Nature beheld a beautiful vista before us

Once again...1N in KL

2011-10-21T13:37:00.000+08:00

Where : Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Place : KLCC

When : 19 Oct 2011 - 20 Oct 2011

I seems to be going to Kuala Lumpur whenever i have spare time.

When I'm bored and nothing to do here, I go KL. When I have spare TO, I go KL. When i wanna spend more time with a friend, I go KL. When my sibling has nothing to do, I asked them to join me go KL. KL...KL...KL! Here's I am again cos this time I have too many TO to clear.

Last visit to KL was in July this year. Stayed 1N. This time, once again...1N in KL!

I began to love Impiana KLCC, Capitol, Boulevard. Who's with me in the trip and how long I'm staying in KL determines which hotel i'm gonna stay.

This time...Impiana KLCC. Again.

Took 11.40am flight SIN-KUL via T1 Changi Airport to KUL LCCT.

Enjoyed kaya toast before take-off at T1 transit.

Luckily, the flight is empty. I got 17D and my friend a 17C. Its near the aisle. Cool. And it was even more better when the seats beside me were unoccupied and i get to sit at 17A and my friend at 17B. Bestnyer!!!

Reached LCCT 1hr later. Board Aerobus company to ferry us to KL Sentral terminal at RM8/adult. Bus journey; 1hr.

I'm not hungry actually, but since this is yet another makan trip again, and that I love Subway...Subway will be my lunch!

Took Rapid KL, Kelana Jaya LRT line to KLCC. 10-15mins LRT ride. Great! All within 5mins walking distance.

By the time we reached KLCC, its 5mins passed 3pm. Decided to check-in and leave our bags and start shopping!

Check-in was a breeze. Free WIFI at hotel lobby only. By the time we walked out of our hotel it was 10mins before 4pm and its a heavy downpour. The doorman advised us to get an umbrella at RM20 refundable deposit. Good service!

And so we walked...window shopping...shop...and what else? EAT! Had Madam Kwan's for dinner.

Bought few cans and bottled drinks and sushi for supper and breakfast tomorrow. Since there's a fridge in the room, we decided to buy a slice of cake and two cupcakes from BISOU cake located on the same floor as TGV Cinema at KLCC. I love cupcakes and looking at those decos...whoa!

Stayed up late till 2am. Talk...laugh...but no no to making love. hahaa...!!

Purposedly didn't opt for breakfast at the hotel cos finding food in KL is so convenience. Check-out at 11.30am and Alhamdulillah...it was a bright sunny Thursday! I hate rain when I'm on hols.

And so...we had our lunch at food court of Ampang Mall. I love my Thai cuisine. But the crispy popiah is simply awesome. Sold at RM3.20 per pc but it cost RM6 if you buy two pieces.

After makan...shop...shop and shop again before we have to leave KLCC to head to KL Sentral. Took 3.45pm aerobus Skybus at RM8/adult. Supposed to reach LCCT 1hr later but due to rain and an accident along the way, we were delayed for 20mins.

By the time we arrived LCCT, printed our boarding pass and had our last meal in KL before flying off.

During our flight home, even tho it was a full flight...we got a seat at 11A and 11B. Its a window seat!! Return flight was better than the earlier flight. Took off at 7.30pm, half hour later to the scheduled take-off. Reached T1 Changi at 8.30pm.

It was an enjoyable super short trip with my best friend filled with laugher and many funny moments that I will never ever gonna forget. Till we plan our next trip again next year, stay healthy so that we can eat loads again anywhere, everywhere we go.

I LoVe KL. I LoVE tAKiNg fLiGHt. I LoVe ZerO DoLLAr FLIghT Tic. Weeeee....!!!!

Yogyakarta F&E Summarised!

2011-09-19T15:45:00.000+08:00

Place : Central Java, Yogyakarta
Country : Indonesia
When : 15 Sept - 18 Sept 2011

An initial plan to visit Vietnam in Sept turns out to be a total disappointment. My favourite travel agent did not respond to my emails. So upset! But luck is with me...two person that I should THANK to; Bona Fide and my best and favourite driver in Indonesia. And of course...Thank God! Alhamdulillah...

It was all a last minute back up plan. Firstly because i wasted so much time waiting for my travel agent to repond. Second, I was busy doing homework for my Oct trip to China and the main reason was its AidilFitri which was just around the corner - cleaning and cooking is not a small matter. But anyway, despite all the problem and feeling of stress of...will an overseas trip be taking place on 15Sept?...all went well. I contacted a friend in Yogyakarta quering on the availibility of his time to drive us around Yogyakarta. And yes...the period that i wanna go hols..he is free!!!

Airline booking was made seven days before departure. Hotel confirmation was done six days before departure. And travel insurance was made one day before departure. Hahaa...!!! I'm not so used to last minute travel preparation but someone well..this is a Free & Easy trip. So who cares how its gonna turn out so long I am able to fly out and back to Spore. And even if there isn't an availability of the desired hotel that I have in mind...there's so many hotels in Yogyakarta city. Bluekkss...!! Most importantly...I'm not going to stay in Spore for holiday. Feeling suffocated in my own country!

I don't want to fly on neither Garuda nor Batavia Air. And SQ is just too expensive. So...settle with AirAsia Indonesia. Booking last minute has its pros and cons. Either there's no more seat or you got a discount. And it does pay off...got 20% off on our return trip.

So thus, we paid : SIN/JOG 110hrs/1220hrs SGD395.60
JOG/SIN 0735hrs/1045hrs SGD371.73

I hate morning flite...look at the time JOG-SIN. Urghhh!!! And I have to be at the airport 2hrs before flight depart. And the worst thing is, there's only one departure schedule that day! >:(

Anyways, all went well...Web check-in was a breeze. We went in early, had our breakfast at BK T1 and proceed to check-in. Then comes my impatient-ness again...The take-off has to be delayed at least 20mins due to traffic congestion. Urghhh!!! I hate waiting!

2hrs 10mins flight to Adi Sucipto Airport in Yogyakarta is taking too long in the sky. I can't sleep and I got separated from my travel buddy. Flight was full. I'm so B.O.R.E.D! So i did people's watching. Hahahaa..!!!

When we arrived at Adi Sucipto Airport, my friend had sms saying that he has reached and will be waiting outside. Even tho this is my second trip to Yogyakarta but it my first time here at Adi Sucipto Airport. They had three operating immigration counters. Its very crampy and the luggage collection point is just beside the immigration counters. Luckily by the time I collected my luggage, there wasn't too many people loitering there.

All ten fingerprints and photo was taken by the clearing immigration officers upon arrival.

The funny thing, as I finished having my luggage X-rayed, i was ushered to a point. I was kinda taken aback and step back to read the notice placed in front of the desk that I was ushered to. Hahaa...I was mistaken for an Indonesian who worked as a domestic worker in Spore. Hahaa...!!!

When I stepped out of the Arrival Hall...and friendly, good-looking face greeted us. My most favourite driver!! <3

Here goes my itinerary;
Day 1
Pick-up from Adi Sucipto Airport, Yogyakarta
Taman Sari, Water Castle [ Entrance fee 3 000Rp ]
Foot of Mount Merapi, Kinahrejo Village [ Entrance fee 3 000Rp ]
Dinner was at Pakem Turi in a floating restaurant [ 197 000Rp ]

Day 2
Borobudur [ Entrance fee : 130 000Rp ]
Mendut Temple [ Entrance fee : 3 300Rp ]
Prambanan [ Entrance fee : 10 000Rp ]
Malioboro for shopping
Dinner was at Numani restaurant [ 130 000Rp ]

Day 3
Sundak Beach
Krakal Beach
Drini Beach
Kukup Beach
Parangtritis Beach
Parangkusomo Sand Dunes
Dinner at along street [ 95 000Rp ]

Day 4
Hotel transfer to Adi Sucipto Airport

For all the nights in Yogyakarta, I spend my nights in a very beautiful Villa - Joglo Plawang Boutique Villa in Pakem Turi Jln Sleman which is 35mins from the airport and away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Since its on promotion, I'm paying per night per room charges of SGD83 for a twin sharing standard room from the normal price of SGD177.

Gemia Island, Trengganu Malaysia

2011-03-27T01:07:00.016+08:00

Where: Trengganu, Malaysia
Place : Gemia Island
When : 21 Sept - 24 Sept 2010

A yet discovery of another island - Gemia Island. Only 1 resort on the island i.e Gem Island Resort & Spa. Resort is open only from March to October and thereafter close for the monsoon period. I made my booking tru Regent Star. Depart from Golden Mile Complex at 2200hrs and pass tru 2nd Link for immigration clearance. Reached Yong Peng for stop over at 0015hrs. After 30mins break, proceed with journey. Another toilet break at 0400hrs at a petrol kiosk and we reached Marang jetty at 0630hrs. It's quite difficult to identify where to check-in for our boat services bcos our Five Star Tours in Spore do not know what's the name of the boat operator in Marang.

Could this be the jetty? :/

And so we just 'gamble' and walked to a spot where the jetty looks promising. Heheeee....And we're right!

Next, which company should we approached for the voucher exchange. We asked one pakcik and he directed us to a correct person. Anyway, the boat operator for Gemia Island is Suria Link. Boat scheduled to depart at 0900hrs, but our speedboat left at 0825hrs cos there's only four pax in total. Within 15mins, we've reached Gemia Island.

We had a very warmth and friendly welcome by few staffs. Check in was a breeze. And the resort looks very very private. I stayed in the Water Villas at room number 22. The room is named Treasure Chest.

We were so lucky. It was full moon for all our three nites stayed on Gemia Island

What greeted me when I entered the room....spa like ambience. I love the room and I love the balcony facing another island. There's a swinging rattan chair in the balcony. Cool!

The unique part about this island is that it has a turtle hatchery programme. It will collect,incubates and hatch the turtle eggs. Each year the resort would release 1500 to 2000 hatchlings to the sea.

The resort is built on a rocky coastline and there's no fresh water available. Fresh water obtained from the nearby island. The resort also powered by generators. So from 1500hrs to 1700hrs daily, there will be no electricity because the generators need to be service and rest. The resort has spa services as well as activities like snorkeling, kayaking, diving, jungle trekking, telematch and candat sotong. In the package that I took which I paid SGD450 nett, it's a full board package inclusive of 1 guided snorkeling, 1hr kayaking, rental of snorkeling gear for the entire stay, and the marine park conservative fee, to and fro boat ride fm Marang to Gemia and my to and fro coach fare. What I learnt...there's three timing for the boat departing from Gems Island; 0930hrs,1100hrs and 1500hrs. There's only one restaurant on the island i.e Samudra Restaurant. It serves local,Chinese and western cuisines. Opening hrs; 0700hrs - 1030hrs for breakfast, 1230hrs - 1430hrs for lunch and 1930hrs - 2230hrs for dinner.

My favourite dish - Curry prawn!

My partner's fav dish - Cashew chicken!

All meals are inclusive in the package. However, I extended one night but extension nite only includes breakfast. So....how to I survive one day w/o lunch and dinner? Well....read this book.

Hahaaaa...! Just kidding. This book is just my reading material during the trip. Gemia Island is my most memorable island resort trip!!! I snorkelled on my own in an open sea from boat to shore and return!!! I'm so proud of myself and credit goes to my diver, Mr Roni. Terimalah kaseh Cik Abang oiiii kerna memberi semangat dan konfiden to me! So adek2ku....set date for Krabi yeaa.. Wakakaaa...!!!

All troughout our stay with meals provided, it's all 'prepared' ala carte meals except on our first day where we had buffet lunch. This is bcos that day, there's a group of students from the international school visited the island for a short trip. But well...I must say that ALL the meals served are sumptuous!!! Kudos went to the chef(s)! I must say this also; excellence staff award should go to my snorkelling guide - Mr Roni for all the personal coaching till I can and keep dipping myself into the water to snorkel cos I have so much confidence. And to Mr Mazlan for the ever warmth smile he projected as a waiter. So...to summarized; 22 Sept is the date. Gems Island Resort and Spa is the place. Roni is the name. And if that all were to be sum up....it would only means one thing. A marks to a start of a new beginning - a serious snorkeling trip in the future to come!

hi 2011, the "Rabbit" year!

2011-01-01T00:18:00.009+08:00

As everyone was doing their own way of welcoming Year 2011...I'm at home resting while watching the boring countdown performances on Channel 5.

The performances from all the artistes are so making me bored to death! Plz...i wanna see the fireworks. Quick!

I always love fireworks. Watching it on site is so much better than on TV. But I hate crowds. Urghhh!!!

I've welcome 2010 on site, watching the fireworks from Marina Barrage. But it was such a disappointment cos most of the fireworks was being blocked from view by the Marina Bay Sands Resort. Today, I'm in no mood to go photographed those fireworks. =P

I read some of my friends shout-out on their facebook that 2010 wasn't a good year for them. Well, too bad then. But as for me...I love 2010 even tho there's a sad incident happened this yr. But well..when things happened, it happens for a reason.

Anyways, i have alwys love every passing years cos all those years that has passed..i am always younger than all the years to come. Wakakka..!!!

Happy New Year 2011 to all those who love me, hate me and those who-don't-know-to-love-or-hate me.

Have a wonderful 2011! Be healthy. Be cheerful alla tyme. Love life. Treasure frienship. Love your family. Hate no one cos its very tiring to hate people.(U'll understand what i mean when u gets older. =P). Spread the love, but say "NO" to scandal if your status is engaged or married. heheeee...

Love,
Me!

p/s : According to the Chinese Lunar calender, its the "Rabbit" Year this year. To all "rabbits"...Have a blast!

An addition to the family - FT2!

2010-09-13T21:32:00.005+08:00

I've added an item to my collection. Honestly, I don't "collect" and i do not have a collection. Its purely just a coincidence.

I bought the item recently. On Sept 4th 2010 to be exact. Cost me SGD555 from Alan Photo. I didn't drop by at the shop to purchase personally and neither do i bought it online. I've asked someone to buy it for me. Reason being; I do not wanna step my foot in Sim Lim cos if I do, I would walk out from the building with not just the intended item to buy but some other stuff for my EOS. Also because, I will easily get irritated with salesman trying to promote some other brand other than the one that I set my mind on.

So this coming discovery of yet another new island getaway...I'm all gear up to click! click!

Oppssss...u should have guess that i bought a new cam right? But what's that I bought? Well...its FT2! Its BLUE!

So now..some of you might be wondering...why Lumix from Panasonic (since I'm a great lover of Canon for all my life!). Right??? Well cos my 2nd sister already owned the Canon D10.

That comes to the next Qs...why buy another waterproof cam then? Well, you see...when both of you travel together and you keep asking the other to take a pic for you or you keep asking from her for the cam when you see something worth snapping underwater...its such a waste.

