2013 - Year in Review

It's a whole new year & reviewing back all happenings last year in my life & compacting them all in browse-thru photos. First thing to say has to be about this blog. Can't find the willpower to write for some time, thus the 2 years hiatus with only 3 posts. I sat down, I thought a while & got myself to write again early this year about my passions; food, travel, economics, sports, politics & philosophies. Writing, even about your passions is not easy really. One moment you're blank but next moment, a spark of a sentence & then a sudden overflow of thoughts to write about. Glad to say I found back my writing mojo & sincerely hope this will continue till my physical body tells me to stop.

HKR 112 Public Assembly - One of the public assemblies attended, held in Merdeka stadium. Not being busybody or a person, wanting to overthrow the government but to attend as a show of unity & pride for being a Malaysian who want a better nation for all. With the current political environment, assemblies like this will be a norm. Definitely won't be my last one. 

13th General Election - Exercised my right as a voter for the first time. Although the final result is not up to expectation, this would not dampen the spirit as I truly believe the day will come where common sense will prevails & true democracy will be achieved



Singapore trip with Akurians - Officially a trip for year 2012 but technically, made a 2013 trip. The annual trip with the usual suspects. We still act as if we're still in Form Five even though we're in our 30s & some even had kids in tow. Still, there's never a single moment of boredom felt with the peeps around. I pray that this friendship will continue till our last breaths.

Mount Kinabalu climb - This is one trip struck off my bucket list. Truly a test of willpower & strength. A battle of physical & mental toughness. A sense of achievement felt till today, providing myself a motivating sentence "If I can go up & down Kinabalu, what more I can't do??" each time I felt down.  



Cameron Highlands family trip - One of many trips with beloved family members. With the addition of a sister in law & a brother in law into an already happy family, now I understand the meaning of "the more, the merrier"

 

Foodie trip to Penang - My personal favourite from many foodie trips made this year. Great food, great durians, great company. Officially been made an annual pilgrimage trip up north together with my best bud 

 

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE !!!!!!

 



Langkawi: The Eagle Has Landed Again....

Been to Langkawi for holidays, twice with family (during schooling days) & twice with the Akurians. Check my previous posts on 2009 & 2010. I always have a strange, warm feeling towards the island & this made me itching to go back there ever since. Got back there last September & was looking to check out places never been visited before. Flew to the island in a Malindo Air flight for the first time from Subang airport. A must-do thing irrregardless how many times u visit the island, is to view the sunset. There are many places around the island to check this out. Went to Pantai Cenang on same evening to have the magnificient view.

Sunset at Pantai Cenang

Took a visit to Langkawi Underwater World the next day morning. Surprisingly, although a smaller place, the varieties of marine life there are comparable to SEA Aquarium Singapore. Next is to Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells). Pretty steep 500m walk up the stairs, reminding me of the last trip to Kinabalu. Once reached, u see some multiple ponds, probably that's why the name. Had I bring my spare clothes, I could have dipped myself into the chilling cool water.


One of the Happy Feet movie character



Telaga Tujuh waterfall (Seven Wells)

At top of the waterfall

Stayed in this new boutique styled Fave Hotel, situated between the popular Cenang beach & the quieter, serene Tengah beach. Simple & elegant, that's the words to describe the hotel. For the budget conscious first timers who want to stay at affordable hotels at "happening" place, then Cenang beach area is for u. This place has changed so much since my last time. Ranging 5-stars to budget, there's at least 20 hotels along this coast I think. Food?? With choices ranging from Thai, Malay, Indian, Chinese, English, Italian, Spanish, Arabic etc, all foods are available within walking distance from the hotel at reasonable prices.

This is what makes me love Langkawi !!! Beers sold at super kao kao cheap price. U drink as if there's no tomorrow !!!

Grilled Lobster with Garlic  - Served in one of many seafood restaurants sprouted all over the island

Chilling at the hotel swimming pool, I just wish the time can stop right there !!!

There are many tours available & we took this half day Payar island snorkeling tour at MYR 90.00/pax. Bus picked us up to the jetty point, where we took the 1 hour ferry ride to a platform base, located just off Payar island. Choices of marine lives here are rather limited. but still enjoyable when u have fishes swimming to u immediately when u put your feet into the water.

The platform base

Surrounded by tropical fishes

Took the flight home on the next day. Being an outdoor person, I still find the island yet to be fully explored when there's still many other tours tried such as sunset cruise, the eagle feeding tour, hiking, jet-ski at swamp area etc. Next trip perhaps??

Down There, Across The Causeway III - Universal Studio

Continuing from the last trip in Spore, the 3rd day was the real reason we made da trip to Singapore. Arrived at noon to enter Universal Studio Singapore, or rather USS. Got the tix at a real deal MYR 158.00, bought earlier at KL from Mum's agent. Let me know if ur interested ya? The theme park had 8 different themed areas but best to describe them visually instead with its individual attractions.

NEW YORK - USS inhouse band, Rockafellas singing your fave 60s music

HOLLYWOOD - Entrance to Steven Spielberg's creation "Lights Camera Action"

 

SCI FI - One of USS main attraction, Transformers ride. Worth the thrill !!!

 

SCI FI - My fave roller coaster, the double ride of Battlestar Galactica

 

EGYPT - Meet Brendan Fraser wannabe

 

EGYPT - The ride of, need I to say more???
 

