life...

La Jin Bench 拉筋凳

2012-01-16T20:51:00.004+08:00

近来在忙什么？没看到你写部落，去面子书做facial的？去年年初有了新欢，就是。。。。。。
凳凳凳凳。。。
真得是凳，拉筋凳 :D

Photo sent by Uncle William.

去年年初开始拍打拉筋，后来忙着meditation，后来拉筋+meditation，还有toast master 啦，自闭中心啦，朋友聚会啦，回家啦，等等，等等。每天拉筋多久呢？一边脚10-30分钟，渐渐爱上了拉筋。这么厉害？拉一拉，你就知道！嘻嘻。

更多拉筋拍打咨询http://www.yixingtianxia.com/，进入中文网站或相关资讯网站。

2012新年快乐，龙年快乐。
龙马精神
生龙活虎
鱼跃龙门
生意兴龙

MK where have you been? No blog updates, and never see you doing facial in facebook. Well, besides bla bla bla, bla bla bla, I usually spent my time doing La Jin (stretching) at night :) Starting from 10 min each leg, to 30 min sometimes, I am loving it, La Jin :)

More details on La Jin at http://www.yixingtianxia.com/ Click on English website. Enjoy!

Last but not least, happy new year 2012 and happy dragon year ahead :)

Kiwiberry frozen yogurt now at Gurney Plaza, Penang

2011-11-19T21:32:00.008+08:00

Are you an ice cream lover? I actually not but I do love yogurt. Today a friend is opening its kiwiberry at Gurney Plaza LG, only I know there is tutti frutti frozen yogurt, beside kiwiberry.

As friend, YB and I went to support, of course :) and get a chance to try yogurt ice cream. It is available at Gurney Plaza, Penang.

We tried mango and raspberry. Raspberry flavor is very special we feel. There are few topping choices available. We have added strawberry and peanuts. I think I love frozen yogurt more than ice cream :) Next round to try another four flavor. RM 4.90 per 100g, slightly cheaper than tutti fruitti of RM 5.30 per 100g.

Well, if you have time tomorrow and will stop by Gurney, visit them and get 20% discount for the grand opening. Apply membership for free for future 10% discount, and get a stamp for every RM 5 spent. 10 stamps will entitle for 20% on next cup.

永觉比丘云水行脚摄影展 Photo exhibition by Ajahn Cagino

2011-11-13T20:14:00.004+08:00

The exhibition is now available in Bodhi Hearts Sanctuary

Date: Nov 14 - 40
Time: 9am - 5pm
Contact: http://www.bodhihearts.net/index.asp

More URL
http://buddhistartnews.wordpress.com/2011/09/11/forest-monks-portrayed-in-photo-exhibition/#more-5616
http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2011/9/5/lifearts/9294112&sec=lifearts
http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?sec=lifearts&file=/2011/9/5/lifearts/9294165

人性？！

2011-10-19T20:57:00.002+08:00

今天，由于小悦悦事件，很多人都在谈人性。如果不是太多人人滥用人性，利用人类的同情心干案（如假装车祸继而抢劫，利用婴孩哭声继而抢劫，假装问路继而抢劫，车主好心扶老人被罚款等等，枚不胜数）当今的人真的会如此冷漠吗？事出必有因，明哲保身vs热心助人，在这个所谓发达的社会，平衡线真的不容易拿捏。我想，如果我看到事件，身为女儿身，很多顾虑而不敢挺身而出，但是至少我会帮忙打电话报警。

我喜欢槟城，家乡，至少这些地方人情味还比较重。

太空谜语-答案

2011-09-19T07:00:00.000+08:00

因为，那里什么也没有，真的很空，所以叫太空。
冷到了吧。
有一个愉快的一天 :p

太空谜语

2011-09-18T07:00:00.000+08:00

谜语一则：为什么太空 outer space 在华文是称做太空？

答案明天揭晓。

版权所有，翻印请通知我 :p

他*积福山庄

2011-09-17T17:56:00.003+08:00

他走了已有半年。今天在北海附近办完一些事情，想起去看看他。积福山庄坐落在Sg Lembu，从北海-居林的大道，使用Berapit的出口，向mengkuang 水坝的反向一直驾驶，就会经过一段弯曲的山路。过了Perkampungan Sg Lembu 双溪里武新村，经过去居林的交叉路口时还是直走，过后不久就看到积福山庄在右手。这一个幽静的山庄有一个security guard post，想必是管理层安排的。

这里环境优美，鸟语花香，相信他可以在这里安息。

别于一些火化墓碑，墓碑上没有照片，只有名字。他是真的活在我们挚友的心中。
虽然眼前无照片，
脑海是他的笑脸，
蓝天白云依然在，
故人心里一片天。

从他安息的住所看到山峦连绵，和他在日本住的郊区应该都是宁静之地。

朋友们，他住在红色箭头的位置。如果想要知道正确得号码，可以游览他的面子书。他的哥哥放了正确的编号。

站在他的碑前，忍不住伤心是在所难免的。缘起缘灭，有生有死，无生无死。
在电话里他母亲传来的声音听起来还好。相信虔诚与佛教的她可以接受生老病死的这个自然定律。据说他的父亲还是悲痛难抑。欣慰的是最近uncle有出去和朋友打麻将，帮助不少。站在他的碑前，我想起了她。珍惜眼前的事和人。爱惜健康，清淡饮食，早睡早起。说时容易，你做到吗？我在努力。吉祥草就在我们心中。

菩提萨埵，依般若波罗蜜多故，心无挂碍，无挂碍故，无有恐怖，远离颠倒梦想，究竟涅槃。～取于心经

态度行动24 :O

2011-09-07T07:00:00.001+08:00

刚听新闻，某人因为态度行动24失败而感到难过。

诶，我很少看电视节目，除了看新闻。从网上新闻稍微知道有态度行动24，可是网站没有清楚说明态度行动24是什么东西。在路上，我也没有看到什么布条、广告有关态度行动24，有谁可以告诉我·态度行动24做了什么东西启发大众小心驾驶，有礼貌驾驶？

今天在一个斑马线前，红灯亮了，停了车，我排在第二辆。路人过了马路过后，过到一半的时候看到有摩多车，还特地停下来（看来这个路人和我有过同样的经验），确保摩多车停了以后才继续过马路。还没有亮绿灯，隔壁车道的车子竟然开始驾驶，闯红灯。让后在我之前的车辆也闯红灯。哦，我的天。我按兵不动。竟然，3秒以后，后面传来车笛声，有人horn我们这些前面不闯红灯的车。

刚才那个路人唤起了我深处的记忆。我还记得有一次我在行人灯绿的时候过马路，过到一半，一辆摩多车在我面前以时速60km/h呼呼而过，如果我有心脏病，恐怕当场病发了。应该是善事存摺还有余额，可以避过一难。阿弥陀佛，善哉善哉，阿门，阿拉，观世音菩萨，xxx。

我的天啊，态度行动24怎么可能成功？政治人物啊，在说为什么会有这样的结果以前，先检讨自己为人民做了什么吧！假惺惺推卸责任这一套在这个世纪已经行不通了。

笔于9月6日9.40pm。

Adopt an.... animal

2011-09-05T07:00:00.000+08:00

My newly adopted pet from WWF Adopt an animal campaign. Every animal is important in the natural chain.

Nice meditation video - The Fly Meditation

2011-08-23T07:00:00.000+08:00

Do you meditate? If you do, nice short video to share :)

Enjoy.

2011 Penang International Chinese Book Expo 槟城国际中文图书博览会

2011-08-21T13:47:00.002+08:00

For book worms like me, this definitely is a good news. Finally there is a chinese book expo in Penang. The book fair is from Aug 12-21 11am - 10pm. In fact, there is only few hours left if you wish to visit the expo, go quick!

Frankly, there is not many book booth, only 青城，新文化，久美，商务，友谊，大将，台湾 and etc. Hopefully I got all names in. Beside the book booth, there are also other booth e.g. arts, tea, and two exhibition for 林连玉 and 孙中山. There were also talks and contests.

Culture need time to cultivate, although it is not as merry as PC fair, it is not as merry as KL‘s, I feel for first timer it is a good start. The thing is, will there be another one next year?

I spent around 3 hours and manage to get few books. However, I am a bit disappointed by the reading 'culture'. After people view the book, they simply put it anywhere and never place it back, this messed up some books arrangement and make it harder to find a books. It is very obvious in 青城 booth where they bring in a lot of variety of books in a pack arrangement. Their worker always have to tidy up the book arrangement from time to time. I hope Malaysian can made some improvement, after view, put it back to the original location, make people life easy, and thus yours too. Trust me, when you make other people life easier, they will make yours too :)

要写关于槟城国际中文图书博览会，又怎么可以只有英文没有华文呢。终于，槟城也有了中文书展。虽然参加的书局不多，大约是青城，新文化，久美，商务，友谊，大将，一个卖台湾书籍的摊位，和或许我漏了名字的。虽然不是很多书局摊位，虽然城邦没有来，虽然书籍不是多入繁星，虽然折扣不算太多。以第一次来说，我是很心满意足了。毕竟，万事起头难。要在沙漠种第一棵仙人掌毕竟不是那么容易。本身觉得单本20%，二本以上30%折扣，也蛮不错。如果5本以上40%，那就当然更好 :) 一些书摊只提供20%这口而已。台湾书比较贵，质地一般上比较好，但是我大部分的书还是从单本20%，二本以上30%折扣的书摊买的。毕竟还不是那么迫切需要阅读那些书，下次吧。虽然书中自有黄金屋，可是也需要负担得起才可以买书的。同样的价钱我可以买到二本别的书了。那就先买别的书吧 :p

展览里也有贩卖食物，略略看到价钱合理。只是值得赞赏的。有些展览的食物的价钱是让人乍舌的。吃了午餐才去的我，当然忙着吃精神粮食了。

让我失望的是，公民意识还是有很大的空间需要提升。通常我们看完书后，会放回原位，那么就不会弄乱书本的次序。当要找一本书的时候，可以很容易地根据书的品类和题目寻找。可惜，一些读者，应该是很多读者都乱乱放，随手一丢，遮住其他的书，也把书的分门别类弄乱了。青城在每个书摊都摆放了很多本不一样题目的书，提供了很多不同的选择。可惜有待教育的读者让他们的工作人员也最忙，从早到晚都要排书。也因为乱糟糟的书，我找不到一些应该有的书本。在找书的时候，也顺手帮忙他们放好一些书。希望以后大家可以比较有“手尾”，看完了，放回原处，利人利己。

其实这个情况很普遍，在服装店里很多人拿起一件衣服看了以后，就丢在那边。没有放好。他们可能想不用紧的啦，有店员会整理的。可是试想想，如果大家有手尾，店家不需要请那么多店员，货品价格就会比较低了。可能你会说，不会的啦，店家赚多一点罢了，更加’益‘了店家而已。只是我相信，如果一件货物，店家如果可以卖15元，有同等的利润，为什么他要卖20元呢？实在是有些花费是他免不了的。为什么外国的快餐厅价钱比较便宜，因为省略了服务员的人数花费。现在我去快餐厅，吃完后，我都自己处理自己的桌子。与其等待别人带头做，倒不如自己以身作则。同样的，如果大家没有乱丢垃圾，就不需要那么多清道夫，那么市政府花费比较少，还有理由要起价吗？因果循环。

希望以后每年也有华文书展，多些书摊，折扣多些，那大家也可以买多些，多一些黄金，多一些颜如玉 :p

如果你要去这个书展，现在还有几个小时，快！

A Summary of Melbourne trip post

2011-08-10T07:00:00.000+08:00

阿保哥always laugh at me, a ten days Australia Melbourne and Tasmania trip took me nine months to complete :p Nevertheless, this post merely capture all my blog post link in sequence, for reader and my future reference :)

Melbourne, here I am coming
Melbourne trip (Day 1 Story 1) Arriving
Melbourne trip (Day 1 Story 2) On the way to Phillip Island
Melbourne trip (Day 1 Story 3) Lunch at Hungry Jack's burger
Melbourne trip (Day 1 Story 4) Phillip Island Visitor Information Center
Melbourne trip (Day 1 Story 5) Churchill Island Heritage Farm
Melbourne trip (Day 1 Story 6) YHA Phillip Island
Melbourne trip (Day 1 Story 7) Penguin Parade, Phillip Island

Flew to Tasmania.

Tasmania trip (Day 1 Story 1) Fly To Tasmania
Tasmania trip (Day 1 Story 2) Launceston Backpacker
Tasmania trip (Day 1 Story 3) Launceston Town
Tasmania trip (Day 1 Story 4) Hallam's Waterfront Restaurant, Launceston
Tasmania trip (Day 1 Story 5) Cataract Gorge Reserve

Tasmania trip (Day 2 Story 1) Table Cape Tulip Farm, Wynyard
Tasmania trip (Day 2 Story 2) More tulips...
Tasmania trip (Day 2 Story 3) Table Cape Light House, Wynyard
Tasmania trip (Day 2 Story 4) Fish Frenzy, Burnie

Tasmania trip (Day 3 Story 1) Ocean View Caravan, Burnie
Tasmania trip (Day 3 Story 2) Penguin town
Tasmania trip (Day 3 Story 3) Bridestowe Lavendar Farm
Tasmania trip (Day 3 Story 4) Launceston town, again
Tasmania trip (Day 3 Story 5) Seaport, Launceston

Melbourne trip (Day 6 Story 1) Back to Melbourne
Melbourne trip (Day 6 Story 2) DFO Southwharf

Melbourne trip (Day 7 Story 1) Queen Victoria Market
Melbourne trip (Day 7 Story 2) Brunetti, Melbourne
Melbourne trip (Day 7 Story 3) Melbourne city photo
Melbourne trip - Some tips

Hope you enjoy the photo and stories :)

Melbourne trip - Some tips

2011-07-25T07:00:00.000+08:00

Driving

It has a good driving culture here. Please follow lane concept, give signal and drive politely. Remember, drive according to the speed limit :)

Some parking lot may provide more information e.g. park 90 deg, 45 deg or so.

