OuR SeConD Day In BanGKok 13/04/2009

After the buffet breakfast (included as part of our hotel package), we continue our second day trip in Bangkok---We went to possibly the most famous tourist attraction in Bangkok- Grand Palace. We took a boat from Sathorn pier where near the BTS Saphan Taksin.

From the pier, you can go to quite a few of tourist spots such as Wat Po, Grand Palace, Wat Arun, China Town and so on.

(You can go to the counter at Sathorn pier if you wish to buy the ticket of one day river pass for unlimited ride or you can choose to buy one way ticket on the boat to any pier you want).

We chose to buy the one day pass ticket which cost us 125THB per ticket.

(Sad to say buying the ticket for day trip is not worth it, because you might not be able to visit so many places in a day. Anyway, we enjoy the sightseeing along the river road......)

Unique boat cruise along the river. It is one of the most important mode of transport for both locals and tourists)

Surprise to see a Chinese Pagoda along the river...The good thing to cruise along the river is that you get to see many landmarks and bridges such as Rama VII Bridge, Sapan Phut, Wat Po, Temple of Dawn and Grand Palace. From the boat, we saw the silhouette of Wat Arun.Enjoy the breeze on your face as the speed of cruise increases......Get off at Pier Tha Tien and walk for around 10 minutes to reach the main entrance of Grand Palace. Before we reach the entrance, there was a people who trying to trick us. He started to talk to us and told us that Grand Palace was close due to Songkran Festival holiday in Thailand. He told us he could take us to go around other interesting places by his tuktuk.
Without any consideration, I refused the offer and suggestted to go around and see if that information was true. Conclusion, my dicision was correct. The Grand Palace was open. The Grand Palace has a very strict dresscode, but you can 'borrow' appropriate clothes with B100 as deposit. We went to the ticket counter and pay B350 each before enter the Palace. Impressive wall painted with Ramayana scenes Grand Palace with the famous Phra Sri Ratana Chedi TowerThe Grand Palace of Bangkok is one of the most beautiful architecture I have ever seen. Within the palace complex are several impressive building including Wat Phra kaew, Dusit Phra, Chakri Mahaprasat Hall and other ceremonial buildings.

"Golden" colour covered most of the building here. It seems like everything here glitters. I like the textures and statues around the Palace especially the demon guardian in front the door.

From the temple, we walked to Grand Palace Hall. A giant European style building. I like the ball shape tree in front of the Hall.....Just wonder how they prune the tree.... Take a photo with the royal guard standing on the gate entrance.After hanging here for around two hours, We decided to proceed to our next destination.

On the way back to the pier, we saw one big family having fun throwing or shooting the water among each other or to the people passed by. (Luckily we walk quite a distance from them) Took a ‘自恋照’while waiting for the boat.Our next destination was Wat Pho. Wat Pho is known for its gigantic reclining Buddha and its extensive collection of Buddha images.
It was quite challenge for me to take a shot without annoying other tourists. (This place was crowded with many tourists) And it was just too big and very difficult for me to capture the whole statue into a picture. Make a wish and throwing the coin into the bowl behind the giant statue while Dear choose to shower the little buddha for a good fortune.

There are lots and lots of towering structure like this (with a spike on top) around Wat Pho. They called these structures as Chedis. This is very unique because it was made of porcelain. We finished our so called cultural trip by 4 or 5pm and proceed to our 'shopping' tour then.

金宝好吃的炸丸

话说五一假日我跟了一大班朋友到永平度假。
回来的途中，我们到金宝区觅食。
结果熟悉金宝的朋友就带了我们到位于金宝36档小贩中心里吃午餐。

听说在这里有很好吃的牛腩面。。。
但我们当中很多人都是不吃牛肉的，所以我们就选择了另一个金宝特色美食
——炸丸+粉料（除了面包鸡之外）。

炸丸+粉料的特色就是清汤或者干捞粉（通常是河粉）配搭一些我们这里没有的炸丸或我们这里有的酿豆腐“料”，再加上金宝或怡保特有的辣椒酱。
味道不错。

炸丸一开始吃的时候是硬硬的，可是其味道就是越嚼越香，越吃越上瘾。。。
我个人觉得它的质感就类似马来人的keropok lekor。
除了炸丸，还有炸腐皮，各式的酿豆腐，牛筋丸等等。。。
价格还算便宜。。。
（通常酿豆腐都会比较贵）

吃完后，我们当中还有人打包了100粒炸丸（1粒10仙）回家呢。。。
可想而知。。。

My GoPenG HoLiDaY (01/05/09)

1/5/2009--Labour day
It supposes to be a holiday for me to take a good rest at home, but I decided to spend the time (2 days 1 night) with dear and friends. Wake up early in the morning and left Jenjarom to meet up other friends before depart to Gopeng for white water rafting.
We took about 2 hours to reach Gopeng town and drive for another 6km to reach our final destination- My Gopeng Resort.

Upon arrival, we were briefing by the resort owner and took our lunch at the canteen. Our resthouse is a basic bamboo hut built in traditional style. Mattresses and pillows were the only furniture in the resthouse.

