Pulau Tenggol, Terengganu, Malaysia (PADI Open Water Course)

25th May 2006,
Nothing much..we departed to Dungun at 10.30 pm

26th May 2007,

We arrived Dungun and relaxed at D Molek Inn and had breakfast there. We met out instructor, Mr. Bryan Knight...like Bryan McKnight ehh...then, at 10.30, we hoped in to a boat to Tenggol Island. It took 1 1/2 hour to arrive. I got that so-called 'tanning' while on the boat..sat at the deck along the trip and exposed myself under the UV light just to avoid inhaling excessive carbon monoxide from the boat exhaust.
At noon, we arrived and checked-in at Tenggol Aqua Resort. We changed to swimming attire. We were given a briefing about SCUBA by Bryan and learnt to setup the SCUBA equipment. Then we got into the water and dive to a depth of 3 meters...Wow...I love those corals and fishes...with the sunlight penetrating and everything looks lively. We dived 2 times and the problem with me was, difficult to establish neutral buoyancy..Luckily I didn't really damage the corals though I landed on the coral beds twice or thrice.


27th May 2007,

We went to the turtle point but couldn't find any turtle. But it didn't matter so much because the beauty underneath has unshaded the disappointment of not being able to observe a turtle. Fishes were so beautiful. I found several anemone with Nemos at several spots. The Nemos are just like the clowns..ahakkss...looked friendly but actually they were saying 'Go away..don't disturb us'..I just loved to see the colorful of the corals, tubeworms, nudibranch and other rarely seen coral fishes. And definitely I didn't expect to see any shark.
28th May 2007,
Today, I improved my diving skills and I was in the water for almost 45 minutes..and then my tank was running out of air. This time was the real diving where the beauty of Tenggol underwater was much much more revealed.We dived at the turtle point again. This time, we got the chance to touch the 'touchable' marine life such as a species of sea-cucumber, tube worms, soft corals, anemones, again...Nemos..and others. There were even purple corals...damn i didn't bring my digicam along to get a few snaps of pictures. Nevermind, Tenggol is a worth place to go and dive again. And we planned to go to Tenggol again, next month.
29th May 2007,
We woke up, had our breakfast and exam. We planned to dive one more before we check-out but time didn't permit us to do so and it was quite disappointing.Thought of extending another night but it was not a good option because somewhat expensive. Well, about the exam, we passed the exam and we were given temporary license. At 12.45, we went off and it was very unpleasant to leave Tenggol island. Gonna miss Bryan, pakcik Jamil, Salim, Vaza and the rest.

