March is coming to an end. The minimized social media contacts is actually helping with my sanity during lent. Although at times I was weak. Ah-ha!
Easter here second year in KL. Feels different from back home.
Back home, masses are all packed every single time during feast days. Maundy Thursdays, Good Friday, Easter Vigil and Easter Day. We were so kiasu on getting a seat on Easter Day, but apparently the people do not attend both vigil and Easter day mass. Hehe.
Also, celebrated Easter with Sabahan homies at Astra's crib. Thank you for inviting us sumandak!
I was in Krabi last weekend (18th to 20th March). It is actually a lucky draw prize that I won during a fitness event last year. A return trip plus accommodation to Krabi. Well, it is for one pax only actually but I dragged the mister along to kasi kawan saya. Also to celebrate his birthday with a mini getaway. So yeay!
Stayed in Ao Nang Viva Resort. Do not ask me how much was it. This is a paid trip remember. You can just google the price online if you want to know. It is not a 5 star resort but its very decent and nice and new. Haha.
The first thing that we did was to check out the Ao Nang beach (Well, it was the second thing). First thing was to check out the dive shops around. Yeah, I finally want to go diving again after my "traumatizing" diving licence experience. The thought of going diving still gave me chills. Really! If it is not for the mister's birthday on the day that we have to dive maybe I would not go diving already.
There were only two dive shops that we checked out.
Kon Tiki Dive Shop and Scuba Addicts. It's located along Ao Nang beach, so it is not hard to find. Anyway we chose Scuba Addicts because it offers a better price. I am guessing because Kon Tiki have an air-conditioned shop hence the price is more. Hahaha. I do not know.
Krabi is not as hectic as its sister attraction, Phuket. It was more quite and the people who are on holiday there also were not as rowdy as the ones in Phuket. If you like a little more privacy and low key beach escape I recommend you go to Krabi.
Unfortunately, the sunset scene is quite disappointing for me. On both evenings that we went to the beach, the sunset are merely like this. (see photo below). Maybe, I have too high hopes for the sunset there. Nothing beats KK's sunset or those two days happen to be gloomy.
Transportation from the airport upon arrival, we took an airport bus which can send you to your hotel as well. And it is only 150 baht per person. Tickets can be bought at the arrival hall at the airport. But do not expect the bus to stop at the hotel lobby though especially when your hotel is not next to the main road ( hahaha, like us; we have to walk a bit). Airport bus is still cheaper though than taking taxi which cost around 600 baht per trip.
As per from the hotel to the airport, we took the airport van. You can find the little kiosk or counters along the roads around the beach and hotel area. No worries about that. Air-conditioned van picked us up from the hotel lobby and it is only 150 baht per person as well. Again, if you want a taxi / chartered car called by the hotel it will cost 600 baht per trip.
counters for booking tours and transportation
Food is good especially when you like Thai food. Also to those who are concerned about pork-free eateries, this is South Thailand so there are a lot of Muslim food vendors as well. I would say, if you are on a budget trip and do not prefer to eat fancy or fusion Thai Food (you know the pizza and pasta and stuff), walk a little bit further from the beach front to find cheaper option for eating places. The easiest example is coconut. Those at the beach front cost 50 baht but if you walk a little bit up it will cost you just 40 baht. Understand my point? Hehe.
Coconut water to quench thirst and do not forget to try the Thai pancakes.
Tomyam is a must! 90baht *I think
Pad Thai! 90baht
Grilled squid 300baht
And oh for the diving trip, we used the traditional long tail boat. It is a different experience because usually any diving trip they will use modern boats. Two dives for 2500 baht and plus 500 baht for a refresher course. Thank God for the refresher course, it really did calm my nerves down.
I guess I should not have eaten so much during breakfast on that diving day. After the first dive, my stomach went berserk and I want to berak. Cilaka! I have a problem to even pee in the sea water. I have this mental block to pee when I have pants on. Oh my God! The best part is the islands nearby are all made of rocks which are laden with barnacles and of course it is impossible to go and pee and poo on land. The dive master just say go and try to release everything in the water. WTF! I took off my pants and with just a life jacket, I concentrated so hard to pee. Yes! Pee can! But oh! Poo-ing in the water is a no can do, major major mental block and with those people on the boat nearby. I cannot.
Tahan saja lah. Then go second dive. Hmmph!
No, I did not get myself tanned during this trip. When I came back people was expecting I will be darker but no. Hahahahaha. I rarely turn dark. On severe cases, I will only turn red and after that skin peeling like the snake changing skin.
Hat from H&M, Bra top and surfing leggings from ROXY, the scarf cardigan is an upcycled item sold by my friend, sunglasses no brand. Hahaha
Oooh, and if there's one thing that I really do miss during the trip is the breakfast spread at the hotel I stayed. Pork for breakfast! Om nom nom nom.
I have been uninspired for almost a week. The progress on the problem statement that I have to write also is very very slow. What has gotten into me? So, today I practically rummage through all my files and starting sorting out papers. These papers have nothing to do with my research. It is just miscellaneous things that you have when you are an adult.
Bills, receipts, account statements, and all the other shitty stuff.
Done all the sorting and filing, I actually felt a lot better. Then, I got reminded of my room back in my hometown that is totally unorganized since I relocated in 2014. All those files on the book rack are now considered obsolete. My hands are actually itching to get it sorted right now. But that means I have to fly 1019 miles to be back in Tamparuli.
Ah, I better focus on my thesis for now. Can't be procrastinating too much anymore. I just need to get my life in KL to be sorted out. Messy la this thesis work thingy. Sigh!
First Friday in March. My focus is everywhere now. Slowing down the pace trying to refocus the best I can.
I went back to do my pilot testing in the final week of February, so productive and all. It has been a while that I kept in touch with my teaching career.
Once I touched down KL back again, it is Zumba classes all over again and - Boom! Came another hoo-haa weekend of dance fitness party craze.
I just can't switch mode in a jiffy. Now, my momentum to write my proposal is halted. I just need to immerse myself again with the journals and academic stuff yet again.
I turned 31 on 13/02. Sigh, not getting any younger by the day. Hahaha. Anyway, went shopping that day at KL Sentral and guess where I parked. Oh, how apt!
Spent the evening watching Tales from the Bedroom 3 at KLPAC with the mister. A recommended watch. It is a good play, good acting with good scripts. Awesome work!
My Valentines Day started early with a 8.30am session of Acroyoga. Loved the session so much. Except the part where the mister pulled my hand kuat kuat until my capillaries all burst on my left arm. WTF. Punya la bah..
