One Fight at Stadium Putra Bukit Jalil

I have spent some time thinking about it - that I was party to being with humans urging on another two humans to pummel and hit each other hard. I, who dare not even watch any boxing or wrestling matches on TV. And there I was, a little more than a month ago, at the MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fight at the Stadium Putra Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.

If truth be told, I was bamboozled (again) into going for this event. Oh okay, there was no gun pointed at my head, but then again it did feel like so!

Here is how the event was touted, "One Championship (ONE FC), in partnership with Tune Talk returns to KL with another blockbuster event that promises a night of non-stop high-octane mixed martial arts (MMA) action. The fastest growing sport in the world today, MMA pits the best fighters from around the world against each other in hand-to hand combat within a cage. Whether you are a fan of boxing, wushu, taekwando or any other martial art, get ready to be entertained as the top fighters in each discipline prove their mettle on the largest stage in Asian MMA. You've HEARD about it, you've felt the buzz, now EXPERIENCE MMA for yourself on 13 March.

ONE FC: AGE OF CHAMPIONS will feature the first title defense of ONE FC Flyweight World Champion Adriano Moraes as he faces the Japanese challenger Riku Shibuya!. Also, Malaysian stars Peter Davis and Ann Osman return to the cage in 2 back-to-back Malaysian Warrior Super Fights to round off the night of exciting action".

Anyway I think most of the time I only looked at the 'combat cage' before any fight started. It conjured scenes of gladiators fighting to their death in the Roman Colosseum - not very 'entertaining' or 'exciting' at all. Then I would check my Whatsapp or IG status on my phone thank goodness I could then, till a fight is over and the crowd/audience at Bukit Jalil would be cheering/jeering as the case may be. I guess overall I survived the event pretty well and can tick off this 'not on my bucket list' item.

P.S. Both Peter Davies and Ann Osman won their combats. Moraes retained his title although Shibuya put up a very good fight to the finish.

ref: www.onefc.com/events/42-onechampionship.html    *The red highlights are mine.
13 March 2015    (In progress)

Bicycling at the Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam

Recently after a long, long while, we revisited the Shah Alam Botanical Gardens or Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam (also known as the Taman Pertanian Bukit Cahaya Sri Alam) to do a bit of bicycling there. The previous times we came here, we'd missed the ornamental garden. But this time we found it, walked around it and took pictures of it from the best vantage point - the lookout tower across the lake.

It was very, very difficult to cycle on a rented bike because the one I got was very wobbly. Actually, A said my knees were wobbly, not so much the bike. Yeah, right! Maybe.

We rode up to the Taman Haiwan (Animal Park? Mini Zoo?) but were quite upset with what we saw. The birds were confined in cages too small, most of the porcupines were quite bald, only the deer had more space to roam. Do we really need to have distressed fauna in a botanical garden that needs only to emphasise on our myriad flora?

There were some 'art installations' we found, including the 'plants in denims' below. Just two of the trees/plants of note that we came across are the very tall poisonous Rengas and the colourful Eugenia oleina (alt: Syzygium campanulatum). On the whole, the gardens need to be better maintained in order to make it a major attraction.  

Note: A previous blog post on Taman Pertanian Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam is dated 20 November 2011.

Taman Tasik Shah Alam

The Shah Alam Lake Gardens being just 'a stone's throw away' from where we live, I am ashamed to admit that it was only yesterday (Sunday) that we managed to walk the whole circuit around the lakes. And what a beautiful experience it was, in this oasis of calm right smack in the city centre of Shah Alam. Although the smog is still discernible, the serene waters of the lakes, very green grass, the verdant trees and plants with enough bursts of colourful bright flowers are indeed a sight to behold.

We walked in awe under the beautiful canopy of the largest trees, the Rain tree or Samanea saman. Looking up skywards and observing their crown shyness, we noted the only one Yellow Rain tree there while the rest were the usual green variety. Hopefully the branches of these Pokok Pukul lima will all gravitate towards the waters of the lakes and be as picturesque as those in the Taiping Lake Gardens.

There were families picnicking by the lakes, under the shade of these Rain trees. And if you forgot your mat, then are many gazebos to choose from. But if you prefer activity to passivity, then there are canoes or paddle boats for hire. The children's playgrounds seem alive with lots of little people running around having a whale of a weekend with their parents/carers.

There was plenty to observe of both the fauna and flora. In another part of the lake gardens, flocks of storks roost on the tall Casuarina trees. There are very many nests and the birds swoop in to land on them after a beautiful flight overhead. The birds are also on a couple of islands in the lake. There are white and also grey cranes and others we are not able to identify.

