30 January 2006
27 January 2006
It's the year of the DOG
Yes, with the new lunar year around the corner, I would like to wish every visitor to my blog a happy, prosperous, and healthy year of the dog.
May you stay healthy and prosperous through the year and take care of yourself and your love ones too!!
26 January 2006
Zodiac Sign readings for an Oxen
Here are some facts (or myth) on my zodiac sign which is gathered from the following site:
http://www.usbridalguide.com/special/chinesehoroscopes/Ox.htm
Some of it are true while most of the content were general description of me. I have
http://www.usbridalguide.com/special/chinesehoroscopes/Ox.htm
Some of it are true while most of the content were general description of me. I have
The Ox
Those born under the influence of the Ox are fortunate to be stable and persevering. Years of the Ox Ox years are second in sequence and recur every twelve years. The Chinese New Year does not fall on a specific date, so it is essential to check the calendar to find the exact date on which each Ox year actually begins.
Pragmatic and down-to-earth, Ox people are motivated to work hard and have no respect for lazy or careless people. Although they can be easily trusted and find it easy to put trust in others, they are not dependent on friends and family and would rather find an answer or a solution themselves than to ask these people for help or guidance. However, others can, without a doubt rely on Oxen, who are always honest and meticulous about their responsibilities. Though they are quite open-minded, once Ox people have made a decision about something, they rarely change it. This is a defining characteristic that can be seen as obstinacy, but it is actually the way an Ox learns to be strong, brave and straightforward. It is the way the Ox learned to take on tasks and responsibilities and how he learns to be reliable for others. Oxen are more comfortable with the well-known as opposed to the unfamiliar. Yet, beneath their unpretentious, tranquil exterior lies a heart of gold and a motivation to prosper. OXEN FACTS: People born in the Year of the Ox share certain characteristics. The Ox sign is an abbreviated way of characterizing that individual’s personality. Following are features associated with the sign of the Ox. Second in order, Chinese name—NIU, sign of industry Hour—1am-2:59am Month—January Western Counterpart—Capricorn CHARACTERISTICS Obstinate, Pouty, Truthful, Motivated, Friendly, Apathetic, Genuine, Quick-tempered
IN YOUR ELEMENT The characteristics of the Ox sign are tempered by one of the five Chinese elements of Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth overlaying a 5-year cycle of characteristics on the original 12-year cycle. THE METAL OX Metal Ox people work harder and more scrupulously than most people, including other Oxen. They always show a boldness and drive and will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. Like all Oxen, they are completely trustworthy and dependable, but they are not ones to display their emotions freely or openly. These Oxen have the strength of steel, with a will to match. Often, this strength and ruthless will make it difficult for them to identify with the feelings of others around them. However, an Ox is always willing to defend what he knows to be true and won’t give up until he has proven what he knows to be true. HEALTH AND HOME HEALTH People born under the sign of the Ox usually have strong codes and work ethics. This can lead to a tendency to be a workaholic, and they should make an effort to relax more. Many Oxen work in relatively stationary occupations, and would benefit from squeezing a little exercise into their routines. They are prone to bone and joint problems - especially the knees - and must pay special attention to these areas. However, Ox people are usually strong and robust, and, according to ancient wisdom, should be blessed with long lives. AT HOME WITH THE OX The Ox’s home is his castle, a place where he finds relaxation and peace from the everyday hustle and bustle of his career or responsibilities. This is where he spends time with his friends and loved ones. The Ox person doesn’t put a lot of effort into making his house stylish, for he would much rather be comfortable while reading the newspaper or watching television. He doesn’t spend much time indoors anyway—he wants to be outside, smelling the air, planting gardens and trees, which will usually be evidenced by the botanical literature you will find on his bookshelf or on his coffee table. Ox people prefer to live in the country. The Ox generally prefers to decorate his home with nature’s colors, i.e. golds, greens and oranges.
CAREER AND FINANCE THE OX ON THE JOB Able, ethical and aware, colleagues of the Ox will marvel at their methodical approach and will depend on their eyes for detail. Oxen are not phased by routines, probably because they are so well-organized. They are better-suited for specialized positions and prefer to work in large companies. They do, however, work best when they work alone since they can be unhappy when participating in a large group. MONEY AND THE OX Oxen believe in security, and thus don’t usually take wild risks or financial gambles. They are meticulous about spending money and work hard to ensure they will be able to retire comfortably. OX CAREERS Those born in the Year of the Ox share the same kinds of goals and objectives in life. The occupations best suited for the Ox are listed below: OX MAKE EXCELLENT: Painters CONGENIAL BUSINESS PARTNERS Whether Oxen are compatible with their business partners depends on whether their signs are harmonious or antagonistic to those of their business partners. Considering the congruity of their own characters and the characters of their business partners can also be very useful.
Leisurely activities and pleasures LIKES AND DISLIKES The Ox is a lover of stability, a great traditionalist and a homemaker. Rarely would you expect an Ox person to be an extrovert pleasure-seeker. They are happiest in the peace of their own home territory. Oxen Like: Color Preference: Violet Oxen Dislike: Making small talk, foolish games, feeling insecure THE OX VACATION Actually, Oxen are homebodies, preferring the lure of the sofa or the garden to extravagant vacations far away from home. They are very happy just staying at home, spending their summer vacations catching up with the hobbies and pastimes that their workloads have prevented them from taking on previously. Whether they are planting flower beds, or enjoying a sunset on their newly-built front porch, it is all quite satisfying to them. If they do decide to take a trip, you can bet they’ll head for the hills to do some hiking or rock climbing.
FRIENDS AND ENEMIES Oxen are not the most sociable people and tend not to mix easily in social gatherings. Instead, they would rather be at home, enjoying their privacy and anonymity. Unlike the Rat, the Monkey, or the Rooster, the Oxen tend not to have a little black book, preferring a few very loyal friends to a large network of acquaintances. Oxen do know how to shine at social occasions, but more often than not they dislike small talk. These are wary people, unlikely to ignite friendships on the spur of the moment. They like to take their time and get to know people before disclosing themselves fully. A happy, solid relationship with their partner and children is the most satisfying goal they could accomplish. OX PARENTS AND CHILDREN Oxen make very protective parents. People born under this sign will unselfishly work their fingers to the bone to provide a thriving, happy and secure home where their children feel safe. In return, however, the Ox mother and father demand that their youngsters be courteous, respectful and polite. In comparison to other parents, Oxen can seem a bit authoritarian but they are conventional and believe in instilling within their children a belief system. A good education is especially important and by utilizing their educational opportunities, Oxen children can make their lives and relationships with their parents a lot easier. Ox parents expect their children to listen, behave and be attentive while they are at school. Showing rebellion is the fastest way to be punished in the Oxen household. Oxen, especially female Oxen, tend to start their families early on and completely immerse themselves in caring for and parenting their children. This can lead to dependent children and can pose a problem for parents who are trying to teach their children to become self-reliant. OXEN PARENT/CHILD KINSHIPS Some parents click immediately with their children and some find they will never have a close relationship no matter how hard they try to make it happen. Following are the compatibility ratings between Oxen parents and their children. THE OX LOVER Oxen dislike chit-chat. They don't have fun at parties and as aforementioned, don’t have a ton of friends. They are not very sociable and would rather be spending their time at home with their families. When the Ox is in love, he does not confirm his feelings verbally, preferring to show you how he feels rather than tell you. An Ox will take a long time to decide if you are the right match for him because Oxen hate change, and want to find someone who is ready to embark upon a stable marriage. Oxen never rush into anything and are not flirtatious people. Once they have committed to you they will usually be faithful and expect reciprocation of their honorable actions. MARRIAGE Unfortunately, many Ox marriages do fall apart after a couple of years, possibly because the Ox is too dominant or inflexible. Perhaps it's because, Oxen tend to place blame on everyone but themselves. But if an Ox fortunate, and has chosen wisely, the couple can build and maintain a close-knit family to which the Ox will completely devote himself. EAST MEETS WEST LIBRAN OX These Oxen are good employers and employees because they are easy to get along with and listen to what you have to say. They like to keep the peace and don’t like to rock the boat. They are always trying to achieve perfection personally and romantically.
