David's Short Stories: A short getaway to Genting

Since my serious road accident in December 2006 I had been like a frog enclosed within it’s surrounding (Kodok dalam tempurong) and it is time to venture out into the open. We had this offer off-peak season 3days and 2 nights stay at the First World Hotel at Genting and we decided to take the opportunity for my getaway.

14th September 2009

At about 0730 hrs Lawrence and his wife Jean came by taxi to fetch us (my wife Josephine and I) to Boon Lay our pick-up point for our coach. The Company Grassland had a single-deck coach waiting for us; quite comfortable with reclining seats and enough of leg-room. We left at about 0810 hrs for a short drive to the Second Link for clearing Singapore side Immigration. No problem as the new immigration system, allowed us to be auto-cleared electronically. Then followed by another short trip across the bridge spanning the Straits of Johore to Malaysia side at Tanjong Kupang to be cleared on the other side. It was done smoothly even though we had to bring down our luggage's and belongings. The trip up early in the morning was excellent and refreshing, the North-South Highway is a wonderful feat of civil engineering connecting the country from Johore in the South to Perlis in the extreme North. The ride was smooth, driving past greenery, miles and miles of palm-oil plantations; one of their many natural resources. Malaysia is blessed whereas in Singapore we don’t have anything, no hinterland, no natural resources not even sufficient water. What we have is a little thing called “brains” up on the head to provide services-oriented industries. as Communication Hub, our International Airport, Air Services, Trade Hub, our Port of Singapore to sea trade, oil-refinery in processing crude oil, banking, our money spinner tourism; recently water technology, etc… Our own defence industry (Singapore Technologies) provide some locally-made hardware like tanks, guns, ammunition and warships for our Army and Navy. For the Air Force in order to maintain a 3rd Generation status we are using American-built ‘state-of-art’ jet-fighters like ;F-16’ Fighting Falcon and F-15SG ‘Strike Eagle’ and F-5E's Tigers supersonic interceptors as our first-line defence. In the near future we will see the Joint Strike Fighter. Lockheed Martin’s F-35, Lightning II’s, a 5th generation and probably the last manned jet-fighter; after that it would be un-manned aerial vehicle for offensive role. That shows that how technology has advanced and revolutionize the art of aerial combat.

Our first stop for breakfast and toilet break was at Yong Peng and we got down to eat , stretch our legs for half-an-hour. We resumed our journey, the shades are lowered down to shield from the rising sun; leaving a small opening below to peep outside. The drive went smoothly and un-eventfully, some probably slept all the way through. The climb to the top was agonizingly slow, crawling up the winding road and making through many snake-bends.

Finally we reached the top Genting Highland about 1400 hrs. The weather was comfortably cooling, not that cold and you could be in normal dressing; at the most with a pull-over. Let me describe more for the benefit of foreign readers; the main hotel resort sits majestically at the top of Genting World. The Theme Park lies below that offers a lot of outdoor games and entertainment,especially for kids and the younger generations. For those less adventurers the indoors equally provide the same kind of thrills, ferris-wheel, gondola rides, merry-go-round, float in air-cushioned like experiencing ‘free fall’ etc… Food no problem as there are many restaurants, food court, eateries; the choice is yours.

Model layout of Genting Highland

At the First World resort, owing to many arrivals we were ushered to a temporary hall to sort out our rooming allotment. Meantime so not to waste time I went for lunch at the Bus Terminal, eating a delicious plate of Penang style ‘char kway teow. We are two to a room, after collecting our electronic key-cards, we proceeded to our rooms at Tower One, level 8. The rooms we had, were adjoined to one another by two-doors; which has to be open either sides for access. However, the rooms rather small and absence of the luxury of a mini-bar. We were quite disappointed as it appears more or less like a ‘buget hotel’. What is strange to us is that the operator refuses to take any message.

Hotel First World

After shower, refreshing ourselves we went out to discover our new environment, scouting the restaurants, food courts, eateries, casinos and entertainment areas. We ended up at the main resort where the cable-car located; called Awana Skyway. I remember the last time I took it was some years back and it had a larger cabin, but now it had switched to a smaller one. We got into the one cabin; Jo and I in the front row with Lawrence and Jean in the back row. It started to descend towards Awana Resort below. It became scary when the cabin passes over the tower support, it created some squeaky noise and jerking momentum that raise some apprehension. It raises some doubts to the question of maintenance; why this sound and jerks it is surely mechanical problem, squeaky sound and metal to metal friction made us feel uneasy. Lawrence said this would be his last time sitting this skyway and I totally agree with him. We did not alight at Awana Station as there was nothing interesting that would warrant us to get off. So no choice we continued our journey up, at the same time nursing un-pleasant thoughts that flooded our minds, each time we went through the bumps over the tower. The scenery below was awesome, the whole mountain side densely forested. We noticed a lot of wild banana trees; but did not seem to bare fruits.

