So Euro 2016 is into the Round of 16 right now, and yes! England made it!
Obviously I'm supporting England, seeing as I'm half-English and all, so for this week's #hitzEscape, I decided to take it all the way back home!
If you've been joining me on air (if you haven't, why not??), you might've heard me make mom give us 5 random facts about England. I wish I could attach the audio, but I can't so.. here they are!
- England is the only country in Europe that doesn't use the Euro; we still use the pound. (Yes, now that Brexit has happened, this would be a given)
- In England, "dinner" can mean both lunch and tea.
- People always greet you with a comment about the weather, eg: "Lovely weather today!" or "Awful weather we're having".
- We drink more tea in England than anywhere else - the stereotype is true!
- The English are football mad - Go Three Lions!
Transport
Getting around in England is a breeze: you have the iconic double-decker buses, the trademark black taxi cabs, and if you wanna travel to France for the Euros? Just hop on the Eurostar line for a two-hour train ride, which includes 20 mins in the Chunnel, aka the train tunnel that runs underneath the English channel, connecting London & Paris.
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| Ignore the watermarks - this is the nearest photo to my mom's Sunday Roast I could find *yum* |
Food
The Brits love their Sunday roast (roasted meat, roasted potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, stuffing, vege & gravy), a traditional Sunday lunch. We also have an incomparable love for fish & chips (eaten out of a newspaper), shepard's pie & a super spicy Indian curry. Strawberries & cream or apple crumble are the dessert of choice.
England also has weird names for their food: ever heard of Toad in the Hole (sausages in Yorkshire pudding), Stargazing pie (pie with fish heads poking out of the top), chip butty (chips on buttered bread), or my fave, bubble & squeak (fried leftover mashed potato & vege)? Trust me, there are more where those came from haha!
Accents
Just by taking a short 20 minute train ride, you could be lost for words: check out this video as an example, 'nuff said:
Did you get any of that? Didn't think so! =P
Do you have any interesting English facts? Drop me a comment!
Don't forget to follow me on Instagram @CalistaLeahLiew & Snapchat @CalistaLeah;
And join me on the hitz Playlist every weekday 10am - 1pm on
hitz fm Sabah 100.8 in Kota Kinabalu & 99.8 in Sandakan!
*Daily #hitzEscape tips at 12pm
So hit subscribe, and Bob's your uncle! (Sorry, just had to)
Love always,
Calista xx
Whether you're a football fan or not, I doubt you've been able to escape hearing that Euro 2016 is currently happening, and it's being hosted in France this year! So what better reason, than to take our wanderlust there?
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| French Alps |
2. Travelling to France for Euro 2016? Make sure you know the law!
- Planning to go for a swim? Only Speedos allowed – if you wear baggy Bermuda shorts, sure kena saman!
- People are not allowed to kiss at railway stations, because it may delay departures.
- No elephants on the beach, so leave Ellie at home!
- No dying in Cugnaux unless you have a family vault there
- No UFOS are permitted to land in the vineyards of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, so if Independence Day: Resurgence becomes a reality, I’m moving there!
3. French food facts:
- Potatoes were illegal in France from 1748 - 1772. Like, I literally would not have survived - pass the 'taters!
- The French love cooking so much, that an average of 2 cookbooks are published every single day.
- Special French dishes include: escargot (snails), foie gras (fatty duck liver), and black perigord truffle.
- There is a coffee shop in France where not saying hello & please will actually make your coffee more expensive!
Don't forget to follow me on Instagram @CalistaLeahLiew & Snapchat @CalistaLeah;
And join me on the Hitz Playlist every weekday 10am - 1pm on hitz fm Sabah
100.8 in Kota Kinabalu & 99.8 in Sandakan!
*Daily #HitzEscape tips every day at 12pm
Je'taime, copains!
Love always,
Calista xx
Ramadan Facts:
1. Best thing about Ramadan? The Ramadan Bazaars! There are so many in KK, almost every area will have their own. Which ones are your favourite? I like the one in Asia City, and I heard the one in the army base in Lok Kawi is pretty good too!
2. If you're not Muslim, what's the best way to enjoy Ramadan with your Muslim friends? Well, you could always take turns going out to the Ramadan bazaars and bringing enough back for everyone to buka puasa (break fast)in the office, or even someone's house together!