LAND OF FAR FAR AWAY- A must to watch Donkey's 3D standup show. Pretty hilarious

 

 

MADAGASCAR - One of my fave characters, The Penguins after the dancing show

 

THE PARADE - Held at the end of da day, showcasing all characters/themes in the park. A must see

 






THE PARADE - Even Marilyn & Betty wanna make an appearance

 

With Ray & Heyley babe after the parade (after which the artificial snow fell)

 

 

Down There, Across The Causeway II - SEA Aquarium

Went to Resort World Sentosa, an small island off Singapore on the 2nd day & visited the world largest aquarium, SEA World Aquarium. Unsure if this is the larger than the ones in US, Japan or Australia or anywhere else in the world, but perhaps somebody can clarify this??

To Resort World Sentosa, in a monorail
 

Probably I didnt love marine life enough to fully enjoy the visit to the aquarium but I must say I spent more time looking at the impressive information on the walls rather than fishes in the aquariums. It was a wonderful journey from the moment u checked into the hall till the entrance of the aquarium. Portraying informative exhibits, signboards & games, they brought u a walk-and-learn expeience of South East Asian marine & exploration history, dated all the way to Malacca Sultanate days & before.

Christopher Columbus greeting u along your way to aquarium entrance
 

Not forgetting also the legendary Admiral Zheng He

U dont need to be a Jacques Cousteau in order to see the rich marine life of the ocean. Here, the ocean marine life is brought to u. Was really hoping to see a Great White Shark but can only be happy with group of medium sized Mako sharks.

One of many different shapes of aquariums filled with tropical fishes

Manta Ray stingray & its friends, lots of them...

 

This is one reason why I just loved the information signboards in the place

 

With capabilities to fill thousand of gallons of waters, this is the thickness of glass of the aquariums...

Deep ocean aquarium, with Mako sharks swimming on top of u....
 



Down There, Across The Causeway I

It's an annual thingy with the Akurians. This time slightly brought forward to first week of the year, instead of doing it around New Year day to Singapore. Not the top choice at first but pushed for it since never really visited the island for ages.

Took an overnight KTM train on Thursday nite. Pretty comfortable & value for money ride. Slept soundly during da ride & the best part is u dun need to come down when embarking at Johor immigration. The immigration officers will come on board the coach & personally checked each passenger's passport. I, literally have my passport checked while lying on my bed..:)  We only need to come down when arrived at Woodlands station at 6.30am. Paid only MYR 46.00 for 2nd class seat, will definitely take it again for future trip. The gang rested a Nei's bro's house before proceeding for lunch & to Singapore Zoo.

Checking in on da bed

Singapore Zoo has to be the most informative zoo in the region, which caters for people of all ages. Hundreds of animal species lived here & each has information about them in the form of impressive signboards, videos & slideshows. All were placed according to their natural habitat areas such as Australia, Africa, South East Asia etc with the 2 Chinese pandas clearly the main attraction. If time permits, I would have prowled thru the whole area. Hardly even covers 1/2 of the place. Didnt take the Night Safari ride though but daytime visit with entrance passes of SGD 27.00 (additional of SGD 5.00 if ur to visit the pandas) is good enough. A must-visit place if ur in Singapore.

Meet Jia Jia, the panda

Thats Omar, the white Siberian tiger with his partner
 

Marine fish from prehistoric time

One of the many informative signs in da zoo

Maj & Clare stayed back for the Night Safari ride while Nei n myself went to check into our hotel, Orchid Lodge, located in Orchid Country Club in Yishun. I must say the room was impressively big & cosy with striking view overlooking the 36-holes golf course. Only setback is the accessibility whereby we need to take 10 minutes free shuttle bus to the nearest Yishun MRT station.

Spacious & comfy room, fit for 4 paxs

Our room balcony view. U can practically take ur golf bag & walk straight to the 19th hole for a putting practice

Took a taxi ride to Orchard Road for dinner with couz Zhiew who are working in Singapore. Ray & family joined us later at Food Opera food court at ION Mall Orchard, followed by chitty chat+drinks at a premium cafe nearby. Thanks for the treat, Zhiew !! Took da MRT ride back to hotel.

I picked up a babe at Orchard Road. Meet Hayley..:)

Group photo with couz Zhiew, Ray & SL

Waiting for MRT ride back to hotel

The next 2 days were spent solely in Resorts World Sentosa which I shall post later.

To be continued....

Resurrection...

I know, I know this blog seems dead and almost one year since the last post and HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012 everyone !!! At least, Im here and making efforts to resurrect it rite? What make me to do this again? Not really sure but judging from daily hits received despite da blog being dead for a year, its kinda encouraging here to revive it again. Posting a review the year 2011 below, and yes Maj, this seems like ur format and yes, i said it is. At least it gave me an inspiration to write again after a year hiatus..:)

Beginning the rainy new 2011 year in Cherating with the usual Akurians gang

With the management team of ma current company. Got a news of being promoted to manager. Been a roller coaster ride really as there's many things need to be done to improve the team but still hanging on there....Pray for me

At Great Wall of China, Beijing during annual trip with family & close family friends

Best activity enjoyed: Going "jalan jalan cari makan" all over the country which I called a food haven. Posted the photos on my FB album

Enjoying King of Fruits at a durian farm in Penang. This has to be one of the best random decision I've ever made, driving all the way to Pearl of Orient with buddy just to have a taste of it. It's now been announced as an annual pilgrimage trip

Brother got married to a wonderful lady on Boxing Day. Great wedding celebration & the best wedding dinner I've attended. Welcome to the family, Janice !!

Ending the year with "u know who" gang at the place where its all begins, Pangkor. Seems routined now but I personally enjoyed every moment really peeps & thank you for allowing me to be myself....:)