Dream Travel...

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars…” - Ralph Waldo

'

Close your eyes, let us voyage now.

Travel with me, I’ll show you how.

Take my hand, you’re no longer blind.

Travel in dreams, open your mind.

An orange glow, over the sea.

Let your mind drift and follow me.

Be amazed at things you will find.

Travel in dreams, open your mind.

(Amera Andersen)

Restless again...

"Sometimes the things you can't change, end up changing you..."

(Ticket from Rome to Genoa...)

Last week when I announced that I will be taking a long leave, I saw a few disappointed worried faces. They have planned a few important meetings and briefings, which they have to proceed without my presence.

Everyone is nervous and anxious. Starting Monday, drafts of memos, reports came filing high in the in-tray. They have till end of week to get them cleared and signed. This whole week, lunch hours and after office will be dedicated for those who need to discuss matters urgently.

This morning when Nik Aminah called to plan a get together to celebrate Senator Ubai’s victory, I told her that I will be away for almost 3 weeks. When asked, I told her that our hearts have become restless and it's time for us to travel again…

On a long journey,

we pray that
we traveled more bravely,

And loved more deeply.

Terengganu - CNY Unplanned 4x4 Trip...

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

Trengganu – Pahang – Johor
(7 – 8 February 2008)'

(Massive traffic jam along the route...)

We started from home late morning and drove towards Karak hi-way. There was a massive traffic jam from Gombak to the tol plaza. Surprisingly, the hi-way to Kuantan was smooth. We planned to stay the night at a hotel or chalet along the beach but all rooms were fully booked. As it was an unplanned trip, we did not bring our sleeping bags if not we would have pitched the tent at some waterfalls or recreation park.

(Panatai Kelulut rough sea)

We drove to Kuala Trengganu and when we stopped at Pantai Kelulut for photo shots, we were greeted by a large crowd at the beach. A few boats and Police Marine were patrolling and searching the beach. We were informed later that 3 men drowned while looking for crabs in the rough sea.

(The floating mosque at night)

We thought of visiting the Islamic Civilisation Park at Pulau Wan Man but decided not to. The Sultan is launching the opening of the Crystal Mosque before Friday prayer and there will be throngs of visitors from all over visiting the island. Next time when there is less tourist, we will have a leisurely stroll on the island and visit replicas of world renowned Islamic monuments like the Al Aqsa Mosque, Taj Mahal, Al Hambra, Kaylan Tower, Kudus Minar, Samarra Mosque, Sulayman Complex, Shaikh Lotfullah, Xian Mosque, Qol Sharif and Qairawan.

(Bad  road to Bekelah waterfalls)

After dinner at KT and a short rest at Masjid Terapung we headed back to Kuantan. In the middle of the night, feeling tired and sleepy, we stopped at one of the secluded R&R and slept in the car till morning. After a refreshing shower and a hearty breakfast we drove to Bekelah Waterfalls and found that most parts of the road had sunken and needed urgent repairs.

(Serene and tranquil Tasik Chini)

We continued our journey towards Tasek Chini and stayed there for a while. From Chini we braved the plantation tracks. Then took the lumber tracks through ruts and ravines and looked for the exit at Bukit Ibam.

(A beautiful blue lake)

There were no houses along the route. Except for a few orang asli settlements, the 4x4 track cut across the main range virgin jungle. With some navigation from a few friendly orang asli we managed to find civilization again after 3 hours of solo tracking.

We had a very late lunch in Segamat, stopped at one small water falls before we entered the North-South hi-way and drove back towards Kuala Lumpur.

Melaka - Eco-tourism for Raj...

"Life is a series of arrivals and departures..."

Raj Tamang was the tour guide who took care of us in Nepal during our trip early last year. Recently, in November when a group from the office organized an expedition to the Sagamartha Base Camp, Raj and his people were also chosen to lead the ‘snow-walkers’.