Public Toilet
It is easily available. Sometimes it looks like below.

With indication if it is in-used or vacant.

Power Socket
The supply is 220 and 240 volts AC. The socket looks like below:

Melbourne trip (Day 7 Story 3) Melbourne city photo

2011-07-23T07:00:00.000+08:00

Some city photo took on the bus. I like the creative architectural building.

Flinders Station

Whose purse?

That's all, about my trip to Melbourne and Tasmania :) However, this is not the end, still got another or two post. What is that about? Stay tuned ;)

Melbourne trip (Day 7 Story 2) Brunetti, Melbourne

2011-07-21T07:00:00.001+08:00

It was quite late when we reach Brunetti at Lygon St. However, the shop is still full of customers. Finally we manage to find a table.

Shawn and Ivan, if you are reading this, you know I will always say Yes to Tiramisu ;) Oh yes, first thing first, it is tiramisu at AUD 6+.

Next is Opera at AUD 6+.

I guess I cannot take opera in the future, it is too sweet for me now.

A cup of coffee at AUD 3.80. I remembered I mentioned somewhere in this trip blog, coffee in Australia is so nice! For me as a black coffee lover, the aroma is enjoyable.

Pizza at AUD 7.90 come with salad.

It was a good lunch! We were too full, no empty spaces in stomach to try the gelato. We thought to have it later near Brunetti City Square at Flinders Lane. Unfortunately they do not serve gelato, or maybe it was out of stock. It is a very small outlet. Well then, some other food for dinner.

Melbourne trip (Day 7 Story 1) Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne

2011-07-19T07:00:00.002+08:00

In the early morning, it was good to see the uncle sun. We head to Queen Victoria Market.

First of all, breakfast. although uncle sun is here, but the weather is still cold. I am still looking for hot breakfast, at least not sandwich nor burger. Oh we chosen Indian food.

Surprisingly, I feel the food is good. The basmathi rice, lassie, nice dish. It cost AUD 10.90.

The market is very big. It has few section. Fruit and vegetables, meat, souvenirs, clothes and etc.

Can I bring an air plant to the air plane? If I can, I would have buy one :)

It is almost lunch time after finish visit Queen Victoria Market. It was with some showering rain sometimes, and a little wind. NC can't stand the coldness and she bought a leggings. While choosing the leggings, the chinese shopkeeper told us it was 5 deg C only. It is usually strange to have such low degree in mid October. Well, weather around the world is unpredictable now. Unexpected flood, drought, earth quake and ... hopefully no more. My dearest reader, please exercise 3R, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, help our planet, help ourselves.

Fortunately uncle sun came out to say Hi when we walked to Lygon St for lunch.

No, I didn't take Malaysia food. Brunetti I am coming!

Melbourne trip (Day 6 Story 2) DFO Southwharf, Melbourne

2011-07-17T07:00:00.000+08:00

While walking to DFO, the strong wind remains, with rain. Can't imagine how strong is the wind? Look at my broken umbrella below. No wonder I see a lot of people use no umbrella on the street. This must be not new to the locals.

Almost immediately if I can go into a building, we went into the convention center to walk to DFO.

Too cold outside and I have no mood to take picture of DFO. I have no desire to take shop photo, so just food photo on the following.

My lunch at the food court, Japanese rice at AUD 8.80 for two dishes.

In the evening, the wind is still strong, but fortunately it stop raining. While walking back to backpacker house, we take a quick dinner when pass by a Japanese restaurant.

The bento at AUD 9.2, and another AUD 2.20 for a bowl of miso soup.

We have been joking a lot at night, go to Melbourne take so many Japanese meal，去墨尔本吃日本餐 :p Well, it was a very cold day, I hope to get some hot food and rice. Hopefully tomorrow will be good weather!

Melbourne trip (Day 6 Story 1) Back to Melbourne

2011-07-15T07:00:00.002+08:00

After returning from Tasmania, we check-in to Green Backpacker house again in the late night. In next day morning, we walked to Federation Square visitor information center, to plan our itinerary before return home two days later.

We have not plan very detail for this trip. We have just high level plan for accommodation and car rental. You know, planning can never cope with changes. 计划永远赶不上变化. I enjoy relax and flexible travel style more. After we step out from Federation Square, while waiting for the shuttle, it started to rain.

It was so cold and the wind was strong. So plan changed, we will walked to DFO for shopping, until if the weather become better.

Ah, some of St Paul's Cathedral snapshot. It is just opposite of Federation Square.

Tasmania trip (Day 3 Story 5) Seaport, Launceston

2011-07-13T07:00:00.000+08:00

We still have few hours before fly. We drove to Seaport for light food.

We went to Levee Food Co.

Oh yes, it is oyster again before we leave :) AUD 14.50 for half dozen.

Goodbye Launceston.

Tasmania trip (Day 3 Story 4) Launceston town, again

2011-07-11T07:00:00.000+08:00

After visited tulip farm, lavendar farm, tried the seafood and oyster, we felt very satisfied with the trip. I am not fancy in wine, no wine is fine :) I appreciate green and natural more :)

On our way back to the town, see houses is all around.

The authentic The Old Umbrella Shop.

That's almost the end of Tasmania trip, left just one more post.

Tasmania trip (Day 3 Story 3) Bridestowe Lavendar Farm

2011-07-09T07:00:00.003+08:00

After a few hours country ride, we finally reached Bridestowe Lavendar Farm. The blooming month is Jan. Oct might not be a best timing if you wish to see the full blooming farm. However, Sep/Oct is the best time for tulips, so nothing is perfect, no single timing is perfect :)

I believe it will be a very nice scenery when it is full of purple blooming lavendar :)

The souvenir store. A repeating video telling the story and history of this farm.

I really love lavendar I get a bottle of essential oil here. I like its smell better than the other brand. How can I buy some after finish mine? *thinking*

For my own record :p the lavender drop is AUD 5.50, 25ml essential oil is AUD 29.95, culinary lavendar is AUD 8.50 with the herbs is AUD 7.95.

We took our lunch here.

A lavendar scones at AUD 6, wrap at AUD 6, and a nice coffee.
A nice place to have lunch with nice scenery :)

Tasmania trip (Day 3 Story 2) Penguin town

2011-07-07T07:00:00.000+08:00

On our way to Bridestowe Lavendar Farm, we stopped by a lovely Penguin town.

Quite a few penguin souvenir can be found in the information center.

Cycling could be a good thing to do here :)

Look, the gigantic penguin!

Goodbye Penguin, I have to move on to Bridestowe Lavendar Farm :)

Tasmania trip (Day 3 Story 1) Ocean View Caravan, Burnie

2011-07-05T11:22:00.000+08:00

After a night in Ocean View Caravan park, we depart to ... shh, this post is about just Ocean View Caravan park :)

We booked a 6 bed room, at AUD 50 for 2 person.It was low season, so there are only two of us in the room :) Very good deal isn't it :) The room is spacious, with small kitchen and dining table. The shared toilet is just few steps away.

We saw some people staying in the coach, is it called a coach or ?

Let's begin the journey, to Bridestowe Lavendar Farm.

Tasmania trip (Day 2 Story 4) Fish Frenzy, Burnie

2011-07-03T07:00:00.000+08:00

After left Table Cape Tulip Farm, we drove to Burnie for dinner. It is around 5-10min drive from the backpacker house we stay.

The restaurant.

Oops, watch out for train before running for food ;)

Tasmania is famous with seafood. Look at the oyster. Half dozen of tempura battered oysters with soy and wasabi, and half dozen of beer battered oysters with onion jam, each at AUD 15.

The Fish Frenzy fish and chip, with two pieces of crumbled fish, scallops, calamari and chips.

We do not like the fried oyster, then we order half dozen of fresh oyster. Oh, I love it! The freshness with some sea water taste, I hope I can record the taste!

I took a cup of mocha here. The coffee is nice too. All coffee I tasted here are very nice! I do not take coffee daily.I still remember CK face expression when she shared how she love the coffee here, and I believe I have the similar one as well :)

Tasmania trip (Day 2 Story 3) Table Cape Light House, Wynyard

2011-05-09T07:00:00.000+08:00

The light house tour started at 1pm (or 2pm, I can't remember :p It has been more than half a year ago, wow). It took around 1 hour plus to complete the tour. Some of the story and information can be found from the website http://www.tablecapelight.com.au/.

If you have been to Muka Head Light House at Penang National Park, the light house outlooks are similar, however, the internal structure e.g. stair case, structure looks quite different. Well, hope you can pay a visit here one day, and listen to the story of it :)

Tasmania trip (Day 2 Story 2) More tulips...

2011-05-06T07:00:00.001+08:00

I am still excited to share more picture taken in Table Cape Tulip Farm :) More picture in my facebook public album.

Not all field is accessible by tourist, only the display field, to prevent human bringing bug or etc which will impact the bulb. I stayed until 5pm, the time they closed. Oh yea, I spend my whole day there. The owner originally would like to close at 4pm+, however, after seeing our excitement, they decided to close at 5pm Thank you, again :)

What is the best time to visit Table Cape Tulip Farm? Late Sep till mid Oct, I am just on the right time ;)

The tulip farm view from the light house :) Not all field is used for planting. Some are leave vacant for few years to maintain soil quality, to produce quality bulbs :)

We saw people came here just to buy tulip. Anyway, order can be place through Van Diemen Quality Bulbs, 363 Table Cape Road, Wynyard, Tasmania 7325.
Telephone: (03) 6442 2012
Fax: (03) 6442 2582
Email: manager@vdqbulbs.com.au
Online shop: http://vdqbulbs.com.au/

Tasmania trip (Day 2 Story 1) Table Cape Tulip Farm, Wynyard

2011-05-03T07:00:00.001+08:00

Long time no see my readers :) Let's continue tasmania trip story.

After check out, we walked to Budget to pick up our car. It is across a small field from Launceston Backpacker. We can't wait to go to Table Cape Tulip Farm at Wynyard.

After check in to the backpacker house at Burnie, we reached tulip farm around 11.30am. It is a good sunny day. No more words now, just picture, hope you enjoy it :)

The entrance fee to the tulip field are:
Adults AUD 8
Seniors AUD 6
Children AUD 2

However, if to include light house tour together with tulip field access, here are the prices:
Adults AUD 19
Seniors AUD 15
Children AUD 9
Family AUD 48

The light house tour includes access to the light house, and its historical story telling by the tour guide.

Light house!! More about it in after next :)

最后一程

2011-03-26T07:00:00.001+08:00

事发当天，才知道原来悲伤的程度是那么的深。现在在写这篇文章的我，还是有些哽咽。是吧，亲如家人，所以才会那么情不自禁，一朵梅花掉了一片花瓣，另外四片会把这片凋零的花瓣拱着。

星期天下午，和友人去他家见他最后一面。在此谢谢友人驾车，因为那时候的我，还是在悲伤的谷底，精神不是太好。那是一场佛教的丧礼，在门前搭了一个凉棚，摆放了几张桌子。去到的时候，伯母和她的朋友亲戚在家门前聊着。我们到了以后，才说了几句话，伯母的眼眶就红了起来。不，别让伯母又伤心起来，借词去看他最后一面，好让她平伏心情吧。

踏进客厅，三天前，我还在这儿陪他说话；今天，他却躺在棕色木棺里。木棺前，放了他在面子书的个人资料照片。我记得他说过，他很喜欢这张照片，这是他在日本一些文件上的正式照。为了申请一些事物而拍的。伯母说，他们选了这张照片，因为和离开前的他的样子比较相近。还没走到木棺，我就开始泪盈满眶了。木棺里的他，眼睛微张，嘴巴也在开着。伯母说其实他去得很安详，由于肌肉开始萎缩，所以闭上了的嘴唇才会是张开的。我不知道我站着看了他多久。虽然他的灵魂已经离开了他的身躯，说得白一些，那是一举尸体，不，我不害怕，这是我最后一次可以看到他了，我怎么可以不多看就一些。他的姐姐拍了拍我的肩膀，说道：“他已经解脱了。”是的，我们也要放下了。

伯母说星期六早上大约八点，就看到他平躺在地上。心里打了一个凸，连忙去扶他起来，同时唤伯父。伯父把他抱在怀里，让伯母帮他梳洗。过后，他问，哥哥姐姐呢？伯母说呀，哥哥姐姐还没回来呢。或许是看到他的情形不大对劲吧，伯父伯母告诉他说，如果他要离开了，就安心的离开吧。还有哥哥姐姐照顾父母，他不需要担心的。然后，在第三次深呼吸以后，他就安宁地与世长辞了。大约九点，医生来到，证实他离开了。知道他去得安详，我当时放下了。我没问细节，因为都不重要了。他离开了，这已经是一个不争的事实，死者已异。医师是一名佛教徒，劝勉伯父伯母节哀顺变，现在缘分已经尽了，他已经跟随佛祖的脚步向西而行。否则·，如果有缘，以后还是会再相聚的。明天就会出殡，然后火化。还在考虑着骨灰放置地点。他喜欢槟岛，或许是极乐寺吧，再看吧。伯父在后院，伯母说伯父可能还不太能接受，需要比较多的时间。让伯父静静吧，然后我和朋友就离开了，原来都过了一个小时了。

