Swan’z_Adventurez

Hey there.. 1st of all..Finally, I had my final paper for this sem this morning..what a big relief.. ^^

As we know, mother’s day is coming soon which will be on the 2nd week’s Sunday of the month of May. I was cracking my head what kinda surprise that I should do for my mum this year and  I am sure you are too. But, we always left out, neglected and take for granted another important ‘mother’ in our life..the MOTHER NATURE’S..

From time to time.. we had been hearing lots of news bout disaster such as Tsunamis, Tornardos, Floods, Hurricanes include Food Shortages (rice,plantations) and such.. The rich and IDIOTS one committed the sin, but the poor one have to pay the sin. Where is justice? Where is fair? What was the root of all this? My answer is great interruption and disturbance on the mother nature’s. And who to be blamed? Simple answer..HUMAN..IDIOTIC HUMAN..us including myself..

Regardless what religion or belief, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity or others..All taught us to be kind and care the environment as a part of ourselves. But how many really follows His order? As for me, I am not really a very religious person, so I do not really know bout that, but i believe that we, human are just ‘renting’ the Earth surface to live from the Universe. We can use it, but at the same time we must care it..Same as when we rent a house, we use the house, but at the same time, we MUST PROTECT it as well. Right?? But what we are doing now? We are exploiting it..!!

I was sad to see the condition in UKM. Mostly, are students, I mean highly educated and obtained good results in academic students. They had learned in school what should they do or don’t for the environment, but how many really practice what they have learned?  From my observation, I found out that many students like to ‘tapau’ or take away food..using POLYSTYRENE boxes. I would forgive those from non-Science Stream students, but students from Science Stream and even more sad to say, Environmental Studies students are also committing this silly action. We assume all students knew that polystyrene boxes are non-biodegradable, I mean forever! i did questioned them, their replies were simply..

~ ‘Everyone is doing the same thing, so why can’t I?’
~ ‘It is none of my business to take care of the environment’
~ ‘The government WILL and SHOULD deal and sort the problem out NOT ME!’
~ ‘I have paid for it, I must use as many plastic bags or polystyrene boxes that I want
   to equal the price that I had paid’
~ ‘So many people throwing so many rubbish everyday, and yet the Earth is still spinning, nothing happen YET..’

Since we still have to go to the cafe to tapau, why not we just eat there? I love the concept that practicing by UMS in Sabah. As told by my sis, their cafe charge their students more for tapau-ing which I think is a very good idea to discourage students to tapau. I would hope that, UKM and other places will apply this concept as well. As for myself, I was angry for myself everytime I tapau. But i promise, next time, if I do tapau, I will try to use my own container to do so. I hope you will use this way as well.

And another issue that i would like to stress here is FOOD SHORTAGES. Due to effects from disasters, climate changes and global warming, we are facing difficulties to produce food and thus results in food shortages. Therefore, PLEASE..PLEASE DO NOT WASTE FOOD.. we should be grateful that we are living in a country which have sufficient food to consume everyday. Don’t because of you wanna cover the price you pay, you took lots of food, but at the end of the meal, you just left the food (commonly rice) on top of the plate just because you scared you will gain weight? So my friend, at 1st place, take lesser rice lah then! Really pissing me off, especially some girls.. Please again..think bout others that are less fortunate. Do not be selfish..

Em..I think I am expressing too much..haha..
Hopefully no one will after me or hate me after this..hehe..

Anyway, what I wrote above just my personal opinions and suggestions, I have no means at all to offense anyone. My apology if I did offended anyone. I know some of you might think that I am not deserve to give my words since I am not an environmentalist or what so ever that got the power or knowledge to talk on this issue..Some might think I should have just shutted my mouth up and don’t care so much on that, I tried to do that, but I failed to do so. I promised to myself that I will go all out to FIGHT for the environment’s right!!

But, it’s time for us to sit and think..we have to do something..NOW and not to wait till something really bad happen. that time it will be no turning back point. PLEASE my friend..please.. think about it.. WAKE UP!!

For MOTHER NATURE’S.. peace..

Hey..

Sawadee Kha..

On the 19th to 22nd of December, my family and I landed our feet to the Land of Smiles.. THAILAND for holiday. We explored a great place called, Chiang Mai (CM). It is situated at the northern side of Thailand.

