As my trip to kl draws to an end, i have mixed feelings. Sad that i'll be leaving KL and all the nice shopping malls, and good roads, low yat, all the food, all the travel. But what i'm going to miss most is the family in which i have stayed for the most part of these two weeks.
I am really grateful to Alvin's family for having me all these time, for treating me like family. I got to go for a dinner with all the aunties and his granny and two cousins. And for alvin for driving us almost everywhere. My sincere thanks to you all. On thursday i'll be heading to Kuching for 10 days. I'm so looking forward to it. On another note, there is a certain rift between me and my mom. Somehow she has this idea that something is bothering me, and she's always right. Its partly i fault, i've not been calling as much as i used to. I just wish she can be calm and not worry too much.
I have this habit of buying books. I don't really read all the books i buy because i'm quite busy and also because i'm lazy to sit down and read. And its amazing that i can buy books and read because i remember some time ago when my mom would put me into this routine to read books and in the process i read one book that suggested I buy books even though i don't read them and i think thats why.
Remain blessed :)
~shalom~
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
still in penang
How are you doing? Just a brief one on whats been going on. On monday we drove from Subang to Penang with a brief stop at Ipoh to eat and try the famous Ipoh {I previously said Ipod coffee. Thanks anonymous for pointing it out to me :paiseh:} white coffee. The food was good, very good and the coffee was nice. So nice i bought some back.
We got to Penang quite late and checked into a fairly new hotel. The place was not bad, it had a tv, with a few astro channels and most importantly hot water. But it was weird the way they priced their rooms; based on internet connectivity. I was so shocked when i heard that, definitely a first for me.
Tuesday we met up with Roberto, Jmee, Edric, and later with Angie. Had a good time going from one eating place to another. Eating so much within a a short time frame is not one of my hobbies. I can eat a lot but not all at once. But i valued the time spent with friends.
Also met up with Eilyn, for a short while only. She looked good as usual :) We have one more night here. For the last two nights we stayed at two different places last night was at YMCA which is quite cheap 85 for a night.
Today? Not so sure, but I want to go to the movies tonight, not sure what the others want to do.
Remain blessed :D
~shalom~
We got to Penang quite late and checked into a fairly new hotel. The place was not bad, it had a tv, with a few astro channels and most importantly hot water. But it was weird the way they priced their rooms; based on internet connectivity. I was so shocked when i heard that, definitely a first for me.
Tuesday we met up with Roberto, Jmee, Edric, and later with Angie. Had a good time going from one eating place to another. Eating so much within a a short time frame is not one of my hobbies. I can eat a lot but not all at once. But i valued the time spent with friends.
Also met up with Eilyn, for a short while only. She looked good as usual :) We have one more night here. For the last two nights we stayed at two different places last night was at YMCA which is quite cheap 85 for a night.
Today? Not so sure, but I want to go to the movies tonight, not sure what the others want to do.
Remain blessed :D
~shalom~
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
stay one more night: the bario hospitality
I came back from Bario, one of the greatest places in Borneo. The reason we went {the were 6 of us} was to transport musical equipments to smk Bario and to teach them how to take good care of the equipment so they can use it for a long time.
Smk Bario is quite unique in that the seniors of the school are form three. After form three they have to go to Marudi to continue their studies. Not sure why its like that but there's basically no higher education after form three in the school.
We received a very warm welcome. A very formal welcome to the school so much that i felt like a dignitary. True to the Bario warm hospitality, they offer pineapple drink to all visitors, doesn't matter if you've been there before, its their way of saying thank you for coming, we receive you. The drink is fantastic, its basically pineapple with a straw in it, and you have to drink all the way until its finished. The also offered the bead neacklaces for everyone of us, Bario rice and salt. On top of that they played the local flutes for us singing all christian songs. Wah i tell you the feeling is very good. But we came to serve not to be served la.
Pastor Hii, his daughter Charis, Michael and Robin came earlier in the year, so this was the second trip to Bario for them. For Edward and myself it was our first trip. I was told Bario is quite cold so most of my clothes were black and i came with my jacket but surprisingly it wasn't that cold. In fact in the afternoons its quite warm. The nights are cold but not as cold as say genting. What is cold though is the water so taking shower can be quite a challenge. But even the water feels cold only initially after that it becomes sweet and enjoyable, you dont want to come out.
We were fed like kings all through our time there, we stayed at the school in a chalet style house. There was electricity the whole time we were there. The main source of electricity in Bario is through diesel generators. Some people supplement this with solar panels. The house we stayed didnt have any TV but the other houses had astro but we didnt really have time to watch tv.
Setting up the equipments was fun. The students were very enthusiastic to learn the instruments. A few of them were already quite good especially on the drums and guitar so a bulk of the time was spent teaching them new techniques and inspiring them to be creative in their worship leading. This session was basically done by Robin. He's really good with the kids.
On the first night we had a male bonding time, just talking about stuff, life, relationships and stuff. Pastor Hii really enjoyed himself but basically Edward and Michael were playing match maker for Robin. I didn't participate much and well you can understand if i dont talk about the details of what transpired.
We got the chance to go deep into the forest into the place where they make the salt. Its not like the normal white salt we're all used to. The process of making the salt is very tedious. We didnt see it live being made but brother Morris {the pengatuan} explained the process to us. The journey to the salt spring is very long, about 20min on bike and then another 45min on foot. Good exercise however it became apperent i need to get into shape. I was panting the whole journey but it was nice la except for the bumpy roads, my butt still hurts.
