Paintball at Taman Pertanian Malaysia, Shah Alam.

A friend extended an invitation to the Writer to spend a day at Taman Pertanian Malaysia, Shah Alam engaging in another outdoor activity on Sunday, November 15 2009 – and this time it was paintball.

One may partake himself with a lot of activities offered in Taman Pertanian Malaysia – from just sightseeing to cycling to camping to flying fox and to, of course, playing paintball. Taman Pertanian Malaysia has an extensive natural terrain, outdoor fields with multiple scenes – small field with bunkers, medium sized field with bunkers, large sized field with no bunkers (players can rely on trees and bushes for hiding), etc.

Paintball Valley at Taman Pertanian Malaysia, Shah Alam.

DETAILS

Players at Taman Pertanian Malaysia are equipped with:

• Paintball marker (or marker for short): Basically a ‘gun’ used to tag other opposing players with paintballs. A marker has an attached loader or ‘hopper’ to keep the marker fed with ammunitions and a compressed gas canister as a propellant, usually loaded with carbon dioxide or high-pressure air. A marker can cost from RM2000+ towards RM6000+ for the sophisticated / high-end versions. An avid player might opt for his own weapon of choice in the form of markers that are designed to look like real firearms such as AK-47 or M16.

A paintball marker, with attached air pump and pellets loader.

• Paintballs: ammunitions used in the marker. The balls are spherical and contains polyethylene glycol, other non-toxic and water-soluble substances, and dye.

Paintballs inside the attached loader.

• Masks: the mask is worn at all times as safety devices for protections from paintballs if shot. It covers eyes, mouth, ears and nostrils.

• Vests: designed to look like safety vest that are used by police on duty, but are not made from Kevlar. Paintball shots are considerably painful and may leave you with bruises for a couple of days.

• Two canisters with belt for players to carry their ammunitions during games.

The equipments are provided by Paintball Valley.

All equipments are provided by Paintball Valley (the paintball organizer at Taman Pertanian Malaysia). Serious players tend to have their own markers (most likely to be more expensive and fancier than the ones provided), fancy vests and decked in extensive mock getup such as camouflage suits, cargo pants and berets. Ammunition come in a pack of 500 balls. And each will cost RM50 or RM180 per box of 4 packs.

Each player is provided with a pack of ammunition.

Each player will be charged anywhere between RM80 – RM100, and inclusive of lunch and free flow of refreshing drinks.

GAMES

The Writer played three games in total with various states of plays. There were two teams, consisting of Maybank Group and KNM staffs with 9 and 8 players for each respective team.

A peek outside the battlefields.

The first game was played within a time frame of 10 minutes in a small venue with a few natural and artificial terrains such as trees, plywood huts and tiny wooden walls. The winner was determined with the last team standing. A player is considered out of the game if he is shot, regardless any body parts and including the markers. Ousted players were relegated into a netted bunker and watched his team fought the remaining minutes. Result: KNM won.

The second game required both team to raise a team flag (provided by Paintball Valley) within a 15-minute time frame. The team with their flag raised at the end of the games is considered as the winner, and this sparked a war of attacks from both team. Natural terrains are present, and the artificial terrains were more adventurous – there were a milk bottle booth and a Volvo 240 used in the arena. Result: KNM won again.

The third and final game was played in a all-natural terrain backdrop amidst thick bushes. This time Maybank Group players played the defending team to protect a prized mock nuclear canister, and KNM team job was to hijack it from the defending team. Defending team was stationed in an abandoned circus bus while the attacking team was scattered all over the place, ambushing. This time, each player were granted three ‘lives’, where players will need to went out of field once shot and re-enter the field for two more time before considered as dead. Result: Draw.

It was one hell of a good time albeit a bit tiring. The Writer would definitely return to Taman Pertanian Malaysia soon for more actions of mock artillery and polyethylene glycol shots.

Note: Players in action pictures shall be included later.

2010 Travel Plan(s)

Salaam and good day everyone,

We are less than two months away from the first month of the second decade of the third millennia, and it is the time of the year that the Writer usually plans out things that he wants to accomplish for the next calendar year. A lot of things that need to be achieved, but the Writer is only going to discuss adventures and trips that would be interesting to be considered.

