Geegee's adventures & happenings!!

Day2: Carmel

2008-05-24T01:48:00.000-07:00

Today I woke up with full of excitement.... why? because my road trip starts today. :P We woke up abit later today to recharge our energy so we left Siew's place around 10am. After 30mins on the highway, the traffic slows down and we hope that it's not jam. This weekend is the Memorial Day weekend thus there are alot of ppl travelling during this period. The traffic eventually did slow down on the highway 101....
some planes in action at the air field so everyone slow down to 'pat'

So today, we are going to

Our 1st stop of the day is...

One of the main reason we visited Pt Lobos is because my bro, KH wants to do running while on vacation. So Siew suggested this place with a nice place to run and good view so everyone can enjoy the place. Thanks Siew, it's a great place indeed. While KH is running, Siew and I do our own exploration of the park. We trek along South Shore trail and enjoy the scenery.
I was freezing cold because it's so windy and less sunlight today plus the park is by the sea.

Then as we walk along South Shore trail, we pass by Sand Hill Cove
one of my fav pic for the day

After that, we trek along Sand Hill trail and reach the Sea Lion Cove but sea lion/seal no where to be seen. Nice view though-compensation to missing seal!

The journey continues as we descend to the lower trail of the Sea Lion Point trail. This part of the trail is rocky

and scurried by ground squirrels.

On Siew's right, the white pointed tiny island is call South Pt and to her left is Headland Cove. Sorry Siew, you are the perfect legend for the pic. hehe.

In this trail, it's surrounded by this unique conglomerated rock formation call Carmelo Formation. Can you believe it? This formation is 55 Million years old!!!

Further down, we overlook the Devil's Cauldron (2 rocks on the right nearest to you) and Sea Lion Rocks (behind the Devil's Cauldron). Again, no Sea otters/Sea Lion/Seal to be seen. I was wondering whether they do really hang around this reserve.

Well, time pass very quickly and we got to head back to meet up with KH. We went back to where we came from earlier. Then suddenly, i saw something was moving on the rock when we pass by Sand Hill Cove. I couldn't believe what i saw....It's harbour seals.
From far, they camouflage very well with the rock. If they didn't move i wouldn't have spotted them.hehe

Another landmark of South Shore trail, The Slot...

Weston Beach or also known as Pebbly Beach...

We reach the meeting point but KH was no where to be seen so we explored Pebbly beach. The given name really represent the beach. There are no sand, just pebbles only.

The water is so clear and i put my hand into the water and its very cold, brrrr.

Then KH is done with his running...MADNESS!! i don't think i can wear like that and run in that weather (cold & windy). I bet he enjoyed the run in such beautiful nature surroundings because he was so excited talking about the trails that he took.

Self-portraint while waiting for Siew. Guess what she's doing?

Busy with her GPS....getting ready to go to Carmel-by-the-sea for lunch.

Once i got into the car, suddenly this proud and arrogant sea gull finally landed in front of me and let me take his pic. I made several attempts earlier to take his pic but he just flew away and not letting me to take his pic.

Carmel, a varied array of homes in this picturesque village border the steep hillsides down to the ocean. It's a very unique town with small cute little shops and houses.

I like this wooden gate. There's a beuatiful garden when i peep thru the hole.

Look at the way the tree grow. This tree is in a house garden not wild/by the rd.

While searching for the restaurant call Casanova, we accidently found The Secret Garden entrance...

Inside The Secret Garden...

Finally, we found the Casanova restaurant!! We were so hungry when we get there and it's already 3pm.

The menu and napkin...

Our lunch...
Complimentary bread with olives, some red sauce and butter.
Siew & i share this appetizer ~ Duck Patte served with bread, custard, cucumber. yummy!
I ordered Gnochi ~ made of blended potato and spinach.
KH ordered some spinach in linguine
Siew's spaghetti with pesto...the best choice! better than what KH and i ordered.

While waiting for the food, i go around the restaurant to check out their interiors...some snap shots

After lunch, we stroll around Carmel-by-the-sea and down to the beach for a good walk. We were so full from our sinful lunch at Casanova that we need that exercise. Then we head to Monterey to collect some croissants and tarts from the french bakery.
Trust me peeps. It's really good and worth going back to get it.It's really yummy.i've never tasted such good crossiants and tarts before.

