Half of my long awaited sem break is gone. What have I done? Not much actually...except for squeezing out assignments night after night.. I didn't really achieve much. And yet I have SEVERAL upcoming mid term tests/exams which i have not studied for at all. And I still have 2 more assignments on hand and 2 more to edit before handing in nest week.
I finally got my own usb modem. But the problem is in the hostel, internet is still as slow as ever. Only really really fast when I'm using it in the library. Talking about electrical gadgets, I have a funny feeling that my laptop is going to crash for good due to some unknown reasons. It has been acting really weird the past few days. Yes, I know...it's just my luck with electronical items.
ONE consolation out of all these set backs is that I get to sleep more.
Life is but a flitting moment
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Recent
Land beneath the wind
Blown laziness into me
But not yet taken over
Resisting and resisting
Books Reports Classes
All have not synced into my system
Is there a need to reboot my system?
Or add some RAM?
Weather has been moody
Rain one second
Shine in the next
And its taking a toll on this soul
Things haven't been going my way
But they never had and
I don't think they ever will
Just need to bend it my way
Time as always
Never was and never will be kind
Running is all there is do to
To not be left out of the race
Blown laziness into me
But not yet taken over
Resisting and resisting
Books Reports Classes
All have not synced into my system
Is there a need to reboot my system?
Or add some RAM?
Weather has been moody
Rain one second
Shine in the next
And its taking a toll on this soul
Things haven't been going my way
But they never had and
I don't think they ever will
Just need to bend it my way
Time as always
Never was and never will be kind
Running is all there is do to
To not be left out of the race
Friday, July 10, 2009
Start of a new semester
B-O-R-I-N-G
There is no other word to describe what I'm feeling now.
Why .. Here's a recollection of what I did yesterday
9.30am : Woke Up
9.31am: Read story book
10.31am:Climbed out of bed
10.32am:Brushed teeth and breakfasted while watching variety show on the laptop
12.00pm: Lunched
12.30pm: Story book..yet again
2.00pm : Finished the book. Slept
5.00pm : Woke up without feeling refreshed because apparent my roommate (3 juniors) was talking on the phone non stop for the entire 3 hours.
6.00pm: Dinner and variety show again
8.00pm: Moved stuff and luggage from store room which I kept at the end of last semester
With so little going on and not one day I slept past 1am, my dark circles got worst! WTH!!
There is no other word to describe what I'm feeling now.
Why .. Here's a recollection of what I did yesterday
9.30am : Woke Up
9.31am: Read story book
10.31am:Climbed out of bed
10.32am:Brushed teeth and breakfasted while watching variety show on the laptop
12.00pm: Lunched
12.30pm: Story book..yet again
2.00pm : Finished the book. Slept
5.00pm : Woke up without feeling refreshed because apparent my roommate (3 juniors) was talking on the phone non stop for the entire 3 hours.
6.00pm: Dinner and variety show again
8.00pm: Moved stuff and luggage from store room which I kept at the end of last semester
With so little going on and not one day I slept past 1am, my dark circles got worst! WTH!!
Friday, July 03, 2009
Bangkok Day 2
We left really early..at about 8.30am to travel about an hour plus to Kanchaburi to visit Damnoen Saduk, the original floating market and River Kwai..where the Dead Railway linking to Burma is built durinf WWII.
The market is good. Because our driver is affiliated with this boat company, we took a motor powered boat into the market which cost 500baht each. Its very expensive. For the true human paddle boat experience, go directly to the main market and hire the entire boat for only 600baht for not more than 6 person and not more than an hour. Trust me, an hour on the boat is more than enough the experience.
Then it was another 30 plus minutes ride to River Kwai. It was HOOOTTTTTTT!!! The sun was practically burning my skin. Anyways, the railway is just another railway..the exception is the process killed off about 20000 ang mohs and asians (POWs). The price of war and greed. Haven't the human population learned history? Why is it still happening now?
The war museum adjacent to it was more interesting. It houses pictures and relics from WWII itself. Entrance is only 40baht. The cheapest of all the places we visited in our entire trip.
After that it was back to Bangkok. TRAFFFIIICCC JJAAAAMMM yet again.
Then it was my first time seeing TVXQ but from like 100meters away although their van passed right in front of me. It was so tinted plus the curtains that you can't see a thing inside.
Next was dinner then to RCA(Royal City Avenue). Bouncers were so strict that you can't cheat your way into the clubs. They check your passports and i.d. No messing around. So ended sitting at a bar with mum and dad while listening to Michael Jackson because my two little brothers aren't old enough yet. But the clubs were so big and had nice designs.
The market is good. Because our driver is affiliated with this boat company, we took a motor powered boat into the market which cost 500baht each. Its very expensive. For the true human paddle boat experience, go directly to the main market and hire the entire boat for only 600baht for not more than 6 person and not more than an hour. Trust me, an hour on the boat is more than enough the experience.
Then it was another 30 plus minutes ride to River Kwai. It was HOOOTTTTTTT!!! The sun was practically burning my skin. Anyways, the railway is just another railway..the exception is the process killed off about 20000 ang mohs and asians (POWs). The price of war and greed. Haven't the human population learned history? Why is it still happening now?
