Krabi, Thailand
I went to Krabi in May 2009, and it was more beautiful than I could have ever dream of. I love beaches, for those of you who know me, you know I’m a sucker for the sea and the sun. While Malaysia has beautiful beaches that may rival Phillipines and Thailand themselves, I was stunned by the beauty of Krabi.
The beach and islands surrounding Krabi
I went with my mom, aunts, cousin and my sis. No men, came on this trip. It was pure relaxation and away from stress. It’s one thing to be swept away by the sheer natural beauty of the coast, its another to be stunned by the hotels beautiful chalet architecture and its beautiful surroundings. Now for ANY anyone who is looking for a honeymoon, please go to this place. It is stunning. While the price may be a tad bit high for us Malaysian’s, but if your looking for a vacation with beach views, warm service, away from the concrete jungle and ultimate soul searching… this is the place.
The resort we went, Tubkaak Resort. We went for a package, though we had an advantage as there were 6 of us in total, we booked the deluxe rooms.
The deluxe room that we stayed :
The door handles are wooden and requires you to lock with a real lock, not those with the automatic cards. Now while you may be pondering how then, think of it as chalet style. Each room has a lanai, some may be indoor some outdoor.The rooms are well scented with aromatic oils the minute you enter, and the beds are heavenly. Our room had an outdoor custom made bath tub – shower indoor, while each room is actually designed differently, my aunt’s shower and bathtub was actually outdoor.The shampoos and soaps are handmade and you can tell, by the color and the scent that its from orchids.
If your a pool person – the pool is definitely worth a dip into when the sun is up. The cool water is simply delightful after your warm sun bathing.
If your a sea/beach person – two thumbs up!! They don’t have beach chairs but what they do have are these bean bag waterproof cushions that allows you to seat two persons comfortably or just be a glutton and take two of it – prop yourself under the sun. *drool* heaven.
Food is relatively good at the hotel, reminded me of Bonton. The warm and friendly service is definitely 5 star treatment, the free 1 hour massage was excellent. Everything seems too good. Now one must be wondering, what is there to do in this place?
Krabi and Tubkaak Resort
Shopping… dead as a fish
Unfortunately shopping in Krabi is OK only, not the best place to buy furniture’s or clothes, but maybe for some interior decorating. We went to Ao Nang, and we didn’t particularly bought anything except some ice cream while walking. Other than that, shopping in Malaysia and Bali markets is way better.
Krabi, Thailand is better known for their adventure trails and their diving sites rather than shopping and eating. Best save your shopping and eating in Bangkok. Otherwise, if your in for just some relaxing, adventure and island hopping vacation, this is the place to go.
Hop hop hop around the islands…
Phi Phi Island sadly has lost its beauty due to the tsunami. The corals around are pretty much dead, and the water is not as blue as I used to remember from what everyone told me. Instead, the other islands around Phi Phi Island are way much better, the corals are more alive, more colorful fishes, the water is more clearer and bluer. You’ll be amazed by the beauty of it.
Rent a private boat and the captain will take you to at least 4 islands, price of it is definitely expensive hence its a better idea to go if you have a group of 8. There were 6 of us, but we had friends who were also there by chance but were staying on the other islands – which you can personally pick them up and you can dutch the price with everyone, ends up to be more worth it as you can ask the sea captain to take you to places that are non commercial and they provide food as well.
Food for thought…
Eating around Krabi, is nothing like eating seafood in Langkawi. The local food was disappointing and sadly was lacking the local Thai taste which we were so looking forward too. Instead, the upper class restaurants like ‘Pakarang’ proved to be delectable, delicious and hit the Thai taste criteria we were looking for. What was really weird though, was that asking the hotel for recommendations proved to be wrong thing to do, but asking the driver gave us better food choices. So keep in mind to ask the local drivers and not the hotel recommendations, as of most likely the hotel would earn 10% profit from tourist when asked to dine at these tourist restaurants. There was another excellent restaurant but sadly I do not remember the name of it. When I do I would jot it down here again.
