My Passion for Travelling

I always have great passion for travelling. Though I don't get the opportunity to travel overseas too often, but I'm grateful at least I have been to Europe - though not covered all. My favourite city - Paris! It's ok to enjoy Paris alone. It doesn't mean if you are not a couple, Paris won't welcome you. You can just join a tour group, and enjoy the romantic city with the friends in that group. They can help to snap your photo. You could catch some nice scenery from the boat cruising the River Seine and its bridges. You can tour the Eiffel Tower. You can enjoy Arc de Triomphe. You can catch the night scene at Champs d' Elysees. Don't forget to visit the Louvre and its Pyramid. Also the famous Montmatre, Notre Dame etc etc. I'm not a good writer so I can't describe everything in a very interesting way. But I have been there, I have seen it all, I enjoyed it very much!

If I can get another chance to go to Paris again, I'm also considering to visit some small fisherman village in the Southern of France. I'm making a virtual tour on the internet to get some info. Mimizan could be interesting. May be there's some other villages as well. If you read "Five Days in Paris" by Danielle Steel, there's one part she's writing about some fisherman village in France. That's make me want to go there and see for myself.

But one thing I've learned when I travel, I could see the moon is just the same as what I can see when I'm in Malaysia. The sky, the stars and the moon - they are all look the same... from any part of the world you are looking at them; be it the night you're walking at the Champs de Elysees Paris, or be it when you're crossing the Chappel Bridge in Switzerland, or you're just strolling around the small Innsbruck town in Austria, or cruising the boat in Venice... the moon and the stars and the sky... are the same, because they come from one creator.

Passage to Tranquillity

It's quite tiring lately. Too many things are in my mind. I want to build a house for my Mom. But the loan matter is making me dead worried. My employer cannot give me the housing loan facility because I'm buying a Malay Reserved land. My employer is a 100 percent foreign company, so I cannot use the land title as a collateral.

Tired of all this procedures, I turn to internet to look out for something which can generate a side income for me. I've read about so many young internet millionaires all around the world. What do they do? What do they sell? What do they promote in their website? Just to be able to make this blog also took me so long before I found out the way to create it. May be because I'm learning alone in the dark, that's why it took me so long to find out. But I did ask the IT staff in my office about how to create a website - but they said they don't know. They did not create website for our company. The website is being taken care by our HQ staff in Germany.

Anyway, now that I've found and able to create my own blog, I don't know what should I really write. I'm looking for a way to make and get money from internet. I'm trying to look out for free affiliates program but we will get paid from any sales that we can make through our website.

Hope something will happen... soon!

Be Thankful For What You Have

Be Thankful for What You Have!!!

Should you find something on your dinner plate that
doesn’t appeal to you, don’t complain.
There are people who don’t have anything on their plate.

Should you find yourself stuck in traffic, don’t despair.
There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.

Should you have a bad day at work,
think of the man who has been out of work for years.

Should you despair over a relationship gone bad,
think of the person who has never known what it’s like to love and be loved in return.
Should you grieve the passing of another weekend,
think of the woman in dire straits,
working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children.

Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance,
think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.

Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror,
think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.

Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about,
asking what is my purpose?
Be thankful. There are those who didn’t live long enough to get the opportunity.

Should you find yourself the victim of other people’s bitterness,
ignorance, smallness or insecurities,
remember, things could be worse. You could be them!

Should you decide to send this to a friend, you might brighten someone’s day!

Passage to tranquillity

A good friend of mine who has seen my blog said that what I've written sounds like I'm giving up. May be that's the way I'm picking up things now. I used to be quite temperamental in my younger days. But I have mellowed down with my age. I could feel that I'm more patience now in many things. But some people they did not change even when they are getting older... pity them! May be their ego is higher than the tsunami!

There's one Malay proverb says: "Jauh berjalan, luas pemandangan." The more exposed you are, the more experience you get. It's true. I like to travel. So I have seen quite a lot. We can see people's characteristics - learn the good example and put aside the bad one. During my college days, I used to watch people at Puduraya while waiting for the bus to go back to Penang, my hometown. On my moody days, I didn't like to talk if anybody try to befriend with me while waiting for the bus. On my happy days, I might talk. Some friends say that I'm very reserved. Quite true. Because I reserved all my feelings, so I lost my first love. Life was quite miserable after that. But I survived. And get up to be a better person.

