Residing in sunny Singapore where the food is great, weather is either too hot or too wet, where the worst drivers in the world are found and cars prices so high that car owners feel they own the road.
Start of school holidays (unofficial...hehe), a strategically placed Deepavali that created a 3 day long weekend, a need to stretch the muscles on my bike, a familiar riding buddy. Plus a last minute 'yes' by my dear to go along with me. This are the ingredients that created my virgin trip to Thailand in my 'new' bike, and also a virgin trip for my dear to Thailand.
Set off on Friday night. To be frank, it wasn't an ideal time because I have no time to rest at all. Cleared the slight jam at Tuas, reach GP Esso at 2300. Set off at 2330 for the 700 km journey.
We only needed a total of 3 stops: Ayer Keroh, Rawang and Sg. Perak but due to the cold wind, tiredness and as well as an urgent need to pee by my riding buddy, we stopped at Simpang Pulai too.
As mentioned, I didn't not have sufficient rest and was dozing off as I ride along the boring NS highway. The cold mist after Rawang only fueled by desire to sleep. After a long struggle, we decided to stop at a restaurant along route 76 (towards Gerik ) for breakfast and some recharging.
Cleared the Thai border with ease though I was highly amused with this weird 'warning' sign. Checked into hotel at 1000 hrs, rest, massage, lunch, rest again.
Betong is a small town just 7 km from the border. After 2 days here, I understand why is there even any tourists or visitors to this place:
Attractions, such as a hot spring and a historical site featuring tunnels and artefacts from communist guerillas that used to station here.
Language is not a barrier. Many can speak Cantonese, Chinese or Melayu.
Man (mainly malaysians I guess) looking for cheap booze, hotels and women. Quite a number of PRC 'mistress' accompanying these man though. Wow, China is even competing with Thailand in this selective trade....
Betong hot spring.
Some flower garden. Not impressive at all.
Entrance to the tunnel
Inside the tunnel.
The red thing in the background is the world largest mailbox....
Some say this is the longest tunnel in Thailand. Approx 100 m....
There are of course some interesting stuff that may go unnoticed by many except by weirdo parang here, such as....
...nice mountain roads leading to the tunnel...
...giant millipede, and
...thousands of birds that will rest on ALL the electrical and telephone cables at evening time. And decorating the cars parked below them.
No photos of the vice trade and PRC mistress though...my gf with me lah!
Yup, it seems cycling is not a basic skill which I assume all able-bodied individuals are able to execute. Here's my colleague finally getting it after a gruelling 2 hours practice session.
Comparing SPC, Caltex and Esso/Mobil, with my DBS, HSBC and Citibank credit card discounts.
Caltex is the cheapest for me, for now, with a full 10% discount. Although it's only a $0.25 per 5 litres of petrol cheaper, but every cent counts now in this 'energy crisis' period!
After eyeing this phone for almost 6 months, I finally gave in and bought it a few days ago. Persuasion by namely a $100 voucher from M1, as well as the fact that the price of the phone has been very consistent for the past 3 mths.
So to FULLY abuse my very expensive toy, a new blog is created to house photos I took with my phone. Call it's snowparang's personal version of Stomp if you will. I present to you:
The four aspects that make up this personality type are:
Summary of Resolvers
Good at getting to the heart of a problem and quickly finding a solution
Make rational decisions using the facts available
Think of themselves as understanding, stable and easy-going
May focus on short-term results and lose sight of the big picture
More about Resolvers
Resolvers are independent people who quietly learn how things work by analysing large amounts of information. Should a problem arise, they solve it with as little fuss as possible. Resolvers are only interested in abstract ideas, if they can be used to solve a problem quickly.
Resolvers like to take risks: Many of them seek jobs and pastimes that put them in harms way and guarantee an adrenaline rush.
Resolvers are often tolerant of behaviour different to their own as long as their values aren't compromised. They sometimes give the impression that they agree with other peoples' viewpoints because they don't actively disagree.
In situations where they can't use their talents or are unappreciated, Resolvers may become cynical, negatively critical or put off decisions. Under extreme stress, Resolvers could be prone to inappropriate, tearful outbursts.
Resolvers are quiet and sometimes it is difficult to get to know them; however, they often talk freely about subjects they understand well.
Resolver Careers
Resolvers are often drawn to hands-on jobs that require an analytical mind and careful organisation of large amounts of data. Resolvers have changed jobs most frequently since leaving full-time education, according to a UK survey.
