Sign On

Sign On & Sign Off from vessel.

This is not my 1st time sign on, but already 8th times!. I already complete Shipboard Service (SBS) with 7 vessels and already 7 times pass through this process. But, I always sad to sign on except my 1st 3 SBS. (My 1st &2nd SBS as Jr AO & my 3rd SBS start to run solo as AO). Little bit excited at that times.. 

Sign On.

Before sign on, I already imagine what will happen & activities that might be happen. The best sign on was at Bunga Allium 2012, which is occurs at Shekou (Yulian Dockyard) . I relieved my sifu, Mr Salim Aman. We double up about a week before he sign off. The process really smooth without chasing times & all handover was done with relax atmosphere. All account's paper was reviewed & provision store checked satisfactorily.

I have no idea why I always sign on during wee hours. Start from Bunga Melati 4, sign on at Port Klang & sign on group arrived at 2300 hrs. Then at Bunga Melati 5, at Kuantan, I arrived at midnight & a guy that I going to relieve no idea about my arrival. He going for shore leave!.  The last is at Bunga Allium on Jun 2013, I arrived at vessel around 2300 hrs at Algas Anchorage Singapore. 

Sign On Bunga Allium on 2013 is my worst experienced. My group departed from hotel at 1300 hrs at noon We arrived Singapore at 1630hrs and waiting at Changi Airport for cadet & 4th Officer which is actually taking same flights with my group. (agent info, they will arriving an hour late than us!). These 2 guys, waiting at other gates and agent cant find them. We was send to Seaman Club for dinner then again waiting at West Coast Pier.  The bastard agent also always want everything in hurry. Master gave him ETA 2300 hrs, but that ETA at pilot station. It took about an hour to settle everything before vessel really ready to receive on signers & other visitor. 

Handover with Tarun Goel going smooth even at midnight since he relieved me before. My fault s, I do not checked provision store thoroughly before new provision supply arrived. After sailing, I checked, there's some shortage in stock of chicken and altogether was shortage about MYR 5000.00 . WTF!!..  This matters was reported to Master, but there's no point since only me need to cover all that loss. Captain Jose also shared his experienced at Bunga Kantan & how they settle it. I was asked, how long I need to cover up all that things.  When I checked previous invoice, there's a lot of expensive things was purchased & the price charged by bloody Chua really high. Budget for provision was burst & luckily, I learned MAGIC which is it only appeared losses MYR 300.00 . I struggled a lot & once new master in command, I able to convinced him to change supplier which is offer more attractive price.After 6 months, all losses able to cover up without compromise the quality & quantity of food & drink served.  Joining Bunga Allium on 2013 is my nightmare due to my fault not properly checking the store.

        

Sign Off

The best part for seaman is sign off especially the SBS already complete or just a month going to complete. My best sign off was from Bunga Angsana 2011. I was sign off after 10 & half months on board! Do not asked how much I was made, but I only can say, It really hard to stay more than time that you have set!.

I was sign off from Shekou during docking. My flight was arranged from Hong Kong to Penang. It really nice once sign off since the responsibility was hand over to other guy. No need to wake up & see same place for about 10 months & the best is, able to spend the money that already accumulate during the time on board! 

    

Public Bus Review - Tapah - Cameron - Kuala Lumpur

Public Bus - Alternative way to travel!

In this post, I would like to share  some info regarding public bus service from Tapah to Tanah Rata (Cameron Highlands) and from Tanah Rata to Kuala Lumpur via Raub. It can be useful information to whom that planning to travel to Cameron Highland.

T

Tapah to Tanah Rata

Serviced was provided by Regal Transport. There is only 4 times a day for this service.

The schedule as follow;

8.30 am 10.30 am, 1.30 pm & 4.30pm. 

Fare : MYR 10.00

All bus departed from Tapah Bus Station, located in the heart of Tapah Town.

This journey took about 1 hour 40 minutes using powerful Mercedez Benz bus. Beautiful scenery of forest, native village & tea farm that can be expecting along the journey.  The route is narrow and plenty sharp bend along the way . The bus driver seem competent & really familiar with the route.   

Tanah Rata - Kuala Lumpur  (via Sg Koyan-Raub) - Express

This service is alternative to other express bus that operate Express service between Cameron to KL.

The company that provide this service is Pahang Lin Siong Motor Co Berhad.

This economy service (seating 2+2) 40 pax/bus  is cheaper compare to other bus express which is offer VIP service (combination 2+1 seating) 30 pax/bus.  The fare is MYR 22.40 while other express company will charge MYR 30.00 . Other bus company using old route to Tapah before took PLUS Expressway to Kuala Lumpur.

Pahang Lin Siong's  bus is using new route,(Ringlet-Pos Betau-Sg Koyan) passing native village at Pos Betau before arriving Sg Koyan. Sg Koyan is a Felda's settlement and palm oil plantation is major activity there.     Total time taken to arrive KL by this bus is 4 hours. The bus will stop at Sg Koyan & Raub to pick up another passengers before heading to Kuala Lumpur. At Kuala Lumpur, this bus will called Hentian Pekeliling instead of Puduraya which is called by another bus operator from Cameron.

This service offered once a day at 2.00 pm from Tanah Rata.

    

Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia City Center

Kuala Lumpur / KL / Jilongpo / Kolumpo

What ever it was called, there is the place where I enjoy a most. There's can't beat the the port city that I have been. I love Kuala Lumpur!