Firstly bcos, I like the style of "u snap me-i snap u". So we will capture each other candid moments not just moments when we pose for the camera. Secondly, when we go snorkelling, asking to pass the camera around will hinder capturing of something interesting we spotted at that instance. So well...rezeki murah skit tahun ni...a waterproof camera of my own! (even tho its not Canon, I hope this is of equivalent picture quality).

Lumix...wah caya sama lu lah! Hahaaaa...!

Hari Raya 10 Sept 2010

2010-09-13T12:22:00.009+08:00

When : Hari Raya 10 Sept 2010
Place : Malaysia, Singapore

Looks like mamak shop rack? Hahahaaa...! This is my home rack for kueh shelving! So many seyyyy....

This year Hari Raya Aidilfitri is celebrated with so much fun and laughter on its first day (1 Syawal). Alls in the house! I'm on nite off. 1st sister got her leave approved. 2nd sister was on nite duty and the rest is not working that day! Unlike last year..1st sister was on call of duty.

And this year is the first year where the whole family don on the same colour code; purple. Barney's purple! Usu the ladies would wear the same colour, and the guys would be another colour. Hopefully next year and all the future years, all would don on the same colour. (:

The first few hours of the 1st Syawal..it's family phototaking time!!!!! With UWA lens, my living room looks like a photo studio...so spacious seyyy. heheeee....

Oh well...before Hari Raya, what would we usually observe? Fasting month. Ramadhan is the month in the Muslim calendar to mark the holy month of Ramadhan where Muslim all over the world would observe fasting.

This year (I dont know why), I kept having laksa for break fast. Laksa asam, laksa johor, laksa cap...

Singapore Laksa

Laksa Johor. Tastes like Penang laksa but w/o the shredded onions in it. From Bazaar Ramadhan Angsana, JB. MYR3. Its veri tasty!!

I got my kuehs from Angsana in JB with the PPGs. Bought popiah simpul, tart sepit, kek batek and snow macaroons.

Tart Sepit. MYR32. Not so sweet and dough just melts in the mouth.

Snow macaroons. MYR20. Crunchy.

Almond snowy. MYR19. The 2nd layer arrangement in the box, the kueh is arranged so far apart. Kena con of $. Not worth the MYR19!

Kek Batik. MYR35. Hard.

And three days later...went with colleagues to Simpang Renggam, Simpang Rengit, Angsana and Kip Mart for second round of jalan2-carik-kueh trip. Got myself a second baju kurung at Angsana for a price of MYR160.

I must say that this year my kueh tunjuk (heheeee...) tastes better than last year.
These are most of the kuehs and cakes that I bought for my Hari Raya celebration:

Kek Lapis Sarawak - Sari Kaya Bakun. MYR80. From Sg Rengit. Moist and WOW...tasty!

Chocolate rice baulu. MYR14 from Sg Renggam. So-so taste. Choco rice too little.

Pistachio yummies. MYR19 from Sg Rengit. Those white topping are white chocolate. My rating : So-so cos the white chocolate is too little that there is no taste of white chocolate at all!

Popiah simpul. MYR16. From Sg Renggam. YUM! YUM!

Gajus Turkish. MYR16 from Sg Renggam. I like!

Kueh gulung. MYR12 from Sg Rengit. Crispy and not so sweet. Niceee..!

Mini Samosa from Sg Rengit. Filling is dried prawns, smtg like popiah simpul. Personally, popiah simpul tastes far more better!

Kek Lapis Rempah. MYR23 from Sg Renggam. Portion is very small. Cake is dry.

The following two below is ordered from a collague, Kak Ramlah.

A box consists of 8 packets, all same flavour potato chips. I took chilli flavor. SGD26/box.

Cheesecake. Its so YUMMY! The cheesy taste is just right. I loveeeee it so much!

Rawa Island Safaris

2010-08-28T17:07:00.006+08:00

Where : Mersing Johor, Malaysia
Place : Rawa Safaris
When : 20 to 22 June 2010

This island resort has long been overdue for me to upload in my blog. And I almost forgotten about its absence in my blog. But I will never forget the experiences that I had related to Rawa Island.

I wanted to visit Tioman Island actually. Because my lil sister love Paya Beach and this trip is my lil brother's first island resort trip. When i made my booking, it was end of May and even tho I know that June is S'pore's school holiday period, but still i'm too lazy to make an early booking. Perhaps this is a blessing in disguse.

All rooms in Paya Tioman is fully booked. The only available is HillView at Berjaya Tioman during my booking request. Since some of us is on tight budget, we try to look for another island. Thanks to a friend's holiday pic that she uploaded in her FB, I have long fell in love with Rawa Island.

The problem is none of Spore travel agent caters for this trip. And so...with the help of my Personal Assistant, she managed to source out how to reach that place.

I made booking online. We couldn't get what we wanted and settle for what's available. We wanted waterfront chalet, but its fully booked on the 21st June. And so we just settled for Hillview chalet, since thats the only available room type and we are desperately wanting a holiday on an island resort.

Waterfront

Beachfront

Hillview

Depart at 6am from Golden Mile Complex, we head towards Woodlands Checkpoint. Its a 44 seater coach. Leg space is crampy but luckily the seat is comfy.

I do not know what to expect. But is just looking for a private beach thats away from crowds and a white sandy beach.

We reached at 9.3am, and had breakfast at the nearby food stalls. Our boat leaves Mersing Jetty at 12noon.

This is so yummy! This is what I had.

This is what my siblings had.

There isn't many people heading to Rawa Island. Just me and my siblings with an ang mohs family of three.

When our boat reached Rawa...OMG! I love what i see....

Taken from the jetty

Upon checked in, we had our lunch and what else...splash! into the water.

This is where we had our meals.Only one dining area on this private beach.

Snorkelling...snorkelling...is all i love to do!

I so LOVE beach life!!

A dreadful 5days experience in Jakarta, Puncak, Bandung

2010-08-28T04:49:00.007+08:00

Where : West Java, Indonesia
Place : Jakarta, Puncak, Bandung
When : 22 July to 26 July '10

I'm leaving an empty, blank space purposely. If this blog is my photo album....it would start as a blank page. And not just one blank page but many. Why....???? Cos I'm blank and catch nothing, learnt nothing and the worst I understand nothing...NIL from my worst ever tour guide Andy Chandra from Semesta Tours!!!!

What's my problem?? No...not my problem. The problem is my tour guide. He has speech problem. And so I thought. Well...I'm wrong. While some could comprehend English but couldn't converse, this guide is neither. He can't pronounce properly. He don't speak comprehensive english and he can't answer my Qs...that means he dont understand simple english. His english is freaking lousy!!!

All I can say for this trip is that, the scenery is good. Tangkuban Perahu, Kawah Puteh. And for a person who hates shopping, surprisingly I LOVE shopping in Bandung.

Visit Dago street and you can shop till your feet sores. I'm so dead serious! Bought lotsa tee shirts and a pair of pants, bag too! Will definitely revisit Dago street in the near future (minus my lousy tour guide of course!).

I wrote this blog with so much disappointment bcos not only am i not able to share with you on the history of the Tangkuban Perahu; Why it's called Tangkuban Perahu....But bcos when i tried to ask my guide, I'm not even getting anything from his answer. And so...I gave up asking more. Anyways, Tangkuban Perahu is a local word which means Capsized Boat. And Kawah Puteh in english means White Crater.

Tangkuban Perahu/Capsized Boat

Kawah Puteh/White Crater

All i can say about Kawah Puteh is that it is very mystical. As tho you entered a different world. But the sulphuric smell from the crater is very choking.

Stranded at Polonia, Medan Airport!

2010-08-28T04:30:00.004+08:00

Where : North Sumatera, Indonesia
Place : Polonia Airport, Medan
When : 22 July 2010

We went to a wet market on our way back to Medan from Berastagi, and I bought several "bulb" of flowers; orchids, jasmines, lilies and an unknown flower. It's so easy to plant and it cost me IDR5,000 per bulb. Can't wait for the flowers to bloom!!

A bad start - a bad experience - but a good shopping and a nice scenery. We didn't have a good start for our next destination : Jakarta-Puncak- Bandung.

First, we got stranded in Polonia Airport in Medan from 0730hrs to 1330hrs!! Why??? Cos our supposedly morning flight scheduled to fly at 0950hrs is cancelled! We didn't suspect anything wrong when we could not find our flight not reflected on the "flight info screen". Cos, well...hmmm...i shall not say it here.

We still procced to have our luggages screened during the check in. But when we saw that our check in counter is still closed, I began to worry. True enough...there's something wrong! We were informed that our flight is not flying and we were referred to Batavia Air information counter.

The staff who handled us was Muhd Fadly. He told me that the flight was cancelled and the company was trying to get me. And since mine is a Spore mobile number,i couldn't be reached.

And so I asked why couldn't they contact my travel agent. He said emails have been sent to inform on the 17th. I was puzzled cos if it's on 17th, I could be contacted thru hp and email since I departed from Spore on the 19th.

When asked is the company doing any transfer for us to other flight? Answer was no. And when was the next flight? 1430hrs, but it's full. The next available flight will be at 1615hrs !!!

My friend was fuming mad by then. It was super hot day. The whole place is non aircon except after check in and at some cafe. She demanded to speak to the manager.

We stand in the heat for about less than 10mins when Muhd Fadly invited us inside his office. He and the person in-charge(I presume), was trying their best to get us a seat for the 1430hrs flight.

On our part, we contacted our Spore agent and even ask around other carrier like Garuda,Sriwijaya and Lions. All full except Garuda. But their fare is way too high. And i was informed by my Spore agent that other carrier could not accept less than 24hrs online booking.

Well...frankly speaking even tho I'm stranded and even if the next flight that I will taking is at 1615hrs...I'm fine with it. Cos firstly, in my first day in Jakarta..there's no itinerary to be done and secondly I have with me the not-mine iPod to keep me occupied and be not-bored-at-all mood! Haha...!!!!

To cut story short...we got a seats for 1430hrs flight!! Thanks to Mr Muhd Fadly!!

And I thought my bad encounters have ended. Unfortunely...this is just the beginning! Read up on my Jakarta trip for the follow up. *sigh*

Batak in Medan

2010-08-13T20:56:00.031+08:00

Where : North Sumatra, Indonesia
Place : Lake Toba, Medan
When : 19-July-2010

Upon touchdown at Polonia Airport in Medan it took us 4.5hrs to Lake Toba by car. During those hours, our transport passed by four towns. And... (heheeee...) I noted only two towns and they are; L.Bakam town which is riched in paddy and Kabupaten Serdang Bedagai known for its bird nest.

Along the way, saw public transport used to ferry the locals. Its called Angkot (angkutan Kota). It's a mini van that can takes in maximum 15 passengers and goes around and round the area. Taxis are rare due to high charges. Bus/coach is only available for long trips.

Had lunch at Jalan Lintas Sumatra. Its a Minang food.

From my Medan tour guide, Joey i learnt that there are five Batak tribes; 4 christians and 1 Islam. Mandailing Batak; islam.

For Batak Toba their practise is that they bury bones below ground level. And after 17yrs**, bones were dug up and bury above ground level. As for Batak Semalinggung, they would bury the bones above ground level. And after 17yrs+**, the bones were dug up and bury below ground level.
Note : ** 17 years is of no significance but minimum 15yrs to whenever the family has fund to dug up the bones bcos after bones are dug up, the family needs to spend lotsa money to throw a party/celebration.

When the head of the family (i.e the father) died, and he has a son, there will be like a party. Why? Bcos, this is to show that he had done his best for his entire living age. If he doesn't have a son, the wake will be very quiet. The wake will last for 3D2N for the one with a son and 2D1N for the one without a son.

In Batak Simalungun tribe, big size woman are often sought after bcos it's a sign of fertility. It's a practise till to date. In the Batak culture, males are always regarded above the females.

When we reached Lake Toba...the lake was very big. Even my 11-16mm lens can't capture end to end. Hahahaa...!

Lake Toba. Snapped from my hotel - Niagara International Hotel

I was told that the water sources for Lake Toba is from a waterfall named Sipiso piso.

Sipiso-piso waterfall

From the jetty (@Parapat) after lunch, we took a ferry to Samosir Island. Samosir Island is located right in the middle of Lake Toba. There's few villages on Samosir Island. We visited two village : Ambarita and Tomok. The ferry ride took us;
Parapat Jetty to Ambarita Village - 45mins.
Ambarita Village to Tomok Village - 20mins.

Basically the items sold in all the shops are the same. The only difference is the price after bargain and how persistent is the salesperson in taunting.

@ Ambarita village, the peddlers are more aggressive. But prices are IDR15,000 cheaper than Tomok village.
@ Tomok village, peddlers are not as persistent and do not taunt.

Horas!!! Thats in Batak language which means "Greetings"

Entrance to the ancient batak tribal village

Its at Ambarita Village that we witness and learnt of the Batak culture as explained by our tour guide. Here we saw the ancient batak tribal village and we learnt that the ancient batak practised cannabalism. Saw some stone chairs and table where the village elders held meetings.

The victim is held under the head of village house

Victim in captive. Observe that one of the leg is locked. This is called pemasungan. This is to prevent the victim from escaping.

Whenever an enemy was captured, the elders would invite the rulers of neighbouring villages to a meeting, to determine the fate of the victim. The victim will be held captive behind bars under the head of villager's house.

Execution ground

If the victim fate is determined to be death, he is taken to a table where he is clobbered to death. There is a boulder where the victim is beheaded. After that, he is chopped up, his flesh is cooked with buffalo meat, and served to the tribal council, who completed the meal with a beverage of the victim's blood!

Batak calender. Still used by the elderly at present.

Ulos. Batak traditional textiles.

Observe the picture above...Look at the arrangement of the house's entrance. On the extreme right, the ladder is built below the flooring of the house and entrance is made underneath. Wherelse, the other two houses to the left, the ladder is built outside and above the flooring. Where the one on the extreme right is built for daughters, the other two was for the sons. Cos in Batak culture, males are regarded as above the females.

12 days Indonesia trip at a glance

2010-08-12T21:45:00.023+08:00

Where : Indonesia
Place : Medan, Berastagi, Jakarta, Puncak, Bandung, Bali
When : 19July to 30July 2010

Two years ago a trip to East and Central Java has made me and my friend decided to cover yet another part of Indonesia. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we didn't proceed with our plan last year. So when she ask again this year, I want it to be longer than the previous trip.

Before, we went for nine days, so this time...twelve days!

Goodness!

Can I survive till end of the trip without missing my work and anyone? Surprisingly, I missed work, my family and colleagues on my 7th day in my previous Indo trip. And so I wonder...how's it gonna be this time. Well, I have to go thru to find out.

So, what's the plan and where we will be going? I wanted to see Lake Toba and have dinner at Jimbaran, and my friend wanted to see Taman Mini Park. So???? We'll go all!!! And that means we are covering Medan, Jakarta and Bali. Heheeee...

