Miri experience

My Miri trip was absolutely fun.
I love Miri not only because my friends were there to show me the best of Miri, but because the food was super delicious and the people were great.

I took the everyonecanfly airlines and I was surprised when we had to climb the small staircase to get into the airport. Thankfully my luggage wasn’t that heavy but it was a hassle for those with children or even senior citizens. Why can’t they just use the “thingy” that connects to the plane is beyond me. They can include it in the airport tax like everything else they’ve included no?

There were long queues at the immigration counters and sadly, people in Miri do not queue up either.

Anyways, all irritation disappeared when I met my friends and they brought me to this place where I had one of the best noodles I have ever tasted. It was just a simple dish of noodles and meat, [maybe I was hungry] but the taste was OMG delicious. Unfortunately, I don’t remember what I had or where I had it. *head hangs in shame*

I enjoyed myself so much in this trip, I forgot about everything else.
Oh well. More reason to revisit Miri. If I get the *ahem* “green light” to go.

Fun fact: I thought I was imagining all those seahorses. They even have 1Malaysia seahorses. Well, sorta. It was by the roadside and I have no time to take a photo. So I had to ask and apparently, seahorses are the “mascot” of Miri.

seahorse lighthouse at Marina Bay

Another fun fact: Grand Old Lady is not a lady but the first oil rig built in Miri overlooking the town and the South China Sea.

Grand Old Lady

I also had the best ABC Cendol and Rojak. If I have no shame, I’d licked the Rojak plate clean.

Again, the only thing I remember about this location is it is very near the green gas station.

Ooh, and the guy who wore the exact same outfit as my friend.

The public parks in Miri are awesome. The one we visited was on a slope with suspension bridges to connect the several entries of the walkway. Below is the pool where children can dip in to cool off the afternoon heat. Kids were screaming their heads off in every direction but it was a family fun venue which Ekiel would love.

The beach parks are also great. I just find it weird to see families enjoying their “picnic” at 11pm.

Post 7K

Despite minor hiccups, I had a blast during the 11^th Sutera Harbour 7K Sunset Charity Run 2011.

The afternoon weather was superb but she went gloomy mode towards the evening. Everyone was worried when it drizzled for a bit. But I think that the Universe was just messing with us because the weather stayed cool and breezy the whole evening.

Bah, the Universe knows we are doing it for love and charity. So she cools off the afternoon heat for everyone larr.

The warming up session started at 4.50pm. Then at 5.17pm the Guest of Honor flagged everyone off.

I am happy to report that this year no one hurt themselves at the starting line. Few minutes later were the second flag off for the VIPs and children from the Sabah Special Olympics and Sabah Thalassaemia Society.

I tried to get the air horn can from one of the VIP but before I could catch up I was stalled by the other VIPs. I’m sorry but the sight of “him” running with the air horn can was hilarious.

And why were the VIPs holding the air horn cans if they were running?
Well it is one of those life’s mystery.

By 5.30pm or so, the first runner came back. He took some pictures, interviewed by the DJs and went for second round. Why? He has the stamina of a cheetah.

Here’s a recap of the 7K Carnival because I cannot remember everything that happened that night.

The first performance was by Malvin of Prince of Pop. The rest of the Prince was busy with their royal duties. *hee*

Next was Fanzi, the boy with the big voice. When I first heard him sing during our sound check, I was like *melted*. I so want to hear him sing “Lelaki Ini” by Anuar Zain because he has the voice for it. He is such a sweetie.

The Ariez was superb. I love it when the guitarist was jumping up and down and the lead singer jumped off the stage. *woohoo* Too bad the crowd sangat-sangat larr bersopan santun. The band members pun sangat-sangat bersopan santun juga. I also like the fact that they are punctual and very patient.

My favorite for the night was Soulmates. I have always a thing for acapella performances.

Nubhan was good. I love his voice.

Candy was “interesting”.

Adam and the VIP were entertaining.
All the young girls went gaga over them including the three Korean girls.

At one point I was “stuck” in front of the table where Adam and VIP were seating for their “Meet & Greet Fan” session. Pusing-pusing me cari place to escape and finally I have to yell at the girls to give me way. *tsk tsk tsk*

Anyway, despite the FOREVER “on my way”, all artistes turned up this year. *wipes forehead with relief*

Too bad I don’t have videos from their performances that night.

However, I have something better. Soulmates and Fanzi sang “Lelaki Ini” during our dinner after the 7K Run. *melts*

Thank you all for your great support.
Will try to make next year’s event better.

