the jewel of Kedah..

Langkawi Nature Tour Review

My last trip to Langkawi was more than 10 years ago, hence, I was elated when I was invited to participate in the Langkawi "Go Green Nature Tour" day trip program recently. 

The day started off with meeting up with the rest of the group at the entrance to Swettenham Pier opposite Fort Cornwallis. As I didn't know any of the other group members, I was slightly apprehensive initially but relaxed a little bit after meeting up Chan and Mary.  When all the group members were accounted for, we met up with our tour guide and boarded the ferry with high spirits although the skies were very cloudy and grey.  

The ferry ride from Penang (which leaves at 8:15am) to Langkawi is 3 hours long, stopping at Pulau Payar for around 15 minutes to drop off some passengers. The ferry that we took did not have an upper deck so we could not soak in the beauty of Mother Nature while on the way to Langkawi. Nonetheless, it was a good time for me to get to know the other group members.  We arrived Langkawi at around 11am and was whisked off for a scrumptious lunch at the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club.

The view from Charlie's Place

Clockwise from left: Fish & Chips, Club Sandwich, Chicken Burger, Fried Rice Kerabu Style, Tomato Soup, Spaghetti Bolognese

After lunch, we headed to Langkawi Oriental Village where we were supposed to enjoy the cable car ride. Alas, cloudy skies, light drizzles and strong winds did not permit us to experience the cable car ride that would take us up to Mount Mat Cincang to enjoy breathtaking sights of the whole of Langkawi island. We left Langkawi Oriental Village with much disappointment though some of us found a wee bit of joy taking photos of ducks at the small pond =). (Tip: Contact the management prior to making a trip there to avoid any disappointment)

"Whatcha looking at?"

Next on the itinerary was a visit to the Kilim Karst Geoforest Park located at the eastern part of the Langkawi island.  We took a boat ride along the Kilim River and was treated to amazing sights of God's creation, namely mangrove swamps, limestone hills, sea creatures, bats and eagles. We stopped by a fish farm and were given some time to explore the place. 

After the fish farm, we were brought to a certain section of the river and to my delight, we saw eagles hovering above us. At times like this, I sure wished I had powerful zoom lenses to capture images of these majestic creatures soaring in the skies.  

We proceeded to Gua Kelawar (aka Bat Cave) and as I cautiously entered the dark cave, our tour guide reminded us not to touch the railings of the man-made pathway in the cave to avoid touching bats' droppings. =) We also saw formations of glorious stalactites and stalagmites in this limestone cave that is home to hundreds of bats. (Tip: a torchlight comes in very handy if one is afraid of the dark, and when one wants to take a photo of the bats as flashed photography is banned in the cave)

We headed back to Kilim Jetty where our trustee van driver was patiently waiting for us to whisk us off to our next destination, ie Langkawi Underwater World. We were only given about 45 minutes there so I didn't have much time to fully experience all that is offered at the Underwater World. However, I must say that my favorite sea creatures there are the seals, penguins and the beautiful colorful corals. I was quite enticed by the jellyfishes too!   

As we were running real late and had to make our way back to the Jetty Point for our ferry ride back to Penang, we could not stop by at the Eagle Square near the ferry terminal (although it was in the itinerary). We barely made it to the ferry that was scheduled to leave Langkawi at 5:15pm. Thank goodness our van driver reached the terminal in the nick of time! 


I must say that this day trip tour is quite hectic and time spent for travelling surpasses the amount of time spent for sightseeing. Shopaholics may be very disappointed as we hardly had time for shopping! (Tip: Very quick shopping can be done at Oriental Village, the Zon [outside Underwater World Langkawi] or at Jetty Point) Perhaps ferry operators could consider a slightly later schedule for the last ferry back to Penang?

crossing the Andaman Sea

Although I wished the skies were bluer that day, or that weather permitted us to go for the cable car ride, or that I had more time at Underwater world, I am glad that I had the opportunity to participate in this 'Go Green Nature' tour. Thank you Langkawi Saga Travel and Tours!


Those who are interested in experiencing 'Go Green Nature Tour' can check out Penang CC's website or contact: 
Langkawi Saga Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd
16 Jalan Tanjung Bungah, Georgetown, 11200 Penang, Malaysia
Tel: 604-899 8822
Fax: 604-890 6068
Email: sales@langkawicoral.com

it's the most...

wonderful time of the year.....=)

this Christmas, Penang folks have a new seafront retail marina at Tanjung Tokong where they can celebrate this joyous occasion.

Although there are still many vacant lots plus current ongoing renovations, Straits Quay will definitely be one of the most happening places on the island in a few months' time.

