Smile to change the world

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Thursday, December 20, 2012

Trip to Cambodia

Day 2

Today is the day where we visit the magnificent Angkor Wat. The day started very early again, 6.30am as I thought my phone was showing me the correct local time. When I had realized it, I woke up 1 hour earlier today. Anyway, we went down for breakfast around 7.30am and waited at the main gate of the hotel to our first destination. The funny thing is that all of us were hoping Angkor Wat temple is an hour or two journey long (so that we can SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!). But no, after 20 minutes drive which seemed like a 10 min or so, we reached the toll gate where we must stop and buy our tickets. This ticket is very important as most checkpoints within the temple's ground needs it.

It's a long walk into the temple where the sun was shining so brightly above you. (which might explain the sun burn). Angkor Wat, actually had a different name before this. However, due to the switching of Kings and their beliefs, Buddhism and Hinduism statues were taken off according to the King's belief. The main gate, where there are several gates with different purposes. One of it was to allow elephants to enter and another on was to allow the King to move in and out of the temple. Here you can also see the 7 headed snakes, which signifies the lucky number of the people. Anyway,  the temple was nice with all the reminiscences and the smiling Apsara.

We moved on to another temple with the famous spot. One of Lara Croft's movie was filmed here. I think it was with the small girl running around the temple grounds and Lara was injured blabla..Hopefully this gives you some sort of external cues. Everything here is almost drowed by the big roots from the trees. There were some which looked like a snake due to its length. The logs were hollow when I saw it. (reminding me of cartoons where some of them likes to hide themselves in logs).

Moving on t o lunch! SImple and slow. VERY SLOW.... We waited for an hour or so for the food and look we only had some spring rolls...

The next temple was the Bayan temple, where the faces like temple monuments can be seen here. Not really my type of thing. But you can see some differences in faces or the position of the faces.Then we moved on to the Bakheng Hill to watch the sunset. We climbed up the mountain and after we reached there, we went down? Seriously, we were tired and decided to go back to the hotel to bath.


Dinner! Gosh, its a very nice place! big hall with so many variety! The Amazon Angkor, a very soothing place with a stage shows. There were only classical dances and foods! =D


SLeep.................................................................................

Monday, December 17, 2012

Cambodia Trip Day 1

Hello everyone,
 First of all I would like to say sorry blog! for not using you anymore?
haha

This year, 2012, we went to a place called Siem Reap in Cambodia. 
Overall, I must say that the place is very dry and warm. Nothing beats the heat there.
Water is a major issue in that country (what I feel). I do think that they are scarce in water as most of the water here must be paid! (drinking mineral water only) If you would boil the water or drink water from taps, you would taste a slight metallic taste to it. Oh and another thing would be, I feel that there are more men working here (hotel receptionist, waitering jobs and tour guides). As it seems, women are more towards sales in Night Market and road side sales. Buddhism is 80% in this country and I am aware that after this trip I have seen similarities in culture between Cambodia and my previous trips. The Hinduism history is mostly similar in these countries. They were once French colonized, but now they are following the American system mostly (road, driving, speaking). Every building here (shops, hotels) ends or begins with the work Angkor which means City.

Day 1

Well I think this is the first flight in my life which needs us to be at the airport by 6.50am! Which means we need to be there by 4.50am!!! Sleep deprived, thirsty and exited! =D
Anyway we sat on the taxi and straight went to the airport. Waiting for the plane (Air Asia).
It was a 2hours journey though. I got to sit with 2 Westerners (haha) ,couples. 

Landed 8.50am - Our tour guide, Miss Phan Sotheavy (I think), brought us to the hotel, Angkor Way Hotel. The hotel's deco is based on the traditional, exotic way of the Angkor people. HOT! No air-cond (most hotels, restaurants do not have). Right, anyway we moved on to our first visiting place, the Artistants d'angkor. This place is something like a college for students to learn the art of painting, silk weaving, carving and steel tulling. It is totally handmade by the students there. There they  use sandstones from different mountains and carve them, which is very soft and easier to carve. Detailed work and fantastic.

Next, we are supposed to visit the Muslim Village but we had changed our mind. So we then visited the killing field where the battle between the Siamese troop and the Cambodian army in the past. As history states that, Siamese people want to conquer the Cambodian country. However, the Cambodian people particularly in Siem Reap, won the battle. Thus, the province was named after their victory. Siem  = Siam , Reap = Won (I think) So to put it in a understandable way, means Winning to Siam. COntinuing, here we can see a room filled with the journey taken by Buddha. From the day he saw a sick person till the day he passed on. The painting was coloured beautifully and imagine drawing from every angle of the room.

After that, we went to a souvenir shop and yes IT IS HOT! 
The things sold here are quite expensive but you can bargain. Then, we went to a park (not officially in the tour) there are lots of bats and bats! Before that, I would like to describe the park. With a touch of French elements, the park has a beautiful architecture and monuments. Okay, bats, yes there are so many of them hanging upside down!