Our last destination for the day is Gilroy Premium Outlets....
This is the shopping heaven for me.I go crazy everytime i step into an outlet mall.It's Memorial Weekend sales so every shop is giving great discounts.

My 1st stop was Coach.My bro got to help us to queue up while Siew & i go check out other shop.It's alot cheaper than here despite the design is 6 months behind the retail shop.Ppl in the Coach shop buy so many bags as though it doesn't worth anything.Of course i check out other shops there too.Gilroy Premium Outlet is one of the biggest outlet mall in US with 145 different brands.I shop till they closes at 9pm before heading back to San Jose.I knew i will be back to Gilroy again.Hasta la vista Gilroy!!!!wakakaka.

Day 1: Exploring San Francisco

2008-05-23T03:57:00.000-07:00

After a good rest, i'm all gear up to explore San Francisco (SF). Not to forget i had a yummy breakfast prepared by Siew. Oh, i tasted the croissant from Parker-Lusseau and is damn good. Then, Siew dropped me off at Mountain View Caltrain station to get to Millbrae to change to BART. Gosh! The BART autopay machine is sooooo not user-friendly and i just stood there coz i don't know how to use it. NO INSTRUCTION!!!!! I was searching high & low for instruction but no where to be seen. The main screen only appear : 1) bill 2) cc 3) something, cannot remember An Asian lady passed by and i ask for her help. i'm supposed to put the bill in then substract to the amount i need or remain the amount to buy the tic. It works like our touch n go card and i can top up if i need to but the value of the card should not be less than $5.05. After the struggle, i board the BART at Millbrae and get down at Powell Station to get to the famous Market St. The beginning of my exploration.....kekeke When i came up from the underground, i was surrounded by....

Big Shopping stores!!!! Bloomingdales, Forever 21, Emporio Armani and many more....

Suddenly i saw a group of ppl standing in a big circle. Curious, i walk over and saw these ppl are queuing. Wondering....what's going on so i ask one of them. Apparently they are queuing to take the cable car. Enlighten!! So here is the famous Powell - Mason/Hyde cable car turntable. When the cable car reach Powell station, they let all the passengers disembark the car then go into the turntable, rotate it 180 degress then only pick up passengers before heading for Mason or Hyde. The Powell-Mason/Hyde cable car line only moves in one direction only hence they use the turntable to change the direction by pushing it manually (the brakeman/gripman and the conductor push together). A must try if you get to SF.

The queue is too long and i planned to do walking tour today so i skip the cable car. I'll try the cable car later on definitely before i leave CA. SF is indeed windy even the glaring sun doesn't help so i'm wearing Siew's winter jacket at all times although is a size smaller. Well i think i'm not used to the weather yet. Due to the cold, i decided to walk into Starbucks and take away a cup of Hot Chocolate then back to my walking tour. The Hot Chocolate is good and warm me up a little. Not long after that, i found something unique....

