Bangkok, Thailand

Fresh crabs @ the Seafood Market

Coconut ice-cream & mango with sticky rice

Floating Market

Elephant ride @ Elephant Farm

We reached Survanabhumi Airport at 2030 after 2 hours and 30 minutes journey from Kuala Lumpur. The airport was gigantic and the structural design was similar to our KLIA. After we got our luggage, we took a taxi to Shukumvit. It was chaotic; Bangkok was like a concrete jungle that never sleeps. We arrive at Somerset Lake Point View service apartment at 2130, took a quick shower and went to Suanlom night market.
Suanlom market covers a huge area with multitude of souvenir stalls (t-shirts, Thai-style clothing, trinkets, woodwork items, kitchen utensils, bamboo mats, you get the idea) with a suitably giant food court, they have a live band playing on stage every night.

On the next day, we woke up early in the morning and went for free breakfast at the Hotel. After breakfast, a guy name Diamond picked us up at the lobby (I told the receptionist on the night before that all of us wanted to go to the Floating Market). The trip costs us around 750 baht/person (approximately rm75). It was a 90 minutes van ride from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. There were 12 of us in the van including Australians, a friendly couple from the UK, and some from US.
Our first stop at Samut Songkhram province was the Elephant Farm. To ride an elephant, we have to pay 600 baht/person/hour (app. Rm60) and a bucket of banana costs us around 100 baht.

Later, we headed to the Floating Market. Floating market is patronized mostly by Thais. A lot of Thais sat on the steps leading to the river, enjoying their bowls of noodles prepared by female traders on the boats. There were locals selling fresh goods and flowers and boats selling coconuts to drink or some food. After several hours at the Floating Market, Diamond told us that we will be carted to the Cobra Show before heading back to Bangkok. Anyway, I don’t really like the Cobra Show. The show was a tribute to animal cruelty. Can you imagine a Mongoose fighting with two cobras in a glass box? That was cruel! A handler made a snake angry so it lunges at him while he holds the tail, and then throws it across the pit. WTH. It was a tiring day, we arrived our Apartment at 1600 hours. At night we went to the Seafood Market to have some fresh seafood and a good Tom Yam for dinner.

After dinner at the Seafood Market, we went back to our apartment. I was quite tired, and when I was about to fall asleep, I was asked to stay awake because Tiger Show is a must in Thailand! At 12 midnight we took a taxi to Patpong area. There was a guy holds a pamphlet came to us and said ‘Tiger Show, only 100 baht. Hurry, It's about to start!’. Without think twice, we agreed and followed the guy. The place was dodgy and I told the others ‘I think it’s a scam!’, but we entered the club, anyway. The club was ruthless and there were 6-7 showgirls pole dancing in the nude. 2-3 of them are old! There were a dart trick, blow a birthday candle trick, coca cola bottle trick and more. I noticed every time people want to leave, there will be an argument at the cashier. Feeling uncomfortable, we decided to leave. I was right! I was shocked when I saw the bill stated 5,000 baht (app RM500!). WTF. There were gangsters around us, so we don’t have choice but to pay! For God’s sake, we only ordered 1 coke, 1 Singha beer and 1 jack Daniel (cost us 3,000 baht) and another 2,000 baht was for the showgirls.

On the next day, we went to Platinum Mall. Money was limited and stuff there was very cheap. Now I know where all the blogshop owners take their stocks. It was a relaxing evening tho; after some shopping, we went for foot massage (only 200 baht for one hour) & full body massage (only 250 baht/hour). For dinner we had Tom Yam again!
Next day we went to salon for pedi and meni. It was damn cheap. After lunch we headed to the airport and arrived KL at 1830 hours.
I miss Bangkok.

Siem Reap, Cambodia

On our way to Tonle Sap Lake. A kid was waving at us.

Floating Village

Sunset at Bakheng Mountain

Angkor Wat back view
Angkor Thom Bayon
Elephant Terrace

La Phrom

Happy Guest house, front view

Yellow Fried Noodle

Thy, at his favourite beef noodle soup shop

cambodian pancake with kuchai

Angkor night market

The old market

Pub Street

Siem Reap was totally remarkable. From Kuala Lumpur, it took 2 hours and a half to arrive Cambodia. The first thing I saw when I was on the plane, several minutes before landing was Tonle Sap Lake. It was totally huge. REALLY HUGE.

