Le Tour de Langkawi, Sabah & Ipoh

Since kids were left with their mak tok and tok ayah in Alor Star, I had a chance to prepare for my trip properly without rushing to Parcel E and stuck in really bad jam everyday..and he got a chance to prepare for his exam..(i hope so..:)

I left for Kota Kinabalu on the 3rd March at 9.20am, it was almost full with many kind of people and also many kind of odour..I think this guy next to me just had nasi lemak with egg....due to the fragrance that has been released on board..

3rd March 2010-Wednesday-KL-Kota Kinabalu:

Arrived KKIA at 12noon and it was so hot..headed to Promenade Hotel which is facing the sea but not too far from the Filipino market
I had to wait at their lobby for an hour facing this same view..it was also fully booked and many late check out and too many tourist in groups from the Penisular, Japan ...MLM..etc

My room at level six-its a smoking floor, I actually requested for non-smoking room but since I've been waiting for so long and tired..I just grabbed whatever they offered..its a room with a view (RM155++ for government rate), their king size bed are limited so I don't mind having this room except when I travel with kids..

Nothing much to be done except for channel surfing, reading the material for the next day briefing and enjoy the sunset...unfortunately its a fixed glass window..so I could only captured all these photo from inside the room..sunset from Promenade Hotel KK at 6pm...

I went to the market for dinner of seafood which was served in a simple way without spoiling the taste and freshness of the food.
Seaweed with air asam, it looks like a plastic toys, and crunchy and fresh..

My ikan putih bakar with air asam..simple menu, they pre- grill these stuff and after you decided which squid, prawn or fish, then they'll heat them up again.The concept of this market is simple just like our pasar malam, with long tables and dim light and smoky ambience..its a good place to see many kind of people from different places coming to this humble spot for a local taste.

The pearl stalls were already closed after we finished our meal..nothing much to shop but everytime I passed by that area, my left palm will get itchy..is it true..?hahaha..hope not!


4th March 2010-Thursday, KK-Keningau:
I woke up as usual but it was already bright...
Same spot captured at different time..once again please ignore the glare in this photo

We left for Keningau at 8.00am with our driver T.Jay Afifi..yup that his real name..we were joking, maybe his father is a fan of T.J Hooker

We planned to arrived in Keningau by 10am depending on the road condition and the thickness of the mist..(just to add some drama here..)
Crocker Range from afar..we will cross this range and will see a misty cool mountain...

It was a long winding road..Cheryl Crow's 'Everyday is a winding road' came across my mind...
This is peaceful and slow moving Keningau town, with timber shophouses along the road, its 1200 ft above sea level, it looks like a sleepy town but there are also 3 star hotel here (Juta Hotel and Perkasa)

I finished the briefing and site visit and had a chat with a young majistret who lives there for two years, she's still single and enjoying her life in that small town and have not thinking of going back to Penisular yet..

The journey back to KK was much better because the sky was blue and its perfect for some photo as memento
A small resort along the range..this is one of the place to pull over and have some coffee and photo shoot

A dog was barking at the hill when I shoot this photo..'anjing menyalak bukit'..T.Jay told us that his friend from this hilly side of Sabah cried the moment he saw a beach..a real beach with white sand, waves and salt water...some people live their whole life in certain area and don't have a chance to move out and explore the world around them

It was misty and cool and we could off the air cond and enjoy the natural breeze
Reminds me of route to Mordor (Middle Earth)

I'm not tired looking at the same spot..

5th March 2010-Friday, KK-Sipitang-Papar-KK-KL:

We left for Sipitang at 8.15am and check out from the hotel..different driver because T.Jay's father has passed away this morning ..Al-Fatihah to him..

Route to Sipitang is the same as going to Keningau but we just had to go 12 o'clock at the roundabout where else Keningau is at 9 o'clock..its a different view with no climbing the hill and no mist except for hot sun and lorries and movers along the road



Our proposed site...to many issue..can't revealed everything here, bound by the act...hehehe..

Sipitang is a small town by the sea ..a nice and humble place..but maybe not for luxurious traveller, but for those who seek for something different Keningau and Sipitang are the place, but can't expect to have all the convinients like we do in KK...

After finished our job in Sipitang we left for Papar...another small town not too far from KK...
Yup..I was wearing a black jacket under the hot sun..can't stand the heat and sunburn..and that guy had his no 20 cigarettes..'jalan-jalan cari makan...makan angin..'..(Faira and Zakiah, if you guys read this--> biar pecah di perut okay..)

