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PIKOM ICT Mall CapSquare Grand Launch

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starbucks

I’ll be honest with you, I don’t go to CapSquare Centre that often. I usually just park myself in Starbucks and find someplace to eat dinner before heading for a movie. I’ve got this Top Gun: Star Access card by TGV Cinemas that allows me to watch movies for free, and even though CapSquare has a relatively small number of screens, it’s a lot easier to find a parking space compared to Suria KLCC!

tgv cinemas

I’ve been there a couple of times a few years back and when I started going again this year, the mall totally changed on me.

diablo 3

Watch out Low Yat Plaza and Digital Mall – there’s a new player in town!

media briefing

CapSquare Centre is now known officially as PIKOM ICT Mall CapSquare and I went to the media briefing a couple of days ago to check out what they have in store for the grand launch – you just can’t argue with the tag line “We’re opening with a bang!!!”.

capsquare tour

The mall is just one part of the integrated CapSquare development by BRDB – there’s 6 CapSquare, the second residential project that’s under development, after CapSquare Residences, which is already occupied, and two completed office towers.

pikom ict mall capsquare

However, what’s really interesting about the place is that PIKOM, the National ICT Association of Malaysia, has chosen to align itself with CapSquare. I asked about their unique selling point, being so close to Low Yat as it is and John Sironic, Head of Group Retail Operations and Darrell, Senior Manager from Centre Management couldn’t have replied more succinctly.

  • It has 2,000 car park bays
  • There’s plenty of F&B outlets serving a wide array of cuisines from Western delicacies to Asian delights
  • They have a cinema
  • They will soon have a supermarket
  • The rent is relatively cheaper so that should translate to lower prices for customers

I usually just go straight up to the cinema so it’s like an educational trip, walking through the mall with Li-Ann, as she explains the existing layout and future plans. There are about 60 shops occupying the centre with room for 200 kiosks (not 20, I asked twice coz I was afraid I misheard) more.

challenger

PIKOM ICT Mall CapSquare is already pretty well represented in the technology arena – there are huge anchor tenants like Challenger, which is the largest IT mega store in Malaysia…

istudy

…to specialty premium shops like iStudy by Apple. Epson has a presence here (first concept store in Malaysia) and so does Canon and other competitors in the printing and imaging department.

gps

TomTom opened up their first concept store in Asia right inside CapSquare so naturally Garmin took up the shop lot beside it. I also saw a PaPaGO! kiosk so that’s the holy trinity of GPS navigation devices right there. 🙂

robotica toys

The major telcos also have stores and kiosks inside CapSquare. It’s really a mixture of everything tech related down to the relatively niche Robotica Toys, which sells original PC games, merchandise and collectibles!

gadgets

One thing that PIKOM ICT Mall CapSquare is offering is a premium IT shopping experience. There will be no dodgy shops with cigarette smoke wafting in the air while feng tao music is blasted out of speakers as the latest Hollywood movie plays on a TV overhead as a “preview” while runners get your pirated DVD/Blu-ray for you.

Not. Going. To. Happen.

shops

PIKOM ICT Mall CapSquare is going to be a premium retail experience – a one-stop tech haven with the latest and greatest genuine IT products and electronic gadgets. Add “competitively priced” to the list and you have yourself a great tech mall in the making, with credible and reliable stores, minus the wild wild west elements.

food court

There’s even a food court if you want to grab a quick bite without going into a full service restaurant.

exit

Head down during 25-27 May for their grand opening! Parking will be free on the 26th and 27th and there’s performances galore, everything from ManHanD to Upin & Ipin with fun and games and prizes to be won!

promos

The retailers have banded together and come up with incredible promotions that’s too long to list – grab the flyer above when you go in, whether it’s a broadband subscription or a printer, they’ve got it covered.

outdoor cinema

There’s also going to be an Outdoor Cinema with six sci-fi flicks being projected on the huge facade of the building right at the photo above. It’s geek heaven, back-to-back screenings of:

25th May
8 pm Star Wars Episode 1
10 pm Real Steel
12 am Transformers

26th May
8 pm Monsters Inc
10 pm Iron Man
12 am Avatar

seats

You’ll be sitting here so bring a blanket or a sleeping bag. 😀

restaurant

Check out the Spend & Win contest too – spend RM 100 at any store in CapSquare (including F&B – asked about that) from 15-27 May, submit your receipt at the Information Counter and come for the grand launch on the 27th May to win prizes that includes an Alienware laptop (!!!), MacBook Air, the new iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Blackberry 9810 and vouchers!

spend win

It’s geek heaven, yo!

capsquare launch

There’s so much going on during the launch on 25-27 May that it’s impossible to list everything down. Surf on over to the PIKOM ICT Mall CapSquare Facebook page to check out all they have in store for you this weekend!

