Whirl

You guessed. This post is mainly on the trip. So get your gears on and LET'S get REVVING!!!


14 June 2007, Thursday

We awoke sleepily at 5.30am, and set off a 6.30am. Mama had pre-booked a Maxi cab to fetch us to to the train station. We reached there at around 7am. We were too early. The train sets off at 8.40am, and should reach its destination by 3.40pm. So we went for breakfast first. Roti prata. We finally boarded the train at 8am. The customs was quite lagged. Quite manual. And there's no stamp chop in the passport. The train moved off at 8.40am. We passed by what i would call a combination of Singapore's and Malaysia's housing- dilapidated flats surrounded by unkempt grass and weeds. So i was unsure of whether we were in Singapore or Malaysia. Then we stopped by Woodlands Terminal. Went down to get our White Card stamped. And we set off again. It was a long journey. Papa was always walking around. Then papa, didi and i went over to the first class cabin to enjoy the wonderful air-con, which is obviously cooler than the one in ours. Nice seats too. Big and plush. The train attendant was sitting right at the back of the seats in that cabin, but he didn't bother us. Then we went back to our original seats again. And slept. I woke up at around 1++pm, and papa bought two packets of Mister Potato from the canteen. So we ate, then we ventured into the first class cabin again. And stayed there for quite a long time.

Then at 2.50pm, bro came over to ask us what we were doing over there, and went back again. Then the train attendant came over to us, facing didi and me, asking us for our tickets. I said lamely,"I don't have". Then he proceeded to papa, who was in front of me, and pointed us to the direction of our cabins. AH Busted! Haha. We guesses he already knew from the beginning, but just let us off on the account that there were a lot of empty seats. So we went back, and soon after there was only an hour left to KL. An uncle who was seated near us and talked to my mama along the journey alighted. He provided a lot of useful info about taking trains to for us. Our plans for Father's Day were already churining out. Finally we reached KL KTM train station at 3.30pm. Woo. The train station here in KL is a far cry from those we saw along the way here. Those are just the low-tech, plain ones that resemble bus stops, but over here, it'a like an MRT staion, air-con and indoor shopping and all. Then we booked two taxis from the train station's taxi booth and went off. Papa and i in one cab, didi, mama and bro in the other. Off to HOTEL MALAYA.

We checked in and took a good rest. Then we took a walk around Chinatown(we just exit from our hotel and that's it) and had Chee Cheong Fun for a snack. It's all cold, but very tasty nevertheless. I guess the shop owners must be glad that we came in when they were closing for the day and earn some profit for their leftovers. Then we made our way back to the hotel as it started to rain. Then mama and me and didi went down once in the search of slippers(we didn't bring), but as it was raining, we only manged to go into a souvenir shop(where i got pretty shoelaces). When the rain stopped we went to get toothbrushes(the hotel doesn't provide anymore!) and slippers, gao lut and giant lychees. We went back again and finally all went down for dinner. At this restaurant Loong Kee. Food is okay only. Lemon chicken is yummy. Then we bought stuff from a comic shop and went back.

SLEEP. =)


15 June 2007, Friday

I had a bad sleep partly due to the incessant tugging of the blanket from didi(three of us siblings shared two single beds), and he forcibly pushed me to the side of the bed several times. Argh. We woke up at 9++++am. Went down for breakfast at 10am at the hotel's restaurant buffet. It ends at 10am, officially, but... We went in, didi, me and mama. Grabbed the food which is not very nice. Then bro came in, followed by papa who had taken a walk long before we woke up. Haha.

After breakfast we walked to Pasar Seni LRT station(Putra line), and took the train to KLCC. MAMA STOLE THE LRT CARD!!! Hahaha. The card was supposed to go into the ticketing machine when we exit, but mama just went through the gate with me when i inserted the card. Hee. Firstly we exited from the front of KLCC and took dozens of photos of the Petronas Twin Towers. Then we walked further away, to where a swimming pool was. It's more of a playplace. Cause the water is really shallow and there were artificial waterfalls. Then there were these ceramic pathways built above the water, and bro and i walked along them to take some photos, when an officer blew her whistle and asked us to take off our shoes. We insisted that we were going back, and we shot our refutes here and there for a few seconds, but in the end she gave up and said "Aiya" and we went back. Hahaha. Mama apologised to her. We went back to KLCC, and bro found this Skybrige Visit thing, which is tickets are given out to allow visitors to visit the Skybridge(the bridge in the middle and centre of the twin towers. Ah well. Tickets all given out. So we visited the exibition and wasted some time there playing with the brain teasers. Next we went for lunch at the second floor of the Ampang Mall, Suria KLCC. MacDonald's again. Hahaha. We discussed the programmes for the next day. We actually wanted to visit the Skybridge but decided against it as it is a waste of time and train fares to do that. Next is shopping time!

