Travelz And Eatz!: 2024

Monday, 30 December 2024

2024 In Summary

2025 - what will the year hold for me? As I look out the window, I can only think of the fun I had in 2024 as I can't foretell the future. While I hope that the new year will bring new adventures and good tidings for myself, I will appreciate what the current year brought me. As I recall the events, I can feel that 2024 had brought me more fun compared to 2023. It's more people oriented this year and there's lots of people whom I've enjoyed meeting. Let's go through the activities by month.

January - My brother-in-law came down from Singapore and we all tried the Gamuda Luge which was a great fun activity. First time taking the skylift up the hill and the suspended seat really tensed me up as there's no harness to keep me secured to the seat. I didn't lose the race as I came in second place. Kota Kemuning Councillor, Simon, completed his term and as a token of appreciation, treated committee members, to a nice dinner. After installing the new crash bar to the bike and added the spotlight, rode to Penang to meet cousins who returned from Australia for a visit and we had a family gathering. Daughter passed her driving test and received her driving license on 24.1.24. We're hoping that she will drive us while we take a backseat in the car and enjoy the scenery.

February - I was a good skeet shooter 30 years ago, at the video games arcade. So, I registered as a member of the Selangor Shooting Association and after I've obtained the police permit, hope to try holding a real rifle to blast the clay projectiles. I started my journey with the .22 calibre Glock semi-auto weapon. If we had raced downhill last month, this time we competed on a horizontal plane, at RUD go-kart, Gamuda Cove. It's a pretty fast machine and there's plenty of laughs as we raced round the track.

March - The month ended on a sad note although it began happily with a company Annual Dinner at Double Tree Hilton, Shah Alam. Casino Royale was the theme and I had to look the part. Succesfully organised a 100 pax lunch gathering of Hainanese clan members. I had just joined this group for 3 months then. Father was admitted to hospital for a lung infection and stayed in hospital for 15 days, before passing away on 31.3.24. It was a good experience taking care of him since mum's passing on July 2021. Thanks for the opportunity to serve you.

April - Started with a father's funeral and cremation. It was a happy event with family and friends gathering at Nirvana Memorial Park, Shah Alam. I'm sure father's happy to know that many people accompanied him during his final journey in Life. Collected my Identification Pass from Hospital Shah Alam, where I was appointed as a member of the Hospital Visitors' Board. The staff were friendly and I have a better picture of hospital-doctors-patients process and services now. Shot our first bullet at Selangor Shooting Association.

May - Started the first session for my dental implant procedure at MAHSA University. A scan was performed to determine the condition of my jawbone, whether it's able to receive the screw and fortunately, it's ok. Datuk Jeff Yong, a fellow Hainanese from the Hainanese Circle Whatsapp group which I joined last October, took me under his wings and my writing journey was sharpened with his advice and feedback. Malaysia Autoshow Show was held at MAEPS Serdang and I brought my son to view the vehicles on display and we managed to test drive an electric car from Daimler Chrysler. Silent and powerful it was but we didn't end up buying the car. The final activity for the month was the ride to Titi Kong from Seremban, where I accompanied my friend who had just purchased his new scooter, to the little town for breakfast.

June - I've been suffering a lost of radiator fluid from the car over 6 months and it got worse the last 2 months, having to replace 500 ml of water every day. After studying information from the internet, I concluded that the problem lies within the engine block and had the workshop replace the damaged engine block which had a pitted wall between the cylinder and the water circulation system. The pressure from the cylinder was pushing the water out of the radiator. I will have to send my car to Puspakom to register the new re-con engine and update the vehicle registration card. Attended a workshop on Artificial Intelligence at UKM during the final weekend of the month and learnt a lot from the Professor who was in charge of the AI Department, covering both theory and practical application of the knowledge. It was an eye opener for me but I will have to find ways to make this AI knowledge work for me financially.

July - Father's 100th day prayers are due and brothers came to Shah Alam for the ceremony. We hired the services of a monk to perform the chanting and we all feel at peace, with the end of the process for father's funeral. Since the entire family is here, we spent the night at Amverton Cove Golf & Island Resort, which is located at Pulau Carey. Raced each other in the go-kart and the kids had a fun time at the water theme park the next morning while the older folks went to the Mah Meri Cultural Village which was about 5 km away. I'm impressed with the native's wood carving skill and the completed totem pole can be had for about RM20,000. No, we didn't buy any totem pole but took lots of photographs for memories of the place.

