My Kota Kinabalu Trip - Day 4

At first we plan to stay here while some friends would trek up to the top of the summit; however, the accommodation for trekkers is full. So we end up looking to the top of the mountain together.

This is probably the most spectacular national park in Malaysia. The star attraction, without a doubt, goes to the famed granite-clad Mount Kinabalu which officially stands at 4,092 metres above sea level (though previously thought to have an elevation of 4,101 metres). Mount Kinabalu is actually still growing by about a few centimetres every year. In all, the Crocker Range is considered to be an active mountain system, although the possibility of earthquake or volcanic eruption is very remote.



Visit the Mt. Kinabalu Botanical Garden.



Nepenthes rajah. (หม้อข้าวหม้อแกงลิง) or the Pitcher Plant.



Only two of Nepenthes are seen.



Brunch.



Taking picture at the Entrance of the Park before leaving.




On the way back to the city, we visit the City Mosque. The architecture is closely resembles the design of Nabawi Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia. The sky-blue dome blends perfectly with its white masonry.

And that would be all for my trip.

My Kota Kinabalu Trip - Day 3

We rent a taxi to visit the Poring Hot Spring. Stop at one of the Chinese temple.



At Poring Hot Spring, a little trekking is required here to experience the Canopy Walkway. It is in length of 157.6 meter. The highest point of the walkway is about 41 meter. It is constructed high up in the forest canopy for use by scientists to conduct research.



Then we visit the base of Mt. Kinabalu Nature Park to stay overnight at the Summit Lodge.



Like last time, we have delicious dinner at Liguwa Restaurant.

My Kota Kinabalu Trip - Day 2

This morning we go shopping at the Sunday market before proceeding to Jesselton Piont to buy a ticket to Gayana Island Resort.



Though the water at the resort is crystal clear but there are many renovations. So after spend some time exploring the resort and playing with star fish at the Coral Reef & Giant Clam Rehabilitation Station, we decide to go to another island, Sapi.



Sapi is another small island. Here we meet a lot of Japanese tourists.

My Kota Kinabalu Trip - Day 1

This is my 2nd trip to Kota Kinabalu, though the first one was very short since I just passed through to go to Brunei. It is the capital of Sabah located on the west coast of the “the Land Below the Wind”.
In the morning we first visit Sabah Foundation Building, a unique 30-storey building, it is Sabah’s highest tower.



In the afternoon, we buy a cruise tour mainly to watch the Proboscis monkey. The tour costs Ringgit 160 per person.



Sunset at the village.

My Penang - Day 2

Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera)
This morning we plan to visit Penang Hill. The owner of our accommodation is so kind, he offers to give us a ride to the cable car station. Penang Hill is a series of hilltops which is approximately 833 meters above sea level. This is the only place that remains in my childhood memory of Penang: my first-time-experience of riding the funicular railway. The return ticket fare is RM 4 for adults.
Interesting places at the top include the tranquil Mosque and the Hindu Temple (Sri Aruloli Thirumurugan Temple).




We stop to have a coffee break and enjoy a panoramic view of Georgetown at Bellevue Hotel.





Fun experience with Henna drawing
While enjoying the greenery of the hill, we stop by to have Henna drawing. Mine is on the left arm, Mer is on the wrist, Nong and Nam Phueng are on their hands, while Tong is on the back. It costs 10 RM per drawing. (approximately Baht 100) They said that it would stay around 2 weeks.




Kok Lek Si Temple
The temple is situated in the Ayer Itam area, it has several pavilions with beautiful architecture, paintings, statues, and general items of Buddhist religious interest.




Construction of the temple started in 1893, but it was only in 1930 that the Pagoda of Rama VI, named after our king who laid the foundation stone, but better known as the Pagoda of 10,000 Buddhas, was completed. This pagoda combines a Chinese octagonal base with a middle tier of Thai design, and a Burmese crown, reflecting the temple's embrace of both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism. Gigantic Statue of Goddess of Mercy ( Kuan YIn ) is the 30.2m bronze statue of the Avalokitesvara - Goddess of Mercy or Kuan Yin - on the hillside above the pagoda. This statue was completed and open to the public at the end of 2002.