Cobbler stall stand After that, while i was taking this pic..... i spilt the Hot Chocolate onto my white t-shirt. Sigh! Thank god is not obvious plus is covered by the jacket. keke. Then i discovered this.... A florist shop that look like a bus stop Then i continue walking along Market St until the end, right in front of me is the Ferry Building. It survived The Great Fire of 1906 and it was inspired by the Moorish bell tower of Seville Cathedral in Spain. It was used to be the city's main point of entry until the Bay Bridge is opened in 1936. A few ferries still cross the bay to Tiburon and Sausalito in Marin County and Oakland in the East Bay. to the right is the Bay Bridge and to the left is the Justin Herman Plaza. It's a popular spot during lunchtime where the crowds from Embarcadero Center hangs out. Right in front of the Justin Herman Plaza and the Embarcadero Center, is the famous Vaillancourt Fountain built in 1971 by a Canadian artist name Armand Vaillancourt. The fountain is modeled from huge concrete blocks and some ppl finds it ugly. Ppl are allowed to climb on and through it. Here U2 performed their concert before in 1987. Then i roam around the Embarcadero Center and saw one of my fav chocolate shop, GODIVA!!!....thinking about it really makes me drool. I miss the Godiva Chocolate Cheese Cake from The Cheesecake Factory. After that i venture into the Financial District. I passed by the famous Wells Fargo Bank, Union Bank of California, The Merchant Exchange building and The Bank of America. All these banks are along the California St. Then i walk heading towards the tallest building in SF, call Transamerica Pyramid. This building was designed to move with earth tremors and earthquake protection feature is incorporated. Then by coincident, i found this vietnamese restaurant and decided to go in for lunch. Hungry!! and ordered Seafood Noodles, portion is big and tasty. Next to the restaurant, is the SFFD (they just got back from somewhere. I noticed that in US, the fire dept is very active and always see them on the road. After lunch, i walk to the Jackson Square Historic District. It's a small square where all the shops sell antiques and paintings. Nearby the Jackson Sq, i saw this triangle shape building. In SF it is quite common and always built in front of a 'V' shape junctions. Then i head towards Chinatown and arrived at Portsmouth Plaza. Guess what are these group of elderly doing? ANSWER: There are watching chinese chess game. Ppl who gather round analysing and commenting loudly on the players move. Here you can see many groups of elderly gambling and 'the place' for chinese elderly to hang around. Look at the aunty on the right, sit until the box is crushed. So typical chinese, likes to gamble so much. More snapshots of Chinatown... The Famous st in Chinatown call Grant Ave Tin How Temple is the oldest temple in the US and founded by Day Ju in 1852. Day Ju is one of the first 3 Chinese immigrants that came to SF. The temple is situated at the top floor which is considered to place it closer to heaven. Souvenir shops sell all kinds of funny stuff. They have funny cards, beaded jock strap, beaded bra, beaded nipple tassle etc. Old St Mary's Church is the 1st Catholic church in SF and celebrating its 150 anniversary. Check out the restaurant base structure, so steep!!! The Chinatown Gateway and also known as Dragon Gateway My next walking tour destination is Nob Hill to check out the Grace Cathedral. The Grace Cathedral is situated in front of a beautiful park call Huntington Park. Many ppl likes to walk their dog in this park and is my favorite park so far. The Grace Catheral... Inside the cathedral, it have many murals in it and very nice fine stain glasses I sat inside the cathedral for awhile to rest after walking the entire day. i felt very calm, soothing, serene, cooling and relaxing. I wished i could sit longer but got to get going. My final destination is Union Sq before heading back to Mountain View to meet up with KW for dinner. When i was about to walk down the slope, i stop and stunned for awhile. I realized that i was walking whole day going up and down the hills in SF. Look at the slope!! What a good work out and thanks to my Gasing Hill training back home. If not i don't think my legs can survive these slopes for entire day. :P These slopes are so steep that the cars are only allowed to park at 90 degrees. I passed by the Theatre District and saw this buntings around, check it out... The most famous ACT and Curran Theatre Finally i arrive Union Sq. It is surrounded by The Westin Hotel, Macy, Saks 5th Avenue, Tiffany & Co building. All parks in SF, have this heart shape monument and is different in all parks. This was taken at Union Sq and i think is nice and sweet. In the centre of the sq, there was a free performance and went to check it out. I was amazed and awed by them. I don't know what it's called. They were dancing while doing rock climbing and the dancers are so fit with very nice toned body. I took a few videos of them performing and wanted to stay on to watched but unfortunately i can't because i got to catch the Caltrain back to Mountain View to meet KW. To get back to San Jose, it requires about 1.5-2 hours of travelling time. True enough i miss the train and arrived at 9pm to meet KW. I was supposed to meet him at 8pm :P We had a quick dinner and catch up for awhile. Then i rushed back to meet up with Siew and KH for Indiana Jones movie. Once KH touched down and grab his dinner, we rushed to AMC cinema.
Gosh! It's really a power pack day filled with activities. It's tiring but worthwhile.....very worthwhile.