Due to fully booked hotel in Bandung on 23July, we have to postponed one day later from our planned departure date.

Plan goes as follows :
19-July SIN-Medan
20-July Medan-Berastagi
21-July Berastagi-Medan
22-July Medan-Jakarta
23-July Jakarta -Puncak
24-July Puncak-Bandung
25-July Bandung
26-July Bandung-Bali
27-30 July Bali-SIN

* SIN to Medan, we took SilkAir from T2 Changi Airport to Polonia Airport.
* Medan to Jakarta, we took Batavia Air from Polonia Airport to Soekarno-Hatta Airport.
* Bandung to Bali, we took AirAsia Indonesia from Husein Sastranegara Airport to Ngurah Rai Denpasar Airport.
* Bali to Singapore, we took AirAsia Indonesia from Ngurah Rai Denpasar to T1 Changi Airport .

There's a requirement to pay departure tax at Indonesia airport.
@ Polonia Airport for domestic flight, we paid IDR35,000/pax
@ Husein Sastranegara Airport for domestic flight, we paid IDR35,000/pax
@ Ngurah Rai Denpasar for international flight, we paid IDR150,000/pax

The whole trip of 12D11N which includes all meals, accommodations, airport fare + tax (international and domestic), transport, all entrances to places of interest and local guides costs me SGD1878.

The friendly people of Indonesia

What happen on 9-Aug-10...

2010-08-10T11:05:00.001+08:00

9 August. Its Singapore's birthday! This year, Singapore is celebrating its 45th birthday.

But where was i??? I'm in JB,Malaysia.

What was i doing there? I'm craving for halal vegetarian food.

Can't i go some other days? NO.

Why? Cos on the 10th Aug, I'm working afternoon shift duty and on the 11th Aug, its the start of Ramadhan (fasting month!).

So, I do not wanna hold my craving for one month...thats why i have to go today! HaHaHaaaa...!

Today, I just finished nite duty. Had shower at work and went straight to JB. My fren and i CGM, as usual would catch movies, do some shopping and eat!

Watching movies in JB is very cheap compared to Singapore. Tic costs RM10 and on every Wednesday it cost RM6.

But today is the most expensive movie watching cum makan session in JB that I ever had!

I tell u why...We went for movie marathon. Watched "Salt", "Curse of the Deserted" and "Inception". Never did we ever watch three movies in a day in JB. But we did this time, and i regretted.

Why???? Cos the last movie ends at 10pm. By the time we reached CIQ Sultan Iskandar Shah for immgration clearance, it was 10.30pm. The queue to board the bus going towards Singapore was super duuuuuper long that the queue "snakes" from the immgration counter to the boarding point of SBS 170!

We waited til 10.55pm in the queue before deciding to queue in another bus service CW1/CW2. I soon realised that the last bus service for CW1 and 2 was at 11pm! Damn! Its not possible for me to queue at the end of SBS 170 or TIBS 950 all over again right???! Its gonna take till after midnite before i get my turn to board a bus.

I saw other people "tumpang" bus kilang. But tour coaches wouldn't wanna take us. Bus kilang was super packed and I can't stand waiting for too long. And so we decided to walk from Malaysia checkpoint to Woodlands checkpoint. Time checked; 11.10pm.

And so we walked. Its very dangerous. But thanks to all motorist, they go slow and give us way. Not that many people walked their way into Singapore. Prob cos the distance is very far and the road is winding.

We reached Woodland checkpoint at 11.35pm. And thats not it. We have to climb spiral staircases before we reached the immigration counter. By then, I've tried to contact my sources BunianMalaya of the last bus service of 168. I'm so disappointed to learn that the last bus is 11.30pm! And NightRider do not operate on Public Holiday! Gosh!

So...the best is to take taxi home. Taxi??? From North to East where i stay???? Forget it! Its gonna cost me a bomb!

So i decided to take 170 from the checkpoint till Rochor Rd and then take a taxi from there. Its cheaper that way. And how much the taxi fare costs me? SGD12! Thats why i said earlier...this is the most expensive movie watching cum makan sesion trip i ever had!!!!!

So......No more movie marathon on Public Holidays in the future. Lesson learnt!

2nd nite cycling - a test of endurance

2010-06-06T22:39:00.010+08:00

Where : Singapore
Place : East Coast Park - Nicoll Highway - Padang - Boat Quay - Tiong Bahru Plaza - Cluny Rd - Kheam Hock Rd - Lornie Rd - McRitchie Reservoir - Thomson Rd - Orchard Rd - Spore Flyers - Indoor Stadium - East Coast Park
When : 3rd June 2010

This is the 2nd nite cycling i had but the first in 2010 and many more to come =D

Route planning solely done by F2 who promised the route that we'll be taking to be interesting and a test on individual cyclist's endurance level. Since i'm not so familiar with the "shortest" route to take us around, so i'll be doing the recruiting, promoting and informing interested participants.

And so, one month before the date was chosen...discussion between me and F2 was regularly conducted. It wasn't a formal discussion tho bcos we have plenty of time in hand. Like it was mentioned earlier, route planning was done by F2 solely and he even reccee the route on foot to gauge the estimated cycling time.

There will be two groups; first group are those staying in the East or for those who do not own a bike. And the second group were those staying in the West and own a bike. There's only 7 of us that owns a bike, thus those joining the first group is expected to be a large number.

All were informed to assembled by 2030hrs at East Coast Area C4 to rent a bike. Bike rental ranging from $8-12/person for an overnite rental.

As usual...there's always latecomers. But as late a person could be, i can't tolerate when one called up to say that he is still at home and looking at my watch its 1955hrs!!! And mind u...he stayed in the West of Singapore. How to reach East Coast when all that he plan was to reach East Coast by bus!!!!

To cut story short and to cool my anger...we move off from East Coast at 2130hrs. There were a total of 18 of us. Whoa...thats a big number! I lost track of time as to what time my group meet the West side peepz. There were 5 of them from the West side. Before we proceed to Tiong Bahru Plaza for supper, two of the 18 decided to head back to East Coast as they were too tired. We bid farewell to Reen and Alan, and head for supper.

After supper...cycle to McRitchie. But...its not that simple. We have to cycle pass a Chinese cemetery at Kheam Hock Road. It was spooky at first, but as we cycle pass..its ok though.

From the cemetery towards McRitchie was the best route cos it was all the way down slope. Heheeee....

By the time we reached McRitchie it was 4am. Rested around less than 45mins. The West Side geng left first and the rest remained resting. Some took a nap, while others chit chat.

So many, me included do not wanna take the same route back cos remember from the cemetary was all the way down slope...if its the same route..Gosh...wouldn't it be all the way up-slope? Hahahaa....

And so, we took a different route back...passing tru Orchard Road, Marina Bay Sands and at F1 track. The sunrise was super captivating, that was when we are on the bridge behind Kallang Stadium.

We reached East Coast at 7.45am. Those who stayed far, went home first. Left with few of us who need to wait til 9am to return the rented bicyles.

On an overall...it was a super tiring..a test of endurance. Really!

Would another trip be organised again?? Of course! (:

Laguna Redang Island Resort - Part Two

2010-05-08T02:36:00.007+08:00

Where : Terengganu, Malaysia
Place : Laguna Redang Island Resort
When : 16Apr – 20Apr 2010

Throughout our stay in Laguna Redang...

It was very very crowded in Laguna. We were ushered to a Waiting Hall where briefing on safety, the Dos and Don’ts on the island as well as other useful and handy related matters pertaining to the island were being briefed.

By then it’s already 12noon and the check-in time is at 1pm. Check out time is at 11am.

We proceed to the registration lobby to get our room number and meals voucher. In the package, all three meals are included with a one day BBQ dinner being served.

Some of the meals served

After lunch, we proceed to check-in into the room. I opted for the Deluxe Garden View due to budget constrain.

Room is very spacious with one Queen size bed and two single bed. Equipped with a safe deposit box, fridge, hair dryer and a coffee table.

Upon check in we couldn’t wait to jump into the sea. Here in Laguna, the mask and life jacket is at a rental fee of RM15 each for the duration throughout your stay on the island.

Swimming, snorkelling is so much fun when a waterproof cam tag along! Cam whoring tyme!!!!

Throughout all the day stay here; sleep…eat…swim...snorkel...cam whoring…strolling…sleep! I love this life!!!

Island resort is getting more and more packed with holiday makers. Look at these..! OMG! They looked like red ants! Euwww!

On our 4th day here…it’s check out tyme. B-O-R-I-N-G. Hates when my hols came to an end. Assembled at 8.30am at the hotel lobby and our boat leave Laguna at 9am.

This time our boat ride took 1hr 30mins.

Reached Shahbandar Ferry Terminal at 10.40am. No one from Five Stars Tours' rep pick us up. Luckily, I was familiar with the area and had to look out for the bus on our own. From my previous experience taking other bus company, the driver would stop us for lunch..sad and disappointed…Five Stars Tours did not stop for lunch break at all!

Reached Yong Peng and soon we continue our bus ride towards Second Link, and arrived in Tuas Checkpoint at 9pm. Clearance was a breeze bcos it’s a weekday anyway.

Reached Golden Mile Complex at 9.45mins. How I wish the hols will never end. Anyway, its okay…is looking forward to an island resort holiday anytime soon…..anyone? =P

Here's sharing with u the mesmerising sunrise @ Redang...

AWESOME!!!!

Ohhh...remember I mentioned that the water was choppy during our ferry ride towards Laguna? Well...its too strong that i got hit hard too. Here's it =P

Laguna Redang Island Resort - Part One

2010-05-08T02:19:00.005+08:00

Where : Terengganu, Malaysia
Place : Laguna Redang Island Resort
When : 16Apr – 20Apr 2010

Start of trip...

A start for a plan made last year with someone who got the same love in travelling; island resort for a holiday! Initial plan is to visit Perhentian Island. But package is unavailable by the travel agent at the time when we did our planning. So thus, since my partner is so keen on visiting Redang island, I suggested Laguna Redang. Been here last year and love to revisit it again.

Normal package available is 4N3D, but we extend another day stay at an additional of S$135 per person with all the three meals provided – B,L,D.

Departure time : 10pm, but need to check in half hour before at Golden Mile Complex at Five Stars Tours. It seems funny bcos we book at Regent Star Travel but we are to report at Five Stars Tours where the tour package of these two varies significantly.

Norm, we went tru immigration clearance via Second Link. It’s quite busy at the Departure Hall but being Singaporean, I could clear at the automated gate and clearance is a breeze. On the Msia side, clearance was a breeze too bcos two complex is in operation. Alhamdulillah…

Stop over is at a standard port : Yong Peng. It’s already 15mins past midnite. Nothing much could be bought for supper. Moreover it’s just a 30mins stop-over for light meal and toilet break. And then we are set for a 7hrs bus ride to Shahbandar Ferry Terminal in Terengganu, Malaysia.

Reached Shahbandar Terminal at 7.30am, did a lil wash up and had light breakfast. By 8.10am we had exchanged our voucher for the boarding pass, and paid RM5 for the marine conservation fee. This fee is compulsory in order for the Marine Park to maintain its marine life. Our ferry left Shahbandar Ferry Terminal at 9.30am.

A beautiful sunrise @ Shahbandar Ferry Terminal greeted us

Even tho it was stated that the ferry ride is a 1hr 30mins ride, but this time it took 2hrs bcos of the choppy water. Many were seen throwing up due to sea sick. Alhamdulillah (Thank God), me and my partner are ok.

Red Dynasty Paintball

2010-03-31T23:32:00.009+08:00

Where : Yishun, Singapore
Place : The Bottle Tree Park
When : 29-March-2010

What I'm into lately? Exploring something that I've never done before. So whats it this time? PAINtBALL!

Lotsa homework need to be done since this is the first time I'm organising a paintball game AND...I've never play this game before.

Why do I wanna play this game? Cos I've been doing the same activities again and again, and feels that i need to explore new game.

First thing that I need to do...look for players! I need minimum six players. And so I thot I might have difficulties doing that...but Alhamdulillah (Thank God) without me knowing a number of friends that are interested came up to more than six. Yahoooo....! Now...where to play? When to play? How much? All that is quite easy since we have internet these days.

And so...date set - 29 March. It's my team off day. Time...not so early cos prob some are not a morning person. Which field to play? Ask around from friends that have played paintball before. Thanks to Walla2Bang2 and Azhar...I chose Red Dynasty Paintball Park.

There's few packages to choose from. This is what I have chosen :

Package RAMBO.
Cost $49.90 per person.
Each player assigned with 250 paintballs.

Game duration : Approx 2hrs including safety briefing.

And so there were eight of us from an initial of nine person in total. Five girls and three guys. Two teams need to be form. So, we form a team of 4girls Vs a team of 3guys+1girl.

Three sets of game were played. As a warm-up and getting to adapt to the field and feel what paintball is about...we started with 50 paintballs, and subsequently followed by 100 paintballs each in the next two set of games.

At the end of the game, what do we have? Bruises, bumps on the head, sweat and most importantly FUn and lotsa FUNssss....Its a game that made us all laugh so much, get bonded, togetherness and team working and made us think - strategy planning. Who won? Its the 4-girls team!!!!!!! Girls...WE WON!!!! Hip Hip HOooooRayyyyyy....

To all the seven that made this game so much fun...THANK YOU SO MUCH! Girls and guys...See u again in the 2nd session. Soon to come with a new member joining us! ladykecik...next session will be made possible, JUST for U! Muaksss.....!

Luge with PPGs

2010-03-07T18:49:00.015+08:00

Where : Singapore
Place : Luge, Beach Station - Sentosa Island
When : 5 March 2010

A trio of PPGs has always wanted to do an outdoor activity together after getting separated from a common work area. We always meet up for makans (in proper english means meals), movie watching and window shopping. But we have not done any outdoor activity together before.

Where we plan to go? Luge. Why? Cos we heard that its fun. Why delay for so long? Cos no one initiated. Why now? Cos one of the PPGs is posting out soon and probably will not be in Alpha anymore, and that means difficult to meet up for a whole day outing.

This is where it all happen. Ohhh...we can't decide which deal to take up :

Luge and Skyride combo deal:
One trip each - $11/prsn
Two trips each - $16/prsn
Three trips each - $20/prsn
Five trips each - $29/prsn

First trip up by taking the skyride is so scary especially when i'm not so favourite with heights. But after that first trip...i just love and enjoy the view from the top. Its breathtaking....(Sorry, i was so busy laughing and cam whoring that i forgot to take a snap of the scenery from the top. heheee.......)

Taking the luge is so so much fun! How much fun? U can race your friend down the track. Manoeuvering is a piece of cake. But the track is so short. Regret not taking the five trips deals.

For first timer, worry not cos the friendly staff will be providing a simple brief before the ride.