Overall i had a very good time. Would love to go again sometime with a better camera so i can really take better shots. I find i really enjoy taking pictures. Anyway, here are a few pictures from the trip. More pictures at my flickr page. {I need a pro account} Sorry the post is kind of long.
We went on this small plane. Surprisingly the ride was very smooth.
Inside of the plane
Michael riding at the back of the hilux
Smk Bario
They played very beautifully
Testimony time = singing time and they all come out to sing
This is for the internet i guess.
You may have heard about the revival that broke out in Bario. This is where it took place.
One of the sessions
Bridge
tiger beer in the forest
walk the plank
there were a lot of fern on the path
this is where they make salt
What does lubang garam mean? I'm thinking salt spring?
R loves P
this is where the salt comes from
some description of the site
inside the hut
my boots
we had fun here
motobike rides are really nice
bario museum
this is where we stayed
selamat datang ke bario
i was kind of scared sitting so close to the propellers.
can even see the cockpit one
Large supplies come to Bario on boats.
the roads snake though the jungle
we stopped over at marudi for a while, bought marudi bread
not sure whats going on here.
Thank God for Everything.
~shalom~
Smk Bario is quite unique in that the seniors of the school are form three. After form three they have to go to Marudi to continue their studies. Not sure why its like that but there's basically no higher education after form three in the school.
We received a very warm welcome. A very formal welcome to the school so much that i felt like a dignitary. True to the Bario warm hospitality, they offer pineapple drink to all visitors, doesn't matter if you've been there before, its their way of saying thank you for coming, we receive you. The drink is fantastic, its basically pineapple with a straw in it, and you have to drink all the way until its finished. The also offered the bead neacklaces for everyone of us, Bario rice and salt. On top of that they played the local flutes for us singing all christian songs. Wah i tell you the feeling is very good. But we came to serve not to be served la.
Pastor Hii, his daughter Charis, Michael and Robin came earlier in the year, so this was the second trip to Bario for them. For Edward and myself it was our first trip. I was told Bario is quite cold so most of my clothes were black and i came with my jacket but surprisingly it wasn't that cold. In fact in the afternoons its quite warm. The nights are cold but not as cold as say genting. What is cold though is the water so taking shower can be quite a challenge. But even the water feels cold only initially after that it becomes sweet and enjoyable, you dont want to come out.
We were fed like kings all through our time there, we stayed at the school in a chalet style house. There was electricity the whole time we were there. The main source of electricity in Bario is through diesel generators. Some people supplement this with solar panels. The house we stayed didnt have any TV but the other houses had astro but we didnt really have time to watch tv.
Setting up the equipments was fun. The students were very enthusiastic to learn the instruments. A few of them were already quite good especially on the drums and guitar so a bulk of the time was spent teaching them new techniques and inspiring them to be creative in their worship leading. This session was basically done by Robin. He's really good with the kids.
On the first night we had a male bonding time, just talking about stuff, life, relationships and stuff. Pastor Hii really enjoyed himself but basically Edward and Michael were playing match maker for Robin. I didn't participate much and well you can understand if i dont talk about the details of what transpired.
We got the chance to go deep into the forest into the place where they make the salt. Its not like the normal white salt we're all used to. The process of making the salt is very tedious. We didnt see it live being made but brother Morris {the pengatuan} explained the process to us. The journey to the salt spring is very long, about 20min on bike and then another 45min on foot. Good exercise however it became apperent i need to get into shape. I was panting the whole journey but it was nice la except for the bumpy roads, my butt still hurts.
Overall i had a very good time. Would love to go again sometime with a better camera so i can really take better shots. I find i really enjoy taking pictures. Anyway, here are a few pictures from the trip. More pictures at my flickr page. {I need a pro account} Sorry the post is kind of long.
We went on this small plane. Surprisingly the ride was very smooth.
Inside of the plane
Michael riding at the back of the hilux
Smk Bario
They played very beautifully
Testimony time = singing time and they all come out to sing
This is for the internet i guess.
You may have heard about the revival that broke out in Bario. This is where it took place.
One of the sessions
Bridge
tiger beer in the forest
walk the plank
there were a lot of fern on the path
this is where they make salt
What does lubang garam mean? I'm thinking salt spring?
R loves P
this is where the salt comes from
some description of the site
inside the hut
my boots
we had fun here
motobike rides are really nice
bario museum
this is where we stayed
selamat datang ke bario
i was kind of scared sitting so close to the propellers.
can even see the cockpit one
Large supplies come to Bario on boats.
the roads snake though the jungle
we stopped over at marudi for a while, bought marudi bread
not sure whats going on here.
Thank God for Everything.
~shalom~
Friday, October 12, 2007
off to bario
This weekend i'll be going off to Bario with some of the brothers in church. We're going off to transport some musical instruments to the church there, as well as teach the folks how to use the instruments.... I think i've said this before.
I'm excited, at times like this i wish i had a camera i can call my own and really take as much shorts as possible. I could borrow someone's camera but then would be held liable for any damages so that leaves my camera phone.
I'm looking forward to the famous Bario rice and pineapples, but i have concerns over the kind of weather to expect over there. My body does not handle cold very well so it could be a challenge. There will be tours of the... place. And some workshops in the evening time.