My Maxims Genting Premium Experience (Part II)

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fine dining

I have written about some of the experiences I’ve had in Maxims Genting. Here’s the rest of it – the second and final post on the luxurious gastronomical and other adventures I had during my 2D/1N stay there. 🙂

maxims suite me

Totally chilling in the Maxims Royal Suite.

karaoke

There’s everything you could wish for in a suite – and probably some that you didn’t even know you want. 😉

bath

I’m loving the jacuzzi!

table

The Maxims Royal Suite has guest rooms equipped with computers at the working table in addition to a huge dining table that seats 14 people! 🙂

patio

It also has a balcony that’s even larger than my studio apartment at home. The “balcony” (patio) is actually located…

genting sign

…right beneath the old Genting Hotel sign. How cool is that? 🙂

floor

The newly refurbished Maxims looks nothing like the one I used to stay in as a kid. This is the floor area you’ll see in the Maxims Premier Room, Maxims Suite, and Signature Suite.

bed

The suites are amazing and equipped with the latest in technology, like that huge 42-inch plasma TV there. This is standard in Maxims Suite and Signature Suite but the photo above shows the décor in the latter. There are two options to choose from – Modern or Arabian.

The other rooms at Maxims starts from RM 550++ for Maxims Premier – it’s their most basic room but it’s surprisingly luxurious. Here’s a video tour where you can see the amenities and services provided.

moet chandon

There’s even a bottle of Moet et Chandon champagne in the mini bar. How many hotels do you see stocking that? 🙂

concierge

Maxims is the place to stay in if you want the best experience in Genting. There’s accommodation for every budget – all the suites comes with a private butler (!!!) and starts from RM 1,320++ for Maxims Suite to RM 4,125++ for the Signature Suite. You can find the full list of features in each room/suite at rwgenting.com.

the olive genting

Anyway, after the grand tour of the Maxims Genting we headed to The Olive for a Continental fine dining experience.

the olive private

The Olive is another award winning restaurant in Maxims Genting and there are private rooms where you can eat in relative…er, privacy.

bread basket

Squid Ink Bread
The bread basket served up when you’re seated is filled with a selection of different varieties of bread. One in particular stood up – the squid ink bread.

squid ink bread

It’s the irregularly shaped black bread that’s made with squid ink. It’s delicious when dipped in the vinaigrette of balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil.

black truffle

Portobello Carpaccio
This is The Olive’s signature dish for starters and it’s a wonderful plating of Tartufo nero (black truffle), shaved pecorino (cheese made from sheep), grissini (breadsticks), aged balsamic, and truffle oil soft herb salad. The black truffle is the highlight of this dish and the flavor goes very well with the mushrooms. I had quite a few helpings of this. It’s delicious and it comes highly recommended from me.

pizza

Bruschetta Pizzetta
This mini pizza is made with semi-dried Roma tomato, sauteed mushrooms, Bocconcini cheese, basil pesto, olive oil and aged balsamic. It’s delectable but a bit heavy so small eaters would want to share this with someone.

lamb rack

Lamb Rack
This 3 pin lamb rack comes served with a white bean cassoulet, braised artichoke, carrot puree and rosemary juice. You’ll love this if you like mutton, I was half tempted to order this for my mains before deciding on beef.

chilean sea bass

Chilean Sea Bass
This is the signature dish of The Olive. The fresh Chilean Sea Bass is served with mushroom ragout, buttered asparagus, ponzu sauce and wasabi, providing a bit of fusion there. You can’t go wrong with this one.

sirloin wagyu

Wagyu Sirloin Steak
I went with the chef’s recommendation of a Wagyu sirloin steak with a Grade 8 on the marbling scale. The beef was so fresh that I immediately regretted having it done medium rare. It’s a great cut of Wagyu beef and it should be treated with the respect it deserves.

waygu marbling

I’ll recommend you go for extra-rare (also known as a blue steak) – the quality and freshness of the meat really shines through. I had a taste of the extra-rare Wagyu tenderloin and it practically melts in your mouth. The chef mentions that it takes just as long to properly cook a blue steak compared to one that’s medium or well done – it has to be allowed to “rest” before being served.

steak sauce

The Olive has different cuts of steak and marbling grades but if Wagyu is not your thing, they also serve Black Angus beef, which has been grass fed for at least 150 days in the Australian countryside. There are a lot of sauces you can choose to go with your steak, from Creamy Garlic to Truffled Morel.

creme brulee

Crème Brulee
This wonderful dessert comes in a trio – starting from left, there’s the petite apple (which actually is a very tiny apple), clove ice cream, and crème brulee with rhubarb and blackcurrant compote.

petite apple

A petite apple with a slice of regular apple. Gotta love the presentation.

clove ice cream

I loved the creamy crème brulee with an almond biscotti on the side and I couldn’t stop eating the clove ice cream too.

