ETS - Malaysia first Electric Train...

Well, this is new to Malaysia. They had been on this project for years already and I found the first phase was completed this year and the service start operation last May. It is call the ETS, short for Electric Train Service. As usual with me I wanted to try something new and this is surely going to be an interesting ride on an electric train in the country. So I planned to take the train to the north, to the city of Ipoh, the capital of the state of Perak. I ask my spouse whether she wanted to go too but she decline saying that it’s not that comfortable to sit for the more than two hours ride. I told her that I would go alone and try it. A relative who heard of me going call and say that he wanted to go too; so that was nice, we have now two cranky old man to take the trip together. 

On the gorgeous morning of October 13, 2011 we made history. I had told that relative of mine to meet me at the Sentral Station and we would take the 10:45AM train. This train would make a few stops on the way with the ETA in Ipoh at 13:01.  There are three types of services to Ipoh; one a nonstop, another with a few stops and the other with many stops. We decided to just take the one with a few stops that leave at 10:45 in the morning. [image on the left is the Ipoh Railway Station]

It was a beautiful day with the sun shining bright. I could see some white clouds against the blue sky.  It looks like it’s going to be a beautiful day to travel. I drove the Honda to the parking lot of the KLCC then walk to the underground station of the LRT nearby and took the LRT to the Sentral Station arriving there just before ten. The Sentral Station, the hub of the railways service to all part of the country is already hived with folks like any other central station in the world are at this hour of the morning. It was really nice to see so many people on the move and going somewhere. We are actually going on a trip to nowhere. Just for the fun of it only. That folks is the beauty of been a retiree, nothing to worry and with plenty of time to ourselves. Time is ours to use how and whenever we like careless of the happening in the real world. Life if beautiful and I am enjoying it. So this first trip on the ETS is going to be an enjoyable one. Besides I had my iPad with me and could surf the net and at the same time give live commentary in Facebook for the world to share my trip today. 

I went to book the ticket and for senior we were given a 50% discount and that amount to just RM27.00 one-way. At 10:45Am we boarded the train and it whizzed it way to Ipoh with a few stops on the way. We both got seats on the front and nearer the TV screen overhead, where they show some movie and the same time the time as well the speed the train was traveling. I took my iPad and start surfing the net. It was really nice to going places when one could just take it easy and enjoy the ride. With the iPad I did a live posting of the happening on FaceBook all the way until we arrived in Ipoh. While in the train drink and snack were sold. I ordered a black coffee and a sandwich. The coffee taste good and the sandwich were as well. I relax and enjoy the ride while surfing the Net. Soon there are comments on the FaceBook posting. I replied the best I could and kept posting new images of the happening on the train and the scene outside. [Image on the left is the Ipoh tree]

On arrival we got outside the station and since Lias, my relative knows this part of the town well, he took the lead. There is a beautiful park out-front of the station. I love park so I took the time to browse along and took as much images of the well manicured garden. The greens on the park refresh me. I wonder along and found there is wealth of knowledge in that little park. Here planted in a prominent setting is the Ipoh tree, a tree where the poison Ipoh latex came from. It was use by the native to poison their blowpipes darts. The place that was once a jungle full of the Ipoh trees is now a sprawling metropolis the capital city of the state of Perak. Ipoh soon became the mining town and now the name of that humble tree is the name of that town call Ipoh. In this garden too there is a Cenotaph to commemorate the lost of lives during the second world war where many lives was lost building the infamous railway-line to south Thailand. After awhile we decided to move on and eventually went to have lunch at the food court behind the Town hall building. After that lunch of a traditional Malay food we decided to just take a spin on the town by taxi. As usual we got to talking with the taxi-man that adds to our knowledge of this town in the north. We decided to get some of Ipoh's famous White Coffee and then took the ride back to the Railway Station. 

There we decided to get the 4PM train to KL. While waiting for the train we decided to have coffee at the Station's cafe. It was nice to sit outside and watch folks gather to board the train. As usual, with the iPad I posted an image of us while having coffee there. Unlike the laptop one does not have to download the photo from the camera and then post it to FB. With the iPad it was made easy; just click and then post it using one of the Apps. In my case I use the Mypad+. Voila it got posted while we were sipping coffee there. Soon the train arrived and we board it and this time it whizzed away to Kuala lumpur. As the train approach Kuala Lumpur I saw scenes of my city that I had not seen from this angle. I took my camera and snap a number’s of the changing scenes. It was a magnificent sight to see the panoramic scenes of the city. The images are as I had posted in my earlier Blog posting here.

It was a great train ride to and fro KL-Ipoh-KL and indeed a value for money. The interior was beautifully done with a cheerful concept. The ride was smooth and comfortable all the way. How I wished this ETS would go north as far as Penang and to the South as far as Johor Bahru, our gateway to Singapore.I did had a great time on that train ride. An enjoyable day trip indeed.

Have a nice day. [Please click image to enlarge]

Genting Highland...

Above is a scene of Genting Highland resort in the clouds as seen from the Karak Highway.  The image was taken last March while traveling toward Kuala Lumpur from Kuantan. I was not driving thus I took that image on that cool afternoon.  Enjoy it folks. 

Have a nice day.

Of Waffle...

