Day 7 & 8 – 19th &20th Nov 2006

I pretty much hang out with fab to nuture our ‘friendship’ hehe…we went to a deserted beach – which is only accessible either by swimming or a trail in the jungle. I collected tons of beautiful seashells of which I don’t intend to give it away :p

It sadden me that the trip was coming to an end. Overall, it has been a fun trip. I didn’t make any friends or talk to anyone in Penang. But I had a blast in Pangkor. With the locals, with the french people who seems to be invading Pangkor at that time! (8 of them that I knew!). The retired old american, the classy english lady, the wild wild swedish, Tara the Australian lady who took 1 year off to see the world, Natasha and Joan (the taiwanese), and ofcoz fab – my darling who later stayed with me in kl for 21 days.

God I wanna do this again!!

Day 6 – 18th Nov 2006

18th Nov was a great day! I woke up to skies so blue I decided to laze around on the beach listening to my mp3.

It was all great and somehow I got a feeling that life after 30 is gonna be awesome!

After some 2 hours laying on the beach, I headed back to Nazri camp and saw Fab rocking himself on the hammock hehe…I went to hi and ‘hi’ lasted for an hour or so before we decided to grab some lunch and laze around at the other beach up the road.

Hmm…haha. I think it’s a mutual attraction between us. I mean…Safia saw how we looked at each other the other night haha…And she already had some kinky idea in mind!

Anyways we found our spot under the shades and the rest….for me to know! hehe.

Day 5 – 17th Nov 2006

I got up at 9am. Took a stroll at the beach before joining Safia and Karot for brunch.

After brunch, the gals wanted a dip so we head over to Coral Bay for a less crowded beach. I saw a man sun-bathing on the beach who looked like Bio – the guy who live in the haunted house(much rumoured) in the jungle.

There is something about Bio which I couldn’t quite put together…I sense a bit of eerie feeling when he sat by my side. I felt as though he has fucked his brain with his belief in god. Even while he was talking to the gals, I knew what ever he said was not entirely true. Whatever…

Anyways after dinner, we headed back to NNC for the drinking session planned for me and a Swedish gal. Why? Coz it was our birthday eve!

Nasir was such a sweety! He brought back tons of party caps, balloons and ribbons from the hotel for us.

The Swedish were shouting and singing (a bit too loud I think), while the french gals played congkak. I guess everyone except me was having fun. *shrug*

Birthday is special to me. It’s a time where I ponder how have I lived my life and where am I heading next…I don’t really like celebrating birthday (that’s why I decided to backpack during my bday week), all I want is just a chocolate cake with candles on it for me to blow. And I’d be VERY happy.

I left the guys at the table and headed to the beach for some quiet moment. Honestly, I felt a bit lonely and lost inside. This wasn’t quite the picture I had for my 30th birthday. I thought I would be sipping martini and get really drunk with some friends. But instead, I choose to backpack on my bday week, away from friends and family.

Ironic.

Day 4 – 16th Nov 2006

It’s always a thrill to see the world wakes up :)

I woke up at 6am. The room was pitch dark and so cold with the fan blasting at full force. Carefully not to wake up Safia and Karot, I made my way out to greet mother nature.

I was updating my travel log and suddenly being approached by some locals- who remembered me from my previous trip in April. (hm, I must’ve left some lasting impression back then haha!)

So I asked about Adek, rosie and Ila – who previously runs the place but no where to be seen. And got to know that Adek was busted while taking marijuana. And the rest? They left with him.

Affordable ‘A’ frame hut ranging from RM20-RM30 per night

Nasir sleeping in the hammock after a hard night at work

It’s great to be back in Pangkor Island! To the familiar faces, the friendly locals, the smell of the sea and the vibe of the kampung life…I wished I could stay here forever.

After breakfast, the gals decided to do some snorkeling at Coral Island. We hired a beachboy for RM40 (plus snorkeling equipment) to take us there.

pose for the camera!

I didn’t get to snorkel because of the bloody menses. Which was quite frustrating! Nevertheless, I did have fun sitting under the shades for some quiet moments.

