Season 5, Episode 8: Superb Saturday!

Snapshot: At the site of Gua Tambun to witness something spectacular.

" Uncharted waters. "

Last Saturday was probably the most happening Saturday since i entered uni. It wasn't that i was off to another day-trip nearby. Or that i participated in a makan spree. Or that i was going for a concert. It wasn't any one of the mentioned; it was all together, summed up into one, long, tiring but superb Saturday!

It started with a field trip for Reservoir Geoscience. I always like field trip because at the same time, we are actually having fun outside campus, looking at things we don't usually see. And when we go for field trips, we see what we need to see, not just on the appearance and learn something outside the book.

Our first visit was in Seri Iskandar. It was alright, sand and shale. Oxidation at surface. Then, it was Gua Tambun. This place is special. If not for this field trip, i would never have thought that it exists so close to us. Ancient drawings on the cave walls. Yes, ancient drawings and from where we stood, we could see tortoise, rat, dugong like sketches. Amazing, right? And from this cave, it tells us the past environment- that Ipoh could be nearly submerged in water.

Field trip also means lots of posing for shots!

Following our lecturer, taking down notes as he explains. Shading from the sun by the outcrop.

Ancient drawings on the wall. Perhaps, i can become an archaeologist since i had interpreted some of these drawings based on my own imagination!

We had lunch in Ipoh, so that covers the makan part. It's a new place to explore and surely, we were hungry. My friend recommended the Fish Noodle and i can tell you, it's delicious! It's costly but definitely worth the price. Talking about it make my mouth water. And don't miss the soy bean, tau foo far and tong yuan combo. It's one-of-a-kind and to say the least, interesting. This place is in Stadium and apart from the mentioned, you can find curry noodles, wan tan mee, among others that are not bad too!

This is good! It's RM 2.

My lunch. It was good lunch! Recommended if you're visiting the place.

Third stop was Kek Lok Toong cave temple. Due to a night event, i needed to skip this stop and head back to uni for rehearsal. There; ends the suspense. I was the emcee, informal, for the UTP Deepavali and Cultural Night. It was my first experience hosting an event in uni. It was tiring and heart-pounding. Even if i had been on stage many many times, during the last five minutes to time, i get cold feet and butterflies.

With the other emcees backstage waiting for cue to come front.

My co-host, M, at the dinner.

Nevertheless, my partners and i managed to put off an amazing show.

All dressed up beautifully for the night!

With A, the Head of Department, after the event.

It was a night to remember.

Hosting is really something new to me. I need to prepare for last minute changes and be spontaneous when these changes are made. During the event, there were many changes to the event flow and thus, our pre-planned script. So much so, we had to come up with our own words and facial expression, to the least, so that the show can continue on smoothly. But when the show ended, it was a feeling of pure satisfaction- that all the nerves have turned into energy for the remaining of the night. The after-party.

Kolam greeting at the entrance.

Deepavali's coming... wc10 can't wait for the delicious food, though on stage, M says, "Deepavali is not all about food."

Season 5, Episode 7: Fast, up in the air!

Snapshot: With the event banner at the site of 'Up in the air'.

"In every life, I find you."

Every year, when it comes to the July semester (until the Trisem takes over), there will be a big event. Yes, the convocation. But, on top of the convocation and since it's not our turn to celebrate graduation, there's the Convofair. Since i started in uni, there had been three; this is my second. I missed the first as i was back home. Convofair are during the weekends.

Convofair is like a fun fair with lots of food, games, performances. This time was no exception. And to make matters worse, we partied and visited the ground for three days in a row! It should have been on all four days if i had not been, unfortunately, smacked with sore throat that over the next few hours, turned into mild fever and until today, cough and running nose are still my in my combat.

So, what's so special about this time apart from the many days of visit to the booths? Grilled potatoes! We noticed people holding this long stick with potato sliced in between, seasoned with flavours. It was mouth watering and when we had found the shop, we all ordered. Chaos overtook the stall. A beeline was made. But it was worth the wait, worth the price. Oh, so yummy!

Too much to handle, my friend here seen in action to speed up the process. Also, this means more 'liew' (spices).

The final product. Smiling, and lip-smacking!

Since it was spicy, and we were thirsty, we tried this beer-bottle-like drink called Barbican. The bottle is very attractive, catchy but it's just alright. Gassy, but alright.

Perhaps, it was the combination of this two that made my throat the victim.

The next morning, hot air balloon! This was my first experience riding a hot air balloon. I didn't know what to expect but i set my expectations high up in the sky as i have seen them in books or movies.

Up in the air. Due to the hot weather, our balloon didn't fly high enough to make me scared. And it was bound to the ground. So, this fell slightly below average of my expectations. It was fun, but not entirely satisfying.

Nevertheless, there were friends to make the best out of it!

Gathered at the bottom of each other's turn to snap photos. Aerial view of us.

In the Petronas booth. Seen here is not a model, not a prototype. It's the real deal!

On the fast track!

Me against the stimulator. This booth felt like a bazaar-under-one-roof. It was crowded, the things were discounted, people coming in and going out at all times with bags of purchased product. I bought a sporty bag at RM 20. Not bad. To play this stimulator though, a minimum purchase of RM 200 must be made.

But, i didn't need to spend that much. My friends and i teamed up, and gave me the chance to play it!

Then came the discomfort.

It's not a nice experience, and no use to dwell on that. I have recovered, or better now than then. It was utmost priority for me to get well as soon as possible. Stressful days ahead, piling of work and tests, and, for the next episode, the UDCN!

So, Convofair, was it you? But even if it were you, there's nothing to change. Just that, i'll bring and drink more water instead. wc10 moves on the fast lane and is up in the air... if those are considered.

Season 5, Episode 6: It's Sitiawan...

