MY GRUMBLINGS ANSWERED?

Hi, I am back, but first, was a little upset, no very upset upon receiving text from my friend yesterday saying that Air Asia X has suspended flights to Christchurch, New Zealand effective 1 June 2012.

Our group of 9 has been planning for the 2 weeks trip to the land of Kiwi for ages, all our itineraries have been prepared and now will not take place after all?  Disappointed and angry and text messages, emails, FB messages kept flying amongst us on what to do next.  Some opted for the refund, some proposed other destinations.  I was saying, no I do not want a refund, I do not want another destination!  A couple of my friends agreed.

Our scheduled flight is in September 2012 and the impatient kid in me was always  grumbling that September seems such a looong way to go.  But then at least there was something to look forward to and time to save more $$. We were supposed to travel cheap, stay at backpackers, rent a car and drive around to some places on the South Island before flying to Auckland and explore some places on the North Island.    So what now?

After a lengthy discussion, we, three of us  thought,  perhaps we could go earlier, say April and come back early May?  Any later than that would be impossible as we would be busy with the preparations of the State Level Harvest Festival celebrations. 

My friend Teri, bless her, camped at the Air Asia office today and tried requesting for such flights.  As of now, our flight to Christchurch on 27th April is confirmed but still pending confirmation for the return flight.   Now keeping my fingers and toes crossed.!!

It would be autumn there and pictures taken by friends who have been there before is enough to convince me that NZ 's colours during those times couldn't be more beautiful.  

No, I won't say my grumblings have been answered until we complete the trip.  

  
(Excerpt of Air Asia X Press Release taken from News & Events )
 

AIRASIA X TO SUSPEND SERVICES TO CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND

The realignment of its network leads long-haul, low-cost carrier to focus on core markets

KUALA LUMPUR, 12 March 2012 – AirAsia X, the long-haul, low fare affiliate of AirAsia, today announced the suspension of its services to Christchurch, New Zealand as part of the realignment of its network to focus on its core markets. 

The current four times weekly flights between Kuala Lumpur and Christchurch will be suspended with the last flight on 30 May, 2012 (from Kuala Lumpur) and 31 May, 2012 (from Christchurch).

AirAsia X will offer guests who hold bookings after these dates an option of a full refund, a reroute to another AirAsia X destination (e.g. Australia to Kuala Lumpur or Kuala Lumpur to North Asia), or a rebook of a return flight prior to 31 May, 2012. All changes will be made at no additional cost to mitigate the inconvenience caused as a result of the withdrawal. All affected guests will receive an e-mail stating the available options.

The suspension of Christchurch, New Zealand is a move made subsequent to the airline’s suspension of its European and Indian routes early this year to improve operating cost efficiencies and concentrate capacity in AirAsia X core markets of Australia, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Iran.

TOMORROW, PASSING OF ANOTHER MILESTONE...

Here is my favourite quote about age:

"Some people no matter how old they get, never lose their beauty... they merely move it from their face to their hearts"..... ~ Martin Buxbaum   

..but nuff said..

... (an old post, revived)..

 ... taken about two weeks today... yes darlings, I adjusted the colours to hide my sins..hehehe..

"I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometimes despair over my body, the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt. And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror (who looks like my mother!), but I don't agonize over those things for long.

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.

I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 am and sleep until noon?

I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ..... I will.

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.

They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, I like being old. (yeah really!) It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day. (If I feel like it) …

(Psstt... any of you out there wants a share of credit for this article, be my guest.
 I have, as it resonates well with me..hahaha.) 

A CRUISE ON THE TERATAK RIVERSIDE, AN EXPERIENCE

As the Organizing Committee responsible for organizing events for the Sabah State Level Unduk Ngadau, I together with 11 other hardworking committee endeavored to choose an activity worthy of the crowned Unduk Ngadau 2011, Miss Bo Tiza.  Part of her obligations during her reign is to carry out Charity Works and also as Ambassadress for local tourism. 

 Camwhoring at our meeting place, Hongkod Koisaan KDCA, Penampang, 

while waiting for the rest..

 the reigning queen UN2011

..that's Teratak River

For those who have no idea what an Unduk Ngadau is, it is a title bestowed upon the lady that symbolises Huminodun, the mythical princess of the Kadazan legend.  This princess was known for her great beauty, kindness, humility and above all courage when she offered herself to be sacrificed to save mankind who were experiencing a great famine once upon a time. In short, Unduk Ngadau, the soul or who morphed from Huminodun is the ultimate symbol of perfection and purity.

She is immortalized every year during the Harvest Festival Celebrations in Sabah where more than 41 girls from all over the state of Sabah compete to acquire this coveted crown. She would reign for one year and is expected to perform Charity Works amongst others and also to promote specific local tourist destinations.  