Pray
Please pray for a safe journey to and fro, and a wonderful time. Please pray that we would get to transport all the instruments and that it would bless the people there. Will update when i come back on Monday, remain blessed.
~shalom~
I'm excited, at times like this i wish i had a camera i can call my own and really take as much shorts as possible. I could borrow someone's camera but then would be held liable for any damages so that leaves my camera phone.
I'm looking forward to the famous Bario rice and pineapples, but i have concerns over the kind of weather to expect over there. My body does not handle cold very well so it could be a challenge. There will be tours of the... place. And some workshops in the evening time.
Pray
Please pray for a safe journey to and fro, and a wonderful time. Please pray that we would get to transport all the instruments and that it would bless the people there. Will update when i come back on Monday, remain blessed.
~shalom~
Thursday, September 27, 2007
bario
Where is Bario? Not sure, I only know they're famous for their rice, and its a highland area. Tried to search online but there is not much on the place. I only found a blog talking about it and the information doesn't seem to be updated. Well atleast they have an airport.
There's an opportunity for me and a few others to visit Bario, basically to transport musical equipment there, help the church there set up and teach them how to use it. I'm not teaching la, don't know so cannot teach. I've not decided if i would be joining them. The time is right since its right when we have the Raya holidays and its just for a few days only. But it would be nice to go and experience Bario rice.
Currently its an effort from my church, the other kids had to raise money by way of selling cookies and stuff. I also need some money lo so i've be asking my mom for permission to go. My dad is not in town at the moment. {Working so hard} Already got permission from pastor to go so by God's grace everything will go smoothly. Of course there will be lotsa pictures.
Where is Bario? Not sure, I only know they're famous for their rice, and its a highland area. Tried to search online but there is not much on the place. I only found a blog talking about it and the information doesn't seem to be updated. Well atleast they have an airport. There's an opportunity for me and a few others to visit Bario, basically to transport musical equipment there, help the church there set up and teach them how to use it. I'm not teaching la, don't know so cannot teach. I've not decided if i would be joining them. The time is right since its right when we have the Raya holidays and its just for a few days only. But it would be nice to go and experience Bario rice. Currently its an effort from my church, the other kids had to raise money by way of selling cookies and stuff. I also need some money lo so i've be asking my mom for permission to go. My dad is not in town at the moment. {Working so hard} Already got permission from pastor to go so by God's grace everything will go smoothly. Of course there will be lotsa pictures.
{update}
Thanks to jasmine for providing some information about Bario. (editted)
Bario is a highland where revival broke out in the 70s, and it has been a land richly blessed by God ever since. The weather there is cool and water for bathing is cooolllddd. It's about a 40 mins plane ride from Miri.
Population is small, about 2000. The churches are all up on the hilltops. When my dad was there they received VIP treatment. They had a group waiting for them at the airport, served them with bario delicious pineapple juice (mmmmm...).
Life there is very simply. They hunt for wild boars and make delicious food out of the wild plants in the jungle. Apart from the rice and pineapples, there is also a salt spring where you find salt. It's a miracle as well, you dont find salt by the spring. The salt is of highest quality, selling at RM15 per kg or per packet I think.Despite the small land, it's truly blessed by God. The Kelabits have produced very intelectual professionals. Their intercessors are very prophetic but they pray in Kelabit.
Thanks Jasmine.
~shalom~
There's an opportunity for me and a few others to visit Bario, basically to transport musical equipment there, help the church there set up and teach them how to use it. I'm not teaching la, don't know so cannot teach. I've not decided if i would be joining them. The time is right since its right when we have the Raya holidays and its just for a few days only. But it would be nice to go and experience Bario rice.
Currently its an effort from my church, the other kids had to raise money by way of selling cookies and stuff. I also need some money lo so i've be asking my mom for permission to go. My dad is not in town at the moment. {Working so hard} Already got permission from pastor to go so by God's grace everything will go smoothly. Of course there will be lotsa pictures.
Where is Bario? Not sure, I only know they're famous for their rice, and its a highland area. Tried to search online but there is not much on the place. I only found a blog talking about it and the information doesn't seem to be updated. Well atleast they have an airport. There's an opportunity for me and a few others to visit Bario, basically to transport musical equipment there, help the church there set up and teach them how to use it. I'm not teaching la, don't know so cannot teach. I've not decided if i would be joining them. The time is right since its right when we have the Raya holidays and its just for a few days only. But it would be nice to go and experience Bario rice. Currently its an effort from my church, the other kids had to raise money by way of selling cookies and stuff. I also need some money lo so i've be asking my mom for permission to go. My dad is not in town at the moment. {Working so hard} Already got permission from pastor to go so by God's grace everything will go smoothly. Of course there will be lotsa pictures.
{update}
Thanks to jasmine for providing some information about Bario. (editted)
Bario is a highland where revival broke out in the 70s, and it has been a land richly blessed by God ever since. The weather there is cool and water for bathing is cooolllddd. It's about a 40 mins plane ride from Miri.
Population is small, about 2000. The churches are all up on the hilltops. When my dad was there they received VIP treatment. They had a group waiting for them at the airport, served them with bario delicious pineapple juice (mmmmm...).
Life there is very simply. They hunt for wild boars and make delicious food out of the wild plants in the jungle. Apart from the rice and pineapples, there is also a salt spring where you find salt. It's a miracle as well, you dont find salt by the spring. The salt is of highest quality, selling at RM15 per kg or per packet I think.Despite the small land, it's truly blessed by God. The Kelabits have produced very intelectual professionals. Their intercessors are very prophetic but they pray in Kelabit.
