Taman Negara (2nd to 4th February)

Taman Negara was a place to enjoy the Mother Nature and I always wanted to go. This opportunity was given by NKS upon the celebration of my company Anniversary last year.  My brother joined me the trip.

Friday, 2^nd February 2012

We waited at Mandarin Oriental lobby to get our bus arrangement. I was amazed that the staff knew my arrival. This was a warm welcome greet from them. A lot of people (mostly youngsters) were taking up the trip because of the public holidays.

We reached NKS office at 12pm and we have to register ourselves at the counter before taking our lunch. I was given boat tickets, meal vouchers, accommodation voucher and tour guide voucher. The staff also explained the direction to our accommodation in the map.

Around 1.30pm, NKS arranged a bus to send us to Jetty Tembeling. We have to receive our permit before entering the jungle. We rode in the wooden boat called Sampan for three hours. It was quite tiresome and my muscle was stiff. I managed to spot water buffaloes bathing in the water.

When we reached Taman Negara, I thought our accommodation was just nearby. By referring to the map, the location was quite a distance from Kuala Tahan Office. We have to walk and bring our luggage along.

Abok Guesthouse was our stay. The place was new and only has 6 rooms. The room consisted of one queen bed, small drawer and a bathroom. No TV and cupboard were given. There was only one plug.

My brother took his bath while I unpack my luggage. When it was my turn, no water came out from the shower. I thought the water pressure was not working well but actually the water pipe was leaked. Haiz..

I just changed my clothes and walked to floating restaurant for our dinner. An introductory video about Taman Negara was shown on the TV. Wild animals, flora and fauna were preserved in the jungle. Also, origin of human (orang asli) was still staying in the jungle.

A Malay guy introduced himself, Mr Rusli as our tour guide. Night Jungle Walk was our first activity. My group consisted of 4 elderly, one family (parents and two young kids) and 4 Korean guys.

We passed by Mutiara Taman Negara. It’s a kampong style accommodation which was preferable by Western. Now, I understand why my company sells a lot of rooms to them.

 A pair of Tampir welcomed our presence. They were the striking star of the night. Mr Rusli told us that park ranger would bring the wild animals for tourist attractions. These Tampirs were enjoying their watermelon after the photo shooting.

Before entering the jungle, Mr Rusli brief us some information. One of the rules was we have to be quiet all the time. We should not touch or shake the trees (snake might dropped on your head if you do so).

Our first encounter species was Scorpion. Mr Rusli used a branch to lure the scorpion out from the tree hole. Next, he showed us sticking insert. It was difficult to spot it as it was camouflage. We were asked to group together and didn’t realize that a green snake just right above us. Wow.. That was scary! The snake didn’t make any movement so we don’t have to worry.

We also found poisonous caterpillar, long centipede and frogs. Mr Rusli mentioned that these animals and bugs were wild so this has to depend on our luck to encounter one.

Saturday, 3^rd February

On the Second day, we departed from our place at 8.30am. According to the schedule, we were supposed to leave at 9am. Mr Rusli advised us to start our activities earlier to avoid the crowds. Our group was the second to arrive the Canopy walk. The bridge is 45m high and 510 meters long. It was one of the longest in world. Originally the hanging bridge was built for bird watcher. Mr Rusli encouraged us to catch a bird’s picture by rewarding us a Tiger Beer. Haha.. He also mentioned that a bird sang, “One Tiger Beer, Two Tiger Beer, No More Tiger Beer!” Yes, we heard it. Hahaha.. :) 

After enjoying the Canopy walk, we went hiking to Temasek Hill. During the hiking, our tour guide taught us some basic skill survival in jungle. Firstly, we have to get water. Liana tree was the type of storing the water. Secondly, we must know how to set fire using the Cane (Rotan tree). Thirdly, we must find a Raisin fruit to light it up as a candle and it could be used to avoid wild animals from getting near to you. He also requested us to try the leave (tongkat ali) and it tasted bitter.

When we were leaving the place, we saw the long queue. I would praise Mr Rusli for making early arrangement. Next, we visited Orang Asli village.