Hot Chocolate Ravioli

Hot Chocolate Ravioli
Good things comes in threes and this dessert is no different.

pashmak

There’s the black cherry gelee topped with orange blossom pashmak (a type of Persian candy floss).

pistachio ice cream

Pistachio ice cream which has the consistency of pudding, a wonderful texture from the ingredients and a delightful taste that tantalizes the taste buds…

chocolate ravioli

…and as the star of the show – the chocolate ravioli. It’s rich and sweet and the oozing hot chocolate from the ravioli would have you clamoring for more.

the durian

The Durian
This is the signature dish for the desserts menu of The Olive. It’s easy to see why. The aptly named dessert has The King of Fruits served as ice cream in a caramelized meringue with fresh strawberries.

durian inside

Durian is a fruit you either love or hate. I’m a huge fan of durian and this beautifully made dessert (spiked to look like a durian) had me at first bite!

Chef Daniel Sheen

Chef Daniel Sheen took time off to chat with us and the question on how he created the chocolate ravioli popped out. This is actually the second version he’s come up with. He was in the kitchen attempting to fuse pasta and chocolate – essentially creating pasta made out of chocolate and out come the chocolate ravioli.

It’s always interesting to hear the chef talk about how his creations came about. 🙂

The Olive is also featured in Must Eat – it’s in Mandarin but a really interesting watch even if you don’t understand the language. The video tour and awesome food shown transcends linguistic processes. 😀

the olive lounge

We adjourned to The Olive Lounge after the heavy dinner. There’s a live band playing in the background and the drinks menu features quite an extensive single malt Scotch whisky and wine list.

band

The sommelier recommended two bottles of wine…

decanter

…while Eiling chose the third bottle, being a bit of a wine expert herself.

cigar

I smoked one of her cigars while the entire group talked over wine and cigars. The Olive Lounge is a great place to relax and chat with soft music playing in the background. It was the perfect ending to one of the best dinners I’ve had in a while. Pure decadence. 🙂

coffee terrace

Breakfast at Coffee Terrace the next day never tasted so good. 😉

breakfast

Coffee Terrace has six different cuisines ranging from Chinese to Western and we all had a huge breakfast before heading back to KL.

farewell

Thanks for the experience Chloe, Irene, Dee Lin, and everyone at rwgenting.com! I totally enjoyed my stay at Maxims Genting and all that fine dining. 🙂

What I would do if I lived in the Olympics Village

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Have I ever dreamt about being a world class athlete in the Olympics? Of course.

olympics village rooms

However, for me the experience is not about winning medals and breaking records (although all that is good and well). It’s about living in the Olympics Village and meeting all these people from different countries and cultures.

There will be 204 estimated nations participating in the 2012 London Olympics!

olympics village

I’ll love to pop over to a different country’s living quarters every day – talk to them, eat what they eat, hear stories about life in their home country.

I don’t know if that’s against the rules (it probably is) but wouldn’t it be interesting to hear what they have to say and see what a gymnast eats vs say, a weight lifter?

olympics cultures

That’s what I’ll do if I’m in the Olympics Village – spend some time in each nation’s quarters so I’ll get to know their culture better. I reckon it’ll be the best part and imagine the stuff I’ll be able to write about…

…or make videos about. 😀

Remember the Samsung Global Blogger contest I blogged about?

It’s closing soon on the 29th April and here’s what they will be looking for in your video audition:

  • Confidence and energy in front of the camera
  • A passion for your subject matter
  • Imagination and originality
  • A good sense of humor
  • A social butterfly – do you use Twitter? Or talk to the world on your own blog?
  • The ability to tell a story well through video and the written word

Here’s Jamie Oliver expounding a bit on it. You might also want to see their tips on making a great video.

I’ll love to be one of the chosen ones. It’ll be so much fun to be able to go there and represent Malaysia in covering the London 2012 Olympics from my own point of view, getting all the interesting bits about this penultimate sports event and the festivities surrounding it.

If you’re interested to apply, get on over to the Samsung Global Blogger contest to find out how you can get a chance to win a trip to London during the Olympics! It’s not too late.

You’ll be in the thick of all the action!

