Virgo SuperStar Cruise

Remember the drunk saga I got into in May?


the corridor which I stumbled back to my room


Well, this was where the story began.




I wanted to take a cruise since I grew out as a kid.

I remembered following my parents to cruise all the time when I was little and having them left me at the slot machine and a bundle of money while they headed into the casino for some adult game. pfft.




But I didn't care. I loved the slot machine, I loved how it always surprised me when the coins would stumble out when I hit something right, and every single slot I pulled was full of anticipation.

I loved how there's always a section for kids and I remembered there was a clown who'd always entertained all of us minors.

Then there was the endless buffet.




Oh yes, the buffet, the happiness of eating endlessly. I don't think I can do that anymore.

I don't remember much of the rooms though, since it was a time where we didn't need or asked to sleep early. It was a glimpse of adult freedom for me.




So this year, I booked myself a cruise to no where (high sea) with Cookie to relive some of my childhood memories.


No longer a child



trying to become a kid again, oh look, I look like myself in my camera.


Since the only cruise one can take in this region is Superstar Cruise, and they no longer serve Klang Port boarding, we made a trip down to Singapore to board the cruise.


waiting at Vivocity



having lunch while waiting for our time to board


Once we got on the cruise, after going through a series of passport submission and H1N1 checks, we made it into the room.


cookie hogging the bed


Cookie immediately went to combine the bed so he can have a bigger space to sleep on.

Distraught, I fought with Cookie and got the better of him.


Cookie defeated in the corner.


If anything else, but hall was grander than I last anticipated.










But then it was a dutch cruise I took last time and the ship was much bigger and services were superb. Every staff including the performers was a gorgeously made up foreigner.


asking for a ship map at the reception


We strolled the entire cruise the first day/evening, on top of the deck, we found a large swimming which we've sworn to swim in but never did.




Next to it was a hot jacuzzi and water slide.







Which we wanted to try but never did either. Sigh~




There's a lot to do on the cruise. It's like staying in a big fat resort which all the facilities you can have, but on the ocean and no one to stop you, quite literally. You phone will be useless out here too.

You can go to the gym to work out all the food you've eaten.




You can play mah jong with your friends, strangers or family.







You can have a drink in the club/bar,




Sing karaoke with old uncles,


celebrity disco - this was where I got drunk


Become a pilot and steet the ship,




go to the library - my favourite place on board.







or eat your heart out multiple times a day till your stomach explodes with all the wonderful delicious buffet. Their food were really delicious despite it's roughly-made outlook.




I was completely thrown off by the capability of all their chefs on board - to prepare food for so many people was not easy, to make it taste nice was a talent.


I know it looked shitty but it's really very nice.


There's also a lot to spend on.

Like souveniers, drinks, more food (even though meals were included in the package four times a day at different restaurants all over the ship, you can pay for own one if you want other selections at odd hours), wines from wine shop and a dozen other ridiculous things which you would only buy when you hit jackpot in the casino.






Say, a 50 year-old Chivas for example?








Like the highlight of every cruise, there's a Casino. Which would only open when the ship hit high sea and no tax needed to be incurred for opening one.

Here you would find all the Singaporeans and Chinese sitting in front of the closed door waiting for their first gamble.




At night, we went up the deck to look at the beautiful harbour before it departed.




And then it happened. That night I got pissed drunk and forgot what occurred following. (what a way to start a cruise, yea baby, wtf)

All I knew was that I woke up at noon to a nagging hang-over, all body achingly pain with bruises and a face pale as paper.


Trying to smile but I actually felt quite shitty.


So instead we went for lunch at Bella Vista restaurant.







Probably the swankiest restaurant on board too.




We were given several selections for our set lunches on a menu.




And this was what we were presented.




























They looked nice right?
Tasted otherwise. I personally prefer the buffet over this three course meal.

It's either I was affected by my hangover and everything tasted aweful, on top of that I didn't feel like eating at all; or that the food was sucky.