第二天早上十时半，仪式开始前，他姐姐问我们几个朋友还要看他最后一面吗？要盖棺了。不需要了。他永远都在我的心里。友人说他哥哥提到说，在星期五晚上，他说，怎么外面那么吵。那时候家人就奇怪了，外面不吵啊。他问，哥哥姐姐呢。伯母说，这星期哥哥姐姐有事情要处理，还没回来呢，你要见他们吗，我致电给他们，让他们现在回来，好吗？善解人意的他，可想而知都是摇了摇头说不需要。鬼怪之说很玄，生命更玄。如果他没有去日本，这一切是否就不会发生？我相信是福不是祸，是祸躲不过。如果他还在日本，大地震事件又会否影响他呢。命运自有安排。至少还有2个月和他最放不下的父母家人相聚，无可求了吧。我到现在还记得，当他知道自己患癌以后，第一个动作就是回来，他说，无论如何，我要和家人一起过。在后院看到伯父，还是在震撼当中的他，需要一些时间吧。

念经，抬棺，出殡后，我们去到了火化场。念经和仪式过后，工作人员按了一个按钮，他和木棺就徐徐进了火化室。这个时候，在后排的我，虽然只看到她姐姐的背影，看到她一边手搭着兄弟，一边手好像在拭去眼泪，我想她忍不住哭了起来吧。在这最后一个moment，我也感受如此，更何况和他手足多年的家人。

希望他在积福山庄安详。希望他的家人安康。活着的人，比较重要。

借这一首歌纪念同时菲迷的他。我记得他蛮喜欢这首歌曲的。

他走了

2011-03-13T07:00:00.003+08:00

这是一篇悼念的文章，或许会有一些伤感。但是我的心态还是正面的，我还是会尽量快乐的。

当日本大地震的一天以后，我们的心也经历了超等级的地震。

当日本十米高的海啸掩盖了农舍房屋，我们的泪水也掩盖了我们的脸。

日本灾难发生过后的第二天，他在早上就像我们辞别了。我并不是迷信，可是事情就是这么凑巧。在日本奋斗了几年的他，虽然现在大马，也随着日本的罹难者一起走了。

今天早上，我收到他的手机打来的电话。哦，还没按接听按钮的我觉得有些惊讶，千万他只是想说这个周末没有心情相聚，虽然这个可能性很低，但是在那短短的零点不懂多少秒之内，我的脑袋想起了这个念头。接了电话，伯母只叫了我的名字，就把电话传了给别人。那是他哥哥，我心想，事情可能要遭了，但是希望上天保佑。电话的另一头，传来了厄运。当时身在山区的我，虽然听得不是很清楚，但是我听到了他离开了的消息。

盖了电话，发短讯通知了一些人，周围朋友传来的谈话声分散了我的注意力，我没有想太多，只是想着还需要通知谁。然后我收到了阿Y的电话，在另外一头哭不成声的她，我不知道要说什么，可是当劝慰语出口以后，自己也忍不住了。我想身边的朋友被吓到了吧。挂了电话以后，收拾心情，活着的人比较重要，别让坏心情破坏了别人的心情。我都不知道，原来我真的可以压抑自己的情绪。或许尽量多说话的我，是另外一种暂时逃避厄运的表现？我不知道。回到家以后，坐在椅子上，忽然间，如长堤崩溃，涛涛江海绵绵不绝，一发不可收拾。

脑海里想起了大学时他的样子。笑得非常开心的肥仔。他永远活在我们的心里面。他的热诚帮忙，他的乌龙，他的大嘴巴，他时常sumimase的样子，他和阿C阿H说笑，他临走前几天皮包骨，皱眉头，勉强一笑的种种样子。我们知道，他最希望我们可以快快乐乐地活下去，我们也希望他在另一个国度过得安逸无压力。

从他发觉不妥，看医生到现在，这一切一切在短短四个月内就发生而且落幕了。当精子在很多个小时的追逐以后，一个生命开始诞生，尚且需要十月怀胎，才有一个完整的生命。可是，要夺取生命，可以是一瞬间，很多车祸都发生在一瞬间；要夺取生命，可以是一刹那间，海啸就卷走了生命财务；要夺取生命，可以是几个月的时间，也可以是好几十年的时间。说啊说的，原来，我们还有四个月的时间，比起罹难者，是幸运了。是我阿Q了吗？可是我庆幸在有限的时间，做了我们可以做的。

眼泪流到这里，已经满了今天的固打，要面对人生，要振作。余下的眼泪，明天才流吧，如果到时候还没消失。啊，没有如果，只有结果。窗外在下雨，让雨水洗涤一切吧。活着的人比较重要，诚心希望他的家人可以节哀顺变。希望日本灾民一切顺利。希望大家好好照顾健康。

Tasmania trip (Day 1 Story 5) Cataract Gorge Reserve, Launceston

2011-03-12T07:00:00.004+08:00

After lunch, we walked to Cataract Gorge Reserve. There were showering rain, we have umbrella to continue our journey :D It is around 10 min walk from Hallams, if I remembered correctly.

I do not know how to describe Cataract Gorge Reserve. It doesn't looks like in the picture nor brochure, but it will attract one eye in real. It gave me a very strong feel, a very strong connection with nature. Is it because of the cliff split opened by massive earthquake? I do not know and it doesn't matter :)

The entrance is FOC. There are some regular jogger.

Wild life live peacefully with human.

We took Cataract Walk, then First Basin Loop, Zig Zag Track back to the origin. For someone who hike, Zig Zag track is easy.

Tasmania trip (Day 1 Story 4) Hallam's Waterfront Restaurant, Launceston

2011-03-10T07:00:00.003+08:00

With the recommendations of tourist information center, we went to Hallam's Waterfront restaurant for seafood lunch. It is located at esplanade. We walked there from Cornwall Square Transit Center, around 5-10 minutes walk.

The one below provide cheaper seafood. Although it is also called Hallam's, I didn't find out if it is the same with the one I went in the second picture.

A view inside the restaurant.

Hot & Cold Seafood Platters @ AUD 45.

Scallops, asparagus, leek & wild fish pie with traditional puff pastry & a delicate creamy filling, served with a crisp green salad @ AUD 25.

The freshly farmed Tasmanian scallop.

Surprised to see fresh scallop in a Malaysia style yellow curry. But we didn't order, we want Tassie taste food :)
How is the lunch? The seafood is very fresh :)

Tasmania trip (Day 1 Story 3) Launceston Town

2011-03-08T07:00:00.000+08:00

After checked in to Launceston Backpacker, we walked to tourist information center to seek for advice. Arh, we have not decided where to go yet, just have in mind to visit Table Cape Tulip farm and Bridestowe Lavender farm, but not yet finalized.

Just would like to share some view of Launceston town :)

Penangnite, George Town! :p

We bought some sandwich and fries here, nice.

On the way walking to Cataract Gorge.

Wooden lamp post!

A restaurant claimed it was the voted best restaurant in Launceston in 2009. No chance to try since it was not open.

Tasmania trip (Day 1 Story 2) Launceston Backpacker

2011-03-06T07:00:00.000+08:00

We stayed in a double bed room with attached bathroom. It was AUD 65 per night.

The shared kitchen. Please clean up your work after use.

The comfortable common room.

There are information board for temporary part time job, travel information and etc. No worries on not able to find activities :)

It's time for us to go out!

Tasmania trip (Day 1 Story 1) Fly To Tasmania

2011-03-04T07:00:00.002+08:00

On the night before we fly to Tasmania, we refer to Greenhouse Backpacker on the airport transportation. She is very kind to help us to reserve seats for airport pick up shuttle. We wait at Hyatt hotel to Southern Cross Station, then take Skybus to airport. We did not take taxi because it was around 6am in the morning, taxi fee will be expensive :p We purchased round trip bus ticket at AUD 26 per person.

In front of Hyatt hotel in the early morning. It is less than 5min walk from Greenhouse Backpacker.

We took Jetstar airline. We were lucky to get Jetstar promotion where we purchased Jetstar air ticket at no cost. If not mistaken, it cost more than AUD 200 per person. Tasmania view before landing. Look at the green.

Visitors are not allowed to bring fresh food to Tasmania, even fruits. We had to throw away the banana and fruits into the quarantine bin.

If you have quarantine items with you, don't think of hiding it somewhere, a doggie will know.

The doggie bark at my backpack, because it has some smell of the banana I'd just thrown.

There are a lot of vineyard here in Tasmania, you can see it once step out from the airport :)

We took shuttle bus to Launceston Backpacker. It is AUD 14 per person, for single trip, AUD 24 for return trip. Taxi may cost AUD 32-35.

It took around 15-20min to reach Launceston backpacker. Tell you more on Launceston Backpacker in next post.

This is my day 6 for Melbourne Australia trip. But since this is first day to Tasmania, I've reset the post title...

Melbourne trip (Day 5 Story 4) Some Melbourne city photo

2011-03-02T07:00:00.001+08:00

There are a lot of restaurant at Swanston Rd. Beside Mekong, we saw at least 3 more Vietnamese restaurant at nearby corner.We stroll at nearby area e.g. Burke St before walking back to Greenhouse backpacker.

Burke St. It is where China town located.

There are a lot of variety of food here in Melbourne. If you missed Malaysian food, just to post a few of the many.

Didn't went to check out if it is the same with the francais in Malaysia. It is getting late, I want to go back to backpacker house, take my shower, have a good sleep and take a very early flight to Tasmania.

Melbourne trip (Day 5 Story 3) Mekong Vietnamese

2011-02-28T07:00:00.001+08:00

After return the rental car to Hertz, we walked to Greenhouse backpacker for check-in. Then we walked to Swanston Rd for dinner. We'd chosen Mekong Vietnamese restaurant.

Prawn and chicken rice paper roll (Tom & Ga Goi Cuon 虾鸡米卷) @ AUD 4.50.

Tea and sauces provided.

Beef and beef balls noodle (Tai Vien Pho 生牛肉+牛丸汤河粉) @ AUD 8.50.

The bean sprout and basil served with the noodle.

Chicken drumstick noodle (Ga Dui Pho 鸡腿肉汤河粉) @ AUD 8.50.

4 color juice (Xung Xa Hat Luu 四色冰) @ AUD 3.50. I missed the chewy jelly).

I always love Vietnamese food, unfortunately I can't find a good one in Malaysia yet.

Address: 241, Swanston Rd, Melbourne, Victoria 3000
Telephone: (03) 9663 3288
Fax: (03) 9663 3488

Melbourne trip (Day 5 Story 2) Ararat Hills Park

2011-02-26T07:00:00.001+08:00

When we passed by Ararat on the way back to Melbourne, there is a signboard showing scenery lookout, we follow the signboard and reached Ararat Hill Park after around 10 min from Western Hwy.

Can you see a straight divider line under word blogspot? No photoshop, it is original picture.

Beside us, there is another lady drive up here and have her lunch here.

Then, we move on. I can't remember where, probably is somewhere near Ballarat, we saw another scenery lookout sign with windmill. So we turn into the country road, off the highway. It is a long road parallel with Western Hwy, more than 10km if I was not mistaken. Of course, we got to see the wind farm.

We were on Western Hwy again. Hold your steering tight, at some of the part the wind was very strong, where we can only drive at 90kmh to keep our Toyota Yarris steady and stable.

Melbourne trip (Day 5 Story 1) Bunjil Shelter, Australia

2011-02-24T07:00:00.001+08:00

In the morning, after we check out from Tim's Place, it's time to travel back to Melbourne. We have to return our car by 5pm.

Visitor center officer recommended us few places to visit on our way back. We'd chosen Bunjil Shelter. Why? We have no interest on vineyard, nor Sovereign Hill, nor Chinese Museum.

Bunjil Shelter is not too far from Halls Gap. At Stawell, there are sign board on directions. There is a car park at Rocky Hills, just around 100m we reached Bunjil Shelter. However, we were both a bit hesitate because we are the only car at the car park. We think it should be safe to continue the visit. Follow the path and it will lead you there.

There are a lot of rocks, and it was very windy.

A hungry rock open its mouth? Just kidding :)

From one of the information board

Bunjil created the land and the water, the plants and animals, the laws and the religion of the Koori people.

What is Bunjil shelter?

This is the only rockart painting of Bunjil known. It is widely regarded as one of the most significant cultural sites in south eastern Australia.

We didn't see any rockart and didn't search for in specific. The wind was too strong, and we were a bit worried to meet some wild life that we cannot manage.

Grampians National Park view from here.

The tiny flower at such a windy rocky hill.

It's time to continue our journey!

Melbourne trip (Day 4 Story 5) Some flowers

2011-02-22T07:00:00.002+08:00

Just to share some flower photo took at Tim's place.