Model of Genting, Skyway tower (red)below right

You know the jungle reminded me one fateful day on 26th December, 1994 I was flying my micro-light aircraft when the engine went dead; I glided into a emergency landing at sea. On rather on a mud flat, it was low tide and I crashed with the nose dug-in and the tail went up-right like a scorpion. Miraculously I was un-hurt except for some cuts and bruises; no broken bones. I climbed out of the wreckage and made for the shore in a prone position on all fours like a monitor lizard. I discovered that it was easier and less taxing than trying to walk in deep mud, it bog you down and sap your energy. The shore-line was covered with mangrove swamp, with trees growing wildly in close proximity and it’s roots criss-cross and inter-wine each other forming a natural barrier. It was terrible I had to either climb over or crawl under, slipping and falling all the time. Having cleared the swamp, the jungle provided another obstacle. The undergrowth was thick, the ground damp and covered with decaying leaves, branches and the insects created a jungle symphony of all sorts of noise. It was strange, alien, frightening and I was not accustomed and not pleasing to hear either. The gigantic trees towering towards to sky and at the top, the green foliage spread widely like an umbrella, shutting off sunlight. Below it dark, damp, humidity was high and I was sweating profusely; my pilot’s overhaul (nick-named Monkey suit) soaking wet. For me it was truly shocking, being an urban dweller suddenly found myself in a green hell, alone, lost and disoriented. I was afraid of snakes, of cobras, pythons, iguanas and even bugs, those creeper creatures like scorpions, centipedes, jungle spiders, giants ants. However, fortunately I was familiar with the area that I went down. The jungle from the air is but a small patch by the coast, fringe by mangrove swamps. I recognized that if I kept walking in a straight direction, at some point I would hit a clearing. I looked for light penetrating and followed and finally I did come out to a clearing. At the same time a search plane flying low and waving at me; my heart jumped with joy. During my flying days I read of many sightings of tigers in the area of Kahang and Kota Tinggi; even a case where a large python about to devout a man in Segamat area. It was a frightening affair and I will never forget about it.

We returned to the main building safety and quickly walk off to regain our sense of well being. We dined at the Kenny Rogers Restaurant where I had black-peppered chicken, mashed potato with chilly sauce and happy about it. After that we decided to invade the casino but the guard refuse my entry as I was in shorts owing to my injured left leg in a kind of support called the leg-brace. So I decided to return to the comfort of my hotel room and watch television shows. Later they returned in joyful mood as they have won and looks like the trip has been generously sponsored by the winnings.

15th September (Tuesday)

0830hrs we took the bus down to Kuala Lumpur city (Capital of Malaysia) and that morning the mist was thick with the wind blowing so it was rather cold. The ride downhill was smooth as the seasoned driver negotiated the bends and snake carefully and confidently.

It was cold and misty at the bus terminal.

Roughly in about an hour’s time we arrived at our destination, the bus terminal at Titiwangsa. We waited about an hour for Ang (Josephine’s brother) to pick us up. However there was no sign of him, probably he could not contact me. Josephine did not bring her hand phone because it did not have roaming service. He manage to contact hotel but got a negative reply as the group-list not registered under my name. So there is a breakdown of communication and we decided not to waste time and move on by taking the mono-rail to Bukit Bintang for our lunch. Our Chinese Restaurant at Sungei Wang is named the “Esquire Kitchen”

At the Bus Terminal

Lunch at Chinese Restaurant ‘Esquire Kitchen’

While dining Ang managed to call me and said that he called Singapore to get my new number from my son, Ian. Finally we met and he took us to see the newly opened large shopping mall called the “Pavilion”

K.L. in front of the Pavilion

From left: Ah Yoke, Ang’s Vietnamese wife, Ang, myself and Jean.

At the fountain, Ah Yoke, Ang, myself and Jo.

