Ranau Backpacker's Hostel

Bagi rakan-rakan backpackers yang ingin ke Kinabalu atau Kundasang, selalunya mesti cari tempat tinggal di Kundasang, kan?

Ranau

Sebenarnya Ranau adalah tempat yang lebih 'convenient' kerana ia adalah bandar besar berbanding Kundasang, seumpama bandar Klang dan pekan Meru. Kedudukan keduanya juga tidak jauh antara satu sama lain. Pasaraya, kedai makan, bank dan pengangkutan awam lebih banyak di Ranau berbanding di Kundasang.

Sewaktu di Ranau, kami menginap di hostel ini. Oleh kerana kami tempah 'family room', kami diberi dua bilik, satu dengan 'double bed', manakala satu lagi dengan bunk bed dan keduanya mempunyai pintu penghubung di tengah-tengah yang apabila dibuka, bilik kami terasa lapang. Terdapat satu almari solek dalam bilik 'double bed' yang memudahkan saya menggunakan laptop. Keadaan dalam bilik amat bersih dan memuaskan. Tiada 'bed bugs' seperti di hotel backpacker yang kami sewa di KK pada malam-malam sebelumnya.

Hostel ini juga menyediakan kopi, teh, gula dan krimer, serta roti gardenia lengkap dengan jem dan mentega di ruang 'pantry'nya yang juga sangat bersih. Kalau dahaga atau lapar, buatlah seperti di rumah sendiri baik malam mahupun pagi. Anak-anak saya berulang 2-3 kali keluar bilik untuk buat kopi dan roti bakar sepanjang malam.

Satu bilik RM50 manakala satu lagi RM45, menjadikan kos keduanya RM95 semalam. Bilik airnya juga sangat bersih dengan sabun dan syampu botol besar disediakan. Cuma mungkin kurang selesa bagi penghuni perempuan, kerana ianya adalah 'shared bathrooms & toilets'. Saya agak bertuah kerana tidak terserempak dengan penghuni-penghuni lain sewaktu ke tandas dan ke bilik air.

Walaubagaimanapun, saya tetap beri 4 bintang kepada hostel ini dan tidak ragu-ragu untuk mencadangkannya kepada rakan-rakan backpackers sekelian yang mementingkan bajet dan di masa yang sama mahukan keselesaan.

The best nasi lemak in Kuala Lumpur

Last year, I took an American friend to Kampung Baru where we had the much-heard Nasi Lemak Antarabangsa (International Fragrant Rice) and she really loved it, though I wasn't really impressed. I mean... I've tasted better nasi lemak in lots of other places
.

Little did I know if I had walked just 50 metres further, I would have reached a much better spot for nasi lemak. And last night, my family and I happened to have found out about it. To our surprise, not only this restaurant looks bigger, cleaner and more presentable, the nasi lemak and the sambal (sauce) are also much more delicious than the previous one we had
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And to complete it, they have this mango juice that you simply would die for - I would say it's 80% mango, and 20% water+milk. I thought I would never find better #mango juice than in Kota Kinabalu but now I know I don't have to go back there to enjoy a good glass. It's heaven! My hubby had a cup of coffee, and he said it was really good too

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It seems that this restaurant was the first ever nasi lemak restaurant to be established in Kampung Baru and has been there for more than 50 years. Impressive, isn't it? Now we already know the best #nasilemak spot in #KualaLumpur for dinner or supper 😄😃
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Mima Zohds
📷: @heyychadeyy

Paragliding @ Paralayang

Apa yang saya pelajari tentang paragliding/paralayang dalam tempoh sehari bersama paragliders di Kuala Kubu Baru (walaupun saya tidak terbang):



1. Sama seperti memancing, sukan ini memerlukan kesabaran yang amat tinggi. Sabar menunggu giliran, sabar menunggu angin yang datang dari arah yang tepat, juga sabar mendepani keadaan cuaca yang boleh berubah secara tiba-tiba.

Ada paragliders yang datang daripada Perak dan telah bersedia untuk terbang, tetapi terpaksa membungkus paralayangnya apabila hujan rintik mula turun secara tiba-tiba.