Leaving on a jet plane......SFO here i come kekeke

2008-05-22T03:08:00.000-07:00

Finally, the long awaited trip to US. I left home on Wed (21 May 07) at 10pm to KL Sentral to hop on the KLIA express train to KLIA. Reasonable, hassle-free mode of transport to get there. I'm flying with MAS to Shanghai with MH386 departing at 140am 22 May. When i get to KL Sentral, i was thinking should i check-in here or wait till i get to KLIA to queue like other ppl. Well, as most Malaysian know that ppl lost their luggages when they check in at KL Sentral last time (quite a num of cases). What the heck! I decided to check-in my luggage anyway coz i have a strong feeling my luggage will reach SFO safe and sound.

During check-in, my luggage went thru and collected KUL-PVG boarding pass but they told me i need to go to the MAS counter at KLIA to find out my boarding gate. This was unexpected: I NEED TO COLLECT MY BAG AT SHANGHAI AND CHECK-IN AGAIN!!!! Hmmm, not too bad after all because i got 5 hours of transit before my connecting flight with United Airlines to SFO. Then hop on the train at 1040pm to KLIA.

Reached KLIA then head to MAS check-in counter to find out my boarding gate. I roamed around the duty free shop and check out Gucci Envy Me fragrance price.hehe.Since i still have 1 hr 45 mins before i board my plane so i went to McD to have some french fries. While happily munching and enjoying my fries, shit! I'm collecting my bag in Shanghai, meaning i need to go thru the immigration so i need the damn visa!!!! Panicked, quickly finish my fries and walk to the MAS counter again.

What happen was a week ago, i called MAS office to confirm my flight and check with them about the China transit visa. The staff told me i may not need the visa (she doesn't sound very sure). So i decided to check with the China Embassy here the following day. Well, i totally forgot about it eventually. DAMN! So at the MAS counter, told them everything then the staff check and told me don't worry. If i transit in China within 24 hours i don't require any transit visa. PHEW! What a relieve to hear that. Then they print a doc for me to show to the China Immigration Officer. According to the staff, most of the time the immigration officer in that country is not very sure of their own regulation so i better keep the doc with me. Good service by MAS. Thumbs up to them!!

I took my own sweet time to go thru the immigration, screening, took the train to gate C25 and board MH386 with seating num 12C (aisle seat) at 110am. The plane took off on time and i was drop dead tired. Unfortunately i didn't really get sleep during my flight from KUL-PVG (pudong). Flight duration is 5 hr and 20 mins. MAS snack was ok but the main menu, i choose chicken rice and the chicken is not fresh. yuck! Watched a movie and listened to music to pass time. I predicted when i reach Pudong airport i definitely will be extrememly tired. sigh! I envy ppl who can sleep in the plane.

Touch down Pudong Airport and collected my bag. Is only 745am so i went up to the Departure Hall to find where is the check-in counter and see whether i can check-in now. Unfortunately i cannot check-in so i drag my 25" bag to a nearby seating area. Sat down to read and listened to music from my ITouch. All seating area was right in front of the big ac so it was f****** cold and hungry. So i decided to walk around to search for food. They have expensive restaurants on the departure hall then i walk back down to arrival hall to look for food.

Found some grocery stores and BURGER KING, yummy! I thought i can have pork burger for bfast mana tau no RMB to buy food. Then i wanted to change some RMB100 to get food but the stupid money changer take RMB50 as commission. Make no sense at all to change money or withdraw from ATM. I was so thirsty and hungry. With no choice, i walked back to the grocery store and ask whether they accept CC so i can buy water and food. I never imagine that buying food can be dificult too. It's all in chinese characters!! Therefore i get their help to read it in mandarin since they can't converse in English. Thank god they accept CC and guess what? Their CC machine line got problem so my transaction cannot go thru. @#&$#&%@@# I asked them any other option to pay them? I was devastated, tired, hungry, thirsty. Luckily they accept USD hence I quickly pay them.

I head back to Departure Hall and look for a warmer seating area. found one....not bad huh. It's right in front of the departure hall VIP lounge.

Drank my water and have some yam muffin. Took some pics of this waiting lounge and back to reading. I was very tired after my bfast that i almost collapsed and was so tempted to lie down and sleep. Unfortunately i can't because nobody will take care of my things and afraid i overslept. Finally, check-in counter is open at 940am then queue up to check-in my luggage and get my PVG-SFO boarding pass. Then head to WC to fresh up.