The war museum adjacent to it was more interesting. It houses pictures and relics from WWII itself. Entrance is only 40baht. The cheapest of all the places we visited in our entire trip.
After that it was back to Bangkok. TRAFFFIIICCC JJAAAAMMM yet again.
Then it was my first time seeing TVXQ but from like 100meters away although their van passed right in front of me. It was so tinted plus the curtains that you can't see a thing inside.
Next was dinner then to RCA(Royal City Avenue). Bouncers were so strict that you can't cheat your way into the clubs. They check your passports and i.d. No messing around. So ended sitting at a bar with mum and dad while listening to Michael Jackson because my two little brothers aren't old enough yet. But the clubs were so big and had nice designs.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Bangkok Day 1
We hired a driver with a van to bring us around in Bangkok for 3 days.
After leaving Pattaya, we headed out to Bangkok. So the first place we went to was Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm. The farm is about 62 years old. The first crocodile in Bangkok. The condition is a bit sad for the animals but they sure have a lot of wild animals such as white tigers and hippotamus. The tigers are so so gigantic. The specialty here is that they have crocodile wrestlers.
The first day in Bangkok was not much exploration. After the crocodile farm, it was too late to do any more sight seeing so we went shopping at MBK. What did I harvest there? NOTHING!!
After leaving Pattaya, we headed out to Bangkok. So the first place we went to was Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm. The farm is about 62 years old. The first crocodile in Bangkok. The condition is a bit sad for the animals but they sure have a lot of wild animals such as white tigers and hippotamus. The tigers are so so gigantic. The specialty here is that they have crocodile wrestlers.
The first day in Bangkok was not much exploration. After the crocodile farm, it was too late to do any more sight seeing so we went shopping at MBK. What did I harvest there? NOTHING!!
Pattaya
Since AirAsia canceled our morning flight (no surprise there), we arrived at about 9pm in Pattaya and a day was gone just like that. There was nothing much to do. So we had late dinner and walked around sight seeing.
Pattaya seemed nice enough at night until the moment we walked into the club area. The clubs are rained in pink flourescent lamps that the entire square district is shining in pink. Girls, Ladies and Grandmas are scantily clad and trying to woo in customers (farangs..ignoring Asians) Farangs are like gods to them...but the Farangs there are just old desparate uncles. If you are a lady, you'll feel strong icy cold eyes staring at you as if you are threathening their business. No pictures taken though. Picture taking task was placed in my brother's hands and he was afraid that he would be bashed if he took pictures there.
Anyways, after walking around that area, we went to Hard Rock Pattaya. The scene there is a totally different. It was very quiet except for the band. After that, we decided to call it a day.
The next day, we went to Noongnoch Tropical Gardens about 20mins outside of Pattaya. It's about 600 acres?(hectares?) big. There are lots of gardens (as you can expect) and tigers and elephants and orang utans and one leopard. The's this mini stonehenge and mini Borobudor replica thing. Lots of tourist here as well. Entrance is 650baht for adults. The entrance fees includes transportation to and from the gardens, the cultural show and the elephant show. Others like elephant rides and train rides, you still have to pay.
Before Noongnoch, we went walking around. Walked at Jomtien Beach.Night time, we went for the infamous Tiffany's Show. Entrance ranges from 500baht to 900baht. Pattaya does produce the best looking ladyboys around the globe. Many of them won the Transexual Universe title. Before the show, they come out parading around the fountain and you can take pictures of them(for free) or with them at 40baht per person but the price is negotiable if you wanted to take together with more people. My brother and I took with 2 ladyboys but they only charged us 40baht. The show was entertaining but don't expect much. It a lot like a cabaret show. Their lyp synchings were very good. The costumes are very extravagant. The theme at the moment is around the world I guess. They were performing Chinese, English, French, Russian, Korean, Italian songs and their national costumes. It must have cost them a fortune for all those costumes and stage backdrops.
And that was 2 days at Pattaya.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
FINALLY!!#$%$#@$%^&%^* TVXQ
Finally I saw the people that I've been watching off from youtube and read on almost daily basis and keeping me sane in uni.
26th June. Press Conference. Saw them for the first time after much struggle and wait. But my view was so far away because, again, I was late because I went sight seeing outside Bangkok but the boys arrived even later. There were at least 10k fans waiting for them.
Just part of the crowd at the press conference. Just the back part of the stage.
27th June. Concert Day
I was so excited + scared because I went to the concert alone.
4pm : Arrived right after sight seeing around Bangkok. I thought the traffic jam would make it worse..but luckily it didn't. I was not surprised at all when I saw the swarms of fans that were already there. Made a beeline for the ticketing counter. Saw many Japanese, Chinese, Malaysian, Singaporean and Philippines fans queuing up as well. It was about 4.40pm when I got my ticket. Went around wandering to see the official goods and took a look at the fans that were already lining up at the gates.
The concert ticket.
The good that I bought. Very expensive. SM Ent very good at making money.
The crowd waiting for the gate to open.
