It seems odd and paradoxical that KLites are partying hard while states affected by floods struggle on. I felt guilty sitting in the restaurant a while back with an over abundance of seafood piled on the table, but it comforts me somewhat to read that things are generally improving for the victims. It seems like the only thing we can do is donate as there’re hardly any calls for volunteers to assist.
These floods left thousands homeless and several killed. Neighbouring countries like Indonesia are suffering from floods as well where in Sumatra, more than 70,000 are fleeing their homes for higher ground. They’re blaming illegal loggers, but I personally feel that a larger force or factor is at hand.
We’re seeing more and more disasters coupled by weird weather over the past few years, a sure sign of our changing globe – decades of uncontrolled polluting are finally taking its toll. Our country especially is miles behind environment-conscious New Zealand, often called the Mecca for outdoor lovers, in terms of conservation efforts.
We could ramble on about inefficient governmental campaigns like the ‘tak nak’ bit but that simply kills more brain cells, of which I treasure immensely. The corruptive possibilities are endless.
This, oddly enough, brings us to Christmas, a day laden with commercialism, rampant images of obese Santas, and the objectification of Santarinas.
Some of you may object and say, “Lighten up, it’s Christmas!”
But I’ve gotten overly saturated with what the world deems as the true spirit of Christmas along with the commercialism of it all. Vomit-ish am I at the thought of Christmas shopping lists and Sales.
Well yes, I’m poor but that has nothing to do with anything. Maybe a tad.
Don’t get me wrong, I adore certain bits of Christmas. For one, it’s a reminder and reaffirmation of my faith in Him and a gentle prod for me to renew my efforts for New Years resolutions. Secondly, and this is a frivolous reason, I like Christmas trees and their bling-bling decorations.
And so in a stroke of madness I bought a Christmas tree for my house – blinking lights, glistening balls, miniature bells with gold dust and all. The family, not wanting the blame for buying this one-day-in-a-year decoration, proceeded to blame my sister (they’re adoringly useful *grins*).
A tinge of regret settled over me for a while having spent precious sums on that plastic vegetation, but it all went away soon after because it looked stunning.
I then reasoned that we could always put the tree up during Raya and Chinese New Year – just hang ang pows instead of bells or balls. Talk about value for money.
I’ve rambled quite enough for one night. May jolly well be sloshed on wine. There’s a difference between shamelessly drunk and happily sloshed mind you. ;)
A shiny bola decoration at the Curve makes for great self portraits on Christmas eve.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to one and all, and may thy dreams cometh true as 2007 beckons thee! Sally forth boldly oh yee who art brave!
Nine out of ten people I know aspire to travel our blue globe and are inspired by the likes of Ian Wright from Lonely Planet, an interesting chap no less. “Lucky” would be better a word to use here.
I, and a million other Joes would kill for a job like his. I doubt you’d be paid very much, but perks of the job would just flow forth to thy hands aplenty! That’s why people working for flight companies stay so happy (free tickets anyone?)
‘Tis true, such sentiments arose a good four years back when I first voyaged into college and opened my eyes to the possibilities of seeing the world via education, but a good many of you know how that worked out.
Like an artic penguin, my plans didn’t ‘fly’.
Now that left me with two possibilities to still do my travels. I could work till I’m sickly rich and travel then, or do what any poor graduate does – backpack. Mum gave me a mused look and I, quite annoyed at this point, said “I *can* do this.”
“You get lost in KL,” she replied coolly.
Anyway, regardless of how you look at it, both options have their charms. On one hand you’d want to be financially able to spend any amount you wish on anything and everything, or you could scrap through but experience more ‘adventure’ by really exploring. I’d do both really, but we’ll see ;)
More recently though, I adopted a third option – traveling with parents. Lots of pros and cons that one, but an option nonetheless, especially when it involves an island holiday!
Tax-free Langkawi has been a hot tourist destination lately, mostly because things there are dirt cheap…the island’s not half as pretty as other land masses around and sported typical Malaysian cleanliness issues like random mountains of rubbish on streets.
As I’ve said, the only other attraction here is the cheap tax-free goodies. I had no idea tax on certain items could be that much. I felt a tad bit guilty though for treating the trip as more of a photo opportunity than one of relaxation with my family…till I started snapping. And Yes, the camera is very much my third arm, a part of the body.
We took the cheapest route to the island via highway to Penang and later by ferry. I’ve always said that to fully enjoy a faraway place, you can’t spend too long travelling or you’ll end up dead tired when you get there. Alternatively, you could spend more days there.