Myself with Jo

The ladies managed to buy their things, they don’t stop and as the saying goes shop till you drop and always money not enough. From there Ang took us in his car to Petaling Jaya for a feast of durians. We settled down to a road-side stall as Ang made his selection with the owner for his favourite, like the ‘bamboo’, the ‘XO’, D24 and D22 and others. We have coconut water for our drinks. We just ate and ate as it tasted good,the texture and firmness due to the freshness of the fruit. Food in Singapore is also no problem, what you want we have, local, Western, Middle Eastern and Eastern (Chinese, Japanese, Korean). And from South East Asia (Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian and Indonesian) all available in all the eateries. All along the Singapore River are restaurants, eateries, pubs, musical lounge and more at the Esplanade, the Theatres of the Bay and the ‘Makansutra’ food court which caters locally and tourists.

The durian feast, eat till you drop.

After durian feast, we walk to a nearby shopping area for window-shopping and to stretch our legs, some walking exercises. My former Chief Flying Instructor Capt. Chung said jogging is one of the best exercise, you don’t need anything and it is free of charge. He used to jog regularly in order to maintain good health and his physical fitness. He came down to Singapore and stayed at my place in order to take part in the Second Link ‘Big Walk’ from Singapore to Johore side. Owing to approaching Autumn Festival, we came across a special made Pandan flavour moon cake with coconut fillings sold at Tai Tung. For the first time, we sample and found something unique and delicious.

By 1700 hrs we decided to go for our dinner, the famous ‘Bak Kut Teh’ next to the Dynasty Hotel.It was a sumptuous meal but I could eat no more; my belly is about to burst. However we had a wonderful time together and we probably not see each other for some time; the last we met Ang was probably 4-5 years ago. He took us back to the Bus Terminal at Titiwangsa; we wished them farewell. Meantime we boarded the 1830 hrs bus service that took us one and a half hour back. Upon arrival Genting, the trio decided to go to the casino for the last fling and I in search of a watering hole, found a band called the “Interface” playing some Chinese Songs. At first I thought that they are from Philippines but I was mistaken; they were all Malaysians but came together from different parts, The 5-piece band with Jimmy as the lead singer from East Malaysia, and the rest from West, mainly Kuala Lumpur. Lawrence came to join me as he thought it would be more fun in the Pub than in the casino.

Jimmy the lead singer, is a talented character, dynamic, energetic with a witty showmanship, he could influence the crowd to participate in the singing and merry making. Very entertaining, generally making people happy and inducing people to be part of and involved, he sang in Mandarin ‘Theresa Teng’ favourite songs. The guitarist named I got it as Zaini sang Bee Gees numbers, that I had requested like “I started a Joke’ and ‘Words’. On stage Jimmy announced that his already ‘potong’ so don’t ask us. We don’t know because Lawrence and I took his words for granted as we did not have the opportunity to check it out. The long hair guy named Wan plays the key-board and also sings well; the two girl singers, one tall and tanned named Aisah; the other fair and short is Ayu; they also could sing in Mandarin.

Myself with Lawrence, started quietly.

The 5-piece Band “Interface”

Jimmy came down from stage to the crowd.

Lawrence instigate the crowd

Lawrence have graduated to the stage.

Finally Jimmy came to Lawrence

Everyone having fun, Jean looking on.

This one for ‘Playboy’ magazine.

Near ending I went on stage to sing for Jimmy my camp-fire song without music accompanied and in Bahasa Melayu.

so I started,

“ Oh Jimmy, my own Sweetheart,

I love you, terangpong sangat,

Underneath pokok kelapa, I will wait for you

If you see me, oh Jimmy jangan tutup pintu,

Oh! Jimmy my own Sweetheart, I love you terangpong sangat,

Underneath pokok kelapa, I will wave at you,

If you see me, Oh Jimmy Jangan tutup pintu

Oh! Jimmy my own sweetheart, I love you,

but your face no can do

and your curly hair is full of kutu. Yak!

The band closed the show with Jimmy singing the last number in Mandarin Theresa’s Teng song; I think serenading the moonlight.

All good things must come to an end, it had been a wonderful evening; we had enjoyed ourselves with good music, good company and new friends. The band I would class as excellent, as it can stir up your spirit, aided by bottle spirit.Ha! ha!

So thus ended the final curtain came down at 0145 hrs.

16th September (Wednesday)

At 0800 hrs, we woke up and got ready for breakfast. Last night had taken a toll and I slept like a log, dead to the world. This morning breakfast is included in the package and we went down to eat at the hotel’s restaurant.