https://www.zerotohundred.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/263350_10150738810575352_902185351_20152254_4858721_n.jpg
Ever wished that your family or the in laws are car lovers? Well, there is definitely such thing, just perhaps not a frequent thing in Malaysia. Introducing the Patsinakis family, a true enthusiast family, where the whole family would be driving a selection of old Volkswagen.
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/s720x720/284358_10150738788515352_902185351_20151626_3318505_n.jpg
View of the city of Lyon, from the top of the hill where the Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière is situated
I was recently invited by their daughter, Melanie to drop by Lyon for a visit and to stay at their house for dinner. I accepted the invitation and made my way from Zurich to Lyon during my European backpacking trip.
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/s720x720/281395_10150738787135352_902185351_20151597_6292902_n.jpg
When I arrived, her parents came to welcome me at the Gare de la Part-Dieu (Main train station in Lyon). They took my luggage back to their house, while I hung out with their daughter around Lyon. Lyon is a beautiful city in France, where it is known for their excellent cuisine and a scenic point, where two great rivers, Rhone and Saone meets. It also serves as the second most important economic and exhibition place in France. It is also home to the Interpol, the global police organisation.
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/281897_10150738789820352_902185351_20151669_3959629_n.jpg
I took a funicular train ride to reach the first stop of our destination, where on top of the hill, the Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière is situated. The location provides almost 180 degrees view of the city of Lyon. The view, overlooking the city of Lyon, was simply breathtaking and memorable.
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/s720x720/185364_10150738792685352_902185351_20151737_6165182_n.jpg
We walked down the steps from the Basilica towards the city of Lyon and walked around the city areas of Lyon. We stopped by and took photos of a few important landmarks, including the city hall right in the middle of Lyon.
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/185505_10150738797850352_902185351_20151888_4786464_n.jpg
We met up with another friend, Sharleen and had a stop for a drink. We talked and got to know each other better. It was great having friends in another country, they could show you places you would not usually see, plus they are away from the usual tourist traps.
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/s720x720/215038_10150738802550352_902185351_20152045_7260328_n.jpg
Here is a photo of the Rhone river in the background, with Sharleen standing right in front of it. The river is so calm and bluish, not like the sort of river you can find in Malaysia, where Klang River is so polluted and a shame to mention it to tourists who come visit our country.
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/215011_10150738805355352_902185351_20152119_7196532_n.jpg
The day ended when we managed to walked for hours around the city of Lyon. As it was almost the evening, we had to part ways with Sharleen, as she has to go to work. We made our journey back to Melanie's house, where her parents await us with proper Lyon dinner.
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/s720x720/262864_10150738806765352_902185351_20152152_5695157_n.jpg
After taking a metro train from the city center to her house, which is located about 30 minutes away by train, I was given a surprise when her parents come pick us up in their Volkswagen Type 181 "Kurierwagen" which is a 4 door convertible military buggy-like vehicle. It runs on the ever popular VW 1.6 litre boxer engine, where it powers everything most VW, like the Beetle, Combi Van and other equivalents.
VW Type 181 cruise - YouTube
As we made our journey there, I video recorded our journey using my Sony NEX-5 cam on the roads we passed. Her father stopped his VW by the side on the road and offered me if I wanted to drive the car. I was delighted that her father was willing to let me drive his prized vehicle. According to Melanie, he never lets anyone else to take the wheel of the car, except his brother, so I was definitely privileged to be at the wheel of this iconic vehicle. I was able to cruise slowly around the countryside area of Lyon. The views were simply breathtaking. I totally understood the desire of a convertible ride, especially driving through the breathtaking views in France. This is something not every Malaysian motorist gets to experience.
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/s720x720/228830_10150749417380352_902185351_20292175_386576_n.jpg
The night sets in. Melanie's parents cooked up a storm for me. I was surprised on the generosity of one dinner. I managed to sample awesome food, inclusive of foie gras (goose liver), one of the well known French delicacies around. The bottle of Pinot Gris white wine was absolutely tasty in its own kind. For those wine connoisseurs, this wine is sweet and nice on the throat. Definitely some quality wine served. They also served me some mash potatoes with cheese. I realised, I had the best food around Europe, in someone's house, that's just amazing!
