2011 – A glance back…

I feel like this year  is kinda like a roller coaster ride … Awal tahun, things seemed to be getting steady, a continuous effort from the year before. So, I keep a good speed moving forward. I had a good long holiday. I enjoyed and was grateful with my resolve, my peace of heart, my calmed mind. However, apparently life has more to just what you expected it to be. I believe I made a decision which change the course I was cruising. The new ride was bumpy initially. But now as I look back, I’m happy that finally it’s not bumpy no more. It’s actually turned out pretty good. And it does feel good to continue learning again. Though I’m far from satisfaction and I know it’s gonna get tougher next. But persistence is necessary. That’s never an option… Looking back at 2011, there are things I wanted to forget but forbidden by fate. Yeah, same story as what a life I had in 2010. What a coincidence, what an acquaintance… what a loser it made me feel. *sigh*… my pathetic self.

Despite all that, I feel I’m getting a little immature. I did and said things I don’t think I should. I believe my temperament on road need some maintenance. I need some adjustments. Would it be easy to move away from such bad habits?

By the way, Happy New Year!

So, tonight, right after this, I’m just gonna shut down and have a plenty of good nonsensical dreams (when does they ever make any sense? @_@).

“I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, It’s a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life’s realities.”

 Dr. Seuss

I predict busy hours are back in the next few weeks. First meeting for the next steps after the 9th round has been decided for. Now more consultations are coming, perhaps amendment of the current mao. Hope we are able to convey to the stakeholders and agencies of the what and what not, for their understandings are highly critical.

Glad I went for some aerobic session last Saturday. Baddy session this weekend was postponed but I needed to physically drain myself thus joining the club after so long missing attendance. Thanks to weekly badminton I didn’t feel any lolling bones after the one hour session. Feeling a bit awkward though since most were wearing the purple club t-shirt. But the instructor was great as usual. I’m thinking of joining the all-black session next week. Need to remind myself of the theme so that it won’t be another awkward situation, green in the midst of blackness *faint*.

23th, Buenos Aires (BA) – Arriving at BA…

Guess what is the smaller one used for? hahaha

The weather was so very cold, for me at least. But I managed. At night it was even colder. We spent some time refreshing ourselves and then went for window shopping at the Florida walk (not sure the exact name but is nearby Florida street, I think). This is where you can find your souvenirs. Bargain is good but no, the prices are not cheap, at all. So, we mainly did the scouting.

The next day we took a trip to the famous Recoletta. It was a cramp ride cos we shouldn’t take a taxi with 5 of us but the driver was so nice in willing to take us all in.

What is Recoletta? That’s one big cemetery in the city where they housed the deceased (yeah, I mean, really, housed).

Each family has their own spot and it was built like small Victorian-like houses deep underground and next to one another.

This is also where they buried Evita after her husband refused to accept her, as I was told. The Duarte family took her and buried her with theirs. However, we couldn’t come near to the grave house cos it’s under maintenance. Walking along the pathway here was eerie and quite scary.

After Recoletta, we took a walk around the city, went to the Hard Rock Café and grabbed myself a t-shirt (but don’t know when I’ll ever come to wearing it *roll eyes*) and Yati’s order as well. On our way back we bought some souvenirs since we had an early flight the next morning. So, we finished up buying little that we need. Like I said before it’s very pricey here. Not so sure I’ll visit again. And there’s other one big reason which I’ll tell later on.

25^th, Lima – Arriving at Lima and soooo tired! At least we had a nice fellow, Fernandes picking us up at the airport.

Nearing the hotel, he asked us, “Do you want my service?” and all of a sudden we were dumbfounded for a second before all of us bursting in a pool of laughter. He managed to correct his statement with “Do you like my service?” (you see, he said he’s not really good with English *faint*) and we just chuckling and giggling. Oh, Fernandes, you’re a funny man! Hahaha… but of course we like you, but you’re married, so that’s the end of it… ^^

The famous Lacomar

The senorita gave us a really good bargain! Not to mention I had a great one too. I got myself some killer bargainers around me, cool! Haha

Around 5 we took a long walk to the Inka Plaza and did some souvenir hunting. I changed small USD for Peruvian Soles for the first day and did my scouting and buying some souvenirs just to please myself. I knew we may be coming here again before we depart, so I was taking my sweet time. However, the long walk had taken all my energy plus my nose was getting dry and throat was sore. I knew fever was coming but I was totally unprepared. Usually I travelled with some med but not when I haven’t had flu and fever for so long… argh! Thank God we took taxi back to the hotel! The fever was unexpected and so troublesome and thankfully my bosses and team mates offered some of their meds. So, I had a variety of them during my stay here in Lima. I even bought a local cold and flu panadol. I’m so gonna need some rejuvenating and detox session afterward.

