Slightly off track haha... Straight to the point, I'm going to Brunei The Abode of Peace!


"Istana Nurul Iman contains 1,788 rooms, 257 bathrooms, and a floor area of 2,152,782 square feet (200,000 m²). Amenities include 5 swimming pools, and an air conditioned stable for the Sultan's 200 polo ponies (Is he like a fan of 'My Little Pony'?), a 110-car garage, a banquet hall that can be expanded to accommodate up to 4,000 guests, and a mosque accommodating 1,500 people. The palace was built in 1984 at a cost of around $1.4 billion USD and has 564 chandeliers, 51,000 light bulbs, 44 stairwells, and 18 elevators. It is also a home to a car collection that includes custom-made Ferraris and Bentleys as well as 165 Rolls Royces. Istana Nurul Iman is indisputedly the world's largest residential and administrative palace currently in use for state functions, and at 2,152,782 square feet, Istana Nurul Iman certainly has more building floorspace than any other palace in the world".

More than half a year after celebrating the New Year with Kel, ITCH & Nick (I hope I got all the shadows correct), I'm back again. I know, I know... I've said that I will not abandon this blog before but the work loads and activities of last semester really took a toll on me (not making excuses). Anyway, I would like to apologized to those who had constantly logged in only to be disappointed with the same old post entitled "My December" hence I take it that you guys would puke at the slightest mention of "the month which must not be named" but please don't, it's a special month for me *winks*. To make up for it, I've renovated my blog. Hope you like it. Well, 2008 has so far been quite a journey. Now before you start fainting on me I want to make it clear that I won't go into every details of what I've gone through so far. There, much more relieve already? Back to the topic, this first half of the year saw many "first time" encounter in my life which led to me being less a virgin. Okay, before you go any further please control your hormones as it has nothing to do with sex! What I meant was I've done things that I've never did before prior to this year. Starting with my trip to Malacca for work turned leisure purposes then followed by Johore purely in the name of fun and then pursuing my childhood dream of going to a foreign country, in this case, Singapore. Yes, I know it's no big deal for many people but it is for me as I've never been overseas before with the exception of crossing the Penang Bridge.

The following are pictures from my "business trip" to Malacca:








Adding to that, I had my first hand experience in fine dining which I ended up being drunk, yup you heard me right, after umpteen glasses of wine mind you. I shall tick that off my list of "things to do before I die". Apparently, my classmates got it on video. As the saying goes, that's what friends are for, right?

Hey guys, I'm back with lots of pictures this time. Had been really occupied recently. Looking back at this few days, all I can say is that I'm truly thankful that I'm blessed with beautiful people around me. These people of course are my family including my Aunt Linda and my BFF's. Sometimes I feel like I take you guys for granted especially my mum and dad, love you both gargantuously. Haha... if only I have the guts to say it to them. Weird... As for my BFF's, you guys probably know me a little bit more than my family for "some reasons". Thanks for being there for me and for baring the years of hissy fits that I threw at you guys lol... Enough emoness. Moving on to my birthday celebration which had taken place more than a week ago. So this is kind of an overdue post haha.. Anyway, my mum decided to take me to Cameron Highlands on my birthday, right after I came back from KL so I was taking short snoozes throughout my journey there. However, I do know how to get there by car now*hint*hint* roadtrip*coughs* Overall, Cameron is a superb place for those who are looking for peace of mind. Imagine a place where cool breeze gently brushes on your face while you are comfortably wrap up in your jacket and the sun's ray does not scorch but instead provides you with warmth. You can fall asleep just about anywhere there, preferably lying on the oceans of greenery under a bluish canopy vandalized only by fluffy white clouds.






The above are from Bharat Plantation

Cameron was a lot different when I last left. It has so many things to offer now, most importantly good food. My mum, knowing what I like most, took me on a food marathon. I'll let the pictures do the talking.


First up, Oldies and Goodies Restaurant. We were having second thoughts whether or not to enter as it was stated there "Roasted Restaurant" Was afraid we might come out "cooked". Glad we took the risk as the food was delicious. Maybe because it was the cold weather haha...


Clockwise from top; Roasted duck and pork, Deep Fried Fish coated with Sweet Sauce served in Sizzling Plate, Old Cucumber Soup, Three Layered Pork Meat Braised in Fermented Bean Curd Paste Sauce, Stir Fried Long Beans With Braised Mushrooms and Stir Fried Watercress with Light Oyster Sauce.


During the second day, we went there again but I only manage to snap the first dish because there was a Singaporean couple joining our table... have to behave myself lol... Anyway the dish was Claypot Seafood Curry.

Next, we went to the Bharat Plantation and I had a slice of Strawberry Cheese Cake...


Looks nice but at the end, I wasn't craving for seconds.

Then we headed for The Big Strawberry Farm. The name itself would give you the impression that the place is filled with strawberries but I searched high and low for straberries to no avail. Instead I found these...


The Hanging Gardens of Tomatoes...

...and my past obsessions, cactus.

As I climb further up, I saw signboards leading to heaven...


Now for the real thing...


Strawberry Sundae & Strawberry with Yoghurt and Honey


English Scone & Tea

I could barely walk after all those goodies so I did what I do best, sleep! Went back for a short nap and woke up just in time for dinner...


Steamboat!

The restaurant that we went to wasn't exactly nice but the fact that the night was chilly, anything with a bowl of hot soup would have tasted great. Anyhow, we initially wanted to go to one of the restaurants in Brinchang to experience the traditional way of using steamboats but sadly it was fully booked.


Took this pic from the web. The charcoals are placed at the bottom and the long spout is where the volcanic effect takes place.

After dinner, we went for a short walk in one of the night markets...


Bought myself a strawberry fondue. The lady actually told us she was camera shy, like it would stop us... snap! snap!


Then I saw this cute lil' pop-up christmas card and decided to purchase it. Bargained for the price of RM5 and was proud that I succeeded until I found out that Gurney was selling it for RM4.90 nett. Anyway, dedicating this card to Yong Ming and Jim who is not here with us. Merry Christmas! Ah... so economical.


As if dinner was ever enough, we went for desserts which doubles as my b'day cake. Can't believe it takes so long to be 10...


...and my all time favorite fruit, Durians!

Well, that was how I spent my birthday with my family but wait! There's more lol... please don't die of boredom... yet. I celebrated my b'day with some of my BFF a little later but nevertheless it was no less special. Where did they take me? Tag along to find out.


Located at Belisa Row, Jurin


Kel's dish...


...Alan's dish


Ansel going on a diet...




...Nick going on an eating frenzy.


Evil! While they enjoy their food I was left with nothing to eat. Just kidding, I wonder where did the pictures of my dish went to? Food was scrumptious. Would recommend this place if you are willing to foot in a little more cash. As usual, we went for seconds at FACES after our first phase of dinner. There's where the cake was cut and the present was opened...


My Birthday cake, French Cuppachino.


Want a piece of me?


Beautifully wrapped up


Doesn't this remind you of some toy?


Glitter lamp!

Thanks a lot guys! I really appreciate what you guys did for me and what a thoughtful present. Promise I'll take it to my new place. So, that's it. Come to think of it, I still haven't receive a key from dad or mum. Does this mean I'm still grounded by my parents? Oh well, Merry Christmas...