THE CAMBODIA ROYAL RAILWAY STATION

The Cambodia Railway Station is one of the historical buildings erected in the centre of Phnom Penh and this could be seen just by looking at the architecture. It was built in 1932 but was abandoned from 2005-2016. The present site now operates offering train services to Sihanoukville and Poipot, as well as the terminal for the airport shuttle train.

I was here when I first arrived on 13th August and when I was leaving on 16th August 2019. It was so far the calmest train station that I had even been to.

There was a cafe connected to the station. I wanted to try its coffee on promotion - with salted eggs but it was not available at that time unfortunately.

Similar to Vietnam coffee I had had in Ho Chi Minh, it was way to sweet for me.

You should use the shuttle train service to and from the airport which is very convenient - cheap and minus all the bad traffic jam of Phnom Penh. Read HERE about the shuttle train service which I took when I was there.

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TOURING MERSING POLYTECHNIC CAMPUS

22nd OCTOBER 2019 ~ I was having a 3-day course in Mersing Polytechnic and I just found out an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti is now studying there in his first semester. I managed to contact him and a date was set for a campus tour in the afternoon after my slot for the course was over.

the cafe

the students' hostel

the academic blocks

football field

sports centre

the main hall

the place where I was having the course:
Delima Sari

I did not explore the polytechnic last year when I was here. Thank you Mr. Arif Rahim [SPM batch 2018] for taking me on the campus tour even though you would be sitting for a final paper in the afternoon the next day. If there would be a course again here next here, I will sure find you but hopefully it will be held somewhere else.

poli-cat #1

poli-cat #2

OF COFFEE, A MOVIE AND GRILLED CHICKEN

It was not easy to get back to work after all the fun time I had had during my short break. Then an ex-student contacted me for an outing and that should be the acclimatization session I needed.

So we went to Paradigm Mall for coffee and cakes at Secret Recipe while waiting for the movie to start and it was concluded with grilled chicken at Kenny Roger's, all in Paradigm Mall.

As for the movie "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil", it was worth the watch. Even though I did not know what had happened at the beginning as I did not watch the first movie, I could understand the story line real well. It was the usual good vs. evil kind of thing but the whole screening was indeed entertaining.

Thanks Mr. Hamzah Hamdan [SMK Taman Universiti's SPM batch 2006] for the invite and glad we still could make it even though it was a last minute plan.

HOME SWEET HOME AFTER SEEING A PIECE OF HEAVEN ON EARTH

After four days away, I am finally home from Belitung Island, Indonesia. I must be lucky to get the opportunity to see a piece of heaven on earth.

Too much "Laskar Pelangi".
Too much sun, sea and sand.

Too much good food.

Too much laughter.

Too much fun.

Please God give me strength to move on.

Thank you Puan Hazlina Aziz, Puan Adila Ahmad, Puan Aishah Aboo Bakar, Mr. Hadi, Mr. Hamidun Omar and Miss Adra for the good, fun time.

I personally and also on behalf of the people in the group would like to specifically thank Puan Adila Ahmad and her husband, Mr. Hadi, who had been playing host throughout the whole time we were in Belitung. Even though we might be able to pay you for all the things you have done, actually only Allah may repay your kindness, warmth and hospitality.

It's time to plan for our next trip get back to the real world. *sigh*

FOOTNOTE: more TESL UPM class of 1993's gathering at KLIA2 with other group members, while waiting for the connecting flights home.

BLOGGING FROM BELITUNG ISLAND, INDONESIA

It is already the third day of my Deepavali short break in Belitung Island, Indonesia, and am having a whale of a time here - with 3 friends of my TESL UPM classmates, the daughter and husband of one of them and another newly made friend who is actually an ex-UPM alumni of the same batch. Will update more later, definitely. Going for more island exploring and am ready to get wet after this. See ya!

A 3D2N COURSE IN MERSING FOR SENIOR ASSISTANTS

All the secondary school senior assistants of administration of Johor Bahru district were sent for a 3D2N course in Politeknik Mersing from 22nd to 24th October 2019. We went to the same place for a course last year. I wished I didn't have to attend this as there were tonnes of work left in school.

I managed to meet an ex-student of SMK Taman Universiti, Mr. Farimie, who is working in Mersing in the afternoon on the first day there.

I will try to put more photos (at least) by next week.

MEKONG RIVER CRUISE - WHEN THE SKY WAS BURNING RED

[CONTINUATION OF THE PART WHEN THE SKY WAS NOT RED YET]

15th AUGUST 2019 ~ Suddenly it all happened. When the ferry was making its way back to the jetty, I saw this fiery rolling cloud started to form in the sky. People on board started to look at the sky and get excited. Then they started to record this beautiful natural phenomenon instantly and were trying to get the best spot to capture the moment on cameras. 

Slowly, the sky transformed its colour as if it was on fire and was burning red.

I must say this was the most beautiful sunset I had ever witnessed in my life. I wonder if this happens every day here on the river in Phnom Penh.

Soon the bright sky faded into darkness. And there was a full moon over Phnom Penh the night before I bade farewell to Cambodia. That should conclude my short visit to Phnom Penh. It was a great trip and I was glad I chose to go there even though it was not a popular destination among Malaysians for a holiday.

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