Genting Trailblazer 2009 @ Awana Genting Highlands 01Nov09

My 2nd post...see not so bad right? Haha!

Anyway, thought i go back one month in time to early this month when Yours Truly took part in the Genting Trailblazer challenge for the 1st time. Was an interesting experience. Was initially very gung ho on doing well in the race but the few months leading up to it, didn't manage to train as much as I liked in the gym. Work also came in the way in some sense BUT of course no excuses right???

Will likely be back next year...this time with a vengeance coz I am to be in it to WIN IT (kononnya!!!) Already back in the gym full on this month and coming back to my peak physical state!

Next on my 2010 To Do List is to complete a triathlon....God Help ME!!!!

MATTA Fair 2008 @ PWTC...

Hey Hey,

Religiously underwent my usual pilgrimage to PWTC (no, i am NOT an UMNO member) for the 1st MATTA Fair of 2008.

Being a veteran of many MATTA Fairs over the years has helped me somewhat scan for great & superb travel deals...and boy have i gotten some killer deals in the past...to digress a bit and this is an absolute shocker when i told my friends about it...

So quick flashback to early 2006....imagine the following deal for a 3D2N Phuket trip which includes :

• Return air fare by Air Asia
• 2 nights accomodation (2 star but it was pretty decent albeit location was a bit off!)
• airport transfer
• breakfast included
• 1/2 Day Phuket City tour

So how much do u think this deal cost before airport tax & surcharges? Based on past feedback....some say RM499...RM350... RM299...etc...

My friends, the cost of this trip was only a mere RM99++ !!! Yes, i am NOT shittin u....RM99++ or to be more precise RM170 nett!!! The travel deal which i am most proud of....and 3 of my dear friends who were the beneficiaries of this was none other than Messr Teoh, Shahir & Redhuan!

Oh, on another side note, the above trip was riddled with much drama or as i like to call it, MISadventure in true Raj fashion but that's another story....will do a flashback story on this one day when i am not feeling like such a lazy bastard!!! Hahah!

But now back to the present and the topic of the current MATTA Fair....

Long story short (as if this is possible when it comes to Raj), did my rounds around the three Halls thru the morning and afternoon AND the following would be the deals which MOST interested me :

• Starcruise Aquarius 2D1N RM265++
• Starcruise Aquarius 3D2N RM570++
• Starcruise Aquarius 5D4N RM985++

Reason why it looks so cheap coz there is a BUY 1 Free 1 deal for the above. The 1st 2 are Open Water cruises while the 5D4N one goes to Port Klang, Phuket, etc. Also the above are all twin sharing and NOT quad sharing like all the crappy cruise deals you see in the past. But plse note a few negatives...the above are all ex-Singapore; the above has NOT included the port taxes & surcharges....

HOWEVER, the above are the cheapest FULL ON cruises i've seen in the market because i've been eyeing doing a cruise MISadventure (for the last few yrs) but have yet to do so coz felt that it wasnt value! Btw, if you wondering why i say this...fyi, the 2D1N cruise leaves the port at 10pm and returns at 8am the next morning!!! So we are talking about 10hrs only on the cruise ship for a 2D1N trip!!!

Aside from the above, another winner was the 3D2N HK tour trip which came to only RM399++ thanks to Air Asia! When i went to HK yrs back, such a package would hv been around RM800++...how times hv changed! So this is a boon for the ladies who want to "SHOP TILL U DROP" or hang out at "Lan Kwai Fong".

There were other smaller special deals like Seri Malaysia's network of hotel deal...BUy 2 nights, get 1 night FREE...so 3 Nights for RM255 and each night can be used independently of each other. Not glamorous but value if you travel around the country a lot.

A fair no of regional destinations like Phuket, Bangkok, Chiangmai, Bali, Jakarta, Siem Reap, etc which a 3D2N full tour deal would cost around RM300-400++...so great time to travel...