Thanks Jasmine.
~shalom~
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Why do you need to go to kl?
The reason
I was asked this morning by Yan Hui who's too lazy to read my blog! Weeeell I needed to renew my passport which expires in November. I also needed to extend my student pass and the immigration authorities will not do that unless my passport is valid for atleast year.
It all started on Monday when i got a call informing me of all these and so I made a few calls to the Nigerian High Commission asking for information on what is required to renew my passport, made most of the preparations and took a 6:40 flight on Wednesday morning. My plan was to do everything on that Wednesday and come back the same day. That made sense but its quite boring so it didn't go that way and i had to spend the night in KL.
Noob
I've been to KL several times but most times its for camps and the last time i went was for the PS conference with most of the Bethany folks. And of course with Michael and Philip but that was different. This time i'm all alone. I got to LCCT and didn't know what to do. Thank God i was able to get through to Li ern and asked for directions. She told me to take the 9 Ringgit but to KL sentral and then a train to Ampang park. Then i should be able to locate the Nigerian High Commission. Sounds simple enough, and actually it is but things turned out slightly different.
Before i called Li ern i just stood outside the Airport crossed my arm, with my heavy backpack and observed, where were all the other people going? Why did they take the red bus and not the other one. Why is there a difference in pricing? Do all the buses here go to the same place? These were thoughts i was trying to answer simply by observing but it did me no good so i called.
Instead of taking the RM9 bus i horridly took the RM8 bus. No one was in it. I didnt get it, its cheap, people should rush in but no. I waited and waited and a few old people came in. Ok not that old but pretty old la. There was no young person in the bus. I was like :sigh: the 1 ringgit is no not worth it.
The bus delayed and delayed until it was about 9:30 then it felt with about 5 passengers. No choice one. I was relieved, it least we're moving. I remember writing in a small notepad my mom bought for me these thoughts
Follow the directions
I made it to KL sentral, got a ticket to Ampang park and then got on the wrong train. I was suppose to take the train on platform A but i took the platform B train going the opposite direction. When i noticed I didn't get off immediately i waited for the next stop then get off. At this point I was running late, I need to make it to the High Commission {HC} early so that I can finish early since they only attend to people from 9am to 12pm.
I got out of the subterranean ecosystem and went up to the open streets. Tried to find a taxi that would take me there but none was willing. So down the mole hole again to get on the right train.
I finally arrived at the Ampang park station and then I called Christian for directions. He told me to ask any of the taxis they should know the place. He was wrong. About three taxis i asked were clueless i was like what the... I thought knowledge of the surrounding was a prerequisite to being a taxi driver. After trying taxi after taxi I met one who was not sure where the Nigerian HC was but knew the Ghanian Embassy. That was good enough for me I guess.
Finally got there and gave them my documents, and they asked me for the receipt of payment. You see usually we do all payments there but some genius thought it would be best to make all payments online, so we have to go to the HC's website and pay there. Even at that the process is not intuitive and its quite frankly annoying. My documents were not complete, i needed to write an application letter, make the payments, print out the proof of payment and pass all these to them. It was getting late and even though i made the payments i didnt know where to print it out and even if i did i couldnt make it on time to the HC to submit everything. I had to spend the night in KL.
I heart Starbucks
While i was in KL starbuck at Times Square became like my office+hangout place. For some reason alot of Arabians come there alot. All kinds from the modernish to the very traditional. And oh do the kid look so pretty. Made me wish for that little instant to have a kid like that. {Daydreaming.}
My father bought one of the cards they use in Nigeria to make payments for these kind of stuff {passport renewal stuff} so he gave me the details and i used it to make the payments. But couldn't find a place to print. So i messaged Chris, didn't dare call her again since the last time i called she was in class. This time she wasn't in class so i asked her where i could print out this payment thing around the times square area. She was not too sure but told me the most likely place to print is a cybercafe. That was good enough. Now i needed to find a cybercafe. Looked around and it seemed like an odd place for a cybercafe to be located. That was when i decided that i would probably have to do all these tomorrow.
For the entire time i used the free wifi at Starbucks i didnt by anything from starbucks. So bad, i know but they could have told me anyway. The way i see it, its nothing personal, its just business. Besides they make a ton of money every day with all those Arabians.
A room for the night
Not sure where to get accommodation, i called Anthony and he said there are lots of hotels at Bukit Bintang, just to confirm, i called prince too and he said BB also so BB it was but which one? Now I could have stayed with friends but they live so far from the city, or with Mark but i called him and he didn't pick up.
I went to the Bintang Warisan Hotel, Prince recommended it saying its nice and its a three star hotel. All i was thinking was its expensive. But i went anyway and was greeted by a semi illiterate, rude human being who almost certainly failed in business. I wanted a room for the night and even though it was 190 bucks i was willing to pay but he told me off. I was hurt and went way. Its probably God's way of helping me save money :D
I walked just a few blocks from the hotel from hell and found a place that almost looks looks like a drycleaning service, the Hotel Putra Bintang. I asked for a room for the night and they gave me one at 65. There were cheaper rooms but they were all occupied and this was the last of three left so i took it.
The place was not the best place to spend the night so i was glad i only spent the night. The TV didn't work at first but i found the problem and fixed it. The ceiling was quite irritating and air conditioner wasn't that cold. I was a bit scared of the bed but got over it. Just for the night i kept telling myself.