Lemanak Longhouse Homestay, Sarawak

2009-12-25T21:14:00.006+08:00

Where: Sarawak East Malaysia
Place: Lemanak Longhouse
When: 21st to 23rd Dec 2009

Touch down at Kuching International Airport at 1215hrs. Meet and greeted by local tour guide, Yudi and driver, Zaidi. Proceed to Serian town. There, our van stop and I was told that Yudi is doing some marketing - fish and chicken. I'm curious! Asked Zaidi and was told that they ( Yudi and Zaidi) are cooking for the guests (that's us). Reason being, the food cooked by the longhouse host was not halal ( there were pork).

Journey from airport to the boat took us 4 hours. When we reached, we were greeted by Agong, out boatman from the Lemanak longhouse. We reached the longhouse at 5pm.

From where I embarked, I saw a kampong like scenery. Where's the longhouse??? Ohh... Then I found out that the longhouse is little further up from the guesthouse. Guests to the longhouse do not get to stay in the longhouse. Its separated. Guests house equipped with kitchen, toilet, six bedded room (on sharing basis), mosquitoes netting and dinning area. I love the dinning area. Dok lepakz... (slacking...)

This is where me and the other guests put up for the night.

At 5.30pm, Yudi brought us around. I was told that I could walk around un-guided if I wanted to, anytime. I know why cos I observed that as we walked around (with Yudi), he greeted and introduced us to the Ibans. So, these Ibanese knows that we were Yudi's guests. Cool!

This is where they will sit around for gathering/chatting

This is the external corridor

See how high the house are bulit?? And the stilt are so skinny. Hehehee....

In the old days, whenever any enemies are killed, the Chief would behead the enemy and hung his head as a show of victory and power.

Sitting, chatting, walking around... soon its 7pm. Time for dinner. Met 2 other guests to the longhouse. From Germany. Had dinner together with the locals.

Pasuh. Chicken cooked in bamboo. This is one of their local dish.

Tuak drinking session with the Deputy Chief of the tribe (he's the one in red)

8.30pm, time to visit the longhouse for a culture show and Tuak drinking session. We have to shout 'OHH Ahhhk!' 3 times. The Tuak session is some sort of a welcome drink. Tuak is actually fermented rice wine or coconut drink. It is presented from the host to the guest or from the guests to the dancers/entertainers. There were surreal types of dances presented - welcome dance, warrior dance amd celebration dance. The dances were accompanied by live music produced by gongs and other traditional instruments.

I vote him for the best entertainer for the night!

Sigiriya The Palace & Fortress in The Sky

2009-11-06T21:00:00.003+08:00

Where : Matale District, Sri Lanka
Place : Sigiriya Fortress
When : 27 Oct '09

Sigiriya has got my vote for the best place I ever visited in Sri Lanka. Everyone should pay a visit and climb!

It was planned to visit Sigiriya in the evening for a sunset watch. But I was told that this place close at 5pm.

After lunch at Dambulla, dark clouds gloomed. And it was drizzling, followed by a downpour. My hopes to climb Sigiriya was dampen. Suchitra asked, "Do you still want to visit the Lion Rock?".

Maria and I was so determined. Our only concern is "Is it safe?"
Especially when we read online that there will be steps. Worried that it might be too slippery)

But we took a risk and decided to just drive over, then we'll decide to climb or not. Weather changed drastically as we're approaching Sirigiya. Its sunny but cool. We're lucky!

Sigiriya holds a story of its own. An interesting one...

A massive rock fortress built in the 5th century A.D. is an enduring tribute to one man's vision. Its reminds us of ancient royal hide - away a citadel steeped in history, replete with legend, betrayal and love.

Sigiriya is located in the district of Matale in Inãmaluwa Korale. It is ten miles from Dambulla. On the route to Trincomalee from the Inãmaluwa Junction and proceeding about 5 1/2 miles on the road to the east and then the foot of the Sigiriya rock could be reached.

In 456 A.D. Datusena became the King of Anuradhapura. He had two sons and a daughter. The daughter was married to a Senpathi of the King. Incensed by the treatment the daughter had received from the mother of the Senpathi. Datusena is said to have got her burned to death. This incident turned the Senpathi against the King. He joined Kasyapa and raised a rebellion which was successful.

Datusena was captured and later put to death in a most revolting manner. Kasyapa though King was not at ease. Mugalan his brother has a legitimate claim to the throne. Mugalan who fled to India might come back with an Indian army. Haunted by these fears Kasyapa abandoned Anuradhapura, built for himself a formidable fortress on the rock of Sigiriya.

Mugalan who was in hiding from India, challenged him as army. In battle, fortune went against Kasyapa and he committed suicide. Kasyapa was the only king was ruled from Sigiriya.

He transformed a rock into an almost impregnable fortress, and what is more he used his aesthetic sense to decorate some of the rock pockets, with what can easily be called the best paintings worthy of note found in Sri Lanka. There were pleasure gardens, ponds, fountains laid out attractively. Some underground and surface drainage systems have been discovered during excavations. Sigiriya covers a very extensive area, and there are many places to be visited. Only the main places are dealt here. Sirigiya though it has won the adviration of the world, is not a place of religious worship.

Magul Maduwa

Was erected by spliting a rock in two and placing one split half upwards. On it was constructed the Magul Laduwa. There still remains a seat in the Magul Maduwa. The other split half was set a side and on it was constructed a small pond. Between the two split halves is a narrow path. On either side are small caves decorated with beautiful paintings.

Route to Sirigiya and the Mirror wall

Some sections of the route which were used during the ancient period to climb the rock cannot be used today, as certain section of the roadway are ruined.

This used to be the pathway to climb up during the ancient time

These section have been renovated installing iron railing and small bridges and as such the climb is not a difficult one. All the small mountain peaks on the step rock and the space have been used and according to a magnificent ground plan the constructional work has been completed.

On the western and northern sides of the steep rock face, runs a gallery or pathway which provides access to seemingly inaccessible summit, shielding this pathway is plaster wall, so highly polished that even today after fifteen centuries of exposure to sun, wind and rain, one can see one's reflection in it, Hence the name "Mirror Wall". On the polished surface are the Sirigiya Graffiti, recorded by processions of visitors to the rock in this path, after the death of King Kasyapa.

The whole stretch used to be glossy and one could owns reflection. There it got its name "Mirror Wall". This is one of the ancient graffiti found on the wall. Others are simply work of vandalism of mischief visitors.

Sirigiya Paintings

Above the Mirror Wall is well sheltered pocket or cave. This could be approached by a spiral stairways and the famous frescoes can be seen. Not more than eight could enter the cave at once as the pocket or cave is small. Epigraphical evidence and also one of the Sirigiya Stanzas refer to the existence of 500 such portraits, but only 21 remains today.

The spiral stairway leads to the frescoes

From bottom till top of the rock, its filled with these artistic painting on the walls. However, only little were left.

People visiting Sirigiya could understand that the architecture, painting and layout of the city, underground and surface drainage systems have reached a high standard during such an early period as the 6th century A.D. The wall abutting the most encircling the fortress is one of the most arresting features. It is clear that these frescoes represent the highest achievement in painting in ancient Sri Lanka.

Main Courtyard

After passing the "Mirror Wall" on climbing the left side are stone traps made during that period. These traps are built on a number of small stones and on these are placed a large stone. The traps are made to ward off any invasion by the enemies. The stone can be hurled down to destroy the enemies.

This is called captured rock. See the many small slabs of stones underneath the huge rock? The big rock is "captured" by these slabs. If enemy is seen approaching the fortress, the huge rock will be released.

This is the only captured rock found within the fortress. The rest has been released.

At the end of the "Mirror Wall" is a large courtyard. Above the courtyard are a number of hornets nests. To ward off any danger coming from the hornets, when they get stirred, there are small caves covered with nest to protect the people but it is not sufficient for a large number of people. The courtyard is 108 feet in length and 216 ft, in breadth. The entrance is decorated with front paws. There still remains the front paws and some section of the stairways.

With 1200 steps to climb, it took us 45mins to reach the top (i.e the palace).

The Sirigi rock itself is similar to a lion sprawling on the ground. The name Sinhagiri or Sigiri is derived from it. From the lion's paw onwards, it is a difficult climb, although railings are installed.

The King's Palace

The Summit of the rock is nearly three acres in extent. This was entirely for building of the palace. There are remains of the foundation of the palace and a section of the buildings.

There is also a pond filled with water and close to the pond is a seat. There is no doubt that the pond is for the bathing purpose and adjoining it is the changing room

Top of the fortress.... Its breath taking

Can you believe that at the top of the hill there's monks living in it??? They were once the residence of the fortress

What I observed... any point of the time I turned to see the standing Buddha. The Buddha is always has its face smiling at us.

Word of advise: Do NOT entertain the locals who offered to help you during your climbs. They could be setting their price for help that we don't even need. (Trust me, its COSTLY.)

These steps are so narrow. SCARY....!!

Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, Sri Lanka

2009-11-04T01:06:00.015+08:00

Where : Sri Lanka
Place : Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage
When : 27-Oct-09

The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage was started in 1975 by Department of Wildlife to house abandoned and wounded elephants. In most cases the mother had either died or been killed. In some instances the baby had fallen into a pit or stepped onto a landmine. Currently the total number of elephants has increased to 85 in this orphanage.

There's a shop here thats sells paper using elephants dung.

There are only a few elephant orphanages in the world. Pinnawela has now become one of the bigger orphanages and is quite well known world wide.

The best time to visit is the feeding time from 0930-1000hrs and 1330-1400hrs and the bathing time is from 1000-1030hrs and 1400-1430hrs when all the elephants are taken to the river Maha Oya thats close by.

Here in Pinnawela there's an elephant named Sama who stepped on a landmine and blew her right frotfoot away. Since then she is walking on three legs.

Negombo, Sri Lanka

2009-11-02T02:46:00.010+08:00

Where : Sri Lanka
Place : Negombo
When : 26th Oct '09

Left Singapore by Cathay Pacific CX711 at 2125hrs and reached Colombo at 2235hrs. Travel time : 3hrs 23mins.

Meet and greeted by Jetwings Travel tour guide Mr Suchitra. It wasn't a long queue at the immigration clearance but the clearance speed isn't that fast.

First stop; check in at Jetwings Seashells hotel.

Whats in front of my hotel?

Scary right? hmmm...

Whats behind my hotel? Beach! ...Waves...Sun...Sea...Sand...

Had breakfast before leaving for the next destination. Breakfast wasn't so good. Not much variety of food selection and the minus point about this hotel is that there's no TV in the room.

Along the way, saw vast spread of paddy field. Coconuts plantation is also part of trade in Sri Lanka beside rubber and tea plantation. Owner of huge coconuts plantation would usually hire people to pluck these coconuts for a fee.

(Above) Getting ready with a long pole to pluck coconuts

Sri Lanka in brief

2009-11-02T00:38:00.007+08:00

Ayubowan! Heeeee.....

There's few that i need to be grateful to for making this Sri Lanka trip a fantastic travel experience...thanks to my 6 Million Dollar Home crumpler bag, my 18-200mm, the intensed outdoor photography activities for the past 1.5mths prior to this trip, F4 for his encouraging words as to why i shud bring along my EOS instead of just my A710 cam and to Miss MS for planning this scenic travel! Pendekkan story..syukur...syukur...syukur ALHAMDULILLAH semuanya jalan lancar dan selamat.

It started off with an exchange of number with someone whom a stranger to me but sharing the same common interest - travelling to countries where not many of our friends had in their dream-about travel destination.

Sceptical about travelling together with a stranger, i put away that feeling for my love of travelling to places that i always wanna visit. So where to? Sri Lanka! What do i expect to see there? hhmmm....no idea. Just visit and learn and see what the lifestyle of a Sri Lankan. Even tho i may not be covering many places of Sri Lanka, but this a start.

Local travel agency : Just Travel Pte Ltd
Sri Lanka travel agent : Jetwing Travels
Travel period : 26Oct to 1Nov '09
To and fro flight : Cathay Pacific Airways from T1 Sgp Changi Airport
Brief travel itinerary : Colombo - Negombo - Pinnawela - Sigiriya - Dambulla - Kandy - Nuwara Eliya - Kitulgala - Beruwela - Colombo
Package price : SGD968 (fullboard)

Sept/Oct in summary

2009-10-22T21:41:00.010+08:00

This blog has been left untouched for almost two months! Two months?! What was i busy with? Well...here's a summary : Its all in the name of EOS!

First i got sick. Fever. Reason? Caught in dilemma of renting vs buying a lens. Firstly i do not know what lens best for me. Secondly, its so costly. DAMAGED! hahahaaaa...

And so somehow i ended up with two lens and a flash. Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM, Canon EF 24-105mm f4L IS USM and Canon 580EX Mark II flash.

For four days or so that im holding onto these items, i went to HortPark, Botanic Garden and Marina Barrage. Here's a few shots that i took using these items...

On 12Oct i attended a photography workshop orgarnised by my department. Made friends and learnt something from the workshop. What i learnt? Learnt alot by observing the group on how they took photos and what cam/lens the participant owns and by end of the workshop, i learnt....I should be getting an extension tube? Spending $$$ again? HAHAHAAA....

The question is...when should i or rather can i own an extension tube? Its not that expensive, but since i've been spending too much $ on by EOS, made a deal with a friend to not buy or talk anything related to SLR till Nov approach.

That comes to another Qs...can i refrain myself from such temptation esp when i'm in love with Macros from the beginning? Yes, i can!

So, November...come quick! Wakhahaa....

Ramadhan breakfast at The Puteri Pacific Hotel, JB Msia

2009-09-05T01:42:00.006+08:00

Where : Johor Baharu, Malaysia
Place : The Puteri Pacific Hotel
When : 30th Aug 09

When Ramadhan (fasting month) comes hotels, restaurants would be packed with Muslim breaking their fast. Last year i went to Tiffany at Furama Hotel to break fast. This year, to The Puteri Pacific Hotel in JB, Malaysia.

After my nite duty, slept awhile at work and met my siblings at JB City Square for a movie. Watched "The Orphan". Even tho it was a last min thing to watch this movie (planned to watch Final Destination 3 in 3D, but show not out yet), i didnt regret tho watching it bcos the plot and acting is so good.

After movie, did lil shopping at City Square and off to Kotaraya Plaza to look-see look-see for any appetizing kueh to buy home for Hari Raya celebration and handful of Hari Raya greeting cards. I prefer getting a card rather than e-card. Thats why i'm sending cards to my friends. :D

Dinner can be seated at 1830hrs. Prior to this, i have made reservation for fear that it will be super packed as its a Sunday.

What greated me made me goes.."waaaaahhh...such a wide selection of food!". There;s BBQ corner, noodle corner (mee soup, prawn mee, penang laksa), indian rojak, pizza, spaghetti, seafood, finger food, dessert (self service ice-kanchang), yellow rice, salads, chocolate fondu and free flow of fruit juices (kurma, lychee,pink guava, guava, orange, mango, rose syrup)...