Our first activity was white water rafting on the Kampar River. Each of us was equipped with a life jacket, a helmet and a paddle. The resort owner introduced us an instructor who will guide us along the activity. The instructor brief us some safety issues and basic techniques (paddling command and paddling skill) before going down the river. White water rafting was fun especially when we started jumping into the water and going on the rapids. We really had our enjoyable time during rafting. The most unforgettable part in this raft tour was the moment our raft capsized and plays water fighting with our fellow rafters. I am not a water person. Therefore, I felt so excited and challenged when I fell and sank into the water. Anyway, this is a really good experience for me.

After completed the mission, we all sat at the back of an open truck and driven back to the resort. This was my first time being ‘delivered’ in such a way.

Back to our resthouse, some of our gang decided to have their own activity around the resort while others (including me) decided to play ‘hamster ball’……(How to play?) See the picture below:

It was really hard to balance ourselves in the ‘ball’. I really tried hard to stand up but I failed to do so. Anyway, it’s quite fun!

The heavy rain in the evening spoiled our plan at night because we had to cancel our jungle night walk. Therefore, we had plenty time to kill at night. After the steamboat dinner, I choose to walk around the resort and chit-chatting with dear and friends.

In short, I’m quite glad that I’ve experienced the water rafting.

我病倒了！

之前几天都在和病毒交战。。。
搞得我有两天只能在家里好像废人酱躺在床上。。。
（超不喜欢这种感觉）

说起生病，最近某人也变得体弱多病咯！
（需更关心她才行，我了解生病时是最脆弱的）
记得撑住，我会支持你的！

发现以前生病，自己好像还能走走跳跳的，
但这次生病，只感觉好像都暗暗的。。。
人也昏昏沉沉。。。
难道这是老的预兆？？

其实，我也不得不承认自己老了。。。
（都一把年纪了，好命的都做爸爸了）
这句话常常听到别人对我说！！

虽然承认自己老了，但我还是会保持年轻人的心态去面对人生接下来的挑战！
今天，病毒被驱赶得七七八八了。。。
有得积极努力赚钱去！

$eLL.0u7!

我要推荐［Sell out］
一部还蛮值得一看的本地制作。。。Sell Out！中文译为：《死了都要卖》
一部喜剧电影
这部电影在蛮多国家参展，也得到很不错的口碑。。。
经Dear提议，我前天就和她亲自到电影院捧场了。。。
开场还蛮无聊的(有点王家卫的拍摄风格）。。。逐渐的。。。
故事越来越有意思，越来越精彩。。。
我也慢慢被吸引！
独立电影出生的导演杨俊汉是个很有才华的电影工作者，
他一人包办写，制，编，导等多项工作。。。
我还蛮佩服的。。。
我喜欢这部电影的呈现方式，丰富的创作力。。。
虽然一些情节十分夸张，但却一点都不低俗。。。
戏里很多情节都带出“针针见血”的讽刺，
有效地表达出对社会的看法，及反映现今大马社会的现象。。。
戏里充分体现大马独有的民情，身为大马人一定能感同身受。。。
戏里的很多情节更是用“歌唱”来呈现。。。
而且歌曲也蛮好听的，也蛮贴切的。。。
总之是一部十分值得一看的电影啦！！
还有，我觉得这部戏除了符合商业价值，也呈现出艺术的一面！！
不错，大马作品加油！！

BanGkoK- HiP HoTeL (12/04/2009)

Upon the arrival of Bangkok airport, we hopped on a cab and arrived at the lobby of Hip hotel Bangkok. Welcomed by the polite stuff and headed to our room......

A pretty standard room with all the necessities installed that you come to expect from a hotel in this class....

(TV, DVD pleyer, slippers, bathing robes, hair dryer, fridge......) I am so particular about the cleanliness of the toilet.

The hotel we stayed consided ok with satisfaction......

Free Individual disposable toilet accessories

(shampoo, soap, conditioner, bath cap, cotton swabs......)

勇闯水晶山！

5月10日的早上，我征服了世界最长的石英矿山。。。

位于Taman Melawati的水晶山(Bukit Tabur)，是世界最长的石英矿山，总长16公里，共超过20个经过几百万年地壳撞击而形成头峰。这里的矿石主要有石灰岩 (limestone)和石英(quartz)。沿途还可以看到一点一点闪闪发亮的小石头（千万别把它带回家哦！）

再还没来之前，就有听说爬这座山是很危险的。加上不久前报章上报导两位医生死于这里。

心里就有点毛毛的。。。

果然爬这座山真的不容易。这里磐石尖锐（建议戴上手套），需攀爬很多峭壁（而且只可以依靠绳子）。需大量使用手力和脚力来往上或下爬。。。虽觉得很刺激但还是觉得很危险。

到了山上，一切付出终于有了回报。。。因为这里风景优美。。。

赶快拿出相机捕捉那令人感动的风景。

整个画面实在是太美了。。。有山有水（没想到吉隆坡竟然会有这样的风景！）

沿途我们面对很多考验。比如80或90度峭壁，深不见底的山谷，锋利的山石等等。。。对我们而言这难度还挺高的，因为稍微有什么差池，我们就会当场摔成重伤或死亡。我们攀过无数个小石头山，到达了一座写着“回头是岸”的石头山，（传闻最危险，最难爬的石头山！）

