Keeping you connected: data roaming

When travelling overseas, there are multiple options to get you connected. Some prefer data roaming via local service provided, some carry their own portable wifi device, and me.. I prefer to buy local simcard.

For portable wifi device it depends on the country visited. For USA, the charging is rm28 per day with deposit rm200 for 500mb data per day

In Europe, buying simcard is easy. Vodafone for example, just pay €10 - €15, show your ID and they will do the setting up for u.

In US, the preferred network like AT&T or T-Mobile can cost you from $30. Depending on the data package

USA 2017: the footage pt 2

Today we are heading to Washington again.. the destination is Spokane.

It's Saturday morning, and we left the hotel at 12pm from the hotel. Took us about.half an hour to reach the ROC airport. It's a very small airport.. only 2 souvenir shops, and several restaurants.

You can walk from end to end in less than 15 mins.

We left Rochester on a little.propeller plane, four seats in a row. It's American Airlines... I had problem with my luggage where it's weight was a bit above 50lb..

I had to remove one little thing and I was good to go. Phew..

ROC to Chicago Ohare took 1h30m then we had 1hr layover in Chicago Ohare

Arrived Chicago at 4.15pm, next flight to Portland at 5.18pm. This flight took 4h31m...

We arrived Portland at 430pm. Took the next flight (little Alaskan Airline) at 5.18pm.. and this took another hour.

Finally.. arrived Spokane at 930pm

Johnny rented a car, which we pick up from the airport. We drove to the Red Lion Hotel, downtown Spokane which was around 20mins drive. Spend the night there.

Woke up Sunday morning, we took a la carte continental breakfast at RL Hotel.. so nice. Then went for a walk along Spokane river at the Riverfront park.

Checked out at 11am, drove all the way to Pullman. We arrived Pullman 1h30mins later... had a nice pizza near Washington State University, Pullman.

Then drove about 15 mins to le Quaint Hotel at Moscow, Idaho.

It is cheaper to stay on the Idaho side compared to Washington side, says the hotel girl. This includes their sales tax. Hurm. Impressive

Now I'm going for a short nap.. It's 3.37pm .. maghrib is 4pm here. So tired..
Bye

End of part 2

-----#

USA 2017: the footage pt 1

Heading to USA this time for work..

It's going to be a "long" journey that involves several state across the U.S.

Summarising the time taken..

KUL 0800 - Narita 1600 (6h), 5677km
Layover in NRT (2.5 hrs)
NRT 1815 - Seattle 1020 (7h45m), 4761mi

Arrived Clarion Airport Hotel at 11am+. There's a free shuttle from the airport. All you need to do is just go to the platform down one level, and call the dedicated hotel number. The bus will come and pick up within few minutes.

Upon arriving the hotel, we had a good sleep.. woke up at 4 pm and headed downtown via city train. One way trip cost $3 (x4.13 at this time) and only took arnd 20mins (or less). Our stop was Westlake.. right in the smack of downtown.

There's Macy's here...

First ever Starbucks store at Pike street.. Farmer's market.. and Hard Rock Cafe.. all around this area. Just walk couple of blocks and you will see the Elliott Bay.. a nice view of Seattle downtown.

Now is 1042pm local time... I'm about to grab my sack. Tomorrow we are leaving early morning to catch the 0640h flight to Rochester NY.

Good night

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SEA to Rochester, NY via Chicago

SEA - Chi: 3h22m
Chicago layover: 1h45m
Chi - ROC: 1h

Arrived Rochester airport at 16:45hrs and Double tree by Hilton at 17:15hrs

Stay in Double Tree Hilton at Rochester NY for 4 days audit..

### End of Part 1 ###

Istanbul airport

There's a subway and tram system here. From airport, access subway at TL5/way. Tram is also TL5/way to any station within the city center. Tickets can be purchased at the vending machine at every station.

From blue mosque, we saw aya Sofia.. then walked all the way down to the Grand Bazaar.. unfortunately it is closed on Sunday.

Then took a tram to Sirkeci.. this is where u can see the Asia part of Turkey. There's also ferry trip or cruise along the river (ops we didn't check the price).

Staying in this area is recommended. There are many small hotels along the way from blue mosque to sirkeci (ferry station). Nice small restaurants and street food were also sighted.

We don't hv much time as we need to head back to the airport for our flight at 330pm. Boarding time is 230pm...

Even though it only take less than 30mins to reach the airport via train, waiting for the train could be a challenge..

That's all for Turkey (for now).

And owh... it's clear that we "missed" the tour bus back to airport right?. We just felt that 1.5h is not enough. As I mentioned the trip is 8.30am to 11am.. but everyone hv to be back at the bus before 10.15am. Bus will stop at the blue mosque. After simple explanation by thr tour guide, they left us to wander and ask us to gather back before 10.15am

Till then, Turkey. We will come back

Istanbul in 9 hours #

Alhamdulillah....

Istanbul.. my forever bucket list.

Today, me hubs, we got the chance to visit Istanbul while waiting or our 9 hour transit to Barcelona (INMR 2017).

In the airport, after immigration, near Starbucks, there's a counter named Turkish airline hotel.. come here 1 hour before the trip time I.e we come at 730am for the 830 - 11am trip to the city center.

There will be several spots covered under this trip. Can check via their website www.touristanbul.com

The trip is free.. and they will bring you back before your next departure.

There's also a drop bag service next to the counter. For a normal bagpack, we paid TL24 (arnd RM30). For larger bag cost arnd TL45.

There's also a surau of course in Istanbul Attaturk airport on level 2. Money changer is everywhere.

Looking for lively area at night? Go to Taksim..

Take a bus (Havabus) outside the arrival hall to Taksim at the cost of TL12. This could save time as going by train will require you to change tramway at Yenikapi. Train option will cost TL5 x 2 trips.

Trains takes approx 40mins (without transit waiting time) and bus 1 hour (direct).

Those with bulky bags, if u don't choose to leave it at the left luggage, pls use this bus. Subway option requires long walking and stairs climbing.. good luck!

******

1 lira = rm1.18