Wow! I simply love this song. This is the reason why we celebrate this season, Christmas. I do hope you love it too!
Nicole C. Mullen nicely said everything the reason why we should celebrate life and to have a hope.
On the second last day in Sabah before flying back, we decided to spend some time doing islands hopping and also some snorkelling. We decided to go to Pulau Sapi and Pulau Manukan. Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park consist of 5 islands and easily accessible from Jesselton Pier, Kota Kinabalu. 
The trip to any of the islands should be about 20 minutes. It was a good boat ride and all of us simply enjoys the wind on our face and the smell of the sea. The weather was good and the sun was shining brightly as we were leaving the pier. We can customised our trip to the island when we buy the ticket at the pier. All the prices were the same and you just choose the operators you prefer. However, we have to pay extra for the snorkels and also for the fins if you want. The prices also did not includes the marine park entrance fees which is just RM2 and can be use all day to all marine park.
The first island we stop was Pulau Sapi. This is a nice coral ialand and a lot of people were snorkelling and spending time at the beach. The place is hot but we can find some tables under the tree provided by the marine park. However, there are no food sold on this island. We brought our own food along and we don’t have to worry about it. 
I must say that traveling to this island was one of the highlights of my trip to Sabah. I have not been to such a nice island since I went to Pulau Payar. Indeed, Pulau Payar don’t have a nice beach and Pulau Sapi has more to offer. And it’s definately CHEAPER! Fishes here are not friendly though! I must caution you that they bite! I was bitten twice and I did heard others shouting too. In fact, one was bitten until he bleeds! 
We spend about 3 hours on this island before heading for Pulau Manukan. We expect to see more fishes and corals but we are disappointed when we arrive in Pulau Manukan. However, of the 5 islands Pulau Manukan is the island that offer the best facilities and you can find a restaurant on this island. In fact, there is a hotel on the island. 
However, on marine life wise, we were disappointed. The corals here were bleached and most of it destroyed by years of eco tourism. Marine fishes were little and were too far out and too deep to swim to. But if you have extra cash to spare you can sign up for the water scuba doo.
We spend some time swimming in the sea and do some snorkelling above the bed of dead coral before heading back to Kota Kinabalu about 4pm. Overall, the trip was a good trip but should I go again, I would not choose to go to Pulau Manukan but to Pulau Mamutik which have better marine life and better corals too.
The trip cost each one of us about RM50 and a good whole bottle of sun blocks and sun burn on my back! I left Sabah a happy man the next day knowing well, it will take some time before I can spend time doing what I love to do again. 
So, do come early and fast - like 'fast-fast' for the 2 days productions on 18th & 20th!
MOST of us are acquainted with a character called Ebenezer Scrooge in the
Charles Dickens’ novel, A Christmas Carol.A miserly and miserable man who
despises Christmas, Scrooge is given the golden opportunity to redeem himself
after visits from the three Ghosts of Christmas, Ghost of Christmas Past, Ghost
of Christmas Present and Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.70s dance moves:
Children and youth of the Kajang Assembly of God performing to a song from the
movie, Saturday Night Fever. The Kajang Assembly of God’s upcoming Christmas
presentation, The Dream, shares a common premise with Dicken’s novel where a
tight-fisted man changes his ways after a disturbing dream.Pivotal characters in
the production are the penny-pinching sundry shop owner, Wong Ah Leong (played
by Ng Kon Leong) and his hard-working nephew, Ah Kow (Ang Khai Chung).“Christmas
is around the corner but Ah Leong is far from happy. He continues oppressing
those around him who are in need and refuses to lend to the poor,” said producer
Leona Lim.“Ah Kow may be dependent on him for a living but Ah Leong cannot
understand why his nephew, who has a crippled child, is always joyful.”One
night, Ah Leong has a dream. Flashbacks show why he becomes bitter and blames
God for his calamities.The 90-minute production is the biggest ever to be staged
by the KAOG with a RM10,000 budget.Where are my dues?: Wong (left) questioning
Velu. Set in circa 70s Kajang, The Dream uses stage presence, special effects
and multimedia technology for a quality production.The drama scenes are
interspersed with well choreographed dance routines with the participation of
church members of varying groups and ages, namely Sonshine Kids, Powerhouse and
Ekklesia. The little performers of Tadika Anak Seri Cahaya will also take to the
stage.“The Dream will be staged on Dec 19 and 20 at 8pm at the KAOG, 52, Jalan
Timur, Kajang. Admission is free but the doors close at 7.45pm.For enquiries,
call 03-8736 1890 or visit www.kaog.org.my/thedream2008
You can also visit The Star website
It is interesting to read the comparison results that you have and how your friends actually "grades" you compared to others. I have read and received many comparison before but one this that always puzzled me is this comparison 'most useful'
By now, you know that I travel a lot and I LOVE traveling. Since young I love traveling with my grandparent and by the age of 10, I have been to every state in Peninsular Malaysia but had never step to East Malaysia, which is Sabah and Sarawak. However, all that change after I know my wife who is from Sarawak in 2005. In 2006, I travel to Sarawak but I never had a reason to go to Sabah.