Local destinations are also affordable ie. the islands trips...didnt really analyse in detail as i wasn't focussing on this...Also, for those of you planning to go to Penang in early May for the Penang Intl Music Festival, this is the best time to get your accomodations sorted out. A tip...some of the accomodations DO NOT hv any additional surcharge or its quite minimal UNLIKE those bastards in Kuching & Damai who rips us off July every year during the Kuching Rainforest Festival!!!

HOWEVER, saving the BEST for LAST...the deal which intrigued me the most and got me sold is none other than Starcruise Vanna (cant remember the darn ship's name) which offering an overnight STANDING cruise for the princely sum of RM70nett!

Yup, RM70nett whereby you board the ship at 8pm and it goes out to the open seas and then return back to port at 730am. Not bad, almost 12hrs to enjoy the cruise experience, albeit cheapo style! And the best part for us M'sians is that it the port of call is Port Klang!

It includes the 3 meals, ie. dinner, supper and breakfast...they have live bands and open karaoke sessions (for u William Hungs out there!)...BUT the ones who will enjoy the most would be the "To Sans" or God of Gamblers when the ship hits the international waters!!!

Do note that there will be NO rooms for you...so basically the big downside is if u wanna get cozy with ur *ahem* partner or someone you just met on the LOVEEEEE BOAT, then u got to use ur imagination to find some dark, quiet corner to "interact" further!! Hahaha!

Normal price for the above is RM98 nett and they depart every day including public holidays and weekends. Its on a 1st come 1st serve basis until it reaches capacity. Plse note the above RM70nett deal is only applicable during the MATTA Fair and apparently you can also buy it online at their website...however, i don't have it on me right now!

Ok..thats about it from me for now...anyone needs more info or guidance from the "Guru of Budget Travel", feel free to drop me a line.

Plse note that the above info, i am pulling from memory...i left all my materials at home, so some of the prices may lari a bit!

I will amend the above accordingly in due course BUT do check out the deals above if u wanna get away from bustling KL for some peace and quiet!!!

Cheers all....and yes, i am in a buzzin mode coz will be due for my next MISadventures will be to Laos in end Mar....so stay tuned & hopefully i DON'T get kidnapped by rebels there!!! Hahah!

Heineken Champions Planet Kick-Off Party @ The Republic, Sunway Pyramid

It was drizzling the whole afternoon....got a lil wet getting to Pyramid. But thankfully my planning has been impeccable...went to meet a talent / casting agency in Puchong for some discussion in the evening and thereafter popped over to Sunway Pyramid.

Let me just say that the last time i was here was like 2 yrs ago, and DAMN, it has changed!!! Couldnt recognise the whole place with the new wing and all! Anyway, found my way to The Republic where i met me best mate, Teoh (Mr. Cornetto Season 1) and Aubrey (Ms. Body Pump!...dont mess with her! Trust me coz i felt her biceps!!!)

So got there like damn early, 645pm...almost kiasu like but more of trying to beat the traffice jam if u know what i mean! They were still setting up the place as the rain continued to shower down as we sipped our Heine...

The Republic is not bad...had an open air concept with a huge permanent tent with an island bar smacked underneath BUT what was interesting is the DJ console was stationed above this bar! DJ Blink & Goldfish was spinning if i am not mistaken.

Then met my beloved Daphne Iking (sorry guys, she's already married and just given birth recently!). For someone who just had a kid, she looked HOTTTT! U wouldnt even hv guessed by looking at her...will definately put to shame a lot of u UNpregnant chicks out there (solly ah if i NOT the politically collect!!! Haha!)

The reason why she was there coz she and some other local celebs were the Heineken Ambassadors for the night...others i managed to say Hi to were Chermaine Poo (who i will give 5 star rating coz Daphne who just introduced me to her AND she was so sweet in passing me FREE Heine coupons to help speed up the process of getting me sloshed!!! Haha!), Joey G and Jamie whatshername (she's the sweet Singaporean hottie who does EPL Extra..anyway, there is only one hottie on football Astro!). Others included Jien, Owen Yap (who is he again?), Marion Caunter and thats bout it!

So basically we were just chilling making fun of ppl and talking crap like we always do as the program continued. The highlight of the night was obviously the Grand Prize of a FREE trip to Moscow to watch the UEFA final! Man, what i wouldnt give to win that damn prize...