Then i pass the immigration, window shop and roam around gate D77...

My flight UA858 getting ready to take me to SFO. It's a huge double decker plane. My seat is 54H (aisle seat) coz i don't sleep much in the plane so i can walk around :)

Flying with UA is always required to board the plane earlier. They started to board the passengers 45 mins before the take off time where other airlines is normally 30mins. They have seating arrangement num sequence which is assign randomly and you can only board if they call the sequence. My sequence is 4 and also the last num to call to board. UA's food was average but better than what i had in MAS earlier. I like their Lemon biscuit and salad very much. Manage to get some sleep but not much and spend most of the time reading my book. After about 5hrs, i went to the lavatory and discovered my menses just came. I was so happy that it came so i can enjoy my road trip on sunday LOL. I hardly feel so happy when i have my menses. This is exceptional case wakakaka. Oh nearly forgot to share with you all. My aisle seat neighbour is ABC and he's quite good looking, gentleman,vocal and helpful. Somehow i suspect that he's slightly younger than me. Nevermind, at least got something pleasant to enjoy throughout the flight.

In this flight there are alot of China citizen going over to SF to work. Several incident i was about to fall asleep, this particular china man will come over to talk to my 2 neighbours loudly. deng! Not discriminating but they really talk very loud and inconsiderate. sigh! In the end i gave up sleeping therefore I watched 2 movies, 'The Bucket List' and 'Mad Money'. Both very funny movie and entertaining. Can you imagine how tired & exhausted i am? I didn't sleep since i board MAS plane (5hrs), transit in Pudong (5hrs) and UA plane (8hrs without sleep but my flight duration is 11hrs). So i totally screwed up my sleeping time anyway thus i wonder i'll still have jet lag when i get to San Jose? i really wonder...

Finally, i touch down SFO and honestly the airport is ugly. While walking to the immigration check point i pray that the officer will not give me trouble and let me pass. He just ask why i visit US and is it my 1st time here. Told him i'm here for vacation and going on a rd trip. It's my 2nd time in US and my previous entry is a single entry visa coz no money then and the embassy ppl afraid i won't go back. He smiled and ask how come this time i get a multiple entry? Coz i'm working for a few years and got money now. We both laughed about our conversation and i was surprised he laughed coz he look serious . Well i got what i wished for anyway :P

After that i head to the assigned belt to get my bag and i waited for 30mins. Never waited for a bag for so long before. Then pass the custom and expecting to see my family fren, Siew but no where to be seen. Then i sat down and wait and wait and wait....Hmmm she's no where to be seen still. I feel something was not right and wanted to call her after waited for 30mins. This is the ultimatum man! I don't have her num or even my bro's num. Shit! Panicked! Tell myself to calm down abit and think. Eureka! SMS my sis in singapore for help before she goes to bed coz it's 1215am in sin/mal already but no reply. So i got no choice but to call her house phone at 1230am (sin time) for help. Thank god she picked up the phone and she help me to call Siew. Phew! Relieved! 15 mins later my sis call back and told me that Siew is stuck in a traffic and will be there in another 30-45mins. True enough she turn up 30mins later and overall i waited for her for 1 hr 30 mins. I was busy before this trip that i overlook several important things such as china visa and Siew's num. How careless.

I was so happy to see Siew and we head to her car to go for breakfast. We were planning to go for HK DimSum in Millbrae but only opens at 11am so we decided to head back to San Jose for brunch. 1st exposure to the California weather. In San Jose is still chilly and windy despite the glaring sun. We went to do some grocery shopping in Milpitas. We had Chinese food coz i had enough of western food in the plane. So we ate vege and roast chicken at this chinese restaurant in Milpitas (the yellow building)...

Then she bring me back to her home and fresh up then i crached immediately for 3 hours. Then i woke up around 5pm and took some pics of the 3 bedroom townhouse that cost USD500,000+
The living hall...

The Dining hall...

The kitchen, we normally hang around the table at the back there surfing the net, chatting or eating...

The 2nd living hall next to the kitchen...

The kitchen view from the round table...

