Rania and Elephant Sanctuary

"Is today Thursday, Nenek?" That was the question Rania was asking everyday since we told  her that we were going to take her to the Elephant Sanctuary in Kuala Gandah on Thursday 21 November 2013. She was excited and eagerly climbed into Mak Yang's car, chattering with her endless questions.

Feeding the elephant with Rania looking on.

Rania singing a Mandarin song to the elephant

Rania enjoying bathing the elephant activity

Bathing the elephant at Elephant Sanctuary. Kuala Gandah, Pahang.

The elephants show 

Maz feeding the elephant 

It took more than 2 hours to reach the Sanctuary. Nia was restless when we were watching a video show about elephant relocation and kept on asking where the elephants were. At the elephant enclosure, she was in awe looking at them. We coaxed her to feed them but she refused, preferring to watch, no matter how much Maz and I encouraged her to. Finally, Maz suggested that she sing to the elephants in her Mandarin song 'Taa Siang...' Swaying her body and gesturing with her hands she sang as loudly as she could and we were so tickled to see that one elephant responded by swaying his body too. No, she didn't want to hold out the peanut or sugar cane to the elephant, instead she just watched them wide eyed.
Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary has undergone some changes. There are still construction and renovation going on. Entry is still free, a fact that boggles my mind, knowing that to upkeep the sanctuary costs money. I don't know why the Pahang government is practicing unplaced generosity when this place can generate some income to finance it.
The elephant ride was scrap off which I am glad they do, feeding the elephant is at arm length blocked by barriers for safety reason and bathing with the elephant was not included in the activity anymore. Elephant activities are opened at 2.30pm and the sanctuary closes at 4.30 pm. I still remember a few years back when Najidah and I visited the sanctuary we were able to have up close and personal contact with 2 baby elephants at that time, Bong and Siput. Both have grown into mature elephants and I couldn't recognize them anymore.

Rania enjoying the deer at Deerland, Kuala Gandah 

Admiring the little hedgehog 

Rania in awe at the deer with horn. 

Rania and the ferret with the help of a Deerland staff. 

Rania and the rabbit 

The python looking at Rania. 

On the way back we stopped at Deerland for Rania. Entry there is RM6.00 for adult and RM3.00 for children. Feeding the deer also was done behind the barrier. Some time back adults were allowed to go into the enclosure to feed the deer which I found so thrilling. Again Rania refused to feed the deer but was fascinated watching, laughing and smiling all the time. At the small animals section she touched the hedgehog, a rabbit, a ferret and almost touched the python.
It was an exciting day for this three and a half year old delightful little girl. An outing with her is always invigorating. She is so curious and so happy. I plan to take her to see the silverleaf monkeys one of these days. I hope she will grow up loving animals and nature.
  

Cheat Airline?

My bag was packed. I was supposed to leave for Guilin on the morning of 14 November with 6 other people whom I have not met. The trip was arranged by Izan of Dhia Holidays and Travel. On 13 November, Izan called to meet me. I promised to pay for my Lombok trip on 6 December 2013, so we met up at Giant, Kelana Jaya for lunch. There, Izan dropped a bomb that the trip to Guilin the next day was cancelled. I was downright shocked and disappointed. She owed me an explanation.
The 6 people from Kajang in this group, bought their own Air Asia tickets during Matta Fair and requested Izan to arrange for this trip. I joined in as a solo member.  Izan bought a regular ticket for me. When she checked to get our boarding passes, only my boarding pass was OK. The names of the other 6 people did not appear, strangely, only their return flight was confirmed. So there was quite a hassle for the six to get their flight right but Air Asia was not easy to get in touch with. There was no alternative but to cancel the whole trip at the last minute.
Lesson learned - never trust Air Asia, cheap tickets or not. Heaven knows when the other 6 people would get back their money or they might lose all. I never trust Air Asia as I think they are just pulling wool over customers' eyes luring them with cheap fare but piling all kinds of charges which would finally cost almost as much as other regular airlines. As I have said, I dislike traveling with Air Asia and would avoid doing so, not minding paying a bit more flying by MAS or by other regular airlines. So don't be fooled by such cheap offers, at the end of it when you do a bit of calculation, you don't really fly cheap. I travel by Air Asia only if I have no choice, like traveling in group tours to certain destinations.
My friends complained that Tune Hotels also enticed customers with their advertisement of low rate. They booked the hotel online with RM90 rate but ended up paying almost RM180 with all kind of additional charges like blanket, soap etc, etc which would be provided by regular hotel for free. They swear never to get hooked again by the low-class advertisement. So, be aware of this kind of cheat that fattens the wallet of the owners.
I'll go to Guilin in December so that I don't lose on the ticket.

  

Thank you for the wonderful gift

The cover of Najidah's compilation of my old photos.

The birthday card

Left: At Kelana Jaya Tabung Haji before I left for my second Haj, 2009. Right: at Tg. Piai, Johor.

Left: at Gua Charas on the way to Sg. Lembing. Right: at Sg. Lembing Museum.

Above are some of the photos in the compilation. Thank you Najidah for painstakingly compiling them. I really appreciate your effort compiling old photos of me with you since Unimas time. You did it beautifully and it's the best 70th birthday present for me. Thank you also to all my ex-students who sent birthday wishes through Najidah's FB  which she pasted in the compilation. Fatihah, Syimaf, Fauziana, Lydia, Siti Fatmawati, Aina Razlin, Atiqah, Zuhardi, Lisa, Noorhayati, Ira Fazeera, and former colleague, Sabasiah, Thank you a million time for your good wishes and kind words to me. May Allah bless you all.

Najidah's message

Birthday mug from Najidah

I can sensed that Najidah compiled it with much affecxtion and caring, selecting photos and presenting it attractively. Your message, Najidah, in the compilation touched my heart deeply. Thank you, love, for devoting your time doing this for me. My doa is always with you for your success in your professional and personal life. This compilation is going to go into Arkib Negara in my file for younger generation to see.
Hei, it's fun to be 70!!!!!!!!!!

Glorious 70

Rania in our house garden, ready to go to celebrate Nenek's birthday. Saturday 021113

My 70th birthday cake from the children.

Rania and Gabe were helping to blow my birthday candles. 021113

I didn't feel 70 at all!!! My birthday fell on 1 November but the children were able to get together only the next day. Unfortunately Justin was not able to join us as he was in Singapore for work.Postponing to Sunday 3rd wasn't practical either as Izrin and family was leaving for Krabi for holidays. So sorry Justin, we had birthday lunch in Bangsar without you.

My family celebrating my birthday at Bangsar, a day later. Justin was in Singapore for work.

With son Izrin and grandchildren Rania and Gabe. 021113

Gabe seriously attempting to eat spaghetti by himself. 021113

Rania enjoying her spaghetti.

Mutual Admiration Club - cousins Rania and Gabe. 021113

With Gabe at Bangsar celebrating my birthday. 021113

Alhamdullillah and syukur to Allah for giving me life with good health though advanced glaucoma is with me. I am dealing with it as best as I could. May Allah bless my children, son and daughter-in-law and my grandchildren. I am proud and happy that I have good children, caring son and daughter-in-law and adorable grandchildren. Thank you Haidi and Izrin for the birthday dress you gave me. You made sure I am up-to-date with fashion. I love it.
Maz just came back from Turkey and Jordan bringing with her things that would bring comfort to my life. Thank you Maz and thank you Ika and Justin for being there for me.
I have a full happy life with people I care around me.
Thank you also to ex-students, friends and Bang Ifin for your good wishes. May Allah bless you all.