Royal Floria Festival Putrajaya 2015...

This morning, SLing and I decided that we are going to do something interesting for the day. As usual, I had agreed to it as it was 6.30am and a good 30 minutes more to sleep can be quite heavenly and so I "agreed" to whatever is suggested. It was only at 7.00am that I finally knew to what I was agreeing to. I just couldn't back out fast enough while I am a firm believer that a man's word is his integrity. So, I agree to whatever I have agreed to. It was going to be an attendance to the Royal Floria Festival Putrajaya 2015 at Precinct 4 , Putrajaya. But first I had to go to work and get some of my work done before going there. 

Upon arriving at home after work at 2.00pm, we got ready and by 2.30pm, we left Melaka and headed towards Putrajaya with a trusty Waze apps in toe. After some anxious moments on the road, we finally arrived at the floral festival amidst some stunts to park our car at an open aired area at about 3.30pm.. It was still blistering hot when we arrived. There was already a good crowd and after some fact finding, we were informed that we would have to get entrance tickets that would cost us RM 5 each. No qualms here as I believed the organisers would have something legit to put up to collect that entrance fee. Paid for the entrance tickets and soon, we entered the exhibition area.

Rows and rows of beautiful flowers adorned the side walk as one headed towards the exhibition area. It was really starting to get crowded a bit while we had to jostle to get good positions to take photographs. Each local council in the country would put up a special flower park to make their area interesting. They certainly made their area smell sweet with flowers, lots of decorative items and interesting natural concept. 

I guess, the Hobbitt house was definitely the attraction and people just loved it. SLing, SYuen and myself managed to get some nice photos with it.The only problem was that there is a lot of people who wants to take photographs of it. I guess, the organiser's media team had done well to get the crowd in for the exhibition.

We then moved around to feast our eyes with wonderful colours and textures of flowers. I must say that I have not seen so many varieties of orchids, roses and other interesting plants in my entire life. The colors, the smell and the shocking surprises were indeed worth while. I am truly amazed by the dedication of these flower enthusiasts who really took the pains to produce such beautiful plants and flowers. The sweet smell were truly awesome and with the backdrop of the lake and the bridge of Putrajaya, what could be wrong, right?

As we moved from exhibition halls after exhibition halls, we not only see beautiful flower arrangements, creations and exhibition but we get to see a whole lot of orchids on display. The theme was actually lily but I say that the orchids are indeed the crowd puller. The winning breeds of orchids were enormously beautiful, compact and some are in small packages.

Lastly, we hit the sale area of the exhibition and the sale gallery on the left side was equally as impressive as the floral exhibition on the right. Plants such as fig tree and variety of fruit trees were on sale. So too were the roses plants and the orchids plants. Yeah, the flowers and plants were as beautiful as the ones in the exhibition. The prices were not steep or too expensive. SLing told me that they were reasonable except for a row of sellers whose plants and flower plants were way too expensive than others. Overall, there were a lot of orchid plants for sale. 

By the time, we finished browsing through the plants, art pieces and the sales & bazaar area, it was already 7.15pm. We had spent a good bulk of time at the exhibition. I started to feel a little light headed due to the overdose of beautiful flowers aroma and smell.

I am truly beat after the drive home but you know what, it was really a great time seeing that wide smile on SLing's face. It has been a long time since I agree to drive her to a floral exhibition. Seeing her sleeping soundly on the bed and somewhat wore a smile on her face.....well, that is priceless......

Unwind....

Spending time with Ryan & Ashley , my two favourite nephew and niece has always been my pleasure. When we had the opportunity to do so when we went back to Seremban the other weekend, SLing and I decided that it would be great fun to introduce them to some art trick fun. Scanning through the interesting places in Seremban and PD, we chanced upon Alive 3D Art Gallery in Lukut, Port Dickson. The thought of having these two tiny tots plus their parents, Wei & Jade plus MIL, it is definitely gonna be great fun indeed!

