Bangkok Safari

Another thing that we did on our recent trip to Bangkok that we have not done before was to go to on a Safari. Yes you read right a Safari! You see now that the little one is older and more demanding LOL we need to find stuff that is more entertaining for her. So instead of the usual shopping and stuff we have to find new and improved things to do.

Now when I first heard about the Safari I too was skeptical but boy was I in for a pleasant surprise.

There were birds and macaws of wonderful colours at Birdland. This picture was take by my little girl.

There was a Sea World that had several dolphins and beluga whales in the show which was very impressive.
Above you can see one of the whales taking a bow and below are the dolphins lined up for treats.

This is at the beautiful entrance. As you can see we take the part of looking like tourists very seriously LOL

There was a neat place to have lunch with food cooked fresh from little boats.
This little black swan took a liking to us and we gave him some goodies for his troubles. Pic by daughter.

This was the Orangutan show that was pretty amazing. At firstI thought it was going to be totally exploitative but it wasn't so bad. There was a fake boxing match, with cheering fans, nurses, drives, stretcher bearers and boxers and all Orangutans.

There was even a few polar bears. This big guy looked so cool and relaxed in his enclosure.

There were a lot of crocodiles and this one looked nasty...probably wondering who's going to be his next meal.

This was also at the entrance. These girraffes look like they are having so much fun...but they are fake...hehe...the real ones are at the safari side of the park.

This is the entrance to the dangerous animals enclosures at the safari park. It's all drive through.

Here are the bears. They were huge.

This fellow was having a nice cool dip in the pool. Reminded me of Yogi bear LOL... Wassamatta Boo Boo?

This was after we realized that the windows should be wound up. DOH The bear looks like he is at a Japanese restaurant where the food is on a conveyor....and we are the food. LOL

The tigers looked lazy...I guess they were waiting for dinner...and we were invited...as the main course LOL. The real feeding time was a little later.

Here is a picture of a lion looking real majestic. There were quite a few big lions around and I caught one snacking in the distance with the videocam. Just wondered which tourist who left the car was the snack...hehe

We then left the predators enclosure..these are either wilderbeest or Kudu...nice pair of horns dude...hehe

This strange creature was found in the car...LOL

There was a nice little "flintstones type house" for the deer to mingle and have a "beer" LOL

Stork island...there were loads of stork and flamingos all around the lake...one part was practically covered with them

More birds of a feather flocking together...

A little lost mousedeer...okay he was not lost but he does have that deer in the headlights look LOL pic by daughter...

This is not a close up of a rhino...this was us real close to a real big rhino....

The big fella was trundling along as we drove past...I couldn't help thinking that we'd be toast if he decided to give the car a little nudge

One of the camels...this guy is probably wondering why he has to have those horrible humps to carry water when there was a lake nearby LOL

Another strange creature...hehe

Zebra... Bubt, butt, butt!!!

More rhinos and some giraffe in the distance...you can feed the giraffe over there...nice shades dude LOL

Actually this is the first picture we took...of some ostrich...we were excited cause we could actually drive in the park Then we knew why they put the ostritch at the begining...this nasty fellow came right up to the car...reminded us that it was still wild animals and we should stay in the car :)

We'll that was only some of the pictures...there were loads more to do like the Cowboy show, the Spy Show and the sealion/walrus show, not to mention a jungle cruise and loads of other things to see. I only wished that we had more time but it was our last day in Bangkok and we departed that night so we couldn't stay until later. If fact I really must thank my friend Ning who took us there. It was a fourty five minute drive each way from our hotel.

Cheers!

A fun day at the beach!

It was a beautiful day...

spent making sandcastles on the beach

and taking walks along the shore...

even venturing into the waters edge for a taste of the sea...

and a taste of the best Curry Laksa in PD...

capped off with a gorgeous sunset upon the gentle waves!

It was fun in the sun for the family over the weekend as we took a quick trip to a nearby beach. It was a really good break and we had a fun time. Going with my best buddy ensured that I had the best possible time with family and friends. Also after a long time, I didn’t have to worry about assignments that were due and could just relax and enjoy the retreat.

I think that my little girl had the best time of all. Although she one doesn’t know how to swim yet and we couldn’t really venture to the sea she really enjoyed walking into the waves, making sandcastles on the beach and frolicking in the pool. The smiles and laughter are precious and I’m glad I brought the camera.

The best thing about it was that although it was an overnight affair, but because we went early and checked in early we had so much more time on our hands. We were on the beach and then the pool and then the beach again and the pool again…I lost count. We were so tired that night but my good buddy and I wanted to stay up late like old times.

Unfortunately we are like “old timers” now and couldn’t stay up past 12. We did try to talk a walk on the beach after the kids went to bed but the place was pretty deserted. I recalled the time I went to Siloso Beach in Singapore and how crowded the place was and couldn’t help wondering why our old beach which is the closest to the capital can’t have even the slightest semblance of what is at Siloso.

