Haze again! Why?

Haze has been plaguing Malaysia yet again this year. It's like one of the seasonal phenomenon that we anticipate once a year, for which we do not welcome. The smoky haze blanketing several countries in the Southeast Asia region for weeks and as always Malaysia is worst affected.

  

The main cause of the haze is the forest fire in Indonesia every year. Yes, you heard it right, every year! The fires are said to be ignited by irresponsible corporations and farmers who burn the forest to clear the land for palm oil and other developments. The fires more often than not turn uncontrollably and transform into wildfires burning all the trees they can reach.

The haze usually spread hundreds of kilometres across the atmosphere, causing a significant deterioration in air quality by releasing large amounts of toxic substance into the air that we breathe. The pollutants in the haze can cause serious problem in our respiratory tract, eyes and health in general. The fires also will destroy the ecosystem of the forest by killing hundreds if not thousands species of animals and plants along its path.

Quote from NST, "Our Natural Resources and Environment Minister said that the haze this year will not be as severe as the previous years due to the commitment by Indonesia to control their land-clearing activities".

Just to control their land-clearing activities? Apparently, the enforcement is not taking any consequential measurement to stop the forest burning. And eventually the haze will keep on coming back. That being said, expect the haze to visit us again in an annual customary manner.

 

Time to get a mask!

Travelling to Australia

Australia is one of the popular travel destination for holiday among Malaysians. Sydney, Melbourne and Gold Coast are especially top on the list of places to visit. If you are planning to head to the land down under, here are some tips that hopefully could help you travel better.

 

 

Visa:

First thing first, get your Passport ready. Check your validity or expiry date. Make sure the date of your return flight is not within the last 6 months of the expiry date. You can apply Australian Visa known as Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) via online, and it is simple and fast. ETA provides authorisation to travel to and enter Australia and is electronically linked to your passport. You do not need to bring any document or print anything else. Just apply the ETA online and pay application fee of AUD20, you'll receive your confirmation email almost instantly. 

 

Flight:

Book your flight for the date of your holiday with the season of your liking. The summer season lasts from November to January while winter falls between June to August. From Kuala Lumpur, you can fly direct to Australia with either AirAsiaX or Malaysia Airlines. Should you plan to travel between cities, fly with domestic airlines such as Jetstar and Tiger Airways.
 

Transportation:

Buy a Greyhound hop on/hop off bus pass if you prefer on the ground travelling to get from city to city. Travelling within the city is easy as most places are accessible by public transport and if not by walking. Travelling within Melbourne CBD is free in the free-zone via tram services, and beyond that you'll need a travel card known as Myki. As for Sydney, you'll need to have Opal card. If you prefer driving by yourself, you can just rent a car at reasonable price but make sure you have a valid drivers licence.

 

 

Accommodation:

For backpackers or travelling by yourself,  there is wide range of hostels that are relatively cheap around the city and even outskirts. For those travelling with friends in larger group, you can check out some homestay or apartment all over Australia via Airbnb. Just download the app on your smart phone or check it out online. You'll probably be surprised to find some lovely home with very affordable price, but don't forget to read on the reviews first. Should your budget is something not to be concerned, plenty of pleasant and luxurious hotels await your stay.

 

Data Plan:

How can one survive without data nowadays? It is useful to have data plan while travelling overseas which helps you search for info, Google map for location, check public transport routes and timetable, and even calling for Uber. But above all, you can instant update your status and pictures on Facebook and Instagram as well =). For that, you can simply purchase a Data Plan at any service provider outlets or even convenience stores with a reasonable price rate depending on your usage and duration of stay.

 

Food:

There are lots of great restaurants in Australia, but they aren’t cheap. You do not have to go out to eat for every meal. Instead, you can prepare or cook your own food. Find their local grocery chain like Coles or Woolworths, and do some grocery shopping. Many items are selling at very cheap price, including fruits and vegetables. Get yourself ingredients for easy prepare dishes such as sandwich, pasta or salad. 

 

 

There you go! Hopefully these brief guides with some informative links will help on your planning for next holiday trip to Australia. Don't forget to visit the Zoo to get up close and take some pictures with the Koalas and Kangaroos.

 

So what are you waiting for? Start planning your next dream holiday~

Pokemon Go Fever

Pokémon Go fever hits Malaysia couple weeks ago, for the game that sending everyone into a frenzy hunt for virtual creatures. This hugely popular augmented reality game encouragers players to head outdoors and explore their surroundings. As for Pokemon egg, trainers must walk a few miles in order to hatch it to get new collection. That's at least one thing which is beneficial for online game players who need more physical exercising.

 

For players busy collecting virtual creatures on their smart phones, some merchants started giving out exclusive promotions to attract businesses. Good news is, these are something real that players can actually attain in reality:
 

NEWAY KARAOKE (click here)
If you are level 5 to 9, you'll get 5% discount
If you are level 10 to 14, you'll get 10% discount
If you are level 15 and above, you'll get 15% discount

TOKYO KITCHEN (click here)
Show them a Magikarp to get 30% off their salmon sashimi. Valid for ala carte and dine in while stock last. Not valid on public holiday.