5pm : I went into the Arena. The security was so strict. No cameras allowed. There were a lot of fans that were taken outside to safe keep their camera before being allowed back into the concert arena. Some escaped but had to take pictures as if they were hiding in mice holes. Some got caught while filming and were also dragged outside to be taken away their cameras.
I met these fans from Soompi. Really nice people. Kwan and Kim
Picture before the concert started.
Insa. The first song that made me noticed TVXQ. Put into my ipod by Eve.
This was how close I was to each and every one of them.
Love in The Ice. My favourite song of all time. They sang it very well. Amazed at Junsu's voice.
My favourite guy of among all 5 members.
Concert review :
Over all the concert was good. Except that the audios were not very good in terms of the music was so loud because the music was too loud that it covered the members' voices. They performed very well though. The solos that they sang were exceptionally good. and Micky rapped the part for Junsu's solo. It was a surprising match up. The best and memorable part was Hug, bossanova style and Wrong Number and their solo songs. Oh..and I forgot....Junsu flew right above me!!!
However, there is one thing I hope to get from their future concerts. I hope that they would rearrange their songs so that I don't have to listen to the exact same cd versions..I like how Lee Hom produces his concerts...he rearranges everything and shows you all his talent. TVXQ's talents are all over shadowed by mainstream concert genres. If only TVXQ would do a full acappella concert sans fancy costumes and dances.
There were too much fan screaming though. Sometimes, it is a bit annoying when all you wanted to do was concentrate on their singing.
Individually
JaeJoong - Very good vocals. Shone very well in his solo song. Can see that his vocal range is really big and very stable. His skin and complexion is also very good, very fair. Better than mine. Can't really see his face because his hair kept so blocking out his face but it was his voice that mattered.
Yunho - Tall and thin. Thinner than I expected. Fair as well. Very good dancer. And interacted alot with the fans, even posed for the fan to take his picture. Voice is better than in cd. His live is better than recorded cd.
YooChun - Singing Love Bye Love was great. His new interpretation of the song is good and there's more life to the song than compared to cd as well. Real person is also tall, thin and fair. Alot of interaction with fans as well. He is always teasing the fans.
Junsu - Best vocals among all 5 members. Stage performance and presence also the best. Less interaction with fans. But very good looking. The pictures that I've seen all this time does not do him justice. Tall and thin and fair also.
ChangMin - The rumoured high pitch vocal is no joke. He can really sing all the high notes with much accuracy. He is really tall and good looking, just as everyone said after seeing him. Very little interaction with the fans as well.
My observations are very unobservant compared to other fan accounts that I've read.
PS>These pictures were taken with only my mobilephone! I too can't really believe that the pictures that came out are actually of good quality.
Lastly, I'll include excerpts from a musician.
Marty Friedman, former lead guitarist of heavy metal band Megadeth and Japanophile recently shared his thoughts on TVXQ / DBSK / Tohoshinki:
(translation cr: mandasoh@iscreamshinki.net / sharingyoochun@wordpress)
"They would sell even if they weren’t good looking! TVXQ’s singing ability is worth its value in money.
TVXQ, an accapella dance group from Korea, and who attended last year’s Kouhaku Uta Gassen, can be said to be the representative of “Global J-pop” with their impressive harmonizing.
Maybe fans will say it’s b*llsh*t, but to me, if you can sing, you’ll be able to sell even if you weren’t good looking, right?
Their song [Bolero], is a great ballad that showcases their super vocals.
What surprised me was that compared to other J-pop ballads, the feeling for this song is dark. The beat is slow, and there was no usage of guitars etc. Even so, the song gave off a dark and haunting vibe to me.
26th June. Press Conference. Saw them for the first time after much struggle and wait. But my view was so far away because, again, I was late because I went sight seeing outside Bangkok but the boys arrived even later. There were at least 10k fans waiting for them.
Just part of the crowd at the press conference. Just the back part of the stage.
27th June. Concert Day
I was so excited + scared because I went to the concert alone.
4pm : Arrived right after sight seeing around Bangkok. I thought the traffic jam would make it worse..but luckily it didn't. I was not surprised at all when I saw the swarms of fans that were already there. Made a beeline for the ticketing counter. Saw many Japanese, Chinese, Malaysian, Singaporean and Philippines fans queuing up as well. It was about 4.40pm when I got my ticket. Went around wandering to see the official goods and took a look at the fans that were already lining up at the gates.
The concert ticket.
The good that I bought. Very expensive. SM Ent very good at making money.
The crowd waiting for the gate to open.5pm : I went into the Arena. The security was so strict. No cameras allowed. There were a lot of fans that were taken outside to safe keep their camera before being allowed back into the concert arena. Some escaped but had to take pictures as if they were hiding in mice holes. Some got caught while filming and were also dragged outside to be taken away their cameras.
I met these fans from Soompi. Really nice people. Kwan and Kim
Picture before the concert started.
Insa. The first song that made me noticed TVXQ. Put into my ipod by Eve.
This was how close I was to each and every one of them.
Love in The Ice. My favourite song of all time. They sang it very well. Amazed at Junsu's voice.
