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My second trip to an European countries after Frankfurt in June 2015.
I went to Amsterdam for training - RSMP 2015 together with Naimah from ICCA AP office and Lyn from SCB.
My journey started off with one hour and 30 minutes queuing for bag drop at KLIA. It was really shocking to see such long queue at the airport and wondering if this is the aftermath after termination of thousand MAS staffs. Heard so many visitors complaining and Naimah and I thought that we were definitely going to miss our flight! Thankfully that we were allowed to use the express lane less than 40 minutes before the original departure time. Run and run and run to the immigration gate to see another long queue and delayed flight!
Arrived at Schiphol Airport early in the morning and Lyn have been waiting to take the train with me to our hotel together. Naimah had her colleague from ICCA HQ picked her up, so we went separate ways back to the hotel.
Another unfortunate event happened as Lyn and I were not sure which way we should take to go to our hotel once we arrived at the Amsterdam Central station. We asked around for directions and finally found the place after 30 minutes or more than that. We dropped our bags and quickly run again to the station to catch our train to Brussels.
Lyn wanted to see the Manneken Piss but even after we walked for few hours, we didn't even see the famous statue. However, we found something interesting! Not sure the place's name but it was really gigantic and awesome! Pretty sure that it is still under refurbishment but seriously you won't believe it to be so interesting from the outside. If I have the chance to visit Brussels in future, I want to visit it again.
We walked again in hope to see the statue but unsuccessful and then we realised that we should have taken the train to Brussels Central instead of Brussels Midi. Lesson learned this time.
Back to our hotel around midnight and was too tired to unpacked my luggage. 
On the next day, we walked around and did some shopping since Welcome Reception was not until 6PM. Bought a nice black jacket for 9€ only. So cheap and it's made in Italy!
Actual training started the next day until 15 July 2015. It was a very good training and I got to meet so many people from different countries. I want to join the training again if possible.
On the next day, we walked around and did some shopping since Welcome Reception was not until 6PM. Bought a nice black jacket for 9€ only. So cheap and it's made in Italy!
Actual training started the next day until 15 July 2015. It was a very good training and I got to meet so many people from different countries. I want to join the training again if possible.
With Naimah. You can see our training venue on the left side - Beus van Berlage.
A book market that Lyn and I accidentally found while doing some shopping.
Interesting fact about building's structure in Amsterdam. The houses are equipped with outside hoists to help move furniture into the houses. The houses are built with narrow staircases, therefore it's impossible to move it like normal.
Highlights:
- When to a halal kebab restaurant in Brussels for lunch and realised that it was fasting month only after few hours inside the train heading back to Amsterdam. No wonder the restaurant was empty!
- The people at halal restaurants around Amsterdam Central are rude and harsh. Damn them.
- Went to the red-light district and saw so many half naked women standing in front of transparent windows. Heard from Naimah's colleague that the government is planning to close the area in 10 - 20 years.
- A Malaysian guy suddenly talked to me when I was standing in front of a bakery shop in Amsterdam. Not sure how long he has been in Amsterdam, but he said that he's happy to speak in Malay with someone after so long. hahaha.. so kesian~
