cheaper with discount card)

Chartres, train fare RM55 x 2

Loire Valley train fare RM138 to RM231 x 2

TOTAL PARIS: RM2,518 (6D/5N)


22/3/12 - 25/3/12 (4D/3N)

Flight to/fro Barcelona RM1768 (RM590/pax)

Taxi from airport to hotel to airport RM141 x 2 (RM94/pax) 22/3/12 & 25/3/12

Accommodation Barcelona RM1500 4d/3n (RM500/pax)

Costa Brava & Girona day tour RM384/pax http://www.barcelonadaytours.com/costa-brava-girona-tour/
Montserat / Royal Basilica RM704 (234/pax)

TOTAL BARCELONA: 1,802

Food RM120/day/pax x 8days = RM960

TOTAL ESTIMATE: 8,345 (on the high side, can be cheaper if cut down on paid tours n some museums, for estimate purpose assume go to all museums. also museum entrants consider full fare n also with discount card)
exclude souvenir but include transport, hotel n food n phone n tours.
=================================================================================

Pre-trip expenses:

RETURN FLIGHT KL-Paris-KL (KLM)bought in August 2011
- RM3,065/adult
- RM2,743 (5yr old)
- RM179 (1yr old)

RETURN FLIGHT Paris-Barcelona-Paris (Easyjet) bought on 29/2/2012
3 Adults + child = Euro 91.98 x 4 = RM371.94 x 4pax
Infant = euro 48 (RM194.070)
luggage = euro 28 x 3pc = RM113.179 x 3pcs + 14 euro (additional pc)
credit card fee + admin fee = euro 15.57 (RM62.9375)
total: euro 529.49 for 4pax + 1 infant

Travel books:
1) Europe on a shoestring (lonely planet) RM110.20
2) Discover Europe (lonely planet) RM106.40
3) Best of Europe 2012 (Rick Steves') RM103.60
4) France (lonely planet) RM105.30
5) Discover France (lonely planet) RM97.50
6) Let's go Paris (The student travel guide) RM77.90
7) Paris everything you ever wanted to know (not for parents) RM49.90
8) Easy learning french phrasebook (Collins) RM39.90
9) French phrase book & dictionary (Berlitz) RM24.90
10)French phrasebook & dictionary (Collins) RM24.90
11)German phrasebook & dictionary (Collins) RM24.90
12)German phrase book & dictionary (BBC Active) RM29.00

Clothing n shoes:
1) Trench coat from Topshop abt RM300++
2) coat from uniqlo abt RM400
3) 2 cardigans from uniqlo abt RM300 or so
4) long sleeves t-shirts from uniqlo abt RM30 each. I bought abt 7 or more
5) 2 hoodie sweatshirt from China (my bf bought for me)
6) glove n hat from uniqlo
7) few new shirts n blouses
8) 2 pairs of shoes

Food:
1) Brahim
2) Precooked Biryani from Cold Storage
3) Maggie instant noodles
4) Sambal ikan bilis (from my sis's friends) RM20
5) Sardine (canned)

Luggage
Medium Pierre Cardin bag RM290.

Day 1 17/3/2012 (Saturday)
Had KFC dinner at KLIA. Flight to Amsterdam at 23.45. Everything on schedule. Didn't sleep well for obvious reason (crampy n tight space n vertical position of course) but not as bad, still manage to sleep for few hours. Meals were not bad.

PARIS
Accommodation Paris at Adagio Paris Tour Eiffel from 18/3 to 22/3 (4n) RM2778 (RM926/pax)

Day 2 18/3/2012 (Sunday)
Arrived Amsterdam and we had 1 hour to rush to the gate for Paris flight and we still had to pass tru immigration. Boy! What a process, long distance (from arrival gate to departure gate) and the immigration officer took their sweet time to do the process. I rushed with my nephew first while my sis struggled to carry her 1yr old daughter and the other elderly sister struggled to keep up. We reached the gate panting and I informed the stewardess to wait for the other 3. We were the last to board the plane. Everyone was thirsty when we boarded the plane and the steward n stewardess were kind enough to offer my nephew a drink before we took off. It took about 1hr to reach Paris.

