tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248820462024-03-06T23:32:48.706-08:00Umbrella RecUmbrella Rechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07984391934365782347noreply@blogger.comBlogger144125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24882046.post-73446032832615737872017-04-12T05:00:00.004-07:002017-04-13T20:23:38.049-07:00Travelling ChecklistMost of us have experienced forgetting something when planning for a trip. It was a nightmare to forget some items. Once when travelling to Budapest, I forgot to bring sufficient underwears. Fine, I thought it was no big deal because I could always buy new ones in a foreign land. Unfortunately, after shopping around, new underwear cost a fortune for a budget traveller like me. The price of a pair of underwear in Budapest was equivalent to the price of a dozen pairs of underwears in Malaysia or Thailand.<br />
<br />
Some people may have more items to bring. Some may be less. I personally
love to travel light but I may return with a heavy luggage. Ever since the bad underwear experience in Budapest, I always feel a little bit of pressure when packing for any upcoming trips. Therefore, I have decided to create my own checklist below for reference:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>T-shirts</b> - I prefer old t-shirts that I feel comfortable wearing rather than new ones or precious ones that I may not feel very comfortable or scared of losing them (in case the luggage is lost).</li>
<li><b>Long pants</b> - I normally only bring an extra long pants. I tend to avoid heavy jeans that is hard to dry, which tends to be a burden on the weight of a luggage. In a country with hot weather, sometimes I do not bring any extra long pants.</li>
<li><b>Shorts</b> - Due to the fact that I travel more often to tropical countries in recent years. I normally bring 2-3 pairs of shorts unless in Thailand which I usually bought new ones.</li>
<li><b>Old rotten t-shirt</b> - I normally bring along an old rotten old t-shirt that I could always throw away if my luggage is overweight. I use it as my pyjamas.</li>
<li><b>Old rotten short</b> - Same reason as old rotten t-shirt.</li>
<li><span style="color: red;"><b>Underwear</b></span> - This is the most important item for me due to the past experience of lacking of them leading to recycling dirty ones. I would not like to do it again. So, I highlight it in red!</li>
<li><b>Sweater or jacket</b> - if you are afraid of cold or sharing room with someone that turns the bedroom into winter, this will be handy.</li>
<li><b>Handkerchief</b> - I usually pack about 2 extra ones.</li>
<li><b>Towel</b> - Some budget hotel does not provide it. On the other hand, it is useful to wrap items that require additional protection.</li>
<li><b>Socks</b> - I usually pack about 2 extra ones as well. Once I entered a jungle and got soaking wet full of mud in my socks. I was glad that I had extra pairs of socks.</li>
<li><b>MP3 player & earphone</b> - As a music freak, I could not live without music. This is my sole entertainment if the I got bored during my journey especially when waiting for a flight or a train. Some may ask why MP3 player when a smartphone can be used for the same purpose. My answer is you ain't smart enough if you choose to depend on smartphone as it drains up the battery very fast. Don't forget an earphone, an MP3 player without an earphone is a white elephant.</li>
<li><b>MP3 player charging cable</b> - I am glad that my old iPod does not require this but it serves as a reminder.</li>
<li><b>Smartphone</b> - I use it mainly for communication as well as my tour guide. Yes, my tour guide is GPS.</li>
<li><b>Smartphone charger</b> - You will be stupid without it if you own a smartphone.</li>
<li><b>Power bank</b> - This will be useful in case of any emergency when your device's battery is low.</li>
<li><span style="color: red;"><b>Passport</b></span> - You are basically doomed without it. Therefore, I highlight it in red.</li>
<li><span style="color: red;"><b>Tickets</b></span> - You are doomed without your flight tickets especially unless you wish to hit financial crisis at the airport. Don't forget any other tickets such as train tickets, concert tickets, etc.</li>
<li><span style="color: red;"><b>Hotel booking vouchers</b></span> - You are not entirely doomed without these if you are willing to sleep on the street. It is not that pleasant if it rains or snows. So, I perceive this as very important too.</li>
<li><b>Basic language guide</b> - I normally would learn some basic local language of the country I am travelling to. Words such as "thank you", "hello", "good bye", "toilet", "food", "water", etc are very handy. The problem is I may not remember everything, so I normally print out a list as reference.</li>
<li><b>Shampoo</b> - Some budget hotels do not provide it. Therefore, I always have about 2 small bottles of shampoo (compliment of other hotels) with me. </li>
<li><b>Soap or body shampoo</b> - Some budget hotels do not provide it as well. Sometimes I carry a bar of soap or 2 small bottles of body shampoo (compliment of other hotels again).</li>
<li><b>First aid kit</b> - Not the entire first aid kit but I always carry some painkiller (i.e. Panadol), plasters and medication for<span class="st"> diarrhoea.</span></li>
<li><span class="st"><b>Vitamin C</b> - This is mainly for flu prevention for myself.</span></li>
<li><span class="st"><b>Pens</b> - Always keep some pens with you especially at the immigration when you need to fill in a form. It is also useful as a communication tool when verbal communication fails - try drawing.</span></li>
<li><span class="st"><b>Paper</b> - This is for taking notes as well as a communication tool - you need something to draw on with a pen. Even a three year-old kid knows it.</span></li>
<li><span class="st"><b>Tissue paper</b> - For certain countries (i.e. Malaysia), the toilets do not have any toilet paper. This will be handy in case of any emergency.</span></li>
<li><span class="st"><b>Camera</b> - Some people travel without a camera these days by replacing it with smartphone but I personally do not like to rely too much on one device in case it is stolen/lost.</span></li>
<li><span class="st"><b>Camera battery chargers</b> - Don't forget your camera charger. It is obviously not cheap to buy a new one. </span></li>
<li><span class="st"><b>Extra camera battery</b> - Always bring spare batteries when travelling. You definitely do not want to miss capturing a special moment or a beautiful scene when your camera battery runs out.</span></li>
<li><span class="st"><b>Multiplug or electrical extension cord</b> - This is to prevent fighting with your roommate for power supply.</span></li>
<li><span class="st"><b>Small backpack</b> - This is useful as you walk around places. You will need somewhere to keep your bottle of water, sweater, pen, paper, etc.</span></li>
<li><span class="st"><b>Umbrella or raincoat</b> - Always be prepared for rainy days.</span></li>
<li><span class="st"><b>Laptop</b> - It could be handy sometimes. It depends on the purpose of my trip but I do not like to carry something expensive these days.</span></li>
<li><span class="st"><b>Comb</b> - You are likely to need one unless you are bald.</span></li>
<li><span class="st"><b>Shaver</b> - All guys need it I believe unless you intend to grow beard or you are a band member of ZZ Top.</span></li>
<li><span class="st"><b>Scissors</b> - This is handy to cut anything. Example: Price tag of your new pants, your nose hair, etc.</span></li>
<li><span class="st"><b>Nail clipper</b> - For cutting nails, removing skin that peels around fingernails and minor surgery (just kidding!)</span></li>
<li><span class="st"><b>Hair gel</b> - I use this but some guys need hair cream. Some needs siliva! Some needs waxing!</span></li>
<li><span class="st"><b>Toothbrush</b> - Some hotels do not provide it. I always feel more comfortable using the toothbrush I purchase rather than the one given by hotels anyway.</span></li>
<li><span class="st"><b>Toothpaste</b> - Same as the case of toothbrush.</span></li>
<li><span class="st"><b>Clothes hangers</b> - I prefer to bring about 2 hangers in case they are insufficient or not provided by the hotel.</span></li>
<li><span class="st"><b>Washing powder</b> - I prefer to save cost by doing my own laundry. So, I need a small packet of washing powder. Depending on the country I am going, I can either buy it at the destination or bring it from home.</span></li>
<li><span class="st"><b>Plastic bags</b> - This is for dirty laundry and wet towel. In some countries such as Malaysia and France, you need to purchase plastic bags at some shops/shopping complexes.</span></li>
<li><span class="st"><b>Store a photo of passport in smartphone</b> - This is a precaution in case of losing the passport.</span></li>
</ul>
<span class="st">Here is a link containing some very useful tips for travelling: <a href="http://pulptastic.com/40-must-see-travel-tips-will-change-life-forever/">Useful Travelling Tips</a> </span>Umbrella Rechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07984391934365782347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24882046.post-50812055051537682042016-12-20T22:17:00.000-08:002016-12-20T23:19:49.592-08:00Trip To Hat Yai in 2016<div class="western" lang="en" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I took a train from KL Sentral to Butterworth on the 30th. of November, 2016. Please take note that for seats numbers 13A, 13B, 14A & 14B share a table in between. 13C,13D, 14C & 14D also share a table in between. Other numbers do not have any table. Try the numbers below 13 if you do not need any table. I had to share tables with strangers during my train journeys both ways because I picked 13A. The train's seating allocation map at the website during booking was completely inaccurate. The train journey took 4 hours and it was generally comfortable except the toilet was flooded.</span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> A view inside the train from KL Sentral to Butterworth: </span></div>
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</div>
<div class="western" lang="en" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">On the 1st of December, I took a
van from Penang to Hat Yai for a short 3 days trip. It cost RM75 for
2 ways trip (probably there was a discount when buying tickets for 2
ways trip). The journey took about 4 hours as the van would stop at
various destinations within Penang to pick up passengers. The van
would stop for toilet break once during the journey. At the border,
the luggage was not required to be brought down from the van at both
sides of the immigrations. However, luggage was required to be
brought down from the van at Malaysian immigration. The rules may
change, so it's best to check with the driver. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" lang="en" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Beware: </span></span></b></span>
</div>
<div class="western" lang="en" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I am aware of one case that the
passsenger's luggage was left at the roadside unattended by the
driver when he drove off. There was a misunderstanding that food was
not required to be brought down. The luggage full of food was still
required to be brought down because it's a luggage.</span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">During weekend, RM1 was required
to be paid at Thai immigration. During weekday, RM1 was required to
be paid only after 12pm (Thai time zone I suppose). I was told that
RM1 was for overtime which sounded ridiculous to me. The queue at the
immigration was longer during weekend. Therefore, it's highly
recommended to avoid crossing the border during weekend and best to
leave early during weekday to prevent paying for "overtime
payment".</span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I stayed at Chudchada Place. It
was a clean and comfortable hotel. It was slightly further from the
town but it was worth it. We had 3 persons sharing a room. 300 baht
per night was paid for the extra bed which was not that comfortable.
The hotel is quiet. You can easily find food by walking to the market
nearby, two branches of 7-Eleven and Tesco Lotus Extra. It cost 60
baht to travel by tuktuk to the town. We had 3 persons, so it only
cost 20 baht per head. A hotel room in the town might cost us beyond
120 baht for sure. It was walking distance to Central Festival Mall
and Diana Plaza. Honestly, we could have skipped Central Festival
Mall because of the lousy food at the food court and it was a typical
modern mall with nothing interesting in my eyes.</span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">It was raining throughout my 3
days trip. So, it was impossible to visit the floating market which I
heard was slightly pricey and mainly targeted tourists. Most of our
time were spent at Big C, Tesco, Kim Yong Market and Santisuk Market.
Generally, there was less language barrier in Hat Yai for Malaysians
because the muslims normally could speak Malay and some Thai/Chinese
could speak Hokkien, Mandarin or Hakka. </span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> A view from water stained windows of the new Lee Garden after the rain: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Slippery when wet! Very wet road after the rain: </span><br />
</div>
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<div class="western" lang="en" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Basically, Hat Yai is just a
usual destination for Malaysians and Singaporeans to shop. The normal
items shopped were soap, shampoo, tooth paste, tooth brush, junk
food, cooking ingredients, Mama instant noodles, backpack, bag,
clothes, etc. Without over spending, 300-400 baht should be
sufficient for a 3 days trip in Hat Yai. There was nothing much
interesting about Hat Yai based on my opinion. I enjoyed the street
food though.</span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Some popular Thai chili paste:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Some popular Thai chili sauce:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Mostly black and white clothings were sold during my trip because the king of Thailand passed away recently:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Laksa at the buffet in the new Lee Garden (unfortunately 4 out of 5 of us had food poisoning. The person who did not have food poisoning did not eat an laksa):</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Food court at Central Festival Mall. You can forget about eating here because the food are horrible for Thai standard:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
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Umbrella Rechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07984391934365782347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24882046.post-9651437987665882242016-11-10T00:45:00.001-08:002016-12-21T00:22:29.260-08:00Trip to Bandung and Jakarta in 2016On the 24th. of October, I flew to Bandung with the intention of meeting up with my music business counterparts (record labels, record shops and bands) in both Bandung and Jakarta. I took Malindo flight because it was overall cheaper than Air Asia with free 30kg luggage. The first thing upon landing was I noticed people walked from the plane to the airport like a herd of cows and sheeps. Nobody queued. I had to grab a form from an immigration officer who handed out the forms by standing at a corner blocked by the crowd. It's always better to have your own pen to fill up any forms at the immigration because there was no pen available sometimes. It was a mess at the immigration. The queue was long. I had no idea where were the queues and whether I was at the correct line. The airport in Bandung was small one but I think I spent almost an hour at the immigration.<br />
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Upon leaving the immigration to collect the luggage, there were porters trying to snatch your luggage. It was not a daytime robbery but they were just trying to earn some money by helping you to carry it. I just rejected their service politely. I could not find the Bluebird taxi service counter to call for a cab and I could not find the toilet, I made enquiry at the information counter. I was shocked that the toilet was located on the upper floor without any lift or escalator. Obviously, I could not carry the heavy luggage up just to pee. I also had to walk back inside the airport to call for a taxi when I was stopped by the security guard as I did not have a flight departure ticket/pass. I explained to him and he allowed me to re-enter directed me to the taxi counter. The Bluebird taxi counter issued me a coupon costing Rp60,000 but the payment was to be made to the taxi driver (not to be paid at the counter as in many airports). This would led to a rip-off eventually.<br />
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The journey to my hotel, Elenor's Home, which was located in Jalan Boscha II was expected to be a short journey as it was less than 5km from Husein Sastranegara International Airport. However, it took us about 2 hours because of a massive traffic congestion in additional to the fact that the driver did not know his way to Jalan Boscha II, which was a small lane in between a row of houses behind a petrol station. Initially, I thought I wanted to pay the taxi driver Rp70,000 because of the hassle of traffic congestion. I was stunned when he asked for Rp100,000. I paid without arguing but I was obviously not happy with it. Even the locals thought it was a rip-off as Rp100,000 was the price of a train ticket from Bandung to Jakarta.<br />
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There was nothing to shout about regarding Elenor's Home that I stayed. It was a low budget hotel. The staff are friendly and helpful. However, the floor mat provided was filthy as I could obviously see all the black stains. The toilet/bathroom was old and the drainage was smelly without any basin. No shampoo and soap were provided but there was a towel. The breakfast was simple. There was no air conditioner but you do not need it in Bandung.<br />
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The room at Elenor's Home (Sorry for the mess):<br />
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Breakfast provided on the first morning at Elenor's Home:<br />
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Breakfast provided on the second morning of Elenor's Home:<br />
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The sky turned dark faster than Peninsular Malaysia in Bandung. The sky was always cloudy and grey just like England anyway. I walked out of the hotel based on the direction of my badly printed map which was not detailed enough. My first destination was the nearby petrol station as I wanted to buy a local SIM card called Simpati. Unfortunately, the petrol station did not have it but the staff directed me to a nearby stall. I went to the stall but the salesperson did not seem helpful, so I walked away. I was trying to search for Rumah Mode and FFWD Records as well as my dinner using the map. I made the wrong turning but I didn't mind exploring. I saw another roadside stall selling Simpati SIM card. I made enquiry and the guy seemed helpful and friendly, so I bought it from him. He helped to configure everything and the SIM card was ready to use instantly with data plan (I realised I could not make any local phone call later in Jakarta when I was in desperation). His customer and himself gave me the correct direction to Rumah Mode.<br />
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I had my dinner at the food court of Rumah Mode. Food was pricey but I would not complain about the taste of the food. The staff were helpful and friendly too when I asked about Indonesian country code that I needed to register an account in Uber, and, food recommendation. I did my quick survey at Rumah Mode to find out what they had. I was not there to shop anyway. I failed to find FFWD Records that night. I walked back to the hotel which took me about 15 minutes by foot. The walking path was very bad at certain places. So, I had to walk very carefully to avoid tripping and getting myself injured on the first day. In fact all the walking paths in Bandung and Jakarta were equally bad. If you want to walk, you need to walk carefully. I found it pretty safe to walk in Bandung as I didn't encounter any criminals.<br />
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Fried rice from Rumah Mode for dinner:<br />
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Next day, I used the service of Uber to go to the railway station to buy a train ticket but found out that I could actually buy train tickets at the nearby shops such as Indomaret & Alfamart. Passport was required to buy a train ticket. The queue at the train station was very long. When I discovered that I could buy my 2 ways tickets from a machine, I decided to do so with the help of their staff. Honestly the user interface of the machine was not very user friendly. At one point, I was stuck because I could not key in my passport number. The error message did not help at all. Then the staff told me that I needed to ignore the alphabet of my passport number because only numeric was permitted. I was also surprised to notice that I needed to check in 1 hour in advance. If I didn't go to the railway station, I might not be aware of it. I walked out of the railway station to use Uber service again but I noticed Kartikasari which sold excellent bagelen behind Alfamart at Jalan H. Akbar (another small lane). So, I decided to check it out and bought some Bagelen that my sister recommended before calling for Uber to return to the hotel. After reaching the hotel, I walked to search for FFWD Records again. This time with SIM card, I could use Google Map for direction. It led me to the destination but I could not see any building with FFWD signboard. I called my counterpart from FFWD Records and he came out to meet me. There was no signboard in fact. FFWD Records was located behind a shoes shop. I stocked up everything I needed from FFWD Records.<br />
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I had my lunch at The Kiosk on the upper floor of Setiabudhi Supermarket. For the next few days, most of my meals were in either Rumah Mode and The Kiosk unless my friends brought me somewhere else.<br />
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A local exotic food I tried at The Kiosk. Sorry that I do not remember the name. I did not like the sambal at all but the rest were ok but not something I fancied:<br />
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One of my Indonesian friends, Vando, took me to Omuniuum that I spent a fortune obtaining my music stocks later that evening. Omuniuum also took some of my Malaysian stocks. It was a pleasure dealing with Omuniuum. It was a highly recommended store to obtain indie music. The staffs were good in recommendation. We also went for a gig consisting of 4 obscure local indie bands that I could not even remember some of the bands' names. There was a shoegaze band, Fuzz Oh, and a Bjork wannabe band, Lunar Lunar, that I liked. Even the venue was new according to the locals. I met Marin of FFWD Records for the first time unplanned here. I also met Eky from Sorge Records and obtained some stocks from him.<br />
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The band at the gig in Bandung that I cannot remember the name: <br />
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The crowd at the gig:<br />
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Another band I do not remember the name:<br />
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A band named Lunar Lunar:<br />
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I believe this is the band, Fuzz Oh (if I remember correctly):<br />
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On the 3rd. day, I walked to Jalan Cihampelas in the morning to check out Ciwalk and some shops along Jalan Cihampelas. I found all the shops boring and uninteresting. The shops along the road basically sold counterfeit branded jeans. Ciwalk was just another typical shopping mall. No record shop and anything interesting for me. I could not even find local non-counterfeit branded jeans there. It was a waste of time! I spent a lot of time at FFWD Records talking about music and the scene later that day. I bought Burberry jeans for my wife and myself at Rumah Mode. My jeans were torn actually. Rp264,900 for men and Rp349.900 for ladies. There were more choices for men. There was only one choice for ladies.<br />