We had lunch there and had small chat before we left for the airport ..Tuan Richard told us Court's antic :that different people with different cultural background will take an oath according to their culture..for example:

'Saya, Jingo anak Jimi berjanji bercakap benar, jika tidak benar, bila saya panjat pokok kelapak, saya akan jatuh..'.. ni kalau orang bukit..

kalau orang laut pulak, their oath will be something like this:-

'Saya, Jimi anak Jonngos, berjanji akan bercakap benar, jika tidak benar, bila ke sungai, saya akan dibaham buaya..'....!! woohooo..!!

Lain padang lain belalang...

Anyway I left for KL at 4.55pm on board of MH51 Boeing 777 which was full with Oshin look alike, Rain wannabe,Takeshi Kaneshiro look alike...Mr Cigerettes had a bad day..(he should sing Daniel Powter's .'i had a bad day,'..)he had stale asam fish on board...muaahhhahahaa...

Arrived at the airport at 7.30pm and rushed to the ERL station and after 35 minutes met my dark, tall and handsome hubby..(please do not puke people..)

We went for a movie at Alamanda -Percy Jackson the Lightning Thieves..a movie that is only suitable for younger generation, weak storyline..the only eye candy (for me) is Pierce Brosnan..(i'm already old...but he said..you are not that old to watch this movie..)..thats so sweet...i replied (but my mind process a different thing..) woman..!!

6th March 2010-Saturday-Putrajaya-Ipoh
Tired and missing the kids..and we were up and ready to meet them on Saturday morning in Ipoh..but stuck in Putrajaya due to Le Tour De Langkawi 2010, they just released the cyclist for Putrajaya-Genting route..



Energetic young cyclist in multi burst shot using Nikon D90...

We arrived in Ipoh and anxiously waiting for the kids and pengantin..what would she wear, will Hadif cry upon seeing his abah, will he recognized us..it was too many mind boggling questions....

Hadif only said :'aabaah'' with his soft tone..and don't even mind about his mother..

Look at her..everywhere is a playground..
Sufiya was playing around with these renjis-renjis stuff...she splash the water everywhere
Family photo from Ipoh and Alor Star

We headed back to Putrajaya at almost 4 pm and the traffic flow was bad after Ipoh tol, it was raining and cars were stationed along the highway about one km...not moving at all...


As expected..an accident involving one car, one tonne lorry and a bigger buddy...white liquid was all over the road...


This big guy was in the middle of the road.....accident, rain and slippery road..what a perfect combo...

That did not spoilt our mood especially when we were finally reunited with lil S & H..

It was a lovely ride with the kids onboard, sleeping like they always do and the sky was perfect for some shooting but I just used my loyal N82 to snap these picturesque view ...sometimes they make funny formation, and there are times that you'll lose yourself in that fluffy white cloud....imagination could bring you high up...



It was a tiring week that made me weak..Oh, what a rhyme!...but this week will be the same like last week..

Wedding, Engagement, Kuala Nerang..and a strange feeling

We left for Alor Star last week on Wednesday due to my official trip to Kuala Nerang, we left around 11am and as usual had some burger for breakfast..the car as expected was full with bunga telur, diapers, luggage, flowers..etc..It was hot and I expect Kedah will be hotter...

There was an accident at Sungai Besi highway heading to KL somewhere near Seri Petaling area..it was on the other lane, but as caring Malaysian :-P people always slow downtheir car to catch a glimpse of the incident and make the traffic flow even slower than usual.

It was a smooth journey along the highway and Sufiya keep on reminding Hadif to behave when they are in Kedah without us...:-)

She understand situation around her now..

We arrived in Alor Star at around 4 pm and headed to Star City Hotel near Jalan Sekerat, a decent hotel..tapi banyak nyamuk...but we spent most of our time at home where gulai nangka and ikan temenung lemak awaits us..

Kids were left with their mak tok the next day, and we left for Kuala Nerang ..It was more than an hour journey under a hot sun..tiring...I notice tecoma trees are blooming..(at first I told hubby that they are cherry blossom...hahhah..hentam saja)..thanx Aishah for the info.

After settled my stuff at the Court, we were treated by our host from MDPT..Pn Aishah who brought us to this place, under a big trees and nice view towards two rivers that lead to Alor Star...

Kuala Nerang town..it was hot and a glass of air tebu was a cool and cold treat...leeggaa..

Preparation at home were not much to be done, no pakat masak-masak or anything,it was all taken care of by the caterer...the salon,..and what not
My girl was busy too..dari Putrajaya dok sibuk nak pakai inai...

Akad nikah was on Friday-Maulidur Rasul..sekali lafaz...syukur...


Hadif and Sufiay wont sit still..exploring the whole area..we were at this same place six years ag, how time flies..and now come here again with additional member




Us in pink..happy in pink...

