Weekly Travel Photo

Batak Toba House, Sumatera, Indonesia

Batak Toba is one of the Batak tribes found in Indonesia, mainly in North Sumatera. They are concentrated around Lake Toba, the world's largest caldera lake. In Batak languange, they call this house as Jabu. It is often built elevated from ground level with the wooden pillars resting on a flat stones to avoid flooding and dampness. The roof is in boat shape and sharply projected. Only 3 colours will be painted on the intricate carving at exterior of the house, red, black and white, which respectively represent the 3 spheres of the cosmos; the human world, the underworld and the world of good spirits above.  



 
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People I Met In (South) Korea

I noticed that my verdict towards places I went was greatly affected by people I met. When there are sense of belonging and being warmly welcomed, nothing can discourage me from revisiting. Not even the language barrier.

Two different person can have real opposite opinion on a same place. What makes the different? It's definitely came from the people they met and how they react to them. Me for an instance like to socialize with local and try to be part of their community to know extended knowledge about a country than any guide book offered. Take some time to know the place than 'been there, seen that'. Ah, the reason why I like independent travel. The time is at my hand, not the tour agent ;) Always start with a smile and a simple "hi", you'll do fine.

When I visited Korea for 10 days, it was an experience of a lifetime. The places I went undoubtedly amazing but the short conversation I had with strangers somehow was the the most memorable one. People below, they offered a simple help, they changed my perception on some things, made me think over some issues throughly, made me appreciate things I take for granted before, gave words of encouragement and I even get inspiration from them. Amazing people are everywhere!

Met Yani at KLIA who was on the same flight to Korea for her conference. It's good to know that our government do send their people abroad frequently for such event.

 

If u have been reading my previous entry, u must recognize this guy, David. A Canadian citizen who is originally from Trinidad & Tobago. A language teacher and also a great companion. Will be meeting him and his wife in Brunei this year, insyaAllah.

 

Don't u agree that Korean kid is so adorable? This was during our way to Nami Island.

We got stopped by these school girls on our way to Gapyeong train station. And we were mistaken with Indonesian. That sign, is an 'A' sign. I just don't get it why. Been told to do so.

Our un-official translators in Jeju Island. Both were students at Virginia Tech, USA and a beautiful lady with cap behind us is their mother. I swear she has the most beautiful skin ever!

Our tour member in Jeju Trolley, a very friendly Korean uncle trying to converse with us in Korean language. Nice try uncle, that phrase book has put into great use :) 

Oh, another uncle. In Seogwipo. We do looked like tourist right? He offered his help to take our photo and shared a little bit about himself. Kind old man.

At Soingook Theme Park with Korean kids. They have great parents.

Another school girls. Again got mistaken with Indonesian. It must be the hijab we were wearing. Even in their school uniform, they were fashionable. Just look at them, all wearing glasses.

Sayra liked his sincerity. A Korean boy who helped us taking photo.

This is Hisham, Morrocan guy working in US Embassy and married a Japanese girl. Been taking his leave for a year to travel alone. How complicated can that be? This picture was taken when we bid him goodbye as he had to go back to US for some urgent work matters. We were surprised when he asked whether we are Malaysian. It was a correct guess for the 1st time after receiving so many Indonesia answers from others. How did he knows? He has a brother who is doing Quranic frames business in Shah Alam. What a coincident!

Sabiqa, a Thailand girl who knows how to speak Malay and been following her dad for berdakwah in Korea. We met her in mosque compound and it was very kind of her to invite us to her house.

It was not difficult for us to know that this girl is from Malaysia by looking at her look right? She was on student exchange program for few months and showed us the best place to shop :') 

And it was not difficult either to know that girl is from Indonesia. A nursing student, also on exchange program. How I envied them!

While finding our way out from the mosque, found this Bosnian woman with her kids. She was accompanying her husband who was working for that mosque.

This is Salam Restaurant chef. He was the one who prepared us the great food. Managed to call him for a photo session :')

Oh well, this is Jun. He was Beewon counter guy during night time. He also had another job at club nearby and is a great artist. He even gave each of us his art piece. Sis Ernie got the most beautiful piece! It was from him I know that there is a 'Korean age' term. It's something similar like chinese calendar vs gregorian calendar.

I just don't know why uncles like us LOL! These are Japanese uncles we met at DMZ. They enjoyed talking in Japanese with Sis Ernie.

I can't really remember where this guy from. One of the country in Middle East for sure. He was alone in DMZ and later joined us halfway through the course.

These guys were our tour members and students from USA. They travelled to Korea for their semester break. I wish I have a chance to travel since such young age.

Ladies and gentlemen, please don't mess with this guy. He's an army in charge at the first train station towards North Korea. The only army in not-typical uniform u can take picture with. U can put on any expression but he will maintain his heartless face look. 