The desserts' not bad though.


We ended the day roaming all over the cruise, visit the casino and sitting on lounges and stared blankly out at sea.





being funky


Then we stored away the camera to enjoy the rest of our stay before retiring to the deck in the evening for an outdoor BBQ.

As expected, it was superb.

Thus ended my 3 days 2 nights cruise at high sea. Le sigh~

(next cruise, year 2012 :p)

Finally back in London.

Just landed in London Stansted two hours ago.

It has now officially been more than 24 hours since I last laid my back on a bed.

God I'm craving for a bed.

The seats in Airasia X has been atrocious. I was eye-ing the first class seaters in their large luxurious comfort sofa with utter envy while I cramped at the economy behind, with a seater too hard and too straight to even doze off on. Though I had to admit this was by far their most comfortable seats. It didn't help that the plane was packed to the brink, with people of all races, not surprisingly a lot of Europeans.

Maybe it's the age. I used to be able to sit through just about any sort of transportation for long hauling hours. Give me 13 hours on a public Laos bus or 24 hours to Bangkok and I'd take it because it saves me a night and I get to rest on the go.

Come to think of it. That was just last year.

Quarter of a century does really take a toll on one's bodily limit. I should reconsider taking a more comfortable journey next time.


The last time I was here (England) was 5 years ago when I graduated. Jeez I miss this place.

Stepping out onto the cold winter air from the airport gave me a sense of belong, not so much at home, but a comfortable familiarity that I had once stayed here, walk amongst the people here, hearing the deep quirky ascent they have and shop at the local mart as if it were my neighborhood.

Those days were long gone. This return, I'm back as a tourist. All it left were bittersweet memories on the streets where I've once roamed, the houses I've once passed by and the supermarkets I've once waited for after hours discounts.


Anyway... it's 2am now. I should be getting to bed. Nite~!

And Good Morning to fellow Malaysian readers!

First Year + Two Days

Sorry if I've been absent for the past few days.

I'm flying off later today at 3:30pm to London to embark on my two months Europe trip (considering it making it one month plus instead of two, too long a journey can be depriving). Yet to pack, what is new.

Tentative countries that I'll be passing: England (London to be exact), France, Spain, and Portugal. If you're in this region and want to meet up, shoot me a mail. nicootan@gmail.com

Anyone stays in Southern France and drives? I wanna go to Bordeaux!



The past week has just been amazing. The last two days was the pinnacle of this wondrous two weeks.

And I found myself ignorant of the rest of the world for the first time. To be able to cast everything out of my mind, and focus only on one.

Everything was perfect. Perfectly lazy, perfectly aimless, and it was beautiful.




One year. That was the period. From the day I stood and leaped from the cliff, and found myself diving into Eden's waterfall. Instead of drowning, I discovered euphoria.

Since, I have unfolded layer upon layer of cloud nine.

And there were hardship, yes there was. There still is.

Though even with doubt, I go on with life, with this, as if it were my last everyday. So challenge me if you will, fate. I am not afraid of what lies ahead, be it darkness or hope, as of present, I do not fear you. For I've always been hard-headed, and accepted the last could be the next day, the next hour, the next minute. Experience has taught me to be receptive and adaptive toward pain and sorrow, and loneliness can be nurturing when befriended.

Obstacles to happiness can only be seen as obstacles when regarded as.

With or without thy blessings, two days ago was a celebration of the past, the process and the unknown yet appealing future.


He drove up to the mountains on which I first saw our first sunrise, and brought back petals that I loved so much (which I used for my bubble bath the next day).




And ended the day with our favourite genre of food.




Dressed to the nines, I wore the dress I'd worn the first day he claimed love at first sight sparked.




It was simple. But meaningful.

Perth - Little Creatures

After leaving Christchurch and New Zealand altogether behind, I've flown back to Australia via Melbourne and landed myself in Perth.


