Eddy Puah’s birthday @ Workshop

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workshop

Workshop is one of the more private drinking establishments in town
with a regular crowd of patrons. Eddy had his birthday last Saturday night
there with a group of close friends.

condom collection

I had quite a lot of events going on
Saturday so it was a little hectic for me. I went with Faye to Condom Collection late evening to get Eddy a birthday present. It’s the only adult
entertainment shop in Sibu and I wanted to get Eddy something other than
the usual de facto necktie gift.

eddy present

I settled for a pair of edible undies (RM 24.90) and a stress ball made in the shape of a nude female torso (RM 19.90).

edible undies

The Edible Undies is…well, edible and contains the following disclaimer:

edible undies back

Edible Undies is sold as a novelty item only, and has no nutritional value. Garment will dissolve in water or excessive moisture.

stress keychain

The
Stress Reliever Key Chain is perfect for work related stress. I’m a big fan of stress
balls as well, but I figured popping Xanax would look less conspicuous.
Better living through chemistry…for every problem, a chemical solution!
😉

stress back

It has the tagline: Let go of all your anger, tension and frustration with the STRESS RELIEVER K.C.

eddy gift

Faye told me that wrapping presents
has fallen out of vogue and suggested we put the items in a store
purchased but handmade self sealing paper bag. I agreed since I’m not a
big fan of wrapping stuff myself, so I wrote a birthday message on the
paper bag and we passed it to Eddy.

workshop hub

Workshop is designed to look like a
car workshop. There are neon illuminated wheel hubs on the walls and even
the tables are propped up with hubcaps from discarded tyres.

workshop interior

The
wine was on free flow courtesy of Eddy and I consumed quite a lot of the
red stuff. I remember belting out a particularly heartfelt rendition of
Creep (Radiohead) after a couple of hours there.

workshop pool

I also
played pool with Faye and as usual, she kicked my ass, not because she’s
better at it (or so I’ll like to think) but because I’m usually more
inebriated than her every time we play.

eddy bday group

Happy birthday Eddy! =D

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of The Crystal Skull

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ksp indy tickets

Our office’s social club has organized a movie day at King’s Cineplex last night at 7 pm for a screening of the latest Indiana Jones. I had a baby shower, the company’s social club quarterly movie day plus a friend’s birthday to go to yesterday so I didn’t have time to blog. It only cost us RM 2 for a ticket. It was heavily subsidized by both our company’s social club and the King’s management so these events are very popular with the staff. Usual tickets cost RM 9.

indiana jones

Look at his long…er, cranium.
Indiana Jones 4 (Indiana Jones and The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull) is a throughly enjoyable adventure movie. You’ll know what to expect if you’ve seen the Indiana Jones franchise during your youth on TV. It can be predictable, and one particular coworker calls it “absurd”, but it’s an action adventure flick at it’s very best. It does require a certain suspension of disbelief to enjoy the movie. The lead character is neither supposed to be hit by a spray of bullets nor kick the bucket from his death defying stunts. It’s supposed to be a summer popcorn flick so switch off your brain and go watch Indy get carried off by giant ants! Just kidding, no spoilers here. Go Spielberg!

P/S – I just came back from an impromptu overnight trip to Sarikei. I started driving at 4 am in the morning and only got back here at 6 am in the morning. I will be posting up the backlogs later when I get home from work, Sandman willing. 😉

Lisa’s baby shower

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lisa cheng

Lisa Cheng is now a mom! She gave birth to a healthy baby boy and we went to the baby shower after work yesterday. His name is Ethan (as in Ethan Hawk) and there were about 20 of us old ex-classmates there for the baby shower at her home. It’s a strange feeling, being old…it’s just not that long ago that we were just 17 years old and having fun in high school. Fast forward to a decade later and we’re all now 27 and life just isn’t that simple anymore.

lisa group

This is a rather blurry photo taken of the Class of ’97. I felt a little envious at some of the married couples with kids. I really want to find someone nice to settle down with and have little ones running about and all that. I won’t go out drinking Saturdays but wake up early on Monday to bring the kids to McDonald’s or to their grandparents. I thought that was dull and boring just a couple of years ago, but I swear to God, sometimes I want that kind of life so badly. Oh well…

MAS XX

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mas xx

I was at the boarding gate on the Sibu to Kuching flight with Phoenix when she noticed a middle aged man of dubious appearance attempting to stealthily take a photo of a pretty, young cabin attendant with his cellphone camera from a distance. She nudged me and I was struck by an irresistible urge to show the man how it’s done sixthseal.com style. I walked up to the cabin attendant and requested an audience with her adorable babyish looks and my digital camera. She happily complied and I was flirting and joking with her throughout the impromptu photo session. I strolled back to my seat and couldn’t resist giving the man a smirk. This is how we do it here at sixthseal.com, I thought silently.