August - The month began with a dinner gathering of ex-colleagues and getting updates about each other. The venue was an old but popular Chinese restaurant in Petaling Jaya. The next day, met up with this couple who resides in Johor and I've known them for 30 years. At this age, we're discussing family matters, especially the kids and how we bring them up in our own ways. Culturally, I joined Phor Thor Association's celebration of the Hungry Ghost Festival and prayed for the safety of the community, family and friends.

September - It's my birthday month and that calls for an overseas holiday trip. This time round, we flew to Zhangjiajie, the Avatar land located in China. It would be our first holiday abroad since the CoVID-19 travel ban and it's been a four years wait, caring for father for 3 years after mum's departure in July 2021. I had my dental crown fixed, after a 3 month's wait for the dental screw to stabilise itself in the jaw bone. Thanks to MAHSA University. Spent a total of RM2,600 for this procedure. The month would see me replacing the car's 4 wheel rims too, after one of it was damaged due to an incident at the roundabout near where we stayed.

October - My former room-mates came down from Singapore, for this Penang trip which I had planned 2 months ago. We had known each other for 30 years. I was their tour guide for 3 days and I drove them up north over a total distance of about 1,000 km. Penang is my favorite state and I don't mind the drive. It's a joy. After 21 years, I had my car's window tint replaced as it been an extended period of seeing bubbles on the windows, as the glue had reached its end of life. I'm able to see clearly and enjoy the scenery as I drive, and seeing cars through the rear windscreen, which I've not had the privilege, over the last 10 years.

November - Took a medical screening test to asses my health and as a consequence of this decision, I now have to watch my intake of sugar and fried foodstuff. Is it better late than never? Meeting people is another activity that I find joy in. I organised my 2nd breakfast gathering with Kota Kemuning residents and 9 people turned up. There's just so much to learn from each other and we were so engrossed in our sharings, and 3 hours just passed us by. There's going to be more of these gatherings, that's for sure.

December - It's the final month of the year and before the year closes, had two rides - one to Tadom Hill and another, to Kuala Kubu Baru for breakfast. This was followed by a family trip to Jerlatok Retreat Farm in Negeri Sembilan for an overnight stay at this secluded and peaceful hideout, a 90 km drive from our house. During the first weekend, brought my son to Kokopelli at Templer, to listen to photography professionals share their photo-stories while Yusuf Hashim the great traveller photographer, mediated the presentation.

Looking back at 2024, I know I've had more fun, met more people and ate more unique food than 2023. I make notes throughout the year, so I'm always in touch with my activities and it makes me grateful for the wonderful experiences I've had throughout the year. Be Happy and you'll be Healthy, I like to tell people. A simple formula, without having the need to consume health supplements. Eat and rest well. Be grateful and show gratitude. Make your Life count.

Tuesday, 12 November 2024

Our Zhangjiajie Adventure

A trip which was in the planning over the last 6 months. Wifey was the main person who had studied the places to visit, transportation, lodging and made the respective bookings before creating the travel itinerary. A word of appreciation to her for the hours she had put into organising this holiday of ours. Our first overseas travel since we had to cancel our planned trip to China in 2020 when CoVID-19 struck, mum's departure in July 2021 and taking care of father till his departure in March this year. Flying again after 4 years is a sort of liberation for the mind and soul.

China is a big country and we landed in Changsha Huanghua International Airport on 11.9.24 at 2308 hrs local time, after nearly 5 hours of flight time. There's no time difference with Malaysia. Although no visa is required for Malaysians travelling there (2 weeks), we had to complete Immigration forms. I was selected to undergo the random CoVID-19 health check and I passed it. Having cleared the immigration section, we grabbed a cab to Hotel Qinyuanchun (RMB153.00) which we slept for a few hours after a supper of noodles with dumplings (RMB57.00 for 4 bowls) at 0124 hrs.

Waking up at 0725 hrs on 12.9.24, we checked out of the hotel and had a simple breakfast of pau (dumplings) at the roadside before making our way to the Changsha Railway station which is just 15 minute's walk away. For foreigners like us, we showed our tickets and passport at the left-most lane at the station entrance and walked another 15 minutes, to the waiting area to board G5894 inter-city train to Zhangjiajie. The gates open 15 minutes prior to departure and we made it to our seats before the train left exactly at 0920 hrs, as stated on the ticket.