Then Siew and i went out to get a AT&T sim card for me so we can keep in touch. The package is pretty good. I can call AT&T nums in CA for free except other state and diff operators. She took me to Santana Row to window shop and roamed around. Santana Row is the most happening place in San Jose.Then we rush to get our dinner coz we wanted to go to a jap restaurant which offer very good food but closes at 9pm hence we went to another place for ramen. The ramen is good and the portion is big. It's good to have hot soup coz it's really cold at night. Imagine i was wearing a winter jacket but felt alot warmer after dinner.

Before we head home, we stop over at Bee's place (Siew's friend) to collect croissants and tarts all the way from this french bakery call Parker-Lusseau in Carmel courtesy of Shiau Wei (bee's sis-in-law). Apparently it's very good so i got to try it tmrw. No doubt it looks really good and yummy.

California is 15 hours behind our time and i got no jet lag. I adapt well to the time diff except the cold. I crashed again at night without any hesitation to recharge my energy for my day trip to San Francisco the next day. Come to think about it, every airport i went definitely i encounter something. Thinking back is funny but at that moment is crucial and not funny at all.

A Dream

2008-05-16T11:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday i had a dream. I dreamt of a lady who helped my family alot but she already past away for almost 2 years. I'm a person who doesn't remember a single dream all the time. Only knew i dreamt with no details. This time i remembered the dream....

I saw her somewhere then i was surprised to see her and greeted her. We chatted and she gave me some advice. As i was about to ask her something then i felt as though I'm slowly coming back to my own world. I'm not exaggerating, it really felt that way, really. I was woken up by my alarm clock. Sorry, no details coz is personal.

I sat up straight on my bed and it took me awhile to register what happen. 1st of all i couldn't believe that i remembered my dream then my encounter with her. Guess what? I told my mom what happen once i woke up. Then she told me that dad and her are going to visit her mom on Wesak Day. OK....hmmm, 1 word ~ FREAKY

So is there a link or relation between my dream and my parent's intended trip to visit her mom? or a mere coincidence? If there is a link, what's the message? A hint for me to MUST visit her mom too this round? Why i dream of her? Why me and not my dad or mom dream of her?

Last year, i visited her mom alone. On behalf of my parents, i went to check on her and to see how her mom is coping after her death. I remembered her mom was talking with tears in her eyes and say to me that her daughter left the world with 4 kids behind (2 of her kids only in primary sch & her youngest daughter is disabled-can't walk normally).

Well maybe it happens for a reason. Now i may not understand why it happen but one day, eventually my questions will be answered.

OMG!! i'm blogging

2008-05-11T02:37:00.000-07:00

ok peeps.

As you can see from my title of this blog, really..... i cannot believe i decied to blog. Honestly, i'm a darn lazy person to write stuff. After thinking for awhile i decided to blog. Well things happens in everyone's life thus i think is good to utilize blog to help me to remember my adventures and happenings in my life.

What happen was i totally forgot about the names of the temples (long lists though) that i've been to Ayutthaya and Sukhotai. Which only took place recently, say in the month of Mac 08. Well, i would say that's the TRIGGER!! HAHA. Plus, i'm expecting more adventures coming up. hehe.

To start off, i must post up my recent thailand trip follow by other adventures. of course not today. I'll need jill and hayley's help to get the list of temple names. Hence, you will read some post dated happennings.

geegee, the new blogger

Jill's Bday Celebration

2008-05-10T07:36:00.000-07:00

happy birthday to you
happy birthday to you
happy birthday to Jillian
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUUUUU

Yup! A few of us met up to celebrate Jill's bday on sat but her actual bday is on 11 May (Sun). YikChong aka Hamyu, Brian aka LouHang and the Leng Luis Jill, Audrey and me met up. Unfortunately ,the other Leng Luis are Hayley (in some jungle training) and Amy (outstation-exhibition) are not able to join us. Also not forgetting Alison currently now in Manhester berwaitering.

We hang out at Leo's, Citrus Park. Initial idea was to hang out KTZ but it's closed and replace by a restaurant call 1 Station or something. The usual us, laugh laugh and laugh. Honestly, after that 2.5 hours of yumcha, i cannot recall what we laugh about. Remembered things like audrey's 6pacs upgraded to 6 + 2pacs, KLIA story which sounded like TVB serial drama style, Oh yes! Jill promise to cook for us wakakkaa, Y? You'll find out shortly....