Friday Quickie

After tomorrow, life would go back to normal. *fingers crossed*
For tomorrow is the 11^th Sutera Harbour 7K Sunset Charity Run2011.
*woohoo*

joke of the day

Is he for real?

it's all about the 7K

I think I still have one more entry on the street food at Krabi, but that would have to wait as I am now going all 7K.

If you haven’t heard, the Sutera Harbour 7K Sunset Charity Run is happening on Saturday, 16^th July 2011 from the Covered Tennis Court, Sutera Harbour Marina, Golf & Country Club towards The Magellan Sutera Resort, u-turn to the Coastal Highway towards Wawasan Plaza and at the roundabout, turn back to the Covered Tennis Court, Sutera Harbour Marina, Golf & Country Club.

Yes, that’s 7 kilometer.
And no, I have not run walked the 7K.
I am on duty that day. *whistles*
But if my son can do it, so can you.

Since this is a fun charity Run, there is no prize for the first runner to come back, though they do come back super fast; it’s crazy. However, to share the love, runners who complete the 7K within 77 minutes, will get a shot at the FANTASTIC lucky draw prizes. There are 300 hundred lucky draw prizes to be won with 5 Grand Lucky Draw prizes to be drawn during the 7K Carnival. Last year’s main prize was worth RM5,000.00.

This lucky draw prizes are contributed by generous sponsorship from corporate organizations and generous individuals. Of course the lucky draw prizes were sourced by the 7K Committee.

Nothing is easy you know. Letters to be typed out, printed, delivered and follow up. Then the prizes are picked up, marked and distributed during the event. You know how crazy it is to distribute 300 lucky draw prizes among thousands of runners?

In the 7K Carnival, there’ll be food and drinks for sale. However, the 7K Carnival stalls will only accept the 7K Coupons which is available for sale at RM10.00 per booklet. And each booklet, entitles you to one shot at the 300 lucky draws as well.

The nett proceeds from these stalls will also be donated to the 7K Beneficiaries.

If you read the papers, you will see the 7K photos of group of runners who have registered for the Run. This is where a team of one driver, one photographer and myself goes around town and out to deliver the t-shirts to those supportive people.

Our day usually starts around 8.30am and we come back to the office around 5.00pm. On a busy day, we’ll have about 13 deliveries to make, so we would have additional teams on the go as we could not be at three different places at the same time. We really wish we could!

By the time we come back to the office, we still have our usual tasks to finish up. Yes, it’s tiring. But I don’t get to do as much charity work as I’d like to. Yes, me and my 1001 excuses. So, when events like this happens, I’d gladly pitch in and try not to b**** about those people who is not making life any easier. That’s life. I’ll deal with it.

The 7K t-shirt has run out. Uh huh, all 10,000 pieces. *claps hands* Due to the demand and requests, we are replacing the t-shirts with caps. Why caps? It’s faster to get them printed than t-shirts.

So if you have not gotten yourself registered for the Run, come over to Sutera Harbour Marina & Country Club. Fees are RM25 for adults, RM15 for children.

Oh, since the traffic will be super crazy, do come earlier. It’s advisable to look for parking outside the Resort, because by 3pm, there will be LIMITED number of parkings available. Try to be at the Covered Tennis Court before 5pm as the warming up session will start. Flag off is at 5.17pm.

Why 5.17? Well 5.17pm = 17:17.
We just love our 7s.

See you guys at the 7K Run!

Krabi ep5.1

Meet Dao Thong, No Gentle

Our view of the rubber plantation

The batik lizard

A hungry elephant this one

see, no seat!

eating tree barks

feeding the elephant

bathing time

this is how the other elephants eat

this is how the male eats.

btw, they are chained so they will not go into the rubber plantation and damage the place

Krabi ep5

For some reason, we were psyched when we saw the elephant ride packages in Krabi. We went back to the same tour operator for the packages because we were too lazy to scout around.

There are few packages you can choose from. One full day, half day, one hour and it also includes jungle trekking, waterfall visit and everything else I do not remember. We opt for the simplest one; 1 hour elephant ride (or was it 2) because we plan to spend the rest of the day lazing by the beach.

They brought us to Nosey Parker’s Elephant Camp about 20 minutes from Ao Nang. Now, I cannot remember how many elephants were there but I remember there was only one male elephant in the camp and he was too old to reproduce.

Yes, that information is important somehow.

And if you are sakai like me, there is this hut thingy where we only have to climb the stairs and slide onto the seat.

Maybe it’s just me, but I got a little nervous sitting on that seat. There was no safety belt and I keep imagining the elephant would run amok and we’ll end up falling with the elephant squashing me to death. Yes, I have a very wild imagination.

While walking to the hut to pick us up, the elephant pooped. A big one. Our elephant’s name is Dao Thong (I think) which means No Gentle. That is not comforting.