On the other hand, for drinks I would recommend to try their ice blended coconut drinks, it is definitely worth a try. It will cool your body down anyway, so its good to have this after a hot sweaty day.
Kayaking… left, right, left, right
The hotel we stayed had free kayaking service which prove to be fun and exciting. You can kayak as far as you want, if your daring enough. It is probably one of the best activities to do, if you’ve got nothing else. Either way, have fun in Krabi and enjoy the unspoiled natural beauty of the island.
Tiger Cave Temple…
For those who would like to see some local monument, the tiger cave temple should be a place to go. Hike up the mountain or just walk around, and you can see and experience the spiritual side of Thailand. Monks and Buddhist alike give their prayers and respect to the gods in this cave. Folk legend goes that in this cave, lived many and is a sanctuary for the tigers. Hmm… another story though I’m not sure whether I could believe is that, the Thailand triad leader lived here to escape the law, as it would definitely be a place that law cannot touch. Who knows?
Other things to do that I didn’t get to do, are mountain hiking and climbing, elephant rides, bungee jumping and water rafting. I didn’t know there were these activities and didn’t have the gear, proper attire, or nobody wanted to do it with me. 
I would most likely go to Krabi again in the future and would definitely try out these things another time.
Island hopping and views of Tubkaak Resort
Have fun in Krabi, and by the way 3 -4 nights in Krabi is more than enough.
http://www.tubkaakresort.com/
It’s been a while again since I posted. After going through a recovery time I am back to my self again. In my previous post I was suppose to post an article about Vogue’s portrait photography. Unfortunately I reformatted my old computer and everything was deleted. Photo’s and my word document comments about the timeless and beautiful portrait photography between director and actors. Hopefully, I can retrieve all of it back again slowly.
I have been traveling for the past few months, from Langkawi and Cameron Highlands, Malaysia in April. Krabi, Thailand in May. Singapore in June and recently from a family trip, Macau and Hong Kong, July. I am one lucky girl. I will try my very best to recount all of my journeys and remember the places I ate and the things I did. It really has been a fascinating and wonderful time for me in 2009, considering all of the unfortunate events worldwide of H1N1 and the economy crisis. I can’t imagine how I managed to recover, after all I am one of the few or many that was affected by the economy, not the swine flu. I will be posting my trip to Krabi, Thailand. For those who are interested in Krabi, follow on.
I have not written anything for over a month and I apologize to my readers out there for the sudden disappearance as I’ve been going through a bad patch. Not only am I currently looking for a new job, my love life was going through its ups and downs, sister crises, and in addition of a friend betrayal, everything seems to be going so low that I could not find any inspiration to write at all.
However, life goes on and it gets better each day telling my self – ‘tomorrow will be a better day’ and ‘take one step at a time’. That is what I try to tell myself, to get through each hour and passing time.
It is getting better now, as everything has sort itself out and hopefully I can still walk with my head held high. My next article will be coming up soon and it’s about the Vanity Fair’s Collaboration Portraits. Portrait photography at its finest, as Vanity Fair took the opportunity to take collaboration photography between Film Directors and Actors.
Thanks!
I love love this song, first of all, ever since I heard Lily Allen’s song ‘Smile’ I have always loved her lyrics and beats. Its always so happy and joyful, yet narcississtic, well she makes the other person sound narcissistic and it really is so funny, that you can’t help but smile.
This song was sent to me by my friend, and I immediately fell in love with the song.
Recently, I’ve been going back to listening music again and I miss finding all this quirky and unusual music, before this I’ve only had time for commercial music, in the end I keep listening to my old stuff like Basement Jaxx, Apollo Four Fourty, 30 Seconds from Mars, Jason Mraz and stuff like that. Artists that I like right now would probably be, David Cook, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry, to be honest they are good, no doubt about it – I love the fact that Lady Gaga has the guts to sing dance/techno music. Sing is the keyword here, but its sad that her MV Poker Face reminds me of Britney Spears. *blech* Katy Perry has great lyrical music too, yes I am aware that she has unbelievably great taste in clothes especially the fact that she can dress the 60’s and 70’s look which not many people can pull off gorgeously. But yes, I love her music. David Cook… will never forget his version of ‘Always Be My Baby’ originally sung by Mariah Carey.