How strange it is to be talking about nasi lemak, roti canai and teh tarik in Korea? Well not really when these 2 beautiful girls are also from Malaysia. They missed Malaysian food so much and had us to share their craving stories. Both were studying Korean language in Korea. How lucky!

Well, he may looks like an African selling watches and belts from shop to shop. But he is the guy we know on a Hangang river cruise and on vacation with some of his other friends who has a beautiful baby girl.

For some reason, it is stated in our Malaysian passport that the only country we are prohibited to enter is Israel. Well, need not to travel to Israel to meet one, I already met one in Korea. She was on holiday with her sister for a month. Seemed nice to me. Kindness and evil is in the heart, not in the race nor nationality. Enough said.

So, what about u? How u do like strangers?

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Weekly Travel Photo

Gunung Stong, Kelantan, Malaysia

This picture was taken way back in an era where people didn't even know what digital camera is. I have to scan this piece of memory to share with all of u :D
We formed this team out of university recreation club to stay away from SO MANY protocols in getting one expedition done and called ourselves RAT (Relax Adventure Team). All management, coordination and financial, we did on our own. Pretty much the same like how I travel these days huh.

The expedition started with boarding on an overnight train from Johor Bharu to Dabong. Later after meeting our guide, Abang Aki (the most top in the picture)who is a runaway-commando according to him, we conquered the peak of Mount Stong (1433m) in 1 day. The climbing at Jelawang Jungle Waterfall (highest in Malaysia) was the most challenging for me (due to my water confidence issue) and unforgettable one as the view from top was super spectacular (no wonder Abang Aki and Arwah Pak Bahar permanently stay up there). It worth the hard climb.

When you're here, don't forget to cover Gunung Ayam and Gua Ikan as well. Nothing can trade that experience.


 
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Dinner in Kota Kinabalu

Yes, one of it none other than the famous seafood. 

On the first night after long hours of driving from Ranau to KK in the pitch dark night with no street lights AT ALL, on the most winding road I ever drove on and added with my-not-properly-corrected-astigmatism eyesight, me and Sayra decided to save our seafood dinner to some other night. Eating seafood need not be in hasty situation, it has to be in relax moment to enjoy it at its maximum. Well, that's how i like my seafood :D

So Berry, our great host suggested Rainforest instead.

Foods were ok. Nothing really Borneo style. We ordered seafood fried rice, butter prawn w/rice and burger. The best thing about this place was its ambiance, relaxing and yet lively. The live band here is not bad at all, entertaining all guest with songs from the latest beats to the era when I wasn't even born yet. But to us, it got livelier when the 3 of us started to share our after-uni stories. You see, there are a lot of catching up to do when u last met somebody 5 years ago right?

This area is also well known as backpackers' area because there are a lot of hostel and lounge around, so you'll notice many foreigners here. I even stayed at one of the backpacker hostels last time when I came for climbing Mount Kinabalu.

Berry - my ex-roommate in 1st Year

So, on the 2nd night I had my seafood dinner at Filipino Market.

My verdict: Not bad for mass production dinner. They are all fresh and grilled. Generally, every stall will offer u about the same variation of seafood including this ingredients to make your own cicah.

At the end, no left over at all :D

This restaurant was on advertisement board in our hotel room, won over many awards I can't remember what it were. It must be so good to deserve those awards so on our final night in Kota Kinabalu, we made our way there.

Little Italy in Kota Kinabalu.

Yes, they really deserve those recognitions. We all like the non-mass production taste. And to top up to that, they were super fast and efficient in serving and have a very friendly manager to suggest and advice for the menu. Remember to go when u are in KK ok :)


I am a bit frustrated for not able to eat any real local food in Sabah like how I had in Kuching. If any of u tried them, feel free to suggest because this definitely wasn't be my last trip to Sabah. Will hunt for it next time :D


 

Climbing 1866m of Mount Kinabalu With Car

This is my 1st entry in 2011 :D

People said if u couldn't have it all, a portion or part of it is good enough...at least. But of course when time and other factors permit, go all out. Don't belittle when u haven't climb Mount Kinabalu and set your feet at 4095m height because now u could be at almost half of that height with very minimal effort.

No hiking boot, no energy bar, no climbing stick, no porter, no climbing permit, no supporting cheers needed. U just need a CAR, of any type :D

This is possible because Timpohon Gate which is the starting point for all climbers is accessible by vehicles and it is already at 1866m height!

When it's raining, just be extra carefull as the road can be slippery and the winding road can limit your view from other vehicles coming from opposite direction.

At this Timpohon Gate also is a starting point for Mount Kinabalu Climbathon. Those are names of fastest men/women and the time record. Phewww...they are the true Iron Man :)

Well for me, I just can afford to strike a pose at this gate and claim I've climb 1866m of Mount Kinabalu. Yippie!

 
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