Broga Hill Semenyih

21st September 2009 Raya holiday with the nature -- Broga Hill, located at Semenyih, Selangor.
Weather is good, about 3pm just after rain. Visitors about 4 to 6 cars, 20 to 30 people, not too crowded nor too quiet...

The trail begins from the oil palm estate (opposite rabbit farm, there is no signboard of Broga Hill) and entrance fees is (still) FREE!

Broga hill is about 1000ft from sea level, and we took about 45minutes to pass through the jungle trek and reached the top at around 430pm...

Green grass with eyes relaxing view of the mother earth... The hiking trail is not really a tough one...with just pair of slippers...
Haha...of cause its absolutely not advisable!! And I got a lesson of dumping in mud!!

Besides, insect repellent, torch light, rain coat or umbrella are my suggestion to be bring along too...Group or couple of friends and family...enjoy their holiday here...

Cool and refreshing air, while seeing the beautiful sunset...
How nice if there is a cup of hot coffee and sandwich?

However, don't come down too late from the hill!!
A group of hikers claimed that they heard wild boar roaring;P

Spain in Subang Jaya

090909 09:09pm

Pronunciation of "9" in mandarin is the same to the word meaning "long time" and 99999 means "very long looooooooong time" or forever.. So, couples were celebrate this special moment like valentine's day or get married because of the meaning of the date perhaps..

Here is a very nice place for couple of friends or valentine..
Dim light..soft music..sophisticating furniture and decoration..candle..and of cause delicious food..

Spain in Subang Jaya -- La Cocina Restaurant & Tapas Bar.

Though I don't really know how to appreciate Spain food but I do love the environment and taste here..
First come to our desk is the famous baked snails..

Baked "Escargots" (Cabrillas y Caracoles)
Snails, gratinated with herb butter in the oven.

Next, what we have here are La Cocino recommended tapas..

Shrimps & Mussels Croquette (Tigres)
Mussel and shrimp croquette, breaded and deep fried, served with garlic mayonnaise.

and
Gratinated Eggplant (Berenjenas Gratinadas)
Gratinated eggplant with garlic, tomato, herbs & cheese.

The eggplants taste rather surprisingly than it presented..

After that, come to our main course, Spanish rice -- Negres Paella, which is the signature dish of La Cocina..

Negres
Spanish rice cooked in black ink squid, large prawns, shrimps, fish fillet, squid, mussels, clams & vegetables. Exquisite taste in seafood!

Heehee..here we "play" with the Negres..better right??

After the heavy meal..here come the desert..

Blueberry Custard
Not in the menu! Specially made for us!
Perhaps its because that we looked so desperate and keep taking photo like reporter..haha
MyFoodPrint Marking:
Friendliness and service: 9/10
Environment: 7/10
Food: 7/10
Price: RM134.oo for 2 of us.
Overall: The black squid ink rice is worth for a try.

Penang - Ferry

Penang island is popular with nice food and nice place. As world heritage city, despite beautiful historical construction, memorable park and heart warming Penang people, Penang food has been the main attraction for the visitors. Before further talk about Penang food, I would talk about ferry at Penang.

I used to take ferry to Penang Island when I was a little girl. I could merely remember my mami (babysitter) hold my little hand, take a bus to Butterworth Jetty and then we take ferry to the island.

The journey takes around 15 minutes and we can enjoy the nice view and the refreshing breeze.. I was so excited.. run from front to back.. up and down.. the whitish wave dancing on the greenish sea water was so amazing to me.. and15minutes was too short..

18 years pass, motorcar has replaced public transport, and Penang bridge has become substitution in most of time travel to Penang Island. Nevertheless, I took ferry to the island very recently and found that Butterworth Jetty has been renovated, implement with escalator.

After paying RM1.20, I walked into ferry and pick a seat. The ferry is still clean and tidy as before..but the passengers have much more decreased compared to the crowd that I could remember..

1988 Penang's jetty collapsed due to overcrowding and poor structure.. my mami was involved in the tragedy and the whole family were so worried watching the TV news at home (no cell phone contact that time mar..) luckily, I was not along with her and she was safe with just some bruises on knees.. At that critical time, she was still manage to help to save other victims.. the tragedy killed 32 life and caused thousand of injuries..

Today, I will choose ferry back to Butterworth instead of driving through Penang bridge if I am not rushing of time.. Though mami has no longer able to bring me to Penang Island by ferry..but the memory will accompany me whenever the breeze kiss on my face..

Related articles about 1988's Penang Jetty collapse tragedy:
http://tankiasu.xanga.com/708824609/penangs-1988s-jetty-collapse-tragedy/

Camera Micro Four Thirds System

Camera is a great invention.
Asians like to take picture everywhere they go, especially since that digital camera become so handy, user friendly and affordable.

Film, digital, DSLR (digital single-lens reflex), four third, micro four thirds system.. actually I am not a professional photographer.. I was headache reading through all this robotic terms..

As a food lover and always hanging around.. what I need is just a handy camera to capture something I see which is beautiful and I want to keep it..

