MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

After the initial hiccup (punctuality issue) the whole trip went smoothly according to plan. The first stop was the dragon fruit orchard. The panoramic view of the whole orchard can be seen from the upper floor of the Barn. With a prevailing breeze it was a nice cool place. Unfortunately the stench from the chicken manure stored uncomfortably close by was just too overpowering. The dragon fruit was not in season but nevertheless we had a bountiful harvest of the passion fruit growing at the fringe of the orchard. The place would be a lot more attractive if there were more variety of fruits growing.

It was past noon when we reached the UK Agro Farm and there was already a sizeable crowd of visitors. The conducted tour would take 2-3 hours and the frozen pre packed lunch available was not attractive compared to the beef noodle awaiting us in Kluang. Even the queue for the horse ride was an hour long. So after a quick look around, and we managed to catch the sheep dog in action, we were on our way to Kluang.

We were in a convoy of 6 cars, so tailing each other in fairly heavy traffic condition was quite difficult. It ended up with 3 of the cars losing their way. Getting lost in this small town can be quite embarrassing especially when this is our home town. On the other hand, it shows that Kluang has developed, expanded and changed significantly.

The highlight of the trip was to climb Gunung Lambak and the weather cooperated beautifully. It was a good workout for all. Some managed to reach the foothill, some managed to the mid station and 7 of us managed to climb to the summit. With hardly any time to train, it was a difficult climb. Hence, the feat could be considered a great personal milestone, an achievement to be proud of. So despite the bruises and aches and pains all over, it was well worth the sacrifice.

The other highlight was of course the gastronomic binge or eating frenzy in Kluang. Within 48 hours we consumed in total 76 cups of coffee, 53 sets of roti bakar, 38 bowls of beef noodles and 26 bowls of Tung Yuan and not forgetting the wild boar curry and fresh water fish we had in Kahang. Even when we had rush back to KL on Monday, we managed to squeeze in breakfast at the Kluang Railway Station at 9:00AM and Tangkak Beef Noodle for lunch at 10:00AM. The car was definitely a few kilos heavier on the return journey than when we left Subang Jaya on Saturday. It looks like I will have to skip a few lunches this week.

All things considered I think it was a good family bonding trip.

simon 29 dec 2010

New Year Eve Potluck Party

New Year Eve Potluck Party

Date : 31-12-2010 (Friday)
Time : 7.30 pm
Venue : Ah Mah's House

Please post your dishes here :
1. Simon - Fish, Dessert & Passion Fruit Drink
2. Maria aka Madam Lian - Mutton & Vege

UK Agro Farm

I have checked the internet on the agro farm in our itinerary and it is actually called the UK Agro Farm. It claims to be the largest goat/sheep farm in Malaysia with 4000 sheep producing among others goat milk, cheese, ice cream, etc. Besides that, there is a 15 acre passion fruit orchard, an ostrich park and an organic farm. Apparently there are also horse carts for rides. For more information you can check out their website at http://ukfarm.com.my.

simon

CHRISTMAS RENDEZVOUS – PICNIC ATOP GUNUNG LAMBAK

Plans are underway for the Ng Family trip to Kluang during the Christmas weekend. 18 people have confirmed but the registration in still open to those who yet to sign up. We will be going in 5 cars.

- HP,KC, NC & TH
- TC, Jean, WC & PW
- HK, KM, Nancy & Ah Mah
- Sam, SC & EH
- Simon, Angela & ML

THE PROPOSED ITINERARY

Saturday 25th December 2010
6:30AM - Depart KL
8:45AM - Breakfast at Yong Peng (Fish cake noodle)
9:30AM - Conducted Tour of Dragon Fruit Orchard (Ayer Itam)
10:30AM - Visit EU Agro Resort (8th Mile Ayer Hitam – Kluang Road)
12:30PM - Lunch (Kluang renowned Beef Noodle)
2:00PM - Check into Chalets/Hotel/Sunrise Park (Sam to arrange)
3:00-6:00PM – Free time: Shopping/Resting/Mahjong/etc.
7:00PM - Christmas Dinner (Sam to arrange)

Sunday 26th December 2010
6:30AM - Assemble to climb up Gunung Lambak (Compulsory for those above 10 and under 40 years old. Optional for senior citizens)
7:30AM - Morning walk around foothill of GL (senior citizens & toddlers)
12:30PM - Lunch: Tangkak Beef Noodle/ Kluang Railway Station
1:30-2:30PM - Rest time/wash hair/reflexlogy/massage.
3:00PM - Return to KL (those going home) /Trip to Kahang (those staying)

For those who plan to trek up the mountain a bit of background information on the task ahead might be useful. Gunung Lambak is 510m above sea level. The first part some 5-600m long, from the car park to the foothill is an easy walk along a concrete path. After that it is just a dirt track. The final 400m steep ascend up to the summit is the difficult part. During the raining season the trek can turn muddy and slippery. For those who are comparatively fit, the climb up to the top and down should take about 2 hours. Those who are a bit out of shape would probably require 3-4 hours. People with medical conditions should consult their doctors first before attempting to scale to the summit.