Lily Allen on the other hand, has that quirky vibe to her that reminds me of charlie chocolate factory. This song, has an interesting lyric propaganda, you can see it as political, which I did or you could see it as any other. It’s a fabulous song! Anyhow hope you guys like this tune as much as I do for this one, I find this song to make you feel happy after a hard long day especially if you get pulled over by a cop or get shit loads of crap from your boss/mother, stuff like that. The best thing about it, is that it’s the type of song that you know its an angry and understated song just sung in a really adorable tune. Can’t help but relate the beginning tune to ‘The Carpenters – They Long To Be Close To You”
Lily Allen Album Cover
Here are the lyrics, haha, I couldn’t help but sing to it. So go and sing it, this will definitely not be on radio, well it would probably be changed. Fuck you change to something like Damn you, or something to that relation, just not offensive.
Fuck You
Look inside, look inside your tiny mind, then look a bit harder
Cause we’re so uninspired, so sick and tired, of all the hatred you harbour
So you say it’s not OK to be gay, well I think you’re just evil
You’re just some racist, who can’t tie my laces
Your point of view is medievalFuck you (fuck you)
Fuck you very very much
Cause we hate what you do and we hate your whole crew
So please don’t stay in touch
Fuck you (fuck you)
Fuck you very very much
Cause your words don’t translate and it’s getting quite late
So please don’t stay in touchDo you get, do you get a little kick out of being small-minded?
You want to be like your father, it’s approval you’re after
Well that’s not how you find it
Do you, do you really enjoy living a life that’s so hateful?
Cause there’s a hole where your soul should be
You’re losing control a bit
And it’s really distastefulFuck you (fuck you)
Fuck you very very much
Cause we hate what you do and we hate your whole crew
So please don’t stay in touch
Fuck you (fuck you)
Fuck you very very much
Cause your words don’t translate and it’s getting quite late
So please don’t stay in touchFuck you, fuck you, fuck you
Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you
Fuck youYou say you think we need to go to war
Well you’re already in one
Cause it’s people like you
That need to get slew
No one wants your opinionFuck you (fuck you)
Fuck you very very much
Cause we hate what you do and we hate your whole crew
So please don’t stay in touch
Fuck you (fuck you)
Fuck you very very much
Cause your words don’t translate and it’s getting quite late
So please don’t stay in touchFuck you
Fuck you
Fuck youFuck you
Fuck you
Fuck you
To those true blue players, we’ll realize mahjong reflects a person’s true character and personality. And to a large extent, the art of mahjong can time and time remind you about, life.
1) Its not all about yourself
My no.1 rule in teaching people how to play mahjong (if they are even willing to learn or i’m kind enough to teach) is that the basic rule of playing mahjong is not just about winning, but about winning faster than your opponents. Sounds simple and logical enough but sometimes we kinda forget that. We cannot be just concerned about whats in front of us, what cards we have, what we are doing, but also to know whats going on, whats going to happen, and hence adapt to the situation. Stop staring at your own cards…they wont change! Just like how if you wanna be self-centered, and base everything that is going to happen around you base on what you want to happen, yes, sometimes it works, but when it doesn’t, you must be ready to be real disappointed to be slapped in the ass.2) What we have in the start does not equate to what we have in the end.