The train reached a top speed of 308 km/h but it felt only like 80 km/h as it's so stable. Just like in an aeroplane, there's a stewardess pushing her merchandise cart selling food and drinks. After 2 hours, we reached our station where we grabbed a 25 minute's cab ride to Qiquan Homestay (RMB973.00 for 3 nights). The ever so helpful Mr. Shue helped us plan our itinerary and we grabbed a cab to town at 1305 hrs. We had our 2nd meal in China for lunch (RM183.00) at 1342 hrs, before catching the cable car (RMB838.00 for 3 pax up Route A) after lining up in queue for 30 minutes at 1512 hrs.

We reached the top of Tianmen Mountain at 1610 hrs, after a 25 minutes cable car ride and made our way round to the glass floor cliff-side walk (RMB5.00 each) at 1620 hrs. For those with acrophobia, it will be a terrifying experience as it's about 1,200 metres above sea water level! My terrified moment came when we took the 4 minutes cable car ride (RMB76.00 for 4 pax) at 1742 hrs, over the forest as it's an open carriage like the ski type, with my legs dangling in mid-air, 20 metres above ground! To reach the middle part of the mountain (1807 hrs) where the Gateway to Heaven is located, we had to take 7 flights of extremely long escalator down the mountain. The walk down the long flight of stairs made my legs feel wobbly and we decided to take the escalator instead.

We paid RMB96.00 (4 pax) to take the next 5 flights of extremely long escalator to the floor where I took this photography with the Gateway to Heaven in the background. Reaching at 1924 hrs, it was just nice to catch the night scene with my handy LED light to brighten up my face against the amazing background while taking the shot. At about 1935 hrs, we were herded by the security staff, to leave the area as they're closing for the day. Took the 3 minutes cable car ride down at 1957 hrs where we were lucky to catch the free last bus that brought us back to the city area where we boarded the cable car initially. Dinner at 2045 hrs (RMB179.00) before catching the cab back to Qiquan Homestay at 2150 hrs (RMB82.00) and we were back in our room at 2232 hrs for a well deserved rest.

After a delicious breakfast of local noodles at Qiquan Homestay on 13.9.24, we left to the Grand Canyon at 1104 hrs. Mr. Shue was more worried than us, that we'd not have time to complete the Grand Canyon before evening falls. Registered ourselves at the counter at 1240 hrs and started our adventure at 1305 hrs, starting at the Glass Bridge. It's just 300 metres above the valley, so don't be too afraid and the glass is sufficiently strong to take the antics of local tourists who jumped on the glass surface although the signboard clearly warned against doing so.

The zipline has to be the highlight of our visit. Swinging across to the other side at 1502 hrs, the 1 minute ride over 200 metres high is very safe, with us secured to the bucket shaped seat. I didn't have any fear at all. We bought photos for RMB36.00 (4 photos transmitted to WeChat). Next, we took the Wuwangpo Slide where we slid down the stainless steel slide with our buttocks protected with a teflon layer. A unique fun ride for us. Like the zipline, we also purchased a photo (RMB25.00).

After a 5 mins boat ride, we started the 5 km walk to the other end of the forest walk at 1606 hrs. The beautiful green canopy provided us a cooling walk throughout and we took the next boat ride at 1800 hrs, once we reached the end of this walk, and sailed for 25 minutes to the disembarkation pontoon. There's no public transport at this end, so we took a risk with an unregistered car to leave the area and sat in worry for a 30 minute's drive to Wulingyuan for RMB70.00.

Our delicious dinner was had at Cai Ping Xuan Restaurant, where we tried the little lobsters, a local delicacy and the total bill came to RM135.00. Just like Malaysia, the Chinese also eat rice with their dishes and we followed the same custom. A one-hour foot massage followed, for the 4 of us, which cost us RM240.00 and we purchased a bottle of the herbal oil for RM200.00. What China without its tea? Bought a bag of Mei Cha at Xiang Life tea house for RM198.00. We were back at home at 2236 hrs,after a 20 minutes cab ride (RMB80.00).