Talk about travel, I have travelled to all states in Penisular Malaysia and also East Malaysia ie. Sabah and Sarawak. If you are alone, it doesn't mean that you cannot travel. It's you who have to make yourself happy, so what the heck! I can travel alone. Just take a few CDs (those days cassettes), novels and there you go. If I'm lucky, I can travel with my good friends (only two who used to travel with me!).

Where have I stayed before? Let me recall it. Let's start from the North.

• Desa Utara Pedu Lake - I like the kampung style chalet. Food was not so good.
• Serendah Si Kebun Bunga at Sik, Kedah. Also kampung style retreat. The best part was fishing!
• Crown Prince Hotel at Tanjung Bungah is quite a nice hotel by the beach. The best omelet I've tested here.
  

Cross the ocean to Langkawi the legendary island.

• The first time to Langkawi I stayed at AB Motel - if not mistaken was only RM17.00 per night per chalet. Those were the days before Langkawi has been given the duty free port status. From then on, Langkawi has become my favourite holiday spot for its beautiful white sandy beaches and the picturesque sunset.
  
• Second time to Langkawi at Sunset Beach Resort
• Aseania Resort - many times because I get a complimentary stay from elder sister
• Chalet 2020 Pantai Cenang (is it still there? I didn't see its sign during my recent trip in June 2006)
  
• Awana Porto Malai with my Indian sister and her children
• Sheraton Langkawi Beach Resort - I have been there a few times already - nice romantic place, everything is superb!
• Langkawi Village Resort also beachfront (now has changed its name to Frangipani Langkawi Resort and Spa. Too many Europeans there. Though I rented the beachfront villa, but no chance to sit at the beach chair because it's occupied by the Europeans (who did not rent the beachfront villa) from morning till sunset!

• Best Star Resort at Pantai Cenang - moderate and comfortable. Easy access to everything around the stretch. I went with a group of my office mates. From KL to Arau by train (good experience after a very long time I never ride a train!), and return by bus from Kuala Perlis to KL and Janda Baik.

Let's go to Perak:

• Lumut Country Resort
• Pangkor Laut (before it was taken over by YTL)
• Sri Bayu Beach Resort, Pangkor Island
• Coral Bay Resort, Pangkor Island
  
• Heritage Hotel Ipoh

Negeri Sembilan:

• Ming Court Hotel, Port Dickson (now is a different name - ?)
  

Melaka:

• Amirah Beach Chalet, Pengkalan Balak

Move on to Pahang:

• Equatorial Hotel Cameron Highlands (the highest point at Cameron Highlands - nice hotel)
  
• Merlin Hotel Cameron Highlands (now has changed the name)
• Heritage Hotel Cameron Highlands
• Parkland Apartment Cameron Highlands
• Duta Village Beach Resort Kuantan
• MS Garden Hotel Kuantan
• De Rhu Beach Resort Kuantan
  
• Impiana Resort Cherating
• Grand Ocean Beach Resort Cherating

Continue my journey to Terengganu:

• Tanjung Jara Resort Dungun- preservation of the 17th century traditional Malay architectural structures which won the coveted Aga Khan Award for Architecture. (The best retreat I've given myself and my Mom!). Nothing to complaint about this resort! Try it for yourself.
  
• Gem Beach Resort, Batu Rakit (moderate but nice setting by the beach
  
• Sutera Beach Resort, Merang
• The Aryani, Merang (get a royal retreat at this classical Malay Architecture). My favourite chalet no. 9. Nice nasi dagang with very friendly staff. Worth the money you spend!
• Kapas Island Resort, Pulau Kapas - squid jigging experience!
• Boathouse in Kenyir Lake - good fishing experience.
  

Kelantan:

• Mawar Hotel Kota Bahru - just next to the famous Pasar Siti Khadijah.
  

I've been to Kelantan a few times, but mostly I stayed at Terengganu.