Change a life, change your own 一点爱心，生命更新

2011-02-20T13:35:00.006+08:00

On Sat, it is my turn to work as volunteer at World Vision exhibition. Beside new faces, it is glad to see some old faces, some faces that we meet annually in World Vision event :)

The Queensbay Mall in the early morning, shop not yet open, no crowd. Another volunteer were there early too. This year, the exhibition booth is simpler than last year, published other World Vision sponsors sharing. There are people sponsor more than 10 years, there is one who sponsored 42 children. 勿以善小而不为，勿以恶小而为之. Do what you can do, with faith :)

It is a very good chance to sign up, because we can fill up the form on the spot. If one signed up via online, he/she has to fax the form to World Vision office. Not a lot of people have easy access to fax service. I am not sure if we can email the form instead, always can call to World Vision office for inquiries.

Beside the exhibition, it is a good news for existing donors. They can send a postcard/gift set to their kid! If you have not write to your child for long time, this definitely is convenient.

My postcards to my children.

If you signed up on the spot, pick an apple and stick it to the white color tree of hope. We were so glad by 5pm on Sat, we have got more than 40 new apples. If you are existing sponsor, get the lovely t-shirt at minimum RM 20 donation.

The Nikon girl in action.

At 4pm, child sponsor Jason and Jovi Theng in action.

Ah Bao Ge was invited to shared his experience too, but I missed it, too busy explaining to visitor :)

What does a volunteer do? There are few roles. First is giving flyers, and explain to visitor. There will be some at the signed up counter assist new sponsor to fill up the form, some at souvenir counter, setup/dismantle the booth, etc etc.

Why am I keen in volunteering? I love to spice up the idea of building a kid future. 儿童是未来的栋梁. Malaysia kid is fortunate enough to enjoy clean water, stay in air-cond room, with chance to go to school. There are some, outside our region, walk bare foot to school, live in a plastic cover small cubicle. Love should be spread with no border of country nor religious. 爱是无分国界，肤色。

Beside help promoting a caring society, it also bring some benefit to own. When you are distributing the flyers, you will see a lot of different faces. Some with manners, accepted politely, or rejected with humble smile. Some just ignore you by not looking at you at all, some will show black faces, some will walk far away so you cannot reach them. Which kind of person are you when people give you flyers? I learnt to reply with smiles, regardless if I need the flyers. I learnt to be more humble. I learnt to appreciate people. I learnt to become a human who respect human.

During this exhibition, it was nice to meet few faces. There is one person who regularly go to orphanage and old folks home to help, there are new young donors. I am glad to be able to talk to two student who work part time in a J restaurant. They know about World Vision child sponsorship in radio. They asked me quite a lot of details on how to sponsor, although they can't due to financial limitation. However, I am glad to feel their faith. When I mentioned there is one off donation, immediately one take out RM 20 and ask for nothing in return.有钱没钱，有心就好。有钱有心，当然更好 :) The volunteers here are very glad to explain, although you do not signed up. It is about creating the awareness beside looking for sponsors :) There are 5 countries in need as of today: Africa, India, Indonesia, Myanmar and Thailand.

Their government should have help them! you may think. I thought the same, but for countries with no resources, I will try to help.

See you next year at World Vision booth!

Melbourne trip (Day 4 Story 4) Tim's Place, Halls Gap

2011-02-20T07:00:00.003+08:00

We stayed a night at Tim's Place, Halls Gap, Grampians National Park. It cost AUD 70 for a double bed room. There is shared bathroom, shared kitchen, reading corner, shared living room. It is quite a nice place, we got to meet other visitor at the dining table :)

If you see no one in the office, it is fine, look for the instruction to get into your room ;)

Wifi is available but the signal is not too strong. We can't access it in our room.

Melbourne trip (Day 4 Story 3) More on Grampians National Park, Victoria, Australia

2011-02-18T07:00:00.004+08:00

We then went to MacKenzie Falls. It is around 30min walk from the car park.

As from the map above, there are two routes. We took the right route.

The MacKenzie Falls, which is moving upstream each year.

It is near sunset, an echina walking home :) I took a video, see if I can share one day, to let you see how an echidna walk, sometimes slowly and sometimes fast.

This is the Wartook reservoir.

What a good idea, cook some hot food in the cold windy environment :)

A kangaroo is having its dinner :) I don't dare to walk near, I wonder it will kick me, or runaway.

So far, I'd visited some national park in US, e.g. Yosemite National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Death Valley and etc. Although Grampians National Park doesn't has a lot of stunning scenery as those national park mentioned, but it is very different in such a way that I feel I am closer to the nature in this national park, maybe because of the wild life, that lives peacefully with Grampians National Park visitor :) Forgot to mention, for sure, we can get a visitor guide at the visitor center, Halls Gap, Dunkeld, or Brambuk.

Melbourne trip (Day 4 Story 3) Grampians National Park, Victoria, Australia ~ Part 1

2011-02-16T07:00:00.004+08:00

Do you love visit national park?

Here I would like to share more on Grampians National Park photo. It is entrance fee free except for campers. There are few entrance to the park. From Warrnambool, we entered the park from Dunkeld.

Drive carefully, wild life is every where, crossing the road, or on/under your car at the parking place :) A crossing road echidna is the first we saw here.

Brambuk National Park & Cultural Center.

Beside Aboriginal cultural information, there are few routes here in Brambuk for you to discover more on nature e.g. wetland flora. For sure my camera non-stop working shooting on the flowers :)

The car park at the cultural center.

Some view in Balconies Lookout. This is reachable at Reed lookout, around 15 min walk, didn't actually time it. It is not far :) Of course, the wind is strong, equipped yourself if not used to cold weather.

If you have more days here, can plan for some walk. I would love to do so but running out of time. I believe the walk in Wonderland would be a very memorable one. One of the visitor we met at hostel spend around 7 days in this national park, by walking! Wait if I can do that, one day :)

北极光

2011-02-15T07:00:00.001+08:00

今天在公司里看到了一张外国同事拍的北极光照片，想起了莫文蔚的北极光，突然想听华语版的盛夏的果实。比较偏爱华语版的盛夏的果实，总觉得广东版的北极光好像是硬要滥竽充数。。。

在去年（还是前年）让我回味的莫文蔚唱腔的在那遥远的地方，编曲加上那把声音，赞。

希望这些歌曲没把你闷着了，我可以静静坐着用心观赏张艺谋的活着。如果你想要比较有劲的，听这一首吧 :)
～不喜欢过往，就打造未来的模样～

Change a life, change your own!

2011-02-14T07:00:00.003+08:00

How much does RM 50 monthly mean to you? 5 movie, or 1-2 restaurant meal, or half a buffet cost, or 1/6 of a Levis jeans, or 1/6 of a branded sport shoe? If you have extra jeans/sport shoe that you seldom wear, why not consider to buy less, and spare the money to change a child life? 2 levis jeans a year can change a life, and eventually it will change your own too. Because, it changed mine :)

Date	Highlight	Location	Time
18 - 20 February	"Change a Life, Change your Own" roadshow series	Ground Floor, North Zone, Queensbay Mall, Penang	10:00am - 10:00pm
19 February	Special sharing by Child Sponsors Supported by singer Jovi Theng and MY FM announcer Jason	Ground Floor, North Zone, Queensbay Mall, Penang	4:00pm - 5:00pm
23 February	Special sharing by celebrity Child Sponsor Nicholas Teo	Crown Imperial Hall, 3rd Floor of Crown Square, Kuching	7:30pm - 9:00pm
25 - 27 February	"Change a Life, Change your Own" roadshow series	Ground Floor, Leisure Mall, Cheras	10:00am - 10:00pm
3 - 6 March	"Change a Life, Change your own" roadshow series	Lower Ground, Orange Wing, Sunway Pyramid, Sunway	10:00am - 10:00pm
5 March	Special sharing by Child Sponsors Supported by celebrity Child Sponsor Francissca Peter and MY FM announcer Jeff	Lower Ground, Orange Wing, Sunway Pyramid, Sunway	3:00pm - 4:00pm
24 - 27 March	"Change a Life, Change your Own" roadshow series	Ground Floor, Promenade, 1 Utama Shopping Centre, Petaling Jaya	10:00am - 10:00pm

Celebrity Child Sponsors and Singer Jovi Theng and MY FM Announcer Jason will be at Queensbay Mall on Feb 19, 4-5pm.

Public are welcome to pay a visit. No worries on you must sponsor a child after you leave the booth, that is not the way :) The purpose is the share and create awareness :)
If you are interested to sponsor a child,this is the golden chance. Ask all question you have during the exhibition.
If you are an existing donor, you are welcome to drop by to write a postcard and post a gift to your children. I guess to be safe, bring along your children information.

I do not represents world vision, I am just an existing donor :)

I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do - Edward Everett Hale

Lastly, Happy Valentines day! Love your other half, and if you can, someone who is in need :)

Melbourne trip (Day 4 Story 2) City Heart Motel

2011-02-12T07:00:00.002+08:00

We stayed at City Heart Motel, Warrnambool, after Great Ocean Road. It was AUD 85 for a double room. It was not a popular season, so we have got a downstairs family room with 2 single beds and 1 double bed. It is quite comfortable although it is not new. For me, as long as it is safe and clean :)

Breakfast for two is included with the room charges. If you wish to get the breakfast, please inform the reception upon check-in, then they will prepare the breakfast on the next day morning. Or else, none will be provided. We are not aware about that, so we ordered the breakfast on the next day morning, and the motel owner is so kind to cook and serve it after an hour :) Look at the breakfast, nice ;)

After the breakfast, we started our journey to Grampians National Park.

Melbourne trip (Day 4 Story 1) Logan Beach, Warrnambool

2011-02-10T07:00:00.001+08:00

Hi, welcome back! Let's continue with my Australia Melbourne trip :)

We are now at Warrnambool. After a night stay at City Heart Motel, on the next day morning, we drove to Logan Beach which is around 10-15 min drive from City Heart Motel.

If you are coming during the season, you may see whale. I didn't see any.

This is whale viewing platform.

What is that in the sea? Two people were practicing surfing :)

Look at the strong wave!

This is a view at the Logan Beach car park. Well, it is nothing special for four season country, but it is rear for tropical country :)

月到春节分外明，玉兔呈祥福临门

2011-01-21T07:00:00.002+08:00

Happy Chinese New Year ahead :)
兔飞猛进
有兔三穴（意指有很多房屋，不是狡兔三穴 :p)
扬眉兔气
一展宏兔

吃感情

2011-01-17T22:00:00.003+08:00

有人说，妈妈煮的菜肴是天底下最美味的食物。那是我们熟悉的味道，让我们有安全感的味道。在妈妈爱的锅下，每一位妈妈都是自己家庭的御厨。啊，忘了，有例外，有时候，丈夫都会在妻子面前说自己的妻子才是家庭的御厨 :p

有时候，和朋友用餐的地点，并不是因为该餐厅的食物特别美味，有时候反而是怀缅一起相聚快乐的时光。是那一些真挚的感情，比柴米油盐酱醋茶的调味更加让人垂涎三尺。所以有一些餐厅的食物并不怎么样，装横舒服自在，还是有不少的客人。（在槟城除外 :p）

最近有一个旅友说，有她的旅游都好玩，因为只要有她在，就有欢乐。

嗯，只要有我在，就有正能量。除非我饿了，累了，爱睡了 :p

晚安。我爱睡了 :)

See you later!

2011-01-14T20:13:00.002+08:00

There are too many things to do, and there is 24 hours a day.

Since end of 2009, I've chosen to sleep by 10.30pm or by latest 11pm. From time to time, there will be different things to deal with e.g. family & friends, work, house, car and etc. Thus is really running out of time for internet/blogging.

More on australia melbourne trip probably after Chinese New Year. Hope I can post some before that if I can finish my current task sooner. See you later :)

Melbourne trip (Day 3 Story 6) Still is Great Ocean Road

2011-01-08T07:00:00.002+08:00

A bit further down from Twelve Apostles will be Loch Ard Gorge. There are few walking trails which may take 2-3 hours to complete all. We chosen one light walking trail, I cannot remember at Loch Ard Gorge or London Bridge, around half an hour. There are few information board at parking, for the history and information on Twelve Apostles Marine National Park.

Steps to beach.

Then, the London Bridge or London Arch. Click on the link to learn more on why it fall down :) Of course, if you are there, there is information board explaining the reason with illustration.

If you asked me if it is worth to visit Great Ocean, if you have been driving along 1st Highway and Bodega Bay in US, initially I would think it is almost the same but I think it is different and not comparable. Yes they both have nice ocean view. Great Ocean has the apostles. I believe if you have time to explore, there will be chances to see more wild life in Great Ocean Road, e.g. koala.

The sunset.

It's time to depart to Warrnambool. You may follow the road signboard or GPS direction. The end of Great Ocean story.

Melbourne trip (Day 3 Story 5) Twelve Apostles

2011-01-06T07:00:00.001+08:00

When we saw the road sign to Otway National Park light house, our GPS show it is around 35 min drive. We are running out of time, so just have to skip it. If you really want to know Great Ocean deeper, plan for 2 days trip :)

Before reached the Twelve Apostles lookout point, there is one view point. Look, the rain is coming.

The Twelve Apostles lookout point, with restroom facility.

It was rainy at our right, but sunny at our left.

Since it was raining, and windy, better wear yourself sweater. I saw some visitor wear very light (some young lady even wear just short pant and sandal) and their legs are shivering.

