MESILOU CAT'S VILLAGE

Hooray!!! We all can sleep now

Thank God!! Yesterday all the dengue unit staff were blessed, we were free from any activities related to work. There were no new dengue cases notified, thus there were no control activities needed. Finally, we had free time to chill. Last year, my family and I went to Kundasang, Sabah and we did cover some of the best attraction there. This time I spent my precious half-day strolling around Kundasang's most exciting places (sort of) with my friend. We went to the Memorial War Kundasang which he hasn't been before and experienced the beautiful picturesque while enjoying our milk yogurt at Desa Cattle Farm. The farm was full of tourists; I bet it was due to the long weekend holidays. I have visited both places before; there was not much change. 

The forbidden lover #differentbreed 😜

The cat princess

The cat prince

The grumpy antagonist 

Our last pit-stop was the newest attraction of Kundasang which is the Mesilou Cat's Village. The location is approximately 2.7 km and 11 minutes from the Desa Cattle Farm. Since the internet connection is good, we google the places. The biggest problem we encounter was after entering the junction to the main road to the sites. The road is not in good condition; there were few holes and a bit rocky. But if you own a 4x4 car, it shouldn't be a problem. The entrance fee was only RM5/person (adult), and the cost of cat food was RM2. There were more than ten fluffy cats inside the cat garden/playground. They were all cute, cuddly and cheeky. You can check their Facebook here. We ended our journey by experiencing the Mount Kinabalu view and bought some inexpensive local vegetables. 
p/ s: cat photos only😻

Me after Jalan-Jalan 😪

PAINTING, ANYONE? 

A Mess table

I remembered the last time I drew and painted when I was in secondary school. It was a long time ago, and the previous works aren't even near lovely. Below average. Back then it was fun to draw people in skeleton figure, simple scenery scene, and basic shapes. Although I didn't often use colors, a simple sketch was enough to represent the whole picture. I guess, Ha-ha. Honestly, I am terrible at painting (ago).

A few weeks ago, my special friend bought a Buncho brand of poster color and a set of brushes and gave me the thoughtful gift. Yesterday was the day I started using the painting tools. Without further knowledge of painting technique, I followed my imagination. Since I love purple and flowers, I painted a weird purple flora. It was satisfying and was a creative way to de-stress, even though the painting was just okay. Things got better when my BF and sister compliment my easy level painting was lovely. I am overwhelmed!!! I bet younger teenager can paint better than me. 

Purple flower with weird colors of leaves

Today, I painted a few simple artworks and it all when well. It is hard to paint perfectly as I am still an amateur. But I get a new hobby which is enjoyable and makes me happy. 

SHORT TRIP TO SIEM REAP CAMBODIA 

Recently, my friend and I have visited Siem Reap Cambodia for a short yet memorable trip. We did not cover all of the attraction places in Siem Reap, due to the limited length of stay. The unwind trip was on a wet season which is in the middle of August. During our arrival at the airport, the weather was slightly unpleasant, and on our way to the hostel, it rained heavily. However, over the next few days, it was pretty much cloudy and sometimes rainfall lightly. When it rained, especially in the countryside, the surrounding view was lush and greenery. The sight was wonderful. As usual, we preferred budget traveling, so we were also backpacking on this visit. 

Currency

In Siem Reap, the local accept Cambodian Riel and America dollar but most of the seller or service we had preferred USD as payment. The money balance is usually given in USD or Riel or mixture of both. It is crucial to check the condition of money every time accepting changes from the seller if the cash is torn or in a terrible state, ask the person to change it to good condition money, if not the next time you make a payment the next seller won't accept it. 

Language

Local Cambodian speak their native language among them. They also can speak basic English with tourist so it won't be a problem when it comes to communicating with the local.  

Transportation

At the airport, there is a transport service counter which provides transportation to the town using buses, taxi, car rent, or tuk-tuk. When visiting places in the heart of Siem Reap, it is best to use tuk-tuk as it is affordable, but sometimes the owner charge an expensive fee, and it is necessary to negotiate. Cheaper transportation such as renting a motorbike and bicycle also available, for an enjoyable and adventurous visit. For visiting places that require a long journey, it's recommended to rent a bus or car, but we picked a tour to the farthest location, so it was convenient.