But alas it was not meant to be although i won the lucky draw (a Heineken goodie bag) when they pulled my number...oh well, beggars cant be choosy!

Well, at the tailend of the night we met a few interesting ppl from Star, Malay Mail and Men's Folio....talk more crap before they ciaoed...

And then spotted my good friend, Angela (whom i met in Cynna Bar during a mutual friend's birthday lst yr where i did a public lap dance for the birthday gal...BUT thats another story!!! Hahah!) So me and Aubrey joined her and her other colleagues from O&M agency. Talked more crap until it was time to cabut!

And thats about it!...Yes, i know the above is quite boring by Raj's MISadventure standard but what to do....must put in the boring crap with the more happening ones...and in fact, some may be TOO HAPPENING for your viewing....Boy, would u like to hear bout these....Hahahah!

Signing off from Starbucks, Bangsar Village 2

A New Dawn for Malaysia...Only time will tell

"OH, HOW THE MIGHTY HAVE FALLEN...."



FINALLY, the ppl have voiced in unison what has been entrenched in their hearts at the recently concluded elections! Every fabric of society has spoken regardless of race, religion, creed, etc...It shows no matter what the obstacles, barriers, dirty tricks that is put before us, if we act in unison, NOTHING and i mean NOTHING will stop justice from prevailing!



I am truly proud to be a M'sian as everyone has played their part to make a difference which has resulted in the greatest victory on the M'sian political landscape! The results is beyonf my wildest imagination...its like waking up from the best political wet dream you have ever heard and was it GOODDDDDDDDDD!!!! Hahah!



For far too long, we have suffered in silence...for fear of rocking the boat or deemed as a troublemaker. But when the very essence of social justice as is at stake while we watch the rampant corruption, mismanagement, wastage, abuses, cronyism, nepotism carried out so blatantly with impunity, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!



The people has on many occasions been challenged but the so-called "Masters of the Govt" that if we don't like it, we can either voice our displeasure during the elections OR f*&^%$# get out of the country!!!



I am born in this country and i am willing to die for this country! NO ONE and i mean NO ONE tells me to leave MY country!!! And i believe many of you share the same passion and conviction as me...You challenged us and now You have paid the ultimate price for your arrogance!



So screw all of You! All of You who acted like little Demi Gods who can do anything you wish at your whim & fancy without accountability...all of You whose time was up a long time but still cling on to power...all of You who failed your constituencies with false promises....you all know who You are...



Now You are nothing more than mere mortals, no longer behind the shield of political power.... like us, nothing more than being part of the humble "rakyat"...oh, i longed for the day when i cross path with You on the streets...it will not be a pleasant a sight, trust me on this...saliva will definately be flying and do i have a lot of that! My friends will be back me on this! Haha!



The Voice of the Opposition is now strong...not only in Parliment but we now hold Penang (DAP), Kedah & Kelantan (PAS), Perak (DAP & PKR) and the blue eyed child of BN & the great state where i am proud t0 say i was born in, Selangor (DAP & PKR)!!! But there is much to be done now.



The rakyat expects much from the Opposition....they must live up to the promises they made. The manifesto which they have created must be adhered to...failing which all the good work they have managed will come to nought. This election has given you the ONE CHANCE and likely your only chance to put your money where your mouth is. You now have control over 5 states to show that you are indeed different from BN. It will not be easy admitedly with DAP, PKR and PAS each having their own unique identity & political objectives BUT for the sake of unity, you all MUST work together...each one playing a vital cog to ensure the strength of the coalition... Hence, the adage yet cliche saying " United We Stand, Divided We Fall "!



If it was all hot air or a wayang for the benefit of all of us, we all know what the outcome will be at the next GE.



Stay true to your philosophy and social principles and this will be the foundation for you to build and possibly take the Federal govt at the next elections...BUT fail and it will be start of the permanenet demise of the Opposition Coalition forever!



I will take my leave for now...and whatever happens, it is now the New Dawn for Malaysia... for better or worse, we have chosen....