This Orang Asli is called Batik. They look like African. They have black skin with curly hair. We were fed some backgrounds about them. These orang asli wouldn’t stay a place for more than 3 months. They always move like nomads. Building a house in one day was an important task for a girl in order to get married. As for the boy, he must be trained to be a hunter for the family. They would seek approval from their village’s leader for their marriage. Also, they married at young age.

We learned setting up the fire using the cane and the some kind of light bamboo. It wasn’t an easy task as it required strength and speed to rub the cane against the bamboo. Mostly guys (including my brother) did it successfully. After that, our guide showed us how to blow the pipe for hunting. 

We returned to our hotel to take a rest before our next activity. Once again, we gathered together for Rapid shooting at 3pm. This activity was fun and exciting. We were wet because the water splashed on our body. The boat stopped at the river side for us to play the swing like a Tarzan. Haha… We enjoyed ourselves at the river bank. This was the last activity with my group and the tour guide.

At night, my brother and I joined Night Safari (additional trip) with 10 people. We sat on the four wheeled drive. A girl was holding her torchlight all the time to spot wild animals. The full moon was shining bright at the path. Our first encounter animal was Slow Loris. It walked very slowly on the tree branch. Squirrels, birds and snakes were seen in the oil palm plantation. We were lucky enough to see a young Cheetah running about.

Sunday, 4^th February 2012

My brother and I started packing our clothes and things in the bag. We checked out the Guesthouse at 8am. Around 9am, we left the place. Our group members also departed on same that day except the family. Our Korean friends also bid us farewell.

Reaching back to NKS Office, Mr Melvin, boss of NKS introduced himself when he saw me. We just chat a few minutes as I was rushing to catch up the bus back to KL. I enjoyed the overall trip. ^^

Miri Trip (14-Jan to 17-Jan 2012)

A very good start with first trip, Miri of welcoming new year 2012.

I bought the flight tickets for my family last year due to the cheap flights offered by AirAsia. Our initial plan is to visit my relative in Brunei but now plan changed to stay in Miri.

Miri was not a new place to us as we had been there eight years ago. I still could recall my very first flight to Miri. My brother and I played t.tennis competition there but didn't travel much.

First day (14th Jan)

I didn't sleep through the night after coming home from watching our best badminton player, Dato' Lee Chong Wei's game in Stadium Bukit Jalil (Malaysia Open).

We took a bus from KL Sentral and reached LCCT at 7.15am. We took our breakfast at McDonald before boarding.

The flight took two hours to reach Miri Airport. From there, we took a taxi to Park Hotel. We are lucky that they allowed us to check-in earlier. The facilities are acceptable except no hair dryer and remote control for TV.

After unpacking our luggage, we went to do some exploration in town. I did some "homework" about Miri.. hehe..

Park Hotel is a strategic location where we could travel easily as bus station and Visitors Information Centre are just nearby the hotel. I was disappointed that the Visitor Information Centre is closed. According to a book and Miri Brochures, the Centre should be operating on Weekends. It seems that such information was not updated.

Our first visiting is Tamu Kedayan and Tamu Muhibbah. Tamu means market and it's an old Malay term. Those sellers are mostly orang Ulu such as Melanau, Iban, Kedayan, Bidayu, etc. They were selling variety of fruits and vegetables.

Fruits

You could find some special fruits which is different from KL such as Salak Madu, Buah Asam Mbang and wild Durian. We were fortunate to taste their Durian at this season especially my dad who is a Durian-eater. The flesh is yellow colour and sweet. Vegetables such as Paku and Petai were sold almost every stalls. I found something which is interesting. Normally fruits and vegetables were measured by weighing scale. However, you couldn't find that in their market, instead they measured by plate. They called it "Tompok".

Mee Golok was our very first dish. The price is between RM2.30 to RM2.50. This is the cheapest dish in town. It was my brother's favourite food in Miri. Do you know how much it cost last time? Only RM1.70.

Tua Pek Kong Temple

Our next destination is Tua Pek Kong Temple, the oldest Chinese Temple in Miri. They will be celebrating their 100th Anniversary next year.

A taxi driver recommended famous Indonesian food to us-Lalapan Ikan and Lalapan Ayam at Surabaya shop. The price is between RM8 to RM10.