My favourite guy of among all 5 members.Concert review :
Over all the concert was good. Except that the audios were not very good in terms of the music was so loud because the music was too loud that it covered the members' voices. They performed very well though. The solos that they sang were exceptionally good. and Micky rapped the part for Junsu's solo. It was a surprising match up. The best and memorable part was Hug, bossanova style and Wrong Number and their solo songs. Oh..and I forgot....Junsu flew right above me!!!
However, there is one thing I hope to get from their future concerts. I hope that they would rearrange their songs so that I don't have to listen to the exact same cd versions..I like how Lee Hom produces his concerts...he rearranges everything and shows you all his talent. TVXQ's talents are all over shadowed by mainstream concert genres. If only TVXQ would do a full acappella concert sans fancy costumes and dances.
There were too much fan screaming though. Sometimes, it is a bit annoying when all you wanted to do was concentrate on their singing.
Individually
JaeJoong - Very good vocals. Shone very well in his solo song. Can see that his vocal range is really big and very stable. His skin and complexion is also very good, very fair. Better than mine. Can't really see his face because his hair kept so blocking out his face but it was his voice that mattered.
Yunho - Tall and thin. Thinner than I expected. Fair as well. Very good dancer. And interacted alot with the fans, even posed for the fan to take his picture. Voice is better than in cd. His live is better than recorded cd.
YooChun - Singing Love Bye Love was great. His new interpretation of the song is good and there's more life to the song than compared to cd as well. Real person is also tall, thin and fair. Alot of interaction with fans as well. He is always teasing the fans.
Junsu - Best vocals among all 5 members. Stage performance and presence also the best. Less interaction with fans. But very good looking. The pictures that I've seen all this time does not do him justice. Tall and thin and fair also.
ChangMin - The rumoured high pitch vocal is no joke. He can really sing all the high notes with much accuracy. He is really tall and good looking, just as everyone said after seeing him. Very little interaction with the fans as well.
My observations are very unobservant compared to other fan accounts that I've read.
PS>These pictures were taken with only my mobilephone! I too can't really believe that the pictures that came out are actually of good quality.
Lastly, I'll include excerpts from a musician.
Marty Friedman, former lead guitarist of heavy metal band Megadeth and Japanophile recently shared his thoughts on TVXQ / DBSK / Tohoshinki:
(translation cr: mandasoh@iscreamshinki.net / sharingyoochun@wordpress)
"They would sell even if they weren’t good looking! TVXQ’s singing ability is worth its value in money.
TVXQ, an accapella dance group from Korea, and who attended last year’s Kouhaku Uta Gassen, can be said to be the representative of “Global J-pop” with their impressive harmonizing.
Maybe fans will say it’s b*llsh*t, but to me, if you can sing, you’ll be able to sell even if you weren’t good looking, right?
Their song [Bolero], is a great ballad that showcases their super vocals.
What surprised me was that compared to other J-pop ballads, the feeling for this song is dark. The beat is slow, and there was no usage of guitars etc. Even so, the song gave off a dark and haunting vibe to me.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Leaving on A Jetplane...
or Airbus to be more precise
Later this evening I'll be taking off to Siam for a week...
Things to look forward to (in accordance to ranking) :
1. Mirotic Concert!!!
2. Temples and Palaces and Historical Places
3. Food
4. Pattaya Beach
5. Tiffany Show
6. Tigers and elephants...lots of them
7. Shopping
8. Muay Thai...(I hope)
See you guys in a week!
Later this evening I'll be taking off to Siam for a week...
Things to look forward to (in accordance to ranking) :
1. Mirotic Concert!!!
2. Temples and Palaces and Historical Places
3. Food
4. Pattaya Beach
5. Tiffany Show
6. Tigers and elephants...lots of them
7. Shopping
8. Muay Thai...(I hope)
See you guys in a week!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Truly, Madly, Deeply
Seems a bit blurry,
Couldn't recognise it,
But it was there,
Truly there all this time.
Madly difficult to acknowledge,
Its growing from within,
Can't be deterred,
Its fearsome shadow.
Finally, an image,
A figure,
So Deeply etched within,
Within the frail frail heart,
A figure that enunciates evil,
That shudders that frail heart.
Couldn't recognise it,
But it was there,
Truly there all this time.
Madly difficult to acknowledge,
Its growing from within,
Can't be deterred,
Its fearsome shadow.
Finally, an image,
A figure,
So Deeply etched within,
Within the frail frail heart,
A figure that enunciates evil,
That shudders that frail heart.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Reunion
It was WACKYIt was hilarious
It was crazy
It was nostalgic
It was memorable
If you weren't there, then it was your lost.
Post Breakout
The feeling was----HAPPY!