2. Tiada istilah datang pagi dan hendak pulang tengahari. Seluruh hari perlu diperuntukkan hanya untuk aktiviti ini.

Saya dan rakan-rakan bertolak daripada Cyberjaya sekitar jam 8.40 pagi dan tiba di KKB pada jam 11.00 pagi. Saya menunggu di puncak dengan ketinggian lebih kurang 1400m dengan harapan untuk terbang sejak waktu Zohor lagi. Namun, setelah 3 jam berada di puncak yang panas lagi kontang itu, akhirnya terpaksa turun dengan berjalan kaki selama hampir 1 jam.

3. Setiap paraglider perlu bersedia untuk "hiking". Ada antara yang saya temui, pernah mendaki Gunung Kinabalu dan Gunung Rinjani semata-mata untuk terjun bersama paralayang mereka daripada aras yang lebih tinggi untuk kepuasan maksima.

4. Setiap paraglider mempunyai kisah duka mereka. Jatuh tergolek perkara biasa, ada yang pernah terlanggar tembok batu, patah sana sini dan sebagainya.

Pendek kata, bukan mudah untuk terbang. Semua yang mudah, bermula dengan susah. Sama seperti kita saat mula belajar berjalan.

5. Bagi seorang freelancer seperti saya, sukan ini menawarkan salah satu opsyen bagi menghasilkan pendapatan. Bayangkan untuk membawa seorang penumpang di KKB, anda dibayar sebanyak RM250.

Namun begitu kos pelaburannya juga bukanlah murah. Untuk mendapatkan lesen, anda perlu melabur sebanyak RM1800 bagi menghadiri sesi latihan, dan sebanyak RM8000 - 11000 untuk membeli peralatan sukan paralayang ini.

Nah, menarik kan?

Banding Lake, Perak.

The gateway to the Royal Belum Rainforests. One day, I would come back to explore this place.

The top of Titiwangsa, Perak.

The view from Amiza Titiwangsa Restaurant alongside the East-West Highway.

Keropok Batang Merbau

Terlepas peluang 'shopping' keropok lekor di Kuala Terengganu dan Kuala Besut. Nasib baiklah ada pulak gerai keropok ni di Jeli. Nampaknya tempat ni memang popular. Sentiasa ada yang menunggu keropok siap di rebus. Angkat habis, angkat habis.

Zul ikan bakar, Kuala Besut

Tiap kali pulang ke Besut, mesti abah belanja makan ikan bakar. Selalunya abah akan berpesan, jangan makan apa2 sebelah petang - abah nak kami makan ikan bakar puas-puas, kenyang-kenyang. Ikan fresh lagi, memanglah memuaskan.

Medan Selera Buluh Kubu, Kota Bharu

Variety of delicious food available especially with the food night market going on but the dirty surrounding would kill anybody's appetite. One can see big rats dead, and alive, here.

Surau Sri Jerus, Kelantan

All petrol stations should follow the example set by Caltex at Sri Jerus. The surau it has built for the public is so different than other surau's' that travellers would usually come across. The exterior and the interior furnishing has been designed with such care as if it's a personal home. Such a joy praying in it. The petrol station's public toilet is nice too. I hope the management of this place will maintain both facilities well, and may Allah bless the effort made by the owner. Amin...

Pantai Bisikan Bayu, Kuala Besut, Terengganu

In the map, this place is also marked as the "Beach of Whispering Breeze". It looked like a deserted beach visited by only by the local folks, with rubbish everywhere. Could be a nice attraction should the local authority pay some attention to it.

The best satah n otak-otak

We bought these at the roadside in Kuala Besut, right at the place where they were made and grilled. So much cheaper than the one we used to get in the Klang valley - satah is only 25 sen per piece, and so much tastier. The fish tasted so much fresher and sweeter, especially when eaten under the tree near the "Beach of Whispering Breeze".

Dataran Shahbandar, Kuala Terengganu.

Awesome place with awesome view.

Goodbye Kenyir

The lake is still as impressive as I remember it from my first visit 15 years ago. We enjoyed watching the sunset and the view from our balcony was awesome. We had fun soaking ourselves at the Saok Waterfall for an hour at noon. However, we decided to pack our bags and leave right after that 'coz we couldn't put up with the craps we received from the place that uses the tagline 'You get what you deserve at Kenyir S... Resort'.

Masuk sekolah baru - sekolah oh sekolah!