At the airport, a guy called Thy waited for us. He’s a tuk tuk driver from the backpackers lounge we were about to stay. He speaks really good English; at one glance he looks like tan Jamie Oliver, sincere and pleasant.
We stayed at Happy guest House (backpackers lounge) only for USD3 per person /night. The place was so clean and the people were welcoming. The food was okay, a plate of fried rice cost around USD 1, cheese omelet cost around USD 1.60. Basically, the food price at happy guest House will not cost you more than USD3.

Tonle Sap Lake really amazed me. We hired a tuk tuk to drive us out of town towards the river and took 2 hours boat ride (cost: USD20 per person) to Tonle Sap lake, which joins the river in shrinking and expanding dramatically with the seasons, thereby causing villagers to move their floating houses to different points.
In the evening we climbed Bakheng Mountain to watch the sunset. It was truly amazing.

On the next morning, we went to the amazing Angkor temple. It cost USD20 per person for one day pass. The place was enormous. I stumbled in front of Angkor Wat, I just can’t imagine how people can build such a powerful Angkor empire with a great architecture in a middle of a jungle. We spent almost one day for temple hopping (Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Elephant Terrace, Pre Rup, La Phrom ). At Angkor temple, I saw a lot of Cambodians speak Japanese, Germany and French glibly to communicate with the tourist. The sad part was, Cambodian Government sold the place to the multi national Vietnam Company. WTF right. I mean, Angkor temples are one of the reasons why people want to come to Cambodia, and the corrupted politicians sold it, to fatten the coffers of their breeds. What a selfish asshole!

The other 2 days, we just spent our time by cycling around the town. The town is modest, which you can find a lot of Old French Quarter, with a bit of Chinese inspired architecture. Most of the people look a bit like Malays, with dark skin. Unlike Vietnam, most of Cambodians are very fluent in English. I love the food, especially beef noodle soup at the stall. We’ve spent only USD4 for 3 big bowls of the delish beef noodle soup, lots of ‘char koay’ and jasmine tea for 3. We also went to Angkor Night market, old market, road side stalls and the Pub Street. During happy hour (3pm-6pm), a draught cost around USD50 cent a mug. Damn cheap.

I would love to go to Cambodia again.

roadtrip

A roadtrip surrounded by great people will never turns out to be boring.

Last Friday night, all of us slept at Suria's place. On Saturday, we woke up pretty early in the morning (6am), drove a car (thanks to bart & chacha's mom for direction), and reached Cherating at 10.30am. Since all of us did not make any room reservation, we have to stopped by every chalet to ask for room availability. We were quite lucky because there was only one room left at the Coconut Inn chalet that day. So without thinking any longer, we just agreed to check in. The room was quite comfortable and very basic. The price was affordable, only RM50/night. I love the place because of its simplicity, very near to nature and very practical. We just have to walk 1 minute to the beach, it just nearby the makan place plus the owner was very friendly (p/s: anak owner sgt handsome, tapi masih di bawah umur).
After we checked in, we changed our clothes and went to the beach. The beach was okay, but I'm quite pissed off when I saw plastic bags and diapers thrown by some irresponsible bastards. I don't understand what's wrong with these people, anyway.

Later that evening, after we lazing around the beach we make our move to Kuala Kemaman. Our mission was to find Mak Nek's stall (a very famous place since a friend of mine were still 10 years old) and tried some of their famous food. Lucky we found that place after we lost for several minutes. Curry mee, mee soup, porridge, keropok lekor, otak2, you name it, we whacked all. The food was totally awesome.

With bloated stomach we headed back to our cute room for a nap and quick shower.
At night we spent our time hanging out at a small bar called Little Bali. The food was okay (we only had drinks and snacks since all of us was still full). There were local boys swimming and surf boarding (pulled by boat) at the river. (p/s: can't help ourselves staring at the boys' six pack belly but once again, some of them are underage!too bad)

Kampung boys are adventurous compared to urban kids. I love seeing them swimming in a river late at night, fishing etc, compared to urban kids, most of them only know how to play Play Station at home..or maybe the most adventurous thing urban kids did is sneaked out and go clubbing?haha what a boring life!

Hmm, there were also live bands and birthday celebration for the bar owner that night.

We went back to our room late at night, have a chat at our room's veranda and fall asleep.

The next day, after we had breakfast we went to the beach again.
Lazing around and mandi laut until the afternoon.

Balik bilik and mandi nude ramai2 kat shower.

We checked out late that day.