Taxi to hotel, 71 euro (including additional charge for 4th person n 1 euro for each piece of luggage).

Our apartment hotel is at Adagio Paris Tour Eiffel at 15th arrondisement, about 20min walk to Eiffel Tower. The apartment is big by Paris standard but still small by M'sia standard.
http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-6790-adagio-paris-tour-eiffel/index.shtml

We reached the hotel at about 11am or so, after we rested n had lunch we wanted to go out but it rained! We ended up resting n sleeping in the hotel. I went out with my nephew to enjoy Eiffel Tower view n Seine River view when the rain stopped.

Lunch n dinner - our stock from M'sia.

oooh! First order of business before we started using pots, pans, plates, bowls, cutlery provided by the hotel..SAMAK!! My sister brought samak soap n very easily everything cleansed as per islamic ritual. http://fyi-penang.blogspot.com/2008/02/taharah-natarul-soap-samak.html

We slept n woke up early due to jet lag.

Day 3 19/3/2012 (Monday)
We walked along Seine River bank to Eiffel Tower, it was enjoyable stroll but my sisters n nephew complained it was a long walk! We reached Eiffel Tower n my nephew whined that he wanted to climb Eiffel Tower, we wished we can oblige but the line was just too long. We had lunch at Parc du Champ de Mars. Guess what? Nasi Biryani n sambal ikan bilis!

My nephew started throwing tantrum as he couldn't climb Eiffel Tower, so we had to skip exploring around Eiffel Tower and took 'Les Cars Rouges hop on n hop off bus' to pacify him. Cost us 26 euro/pax for 2 days.
http://www.parispass.com/paris-attractions/Paris-Bus-Tour.html?aid=23&gclid=CMCq6qaBlK8CFcx66wodFEBDyA

The bus took us around the major attractions in Paris, we just sat in the bus as my nephew preferred to sit in the bus rather than walking n soon after he started to whine he wanted to go home!

We took the bus back to Eiffel Tower and walked back to the apartment. He was happy when we reached the apartment.

After my niece went to sleep, my sis n I walked to Eiffel Tower to view its light. very nice. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZBV2ZUbthE

Day 3 expenses:
- Hop on hop off ticket 26 euro/pax
- hot choc 4 euro x 2 at Iolanda 105 Quai Branly 75015 Paris

- toy for my nephew 4.50 euro
- grocery from monoprix supermarket 17.25 euro (fruit juices x 3bottles (1.84 euro x 2 + 1.77 euro), bread x 2packets (0.61 euro + 1.64 euro), 4 muffins 2.63 euro, brinjal 0.43 euro, carrot 0.16 euro, 2kg oranges 1.99 euro, broccoli 2.90 euro, coke 0.42 euro, mushroom 1.02 euro)

Day 4 20/3/2012 (Tuesday)
Woke up early but got a bad flu n cough and it was raining! We had to stay in, in the morning. When the rain stop we decided to take a cab to the Louvre.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iPx7jM3v4w

It was closed! So, just just snapped pictures outside the museum. Then I walked around looking for Les Cars Rouges bus stop but gave up and informed the rest that maybe we just walked along Seine River bank to Notre Dame. Along the way, we witnessed the famous Paris scam - someone tried to snatch a tourist's bag (earlier the a girl pretend to ask for donation from me but distracted when her friend who was trying to steal from another tourist was shouted at by the lady tourist n she ran over to help her friend), thankfully they didn't manage to get anything from me or the earlier target.

My sis was tired carrying my niece n we stopped at Seine River bank to rest and slowly walked to Notre Dame.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O61ng_QqC4I&feature=related

Along the way, we stopped at Pont de l'Archevêché 'Lovers bridge' where lovers placed padlocks here to symbolize their everlasting love. We had our lunch here. Another Brahim fare!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_padlocks

We walked further and found Marché aux Fleurs (flower market)and few other beautiful buildings and finally Notre Dame!
http://www.geobeats.com/video/266306/flower-market

Walked further and many pictures later, we stopped to rest as my niece was asleep n I found Berthilon kiosk (Many consider Berthillon to be the best ice cream of Paris and maybe of France) n bought their sorbet n ice cream...hmm nothing to shout about. I prefer Baskin-Robbins or Häagen-Dazs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berthillon

Around the corner we found Notre Dame.

