Flight delayed in KLIA.
Nice songs with some frozen coffee helps lift the mood.
Free Internet and chat with my sunshine lifts the mood even further !
Before I get whacked for these pics ... I have to say they're not taken with the D80.
Place: Eye On Malaysia, Lake Titiwangsa, Malaysia
Time: Evening, last Sunday
Partner in Crime: The Girlfriend.
Equipment: Nikon D80 with 18-135 kit lens and tripod.
Click on the images to see a bigger picture.
It was really unplanned, and last minute, but I liked it anyways because it gave me the chance to work the long exposures and also to learn about the telephoto capabilities of the Nikon kit lens. Not too bad, I must say.
There's so much to learn ! I'm so new to the world of DSLR, and I'm still trying to understand the camera and be "one" with it.
Let me know what you guys think, ya ?
There was a crowd there, but I didn't feel like climbing into the Eye for some reason.
From here, it's more like a table fan instead.
The big wheels are hitting KLCC soon !!!! Run !!!
When they switched off the lights, the eye no longer looked like a table fan.
Nice view from here. Too bad there's like a few billion mosquitos that forced us away !
Question: Where does the word Serendipity originate from?
Answer: Serendib, the ancient Persian name of Sri Lanka.
I'll bet you didn't know that. I'm quoting from the In Flight magazine of Sri Lankan Airways, Serendib.
I made a shortish visit to Sri Lanka, being there to meet some people and do a little bit of work. I'll be honest - there are initial jitters and worry, non more because of the security situation in that country. Go read up about LTTE or the Tamil Tigers if it interests you, but there's basically an internal terror organization that's fighting for a separate state in the north of Sri Lanka. And the fight between the government forces and the LTTE has flared up again recently, causing quite a bit of strive and suffering.
And you'd think the recent tsunami will teach people to make peace and be friendly to each other.
Due to work commitments as well as company advisory, I was sticking strictly between hotel and meetings, and didn't venture out on my own. I'd say this though: after what I saw there, I will venture out the next time.
So, what's Sri Lanka like, you ask me?
First of all there are just all these tuk-tuks. Yes ! I finally found another place with tuk-tuks that are called tuk-tuks (other than Bangkok). But the roads, while congested in the city, are much cleaner and quieter than in India. I remember telling myself on the way from the airport that it's just like visiting India, but without everyone honking at the same time. But they do drive like crazy people all the same. In my 3 days and 2 nights there, there are at least 5 heart stopping, brake busting moments, and 1 minor accident. It's hard not to notice the driving !
And next, there's all these low key, but obvious military presence. I'll be honest here - I didn't feel unsafe at all. However, if you're a Malaysian, and you're not used to a lot of soldiers behind sandbags with machine guns aimed and ready to engage, you could feel a little apprehensive. But I really didn't mind. Life goes on anyways ... and I'm back in one piece !
And then, there's the food. Sri Lankan food is non-vegetarian, and it's spicy. Take it from me, it's spicy. I had with me 3 other Indians and a native Sri Lankan most of the time when I was there. It's spicy for them as well. Take chili padi, and multiply spiciness by factor of 3 or 4. It's that spicy. But it's good for you when the weather is all hot.
What else ?
The people are friendly, and almost everyone speaks a degree or two of English, so you won't get all lost.
Tea is really nice, like they tell you it should be.
Clothes are really cheap if you want to shop (6 women tops, 5 men's shirts, 10 little girl's dresses - good quality material and make - for around RM100. Go beat that. One of my Indian colleagues did some shopping)
Weather is hot and humid, just like Malaysia. But Colombo is right next to the sea, so you get a sea breeze once in a while to help you out.
Currency is Rupee. Exchange rate is around 100 Rupees - RM 3.3
Malaysians don't require visas for tourism. Business visitors require a visa.
I saw Marina Mahathir in the hotel I was staying in !
I've had a very positive impression of Sri Lanka from this visit, and I'm sure if I get to visit again, I'll take some time off to explore Colombo and other parts of the country more.
Following the lull in travel that followed since Chinese New Year, some friends of mine got the impression that either I've switched to a non-travelling job, or the there's no more travelling required anymore.
Now, that's quite untrue.
I'm kicking off what appears to be quite a lot of travelling starting tomorrow: Sri Lanka.
I'm hoping fervently that Colombo will be a peaceful trip. I personally don't mind the trip, but I know loved ones who've voiced concerns about making this trip. As a result, it's a lot like a pit stop - in-and-out.
I'll go in, do the necessary, and get out. Until I know better, no sightseeing, and no detour. It'll be strictly between the hotel and the meetings.
Don't get me wrong though: I'm excited to be in Sri Lanka, and look forward to broadening my horizons. I always travel with an open mind. And even though this is a business trip, it doesn't remove the excitement one bit. I look forward to it, and for the sake of my loved ones, look forward to my return as well.
And further in the year, if things unfold the way it's meant to, there will be trips all around the region. Looks like the travel's gearing up again !
It's such an exciting time !!!
