The one with the treasure hunt

An eventful weekend. I entered the AmBank Group Treasure Hunt. The hunt was from KL to Penang. Actually we finish before Penang, but we stayed overnight there. My team included colleagues from my department Chun Bee, Melissa and Cythia (yes it is spelt without the 'N'). So I was the driver, Chun Bee the navigator and the two girls were the brains of the operation.
A very early morning for all of us. Woke up at 5am, met up with the team around 6ish at the Securities Commission carpark. We flagged off around 7.30 (after a delay due to typical Malaysian timing). The hunt theme was based on the PIrates trilogy. I didn't manage to watch all three films before the hunt so I printed out the wikipedia of the films. My team were all first timers. So generally we weren't use to all the puzzles. We all had a good grasp on the general knowledge, but we had trouble deciphering the clues and hints within the given clues. But its an experience for all of us for the next hunt (providing we are all still in the bank next year). And also the discovery of the fact that RED is totally NOT my colours.
We reached the finishing station at 3.15pm and after submitting our answers and treasures we headed off the the island. I was surprised to see a lot has changed since the last time I was in Penang (2002). I myself spent two ill-fated years at a boarding school in Penang and it seems all the shortcuts and routes I use to know were non-existent. Anyways, before we headed to the Bayview Hotel in Batu Feringhi, we headed to Gurney Drive for some good (overpriced) Penang food. When we finally reached the hotel we wanted to head to the beach for some sea fun. But from our balcony we saw a huge drain heading to the sea next to the hotel. Crap-O. We then changed our minds and headed to the pool. After swimming a couple of laps I realize I seriously need to lose pounds as I couldn't pull of the James Bond scene.
Later that night was the answers and prize giving ceremony. We manage to get 10 out of 30 questions right. And two of my teammates (Chun Bee and Cythia) won toasters from the lucky draw.
Sadly, the event went low-key. It was announced that one car didn't make the finish line and one bank staff died in the accident. A burst tyre, car spinning out of control and a collision with the divider were the events leading to the death.
We still went out for drinks later that night. Went to the QEII, some club at the jetty, supposedly one of the happening places in Penang. The only good thing about the place was the fact that it was on the jetty. The rest was okay except the music which totally sucked.
We slept after 2am, after my roommate was puking his guts out.
Woke up the next morning and headed to the balcony. A beautiful rainbow greeted me good morning. Headed for breakfast after taking a shower. After breakfast I was walking around the hotel and found a basketball court. I went nuts after that and borrowed a ball from the hotel. Shot some hoops and realize I really miss playing basketball. At least I still had my moves and somehow managed some lay ups (I can't dunk anymore due the the weight I'm carrying around) with my off-hand.
After checking out, we headed to Georgetown for some nasi kandar before heading back home. It was raining the whole trip back and after the news of the accident, the girls told me to driver slower. We reached KL around 4.30pm and after sending everyone off I headed home to sleep.
Still tired, but had a great time.

The one with the Chilling Waterfall

Today is my final day of 'gardening leave' before I commence work tomorrow. To cap it off I went to Chilling Waterfall in Kuala Kubu Bahru. You could say it was my day with nature and water. One last activity to end my leave with a bang...I mean splash.
My tour guide was Hafizah as she is very familiar with the area and also a regular there (she knows the tour guides there). It is a very nice place to get away from the hassles of city life. I have to admit once I was there, all my problems were a light years away. To make things more fun it wasn't crowded, only two groups today. So there was plenty of water to play with for everyone. When we reach a place to swim I was like a kid unleashed into the biggest toy store.
On our way up we stop at two places to swim, first a the mid-point and then at the waterfall. There was a lot of fishes in the water as the place was under the Fishery Department jurisdiction. They are fine with people coming to visit as long as they don't make a mess. The water was chilling (hence the name) and clear. Felt like I could just swim all day and also wish the day didn't have to end. Yes, I have this thing for the water especially beaches and waterfalls. I just like being in the water. I also tried one of the jumps from one of the jump-off points. Just jump into the middle of the pool and let the current push you to the pool. The adrenaline rush was like wow. On our way down had another swim at the mid-point. You could say I just didn't have enough of the water.
It was one of the most fun experiences I've had in a while. Maybe its been a long time since I got in touch with nature. The whole experience is really hard for me to put into words. So I'll post some pictures for you all to see.

The one with the found graphic novels

A lazy Sunday for me. Was in my room the whole time alternating between youtube-ing, sleeping and reading. It rained the whole morning also.
As posted yesterday I was looking for my graphic novels. In the end I found out it was with Farrish the whole time. A huge relief there as I was running out of ideas of where to look in my room. At least I know its in good hands.
As I'm posting this blog I just got back from dim sum with Hafizah. She was on one of her 'driving-around' modes and ended up in around my area. Even though the dim sum joint is near my crib, Farrish introduced it to me. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't know where to find good, reasonably priced dim sum. I don't go out around my neighbourhood. Still unfamiliar with the surroundings and I think I've lived here for 6 years. Make that 5, minus my final year in college.
Tomorrow is Monday. The toughest day to go through (for me and Garfield anyway). I just hope the system at work doesn't do anything funny. If it does, its going to be another long week (until Friday comes along). Then again its always the case, isn't it?