Happy New Year...

"Every day is a new beginning, take a deep breath and start again..."

Handbook 2014

HEALTH
Drink plenty of water.
Eat Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince & dinner like a beggar.
Live with the 3 E's - Energy, Enthusiasm & Empathy.
Make time to pray.
Play more games.
Read more books than you did in 2013.
Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
Sleep for 7 hours.
Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily and while you walk, smile.

PERSONALITY
Don't over do. Keep your limits.
Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
Dream more while you are awake.
Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
Forget issues of the past.
Don't remind your partner with mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
No one is in charge of your happiness except you
Smile and laugh more.
You don't have to win every argument, agree to disagree.

SOCIETY
Call your family often.
Each day give something good to others.
Forgive everyone for everything.
Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
Try to make at least three people smile each day.
What other people think of you is none of your business.

LIFE
Do the right thing!
GOD heals everything.
However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. The best is yet to come.
When awake in the morning thank GOD for it.
Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Note: Copy and paste from a message in my whatapps. Thanks Yati A-go-go...

The Apple of my Eye...

"Happiness, like wealth is never attained when sought after directly..."

Happiness is like butterfly,

The more you chase it,

The more it will elude you,

But if you turn your attention

 to other things,

It will come and sit softly

 on your shoulder...

(Three strollers for the three grandchildren)

(Alia with a huge teddy bear)

(Hana dancing to the music on stage)

(Amir taking a peaceful nap)

All in the family...

"Happiness doesn't depend upon who you are or what you have, it depends solely on what you think..." - Dale Carnegie

(A family photo in JB)

The last weekend of 2013 was spent in Sara's house at Nongchik Height, Johor Bharu. The whole family was there. Iwan and family came with my besan earlier. Hubby and I rode to JB later and met them at JPO where we had dinner at Absolute Thai.

On Sunday we went for 'back-to-school' shopping for Hana at Jusco Bukit Mewah and had lunch at Sizzling Stone Grill. Iwan and family went back to KL, we stayed another night at Sara's and rode back to KL early Monday morning.

  

(The two cousins, Alia Ashran and Hana Ashran) 

(Ella with Hana and Amir)

(Hana's morning ride with Tokbah)

(Iwan trying out Abah's new ride)

SMKB girls gathering...

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us...” - Ralf Waldo Emerson

(With YB Ubai, Sariah, Zaiton and Nik Aminah)

I was overly happy when they decided to postpone the gathering at Sariah’s house to Saturday.

I have a wedding invitation on that day but I decided that I need to be with my friends instead. Some came all the way from KB for this meet and I have not met one of them since after form three. That was more than 40 years ago. When we met, I take solace and comfort that my old pals are still the same.

(Delicious pulut kuning and rendang)

(With Sariah, the wonderful host)

Old friends are the great blessings of one’s later years. We have a memory of the same events, have the same mode of thinking. We had fun reminiscing and recalling old times while we had our late lunch of pulut kuning and delicious chicken rendang.

It was a short meet but long enough to rekindle our long lost relationship.

(Time to say goodbye and ride off to JB)

(The late comers, Nasidah and Datin Maheran)

Among life's precious jewels,

Genuine and rare,

The one that we call friendship

Has worth beyond compare

Myanmar: A riding trip to Kawthaung...

"Perseverance is not a long race. It is many short races one after another..." - Walter Elliot

(Arriving in Myanmar)

It was our solo riding trip into Myanmar through Ranong in Thailand.

Kawthaung or formerly known as Victoria Point is a southern most town of Myanmar. It can be accessible from Ranong, Thailand through Koh Son island of Myanmar by ferry. The small town is surrounded on all sides by turquoise water and thick forested hills. Golden pagodas sparkle on nearby hills. There is a bustling market place selling liquor, cigarettes, cheap electronics gadgets and local souvenirs. 

(Boat operators ferrying tourists to nearby islands)

At the Myomar Jetty one will encounter with dark-skinned fishermen smoking hand-rolled cigarettes or the many young men in sarongs who spend their days lounging around the jetty and offering themselves as tour guides. There are pretty young girls with powdered cheeks selling tid-bits to visitors.

(The temple complex)

Kawthaung is a mixture of countless ethnic groups of Myanmars, Thais, Muslim Malays, bangladeshi and Chinese. Myanmar's ethnic diversity is matched by diversity in religious beliefs. Kawthaung has two mosques, two churches, two Chinese temples and dozens of Buddhist pagodas.

(The King Bayint Naung Memorial)

Standout among these is the Aungdawmu Pagoda, a golden spire that sits atop of a hill a few kilometers upriver from the waterfront district.The road to the Aungdawmu Pagoda winds along the headland, past colonial manors, thatched-palm villages and the Shwezinyah Quarter and stilt-houses. The road twists and turns past the striking Pyi Taw Aye Pagoda and Reclining Buddha, and end at the base of 120 steps to the top of the Aungdawmu Pagoda.. 