Day 1 (Wed, 19/12/07)

Our flight to Chiang Mai can be considered the earliest flight of the day (8.50am). Woke up around 5.00am to catch the plane. After flying bout 3 hours, touched down at CM International Airport at 10.40am (Thai time) Thailand’s time is 1 hour behind of Malaysia’s time..which means, we untung 1 hour la..hehe.. Greeted and welcomed by Ms. Bensy (not sure exactly how to spell her name la..hehe..) as our temporary local tour guide, whom replaced Mr. Saksitkorn.C. (He is cun..I named him Mr.Cun..hehe..) They used Mandarin, so I didn’t really get what they talked..hehe.. We headed to our temporary home for the few days..Suriwongse Hotel, situated at the middle of the town.. The hotel’s coffee house was the place we had our 1st meal at Thai. We had a yummy good lunch!

After the lunch, waste no time! Headed to our 1st destination, the Doi Suthep Temple, northern style golden stupa, a temple that is at an altitude of 1,080 meters above sea level. To get to the temple, we were given 2 alternatives, either by climbing 290 steps stairs sided by 2 long mythical dragon or take the rail-elevator. The rail-elevator had to be our only choice since we were in a hurry..but I really would like to go for the stairs..more fun ma..sob..maybe next time will do so..hehe.. The golden temple, Doi Suthep really amazed me..A magnificent structure! Next, we were brought to a Poppy or Opiom plantation field by some kinda 4 wheel vehicle drive.. Just after some minutes, we reached the Poppy Garden, a hill filled with brightly colored poppy plants..the parents of drugs, such as heroin, morphines and opiom. This plant only flower on the month of November to February. We were consider lucky that we came on the right time. We get to see those colorful flowers..bright red, pink, white and yellow. There, only with 30 baht (bout RM3) we can rent their traditional village costumes to wear and snap photos accompanied by colorful poppy field as background. My sister and I did that..hehe.. We took lots of photos!! Haha..

Sun set could be seen..indicated it was timeto return to the hotel.. We checked in into our respective room and took a quick shower. From there onwards, Mr.Cun took over as our local tour guide. It’s time for squeezy squeezy time! We were brought to a massage center for our free one hour body massage. Haha..I had a hard time during the massage because it was so ticklish! The room was so quiet, so i dare not laugh out..just held on tightly to my pillow to tahan the tickle..funny la that time.. Next. for dinner, we were brought to the Kantoke Palace. We had a ‘King-Style’ meal as same as how the Siamese King had last time, accompanied by a nightly entertainment from well trained groups of dancers and musicians.We had the opportunity to enjoy, along with a great meal, a spectacular show of Lanna and Tribal dances. It was great! After dinner, we were sent back to our hotel. so lucky the the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar (NB) was just opposite the hotel that we were staying in..what else we can do after dinner other than..SHOPPING!! The NB is consider as the Petaling Street in Malaysia. Really test our bargaining skills la shopping at NB. On the 1st night, I didn’t shop much coz not so familiar yet with the prices and places. I just bought a wooden frog with only 50 baht. The NB occupied few streets..so big..didn’t get to walk all on the 1st night..I nearly got lost in there..hehe.. After hours of street shopping, back to room, had a nice warm bath and dived straightly onto my bed..zzz.. tiring lor..

Day 2 (Thurs, 20/12/07)

Woke up bout 6.30am, had buffet breakfast at the hotel’s coffee house. Embarked our journey to the Orchid and Butterfly Park. Among us, my mum, a crazy orchids lover enjoyed the park the most la! And I busy taking photos of colorful flowers, butterflies and butterflies cocoons..hehe.. Then, next stop at the Maesa Elephant Camp at Muang. We  bought a bunch of bananas and sugarcanes to feed those elephants, but unfortunately, it was being snatched from my dad’s arm by a passing by elephat..hehe..funny.. So we bought another 2 bunch lor..hehe.. We went to the elephat show area to catch the elephant show.. Wow..they were so well trained! They even knew how to play a harmonica, play football and painting.. Their artworks were being booked and reserved by audiences even before the show ends..200 baht per painting..worth it ma..those paintings really nice..no jokes.. They drew bonsai, pot of flowers, trees and etc..Lunch time again! Haha..we were brought to a local restaurant. We had set lunch. I realized one thing bout Thai food, they love to eat pork and pig parts(liver,ears and etc) .For example. one of our dish was like fried siu mai. It was so delicious! I had so many till my dad told me it was made from pigs parts..and I didn’t touch the same dish already for the next few days..

