Langkawi Trip Day 1

22 Augt 2008

Finallly, the day to spoil ourselves and forget about work for a few days came. Went with Abg John to KLIA from the hotel where he lived. Met Ja Cha Cha, Pn. A, Pn. A hubby and the cute Wawa there. Abg John was really smitten by Wawa. She was sooo adorable!

Abg John and Wawa

Had teh tarik with the rest of the group while waiting for our time to depart. Such a lovely time, just chatted about nothing and laugh!

The same teh tarik place every time I am in KLIA!

Arrived at Langkawi at noon. Too bad about the weather, all rain and not very sunny...

Got off the plane. Too bad it was raining but we were still happy...

Got our luggage and all set to start our adventure!

Our happy faces

We all decided (Pn.A and I actually made the choice!) to rent a Renault Kangoo. Not at all pretty but good enough to fit all of us and our belongings.

Our rental car-Renault Kangoo. Ugly but practical...

First destination. Ofcourse to fill more gas into the hungry car. Why do all the rental car provider leave us ith only a bit of gas? What if we got lost and the closest gas station would be forever to get there?? Luckily, Langkawi is not a very big island. We managed to get to the gas station after going around for half an hour. Pn. A and I have been to this island once but that would be in 2006. We forgot the way totally. Hehe! Try to get a full map of Langkawi but unfortunately none was on sale!

Pn. A and hubby (our official driver for the trip!) trying to figure the way to our hotel

After asking direction from a local, and based on the very brief map given to us by the rental car company, we managed to get to Kg. Tok Senik hotel. Wow! Such a lovely place to live even for a few days. So very much like kampung la... I felt in love with the place instantly. So did Abg John and the rest of us.

Checking in at the hotel

My room layout and decors, which happened to be the biggest among the rooms that we rented! How lucky I was! Only if Pn. A knew about this, she might wanted the room for herself. Hehe!

Double bed and sofa? Awesome...

Dressing table and all the electrical devices provided..very pleasant service!

Abg John pleased with his room. His room was a bit smaller than mine but he had a nice balcony to enjoy the view. I was very glad that he liked everything about the hotel that I chose based on Ms ZZ recommendation. Thanks Ms ZZ!

Abg John was very happy with his room

And he had a very nice balcony to enjoy the view


It had been raining almost all day. But that did not change our vacation mood. Went straight to Kuah for our late lunch. Stopped at Wan Thai restaurant ( the only restaurant that I could remembered well) for food. Such a lovely restaurant that serves good Thai delicacies.

Wan Thai Restaurant-serving tasty Thai delicacies

Beautiful layout inside the restaurant

Interesting menu booklet

Both Ja Cha Cha and I had chicken fried rice which turned out to be fantastic especially the chicken!

Abg John chose chicken patpet. Spicy but nice


Pn. A opted for chicken paprik



And Pn. A hubby selected beef paprik.

We all shared a medium size bowl of chicken tomyam. Very tasty indeed!

Abg John even tried to steal a durian! I thought he would be fainted by the strong smell of the fruit. Apparently, he loves the smell and could not wait to taste the fruit!

We did some shopping at Idaman Suri and a few other shops. Then went to Eagle Square to appreciate the huge eagle statue with Abg John. This happened to be the first trip for Pn. A hubby and Ja Cha Cha and of course Abg John. They really enjoyed the trip!

The huge eagle statue

My 'nothing like titanic' pose. Abg John forced me to do it!

Abg John dreaming about taking all of us in one of the sailing boat. Apparently, he loves sailing and knows how to!

Such a scenic view

Had take away food for dinner. Everyone was still full after our late lunch. We ordered three different fried rice to go. We had drink while waiting and a bowl of ABC. Laksa Penarak restaurant is a bit small and the food was just so-so for me.

The list of food available..

Went to bed quite early after a brief chat with Abg John about tomorrow's plan. ZZZzzzzz....

Mdm Zett's Wedding Reception- Imperial Hotel KL 16 August 2008

Once again, Abg John and I were invited to Mdm Zett's and Mr. Hef's reception at Imperial Hotel KL. August 16, 2008 would never be forgotten as it marked one unforgetful history in both Abg John and my lives. But for the sake of the couple- Mdm Zett and Mr. Hef, we ignored our self control and embarassed ourselves in front of a lot of people!

The decoration of the reception hall was very impressive. The throne, chandelliers, flower pots, high table and everything else looked stunning!

