MATTA Fair 2010

Thanks to the MATTA Fair event, I managed to plan many trip successfully. This coming MATTA Fair 2010 is also promised a lot of bargain and even better deal for traveler after recovering year 2009 economy. It will be held in this coming 12 – 14 March 2010 @ PWTC (Putra World Trade Centre).

So far it’s the best travel fairs in Malaysia which you’ll be able to find for a fantastic holiday packages and great bargains.

With a given wrist band to wear when you pay for RM3 entrance fees, you’re entitled for a whole day fair (walk-in/out). If you’re MATTA credit card holder issued by EON Bank, you will get 2 entrance fees for FREE. The opening time is from 10am – 9am. So expected big crowd would be after lunch hour until 6pm.

Holiday package always comes cheaper during this MATTA Fair as most of the travel agencies or tour companies would be throwing crazy priced packages that are unbelievably cheap. But local packages would be the big sellers as most of these packages are more than affordable, usually 3D2N packages which very suitable on weekends.

Those of you who seek a quick holiday or day trip, keep an eye out for cheap ticket entrance for specific tourist spot in Malaysia. As for myself, my target this time is mountain climbing and probably a beach trip. Anyway, it’s a good place to look for good deals.

Last year I booked an island trip and mountain trip, this year is not an exception as well. I planned for Gunung Mulu National Park later this year. It’s not going to be pre-booking, instead a full booking since I got the air ticket last year already.

As you see, my crazy plan doesn’t stop though, for the sake of local tourism support, I will be indeed aggressive this year. My travel list is still growing.

Travel Grand Plan for 2009 (completed)

• Mountain/Hill – Cameron Highlands | Taman Negara | Mt Kinabalu | Batu Caves | Gunung Datuk

• Island - Desaru | Lumut | Perhentian | Port Dickson

• Waterfall - Sg Gabai | Sg Chiling

• Park - Hot Spring (Sg Klah) | KL Bird Park | SkyTrek | Tanjung Sepat | Ipoh

Let’s get a look at this year.

Travel Grand Plan for 2010 (on-going)

• Mountain/Hill – Tabur Hill (East) – Bukit Tinggi – Fraser Hill – Mulu/Niah Caves – Endau-Rompin National Park – Penang National Park – Gelanggi Cave – Nuang Mountain

• Island – Tioman – Kenyir – Pangkor – Langkawi – Cherating – Kapas

• Waterfall - Sg Congkak – Sg Lembing – Lata Kinjang

• Park - Butterfly Park – National Zoo – Taman Pertanian – Waterpark (Sunway/Desa/Gambang/Tambun) | Science Centre – KL Tower | KLCC Aquaria/Petrosains – Putrajaya

Apart from this, I’m planning for KL Marathon, Perhentian Challenge and Genting Trailblazer at second half this year.

I’m looking for planning more adventure activity such as Mt Kinabalu Mesilau Trail 2011. Woohoo!

Anyway, let’s see how it goes for first half of the year.

The Secret Garden, 1Utama

December 2009

Hidden forest … in the city

FYI, this secret garden only opened during the weekend, allowing guest to walk-in free of charge, located at 6^th floor. One can get sun burnt while shopping at 1U. Weird huh? Hehe.

Registration is needed at the entrance even though it’s free. By walking into the park, one can forget in the fact we were at the roof top of the building.

After get registered at the guard house, I proceeded with a smile. It was a pleasant surprise to see a greenery garden with many trees (trees can plant on rooftop?), creeping vines and cactus.

Amateur photographer would appreciate the surrounding very much. I came here just for lurking around with my D60.

So surprisingly, I met ex-colleagues who are busying with capturing creatures and flowers.

Few zones are available. Finally I came back to Cactus Zone before checking out from the area.

A short trip to Secret Garden gave me a pleasant feel that I should visit more such places in Lake Garden KL.

7th February 2010

A day to remember … each of us

Anyway, Happy Birthday!! We arranged this out of surprise for her on that night. It was wonderful, warmth and sweet dinner. Due to her too busy with work CNY preparation, she was almost forget about her BIG day.

For her, a birthday is a day of FULL OF HOPE, joy, surprises and blessing …

A special cake, not a cheese nor sponge cake … but it’s jelly-based cake. So yummy!