As per normal practise, during Ramadhan dates will be served.

Paid RM80.50 (inlcusive of 5% gov tax and 10% service charge). All in all...im looking for a re-visit soon before this Ramadhan ends bcos i didn't have the chance to try all thats being served.

My comment :-
Food quality : Very good.
Food selection : Excellent.
Service quality : Excellent.
Ambience : Excellent.
Price : Too expensive

Photo taken by SE C901

Majulah Singapura! Happy 44th Birthday.

2009-08-09T13:46:00.008+08:00

As Singapore and its citizens celebrates Singapore 44th Birthday today, my wish is...May we live in peace and enjoy the good racial harmony as we have always been blessed with till this day. MAJULAH SINGAPURA!

At 2022hrs today, all Singaporean recite the national pledge concurrently. I always prefer to say the pledge in tunes. Sadly, when i went for the NDP Preview on Aug 1st we have to say out the pledge rather than sing it :(

Anyways...here's the Singapore Pledge for the non-Sporean..

We, the citizens of Singapore
pledge ourselves as one united people,
regardless of race, language or religion,
to build a democratic society,
based on justice and equality,
so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and
progress for our nation.

In the 80s, I have always loved and memorised by heart all NDP theme songs. Approaching the year 2Ks, I don't see any catchy songs till this year.

This year for the first time, the NDP theme song is composed and performed by local band Electrico. Its called "What Do You See?".

Here's the video clip. Enjoy....!
I bet you gonna fall in love with the song!

NDP Preview

2009-08-04T00:17:00.003+08:00

Where : Southern Singapore
Place : Marina Bay floating platform
When : 1-Aug-09

In my whole life, i've never been to any NDP (National Day Parade). But i'm lucky this year. A friend couldn't make it and had given me the NDP Preview tic! I got 2pairs. And only one sister could make it. So the other pair of tickets, i've given it away to my sis's friend, XY.

As the tic stated...gate open at 4pm and all to be seated by 5.45pm. I've reached Esplanade at 3.10pm, had KFC at Marina Sq.

Everywhere in Marina Sq, 90% are seen wearing red attire. That includes me and my sis. I was hoping that i might bumped into someone familiar. Sad...sad...no familiar face.

When the gates open, all walk in orderly manner. All bags have to be scanned by the security personnel. Drinks and any liquid form need to be declared and no canned drinks is allowed to be brought in.

1st, is to get to the correct walkway. There's red, blue, green and yellow sector. Which path to take depends on which ticket color you are holding. Mine is blue.

2nd, to get the food...given out is Sunshine butter sugar bun.

3rd, produce your ticket to get the funpack. Its a sling bag packed with biscuits, magazine, poncho, h2o and items thats needed to participate during the NDP show.

Hand sanitizer is also given out. Prob due to the current h1n1 case. Keeping clean and healthy is important.

Next, collect this booklet...

and the litter bag to dump all your rubbish...

I didnt take note what time the whole thing actually started cos too busy people-watching. Here's a snapshot of whats happen during the NDP Preview...

As we watched the national flag flew pass, all were singing the national anthem "MAJULAH SINGAPURA"

As the night falls, the stage is brightly and beautifully lit...loud music, funny host of suhaimi Yusoff and Mark Lee. Wonderful feeling!

A must-have event in any NDP..FIREWORKS!

By 8.30pm, it came to an end.

Despite a weekend and after NDP, the road is not congested. Took a bus home. And as a matter of fact, the bus and the route that i took is so empty.

To all Singaporean..Happy 44th Birthday! May we live in peace and having good racial harmony always!

Kg Paya, Paya Beach Dive & Spa Resort (Msia)

2009-08-03T20:05:00.015+08:00

Where : Tioman Island,Malaysia
Place : Kg Paya, Paya Beach Dive & Spa Resort
When : 27-29 July '09

A simple and cheap getaway. Paid S$174/person for this package of 3D2N which includes accommodation in standard chalet, two way coach transfer, two way ferry transfer, 2B-1L-2D meals and a snorkelling trip to Renggis Island.

Assembled at Golden Mile Complex, coach leaves at 0630hrs. Spore immigration clearance is tru Woodlands Checkpoint. There's a 20mins breakfast stop-over but sad to say its nothing being served except coffee and tea that i can see. Due to all previous experiences that i had,I am prepared and had in fact pack home-made egg-mayo sandwiches for ourselves! yum! yum! simple yet filling...

Bus journey continues till we reached Mersing ferry terminal at 1000hrs. According to my tour itinerary, I’m supposed to drop at Tg Gemok Ferry Terminal. However, i had a good local tour guide, Christine who suggested that we drop at Mersing Terminal becos the ferry from this terminal would leave for Tioman at 1130hrs and the latter at 1330hrs. Good and considerate suggestion right? Not wasting time at ferry terminal doing nothing.

Exchanged for our boarding pass was hassle free despite checking in at non-designated location. Had a good explanation from Christine and the ferry ticketing operator where and when to get off from the ferry to Kg Paya. Note: Don't forget to purchase the Marine Park conservation charges before u check-in. Its RM5 per adult. RM2 for children and senior citizen. This is a must for all pax visiting any island resorts in Malaysia.

Had an early lunch at the nearby cooked food stalls and managed to grab three T-shirts as souvenirs from Tioman Island.

Ferry check-in time 15min before departing. Even tho we checked-in and seated by 1140hrs, the ferry only set sails at 1210hrs. The ferry was super crowded. All available seats are taken up. But luckily the air-con is working well. Otherwise it will be stuffy seyy...

First stop-over : Kg Genting. Saw "Sun Beach Resort" from the jetty. Second stop : Kg Paya. Third stop : Berjaya Tioman. Forth stop : Kg Air Batang. Last stop : Kg Salang. Then the ferry would return to Mersing.

Kg Salang. Seen here are skilled divers training wannabe diver

Amongst the above mentioned stop-over; Berjaya Tioman is a five-star rated resort in Tioman Island. And Kg Salang is a diver haven.

Reached Kg Paya jetty at 1330hrs... snap some pics and walk to recept for check-in. Even tho 1400hrs is the stated check-in time, but our room is ready to be occupied.

Check-in counter

Looking for our chalet..an old man help us. Friendly uncle. Walking towards my chalet...OMG! I love what i see...

This is where i'm staying

This is whats in front of my chalet

Here's how my internal unit looks like

Even tho it’s a Monday, but the resort is super crowded. As I walked towards my chalet, saw that all the standard unit are occupied.

Since this trip is a rest n relax trip…we took our own sweet time to enjoy the ambience in the room and its surrounding.

Another chalet operator on Kg Paya

Walked around the resort, I see lotsa changes since my last visit many years ago (more than five years ago…). Firstly, I see that the resort is more crowded now. There’s more competitive resort sprung up next to it. More local stalls just outside my resort. And there’s an on-going construction of new units. Prob in my next visit, Kg Paya will be accommodating more holiday makers and be more super crowded with beach lovers and enthusiastic divers.

Went for a swim during the day. The water was super crystal clear with fishes seen swimming near the shoreline. Big. Small. Colourful. Mono-color. WOW! So love the clear, clean seaside!

This is my first time having a waterproof manually operated camera with me. For a film roll of 27, it cost me S$18.

The day ends with our buffet dinner, sunset watching and a stroll along the super low tide beach.

Day 2
We plan to start our day as early as the breakfast starts i.e 0700hrs. After breakfast we went fast asleep. Kheheee….I guess the tiredness of the trip still lingers. Had a quick nap, and went we woke up, went snorkeling.

As my partner was commenting…this is the best trip we ever had. From a “snorkel” it went “dive”. And I quote…”My morning dive is so WOW. The fish was so huge. The stone fish was staring at me!”

Included in the package : Buffet breakfast and dinner and lunch. But only had this during lunch. Just one serving with a glass of plain water.

Went on shore; had lunch and soon we went snorkeling again. It was by then the tides come to a low tide. High or low tide..the beauty of Tioman beach is awesome.

I regret not taking an extra day leave this time. Otherwise would have extended a day stay like I always love to do when I’m go for beach vacation. Cos 2N is always not enuf. :D

This ice kachang looks simple…no ice-cream topping, but was substituted by Milo topping. Still…its simply delicious! Its RM2.50

Day 3
So sad to think that I’m leaving Tioman after 1000hrs. As I check out and walk towards the jetty…I stop to admire the beauty of the island. Never had enough admiring its beauty! Will be visiting Tioman again….for sure!

Ferry set sails at 1000hrs from Paya jetty. Drop by Berjaya, Air Batang and Salang for other tourists from the island. Reached Tg Gemok jetty at 1230hrs.

Upon reaching Tg Gemok, a representative from my bus company is there to pick us up. At Tg Gemok jetty, it isn’t anything like Mersing jetty. No souvenir shop. So no shopping. Boarded the bus and went for lunch, a 5min bus ride to Nusantara makan house.

Soon we’re on the bus again. Now, we’re on our way to Mersing jetty to pick up some more tourists. But we did not alight to get some goodies as we’re rushing to get back to Spore. Sad isn’t it? But I’ve bought what I needed on my first day :D

Reached Woodlands checkpoint at 1620hrs. Home sweet home? Nah! Tioman is THE home sweet home. Thats where i call My Home. Kheheee….

Other useful notes:

This is called Paya Lodge. Cheaper to stay here than in the standard chalet.

Even tho there's a TV in the room, but only one channel running at one time. Here's the schedule...

Who need to watch TV anyway when u have breath-taking scenery just outside your door...

Don't expect a sundeck chair on the beach. Its has been relocated.

There used to be so many of this on the beach for sun-tanning during my last visit. But not anymore now. This is just the one and only left, others has been relocated.

Here's a layout of the units on Kg Paya (in case you wanna select whats best for you during your visit here)

For those who read this post...do visit Tioman at least once and enjoy the peacefulness and the beauty of nature. Njoy...

Rantau Panjang, Msia

2009-06-17T10:41:00.006+08:00

Where : Malaysia
Place : Rantau Panjang, Kelantan
When : 12 to 15 June 2009

June holidays is a time where so many travel agencies would organise group tours. And my dad just love group tours. So we sign up for a trip to a 4D Kelantan-Trengganu organised by Halijah Travels.

Departed from Eunos MRT at 1800hrs, bus heads to Clementi MRT where another group of holiday makers awaits to join us. We cleared immigration by 2nd Link and soon we're on a SVIP coach of 26 seaters to our first stop..supper! kheheee...

We're supposed to be having supper at Machap but our driver, Tony recommended this place. Not crowded and good food. Even the hot tea is so sedappp...! The problem is that the service is too slow. Prob cos its late nite and they didn't expect a busload of customers.

When we reached Trengganu, its already time for the morning prayer, sholat Subuh. We prayed at Masjid Chalok. Next stop Rantau Panjang, Kelantan.

Rantau Panjang is near to the border of Thailand separated by a river. Due to this close proximity to Thailand, Msia have imposed sone prohibited items that can be brought out of Rantau Panjang. Some of the things that we cannot bring out is Batek branded semut (ants), glutanuos rice, rice, preserved fruits.

I was told that if you purchased from a shop more than RM50, please get a receipt. Rantau Panjang is a duty free zone, thus there will a custom check when we leave Rantau Panjang. And expensive items will be taxed 10%. So do avoid dispute of customs officers setting the duty to be paid, get a receipt.

At Rantau Panjang, you can get anything and everything ranging from fruits, preserved fruits, pots and pans, bedsheets, malay wedding's door gift, jerseys, branded polo Tee and anything for a very very cheap price. And...never ever to forget to bargain.

I found the above foodstuff here. 4 for RM1. The problem is that its so much different from Sgp. In Sgp the filling in the glutunuos ice would be spicy grated coconut. But in Kelantan the filling is sweet spicy fish. And gosh! the sweetness of the fish is so very the sweeeeetttt....Not recommended for diabetic!

Its norm in Kelantan to be very very sweet. So for those that can't take too sweet esp when u order your hot tea, tell the waitress that you want lil milk in ur tea/coffee.

Butterfly park close

2009-06-09T02:31:00.002+08:00

Where : Hyderabad Road
Place : HortPark
When : 8th June 09

Went to HortPark bcos wanted to see the newest attraction i.e the Butterfly Park. No luck. Reached at almost 5pm and its closed. sad...sad...

That's the Butterfly Park

As i was talking to a friend earlier this morning...my interest with macro still lingers in me. Should i be getting the macro lens or telephoto lens?

If i do get the macro lens, sad to say Spore surrounding/environment does not have much to discover using macro. Even if i go Botanic Garden or Sentosa, how much newer stuffs could i snap during my each visits? Either that, or the flowers or the leaves spoilt the outcome of the photos.

Look at its leaves! Spoilt the whole pic right?????

Telephoto? hhmmm...i'm still can't decide! argghhh!!!!

And...i still got a long way to shoot better macro pics!

Anyways, here's Alexandra Arc by day and nite...

As i leave HortPark...

Hv a great evening everyone!

Fastest recorded McRitchie hike ever!

2009-06-04T22:04:00.011+08:00

Place : McRitchie Reservoir
When : 4th-June-09

Where could Sporean usually go for group gathering or catching up with old friends? Dine. Shop. Movies. Me? khehe....i'll opt for nature walk. Hiking. Cycling.

So, today im hiking with OBL and Amy! We have not been seeing each other for more than three years after one after another got posted out from our first posting. I have intially wanted to go Ubin again, but not all three of us know how to cycle, so i planned for a hiking trip instead.

Took Time-Off today cos im working the noon shift. Weather isn't promising to start the day. It has been a wet night and in the early morning. But still i'm thinking positively and prayed that it'll stop raining. It did. Alhamdulillah....

Had breakfast at Novena Square and we set to hike. Started hiking at 11.20am. And i must say that this is the fastest recorded McRitchie hike that i ever had. We ended the hike at 1405hrs!!! Amazing stamina that Amy and OBL had! No resting and no slow walk!! Wohooo.....

The day ended with me buying all the overdue items that i need to purchase; my tripod and original Canon batt. Got them at last! Peace..... y(@.@)y

As the day approaching to an end, SK sms me and asked for a confirmation whether i'll be meeting her this Saturday. Okie...since no plan has been made, i'm ON.

SK : We meeting this Sat? Where you plan to go?
Me : Shall we watch "Monsters vs Aliens"? I heard its funny!
SK : Hooray, watch movie. Where you wanna watch?

Khehe...its so funny when SK said "hooray, watch movie". Hahahaa.... I think each time my friend ask me out and ask for a suggestion where to go. My answer most probably be McRitchie...Bt Timah...Ubin...? wakhahaa....

