Ahhh... the beach... sun sand and a (hopefully) a helluva good time.
My company will be heading off to Phuket for its annual retreat though retreat may not be the most apt way to describing a weekend filled with training from 8:30 a.m. till ~6:00 p.m... daily. Ah well as described by most colleagues "just show up... u dont have to be sober or awake... just show up"
And so my friends I bid you adieu for this weekend (which also explains why I uploaded a few more postings beforehand) and if you were thinking about other external trips check out my best bud Peggs at http://takingtotheopenroad.wordpress.com/
Cheerios - see u in a few
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Giving back to Mother Earth
I was flipping through my sister's blog (we are a family of wanderlusting vagabonds) and saw that her company had volunteered to plant trees recently. It looked like quite an interesting experience (and rolling around in the mud can always be fun) so I proposed it to my colleagues for a Social Impact event.
Organized by the Global Environment Center (GEC), there are a few different volunteer options made available for you. We were keen on the Raja Musa forest reserve rehabilitation program which allows for a larger number of people to participate together.
(The whole area to plant)
(getting a briefing on how to plant)
The Raja Musa forest reserve has gone through much including deforestation and burning for agricultural activities. So volunteers have been brought in to help plant Mahang trees. Its actually quite easy to plant them as they had already been cultivated beforehand. Your job (in a nutshell) is to dig a hole deep enough (you'll be able to hear water sloshing) stick the plant in and cover up the hole. Simple enough no?
(high ho high ho its off to plant we go)
Well getting there is a little trickier. Our bus essentially got lost and due to the drivers refusal to listen to us we ended up driving out for an additional 30 min and 30 min spent to turn back to the start. There is a map writte out quite clearly on the map. My only advice is to truly set your odometer to map exactly the distance you have travelled. Total travel time ~40 min from the city if you drive at a decent rate.
(From left to right - dig - plant - cover)
Volunteering for large groups of people (including companies) would require a donation to the center. No donations necessary for smaller scale volunteers.
Recommended gear - well essentially anything you dont mind getting dirty. Also a hat and sun block would be good. GEC provides rubber boots and gloves as well as all the tools.
Other things to note - there are no toilets there and it can get really hot in the afternoon so best to do it early in the morning. Bring a bottle of water and maybe a little cash (since an intrepid ice cream man comes by to peddle his wares in the mid morning... you will thank him for it)
More details check out : http://www.gecnet.info/index.cfm
Organized by the Global Environment Center (GEC), there are a few different volunteer options made available for you. We were keen on the Raja Musa forest reserve rehabilitation program which allows for a larger number of people to participate together.
(The whole area to plant)
(getting a briefing on how to plant)
The Raja Musa forest reserve has gone through much including deforestation and burning for agricultural activities. So volunteers have been brought in to help plant Mahang trees. Its actually quite easy to plant them as they had already been cultivated beforehand. Your job (in a nutshell) is to dig a hole deep enough (you'll be able to hear water sloshing) stick the plant in and cover up the hole. Simple enough no?
(high ho high ho its off to plant we go)
Well getting there is a little trickier. Our bus essentially got lost and due to the drivers refusal to listen to us we ended up driving out for an additional 30 min and 30 min spent to turn back to the start. There is a map writte out quite clearly on the map. My only advice is to truly set your odometer to map exactly the distance you have travelled. Total travel time ~40 min from the city if you drive at a decent rate.
(From left to right - dig - plant - cover)
Volunteering for large groups of people (including companies) would require a donation to the center. No donations necessary for smaller scale volunteers.
Recommended gear - well essentially anything you dont mind getting dirty. Also a hat and sun block would be good. GEC provides rubber boots and gloves as well as all the tools.
Other things to note - there are no toilets there and it can get really hot in the afternoon so best to do it early in the morning. Bring a bottle of water and maybe a little cash (since an intrepid ice cream man comes by to peddle his wares in the mid morning... you will thank him for it)
More details check out : http://www.gecnet.info/index.cfm
Monday, October 25, 2010
Jumping off a bridge
Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to just let go... to walk off a ledge and just disappear. To feel that moment of free fall when the world has no claim on you. To just jump off and fly?
There have been many moments when Ive thought about it. Just pick up and go. To just disappear. No cares, no worries. Start life over all over again.
Jumping off a bridge is probably as close to obtaining that feeling as I ever could.