14.9.24 An early which started at 0558 hrs to enjoy the misty early morning view and atmosphere, with the cock calling not too far away. The drive to South Gate started at 0944 hrs and we started our 8 km walk at 1008 hrs. Our mid-day snack was had at 1345 hrs (RM40.00). After lunch break at 1345 hrs (RMB145.00), we went up the Bailong Elevator (it indicated 326 floors) at 1448 hrs, a fast ride which lasted about a minute. From this vantage point, we could enjoy the view of the mountains which were part of the the scenery for the Avatar movie. Managed to catch a Didi car home at 1640 hrs, and we had a good dinner at Qiquan Homestay where we stayed, for RM268.00. A walk in the street follows and we were back in our room at 2042 hrs. More updates on the daily adventures, on Facebook.

15.9.24 With a heavy heart, it's time to leave Qiquan Homestay, which had been our temporary abode for 3 days. Waking up at 0655 hrs, we left at 0826 hrs, after breakfast. Boarded the 0948 hrs one-hour train ride to Fenghuang. The taxi ride to the homestay cost RMB28.50 and we reached at 1114 hrs. Quickly arranged a 45 minute's drive (RMB280.00) to the Southern Gate of the Great Wall of China, where we left the homestay at 1142 hrs. The entrance ticket cost RMB180 (4 pax). I managed to climb 288 steps and reach the top at 1305 hrs after huffing and puffing for 15 minutes. On the way back to the homestay, we stopped at a factory where local delicacies were produced and packed for sale. Spent RMB468.00 here. Can't buy many things as we're taking the flight.

Back at the homestay at 1510 hrs, took a bath to refresh ourselves. The evening walk along this river town started at 1622 hrs and we had a late lunch at 1650 hrs (RMB88.00). With our stomach filled, we proceeded to rent the traditional Miao costume (RMB580.00 for 4 pax, including photography) and walked the town. After 2 hours, we returned the costume and had a late dinner of skewered bbq at 2115 hrs. The night scene is pretty and serene, with colourful lights brightening up the area. The walk along the granite blocks across the river is certainly quite a unique challenge and we made it across.

16.9.24 The morning started at 0730 hrs and we had our breakfast at 0842 hrs. Enjoyed our morning walk along the river over 40 minutes. Left the homestay at 1044 hrs and made our way to the train station where we took the 1244 hrs train to Changshannan station. Arriving at 1508 hrs, we looked at the map and decided to try our luck with the Metro train and we paid RMB12.00 (4 pax) to reach Yuhua District where we checked into the ECharm Homestay at 1630 hrs, located within a business block with apartments. After refreshing ourselves, ventured out again at 1725 hrs and headed for Huangxing Square after a late lunch of Mala skewered steamboat (RMB86.00). This is most probably the most people packed place I've ever been and I'll call it the million-people street. There's just so many shops open, with queues and queues of hungry people looking for food. It's the most vibrant business scene I've ever seen in my entire life. We had a very late dinner at 2322 hrs at restaurant located on the 5th storey (RMB122.00). We were back at ECharm Homestay at 0108 hrs after paying RMB42.00 for the taxi ride. We certainly deserve a good night's sleep.

17.9.24 We needed to catch the Maglev train ride (RMB80.00 for 4 pax) to the airport at 1016 hrs, so the day began at 0730 hrs. Reached the airport at 1045 hrs, to catch the 1250 hrs flight to Kunming (2 hours) with food & drink, where we had a 1.5 hours transit. It was a pretty fast paced walk over a km, led by the stewardess. Managed to catch a lunch (RMB158.00) before getting on the connecting flight at 1600 hrs. Enjoyed a good movie and enjoyed another round of food & drink. China Airlines is certainly generous with hospitality. Landed at KLIA2 at 2032 hrs and suffered the long wait and ride due to the train's breakdown as we had to board the bus. Reached Home Sweet Home at 2245 hrs.

Although we were not very fluent in Mandarin, we managed to communicate and make our way round. Payment was made by both cash in the local currency and e-wallet where we just had to active the China module and the dashboard immediately turned into China mode and payments were effortlessly made through Alipay by scanning the respective QR codes. Top-ups can be done by Malaysian bank transfer. I could still access Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Choose Celcom (RM35.00 for 5 Gb over 7 days) for overseas data roaming instead of Maxis (500 Mb/day for RM38.00). Looking forward to another trip to China soon. Xai Jien!