OA & OA (Malaysian Arc: Part 1)

For five years I have been flying home and each time when the plane touches down I look forward to walking the ‘halls’ of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). As crazy as it sounds, KLIA is actually a beautiful airport. It is clean, new and has enough capacity that one does not feel too congested when there are countless passengers traveling. The air train ride is what I would describe as serene especially if you enjoy the grey landscape and green beyond. Personally, I enjoy the view. In spite of the ride and view, the highlight is when I am walking in anticipation towards the immigration air gate. Having gone through countless stringent immigration checks in a foreign country even though a resident, really strike a cord in me that I am nevertheless a visitor. To be able to walk towards the line that describes ‘Malaysian Passport’ and NOT ‘Foreign Passport’ on the other hand, conveyed that I was truly home in my birth country.

Hence, what do I do when I am home? Honestly reuniting with my family is not the only event I have in mind. No snow, cold weather, work and unwanted phone calls for three weeks! Additionally, I was going to eat Malaysian food, enjoy the hot weather, humidity and friends. Topping it all off is going back to my hometown Taiping and see to a few fun filled activities.

Taiping is a town in the state of Perak, Malaysia the largest town in Perak after Ipoh (Perak’s state capital). Situated on a plain to the west of the Bintang Mountains with Alor Setar lying to the north-west and Ipoh to the south-east, it comprises of the following areas.

Map of Taiping town

The average annual rainfall is about 4000 mm thus, boasting an impressive collection of flora and century-old rain trees.

Forest Floor at the foot of Bukit Larut (formerly known as Maxwell Hill)

Man and Tree

Primates on the prowl

With such heavy rainfall, Taiping is also blessed with waterfalls. Thus, a few young ones and my dad made a trip to one of the waterfalls in Taiping and had a splashing great time. The organizer me that is, stricken with flu had a difficult time getting out of bed for the trip. 'Thanks' to my young cousins' pestering, I made it to the waterfall with a towel in one hand and tissues on the other.

The Organizer

The walk to the waterfalls 1

The walk to the waterfalls 2

The waterfall with Kelvin & John

Crazy splashing...

All Together Now......

(clockwise from top: Dad, Melissa, Organizer, John, Kelvin, Rachael, Michelle)

Once there, it was hard to leave. Our only motivation to get out of the waters was the reunion feasts waiting for us at home. Nonetheless, if the waterfall is not your scene, there is always the Taiping Lake Gardens, Zoo with a Night Safari, Bukit Larut, Bukit Merah Laketown Resort, food glorious food……..

For more pictures, please visit http://rhys31.multiply.com/photos/album/12/Taiping_CNY_2008_The_Waterfalls

Online Again and On Air (OA & OA)

It has been a while since I have written and updated my site. In fact so much has happened I could not possibly narrate them in detail. My cousin sister called me lazy. I suppose when one have not written for so long, it is much harder getting back into the groove.

What happened between my last write up and now? In summary, I have moved to a new apartment, changed my address, bought new furniture, set up my cable and internet subscription. These took quite a while. Also, I have traveled just a little for work and scouted for additional work. Did all the above and realized I entered into an encounter with the thirties crisis just in time to go for vacation.

Thirties crisis aside, I enjoyed myself back home for the Chinese New Year. Every year I look forward to going home though it is the journey that I dread most. I travel approximately 28 hours including transit from United States to Malaysia. Blame the number of hours on the route that I choose to take. Since I rack up plenty of miles on United Airlines (UA), I did not consider flying any other airlines but UA. Mere laziness and inconvenience prevents me from accumulating miles on other airlines. Singapore Airlines (SIA) is another alternative since SIA is part of Star Alliance like UA. The issue was the additional two hours travel by ground transportation to airports where SIA transits at, hence UA it is. Nevertheless, here lies my nonsensical route.

The long hours bore and hurt me. When I purchase magazines, I meant many magazines such as Fortune, Forbes, Kiplinger, Spa, Women’s Health and In Touch all at one go. Sleep is physically impossible unless one travel on Business Class which I do when the upgrade goes through successfully. Otherwise, I pray that no one sits next to me so that I can have the entire row. Thankfully, when not traveling in the Business Class cabin, I have been able to travel on Economy Plus as the leg space is more compared to Economy. To be able to travel on Economy Plus, one has to buy a full fare UA economy ticket also known as a Y class ticket. The Y class ticket is expensive by the way and it is not very different from buying a C class ticket, a lower fared option for a Business Class ticket. Another alternative to be able to travel on Economy Plus is to achieve Elite status. Elite status can only be attained by flying and racking up miles. The breakdown is as follows:

My route back to the United States from Malaysia is the reverse from the above. The difference is that I have more transit time in Narita International. Having three hours of transit time, I take the opportunity to shower in their shower rooms (USD 5 for 30 minutes, toiletries included) and see to a little duty free shopping (mochi, mochi, mochi….).

In addition to the hours, I hate being shoved into the role of a terrorist pretending to be an inept stripper at transit points. Before entering the boarding area, you are a terrorist until proven otherwise. To prove yourself as another innocent traveler, make sure you surrender your notebook/laptop for scanning. On top of that, if you have liquids ensure that they are 3 ounce travel size each all packed into a 1 quart zip-top clear plastic bag. Sharp objects of any sort like a nail clipper for example are out of the question. Firearms? You are asking for plenty of inconvenience and trouble.

Once you surrender your notebook/laptop as well as the liquids in the zip-top bag, it is time to strip down. Make sure you rush through it. Take your jacket, belt, boots or shoes off quickly as this is one ‘performance’ that others do not have patience for. Additionally, do not expect a dollar bill as reward as you will NOT be remunerated for your efforts.

(Random thought: Sometimes I believe the factor that stops travelers from stripping more at airports is the lack of a stripper pole, erotic music and appreciative audience.)

As you waltz through the security device, you can merely hope that it does not beep unless frisking by strangers works for you. Another friendly suggestion, refrain from hand carrying self-pleasure items unless you love scrutiny and the ‘I know what you are carrying’ smiles.

Be prepared to perform the above at ALL transit points although you just deplaned and are still within the boarding area. It is for safety, all brought upon by the Bin Ladens and the likes of Al-Qaeda. Hunting them down and imprisoning them is not enough I must say. Their capital punishment should include going through simulated airport security according to the number of travelers traveling internationally since the 9/11 incident until the day they are caught. I like to see how they enjoy emptying carry-on bags and stripping while simulating other travelers huffing and puffing behind them with impatience OVER and OVER again NONSTOP.

I shall not even illustrate the details of missed and delayed flights due to weather and mechanical issues. Despite it all, I know I will travel at least once a year to reunite with my family members to celebrate Chinese New Year. It is this time of the year that I look forward to the most and I shall not have it otherwise.

To be continued….