We drummed up the fun with the two tiny tots and it was interesting to look for the place via WAZE apps. When we actually found the place, it was nestled in a commercial area and Alive 3D Art Gallery is a three storey plus 2 lot shop house. It is huge, if you don't get my drift and I was told that there are about 50 art pieces in the building. Entrance fee was RM 20 for adults while children was RM 15 while senior citizen was charged RM 10 provided you show your NRIC . The weird part is that you pay another RM 2 for the locker to keep your shoes or slippers. Well, I could hear SLing grumbling under her breath while I thought it was a reasonable price to pay for the art pieces and storage. 

Yeah, I am a sucker for art pieces and I just love art pieces. I believe that there are many talented people out there who could draw very beautiful pieces and they should be rewarded for their efforts. Anyway, I believe that just as any other art gallery centre, the entrance fees and what not has to be affordable to the general public. What is the use of charging exorbitant fees and lose the attraction or the appeal to the very local people. So, operators of such museums or art pieces, please be reasonable. 

I must say that what happened next which is the scene of all of us entering the places was totally unexpected. There was just so much excitement and joy on the faces of the children and the adults alike. The art pieces were nice. From the very first piece and moving on to the next pieces, excitement mounts, laughter spread while so much enjoyment were derived at the posing for photographs. It was really really good to see my BIL, Wei & SIL, Jade enjoying themselves and having fun. To me, nothing brings more joy to my heart than to see everyone having a good time. I guess, when you are 50 like me, these simple joy meant so much and I believe that if I could bring an aorta of joy to the people I love in my household, I have already contented at heart. 

Ryan and Ashley posing funnily at the art pieces really showed their adorability. Ashley was more active and more conscious on how to pose with the art pieces. She is really sharp and good at posing while Ryan was more subdued but enjoyed the art pieces in his own way. I could see that even Wei & Jade enjoyed themselves thoroughly. That is very encouraging indeed. Even MIL got into the action by posing for some of the art pieces. For me , I have seen enough to know that the day had gone well indeed.

I must say that the art pieces are really poster pieces unlike the ones in Bukit Katil, Melaka which were hand painted. Nevertheless, the poster pieces were interestingly nice, exciting and quite challenging. There is definitely a lot of effort to make the art pieces come alive with the proper props and pieces. I definitely like the toilet scene with Hulk and Spidey! I could be naughty there and there was much laughter there too!

To me, it was just another awesome day of chilling out and enjoying the simple gesture in life - laughter. We lived in a such a pressure cooker day that we forget to unwind and when we do unwind, it is usually to crawl to bed and hope that the sun would not spread its ray too early or else our bums would get burnt by its rays.

We did not end here but took a trip to the Army Museum as suggested by the two tiny tots who explained that they wanted their parents to see the museum. So,off we went to the museum when all they wanted was to get on the canopy walk and try to impress their parents that they are brave enough to do the canopy walk! Bravo children! Guess, all those effort to bring some excitement to these small precious lives work, huh? They really enjoyed the walk up at the canopy walk and even did the walk with their parents. Good for you , Ryan & Ashley! 

I am just happy that everything turned out good that day for everyone. For me, I have added another museum feather to my cap. Never mind if it is another museum because I really love visiting museum. Someone joked that if we continue doing such trips, SLing will be teaching Sejarah in school soon!! I just love history of things and it is always interesting for me. I believe that no one can be successful without a history. A young millionaire or billionaire doesn't impress me at all because they would have inherited all the wealth from their fathers or forefathers but a seasoned rich man would have many stories to tell coz they would have gone through so much. We lived in a world of short cuts and quick success and we see even more downfalls in that way. 

That's why I prefer to learn from history than repeat the same costly mistakes and learn from experience who is your best teacher in life. As I looked into history of things, I realised that the values of hard work, dedication and honesty are fundamental while great friendship, skills and communication are essential. These are definitely things people of today talked about but I shudder at the very thought of how many actually practised it in their everyday dealings. I wonder...........I really do wonder....................

3D Trick Art.....