Creamy and white throne-so wonderfully decorated. Simple, yet so lovely!

Lovelier when the King and Queen of the night were sitting on it!

Parade of the couple from their throne to the high table

Makan beradap at high table

Wedding cake-beautifully decorated

Lovely door gifts for guests

The food was lovely and tasty. Briyani rice and all other deliciously cooked stuff. Only that both Abg John and I could not really enjoyed it!

The reception menu. Everything sound tasty!

Prawn tomyam as our starter. Yummy but a bit hot for me.

Briyani rice with beef kelio, lamb kurma, red snapper sweet and sour, fried tiger prawn and mix vege. Very tasty!

Sago with manggo, top with thick coconut milk. Very2 yummy...

Abg John, Mr. Kim, Ja Cha Cha and I went to the hotel quite early but we got stuck in the KL traffic as Mr. Kim accidentally took the wrong turn. We arrived at the hotel around 8.15 pm. Luckily, we were not as late as we thought. Half of the guests turned up later than us.

Ja Cha Cha, Me, Abg John and Ms ZZ

Mr. Kim and Ja Cha Cha in their lovely dress

Ms Nisak turned up at the wedding too...

This night was not like any ordinary night. I had to confess. Both Abg John and I were really looking forward for this event but at the same time, we were a bit scared as we had an assignment that we had to carry out during the event. Suspense!! Yuuu......! All the butterflies in my stomach kept flying everywhere!!

All smiling but God knew what we felt inside!

They hired a professional band to do the singing to entertain guests through out the ceremony. This was where all my butterflies went hay'wire! You guys must be wondering by now what was the task given to Abg John and me. Here it was -We were asked to sing. Not one but two songs. Imagine that! It was not as we were not warned but the fact that we thought it would be some sort of karaoke style of singing, just for a few people, when most of the guests had left and meant just for fun. No..No...No. We were not even close! We were given instruction to be ready to go to the stage in the middle of our food. We had to sing in front of all the guests, 1000 of them including the honorary guests! Us, the scientists from Cambridge who had never done anything like this before in our lives. Good God! Bet you guys have no idea how weak my legs were. Felt like me dragging my feet all the way to the stage. I may looked all smiling but only God knew how nervous I was and my trembling legs! Abg John was supposed to play the acoustic guitar but unfortunately, the guitar didn't worked well. We ended up singing with the keyboard bro accompanied us with some music in D keys.

The professional band hired to entertain the guests

Abg John and I-not even the amateur singers

We sang two numbers - Killing me softly (the Carpenter) and Love me tender (Elvis Prestley). The crowd seemed to like our singing. We received a big hands when finished. Mr. Kim and Ja Cha Cha commented that we sang well like a pro. Wow! Unbelievable. Even Ms ZZ dad gave us a very constructive comment-presentable. And both Ms ZZ and her dad might request the same thing from both Abg John and I for her wedding. Well Abg John, looks like we have to practise more songs in between our experiments. We are not off the hook yet. Huk! Huk!

Abg John and I singing in front of the whole crowd! The first time ever in our lives!!


Us smiling while singing. God knew how hard it was to control my voice from trembling!

Aizat AF6 did a few songs too but unfortunately, there appeared to be some sound problem and he couldn't do more. Too bad Aizat, I was really looking forward to be entertained by a true singer...not like us the amateur!

Aizat AF6-the new up and rising singer

All went well that night. The couple was very lovely, as ever. The decoration and everything else was something to dream of. So beautifully organised. Congrats both Mdm Zett and Mr. Hef. A work well done. Don't be shy to be my wedding planner. Haha! God knows when that will be....

Me, Mr. Hef, Mdm Zett and Abg John after the ceremony ended

More kisses and hugs between best friends. I am soooo happy for her!

Mdm Zett's Wedding 1

The King and Queen of the night!

Both Mdm Zett and Mr. Hef looked very beautiful and dashing in their wedding wear.

August 15, 2008 marked a big history in Miss Zett's life. She's now a wife to Mr. Hef. She's Mdm Zett now! You're not single anymore Sis. Have to get use to the idea. Haha! Congratulation guys! Wish you both a very happy life and may you both sail through your new world smoothly...

They looked very happy. I'm very happy for them too...always!