Near Notre Dame, my nephew wanted to pee, we asked for direction but we couldn't understand french n we were lost looking for toilet! My sister gave up n wanted to ask her son to pee in front of Notre Dame! I told her keep looking or you may caused unnecessary friction as the Christians may think we (both my sisters wear heads carves)are trying to insult Christians by peeing at their church! Thankfully we found the toilet within Notre Dame compound...phew!!!

After snapping pictures, we found playground at Square de l'Ile de France just next to Notre Dame and my nephew was happy to play with the other little tourists.

After playing, my nephew was tired, poor boy! He wanted to ride a boat and we found batobus nearby Notre Dame. We took the boat (also hop on n hop off service) and he was very happy. http://www.batobus.com/english/ My sisters n nephew were tired and proceeded to Eiffel Tower to go home while I continued with my sightseeing around River Seine vicinity - Musee D'Orsay, Hotel Deville etc. Then took Batobus and stopped at Champs-Elysées, explored the surrounding area and by the time decided to start shopping, the shops closed!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champs-%C3%89lys%C3%A9es

Decided to walk home. Walked passed Eiffel Tower. Beautiful!! Everyone was asleep when I reached home.

Day 4 expenses:
- Taxi from hotel to Louvre 15 euro
- music box from flower market 15 euro
- Hop on hop off batobus ticket 15 euro/adult, 7 euro/child
- orange juice 3 euro
- mineral water 3 euro
- disney toys (from Champs-Elysées store)for my nephew n niece 28 euro + 8.90 euro

Day 5 21/3/2012 (Wednesday)
We thought of exploring outside Paris i.e. either Versailles or Chartres or Giverny, called travel agent and he asked us to go to his office at San Augustine Road to make payment, when we reached there he told us it was too late to venture outside. We decided to walk around the area (St Germaine & Latin Quarter). After a while, the
rest of the group wanted to go home while I continued with my exploration. Stopped for vegetarian falafel at:

Maoz Vegetarian
Rue Xavier Privas
8 Rue Xavier Privas
75005 Paris, France
01 43 26 36 00
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maoz_Vegetarian

After my falafel break I decided to proceed to Monmarte.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csJupEA1lCI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AePsn_S_ucY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqiPWt__iL0

I kept on walking downhill and reached Rue des Martyrs. Nice quaint neighbourhood. Spotted a nice little designer patisserie called Sebastien Gaudard patisserie Des Martyrs. Bought meringue, macaroon n lemon tarts. Very nice. Got back and googled. Hmm he's quite a famous pastry chef in Paris! Address 22, rue des Martyrs 75009 Paris.
http://www.raids-patisseries.com/2011/12/sebastien-gaudard-les-patisseries.html

By the time I left the patisserie, it was quite late and I couldn't get a taxi, so decided to take a metro. Stopped at Place de la Concorde and explored the area and walked home. Another late night.

Day 5 expenses:
- Taxi from hotel to quai des Grands Augustins near Boulevard St-Michel 15.50 euro
- Scarf from Etam 14.95 euro
- Souvenirs from Latin Quarter 90 euro
- falafel & fries
- Taxi from quai des Grands Augustins to Sacre Coure 27 euro (bad jam)
- Metro ticket 1.60 euro
- Tartelette citron 4,10€ x 2; Kugelhopf 2€; the macaroon € 1.35; Meringue
- Taxi from Eiffel Tower to hotel 6.20 Euro (meter read about 3 euro but min taxi fare is 6.20 euro); had to take cab, too tired to finish my journey for the day.

Day 6 22/3/2012 (Thursday)
Woke up early as we need to go to airport for Barcelona.

to be continued.....

Halal restaurants in Guangzhou

Hi all, just got back from Guangzhou, China (again!!), went there on 13/2/12 to 16/2/12 to attend to FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) of escalators and travellators.

Last visit in Dec 2011 and the factory was not ready to perform the test then and we had to re-visit. A lot of drama as well before the departure date but thank God everything went well.