I know this map shows that I flew straight from Christchurch to Perth which was actually untrue since I did pass by Melbourne for a transit, but I'm too lazy to change now.


Perth was beautiful, immaculately modern and clean and new.

Despite the many proclamation on how it's boring and nothing compare to Melbourne, greeting a modernized sky scraping city in the face wasn't quite what I expected.




Perth was busting with new age folks and many people of different races from different parts of the world. It's like walking through "A Small World".




There were street performers, statue lady and band playing everywhere.





hey little girl, I'll give you some candy but don't tell your mama



Standing in the middle of the city.


Hello from Perth.




I met up with two girls in Perth. This time not readers but instead friends of friends (who eventually are my friends too).

First one being Fayth Tiah (photo of her will come later in the blog),
know her through her brother initially (guess who else is Tiah)

The second one was Pei Wen, Fayth's friend and coincidentally, Casey's friend too.

A quirky personality that has swam of guys over her year after year.


Hello Pei Wen.


I had a quick tour around town on my too-short-a-trip in Perth by Pei Wen,
since Fayth was busy that day.

She brought me to see the bell tower, an iconic building in Perth and apparently Western Australia that tourists have swarm in to see every day. Read up the details in the link.










Inside you'd find historical large bells that still rang for its people, well for tourists more like.




Considering it was more tourists who rang it.


A floor below.





On the observational deck, you would see the skyline of Perth 360 degree.





Ferris wheel next to it. Didn't get the chance to sit on that one.


Or really just 260 degree of Perth, since you're facing the sea.


Oh deym, looks like it's going to rain. Better get going.


I like this meaningful? meaningless? pole...







My favourite building in the city was this cottage looking shop smacked in the middle of the city,




which was why I loved it. It was smacked IN THE MIDDLE of the city,




between two really tall buildings that made it looked so out of place but ironically cute.

That night we met up with Fayth who drove us out of town to the infamous brewery Little Creatures.

It was where I fell in love with Little Creatures and began to appreciate beers like how I appreciate wine.




Many have mentioned to me due to my arrival in Perth to visit the infamous Little Creatures, somehow it just didn't register in my mind back then it was the actual brewery of Little Creatures the BEER. (I was thinking about a place >_<)

To mentione that it's a brewery was an understatement, it was more like a factory to me!




The place was HUGE!! and ever so crowded!!

We ordered Little Creatures Pale Ale at half a pint, which was my favourite thus far.




Fayth was so cute. She was craving for sticky date pudding non stop and she wouldn't rest commenting and fidgeting over it till she ordered and have some sticky date pudding.

Now everytime I think of sticky date pudding, she springs to mind. And it made me wanna try the damn cake. LOL

This was also when my camera was running out of battery. T_T

So quickly I took my last opportunity before the batt die to camwhore with Fayth before continue enjoying the rest of our evenings.
PS// Perth was getting pretty cold by then, so staying in for beer was the best idea one can have.



must I really use flash T_T





There. Satisfied.

Everyone, meet Fayth - the breakdancing wonder, Caryn's best friend.

Christchurch - The Last Leg

*update* review of dim sum restaurant in this post has been updated in my food blog.

I arrived at my final leg in New Zealand - Christchurch adopting a new concept for masking tape.




My host in Christchurch taught me that the best way to not get your wallet stolen was by making your very own wallet from the cheapest material you can find in a stationery shop. (He lost his previous LV wallet)







After hitch hiking down from Marlborough with a random German couple, I met up with Danny, my reader and host in Christchurch. A sweet sensitive guy whom you should be dialing his number right now to ask for a date.







while I comfortably sat in his car as he drove me around Christchurch.




We went out of town to take the gondola up the Port Hills to see the beautiful landscape Christchurch takes pride in.







The ride cost us NZD44 for two. Not a cheap ride, but definitely worth while considering there up there were really spectacular.