From the very start, it was curiosity
Throughout the journey, it was happy, fun moments,
Finally, reached the end, parted ways feeling even happier
From the very start, it was curiosity
Throughout the journey, it was happy, fun moments,
Finally, reached the end, parted ways feeling even happier
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Breakout
Anticipating this tomorrow night
Venue : Dewan Sri Pinang
Time : 8.30pm
For more information, visit this website:
http://www.visitpenang.gov.my/portal/upcoming-events.html?task=view_detail&agid=196&year=2009&month=05&day=27
Venue : Dewan Sri Pinang
Time : 8.30pm
For more information, visit this website:http://www.visitpenang.gov.my/portal/upcoming-events.html?task=view_detail&agid=196&year=2009&month=05&day=27
Thursday, May 21, 2009
1 State, 3 Cities and 4 Mountains Later, I'm Finally Home
After my finals and a week's holiday in Sarawak, I am finally back in my little comfortable room in Penang.
First Stop : Miri [13th and 14th May]
My first impression was, the airport design is similar to the one in Sabah. Anyways, stayed at my friend's house which was just 5 minutes away from the airport. I once again traveled with a big heavy suitcase and 2 bagpacks across three states in Sarawak. I am awed by myself.
The Miri Public Park (similat to our Youth Park) is really amazing. They built this high hanging bridge around the park where you can enjoy the hanging bridges without having to climb up mountains to experience a canopy walk. You can experience it right here at the park. The guards of the park round the park with dogs the size of German Shephards to keep the park safe.
On the second day, I went to the Crocodile Farm, ate the famous Hong You Char Shau Mien, Laksa and Kolo Mee of Sarawak, visited Curtin Technology University and ate some more.
Bright side : Good food - home cooked (friend's mum is a very good cook) and hawker as well. Offers something different from Penang.
Down Side : The moment we went outdoors, starts to pour like crazy and stops the moment we're indoors.
Second Stop : Batu Niah, Gua Niah, National Park
Gua Niah is situated in between Miri and Bintulu. Took a bus there. Trekked for about 45 minutes before reaching the cave and another 30 plus minutes exploring the cave. Towards the end of the cave, it was so dark that you can't even see the stairs in front of you. There weren't that many tourist as most people go to Miri as a transit to Mulu Caves, the more famous of the two.
There are alot of swiflets in the cave. You can see the the rope hanging from the top of the cave down for the bird nest collectors.
Three girls on a mountain climbing and animal observing trip around Sarawak.
It took the 3 of us about 3hours 45 minutes to and back carrying heavy backpacks on our backs coz our next stop was Bintulu.
Bright Side : Easy Trekking. Something new-magnificient views and nature
Down Side : Heavy backpacks. Pouring cats and dogs during the entire journey out from the cave and stopped the moment we reached the end of the journey.
Third Stop : Bintulu
Stayed at a really big house. Very friendly and a very good baker host. Tasted very nice layer cakes daily. Had dinner at a restaurant courtesy of my roommate's parents. Went back to roommate's house to watch videos and laughed. Too late and tired to do anything interesting. Besides, in Bintulu, after 8pm, there is nothing much to do. The place is similar to Ipoh??
Next Day, started the day with breakfast of the local specialty called Thing Pieh Hu...something like porridge with fish meat, but instead of rice, the use flour which are shaped to look like rice grains.
Headed to Similajau, another National Park which is by the sea and had a short hike because the forest rangers banned us from hiking for improper attire and shoes. They did not have enough staff as some of them took some foreigners out to see to look at corals. They can't safe us if we were to injure ourselves while climbing.
The friend that offered us her house and accomodation and tour guide in Miri and Bintulu
Next we went to Taman Tumbina, a park similar to our Botanical Gardens but with a mini zoo inside. Entrance fees costs RM2 per person. There are a lot of hornbills, a pair of tigers with their cubs (but I only saw the male tiger), a peacock, some crocodiles, some turtles, 2 pythons, a few peacocks, a few monkeys and 2 sun bears??. However, the place is a bit runned down. The place is old and so are the animals inside it. The cages are rusted and you don't have a sense of security, especially at the crocodile ponds but the crocs seemed unlively.
Then we went to Bintulu industrial area. Most of them are oil processing plants.
Night was spent celebrating my friend's 21st birthday, going around Bintulu for night sightseeing around the town.
Bright side : Sunny day (a little too sunny perhaps)
Down side : Legs aching from previous day and the day's walking and hiking
Fourth Stop : Bintulu > Miri > Kuching
12pm : Boarded bus towards Miri
3.30pm : Reached home. Packed. Ate dinner. Bade Goodbyes
4.40pm : Checked-in at the airport
5.40pm : Flew towards Kuching
7pm :Dinner
9pm : Dead on the bed
Fifth Stop : Kuching
First day : Breakfast as usual. Damai Cultural Village. Here, you get to see most of the aborigine's houses and cultures and taste their delicacies. It's sort of a living museum and its home of the world famous Rainforest Music Festival.
The guy that brought us aroung in Kuching...THANKS!
Next was lunch and then to the mall called The Spring. The size is like Gurney Plaza before expansion (maybe smaller) and its supposed to be newest mall in Kuching.
Night was at a restaurant called Bla Bla Bla. Really good and comfortable environment but the price is a bit steep.
Second Day : Went to Matang Wildlife Centre..another National Park with mini zoo. This 'wildlife' mini zoo is so mini that you can count the number animals found there without using even all 10 of your fingers. Can finish the entire place in about 30 minutes. The only attraction here is the orang utan which was gigantic...really really gigantic...
