Diary of Team Members - 寻幽探闲之旅
A Diary of a Team Member, Mr. Low Hin Cheng (B3) – THE TRIP TO THAILAND 1/6/2008 - 6/6/2008
"This is my first Journey driving into Thailand, we really enjoyed ourselves. Thanks to the organiser and our team leader.
We will be looking forward to the next adventure drive"
31/5/2008 :
10.00 am - Bye-bye PT 35, Taman Sri Delima, 16250 Wakaf Bharu, Kelantan. The green mountain and fresh air boosted our moral for the coming journey. We arrived at Grik around 2.00 pm & had a feast of “Batin Fish ” lunch. It’s just wonderful and delicious. We continued our journey and arrived at Alor Star about 5.00 pm. After checking in at Hotel Samila, we met Mr & Mrs Chan Sheau Ping and Mr & Mrs Chua from Penang. Later at night we met Mdm Er San San and company from Seremban. All of us had a good time savouring Kedah’s special delicacies for dinner at a nearby hawkers’ centre. (Thanks to Mr. Kee Hun Koon for the arrangement )
1/6/2008 :
5.00 am - Ring…..ring… It`s wake up time! We left the Hotel at 5.45 am and headed towards Lai Fat Rocks Garden. We’re supposed to arrive early but we detoured to Bukit Kayu Hitam’s bus station for ´foreign exchange` `hence arriving at destinated meeting place for the whole convoy at 7.10 am. Oopsie for the delay!
7.45 am - We zoom off towards the border after putting up the car-stickers, changed our T-shirts and even managed to collect some donation for victims of the SiChuan earthquakes.
8.15 am -> 9.10 am - That was the time spent at the Malaysia-Thai immigration! At last, all cleared and assembled at KPK Ban Dannok Hotel (Sadao) before we continued our journey.
10.30 am - All ready to go. Wow! The road is so straight and wide, no toll, no roadblock, minus the heavy traffic and obviously no speed trap, heh heh ...... This is the first time I’m speeding to 140 km/hr without fear of being SUMMONED! Thank God that we have a group of Good Navigators and Leaders, their careful planning and concern, we really have nothing to worry about throughout the whole journey. We did enjoy using walkie talkie ….hello…B3 …increase your speed by stepping 2 inches on your gas pedal ..... faster ..... faster ..... slow, slow, approaching red light area ..... turn left ..... sing a song ..... miss you ..... be alert ..... there are two big elephants on the way ..... and so on .....
1.00 pm - (Thailand Time) We arrived at Trang and had our buffet lunch- a typical Thai style cooking and dessert – emmmmm! So delicioussss ..... (as expressed by my children) Thanks to GG Lim & all the organising officers.
2.30 pm - We arrived at a scenic waterfall (Oops! What`s the name ?) Sra Morakot - Compatible to Jiu Zhai Gou (九寨沟) in China. A series of beautiful waterfalls and lakes along a small river which attracts local and foreign tourists.
4.30 pm - We left and arrived at Krabi around 6.00 pm. We settled in at the Golden Beach Resorts of Ao Nang Beach – The most beautiful and expensive Accomodation. Thanks to the organiser. We had our dinner at a nearby restaurant before strolling in the park. Then it`s bed time.
2/6/2008 :
8.00 am - Breakfast at Hotel coffee house. After a good night sleep, everybody was refreshed and prepared for further adventures. First, we visited the Museum of Shells located near Ao Nang Beach. There, we saw the remains of millions of shells that laid in the sea bed for thousands of years – Woe! What a wonderful gift of God to the nature ! Then we proceeded to Phuket at about 10.30 am. On the way, while we were having lunch at 7 Eleven (at a petrol Station), our Leader, GG Lim’s 4 wheels drive had a battery problem. Off the poor guy and his vehicle to the workshop. We then continued our journey which was lead my another officer (Sunny Wong). We checked into Royal Paradise Hotel at Patong Beach (A beach worst hit by Tsunami in 2004 – but there is not much marksleft). We enjoyed swimming in the hotel swimming pool. Dinner was at the hotel restaurant – a mixture of Western and Thai food was served. We had a stroll around the hotel and Patong Beach Town and also did some shopping. The town is only lively and active after 3.00 pm everyday till 3.00 am the next morning – there are many pubs, restaurants, karaokes, message parlours, cinema shows and night clubs. The beach at Patong Beach is beautiful and clean which makes it suitable for swimming and surfing.