Sometimes we are luckier to start with better cards. Sometimes our hand would look like shit. No doubt a good hand increases the chances of winning, or winning more, but it does not necessarily mean that way. Some of us, when we see a bad hand, we get dispirited and give up totally, and sometimes when we get a good one, we get carried away and insist on doing big even if nothing seems to move. Mahjong is like that, just like life. Some of us might be luckier to start a step in front of our peers, some of us might be in a worse off position and not as ‘lucky’ in our background. But its the ending, the result, what we do in the process, our decisions, how we play the game that ultimately decides if we win or not, and not what we started out with. The point is if we give up and anyhow play, even if our cards are super good, chances are we wont win! So dont totally give up!3) To stay calm and remain rational
It is said in many fields of study, be it in the art of war, the secrets to successful investing/trading, the secrets to winning a sport : is to remain exceptionally rational and calm despite the situation. When something is repeated over and over again, it has to make some sense. Same thing for mahjong. Sometimes when we lose like a dog, we will really sink to become one, and hence maximize our losses. The point is, just like in life, there are things that are within our control, and there are things that are not. And things that are within our control should remain in our control. When luck becomes a bitch it wont help by resigning to it and commit stupid mistakes. I’m, yes often described as a ‘good loser’ cuz i don’t lose my temper, don’t start to anyhow play, etc. But thats cuz i know if i sink into that i will just lose more! Don’t let emotions get the better of you, though we know sometimes its not that easy. Reminder to self.4) The key to getting some things is about knowing when to let some others go
Ironic as it sounds, seasoned players would understand what I’m talking about. There are times when a gut feeling might drive an intense stubbornness which eventually does pay off. There are also times when giving up a plan or changing it fast enough will actually pay dividends or minimize your losses. If you lose this round, it does not mean you will lose this game; If you lose tonight, you still can win tomorrow. Measure your risks, count the cards, predict the probability. Know when to let go. Change is the only constant in this world. Change when you need to.5) Play with the intention to win and the preparedness to lose
Duh. If you want to play a game that you’ll definitely win, go challenge daryl in running, like now. The great Kimura Takuya said in a show when he was a school teacher ” i told my baseball kids that even if we are trailing behind and losing a game, we should still give our best to the very end” Lose, but still play properly la! Like dota like that. If you want to start acting like an idiot and irritate everyone in the game cuz you are losing, THEN HOW? Like throw chips into the air, bark at people…..at least my kahkis don’t do that…anymore. Like Melvin last time lose will throw chips into the air and spoil game one. I guess being in his 30’s did make him a more mellow person.I really thank god, or whichever genius it was that came up with this game, and also to bless me with the intelligence and skill and strength in character to make me such a all-rounded, friendly, skillful and lovable mahjong kahki, which in turn helped me make some good friends.
All that being said, actually i would love to whack a mahjong tile into a kahki’s skull or push a dice up a winner’s nostril or just bite off someones hand when he zi mou man tais or jump on the table and shit and urinate on everyone’s card when i call man tai and never win. But,
Fuck.
- nomiseel
I was very intrigued with this article as I have been going through this as well when I was playing mahjong. When it comes to playing mahjong, you meet lots of people with different characters and playing style. I for one, so far have been a ‘not too bad’ player. When I lose, I really lose, and I don’t go on throwing my temper about neither do I make sarcastic remarks but rather just look tired and kinda defeated.
This article is a great guideline etiquette for people who are beggining or learning to play mahjong, but dont forget its just a game. Have fun learning, tuition fees for mahjong is not at all that big for the price you pay to have fun.
John Smith started the day early having set his alarm clock (MADE IN JAPAN ) for 6am.
While his coffeepot (MADE IN CHINA ) was perking, he shaved with his electric razor (MADE IN HONG KONG .)
He put on a dress shirt (MADE IN SRI LANKA ), designer jeans (MADE IN SINGAPORE ) and tennis shoes (MADE IN KOREA )
After cooking his breakfast in his new electric skillet (MADE IN INDIA ) he sat down with his calculator (MADE IN MEXICO ) to see how much he could spend today.
After setting his watch (MADE IN TAIWAN ) to the radio (MADE IN INDIA ) he got in his car (MADE IN GERMANY ) filled it with GAS (from Saudi Arabia ) and continued his search for a good paying AMERICAN JOB.
At the end of yet another discouraging and fruitless day checking his Computer (Made In Malaysia ), John decided to relax for a while.
He put on his sandals (MADE IN BRAZIL ) poured himself a glass of wine (MADE IN FRANCE ) and turned on his TV (MADE IN INDONESIA ), and then wondered why he can’t find a good paying job in AMERICA AND NOW HE’S HOPING HE CAN GET HELP FROM A PRESIDENT MADE IN KENYA
- Please feel free to comment on U.S Citizen joke.