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On the 27th. of October, I went to Jakarta by train. Checking in was no hassle at all. I was shocked to find out that there was a 20kg weight limit for luggage. I think the restriction was ridiculous for a travelling foreigner because Malindo flight allowed 30kg for the luggage. This regulation was not written on the ticket. You needed passport to board the train just like when you bought the ticket using your passport. Right before entering the train, the porter snatched my luggage after I showed him my ticket. He showed me the way and placed by luggage on the top luggage compartment. Then asked for Rp10,000. I told myself not to talk to any porter or ask them for any direction on the way back. The train journey took about 2 hours plus. It was a comfortable trip. The train had 2 slots of power sockets for 2 seats, so you could charge your mobile phones. Food and drinks were served and the prices were not too costly comparing with the prices at the food court in Rumah Mode.<br />
I called for Uber service after walking out from Gambir railway station in Jakarta. It was quite a distance to walk. From the 3rd floor I took a lift to the first floor (ground floor), then walked for quite a distance to get out of the railway station. Honestly, I looked like a mad man dragging the heavy luggage. It was about 1 hour journey from the railway station to Reddoorz of Panglima Polim (near Blok M Square). I was advised by the driver to turn on Waze whenever I take Uber, Grabcar or taxi in Indonesia to avoid being cheated. His advice would be handy at later stage of my bad experince with another Uber driver in Jakarta.<br />
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Reddoorz where I stayed was pretty inconvenient for someone with heavy luggage like myself because there was a staircase to climb. I left for Blok M Square to survey record stores shortly after reaching the hotel. Upon reaching home, I found myself locked outside the hotel. I tried to call the hotel but realised that my SIM card was a data plan SIM card and I could not make any local phone call. Luckily a friend in Jakarta was online. So, I asked him to call the hotel for me. Unfortunately, nobody answered the call. I was stranded for about 30 minutes until I heard some noise from the hotel. I knocked on the door to find their staff opening the door for me. Eventually, I found out that there was a trick to open their main door and the card detector was slow. You basically needed to hold on to the card on the card detector for several seconds before it could read. At the room, again I failed to open the door. It was another tricky door to open. Luckily the staff was around. The main problem of this Reddoorz was their staff always went missing and it was not easy to find them. Later that evening I went to meet my former colleague who happened to be in Jakarta.<br />
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The next day, I went to Blok M in the morning and had my lunch there. Checked whether any stores wanted to stock Malaysian indie music but it was frustrating as I got "no" answers without them checking out what I had. Later that day, I went for Synchronize Fest with Jodi. We were caught in 2 hours traffic jam and had to miss Sore's performance. I got my Demajors stocks at the music festival. There were some great bands performing that day (first day of the festival), such as Heals, Goodnight Electric, Teenage Death Star, Scaller, etc. I noticed that there were a lot of good drummers in Indonesia especially from rock and metal bands. The third day (30th. of Oct) of the festival was interesting too. Unfortunately, I had to leave Jakarta.<br />
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On the 3rd day in Jakarta, I spent time in Blok M by trying to convince a store to take up my Malaysian indie stocks by providing them my sample CD to listen. The store owner liked the music but did not dare to stock up anything. It was a waste of time and frustrating day for me. That evening, Jodi took me to High Fidelity at Pasar Santa. The owner took up some of my Malaysian stock and I was very thankful for his willingness to try out something new.<br />
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On the 30th. of October, I departed Jakarta for Bandung. I called for Uber service a few hours earlier because the traffic in Jakarta was bad. This time I met a crook Uber driver. He kept asking me for directions instead of following the directions of Waze that he was using. I could hardly understand his language too (my friends said probably he spoke in Javanese instead of Bahasa Indonesia). He actually annoyed me. Upon reaching the railway station, he overshot and I had to forced him to stop. During payment, he tried not to give me back my change but I insisted on having my change back. He was the only Uber driver in Indonesia that received bad rating from me. My luggage was heavier than the train's permitted luggage weight of 20kg this time. Luckily, nobody weighed my luggage. I might not escape if the train was crowded with passengers. I took the escalators to the top floor while being annoyed by a porter. I managed to refused him from taking my ticket or snatching my luggage this time. However, I actually needed his service to carry the heavy luggage to the top luggage compartment inside the train. Unfortunatly, no porter was to be seen. My attempt to place the luggage failed. A helpful Indonesian lady tried to help but as a lady her strength was limited too. She called a staff of the train for help and the guy allowed me to place my luggage behind a seat at the back of the cabin. In Bandung railway station, I walked out of the railway station to call Uber service again. This time I stayed at Pulas Inn in Jl. Hegar Asih, Cipaganti. The hotel was easier to find than Elenor's Home. The staff were helpful and friendly. The breakfast of nasi uduk was very nice. It was hard to adjust the hot water. The room was colder than the one in Elenor's Home. The toilet was old and no basin. No soap and shampoo provided but there was a towel. It's best to stay at the ground floor if you have a heavy luggage. That evening I went for another gig called No Problem by Teenage Death Star. The opening act was Collapse. I preferred this gig of Teenage Death Star over the one in Sychronize Fest because the festival one was too crowded.<br />
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On the 31st. of October, I went to FFWD Records again to pick up the stuff I left there with Rama. I walked down the street from FFWD Records where I had never walked before and I found a roadside stall selling mixed rice. I took 3 dishes (including a piece of chicken) and free tea costing me only Rp12,000. It was my cheapest meal in Indonesia. A lot of people warned me about having food poisoning but luckily nothing happened to me. The stall was generally clean when I was there. The flies came only when I started eating. I was trying to be more relax on my final day before departing and spent some time packing.<br />
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The haul from Bandung & Jakarta:<br />
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On the 1st. of November, I took Uber to the airport a bit too early. I was told that I didn't need to arrive 3 hours in advance as I did. 2 hours in advance will do I suppose. Again I was cursing when I had to wait outside before I could check in when nature called. The toilet was upstairs and there was no way I could carry the heavy luggage with me. I think the airport building architech needs a big slap for the bad design.<br />
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<b>Useful Tips:</b><br />
Currency exchange rate for MYR to IDR was 0.000356<br />
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Rp100,000 = MYR32.60<br />
Rp50,000 = MYR16.30<br />
Rp20,000 = MYR6.52<br />
Rp10,000 = MYR3.26<br />
Rp5,000 = MYR1.63<br />
Rp2,000 = MYR0.652<br />
Rp1,000 = MYR0.326<br />
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Average meal: Rp20,000 - Rp50,000<br />
Synchronize Fest ticket: Rp200,000<br />
Train ticket from Jakarta to Bandung: Rp100,000 - Rp120,000<br />
Train ticket from Bandung to Jakarta: Rp100,000 - Rp120,000<br />
Taxi from Bandung airport to hotel: Rp60,000<br />
Uber from hotel to Bandung airport: Rp23,500 <br />
Uber from Bandung railway station to hotel: Rp29,000<br />
Uber from Blok M to Jakarta (Gambir) railway station: Rp36,000<br />
Hotel: MYR50 per night<br />
Simpati SIM card (12GB data only lasting 1 month, 4G) - Rp50,000 but charged Rp70,000Umbrella Rechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07984391934365782347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24882046.post-17962219020084355832016-10-11T01:44:00.005-07:002016-11-08T04:34:07.121-08:00Volunteering at Ayui Foundation in 2016I decided to volunteer at Ayui Foundation for the second time in 2016. On the 22nd June, I departed for Chiang Mai with my sister and her friend.<br />
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The most unpleasant part of the trip was taking Skybus to KLIA2. I purchased the bus ticket online via Air Asia. There was a change of procedure by Skybus comparing with last year which the ticket holder just needed to show the bus ticket collector the printout of the Air Asia's boarding pass. This time, I showed the printout to the ticket collector but I was shooed away to proceed to the counter without any explanation. I thought it was a mistake and approached the conductor to enquired. Again I was shooed away to proceed to the counter with an annoying facial expression in a rude way. I had no choice but to proceed to the counter which had a long queue. Those who bought the tickets on the spot seemed to be able to board the bus faster than those who bought the tickets online. Those who bought the tickets online had to step aside for those who purchased on the spot to be issued tickets first. 2 sets of tickets were issued to online purchasers - one with pre-printed purple wordings without any price and one with printed price, date, ticket number and counter. The flaw of Skybus system was ridiculous because it caused inconvenience to online ticket purchasers since they also needed to queue. Furthermore, it delayed online ticket purchasers in boarding the bus. Wasn't the intention of purchasing something online meant to speed up the process? The duplicate tickets of Skybus was a wastage. Wasn't the purpose of letting online purchasers printed their own tickets supposed to reduce paper wastage? I have no idea what was Skybus up to recently. I will not recommend anyone to take Skybus due to the horrible, inconvenience and rude service. I will try the train, KLIA Express, next.<br />
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Luckily, the journey in Thailand was trouble free except for cough virus spreading among us. Yes, I was happy to escape from the stressful city of Kuala Lumpur temporarily. We took a taxi from Chiang Mai airport to Star Hotel costing 150 baht. We stayed for one night in Chiang Mai before departing for Chiang Rai the next morning. The taxi from Star Hotel to the bus terminal of Green Bus costing 250 baht. It was very convenient to take a bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. The road was not as winding as I expected based on articles found online. The journey was comfortable. We took 9.30am bus which we purchased the tickets on the spot. Each A class bus ticket cost 129 baht. We did not purchase V class ticket which is slightly more costly. I suppose V class is VIP. The bus journey took about 3 hours or slightly more.<br />
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We reported for duty at Ayui Foundation on the 23rd of June at 4.30pm. I was glad to see some of the kids that I met last year but a bit sad to see some of them had already left. I missed Busor, Meelea, Nongkran, Gigi, M, Bew, Dow, etc. Next year, if I were to return, more of the kids such as Ploy, May and Ahmer would leave after graduation. It was good to notice some of the kids growing taller this year. The schedule at Ayui remained the same as last year. The kids arrived back from school at around 4.30pm. At 5pm, the teaching started. 6pm was dinner time. 9.30pm was bedtime. Just as last year, the Saturday and Sunday schedule were different (actually Friday's schedule was supposed to be different too but we continued to teach although the kids expected playtime). We were not supposed to be on duty on Sunday but we still dropped by in the afternoon. I only played with the kids once at the school field because of the rain. The activities we conducted were mainly English lessons and art & handcraft lessons. Actually I was not even teaching any art. I just started by drawing and colouring and the kids naturally followed.<br />
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Most of the stationery as part of the donation, we purchased from an English speaking stationery shop called Deli Stationery near Clock Tower (turn right at the Clock Tower). I think it was the second stationery shop on that row of shops. The owner was a UK graduate who spoke fluent English. He gave us discount upon knowing that we purchased for charity.<br />
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The following photo is the stationery shop:<br />
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On the 25th of June (Saturday), Sue, Somchai and some of the boys took us to an Akha village near Huay Maesai Waterfall. One of the villagers was so friendly that she dressed up in Akha traditional costume for us when I suggested taking a photo with her. She refused to take any photo without dressing up properly. On the way back, the boys suggested dropping by at the waterfall. It was a short visit at the waterfall. The boys rushed all the way to the waterfall without waiting. This time the water was murky. So, I didn't even dip myself into the water.<br />
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Mae Sai Waterfall:<br />
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On the 1st of July (Friday), I followed Wit to the school to meet Gigi. I passed her some fish muruku and sweets the kids liked. Every Friday, the students wore their own traditional clothes to the school. It was a fascinating sight. Gigi dropped by at Ayui the next day as well but we had communication breakdown without any translator around.<br />
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This trip I found myself quite attached to one of the new youngest girl named One, and of course, my favourite girl, Angkana. There are some new girls such as Aphisara, Buyoo (which I only met once), Wanphen and Nat. The new boys were Arthit, Manop, Panakorn, Chan, Anurak and Golf. We spent less time with the boys because they had to leave earlier for the boys home which was in a separate location.<br />
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On the 3rd of July, my sister and I took a trip to Mae Salong using the service of Easy 2 Chiang Rai. The journey one way took about 3 hours. The driver was very careful. Although his English skill is limited, overall we appreciated his service. We could not visit the hilltribe's village due to the muddy road on a hill which looked too dangerous for us to proceed. We decided to turn back due to the risk.<br />
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The following is the address of the tour agency. <br />
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Easy 2 Chiang Rai,<br />
111/7, Santi Road,<br />
Muang Chiang Rai.<br />
Tel:<br />
090-893-2981, 053-718-289<br />
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The following photo is the town of Mae Salong:<br />
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The following photo is <span class="irc_su" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Princess Mother Temple:</span><br />
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<span class="irc_su" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">The following photo is </span><span class="vcard" id="Chinese_Martyrs_Memorial_Museum"><span class="fn org">Chinese Martyrs' Memorial Museum:</span></span><br />
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<span class="irc_su" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">The following is the tea platation in Mae Salong:</span><br />
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We met a Chinese restaurant owner in Mae Salong who was very friendly. I bought two packets of tea costing 250 baht each after being given 50% discount. I promised to help promoting her restaurant. Generally the food was delicious. She provided us free tea. She even showed us her kitchen. She spoke fluent Mandarin. I wish my own country folks could be as friendly as her.<br />
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The following photo is the Chinese restaurant in Mae Salong: <br />
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During this journey, I found the prices of everything in Chiang Mai had increased. The food had increased rapidly all the way to 50 - 60 baht per meal at the food court. Luckily, the prices had not changed much in Chiang Rai. My favourite noodle at the market near Wilacha Hotel remained at 350 baht. We found a very good restaurant (picture below) that I could not pronounce the name on the right side of the road by walking straight ahead from Wilacha Hotel passing the traffic light before another traffic light going towards Big C. 3 of us ordered a fish and two other dishes with rice. It cost 450 baht totally which was dirt cheap for Malaysian rate. I highly recommended the fried fish with sweet and sour sauce. It was so delicious that even the bones could be consumed.<br />
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The following photo is the restaurant serving excellent sweet and sour fish:<br />
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We didn't hire any vehicle in this trip. We either walked or took a taxi/tuktuk. The cost of taxi from Wilacha Hotel to Chiang Rai town/Big C/Central was between 60 - 100 baht. Same price range for a return trip. Any prices beyond 100 baht was a rip-off. Sometimes you have to negotiate the price in Chiang Rai.<br />
<br />
On the 5th of July, we departed from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai by Green Bus again. I was glad that there was no crying by the children a night before unlike my previous trip. What a relief!<br />
<br />
Here are some prices for cost estimation:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>T-shirts at Chiang Mai's food court - 200 baht</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Rock t-shirt at Chiang Rai night bazaar - 250 baht</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Camouflage shorts - 200 - 250 baht</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Fried rice - 50 baht</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Noodle at the market near Wilacha Hotel - 35 baht</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Overall simple hawker's food - 35 - 60 baht (depending on what you eat)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Fruits at the market in Rim Kok (near Wilacha Hotel) - 20 - 30 baht</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Lychee - 40 - 60 baht (higher quality ones are 60 baht)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>4 bars of Lux soap - 45 baht</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>2 tubes of Colgate with salt - 79 baht</li>
</ul>
<br />
The prices of hotel room and air ticket will be higher at peak season from November to January. On average 20,000 baht should be more than enough for a 2-week trip in Chiang Rai including a bit of shopping but excluding accomodation and air ticket. You may need to bring a bit more money if you travel a lot by hiring a driverUmbrella Rechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07984391934365782347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24882046.post-57669574487726192992015-07-23T08:13:00.001-07:002015-08-24T15:42:14.036-07:00Volunteering At Baan Ayui In Chiang Rai, Thailand - June - July 2015<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptiZkQ7dP0kr2LC0mz3vYEllgoP_UNkKin03LzCV7D9D7cwjQic-Mp_ppl12C1g_KcVRT32W7wcOlwNnM53Va4EssPqO4ZTJwVQWXQw-doyWFqRGsC_PAl2z8iIU-TPBvID3G/s1600/temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptiZkQ7dP0kr2LC0mz3vYEllgoP_UNkKin03LzCV7D9D7cwjQic-Mp_ppl12C1g_KcVRT32W7wcOlwNnM53Va4EssPqO4ZTJwVQWXQw-doyWFqRGsC_PAl2z8iIU-TPBvID3G/s320/temple.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I discovered Baan Ayui's website by accident in a travel forum when I was
searching for information about Chiang Rai. There was no turning back the
moment I started to read their newsletters. Initially I just wished to visit
Baan Ayui for a few hours. I changed my mind by the time I finished reading all
of the newsletters - I decided to be a volunteer for 2 weeks. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">On the first day of arrival at the hotel, Wilacha Hotel, I was caught by
surprise that the staff of the hotel didn’t know the location of Baan Ayui
which was nearby. My friend and I had to search for the location ourselves. We
got so lost in front a school that a boy on a bicycle spotted us and offered to
help. He told us that he could guide us to Baan Ayui. He walked us to Baan
Ayui. Eventually we found out that he was a new boy staying in Baan Ayui and
his name was M (unrelated to any character from James Bond movies).</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFTRDgJC7eX4A664tPQiBRc2uU1voF81AOgXF0DJGxukOng7b4xrdl0f92H-j3HSVyuCc3YHNI1u8v9ASKr4-Wmx1NSh90Z-MDu4jzuEgtw2swj8S-Ye2Xm2_oVH3QI6wHSSR/s1600/market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFTRDgJC7eX4A664tPQiBRc2uU1voF81AOgXF0DJGxukOng7b4xrdl0f92H-j3HSVyuCc3YHNI1u8v9ASKr4-Wmx1NSh90Z-MDu4jzuEgtw2swj8S-Ye2Xm2_oVH3QI6wHSSR/s320/market.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Wilacha Hotel was about 10 minutes walking distance from Baan Ayui. There
was a market nearby which was opened entire day including at night. The goods
sold at this market is cheaper than those sold in Chiang Rai town. Example:
Camouflage shorts I wanted to purchase cost around 200 baht or more in town but
I could get it for 150 baht without bargaining in this market. I could get
cheaper one at a shop opposite the market at 100 baht but the stock was
limited. The fruits/food in this market were cheaper too. Near the market was a
noodle stall that the price was reasonable at 35 baht. The stall was often
packed during lunch hour. I spotted the stall by observing the crowd. There was
Tesco Express Lotus outlet that you can shop. If you are a simple person that
does not have to do a lot of shopping, Wilacha Hotel is a nice place to stay
because the location has almost all the basic stuff. Clock Tower is about 30-45
minutes away on foot. The shopping complexes Big C and Central Plaza are
probably too far to walk there under the hot sun. Steamed Pork Leg With Rice at
the food court of Central Plaza is probably the delicious meal you do not want
to miss in Chiang Rai.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">At the Chiang Rai town’s night bazaar, try to avoid the food court. The
food is more expensive. Try the stalls outside the night bazaar for better
cheaper food such as Khao Soi. I fell in love with a shop selling rock t-shirts
costing 770 baht for 3 t-shirts. At the street, you may find another stall
selling lower quality Heavy Metal t-shirts at about 200 baht (I forgot the
exact price).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">At King Meng Rai Monument, free tour tram is available daily from 9.30am
till 1.30pm. I didn’t have time for this during my trip.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">A trip from Wilacha Hotel to Clock Tower would cost around 80 baht by taxi.
