Budget Travelling

One of things that I have the privilege of doing since I am young is to travel. I love travelling.

Come on… I know you too love travelling. Most of us love it.

When I was a little boy, I used to hear it a lot from the aunty and uncle and all those grannies and ah pek that I must have a MOLE on the sole of my feet. That’s why I love travelling so much… that’s why I travel so much!

This is like the kay po ee having the big black MOLE on her lips!

Well, I know I am a privilege since young because every body tells me so!
I have travelled to overseas since I am three though not far, but at least, I managed to travel. All the time, when I travelled, I will go with my grandparent. So, I have my personal international passport since I am three years old.

I still remember when the first time I travelled on a plane, to Singapore, when I am years old, I cannot sleep at night. Since then, I have been to few countries around Asia such as Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, Cambodia and New Zealand.

However, the way I travel change as I grow.

I used to like travelling with travel agency because they take care of everything. You don’t need to worry about food, accommodation, where to visit and to certain extend finances. All that has been included in your package!

But, I don’t like rushing from one place to another, changing hotel like changing your socks…

So, during my universities days, my taste of travelling changes. I love backpacking then…not just it’s more cost saving but I can control my own time. If I like that place longer, I would stay longer there.

And, I would go back to the country for second, third or even more visit because, each time, I would spend time in just one or two places… this way; I could really enjoy the place, the culture, food and even mixing with the locals.

One of the places that I have been visiting many times is Indonesia. My first visit to this country was when I was 14. At that time, I spend two weeks travelling through the Java Island; from Jakarta all the way to Bali Island.

For the past few years, I have been travelling to Sumatra and cover quite a fair bit of the place. In between, I travelled to other countries too.

I was browsing though some pictures taken during my trip to Indonesia as I wonder why this place captured my heart, and find some interesting pictures explaining it.



First is the hospitality of the people there.


Brastagi; which is about 2 hours bus ride from Medan
I love this place call town. It’s on a mountain and the road turn as you make your way up. Along the way, you will pass the Danone factory and quite a number of churches and small townships. It’s chilly up there. And from there you can see the volcanoes.

Most of the people there are poor and they are farmers. Tourism is slowly making its way to this place and the locals are slowly benefiting from it. Though they are poor, they really open their house to tourist like me. They even invited me to one of the wedding that was held when I was there.





I also love the simplicity of life there. Some of their houses still are not equip with electricity and some live in a wooden house. For those who lives in cold country would know that wooden house without electricity won’t keep you warm, especially at night. So, what they do here is to paste newspaper all over their house to ensure the wind will not blow in and to keep them warm.



Another thing that captures my heart here is the beautiful sceneries that you can see at country side.












When I travel, normally, I would try their local transport. I love to travel like the locals do and to enjoy what they go through. And most of the time, this is the cheapest way to go. I preferred travelling by bus too so that I can see more places rather than flying.





Another thing when I travelled is also that I want to sample most of their food. How can you travel to a place and you don’t try their local delicacies.







I wish I have more delicacies pictures to show you but, most of the time when I eat, I EAT and forget about other things…

But now, I don’t have the time to do such travelling. If I do go, it will have to be short because of work commitment.

AND, you don’t tell me that I am rich so that’s why I can travel. When I say I go travelling, it’s always budget and backpacking. I don’t go for HOLIDAY! That’s different. I would love to go for holiday overseas too. When I travel, normally, I work at the same time.

Fence Sitter or Trend Setter? 12th General Election!

Let me mind you… this is going to be a long write up with not much of illustration.
So, make your coffee and buckle up…

I can’t help and notice since the start of the election campaign, there are lots of poster and banner being put up. This time round, the election campaign also have bunting and billboard placed at strategic place, I must say, but not so practical. Both sides have come up with creative ways of winning and capturing (‘fishing’) the heart of the voters!

Billboards and bunting have been placed at junctions and roundabout which blocks the view of drivers. Bunting hung at lamp posts in the middle of the road blocks the view of driver of opposite sites. You wonder how will this affect? Let me tell you, when we drive, we have to be aware of, at least, pedestrians, crossing the road. Sometimes, with the banner, we are block of the view! Furthermore, with so many banners along the road and writing on it, it disturbs the concentration of the drivers! We tend to read what is on the banner! After all, that’s the purpose, to capture the attention of the voters!

All this gimmicks of campaigning are just to ‘fish’ the votes of fence sitters! I mean, if you are a die hard fan of BN, you have decided who to vote for even before the election campaign. If you believe that Anwar was ‘politically’ blame and put to charge of sodomy and corruption, you will have actually believe in their campaign of being ‘just and fair’. KeADILan is building their campaign on the ground that we must have a multi-racial party and government when in actual case; Anwar has been an Islamic extremist when he was in the government! Anyway, knowing voters, if you are captured by his charisma and believe in his campaign, you have decided KeADILan will be able to set up ‘fair’ government! Ahhhh…if you think that having two counters at the shop to pay for groceries, one for the women and one for men, is practical, you will support Hadi Awang with PAS!

