Part 7: Scotland – Carole King was in Glasgow!

Note: This is a scheduled post of our Summer Holidays in Scotland (9th to 25th September, 2022)

Many of us keep the Weather Forecast App bookmarked on our phone because we know how important it is to stay up-to-date on the latest weather news. With the glorious sunny six days prior, there’s always a day that spelled the dawn of a new day. It was raining cats and dogs on our last day in Glasgow. Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, so there’s no such thing as bad weather 😉

Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain

As the saying goes, rainy days are perfect days to cuddle and watch movies. We didn’t cuddle though, but we did watch a movie, and it was more than a movie.

BEAUTIFUL is indeed … beautiful!

Her name is Carole King and her story is Beautiful. It was 18:45 and we walked to The King’s on Elmbank Street

The King’s Theatre, Glasgow

The Carole King Musical casts were on the UK Tour at The King’s theatre in Glasgow. We were very fortunate that we were in town to catch the Musical.

Beautiful – The Carole King Musical

By the way, Beautiful tells the inspiring true story of Carole King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from an ordinary girl with an extraordinary talent. She fought her way into the record business as a teenager and sold her first hit, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow”, when she was only 17. She moved to become a chart-topping legend, with strings of songs that gave voices for generations.

Abrupt Stop

Almost two-thirds way through the Musical, we heard a loud “Thud” sound and chaotic murmurs from the audience 2 rows in front of us. It was difficult to concentrate on the Musical with the commotion in the auditorium. Apparently, someone in the audience had collapsed.

The Musical was stopped abruptly due to a sick onlooker in the auditorium

It was 21:35. The Theatre Manager apologised for stopping the show as the dire need to assist the sick spectator came first. The ambulance arrived 20 minutes later and wheeled the sick onlooker out of the auditorium. Thank God!

A word of apology from the Theatre Manager

The show must go on …

And it did!

Carole King and her cast hurried back on stage and performed their best where they had left off prior to the abrupt stop.

The cast hurrying back on stage. The show must go on!

It was a fabulous performance from every single actor. Pure class with great music and an energetic and talented cast. Beautiful was indeed beautiful and fits the bill for the entire 2 hours!

I Feel The Earth Move Under My Feet – a spectacular and well-deserved showstopper. A perfect ending before the final curtain

The show ended at 22:20. Another fulfilling day that made us wanted to stay longer in Glasgow.

Leaving Glasgow for the Highlands

I couldn’t believe 7 days had passed by in the blink of an eye. It was our last night in Glasgow, We would be waking up to a new morn in the Highlands.

We checked out at Maldron Hotel wheeling our luggage on the cobblestones of the streets of Glasgow for the last time to Glasgow Queen Street Station.

Boarding the 12:07 train to Inverness at Glasgow Queen Street

On the train to Inverness

Our train left Glasgow at 12:07 enroute Inverness passing scenery and landscapes of the rugged Highlands.

The breathtaking landscapes of the Highlands as viewed from the moving train towards Inverness

Inverness Station

We arrived at Inverness at around 15:30, where we would be staying for the subsequent three days.

When we checked in at the hotel, we were given Room 307. It was a lovely spacious room, however we noticed the bathroom looked awkward. Was that supposed to be our room? 🤔

Room 307 River Ness Hotel, Inverness

Hmmm… not again! 😱

Part 6: Scotland – Princess Royal, Glasgow Botanic Gardens, Ashton Lane

Note: This is a scheduled post of our Summer Holidays in Scotland (9th to 25th September, 2022)

Before the weather got crappy in the next days, we maximized our time outdoor, gallivanting on the streets of Glasgow. The pedestrianised shopping areas on Buchanan Street, Argyle Street and St Enoch became animated with buskers and lively charades.