3/6/2008 :
8.00 am – Breakfast and joined Mr. Chan and gang for a tour in his Avanza – a good and comfortable car indeed. We visited the seaside hit by tsunami, the museum and part of the town. We had our lunch at Phuket TESCO. We again enjoyed swimming in the pool except for Michelle who went for a face massage with Mr.Chan & Company.
6.00 pm - We went to Phompthep View Point hoping to view the best sunset in Thailand – unfortunately it was a cloudy day and no sunset can be viewed. We went back to the hotel and joined the other group members for a show – Elephants’ dance show at the fun land (FantaSea) some 30 minutes drive from the hotel. We returned to the hotel around 11.45 pm – it was in fact an enjoyable and wonderful day.
4/6/2008 :
9.00 am - Checked out and began our adventure to Koh Samui along Southern Sea-bound to Don Sak to board ferry. The convoy enjoyed driving on the straight and well kept highway lined with beautiful scenery at all times. We stopped at some villages shopping for a variety of local products. We arrived at Dok Sak ferry terminal at about 2.00 pm and took a ferry ride to the island. It took 1½ hrs to reach Koh Samui and checked into a hotel at Lamai Beach – a moderate and comfortable hotel. Again, we enjoyed swimming in the pool. Later, we walked around town and had our dinner at a nearby restaurant. We did some window shopping in this small but busy and yet relax town before we went back to the hotel.
5/6/2008 :
9.00 am - After breakfast at the hotel, we then started our tour around the island – we visited Grandfather and Grandmother Stone, Big Sitting Buddha and also the Mummified Monk. We visited The Bungee Jump Site where my son and daughter joined in the stunt. From the bottom of my heart, I am very proud of them for daring to go for the bungee jump. Never for a second did I hesitate when they asked for my permission, I am sure that every safety precaution had been taken by the organizer. We had lunch at TESCO and headed back to the hotel.
7.00 pm - The Convoy had a luxurious and delicious seafood dinner at a seaside restaurant – complete with karaoke, firing fire crackers, fire works and the lighting of Kong Ming lanterns ( 孔明灯) .
6/6/2008 :
9.30 am - Checked out .... proceeded to go round the island and then off to the jetty at 11.00 pm. Crossed over to Don Sak by 1.10 pm. The sea water around Koh Samui is crystal clear and calm, ideal for water sport activities.
2.00 pm - We had our buffet lunch at the "Twin Lotus hotel" in Nakhon Si Thamarat – Everybody enjoyed the fabulous food because we were all hungry, thanks again to our thoughtful team leader. Reached Hatyai in the evening. It is a very busy city which accomodates for business and shopping tourists. We stopped and visited the city and had our dinner at TESCO. We left for Sadao then Bukit Kayu Hitam at 8.00 pm. We crossed the border at 9.45 pm and headed to Mr Liew’s house in Alor Setar for a night.( Thanks to Mr. Liew & Family for their courtesy to allow us to put up a night in his “Palace” )
7/6/2008 :
7.00 am - We had breakfast with Mr. Liew before heading for home. Here we come PT 35 Taman Sri Delima, 16250 Wakaf Bharu. Home sweet home at 4.00 pm.