My video is coming up soon…wish me luck! 🙂

My Maxims Genting Premium Experience (Part I)

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arrive genting

I’ve been to Genting quite a few times and when I was told we’re going to be staying at Maxims for an overnight experience I immediately set my alarm clock to 5 am so I could arrive early the next day for the trip up. Heh.

transport

The luxury treatment started when we met up at Wisma Genting in KL. There was a Toyota Alphard complete with a driver waiting for us. The vehicle was equipped with water, candy, and everything you’ll need for the 45 minute drive up.

lobby

…so this is what being a high roller feels like. 🙂

imperial rama

We were whisked away to lunch at Imperial Rama the moment we arrived in Genting. We had a private room with a dining table, couch, and karaoke system. Imperial Rama is a fine dining restaurant specializing in authentic Thai-Chinese cuisine.

regal room

Imperial Rama is one of the most awarded restaurants – it’s one of the prestigious winners of the 2011 Malaysian International Gourmet Festival (MIGF). They also use organic food where they can – they own vegetable farms and source their chickens from Ipoh. I hear the free range chickens sells for RM 30 per drumstick…and that’s in stalls in Ipoh!

lily bulb salad

Lily Bulb with Emperor Sprout Orange Salad
This is the appetizer and I like the usage of lily bulbs in this dish. It’s an unusual twist and the tangy citrus flavors from the orange works very well with the emperor sprouts. It even had flowers inside it, and I ate some of them. Delicious!

shaggy mushrooms

Shaggy Mushroom with Truffle Oil Salad
The second appetizer to come out of the kitchen, I was mesmerized by the intensity of flavors absorbed by the mushroom. It’s practically bursting with truffle oil. Very nicely done.

thai fish crackers

Thai Fish Crackers
The third appetizer was an interesting interplay of textures with fresh fish crackers and a peanut based dipping sauce.

chicken broth

Stewed Chicken Essence Soup
I’m not a huge fan of soup but this had me scraping the bottom of the bowl. The chicken is made into a mousse like consistency. It’s one of their signature dishes and I highly recommend it just so you can taste the chicken mousse.

steamed goby fish

Steamed Marble Goby Fish with Crispy Ginger and Garlic
I’m sold. The steamed fish is my favorite dish in Chinese buffets and I love the freshness of the marble goby fish.

goby fish

The topping of crispy ginger and garlic adds a different texture to the dish and it’s good to see that they keep the traditional spring onions on top – it goes very well with the soy sauce base.

curry abalone

Australian Abalone Braised in Curry Sauce
This is one of the Thai-Chinese dishes that Imperial Rama is so famous for. The curry is rich and full-bodied and almost overwhelms the palate…

abalone

…until you eat it with the bread stick and side dish. This is one of their flagship dishes as well and I can see why – it’s challenging and different.

twin flavor prawns

Twin Flavored King Prawns
This is king prawns done two ways – one of them is deep fried with a salted egg batter that tastes awesome but the one that steals the limelight is the cheese king prawn. It’s dipped in a melting cheese batter that enhances the natural sweetness of the prawn and seals all the crustaceans juices inside. Totally recommended.

pork ribs blackcurrent

Pork Ribs topped with Black Current Sauce
Now this is something that I can really appreciate. Pork ribs with a twist on the sauce. The black current sauce adds a wholesome sweetness to the pork ribs and the lightly fried rice served on a crab goes well with the pork ribs.

crab fried rice

I was very full at this point but I couldn’t help finishing all the rice. It’s really good – not too heavy, with judicious use of premium ingredients.

lemongrass jelly

Durian Tempura with Lemongrass Jelly
Now this is a dish that you’ll either love or hate – it all depends on whether you like durian. I love durian and the durian tempura is a relatively new creation using D24 durian. The batter coating the durian cracks open and piping hot durian oozes out. I could eat it all day long!

I ate Lee Ming’s portion as well. It’s just that good. Check out this video, the host agrees! 🙂

durian tempura

The lemongrass jelly is sipped from a straw and the consistency and palate cleansing properties makes it an ideal finish after the decadent durian experience. Do not miss this if you love durian! Best. Dessert. Ever.

lunch

Anyway, after that huge lunch, we went down to Goh Tong Jaya to walk off all those calories. We used the Genting Skyway cable car.

chloe

Chloe got us into the RWGenting WorldCard line. You can skip the queue if you have a Silver WorldCard and above.

cable car

I have a lot of fond memories of the cable car ride from when I was a little kid and my parents brought me up to Genting.