We wanted somewhere exotic for her and so identified a Cruise on the Teratak River Side which we understood to be gazetted under birds sanctuary reserves and so an ideal environment for some of the best wildlife.

Sunday, 26th February 2012, on a chartered van,  we set out on the 2-hour journey to that popular tourist destination located some 120 km from Kota Kinabalu. The Teratak river is one of the smaller swampy rivers located in the Garama wetlands in Beaufort.

 

  ..briefing..

Below: Pic courtesy of Frolyn Peter Pansi

 Can you spot me?..

Upon our arrival, we were served with refreshments before we took the boat ride to witness the wildlife - proboscis monkeys and various kinds of birds.  At first, the monkeys were elusive and after a long ride along the scenic river, the guide stopped the boat and pointed to a large tree and lo and behold! A family of beautiful proboscis monkeys.  The guide laughingly told us that they refer to these monkeys as the 'David Beckhams' ..hahaha.. I don't know why.

They were a bit too far for the naked eyes, but I managed to zoom a couple of them but of course my amateur skills still very apparent.  We were also brought to a place where the migrating birds, I think the Great White Egret sleep for the night.  There were thousands of them just perched on the trees looking like white flowers or fruits from a distance.

Towards dusk, we returned to the jetty for dinner before the guide brought us out again in a bigger boat to witness the most beautiful  'Christmas Trees' lighted by millions of Fireflies.  They were a sight to behold. It was a pity we wee not equipped with a proper camera and so was not able to capture the glorious images!

above: Joanna Kitingan (left) and Yours Truly.

(Pic courtesy of Joanna's handphone. Hmm.. so which one of you ladies took this pic?  :) and why am I asking? .. because I wanna thank you..lol )

 

The elusive proboscis monkey aka the 'Dutchman of Borneo'.

This is a 'she' identified with its short nose. The male of which we did not have the luxury to see as it was too far has longer nose.

I may be wrong, but the birds look like they are the Great White Egret...getting ready for their night.

 

  

Glorious sunset..

(Pic courtesy of Joanna Kitingan)

 

the lovely Miss Bo Tiza, UNK 2011.

 She is also a Tourism Management student in one of the local colleges in Kota Kinabalu

Our most able Chairlady..

Puan Jornah Mozihim

To sum up...

 Quote by Puan Joanna Kitingan "What a lovely day we had! A beautiful weather with a beautiful sunset in the wetlands, saw several 'monyet bangkatan', lots of migrating birds, lovely, yummy crab dinner and end up with flickering Xmas trees of fireflies!" Unquote

For more of Teratak River Side Cruise, please visit their website:

http://www.teratakklias.com/

Even the Most Beautiful Days Eventually Have their Sunsets..

That's the way it is with life, as some of the most beautiful days come completely by chance. But even the most beautiful days eventually have their sunsets...

A PHOTOGRAPHER'S QUOTE THAT MADE ME THINK.. hmm

Quote  “ a scene being labeled as ‘pretty’ alone is not sufficient reason to take a picture. It surely is reason enough to stop for a moment and enjoy the beauty of life. Just that ‘beautiful scene’ doesn’t always equal ‘beautiful picture’… “ Unquote..

Seascape Series Jan 2012

Location: Sutera Habour Beach, Kota Kinabalu

THAT MADE ME SMILE TODAY...

Aren't some of us guilty of this sometimes?

Found this on Sabah's local paper today and it made me smile..

Thanks Langkawit for putting humour into our lives... :)

Daddy: "If I strike the 4D, we will buy lots and lots of durian , okay son?"



QUEEN OF FLOWERS..

Truly She is the queen of flowers,

Yes, the lovely Rose will always bloom,

And be the reason for thousand smiles...

Such a beautiful rose

that darkens the light of the sun

it dreams of being a star

although being so beautiful

little usually lasts…

I was at a wedding recently, my niece to be exact, and apart from admiring the couple... the oh so young and a beautiful couple, I kept admiring at the gorgeous flower arangement, decor and of course the bouquet. I don't know who started it first, but half way through the reception, while some guests were still drinking, dancing and merrymaking, I noticed that the lovely white roses somewhat kept getting lesser and what was left were clumps of leaves and vines. Heyyy, you guys, please lah, can't you wait till the reception is over!! Not to be outdone, I looked around, found one, quickly grabbed it...well, if you can't win them, join them hahaha...me guilty as charged!!

 Knowing the life span of roses are short, decided to 'immortalize' them, and time stood still for these beautiful Queen of Flowers... thru' my lens...

Cheers!!