I always like Kuala Lumpur. It city with full  of opportunities. A lot of people come from around Malaysia and others part of the world to try their luck here. Some fortunate enough, able to own luxury properties, have established business, married and build own family in luxury & prestige area, but some who less fortunate, end up with became "money slaver" there. Kuala Lumpur never sleep. It full activities from morning until the next early morning before the cycle start again. People are busy with their own business.

In day times, most of building full with workers who work in numerous number of companies. Prestigious address such as JALAN SULTAN ISMAIL, JALAN AMPANG,JALAN BUKIT BINTANG is a area where is most of big companies stationed. It easily to see glamorous executive, driving import brand's car,wearing branded cloths having their coffee at Starbucks or have lunch in 5 star hotels there. It also normal  some Nepalese Security Guard standing at the entrance of the big building where he will stop you to enter if you seem suspicious to them.  

Shopping

Kuala Lumpur also heaven for shopping goers. In this trading city where many big brands were station.International brand mostly available at Big Shopping Mall such as SURIA KLCC, PAVILION, MIDVALLEY which is located in city center. Besides city center, there is other big shopping mall such as ONE UTAMA located at Bandar Utama, Damansara and SUNWAY PYRAMID located at Bandar Sunway.  There also some others shopping mall located at various location outside the city and the list can be found here;  www.kuala-lumpur.ws/klshopping

There is also some small trader doing their business at PETALING STREET(area of fake brand items),  CENTRAL MARKET,JALAN MASJID INDIA,JALAN TAR and dont forget the CHOW KIT. Items such as souvenir or  that you wish can easily found at this area with bargain price!.

For gadget geeks, Low Yatt Plaza is the heaven where is a lot of gadgets start with laptop & accessories, handphone, smartphone or any gadgets that suit to your needs. The price is varies between each seller & it good to survey before make a purchase.

Another place to visit for shopping is KENANGA WHOLESALE CITY which is located at Pudu area. The 7 floor of mall with parking space for about 1500 cars, offer  items such as linen items, shirts, pants, traditional dress,   & women accessories. There is various design of traditional wears such as baju kurung, kebaya etc and  can be purchased with wholesale price if we bought in large quantity.  

Night Activities

Kuala Lumpur never sleep as I mentioned before. There some night market that operate between 9.00 pm until wee hours called "Uptown" or "Downtown". The popular place is Uptown Danau Kota and Downtown Cheras. There is some night market using this system located outside the city such as Uptown Kota Damansara and Uptown Shah Alam.

For clubbers & music lovers, there many good discotheque, night club & bars around city center. You can sit enjoying a live band with some beers or dance at numerous of disco located at Jalan P.Ramlee. Besides that, some dangdut disco also available for your alternative to enjoy your nights.

Food

Food lovers surely enjoy having food here. There is numerous selection of food start with Malay,Chinese,Indian,Fusion, Thai ,Western available to choose. Just name it, and there place for you to enjoy the food. Depend on your

Among the popular Malay food place is Kampung Baru. There many restaurant offer a lot of variety of Malay foods such as Nasi Lemak, Sate, Ikan Bakar (Grilled Fish) . The best nasi lemak (as they claimed) are available at Kg Baru.  Besides, a mixed riced together with a lot of lauk-pauk was sold here.

Popular spot for Chinese food is at Jalan Alor, A lot of food, sold by Chinese's Hawkers and among the best here is Chicken Rice (Nasi Ayam) , Claypot Rice & popiah. I always pass this area but unluckily Jalan Alor Hawkers Center is non Halal and Muslim are discourage to have food here.  

 Another alternative & popular is Mamak Restaurant. It served mostly Indian food and we easily to get roti canai, chapati, dhose at this kind of restaurant besides the briyani rice and other Indian dishes. Most of Mamak restaurant operate 24 hours and it is become a choice of most KL citizen to have their food.  

Public Transport

Due to mass traffic, I preferred to travel around Kuala Lumpur using public bus or Light Rail Transit (LRT). It the easiest (but not cheap!) way to go from point A to point  B. We only need to know the nearest LRT station at our destination.

Besides LRT, there is bus system that boost up the flow of people. Operator such as RAPIDKL, METROBUS, SJ,SELANGOR OMNIBUS, INDAH & LEN SENG offer their service up to Rawang to North , Kajang to South, Gombak to the East and Port Klang to the West.  The bus system covered the area that not covered by rail and it become a complimentary to public transport system.

Tourist also can use taxi to go around Kuala Lumpur. It is the fastest way but it little bit costly compare to other mode of transport. Taxi in Kuala Lumpur are using meter system for fare, but some drivers reluctant to use it. There is 2 type of taxi which is Blue for premium taxi and other color that blue & white(airport limo is using white color)  is budget taxi.

Currently, few rail project was under construction.  MRT project which is connecting city center to Sg Buloh & Kajang and also expansion of LRT rail up to Puchong.

Service of Express Bus to other cities within Peninsular Malaysia also available. Puduraya (located at city center) & Hentian Duta is the place to take bus to north area. (Perak, Kedah,Penang, Perlis), while to go south (Singapore, Johor, & Malacca) bus service available at Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) located at Bandar Tasik Selatan.  Passenger who like to go to east coast, (Terengganu,& Kelantan) can get their bus at Hentian Putra while to go to Pahang(Kuantan/Temerloh) bus are available at Hentian Pekeliling.