They say that when you are down, you must always find a way to cheer yourself up and I did just that! After a not so nice day at the doctor's office , I decided to cheer myself up and not be let down by the circumstances I am in. If ever I am going to die, I might as well die with a great smile on my chubby face rather than slumped forward at my work desk or slumped back in my seat due to stress related works. I guess, each day's breathing is such a luxury and thereby, why shouldn't we have the best out of the days and forget about making tonnes of money or satisfying some bosses ego for a while. I guess, I've just gotta live for each day and just see what the day is in store for me. 

So, I decided to go to Magic Art Museum in Bukit Katil and I dragged poor SLing with me as she got back from school that day. In many ways, it was a treat for both of us. She too was bogged down with school work and also discriminating treatment she had received over some trip to Australia. To me, it was unfair to SLing and I could not understand how some people could just do such a thing without battering an eyelid over it. Such is the world we live in today, I guess. 

Anyway, we both decided to have a good time and what a good time we had, indeed! I guess, I must say that I am always intrigued with 3D art pieces. Being an art lover, I always marveled at such works. When I first experienced it at the 3D Interactive Museum in Penang, I find it fascinating, interesting and truly amazing to see such wonderful works of arts. They seemed so real and yet, so marvelously and beautifully painted. It is such an honour for the artist and their works.

I was expecting the same for Magic Art Museum in Bukit Katil. Though the commercial area had yet to be completed, the double storey museum was ready. I was skeptical indeed if there was any good pieces of art in that double storey unit. As I paid the entrance fees for SLing and I , we both kept our fingers crossed that this would be a good one. Upon proceeding inside, the lighting and the arts pieces came to life though you need the right position and angle to get the trick photography right. There were indeed markers on the ground for photographers to get the best angle or position to shoot their photographs. I especially like the Angkor Wat scenery which was really magnificent while the ladies staring down the toilet was another brilliant piece. Naughty and playful but very nicely done. I like those pieces. The school of tuna was very lively while Melaka scenes were great too. 

SLing and I laughed our heads off as we tried so many variation of positions as we photographed each other in our various poses. It was a fun day for the both of us. In the midst of taking time to admire the art work and posing with them, we both laughed and frowned as our legs and body creeks along the way. With limping legs and battered body, mind and soul, we did our best to pose, take our best shots and also tried hiding all the physical pains/creeks for a great picture. 

Yeah, you feel like a kid again when you are among the 3D trick art pieces. In many ways, I wished there were more art pieces in that place. Surely a charged RM15.00 ( promotional, ok? If not, it is RM 25.00 which I think is way too pricey lor! ) entrance fee does need a lot of justification for the rather small collection of art pieces. 

I don't know, maybe I come from a poor family background where RM 15.00 is quite an amount for me. ( hmmmm....lots of roti canai and wan tan mee for that matter! ) Anyway, the art pieces are good while some are really good.

Overall, I am happy to part with my RM 15.00 for the sake of art but at the same time, I just wished there was more but SLing and I did enjoy ourselves. Hopefully, we will be able to get to other adventures in our own backyard in Melaka. 

Anyway, I am looking forward to another one of the trick art museum in Penang near Segi College. Hopefully, I will be able to make it for this one the next time I am down there.  I just love art and art pieces. Probably because I am already an "art piece" with so much happenings, events, ups & downs, shocks, happiness and colorful occurrences all "painted" in my life.....what do you say? Agree?  

I just am appreciative of my life and just hoping to be happy and enjoy every moment of it. Care to join me in that thought?  

Tanjong Sepat...

Grandma, SYuen, Ryan, Ashley and SLing....

"The Tanjong Sepat's mui choy pau is calling me, Ivan," said SLing excitedly as we traveled to Tanjong Sepat on Wesak Day holidays.  Tailing my BIL & SIL, Wei & Jade plus the two children, we made our way to Tanjong Sepat indefinitely. It was about a 2 1/2 hours journey from Seremban and while roads are sometimes narrow and dusty, it was a great journey of fun and fellowship, I guess. Mind you, this was after a sumptuous breakfast and most people would have difficulty in moving after a good meal and the comfort of the lush & fluffy sofa calling your name on a holiday period could be very hard to resist. Nevertheless, we braved our souls and belly while we headed out to Tanjong Sepat.