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/223772_10150738807870352_902185351_20152181_2795545_n.jpg
I finished dinner and went to sleep with a heavy tummy. I woke up the next morning, packed up ready to make my move to Paris, my next and final destination prior to flying back to Malaysia. Before I went off, her parents showed me their car collection. His father shows me the first generation VW Golf GTi MK1, where it was the original that started it all, right before the Mk5 and Mk6 craze. He intends to restore this vehicle for his daughter, Melanie.
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/s720x720/285152_10150738808355352_902185351_20152196_463840_n.jpg
Here is mom's car. Her choice of ride is the VW Beetle convertible. While normal Beetles are common on our Malaysian road, the convertible Beetle is not, where it is made from the factory, not custom modified like most you find in Malaysia.
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/s720x720/281245_10150738809765352_902185351_20152232_8023297_n.jpg
Last but not least, Melanie's father allowed me to take photos of the insides and outsides of his beloved car. This is the first time I was able to admire the almost pristine condition of the car. Everything was intact and in place. This is definitely something a car collector would do, having their car condition preserved to the best they can.
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/216777_10150738810035352_902185351_20152237_4325940_n.jpg
Rear benches
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/s720x720/226078_10150738810255352_902185351_20152242_1448492_n.jpg
The boxer engine!
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/s720x720/267247_10150738811040352_902185351_20152269_3420870_n.jpg
Spare tire compartment in the front.
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/250379_10150738811360352_902185351_20152277_1796534_n.jpg
As my day draws to an end in Lyon, I am beginning to miss the Patsinakis family. The only thing missing from the photos, is the brother's VW Combi Van. It is the last missing piece to the puzzle, but I get to sit on one in Malaysia anyways. Nothing can replace my experience I had in words, on how awesome my time hanging out with them in Lyon. I certainly hope one day, my car project finishes and I will get to enjoy the same joy as time goes by. My last enjoyment for the day, was a 320 km/h train ride on the TGV between Paris and Lyon, that was simply breathtaking! The only thing faster was the Shinkansen N700 train that I've ridden from Osaka to Kyoto. Thanks for reading!
Ever wished that your family or the in laws are car lovers? Well, there is definitely such thing, just perhaps not a frequent thing in Malaysia. Introducing the Patsinakis family, a true enthusiast family, where the whole family would be driving a selection of old Volkswagen.
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/s720x720/284358_10150738788515352_902185351_20151626_3318505_n.jpg
View of the city of Lyon, from the top of the hill where the Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière is situated
I was recently invited by their daughter, Melanie to drop by Lyon for a visit and to stay at their house for dinner. I accepted the invitation and made my way from Zurich to Lyon during my European backpacking trip.
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/s720x720/281395_10150738787135352_902185351_20151597_6292902_n.jpg
When I arrived, her parents came to welcome me at the Gare de la Part-Dieu (Main train station in Lyon). They took my luggage back to their house, while I hung out with their daughter around Lyon. Lyon is a beautiful city in France, where it is known for their excellent cuisine and a scenic point, where two great rivers, Rhone and Saone meets. It also serves as the second most important economic and exhibition place in France. It is also home to the Interpol, the global police organisation.
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/281897_10150738789820352_902185351_20151669_3959629_n.jpg
I took a funicular train ride to reach the first stop of our destination, where on top of the hill, the Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière is situated. The location provides almost 180 degrees view of the city of Lyon. The view, overlooking the city of Lyon, was simply breathtaking and memorable.
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/s720x720/185364_10150738792685352_902185351_20151737_6165182_n.jpg
We walked down the steps from the Basilica towards the city of Lyon and walked around the city areas of Lyon. We stopped by and took photos of a few important landmarks, including the city hall right in the middle of Lyon.
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/185505_10150738797850352_902185351_20151888_4786464_n.jpg
We met up with another friend, Sharleen and had a stop for a drink. We talked and got to know each other better. It was great having friends in another country, they could show you places you would not usually see, plus they are away from the usual tourist traps.
