Miri International Jazz Festival 2007 (12th May)

After a long tiring cave exploring day we didnt had much time to rest. Just sat around and did our laundry, the 2 room apartment hotel comes fully equipped. How good is that. By the time we took our turns in the shower it was already too late to rush for the festival, so we just took our own sweet time to laze around and enjoyed our seafood dinner in town. We had halal chinese seafood and it was good and fresh as for the price it was pretty much the same as what we'll be paying in KL. Took a cab to Park Everly Hotel because Zahir knocked out cold after the long day but he'll join us later much later.

Pavilion's view over to the garden with food stalls, projector screens and beach.

I was really looking forward for the 2nd day because of the Cuban Latin band. Even though I've no idea what gibberish they mumbling, their music always sound very alive. Here are the performance for the 2nd day in order:

• Orak Naa Naa (Morocco/Germany)
• George Washingmachine Quartet (UK/France /Australia)
• Habana Sax (Cuba)
• Dirty Dozen Brass Band (US)

Totally missed the whole Orak Naa Naa performance but Dave said it was no big deal. Maybe he was too high and busy with 4 of his best friends Mr. Daniel, Jack. He meet up with his old buddy and they got themselves a table and manage to pull some strings with the hotel management to bring in 4 bottles of Jack. Isnt that just good shite!!!

I wonder what happened to all the bottles. Check out their stoned faces.

We made it just in the nick of time to catch George's quartet when we arrived, very clean clear music without the drums. George's a great entertainer, dancing and hopping around the stage with his violin. Their music sounded a lil like western. After the last song, George announced that their CD is on sale out in of the booth outside and he promoted his CD wisely by saying that "Its rewritable"

My all time favourite performance on the 2nd day its simply SAXY!!! Habana Sax from Cuba.

Habana Sax doing their thang

Dirty Dozen Brass band once again. This time they played blues and Efrem blew the audiences away with his dual trumpet talent. Thats it for the 2007 festival, hardly touched any alcohol that night.

Purchased the Habana Sax CD from a booth outside and I got it fully autographed! WOHOOOO!!

Bumped into Jorge from Habana Sax at the hotel lobby just before we left.

Bid farewell to the 2007 fest, I'll see you guys there next year again on the 8th & 9th may 2008. Hope I can bring my whole family there next year. There are few Miri jazz videos available on YouTube, here the official video for tourism board.

$1 went to Niah Cave

Day 2 was rather dreadful and torturing but it was a great experience. We had breakfast in the hotel stuffing ourselves with calories knowing that it would be really helpful for our adventure. Too bad hotel only came with breakfast for 2 so poor Elisha had to go to the mall downstairs and she bought some sandwiches from Dave's deli. All packed with fluids and snacks and we're off to challenge Niah Cave, left our hotel close to noon. Journey to the cave took us about 1 hour with Zahir's skillful driving so instead of a 1.5hour journey we manage to get there in an hour flat. No speeding just plain KL driving at about 100km/h on average.

I went there a lil unprepared and as far as I know cave exploring will be smelly due to the bat/swallow's guano not forgetting the wet slippery ground. Silly me, I forgot caves are dark too and we didnt bring or purchase a torch light. Registered ourselves and paid MYR10 entrance fee to get to Niah cave, MYR1 boat ride per way across the river from the camp site/office.

See their happy faces, not knowing the torturous walk later.

Boat ride across a 30M river. Anyone could just swim across!

Let the adventurous journey begin. Samson was here.

Still walking!! Look nipah leaves for weaving.

Still not there yet!!

Jungle walk wasnt too bad actually, the path measures about 3.5KM to the cave entrance from the river bank. Right after the river bank, we passed a museum where we rented a torch light for MYR5. Our local government is doing a good job to preserving our national park, they're upgrading the path to concrete and slowly removing the old squeaky wooden planks. Finally after 1hour brisk walk, we made it to base of the hill where there were some local Iban native stalls selling handicrafts, souvenirs and drinks. Not too bad at all I was still breathing and I only finished a small 500ml bottle of mineral water, 3 litres more to go.

