Taking A Break For Great Wall Of China !

I am taking a short break for almost 2 weeks for my Great Wall China Tour begin this June and I'll be back with more photos for posting. With 2 cameras in hand and 14 gigabyte of memory space, that will keep my time occupy travelling solo and lots and lots of stuffs to post about after my return. For the time being, kindly browse around my previous post and I hope you'll enjoy watching them. Do drop me a line at the 'comment' if you happen to drop by, so that I will know. Or you can also visit my photo blog at Sri Kebakat. I will be back soon.

And here is a lovely flower to accompany your day. Thanks for dropping by..

Closer To Great Wall..

Photo from tour-beijing.com

I was thinking of dropping the idea of touring overseas after the spread of swine flu H1N1 world wide for some period of time, but after reconsidering the tickets I've already bought, I might as well go ahead with my plans but to take precautionary measures where necessary, such as wearing mask in crowded areas.

This will be my first time going for a holiday on a solo basics after I got attached. So the feeling of guilt and reluctant does mingle in my mind, although I have to accept the fact that the kids have grown up and I have to make use to it and be prepare to do everything on my own just like during my bachelorhood days or at least with my other half.

Going on a photography-solo tour independently to the Great Wall Of China is one of my wish since a very long time ago. This time I am going to make it happened !

And here are my tour itinerary:

Day 1 - Depart KB - KLIA (LCCT) @ 11.35 pm (Fare RM31.50)

Arrive 11.30 pm

Over night at Tune Hotels.com @ RM16.18 / night

Day 2 - Depart KLIA (LCCT) - Tianjin Binhai Int. Hotel @ 8.30 am (Fare RM336.50)

Arrive 2.35 pm

Proceed to Beijing by Express Train / Bus which ever convenient

Overnight at Youth Hostel @ RMB100 /bed (8 beds per dorm)

Free and Easy.

Day 3 - 7 am - Break fast on my own

8.30 am Tour Badaling Great Wall and Ming Tombs by tour-beijing.com

Evening - Free and Easy

Day 4 - 7 am - Break fast on my own

8.30 am Tour Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden city, Temple of Heaven and Summer

Pallace by tour-beijing.com

Day 5 - Visit Xicheng District

Places of Interest - Hutong Travel, Beihai Park, Gong Palace Garden and Beijing Zoo.

Day 6 - Visit Mutianyu Great Wall Of China on solo climb.

Haidian District - Beijing University, Botanical Garden, CCTV, Beijing Film Travel City

Evening - Beijing Kungfu Night Show @ Chongwen District

Day 7 - Proceed to Tianjing

Day 8 - Tianjing, Free and Easy.

Depart Tianjin Binhai Int Airport @ 3.50 pm (Fare RM336.50). Arrive @ 10.05 pm

Overnight at Tune Hotel.com at RM31.00 per night

Day 9 - Deapart KLIA (KLCT) at 7.30 am (Fare: RM31.00)

Arrive @ 8.25 am. Proceed to Office for Work !

Total Flight Fare by Airasia : RM 735.00

Tune Hotel.com 2 Nights Accommodation: RM62.00

Budgeted Accommodation in China: RM600.00

Budgeted Meals: RM 10.00 per meal x 3 meals per day x 9 days = RM270.00

Entrance Fees and Transportation: Budget RM300.00

Total Budget For Flight, Tours, Accommodation and Food : RM1,967.00

My advice to those who are looking for cheap tours, go for package guided tours. Very likely is that you get a cheaper package with a tour guide, accommodation, meals and entrance fees to tourist spot with shorter stay.

The difference is that I stay longer, the price include flight from my home based and I get more coverage and travel at my own sweet time, without strict schedule.

Most importantly is that I can take photos on my own sweet time and the lesson and the adventure I am going to experience while I am capable. Learning the language and the city on my own and the experience is something I am unable to set the price will sure last a life time for sure..

Wat Pathumvihara, Kg. Balai, bachok, Kelantan

Not far from Wat Phothikyam Phutthaktham is Wat Pathumvihara, which is about a stone throw. This Siamese Temple is not as popular as Wat Phothikyam Phutthaktham and is only visited by the regulars. I personally have not know much about this temple as well even though it is so close by to the 'Dragon Temple'. I only visited the temple a couple of times.
For tourist, when visiting the 'Dragon Temple', I do suggest you do drop by this temple as well as they also have much to offer especially it's ancient architecture which is still been maintained.
Most of the design in this temple is still very traditional even though some new designs has been introduced. However, since the temple is still short of funds, a few blocks of buildings constructed half way long time ago has been prolonged.
The above is one block which is of a typical old design of a Siamese temple which is hardly seen now a days.