There were plans to explore the Headhunter’s Trail in Mulu, Sarawak for 5 days and 4 nights in late January / early February 2010 but the Writer decided not to follow the expedition considering the steep price tag at RM1600, though inclusive of all expenditure.

There was also a plan for a mission to tackle the lost world of Maliau Basin in Sabah around that time as well. The Writer is more enthusiastic in this expedition than the Headhunter’s Trail. We are in the midst of actually getting guides information and costs when suddenly the team leader got pregnant.

For these two adventures, the Writer is pretty much still interested to engage himself in; and for this, the Writer would like to beg you to invite him should you are going to hassle yourself to the Borneo. I really need to go there!

February 2010 holds quite a number of national holidays (Federal Territory, Chinese New Year and Thaipusam) and a straight 4 days of holidays (February 13 – 16 2009 for CNY). The Writer is thinking of a backpacking trip that can be carried out around this time. A week of leave before CNY holiday would be perfect that would give the Writer an extensive 13 days to explore a foreign territory.

Now this part sounds kinda interesting. If you are a reader (the Writer is unsure whether this blog has any avid readers to begin with) and has been to any interesting places around the World, the Writer would definitely like to have an input from you of any place you would to recommend the Writer to explore. No place is off limits.

You can leave your recommendations at the comment section or send the Writer an email at asroll.rosly@gmail.com.

Little Hands / Duncan Sheik

Some sweet perversion
On the telephone line
I’ve been waiting for such a very long time
For her to be free
The evening was nice
But there were too many people
And all my thoughts so depraved and evil
Oh lord what would she say

(she says:) I’m afraid it’s not to be
You’re a sweet guy but you ain’t for me
I live my life in a different way
You know those things you’re thinking
Are a big mistake

We stayed out late ’til morning came
I said “I’ll take you home
If its all the same”
Her indifference fills the room
Some weak seduction on the morning after
How it slays me every time I touch her
But she just wants to sleep

(she says:) How long ’til you understand
The last thing that I need is another man
Didn’t you promise to give it a rest
Right now I need a lover
Like a hole, like a hole in the head

Oh well, can’t blame a guy for tryin’
And I’m smiling even though I’m dying
To know the love she says will never be

One last conversation in the crowded bar
And even thought the music is louder by far
I hear every word she says

(she says:) Don’t take it bad don’t worry about it
You’re a friend of mine and there’s no way around it
Sometimes you there early sometimes you get there late
But even if you had a chance you never knew the game

Little hands, open smile
I’m glad we got to talk for a while
I feel O.K. yeah I’m feeling better
I’ll let it go but I’ll never say never
It’s O.K. yeah, it’s O.K.

Use Somebody *

Salaam and good day to all,

It has been a while since the Writer post anything new here. The Writer was too lazy to write anything since there were very little action and activity going on for the past two months.

It is expected that the coming several months (which could either be for 2-3 months or 6-7 months) too would see little actions and activities that can be attributed to personal commitments and perhaps some shifts in the Writer’s life as well.

But fret not; the Writer is not losing him steam over his passion for explorations and uncharted territories. There are several upcoming outdoor activities and adventures lined up in the coming two months that would only take a fraction on the Writer’s time and will not burn a hole in the pocket.

In the meantime, the Writer is going to write entries to fill in the gap. There are a few trips this year the Writer has yet to write, like a South-bound road trip from KL to Johor during the 2009 Chinese New Year holiday or a weekend trip to Mabul Island in Sabah back in May 2009. There are a few other camping trips way back in 2007 and 2008 that are worth to be told, but they happened quite a long time ago and the Writer did not exactly remember many of the details.

Some crude jokes or favorite music and films may fit here as well. In short, welcome back.

* The title does not blend in with the content, but the Writer currently addicted to Kings of Leon’s Use Somebody. Just when you thought that you already had your own definitive Top 10 Tunes or Rock Tunes of all time, you had to revise when you heard a new track you are hooked on and you had to re-arrange your list. And right now, Use Somebody is playing on the loop in the car and on the cell phone.

