Pesta Ka'amatan (Harvest Festival)

Kotobian Tadau Tagazo Do Kaamatan! 
(Happy Harvest Festival! in the Kadazan language)

Photo courtesy of Ben's Slice of Life


I've not got the chance to celebrate Pesta Kaamatan (Harvest Festival) with my family members in Sabah yet but, I sure do feel the excitement way over here just by looking at the photos and reading the news =p 


Pesta Ka'amatan (known locally as Tadau Ka'amatan) is a yearly celebration by the Kadazandusun ethnic group and is one of the most look forward holiday in Land Below the Wind. It is celebrated to offer thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest.  During the festival, traditional ceremonies and rituals are held followed by a variety of activities. One of it is the Unduk Ngadau, a beauty pageant held as a memorial to Huminodun, the sacrificed daughter of the Kadazandusun spirits Kinorohingan and Suminundu.

I've pestered my younger sis to try her luck at participating in Unduk Ngadau to no avail..tee hee.. Hmm... probably I'll start encouraging my cousin sister instead.. =p
Anyway, TheGreenMechanics has the list of Unduk Ngadau 2012 winners. Check it out!

More photos : MySabah.com





Gotta plan to join the fun in person one fine day! ^_^ Happy Holidays to all Sabahan folks!

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Gaga Over Tulips!

Contrary to typical girls who's favourite flower are ROSES, I love TULIPS - the flower of PASSION and PRIDE !

Tulips were originally from Persia and Turkey but Tulipmania occured in Netherlands during the 17th century (Economics students may be well-versed in this term) and now when people mentioned tulips, Netherlands automatically comes to mind.

I imagined myself standing in between the tulips, looking upwards...saying grace and standing in awe of God's wonderful creation..

I can just lie down and enjoy taking in all these in me!

BEAUTIFUL!!! So So SOOOO BREATHTAKINGLY Beautiful!

Purple Tulips symbolizes Royalty

White Tulips symbolizes Forgiveness.

Yellow Tulips symbolizes CHEERFUL THOUGHTS and SUNSHINE (used to be associated with HOPELESSLY IN LOVE).

Red Tulips symbolizes PERFECT LOVE, PASSION, ELEGANCE and ROMANCE

Construed from a Turkish legend of Prince Farhad and Shirin's love story.

Pink Tulips symbolizes HAPPINESS, CONFIDENCE, CARE, JOY and INNOCENT LOVE.

Orange Tulips symbolizes FASCINATION, WARMTH, HAPPINESS, DESIRE, ENTHUSIASM and ENERGY. 

Black Tulips symbolizes MYSTERY, ELEGANCE, POWER and STRENGTH. Sometimes used to symbolize FAREWELL and HONOURING those who have passed away.

Blue Tulips symbolizes  LOYALITY, UNITY, TRUST, TRANQUILITY and PEACE. 

Every year, Holland hosts an event call Tulip Time Festival which commemorates Holland's Dutch heritage, history and culture. The highlight of the festival is the massive display of BEAUTIFUL landscape of TULIPS, TULIPS and TULIPS!!!

This would be another goal of mine > TO VISIT HOLLAND during Tulip Time Festival!!

View Online Flower Guide

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Genting Highlands - Fooling Around

Being a FOOL at Genting Highlands on April Fools Day! LOL!

And I got April-Fooled by His Highness on the very morning itself! (Next Year, MY TURN!)

After lunch, head up to Genting Highlands.. I've been there a few times but knowing that I those I love are going along with me, it's a different feeling altogether :) You know what I mean?

Road heading up towards Genting Highlands

 

Skipped the Skyway as we drove all the way up to the hotel (besides, Permaisuri has fear of heights, despite all efforts to convince her, she rather skip the skyway experience)

At First World Plaza, packed with Indoor Theme Park, Performance Stage, Shopping Outlets, Restaurants, Bowling Alley etc..  

Well, besides visiting the casino, managed to convince Permaisuri and Papi to at least go for a 4D Motion Master ride. 

 

(Picture courtesy of Genting Theme Park)

The Little Prince & The Haunted mine is "screening" but when we bought the ticket, Little Prince shows are over. So no choice but to go for Haunted Mine.

Tickets @ RM 8.00 per pax/ride. 

Note: You'll get to enjoy all the rides available in the indoor theme park if you purchase the "one-Day Unlimited Pass @ RM 30/pax (View 2012 Ticket Pricing)

Above picture was taken just when the Haunted Mine just started - blurry pics? yeah.. gotta wear a 4D sunglass to view the movie properly. 

The movie was quite real (the 4D effect) just that I felt the ride was a bit of let down, I expected it to be scary but it wasn't.. so.. no nightmares at night =P (Good!).

Permaisuri didn't enjoy the ride at all - right after a scene where a snake loomed forward and tried to bite her.. =p 

 

Next up: Flying Coaster!!! My favourite ride at Genting Highlands!

(picture courtesy of sunteaedogawa.blogspot.com)

We didn't buy the Outdoor Theme Park pass/ wristband. 