genting skyways

I felt like a little kid again, being on that cable car. 🙂

strawberry truck

There was a red vehicle waiting for us – it’s the Genting Strawberry Leisure Farm transport! The shuttle bus departs every 20 minutes and you can catch it at the Genting Skyway exit.

genting strawberry farm

Genting has a Strawberry Farm in Goh Tong Jaya.

strawberry rows

There are rows and rows of strawberries covering the wide expanse.

strawberry park

You can go in with a basket for a small fee to pick your own strawberries.

strawberry

It tastes really good too.

eating strawberry

I had a couple and they are practically bursting with juices when you bite into it.

lee ming

This is Lee Ming at the area where they were planting flowers. Yes, it’s the very same flowers that was in our salad at Imperial Rama for lunch. Now that’s low food miles for you – they grow it themselves!

strawberry cafe

There’s also a place where you can sit down and browse the strawberry related merchandize or eat and drink strawberry flavored food (strawberry coffee anyone?) right before the exit.

strawberries

Mmm…strawberries…

genting strawberry park

We basically spent the better part of the hour at Genting Strawberry Leisure Farm before heading back up the cable car to check into Maxims Genting. I couldn’t wait!

room

Maxims Genting is the newly revamped Genting Hotel. It’s the first hotel ever built and houses the main casino. Maxims commands a rate of at least RM 550++ for a Maxims Premier Room. There’s even a dedicated floor for high rollers which is by invitation only. It is the most exclusive hotel in Genting.

This is where all the celebrities stay when they perform in Resorts World Genting. More about that and the wonderful award winning fine dining restaurant The Olive in the next post! 🙂

I wanna go for the London Olympics!

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Dominique Moceanu

I’ve always wanted to go to the Olympics. My first experience with the Olympics was when I was 14 and watched every artistic gymnastics event to see if Dominique Moceanu was performing during the 1996 Atlanta Games. It was just on television but I had a *huge* crush on her.

I taped her feats and cheered when she won. I watched and re-watched her floor exercise – the one that she did with the background song The Devil Came Down to Georgia. I even joined her fan club. I was a card holding t-shirt wearing Dominique Moceanu fan!

I’m mildly embarrassed to admit this now, but I even wrote her letters.

Moceanu

Funny story, there was this feature going on at The Star at the same time asking teenagers to submit what they think of the Olympics and I did. The editor cut out most of my putting-her-on-a-pedestal stuff but some of it got in and I received RM 50 for my efforts.

I didn’t even know they had a prize if you get published. It was, in effect, my first paid writing assignment.

Anyway, as I grew up, I was more interested in track and field but I still watch gymnastics and the best part for me was always the opening ceremony.

archer

When I was 24, I was mesmerized by the archer shooting a flaming arrow to light up the Olympics flame in the opening ceremony when the Games returned to Athens, Greece. I swore I’ll be in Beijing for the 2008 Olympics. I went to Guilin two years later instead. I promised myself I’ll make it for the London 2012 Olympics and this time I did go to London…twice!

I went in 2010 and 2011. 😡

london

Alas, it looks like I’ll have to wait another 4 years before I can attend the Olympics in person since it’s so late in the game (pun intended) that all the tickets and accommodations for the Olympics would be all sold out. T_T

…and then I received this tasty morsel of news.

Samsung is running a contest where you can win a trip to London during the Olympic Games. All you need to do is to submit a 30 second video in English of you telling them why you would be great at hunting out all the best stories London has to tell during the Olympics.

There’s a list of criteria that they’re looking for and the contest ends on 29th April but I’m here to proclaim that:

It is not too late!!!

Read about the Samsung Global Blogger contest for more details and go grab your digicams everyone! I’ll be doing one too. 😀

This is how we ride

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ride

I climb on things. I was passing by the mall one time when I saw this Twitter contest where you follow @fordrangermy and check out their updates to stand a chance to win prizes like a G-Shock. They will be giving away Ford Exclusive Merchandize (laptop backpack, limited edition New Ford Ranger t-shirt, and a heavy duty torchlight – nifty). This contest runs from 9th April.

I shall caption this This is how we ride.

…coz that’s actually how we ride in rural areas of Sarawak. Haha! I remember being transported as a kid and all of us were squeezed in the back of the pickup. Funerals, school events, you name it – that’s how you get lots of people from Point A to Point B in the areas where cars cannot pass.

It’s the reasons why pick-ups like the Ford Ranger is so popular in my home state. There are a lot of poorly maintained roads and sometimes a dirt road with just gravel is the best you get. It gets mighty slippery when it rains too, which is does and often. Cars get stuck in conditions like that.