A trip from the hotel to Big C or Central Plaza would cost around 100 baht (Found
out from the staff of the hotel that I was over charged for 150 baht by a tuktuk).</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZCnicH0mnoATiYGyU-GnQdUiHD863VoCm1juFboz7EyfuP7F1_dABUunkDEVu0Bth9uG-IEoxoR33IzGxMXOQA7KCVxwKbXFE-meEiuc79fVbSf_4v2om8GOhDnVYP-o0dlm/s1600/truck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZCnicH0mnoATiYGyU-GnQdUiHD863VoCm1juFboz7EyfuP7F1_dABUunkDEVu0Bth9uG-IEoxoR33IzGxMXOQA7KCVxwKbXFE-meEiuc79fVbSf_4v2om8GOhDnVYP-o0dlm/s320/truck.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Drivers in Chiang Rai were not as crazy as Malaysian drivers. A car rental
shop worth checking out is Chiang Rai Car Rental located at the left lane of
Clock Tower. Mazda 2 or Honda Jazz cost 1000 baht per day. A manual Isuzu truck
cost around 700 baht per day (good for fetching the kids – they loved sitting
at the back of the truck under the sun). Website: www.bankcarrent.com </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURwRs8cuGB39_iKTnxWqdYwucEfVG2Xt8j7l7UJi4L25SPF7Ezf2kR_pF0bvs6od70wUTHC15gwQBtWrqaLsmzV6GWEf5u5aeEfdVKciAP9vgMY8ZnXoa4mYLjsA9HGPSyxV9/s1600/ayui.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURwRs8cuGB39_iKTnxWqdYwucEfVG2Xt8j7l7UJi4L25SPF7Ezf2kR_pF0bvs6od70wUTHC15gwQBtWrqaLsmzV6GWEf5u5aeEfdVKciAP9vgMY8ZnXoa4mYLjsA9HGPSyxV9/s320/ayui.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Being a volunteer was a decision I would not regret as the experience is
beyond the expression of words. Without any experience in teaching, initially I
was a bit sceptical of myself but it went on smoothly. I still remember on the
first day of stepping into Baan Ayui, the first question popped up in my brain
was, "How will I remember the names of 26 children?" (The number
dropped to 25 when one of them left) and "What if the kids throw rotten
tomatoes at me for being a lousy teacher?" Of course, the tomatoes
throwing incident did not occur as they were very well behaved kids.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Most of the time, I spent time teaching the children English and art, as
well as playing various indoor and outdoor games such as Jenga, card games,
throwing/catching water balloons, takraw, soccer, badminton, cycling and
chasing & catching games. I almost created a “riot” when playing card games
with the kids – they seemed to enjoy it so much that they got over excited by
yelling the names of animals I showed them in the cards competition. I felt
like a child again whenever I played with the children in the field and I could
run around chasing the children. It was a wonderful experience.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">During the last weekend in Baan Ayui, we went to the beautiful Huay Maesai
Waterfall that the children loved. As I walked towards the waterfall and
returning from the waterfall, I realised some of the children were very caring
and helpful. Some of them often checked whether I was too tired of walking and
some offered to carry my bag. The boys caught some small fishes with their
nets. I didn’t expect anyone would eat those small fishes that Malaysians
normally kept as pets but I was told that they ate them.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">With the donation money contributed by my friends and family members, I
managed to shop for various items required by Baan Ayui such as art materials,
writing materials, a fan, fruits, computer keyboard and a battery replacement
required to get a PC fixed.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Based on my experience in Baan Ayui, it was good that I could make use of
some simple Thai language that I learned from watching Thai television
programmes when I was a boy (I used to live near the Southern border of
Thailand). In addition, I managed to learn some extra Thai words from the
children that will be handy whenever I travel in Thailand.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">By the way, I got a new nickname, Nongkran Soong (Nongkran Number 2), from
the children because I imitated one of the girls, Nongkran, for bouncing the
takraw ball with hands illegally during the outdoor games. Despite not
following the official takraw rules, the games often drew laughter and it was
always fun. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">In my English class, I unofficially made one of the girls as my assistant.
Her name was Angkana. She was always the curious and helpful one in the class.
Sometimes she helped to translate to the rest of the children in the class
after reading the English-Thai dictionary for words I had difficulties making
them understand. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Gigi was another interesting girl in my class. She was always a
happy-go-lucky type of girl. She seemed to enjoy laughing and having fun. A
very cheerful girl indeed. She enjoyed posing for the camera too. I consider
her as the “model” of my photography sessions.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I had been told that Nongkran cried easily. I didn’t see this as her
weakness. In fact I considered that she was a very kind person with compassion.
She often tried to help in the class too. I have a gut feeling that she will
grow up to be a very good kind hearted person.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Amy was an adorable girl. She was a little bit quiet but she was always
ready to help. I really appreciate her that she offered to help many times on
simple chores. Whenever she sensed that I was a bit bored, she would offer me
something to keep me busy. I jokingly told my wife that she was the “daughter”
I always wanted.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Ameerat was another happy-go-lucky girl. She could be poured with water
till she was soaking wet and being targeted by everyone, but she did not shed
her tears, showed her anger or complained. Sometimes I felt bad for her but she
seemed to be having fun. I salute her attitude.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The boys in my class were rather quiet. They seemed to stay away from the
limelight. Unlike some boys in Malaysia that I called “monsters”, these boys
were better behaved than those “monsters”. Asong seemed to enjoy our “kung fu
fighting games”. Apichart was a good soccer player and he seemed to be
interested in technical stuff – proven when he observed me fixing the PC and I
taught him to connect the wires of the PC.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Unfortunately, all the good time had to come to an end. I had to leave Baan
Ayui to return to Malaysia. It was very heartbroken to leave the children on my
last day. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">As I have promised, I will be returning to Baan Ayui again next year.
Possibly I will be bringing in another group of volunteers. I definitely miss
all of the children at Baan Ayui. Thanks to Sue for accepting me as a volunteer.
A big THANK YOU goes to the children of Baan Ayui for making my life wonderful
in Baan Ayui. Meanwhile, I would also like to thank the house parents, Wit and
Tam, for the guidance in terms of Akha culture and talked about their lives as
well as their help in language translation. The sound of “Pi Siang” (older
brother Siang) with children voice will always be remembered because that’s how
the kids called me. </span><br />
<br />
<h3>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><b>Useful Information For Volunteers </b></span></h3>
<br />
<h4>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><b>When to Volunteer:</b></span></h4>
<h4>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><b> </b></span></h4>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The children are likely to return to their our villages during school holidays. Therefore, you need to plan for your volunteering service at Baan Ayui. Their long summer holidays start around in the middle of March (include Songkran in April) until first week of May. They also have almost all the month of Oct off for term holidays, and 2 weeks off in Dec-Jan around Christmas/New Year. The nicest time to go is Nov-Dec because the weather is nice and cool/cold at night, and so they can do outdoor activities like campfires and camping at the boys' land.</span><br />
<br />
<h4>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Summary of When to Avoid Volunteering:</span></h4>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">- Middle of March till May<br />- October<br />- 2 weeks around Christmas/New Year in between Dec and January</span><br />
<br />
<h4>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">What Can You Help? </span></h4>
Baan Ayui is one of the least fussy NGOs I have come across. Any help you can contribute is useful. You can teach the children English (They can teach you Thai/Akha in return). You can also teach them art, handcraft, cooking, playing guitar, singing, sewing, carpentry, gardening, fixing PC, etc. You can play indoor games (i.e. Jenga, card games, etc) and outdoor games (takraw, soccer, badminton, cycling, hide & seek, etc) with them. You can even invent your own games. Spend some time chit chatting with them. You can create a discussion topic about teenagers, culture, education, etc (but you may need the house parents or Sue as translators). You just need some creativity to suggest something which is fun/useful for you and the children.<br />
<br />
<h4>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Daily Schedule:</span></h4>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">During weekdays, the children return from school around 4.30pm to 5pm. Volunteers usually arrive around 4 to 4.30pm. At 5pm, normally volunteers can conduct English class till 6pm. Those in charge of cooking will leave the class earlier. 6pm will be their dinner time. The children will be having their shower after dinner. At 7pm those with homework will be doing their homework. Those without homework will be playing games. Volunteers can help them with their homework or play games with them. 9pm is their bedtime.</span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br />On Friday and Saturday, the schedule is slightly different. No English class but the children are allowed to go to the nearby school field to play. Volunteers can spend time playing takraw, soccer, volleyball, badminton, cycling or simply running around with them . Trust me, this is the fun time. On Saturday morning, you may opt to visit Huay Maesai Waterfall which the children enjoy swimming, splashing and catching fishes.</span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br />On Sunday, volunteers will be having a break. If you insist to go on duty, I am sure that nobody will oppose. There is sewing activity between 1.30pm to 2.30pm that you need to be aware though. I am not sure whether I was interrupting them or not but I personally find that when they were sewing, it was a very good time to have casual chit-chat with the house mother, Tam, as well as the children about their lives in general. It's good to learn about their lives and volunteers could share theirs in return too. At about 4.30pm till 6pm, you can spend time with outdoor activities with the children at the school field.</span><br />
<br />
<h4>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><b>Summary of the Daily Timetable:</b></span></h4>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><b>Weekday:</b><br />4.30pm: Children return from school. Some will be doing house chores<br />5pm: English class<br />6pm: Dinner followed by shower<br />7pm: Homework/Playing games<br />9pm: Bedtime<br /><br /><b>Saturday: </b><br />4.30pm: Outdoor activities at the nearby school field<br />6pm: Dinner followed by shower<br />7pm: Art, handcraft or any activity you can think of<br />9pm: Bedtime<br /><br /><b>Sunday (An officially off day for volunteers):</b><br />1.30pm - 2.30pm: Sewing activity<br />7pm: Hostel meeting<br />9pm: Bedtime</span><br />
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<h4>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Sample of things you can donate: </span></h4>
It's best to discuss with the houseparents or Sue to find out what they need before purchasing. You should also keep an eye to observe what they need. So, that you won't waste money purchasing something unnecessary.<br />
<br />
- Clothes (children, adults and baby's clothing will do as they are donated to the villagers, not just for the kids)<br />
- Fruits (watermelon, honey dew, papaya, rambutan, durian, etc)<br />
- Food (ice cream, snacks, candy, rice, etc)<br />
- Stationery (pen, pencils, paper, dictionary, etc)<br />
- Art material (art paper, glue, water/pastel colour, colour pencils, etc)<br />
- Balloons (the kids are crazy about them)<br />
- PC/laptop<br />
- Household items<br />
- Small guitar amplifier<br />
<br />
<h4>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">To check out more details of Baan Ayui, please visit:</span></h4>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/ayuiorg/home">https://sites.google.com/site/ayuiorg/home</a></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">OR</span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.ayuifoundation.org/">http://www.ayuifoundation.org</a></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /><b>Note:</b> Check out their newsletters especially because it has plenty of information<br /> </span></div>
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<h3>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><b>Useful Information For Shoppers:</b></span></h3>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I am not a hardcore shoppers but here are some tips of what are worth checking out in Chiang Rai.</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><b> </b></span><br />
<h4>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">At Chiang Rai town's night bazaar:</span></h4>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">- Hilltribes' handcraft such as bags, purses, etc</span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><b>- </b>A shop selling Rock Music t-shirts (3 for 770 baht) and a street stall selling Heavy Metal t-shirts (1 for 200 baht I think)</span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">- Look for a rather nice Khao soi (special noodle of Chiang Mai) stall beside the bus station</span><br />
<h4>
<br /><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">At Chiang Rai town's market:</span></h4>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">- Local homemade junk food </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">- Fried insects/worms (if you dare to try) </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">- Cheap socks (3 pairs for 50 baht) </span></span><br />
<br />
<h4>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Shops near Clock Tower: </b></span></span></h4>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">- Near the Clock Tower, there are some shops you can purchase art supply, balloons & stationery for the children </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">- Chiang Rai Car Rental </span></span><br />
<br />
<h4>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">At Big C:</span></h4>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">- Small unbranded pouch costing 100 baht</span><br />
<br />
<h4>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">At Central Plaza:</span></h4>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">- Steamed pork leg at the food court is yummy</span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">- You can find dictionaries for the kids </span><br />
<br />
<h4>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">At the market near Baan Ayui: </span></h4>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">- Cheap camouflage shorts (between 100 baht to 150 baht) & pants (2 for 500 baht)</span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">- Fruits are cheaper than town area (the children love fruits)</span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">- Cheap household utensils</span><br />
<br />
<h4>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">At Tesco Express Lotus near Baan Ayui:</span></h4>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">- Soap</span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">- Tooth paste</span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">- Mineral water </span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">- Soap powder</span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">- Snacks at 150 to 200 baht (snacks in Thailand are not as salty as the ones in Malaysia) </span></div>
Umbrella Rechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07984391934365782347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24882046.post-27089896791394205072014-07-27T14:55:00.001-07:002014-07-27T14:55:34.183-07:00Travel Information of Krabi, Thailand - July 2014Flew to Krabi via Air Asia a day before MH-17 was shot down. Stayed in Ao Nang throughout my trip. July was low season in Ao Nang. It was safe to walk around in Ao Nang even at night. I had no issue at Krabi town either. <br />
<br />
The following day after arrival, we traveled by longtail boat to Hong Island (5 persons). Price was 8000 baht I think. We chartered the boat for the sake of flexibility. We ordered some kind of rice with chicken for lunch which was not part of the package (price was forgotten). The visit at Hong Island and the lagoon was worth it. Due to the Monsoon season the sea was a bit choppy. Remember to bring some plain bread either you go to Hong Island or the 4 islands hopping in order to attract the fishes by feeding them. Kids will love it...so are some adults. Please take note that bread was often sold out at the end of the day. So, it's better for you to shop for bread in the morning. We skipped the 4 islands hopping because my family members were concern about the sea was being choppy. I was told that feeding fishes were possible in Poda Island (Koh Poda) and Chicken Island (Koh Gai) too.<br />
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We chartered a van to Krabi town for 800 baht if I remember correctly. We didn't climb the Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Sua) because there were old folks with us and I hated the steep staircase as well as the height. It's 1237 steps - the highest temple I have come across so far. Wat Kaew which was located at the night market area was relatively beautiful from the outside but it's nothing to shout about if you have visited the White Temple in Chiang Rai. There was no entrance fee for all of the temples in Thailand unlike Laos but you could provide donation. There's nothing great about the night market at Krabi. The one in Chiang Mai was 10 times better and cheaper.<br />