I can’t help but actually to notice at DAP ‘rocket’ campaign this time round. I must say, they are building momentum with ‘father and son’ team.

Fire the ROCKET! I will cover you base and you will help to cover mine!

As a Penangites myself, DAP have built a strong influence and presence in the shaping and building up of our political image and believes! Led by Lim Kit Siang for the Tanjung campaign for the past election and even once, manage to upset Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu, DAP do have a strong followers but I must says they cannot win!

Knowing Penangites, the people love it when they come to give their ceramah. I remember in 1999 elections, young as I can be, I went to the ceramah just because Lim Kit Siang is singing the evergreen Hokkien song ai piah chiak eh iah! (To win we must fight for it). Their ceramah is always entertaining with their ‘rocket’ flying against the government! With catchy phrases, they are a joy to listen too!

Nevertheless, Penangites are not just people without brain or coconut without the flesh! Young and old, they will be able to judge, who will bring stability to the state. Since day 1, Penang is always a hot seat! Even Tun Daim once said so! Their presence and numbers at the DAP or the opposition ceramah will not always turn out to be votes! People will come to be entertained and then, leave and know who they want to vote for.

BUT there is always a ‘but’ in politics. This time round, I wondering how much is enough for the coalition to form is the government with proper ‘check and balance’. I must say DAP is making in road in this year campaign, calling for ‘check and balance’. Finally ‘rocket’ is aiming at the right direction! At least they are not sending ‘angkasawan @ ‘space tourist’ to ‘out there’ to view down at earth and be the first to pray and fast there!

I wonder myself with a few questions! I am eligible to vote since the last election and I have register as voter since I turn 21. But I have not exercise the right! I confess, I won’t be voting also this year because, I say out of town and it takes 5 hours to drive back to vote is tiring if not I must be ‘too free’ to do so.
But, if I decide to go back at the very last minutes, I must think who my vote must go to!

I am one of the fence sitter for this year general election. Today paper quoted there are about 40% fence sitters! We have not decided who to vote for. We are the young generation with access to various technology and internet for source of news! We are well read and if you must say it, we are sophisticated in a sense, influence by technology and different culture.

I am reflecting and thinking back with few questions lingering in my mind!

First of all, the VK Lingam news of brokering with judge! What is the government doing with it. Until now, there are no concrete actions taken by the government and even by the royal commission. I know, the ‘recommendation’ will only be out after the general election so to create stability and ensure that the coalition will win and the opposition not to have any issues to play on!

Secondly, news of child being kidnapped murdered and lost are always in the paper! What is the government doing about it? First it was the Mongolian case, where the model was blown up to pieces and some police personals are involved! Then, we have the high profile case of Nurin followed by the murder of MIC politician down south in Johor. Now we have Sharlinie case which until now remains unresolved! More are in the ‘pockets’ sitting and wasting the public money with police force not coming out with concrete plan of what to do!

Next, the indelible ink which is now all ‘wash’ away! This must be the jokes of this 12th general election! The EC ordered 48 000 bottles which cost RM2.4 MILLION from India for the general election only to scrapped the use of it at the very last minutes following ‘legal advice’ What joke is this? Haven’t you thought of this before you even order it? This is the tax payers’ money that you are messing with! How can you simply order and throw it away? With that amount of money, you can do lots of stuff, maybe at least, sponsor some orphans or even give out more scholarships to deserving students! You say you can keep it for next general election once the law is gadgetted but TRUST me by then, you will says the ink is already dry and past it due date and order another batch which will cost more! I call for you, EC chairman, to step down!

BERSIH and even the lawyers walk for justice is another issue that I am pondering on! Forget about HINDRAF! HINDARF have their own fight but the facts they brings in children, loses my support! BERSIH is the coalition of few political parties and NGOs to call for a clean, just and transparent election! But the government says this is not the way we should do it! Protest and marching is not in our culture! Then, what is in our culture? To use ‘mat rempit’ as a force to catch snatch thieves? After all, we are asking for democratic practices and for transparency in the coming election! We are not going against the government, in a way or sort!

Talking about the ‘mat rempit’! Look at the picture of Khairy campaigning in Rembau parliamentary seat! Who is the ABANG ‘Mat REMPIT’? He seems to be the head of the ‘Mat Rempit’ party rather then the deputy head of Pemuda UMNO! Incidentally, I wonder where the call to use mat rempit to help police comes from? You take your guess!