On the night of 28th, we also went for a free city bus tour arranged by the hotel . Too tired we spent the trip sleeping and only woke up when we arrived at Barranco. The poor tour guide was speaking and explaining to lolling heads…bwahahaha… They didn’t took us downtown cos there was a celebration and it could be pretty unsafe for us to be there.

There was an earthquake here, and a moment later it appeared on the local news. I heard it was 6.9. We were having some tidbits after meeting at the lounge (24^th floor) when the building actually swayed. No shaking my friend but it swayed. But as the waiters informed us, that was actually normal. They even built the hotel to accommodate such event, thus the swaying. So, we were a bit relief, although still felt uncomfortable. There was another mild tremor of quake sometime on the 29^th night though, but didn’t bother me much except it woke me from slumber but then I just drop dead back again… too tired to spend even a moment of panic. What cause my deadness?

The last day has been less hectic… While waiting for my bosses to finalize the report during the early hours in the morning, I was watching the live badminton of the recent French Open and at the same time we were attracted by the flying para gliders outside the window. The game was intense, the report was stressing, we were running out of time for our afternoon plan and the para gliders giddy us into leaving our seats. I was glad LCW avenged his lost to that shirt ripper! But he needs to work on the unforced errors. The margin could be reduced significantly if he played with less error. Anyway, congrats to LCW. We supported you and even watched the final@Buenos Aires airport. Such devotion! Hahaha…

After lunch, we decided to do the paragliding. I was so excited and nervous at the same time. My fear of heights and my excitement to do it mixed up. It’s a chance I may never come across again so I decided to follow my heart.

Insane, yeah tell me about it. I even forgot (it’s Jose by the way, hehe) the name of my guide but he was a very nice guy who has been paragliding for more than 20 years. Cool eh? The experience? Awesome! Even went up above our hotel. When we went back towards the depart area, he flew to the middle of the ocean and tried the swing but I told him I can’t swim and I was scared and he just laughed but agreed to turn back. Phew! The swing was really scary for me and that in the middle of the ocean when I don’t even have the skill to swim! Well, I have a strong reason to be in fear.

The capoeira!!

I was flying!!!! Bwahahahaha….

After the exhilarating flying, we moved to the souvenir market for one last time (again!). The walking around the Indian Market has all but drained me. Not to mention the long walk back to the hotel. We went back to the area where we did some souvenir hunting the first day arriving in Miraflores, Lima except that this time we started the second trip across the road to the Indian Market. The prices here are more or less the same for few items and slightly higher for the pure Alpaca made materials than with the items sold at INKA Plaza. You may find the items at the Indian Market to have more creativity and choices plus the quality is much much better. Seriously, I don’t even know when I’ll be coming here again, but next time I come, I know I gotta get my hands on those beautifully crafted art pieces i.e. alpaca poncho, natives art painting etc. They are mind blowing… really such a temptation to an artistic heart of mine.

The two groups split to different destinations due to some miscommunication. We were the last to arrive at the hotel. When we arrived at the lounge for dinner, there’s nothing left to eat and I even passed out on the sofa. Then we went back to our room but my two bosses wanted to go to the happening Lacomar just across the street. I was already obliviously unconscious so, I slept. That walking back to the hotel on the first day, I never expect we gonna be doing it again on our final day here at Lima. *faint*

The next day, after we say goodbye to our colleagues who will be proceeding to Machu Pichu, me and Cik Azah waited for our car to take us to the airport. Our flight will be at noon. So we still got more hours, or so we thought. Even we arrived four hours early at the airport we only managed to board the flight nicely within an hour or two before departing. There were a lot of people at the airport and their system was inefficient to us in a way that we understand they wanna make things easier by segregating the procedures but man, the place is sooo crowded and regardless of what you do, the traffic still gonna be hectic.

Some miscomm again happened when my ticket was not written with vege meal so, I fasted during the whole 6-7 hours flight to BA. I slept the whole way. Not waking until the plane landed. Then we transit to Cape Town. But, my oh my… what awaited us in CT was more depressing that not getting food in LAN Airlines even when it’s covered in my ticket. Some idiots at BA opened and rummaged our luggage. They even took away my belting and travel lock (I finally found it in the front pocket, totally damaged. My guess would be they cut my belting. @#%%#^!!) My boss at least still got one of her lock at her bag (which was also later realized as damaged) but they really rummaged through our stuff and she got her choc ate by the idiot! I am still angered by this nonsense! Now I have to spend on the unnecessary. I gotta buy again the lock. So stressful la.

