Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Project Civic ~ Part I

The conventional 4-stroke engine is also known as the piston engine ~ Ever wondered why? In the power cycle, it is the reciprocating motion of the pistons triggered by the internally combusted air-fuel mixture that makes power; literally (mechanically), so to speak. In laying down the groundworks for an NA motor upgrade, swapping for a set of higher compression pistons is gives the best bang for the buck.

TODA forged high compression pistons (for the K20A ~ from the latest FD Civic Type R) ~ Yeah, babeh!

Do not be mislead by the box =p *K20 pistons don't fit in a B-series*

The Stuff: Honda OEM CTR (PZT) pistons

Damage Done: RM810/set including piston wrist pins

These are actually genuine Honda OEM high compression pistons for the venerable B16B Civic Type R. Now, the beauty of it is these high performance CTR pistons can be used in any B-series block, except the B20-CRV.

The 'R' piston features:

- High profile dome for higher compression ratio to make more power ~ will bump up compression ratio from a stock of 10.4 to 11.1 when used in a B16A. Click here for Compression Ratio Calculator. *interesting!*

- OEM forged ~ has better structural integrity compared to cast pistons

- Moly-based low-friction coating on piston skirt (darker part on the sides) for increased efficiency & reduce wear + scuffing problems

- More oil holes for optimal lubrication


Have yet to be installed, as the visit to the workshop is not scheduled until sometime next month.

*when I’m away for vacation... =p ~ phuket trip + engine tuning job = massive $$ damage!! arggh! xp*


Monday, March 03, 2008

Project Civic ~ Intro

After having spent nearly 2 years plus of driving thrill in my fairly stock converted EG6 (in Ferio chassis), the fun factor had all but slowly fading away as my driving gets better habituated with that high revving potent little B16A, over time. My thirst for more POWAH is becoming insatiable… =p

I always have an affection for fast cars as much as I do, for pretty women =p; ask any guy ~ owning Ferrari or Porshe would definitely be on their wishlist. Though, reality check tells me I’d hardly be able to afford neither anytime soon ~ unless I hit TOTO MEGA 1/52 which, I can continue to daydream about. =p So I’d just make do with what I have ~ a potent budget car platform to start building & tuning to its full potential; gradually, as I start learning to explore & appreciate its finer points in driving & handling at each level *might take years to accomplish & largely dependant on my current-state $$ also*


I have outlined my tuning approach to be taken for this project with reliability, drivability (coz it’s my daily driver), practicality (petrol prices ain’t coming down) & cost effectiveness in mind.

1. All motor NA (naturally aspirated) build. So no forced induction: turbo, supercharger, NOS etc..

~ Advantages: a) jimat minyak, b) an easier daily driver to live with (lower maintenance $$), c) less prone to reliability & tuning issues (VTECs aren't too turbo friendly) d) inherent engine high revving nature can be retained

~Disadvantage: a) Turbocharging is the most cost effective (comparatively) & surest way (kinda like a short cut) to attain crazy engine horsepower figures to deliver that kick-ass neck snapping acceleration, b) want more power, just tune up the boost & pray that your engine does not blow up


2. No stroker kit (to increase displacement); though B16/B20 or B16/B18 hybrids are the craze today

~ Advantages (of retaining displacement): a) Jimat minyak, b) Again, less prone to reliability issue ~ added mechanical stress with stroking can't be too kind for your engine's lifespan, c) Still get to revvit thru the rooftop (rev limit not compromised), d) No hassle with engine paperwork, registration & re-inspection (due to cc change)

~ Disadvantage (of increasing displacement): a) Better torque across all rpm range. "There is no replacement for displacement" ~ a tag that still holds true in building a high powered engine

I’m sticking to a 1.6L NA all motor build. With this somewhat conservative approach, achieving 200 whp might seem overly optimistic, but will be worth the shot. "The response and urgency of a highly tuned NA engine is what gets me going" ~ best describes my stand.

My Blog has a theme song ~ tagged by september many, many moons ago, but have only discovered it recently... very sorry for taking ages to reply. This is not actually a theme song, but a friend had jokingly requested to sing it for her. In real life, i can't quite make a decent singer & at Popwave, they don't seem to have an mtv version of this song yet... so i'll just present it here, for the time being =p

She calls me baby, then she won't call me.
Says she adores me and then ignores me.
Jenny, what's the problem?
She keeps her distance and sits on fences.
Puts up resistance and builds defenses.