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25 January 2006
Eat, Eat ,Eat and worry later!!!
This is an anecdote pinned on the noticeboard of the dietetics department at Monash University, Melbourne:
NUTRITION FACTS
Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attack than the
Aussies, British or Americans.
Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attack than the
Aussies, British or Americans.
African drinks very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attack than
the Aussies, British or Americans.
Italian drink large amount of red wine and suffer fewer heart attack
than the Aussies, British or Americans.
Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and
suffer fewer heart attack than the Aussies, British or Americans.
CONCLUSION
Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.
I think about Malaysian is that eat lots of nasi lemak and drink alot of teh tarik and suffer more heart attacks!!!
Another "cute" SMS that received from my good friend En AJF:
A 75 year old man got married to a 15 year old girl.
On their first night, both were crying.
Why??
She didn't know anything and he forgot everything!!
NUTRITION FACTS
Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attack than the
Aussies, British or Americans.
Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attack than the
Aussies, British or Americans.
African drinks very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attack than
the Aussies, British or Americans.
Italian drink large amount of red wine and suffer fewer heart attack
than the Aussies, British or Americans.
Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and
suffer fewer heart attack than the Aussies, British or Americans.
CONCLUSION
Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.
I think about Malaysian is that eat lots of nasi lemak and drink alot of teh tarik and suffer more heart attacks!!!
Another "cute" SMS that received from my good friend En AJF:
A 75 year old man got married to a 15 year old girl.
On their first night, both were crying.
Why??
She didn't know anything and he forgot everything!!
14 January 2006
Volkswagen to end partnership with Proton
Extract from BusinessWeek Online:
AN. 12 7:57 A.M. ET Automaker Volkswagen AG said Thursday it was ending its strategic partnership with Proton Holdings BHD, abandoning their plan to build cars in Malaysia.
The companies set up the strategic partnership in September 2004 with the aim of setting up an assembly line for VW cars in Malaysia.
But the arrangement ran into a roadblock last year amid Wolfsburg-based Volkswagen's efforts to obtain a majority stake and management control of the national automaker.
Proton, controlled by the government's investment arm, Khazanah Nasional Berhad, had said it was open to selling an equity stake to Volkswagen but ruled out ceding control to Europe's biggest carmaker.
VW Chief Executive Bernd Pischetsrieder told analysts at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit that the company had specific ideas about how to go forward with Proton. He did not elaborate.
"Unfortunately, the Malaysian government and Proton had other ideas," he said.
Shares of Volkswagen were up more than half a percent to euro47.90 (US$57.90) in Frankfurt trading.
Is it a blessing or a blow to Proton that Volkswagen to end the partnership with them? Even Proton themselves were thrown off guard with the annoucement was made in Detriot. Volkswagen did not even have the guts to announce it in front of Proton.
The previous big news on Proton was the disposal of Agusta for only Euro1. That created another controversy, an investment of more than RM700 million just went down the drain. Writing off RM700 million man.... how can any sensible business entity just pour out hard earned money just like that!!!
Well, we will have to wait for more announcement from Proton and the Government soon.
Blogging 用中文
這是我的第一次嘗試寫在漢語在我的blog 。 我得到了翻譯從站點WorldLingo 。
嘿這是樂趣, 必須寫中文在我不能甚而讀的我的blog 什麼我書寫!!
(Translated in English : Hey this is fun, having to write Chinese on my blog where I could not even read what I am writing!!)
嘿這是樂趣, 必須寫中文在我不能甚而讀的我的blog 什麼我書寫!!
(Translated in English : Hey this is fun, having to write Chinese on my blog where I could not even read what I am writing!!)
Jack Bauer - 24
I got hooked watching the show "24" sesson 3 last year which was shown on TV8. From then, the shown was again sown on AXN. Then AXN started the re-run of the 2nd season of 24. I was also hooked on to it. I came to know that the DVD shops in town are selling the whole in DVD box. The 4th season which has completed in the USA is also available in DVD box set. I could not help myself but to get a set myself since I was addicted to the show.
The box set came in 7 DVDs, each DVD consist of 4 episodes while the 7th DVD was a feature DVD of the making and deleted scenes of the the show. Each DVD cost RM10-00 (support the pirates) where the whole box set which comes with DVD and outer box casing cost me RM70-00.
I was glued to the TV watching episodes as the story build up.. heart pounding all the way covering each hour of the 24 hours the story evolved on. If you don't know about the story, you may log on to Wikipedia to have description of the show.
Season 5 of the show will start in the US this week end with a 4 hours season premiere.
I will have to wait for the show to end before the DVD box set is available.
Hi there!
For regular visitors to my blog, I apologies for not posting anything for a long time. You may be wondering what's have happen to me.
Well it has been quiet, since the new year, nothing much happened so not much to write on. Most of the time I have been wondering into other people's blog especially my daughter's blog where she post in her day to day experiences after completing her SPM. She getting hang of it ( just like his old man) in expressing herself. I would read her posting, some times I would post my comments in her chatterbox (ahh.. that's where I got my chatter box from!!)
The daily routine of getting up in the morning at 6.00 a.m. and getting ready to send my children to school still carry on. Work wise, nothing much happen because January is a slow month gearing up to the Chinese New Year holidays. The only the swing begins. But the normal agony and frustration of work is still happening.
Many of my seniors are retiring this year, so speculations of whose service is getting extended is a guessing game. Getting retired a 55 years old is too young in my opinion. The brains of a person is still active and strong at that age. What frustrates me is that many people are getting ready for the announcement of a five-days week. To me having a five days working week isn't too welcome because I will be lazing at home on Saturday or the kids will have to taken out where I need to spend more money for traveling and food. I was joking with my colleagues that I will need to look for a new hobby when the five days week sets in. I have in mind to sign up to a fitness gym to work out... I knew that there are too many people getting sickly nowadays... breast cancer and stroke cases are very common now especially for people of whose age are in the early 40's.
The Chinese New Year is coming... bad news for me because I would need a whole bunch of money to buy this and that but most of all the money to be ready for the packing of hong pows. Bills to pay, hong pows to pay... ahhh where got so much money hah??? Guess what? I have not bought myself any new cloths for the new year.. I figured what to buy and why need to buy. The kids would need to buy and I have spent almost RM500-00 for their clothing.. me old man what to be so fashion hype about?
Well it has been quiet, since the new year, nothing much happened so not much to write on. Most of the time I have been wondering into other people's blog especially my daughter's blog where she post in her day to day experiences after completing her SPM. She getting hang of it ( just like his old man) in expressing herself. I would read her posting, some times I would post my comments in her chatterbox (ahh.. that's where I got my chatter box from!!)