3. The longest fasting period in the world this year is in Denmark - they will be fasting for 21 hours. In Malaysia we fast for about 12 hours, while the shortest is in Argentina at 9 & 1/2 hours. Wanna challenge yourself? You can also go to Iceland, Sweden or Norway - they're fasting for 20 hours!
4. What's the difference between Ramadan in Malaysia and other places around the world? Nothing much! Probably different kinds of food, but it is pretty much observed the same way in every country, so if you're travelling, rest assured that you won't get too much of a culture shock!
5. If you are travelling this Ramadan, make sure to take it easy. It's completely normal to feel tired faster, and you may have to miss out on some of the experiences as a lot of our travels are about trying new, local food, but if you really can't reschedule your trip, make up for it by visiting the Ramadan bazaars after hours, and take a little break here and there to conserve your energy throughout the day.
Have any tips or fun facts about Ramadan? I'd love to know more, so drop me comment! =) Also, don't forget to follow me on
Instagram @CalistaLeahLiew & Snapchat @CalistaLeah;
And join me on the Hitz Playlist every weekday 10am - 1pm on hitz fm Sabah
100.8 in Kota Kinabalu & 99.8 in Sandakan!
*Daily #HitzEscape tips every day at 12pm
Ramadan Mubarak to all my Muslim friends!
Love always,
Calista xx
The internet has been on fire after the death of Harambe, Cincinnati Zoo's beloved 450lb male gorilla who was killed recently after a child fell into his moat. The truth of the matter is, such tragedies happen more often than we realise, and mostly by the hands of man.
Fortunately, there are also human beings who care so much for wildlife, that they have dedicated their whole life into protecting it. Here's how you can get close to Sabah's wildlife in a more ethical way:
1. Orangutans: Sepilok Orangutan Rehabiliation Centre is a great way to see the orangutans in a natural habitat. The centre rehabiliates orphaned, injured or displaced orangutans, and finally releases them into the virgin jungles of Sabah once they are ready. You can visit Sepilok on the way to Sandakan.
2. Turtles: The Turtle Island Park, or Selinggan Island, is located 40km away from Sandakan, in the Sulu Sea. Protecting the nesting of endangered turtles, the island also has a hatchery for green turtles and small hawksbills. As turtles only lay eggs after dark, it's recommended to stay overnight. Pristine white sand & the clear blue sea make it all worthwhile!
3. Elephants: Sabah is home to the Borneo Pygmy elephants - the smallest elephant species in the world! Elephants are my absolute favourite animal in the world, and they roam freely around the Kinabatangan river. Take a river cruise or go on a hike, and you might just come across them crossing the river; or the road! A friend was driving from KK to Tawau via the new Keningau road, and actually caught a glimpse of them before they disappeared into the jungle!
What are your favourite animals? Drop me comment!
Don't forget to follow me on Instagram @CalistaLeahLiew & Snapchat @CalistaLeah;
And join me on the Hitz Playlist every weekday 10am - 1pm on hitz fm Sabah
100.8 in Kota Kinabalu & 99.8 in Sandakan! *Daily #HitzEscape tips every day at 12pm
Love always,
Calista xx
Fortunately, there are also human beings who care so much for wildlife, that they have dedicated their whole life into protecting it. Here's how you can get close to Sabah's wildlife in a more ethical way:
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| Sepilok |
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| The hatchery at Pulau Selinggan PC: Tourism Malaysia |
3. Elephants: Sabah is home to the Borneo Pygmy elephants - the smallest elephant species in the world! Elephants are my absolute favourite animal in the world, and they roam freely around the Kinabatangan river. Take a river cruise or go on a hike, and you might just come across them crossing the river; or the road! A friend was driving from KK to Tawau via the new Keningau road, and actually caught a glimpse of them before they disappeared into the jungle!
What are your favourite animals? Drop me comment!
Don't forget to follow me on Instagram @CalistaLeahLiew & Snapchat @CalistaLeah;
And join me on the Hitz Playlist every weekday 10am - 1pm on hitz fm Sabah
100.8 in Kota Kinabalu & 99.8 in Sandakan! *Daily #HitzEscape tips every day at 12pm
Love always,
Calista xx
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