Melbourne trip (Day 3 Story 4) On the way of Great Ocean Road

2011-01-04T07:00:00.001+08:00

Today, mostly picture to share some scenery we saw while driving at Great Ocean Road :)

Look at the cloud. Looks low and thick. However, still quite a few people surfing. It maybe is the starting of surfing season. The wave is getting higher.

Saw a few surfing car rental along the road. If a car is parked at the roadside but no one is there, probably he is enjoying surfing :) Less cloud now, and blue ocean.

If you are driving slower than the car behind you, you may use the turnout as in picture above, to allow vehicle behind to take over safely.

Almost no cloud now :)

Watch out for kangaroo or wild life crossing road. A moving kangaroo will hit your car badly. Oh yes, the driving speed limit is 100km/h most of the time, unless specified :)

Besides beach and sea, there are fields and valleys too.

Sheep thinking "Oh, look at who is taking picture?"

It started to rain. A small nice garden at Laver's Hill.

Guess what is in the picture below? Ant? What?

It's the cow, walking home in a queue :) Go go go, it's raining.

Melbourne trip (Day 3 Story 3) Anglesea

2011-01-02T07:00:00.001+08:00

From some web comment, Anglesea is a nice town to stop by. We saw something like a flea market, then we went to know more. It is at the open space next to the bowling center, opposite the row of shop. There are stalls selling hotdog, raising fund for local community society, clothes, organic food, CD, books, accessories and etc.

Then we walk to the shop in the opposite, it's about lunch time.

You may find few restaurant here, selling fish and chips, western food, chicken, chinese restaurant and etc. We bought a whole chicken at AUD 11.50 and picnic at the park.

Nuggets and Dim Sim. Dim Sim is a meat dumpling, in usually two sizes, small or big, I usually see it in deep fried. To me, it is not special for a Malaysian Chinese who ate dumpling, 锅贴， gyo za or similar :) Anyway, I am always interested to try local food :D

Water cooler next to the garbage bin. Don't worry, it is clean :)

1 踢走 0

2010-12-31T21:08:00.003+08:00

比较科学的说法是，地球转走了2010，带来了2011
比较动作派的说法是，2011踢走了2010。
比较老套的说法是，恭喜阁下有老了一岁。
比较正面的说法是，我们又活过了一年！
比较孩童的说法是，我终于更接近做大人了。
比较学校的说法是，又要开学了。
比较交通的说法是，开学了，又开始堵车了。
比较末日的说法是，距离世界末日又更接近一年了。
比较减肥中心的说法是，日历逐渐消瘦但是换上新装以后，又要努力每天减肥了。
比较成语的说法是，光阴似箭，岁月如梭，爱惜光阴。
比较文艺的说法是，岁月匆匆，匆匆岁月；向2010道别，迎接2011。
比较不知道是什么说法的的说法是，我挥一挥衣袖，向大家拉开2011的帷幕。

都比不上，我真心的说法：新年快乐。

哈哈，冷到了吧。多添衣物，别着凉了，最近天气转冷呢。

Melbourne trip (Day 3 Story 2) Some general info of Great Ocean Road

2010-12-31T07:00:00.001+08:00

We reached Queenscliff around a 10am. We decided to skip Geelong to save 30 min drive, and we are satisfied with San Francisco and Sausalito pier. For this rushing trip, reach hotel earlier and early rest is important too.

A map from http://photos.travellerspoint.com/162264/great-ocean-road-map.jpg.

We followed the driving instruction given by visitor center to look for cheaper fuel price. The advice, usually the first petrol station after jetty is the most expensive. Well, if you are running out of fuel, you have no choice. Just drive and follow the road sign board to Great Ocean Road, we found one reasonable fuel price 20 minutes later.

Finally, it starts here.

Along the way of Great Ocean Road, there are many town/stop with this information mark. Feel free to take your time to read. Unfortunately we do not read much :p I think one day tour of Great Ocean Road doesn't give much chance to know this bay deeper. In our day driving tour, we managed to reach Warrnambool around 7pm, or 8pm? I cannot remembered, *mm*.

Along the way, there are visitor information center and toilet as well. No worries ;)

At Apollo Bay visitor center, there is a map showing distance and estimated driving time of few spots. Before the trip, I surf on google map to get an estimated driving distance. For those who didn't, this is a very good reference.

I am not sure what is the best time to visit Great Ocean, morning, afternoon or evening? If you are planning to go, maybe surf a bit will be useful. In our trip, the weather was sunny in the morning, then cloudy with some showering rain in the afternoon and evening.

Melbourne trip (Day 3 Story 1) Sea road and Queenscliff

2010-12-29T07:00:00.001+08:00

It took less than 10 min from YHA Sorrento to Sorrento pier. We took ferry to Queenscliff to start our Great Ocean Road trip. It costs us AUD63 for a vehicle less than 5.5m with 2 passengers. Visit Queenscliff - Sorrento Searoad website for cost calculator.

We wait in front of the pier before they start sold the ticket. 5 min before the ferry depart, the ticket counter is opened. There are very less car in the morning in this low peak season.

We drove to the ticket counter and paid, then straight drive into the ferry to wait for departure. There are two sides, one contains 3 lanes. It was half full before the ferry depart.

The trip took around 40 minutes. We walked up to the cabin for sight seeing.

Look at the wave pattern caused by the ferry.

There is cafe and TV inside the ferry too. One newspaper is given free when we purchased the ticket, so we can do some reading during the trip.

After we arrived at Queesncliff, we went to the visitor center for information. Follow the yellow i sign and there is the visitor center.

The staff gave us some map, and also directions to the cheaper petrol station. Besides, if you are going to surf, you may find the tides information here as well. We were early and the information is still yesterday.

Great Ocean Road, here we come.

Pulau Payar Daytrip Story 8 - Good bye

2010-12-28T07:00:00.002+08:00

SH's father use this pack below to put in his camera for underwater photo shooting. Some underwater photo in SH's blog :)

From picture above, can you see the far far away land? Those are Thailand island :) It took around half an hour to reach. For sure, need to follow some marine/immigration procedure :) There is Malaysia coast guide to follow.

At 3.15pm, we took Zon 2 to go back to Penang. On our way back, the wave is not as strong as the morning trip, thus I see no people vomit :)

For a non-swimmer like me, I would visit Pulau Payar for once, at least, for the live and sea life.

Jubilee tower, I see you again. That's all for my Pulau Payar day trip :)
A summary link to other post below:
Pulau Payar Daytrip Story 1 - Departure
Pulau Payar Daytrip Story 2 - On the searoad
Pulau Payar Daytrip Story 3 - Reef platform
Pulau Payar Daytrip Story 4 - Snorkeling at Pulau Payar
Pulau Payar Daytrip Story 5 - Lunch time
Pulau Payar Daytrip Story 6 - Beach
Pulau Payar Daytrip Story 7 - Diving?

Pulau Payar Daytrip Story 7 - Diving?

2010-12-27T07:00:00.000+08:00

Remember Kung Fu panda? :p There were few boat taking scuba divers to nearby area for scuba diving.

Some scuba diving equipment are available here.

The life jacket, included in the tour package.

After snorkeling or diving, we can take a shower at the changing/shower room. Strictly no shower gel nor shampoo is allowed, to lower the pollution.

Pulau Payar Daytrip Story 6 - Beach, still

2010-12-26T07:00:00.001+08:00

Jaf has a lot of story to tell, and I enjoyed his story. I am able to know more about Pulau Payar in that way. Different individual has different travel preference. When I visit a new place, I love to know how people there live, what is their culture, and try to live their lifestyle :)

If you love hiking, there is a short hiking trail of around 168 step. Since it was a rainy day, we are not advise to hike to avoid snake.

At the beach, there are lot of reef, with different shape and color.

Look at picture below, what do you see?

Does it looks like a human face covering his mouth using hand? :)

There are few resort building on this island. However, the resort never started its operation after government (or state government? ) want to preserve its nature and disallow overnight activities here. Jaf said these building were build based on resort in Jurassic Park movie. The yellow color is for royal family. However, sometimes government servant can come for short trip.

I just love the clear water, clean beach here :) If I have a day here, I can lie down at the beach and do nothing, beside enjoy the nature.

Look, mosses by the beach! I hope I can stay here and enjoy the fresh air!

Look at picture above, seashell. What else do you see? There is a fake seashell in there, can you spot it? ;) Hope no other pollutant beside this :p

Do you know what is this?

Can you see the crab? Thanks to JC pointed these sea creature to us on our way back to the jetty. Or else I would have missed it at high possibility :p

From this beach, we can see Alor Star tower at far away. Far far away tower. I have not include the picture here, it looks nothing in this small picture :p Show you full resolution photo one day and you can see it better ;)

At the day we visit, there are two other travel group, one local and one from China. Well, you can easily differentiate them using just your ears to detect the sound level :p This place is commonly for local tourist, it is not so famous for foreigner yet. Sometimes there will be cleaning underwater activities where foreigner will join and help :)

Pulau Payar Daytrip Story 6 - Beach

2010-12-25T07:00:00.001+08:00

Merry Christmas! Ho Ho Ho :D

Let's continue with Pulau Payar story :p

After lunch, we took a small boat to the beach. No worries, no taxi fee is needed :p

There are three type of boat, some with shade and some doesn't. Choose either one, the journey to the beach is short, just a few minutes.

Look at the clear water.

Oh it is baby shark.

The information center is closed.

The tour guide Jaf show us how he catch the fish, for us to take closer shot.

We have to be quick to take the photo, Jaf will return the fish to where it belong to while the fish is still alive.

He later when to get some sea cucumber. This is not edible. The edible species came out only at night time. However, Pulau Payar is a protected island, no fish catching activities is allowed. Tourist is now allowed to overnight there as well, to protect the island.

The sea cucumber is soft. Can you see the water? :) Jaf keep the sea cucumber wet to keep them alive, before returning to the sea.

Did you notice Jaf left hand ring finger looks a little bit different? He was bitten by the shark once. He has a lot of stories to tell. According to him, if you wish to play with the shark, don't keep it more than 2 min, after that the shark will start attack you. Of course there are technique on how to 'play' with the shark :p If you get bitten by shark or moray, don't move, don't give any response. Usually their first bite is to test if the 'bitee' (is there such a word? :p) is alive. If they receive no response, they will let go and go away. Otherwise, here the attack.

More on the beach and other living species here tomorrow :) Have a good day.

Pulau Payar Daytrip Story 5 - Lunch time

2010-12-24T07:00:00.000+08:00

The snorkeling started around 11am. After 1 hour 15 min, we get back to the platform for lunch.

The food here is halal. I saw the halal sign here. Buffet was provided.

Hungry? Let's take a look at the food.

There were wedges, stewed lamb, fried chicken, prawn, stir fried vegetables, soup.

Spaghetti, fried vermicelli, fried rice, spring roll, 'lor bak' and salad.

Besides, there are also salad bar, fruits and some dessert.

No worries if you are vegetarian, you can request for vegetarian up front.

Get some hot drink.

Pulau Payar Daytrip Story 4 - Snorkeling at Pulau Payar

2010-12-23T07:00:00.003+08:00

Do you know how to swim? I don't. Probably this is the reason I have not visit Pulau Payar although I stay in Penang for more than 8 years. Okay, probably that's not the reason. I guess a lot of Penangnite have not visited Pulau Payar although they stayed for longer years than I do ;)

If you do not know how to swim, and you happen to be in Pulau Payar reef platform, visit their underwater viewing tunnel, to see some coral and fish. This is the entrance.

The tunnel is not long. I would recommend to visit it in the morning, there are more fish at that time.However, the tunnel is just on the platform, we can visit anytime we want :)

Some coral.

After that, we prepared for snorkeling! If you do not know how to swim, like me. No worries, we can easily float with life jacket. Beside, on this platform, there is a small platform for you to stand/sit, to practice snorkeling. This is it after they put it back after the snorkeling activities. This is available in both side of the reef platform. For me, I stayed in this small platform for all the time *devil lol* And, I enjoyed, you will know why soon :)

Snorkeling mask and life jacket are provided. If you have short sighted and need power mask, they do provide as well. A fair amount of deposit, if not mistaken is RM 200, the deposit will be refund upon returning the mask.

If you love scuba diving, there is a practice floor for beginner, about 7m deep. After that, one can dive further from the island, which is around 20m deep.

Our tour guide Jafri, worked here on and off for around 15 years. He told us a lot of stories, I found those interesting, okay, I love stories :) Before we start snorkeling, he shared some snorkeling tips with us:
1. Don't step on coral/fish/string ray. This is to preserve the nature, and also to protect us human being as well.

2. The sea urchin there is not poisonous, however, it is painful if it hit you and stick on your body. There was one Hong Kong visitor where the jellyfish stick onto his back, follow the spine line. They scratched their head and can never imagine how that visitor got into that situation, could he be snorkeling or sun bathing by facing up? *chuckle* Anyway, if the sea urchin stick to your skin, tell the tour guide or worker there. They will use slipper to hit on the sea urchin until it let go from you.

3. There are first aid kid and doctor on duty, on the platform, any injury, report to the staff there immediately.

If you do not know how to wear the mask, don't be shy to ask for guidance. Time for snorkeling :)

If you wish to get closer with the fish, you may also bring white bread to feed the fish, lots of fish will come to you. Get ready with an underwater camera if you would love to take some shot :)

It was with shower rain sometimes, but majority still excited for snorkeling, so we did :) The sea water is warm although it was not a sunny day.

