Greetings from Kuwait

So, I am in Kuwait now...
Very sudden for lots of people, and in fact myself too.

My first impression of Kuwait - It is very BROWN...
Not only because of the sand patches everywhere, but for some reason, the buildings here all in brownish tone... Trying to camouflage perhaps???

Had a not-so-good experience at Kuwait initially, cos of the communication problem & language barrier...
I was outside the airport alone, trying to get to my company's hostel, but I could not communicate to the taxi driver, they speak Arabic language and I have no clue what they were saying, and as more of them coming in trying to help, some even started speaking to each other loudly, it truly freak me out a little...

Anyway, I still managed to reach my hostel safely, but that's also when I became emo... Being alone at a foreign land - is something I find it so hard to deal with, mainly because I felt there is no sense of security...

I have decided that after I let it out, I must do something to stop the emo-ness.
It's never wrong to show your emotion, it would be inhumane to be without emotion, but we must never dwell too long in it. Because it will consume and destroy you!

And I am thankful for the reminder that Morrie gave me, it's like a energy booster at your time of need.
I am even more thankful for the person who bought me the book, it helps alot =)
I feel like there is a friend encouraging me when I feel most helpless - in fact, Morrie & Mitch, remind me alot about Raymond & I... =)

So I kick myself out from the gloomy apartment, heading to the Marina nearby for lunch & walk around, ignoring those scary warning I heard - lady should never roam around alone... And I am so GALD I did!
Sun, sea and sand - always my remedy for sadness. Took a super long lunch at the restaurant next to the Marina, savouring the food, enjoying the scenery, and reading the book =)

After that, I took off my shoes, and went for a stroll at the beach.
I never thought I could walk on the shore at the Arabian Gulf like what I was doing, I began to feel very thankful for the experience, despite of the tough time I am going thru now...

Feeling extremely sleepy right now @ 9pm Kuwait time... I shall log off soon.
Remember me in your prayer, I long to see all of you again, especially you =)

Photos, maybe tomorrow... Cheers!

In love with Jacaranda

I am so thankful to be here at the right time to see the blooming Jacaranda trees everywhere at Brisbane!
So I went around following the trace of Jacaranda trees, I am just so in love with it! =)

Me @ Sunshine Coast

The romantic Brisbane river at night

Back to Brisbane CBD again!

JACARANDA TREE @ New Farm Park

St Mary Cathedral @ Ipswich

Fiji Day 20: Pergi Mana

Okay, I was wrong... I manage to take a look at the nicer part of the Island ^.^
Went to the west of Fiji Island - Nadi to stay for a day.
Must thanks Richard for the recommendation and Vodafone for the good rate, I check-in to Hilton resort and went out for a splendid day cruise to Mana Island.

Everything excites me at the west side of Fiji - the sun, the sea, the sandy beaches, the resort, etc...

Some misadventures happened, but for good!
I end up having some VIP treatment in a BMW, from "entah mana is this Mana Island" to "I'm glad I pergi Mana" =p , met a cute baby girl and her pretty mother while sun bathing, and so on...

Everything seems so good at my last day at Fiji, except it would have been better, if I have a company by my side =)

At Denarau Island Hilton Resort

At Mana Island

Sun-bathing

The beautiful Fiji from the sky

Fiji Day 19: One last glance of Suva

Today is my 19th day at Suva, Fiji.

Time flies; still can remember during the first week when I am here & the miserable period after Adam left, can't stop thinking about home and seriously wanna leave this place asap.
And finally, I will be leaving here in 3.5 hours from now; will be going to the Nausori airport at 5.30am to catch my flight to Nadi at 7:05am. Maybe some of you will still be awake by that time ;)

Some people might think that it's a waste that I leave Fiji without having a glimpse of how beautiful the coast line is around the island, didn't went to the native village to see their performance, didn't have a chance to taste their famous Kava, and perhaps some others must do/see thingy.

But, I have seen the other side of Fiji, the very local one. Not those that you can see from the advertisement - of sea, sandy beaches, island, paradise, etc...
But isn't that what I always wanted? To experience the real local life at different part of the world... This is really one of the good memories I have in my lifetime. And I have bring home so many precious friendships =)

So, I am thankful, and count myself blessed =) Espeacially for His protection and provision along the way.

And yes, like I said earlier, I'll be flying to Nadi tomorrow, stop for a day, to see the nicer part of the island as a compensation for my extension and missing out the Raya holidays ^.^
Then flying to Brisbane, pay Jee Aik a visit, stay for a day. Will be flying back home on Monday night, and finally reach KL on Tuesday morning.

Knowing that you'll be one step closer to home day by day, is SIMPLY GREAT!! =)

* Pictures of My last week at Suva here.

Fiji Day 13: Bathing with Fishes & Sun

After loooong 13 days at Fiji, finally I get to soak myself in the sea & sunshine. Unbelievable huh? But it's true... So near yet so far... That's exactly the situation at Suva.

So took a 45min bus ride to Pacific Harbour this morning. Kinda scary, only me alone get down from the bus at the Pearl Resort.

Missed the shark dive... But nevermind, don't think I am ready for it too. As I have never swim in sea water for more than 2 yrs already, since my last diving course at Lang Tengah...
Enjoyed a short snorkel at the Comb Reef nearby, swimming with fishes!
Took a nap on the hammock, with the rain & sunshine taking alternate shift every 15min...
After lunch, the weather got better, no more rain. So I walk around. Swim at the pool. Then air dry myself at the hammock again.
Ended the day with some sun bathing session at the pool side. Now I am 2 shade darker, look even more like Indon maid...