The pedestrianised shopping streets: Buchanan, Argyle and St. Enoch

Loyally Royal

Again, an impromptu walkabout in Glasgow to pass our time aimlessly, we headed for George Square. We noticed a crowd thronging the Glasgow City Chambers. We heard about Princess Anne, the Princess Royal coming to Glasgow but we were not aware it was going to be at the spot where the crowd were. Well, why not, eh? We joined in the crowd standing on the 3rd row and struggling to zoom in on the famous daughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Princess Anne arrived at 12:15, accompanied by her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence.

Chance meeting of Princess Anne at the Glasgow City Chambers on George Square

By the way, Princess Anne visited the Glasgow City Chambers to meet representatives of the organisation of which the late Queen was patron. M and I joined the crowd and in fleeting moments, we made it to ET Canada news, not very visible but we were there. I’d say, “My nose, mouth and hands met the gracious Princess Royal” . The rest of my body went incognito. LOL!

Top photo covered by ET Canada news. Bottom photo taken by yours truly.

Glasgow Botanic Gardens

When the crowd started to disperse on George Square, we strode across the road for almost 2 hours to get to the Botanical Gardens on Great Western Road. It was probably the best day to laze and bask in the sun. 

Perfect day with copious of Vitamin D

Glasgow Botanic Gardens

Lost and Found

It was also at the Gardens when M and I lost each other for a good half hour. I was taking photos of the majestic Sunflowers. When I turned around, M was no where in sight. We finally met again at the starting point of the Botanical Gardens making it a double full circle squeeze of our energy.

A reminder … Lost and Found 🌻

Haggis Pakora. Anyone?

It was at Ashton Lane that we discovered Glasgow’s hidden gem. Loved how the rows of restaurants complement each other. Looked very European. Ashton Lane is a small area, but worth a visit.

Ashton Lane, a hidden gem

With our tummies rumbling away, we combined a late lunch cum early dinner at 17:00 at Ashöka, an Indian restaurant. Interestingly, it’s only in Scotland that haggis pakora is on the menu. Not bad. 

Mix pakora (chicken, vegetable and haggis pakora)

For main, I had the slow cooked beef madras curry, while M had lamb curry. Both dishes were served with basmati rice and roti. In hindsight, we should have ordered only one dish as 2 were plenty. We were stuffed!

Late lunch/ early dinner at Ashöka, Ashton Lane

We walked back to Renfrew Street feeling full, very tired and exhausted from clocking a total of 30k steps and climbing 50 floors with a distance of 25 km

Evening walk back to Renfrew Street via Kelvingrove Park

Another day well spent albeit an impromptu one, as always 😬

We knew it was going to be a BEAUTIFUL next day, or was it? 🤔

Part 5: Scotland – Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Loch Ness, The Heilan Coo

Note: This is a scheduled post of our Summer Holidays in Scotland (9th to 25th September, 2022)

After a long day the day before, but feeling not too frazzled as we had AJ driving us around Falkirk and warming us up with a bit of Scottish gossip and history. AJ is a Scottish Borderer (originally from Kelso). Our Day Tour to the Scottish Highlands the next day was shepherded by a Glaswegian (Lowlander) who knew the Scottish Highlands like a Highlander but he introduced himself as an ‘Outlander’ 😅

We were up early for breakfast and left the hotel on foot to the bus terminal at Queen Street where the Rabbie’s Coach awaited us on Stance 2-3.

Glasgow Queen Street Bus Terminal

Being one of first to enter the Coach, we took the very front seats just behind the driver’s cockpit separated by a plexiglass that became our “mirror” for the entire day 😂

Reflection from the Plexiglass

Our Coach departed from Glasgow Queen Street bus terminal at exactly 08:00. Stuart Hunter was our bubbly and animated Glaswegian guide who talked non-stop, telling us stories and legends of the Scottish Highlands and Highlanders. His Glaswegian accent was the icing on the cake. Loved it!

Rabbie’s Day Tour package to the Highlands – Glencoe, Loch Ness, Loch Lomond

On the bonnie, bonnie banks o’ Loch Lomond!

