Myanmar

I’ve been day dreaming about visiting Myanmar ever since my 6th uncle told me about how unique and beautiful the ancient pagodas in Myanmar was. And true enough, when I googled what Myanmar has to offered, I was in awe and totally swept off my feet – the giant stupas within the old forest and city of Bagan build nearly 800 years ago was breathtaking.

One of the things that I love when traveling is temple tour. To bask in the spiritual vibes that emerge from the ground that was once worshiped by many. And to witness the great temple complex that was build by mankind.

Anyway, with the ruling of oppressive military regime in Myanmar and the recent disaster hit by Cyclone Nargis, I was a bit doubtful about gaining permission from mom and dad. Oh yes, as rebellious as I am, I try not to disobey my parents. But I guess all the day dreaming (really getting good at this) really paid off! I sms-ed dad and told him that I’m planning for a trip to Myanmar in December. I knew he would freak out, which he did by replying

“Aiyah, that place is in a mess coz those generals governing d country. Don’t u read d papers or on d tv news? N d typhoon has devastated d nearby Irrawady Delta recently. Better go to some safer places, eh…like back home haha!”

I thought I should at least put in more effort to convince him. So I replied…

“Aiya, I know how to take care of myself lah”

Then, I almost chocked on my nescafe when he replied “OK la”

This is really great because I intend to complete my Indochina tour this year before I head over to India next year (then China, Taiwan, Japan and Korea!) Wow! I can’t believe my luck! Thank you Universe!

those web agencies

I really despise web agencies nowadays.

Maybe because I had too high an expectation. When I was a project manager in Web Guru, I was trained to honor the business opportunity and deliver the project on time. Because if my service sucks, we don’t get paid on time at month end.

It’s not rocket science and I just don’t understand why the Account Managers nowadays just don’t stick to timeline given. And if their designer can’t make it on time, is it so difficult to pick up the damn phone and ask for extension? Worst of all, they don’t pay attention to job brief! (fucking idiots!)

Godamnit! This is the last time I’m using Crush.com.my.

holiday season coming soon

Instead of getting all excited about Hanoi this September when I reconfirm the dates with mom and dad, dad asked if there is a possibilities of getting a refund if we cancelled the trip. There is only 3 possible reasons for this. 1st, he is afraid of flying. 2nd, he cringed at spending 5 nights at a foreign country. And lastly, he was under the impression(from chatting with his friends) that Hanoi is less fun compared to Saigon.

Dad can be a nutcase at times (I meant it in a silly sorta way). His one and only ideal holiday is non other than deep sea fishing or chilling out somewhere near the ocean with a fishing rod and a beer in his hands. Yes, my dad is a beach bummer. Quite the contrary with mom who can’t stand the beach and loves only shopping. And as for me, I’d go for a place with rich cultural heritage where I can be surrounded by old buildings, temples, local people and everything that starts with the word ’street’. Which is why I precisely choose Hanoi instead of Saigon. While Saigon is swept by modernity, Hanoi still pretty much has it’s culture and heritage intact. It’s like the Jogja in Indonesia. a place where everything is a work of art.

I am excited about our trip in September. I’ve learned that the best way to show my parents I’m no longer a kid is to prove to them that I can be in control even in a foreign land.

So let the planning begins!

uninteresting

You know that there are people who must have an opinion about anything and everything under the sun and want the rest of the world to listen and agree just because they have lived longer than the rest of us? It’s just so unfortunate that I know someone like that, that I have to deal with on a daily basis.

But it’s not as bad as compared to someone who jokes about almost everything, even if it’s work related. Damn annoying to have to put up with all those stupid jokes. When is this gonna end.

Work has been extremely mundane lately. Not in the mood to bitch so lets just say that the only thing that is motivating me to wake up for work everyday is my travels.

Bored…

war of the blog princess

There has been some cyber war happening off late. Between XX and Dawn Yang. Just went I thought I’ve missed XX’s deleted blog entries, I found them at Dawn Yang’s hate site :P

Despite what others might think of XX and some of her controversial entries, I actually quite like her. Because she is authentic. Period. Not forgetting, smart and damn funny! (silly funny I mean). I especially love her silly XX’s Guide To Life videos! Haha…

XX is definitely not a bimbo and fake like Dawn, she is The Bitch (women who are strong-minded, assertive, and in Total Control)! And a fierce one too!

Cameron Highland aftermath

I’ve always wanted to go to Cameron Highland. The land of strawberry! Strawberry farm where you can self pick your berries, strawberry pillow, umbrella, souvenir items, desert shop and many more! It’s like a strawberry land or something! And everyone who goes there sort of went into a strawberry trance! Remi for example bought like 20 boxes of strawberries! I didn’t get any because I thought it tasted a bit sour :p I did bought some dried strawberries though, initially thinking of bringing it to the office but I wallop it all at the end haha. Opps!

It was a trip planned about a month ago. And I am so glad that I dragged myself up the highland even though I just came back from Thailand 3 days before. I didn’t know what to expect initially except for the chilly weather. But it turns out, Cameron offered more than what I bargain for! Tanah Rata has only like few rolls of shop lots but it has everything! From banks, to fancy restaurant, mamak stalls, massage center to STAR freaking BUCKS! With wireless access!! Not forgetting the morning and night market to roam about for fresh and cheap veggies! As well as the touristy thing to do like visiting the Rose Valley, Cactus Farm, Bee Farm, Tea Plantation and many more!