Pulau Pangkor, Perak, Malaysia

Tadaaa....this was my 2nd time 2 Pangkor. The 1st time was like 3 years back. The difference was, I camped at Pangkor instead of staying in the hotel. I went with him. Only for 2 days 1 night because the holiday was damn short..during Labor Day and Wesak Day.
I have not been for camping for years...too long. The last when I was in my 1st degree year...And last few days, I managed to go camping. It was quite funny when we didn't bring all the essential equipments such as insect repellant, blades, mugs and sunscreen...pheww...just look at me!!I'm tooo dark...not tan..but dark...huhu...I need to consult the beautician and do the facial thingy...arrgghhh...We asked the taxi cum van driver to take us to the camping site. Then we set up the tent and unloaded our stuff. I cooked Maggi for lunch because we haven't had anything since morning..Damn..the pan iss too small...and I forgot to buy eggs..Taste would be better when you cook Maggi with eggs. Then we went for bathing..no such thing as sunbathing for both of us because we are 'tan' enough for that...ahakkss...Then, at 4.30 pm, we hired a motorcycle and around the Pangkor island we went. To the Dutch Fort, Historical Rock and other places. The main purpose hiring that motorcycle was too find the gas oil as fuel for our lamp but we couldn't find any. I decided to sit and have 'power' laksa while viewing the sunset but unfortunately, it was sold out...huhu..unlucky me. At night, I cooked 'jemput-jemput express ADABI'..ehehehe....obbviously...masakan org malas nk masak..what to expect more when things are not planned properly? But as long as we can eat...it should be ok.
The next day, we went for snorkeling. At first, I almost give-up with the water condition in the 1st snorkel area but then we went to another place and found that the 2nd place is much better. Muahahaaha....bye bye to those who snorkel at the crowded people. Nothing they could see and the fishes are 'reluctantly' feed their breads. As compared to Perhentian island, the corals in Pangkor are more beautiful and bigger even less than 2 metres from the shore but the the clarity of water is tenfold times clearer and more beautiful in Perhentian. And compared to Mamutik island, corals in Pangkor a bit 'alive', however in Mamutik, the fishes are more friendly :p and and the water is clearer...minimal turbidity. I didn't go to the deeper snorkel area but he went and he told me he can see many soft corals...and he even said there are purple corals as well...huwaaaa...
I can feel the stinging sensation and I wonder why. Then I realize this one Mat Salleh was telling her friend she got stung by jellyfishes..not the adult jellyfish but the 'baby' jellyfishes. I can see baby jellyfishes...they are transparent that you can barely see them. Suddenly I recalled what was said by Dory (Finding Nemo)...lil squishy..ahakkss...I couldn't stand the stinging so I went off to the shallow area and fed the fishes again. After snorkeling, we returned to the main shore. Wihout bathing 1st, we had laksa which was not so delicious as compared to the place that I initially wanted to have laksa. Just to suppress hunger, we just eat. Again, we went around Pangkor island, riding our 'bike' and this time we went south. Returned to campsite and we rest before having freshwater bath and packed our stuff. At about 3.30..we returned to Pangkor Jetty and went back to Lumut.Sadly, the environment in Pangkor is no longer preserved because it is not the same like the past 3 years. However, there are certain things that affect the environment. 1st, there were toooo many people coming to Pangkor...2nd,the beaches and snorkeling area became too crowded. I went snorkeling and I was too upset with the cloudy water and some filth. People are allowed to feed the fishies with bread but these 'sort of jerks' people fed them excessively where the pieces of breads 'scattered' and floating. I bet most people would feel uncomfortable to swim at that area and play with the fishes. 3rdly, about the safety in the snorkeling area. It is too dangerous when this area is the port for the boats to drop the passengers. Some people would prefer to snorkel without life jacket. What would happen if the boat operators do not realize there were snorkellers along their way? It is not a wise thing to allow boats to pass through the snorkeling area if they want to preserve the corals under and lives under it. Well, it's up to the locals to think what is the best for the island.

Bandung, Indonesia

Oppss...almost forgot to update my blog. Ermm..this time..about my visit to Bandung. Before I start, I jump into conclusion about Bandung; shopping : awesome,shopping paradise, attractive places: awesome, food: nice, facilities: good and effective overall: OK....
Hmm..well, the 1st day, we (I, cici and cici's friend) landed at Hussin Sastranegara Airport at about 8.30 WIB time. Her cousin (Utal) picked us from the airport with his famous Kijang (it's actually Toyota (like Unser) but they call it Kijang).
We surveyed for several hotels and managed to get a good one...Utari Hotel..situated at Jln Dago..where nightlife is damn happening...that was what she said but I wasn't sure because night time is the time for me to zzzzzz...hehe... After checked-in, we went to Bandung Supermall and had our lunch there...I chose typical western food because I wasn't prepared for Indonesian food. Then, we headed to Pasar Baru...Before that...ohhh my Goddddd....it was really making me crazy because they have very lots of nice stuff over there...telekung, tudung, blouses and various textiles where the prices are much much cheaper than in KL...I spent quite a lot of money buying this and that...Bargaining wisely would be better. Since I am still new in this bargaining thingy..I couldn't get the lowest price for each item bought...Damn...I should go with Kak Ruhani next time..so that I can shop like crazy..haha...I bought a set of white brocade...for my wedding day maybe...hehe..Then, met Utal's friends..Sara, Firman and..erkk...forgot his name.

On the 2nd day...went to Tangkuban Parahu with Utal and friends...volcanic mountain actually..love the environment up there..cooling..but turn freezing because it was raining when we arrived there...so many cheap things I bought over there..even a new pink-colored jacket..hehe..luckily there was no purple jacket..huhu..

Up there..I had Batagor..a mixture of beancurd and fish...really yummy!! There was one item I bought..Kayu Batik...really looks like Batik and really unique to me..Cannot get it from anywhere else.

After to Tangkuban Parahu, we went downhill to Kebun Strawberry..well..I was so excited to pluck the strawberries, but unfortunately, most of the strawberries were too small and rotten. Just not our day..Then we return to the city for dinner. I had Nasi Timbel Komplit...hehe..what the hell is that, rite? It is actually rice wrapped in banana leave supplemented with ulam2, fried tempe, salted fish and sayur asam..also sambal belacan...wowww!!!really nice because u couldn't get this kind of cooking in Malaysia..But it's simple though.