Jenny, what's the problem?
You leave me hanging on the line.
Every time you change your mind.

First You say you won't, then you say you will.
You keep me hanging on, and we're not moving on.
I"m standing still, Jenny. You got me on my knees.
Jenny, it's killing me.

She needs her own space. She's playing mind games.
Ends up at my place saying that she's changed.
Jenny, what's the problem?
I'm trying to read between the lines.
You got me going out of my mind.

First, you say you won't, then you say you will.
You keep me hanging on, and we're not moving on.
I'm standing still, Jenny. You got me on my knees.
Jenny, it's killing me. It's killing me. It's killing me.
Jenny.

First, you say you won't, then you say you will.
You keep me hanging on, and we're not moving on.
I'm standing still, Jenny. You got me on my knees.
Jenny.

First, you say you won't, then you say you will.
You keep me hanging on, and we're not moving on.
We're standing still, Jenny. You got me on my knees.
Jenny. It's killing me. It's killing me. Jenny.
Come to think of it, that's just you.
Who should I Vote for this Erection Election?



According to the 100% accurate kennysia.com Who-To-Vote-This-Election Decision Generator™, I am voting for...



DEMOCRATIC ACTION PARTY!





Who Should You Vote For This Election?


Wah, i kamcheng with mrtoilet.... memang brader ah.. =p
*aiks! just remembered i have yet to register as a voter.. paiseh.. xp*
Take your Who-to-Vote-This-Election Decision Generator here.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Just for Laughs (forwarded..)
No matter how many times i've seen this, i still never failed to burst out in laughter each time i read it... especially liked the last part... coz i've been getting it a lot. =p

ROMANCE MATHEMATICS

Smart man + smart woman = romance

Smart man + dumb woman = affair

Dumb man + smart woman = marriage

Dumb man + dumb woman = pregnancy

____________ _________ _________

OFFICE ARITHMETIC

Smart boss + smart employee = profit

Smart boss + dumb employee = production

Dumb boss + smart employee = promotion

Dumb boss + dumb employee = overtime

____________ _________ ________

SHOPPING MATH

A man will pay $20 for a $10 item he needs.

A woman will pay $10 for a $20 item that she

doesn't need.

____________ _________ ________

GENERAL EQUATIONS & STATISTICS

A woman worries about the future until she

gets a husband.

A man never worries about the future until

he gets a wife.

A successful man is one who makes more money

than his wife can spend.

A successful woman is one who can find such

a man.

____________ _________ ________

HAPPINESS

To be happy with a man, you must understand

him a lot and love him a little.

To be happy with a woman, you must love her

a lot and not try to understand her at all.

____________ _________ _________

LONGEVITY

Married men live longer than single men do,

but married men are a lot more wil ling to die.

____________ _________ _________

PROPENSITY TO CHANGE

A woman marries a man expecting he will

change, but he doesn't.

A man marries a woman expecting that she

won't change, and she does.

____________ _________ ________

DISCUSSION TECHNIQUE

A woman has the last word in any argument.

Anything a man says after that is the

beginning of a new argument.

____________ _________ ________

HOW TO STOP PEOPLE FROM BUGGING YOU ABOUT

GETTING MARRIED

Old aunts used to come up to me at weddings,

poking me in the ribs and cack ling , tel ling

me, 'You're next.' They stopped after I

started doing the same thing to them at

funerals.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

2008 NBA Slam Dunk Contest


~ this is one of the more entertaining dunk contests i've seen in the recent years. An event which, has been the highlight of the annual All-Star Weekend (other than the All-Star Game) since the early 1980s (sans a couple of seasons in the late 90s?) have revolutionized the dunk from a high-percentage 2-point field goal scoring technique to a momentum shifting, game defining, crowd-WOWing flashy & explosive air walking fiasco. Kids from my generation would probably remember the amazing gravity defying feat by Michael "Air" Jordan's , that infamous from-the-free-throw-line clutch dunk & Dominique "the-Human-Highlight-Film' Wilkins throwing down his trademark thunderous windmill dunks. Over the years, we've been seeing similar dunks being improvised from dunk contest to dunk contest; creativity & inspiration seemed to be running dry, and the hype surrounding dunk contests were gradually dwindling in the recent years (notably late 90s?) to the point where there were even talks to scrap off the event.
Well, i find this year's edition fresh & entertainingly impressive to watch... so i just had to post it. Man, how i wished i could have serious hops like those fellas. All i could managed was reach of barely a brick away from the rim during my balling heydays...
In this year's edition ~ not so-over-the-top green socks's mama-look-no-shoes between the legs dunk, over-the-top blow-a-candle-on-cup-cake-on-the-rim dunk (where the hell did he get the idea??) & Superman layup dunk ???? a bit overrated & is technically NOT a dunk, but i'd still give it a 10/10. See to find out why... this guy never seems to fail to get the crowd pumped up & on their feet. The tallest best leaper i've seen. Graceful yet powerful at that too.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Random ramblings ~ well, when it comes to blogging, my mind always goes blank when thinking of an appropriate title ~ lacking poetic creativity or inspiration? Maybe… Its been on hiatus ever since CNY. It’s been work, work, work, OT, OT, OT & eat, eat, eat non-stop since. Thanks to all the feasting & drinking, I have gotten substantially flabbier around the middle. Strange considering I’ve hardly gained any weight at all. *to mrtoilet: yah, now that we’re even, are u happy now?!* Haih… merry making is like that wat…