Snapshot: Teluk Batik and us.

* warning: this is a long post of a Sitiawan getaway weekend with lots of photographs included.

" On the road to finding adventure! "

I wanted to make a visit to Sitiawan before the mid-sem break but due to some circumstances, i didn't make it. But this time, i made sure i will be able to go, explore and discover what Sitiawan has to offer. I believe my one day trip had been fruitful and surely, i had a taste of Sitiawan's life- and it's food!

We gathered at my car at 8.30 in the morning, left with our stomach ringing for food. We reached Sitiawan about an hour later and were introduced to our tour guide, Miss ZY- she's actually my coursemate friend too.

In the car, i said that this trip is for us to get away from all the stress in uni. Away from studies, assignments, quizzes, tests; away from club obligations; away from all things holding us back and spend this trip to the fullest and enjoy. This was exactly what we did!

I insisted that we try new things and see new things. Our food and travel visit begins!

For breakfast, we visited a shop selling 'Ko Lou Mee', a local, Fuchow dried noodles. It was tasty but i have to admit that the black sauce was a little too much.

I was pleasantly surprise. This plate of noodle costs less than RM 3.

After filling our stomach with what-is-to-be the start of our trip, we rested awhile at the guide's home. Then, it's off to Teluk Batik. There is something funny about the name of this place. Surely, there is not much batik around the place. I don't know where does the name originate from but with that aside, it has a beautiful beach line. We only needed to pay RM 1 for car entry and car park.

The place is splendid. Scenic panorama of the horizon and nearby islands. Apart from the long stretches of sand, there are water sports offered too like banana boat and viper. It is reasonably priced- RM 5 per person.

Me and tour guide. See the banana boat behind us?

Clear water. Our shadows against the water. This effect is pretty interesting that i took lots of shots in this manner.

Imprinted on the sands- Teluk Batik and WC.

Strolling along the beach, enjoying the breeze and scenery.

I like this shot of me taking pictures. Nice angle and lighting. Thanks to my friend for this shot. This intensified my desire to buy a dslr in the near future!

At one end of the beach, we noticed statues perched on the rocks. Me against the statues.

Me and YH. Somehow, this place looks like Langkawi.

YW and I against the mini lighthouse. The sea clearly spread behind the picture.

Posing and taking a rest here after the beach-walking here with CC.

Not enough with the beach, we went to our next destination, Marina Island, a private jetty. It is newly open and there weren't many people in the jetty. From the jetty we could see Pangkor Island. I liked the waiting area though, with the open area where we can again, stand off the cliff and enjoy the breeze.

Me, staring into the distance.

Embracing nature! Behind me is the Pangkor Island. It's so close yet so far.

Amazed by the trees, we decided to join their fun.

Time to stay away from the sea, our next visit is the Mangrove Swamp. Be careful of your belongings once you step out of the car. One of my friend had his bottle of water snatched by the wild monkeys! And we were bewildered by their intelligence to drink from it- open cap, use its hands and legs.

At the entrance of the swamp. It is built on a platform so we walked on it while exploring the swampy ecosystem.

A rarity at sight!

On the canopy walk. It's not really high and the gap to walk through is large, so it's not very scary. Enjoyed the view from above.

Back to food, it's lunch time!

The guide claimed this to be the best chicken rice in Sitiawan. It's succulent and tasty.

And to quench our thirst, it's fried ice time! The name of this drink is interesting. How can you fry ice? Fry ice with oil in a pan? Absolutely not. But that's what comes to mind when one says fried ice.

Fried ice! It's actually flavoured drinks fried on a cold pan, tossing and turning as soon as it freezes, and scoops onto the cup.

Waiting in line for the 'Gong Pang', a local biscuit made of flour, onions and your choice of chicken. The aroma of the onions made it so tempting and irresistible. It also made my car smell so... good.

The most anticipated part of this trip finally arrives! A visit to the turtle sanctuary. I just love these little, harmless, marine creatures.

Falling in love almost instantly.

Lying peacefully at the bottom of the pond.

I have never seen this many turtles in my life before! What an experience. Cute and innocent.

With the turtle statue.

Thumbs up for their noble efforts to save these creatures. You have my support- and i'm willing to come stand by you!

Outside the turtle sanctuary is yet another beach line! Oh, i just like the unlimited beach sites!

Somehow, the sea at this part is rougher. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the waves breaking at our feet.

Notice the height of the waves. Now, i can imagine the strength of a tsunami.

Horizon at my tips.

Last picture with me and the sea. I'm a sea lover!

After the beach, we went to a nearby ground under the bridge. Somehow, this photograph does not feel like we were in Malaysia.

Tranquility under the bridge.

Stopped again to buy some Fuchow bread. It's delicious. It comes in two flavours- peanut and bean paste. I prefer the peanut!

After a long day, it's dinner and seafood was our choice as Sitiawan is famous for it.

Coconut to cool down the body after a hot day.

Scrumptious meal! Lala, oyster egg and 'ha kou' with rice and seen here is the local, red wine mee suah. Seriously, we got high eating this! It's a unique dish and i simply enjoy exploring the taste of something different- but it has to be safe before it goes into my mouth.

A proof that we can go high!

Dinner marked the final moment here in Sitiawan, but who says it's the end of our trip. It's a food trip too, and we don't go home until we have tried it all!

Don't be fooled by this picture. The fried chicken is really crispy. But that's not all, it has some extra ingredient that makes it extraordinary. It's a road side stall on the way back to uni.

No doubt, the trip had been fun-filled. It was tiring, but tiring in a good way such that i have explored and experienced something new. These experiences are priceless and i will, as always, cherish them.

One day trip is amazing, and i believe there is more to explore here throughout my stay in uni. There's always a next time and wc10 can't wait for the next day trip!