…and then Phoenix pinched me on the arm for flirting with the flight attendant.

Late night KFC raid

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kfc plaza walk

I was out clubbing with Phoenix and Irene last Saturday when we were hit by a late night craving for solid food. We had gotten cup noodles at 7-11 for the Batang Ai trip but we didn’t want to dig into those supplies since there would be no time for replenishing said supplies before the shuttle departs for Batang Ai early next morning. It was 2:30 am in the morning and there were no eating establishments in sight for post-alcohol indulgence.

kfc game

Thus, we ended up roaming the Kuching CBD on foot and I remembered a KFC outlet at Plaza Walk outside Sarawak Plaza that is probably open 24 hours. They had a promotion going on where you can purchase a handheld game for RM 9.90 with any order of KFC chicken. I’m a sucker for these things – even though I never do play the game itself for any significant amount of time, I still like to collect them. I’m not even sure where they end up half the time!

kfc snack plate

Phoenix and I shared a snack plate with a drumstick and a piece of thigh.

kfc fighter

The handheld game is called X-Fighters. Batteries not included.

Eh, terbalik (upside down) some more…I don’t have AA batteries around my house.

The Spring

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the spring

The Spring is one of the newest shopping centers in Kuching. The mall was still under construction when I left Kuching about two years ago and it’s almost fully occupied now. The Spring reminds me of Chadstone Mall in Melbourne, Australia with its sprawling two (three including the basement) story layout.

spring interior

tHe Spring – that’s the official capitalization policy of the enterprise – is billed as a lifestyle mall offering retail experiences. The term “retail experience” seem to be replacing the more common vernacular of “shopping” in marketing lingo. I was aflutter with delirious exuberance in anticipation of the sojourn to this new retail experience establishment!

quiksilver

Sarcasm aside, I really did want to see what it’s like coz I’ve heard a lot of good things about it. Irene picked us up from the airport and sent us to our hotel to check in before driving us to tHe Spring. It’s located at Jalan Simpang Tiga and it just opened on 10th of January 2008.

spring coins

Irene told us that people have been throwing coins into this water feature in The Spring, perhaps mistaking it for some kind of wishing well (wishing umbrella?). The management of The Spring actually had to sand blast a sign into the glass perimeter on all floors reminding visitors not to throw coins into the water feature. 🙂

spring gawai

The Spring had a feature for the upcoming Gawai (Harvest Festival) celebrations with a replica longhouse complete with traditional Iban musical instruments on display and not-so-traditional piped music from hidden speakers on loop for ambiance.

quiksilver girl

Quiksilver is represented at The Spring, as well as their female line Roxy. I went in and found a tag (I seriously don’t know what this thing is actually called) that I purchased back in 2003 and lost somewhere during a particularly excessive drinking session. It’s supposed to be worn around the neck for name tags/smart cards and such but I use it for aesthetic purposes.

quiksilver tag

There is a hook on the tag that can be attached (to a name tag/smart card) but the hook can also be attached to the belt loop on a pair of jeans. I just like the way it looks hanging down from the belt loop on a pair of jeans. It’s a bit garish, I know, but I like it. 🙂

spring irene

Irene sends her regards.

Getting there: Batang Ai Hilton Resort

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hilton jetty

Batang Ai National Park is located in Lubok Antu near Sri Aman (about
250 km from Kuching). The area consists of a tropical rainforest and a
hydroelectric dam with a reservoir measuring 24 square kilometers, making
it the largest artificial lake in Sarawak.

hilton van

Hilton operates a 5-star
longhouse resort at the park. The resort is only accessible by boat and
Hilton provides a shuttle service departing Kuching at 8 am in the
morning. It must be booked 24 hours in advance and the trip takes about 4
hours. It is possible to sleep on the air-conditioned shuttle van
depending on your fatigue levels and benzodiazepine plasma concentrations.
😉

sleeping

It should be noted that the shuttle van is not free even if you have
a hotel booking at Hilton Batang Ai Longhouse Resort. The shuttle service
costs RM 175 per person for a return trip from Hilton in Kuching to the
jetty at Hilton Batang Ai Longhouse Resort. This is not mentioned on the
website except in the Fine Print (TM) which says a service charge may be
applicable. There was one other Canadian woman traveling with us and she
was charged twice for the shuttle despite having canceled her travel
companion’s booking.

