Holiday in DownUnder and Middle Earth

It has been ages since I updated my blog.I was on holiday with family to Australia and New Zealand from 24 July to 4 August 08.This is the first trip for sophie to down under and a first for all of us to Middle Earth. We started our journey in Gold Coast, Brisbane for 4 days. We arrived just around noon, took our rented car and off to 45 minutes journey to Courtyard Marriot right smack at the center of Surfer Paradise in Gold Coast. Freshen up then headed to Pacific Fair shopping center to buy some winter clothing for our trip to NZ. The weather in Gold Coast somewhat cold around 12-18 degrees and of coz the kids have to wear their warm clothes.

At Surfers Paradise. Both me and wife kindda 'kebal'

Next day we off to MovieWorld just 15 minutes out of Gold Coast.Had a wonderful time there. The kids really enjoyed themselves particularly Izkey driving a toy car and of coz the carrousel. Weather was kind to us unlike previous day with severe cold rain. We suppose to go to Wet n Wild the next day but I made the right decision not to as the weather is quit cold for the kids.So we just stroll around in Surfers Paradise and did some shopping. This is the last night I went to Jupiter Casino and won AUD 700…hehehe…thanks Ausies for sponsoring my shopping spree.

At the Movie World, Gold Coast

On Sunday morning we headed to Christchurch in South Islands. We decided to visit only cities in South Islands due to time constrain and of coz financially constrain. We slept one night in Christchurch as I have to have a good rest the next day for 6 hours drive to Wanaka. So early in the morning around 9am we off to Wanaka and arrived around 4.30pm. The drives was damn marvelous.I took my time driving as im enjoying the beautiful scenery of mountains, creeks and lakes. Took a lot of pictures. Next day off to the objectives of our holiday, skiing. We went to Cadrona Ski Resort just 30 mins drive from Wanaka. Me and Izkey opted for ski lessons for beginner while we sent sophie to babysitter center…hehehehe…sian diaa…anyway she behave herself though. So off for ski lessons and then suddenly Izkey was like hysterically crying.Haiya..nevermind, Ween was there to comfort him and I concentrated learning how to ski.Saw in tv, skiing is a piece of cake.How wrong I was.Its damn difficult man!But I really enjoyed myself trying something new.One thing I hate going to these places is the snow chains.Really hate it trying to put it right. Then headed back to Wanaka for rest and next day off we went to Queenstown.I opted to use a longer road rather to go through Crown Range road as they required a snow chains for 2W …duhhhh!!!

In front of Lake Tekapo in Wanaka. At the back, our rented car, Toyota Aurion

Izkey trying to ski

Learning to ski.I forgot my instructor name but i know he's French

Arrived in Queenstown somewhere in the noon. Straight went to Gondola ride then checked in at Blue Lodge. At night again we rode the gondola for Kiwi Haka show.Good show though.Ween participated on stage doing ‘puoi’.Its kindda like a ball with a string and u used it to whack people put cold…hehehehe.next day we just had quiet and relax day strolling around the town and took many beautiful pics. I need a good rest as tomorrow we headed to Dunedin.

On top of observatory in Queenstown.Behind us is Lake Wakatipu

Peace!!!Behid is the town of Cromwell.

After 4 hours journey, we arrived in the port city Dunedin in evening.Next day we went to Cadbury Chocolate factory.It is a must for every visitors to visit the factory. Had a nice tour and bought a lot of chocolates.Then we off to Otago Peninsula which ended us in Larnach Castle….uhahaha…eeeee….Haunted Mansion…hehehe.The road to the Peninsula was close so we were diverted to this castle.It was nice though with garden and all and antiques. At night I found myself vomiting coanstantly till midnight.Cant handle it, went to the emergency at hospital and guess what… YOUR WAITING SESSION WOULD BE 3-4 HOURS…what the fuck!!!Are u fucking kidding me!!Im like vomiting like hell and need urgent attention and u want me to wait.Fuck Off!!And whats more there are no private clinic around town just like Klinik Ahmad ke Klinik Famili in Malaysia. Back to motel and tried sleeping.Woke around 8 am and went back to the area.There are only one private clinic in Dunedin that’s open on Sunday and went there.Saw doc and took medicine then drove off back to Christchurch.