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Food, clothes and everything else were more expensive than Chiang Mai. Even in Kabi town itself, everything was more expensive. So, I would not recommend shopping if that's your intention of going there. I only purchased a t-shirt at 180 baht (150 baht in Chiang Mai), a military short at 200 baht (150 baht in Chiang Mai), a Feelfree waterproof 30 litre backpack at 1800 baht and a Feelfree waterproof 15 litre bag for a price I could not recall (probably around 500 to 600 baht). Spotted the tiny pineapple that I was hunting for but it was not as cheap as I expected - 50 baht per fruit. Maybe I got rip-off. The small Durian and mangosteen were cheap though. Durian was about 300 - 500 baht per fruit. I could not remember the price of mangosteen unfortunately.<br />
<br />
Overall, if you are interested in beaches and snorkeling, the islands will be interesting for you and you ought to stay in Ao Nang. Never consider staying in Krabi town as you will be bored to death. If you are not keen in beaches, you should skip flying into Krabi altogether.<br />
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<br />Umbrella Rechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07984391934365782347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24882046.post-43627312253691233392013-09-23T03:03:00.001-07:002015-03-21T18:50:59.328-07:00Travel Information of Chiang Mai, Thailand - Sept 2013Chiang Mai is a relatively cheap place to visit comparing with Bangkok. It is also safe. Nobody actually attempted to con travelers as in Vietnam. The 3 important thing to remember is bargain, bargain and bargain for anything you need to pay for except accommodation.<br />
<br />
The cost of the trip from Chiang Mai Airport to Seriwongse Hotel was about 120 baht by legal cab that you could pay at the airport. The journey was probably less than 30 minutes. Very convenient indeed.<br />
<br />
Throughout my trip I was staying in Seriwongse Hotel (somehow the locals called it "Seriwong" by eliminating the "se"). Don't ask me what is the meaning of "se". The hotel was located near the famous nightly night market. The carpet in the room was slightly old but I had no issue with that. The room was generally good and the service was good as well. The staff were friendly and helpful. When my mobile phone failed to reach a local cab driver's mobile phone, one of the female staff even called him on her personal mobile phone for me without charging me any fee.<br />
<br />
It was a relaxing slow pace trip for me. So, the first day, I basically did nothing except for exploring the night market. <br />
<br />
On the second day I went to the following places:<br />
<br />
<i>Tiger Kingdom - you have the option to choose big tigers, medium tigers and small tigers to hang around with. I decided to pick big tigers as it was cheaper but higher risk I supposed. Anyway, I am still alive today. It costs 420 baht per person.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Maesa Elephant Camp - Entrance fee was 120 baht. 800 baht for 30 minutes elephant ride. 1200 baht for an hour elephant ride. </i><br />
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Note:<br />
The above 2 places are nearby. So you could take a half day trip there by cab. I took the risk by taking illegal cab which cost me about 150 baht. He took me to some factories which was not part of then plan but I didn't mind. It was a norm for illegal cab drivers to do so in Thailand to obtain some sponsorship I supposed.<br />
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The following 2 places which I visited near Measa should be avoided especially the long neck Karen village:<br />
<br />
<i>Long neck village - It cost 500 baht to see some Karen vendors. Yes, vendors! There was no village. I personally think it's a rip-off. Yes, the dressed up in their native costumes but you would be very disappointed if you expected a village. I am still wondering where is the actual village. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Mae Rim Monkey School - It cost 200 baht. I was not that amazed as it was nothing unusual for me to watch a monkey show.</i><br />
<br />
On the third day, I went to the white temple which was about 3 hours drive from Chiang Mai. You can skip the hot spring on the way there as it's just a resting place. The white temple was amazing though. There was no entrance fee. The journey cost me about 460 baht for two way by van.<i> </i>The driver took us to a honey factory which was not part of my plan but again I didn't mind.<i><br /></i><br />
<br />
On the forth day, I went to Doi Suthep which was relatively far from the town. There was <span class="st">Wat Phra That Doi Suthep which was located on a hill. It was the same temple that my grandparents visited decades ago as I could recall the photo I saw when I was a kid. The climb was very pleasant comparing to other temples I had visited in Laos and Cambodia. It was not too high. So forget about taking the cable car unless you are too old or have heart problem. There were some food, clothes and art vendors nearby. The prices were surprisingly not too costly unlike many tourism spots that rip off tourists. The journey cost around 200 baht. The old man (cab driver) didn't take me to any places I did not plan to go. The trip was about 1 hour plus from town.</span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st">The rest of the days, I was just loitering around the old city of Chiang Mai by walking from the hotel. The places I visited were:</span><br />
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<i><span class="st">Three Kings Monument</span></i><br />
<i><span class="st"><br /></span></i>
<i><span class="st">Wat Phra Chao Mengrai</span></i><br />
<i><span class="st"><br /></span></i>
<i><span class="st">Wat Chedi Luang</span></i><br />
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<i><span class="st">Wat Phan Tao </span></i><br />
<i><span class="st"><br /></span></i>
<i><span class="st">Wat Chiang Man</span></i><br />
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<i><span class="st">Wat Phra Singh</span></i><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st">There are 2 walking streets that are worth checking out if you're into shopping:</span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<i><span class="st">Saturday walking street - also called Wualai Walking Street which occurs on every Saturday night.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="st"><br /></span></i>
<i><span class="st">Sunday walking street - it ran along Ratchadamnoen Road at the old town.</span></i><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st">The following markets are also worth visiting if you are curious about local markets:</span><br />
<br />
<i><span class="st">Somphet Market - It's located in the old city near Tha Phae Gate. Basically, you can purchase some local food, fruits, vegetables, etc.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="st"><br /></span></i>
<i><span class="st">Warorot Market - It's located near Seriwongse Hotel. You could purchase local food, fruits, clothes, etc here.</span></i><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st">The following are some prices of various items for budget purpose:</span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st">Fried rice - I managed to find a food stall with good food near Night Bazaar. It cost around 30 baht for fried rice.</span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st">Fried chicken wing - It cost around 10 baht for a fried chicken wing. You must try fried chicken/pork in Chiang Mai as they are delicious. Forget about KFC which sucks!</span><br />
<br />
<span class="st">Khao soi - It looks like curry noodle served with pork or chicken in Chiang Mai style. It cost me around 30 baht. </span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st">Shorts - It cost me around 150 baht for a pair of military shorts.</span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st">T-shirt - It cost me around 140 - 150 baht for a t-shirt. 140 baht one was located in Night Bazaar not far from the place I had my fried rice.</span><br />
<br />
<b><span class="st">Additional Info added on 22 March 2015:</span></b><br />
<span class="st">Based on information I have gathered in 2015 after 2 years of my previous trip, the prices do not seem to have hiked. So, it is still a good place to visit comparing with Krabi which I won't go back again. In fact I got some information from my friends who are familiar with Thailand to avoid places like Phuket & Krabi which are too commercialised. </span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
<span class="st">To those who are keen to know when is the right time to visit Chiang Mai, I was told to avoid the months of February, March, April & May due to the haze caused by burning of paddy fields during dry season. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="st">Between May to October which is the rainy season, it's not too bad to visit because it normally does not rain the entire day. You can always rest in the hotel when it rains and go out when the rain stops. The weather is cooler with the rain. More often you will get rain at night which is very pleasant to sleep. It's not so crowded and everything could be cheaper because it's not peak season. My trip to Chiang Mai in 2013 was during this season and I don't mind the rainy season at all. Based on my experience, sometimes it rained pretty heavy in the late afternoon but the rain took only about 30 minutes. I would encourage you to have a rain coat ready, wearing shorts and sandals if you're traveling during rainy season - you may get a bit wet and flash flood may occur.</span><br />
<span class="st"><br /></span>
November, December and January are the winter months. I have been told that the weather is colder. Temperature may drop to 10 degree Celsius. This is the peak season when price of everything is likely to hike and you are likely to compete with the crowded tourists wherever you go. Probably this is the season I wish to experience in the future but I dislike that it is the peak season.<br />
<br />
If I ever visit Chiang Mai again, I would really love to spend more time at Chiang Rai. I would be interested to spend some time at the villages of the hill tribes such as Karen, Hmong, etc. Mae Hong Son & Pai are some of the places I hope to visit.<br />
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<br />Umbrella Rechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07984391934365782347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24882046.post-86656174718272627972013-06-15T08:22:00.002-07:002013-06-23T00:41:12.454-07:00Travel Information of Laos in June 2013Laos is a safe country. I personally feel that it's safer than Malaysia/Thailand/Vietnam although I've heard about a German lady being a victim of attempted robbery at Luang Prabang. Everyone seems to be not in a rush. There's a joke that Laos PDR actually stands for Laos Please Don't Rush.<b> </b>Food is not cheap in this country comparing with other South-East Asian countries. Each meal costs minimum about 15,000 kip (about RM6) without any drinks. If you are worried about flies, you will be starving in Laos. So far I have never fallen sick by eating their street food despite of the flies. The Laotians are generally friendly although there are some not so friendly ones too - the unfriendly ones are minorities anyway. I encountered more beggars than my previous trip - it kept me wondering whether they were parts of the syndicates seen in Malaysia as well. It is a country that you can easily travel on your own without any tourist guide especially you don't mind hot sun and walking long distance. The waterfalls and Hmong Village are reachable by tuk tuk. Remember to negotiate for the price before spending your money in Laos, especially taxi/tuktuk and during shopping.<br />
<br />
<b>Places of Interest</b><br />
<br />
<u>Vientiane</u><br />
<br />
Chao Anouvong (statue)<br />
King Srisavangvong statue<br />
Wat Sisaket - not so impressive in my opinion<br />
Ho Pra Keo (old temple)<br />
Chao Fa Ngum statue<br />
Patouxay monument - must visit<br />
That Dam stupa<br />
That Luang stupa - must visit<br />
Revolutionary monument<br />
National Museum (near That Luang stupa)<br />
Wat That Foun<br />
Night market at river side at night (varieties are less than Luang Prabang but sometimes cheaper)<br />
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<br />
<u>Luang Phrabang</u><br />
<br />
Wat Visoun<br />
Wat Aham<br />
Royal Palace Museum <br />
Phousi Hill/That Chomsi (wat) <br />
Night market<br />
Wat Xiengthong<br />
Wat Sene<br />
Kuang Si waterfall<br />
Hmong Village (on the way to Kuang Si waterfall)<br />
Tad Sae waterfall (rainy season only - best time is August to September) - I missed it due to lack of water at the waterfall<br />
Pak Ou Cave - I didn't visit this due to lack of personal interest<br />
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<br />
<b>Language</b><br />
<br />
The language of Laotian is very similar to Thai with minor differences. The following are some useful Laotian words:<br />
<br />
hello - sabaidee<br />
thank you - kwop jai<br />
how are you? - sabaidee baw? <br />
yes - maen leeo<br />
no - baw<br />
goodbye & take care - sohk dee deuh<br />
how much is this? - anee tor dai? <br />
expensive -phaeng<br />
cheap - tuke<br />
soap - saabuu<br />
shampoo - saapom<br />
pen - bik<br />
writing paper - jiia<br />
0 - soon<br />
1 - neung<br />
2 - song<br />
3 - saam<br />
4 - sii<br />
5 - haa<br />
6 - huk<br />
7 - chit<br />
8 - paet<br />
9 - kao<br />
10 - sip<br />
11 - sip et<br />
12 - sip song<br />
20 - sao<br />
21 - sao et<br />
22 - sao song<br />
30 - saam sip<br />
40 - sii sip<br />
50 - haa sip<br />
100 - loi<br />
200 - song loi<br />
300 - saam loi<br />
1000 - phan<br />
2000 - song phan<br />
10,000 - meun OR sip phan<br />
100,000 - saen OR loi phan<br />
1,000,000 - laan<br />
1,000,000,000 - teu OR phan laan<br />
1,000,000,000,000 - laan laan<br />
number (train, bus, etc) - nam boe<br />
half - kheung<br />
less - nawy kwaa<br />
more - iik<br />
now - diow nee<br />
later - lai gon<br />
morning - dthawn sao<br />
afternoon - ton tang<br />
evening - ton lang<br />
night - kaang keun<br />
today - meuh nii<br />
yesterday - meuh wan nii<br />
tomorrow - meuh euhn<br />
this week - aa thit nii<br />
last week - thit laeow <br />
next week - thit naa<br />
sunday - wan aa thit<br />
monday - wan jan<br />
tuesday - wan ang khaan<br />
wednesday - wan phuut<br />
thursday - wan pha hat<br />
friday - wan suk<br />
saturday - wan sao<br />
red - sii daeng<br />
orange (colour) - sii som<br />
yellow - sii lueang<br />
green - sii khiao<br />
blue - sii faa<br />
purple - sii muang<br />
brown - sii nam taan<br />
gray - sii ke thao<br />
black - sii dum<br />
white - sii khao<br />
pink - sii bua<br />
chicken - gai<br />
pork - moo<br />
fish - bpaa<br />
naam - water<br />
warm water - naam yen<br />
eggs - khai<br />
rice - khao<br />
bread - khao jii<br />
rice noodle - pho<br />
wheat noodle - ba mii<br />
coffee - khaa feh<br />
hot tea - saa hawn<br />
juice - naam mak mai <br />
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<br />
<b>Accommodation</b><br />
<br />
In Vientiane, I stayed in:<br />
<ul>
<li>Family Hotel at 39, Pang Kham Road - Friendly & helpful employees. Free wifi in the room. The breakfast is reasonably good - even noodle is served. Nearer to Patouxay Monument but further from night market. This hotel has improved a lot since my last visit. It has an elevator now. Pain in the ass to climb the stairs at the entrance of the hotel if you have a heavy luggage. </li>
<li>Sinnakhone Hotel, Francois Ngin Road - Not so friendly & helpful employees. Free wifi in the room but my netbook failed to connect to their wifi. Breakfast is nothing to shout about - just 2 slices of toast with margarine & jam with self prepared Boh tea or coffee. The room is larger than Family Hotel.</li>
</ul>
In Luang Prabang, I stayed in:<br />
<ul>
<li>Villa Suan Maak, 92, Noradeth Road, Ban That Luang - Very friendly & helpful employees. It's a family run guesthouse. They treated visitors like family members if you're not stuck-up. The staff even turned my sister into a model and used their office as a photo studio. I am amazed! The chicken crowing in the neighbourhood at 4am may annoy you. It may be further from the town centre and you may be concern about the windows in the toilet that can be seen from a coconut tree/rooftop if someone climbs up but this is a typical village life that I miss in my own country. Breakfast is simple baguette with butter & jam, egg (scrambled, fried, boiled or omelette) with green tea, Boh tea or coffee.<span style="color: green;"><b></b></span></li>
</ul>
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<b>Expenses </b><br />
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It is advisable to look out for banks for exchanging currency as the rate is better. You may change the currency at the airport too as the rate is better than private currency exchange companies. You can only exchange to Laotian currency in Laos. Exchange the currency as you see the need to use them. You will get better rate for the notes of USD50 and USD100. Dirty and old notes are not acceptable. The currency rate was between 7681 kip to 7692 kip per USD during my visit.<br />
<br />
Currency conversion rate as of 09 June 2013:<br />
<br />
USD1 = 7681 kip = RM4.04<br />
<br />
The following are some hints to assist you with your expenses estimation when traveling to Laos - to be more specific Vientiane and Luang Prabang. The information provided is dated June 2013. <br />
<br />
<u>Vientiane</u><br />
<ul>
<li>Airport to hotel in Vientiane (purchase taxi coupon at the airport) - 60,000 kip (4 persons)</li>
<li>Hotel in Vientiane to airport (got a tuk tuk/taxi at the roadside by negotiating the price) - 50,000 kip (4 persons)</li>
<li>Admission fee to Sisaket Museum - 5,000 kip</li>
<li>Admission fee to Ho Phra Keo Museum - 5,000 kip</li>
<li>Admission fee to Phra That Laung Museum - 5,000 kip </li>
<li>Rice with chicken/pork - 15,000 kip</li>
<li>Woman's silk scarf - 40,000 kip </li>
<li>Tigerhead drinking water 1.5 litre - 5,000 kip</li>