I needed to leave all my stuff in the room and get to a cybercafe and print the receipts so i prayed and left my laptop and my bag in the room. Fortunately, everything was the way it was when i came back. I got the receipts printed out and i was ready for the next day. Stayed indoors after that. I didnt leave the room from 7 something until the next day.
Weird breakfast
Morning came and i got up early, checked out and went to take my breakfast. I didnt want to start my day with rice so i had this mee instead. Not sure what it was but they lady kept asking me if it wanted the soup i said yeah i did and after asking for drinks she asked again, just to confirm and i bodohly said yes again. I knew i was in for trouble at that point.
The mee came, it was filled with soup and didnt look nice. {what a way to start the morning i murmured} Its basically white mee with soup and vege. Nothing else. No spices, nothing. It was so weird i felt even the Chinese people didnt eat that. But i managed to eat it and pretended to enjoy it, drinking the soup with one hand and using the chopsticks with the other. Thank God i had teh tarik to weather the bland taste. I finished up, paid and ran away from that place.
Rapid KL
I was told to take the rapid kl to get to Ampang park. So i looked at the route and discovered I needed the B103 bus. But it never came and i was waiting and waiting so another plan had to be devised. I remembered the last time i went to the HC we went through KLCC so i took the bus to KLCC and took a taxi to the HC. Rapid KL is just 2 bucks for the whole day as long as you follow the same route. I was on the BANDAR route. I actually found out it was 2bucks for the whole day online while at starbucks.
I came to the HC and submitted all my documents. This time everything was complete yet they asked me to come back by 3pm. This time i made it there early at about 9:30 yet they still asked me to come back at 3pm. I asked if i could wait there until then but what they said shocked me and i still don't understand why. They said if I waited there I would probably get it the next day. Determined not to spend another night in KL i quickly went away. I decided to walk a bit instead of waiting for a taxi. The walk did me good, i discovered later because i was able to recognise the area around the HC.
I went back to starbucks and spent the remaining time there online.
Taxi drivers
The first taxi driver that took me to the HC in the morning was telling me that Nigeria is such an oil rich country. I discovered while talking to him that he was a soldier in Congo of all places and was ordered to extract {his words} their people from Nigeria in the 80's i think because of a conflict there. He said he didn't understand why people lived in poverty while there were oilpipelines all over the place. He'd expected development but to his surprise he saw the opposite. He went on about how arrogant oil companies can be and how Dr. Mahathir helped Malaysia to establish Petronas and other nice nice things he said about the former PM. We really wanted Dr. M to stay on, and he didnt like the current PM very much too. I learnt that he, the taxi driver, was also from Ampang and he said it wasn't always like that. There's development now. And I couldn't help but feel sorry for my Country and state. But things are changing albeit at a snails pace.
The taxi that took me to starbucks was another unique character. He said he wanted to visit Africa some day, i was like wow thats nice, he said go South Africa and work his way to Saudi Arabia, like that. Just vacation for a while. "I'm tired everyday go klcc, go times square, boring man!" He was proud to be a taxi driver though. He said confidently that he was able to see his first son through University with his job but he's worried about his daughter. She doesn't want to go to school. So he's thinking of setting up a business.
He claims to be skilled in making car seats, and fixing old ones. He's also good at panel beating and is very proud of his home town Kelantan. Not sure if thats the spelling. But he boasts that his people are strong and good at crafts and handiwork. He boasts that KL people are all talk people. They cannot stand in the face of conflict but his people are brave and so on.
Then he went on to reveal that he's had some girl friends while a taxi driver. Was quite pleased with himself for that. I just let out a mischievous laugh. He looked like a person who talked alot but i enjoyed his tales.
The last interesting driver was indian. At about 2:30 after taking my lunch close to Low Yat Plaza, i went out to look for a taxi. Couldn't find one, so i walked a bit, and kept walking, changing my position to see if it improves my luck but no. What happened? I kept walking until i found myself at Bukit Bintang where i spent the night.
Finally found a taxi, told him Jalan Ampang and he said 10 ringgit.
taximan: 10 ringgit
me: 7 ringgit
taximan: ok 8 ringgit
me: 7 ringgit
taximan: Ok la ok la lets go.
I was quite pleased with myself, i was running late yet i had the time to bargain even though i'm still paying a premium. He was the local type of Indians, he asked me if i've a student i said yes, he asked me if i sell watches because he saw my watch and wanted one. I said no then i gave him my watch to take a look see and said
taximan: nice, mont blanc
me: yeah
taximan: how much?
I told him
taximan: original?
I told him and told him where i bought it.
Then we went on about some of the businesses he knows Nigerians are involved in and i tried to tell him, not good la and he passively consigned. He promised to take 7 ringgit because we're the same skin color. I didn't know whether to be pleased or sad. He was a character. But he was true to his word and took me there. Even though i was leading him to the place.
Got to the HC half an hour late but they didn't seem to mind. A few minutes later a short but pretty looking Indian lady brought my passport with the stamp that extends its validity until 2012. I was so thankful to her, finally i could go home. But a thought came to me. To think that i went through all these wahala {trouble} for one green stamp.
I've got time!