The Bungee Jump
By Michelle Low Siu Yee
I was startled by the walkie-talkie. Still in a daze, I heard the anouncement that anyone who are interested can participate in the Bungee Jump at our next stop in a few minutes time. Only 3 participants are allowed to try it as time is limited. My first response was to ask my dad, who was driving at the time, “Are they just joking or true? Dad, can I try, I mean the Bungee Jump? I never try it before ....” Deep inside me, I was getting more and more excited, my heart pumping fast. Well, daddy’s response was “ok, you can try.” I’m thinking, this is a golden opportunity. This should be fun. But, I wanted a reconfirmation. So I asked dad to ask them twice through the walkie-talkie, but there seemed to be no response. I’m blurred .... Then our car came to a stop, where I can see a Bungee Jump block standing tall under the hot sun. Once again, I asked my dad for permission. But I can’t find the gut to ask Uncle Lim myself to become a volunteer. After a moment, I heard Uncle Lim yelling, “Who’s interested to try? Only the first 3 participants can get it free! Who want?” I turned around but no one responded. With butterflies in my stomach and fire in the heart, I immediately raised my hand and said “I want! Can I?” Immediately, I was granted the permission. Wow, I became the first participant and also getting the first jump of my life ! Looking at the peak of the Bungee Jump again, it wasn’t as tall as the jump from San Francisco Bridge, just about 60 feet tall (according to my dad), so I guess it would not be that scary. Then, Uncle Lim brought me to the counter to fill in the consent form. I could still remember the moment of exitement when filling in the date and names. Gosh ! I could not prevent my hand from shivering. My handwriting became bad, real bad ! I could feel the butterflies dancing in my gut. Next, I was weighed and prepared for the jump by an aid from the guide. My legs began to tremble a bit when I was transported up to the peak in a cabled basket. The guide just told me to stare straight into the sky, imaging myslf spreading my wings and spooooooooooooooosh.......
~YO~ I was heading for the pool right below or above me ?! The moment I get off from the platform high up in the sky, I felt so relax and free, weightless for a split of a second. It was like discarding all the tension in me. Hey, I did not feel any fear in me ! I almost believed I can fly. I could! Haha.... In a blink, I saw the pool in front of my eyes and I began to
wonder will I fall straight into it? No time....... The gravitational acceleration was so fast that I could feel the jerking force from the elastic band tied to both my legs . Then here I come, down again, up again and down again. Astoundingly, I was able to keep calm and brave enough to open both eyes and waved to the audience staring and cheering for me ( frankly, I can’t control the direction I’m swinging....) I just bounced for about 4 times, then I heard yelling from the guide and before long I was brought to land by the help of a long stick. It was a moment of contentment and speechlessness. No words fit for the explanation. This will be embraced in my memory forever. Bungee Jump at Koh Samui. I am very fortunate to have such a sporting and understanding dad. Hehe…
After adapting myself back to reality, I took a few photo shoots with my so called “fans” , kah! Kah ! I was shocked but excited when I got to know the next participant was Michael, my very own brother! Wasting no time, I took out my camera to record video shoot of the jump. His jump was much better than mine as he had chosen to be partly dipped into the pool. This was followed by a loud cheer. The cheers continued when the third participant was an uncle.
At the end of the unforgetable event, we were given a black tee shirt each as a souvenier. Again, some photo session before adjourning to the next destination.
Thailand Trip
By Michael Low Jing Hui
I am thrilled, happy and enjoyed throughout the whole journey, although most of the time I was just sitting in the car. The best part was the opportunity that I had with my dad, brothers, Mike and Vin. We were not rushing like previous trips.
Just a single lament, not much chance for trying local food. Curiousity runs deep, need to be served, hah, hah ! Other than that, It was almost perfect! Each car was given a walkie-talkie for communication, which is the fun part of the trip. Its main function was as a tool to keep track of the convoy of cars from misdirection. Yet, it also kept the drivers awake and managed to entertain everyone by the jokes supplied by some team members with good sense of humour.
We also managed to make friends with all the team members by the end of the trip. It is really fun and special to be part of a big group of people from various backgrounds.
Last but not least, everyone must be sporting and open-minded enough to the outside world, then only are we able to enjoy to the utmost satisfaction !
Hope to see all of you again.
寻幽探闲之旅之点点滴滴 – (1.6.2008-6.6.2008) 黄爱萍 (A6)
打州华文科委主办
春有百花秋有月 ，
夏有凉风冬有雪 。
若无闲事挂心头 ,
便是人间好时节 。
6月1日
清晨6点半,彰伦来发公园已是车多人多了。今天是吉打州科委主办的寻悠探险出发的日子。 车友一路北上都赶到这儿齐集。当时天色尚暗，丹州督学、槟州督学和森州督学竟然错过了来发公园，直奔边境关卡,结果只好打回头喽!
