Twitter最前线

    follow me on Twitter

    10 June 2008

    Rakyat Pantang Dicabar

    Malaysians are being punished for not voting the ruling party at the 12th General Election.

    With the significant hike in the fuel price, everyone is going to suffer. Inflation. That's what people are afraid of. Without the encouraging growth in productivity for better wealth, what can be done to overwrite the surplus of expenses?

    Change in lifestyle is what we are urged to do. But, with all the questionable government policies, it left us with no choice. So, is the federal government expecting everyone to just work and then stay at home for the rest of the day? Or maybe it's some way to encourage the establishment of Masyarakat Penyayang!

    Our capable PM points out that our neighbouring countries are paying much more for fuels. But at the same time, does he know that their citizens are earning more than us. So, the fuel price only account for a smaller percentage of their income. Moreover, these countries have better public transport system. Is this a fair comparison?

    Well, I believe that most of the Malaysians are pissed of the overspending of the federal government. What happen to all the White Elephants? Are they utilised now or just being useless statues pathetically? All the Malaysians has every rights to know how the country income has been spent.

    Rakyat Pantang Dicabar. People should not be afraid of their government; it’s their government that should be afraid of the people.

    05 June 2008

    北越背包行点滴(九)

    我错了!这小镇是有路灯的。刚才只不过是全Bac Ha镇大停电而已。

    酒店的后备电也快消耗完。在房间,忽然间伸手不见五指。我只好到餐厅吃晚餐。幸好那里有电筒和蜡烛,不须摸黑地进食。

    晚餐还算丰富的。来一餐东西合璧——西式南瓜汤,加东式素炒饭,还有香蕉当饭后果。

    刚吃饱,就听到外面有鼓声、锣声和笛声。原来这是酒店方面的精心安排。接下来会有少数民族的表演。

    我赶紧回到房间拿相机。虽然看不太懂他们的表演,但没关系,就当着是在观赏一部文艺电影啰!

    舞蹈 1

    舞蹈 2

    舞蹈 3

    与观众同乐

    在房间床上写的

    **************************************************

    临睡前,到镇上走走。不过,什么东西都没有,冷清清的。典型的都市夜生活,在这里是找不到的。

    还是回酒店梳洗,然后倒头大睡吧!早睡早起,身体好嘛!晚安。

    在临睡前写的

    04 June 2008

    北越背包行点滴(八)

    Bac Ha 街景

    路边猪肉档

    没想到从午觉中醒过来,已经是下午五点了。谁了三个多小时,可见我是有多累的!

    过后,我也到这小镇闲逛了一会儿。在这地方要找个有提供上网服务的商店真的是大海捞针。看来,今天是休想做网友了!唯有入乡随俗,过店朴素且不奢侈的时间。

    闲逛后,发觉这小镇的居民对游客还蛮冷淡的。或许这里还未被旅游业给“污染”吧!这也算是好事。至少游客不会被看成在游来游去的“水鱼”咯!小镇还算宁静的。除了间中传来刺耳的鸣笛声。看来这不单是河内,而是整个越南的独有景观吧!

    孩童在嬉戏

    兜了一圈并拍了不少照片后,便回到酒店。噢,好像大事不妙!原来是停电了。幸好这里凉风习习,不怕要挨热。把椅子移到走廊,换上短裤,便开始着手写这一篇。我害怕黑夜来临之际、来电前,写不完。

    不过,我的担心是多余的。正当光线不足到几乎看不到的时候,走廊的灯突然亮了!有电了!

    再放眼望想着小镇,一片漆黑!不到七点,天也暗了。我想,到底是因为没点,抑或是“华灯初上”从来就不曾在这里出现过?

    看来吃饱后再去街上走走是甭想的了!

    Sao Mai 酒店

    在晚餐前写的

    02 June 2008

    Adventurous Weekend Outing (C)

    We planned to wake up at 8am the next morning, then breakfast before heading to water rafting at 9am. But, our plan vanished. Thanks to the Singaporeans!