This being October and the inter-monsoon rains heavy and often in the afternoons, walks (or jogs) are best done in the early morning. But as you may well know, I am not really into this healthy lifestyle activity. I do it for the love of photographing nature (with my trusty point & shoot digital camera).

As for the colourful flora that we encountered, I will write another post. After all I have taken quite a number of pictures. There are the yellow Dellenia suffructicosa, purple Bauhinia blakeana, Red powder puff, pink Kamunting, etc.

At the end of our nearly two-hour walk around the Shah Alam Lake Gardens, we may have burnt away two karipaps' worth of calories, but then for brunch we gained a plateful of nasi lemak and a glassful of teh tarik worth even much more calories, heh heh! Ces't la vie!

26 October 2014

My First Football Game: TSSC 2014

Who would have thought that finally, I did get to see my very first live football game last night. And in the giant's eye of the Shah Alam Stadium at that. So its another item ticked off my bucket list. Yay!

My first view inside the Shah Alam stadium (CNB 2014)

It was the 13th edition of the Sultan of Selangor's Cup 2014 between Selangor and Singapore. The stadium was filled to the brim with home football fans of the Red Giants, in the colours of Selangor - red and yellow. The 'chanting', the 'waves', the drum beats (?) all seemed to contribute to the excitement of the spectacle of men running around after a small ball. I do not really know the rules of the game but I do know a goal when it happens-lah!

The Veteran line-up (CNB 2014)

Start of the main match (CNB 2014)

The first game (curtain raiser) was between the Selangor Veterans (including among others Dollah Salleh, Soh Chin Aun, Santokh Singh and Rajagobal) and the Singapore Veterans (including Fandi Ahmad) which ended in a 1-1 draw. [The Selangor Selection versus Singapore Selection game ended in a 2-1 win for the former, its eighth in the series.]

The official launch of TSSC 2014 was by HRH Sultan of Selangor, and there were quite mesmerising cheer-leading performances by several schools plus the amazing pyrotechnics - loud bursts of glowing firework sparklers and their smoke entrails.

The cheer-leading (CNB 2014)

The pyrotechnics (CNB 2014) 

It was serendipitous that Penel was in town and like me, it was her first live football game as well. We were lucky the invitations enabled us to park below the stadium and leaving early also meant we did not have to contend with the inevitable traffic jam after the event. Thank you Penel, Husin, Sarah and Azlan. I had a great evening, and hope you all did too.

Post-Scriptum.  I am game for TSSC 2015 next year. If we get invitations again...
P.P.S. Sorry B in Kedah & A in Sabah; you both had to miss the game this time.

SuperMokh the Musical

SuperMokh the musical, enjoyed a restaging recently at the Istana Budaya from 8-21 September 2014. Having missed it the first time around, we attended the performance on the evening of 19 September. I was curious to see how the sports of football would be translated into a musical. I must say I was thoroughly fascinated ... and impressed. I think I now understand better the passion of Malaysians for football and why Mokhtar Dahari or SuperMokh is both an icon and a legend of the sports.

Awie was SuperMokh and Maya Karin was Tengku Zarina, his wife. They were good in their roles, but for me, the character who stole the show was Douglas Lim who played MD's work colleague at PKNS. He was really hilarious!

The Program book

Awie and Maya Karin take their bows

After the show, we had the chance of meeting and congratulating Awie, Maya Karin and Rashidi Ishak for their fine performances.

Just before leaving, A and Sarah had fun as they emulated SuperMokh in action on the field (at the exhibition area).

19 September2014

Inaugural KL Highland Games

Last Sunday we went to the inaugural Kuala Lumpur Highland Games which was held at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian Centre. It was hosted by the Selangor St Andrew's Society* and featured some traditional Scottish sports events and entertainment. It was touted as one of the biggest expatriate sporting and family-friendly events of the year.

One of the opening acts (CNB 2014)

There was a stage for cultural entertainment, including dancing (Scottish, Malaysian, etc.). The traditional sports events of the Scottish hammer throw, caber toss, etc. were also entertaining, because you get to see big, burly men in skirts kilts work hard at throwing and tossing! In fact it was kilts, kilts everywhere - on burly men, spotty teenagers and even little boys. There was lots of fun and entertainment for children too, and of course, loads of food and drinks for everybody. The food and drinks were a bit on the pricey side, but hey, its all for the good cause of charity.

Burley men of Scottish traditional games (CNB 2014)

The competitions in piping and drumming seemed intense as many bands around us at the stands practiced loudly (and noisily!?). I guess pipe and drum bands cannot help being loud, but entertaining nevertheless. Among them was the Kuala Lumpur Pipes and Drums (who won), the bands from UiTM, St John's Alumni, Sri Dashmesh Pipe and Drum Band (?), etc.