The bday gal with the cute little cake

Then the cake was ready to be lighted up

As we begin to light it up...

then situation got out of control....we created a FIREBALL BDAY CAKE instead with all the wax everywhere

We were laughing so loud, noisy and at the verge of tearing down the cafe. I really do think that we are always blacklisted wherever we go. So peeps, we constantly need to find new places to hang out. We sure kena ban from entering places that we have been before unless we know how to behave man!

After we settle down abit, is PRESSIE time. Jill was admiring the pressie and thinking of how to pose for the camera. She seems to be thinking quite hard..

Finally

The reveal of pressie

wakakaka. That's the reason why she gotto cook for us. We bought her recipe books to try out. So on behalf of the share holders, we would like to thank Jillian in advance for cooking for us. I'm sure you are excited with the new recipes that you got on hand. So please please don't be like someone stuff himself with muffin, cakes and ended up taking 1kg of butter by himself without realizing because he didin't share with his friends. LOL. So remember to share with us k. We look forward to try your culinary skills.

A Hidden Treasure.....Kemensah Waterfalls

2008-05-10T03:18:00.000-07:00

Last week, my bro and i decided to join Lafuma to trek Kemensah. Well, actually it was my 2nd time there. i remembered my 1st time there, GOSH the leeches are everywhere. We got to help each other to pull the leeches off us. Trust me, it's diificult to discard them. It's scary, once you stop, you can see the leeches surrounding you. Even the river got plenty of these disgusting amoeba swimming in it. I got to learn how to pull it out and can't stop saying eeww eeww eeww.

jeng jeng jeng.....that's my bro (sort of both us are more nature person and enjoy outdoor activities in the family)

We were lucky this round, it was much more dryer compare to my 1st time there. So there are less leeches around. I wore 2 pairs of socks because my objective is
LEECH BITEs FREE!!
My last encounter, the damn leeches bites itch for almost 2 months. It's really itchy.

After about 45 mins trek, we reach the 1st tier waterfall.....

We trek higher on the 1st waterfall... Leech check time too!!

After enjoying the scenery, then i started to hunt for a spot due to nature call. While searching for a most feng shui spot, i discover a giant black millepede as long as a 7 inches and as fat as my thumb. yikes! nearly step on it. Unfortunately the camera is with my bro so i didn't manage to take the pic. After doing my business, then i reunite with the rest of the group to continue our journey to the 2nd tier waterfall.

To get there, the entire journey is river trekking with alittle of land trekking. This part of journey is more challenging because the rocks are slippery. Also got to be becareful when we climb the waterfall. Guess what? When about to reach the 2nd tier waterfall, my pants was punctured by branches. Which is not good news!! Prone for leech attack. Thank god i brought some rubber bands in case my pants gets punctured again. keke. Due to previous experience. :P I'm prepared!!!

2nd tier waterfall (i think this was the most scenic waterfall of all 3 tiers)

then group picture time with Lafuma banner...

We spent another 30 mins here before continue our journey to the 3rd waterfall which is about 10 mins trek further. We stop there for lunch picnic and our guide did a demo on how to start fire while promoting their things. Of course they need to promote some Lafuma stuff and not just take us there for free just like that la. Must to do some selling also.

While berpicnic, Madia offered us some cucur and fish nuggets that she brought from home. Suddenly she took the whole bottle of Kimball Chilli sauce from her daypack and started pouring it and ask 'you mau chilli sos ka'. I find it amusing and ask her to pose with her chilli sauce bottle...

Then my silly bro ask me to take a pic of him standing in the waterfall. Stupid!! the current was so strong and it's actually very painful when the water hit on him. kakaka. I was laughing at him while taking his pic. Well not my business, he's in pain and not me. I just do as i was told.

then before we head back to our car, the final group pic...

On the way back, we stop by another small waterfall to take pics

Then we discover a camouflage stick bug

Finally we reach the base camp, my bro look exhausted (he slept really late, padan muka)

and his shoes really wears off badly LOL (dip into the river for too long)

That's me and still looking fresh in clean clothes; post Kemensah Trek.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED AND OBJECTIVE ACHIEVED - LEECH BITES FREE!!!