    I was awaken by the schoolkids. Why couldn't they stop talking? Or at least talked softly? Didn't they know there's a few tired city folks were enjoying their peaceful sleeps? I was, however, able to close my eyes and try to fall asleep again.

    The time when I got fully awake wasn't because of the teenagers anymore, but the teachers. The teachers were giving an early morning 'lectures'!

    Come on! It's bloody 7am! I don't even wake up that early during weekdays. Give me a break! I was pissed! I need sleep!

    "Girls, in pumping position!"
    (Did u have to shout?)

    "We expected someone come to knock at our doors and says, 'Teachers, we're ready for breakfast.'"
    (Since when teachers became 'VIPs'?)
    "I arrived here and saw u guys strolling slowly. We I shouted, u all strolled even more!"
    (The students' hostel was up the slope, strolling was still better than rolling down.)
    "You all are not at a holiday resort, it's a adventurous camp!"
    (F*** Off! I was there for weekend break. This place isn't called a rest house without valid reasons. So wanna give the teacher a big slap in the face!)
    "You all are the student councils. Although that you are not in uniforms or sports wears, you should behave with integrity and blah...."
    (But you, the teachers were putting
    your school in shame!)

    Apparently, the students were punished for being slow, not punctual and not greeting the teachers. Pitied the guys called Soon Kiat (or sounded similarly), being the Head or leader among the group, had to do extra push-ups. Another thing, did they have to count 'loudly' while doing push-ups?

    "Sha-la-la ...... 洗刷刷 洗刷刷 ...... ma------kan" So cheesy! But that's what the students shouted before every meals. Yup, they were allowed to have breakfast after the 'drama'.

    At this time, after being supportive audiences, we went to wash up. The breakfast was ready at the right timing after 'show'. But, it's not even 8am yet!

    Morning breakfast

    It's a 5-stars meal! Roti canai, fried kuey teow with cockles, sausages, fried eggs, fruits, toasts, coffee & tea. We're well fed again! We're so afraid of vomiting during the water rafting! It would be damn embarrassing!

    When we're about to finish the food, some guy approached us. He's Max, one of the guys from Riverbug, the activities operator around this area. He's going to pick us up and send us to the starting point of the water rafting. But, before that, we're asked to fill in the Liability Release Form.

    @ the staring point with guides - Edward & Senz

    We're going to do rafting in 2 inflatable rafts. Led by 2 Kadazandusun hunks - Edward & Senz, who was one of the assistant guides during the night jungle trekking. Then there's safety rescue kayaker, Tats, who was also the photographer.

    Team A - Me-WT-KY-Edward

    Once we put on the safety attires - the head gears and the life buoyancy vests, we're briefed on some safety tips. Like how to hold the paddle properly; how to float safely on the river; how to grab the safety rope and pull our body back to the boat, if unluckily, we're thrown out of the boat.

    The 6 of us

    Sg Kampar is classified as level 1-3. It's the right place for the beginners, like us, and the intermediates to do white water rafting. I guess, the experts might have to head to somewhere else then.

    KL - the paddler

    We followed the instructions given by the guides. Whether it's paddling 'forward' or 'backward'. Water rafting was fun and excitingly awesome! Along the river, at some points there's rapid wave that would challenge our guts; at some area, it's peaceful and we could have some fun playing water or rest.

    My new friends - WT-YW-JA

    We did body rafting too. Basically, it's just let our body float on the river and just had the wave carry us away. Then, tried to grab hold the safety rope thrown out and pulled oneself back to the shore. Staying in the position like sitting on the water and kicking water to avoid the rocks.

    Old Friends - KL-KY-KH

    'The Caterpillar', the group body rafting. Instead of body rafting one by one, now we did it in a line, with the one person holding the shoulder of the person in front. It's cool too! But, when we tried out the 1st time, I was nearly being washed away by the river. Fortunately, I was still able to get myself out of the river.