当时有多辆车子在忙着贴上车队的号码和特为此行而设计的车队专有车贴。
6点45 分 吉打州中学华文督学纪汉坤及华文科委一行人（汉光、明强、汉财）陪同拿督钟抵达现场。大家享用米粉后来个大合照。7点15分由拿督钟挥旗，车队出发了！
再这里，不忘谢谢叶绍明老师起早安排早餐，也谢谢纪督学找来了拿督钟赞助100 位车友的早餐。科委也谢谢车友乐捐赈灾协助四川的灾民。
车队浩浩汤汤出发，当然得先把油箱填满，就在边境的油站，大家齐齐发挥爱国精神――购买国货支持PETRONAS 去了……
来到关卡还好今天的人潮不多, 大家很顺利的办了入境手续过了边界.大伙儿就在边界的KPK BAN DANNOK酒店集合,同时聆听OFFICER LIM 汇报, OFFICER HOCK忙着分传话机给车友.大家也忙着调好对讲机,作好准备往目的地出发了.
泰国时间中午12 点, 车队抵达PHATHALONG 的珍银大酒店享用午餐.午餐后大队往享有泰国九寨沟的水晶湖, 入门票不便宜呢!
“大家上车， 现在我们往享有泰国九寨沟出发”
车队走着。“前面有PTT 油站， 我们转进去打油， 上厕所。”
这时 AYOYO ……
“有谁看到B8 、 B9 ？有谁看到B8 和B9？”OFFICER 发现小鸡不见了 。
“CALLING B8 ，B8 ，有听到吗？”
“LIM 阿LIM ， B8 B9 MO KOI TIO ！” （潮语：没看到B8 和B9）
“ ANEI KUAN A！WO KUI KOI” （潮语：这样啊，我去看。）
一阵惊魂 ， 终于找到B8 和B9 。原来他们错过了油站入口，直奔而去！
下午3 点,雨后的林间小路又湿又滑, 往山上走 ,两旁净是树林和竹林.经过竹林,片片竹叶让人想起即将来临的端午节 , 还有车友竟然提议把竹叶带回大马呢……哈哈,这是本团的第一守则: 宁杀错别错过.沿途满地是龙垴香的种子. 果然别有洞天, 来到水晶湖,水清澈见底,青苔长在石头上, 果然有九寨沟的影子.有车友已经急不急待跳下湖里去咯…不过围观的比较多.
黄昏时刻来到AO NANG(KRABI 甲米) 最好的GOLDEN BEACH RESORT. 这是一家建在海边的度假酒店. 晚上是自由活动时间, 晚餐就在附近的小食店解决 .饭后大家随意沿着海边的小商店散步,听着海浪声, 吹着印度洋吹来的海风,偶尔停下脚步问问价钱,先来个热身.
这一夜, 对第一次参加车队旅行的车友该是新鲜的吧!
6 月2 日
充了一夜电, 加上度假村提供的早餐, 大伙儿 精神奕奕, POWER 十足!!!有的在海边留下足迹, 再拍张靓照留念. 转了个圈大家闲聊起来, 无意中发现有3 辆车的车友竟然入住一晚值1 千马币的独立式套房. 里面有SPA , 还有天窗看星星.这时消息传开来, 引起了OFFICER们 的抗议 , 就差点罢工了.在车上,通过对话机,大家你一言我一语的,一致通过这些车友下一站必须露营,因为他们的住宿费已用完啦 .
这是往化石海浴场的路上大家纷纷加入讨论的话题, 还好OFFICER 没机会入住, 要不然会被攻击”假公济私” 呢. ( 哈哈!这是OFFICER 的酸葡萄).参观化石海浴场,少不了来个拍照活动 当然凡走过--必买东西, 大家又开始杀价选购这儿的特产--贝壳手工艺品 . 总之买的高兴, 卖的 开心啊! 时间自己安排,不用像旅行团一样赶鸭子上午11.40等大家上车接着就前往车站打油.这时候才发现大马的可爱, 原来泰国的油价1 公升RM 4.00 .国内才RM 1.95.