I love Waffle but could never find one to my liking in the restaurant or at shops that sell cakes. So when our daughter Lin were around last week I bought some Strawberry and ask her to make some Waffles for me. Without much ado she start from scratch and did it for me. Above is an image of that wonderful waffle that I had as dessert. It taste so good that I had a second helping. What a day and I enjoyed it. 

Have a nice day.

Enchanting Kuala Lumpur.

It was a gorgeous evening with the sun shining bright. I was in the train returning to Kuala Lumpur after an interesting trip up north to the city of Ipoh. As the train approaches the city of Kuala Lumpur; for the first time I get to see Kuala Lumpur in such a beauty the evening sun had on it. It was a magnificent sight to watch and wonder as the ray of sun play itself on the skyscrapers of the city. The glasses of the outer wall of the buildings seem to dance in the light, turning the scene into a colorful work of art as in a painting.  It is my city and I love watching it from this angle. I have live in this city for almost forty years and have seen it develop over times from a small city into a sprawling metropolis of 1.5 millions people. Above are the scenes that I had managed to snap through the window of the moving train.  Magnificence scenes indeed!  

Have a nice day.

Mixed Fruits Chutney...

I loved Fruits Chutney [Acar Buah Buahan]. It is one appetizer that we always have in the house. We would enjoy it when eating steamy hot rice or with Biayni rice. Since it is not widely sold in the market or the quality is not that good we do not buy it. Instead my spouse would make it for our own use, as well to give to friends or relatives. 

So last week after we got all the dried fruits my spouse prepared it.  It is like making jam or pickle. The difference is that here the fruits is cook in oil and spices and then bottled. It could be eaten immediately but it is best after three days. By that time every ingredients that are use to make the Fruits Chutney has fermented evenly with the fruits. And it would taste good. Like Jam and Pickle it can stay fresh for a long period of times. For a longer shelf life it is best stored in the fridge. 

Have a nice day.

In Remembrance of Steve Jobs 1955 - 2011

A genius of our time. He gives us the best computer technology of our times. May he rest in peace. Apples announcement of his demise here.

[Image taken from Yahoo.com]

The Train Ride...

I was invited to give a Luncheon Talk at the Stamford College in Petaling Jaya. It was to be held at 1PM on September 28, 2011. Since I did not want to drive there I decided to just parked my car at the KLCC parking area and from there takes the LRT to the nearest station to the college. I was told by the Lecturer Rabiah who had contacted me earlier that she would pick me and suggest that I stop at the Asia Jaya LRT station. So just after 11AM on that beautiful Wednesday morning I drove the Honda to the KLCC car park and then walk to the station using the subway to the KLCC LRT station across the road. I used the Touch n Go card to get in and proceed to the underground station.

Soon the train arrived and to make sure I am taking the right train I ask a young woman nearby as to the right train and she was helpful indeed and told me that this is the one to take. The train stop and its doors opened. I went in and try to find a seat but there was none. The youngsters does seem to care to give their seats to an old man, so I just hang on hoping that someone would leave and I would take the seat. I need the seat because this is going to be a long ride. While I was waiting someone from behind me tap my shoulder and showed me the empty seat beside his. I thank him and sat there; happy that now I could just enjoy the ride.

The ride from the KLCC station to just before the Central Market station was underground, thus it was dark throughout the journey. Just after the Masjid James station the train went up into the open track above ground. It was really beautiful to see the burst of light as the train emerged from darkness of the underground to the clear blue sky as it move on above the street. From here the train travels above ground. On a clear day like that day I could see bright scenes of the streets on both sides of the moving train. It was a panoramic view all the way. I took my camera and take a few snaps of the scene. I felt real good sitting in the train, took out my iPad and surf the Net and wrote a few posting on Facebook. The iPad works well indeed in the train since I got 3G connection throughout the ride. It would surely be not that easy with the Laptop. Now I know why the Tablets computer is getting popular among the masses especially the young; its so versatile, light to carry and easy to use. After awhile I put back the iPad in the bag and just watch the changing scene as the train stop at one station after another. After just twenty five minutes the train arrived at the Asia Jaya station. On the way down to the ground level I call the Lecturer Rabiah who had promised to pick me up, telling her that I had arrived. She said to just wait at the front of the step and that she would come over in minutes.

I take my time to look for the way to get out of the station. I move on without really going anywhere. I then ask a passerby and he pointed me toward another direction, the way to get out of the station. This is my first time at this station thus the confusion. With that I walk toward the step-way and then wait for her to arrive. Well when one wait time seem to pass by slowly. Since I had only spoken to her on the phone I actually do not know how this lecturer look so I watch for any car that would stop but most of the car just passes by and move on. After awhile a dark color car with a charming petite woman stop and I knew in that instance that it must be that Lecturer. I move toward the car and peep through the widow and mentioned her name and sure enough it was her. Without much ado I got into the car and then she sped away. We chat on small chat while she drove and eventually arrived at the college. Well folks it’s going to be the beginning of a beautiful day here at Stamford College in PJ.

Have a nice day.

The Talang flower...

Above are the Talang that grows in my little garden. It is a creeper plant and would grow well in the open where there are plenty of sunlight. The Malay use this flower for food coloring especially when preparing the blue color Ulam rice. 

Have a nice day.