rest stop

The shuttle trip for the both of us cost RM 350
return trip, which is more expensive than the night’s stay at the Hilton
Batang Ai Longhouse Resort itself. That said, the driver was very friendly
and accommodating and the van shuttle service itself is quite comfortable.
I was told that the shuttle is not run by Hilton management but outsourced
to Borneo Adventures. It is possible to take a regular bus to Lubok Antu
and then a taxi to the Batang Ai jetty for people on a shoestring
budget.

lachau

There is a scheduled stop at Lachau – the
midway point between Kuching and Batang Ai. It’s a small and sleepy town
with shops selling knick knacks and traditional Iban art to tourists.
There are also several coffee shops for lunch and a beer if you’re feeling
hungry. The shuttle stops here for 45 minutes and you can take this opportunity to void your bladder should you be inclined. The next stop
will be 2 hours away at the Batang Ai Jetty.

jetty

The 20 minute boat ride to
Hilton Batang Ai Longhouse Resort is free and departs at regular
intervals. I recommend taking the 12:15 pm boat to the resort to make the
1 pm check in time. There is a waiting area at the jetty with washroom
facilities.

wind

The boat ride takes about 20 minutes to arrive
at the Hilton Batang Ai Resort. The wind factor can be a little intense as is shown on Phoenix’s features. It literally distorted the identifying characteristics of her face. I’m still not sure why it didn’t happen to the rest of us though…

scene

The lake is tranquil and peaceful and
provides a nice setting for the upcoming R&R you can expect at the
Hilton Batang Ai Longhouse Resort.

sunning

There is also an upper deck to sit on
if you don’t mind the noon sun.

The Manhattan Fish Market

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manhattan fish market

The
Manhattan Fish Market (MFM) is a high end fast food eating establishment
in the vein of T.G.I. Friday’s and Chili’s Grill & Bar. The Spring has
one of the franchise outlets and Irene brought us there for lunch coz we
didn’t eat on the flight to Kuching.

mfm interior

The Manhattan Fish Market traces its
history back to the Fulton Fish Market in Manhattan, New York. The 180
year linage of the Manhattan Fish Market under the Brooklyn Bridge is the
basis of this seafood restaurant franchise. MFM specializes in seafood of
all sorts – fish, oysters, mussels, lobsters, crab etc. If it has fins or
a shell, it’s probably on the menu at The Manhattan Fish Market.

mfm tv

The MFM
outlet at The Spring shopping mall has a wood based interior with solid
timber dominating the features, a rather environmentally unfriendly but
warm design implementation. The localization attempt has a huge plasma TV
showing a video from Ikan Terhandal Malaysia (Expert Fishing Malaysia), a
monthly magazine for fishing enthusiasts with a VCD showing recreational
fishing amateur footage.

mfm wood

The Manhattan Fish Market also has a consistent
theme – the focus is on seafood and there are old framed posters of fish,
lobster and crab on the walls, presumably the very same ads from the
Fulton Fish Market nearly two centuries ago.

mfm board

The table has the signature
MFM chopping board in place of the usual plate setting in other
restaurants. This trademark is from the Fulton Fish Market days when fresh
tuna (and other catch) were brought in and chopped up before being
sold.

mfm quencher

Captain’s Quencher (RM 6.90)

This is a carbonated orange twist that I ordered. Very refreshing and thirst quenching. No misleading naming conventions here. 🙂

mfm espresso

Espresso (RM 12)

A much needed shot of caffeine to jolt myself awake…

mfm mussels

Garlic Butter Mussels (RM 13.90)

Delicious poached mussels in creamy Manhattan garlic butter sauce. Comes with slices of baguettes.