I was particularly intrigued with two shops selling interesting merchandise. Smidapaper offers paper craft lessons for those who are interested whereas those who are looking for personalized cupcakes with fondant icing can contact the owner of Sugar.

There are other notable attractions but personally, I can't wait to sink my teeth into yummy chocolate brownies from Delicious cafe and appreciate theater plays at Penang Arts Centre of Penang when both opens next year!

Despite all the nice Christmas decorations and Christmas carols played throughout the malls, Christmas will be meaningless if we forget the real meaning of Christmas...

"...Christmas...isn't Christmas...till it happens in your heart...."

would you pay...

20 cents for a plastic bag?

It takes awhile to adapt to the 'Plastic-bag-free Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday' policy in Penang (especially for those who do not live in Penang), but I must say that residents of Penang (both Penangites and Non-Penangites) seems to have adapted quite well to this policy, and thus, the success from the 3 days have probably resulted to a bold decision of extending the policy to 'Plastic-bag-free DAILY' come January 1st, 2011.

I didn't know that KFC restaurants in Penang also support the plastic-bag-free policy and I ended up carrying the box of fried chicken without a plastic bag. Do they observe no plastic bags just on Tuesdays? or is it for the entire 3 days? Is it just the KFC restaurant at Jalan Sungai Dua, or it includes all KFC branches in Penang? Hmm... I forgot to ask.... oh well...

So what if the whole neighbourhood knows I'm having KFC for dinner... :)

in search for...

shepherd's pie with minced lamb..

When you hang out with people like SL and SY who are gamed for randomness, it doesn't matter if we just had dinner at Soho Free House the night before. The more important issue here is to be able to sink our teeth into Soho's shepherd's pie with minced lamb even if it means going into Soho Country House at Autocity the very next day! Soho Free House Penang didn't have the minced lamb during both my visits there.

Earlier in the day, we brought SL to eat yam rice and pork in preserved vegetable soup somewhere at Taman Chai Leng. I seriously think pork and preserved vegetables goes VERY WELL together.. :)

After lunch, we decided to 'ronda-ronda' at Autocity and saw Soho Country House.

Straightaway we marched right in and asked if they had the minced lamb Shepherd's pie... Guess what...they did!! woohoo! we ordered a portion and had it as our 'dessert'... :)

Verdict:

The minced lamb Shepherd's pie is DEFINITELY nicer then the minced chicken one..I would recommend the lamb over the chicken any day..

shall we have some...

pub food?

cheap and delicious! .....that was what I remembered of pub food during my England trip in 2005...

I discovered that pub food in Penang is pretty affordable too!...at Soho Free House, along upper Penang Road...They open from 12pm to 12am everyday..

a friend was totally sold to Soho's shepherd's pie so I decided to give it a try. One can choose between chicken or lamb. Unfortunately, they didn't have lamb when I was there so I had to just settle for the chicken.

Verdict:

Soho's shepherd's pie - Awesome! :) the mashed potatoes were creamy and uniformly mashed... the mince chicken meat cooked in some sort of brown sauce was tasty.. and the meal only costs RM7.80.. totally value for money!

A week later another group of friends decided to go to Soho's (again!) and this time I decided to try the home made burgers...

Verdict:

the beef patty was EXCELLENT! not too dry, not too soggy.. the burger bun was nicely toasted.. and they used lettuce instead of pickled cucumbers... I could hardly finished the meal and again, it's only RM7.80!

my friends ordered the Shepherd's pie but yet again, they didn't have the lamb one.. dang...

Apple pie with custard was the chosen dessert...

Verdict:

Generous amount of apple slices... goes really well with the custard.. may be a wee bit too rich (or 'jelak' as some may say) so might be a good idea to share the dessert with a friend.. :)

it doesn't matter...

It doesn't matter where I run, You're there for me

It doesn't matter what I've done Your love's for me

You wipe away the tears, You lift me when I fall

My life is safe by the mercy of Your grace

It doesn't matter where I go, You walk with me

It doesn't matter when I fall, You cover me

You wipe away the tears, You lift me when I fall

My life is safe by the mercy of Your grace

You are my Father, Provider

You're my deliverer

Your mercies embrace me, surround me

Through Your everlasting love

Father I worship You

Father I worship You

And Your love is for me

And Your love is for me

And Your love is forever

(Arvid Gunardi & Sidney Mohede)

_________________________________________________________________________

Dear Father God,

thank you for loving me...

times like this...

I really need to focus on the right things...

a friend shared this poem on fb...and it encouraged me a lot as i prepare to go into 'battle' next week...

__________________________________________________________________

In Jesus' name I pray,

In Him my heart I lay.

He keeps me strong day by day,

He the Potter, I the clay.

