We made a trip down to St. Kilda beach to catch some of the summer breeze.

On Christmas night, we invited some friends over to our place for a get-together-drink-all-you-can party.

My dearest Leanne received loads of presents.

We also did dinner at Long Grain Thai Fusion Restaurant, with some friends from Adelaide and the newly wed couple.

A day trip to Ballarat was fun. There we headed to Ballarat Wildlife Park. A splendid place for the kids.

Less than 5 minutes away from the Ballarat Wildlife Park, is the Sovereign Hill, a gold mine with no more gold Now a tourist spot.

I guess I had my fair share of Christmas this year.

If I was nowhere to be found, have you tried the toilet, or my neighbour’s bedroom ?

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE !!

Coincidently, we were invited to attend a friend’s wedding ceremony, known back since the university days.

Their reception was held at Mount Eliza, near Frankston, which is about 1 hour drive from the city.

It was a beautiful garden wedding, with absolutely fantastic view of the sea.

Do I need a license for this ?

The weird situation here is, WE ARE STAYING IN THE CITY ! How the hell a crocodile end up wandering around on our lawn.

It just came out of nowhere and stranded on our lawn. We had to chase it into a dog cage, previous home for my 3 Huskies.

Anyway, I think it is going to be so cool having a pet crocodile. Anyone care to give my new pet a name ?

Girl A : “I just bought a Poodle. Very cute”

Cavin : “So what. I have a Crocodile at home, sleeping next to my 3 Huskies”

You see… I can’t help but thinking like that now.

But first, I have to work out what crocodiles actually eat ? Live chicken ? Poor baby croc has not been eating for the past 2 days.

I am looking forward to what kind of animal that would come to our house next… *a baby tiger would be excellent*

“Happy married life to you guys and wishing you all the wealth and prosperity throughout your life; don’t fight!”

And so, we were invited for a 4 days 3 nights rejuvenating getaway to Khao Yai, about 3 hours drive away from Bangkok, Thailand.

Khao Yai is probably more famously known as a National Park, which is the third largest in Thailand, and the oldest of all.

Along the way, we visited Farm ChokChai. This 8,000 acres farm is perhaps the largest livestock farm in Thailand. I do reckon that they serve good steaks here, at ChokChai Steakhut.

Leanne’s first trip to Thailand.

This facility uses high-tech equipments to milk the cows. Here, they suck them dry

Demonstration of milking a cow. Mooooo… !

This farm adopts the ways of the Wild Wild West. Horses and carriages are still in use.

A cowboy demonstrating the way to caught a cow, with a rope.

At night, we headed to the famous Banmai Resort & Restaurant for dinner.

This restaurant is famous and unique for its antique collection of various junks. You could not possibly imagine the variety of junks they have here.

They even have a miniature of a ‘mamak‘ stall on display.

The olden days where bicycles were used to transport Coca-Cola.

An old statue of Mickey Mouse. We had a chat with the owner and were told that he started collecting all these junks 30 over years ago. I could not imagine how much his collections would worth in the market these days.

Another great place to visit at Khao Yai National Park is its vineyard. PB Valley is owned by Thailand’s Singha Beer Group, and this winery is 1,000 acres big.

Family photo at the reception area.

A guided tour to its grape plantation.

The processing facility is open for visit as well.

Here we see all different equipments to process the harvested grapes.

And also their storage facility. The best way to get sober is by entering this storage room. Sniffing alone is sufficient to get sober

“I pray and wish happiness for both of you on your wedding day; I hope you are the ones from the story that says – Happily Ever After“.

Now I have more reasons to be dedicated to my work, be it at home on Sundays or during flights and in overseas, thanks to my new 1.99 kg lightweight Sony VAIO notebook.

I once considered Macbook Pro 2.53 GHz 13.3″ but the hefty price is just too much for a poor man like me. Most importantly, Mac does not support my crucial must-use engineering design softwares, AutoCad & SolidWorks. Hence another reason to have a Windows based portable computer by my side.

I am, after all still partially a Sony fan

We were invited by one of the largest Korean trading corporation to visit the a steel mill facility at Dangjin district in South Chung Cheong Province. I was amazed by its newly built, first in the world, indoor dome sized iron ore storage facility. 1 dome storage facility is estimated 2 times the size of a soccer field.

Part of our planned 4 days 3 nights itinerary by the local Korean business partners, we visited the famous Chang Deok Gung Palace, which was originally secondary to Gyeong Bok Gung Palace, served as the residence for many kings. Both palaces were destroyed by fire during the Japanese invasion in 1592. Gyeong Bok Gung Palace was not rebuilt but instead Chang Deok Gung Palace was restored in 1610 and served as the main palace for the next 258 years, until Gyeong Bok Gung Palace was finally rebuilt in 1868 during King Gojong’s reign.

The main gate of Chang Deok Gung, built with imposing dignity. This main gate or known as Danhwamun, was built in 1412 during King Taejong’s reign. Danhwamun was burned down during the Japanese invasion in 1592 and was restored in 1608.

Passing through the Injeongmun, another gate located after Danhwamun, leads to Injeongjeon, which is the throne hall of Chang Deok Gung Palace. Major state affairs, including the coronation of a new king and receiving foreign envoys, took place in this hall.

Ceremonies were held in the courtyard out front; to the rear, a terraced garden rose up towards Maebong Peak.

From the outside, Injeongjeon appears to have two stories, but inside it is a single space with a high, beautiful adorned ceiling.

Me looking tired from the 6 hours flight.

Autumn is the best season to witness beautiful colourful trees.

On the path that leads to the Secret Garden of Chang Deok Gung Palace.

This area lies in the heart of the Secret Garden, a backdrop for leisure and relaxation of the royal family. The two-story Juhamnu Pavillion was built in 1776. The first floor, Gyujanggak served as the royal library and a research institute to develop policies in support of the King’s reforms, whilst the second floor, was used as a reading area.

A live performance for visitors to Chang Deok Gung. The above shows the Crown Prince and its royal bodyguards awaiting for the arrival of the King in front of Yeonhwadang. The performance tells the story of the Crown Prince discussing routine state affairs with the King and a high official.

Jess with a safety helmet at the steel mill facility. The entire factory visit took 2 hours more or less.

Piles of slabs made from scraps / iron ore and ready to roll according to specifications. This steel facility has its own cargo port, which could accommodate up to 9 cargo vessels at the same time.

An unplanned mountain trekking / walking in the morning at the northern edge of Seoul city.

My apparel was unsuitable for what was planned by the Korean guys. I have never in my entire miserable life, woke up so early in the morning for mountain walking / trekking. It was nevertheless, a very good experience.

We only walked for 2 kilometers out of 8. It was tougher than I thought it would be. Local elders tend to mountain walk / trek at this area, especially on weekends.

This buggy shot was taken during a casual golf game with my customers at Seri Selangor Golf Club.

This one is even better. There was this massive jam at the Kesas-LDP Interchange due to a car caught on fire. It happened about 5 pm, on my way back to the office, after a meeting with my customer at Sungai Way Free Trade Zone. I was caught in the jam for nearly 30 minutes.

This was taken at Kinrara Golf Club as well, during a casual game on a normal working weekday.

Took a shot of the Ogawa equipments in my study room the night before the actual advertisement production. I even tried out a few myself. Proved that I’m not really a gym person.

A casual one of my wife with my lovely daughter at a cousin’s wedding reception in downtown Kuala Lumpur.

Four-legged lizard roaming freely at Seri Selangor Golf Club. Casual game on a normal working Thursday.