A Touch of Splendour to the Blue Sky

I'm not sure about your area but here in Puchong the in thing is kite flying. For someone who is new with this experience, I do get a little bit extra excited than the girls... ;-D Ever since last week, I had made up my mind on which kite to get for MYSELF!! There are various types, shapes, characters, colours of kites to choose from... but my heart fell for only one.

This one belongs to Yasmin - a fish.

Disney characters of Donald, Daisy, Mickey, a kite chosen by HB for Balqis. Sorry, not so clear. Hers was the highest amongst us & the easiest to handle...

Wardah declared to share my kite. Sure... HB made her use the old kite as recently she carelessly let go of the thread of one big kite he bought for all the girls. And... she misplaced our old kite on that day too! Balqis saw the person who took it. We chose not to approach as it was really Wardah's fault for leaving it on the grass as if the whole field was her big playroom!!

Ready to see my kite?? Jeng... Jeng... Jeng... It's the mermaid kite!!! Wooohooo!!

We were... OK,OK, I was so eager to fly our kites at an open area. Many other kite lovers were there too. It was really amazing. Almost looked like an invasion of the aliens!

The hot sun at half past five did not stop us. Especially me in my many failing attempts making a mermaid fly. Seriously, at one point I felt like throwing her into the nearest lake. Better off in the water than up in the sky!!

HB then was busy with the other kites & his girls. I was the last one he attended to! With the help of Wardah, they tried teaching a mermaid to fly.

After almost successful, the mermaid made a loop in the air & headed for the ground...

The two planning for their next attempt. HB realised that the mermaid's torso was not proportionate. He made an adjustment to make it balance.

It worked!

My mermaid was flying!!

Other interesting looking kites I shot.

This little girl was helping her dad...

These boys were sure creative using the fishing rod to control their thread ;-)

Yasmin, spreading out for a better space.

Balqis had no problem at all with hers.

Tired, she simply sat on the grass ;-D

Mine was the only mermaid flying until this man came. He flew her on his first try! Must be his lucky day...

That was a real aircraft... not a kite that one.

The sun was almost resting but the kites were multiplying.

We were about to leave when the girls saw a crowd. Remote control cars tried to steal the moment away.

The controller

We finally called it a day.... It was a remarkable experience! Next time around I will definitely include Nadeen. She was napping when we left. But if she were around, I would be the one flying to run after her. =D

Upin & Ipin the movie

I have heard of Upin & Ipin but never had the chance to view the short films during the month of Ramadhan. The positive feedback I collected from the latest movie of Upin & Ipin- Geng: Pengembaraan Bermula made me decided to give it a shot & at the same time, support our film industry. The last time I did that was somewhere last year watching "Sepi" which was rather menyepikan to me (well, it was not 100% Malaysian anyway...). Didn't drag HB as I knew he would irritably doze off next to me. Anyhow, I did make him watch "Tentang Bulan" together with the girls. Surprisingly, he enjoyed the movie much better than the girls did. The plot of the movie was during our childhood years & obviously it brought back memories of riding chopper bicycle & munching on Popo fish cracker.

Last night I made an online booking to watch the movie.This time around I was quite sure HB would put the local film industry one step higher. I did steal some glances at him just now in the dark. He was enjoying himself, minus the infamous frown & above all... he didn't snore away!

I was impressed myself with the animation. The movie was entertaining. I laughed... A compliment there because of all local productions only P.Ramlee movies agree to my sense of humour & yes, Tentang Bulan too. There was also suspense which spoiled Balqis's mood. She was almost in tears just now. Good that she sat next to HB. If she were with me, she definitely would burst simply out of manja.

We came out of the cinema still smiling. HB admitted that he failed to guess the villain. Which was a surprise to me. It was so clear who the scoundrel was from the beginning. It showed he was too occupied with the brilliance of this Made In Malaysia 3D animation ;-) Do find the time to watch this movie. It is still showing even though after a month & a half in the cinema.

Here is a video clip of the movie.

