Have you heard of MV Doulos? If not, it is a good opportunity to take a look at this 90 years old cruise. We went there quite late about 9pm, the crowd was overwhelming with late visitors like us.

A good view of the cruise. It’s beautiful (of course nothing to compare to Star cruises)! This is my first time climbing on a cruise. I remember when I was a little girl being live near Lumut, we had the priviledge to visit TLDM (Royal Malaysian Navy) and go on board their war ship. These two are a totally different feelings for me. On board a Navy ship, you see lots of young, masculine, handsome navy walking around *cough*. A Doulos? Hmm… I’m still trying to sum up my feeling. A little of dissapointment – small, crowded, humid book fair.

Back to the cruise, this is what the book fair looks like…

… low canopy ceiling with lots of peoples and books.

Tho I don’t find their book cheap, more at the normal price but they do have about 6,000 titles of books for sale, covering a wide range of subjects, including science, cookery, sports, technology, classic literature, dictionary, children’s books and a large selection of Christian titles.

I spent less than 20 minutes at the book section and started gasping for cool air. *slurppppp…. soft cone vanilla+strawberry ice-cream for RM2 only!!!

As I was standing at one of the deck enjoying my ice-cream, this old looking lamp post facinates me the most.

… and of course we walk around in the cruise. Since it is at night, nothing much you can see as it is all dark outside with beautiful neon light.

Baby Princess and me :). If we are allowed to enter the lower deck, probably I’ll do a Leonardo Di Caprio style ala Titanic with hubby *cough*

Now can go puke ade!!!

Let me throw in 2 more pic.

See the tungsten light? Still find them very facinating. Duhh. And look at Prince. Chun leh. This one qualified to a future navy kua.

Princess overlooking the cruise as backdrop.

I’ll probably will go again during day time to take more pictures as my cam really sucks at night scene and since they have a cultural show end of the month. As I have mentioned previously MV Doulos will be in Port Klang till end of July before they sail to Kuantan port. It is worth a visit if you had no plan over the weekend.

Read previous entry on MV Doulos here.

We was given a invitation to the Perdana Suite for the recent Japan GT Championship held on 23rd to 25th June 06.

What could I say more when we had the VIP parking and the pass in hand. Over the years, fans had always been treated with a legandary race in Sepang. They can expect the same thrill and excitement at this year race too.

Birdview from the balcony in the Perdana Suite.

What is a Perdana Suite or what is so special about the Perdana Suite? Perdana in Bahasa means Prime. When you put the Menteri which means Minister next to it, you got Perdana Menteri, that is Prime Minister. And a suite is like a rating for a hotel room in a 5 star hotel. Hmmm….. am I making myself confusing here? …which means, Perdana Suite is the place where the Prime Minister sit and watches the race and guests there are basically by invitation from the VIP, that is none other than *hush, hush!*.

Other than posh lounging, exotic buffet spread, highranking VIP’s sharing the same table as you and familiar faces standing next to you watching races from balcony…..

Drink Excel. Excel is good for you!!!

… enough said. I’ve been floating on cloud nine the whole afternoon. Even the blazing sun and humid weather is like a perfect windy weather walking on the white sandy beaches on Mauritius bay 🙂

One more show off stylo pic for the readers!!!!

You want more pic on Alex Yoong? 😉 Ain’t it looks like a *cough, cough* family pic? Muahahaahaaa….. beh tahan.

More birdview pic from the Suite’s balcony –

F1 race before GT race. After the positioning of F1 cars on their track, mechanics making final check on the cars before the flagoff. Something that you don’t get to see on teevee.

With its track measuring up to 20 meters width, the 5.543km Formula One track provides plenty of overtaking opportunity. Driver also have large run-off grass area, allowing them to return to actio if any of their overtaking maneuvers fail to provide the desired results.

I don’t understand why they have to haul the eight tyres in and out from the track. Not that the tyre will go puncture or melt by the hot tarred road. *ish..

Ok, ok. Enough of camwhoring. Was supposed to go for the pitwalk too but missed it by merely 30seconds 🙁 before the allocated time. We tried the outdoor grandstand. Spectacular view amidst the blazing sun and humid weather. Can’t even stand being 15min there and we have to yell for the air-con again.

You see, as a privillage holder of the Perdana Suite pass, we can enter just any room we like. Found this room for GT Club members. It is just above where the pit stop is and we had the closest pit view looking at the pit crew members changing their tyre, switching drivers and so on. The best part is one of the car (no. 13 Endless Golden Cruiser, if i’m not mistaken) failed to start up and you can see all the panic mechanics running around the pit with their equipment and busybody Japanese chick reporter broadcasting live there. Not forgetting the original Vroommmmmmmmm……… unfiltered ear-piercing sound when the cars zoom by. A totally different experience you had there compared to watching any live telecast from the teevee.