We both left for Penang on Sunday and the journey was akward without the kids inside the car screaming and laughing..at first it was a sad journey


We saw another fire engine at the roadside near Jelutong...open fire..

Stp by at Penang Road for jalan-jalan at Sunday market, they have this every last sunday of the month..they are many interesting items to look at ..organic cloth stall, handmade soap, antiques, painting, cucur udang...and also street performance..

A group of ladies in kebaya Nyonya performed with their singer-Johnny..they reminds me of my SNC teacher...:-P

Flute by and Irish copule..it was soothing and calming even thou it was really hot..they played few nice song very well

Hubby saw his friend from afar..a street artist with his friend



There is also one antique stalls with interesting items to collect especially for those who go for old and rustic stuff..I love them too but don't have a proper storage area yet..one fine day...I will...


We left for Putrajaya after attending an engagement ceremony ...it was another strange journey without the usual passenger....
It was really dark with heavy cloud base somewhere before Taiping



We arrived in Putrajaya at almost 11pm...another strange feeling..the house is empty without them

Kids Update and Sabah trip

There are so many things going on right now, too many event to attend, works to finished and task to accomplished..kids are excited with their flash card session especially Sufiya who's eager to learn while Hadif as usual will distract everybody. He just recovered from fever, its really hot here...my right ear is still not functioning properly, I thought that it was due to flying but actually because of prolonged flu and coughing..still on medication and hope it will be better soon.


Work load are getting heavier each day, 2 people are leaving for maternity leave, there'll be no boss for two months and I've to scheduled our own task and inspection including travelling all around the country...that means kids will be attended by dear hubby..if you read this : i would like to say thank you in advance... :-)


These are the location dalam kawasan liputan...Tenom, Papar, Sipitang, Kinabatangan, Tawau and Keningau...


My sister's wedding is just around the corner..that will be another trip north, but I already planned an official trip to Kuala Nerang few days in advance, so it will a long holiday. Actually that will be my first visit to Kuala Nerang in my entire life..shame on me...hahahha

All pink baju kurung, pink baju melayu, pink punjabi suit are ready except for Sufiya's pant that need to be altered...She said that she wants to wear sari....hmmm

I got so many things to update here but so little time to spend infront of this pc..till then, have a nice weekend folks...

Greetings from Putrajaya

We drove around in Putrajaya few hours ago after dinner at Saba Restaurant, Cyberjaya..the restaurant was full but the street was a bit quiet, the traffic flow was smooth and the negihbourhood is sleepy ....most people have gone back for makan besar and long holiday, but decided to just stay here and attend my cousin's wedding in Banting and Hubby decided to qada his sleep...:-P

When I was a child, Chinese New Year holiday was something exciting, we live in a neighbourhood of multi racial, with Malay, Indian who speak fluent Hokkien and BM, Chinese and Pakistani and also Indian Muslim..our houses were close to one another, and on the morning of CNY we could here from a far the sound of the drum and fire crackers...

Normally it will start from few shophouses at the start of the road leading to our area, where it will make a bow at kedai Ba, kedai An, rumah Maknya Ais and few other houses, we will rushed to the back of their house to catch a glimpse of the dancers in a lion costume, we were always excited looking at these 'naga' even though it give no meaning to us but there was no harm appreciating others culture.

On that special day, we also received limau mandarin, kuih kapit and ang pow from Maknya Ais and from a guy who used to mesin papan in front of our house. The last time I heard about this guy, he was already in jail (related to drug or something)..but Maknya Ais is still committed with her road tiga selling air oren, air asam even in the evening of CNY.

It was all bright and peaceful, no stress at all living in community with different views, religion, languages...but I wonder why can't it be like when were a child..?

Happy Chinese New Year folks...peace..

Of River Piedra, Kinabatangan and ketam bunga

We left the house at 6.15am while the kids was still in their sleep mode, it was another trip to Kinabatangan yesterday. Sufiya asked me "awat mama nak pi lagi?"...she asks so many question nowadays, and she demand explaination instead of just a plain answer...

We arrived early at ERL Station and we had enough time to comfort Hadif and as usual he got to play with the steering wheel for a while before they headed to parcel E.

The flight was delayed about 30 minutes, I did not have enough sleep and can't even sleep in the plane so I just continued reading Paulo Coelho's by The River Piedra I Sat Down And Wept which I bought at the airport, was searching for some books and this book caught my attention..

Arrived safely at Sandakan Airport at 12.00noon, I was still in Paulo's book somewhere in a village in France overlooking the mountain..but suddenly the hot sun in Sandakan woke me up from my dream...(shall blog about this book one day, a very poetic book from Paulo)

This is the floating village on the way to Sandakan harbour area, please ignore the glare and noise of this photo


Sandakan town, a small town with full daytime activities, you can find people selling turtle eggs by the roadside..sighhh...