Day 1 13/2/12
We left KL at 9.30am and reached Guangzhou at about 1.35pm. After getting our bags, checked in at hotel, we met up for dinner. But too early for dinner, so we stopped by at White Cloud Mountain to walk around and later off we went to a restaurant for dinner. Where? one of favourite restaurants in Guangzhou - Abdullah Qinghai restaurant (No. 8 Tongxin Lu, opposite the Guangzhou Astro Hotel, T: 020-8350 1919). We ordered lots of food (fried chicken, big plate of chicken, veg, lamb etc), we enjoyed the food but 'the big plate chicken' was too salty for our liking and we ended up wasting it. After dinner we went to Beijing Street for shopping. I didn't buy much as I had visited the same place in Dec 2011. I bought boot for my nephew (RM15), laser pointer (RM25), sweater (RM20) and sotong snack (8 packs, RM12/pack). and that was all :-).
Went back to hotel n zzzzzzzzzz

Day 2 14/2/12
FAT from morning till 5pm or so. Lunch break the factory driver took us to a place and that place was closed! But time was short and we saw across the road there was halal restaurant and decided to try. Albaraka Restaurant. The newly opened restaurant serves chinese food, arab food, african n turkish food, however on 14/2, they only have chinese food. Food was not bad all and definitely will stop by here if we go to Guangzhou again.Albaraka address: No.8, South of Tongxin Road, Yueshiu (exit D, subway of Xiaobei)Tel: 1592 0893 124 / 1379 4393 959 / 1372 4841 06 / 1536 0606 798

For dinner, we suggested seafood and the driver brought us to 1001 night restaurant. A lebanese restaurant! The food is so so. Will never go back to this place.

After dinner, too late for shopping and went back to sleep.

Day 3 15/2/12
Factory arranged for Guangzhou tour. We went to Yuexiu Park to take photo with 5 goats statues (Guangzhou symbol). Then off we went to Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. Then followed by a Muslim street (lots of Muslim shops here, Huaisheng Mosque can also be visited here), later off we went to Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family (also called Chen Clan Academy or Chen's Lineage Hall but now serves as Guangdong Museum of Folk Arts and Crafts). After visiting Chen's Temple, we were hungry and we went back to Guangta Road (Muslim street). We were sick of kebab and lambs and looking for halal cantonese meal but not to be found and we ended up having another uighur meal right opposite Huaisheng Mosque. Not bad at all.

After lunch, one group preferred shopping while the other preferred sightseeing. The shopping group went to Beijing Street while the rest of us (including me) went to Shamian Island. Very similar to Georgetown in Penang. Then off we went to our next stop Flower City Square. Wow! nice buildings!!

After the square, we went back to hotel to freshen up and off to dinner. This time seafood dinner at Moslem Restaurant (Huimin Fandian), Zhong Shan Lok Road, No. 325, Guangzhou T: 8130 3991 / 8130 4664. Or some website listed the address as No. 325, Zhongshanliu Road, Yuexiu District. Tel: 020-81303991.

I enjoyed my meal here the most as compared to the other restaurants. Then back to hotel to rest.

Day 4 16/2/12
Time to leave Guangzhou. We went to airport at 11am n once at the airport we enjoyed halal noodle at the shop at the airport. Fantastic!! Another must go place in Guangzhou.

Reached Malaysia at abt 7pm.

Places to visit in Guangzhou:
http://www.mychinatours.com/guangzhou-travel/guangzhou-attractions/flower-city-square/
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/guangdong/guangzhou/huaisheng.htm

Our accommodations:
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/area/index.html?propertyID=1706
http://www.garden-hotel-guangzhou.cn/Accommodation.htm