SP start to feed the fish :D Both of us do not know how to swim, but we have had very good time feeding the fish :D

Look at the colorful fish. They are aggressive. The bread gone in less than 60 seconds, faster than Fast and Furious :p Beside, NS has an old cut at his leg and the fish bite all the newly grow skin, left just the cut, aggressive fish for fish spa :p

Don't cross the border line. After the border line it will be at visitor own risk.

Look at picture below.

What's special beside scuba diving equipment? Have you watch Kung Fu panda before? SH and I think the divers looks like the Kung Fu panda :p

澎湃

2010-12-22T21:16:00.005+08:00

今天我的心情很澎湃。虽然我已经做好了心理准备，可是当面对的时候，还是心情起伏。

几年前，我的屋友问我是否有兴趣到一个自闭儿童中心当义工。那时候我还没有这个福气吧，因为需要每个星期都出席，所以拒绝了。因为自闭孩童抗拒陌生的环境，陌生的人，所以虽然只是一个义工，也需要定时的出席率，让孩子有安全感。

最近，lynn问我是否有兴趣当自闭孩童的义工。进来几年，除了金钱，很想为这个社会付出一些力量。虽然我留下了名字给一些慈善团体，但是从来都没有收到回复。既然现在机缘巧合，趁着自己还是自由身，就点头了。我帮忙的这一个节目，是music & play。有教师拟了课程程序，然后教导自闭孩童中心的家长负责指挥节目。对于我这个初妹，中心的导师和lynn给了我一些概述以后，我需要做的，就是观察。接下来的一个月，我只是需要观察节目的流程，观察孩童，观察如何和他们接触。他们问我希望孩童怎么称呼我，我说就只是我的名字就好了。他们说不行，对于孩童，那台难念了，可以有单字的称呼吗？如果你可以流利地称呼我的全名，朋友，你要惜福。

每个孩童都会由家长陪伴，教导自己的孩子玩游戏。每一个环节都有不一样的动作和交流。如果你正在读这一篇文字，现在我说，站起来，坐下，再站起来，转三个圈，然后坐下。我相信对你来说易如反掌。How are you? 只要学习几遍，普通人是可以很流利的回答你I am fine。可是你知道吗，今晚的节目就是通过一连串重复的音乐和动作让自闭孩童学习这些简单的动作和对白。

父母牵着他们站起来，他们才会站起来。父母压了一压他们的肩膀，他们才知道要坐下了。有一些初来报到的孩童，在新的环境之下，哭个不停。一些孩童比较内静，频频打呵欠，眼神呆滞，他们看向哪里，想些什么，以至于导师和周遭的环境他都可以不予理会？一个超过10岁的孩童频频叫喊，逗其他小孩子，时而伸出舌头，时而自己很开心地笑起来，时而看起来想哭，时而尿禁，这么大个孩子，也不知道什么时候要上厕所，在大庭广众就撒尿了。母亲还需要半拖半拉带他到厕所换裤子。母亲拖得，岂止是儿子的身体，还拖着孩子的心智。没有了妈妈，该怎么上厕所？母亲眼里坚毅的眼神，这么多年来任劳任怨的拖着孩子走过。

一些年纪较大但是心智还是3岁的孩童，不甘寂寞坐着跟随课程，出尽奶力想要挣脱父亲的怀抱，要到处去抓东西。挣扎的时候使劲地用头敲父亲的胸部，用力抓父亲的头发，把父亲的眼镜也打下来了。是什么灵魂躲在这个高大的身躯里边？她敲的岂止父亲是身体，也肯定敲碎了父亲的心吧。很可惜，暂时她是不知道的。我希望有一天她会知道。当她经过我的身边的时候，我竟然害怕她伸手过来抓我的长头发。在那一霎那，看着他们，我不禁想，迟些他们发育成长，遇到身体的变化，他们应该如何应付？如果他们的父母不在了，他们该怎么办。我的眼圈红了红。我的心情澎湃，程度绝对不亚于巴厘岛的海浪。看着那些父母，有些眼神透露着疲累，但是为了孩子，他们还是默默的付出。

我的读者，如果你有孩子的话，如果他只是吵吵闹闹不太听话，成绩不太好，别抱怨了好吗？只要你的孩子可以开开心心健康成长，耐心的教导他们吧，那是你最好的福气了。

我的读者，如果你没有孩子，父母健在，请多孝顺他们。别子欲养而亲不在。
我的读者，也请你好好珍惜自己，照顾自己。你现在拥有的，已经是上天给你很好的恩赐了。珍惜你所拥有的，不苛求不属于你的。

我的心告诉我，接下来的义工路，要付出自己的一点光。（记得以后把头发绑起来就好了。）

×故事发生在几天前，但是今晚吃着汤丸（阿sim妹妹，谢谢你这几年来的汤丸）写这篇文章的我，心情依旧澎湃。冬至快乐。

Pulau Payar Daytrip Story 3 - Reef platform

2010-12-22T07:00:00.001+08:00

Langkawi Coral provides the first and only reef platform in Pulau Payar.

At the platform, there are places for dining, changing clothes and a underwater coral viewing tunnel. Let's take a look.

When we reached, the sun is still hesitating to come out. For all the sunny picture in my Pulau Payar day trip, those are actually captured after 2pm. Before that, it was cloudy with shower rains. Look at the cloud in picture below, when Zon 2 proceed to Langkawi after drop visitor at Pulau Payar.

Around 30 min later, another boat Langkawi Coral 2 arrived, look at the rain, how are we going to snorkel? Details in next post, stay tuned :)

Pulau Payar Daytrip Story 2 - On the searoad

2010-12-21T07:00:00.001+08:00

Pulau Payar is 19 nautical miles south of Pulau Langkawi and 32 nautical miles north of Penang island. For the boat we took, it took around 2 hours to reach. There are other type of boat, which take 1 hour 15 minutes and 4 hours respectively lol.

If you have sea sick, it is advised to take some sea sick pill after food, half an hour before departing. Maybe different sea sick pill has different instruction, read the instruction before consume. Or else your body will feel terribly uncomfortable. Another tips, if someone vomit and you smell it, cover your nose or smell something else.

This is inside Zon 2 boat that we took, with TV for you to spend your time.

Looking for drink? The price is marked at the can.

Nature call? No worries, you need not dive into sea water, there are rest room. Watch out when you are in restroom. The boat could be 'bumpy' (what is the correct word?) if there is wave. Sometimes when I was walking, I felt like I am dancing jive lol.

Goodbye Penang.

We can go up to the cabin for sightseeing.

Use this staircase to reach the cabin. It is closed sometimes, depending on weather condition.

If you feel sea sick, the good thing to do is take a nap!
Okay, see you later :)

Pulau Payar Daytrip Story 1 - Departure

2010-12-20T07:00:00.005+08:00

If you have a weekend near Penang, beside Penang beach, where would you go for seaside activities? If you have a day and looking for snorkeling activities, maybe you can consider to visit Pulau Payar.

After staying in Penang for more than eight years, finally I made a visit to Pulau Payar Marine Park on last Sunday, with a few friends. We joined Langkawi Coral’s “Travel with a Green Heart Campaign to Rainforest of the Sea Discovery in Pulau Payar.

In the early morning, we parked our car near Fort Cornwallis and Jubilee Tower, as marked as blue x in google map snapshot below. It cost RM 7 per entry for Pulau Payar day trip. Oh and we need to pay before enterring the car park. Get your cash ready, don't be like me who forgot where my purse was in backpack in the car trunk. *blush*

Up to last Sunday, the entrance is at red x, not the main entrance of Sweettenham Pier below. It is always good to double check with your travel agent before the trip.

This is the entrance for Pulau Payar trip. It is next to Pusat Penerangan Pelancongan, which is Tourist Information Center.

The boat depart at 8.15am. Before we depart, the tour guide will put a wrist band on everybody hand. It is an identification. It won't break easily, and it is waterproof. My hand looks fair, when Jafri the tour guide help me to put on the band :p 阿Q一番

We then walked to the pier for departure. Look at the sky, I hope there is no rain... You will know in later post, stay tuned :)

Our boat, Zon 2. Here we go, Pulau Payar.

*Australia Melbourne trip story will be on hold until the Pulau Payar stories finish showing :)
In Malay: Minta maaf, program Australia Melbourne tergendala sementara sehingga program Pulau Payar habis.
:p

Melbourne trip (Day 2 Story 4) Sorrento

2010-12-18T07:00:00.004+08:00

We got a map from the YHA staff. Then we decided to visit Back Beach first.

We saw quite a number of cars at the beach, but just two of us walking. Well, there is a walking trail, maybe people went to the walking trail. The wind is strong, the weather is cold. After a short while, we can see more sea gull flying on top of us. I don't know but I started to worry the sea gull will crap my camera, so we quickly walk back to our car. Then only we realize a lot of people actually sit inside the car while watching the scenery. Now I understand why I can hardly see people walking at the beach :)

After that, we drove to the small town. It is a small town and mostly are visitor, so the food is not cheap.

We bought some chinese food for take away from The Chinaman's Hat. Well, if I feel very cold, I wish to have some hot food. I am surprised to know that for dining in, one have to pay AUD 2 (or AUD 4? I cannot remember the exact amount, I know is at least AUD 2) per dish. Well okay, so we decided to stay with original plan, take away. We are suppose to be on backpacker budget trip :p

My sister and I speak cantonese in our conversation, and I hear the cashier speak cantonese to the kitchen too. However, the cashier is not friendly to us. Even the Thank you from her mouth is not sincere. I can tell from her voice and face. She smiled and say Thank you very much to the other diners (who is westerner) but she is stingy to show us her smile at all. Is she worried I will asked for discount or job so that she has to show 'black face' to us? For the other western country I visited (if includes the business trip, more than 10 western countries) , asian usually treat asian the same, and sometimes we will star to chat in mandarin or cantonese, to have some feel of home. Anyway, I am fine, just a little disappointed. I live my life happily and she is just a small dust blow away by the wind, in my life journey :) This is one of the reason I love to travel in just t-shirt and jeans/khakis with sport shoe, usually it is more interesting :)

Melbourne trip (Day 2 Story 3) YHA Sorrento

2010-12-16T07:00:00.003+08:00

When we drove to Sorrento, the GPS was set to use shortest path. Some of the road is narrow which is not a problem for Penang driver, and some looks like below, where we have to give way if there is car from opposite direction. Until now I do not understand why the road is built in such a way, anyway, always pay attention to road sign while driving will keep you safe :)

We fill up the tank whenever we see the petrol price is not too high. From our observations, the petrol price is very expensive at rural area, but it will become cheaper when getting closer to the town, and then the price will rise a little when in town. So it is not true to say everything in town is cheaper.

Sorrento is a small town by the bay. We checked-in to YHA Sorrento before explore more. We rented a double private bathroom at AUD 90.

I have the same Ikea chair at home too :)

There is a natural light source in the bathroom. I guess we cannot do this in Malaysia unless it is a very high floor building :p

The common kitchen. Again, after you use it, clean it.

The comfortable common living room.

The dining table.

We can put our food on the rack. Usually there will be instruction e.g. write your name, date of food and etc. This is to ease the staff to clean the food if one forgotten to. For backpacker hostel, usually there will be common share food, which other visitor left. We contributed ours at the last backpacker hostel we stayed.

Only 3 rooms were occupied during our stay.

Melbourne trip (Day 2 Story 2 Part 3) Aschombe Maze & Lavender Gardens, Australia

2010-12-14T07:00:00.002+08:00

The last story for Aschombe Maze is the lavender labyrinth. The lavender bloom in Dec-Jan, so not much I can see, but still some and I am satisfied :)

Remember the jasmine? It smell so good. It will grow more and fill the whole arch later in summer. I was thinking, by just walking through the arch, I will need no perfume :)

The working bee.

There is a team doing filming.

There is one strawberry farm nearby, and few vineyard. We spend our second half in the garden. If you are not very into flower, can leave earlier to those places.

Melbourne trip (Day 2 Story 2 Part 2) Aschombe Maze & Lavender Gardens, Australia

2010-12-12T07:00:00.005+08:00

There are two parts of the maze, South maze and north maze separated by the central garden. At each corner, there are tiles on the floor. If you are able to find all 8 tiles, congratulations, you'd complete the maze :) We completed just half.

When we go to restroom near the end of the day, we just saw the picture, if one would like to cheat, probably can refer to the picture :p

There are lots of flower in the gardens. I maybe will post some post of all flower I see in the trip at the end of the stories. However, this flower, jasmine, there is a story about it, in the next post :)

Melbourne trip (Day 2 Story 2 Part 1) Aschombe Maze & Lavender Gardens, Australia

2010-12-10T07:00:00.010+08:00

How would you feel if you are trapped in a maze? Well, it is interesting to visit a hedge maze Aschombe Maze and Lavender Gardens.

The entrance. We parked our car outside the entrance.

There are few hand made decorative items around the garden.

We paid the entrance fee of AUD 16.50 each at the entrance. It is a license cafe, if you need food.

Before the trip, I read online, the staff will give you a flag or sensor, when you are lost, just raise the flag or press the sensor, they will come secure you. Then I asked the staff, if I lost in the maze, what should I do? She answered me, find your way out, you won't have trouble in finding way out. Ha ha. More on the hedge maze in next post, stay tuned :D

Beside the hedge maze, there is also rose maze, lavender garden, woodland garden, a small lake, all with nice scenery.

Mid october is not blooming season for rose, thus very few rose flower around. Anyway, it could be fun to walk in the rose maze.