So, the ticket cost us RM 12/pax for non-wristband purchaser. 

RM 10 per pax for those with the All Theme Park/ Outdoor/Indoor Theme Park wristbands holder.

 

Finally, I get to go on this ride with Missy Dragon! Muahahaha! It's her first time! Nervous!!

(His Highness didn't wanna go on this ride again after the last trip he went with me, so he's the photographer!) hehehehe..

I'm waving!! Hello!!! Can you see me??!!! 

We're ready to go! WOOHOOO!!!

Missy Dragon kept repeating OMG most of the time..and I? As usual, laughed my hearts out! It has always been a very good de-stressing ride for me! (better than Space shot & Corkscrew rides)

And the ride ends....

Lil Piggy         : Wanna go for seconds?

Missy Dragon : Don't Want!

Lil Piggy         : You'll enjoy it even better the second time! Cone on!Let's!!

Missy Dragon  : Don't want!!! I feel like vomitting out the lunch we had just now..if I go again, The vomit will splash on you!

YUCKS!

 

Of course Permaisuri & Papi didn't go on the Flying Coaster ride.. So, took them to stroll at the little garden at the back of Theme Park Hotel to chill and enjoy the cooling air and pretty flowers. 

They loved it and I am glad we made this trip possible..felt blessed! ^_^

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Dia Frampton - The Broken Ones

This song is playing on repeat in my head!!!

I'm adoring this song so so much! It's kinda emo but the lyrics touched my heart and one could relate to the lyrics..


AWESOME JOB, DIA FRAMPTON !! If you guys haven't heard of her before, she's the First Runner-up for Season 1 The Voice reality talent competition.

The Broken Ones

by Dia Frampton

I know they've hurt you bad

Why hide the scars you have

Baby let me straighten out your broken bones

All your faults to me make you more beautiful

I can't help it I love the broken ones

the ones who need the most patching up

the ones who never been loved

never been loved

never been loved enough

Maybe I see a part of me in them

The missing piece always trying to fit in

the shattered heart hungry for a home

no you're not alone

I love the broken ones

You don't have to drive with your headlights off

It's a pocket knife, not a gift from God

Don't you learn of love from the love they kept

I will be your anchor, slowly, step by step

Maybe we can rip off the bandage

Maybe you will see it for what it is

Maybe we can burn this building holding you in

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Check out Dia Frampton's Blog

More on Dia Frampton :
Chicago Tribune
OK Magazine
The Voice : Final Hour (Interview)

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Genting Highlands - Freeze!

                                    FREEZE!

 ~   ICE   ~   MAGIC   ~   EXCITEMENT  ~


That's the show tag line and that's what you get! (at least for me) ^_^
Live shows started from 3rd November 2011 and scheduled till 3rd September 2012 at Genting International Showroom, Genting Highlands.




Genting Highlands was at 14 degrees celcius when I was there. 


Genting International Showroom's entrance



Ticket box office. You can also buy the ticket via phone : +603-2718 1188 and collect your tickets here.



Got MINE!!! ^_^



I was pretty excited to attend this live show and I don't care  like it or not, I've bought the tickets and His Highness will need to sit through this show with me till the end! MUAHAHAHHA! *evil* 



As I enter the hall, I was like "Gosh! IT'S COLD!! Then I recalled,"Ohh! It's the stage, prepared with layers of ice for the skaters!" =p



The stage deco exudes mystery and elegance..I LIKE!!!! ^_^
This is the view I got from where I sat.. Pretty good seat huh? ^_^



Seats behind me


We're not allowed to snap photos or record any video during the show. So, I can't snap any photos with my camera to post it here.. *sad*

Photo by Genting Malaysia

(Above)
The Funny Penguin EmCee that grace the show!
(he changed costumes a few times in between the show) 


I had the hardest laugh when the funny Penguin Emcee invited a guest on stage to share the spotlight with him. It was so funny, I laughed till I had tears on my eyes (nearly rolled on the floor - but it's public space, must behave..hehehe =p). It was all good fun especially when the invited guest was such a sport! (I clapped my hand so hard for him after he was allowed to leave the stage! LOL!)



Took a quick, "stolen" shot of the cast members after the show ended. I think they have some photo session with the media.

Ticket pricing as per Genting Malaysia's website:

Price Scale	Normal Price		GWC Members' Special Discount a
	Adult	Child	Adult	Child
VIP	RM115	RM60	RM86	RM45
PS1	RM85	RM45	RM63.50	RM33
PS2	RM55	RM30	RM41	RM30

Price Scale	WorldCard Privilege (Up to 25% Discount)
	Full WorldCard Points		Fast Track WorldCard Points
	Adult	Child	Adult	Child
VIP	8,600WP	4,500WP	1,000WP + RM76	1,000WP + RM35
PS1	6,350WP	3,300WP	1,000WP + RM53.50	1,000WP + RM23
PS2	4,100WP	3,000WP	1,000WP + RM31	1,000WP + RM20

View packages for Show + Meal 
View packages for Show + Accomodation

Seat Layout by Genting Malaysia

I sat at PS 1, Seat# EC 202.
I think I made a pretty good choice as the view of the stage is just right for me, not too near, not too far :)


The show lasted for about one hour and 15 minutes and I came out of the hall with a smile on my face... HAPPY!