"Look here comes some suckers!!! Ahmoi come buy la"

After a short walk from the stalls, the flat path turns into scary high wooden bridges. You cant see the ground underneath your feet except trees and leaves. Not to mention that its wobbly at certain point, I LOVE IT!!! Felt like Indianna Jones! Never felt my home squeaky stairs more save.

Scary wooden stairs

Finally! Cave entrance rest house. These were built for the bird nest harvesters. Those visible long thingy at the back is not stalactite, its wooden sticks and PVC pipes tied together to reach the cave top for bird nest harvesting. Few hundreds of metres to the top! No wonder swallow's nest is so damn darn expensive its fucking hazardous job but someone has to do it. Rehydrate ourselves and squeeze dry my shirt. I might have weigh 2kilos lighter by now because I swear my sweat from my shirt could have filled a few cups. Fluid count : 2.5 litres left.

Ermmm,... helllooooo????? Echooo!!!! Into the cave! Niah cave has 3 parts : The Great Cave

2nd attraction of the cave is the Large Chamber where you will see most of the formations and light shafts. Stunning rock formation after thousands of year, but we werent admiring it. Our senses were more focused on the slippery surface and on the light spot from our torch lights. Mrs$1 was too busy taking pictures for me blog. Speaking of that, I'm just so glad I'm still here blogging about this. While were walking down some stairs in pitch black after the Large Chamber, I slipped and fell due to a broken wooded plank. God knows what might happen to me, maybe I'll break my leg or fall into the darkness and die.

I saw lights!!!! OMG!!! Go into the lights!!! I'm coming God!

We're greeted by greens once out of the Great cave and the Large Chambers. Zahir told us that it just a short stroll to the Painted cave. Zahir's making his 4th trip here at Niah cave.

Final destination, the painted cave. Hand squeezed my shirt twice here. Fluid lost surpass 2 litres. 1litre of drinks left. I hate my body cooling efficiency.



Modern cave men paintings on the walls. Took us 2 hours and 4.5KM to get to here and see this. Worthy? A bit of both I'd say. I'm just glad that its over and my shoes were killing my feet, I could feel blisters on my right toes and my damn left foot corns hurts like hell. More walking only means more pressure applied to these wounds.

Last view of the Great cave as we were leaving.

If I could only reach and break one piece down.

Overall it was quite a nice walk and the cool shady jungle paths were cooling even the sun was all out to roast us. If you guys ever wanna go to any caves in Malaysia please be prepare to get wet, dont dress up cause its going to be messy and dirty. Put on a pair of nice comfy shoes not sneakers they dont grip well in caves. Maybe a pair of Hi-tec, Timberland or Merrell hiking boots will be wonderful. Not much mosquitoes around and insect repellent wont work, it will be wash away by your dripping sweat. Bring lotsa lotsa drinking water, you may purchase them at the camp office or the Iban stalls and lastly never forget to bring torch lights. One may also bring your spare clothes and shower at the camp site, not nice to hop into people's car filthy. Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but puddle of sweat, butt print on the ground.

Couldnt wait to jump on the the hotel bed and rest my feet, I wanted to just camp at Niah and tell them to come and get me tomorrow.

Miri International Jazz Festival 2007 (11th May)

This post is so long overdue. We were so hyped up and excited over this trip and it was rather well planned out actually. Our flight was scheduled to depart KL at 1620hr and our infamous AirAsia pushed the flight to 1808hr. Thanks to advance cellular technologies all passengers were notified almost 18 hours in advance. The initial plan was to leave KL at 1620hr and arrive at approximately 1840hr just in time for the party at 1900hr.

Since our flight was pushed forward what else can we say but to bitch and whine about it. AirAsia lead us to another disappointment by delaying another 45minutes and we finally left at close to 1900hr knowing that the crowd is gathering at the festival. Flight was no fun! No turbulence!! Not to mention there was a mannish looking air hostess which I think her brick wall foundation coating face made her look like a drag queen. Finally we touched down at about 2120hr Miri International Airport.

