DAY 2148-2160

Jul 21 - Aug 2

1) After just over a year of preparation, I am finally here in the UK - wide-eyed and ready to begin my training as a Foundation Year 1 doctor. The last few days in Malaysia were quite stressful, as I had so much to pack and so little time to say goodbye to everyone. In hindsight, I really underestimated the work that is required in order to relocate to another country. To everyone whom I did not manage to meet up with, I do apologise but will try my best to do so when I return for holiday.

2) The flight to the UK was relatively smooth. I boarded Etihad Airlines (which had a stop over at Abu Dhabi) and even bumped into my good friend Mariss who was on the same flight! It was really a pleasant surprise as I thought I would be the last person to leave for UK, given that all my other friends had arrived already. On arrival, I found no indications of a heatwave - the temperature was a balmy 15°C and it rained for the next two days. Luckily I had an umbrella with me then...

3) The next couple of days, I had to sort out my bank account and British Residence Permit (BRP). Unfortunately, while I had my Lloyds card, I had forgotten my password and had to reset everything and order a new card. It also meant that I could not update my phone number and address, as I needed a valid BRP to do so. And when I went to the post-office (in Wolstanton) to collect my BRP, the staff told me there was a delay and asked me to come back next week. Obviously I wasn't too happy to hear that.

4) Bank and ID problems aside, everything else has been relatively smooth sailing. I love my new accommodation - a 15-minute walk away from the hospital (Royal Stoke University Hospital). Last week, we had an induction for all new incoming junior doctors, followed by three days of shadowing in the wards. I'm starting off in gastroenterology, followed by trauma & orthopaedic surgery, and then emergency medicine. It definitely takes some getting used to, as the hospital uses a lot of electronic systems that I am unfamiliar with, but I suppose that explains the need for an induction and shadowing period. 

5) I've taken loads of pictures along the way, so just click the link below and scroll down if you're interested. Thanks very much for visiting my blog as always, and have a great week ahead. Take care and stay safe, cheers!

Royal Stoke University Hospital - my workplace for the next two years

Beyond excited (and nervous!) to officially begin my journey as a Foundation Year 1 doctor :)

Last day in Malaysia before boarding the plane to Manchester - gotta have something special for breakfast

My favourite curry rice at Woolley Food City

Saying goodbye to the dog my dad and I normally pass by during our morning jog

A very happy and contented cat

Goodbye grandpa - I'll see you soon!

Very grateful to my cousin for giving us a lift <3

Till next holiday dad

Love you loads mom

Thanks Pei Ying for coming along!

So this is it - farewell Malaysia (for the next two years anyway)!

What a coincidence to bump into a fellow RUMC graduate - my good friend Mariss!

Sleep-deprived us struggling to stay awake to board the next plane 

(this was taken at a stop over in Abu Dhabi)

The stewardess referred to this as Arabian eggs - it was absolutely amazing!

Bought two study tables and a study lamp at B&M - need to get my essentials before starting work

Stoke-On-Trent Railway Station - on my way to London today for an ID check with the General Medical Council (GMC)

Lovely morning today

And here comes the train (the one on the far right)

Finished my appointment with the GMC - successfully obtained provisional registration :)

350 Euston Road is their headquarters

Beautiful mural on my way to lunch

The Palace Theatre, London

Lunch today at Hawksmoor Seven Dials

The look on my face says it all - excited to try their award-winning steak which was recently ranked as the "best steak in the world"!

Surprise surprise - met up with my good friend Sai here! (okay we planned for this)

I got the sirloin well done, while Sai got his rib eye medium rare :)

There's always room for dessert!

Dark chocolate and salted caramel gelato combo - at Gelupo

Was really fun catching up with you bro

Clinical Education Centre - first day of induction as the new junior doctors

The best choice indeed!

Yet another happy and contented cat!

Furama Palace - time for some Chinese food today

Beef fried hor fun was huge in flavour

With my new friend and fellow colleague in the same department, Dr. Clarence

Beautiful flowers on the way back from collecting my BRP card

DAY 621

May 15

1) Onto our second day in Lisbon. Woke up bright and early, before boarding the train to Sintra - considered part of the Portuguese Riviera, and another registered UNESCO World Heritage Site. We had breakfast at Cynthia Snack Bar, before taking the bus all the way up to our first stop - Palácio da Pena (Pena Palace). Known as one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal, the castle stands on the top of a hill in the Sintra Mountains, and constitutes one of the major expressions of 19th century Romanticism in the modern world.