> More photos on Freeze!
> Short video advert on You Tube
> More info on Genting Malaysia's website ^_^

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Bali - Dolphin Experience @ Melka Hotel, Lovina

Today I woke up feeling EXCITED! Will be visiting DOLPHINS today!! WOOHHOOO!!! Our tour guide, Mr. Bina wass already waiting for us at the lobby to transport us to LOVINA, sharp at 9am! We would need to reach Melka by 1pm on time for our dolphin date! ^ _^



Inside Mr. Bina's car..Excited!




Stopped by Fruits and Vegetable market while we were on our way.


Although these fruits are sold in Malaysia, I suddenly felt like having some mangosteen so I asked the lady at the stall can I have just 6 pieces of it? She said no problem and coaxed me to look at other items on sale at her stall. I kept asking her how much does the mangosteen going to cost me but she insisted for me to look at other items first.


After a series of fruits sampling, I decided to just stick to the mangosteen, two small packets of Cashew Nuts (around 100 g?) and a small packet of "buah keras"/ candlenut. Thsese cost me Rp 500,000 (approximately a whopping sum of RM 177!!).


I told her I'l do away with the cashew nuts and the candlenuts and will just have the mangosteens, how much will it cost me? She asked me to bargain with her so I said if it is between Rp 20,000 - Rp 30,000 (RM 10 - RM 11) I would consider to buy.


She raised her voice and said she can't agree with such a price and the best she could give me was RP 410,000 (approximately RM 146).


I told her I can get these things less than Rp 20,000 in Malaysia... My bad that I had the wrong impression for the price in Bali. So, I walked away despite her shouting away on the different price.. the last I heard was USD 100! MADNESS!

Walked back to the car empty handed, told Mr. Bina, our tour guide what just happen and he was also shocked at the price tag. He bought some items himself which cost him around Rp 20,000 and he was glad I didn't proceed with the purchase. He did offer to buy the fruits on my behalf but I decided not to make anymore fuss about it.. I'll just go back to Malaysia to have them! =p

PIGGY!!

Mr. Bina said sometimes owners will loan their male piggy to those who only has female piggies so that the female piggies able to conceive after mating with the "temporary mate". SERIOUS~!!






Another stop at a rice terrace field...nice view.. (except that my mobile phone camera can't capture it well =p).

===================================================

Reached Melka Excelsior Hotel around 12pm. Instead of the 4 hours expected travelling time, it was just 3 hours =) Cool..we have some time to spare to have a look around at the hotel! ^_^

Paid Rp 540,000 per pax for the Swim With The Dolphin session + Dolphin Show session.

This was what greeted me when I stepped out from the reception area to the resort area.

Walkway towards the Mini Zoo and Dolphin pool.

Spa area..

Sun bathing area.

Swimming Pool.

One of the villa room entrance.

Room area.

Four Poster Bed.

One thing I can't help to notice for this room was that the enclosure of the phython was placed just next to this room! *shivers* I won't be able to sleep well with that knowledge in mind @_@.

Yeah, there's a mini zoo in Melka Resort =)

Eastern Blue Tounged Lizard.

Phython - This one is living next to the room I just mentioned earlier!

Otters sunbathing =p

The long tailed macaques looked sad.. I would be too if I am caged =(

YAAYYYY!!! Yes yes!! I am here to visit you! Thank you for the welcoming smile !!

So nice of you to treat me to a private show =)

It was still their break time before the "Swim with the Dolphin" session and "Dolphin Show".

No one else was nearby the dolphin pool.. so I sat down and watched them play.

Aww... so cute!!!

Before the Swim with the Dolphin session, I was advised to shower with soap to get rid of the sunblock I applied on my skin. There are shower rooms available and towels are provided if you don't have one.

In another pool, John was being fed his lunch by his trainer. I start taking pictures of them and I was beckoned to get into the pool to try feeding John too. YAAYY!!

You have to know that I don't tolerate well with fishy smells.. and touching a dead fish..yucky! But for getting friendly with dolphin's sake, I won't complain!! =D

Was trying to get a kiss from John the Dolphin but he was shy and so am I =p After a few tries, managed to get 3 kisses on his bottlenose!! MWAAAHHH!!! CUTE!

Since John was shy and he seemed to be still full from his lunch, the trainer decide to bring me over to play with Ucil at the other pool.

It was so surreal to be able to be in the water with a real life dolphin, touching its body, looking at it in the eye and its mouth looks like its smiling at me..

Today is the day for one of my dream to come true... such proximity to a dolphin!

Hey Ucil! Another photo please?? Nah.. she doesn't give a damn... LOLZ! I gotta say goodbye after approximately 15-20 minutes session. The dolphins gotta get ready to do a show next!

I enjoyed the tricks done by them during the show. It really amazed me how they do what they can do. It was really a cherished and unforgettable experience!

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