I’ve got approximately 2 months to whip it back to shape & get into presentable mode before I jump on the beach party bandwagon to Phuket early April. Only 2 months of intensive gut-wrenching AB workout program to religiously adhere to. Yeay. -_-

Just returned to gym for the 1st time after nearly 3 weeks of absence. By the 2nd set of 4-routine combo, I was literally dead from the waist down. Yeay, keep it up. -_-

About work, I was grumbling about having to work on CNY for the 3rd consecutive year in a row. It SUCKS to be working when everyone else is partying & having a good time. Though, looking at the brighter side, those 3 dreadful days of OT may have probably earned me enough $$ to substantially cover my Phuket trip. Yeh, babeh!

On top of that, many of my colleagues coming back from their respective hometowns after CNY holidays brought along many goodies. Most notably the yummy chicken biscuit; the first time I had it was when a friend from Kampar brought along some after CNY 2004 during my internship stint far-far away.

Still as yummy, but as for the name revamp? CB biscuits….Hey, you a piece of my CB? It does that sound a bit vulgar in some local dialect…. ps no pun intended =p

To that dear friend: A Valentine’s romantic getaway in Bali… woa, I’m so envious of you ler… So I shall be expecting to hear good news from you soon! =p

Well, as for mine I’ve got nothing much special to blog about; did not celebrate Valentine’s with someone special, but I’ve got a bunch of good company to cheers with, to not feel so sad about not having a date on that Single Awareness Day.

Haven’t done much visiting this year & barely got to meet a few old buddies in a gathering or two; but got to meet up my oldman, buddy. What he’s up to lately? It seemed like he’s hooked up a major deal & released an MTV with his grandson or grandoter at the helm as the creative director. Kejap grandson, kejap grandoter.. I pun tak tau lah.

Presenting ah kong’s masterpiece… (ah kong is the canvas lah)



Lim peh ka lih kong, this ah kong very geng one. One evening he called me, got zzzzgg-zzzggg sound in the background, wah seh, steady leh. In the middle of getting tattoed also can talk steady like no sweat!
Btw, really nice piece ~ your burung turn into phoenix already; when is your carp fish turning into mermaid? hehe =p

Kudos to creative director ehon a.k.a. ah kong grandson.. grandoter.. whatever la… It’s been great knowing you. So when can I get my ride’s MTV done? *Ha, just kidding*. My car looks so crappy to be worth getting a shot. Not at least until the engine gets done right & she gets a fresh coat of paint.

I dream of building a bad-ass sleeper Civic ~ stock, no show but all go. 200hp NA B16 rojak street-able daily driver… possible?

Full engine rebuild & tuning is in the pipeline (very dependant on how deep my pocket is after April Phuket damage). Nothing beats the thrill of a high strung NA VTEC engine furiously screaming its way up to a stratospheric 10k rpm like this



Or this one if I get lucky enough to own a supercar, someday…



Oh, boy i'm drooling already... =)

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Auspicious Day to Start Work for 2008

Ever since i started working, taking off days for CNY has become a luxury that hardly attainable... ~ that's 24-7-365 semiconductor industry for you! For the 3rd consecutive year, i'll be covering the dreaded CNY holiday shift again, but with better timing than last year... at least it's not the graveyard shift.... Specifically, will be working on the 1st & 4th day ~ only 2 days off for me :(
On a more positive note, the predictions are reading out fine.... so cheers to a smooth-sailing-lack-of-man-power working day tomorrow! The OT $ will be injected into my vacation fund for the upcoming Phuket trip come April... yeh, babeh! =)
*damage already done = RM404 to pay to mrtoilet by midnight for the Kch-KL-Phuket return flight tickets.. *