Before we headed back to KL, we stopped at Temerloh for a nice lunch. I have to admit that ikan patin gulai tempoyak was totally scrumptious!

We reached KL at 6pm.

I only spent rm100 for the whole trip! What a great weekend... Maybe we should plan for other roadtrip next time.

Self Retreat

My recent trip to Aussie was great. Amazed of their futuristic tall buildings and fine-looking old church. I spent 10 days there, stayed at our friend's apartment at South Yarra. I managed to travel to the other suburbs, went to Port Campbell, the fisherman village and witness the most amazing view at the Twelve Appostles. Got a chance for steam train ride (puffing billy) at Dandenong Range, dawdle around the city, went to Crown Cassino at night and had an evening walk at the park. The weather is ooo-kay, end of autumn and it was cold! 9 degrees and I only brought a pair of termal clothing!

I was quite lucky. I managed to catch up Tom Gabel's show at Richmond. I went crazy like hell...For all this while, I listen to Against Me, and for God's sake it happens that he's performing in Melbourne while I was there. I went to the gig alone, anyway. My sister and other friends are broke (i guess they are just using that excuse not to go!).

The show supposed to start at 8pm, but I came a bit late, at 9pm. After I bought myself a drink, I walked slowly to the first row. And...Tom was there, tuning his guitar... The show started and everyone screamed like nobody business. I saw this one guy, standing in a middle of the crowd, wearing leather jacket with 'Against Me' patches all over his jacket.

While I was busy taking pictures, there's one lady approached me. She helped me to take pictures and we talked and enjoying music together.

Tengah syok-syok, one big mamat punk came to me and asked me what am I drinking. After I answered him, senang hati he 'pau' my drink...terus potong! He was like berlakon friendly dengan aku. cis!!

Before I left I bought some stuff at the booth, and rushed to the train station. It was 11.45pm on that time and the last train was at 12.

When I was at the train station, I noticed theres no sign to South Yarra, so I started to ask people around. They said I have to go to Flinders street and after that I have change train to South Yarra. My phone suddenly battery kong, tak sempat read direction message from my sister. Slumber redah.

I arrived South Yarra station at 1am, cos I waited for 40 minutes at Flinders street for another train to S.Yarra. When I reached S.Yarra, I saw my sister and her friend waiting for me with their worried faces.chaos...

Anyway, I took some videos on that night, but I don't know how to convert the file..It's okay, just check him out here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIPp3vAVaFc&feature=fvst

and his band, Against Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfhbAUrtoP8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2YPbnMjFGE

Out of Town

Cameron Highland resort

Conference Room

Strawberry Farm

'Boh" tea plantation

Flower Nursery

The Smoke House Hotel

Smoke house's Interior deco

Spooky Smoke House


Dinner at cameron Highland Resort. Mr.Parhan playing pool.

I just got back from the Management Retreat at Cameron Highland. I was there since last Sunday, helped the Corporate Communication Manager to organize and coordinate the event. This workshop is for Directors to sit together and discuss about the Company’s future. Everything was fantastic; I have the opportunity to mingle around with the Directors and their spouses, and have to make sure the event runs well.

I stayed at Cameron Highland Resort, for 2 days, and shifted to The Smoke House on the 3rd day. The food was okay and the service, I could say, tip top. Haha, The Smoke House was quite spooky; it’s an old cottage and the interior decoration makes me feel like home.

Meeting was okay, all the directors managed to cool down even though the ingredient of the agenda was brutal (Cold weather impacts their temper, I guess). As husbands busy with meeting, I organized a day trip for spouses and kids. We went to Strawberry Park, Tea Plantation and Flower Nursery. Yeah.. we had fun

Ehem..ehem..
The best part of the event,
Mr.*** gave me i-pod Nano 4GB as a complimentary gift for helping him. He gave it to me and Kak linda. When he handed the thing to kak lin, kak lin was so happy and automatically said "wow.i love you lah en.***!" and.. I dunno what to say so, I just said "love you en.***" (while smiling because i'm happy, and hope the tone is full of sense of humor) and suddenly situation changed which things became awkward, he just looked at the box without looking at my face. ahahhah! I am so regret, seriously! And I added "for the i-pod!". Damn it. And then he said "ooo, you girls only love me after you received the i-pod,huh". hahha.

Hmm..
It’s raining now and I’m back to the office.
Feel exhausted, but got lot of things on the tray to be done.
Oraits, talk to you later.