The Unforgetable Train Ride..

Aloha ! and hello ! yes, I'm back from the train ride ! Firstly, I have to admit, it was a joy ride and also some tough ride. I did anticipated some slight inconvenience, but with some readjustment... like taking leave in advance to accommodate for arrival delay and to occupy my free time and etc.., it turn out to be an unforgettable journey. And indeed it was a great experience, especially when you are travelling 3 day 2 nights by train !

Before I proceed, I would like to share some tips with my fellow readers especially people like Akmal or Sri Pekan. To Tuan Zaki, I got no idea weather you qualify or not, unless you are a senior citizen (60 years old and above) . Well if you are above 60, you qualify for a 50% discount on each train tickets. But I think you'll rather travel by MAS, cos they also offer discounted fares to senior citizens. Ok, to those who are above 12 and below 18, and those who are above 18 and is a student of higher institution, you can join the Kelab Remaja and qualify for a 40% discount on each and every ride within Malaysia, and also to and from Singapore and Hadyai, provided you travel by KTM. The only condition is that you can only purchase your ticket within 7 days from the date of departure. In contrast with Airasia or MAS, the earlier you purchase, the cheaper it is. So, I suggest if you fellas finally decides to go home on the very last minute... try KTM. It's cheap. I enter my sons and daughter for the membership immediately. Those who are below 17 have to pay RM10.00, and those above 18 years old have to pay RM30.00 per annum as membersip fee.
Our train arrived sharp at 6.45 pm at the Wakaf Baharu station. I travel light, and bring along some of the things for my sons in KL. It was just my wife, daughter and me. We took the Superior Sitting Seat which cost us RM38.00 per person. Of course my daughter got her 40% discount. Our destination is the Sentral Kuala Lumpur. However, at the station, I spoke to one man who was sending his son off to UPM, Serdang. He told me we could stop at Kajang if we want as his son will be doing so too. This is something new to me, as it will be nearer for me to meet up my sons whose Uni is also at Kajang. That means I don't have to travel from KL Sentral by KTM commuter again to Serdang or Kajang,... save time and save cost.
I can't wait to snap a few photos as we immediately got on board. I am glad, the interior do looks nice and clean, and spacious too compared to the Economy Sitting Coach. Of course you get what you pay for, at only RM28.00 per seat.
Thanks goodness, the toilet does looks clean too. That's the most important part for me. Anyway, I brought along 3 bottles of mineral water for washing my teeth and cleaning which I bought from Tesco. And mind you, the air cond is working. Yes, Tuan Zawi, if you are concern about the air conditioned, it's really working and is very cold during the night. I suggest any of you traveling by train, please bring along a jacket or a blanket. Trust me.

It was raining before our journey started. But as soon as the train was about to arrive, it stopped, just in time for us to go aboard. Before reaching Pasir Mas, I saw the rainbow outside from the window. I knew it was a blessing for our journey.
Yes, I was busy clicking and playing around with my camera at the beginning. I brought along my Sony Compact as it is durable.
This photo is taken right in front of the road block at Tanah Merah, and of course with me inside the train, moving on.

And this (above photo) is the Tanah Merah Station, if I am not mistaken, which is still under construction. As it got dark outside, after passed 8pm, I concentrate on what's going on inside the train. I am surprised the train is full, as informed by the conductor because it is a week end. A middle aged man sitting behind me irritates me abit. I can hear his conversation so clearly. He has a rough voice. He was sort of interviewing a young lady who was sitting next to him. The lady wanted to go to Kuala Lipis, her home town. Since, the ticket was sold out, she bought the ticket from Wakaf Baharu to Gua Musang. And she pay for the fine from Gua Musang to Kuala Lipis for RM9.00 for going on board without a ticket. She agrees to stand up if there is no seat available. What a pity. But, she was lucky to find herself a seat after Gua Musang. Alright, back to the conversation I overheard, she told the man that she is a college student studding preschool education in KB. She is going back to Kuala Lipis, her home town to meet up with her just married hubby.