It’s been 8 months since we’ve dated and guess what… were arguing like children. I am sick and tired, and so is he. So what does this lead to in any way? I’ve been looking for condominiums for the past month or so, so that his mom can move in with him. I am not even considering myself in the picture yet, why? It seems that our future is so bleak, arguing like this is so exhausting. Next thing, my so-called plan for a joint account, I took it back cause I don’t feel secure. I have looked for furnitures for his move in, so that we can keep things in check and we know the prices and what now? Guess what, its a waste of my time. I have even looked at bridal shops, guess what, now I’m not so sure because it feels goddamn like a tornado, not knowing where its going yet with full force. I feel pressured and not free, just because of not being able to express my uncertainties, doubts, feelings, insecurities and so much more. Why? Apparently, I’m accusing and blaming him for things. How does one get married when one is not happy? You know its the person you want, but at this stage I don’t know anymore. Why? Because constantly I am the one to be blamed, I am the one with mistakes, I am the one that is faulty like a machine that refuses to produce correct results. When I asked him about things? Apparently, I’m pushing his buttons. WTF? Maybe I’m taking things too seriously, so I shall take it as a joy-ride.
Yet with all this in mind just when its my last day at work and going for a better future for myself, after reading his blog, I feel useless again. Why? I realised that his history has so much more happier times than he is with me now. Then what? Is this a joke that I have to live with? He typed his mother likes her, few days ago I heard his mother doesn’t like her. WHAT?? I have been living with a ghost that overshadows my relationship. I hate this feeling and it irks me even in my sleep. Does he know this? Don’t think so. Too scared and tired to tell him anything anymore.
This is what it has come, and before I could tell him, I am telling you guys about it because I need to rant. I’ve been keeping it for far too long. I have not ever taken anything from him, yet I’m blamed for something that I clearly understand its both of our faults. I’m blamed for making our relationship become like this and you know what… I’m not surprised that he even blames me for anything else that comes along next. So I’m a mess and a fuck up, clearly that is his case here. Maybe its because I have to compete with a 10 years older than me ghost! Perhaps its because I’m pressured because I certainly didn’t plan my life this way. Then what??
I just want to pass out like how one takes ecstasy and live high, I remember those times. Those were happier times, when I didn’t care less about anyone except my family of course. Now I have Mieke, and that’s my drive to love. Depression? Got over it yonks ago, when I nearly slit my wrist to get over the pain. I hate pain, though I understand the need to feel physical pain rather than internal pain, went through it before – but no, my family would start to suspect something. I think its time for me to disappear from the world and curl up somewhere and start thinking seriously about my own future. I have my job, guess I’ll be married to it like how I did before. Think that is the best.
The only person who knows this part of me – the inflicted pain, the frustration, my haunting’s, my past and present, my confused soul is my other half – Tara. No one knows this better than she, I have revealed every inner secrets that I had, every mistakes and every demon in my fiber being. My dark side, the one that makes me know I could imagine the most wretched things, the one that makes me smile when I know I am capable of making people angry with me and start to think that I’m stupid and useless. Making people believe that I am a blur case, it really is quite funny when they believe and convinced that you are of that nature and nothing else. Then nobody comes and disturbs me, my bubble, my protection from feeling the pain and neglect. It’s been quite a while since I’ve done it, feels like I’m going back there again soon. Time to grow up and face the fact again, that the world is not really as pretty as I thought it was. This revelation came when I was about 12 years old(?) I think, that the world is full of pretentious and self-absorbed people. The difference this time is, I am 26 and its about blardy time to get things straight that no one is going to take care of me except me. When I was 12, I was alone and guess what… it made me strong – its a joke when people suddenly thought you’ve changed because of first impressions over time. Time to accept the consequences and so be it. Life goes on, people don’t really care, friends betray you, your partner might even cheat on you, the sky is still blue, and continues the circle of life.
Hell yeah! I am a reborn just accepting the fact that life is this way, its up to me to make the best of it, patience is a virtue, and fuck what people think. It’s you who matters and be proud of it. Man that was some anger writing!