I really loved the song when I first heard it many moons ago when Music was one of the many subjects I had to take during my lower secondary school. I didn’t know the story behind the song, let alone, the origin of the song. When Stuart said, “Our next stop is Loch Lomond¨ and then he asked, ΅Does anyone know this song – On the bonnie, bonnie banks o’ Loch Lomond?”. Awkward, but true, I was the only one on the Coach who knew that song. ☺️

Stuart played the 1997 live version at Stirling Castle performed by the Scottish Celtic band, Runrig. I happily lip-synched to the song while recalling my nerve-racking 13-year old me playing the recorder with Mrs Majoribanks listening on. Lol!

Loch Lomond

By the way, Loch is the Scottish Gaelic word for lake or sea inlet.

Glencoe

It was 10:17 on a lovely 14C morning. We passed many breathtaking landscapes and backdrops of the lochs (lakes), bens (mountains) and glens (valleys) on the way before Stuart stopped the Coach with a dramatic landscape in front of us. Stuart reminded us of the 1969 Bond film with Sean Connery, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”, when Bond reveals that his father is from Glencoe! In “Skyfall”, with Daniel Craig as 007, he returns to his Scottish roots to his childhood home, hence the stop of the view of Glen Etive. Glad to be part of an unpremeditated quest for the Bond trail 😜

Glen Etive near Glencoe, the childhood home of Ian Fleming’s 007 Agent, Bond

Magical Harry Potter locations

Scotland is home to many locations from the Harry Potter films. The majestic Glencoe was used for various outdoor scenes: The Goblet of Fire, The Order of the Phoenix, The Half Blood Prince and The Prisoner of Azkaban.

With only 10 minutes to snap our breath away, I managed to get some photos of Glencoe. It’s the short and sweet stop that made our trip worth the while. The leg-stretching did us good and the toilet stops, of course 🙂

Glencoe

Loch Ness

Everyone was looking forward to meeting Nessie, if she’s (still) there. Loch Ness is one of the most touristic locations of the Scottish Highlands as can be seen even before crossing the barrier to Fort Augustus.

Entering Fort Augustus

Fort Augustus was our main stop for the day where we had our lunch at the Caledonian Canal Brasserie.

Highland Burger at Caledonian Canal Centre Café, Fort Augustus

The quest for Nessie was on, but where’s Nessie?

All we saw were enchanted looking houses along the Ness with boats and yachts berthing at the pier waiting to attract gullible travellers.

Loch Ness Cruise on the Caledonian Canal and the village of Fort Augustus

The Ness walk did us good so we were not complaining. It was a lovely walk to the mouth of the lake where I thought I spotted Nessie’s shadow. Can you spot her? 😉

Loch Ness, Fort Augustus

Nessie’s nest

Two hours at Loch Ness in the settlement of Fort Augustus went by in the wink of an eye. But what I was eyeing for most was to have a closed up view of the almost dwindled breed of rustic herds, the Highland Cows (or Heilan/Hielen/ Heeland Coos). They’re easily distinguished from their long horns and long wavy woolly coats. The hair gives protection during the cold winter in the Scottish Highlands. Don’t they look cuddly?

The Highland Cows

The reddish brown breed of the Heeland Coo

The usual coat colour is reddish brown with ca 60% of the population, while the rest are either pale silver, brindle or black. I have not seen the black Heilan Coo. Better luck next time?

Friendly, cuddly Highland Cows 😊

Today’s rain is tomorrow’s Whisky

“This is an old Scots saying that expresses innate optimism”, says Stuart.

What proper timing when we stopped at Pitlochry, best known for the whisky distilleries. There are 2 in Pitlochry, one of which produces Edradour. I didn’t have the real thing but the Edradour Highland Single Malt whisky ice cream at £3.30 for one scoop, was to die for.

Edradour Highland Single Malt whisky ice-cream bought at Scotch Corner in Pitlochry

There are many whisky distilleries in Scotland, but none of them are the same. Every distillery has its own colourful history and unique setting.

Welcome to the land of Whisky 🥃

Homeward Bound

Time to leave the Highlands of Scotland for the Lowland. We arrived at Glasgow Queen Street Bus Terminal at 20:30. It was dark and chilly. A good night’s rest was very much anticipated.