Jade,Wei and the children, Ashley and Ryan

With Waze in tow, our destination was Lover's Bridge at Tanjong Sepat. Sure enough after 2 1/2 hours of travel, we arrived or rather crawled to Lover's Bridge in Tanjong Sepat. I could never imagine that I would see a sea of people at that place. ( I was thinking, didn't these people go for prayers on Wesak Day? ) But then again, keep my gab shut and move on ,baby! After parking the car, we alighted to be met by a toothless uncle who was manning the car park ( RM 3.00 per car per entry - reasonable, really.) and he collected the parking fees while assuring us that there is no problem parking at this enclosure. We headed towards the town square and headed towards Lover's Bridge with the sun's ray spitting balls of heated fire to burn our asses, actually. 

SLing with the kueh baulu acuan....

My heart sank when I saw the so-called Lover's Bridge....what bridge? All I saw was a partly collapsed bridge and it is really insane that people ( Including me!!!! Yes, can you imagine? ) would drive all the way just to see the collapsed bridge!!!! To me, the people of Tanjong Sepat or at least, the community or local authorities should have made an effort to repair the bloody bridge and not let everyone to be misled of such condition of the bridge. I believe, if it is repaired and adorned with street lights, the bridge would definitely be the Lover's Bridge it is well-known for as it does go quite far out. Anyway, the old things and antiques kept at shops selling souvenirs were quite impressive but kinda needed more attractions. 

Collapsed Lover's Bridge.....

I believe more could be done to actually spruce up this place and there has got to be a concerted effort to get this place going to be a good spot for tourism or rather a place that people would stop by to sample local delicacies or goods. Just like most coastal small towns, seafood restaurants had mushroomed along the coast line  and near the bridge. It isn't a nice sight when one sees the coastline where the restaurants are. Yup, the cost of development - some would say but I think, it is just poor management of resources. I believe that with good management, small boat trips could be arranged to estuaries nearby or even to local kelong farms or even a visit to the local Tg.Sepat Community Museum ( Gopeng Museum is one very good example of marvelously rich history and culture ) which would definitely made the trip a little bit more worthwhile.

Visit to boat docking area or get to see how fish caught are traded off or even building an old Chinese village and equip the houses with things from the past at the bridge would definitely bring in the crowd as people love the old feel of things. In that way, the community would be able to supplement their income and at the same time preserve an important culture of the community in Tanjong Sepat. These are just my silly old man thoughts, though.

It is not a historical site but it is rich in culture which is essentially what people are looking for these days. I believe many of us "missed" that cultural part of our lives. There is so much to offer when we put our cultural part on display or make it an interactive one where people could participate. Food is another example where definitely one place could grow. We did sample the sea food fare in Tanjong Sepat. I must say, it is not expensive yet it wasn't cheap either. For a coastal town and sea going people, seafood should be reasonable to attract the people to the place. Exorbitant prices are going to scare the people away while freshness of the food plays a truly important part too.

Pan fried with eggs and baby oysters...yummy....

Our fare of steamed Red Snapper fish, fried mantis prawns, chicken pieces with oyster sauce, steamed lala with ginger & scallions and pan-friend baby oysters were delightfully superb especially the pan friend baby oyster, As we drove past the town en route back home, we stopped at the famous pau shop for our mui choy pau. However, the queue was exceptionally long and it definitely was going to be a long long wait. We did not get to taste the pau but I got to taste the Vietnamese coffee prepared by a Vietnamese woman who runs a coffee shop with husband. The coffee was really good though. The aroma and the taste is truly exceptional even for a small wooden coffee shop in Tg.Sepat.

Couldn't help but realised that Sekinchan was better off than Tg.Sepat while food at Pantai Redang would be cheaper too. But like I said, each to its own uniqueness....... 

Army Museum.....

Artillery team........

It is always nice to be able to spend time with my nephew and niece,  Ryan and Ashley, the two tiny tots who are not just witty and humorous, they can be quite a handful to handle too when out for trips. The one thing I like about them is that they are so carefree ( someone told me that children is the most stress free individual ever walked on this earth! ) and easy going yet inquisitive, adventurous and equally prying. This is the form they are accustomed to and this is the form they will continue "harass" both SLing and me!