Just wanna wish everyone Happy Prosperous CNY 2008, & to all working thru CNY, cheers as well! We shall all be smiling when we get our fatter pay checks by end of February! =p

Sunday, February 03, 2008

Fixing Alignment Woes ~ many moons ago after much tinkering with an ailing drive-shaft (& eventually going thru some major part replacement), I’ve sent my car for a computerized alignment check ~ and the report card came out looking dreadful, with lots of red marks which, shouldn’t mean any good.

Red markings indicate misalignment settings outside of the manufacturer’s recommended range which can hasten tire wear rate & adversely affect the car overall handling, braking & ride quality. ~ No wonder my car handles awkward with hints of severe understeer during hard cornering & feels unsettled during hard launches from standstill.

Being an enthusiast who enjoys occasional aggressive spirited driving, I’m not taking any chances by leaving this alignment problem un-addressed. Talk about taking calculated risk when pushing a car to its limits ~ on a badly setup car could be potentially fatal.

Here I’ll attempt to throw some light on the 3 basic parameters of the alignment process.

1. Toe ~ (in degrees) toe angle identifies the exact direction the tires are pointed relative to centerline of the car when viewed from above. A certain enthusiast recommended a slight toe-out setting for better directional stability & sharper turn-in response. Mine falls well within the recommended range.

2. Camber ~ (in degrees) the angle of the wheel relative to its vertical axis, when viewed from the front or the rear of the car. As with most lowered cars *mine’s got a 1&1/2 finger clearance from scraping the fenders (front tires)*, camber characteristics are inherently negative. Mine checks out at an averaged -1’30” (30” off spec) ~ gives better cornering grip but at expense of straight-line tracking & excessive tire wear & tear on the inner edge. Necessitates tire swapping from time to time… can’t be helped unless start investing in an aftermarket camber kit. Pricey $$

3. Caster ~ position of the wheel forward or rearward when viewed directly from side of the car. Mine was in a bad shape as both of my front wheels exhibit negative caster; wheel positioned toward the rear of the fender ~ attributing to poor straight line tracking, reduced high speed stability & cornering effectiveness. This one’s the source of my headache since it is likely the caused by a bent front wheel lower sub-frame ~ result of a collision or impact with a pothole or pavement; there no quick fix of adjusting it….

(HT VOL75 is a good read up source for the alignment lesson)

The only fix is to go the whole 9-yards & replace the whole god-damn sub-frame

Damage: 380bucks for a reconditioned replacement unit + more substantial $$ for the worn out bushing, driveshaft boots replacements, labor charges & 3 days of down time in the garage…

Left...

Right...

Gobbled up quite a chunk off my bonus, but it’s finally fixed now. At least I have the groundwork laid out for Resolution#2. My next trip to the workshop would involve major internal works on the power plant. No more untimely, costly repair/maintenance works, I hope. Or i'll never get to starting my quest for more POWER.

Saturday, February 02, 2008

ZGMF-X666S

Legend Gundam





American Muscle...






~ spotted at a friend's workshop. This is what the Americans call, a full-sized automobile; & i always thought of the 5-series or the newer Camrys/Accords as oversized saloons, but this ride just gives a new definition to the term 'over' sized. Seeing one in real flesh is a sight to behold ~ decked in all black & its low-strung stance gives it a menacing presence; its' sheer size almost unfathomable ~ can comfortably accomodate a full grown adult lying down across the seats... that's how wide it really is. It's a 1965 Chevrolet Impala running on a small block V8 ~ essentially a 5,400cc displacement engine... & they call that a small block?? *i can't even start to imagine how big the displacement for the big block V8s..* It says 327 on the side marker... which literally means it's 235 - 375bhp specced engine. You'll definitely need that kind of horsepower to haul one big mean ride as this one. It's got vintage interior & is a right hand drive; so it must be an export version. This is one ultra exotic ride that is hard to come by (at least in this part of the world), so seeing one in real life (in mint condition) is truly special =) *only regret is that i was not there to get to see it roar to life after its five-digit-costing overhaul job*