Sorry dear friends...maybe you ladies/guys should not ask me for suggestion. But instead tell me where u peepz wanna meet up k? *wink*wink*

Crazy about ubin? Yes, I am!

2009-05-29T20:50:00.010+08:00

Where : Pulau Ubin
Place visited : Chek Jawa, Nordin Beach
When : 29-May-09

Crazy about ubin? Yes, I am! Kheheee....

And so I went ubin cycling AGAIN. It was planned to be on May-21st but due to some health related problem to one of my friend's son, it was postponed. Even tho the original group member couldn't make it today, well...any number could make a group outing right? *wink*wink*

Same place...same location...Chek Jawa. Nordin Beach.

Weather's is perfect for sun-tanning. Thank God! Alhamdulillah....

First point; Chek Jawa. But we have an escort today. Its this buddy here...

It keeps trailing us everywhere! I guez doggy is hungry. Sorry boy, we don't bring any food. Beside our special escort, we spotted so many monkeys today at Chek Jawa. The number of monkeys spotted is extremely alot. We got quite scared. For fear that they might "attacked" us thinking that we could have food in our backpack. Fortunately, we walked out of Chek Jawa safely.

Its the durian season now.

Whoaa...that's so many durians hanging. yum!!

We can't resist but got to look for couple of durian for ourselves! Heeee.....Found three. Dump it in our basket and cycle to Nordin Beach for durian session! When we reached Nordin Beach...so much efforts are put in by Asheen and myself to crack open the durian!But....

Too bad. Luck isn't with us. All the three durians that we gotten are unsuitable to be eaten. Bohooo....hoo....

Couldn't spent so much time at Nordin Beach as dark clouds hoovering over the sky. Gonna rain soon. Cycle back to jetty...its 4.30pm. How fast time flies when you're having good times...

Bid Ubin bye! bye! Will be dropping by again in June. Hope i get to taste Ubin's durian. FOC! Heee.....

Before Asheen, Circa Gorda and myself call it a day, we had our early supper at Changi Village. As we sat, an uncle from this stall below ask for order to be made but we were so engrossed looking at the menu that we didn't notice him. When Circa Gorda realised that the uncle is talking to us, she gestured her hand to say sorry-later. But i guez this uncle take it too hard.

When we made our order for two fried kway teow with cockles, he pretended not to hear (even tho Asheen made the order at the stall's entrance and repeated her order twice!). Not just he pretended not to hear, he doesn't even cook or serve us our order.

Whoaa...isn't that too much?! Anyway, who's losing business? Its gonna be him. Cos we will patronise other stall. And btw, he's not the only stall selling fried kway teow with cockles! duh!!!

Oh yea..That's him...The uncle who take things too personal!

It's so sad to know that with recession period now, some still can be so arrogant and is pushing away business from coming in. hhmmm....

Chek Jawa, Mamam & Nordin Beach - Ubin

2009-05-08T13:08:00.010+08:00

Where : Pulau Ubin
Location visited : Chek Jawa, Mamam Beach & Nordin Beach
When : 27-Apr-09

It was a bright sunny day. Love the sun; good for sun-tanning. Being a weekday not many food stalls open at Changi Village Food Centre. My fav Sri Saujana nasi lemak is close. haizzz..... Anyways, didn't feel hungry at all. So, its okie. Grab a snicker bar just in case stomach growls after long cycling hours.

This trip, there's eight of us. Sha, Fi, Syazzy, Haz, Lyn, Nis and her mum, and of course me lah. khehee.....

Reached Ubin @ 11am. Oh! always...always never to forget getting a map at the Information Kiosk. Just in case u might get lost in Ubin for those who's not used to Ubin route.

I've been to Ubin several times, but this is the only time so far i encountered the guy who manned the Info Kiosk being unfriendly as compared to those that i met before. I guez he must have gotten on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Hahaaaaa...

Rented the bike for S$7 for the whole day, we started cycling. First stop : Chek Jawa Wetland. I didnt expect much to see at Chek Jawa today as i've checked the tides..its 2.7m. So don't even expect to see seagrass.

When we reached Chek Jawa, couldn't see anything cos its high tide. No seagrass, no crabs, no mudskipper....Anyways, the scenery in Chek Jawa has always been so serene and calm. Love it!

Coastal broadwalk @ Chek Jawa

There's two beach in Ubin that you could visit. But it isn't as good as it was many years ago. For example, the Nordin Beach. Due to water erosion, this is what happen...

Both the beach; Mamam and Nordin Beach has fences put up along its coastal line.

Mamam Beach

Nordin Beach

Cycle to just three location in Ubin took us till 5pm. hmmm....

As we set to leave Ubin...im feeling so sweaty AND...looking forward to the next Ubin trip!

The sky getting cloudy now as the day almost comes to dusk. If it has been like this the whole day, i won't be getting a good tan. I love my tan! Geee.....

McRitchie-McRitchie Hike

2009-05-07T23:43:00.006+08:00

Place : McRitchie Reservoir
Start Point : McRitchie
End Point : McRitchie
When : 2-May-09

It has been quite often that i hike in McRitchie that hiking in a pair these days doesn't bothers me at all. Where in the past i would hike in a group of more than 4 person (min), now...two to go. kheheee....

Okie...so i set to hike again. This is the umpteen times i hike but the first time i hike taking along with me my DSLR.

Even tho today's hike is done after my nite shift duty, I don't feel tired at all. Heeee....

Been here and visiting AGAIN...! R E D A N G ! ! !

2009-04-22T09:36:00.016+08:00

Where : Trengganu, Malaysia
Place : Laguna Redang
When : 13th to 16th Apr '09

Been here and visiting AGAIN!

What more relaxing than to sit back, enjoy the serenity and tranquility of nature's beauty? Whats more important...its away from skyscrapers and stressful work.

Been to Redang Island before two years ago by flight, this time im travelling by coach. Took Konsortium bus company. Departed Golden Mile Tower at 2130hrs...left for Tuas Checkpoint. I was told that there's one stop-over i.e Yong Peng for late supper.

The bus ride was peaceful...even tho there's few wobbly road that the bus has to pass by...all and all...i just love long bus ride. kheheee....

We reached Trengganu at 0630hrs. The indian bus driver was considerate enuf to drop us at a nearby stall for prata/tosai breakfast before dropping the whole busload at Shah Bandar jetty. Driver told us that the check in for ferry boarding pass will be at 0930hrs, so no point getting to the ferry terminal in a hurry.

Despite being a Tuesday, the ferry terminal is jammed pack with holiday maker. There are lotsa Sporeans too!!!! Don't they need to work????? haiizz......and i thought i can have the whole Redang Island to myself! (Melampau kan aku?! wakhahahaaa...!!)

There's three check-in counters...1) Laguna. 2) Berjaya. 3) Sejahtera. The longest Q...Laguna. haiizz.....sian! sian....AGAIN! kheheehee....

Ferry departed at 1000hrs. Ride is 1.5hrs. When we reached Laguna, we were directed to a "Waiting Hall" for briefing. Briefing includes detailed explaination of what one can expect from Laguna...activities that you can do while you're on the island. The DOs and DON'Ts in the name of marine conservation. The rental charges of equipments and there's a diving lesson at RM150.

Room check-in is at 1400hrs. After the briefing, its already 12noon. Its lunchtime!!! The best thing about this whole package that i took is that all meals are inclusive! Breakfast..Lunch..Dinner. Its a three-meals-a-day throughout my stay here! Ohhh...the weather is great! Sunnyyyy.....!!!!! YIPPEEEE...sun-tanning!!!

Sea view rooms

Pool view rooms

After lunch, even before 1400hrs our room is ready to be occupied. We dropped all our luggages into the room, get changed and jumped into the sea! yeah!!!

On second day here, we went snorkelling.kehheheee....but...shy la wanna sey or show pic of my snorkelling gear/attire. Ask me je lah what i see during my snorkelling time ehhh....khehehee.....

Rental charges : Snorkelling mask RM10. Life jacket RM10. Charges applies once only for the whole duration during your stay in Laguna. Need to return rental items by 1900hrs, one day before your departing date. Fail to do so, charges applies.

I muz say that i have a good tanned. Its better than the tan that i got last two years cos the last two years, i got charred. And i really mean charred! khheee.....

It does sleep..

2009-04-02T08:31:00.009+08:00

Where : Southern S'pore
Place : Vivocity & Merlion Park
When : 28-Mar-09

And i thought that the city will not sleep till the sun rise. I was wrong.

It was a Saturday. A plan was laid out to have a nights out. Not partying but photo snapping of Spore's night view. I was ignorant. Today, its the Earth Hour's Day. From 2030hrs, some participating area in Spore will have its lights shut off for an hour.

Left home at 2030hrs. Indeed as my bus pass by Benjamin Sheares Bridge, alls that usu lighted up and beautify Southern part of Spore are in total darkness. Esplanade..flyer..its pitch darkness. Only the on-going construction of the integrated resort is glowing with lights. Bad day to plan a nights out session? hhmmm....

It was so packed with people hanging around in groups at Vivocity. All levels..all area..haiz.....i hate crowds!

I didn't get much of snapping cos we're more busy exploring my sis digi-cam.

This view taken w/o any zooming done

Same camera position, but zoomed. Observed how much lights peeps into the frame!

I just have to say that i have so so much more to learn and explore in the field of photography.

My starting line says that the city does sleep. Well...most of the lights are out by 2am. So...plan to stay and snap photos till sunrise abandoned. I went home at 4am.

Batam Centre

2009-03-21T09:58:00.019+08:00

Where : Batam Island, Indonesia
Place : Batam Centre
When : 18 Mar 09

My last visit to Batam Island has been ages. Four years perhaps. I'm recently getting curious about the after-renovation outcome of Cruise Centre,Harbourfront Terminal. Friends told me that the immigration counters and ticketing counters are so much different now. Even the queing part to get your immigration clearance has changed.

So today im free after my Ubin trip with Alphas Airport has to be postponed to some other day. I'm set with Asheen to take a ferry ride to Batam Island. Too bad Circa Gorda couldn't make it. Passport expired. *sob*sob*. Otherwise, its a overseas trip with PPG again.

So much renovations has been done to Cruise Centre. Its more crampy i see. And everything from the boarding pass to entering the restricted area to get your immigration clearance and boarding the ferry..its all been electronically controlled. Tap..tap..tap...

Met at McD at 10am, we had light breakfast. When we reached the ferry ticketing counter (Level 3) we saw that we just missed the 10.20am ferry departure because we didnt know that there's a 10.20am slot. So had to take the 12noon departure.

Here's the ferry schedule in case you want some reference...

The port that we wanna land is Batam Centre.
For a two-way ticket, it S$40/adult.
We took Penguin 7 vessel.
Check-in 45mins before departure.
Gate close 15mins before departure.

There's a waiting area before boarding. But its not spacious considering when its a PH or school hols.

Its a 45mins ferry ride from Singapore to Batam Centre.

Nearest to the ferry terminal is a hypermart.

These are what we had for late lunch..Its at a food court on the topmost level of the hypermart. In total, we had to pay about S$9/person for these dishes including white rice and fruit juices. Cheap! Cheap!

Avocado Juice

Boiled gonggong. The sambal tumis is niceeee.....

Cumi-cumi asam pedas. This has to be my most fav dish! The sauce is so very the spicy and hot!

Black pepper beef

The beef is very very tender and juicy!

Prawn cutlet with mayonese toppping

Inside the hypermart there's playground for kids

There's also a shopping outlet (its called Matahari), a spa, cinema (we forgot to check out the price. heheheee...), hair salon just to mention a few and lotsa lotsa fast food outlet. There's A&W peez!

Especially if you travel during weekends, PH and school hols, upon your arrival to Batam, pls book a return ticket and confirmed your departure time. This is because you wouldn't wanna get stranded on the island bcos of ferry full,without any plan to stay overnite. And worst still if you have to work the next day. So, book a return ticket before you start enjoying your shopping, eating and forgotten all about coming home. :)

I booked the 17.20pm (Indo time) return ticket as there's no ferry schedule to depart at 18.30pm (Indo time)today. As we set sail onboard Penguin 15, enjoyed the sunset gazing...

You can get to see the silhouette of Spore City upon 20mins departing from Batam Island

All pics taken using camera phone : SE W810i

Much awaited..

2009-03-15T18:48:00.008+08:00

Where : Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
When : 15-Mar-09

My third visit to Sg Buloh is a much awaited thingy. It was planned a month ahead esp when its difficult for me to have a off day on a Sunday. Finally 15-Mar comes! Since it has been an off and on raining day for the past few days, i pray hard that today will be a bright sunny and clear sky. Thank God it didnt rain!

In fact i love the cloudy sky!

Despite having a nature walk in the reserve after performing nite duty last nite, i don't feel tired at all because...because i love nature walks. AND...and i love mangroves, esp watching mudskippers!

I have always love mangroves. In Sungei Buloh there's two mangroves area : Mangrove Broadwalk and Mangrove Arboretum.

(Above) Painting to add colour to the mangrove's shelter rooftop

This viewing tower (pic above) has a very very narrow steps! (Below)

Have been reading so much of fellow blogger, TiDeChaseR's post about cotton strainer, finally i spotted one myself!

Past two visits here, spotted frequent presence of the monitor lizards, but today i just got to see this lil fella

Creepy caterpillars grouping together!

In my kampung days, i love eating these wild cherries! But no cherries for me today. This tree have season for fruiting? No idea!

I've explored almost all the area in Sg Buloh. We spent three hours here. But before leaving...Watch it!

To SK, thanks for the companion! Looking forward to a next Sg Buloh trip perhaps... ;-P

SSV - Shore Excursion at a Glance

2009-03-08T08:49:00.008+08:00

Malacca Stop-Over
Discover Malacca & KL

St Paul's Hill Complex
Bukit Cina
Hang Li Po's Well
Dutch Square
Cheng Hoon Teng Temple
Jonker Street
Baba-Nyonya Heritage Museum
Petaling Street

Duration : 11hrs
Pricing : $78 (Adult), $68 (Child) - Lunch included

Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang)
The Asian Melting Pot

Blue Mosque of the East
Thean Hou Temple
KL Tower
Suria KLCC

Pricing : $49 (Adult), $45 (Child) - Meal at own expenses

Shopping Galore

Petronas Twin Tower
Bukit Bintang

Pricing : $25 (Adult), $25 (Child) - Meal at own expenses

Shopping at Chinatown
Pricing : $23 (Adult), $23 (Child) - Meal at own expenses

Shopping at Mid Valley Megamall
Pricing : $23 (Adult), $23 (Child) - Meal at own expenses

Shopping at 1 Utama
Pricing : $23 (Adult), $23 (Child) - Meal at own expenses

Shopping at Aeon Bukit Tinggi
Pricing : $23 (Adult), $23 (Child) - Meal at own expenses

On board SuperStar Virgo again after four years!