So, next time, you guys gotta remember, that BA people, they like to check everything. Better wrap your bag if you ever gonna drop by at BA even for a transit. Urgh! I felt like screaming my heart’s out in that idiots’ ears. And please remember, whenever you arrive at the airport, DO NOT let the guys (readily pushing the empty trolley) to handle your luggage. Get your own trolley. Cos, they will help you and will expect you to pay them for the service. So, be cautious ok!

31^st, Cape Town – Ehem, so anger aside, we began our day at Cape Town visiting the famous Malay Village called the Bo-Kaap.

Mosque, can you see it? They are really, really old, mosques here…

At the flea market… not buying anything… just window shopping and me, trying to cope with my dizziness…

Yikes, what’s that in middle of the room!!!!??? wakakaka

The Malay community here painted their houses in various color and it gave out very happy, joy and harmonious feeling as we walked along the street here in the village. Then, Mr. Rithwaan drove us to many more scenic areas around the town and along the beach. It is breathtakingly beautiful. I can imagine myself living here. I love the blue sea. I really do. The wide horizon caught me in my heart and I’ll be forever remembering Cape Town and its wonderful bays and its kind people of course.

We also drove along the black township also called pondok here. The government is trying to move these community into a proper low cost houses.

Some photos at the Waterfront and Victoria Wharf

The 12 Apostles Mountain, Camps Bay

The sea was a brownish due to the rain yesterday. But can you see the different there where two colors meet and stays intact?

This caterpillar is huge!!!! We almost stepped on it.

That day my neck was killing me. To make it worst, I was not comfortable riding the Mercedez Benz’s mpv as it shook a lot and made me nausea. When they changed to a Merc Benz car the second day, I was totally relieved. But unfortunately, third day they changed back to the mpv and I spent most of the time eyes closed trying to handle my queasiness.

We went to the small town, Stellenbosch, where they still have the very, very old thatched roofed houses/buildings now marked with special emblem and some operated as restaurant and office. This small town is really nice looking with some element of Victorian and English at the architecture. Actually most of Cape Town is.

Dried beef (halal). Dare to eat it???

We also drove to the Mooiberge strawberry farm colorful with its man-made scarecrows. We bought the famous local tea. I tasted it and I think it’s a perfect gift for my parent. I also bought spicy corn that actually is not spicy at ALL, lol. It got nice sweet sour tomato flavor. Foods here is halal everywhere, KFC, McD, you name it. I rarely see pork here. Good riddance! Finally to the cheetah outreach (we didn’t reach them close enough though)!

I am actually in the plane writing this as I know I won’t be having much time blogging after this (jet lag etc etc)… I’m gonna get myself ready to sleep in a moment. Darn, it took sooo long to upload these photos!! Glad I finally get to it, phew!

So, conclusion of my two weeks trip: BA, is not a favorite… so expensive… no safety guaranteed (luggage handling wise) at the airport for transit and no bringing any home-made stuff plus meat products cos they will get confiscate. Lima is nice good place for shopping local art pieces. Great bargaining place, highly recommended. I really, really fell in love with Cape Town but no, not the price tags. Food serving is normally big for one person, so you may want to share. Cost of living is scarily high with the VAT included in every purchase and as high as 14% to add to that. But seriously, this is a very good destination for those who love hiking, surfing, and enjoying scenic views. But for sea lovers, beware of sharks should you feel like having a swim at one of the white beaches. Do heed the alarm, ok! My only regret would be, despite having to spend most of my days nearby the sea, I couldn’t experience the beautiful sunset and dawn. There’s none in Peru due to the fog and I missed them while shopping in Cape Town *sigh*…

Another fail attempt to silhouette shot…haish!

Night view from the hill.

Finally, a photo with our kind and attentive stewardess. Love them!

With that, hope you guys will visit any of these places. I really recommend Cape Town and Peru. You’re so gonna love them!!!

***edit

Selamat Menyambut Aidiladha to all my friends and family. ^^

I overslept myself from 5:30pm to 10:30pm (M’sia time) straight on our flight to Buenos Aires (BA). That and for the rest of the flight from MY to CT. Gosh, I forgot when was the last time I fell asleep like a dead log… even my colleagues said I slept the most. But what else there is to do? Movies and dramas provided are not interesting enough for viewing cos I watched most of them already. So, I only watched Nikita for 4 eps, Monte Carlo and The Lost Swordman (halfway).