The daily routine of getting up in the morning at 6.00 a.m. and getting ready to send my children to school still carry on. Work wise, nothing much happen because January is a slow month gearing up to the Chinese New Year holidays. The only the swing begins. But the normal agony and frustration of work is still happening.
Many of my seniors are retiring this year, so speculations of whose service is getting extended is a guessing game. Getting retired a 55 years old is too young in my opinion. The brains of a person is still active and strong at that age. What frustrates me is that many people are getting ready for the announcement of a five-days week. To me having a five days working week isn't too welcome because I will be lazing at home on Saturday or the kids will have to taken out where I need to spend more money for traveling and food. I was joking with my colleagues that I will need to look for a new hobby when the five days week sets in. I have in mind to sign up to a fitness gym to work out... I knew that there are too many people getting sickly nowadays... breast cancer and stroke cases are very common now especially for people of whose age are in the early 40's.
The Chinese New Year is coming... bad news for me because I would need a whole bunch of money to buy this and that but most of all the money to be ready for the packing of hong pows. Bills to pay, hong pows to pay... ahhh where got so much money hah??? Guess what? I have not bought myself any new cloths for the new year.. I figured what to buy and why need to buy. The kids would need to buy and I have spent almost RM500-00 for their clothing.. me old man what to be so fashion hype about?
02 January 2006
Update to blog template - Chatterbox
I have created a Chatterbox section at my side navigation to facilitate those who wants to leave some "graffiti" at my blog instead of posting in your comments.
31 December 2005
December 31 2005
Today marks the end of 2005. What a year, filled with events and the biggest one would be that I started this blog. Started this blog in July this year and I have clocked in over 117 postings (inlcuding this one) and also a photo blog. No a bad achievement.
2005 also saw my two daughters taking their big examinations PMR and SPM. The result for PMR was out but the results for her isn't too satisfactory but that's the best she can do (that's what she claimed). Let's just see how it goes for the next two years before she encounter her next big examination the SPM.
For me, the normal challenges of work prevails, when I mentioned "challenges" it meant obstacles that I faced from people "poking" my back and "playing" with me. I don't give a damm what other people said or what ever their intentions are. What I care is that I have done my best and for the benefit for my organisation (the one who pays my salary).
Looking forward to 2006... well... to me another year is just another continuance of days from the previous year. The only resolution I make year after year is to stay healthy and to see the days (and years) as it goes by.
Getting emotional already... but what the heck I only do this once a year... oops .
Happy New Year 2006 to everyone.
Before I end, I would like to leave this SMS message that I have received and which I have also forwarded to all the people who are only phone contact:
I'm going away from your life
I won't be coming to your life anymore
As I am going to die within a few days time
I don't know whether you are happy or sad
Yours loving 2005
2005 also saw my two daughters taking their big examinations PMR and SPM. The result for PMR was out but the results for her isn't too satisfactory but that's the best she can do (that's what she claimed). Let's just see how it goes for the next two years before she encounter her next big examination the SPM.
For me, the normal challenges of work prevails, when I mentioned "challenges" it meant obstacles that I faced from people "poking" my back and "playing" with me. I don't give a damm what other people said or what ever their intentions are. What I care is that I have done my best and for the benefit for my organisation (the one who pays my salary).
Looking forward to 2006... well... to me another year is just another continuance of days from the previous year. The only resolution I make year after year is to stay healthy and to see the days (and years) as it goes by.
Getting emotional already... but what the heck I only do this once a year... oops .
Happy New Year 2006 to everyone.
Before I end, I would like to leave this SMS message that I have received and which I have also forwarded to all the people who are only phone contact:
I'm going away from your life
I won't be coming to your life anymore
As I am going to die within a few days time
I don't know whether you are happy or sad
Yours loving 2005
26 December 2005
The New Honda Civic is already launched in Bangkok
I have been writing on the new Civic twice in September and November.
Today I received and e-mail on some images of the new Civic and decided to forward to some of my friend. To my surprise, SooHK replied that he has already sat in the new Civic in Bangkok. The 1.8L version cost about RM78K for a manual and RM83K for an Auto(894K Baht and 934K Baht) while the 2.0L version cost over 100K. I replied to him that it was not fair that Bangkok gets the new Civic so early and Malaysia will only get it probably by year end 2006. But what to do, Honda made so much investment (well not only Honda) in Thailand, they sure gets it first. I still think it a good looking car that's why I wrote about it so mcuh and now I want to put more photos of it here.
For those interested, you may visit the Honda Civic Thailand site to have a better feel of the car.
To add on, the tuning specialist for Honda, Mugen, already has the Civic Dominator, a super version of the Civic which will be featured in January 2006 at the Tokyo Motor Show.
To Thiagarajan R, start your booking and replace the old Peugeot of yours!!!
24 December 2005
Merry Christmas
Well today's Christmas Eve, I would like to wish all my visitors a Merry Christmas.
Especially for visitors outside Malaysia (especially the one from Aberdeen), Merry Christmas and get ready for the new year!
Christmas gathering at USJ
Christmas around the corner, I got a call from my friend Mr Dewitt Chai. Well, Dewitt is my senior, a senior and successfully man. He has his own insurance agency for Great Eastern Life and at the same time he is also an agent for Lonpac Insurance. It has been a long time since we have met and the call from him was a real surprise. He invited my family over to his office for a Christmas gathering and at the same time he had invited the carol group from his church to add to the Christmas joy.
We reached his office in USJ and was greeted my his family. Food was served which was mainly steamboat but the usual Christmas turkey was also available. An other of my colleague from IT, Jonathan Tan and his family was there too. Another surprise, he introduced me to his son-in-law, Liew , who is also a staff of the Bank. Liew is from Finance Division and working in the same building but I have not have the chance to meet up with him since our scope of work does not involved each other.
The carol group arrived. It was a Chinese carol group consisting mainly of girls and 3 guys. They sang a few Christian and Christmas songs in Mandarin. The group really made the feeling of Christmas felt.
The family was restless after that and wanted to go home.
Thanks Dewitt for inviting us to your Christmas gathering. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
We reached his office in USJ and was greeted my his family. Food was served which was mainly steamboat but the usual Christmas turkey was also available. An other of my colleague from IT, Jonathan Tan and his family was there too. Another surprise, he introduced me to his son-in-law, Liew , who is also a staff of the Bank. Liew is from Finance Division and working in the same building but I have not have the chance to meet up with him since our scope of work does not involved each other.
The carol group arrived. It was a Chinese carol group consisting mainly of girls and 3 guys. They sang a few Christian and Christmas songs in Mandarin. The group really made the feeling of Christmas felt.
The family was restless after that and wanted to go home.
Thanks Dewitt for inviting us to your Christmas gathering. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
How's Your Maths?
From a strictly mathematical viewpoint it goes like this:
What Makes 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?
Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all been to those meetings where someone wants you to give over 100%.
How about achieving 103%? What makes up 100% in life?
Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these questions:
If:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
is represented as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.
Then:
H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%
and
K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%
But,
A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E
1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%
And,
B-U-L-L-S-H-I-T
2+21+12+12+19+8+9+20 = 103%
AND, look how far ass kissing will take you.
A-S-S-K-I-S-S-I-N-G
1+19+19+11+9+19+19+9+14+7 = 118%
So, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that...