Left feeling disappointed as our initial plan was to swim in the river but apparently, on the previous day, 2 big crocodiles escaped from their enclosures which makes it dangerous to swim in the river.
We went to the nearby national park called Kubah. The ranger told us that the main attraction there was the waterfall. Took us about an hour and a half just to reach the waterfall...but it was well worth the trekking. The waterfall was 100ft wide and about 30ft high. The water was crystal clear and so cool. There are smaller waterfalls at the side of the main waterfall. We spent about an hour there and started our way back. The entire trip took about 4hours.
When we reached home, we were dead as logs. Dinner courtesy of debate members was at a chinese restaurant.
Last day was spent at the Kuching Museum and Art Museum and the City's Aquarium. The museum was interesting. Most of the artifacts were preserved animals found around Sarawak. I suspect half of them are nearing extinction.
At the aquarium, guess what was there again...crocodiles. Yes, Sarawakians seem to have a thing for crocodiles and I have a thing with their safety issues. The cage is so risky. Children can just simply put their hands through the holes but I guess the crocs are tame as I saw the caretaker went into the cage without any worries and came back out again just as if he entered his own home.
Last Stop : PENANG. HOME FINALLY
For more pictures, just go to my facebook cause I'm lazy to upload too many here. Notice something in the pictures? All the signboards at the national parks are exactly the same. The difference is just in the same. So, for the other national parks that I did not upload the pics, just imagine a change in the name. That's all.
The DOWNSIDE of the entire trip : My waterproof camera died on me after a trip to the waterfall back in Sabah. Not because it was my fault but because it was not that waterproof afterall. Just sent it for repairs today. I couldn't get nice clear pictures in the caves with a 2mp phone camera :((
Another info : I think Sabah sells the costliest food ever in the entire Malaysia.
First Stop : Miri [13th and 14th May]
My first impression was, the airport design is similar to the one in Sabah. Anyways, stayed at my friend's house which was just 5 minutes away from the airport. I once again traveled with a big heavy suitcase and 2 bagpacks across three states in Sarawak. I am awed by myself.
The Miri Public Park (similat to our Youth Park) is really amazing. They built this high hanging bridge around the park where you can enjoy the hanging bridges without having to climb up mountains to experience a canopy walk. You can experience it right here at the park. The guards of the park round the park with dogs the size of German Shephards to keep the park safe.
On the second day, I went to the Crocodile Farm, ate the famous Hong You Char Shau Mien, Laksa and Kolo Mee of Sarawak, visited Curtin Technology University and ate some more.
Bright side : Good food - home cooked (friend's mum is a very good cook) and hawker as well. Offers something different from Penang.
Down Side : The moment we went outdoors, starts to pour like crazy and stops the moment we're indoors.
Second Stop : Batu Niah, Gua Niah, National Park
Gua Niah is situated in between Miri and Bintulu. Took a bus there. Trekked for about 45 minutes before reaching the cave and another 30 plus minutes exploring the cave. Towards the end of the cave, it was so dark that you can't even see the stairs in front of you. There weren't that many tourist as most people go to Miri as a transit to Mulu Caves, the more famous of the two.
There are alot of swiflets in the cave. You can see the the rope hanging from the top of the cave down for the bird nest collectors.
Three girls on a mountain climbing and animal observing trip around Sarawak.It took the 3 of us about 3hours 45 minutes to and back carrying heavy backpacks on our backs coz our next stop was Bintulu.
Bright Side : Easy Trekking. Something new-magnificient views and nature
Down Side : Heavy backpacks. Pouring cats and dogs during the entire journey out from the cave and stopped the moment we reached the end of the journey.
Third Stop : Bintulu
Stayed at a really big house. Very friendly and a very good baker host. Tasted very nice layer cakes daily. Had dinner at a restaurant courtesy of my roommate's parents. Went back to roommate's house to watch videos and laughed. Too late and tired to do anything interesting. Besides, in Bintulu, after 8pm, there is nothing much to do. The place is similar to Ipoh??
Next Day, started the day with breakfast of the local specialty called Thing Pieh Hu...something like porridge with fish meat, but instead of rice, the use flour which are shaped to look like rice grains.
Headed to Similajau, another National Park which is by the sea and had a short hike because the forest rangers banned us from hiking for improper attire and shoes. They did not have enough staff as some of them took some foreigners out to see to look at corals. They can't safe us if we were to injure ourselves while climbing.
The friend that offered us her house and accomodation and tour guide in Miri and BintuluNext we went to Taman Tumbina, a park similar to our Botanical Gardens but with a mini zoo inside. Entrance fees costs RM2 per person. There are a lot of hornbills, a pair of tigers with their cubs (but I only saw the male tiger), a peacock, some crocodiles, some turtles, 2 pythons, a few peacocks, a few monkeys and 2 sun bears??. However, the place is a bit runned down. The place is old and so are the animals inside it. The cages are rusted and you don't have a sense of security, especially at the crocodile ponds but the crocs seemed unlively.