I wish i had time to do alot of things. Actually i did but my mind was just focused on the task at hand that i didn't let myself lose in the city. But i did have time to eat at Times Square, visit, FOS, and Angela wanted to meet for lunch but i only noticed her message quite late. From the HC i headed for the airport. Thanks to Angel i got to the AirAsia office at KL Sentral and bought a 7:40 flight to Kuching. This time i went with the RM9 bus and enjoyed it.
Thank Yous
I want to thank Chris, Christian, Angela, Prince, Anthony and everyone who helped in more ways than one. Everyone who called, showed concern, prayed. Xie Xie.
~shalom~
I was asked this morning by Yan Hui who's too lazy to read my blog! Weeeell I needed to renew my passport which expires in November. I also needed to extend my student pass and the immigration authorities will not do that unless my passport is valid for atleast year.
It all started on Monday when i got a call informing me of all these and so I made a few calls to the Nigerian High Commission asking for information on what is required to renew my passport, made most of the preparations and took a 6:40 flight on Wednesday morning. My plan was to do everything on that Wednesday and come back the same day. That made sense but its quite boring so it didn't go that way and i had to spend the night in KL.
Noob
I've been to KL several times but most times its for camps and the last time i went was for the PS conference with most of the Bethany folks. And of course with Michael and Philip but that was different. This time i'm all alone. I got to LCCT and didn't know what to do. Thank God i was able to get through to Li ern and asked for directions. She told me to take the 9 Ringgit but to KL sentral and then a train to Ampang park. Then i should be able to locate the Nigerian High Commission. Sounds simple enough, and actually it is but things turned out slightly different.
Before i called Li ern i just stood outside the Airport crossed my arm, with my heavy backpack and observed, where were all the other people going? Why did they take the red bus and not the other one. Why is there a difference in pricing? Do all the buses here go to the same place? These were thoughts i was trying to answer simply by observing but it did me no good so i called.
Instead of taking the RM9 bus i horridly took the RM8 bus. No one was in it. I didnt get it, its cheap, people should rush in but no. I waited and waited and a few old people came in. Ok not that old but pretty old la. There was no young person in the bus. I was like :sigh: the 1 ringgit is no not worth it.
The bus delayed and delayed until it was about 9:30 then it felt with about 5 passengers. No choice one. I was relieved, it least we're moving. I remember writing in a small notepad my mom bought for me these thoughts
Called Li ern to ask for directions to Jalan Ampang, I need to take the RM9 bus to KL Sentral and a train to Ampang. I took the RM8 bus. Its so not worth it compared to the RM9 bus and I really need to get to an ATM.Lesson learned.
Follow the directions
I made it to KL sentral, got a ticket to Ampang park and then got on the wrong train. I was suppose to take the train on platform A but i took the platform B train going the opposite direction. When i noticed I didn't get off immediately i waited for the next stop then get off. At this point I was running late, I need to make it to the High Commission {HC} early so that I can finish early since they only attend to people from 9am to 12pm.
I got out of the subterranean ecosystem and went up to the open streets. Tried to find a taxi that would take me there but none was willing. So down the mole hole again to get on the right train.
I finally arrived at the Ampang park station and then I called Christian for directions. He told me to ask any of the taxis they should know the place. He was wrong. About three taxis i asked were clueless i was like what the... I thought knowledge of the surrounding was a prerequisite to being a taxi driver. After trying taxi after taxi I met one who was not sure where the Nigerian HC was but knew the Ghanian Embassy. That was good enough for me I guess.
Finally got there and gave them my documents, and they asked me for the receipt of payment. You see usually we do all payments there but some genius thought it would be best to make all payments online, so we have to go to the HC's website and pay there. Even at that the process is not intuitive and its quite frankly annoying. My documents were not complete, i needed to write an application letter, make the payments, print out the proof of payment and pass all these to them. It was getting late and even though i made the payments i didnt know where to print it out and even if i did i couldnt make it on time to the HC to submit everything. I had to spend the night in KL.
I heart Starbucks
While i was in KL starbuck at Times Square became like my office+hangout place. For some reason alot of Arabians come there alot. All kinds from the modernish to the very traditional. And oh do the kid look so pretty. Made me wish for that little instant to have a kid like that. {Daydreaming.}
My father bought one of the cards they use in Nigeria to make payments for these kind of stuff {passport renewal stuff} so he gave me the details and i used it to make the payments. But couldn't find a place to print. So i messaged Chris, didn't dare call her again since the last time i called she was in class. This time she wasn't in class so i asked her where i could print out this payment thing around the times square area. She was not too sure but told me the most likely place to print is a cybercafe. That was good enough. Now i needed to find a cybercafe. Looked around and it seemed like an odd place for a cybercafe to be located. That was when i decided that i would probably have to do all these tomorrow.
For the entire time i used the free wifi at Starbucks i didnt by anything from starbucks. So bad, i know but they could have told me anyway. The way i see it, its nothing personal, its just business. Besides they make a ton of money every day with all those Arabians.
A room for the night
Not sure where to get accommodation, i called Anthony and he said there are lots of hotels at Bukit Bintang, just to confirm, i called prince too and he said BB also so BB it was but which one? Now I could have stayed with friends but they live so far from the city, or with Mark but i called him and he didn't pick up.
