MATTA Fair 2008 @ PWTC...

Hey Hey,

Religiously underwent my usual pilgrimage to PWTC (no, i am NOT an UMNO member) for the 1st MATTA Fair of 2008.

Being a veteran of many MATTA Fairs over the years has helped me somewhat scan for great & superb travel deals...and boy have i gotten some killer deals in the past...to digress a bit and this is an absolute shocker when i told my friends about it...

So quick flashback to early 2006....imagine the following deal for a 3D2N Phuket trip which includes :

• Return air fare by Air Asia
• 2 nights accomodation (2 star but it was pretty decent albeit location was a bit off!)
• airport transfer
• breakfast included
• 1/2 Day Phuket City tour

So how much do u think this deal cost before airport tax & surcharges? Based on past feedback....some say RM499...RM350... RM299...etc...

My friends, the cost of this trip was only a mere RM99++ !!! Yes, i am NOT shittin u....RM99++ or to be more precise RM170 nett!!! The travel deal which i am most proud of....and 3 of my dear friends who were the beneficiaries of this was none other than Messr Teoh, Shahir & Redhuan!

Oh, on another side note, the above trip was riddled with much drama or as i like to call it, MISadventure in true Raj fashion but that's another story....will do a flashback story on this one day when i am not feeling like such a lazy bastard!!! Hahah!

But now back to the present and the topic of the current MATTA Fair....

Long story short (as if this is possible when it comes to Raj), did my rounds around the three Halls thru the morning and afternoon AND the following would be the deals which MOST interested me :

• Starcruise Aquarius 2D1N RM265++
• Starcruise Aquarius 3D2N RM570++
• Starcruise Aquarius 5D4N RM985++

Reason why it looks so cheap coz there is a BUY 1 Free 1 deal for the above. The 1st 2 are Open Water cruises while the 5D4N one goes to Port Klang, Phuket, etc. Also the above are all twin sharing and NOT quad sharing like all the crappy cruise deals you see in the past. But plse note a few negatives...the above are all ex-Singapore; the above has NOT included the port taxes & surcharges....

HOWEVER, the above are the cheapest FULL ON cruises i've seen in the market because i've been eyeing doing a cruise MISadventure (for the last few yrs) but have yet to do so coz felt that it wasnt value! Btw, if you wondering why i say this...fyi, the 2D1N cruise leaves the port at 10pm and returns at 8am the next morning!!! So we are talking about 10hrs only on the cruise ship for a 2D1N trip!!!

Aside from the above, another winner was the 3D2N HK tour trip which came to only RM399++ thanks to Air Asia! When i went to HK yrs back, such a package would hv been around RM800++...how times hv changed! So this is a boon for the ladies who want to "SHOP TILL U DROP" or hang out at "Lan Kwai Fong".

There were other smaller special deals like Seri Malaysia's network of hotel deal...BUy 2 nights, get 1 night FREE...so 3 Nights for RM255 and each night can be used independently of each other. Not glamorous but value if you travel around the country a lot.

A fair no of regional destinations like Phuket, Bangkok, Chiangmai, Bali, Jakarta, Siem Reap, etc which a 3D2N full tour deal would cost around RM300-400++...so great time to travel...

Local destinations are also affordable ie. the islands trips...didnt really analyse in detail as i wasn't focussing on this...Also, for those of you planning to go to Penang in early May for the Penang Intl Music Festival, this is the best time to get your accomodations sorted out. A tip...some of the accomodations DO NOT hv any additional surcharge or its quite minimal UNLIKE those bastards in Kuching & Damai who rips us off July every year during the Kuching Rainforest Festival!!!

HOWEVER, saving the BEST for LAST...the deal which intrigued me the most and got me sold is none other than Starcruise Vanna (cant remember the darn ship's name) which offering an overnight STANDING cruise for the princely sum of RM70nett!

Yup, RM70nett whereby you board the ship at 8pm and it goes out to the open seas and then return back to port at 730am. Not bad, almost 12hrs to enjoy the cruise experience, albeit cheapo style! And the best part for us M'sians is that it the port of call is Port Klang!

It includes the 3 meals, ie. dinner, supper and breakfast...they have live bands and open karaoke sessions (for u William Hungs out there!)...BUT the ones who will enjoy the most would be the "To Sans" or God of Gamblers when the ship hits the international waters!!!

Do note that there will be NO rooms for you...so basically the big downside is if u wanna get cozy with ur *ahem* partner or someone you just met on the LOVEEEEE BOAT, then u got to use ur imagination to find some dark, quiet corner to "interact" further!! Hahaha!

Normal price for the above is RM98 nett and they depart every day including public holidays and weekends. Its on a 1st come 1st serve basis until it reaches capacity. Plse note the above RM70nett deal is only applicable during the MATTA Fair and apparently you can also buy it online at their website...however, i don't have it on me right now!

Ok..thats about it from me for now...anyone needs more info or guidance from the "Guru of Budget Travel", feel free to drop me a line.

Plse note that the above info, i am pulling from memory...i left all my materials at home, so some of the prices may lari a bit!

I will amend the above accordingly in due course BUT do check out the deals above if u wanna get away from bustling KL for some peace and quiet!!!

Cheers all....and yes, i am in a buzzin mode coz will be due for my next MISadventures will be to Laos in end Mar....so stay tuned & hopefully i DON'T get kidnapped by rebels there!!! Hahah!

Heineken Champions Planet Kick-Off Party @ The Republic, Sunway Pyramid

It was drizzling the whole afternoon....got a lil wet getting to Pyramid. But thankfully my planning has been impeccable...went to meet a talent / casting agency in Puchong for some discussion in the evening and thereafter popped over to Sunway Pyramid.