Seafarers crew......

We decided to take them to the Army Museum in Port Dickson on Labour's Day and what a fun-filled day we had. Of course, the usual and typical " Why so far?", " Got air-cond or not?" and "Haven't reach, ar? But we drive so long already! " questions kept harassing our ears and only when they arrived that all hands, legs and eyes were fully gleaming and functioning! Children will be children, I guess.  Upon parking at the Army Museum, one is greeted by the sorta B24 cargo plane and the fighter jet. What a sight!

As we walked up the RC staircase, we passed a souvenir stand selling army fatigues and paraphernalia. They do look good but like any other places of interest, the items on sale were pretty expensive. So, we gave it a miss as we proceeded to the artillery section. There was plenty to go around and see especially the special artillery section, tanks, armoured cars, jeeps, cars and even the history itself. Couldn't help but feel that all these stuff had been the tax payers money!

Into the tunnel we go......

I think, what I like the most was that this museum was really nice with all the guns, history and all that but the tunnel walk was great. The things on display were crazy stuff used by insurgents in those days. The sleeping bunker made from dug out walls, medical hall and meeting room were cool indeed. It was not creepy at all but just can;t imagine how one could stay that way during those times.

Ryan & Ashley asked a lot of questions during our visit there and we took turns to explain to them the significance of the events or the artillery, guns, tanks or even the armory. It was fun being with them but tiring as they run fro one corner to another while these 50 year old legs ain't meant for running after these young sprinters! Ryan was the no nonsense type and very "by the book" kinda visitor while Ashley was the "everything can do" spirit-filled adventure kaki! That's the stark contrast between these two tiny tots!

At the canopy walk....so brave of these tiny tots...

After having enveloped all the information contained in the army exhibition rooms, we proceeded to the back section whereby army adventure trail begin. There is this canopy walk which is about 15 feet off the ground, army camp ground models and jungle survival huts plus interesting small stream that runs through the camp ground model.  For once, Ryan and Ashley walked the canopy walk and they were fascinated with it. It was a wonderful feeling for me to see these two young adventurers taking their steps among the trees. They looked happy and excited - their faces says it all, actually. Sweaty, shaky legs and all that , they made it out from the canopy walk safely and they enjoyed it! Yippeeeeeeeeee!  As a reward, we decided to give them a McDonald happy meal.

Overall, the Army Museum was worth the visit. The best part - it is free and no entrance fees at all! Every parent should bring their children to this museum as it is truly a great museum. BTW, we did stop at the special sculptures that were erected with names of the fallen heroes who had defended our country valiantly. Did my patriotic duty of saying a prayer for the fallen heroes and remembering that these men & women who laid down and paid with their lives valiantly so that we could have peace in our land today. I salute you, fallen and gallant men & women of the armed forces!  I guess, it made our visit here much more meaningful, actually.

At the canopy walk.....

From here , we headed out to PD Waterfront to grab something to eat and see the antics of Ryan who did some super "muscular" stuff pose and drew so much laughter from the people around us. Ashley soon follow suit and it was really nice to see these two young ones having a good time. In many ways, I miss spending time with my children,  JWee and SYuen when they were much much younger. Hopefully, I have given them a lifetime of good memories with the places we went and the things we do together as a family. Seeing Ryan and Ashley enjoying themselves were really very fulfilling and happy.

I have grown....muscular........hear me roar!

I remember Ryan on the overhead swing at Lukut Museum playground and he fell from overhead swings. He immediately stood up, dusted himself and said, " My Pa lar......he never teach me! " I remembered we laughed so much that he also joined us in laughing. It was really the most humorous quip I've ever heard and we asked him if he was alright. He just rested at that special shed which was not only nice and breezy but cost as well. Ashley called this place the relaxing museum. I guess, we all had a great time that day. One that I would treasure a lot because I got to spend them with my nephew and niece who are so witty, crazy and definitely humorous!

I love memories like this. They last a lifetime. Wouldn't you agree?