在泰国油站旁总设有7-11 便理商店, 而且经营得很成功. 大家趁车队填油之际, 纷纷光顾7-11, 比手划脚之下 就地解决午餐. 其实7-11 的咖啡+奥花田很好喝,猪肉汉堡包也不错.错过的人下次一定要吃, 马来西亚是吃不到的 .中午12.15聊完吃完 , 大家准备启程继续, OFFICER LIM 的PCV 1000巨无霸却出了状况, 多位车友和OFFICER 检查之下说是电箱走电,这时团队精神发挥出来了. 大家动手推车,让OFFICER LIM把车送厂修理. ABANG CHUN 附驾去也!
为了不耽误行程, 12.55 继续上路往PHUKET 出发.为了确保车队不失散, OFFICER通过对话机指示车队前进. 不时会听到队友通过传呼机谈笑风生, 唱歌 、说笑话，真是乐趣无穷。
偶尔出现状况，OFFICER 急忙给予号令 “红灯照过、红灯照过”
“B9，B9 你在哪里 ？B8 有看到B9 吗？”
“照号码排回去 ”
“开大灯走”
（哎呀，糟糕 ！停在红灯区。）
“ 前面的车会慢慢走， 后面的过了红灯区追上来。OFFICER 会在转弯处作LANDMARK 。 DR。 LO 你作LANDMARK 。”
“OK ， 我停在左边。大家注意看我的车。”
“ AH THEAM ， LU YOU TIA TIO WO MO ？” （潮语：你有听到我吗？）
“AH THEAM YE TALKI XIANG KA SI PAIN” （潮语：阿添的传话机好像坏了）
“ B3， B3 有看到B2 吗？
“ B4 CALLING OFFICER ，B3 在B2 的后面， OVER”
“ B2 ， B2油门 踩多一寸， 踩多一寸”
“ 请问OFFICER ， 车上有人想上厕所，还有多远到油站？”
“一个红绿灯就到!”
（结果几天下来，大家都知道一个红绿灯可能是30 分钟的时间, ……哈哈)
“现在我们往PHUKET 出发,车队的时速是油门踩多一寸.”
“ SUNNY WONG , 你作SWEEPER ”
“ 没问题.”
“A 队 LONG CONG GAO MOI ？”(A 队到齐了吗?)
“打好油的， 到路边排好！”
B3 有意见了。“我听不懂北马方言，说华语可以吗？”
一路热热闹闹，一点也不闷, 也不觉得累呢!
下午3.30远远的看到海景,沿着山路转转弯弯,终于抵达PHUKET 的HOTEL ROYAL PARADISE .原来酒店就在市中心呢.
在酒店用了晚餐, 是自由活动时间.有的逛街探行情、 按摩、 看“美女”表演、泰国拳击赛。总之各自各精彩，越夜越美丽。钢管舞区是重点景点。
错过了吗？ 下回再去吧。
6月3日
今天大家各有安排， 出海游岛的一批，有自由行的一批。总之想睡到自然醒的也可以。
晚上， 有一批安排去看FANTASY SHOW (FantaSea)。 不过 每张门票RM 140（大人小孩同价）
消费不便宜.不过出国当洋人, 回国才省吃俭用吧.
6月4 日
早上8.45离开PHUKET 的HOTEL , 出发到苏梅岛.中午12 点, 来到油棕园借厕所.
想不到油棕园内也有小小旅店.凡走过必留下尿味, 大家方便以后继续路程 。车队利用SUPER HIGHWAY横越据说当初泰国有意在这儿挖掘运河的路线.一路通行无阻来到东海岸.车队在高速公路旁的小贩中心和7-11 用了午餐. 转了个圈下午2.00 来到ORCHID GARDEN .“走马看花”。
接着赶到码头搭3点的船到苏梅岛.在船上大家东南地北谈起来; 有的拍照、有的趁机小睡。4点30 分，登上以SPA 闻名的苏梅岛.大家先参观了DISCOVERY 介绍过的肉身没腐烂的和尚金身.
6.30 大家到了旅店.晚餐大家相约到处逛才决定吃什么来着.当然成群 结队吃海鲜去.
吃完了,余兴节目是逛夜市买手信. 说实话,泰国的手工艺品是挺漂亮的.走完一条街时间业不早了, 有的按摩去了, 有的Z…Z…Z…
比起PHUKET , 这里的夜生活当然逊色了.
