My travellogging...

Monday, 9 March 2015

In & Around Sekeping Kong Heng @ Ipoh Old Town

The revived and attractive mini bazaar at Sekeping Kong Heng is truly refreshing. The open-green-minimalist combined design portrays a very warm environment.

travellogging.blogspot.com

There's boutique..

travellogging.blogspot.com

There's craft stall to keep kids occupied..

travellogging.blogspot.com

Plenty of stalls selling arts and crafts..

travellogging.blogspot.com

And nostalgic ice balls for sale..

travellogging.blogspot.com

.. with many nicks nacks..

Around sekeping, there are a few cafes/bars

travellogging.blogspot.com

Modern vs historical

travellogging.blogspot.com

Artistically cosy..

travellogging.blogspot.com

Natural lighting with lots of greens..

travellogging.blogspot.com

Functionality with some old charm..

travellogging.blogspot.com

Not to forget Yasmin's Museum is where this canopy is located. Let's hunt for this..

travellogging.blogspot.com

2015 Chinese New Year (CNY) @ FGS Dong Zen Temple, Jenjarom

Last week, we had wanted to go to Thean Hou Temple during the CNY to get a view of the temple's CNY lighting decorations. But the road up the hill was so jammed, we decided to surrender and turn back home. The girls were disappointed. I decided to check on the internet when will the lighting event end, but came across another interesting place - Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Buddhist Temple at Jenjarom, Banting, Selangor.

佛光山東禪寺

The place is huge.... It was our first time. There were many beautiful lanterns and lightings, not to mention the beautiful plants in full bloom. The 16 acres area was divided into different themes. There were exhibitions, stage show and eating area, praying area, lantern lighting area, and kids playground (where we got on the ferris wheel, and I got to take these 2 pictures). We could not cover the whole place as we reached the temple a bit late at 8.30pm, and the place closes at 10pm.

There were a lot of activities installed i.e. fireworks, lighted floats, Buddhist script writing or kids, costumed artists depicting the different deities, country people and many many more.

The girls had fun posing for pics and playing at the mini children playground.

Everywhere is lighted with auspicious greetings and and decorations.

There were plenty of lighted lanterns where the kids would love. The almost-an-hour journey was worth it.

I would like to make it an annual visit during the CNYs.

I did not take much photos as I did not bring my camera. The photos here are all taken with my phone, so the quality suffers.

Be there to do the much-effort-decorations justice.

Friday, 2 January 2015

Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2015 ~ Let's start planning

The 2014 hot air balloon fiesta was really fun for our family. We get to do many adventurous games and enjoyed awesome view of hot air balloon launching in Putrajaya. So we are definitely looking forward to the 2015 event.

The organiser had updated us that the 2015 event will be held in March. Details as at December 2014 is as below..

INTERNATIONAL HOT AIR BALLOON FIESTA MARKS ITS SEVENTH YEAR IN PUTRAJAYA

KUALA LUMPUR, 1 December 2014 — More than 200,000 both local and international visitors are expected to be at the annual Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta on 12-15 March 2015 to enjoy the psychedelic skyline.

The fiesta, now in its 7th year, celebrates its exciting exhibition and activities dedicated to all age groups from 7 AM-9 PM. The event provides a fun day out for everyone and the perfect spot for parents to plan out their school holiday destination.

Visitors are invited to this free event to get a chance to experience in the fiesta’s eight areas. Hop in the tethered balloon rides; enjoy picnic style breakfast while balloons fly over you; for the adventurous at heart, don’t forget to visit the Extreme Zone; and to keep you energized and well-fed, a revolving cast of food stalls and trucks are waiting to serve you at the Purple Zone.

A new area this year, MyBalloonClub, will offer an option to visitors who would like to break away from the crowds and indulge in a gourmet breakfast buffet with the best picturesque view. To ensure a peaceful ambience, organizers limit the number of guests per session per day.

To find out more information on the event, call 03–7981 8712 or check out the fiesta’s website www.myballoonfiesta.com and follow the Facebook page www.facebook.com/myballoonfiesta. Your real-life airborne adventure awaits!

The 7^th Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is organized by AKA Balloon Sdn Bhd and Perbadanan Putrajaya (PPj).

I will definitely book a night in Putrajaya. Suggest you do that too so that you won't be too tired at the end of the day for your drive home.

Wednesday, 4 June 2014

Weekend Programme: Run with Wig, Run with Cancer

Sad to say the event was postponed last minute...

Out of ideas for things to do for the weekends? Why not run for a cause? The run will do you good too..

