Mama Mia ! Here we go again!

The global smash hit musical Mamma Mia opened with a bang at Istana Budaya yesterday and it was reported the tickets for all the shows till 4th January 2009 was sold out. Abba music and songs touched me so much in the 70s and 80s because I was studying in UKs at that time. It’s not only touched me but millions around the world at that time. I was told by the person who is responsible in bringing the Mama Mia here that it took him 10 years to get the act here. He was captivated by the show ten years ago in London and has made a crusade to bring that exciting show to Malaysian shore. The musical has generated more the $ 4 billion in tickets sales over the ten years. I did ask him how he finally convinced them to come to Malaysia after 10 years. He said it must be my persistent and commitment that finally bring the most famous musical to KL.

Sato' StevenTan & Wife .... Mama Mia Beautiful Couple

Of course he was doing it for the Star, the organization responsible for bringing the act here alongside the other sponsors. It was good to note that $ 1.2 million collected from the tickets sales & donations has been given out to 10 charity organizations. What a way to practice caring society and kudos to the Star and SP Setia.

Although I will be leaving to UK soon on business and holiday trip I shall come back in time to catch the show before it end. Thank you to my friend Dato’ Steven Tan the Deputy Chairman of The Star for securing two tickets for me to enjoy the show on the New Year eve. It will definitely seal my new year with a smile ABBA style. Congratulations too to Dato’ Steven Tan for his success in bringing Mama Mia to Malaysia.

My trip to UK this time will bring back the memory of good old days when I was studying there in 70s and 80s, the ABBA time. Hope to visit my second home Liverpool and catch up with the new developments and friends who may still be there. I shall be in London to visit Malaysian Hall and maybe catch up with Kak Teh and Awang Goneng. The trip will also coincides with my 20th wedding anniversary that around the corner. It going to be Mama Mia Here we go again trip for us.

Langkawi Geopark - Therapy for City Stress

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha for Muslims Bloggers




A beautiful view from my balcony

I have been to Langkawi many times over the years but I guess I have not given the Island much justice by not writing or sharing anything about the Island to the cyber community. Although the island captivated me every time I spent my time there but never to the extent of wantig to blog about it, but then the trip to the Island last week was something special because I was spending three days two nights holiday with my wife and family there.

Sunset at the Perdana Quay & Marina

Mega Yachts & Sail Boats


Packed & Busy Marina

Langkawi has so much to offer to the local or international tourists in terms of its perfect beaches, historic sites, beautiful islands, nature watch and fishing or shall I say a perfect geopark, it"s new branding. In terms of facilities it has the most expensive hotels and even cheapest lodgings for backpackers. The whole area of Pantai Cenang is now full of shops, restaurants, cafes, bistros, spas, hotels and chalets. The area was full of local and international tourists especially at night. It looks like all the European tourists have migrated from Phuket to Langkawi.




Beautifully Designed and Decor : Sunday Bistro @ Pantai Tengah


Waiting for our dinner @Sunday Bistro


The kids love the Bistro as much

I managed to stop at Perdana Quay and marina which was full of yachts. It looks like Monaco with the trendy cafes by the waterfront. Since the café was too expensive even for me, so I decided to take some shots and walk around instead of spending my money there.

It won’t be complete to visit Langkawi without going on the cable car ride up 700 feet to enjoy the breathtaking view of the Island. I will be doing injustice trying to describe the beauty in words, so let the pictures tell the story on how wonderful it is from up above.

Fishes at the Under Water World Aquaria


Shark swimming with grace and fatality


Stingray flaying in the water


Rock or a fish?


Jelly fish ....... soft and itchy

The collections of fishes at the Under Water World will provide you with other dimensions of what lies in the waters around the island and even further beyond. My kids just love the Aquaria and for me it reminds of the diversity and mystics of living things in the deep ocean.


Cable car que

View from above

Viewing platform .... 700 feet above sea level

Awana Porto Malai was a perfect hotel for me while the RM 100 per day car that I rented provides us with cheap transport to roam the island. With the cheap regular Air Asia service to the Island, it just seal up a perfect holiday destination for many. My advice please don’t limit your visit to buy cheap branded dinner sets or batik jawa but explore the true natural beauty of the island and its slow pace which is a therapy to fast crazy city life.

Mahsuri Complex

Inside garden

Makam Mahsuri .... where the legend begin

Dah Semak Rekod KWSP?

Saya telah menerima peringatan daripada teman sepejabat supaya membuat semakan kepada nominasi pewaris KWSP saya, bagi memastikan ia telah dikemaskini atau pun mempunyai nama nama yang telah saya daftarkan dahulu. Ini kerana beliau mendapati nama nama yang telah beliau daftarkan dahulu tidak terdapat dalam maklumat terkini KWSP. Beliau terpaksa membuat pendaftaran baru bagi mengelak daripada masallah tuntutan waris jika berlaku kematian pencarum.

Mula mula saya mengambil ringan kepada amaran ini, tetapi telah mengambil tindakan apabila dimaklumkan beberapa sahabat lain juga mengalami masallah yang sama. Rupa rupanya saya juga tidak terkecuali dalam masallah ini apabila saya dimaklumkan yang tiada penama dalama rekod KWSP saya. Tidak tahu dimana silapnya hingga penamaan yang saya buat dahulu hilang daripada rekod KWSP.

Bagi mengelakkan masallah kepada waris, keselamatan wang simpanan kita, saya syorkan sahabat semua segera membuat semakan dipejabat KWSP terdekat mengenai maklumat terkini pewaris yang didaftarkan dahulu, kalau tiada buat pendaftaran baru serta merta. Maklumlah sistem komputer memang banyak baik dan cepatnya tapi ia juga mempunyai kelemahan seperti menghilangkan maklumat penting kita.