Enough is said about today’s government! I have more issues to think of before I decide! I am thinking, how young MP can be to be allow to be elected to the government? We have more oldies then, new blood in the parliament! Should we have the opposition as government? If so, will they take care of our ‘pockets’? Do I want a racist government or even government with its own leader political agendas? What about the corruption, nepotism, cronies and transparency?

I try taking some evaluation seemingly design to tip the ‘scale’ on one side, against the coalition! Just for fun, anyway. If you are undecided, click here, and give KennySia a visit!

Anyway, here is my result!

According to the 100% accurate kennysia.com Who-To-Vote-This-Election Decision Generator™, I am voting for...

DEMOCRATIC ACTION PARTY!

Who Should You Vote For This Election?

I wonder who I will spend the night in the island with? I don’t like any of those there!

CZone Camp

For those who attended the previous CZone Camp in Port Dickson, you all must be looking forward to another camp! Indeed the last camp, theme “bumble bee” was a great camp. We have a great pastor preaching great sermons and challenging every one to serve and let God take control, to having the camp committee presenting their very own cheers by singing the Ghosbuster theme songs! We have four teams with their very own creative cheers to include the word “BEE” in it!





Good news for all of you if you miss those times and for those who miss the camp now is the chance for you to join us!

This year, the CZone camp is coming up from 4-6th April. We will be having it in Eco Dusun, Janda Baik, Pahang.
Eco Dusun Resort is a resort theme style based on eco-tourism. Thus, all their chalet and huts are name after various villages, birds, animals and flowers found in the tropical forests. Located in the thickness of green forest and just 1 hour drive from KL, this site is a great place for camp. Situated on 27 hectares of land, this campsite provides various facilities for campers.





Some of the facilities found on this place are the chalet, ‘A’ shape hut, dorms, tent sites, basketball court, seminar rooms, prayer rooms, swimming pool, shops and canteen.











If you think that this place is a boring place, you have to think again. This campsite provides you with such a varieties of activities for you to participate; you will be lost with decision, which to do first. They have hanging bridge, commandos crawl (for those who are scout, you miss those time, don’t you), monkey crawl, flying fox, tarzan swing, wall climbing, rock climbing, spider webs and much much more….You can even participate in water activities or go for jungle walk and hiking!















Alright, much is said about this campsite, now it’s your time to act!



This year, we have Pastor Nancy Ong from the Metro Tabernacle to speak at the camp. The theme of the camp… STRENGTH! I am sure all of us can benefit from the theme of the camp and even from the pastor. Ps Nancy herself is a campus pastor. She believes strongly in the campus ministry and is a firm believer that the young generation could shape the world! She is the wife to the senior pastor of Metro Tabernacle, who is also the Deputy General Superintendent of Malaysia AOG.

So, why wait. Don’t procrastinate and sign up now!

Valentine's Day

To many, today is the day they celebrate their love for each other. Many will spend and fogged out a lot of money to make their ‘the other half’ happy. The guys will buy flowers plus present and booked a place for a romantic meal while the girls will happily wait to receive it (some girls will get their boy boy present too).



And many more will get married today and end their bachelorhood… what a romantic way to celebrate their love for each other than a holy matrimony!



And some will be happy that their ‘stock’ finally arrives.



Year in year out…the news will be the same.

But, this is the day too, the single will be made aware of their singlehood and make to suffer and endure these 24 hours as they can’t find a date.

But one thing I don’t understand.

If you love a person, don’t you celebrate your love all year round?

I KNOW YOU WILL SAYS TODAY ARE DIFFERENT.
WE WANT TO EXPRESS OUR LOVE MORE TO OUR DARLING!

Ok… but what the HECK you want to pay for a bouquet of rose which will cost about RM50 on normal day and for today, you pay like RM200?



And paying for the meal at the price of RM100++ per pax which normally cost RM 20 nett!



YES!

I know some of you will say,

NO! I DON’T ASK MY BOY BOY TO BUY ME FLOWER AND SEND TO MY OFFICE!
I TOLD HIM NOT TO WASTE MONEY!

But … BUT! When he does NOT buy you flower and send to your office, or in any case, give it to you by tonight, you will be ANGRY MAD at him and you will not talk to him until he buy you 13 carrot diamond ring!



You will go on strike and don’t want to cook dinner for him too!

So, in any way, today is a R.I.P. OFF day for the guys!
We are paying more for everything today which we can get at 1/5 of the price at other time so that we can push ourselves to work hard in the next 364 days to save up for next valentines!
So, what is your experience? What are your plans?

P/S: I am taking my dearest to the botanical garden and say to her…



Darling, I bought these entire flowers for you (Hey, I pay for the entrance fees!) But please don’t pluck! I still need to recycle it next year!

I am hopelessly romantic too, and I love my MONEY!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

GONG XI FA CHAI

Oh yes! Fatt Choi! Fatt Choi!