The mussels in garlic sauce tastes absolutely divine! There weren’t
enough to go around.

mfm catch

Grilled Catch of the Day (RM 17.90)

Grilled catch of the day complete with
Manhattan garlic butter sauce – a healthier choice (presumably compared
to their famous Manhattan Fish & Chips)

Irene had the grilled catch of the day (think it was halibut for that Saturday)

mfm platter

Manhattan Seafood Platter For
Two (RM 42.90)

Deep fried fish fillet, calamari, oysters, and prawns served with chips and garlic rice.

mfm flaming

I shared the Manhattan
Seafood Platter For Two with Phoenix. The waiter had a can of combustible
material and flamed the platter in front of us. This flaming treatment
chars the top of the platter and ensures the carbon goodness is
transmitted properly. 😉

mfm us

The Manhattan Seafood Platter is meant for two
(2) people but even the three of us couldn’t finish it. The serving
portions at The Manhattan Fish Market is generous, meant for larger
appetites than ours. I think the flaming treatment got too close to Phoenix coz her face seems a bit charred from it.

mfm irene

It was really good to meet up with you again on
this trip, Irene! 🙂

mfm logo

The Manhattan Fish Market – now available in
Sarawak.

Ipanema

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ipanema

Ipanema is one of the latest watering holes in Kuching. It’s located at Padungan Road (beside SOHO) at the place that used to be Tom’s. Irene and David has been hanging out here as of late and I went to check the place out on Saturday night.

ipanema interior

Ipanema is named after the beach in Brazil and the place is pretty chill – it attracts a more sophisticated crowd compared to the surrounding nightspots.

kilkenny draught

The place even has Kilkenny on draught. I (heart) Kilkenny! =D

ipanema bartender

Ipanema has an extensive selection of cocktails as well. I tend to judge a bar/pub by the quality and variety of the cocktails they have. It’s important to have a bartender who can mix a good cocktail.

pina colada

Phoenix had a Pina Colada (RM 22) which is made with Malibu (the coconut liqueur), pineapple juice, fresh cream and crushed ice. It tasted pretty good. I love a place with good cocktails.

kilkenny

I went for a pint of Kilkenny (RM 28). Ipanema has the popular Irish beer on draught (!) which I fell in love with ever since I first got a taste of the creamy ale back in Australia.

ipanema girl

There are girls selling Dunhill premium brand cigarettes like Dunhill 360 and Dunhill Top Leaf (also available at your local 7-11) inside. I don’t know if they’re promoters going through the Saturday night crowd at the nightspot but I took the opportunity for a photo op anyway.

ipanema group

I think we hit the ethanol products a little too hard that Saturday night coz we nearly missed the shuttle to Batang Ai Hilton Longhouse Resort due to an alcohol induced coma.

P/S – My apologies…the bartender must have had a case of the shakes while taking our group photo coz there’s a motion blur effect on Phoenix (my travel companion). It didn’t affect the rest of the frame though, strangely enough. 😉

Tongue Piercing Photos and Video

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borneo headhunters

Greetings! I am blogging from Starbucks in Kuching while waiting for my flight back to Sibu. I have been planning to get another tongue piercing and managed to squeeze it into this brief trip – perhaps a more apt word would be a layover – thanks to Irene, who kindly drove us around Kuching.

preparation

This is my third tongue piercing in as many years. The first tongue piercing was involved in an unfortunate incident during a routine dental hygiene maintenance procedure where the screw-on ball dropped down the sink. I didn’t have a replacement, considering piercings were not common then so the piercing healed up.

clamp 1

The second piercing was subjected to an accidental ingestion during a particularly delectable feast – again with the screw-on ball – and I couldn’t find the backup stud I had in storage. I wasn’t particularly keen on waiting for it to reappear after a bowel movement and screwing it back on so it healed up on me as well.

clamp 2

This trip to Kuching was meant to be a layover before we went to Hilton Batang Ai Longhouse Resort so I only had the evening to squeeze in a trip to The Spring, get a tongue piercing and go out clubbing before heading for our R&R at the resort. I made an appointment with Ernesto of Borneo Headhunters Tattoo and Piercing for 6 pm.

clamp 3

Unfortunately, Ernesto ran out of tongue studs and Irene was kind enough to drive me to Rupert Rage War Store in Centerpoint to get the jewelery for the piercing. I got a standard surgical steel tongue stud plus a more vociferous design for nights out. I reckon it’s better to get two this time just in case any undue ingestion or bathroom incidents affected the first one.

This is the video of my third tongue piercing. I’m pleased with my travel companion’s directing skillz since it turned out pretty well. The tongue piercing is a little off center but I kinda like the way it looks now. It’s a little more interesting than a straight piercing and I have it on good authority that it feels better in this configuration. My travel companion commented that I was quite a cunning linguist after the procedure. 😉

ernesto

It cost me RM 50 for the piercing only (RM 120 if you want a stud to be provided). Thanks Ernesto!

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