Exploration continued by visiting to some home
industries. 1^st shop, the gems gallery.
Too bad, sparkling jewelries not my interest..I dunno how to admire
jewelries..haha.. 2^nd stop, animal skin gallery ( selling all kinds of products made from animals skin). I hate
that shop, I support buy no animal product policy! So I spent the least time in
that the place.. It sells bag, jackets, purses, and etc using skin obtained
from elephants, stingrays, deers, and
snakes etc. Then 3^rd stop, the umbrella making gallery. We were exposed to the procedures and materials to make Thai
paper umbrellas. There were also some artists that can draw arts on your shirt,
jeans, bag or cap. I had one for myself, I chose the blue dragon to be drew on
my back of my black t-shirt, only 50 baht. Very nice dragon..love it!. 4^th
stop, the bird nest shop cum elephant trunk gallery. In that shop we can enjoy bird nest aka swallow bird’s saliva at a cheap
price..only 150 baht per bowl, but too bad, I don’t like it, so didn’t take
it..hehe.. Next was our 5^th stop and also our last stop of the day
the honey gallery . We were given long long talk and some honey product samples
by the promoter. Yeah..happy when we were being told by Mr.Cun that that was
our last stop, which means I can go to the NB
for shopping!! Dinner at hotel, buffet style again..hehe.. After the dinner, NB
again..hehe.. We bought some souvenirs for friends and relatives. Quite berat
hati to give them away coz I love those souvenirs so much! Haha.. Had to back
to room early tonight coz have to wake up as early as 5am for the journey  to Chiang Rai and Golden Triangle. So had to
zzz early lor…

Day 3 (Fri, 21/12/07)

Woke up around 5.00am. Got ready and went
down for breakfast. Bus started to move around 6.15am. An earlt morning cold long drive through beautiful sceneries, with a stop at the Hot Spring at Maekajan. 1^st
thing we did was finding for the WC..thanks to the cold bus ride la..hehe..
Then we walked around the area.. It has few hot spring wells provided for
tourists to cook eggs..hehe.. very nice.. certain spots, there are hot spring vomited
or splashed out from the ground..very scary..haha.. Then when we were bout to
leave the place, my dad bought a speciahl kind of hotdog that was sold at one of
the stalls there.. From exterior, it looked like 1901 hotdog, but the
interior..the taste was…ahem..no comment.. I took one bite, and that’s it..no
further bites! I think it was made from rice, tang fun, and pig organs.. So the proverb, ‘Don’t judge a book by its
cover’ 100% agreed! Haha..

Next, in the bus again..heading to another great structure.. The Wat Rong Khun Temple..or more well known as the White Temple or the Mirror Temple. It is situated at the northernmost province of Thailand, namely Chiang Rai. This temple is a very very extraordinary temple compared to any of temple that lkely to be seen in Thailand. A lifetime project of artist , Chalermchai Kosipitat, the temple has a fine blend of traditional Buddhist art with contemporary themes .The temple is almost entirely white, no other colours are used at all. It is though decorated with small pieces of mirrored glass which add substantially to the temple’s spacious and airy feel.. The sparkling structure really too beautiful..no word to describe it.. On the wall in the main shrine hall of the temple, displayed some meaningful artworks. Some of the arts that i admired the most- ultraman in spaceship fighting with ghost or evil spirits, 911 incident with evil souls crying with bloody tears coming out from the building, plane crash with passangers screaming for help and lots more.. For each and every drawing, I believe that there is a message behind it which dedicated to certin parties. It is still yet to be completed in 10 years time.. I will definitely revisit the temple if I have the chance to do so after 10 years later..hehe..

