The Gallivantings of Daniel Franklin Gomez

I’m back, all in one piece. Sidestepped Typhoon Chanchu (Pearl), a T3 storm. Luckily it didn’t conflagrate into a T8 else I would’ve been marooned there until God-knows-when. 2 nights, and no proper slumber since Monday has zombified me. I’m trying to reminisce all that has happened over the last week, both in Kuantan and Hong Kong/Macau. 

My 4-day stay in Kuantan was the most blissful one yet invigorating. I won’t muckrake much as I don’t wanna whammy it, but God-willing, if it happens, I would be the happiest man on planet Earth. Impiana Resort seemed to be losing its lustre. At night, we combed all the way up to Kuala Kemaman and fringes of Bandar Cukai in pursuit of seafood. It was relatively chinchy. Four dishes totalling RM46 for 2 pax. However, Terengganu’s not my cup of tea and certainly do not possess the winsomeness of Pahang.

We left Impiana (Cherating) on Monday (15th May) and I flew the next day to Hong Kong & Macau for 2 nights. It was a staggeringly fatiguing journey. The weather was wretched in anticipation of the first storm of the typhoon season (Chanchu). We ferried across to Macau from Hong Kong Airport when we discovered that the meeting venue has been switched. Myself and the COO plumped in Macau around 4:30pm, checked into the Lisboa Hotel (full complimentary rooms thanks to one billionaire). The room were baronial and the bathroom was princely. Exquisite to say the least. It had a computerized jacuzzi. You could play music (radio/CD), set steam, determine the temperature level, toggle the anti-mist mirror. It was fantabulous! I would LOVE to own a similar one in my new condominium unit.

We were treated to dinner by the business partners. The meeting proved fruitful as we signed on the dotted line the next day back in Hong Kong. There were babbles of Typhoon Chanchu colliding with Macau and HK but later learned that it had veered off to China. The ferry ride to HK was extremely roiled eventhough we were in the Superclass section. The waves were battering the ferry.

After arriving in HK, we checked in at the Metropole Hotel in Kowloon, and then back to the city for dinner culminating with the signing of the agreement (8pm-ish). In the midst of it all, I managed to squelch a little time for shopping and bought a 512MB Micro SD card for HK230. Cheapo!! My Motorola V3x was selling at only HK2900, approximately RM300 cheaper than Malaysia!

Slumbered at 11pm and awakened at 2:30am to catch the Barcelona-Arsenal final at the bar on a ground floor. It was a good match in the first 20 minutes, and Barcelona were the deserved victors. What promised to be an historic clash ended when Arsenal’s goalkeeper was sent off. The ref should’ve played the advantage in the spirit of the game. Anyway, Thierry Henry might stay with Arsenal so that’s a silver lining. Looking forward to Ashburton Grove next season. Right now, I’m back to cheering on GERMANY in the World Cup.

Game ended at 5am, took the airport bus at 6am, left HK at 9am, arrived in KLIA at 12:30pm, reached home at 1:30pm, slept at 11:30pm after drafting this entry. Have a good weekend. *YAWNS*

Always,

Me 

P/S: 100-Plus Aqtiv is officially now my favourite (and only) carbonated drink. Less sweeter and more fizzier than the original 100-Plus.