Dudes … celebrating for her.

All of us … my closest gang, no matter passive or active event.

If you wondering where was this place … it’s Kaki Corner.

She said, “Andrew, really thanks for your sweet flower and small gift. I never expect you so many things from you …“

“I hardly find a right words to describe my feeling for you … anyway thanks.” – from Christy.

This is not my first time purchasing from Dell Online. Both experiences gave me thumbs up for their services. Buying something from online requires some knowledge and how it works. As the good is not cheap, a consideration of getting something from reliable brand is important.

I logged on their website to check it out the specification and voila, it’s suit my needs. I immediately seek information on other similar model and none of the model could beat this. At the end, I bought this.

The specification is as follows. AMD Athlon X2 Dual Core 1.5 GHz, 4GB RAM, 500GB hard disk, Dual layer DVD writer and Windows 7 Home Basic 64 bit edition. Integrated graphic doesn’t look crucial for me, as ATI Radeon HD 3200 seems perfect for non-gamer like me. Doesn’t it look great there? RM 1,321 included customization.

Performance wise I haven’t tested yet.

I was like waiting like ages for this to reach me. I keep monitoring the statuses online via their order status page.

Day 1 – After order received and payment get authorized, Dell only proceed to work in progress.

Day 2 – It does only took one day to complete the CPU building. Bravo.

Day 3 – Shipping started … delivered to the warehouse, waiting in line together with others.

Day 5 – As it fall on weekend, my good got to check in with local carrier, waiting to be dispatch.

Day 7 – Dell Inspiron Zino HD is finally arrived at my doorstep. Only 5 working days needed. Very good.

The box reached me and it’s not heavy or bulky. Compare to my first purchase 2 years ago, a 12 inch laptop can put in a box larger than this one.

Its contain 3 small items. Power cord adapter, CPU and keyboard/mouse.

The true blue color lid needs to top-up a little cost. Original is black.

I upgraded the keyboard to wireless with mouse bundle. Also need to top-up some money here.

I connected it to my existing LCD monitor and let the setup run itself for the first time. It loaded Windows 7 Home Basic Edition.

This would be my smallest PC ever with my biggest hard disk up to date, 500GB. Dell Inspiron Zino HD is a real small factor PC which consumes only a small space with blending power.

Thanks Dell.

Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Dong Zhen Temple

16 February 2010

CNY Lantern & Flora Festival

I always wanted to visit this place every year … hence it’s my second year in a row. I went on third day of CNY lunar calendar, but still encountered a huge crowd, especially in the late afternoon. Many were flocking into the place for pray, leisure, take photo and also family hangout.

Human bumper-to-bumper happened in most area where it was impossible to stop for photo shooting. You imagine how stuffy it is. Tension.

To go there, I used KESAS highway from KL. I paid RM6.60 in 3 plaza tolls for one way only. Used to turn left when you see Banting/Klang interchange. There are 15km to reach FGS from the interchange. Signboard is available along the way.

Car park and admission are FREE. Volunteers are around to divert the traffic so everyone can find their own parking space easily.

There are new entrance from the side near car park which visitors not require to walk far to enter from the front. Good news for senior citizen.

I had taken some shots in the early evening before sun dawn. Enjoy.

Longmen Grottoes Art Exhibition

Miniature stone … represent mountain

Panthaka, The Arhat With Stretched Arms

Because of his usual lifting of both arms and stretching himself after meditation. Panthaka is named The Arhat with Stretched Arms.

Guan Yin’s disciples … cute

Get back where you were … Nobody dare to cross this entrance. LOL

Lumbini Garden … koi pond and man-made landscape

Giant baby Buddha … another main attraction

Entrance … old entrance, one of the entrances to the temple

Balloon Wheel … RM6 per ride (3 tokens)

Wishing tree … RM5 per throw (per orange) if not mistaken

Sacred water … the water pond build big enough to prevent people reaches their hand

Flower blossom … attracted many ladies here

33 warriors … too many, I do not jog down their name

This year, FGS has replaced last year 30-feet high OX with Marvelous Malaysia Tiger Lantern. At night, the color beams keep changing every second.

