Made a new friend in Beijing.
At the Great Wall to be exact.
When we reached the Great Wall, I see this beautiful cat sitting under the information board.
It’s a black and white Persian.
Its very beautiful.
I patted it and went on our merry ways.
Once we were done with all the climbing and back to square one we needed a break and guess what… the cat was sitting at the bench.
We sat near it and the cat went to Yana and snuggled against her.
After a few minutes, the cat put her paws on Yana and lay on her.
It was soooo cute.
Yana wanted to bring her back to Malaysia but we know that’s not possible.
I will be going back to the Great Wall and I look to seeing the cat again.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
New Friend At The Great Wall
Posted by Mike Rizal at 10:24 PM 0 comments
Beijing Shopping Havens
Shopping is great in Beijing.
Forget about the shopping complexes or malls.
I only went to three places and spent all my money there!
I went to Panjiayuan, Silk Market and Pearl Market.
Other shopping sites I wanted to go but didn’t is the Russian Market and the Antique Market.
Not enough time or money.
PANJIAYUAN
In Malaysia you can compare it to Central Market. Loads of arts and crafts. Tons of shops and stalls that will sell you all kinds of carvings, drawings, jewellery and what nots. They have at least ten stalls that specialises in stones. Yes…. stones, not precious stones but stones! Gotta say the stones are beautiful but nevertheless stones.
SILK MARKET
Be ready for war! If you are weak, spineless and non confrontational, this place is a nightmare for you. The sales people are very aggressive. They will try their best to close a sale. You need to haggle or you will pay more than necessary. The place has loads of boots, bags, clothes and accessories. The competition is very high, so you can use that as an advantage to get the best bargains.
PEARL MARKET
It is similar to Silk Market but they also have lots of souvenirs, make up and gadgets. Loads of it. A good place for souvenir hunting or get the latest Iphone.
I went to Silk Market three times coz the place is huge!
The price is freakingly cheap if you are willing to haggle.
Example, they will try to sell you a bag for 500Yuan, you can get it for 100Yuan.
If you do not have much time, concentrate on Silk Market.
Drop by Pearl Market for the souvenirs and go to Panjiayuan to experience their culture.
If you love shopping, Silk Market is big enough to satisfy your needs.
I will be going back to Beijing and I definitely will spend at least one whole day there again!
Posted by Mike Rizal at 9:30 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Beijing Trip (Pictorial)
I will only upload just a few that shows the whole trip.
In the plane on the way to Beijing.
At the airport in Beijing.
Freezing my ass on the first night night in Beijing.
Admiring my banana split (Don’t forget I am a banana split whore)
Getting ready to enter the Forbidden City
The sun does love me. The Emperors giving me their blessings?
The awesomeness of the Forbidden City!
The historic Tiananmen Square
Some shadow play on the grounds of the Square
Getting close and personal with the Terracotta warriors
Fooling around from my upper bunk in the sleeper train
Bird’s eye view from my “lift” to the wall
Reflection of Diane and me in the “lift”
Finally on the wall!!!
As usual, smoking on the wall
The slow walk back on the wall
Getting ready to toboggan down the mountain
Going crazy on our last night!
It was a great trip with great company.
Cant wait for the next trip!
Posted by Mike Rizal at 9:32 PM 0 comments
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Beijing Survival Guide
Here are some tips to survive in Beijing.
1. Even if they speak fluent English, double check and ask a few more times to confirm the information received. They consistently misunderstand you and gives wrong info. They sound like they understand, but most of the time they don’t.
2. Learn to use their subways. Their subways only cost 2Yuan to go anywhere. They have 8 lines that are interconnected and is very useful to save money on cab fare.
3. Research where you want to go to ensure you don’t miss out on experiences.
4. When haggling for the best price, if they are not angry with the price you asking for, its not cheap enough. Just ask for dirt cheap prices coz there are lots of shops that sell the same things and they want to make the sale. You don’t like the price…. Move on.
5. Wear thick and comfortable shoes to make sure you enjoy everything. Its cold and walking about is a must.
6. Avoid taking cabs unless necessary coz they have subways, sleeper trains and bullet trains that will take you to places at a fraction of the cab price.
Enjoy!
Posted by Mike Rizal at 6:00 PM 0 comments
First Step.... Great Wall
I took my first step to my goal.
I want to see all the wonders of the world.
I was at the Great Wall.
It was an incredible feeling.
To climb the stairs that ancient soldiers was on.
To see where they eat and sat and waited for signs of danger.
The feeling is cannot be described.
I want to go back there.
I want to climb higher.
There are three tourist spots, Badaling, Simatai and Mutianyu.
Badaling is the favourite because there are no stairs between the towers. Just a flat passage that’s easy for the tourist to walk on.
Simatai is the toughest as it is very high and very authentic. It was closed though coz it was too dangerous.
Mutianyu is also high but there is a cable car that brings us up.
And there are only stairs there…. Its tough therefore less tourists.
I want to go to Mutianyu and climb higher.
It would be my challenge.
Need to get fit first.
I only went to 1 tower (Not counting the first tower I started from)
I want to conquer at least 3 towers the next round.
Posted by Mike Rizal at 5:19 PM 0 comments
Spoils From Beijing
Luggage bag to bring back all the crap I bought from Beijing.