Day 3 – 15th Nov 2006

I woke up pretty early and got excited thinking about Pangkor Island. Yup, the heart has spoken and it’s time to retreat to the white sandy beaches and hopefully some familiar faces.

I paid RM5 to the trishaw puller to take me to the jetty. Haven’t been in a trishaw for years! Was fun! hehe…

While waiting for the ferry to Butterworth, I notice 2 gals (backpackers) who seems to be heading to the same direction as I was. Due to the rush of securing a bus ticket to Ipoh (I hate waiting), I didn’t have the chance to stomach my curiosity. But much as I’ve guessed, they boarded the same bus as I did and was also heading to Pangkor Island.

Safia and I exchanged smiles when I was looking from my seat by the window. She was travelling with Karot – a 24 year old gal who doesn’t speaks English but has such big heart and laughter. And oh, did I mentioned that they are both French?

Safia and I hit if off almost intantly and we both had one aim in mind – to reach Pangkor Island soonest possible. The 2 hour bus ride from Ipoh to Lumut was horrible. And I hate it when the air-con bus didn’t happened as what the ticket seller promised.

********************

We finally arrived at Lumut! The weather was freaking HOT (warm)! But with the cold breeze sweeping through my face on the Ferri made it not so bad after all.

Mesra Ferri

I like this scene very much!

We finally arrived at Nazri Nipah Camp with four other French gals that we met on the Ferri. Safia, Karot and I shared a room (with bathroom attached) while the other four took the ‘A’ frame huts.

I was hoping to see some familiar faces in Nipah Camp. Some friends I’ve made last April but none of them was at sight. Mmm…

Karot and Safia

Day 2 – 14th Nov 2006

I sprang out of bed early in the morning and decided to do one of those Heritage trail. But first, gotta have some breakfast, local style!

Cheong Fat Tze Mansion was just a stone throw away from my hotel. After purchasing the RM12 ticket for the tour, I made my way to the center hall to find myself being transported back in time! The mansion was very spacious and it made my spine tinkle a bit. (I think its the chi of the mansion at work!)

While I was roaming endlessly in the hall, wondering where was the rest of the people, a plump lady dressed in cloth worn my late grandma appeared and sat comfortably at a corner…

Her name was Pat.

She gave me a disapproving smile about my camera. “No photos allowed” she said. Dissapointed, I put away my camera and started chatting with her. (hoping to get some brownie points and talk her into letting me takes some pictures later).

The tour lasted for an hour, much to my enjoyment! Pat was a fantastic tour guide. She spoke with such clarity and her animated character just makes the whole experience FUN.

After the short tour, I was very determine to continue my journey on the heritage trail. With the Penang reference book in hand, I walked to Kuan Yin Teng. (http://www.malaysiasite.nl/kuanyineng.htm)

Kuan Yin Teng was like any other chinese temple. Crowded with devotees, it was so smoky it brought tears to the eyes. I prayed to the deities – for the well being of for mom, dad and mel. I’ve also asked for something else which…actually granted by the deities!

Craving for some ice…

Next step, Kapitan Kling Mosque. (http://www.malaysiasite.nl/klingeng.htm)

I’ve always wanted to visit a mosque. And what better place to do it here in Kapital Kling Mosque, one of the oldest mosque in Penang built by the Indian Muslim.

That strucked me a little. To see men in office attire laying flat on the floor taking their afternoon nap. Anyways, It must have been weird, to see a chinese local showed so much interest in a mosque. I guess that’s why I was approached by this Indian Muslim man who gave me a 30 minutes lecture on Islam. Who then introduced me to his friend working in information centre – who answered all the questions I had on Islam (well sort of…).

Just when I was about to hit my next destination, my bloody handphone rang. And what happened next was irritatingly painful to mention. (urgh! Work lah what else?)

I reach Penang Road at about 4.30pm. Angry and hungry, I walked to Lebuh Kimberly to claim my laksa.

There is something peculiar with me and Penang laksa – I will not have my laksa anywhere else than Penang. And truth be told, it’s a sin to come to Penang and not stomach a bowl of Penang laksa!

Backpacking: Penang+Pankor Island – Day 1 – 13th Nov

It all happened one day…I decided that I’ve had enough of crap in the office and it’s time to give myself a much deserved break. What’s that call? Aaaah…Seize the moment!