大家都接受了挑战，有惊无险地跨过这个障碍，然后继续向前。。。

之后又是大大小小的石头攀岩，跨越，攀爬。。。

最后大伙儿还是顺利通过考验，成功登顶！

心想：“又一座被征服的山，又多一份成就感。再加上无敌美景。。。无憾啦！”

高高挂在天空的太阳把我们晒得两颊通红，汗流浃背。。。但一点都没有阻挡我们往前进的决心！

沿途优美的风景是我们前进的动力！

看！对面山头的同伴们还在努力攀爬过来会合我们。

到了山上又是另一番风景。。。山上的植物有点像高原地带的树木（比较矮小）。。。地上还覆盖着绿油油的青苔植物。。。很美吧！

OuR FiRsT DaY iN BaNgKoK 12/04/2009

"Sawadeka!!" --the most I heard during my trip to Bangkok.
The last time I was in Bangkok was about 5 years ago and the city itself has changed a lot since then. This big city is now have an elevated two-line Skytrain (officially called BTS) metro system and MRT subway system. This helps somewhat to ease the city's worsening traffic problem.
"Let start to relive my memories about the vacation......"

Although I’ve already visited the city, but it’s amazing how there are still many places to explore and still attractive to me! Upon arrival in the Suvarnabhumi Airport, we were amazed on how big and beautiful it was. It is indeed Southeast Asia's biggest airport which is even better than Malaysia KLIA (my opinion). Everything went fine during our arrival in the new airport (no long queue at the custom check point and luggage claim point). We had done our research (thanks to Huili), and knew exactly what we needed to do once we reached the airport.

We got the taxi and checked into the hotel, dumped our luggage in the room and then headed off to our first destination, Chatuchak Market. We decided to take the Skytrain, which is the best and fastest way to get there. Get off at Mo Chit Station, and walk for five minute from the station, then we reached the famous Chatuchak market. This place is the shopper’s paradise and a great place for bargain hunting with over 15,000 stalls packed closely together. It is fondly called as the world’s largest open-air weekend flea market which only operate only on Saturday and Sunday. A lot of stuffs selling here such as clothes, fashion accessories, home deco stuff, artistic painting, pets, plants, foods and so on ....

Most of them are quite unique and cheap.....

We walk and walk, and spotted some stuff to buy and things to see. I bought some T-shirts and some souvenirs. I love all the artistic stuff there...... So nice and unique......

One things to remind, please do bargaining and negotiating for a good price when you shops here!! Some may find it fun but some may lost their temper during bargaining with the impolite shopkeepers....Unique clocks, handicrafts items, religious artifacts, art paintings and household accessories.It is hard when it comes to ordering food as we don't understand thai. The best and only way to order food is to point the menu and use our body language. We ordered chicken soup noodle. The soup taste like herb and provided with 4 different sauces to mix with. So that you can control how spicy or how sweet your noodle will be.
Sausage barbeque pits like this are quite popular here. This stall was making quite a brisk business as most of the thai people love sausages! These sausages provided such comfort to our stomach after a tiring whole day shopping. Unlike the sausages we get back home at pasar malam, the sausages here are meaty, juicy and succulent. Are you tempted too?

How can anyone go all the way to Bangkok and not try the street food???

We like to try different food along the street......

Some taste nice but some taste weird.

The second type of noodle that we had tried before we leave Chatuchak market belongs to the class of food that taste weird.

The colour of the soup looks like laksa soup but without the spicy and santan taste.

There are five or six types of raw vegetables that placed on the table for you to add in to your noodle.

Anyhow, we managed to finish it although the food was not so nice.

After the whole day walk, I spent some pleasant time strolling the Chatuchak park alone while dear decided to continue with some shopping. The air was hot and dry but the park was still packed with lots of local people. There are something for everyone at this park; some may walk or jog along the green tracks line and some may picnic here with friends or family. Others prefer to look at the fish from the bridges over the pond, or to row a boat on a pond.

After a tiring day at chatuchak, we went back to our hotel and take a good rest......

遗憾

从泰国回来已有三星期了。。。
直到今天才整理照片。。。
从中发现了这张让我感到有点小遗憾的照片。。。
之前游泰国时超想买下它的。。。
走在全世界最大的露天市集，顶着大大的太阳，汗流浃背地走在狭窄的小巷里。。。
这组照片图深深吸引了我的目光。。。
为什么？这组照片图的背景是在Cambodia吴哥窑拍摄的。。。
令我想起当年我们一行六人（3对情侣）一起到那儿游玩的画面。。。
时间过得飞快，转眼间现在的我们各奔东西，很少相聚。。。
各自都有各自的忙碌生活，有者已经结婚生小孩；有者已经分手各自生活。。。
而我呢？还在为我们的未来打拼。。。
希望收成正果！站在档口左想右想。。。
到最后还是决定放弃收藏，不把它带回家。。。
但，带回家的就只是这张照片。。。
收藏到的只有深深烙印在脑海里的回忆！