Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Tourism Malaysia (episode 2)

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Side talk: This post happened to be incidents happening in the last week.. sorry for the heavy delay..
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Today, I was summoned to go to Batu Niah..


Beautiful weather throughout the journey.. Mist of the morning air..

Annoying pick-up who refused to let us pass


The amazing watermark of the scenary: The Niah Caves..

Batu Niah, famously known for the caves has been one of the most popular angmoh hangout, especially those with backpacks.. Thoso without the backpacks would prefer to stay in Hiltons or Marriots, so less likely you’d find them here as the best they offer is the Niah Cave Hotel in town..


Budget lodging: A two storey shop house with only the top floor of accomodation

So, it is supposed to take us an hour drive (actually its my colleague who is driving, I’m just there to accompany him for some business reasons), but due to the fact that those 5 tonnes and above vehicles maneuvering and sharing the same so-called high way, it took us additional half an hour to reach..


The client happened to be some sign craft maker, so I took a pleasure of taking a photo of a signboard which is not put out yet.. Hah, who knows some VIP is going to officiate this piece of shit of sign board and I got the pic much earlier than other reporters do..


Do not this and that.. i miss my school days..

As the town is not really developed and people here live a simple and laid back life.. Life’s pace is slow, and if you compare it with a scale, Miri’s would be 70 km/hr while Kuala Lumpur’s would be 120 km/hr so, Niah’s would definitely be 25 km/hr..


Even the vehicles move as fast..


The wet market.. not even 50% wet..


Busy street.. or is it?

Moving around doing my businesses around town gave me some opportunity to snap up some of Niah’s beautiful scenes..


'Teh-C' supply for the next 5 decades..

We had to stop by and wait for something to come up, so we had a simple breakfast in a coffee shop and to my surprise, though people here may live a simple life and some may assume that they are not as wealthy, I would think otherwise.. Can you imagine durian for breakfast? That’s one costly breakfast, even my noodle costs RM 2.30.


Wah, auntie, so geng ah? Durian for breakfast?

It happened to be the middle of the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar, no wonder most of the town’s activities were slowed down.. (so I guess it should be 35 km/hr if it wasn’t 7/15?) Thus, I made a visit to the nearest Chinese temple.. Loads of Chinese people are there.. as what I heard, they are having their vegetarian meal.. I would definitely like to pop in for a free meal but due to time constraint I had to excuse myself and say a premature good bye to Niah..


Even the temple is busier than the streets, this explains why..


Wanted to trespass to get a free meal but hey, with the two lions guarding, i would be their meal instead..

On the way back to Miri, we spotted some treasure.. Guess what’s the season now? Not the mooncake or whatever ghost month.. IT’S DURIAN SEASON.. Now it made sense, no wonder that ‘wealthy’ lady was feasting on a durian as early as 9 am.. So we popped up 5, 2 for me and 3 for my colleague and headed on back..


And who said that I wanted to go home empty handed?

In conclusion, on behalf of the tourism board I would give this trip a 6/10, as we hit the right season at the right time, but sad enough, due to the fact that we did not really roll into the caves/park/any recreational sites (hey, we were working..) itself, the fun factor really soared as there is really nothing much to do in the town other than just buying 4d..


Dropping by at the beach on the way: monsoon season with high tide?

Friday, August 04, 2006

Tourism Malaysia.. (Episode 1)

Yesterday, I had to go to the court..


Uncle Foong in trouble?
Hey! watch out uncle in the lorry.. i'm a criminal!

Judgement day..

No, its not that I’ve done anything wrong (no rapes, no murders, no robbery..) nor am I a lawyer by profession

I just had to go there to get a document signed..


So, since I’m here, I thought that I might as well give you guys a cover about this place, in case anyone of you happen to drop by for a visit.. Anyway, Malaysia’s tourism year is just round the corner..


Let’s start with its architecture..


Its simple exterior would generally leave its visitors no second thoughts that this would be the place that baddies would wanna stay away from. Also, during certain peak hours I’ve heard, it’s really packed, as all the ‘keh poh’ uncles and aunties wanna see if they can be part of the headlines’ background pics..


Soon as I stepped in, the cold air-con freeze hit my face, which gave me a good feeling at first then later on froze my ass of when I stayed longer inside. Perhaps it is due to the lack of organisms in the building that caused the air to be so breezy. On second thoughts, I guess it’s the air-con.. Anyway, the smell inside was like the smell of the fizzy root-beer drink, which is a joy to smell if you are a soda addict..