Food

View of Miri Town

Second Day (15th Jan)

We went to the beach, Taman Selera/Brighton Beach early in the morning. It was quiet and the sound of the wave so lively. The wind kept blowing at us all the time and it's really relaxing. However, we were not allowed to swim due to high current. My brother collected some small seashells. 

Brighton Beach

After spending sometime at the beach, we took a taxi to Canada Hill. The taxi driver was a friendly guy who explained to us the history of oil drilling in Miri. Grand Old Lady is our very first oil well in Malaysia. We also visited Petroleum Museum which explained further about the process of oil drilling.

Grand Old Lady

Petroleum Museum in Miri

In the afternoon, we had our lunch in a Chinese shop. My mum ordered Mee Pok. It was quite similar to Pan Mee style. My brother ate Mee Chap (It's a bowl with all the pork mixed). My dad took Traditional Mee Sua (contains some alcohol) whereas I tried their Mee Merah (Looks quite oily). The price of the food is quite cheap (around RM3.50-RM5.00). 

Food

Eating Time

Around 5pm, we took a walk to Waterfront Commercial Centre. It's quite a distance. The area consists of office lots. I found Kek Lapis (Layer Cake) at Bakery Shop. This is one of their Sarawak's specialty. Of course, I bought some back to KL. Hehe..

Fishing Village at Waterfront Commercial Centre

A hon sound was heard and we saw a ferry passing through in front of the Waterfront Commercial Centre to go to the sea. Only then, we realised there was a fishing village and seafood restaurant, Yu Ha Hai. The view is quite similar to Kuala Selangor. 

We tried Midin with Belacan in Muara Restaurant instead of seafood. 

Walking at night in Miri was totally different scenery from KL. Not so many cars on the street and most of the shops were closed at 6pm. I could say the night of Miri is like a deserted place. 

Third and Fourth Day (16-17th Jan)

I heard that Laksa Sarawak is also their famous dish so we ordered in a coffee shop. They don't put "Tau Foo Pok" but could taste some herbs in their curry soup. It wasn't spicy but I still prefer Laksa in Penang. All of us tried the laksa except my dad who ordered porridge with pork mixed.

My mum did some shopping in their market before going back to KL. She bought their Belacan, Nasi Bario (planted by Orang Ulu) and Petai.

The street of Miri was started decorating with Chinese New Year ambiance. Several stalls have been setup to sell all kinds of foods, clothes, etc. The place was crowded with people. 

A bid farewell to Miri once again. It has been my memorable journey. I like the people and the food. :)

I hope my readers would enjoy reading my blog and would like to wish you, Gong Xi Fatt Cai. May this Dragon year brings you and your family good health, happiness and prosperity. ^.^

QY's birthday

Another birthday friend-QY in this month. I planned to throw her a surprise on 20th. Together with me, ST, KY, CF and Lionel, we celebrated this special occasion in the Garden Cafe, Mid Valley. 

The ambiance is pretty comfortable with the songs played by the pianist.. The decoration of the place is exactly like the western concept. But what I dislike is their management. We were informed that they don't accept reservation during weekends. But we saw most of the tables are being reserved.

Back to where we are... Our table was filled with lots of laughter that night especially the birthday girl.. She kept on teasing Lionel's elephant key chain.. Lionel insisted his elephant is BIG but everyone mentioned LITTLE elephant..

Lionel's little elephant... Big or little??

We celebrated QY's birthday for the first time. Sing a song and cut cake.. A small kid also joined us singing happily.. Pretty cute boy..

Cutie kid..

When it's time to leave the place, Lionel offered us a ride even though I drove my dad's car (I parked my car quite far away from the mall). I wish to say "Thank you" for being such a kind-hearted friend... =)

 Happy moments together...

I hope QY enjoy her birthday celebration and everyone has a great time.. ^.^

25 ways of wearing a scarf

I found a very useful link.. Not only useful to me but all the girls.. I didnt know there are several ways to use a scarf to "deco" yourself.. Last time, a scarf is used in a cold environment to keep yourself warm.. Now, a scarf act as an accessory and it has became a trend for all the ladies.. So, please have a look at this video below..