3rd day..F.O operation...(factory outlet operation)..hehe..there were many F.Os...and i felt almost crazy..luckily i didn't bring that much money.
4th dat...again F.O operation..
5th day...return to KL..yippiee..miss my room..

KotaKinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Ouchh...it looks like I have a lot of things to jot here. 27th till 30th March..a wonderful trip to KK with my dearly, my siblings, my niece and my cousin. Jumped-in in Air Asia flight at 7.15pm from KL and arrived KK at 9.45pm...2 hrs and 30 minutes..a long domestic journey but didn't feel so because we had our lil Lulu together...she kept on changing seats with Raha and Mak Titi..ahakkss...I thought she would have vomited but she looked relax and happy along the journey. That was actually the 1st experience travelling on aeroplane for him, Amy, Mak Titi and Lulu.
Nothing much I can write on our arrival to KK, but when we reached there, Tatim's friend, Thomas, waited for us at KK Airport. We got a van, prepared by the Borneo Global Backpackers (BGB) to pick us up from the airport to BGB. I purposely booked the hostel, instead of a hotel so that we can spend more on food, shopppings and other activities. And one of the reason going to KK was to do some survey about KK before
my next trip around September...Insya Allah

2nd day, got up quite early..at 6 am...really shocked when I looked through the window and it was like 8 am in Peninsular..kinda forgotten that Borneo is 1 hour ahead of Peninsular...ngeee...Got our breakfast at 9..we made our own breakfast.
Our 2nd day plan was to go to Kinabalu Park...Thomas told u s that he managed to get a transport for us. There we went!! Heading to KK city..pass by KK Waterfront, Philipino Market as well as Handicraft Market...hmm...pasar ikan masin pn ada jugak...and travel along the seashore..my owh my...beautiful scenery....blue sea...oil traces were not insight even at the harbour. So far, I couldn't see such environment in Peninsular...no wonder why mat sallehs scattered in Sabah (I dunno about other parts in Sabah).Some islands belonging to the Tunku Abd Rahman Park were observable and the biggest is Pulau Gaya. The journey to Kinabalu Park took about 1 hr 30 mins to 2 hours...1st 40km, we travelled on smooth road..but after that..we started to 'climb' the road. The road is ok and at least it's not winding like we have all the way to Fraser's Hill..pheww...nobody vomited..hehe...such an excellent achievement for infrequent travellers like us. Again, my lil Lulu x reti duduk diam..and my dearly, he managed to record the attractions in his videocam. Thank god we have a cameraman with us..but not paparazzi...hehe.

Before reaching Kinabalau Park, we stopped for a few minutes at Pekan Nabalu...actually to empty the bladder but took the chance to shop some handcrafts..

Continued the journey and at last, we reached Kinabalu Park at Kundasang...here, Thomas told us everything about Mt. Kinabalu..he knows lots of things because he had been to the peak several times...It's not easy to arrange the climbing bcoz bookings need to be made at least 3 months before. There are two gates where the climbers can choose to start the climbing...the Mesilau gate and Timpohon gate...but the one which is in the park itself is the Timpohon gate. It was very cooling and foggy that we couldn't see the peak of Kinabalu though it was 3.30 pm already. It's ok...not our luck to see the summit clearly. The best time to see the summit is around 11-1 pm...however..rain may almost ruin everything.
After 1/2 n hour, we proceed to Kundasang War Memorial. Nice place..they have 3 gardens representing the countries that helped Jesselton (or KK) from Japanese colonization at that time..Ausralia, England and New Zealand. The environment in Kundasang is almost similar to Cameron Highland where we could see the plantations of cold climate vegetables..cabbage, cauliflower..blablabla. Plan to go to Poring Hot Spring but as time didn't permit us to do so, it was canceled.


After spending half an hour at Kundasang War Memorial War, we returned to KK..and this time, we headed to Tanjung Aru beach just to see the sunset. Again, couldn't see the sun but the sky was dim orange-red and beautiful...After wandering around the 1st beach of Tg Aru for a few minutes, we went to Waterfront to fill in our tummy...we had BBQ dinner..all kind of seafood..After dinner, back to Karamunsing and...zzzzzz....damn exhausted but it was worthwhile when we managed to complete the day with many activities..thanx to Thomas for helping us.