We're fortunate to have a friend there in Miri town to ferry us around in his car. Zahir was at Miri's airport waiting for us for over an hour I think. His KL driving skills and style got us to the festival in a mere 10minutes. No pictures were taken on the first day because I read somewhere in the terms & conditions at the official web site that we're not allowed to bring in cameras or any recording devices. Felt like an idiot when I saw everyone carrying cameras around, security wasnt 1st class either I was expecting security running through your bags and metal detectors like airport. By the time we reached Park City Everly we missed out the first band which was one of Malaysia's best David Gomez Jazz Sextet and the second band whom was KCP4 from India/Germany was coming to an end. We're werent all crazy for music cause we're famish and food was the first thing on our mind. I called up me office mates whom was there on an earlier flight made it from the start. They looked high by the time I got there, bastards started and didnt wait up for me! Food was rather overly priced but we manage to find a stall with a reasonable Bryanni curry rice which only cost MYR5 per plate. It surely beat the the food on AirAsia hands down in price and taste.

David Gomez and the Sextet featuring vocals by Junji Delfino

Here's David Gomez, my office mate Dave and vocalist Junji Delfino

This my other office mate Jam with David Gomez's sax player Julian

Heard me mates said the David's band was amazing and we manage to catch a lil of KCP4 on the large screen outside while having our dinner. Nothing beats the feeling of cold beer rushing down your throat after a meal. My curry rice was then accompanied by good ol'Heineken and a soothing cup of Mojito (pronounced as MoeHeeToe). There were 2 stages in the fest, one was the main indoor hall called the Pavilion where all the bands performed and 1 outdoor stage under the stars was solely for the Son2Nos band.

Next up after KCP4 onwards for day one was all the ultimate bands. First in line was Lluis Coloma the Master of boogiewoogie from Spain. Lluis lead with his own piano and keyboard together with 3 saxs, a cellist and a drummer. I truly bow to the boogiewoogie master, the performance was absolutely WICKED!!! Lluis made piano playing so easy like a kid slamming on the keys. Its the 2nd consecutive year Lluis and his band playing for the Miri festival, I hope they will make a return next year. Lluis even wrote and song just for this trip to Malaysia and its called "Goin' to Malaysia"

Lluis in action

Organisers did a very well job for the audiences to move around, every time a band finishes at the in door Pavilion they need to walk out to the outdoor stage where Son2Nos will perform while the next band and engineers prepare the main stage. Me, Jam & Dave were busy drinking while enjoying the songs, then spoted David Gomez and Junji smoking at one corner and we attacked them with our pens. We all hung out together till our cigarettes burnt out and out beer bottles emptied. Junji called us geeks after she found out that we're all computer techs. WHAT A BITCH!!!

No blank paper in sight so we just used the Programme

Final band of the day1 was the New Orleans Dirty Dozen Brass band. Well the name stands on its own, tuba, trombone, sax, trumpet and fantastic MardiGras performance. By far this was and the only largest band on stage also the brightest one and I almost went blind with those flashy brass. Efrem imitated Louie Armstrong voice, Kevin with his sax and Greg with the trumpet sang away the blues. The Dirty Dozen Brass Band completely blew the audiences.

Efrem with a real good blowjob

Day 1 ended slightly past 1AM, lucky for me Elisha was keeping Mrs1$ company while went drinking and dried my eyes out with chics. Sigh If only I was still single, so many fishes in that sea that day. I'll have to admit that the event was rather big and impressive might need to improve a lil here and there but it was satisfying. Day 1 photos are all courtesy of Dave & Jam, we went our seperate ways to our own hotels. Zahir dropped Mr&Mrs $1 with Elisha back to Imperial Hotel and our 2 room apartment was big and comfy. I was slightly unhappy because I didnt get high on alcohol after 5 mojitos and 5 beers SIGH! End of first day will post more exciting and life threatening encounter in Niah Cave exploring on the 2nd day.