“Apsal, hari ni tak pakai seluar ke??”

Ini adalah kisah benar, berlaku sekitar April atau Mei 2003.

Penulis ketika itu sedang menjalani latihan industri di sebuah syarikat berasakan telekomunikasi beribu pejabat di Jalan Sultan Ismail. Beberapa orang pelajar latihan industri lelaki serta seorang pelajar wanita sedang berehat apabila dua orang juruteknik syarikat datang menyuruh kami menggantikan lampu kalimantang di beberapa tempat di pejabat yang rosak.

Pelajar lelaki terus bangun dan memanjat untuk menggantikan lampu-lampu yang rosak, manakala pelajar wanita tunggal yang tidak berapa sihat memerhatikan sahaja.

Seorang juruteknik bertanya keapada pelajar wanita tersebut, “Tak nak tolong ke?”.

“Esok lah ye,  saya pakai seluar” jawab pelajar wanita itu yang berbaju kurung pada hari itu.

“Apsal, hari ni tak pakai seluar ke??”

“Eh, pakai la! Pakai la!” jawabnya pantas dengan muka yang merah padam. Pada masa ini semua orang ketawa terbahak-bahak.

Pelajar wanita tersebut tidak datang ke pejabat pada keesokan hari. MC katanya.

Driving experiences

These anecdotes are basically my experiences in actively driving on Malaysian roads.

1. I might drive fast, but I am never a rude or reckless driver. Some might have a different opinion, but I beg to differ. I would argue if it is needed so.

2. I don’t cut lines, and I am pissed at drivers who cut lines but act as if it is nothing. I understand that some are in a hurry or in an emergency, but at least give some sign asking for permissions to give way and saying thanks for the gestures.

3. Some drivers just don’t know to give signal while changing lanes. This might be acceptable on highways, but definitely not on Federal or city roads of Bangsar or Jalan Sultan Ismail.

4. On highways, some drivers are just plain rude, but not necessarily fast – they tailgate you on the right-most lane and beam their headlights for you to make way for them. They usually drive European marquees and follow you really close that you are forced to relegate to middle lanes. They will not slow down to give you some time to switch lane but instead flare headlights to say “Move! Make way for me! I am rich and I can afford to drive a luxury car!”. I have experienced this situation with a 5-series BMW, Mercedes ML 350 and just recently with a BMW X5. I curse them to meet with accidents all the times.

5. Some drives at 130km/h on the right-most lanes on highways and think that they are the fastest thing on earth! I had to switch to middle lanes to get by. The drivers would happily chat with their passengers (probably about the latest lip gloss color they tried since 99% are women) and not paying attention to other vehicles surrounding them. Most of the times, they drive Toyota Vios. So remember this: Female drivers + Toyota Vios = not good.

6. Some drivers believe their DVVT and Campro drivetrains can really beat i-VTEC engines. I don’t mean to insult, but these people needs to realize where they come from. Most of them are young drivers with high aspirations.

7. A certain gender from a certain heritage makes really bad drivers. Ego, insensitive, unapologetic, impatient and sometimes reckless on the road. They would cut queues, insist on other drivers to make way for them, driving fast on a small lane, the list goes on. They all basically possess the same traits; regardless young or old, driving a small car or the most expensive cars they can afford. Back in 2005 I saw a driver from this certain gender and heritage in a Kia Spectra scratched a police car side mirror. Instead of stopping, check the damage, apologize and take responsibility of it, the driver just sped off just like that. The policemen who were having their tea-break eventually got on their car and hunt the car down. I don’t know what happened next though.

Be Mine / Robyn

Note: This is one of the most heart-wrenching tunes I have ever heard.

