Melaka - River Boat Cruise...

“No matter where you go, there you are…” – Buckaroo Bonzai

After a hard day’s work at the kebun we drove to Melaka town for a romantic river cruise.

The 45-minute cruise was accompanied by an entertaining oldies but I wish that they put in some recorded informative commentary as well. The RM10 ticket was a good bargain. We could see parts of historical Melaka with some buildings since the Portuguese era still stand majestically by the river. Some parts of the river banks are also lined with brightly decorated Melaka malay houses.

'As we cruised further up the river, we passed old bridges and were able to see old shop-houses that are built on the river banks. Some of these shop-houses used to have gudangs at the back of their shops but now these warehouses have been converted into chic cafés and bistros. While cruising, we could see Mat Sallehs and locals alike, drinking coffee watching us from the verandah of Harpers Café and Discovery Café - a few of the popular places for visitors to dine and drink into the night.

'I remember watching the movie ‘Entrapment’ a few years back, and this river boat ride was featured in that movie!

A lunch date at the Lanai...

"Two best things in life are warm croissants and a quick way home..."

(The rooms for participants)

I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they made as they go by.

The whole day yesterday I was at the Lanai Kijang with my team to facilitate discussions with two focus groups. After the sessions we had time to show them around our club house and the new training centre.

(Pathway in the garden)

Today, I had only one meeting in the morning. The rest of the morning was spent in my extremely cold room clearing drafts and reports. By noon, when the cold has settled deep in my bones, my friend Di came and we drove to Lanai Kijang and had a sumptuous lunch.

(Water features add to the tranquil ambiance)

It’s been a while since we met, and there is a lot of catching up to do…

Telling moments...

“If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you...” - Oscar Wilde

I got to get out of this clutter and find simplicity...

The weekend was spent painting the chalet and bush-cutting the fences. Me doing the painting and hubby doing the bush-cutting, of course. With both of us nursing our back pain at end of day, we decided to have early dinner at the famous mee bandung restaurant. Early next day we went to see mak and abah before we drove back to KL. When we reached our apartment, we only had time to shower and packed our bag and again hit the road to Ipoh as I need to be present at the Magistrate court.

Many roads were closed in Ipoh, partly because of Thaipusam but mainly because of the recent political turmoil. The high court was swarmed with policemen and reporters. Even the session court was packed with people. I was seated in the worst seat next to the orang kena tuduh (OKT) as the court room was filled to the brim. When the DPP showed me a thumb-down signal, I suspected that my case is to be postponed again. I was disappointed for I have traveled far and felt so tired, even a veteran like the defense counsel looked taxed.

While waiting for my case to be mentioned, I sat quietly watching the court proceedings, trying to stay alert to capture telling moments - when people show emotions, or when witnesses recount a critical detail or reenact an event. I recalled that during emotional moments of the trial, the lady Magistrate would appear stoic. At other times, even laugh with the attorneys and OKTs - an image not seen by many outside the courtroom.

Only much later, we were informed that my case was postponed to another date.

Malaysia - 4x4 trip - Streams, beaches and hot springs...

“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware...”

I have taken a few days off for the Chinese New Year holidays.

Our 4x4 trip started on 24 Jan 2009 from KL south-bound and entered Endau Rompin National Park through Bekok in Johor where we registered and paid some fees. We passed through orang asli settlements in Kg Sri Tembayan, Kg Kudung, Kg Tamok, Kg Kemidak dan Kg Selai. From then on we drove on Lata Tinggi trail un-paved road and set camp by the river bank at Lata Merekek.

We stayed two nights and on the 3rd day we drove along the coastal road through Mersing up to Kota Bharu Kelantan. We stayed a night at Pantai Lanjut, a night in Kuala Trengganu and another night in Pantai Cinta Berahi. Then took the East West Highway through Jeli, stopped at a few water falls and hot springs and were back in KL on Friday 30 Jan 2009.

(Lata Merekek, Johor)

(Pantai Pasir Lanun, Pahang)

(D'RU Ombak at Pantai Lanjut, Pahang)

(Pantai Teluk Bidara, Pahang)

(Pantai Melulut, Trengganu)

(Lata Belatan, Trengganu)

(LA Hot Spring, Trengganu)

(Lata Tembakah, Trengganu)

(Pantai Bisikan Bayu, Kelantan)

(Pantai Sabak, Kelantan)

(Pantai Cinta Berahi, Kelantan)

(Kolam Air Panas Batu Melintang, Kelantan)

(Tasik Pergau, Kelantan)

(Lata Ulu Lawin, Perak)

Pahang - 4x4 off-roading to Endau Rompin...

“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living...”

(our faithful Garmin)

Off the beaten track'

Forests and beaches, destinations of choice
Cool flowing streams and hot springs too
' A trip to venture, and nature to explore
At tucked-away parks, in jungles so preserved
'The mountains not as high, nor the streams as pretty
But they are wealth of wonders, an abundance of beauty
'

(Endau Rompin track...)

The CNY holiday was spent driving around in our Blackfoot, a few nights camping in the jungle and some nights were spent in the chalets along the beautiful beaches... Just the two of us.