April & May Summarization

Just realised I didnt post anything in April. Alot of things has happened since April fools day on the 1st. Overdue birthday wishes to some close and far away and also some parted ones.

April 2nd was Arron's birthday, I've known Aaron since I was 13 but we werent close untill we were in college. No celebrations this year because he was alcohol fasting for holly Easter. Just right after Easter ended, he threw a private party in Selangor Club in KL. Sad to know that I was the only school friend invited. Would have been great if Edmund was still around to drink with us. None the less the party was great had the chace to meet his flight academy mates and catch up with some of his old SAP colleagues. We sat drank and chat till late.

April 10th was Jessica's birthday, she will always be M'n Ee to me. An annual tradition for me to send out belated birthday text message wishes to her cell.

April 21st was my mother's 60th birthday. Some chinese family would be throwing a big celebration when they reach 60 thanking god that they're still alive. Some mothers are already grandmothers by 60 but not mine. Hmmm,.. ---- think my elder brother better do something about it. he better get marry first.

April 22nd is Allan's birthday who is so far away in America!! Damn!! I didnt know he is back in KL, I thought he said he's coming back in June.

Would like to extend my deepest condolences to the Khaw family. Ed's father passed on recently. I only came to know of his illness the day before he parted this world. Lucky Mary notified me and Aaron. It was really very sudden, he was a very healthy and strong man. I woke up one evening with alot of missed calls on my cell but I couldnt returned Mary & Aaron's calls because my cell was barred from calling out. Later I found out that Ed's dad was lying in hospital for the 10 days and doctor said he has slim chance living. Next day my cell rang and it woke me up and the bad news came in, he passed away in the morning and he was already at the funeral parlour. I jumped out of bed and rushed to the wake service to meet the family.

May 11-13th I flew to Miri for the Miri International Jazz Festival. Will post on my trip very soon with some pictures.

Today is May 21st. 2nd year I've miss celebrating Edmund's birthday. Usually we're just go out to get ourself some alcohol and watch some chics in disco, a typical guys nite out except with an occasion. There was one year on Ed's birthday, we were at Bliss disco and he got picked up by a chic. We had a great time that night teasing him and he was putting his cool act to impress the chic. LOL good times!!! Sighhh ---..............

Vacation

Cant wait for tomorrow!! Its been sometime since I went on a vacation, gonna fly to East Malaysia for the Miri International Jazz Festival. There's gonna be quite a few renowned bands i heard, but I dont know any of them. Just gonna go and enjoy the music by the beach and gulp down some cold Heineken smoke my cigars and get high!! Hopefully my mates can smuggle a bottle of Scotch in. Hoooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cant imagine I spent so much money for this when I can just go to the local jazz festival in Kuala Lumpur. Anyway Miri is a nice place one of the only part of East Malaysia that makes me feel at home.

Tax Time

Sigh blogging is not easy I wonder how on earth does hardcore bloggers keep up with this. Some even post 2-3 articles a day. Craaaazeeee!!!

Maybe I am just too lazy........... well its that time of the year again, received my tax form early of the year and I was really keen to find out how much I had to pay the government to drive on shity roads and bad services from the law forces. Unfortunately I didnt get my EA from from my office till end of March. By then I've lost all my mood to do my tax calculations. None the less due date was 2 days ago and it wasnt that complicated this time round. I was too lazy to do any reduction and I dont think I have any to deduct for last year's income. Took my 15 minutes to fill up the form and DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OUCH!!

I was hoping my monthly salary deduction for tax would be sufficient, but hell no!! I had to fork up another MYR561. SHITE!!!! thats like 500 worth my bitchin!! Total tax was even more than my first pay when I started working.
Well no choice better pay up, gonna have to keep my records clean to buy a house later. I'll take it as a blessing in disguise, its fortunate to be paying taxes. Dont think I can survive on an income that is tax free.

Be a law abiding person, buy more books and send your parent for more medical check up this year. Reading materials deduction is up to MYR1000 for 2007 tax. Thats good news.