Then we went to Bintulu industrial area. Most of them are oil processing plants.
Night was spent celebrating my friend's 21st birthday, going around Bintulu for night sightseeing around the town.
Bright side : Sunny day (a little too sunny perhaps)
Down side : Legs aching from previous day and the day's walking and hiking
Fourth Stop : Bintulu > Miri > Kuching
12pm : Boarded bus towards Miri
3.30pm : Reached home. Packed. Ate dinner. Bade Goodbyes
4.40pm : Checked-in at the airport
5.40pm : Flew towards Kuching
7pm :Dinner
9pm : Dead on the bed
Fifth Stop : Kuching
First day : Breakfast as usual. Damai Cultural Village. Here, you get to see most of the aborigine's houses and cultures and taste their delicacies. It's sort of a living museum and its home of the world famous Rainforest Music Festival.
The guy that brought us aroung in Kuching...THANKS!
Next was lunch and then to the mall called The Spring. The size is like Gurney Plaza before expansion (maybe smaller) and its supposed to be newest mall in Kuching.
Night was at a restaurant called Bla Bla Bla. Really good and comfortable environment but the price is a bit steep.
Second Day : Went to Matang Wildlife Centre..another National Park with mini zoo. This 'wildlife' mini zoo is so mini that you can count the number animals found there without using even all 10 of your fingers. Can finish the entire place in about 30 minutes. The only attraction here is the orang utan which was gigantic...really really gigantic...
Left feeling disappointed as our initial plan was to swim in the river but apparently, on the previous day, 2 big crocodiles escaped from their enclosures which makes it dangerous to swim in the river.
We went to the nearby national park called Kubah. The ranger told us that the main attraction there was the waterfall. Took us about an hour and a half just to reach the waterfall...but it was well worth the trekking. The waterfall was 100ft wide and about 30ft high. The water was crystal clear and so cool. There are smaller waterfalls at the side of the main waterfall. We spent about an hour there and started our way back. The entire trip took about 4hours.
When we reached home, we were dead as logs. Dinner courtesy of debate members was at a chinese restaurant.
Last day was spent at the Kuching Museum and Art Museum and the City's Aquarium. The museum was interesting. Most of the artifacts were preserved animals found around Sarawak. I suspect half of them are nearing extinction.
At the aquarium, guess what was there again...crocodiles. Yes, Sarawakians seem to have a thing for crocodiles and I have a thing with their safety issues. The cage is so risky. Children can just simply put their hands through the holes but I guess the crocs are tame as I saw the caretaker went into the cage without any worries and came back out again just as if he entered his own home.
Last Stop : PENANG. HOME FINALLY
For more pictures, just go to my facebook cause I'm lazy to upload too many here. Notice something in the pictures? All the signboards at the national parks are exactly the same. The difference is just in the same. So, for the other national parks that I did not upload the pics, just imagine a change in the name. That's all.
The DOWNSIDE of the entire trip : My waterproof camera died on me after a trip to the waterfall back in Sabah. Not because it was my fault but because it was not that waterproof afterall. Just sent it for repairs today. I couldn't get nice clear pictures in the caves with a 2mp phone camera :((
Another info : I think Sabah sells the costliest food ever in the entire Malaysia.
Friday, May 01, 2009
Hey ya there
I'm back...sort of..after a long break. Currently still one more exam paper pending on tuesday..then freedom for 8 long weeks.!! yeah...
I'm finally of legal age but celebration was a mellow one..pizzas and a small cake at the hostel cafe. How mellow can it get huh? But I'm lucky to have my friends celebrate with me although everyone had crucial exams the next day.
Short of time to write a long entry...so see you on May 20th!
I'm finally of legal age but celebration was a mellow one..pizzas and a small cake at the hostel cafe. How mellow can it get huh? But I'm lucky to have my friends celebrate with me although everyone had crucial exams the next day.
Short of time to write a long entry...so see you on May 20th!
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
The Lately ME
Since MDO ended, life is a hell more relaxing because most of the assignments are already hande up. There's only 20 more days to my final examinations. Then I'm on my way to Miri and Kuching!!! Can't wait. I'm so tired already. I need to recuperate.
Currently sitting in Secret Recipe while TVB is filming some drama in this very mall. I know that Gallen Lo is here, another guy I forgot what's his name and apparently an actress just walked past Secret Recipe and I missed it. But I doubt I can recognise her.
These pictures were taken in Melaka during the Malaysian Debate Open
This was taken at Jonker Walk on the first night. The three guys on the far left are from Tokyo University. They flew all the way just to join in the tournament. There were teams from Jakarta and Bangkok too.
This is my team. Red shirt girl is First Speaker. Guy is Second Speaker and I'm the third speaker.
This is the entire UMS debating people that went to Melaka. This was the final dinner. Anyways, MMU themselves were the champion of the tournament. I really liked the way their First speaker spoke.
Note to Self : Start Studying !!
Currently sitting in Secret Recipe while TVB is filming some drama in this very mall. I know that Gallen Lo is here, another guy I forgot what's his name and apparently an actress just walked past Secret Recipe and I missed it. But I doubt I can recognise her.