I bow my head and close my eyes,

Shutting out distractions that entice.

I can depend on Him for endless advice,

For I know his love for me ain't no game of dice.

I see Your glory, way brighter than the sun,

Empowering your sacrifice heavier than a ton.

Thank you Lord for all You've done,

In sending me Your precious Son.

He calms my soul and gives me peace,

He takes away all stress, I feel at ease.

For in the end I know at least,

He's waiting for me at Heaven's feast.

where does my help come from...

Psalm 121

A song of ascents.

¹ I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?

² My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

³ He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;

⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

⁶ the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

⁷ The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;

⁸ the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

----------------------------------------------------

dear supang,

thank you so much for sharing these verses today... I really needed the encouragement today.. it was not a good day but these verses has renewed my hope in Abba Father...

Joe Cocker - You are so beautiful (nearly unplugged)

You are so beautiful to me
You are so beautiful to me
Can't you see
Your everything I hoped for
Your everything I need
You are so beautiful to me

Such joy and happiness you bring
Such joy and happiness you bring
Like a dream
A guiding light that shines in the night
Heavens gift to me
You are so beautiful to me

no one else comes close...

When we turn out the lights
The two of us alone together
Something's just not right
But girl you know that I would never ever let another's touch
Come between the two of us
Cause no one else will ever take your place

No one else comes close to you
No one makes me feel the way you do
You're so special girl, to me
And you'll always be, eternally
Everytime I hold you near
You always say the words I love to hear
Girl with just a touch, you can do so much

No one else comes close

And when I wake up to
The touch of your head on my shoulder
You're my dream come true
Oh, girl you know I'll always treasure
Every kiss, every day
I love you girl in every way
And I always will cause in my eyes

No one else comes close
No one else comes close

Damn I love you

(JOE)

....thanks j....

His strength is perfect....

I can do all things
Through Christ who gives me strength,
But sometimes I wonder what He can do through me;
No great success to show, No glory on my own,
Yet in my weakness He is there to let me know . . .

His strength is perfect when our strength is gone;
He’ll carry us when we can’t carry on.
Raised in His power, the weak become strong;
His strength is perfect, His strength is perfect.

We can only know
The power that He holds
When we truly see how deep our weakness goes;
His strength in us begins
Where ours comes to an end.
He hears our humble cry and proves again . . .

(Steven Curtis Chapman)

wonderful tonight...

It's late in the evening; she's wondering what clothes to wear.
She puts on her make-up and brushes her long blonde hair.
And then she asks me, "Do I look all right?"
And I say, "Yes, you look wonderful tonight."

We go to a party and everyone turns to see
This beautiful lady that's walking around with me.
And then she asks me, "Do you feel all right?"
And I say, "Yes, I feel wonderful tonight."

I feel wonderful because I see
The love light in your eyes.
And the wonder of it all
Is that you just don't realize how much I love you.

It's time to go home now and I've got an aching head,
So I give her the car keys and she helps me to bed.
And then I tell her, as I turn out the light,
I say, "My darling, you were wonderful tonight.
Oh my darling, you were wonderful tonight."

(Eric Clapton)

...he quietly sings this song into her ear...and they gently sway to the 'music'....

still listening..

I would lay me down to sleep
And pray the Lord my soul to keep
And though I never saw Him there
I believe He heard each prayer
For God was great, And God was good
And I knew if I spoke the words
He would be listening

The years can take us far away
From the simple child like faith
But I am longing to return
To the place where I first learned
That God is great, and God is good
So, I will speak the words

God, our Father, once again
I bow my head to pray
You are my Father and my friend, and You hear every word I say
A prayer for forgiveness, A desperate cry for help
Or praise flowing from a thankful heart
Like each time before, I come knowing You're still listening

I will never understand
How the words of mortal man
Can reach the ears of One so pure
And touch His heart, but they do I'm sure
For God is great, and God is good
And He is love

God, our Father, once again
I bow my head to pray
You are my Father and my friend, and You hear every word I say
A pray for forgiveness, A desperate cry for help
Or praise flowing from a thankful heart
Like each time before, I come knowing You're still listening
You're still listening

Now I lay me down to sleep
And pray the Lord my soul to keep
Though I may not see You there
I believe You'll hear each prayer

(Steven Curtis Chapman)

God...the Ultimate Conductor in this orchestra of life....

You are everything....

My soul is yearning for Your living stream
My heart is aching for You
All that I long for is found in Your heart
You are everything I need

You are the thirst
You are the stream
You are the hunger living deep inside of me
You are the food that satisfies
You are provision for the journey of our lives
You are everything You are

(Brian Doerksen)

i'm amazed...

heard this song at church last night during the

'Carry the Call 2010' concert..

