Souvenirs

Since I'm too lazy to re-write my post on Pangkor, I am just gonna share some of the souvenirs collected for the past 10 years or so whilst traveling from one country to another. 😂

This need no caption, right? 3 eiffels to mark my three visits to this city of light. eh love. which is it?

The wooden camel I bought in Doha, Qatar in one of my business trip. Stop short for 2 days. Didn't get to really enjoy the city except its mall and eating places and desert view. heh. The stupa and the miniature temple I bought at Candi Borobudur and Candi Prambanan respectively. Stayed and enjoyed the city whole heartedly as I stayed there for 7 days and 6 nights. Managed to cover Jogjakarta and Solo. Visited the famous UNESCO certified Borobudur and Prambanan. Went to Gunung Merapi and visited the eerie site where the people was burnt alive. 

Ah yes, visited the mytical Kratons in Solo. Yup, there are more than 1 Kraton. Take your time and savor these two cultural infuse city. Don't forget Maliboro for some signature batik shopping. One thing I regretted was that I didn't have the time to go to the famous South Sea beach or Laut Selatan where the legend of Ratu Laut Selatan / Roro Kidul originated. They said it's a site to go especially at dawn for some twilight zone moments. Perhaps later.

prize item. statue of Medusa from the land of gods and myths and legends, Greece

I especially treasure this not only because its bloody expensive for a miniature (EU40), also because it's a souvenir from Caine, France. The site where Normandy beach was the entry point for the allies entering Europe in WWII. Simply put, remember Saving Private Ryan? 

This is not quite a rare item but I love it nonetheless. It's the  key chain to my car and office. I bought it at Kildare in Ireland. I was your typical cold and windy day in Athlone that we bravely drove about 2 hours to reach Kildare (similar like JPO here). There's this Cath Kidston store and I found this key chain made of copper. There were 3 left and I bought them all. Gave away 2 and kept 1 for myself. It has the dog and Union Jack flag to mark the brand's origin and Cath Kidston signature engraved on the other side.

Now, let's see whether you can guess which came from which country? 

I have plenty more but it's in the boxes tuck away at home. These are some souvenirs hanging around in the office. 

Hehehe

Canon Photomarathon Kuala Lumpur 2014

So few weeks ago (11 October 2014 tbe) I entered the first ever photomarathon contest organized by Canon. Now, being a noob, newbie, amateur (or whatever you call it) i don't really expect anything EXCEPT experience. And by that, I learned a lot!

Basically canon photomarathon follows amazing race format except it's a lot simpler. there were 3 themes that the participants need to complete. each theme will be released once the alloted time over. so basically the 1st theme was released in the morning and the photo must be uploaded at the checkpoint before 12 noon. Then move on to 2nd theme at 12.15 noon (upload photo before 3 pm) and the 3rd theme at about 3.15pm (upload photo before 7 pm). We were allowed to go anywhere as long as we could reach the uploading station before the time ends.

I didn't go far as the uploading station was at Berjaya Times Square. So, I walked around Bukit Bintang are a took photo which I interpreted as meeting the 1st theme. Oh yeah, i did not complete all three themes as i've got a plane to catch at 3 pm. I managed to just complete the 1st theme which is "STRUCTURE IN NATURE".

It was fun and great to see so many people around participating this event. It's an eye opener and I manged to learn a thing or two about photography and the techniques to take a great picture. Turned out, you don't really need fancy camera to take a beautiful shot. All you need to do is to actually tell a story with your picture. That'll capture people imagination and attract them most. hmmm, true isn't it.

Anyway, this is the link to Canon Photomarathon with this year's winner and past years winners:

http://www.canon-asia.com/photomarathon/my/

And, below are some of the selected photos that i took that day.

This is my submission for the 1st theme.

MYANMAR (mjɑːnˌmɑr/ MYAHN-mar,/ˈmaɪænmɑr/ or /ˈmjænmɑr/)

Yangon at night

Mingla'ba 

Or, good fortune to you! The first word you need to know before going to Myanmar. In fact, it's good to know few words of that foreign country you are visiting, it'll be the ice-breaker as and when you need to interact with the locals. A simple gesture will go along the way you know. 

At Yangon International Airport. A bit old the last time I was there.

The old Yangon Airport.

AND COMPARE THIS WITH THE NEW AND SWAG 
YANGON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Awesome! My time, it was dark, murky and downright scary with officers smoking and wearing slippers!

Ok, on to my latest entry. This time I'm gonna share my experience in Myanmar. But first, I gotta warn you that most of the photos here are obtained from the internet and various blogs, sites, etc. I do not own them and credit goes to these fabulous photographers who managed to capture the beautiful images of Myanmar. 

I stayed for a good 6 days here.

For this trip, I stayed at Sofitel Plaza Yangon for the whole duration of 6 days 5 nights stay. The hotel was really beautiful and I think back then it was 5 star hotel. I was lucky enough that the General Manager was a Malaysian (Mr. Chen, or Chan, and Chong. Forgot the name). He even came to meet us and treat us with welcome lunch and of course, you can't refuse to that! haha. 

Longyi. Traditional Myanmar's sarong for man. You will see this a lot in Myanmar

 We were lucky too in the sense that he understood the Muslim requirements and even assure us that the food prepared there are Halal. Heck, they even have separate kitchen for Muslim meals. He even advised us on the prayer time here in Yangon. FYI, the sun rises early here. At 6.30am you will feel as if it's already 8am in Malaysia.  

