Mount Kinabalu: Up Close and Personal

Despite being born at a small town at the foot of the majestic Mount Kinabalu, I've never been up to the peak of the mountain. So far, the highest point that I've been to is the first hut or stop up the mountain. These pictures are the closest I got to the peak of the mountain.

During my last trip to Sandakan, I managed to capture the pictures above on my afternoon flight back to Kota Kinabalu. The day before I also took the afternoon flight but sadly took the window seat of the wrong side of the aircraft. Anyway, on the flight back, when I checked-in early and asked for the seat which gets the best view of the Mountain. Thank you to the nice lady at the counter, now I know its seat 8F or 9F for the Boeing 737 flight between Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan. Never take 7F because it has no windows to speak of.

Now that you know, reserve the seat when you buy the ticket or do an early check-in through the web or by arriving early at the airport. Another thing is I suppose it's also be best if you could take the early morning flight (as of now, around 730am from Kota Kinabalu) rather than the afternoon flight. You can see that there's a lot of cloud surrounding the mountain. Have a good view.

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Timeframe

You've probably read his books or saw films based on his books. Yes, this book was written by the late Michael Crichton. I've read a number of his books like Jurassic Park, The Lost World, Andromeda Strain, The State of Fear, Prey and Next.

I read Time Frame because the author of Flight of the Titans, Kenny Kemp, suggested it in his book. If you're interested in the aircraft manufacturing battle between Airbus and Boeing, you should read this book.

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Flight of the Titans

I am into the airline industry. When I was doing my Masters degree, my research papers for my coursework were mostly on or related to this industry. One of my papers got the highest score in my class and another is published in an academic journal.

I found the above book at a book fair. It's an interesting book about the race between Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Airbus is now winning. The A380 is already in service, while the 787 is still on the ground, with both flight test and (subsequently) delivery to the first customer delayed.

This race is not about size but rather two aircrafts with different propositions. One is large and the other smaller but has a longer distance coverage. Which do you choose if you are an airline CEO?

One problem with airline industry, similar to hotel industry, any unsold seats on a flight are gone forever. At times, it might be hard to fill up airline seats, so what's the use of having an aircraft with large capacity, with all those many possible unsold seats? Another problem is that few airports have the infrastructure (runways and terminals) that can accommodate such a large airliner.

I guess you know which aircraft I like. Well, my first flight was on a Boeing 737 many years ago and then I went on business trips on Boeing 747s and 777s. Besides, the Dreamliner looks way too cool for an aircraft.

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Sleepless in Sandakan

Last month, I went on business trips to the towns of Tawau (day trip) and Sandakan (overnight) in the east coast of Sabah. Our admin support made the booking for hotel in Sandakan.

Little did I know that there's a story behind the hotel. I'm not going to name the hotel here. If you're familiar with Sandakan, it's enough for me to say that the hotel is on a hill and surrounded by the jungle. Yes, jungles, I should've known.

I checked in around 5PM and when I got to my room on the 4th floor, I can tell the hotel was quiet and looked deserted. After dinner, I got back to the room to rest. Usually when I go to sleep I will have one light on.

Anyway, while lying in bed, I suddenly heard a woman's voice screaming for maybe less than a minute. I thought maybe someone was having too much fun. But then, immediately the room's window curtains rustled for no reason. Well, after that, I switched on all the lights in the room and tried very hard to get to sleep.

Later in the office, a colleague told me her experience in the same hotel. She stayed there once. But at least she was luckier, she was with her husband. I'm definitely staying in another hotel the next time.

Photo of a hotel in a jungle: illustration only (taken from internet)

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Let me touch you one more time

After a day at the beach, this boy returned to the seashore to wash his hands and may be touch the sea for one last time today.

Photo was taken at Tanjung Aru Beach, Kota Kinabalu on Sunday 12 July 2009 at 6.31PM.

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Going home

I don't know where she's heading with a bag full of purchases in her left hand and shoes in her right hand. Maybe there's a invisible ship waiting for her. Maybe she's going to swim out into the South China Sea.

Photo was taken at Tanjung Aru Beach, Kota Kinabalu on Sunday 12 July 2009 at 6.12PM.

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I'm Back

Only for a little while though.

Sorry, especially to my few precious readers and followers (you know who you are). I've been busy and lazy the last few weeks, so there was no post. In my line of work, we are now beginning of our busy period, which will last for the next twenty weeks or so.

I'm a bit down now after finding out something someone or two did to me. It's okay, life is like a turning wheel. This time you are on top, the next time you will be back at the bottom, where you belong. Don't worry though, nothing will come from me. I'm don't stoop to such a low level like the likes of you.

Anyway, I'll try to put up a few posts in the very near future, I promise. I've got posts on a spooky hotel, the Mountain (another one), books I've read and my new toy (I think I am turning into a geek) coming up. Check this blog out later. Till then, I hope you'll bear with me. Enjoy the shots from my new toy (I just had to tell you hehehe).

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16 July is Buy Nothing Day in Malaysia

This coming Thursday is Buy Nothing Day in Malaysia. I came across a news item on the Malay Mail about this. Apparently, it's the second time around this is organised by the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations or FOMCA.

The writer lists following things that we can do to support this day:

• Instead of going to the local kopitiam for coffee, make your own coffee at home.
• Don't go out for lunch; prepare your lunch at home.
• Cook dinner instead of having dinner out.
• Do recreational activities such as jogging and cycling at the free public park.
• Instead of spending money buying books, visit the library.
• If a close one is celebrating their birthday, make your own personalised birthday card.
• Even better, challenge your own creativity by making your own gift!
• Be the host of a movie-viewing party and invite your friends.
• Visit a museum where entry is free.
• Try free samples at the supermarket.

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