A gathering of men in skirts (CNB 2014)

Last minute practice ... (CNB 2014)

The only girl band in the competition was all the way from Pulau Pinang - A and B's alma mater St George's Girls School (SGGS). A also got to meet with her former teacher Cikgu Aswan who was in charge of the band. We were also introduced to the instructor who flies from Bangkok to Pulau Pinang to impart his skill and expertise.

The St George's band play for the judges (CNB 2014)

A and her alma mater's band instructor (CNB)

The sky had been downcast since early morning and of course it all poured down for a while in the afternoon. We left before the end so we missed the massed bands perform at the conclusion to the KL Highland Games. That should have been a fantastic spectacle and really, really loud!
Note*: The St Andrew's Society was established in 1887, and is one of the oldest Loyal Societies in Malaysia. The membership comprises the Scots, descendants of Scots and people who are interested in Scotland and Scottish culture.

My NZ: Auckland Where I Nearly Did SkyJump

SkyJumping in Auckland (CNB 2014)

In Auckland, the Sky Tower in Sky City is the main attraction, especially for adrenalin junkies. Me? I'm a coward. I only nearly did skyjump and I also just did skywalk, though in my imagination only. But I did the next best thing; capturing a skyjumper in action, posing with some skywalkers before they did their thing, and watching more while eating our delicious lunch at the sky restaurant. Hahaha, so we 'skyate' instead on the tallest building (328 m.) in Auckland New Zealand.

It was a clear day so the 360 degree views of Auckland from the glass floored observation deck were very good, including some of the 48 volcanic cones that are dotted around this "City of Sails". Other sights included the Waitemata Harbour and the Harbour Bridge. (But I still had jitters about the glass floor although it is supposed to be as thick/strong as the concrete floor.)

With would-be skywalkers from Fiji & their guide (BB 2014)

SkyWalkers on the ledge (CNB 2014)

The seafoods we had at the Orbit Restaurant was good. We had salt and pepper squid with green papaya, lychee, cucumber, cashew and coconut salad, Akaroa Harbour salmon, grilled market fish, etc.

About Auckland: it  is Tamaki-Makau-Rau or 'the maiden with a thousand lovers', because it was 'desired for its fertile land and harbours rich with seafood, and fought over by numerous Maori tribes'. It is the most populous city in NZ and consistently ranks highly in quality of life surveys for its mix or urban culture and outdoor lifestyle. It is also the gateway to NZ for many, including us.

At the observation deck (BB 2014)

Err .. B, are you skycrawling? (CNB 2014)

3-6 March 2014

A Walk in the KLCC Park

On New Year's day 2014, we went to Suria KLCC to check out the park there, knowing full well it would be thronged by our foreign labour community who love to congregate there on their off-days. I guess the more the merrier. For me it was the first time I did a full circuit of the KLCC Park and I must say that I did enjoy the walk. There was a lot to see that day, from children happily wading in the shallow pools to adults fussing over their children and others strolling around taking and posing for pictures. And this last group included us.

A view of Symphony Lake (CNB 2014)

The children's wading pools (CNB 2014)

This beautiful public park was designed by Brazilian architect Roberto Burle Marx with the aim to "leave the world a little more sensitive and a little more educated to the importance of nature". The man made lake in front of Suria KLCC Mall (Lake Symphony) has water fountains that shoot water up to a height of 42 metres. Later in the evening the water features were 'colourfully' lighted up and the fountains danced albeit without the aid of music. A 43 metre elevated bridge that cut across the lake provided a vantage view of the park and the twin towers.

Beneath the elevated bridge and the twin
towers (AB 2014)

There is the 1.3 km long jogging track (covered with special rubberised material) but we were not  properly shod  - A was in sandals and I had the ugliest shoes on - my favourite Crocs! So we just strolled along appreciating the various features of this little green oasis within the big city - the trees and shrubs, sculptures, fountains, and pools around the park. I found out later that 23 mature and rare specimens were transplanted from the old Selangor Turf Club that made way for the Petronas twin towers to be built. Also that 1900 indigenous trees and 66 species of palms were planted to promote bio-diversity.

Steel sculptures of a whale and two dolphins (CNB 2014)

The children's playground was full of kids having a great time. But we did come across a little girl who was crying because she had somehow lost her parents. We did what we could to calm her down and handed her to the lady security officers who were on duty there. (We hope she was reunited with her family soon enough). There was some construction going on so the beautiful As Syakirin mosque was pretty much hidden from where we were.

We did enjoy our walk that day (01.01.14) and hope to make repeat performances in the future.

The dancing fountains of Symphony Lake (CNB 2014)

Note: KLCC Park information gleaned from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.