The weather getting hotter and hotter. The temperature measured at bout 37 to 38 degree C! The icy col bus at the morning turned to as hot as in an oven! Bout an hour drive from the temple, we reached the Karen Long Neck Hilltribe Villages. It is a village consists of few tribes of people living in it- Long Neck, Akha, Mao, Lahu (Muser), Palong (Big earring) and Yao.(Lu Mein). Own tribe has their own traditions, cultures and believes. One of the tribe that really caught my attention was the Mao’s. They worship ghosts..Sad thing is, if a couple got a twins, neither of the child will survive, coz they believe that either one is a human and one is ghost. They cant decide which one is human, so both will be killed. They also believe that dog ghost can protect their house from bad ghost. They worship their ancestors with dog’s meat coz they believe that their ancestors were from dog. The villagers are very poor..no proper educations, health care and hygiene. We did gave some donations after taking photos with them . The visit to this village indeed an eye opening trip..

Lunch time again! We had our lunch at a local restaurant which located just next to the longest river in South East Asia, the 7th longest in Asia, and the 12th longest in the world, namely Mekong River! After lunching, few minutes drive from the restaurant and we reached the jetty to the Mekong River cruise. The cruise brought us to the Golden Triangle, where the border lines of Thailand, Laos and Burma aka Myanmar meet. Golden Triangle is very well known as one of Asia’s two main illicit opiom-producing areas. While we were cruising along the ‘river of borders’, we can see the land infornt of us-Burma, the land at the right-Laos, and the land at the left- Thailand..very special lor..Cross the river from Thailand, we reached Laos. At there, saw lots of weird homemade wine for sale-scorpion wine, snakes wine and tiger penis wine..ew..yuck! The villagers there really hardcore poor. When we were bout to leave, we got into the ferry. Few small children came and begged us for money.. They willing to do anything just to get some money..They begged us all the way to the ferry. Really a pitiful thing to watch..and I felt really grateful and appreciate with what I have now. Sadly, not because we refuse to help them, it was because once you donated, the whole gang will come after you. But anyway, after the ferry away some distance from the shore, few kind hearted aunties threw some coins to them. All of them were hitting and fighting each other just to get a penny..and of course the stronger and bigger size kid won.. left behind those tiny one..so sad.. so unfair.. but what to do? Life is all bout competitions..

Proceed to Maesai-the northernmost district of Thailand-on the border of Thailand and Burma. From there, Burma could be seen. Thailand and Burma are just seperated by one huge custom gate. So near yet so far..can see but can’t go coz of time factor. There were many shops and stalls selling varieties of Myanmar’s and Thailand’s souvenirs..too bad, running out of time, we had to leave. On the way back, we stopped at a local restaurants for dinner.. The night was cold.. from my observation, I concluded that at northern Thailand, the temperature during day time is darn hot and cold at night..weird hor?

Back to hotel around 10pm, had a quick change and went down for the NB again for the final shopping at Chiang Mai before returning to Malaysia. I got a necklace with my name written on a seed of rice captured in a tiny bottle just for 90 baht..cheap! Sad..it was 12am already.. I not yet shop finish wan ar..but they started to pack up and close their respective stall already..sob.. On the way back to hotel, saw my sis, Mr.Cun and Ms.LeePeng having some drink at the bar next to our hotel.. What else? It’s happy hour time! I joined them for beer..hehe.. The beer in Thailand no ‘kick’
wan..

Usually if I take alcoholic drink, I will face skin allergy, but it
was the 1^st time no skin allergy after taking alcoholic
drink..hehe..good thing..good thing..It was fun and interesting having
conversation with Mr.Cun. He blanje us..haha.. Around 1.30am Went back to room
half drunken with reddish face (luckily my parent weren’t in the same room with
us..hehe..) Had a nice warm bath and slept soundly…zZz.. Personally I think,
the 3^rd day was the best day for this trip!

Day 4 (Sat, 22/12/07)

7.00 am, room’s phone rang as morning call. Breakfast and then packed up all stuff..getting ready to back to Malaysia! At that moment, I had mixtures of feelings..happy to be back to Malaysia and at the same time, felt so sad to bid farewell to the Land of Smiles. On the way to CM Airport, Mr.Cun sang us some popular Thai songs..sob..sob..Felt so sad and even heavier to leave Thailand.. Reached airport, checked in and took a group photo of the tour gang.. and..back to Malaysia!haha..

Special thanks and credits to;

My Dad,
Mr. Saksitkorn.C.
Ms.Bensy and
Ms. Lee Peng

It was really an memorable trip.. Looking forward to visit Chiang Mai again and other parts of Thailand in the future!

