Life, Travel, GRACE

 I think I didn't go back to my hometown the whole last year. So I made an effort be back in early January. Then went to Sibu during CNY. Most of the time spent to reconnect with the local food. Fishing village at Bandar Leila, Sandakan Vermicelli with fried pork - a must when go back to Sandakan Typical dried mee with soya sauce in Sandakan Bak kut teh with seafood in Sandakan Vermicelli with egg, seafood and gravy in Sandakan A famous temple in Sibu Typical fried noodle in Sibu University of Technology Sarawak, Sibu Boats, Rajang River, Sibu town Typical kampua noodle in Sibu New year decoration in temple, Sibu

 Life is back to normal. Lion dance performances can be performed like pre-pandemic era. Hope for a better year this year.

 After a year of pandemic, finally lion dance performance is allowed in Lunar New Year 2022. The most convenient way of catching a lion performance in Klang Valley is in shopping mall. This year we just spectated two performance in two different malls. Crowd was management due to distancing rule. Photos captured with iPhone 11

We did an unexpected hike in Bukit Sapu Tangan. Why unexpected? Because we thought the track would only require 3 hours to complete (return trip). Ended up we took 6 hours. We started from the entrance of Bukit Bandaraya. In a short while, we reached the first lake, not the Tasik Cermin. That should be Bukit Raja Lake. We were supposed to reach Bukit Sapu Tangan first, but somehow we missed it due to not familiar with the trail. We reached Station C, then proceeded to Tasik Cermin, and boy, the trail we chose was tough - with some climbing with the aid of rope. Luckily my kids did well in the entire hike. On the way back from Tasik Cermin, we passed by Station B, not sure if we did reach Station A (can’t remember well). In the end, we arrived at our starting point almost at 2pm. Everyone was famished. The first lake we reached Station C (if not mistaken) Tasik Cermin View of Tasik Cermin Station B

 Never thought I would have developed an interest in gardening, pot gardening to be exact, and only periwinkle plants. It all started when we snapped two pots of periwinkle from flower expo in Putrajaya last year September. We had the pink and violet flower version. Didn’t take good care of both pots last year, the pink perinwikle died few months later. Not sure what was the cause of dead. But I guess could be due to overwatering or roots rotting. With one pot left, I began to observe and take good care of it since April this year; partly because I had some time at home during lockdown. Did some pruning here and there, and added new soil on it last month. The plant began to thrive. Sadly, the violet periwinle has showed some signs of infection recently. I guess it must be roots rotting as watering doesn’t help to elevate the curling leaves. Guess I need to try to propagate the plant via stem cutting.

As usual, lion dance is a must during Chinese New Year. This year we didn’t get to see many performances, even in Sandakan during Chap Goh Mei. Probably no good luck in spotting the lion dance troupe. Anyway, as always, shopping malls in Klang Valley will be the best venue to catch the lion dance performance (although I still prefer the performance by the Sabahan lion dance troupe back in Sabah). Nowadays, kids are rushing to get blessing from the lion after the performance (in Klang Valley). As a result, my younger son has not been able to get the “blessing” (in the form of mandarin orange). Too competitive for the kids though.

This year Chinese New Year, we went back to Sibu, Sarawak. We re-visited the town's pagoda temple at night. Very pleasant view with good atmosphere. After all, it's lunar new year. You can expect a lot of lanterns.   Photos were taken with the old faithful iPhone 6s.

As some may have known, the little country of Malaysia had its general election on 9th May. And I took this opportunity to go back to my hometown to cast my vote. Apart from that, it was time to pay my parents a visit, although we've just met in last February. Immediately after touched down at the airport, my sister fetched me to the polling station. The polling process was quite smooth. Maybe because it was already late afternoon and everyone had done their voting in the morning session. Usually, on the same night everyone would stuck in front of TV to catch the election result. Well, as for me, I met up with my high school classmates. Talked about work, life and of course politics while checking the unofficial result from our mobile phones. It was a nice catch-up. And we had it another round on the following night.

It's the Lunar Chinese New Year again. Acrobatic lion dances, red packets, snacks, home travelling, and of course the standing egg.

We have been having home cooked meal for most of the time in these few years. Occasionally we will have packed food from nearby restaurant which cost a little. If one has opted to dine out, it would cost a family of 4 around RM30-40. That was few years ago. Unfortunately, things changed. The value of Ringgit has depreciated much since last year. We just had Bak Kut Teh for dinner last night. We had a two-pax portion. The price came in at RM50. I was surprised with the cost. Because I think the cost will be much more cheaper in Klang for two pax. Because if we have simple "big fry", it won't cost that much. Even if we go to a decent restaurant for nasi lemak, it won't cost that much either. Perhaps Bak Kut Teh is really an expensive meal? Probably that Bak Kut Teh stall should be blacklisted from my dinning list? Anyway, there was a survey on the purchasing power conducted by a local media recently. The value of RM50 has shrunk. Food is not as cheap as it used to be. ...

This year Chinese New Year we went back to Sibu. Our teacher friend took us to explore some places in the area which we seldom go. For the first time, I went to the pagoda temple in the town center. Then we went across the river side to check out the local kampong . There's one spot in that village which has become the favourite place for the local photographers. On a bright afternoon, one can easily get a nice panoramic photo from it. Of course we also had the favourite Sarawak Laksa . Sarawak Laksa Photos taken with iPhone 5s

While I was away from home last November, number 1 son had decided to give a surprise by completing the Sydney Opera House. Indeed, patiently, worked day and night, he completed the set within a week. It's quite a huge set.

Follow up from the bootleg Lego Creator, we managed to complete the brick building after I changed the strategy. Well, we started by segregating the bricks according to their colors. That took us 3 days over the long weekend to complete it. Mission accomplished. Satisfied.

This year I only went back to my hometown, Sandakan during CNY. However, I have planned for another homecoming next Nov, with no.2 son. Every time whenever I go back home, I will stroll along the streets of the city. It used to be very busy, lots of activities. But now, it's dying. People afraid of going to the city, maybe because of the rebel intrusion in Lahad Datu few years back. Or they just don't want to take risk near the seashore. Sad. The only place that I like to visit each time is the English Tea House and Restaurant. It has a good lawn for the kids to play around. Photos taken with iPhone 4s