Zen ~ Perfect Idea of Space … air-conditioned floor, perfect to avoid crowded and enjoy the space

One cannot be without water and food after a long and crowded walk. This year, a dedicated food court place is built for patrons especially senior citizens.

Overall night scenery at FGS Dong Zen Temple is superb. There are beautiful sights of peace lanterns in hope to bring peace and happiness to everyone there. For the casual visitor, the best time to visit is during or near Chinese New Year. Additional lanterns are mounted and floral fests, floats, cultural exhibitions are staged.

Please enjoy the view at night. Let’s pictures do the talk.

Night view of FGS Dong Zen … it becomes lantern festival at night, flora festival at day light

Accompanied by 4 selected animal lanterns, namely cat, tiger, cow and panda … what panda is doing here? Kung fu … LOL

Merdeka (Independent) Spirit … in fact, it shows Malaysia Tiger, not foreign species. LOL

This will emanate light, surrounded by flowers … overwhelm by too many lights

Rolling wishes … unique and attractive

The festivities transformed the FGS Dong Zen Temple into a magical wonderland at night.

It opens from 12-28 Feb 2010, 10am – 10pm daily. So, don’t miss it this year. Cheers.

Cameron Highlands

December 2009

Last series of 3-in-1 Ipoh Trip … Geng!

Cameron Highlands on third day was our last stop of my 3-in-1 Ipoh Trip …  Geng! before ended our marvelous trip. This highland is actually accessible via Tapah and Simpang Pulai road entrance.

I was check-out earlier from Highway Hotel at 9am. Upon fully pump our petrol tank, we moved up via Simpang Pulai road. It was rainy in the morning causes high density of mist.

We drove up in 2 cars, total of 7 peoples. It was my first time went up in such weather. Sudden rain and sudden stop. It’s hard unpredictable.

Thick mist surrounding hill … cool up the air

I like it!

We stopped by at Green View Garden, one of the popular tourist stop for greenery plant. I took this opportunity to make some photography shot here. Somehow this garden was quite popular and they even have online presence.

Please have a look at surrounding the garden in below series of pictures.

High profile and heavy marketed garden

Causing everything slightly costlier … including toilet fees

What an online presence here … CM quoted.

Highly commercialize vegetable … some are just for display.

Hydroponic vegetable

Not bad huh … no worm found here

Run by water only

Very healthy but its doesn’t come cheap

As usual but he got new pupil here.

A self-pluck strawberry farm.

Hardly find any mature strawberry

We hop to next plantation. Forgotten their name.

They sell a very cheap cactus plant

Seven for a price of RM10 only

The most significant part of this trip was the Boh Tea Plantation. It was a new place for myself and known as the largest tea plantation in Southeast Asia.

It was fondly known as the ‘Giant Green Carpet of Malaysia’. Wherever I look from the hills, I see a big GREEN cover the hill. I know the road path to there is very NARROW. I won’t bother because since everyone can reach there, why can’t I?

Road entry to BOH Tea Centre

Nobody wants to reverse back once they get in

Drive smooth at a side edge … required some skills

Blind corner … remember to press HONK to alert

Giant Green Carpet of Malaysia … oh gosh so nice

Car needs to align themselves for more spaces and the tire is near the border. So damn dangerous … Luckily the soil is tough…ermm. It just makes visitors life tough here.

One way road with two ways car … be patient or getting stuck forever

Car park finally … it doesn’t comes free

Look like hanging cafe … another key of attraction

Gotta walk 200m … nobody complaint here

We had our light lunch there where we ordered tea drink, cake and some sweet delicacies while enjoying the peaceful scenery. So coincidence, the weather was cold and windy, add-on to our delightful feeling.

Crowded with customer … oh family type domination, not bad taste huh

Delicious pastry … it doesn’t come cheap

Sort of tea directly from factory … perhaps

Pandemic view of tea plantation … not bad for amateur photographer

Don’t want to miss out this wonderful scenery … CM babe

Same here … LL dear

All of us … not bad huh

Contemplation … looks like absorbing power from the god

A pathway to the exhibits and factory … quite informative

We were brought forward to visit their tea factory. It shows how the raw tea leaves can produce a supplement for tea bag or even any other innovative product.