Traveling to Sabah cost more to travel to any South East Asian country such as Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia or even Singapore! As such, why do I want to go for a holiday in ‘Malaysia’ when I am a Malaysian when I can go to other country! Do you know what I mean? After all, what is in Sabah other than Mount Kinabalu, Sipadan and Sepilok Orang Utan sanctuary!
Nevertheless, I had a reason to go there, finally, early this month! I had to attend a workshop in Universiti Malaysia Sabah. For those who have not seen this university, it is one of the nicest, coolest, bestest university in Malaysia. Set up on a hill, it has the view overlooking the Marine Park consisting of 5 islands!
I booked Tune hotel at 1Borneo in Kota Kinabalu for 4 nights trip. 1Borneo is a haven for shoppers and KK Tune Hotel is just the right place to stay in as it is connected to the 1Borneo. 1Borneo was newly launched in July and some shops are still under renovation but most of it is up. However, this mega projects is only about 50% done. The underwater world, 2 blocks of office and condominium building and the hovercraft terminal is yet to be completed.
On the first day of my arrival, I rented a car, to go round KK town. As I arrive early, I can’t check into Tune hotel until 2pm, I have to drive around town for 3 hours. To my surprise and dismay, I can cover the KK town in 30 minutes. And then, heck! What am I suppose to do for 4 days when my workshop only takes 3 hours…
So, my adventure self takes better of me, and I drove up to Bukit Bendera (yes, they have the same one in Penang too) and take a good view of KK town. Yet, I can’t find a way to spend 3 hours before my check-in! 
Bukit Bendera Observatory...
KK Town
After check-in, I took rest and then, venture out to town again about 4pm. Sunset in Sabah starts about 5pm and I made my way to the waterfront to catch the sunset. KK town is set in a lagoon and by the sea. The view is so nice and the whole sky is turn into orange, red, gray piece of art! Sunset is one thing ones should enjoy while they can. I have not seen such a beautiful sunset since Phuket. 
My night ends with some BBQ chicken wings and a nice ais kacang (shaved ice) by the seaside in Tanjung Aru, another popular beach.
Second day of my trip there, was spend driving around town and to Papar before heading for my workshop in UMS.
On the third day, I drove to the National Park. This is one good leisure drive ones should do if you have time in KK. The drive there is scenic and great but it takes about 2 hours one way of about 80km to the National Park. 
Along the way, we will cross through hills and mountains which are very cooling. We can also see a lot of farms set up by the mountains side by the locals there. Along the way, we can see the mountain top of Mount Kinabalu and it’s simply awesome! 
Pekan Nabalu...a name sound like some town from Star Wars
After all, this is the highest mountain in South East Asia!
I would also make my way to Poring hot spring, if not for the fact I am driving a little car, and it takes another 45km from the National Park.
On the way back, I drove to a little town called Tuaran where the famous Tuaran mee originated. A little town with a pagoda, and if not for the mee, people will not know of this town. 
Again, my evening was spend at waterfront enjoying sunset and a walk to the night market then drove to Tanjung Aru for the BBQ chicken wings again! If not for summon I get that night, it will be a perfect day!
I will write about my forth day, a trip to the marine park in the next post! At the meantime, enjoy the dance...
Well, picture paints a thousand words! This is the illustration by Patrick Moberg!
So, what else to do...I am shutting down my PC and turn on HBO...
I have not been able to update much on my blog as web connection in hotels are really bad. If its not paying your bucks for it, you will have a slower than the snail connection which makes it impossible to upload any pictures!
Mount KK
After that I bought the Canon S5IS semi-pro camera. I must say that I am a heavy user. I took pictures everywhere, everyday and simply on anything. after about a year using Canon S5 IS, I simply love it. It gives me the handling feel of a pro DSLR camera but its so easy to use like the normal compact digital camera.
I purchased the camera for my wedding and used it when we went to Phuket for honeymoon too. I love the pictures that were taken using the camera.
After trying so many brand of camera, I still love Canon. It gives a better feel and grip every time I hold the camera. Futhermore, Canon camera I find it to be more 'responsive'. It works fast and simply gives a better results.
I am not a good camera man, but I think with this Canon camera that I have, it has help me to take better pictures. 
Sometimes, gadget is important too. The camera that we have will give a good result. Nevertheless, skills are very important. 
But a good camera, will gives you a good picture. I had been using Canon cameras for about 5 years. At the same time, I do have other compact cameras which was either given to me or win, but I still loves what I have.
Anyway, this post is never intend to be an advertorial for Canon, but simply just to share some pictures that I have taken. 
The beach in Phuket
Sunsent in Phuket
Morning dew
raindrops
Happiness
Anger!
Confuse? Lost?
moi
And more random pictures...
An old building along Petaling Street
KLCC
Canoe
Eye on Malaysia
KL town
Ferrari in Action, Sepang
Note that all these pictures are unedited and what you see are what are straigth from camera. Some I might have just crop it a little!