When the group came back from the expedition, they put up an exhibition at the café to share their experience and show off beautiful scenic photos of their adventure. Raj flew over to KL for 2 weeks to settle insurance claims and also to meet potential clients. He met up several times with the ‘snow-walkers’ and on Thaipusam, my group get together to have lunch with him at Restaurant Halia in Sime Darby Convention Centre.

Friday night we picked Raj from his budget hotel in Batu Caves and had Tom Yam dinner at Pha Pha Restaurant while discussing business opportunities with potential partners. We spent the night at our Bidara house and Raj ended up sleeping on the floor in the study. As the kids were busy with other programs, the three of us planned to drive around the country-side during the weekend, for a little sight seeing tour of our country.

(BNM beach resort)

Saturday morning, we started our journey to Melaka around 9 a.m. Stopped at Sungai Buluh R&R for nasi lemak breakfast. After Seremban, we drove along the coastal road and stopped at a few beaches along the way including our newly renovated PD resort complex.

(Souvenir shopping at Jonker's Street)

We reached Melaka just in time for lunch at one of the famous asam pedas restaurant at Bandar Hilir. We showed Raj around historic Melaka town and made him walked along Jonkers Street in the hot sun. Later we drove to Umbai Jetty and chartered a boat to Pulau Besar.

(A very long grave)

We visited the long makam and trekked along the beach until we sweat buckets. When it rained heavily, we took shelter at a warong and ordered iced-drinks. The rain stopped just in time for the boat to take us back to main land.

We brought Raj to my emak’s house and introduced him around. We had ikan bakar dinner at one of the warong at Anjung Batu with all of the family. We drove back to KL after dinner and Raj spent the night at our Putramas Apartment.

(At the water front)

Sunday we decided to bring Raj for a day-trip to Pulau Banding in Belum National Park crossing the states of Perak, Pahang and Kelantan. We had roti canai for breakfast before we started our drive north via the North-South hi-way. We stopped at Tapah R&R for some fruits and exited at Simpang Pulai to ascend the road to Cameron Highland.

We had western lunch at Equatorial Hotel and bought strawberries and jam along the way. We crossed the Titiwangsa Range from Cameron Highland to Gua Musang and took the lumber road to Jeli through Dabong. Half-way, we detoured to check-out the waterfall at the base of Gunung Stong.

(Lunch at the Equatorial Hotel)

We reached Jeli at dusk, filled up full tank and entered the East-West hi-way. We could not see the sun-set as it was raining cats and dogs all the way. We planned to have dinner at Banding resort but were disappointed to discover that the resort was under renovation and will only be opened in March. We continued our journey to Grik and stopped at one of the restaurant to have dinner. From Grik we passed through Kuala Kangsar and exited into the hi-way. The journey back to KL was uneventful. Hubby and Raj talked about nothing in particular - from music to politics. In the back seat, I made myself comfortable and dozed on and off. We reached our apartment nearly 2 a.m.

That night we slept like a log. Tired but happy…

Splashing Fun...

'Splashing Fun for Everyone' was the theme for our family day, held at Surf Beach Sunway Lagoon.

(Colorful welcoming banner)

Staff of 3 departments under AG LBL - JPOM, JPPA and JOPPK together with JAD, with spouses and kids began to arrive soon after the first ray of sunlight hit the shore of Surf Beach. Those who came early received the early bird prizes. To others, they will need to wait for the lucky draws which were announced in between tele-matches.

(Hawaiian dance warriors)

The event kicked off with a Hakka & Hawaiian Dance performed by Sunway Lagoon 'warriors'. The volcano 'erupted' followed by a group of surfers gliding through the waves.

(Seats for the Directors and Assistant Governors)

There were tele-matches for the kids and adults. The weather was nice and sunny. Parents and kids ended up in the pool after each game to cool off. When the tele-matches were over, the excitement continued with staff of the department surprised everyone by showing off their hidden talent.

(Winning the lucky draw)

My team got last in the overall tele-match. But guess what? I won a Samsung microwave oven for the lucky draw! Yeay!