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/s720x720/215038_10150738802550352_902185351_20152045_7260328_n.jpg
Here is a photo of the Rhone river in the background, with Sharleen standing right in front of it. The river is so calm and bluish, not like the sort of river you can find in Malaysia, where Klang River is so polluted and a shame to mention it to tourists who come visit our country.
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/215011_10150738805355352_902185351_20152119_7196532_n.jpg
The day ended when we managed to walked for hours around the city of Lyon. As it was almost the evening, we had to part ways with Sharleen, as she has to go to work. We made our journey back to Melanie's house, where her parents await us with proper Lyon dinner.
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/s720x720/262864_10150738806765352_902185351_20152152_5695157_n.jpg
After taking a metro train from the city center to her house, which is located about 30 minutes away by train, I was given a surprise when her parents come pick us up in their Volkswagen Type 181 "Kurierwagen" which is a 4 door convertible military buggy-like vehicle. It runs on the ever popular VW 1.6 litre boxer engine, where it powers everything most VW, like the Beetle, Combi Van and other equivalents.
VW Type 181 cruise - YouTube
As we made our journey there, I video recorded our journey using my Sony NEX-5 cam on the roads we passed. Her father stopped his VW by the side on the road and offered me if I wanted to drive the car. I was delighted that her father was willing to let me drive his prized vehicle. According to Melanie, he never lets anyone else to take the wheel of the car, except his brother, so I was definitely privileged to be at the wheel of this iconic vehicle. I was able to cruise slowly around the countryside area of Lyon. The views were simply breathtaking. I totally understood the desire of a convertible ride, especially driving through the breathtaking views in France. This is something not every Malaysian motorist gets to experience.
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/s720x720/228830_10150749417380352_902185351_20292175_386576_n.jpg
The night sets in. Melanie's parents cooked up a storm for me. I was surprised on the generosity of one dinner. I managed to sample awesome food, inclusive of foie gras (goose liver), one of the well known French delicacies around. The bottle of Pinot Gris white wine was absolutely tasty in its own kind. For those wine connoisseurs, this wine is sweet and nice on the throat. Definitely some quality wine served. They also served me some mash potatoes with cheese. I realised, I had the best food around Europe, in someone's house, that's just amazing!
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/223772_10150738807870352_902185351_20152181_2795545_n.jpg
I finished dinner and went to sleep with a heavy tummy. I woke up the next morning, packed up ready to make my move to Paris, my next and final destination prior to flying back to Malaysia. Before I went off, her parents showed me their car collection. His father shows me the first generation VW Golf GTi MK1, where it was the original that started it all, right before the Mk5 and Mk6 craze. He intends to restore this vehicle for his daughter, Melanie.
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/s720x720/285152_10150738808355352_902185351_20152196_463840_n.jpg
Here is mom's car. Her choice of ride is the VW Beetle convertible. While normal Beetles are common on our Malaysian road, the convertible Beetle is not, where it is made from the factory, not custom modified like most you find in Malaysia.
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/s720x720/281245_10150738809765352_902185351_20152232_8023297_n.jpg
Last but not least, Melanie's father allowed me to take photos of the insides and outsides of his beloved car. This is the first time I was able to admire the almost pristine condition of the car. Everything was intact and in place. This is definitely something a car collector would do, having their car condition preserved to the best they can.
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/216777_10150738810035352_902185351_20152237_4325940_n.jpg
Rear benches
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/s720x720/226078_10150738810255352_902185351_20152242_1448492_n.jpg
The boxer engine!
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/s720x720/267247_10150738811040352_902185351_20152269_3420870_n.jpg
Spare tire compartment in the front.
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/250379_10150738811360352_902185351_20152277_1796534_n.jpg
As my day draws to an end in Lyon, I am beginning to miss the Patsinakis family. The only thing missing from the photos, is the brother's VW Combi Van. It is the last missing piece to the puzzle, but I get to sit on one in Malaysia anyways. Nothing can replace my experience I had in words, on how awesome my time hanging out with them in Lyon. I certainly hope one day, my car project finishes and I will get to enjoy the same joy as time goes by. My last enjoyment for the day, was a 320 km/h train ride on the TGV between Paris and Lyon, that was simply breathtaking! The only thing faster was the Shinkansen N700 train that I've ridden from Osaka to Kyoto. Thanks for reading!
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