The Journey

It’

s been a while since I promised to update. And I truly apologize for the sudden absence. It’s just that I’ve been too occupied with life , academics and settling in.

Here's some pictures on my long journey around a month ago. Kuching-Kuala Lumpur-Seoul-Chicago-Detroit.That totals to more than 40 hours of plane and airports.And I didn't exactly have a very smooth flight.But I'm not going to rant about it. Anyway, here some pictures and some brief descriptions.

                                      At Starbucks in Kuching International Airport.

                                  Malaysian flag in Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

                I have an instance liking for these seats when I saw them.In Incheon International Airport.I managed to explore parts of the airport and even took a shower in the Transfer Lounge. In Incheon International Airport,you’ll know who to look for, when the lavatory is not cleaned. Korea Traditional Cultural Experience Center ! Various kind of souvenirs are sold here, but the prices range starts from the thousands. In South Korean won of course.

You even have the chance to hand-make a beoseon (버선) sourvenir ! It’s a sourvenir, not the real thing.For those who don’t know, this is a beoseon, which is essentially Korean traditional socks.                 A mini concert in the airport. :) Wonderful music that they play.Bi Bim Bab ! This is a display outside a restaurant at the airport.Didn’t try it then, but  I had this for dinner yesterday- in Ann Arbor of course. I added some 고추장 . And it was good !

                            Some custom officials with a very cute dog.          And did i mention that the airport staffs were very friendly ? :)Korean Air, which flew me to Chicago. Imagine, boarding a flight at 12 noon on Aug 27 , but you arrive prior to 12 noon Aug 27, across the Pacific Ocean. You get what I mean. A travel across time zones.

In-flight entertainment system! A wonderful invention indeed even though it takes up a lot of time which could be spend sleeping.

The only photo I manage to snap at O’Hare International Airport.:(

Of twin towers and aquarium

Sometime ago, when I was still in Kuala Lumpur, Jen Yong and friends came over for a trip. So , I met up with them at Suria KLCC and showed them around the area.

A national landmark, which stands at a height of 452 meters above the ground, the Petronas Twin Tower is a spectacular sight to behold. The double-decked skybridge is supported by a “three hinge arch” . The skybridge serve to link the towers at Level 41 and Level 42. However, the guys were more eager to visit another attraction in the area, so after a brief tour at the front of the towers and around the mall, we headed off to the next site of interest.

Aquaria KLCC, boasts of the best underwater education experience in the city. With a newly opened, Aquaria Education Centre and Aquaria Fish Therapy Centre, visitors can get the best of the ocean. The Aquaria Fish Therapy Centre allows visitors to enjoy fish spa- soaking your feet in the water while the Garra rufa nibbles at it. After touring the Aquaria Education Center, which has a small exhibit of marine creatures, we proceed to the feast our eyes on more in the 60,000 sq. ft. aquarium.

There was a DNA Touch Pool , near the entrance. There , we get to touch a number of live marine creatures. Look, I’m holding a starfish !! Note that my fingers are submerged in the water. We’re not supposed to lift these creatures out of the water.

                                     

I’m touching a shark! Woots!!

                   Bamboo sharks are harmless creatures. And they lay eggs.

However, not all marine creatures are as innocuous as the bamboo sharks. Try swimming with one of these fishes below, you’ll know what I mean. But I guess it’s too late by then.

      Especially these vicious fishes that are originally from the Amazon River.

                              Or even this fish with deadly venom.

Watching so many fishes swim around like that in a huge crystal clear aquarium is indeed a sight to behold. It makes you feel like joining the fishes in the water.

And some of the fish are really big. I was amazed to see such a huge fish. I think it was taking a rest there. Do note that, the fishes you see from outside the aquarium, looks much smaller than their actual size.                                         Jen Yong and Khai Ming.

While we ventured around, I noticed that the aquaria has a number of cute looking exhibits. Introducing :

                                                  The Hawksbill Turtle                                               

Longhorned Cow Fish                                        And not to forget, this little creature.
There were other exhibits of amphibians, reptiles and insects at the place, but I suppose we were more interested in looking at fishes.

                                                    Shark alert !

A World of Lego

Remember these cute little toy building bricks ? And those cute little figures which comes in characters of knights, wizards, pirates and even spacemen. Yes, the wonderful world of LEGO that accompanied you in your childhood. I'm not sure about you, but there was once, when I was very keen in getting a new LEGO set, everytime I went to the mall. Talk about childhood.

Earlier last month, at Suria KLCC, there was a LEGO exhibition . In the house, were life-sized structures of pirates ( like the one above ) as well as structures of several world famous monuments- all constructed with LEGO bricks.

The Petronas Twin-Tower , constructed with LEGO.

The link bridge between the towers.

The Pyramid of Chichen Itza.

Petra Treasury

There's even a short introduction about each monument.

Machu Picchu constructed with LEGO bricks.

The Lost Cities of the Incas was never found by the Spanish conquistadors, leaving it safe from the greedy hands of man, until it was discovered later on by an American.

Here's the famous mausoleum built by one of the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan in memory of his wife.

The Taj Mahal. A exemplary example of Mughal architecture.

The Colosseum is undeniably one of the greatest work of Roman architecture.

'Hand over your treasure LEGO !!!!'

A trip to the outskirts

New Year's Day saw me out on a excursion to the outskirts with a bunch of friends. Jen Yong, who had discovered a beach at a local village led us to Kampung Pasir Panjang, situated 21 kilometers away from Kuching City.

Although not popular among tourists, this long stretch of beach could be developed into a tourist attraction.

Local folks promenading on the beach.

Accretion of shell sediments on the rocks at the side of the beach.

Two guys fishing on the rocks

A pay-per-use wash room.

This house, however, does not seem to be a village house.

After that, we went on to explore the coastal area of the nearby Kampung Pasir Pandak, another village on the coastal area. Huge boulders were placed on the seaside to prevent further erosion and to protect the villagers .

It seems that most of the villagers here are fishermen, with boats parked nearby their respective houses.

Little kids having fun on the stretch of rocks.

A view of Mt. Santubong from the stretch of rocks.

This bunch of guys seem to be interested with something about the boulders.

Maybe a hole in the rock?