We went to the nearby area where we had to cross a river, and hilly side. I am amazed how the elephant manage to balance herself.

I guess she was hungry as she makes a lot of stop to feed herself with leaves and tree barks. She farted too and the smell, OMG the smell was pretty bad.

True to her name, she has a mind of her own and wanted to climb the almost 70 degree hill. *heart attack*

There wasn’t much to see except for the batik lizard we saw on the trees. Oh, and how she uses her trunk to knock down a small tree because she wants to eat it.

So after a while, we finally went back. We get to feed her with bananas and pineapple. Macam vacuum her trunk. We also get to see another elephant shower and them eating the lunch.

Most of the elephants would take the whole stalk of plant and smash it on the ground, hoping it will separate into smaller pieces. The male elephant was smart. He actually stepped on the plant and uses his trunk to tear the leaves apart. *claps hand*

I am pretty sure if you guys take the elephant and jungle trekking you would have a more awesome experience. I am done with the elephant ride though. It was fun, but I rather spend my time enjoying the sun.

Krabi ep4.1

walking towards the boat


I call him the Shell Boobs Boy because of this


The view from the first island we went


This is how they 'park' their boats. do not be afraid to get a little wet!


During low tide, you can see the "path" that connects the two island. On high tide, they look like they are crossing the ocean. coolness.

Snorkeling looks fun from the boat :)


and so does rock climbing


views like this are spectacular


the chicken island.


Let my shoulder and arms enjoy the sun because they deserve it. LOL

Krabi ep4

One MUST DO activity at Krabi is of course, the island trip. Even if you don’t swim, go for the one of the many available island trips. Every time I thought the view was superb, I was surprised with a more magnificent one.

Krabi is blessed indeed.

There are PLENTY of tour agents around Ao Nang but Sam, the Manager of Aloha Inn recommended the Barracudas Tour which is like 2 minutes walk from the B&B.

The ladies at the outlet were friendly and explain to us the many available packages. There were 4 Island Tour, 5 Island Tour, Sunset Tour, Phi Phi Island Tour and if that is not plenty enough, you can also choose to take the speed boat or the long tail boat.

Long tail boat eh? Sounds really exotic no?

So I decided to go for the 4 Islands on a long boat tail. We have speedboats in KK thank you very much. The whole booking took us less than 5 minutes and the nice lady even gave me us a special discount.

The next morning, we gathered at the outlet at 8am sharp and we were introduced to our guide.

I don’t remember his name now but he is very funny and speaks pretty good English.

Oh, there were plenty of good looking men waiting outside the outlet, but to mine and my sister’s disappointment, we ended up in a boat where the only two men who were “women-less” that day were *ahem* more than just friends.

Our guide, let’s call him Shell Boobs Boy, details later, ushered everyone across the street onto this small lorry. We settled down nicely only to be told, that’s not our ride. *hee*

We finally arrived at the jetty which is not a jetty if you ask me. It was the river bank and we had to cross the water to get onto our boat. And because of all the boats were parked in that area, let’s just say the water wasn’t the cleanest. But you know what; when you’re in Ao Nang, do what the Ao Nang people do. No complain. No fuss.

I jokingly pointed to my sister the sad looking boat and just our luck; it was our long tail boat. It didn’t looked like it will survive the tiniest wave, but I was assured that the boat is strong and it was made without a single nail. Great way to make me feel safe *sarcastic two thumbs up*

So we walked in the water to our boat and “haul” ourselves over board. Oh, don’t worry there was this steel staircase you could climb, but depending on the water level, it could be a little tricky to take the first step up and the last step down. I climbed like a carefree monkey and slide down the boat like a gentle Dugong.

One great tip; DON’T SIT TOO FAR BEHIND, especially next to the motor because it is loud and you don’t get the best photo angle.

I cannot remember the names of the islands because I couldn’t hear a thing what the Shell Boobs Boy said over the loud motor, and their Thai names are confusing for me. Ooh, but I remember Chicken Island, because well it’s an island shaped like a chicken.

The trip was definitely worth it. The turquoise water and the stunning island formation were breathtaking. However, it can get a little tiring and somewhat restless after a couple of hours especially with the not so comfortable seating, so it is important to make sure you get enough room to be able to change your seating position once in a while.

This is important too because my sister and I ended up with sunburn on one arm only!

Lunch is provided but you may want to pack something to munch though most of the island we stopped by have the “floating cafes”. Oh, though they do provide drinking water, but it’s best to bring some your own; either to wash the salty sea water after a dip, or to dehydrate because boy, the heat can be unbearable.