While Hardwork and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, it's the BullShiT and Ass kissing that will put you over the top.
What Makes 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?
Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all been to those meetings where someone wants you to give over 100%.
How about achieving 103%? What makes up 100% in life?
Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these questions:
If:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
is represented as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.
Then:
H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%
and
K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%
But,
A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E
1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%
And,
B-U-L-L-S-H-I-T
2+21+12+12+19+8+9+20 = 103%
AND, look how far ass kissing will take you.
A-S-S-K-I-S-S-I-N-G
1+19+19+11+9+19+19+9+14+7 = 118%
So, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that...
While Hardwork and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, it's the BullShiT and Ass kissing that will put you over the top.
19 December 2005
You would know that Christmas is around the corner!!
I have been on annual leave (to clear the year's entitlement) since last Wednesday. For yesterday and today, well I got the feel that Christmas is just around the corner. Why?
Yesterday (Sunday 18 December 2005), I got to send my daughter to Mid Valley Megamall to attend a luncheon at Cititel. Well driving down the highway from Taman Connaught just before reaching the turn off to Old Klang Road, the long queue of cars occurred. I though it was the routine queue just before 12.00 p.m. where the crowd will start flogging to the Mall. I joined the queue but the annoying thing is that people cut me from my right side. Feeling frustrated, I decided to make a U turn at Old Klang Road to go to the Mall. To my surprise, the queue was much longer. The queue started at the U turn right up to the mall. I then thought that there might have been an accident. Well, no... the jam was caused by the many many cars that were going into the Mall. Pulling my car my the inches, I was still caught in the in famous "vicious" roundabout jam of the Midway Megamall. My daughter was late for the lunch date so I asked her to left the car and walk to the meeting (read about how she felt when I asked her to take the walk) place just to be there in time. I told here I will meet up with her in the Mall after getting a parking place inside the Mall. Fat hopes, the long queue did not budged at all. So much so I told my son who was in the car with me that we should go to 1 Utama instead.
Another surprise was installed for me at 1 Utama. I spent 45 minutes rounding here and there in the car park (it was raining) and could not find a place to park. I was really fed up of these, first it was Megamall now 1 Utama. Got out of car and paid the parking fee and left the parking lot. In the end, I parked my car by the road side at Bandar Utama and walked all the way to 1 Utama.
People and people walking everywhere. Everyone was shopping and shopping. That's the feeling I sense... Christmas is just around the corner and everyone was rushing off to get their stuff before the eve of Christmas arrive this Saturday.
Today, my wife suggested to go somewhere to get cloths for the kids for the Chinese New Year. It's only the priority that the children gets new cloths for CNY. I suggested Sunway Pyramid since there are ample clothing stalls there and to get there and back home would be much easier.
Reached there at about 3.45 p.m., same old story, tons and tons of people walking around (mind you it's a Monday, many people are already on leave) with shopping bags. Many of them were youngster (compared to me lah!).
The whole shopping spree ripped me off almost RM500-00 plus the "dinner" at Genki Sushi.
Well tomorrow, it;s back to office and no more annual leave till next year. Heh.. next year is just around the corner too.
Well Merry Christmas to all who are reading this posting.
Yesterday (Sunday 18 December 2005), I got to send my daughter to Mid Valley Megamall to attend a luncheon at Cititel. Well driving down the highway from Taman Connaught just before reaching the turn off to Old Klang Road, the long queue of cars occurred. I though it was the routine queue just before 12.00 p.m. where the crowd will start flogging to the Mall. I joined the queue but the annoying thing is that people cut me from my right side. Feeling frustrated, I decided to make a U turn at Old Klang Road to go to the Mall. To my surprise, the queue was much longer. The queue started at the U turn right up to the mall. I then thought that there might have been an accident. Well, no... the jam was caused by the many many cars that were going into the Mall. Pulling my car my the inches, I was still caught in the in famous "vicious" roundabout jam of the Midway Megamall. My daughter was late for the lunch date so I asked her to left the car and walk to the meeting (read about how she felt when I asked her to take the walk) place just to be there in time. I told here I will meet up with her in the Mall after getting a parking place inside the Mall. Fat hopes, the long queue did not budged at all. So much so I told my son who was in the car with me that we should go to 1 Utama instead.
Another surprise was installed for me at 1 Utama. I spent 45 minutes rounding here and there in the car park (it was raining) and could not find a place to park. I was really fed up of these, first it was Megamall now 1 Utama. Got out of car and paid the parking fee and left the parking lot. In the end, I parked my car by the road side at Bandar Utama and walked all the way to 1 Utama.
People and people walking everywhere. Everyone was shopping and shopping. That's the feeling I sense... Christmas is just around the corner and everyone was rushing off to get their stuff before the eve of Christmas arrive this Saturday.
Today, my wife suggested to go somewhere to get cloths for the kids for the Chinese New Year. It's only the priority that the children gets new cloths for CNY. I suggested Sunway Pyramid since there are ample clothing stalls there and to get there and back home would be much easier.
Reached there at about 3.45 p.m., same old story, tons and tons of people walking around (mind you it's a Monday, many people are already on leave) with shopping bags. Many of them were youngster (compared to me lah!).
The whole shopping spree ripped me off almost RM500-00 plus the "dinner" at Genki Sushi.
Well tomorrow, it;s back to office and no more annual leave till next year. Heh.. next year is just around the corner too.
Well Merry Christmas to all who are reading this posting.
17 December 2005
World Debut of Ferrari FXX
The Bologna Motor Show features the first public showing of the Ferrari FXX, the Ferrari Enzo track car.
Performance? How about 800 hp, custom Bridgestone racing slicks, a full telemetry and data acquisition system, and 40 percent more downforce than the stock Enzo.
For this extreme performance edition of the Ferrari supercar, the company has defined an entirely new type of customer - the Client Test Driver. This lucky individual (And wealthy. Goes without saying, really.) gets more than just a car, he gets to particpate in a Ferrari-sponsored series of track events in Europe, North America and Japan, a personalized driving course at Ferrari’s Fiorano Circuit, and custom fitting of the seat and pedals by Ferrari technicians. The price? A mind-boggling $1,720,000. Plus tax.
The first of 29 limited edition cars was delivered in mid-November. Full press release and more pics after the jump.
Bologna, December 1st 2005 - The Bologna Motor Show provided the venue for Ferrari’s world unveiling of the FXX, a car aimed exclusively at a selected group of its most dedicated and passionate Clients, and around which a truly innovative technical client constructor collaboration programme has been developed.
This prototype, of which just 29 have been built, is the most technologically advanced GT car ever to emerge from Maranello. It will be used exclusively on track as part of a specific ongoing research and development programme featuring the first ever group of Client Test Drivers. The FXX has not been homologated for road use or racing.
The FXX is the culmination of Ferrari’s expertise in building special limited-series sports cars combined with its unparalleled racing experience. The FXX will provide the basic framework on which the specifics of future extreme models will be developed. The exceptionally powerful FXX delivers absolutely blistering performance: it is powered by an imposing 6262 cm3 V12 engine which develops over 800 hp at 8500 rpm. The gearbox is the result of the transfer of F1 technology and delivers gear change times of less than 100 ms. This is almost as fast as the F1 cars, themselves the absolute pinnacle of current technological achievement. The FXX has a dry weight of 1155 kg with a power-weight ratio of 1.44 kg/hp, and completed a lap of Fiorano in under 1’18’’00 - a time which gives an indication of the sheer power and performance of this magnificent car.
