Return to Colmar

It is such a relief to know that a quick escape from my house in Gombak was only a half an hour drive. A quick drive up the Karak Highway, a left turn after Genting Sempah stop. The next thing you know, you were already halfway up the hill towards the destination.

And the destination was of course Colmar Tropicale. The last time we went up there was almost a year ago when we spent the night there. Apparently, the hotel had been refurbished and new attractions were opened.

Nice blue skyYoung couples mingling aboutA rather interesting looking statue. This was new as I couldn't recall it being there the last time we were here.Close-up revealed quite an inrticate workThe service to go up towards the Japanese Garden was also revamped. There was now a car park halfway up should you wanted to do your own driving and then do the short climb to the garden. The botanical garden had also been reopened. The buggy which took you up the hill from the hotel now only climbed to the new carpark. So, regardless of whether you drove yourself or took the buggy, the final climb was the same.

Colours everywhereAs well as street singersAs a result, we took the buggy up, and then straight down.

More in Part II

The Curve CNY Decorations

After a full week at work - having to be on call on New Year Day as well as Wednesday, I took the boys out for dinner last night. Destination was The Curve. It had been a while since we were there.

We used to go there rather a lot to eat at Marche. However, since their pizza had turned lousy, we prefer dinner at some other places. Last night it was Bubba Gump. Irfan is a fan of their hot dog.

The main foyer was transformed into a ..... kopitiamThe gateway into the central lobbyThe outdoor walkway where the restaurants were were transformed with these lightingsLooking from above

The Chinese New Year decorations were already up at the main foyer. It was not much there but the lighting at the central walkway where they usually have weekend market was rather nice. It was similar to the lighting at i-City. Very chic. It was crowded even past 9 pm. We had a nice stroll. The boys got some toys from Toys'r'Us. Mum did some window shopping. And I was too tired to do anything much.

The Ikano Power Center just across the road

I was fast asleep as soon as we reached home.

Such Gorgeous Morning

Such nice weather on.my.drive in this morning and I sure home that the rest of my day would be just as sunny. After doing a couple of calls back to back earlier in the week, I could do with a nice relaxing weekend. Anita was talking about a short trip to our apartment in Port Dickson, but I was not sure if that is doable. It certainly had been a while since we last traveled there.

Alternatively, I might take the boys to Genting instead. Either way, I was keen to get out of the city after work tomorrow. I think I deserved it. Now, let get the rounds sorts out.

International Buddy Bear

Last New Year's Eve, I had the chance to visit Pavilion to see in person the much talked about International Buddy Bear on display. It was an international project, displaying murals on a figure of a bear, which since 2004, had travelled around the globe. It is currently in Malaysia and it will be at the main entrance of the Pavilion on Bukit Bintang until late January. It is located around the famous lotus fountain, of you are familiar with Pavilion at all.

The bears were arranged n rows right by the main entrance, around the famous fountainThey were colourful, cute and cuddlyThe bears were arranged alphabetically to the country of originI quite like this Spanish bearWhile the Americans were just stereotypicalThere were a total of close to 180 figures, painted by resident of all countries in the United Nations. The Malaysian Bear, painted by our famous artist Imuda, had mural of children of the main races on the bear's belly, as well as drawings of wau bulan and other local scene. The American Bear was basically a replica of the Statue of Liberty. I quite like the Spanish Bear with its delicate painting.

The Malaysian bear was painted by Imuda. It was located right in the middle, by the fountain.I featured the three races, orangutan and wau bulanI thought all of them were cuteOn the day, the place was teaming with people, posing and taking pictures. It is however still worth the visit, an we were lucky that it was nice and sunny the day we were there. Now is definitely the time to visit Pavilion as a whole especially with the huge dragon decorations they had in the main foyer, in time for the Chinese New Year. Better get my camera gear on the ready.

Settling in School

When I came back home yesterday, Irfan had plenty to say about his new kindergarten class. It was filled up to the brim and there were 30 students all together. The year was split into two classes by the end of the day, and Irfan had his favourite teacher for this year. He also kept harping on about his new friends.

The parents actually looked more anxious than the children Does this mean that we cannot cross the yellow line?As for Idlan, he was still stuck in a class of 25. Apparently, it would be the same through out the year. Personally, for a private school I felt that the size was too big. Idlan always had a problem concentrating when there were noise around him. He did not complaint however yesterday.

Looked all setTime for me to leave the boys ....Anita could not wait until next year when both the boys would be at school from 8 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon. She would get plenty of time for herself. She had been occupied with the boys going back to 2004, and it would be about time that she had some proper time for herself. But knowing her, she would be nosy and continue to worry about her boys.