JAPAN

Feel so excited hearing an office mate applying the same course I was attending two years ago in Japan.

It was a trip of lifetime.....It was a fun-filled 3 full months of my life

The catch : "You're the only participant from Malaysia for this course"

But there were 15 participants from all over the world that will share this particular JICA course. I was blessed when there were four gentlemen in my course coming from Muslim countries such as Turkey, Syria and Morocco.

I was anticipating the offer during Ramadan month in 2009  and Alhamdullilah on the final week of Ramadan, the offer came in and 'surprise, surprise'...... The first leg of my journey was on the third day Aidilfitri 2009.... sob.. sob.. sob..

So I got about a week to prepare... what about visa... Japan certainly a country that quite strict in granting visa.... emmm... Oh... Where is Japan embassy in KL... it is opposite Indian restaurant Bombay Palace Restaurant. If you came from Jalan Ampang toward Jalan Tun Razak you'll passed US Embassy on your left hand side. It's on 11 Jalan Tun Razak, 50450 Kuala Lumpur


Little advice:

1. Prepare your bank account report (including ASB, Tabung Haji etc) and ensure the amount in there will adequately 'support' your stay in Japan
2. Provide them with the address and type of accommodation in Japan
3. Stated the duration of your stay 
4. Your air ticket must stated the date of departure and return. 
5. Sometime you must proved the status of employment in Malaysia and you must provide a letter of invitation by the agency/ relative/ universities etc. in Japan to assists in Visa application.

For your information: since 2014... who had a Malaysian chip passport automatically grant a visa for Japan... so you have no need to apply for one... (update 2014)....

Well 1st : TRIP TO JAPAN FROM MY HOMETOWN

Trip to Tioman Island

Trip3D2N to Tioman Island was a gift from My Hubby to celebrate Our Anniversary....
We've been traveling together for quite some time but this is our 1st time to an Island.
(Excluding Langkawi and Bali and Penang la... that Pulau semua dah maju)....

 Day 1

We joined a group of photographers called Nawai2Creative as my hubby is an avid photographer himself.

Our trip began at 3 am from KL using the LPT Highway to Gambang. We stopped at Gambang R&R for food and solat at 6 am and at 7 am going straight to Pekan and arrived there about 7.45am. Then we took the coastal road to Rompin and arrived at Tanjung Gemok at 10.00 am. 

We took a brief break by having our lunch at the roadside food stall beside the Tanjung Gemok’s jetty and embarked the ferry (bluewater express - fare RM70 all around) at 11.15 am... but the ferry took their own sweet time to set sail and we left around noon in a very comfortable, air-conditioned and uneventful ride which takes around 2 and half hour to reach Tekek. Our stop is at ABC (Kg. Air Batang).


Upon arriving at the jetty, I saw what the buzz is all about. All around you are the blue-green sea and very transparent water with fishes, corals and white sandy seabed. It’s just like gazing into a big aquarium. And from the jetty, I saw a stretched of sandy white beach, a lush hilly green forest, villages by the sea that so enticing and beckoning. Finally, we’ve arrived in Tioman and everyone was very excited.

In ABC we stayed at Mawar Chalet which offer an option of air-conditioning or ceiling fan room.  Dinner is served at nearby Mawar Eatery and the food is delicious (we’re quite hungry). Before dinner, we took the opportunity to explore the villages. From ABC we walked to Tekek.  It’s a long walk (estimated 30 minutes walk turn to 2 hours walk) because everything that catches our attention will be captured by the lenses of my hubby and his friend's camera.

Sunset on that day was a little cloudy due to rain and I'm sure every photographer that eagerly await the moment to snap a few shots of the sunset was a little bit disappointed... well I do. But we still have tomorrow.

Few Tips on This Trip

1. The route from KL to Gambang (Kuantan), Pahang is the longest. It took 6 hours to reach Tg. Gemok. You may try PLUS highway to south and exit either Seremban or Ayer Hitam Toll. The shortest route will be Seremban and it will shave off about 100km compare to KL-Gambang-Tg. Gemok route. But the Seremban route through Kuala Pilah, Bahau, Muazam and then Rompin is quite scary at night
2. Bring a lot of sunscreen/ sunblock and Big Hat. Don't forget mosquito's repellent. If you in budget motel/hotel please bring your own towel, soap etc. If you need ironing... bring one. 
3. The cost of drinking water is RM4.00/1500L and RM2.00/500L bottle.  
4. The Internet is costly... If you don't have broadband/ wi fi/ data plan.
5. Bring a good walking shoe if you want to explore the island. If you keen on beach snorkeling, bring an aqua shoe to protect your feet from corals.
6. It's quite far walking from the jetty to the chalet (depending on where you rent). So consider a backpack or wheel luggage.