The FXX’s aerodynamic design is also particularly innovative - with a 40% increase in downforce compared to the already impressive Enzo. Ferrari’s F1 tyre partner, Bridgestone, developed a specific 19” slick tyre for the FXX., and Brembo created a special brake pad and cooling system for the 398 x 36 mm Composite Ceramic Material discs.
Another unique feature of the FXX is its sophisticated telemetry system which monitors and provides feedback in real time. The instrument panel, supplied by Magneti Marelli, is specifically designed for the FXX and incorporates a new data acquisition system. A video camera is also installed on the roof of each of the cars, pointing towards the rear, with a special TFT display on the dash removing the need for rear view mirrors.
The FXX package also includes participation in a series of 14 track events organised by Ferrari on various international-level circuits over the coming two years in Europe, North America and Japan (meetings at Spa and the Nürburgring have already been confirmed for 2006). On these occasions, an official team of technicians will be on hand to provide any assistance and support required by the Client Test Drivers. In addition to these unique official events, Clients will also be able to take their cars out on the track independently during private sessions. If Clients wish to leave their car at Maranello while not in use, they will be transported directly by Ferrari to the various European circuits for the scheduled events.
Given the car’s exceptional performance and the unique nature of the package, delivery of each FXX also includes an advanced driving course with tuition provided by the best professional drivers. Courses take place at the Fiorano Circuit where Ferrari conducts its F1 single-seater testing. After the seat and the pedals have been individually moulded for each driver, there will be a traditional “shakedown” followed by a training session to introduce the Client Test Drivers to test driving methodologies. The first FXXs were delivered in mid-November and the last will be with their owners by the end of April next year. The FXX and the relative package cost a total of 1.5 million euro (excluding taxes). Applications to join the programme were evaluated by a special inhouse committee.
Extracted from http://autoblog.com
Performance? How about 800 hp, custom Bridgestone racing slicks, a full telemetry and data acquisition system, and 40 percent more downforce than the stock Enzo.
For this extreme performance edition of the Ferrari supercar, the company has defined an entirely new type of customer - the Client Test Driver. This lucky individual (And wealthy. Goes without saying, really.) gets more than just a car, he gets to particpate in a Ferrari-sponsored series of track events in Europe, North America and Japan, a personalized driving course at Ferrari’s Fiorano Circuit, and custom fitting of the seat and pedals by Ferrari technicians. The price? A mind-boggling $1,720,000. Plus tax.
The first of 29 limited edition cars was delivered in mid-November. Full press release and more pics after the jump.
Bologna, December 1st 2005 - The Bologna Motor Show provided the venue for Ferrari’s world unveiling of the FXX, a car aimed exclusively at a selected group of its most dedicated and passionate Clients, and around which a truly innovative technical client constructor collaboration programme has been developed.
This prototype, of which just 29 have been built, is the most technologically advanced GT car ever to emerge from Maranello. It will be used exclusively on track as part of a specific ongoing research and development programme featuring the first ever group of Client Test Drivers. The FXX has not been homologated for road use or racing.
The FXX is the culmination of Ferrari’s expertise in building special limited-series sports cars combined with its unparalleled racing experience. The FXX will provide the basic framework on which the specifics of future extreme models will be developed. The exceptionally powerful FXX delivers absolutely blistering performance: it is powered by an imposing 6262 cm3 V12 engine which develops over 800 hp at 8500 rpm. The gearbox is the result of the transfer of F1 technology and delivers gear change times of less than 100 ms. This is almost as fast as the F1 cars, themselves the absolute pinnacle of current technological achievement. The FXX has a dry weight of 1155 kg with a power-weight ratio of 1.44 kg/hp, and completed a lap of Fiorano in under 1’18’’00 - a time which gives an indication of the sheer power and performance of this magnificent car.
The FXX’s aerodynamic design is also particularly innovative - with a 40% increase in downforce compared to the already impressive Enzo. Ferrari’s F1 tyre partner, Bridgestone, developed a specific 19” slick tyre for the FXX., and Brembo created a special brake pad and cooling system for the 398 x 36 mm Composite Ceramic Material discs.
Another unique feature of the FXX is its sophisticated telemetry system which monitors and provides feedback in real time. The instrument panel, supplied by Magneti Marelli, is specifically designed for the FXX and incorporates a new data acquisition system. A video camera is also installed on the roof of each of the cars, pointing towards the rear, with a special TFT display on the dash removing the need for rear view mirrors.
The FXX package also includes participation in a series of 14 track events organised by Ferrari on various international-level circuits over the coming two years in Europe, North America and Japan (meetings at Spa and the Nürburgring have already been confirmed for 2006). On these occasions, an official team of technicians will be on hand to provide any assistance and support required by the Client Test Drivers. In addition to these unique official events, Clients will also be able to take their cars out on the track independently during private sessions. If Clients wish to leave their car at Maranello while not in use, they will be transported directly by Ferrari to the various European circuits for the scheduled events.
Given the car’s exceptional performance and the unique nature of the package, delivery of each FXX also includes an advanced driving course with tuition provided by the best professional drivers. Courses take place at the Fiorano Circuit where Ferrari conducts its F1 single-seater testing. After the seat and the pedals have been individually moulded for each driver, there will be a traditional “shakedown” followed by a training session to introduce the Client Test Drivers to test driving methodologies. The first FXXs were delivered in mid-November and the last will be with their owners by the end of April next year. The FXX and the relative package cost a total of 1.5 million euro (excluding taxes). Applications to join the programme were evaluated by a special inhouse committee.
Extracted from http://autoblog.com
16 December 2005
KL Bird Park
After the brief stop over at the Royal Palace, we reached the Bird Park. This is our first time there (same of us being KLites and not going to such a good place). Stop by the booth to buy the entrance ticket. Adults ticket cost RM12-00 while the child ticket was RM6-00. So RM30-00 gone (2 adults, myself and my daughter and 1 child, my son's).
Lots of birds to see and the brochure provided stated that the Bird Park is the "World's Largest Walk-in Free-Flight Aviary". I was at Jurong bird park way back in the seventies and that place was hugh, so now I got to see whether what they claimed is true.
A pair of Mandarin and Wooden duck. They are always seen together in a pair
The proud but lovely peacock
We spent about 2 hours there walking and snapping photos. Some samples of the photos are here while there are more at my photoblog.
Lots of birds to see and the brochure provided stated that the Bird Park is the "World's Largest Walk-in Free-Flight Aviary". I was at Jurong bird park way back in the seventies and that place was hugh, so now I got to see whether what they claimed is true.
An illustrated guide of the KL Bird Park
The park is divided into 4 zones and really, it's big and I was impressed by the layout of the park. Navigation around the park was easily and you would ot get lost at all. The plants and landscaping is matured and very well kept. Most of all the range of species of birds to see at the park is worth the RM12-00 ticket. The park has a special aviary where they featured a few different species of Hornbills. We managed to see a Hornbill flying freely around blowing off his(or her) trumpet loudly. We even saw one where the beak was placed through the fencing of the aviary where it was caged. At first we wondered why did the Hornbill placed it large beak at the fencing. We figured out later that since the Hornbill has a large beak, it might have been too heavy for its head to carry and resting it on the fencing would ease it burden and stress on its neck.