Paddy fields

Foods
Cambodian local cuisine can be found everywhere from the restaurant, hotel or at the stalls in the night markets. The price can range below 5 USD or more; it depends on the specific choice of foods and venue (high to low end). We did try Amok fish which is one of Cambodia must have food. As an Asian, we love our rice, and the dish is complete with the main curry dishes, it was delicious. Wandering at the night markets in Cambodia is a fun way to chill and hunts delicacy. One fast food sold everywhere is the ice cream rolls or fried ice cream, it was fun to taste all the fruity flavor.

Fried Ice Cream can be found at Night Markets

Accommodation

Nowadays, it is easy to search for an excellent strategic location to stay in Siem Reap. When there so many apps that can work wonder on finding the perfect spot of stay, it is just a click away. Our choice of temporary home at Siem Reap was at the hostel because the rate was cheaper than any other staycation. I searched using Hostelworld and found that Onederz Hostel in Siem Reap has a good reputation. Most backpackers traveler suggest staying at the hostel due to its strategic location which is near to places of interest such as night markets, pub street, and a few famous restaurants. Honestly, our stay was excellent, the staff was friendly, the hostel environment was warmth, the surrounding is clean, and there are no things that irritate or annoy me during staying at Onederz. Thumb up!!!

Visited places

Trek Phnom Kulen Waterfall Day Tour
I booked this tour from Klook which costed RM142/person. We joined a tour. The tour includes the visitation to the River of a Thousand Lingas, the Reclining Buddha, and the Phnom Kulen Waterfall. The journey from the heart of Siem Reap to the thick forest took us about two and a half hours. It was so refreshing to enjoy the villages surrounding and viewed the greenery of paddy fields on our journey. Things that impressed me the most on tour was the view of the waterfall. It was magnificent.    

The view from the top of the Reclining Buddha

The Majestic Phnom Kulen Waterfall

Breathtaking!!!!

PHARE The Cambodian Circus
The show is one of the most recommended activities in many blog and reviews I read. Through Klook, I booked the ticket and costed RM75/person. I can't remember when was the first time I went to the circus, I guess this was the first time, and overall the show was fantastic, funny and exciting. We laughed and clapped most of the hilarious parts and turn emotional on some of the humorless scenes. You must see it to believe it. Recommended!!! 

Angkor Wat 1-Day-Pass
The magnificent remnant of Angkor Wat named one of the wonders of the world. All traveler from all around the world came here to visit this ancient site. We did not join any tour but rent a tuk-tuk. Our journey starts as early at 4.30 am, we went to the ticket counter and bought the one day pass ticket for 37 USD. Thankfully, the counter service opens earlier. We waited for the sunrise. Unfortunately, that morning the clouds were so cloudy, and we can't enjoy the sunrise view. We visited four temples which are the Angkor Wat temple, the Bayon temple, the Bantrey Sei temple and the Ta Phrom Temple. I am speechless in a right way, how did the ancient people build the temples with so many details on the wall. Even the walls made from big rock, it was not easy to craft or even transfer it. 

The Bayon Temple

The children with their traditional Cambodian custom

Angkor Wat Temple

Night Markets
Our hostel is near to the Angkor Wat night market, the Old night market, the Art Centre night market and the Pub Street. We can walk to all of this place. Everything sold here from small keychain to big painted canvas. 

One of Siem Reap Night Market

The famous street at night

Since we only have exactly two and a half days, we make most of our time to experienced Siem Reap. It was a brief but meaningful trip. Besides the jealousy weather, everything was enjoyable. The local people were friendly, always cheerful with their smile and helpful. We learned the country darkest history and how locals back then suffer so much to thrive to survive under the cruel regime Khmer Rouge. Millions were dead in that era, and many survivors are still haunted and try to heal from past event.  One of the reasons I love to travel is to learn the people history, culture and visiting their attraction places. Knowing so much about them makes me thankful for what I have and be humble. 

THE GETAWAY: GENTING HIGHLANDS + BUKIT TINGGI

Recently, I applied on leave for almost three weeks to attend my final exam at Uitm Puncak Alam, Selangor. I had three papers for 3 hours credit. Phew!! Fortunately, the exam gap for each was around four days. After the second paper, my friends and I managed to sneak a getaway during the gap. I needed to de-stress myself. Since we have never been to Genting Highland and Colmar Bukit Tinggi, we chose that destination for a day break. 