To prepare for the climb a pair of good running shoes or trekking boots would be essential. It would also be sensible to bring along a light raincoat, insect repellent, sunscreen, walking stick and a first aid kit.

Due to the short notice we have hardly any time to prepare and condition ourselves for the climb. To a bunch of senior citizens and unfit city folks the mission to climb Gunung Lambak will be a daunting challenge. I climbed Mt. Kinabalu more than 20 years ago and since then have not climbed anything more than a few flights of stairs. The spirit might be willing but the flesh might be weak. We shall see. If we do succeed in the challenge, the achievement should be duly recorded and celebrated with a champagne picnic at the summit.

simon ng - 20/12/2010

SINGAPORE- KLUANG

On the return journey I preset the GPS destination to Kluang. I had presumed the same route back through the causeway but the GPS seemed to have a mind of its own and it did not bother to inform me too. Following its direction I was surprised when it led us to the 2nd link Tuas bridge. Anyway, it turned out to be the right decision. The route was almost deserted and crossing back into Johor was a breeze.

The drive from JB to Kluang was only about an hour. Fortunately, the Tangkak beef noddle shop was still opened at 3:00p.m. Whether you are looking for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner or supper, food in Kluang is cheap and yummy. Definitely a foodie paradise. For those who prefer shopping, Kluang Mall is the latest Shopping Complex in town.

The morning walk at the foothill of Gunung Lambak brought back a flood wave of nostalgia. To recall those happy carefree teenage days, when we would climb and camp at the mountain. I will definitely love to scale the mountain once more and relive the memories. The foothill has been transformed (see pictures) and is now called the Kluang Eco-Park with swimming pool and chalets for rental.

We have been talking about a Ng Family holiday for quite some time now. Kluang, our hometown is definitely a sentimental and worthwhile destination. It is only a 2.5 hours drive from KL, so a 2days/1 night weekend trip will suffice. I am sure Sam will be more than happy to plan out the itinerary, including climbing Gunung Lambak of course. Possible dates are this Christmas weekend or during the Chinese New Year holidays. I need some enthusiastic response.

simon 10/12/2010

KL-SINGAPORE

The journey from KL to Singapore took about 4 hours including coffee break at Ayer Keroh and fishcake noodle lunch at Yong Peng. We reached the Woodland causeway around 1:00 p.m. Our timing really sucks. It was a Saturday and there was a massive long queue going into Singapore. It took us nearly 2 hours to clear the immigration check point and to get an Autopass. It must have been at least 15-20 years since I last drove to Singapore. Fortunately, we had a trusty (borrowed) GPS to guide us. Following the mechanical voice guidance we easily navigated our way to 3rd Auntie’s apartment in Choa Chu Kang without much hassle. My only grudge with the GPS was that it took a long time for the satellite to locate its global position. The 2 aunties took us out for an early dinner at a restaurant within the old turf club that night. After that the 4 of us took the MRT down to Orchard Road to see the much touted Christmas Lights.

The next day, 4th Uncle’s daughter picked up Ah Mah and SC to visit the old relatives. With only 1 day to cover the whole of Singapore, we wisely asked ML to check the tourist map and decide on the itinerary while I handled the logistic. We took the MRT to the Science Centre (boring recommendation) and from there proceed by bus to Chinatown (another wrong choice). Everywhere you turn in Chinatown and People’s Park you see Chinese migrant workers and retired senior citizens, very much like our Petaling Street in KL. The food we tried at the Food Court tasted rather mediocre. The only saving grace was the dessert stalls that offered a wide variety of colorful and mouth-watering desserts.

The esplanade at the Marina Bay will be a nice place for a stroll in the late evening and night but we were dead tired by then. ML’s obsession to ride the Ferris wheel could not be fulfilled because of the ongoing maintenance works. We took a taxi ride to an MRT station and from there proceeded back to Orchard Road for dinner. After 12 solid hours on the move, nobody was keen to shop. The only shopping we did was the last minute buying spree at the Shopping Centre near 3rd Auntie’s place. Actually there was nothing worth buying but coming back empty handed was not an option so the ladies went into a shopping frenzy in a nondescript Japanese shop. The heavy water cushions were supposed to have a cooling effect but definitely not suitable for use in the car. If you park the car under the sun you will end up sitting on a hot water bottle. It might be comfortable if you are driving in Japan during the winter months.

simon

10 dec 2010

TRIP TO SINGAPORE

Simon, ML, Angela, Siew Ching and Ah Mah will be driving down to Singapore this Saturday 4/12. Ah Mah to visit her eldest sister who is in a hospital in S'pore. We are going along for a short holiday. We intend to spend 2 nights in S'pore and on the way back stop 1 night in Kluang for beef noddle. Sam will also be in Kluang this weekend. Anyone else interested to join in? Coming Tues, Awal Muharram is a public holiday.

REPLY ASAP in the CBox.

simon 2/12/2010