<li>Tigerhead drinking water small bottle - 300 kip</li>
<li>Cheap t-shirt - 15,000 kip</li>
<li>Places I missed out: Buddha Park, National Museum near That Luang Museum (Note: there are 2 national museums), King Srisavangvong Statue</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u>Luang Prabang</u><br />
<ul>
<li>Airport to hotel in Luang Prabang (purchase taxi coupon at the airport) - USD6.50 (4 persons)</li>
<li>Hotel in Luang Prabang to airport (got a tuk tuk at the roadside by negotiating the price) - 50,000kip (4 persons)</li>
<li>Hand made queen sized blanket (took 8-10 months to make 1 blanket. Purchased at the night market from a friendly couple in their late 20s or early 30s at a stall facing a massage parlour at the right hand side [2nd row on the right side]) - 400,000 kip</li>
<li>Less complicated queen sized blanket (Purchased at the night market from two ladies at the left side [2nd row]) - 160,000 kip </li>
<li>Tuk tuk to Kuang Si Falls & Hmong Village - 170,000 kip (4 persons, 2 ways + 3 hours at the waterfalls [exclude traveling time])</li>
<li>Admission fee to Kuang Si waterfall - 20,000 kip</li>
<li>Admission fee to Phousi Hill - 20,000 kip</li>
<li>Tuk tuk to Tak Sae waterfall (best time is August - September) - 150,000 kip (I didn't go due to lack of water at the waterfall) </li>
<li>Tigerhead drinking water 1.5 litre - 5,000 kip</li>
<li>Fried rice 20,000 kip</li>
<li>Cheap t-shirt - 15,000 kip </li>
<li>Woman's simple bag - 3 for 80,000 kip </li>
<li>Native's purse (medium size) - 3 for 40,000 kip, 1 for 15,000 kip</li>
<li>Native's purse (small size - not the super small one) - 1 for 10,000 kip</li>
<li>Vegetarian dinner buffet style at Night Food Street - 10,000 kip regardless of the amount you take to fill up a plate</li>
<li>Laotian rice noodle with pork floss, peanuts, lots of vegetables (similar to laksa) at Night Food Street during lunch hour - 7,000 kip</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>Tiny packet of shampoo at the end of Night Food Street - 1,000 kip </li>
<li>Place I missed out: Tad Sae Waterfall </li>
</ul>
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<br />Umbrella Rechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07984391934365782347noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24882046.post-25817919123303384562012-12-31T18:19:00.004-08:002012-12-31T18:30:44.908-08:00DIY Pond FilterThanks to the following site for giving me ideas to build my own pond filter:<br />
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<a href="http://www.interall.co.il/filter.html">http://www.interall.co.il/filter.html</a><br />
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I had been unhappy with the lousy pond filter designed by the crappy contractor because it didn't filter the water properly. The damn guy just partitioned a small section of the pond with a piece of plastic and pump the water into it and expected the water to be filtered. In reality the plastic kept falling apart letting all the debris escaping back into the main pond.<br />
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Please take from my experience not to trust any contractor to design a pond. Make sure you have personally done your own research on building a pond with proper filter. Design it yourself and ask the contractor to build it. Fire him if he refuses to follow your design. DO NOT ever trust any contractor!<br />
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I have decided to build my own DIY pond filter with some ideas gained from the website stated above on Christmas eve. The duration to build one took a few hours - most of the time was "drilling" holes on a plastic container purchased from Tesco. It is an easy task even for a DIY noob like myself. Just have to be careful not to melt the holes too big at the plastic container or burn yourself with the soldering gun.<br />
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<b>Tools:</b><br />
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1. Soldering gun - I use this to melt the plastic container to "drill" holes. You could use a drill for the same purpose.Soldering gun costs less than RM30.<br />
2. Old cloth soaked with water or old newspaper for wiping plastic sticking on soldering gun. Costs RM0. <br />
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<b>Components:</b><br />
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1. A square plastic container. Costs RM6+.<br />
2. Three PVC bulkheads - one for water to flow in, one for water to flow out and another for overflow. Costs RM1.50 each.<br />
4. One PVC "hose connector". Costs RM1.50 each.<br />
5. One PVC adapters to join my hose connector and bulkhead that have different diameters. Costs RM1.50 each.<br />
6. Water hose that fits your "hose connector" for water to flow into your filter. I use 2 types of hose to fit the powerhead and the PVC bulkhead. Costs RM2 per meter.<br />
7. Filter media you wish to put inside your filter. The cost depends on what you put.<br />
8. Powerhead. Costs RM0 because I re-use old one.<br />
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PVC bulkhead:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3627xqT8FJ-sL2-WX1vgVRHW-v7yn2ObpRIOlM2vx1KrUEPk1MzbO_rgpMAfmqImUO1YB3WeQN1y5xo7QPEbn1FhJkqMzDIluroA8GJ4Oz2krh9KaZYUeopDg3T8_1gRuQtl/s1600/Bulkhead-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3627xqT8FJ-sL2-WX1vgVRHW-v7yn2ObpRIOlM2vx1KrUEPk1MzbO_rgpMAfmqImUO1YB3WeQN1y5xo7QPEbn1FhJkqMzDIluroA8GJ4Oz2krh9KaZYUeopDg3T8_1gRuQtl/s1600/Bulkhead-small.jpg" /></a></div>
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PVC "hose connector":<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBBaSeZzHQPyx_QcTmOm2pzLx8ZS6FlOOzAQw6BSq46T2g0MT-i41VHOLni0_F_cUPTSMul4ZDX2BdlRQt9BU6PcLUBvKmTH6ShqFLvYL8dwdrCaqZnr3WAKRkw0tapGsnMJe/s1600/Hose+connector-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBBaSeZzHQPyx_QcTmOm2pzLx8ZS6FlOOzAQw6BSq46T2g0MT-i41VHOLni0_F_cUPTSMul4ZDX2BdlRQt9BU6PcLUBvKmTH6ShqFLvYL8dwdrCaqZnr3WAKRkw0tapGsnMJe/s320/Hose+connector-small.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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PVC adapter:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7eKkSOeO1VzWmUNA02JtZXX7jcszMp13Fvc0hhSUYsnZKrdKb6m1836EMKDbJx9a2j7PME4u2I92Ttj0puXWr4PZ4aErSk57OSqKVX5U-ozhI6Kfxmomk10XFPhTQPdtb_p9/s1600/adapter-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7eKkSOeO1VzWmUNA02JtZXX7jcszMp13Fvc0hhSUYsnZKrdKb6m1836EMKDbJx9a2j7PME4u2I92Ttj0puXWr4PZ4aErSk57OSqKVX5U-ozhI6Kfxmomk10XFPhTQPdtb_p9/s320/adapter-small.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Here are the steps to build the filter:</b><br />
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1. Mark the diameter of bulkhead by drawing circles on the plastic container. One circle for water inflow (near the top of the container). One circle at the bottom of the container for water outflow. Another circle slightly lower than the water inflow circle for overflow. The overflow circle could be at the side of the container or any place you want (depending on your requirement). The overflow is optional but it is good to overcome water overflowing in case the outflow is blocked.<br />
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2. Melt the plastic container where it is marked with the circles with soldering gun. You may want to wear a mask. You may need an old newspaper or old cloth to wipe off the plastic sticking on the soldering gun every now and then.<br />
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3. Install the bulkheads into the holes.<br />
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4. At the bulkhead of the water inflow, connect the PVC adapter and hose connector. Your filter is completed!<br />
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5. Test the filter by filling in water to test for any leakage at the bulkheads. Fix it if necessary.<br />
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6. Connect one end of the water hose to the powerhead and the other end to the water inflow bulkhead. <br />
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7. Add the filter media into the plastic container aka your new filter box.<br />
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8. Turn on the powerhead when it's placed in the pond to test run the filter. <br />
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My DIY Pond Filter:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIaCKSFs5-gfluIG0OljNsoexbpEcJ3MI_mE44AIdF1slo4q4mFbGFZNNUebILW0mDzI1FXwzhmuqoZo6q05YMVfPFs5vv8Sa8CzNG-xcmXW7xhDp-Gl7h4bCt2hbA0Le7Y32y/s1600/Filter-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIaCKSFs5-gfluIG0OljNsoexbpEcJ3MI_mE44AIdF1slo4q4mFbGFZNNUebILW0mDzI1FXwzhmuqoZo6q05YMVfPFs5vv8Sa8CzNG-xcmXW7xhDp-Gl7h4bCt2hbA0Le7Y32y/s320/Filter-small.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Internal Section of The DIY Pond Filter:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVk5zAfIInFeLWwswUtqHOqQsXMkiLFJhf330Dckhw1hOyKmRFVkr6lxkjHK2sOlgp4S1q3z2Y95KeNaW8_-Mt1QJHPEVOIqP-Ul4x_uQjMBFgnK6S-8TFyDdDWiE3rkkzq1L/s1600/Filter-internal-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVk5zAfIInFeLWwswUtqHOqQsXMkiLFJhf330Dckhw1hOyKmRFVkr6lxkjHK2sOlgp4S1q3z2Y95KeNaW8_-Mt1QJHPEVOIqP-Ul4x_uQjMBFgnK6S-8TFyDdDWiE3rkkzq1L/s1600/Filter-internal-small.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />Umbrella Rechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07984391934365782347noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24882046.post-2395120482888784942012-06-15T15:52:00.000-07:002017-04-12T05:27:00.994-07:00Love-Hate Affair With BritpopLooking out of the window, I saw haze that reminded me of the mist of England in 1996-1997 era when I was there. Upon stepping on the soil of England, it was like being in heaven with the ability to tune in to the good old BBC Radio 1 (outside London, I didn't have XFM's radio reception) to be able to listen to alternative music bands rather frequently. Malaysia had Time Highway Radio (THR) playing a bit of those stuff then but they were insufficient. <br />
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After 3 months I began to feel sick of day-in day-out listening to something they called Britpop especially bands such as Oasis, Blur and Pulp (the sequence is based on my hate priority) that I would not hesitate to turn off the volume whenever I heard them on the radio. You could hear these bands on the airwave more than 10 times per day. To make the situation worse, sometimes the same songs were being repeated multiple times per day. Soon, the Britpop phenomena turned worse as Oasis and Blur started their stupid childish verbal wars on each other. These news were all over the media (radio, newspaper & music magazines) in England. Soon, I added bands such as Suede, Echobelly, Menswear, Dodgy, Sleeper, Supergrass, Ocean Colour Scene, Cast, The Verve, etc into my hate list. Manic Street Preachers, Elastica and Ash were not in my hate list because Manic had that American rock sound and the other two bands had the punk sound as well as the right punk attitude. The Boo Radleys also escaped my hate list because they sound very refreshing, catchy and unique in their own way despite being labeled as Britpop. Those days I missed non-typical British sound so badly. So bands like The Cardigans, The Wannadies, Sepultura, Smashing Pumpkins, 3D's, The Fall, etc were very refreshing to me.<br />
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Today, I don't hate Britpop as I used to anymore due to the fact that I have started to miss my former number one hated bands Oasis and Blur after returning to Malaysia for more than a decade. I guess when you have been overfed with similar sounding music, you tend to choke, vomit and tend to stay away from them. As you take them away for decades, you may start to miss what you have not heard for a long period.Umbrella Rechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07984391934365782347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24882046.post-60781439169421608372012-05-11T14:00:00.001-07:002012-12-31T16:55:09.876-08:00List of Aquarium Plants I Have Experienced<b>Carpet plants:</b><br />
Echinodorus tenellus (old name)/Elianthium tenellum (new name) - widely known as tenellus, fast growing<br />
Japanese hair grass - somehow slow growth based on my experience<br />
Common hair grass - somehow slow growth based on my experience<br />
Lileaopsis brasiliensis - submerged - died. Emersed - successful but slow growth<br />
Glosso - all dead with NPT - could be insufficient light <br />
Hydrocotyle verticillata- melted or stunted in NPT. Successful in a tank with ADA Amazonia soil and CO2 supplied <br />
Marsilea hirsuta - easy but slow growth<br />
Cryptocoryne parva - died in submerged form but slow growth in emersed form<br />
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<b>Mid ground:</b><br />
Blyxa japonica - reasonably easy to grow but may die off out of a sudden if something goes wrong (i.e. being messed by fishes...digging)<br />
Various Cryptocoryne wendtii (such as green gecko) - easy<br />
Bacopa monnieri - not looking good. Dump to emersed setup for testing<br />
Bacopa caroliniana - easy but got bored of it <br />
Marsilea quadrifolia - very easy but seems to be killed by plants disease now<br />
Hemianthus micranthemoides - supposed to be easy but mine melted due to lack of light. Still testing after replacing the lighting.<br />
Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia - easy <br />
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<b>Background:</b><br />
Potamogeton gayi - easy to grow but sensitive to Seachem Excel<br />
Corkscrew vallisneria - easy to grow<br />
Cyperus helferi - killed by what I believe is plant disease<br />
Tonina sp. 'Belem' - initially quite easy but disappeared from the tank after a while. Alien abduction?<br />
Green rotala - melted in NPT but growing relatively easy floating in an outdoor pail & emersed form <br />
Limnophila sp. "Vietnam" - melted<br />
Ludwigia repens - easy<br />
Hygrophila polysperma - grew too awful in NPT<br />
Sagittaria subulata - easy<br />
Cryptocoryne balansae - relatively easy initially but went missing now<br />
Water wisteria - very easy but it's too big<br />
Pogostemon sp Babien Laos - easy<br />
Limnophila sp. Vietnam - melted<br />
Myriophyllum mattogrossense - easy <br />
Myriophyllum tuberculatum - slow growth <br />
Limnophila aromatica - melted<br />
Vallisneria nana - died<br />
Vallisneria spiralis - easy<br />
Cryptocoryne spiralis - easy but went missing<br />
Pogostemon stellatus 'Octopus' - very easy<br />
Hygrophila polysperma 'Ceylon' - very easy<br />
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Hygrophila pinnatifida - easy but slow growth</div>
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<b>Floating:</b><br />
Elodea/Egeria densa - good for fry<br />
Hornwort - good for fry<br />
Duckweed - truly a weed, could be annoying<br />
Cabomba - annoying as it keeps breaking off <br />
Salvinia natans - truly a weed, could be annoying but not as annoying as duckweed<br />
Water lettuce/Pistia stratiotes - very easy<br />
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<b>Attached to driftwood/rocks:</b><br />
Spiky moss - easy but beware of hair algae<br />
Christmas moss - easy but beware of hair algae<br />
Taiwan moss - easy but beware of hair algae<br />
Java moss - easy but beware of hair algae<br />
Weeping moss - Growth is too slow. 2nd attempt seems successful<br />
Riccia - annoying as it kept floating every now and then<br />
Anubias nana - eaten by Kribs<br />
Anubias nana 'petite' - eaten by Kribs<br />
Java fern - needs colder temperature<br />
Mini Java fern - needs colder temperature <br />
Philippines fern - needs colder temperature<br />
Windelov - needs colder temperature<br />
Narrow leaf fern - died<br />
Bolbotis - died during my first 3-4 attempts. Currently trying again and it seems to be growing.<br />
Subwassertang - very easy <br />