The cafe's food quite delicious. A great place for an afternoon tea.







From the summit, you can catch a glimpse of Akaroa - a historic French and British settlement nestled in the heart of an ancient volcano.




If you have the transport and time here in Christchurch, take a day trip 85 km east to Akaroa to bask in the beauty of what's left by two erupted volcanoes.




The place was first sighted by Captain Cook in 1770 and was then was settled by French in the mid 1800.

Get a jacket when you visit the summit, it's windy.




I mean really windy.

Now my Christchurch experience can be summed up in two: Food




& Culture.




Danny's parents own a very neat dim sum restaurant in Christchurch which he brought me there for lunch one day.




The restaurant is called Foo San. You should go and support our countrymen's business in foreign land.

He also brought me to sample some of Christchurch's finest desert in a local popular dessert cafe - Strawberry Fare.




Where we indulged in crazily sinful rich and moist cakes (keep a look out for my food blog soon for this one too).




At night we would sit at home in front of his big ass flat screen and sip wine and eat cheese with chutney while watching Slumdog Millionaire. Kiwi life, one has got to love it.

Danny's mom is one of those rare friendly awesome moms who allowed her son to invite travellers from all over the world to come to their house and stay and eat for free. They have a way to make you feel most at home that you can't help but to feel embarrassed.

Just before me, Danny hosted a Hong Kong traveller for a week who was visiting Christchurch in the guest room I was staying then.

Speaking of his house, he has a typical tree-hugging organic kiwi backyard where you can find all the locally produced fruit trees around.

One being the Feijoa fruit tree.







Amongst many other fruits too.





lemons, not lime.





Before I leave the city and country altogether, I was brought on a walking tour around Christchurch to see some of the typical tourist spots you'll find in town.

Like the famous Christchurch Art Gallery.




And its famous colorful staircase. Which we shamelessly took millions of photos on.





Danny jumps



Nicole jumps (photographer fails)






distant Danny



near Danny



cool pose


And then the guards came and we had to run. :p


Then we visited the Cathedral Square.




Where you'll find the strange metal sculpture in the centre in front of the Cathedral.




And a shot of me with one of the hundreds of similar Cathedral I've seen around the world.




And the inside.




And the pope's chair.




I'm just guessing. I don't think it's the pope's chair.


Fallen angel.


Then continue to act silly almost everywhere else, Danny being my ally.




If you can't tell, I'm imitating the angel with the sword at the top.

I also spotted Captain Cook somewhere near a fountain area.




Well, that's the end of my long New Zealand trip.

With that, I left Christchurch and headed back to Australia.

But not before heading toward Perth before flying back to Malaysia as my final stop.


Bye bye Christchurch. I lup you. *hug*




Yes I know. I'm loony.

Painting with Nippon Paint

note: home lovers will love this

Weeks ago I attended the Nippon Paint workshop in KL convention centre where the Home Décor 2009 was held.


All the things you need in a house





Together with a bunch of bloggers, we sat through a talk course about how to paint your house with colors, etc.








No smile



Smile


It was an interesting talk by both charming presenters Ms Gladys Goh and Ms Wong Meng Lee about colors and what do they signify or represent.




It also taught us how to pick and mix-match the colors when deciding to paint a room/item/house.




Never knew painting a house could require so much knowledge, and I honestly though decorating and furnishing the house was the difficult part.

Here are a few fun color facts for those home lovers out there. Or for those who likes colors and love furnishings.




I like blue. Just don’t really like it in a room. It’s kinda.. moody for me.

And I realized how nice green is when painted on a wall. I always thought it would be really dodgy and odd. You know, one of those peculiar colors.




I like this yellow + green settings below too.


O definitely love this design



Reminds me of those cozy guesthouses in Europe. ^^


Then there’s a sexy red.




Which this design here makes it really classy and expensive.




Speaking of expensive, purple is definitely my favorite expensive-looking color.


