Last Friday, I discovered a place that has….

1. Rock Climbing

2. Watersports

3. A Shopping Complex

4. A GSC Cinema

5. A 5 star hotel

with 5 star service (not the type that you’re thinking)

6. And the best part is, this place gives away a Free Trip to Bali for 5D / 4N at a 4-Star hotel.

That’s right people, this place is no other than Alamanda Putrajaya!

I had a smashing time wei!

Surprised? I was no less taken aback myself when I was invited by Advertlets, courtesy of Alamanda, that there would be a special blogger outing, From 8am morning to 10pm some more. Alamanda so many things to do meh?

Turns out, there really was THAT much to do.

But given that Psychkin and I live just 15 minutes from Putrajaya, we had no choice but to sleep an EXTRA HOUR while the other bloggers gathered at 1 Utama at 8am. Only at 9am did I leave my house..and we was still earlier than the rest. Buahaha,

Breakfast at Oldtown with Coffee was a very welcome sight. Especially for those who had to wake up extra early to catch the 1 Utama bus i.e. almost everyone.

Rames playing with his new 30mm F1.4mm lens and some tea-dripping action. You should’ve seen his face when he caught the tea falling off the spoon. Almost like he struck lottery lol.

And this is probably the bestest best deal of all. A teaser of what we would receive at the end of the day.

And to qualify for this, we had to work hard to Play, Rock Climb, Camho, Wakeboard and Watch Movie. Not something I would complain about, really.

Some goodie bags to start off the day. Dunkin Donuts and Cold Storage are cool people.

Bboyrice, Jason Mynjayz, Rames and Psychkin can’t wait to Camho.

And so does Bimbo Shopaholic Smashpop.

I came to Alamanda before about 3 years back, and to be honest, I had low regards for the place. It felt congested, underutilized, unorganized.

Much to my surprise, a whole lot has changed. Brands like Valentino, Nose, Clarks, and surf brands like Quiksilver and Billabong pretty much fill up the lots of the complex.

8TV host Belinda checks out Quiksilver…

…while I check out a mannequin’s boobies at Billabong. Nice…suit.

New Camho Face, designed by Howard U. I cannot make it laaaaaa

Pandaaaa* on the way to Putrajaya Challenge Park for Rock Climbing. This girl couldn’t wait to get her hands dirty!

And she got pretty much what she wanted with a piece of her shoulder taken off during the climbing process. Failllll ahahahahaha.

There’s always one thing about rock climbing that is very important The Crotch-Adjustment session.

This is Mr Trainer checking to see if my crotch is safe and well protected.

Securing crotch for Leowazza and Superwilson.

Serious face of the day. Rames deep in thought on how to scale those walls.

And while Bel, me and Psychkin do our share of climbing…

….Rames and Leowazza decided to have their private agenda that involves hands-on and some pushing action. Aiyer so Bromantic leh.

We played and played until we were very happy.

And when we got hungry, lunch was served at their P’s Cafe! Shiok.

It was one of those moments when I suddenly feel like dropping to my knees on the ground and dedicate to the sky: ‘Thank you for making me a Blogger!’ Even my chargeable Orange Jus became FOC on my request. Tumpang glamer.

Group Shot! of 1/2 JonYKT, SimonSo, RebeccaSaw, Jason Smashpop, Josh.my, BryanLyt, BangsarBabe, me, FatJason lol.

It’s me and the Pandaaa*

…and Pandaaa*s kicks. Caught my eye instantly.

Hotel Pullman was a (surprisingly) busy hotel, with also surprisingly affordable rates for a 5-star hotel.

Surprised yet? There’s really this kind of bustling activity at Putrajaya!

This is one of the hotel rooms which they opened for our tour. I know it looks a bit like a porn-film set-up, but it’s not lah. I just wanted to know how many people could cram into this room. Quite big lol.

The gym comes complete with posers as well.

But the best was yet to come.