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<br />Umbrella Rechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07984391934365782347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24882046.post-70035140991738005852011-10-28T07:01:00.000-07:002011-10-28T07:32:15.827-07:00Aquarium Fan Review<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJk93WqP7E2j0PetAohMTy4dIpclABTdoqKDIsp5SldO2ElHavEOmz-LvxM_gFSXG710mR9oPdmtqkBArIa6gpumRbyHVZKU7_XXsIv_3yJBWwOtHKaOrU6sGJ_Vew2k8HpJpH/s1600/Jebo+small.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJk93WqP7E2j0PetAohMTy4dIpclABTdoqKDIsp5SldO2ElHavEOmz-LvxM_gFSXG710mR9oPdmtqkBArIa6gpumRbyHVZKU7_XXsIv_3yJBWwOtHKaOrU6sGJ_Vew2k8HpJpH/s320/Jebo+small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668549549884532210" border="0" /></a></div><br />Jebo (small one) - very noisy since day one. Powerful? Well, I can accept it but as it becomes older, it's so noisy that I have to send it for retirement permanently after several attempts to clean & oil it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbqP97cmrjSiVkRlmZDPQbDoHiE3N383Rk7DcfOcwjLVngg56dMKh3uNvpI01cfy5GaNfyr-XBtvux34_lLujg07MtuSGsHsMvmvfuEUJkvg-t7unxF0YxON1Mm4UvAeUw9U-/s1600/Jebo+dual+fan.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 209px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbqP97cmrjSiVkRlmZDPQbDoHiE3N383Rk7DcfOcwjLVngg56dMKh3uNvpI01cfy5GaNfyr-XBtvux34_lLujg07MtuSGsHsMvmvfuEUJkvg-t7unxF0YxON1Mm4UvAeUw9U-/s320/Jebo+dual+fan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668549715474466466" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Jebo (twin fans) - very quiet compare with the single fan one. I find it not powerful and getting worse as it gets old. I have 2 of these. After several years....1st set got a damaged fan (meaning only 1 of the twin fans is working). 2nd set is working but totally not powerful.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYnYfmB1cF57YTHKW-Pjxy5w8iC43yFj2sVKadWelP07jyJPivp8qG1EOuQNG2ADzVnCRHKoTj3If9bzjKE4_0D3PLCyOaru4CX5tbOabNvJWwJ5UTMEK6HhRu7qSXIVWiqcZ/s1600/Ista.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYnYfmB1cF57YTHKW-Pjxy5w8iC43yFj2sVKadWelP07jyJPivp8qG1EOuQNG2ADzVnCRHKoTj3If9bzjKE4_0D3PLCyOaru4CX5tbOabNvJWwJ5UTMEK6HhRu7qSXIVWiqcZ/s320/Ista.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668549860172611682" border="0" /></a>Ista (small one) - Very powerful - will beat Jebo anytime. Very noisy...it's very obvious at night.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgbN7hNi_-2Di-VYziIwN9fpsTaIcmKuRaxfa-EfhrDI6D-AIedQmuTeyfX7_FVBHqQIt6h9YfHvcDkvviClEXhNR6-ZO3q9j2m3PCCNPgfONsgrWZssZtvwsGjVE5BHjUkjx/s1600/MrAqua.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 279px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgbN7hNi_-2Di-VYziIwN9fpsTaIcmKuRaxfa-EfhrDI6D-AIedQmuTeyfX7_FVBHqQIt6h9YfHvcDkvviClEXhNR6-ZO3q9j2m3PCCNPgfONsgrWZssZtvwsGjVE5BHjUkjx/s320/MrAqua.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668550067151865058" border="0" /></a><br />Mr. Aqua Super Tornado Cooling Fan - In terms of noise level, this is the best option so far - very quiet indeed. It's so quiet that I thought it was not turned on. It's not as powerful as Ista's but in comparison with Jebo's, it's very good. It's rather bulky and heavy though.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hgaqyvBuW1aSacG6LfGssiwDi-R5ABsqmBtkT18X6w1PIs7AFzpRmy_ZbGg9pXuTQm1HVlkzW0K6y5s8rY8xCStx708UhvKJp-dP4EdbkgqmMOi4C0LmRLCfNpVBSs6FxVma/s1600/Dymax.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 199px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hgaqyvBuW1aSacG6LfGssiwDi-R5ABsqmBtkT18X6w1PIs7AFzpRmy_ZbGg9pXuTQm1HVlkzW0K6y5s8rY8xCStx708UhvKJp-dP4EdbkgqmMOi4C0LmRLCfNpVBSs6FxVma/s320/Dymax.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668550275622311602" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIpysM_6p15M3ZN6zJzwNq5T5_NJjjvH8Vh_73w-8noaYg3fR5l3XJ9wGcrLYMSqVLmdaOC7l7tmSduQIJTFurX4jZyIcwBhO1CRcIW2JChJrwmSOhKQRbnzKZ-YJCJ2JvUda/s1600/Dymax2.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 172px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIpysM_6p15M3ZN6zJzwNq5T5_NJjjvH8Vh_73w-8noaYg3fR5l3XJ9wGcrLYMSqVLmdaOC7l7tmSduQIJTFurX4jZyIcwBhO1CRcIW2JChJrwmSOhKQRbnzKZ-YJCJ2JvUda/s320/Dymax2.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668550449613472498" border="0" /></a><br />Dymax fan - I was told by the LFS that the quality is uncertain. It may last only 3-4 months if you're unlucky. I did not bother to check it out after hearing such comment from the LFS.<br /><br />I have tried another fans which I cannot remember the brand - it is white colour and the box has Japanese words. It is totally not powerful at all.Umbrella Rechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07984391934365782347noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24882046.post-8297019011419997662011-10-25T16:27:00.000-07:002011-10-25T16:31:29.784-07:00Useful Simple Techniques In AquascapingSome simple useful techniques used in aquascaping and fish keeping:<br /><br />1. Before pouring water, place a clean plastic bag or even the plastic bag of aquarium soil to cover your plants and soil. Pour the water onto the bag to avoid messing up the new plants and soil.<br /><br />2. Create a slope that is higher at the back and lower at the foreground to create depth.<br /><br />3. To prevent landslide, use rocks to block the soil.<br /><br />4. Cheaper way of creating a higher slope at the back of the tank is by using lava rocks underneath - save the cost of aquarium soil.<br /><br />5. Since most of us don't use any hood for the planted tanks to prevent heat being trapped in the tank leading to higher temperature (not good for the plants), if you have jumpy fish, place cards (old credit cards, points collection cards, etc), the green dishwasher pads, etc to cover up 4 corners of the tank to reduce suicidal cases of fishes. Not proven with Hatchet fish though.<br /><br />6. Cannot find driftwood of the shape you want? Use aluminium wire tied to a driftwood to create fake branches. Cover the aluminium wire with black filter wool tied to the aluminium wire to cover up the wire. You may tied some moss over the fake branches after that. Don't over do it! Otherwise the tank will look very unnatural.<br /><br />7. Algae growing on plants? Turn off your filter. You can try shooting Seachem Excel onto the affected areas with a shringe and leave it for about 30 minutes before turning on the filter again. Some sensitive plants will die as well. I have done that with Cryptocoryne wendtii, Anubias nana and Echinodorus tenellus. Don't try it on Vallisneria sp. Very useful to fight BBA.Umbrella Rechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07984391934365782347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24882046.post-64647291911396172642011-10-20T00:34:00.000-07:002011-10-20T16:04:44.831-07:00Beware of Highway Con Men<h6 style="font-weight: normal;" class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":1}"><span class="messageBody translationEligibleUserMessage" ft="{"type":3}" style="font-size:130%;">When driving at Federal Highway, beware of some Indian men offering to help if your car breaks down. One of them is around late 40s/early 50s and another one is late 30s/early 40s.<br /><br />Here's my first hand encounter. 1 motorcyclist passing by pointing at my tyre. 2nd bike (Indian man) passing by also pointing at my tyre. I came down from my car and saw my tyre full of pink coloured oil with some smoke. 2 Indian men on a bike offered to help. When trying to drive the car, I realised the brake was not working. Thinking it's a minor issue, I let them help. They took the tyre out saying the brake disc needed to be sent to the workshop to be checked. The partially bald Indian guy stayed back with me. The younger one went to the workshop. I received a call via the handphone of the bald Indian man from a Chinese lady asking for my car model in order to get the right replacement part. The younger Indian guy came back with the parts and the bill was over RM1900. They asked me to pay on the spot with additional workmanship cost. I had not enough cash and no ATM card. I paid them RM100 after some argument. They left and left behind a handphone number for me to contact them if I wanted to pay up. The phone number is <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">016-9192917</span> (owner is VJ/Dewa/a complicated Indian name). I sent the car to my personal mechanic. My mechanic told me it was a con job and the car replacement part was not so costly - I was the second victim among his customers. The first victim encountered the same scenerio.<br /><br />The bald man told me his name was Suresh. The younger one he said was Dewa but when I asked the younger guy for his name, he gave me a complicated Indian name. Then he shortened it to VJ. I believe no real names were revealed. The workshop's receipt was in Segambut but it took less than 30 minutes for the younger guy to reach back Federal Highway (near Mid Valley) - this is fishy. I think this is a con job collaborated among Indians and Chinese.</span></h6><span jsid="text" class="commentBody" style="font-size:130%;">After sitting down to analyse the Indian men, I realised there are a lot of fishy matters about them. The bald guy told me they worked with Petronas but later in the conversation he switched to Shell. So I asked him whether it's Shell or Petronas. He said his Chinese boss owned Petronas and Shell gas/petrol station.<br /></span><h6 style="font-weight: normal;" class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":1}"><span jsid="text" class="commentBody" style="font-size:130%;">Fishy Issue # 1: Neither of them were wearing Petronas or Shell uniform.<br /></span></h6><h6 style="font-weight: normal;" class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":1}"><span jsid="text" class="commentBody" style="font-size:130%;">Fishy item #2: If I were a big boss of Shell or Petronas, I would kick the hell out of their Chinese boss for collaborating with the competitor.<br /></span></h6><h6 style="font-weight: normal;" class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":1}"><span jsid="text" class="commentBody" style="font-size:130%;">Fishy item #3: I don't think there's any Chinese owning Petronas gas station.</span></h6><span style="font-size:130%;">They don't dare to accept cheque and online banking transfer. They only dare to accept cash, so they cannot be traced.</span><span jsid="text" class="commentBody" style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />The con men probably took my original brake disc for trade in and got the re-con one for me.</span><br /><h6 style="font-weight: normal;" class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":1}"><span class="messageBody translationEligibleUserMessage" ft="{"type":3}" style="font-size:130%;">The men claimed they're originated from Penang island but working in Brickfields and stayed in Bangsar. Now I am looking out for any suspicious looking Indian men around me in case they come for revenge...</span></h6>Umbrella Rechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07984391934365782347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24882046.post-14122060759293423622011-09-16T20:22:00.000-07:002011-09-16T21:07:12.697-07:00CO2 Cylinder Refill/Purchase - Syarikat City CorporationFor those who are into aquascaping, the best location to refill CO2 and purchase CO2 cylinder is:<br /><br />Syarikat City Corporation,<br />30, Jalan 13/108C,<br />Taman Sungai Besi,<br />57100 Kuala Lumpur.<br /><br />Tel: 03-79836366 or 03-79833214<br />Fax: 03-79813344<br /><br />The company opens at 9am daily (except Sunday). Please take note that they work half day on Saturday.<br /><br />The price is lower than any of the local fish shops. The waiting period is also faster than any of the fish shops as you get the refill on the spot. No waiting period of a few hours or even days.<br /><br />Recently I have found out that the cost of refilling CO2 has increased. It used to be RM10 for any sizes of CO2 cylinders but that's no longer the case now. Here's the CO2 refill price list:<br /><br />5 lbs - RM12<br />10 lbs - RM22<br /><br />The price of CO2 cylinder has gone up too. It used to be RM120 for 5 lbs CO2 cylinder and RM150 for 10 lbs CO2 cylinder if I am not mistaken. The current price list of CO2 cylinder with gas is:<br /><br />5 lbs - RM140<br />10 lbs - RM160Umbrella Rechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07984391934365782347noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24882046.post-25459726806407257472011-07-22T17:24:00.000-07:002011-07-31T05:43:35.377-07:00Laos - Jewel Of The Mekong<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAubBO4Do0JRpotcykP1Sr4SHLRhfVNYl6bEA4UdepwHIerRIZpJ6StCcycF6evun69YTZRn0eSs1pUb_FWk_r4OrwkNWSvI9jAAbdmYIUx5_oaVDmd65qE5hwftpI7HFh7SA/s1600/LaosFlag.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAubBO4Do0JRpotcykP1Sr4SHLRhfVNYl6bEA4UdepwHIerRIZpJ6StCcycF6evun69YTZRn0eSs1pUb_FWk_r4OrwkNWSvI9jAAbdmYIUx5_oaVDmd65qE5hwftpI7HFh7SA/s320/LaosFlag.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632350597031373810" border="0" /></a><br />It's not so common for travelers to visit Laos comparing with the rest of South-East Asian countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, etc. I personally only aware of two friends who have visited Laos - a Malaysian and a French. One of them gave me some good pointers about the country that was totally unknown to me. Yes, I had a sense of insecurity.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kuang Si Waterfall:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUpI-U3WL3wj57x3lzQDPwylJHN0ip8vTWDuRG8wKtr65F_RFuLT1qqCr3apqC7dG4XuuPP2G9UORy0vQo5hTAb8tkyIGz3CIVDDAQ5DwBqVSgAHu_-AjlozwK1jrlksHy-Zg/s1600/KuangSi2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUpI-U3WL3wj57x3lzQDPwylJHN0ip8vTWDuRG8wKtr65F_RFuLT1qqCr3apqC7dG4XuuPP2G9UORy0vQo5hTAb8tkyIGz3CIVDDAQ5DwBqVSgAHu_-AjlozwK1jrlksHy-Zg/s320/KuangSi2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635493941674271842" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-weight: bold;">A Very Friendly Hmong Lady Who Let Us Visited Her House:</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUe-M8gLavAdDQGsGUlZwoKWXNUY7YeqddTY9UpbBQXOdjV8QMJQ0SN_WoNDXpddUVDt-yReJjCQY42PPN4XFIaYDXnzjKfPFNUKcwrxPG_vPR2EhzY9MK8uqXAd8GcD8qmW9/s1600/HmongFriendlyLady.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUe-M8gLavAdDQGsGUlZwoKWXNUY7YeqddTY9UpbBQXOdjV8QMJQ0SN_WoNDXpddUVDt-yReJjCQY42PPN4XFIaYDXnzjKfPFNUKcwrxPG_vPR2EhzY9MK8uqXAd8GcD8qmW9/s320/HmongFriendlyLady.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635495298438488850" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hmong Village:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddgjTLZS1IgpHxVPNfOHWeNr-ek8FbjEV3dRcx1nWqEIO2mOy2dOb1Ujf1yoJA2-1N5UyjqIZfe4F0IsUG4PVwPRFZMvWivyWMj1zafioRx-0xaoUrTlvznyprh662fceb15R/s1600/HmongVillage.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddgjTLZS1IgpHxVPNfOHWeNr-ek8FbjEV3dRcx1nWqEIO2mOy2dOb1Ujf1yoJA2-1N5UyjqIZfe4F0IsUG4PVwPRFZMvWivyWMj1zafioRx-0xaoUrTlvznyprh662fceb15R/s320/HmongVillage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635493201010208994" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The noodle I love:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lg2QQtODfPXbjOpFQ1TAg9_27lA_PND-hyuWQUFLYh0zB_fNZfQyJWhcsIX1I1zEjXNfNTIBlq8RiUtn69CACHeeYHNZgdTZlFUwxgAZyryjF47l7ZMA3D6_edcQkwiaP0G7/s1600/GreatNoodle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lg2QQtODfPXbjOpFQ1TAg9_27lA_PND-hyuWQUFLYh0zB_fNZfQyJWhcsIX1I1zEjXNfNTIBlq8RiUtn69CACHeeYHNZgdTZlFUwxgAZyryjF47l7ZMA3D6_edcQkwiaP0G7/s320/GreatNoodle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635492928054686370" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Street of Luang Prabang:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfFPfhyphenhyphenMQ6575ARgRR3HcvKTgkoMGkopv-aGftRFqoCfEk4L6kdBpDB2VjGGKTRwR0X7gxZ7GX2nLTDlJuX9XC2yLPQwFHJ76sqwOBGudpFCC-JN3AAWJ4ST3B4HHx_WE7eJq/s1600/StreetOfLuangPrabang.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfFPfhyphenhyphenMQ6575ARgRR3HcvKTgkoMGkopv-aGftRFqoCfEk4L6kdBpDB2VjGGKTRwR0X7gxZ7GX2nLTDlJuX9XC2yLPQwFHJ76sqwOBGudpFCC-JN3AAWJ4ST3B4HHx_WE7eJq/s320/StreetOfLuangPrabang.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635492693712988818" border="0" /></a><br />It's good for me to find out by myself that Laos is in fact safer than my own country. I did not see any criminal activities there. Nobody will try to cheat you like the Vietnamese or Chinese. Yes, they may hike up the price knowing that you're a foreigner but you can bargain all the way down to the price you're happy - this is a pretty common practice in South-East Asia. The living standard has gone up in recent years due to the hike of petrol price. I could no longer get 50,000 kip taxi ride to the airport. Instead it cost me 70, 000 kip. T-shirts cost around 15,000 kip. Lao coffee powder was purchased at Luang Prabang for 50, 000 kip a bag but later found out they were available at 32,000 kip in Vientiane. Currency exchange to kip can only be done in Laos. Thai baht and US dollar are widely acceptable. 10,000 kip is about USD1 or RM4.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tuk Tuk - The Main Transportation In Laos:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYxGjodoR20J6f-5eP4NUFlfBY9xhM81yf7AM2fZXUA7dEs5imy9PnD9hT0SeE2VKuXW63SSOZNleDgT0yZwNG7rUAM0Gq-OnhWm9MgDlB-3T3DVzOHTD1NL4fLUYnTr35Kyr/s1600/TukTuk.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYxGjodoR20J6f-5eP4NUFlfBY9xhM81yf7AM2fZXUA7dEs5imy9PnD9hT0SeE2VKuXW63SSOZNleDgT0yZwNG7rUAM0Gq-OnhWm9MgDlB-3T3DVzOHTD1NL4fLUYnTr35Kyr/s320/TukTuk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635494272109995506" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Stupa At A Temple In Luang Prabang:</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jUWN0hfD3mL-rBYRFxoUnRI_Th8ZVqnrcPdLHVmAEFZ6Rb4DSxYYBIyKRKW9dUXfUZGMtUtt6MWgL0DzpydK3KosmYSveoU97kJvYSgSXJm3Uu-d5D4tXHH7dXQc0HARnuBO/s1600/Stupa.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jUWN0hfD3mL-rBYRFxoUnRI_Th8ZVqnrcPdLHVmAEFZ6Rb4DSxYYBIyKRKW9dUXfUZGMtUtt6MWgL0DzpydK3KosmYSveoU97kJvYSgSXJm3Uu-d5D4tXHH7dXQc0HARnuBO/s320/Stupa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635493484154597330" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Bring along a torch light if you are afraid of the dark because their electricity availability is inconsistent. You may encounter sudden black out while walking half way on the street in total darkness, but it would last only a few seconds.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Temple In Luang Prabang (Forgot The Name):</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ488l2JSeCUZs1NMvcjXJ0sJ5t7wvf3I2kascvH21YW9BtitKVtECjcxx_xbyq9cFJ35dmvoLwlCHv__WrYwU4FwXHLXqipqYIv8R3pTnScOzcpmWxCwnKcUvpv3KekI3_R9b/s1600/Temple.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ488l2JSeCUZs1NMvcjXJ0sJ5t7wvf3I2kascvH21YW9BtitKVtECjcxx_xbyq9cFJ35dmvoLwlCHv__WrYwU4FwXHLXqipqYIv8R3pTnScOzcpmWxCwnKcUvpv3KekI3_R9b/s320/Temple.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635494586546997666" border="0" /></a><br />My trip basically covered the UNESCO site, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane. Luang Prabang is ideal for nature lovers especially if you fancy waterfalls (i.e. Kuang Si waterfall and Tad Sae waterfalls). Just bear in mind that there's no water at Tad Sae during dry season. I skipped Tad Sae waterfall. I decided to skip the cave because I did not know how to appreciate caves. I also skipped the cruise at the Mekong river because to me it's just another muddy river. There were plenty of temples to visit such as Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Visoune, etc. Try searching via Google and you will find plenty of temples in Laos. In Luang Prabang, you can climb<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>Phousi Hill to have a good view of the city by following a stairway path. There's a temple on top of the hill.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Shophouses along Mekong riverside:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWRO-Ne3C7cw0L4Dtd7U6EBEQm-3VKUHT8bMTwWRspUmOoLQ_Y-v_CDRO73uLc9TlrG06Y6y3nz-A4LGc7GweGpOowMWNEHNvExQHk1rsAD3f4q-fNvIpg7XDXtACXVjn7QSF/s1600/LuangPrabangRiverside.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWRO-Ne3C7cw0L4Dtd7U6EBEQm-3VKUHT8bMTwWRspUmOoLQ_Y-v_CDRO73uLc9TlrG06Y6y3nz-A4LGc7GweGpOowMWNEHNvExQHk1rsAD3f4q-fNvIpg7XDXtACXVjn7QSF/s320/LuangPrabangRiverside.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635491904155341346" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hawker At Mekong Riverside:</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZ7PjIGVHWU7C7x9MJOO-uoEKXrwOLnjJzhqCdpo-oOQ6vhK4m3mYyg-3vqkiAypyHd34w4Jj00guSCWKikYZIjlNR4232FX2zQwbq-0bAz-s4_x3JhY8Whj3ytKnbfUZ6mbx/s1600/StreetHawker.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 251px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZ7PjIGVHWU7C7x9MJOO-uoEKXrwOLnjJzhqCdpo-oOQ6vhK4m3mYyg-3vqkiAypyHd34w4Jj00guSCWKikYZIjlNR4232FX2zQwbq-0bAz-s4_x3JhY8Whj3ytKnbfUZ6mbx/s320/StreetHawker.