Another link teaching how to wear small scarf => 10 ways to tie small scarves

Grow Up Another Year

How I wish I can slow down the time on my birthday cause I wish spending more time to do what I wish to do.

Previous two Sundays, my friends threw me a birthday celebration at Purple Cane Tea Restaurant, Mid Valley. For the first time we had Chinese Food. The table had half of roaster duck, a pot of bak kut teh, prawns, vegetable and tau fu. I would rank the food for 4 out of 5 stars. ^^

When time comes, a cake would be blew and cut.. Hehe.. I like the layer cake.. Also, they gave me presents which really out of my expectation!! Actually my only gift that I hope is to watch the movie, "Harry Potter" and they did realise my wish but the presents are really a big surprised.. A big "THANK YOU" to my friends-Ah Gor, ST, KY, CF and QY.

Talking about Harry Potter, the last part of the last Chapter. 

The part talks about the live and dead battle between Harry Potter and Voldemort. Voldemort is trying to find the Elder Wand whereas Harry, Ron and Hermione are finding ways to get and destroy the Horcruxes.

Harry guesses that Voldemort has a Horcrux stored in Bellatrix’s vault, since she seemed so worried about it, and he persuades Griphook the goblin to help him break into the vault. With Griphook’s help, Harry, Ron, and Hermione break in and steal the Hufflepuff Cup from the vault, then escape on the back of a dragon.

Harry learns from a vision of Voldemort’s that the final Horcrux is at Hogwarts, so they travel to the nearby village of Hogsmeade. There they meet Aberforth, Dumbledore’s brother, who helps them get into Hogwarts through a painting by summoning Neville Longbottom, who has been organizing meetings of Dumbledore’s Army in the hidden Room of Requirement. Harry asks the members of the D.A., who are all his supporters, if they can think of an important item associated with the school, hoping such an item might be the final Horcrux. The Ravenclaw students tell him about the lost diadem of Ravenclaw.

While Harry looks for the diadem, the professors and students of Hogwarts rally to his defense, having been warned that Voldemort is on his way. Voldemort and his followers attack the school in a great battle, and Harry finds and destroys the diadem Horcrux.

Harry witnesses Voldemort murdering Snape in order to take possession of Dumbledore’s powerful wand (since Snape killed Dumbledore, Snape is presumably the wand’s true master until someone kills him). Before he dies, Snape gives Harry his memories, extracted for viewing in the Pensieve.

Harry goes to the Pensieve in the headmaster’s office and views the most important moments of Snape’s life. He learns that he has been completely mistaken about Snape, who loved Harry’s mother, Lily Potter, his whole life. Snape had spent his entire adult life spying on Voldemort for Dumbledore and working to protect Harry.

From one of Snape’s conversations with Dumbledore, Harry learns that there’s a piece of Voldemort’s soul inside him (Harry is in fact the final Horcrux), and that he will have to let Voldemort kill him before Voldemort can die. He goes into the forest and lets Voldemort kill him, then wakes up in a dreamlike version of King’s Cross train station, where Dumbledore meets him and tells him that he hasn’t died, and that the protective charm Lily Potter placed on Harry is kept alive inside of Voldemort, because Voldemort used Harry’s blood to reconstitute himself. Thus, Voldemort could not kill Harry, and Harry can now go back and finish him off.

Voldemort takes Harry, whom he believes to be dead, back to Hogwarts to demand its surrender. The students and teachers defy Voldemort, and Neville uses the Sword of Gryffindor to kill the giant snake, Nagini, which was the last Horcrux keeping Voldemort invulnerable. A final battle erupts, and Harry reveals that he’s still alive, going on to kill Voldemort in a duel.

In an Epilogue set nineteen years later, Harry is married to Ginny and is sending their children to Hogwarts. Ron and Hermione are married, and their families are both thriving.

(Extract from link )

Luckily, the author, JK Rowling, didn't end the story by sacrificing Harry.. If not, all the readers would be disappointed.. Haha..

On the next day, I had another surprised. My colleague told me, "Sook Yee, please come to the meeting room." Looking at the time, it was 5.30pm. I was puzzling, "What meeting are we going to discuss". Getting myself ready with a notebook and walked into the room. I was feeling embarrassed that all of them were waiting for me to blow and cut the cake.

