Dirt biking in Malaysia - December 2008

After a mountain biking trip in Yuzhno that did not allow us to cover as far as we planned, a trip on dirt bike in Malaysia was planned before departing Yuzhno.

The day was a Sunday, and we agreed it is time to take the bikes off road. Breakfast was part of the plan, so we arrived 1 hour before the trip start to have our meal. It was about 830am when we arrived.

Everyone arrived around 945 and we were told to take the bikes for a spin to make sure they are in good condition. Alex, the shop owner gave us some protective gears, e.g. riding boots, knee/elbow guards, gloves and we took the bikes for a shakedown.


Here are the monsters.


Our first stop was at the Shell station, to fill up the tanks. Everyone took this opportunity to fill up their system with some 100plus or RedBull during this time.


Yours truly posting for a shot with his bike.

Trial #1, to cross this small river on planks. Good balancing skills and balls required to acomplish this first task, especially for beginners. Ok, I didn't manage to pass this.

A short break after our first 15 minutes of ride.

Some pointers on how to handle the bike going in and out of muddy waters.

The bikes...

Getting ready for some more action.

The lack of pictures for the later part of the trip explains the difficulty levels and weather conditions. We went through hilly slopes, muddy waters, palm oil estate dirt tracks and crossing some drains we never thought possible.

We arrived back at our starting point at around 5pm, exhausted, wasted, dirty, breathless, bruised, but glad we made it back and most importantly, made the trip happen.

Chinese New Year - February 2008

Chinese New Years are always associated with long holidays, traffic jams, hectic schedules, hot weather, new year cookies and cakes, nice meals and some fun on the table.


This is a home prepared cooking device for scallop with a scallop shell.


Scallops in slices


Dipped into this burner and ready to cook

We also went on to dine at the new Red Rock hotel, famous for some dishes, e.g. Ginseng Chicken.


Yes, this is the ginseng chicken


This is one dish worth mentioning.. not sure how much it costs, but taste pretty good.


The fish dish.


Yes, no chinese new year is complete without a try of luck on the table..

Karting - 1st Sep 2007 Shah Alam (My-Kart Round 9)

Nothing gives me the adrenalin rush just the way I like it except for go-karting or karting. Leaving for Russia again on the 2nd sept, I quickly sign up for my-kart's round 9, the only round my schedule allows this year.


This driver is not too happy getting up at 645a.m. to be on track before 8a.m.


Suiting up for warmups..?


Waiting for K2 race to start, erm.. looks like no umbrella girls like those GT or F1 races.


Kart #6, I can say this is my personal kart of the day.


Rolling start... unofficial marshall flagged off heat 1 group A.


The driver in red hiding under the shade while watching the K2 Group A heats.


Getting ready for action.


Lap 1 first corner... who's going to get the best line, who's going to exit the turn first and who going to brake late, who's taking inside, who's going around on the outside.. nobody knows until everyone exits turn 1.


Leading about 6 tens of a second?


Driver in blue, and red.


This must be Fazz, the my-kart boss... on kart #6.


Is that a hello kitty on the helmut?


The grandstand ..?


K3 flag off... from rolling start too.. everyone's trying to find a space.


Another photographer on the hunt.


K2 drivers watching and waiting K3 drivers to enter pit area so their race can start.


Start my engine.. please!


A very close chase...


Late braking, going wide at the apex and taking the outside line out of the last turn, heading down the main straight in full throttle. Will Kart #20 make it first into T1?


Mr. Viet kong sweeping with my favourite kart of the day.


Another K2 driver.


Fazz on kart #28 in the finals


Oh, maybe should try not to be too agressive to avoid spinning out again? There is always the next turn or another mistakes by the driver in front.


The start for K2.. K3 uses pull-start engine.


K2 kart.


Slicks, these are dry tyres... but they are sometimes used as intermediates :) if it starts to pour in the last few laps. Also, are sometimes Full Wets for K3s.. but too dangerous for K2.


A Lotus Elise found beside the track.


Subaru STi sleeping beside the track.

Kuala Lumpur - Cheras Chilli crab

Due to my jam packed business travels this year, I have not been able to arrange any visit to Macpherson kopitiam for my annual Sri Lankan Chilli crab. So, with only a few days in KL, I managed to get my hands dirty with these ..


Each of these weigh around 1.1kg.


RM80/kg, we ordered one for each of us.


This is what I call crab.


I always thought I could finish a whole crab myself but...