Sabah:

• The first time I got the chance to travel by flight. It was a company trip. At that time I was working with a British company dealing in oil and gas. The company was drilling a well in Kota Kinabalu, so its giving all the staff a chance to visit the drilling rig. We stayed at Shangri-la Tanjung Aru - my first 5-star hotel holiday! The weekend was added with a better memory of a helicopter ride to the oil rig! And a visit to Mount Kinabalu.

• SiPadan Water Village Resort in Mabul island. I went with my Indian sister. The resort is beautifully constructed with Bajau architectural design. We were so excited when the boat was approaching the resort. Gosh... am I going to heaven!??
  
• Berjaya Palace Hotel Kota Kinabalu - quite convenient to go around and also to buy food outside the hotel. Seafood is sold every where in KK. And at a very good price - quite cheap.

Sarawak:

• Merdeka Palace Hotel Kuching
• Holiday Inn Kuching
• Holiday Inn Damai Beach

Kuching is nice but it's a bit difficult to eat outside the hotel. I only know the Waterfront. But laksa Sarawak at Holiday Inn Damai Beach was nice! I've been to Tebedu as well during my visit to Sarawak. It was less hectic on the road in Sarawak. I guess their drivers are all very patient.

Kuala Lumpur? I've stayed at Shangri-la Hotel and the Sheraton Imperial Hotel Kuala Lumpur on complimentary vouchers. They are both very nice hotels. I've lived in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor since my college days and after that I work in Kuala Lumpur for about 15 years until April 1999 when I move to this jungle tropical which is like a paradise to me. No more traffic jam, no more migrain.

Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor are not my favourite spots. But I've been to the places - stayed at friend's house. All my travels are made during my working life, except my very first trip to Langkawi during my college days - it was on my eldest's sister and a few times at Aseania Langkawi was on my elder sister. There was also one trip to Melaka with my eldest sister when I just completed my Form Five. When I was in primary school in Perlis, we had a trip organized by our teacher to Hatyai. I was in standard four and my elder sister was in standard six. We all went by train. Didn't even know the hotel name. That was my first overseas trip!

My other overseas trip is not much. Can't afford to go overseas always.

Thailand:

• Dusit Thani Hotel Bangkok - my first overseas job assignment when I was with the British company. They opened a new office in Bangkok and I have to go and help on the tenders. Twice I was sent there. Good experience!
  
• Phuket (of course!) at Dusit Laguna Resort - very nice beach resort.
• I've been to Hatyai again to visit the SOS-Children's Village - official duty from my presence office. Forgot the hotel name.

Indonesia:

• Lake Toba, Brastagi and Medan
  
• Taman Sari Cottage in Bali (got a quite cheap package during SAR breakout!).
  
• Hilton Jakarta (accompanied a friend on her business trip).
  
• A friend's place in Puncak - nice place! I went with my Mom and a good friend of mine. We also went to Bandung.
  

I enjoyed Indonesia because we can understand their language easily. Furthermore, quite used to watch the Sinetron at Astro ie. Hikmah, Dia etc. The two programs are really my favourite. But can't get the VCD...

Turkey:
I've been to Turkey with the MAS golden holiday package together with a friend, my Mom and my elder sister. It was summer and it's hotter than Malaysia sometimes. But I like to see the roses are all over their place, even on the road divider.

Europe: I've lived in London for about one year - working holiday. That was a great experience. I went there during summer, so I could see all the other seasons as well. I've been to Paris - I love Paris. I love crusing the Seine River. Very romantic city. My trip to Europe in 2005 took me to these place:

• Achat Plaza Hotel, Offenbach, Germany
• Grauer Baer Hotel, Innsbruck, Austria
• Hotel Tritone, Venice, Italy (this is another romantic city!). I would loveto go there again.
  
• Hotel Faffaello, Florence, Italy
• Hotel Schiller, Lucerne, Switzerland - took the cruise on Lake Lucerne, also my first experience with the cable car to Mount Pilatus! I never try the cable car at Genting Highlands, but when I was in the tour group, I have no choice! Not bad, I enjoyed it eventhough I was so scared at the beginning (but I never tell anybody in the group that it was my first cable car ride!)
• Courtyard Marriott Neuilly, Paris, France. Off course this was the best hotel during the tour! Paris, Paris...I'll see you again, hopefully!
• Berjaya Hotel, London. I always enjoy being in London eventhough I was just travelling alone.
  