Above: The front portion of the wall which is uncomplete due to lack of funds.

Above: The uncompleted building of the temple facing the main entrance.

For more details on donations to the building funds of the above temple, kindly double click on the above photo to get an enlargement.

Wat Phothikyan Phutthaktham

Wat Phothikyam Phutthaktham at Kampung Balai, Bachok, Kelantan is one of the famous Siamese temple in Kelantan. Among the locals, it is usually called Wat Balai or the Dragon Temple as the entrance to the temple has a pair of dragon.
The actual temple about 20 years ago was a simple traditional house make of wood. It was said until a Thai Buddhist came to settle over there, and start to organize various activities during festive celebrations to collect funds through donations and charity drive from the public until the temple is what it is today.
As at now, it is a tourist attraction in Kelantan. And many people of different races and places come here for it's traditional herbal steam treatment which is open to all with minimum payment via donations.

Photo: Entrance to the temple
Photo: Statue Of The Buddha
Photo: the wishing tree

Photo: the interior in one of the temple

Today's Flower

Today's Flowers are photos I took from my garden. Still trying to get use with my Zoom lens.

Still in The Mix Feeling Even At ..

At 11.35 am today, I will be 1 year wiser. Without seeing the numbers and the mirror, I just feel as great as I was 30 years ago. Still happy, free and easy whilst most of my kids have grown up or growing up. Even though I am still responsible for them financially and morally educate them, it is not as tough as during their infant age time or during their primary school times. At least they know where to look for their own food. But at this age too, I have to admit sometimes I do feel lonely as the kids starts to leave home for further studies.
My ex-classmates and school mates used to tease ourselves saying you don't feel old until you see each other. And the younger generations address us as Uncle instead of Brother.
It's really scary if we looks at the numbers. And what worry me most is our health as the number gets bigger. Our body system starts to move slower and slower, even though our heart and mind never change. And our body parts begin to deteriorate, just like a machine. Sometimes I tell myself, we are like cars. We are lucky if God gave us quality parts and better organs like a Benz. And if we gets a Proton body parts, that very unfortunate. They are good when new but starts to give problem when aged. We really cannot get away from it. Some day, the car will become a scrap !
Before I pen off to enjoy myself, I would like to wish myself 'Happy 48Th Birthday !' and hope God will grant me more happy and wonderful years to come, Prosperity, Good Health and etc. etc. etc.
Have to go take my shower, brush my teeth, wear something nice and start kicking and.... go to work soon. Bye !

Kok Seraya Buddhist Temple

Located at the other side of Kelantan, Kok Seraya Buddhist Temple or also called Wat Kok Seraya by the local Siamese, the temple is easily accessible and known by almost everybody in Tumpat as the name of the temple is obtained from the name of it's village Kok Seraya. If you are driving from Kota Bharu / Wakaf Bharu to Pengkalan Kubur, you have to take a turn on the left when you reached the traffic light at Cabang Empat Tok Mek Goh. The temple is about 5 kilometres on the left.
Occasionally they have celebration and festivals but you have to check with the temple first. Besides that, the temple is normally very quiet and peaceful. Worth a visit as there are other temples as well at the surrounding Tumpat area.

They also have a statue of a standing Goddess Of Mercy. If I'm not mistaken, this is the second highest standing statue of Goddess Of Mercy in Kelantan after the one in Wat Balai, Bachok. I will blog about that at a later time.

Recalling Back My Oversea Trips - China

Ever since the kids left for further studies at the city, we seldom get the opportunities to travel together. Their semester break and school holidays are different. The boys are in the private University and our daughter is still studying at a national type school. So during the end of last year, my wife, daughter and me decided to take a tour package to China which covers Shanghai, Wuxi, Suzhou, Nanjing and Hangzhou.

Photo of our tour guide who play host during our China tour.

It was a guided tour. Everything was prearranged, as such I don't really have to surf the Internet for much information. It was during the winter season. The moment we check out at Pu'dong International Airport in Shanghai, it was the tour guide who takes over all the handling, hospitality, services and worries which I use to have as an independent traveller.

Photo of the Sales presentation for the Dragon Green Tea at a factory in Hangzhou.

In February 2009, I make a second trip with my twin boys. This time we flew to Hangzhou and visited Shanghai by D-Train. It was an independent tour, during the late winter. It was during my first trip to China that I really fall for Hangzhou for it's beautiful scenery and cold weather. As such I make a come back within such a short period. Prior to that, I have never heard nor read any articles about Hangzhou at all.
Than, since my return till today, I came across many articles and write up about Hangzhou in our local magazines and news papers. Most of their articles and photos were taken from the Internet.

