Home stay @ Alexandria, Virginia (Washington DC)

Never in my life that I took such a long journey to reach a particular destination. My trip from Kuala Lumpur to Washington DC took me almost 32 hours. From Kuala Lumpur to Los Angeles took me 19 hours, layover in Los Angeles airport for 7 hours and another 6 hours journey to Washington DC. When I reached my host house, I feel so nice that I finally reach Washington DC.

This is my first time that I try out home stay concept for my travelling. I am able to try it this time as I have time to contact the house owner to have the arrangement. Before this I don't have chance to secure home stay due to my last minute trip nature. The main motivation for me to try home stay in Washington DC is due to high hotel prices. The hotel price is just crazy over here. A single room will cost at least MYR400 (USD130) per night! By home stay, I only need to spend MYR180 (USD58) per night and I would say that I get better room plus its super clean. Some more with Netflix subscription. The room is clean, comfortable and spacious. WIFI is fast and stable as well. The host is so nice that he prepare fresh home made cookie for me. The house is clean and I am the house has filter as well so that I don't need to purchase water.

Staying in is awesome. Its more awesome if your flight departs or arrive at Ronald Reagan Airport this place is just a metro station away. The old town of Alexandria and King Street is just 10 minutes walking distance away. Its a great location for holiday maker and quite easy to get to the National Mall or shopping in Pentagon City. The house also have maps, brochure on DC and guides on travelling in DC or Alexandria.


Finally reach host house. Classic rite?

The kitchen. Breakfast cereals are provided at the top of the fridge.

If you want to cook, you can use the cooker as well.

Very comfy bed.

With Netflix and Roku.

*Please let me know if you would like to book this home stay :-)

Amsterdam river cruise by Reederij P.Kooij

A visit to Amsterdam must have at least try their river cruise tour. The tour is very informative with the guide describing every item that the boat pass by. The tour last for 1 hour and cost EUR 9 for adult and EUR 5.5 for children up to 12 years old. Discover Amsterdam from the water. In a canal boat, you can tour Amsterdam's beautiful canals, exploring the best sights Amsterdam has to offer. Since Amsterdam is surrounded by water, its best to discover Amsterdam via river cruise. No advance booking needed. The boat departs every 30 minutes and you just need to purchase ticket on the spot.


This is where you can take the river cruise.

My river cruise ticket.

Historical buildings near canals.

Amsterdam is among the most bicycle friendly city.


Nice to see beautiful Dutch style building and architecture. Most of the houses here have their own boat.

There are thousands of bridges in Amsterdam.

Beautiful sight with fresh air.

Look at how near the cars park beside the canal. Every year, there are quite a number of cases that car falls into the canal!

There is floating Chinese restaurant.

GPS:52.369,4.892654
Address: Rokin 125, 1012 KK Binnenstad, Netherlands
Public transport: Spui tram station.

Delicious herring in Amsterdam

Famous Dutch brined herring is delicious if you like seafood. It is raw herring from the North Sea catches end of spring. The herring has been cleaned, the head is removed and it is conserved in a special way with salt. The "Hollandse Nieuwe" is typically eaten with raw onions and pickles. The Dutch way of eating it: first picking it up by the tail and then letting it slide into your mouth gradually.
Or eat your herring on a sandwich, it's called a "Broodje Haring", meaning "Herring Sandwich". All these fine fish delicacies can be bought at an Dutch street-side herring fish stall. You can get it just around everywhere in Amsterdam. But you will have more selection if you go to Albert Cuyp market.

Taste:9/10(Delicious. The fish is soft and the saltiness is just nice. Great taste when mixed with onion and pickles).
Price:6/10(Moderate. The meal will only cost you around 3 Euros).

Delicious herring from Albert Cuyp market.

Wow, that's good.

One of the herring stall near flower market.

Can't resist of having second herring meal. Its so good. Take this to the airport as my last meal in Amsterdam!

GPS:52.355421,4.892987

Address:

Albert Cuypstraat 67 /HS

1072 CN Amsterdam, Netherlands

020 201 8800

Public transport:

Tram 4-25 > Stadhouderskade

Tram 16-24 > Albert Cuypstraat 

Tram 3 > 2e Van der Helststraat