2009-03-07T18:54:00.011+08:00

It has been almost four years that i went on cruise. And im on it again! khehee....

Vessel name: SuperStar Virgo by Star Cruises
Destination : 3D2N Malacca/KL
Sailing Time from Singapore : 2359hrs
Boarding point : Harbourfront Centre
When : 4th - 6th March 2009

Check-in start at 2030hrs. All passengers have to be on board by 2230hrs. By then, gate will be close. There will be a briefing on deck on how to use the life jacket. From my past crusing experience, better to check-in early. This is not to avoid being refused boarding when the gate is close, but once you're on-board you can start having your late dinner!

There are four restaurants thats inclusive in the cruise fare. They are Mediterranean Buffet, Mediterranean Terrace, The Pavilion Room and Bella Vista.

Mediterranean Buffet and Terrace is a Pork and Lard Free Restaurant and it serves international dishes. It serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and late supper.

This is what greeted you, when you enter the ship

(Above) This is the reception area - Deck 7

On Deck 12, its the swimming pool, jacuzzi

(Above) The slide is something new. I didn't see it during my last visit

Here's some snap shots what u can see as you stroll inside and outside of SSV deck

Alley of the cabin

(Above) The Library

(Above) Children Wild n Wet

(Above) Rock climbing for children

(Above) Captain's Bridge

(Above) Thats the Captain!

(Above) Front view to where the Captain is

(Above) Thats the tip(nose) of the ship!

(Above) Port Klang, KL by night

(Above) When SSV dock at Port Klang, crew gets busy. Stock are replenished.

I'm just glad that Star Cruises having promotion! For this trip, Star Cruises having promotion of second pax free! If the next promotion comes any time soon, i'll sure grab one more time. And I hope the wait will not be too long. Not another four year.shorter. pleasee.... :-)

"Can't wait. I'm so excited!"

2009-02-18T11:47:00.011+08:00

"Can't wait. I'm so excited!"

Thats exactly how i felt for the past three weeks. I'm going to catch Puteri Gunung Ledang The Musical Season 3! Its not gonna be stage in Singapore, but at Istana Budaya in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia!

It wasn't a pleasant start at first. Firstly bcos I came to know about this show only in early Feb. That's too late esp when i need to give one month advance notice prior to applying for my leave.

Nevertheless, i got time-off granted! keke...(psstt...i have my ways ;-P)

So now, im counting to the days im leaving Spore, thats....TWO MORE DAYS! Weee.....Can't wait! Can't wait!

But wait! SLR or normal digi cam to bring?? Argghh!!! No camera allowed lar! Geezzz....

Will update u guys when i return!

(p/s : What do u suggest i bring to KL....SLR? Digi Cam? hmmm......)

anyways, here's my fav OST from Puteri Gunung Ledang. Njoy!!!

Asmaradana - Tiara Jacquelina OST Puteri Gunung Ledang

Happy B'day/V Day

2009-02-14T00:34:00.006+08:00

I didn't realised that its Valentine's Day today. Firstly bcos i'm a Muslim and we do not celebrate Valentine's Day. Secondly bcos i believe that we do not show our love for someone only during Valentine's Day. I love all my loved ones everyday so that makes it a Valentine's Day for me everyday! ;-)

Feb 14th...instead of remembering that it's Valentine's Day, i always remember it as a day for other celebration. Its my brother's birthday.

Happy **th Birthday Omario! Semoga dikurniakan kesehatan yang sempurna, dimurahkan rezeki dan sentiasa dilindungi Allah swt.Amin.

Anyways, Happy Valentine's Day to those who is madly in love, those who is loving someone, those being loved and those in search for someone to love....

The day i became someone's "marker"

2009-02-09T15:47:00.004+08:00

For the past one year or so i have been walking from my home to the MRT station particularly during my morning duty. The walk is a 25-35min walk. The funny thing about the walk is that i noticed that someone made me as her "marker".

This is what happen...

Each time I walk, a very same person will be walking the same route as me. The funny part that i observed; if she is at a traffic-light junction, she will wait till the "green man" turns green before starting to cross the road. But each and every time i am approaching the traffic junction she gets very nervous.

I'm the sort who hates to wait for the green man if there's no traffic. So, i'll usually jay walk.

To my surprised, she would jay walk with me. And at some other time, if she sees me approaching the junction, she would look out for traffic and start jay-walking. If im still at far distance, she will not jay-walk but keeps fidgeting about, waiting for the green man. DUH! Whada!!

Me her marker? *eyeballs rolling up* If im walking in front of her does that means that she'll miss her MRT train? Hello!!!! Look at her own watch and see for herself whether she'll miss her train or not!

I will try to snap a picture of her one fine day! keke

Short visit to Sungei Buloh Wetland

2009-02-08T00:00:00.002+08:00

Place : Sungei Buloh Wetland
When : 8th Feb 2009

I have always miss going to Sungei Buloh Wetland. But despite asking around many times who's interested to visit this place, the answer is still the same; "hmmm, don't want". So i have decided to visit it alone.

Work finished at 3pm. Changing to my outing attire, a friend asked where am i going? Sungei Buloh is my reply. To my surprised, my friend said " If you don't mind, can i tag along?". Ohh...not that im happy that i have a companion at the last minute,but im in deep thoughts and wonders...why would she who have no interest in nature wanna tag along? Nevertheless, im okay with any friends tagging along with me to anywhere. So, i said yes.

The wait for the bus to bring us to the wetland lasted for 30 minutes. The weather was sunny, but as we are approaching the destination, dark clouds gloom over the sky. Issit going to rain soon? I don't care. Rain or shine, I will still walk in the reserve. keke

The Bus Service 925 drop us at the entrance of the wetland. When we reached there, it was already 1650hrs. Admission to the wetland on Sunday is S$1.

For your info, Bus Service 925 will only drop you to the wetland entrance on a Sunday and Public Holidays. On any other day, you have to walk 15minutes from the bus stop near Kranji Reservoir Carpark.

While in the reserve, here's the Do's and the Don'ts

(Above) Entrance to the mangrove broadwalk.

Mangrove Broadwalk is my fav bcos i love to see mudskipper.

While in the reserve, its best to be more quiet. Listen more and talk less.

Reserve closes at 1900hrs. The last admission ticket will be sold at 1800hrs. Here's a schedules of the bus service 925 from the reserve. Don't ever miss the bus bcos the walk is a long walk out.

Discovering the Southern Ridges (detailed description)

2009-02-03T21:27:00.009+08:00

Info extracted from a pamplets printed by NParks' Publication

(above) Southern Islands

Discovering the Southern Ridges
The Southern Ridges comprises a 9-kilometre chain of green, open spaces spanning the rolling hills of Mt Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park and Kent Ridge Park before ending at West Coast Park.

It is an area steeped in history and is home to some of nature's greatest gifts of flora and fauna. It is also one of the best spots in Spore to catch panoramic views of the city, harbour and the Southern Islands.

Two prominent connections stand proudly along the Ridges today.
Henderson Waves - Spore's highest pedestrian bridge - spans Henderson Road to connect Mt Faber Park to Telok Blangah Hill Park.

The other link, Alexandra Arc, looks like an opened leaf across Alexandra Road. It continues to Forest Walk, which is made up of an elevated walkway for pedestrians and earth trail for cyclists through the secondary forest of Telok Blangah Hill Park.

Together with a series of other interesting trails, they provide a seamless link through a soothing sanctuary of greenery that was previously not accessible.

(above) Marang Trail

Marang Trail
Distance 0.8km Walking Time 15mins
This trail extends from Marang Road, just behind the Harbourfront MRT Station to the cable car station at the Jewel Box on Mt Faber. An easy walk of steps and shaded footpaths through secondary forest, Marang Trail covers elevation of 70-metres (or equivalent of a 24-storey building).

(above) Mt Faber

Faber Walk
Distance 1.0m Walking Time 15mins
Faber Walk meanders through Mt Faber Park, one of the oldest parks in Spore and ends at the Henderson Waves. The slopes of this 56-hectare park are covered by dense secondary rain forest, and are home to many interesting plants and fauna.

At its peak the park offers panoramic views of the southern part of Spore and the Southern Islands. At night, the park transforms into one of the more romantic spots on the island, where people can enjoy breathtaking sight of the city's twinkling lights and ships at sea.

(above) Henderson Waves

Henderson Waves
Distance 0.3m Walking Time 5mins
At 36 metres above Henderson Road, Henderson Waves is the highest pedestrian bridge in Spore. It was built to connect the two hills of Mt Faber and Telok Blangah Hill.

The bridge has a unique wave-form made up of seven undulating curved steel "ribs" that alternatively rise over and under its deck. The curved "ribs" form alcoves that function as shelters with seats within.

Slats of yellow balau wood, an all-weather timber found in South-East Asia are used in the decking. Look out for carvings on the slats marking the height you are at on various points along the bridge.
The wave-forms will be lit with attractive LED lights from 7pm to 2am daily, giving the bridge illuminative glow.

Hilltop Walk
Distance 1.0m Walking Time 15mins
Hilltop Walk runs through the 34-hectare Telok Blangah Hill Park, once gathering place for trading communities that flourished in the area in the early nineteenth century. The trail connects on one end with the Henderson Waves and the other with the Forest Walk leading to Alexandra Arc. The Terrace Garden at the top of the park offer a stunning 360-degree view of Spore.

(above)Elevated walkway - Forest Walk

(above)Earth trails - Forest Walk

Forest Walk
Distance 1.3m Walking Time 20mins
The Forest Walk, a steps-free elevated walkway with earth trails, meanders some 50-metres through the secondary forest of Telok Blangah and connects to Alexandra Arc. The raised walkway with heights ranging from 3 to 18 metres brushes the canopy of trees and offers a bird's eye view of the forest.

The modules of the elevated walkway derived their design from the triangular-shaped leaves of the fast growing "Mile-a-Minute" plant. The ground level earth trails a more rugged experience, bringing you closer to yje wildlife found in the area.

(above) Alexandra Arc

Alexandra Arc
Distance 0.8m Walking Time 5mins
The bridge with its curved deck and tilted arch, spans Alexandra Road like an opened leaf. On the Hyderabad Road side, the bridge is connected to HortPark- the gardening hub via Floral Walk. The bridge dazzles with colour changing LED lights everyday between 7pm and 12am.

(above) HortPark the Gardening Hub

Floral Walk HortPark the Gardening Hub
Distance 0.3m Walking Time 5mins
HortPark - the Gardening Hub
Distance 1.1m Walking Time 15mins
Located at the base of Alexandra Arc, Floral Walk offers a delightful stroll along a path lined with flowering plants.

It forms the gateway to HortPark. This is Southeast Asia's first one-stop centre for gardening-related recreational, educational, reserach and retaill activities in the park setting.

Some park highlights include attractive themed gardens as well as outdoor display plots showcasing designs and ideas for home gardening.

The 23-hectare HortPark connects to Kent Ridge Park via Canopy Walk.

(above) Canopy Walk - Kent Ridge

Canopy Walk
Distance 0.3m Walking Time 5mins
Canopy Walk links the 47-hectare Kent Ridge to Reflections at Bukit Chandu- once known as Opium Hill and site of one of the kast battles of Spore in WWII and HortPark the Gardening Hub.

Elevated 16 metres at the centre, Canopy Walk takes you through secondary forest with groves of Tembusu, and dominant trees of the adinandra belukar. Move quietly and you may see some of the rich widllife thats lives there, such as squirrels, sunbirds, doves, lizards abd white crested laughing thrushes.

(above)Kent Ridge Park

Tips for park patrons:

Dress sensibly in comfortable clothes, hat and walking shoes.
Drinking water, snacks and insect repellent are part of a basic but very good survival kit.
Speak softly. Stay alert. You'll see and hear more.
Do not leave anything behind & take nothing but pictures when you leave.
Do not feed wild animals. You do them more harm than good. Help save them by not feeding them.

For more info : www.nparks.gov.sg

Southern Ridges again! (now with Alphas Air)

2009-02-03T18:57:00.006+08:00

Where : Southern Ridges
When : 03-Feb-09

Wehee....I went for another walk to the Southern Ridges again today! Weather was good! Cloudy, no scorching sun. And its a little windy. This time its a group of four girls. Emi, Fizan, Circa Gorda and myself. Same plan; start from Marang Trail. But this time the walk ends at Museum Reflection of Bukit Chandu. This is my second visit to Bukit Chandu and i still love the theatre show.

Well of Reflection (exterior)

Well of Reflection (interior)

I learnt something new today! When we were in the museum, there were a class of student listening to a talk. I overheard from the speaker that each time the clock strike 5pm, the drain cover would makes noise. And ever once a Malay family was at the area. The family had a baby with them. Strangely, the kid cried non stop. hmmm...so, buddies who love to go ghost hunting; 5pm Bukit Chandu?! keke..

And it came to my thoughts...the opening hours of the museum is 9am to 5pm. Why can't the museum open after 5pm especially during weekends and PH? hhmmm....must go find out! (haha im scared la. Maybe you wanna find out for me and i update my blog of your findings...yea? ha ha)

Lieutenant Adnan from the Malay Regiment

Something i didnt notice on my last visit to HortPark

'Touching" moment

2009-02-02T15:01:00.001+08:00

A visit to a friend's place today ends in a 'touching" moment. Her mum had just done her operation to remove a growth in her cervix. I have been to her house couples of time, and each time without fail her mum would serve her guests food. Ranging from heavy meal like mee soto or as simple as "jemput-jemput bawang", My friend's mum reminds me of my mum's character. So warmth, motherly and happy to entertain guests. Always.

I am happy and glad that the operation went well. During the visit, i saw her being chirpy and entertained her guests as normal. But only God knows hows she is feeling.

When its time to say leave the house, as i "salam" her, i couldn't hold my tears. She reminds me so much of how my mum was when she was sick and entertaining her guests who pays her a visit. To Puan Siti Zaharah...Semoga sembuh sempurna dan dikurniakan umur yang panjang. Insya Allah dapat menunaikan haji pada tahun ini. amin.

Sun ecplise 26-Jan-09

2009-01-26T10:01:00.009+08:00

I came to know about the sun eclipse lil too late. Nevertheless, i have beforehand wanted to go catch sunset gazing at Vivocity. Was hoping that i could see it at Vivocity even tho i know its a slim chance.

Since its the Lunar New Year, many shops in Vivocity are closed. Despite that, there's so many people loitering and hanging inside and outside the megamall. I grab couple of croissants and drinks and sat at the resting place facing Sentosa, waiting...waiting for the sun to set.

Luck isn't with me today. The sunset wasn't as beautiful as the sunset that i saw during my rambling with the Alphas on 21st-Jan, few days ago. Like i was told by Roy; good photo-taking isn't just about skills and techniques, luck plays a part too.