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

My New Year Resolutions? ~ Looking back, it's been almost 2 years since my similarly titled maiden blog entry. Some resolutions i have achieved, making room on the list for new ones... the more daunting ones do tend to hang on longer ~ just have to keep moving forward towards a better tomorrow; keep the sense of resolve & devition alive & renewed at each turn of a brand new year ~ that's life for me =)
Getting on to the 1st one already:

1. Get a steady ~ this one has been around forever so it deserves the top spot. My story has yet to begin. Why?
Quoting Joel from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind " Why do I fall in love with every woman I see who shows me the least bit of attention?" ~ this quoted from someone's comment in someone's post describes it best.
"Dont' be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin." "...So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset, is a minute of happiness you'll never get back"
(quoted from somewhere)
~ i try to live by, & hope i'll meet that someone who shares my point of view too, someday soon.

2. Pimp my ride ~ coz i just love fast rides...

maybe not so much like this.... source
What my ride needs:
a. a new paint job
b. shed off that ricer bodykit, go for clean cut & stock JDM look
c. go intrinsic to bring out the revered B16's true potential
d. tighten up its handling
~ the making of one clean & fast stock daily driver =)

3. Vacation ~ to set foot on a continent i've never been to before... too ambitious ($$)? let's start closer to home...
I'd be contented to visit either

or

this year. Or maybe someplace closer to home still.... Damai Puri? =p

4. Time to give my career a wake-up push. Not that i'm not doing well, just that i could do better. A lot. Maybe i'm just a little too laid back. Semiconductor is one volatile yet demanding field to be in; wafer fabrication is one of 'em sub-fields that ranks top in terms of $$. But then again, there's still the oil & gas industry right up there at the very top. A change of career in that direction would be great. If not, i'll just got to make do with what i am & what i have now; & do the very best. It's the best shot i have to make my 1st million $$ before 30 *still daydreaming* =p .... realistically & probability-wise much better than punting for 1/52 or 1/49s.. haha!

5. Think of resolution # 6 - 10 ~ coz it's #4 is not a good number to stop at.

Generically speaking, i resolve to live a good year & get wiser, not forgetting staying healthy & fit as a horse... . About getting the 6-pack thingy ~ i've got one already... just 5 more to go, haha... just like how mrtoilet put it, literally =)
& lastly, keep my blog alive....
Hey, that was #6 thru 10 already =p


> Subject: FW: Don't buy petrol on 24th Jan 2008 !!
> To:
>
> Hi folks,.......... Lets give it a try! Nothing to lose; Everything to
> gain!
>
> Lets fight the high cost of PETROL. Lets HELP OURSELVES against the
> PETROL COMPANIES!! If we all cooperate, it should give a SHOCK to the
> petrol industry! Lets give it a try. Got NOTHING to lose !!!
>
> See message below>>>>>>
>
>
> IT HAS BEEN CALCULATED THAT IF EVERYONE DID NOT PURCHASE A DROP OF
> PETROL FOR ONE DAY AND ALL AT THE SAME TIME, THE OIL COMPANIES WOULD
> CHOKE ON THEIR STOCKPILES.
>
> AT THE SAME TIME IT WOULD HIT THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY WITH A NET LOSS OVER
> 4.6 BILLION DOLLARS WHICH AFFECTS THE BOTTOM LINES OF THE OIL COMPANIES.
> THEREFORE "24th JANUARY " HAS BEEN FORMALLY DECLARED "STICK IT UP THEIR
> BEHIND" DAY AND THE PEOPLE OF THIS NATION SHOULD NOT BUY A SINGLE DROP
> OF PETROL ON THAT DAY.
>
>
> THE ONLY WAY THIS CAN BE DONE IS IF YOU FORWARD THIS E-MAIL TO AS MANY
> PEOPLE AS YOU CAN AND AS QUICKLY AS YOU CAN TO GET THE WORD OUT.
>
> WAITING ON THE GOVERNMENT TO STEP IN AND CONTROL THE PRICES IS NOT GOING
> TO HAPPEN. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE REDUCTION AND CONTROL IN PRICES THAT THE
> ARAB NATIONS PROMISED TWO WEEKS AGO?
>
> REMEMBER ONE THING, NOT ONLY IS THE PRICE OF PETROL GOING UP BUT AT THE
> SAME TIME AIRLINES ARE FORCED TO RAISE THEIR PRICES, TRUCKING COMPANIES
> ARE FORCED TO RAISE THEIR PRICES WHICH AFFECTS PRICES ON EVERYTHING THAT
> IS SHIPPED. THINGS LIKE FOOD, CLOTHING, BUILDING SUPPLIES, MEDICAL
> SUPPLIES ETC. WHO PAYS IN THE END? WE DO!
>
>
> WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! IF THEY DON'T GET THE MESSAGE AFTER ONE DAY,
> WE WILL DO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN. SO DO YOUR PART AND SPREAD THE WORD.
> FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW. MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND MAKE 24
> JANUARY A DAY THAT THE CITIZENS SAY "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH".
>
> We forward so many junk email to many of our friends, now let us do it
> for some useful cause to cut down the price of the petrol........
>
> REMEMBER: JANUARY 24, 2008.... NO Petrol Day...!
>
> Please "Think Of It ...............