Zzzzzz…

Until a brand new day with a speck of Royalty😉

Homeward bound from the rugged Highlands to the rolling green pastures of the Lowlands

Part 3: Scotland – Glasgow the real deal?

Note: This is a scheduled post of our Summer Holidays in Scotland (9th to 25th September, 2022)

10 hours, that’s how long I slept. It was a much needed sleep after the mental and physical agony the past 24 hours.

Customer is King

Shucks, still no internet connection! That’s definitely not expected for a 4-star hotel. After being told 3 times by the Front Desk staff that it was due to our iPhone settings – erm … Fibs! – we had to call in the Duty Manager to check out our room for himself. Spot on! ZERO internet connection. We were immediately checked out from Room 1208 to the 8th Floor. Et voilà, seamless connection!

The age-old mantra of the ‘Customer is King’ is not just a cliché but was tried and true in our case.

Immediate check-out from Room 1208 to a new room in less than 24 hours

A Scottish Breakfast

While travelling on the Caledonian Sleeper from London Euston to Glasgow Central, we could have ordered a traditional Scottish breakfast of Haggis, sausage, baked beans, tatties, tomatoes, mushrooms and toast. We didn’t go for that for the obvious reason that 6am was way too early to consume such a hearty breakfast. Hear ye, hear ye! For the next 7 mornings in Glasgow, we had no choice but to indulge ourselves in the daily wholesome Scottish brekkie 😄

Breakfast at Maldron Hotel, Glasgow

The great Scottish brekkie pumped tons of energy in our body systems to enable us to sustain an almost 3 hours walk to Glasgow Cathedral from our hotel. We read about the Cathedral being the oldest Medieval Cathedral in mainland Scotland and the oldest building in Glasgow, hence, we had to see it for ourselves, with no regrets.

Glasgow Cathedral

The Cathedral is dedicated to Saint Mungo, the patron Saint of Glasgow, whose tomb lies at the centre of the building’s Lower Church.

Upper and Lower Churches of Glasgow Cathedral

An impressive interior considering the building being the oldest building in Glasgow!

With the recent passing of QEII, Glasgow was also mourning. Several people paid their last respect to the late Queen by placing bouquets beside her obituary. 

Rest in Peace, Ma’am

Glasgow Necropolis

We walked to the nearby cemetery, the Glasgow Necropolis.

View of Glasgow Cathedral from the Necropolis

The Necropolis remains one of the most significant cemeteries in Europe, exceptional in its townscape, its symbolic relationship to Glasgow Cathedral and the mediaeval heart of the city. In common with the other major Victorian cemeteries, it was designed as a botanic and sculpture garden to improve the morals and tastes of Glaswegians and act as an historical record of past greatness. 50,000 individuals have been buried there. Every grave has a stone. 

Every grave has a stone at Glasgow Necropolis

The Glasgow Necropolis reminded me of Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. Glasgow native, Billy Conolly has said, “Glasgow is a bit like Nashville, Tennessee. It doesn’t care much for the living, but it really looks after the dead.” 😬

John Knox Monument – This imposing 70 foot monument predated the Necropolis and has a 12-foot statue of Knox clutching a bible in his right hand

Scottish Greats

I didn’t know David Livingstone was Scottish! I knew he’s an Explorer in Africa. By the way, the popular ViaVia Travellers’ Cafés in Belgium was inspired by Livingstone.

ViaVia Café (A Livingstone Experience), Heverlee, Belgium

David Livingstone, a Scottish physician, Congregationalist and pioneer Christian missionary, an explorer in Africa and one of the most popular British heroes of the Victorian era

Another Scottish great name worldwide is James Watt. What? Yes, Watt, the unit of power used in the international system of units to quantify the rate of energy transfer. The statue of James Watt stands in the corner of George Square

James watt, a Scottish inventor, mechanical engineer and chemist

George Square, named after King George III with the Scott monument in the centre

With all the walks, nature’s call came on spontaneously. It was lovely to find a little Spanish oasis in the city centre, not far from George Square.

