Pasar Baru, Bandung, Java Island, Indonesia

Your visit to Bandung, Indonesia is not complete if you not visit Pasar Baru.
Pasat Baru or "New Market" is literally a centre of everything you could buy from Bandung.
Located at the heart of Bandung city, Pasar Baru is easily accessible by taxi, mini bus as well as trishaw.

Pasar Baru had 7th floor shpping areas. Opening time is between 8am to 5pm only. There is also a number of money changer operated inside the building

But to get a good bargain, you must knew the trick and you have some volume to justified your offer.
As a simple rule, the start of the bargaining is 1/3 of the price and you could easily achieved 3/4 from the offered price. But it can drop as low as 40% if you buy in bulk.

Popular item including leather product, imitation goods, silk and clothing.

As reminded by my driver, always wear your backpack on the front. Don't put your wallet at the back of your pants. Be extra careful if you shopping outside the mall areas.

Bon Appetite at Toronto, Canada

Finding Halal food is not a problem in Toronto. There is a plenty of Arabic food outlet such as Mediterranean, Babooz and Medina.

Most of the Arabic restaurants are located along Gerard street near the Eaton Chelsea hotel. Fortunately most of the food court in the large shopping mall such as at Toronto Premium Outlet and Eaton Centre have at least one halal food outlets.

Alternatively you can also choose seafood restaurant such as the red lobster or Indian vegetarian food. But I feel that the Indian vegetarian food the taste had been modified to suit westerners taste buds. It is not as spicy as in Malaysia. Seafood on the other hand the taste is great and the portion is a lot bigger for Asian.

Bon appetite!!!

Toronto Premium Outlet, Toronto, Canada

If you want to buy North American brand such as Levis and Fossil (honestly I am not in shopping), Toronto Premium Outlet is the best place to buy those item. From my observation, it is 50 percent cheaper here than at Eaton Centre. But be prepared to buy more than a single item as normally huge discount was given if you buy in pair.

The location is about 45 minute drive from Union station. I took transfer package from  http://www.kingtours.ca/ which cost me about CAD30. They will pickup you at the hotel on the morning and than pick up again at the main entrance.

Getting halal food is not a problem since there is a number of vegetarian options as well as Arabic food by Villa Madina. Happy shopping!!!

Eaton Chelsea Hotel, Toronto, Canada

Eaton Chelsea Hotel is located at the heart of Toronto city. The hotel conveniently located within walking distance to the College Subway station, several restaurant and Eaton Centre shopping mall. You can easily book tour to the Niagara Falls and Toronto Premium Outlets from the concierge.

The hotel's room size is OK for me and the recreational facilities is clean and conveniently located on the top of the hotel. 

Room price starting from CAD149.00. But from my experience CAD196.00 is more easier to get. If you lucky to get the CAD149.00 room, you can add CAD30.00 to upgrade to club room with 2 breakfast.

For more information and to book the hotel please visit http://chelsea.eatonhotels.com/

CN Tower, Toronto, Canada

CN Tower is the tallest structure in Canada. The tower scaled 553.33km. CN tower is a abbreviation of Canadian National Tower. Among activities is glass floor walking, dining out and edge walk. 

By using public transport you can easily reach CN tower via Union Station. The view up there is spectacular. There is also outdoor observation deck. But you may need warm clothing if you visit the tower during fall or winter.

Queuing to buy ticket will be quite long if you arrive late morning during weekend. At the base of the tower, there is a photo shoot session. But it is up to you either to buy or not the photograph. The cost of the souvenir photos is CAD30. It is not cheap but maybe worth it if you rarely have opportunity to visit the tower.

For more info you may visit http://www.cntower.ca/intro.html

Visa Application to Canada from Malaysia

Toronto skyline view from CN Tower

For Malaysian passport holder, you are required to have visa to visit Canada.
Canada have their high commission in Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur.
However visa application need to be done at VSF Global office at Menara MCA, Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur.
The easiest way to go to the Menara MCA is by using LRT Kelana Jaya Line Ampang Park Station.
From the station entrance, turn left and the building is about 50 metres away.
Before you proceed for visa application please ensure the following item had been done.

1) Prepare 2 passport size photograph according to the specification. Please print and give it to your photo printer (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/photospecs-e.pdf)
2) Fill up and print on-line form (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/visa.asp)
If you are not sure how to fill up the form you can fill the form at VSF Global for nominal fee. But please ensure you have all the information including name and address for you close relative (your parents, sibling and children)
3) Prepare Bank draft in Canadian Dollar. It is CAD75 for single entry and CAD150 for multiple entry.
Please confirm with the website and contact number of VSF Global.
(http://www.vfsglobal.ca/canada/malaysia/allaboutvisa.html)
4) To ease the process, you can submit your passport along with visa application.
5) Submit your application to VSF Global at Menara MCA

Processing of the visa may took 13 days. But for business traveler, the proessing time can be shorten if you attached the financial support letter and invitation letter from your Canadian counterpart.