Saturday, May 23, 2009

The New American Idol Crowned

Kris Allen, 23 years old has just crowned the 2009’s American Idol title few days ago.

Surprisingly, many would say. Before the result show, it was Adam Lambert who had been expected to be crowned champion as most of the judges had been appeared to be leaning towards Adam during the finale show.


Not only the panel judges; me and most of my friends and colleagues thought that Adam would gonna win in this competition. However, the result…JUST UPSET US!!! And, I guess Adam’s supporters were all stunned right after the champion had been called out.

No offence to Kris; he is a talented singer and he has a talent to compose nice songs. Besides that, it is really difficult to begrudge Kris as he is always humble and sweet.

Throughout this competition, Adam is flamboyant, stylish and he definitely a “star”. Gees, why he could not crown the Idol title??? After the result, it shown that, over 100 million of votes; Americans appeared to like Kris Allen more than Adam Lambert, what can I say? It was American’s choice.

Well, I genuinely hope that Adam will get a recording contract from a music firm even he does not crown the AI’s title (he is now in talk with 19 Entertainment to come out his solo-album). Hope to hear his song in the radio soon. Same go to Kris Allen and Danny Gokey.

You may download the following latest songs sung by the idols in American idol’s official website:
http://www.americanidol.com/ using iTunes.

1. Come rain or come shine - Danny Gokey
2. One - Adam Lambert
3. Crying - Adam Lambert
4. Heartless - Kris Allen
5. Apologize - Kris Allen

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Phuket Trip (2009)

It has been a while since I came back from Phuket and I keep on delaying to blog about the trip. The main reason of the delay is- Distraction…lots of distraction… Recently, I am busying with TV shows, drama series and books…sometimes, I do not even know what to do next and it seemed that 24 hours a day are not enough for me.

Well, time really flies, doesn’t it? I went to Phuket in Feb and it’s now May. We took more than 1000 photos in Phuket and it isn't easy for me to shortlist the photos and decide which to upload here. Okay, enough for the excuses. Now, get in to the point…

We supposed to have 4 days and 3 nights for the trip. However, due to delay of the flight; the trip ended up with 3 days and 3 nights. Initially, only I, sista- trace, Jane and Ceci joined the trip. Then, Patrick, KP and YL joined later. It has been years since my last travel with Ceci, Patrick, KP and YL and I was happy to have them to join the trip.

On the day itself, we have two different flights; with the guys departed on morning and the rest of us took our flight at 8.30pm but there was still a delay of the flight on the day itself.

During Feb, it was a peak season in Phuket; perhaps a good time to travel to Phuket with soft breeze most of the time and good weather to go for diving or snorkelling. Well, while we were on the plane, only four of us were from Asia and the rest of the passengers were ang mohs (foreigners) and the plane was full- seated. I guess, Air Asia generates lot of profits by offering the low cost flight as most of the frequent travelers (mainly ang moh) like to take low cost flight.

Night view in LCCT, photo taken by Jane.


Jane, Me, trace and Ceci.


Posting in front of camera before aboard to the plane.

After we reached Phuket, we caught up with the guys and had our late dinner. The next day, we had our day tour to the famous Phi Phi Island.


Day 1
As usual, I missed my blanket at home very much and I did not have a proper sleep. On the morning, I woke up early and enjoyed the breakfast with KP, Patrick and YL.


In front of the hotel with Jane next to me. The hotel that we accommodated is called “Royal Palm Beachfront” which located in Patong beach. And,Patong beach is just in front of the hotel. No wonder; it named as “Royal Palm Beach Front”.

7 of us.


The day tour of the day was visited to Phi Phi Island, Maya Bay, Khai Island, Monkey Island… altogether 7 places. The tour included 2 ways transfer by minibus/ van, mask, snorkeling, life jacket, speed boat fare with full insurance, soft drinks, fruit, biscuits, lunch and an English spoken tour guide. Since there were 7 of us; KP, Patrick and YL managed to get a good price from the travel agent; each of us paid RM 100 for the tour only. During peak season, the price charge to adult is around RM 280 per person. In contact, the price is slightly lower during low season, around RM150 per person.

