My dear pretty Biqque
Chawanna done her booking
Have you heard of Tokyo’s Disney?
Day 2 (1 March 2008). Have you seen such silliness?
After the seminar & lunch (as usual), we took them to Boh Tea Plantation tea house to view acres and acres of tea plantation while sipping tea & eating scones. Very relaxing indeed (hehehe.... they didn't know the evil plan yet!?!?), then I rush them to the bus for a trip to the team-building site. They were still happy and chatty as usual, once we arrived; they saw the small field (still chilling here, not on panic mode yet) of which I get them to line up according to their group. Obediently they follow the instruction (so far so good, hemm...), THEN.... we brief them on the first game (2 games only anyway - easy peasy).
We told them that since half of the folks attending are techie people (and the other half is sales), we thought the challenge should be somewhat techie and "refreshing". They were asked to go to each corner of the field where we have lay down boxes, the boxes are stuffed with bicycle parts for them to ASSEMBLE within 20 MINS (they were bragging that this is easy and they can definitely do it! Yeah right!).
This is the best time to see how their "brain & skill" works. HAHAHHAHAAA... the result = we have people who installed the handle, the break, the peddle WRONGLY, gosh... you will be so "amaze" and "impress". And generally (as usual!??!?!) all the big boys wanted to "show-off" their miserable talent, and the result hahhaah...... *I let your imagination wonder*
That's not it, once completed; the team leader must ride on the bicycle ( to ensure that all in working condition) as fast as possible and the organizer (moi!) will keep the timing. And by now, you can guess what happened here right? Tumbled the min the sat on it, fell upon one peddle/stroke, unable to maneuver the bicycle etc etc etc. Anyway, at the end of the team building; we sent the bicycle to the shop to get it properly fix and donated to the nearby school for unfortunate kids. We had fun and the kids happy! WIN-WIN! Yeay!
Interesting combo? We told them that they will be playing football BUT BUT BUT.... jeng jeng jeng *my usual sound effect*, they must wear a SARONG (somesort of a wrap around pario). They went like ..."WHAT?!!?!?!??!"... We all laughed, the "STILL" obediently partners followed the instruction, once they are more or less ready, they start to discuss and strategize. Who to be the mid-fielder, who will do attack, goal keeper, striker etc etc.... VERY VERY HYPE UP!
You see, it''s hard enough to play football with a piece of cloth wraping around you at ankle length, now with binoculars?!!?! MEANING, they can't even gauge the distance of the ball and NATURALLY they kept kicking AIR (half the time falling down at the same time - sarong maa).... HAHAHAHHAA... they looked sooo comical. I laughed so hard that I think I pee-ed....hahahaa....
Despite them cursing me silli-ly, laughingly AND lovingly, they had great fun!
Day 1 (28 February 2008). . Food go DOWNHILL after 1st day lunch.
Day 1
Day 2
The journey to Cameron Highlands is around 2 hours or so via coach, basically Cameron Highlands is located in Pahang at 5,000 ft (1,500 m) above sea level it is the highest area on the mainland, enjoys a cool climate, with temperatures no higher than 25 °C. It is famous for its cool weather and home to Boh Tea plantation. It was named after William Cameron, a British colonial government surveyor who discovered the plateau during a mapping expedition in 1885. OK, enough facts.
As usual, we start the day with workshop & seminar when all our business partners brain are still fresh to absorb our product "preaching" ehheheh... we also gave them workshop which they need to complete by group effort. Let's skip the workshop part and go straight to the night part... ehhehee....*cheeky laugh*.
Here's the thing, during our journey & lunch, I kept announcing to them that this is the best meal that will be serve after this it will go DOWNHILL.... and as usual - they thought I was lying (why should I lie about food right?!??!). They gather at evening around 6ish for a 4X4 ride, very very adventurous (for city people like us), the 4x4 took us around the vegetable farm around the hills, it was bumpy ride but we love it. They were wondering where are we taking them, I said "poppy field" since we are all in farmland, I told them that we gonna cook it to sell for extra cash.... hehhehehehee.... they all laughed. Well, ask stupid question, get stupid answer right?!
Then... jeng jeng jeng *sound effect*.... I took them to a camp area in the jungle for dinner (don't worry - it's a virgin jungle [above pic is not the jungle!??!]), of cause they were wondering why are they here instead of some fancy dinner restaurant. Hemmm....I DID tell them on the food going DOWNHILL right... well..... After a 10 min of "leisure climb", we reached a place with BBQ pits, I ask them to gather and announce.....