The Bayint Naung Point is where the King Bayint Naung Memorial is situated. One can view the five-star Andaman Club Resort and Casino on Koh Son island.

My Overseas Travel Blog: Solo ride to Ranong

(20 - 24 Dec, 2013)

Visiting the bad wolf again...

"It is the mark of an educated  mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it..." - Aristotle

(Second last day, but still crowded)

(Lyana and friend with bags full of books)

(Finished shopping at 2 a.m.)

Melaka: Hot spring midnight dip...

"We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves happy. The amount of work is still the same..." - Carlos Castaneda

(Gadek Hot Spring)

Gadek Hot Springs is located about 10 minutes by car from the Alor Gajah town along the trunk road. It is about 25 kilometers from Malacca. The source of the hot springs lies underground. Many outdoor swimming pools have been built for visitors from far and near. There are bathing facilities consist of individual room with showers. There are also children's playgrounds and refreshment stalls for drinks and some light snacks.

(The pool is more crowded after midnight) 

I was complaining of nagging back and neck pain when my sister suggested we visited the hot spring in Gadek. Soaking in the hot spring water might help blood circulations and relief some muscle pains. 

It is said that hot spring baths have been used for thousands of years to relieve health problems and as a way to relax. Soaking in the hot spring can help with numerous musculo-skeletal problems, such as joint paint, muscle fatigue, tissue damage, arthritis and ligament damage.

The Chinese and Japanese have used hot springs to deal with these issues for thousands of years. The main benefit comes from the warm temperature which soothes aching muscles, and from the minerals in the water, which soak into the skin. The minerals act as a stimulant for the natural bodily processes.

(Soaking our legs in the hotter pool...)

According to some studies, mineral baths can also ease high blood pressure. Part of this benefit comes from the enhanced circulation of the blood from hot temperature of the springs and from the agitation of the water that is often present in mineral baths.

Regular baths in mineral water and hot springs is reportedly able to reduce eczema symptoms. The high sulfur content can also help individuals with nasal or chronic chest congestion too.

(An hour of soaking soothed tired muscle...)

(A way to relax the mind and body...)

(Private individual rooms available for family use)

The Big Bad Wolf is here...

"Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all..." - Aristotle

(First round, only 26 story books...)

(Will come for a second visit later...)

Kedah: Monsoon Ride to Gunung Jerai...

"You'll be surprised to know how far you can go from the point where you thought it was the end..."

(Cool fresh mountain air...)

Gunung Jerai or formerly Kedah Peak is the highest mountain in Kedah with the height of 986 metres (3,235 ft). Within Kedah itself, the mountain stands at the border of Kuala Muda and Yan districts. The mountain is a massive limestone outcrop and is a lone feature from the surrounding geography of the area. There is an information board on top of the mountain stating that it used to be an island called Pulai Serai before the sea levels receded letting it form a mountain, but this fact has no research or historical basis.

The height of Mount Jerai relative to its surroundings allowed traders and seafarers to use the mountain as a navigational point more than 1500 years ago. The mountain was considered sacred by the ancient Malays so they built temples from the foothills up to the summit. Hindu-Buddhist priests would pray at these stupas for the safety of Bujang Valley, the richest archaeological site in Malaysia located on the southern reaches of the mountain.

(Staying a night at Golden Nasmir Hotel, Juru) 

(Riding through Gurun to the mountain...)

(A photo shot at the foot of the mountain)

(An abandoned cafe, an imposing landmark)

(The start of the uphill winding road)

(A lot of hair pin and switch back curves)

(A rest area with panoramic view along the route)

(Muzeum Perhutanan Gunung Jerai) 

(More winding road uphill)

(Signage to the many tourist attractions)

(Riding uphill, the road getting narrower)

(Drinking cool spring water at Perigi Tok Sheikh)

(Continue riding to the peak)

(Stopping at Padang Tok Sheikh and Batu Shaft)

(Enjoying the tranquility of the forest)

(Narrower and slippery road uphill)

(No entry sign, bad road conditions)

(Cloudy sky but no rain...)

(The Regency Hotel entrance)

(Panoramic view of Kedah rice bowl...)

(Highest mountain range in Kedah)

(A restaurant overlooking the scenic view)

(Lamb chop and grilled chicken for lunch)

(Moist chocolate cake and fruit cocktail ice-cream)

(Solat break, the surau at the background)

(The Royal Chalet, only for the VVIP)

(Comfortable cozy chalets for rent)

(Students hiking 11km downhill...)

Total mileage: 850 km

Route taken: KL - Juru - Gurun - Gunung Jerai