I went to the Bintang Warisan Hotel, Prince recommended it saying its nice and its a three star hotel. All i was thinking was its expensive. But i went anyway and was greeted by a semi illiterate, rude human being who almost certainly failed in business. I wanted a room for the night and even though it was 190 bucks i was willing to pay but he told me off. I was hurt and went way. Its probably God's way of helping me save money :D
I walked just a few blocks from the hotel from hell and found a place that almost looks looks like a drycleaning service, the Hotel Putra Bintang. I asked for a room for the night and they gave me one at 65. There were cheaper rooms but they were all occupied and this was the last of three left so i took it.
The place was not the best place to spend the night so i was glad i only spent the night. The TV didn't work at first but i found the problem and fixed it. The ceiling was quite irritating and air conditioner wasn't that cold. I was a bit scared of the bed but got over it. Just for the night i kept telling myself.
I needed to leave all my stuff in the room and get to a cybercafe and print the receipts so i prayed and left my laptop and my bag in the room. Fortunately, everything was the way it was when i came back. I got the receipts printed out and i was ready for the next day. Stayed indoors after that. I didnt leave the room from 7 something until the next day.
Weird breakfast
Morning came and i got up early, checked out and went to take my breakfast. I didnt want to start my day with rice so i had this mee instead. Not sure what it was but they lady kept asking me if it wanted the soup i said yeah i did and after asking for drinks she asked again, just to confirm and i bodohly said yes again. I knew i was in for trouble at that point.
The mee came, it was filled with soup and didnt look nice. {what a way to start the morning i murmured} Its basically white mee with soup and vege. Nothing else. No spices, nothing. It was so weird i felt even the Chinese people didnt eat that. But i managed to eat it and pretended to enjoy it, drinking the soup with one hand and using the chopsticks with the other. Thank God i had teh tarik to weather the bland taste. I finished up, paid and ran away from that place.
Rapid KL
I was told to take the rapid kl to get to Ampang park. So i looked at the route and discovered I needed the B103 bus. But it never came and i was waiting and waiting so another plan had to be devised. I remembered the last time i went to the HC we went through KLCC so i took the bus to KLCC and took a taxi to the HC. Rapid KL is just 2 bucks for the whole day as long as you follow the same route. I was on the BANDAR route. I actually found out it was 2bucks for the whole day online while at starbucks.
I came to the HC and submitted all my documents. This time everything was complete yet they asked me to come back by 3pm. This time i made it there early at about 9:30 yet they still asked me to come back at 3pm. I asked if i could wait there until then but what they said shocked me and i still don't understand why. They said if I waited there I would probably get it the next day. Determined not to spend another night in KL i quickly went away. I decided to walk a bit instead of waiting for a taxi. The walk did me good, i discovered later because i was able to recognise the area around the HC.
I went back to starbucks and spent the remaining time there online.
Taxi drivers
The first taxi driver that took me to the HC in the morning was telling me that Nigeria is such an oil rich country. I discovered while talking to him that he was a soldier in Congo of all places and was ordered to extract {his words} their people from Nigeria in the 80's i think because of a conflict there. He said he didn't understand why people lived in poverty while there were oilpipelines all over the place. He'd expected development but to his surprise he saw the opposite. He went on about how arrogant oil companies can be and how Dr. Mahathir helped Malaysia to establish Petronas and other nice nice things he said about the former PM. We really wanted Dr. M to stay on, and he didnt like the current PM very much too. I learnt that he, the taxi driver, was also from Ampang and he said it wasn't always like that. There's development now. And I couldn't help but feel sorry for my Country and state. But things are changing albeit at a snails pace.
The taxi that took me to starbucks was another unique character. He said he wanted to visit Africa some day, i was like wow thats nice, he said go South Africa and work his way to Saudi Arabia, like that. Just vacation for a while. "I'm tired everyday go klcc, go times square, boring man!" He was proud to be a taxi driver though. He said confidently that he was able to see his first son through University with his job but he's worried about his daughter. She doesn't want to go to school. So he's thinking of setting up a business.
He claims to be skilled in making car seats, and fixing old ones. He's also good at panel beating and is very proud of his home town Kelantan. Not sure if thats the spelling. But he boasts that his people are strong and good at crafts and handiwork. He boasts that KL people are all talk people. They cannot stand in the face of conflict but his people are brave and so on.
Then he went on to reveal that he's had some girl friends while a taxi driver. Was quite pleased with himself for that. I just let out a mischievous laugh. He looked like a person who talked alot but i enjoyed his tales.
The last interesting driver was indian. At about 2:30 after taking my lunch close to Low Yat Plaza, i went out to look for a taxi. Couldn't find one, so i walked a bit, and kept walking, changing my position to see if it improves my luck but no. What happened? I kept walking until i found myself at Bukit Bintang where i spent the night.
Finally found a taxi, told him Jalan Ampang and he said 10 ringgit.
taximan: 10 ringgit
me: 7 ringgit
taximan: ok 8 ringgit
me: 7 ringgit
taximan: Ok la ok la lets go.
I was quite pleased with myself, i was running late yet i had the time to bargain even though i'm still paying a premium. He was the local type of Indians, he asked me if i've a student i said yes, he asked me if i sell watches because he saw my watch and wanted one. I said no then i gave him my watch to take a look see and said
taximan: nice, mont blanc
me: yeah
taximan: how much?
I told him
taximan: original?
I told him and told him where i bought it.
Then we went on about some of the businesses he knows Nigerians are involved in and i tried to tell him, not good la and he passively consigned. He promised to take 7 ringgit because we're the same skin color. I didn't know whether to be pleased or sad. He was a character. But he was true to his word and took me there. Even though i was leading him to the place.