There were few pots of herbs. If you bought western mix herbs for cooking, those name should not be new to you :)

Mushroom.

Before we left, we bought the lavendar ice cream and had it in their cafe. If I am correct, the ice cream is normal vanilla ice cream taste, just with added lavender inside.

The entrance fee:
Adults $16.50
Children (4-16years) $9.50
Senior Card and Health Care Card Holders $14.00
Family (2 Adults & 2 Children) $45.00
Additional Children on a Family Ticket +$5.00 each
Children 0-3 years are free

The address: 15 Shoreham Road, Shoreham, Victoria, Australia (Around one hour drive from Melbourne)
Business hour: Open everyday (except Christmas Day) from 10am to 5pm.

What's next, it is hedge maze, a sneak preview picture :D

Melbourne trip (Day 2 Story 1) Koala Conservation Center, Phillip Island, Australia

2010-12-08T07:00:00.007+08:00

On next day morning, after checked-out Phillip Island YHA, we drove to Koala Conservation Center. It was a cloudy day.

Another press-a-penny :)

The ticket is included in our 3 park pass. I am glad to learn yesterday penguin parade information from the officer :)

Go to the Koala Boardwalk from this door.

There are maps on the track, don't worry, you won't get lost :) There are two boardwalks: Koala Boardwalk and Woodland Boardwalk. We can see just 1 or 2 koala on the tree top in Woodland Boardwalk. We managed to see more in Koala Boardwalks. Again, binocular could be useful here :) If time permitted, you may check out the feeding time schedule and watch it. We didn't.

Beside koala, there are birds, echidna, wallabies and maybe some other wild life too. We managed to see one wallaby and many birds.

Here you go, the koala. He looks like he has red eye, isn't it. Koala is inactive for almost 20 hours a day. They conscious time is very short.

A female koala.

I can't recognize if this is male or female.

He doesn't need lullaby to sleep tight :)

It was cloudy, I have to set high exposure to snap the koala at the tree top.

Lot's of other birds on the tree.

When we got into our car, it started to rain, lucky us :) We spent around 1-1.5 hours here.
When we crossed the bridge to San Remo, we were stopped by the police car. Don't worry, they stop every car, seems like some important vehicle is coming. After waited for around 5-10 minutes, we saw a car with recording equipment coming, should be video filming :) After that, we head to Aschombe Maze and Lavender Gardens.

Melbourne trip (Day 1 Story 7) Penguin Parade, Phillip Island, Australia

2010-12-06T07:00:00.009+08:00

Penguin Parade is one of the top attractions of Phillip Island. It has one of the largest Little Penguin colony.

Let's start the story beginning from Penguin Parade visitor center.

The expected penguin arrival time is displayed. Visitor can feel free to do other things while waiting for it. You may check the information online too.

The 3 park pass we bought entitled each of us a cup of hot drink and a MP4 player recorder which play information on the little cutie penguin. There are two places to redeem the coffee, either at the food stall or the cafe. We redeem at the food stall next to the MP4 player counter.

There are few languages available in the MP4 audio illustration. We listen to it while visit the penguin world exhibition. One need to sign a small note of agreement when redeem the MP4 audio player. A small amount will be charged to credit card if visitor doesn't return it or returning in bad condition.

If you love to collect press-a-penny souvenir, you may find one here. Feed the machine with AUD 2 coin, follow the instruction to get one. I seldom collect it now, fridge magnet is what I will usually keep now.

There are souvenir shops here, for one to spend time before proceed to the penguin parade :)

If you love to send postcards, sending a postcard from here will leave a unique penguin stamp chop on the postcards. I do not have my friend address list with me. I am sorry dude.

The penguin world exhibition is interesting, we can learn more about the Little penguin here.Map below shows the Little Penguin track.

There are many facts information. Have you heard why a penguin front body is white while back is dark in color? There are two version of answer:
Cold joke version

This is because penguin hand is not long enough to reach the back, so they can clean just the front :p

Scientific answer I learn from the penguin world:

This is to protect the penguin. When they swim in the water, to other fish, penguin white front color is mimic to the sunlight, thus other water creature won't be able to spot the penguin easily. As for the bird do not live in the water, they will not be able to find penguin easily since the dark color looks alike with seawater color from top.

Follow the exhibition and maybe you will see some penguin in the penguin hole :)

It's time to get closer with the penguin, and we were reminded of neither photography nor video recording.

At night, it is quite cold especially with the strong wind, it is advisable to prepare yourself with enough clothing. There are many options to get closer with the penguin, check it out. We bought the Penguin Plus.

We seat at the platform while waiting for the penguin to arrive. We were not the earliest, and those corner best seats are taken. But that's okay, I would like to share some tips here. Sit on the top row, so you can see the penguin reach the beach, wash themselves and then walk to their burrows. Equip yourself with a binocular if you have one :) The first row can't see the penguin arriving at the beach because the view was blocked by the bushes. With my binocular, I can roughly see the penguin play in the water at the beach, before walk to their burrows. Of course, when the sky turn darker, the binocular will be useless. Around at least 15min to half an hour after that, the penguin reach near penguin plus platform. To watch the penguin closer, Penguin Plus visitor can walk around the fence indicated by the blue line.I am not sure if the blue track is used by other ticket type or not. The Little Penguin walk for a while, then they stop, maybe rest or find their burrow, then they continue to walk, to walk back to their own burrow. Some of them climb up hill to reach their burrow, some is just on the ground. I can see some penguin is really full, their stomach must have filled with lots of fish :) When they walk, they looks like imbalance but they won't fell down :p

No camera nor video recording is allowed. Unfortunately I was an Asian lady took picture using a high end phone, few times. *sigh*. Is she don't understand English? But I guess few of them came with a tour guide. I hope she realized one day those gadget lighting harm the animal eyes and will bring fear to the wild life. Hope she will respect wild life more in the future. It was too cold and I wish to leave asap, but I should have tell her "No photo please." Before we get into our car, checked the car if any penguin underneath :D

On the next day at Koala Conservation Center, the officer is kind to share information below with me. Wow, 788 penguin at the night. He shared with me sometimes it could be more than a thousand and close to 2000.

Before I forgot, for the 3 park pass, the penguin parade ticket must be used on the day of park pass. However, the churchill island and koala conservation center ticket is valid for 3 months. Check out the terms and condition when you purchase the ticket.

Melbourne trip (Day 1 Story 6) YHA Phillip Island, Australia

2010-12-04T07:00:00.003+08:00

After Churchill Island, we drove to YHA Phillip Island for check-in. We rented a double private bathroom room at AUD 95. Due to low peak season, the manager upgraded our room to family private bathroom without us request it. Thanks to the kind manager :)

The office.

I just figured I have not take picture on the outlook of the unit.Anyway, here is how it looks inside the unit.

The master bedroom with double bed and a wardrobe.

Second room with triple decker bed.

The kitchen equipped with basic cooking utility and cutlery.

The bathroom.

I love the unit, it also has a small living room with a small dining table.

On next day morning, we go to the common dining hall for breakfast. It is near the common kitchen. If you are renting just room with no kitchen, you may use the common kitchen.

Typical western breakfast food was served. Milk, cereal, juice, bread, jam, some fruit.

After finish, one should clean their own plate and cup at the kitchen. It's a backpacker hostel, you get the room at lower price. If you use the utility, you have to clean it :) Fair enough. So if you have not stay in backpacker hostel before, please keep this in mind :)

Phillip Island Amaroo Park YHA
website: http://www.yha.com.au/hostels/vic/bayside/phillip-island/
Address: 97 Church Street, Cowes 3922, Victoria, Australia
Phone: (+613) 5952 2548

又涨价了

2010-12-03T21:35:00.003+08:00

年尾通常是加薪水的时期。薪水不知道有没有增加之余，却听到汽油白糖涨价了。

水高船涨。最近什么高呢，导致汽油白糖统制品涨价？是...某人的钱包空了，希望大家资助资助？

这一趟起价，在外用餐的费用会不会有高些了呢？面包面食不是缩水，就是钱包瘦了吧。

在外国，薪水不低，在外用膳的费用不低，但是日常生活用品费用低，科技用品相比之下比在大马便宜。

在这儿，薪水较低，在外用膳的费用不低，日常生活的费用也不低，科技用品相比之下比在大马比较贵，有人还说我们的房屋价格比别人低。要人民改变生活方式，为什么我们的政府不可以改变花钱方式呢？没有钱，生日还嚣张买100层蛋糕干什么?

请用apple to apple的算法吧，我们的高官。高床暖枕的你可以多一些微服出巡体验民生吗？不要到选举拉票才出来走走，会变宅的。

Melbourne trip (Day 1 Story 5) Churchill Island Heritage Farm, Australia

2010-12-02T07:00:00.006+08:00

It is not too far driving from the first visitor center to Churchill Island. Even before entered Churchill Island and I felt very different about the island. I do not know how to describe. Maybe it is the tree, the scenery, the wild life wander around which yield a very peace of mind.

We have to single lane bridge. It was not crowded, no incoming car when we crossed.

When we reached the visitor center, it was around 3.10pm, we wish to catch the sheep shearing, thus we requested if we can purchased the ticket after we finish the show. The officer trusted us and let us in.

There are daily farm activities in Chuchill Island. When we visited, the daily routine is as below:

11.00 - 11.15am Cow milking
1.00 - 2.oopm Horse drawn wagon ride
2.10 - 2.30pm Cow milking
2.30 - 2.45pm Blacksmithing
3.00 - 3.15pm pm Sheep Shearing
3.15 - 3.30pm Working Dogs
3:30 - 3.45pm Whip Cracking
3.45 - 4.00pm Boomerang Throwing

We immediately run to the sheep shearing session. During the session, the sheep 'meh meh' sound mix with the shaver make a funny rhythm :p The full piece of wool on the floor.

Horse: Am I cool?

After that, we watch the Dog working. Two doggy are trained to gather the sheep in a circle. The doggy will run in circle and bark, to work. As you can see, the sheep after sheared :)

After the show, we take some pictures on some of the spot e.g. blacksmith house, flowers and the scenery. Then we went back to the visitor center after the Whip cracking session, to purchase the park pass :)

Churchill Island entrance fee is as below (extracted from Churchill Island website below, at the date of this blog post is drafted)
Adults (16years+) $10.60
Children (4-15yrs) $5.30
Australian Pensioner(ID required) $7.40
Family (2A +2C) $26.50

However, we need to pay nothing since it is included in our 3 park pass.

Map and daily farm activities on Churchill Island can be found from www.churchillisland.org.au

Melbourne trip (Day 1 Story 4) Phillip Island Visitor Information Center

2010-11-30T07:00:00.008+08:00

From San Remo, just cross a small bridge and we reached Phillip Island. No toll charges is needed. After around 1km, we saw visitor information center on our left.

If the center is not open, you may try your luck with the information board for information.

The staff in the center are very friendly. Besides, souvenir are sold in most of the visitor center I visited in this trip. If you have nature call, you may find restroom in visitor center as well :)

In this trip, I also found a lot of different kind of flora. This is the first one :)

Visitor can purchased park pass from any of the visitor center in Phillip Island. Online ticketing is available as well. If you are traveling during peak season, it is advised to purchase online to avoid disappointment. YHA membership can enjoy 20% discount. Unfortunately, one need to show the YHA membership card to enjoy the discount, thus one need to pay in full for online ticketing. However, 3 park pass can be purchased only from visitor center from Churchill Island, Penguin Parade or Koala Conservation Center. We then heading to Churchill Island. We were lucky to travel on weekday, that 3 park pass can be upgraded to Penguin Plus ticket when we purchased the ticket at around 4pm. It cost AUD 95.20 for 2 tickets, after 20% discount.

Each of us were given a map, voucher for MP4 player for penguin parade illustration information and a voucher for one cup of beverage in Penguin Parade visitor center.

Browse Phillip Island official website for details:
http://www.visitphillipisland.com/

Phillip Island information and ticketing details
http://www.penguins.org.au/

Melbourne trip (Day 1 Story 3) Lunch at Hungry Jack's burger

2010-11-28T07:00:00.009+08:00

On our way to Phillip Island, we stopped at Thompson Parkway, Cranbourne North for lunch and grocery. What, grocery? Mk are u settling down in Melbourne or you are just visiting? I am just visiting :) While traveling, if I am not traveling alone, I used to get some fruit to eat in the long driving journey, to stay hydrated and nourished.

We went to Woolworths to get some fruit. If you asked me if the raw material is expensive there, I would say, at their living standard, probably it is not. For example, navel orange is AUD 2.22 per kg, which is similar to the price we get in Malaysia. So, take more orange and apple at the exporting country, take more local fruit in Malaysia :)

After that, we went to Hungry Jack's (known as Burger King in Malaysia) for lunch.

When order the food, I am so new to Australia accent, and I guess probably the same for the staff to catch my Malaysia's. After he got to know we are from Malaysia, he looks 'That's why'. Probably it is not common to have foreign visitor like us there :p Luckily, if I cannot catch the accent, my sister will be able to. On the other hand, if I can catch their words, my sister won't be able to, so it is good for us, at least one is able to continue to communicate :) She told me she was lost in conversation when she pay me a visit in US last time, so she felt very comfortable with the English here. Okay, great, I can rest :p

Please be informed we need to pay GST when traveling in Australia. To request for GST redemption, you may google for details. For my 11 days visit, none of my bill fall allowed for redemption.