DO NOT LET US DOWN.....

Cornetto Love Perhaps Season 2....And how it all began...

It was sometime in Sept when i found out that Cornetto Love Perhaps was going to have another season and they were looking for "quality" men! Hmmm, i thought that sounded a wee bit like me and a lot more of course!!! Haha!

One of my best mates, Teoh was actually on Season 1 and it was interesting to watch him on it. I thought i could hold my own...hell i figured i could win the damn thing IF i had been there...but i guess its always easier when u mouthing off in front of the tv!

So i asked myself, "Would i go on national TV to be on a "lovey-dovey" reality tv show and make an absolute arse of myself?"...The answer to that in true Raju fashion was "Hell Ya!!!" Hahaha!

I mean, i've always lived life like there's no tomorrow and do it without regrets, so why not-lah! So i decided to just go for the casting! Worst case scenario is i don't get in but at least i been there, done that...all for a good laugh at the end of the day.

So audition weekend came at Sri Pentas...long story short...waltz in, fill up damn a lot of forms & questionnaires, sign my life, went on stage in front of 3 judges, blew them away with my "RAJ" thing and the rest as they say is History!!! Haha!

When i found that i made it on the show, i thought was an awesome experience it would be. Oh, let's just say in hindsight, "awesome" was an understatement! But i'll come to that in a later post!

I didnt tell anyone about this except for a few close friends like Teoh. But eventually word got out...KL is only so big & i do get around a lil...well, maybe a lil more than a lil! Haha! Some were saying that i must be getting desperate to meet girls or find a gf! When i heard that, i wanted to die of laughter...the incredulity....as it is, i meet so many girls that I can't even remember some of their names and what they look like (I think i may hv just screwed myself here but hey, so what? I'm just being honest, so that must count for something!) a month down the road. As for finding a gf...i dont mind IF the right one comes along but i've been single for the last 4 yrs, so no biggie actually!

So what specifically motivated me to join it then??? Well the intrinsic benefit for me is always the Experience of "Been There, Done That"! But if u asking me the tangible benefit, well its as follows in terms of importance :

1. Public Exposure (which in hindsight was LOADS more than i would hv ever imagined!)
2. Winning The Grand Prize (which was a car...i would hv loved this coz i could then sell it and buy my pick-up truck that i was eyeing!!!)
3. Finding "The ONE"...i know, i know...u dont hv to say it! But u must understand that i am a very practical and realistic bloke! I hv met hundreds of fantastic, single & eligible women over the last 4 yrs and i haven't found "The ONE". So what was the probability that i would find her amongst the 5 girls on the show? Yes, its quite obvious that i am very much a number crunching guy in spite of my excessive happeningness!!! Hahaha!

So over the next few weeks in Oct, me and the other 7 guys were called in to studios to do all the photo shoots for the tv teaser ads, show promos, montage, etc...The same applied to the 5 gals but we were not allowed to meet each other till the 1st episode!

So now a lil bit of an insight to all the guys and gals of "Cornetto Love Perhaps Season 2"....

Bros.....