Next would be lunch time!(Gosh! I was so hungry)
It was at New Jasmine Angkor Restaurant. Again no air cond =/. HUngrily ate and our first meal here taste not bad at all! haha...
Oh, the next place, Royal Spa and Massage, we had our legs tested for pain endurance. Gosh, the pain is undesirable. For an hour, it felt good? LOL

FInally, a break in our hotel! I want some rest, sleep and shower!
Okay skip that part. Dinner- Royal Empire Hotel, here it is magnificent! Although it is 3 Stars, it has the same design as a 5 star hotel! I wished I was staying here. 

Thats the end of day one...

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Early July's summary

Hey readers,

Well I have decided to make this summary a brief one but that depends on how I would write it later on.
Anyways, last Friday was my last day in ACS, Klang. It was a bitter sweet day as it departs  me away from my friends and my new friends. Life has to go on right?

Lets see..this week have been a very interesting week for me as I won free tickets to watch The Amazing Spider Man! (e@Curve) Monday was the screening and I was uncertain that Dad would want to go as it we are suppose to be there around 9.30pm. I saw the clock and it was 9.30pm! We were so late until the movie had already passed 30minutes. I could not watch the part where he was bitten by the spider. In fact, when I was in the movie theater, I just saw Peter Parker, Andrew Garfield was struggling to find what was wrong with him. Overall the movie was Above Average (Rated : 7/10). I am not sure how you guys would feel about this reboot but for me it was just the same Spidey. Too much graphic in this movie maybe because of the 3D impact the creators want it to be.

Here is my final and important agenda for this week! I will be going to the UNM!
Well it is only for registration but still I am happy and excited to be there this Thursday. But still I am not really keen of eating outside food as it may not be very healthy~The place is kinda spacious with all of the amenities and also beautiful field. I wish I could be a bit active in some departments or participate in any activities. I am looking forward to study there!


Saturday, June 23, 2012

Day 4 - Au Revoir

I would just summarize the whole day into a few short sentences...~
Its the last day on board..
After breakfast, I went to the pool side and saw some kids playing games..
Then, it was boring day ever! I went up and down the ship just to kill time...


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>FINALLY<<<<<<<<<<<<
We reached the port in Penang and went down
Found our TAXI and went back home.........
Slept the whole way ~ ahha

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Cruising on a Ship (Day 3)

Yawn!...Morning..
Its 8AM...and of course its time for breakfast and today we need to make the breakfast a really quick one.
Our trip to Krabi starts around 10AM. Star Club 3 where we are suppose to gather.(9.45AM)
We are placed in the orange group Number 16. "You may now disembark the ship" I was waiting for that the whole time I was in that room. Ao Nang Princess, the ship carried us to the shore. The Libra Ship set its anchor in the middle of the ocean not far from the shore but it is quite a distance. To get to the shore we need another 45 min to an hour ride. After we reach to the shore, we sat on a bus and the tour guide gave a brifing on our tour. Krabi was not a tourist attraction place before this. Peaceful and simple life the people here had. Okay..Our first destination was the Wathumsua Temple or in English we called it the Tiger Cave Temple. It was a 30 minute ride. The temple was build in a cave where there is 1,150(some other figures) steps to the peak's temple.

After a while we spent our time there, we went to the River side area where there is 2 small mountain on the river. Nothing much to be amazed actually. But there is a giant Crab statue where tourist can take pictures. Next, our destination was to the Jee-On Shopping Gallery. Here is to do some shopping and buying some of their local goods. Then, it was the walk of your life! Lol...It was the beach area where we can buy goods with a bargainable price and QUITE cheap. We walked for 2hours around the area as our bus was departing to the beach area where we landed earlier. Its already 3.30pm and we decided to walk back to the bus and get ready to go back on the ship. The same process again when we got back to the ship.

It was almost time for the Gala Dinner as I saw the passengers in formal clothes. I was the odd one wearing shorts and walking aimlessly around the ship. We cant go to the Gala Dinner because we dint register earlier.
Gala Dinner is a formal dinner where passengers are given the chance to meet and greet the Captain and his fellow mates. So we went to the buffet area again for dinner. After that it was SHOWTIME! Today's show is a Brazillian Mixed Dance. They kept using the same dancers for different shows. There was also a karaoke show where Dad finally showed his "hidden" talents. His singing tone was " awesome" haha....
Again I watched the Brazillian Dance just to kill time. I went down to my cabin again(10.30PM)

 Next i went back to Deck 9 to enjoy H2O's musics...(just to kill time) Then it was the PARTY time again but this time it is the Farewell Party. Dances, Singing and performances from your House keeping department. =) Then I took a short stroll on deck 10. IT WAS MY LAST NIGHT HERE...(SAD)
I will miss the ship so much.... I went back to the cabin and saw the time was already 1AM!

 

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Crusing on a Ship (Day 2)

Day two, people say it is always the most fun and enjoying day of them all. Its true when you are down on an Island exploring. But we didnt join the trip to Phuket. We stayed on the majestic ship for a while and decided to take a short stroll around the small bazaar near the Port of Chaophaya Terminal.