hmmm, how true is this? well, i'm definitely not filling up on the 24th....
coz i just did so well past the half mark last night. Should be able to last til the weekend...

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Another American monster movie *think Godzilla* ~ monster attack dizzyingly told from the view point of a handheld video cam, not unlike the Blairwitch Project but with better graphics & sound effects rendition; yes, portable gadgets technology has improved so much since, that you could shoot a whole blockbuster using one. Verdict: a barely 90mins flick with an abrupt ending is hardly worth the 9bucks, but i'd give 2 thumbs up for the effects. This movie sure is EFFECTIVE. It's the first thing that makes me vomit since that vodka overdose at Soho many moons ago...
Watch Cloverfield = get Clobbered-head feel xp
Go checkout the trailers here & see if it fits your movie appetite.

20080118 ~ Annah Rais Longhouse Trip

Apart from savoring the many local delicacies Kuching is so famous for (i.e. kolo mee, sw’ak laksa, tomato mee etc.) & checking out the sight-seeing spots around our historical little town, a visit to an authentic longhouse surely adds a more unique flavor to the travel itinerary of visiting friends from abroad. We embarked on a journey to the Annah Rais longhouse ~ a large Bidayuh settlement with history dating back hundreds of years, on Friday morning. Armed with a hand-drawn map *with prominent landmarks being the counts of bridges crossed*, negotiating the twisty Borneo Highlands highway in an Avanza on loan from mrtoilet was quite a breeze. Driving the country road was a joy with all the fresh air & lush highland sceneries. Initially planned for a trip for 5. Unfortunately, 2 of my buddies had to bail out at the last minute due some unforeseen circumstances, leaving the adventurous trio to venture on our own.

Looking as sua-ku as ever, my colleague, Margaret with the backpack & her ex-uni mate on a biz trip here for 1st time. Let’s call her bubbly miss Shiseido ~ she shops & talks for a living *a girl’s dream job* ~ literally the cosmetic industry equivalent of an semiconductor application engineer.

A recent addition to her job description includes conquering bamboo bridges in the interiors of Borneo… haha! =p feat

Even with modern technology finding its way into these authentic longhouses, the way of life here is still pretty much unchanged, especially among the village elders. It’s peaceful & quiet here; even the cats & dogs here seemed more laid back & move about slowly.

Our cam-whoring antics do not seem to bother the nearby napping cat a single bit…

Off to the nearby hot spring or ‘jungle spa’. This one’s not as commercialized as most of the other hot springs around the country i.e Poring hot spring in Sabah… so you could practically have the whole area to yourselves on a quiet day.

Had a pleasant encounter with a bunch of fun loving & young at heart ‘senior citizens’ at the spring… they turned out to be my not-so-distant relatives (mom’s cousins) after all!

Had a great time soaking up our feet getting revitalized, chatting, laughing & catching up over beer =)

The leader of the pack, an 86 year old strongman of the village (in-laws of one of my uncles) with ‘the catch of the day’ ~ a massive buah cempedak!

This energetic uncle too, is young at heart…. maybe that’s the secret of his youthfulness despite age ~ AMAZING

That’s our lunch consisting of one egg each boiling in the hot spring…

However, our attempt did not turn out quite as well = lunch gone.

Sensing our predicament, uncle graciously invited us over for lunch back at the longhouse. So we tagged along… =)

Back at the longhouse ~ started working on the cempedak ~ the first time I’ve ever had one, nice

Lunch feast kampong style… where everything is cooked in a bamboo; using very ancient kitchen utensils & stove which I can’t even begin to describe… well, it’s ancient…

Bon appetit!

Parting snapshots…

This has been a truly unique trip & gastronomic experience, even for me… a very memorable one. Thanks, uncles & aunties! =)