Just as when things started to heat up, the digi cam battery started to die on you (always!). Boohoo! There goes all the pretty japanese umbrella girl walking on the street. The crowd which is hugely boosted by the presence of the gorgeous GT babes is as popular with the presence of more than 45,000 spectators on race day.

I have more pics from the other camera but it takes sometime. So, tune in….

Translation – Welcome to Forest hiking trek in Engku Busu Hill

The highest peak around Lumut is Bukit Engku Busu that is about 350m or 1100feet high. Very popular in the morning and evening among hikers, senior citizens and even a training ground for the Navy members.

I do need this to prepare myself for Mount Kinabalu. A fit and regular hiker takes about 25mins to reach the top of the hill wherelse a slow hike will take about 45mins inclusive of stops.

Surprisingly children as young as 6 years old can hike without any problem with the assistance and guidance from adult.

This is Kharsyn (left) and Aleyxia (right) a friend’s daughter. She has been hiking since she is 3y/o. Don’t ask me how she do it. Throughout the hike, Aleyxia has been holding on to Kharsyn and I can tell that she is sure a experience hiker…. and strong too. It’s not easy to hike and holding on to someone but I’m just surprise that she managed to do that. Hey, she is only 10 years old.

A steeper track will need the assistance of a rope to pull yourself up. Get a good hiking shoes which cost roughly RM15.00 (US$4.05) will help alot from slipping.

On and off you will be greeted with sunlight that filtered down through the lush jungle greenery with monkeys or squirrels frolicking all about but unfortunately luck is not on our side that day.

When you see this big rock, it marked the 3/4 we covered on the hill. Will update again on my next trip there as we are able to see the Malaysian Royal Army’s dock.

… and you think you’re an outdoor person, ever heard of RAFTING?

We head out early driving on the NKVE to Gopeng at 7.30am sharp as we need to reach the toll at 9.30am where the rafting master is waiting for us with his cool van.

From the toll to the river, it takes us about 20mins drive on this one-lane kampung road.

Upon reaching, our river guide has got everything ready for the raft plus some last minute air check just to make sure it can support the 6 of us safely.

As a standard procedure safety briefing will be done before going down the river which covers the paddling commands, paddling skills, capsize drills, action when overboard of river rescue.

After 10-15 minutes of briefing by our professional river guide, King, we are now ready for our river rafting adventure.

Hey, wait. How come his life jacket is so small yet ours are so big?

Rafting is about getting wet and wild, therefore, avoid using denim jeans, thick cotton trousers and track suit. Just shorts or bermuda pants so it’s easier to move around.  On the river you will have the thrills of tackling exciting rapids and floating down the clear water river amidst a lush rainforest.  You will ride the continuous rapids graded from class 1 to 3 and continue down river passing by some old tin mining.  You will have fun too during the rafting like do some body-rafting or even take a spin in the raft with your head in the water or just get to the traditional fun of water fight with your fellow rafters!

(Getting the inflatable raft in the river at the starting point)

IF you don’t believe in god, white-water rafting will change your mind very quickly. Caught up in the raging waters, begging for divine help seems to come naturally. A good opportunity to test out your river skills and go on an adrenaline rush as you ride through the 14 rapids.

(Raft got suck on the boulder and it just need some jumping to dislog it.)

Every rapids had their own name like Broken Ledge, Easy drop, snake rapid, Rajah Corner, Hyside Rapid, Slide Rapid, Enders Point, Chicken Run (yeah… got lots of rocks and it goes so bumpy) and Eddy point.

When the invitation to a white-water romp came, I didn’t know what to expect. But after rushing through the rapids and harsh boulders at blinding speed in an inflatable raft to the thundering sounds of pounding water, I was hooked to the game.

It could be the adrenalin rush but I have discovered a side of me that I hadn’t known existed before. A mean adventurous streak.

It’s like an episode of Fear Factor but with proper guidance and the right equipment, anyone can tame the raging river.

Would-be rafters must take a 20m “anything goes” turbulent glide in the raw — just you, the life-jacket and your guts against the might of the river. If something goes wrong, instructors will be ready downstream with a lifeline.

After the first big fall, the rest was easy though I could hardly feel my rear when it was all over. Conquering my fears felt really good.

The next time someone invites me to chill out in white-water again, I hope it’s a Class 4 or 5.

Good work team! We are safe and ALIVE!!! The thrills of white-water rafting are simply out of this world.

Got certificate somemore. Don’t play-play leh. Did you read that… “Bravely challenged”. For a moment I feel so proud of it.

This was supposed to be a post-entry. I’ve hosted them in my other ancient website in Geocities sometime in 2003 (how time flies *sigh…).

We started our journey early travelling from KL to Gopeng via the highway which took us about 1hr 45min at the speed of 110km/h and…. Your Highness is the one driving! Not bad eh.