Walking with my trusty barefoot All-Weather shoes

Café Andaluz City Centre on St Vincent Place is a Spanish/ Catalan tapas restaurant. We had the pre-theatre menu of 3 tapas. I had grilled asparagus topped with grated Manchego cheese, lemon hollandaise and crushed blackpepper, fried calamari rings served with fresh lemon and smoked paprika aioli and the classic Spanish chicken dish cooked with garlic, rosemary and red chillies

Pre-Theatre Menu of 3 tapas pp at Café Andaluz, Glasgow

Café Andaluz, a tapas restaurant serving Spanish and Catalan cuisines

The Spanish experience was a superb choice. Everything was spot on – fast service, friendly staff and great food.

We returned to our hotel, feeling hopeful for positive days ahead.

Ringgggg…

I received a call on my mobile phone from someone in Scotland, someone I have not met for more than a quarter of a century! Boy, it’s great to touch base again. It’s been too long.

The caller had this to say, “When you decide what time you plan to take the train, let us know.”

So, our journey to the ‘unknown’ continued mid-way between Glasgow and Edinburgh. Looking forward already 😉

THE Train …

Lovely Spring-like weather

Fingers crossed for a better next day 🤞

Reflections Twenty Twenty One

I was in a room filled with people I have not met. People sitting down and chin-wagging away. All of a sudden, someone in the room screamed, “super spreader!” Everyone seemed to be making haste touching or tagging one another. I was about to scurry when I felt a sudden nudge on my shoulder. I looked around and saw my other half tossing and turning.

Geez… it was just a dream! Lol!

I don’t usually dream. When I did, I would not remember the details. Strange, but true, that dream appeared palpable. I so wanted to know the ending. I wanted to know if I was being tagged. Sadly, I will never know the ending, however, I would only imagine that I would be tagged, like everyone else in “that room”…

The dream I dreamt reminds me of the “O” variant that is surging in every nook and cranny of the globe of late. According to Health Analysts and Scientists, the Omicron virus is, undeniably, the most contagious variant there is, and is displacing the Delta variant at a rapid rate. Eventually, everyone would get the virus. Good news? We’re hopeful for a herd immunity. What then? Only God knows…

The world has been in intermittent and countless lockdowns and restrictions since March 2020. Then, we were hoping for a better 2021. Today, we’re hopeful for a recovering 2022 because so much has been “damaged” in the past 21 months or so.

In retrospect (pre-Covid days) I had secretly wished to work more days from home (due predominantly to the insane traffics on work week). Well it seems my wish was granted almost instantaneously. Is it a boon or a bane? 🤷🏻‍♀️

And so the story goes … working from home continues to be the norm for me for the past 657 days with probably a few days in the office for IT issues with my laptop and other ad hoc meetings where it was not possible to engage via Skype, Zoom or Team meetings.

Likewise, online classes are the new doodahs for both students and teachers. Some kids made it, some not. My younger son almost did not make it. A few times he’d come to me and say, “Mama, I can’t go through this any longer…” He was on the verge of quitting his Bachelor’s program. A heart to heart talk is good to ease the pain. Human beings need corporeal touch as opposed to any intangibles. I’m glad to report that he has one more semester to go for his internship before he graduates with his Bachelor degree next Summer. All the very best to you, son ❤️

Hair today, gone tomorrow

With the initial hard lockdowns, all non-essential shops were forbidden to operate. Hair salons were one of them.

It was 4 months since my last visit to my hairdresser’s in September 2020. I had never had a ‘mop’ dangling on my head that long. Each time I looked in the mirror, I saw BJ’s wildest tresses. Totally unkempt! 😂

Time for a hair-xit! Armed with a simple pair of scissors and a comb I snipped my unsightly mane in the bathroom in the very first month of 2021, a reminder to forget the past year and march forward to a new beginning…

Mercury (Up)rising

While there was no White Christmas, we experienced snow-capped sceneries in most parts of Europe in February. Almost all of Belgium was covered with white blankets of snowflakes on 8th February, 2021. Without a doubt, it was a lovely sight.