Taipei 101

Our short holiday in Taipei continued. The rain did not hinder us at all to explore this capital city of Taiwan. My girls had a marvellous time at Taipei Zoo. Rain or shine... But deep inside me, I was sure they preferred rain to sunshine. Back home, never did they have the fun playing in the rain or even parading in their ponchos.

Balqis, Wardah & Yasmin - final pose at Taipei Zoo.

Since the rain had stopped, the girls chose to take the MRT to our next destination. The MRT station was very reliable. Perhaps the turning off was the language barrier. But sign language worked perfectly. I should have taken the photo of the chips used for tickets. Luckily, HB was familiar with the MRT there. As he was busy handling Nadeen & her stroller, there I was looking for a slot to insert the chip. Then I heard my HB familiar voice saying something about touching the screen... So, that was what the round shape, colourful, blinking light for. To scan the chip! How would I know?

The girls in the MRT. We were lucky to get the front seats.

Nadeen eyeing the locals surrounding her in the MRT.

The MRT heading towards a tunnel.

HB had informed the girls earlier of going to 101. I doubted the girls knew, what 101 was all about. Told them, it was a tall building & that they could see the whole Taipei from the top floor. HB asked a local on how to get to 101 from the station. We were lucky to approach someone who spoke English. He at first thought that we wanted to take a shuttle there. But HB next question made me felt so proud of my girls.

"Is 101 far?"

"Not far. Just around the block." Signaled to the left.

We thanked him & continued on foot with Nadeen in the stroller. The building looked so near yet the walking was endless. I was very proud of my girls. They didn't complain of walking but of course the "Are there yet??" tag question was uttered so many many times... It was indeed a whole round of the block!

The girls posing with these robots (I was too tired to even bother going to the other side of the grass & read)

The walk

The trick - whenever in front of a camera, always present your best smile despite having blisters on the feet & aching leg.

How irony... Taxis were everywhere in the city. They were actually waiting for passengers but I guessed walking was the best to appreciate sight-seeing. Don't you agree? Hahaha!

We ran out of drinks. Upon reaching 101, we came across a vending machine & look at Wardah helping herself to the cold fresh juice.

At last nearing Taipei 101. We still had a road to cross!

Taipei 101

We paid NTD 15400 ( approximately RM154) for the tickets to the Observatory. Took a speed ride on the fastest elevator in the world. Rising at 1008 meters per minute (60.48km/hour) & descending at 610 meters per minute (36.6km/hour). The indoor observation area was at the 89th floor. Here we were provided with a radio kit for a quick tour of Taipei based from the beautiful sceneries of the city.

The only girl of mine who really appreciated listening to the radio was, of course Yasmin. In fact, some of the facts I wrote here, I double checked with her.

Wardah was all around the area & Balqis was either busy asking questions or posing for the camera!

At the 91st floor was the outdoor observation area. Just look at my 3-year-old Balqis amazed look... hahaha! She is fond of buildings & show houses replicas. I always have to stop for her to observe if there are such displayed at shopping complexes. Hmmm... future architect??

And she was still holding on to the pen, HB bought for her at the zoo!

The girls & their mom, Taipei 101 final 10 floors at the background.

Before we left, we climbed down to the 88th floor to have a look at the Damper. This 800 ton tuned mass damper helps to stabilize the tower in high winds & earthquakes.

The girls with Baby Damper.

Some facts of Taipei 101

Unofficially, Taipei 101 is no longer the tallest building in the world. Burj Dubai in Dubai, UAE overtook Taipei 101 in height on the 7th of July 2007, upon completion of its 141st floor. However, Taipei 101 remains the tallest building in the world until the completion of Burj Dubai in 2009. Taipei 101 surpassed our Petronas Twin Towers by 57.2 meters but Burj Dubai, completion at 818 meters will be 309 meters taller than Taipei 101.

Before going back to the hotel room, I purchased Vitamin C for the girls at a nearby pharmacy in 101 itself. It was indeed a long day for my girls but they did not complain at all. After a hot shower & dinner, they slept like a log. Perhaps dreaming of either Taipei Zoo or 101...

* to be continued