Home sweet home...

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things...” - Henry Miller'

Baloney Again

We don't eat in no white restaurant
We're eatin' in the car

We don't sleep in no white hotel bed
We're sleepin' in the car
'Baloney again…

You don't strut around in these country towns
You best stay in the car

Look on ahead don't stare around
You best stay where you are

You're a long way from home
Don't push your luck too far

Baloney again…

Down a long dirt road
We're a long way from home

Go under the willow
Park her up beside the stream

Shoulders for pillows
Lay down your head and dream
'Baloney again…

(Mark Knopfler)

My Overseas Travelogue: Brisbane: the starting point

Travel Australia...

"Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life...” – Jack Kerouac

This 2-week journey is full of captivating experiences that take us to the most spectacular scenery starting from Brisbane to Port Campbell and back again to Brisbane through different routes...

13 June 2009 - Brisbane, Beginning of the journey
14 June 2009 - Moonee Beach, The ocean tide
15 June 2009 - Coffs Harbour, The Big Banana
16 June 2009 - Forster, The Great Lake lonely pelican
17 June 2009 - Benalla, Passing through the outback
18 June 2009 - Port Campbell, The Twelve Apostles
19 June 2009 - Traralgon, A glimpse of Melbourne
20 June 2009 - Batemans Bay, Lakes, valleys and parks
21 June 2009 - Sydney Hills, The Grand Pacific Drive
22 June 2009 - Port Stephens, Hop-on Hop-off Sydney sightseeing
23 June 2009 - Mermaid Beach, No vacancy at all caravan parks
24 June 2009 - Gold Coast, Surfer's Paradise whale watching
25 June 2009 - Sunshine Coast, Home of the crocodile hunter
26 June 2009 - Green Mountain, The tin man of Mt. Tamborine
27 June 2009 - Brisbane, Attractions and Botanical Parks

Our journey is coming to an end. It was a good exciting holiday and we plan to come back soon to venture further in the land down under.

G’day Mate…

My Overseas Travelogue: munmus.blogspot.com

H1N1 Stage 6...

"Traveling is a brutality. It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home..."

Unlike our other holiday trips, this time around we are quite apprehensive.

Our original plan is to rent a caravan and drive from Brisbane to Melbourne and cross to Tasmania by ferry. But now, Melbourne is categorised as the swine-flu capital of the world, with the H1N1 virus twice as prevalent as it is in Mexico, where the pandemic began, we contemplated whether it is a wise decision. To avoid risk, we decided to skip our trip to Tasmania because of the risk of being infected is high especially in the confined area during the long ferry rides. But there is also the risk of picking up the H1N1 flu virus on the road along the way. But hopefully, travelling in a caravan may reduce the likelihood, InsyaAllah.

But I need to keep it real, there is also a risk of us being hit by a car, bitten by dingos or trampled by kangaroos, and picking up the common flu virus anytime.

WHO has declared H1N1 a stage 6 pandemic and we have to take precautions… Wish me luck!

I will be updating my overseas travelogue @ Munmus.blogspot.com as and when I have the opportunity.

My next destination...

“I’ve got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom...” - Thomas Carlyle

It’s the end of holidays for most
but it’s the beginning of ours
a journey of feelings and thoughts
to places unknown, just the two of us'

Hubby and I are going to disappear for a week or two. We will travel in a caravan like a couple of free-spirited wandering gypsies, so care-free like a floating feather.

Stopping whenever and wherever we like …

My Overseas Travelogue: munmus.blogspot.com

Kelantan - Best friends forever...

“It's the privilege of friendship to talk nonsense, and to have her nonsense respected...” - Charles Lamb

(Clear blue sky)

Friday morning, we started from our apartment early and stopped in Hospital Selayang for our flu shots. The weather was bright and sunny, and we decided to take the Gua Musang route to KB. Our plan is to stop at KT branch on the way back to KL.

The traffic was heavy at first but moving. At KM252 the traffic stopped for no apparent reason. We suspected an accident occuring a few miles ahead. But when our cars were not moving from their original spots we got suspicious.

 

(Accident prone area)

Some drivers abandoned their vehicles and started walking to find out the cause of the massive jam. Those with families and small kids, got out of their cars and picnicked along the roadside.

(Miles of static traffic jam)

I while away my time snapping some pictures, munching on tidbits and counting cars that made u-turn to seek for alternative routes. After 3 solid hours of immobilisation, I rested by feet on the dash-board and went to sleep.

(Resting my feet on the dashboard)

Much later, when policemen came with bull-dozers and the like, and still no progress made, we decided to make a u-turn and took an alternative route through palm-oil plantations with the help of our Garmin. We reached Maran around 6 p.m. for a very late lunch or early dinner...

The YB has earlier arranged for us to stay in a friend's chalet in PCB. But when we reached PCB at 3 a.m. we decided to sleep in the car and knocked on the door early morning as not to disturb Kak Yoh from her sleep. We rested well in the morning and went to Anie's house for the kenduri and met up with a few of my long lost friends...

(Nashitah, Nong, Anie, YB Ubai, Nik Airah and Dr. Naemah)

Kelantan - Laksam and Nasi dagang...

“Words are easy, like the wind; Faithful friends are hard to find...” - William Shakespeare

Last week was the start of the school holiday and nearly half the staff in the department has disappeared into thin air. What is interesting is that instead of having fewer meetings, I ended up with my diary full to the brim. While ensuring meetings are kept brief, some finished way after office hours.

'

Thursday afternoon, the section heads met to discuss on audit issues. After a few hours of intense arguments with no resolutions in sight, I declared defeat, packed my things and headed for home. I need a rest, for Friday, hubby and I will be driving to Kota Bharu to attend Ani daughter's wedding and meet up old SMKB/SIC friends .

'

And if I have the time, I will look for nasi kerabu and nasi dagang and meet up with one blogger friend, insyaAllah….