Let me take you back on what we did since the begining of my day~
It was a long night yesterday as I slept around 2AM! Surprisingly I woke up with an energetic attitude and continue my trip to Phuket ( which we did nt join) We went for breakfast around 8AM at the 4 Seasons Restaurant which serves western dishes. After breakfast, I decided to go to the Dance Class to just be a spectator. When I was there, landed on a chair, a lady approached me and asked "Have you registered for the dance class?" I was like...( Must you register?) I walked out of the Lounge with my embarrassed face and went to the pool area. At the highest deck(deck 10) you cant imagine how strong was the wind. I could practically blow your shirt off your body! No joke. The ship was still sailing at that time and you will feel the strong breeze rushing through your pants!

After refreshing myself for a bit, I kept going up and down around the deck as I was totally bored. Then, I walked to Deck 6 to check out the basketball court. And again I went back to the cabin till it was time for lunch. It was 12.30 noon! Lunch is served! We went to the buffet area and have our lunch there.

The ship docked earlier around 12 noon and I was told that we could go out to the mainland for a short stroll till 1AM and that what we did. We went down from the ship and took some photos for memory purposed. I glanced at the ship for so many times and I was not bored at all. The huge words of STAR CRUISE really amazed me as I can see so many windows.

Around the bazaar area, we went to see whether there was anything to buy or taste. We did do some shopping and went back to the ship.It was warm and moisty all over the area as the rain had just let off a few hours ago. I was tired after that short walk and decided to go back to my cabin and rest up.
Oh, there were some activities on board for the people who is not joining the Phuket trip. We can do acting games and 3 others. The ship was somehow abandoned. There was like no one aboard and only left a few workers on the ship. I "entertained" myself with the lame activities there at STAR CLUB 3(Deck 5)

 Dinner time! Gosh, I've been eating the whole day! That is what I thought throughout the whole cruise. After dinner, I decided to go to the gym for some workouts. I was amazed by the gym. The exercise equipment are so sticky..Probably sweat. haha...Anyways I did some pulling, running , cycling and muscle building till it was SHOWTIME! 10.30pm! It was the performances by the crews on the ship! I am sure you guys will be amazed and please do believe it! From your housekeeping department, Food and Beverages, Printing and many others were in that performances named COLOURS. Its truly a beautiful show. There were so many races' tradisional clothes in that show. Creatively well done. It is not perfect but it was entertaining~
We need to be prepared for our tour tomorrow to Krabi so I slept quite early after supper.


Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Crusing on a Ship (Day 1)

The Sun is shining brightly as the wind swiftly blows me away with the salty scent from the sea. It was truly an amazing experience for me and my family. It was a 4 days and 3 Nights (27th to 30th May) trip to Thailand (Phuket and Krabi). The ship was docked at Penang (Swetthenham Port) so in order to reach there we took a taxi. The taxi arrived at our house around 8.00am. Why so early? haha..The ship set to sail around 5.pm but we must be there around 3.30pm to register. The ride to the pier was nothing but boring ride all the way. 4hours of nothing but boredom.Anyways we reached the pier around 12.30 noon and we straight went to the counter to register. Around 1.00pm we boarded the ship. I was smiling all the way as we must pose to take some pictures with the Star Cruise's mascot, Mr Penguin! haha... Oh , I forgotten to mention about the ship's name..well it is Super Star Libra. They have many other ships as well, Virgo, Gemini etc. this is just one of them. We checked in and went to our rooms respectively. I m here stuck with my brother..(= =)
3rd floor 151 and 150 =) The cabins are small and cozy. The whole ship was air conditioned so we wont have to worry about sweating much. Only the Pool Deck is not air cond.. There are 10 decks all together. After resting and "knowing" our cabins well, we went for lunch at Ocean Palace (one out of 3 restaurant here on board) It was around 2.00pm at that time. There were so many people rushing to get the food. (Yummy!)
I went to scout the ship after lunch and my first destination was the library. I was shocked to see that the LIBRARY was only a MINI LIBRARY in this luxurious ship. Next, I went back to my cabin to prepare for the fire drill. We took our life jackets and gather at station B2. After the drill, its PARTY time! Deck 9 (pool deck)
Songs, danceries and get soaked in the pool! =) haha...Dinner is served around 6.00pm and it was a barbeque dinner party! The que was a time killer. There was so many people quing up just to get the BBQ food...I managed to get some grub and a lovely cup of  tea.

Its SHOWTIME...After dinner around 8.30pm there is a magic show. The venue was at Stardust Lounge (the main showcases area) which is located at Deck 5. I went to the gym after the magic show and worring that I might just have gained some weight after the heavy dinner. around 11.30pm I went back to the room waiting for the movie ,Jack and Jill which is not worth waiting for....Panda eyes ><
I went back to my cabin and took a bath...IT WAS already 2.13am! I straight went to bed but could not sleep well..(EXCIETED) haha...