Everybody in the tour group was quite surprise to see that I'm travelling alone, all the way from Malaysia and joined the tour beginning at Frankfurt Airport. The package was conducted by Trafalgar. Their staff handled the tour very professionally. But don't know where did I put the soft copy of the photos during this tour. I only have the hardcopy (luckily!).

Last but not least: Makkah and Madinah.

Anyway, that's what travel means to me. I always enjoy travelling. I'm going to The Aryani resort again this coming December. Hope it won't rain 24 hours! If you have the chance to travel, grab it. To me, travelling is one way of releasing your tension and to forget about work for a while, at least....

How time flies...

Just one more week to go, we will reach the last month of the year 2006. How fast time flies... Did you manage to achieve your goals for 2006? Me? I feel like I don't have anything in my life. Day in, day out, I just go to work and back to the house. House is the company quarters about 100m away from the office. You just start your car, you already arrive the office. Actually, I can just walk to the office. But I'm too lazy to do that. The office (factory) is on a hill. If I walk to office, I'll be sweating when I arrive at my office - not comfortable to start work. Anyway, who is so enthusiastic to jog to office?

Whatever it is, I still have to go to work. I have to take care of all my needs, there's no one to do it for me. Luckily I have an elderly mother with me. Mother is a friend whom I can talk too, sometimes argue with. My two other sisters are with their families. Only me and my Mom are living here.

Working in this presence office was very interesting at the early years. By 19 April 2007, I will celebrate my 8th anniversary with this office. My spirit, my dedication and my ambition is slowly going down the slope as I walk down the hill every evening. We spend 10 hours in the office - from 8:00am to 6:00pm. What's left for your evening activity? May be that's why I'm becoming more and more boring. Every morning when I open my eyes, I wish I don't have to go to work. How I wish I can do something from home. Start a home based job and earn a living with more flexible time. Have some time for my evening walk, have some time to see the sun, to inhale the refreshing air of this cool mountain in a beautiful tropical jungle.

If I can do a home based job, I will have more time for myself and my Mom. I have a dream of becoming a community activist - do something for the needy people. I really salute there's one Swiss lady who have lived here for so long (because she's married to a Malaysian, but her husband had passed away quite a long time ago). She's in her early sixties if I'm not mistaken. She's a volunteer who always help the Orang Asli community in Janda Baik. Helps the children to get sponsored from our company, so that the children can go to school. I wish I can do that too. Unfortunately, I'm not that rich to sacrifice so much. Pray that I could start the home based job, so that I could get extra income and can help others too.

There's also one orphanage open this year in Janda Baik and is run by NGO. A young couple who have just got their first child 2 months ago, started this orphanage called Rumah Kebajikan Nur Zaharah. Those who would like to give your donation, can just come to Janda Baik - you can easily find this orphanage.

There is still a hope...

Dear Friends

Hope everybody is happy and fine always. Hope you're always be blessed with good life, success, good health, wealth, etc etc. Name it whatever you would like to have in life, I pray that you will get it. But it must always be supported with an effort and hard work. If we just sit still and wait for something to happen, it's not going to happen. Unless miracle happen to you, you're one in a million who has a lucky star, then you might get what you want without putting any effort.

If you are not happy and feeling down, do not worry so much. Take it easy. Life is a cycle, sometimes we are on top of the world, sometimes when the wheel turns, it's our turn to be down. But whatever it is, never give up! If you are alone in this world, do not feel that there's no one who cares for you. Always have good faith in Allah, He will always take care of you.

It doesn't mean that you can only be happy if you have many friends, if you have good jobs, have a big house, spend your holiday overseas etc. Happiness is what in you - what you feel inside. If you are happy with what you have, then, it is happiness. It doesn't mean if you are married to a rich man, then only you could be happy. Happiness doesn't lie in someone's wealth. Happiness will come from within a good soul, who always have a good will to the others. Don't hold any grudges, do not think negatively of the others. Always give a fair chance to the others before you made up your mind what you think of the persons.