En-route to Penang we saw this hallmark kampung house. I’ve always had a fetish for wood-ish looking homes and still pester my parents to fit our home with wood floorings.
A fair bit of waiting was done at the jetty on Penang as the ferry was running late. That’s my grandmother up front, my parents behind, and my bratty (but sweet) sister on the side. If I could, I’d name this a ‘generations-in-a-row’ sort of picture!
We hadn’t much to do during the first day on the island so my cousin and I plopped by a fishing village. I was there for the photo opportunities, he for the boats. Fishermen sitting nearby were too dumbfounded by us two silly city folks and didn’t bother shooing us away (free entertainment).
These children were colouring pictures by the beach unattended, but that’s alright. The island is generally safe and extremely laid back. Heck, you *don’t* even need to pay for parking!
Some random cat was on the prowl and had followed us for a good 5 minutes.
Many folks visiting Langkawi are there for the beach, golf, or shopping, but those seeking other tourist spots should definitely check out the ‘Galleria Perdana’. During Dr.M’s years as our Prime Minister, he received goodies, gifts and memorabilia from visiting ministers or foreign diplomats. How much goodies you ask? Enough to start and fill a museum-cum-gallery of it!
My sister loves the idea of being Prime Minister so she can get her own set of ‘goodies’. She’s seen her in front of Da-man himself.
There must’ve been thousands of individual items on display there! Here’s one for horse lovers. It’s a “Sculpture of Horse head from lapis lazuli” and hails from Chile.
A great many of Japan’s gifts included incredibly detailed dolls like the one above of a uh…geisha? It’s amazing to see the amount of detail on the fabric like the one above. All of them, I think, are handmade, which makes it even more impressive.
This one’s slightly creepy though. It’s from our neighbours up north! Unfortunately I’ve forgotten its exact origins (could’ve been Cambodia).
I hope that’s a letter opener.
The structure where all these amazing displays were in is a masterpiece in itself. Clearly taking Islamic motifs and designs as inspiration, you’ll get to see meticulously crafted or painted dome designs like these –
His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko’s picture were also on display. An odd gift I must say, but it lends ideas to future birthday gifts *grins*.
Other spots include the Sky Bridge that is accessible only by cable car. I’m terrified of heights and so this really shook my bowels.
Whatever bowels left came spurting out when I saw the actual Sky Bridge… Sure, it’s held by conspicuous looking wires, but the whole thing’s tilted! As you walk towards the center, the cursed bridge sways a whole lot! I tried calming my nerves, but gave it all up when I noticed rusty nails on the railings.
My gloating sister crossed the bridge…six times. I attributed it to her small frame and low center of gravity.
At least I went up there. My mom on the other hand *preferred* to stay below and shop for souvenirs like these wind chimes ;)
I adore taking random pictures of nothing and this is just one of them. It’s a telecommunications tower that sits prettily on the highest point of the island. I’m unsure if it’s being used to transmit Langkawi’s own radio station ;) How cool’s that!
We hired a boat to take us around the mangrove areas of Langkawi *and* to see them feed eagles. I must apologise though, I just couldn’t get decent pictures of eagles swooping about.
Slower moving animals like cats are fine though. Cats are cooler than eagles anyway.
Many locals cash in on tourists and set up shops all about the island, but it’s hardly a mad rush to sell things.
Water makes for interesting pictures because of how fluid they are. This was taken at a nearby five star hotel pool. We were visiting the place in hopes of seeing Azhar Mansor’s yatch but were told it was sent away for maintenance. *sighs*.
Fortunately there were lots of other things to see…
One day I’ll own my own yatch :P
On one of those evenings, we finally went to the beach! I was suitably excited about it all obviously. Call it nerdy enthusiasm or a photographer’s buzz, I was just pumped up about it.
The weather was looking great, the waves were rolling nicely, and everything was just picture perfect.
For the longest time, I’ve wanted an opportunity to snap the clichéd sunset beach pictures, and I finally got it :)
It was more self fulfilling than anything else. I wasn’t the only one on the beach keen for a good picture – many others were scrambling for their cameras and camcorders. I think no trip to an island is complete without seeing an actual sunset or sunrise, and I’m just happy to have seen one at an age where I can appreciate it all.
I feel that it’s important to have a child like fascination for things around you when you’re on holiday, and especially if you’re on an island. I came to Langkawi expecting nothing but upon closer inspection, the island does have it’s charms :)
Woohoo! The links are (finally) up and running! Only problem now is that my pictures keep getting snapped from the sides if it overflows! Anyone with a solution??