3rd day...the happiest, sweetest and exciting moment..we went to Mamutik island..the smallest island among the 5 islands that make up Tunku Abd Rahman Park...Gaya, Sulu, Sapi Manukan and Mamutik.Initially, we planned to go to Manukan, but we were recommended by a friend to go to Mamutik. Well...it didn't matter at all as long as we can spend our time at the beach..We took a boat to Mamutik island from Jesselton point..this place is nice..having the design of the colonial countries..but one thing..I hate the staff working at the souvenir shop and cafe..they were very unfriendly..they hardly smile except 1 or 2 of them. And the souvenir price..damn expensive!! Maybe they know we're from Peninsular, they purposely put a very unreasonble price..just imagine a sumpit, priced at RM 65 by right I got for only RM25 at the handicraft market..well...no biggy because I didn't want to spoil the trip to Mamutik by thinking too much about this kind of 'no gut' people. It was scorching heat because it was almost noon..15 minutes later, we arrived Mamutik...yippiiieeee...I was thinking of jumping into the sea..but Lulu was there and i shouldn't do that in front of a kid.And the best time was when we fed the colorful fishes and took snaps of pictures underwater.......wowww....Our lil Lulu didn't have any problems to be in the water...she fed the fishes too...ngee...sunburn?well...nothing much we cn do about that...at 5 pm..return to Jesselton Point..ohh boyyy....it was fun..really fun!!





Last day...went to Handicraft market and Philipino market...shoppingg!!...The day was very short..our return flight to KL was at 2...so..there we went..to the KKIA T2..tata Sabah...see u again..

Phuket, Thailand

Just arrived home from Phuket. And until now, everything about Phuket is in my mind. Leaving Phuket was not what I wanted to think about..but now...I'm already here..in Malaysia.
Departed to Phuket at 12.45, 1 March...Though I was sick and having terrible cough, the plan must be worked out. I don't have to mention how hard it was when traveling with poor health. Almost suffering on high altitude. It took about 1 hour 15 minutes to reach Phuket Airport. Straight got a taxi to send us to Nanai Road, which is near to Patong beach. As usual, my mom would think of her tummy first and as for me, I had no appetite at all. Since there were only two of us, I accompanied her to look for halal food stalls or restaurants...n luckily we got one...a stall...owned by Aminah Daud...typical Phuket Muslim...I had duck rice instead of chicken rice and surprisingly...I could finish it though earlier I didn't have the appetite to eat. And this was the starting where me & my mom started to become really friends to her.

On the 2nd March..about 10 pm, Aminah came with her brother. Yakob, in a...shall I say 'truck'?or wagon?whatever...as our transportation.The fun began as I stepped in into that vehicle....1st..we went to Kamala beach..which is one of the famous beaches in Phuket. Took a few pics there. then headed to Surin beach...The beaches are damn clean with fine white sand...clear blue green water...felt like bathing but mom didn't allow me and plus, I didn't bring
my swimming attires...buat penat je ngangkut dari Malaysia...hampehh...



After Surin beach, we went to Patong beach...and there were more tourists...especially from Europe..were sunbathing...cheh...tengok kulit diorg dh mcm ketam bakar....isshh..isshh...I coudn't stand the hot temperature but no longer bother about it once looking at the cooling beautiful gorgeous sceneries on the beaches..


Went to..not sure the name of that place..where I got the chance to ride on elephant...huhuhu...I had waist exercise..that elephant named 'Intela' (not sure of the spelling)..was too 'bumpy'..it walked uphill and maybe affected the posture...so we felt the bumpiness too...but it's fun anyway...There were 4-5 times where it sprayed water droplets to us...nasiblaa water droplet...kalo air..mmg aku ketuk dh kepala gajah tu..muahaha..

45 minutes on that elephant...was long enough because I was a bit tired...sick...Then return to Patong. Aminah and her brother tried to show us how beautiful Phuket is, so they brought us the the uphill part which is known as Prom Thaep Cape. Speechless, marvellous, superb and it is really beautiful.



After enjoying the scenery in Phuket, we went to the fresh market. I tell u..the market there is veeeerrryyyy clean...not even any market in Malaysia is as clean as that market. If I've not mistaken...the market is called..Bansaan...or Banzaan...Fish, crab,prawn,lobster...owh my God...it was really nice...I bought some fish, crab blablabla..with the help of Aminah...n we went back to her stall..n she cooked for us..Wowwww...that's all I can say...


Surprisingly, I thought I had recovered form sickness..but when I was on my way back to Malaysia...I started shivering...headache and coughing badly again
At night...shoppiinnnggggg....at O'Top...not so cheap as compared to Bangkok...then came back....zzzzzzz
3rd March...time to say goodbye...one thing, I really love to go to Phuket again n meet my relative there...Aminah...Love Phuket...mmuaahhhhh