Our Meals:
http://littlemamadiary.com/guangzhou-travel-jalanjalan-cari-makan-restoran-halal-abdullah-qinghai/

http://borongchina.blogspot.com/2010/08/muslim-and-halal-restaurant-in.html

http://forum.cari.com.my/viewthread.php?tid=295730&extra=&page=88

http://www.etours.cn/china_city_guide/guangzhou_city_guide/dining/chinese_restaurants_of_guangzhou.jsp

http://www.1001nights.com.cn/NewsInfo.asp?id=83
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g608470-d1568063-Reviews-The_Arabian_Night_1001_nights_Restaurant-Yiwu_Zhejiang.html

http://bumisepi.com/?p=1025

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowUserReviews-g298555-d311550-r118995469-Huaisheng_Mosque_Huaisheng_Guangtisi-Guangzhou_Guangdong.html

http://www.colorfuldays-hotel.com/En/restaurant.aspx

http://www.muslimtour.net/halal-info.asp?ID=152

http://susuegoodday.blogspot.com/

Hmmm...my favourite restaurants so far (from most loved to least preferred)

1)
Wuyang Huimin Restaurant 五羊回民饭店

Add: No. 325, Zhongshanliu Road, Yuexiu District.

Tel: 020-81303991

2)
Abdullah Qinghai Restaurant
No. 8 Tongxin Lu, opposite the Guangzhou Astro Hotel

广州市童心路8号登月酒店对面

Phone:020-83501919

3) Albaraka Restaurant, No.8, South of Tongxin Road, Yueshiu (exit D, subway of Xiaobei)Tel: 1592 0893 124 / 1379 4393 959 / 1372 4841 06 / 1536 0606 798


4) Xinyue Muslim Restaurant 新粤穆斯林餐厅

Add: Floor 3, Xinjiang Tower, No, 76, Tianhe North Road, Tianhe District..

Tel: 020-38782783

5) Halal noodle at Baiyun Airport

6) A muslim restaurant on ground floor near Xinyue Muslim Restaurant (item 4 above)

7) Muslim (uighur) restaurant opposite Huasheng mosque

8)
1001 night restaurant
ADD:No 899,Jiefang Bei Road,Next to China hotel.
TEL:020-36182280 36182281
MAIL:gz1001@1001nights.com.cn

9)
Ottoman Turkish Restaurant
No.475 Huanshi Dong Lu, Yuexiu District

环市东路475号

Phone:020-87601227

If you want to stay at muslim hotel:
http://www.guangzhouhotel.com/Muslim_Bostan_Hotel_Guangzhou.htm?gclid=CIOq0seAp64CFQV66wodT3ZYPQ

http://www.tripadvisor.com.my/Hotel_Review-g298555-d814221-Reviews-Bostan_Business_Hotel-Guangzhou_Guangdong.html

Muslim Hotels in China:
http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/muslim-china/hotels-for-muslims.htm

Halal restaurants in Zhongshan & Guangzhou

Hi, I just got back from China, went there on 18/12/11 and came back on 24/12/11.

Went there on business trip. I was in Zhongshan http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhongshan to visit ThyssenKrupp elevator factory and I was in Guangzhou to visit Otis escalator & travellator factory.

18/12/11 (Sunday)

We landed at Guangzhou Airport on 18/12/11 and it was warm (colder than KL but hotter than Genting) and we were puzzled why locals wrapped up with thick coat, shawl, hat, boothttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifs.

ThyssenKrupp rep waited for us at the airport and took us to Zhongshan (2 hours drive away). We checked in at King Century Hotel

We reached the hotel at about 4.30pm, after checked in we went for coffee at Starbucks outlet nearby. The hotel? The room is big and breakfast spread..hmm not much choice for muslim just bread, cereals and grilled fish!

Bernard the ThyssenKrupp rep took us to dinner at Xin Yue Muslim Restaurant everyone enjoyed the xinjiang food dinner and looked forward to tomorrow's lunch at the same restaurant! After dinner, Bernard took to us to walk around/window shop at Zhongshan pedestrian street shops. Bernard took us back to the hotel and the group was split into 3 groups! one group continued shopping at the pedestrian street, the next group prefer to go experience Zhongshan clubbing scene while me and another guy preferred to go for full body massage. Not bad, 1 hour/person was only 40 Yuan (RM20).