Firstly, Teddy Tales, where i bought a pile of shit the time NCHS brought us here. Exquisite but expensive stuff. Then we went to Isetan, which was streaming with people. Looks like there's a sale there from 14-17 June. Then papa a yellow polo tee and bro bought a black striped shirt and a sleeveless shirt which he intends to use as a vest. Didi and i wanted to buy a skateboard with a skull motif on the underside but mama won't allow, saying that it's a chore to bring it back. Then we looked at Converse sneakers as well. Cheaper of course, and i saw a pair of RM 439.00 limited edition golden senakers from japan which is totally so cool but costly. So i gave up on the idea. Hahaha.

And we left. We entered a very fragrant shop and mama got two dangling decorations to hang in the car. Mama bought a pair of slippers from Bata. I was telling her that all she buys are shoes. Ha. We went to Petrosains, the exhibition, but never entered it. Hell all the shops there are branded or good quality ones. Then we went back to Isetan again, and didi got his Megatron, which is cheaper by $15 to buy it there. At G2000, papa got three pieces of shirts. Bro and i purposely visited Topshop/Topman. Their stuff are not appealing at all. And the Giordano there is more expensive!

At long last we went back to take the train again. Bro and didi STOLE the cards! Hahaha. Anyway, we found out from a brochure that today is the last day the one-trip card will be in use, and it wll be 'abolished' the next day. What luck. Haha.

Went back to the hotel for a short while's rest, before we went down again. We walked around and bought T-shirts. Then we went back to the Sa Bou Fan (simply said, Claypot Rice) stall we saw earlier and ate there. Quite nice, according to the rest of the family. Hahaha. But i just ate the rice cause the chicken sucks. The soup is wonderful, however.

Sleep.


16 June 2007, Saturday

Good sleep cause didi slept in the gap between the two beds. HAHA. Nobody stole my blankie cause he stole bro's. Ha. We went down to Chinatown for breakfast. Didi and i had porridge while the rest had Chee Cheong Fun. Up next, we walked to Plaza Rakyat LRT station(i forgot what line). It's those kind of overhead one where you have to go down the escalator once more if you go to the wrong side. So we went up this side, and we weren't sure if it goes in the right direction, so my mama asked a woman, she said she don't know, asked another one, she was hesitant at first, but later said yes. So we took the train, which by right, will go to Hang Tuah in one stop. Next stop, NOT Hang Tuah. Shit man. So we went down and asked the chinese uncle there, who is very rude and told my mama to go to the opposite and take taxi when asked how to go to TImes Square. So i purposely spoke a few sentences which got thorns inside. Then after a few angry moments we crossed the road to the opposite side(yes we had to cross the road to get to the opposite platform), where the service officers are much more polite. So we backtracked two stations, and we alighted at Hang Tuah. Next we walked to the Monorail station and took the Monorail to Imbi station(yes, i'm a map expert). Firstly we went in search of the Grassland booth, where we are supposed to collect our bus tickets the next day. Ok done.

So we went to Times Square. It's an enormous shopping mall containing ten floors. Firstly, we went to Metrojaya, somewhat alike to our very own Metro, where i got a substitute for Kok Meng. Yay! And didi got a walrus. Then we went to the mens' section where papa bought a tee and didi bought two tees from this brand Zero Hour. Damn all their sizes are S, and they are NEW arrivals. Dumb or what? So the guy there told us to go to Level 6 to the main store where we can find more of their shirts. So we went to the sixth floor, and i got two shirts from Extreme. Yeah, they sell Zero Hour shirts. And we took a look at the indoor amusement park. So far the only thing that is of interest to me is the roller coaster. So we went to ask the person at the ticket counter about park rides and stuff, and we found out it's a la theme park, one ticket for unlimited rides. Hmm.... NO WAY! What a lousy amusement park. And it's indoor. Puh-lease l-a-h. So i recommended my family to Kenny Rogers' which i had tasted once in SIngapore ages ago with my ex-tuition teacher. Aside from the poor service, the food wasn't very nice. We had to repeat our orders several times you know. And the two cups orange juice didn't come until we packed up to leave. HAHA. Serves you right. Okay.

So we ventured off again, up and up we go the escalators, up and up and it becomes more and more desolate. Too many floors, i guess. Then we went to this 'Super Cool Hobby' shop which sells the ghouly and the funny. Masks, hats, wigs and chopped legs and chopped hands wrapped in plastic film on a styrofoamplate like your chicken from NTUC. I got a cap where twangy golden-brown maggi mee hair came out from the back, didi got a pirate bandana, and bro got a cowboy hat. I discovered those BOOM hair which looked so good on didi, but sadly he didn't want to get it. So we wore our stuff around the mall, where my beauuuuutiful hair apparently garnered a lot of attention. And when didi got his ice cream, the salesperson was calling him 'Jack Sparrow" all the way. We actually wanted to go bowling, but the bowling alley was closed for tournament. Sigh. So we decided to catch a movie, "Men In White" and up we went to the 10th floor. Bummer. They only have 3D stuff there, and the real movies are at the lower floor, where we remembered snaking lines of people were queuing up for movie tics. Okay. So we decided to do more shopping at Sungei Wang. Walking to the outside of TS, there was a car carnival there. Some sorta car racing event, and two girls were dancing and singing onstage. Nobody gave any applause unless encouraged by the emcee. Then brothers and i climbed up the platform behind the stage and got chased down by a security officer. Haha. So much trouble.