These pictures were taken in Melaka during the Malaysian Debate Open
This was taken at Jonker Walk on the first night. The three guys on the far left are from Tokyo University. They flew all the way just to join in the tournament. There were teams from Jakarta and Bangkok too.
This is my team. Red shirt girl is First Speaker. Guy is Second Speaker and I'm the third speaker.
This is the entire UMS debating people that went to Melaka. This was the final dinner. Anyways, MMU themselves were the champion of the tournament. I really liked the way their First speaker spoke.
Note to Self : Start Studying !!
Friday, March 13, 2009
March-Month of RushHour
This month is hectic as hell...I'm so bored of repeating this sentence over and over again....but I have to keep reminding myself that I need to keep up with time and deadlines and finish all my assignments and at the same time study for my mid-term examSSS..
Today was supposed to sit for one paper...but got cancelled. Postponed to next. Might be good news for other but not me. I have 3 deadlines to meet next week. With an already packed timetable, I don't need the exam to be postponed to add on to my already heavy burden.
This is just a quick post to RANT ALL I WANT....but what is there to say? Nothing much except to do what I'm supposed to do....
Latest Event - MAGRA 2009
A night where all excelling students are awarded. Theme was blossoming moment. Apparently, a few of us underestimated the event and was under dressed compared to the whole lot of girls that went to the dinner. Luckily I changed my mind to put on a light make up before going..or else.....
My coursemates and I. Can you spot the difference between my attire and their attire. Even the blind can tell how much effort I put into this night.
Pictures of my coursemates and the lecturers from my school
People I always hang around with.
Today was supposed to sit for one paper...but got cancelled. Postponed to next. Might be good news for other but not me. I have 3 deadlines to meet next week. With an already packed timetable, I don't need the exam to be postponed to add on to my already heavy burden.
This is just a quick post to RANT ALL I WANT....but what is there to say? Nothing much except to do what I'm supposed to do....
Latest Event - MAGRA 2009
A night where all excelling students are awarded. Theme was blossoming moment. Apparently, a few of us underestimated the event and was under dressed compared to the whole lot of girls that went to the dinner. Luckily I changed my mind to put on a light make up before going..or else.....
My coursemates and I. Can you spot the difference between my attire and their attire. Even the blind can tell how much effort I put into this night.
Pictures of my coursemates and the lecturers from my school
People I always hang around with.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Exhausted..Soon
Daily schedules are mounting up...and they haven't even reached the peak. I have too many things on my plate right now although I just killed off 2 quizzes this week...Should say physics killed me off instead. Could have done better but what is past is past. Statistics coming up next week. Borneo Debating Championship next week as well.
From today onwards, it's last minute debate training, statistics goring and assignment and report typing. Everything revolving around me seems to be last minute actions. I'm more reactive than proactive. It's not just debating that I'm worried about, it's running the event smoothly without making a fool of myself and my uni in front of other universities from around Malaysia that are coming, including Swinburne, Sarawak.
I'm already tired plus lack of sleep and all these activities are coming up. I'm just walking in a daze most of the time.
I just realized something. Why do all my course mates assume that I'm smart etc just because I'm always sitting upfront in class? Does sitting in front mean that you're smart? Come on la...
Talking about peer pressure and stress, my friend just succumbed to stress and broke down. Currently recuperating in my room because I have the quietest room among all friends. Wished she had let out or confided in me or others so that she didn't break. I am shock at what stress can do to people now...
On a lighter note, my friends and I, we sort of celebrated Chap Goh Meh by having a nice dinner. Saw a cute little boy there. So, plucked up the courage and asked for a photo together. Here are some pictures. Can't believe that it's nearly a month since chinese new year. Time! you are flying too fast. I can't really keep up with you anymore.
P.S. Dilemma : Should I go celebrate my friend's 21st birthday tonight or should I go debate training?
From today onwards, it's last minute debate training, statistics goring and assignment and report typing. Everything revolving around me seems to be last minute actions. I'm more reactive than proactive. It's not just debating that I'm worried about, it's running the event smoothly without making a fool of myself and my uni in front of other universities from around Malaysia that are coming, including Swinburne, Sarawak.
I'm already tired plus lack of sleep and all these activities are coming up. I'm just walking in a daze most of the time.
I just realized something. Why do all my course mates assume that I'm smart etc just because I'm always sitting upfront in class? Does sitting in front mean that you're smart? Come on la...
Talking about peer pressure and stress, my friend just succumbed to stress and broke down. Currently recuperating in my room because I have the quietest room among all friends. Wished she had let out or confided in me or others so that she didn't break. I am shock at what stress can do to people now...
On a lighter note, my friends and I, we sort of celebrated Chap Goh Meh by having a nice dinner. Saw a cute little boy there. So, plucked up the courage and asked for a photo together. Here are some pictures. Can't believe that it's nearly a month since chinese new year. Time! you are flying too fast. I can't really keep up with you anymore.
P.S. Dilemma : Should I go celebrate my friend's 21st birthday tonight or should I go debate training?
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