This was the training session before…

…Wakeboarding! Where everyone has to pass the Ultimate test: The Pangsai Test.

Whose style do you like the best?

Okay lah. It’s the mini-training session on how to work the wakeboard. Haha.

Sad lor, many ppl including myself didn’t get to try it due to time shortage and looming clouds. But Psychkin and me and one girl in between us got to try out the Tube-thingy. Oh yeah we got wet pretty much. Compared to some other bloggers hiding in the shade *ahemSmashpopRamesBboyriceJasonOngJonYktBryanLytahem*

And just when everyone was hungry, Manhattan Fish Market had some stuff for our munching-ness.

A whole plate LOADED with Calamari Rings. My all time fav nom nom nom.

With a whole lot of vouchers from Focus Point and Chakri Xpress. Wah overload leh.

It’s me and the Hogan!

The perfect ending to a physically-draining day would be no other than…

A free movie! Ow!

And not of any show, but of Avatar.

I have a great many things to say about this show, but I’ll put it in two words:

EPIC AWESOMENESS.

Storyline is completely smashing, and something in its own beautiful dimensional word, made me watch it over, and over again. The 2D version twice, and last night, the 3D version.

The CG and FX of this show are totally realistic in its own fictional way. The character modelling, physical movements, expressions, gravitational effects are so effin good that if the Na-vi weren’t blue, they would pass as real humans.

Because of this show, Sam Worthington would probably be the next big thing around. In Terminator Salvation, he as Marcus Wright already was the hero, outshining our Christian Bale (again, he was outshone by the Joker in The Dark Knight).

And Michelle Rodriguez, was so, so hot, as usual. Loves.

Group pic after movie!

I know this has been pretty much to read already, but this is what happens when you have fun the whole day LOL.

Because this part, you shouldn’t miss!

Josh.my handing out travel vouchers to bloggers for the Bali / Phuket vacation after the whole day of impatient waiting and doing other unnecessary stuff to very very happy bloggers. Oh yeaaaaaaaah.

And the best part for everyone is that this ain’t something special for bloggers. ANYONE who shops a minimum of RM800 at Alamanda will get this Holiday Voucher. Guaranteed.

So those of you who got married this month, like those who made me less by a couple of hundred bucks for angpau, are thinking of where to go for your honeymoon. This could be it.

Go check out Alamanda today. It’s worth it.

And here’s a little bit of good news.

I discovered only today when I unpacked my goodie bags, this bundle in a plastic bag. In wake of my excitement after the Alamanda day (about 6 days ago), I forgot to take out my very Very Wet Alamanda T-Shirt which I used to dry myself after Wakeboarding.

Since it’s the Xmas season, I’m giving this away to the lucky selected blogger who leaves a comment here. It’s a little smelly, but hey, it smells like me and that’s really cool.

Any takers?Limited edition okaaaay

 

It’s December everyone!

 

Needless to say, and like everybody else, it’s my favorite month of the year. Christmas, holidays, weather gets cooler, bonus, and of course, annual leave.

 

 

Except for me who used up probably my 2009, 2010 and 2011 annual leave for the past few months travelling like a nomad. I’ve been away so long that I kinda forgot how blogger events were like. Whatever Nike Run la, All American Rejects concert la, Fashion parties la, movie screenings la etc. Suma sudah hilang.

 

When I was back a few weeks ago @reneetay said ‘I spend more time in a plane than I do on my bed’. She’s right, except that it wasn’t just a plane that I spent my time in….it was a cruise ship instead, the Legend of the Seas.

 

 

 

Salsa Cruise Asia was too awesome to be described in just words.

 

So let’s see some pics ok?

 

 

Eh, sorry supposed to be bus picture. Ah, here. The bus! A whole solid 6 hours from 1U bus station to Singapore.

 

I was the first photographer to move with the crew down to the hotel, and being labelled as the ‘Official Photographer’ (one of) for Salsa Cruise Asia, memang kembang sikit lah.