In the pier at Chalong Bay.
Time for camera while waiting the arrival of the speed boat.



Inside the speed boat. The pic below captured the waves which followed behind the speed boat.


In Phi Phi Island, close to Maya Bay.


In Maya Bay. The water in this bay is extremely clear. A Hollywood firm "The Beach" starring by Leonardo Dicapprio was shoot here in early 2000.


The minute I reached here; i was amazed by the fantastic and splendid view. Without hesitate, I pulled my sleeveless shirt and slippers off and walked to the sea.

My bikini was bought in Bali by trace and I spent RM80 for it only. The bikini was designed by Aussie and it was imported from Australia to Bali.


From left: Patrick, YL and KP.







With Patrick on the speed boat.

Patrick, I wondering why; you're always sensitive to camera? Though, you looked great on the photo below. Kakaka...


Lots of fish swimming under the sea.

The water of the sea was so clear that it almost transparent.


According to the tour guide, in x century before; this place was used by the pirates to hide for the treasures. No doubt, It was a strategic location to hide for the treasures cos only small boat is allowed to get inside the leak, it's blocking with two mountains.



In Monkey Island. The visitor is feeding the monkey with coco-cola.



Apparently, judge on the pic; Ceci was having seasick.


Right after Ceci had vomitted. I felt nausea and the feeling was killing me softly. Gosh, I felt like vomit too.

Time for snorkeling. However, I was damn dizzy and I was seasick-ing. The tour guide told me that I have two options. Either I jump into the sea to ease my nausea or I rest inside the speed boat. Frankly, I could not stay a minute inside the boat, it made my nausea worse. Without hesitate, I got my life jacket on and jumped into the sea (even though I do not know how to swim). And then, here he was- The captain of the speed boat. The captain held me tight with his strong left arm on my waist. He really taken a good care of me. In order for me to enjoy the session, he gave me a banana; with the banana on my hand; lots of fish were following me and I could see the fish without snorkel. The thing that upset me was, i could not have a chance to look under the water as i did not have the mask on. The good thing was, the nausea cleared right after i was on the boat. Thanks captain, you're rocks!!!



I found the pic nice. However, none of us has taken any pic before snorkel except Patrick. If I wasn't seasick, I should have a pic here. It's really nice pic.


Time for lunch.


Lunch of the day...


Trace and Ceci.



Jane, KP and Patrick.


Me and YL.
After lunch, we visited to another island called "Khai Island". It was closed to 2pm in the afternoon and it was really, really hot.
Look at the pic, the water is almost transparent and the sand is see through from the water.

The beach in Khai Island. It was crowded by tourists.


It was so hot that; Trace, Ceci, KP and YL decided to have a rest under the shade.

Me, Jane and Patrick were so brave to take a sun bath under the hot hot sun.
See, it paid off. Lots of fish surrounding us to welcome us...

Right after the tour; Me, Jane and Patrick got sun tan. Luckily, none of us got sun burn.

Well, it took two months for me to recover from sun tan and it only 90% recovered. The moral of the trip is; to apply and re-apply the sun block as frequent as possible to avoid sun tan.







I like Khai Island very much, it's like a paradise for me. I guess, I would visit here again for a full day tour in this coming July. So that, I would have a sufficient time to go for sun bath, enjoy my reading here and at the same time enjoy the spectacular view.

A photo taken by the photographer near the pier. It framed nicely and Patrick bought it for 150THB.




After the tour, we took a walk along the Patong beach which was just in front of the hotel.



Thanks to Patrick, now I know how "tan" my back side was...



Big "Phuket" characters written on the sand by Patrick.



The hotel is well-equipped with spa & massage, swimming pool, jaguzzi, sauna...







Lots of seafood available in Phuket. Big lobster, big prawn, big crab could easily see and get here.





Time to feed our stomaches.


Food of the night included...







Exaggeration night life in Patong. It has more than hundreds of pub, bar and club here.





Me and KP are waiting for the Thai Massage.


Time for massage-a thing that I would not miss everytime I visit to Thailand.