19/12/11 Monday
Full day at the factory. Bernard did a splendid job, everything is ready and he had arranged for right persons to answer all our queries. All the tests passed with flying colours. Client wanted to cramp all the tests today, so we shorten our lunch and the factory had arranged for KFC lunch delivery for us (prawn burger n chips). After the visit, Bernard took us for massage (I opted for foot reflexology), according to Bernard it was about 70 yuan (RM35), the rest opted for body massage. After massage we went to Xin Yue Muslim Restaurant again and met up with 3 guys from ThyssenKrupp escalator/travellator/PBB factory. Again, very tasty dinner. Lots of grilled meat (beef, lamb, chickens). I did not snap any pictures, ha ha to shy to do that but you can view similar food here the ThyssenKrupp guys told us, Xin Yue is not the only muslim restaurant in town! well...maybe next time.

After dinner, the group decided to go for shopping n clubbing again but I opted to go back to hotel.

20/12/11 Tuesday
We checked out from King Century Hotel and took 2 hours drive to Guangzhou. Checked in into Westin Hotel nice hotel. After checking in, Bernard took us for lunch at Xin Jiang Building Glass House. More xinjiang food and can't imagine more xinjiang food until 23/12/11! After lunch off we went to Shangxia Jiu Lu to shop.

I didn't buy anything though I found few interesting sweaters n clothes for my nieces/nephews as I still have 3 more days in Guangzhou.

After shopping, went back to hotel to freshen up. We decided to go for light dinner at Subway (I had tuna sandwich), after dinner, again others decided to go clubbing while I went back to hotel to enjoy warm cozy bed n tv.

21/12/11 Wednesday
Breakfast spread at Westin is huge, more choices for me. After breakfast, client group packed and ready to depart for airport. While waiting for 2nd group to arrive, 3 of us decided to venture to Beijing Road (Beijing Lu) by using Guangzhou Metro

We had sushi for lunch (very expensive) and then the 2nd group arrived n we had to rush to hotel to meet them. Dinner was at Guang Zhou Xin Yue Muslim Restaurant (same building as Glass House Restaurant where we had our lunch earlier). Thankfully my project team member who was with us in earlier group went to the restaurant first with the rest of the new group and he ordered different kind of food (more cantonese rather than xinjiang food).

Otis guy was not prepared and very inexperienced. He didn't bring enough yuan and he was on tight budget! The restaurant did not accept his card and he had to borrow money to pay for dinner! After dinner he disappeared! OMG! Your host disappeared...tsk tsk tsk I had to call him n reminded him that he's with clients and he should not behaved the way he did. He came back half and hour later and we had advised him on proper way to conduct the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT). He listened but decided to do his way..sigh..

22/12/11 Thursday
Factory not ready for FAT and the day was filled up with shopping activities at Beijing Road. Since Otis guy has no cash, he looked around for a place that can accept his card and decided to bring us to Ritz Carlton Hotel for lunch! Fancy place but he decided to place lunch order himself without asking group members if the food is acceptable to all! He ordered bread, salad and fried rice....sigh..

He seemed to forget client pay for everything and he's not spending Otis's money but he's spending client's money!

After lunch, we returned back to hotel and later that night we went to Ottoman Restaurant (again in front of everyone Otis guy asked the restaurant if they'll accept his card and again to control his budget, Otis guy ordered for everyone). We went back to hotel and later some of the group members ventured out to check out Guangzhou night life.

23/12/11 Friday
After breakfast, we went to Otis factory. After controversial briefing (Otis rep was not prepared), Otis guy sent us to the nearby reflexology centre as he needed to prepare inspection form! Clients were furious but tolerated but when we made to wait at the centre and nobody attended to us, they can't no longer repressed their anger and decided to walk back to otis factory and demanded to continue with the FAT! after few minutes we noticed they were not ready and some of the components were not even available at the factory! The clients can no longer tolerated and they exploded!
The FAT didn't end well. The Otis guy failed in PR (dealing with people) and he was disorganized from day 1. Very disappointing!

We went for dinner at Abdullah Qinghai Moslem Restaurant everyone tried to forget what happened earlier at the factory but with not much success.

After dinner, we were taken for massage (again I opted for foot reflexology), a bit too late for Otis to pamper their guests n develop good PR but I guess it was their way of apologizing for their screw up.

24/12/11 Saturday
Thank God, the ordeal was over n time to go home...