    Me + New Friends

    At one point, we were asked not to do anything but just sit still in the boat and hold on to the rope attached around the boat tightly. 'Boom, boom' was the signal. That's easy. Nevertheless, all of these was for safety purpose. Here, the probability of being thrown out was the highest among other rapids.


    together with another family & their guide - Max

    The whole journey took roughly 2 hours. Another Riverbug guy was waiting us at the ending point. He then drove all of us back to Adeline's Rest House.

    Lunch... yummy!

    Then, we went to take shower and pack our belongings. Guess what? It's lunch time! It's the last meal we gonna have it at Adeline's. As usual, the meal was delicious.

    Fried Rice + Fried Egg with Belacan

    Before we left, we had a chit-chat session with Adeline. She was telling us how she started the rest house and what's her plan with. All of us had a great time there and just couldn't wait to visit again. I bought a sharp apple green t-shirt as souvenir too.
    On the way back to Ipoh, we planned to visit to Kellie's Castle. Unfortunately, due to the road works going on, we could find the destintion. As a result, we decided to head back home instead.

    Well, I certainly had enjoyable experience there. I never thought that I could ever do water rafting so near to where I stay. I will definitely be back then again soon! Anyone gonna join me? :-)


    P/S:
    • Click here for more pics of this outing.
    • Found one of the Canberra's students' blogging about their camp too.
    • Found a youtube clip with the Riverbug guides enjoying themselves along Sg Kampar:-

    31 May 2008

    Adventurous Weekend Outing (B)

    can I eat now?

    The dinner consisted of:
    1. Peppery Soup
    2. Four Heavenly King
    3. Stirred fried brocolli, cauliflower & greens
    4. Fried Eggs
    5. Cockles
    6. Clams
    7. Prawns
    8. Chicken Satay
    9. BBQ Sausages
    10. BBQ Chicken Wings
    11. BBQ Lamb
    12. Fruits
    We're so statisfied with the dinner. At the same time, we had hard time finishing the food. There's so much food to eat. We ain't big eater. But the food was awesomely delicious! Thank you so much, Adeline!

    the girls

    Before going for the night trekking with a bunch of schoolkids from Singapore, we decided to play some mental game. It's Mahjong time! But, we didn't gamble, just to play some games to pass the time.

    This was actually my first time playing Mahjong in an open air environment. Normally, it's played indoor, for afraid of being caught gambling and sent to lock-up.

    En Helmi was once agian leading us during the jungle trekking, together with another two assistants. We were first walking through the oil palm plantation. However, owls were never found. Sigh......

    Then it was a trek up the slope with extra attention needed, so that no one would get themself hurt.

    Since we were with a group of schoolkids, it did remind me of the time I went camping with my society-mates during my secondary school era.

    We were actually regretted for joining this as we didn't see much other than a few fireflies and wild boars path. The girls were thinking of quitted half way. But, they still managed to finish the whole trekking. Applause!!!

    night jungle trekking

    Once we reached somewhere slightly flat, the schoolkids had some briefing and discussion with theirs teachers. On the other hand, we were having chat with the guides. At some time, we were interupted by a few leeches. Yes, they did suck blood!

    We then back trekked through the path we used just now. Yes, the girl were screaming for not quitted earlier. They felt conned.

    Unfortunately, the slope was slippery as it rained. Therefore, some minor accidents happened. Checking the weather forecast beforehand was indeed important, expecially for outdoor activities like this.

    The whole journey lasted for about 90 minutes, back and forth.

    Once back to the rest house, we were then served the supper - fried sweet potato and warm soya bean milk(but added ice by us). This was what called the first class service! That's what the BN should learn!

    As it's still quite early to call it night and go to bed, we decided to continue the Mahjong game we had abandoned earlier. The cooling climate made playing Mahjong outdoor an wonderful experience!

    We then went to bed at around 2am. The running stream water was making me hard to fall asleep at first. At the end, it turned out to be an effective lullaby.

    Gonna wake up early tomorrow for water rafting!

    Good Night

    ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz


    (to be continued ......)

    LinkWithin

    Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...