I overheard a couple beside me was saying that their family went to Labrador Park today to catch the sun ecplise. I remembered i catch a view of fascinating sunset at Labrador when i last visited it.

(Link)News of the Sun Ecplise in Spore by CNA

Happy Lunar New Year!

2009-01-26T01:01:00.003+08:00

To all my chinese friends and colleagues...Gong Xi Fa Cai!
May this year, the year of the Ox brings u lotsa good fortunes, good health and many many joyful moments.

Southern Ridges wif Alphas

2009-01-21T14:42:00.005+08:00

Where : Southern Ridges
When : 21-Jan-09

The Alphas have once again organized a nature outing. This time its a visit to the Southern Ridges. Response was good since most of the Alphas have not been to most of the point that we're going to rambles this time.

It was a nice weather for sun-tanning. Prepared with sunscreen spray the ten of us set to walk. Starting point is Marang Trail. We walked till Henderson Waves. Then elevated walk and then Kent Ridge. Chilling out at Labrador Park.

The walk today no doubt goes as planned i.e we started off at Marang Trail and ends up at Kent Ridge, however it is an upset that along the walk, we missed so many interesting and worth visiting/spending time place. To name..we did not visit Reflection Museum of Bukit Chandu, we did not spend enough time taking pictures in HortPark. It seems as tho we were rushing for time, when in actual we should be relaxing, foster good bonding within the group and respecting others view as well as understanding that each individual have different level of stamina.

Nevertheless, its a good thing. For I have begun to learn the different character and behaviour of individuals.

Anyways, since most of the remaining us do not have plan, we sit down and relax as we enjoy the sunset gazing at Vivocity.

To all the nine that make the walk today possible and memorable...Sha, Sheen, Di, Fi, Rhyzel, Rizzo, Chia, Bi and Wak. Thankiu guys and gerlz!

Marina Barrage 1st visit

2009-01-16T15:09:00.008+08:00

Where : 260 Marina Way
Place : Marina Barrage
When : 13th Jan 2009

How to get there:


	Free shuttle bus service from Marina Bay MRT Station to Marina Barrage. From Mondays to Fridays Every 30-minute intervals From 8.30am-7.15pm Last Bus from MRT: 6.00pm Last Bus from Marina Barrage: 7.15pm Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays Every 15-minute intervals From 9.00am-9.00pm Last Bus from MRT: 8.00pm Last Bus from Marina Barrage: 9.00pm

The Marina Barrage is a dam in Singapore built across the Marina Channel of Marina East and Marina South. It was officially opened on 1 November 2008.

The S$226 million project turns Marina Bay and Kallang Basin into a new downtown freshwater Marina Reservoir. It provides water supply, flood control and a new lifestyle attraction. This structure will provide flood control by changing the tide flow into the barrage.

I am not very satisfied with the outcome of todays photo-taking cos it was a cloudy day and its drizzling on and off, so my photos appears rather dark. I have to do adjustment of the brightness to the original photos. *sigh*

Will be re-visiting Marina Barrage the soonest time possible when the sky is brighter.

Welcome 2009!

2009-01-01T11:24:00.007+08:00

When most are with the companion of friends and loved ones, counting down to the New Year be it at home or Marina Bay... me and my group of friends are slogging at work.

Where was i during Hari Raya Haji? At work. Christmas? At work. New Year? At work. And the coming Lunar New Year...i will be working too.

Haizz.....Time just isn't right for Alpha Angels and Dudes. But guys and gerlz...work smart but not too hard. U know what i mean....Take care of your health and May God bless you all. Aja Aja Fighting Alphas!

Lemme share with u a sms message that i got last nite...

The year 2008 has gone but made us strong.

The path was long, but we walked with a song.

There were fears & tears, but we also had reasons for cheers.

Here's wishing you happy memories of last year 2008

& may 2009 be a great year for all us.

Happy New Year 2009 everyone!

2008

2008-12-31T13:35:00.005+08:00

So many things happened in 2008. For the first time someone wants to travel to Indonesia, and we went even tho just two ladies. C'mon...whats so bad about Indonesia peepz?? The trip was a wonderful adventure. Everyone should visit. But too bad, even tho my friend and i do have plan to visit another part of Indonesia in 2009, she have changed her mind. So now i'm back to square one...no kakis to travel with me to Indonesia. Haizzz.....

Even tho there's a small disappointment that i experienced (having wish doesn't come true), 2008 has been a wonderful year for me. For one, i get to set up blog of my own (with the help of BoNa FiDe of course!), sharing my rambling pictures with all my friends. 2nd, i got for myself a SLR!

But towards the end of 2008, December to be specific, i heard shocking news of girl friends breaking up with their love ones. Its just so sad cos they just looked as tho they are meant for each other. To those ladies; "Be strong, and move on. You guys are not fated to be together. And remember, whatever happened, happens for a reason. Mungkin ada hikmah disebalik kejadian ini. Put the past behind you, and start a refreshing new year 2009! " Big hugss...

I wish 2008 will not end so quickly...

2008-12-31T11:20:00.006+08:00

When the clock strike midnite tonite, 2008 comes to an end.

How i wish 2008 will not ends so quickly. Cos there's one wish that has yet to come true.

Sometime i wish i don't wish at all so that when a year comes to an end, its just simply pass by .

I have tried, tried my very best BUT....I can only wish and try. Its God who will grant my wish.

Another new year is approaching, will it be another year of disappointment? I wish not. And i will step my best foot forward into the new year to make my wish and dream comes true! For 2009, i wish....

Changes in Changi Beach

2008-12-28T16:35:00.009+08:00

Where : Changi Coast Road
Place : Changi Beach Park
When : 27-28 Dec '08

My last visit to Changi Beach is in May this year. Between May till Dec seems too long. Bcos the moment i reached Changi Beach lotsa changes is done to the place.

I saw bike rental kiosk and a cafe called Bistro@Changi.

Bistro@Changi

Bike rental

Some other modifications and renovations done to Changi Beach are the shelters and ohh...just an update; for two days that i'm here i observed that the small titbits shops managed by a chinese couple near to the entrance of the toilet is no longer operating. No idea whats the reason and since when they have moved out.

Requirement to obtain permits for pitching of tent still remains unchanged

Despite being a rainy season, i still see so many campers doing overnite camping over the weekends. And i see more of chinese families camping overnite unlike all the past years i've been here.

While most love to pitch tents by the beach, some do it near the carpark. What matter most is to foster closer bonding and have a get-together as a family!

Camping by the beach

Camping by the carpark

There's so many place in Spore that one could go around snapping some good photos. Beach is one of the good place to learn some photography techniques.

Spotted a group of guys equipped each with SLR. They are having lesson cos observed that one of them explaining and doing most of the talking. But the sad thing is that they only concentrated on taking aeroplanes flying overhead towards Changi Airport. They didnt even wait till sunset to snap moments of the sundown. :,-(

Group having lesson with their SLR

Sunset@Changi

I have never seen Changi Beach coastline water as clear as today

Some of the findings along Changi Beach

Can anyone tell me whats these gross thingy that embraced this stone

Take a look at whats in the cup. Ewww...

Lotsa snails underneath the rocks

Small prawns

Like a butt. Nice!

Creepy caterpillar

Doesn't this flower look as tho having a pair of eyes, a beak and ears? Wakhaha

Spotted a huge rabbit. Belong to one of the campers

Kite flying is something new that i've seen for all the years i visited Changi

Proud aunt of two!

2008-12-27T00:07:00.011+08:00

2008 has been a year where i became a to two baby boy. The mother of both baby boys are so close to me. So close that i regarded them like my sisters. To Roza and Sima, congratulations on your newborn baby. May baby Aaqil and Aamshar brings u ladies lotsa joy!

The day i met Haizad Imran!

2008-12-26T23:18:00.010+08:00

Its a day after Xmas...and its a school hols. Laziness lingers...work? haizz...feeling sick. Kheheee...

Went to Orchard Rd. Oh My!! Not just the land checkpoints packed with heavy traffics, Orchard Road are jammed too! Road filled with cars! Walkways full of people!!!

Squeezed....Gotta squeez my way thru. Such a hot day and walking shoulder to shoulder, felt like sardines in a can!

But thats just during the day. Its okie for me tho cos the spirit of Christmas (seeing Orchard Rd beautifully decorated) and the year-end sales make it fun to walk around Orchard. I never regret tho cos get to spend time with A'sheen. Chill!

Before the day came to an end...i spotted Haizad Imran! We waved at him . He smiled and said "HI".

Geezzzz.... Gleaming with joy from then till i get home!

Haizad is the one wearing the red T-shirt (casted in 2x5 Dol aired on Suria channel).

But he's so much better looking in person than on TV! Trust me! Kheheeee.....

Wearing glasses. Cool or uncool?

2008-12-20T12:34:00.003+08:00

I remembered when i was in upper primary school, i envied those students who wears glasses. To me they looked more educated and stylish.

Wearing glasses means one could change their image and how they look. Cos glasses comes in different design and colours and that could make a person look more stylo.

I even told my mum that i wanna wear glasses, when i was in school. Tried to convince her from primary school till i ends my education. But the health test conducted by school always made me unable to own one, cos my eyesight test never fails me. *shrug* (Oppsss.. shouldn't i Thank God for giving me good eyesight? I should. Alhamdulillah!)

Till lately a friend consulted me whether should she go for lasik treatment since now its getting cheaper. And so i asked; why do u want to waste unnecessary money during recession time and isn't wearing glasses cool?

Her reply makes me ponders. She said; Its not easy wearing glasses and choosing one that suits you isn't a simple task.

Huh??? Is it really that tough?
???

Eeww...

2008-12-20T04:15:00.004+08:00

Where : Cluny Road
Place : Singapore Botanic Garden
When : 19 Dec 08

Singapore Botanic Garden

2008-12-12T22:08:00.010+08:00

Where : Cluny Road
Place : Singapore Botanic Garden
When : 12 Dec 08

Opening hrs : 5.00 am - 12.00 midnight (daily)
Admission : Free
Getting There : Bus services No. 7, 75, 77, 105, 106, 123, 174

Orchids

Statues

Same family, different colours

Xmas 2008 deco - Airport & Orchard Road

2008-12-09T23:03:00.017+08:00

Where : Changi Airport T1, T2, T3 and Orchard Road
When : 9 Dec 2008

Its the Xmas season again! Its so common in Spore to have roads, shopping centres and especially airport to be decorated with Xmas trees and deco. Join me as i walked around Singapore Changi Airport and the famous town area, Orchard Road to find out whats the Xmas deco like this year.

To my Spore friend, Stardust...I don't want you to miss out how Orchard Road is decorated this Xmas. To my other overseas friends, lemme bring you what Spore has put up in celebrating the joyful Xmas and New Year mood.

T2 Departure

T2 Departure

T1 Departure

T1 Arrival

T3

T3

T3 Transit area

Orchard Road

To all my friends who celebrate Christmas, wishing u guys a Joyful Christmas!

Improper etiquette of Park visitors

2008-12-09T09:16:00.007+08:00

Where : Pasir Ris Park Mangrove
When : 8 Dec 08

I am so disappointed with those who visited nature parks but do not know how to observe proper etiquette. What greeted me when i entered Pasir Ris Park Mangrove is an ugly sight and behaviours of some visitors to the Park.

Litters found on the mangrove grounds

Graffiti seen on the walls and pillars of the bird watching tower

Some would comment that the agency in charge of managing parks should be more observant to these litters and do frequent clean-up of the Park. To me, i personally feels that as the visitors to the Park, everyone should do their part to keep the Parks litter-free so as not to spoil the scenery, and eco system of the mangroves.

Pasir Ris Park Mangrove

2008-12-08T21:14:00.019+08:00

Where : Pasir Ris Park Mangrove
When : 8th Dec 08

SLR in my palm, mind went blank! Where can i go today to start snapping photos with my new gadget? Its been raining since morning. Oh no...am i gonna be stuck at home doing nothing but listen to the rain drops? Think! Think!

hmmm....lets see...Why not i go visit places thats near my home? hmmm...

Pasir Ris Park mangrove! I've not once been there but for so long i have always wanted to visit the place. It was said from an article that i read that the mangrove was only 5mins walk from Pasir Ris MRT station. So, thats it!

So i suggested to my siblings to visit the Pasir Ris mangrove. My 2nd brother insist not going cos of the rain. But my other two sisters were very supportive as I have told them earlier that I wanted to play around with my new gadget.

It was 2.10pm when we reached Pasir Ris MRT. Looking around from the bus interchange, we can't find any signage to indicate the direction to the mangrove. We then proceed to look at the map of the neighbouring area surrounding the bus interchange. We saw "Pasir Ris Park" on the map. But there's no indication for mangrove area.

We decided to just walk into the park and find out where's the mangrove, thinking that the mangrove couldn't be so far away from the park.

True enough when we read the map of the Pasir Ris Park, we saw the mangrove indication. So thereafter we just follow thru the broadwalk and start snapping photos.

Having these broadwalk makes my walking and enjoying the nature, a comfortable experience

Saw the mudskipper? Info on mudskipper

Bird watching tower

After a long tiring walk, you can take a rest at one of these benches (its found all over the park) or rest in one of these cool close-to-the-nature hideout.

Can u see that one of the hideout had a tent pitched in it? The park visitor is protecting himself from the rain cos its now a rainy season.

SLR. Finally!! Weeee..... Tankiu Circa Gorda!

2008-12-08T18:47:00.007+08:00

I have always been wanting a SLR cos i just love photography so much. Then again dad has been telling me that its an expensive hobby. BUT, after so long of waiting and dreaming of owning it, i finally got myself a SLR two days ago. Its a Canon 400D EOS! Thanks to Chirca Gorda for selling it to me. Muakksss...

I wouldn't wanna let it go and do not have any intention at all to sell the current one that i have cos the Canon Powershot A710S is my first digi cam and i still love having it with me if i want to travel light in future.

Canon Powershot A710S. My first digi cam and i still love having it

Canon 400D EOS

Taken by Canon Powershot A710S

Taken by Canon 400D EOS

I'm still exploring how to use SLR to its optimum capabilities. Anyone have any recommendation for any good website, drop me an email or write on my tag.board. plz..

Watch out for more of the upcoming nature walks that i'm gonna have. This time i would be snapping photos using my SLR. Weee....

My favourite biscuit is back on shelves!

2008-12-03T08:37:00.010+08:00

For the past few weeks or so, I have been telling my friends and family members how much i missed eating crackers dipped in hot Milo.

That was my favourite thing to eat during morning breakfast or tea time. After the melamine scare back few months ago, so many brands esp my favourite brand included were pull off from the shelves as a precautionary measure.

Imports of all Julie's biscuits were suspended on 24 October 2008.

But this morning I'm so happy as i read from www.channelnewsasia.com that AVA have lift off ban on my favourite biscuits.

I'm going to supermarket to grab few now!