Signing off! Chou.. =P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PYesterday, 9^th of December 2007..it was the last
day of the 2007 PC Fair in KLCC. Wern, Kc, Mel and I planned to spend some
great time by visiting the fair. The clock in my living hall pointed at 10am.
Wern and Kc gathered at my place and together, we headed to the bus stand
behind my house to embark the journey. Thank God..the weather was just perfectly
fine for a nice outing. On the other hand, Mel waited at the main bus stand. So
he was responsible to give us a signal when to bus starts to move..hehe..

 

After spending bout 2 hours in buses n train..encountering
with all the confusions of the new Rapid bus system and the hustle and bustle
of KL city..WE MADE IT..!! (Thanks to
God again..) Safe and soundly to the
great megastructure..the KLCC.. We had decided fill up our empty stomach before
start our great SHOPPING!! The lucky Burger King was chosen to be the place to
stop for our lunch..

 

It was the 1^st time I step into a Burger King’s
outlet..coz  I always thought that Burger
King does not have much choices..hehe..but I was wrong.. Mel n Kc got to order
1^st. Again, I repeat..it was my 1^st time in Burger King
and I didn’t know that we will be given an empty cup to fill and refill the
drink that we want. That’s why I was surprised when I saw Kc was given an empty
cup and I asked him a silly question ‘Why is your cup empty?’ Blur look
appeared on Kc’s face..and accompanied by great laughter from Wern standing
beside me..hehe.. 

 

After making our tummy happy..we entered the fair.. At 1^st
we walk together, but thanks to the crowd in the fair that splited us into 2
groups.. Wern and I, and Kc and Mel. Anyhow..we still able to meet each other
coincidently sometimes..hehe.. The fair was great..great prices and great
varities! I was overspent yesterday..now pokai already lor..hehe.. I even got 2
balloons from Kingston’s
booth! Kc says..’small kid’..hehe..

 

Time flies..not realizing it was about 6pm already.. We had
to leave since all of us had to go back for our family dinner, so we gathered again
the place that we had our lunch. Sadly, I had to give away the balloons that I
got to some children nearby coz if not, for sure I will face an enormous
difficulty going back home.. Keep reading on this blog and you eventually
understand that why I said so..

 

We took a ‘packed with human’ LRT couch to KL Central and
walked to the opposite road to catch the bus,U65 to reach home.. We waited
there for bout 1 hour (I guess)..and still didn’t get to see the bus that we
wanted.. We had seen few repeatations of U80, U64, and U wateva la..but NOT
even one U65 bus comes to our sight.. But luckily our patience level was high
yesterday, and finally..our patience was paid..A very packed U65 bus came to
rescue us from that smoky, yucky and ‘full with disgusting illegal foreigners’
bus stand.. The bus was so so very very
packed! But we told ourselves, by hook or by crook, WE MUST GET INTO THE BUS!
We were being squeezed in order to get into the bus.. (I could not imagine
myself if the 2 balloons were still with me that time..hehe..)

 

‘Hooray!! Hot dinner…we are coming!’ Our hearts said. Few
mins after that..i saw Kc was searching for something in his pockets and I
asked his why..and he said nothing.. But I knew something was wrong..then out
of a sudden..he told us that his hp already gone.. Most probably being picpoc
during the squeeze part while struggling to enter bus. Anyhow, luckily it was
his old hp..atleast not so sakit hati. The journey continued.. More and more
people were loaded into the bus from each stop that made by the bus driver.. It
was really too packed in it until I was fully supported by people surrounded
me. I didn’t need to stand since I was fully supported..so just relax myself
and flow according to the flow..just like a jelly being pushed from left 2
right..hehe. Coincidently, the TV in the bus was showing an advertisement
promoting Malaysia as a tourist destination.. It shows how peaceful and joyful visiting Malaysia..
At that moment, this line came into my mind..‘yeah…right..’ When I was in the
bus, I felt more like I am taking a train in India.. Eventough, we were in a bad
situation, but I cant stop laughing.. I was crazy that time I guess..hehe..

 

After bout some time, we finally reached the bus stand near
my house. We got down from the bus and yelled to the loudest we could to
released all the ‘stress’ that we had in the bus. Then, we headed back to our
respective homes for our dinner..hehe..

 

What a great day huh? 9^th of December..another
memorable day..