Who don't want that? I want it too. But it seems that from this year onwards, I will be more like "Poh Chan" (cantonese meaning 'banqrupt')! Before you get married, you will love when Chinese New Year comes around. You know you will be able to pocket some money from relatives you visit as they gave red packets when you wish them Happy Chinese New Year.

However, since I got married end of last year, now, I am in dilemma. I am looking forward to the Chinese New Year but at the same time, I am not. Looking forward, because, I will be able to meet up with all my relatives and family members, chatting and talking and laughing all the way! Not because, this year when I wish them Happy Chinese New Year, I have to give 'ang pow' (red packet)to their children whom are yet married, and little as they are, looking at you, saying

'koko...gong hee huat chai! ang pow na lai!
(brother, wishing you prosperity, and now give me your ang pow)

This is the thing that keep me thinking. why you wish people prosperity and yet, you asked 'red packet' from that person!

So, am wondering, can I reply them this year saying...

well, thanks for your wishes. Since you wish me so, I am keeping the money, and you can just take the red envelope minus the money inside! Let's be practical...prosperity means more money!

But! Never mind la! For the sake of happiness and joyous occasion, I will learn how to join in others and give. So, don't worry!

well, it's more blessed to give than received! and prosperities is more than to money only!

So, HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR and here, this is your ang pow (red packet)!



So, don't come and ask me for more! You have yours!

Working life

One of the thing that I miss after I started working is this!

Well, now sleeping is a luxury. I can't sleep at time I feel I wanted too and just simply watch a movie till late at night and not to worry about getting up anymore. Now, I have to go to bed by 1030 pm and waking up freaking early at 615am...

I can't remember when is the last time I have this type of lifesytle. well, at least for the past 8 years, I don't have to go through that. After I left my secondary school, I have more freedom.

Now, I am going back to that! ahhh....

Anyway, I also miss my carefree lifestyle back then...

At least, not so much of preasure to handle.

So, this coming Chinese New Year, I am going to take my break and re-live that again. I want to be free and have a good holiday!

So, Langkawi anyone?

Sg Gabai Waterfall

Last Sunday, we decided to take a trip to the Sg Tekala waterfall but while driving there, the weather starts to look uncompromising…

Indeed, soon after, it pours cats and dogs.

look at the skies... its closing in on us

We reached Sg Tekala and decided to move on to Sg Gabai as the Sg Tekala is full of people picnic with their family. The drive to Sg Gabai is a scenic drive as we pass the Semenyih dam. It’s huge.

Sg Tekala is located along the road towards 18th mile in Cheras from Semenyih town. Sg Tekala is always abuzz with people picnic and spending time to chill of the warm Malaysian weather.

Sg Gabai is no any different. It is another 20 minutes drive from Sg Tekala and located in one of the Selangor national park area. Unlike the Sg Tekala, Sg Gabai is located 2km away from the main road. So, look out for the sign towards Sg Gabai.

Upon reaching Sg Gabai, the rain stopped. However to our surprises, the place is pack with the people. It seems that everyone continue to play at the waterfall though it was pouring earlier.

Immediately, we hike up the waterfall, high and looks like never ending steps.


More to go…


By the time we reach to where we want to play, we are darn tired! And we are greeted with this sight!

I am surprised with the number of people there. Actually, I should have expected that since this is a popular picnic area among the locals!

Without wasting time, we change and start to jump into the water!

WooOOOoooOOooOooOO….

It’s so cold that….emm… and we shivers!

my cousin, Li Wern, myself and my brother, Khai EE

However, soon we are so into the water that the cold water can’t deter us from enjoying it anymore. It has been more than 3 years since the last time I enjoy swimming in the natural.




I know, we just came back from phuket but the water there is different. As much as I love Phuket for the sea, there is something about water fall that I love.


The water flowing from the waterfall is always so refreshing as it is fresh from the mountain but the sea water is kind of sticky because of salt content! Furthermore, it is cold!

As we sat there playing with water, a bunch of teenagers decided to play at the natural slide…



Its oblivious to them the danger it posed towards them. Every time they take a drop, my heart sank with them. But they are full of stunt that we sometimes forget about the danger and enjoy the ‘show’. enjoy it as the do the 'skating' pose and more...



After more photo taking, we decided we should head home as its getting dark and mosquitoes start to ask for free blood donations. I don’t plan to give any free donation that day, we took more pictures and went back for dinner!

What am I doing now?

well, this is going to be a short post....

I am right now in the lcct again, waiting for my flight.

I am going off to Sibu for a break. Its a bliss for a getaway when you have started working. any holiday you have, you hope to spend it with your family or just take a short break!

So, will update more when I get back.

Do promised for more updates as I know I have not update my blog for a while.

To the muslim friends, Selamat Maal Hijrah!