Getting my one week long leave approved wasn’t difficult. Deciding where to go was.
There were some thoughts to play sarong party girl in one of those island in southern thai. Or perhaps indulge in fresh brew tea in cameron highlands…Too frickle minded to decide, I settled for the cheapest flight ticket I could find. Which is to Penang. (haha)

I arrived at Penang International Airport at around 1pm. Okay, I know I was supposed to walk into one of those backpackers inn and get lucky with some kwai loh (just kidding!) But instead, I flashed my credit card and checked into a Rm70 room in Merchant Hotel at Penang Road.
Anyways, the hotel was pretty decent. Though it did gave me some creepy feeling sometimes. I felt that I was being watched in the room…

Not ignoring my grumbling tummy, I made my way down to Penang Road to that famous chendol stall at Lebuh Kimberly. I was’t in the mood for chendol, I just wanted FOOD! So I ordered a plate of char kuey tiao (oh god everything here is so tiny!) and it tasted…so-so only. But I heard the penang laksa was yummilicious so I vowed to go back the next day hehe.

The best thing to do after lunch (ideally) would be napping. But I’ve come such a long way and it seems like wasted to just sleep. So I decided to do something that I’m familiar with (not really into adventure that day). So I walked to the Thai Wat Chayamangkalaram Temple and the Burmese Temple at Burma Street. Oh GOD I bet I must have walked at least 5km!

I had an early nite that day, too exhausted to do anything I fell flat on my bed.

dreams

I so wanna get away this long weekend! Let’s see, other than a timeline, a VO script, I don’t have much major crisis to attend to hehe…

So I am thinking…maybe it’s a good idea to make a trip to pangkor island for a short getaway. Away from the city and indulge in white sandy beach and friendly, humble, locals. Aah…but the 5 hour journey is killing!

Anyways, I am soooo into planning my next backpacking trip in March! So much reading and research to do. Well…I could have just pick up my Lonely Planet book and go with the flow. But a little of research goes a long way!

Other than that, nothing much to shout about lately. Just waiting for that perfect moment for something good to happen. It’s nice to be a dreamer. It’s nicer when dreams come true.

do you have a purpose in life?

The one and only thing that motivates me to live is having a purpose in life. A purpose that gets you out of the bed every morning and makes you “high” like silly thinking about it.

I am glad that 2006 is coming to and end. It sounds like a stupid thing to say (because it doesn’t make any logical sense). But it does mark the closing of a yearly chapter in life so that we can all start anew.

I’ve never worked as hard as I did in 2006. Every single hour of my time (except sleeping time) was taken up by work and more work! Though once upon a time I did say that my work is my play, but it’s sad to acknowledge that I am not having fun in the play ground anymore. It’s really disheartening to admit that the playground has been invaded by a new bread of excuse-driven, lazy, careless bunch of unmotivated…don’t-even-know-how-to-call-em players! (sigh)

Sometimes it’s so naive to think that people will change for the better. But we often forget that everyone of us has our own agenda in life. And often, people are just ‘like that’. I don’t want to be in an environment that holds me back from being better than what I am today. And I certainly don’t want to be in an environment where I couldn’t see the same vision with the people in the environment.

So I am leaving.
Hey, at least I am honest with myself and I am doing something about it to make things ‘happen’ for me.

And frankly, I am beginning to think that this choice of mine is the best move that I’ve made thus far. Which is going to open up windows of opportunity for my ‘purpose’ in life!

going places

I had a good day today. Had a very early massage at Brickfields before heading to the cinema to catch ‘Happy Feet’.

Got a call from fab today, whom is leaving to Koh Lanta tomorrow from Pangkor Island. Sigh, looks like I won’t have the luxury of hearing his voice from the other side of the receiver till Feb then :(

Anyways, I am planning my 2nd backpacking trip in March!! The initial plan was to meet fab in tioman in march. But come to think of it, god knows when will I have another 2 week break after my new job starts! And it seems all so wrong to be not doing anything ‘challenging’ :p

I love plan things! From researching on the places to visit, to minute details of accommodation and getting around hehe!

It’s gonna be fun! Can’t wait…