They always looks so elegant regardless


I stayed in this resort hotel in Thailand once and it’s all purple and white. I LOVED that hotel so much.

This following design reminds me of Nuffnang office Malaysia.


No wonder their whole office is orange in color


Though I wouldn’t mind it in a house if the furnishings can be as nice as this next photo.


The one of the left, not right. Not too orange-y please.


Then there’s the typical pink.




I like pink. A lot. Though I don’t really show it.

Maybe because it doesn’t really suit me, who knows. But I love the color to bits! All my ipods are in pink.

Though somehow my current room color is a bit purple-ish. (purple used to be my childhood favourite, now it has become white, well, and pink)


But I have to say, when it comes to a furnishing a house. My ultimate favourite is still BROWN… and WHITE.




Not just any brown.
Light brown.

I mean, I like the woody Balinese style feel that most darker shade of brown can bring out, but I always think that Balinese/woody style should belong to a home-stay/resort holiday rather than an everyday color.

Like I said, I like lighter brighter colors. Not dark and moody.

Perfect example would be this super marble light brown design here.




OMG swoon! So Medieval Age feel!!

As for white: elegance, simplicity, clean, what’s not to like?




Or maybe I just can’t imagine my future Jacuzzi bathtub to be any other color. It would just be soooo wrong~

Come on. A pink bathtub?! /:S


The fun part began when each of us was given a canvas to create our own design, after a very brief talk on the types of design Nippon Paint can create.




I chose a lime green canvas, I thought it looked cool. As in really nice relaxing cool.

So with some creativity, we were off.

I started vigorously taping my masking tape away onto my canvas, in hope to create a base for up-coming design.







Then I took a white Nippon Paint white, my favorite color, from the table filled with assortments of paints.




And a brush.




And painted away I did.





And paint.




And posed for camera.




While I was working hard on my artwork, the rest were busy creating masterpieces of their own.

There was Red Mummy pouring out her creative juice. Or rather, the husband’s.


She was busy taking photos. Lol


Cindy was pasting blue tulips.




Ringo was cutting cheese blocks.




KY was obviously doing up a wall for a girly room.




And.. and… bah. Let the photos do the talking here.





Lovely love



Obviously a lot of people liked the square-masking-tape design



Oh this was unique



This was more like a painting than a paint job for a wall



And many others


(Sorry if your artwork is not here, I didn’t manage to take all with my camera)


And finally, my MASTER PIECE!!

Tell me you like it.


Did you see the kisses on the bottom right area? Hehe. That’s my lipstick prints.


What do you think?

Tell me the truth. No I’m kidding.
Be nice. I can’t handle harsh criticism.

Someone said it looked like Adidas. T_T

Autumn Happiness

Ever realise that when you look through series of movement photos, your imagination will engage you into the photos too?




Since it's autumn season now (in the northern hemisphere), I'll like to share my autumn with everyone (which I had earlier this year in the southern hemisphere).




I've always wanted to do this. Run through the leaves, kicking them around and tossing them up in the air. Stomping on them as you walk pass, not caring if you're leaving a mess because you're already in a whole pile of beautiful mess.

It's like walking in a fairy wonderful. A dream. Wandering into the woods and get lost in your fantasy.




It's even more fun when there are more leaves around. I've once seen a kid on tv jumping into a pile of human height leaves and disappeared into it. Who cares about dirtiness, or making noises, or criticism for reliving your childhood.

It's one of those things that's meant to be fun and meaningless in life.




So when I arrived in Christchurch, I decided to take an afternoon out and indulged in my autumn silliness.

I call it My Autumn Happiness.










And another two dozens or more photos of it.











a happy danny



kicking leaves






more kicking



and more






danny stomping on leafy ground
























fly leaves, fly~


Are you feeling the Autumn Happiness yet? :D



ps// I just realised this series of photos are really matching to my blogskin. :p