Jason Mraz Performance on 'I'm Your's'
Jason Mraz came to KL to perform and it was AWESOME! So good that you can’t help but get into the jive in it so easily, his wordplay, dancing and suave singing just can’t help but make you feel like you wanna get up and dance with him too. This was definitely one of the best concerts I have ever been to, the crowd were equally great too. Though didn’t know the words to most of the songs but the crowd roared when he sang radio hits, ‘I’m Your’s’ ‘The Remedy’ and ‘You and I’. I was singing ‘Geek In The Pink’ and some of his older hits. I was smiling and laughing a lot when he managed to get the crowd going with his ‘Good Job’ performance, with his hands giving ‘high ten’ in the air, you can’t help but join him for it too. His spontaneity and wittiness on stage proves, that he ‘makes love’ to his audience and we loved ever bit of it…and he really loves his fans. Though there was a time during his performance, my friend commented that Jason Mraz did a lyric rendition but nobody heard it, about weed, rolling up a joint and what not. LOL. How true? I don’t know, my friend’s a musician and a freestyle jazz singer, so I can sort of believe it.
I didn’t manage to get great videos because the guard stopped me to give my memory card over, in the end I had to make use with my 32mb memory card which I use as spare for emergencies, so lucky I had that. So manage to get only snippets and some good quality pics. The rest are from mobile, which aren’t really great to be honest. So much noise and grains in the audio.
Nonetheless, it was a night to remember. Please do go and see him perform if he ever goes to your neighborhood, I know I will if he comes here again one day. If possible, I would love to make his music video. Hah! Fat chance for me, but boy do I like his songs. He has great stage presence too, I am going to rave about his performance to everyone. I’m glad that I went for the concert, it was worth the RM208.00.
Jason Mraz is one of my favorite singers since long ago, ‘Geek in the Pink’ was one of his first singles I’ve listened too and I have always loved the fact that he makes lovely lyrics. So I’m already biased in this sense, but I was not at all disappointed. Too bad ‘I’m Your’s’ is over-played on radio. Sob.
His performance for Geek in the Pink
Close up from the screen
Sorry about the shakiness at the end, really wanted to clap.
Too bad I can’t get the full clear one, sorry guys. Will check the quality of the one’s that I have recorded on mobile, and see what I can do about it.
AAaaaahhhhhh wished he could have performed more.
To whom it may concern this post that I am about to write is not at all very friendly to some, but I felt I needed to make a point.
I have been working in Astro for the past 3 -4 years and to tell you the truth, things are really messy in there. Astro is a broadcasting company in Malaysia which has attained an MNC status. While I was working on my last project on Ac Di Sini program, (by the way I have resigned) my fellow colleague mentioned something that irked me. I’m a chinese malaysian, and really I didn’t like a bit what he said (in case your not following, everyone in my team are muslim). Our guest for that particular day were 3 judges on the famous program Akademi Fantasia, one of them was Roslan Aziz. While I hold respect for him in the industry, AC asked the 3 of the judges a general question and which it goes like this – after translation from malay of course.
Meng Yee: A former minister was quoted as saying; ‘I did not need to pay toll before as a minister, but now that I have to, I feel the pinch’.
When I read this in the newspaper the first thing I thought of was, ‘What? Now only you know how the common people feel? Welcome to our world.’ What is wrong with these people? Don’t they know what is tact, if not even consider how the common people feel? When we complained and rant about the toll being increased long time ago was too much, no one said anything to defend the people. But this statement??? Just because your going through it, that’s how you know?? Mind you this is coming from the minister… a minister!
What corrupted little squirms they are to admit that suddenly they feel the pinch! Let alone, I’m sure that all the taxes that are paid by honest working citizens are going into these fool’s pocket, and they are running our country! What?? Ya… you go Malaysia. What hope is there when we have monkeys and fools going around like as if they understand how the people feel, when actually they don’t. So sue me if I’m wrong, but my stand in this is clear. As the younger generation, I believe we should speak up rather than before, we were condemned if we spoke up. Now its our time.
http://www.malaysiakini.com/
Please read this link when you are free.