 

It didn’t take long for few of the international artists to notice me with the big-ass camera, and within 10 seconds, I was given a chance to do what I loved the most:

 

CAM HO!

 

Score one with sexy Lidia Mcmahon of Australia!

 

Lidia and Ulysses were definitely one of the favorites among the cruise goers. Accommodating, great dancers with always a smile on their faces. Awesome people. The coolest thing about Ulysses is that he’s a 6’4” Electrical Engineer, with a body that almost made me drool. Almost.

 

 

 

The Ritz-Carlton is a 6-star hotel with classy rooms and classy service to match.

 

 

The only trouble was that I’ve been staying in 2 to 3 stars hotels too often while I’m travelling that I have no idea how to compare 4 or 5 or 6 star hotels. You can tell me this is a 10 star hotel and I WILL believe you. Me village boy haha. I just know that I like the bathroom a lot.

 

 

If you have enough alcohol in your blood and have the balls to bathe in this bath tub, there is the option of leaving the blinds wide open to display your ding-dongs for the passers-by below to check out. I’ve checked, and it IS possible to see from outside.

Maybe this special feature is what makes a 6-star hotel, a 6-star hotel. I don’t know.

 

Crew Makan time at Bao Jin Tian at Marina Square! This restaurant’s got a Bao in its name, but I didn’t see many Baos around. Mostly Hong Kong styled dishes.

 

 

The first night was just crew and artists. Guests were to arrive only on the second day for the performance in the grand ballroom. The best part about being the photographer is that you get to do what you like doing best : Shoot. And it don’t even feel like work at all yo! Best!

 

 

The crew themselves were a young (young by my definition is below 35 years) and energetic (energetic by my definition means sleeping just 3 hours a day) bunch of people. Really good to work with. I think being Mr Hensem Photographer helped to improve communication across as well xD

 

DJ Steiner, Angela, Tamie, Audrey, Vanessa, Shu Shan, Pauline and Jason. Awesome people. You can see here who’s the person older than 30. Buahahhaa.

 

This is Tim, one of Salsa Cruise’s directors, posing with Jordan and Tatiana, who:

 

…Specializing in West Coast Swing, Jordan Frisbee & Tatiana Mollmann have been a successful partnership for five years. They are the 2000, 2001, & 2004 US Open Champions, 2-Time NASDE Champions, Grand National Champions, and have won every Classic event in 2004 & 2005. At 2004 UCWDC World’s event they were given the Star Award for the Couple with the Most Impact on Swing. – http://www.sunnysidedancecamp.org/en/node/21

Damn good dancers. Inspiring!

 

Here’s a preview of what happened the next day…

 

 

 

And tomorrow Psychkin and I will be going for my first blogger event in MONTHS:

Oh it’s been a while. Can’t wait to reconnect with everyone else! I’ll be a noob blogger again…LOL!

 

Also I wana give my very very very x 1000 best congratulations to Andrew and @EveYeo who had their wedding dinner last night at Sunway Hotel Ballroom.

 

And guess what? Love grew for this couple during salsa classes. Not bad eh?

 

P.S you both have to start your night engines. Fast. Haha.

 

Cheers!
EVo

 

pygsae8d37

Hey all!

 

I’m back from Bali …. and it was an AWESOME CRAZY FUN CHUNTED trip! I am so going back for more…3 days 2 nights ain’t enough. There’s so much to be explored…the sea..the clubs..and *ahem* the girls..

 

 

 

I would ask you not to scroll further down for more pics ya. Cos they’re not ready yet! With my office work backlogged from last week piling on my table, cannot find time to filter out my 1700+ shots laa.  >.<

 

Only enough time to filter one pic of those lingerie models hehe.

 

Anyway, something else caught my attention when I came back and checked on the blog : A flashing Advertlets banner (which happens to be not flashing anymore now), and I clicked it. Hand itchy ma when I saw those little presents floating down the screen.