Photo of a scroll painter in a restaurant, Hangzhou

If I ever have the opportunities and enough saving, I would love to go back to Hangzhou during winter for another visit.

Photo of ladies sorting cotton balls in Hangzhou

But the actual place under my wish list in China is Beijing, and it still is. Great Wall of China is my dream place. I have been asked many times over and over again about visiting other countries, but I have no intention or plans at all. Not until I visit Beijing. The reason why I went for my Shanghai Tour (Shanghai, Wuxi, Suzhou, Nanjing and Hangzhou) is because it was within my affordable range at that time.

Photo of a Glass Painting Artist in Nanjing

With full of hopes in my mind, I know I will visit the Great Wall in Beijing very soon...

For more stories about my recent China trip, please click 'here' and 'here'.

Recalling Back My Oversea Trips - Vietnam

Photo of shops in HaNoi, Vietnam

Thailand is the most traveled overseas trip I have ever being. Not because of what you male fellow Malaysian or Singaporean would think off, I used to go there because my cousins are Thai, and besides Thailand is so near to my place, especially Sg. Kolok. I drove to Sg. Kolok to Hadyai and Yala, fly to Phuket, and by train to Bangkok, Cheang Mai and by van to Cheang Rai.
I stopped going into Thailand since it's political situation getting unstable with many bomb blast at the Southern Thailand since 6 years ago.
And my second most frequent country is Singapore. It's because my former work requires me to travel there and also my liking towards the clean city. However due to it's currency exchange unfavoured us Malaysian, I can't afford to go there often anymore. Moreover, we have better exchange rates over other Asian countries, and standard of living which is at par as Malaysia. Anyway those two countries was during the past. It wasn't during my digital era, so I have no digital photos of them to show off.
My real digital era started during my Vietnam tour after a long break from traveling overseas. I bought my first DSLR Canon EOS400D camera to bring along. I also brought the whole family along. And everyone was very happy and excited about it as it was their first long distance trip by airasia, especially to country which is foreign to us in kind of language and culture.

Photo of HaLong Bay

Photo of hill tribes at Sapa, Vietnam

For more photos and details about my Vietnam visit, please click 'here', 'here'and 'here'.

Recalling Back My Overseas Trip - Bali

It was Batam Island which I started in Indonesia, by KTM train from Wakaf Bharu (east coast) to Johore Bharu (south), and then by ferry to Batam Island. It's one of the island in Sumatra's and the people are mostly Javanese. I didn't like the place at all because I feel unsecured as I immediately enter the country. That was more than ten years ago. From there onwards, I never thought of going back to any part of Indonesia.
Then it was the Korean mini series ' Memoir of Bali' aired by tv3 which was set in Bali, Indonesia prompted me the idea of going back to Indonesia. It came along with a company's offer as an incentives for those achieving it's sales target. I went all the way out to achieve the target. In fact I achieve 2 tickets, but instead offered 1 as the other ticket was given to someone else.
Bali is a totally different state from Batam Island although they are both in Indonesia. The Balinese are mostly Hindu's with rich culture and tradition plus many beautiful sight seeing to offer. Communication is not a problem as we are able to speak more or less the same Malay language, with slight difference. Beside beautiful scenery, Bali is also a Paradise for shoppers and those who enjoy entertainment and night life. There are many handicrafts, souvenirs and clothing offering at very cheap price. And besides, those who enjoy going to the pubs and Night clubs, there are plenty.
In overall, I will consider going to Bali again if airasia do offer cheap fares again. But this time I will bring the family along. But that will be after Yogyakarta..
For more of my Bali trip, please click 'here'.

Mushrooming Mushroom

I thought it was some dung left behind by some visiting animals over at my garden but it turn out to be wild mushrooms. Probably it was the rain for the last few days making the place dam and bright sunshine during the day causing these variety of mushrooms to grows rapidly all around. Some of them grows to as big as the size of a tennis ball.

My Butterfly

It's not easy to zoom over small little active creatures like birds and butterflies, especially with my shakie hands. But every time I see them flying in front of me as I step onto my garden, I can't resist not snapping any photos of them. They are there posting a position waiting for me to take their photos.
I took many photos of them especially this butterfly, but I just can't decide which one I should share it out. Instead, I end up posting most of them as I enjoy watching all these photos. I hope you'll enjoy watching them as much as I enjoy watching them too. Have a nice day !