When the next passenger took over the lady's seat at Gua Musang, it was a middle aged man than. The interview begins again, even though, this guy (the interviewee) looks tired and sleepy. It was almost mid night. From the conversation, I overheard that he is a Maybank staff working in Gua Musang and wanted to go back home in Kuala Lipis for the weekend. He does that during every weekend. Now I know why the train still plays an important role, especially to those in the interior part of the country. The train does have it's role.

Minutes later after the guy dropped down at Kuala Lipis,... all I know is I already fall asleep. Later, the train conductor came calling the guy (interviewer) to wake up. He was asleep. He informed him that the next stop is Mentakap, where he got down. Then I fall asleep again !

I woke up just before sun rise. It was so fast. Just see see, look look, washed my teeth and face and we finished up the 3 bottles of mineral water to avoid carrying it around when we arrived at our destination. All biscuits and food have to be finished. I don't want to carry them ! Within short while, the announcement was made, we are approaching Kajang. So we got prepared to get down.

At the Kajang Station, we walk to the nearest hotel for refreshment. We pay RM50.00 for a small room without any window. We went for satay for breakfast, than straight to meet up with the boys at Maybank to open up account, as required in their study loan agreement. Later, after our mission completed, we went window shopping and had food again. Nothing much in Kajang. We waited at the hotel room again for the next train to Wakaf Baharu. At 7.30 pm, we walked to the Kajang Station again. The boys took the KTM commuter train to Serdang, than taxi back to Uni. Our train arrived at 9pm.

Our first stopped is at Seremban town. It was already dark by then. So, I started taking out my book "Hendak Susah ataupun Senang" by Razzi Armansur. Quite a simple to read book with big font. Well, I am not going to review the book here. What I am trying to say here is that, I really have time for my ownself, instead of thinking about work, work and more work.

Suddenly someone behind me tapped at my shoulder. The lady aorund her sixties, asked.. kamu Cina Kelantan ke ? Saya lihat bini kamu guna kain sarong batik. Kamu mesti Cina Kelantan. Cina KL tak guna sarong batik. I just give her a smile in return. I asked her where she is from ? She says humblely, kami dari KL, nak pergi kelantan jalan-jalan. Cuti hujung minggu sahaja. Balik hari Ahad. I gave her some advice about visiting Kelantan.

Somewhere along the journey, I fall asleep. Just before sun rise, I woke up. I had no idea at all where we were. Than, at the next stopped, we arrived Kuala Lipis. It was almost 8 am. I realize something must be wrong. We should have arrived Gua Musang at that time. I quickly asked the cleaning lady why we are late. She says the train got delayed at Gemas station waiting for the next train to exchange track.

I knew it's going to be a very long journey. So I started to take out my gadgets ie. traveling buddies. First, I use my PDA to play my favourite songs. The oldies collection includes Francisca Peter's, Subaru a japanese hits, Chinese oldies (even though I don't understand the songs but songs are universal to me), collections from Alleycat.. and others.
Akmal, it's really terapeutic to relax and listen to those slow oldies, watching out from the window, and starts "khayaling" or day dreaming. Never did that for so long. Infact no time to day dream either. Listening to all those sentimental oldies and watching at those scenic view of Malaysian forest, recollecting back the good old times that I onced missed so much and recalling back the time where things I could have done, but never do it. I don't think there is anything wrong with day dreaming, because every achievement begins with a dream. No, no.. I am not into that jiwa-jiwang type of dreaming, may be I would just say having my time to think about myself for myself. Things that I always wanted to do, and how much I missed in life. Something ispirational. You know, something of that sort...

Well, soon after, I started to jot down my dreams into my PDA. And some notes about what I plan to blog about. That's all.
Yes, by the time my battery almost ran out, we were already reaching Gua Musang. Than, later I brought the family to the canteen to have fried rice and tea. That will be our brunch (breakfast + lunch).
At almost 1pm, we were already at the Wakaf Baharu Station. Time fly so fast. And I am already planing for the next trip soon too. This time we'll take the sleeping berth and return by private room cabin.