A pair of Mandarin and Wooden duck. They are always seen together in a pair
The loud Hornbill that I mentioned above
The proud but lovely peacockWe spent about 2 hours there walking and snapping photos. Some samples of the photos are here while there are more at my photoblog.
KL Birk Park - Stopover at the Royal Palace
As the school holidays "progresses" on, my son was growing very restless by the day. To kill him time, he has indulged himself on the PS2 and already reached the second last stage of the Burnout Revenge. But still he said that he is getting bored at home.
I managed to show him some photos that Uncle Chuah has taken of the KL Bird Park. He was impressed by the birds that were shot by him and mentioned to me to bring him there. Since I am on my annual leave (have to exhaust my leave before the year ends). I agreed to bring him there.
So we started out journey there. Before I start on my story of our trip to the Bird Park, we would pass by the Royal Palace before reaching the park. Everytime, we pass by there we will be able to see the tourist coached parked and the tourist would take their photos with the palace guards and also the horses there. Since, we have not tried stopping there before its worthwhile to have a feel how a tourist feels like when they are there.
Changing of guards and horses
Well the whole thing was nice but not as elaborate as what the Buckingham has to offer when there's a change of guards. I still remembered it from my trip to London. My wife and I waited for an hour standing to wait for the change of guards. The most memorable thing that happened was upon completion of the change of guards, there were four sweeper vehicle which came out to sweep off the horses shit. Well you won't find this happening at the KL Royal palace.
I managed to show him some photos that Uncle Chuah has taken of the KL Bird Park. He was impressed by the birds that were shot by him and mentioned to me to bring him there. Since I am on my annual leave (have to exhaust my leave before the year ends). I agreed to bring him there.
So we started out journey there. Before I start on my story of our trip to the Bird Park, we would pass by the Royal Palace before reaching the park. Everytime, we pass by there we will be able to see the tourist coached parked and the tourist would take their photos with the palace guards and also the horses there. Since, we have not tried stopping there before its worthwhile to have a feel how a tourist feels like when they are there.
luckily for us, there were not many tourist around. The group that have arrived earlier were getting on to the coach and ready to set off to their destination.
My son and I in front of the palace guard and horse
My son and I in front of the palace guard and horse
The palace guard without a horse
There majestically positioned at the front gate of the palace were a pair of guards on horses and at the same time there were also a pair of standing guards. We took some photos there and while that was happening, fours horses with riders came, well we we lucky to witness the change of horses and guards.
Changing of guards and horses
No fight when you compare with the change of guards at Buckingham Palace
Well the whole thing was nice but not as elaborate as what the Buckingham has to offer when there's a change of guards. I still remembered it from my trip to London. My wife and I waited for an hour standing to wait for the change of guards. The most memorable thing that happened was upon completion of the change of guards, there were four sweeper vehicle which came out to sweep off the horses shit. Well you won't find this happening at the KL Royal palace.
11 December 2005
Taiping War Cemetery
There are so many places that you can visit when you arrive at the Taiping Lake Garden. There's the Malaysia's Best Public Toilet, where I have mentioned it the other days, Maxwell Hill, the Taiping Zoo and Night Safari (I wonder who goes there at night) and the War Cemetery.
[ All the photos for the places mentioned (except for the zoo) are available at my photoblog]
The War Cemetery is located just before the entrance to Maxwell Hill. I stopped by for a while there for some photo shot and just to a look at the place. What I like about the place is that it is very well maintained. The grass, the tombstones and monuments were so well kept as if they were only done up yesterday. Just a bit of history of the war cemetery.
At the time of the Japanese invasion of Malaya, Taiping was on the British line of retreat down the west coast. Its normal garrison of one Indian Infantry Battalion had been augmented, a casualty reception station organised, arrangements made with the civilian authorities for the provision of 500 beds for military patients, and 20 Combined General Hospital (Indian Army) had been posted there.
During the fighting the Indian 6th and 15th Brigades used Taiping as a rest and re-fitment centre for a few days; and, as the withdrawal southwards developed, numerous Indian Army medical units worked there for short periods before each in turn had to move towards Singapore with the fighting forces.
Taiping War Cemetery was created by the Army after the defeat of Japan for the reception of graves brought from the battlefields, from numerous temporary burial grounds, and from village and other civil cemeteries where permanent maintenance would not be possible.
There are separate entrances to the two parts, the plots of Christian graves lying on the south-eastern side of the road and the Muslim and Gurkha graves on the opposite side. In the Muslim and Gurkha section the Stone of Remembrance stands in front of a high bank which forms the north-western boundary.
The two small shelters in the cemetery have been constructed of local stone, and a low stone wall flanks the road on each side. There are now over 850, 1939-1945 war casualties commemorated in this site, more than 500 of whom are unidentified.
I also managed to get hold of the site plan of the War Cemetery.
One more good lesson learned from my trip to Taiping. I am still gathering facts on Taiping Prison and Maxwell Hill where I will post them up very soon.
Taiping, first for many things
While the Taiping trip is fresh in my mind, I have been scouting around the internet for information to write more of it. I managed to gathered the following information on Taiping from a site.
It seems that, Taiping had the first for many things like the 1st railway in the country, 1st hill resort, 1st telegraph office, 1st turf club, 1st golf course etc etc.
Below is a complete list.
It seems that, Taiping had the first for many things like the 1st railway in the country, 1st hill resort, 1st telegraph office, 1st turf club, 1st golf course etc etc.
Below is a complete list.
1 Open tin mining activity in the peninsula (1844).
2 Hill resort - Maxwell Hill (1844)
3 Swimming pool - Kolam Renang Kemahkotaan (1870).
4 Mosque - Masjid Tengku Menteri (1870).
5 Rest house (1870).
6 Artillery warehouse (1870).
7 Magistrate court (1874).
8 Balai penghulu (1875).
9 Resident's house (1877).
10 Port - Port Weld (1877).
11 English school - Central School Kamunting (1878).
12 Police force team (1879).
13 Government offices (1879).
14 Telegraph and post office (1880).
15 Lake gardens - Taman Tasik Taiping (1880).
16 Hospital, private and government (1880).
17 Club - New Club (1880).
18 Railway station and warehouse (1881).
19 Museum - Muzium Negeri Perak (1883).
20 Market building - Taiping Market Square (1884).
21 Prison - Penjara Taiping (1885).
22 Railway track - from Port Weld to Taiping (1885).
23 Turf club - Perak Turf Club (1886).
24 Anglican church - Old Saints Church (1886).
25 English girl's school - Treacher Girls' School (1889).
26 Clock tower - Menara Jam Besar (1890).
27 Esplanade - Padang Esplanade (1890).
28 Malay newspaper - Seri Perak (June 1893).
29 English newspaper - Perak Pioneer (July 4, 1894).
30 Tamil newspaper - Perak Verthamani (1894).
31 Armed Forces - Malay States Guides (1896).
32 Teaching college - Maktab Perguruan Melayu (1898-1900).
33 Ceylon association (1899).
34 Punjabi association - Khalsa Diwan Malaya Association (1903).
35 Indian association (1906).
36 Recreation park - Coronation Park (1920s).
37 Airfield - Padang Kapal Terbang Tekah (1930).
38 Golf course.
39 Library - Perpustakaan Merdeka.
40 Fire brigade.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Well the hyde over this movie finally arrive with its premier on 8 December 2005. My family and I managed to catch up with the movies last night. As usual, this movie is much requested by my children but I was also quite eager to watch this movie after viewing all the trailers and also the making of the movie.