A pair of shoes. (Both working shoes)
Leather jacket. (It was freakingly cheap, so why not?)
Leather cap to protect my ears. (My ears were freezing)
Leather gloves (My earlier gloves was not good enough)
A knapsack (Need a bag to carry stuff when I am moving about)
I have more stuff that I bought like paper cuttings of dragon, calligraphy, dragon statue, stone carving, lighters and souvenirs.
Need to bring more money for my next round.
Hehehehe…..
Posted by Mike Rizal at 3:14 PM 0 comments
Friday, November 12, 2010
4 Hours To Go
In 4 hours Alyssa will be picking us up to go to the airport.
Stupid bitch cant join us.
We would paint Beijing red all four of us, but…. Maybe next time.
Anyways, 6 hours in a plane… not looking forward to it.
Not gonna sleep now so that I can sleep the flight away.
Nothing beats going on a plane, fall asleep and wake up when its ready to land.
8 days away from Malaysia….
Gonna miss everyone here but its only 8 days.
Gonna celebrate Raya Haji in Xian.
Cant wait…..
Until then….
Be prepared for my next post with lots of pics!
Posted by Mike Rizal at 9:07 PM 0 comments
Roll Call
Looks like a trend to update only every few months
Linda, Dayana, Alena, Muliza, American Chick, Zuridah, Stephanie, Joyce, Shikin, Nadiah, Nicole, Yana, Zurina, Madeline, Pahang Gal, Sue, Dewi, Mie, Fizah, Siti, Bee, Lyana, Moon, Nurul, Beth, Sherry, Tina, Syezza, Filly, Fern, Maya, Yaya, Karen, Wan, Ziera, Waeda, Bella
Posted by Mike Rizal at 9:05 PM 0 comments
Monday, November 8, 2010
When You Lie
I caught you in a lie last Friday.
Not three days ago but 10 days ago.
I didn’t react, I just kept quite.
Maybe you had a good reason, maybe you will let me know.
But everyday, the bitterness of knowing you lied to me ate at me.
But I keep consoling myself that its not a big thing.
Everyday I watch everything you say…..
Everyday, words from your mouth annoy me…..
Everyday, I don’t believe a single thing that you are telling me.
I still keep my mouth shut because I know I have a bad temper.
I know if I confront you there is a strong possibility I will just cut you off.
I do not want to react or be emotional about it.
Actually, I do not want to say anything…. But I couldn’t hold my tongue anymore today.
I still didn’t want to confront but I wanted you to know that I know.
And you say I am reacting and being emotional?
Instead of understanding and regretting that you lied you try to justify it?
It is not the topic…. It is the lie?
You blame me for you lying.
You blame the topic for the need to lie.
You know how I feel?
I cant trust you…..
I hate not being able to trust you!
And you blaming everything else for your actions just show that you will do it again coz you don’t believe it was wrong to lie.
I don’t trust you…… that’s what lying do to me.
I don’t trust you……
Posted by Mike Rizal at 2:21 PM 0 comments
Sunday, November 7, 2010
True Friend
Some have questioned my policy of cutting people off just because they are not up to my standards.
Here is someone that I call friend.
She will be losing her job soon.
She is offered a good position in a different organization but that would mean depriving another one of our friend the opportunity to get it.
She turned it down.
She will not do anything that will hurt a friend or the possibility of hurting a friend.
She would rather continue her search than to risk hurting a friendship.
It is easy to do the right thing when nothing is at risk.
But what if doing the right thing compromises your own personal well being.
That is when your true colours come out.
She is a friend.
I do not have a lot of friends, but I am proud to say that my friends have my back.
You have more friends than me?
Who cares?
My 5 lions are better than your 500 sheep!
Posted by Mike Rizal at 4:37 PM 0 comments
Thursday, November 4, 2010
So Wrong
I saw this posted on a girl’s blog
******************************
I know you want SEXUAL FAVOURS when...
1. You invite me to go to Genting Highlands.
2. You call in the middle of the night asking what i'm wearing.
3. You said you are feeling "cold"... (just coz it happens to be raining or it's late at night).
4. You want to webcam.
5. You want to 3G.
6. You invite me over to your place.
7. You invite yourself to my place.
8. And many more which i currently can't think of or that crosses my mind right now.
******************************
Well, I just want to say that she is sooooo wrong!
Everything we guys say or do is asking for sexual favors.
When we want to get to know you better.
When we ask for your number.
When we look at you!
*wink*
Posted by Mike Rizal at 8:09 PM 0 comments
Bottomline
Some of you would know my pet peevs.
The most well known ones are lying and waiting.
There are others but the list might be too long.
Anyways, it all comes down to my one rule.
Once you understand it, you will understand why I cut people off and do what I do.
Trust…… I need to trust.
I cannot live a life of distrust.
Some call me naïve and stupid.
Maybe they are right but I cant stand it if I cannot trust.
I need to know that I am surrounded by people who has my back.
That’s why I hate liars.
That’s why I hate waiting.
That’s why I cut off people that I cannot trust.
Call me arrogant, but I have only 24 hours in a day, and I don’t have time people I don’t trust.
Posted by Mike Rizal at 10:56 AM 0 comments