Welcome to Visitor Centre … kind of factory of tea manufacturing

Our tour ended with some purchases of tea drink in package.

Again, our horror has came again … in narrow road and dangerous slope. In a very lucky condition, getting out is a lot better due to no stuck or jam in between. Save a lot of hassle whereby we can able to see from far and let the car go in before our turn.

One of the most popular destinations in Cameron Highland is market, located near Equatorial Hotel. A usual traffic jam is expected and we managed to find a parking spot. We walked into the strawberry farm which I never been before. Too bad, no pluck on the spot is allowed at the moment we visits.

Strawberry Farm located outside … a walk distance to the market

Soft toy … look like strawberry dominated the market

Alert alert … sign of warning which I believe caused visitor bad luck before

Plucking strawberry service is NOT AVAILABLE … at least this reminder doesn’t make me bother

A short walking distance, we reached the famous Rose Valley market. This market sells almost everything produced from the highlands. All can comes in cheaper price but I have doubt that they’d increased some prices to the popularity and huge crowd. Bargain however still can be made in some stalls in certain hour.

I never been so cold and tired while walking around … icy rain touch skin and winds blowing my body and face. So damn cold. My entire metabolism turns into slower rate.

All of us decided to go back to Ipoh after my car was no longer able to store any new purchases. It was damn full and loaded with stuffs. All purchases caused my car overloaded and heavy.

We had our early dinner at somewhere nearby chicken rice outlet and we bid our goodbye to each other and meet in KL soon.

Definitely a truly enjoyable and success trip that I ever undertaken.

Perak Cave Temple (Perak Tong)

December 2009

The temple in the cave built in 1926 by a Buddhist priest from China and it houses over 40 Buddha. When you entered to this temple, you will see a 12.8m high sitting Buddha which is the tallest and largest of its kind in Malaysia when first commissioned.

It’s very easy to find from the side of the main road. Therefore, no way to miss this tourist spot. If you happen to drive from Ipoh town or exit from the North South Expressway (PLUS) through Sungai Siput exit, you will find this temple on your right not far away from the highway exit.

A little introduction about Perak Tong.

In 1926, Chong Sen Yee and his wife Choong Chan Yoke who came from Jiao – Ling province of China, discovered Perak Tong. On approval from the Perak State Government they started to develop the cave temple. As Chong Sen Yee was mainly involved in the planning and development of the cave temple, his wife went all out to look for donations to carry out the plan, locally and internationally. After more than 50 years of diligent and careful work in and around the cave temple, Perak Tong has become one of the best cave temples in Malaysia. Chong Sen Yee passed away in 1980 and his wife Choong Chan Yoke in 1983, handling the heritage to the son Chong Yin Chat. He put even greater effort into the temple and thus enhanced Perak Tong into an international tourist spot in Perak. There are several major attraction available at the temple like the beautiful landscape flower garden in front of the temple. Here you can feed the monkeys in the mornings and late evenings. As you enter the temple, you will be greeted with a 40 feet tall Buddha statue. The inner part of the cave has natural limestone wonders and decorated with statue of deities. There are also colorful paintings and calligraphic writings by Chong Yin Chat himself and among others. There is a staircase of about 450 steps, which takes you right to the top of the limestone hill, where one can have an overall view of Ipoh city and its surroundings.

This limestone caves contains the beautiful stalagmites and stalactites formed in various shapes naturally. There are drawings and writings on it if you look around the walls. These drawing are about the stories of Buddha.

The best part of this cave temple is about the long staircase up to the top. This passage leads you to the interior of the caves and a steep climb it opens in to a ledge. The staircase was wet and slippery while the walls are cold.

The water dripping is happened in few certain points. And it was tiring but satisfied. It’s a good exercise too.

I can see a pavillion further up. I was sweating and I didn’t expected it. This was the place where we rest for a while.

An abandoned building on the cave.

In front of me here is a piece of calligraphy to enjoy. It’s means ‘Buddha’.

We managed to reach the top for amazing cave view. Yo! I didn’t believe I had made it up of 385 steps.

This ledge offers view of the country side.

You should go up and see by yourself. The steps to the peak is closed after 4pm for safety purpose.

