Malahide Castle

The girl who wasn't sure of her direction. Where to go and where to land on. Her parents told her that she would bring her along for a two weeks holiday in Europe as her sister was graduating after completing 5 years of her course in Ireland. Well, she packed her bag a night before leaving. She was busy learning for her mid term exam and it ended just two days before leaving Malaysia. She was glad that everything was over because she could not rest and concentrate much at that period of time. She's pretty much relieved. Not because the exam had ended, but it was because, she finally had the opportunity to get out of Malaysia. And you're wrong, she's not a sadist! Just lacking of time and money of course. She was brought up moderately under a so-so family. As long as she's happy, she's fine! Afterall, happiness doesn't only come from money. It is love and warmth that matters in life. So, she was half excited that she'll be leaving on the 23rd. She was getting prepared for everything. And there she goes.............

THE STORY BEGINS...

The taxi arrived earlier than expected. They loaded their bags and ready to go. Driving to KLIA is obviously ain't near. She wasn't so happy in her heart and she just couldn't figure out why. Years of anticipation has finally came true and yet, something was bothering her mind. Soon she realized, her heart ached thinking of her past. Tears of sorrow began to flow without her parents acknowledging as the taxi was dark due to the sky which shows the sign of a night. They unloaded the bags and walked into the airport to check in their luggages.

She was looking down from the sky an hour later peeping through the window from her seat. It was like a "wonderland" having to see lights everywhere around Malaysia. It was wonderful! That's the very first time she gets to see a view like this. (as she's been travelling most of the time in the afternoon, not night) That view fascinated and drugged her for quite some time without her noticing because it was simply fascinating! She took the remote control and began to watch some movies they provided in the air plane. Awesome is the only word that can best describe how she felt on plane. The feeling of flying and landing..!

As soon as she stepped on London after transitting from Dubai, (having to wait for bloody long 6 hours - simply tiring and boring) she felt the coozy air breezing through her skin. "Isn't it summer?!" she silently doubted. Soon she realized, it was just the beginning of the summer season. Spring had just passed and now the temperature is obviously still below 25 degrees. Thank god she had a jacket with her. And she silently wished "if only there's a man to be here for me". She quickly get the thoughts out of her mind before she could turn into a jack-ass who's emo all the time. They took a taxi down to the hotel they had booked. And TaaaDaaaa....A whole new world for that little girl who had no idea on where's she's heading to previously. Well, that's exactly what she felt before arriving - whether it is the "life" or the "destination". The family was pretty much tired after travelling for hours from Malaysia to London, (18hours) and so they fell asleep after walking and looking around London. Everything was much or less a NEW thing and experience to the little girl.

Wakie wakie..early in the morning boarding to Belgium after meeting their Cosmos group, their 1st stop throughout their Europe trip. It was wonderful to see another new place of the European country. That's when she learned which part uses Pound and which part uses Euro as the currency of the specific places. European Union uses Euro (5 times bigger) covering Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Ireland while United Kingdom uses Pound (7 times bigger) covering London.Hard time surviving there as their Malaysian currency was very weak. Well well, that was when she knew United Kingdom has four contries too (Northern Ireland, Whales, Scotland and England). All of these countries have the drivers same side as Malaysia. Europe has them on the left hand side, and they drive at the right hand side on the road.

On the way to their hotel, she saw loads and loads of windmills at the roadside trying to generate electricities to the country. Brussels, there they went spending their time walking around and spending their time learning about the cultures there. Ibis hotel is where they lived and the chocolates there are what drives that little girl crazy. It was simply delicious - chocolaty - yumm yumm!

Moving on to Germany the very next day excites that little girl as she gets to see another new place. There wasn't much thing there but Germany is very famous with their Cocoo clocks which goes cuckoo every hour. Nevertheless, that's the place whereby her family gets to know more people in their Cosmos group (the only and only group who was there going through the trips together with the Tay family!). Maybe she wasn't feeling too well to talk during that trip as she hasn't recover from the sickness she had during her exam. Most of the time busy coughing during meals. But that's when she gets to know how concern the *two cute old mat salleh couples* are when she was coughing. Not only busy talking to her family, but also busy concerning about her cough. Owh, she began to love them and she began to feel how lovely they are. (like being her foster family huh?) How much she wished that she has them as her foster family *laughs*

Then, Switzerland kept that little girl and her family for 3 days and 2 nights. On her way to Switzerland, as usual, she was busy coughing, making lotsa noise in the bus (which is bad - disturb some of them sleeping). Again, there was this lovely Phillipino family who was very concern about me throughout the trip in the bus. That little girl ended up having medicines to consume for her recovery - given by the Phillipino uncle. Well, thanks to him, she began to recover. Day by day, she began to know more and more lovely people. Switzerland was the best place so far. Unfortunately, the Lowen hotel's service was bad! Resulting in a very unsatisfying stay there. Despite of that, she had lotsa fun looking at the ice although the weather was the highest. But she had the opportunity to go up to the Mount Titlis (10,000 feet high) and had the chance to personally touch the REAL snow. She also had the chance to try "Fondue" (famous food in Switzerland). Something you deep into the cheese, then chew, then swallow, then digest..Mama-Mia! The sky was still bright although the clock ticked at 10pm. And as it touches 4am, the sun shines (since it was summer)! Cows were everywhere in Switzerland. That's when the Cosmos group began with the "submarine" topic as well. Because according to their tour director (Erik Bleeken), he saw bubbles in the lake, and he wondered if Switzerland had submarines. "We all live in a yellow submarine, yellow submarine, yellow submarine"..A song played throughout their journey.

On their way from one country to another, she realized that the place there doesn't have any toll.Which is good if you were to compare that with tollssss in Malaysia. Oh well, she simply loves the weather there although at times, it was too cold.

France, Paris was the end of their tour. Farewell parties were held. It is sad to know that they will seperate soon..! Anyway, inspite of that, the Tay family managed to step on the Paris Disneyland. That little girl had a great time playing those rides but she didn't expect that it would be that much of people there (almost 3x more than genting?). They have this so called "fast pass" whereby you take a pass and they'll give you the time to come back for the ride. It was pretty as they get to see parades,colourful buildings and some Irish dance specially well-practised for the audience. Impressive is what she can say! The steps were sharp and firm. WOW!

Proceeding to London - overnight before transitting to Dublin, Ireland (the place where their waiting to go)

Dublin, Ireland, Finally! They cooked, they shared, they laughed. The family did everything together happily. CONVOCATION of that little girl's sister is finally approaching. She looked great with her robe! After struggling for years trying to complete her course, she finally gets to release her burden! Everything and everything! She and her boy-friend then treated the family an Irish meal before they leave for Malaysia. It is sad to see that is was the end of their trip. That little girl suddenly felt as though the place was her 2nd home. Maybe she would get back there in future? Well, nobdoy knows that the future holds right? She silently told herself "I want to be as successful as my sister in future"!

EPILOGUE

She begin to realize, how much a family means to her. Because without them, she won't be able to see with her very own eyes and even to touch the place with her very own hands. She was touched and happy spending two weeks of quality time with her family. She gained and learnt alot! Till today, she's still missing her trip. She promise herself that she would work hard and one day being capable enough to bring her family out for a tour again because she knows, time waits for no men! So, explore and discover before it is too late......