So, BA for the first timer? Expensive! I restrained myself from being overly irritated with the nicely packaged housing interiors items that originated from China aka Made in China but were sold very expensively here… *roll eyes*

The flea market sellers along this street reminded me of Myeong-dong of Seoul except people here use no tables/stall… they just spread everything on the covered floor. My first feeling when I stepped out of the hotel is a little uncomfortable and scared. I don’t even feel safe taking out my camera for sights shots. Hope tomorrow will be better day for photo shooting.

Unfortunately, my friend and boss who brought their homemade spicy anchovies and canned curry chicken and beef, all of those were confiscated. Even the beef serunding that was in my bag, ordered by our Lead Nego, gone. Haish! Such a waste of money.

So, kalau ada geng yang nak datang sini, packing makanan yg korang masak cam ikan bilis sambal pastu gunakan kotak biskut lama untuk cover it up… rasanyer boleh guna cara tu la… contoh cam brahim tu, buang kotaknya sebab ada tulis ayam daging etc kan? biar jer dalam plastic yang berbungkus aka manufactured packaging. Asalkan tak nampak dalam tupperware/homemade, dia bagi lepas excluding meat products.

At Cape Town airport

Breakfast (main)

Breakfast

I came across this one song again… heard it once in the radio and I fell in love with it…  thought to share with you guys but I finally get to it today, hehe… well, I am absent minded, didn’t I mention it before? Anyway, hope you guys like it… I especially love the first two sentences. Very useful… ^^

~ Rose Garden by Lynne Anderson ~

I beg your pardon,
I never promised you a rose garden.
Along with the sunshine,
There’s gotta be a little rain sometimes.
When you take, you gotta give, so live and let live,
Or let go.
I beg your pardon,
I never promised you a rose garden.

I could promise you things like big diamond rings,
But you don’t find roses growin’ on stalks of clover.
So you better think it over.
Well, if sweet-talkin’ you could make it come true,
I would give you the world right now on a silver platter,
But what would it matter?
So smile for a while and let’s be jolly:
Love shouldn’t be so melancholy.
Come along and share the good times while we can.

I beg your pardon,
I never promised you a rose garden.
Along with the sunshine,
There’s gotta be a little rain sometimes.

I beg your pardon,
I never promised you a rose garden.

I could sing you a tune or promise you the moon,
But if that’s what it takes to hold you,
I’d just as soon let you go, but there’s one thing I want you to know.
You better look before you leap, still waters run deep,
And there won’t always be someone there to pull you out,
And you know what I’m talkin’ about.
So smile for a while and let’s be jolly:
Love shouldn’t be so melancholy.
Come along and share the good times while we can.

*Video uploaded by 50katy

Entity: Sony Music Entertainment and Koch Entertainment

No copyright infringement intended

Foods at MOF are much more colorful and with tastier variety… since they are 6 of us, we get to delegate the duty to go fishing for the cuisine. Of course the pregnant lady get to sit and monitor out precious seats…hehe

Anyway, it’s good to enjoy good foods among the community although we barely knew one another… ^^

I forgot tomorrow was a public holiday… should have booked the court for 5pm session… but I guess playing at 11pm won’t hurt… just that I’ll be rushing back from Seremban that evening … when I thought I could have a day  rest at home tomorrow my sister reminded me of my aunt’s open house plus majlis yasin for my cousins who are preparing for exam soon. She even asked me to make laksa johor… yeah right *roll eyes*, like I know how to cook that! sorry, dear aunt, laksa johor, at this moment is a total no no no… hehe… later, very very much later, I’ll go ‘berguru’ with my sister… she knows better how to cook this one delicious cuisine. yum…yum…

As for spending raya in Sg Tiang, different is I got more time spending at my grandma’s house… perhaps only one day visiting needed… which is a relief to me cos, these holidays are the only time I feel I could rest, spending more time chit chatting with my grandma and aunts, who, believe it or not, rarely go out themselves…

As usual I spent the hari raya at my uncle’s house… I was grateful for the effort his little girls made to prepare hari raya cards for this clumsy cousin of them… I’m fond of them, sincerely… thank you girls… but not too much FB dear Marwa… not helping much for your exam dear…

Tonight I spent the night at my other uncle’s home in Muar… barbecue night… finally, tomorrow, a trip home! Can’t hardly wait… the three books I brought for reading all finished within three days and I regretted for not bringing more… oh, yes, thank God, the manik-ing  has taken most of my time… I finished two pairs of baju kurung during this holiday… man, what a distressing past time… gave me so much pressure!