Tahun ini merupakan bab baru dlm hidup anak2ku. Irsyad ke sekolah menengah dan Naufal pula ke sekolah rendah. Gambar di atas diambil ketika mereka seronok mencuba pakaian sekolah masing2 sebelum menyertai program orientasi di sekolah masing2 keesokannya.

Malangnya awal2 sekolah dah bermacam2 malang menimpa yg menumpulkan keterujaan mereka. Naufal telah ditukarkan kelas selepas seminggu selesa dgn kawan2 barunya di Tahun 1 Jupiter. Alasannya, bagi mengimbangkan bilangan pelajar setiap kelas. "Depressed" sungguh Naufal masa tu. Terbang semangatnya nak ke sekolah.

Dua tiga hari kemudian berlaku kemalangan di kantin akibat kecuaian pihak pentadbir sekolah di mana palang yg dibuat dari bata sbg pengadang kantin telah runtuh dan menimpa tangan kanan Naufal. Nasib baiklah Naufal kidal.

Irsyad pula sentiasa menjadi ancaman pelajar2 samseng di sekolah menengah dan terpaksa berikhtiar sendiri untuk "survive" memandangkan guru2 pun tak dapat berbuat apa2 sekiranya peristiwa diugut dan dibelasah diadukan; malah pelajar2 yg mengadu bakal kena belasah dgn lebih teruk lagi. Apatah lagi kalau ibu bapa yang datang mengadu atau laporan polis dibuat.

Fikir2 dan kenang2 semula memang tak seronok jadi pelajar. Politiknya adakala lebih hebat dari politik di tempat kerja. Patutlah ramai yang memilih "homeschooling" sekarang - "at least for the peace of mind'. Apa agaknya komen Kementerian Pendidikan ya?

Aku memang minat sangat dengan konsep "homeschooling" ni. Masalahnya, kalau aku jadi cikgu di rumah, siapa pula nak mengambil-alih bayaran hutang2 bank dsbnya? Tambahan pula aku fikir, anak-anak perlu ada ruang keluar dari bawah ketiak mak-bapak dan belajar bergaul dan berdikari dalam masyarakat, dan sekolah merupakan wadahnya. Sekolah juga merupakan tempat terhimpunnya minda2 intelek yang majoritinya amat dedikasi dalam penyebaran ilmu yang membolehkan anak-anak berguru dan menimba serta mengumpulkan ilmu yang terbaik daripada setiap minda ini.

Harapan aku, pihak sekolah dan kementerian, tolong-tolonglah ambil-berat isu keselamatan pelajar di dalam dan di sekitar kawasan sekolah. Pihak polis pula janganlah pandang laporan2 yang berkaitan dengan gangsterism di sekolah dengan sebelah mata saja... Masing-masing janganlah tunggu sehingga berlaku kematian baru nak bertindak.

Kembalikanlah kuasa merotan guru-guru agar mereka kembali "bertaring" dan mampu mengawal kerenah pelajar. Aku sendiri pernah meggunakan rotan ketika bertugas sebagai guru di sekolah dulu, tetapi dipanggil pula oleh Pengetua.

"Cikgu," katanya. "Sekarang ni kita di sekolah mengamalkan budaya penyayang. Dah tak boleh rotan-rotan budak ni..." Jawabku, "Puan, sebab saya sayangkan diorang lah saya rotan... Kalau tak, buat apa saya nak kisah, nak tertungging ke, nak terlangkup ke, bukannya ada kena-mengena dengan saya...Lagipun, anak-anak murid saya siap cakap lagi "Eleh cikgu, tak sakit pun cikgu rotan?" Saya bagitau mereka, saya rotan bukan nak bagi diorang sakit, cuma nak bagi diorang ingat..."

Bagi para guru, bila merotan, perlulah dimulakan dengan Bismillah dan disertakandengan niat yang ikhlas - untuk membetulkan, untuk mendidik dan bukannya untuk melepas geram seperti yang dilaporkan dalam akhbar baru-baru ini - tentang guru yang merotan muridnya berkali-kali di bahu hingga cedera... Kalau gitu namanya, cikgu tu le pulak yang jadi kaki buli di sekolah...

Hai, sekolah oh sekolah...

A trip to Petrosains.