Dhammikarama Temple or Burmese Temple
The main hall houses a tall Standing Buddha and behind the Standing Buddha are two rows of smaller buddhas.




Wat Chaiyamangkalaran or the Reclining Buddha Temple
It was built in the 19th century with the blend of Chinese, Thai and Burmese architectural designs. The reclining Buddha is measured up to a 33 meters length, the eyes and toenails of the Buddha are made of seashells.




Walking on Gurney Drive along Penang Beach, our main objective here is to try some local food since the beach is nothing to recommend. Lots of edible hawker food. It’s bursting with flavor and color. Here we sample Char Kway Teow (Flat Rice Noodles fried with Prawns, ,Bean Sprouts. For me, it is alike “Phad Thai” in Thai food.), Wanton Soup and desserts with ice (น้ำแข็งใส)




Komtar
It is the landmark of Penang. KOMTAR, a 65-storey building, is short for Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak, which houses Government departments, commercial offices, department stores, shops and restaurants. And that should be all for my two-day trip.

My Penang - Day 1

Segara Ninda
Five of us visit Penang on the weekend. Segara Ninda, the guest house that we stay, belonged to Ku Din Ku Meh, the governor of Setul (at that time Setul was the province of Kedah under the domination of Thailand, but later became Ampur Satun, a part of Songkla Province, Thailand). Ku Din received the title of “Phraya Purminard Pakdi” or “The Devoted King” by the King of Siam.
The house situated on the Upper Penang Road which is very very bustling at night, surrounded by night club. Good for the one who enjoys night life. The present owner of the house who is the grandson of Ku Din Ku Meh.



The Lovely Blue Mansion
The Mansion of Cheong Fatt Tze who came to Penange penniless but had become one of the most historic and colorful personalities of the era, “One of China’s last Mandarins and 1st Capitalists”, that Dutch and British authorities ordered their flag be flown at half mast throughout their colonies when he passed away in 1916.
The house which was adorned with “feng shui” elements which sent out a call for Gods of prosperity, health and good luck, “had been restored and received the UNESCO Most Excellent Heritage Conservation Award in 2000.
The blue exterior paint which I found out later, happened to be indigo paint which washes off with every rainfall but since the paint is organic, it preserves the "health" of the walls and prevents cracks.
http://www.cheongfatttzemansion.com/

We end the evening by planning to have dinner at Gurney Drive, we get lost and are offered a ride to another food center by a local guy. The seafood at this small shops complex are quite good with approximately Baht 200 per person. Sorry no picture.

TISCO's freinds arranged a party at Oriental Hotel for P. Muay - Phavadee on her retirement after 37 years of working at TISCO.

A claimed to be “new year gathering”, though it almost past two weeks since year end; we still use that reason to have an eating trip without any other objectives. The first stop is at the “Taling Chan” floating market. It is a small weekend market. A small table is lined on the floating piers. The food, the atmosphere are o.k. but I don’t like it much since I have motion-sickness. A busting place, not recommend for those above-average-size persons since people may step on your toes and also those who have difficulty sitting on a floor. The Som-Tum (papaya Thai style dish) should have tasted better.



So within less than half an hour we are all ready to move on to the next place, Tik Pochana (ติ๊กโภชนา) at Nakornchaisri, Nakorn Pathom Province. Very famous dishes are crispy fried eggs (Kai-Jeiw – ไข่เจียวกรอบๆ) and fried shrimp (กุ้งทอดกระเทียม).



Our last stop for today is for Ice-cream; however, the recommended one around the restaurant has not shown up for today. So we split the group, our group head back to Wipawadee road but finally find a place at Krua Khun Yui (ครัวคุณยุ้ย) at soi Areesamphan1 to have some dessert. The homemade ice-cream is so-so but the good one is Waffle.

A farewell party to Tua - Chavalit from TISCO friends at Sorrento restaurant. Tua had been with TISCO for 17.5 years. I hope that our friendship still flourishes as time goes by, no matter where ones work.