That’s why:

  • Hefty towing capacity exceeding 3 tons
  • Best-in-class horsepower and torque on the beaten track
  • 80 liter tank
  • 800 mm water wading
  • 1 tonne loading capacity
  • Adaptive Load Control

The last three in particular is useful in flood prone Sarawak. Imagine how many people you can fit at the back with a 1 ton loading capacity. 😉

Get more details about the all new Ford Ranger here.

What are your social media habits?

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Type #1

fb iphone4s

Prefers to text and call. Goes on Twitter once in a while. Updates Facebook occasionally.

Basically, if you’re on a bit of a budget and you want to have free SMSs and call time thrown in, this is the plan for you. There are two to choose from – Value Plus Internet 50 and Value Plus Internet 30 – both with a very low monthly commitment fee, starting from RM 30.

maxis iphone4s plan budget

They both come with 250 MB of data allocation and either 100 SMS + 100 call minutes or 50 SMS or 50 call minutes depending on the plan.

You can get a iPhone4S 16GB for as low as RM 1,950 with a 24 month contract with this new iPhone4S plans from Maxis! 🙂

Type #2

social apps

Heavy data usage. Updates your social media apps each time you’re out with photos or videos. Constantly on the social media sphere and communicating with you takes a few seconds at the most. Foursquare, Google+, Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest, you’re on them all!

We’ve been talking lately about how to boost your business marketing with Instagram. Contrary to what many people still believe, Instagram isn’t just a fun app where you can post food, holiday and family pics.

Instagram has become a powerful brand-building, audience-building and content-marketing tool for businesses. It has over 200 million active monthly members sharing 60 million images and 1.6 billion likes per day.

A note of caution: there are plenty of people out there who promise to grow your Instagram followers by the thousands, but beware. Most of them use fake accounts created by bots to inflate your numbers.

These types of followers have zero value. In fact, they can even be dangerous, wanting to steal your password or photos or infect you with a virus.

According to the data security company Imperva, these bad bots account for 28.9 per cent of bots on Instagram.

The best way to build your Instagram followers is to check out,how to buy real Instagram followers.

You’re always online and consume large amounts of data from YouTube and frequent Apple Store app downloads. Skype video calls is what you look for when you think of communicating with someone. You need Internet Value 50 or Internet Value 75.

maxis iphone4s plan heavy

The latter allows you a very comfortable 3.5 GB of data per month and with this plan, you’ll get an iPhone4S 16GB from only RM 1,990 with a 24 month contract. However, if this describes you, a 16GB iPhone4S won’t be enough, will it? 😉

All those apps you download needs to go somewhere so go for an iPhone4S 64GB from only RM 2,690!

Type #3

www maxis

You already have a plan with Maxis. Now, all you need is Internet so add Mobile Internet to your existing plan and get an iPhone4S from as low as RM 1,750!

There are two plans to choose from – depending on your data usage habits – Mobile Internet 1GB and Mobile Internet 3GB.

maxis iphone4s plan internet

You can tether your iPhone4S to your notebook for instant HSDPA access when you’re out and about or use it as a Wireless AP so keep that in mind when you’re an existing Maxis Value Plus user adding on a Mobile Internet plan. Find out more about the new Maxis iPhone4S Rate Plans.

wireless ap iphone4s

It’s very useful both for work and play, being able to have your very own wireless hotspot so you can be connected using your notebook or tablet anywhere 24/7. 🙂

Old friends, new friends

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welcome

Welcome to the Friendliest Day of the Year!

st pats girls

I went bright and early to the St Patrick’s 2012 celebration at Changkat Bukit Bintang. It’s my third St Patrick’s Day celebration – to which I’ve rallied every single consecutive year since 2010. 😀

hie ming

…and guess who I bumped into? Hie Ming, a classmate of mine from Sibu which I haven’t seen since I went to NZ in 1996! A meeting of old friends is always a good portent of things to come.

st pat 2012

The street started filling up as the night went on…

drinking guinness

…as we enjoyed pints of Guinness on tap.

arthurs lounge

Arthur’s Lounge – I was quite excited to go in, since someone told me there will be a nice surprise inside. There was in fact, more than one.

perfect pint

I had a go at pouring the perfect pint…

workshop

…while personalized Guinness pint glasses with our names engraved on it were made.

personalized pint glass

It’s like Santa’s workshop for adults! There were heaps of people involved in the making of my very own pint glass.

personalized pint

I can bring this around to pubs and fill it up with the black stuff and it’ll never get lost coz…it has my name on it. It says “Huai Bin”. 😀

poloroid

There were street performers and buskers and people going around snapping Polaroid photos. It was a very merry experience indeed.