Bagan Lalang - the beach

Bagan Lalang in Sepang is a place I'd heard about a long time ago... family and friends had talked about it since I was a school girl - but somehow I'd never made it there. I remembered whenever I mentioned about going to the place, people around me would say, let's go to Port Dickson instead...so the thought had remained a thought until...

My long-lost hostel mates during my secondary school years had planned for a reunion there. So curious about the place, which is not really that far away from where I live - just 30kms away - I urged DH to take me and the kids there, just two weeks before d'day.

Well... I was so surprised to see the large pool of people there... the area looked a bit smaller than Morib in Banting - a popular beach in Selangor (as a girl, I had thought it was the only beach we had in Selangor), but there were so many cars which had made finding a spot to park our car a challenging task.

On the first impression, I thought - wow... not bad! The beach looked as attractive as any other beaches, especially to my kids. The sand looked white - I thought it was as white as the sand on the Pangkor Island in Perak (meaning, it looked a lot better than the sand in Morib).

It has an interesting view since the "Sepang Gold Coast" thingy is being developed and we could see some buildings in progress. There were people flying kites, people swimming in the sea, people strolling along the beach, and people setting up their tents to spend the night there! Cool!





It was an interesting view, really... until.... I saw these sceneries:

Filthy, right? And they spoiled the overall picture...



Nevertheless, my kids still enjoyed being there - just take a look at how happy they were:


They were enjoying it so much that we were reluctant to call them out from the sea, that we just let them continue swimming until the sun set. And oh my! I couldn't remember when was the last time I did this with DH - sitting together side by side enjoying the view of the sunset. Wasn't it romantic? And the view was breathtaking!

All in all, judging from the loads of visitors there, Bagan Lalang is already a place of interest to many people in Selangor. However, it needs a bit of more serious management from the local authority, especially on the aspect of its cleanliness. Then, we wouldn't be embarrassed to highlight it in the Selangor Tourism brochures as a popular tourist destination.

Kuala Gandah - a must-have experience

An encounter with the animals in the zoo has always been fascinating for kids - at least for mine. However, if you want to experience something cooler than your normal visits to the zoo, go to Lanchang in the state of Pahang.

In a place called Kuala Gandah, there's an elephant conservation centre. It is run by Jabatan Perhilitan and is opened to the public for free. Our journey from Bangi to Kuala Gandah took us only about 2.5 hours using the PLUS and MRR highway.

The car park area.

The entrance leading to the registration and info centre.

Go early to the place, for if you're lucky to be amongst the first hundred visitors of the day, you'll get the chance not to only see and touch the elephants, but you'll get to ride on and bathe with the elephants! Some special visitors (I don't know how did they get the privilege) even got to feed the elephants with peanuts!

Our sticky pass -
the result of coming late (at 2.30pm)!

There's no word to describe the excitement you'll feel while being here. Luckily I managed to capture tons of pictures and some videos for they would give you a much better picture of what to expect from this interesting place.

Learn something about elephants before you meet the gentle beasts at the information centre.


The kids with a baby elephant.

Babies' feeding time...

Was it people bathing the elephant,
or the other way round?

The lucky person who had the last ride on the giant elephant!

Your journey there wouldn't be complete if you don't make a stop at an animal park called “Deerland”, just a 3km away from the elephant's conservation centre. In fact, this place had made our visit to Lanchang more exciting and worthwhile. There's an entrance fee but not as expensive as the Zoo Negara – we paid a total of only RM16 for 2 adults and 2 children.

Deerland's humble entrance.

My elder son described this place as being much cooler than the infamous Zoo Negara. And why not? Can you go inside the area designated for the deer and feed them at Zoo Negara? Can you touch the hedgehog and feed the ostrich there? Or can you get a bear hug (a real bear's hug) there? My kids got to experience them all here. Again – the pictures would make a better speaker of our interesting experience.

Feeding the deer...

Oh my, they appeared to be so.... hungry, or were they just greedy?

Naufal and the hedgehog.

There were parrots...

a wild chicken...(more, actually)

wild chicks...

and a flying squirrel, too!


The kids with a baby phyton.

Feeding the ostrich was interesting...

and so was touching the bear!


Hugssss.......

Hope you'll find your way there and I assure you these places will make your day!