For a whole week, my friend J had been pestering me about trying out bungy jumping at Sunway Lagoon. For a long time my reaction was "uuurrrrr not really". I felt like a coward, like I simply couldnt do it... But then I remembered a younger me, a more daredevil me. The little girl who would climb trees and fall, the girl who would cycle with her brother through the forest on an adventure. The stunts we used to pull on the bicycle handlebars. I remembered that little girl in me and finally in a moment of strength told him
"Ok, Im in. And dont let me back out"
So Saturday morning saw me in Sunway Lagoon getting ready for the first bungy jump of my life. Its a relatively new product offering in Sunway and managed by AJ Hackett - the bungy jumping company from New Zealand. Sadly though to get in to the site you actually have to pay to enter Sunway Lagoon first. A feat that would set you back RM60 even though you may have absolutely no interest in going to the water park or the theme park (BOOOOOOO)
(The bridge you jump off is ~8-9 storey's high)
Then of course you pay an additional RM75 (if youre Malaysia, its more if youre a foreigner) to actually do the bungy jump itself.
(View from the bridge)
The jump is off the bridge in the middle of Sunway Lagoon. And I must say that I checked before committing to J about going and was relatively happy to find out that you jump over a small man made lake. I mean if Im going to jump off a bridge I might as well jump into a pool of water right? I mean... I would feel a little safer... u know, JUST in case something was to happen, I can swim. Though maybe I wouldnt be able to swim so well when Im still tied to a long arse cord...
(The pool of water you jump into... and the little boat that comes to get you)
They tie you up nice and tight and bring you to the ledge. You have two options - you could either jump off with just enough string to touch the water or you could just jump off and not touch the water. I opted for the water, because if youre going to do it, might as well go all the way right?
(Getting ready to jump)
(On a side note the guys told me that there are some adrenaline junkies who come in during lunchtime in their work clothes, do a jump, and then head back to work... I think it helps if you hate your job)
Then, you head to the ledge... and if youre lucky... you jump
(jump!)
I could wax lyrical about the beauty of the free fall or watching the sky slowly turn into a pool of water where you magically fall into... but the truth is
ITS THE MOST CONFUSING MIND SHIT YOU COULD GO THROUGH
This was my train of thought as I jumped off the bridge
"ohmygod-thisisinsane-iamsoscared-breathebreathe-isthatwater??!!-OHMYGODIMATTHEBOTTOM-makesurehandsarein-wtfwasthatit-imbouncing-imbouncing-imalive!!!!!"
Then youre left hanging upside down as a small boat comes by to pick you up.
So, now that I've tried it once and know what to expect I do think its quite enjoyable and wouldnt mind trying it again. Though honestly, it TRULY is a leap of faith...
http://www.sunway.com.my/lagoon/extreme.asp
Recommended attire : well, actually you could wear anything, just make sure its not super loose or have tassels or something. You dont have to wear shoes and if you bring a bag you can also bring it up to the bridge with you as they will lower it to the boat after you land
There have been many moments when Ive thought about it. Just pick up and go. To just disappear. No cares, no worries. Start life over all over again.
Jumping off a bridge is probably as close to obtaining that feeling as I ever could.
For a whole week, my friend J had been pestering me about trying out bungy jumping at Sunway Lagoon. For a long time my reaction was "uuurrrrr not really". I felt like a coward, like I simply couldnt do it... But then I remembered a younger me, a more daredevil me. The little girl who would climb trees and fall, the girl who would cycle with her brother through the forest on an adventure. The stunts we used to pull on the bicycle handlebars. I remembered that little girl in me and finally in a moment of strength told him
"Ok, Im in. And dont let me back out"
So Saturday morning saw me in Sunway Lagoon getting ready for the first bungy jump of my life. Its a relatively new product offering in Sunway and managed by AJ Hackett - the bungy jumping company from New Zealand. Sadly though to get in to the site you actually have to pay to enter Sunway Lagoon first. A feat that would set you back RM60 even though you may have absolutely no interest in going to the water park or the theme park (BOOOOOOO)
(The bridge you jump off is ~8-9 storey's high)
Then of course you pay an additional RM75 (if youre Malaysia, its more if youre a foreigner) to actually do the bungy jump itself.
(View from the bridge)
The jump is off the bridge in the middle of Sunway Lagoon. And I must say that I checked before committing to J about going and was relatively happy to find out that you jump over a small man made lake. I mean if Im going to jump off a bridge I might as well jump into a pool of water right? I mean... I would feel a little safer... u know, JUST in case something was to happen, I can swim. Though maybe I wouldnt be able to swim so well when Im still tied to a long arse cord...
(The pool of water you jump into... and the little boat that comes to get you)
They tie you up nice and tight and bring you to the ledge. You have two options - you could either jump off with just enough string to touch the water or you could just jump off and not touch the water. I opted for the water, because if youre going to do it, might as well go all the way right?
(Getting ready to jump)
(On a side note the guys told me that there are some adrenaline junkies who come in during lunchtime in their work clothes, do a jump, and then head back to work... I think it helps if you hate your job)
Then, you head to the ledge... and if youre lucky... you jump
(jump!)