Got to the HC half an hour late but they didn't seem to mind. A few minutes later a short but pretty looking Indian lady brought my passport with the stamp that extends its validity until 2012. I was so thankful to her, finally i could go home. But a thought came to me. To think that i went through all these wahala {trouble} for one green stamp.
I've got time!
I wish i had time to do alot of things. Actually i did but my mind was just focused on the task at hand that i didn't let myself lose in the city. But i did have time to eat at Times Square, visit, FOS, and Angela wanted to meet for lunch but i only noticed her message quite late. From the HC i headed for the airport. Thanks to Angel i got to the AirAsia office at KL Sentral and bought a 7:40 flight to Kuching. This time i went with the RM9 bus and enjoyed it.
Thank Yous
I want to thank Chris, Christian, Angela, Prince, Anthony and everyone who helped in more ways than one. Everyone who called, showed concern, prayed. Xie Xie.
~shalom~
Thursday, July 12, 2007
lcct update
Thank God i'm going back to kuching. I'm at LCCT now on the 7:40 flight to kuching. The battery on my lappie is not strong so this is just an update. A complete post will follow when i get home.
KL is not that bad when you get the hang of it. I wish i could stay longer and visit low yat plaza. I guess another time.
{update}
I'm back home now, i just want to hug my bed. Good night
~shalom~
KL is not that bad when you get the hang of it. I wish i could stay longer and visit low yat plaza. I guess another time.
{update}
I'm back home now, i just want to hug my bed. Good night
~shalom~
kl day 2
I was fortunate to get an ok room for the night. Today i decided to start early and got a rapid kl bus to KLCC then took a taxi to Jalan Ampang where the Nigerian High Commission is. They have a stop at Ampang but i was not sure if they would stop in a convenient enough place for me to get to the High Commission so i took the taxi instead, cots me 5 bucks.
I've submitted everything they required yet they still want me to come back at 3. That is after asking me if i've already bought i ticket back to Sarawak. Stupid me, i said not yet. I just hope they don't delay me unneccessarily, i wouldn't like to spend another night here. This place is expensive.
Right now i'm at starbucks in Times Square, apperently rapid kl has a stop here i didnt know until i got here, again by taxi. Oh man! I really need a map. I think i've used every form of transportation in KL except the monorail.
I think they transportation authorities are trying to make things easier but its not as easy to get around in KL unlike in Singapore. Things are more straightforward there.
I really hope i can get back today. I miss Kuching already. Another worry is availability of tickets. I understand the rain forest festival is holding soon. I really hope this won't be a problem.
Almost forgot, I would like to thank Li ern for all her help, and Chris and Christian, Prince, and also Anthony. Thanks guys and girls :P
~shalom~
I've submitted everything they required yet they still want me to come back at 3. That is after asking me if i've already bought i ticket back to Sarawak. Stupid me, i said not yet. I just hope they don't delay me unneccessarily, i wouldn't like to spend another night here. This place is expensive.
Right now i'm at starbucks in Times Square, apperently rapid kl has a stop here i didnt know until i got here, again by taxi. Oh man! I really need a map. I think i've used every form of transportation in KL except the monorail.
I think they transportation authorities are trying to make things easier but its not as easy to get around in KL unlike in Singapore. Things are more straightforward there.
I really hope i can get back today. I miss Kuching already. Another worry is availability of tickets. I understand the rain forest festival is holding soon. I really hope this won't be a problem.
Almost forgot, I would like to thank Li ern for all her help, and Chris and Christian, Prince, and also Anthony. Thanks guys and girls :P
~shalom~
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
update from KL
So i get a call on Monday that my student pass cannot be renewed unless i renew my passport which expires in November and for a while there was some tension, some panic but hey I thought, I will be going to KL :D
Well turns out the Nigerian embassy changed some of the runs so that what could have taken me just one day to do and put me on the way back home is taking me more than a day. Apperently someone in the embassy or High Commission since its Malaysia, thought it was a good idea to make all payments online. Through credit cards, paypal and other online transactions that are beyond a humble little student like me.
Fortunately i was able to get my father to buy the card instead of using paypal there's a prepaid card that can be used for these things. The High Commission only attends to applications and submissions from 9am to 12pm and by the time i finished the online payment thingy its already past the time. I still need to print out the receipt and submit it along with my application but that would be tomorrow la. Which means I will be spending the night here.
I don't intend going jalan jalan around here. I think i'll just look around times square, grab something to eat and find a simple place to rest my head for the day. I'm beat.
Hopefully tomorrow i will be able to make it back to Kuching :)
~shalom~
Well turns out the Nigerian embassy changed some of the runs so that what could have taken me just one day to do and put me on the way back home is taking me more than a day. Apperently someone in the embassy or High Commission since its Malaysia, thought it was a good idea to make all payments online. Through credit cards, paypal and other online transactions that are beyond a humble little student like me.
Fortunately i was able to get my father to buy the card instead of using paypal there's a prepaid card that can be used for these things. The High Commission only attends to applications and submissions from 9am to 12pm and by the time i finished the online payment thingy its already past the time. I still need to print out the receipt and submit it along with my application but that would be tomorrow la. Which means I will be spending the night here.
I don't intend going jalan jalan around here. I think i'll just look around times square, grab something to eat and find a simple place to rest my head for the day. I'm beat.
Hopefully tomorrow i will be able to make it back to Kuching :)
~shalom~
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