Eventually, i did KO during the drive back to Lafuma shop to get my car. The only turn off for this trek is leeches. Thank god there is a jewel inside to compensate the issue of leeches.

Conclusion, is a worthwhile trek indeed.

Melacca Food-Xcapade

2008-05-01T05:20:00.000-07:00

God knows how everything was initiated. I was outstation and check email one day then...BOMB! My hotmail inbox was bombarded by 40+ emails in a day!!!! Finally, confirmed 9 hungry souls heading south to Melacca for food on 2008 Labour Day. Actually i was in melaka 2 weeks before this outing with another group of friends.kakaka.

In summary, the food that we tried in a day are:
1) Dim Sum, Seri Petaling
2) Cendol at Donald and Lily's
3) EPC aka Eight Precious Cendol at Jonker 88
Bestest cendol coz the gula melaka was superb, heavenly and orgasmic
4) Baba Curry Laksa at Jonker 88
5) Nyonya Nasi Lemak at Jonker 88
Unique and good
6) Lemongrass chicken at Jonker 88
7) Chicken Rice Balls at Hoe Kee
8) Cakes and Drinks at Geographer Cafe
9) Golden Prata, French Toast, coffee and 2 crazy fella order noodles at Old Town Kopitiam
10) Cendol at Tan Kim Hock
11) Popiah in front of Mdm King
The lard makes it even better and it smell so good when you pass by the stall
12) Oh Jien
Disappointing coz the oyster was so tiny and hardly eat it. I took more starch then oyster
13) Satay Celup at Ban Lee Hiang, Jln Ong Kim Wee

It is total madness! We went 3 rounds of Cendol in Melacca and i still love the EPC at Jonker 88. My all time favourite.

I will not write much about this food adventure because my friends did an excellent job in blogging it. Do check out the blogs below and must read:

http://ahhou20.blogspot.com/2008/05/malacca-xcapade-food-attack.html

http://ahhou20.blogspot.com/2008/05/malacca-xcapade-kodak-moments.html

http://ahhou20.blogspot.com/2008/05/malacca-xcapade-sleeping-beauties.html

http://jazz2dmax.com/2008/05/03/the-malacca-road-trip-ep1-pilot/

http://jazz2dmax.com/2008/05/05/the-malacca-road-trip-ep2-the-feast-begins/

http://jazz2dmax.com/2008/05/05/malacca-road-trip-ep3-more-food-photo-session/

http://jazz2dmax.com/2008/05/07/malacca-road-trip-ep4-the-amount-of-food-we-stuff-in-conclusion/

After all the stuffing, the following day i make sure i go back to the gym for marathon classes to burn all the calories. NO LOW OPTION & BURN BURN BURN!! To reduce the guilt and the sins.

My Best Friend, leaving on a jet plane

2008-04-26T06:05:00.000-07:00

Last year, she planned to go UK to explore with the Holiday Making Visa for 2 years. Well as her best friend, i fully supported her if thats what she wants in life. But deep down inside me, i'm sad because she'll be leaving me for 2 years. We were close to the extend we can finish each other sentences, we know what the other person is thinking, always there for each other and our frequency is always in tune. The idea of her leaving did took me some time to digest because here everything is just a phone call away or can just meet up easily. Hey ali, i'm definitely happy for you k.

My Best Friend, Alison & me

Of course she successfully got the visa thus, a group of us went to send her off. Seeing her leaving is really tough and trying to control the tears at the same time. Eventually after she took the escalator down, i couldn't control my tears anymore. I could feel my tears running down my cheeks. She was trying to control her tears ever since she step into the airport. Actually she started crying since 2pm when i called her. At that time, she just finished some sisterly talk with her elder sister. I said,"You started crying already? Gosh! you gonna flood Klang Valley before you reach KLIA". I was trying to make her stop crying and save it for KLIA later. kakaka.

The rombongan that send her off
(from left: amy,ali,jill,audrey,hayley,me & yikchong)

Well ali, see you in 2 years time. Enjoy yourself. kekeke