The interior is as basic as how all courtroom looks like, though I should say that accessibility is quite poor, especially if there is a limp around.. Hey, crooks can be ‘pai ka’ one okay., Where are the lifts and escalators?

Watch your steps..

As I was there, a session was going on there.. I didn’t managed to get a snapshot of how it may be inside and I seriously feel that it is really rude to just budge in and stake a snap and come out..


What's happening in there?

The signage was clearly indicated, but I’ll have to say, some are disappointing.. like one I was really attracted to, a sign of "toilet" with the arrow pointing right (->) while having a door at the same direction which is in fact NOT a toilet but the courtroom which I did not want to budge in earlier..


Yes, i know where the surau and the majistreet court is, but where is the loo?

So overall I would say on behalf the Malaysian Tourism board that this courthouse rates 4 out of 10.. Thus, it is recommended that you think twice before visiting here unless you really don’t have the choice..


Come at your own risk..

By the way, I bought two of the most expensive stamps in my whole entire life yesterday.. it farkin cost me RM 10 each and RM 20 for two!! And all this while I thought stamps only cost 20 cents...



OMFG! i will NOT let my kids have a hobby of collecting stamps next time..

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Another 'un'inspiring day..

Last night, i slept at 2 am.. no wonder i am having hallucinations in the office..

i lifted my arms, yawned..

As i looked up, i saw my hands..

i should say, they are indeed beautiful..


Wanna Slap?


I have this lovely pair of gifts for almost 23 years now (by the way.. i'm 22).. No doubts they have given me all the joy and pain in all these years..

I played all sorts of games with it..


Spinnit!

I had accidents with it..

Ouch: And i thought McGuyver was a genius..

Of course.. i've had wonderful moments with it..

So, As all creations of God has its own functions, what do these protruding individuals, a.k.a. fingers really do?

So let me tell you..

Thumbs, our most useful member, is used to make thumb prints.. (chinese: 拇指打印... Well, in CSI, it often betrays the master..)

Good ah?!

The index finger, is famous for, in chinese saying, poke people's back.. (chinese: 捅您的背后.. )

This way! *poke*

The middle finger, if absolutely IMPORTANT for expressing ourselves, as it helps us 'ask your mother's well-being' (chinese: 问后您的老母.. )

How's auntie doing?

Our fourth finger, they call it the 'sweet' finger in Malay, is often used for putting on our wedding ring.. how sweet.. (chinese: 佩带婚戒.. )

Symbol of tie: Beginning of torture, end of single life..

And finally, last but not least our most important Mr. Little finger, is utmost important for its function of cleaning our nose (chinese: 掘鼻子.. nose miner..)

Even the best gold miners have to give way to this little guy..


So, as these 'un'inspiring thoughts filled my day, i hope that this will help cheer your day instead..

All these are inspired from my idol, Mr. Stephen Chow, in one of his very lame 90's cantonese movie.. Thanks Stephen, you really coloured up my life..

Robosapien V2


This is the latest hightech toy in the market. It is called the Robosapien V2.

  • It has colour vision that helps recognizes object colours and even skin tones.
  • With the help of the new infrared vision V2 is able to detect and avoid obstacles, plus follow a laser targeting path set by the controller.
  • It also comes with a fluid biomechanics. It has 14 motors that allows the V2 to sit, stand, bend, lie down, dance, perform martial arts and many more other incredible movements.
  • Has articulated hands. A precision gripping that allows the V2 to grab and lift objects. Eg: a cola can.
  • Gauntlet n foot sensors. These are touch-sensitive sensors around his hands and feet which enables the V2 to explore the environment much more effectively.
  • The new V2 comes with a realistic joint movement. This enables true bipedal movement with multiple walking styles.

If i am not wrong the size of the V2 is around 24 inches tall.

Cool hah? Thinking of having it? hahaha.. the best part is, it doesn't come CHEAP!

Well i saw the price in the market but i can't remember the exact price. Is range between

RM 450 - RM 550.

Below are some of the pictures of Robosapien V2 n the families.

Not to forget, V2 comes along with a remote control.

This is V2's family. You have roboreptile, V2 n

the old version and the robopet