Francesco & Kit

I hosted another 2 Couchsurfing members last week. Francesco, an Italian, & Kit, from Canada. It was a very short notice. Got their request email at noon & meeting them at night.

Both of them had just attended a camp about some sort of therapy in Tamil Nadu, India. The type of back-to-nature camp; no WC, no modern shower, eating very pure food, etc. Do you dare to join?

Francesco - Me - Kit

Luckily, it was school holiday. I kindly asked my Xueji mate - Kitty, who is a teacher by profession, to show them around Ipoh. I'm sure they had a great time. Thanks to Bernie too (my mum's friend), who brought them to hunt for the good food around Ipoh.

We bid farewell after spending 2 nights at my place. They were off to Penang. By now, they should have crossed the border into Thailand. Wish them having great fun traveling in Thailand!

sending off @ Medan Gopeng

Craziest White Water Rafting

许多身边的朋友都常抱怨在怡保生活是多么的苦闷。其实，只要稍微向身边的人打听，多半就能发现不为而知的活动。譬如，在务边山区里激流泛舟等等户外活动。‘近打山水甲天下’。趁着周末或假期之际，不妨跟家人或朋友去看看山、玩玩水。轻松下、松弛下，并且让自己暂时忘却那又苦又闷的都市生活！

After nearly 3 months, I went to Mukim Teja, Gopeng for another round of white water rafting! This time, the rafting companions were my Craziest gang members - Kenny, Xuan & Tarrius, plus one newly met friend - Xiao Wei, the only girl.

Supposed to have another 2 Craziest member, but they'd decided to ffk'ed.

Again, I had Senz from Riverbug being the Raft Master. He did a great job in guiding us just like the last time I was there. Thanks so much, Senz & Kevin, the safety kayaker plus photographer!

Unluckily, someone fell off the boat! It's Kenny! Hahaha... Oops

Shiok! Banyak Shiok! Best sekali lah!

The Khmer Way IX

Expedition to the famous Angkor Heritage Site - 2nd Day: Part D

Pre Rup 比利寺 / 变身塔

front view

corner view

me

one of the 'tower'

@ the centre

Banteay Kdei 班蒂喀黛

the main temple building

'Bayon' style

typical long corridor

Sras Srang 皇家浴池

to the right

to the left

the guide - Ly Hong

Prasat Kravan 豆蔻寺

well done on the restoration

made of unique bricks

religious statue on the wall

The Khmer Way VIII

Expedition to the famous Angkor Heritage Site - 2nd Day: Part C

Preah Khan 宝剑塔

the path leading to the temple

where's the head gone?

the Limgam

camera trick

some ex-Queen

ex-banquet area

me

another 'plant vs stone'

me & Kin Wah... with Garuda

Neak Pean 涅磐宫 / 龙蟠寺

it was a mini 'island'

me

water out from the human's mouth -- knowledge

Ta Som 达宋将军庙

one of the entrance

the small me

can u help?

East Mebon 东湄本

the destroyed...

me

closer look at the stone

变天在即？改朝换代？

Is 916 going to be recorded as another special date in our country history? Other than being remembered as Malaysia Day, the day when Malaysia was formed.

自308大选，人民联盟取得空前成绩以来，大家都在猜测到底安华先生的916夺权计划，会不会成功？

有人，已经摆好最佳姿态，等待着那一天的到来；有人，还在犹豫着，政权替换会为国家带来怎样的未来；有人，更关心民主不民主、道德不道德的原则伦理；有人，始终忠心地站在国民阵线的那一方；当然，也有人，对此漠不关心，只要“马照跑，舞照跳”，也没什么好多想的。

对我而言，这好比如一艘船。若船长再也无能为力，引领水手们找到新大陆，何不让其他更贤明的成为新的船长？与其，在那浩瀚大海，毫无方向地见风使舵，倒不如让新的船长，重新把船员组织起来，振奋一下士气，并锁定新大陆坐标，向新大陆出发。

Gatheting @ Ipoh

Thanks to all my uni frens who visited me in Ipoh end of last June. Hope u guys had great time here & wish u guys would come to Ipoh more often. There is more food awaiting u all!

an 'old' pic of 'old' ppl at Old Town Kopitiam

A summary of what & where we ate:-


1. Foh San Dim Sum
(corner of Jln Mustapa Al-Bakri & Jln Dato Tahwil Azar (aka Osbourne Street), new town)


2. Sun Yuen Loong White Coffee & Kaya Toast
(Jln Bandar Timah, old town)


3. Thean Chun Hawker Food
(Jln Bandar Timah, old town)


4. 'Big Tree' Fried Yong Tau Fu
(Jln King, Pasir Pinji)


5. Funny Moutain Soya Bean & Tau Fu Fah
(Jln Dato Tahwil Azar (aka Osbourne Street))


6. Medan Selera Greentown Pesambur & Cendol
(Jln Hospital, Greentown)


7. Gourmet Square Hawker Centre
(Ipoh Garden & Canning Garden border)


8. Soon Lee Bak Kuk Teh
(Jln Temenggong, Pasir Puteh)


P/S: For more pics & blog writings of this trip, check out here, here, here & here.

The Khmer Way VII

我不喜欢在旅行时买纪念品，因为到头来它们只会被搁置在一旁，成为累赘，最后被灰尘给淹没。把纪念品送给其他人？这好像很不负责任。好像把一堆垃圾丢给人家似的。但是，T-shirt或postcard除外。它们都比较实用和容易收藏。

dinner - famous Amok

I’ve not ever thought of myself being a good bargainer. On many occasions during traveling, I regretted of paying too much for something just purchased.

Just after having our 2nd dinner in Siem Reap, we walked around & stopped by at a souvenirs stall. I saw the slippers bought in Bangkok last December. My sis had asked me to buy these slippers if I ever found them in Cambodia.

The price was USD3 per pair. I called a deal of USD8 for 3 pairs. However, it’s not agreed by the vendor. Knowing myself well, I didn’t bargain further. At the end, I bought 3 pairs for USD9.

Again, I felt stupid for paying such a price. I was actually looking for similar slippers somewhere else after that, hoping to average out the cost. I found a stall selling them at USD5 per pair. Then, I thought maybe my earlier purchase had been a good deal after all.

When I got back to the room, I unpacked the slippers and tried them out on my feet. Guess what? I found 4 pairs in the plastic bag! Was it an accident or a free gift from the vendor? I didn’t cheat for this.

So, 4 pairs for USD9. Do you think it’s a good bargain? I wonder how it could ever happen!

the happening Pub Street

7/7/08