Our first stop was the Strawberry Garden which was heading in the same direction to the Genting Highland peak, nestled directly at town opposite the Mawar and Bunga Raya Apartments. It is recommended to use apps such as Waze or google maps to find this place if you are using your car. But if you are going by taxi and on tour, you do not have to worry, let the drivers do their job. Hehe. It takes around 45 minutes driving from Kuala Lumpur to the garden. The entrance fee for an adult is RM 16.00, and the price for children is only RM 12.00. The cost was a bit pricey. Inside the strawberry farm, we can pick our strawberry. The staff prepares a small basket and scissor just outside the fence. Every 100 gm of red berry cost RM8.00, but you can have more. Adjoining of the strawberry garden is the lavender garden. The lavender garden not only consists of lavender but also other flowers, such as roses, sunflower and other flowers which I can not remember its scientific name. It was a pretty scenery. O ya!! The staff offer photoshoot for a family or personal picture but I did not ask them how much is the cost. Inside the areas, there were few shop selling foods, drinks, souvenirs and other stuff. Overall the inside is beautiful.

Strawberries close-up

Lavender Garden

Other flowers at Lavender Garden

Beautiful purple flower

We then went to the Awana Skyway Station, rode a glass cable car which cost us RM 66/person (return). The cost is different for different types of cable car; if you take the non-glass floor cable car, the price is way lower than the glass floor one. We chose the transparent floor because we want to experience the environment and also the thrill. The 2.8 km rides take us up to the peak station about less than 10 minutes. At the peak, we only went to the Skyavenue mall. Unfortunately, the theme park was not yet complete and still under renovation. We did not stay long there because I started to feel sick. I had a minor headache, probably due to the altitude. Overall the experience of riding a cable car was incredible; you can see things directly from the cable car floor. Thank goodness I am not acrophobia.

The view from our cable car

The view of Chin Swee Temple

The journey to the Colmar Bukit Tinggi from the Genting Highland is estimated at an hour and a half. The entrance ticket at the first entrance. The ticket cost was only RM14.00/person (adult). There are many activities offered inside the area such as paintball, wall climbing, canopy walk, ATV drive, visiting the Japanese Village and the Colmar. I remember that specific activities do require additional fees. Gladly, we only went to the inside Colmar building and the Japanese Village which did not require us to pay an extra charge. The Colmar building is lovely. I felt that I was in a different place. There are several shops, restaurants and small stalls inside the building areas. Next, we went to the Japanese Village which is a few kilometers from the Colmar. We have to climb the hill first before reaching our destination. The environment is pleasant, there a lot of greenery but the areas specifically the Japanese Village is not bigger than I imagine. Probably because of the crowds. Renting a kimono is available at the Japanese House; the cost is only RM 20.00 for taking photos both indoor and outdoor for just 10 minutes. We had to try the attire too. Haha. Everything was going well, and the experience was worth it. 

The Swan and the castle

Shops inside the Colmar areas

Japanese Village wood board

The house of a Japanese village and the crowds in their kimono

A pink Kimono for a beautiful day

The scene in the village, a filter was added

1 MORE SEMESTER 

Phew!! I completed my semester 6 examination yesterday. I think I did quite well. In overall, this semester the subject was okay. We have 5 subjects, but only 3 have exams. Since the gap for each paper is long about two to three days, I did have enough time to do my last minute revision. For your knowledge, I enrolled at UiTM Puncak Alam in September 2015 as a part-time student. I am taking a bachelor on Environmental health and safety (Hons) which is suitable for my current job profession. My goals are to get a higher level of education to boost my knowledge and learn new things every day.

Next September will be my last semester, I am anxious and excited at the same time, I cannot wait to complete this journey. This coming semester will be different from the rest of the semester. Most of our time will be in the field conducting our projects and doing attachments in an industrial company. 

Since I am both working and studying, honestly it is not an easy task to balance between those fields. Most of the time I felt that I was drained of energy and sometimes depressed. Thankfully, good motivation comes in handy when negativity tried to seep into my brain. I always try to calm myself first, doing things that I love such as enjoying music, write a journal (all is out) and have a walk in nature. Also, I love chit-chatting with a good friend talking about the matter.

I guess the most important things to do is prioritize the to-do-list. Try writing all the to-do-lists that we need to accomplish in days, weeks and month. Doing so, the essential and urgent tasks are prioritized first before the rest of the lists. Jotting down things is also important so that it can see our progress every day and it will easy to remember to check on our daily tasks. Just take small effort every day and eventually, the works will be done before the due date.