6月5 日
一早起来,吃了早餐.大家急不急待启程看阿公阿嬷去啦……
早上9.15来到LAMAI 海边, 大家终于见识了阿公阿嬷石, 有的忙着拍照留念、 有的在评头论足、有的啧啧称奇，赞叹造物者的巧工精雕！！！
离开LAMAI BEACH ， 车队来到CHAWENG BEACH。原来OFFICER 带者大队来到“笨猪跳”场地。OFFICER 挑战车友，结果来自（B3）吉兰丹的“笨猪跳”家族， 姐弟报上名，接着(A4)的“笨猪”也为A TEAM 争回一点颜面.现场强劲的音乐让大家情绪高涨!
11.00 离开“笨猪跳”场地， 车队前往拜观海佛。 祈求四季平安， 油价不再飙升,下一次再回来……再来就是大合照， 结果BANNER 也留在现场忘了带回去。
午餐就在TESCO 解决了, 祭了五脏庙大家都往日品部涌去。 离开TESCO,各自找节目去……, 有的环岛去了:看看ISLAND SAFARI 、千手观音。4.30 分回到酒店，有人捉紧机会又购物去啦!
晚上是GRAND DINNER, 这是车队的传统. 6.30 分,车队集合后大队往SEAFOOD RESTORANT 出发. 大家在这里尽情享用异国的海鲜餐和海风. 在异国度过的生日, 王督学的歌声,OFFICER LIM 亏 督学们的说话让大家笑开了怀.每辆车的车友逐一登台亮相,还获得汽车黑油赞助商的产品呢!
吃饱喝饱,OFFICER 安排了燃放烟花和放孔明灯的余兴节目. 10.30大家才尽兴至归.
6月6日
早上9点大家离开酒店, 40 分钟后抵达码头.一个半小时过了海, 半路海停下买海产.
走走停停, 1点35 分来到了TWIN LOTUS 酒店吃午餐. 在这OFFICER 建议大家把花剩的泰铢捐出以捐助缅甸的灾民. 当时酒店的工作人员也响应了的呼吁, 加入捐款行列.
(后记 *** 现场共 筹得泰铢2300.回到大马,在OFFICER和车友热心捐助下,车队共筹得马币四千通过慈济捐助缅甸灾民.)
下午2点35 分，车队开车往合艾， 一路上车友幽默的对话让大家笑开了怀。时间还早，大家还不想回家，准备到合艾作最后的冲刺 - 买粽子去也！车队来到TESCO，把车停放在TESCO 停车场， 大家分道扬镖。有的买棕子、有的参拜观音菩萨，总之约好9点大家集合一起打道回府。
9 点集合，车队直奔泰马关卡。 顺利经过关卡， 来到PETRONAS 油站， 竟然有惊喜：DR LO 很高兴， 因为RM 200，就可以 FULL TANK 了！OFFICER HOCK 忙着收齐传话机，大家忙着道再见，还有车友披星戴月继续上路回南马。
这次行程结束了， 大家有机会再见！！！
题外话
队友有活要说
队友 B7 - 这是我第二次参加车队，不过我这次自己驾车，感觉和体验很不一样。跑了一圈,整个旅程结束后，我对自己有新的认识 : 路上出现的状况, OFFICER 的从容 自在; 一路上的战战竞竞到后来的轻松面对,原来我也可以做到.
队友 B8 - (第一天虽然出状况走失了, 不过第二天午餐就问起)什么时候还会有CONVOY?要去哪里?
队友 B6 - 下次要去哪里?我还要去.
队友 B9 - 阿 LIM 的电话几号？ 我要找他。
队友 A1 - 要出门早点通知我,我要标会.
队友 A2 - YOU JI HUI WO KOK AI LAI （福建话：有机会我还要来。）
队友 A3 - 下一个行程去哪里?什么时候?老大要考试了,怎么办?
队友 A4 - 打算去哪里?记得早点通知, 要跟老板请假…
至：吃米不知米贵的车友
现在油价是乘了火箭. 带着车队的STICKER到邮政局向PETRONAS寻求 赞助,那么下一站柬卜寨、寮国的行程不是梦啦！
友情提示：别忘了HSBC 也随时会加入赞助商行列 ,哈哈哈哈……