My First GPS - GARMIN nuvi 200

I had been planning to get a GPS unit to hook to my notebook for sometime. I heard of a Bluetooth unit by GARMIN. I went to Low Yat Plaza the other day and tried it out. There was a problem with the Bluetooth communication. My notebook crashed a couple of times. After trying it out for half an hour I finally gave up. Then I asked the sales person for a simple stand alone unit. He introduced me the GARMIN nuvi 200. It looks simple and compact just like a game device. But the price is not a game. It cost around RM1,100. A bit expensive for an entry level unit. It looks good though and solid and so I gave it a shot. Can't go wrong with a GARMIN product.

On the way home I tried it in the train. It works fine even inside a vehicle in the night. Though it still looks like a game device, the tracking is really accurate. I heard GARMIN has the best mapping system. Though it is a good device it still has problem acquiring the satellite around tall buildings and even dark stormy sky as most GPS unit do.

Besides the flat 2D view, it can also display in 3D. Personally I like the 2D view because I have a clearer picture of the things around me. Just like reading a conventional map. Unlike conventional map I can know exactly where I am. If I click on the car icon it will tell me my location in longitude and latitude. In time of emergency it is very useful. If you need to go to a certain location it will direct you there with a voice-prompted directions every step of the way. You can choose the options of the shortest or the fastest route.

The other thing that I like about a GPS unit like this is the Point of Interest tool. It will tell me places nearby like Food, Fuel, Shopping, Bank/ATM, Hospitals and many other POI. No more asking strangers where things are while the place or thing you are looking for is just around the corner.

It also has some handy tools for travellers like Calculator, Currency Converter, Unit Converter and World Clock. It even has a Picture Viewer where you can store photos and show it around. The photos can be transfered by a USB cable. New maps can also be transfered this way.

Here's a demo movie from GARMIN: http://www8.garmin.com/buzz/demos/nuvi200demo.jsp

Have Company Will Travel

This week I have been very busy renovating my new office down in JB. A travel company that I share with my sister. The guy beside me in the photo who is trying hard to be taller is my assistant Shahrul. He had been working very hard and deserves the limelight. We had done most of the painting and today we had stripped the floor for the new carpet.

This is the view from the reception area looking towards the window area which will be my room. The office location is just great that is beside the highway. A nice view to see everytime I come back from Kuala Lumpur. Looks like we have to work through the weekend to get the business running next week.

Rantauan's Eid Gathering at Malacca

Last Saturday the 27th October we had our Rantauan's Eid gathering at the town of Malacca. Usually every year we had separate gatherings in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore to welcome home our members from overseas who are back for Eid. This year I had an idea to have it in Malacca, the historic place where once a popular destination for travellers from all over the world.

We stayed for a night in Hotel Seri Costa (http://www.hotelsericosta.com/home.htm). I got a good deal for the exclusive rooms even had an extra one. There we had a casual eid feast brought by our member Aisah from her home town nearby.

That's me and the rest sitting on 'tikar mengkuang' that was bought by our member eLva at the handicraft shops nearby, giving the touch of kampung life in a hotel. This is one of the most memorable and fun gathering we had. Not sure if I can top this. Just waiting for another crazy idea.

It's a Girl and I'm an Uncle - finally

Yesterday my sister gave birth to a baby girl by a caesarean section. The little wonder is named Noradzwin as-Sofia. This is my first niece and finally I became an uncle. Feeling older and yet blessed. Not much words to describe the feeling or perhaps no words could.

Ramadhan Iftar @KLCC

Ramadhan 1428 Hijri must be the most busiest Ramadhan so far. Dividing my time between JB and KL. In JB I am helping out my almost due sister with her first baby. In KL is the never ending work and the lovely Wardah which make it all worthwhile to be here. We spend iftar together a number of times. Most of it in KLCC. A wonderful place to dine. During this Ramadhan they add a bit of Ramadhan resonance with some middle eastern music at the atrium. Surrounded by an Islamic design and colourful lanterns hanging from the roof.

Merdeka Video Montage

Merdeka - Freedom and its price

What if you are standing infront of your king, the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister and the national enthem is playing, and suddenly one of the pigeons that was released a moment ago landed on your songkok. This really happen to one of the UMNO youth member at Merdeka Stadium last night on the 50th Merdeka Celebration. Will this incident help to boost his political career? Or will he be remembered or well known as...... Well figure out you own tag line.

I took these shots from the balcony of Merdeka Stadium. My camera was on the tripod and my finger was on the trigger. Oh well, why not?