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635495781159733042" border="0" /></a><br />The people are generally friendly and helpful. They speak better English than Vietnamese. It's comparable to Cambodians. It's always useful to learn some basic Lao as you travel in this country. If you know Thai you will obviously know how to count 1 to 10 already because they're the same. Their language has some similarities with Thai. Knowing simple Lao helped me to bargain and seek for help easier. The following are some of the list of words I find useful:<br /><br />Hello - sa bai dee<br />Thank you - khawp jai<br />zero -soon<br />one - neung<br />two - song<br />three - saam<br />four - si<br />five - ha<br />six - hok<br />seven - jet<br />eight - paet<br />nine - kao<br />ten - sip<br />eleven - sip neung<br />twelve - sip song<br />thirteen - sip saam<br />twenty - song sip<br />twenty one - song sip neung<br />twenty two - song sip song<br />thirty - saam sip<br />1,000 - phan<br />10, 000 - sip phan<br />100,000 - loi phan<br />now - diow nee<br />later - la gon<br />afternoon - tiang<br />morning - dthawn sao<br />evening - ton lang<br />night - kaang keun<br />today - meuh nii<br />tomorrow - meuh euhn<br />black - sii dum<br />white - sii khao<br />blue - sii faa<br />green - sii khiao<br />red - sii daeng<br />gray - sii ke thao<br />brown - sii nam taan<br />chicken - gai<br />beef - neua<br />fish - pbaa<br />shrimp - goong<br />egg - khai<br />vegetables - phaak<br />fruit - maak mai<br />bread - khao jii<br />rice - khao<br />rice noodle - pho<br />coffee - khaafeh<br />water - naam<br />juice - nam mak mai<br />hot tea - saa hawn<br />soap - saabuu<br />shampoo - saapom<br />pen - bik<br />how much is this? - anee tor dai?<br />I don't want it - khoy bor yak ow<br />no - baw<br />yes - maen laeow<br />please -kalunaa<br />I don't understand - khawy baw khao jai<br /><br />In Vientiane, forget about Kao Lao Restaurant if you're seeking for cultural show and local food. The food was made for Westerner's taste and they taste awful for South-East Asian's taste. The cultural show is just 3 musicians playing their local musical instruments accompanied by one or two dancers with limited space for them to move. One of the hotel staff mentioned to me, "That's not true Laotian". It's not worth the money you have to spend for it. Look for other better option to spend your money. If you want to taste the real local food, try their street food if you dare. It's not very hygienic based on the way they hold the food with bare hands and I had stomach upset once but I believe it's not as bad as India.<br /><br />It's a very relaxing and slow pace journey comparing with Bangkok or Hanoi. No traffic congestion. No rat race. Don't expect any huge shopping complex in Laos either. However there are some luxury hotels if you have money to burn. Night market and morning market are the places for shopping. Most of the stuff sold are cloth related handcraft and t-shirts. It is one of the lowest cost trips I have come across.<br /><br /><br /><h3 class="r"><a href="http://www.seasite.niu.edu/lao/watxiengtemple/default.htm" class="l noline"><br /></a></h3>Umbrella Rechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07984391934365782347noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24882046.post-57538841886675351352011-05-10T08:36:00.000-07:002011-05-20T15:55:48.874-07:00Vietnam - The Land of Dishonesty?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXgxS2hiF6qUxkJwhaNiO-XZMo55dpZOOCTglQRt-_f3EAu-7oF5ZUgx1OMokmRWqSnA8KnUe4PtGf_JKVnekIVGAOQH6M24DiM_1LXxgQUAraa78axc2Mh5jCy4sF0QNYVnq/s1600/vietnam-flag.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 233px; height: 147px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXgxS2hiF6qUxkJwhaNiO-XZMo55dpZOOCTglQRt-_f3EAu-7oF5ZUgx1OMokmRWqSnA8KnUe4PtGf_JKVnekIVGAOQH6M24DiM_1LXxgQUAraa78axc2Mh5jCy4sF0QNYVnq/s320/vietnam-flag.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605112455417160178" border="0" /></a><br />The trip to Vietnam is an eye-opener that everyone is trying to con you. The taxi drivers, the hotel owners and the hawkers are all trying to con foreigners that visit their country. I don't mind them hiking up the price but they way they try to cheat foreigners is so obvious and it clearly shows that they're not honest. Here are some personal experience:<br /><br />1. Hotel Democracy's employee in Hanoi did not properly replace the bottles of mineral water and beer in my hotel room's fridge after the previous client left. The amount of the items listed on the door of the fridge was in Vietnamese that foreigners could not understand. On the last day, the hotel's management charged me for the mineral water that I did not consume. Luckily they did not charge me for the 3 missing cans of beer.<br /><br />2. I bought some Vietnamese oranges that was supposed to be juicy and sweet as the one the hawker let me tasted. However, the ones I bought was different quality. They're juicy but not sweet at all. Even the colour of the flesh of the oranges looked different from the one I tasted.<br /><br />3. A taxi driver in Hue tried to give all kinds of excuse to charge us extra even though the taxi fare had been agreed upon before we took his taxi. This proved that he was very dishonest and did not keep to his word.<br /><br />4. The cheap Vietnamese t-shirts I purchased had all the colour faded and spreaded on all parts of the t-shirt. For the same price in Cambodia, I could get better quality ones. At least the Cambodians are more honest to tell me the difference between good quality and bad quality ones, even though the bad quality ones are not as bad as Vietnamese ones.<br /><br />5. Roadside food vendors tried to sell large amount of food I did not need. It's an opportunity for them to make quick money by selling a lot to foreigners who could not speak Vietnamese. They would show you the unhappy face if you rejected the large amount of food and insisted on paying less for smaller quantity. I felt like walking away from such vendors a few times.<br /><br />Generally, the Vietnamese are not honest. I am not saying all Vietnamese are not honest but the number of them that try to con you exceed the honest ones. I am not looking forward to visit this country again. I'd rather visit Cambodia.<br /><br />There are also other elements that are not very positive about Vietnam:<br /><br />1. Lack of public toilets. Men and women are very likely to end up doing their "business" in the bushes if you're traveling on a long distance public transport. Don't be surprise if you catch someone doing "business" in the middle of a field, even in Hanoi.<br /><br />2. The beds on the train are filthy. I saw blood stain on the bed I was sleeping.<br /><br />3. The toilet on the train is filthy but at least there's a toilet. There's no toilet if you travel by bus.<br /><br />4. Drivers of public transport are reckless and drive very dangerously as well as speeding.<br /><br />5. Public transport tend to be overloaded. You will notice passengers sleeping and sitting on the floor eventually as the driver try to make more profit.<br /><br />6. The price of food is not cheap in Vietnam. They could be more costly than Malaysia sometimes especially when they try to rip you off. A restaurant tried to rip us off by charging us 100,000 Dong (~ RM15) per dish in a small town. Luckily, I decided to walk out of the restaurant.<br /><br />7. All the food taste the same eventually. Malaysian food is still the best due to the influence from multi-culture.Umbrella Rechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07984391934365782347noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24882046.post-24396726254632702192011-04-20T07:32:00.000-07:002011-04-21T17:44:23.277-07:00MBPJ Strikes Again! FAS Tunnel Closure!I have no doubt that MBPJ is run by idiots and morons. I have been trying to give them some credit but so far I can't find anything that they deserve to be credited. They can't plan. They can't solve any problem. That's ok! Unfortunately, they create more problems in the name of solving problems.<br /><br />In Ara Jaya, these idiots have decided to close FAS tunnel because of large amount of traffic passing by that area. In other countries, they don't close any roads to ease traffic congestion. They build more roads to solve the problem. I doubt these government organisation ever looks East or West. They just look into their pants.<br /><br />First, these idiots turned the old tunnel to Ara Jaya into one way and re-routed the traffic from LDP heading for Ara Jaya into FAS tunnel. Now FAS is going to be closed and all the traffic has to go through a longer route via old Subang Airport road. Do you see their idiotic idea solves any problem? Absolutely not! They're going to create more traffic congestion in Subang and more petrol will be burnt.<br /><br />Is Malaysian authority being environment friendly? Yes, they're friendly in generating more CO2 to kill Mother Earth.<br /><br />I am very disappointed by the relevant authority in this country that wastes the tax payers' hard earned money with all their brainless projects such as building roads to be closed or building tunnels to be closed.<br /><br />Somebody please fire these idiots from their jobs! I don't mind if they sleep on their jobs but please don't destroy our lives and country!<br /><br /><br />--------------<br /><br />Latest Update:<br /><br />Email is sent to MBPJ based on the email address posted on the notice board in Crimson but the result is:<br /><br />"Delivery to the following recipient failed permanently:<br /><br /> <a href="mailto:mroslan@mbpj.gov.com">mroslan@mbpj.gov.com</a><br /><br />Technical details of permanent failure:<br />Google tried to deliver your message, but it was rejected by the recipient domain. We recommend contacting the other email provider for further information about the cause of this error. The error that the other server returned was: 550 550 5.7.1 <<a href="mailto:mroslan@mbpj.gov.com">mroslan@mbpj.gov.com</a>>... Relaying denied. Proper authentication required. (state 14)."<br /><br /><br />There is a massive traffic congestion in Jalan PJU 1A/41 and the old tunnel because of the FAS tunnel closure now at 8.00am on 22nd Apr, 2011.Umbrella Rechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07984391934365782347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24882046.post-67531839916097510042010-11-30T23:06:00.000-08:002010-12-01T20:15:20.914-08:00Cryptocoryne From Aqua Fair 2010Bought some unidentified Cryptocoryne from Aqua Fair as follows.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Crypt 1:</span><br />It is believed to be Cryptocoryne pontederiifolia.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WfqkW0IO-zHOVcmDfZ_r_tWxvoCsH1RSgaamwjK3mvZNJ25J56O5GbTvcI2MEXITEkG9bRZLbswCf-j4GLp8sNQnqQCr2Q2YJMtsmoQHJkrJzytkCWLDo0pgFs9VPMCIKOCc/s1600/CryptLarge.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WfqkW0IO-zHOVcmDfZ_r_tWxvoCsH1RSgaamwjK3mvZNJ25J56O5GbTvcI2MEXITEkG9bRZLbswCf-j4GLp8sNQnqQCr2Q2YJMtsmoQHJkrJzytkCWLDo0pgFs9VPMCIKOCc/s320/CryptLarge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545607435162752706" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Crypt 2:</span><br />It is believed to be a variety of Cryptocoryne wendtii.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTfxMDY-N07tCdw9-17fjxQuBDOIKN-MwDKq-mNDfWpAO5WuihM4ctAjJ2_KsQn841m41h4cAvqGPvzikLK8ZaVysxAfFB64UuoawjklZ8fZEHyL06qgP1zoUJrVimVyJZokr/s1600/CryptSharp1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTfxMDY-N07tCdw9-17fjxQuBDOIKN-MwDKq-mNDfWpAO5WuihM4ctAjJ2_KsQn841m41h4cAvqGPvzikLK8ZaVysxAfFB64UuoawjklZ8fZEHyL06qgP1zoUJrVimVyJZokr/s320/CryptSharp1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545607652028038290" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7A2mXLKqS0NrZL6i2HKWaWu7y02YPIluN7fRUA0_bjxhLWzNIjrirFFHXhEhsIxMeGbpDkuHmzSztRIxjKh_2X3fY5fQBrfSS3rwE__8WJRhB9aGNu1uk69BZMxr6fLT7RtB/s1600/CryptSharp2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7A2mXLKqS0NrZL6i2HKWaWu7y02YPIluN7fRUA0_bjxhLWzNIjrirFFHXhEhsIxMeGbpDkuHmzSztRIxjKh_2X3fY5fQBrfSS3rwE__8WJRhB9aGNu1uk69BZMxr6fLT7RtB/s320/CryptSharp2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545607821930484274" border="0" /></a>Umbrella Rechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07984391934365782347noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24882046.post-80289593238739027422010-11-30T22:07:00.000-08:002010-11-30T23:06:23.255-08:00Plants I Have TriedJust to keep track of aquatic plants I have tried planting regardless I have successful or failed.<br /><br />1. Egeria densa - grows like weed in the outdoor tank.<br /><br />2. Hornwort - grows like weed in the outdoor tank.<br /><br />3. Salvinia - grows like weed in the outdoor tank.<br /><br />4. Water lettuce - grows like weed in the outdoor tank.<br /><br />5. Rotala Green - rot at the bottom part in the indoor tank but growing well outdoor and partially immersed.<br /><br />6. Cryptocoryne Wendtii - Growing but very slow.<br /><br />7. Subwassertang - growing like weeds indoor.<br /><br />8. Christmas moss - growing fine until hit by hair algae. So they went to the bin.<br /><br />9. Taiwan moss - growing fine until hit by hair algae. So they went to the bin.<br /><br />10. Spiky moss - growing fine until hit by hair algae. So they went to the bin.<br /><br />11. Java moss - growing fine until hit by hair algae. So they went to the bin. Still have a bit of escapees in the tank.<br /><br />12. Weeping moss - growing very slow and eventually hit by hair algae. So they went to the bin.<br /><br />13. Java ferns - growing well in one tank but dying in another tank.<br /><br />14. Narrow leaf ferns - growing well but in miniature form. However they slowly turn bald. Temperature may be too high.<br /><br />15. Java fern windelov - growing well in one tank but dying in another tank.<br /><br />16. Potamogeton gayi - growing like weeds.<br /><br />17. Water wisteria (2 species) - growing well outdoor.<br /><br />18. Marsilea (two species) - growing well but the short foreground one is slow. The tall one grows like weed.<br /><br />19. Hairgrass - still testing. Successfully planted immersed.<br /><br />20. Sagittaria subulata - growing like weeds and flowering.<br /><br />21. Anubias Nana Petite - Alive but stunted.<br /><br />22. Anubias Nana - eaten by Kribensis. Trying again in a different tank.<br /><br />23. Philippines fern - growing well but covered by subwassertang and went missing.<br /><br />24. Riccia fluitans - growing like weeds but end up in the bin.<br /><br />25. Bolbitis - stunted. Water temperature is too high.<br /><br />26. Duckweed - truly weeds. So, end up in the bin.<br /><br />27. Cryptocoryne balansae - growing reasonably well.<br /><br />28. Crytocoryne spiralis - growing slowly.<br /><br />29. Cabomba - disintegrated and died.<br /><br />30. Bacopa - alive but covered by BBA easily.<br /><br />31. Hydrocotyle sp - growing slowly.<br /><br />32. Limnophila aromatica <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">- </span></span>died in NPT.<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span>33. Blyxa Japonica - eaten and destroyed by Kribensis. Otherwise growing well in NPT.<br /><br />34. Echinodorus tenellus - growing well.<br /><br />35. Eleocharis vivipara - growing well but have to trim too regularly. So, end up in the bin.<br /><br />36. Hygrophila polysperma - overtook by BBA in NPT. So end up in the bin.<br /><br />37. Corkscrew Vallisneria - growing well.<br /><br />38. Vallisneria Nana - died.<br /><br />39. Vallisneria americana - growing well.<br /><br />40. Cyperus Helferi - growing well initially but slowly losing the leaves after 1 year.Umbrella Rechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07984391934365782347noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24882046.post-85413634690866567752010-11-13T06:48:00.000-08:002010-11-13T07:54:57.610-08:00Excellent DIY Aquarium StuffThroughout the years, I have come across some amazing DIY aquarium stuff in forums. However, some of the threads in the forum was removed after several years. Sometimes the link to a website was no longer valid. So, there's no way I can locate them back. In order not to loss them, I have decided to collect some of the interesting DIY aquarium stuff that I have encountered recently in my own blog.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">DIY Acrylic Tube:</span><br /><br />The first one is a DIY acrylic tube by Paul aka Jedishrimp from APC (Aquatic Plant Central) forum. With the right tool, it seems like a pretty simple DIY project. Here's some sample acrylic tubes he has made:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2cxPQx-st7JkOdBzuwXFEZnJGjyF1C6LNSbELfdxXD3-t_UqUkT6wm9Jy-KJR8BsKToxUzua4AJA1uAtmLSmr_H6N16GfGjheOMw9qKsN-JccY5vErnIxXfkdpzltaCMOB8M/s1600/1000942f.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2cxPQx-st7JkOdBzuwXFEZnJGjyF1C6LNSbELfdxXD3-t_UqUkT6wm9Jy-KJR8BsKToxUzua4AJA1uAtmLSmr_H6N16GfGjheOMw9qKsN-JccY5vErnIxXfkdpzltaCMOB8M/s320/1000942f.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539049644332090018" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjM_w1d_Z5mIdbZSTqY9bqjmpSOFi1koRguHickvG6Cg45_PzQr-Sw6zozzJomm5HUnQtSvoQxL41_9zXVlbV6oqxxhlq2WJQO0PPglNUatHUl18e1xWu3fO1JE2KQVGH_vkj/s1600/1000939h.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjM_w1d_Z5mIdbZSTqY9bqjmpSOFi1koRguHickvG6Cg45_PzQr-Sw6zozzJomm5HUnQtSvoQxL41_9zXVlbV6oqxxhlq2WJQO0PPglNUatHUl18e1xWu3fO1JE2KQVGH_vkj/s320/1000939h.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539049406686919010" border="0" /></a><br />The most crucial part of this project is bending the tube. If not done carefully, the tube may break or simply looks ugly. You need some patience to heat up the acrylic and turn it around. Then bend it a little bit. Keep repeating the heating and bending process until it has turned into the shape you want. Have a look at the Paul's excellent video on the technique of bending the tube by clicking the link below:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSj2c0lR-wc">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSj2c0lR-wc</a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">DIY Aquarium Background:</span><br /><br />In APC forum, I have also encountered another great DIY project by an Italian named Stefano aka Dabolox. Basically, the DIY aquarium background make use of some of the readily available material from your own backyard such as soil, dry branches and dry dead leaves. It looks very beautiful and natural too especially if you're keen in setting up a black water tank that imitates the nature.