It’s a good thing tears never show in the pouring rain
As if a good thing ever could make up for all the pain
There’ll be no last chance I promise to never mess it up again
Just a sweet pain of watching your back as you walk
As I’m watching you walk away
And now you’re gone it’s like an echo in my head
And I remember every word you said

It’s a cruel thing you’ll never know all the ways I tried
It’s a hard thing faking a smile when I feel like I’m falling apart inside
And now you’re gone it’s like an echo in my head
And I remember every word you said

And you never were, and you never will be mine
No, you never were, and you never will be mine

For the first time, there is no mercy in your eyes
And the cold wind is hitting my face and you’re gone
And you’re walking away
And I am helpless, sometimes
Wishing’s just no good
Cause you don’t see me like I wish you would

Cause you never were, and you never will be mine
No, you never were, and you never will be mine

There’s a moment to seize everytime that we meet
But you have always keep passing me by

But you never were, and you never will be mine

[Spoken:]
I saw you at the station
You had your arm around what’s her name
She had on that scarf I gave you
and you got down to tie her laces

Cause you never were, and you never will be mine
(You looked happy and that’s great)
No, you never were, and you never will be mine
(I just miss you, that’s all)

Cause you never were, and you never will be mine
No, you never were, and you never will be mine

There’s a moment to seize everytime that we meet
But you have always keep passing me by

No, you never were, and you never will be mine
Cause you never were, and you never will be mine
No, you never were, and you never will be mine

There’s a moment to seize everytime that we meet
But you have always keep passing me by
No, you never were, and you never will be mine

3 Ogos 2009: Persimpangan Y dan kembali ke Kuala Lumpur.

Hari ketiga komplot Stong bermula sekitar jam 0630hrs bagi Penulis yang bangun dengan sakit perut yang tidak reda-reda sejak malam sebelumnya. Majority ahli komplot telah berkumpul di kawasan air terjun untuk menikmati matahari terbit. Kali ini, hanya kumpulan kami sahaja yang masih berada di tapak perkhemahana Baha di mana ahli komplot yang lain sudah pun beransur petang hari sebelumnya.

Di air terjun Stong pada pagi 3 Ogos 2009.

Sarapan disediakan pada jam 0900hrs berupa makaroni goreng dengan racikan daging burger.

Beberapa ahli komplot mengikuti juru pandu komplot, Che We ke Persimpangan Y, yang merupakan pertemuan aliran air terjun dua gunung – Gunung Stong dan Gunung Ayam. Ia hanya terletak 15 minit untuk trek dari tapak perkhemahan Baha. Persimpangan Y sangat menarik untuk mandi manda di mana seseorang dapat menggelongsor di batuan terus ke dasar air terjun. Walau bagaimananpun, Penulis hanya berehat di kawasan perkhemahan dan tidak ke Persimpangan Y.

Air terjun di Persimpangan Y.

Beraksi di air terjun di Persimpangan Y.

Menggelongsor di air terjun di Persimpangan Y.

Setelah berkemas dan makan tengahari, komplot mula bergerak turun ke bawah pada jam 1445hrs. Kali ini, komplot melalui trek yang berlainan dengan trek naik – dengan melalui kawasan air terjun yang indah.

Di tengah trek turun ke perkarangan Taman Negeri Stong.

Bergambar kenang-kenangan.

Jam menunjukkan waktu tepat 1645hrs ketika komplot tiba di pintu masuk Taman Negeri Stong dan terus mandi untuk menyegarkan diri di kawasan sungai. Dua buah van membawa kami keluar dari kawasan rekreasi tersebut pada jam 1800hrs.

Sebelum bergerak keluar dari perkarangan Taman Negeri Stong.

Sebelum pulang, komplot telah singgah di pasar malam pekan Dabong untuk mendapatkan alas perut. Aturan gerai pasar malam Dabong ringkas dan padat – ia dia adakan di sisir jalan kecil dan terdapat kurang daripada 20 buah gerai yang mengambil serta.

Selesai membeli belah di pasar malam pekan Dabong.

Komplot tiba di Stesen Keretapi Dabong pada jam 1925hrs dan terus ke gerai makan berdekatan untuk makan malam sambil menanti keretapi Ekspres Wau menuju ke Kuala Lumpur pada jam 2105hrs.

Namun begitu, keretapi yang komplot naiki hanya tiba pada jam 2140hrs. Setelah mengucapkan terima kasih pada Che We, kami memulakan perjalanan yang mengambil masa lebih dari separuh hari kembali ke Kuala Lumpur, dan hanya tiba di KL Sentral pada jam 0955hrs 4 Ogos 2009.