At night, I had a wonderful dinner with my parents in Chinese stall. That's how I spent my day.

Found my Favourite Books

Colleagues have been talking about the book fair at YMCA, KL. I also heard of this event so we promised to go together.

Yesterday we went to the place after working. The place was filled up with variety of books but all are in English. Looking at the prices are also attractive too.. Price of book is cost less than RM10. You could even get RM8 for 3 books!! Sound pretty worthy right? Haha.. However, all the books are second hand. If you are lucky, you still could get a book as new as before.. I saw all this and start wondering where should I begin my search.. Hehe.. 

I was trying to get some detective books. Last time I read all the series of Famous Five by Gnid Blyton. Now, I'm happy to get another famous detective stories, Nancy Drew. Also, ghost stories were written by Stephen King and RL Stine. So, I managed to get it. =D Haha.. I walked home with a big smile.. ^^

Meantime, my colleagues bought famous fictions ie. Chronicles of Nania-The Last Nephew and The Lord of the Ring-The Two Tower.

Hurray.. I could spend my free time on books again.. ^^

 

Last of the Mohegan-Harry Potter

The movie of Harry Potter is a non-fiction but I know Christian discourage watching it. To me, as long as I don't learn their what so-called spell, I don't think we should not watch. What I admire the most is their characters, ie. value of friendship. Harry, Ron and Hermione always stick together (Ron and Hermione are willing to leave their family behind) even though they know the level of danger. 3 of them never fail to solve problems as a team. 

I've been following the story from the very beginning and it has became part of my teenager story. I always admire kids playing in action movie so that's how this movie caught my eyes. Haha.. Before coming to an end, let me highlight of each part of stories.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone

Harry Potter became a legendary person since he was a baby in Wizard's world because Voldemort could not kill him but left a scar on his forehead.

Sorcerers Stone is the most valuable item as this magical stone will bring immortal to a person. Such a valuable stone is attracted to evils such as Voldemort. Harry Potter destroyed the Sorcerers Stone is to prevent falling the stone on the hand of Voldemort.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secret

Harry entered the Chamber of Secrets and encountered Ginny's still body and Tom Riddle. Tom turned out to be a younger version of Voldemort, who has been enchanting Ginny through his journal. Tom summoned a basilisk but was killed by Harry using the Sword of Gryffindor. Harry stick a basilisk fang through the diary to destroy Tom. Ginny was rescued.  

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban and Harry wanted to take revenge on him over his parents' death. However, the actual fact was Pettigrew (one of Harry's father's best friend) who is the servant of Voldemort and betrayed Potter. After knowing it, Harry, Ron and Hermione decided to rescue Sirius Black from being killed by the servant of Voldemort. Harry is happy that Sirius Black became his godfather.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry was not expected that he could enter Triwizard Tournament despite his age. This tournament was a trap in the beginning to let Harry entering the final stage. The trophy is a transporter to bring Harry and Cedric to face Voldemort. Voldemort murdered Cedric and wish to do the same on Harry. When both summoned each other, Voldemort's past victims emerge from his wand and protect Harry once the wand connection is broken, giving him time to grab Cedric's body and touch the trophy, thus returning to Hogwarts.

 

Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix

The 3 teenagers formed a group called Dumbledore Army (DA) to learn Defense as Professor Umbridge refused to teach them.

Harry was trying to find his godfather, Sirius Black in Department of Ministry as he foresee Sirius was being captivated and tortured by Voldemort. When Harry reached the department-Ministry of Magic, he saw one of the glass spheres has his name on it, as well as Voldemort’s. Harry grabbed the sphere, and Death Eaters surround to attack, demanding that Harry hand over the prophecy. Employing all of their Defense skills, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and Neville have moderate success fighting the Death Eaters, but they are ultimately helped enormously by the arrival of several members of the Order of Phoenix (a group to fight against Voldemort's Army). In the midst of the fight, Harry dropped the glass sphere, and it shattered. Meanwhile, Sirius’ own cousin, Death Eater Bellatrix Lestrange, killed Sirius. Harry is devastated.