We was greeted by the beautiful, green, rich and thick forest reserve around the cave. By the time we reach there it’s about 10am and we still can hear the beautiful cricket cripping. It’s like a music to our ear.

After paying the tour guide, we joined another bigger group of crowd cos there are only 5 of us. So the 30 of us enter the cave quipped with torch light. Some even bring along the headlight and I think it’s a very good idea at least you’ve got your hands free. You will know why, later.

The first hour of tour in the cave are pretty boring and not much of a adventure at all. There are man-made steps and stairs in the cave. You will be seeing lots of Stalagmites and Stalactites there. Some looks like an elephant or kangaroo, some even looks like my hubby’s little brother!!!

Not forgetting our Malaysia cave is full of bats and bat’s shit!!! Just imagine, you are admiring one of the big Stalagmites high up and human instinct was jaw wide open. There goes the bat’s shit in your mouth!!! *grrr… It’s true. The cavemen constantly remind us to keep our mouth close.

I can say that the Stalagmites and Stalactites is not as big and beautiful compare to the one I visited in Perth Mammoth Caves but the cool thing is the obstacle. Just name anything and they’ve got them all there. The tunnels….. stream…. the sliding….. the rocks climbing….

We have to go thru lots of obstacle trail and luckly the other group of people has enough man to at least pegang our tangan guiding us up or down those big rocks. At this moment, how I wish I don’t even bring along the torch light. Reason 1) My torch voltage is dem low and I can’t even shine far and those guy behind me is using a bigger voltage and can shine about 10 feet away. 2) Scare the hell of tumbling down those steep rocks and has been holding my dear live at any support I could get hold. I don’t even have enough hand for the torch light and not forgetting my camera.

No way for you to walk down the slippery limestone. You will have to slide down. There is this couple, his gf is dem lame. She refuse to slide down (fear of height) and was holding on to her bf almost in tears. Finally, they both decided to slide down together with his gf holding on to his back like piggy-back.

See, those guy down there, they are about 6ft tall and without them can you imagine how I land on the ground? Probably just fall flat on my face.

For guys that are wearing pants size 33 don’t try this. You will get stuck and they probably have to dig the hole bigger to let you pass thru. You’ll just have to take the 2nd option that is jumping down the cliff about 5meter high. I choose the hole cos there are some guys (*wink) holding on to my dear life again at the other end. I tell you, those guys are very helpful. Without them, all the girls will be crying their heart out and U-turn back.

I think when passing this obstacle it’s about 2 hours passed. After much more of trekking up and down getting yourself all hot and sweaty, it’s time too cool off…

Get yourself on all four and pass thru the undercave to get to the other end. According to the caveman, if it’s a raining season, the water will be higher and you will have to dive thru instead of paddling thru. It’s kinda cool under there with all the stalagmite hanging from the top. Just have to be extra careful or else kena cucuk.  Did anyone care to ask what about my camera???

Just like during school day kena punish from the teacher and have to do the duck walk around school. Dem tiring. If you don’t duck too low, then your head will get knock on the stone. *ouch, ouch!!! And if you duck too low, your movement is slower and your leg gets tired and aching.
At this point, my kolig who is wearing a 5y/o shoe decided to betray her. The bottom came off like the crocodile mouth.

She just ripped off the bottom and leave the top still attached to her foot and pretended nothing happen. haha… you can hear her swearing all the way *ouch, ouch*, *walk slower!* lol. At this moment, we understood why there are so many shoes/slippers left in the cave.

I’m not sure if you have heard of Wave Rock in Perth. Wave Rock is one of the many amazing rock formations which was exposed to wind and rain for more than a thousand million years.

Of course this is the mini wave rock. That’s what I called it. Just by standing there, you can feel the wind blowing in a U-turn direction. I think that is how the formation was created. Very amazing.

Well, have to cut long story short, you have to explore the cave yourself. We spent about 4 hours exploring the cave. There are many things that I left out. Some pic didn’t turn out nicely cos the cave is real dark. Total darkness. Anyway, the trip was like 3 years ago and this old brain of mine still can remember all this is consider very good liao. hahaha!

We are so relieve to finally end the trekking as we are soaking wet and dirty from the yellow mud and my poor leg is gonna break any moment.

*Precaution – do not wear light coloured pants if you do not want to reveal other personal information!!!

The first thing my kolig do when we see the sunlight is immediately abandone her betrayed shoes in the bins with 100s pair of other shoes! We had a good laugh looking at those piles of shoessssss.

Your Highness refuse to volunter to drive back to KL. Too dem tired!!! But we had a good meal in Gopeng savouring their famous Chicken+Bread = Curry or herbs chicken bake in the bread. Did not take pic. Like i say too dem tired!!!