And here is one of the irritating moment. This Mat Salleh infront of me really "tak beradab". He hang his shoe on the luggage compartment right on top of the young couple's head. Lucky for him it wasn't me sitting infront, or else, I would have told him off !!!

p/s: This write up is not edited yet. Sorry for the english and spelling.

I"m Back Home !

Hi ! I'm back home from the train ride since yesterday. Now, I'm busy with work load ! You know, working with "cinabeng" company. They pay you ok lah, for Kota Bharu standard, but they expect high performance from you as well. They let you by yourself with some sales target, and at the end of the day, they expect results.

Anyway, back to my train ride.. this is the photo I got from the journey, in the middle of our Malaysian jungle... hehe...
Ha ! ha ! ha ! just kidding. Where got such tribe one in Malaysian jungle.. kah! kah! kah! May be Papua New Guinea got lah !

Anyway, I will blog about my ride soon... the unforgettable KTM ride....bye and hope to see you buddies again soon. Have fun, and remember... our life in on loan ! so live to the fullest !

Train Ride to KL soon !

Am planing to take a train ride to KL soon. Since petrol price is so high now a days, and last minute booking with airasia or MAS is sooo unaffordable for me, I decided to take the KTM train. I am looking forward to the ride. I guess it's gonna be fun. Can't decide weather to bring my camera along or not cos I will be there for only a day. I think I will just bring along a soft cover novel which I just bought from KLIA 2 weeks ago, a t-shirt, sweater, my PDA and a camera. Still can't decide which camera, the DSLR Canon or Sony compact. Still worry about the pick pocket incident that happened to me recently in KL.

Planing to have my dinner in the train too. I hope they do serve good food or at least tolerable to eat. They better do cos I will be blogging about it..haha.

Well, if this train ride is an enjoying one, I will be traveling by the same mode more often since my home is just a few kilometres away from the Wakaf Baharu station. I find out that they do have a room for 2 too. That must be interesting. Never tried that. My last train ride was during my Hanoi trip, with a room for 4. It was wonderful ! Well, look out for my next blog.. about my train ride to KL!!! see you guys again..

Kbguy goes Kajang !

Never would I imagine myself putting up a night in Kajang. But now that I have my kids in Bangi, and near to Kajang too, I decided to try staying there. It was hard trying to find hotels in Kajang as it is just a small town. Not many people stayed in Kajang before, or at least not from people that I know off. Even people from KL doesn't know any hotel in Kajang. But somehow I managed to find one on my own from the Internet, The Prescott Metro Inn. The hotel looks a bit old but I would say that's the best located hotel in the city and at affordable price too.... RM140.00 nett per night for a Standard Deluxe room. For RM170.00 nett, you get free breakfast for 2.
Talking about Kajang, the name "satay" would come along in my mind. Yes, satay Kajang. After I checked in the hotel, later in the evening, I decided to explore Kajang town. Kajang is quite a small town. You can walk to most of the places within the town. My first target is the Kajang Satay Haji Sanuri which is just a stone throw from my hotel. Ask any Kajang people on the street and they can show you the direction. Yes, we had satay for dinner. A stick of chicken or beef satay cost us RM0.60 . I think this it's quite reasonable priced as the meat is bigger compared to the satay in KB. Frankly speaking, I still prefer our satay in KB as they are not as sweet as the one in Kajang. Back to Restaurant Satay Haji Sanuri, the restaurant is quite spacious with 3 storeys high. This is my first time seeing such a large place selling satay, and surprisingly it is fully packed. Of course they also offer others in their menu too, but then everyone is eating satay, their popularity. For supper, we had hokkien mee at Restaurant Malaysia. The next day, we had dim sum for breakfast. We had satay for lunch too before we left Kajang. This time we had at Restaurant Malaysia. Funny, the restaurant is full too, and everyone is having satay there for lunch, dinner and supper.
Kajang is not as crowded as KL city. I think Kajang is a nice place itself as you can try a lot of good food just walking around and safer too. I think they only have one shopping complex, with Parkson as the anchor tenant.
If you are sending your children to UPM, KLIUC, UKM or Uniten, don't hesitate to stop by Kajang to explore. I am sure you'll love the place, at least the food.

