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Don’t Cry for Me North Korea

There are no roses here but Kimjongilias, the flower named after the recently deceased North Korean supreme leader, Kim Jong-il.  The Kimjonglia is actualy from the begonia family so for sure there will be no roses.  What strikes me is the exaggerated display of mourning for Kim. It’s nothing to display of mourning I’ve seen in funerals here.  Yes there are, but perhaps only one or two.  Just imagine thousands, all crying.

Kim Jong-il, died recently on 17 December from a heart attack.  His father, Kim Il-Sung , 17 years earlier also died from heart attack. It seems like his son, Kim Jong-Un who apparently succeeds him, may suffer the same fate if he does not take care of his lifestyle and diet.  It’s ironic that while many North Koreans suffer from lack of nutrition, while their leaders seems to be well fed.

Nevertheless, if given the opportunity I would like to visit North Korea.  Their parades and colourful human-coordinated people’s show are truly mesmerizing.

Occupy Pavillion by United Buddy Bears

At least that’s what I thought initially. The renown bear statues were occupying the Pavillion KL entrance.

What’s interesting these bears have been hand painted. Each bear is unique and represent each country of the world. The sight of these bears statues somehow breathe life into surrounding bare steel buildings.Surely residents and visitors around KL find the sights refreshing especially with over 100 bears all lined up along the pavements of The Pavillion.

LIMA 2011

The Langkawi Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) started 20 years ago in 1991, a brainchild of then Malaysian Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir.  The last air show I’ve been to was the Kalamazoo air show back in 1995, but this airshow cum exhibition was a whole new experience as travelling to LIMA 2011 was an experience in itself few have the chance.

I was selected to be in a group of government employees sponsored by the Malaysian Airforce for a one-day visit to LIMA 2011.  We were to travel on a military C130H plane.  Initially the date of travel was on December 7 and we were told to come before 3 am.  A couple of colleagues and I was at the airport as early as 1:45 am.   By 3am we were told  our flight would be at 5:30 am. It was the beginning of a series of false hope and finally cancellation. At about 11am we were finally told our flight was cancelled due to mechanical problem.  Imagine our frustrations.  Fortunately the airforce offered another date, that was on December 9, two days later. In retrospect, I was glad it was postponed, just imagine if we had encountered mechanical problem while airborne.  It was just too risky.

So two days later, we didn’t go to the airport as early.  We had enough sleep and in better spirit.  The airforce brought another plane so we finally took off by 8am.  We arrived at Langkawi at about 12pm.  So it was a 4-hour flight.  The Airforce was kind enough to bring us shopping till about 2pm because that’s when we had to go back to the exhibtion area for the airshow.

The airshow exhibtion itself was amazing, many modern military aircrafts, fixed and non-fixed.  But what really took my breath away were the air performances.  At the exhibition hall were companies displaying their war wares.  It’s disheartening to note that they were all there in business of war.  I didn’t spend much time at the exhibition hall as it was time to head back to the airport for our boarding.  It was 4pm.  At 6pm we were already boarding the C130 back home.  So it was another 4-hour trip back.

I wished there were more time, but I’m sure there’ll be another LIMA in two years time.  So I will be back.

Bed Wetting Problem

I believe everyone has gone through this period when young.  Our son who is coming to 5 occasionally wets his bed. It’s especially discomforting not say embarassing when sleeping over night at relatives or hotels.   Due his current size, none of the child diapers now fit him. Fortunately there are adult diapers sold.  Though not as effective but they doe offer some comfort.

Anticipated trip postponed

Imagine yourself ready to board an aircraft for a caribbean all inclusive packages tour when all of a sudden you were told that on the trip was cancelled.  Well today I felt just like that.  Our group were scheduled to witness the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exchibition today.  We had been waiting for our special air transport that would have brought us directly to Langkawi.  We were at the airport terminal as early as 2am but then was told that the flight was rescheduled to 5.30am.  The rescheduling act went on for a few more times till about 11am, our group leader was told that the flight was cancelled today and was offered a postponement to this coming friday.  The news came to the disappointment of many in the group but were hopeful that the trip would still realized on friday. Despite all that, perhaps it’s a blessing in disguised cos’ we might have encountered serious problem on this trip.