"Remember what I said on the food going downhill? Well, each team will be given one box of RAW food fully marinated PLUS all the necessary stuff for you to start a fire (fire starter, matches, charcoal etc). Each team to grill their own set and the team that can lit the fire fastest and prepare/ready the food first will win this challenge". Their faces? GAWKING.... What??? Never in any of my bootcamp activities they have to suffer before eating, HAHAHHAHAH......there's always the first time right!?! *EVIL*
They tried their level bestest to grill, some came with weirdest strategy of "fanning" the fire, those without proper BBQ pit suffered most as they need build the pit from scratch.... GRUMBLE GRUMBLE GRUMBLE... *again cheeky grin*. Strangely, most of my business partners kinda enjoyed it as they say it has been looooong since they done a rough & tough activities like this - not as pampered as I think they would be (BUT they haven't seen the following day itinerary yet...!?!? Wait till they see it! *GRIN*).
Hey! Am not that brutally nasty to them okay, I manage to call up the nearby orang asli (natives/aborigines) to perform a native dance for them plus as teaching them how to use as "sumpitan" (blowpipe with poison dart), all the male wanna have a try with it - felt WARRIOR like konon (yeah right guys!?!?!)
One funny incident was that during this orang asli (native/aborigines) performance, my internal folks was still busy BBQ-ing (in drizzling rain) and they poured beer on the meat (no worries, I didn't eat this lar of cause) and they claim it was super tasty to a point (SIGH...), they went to the other team's pit (they were watching the performance then) and stole their beef. NOT one piece but few from few teams... GOSH! MALUUUUU.... embarrass! but funny at the same time.
This is what I get for depriving them from food. Sigh...
Received this from a friend, for those whom have been to South Africa, please DO verify (and those who taken this flight is HIGHLY encourage to share). I thought this was pretty funny, it does make me wanna go S.A NOW. Hahahahaa....
kulula.com is a South African low-fare airline. It is now known as Kulula Air. It operates domestic services to all major cities and regional services to Namibia, Mauritius, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Its main base is OR Tambo International Airport Johannesburg. Its headquarters are near OR Tambo in the Bonaero Park area of Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. The name kulula is Zulu for easily. Source : Wikipedia.
Kulula airline attendants make an effort to make the in-flight "safety lecture" and announcements a bit more entertaining. Here are some real examples (this is the part am not sure) that have been heard or reported:
On another flight with a very "senior" flight attendant crew, the pilot said, "Ladies and gentlemen, we've reached cruising altitude and will be turning down the cabin lights. This is for your comfort and to enhance the appearance of your flight attendants." - Air Asia should try this on April Fool day. Hehehee...
On landing, the stewardess said, "Please be sure to take all of your belongings.. If you're going to leave anything, please make sure it's something we'd like to have." - LOVE this!!!
"In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, masks will descend from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask, and pull it over your face. If you have a small child traveling with you, secure your mask before assisting with theirs. If you are traveling with more than one small child, pick your favourite." - I wouldn't one to be second here!
The FINALE.
HAHAHHAHAAA...... FARNIIIIIEEEEE....
Day 4 (29 March 2009). Ouch! 
I was listening to some music, my cousin & sis was singing and chatting happily then we heard a light bump and a scratching sound, we thought it was some sound effect from the song we were listening. Then we felt our car shook lightly... AIKS! As we turn our head, guess what???? A HUGE trailer carrying container (mind you!!!!) was TRYING to SQUEEZE it's might next to us so that it is parallel to my car. And of course, this silly driver obviously DID NOT REALISE he is driving a trailer NOT a sedan car!?!??!?! I dare not step out of the car incase he step on the gas and hit my door AND myself (it IS a TRAILER!), I did what I can do, I honk and honk and HONK. The car in front of my also got panic, but they too can't barge.
I thought I could bare the pain (DRAMA!), so we still head to the next venue, river houses and I told them I will stay near the car and do a little bit of self-massaging. After that we went (STILL) (YUP!!!) for dinner before heading to Andrea's house. During midnight, the pain kicks-in (and I don't like pain-killer okay - just imagine the pain I endure); I can feel my knee extremely heaty and swollen. My sis & cousin helped me to massage but I guess they can't do much; and since I can still feel my leg, I thought it will go away the next morning (pretending macho lar). 
Not wanting to take the risk, I told sis & cousin that we have to depart Penang by 7am the next day to avoid the traffic.
HAHAHHAA.... After all this... Am still the driver to drive the 4.5 hour journey back to Kuala Lumpur... (My sis has no experience driving in the high-way - long distance with trucks/lorries/trailers/fast speedy car before, my cousin is from Indonesia - NO experience on Malaysia road!).
My car is manual drive ie stick ie not auto ie have to press clutch. Sigh...
That's how end my Penang trip.
I operate my knee 1 week after (tore 50% of my ligament) in Gleneagles Hospital that cost a bomb to my company... hehheee.... BUT till now, am still lazy to do physio.
Day 3 (28 March 2009). Yup! Loadsa giggle, colourful pickle and temple temple temple...
