Saturday, August 13, 2005

Cadbury World and Safari Park

This is another old post that I've postponed posting for so long. Ehhhh... it rhymes!! hehehhe...
So before Saturday comes (which is in 4 hours time), I'd better finish up this post.

We went to Cadbury World at Bournville, Birmingham last Saturday. Reached there at noon. Mak datukkk... punya la ramai manusia!!! People came by the bus loads. We queued to get our tickets but were baffled as to which line were we supposed to be in. Each line has the word 'reserved' on it. Since we were 'walk ins', we queued in the 'Non-reserved line'. Then B turned to me

"Eh Aling... look there"

"Where?"

"Up there la to that sign" and he pointed to me to one white signboard

"Alamak!!! 3.30 baru boleh masuk tengok kilang ke? Nak buat apa tunggu 3 jam ni??"

Yes people. If you ever decide to visit Cadbury World on a Saturday or make it any other day during the school holidays, PLEASE reserve your tickets by calling them or booking online. Kalau tak, kena macam kami. Tak jadi nak masuk kilang dia. Cancel terus. Instead, we went to the factory shop located opposite the ticket counter and bought loads and loads of chocolate at discounted price.

Kilang Cadbury yang tak lawa and agak ancient

Since we opted not to go for the factory tour and exhibition, we decided to let Zareef play at Cadbury Land (fancy name for a playground).


Excuse me, you're in my way...


New girlfriend ke Zareef?

I was quite disappointed since I was the one who badly wanted to visit Cadbury World coz chocolate is my passion. Then a friend called and asked if we wanted to go to the Midlands Safari Park in Kidderminster, Birmingham. B said, yeah... why not. It's not like we're going anywhere pun.

So, after navigating through endless jalan kampung, we reached the place. We were allowed to drive in our own car.

The rhinos who were about to tanduk us. They are sooooo huge in real life and up close!

Never ever go to a safari during a scorching hot summer's day. You'll die in the car if it doesn't have air-cond because you have to close all windows and sunroof when you enter the tiger's and lion's den.


An unexpected visitor, the llama. He was extra friendly to Zareef. hehehheh

We're going to Evesham, Birmingham (again!) tomorrow to do some apple, pear and plum picking. Will do a story and post pictures later ya. Have a good weekend, peeps!!


Tuesday, August 09, 2005

Robin Hood Festival

This was supposed to go up last week but me being the lazy bugger, procrastinated until friends started to bug me with "Weiii... bila kau nak update??" Alamak... nak kena update selalu ke??
But to not disappoint them, I'm posting this. We went to Sherwood Forest to get a feel and taste of the Robin Hood Festival. It was only held for a week. At the first glimpse of sunshine, I dragged B and Zareef here. (Seriously, summer in UK is not all sunshine and clear blue skies. This was the first after a week and a half of miserable, gloomy and wet summer).
We did get a feel of being in the Robin Hood era what with people marching up and down the forest in medieaval costumes, old hags loooking like witches, one fat man looked like he has just lost a battle with Robin himself (he was sitting down all huffed and puffed wearing a suit of armor), the old and young trying their skills in archery sword fighting and weirdly, a van selling ice-creams. But I didn't get to meet the infamous Robin. Where art thou??
We, however, didn't get the chance to taste the food of the forest simply because we can't eat them. Luckily, Mummy dearest had the foresight to cook char kuew tiaw the day before and we then sat down under one of the huge trees for a picnic while Zareef went about trying to discover everything.
Here are some pixs... Enjoy!!!
The entrance of Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood's Country.

The mighty old Major Oak tree. It's so old and huge that it has to be supported with poles and ropes.


Folks performing some old dance. Quite a bore, actually...

Wait Daddy... I can't see the chicks!!!


Zareef taking a breather. He has bountiful of energy I tell you. He doesn't even looked winded after running up and down the jungle trail.


The way they were back then.