The movie was based on the a series of fantasy novels written by CS Lewis for children. The series is by far the most popular of Lewis;s works. The story describe the adventures of a group of children, the Pevensies siblings consisting of 2 brothers (Peter and Edmund) and 2 sisters (Susan and Lucy) who visit a magical land called Narnia.
The storyline was good where it teaches how siblings should worked and respect each other. I hope that the story would be able to educate my own children on the importance of stick together and respecting each other whether they are the elder or younger siblings.
Much of the movies depended on computer graphics and effect. Just before I went for the movies, I managed to watch the making of the movie at TV3. The lion, Aslan is not a real lion but a totally computer generated image acted together with human.
Overall, the movie is good and worth my money (the show was more than 2 hours long). My advise, go watch it.
10 December 2005
Food Poisoning
Yesterday (Friday 9 December) I was not feeling well. Actually, the day after coming back from my trip from Taiping, I had some stomach problem. Purging and going to the toilet much often than usual. It did not bother me much because I thought it was a slight disturbance to my digestive system.
The real problem came on Thursday night when my hands and feet were feeling cold and I was sweating and was tossing around on my bed while sleep. On Friday I felt very tired and had no appetite, fell asleep at every place I rested. By afternoon, I took my temperature measurement, wow... 39.3 Celsius.. high fever.
Next thing, quickly rushed myself to the clinic and the doctor said that I have food poisoning. He gave me some medicine and I felt much better in the evening.
Where did I get the food poisoning? Well I would suspect from the food I took during my trip to Taiping either from Kampar or Taiping (I have to a bit careful on pin-pointing the right location, because I have a alot of readers from Taiping) because these are the two places that I stopped for food. As for dinner, I had it with my daughter where she was OK.
The real problem came on Thursday night when my hands and feet were feeling cold and I was sweating and was tossing around on my bed while sleep. On Friday I felt very tired and had no appetite, fell asleep at every place I rested. By afternoon, I took my temperature measurement, wow... 39.3 Celsius.. high fever.
Next thing, quickly rushed myself to the clinic and the doctor said that I have food poisoning. He gave me some medicine and I felt much better in the evening.
Where did I get the food poisoning? Well I would suspect from the food I took during my trip to Taiping either from Kampar or Taiping (I have to a bit careful on pin-pointing the right location, because I have a alot of readers from Taiping) because these are the two places that I stopped for food. As for dinner, I had it with my daughter where she was OK.
08 December 2005
Best Public Toilet In Malaysia
When I reached Taiping Lake Garden (TPG), my bladder was already full waiting for discharge (sound awful isn't it?). That's because all the way from Kampar to Taiping I have yet to make my "pit stop".
I was scouting around for a public toilet at TPG when I spotted one where I could also parked my car. The public toilet required a fee of 20 sen, which is reasonable. However, I noticed that there were caretakers at the public toilet in which they treated the area like their home. I did not suspect much and started to enter the toilet. To my surprise, the layout and design of the place created as if it was not a toilet but like a home. The place was clean and does not have any smell (maybe it was because my nose wasn't working that day.. I had a blocked nose).
The standing toilets were and clean and guess what, there were no graffiti on the wall, the basin were all clean and in good working order.
When I finished my "assignment" and walking out to the enterance , I was surprised that there was a sort of a Balinese garden inside the toilet. I couldn't help but to take a picture of it.
I have never been so happy and amazed going to a public toilet and would like to vote the Taiping Lake Garden public toilet, MALAYSIA"S BEST PUBLIC TOILET.
I was scouting around for a public toilet at TPG when I spotted one where I could also parked my car. The public toilet required a fee of 20 sen, which is reasonable. However, I noticed that there were caretakers at the public toilet in which they treated the area like their home. I did not suspect much and started to enter the toilet. To my surprise, the layout and design of the place created as if it was not a toilet but like a home. The place was clean and does not have any smell (maybe it was because my nose wasn't working that day.. I had a blocked nose).
The standing toilets were and clean and guess what, there were no graffiti on the wall, the basin were all clean and in good working order.
When I finished my "assignment" and walking out to the enterance , I was surprised that there was a sort of a Balinese garden inside the toilet. I couldn't help but to take a picture of it.
I have never been so happy and amazed going to a public toilet and would like to vote the Taiping Lake Garden public toilet, MALAYSIA"S BEST PUBLIC TOILET.
Day trip to Taiping
Wow it's been so long since I have made a new posting. Noting much to write mah!!
OK , this time around I had some spare time on my hand and have decided to travel to Taiping yesterday (7 December). Why Taiping? well, there are various reasons:
So off I go from my house just before 7.00 a.m., fill up my petrol tank and the first stop was Lata Kinjang. Where's this place? Well if you are traveling along the North South Highway after Tapah, you would notice a waterfall on the right side of the road. I was always curious about that nice waterfall which look magnificent but did not have the opportunity to visit it.
To reach the waterfall you have to turn off at Tapah and go to Chenderiang village and you will reach the waterfall. The waterfall is 800 feet high and one of the two highest watefall in Malaysia. The water was constantly splashing down with its roaring sound. No one was at that place when I reach there except the orang asli who were staying around that area. As usual, the ugly Malaysian littered the surrounding area of the waterfall with rubbish.
Next stop was Kampar where I had my breakfast, it was my father's hometown and in my younger days, we used to stop here to visit his aunt. But all of them are either dead or have moved to KL, no one in Kampar to visit now.
From Kampar, it was straight to Taiping. The last time I visited Taiping was during my audit assignment there which was in 1995, 10 years seem not so long a go because the condition of the town looks almost the same the last time I left there. Panaroma Hotel, which is the hotel that I stayed was still there, Fajar supermarket there, BCB branch next to the clock tower was still there. The only major changes were, the flyover just after Simpang, the big Public Bank branch which was converted from Public Finance Taiping. I took a drive around the town just to reminisce the last time I was there.
A must visit place in Taiping is the Lake Gardens. I noticed from the sign board that Taiping Lake Garden is the oldest lake garden in Malaysia. One thing that I like about the place is that it is very well kept by the town council. Another thing was the lovely old tress that have matured in this garden long before I was born.
Then off to Maxwell Hill or Bukit Larut which is now known. This my first time there. There are two ways of going up to the peak of the hill which has an elevation of slight more than 1,000 meters, walking up or take a ride on their Land Rovers. I took the latter instead and wow, what a ride. I have been to Cameron Highlands and Frasers Hill where you can drive up in your car. At Maxwell Hill, the road can only accommodate just one vehicle at one time and it really require a skill drive to drive up. Why? There are a total of 72 tight twisting hairpin corners leading up the high. The hairpin corners are almost 300 degrees turn and coupled with the slopping turn, even Micheal Schumacher will find it difficult to maneuver up this road. it took half an hour to reach the top and wow, the place is great even though there are not many houses or bungalows there. Took some photos there and waited for the next ride down the hill. The weather was cool and was foggy which blocked off the view of Taiping town from the hill. Then as usual, being the wettest town in Malaysia, it started raining.
