Thursday, December 31, 2009

With A Bang

So long 2009! Its been a fantastic year for me personally, and I hope (and think) it was the same for everyone else I know.

Lots of things achieved, lots of lists crossed out. Even more unexpected opportunities (some of them so ridiculously awesome, I dont know how it happened), and some disappointments I'd rather not think about.

Its almost impossible to list down everything good and bad that hit me in 2009, but I think I'll be going into 2010 relatively unscathed, inspired, determined and with much better make up on my face because I've been buying tons of it online.

2010, bring it!!

(image from here)

Posted at 9:46 AM
4 comments

Thursday, December 24, 2009

The Company That Trips Together..

Just a little picture-heavy post for a company trip (my first one!) that was about a month ago. First sign of evidence here that yes, I do have a day job ;)

Our road trip took us all the way to Kuantan where we crashed at the Impiana Cherating Resort. A big dim sum breakfast at Point A, and we were off on the road to Point B!

With a few bumps along the way. With 5 cars in a convoy, one is bound to let the team down. A supposed 3-hour journey took a little bit longer because some could keep up with Car Awesome (aka the one I'm in).

Car Awesome also had to stop for a quick tyre patch-up when a rogue nail was discovered hitching a ride to Kuantan.

Lunch stop somewhere along the way. Pork is always good.

Just as my ass couldnt take sitting in the car any longer, we were swinging up the driveway to the resort lobby. Impiana Cherating Resort, I hope you're ready.

First impressions were good. I felt a blanket of relaxation cover me as I stepped into the lobby with its high wooden-beam ceilings, wide open space and the distant sounds of a fountain somewhere near by.

The tranquility was then punctured by a high-pitched squeal. There were.. Children. Thank goodness I brought an MP3 player.

The lobby filled with... Kids *shudders*

Waiting lounge.

Got my room keycard and marched off to check it out with my room mate.

Where no magic happens.

I am very delighted to report that the room was incredibly cosy and inviting.

The view from our little balcony. Overlooking the ocean front!!

Literally right outside our room next to us were the steps leading out to the beach. We've got the best room on the block, folks.

The corridors of holiday and happiness.

Chucked my bags onto the floor and did what every holiday-goer worth his/her salt would do.

Died on the bed and took a 2-hour nap.

After that little recharge, I took to the great outdoors and did a little exploring to see what the place had to offer.

Beach, check.

Sandbags to protect me from tsunamis. Check.

Random plot of land most likely used for those detested "team building" exercises on company retreats. Check.

Abandoned wooden sampan with resident snake/reptile/spider/amphibian. Check.

Quality control on life-saving sandbags. Check.

Beach futsal where I hoped to cuci mata in the days to come. Check.

Tyre swing/swinging death trap. Check.

Unsuspecting victims. Check.

Danger signs. Oh yea, bring it on!!

The red flag was up. I dipped my toes in the ocean waters. Yea.. *blows imaginary dust from fingers* Rebel. That's me.

There was also a mini kampung house for the kids who were in training to become domestic gods/goddesses.

Check out where my room was! True, any Tom, Dick and Harry could have climbed in at anytime as I'm shaving my legs, but he/she would have been welcome with open arms!! :P

Obligatory cute baby shot.

Dinner time came and we were off for a special treat - stuffed crabs at Tong Juan. Yea, I have no idea what that is either. But I was about to find out!

Behold, stuffed crabs!

I was more expecting them to look all fluffy and hug-able, but crabs will always be crabs, even when stuffed.

Underneath that layer of baked egg is a ton of sweet and juicy crabmeat just waiting to attack.

I was stuffed. With stuffed crab. That's an irony of some sort I'm sure.

After dinner, we spent some bonding time by the poolside cafe with a nightcap.

I like my drionks in a can.

End of Day 1!

Day 2 dawned bright and early because.. HOTEL BREAKFAST BUFFET!! COME TO MAMA!

Seriously, hotel breakfast should be one of the pinnacles of any good holiday.

We meant to visit a turtle sanctuary, but it was closed. Must be a Kuantan thing. Along the way, we stopped for some food and more food.

Keropok lekor process.

Have a break aunty.

No idea what a gorpis is. Anyone?

Kiddos with their bubbles.

After that, we popped by a coffeeshop by the name of Hai Peng for some famous.. Food. I dont know. It all tasted pretty average to me, so I wasnt too sure what the signature dish was.

Nasi dagang and fish curry. Om nom nom nom.

We found an unfinished mini zoo on the way back to the hotel and decided to barge our way in like unsatisfied tourists.

Evidently, there wasnt much to see. The tigers werent delivered yet. But we did spot some sun bears. And leeches.

Everyone retired to the beach later that evening. There was lots of frolicking to be had.

Lonely turtle :(

The weather was depressingly cloudy and it drizzled constantly the whole time we were there.

Dinner on the 2nd night was seafood at some random seafood restaurant. Absolutely delish and there was a random white guy serving up beer and crab meat too.

Later that night, we had a few rounds of Monopoly Deal (this game is so addictive you wouldnt believe it) in the rooms and things got a little exciting when The Team beat One Person. We got shushed by a loud knock from the people next door.

On Day 3, I took a walk along the beach to soak up any residual holiday feelings left before leaving back to KL.

Beastly visitors.

Leaving paw prints - so much more cooler than foot prints.

The waves were pretty big the day we left. Must have been a storm at sea or strong winds maybe.

Oh oh oh, look at what I found!

I couldnt believe that this shell wasnt made of plastic/wood! It was a gorgeous shiny black, lying half-buried in the sand.

Bucket sand castles.

We decided to try our luck again and visited the turtle sanctuary. It was open!

There was a cat and some kittens hidden in a corner.

The turtle sanctuary wasnt much. It was just a few man-made ponds and some miserable turtles swimming about before being released. On the plus side, entry was free :D