<br /><br />The following are some of the items used by Stefano:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNfGN7EBLMkjL0F0BgvbPgqEIcGtXFsEoGgoeJBPzUSJiBLneV4rcJrAvkIaSfn23n8p6C1_DrrKnqYJTRk55qbRZatlMWRjiPJcmIu6BT_RddqoXL18dm0Dh0RY-Qd0i4VCf/s1600/ingredient2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNfGN7EBLMkjL0F0BgvbPgqEIcGtXFsEoGgoeJBPzUSJiBLneV4rcJrAvkIaSfn23n8p6C1_DrrKnqYJTRk55qbRZatlMWRjiPJcmIu6BT_RddqoXL18dm0Dh0RY-Qd0i4VCf/s320/ingredient2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539053953347073426" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFl0G_bpnBzCHRoTmlRkWSJtXt2F2_Suap8WKpQP50Dql_wGuFq5aSLZyhC_-7raaBJ6q4nMJlVy7cRNVDVM58zeUDH0r73OUzg7oddamb0D-YevAKq-6F_v34_0bmPiHgyvlR/s1600/ingredient3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFl0G_bpnBzCHRoTmlRkWSJtXt2F2_Suap8WKpQP50Dql_wGuFq5aSLZyhC_-7raaBJ6q4nMJlVy7cRNVDVM58zeUDH0r73OUzg7oddamb0D-YevAKq-6F_v34_0bmPiHgyvlR/s320/ingredient3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539054634470447634" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2lH2BT_bTsOTPXaMIy1Vx1UKwbOnc0HipEyTdRzZN6QrCbvcfDXGsQvgJFpfj1LXVBj5ZkzmAX_Z_xbzqmo_Nim-Bs3H67VlHV-1eD9qEr2OOBFV19dIB3Nk1-T9GOU656L9/s1600/ingredient4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2lH2BT_bTsOTPXaMIy1Vx1UKwbOnc0HipEyTdRzZN6QrCbvcfDXGsQvgJFpfj1LXVBj5ZkzmAX_Z_xbzqmo_Nim-Bs3H67VlHV-1eD9qEr2OOBFV19dIB3Nk1-T9GOU656L9/s320/ingredient4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539055103230581826" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfLcjxft1Li3Q_h0yNdLrFQLQSp6ZBvvG3UlAOW7JQZwjAqtGrfuyKnoa9EI1NMBJ09m5eVenTWen1zHOwuU4m7s0qbO96qoD01m4FX86TzNLr5rEDRZXndJ7ZrJ2R6G8o6oB/s1600/ingredient1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfLcjxft1Li3Q_h0yNdLrFQLQSp6ZBvvG3UlAOW7JQZwjAqtGrfuyKnoa9EI1NMBJ09m5eVenTWen1zHOwuU4m7s0qbO96qoD01m4FX86TzNLr5rEDRZXndJ7ZrJ2R6G8o6oB/s320/ingredient1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539053872054199122" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0735cwa02Q7Hn7hujzL4UdhhHg4ouwpgBBC5IbSafnlvDFOCYLIwCSn_bu-fJM1pWc-TgKZ7KI0SbDvb5f6weINQqUyW6rar0nMf-xR_pigT6JPY7qWxe8GbB0K06KAMx5TJ/s1600/ingredient5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0735cwa02Q7Hn7hujzL4UdhhHg4ouwpgBBC5IbSafnlvDFOCYLIwCSn_bu-fJM1pWc-TgKZ7KI0SbDvb5f6weINQqUyW6rar0nMf-xR_pigT6JPY7qWxe8GbB0K06KAMx5TJ/s320/ingredient5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539058473719090322" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25GjK2gORnDUHFp_QoutEvbvwDbceI5IN-EQ0-cLnjWPSYRT0oneSMEOIwOEiYHEex4rJb4XFUmt3XgG8Gh9v_uBL1c1txzon0q-TqA75oxtQO-Sazj_zc92G4qcccocTJoG2/s1600/ingredient6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25GjK2gORnDUHFp_QoutEvbvwDbceI5IN-EQ0-cLnjWPSYRT0oneSMEOIwOEiYHEex4rJb4XFUmt3XgG8Gh9v_uBL1c1txzon0q-TqA75oxtQO-Sazj_zc92G4qcccocTJoG2/s320/ingredient6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539058961912603298" border="0" /></a><br />He also created a hidden compartment for filter and heater as follows:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2Rm2mmtUI7IspJv4uMKtkkT3b2_pAeDEukWPaDiVRpXW0peiUTFxw07C2jEPhqSEEYfIxQYLZN36fUeFj68VZof86qgPNBplb9nqD9DKDxon61UO-cdjPtYrbmevnWBVbg_u/s1600/Img9.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2Rm2mmtUI7IspJv4uMKtkkT3b2_pAeDEukWPaDiVRpXW0peiUTFxw07C2jEPhqSEEYfIxQYLZN36fUeFj68VZof86qgPNBplb9nqD9DKDxon61UO-cdjPtYrbmevnWBVbg_u/s320/Img9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539060584088362754" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoqEDI4f-0g9iBKPyb9ALwZjqVGiVn8sqhYLfT9bqYNhiAfn7z0KQBI5yL_4wtJqtxrjwGNyWYutTvnME14YFZhihqR6ubFkBANgCp0loCP1XnAL9UjFNwExEXCurz5im46T6/s1600/Img10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoqEDI4f-0g9iBKPyb9ALwZjqVGiVn8sqhYLfT9bqYNhiAfn7z0KQBI5yL_4wtJqtxrjwGNyWYutTvnME14YFZhihqR6ubFkBANgCp0loCP1XnAL9UjFNwExEXCurz5im46T6/s320/Img10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539060050044595474" border="0" /></a><br />From the ingredients above, he created the following aquarium background. The roots he used are grapevine roots. You may try other alternative roots as long as it's non-toxic to the fishes and plants.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3MxKHc85h6s75bto6_hCPyyNylnXIbDgn4mEYk8t-BdYq60PlA5xhAwAgH5g-3m2Roj4okumLEwJM0B5_bNEG2KJ0mMkrhZpJ_xmnqrx0BsSIZr7zmr7ciQpm-qbLMiLuRvY/s1600/incomplete.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3MxKHc85h6s75bto6_hCPyyNylnXIbDgn4mEYk8t-BdYq60PlA5xhAwAgH5g-3m2Roj4okumLEwJM0B5_bNEG2KJ0mMkrhZpJ_xmnqrx0BsSIZr7zmr7ciQpm-qbLMiLuRvY/s320/incomplete.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539055922416546162" border="0" /></a><br />After he moved the aquarium background into the tank, here's how it looks like at various stages:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7iUfjwPiOlkODoasQx1yXmLtJ8PcIwW_zMYFD7CDZiFLmx9jmXwOCAUVLNHqJe-XQLXJWhDyxs2aazedD1uJ6_-6ac7UQL8EzFQyGU5sBxdtRtZHJW8NSUPyj0gvMcY5B1ez/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7iUfjwPiOlkODoasQx1yXmLtJ8PcIwW_zMYFD7CDZiFLmx9jmXwOCAUVLNHqJe-XQLXJWhDyxs2aazedD1uJ6_-6ac7UQL8EzFQyGU5sBxdtRtZHJW8NSUPyj0gvMcY5B1ez/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539057125356004802" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjY5Si7xZaODuad2SjNs3tJMKZd9GJ_BMc-I0vO9pabcNoeAOMBBAZbMPpyMLo7cf2eJn39TyR-0_L8AZY1b8e8SWJrL1KCoIR1MdguLo6Clz5Jdiutt7qoVFeb8UsHO2JFV1/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjY5Si7xZaODuad2SjNs3tJMKZd9GJ_BMc-I0vO9pabcNoeAOMBBAZbMPpyMLo7cf2eJn39TyR-0_L8AZY1b8e8SWJrL1KCoIR1MdguLo6Clz5Jdiutt7qoVFeb8UsHO2JFV1/s320/2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539057411795431922" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Gioio3boTGw7ADev6BLSb9W7flqhGSDWpch01POkd453DzLvrkQsCAVbag08Yx-pBlUn9-TTua0P7ik995b6jrmjYsZlCTKChDMeTSCAqdfdHu9yCqzl1jKVX6gdoZpSKLDW/s1600/3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Gioio3boTGw7ADev6BLSb9W7flqhGSDWpch01POkd453DzLvrkQsCAVbag08Yx-pBlUn9-TTua0P7ik995b6jrmjYsZlCTKChDMeTSCAqdfdHu9yCqzl1jKVX6gdoZpSKLDW/s320/3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539057700310328834" border="0" /></a><br />To read about Stefano's original article with more detailed information, you can check out the following link:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.acquarionline.it/acquari/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22&Itemid=1">http://www.acquarionline.it/acquari/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22&Itemid=1</a>Umbrella Rechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07984391934365782347noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24882046.post-31316212493539923272010-11-08T18:21:00.000-08:002010-11-08T18:58:22.774-08:00Cleaning Impeller of Eheim Classic FilterCleaning of canister filter's impeller is often a pain because the instruction is not mentioned in the filter's manual. I am not referring to made in China filters only. The same issue applies to German made Eheim filters. Basically the manual is a junk to me as it normally does not contain information you need but contains all the information you already know.<br /><br />Thanks to some aquarium forums that I have managed to figure out how to clean it although the information is incomplete. Therefore I have decided to write the instruction myself. In my instruction I will use Eheim Classic as an example because it's the only canister filter I have.<br /><br />Before you start removing the parts, please make sure that you remember how you remove them, so that you will know how to fix them back. You may shoot some photos in the process if you have a poor memory or poor observation.<br /><br />1. After removal of the filter cover, you will notice the most important section of the filter as below. First, you have to unlock the lock that protects the impeller by turning it anti-clock wise. Then pull the lock upward. Be careful not to break the impeller when pulling up the lock.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfQyd19YUhWmta0GrbyVqdy8FQX6NlfiAlQ-OBVjWFC2E6-K5RoERlrm-YN8Ke2Cx-14Gr1d_CUueaKAj8GKVbPiOkTrCcwiFQwnfzjS-Hdp_RvoYDLn49QqOogMwmrMWWQz1/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfQyd19YUhWmta0GrbyVqdy8FQX6NlfiAlQ-OBVjWFC2E6-K5RoERlrm-YN8Ke2Cx-14Gr1d_CUueaKAj8GKVbPiOkTrCcwiFQwnfzjS-Hdp_RvoYDLn49QqOogMwmrMWWQz1/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537371533123148962" border="0" /></a><br />2. After the lock has been removed, You will see the impeller partially in hole of the middle section.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOLqOKpMeuKQEoDKJIrmKEt5JxPZ5ZMS9LjClzig9fVFmsZewk8MBZumDSyhAEcYimTSLij1go7pow8RQ8SQH06iwmm9pMe19I16pFPQhMUMpMsAQvLIujAHp-0gwhMN-XZsW/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOLqOKpMeuKQEoDKJIrmKEt5JxPZ5ZMS9LjClzig9fVFmsZewk8MBZumDSyhAEcYimTSLij1go7pow8RQ8SQH06iwmm9pMe19I16pFPQhMUMpMsAQvLIujAHp-0gwhMN-XZsW/s320/2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537372442085714658" border="0" /></a><br />3. The next step is to remove the cover of the impeller as follows:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFokFTkmhaZ0PYcjPR0cE_gjUdTjtjKklRdASaU2nYI-4jtFmCMOUCZ90F-Ht2jR2goZ27aJNYwCc6btibb1QvslZ-qrEBD4Ft4Q7bWpM9apoxUG751OkahpVHLjHMI6xDwVtW/s1600/3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFokFTkmhaZ0PYcjPR0cE_gjUdTjtjKklRdASaU2nYI-4jtFmCMOUCZ90F-Ht2jR2goZ27aJNYwCc6btibb1QvslZ-qrEBD4Ft4Q7bWpM9apoxUG751OkahpVHLjHMI6xDwVtW/s320/3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537373081887682210" border="0" /></a><br />4. After removing the cover of the impeller, you will notice the impeller. Pull the impeller upwards to remove it. Be careful not to break it. There is a magnet holding the impeller in case you're wondering why it's not loose. Once you have removed the impeller, you can brush the dirt on the impeller and the filter with tooth brush. There may be some holes you cannot reach with a tooth brush. You can use a cotton bud to clean the unreachable areas. Then rinse them with running tap water.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvT-EpU3fjtRelE2IFQEEEL4kRE6EnrojKDQhMXtGZNluNDJ2xCi1HMbKjrwqy6YyIK_rB_uSr5jW_N3e-2f1UUjqanR17JTj_BsZW6UAGDhn-t0ZYQP37xyhdUk8EtcvvAPtJ/s1600/4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvT-EpU3fjtRelE2IFQEEEL4kRE6EnrojKDQhMXtGZNluNDJ2xCi1HMbKjrwqy6YyIK_rB_uSr5jW_N3e-2f1UUjqanR17JTj_BsZW6UAGDhn-t0ZYQP37xyhdUk8EtcvvAPtJ/s320/4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537373610796854690" border="0" /></a><br />5. Don't forget to remove the hoses of the inlet and outlet for cleaning as well. The hose may clogged leading to poor water current in the tank. Just place the hose connected to a water tap and let the strong tap water current push all the dirt out if you're too lazy to brush the entire internal part of the hose. You will need a special brush to clean the internal part of the hose. Since it will be tedious without a proper brush, I will skip the brushing.<br /><br />6. Don't forget to wash the media of the filter with your existing tank's water to avoid losing beneficial bacteria. I will not cover this aspect of the cleaning process as the information is widely available on the internet.Umbrella Rechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07984391934365782347noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24882046.post-28162631011125039262010-09-07T00:16:00.000-07:002010-09-07T01:14:50.381-07:00Testing Web Radio<div style="text-align: left;">This is for testing web radio.<br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Music genre:</span><br />Alternative music genre such as punk, hardcore, indie, lo-fi, garage rock, metal, goth, industrial, electronica, danc-rock, grunge, classic rock, reggae, ska, surf rock, glam rock, new wave, no wave, progressive rock, psychedelic rock, dream pop, noise pop, folk rock, americana, alternative country, rap rock, electro-pop, trip hop, art rock, math rock, rockabilly, experimental rock, krautrock, Southern rock, space rock, stoner rock, grindcore, darkwave, riot grrrl, twee pop, etc.<br /><iframe src="http://www.flatcast.info/de/Player.aspx?sid=1118407" width="630" frameborder="0" height="300" scrolling="no">&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;</iframe>Umbrella Rechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07984391934365782347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24882046.post-27514204091689051912010-06-27T16:35:00.000-07:002010-06-27T17:13:29.440-07:00Aquatics International Fish Farm VisitVisited Aquatics International during the weekend. I was having difficulties capturing the photos as most of the fishes I intended to shoot were fast swimmers and the lighting was poor. So, you are now looking at some crappy photos with very bad quality.<br /><br />A view of the farm:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIokSsSd3wkL_-7T2zwJgJRUA4KDzwfhTZb24jrzo9TjXJ_GrkNnnxUaLUxAj_ANasKooyL6j5D3SwkceQ3WKOpZha2G_72-dNoN5rf7FvdWGFuH2g-KFnuE_E5wECpNVTyxDa/s1600/Farm1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIokSsSd3wkL_-7T2zwJgJRUA4KDzwfhTZb24jrzo9TjXJ_GrkNnnxUaLUxAj_ANasKooyL6j5D3SwkceQ3WKOpZha2G_72-dNoN5rf7FvdWGFuH2g-KFnuE_E5wECpNVTyxDa/s320/Farm1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487603533403227970" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBZnTAl201EmAQo2gfNsPfZLgTiEK0FLg7rjyvYN63uH4Ab2UI3ZYoz0OvccZ-gVVKJg4C8yG9aQ3nfebwm1h47H9vC2StnsVOj3JFq_MnNyJIHVnVzfNJ5vz3CHbxkmdu3FH/s1600/Farm2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBZnTAl201EmAQo2gfNsPfZLgTiEK0FLg7rjyvYN63uH4Ab2UI3ZYoz0OvccZ-gVVKJg4C8yG9aQ3nfebwm1h47H9vC2StnsVOj3JFq_MnNyJIHVnVzfNJ5vz3CHbxkmdu3FH/s320/Farm2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487603704146314802" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRK1b33gSe6FFru83JTOpsRe_R-vaY-dBjbarW4Vc7wZisQrkK0rnvaQyjblJJlhNeYaZ5Bo_mZkAtI8oNFhitsJm8lDeyuJLfoRzzoz0CQadRD0T6VAzFIxOx2MU8x4rT19p/s1600/Farm3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRK1b33gSe6FFru83JTOpsRe_R-vaY-dBjbarW4Vc7wZisQrkK0rnvaQyjblJJlhNeYaZ5Bo_mZkAtI8oNFhitsJm8lDeyuJLfoRzzoz0CQadRD0T6VAzFIxOx2MU8x4rT19p/s320/Farm3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487603827530712066" /></a><br /><br />Some kind of a barb:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPeTHt47txJLswuKhPgXnMfkCnjFT18OH5ssl8_ahyphenhyphenWKfkHDK3YLLBUHrs2yi6jEILpJOqZFmSaXf-mJEFD_1_bFbD26-eAhQJhbS1d3bsNLcsaM1SCtusoBe7xqksgQ_-mHm/s1600/Barb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPeTHt47txJLswuKhPgXnMfkCnjFT18OH5ssl8_ahyphenhyphenWKfkHDK3YLLBUHrs2yi6jEILpJOqZFmSaXf-mJEFD_1_bFbD26-eAhQJhbS1d3bsNLcsaM1SCtusoBe7xqksgQ_-mHm/s320/Barb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487602223711760290" /></a><br /><br />Madagascar Rainbow:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ibFdrzssvUnA6hvjfEgkH3DhMystEevgOq61jeOsTO_-GXyw0_qNhQSq9XHi4h92N8Z0LXpTelu8-mJXmxqqrMcHa4nAP8wRytQOsyoY0HV814gfXcpYekyy30-yEsrT3PcD/s1600/Rainbow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ibFdrzssvUnA6hvjfEgkH3DhMystEevgOq61jeOsTO_-GXyw0_qNhQSq9XHi4h92N8Z0LXpTelu8-mJXmxqqrMcHa4nAP8wRytQOsyoY0HV814gfXcpYekyy30-yEsrT3PcD/s320/Rainbow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487604495357301506" /></a><br /><br />Lampeye Killie:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNay5JTla8UCFi4YD2k0AaryZ2K-sQXxTSsS7gdRKq3vYVgU2aIGpn12Vt9K1Oi223gNkLVUwXVRXgZLgynucA9f1QyId6L9geGjlxgAAGMaXlnigZxYq9k3OPgimksdZEkIE/s1600/LampeyeKillie.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNay5JTla8UCFi4YD2k0AaryZ2K-sQXxTSsS7gdRKq3vYVgU2aIGpn12Vt9K1Oi223gNkLVUwXVRXgZLgynucA9f1QyId6L9geGjlxgAAGMaXlnigZxYq9k3OPgimksdZEkIE/s320/LampeyeKillie.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487602531593446882" /></a><br /><br />Golden Wonder Panchax:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBA7GQP1SuTG35tX0d-z6Ls6fk6fVdTblohzfH1n0XwvtUAP2JerKroffvk4X6bogIgS7o0QYtru4nxQpo6mj1-w3PGjDZ0EZT8s0BOW0NczPdnB_I-YRgILKEohi4OY5hNPx2/s1600/Panchax.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBA7GQP1SuTG35tX0d-z6Ls6fk6fVdTblohzfH1n0XwvtUAP2JerKroffvk4X6bogIgS7o0QYtru4nxQpo6mj1-w3PGjDZ0EZT8s0BOW0NczPdnB_I-YRgILKEohi4OY5hNPx2/s320/Panchax.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487602706781084578" /></a><br /><br />Unknown species (labeled as "Pink Tea Charasin" - the label is suspicious to me. Combination of wrong spelling and poor handwriting do not help. Should be Pink Tailed Characin I believe):<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDNXg6-G6z2VPjpcpj8bh78F2cdgxd1PxWLeRzS_Bj8FV9wncODe5oVXlXrSjz9xeQ_nH1B4ffMFeb1XLUIBG7XEo5Pmqs1IBT2oazW4bFZWRlzkUvvVFcjAzan_7xd0RWJKn/s1600/P1017210.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDNXg6-G6z2VPjpcpj8bh78F2cdgxd1PxWLeRzS_Bj8FV9wncODe5oVXlXrSjz9xeQ_nH1B4ffMFeb1XLUIBG7XEo5Pmqs1IBT2oazW4bFZWRlzkUvvVFcjAzan_7xd0RWJKn/s320/P1017210.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487603020235032466" /></a><br /><br />Unknown species:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jgQSrDO_1RUofsLF3Gt7GLH4_SGa8BVLagnLynz_-ae2hSPUL20d4nhKhWPgaOL7ILR0ZqFjao_qF_GKl4UKQ6IhvirZlnQ3nZVpPqL6WPuSf01I0E5HfeuSOCeOm6xK3Fyl/s1600/P1017222.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jgQSrDO_1RUofsLF3Gt7GLH4_SGa8BVLagnLynz_-ae2hSPUL20d4nhKhWPgaOL7ILR0ZqFjao_qF_GKl4UKQ6IhvirZlnQ3nZVpPqL6WPuSf01I0E5HfeuSOCeOm6xK3Fyl/s320/P1017222.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487603200148634450" /></a>Umbrella Rechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07984391934365782347noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24882046.post-76254222060157353942010-06-26T21:32:00.000-07:002010-06-26T21:42:01.578-07:00Another 15 Gallon Tank At Planning Stage 2So far I have purchased rocks and HOB (Hang On The Back) filter.<br /><br />In terms of fish species, I have not fully decided. It could be any of these fishes in my list below:<br /><br />1. Kuhli Loach - this is the species that never fails to attract visitors' attention.<br /><br />2. Pristella Tetra - this is a hardy and cheap species to keep. I always love tetras with this kind of body shape. <br /><br />3. Lemon Tetra - same reason as Pritella Tetra. The only disadvantage is Lemon Tetras love to jump out of the tank especially during breeding period. Yes, I managed to breed them.<br /><br />4. Lampeye Killie - I love the blue "lamp eye" but the quality of the species I saw at the farm is doubtful due to a lot of dead fish in the tank. I am also very concern that this species has short life span comparing with all the 3 species above.Umbrella Rechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07984391934365782347noreply@blogger.com0