 

Then I was directed to the Hacker Halted Asia Pacific 2009 website.

 

 

Don’t be afraid of the banner lah. My blog’s not gona jump into your PC and destroy it.

 

 

Further reading led me to learn about the Hacker Halted Asia Pacific 2009 conference, a 4-day event from 10 November to 13 November, featuring a 2-Day Conference and a 2-Day Hands-on workshop.

 

 

One of its main objectives is to expose latest flaws in information security that affects the global community. Topics covered are various security issues plaguing the industry, and the different ways of protection and countermeasures in dealing with threats.

 

After some reading, I thought these guys were trying to sell some Antivirus.

 

Then I went to their FAQ section that had some writeup, and noticed something that made me go ‘Ooooh’:

 

We are the proud owners and developers of the world renowed “Certified Ethical Hacker – CEH” and Computer Hacking Forensics Investigator – CHFI” certification, among others.

OK, it’s not an Antivirus.

 

We are NSA/CNSS4011 Certified. We are vendor neutral and not business driven. We take into account on what the industry needs.

It’s not business driven? Then eat what? Grass ah? HAHA.

 

Our certification are required and implemented by many companies like JP Morgan Chase, Deloitte, IBM, Citibank, the CIA as well as the FIB amongst hundreds of other organizations.

That’s one helluva reference they have for their portfolio!

 

I’m actually quite embarrassed that I never heard of this organization before =.=

 

It also turns out that last year, they also had Hacker Halted Asia Pacific 2008, that attracted over 500 Information Technology Professionals from the Asia Pacific region and worldwide.

 

Pictures taken during Hacker Halted 2008 in KL

 

 

Where have I been all these while? LOL.

 

By then, I asked myself : Don’t I already have an Antivirus? I’m currently using Bit Defender Total Security. ‘Total’ ma, sounds quite powerful right.

 

And probably the least likely thing to happen would be an Antivirus company themselves getting hacked into, right?

 

 

Wrong! I surprised myself.

 

Apparently on July 20th, Kaspersky Malaysia had a ‘little’ trouble with their security….

 

 

 

They got freaking hacked!

 

Mr Eugene Kaspersky is so not gona be too happy about this.

 

 

This hack is believed to have used the “SQL injection” technique (which is one of the topics covered in Hacker Halted Asia Pacific 2009, Workshop 1 out of 4).

 

Kaspersky has one of the top security solutions in the world …… while hackers are prancing happily in their backyard. Damn char dou.

 

So the point is, if these guys can take out Kaspersky, imagine what they could do to us. Sure, we’re all ‘IT-savvy, blogg-y, facebook-y’ and stuff, but how many of us actually know much about hackers? I’m a jackass myself la wei..

 

So it’s quite an idea to check out the conference, especially if you have sensitive data like social security numbers, photocopies of your IC, Passport, Maybank Pin Numbers, and Secret Pictures saved in your PC. Unless you are Edison Chen, of course.

 

If you own a business, websites, or basically use forms of digital offline / online media, you are at risk of getting hacked.

 

At the event, you’ll also be able to catch world-famous international speakers from the information security industry, namely Howard Schmidt, Dr Hugh Thompson, Tim Pierson, Tom Bowers and amongst others, in the ambience of Hotel Nikko.

 

 

Click here for main Hacker Halted Asia Pacific 2009 page. Right click and save link as:

here to see full details on the agenda,
here for the registration form and
here for List of Workshops

 

Or join a simple contest here, (click ‘Contest’) to try to win an External Hard Disk / 16GB / 8GB Thumbdrive. (Hacking Software not included lol).

 

Hope to see you there!

 

Cheers!
-EVo-

 

P.s    My Bali pics are 90% done!!

 

P.P.s    MTV World Stage was one of the most Rocking concert I’ve ever been at or will ever be at!!  OMG!!