I won 2 tickets to Paris!

Event Date: 11 November 2010

I won 2 return air tickets to Paris, thanks to AirAsiaX! Many many people have asked me, "How did I win it?". Ever since then, I have been very embarrassed to say what my winning slogan was. In fact, I truly believe that I did not deserve to win. Based on my past failure at AirAsiaX slogans, I knew that they normally do not pick the entries with the most fanciful English. Without thinking for 2 seconds, I wrote whatever garbage that came to mind, and for the first time, I'm letting everyone read my (lousy) winning entry.

The slogan that won me 2 air tickets to Paris. It wasn't too creative, nor was there a real "him" behind it. Paiseh!

But thank you nonetheless to AirAsiaX, for allowing me to win this and opening my eyes to the joys of traveling to Europe. From the moment I realised I had won, planning for the trip had begun. For those who don't know me, I am a meticulous planner. I go back and forth over 10 times for even a simple hotel selection, until I feel that it is perfect. Even after I have booked, I can still cancel and change my mind and rebook elsewhere. It drove my travel partner absolutely crazy!

What I paid for my free ticket

Following this post, will be a series of our adventures in Europe. Stay tuned!

Mummy the Superstar

Mummy got a treat in May 2006, a makeover by Christian Dior at KLCC. You need to spend about 2.5 hours in total to get your hair done, makeup done, put on some fancy coat and frills, and wait a moment for them to photoshop all your wrinkles away. The result? Voila, this is mum at age 63! She's just as pretty either ways.

Before After

Kuching 5-7 May 2006

Money Spent:
Airfare = RM139.98 incl taxes
Hotel = RM144 x 2nights / 3 person = RM96
Food = RM50
Transport = RM10
Shopping = RM30
Total = RM326

Took off for the first time from LCCT. Parking costs RM2 for first 2 hours, and RM2/hr thereafter, up to a maximum of RM30 a day. LCCT has only 2 restaurants, McDonald's and Asian Kitchen and Coffee Bean. A Big Mac Meal will cost you RM10.80 and a nasi lemak with rendang chicken RM12.00. After entering the departure hall, there is one more cafe called Buy & Fly that serves airplane boxed food like Mee Siam and Nasi Lemak for RM7.90 each.

Kuching airport was housed in a new terminal building. It is freezing cold, and be prepared to walk 1km from where the plane stops, to the baggage claim area. A taxi to the city costs RM17.50.

We arrived at the Holiday Inn Kuching, and was delighted to be upgraded to a Deluxe room. I had booked 2 Queen Beds in a Standard Room, facing the river for RM144. Our room was beautiful!

If you see a similar sign, you'll know this hotel is exceptional

Went to eat at Topspot Food court, ordered Bidin with belachan, fried mussels and what was supposed to be oyster omelette. Only the bidin was nice. "Oyster Omelette" turned out to be one large oyster on a pizza-slice-size of deep fried flour.. no egg in sight. Not cheap eating at Topspot, RM60 spent for not-so-nice food.

The only place open at 9.30pm Oh Jien ... sorry I prefer the Penang style

Siem Reap 17-19 Feb 2006

Money Spent:
Airfare = RM160.76 incl taxes
Hotel = US$28 x 2 nights / 2 person = US$28 x 3.8 = RM106.40
Food = US$20 x 3.8 = RM76
Guide = US$40 x 1.5days / 4 person = US$15 = RM57
Shopping = US$20 x 3.8 = RM76
Total = RM476

Arrived Siem Reap airport at 11.45am. I previously read that it was advised not to bring check-in luggage because of the long wait of clearing customs. This was untrue, how to survive with just a carry-on luggage?! The arrival process is like this. Step 1, get your visa on arrival if you require one (Malaysian and the Philippines passports do not). Step 2, all must go through the immigration, a very slow and tedious process. Each person will take 2-3 minutes. By that time, your luggage will be waiting for you.

I booked at Angkor Than City Hotel (http://www.angkorthan.com) for US$28/night which includes a free airport pickup. On the way to the hotel, everyone drives incredibly slow at less than 60km/h. I soon realise that it was because of the bad road conditions that didn't allow them to go faster. Siem Reap is a left-hand-drive city.

Siem Reap Airport, please pay US$25 upon departure! The Angkor Than City Hotel

Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Festival
Date: 19 Mar 2011

7:15am, it is amazing to see that many people up and about at this hour. Carparks are almost full; if you come any later, you should bring a 4WD. That way, you can just drive up to any pavement and park anywhere you wish (ahem ahem). It is even more amazing to see the number of persons carrying DSLR cameras in one small area. All for a good reason too, it's the annual Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Festival! 

 

This is the DSLR-access area. What this means is, if you aren't carrying anything that looks like a DSLR, you will not be allowed entry to this area. Balloons are slowly being filled up with air, and you get to see balloons slowly "waking up" in the morning. Since I brought my photographer friend along with the DSLR, I didn't have access to this area. Reminder to self for next year: buy the plastic DSLR-lookalike to bluff the authorities.

Samsung U-Nivez Sun Hunt Team 2009!

The Sun Motor Hunt 2009 is back!!

However, my team didn't manage to register on time! Therefore, we are hoping and praying that the fabulous, fun and loving people of Samsung will sponsor our team! Why should they??

We have been going for the Sun Motor Hunt, every single year, since it all began in 2004.



This is our teammate Sam. He is normally a very shy person. But if we manage to get in, we will personally throw him up on stage to entertain you! Wait till you hear his voice, he will take the stage by storm!

At last year's Sun Motor Hunt, Sam had an unfortunate accident. Whilst running to buy a treasure at 7-11, his shoe came off and he fell into a drain, chest-high! All of us were so worried for him, he scraped his knee very badly. We took 1 hour to treat his wound, but he kept his spirits up and continued with the hunt! It definitely cost us our points and position last year, so we will double our efforts and make a major comeback this year!


We represent everything Samsung is about. We look cool(ahem). We're outgoing.
We strive to be No.1!

10 Reasons Why You Gotta Love Taiwan

- by angie -

This was my second trip to Taiwan. I can't read nor speak Chinese, so I left all the planning to HH's sister (Thank you!). I may not know where I went, I may not know where I stayed, I may not know what I ate.

10. Beautiful Scenery
Taiwan has it all. Mountain resorts and hot springs, beaches, lakes, extinct volcanoes, forests, even green meadows. A lot of these places are so well maintained and protected that you just have to enjoy the breath of fresh air you get.

Mountain village of Jiufen

Yehliu Geological Park

Extinct Volcano at Yangming Mountain

Fisherman's Wharf of Danshui