rachel

I bumped into Rachel…

harleys

…and beheld the wonder of a procession of Harleys driving into Changkat Bukit Bintang with a troupe of performers bringing up the rear.

next year

The night ended with an awesome display of fireworks and I have to say, I haven’t had this much fun since the last St Patrick’s Day. The Friendliest Day of the Year? I would say so. I met old friends and made new ones, and that’s what this year’s St Patrick’s Day is all about! (and also getting into the Guinness Book of Records)

why so serious

What about the record? Check it out for yourself!

evelyn

I raise my (currently empty) personalized pint glass in anticipation of next year’s celebrations, where I aim to bring it and fill it with drink. 😀

FML moments in life

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I have been recognized and talked to at the most unexpected and weirdest places since I’ve started blogging in 2002.

toilet

I remember one guy who thought it was perfectly normal to talk to me while I was in the middle of taking a leak with him doing the same at the next stand up cubicle.

There was no privacy barrier in that toilet.

He said he has always wanted to meet me and finally managed to. I thanked him and we shook hands. I don’t remember if the shaking hands part was before or after we washed our hands.

I have a strong suspicion it was right after we respectively relieved ourselves.

I appreciate everyone that reads my blog, I just thought it was really funny.

Since then I have learned not to wear my tatty, comfortable clothes out and always brush my teeth even if it’s a short walk to the corner grocery shop to get some milk.

I once bumped into someone eating at the restaurant downstairs right before the convenience store. I just woke up and thought I’ll just change and brush my teeth later.

tatty shirt

I literally froze and was tempted to run away when I saw this hot girl waving enthusiastically at me and calling out “Hey, you’re the Sixthseal guy right?”

(This reminds me of how everyone can manage to remember my blog name but not my real name but that’s another story)

Anyway, I reluctantly walked over coz I was very self-conscious with my two day old body odor (didn’t shower the night before after partying right after work) and said hello. I had bak jui sai (eye gunk), bad breath and I stink all over.

I’m quite sure I made a really bad first impression.

bloggers

It’s quite normal to be recognized by readers and photographed while out and about if you’re a public blogger. I’ve had anything from bank tellers to flight attendants to cinema ticket booking counter clerks saying hello and telling me how they like my reading my blog.

I thank everyone who comes up to me and says that, it’s nice to feel appreciated. It has also made me more conscious about my appearance so I dress properly, brush my teeth and put on deodorant before I head out.

The problem with the last bit is that it tends to leave an ugly stain on your clothes. Even most of the ones who claim not to stain your clothing does. I want to be confident and be my usual self while I’m out, not trying to hide my deodorant stain while pretending to listen to the conversation when in actual fact I’m trying to think of ways to explain why I’m shifting around and keeping my hands around my body to hide the stain.

I’m not trying to act cool okay. I’m actually a very nice and friendly person in real life. Really. 🙂

The problem with using deodorants
(below is an over-the-top reenactment ;))

white stains

Deodorants produces white marks on dark clothes (directly after application) and yellow stains on light colored clothes over time. The latter will never wash off. You should see the amount of my white shirts that has a yellow patch under my armpits!

This happens because deodorants creates a coat on the skin that does not absorb instantly. Thus, when it is mixed with sweat, it stains white and black clothes. However, the new NIVEA For Men Invisible For Black & White Deodorant has a formulation that allows for quick absorption so it does not stain black OR white clothes! 😀

Thus, I’ve found a solution to the deodorant problem and its name is NIVEA For Men Invisible For Black & White Deodorant. It’s a new product and the only one that can prevent white stains on black tops and reduce yellow stains on white or light colored shirts.

I have seen people scrutinize photos at blogger parties and laugh in offices while they gather their coworkers, with everyone looking at that stain in your armpit. It’s very visible in flash photography. You don’t want to be one of the people in the photos. I’ve heard very mean things said about them. 😉

Things to do in Western Australia

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Perth skyline

I have a lot of high school friends studying in Perth when I was doing my university in Melbourne.
During one of the Easter long weekends, a bunch of us decided to fly to Western Australia. The journey was quite epic but that’s a story for another time.

pinaccles

Well, we had so much fun in Perth that we actually stayed a week and skipped all the lectures and tutorials back in Victoria. I had resigned myself to convince some of the more academically minded friends to stay on and miss a week’s worth of classes, but they really didn’t need much convincing. It was a lot of fun!

nightlife

Totally worth it. 🙂

surfing

Fun Fact: Perth has the longest sunshine hours of any other capital city in Australia!

Perth

The Greenhouse

You can enjoy the extra hours of daylight by lounging in one of the chic cafes that has been sprouting around the CBD area. The Greenhouse is one of the funkiest restaurants in town with food and wine winning rave reviews. I’ll love to check out this place!