Updates on 12 Jan 2010: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/1/12/nation/20090112173633&sec=nation

Due to recent case, Perak CM has ordered the popular cave temple closed indefinitely. The rock fall happened and destroyed the staircase leading up to the limestone peak. It was a surprise to me when it happened in less than a month since my last visits. Since it was close indefinitely from tourist, I’m wondering whether any safety measurement will be put in place to make sure all of us are safe to visit the cave again?

To my DeXXy.Net reader … Kong Hei Fatt Choy

The year of Tiger has finally come. It has been 3 years since my piggy year which I bragging a lot. My CNY each year has been quite good and smooth. Forgotten the past whereas I need to struggle to think about when to take leave or whatever. I’m local aka KL people, so no need to bother about it.

Talking about reunion dinner, yeah, I had it earlier with my family on Friday night. My so call ‘real reunion dinner’ with my extended family (my father’s side) just done on Sat night.

So, I wake up this early morning and YES, it’s CNY day. Let’s celebrate it fully. And not forgotten it’s Valentine’s Day as well. Hahaha.

Yo Yo Yo!!

Kek Lok Tong Cave

December 2009

Cavern of Ultimate Bliss

Ipoh is pretty much surrounded with limestone hill and caves. Many temples can be found locating in the cave and this Kek Lok Tong is one of the many famous caves. It’s hidden far from town into residential area. Only a handful signboards are able to bring us to the destination. Luckily we have a good navigator with us during the entire trip.

After some confusing left and right turn throughout the housing area, we finally reached at the cave temple which was quite quiet. There were only a few people around. Are we too early?

The scenic cave view is strong, look pretty much of less development cave temple. In fact, we were wrong. It was so clean and organized. I guess the night view should be outstanding, but only opened to public up to 7.00pm.

During the way up to the entrance, there are a lot of miniature landscape build in a very artistic way. A handful photographer should be able to catch various angles to show off their photography skill. So do I.

Please have a look below:

Depth into the cave should you into the other side. I supposed it is facing the main road far away.

This park created into such way look like a big assembly of a kingdom. And what so special about this was we had a feel of the history seems to repeat itself again here … on the most horrendous killing shock the kingdom. We rolled back to the myth of imagination, on how the kingdom fall into the prey of killer.

He walked out in a pride as a ruler of the kingdom, towards the top of the world, checking on the assembly line up of his loyal combatant.

When so sudden, his kingdom was covered with black cloud and few strikes lightning. The wind blow heavily, created some disturbing sounds, causing a temporary illusion.

In a midst of his thoughtful mind, his immortality has been challenged in a strike of seconds. One strong stab from nowhere to be seen from assassin throw the kingdom from the darkness to brightness.

Okay, let’s come back to real life. As we went down the downstairs, we approached the lake. It was so polluted and yellowish. Doubt to have any fish in there.

The greenery landscape dazzled us quite much.

They did a funny pose on a ground field. Not bad huh.

And I did some photography shot as well. It turns out good.

Our next destination of cave visit is Perak Tong.

Lou Sang @ Hakka Restaurant

10 February 2010

Once we get our sit, we were served with the menu. It was a special dinner meal set ranging from RM498 to RM698. We decided on the basic dinner set, comprised 9 meals. I don’t remember the meal’s name but it’s very similar to hotel bouquet dinner except the first dish. Our first dish was salmon fish yee sang.

To cut it short, here are out set dinner for the night. It wasn’t too long for the first dish came out. Tossing yee sang is fun.

Yee Sang with Salmon Fish

Tossing … tossing … good increment, bonus, bla bla bla

Overall, the whole dinner set meal was satisfied. The time taken for serving each meal was allowed us to chit-chat in longer time. We finished all the dishes on the table for the sake of nine people only even though the amount is cater for ten people.

Our dinner cost us RM547.80 inclusive tax of 10%.

I’m recommended this place for casual dinner but not high profile dinner because the taste and quality wasn’t up to our expectation. We neither comment nor complaint about it. Further more, it’s just a casual dinner for us.

It was about 10 years back since my last visit to Hakka Restaurant which is having 43 years of history. Really a long mature brand.