JetSave Light Challenge

When I saw JetStar advertised on JetSave Light Challenge, started to check with a few friends and finally my dear friend, Sue responded. And both of us tried our luck by submitting our names. And few days later I received a call to say that we were chosen. We are excited, happy and looking forward to the budget challenge.

Today, 1 July 2009 will be the day that we start our challenge (not really actual challenge). We need to arrive at Singapore Changi Airport by 12:30 pm and will be given our flight tickets, $ and hotel details. And off we go to board the first flight by JetStar to Penang at 3:15pm.

Yup we are going to the Pearl of the Orient, Penang for the challenge. Now I´m having butterflies in my stomach...too nervous. Wonder how Sue is feeling? Hmm gotta prepare myself and meet Sue at the Airport.

Cherry Blossom, April 2009, Tokyo

This year, Cherry Blossom started one week earlier, sometime in March. But I was lucky to be there to experience full bloom of Cherry Blossom on the 2nd week of April.

Went to Ueno Park where there's a lot of Cherry Blossom trees. People walk around enjoying the cool air, nice surrounding and relaxation. Actually not only in Ueno park, you can also see Cherry Blossom almost everywhere.

I tried looking of the Sakura type of Cherry Blossom which has 5 pink petals but was not able to locate. Most of the flowers I saw are those of 20 petals.

Camii Mosque, Tokyo

We all know that the main religion in Japan are Shinto (the oldest religion), Buddhism and there's also Christianity. But there's a small fraction of the society who are muslim, very minority.

Whilst in Japan, I had an opportunity to visit Camii Mosque which is located in Tokyo. It's beautiful. Everything is made of marble and the mosque stood on level 2 of the building.

It's cooling and peaceful in the mosque. The mosque is built by the Turkish Embassy in Japan. Well everyone speaks Japanese and little of English.

But most importantly...I love everything there.

Sanrio Puroland, Tokyo Japan

As a Hello Kitty fan over the years, I was very excited to visit Hello Kitty Land or Sanrio Puroland. I was too happy and excited that I am more like a 5 years old kid than a girl of my age.

Everything looks cute and nice. It's like a dream. Kitty, Daniel, Melody, Monkichi....it's like walking into a shop. But this is real.

Eventhough the ticket entrance is rather steep (I think), but it's worth it. I get to enjoy a mini boat ride in Puroland. There's so many attraction in Puroland. Everything is in Japanese and even the show is in Japanese. I dont even understand a single word but I enjoy myself even without understanding.

It's a place for everyone, not only for kids. Even my mum enjoy herself.

Other Tribes (ChiangMai)

Other than the long neck, there's also Karen, Yao and many more... Each of these tribes have their own unique culture and dressing.

Elephant Camp (ChiangMai)

Not like a zoo at all! Well you can smell of elephant dung but the atmosphere is peaceful. You can hear the sound of water going down the slope. And lots of tourist!

What impress me the most are the elephants. They are more educated than me! (not that Im not smart ya). They have artistic skill, they can paint whereas I cant. Even a house would look like a hut if I draw. Their paintings are one of the beautiful paintings I ever seen (I am not comparing it with top artist).

And they play soccer too. Dont think big size animals cant run after 1 ball!

Orchid Garden (ChiangMai)

Been to Singapore Botanical Garden and other places where I can find nice orchids but at this Orchid Garden/Farm, it's a different feeling. Probably because I went early in the morning and the weather is cold.

The colorful orchid and also big. For someone who love flowers, it's like a dream come true to be able to be up close and personal.

ChiangMai

ChiangMai located at the Northern Part of Thailand. The best time to go Chiangmai is during the "winter" time which would be from the month of November till February. I recalled the flowers will bloom sometime in January/February. But when I went it was too late, I was one week late but the weather is still great, between 12-16 degrees. Cooling.

There are a few enthnic group and one of them is the Long Neck Karen. I went to visit the Long Neck Karen's village and see for my ownself the beauty of having Long Neck. Even my guide joke with me that they found me unattractive as I didnt have a long neck.

Young girls as young as 4 years old are given a gift of a "bangle" to be place on their neck. As they grow, more "bangle" will be added. Hmm how their bangle is place on their neck. As the "bangle" is made of brass (I dont think its real gold :)) it will be heated so that the metal is easy to be bend. It will be then place on the neck and when the metal cool, the "bangle" will be on the neck.

I did asked if it's itchy especially during Summer when the sun is scothing hot or how do they clean their necks. They would use a towel to "scrub" their neck. It's scary seeing how their neck are being stretch by the heavy metals. But for this group its considered as beautiful and its part of their culture.

True beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. But if given a choice, I would rather have my normal neck then carry a heavy neck full of metals.

Krabi, Thailand

Went to Krabi, Thailand a year before Tsunami stuck. Not sure if everything is the same or has it changed after Tsunami.

Thailand is a land of all smiles so is Krabi. Everyone who goes there feel at ease and feel safe to roam around the Island. When I was in Krabi with my friend, we stayed at La Playa hotel. It was rather a new hotel. We were greeted and welcome by the Hotel manager when we arrived.

Breakfast at the hotel was great, there were no buffet except for Menu book. We can choose different types of breakfast. For my 3 day stay there, I remember vividly that I often request for the Thai Fried Rice for Breakfast. Yummy and taste of Thailand.

We went to Fossil Musuem (I think thats what it was called) which is actually like a reclaim land. And the clear lake for swimming. But most of the days we just laze around watching the sun set as we enjoy our drinks or having a pizza bite.

I would love to go Krabi again. It's a place I feel at home with the friendliness of the people around me.