Oh! And I got to know the resort GM too, he said will give me a good room next time, but I doubt there will be any next time thou...

A good day trip. I must thank God for keeping me safe so far.

And the last update from Suva today is - I got sunburn, cos didn't reapply sunblock... Now look like Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer @.@

Fiji Day 8: Friendship at Bizarre Places =)

That's us! After the great farewell dinner =)

* Our journey on Day 7 *
* Our journey on Day 8 *

Fiji Day 6: Serendipity at Suva

The fateful Saturday where I met both a nasty local & a great new friend!
Good things come when you least expect them =)

The place where we met

Finally I've got a company again =)

Fiji Day 5: He heard me!

Today is my 5th day at Fiji, but 6th day away from home & my beloved family.
I miss my mom so much this few days, but I don't wanna call home, yet, am a little worry that I may burst into tears when I listen to their voice... Haha! Silly me...
And as I was whining over my home-sickness, mom called!!! =)

God must have been listening to me, what a comforting fact!
Wanted to express my utmost gratitude towards His protection & guidance so far, thank You =)


Took this picture at the water front at the hotel I stayed, took me ages to upload this re-re-re-sized version... Just to let those who concern bout me, I am alright here - safe & sound, thanks to His grace.
Many thanks for your constant care & support, miss you all!

Fiji Day 2: Bula Suva!

The training at VFF officially started tomorrow, therefore I grab the opportunity to walk around Suva town center to get myself familiarize with the surroundings, and pay the client a visit at the noon.

Let the pictures do the talking =)

Fiji Sep'08 - Day 2

Fiji Day 1: Cabin Fire! (Almost)

Story later... Picture preview first =)

That's me just on board the plane to Fiji, still happy!

# Edit 1 month later:
No time to pen down the entire story, the summary is - I thought I was going to die in plane crash, but yet I survive.

More pictures on Day 1 here.

Sydney CBD Walkabout!

I grab the opportunity to stop over at Sydney for a day before flying off to Fiji ^.^
I literally walked the entire Sydney CBD... (Almost... At least 80% if it, hehe!)

Airport - Kent St - QVB - Town Hall - St Andrew - ANZAC Memorial - Australian Museum - Archibald Fountain - Cook & Philip Park - St Mary - Hyde Park Barrack - St James - Sydney Hospital - NSW Parliament - NSW State Library - Royal Botanic Garden - Mrs Macquarie's Chair - Opera House - Circular Quay - hotel - zZzz - Circular Quay - The Rocks - Harbour Bridge - George St - Darling Harbour - Kent St - hotel - zZzz - Airport

A very satisfying stay at Sydney CBD, I really wanted to come again...
As I didn't get to meet up with my friends there this time, and also you'll never be bored of the beauty of Sydney =)
Now I wonder what will be in store for me at Fiji...

Intramuros, Manila

During the second day of my stay at Manila, I manage to set aside 4 hours to visit a nearby town named Intramuros - which means "City within the Walls" in Spanish.

Beautiful statues & old church building on my way to Intramuros

Rizal Park
(A place I wish to visit but too bad have to give it up due to the time constraint)

Fort Santiago Gate

Plaza Armas - the fort's main square

A the entrance of Rizal Shrine.
His statement & motto in life truly move my heart, no wonder Dr Jose Rizal was term as the Philippine's national hero.

"Man ought to die for his duty & convictions..."
"... I shall die happy, satisfied with the thought that all I have suffered, my life, my love, my joys, my everything, I have sacrificed..."
Does that ring a bell to you? That just remind me of Paul so much.
And the mission God had call each of us to heed.

The short trip ended here at a stroll at the Baywalk

The visit to the ruined city and the Rizal museum, shed a very different light on Philippine for me.
Even though the people here are having a lower living standard and generally poorer than those of Malaysian. But after you got to know their history, the hardship they have gone through, you tend to respect them more. Especially with such a outstanding national hero as their role model. Difficulties shape your character, this is so true. I find the local folks here, they are very full of character and lively. And all these make this country and this place beautiful...
I can't conclude that everyone here is very warm and friendly, but at least the people I've met here, are being really nice to me. This is something I am truly thankful for =)

More pictures here:
# Manila Sep'08

Manila Business Trip

Only got to know about the impromptu business trip last Friday evening, spent the whole long weekend making preparation for that, not to forget the Genting brainstorming meeting in between the busy schedule.

Manila - same destination, my first business trip, but his last.
I came here with a special & complicated feelings, maybe this is the reason I'm not scare at all, even when I have to travel alone =)

my boarding pass

traditional local transportation

traffic in Manila, jam like KL, if not worse

the place where I stay

my room

Gold Coast & Brisbane (1st - 4th May 08)

Australia - Gold Coast Day 1

Australia - Gold Coast Day 2a

Australia - Gold Coast Day 2b

Australia - Brisbane Day 1a

Australia - Brisbane Day 1b

Australia - Brisbane & Gold Coast (Last Day)

Back from Gold Coast & Brisbane

Gold Coast - Brisbane : 1st ~ 4th May 2008

Simply wonderful trip...
=)

HK Trip Photo Spree

Macau Stopover 1

Hong Kong - City of Light - Day 1

Hong Kong - City of Light - Day 2a

Hong Kong - City of Light - Day 2b

Hong Kong - City of Light - Day 3a

Hong Kong - City of Light - Day 3b

Hong Kong - City of Light - Day 3c

Hong Kong - City of Light - Day 4a

Hong Kong - City of Light - Day 4b

Hong Kong - City of Light - Day 4c

Macau Stopover 2