I totally ♥ Cameron Highland!

More photos at smugmug – > http://www.cosmicfavorite.com

Bangkok – Chiang Mai – Ayuthaya (part 2)

I wished I had more time in Chiang Mai, then maybe it will grow on me. It’s actually quite a likable city and I really don’t mind going back for a 2nd, 3rd or even 4th time.

Oh yes, till this day I am still dreaming about my 6 month (or 1 year) backpacking trip. If, and IF I do get that materialized, I would start with Krabi – Bangkok – Cambodia – Vietnam – Laos – Myanmar – Nepal – India – Bali. A gal can dream and what can I say… dreams come true when I dream haha!

I was quite relief to have reached Bangkok. All the vulnerability vanished into thin air, and I spend the rest of the day nursing my bloody cramps and indulged in movies after movies on Star Movie channel :p

Hualamphong Train Station

Then I had that crazy idea to visit Ayuthaya the next day. After looking at the postcards with Buddha images from Ayuthaya, I knew I just had to go there and experience the serene and majestic surrounding of the old city.

The journey to Ayuthaya by train took about 1 and half hours and cost only 15 baht. Like the trains in Indonesia, Thailand has pretty FAST trains!

I was sitting by the window and after 1 and half hours of wind blowing at my face, my hair became so dirty and sticky! So sticky that it actually entangled itself! So, once I reached Ayuthaya train station, I rushed to the opposite street (with confidence that I would find a hair saloon) to get my hair wash! haha…that only cost me 50 baht!

Then I hired a tuk tuk driver for 750 baht for a 3 hour temple tour. (one hour usually cost 300 baht).

At Wat Pra Mahathat – Ayuthaya. Buddha head embedded in twisted tree roots

At Wat Pra Mahathat – Ayuthaya

The temples were quite fascinating with the likes of Khmer style. Would be ideal if I could spend a day or 2 in Ayuthaya and take my time at the temples instead of having to rush through temples after temples. What to do? Time is money!

Anyway, the one day trip to Ayuthaya definitely worth every baht :)

… to be continued

Bangkok – Chiang Mai – Ayuthaya

I love traveling. Especially to undeveloped countries, because it reminded me of how lucky I am to be a Malaysian, to have a career a d to be earning a steady income, to have enough food to eat, cloth to wear and a roof above my head. Sounds cliche, but that actually keep my feet on the ground. And every time I am tempted to to splurge on designer stuffs, I get a wakeup call that a couple hundred of Ringgit can feed a family in Cambodia. (a hem, Crumpler bags doesn’t actually count because they have life time warranty, unlike LV or Prada for whatever which only has a lifespan of 3 years!)

Anyway, there were a few trips that gave me a heavy heart when I board the plane home, but there are also several few that had wished I hadn’t came in the first place. This trip is one of them.

I touched down at Suvarnabhumi International Airport at 10pm last Wed. Checked into Rambutri House at Rambutri Road. I figure it was after dark and too dangerous to be roaming around Khaosan Road for a room, so I had it pre-booked earlier on the internet. Although a bit pricey from the usual RM30 room I am willing to fork out for accommodation. (this one cost RM90 for double bed) But hey, it’s a great hotel with private bathroom, air con, clean and nice smelling bed sheets, soft pillows and most important of all, it has Star Movie channel! :p

The flight to Chiang Mai the next morning was alright, slight air turbulence that made my heart skipped a beat. Was extremely cloudy that morning…and I hate flying in cloudy weather. I figured that if the plane crash and if I was gonna die, I need to have a clear view of my surrounding. I don’t want to be ‘trapped’ within the clouds with no way ‘out’… so much for my imagination hah!

Anyway, thank God I survive the air turbulence and reached Chiang Mai in one piece.

There is a certain vibe that you get from a foreign place, it’s either love at first sight for hate at first sight. I don’t know what to make out of Chiang Mai.

Lonely Planet said it’s less manic like Bangkok and people are generally nicer. Although I can’t say much about my guest house owner (Sarah the English lady) nor the waitress in Ratana’s Kitchen, I did however befriended a lady (Paa) who sells sweet corn and a couple who sells Roti by the road side near Sarah’s Guest House.

Paa actually reminded me a lot about the man I befriended at Vientiane (who owns a baguettes shop). Both were kind hearted people, whom I ’stalked’ every night because I needed company away from the 4 walls in my room that was driving me insane. Truth to be told, I think I was the only tourist at Sarah’s Guest House! And its impossible to talk to the locals at guest house because they couldn’t understand what I was saying.

I was bored to death in Chiang Mai. The temples doesn’t excite me, I didn’t take much photographs, not to mention that the one day tour to see the hill tribe people was a complete ripped off. Yes, we did see the hill tribe people but it’s so ‘unreal’. It’s more like a little village made for tourist.

‘Long-necked’ Padaung Tribe

One thing that is worth the visit though…its the night market! Chiang Mai is like a shoppers paradise! Everything is so darn cheap. Perhaps 2-3 times cheaper than Bangkok! From hill tribe jewelry, clothing, scarfs, bags, books to home deco etc.

Click here for more pictures

… to be continued