Next lunch in town where I was recommended by Chuah to have the fried koey teow at stall 78 at the casual market. I was there slightly soak wet and cold. When the food was served, the taste was great where the warm reached my mouth and into my stomach on a cold, wet raining day in Taiping.
After the meal, it was already 3.00 p.m. where I have to start my journey home. Non stop rain all along the highway. Guess what I was driving down the highway at 120 to 130 kph on the wet highway. No problem, it was thrilling but I do know the danger. Once in a while I have to raise the adrenalin in my body to keep me excited.
The heavy rain took its toll at the roads of KL where I was stuck in a jam from Jalan Duta right up to Jalan Cheras before reaching home at 8.30 p.m.
For more photos of my trip please visit my photoblog.
OK , this time around I had some spare time on my hand and have decided to travel to Taiping yesterday (7 December). Why Taiping? well, there are various reasons:
- The rest of my family was off to Genting, I have been there so few time and I have got fed up of that place.
- Taiping was always mentioned by our fellow blogger Chuah Lye Hock
- Taiping is the hometown to a few nice people that I know
- Taiping has not been visit by me for a long time, hearing and reading about the changes at that town made me curious for a visit.
- Taiping can be reached in a day's travel, have fun and come back without having to spend a night there.
So off I go from my house just before 7.00 a.m., fill up my petrol tank and the first stop was Lata Kinjang. Where's this place? Well if you are traveling along the North South Highway after Tapah, you would notice a waterfall on the right side of the road. I was always curious about that nice waterfall which look magnificent but did not have the opportunity to visit it.
To reach the waterfall you have to turn off at Tapah and go to Chenderiang village and you will reach the waterfall. The waterfall is 800 feet high and one of the two highest watefall in Malaysia. The water was constantly splashing down with its roaring sound. No one was at that place when I reach there except the orang asli who were staying around that area. As usual, the ugly Malaysian littered the surrounding area of the waterfall with rubbish.
Next stop was Kampar where I had my breakfast, it was my father's hometown and in my younger days, we used to stop here to visit his aunt. But all of them are either dead or have moved to KL, no one in Kampar to visit now.
From Kampar, it was straight to Taiping. The last time I visited Taiping was during my audit assignment there which was in 1995, 10 years seem not so long a go because the condition of the town looks almost the same the last time I left there. Panaroma Hotel, which is the hotel that I stayed was still there, Fajar supermarket there, BCB branch next to the clock tower was still there. The only major changes were, the flyover just after Simpang, the big Public Bank branch which was converted from Public Finance Taiping. I took a drive around the town just to reminisce the last time I was there.
A must visit place in Taiping is the Lake Gardens. I noticed from the sign board that Taiping Lake Garden is the oldest lake garden in Malaysia. One thing that I like about the place is that it is very well kept by the town council. Another thing was the lovely old tress that have matured in this garden long before I was born.
Then off to Maxwell Hill or Bukit Larut which is now known. This my first time there. There are two ways of going up to the peak of the hill which has an elevation of slight more than 1,000 meters, walking up or take a ride on their Land Rovers. I took the latter instead and wow, what a ride. I have been to Cameron Highlands and Frasers Hill where you can drive up in your car. At Maxwell Hill, the road can only accommodate just one vehicle at one time and it really require a skill drive to drive up. Why? There are a total of 72 tight twisting hairpin corners leading up the high. The hairpin corners are almost 300 degrees turn and coupled with the slopping turn, even Micheal Schumacher will find it difficult to maneuver up this road. it took half an hour to reach the top and wow, the place is great even though there are not many houses or bungalows there. Took some photos there and waited for the next ride down the hill. The weather was cool and was foggy which blocked off the view of Taiping town from the hill. Then as usual, being the wettest town in Malaysia, it started raining.
Next lunch in town where I was recommended by Chuah to have the fried koey teow at stall 78 at the casual market. I was there slightly soak wet and cold. When the food was served, the taste was great where the warm reached my mouth and into my stomach on a cold, wet raining day in Taiping.
After the meal, it was already 3.00 p.m. where I have to start my journey home. Non stop rain all along the highway. Guess what I was driving down the highway at 120 to 130 kph on the wet highway. No problem, it was thrilling but I do know the danger. Once in a while I have to raise the adrenalin in my body to keep me excited.
The heavy rain took its toll at the roads of KL where I was stuck in a jam from Jalan Duta right up to Jalan Cheras before reaching home at 8.30 p.m.
For more photos of my trip please visit my photoblog.
27 November 2005
Congratulations on the birth of two new boys!!
Congratulations for the following friends of mine who have newborn babies:
- To Laily Mastura - Laily gave birth by caesarian to a boy on 25 November 2005. I always teased her that she will giving birth to a girl but my prediction was wrong. Never mind lah.. at least her daughter have a new brother to play with.
- While I was at shopping at pasar malam yesterday (26 November), I received a SMS from Tham Weng Onn who announced that his wife Sandy has given birth to their second son. The baby came two weeks earlier than scheduled. His son Edmund managed to chit chat with me when I called his father to congratulate him. Edmund is three years only and will also be having a new brother to play with.
24 November 2005
Superman Returns?
Following a mysterious absence of several years, the Man of Steel comes back to Earth in the epic action-adventure Superman Returns, a soaring new chapter in the saga of one of the world's most beloved superheroes. While an old enemy plots to render him powerless once and for all, Superman faces the heartbreaking realization that the woman he loves, Lois Lane, has moved on with her life. Or has she? Superman's bittersweet return challenges him to bridge the distance between them while finding a place in a society that has learned to survive without him. In an attempt to protect the world he loves from cataclysmic destruction, Superman embarks on an epic journey of redemption that takes him from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of outer space.Directed by Bryan Singer (X2: X-Men United, X-Men, The Usual Suspects), SUPERMAN RETURNS stars newcomer Brandon Routh.
Superman Returns will be released on June 30, 2006.
Close down my photo blog?
I am considering to close down my photo blog. Any comments from any one?
Why I choose to close..
Why I choose to close..
- No photos to post (I don't shoot the food that I eat cos I have home cooked meal where I am too shy to disclose what I have)
- Very low number of visitors (maybe nothing much to see and no new photos)
19 November 2005
Harry Porter and the Goblet of Fire
Like the Star Wars and Lord of the Rings trilogy, Harry Porter "trilogy" is another must watch movie in my books. Not to watch it from the DVD but to enjoy such movies on the big screen with full DTS effect. Well, the whole family managed to watch Harry Porter and the Goblet of Fire on the second day of its premiere. Actually, we were suppose to watch it on 17 November, but seats to the 9.00 p.m. show were only available from the second row from the screen onwards. The next show was at 11.55 p.m. but that's way past our bed time, so we have to settle for 18 November 9.00 p.m. show.
I have watched all the three previous Harry Porter trilogy, would not miss this one. My opinion, this is by far the best one. The effects were great plus a good story line. But still Lord Voldemart remained alive... but if he's dead the trilogy would not continued unless there is a new villain.
My advise.. go and see this movie it's worth your money. No regrets.
18 November 2005
My daughter's blog
My daughter, Carrie started her blog which she informed me today. Have a visit to her blog "Here in my heart" from this link before I change my template to accomodate the link.
She is currently having her SPM examinations and the first two postings are on her experience going through the examinations.
She is currently having her SPM examinations and the first two postings are on her experience going through the examinations.
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