The Pavilion

One of the latest shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur city is The Pavilion. Located at Jalan Bukit Bintang, the golden triangle of Kuala Lumpur, The Pavilion offer lots of designer and branded goods. But sorry to say, the prices are also very classy. The shopping complex itself is very posh and high class with the latest design concept. Their anchor tenant is the Parkson, if I am not mistaken.

To go over there from KL Sentral, all you need is take the monorail to Bukit Bintang. As you drop down from BB station, you will see the huge building of The Pavilion. You will never miss the building as lots and lots of people will be walking towards that direction. Just a little reminder to those of you taking the monorail, beware of pick pockets. That's where I lost my hand phone !

Just for those of you who would like to know, I was there just to look look, see see. Nothing much interest me at all as everything there is so expensive, especially for people like me from the kampung. My friend said, I must be behaving like a real kampung guy, no wonder those pick pocket pick on me. Haha.. But, back at my kampung town, those kampung friends says I must be dressing like a towkay, that is why they pick on me !! wah ! kah ! kah !... What a big joke !!!
For people like me, 20 minutes is all I need at the Pavilion. You see one, you see all. Yes, no need to go else where such as Bukit Bintang Plaza, Sungei Wang Plaza, Mid Valley or The Pyramid. They are all the same to me. People say, if you go to KL, you must go to all these places. To me, what's the big deal ? The pavilion is enough to represent it all. No need to waste time and money travelling to all those places. Yes, I am just a kbguy who just love to go to places which are more adventurous and natural instead of this modern jungle make up of steel and concrete, and so crowded.
Yes, you really can't put a fresh water fish into the sea. It's me. I've stayed in KL before. But I have given up KL life. I can't survive in KL anymore. Life there is too fast. People are really rushing. Rushing for what ? I myself don't even know. They are chasing for the public transport. Chasing for the bus, taxi, lrt, monorail and ktm commuter. They don't even realise they got pick pocket ! They even rush for food as if it's free of charge. They pay for expensive food and they call it high class. They compete among themselves. They work in the office politicking and back stabbing at each other. They compete every where.

Both husband and wife working. They left their kids unattended. And yet they tell their kampung friends that their kids are more exposed and independent. They think kampung kids are not independent ? They tell the kaumpung folks that their kids are very choosy with their clothing. They say their kids wear designer stuffs. They complaint and at the same time they praise as if trying to show off. I pity their kids having to wake up so early to take a bus and than transits another again to get to their school.
And every school holiday they go holiday overseas just because their friends, office colleagues and neighbours came back telling about their holiday trips, so they go to the trade fair booked for a cheap flight and cheap tour, to find out that they finally got cheated by the tour and ticketing agents. They rush and Que as everyone does the same too, but they have forgotten to check the clause, term and condition. And worst of all, they buy on credit !
I really pity all those people who originally from the kampung as well, but live in KL life style. Their life is like living in the Pavilion as well... always compete.

p/s: I would rather be a simple kbguy..

University Tenaga Nasional

During my 1 night stay at the Residence Hotel, Uniten, I managed to take a few photos around the campus.
One of my favourite spot is around the lake just behind Residence Hotel. From there, you can have pictorial view of Residence Hotel, the mosque, the hostel, part of the colleges and of course the lake itself.

If you intent to visit Uniten,you can take the KTM commuter from KL Sentral to Serdang. From Serdang, you have to take a taxi which charged a standard rate of RM10.00 per taxi. They will sent you straight to Uniten.
And if you intent to sleep in the campus, you can put up at Residence Hotel. They are charging RM195.00 nett for a deluxe room. I find it very expensive as they don't offer much facilities nor any nice interior decoration at all. Surprisingly, they are always fully booked.
Uniten is a very peaceful place. You don't see much traffic near and around the campus. You see a lot of green and ideally for students as they are not very congested or polluted. My only dislike is that, there is no public transport to the nearest township except only by taxi.

To those who come from a far places like Kelantan, Uniten is like a home near the city.