My buddy and I could see the potential for so many things and wished that we could be given a half mile of beachfront and we would turn the place around with the right planning. Maybe it was just wishful thinking but I think there is potential for more. After all it’s not that far from town and great for a quick rendezvous, all it needs is a touch of class to attract the crowds back.

Anyway the next day as we drove into town for lunch we did see that there were certain stretches of the beach that had started to do what we were thinking about so there is still hope yet. Speaking of town, we also discovered what I think is the best curry laksa and the best ABC – Air Batu Campur (literal translation “solid water mix” or as the stall owner so aptly put to a foreign customer “it’s like Malaysian ice cream”) in Port Dickson!

The curry laksa was think and creamy and the ingredients were plentiful, even the sambal chili was laden with dried shrimp and really spicy. The ABC on the other hand was not too sweet and full of red beans that were cooked to perfection. It was lip smackingly good food for a very decent price. I strongly recommend the place if you happen to stray over to PD town someday.

Anyway that was it. A quick getaway that ended all too soon. Wish we had more time to stay but maybe next time. We're planning to do this more often...considering that it's only an hour or so away...it does't get any closer that that! Sometimes you get stuck in the parking lot of a mall for longer than that hehehe

Cheers and have a nice week!

I’m Back!!

I’ve finally handed in my last assignment and I’m unofficially done with my Master's degree. Of course I need to get my results for my last two papers this semester but after that I’ll be graduating. Woo hoo!!!

This has dragged on for more than a year and a half and I’ve totally neglected my blogging pretty much throughout the whole period. Worse I’ve neglected all my blogging buddies during that time too! SORRY FOLKS - I'll make it up to you!!

Wow so much has happened since then! The worst news was the recent passing of Michael Jackson! I have grown up to his music and been a fan of his for a long long time and it was unbelievable when I heard the news that morning that there were unofficial reports of his passing. I quietly wished that it was just a rumor but within minutes, the news was confirmed.

We spent the whole weekend catching up on the news and tributes to the King of Pop. As I watched past performances it reminded me of just how remarkable he was. One funny thing was as we listened to the car radio on Saturday morning while on the way to breakfast, my little girl who is only four and listening to MJ’s music for the first time remarked that she liked the music. She doesn’t usually say things like that about any songs whenever we listen to music. Unfortunately I can’t remember which song it was because I was thinking that even in death MJ’s music is timeless and can still reaching out to win over a new little fan!! Amazing!!!

I remember when MJ performed in Malaysia for the first time, I without hesitation went for his concert (I am not the concert going type and this was my first and only paid music concert that I have ever attended). While I remember the show very well, what left a lasting impression was after the show as we were walking back to the car. There was only a few of us on the road as the majority of the fans were still at the stadium trying to catch a glimpse of MJ. As we crossed the road and were standing on the divider I look up and see Michael’s vehicle drive slowly by right in front of us and he is happily standing up and waving through the sun roof. I personally call the place Michael Jackson Road whenever I drive past. Just goes to show that although his performances were out of this world, he was really a down to earth person. Rest in Peace Mike!

Okay that’s it for now.

Peace!


PS I’m long overdue for a Blog makeover so stay tuned!!

Humpty Dumpty

I was in the supermarket the other day when I stumbled upon this sight. I've never seen such an eggciting mess before so I whipped out my phone and snapped off a picture to the protests of the staff there. Some clown of a customer actually put the basket on a shelf and left it unattended...tsk tsk tsk

It reminded me of good old Humpty Dumpty...I wonder if all the King's Horses and all the King's men could have a nice omelette with this lot.

Cheers!

Muffins Anyone?

Okay okay!! I know I haven't been around much lately and I've also not been doing my usual rounds on the other blogs! Don't even talk about leaving comments and responding to comments or tags that I've failed to do!! Taking this course is really taking up most of my time and what ever time I have left I spend with my little one so I hope you understand. Work has been busy too so no chance of sneaking a post here or there. I guess when it rains it pours as the old saying goes.

Anyway, today was no different except we had to do some grocery buying and also needed to get a couple of new toys to distract the little one. More toys? Well the maid/helper we have will be leaving for home soon and the new one will coming. Our little girl is understandably very attached to the current one so a little smoke and mirrors will be needed to help with the transition. It's not going to be easy but at least it'll keep her mind off the old helper, well at least that is what we hope.

We got her a few books and some finger puppets and a few other things and then had a quick lunch at our favourite place and then headed home. We didn't want to take her along as she has a cough and cold. When we got back we decided to bake some chocolate muffins...well wifey did and I just set the oven. This time it was my favourite chocolate chip muffins.....mmmm... unfortunately I have a sore throat too so only sneaked one....can't wait till tomorrow...

Well I really wanted to share the muffins with you guys who have been visiting although I've hardly been posting! You're all wonderful frineds! Enjoy!!

Hot from the oven!!!

Happy New Year!

I'd like to wish each and everyone a Happy and Joyful New Year! I hope that 2008 will be filled with hope and peace and joy for you and your loved ones! CHEERS!!!