I'm truly amazed by God's love for me...

________________________________

You dance over me
While I am unaware
You sing all around
But I never hear the sound

Lord I’m amazed by You
Lord I’m amazed by You
Lord I’m amazed by You
How You love me

How wide
How deep
How great
Is Your love for me

Music and lyrics by Jared Anderson
© 2004 Vertical Worship Songs

satu suara...

Bapa kami pinta dari mu
Pulihkan Negara ku
Satukan umat mu di Negara ku Malaysia
Agar kemuliaan Mu terpancar dari kami
Supaya dunia melihat kami satu di dalam Engkau

CHORUS
Satukan kami dalam kasih Yesus
Satukan kami dalam kemuliaan mu
Pulihkan geraja ku agar perubahan
Terjadi sekarang ini di Malaysia

Sekaranglah waktunya untuk kau and aku bersatu
Untuk pemulihan Negara kita Malaysia
Supaya dunia tahu gereja Mu bersatu
Satu di dalam kasih Kristus
Satu di dalam Engkau

BRIDGE
Sempurnalah sukacita di dalam kami
Sehati sefikir sekata seia
Dalam kasih Kristus

(by Ps Matthew Gurdial Singh & Juwita Suwito)

trust...

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
Lean not on your own understanding
in all of your ways acknowledge Him
and He will make you paths straight
don't worry about tomorrow
He's got it under control
just trust in the Lord with all of your heart
and He will carry you through

Lord sometimes it gets so tough
to keep my eyes on You
when thinks are going rough
but when i turn my eyes up to the sky
and i hear Your voice is says to me

"So child do not be weary with the troubles
of this world
I have overcome"

(Sixpence None the Richer)

in search for (4)...

m.. e.. a.. t..

Lot 2069, Jalan Utama,Bintawa Industrial Estate,93450 Kuching,Sarawak.Tel : 082-345428, 345429

went for a meat buffet with some friends on 2 Jan 2010 to celebrate the new year...

it was an interesting experience... it's unlike normal buffets where you go to a designated place to pick out your food... here the waiters/waitresses bring the meat to you... so you can just sit back and 'chill' and not have to fight with kiasu people you may sometimes meet at buffet lines.. :P

here are some tips:

1. Make reservations - especially if you go during festive seasons.

2. Go easy on the starters - take loads of vege but little carbohydrates in order to consume LARGE amounts of meat.

3. Remember which meat you would like for seconds cause they'll serve you 11-12 types of meat.

4. Be adventurous and try out every meat

5. Go with a group of friends who LOVES to eat meat.

6. The bread is freshly baked and goes very well with butter and soup :)

7. Be prepared to get a little 'lost' when trying to find the restaurant. First timers might miss the junction.

Freshly baked bread

&

sausage wrapped with beef bacon

do aco krismas!

25 Dec 2009

dear Mark,

it's Christmas!! :) guess what...we didn't attend service on christmas eve morning.. hahaha...'ponteng'... instead, we followed a family from Long Langai to their 'resort' at Fa' Langai (Sungai Langai)..they have a fruit orchard so we ate loads of langsat and buah beritam.. the buah tampoi wasn't ripe...and the buah terap trees were sorta far away... there was some ponds in his land so the guys went fishing in the ponds after lunch... i think you might have joined in if you were here..

there was no 'tarian lilin' or any spectacular fireworks performance on christmas eve but thanks to L, we had a 'private' viewing of fireworks at the airport! However it started raining so the fireworks show was a short one.. the sky was perpetually cloudy so couldn't see much stars, not like the 1st trip.. :I kinda sad la cause I was really hoping for fireworks and skies filled with stars...

This year's Christmas celebrations seems to be slightly different from our first experience.. this time they had quite a lot of praying in the beginning..and they sang more BM songs.. and L even sang English songs during tonight's service!.. not many carols were sung in L Bwg (dang! I was so looking forward to nani carols in the L Bwg language :P ).. pastor preached in BM (so we actually could understand what he spoke on)..

I managed to learn some L Bwg words during my 3 years in Limbang thus this ability to understand questions by the org kampung..and some of the announcements made in church truly made my whole trip this year more meaningful..

can't wait to go back again...some day... :P

the exploration continues...

22 Dec 2009

dear Mark,

we made it to L. Bwn this time! :) and we didn't go on foot or motorcycle.. we used to 'idolise' A but now both WA and myself agree that L's driving skills are amazing as well.. he drove on terrains that you would never imagine possible!

L. Bwn reminds me a lil bit of Bario's white sands..like 'padang pasir'.. there isn't much to do there and walking around the whole village only takes about an hour..