Commonwealth of Nations

The Commonwealth of Nations, is a group of 56 countries, most of which used to be part of the British Empire. It started in 1949 to help these countries work together on things like trade, education, and human rights, while keeping their own governments and cultures.

Malaysia became a member of the Commonwealth in 1957, the same year it gained independence from Britain. This was an important moment, as it meant Malaysia could make its own decisions and was no longer under British rule. Since joining, Malaysia has stayed active in the Commonwealth and participates in events like the Commonwealth Games.

Malaysia is a diverse country with Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous communities, resulting in a rich mix of cultures, languages, traditions and gastronomy. While Malay is the official language, English is widely spoken, and many people also speak Mandarin, Tamil, and local dialects. It has some of the oldest tropical rainforests in the world and is rich in wildlife, with unique species like the Malayan tiger.

Commonwealth Games in Malaysia

Malaysia became a member of the Commonwealth in 1957, the same year it gained independence from Britain. It first participated in the Commonwealth Games in 1966, held in Kingston, Jamaica, where it achieved an impressive total of 5 medals. Since its debut in the Games, Malaysia has taken part in every Commonwealth Games except for the 1986 edition in Edinburgh, Scotland.

In each Commonwealth Games, Malaysia has managed to win medals, specially on badminton, a sport where they have  achieved many success over the years. However, their most significant success came in 1998 in Kuala Lumpur, which became the first Asian city to host the Commonwealth Games. That year, Malaysia won a record number of gold and silver medals, making history in the country’s sports. During the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Malaysia earned 6 gold medals in total: three in badminton, one in diving, one in squash, and one in weightlifting.

Sydney Opera House

The Opera House is world-famous performing arts center located in Sydney. It attracts millions of visitors every year for both, its performances and its stunning architectural design. If I went there, I would like to attend a ballet. Concretely, Oscar, a new ballet based on the life and writings of Oscar Wilde. The standard tickets cost between $61 - $352.

The Sydney Opera House is a six-minute walk from Circular Quay, which is regularly served by public buses, trains, and ferries. It has the closest train station, several bus routes, and a ferry terminal with popular destinations like Manly and Taronga Zoo. So you can get there easily.

If I took my entire family on a Sydney Opera House tour, I would have to pay $115. This includes a guided tour that gives interesting information about the building’s history, architecture, and backstage areas. It’s a chance to learn about its cultural importance, making it a fun experience for all ages.

It was designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, but he left the project before it as completed. The australian architectural team headed by Peter Hall finished it. Despite leaving the project, Utzon’s original vision still shaped the final design, helping the Opera House become a masterpiece of modern architecture.

On 28 June 1998 the Sydney Opera House became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This recognition shows its cultural and architectural importance to Australia and the world.

If you have an Opera House membership, you save $5 on parking at the Sydney Opera House car park. The standard parking fee is typically $30.

SHOP RECOMMENDATION

I usually go shopping in Bilbao, so when I went to Sydney my first stop was the Queen Victoria Building, a beautiful building with a sopphing centre inside. There are many shops and I bought many things but the shop I loved most was Pandora.

Pandora is a well-known store in Europe, and I've loved it ever since my grandfather gave me a bracelet two Christmases ago. Since then, it has become my favorite shop. Every time I travel, I buy a new charm to add to my bracelet. Each charm represents a memory from the places I’ve visited, and it feels like I’m carrying my experiences with me everywhere I go.

In Sydney, I bought two charms: one is a little koala holding a surf board with the Australian flag on it and the other features the iconic Sydney Opera House.I highly recommend that everyone visiting this shopping centre buy a charm or a piece of jewelry as a nice reminder of their time in Australia. It’s also a great gift idea for someone special.

https://www.qvb.com.au/stores/pandora

Selena Gomez Podcast

I have always admired Selena Gomez, so in this podcast, I will tell you what she has done and achieved during her life. From her early days as a child actress to her successful music career, Selena has continuously inspired many with her kindness. I hope you enjoy listening to her story!

https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/haizeacalvo08podcast/episodes/2024-10-07T14_17_14-07_00