We need to pay 10% tax for the food.We ordered 1 set meal Whopper Jr and 1 Bacon Delux burger from ala-carte menu. It cost us AUD 11.10 in total.

Burger in western country always served with more vegetables. So I usually have less objection to go for fast food burger if I am in western country. The burger are nice but I still prefer beef in US better :) San Francisco In and Out burger, are you still as tasty as 7 years ago?

There is a small playground for kids. The kids are so cute, one of it came to say Hi when we passed by :) Cutie, all the best to you :)

Melbourne trip (Day 1 Story 2) On the way to Phillip Island

2010-11-26T07:00:00.003+08:00

We brought along a GPS navigator. If you have a nokia phone which support map navigation, you may use your nokia phone for direction as well. The GPS setting lead us to use the highway, but we'd decided to follow the signboard by the road. The signboard lead us passing some town which we can find food, groceries store and etc. However, before that, let's take a look on some of bridge view on our way :)

Most of the highway/road are free of charge. However there are some toll road especially if you need to drive in Melbourne town. Ask your car rental company for information :)

Melbourne trip (Day 1 Story 1) Arriving

2010-11-24T07:00:00.007+08:00

After a nap, we claimed the food before touch down. We ordered one nasi lemak, and one western meal. One bottle of water was given of each pre-ordered meal. In general, I think the taste is okay, but the portion is a little small :p

The plane arrived earlier than expected time. But due to a passenger fall sick, the whole flight need to be hold off until certain medical condition check has completed. There were more than one plane touched down at the similar time. Every visitor must fill up the arrival card. I was really surprised that the arrival card was available in many languages: Thai, Greek, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Malaysia Malay, Indonesia Malay, Vietnamese, and much more. In Malaysia, just adding non-Malay word to the road name sign board can cause so many issue. Sigh. When to catch up? 天与地比。

The immigration clearance queue was long. If not mistaken, we queued for at least half an hour. When we went to pick up luggage, we didn't manage to get all after waited for long. After some inquiry, only we realize some luggage were put on the floor due to the conveyor belt was too congested. Australia is very strict in custom especially food, wood or goods that bring bacteria or virus. Thus it was quite a long queue as well. When it was our turn, we told the officer we bring just packed biscuit, and he left us go without further checking. Well, we didn't lie :) Finally, the arrival hall.

The weather was just nice, spring time. We walked to pick up our rented car from Hertz. This is our travel partner, Toyota Yaris, quite a good car! If you were asked on the petrol options, I recommend to buy full and return full. Once get the car, for sure we should have take picture and video of the car condition, to avoid future argument.

关于乌龙

2010-11-23T07:00:00.004+08:00

看到乌龙二个字，喜欢喝茶的会想到乌龙茶。喜欢吃面的或许会联想到乌冬面。大学认识的几个女性朋友，可能会想到乌龙君 :)

从大学开始，一些比较熟悉的朋友都会叫我乌龙君。因为有时候我真的很乌龙，糟糕在事后也不察觉。（乌龙鱼，希望你在马六甲还好，多少年没见了，想到乌龙就想到你，为我取乌龙君这个名字的鱼，嘻嘻）

大学毕业后，偶尔还是会乌龙。但是程度和次数都还好。突然让我想起自己的代号，都是因为最近发生的一件小事。有一次约了一个朋友在一个广场等，我原本是在2nd floor，下了一楼，就是在1st floor。可是当朋友打电话来问我在哪里的时候，我毫不犹豫的告诉他我在2nd floor。等了一会儿觉得不对劲，到处看了看，哦，下一层是Ground floor，那我应该是在1st floor而不是2nd floor。往上一看，果然看到友人在2nd floor。恰巧友人同时也看到了我。

这只是一件很小的乌龙事迹。只是发现最近驾车好像精神不太集中。担心乌龙程度又恢复以前一样。所以啊，就写下来，提醒自己的潜意识，不要太乌龙，要集中一些。哦，上过阿保哥的NLP，需要改一个说法。“提醒自己的潜意识，要集中一些”
阿保哥，我都有慢慢运用学堂里的知识，你的口水不是白喷的 :p

Melbourne, here I am coming

2010-11-22T07:00:00.012+08:00

If you recognized this blog header picture changes, you might probably guess what I am going to share :)

Stop looking back on what make me fly to Melbourne , I took an Air Asia domestic flight from Penang to KL and it took off on time. The company I worked for is under my foot.The Penang bridge that I always travel back to hometown is tiny as a rope, then it slowly disappear. Here I come, 11D10N Melbourne and Tasmania holiday :D

Air Asia visitor to Melbourne are advised to reach LCCT check-in counter 3 hours before depart, due to Australia government certain requirement (I forgot what is the details though :p). Due to the same reason as well, web check-in was not allowed up to the day I am flying. You may start imagine how long is the queue. I waited around 1 hour to reach my turn.

Finally.

Found something funny from the ticket above? Gotcha, that is the ticket from Melbourne to KL :p I just wish to show Air Asia X boarding pass :) Beside, if you pre-ordered meal, it shall be printed on your boarding pass, maybe it is BXBD,MEXA. If you have pre-ordered meal but no code were printed, be sure to verify upon check-in. The flyers sit behind me pre-ordered meal but it was not printed, thus they have to pay again for meal, then claim back from Air Asia office after touch down, extra work to do.

After checked-in, we took dinner at Marry Brown before take off.

Sometimes it could be true that chain restaurant/fast-food taste better in KL. The nasi lemak taste good, the salad is nice. But it was a bit hard to wash my hand there. The basin was too deep inside.

It is a Boeng normal Air Bus plane, nothing special. Luckily the head rest is adjustable.

In this 7.5 hours flight, 2 round of food will be served. First time is after the flight take off, the second time is before it touch down. Pre-ordered meal customer can choose if to claim the it in first round or second round. For sure, we need to show the boarding pass to claim.

After adjust my watch date time to Melbourne local time, I want to take a nap in this 7.5 hours flight, good night :) Melbourne, 'ayam kambing' :D

海上生明月，天涯共此时

2010-11-21T07:00:00.005+08:00

前几天晚上晒衣服时突然好怀念月亮。自从在槟城做工，恰巧住的屋子的方向都很少看到月亮。或许晚上我有空到露台的时候，月亮都说拜拜了吧。通常去旅游时反而看到月亮星星，在那时候也都静静的看个够。最近的一次是在高渊之旅，在宽阔的河口看到的。是不是该说，河上生明月，天涯共此时比较恰当呢? :p

有时候说外国的月亮比较圆，倒不如说外国看到的月亮比较大，比较正确。因为位置关系，在美国看到的月亮比较大，比较亮。有时候走到游泳池附近就是想看看是否能偷窥到嫦娥美女，让月光洒在我身上，吴刚拼命砍的树的树叶也没有飘落在我身上。啊，是的，那只不过是一个神话故事，玉兔是不存在的。就像圣诞老人也是虚幻的，难道就不可以庆祝圣诞节吗？嘻嘻。

还记得小学课本里提到一个问题：为什么无论我们向什么方向走，月亮都会在前边吗？那个答案啊，如果你不记得了，告诉我吧，我会告诉你的。

到现在我还很喜欢的一把声音，祝你有一个愉快的星期天。如果你有参加槟城马拉松，希望你的脚尽快恢复知觉 :)

×才发现，原来我家的露台在8.30前是可以看到十五的圆月亮，以后要看嫦娥，非得早一些了×

*后记：昨天半夜好像下雨，希望在大桥上努力的健将们没有变成太糟糕的落汤鸡吧！

Amazing Nibong Tebal trip (14) 99 Door Mansion

2010-11-20T07:00:00.001+08:00

After lunch, we went to our last stop, the 99 Door Mansion. It was previously government property. However, it is now private after someone bought the whole piece of land for palm tree plant. The tour guide has to contact the farm keeper to open the door for us. I believe he need to pay some small amount of money to let us visit it.

We drove into the farm. The mansion was name in such a way because it has in total 99 doors and windows. After years, it is now left 65. It was built in 185x, by the British when they setup the colony here. It was used as an army base station. During world war II when Japanese came, the Japanese took over the building. After years, the building was not maintained, the termite occupied the place now.

Look at the staircase, so unique. Going upstairs is a grand ballroom. However, the entrance is closed due to termite. Before it deteriorate, some TV program producer visited this mansion and produce some documentary film. SS watch it in Astro documentary channel before. The tour guide mentioned he show the place to a TV program producer from Singpore too.

The indian farm keeper used to live in one of the room.

See, the termite.

The local residents did feedback to government on this building existence. However, no action was being taken to restore the building.

Lastly, we heading back to Penang. Maybe some of you travel across Penang bridge everyday. But I just can't stop taking picture of it with such nice cloud :)

Thanks to the trip organizers and the drivers :D

The End.

关于音乐 About music

2010-11-19T07:00:00.000+08:00

我还记得当我第一次去应征工作，应征者问我如何解压。我想了想，告诉他，我通常会站起来，走一走，要不然，听一些歌曲，音乐。音乐帮了我好多。当我在忙着杀虫(debug)的时候，音乐可以让我更加专注。当我情绪烦扰时，音乐洗涤我的心灵。今天，我想分享目前我的灵药，万试万灵。

I still remembered during my first job interview, the interviewer asked how do I release my tension. I told him, I will listen to song and music, or walk around. Music helped me a lot. It helps me to concentrate when debugging source code. No, the music doesn't distracting me at all. It makes me calm.

学吉他时学的第一首classical music前奏
The first classical music when I start learn guitar.

但是有一些音乐，我在工作时，是绝对不敢听的（在这里也不好意思公开那几首歌，以免大家有了first impression就不好了 :p）

Amazing Nibong Tebal trip (13) Lunch at Hua Ling Restaurant

2010-11-18T07:00:00.000+08:00

Okay, everyone is hungry after visit so many places in the morning. The tour guide brought us to Hua Ling restaurant 花玲中泰海鲜 for lunch.

The tour guide's girl friend brought her pet with her, look at it, so cute. I am not sure what is the animal species though, cannot remember :p It cost around RM 500 per pair and they got it in Ipoh pet shop. Some tips from them, when buy similar couple pet, inform the seller, so that they will try to look for different family male and female for you. Besides, try to learn how to identify male and female before buy.

Our lunch. Seaweed soup.

Stir fried egg. There is few quite big size prawn inside.

Sesame chicken.

Fried mantis prawn.

Boiled octopus, served with special chili sauce.

Frankly, we were a bit disappointed by the meal in overall. We paid RM 196.20 in total, including one night hotel stay, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast and 1 lunch. We have to drive while visiting the places. Of course the boat is also included. Compared to last Kuala Gula day trip at RM 60 per person, we got to eat more seafood in that trip. We are expecting seafood porridge e.g. crab porridge and more seafood, as advertised in their brochure. Anyway, it might be a very special experience of octopus catching. Since we already paid, so just enjoy it :)

Hua Ling restaurant 花玲中泰海鲜
Business hour: 12.00 - 2.30 pm (Lunch), 6 - 11pm (dinner)

关于时间

2010-11-17T07:00:00.000+08:00

上星期去了一个久违的口才训练班。这个训练班的例常训练向来以准时开始为第一准则，千万千万要传承的一个文化。很可惜，听学员说近来训练班的守时风气已经吹歪了，原本8点开始训练，时常变成了接近9点才开始。因为上梁不正下梁歪。

前一阵子去了一个姓氏的晚宴，同样的，时间掌握方面有待改进。
前一阵子去了一些结婚晚宴，同样的，时间掌握方面有待改进。流程节目表与邀请卡写的时间完全不符合，好奇怪，印刷之前没有人检查的吗?
还有什么场合是尊重时间，尊重地球幸苦转动的呢？

在类似的场合，我们时常都会听到迟到者说：“哎呀，不用这么早去的啦，这么早去也是等，倒不如差不多开场才到”。不管你有没有说过类似的话。亲爱的读者，我希望大家以后不要这么想了。因为说这么一句话是很不负责任的。如果你有孩子，你的孩子懒惰读书。当你循循善诱引导他时，他说“哎呀，很多同学都不读书的啦，我这么勤劳干什么？”你会怎么想？如果啊，你真的可以接受那个理由，那么，你可以不守时。同时，你也应该接受某些人说的话“哎呀，不用这么努力工作，反正有政府养。” 我不能，所以我对政府有要要求，有期望。

只要每个人以身作则，就没有人迟到（当然，除了无可避免的迟到除外。当然，化妆打扮懒惰都不是合理的理由。同时，我也可以接受5-15分钟的迟到宽限，因为有时候会有一些无法预料的如交通情况。），很多节目都可以准时开始，准时结束。那不是很好吗。

守时，由你我开始。才会有他、她，他们和她们跟着，从而培养一个健康的社会风气。

Amazing Nibong Tebal trip (12) Kwong Hock Temple

2010-11-16T07:00:00.000+08:00

Departing from Sg Udang, we went back to Nibong Tebal to visit Kwong Hock temple. I have no time to read the history about this temple. Anyway, the carving looks nice.

The tour guide told us, when you are facing the temple, go into the temple using the right door, where the dragon carving usually is. Then come out from the left door, where the tiger dragon usually is. 左青龙，右白虎.

Inside the temple, there is a stone tortoise. Quite a number of people came here to touch the tortoise, hope to win numbers lottery :p None of us gamble, so we didn't touch it.