It took about 30 minutes from the airport to Swiss Inn Hotel,Sandakan but this time around I got seaview room, love this feature wall..
My bagpack and another bag and purse...and the project file

View towards Sandkan Harbour Square from my room at fourth floor ..tengah panas lit lit time ni..

View towards few small islands, they are Berhala Island and some that I forgot their name,Berhala Island is a transit place for people from the Philippines..the island got its name from a rock formation that looks like a 'berhala'

I got only an hour to fresh up before we left for Kinabatangan at 1.00pm, we had our lunch at Ajmeer, a mamak restaurant in Sandakan..full stomach, lack of sleep, air conditioned car, got a driver...BUT...we can't even sleep coz we were on a Land Rover not an X-Trail or Waja...hmmmmm
I was sit infront and got the whole view but with this kind of weather, taking photos and trying to sleep was not an option...I just prayed for my safety. Drivers here are notorius for drink and drive..!!!

We passed by the famous roundabout with orang utan statue..should try to arraange for a visit to Sepilok one day

This is the culprit for my headache and lenguh-lenguh badan and sakit pinggang...macam nak berperang

We settled our official job in Kinabatangan and headed back to Sandakan at around 5.15pm and the traffic was slow moving..its getting dark...and at around Batu 9 noticed that cars and lorries were slow moving and expected that there might be an accident, to our surprise..there was a body of motorcyclist in the middle of the road covered with a blanket underneath his bike. His helmet was flung few meters away. He hit a lorry and was so unlucky that day...his blood was all over the place..I did not dare to take any photos..let him rest in peace...

Arrived at Swiss Inn at 6.45pm...I was like a zombie..dizzy and floating and shock..went to Watson to get some panadol and minyak cap kapak....

I had just enough sleep..with the help of Seniman Bujang Lapok, 2 panadol and minyak cap kapak...
And this morning we went to pasar which is located not far from the hotel..

Fresh fish, crabs, prawns...and most important thing is...they are so cheap


Ketam batu or ketam nipah..? the seller told us that its not ketam batu, but ketam nipah..we were in doubt so left the stall...


I bought this ketam bunga for 2 kilo=RM10..way much cheaper than in Putrajaya, it normally cost at RM16 per kilo at Pasar Tani...

We arrived at the airport early coz my boss...ehemmm...older people like him..always worried too much, he worried about being late, about the plane crash, about a train without a driver...about anything...penaattt....


This is Orang Utan at the airport....there are quite many passengers maybe due to Chinese New Year...I arrived at home at around 3.45pm and started cooking my gulai ketam for dinner...and kids still at nursery....lenguh tak habis lagi....

Weekend update and Bicara Kes DSAI

It was a long holiday for us so kids had the opportunity to spend more time with us, no more looking at the watch and set the time as usual, it was all laid back but with plans for them from the museum to the pool and art stuff at home..

Hadif with kakak's swimming suit and Sufiya got herself a new one after so many fitting session at Parkson Alamanda..had a problem with her tummy :-)
Hadif was a bit scared of the water but after some time he managed to enjoy the splash

He was asking me numerous question about acryluc and oil paint but did not mentioned about his intention, and later came home with colours for the kids to start their 'marble art'. This was what budak Sekolah Tanjung Bungah learned during their art class..I was told...
Preparation of the paint on my IKEA tray (please replaced it ASAP), you need few bottles for the colours, brushes or stick, paper, turpentine, oil or acrylic (go for light weight medium)..


Colours were sprinkled on the try that has been filled with water about 3cm

Placed the paper on the tray slowly...

..and lift it


and let it dry for few hours...its quite a messy art work and adult supervision is needed especially when handling the turpentine and colours..Hadif got his pant and shirt painted with red instead of on the paper...

.......

I've planned not to travel this week except for short trip in the Klang Valley, its tiring even though interesting.

Has an assignment at Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur today at 2.30pm but only at 1.30pm I realised that the court will be full of media rep,supporters of Keadilan dan Reformasi and people who just wants to be there....

YB Lim Kit Siang was at the same venue half an hour before DSAI arrived


Scene at Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur main entrance today before the arrival of Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim for the session at 2.30pm today. I believe in justice and a person is not guilty until he is proven guilty, but evidences can sometimes be created. Justice is no longer as what we expect like before, sometimes you are guilty not becoz you commit the crime but due to technical reason, people wants you to be guilty or you are just not lucky....life can be not fair ....we are bound by laws that was created by man, held in court made by man, judged by man..therefore many things can be challenged...except when we are in HIS COURT....