Dumbledore appeared and corralled the Death Eaters but Voldemort and Lestrange managed to escape. Back to Howarts, Dumbledore explained that the prophecy mentioned Harry will either destroy Voldemort or be destroyed by him. Harry has to live with his Aunt because he has the protection of the love bond from his mum.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Harry also learned that Voldemort has divided his soul into seven Horcruxes. Two of these, Tom Riddle’s diary and Marvolo’s ring, have already been destroyed. One resides in Voldemort, one resides in a snake, one is Merope’s locket, and the other two are suspected to be hidden in objects belonging to Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Gryffindor.

Together with Dumbledore, both went to obtain Merope’s locket, thus making Voldemort one step closer to mortal. After taking the locket, they returned to Hogwarts as quickly as possible as they knew Voldemort's Army will appear in the school.

Draco found Dumbledore and threatened to kill him, meanwhile Harry was freeze (by Dumbledore's spell) and covered himself with his invisible cloak. Later, Professor Snape appeared and killed Dumbledore. Draco and Snape escapes from there. 

Harry was very upset over the death of Dumbledore and he realised that the locket was not a Horcrux. Inside the locket had a note from someone named “R. A. B.” Harry told his friends he would not be returning to Hogwarts next year and would instead search out and kill Voldemort by destroying all of the Horcruxes. Ron and Hermione vow to join him.

Also, Harry found out that Half Blood Prince is Processor Snape.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1

Voldemort's Army is getting stronger and they even interfered Muggle's world. Muggle means a person who could not perform any spell.

The members from Order of Phoenix were trying to take Harry to Weasley's house, Burrow. When he arrived Burrow, he learned that Mad-Eye Moody was killed.

Rufus Scrimgeour, the Minister of Magic, delivered the items Dumbledore left for Harry, Ron and Hermione in his will. Harry is given a Snitch which he caught in his first Quidditch match, as well as the Sword of Gryffindor, which Scrimgeour does not give him, claiming it did not belong to Dumbledore. Ron is left a device called a Deluminator that turns lights off, and Hermione is left a book of wizard fairy tales. None of them have any idea what the items mean.

The Weasleys host the wedding of their son Bill to Fleur Delacour. The wedding is interrupted by Death Eaters, as Voldemort has taken over the Ministry of Magic and is now in charge of the Wizarding world. All of them fled the scene. The 3 teenagers escaped together to a safer place.

In previous book, R.A.B left a note in the fake locket. This R.A.B is Regulus Arcturus Black, Sirius's younger brother who is dead. However, the locket has been stolen by Umbridge. Harry, Ron and Hermione were taking their risk to get the locket from Umbridge. Ron used the Sword of Gryffindor to destroy the locket.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione go to visit Xenophilius Lovegood, because Hermione has discovered a strange symbol in the book Dumbledore left her, and they had seen Xenophilius wearing it. Xenophilius explains that the symbol represents the Deathly Hallows, three objects—the Elder Wand, Resurrection Stone, and Invisibility Cloak—that were made by Death and that give the owner of the three objects mastery over death.

Bellatrix Lestrange caught the 3 teenagers and she tortures Hermione for information about where they got the sword they are carrying, since she thought it was in her vault at Gringotts bank. She is very concerned about anything else they might have taken. Dobby, the Malfoys’ former house-elf, helped Harry and his friends to escape, along with Ollivander the wand maker, Luna Lovegood, and Griphook the goblin.

Harry guesses that Voldemort has a Horcrux stored in Bellatrix’s vault, since she seemed so worried about it, and he persuaded Griphook the goblin to help him break into the vault. With Griphook’s help, Harry, Ron, and Hermione broke in and stole the Hufflepuff Cup from the vault, then escaped on the back of a dragon.

In the meantime, Voldemort is looking for the most powerful wand-Dumbledore's Elder Wand. The battle is about to start... Does Harry able to destroy all the Horcruxes? Who will survive in the end? Harry or Voldemort? Let's watch the final part together..

(You may read this in details through this link)

Harry Potter is the LONGEST parts among other movies. Every story has the beginning and it has to come to an end.. I'm reluctant to bid farewell to the last of the Mohegan this Sunday..