Two weeks later, on 21st February, the mercury soared to an exceptional high at 17.9 deg C, shattering the old record set in 1949 at 14.6 deg C!

Spring came and who would have thought the 1992 song, “Four Seasons in One Day” by Crowded House would really happen in reality? From strong winds gushing over our rooftops in the wee hours of the morning to blazing sunny day to raining and hailing and back to raining and sunning and …yup, snowing in April!

All in one day!

The weather is becoming more human with its many insane moods of emotional roller coaster rides.

As if the pandemic’s not enough, could this be another sign of times?

My Covid Bubble(s)

Social distancing bubbles can help one stay safe and sane by seeing other Homo sapiens in person. As they say, “No man is an island”. So true. It’s lovely catching up with friends tête-à-tête while abiding to the C-19 protocol.

Vaxxed

So I’ve made it, like billions (?) of others on this planet. Yup, I am vaccinated with the 2 doses in June and July.

My booster awaits me in Jan 2022 😊

I guess we have no choice because the jabs (Corona pass) is our passport to eating out in restaurants, travelling, entering theme parks, visiting museums, etc.

Summer Household

The Summer holidays this year was unlike other years. We invited my husband’s siblings and spouses (no kids). There were 7 of us. When I told my friends about it, they were surprised that I would go ahead with such ‘crowded’ vacation driving some 1,000 km away to the South of France. I was surprised with my decision too, but all turned out excellent in the end.

It was lovely to hear stories from my husband and his siblings reminiscing the good old days and actually watching them re-enacting games and sports they played when they were growing up. It was especially amusing watching them squabbling like little kids and wanting to win in every game they played. Ha ha …

In Loving Memory

I woke up in the morning of 22nd September with utter disbelief reading the saddest news ever.

Dearest Sylvia, you may be gone from our sight, but never from our hearts. Happy times and wonderful memories will live on forever. I’m glad I’ve been a part of your life and you, me. Farewell dearest Sylvia. May your soul rest in eternal peace 🙏

Dearest Sylvia, you have taught me to cherish every moment and every person in my life, because you will never know when it will be the last time we see someone.

Oh by the way, thanks for the free hugs 🤗

MABL Meet & Greet

After a period of silence succumbed by the C-word, the thirst to come back was enormous. MABL members and friends welcomed the 14th Ambassador of Malaysia to Belgium. A renewed chapter is revived. I, for one, was glad to meet up with many new and old faces. There are friends, there is family and then there are friends that become family.

Malaysia Boleh!

30th October 2021 will remain a memorable day for all Malaysians in Belgium. We celebrated Malaysia’s 64th birthday at “Rumah Malaysia” as well as rejoicing to the stellar win of a rising badminton star, Ng Tze Yong. He won the gold medal in the final Yonex Badminton Belgian International Men’s Singles at the Sportaose in Leuven.

Congratulations for the double celebrations. Malaysia memang Boleh!

The New Variant

The days are getting shorter with nights getting longer. This only signals that winter is in the air. A new variant was also detected in November with surging cases of the Omicron slowly displacing the Delta discovered a year ago.

Imagine this: Delta is the 4th letter in the Greek alphabet and Omicron is the 15th letter. There are 9 more letters to go. Will Omicron be the last variant? Will the next virus be “pi”? This comes to mind about Yann Martel’s novel “Life of Pi”, a story about struggling to survive through seemingly insurmountable odds (the virus?). The survival period is 227 days. Hmmm 🤔

Whatever the future holds, no one knows. The crystal ball is always not very clear. What tomorrow holds for me is the plan I made today and for me to finish what I have started, because life is a circle. By the way, the end of one journey is the beginning of the next 😉

Here’s to another year of making memories. New year, new start. May all your dreams come true. Happy New Year!

Cheers to good health and positivity in 2022🥂

God bless