My angels in front of oldest buiding in Dunedin, the Railway Station

Ween drove all the way to Christchurch as I am doze off in backseats with the kids.Then suddenly I felt ok again.Took the steering and speed like hell to Christchurch. At night we had our last dinner at Robbie’s.Ate large lamb shank so as Ween. Next day we off back to for one night in Brisbane before heading back to Port Moresby. Wonderful holiday despite a stomach setback in Dunedin.

Cheers

YB Izkey

We decided to donate all the balloons from sophie's birthday to children at the 4 mile area. The kindergarten class was conducted by Wendy, Gana's daughter right in front of their house. Izkey were instrumental and of course sophie obliged to it in giving out all the balloons to the kids.The kids sang a song for Izkey n Sophie and Izkey also participated in the games. I wasnt there for the vent but luckily my wife brought the camera and captured the precious moment.

Izkey with Arnold (Gana's youngest daughter)

Izkey and Wendy distributing balloons to the kids

Izkey particpating with the kids. Really enjoy himself

Most of the kids aged from 3-5. The class is kindda like informal kindergarten

Sophie's 1st Birthday party

Last Sunday 6 July 2008, me and wife organised a birthday party for our daughter sophie. She's now One year old. Her actual birthday is on the 7th on Monday. It was a good evening.Thanks to our dancing girls who help out with the decoration and blowing a lot of balloons, which I bought in KL (not many choices here though). Not so much help from my guards, Petrus and Edgar the night before with the balloons.Harap badan je besar si Petrus tuu. Izkey at the party kindda grumpy a little bit and look nice with his brand new tuxedo and Sophie with her princess dress.Both were bought by their grandmother (Wan) in KL.

My daughter Izween Sofea...soooo cute with dress

The girls came early for dancing practice and

ending up decorating my living room hehehe

Sophie's birthday cake.Same like Izkey during his first

birthday minus the Nemo picture. Time Izkey, gambar Superman

Just before blowing up the candle

At the party.Some of the guest arrived late after the cake cutting.

My angels posing with presents.Noticed Izkey holding the toy.

After that he sorok it in the kitchen hehehehe

Sophie with her presents

Our house

Our house in Tmn Sutera Kajang has entered a 'foundation stage' .It will take probably another 3-4 mths so to go to next stage.Completed construction of the house is expected at the end of next year.

Me right at front oh the 'house'

the construction site

Sunday picnic

Sunday, 22 Jun 2008, me and friends went for a picnic somewhere outside Port Moresby.I think at 14 mile. The place is just 10 minutes from Kumar's place and it is very private.The owner of the place only allowed certain people to picnic there.Kudos to Kumar. We had a great time.All those people age 40 plus behaved like they never play in water before.Macam budak-budak hehehe.Me only 31 of age mahh...so kira oklaa...izkey and sophie also take a dip.Best gilerr...everybody also brought some food and of course Newton's rendang kambing kena attack first. It was a great trip.....

Just arrived. Terus makan mahh.

Tak tunggu lama2.kang habis plaks hehehe

Semua terjun dalam sungai.Pastu main perang air.Kelakar giler tengok orang2 tua main air.Macam tak pernah main air...hehehe...release tension beb

Dah penat.Time to sleep and minum susu

Before we left the place.Amik gambar kenang-kenangan.
Truly Malaysian. Melayu,Cina, India semua ader

A day with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister

Last Tuesday, I attended an break ground ceremony of RH's Kina 1 billion Vision City project. Had a chat and ate with PM Sir Michale Somare and other cabinet ministers including Hon. Belden Namah and Hon. Patrick Pruaitch. Great discussion with PM sharing a joke on movies he watched on a plane just before he came to officiate the event. Talk also about various issues particularly on Malaysia's investment in PNG and also YB Datuk Peter Chin visit next month. Hon. Patrick Pruaitch, Minister for Treasury and Finance has agreed to co-host the investment seminar with YB Datuk Chin. Overall, it was a great event. Tan Sri Tiong, Chairman of RH also present and express gratitude to us for receiving him at the airport.