1. Ace - the only fully macha on the show...real joker, likes to hv fun, non-confrontational salsa dancing, party going bloke but underneath all that is his thinkin side which he keeps under wraps...
2. Vincent - the youngest & eventual winner...great guy, full of energy, passion & youthful exuberance BUT at the same time, his temperament, aggression & impulsiveness has (and will) gotten him into trouble....nothing a few more yrs of livin in this bitchin world won't resolve
3. Allan - the BAD guy on the show....started out as the hot favourite with the girls and even host, Choy Wan in the 1st few episodes but went downhill from there. A lot of shit went down especially in terms of his relationship with some of the girls & guys...some of it was brought upon by himself due to his competiveness BUT most of it was the shit taking a life of its own and just grew & grew! Suprised he made it to Top 3 but he had the Gods on his side i reckon. But overall I personally had NO real issue with him....things just got blown out of proportion..but hey, thats life right???
4. Voon - the Rockstar amongt us...damn talented singer & musician...if i could sing & play like him, i would hv thousands instead of hundreds of women around me!!! Hahah! My roommate and we bonded well...but sometimes his bluntness & sarcasm will not go down well with others!
5. Siva - all round Mr.Nice Guy....the other Chindian representative on the show....great guy, not over the top...more discreet and under the radar sort...ppl will not notice him at first but over time, his presence will be felt...only thing i observe from the show, he doesnt know how to say something adversed to others or hurt their feelings (dont feel bad my friend, i too hv this problem...most of the time!!! haha!)
6. Adrian - the pretty boy model who happens to be a Goodwill Ambassador too whatever that is! Tall and damn photogenic (of courselah, if not how to be model!!!) On the show, seemed to idealistic and in his own world, so doesnt seem to be a real person to me...but hey, if it works for him, who are we to say anything!
7. Robert - and saving the best for last & not least, our true DIVA "mus-cles man" celebrity who likes all his women to be "clean-shaven" (yes, u heard me right!) Missed a couple of our promo shoots and even the shoot for 1st episode, someone had to go to his place and bang on his door before he woke up....6 hours after morning call time!!! Then when it came to the 2nd episode, didnt even bother to turn up for it...Bro, if u not keen to be here, why the hell bother joinin in the 1st place-lah??? Must be due to the side effects of steroids! Haha!

So the above rounds up the Bros...so what about the Hoesssssss

1. Christy - ahhh, my "female" partner on Love Perhaps....the one i took a preference to amongst all the bit...opps, i mean girls on the show! Actually i think i didnt really made an effort to get to know her early on coz she being the youngest, why the hell would she go for me, the "Uncle" of the show (yes, i was the oldest after the dumbarse Robert got eliminated at the beginning of Ep. 2) BUT when we interacted more, i found that she was way matured beyond her 21 yrs! Very down-to-earth, logical and uses quite a bit of common sense. So what does this mean? U young punks can forget bout dating her!!! She's into matured old fart and uncles!!! Hahaha! But that being said, she has that wild crazy streak in her when she suddenly act all "man" like...she swears like a filthy bastard, walks & sits 'kang-kang" like a man with big balls and sometimes she even looks like a man! Yeah, what was i thinkin of when i hooked up with her....oh well.....
2. Laura - ah the French bombshell who made a surprise entry on Love Perhaps Ep. 3. Very attractive, great smile, FABulous boobs (Vince, dont kill me....compliment ahhh!) and friendly personality! SYT isnt she??? I enjoyed talking to her coz we could get on the same wavelength most of the time! Probably due to her upbringing in the West where u think more and maturity kicks in sooner...unlike girls here...(oh oh, another can of worms i just opened!!! Haha!)
3. May - the tall striking leggy model...she caught my eye 1st time i met her. Must hv been due to the height coz i fancy tall girls since i am 6 feet myself! Could friendly too but after a while, i discovered that we were not on the same page...level of thinkin that is...so she fits the 23 yr old girl...nothing wrong with that...just that she will grow up in due courselah...
4. Aliza - the exotic Thai - American who plays a "villian-ess in a daytime tv soap in Thailand...speaks & carries herself well, outgoing, extroverted, spunky....and possibly most MISunderstood as the show went on....one minute she's the GOOD girl, next she's the BAD girl, then GOOD girl and finally after the show's over, BADDDDDDDDD girl again!!!! Won't mention why as yet...but stay tune for real soap opera!
5. Shanna - the most famous and celebrity amongs all of us....she is akin to a "Dr.Jeckyl & Mr.Hyde Personality'...on one hand, she is so sweet & thoughtful and takes care of all of us BUT on the flip side, she can be so DIVA & trantrum like and would want everything her way!...This is a huge turnoff for me!!!
6. Claudine - the sweeetie of the show...didnt really get a chance to know her better...also very quiet but probably takes time to warm up to...my regret is that i didnt made the effort early on enuff before she left the show...

And the above sums it all up for everyone!!! Phew, am i long winded or what??? Anyway, if u want to find out more, look out for my next post on what happens on the show...if i dont get too lazy again that is!!!

__________________ To Be Continued _________________