Chiang Mai - Day 3

This morning we visit another “Doi”, “Inthanon”, the highest mountain in Thailand (2,565 meters above sea level) The mountain ranges gave birth to the main tributaries of the Ping river and formed many waterfalls.



On the way down we visit Phra Maha Dhatu Nabha Metaneedol and Nabhapol Bhumisiri which are the Buddhist places of worship containing the Lord Buddha’s relics from many original. The Royal Thai Force constructed the stupas in commemoration of their Majesties the King’s and Queen’s Sixtieth Birthday Anniversaries in 1987 and 1992, respectively.




The last stop before heading back to town, is Doi Inthanon Royal Project Research Station which we limit the visit at 1 hour sharp, otherwise some of us including me may miss the flight back to Bangkok. Step down from the car one will be greeted by the hill tribe children presenting the cut-flower reminding me of a recently hit Thai song ….หนูเอาแครอทมาฝาก....

Chiang Mai - Day 2

Today after breakfast at the same place as yesterday morning, we then return a car before joining our friends at Royal Flora Ratchapruk. Visit many sections that I missed them the last time I came here.



For me, an umbrella is a "must" to bring along for this event.





Though the temperature in the morning is under 20 degree celcius, it is still unbearable to be under the sun at midday so we spend our time in the Exhibition center taking pictures and writing some postcards to those who can’t join this trip.


At Morocco Garden

Tong’s friend, Khun Pom, pick up us from the event to “Bann Rai Yam Yen” restaurant (บ้านไร่ยามเย็น). The place offers local cuisine such as kaeng hang-le (northern-style pork curry), kaeng ho (spicy curry of bean vermicelli), sai ua (Chiang Mai sausage), lap (minced meat, cooked and highly seasoned), nam phrik ong (chili paste with minced pork and tomatoes), which usually goes with khaep mu (crispy pork rinds) and nam phrik noom. Pe Paew enjoy dinner very much since there is a folksong playing 1970-80’s country song.

My first trip in 2007 - Chiang Mai - Day1

A plan to visit Chiang Mai and Royal Flora Ratchapruk has been added to my schedule one more time due to many friends will be there too. After arriving at the airport we rent a car and head to “Patchkit House” near Suan Dok Gate to check in. It costs Baht 650 per a twin en-suite bedroom with air-condition (though it is not necessary for me at this cold weather).



Having breakfast at “Ton Pa-Yom” fresh market before visiting “Bann Den” Temple around the Mae-Ngat dam.



Since we are on the road leading to Fang, a plan to visit Lampoon is changed to “Ang Khang Royal Agricultural Station” of which I and Pe Paew wholly support since we have never been there before. The station is designated for conducting experiments on possible temperate plants to be grown in Thailand. The experiment is aimed at promoting the cultivation of cash crops to replace hill tribes' opium plantations.



A restaurant and beautiful landscape flower gardens are offering here including guesthouse. We are so lucky that there is a “Thai Sakura” for us to take pictures with.



Sunset at Doi Ang Khang
We spend time non-stop shooting pictures. I am so glad that for today there are only 5 ladies, otherwise we might get complaints from those tough guys who think that “flower is just flower”. Then it’s time to go back since the route is filled with steep s-curves.



Final stop for today is at “Ka-Lae” restaurant at the reservoir near Chiang Mai University. The decision is made on its flower garden at the restaurant. I went to this restaurant in 2005, the food is fair, but this time we all agree to recommend the “fried cat fish with grapefruit” spicy dish (ยำปลาดุกฟูส้มโอ). (Sorry no picture since I am so hungry that I forget to take the picture.)

In the first working week of every year, it is one of TISCO traditions to greet new year with K.Sivaporn and his family at home in the morning.

Life still goes on as usual for us (almost – since I would be avoid seeing movies at the theatre for the time being), another party for welcoming the new year is held at Nong Aoy’s house.
The children are playing music before the older generation: their dad and uncles are trying to take over. The youngest one in the band is “Ply”, probably less than 10 years old.

A very sad year-end day

It is one of the very upset and sad days that bombings had occurred in many places in Bangkok and Nonthaburi province. Whoever had even thought of doing this should be resigned from being a “Thai” citizenship.