Me with PM Sir Michael Somare

With ladies from sing sing group.The oldest just 14 years of old and just next to me is 10 years old. This is their cultural attire and have a great 'admiration' for it.

Oil Price Comparison

Why Malaysia as oil producing nation raised by 78 cents to RM 2.70 last week? You make the judgement.....please do not compare our oil price with countries that imports oil!!! Below excerpts from our discussion in the RMC yahoogroups on the oil price.

Bab naik harga minyak ni, there are 2 things to consider.. first why is there a need to increase the price since Malaysia is a net oil and gas exporter? second, where does the money go to? The first question can be justified as to why there is a need to increase since oil and gas reserve in Malaysia will diminish in 20-30 years some say by 2011 some by 2032 depends who you talk to. So we should not waste it while we have it. But the second question is of more importance. Where does the money go to? Is the accounts of Petronas audited and can it be questioned in a public inquiry say in Parliament. The fact that the accounts are not made public leads to a lot of suspicion namely corruption. Is the Petronas money being used by certain high profile personalities in this country for their own benefit. The government says that it will be used for development, but how much of it actually goes back to the people and how much of it disappears along t he way as government procurement and tenders are bump-upped, when government pays over the odds. I hope someone can suggest to our MPs to make a public inquiry on Petronas books and accounts.

Reply from my friend

Din,

As someone who works in the oil and gas industry, the reason why we pay so much is because our crude is sweet meaning there is no Hidrogen sulfide or H2S and it is light which means it does not require much refining i,e can save more money on refining costs. Also, our crude is also exported to other countries at a very nice hefty price. Our govt then buys crude of a lower quality for the usage of the people. This is how the govt makes money. Sell high, buy cheap. Also, during Mahathir's era, he had signed a long term contract with the japanese and korean and the price of the oil was locked in so we have no choice but to continue providing our crude oil to them. We are losing money because of this. The whole reason why they say our oil is subsidised is because of this. RM0.30 cents konon. Oil producing countries like Irag, saudi arabia, Venezuela, Brunei and Nigeria charge anywhere from RM0.30 to RM1.35/litre to the people. The UMNOputras are certainly living like kings because of this revenue. If only the Rakyat of Malaysia were using our own crude, we would be paying a lot less. The market price is high so they would rather sell it to the open market before letting it benefit the people of Malaysia. One of the ministers asked why the Petronas accounts are not audited. I think we all know how corrupt our govt is. They would do anything to protect the big guns. What happens to the normal guys on the street like you and me have to suffer with the increasing price of consumables.

It's a shame we didn't get to use the indelible ink in this year's Pilihanraya Umum other wise we would have a different government leading us. We need to see different faces. All this NEP bullshit does not benefit you and me. Just a select few. Why do we need to maintain this Ketuanan Melayu belief? Because they need it to protect their interests. I still see a lot of poor malays in the perkampungan areas. The NEP has not benefitted them at all. We need Ketuanan Rakyat!

Why the hell do you think Badawi wanted Idris Jusoh to be the Menteri Besar in Terengganu? Because he was their puppet and BN could continue to use the Wang Ehsan which used to be the royalty money promised to the Terengganu state govt. That Wang Ehsan at today's price is worth about RM1 billion. That's a lot of money. Something for you guys to think about if you are so worried about the opposition taking over. Just ask yourself what has the BN govt done for you and your family. We are all Malaysians born in the same country. We are no different from each other yet we are treated differently. Our religions teaches us that everyone is equal and that we should respect each other. Haiyah Mohiuddin, you got me fired up again.

Julian