Sweet sour pickle! Or locally known as jeruk (even writing about it makes my mouth watery - argh.... on a fasting month! CONTROL!), the taste sweet but sourish OR is it sourish yet sweet? Hemm... Any Malaysia wanna verify this? Hehehhee....
You can pick & mix those of the same price of the same gram. Normally it's a heaven from pregnant ladies (not sure whether this apply for Caucasian as well), and it is usually made from fruits such as papaya, nutmeg, mango, guava etc. If you ever drop by, you can ask the workers there to taste, am sure they will allow it. The best place to get these items as well as other authentic Penang ingredients will be a Chow Rasta Market, what I especially like is their dodol (toffee-like food delicacy popular in Indonesia, Malaysia & Philippines.)... Super yummy!
Chow Rasta not only well know for the pickle but also the 2nd hand bookshop. Gosh! Reminded me when I was in my secondary school, due to insufficient allowances; I will always drop by Central Market or PJ State 2nd hand book shop to get my Enid Blyton books. How I miss those good old days (Now? I hardly read a book, let alone newspaper). What did I get there? Well, hehehe...... Barbara Cartland books. Have you read her books before, very very THE VINTAGE! Heheheh.... where love was very straight forward and pure.
Templestiltskin? Am clueless of the meaning, all I know is that when I type temple; it reminded me of Rumpelstiltskin. And I thought it's cute to join the 2 words, don’t you just think so too. Hehhee... 
After the quick shopping trip we headed down on our Heritage Trail again, this time around Andrea & Rad joining us - YEAY! GURL POWER! 
We decided to park our car somewhere and walk around that area, despite that the state government retain the old architecture & ambience of surrounding area, they manage to keep it very clean (surprisingly - way to go Penangnites!). 
The one that caught my eyes was the OOOOOOOLD barber shop, old chair, old mirror, and old barber....hehhehehee.... nostalgic & charming I thought. 
Cheah Kongsi or Cheah Clan Hall/Residence was the first of the five great Hokkien clans to be established in Penang, it is an impressive building fusing Malay, Chinese and European influences in traditional Straits Chinese fashion (more history here). We don't know what to expect as we enter the arch gate as it look relatively small, but what we saw next was.... breathtaking. 
The colours, the carving, the architecture, all well kept, a hidden gem of Penang I must say. We did a self-tour (as usual) with loads of NOISE and camera CLICKING sound. 
And then when I see LAWN, I immediately feel like a kid again - jumping and screaming (Yeah! I think some tourist thought we were retarded or something...hehheheee). 
The biggest that I have ever seen Khoo Kongsi or Khoo Clan Hall/Residence. 
It is also the grandest clan temple in the country as it has retained its authentic historic setting, which includes an association building, a traditional theatre and the late 19th century rowhouses for clan members, all clustered around a granite-paved square. 
Located in Cannon Square in the heart of the oldest part of the city of George Town, the capital of Penang. However, it doesn't have the house interior as Cheah Kongsi, perhaps because the house are located in another building and it was not kept as part of the historical value. 
For more of the Khoo origin, you can visit their website which comprises very detail family tree and evolution. 
We walked pass Dr. Sun Yet Sen's revolutionary movement base here on Armenian Street (Yup! Impressive huh, Malaysia being part of China history - well... sort off), he is a Chinese revolutionary and political leader during the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty, ie last imperial dynasty of China. I remembered learning his history during my school days.
Hainan Temple or Thean Ho Keong or Temple of the Heavenly Queen, was founded before 1866 and it is dedicated to the goddess Mar Chor, the patron saint of seafarers. 
Apparently, the China Hainan men migrated to Penang in the 19th century, the key occupations were dominated by other Chinese dialect groups, and thus they turned to niche occupations by becoming sailors or cooks. This explained why the Hainanese Chicken Rice is so popular in all 3 Strait Settlement states (Penang, Malacca & Singapore). 
The Blue Mansion - Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion. The last one is my absolute favourite, came here twice and I highly recommend anyone tourist or locals to visit. As it is one of the place where they provide guided tour explaining the architecture of the mansion as well as the history. Since it's a guided tour, you must be on time yah!
The mansion built by the merchant Cheong Fatt Tze at the end of 19th century has 38 rooms, 5 granite-paved courtyards, 7 staircases & 220 vernacular timber louvre windows. In 2000 in won UNESCO 'Most Excellent' Heritage Conservation Award plus many others. The mansion was originally built with careful attention to the principles of Feng Shui. As for the blue coloured wall, it is the result of mixing lime with natural blue dye made from the Indigo plant imported from India.
Now, the mansion is used as a hotel-cum-museum and as part of a restoration project. The mansion has been featured in various films including the 1993 Oscar-winning French film "Indochine" starring Catherine Deneuve, and has also been featured in programs broadcast on various international TV channels (CNN, BCC). 
Next post will on my accident with a trailer in this Penang trip plus my fall that tore 50% of my ligament. 