We walked around the first few floors, and went to the arcade. My bro and i competed on the drums. This time round i found it very hard for the computer to register the hits. Then i went to try my luck at the catching machines. Ah... Shrek is too heavy to be lifted, and Snoopy is too crafty to get him out. Then we had Daytona, my didi and i. After our race i saw this guy looking in our direction(he was seated on didi's right, and my didi was on my right). And we went out of the arcade. Then my papa was telling us off for venturing into the arcade by ourselves and that the group of Malay guys there are bad guys, that they even smoke in there when it's not allowed. Oh. No wonder i smell smoke while driving. He was alsp saying about my bro who wore his hat(we took off ours cause it was hot). Then did i realise WOAH, REALLY. Yeah. Mama then said that was why papa and her were standing there while we played. Yeah we certainly can't outfight them.

After the shock(are you shocked too?) we went to the sixth floor, the world of young people. We bought some stuff from a everything '2 for $30' shop. A spongebob cushion, a tie, a lion pillow and one more Kok Meng.

Then we had dinner at a restaurant in Chinatown. Sobs i only had broccoli to eat. Then we went home.

Not before we went in search for the Superman and Batman belts. Then we passed by a stall which sells colourful striped socks. I wanted to get it, but the stupid damn chinese auntie was so impolite. When my mama realised she wasn't your friendly vendor and said she wanted to consider, the fucking auntie said,"Something so cheap also need to consider ah? Huh?" Wah lao eh fuck her lah. It's so appalling.

After walking for a long time and making bro realise that he had a wrong impression of the colour schemes of the Batman belts, didi and i got a Superman belt each from a Chinese man.

At the hotel we were packing up for the next day. Quite a lot of stuff we bought. That night, i decided to rename my Kok Meng. The monkey's name was changed to BEEEEEEEEEE......., for convenience sake and reality sake(she looked more like Bee, and didi's looked more like Kok Meng).

Sleep. => We joined up the beds again.


17 June 2007, Sunday

I was awoken at 9am by mama. After breakfast(mama bought two kee changs to bring onto the bus) and a few sticks of youtiao, we went to the temple nearby. After that we went back to the hotel to rest and pack up, and we left for TImes Square. We took two taxis there, luggage and all, opposite Times Square. We settled at a mini kopitiam, and papa, bro and i went opposite to take a walk around TS. Bro bought two vests(he says the lecture halls in Uni are cold haha). We realised we had maligned mama by saying she was wrong on the route from TS to Sungei Wang. WE were wrong. Then we went back at 12pm. Then the five of us walked to Melia Hotel and had lunch there. After ordering papa and i took a walk around the area. Food was good. But. It was a very expensive lunch. Hahaha. The manager sabo us.

Then we waited at the lobby, sitting on the sofas, and mama and i went to get info about room rates of the hotel. We decided this hotel would be more convenient to take Grassland buses and go shopping then Hotel Malaya. Haha. Then mama went missing and we realised she was queuing up for the bus tics. After a long while she still haven't come back yet, so i went to scout. AHA! Something cropped up. There were NO seats for us on the bus home. Somehow there's a communication problem between the two sides. Meanwhile we went to Melia to get the luggage while papa waited for instructions. Mama called back to Singapore to complain under influence from bro. Hee. Finally they found a way out and we boarded the bus 8899. I could hear grouses of the people on the bus saying that they were in the wrong seats. Hahaha. Then some people got off the bus. 2.40pm. The bus started moving, and more people got off the bus until only the five of us were left. One of the two drivers told us that they were fetching only the five of us back to Singapore. Initially i was sceptical, but that's it! So in the end we got something out of nothing. So if you look into our bus, you would think that we are super-duper rich, cause WE, the FIVE OF US, booked the whole entire Super VIP 26-seater. HAHAHAHAHAHA. But it doesn't make much difference EXCEPT that you can move around as and when as you wished. I joined papa at the front for the scenery at first, then i went back to the middle to have some sleep. By the time i rose it was 4 plus 5. Then we stopped by Yong Peng for a twenty-min break, and set off again.

We went through Malaysia customs. Hell it was quick cause there are only LIMA ORANG. HARK HARK! Then bro told me that he saw a boy who was stunned when he saw us, AND our bus. Wah shiok. Hahaha. Then we brought everything down at Singapore customs, and they fetched us back to Beach Road. And we queued up for taxi.

Wow who would have thought we had a whole bus to ourselves? But mama's right. They'd have to pay us for an additional day's hotel fee if we were to take the next day's bus. And since this bus is heading home, we might as well take it. The drivers were going to fetch a new group to Taiping at 9pm.

Ah. So we reached home. And we got our hamsters back from 14 Auntie. Then we went to AMK for dinner. Ooh Jacky's not coming back. Everything is gone, the carrier, the playpen... But it's okay. We have Ah boy, the handsome and cutest mutt around here.

Ah, sleep.

=)

Hey i've saved up a lot on this trip!