2) We then walked to The Castle of the Moors - a hilltop medieval castle built by the Moors in the 8th or 9th centuries, as an important strategic point during the Reconquista. Its location on top of a hill afforded a beautiful panoramic view of the municipality of Sintra. We finished our morning trek by taking the bus down to Palácio Nacional de Cintra (Palace of Sintra), a present day historic house museum. We stopped by Casa Piriquita, as famous for its travesseiros (puff pastry with almond cream filling) as Pasteis de Bélem would be for its pastel de nata. The taste is simply indescribable - one should experience it first hand XD

3) Afterwards, we walked down to the train station to return to Lisbon. My dad had found a hidden gem for us to have lunch (Ristorante Zé da Mouraria) - one that is privy only to locals - somewhere in Praca Martim Moniz. We had huge portions of salt and pepper ribs, accompanied by beans and rice, chips, and salad. It was a huge and filling meal after a tiring day's walk. But our day was not complete yet. Our next stop after lunch was Castelo de São Jorge (São Jorge Castle), another Moorish castle occupying a commanding hilltop, but overlooking the city of Lisbon and the River Tagus.

4) After taking our fair share of photos, we proceeded to Lisbon Cathedral - the oldest church in the city, which began construction in the year 1147. Along the way, we stopped by Miradouro de Santa Luzia - famous for its romantic terraces against a backdrop of houses, churches, and the River Tagus. As evening was fast approaching, we hurriedly took a ferry across the River Tagus, with the intention of visiting Cristo Rei (Sanctuary of Christ the King), which was inspired by the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Unfortunately, admission had closed by then, so we could only take pictures from the outside. Upon returning back to the mainland, it was time to walk back to our accommodation, capping yet another (extremely) tiring yet enjoyable day. But not before we had savoured the gelato at Amorino, located along Rua Augusto. One medium-sized cone was enough to melt all the fatigue away!

5) That's all my tired fingers can type for this blog update - thanks very much for visiting my blog, and have a lovely day ahead. Cheers! :))

P.S. As usual, a lot of photos so do enjoy... <3

Restaurante Zé da Mouraria - where we had a fantabulous lunch after a hard day's walk! ^^

Amorino Gelato, at Rua Augusta ^^

Beautiful gelato (in the shape of flower petals) :0

Our ferry back to Lisbon

Submarine!

River Tagus

Sanctuary of Christ the King

(Cristo Rei)

Sadly we couldn't go in...

On the ferry to cross the River Tagus

Lisbon Cathedral 

(a.k.a. Sé)

Beautiful view of Lisbon rooftops

Miradouro de Santa Luzia

(we passed by as we were walking towards Lisbon Cathedral)

My dad posing at the São Jorge Castle

That's how high up he actually was XD

View atop São Jorge Castle

I really like this photo ^^

 Portugal flag on the right,

Lisbon flag on the left :)

With my dad, my hero :)

Still São Jorge Castle

Slightly white-out selfie XD

The food here was delicious, but absolutely HUGE!

Just look at the size of those plates and crockery!

That's two portions of ribs!

With two portions of baked beans and rice, with chips

Coca Cola - the best way to rehydrate after a long day's trip

(unashamedly advertising for them)

Palace of Sintra

 Travesseiros from Casa Piriquita - magnifico! :)

Palace of Sintra

Small magnum while waiting for the bus to take us down (from Castle of the Moors)

Torre Real (Royal Tower)

At Castle of the Moors :D

View from Pena Palace

I have no idea why we all opted for this pose XD

The Romanticist architecture of Pena Palace was really quite striking!

I wonder what the wooden block serves as - 

other than for people to pose with for photos XD

Mouth watering breakfast upon arriving at Sintra Station :)

(Going to board the 9.15am bus soon) 

Quiche, ham and cheese sandwich, and what I think is an enlarged version of pastel de nata

(accompanied by two cappuccinos and a tea)