It is my first time.. and I am dragging along Ben and the 2 lil monsters.. Oh I can't wait..

I am thinking of getting a colourful afro for myself. The lil monsters would probably wanna be Elsa and Anna.. We'll see..

For those of you who wish to try this:

For age 7 & above

(nevertheless my lil monsters will be there.. hehehe..)

Registration from 1 May 2014 to 6 Jun 2014

Form is here

Registration fee is RM25 per person

Payable to CK Hair & Beauty via AmBank acc no 0872 022011520

Make sure you submit the form and proof of payment to info@locksofhope.org

Or if you have queries, you can contact:

Rachael 016-902 9105

Ang 016-221 9005

info@locksofhope.org

(I've tested the contacts, they do entertain queries)

Better still, check out this meaningful campaign

So.. see you, if I see you there. Adios!

Sunday, 28 July 2013

Jim, it's not what it was!

Been a long time I did not go up hill. The Cameron I knew was 10 years ago. It used to be quite cool. A good place to buy some vege and flowers.. visit a garden or two.. In general.. some peace and quiet.. some..

But I found that the Cameron now is so commercialised. It is as if strawberries swarmed the hill.. A bit overwhelming, but the weekdays were still bearable.

The gardens that I went 10 years ago (Rose Garden and Cactus Valley) were still around, but less well kempt. Nevertheless, still a good walk with family. Get to take some good pics of plants (for fun).

One of the new addition is this Lavendar Garden. Good few spots for photo-taking. Kids had good time picking strawberries on top of the garden.

Lavendar Garden

Rose Garden

Hi, I am Cactus! And I can't stand touchy feely (Cactus Valley)

Lavendar Garden - Strawberies picking

Cactus Valley

Rose Garden

Cactus Valley

Wednesday, 19 June 2013

Kuching.. My first..

It is my first time visiting Kuching. I pour in a lot of research work because I am bringing along 2 kids and 2 elders. It has to be fun for the young ones and comfortable for the elder ones. Though the trip has its odd moments, but I'd still think it was memorable enough.

When will I see you again..

Next year would be the 10th anniversary of the best 3 months of my travel life. I spent it mostly in UK. I went there on a shoestring budget, explored many many ways to skim and save while going from the extreme north, south, east and west. I went there alone with not a care to the world or strings attached, the ultimate liberation of a carefree life. I had planned to sort out the photos after I came back but my procastination prowess proved to be superbly strong. They are all still sitting (stuffed) in my study cupboard. Perhaps I would be able to sort it after I retire.. Hark!

Nevertheless, I will try to share some of the photos I took while I was in Great Britain.

And also share some snippets of my travelling experiences and lessons learnt while knocking around on my own.

But I will leave that in the later blogs...

For the time being, I am content with looking at the photos and sighing to myself..

How time flies...

Tuesday, 2 June 2009

All are not gone : My take of Singapore

I never miss Singapore. I love travelling and I love the cultural exposures, but somehow.. Maybe it's the crowd. Anyway, coming back to Singapore after a decade does gave me a better chance to get acquainted and I do find a spot that I might get comfy. Not Orchard Road, hell no....
It's the rightly named Oasis of Cool and Extended Walk at Ann Siang Hill Park area. I went during the weekends and weekdays. It's somehow pretty calming for me.

Silent arches and figurines standing still amidst the blowing winds and bristling leaves.

I love the simple and stoic Nagore Durgha Shrine. Silence do express much more than words.

Looking over the doors, I see them all opening and doves flying towards the bright sunshine. Funny eh... How we tend to relate places of worship with lights and birds. These are all effects of too much impressions implanted into our heads since young. Photos.. Idiot box.. Anyway,

I do not really like the look of this supposedly one of the oldest temples in Singapore. The bright colours and compact deco just shouting commercialisation. Erghh... The only remnants of historical expression I find is the rooftop.

Dragons in the sky overseeing the community. May we all blessed with good health!

Sometimes it's hard to manage how much exposure I'd like for these shots. I'd like the bright lights but I'd like some colours to my photos too. But I thought this turns out quite ok.

I anticipated lots of greeneries when walking into Ann Siang Hill Park, only to find it all blocked by the shops' backdoors.

Silver lining beyond the dull cloudy walk, there are rows and rows of beautiful buildings of the past. Love the airy windows of yesteryears.

Why do we need standardisation? Why ignore the uniqueness within us?

This is the best place I found in Singapore! "Books Actually". That's a place to remember.

I love books. I do not believe that IT and television can ever take away the beauty of words and our own free will of imaginations. And this place seems to spell out all the good things in life. For me, at least.