TEH TARIK  PLACE (click here)
One free Teh Tarik will be awarded per Pokemon with any food purchase.

FACE TO FACE noodle house (click here)
When you have caught 4 out of 7 selected Pokémon, show them to enjoy 50% discount for all beverages for every meal purchased.

BELIF (click here)
Show a Pikachu to redeem a RM30 voucher. Show any of the water Pokemons to redeem free sample.

PLOY (click here)
10% DISCOUNT off your food bill and enjoy one FREE serving of their Dessert of the Day.

BATTERY ACID CLUB (click here)
Screenshot your catch at the outlet and show to claim 10% off your bill throughout August.

KENNY ROGERS ROASTERS (click here)
Screenshot your Pokémon encounter in the restaurant and enjoy free dessert.

KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUTS (click here)
Show them you have 12 Pokemons and get Buy-One-Free-One on a la carte items at their participating outlets.

 

There you go, some of the current running promotion available. While you are engaging in your virtual hunt and somehow came across any of the shop listed above, you can pay a visit and enjoy the promotion there. Please take note on their promotion periods and all T&C that may applies.

So stay safe and go catch 'em all!

Badminton for Nation

WhoCares? #AllianzCrazyGames2016

 

Badminton has always been a sport whereby our Malaysian players shine bright and proudly performing. This is especially prominent for our recent Men's Doubles and Mixed Doubles achievement at Olympic Rio 2016. Our national pairs namely Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong, and Goh Liu Ying and Chan Peng Soon, both teams spectacularly won a silver medal for Malaysia. Kudos to all!

 

 

We as Malaysians having Badminton genes in our blood, it is hard to refuse badminton as favourite sport to play. Hence from now onwards, Jason and I will train hard and fully prepare ourselves to join Badminton Men's Doubles next at Tokyo Olympic 2020!

 

But first, let me take a selfie~

A Thank You Note

To all Malaysian Athletes in Rio 2016, what an incredible season we've had! You've managed to pull off a spectacular performance, hauled 4 silver medals and a bronze medal. The best ever achievement in the Olympic history for Malaysia!

With such an impressive athletes representing Malaysia in various sport categories, it is not only for the medals that you've won, you are also an inspiration to all fellow Malaysians, and uniting us as one truly nation. Special thanks to our Badminton team but most especially Dato' Lee Chong Wei. Your efforts and contributions are unparalleled.
 

 

Thanks again for everything, for your relentless time and effort in putting Malaysia in the eyes of the world. What we see on screen is just a small part of your performance, but there are a whole lot more hard work, training and sweats behind the scene that we can hardly imagine. I could not be more proud of being Malaysian because of you.

We looking forward of more great achievements from Malaysian Sport Athletes in the near future.

 

Throwback - Sydney Graduation

As I look back on my photo albums in Facebook, the memories of  travelling, gathering, parties, and all the crazy things I've done; captured and saved aptly in the digital medium. Looking back on those days, I realize how much I truly miss all the moment. The past may be gone, but the memories stay forever.

Spent a year and half at Sydney for my study; time passed in a blink of an eye. Placing the mortarboard on my head for the second time is equally enthralling as the first. Yet with the absent of my family members on that day, my friends were the close next. Hence, I will like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude for all my friends who had accompanied me and spent the time together on my graduation day. Thank you very much.

 

 

It has been about six years since I left Sydney. Even though we're all walking in different path now and we're all finding our own place in the world, we all know that, no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we're not all still friends.

Take care and all the best.

Sahabatku Ilhamku

Salam sejahtera Vixon ucapkan,
Coretan minda aku hadiahkan;
Gelak ketawa tantapan sekalian,
Jangan pula hati kecil disimpan.

Semua kisah bermula dari Terry,
Konon ingat dirinya ialah Halle Berry;
Keluar berborak atau chat di MSN,
Beritanya pasti lebih cepat dari CNN.

Anak didik aku yang tercemerlang,
Mahjong telah menjadi medan perang;
Itulah Alvin cerdik mengira dan membilang,
Asyik-asyik saja dia nak menang.

Bertemu muka dikelab berkenalan,
Semenjak itu menari amat sepadan;
Hong Yi hanyalah nama samaran,
Budak OMG tersebut adalah Bryan.

Muncullah Eosh Si Master Yoga,
Guna tangan saja boleh naik tangga,
Main Killer Game harus berjaga-jaga,
Sangat pandai dia bercerita juga.

Mempersembahkan Ronnard I'm not joking,
Berbadan kecil molek itu taklah penting;
Berbakat musik besar that's really something,
Tapi kalau menjerit pecah gelas dan piring.

Makan McD di Sunway Pyramid,
Datanglah budak bernama David;
Janganlah ingat dia ini timid,
Tapi sebenarnya dia sangat vivid.

Tersebut gadis jelita digelar Jamie,
Lanjutan pelajaran di Perth kini;
Bersama kami clubbing dan tengok movie,
Jesteru pasti pergi yumca di Murni.

Sahabat yang baik ibaratkan bintang,
Yang jahat pula semuanya binatang;
Sampai sini sajalah Part 1 dibentang,
Nantikan pula Part 2 akan datang.