Let me just say that the last time i was here was like 2 yrs ago, and DAMN, it has changed!!! Couldnt recognise the whole place with the new wing and all! Anyway, found my way to The Republic where i met me best mate, Teoh (Mr. Cornetto Season 1) and Aubrey (Ms. Body Pump!...dont mess with her! Trust me coz i felt her biceps!!!)

So got there like damn early, 645pm...almost kiasu like but more of trying to beat the traffice jam if u know what i mean! They were still setting up the place as the rain continued to shower down as we sipped our Heine...

The Republic is not bad...had an open air concept with a huge permanent tent with an island bar smacked underneath BUT what was interesting is the DJ console was stationed above this bar! DJ Blink & Goldfish was spinning if i am not mistaken.

Then met my beloved Daphne Iking (sorry guys, she's already married and just given birth recently!). For someone who just had a kid, she looked HOTTTT! U wouldnt even hv guessed by looking at her...will definately put to shame a lot of u UNpregnant chicks out there (solly ah if i NOT the politically collect!!! Haha!)

The reason why she was there coz she and some other local celebs were the Heineken Ambassadors for the night...others i managed to say Hi to were Chermaine Poo (who i will give 5 star rating coz Daphne who just introduced me to her AND she was so sweet in passing me FREE Heine coupons to help speed up the process of getting me sloshed!!! Haha!), Joey G and Jamie whatshername (she's the sweet Singaporean hottie who does EPL Extra..anyway, there is only one hottie on football Astro!). Others included Jien, Owen Yap (who is he again?), Marion Caunter and thats bout it!

So basically we were just chilling making fun of ppl and talking crap like we always do as the program continued. The highlight of the night was obviously the Grand Prize of a FREE trip to Moscow to watch the UEFA final! Man, what i wouldnt give to win that damn prize...

But alas it was not meant to be although i won the lucky draw (a Heineken goodie bag) when they pulled my number...oh well, beggars cant be choosy!

Well, at the tailend of the night we met a few interesting ppl from Star, Malay Mail and Men's Folio....talk more crap before they ciaoed...

And then spotted my good friend, Angela (whom i met in Cynna Bar during a mutual friend's birthday lst yr where i did a public lap dance for the birthday gal...BUT thats another story!!! Hahah!) So me and Aubrey joined her and her other colleagues from O&M agency. Talked more crap until it was time to cabut!

And thats about it!...Yes, i know the above is quite boring by Raj's MISadventure standard but what to do....must put in the boring crap with the more happening ones...and in fact, some may be TOO HAPPENING for your viewing....Boy, would u like to hear bout these....Hahahah!

Signing off from Starbucks, Bangsar Village 2

A New Dawn for Malaysia...Only time will tell

"OH, HOW THE MIGHTY HAVE FALLEN...."



FINALLY, the ppl have voiced in unison what has been entrenched in their hearts at the recently concluded elections! Every fabric of society has spoken regardless of race, religion, creed, etc...It shows no matter what the obstacles, barriers, dirty tricks that is put before us, if we act in unison, NOTHING and i mean NOTHING will stop justice from prevailing!



I am truly proud to be a M'sian as everyone has played their part to make a difference which has resulted in the greatest victory on the M'sian political landscape! The results is beyonf my wildest imagination...its like waking up from the best political wet dream you have ever heard and was it GOODDDDDDDDDD!!!! Hahah!



For far too long, we have suffered in silence...for fear of rocking the boat or deemed as a troublemaker. But when the very essence of social justice as is at stake while we watch the rampant corruption, mismanagement, wastage, abuses, cronyism, nepotism carried out so blatantly with impunity, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!



The people has on many occasions been challenged but the so-called "Masters of the Govt" that if we don't like it, we can either voice our displeasure during the elections OR f*&^%$# get out of the country!!!



I am born in this country and i am willing to die for this country! NO ONE and i mean NO ONE tells me to leave MY country!!! And i believe many of you share the same passion and conviction as me...You challenged us and now You have paid the ultimate price for your arrogance!



So screw all of You! All of You who acted like little Demi Gods who can do anything you wish at your whim & fancy without accountability...all of You whose time was up a long time but still cling on to power...all of You who failed your constituencies with false promises....you all know who You are...



Now You are nothing more than mere mortals, no longer behind the shield of political power.... like us, nothing more than being part of the humble "rakyat"...oh, i longed for the day when i cross path with You on the streets...it will not be a pleasant a sight, trust me on this...saliva will definately be flying and do i have a lot of that! My friends will be back me on this! Haha!



The Voice of the Opposition is now strong...not only in Parliment but we now hold Penang (DAP), Kedah & Kelantan (PAS), Perak (DAP & PKR) and the blue eyed child of BN & the great state where i am proud t0 say i was born in, Selangor (DAP & PKR)!!! But there is much to be done now.



The rakyat expects much from the Opposition....they must live up to the promises they made. The manifesto which they have created must be adhered to...failing which all the good work they have managed will come to nought. This election has given you the ONE CHANCE and likely your only chance to put your money where your mouth is. You now have control over 5 states to show that you are indeed different from BN. It will not be easy admitedly with DAP, PKR and PAS each having their own unique identity & political objectives BUT for the sake of unity, you all MUST work together...each one playing a vital cog to ensure the strength of the coalition... Hence, the adage yet cliche saying " United We Stand, Divided We Fall "!



If it was all hot air or a wayang for the benefit of all of us, we all know what the outcome will be at the next GE.



Stay true to your philosophy and social principles and this will be the foundation for you to build and possibly take the Federal govt at the next elections...BUT fail and it will be start of the permanenet demise of the Opposition Coalition forever!



I will take my leave for now...and whatever happens, it is now the New Dawn for Malaysia... for better or worse, we have chosen....



DO NOT LET US DOWN.....