Her wedding reception at her parents' house in KL was lovely. Abg John and I went there with Mr. Kim and Ja cha cha. Such a lovely night with so many guests around. The 'pelamin' was so lovely with red roses. The creamy and red combination worked wonderfully!

Here are some photos of the event to be shared :

Abg John and I with the newly wed couple

Cambridge's Girls with the bride. Not sure whose turn will be next!

Ja Cha Cha and Mr. Kim went to the wedding too..

Not forgetting my hugs full of love to my dearest friend..the bride

Have to say, through my observation, the wedding was well organised and full of glory. Check out the preparation...

The wedding 'pelamin'. Full of red roses, so romantic and lovely...

The bed...full of red roses too. Simple but lovely!

Bunga telur for guests. Red. Simple but very nice...

Wedding cake with the same color theme. Yummy!

Not forgetting the delicious food we ate. Wish I could ate more...

Finally, the marhaban group with their kompang, made the event more joyful!

Special entry for my sister

Allah the Al-Mighty has a very special way in dealing with my youngest sister's life. She has been ill for six years and went through the worst time ever in her life when the doctors said that she couldn't make it for long. Gosh! What a terrifying nightmare for all the members of my family! She was put in an induced comma and had a very slim chance of waking up. Yes, I am a true believer of faith and Allah has made me believe Him even more by giving my sister a second chance of living..... Alhamdulillah, syukur!

I flew back to Malaysia the same night that my younger sister texted me her latest condition. I am very grateful to have such a wonderful supervisor, Abang John for helping me to get an emergency flight to go back. God only knew what I felt at that particular moment. Every second was tormenting me...with all the horrible thought that I might not be able to see my sister for the last time...

My mom (right) with a few others waiting outside ICU KL. No room for relatives, have to use the corridor space..

Flew back in BA via Singapore and caught a MAS to KLIA. My brother was waiting for me at KLIA and took me to KJ and then to ICU HKL to see my sister. Most of my family members were there, waiting and praying for her. My mom was and still is the most incredible person in the earth. Still holding on tight to see my sister getting better. Being at her side every waking moment and her continuous prayers and support.. just to see her recovers and gets better.

My bro and me...our night turn at ICU HKL. Felt a bit like 'mangsa banjir'. Sleeping outside ICU!

John and I went to see her on Sunday, August 17th. She was transfered to a normal ward after her condition improved. She was very frail and still could not move. Only bones and skin left....But she was happy to see John and me.

John was giving my sister some kind words and support. Very nice of him....

My mom and sister in law sitting beside her for hours....

My CI sister, Mdm R briefing John about my sister's condition...

Later at night, I heard from my mom that her condition was getting worse again. A group of medical experts from IPR HKL came and studied her case. She was transfered to IPR on Saturday. The new place is very comfortable and spacious but the nurses do more zzzzzzzz than work! Poor mom has to do most of the tasks and takes care of my sis herself! That's not good....


Anyway, I would like to thank everyone..especially Abg John, Josh, Pn. A and all my friends in Unisel; my labmates in Genetics, Cambridge, my Cambridge's friends-Mdm Zett, Ms ZZ, Miss J; Mr. A ( an x-Cambridge) for all your kind words and support to get me through this sad moment. Only Allah can repay all your kind deeds...

What a full day!

Today started with me going to Pasar Tani with my sister in law to get all the ingredients to make curry noodles (this was all because of the 'too spicy' noodles at MB!). Followed by preparing the curry noodles, which took me more than an hour.

Yummy-licious curry noodles! Not too spicy, just nice for me (sendiri puji ni...)

Later, in the afternoon, went to Ms ZZ's house in Klang to attend her sister's wedding with Ms Zett, Mr. Kim and Ja cha cha. Such a nice wedding with red and white theme. Both the bride and groom looked lovely. Such a cute couple! Congrats to the newly wed. Wish you both all the best in your new life...

The evening started with ceiling lamp hunting, shopping groceries at Tesco, S.Alam, drinking special Khulafa' tea and ended by Ms. Zett enjoying kampung fruits at Kelana Jaya (my sister's house!). This entry is meant to make Ms. J in Cambridge cries with envy.

Lamp hunting. So many choices. Ms. Zett was having a difficult time deciding...

Sipping iced Khulafa' tea. Such a heavenly drink...

Enjoying durian from my family's orchard. Tasty and sweet.

Sorry Ms. J. I'm sure you miss eating our local fruits. And to Josh, too bad you were not around. I might share with you the fruits!