While waiting for Myanmar friend to fetch me for some sight seeing, local style!

My trip to this beautiful land was more than 10 years ago when digital camera was so freaking expensive and even when you have it, you kinda take things for granted by not developing the photos you take (cos the cost was quite expensive too). In the end, I lost most of it in the transition of changing offices, departments, etc. I regretted it much.   

Shwedagon Pagoda at the heart of Yangon, Myanmar

The philosophy behind this tall structure

Trip to Myanmar would be ridiculous if you don't go to the famous Shwedagon Pagoda which situated right at the heart of Yangon. It's like what Eifel Tower did do Paris. If you are in the city center, you will not miss this huge pagoda. YOU WILL NOT MISS IT. 

Trivia: It is said that Shwedagon Pagoda kept the remains of Buddha's hair. Awesome right?

map to Shwedagon Pagoda from where I stayed. Not far and worth go by foot as you'll get to see people of Myanmar

The Google map above provide the route to Shwedagon Pagoda from where I stayed. It's about 2.7km and if you are within 3km range, I would recommend you to walk. Well, it's not that far and you could experience Yangon first hand. Plenty of stopover en route to Shwedagon Pagoda. Well, I walked from the hotel. If you decide to walk, be mindful that local Myanmar could not speak English. So if you are lost, thing could get a bit tricky there.  

The famous Shwedagon Pagoda. U have to take off shoes. And the marble floor was really hot. ouch ouch!

To enter the pagoda, you will be required to pay entrance fee and it vary between local and international. I was lucky cos I came with local and I do look like a Myanmar (haha) too. He asked me to be quiet and let him to the talking. So, I save my Kyat (Myanmar currency). If I'm not mistaken, the entrance fee for International visitor is about 6000 kyats (about 4-5 dollars). 

Seen this? An icon to Myanmar

 And yeah, for history and those who like trivial matters (heheh no pun intended), Myanmar has plenty of it! The Lady (as above) is the latest movie depicting the struggle of the people Myanmar resonated through this iron lady named Aung San Suu-Kyi. In the movie, she was brilliantly portrayed by our very own Michelle Yeoh. To me, it was an awesome movie and generated buzz on award circle. It was not nominated for Oscar prolly due to its early release from the Oscar date. Apart from acting, you'll get to see the beautiful cinematography of Myanmar. So, GO SEE THIS MOVIE! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Mb7JHsFe5I )

This is view of Bagan. Breathtaking isn't it!

Ruins of Buddhist Temple. Beautiful sight not to be missed.

The Golden Rock

 Ok. The photo above  is called the Golden Rock and located in Mount Kyaiktiyo. And it's quite a distance from Yangon. So, if you are here for more than 4 days, I would highly recommend for a visit to this magnificent landmark. Oh yea, it's 210km away from Yangon, FYI.For Buddhist, it is Myanmar's most popular pilgrimage site and you will definitely see monks clad in turmeric color robe everywhere. 

Aung San Market, Yangon

Colonial Style building make up this unique market

Gems, Antiques, Relics, and everything else at Aung San Market

MALDIVES - seeing is believing. but to physically be there, that is another heavenly story!

Ehem.

I think Imma write about Maldives. A very very very (pls multiple the 'very' by gazillion times) beautiful country. You would never look at islands and beaches the same way again if you've been here. It was just magnificent.

And yeah, it is forecast that by year 2028 (or something like that) this country would be wiped out due to the risen of the sea level. 

So, if you decide to come here, these are the very basic questions you gonna ask: 
1. How much is the flight tix for round trip?
2. How much money do i have to allocate for this trip?
3. How long should i stay there and the interesting place/s to go?

--Let us go one by one shall we?

Ok, on to numero uno question. This is what i found on the net. IT is relatively cheap compare to my last trip there. And I was right, there are still 3 flights which offer trip to Malé[pronounce Malé (/ˈmɑːl.eɪ/; Dhivehi: މާލެ NOT male as in  (♂) ]. 

reasonable isn't it.

 With the exception of Malaysia Airlines, the other two carriers will have a stopover in their home country (Sporeair in Singapore and Lankan Air in Colombo). I've tried all 3 airlines and not to be bias or what, I would prefer Malaysia Airlines. The food and feels are just like home. Plus, you get to hear them say 

"DAN KEPADA WARGA MALAYSIA, SELAMAT PULANG / AND TO ALL MALAYSIANS, WELCOME HOME"

... Trust me, after more that a week abroad (I used to travel sometimes up to two weeks, jumping from one country to another), the announcement will hit you and makes you feel very proud! 

Ok, coming back to the airlines. My experience with Lankan Air was ok. The flight attendant attire is very distinctive. The wore saree and with belly button up for show. haha. The food is not to my likings but yeah, ok if you are into biryani and all that sort. But be cautious, their biryani is unlike the ones we have here in Malaysia. Sri Lanka version is fiery hot and spicy. Not that I'm complaining. We have different taste bud and preferences, let's respect that. The stopover in Colombo is a bit longer compare to Spore Airlines. We were asked to disembark and change flight. Overall, it's about 3-4 hours long. But you are allowed to roam around the airport (it's a lot nice now. my first 2 trips, the airport was under massive renovation to make it appealing and international like. Otherwise, it looked old, dated and a lot like Subang Airport in the 80s).

But first, lemme share you some of the pictures taken from my trip there. Been there four times so yeah, the photos are not gonna be in sequence, I'm just gonna randomly post it here with some stories to tell.