I could wax lyrical about the beauty of the free fall or watching the sky slowly turn into a pool of water where you magically fall into... but the truth is
ITS THE MOST CONFUSING MIND SHIT YOU COULD GO THROUGH
This was my train of thought as I jumped off the bridge
"ohmygod-thisisinsane-iamsoscared-breathebreathe-isthatwater??!!-OHMYGODIMATTHEBOTTOM-makesurehandsarein-wtfwasthatit-imbouncing-imbouncing-imalive!!!!!"
Then youre left hanging upside down as a small boat comes by to pick you up.
So, now that I've tried it once and know what to expect I do think its quite enjoyable and wouldnt mind trying it again. Though honestly, it TRULY is a leap of faith...
http://www.sunway.com.my/lagoon/extreme.asp
Recommended attire : well, actually you could wear anything, just make sure its not super loose or have tassels or something. You dont have to wear shoes and if you bring a bag you can also bring it up to the bridge with you as they will lower it to the boat after you land
Horseback riding
Past few weekends have deff been eventful - though I havent had time to write about it. A new group of colleagues have joined by office for a short period of time. Luckily for me its a group of pretty outgoing guys who do enjoy venturing out and seeing parts of Malaysia. Truth be told, its not the easiest thing to get my local friends to join me on some of these expeditions. Family commitments, friends commitments, money commitments...
So luckily they were keen on going horseback riding with me! Out in the open. On an early Saturday morning we drove out to Bukit Tinggi for a half day ride with a picnic. For those of you who havent been there before - Bukit Tinggi is more known for Colmar Tropicale - a French themed resort. Generally its nice to go to since the weather is cool. Personally for me, its more of a half day trip rather than a place to spend a few days at
http://www.berjayahotel.com/berjayahills/index.asp
They also offer horseback riding there!
http://www.berjayahotel.com/berjayahills/horsetrails_activities.asp
(Our scenic route)
For RM360 we got to travel along the treks, up the hills to a nice open space for a quick picnic of snadwiches. We were also lucky that it was a perfect perfect day - beautiful breeze, nice and sunny too. Just a nice way to get away from the city for a little bit.
(Our little picnic)
(The pen where they teach you how to ride)
And to those of you who dont know how to ride, no worries. The trip will also include a 30 min class on how to ride a horse. In case youre still worried about riding on your own, there are two guides - one in front and one at the end of the group who will help to lead your horses as well.
(I do believe this is Chester)
Recommended clothing - long pants (horses can be a bit itchy) and covered shoes. Helmets are provided by them.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Movie movie
So, as planned, I started this weekend with girl's day out. Took mom and sis out to Pavillion for brekkie at La Bodegas (nice spot for people watching). Then off to Gold Class to watch Eat Pray Love. I was so happy to see my mom and sis so gleeful at the thought of gold class. Its essentially the premium theater hall for recently released movies. Seats are plus leather with nice footstools (ability to roll out nicely) and you get a blanket as well. There is a small bar table between you and the next chair with a small button that can be used to call in the waiter. You can place an order while watching the movie and have someone come and deliver it directly to you! no need to leave the movie at all!
Truth be told, the reason why I love gold class so much is that I absolutely HATE having people ruin my movies with loud comments or with their cell phones. The fact that Gold class is limited, and the seats are arranged in two's (and away from each other) helps me enjoy my movies.
Enough with watching movie's with pleb's I say =)
Well, to those of you who are curious, was eat pray love any good? well, I would strongly recommend ONLY watching it for Javier Bardem, and some of the landscape shots which are quite incredible. Otherwise, its a bit of a droll and extremely disjointed. I think the book was deff much better
Speaking of which, Gilbert's second book 'Committed' was SO bad it made me want to commit suicide. I recommend reading the spoof 'Drink Play F@#*k' as a remedy for this.
Greetings from Four Points Sheraton Kuching! where I've been upgraded to a suite but forgot to bring my power cable -_-"
Truth be told, the reason why I love gold class so much is that I absolutely HATE having people ruin my movies with loud comments or with their cell phones. The fact that Gold class is limited, and the seats are arranged in two's (and away from each other) helps me enjoy my movies.
Enough with watching movie's with pleb's I say =)
Well, to those of you who are curious, was eat pray love any good? well, I would strongly recommend ONLY watching it for Javier Bardem, and some of the landscape shots which are quite incredible. Otherwise, its a bit of a droll and extremely disjointed. I think the book was deff much better
Speaking of which, Gilbert's second book 'Committed' was SO bad it made me want to commit suicide. I recommend reading the spoof 'Drink Play F@#*k' as a remedy for this.
Greetings from Four Points Sheraton Kuching! where I've been upgraded to a suite but forgot to bring my power cable -_-"
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