So, what is your choice?
Monday, September 15, 2008
Bedtime Story - Duck and Eagle, is a matter of choice
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Quote of the Day
(then) do what you want to do..."
extracted from the movie The Great Debaters..
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Weekend Get Away at Kota Bahru
Although the Kelantan airport is much smaller as compare to Penang airport, it was well kept and clean.
State of Kelantan welcoming you at the Airport
As both of us haven't take lunch, we quickly when to have lunch in Kota Bahru town. Our lunch was beef noodles and the shop was full of people. Taste wise i would rate it as B+. Quite good actually. A few shops next to it, there was an auntie selling Ham Chin Pen. It looks good, I immediately bought 4 pieces, 2 pieces of "salty" taste another 2 with red bean filing.
"Ham Chin Pen" auntie in action....
These "Ham Chin Pen" looks good, crispy and still hot...
After that, we quickly check-in into Renaissance Hotel. Got upgraded room, very spacious and comfortable. :)
Then we embarked a "Wat" visiting trip. Wat means temple in Thai language. Even though Kelantan is rule by PAS government (a conservative Islamic party), you can see non-muslim live here peacefully and many "Wat" build were everywhere, in contrast what many people believe there is stricted of religion freedoom in this state. In fact, I think the number of "Wat" in this state is far more than what other states have.
The famous Reclining Buddha Wat - one of the biggest reclining buddha in Asia.
The Sitting Buddha Wat
The Standing Buddha Wat
The famous Dragon Boat Wat
In between, we stopped at various places to hunt for famous local delicacy in Kelantan. Akok was one of them. My first time tasting Akok, hm.. taste like bread pudding.
The process of making Akok - using coconut husk to burn and cook Akok.
Pieces of Akok ready for sale.... :)
We also have Pandan Coconut - coconut with the smell of pandan or pandan fragrant... it is believe that this type of coconut tree cannot be planted near to other normal type of coconut tree, or else it will lost the pandan fragrant..
As for dinner, we went to a Thai food restaurant, deep into local village which is quite impossible for outsider to locate it. But surprisingly, in that area there are many of this type of small scale-family operate restaurants. Therefore, mostly local patronize these restaurants. The price is extremely cheap compare to big cities. Four dishes (deep fried fish, fried "kangkung", seafood tomyam and stir fried eel) only cost slightly above RM50. That is amazingly cheap!
Delicious Tomyam
One the next day, we went to Rantau Panjang. It is located at the Malaysia Thailand border. There is a free duty area for tourist to do some shopping.
Rantau Panjang at Kelantan, near to Thailand border.
If you are looking for branded goods, look no further, no need go to Las Vegas Premium Outlet Store, Rantau Panjang too has it's own type of premium outlet store. You can easily find LV, Nike, Adidas, Bonia, Timberland, Guess, Coach etc. here, almost 100% alike - imitation goods. :)
Rantau Panjang "Premium Outlet Store"
Another view of the "Premium Outlet Store"
Overall, it was a good experience, no regret went to Kelantan for the first time. Despite the state was painted as under-developed by mainstream media, personally I feel that Kelantan has many things to offer. Therefore, it is not surprising to see there are foreign tourists too at Kota Bahru. The only draw back is the state don't have many type entertainments, especially at night.
If you want to find a slower pace of living, a get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, a weekend at Kota Bahru is worth considering. But of course, you must have someone to show you around, or else, transportation to various tourist attractions might be a problem.
KB Mall, one of the modern shopping complex in Kota Bahru.
If given a chance to go to Kota Bahru, I will go again for another 3 days 2 nights stay. What I miss is the inexpensive authentic Thai foods. It will be good if there is more entertainment offer there. :) Lastly, a big thank you to my "brother" for being a good host. :)
Kota Bahru airport has 3 terminals only... #1, #2 and #3, you will never get lost here.
FireFlyz ever ready to fly her passengers back to Penang Island...
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Time for Reflection
If you compare, you are insulting yourself.
No one will manufacture a lock without a key.
Similarly God (the universe) won't give problems without solutions.
Life laughs at you when you are unhappy...
Life smiles at you when you are happy...
Life salutes you when you make others happy...
Every successful person has a painful story.
Every painful story has a successful ending.
Accept the pain and get ready for success.
Easy is to judge the mistakes of others.
Difficult is to recognize our own mistakes.
It is easier to protect your feet with slippers than to cover the earth with carpet.
No one can go back and change a bad beginning;
But is never too late for anyone to start creating a successful ending.
If a problem can be solved, there is no need to worry about it.
If a problem cannot be solved then what is the use of worrying about it?
If you miss an opportunity don't fill the eyes with tears.
It's hiding another better opportunity in front of you.
"Changing the Face" can change nothing.
But "Facing the Change" can change everything.
Don't complain about others, change yourself if you want peace.
Mistakes are painful when they happen.
But a collection of mistakes is called experience, which leads to success.
Be bold when you lose and be calm when you win.
Heated gold becomes ornament.
Beaten copper becomes wires.
Depleted stone becomes statue.
Bitter experience is valuable, bringing out the best in you.