Shopping on King Street

Shop at King’s Street – the home of labels like Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co and other high end designer houses. It’s also the perfect place to take a “I was here” photo.

Helvetica

You can relax and unwind with a drink at the very chic Helvetica after all that. Hitting all the designer bars can be a huge task, but do not be daunted, and go forth with a stout heart. 😉

Fremantle

Fremantle

Just a 30- minute drive away from Perth lies the quaint port of Fremantle. Don’t forget to eat at Cicerello’s Fish and Chips – it has a great commanding view of the Fremantle’s famous harbor and I’m telling you, you haven’t been to Perth if you haven’t eaten at Cicerello’s. It was one of the main reasons we went there – to see what the fuss is all about and we weren’t disappointed!

Wash down all that with some of the amber brew at the Little Creatures boutique microbrewery…

Fremantle buskers

…and walk off all those calories by browsing through the stalls at the 100-year-old Fremantle Markets and watching buskers (street performers) in action. Plan your trip to coincide with Friday to Sunday though coz that’s when the markets open.

Swan Valley

Duckstein Brewery in Swan Valley

Where’s the first place a couple of college kids head to the moment they’re in Perth? Swan Valley! It has FOUR microbreweries for those who love their beer. If you’re partial to vino, you’ll be pleased to know that it’s the oldest wine producing area in Western Australia too!

Henley Park Wines

Go for a vineyard tour with wine tastings to experience the best Swan Valley has to offer.

Rottnest Island

Cycling on Rottnest

This car-free island is the perfect getaway from the city! There are pristine beaches and bays and it’s just a short high speed ferry ride from Perth.

Rottnest

You can also experience the local wildlife after a long day of swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing at the beaches.

Rottnest Island quokkas

There’s something for everyone who loves the great outdoors – I strongly suggest you go sea kayaking. Powering over the surf can be a very rewarding experience! BTW, that’s a quokka you see in the foreground. What’s a quokka? It’s a marsupial like kangaroos and wallabies, except they’re around the size of a domestic cat. It’s mainly found in the smaller islands off Western Australia, especially Rottnest Island.

South West / Margaret River

bottleneck dolphins

Ah…the experiences you can take home in this region are unparalleled. There’s the Dolphin Discovery Center in Bunbury where you can interact with bottle nose dolphins.

Busselton Jetty

Stroll down the 145-year-old Busselton Jetty or ride the train to the end of the jetty and descend 8 meters below sea level to see the marine life right in front of your eyes.

Valley of Giants

Walk 40 meters above the ground amidst 400 year old trees along the Valley of Giants Treetop Walk!

jewel cave

Follow that up by going *down* down under with the trio of amazing caves – Lake, Mammoth and Jewel.

Coral Coast

Adrenaline junkies, adventure lovers and seekers of the weird and wonderful features of nature rejoice! For thou have reached the Eden of all that you have dreamt of.

The Pinnacles

The Pinnacles is an amazing natural formation that would strike wonder into your hearts. It certainly did the first time I went there. Definitely a must visit.

Get up close and personal with wild dolphins at Ningaloo Reef! It doesn’t get much better than this.

Sandboarding at Lancelin

Marvel at the sand dunes at Lancelin…and then sandboard down! It’s certainly one for the bucket list for all adrenaline seekers.

Upcoming Events

Sculpture by the Sea

Sculpture by the Sea, Cottlesloe
1-19 March
Cottlesloe Beach, Perth

This beach will be transformed into a stunning sculpture park with more than 70 artists, both local and international. Best of all? It’s free!

Sculptures by the beach

Margaret River Wine Region Festival
13-16 April
Margaret River

This five day celebration of wine, food, art, music and lifestyle is a festival featuring events from Augusta to Busselton. It’s a street fiesta that no self-respecting foodie would miss!

Truffle Kerfuffle
16 June
Manjimup

This festival celebrates the wonderful gourmet item known, loved and treasured throughout the world – black truffles! There will everything from cooking classes to truffle hunts and if you’re looking for something just a little bit different from the standard tour offerings – THIS IS IT! 🙂

The Natural Bridge

Hungry and raring to go to Perth? Purchase a package at MATTA Travel Fair from 16-18 March and receive an “Extraordinary Deals” booklet worth up to AUD 2,000 in savings and a Western Australian gift pack!

Suspended table Lake

There is just too much awesomeness going on in Western Australia at any given time that it’s impossible to list everything down. Surf over to westernaustralia.com for more information, links and start planning your itinerary!

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