The old camera I last bought was 4 or 5 years back, Nikon Coolpix 4600, cost me RM850 that time.. I love the camera so much.. I think I have taken more than 50 thousand pictures with my Coolpix 4600.. Its was a very good camera I can say, though compare to today's technology.. obviously..


Olympus E-P1

Looks nice.. handy.. and the functions sounds great!!

1. 12 MILLION PIXELS

With 12.3 megapixels at its disposal, the E-P1 delivers image quality that makes the difference between ordinary and exceptional still and video imaging. A Live MOS image sensor is complemented by a next generation TruePic V Image Processor, resulting in excellent dynamic range, accurate color fidelity, fine image details in all highlight and shadow areas, and reduced noise.

2. AUTOFOCUS LIVE VIEW

The Live View Autofocus system works as effectively and seamlessly on the E-P1 as it does on conventional E-System DSLR and point-and-shoot cameras. Subjects are displayed in complete focus on the bright LCD as soon as the shutter is pressed half way.

3. BLUR-FREE, DUST-FREE IMAGING

Say goodbye to blurry and blemished images. In both still and Movie modes the E-P1 Image Stabilization excels. The E-P1's three-mode In-body Image Stabilization system compensates for up to fou

r shutter speed steps in the still shooting modes with any of its interchangeable lenses: Mode 1 for general shooting, Mode 2 for creative high-speed horizontal capture, and Mode 3 for high-speed vertical capture. The camera's Mechanical Image Stabilization automatically compensates for camera shake in low-light situations or when using a telephoto lens. In the Movie Modes the advanced Electronic Image Stabilization tracts the images both vertically and horizontally to achieve clear sharp movies, matching the performance of the in body IS. A Dust Reduction System assures spot-free images via a patented ultrasonic technology called Supersonic Wave Filter, which vibrates to remove dust and other parti

cles from the image sensor and confines them to a special adhesive membrane.

4. MULTIPLE EXPOSURE

A Multiple Exposure function enables you to be creative in the landscape or portrait formats, or even a combination of the two. Multiple images can be captured and combined.

5. AUTO ADJUSTMENT AND FACE DETECTION

The camera has 19 automatic scene modes, including Night-Scenes, Portraits and Landscapes. Its Intelligent Auto Mode (iAuto

) identifies your shooting intent (including macro or sport photography) and adjusts the settings accordingly to achieve the best results. A new ePortr

ait Mode allows you to soften shadows and smooth out facial features, either before image capture or during post-capture edits. And a Face Detection function reduces the chance of blurred subjects when shooting several people at once, even if they're moving while you're shooting.

6. SHADOW ADJUSTMENT

No longer must you worry about the extreme contrast between dark and bright areas. The camera's Shadow Adjustment Technology corrects for extreme light variations with high-tech efficiency. This can also be used in post-editing.

7. ART FILTERS

For even further creativity, there are six built-in Art Filters, all of which can ultimately be applied within both the still and video imaging process. These include Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Light Color, Light Tone, Grainy Film and Pin Hole. The effects are instantly viewable on the LCD when using the E-P1 in Live View or when reviewing images.

Huh?! Impressive description from

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1461&page=overview

I wish to have one..

But currently the price is around RM3200.. and some more have to buy external flash and other accessories.. haizz..

Wait for the price drop..

Bus or Flight

The distance between Kuala Lumpur and Penang is about 400km. Being the two largest cities in Malaysia, there are many people including business man and travellers, traveling between these two city as I do.

To be cost effective and environmental conservative, I take public transport instead of driving a motorcar.

My destination is Subang Jaya.

Previously I took the ordinary express bus which stop at Pudu Raya, which cost me around RM32. Then I took LRT and Monorail to Time Square, cost around RM2.40 if I am not mistaken, and then my friend will pick me up. I think if take a cap from Time Square to Subang Jaya will cost at least RM20. So, total cost will be RM54.40, despite the tiring walking, rushing and transition from one place to another.


Later on, my friend told me about Aeroline, which provide punctual, clean, superior, first class express bus service from Penang to Sunway Pyramid. A meal and drinks are provided. You can enjoy movie on your comfortable seat ready with small pillow and blanket (on request), or you can read some newspaper or magazine at the rest room.

The journey is pleasant, comfortable and I can sleep peacefully...then when I opened my eyes, arrived at my destination. Well, RM55 for the trip, but I save a lot of time and no other expenses.


Then come to Air Asia flight promotion.
My friend manage to grab me a seat from Penang to LCCT Kuala Lumpur at RM41 only, plus the sky bus to KL sentral, total is just RM48.50 nett. Yet, it was too early of being grateful.

Check in 45mins before the departure time and travel by car from my house to Penang International Airport takes around 45mins. Luckily, the flight delayed 30minutes only (delayed of flight for 1 or 2 hours is common so I was lucky for 30minutes only!). After 50minutes flying, arrived at LCCT, took Sky bus to KL sentral 1hour and 30minutes. Buy a Komuter ticket to Subang Jaya, wait for the train 40minutes, squeeze into the terribly crowded train, 30minutes arrived at Subang Jaya. Despite the tiring transition from car to flight, to bus, to train, and walking, the journey took me nearly 9hours!

I learn a lesson from this painful experience...free ticket is not always good...