New Template - problems & solutions

Continuing from previous post, 'Upgrade to Blogger Layouts features' ....

Two unwelcome problems occurred after the switch from old template to the new one with Layouts.

Aargh! Sidebar's Adsense ads and blog's links' color doing their disappearing act...now you see, now you don't!

Kept me so muddled and puzzled for many days as I struggled to rectify the problems. Googled for answers but unsuccessful. Hmm...had I been more knowledgeable in the configuration of html codes/css language, both of my problems could have been easily solved, I'm positive. Too bad..just had to rely on my own observations, trials and errors, plus brainstorming to get by for the time being until I can improve/expand my limited knowledge.

Nonetheless, in my google search for remedies, I found some very comprehensive and educative articles on html/css at David Raggett's guides, which I've bookmarked for further learning. Thanks, David for your generous sharing.

A friend teasingly remarked via email, "Aiyoh, my sympathies with your peacock blog....revamp till the owner also have its peacock feathers all flustered!" Haha...had a good laugh at my 'flustered' self in spite of the frustrations and mammoth tasks ahead.

Anyway, here's sharing the problems encountered and how-to solve, in my own way:

Problem #1 : I selected to display adsense ad units in my sidebar and posts. All the ads did show up initially. But when I edited their colors to blend with my blog, the adsense ads at the sidebar went missing on the main page, though it's displayed on the individual page of each post's url. The ads at the main body however, remained displayed throughout on both pages, regardless. Just couldn't understand why that happened! Occurred in both my blogs, this and the other testing blog.

After much trial and error in removing and adding again the ads, I observed that this disappearing act occurs only when the adsense ad that appears beneath each post is edited, which is done at Layout / Page Elements > Edit Blog Posts (configure inline ads). In its editing window, it is indicated that the ads will show up to 3 times on a page. Herein lies the riddle! It finally dawned on me after much brainstorming that I already have 3 ad units (1 after each post as selected) on the main body plus another one at the sidebar, which adds to 4 altogether on the main page. No wonder Google restricted the display of the ad at the sidebar. It seemed to prioritize the number of ads displayed on the main body rather than the sidebar if editing is made to the inline ads, subsequent to the initial ads placement.

Solution for #1 :

1. The 4 ad units have to be removed and then added again. But first, edit the colors of the adsense ad units as you'd desire so that the edits are automatically saved before removal. To edit the ads that appear in the main body, go to Layout / Page Elements and click Edit for Blog Posts, then Configure the inline ads, and save when done. Next, click to Edit the Adsense gadget at the sidebar and save when done. Remember to be very precise when you configure the inline ads for the Blog posts, try to let the colours chosen be your final.
2. Next, remove the ads. Click on the Monetize tab and look out for the words, 'Remove Ads'. Click on it and a message will appear to prompt you to confirm removal. Then, another message will appear to suggest that you complete the form to reapply the ads if you wish to.
3. Continue to add the adsense ads again, by choosing the recommended first choice ie. to display ads in the sidebar and posts, then click the Next button to complete. A message pops up to confirm that adsense is enabled. Click to view blog....ads should be displayed as selected.
4. That's it. Should you desire to edit the sidebar ads once again, it's okay. But remember to leave the ads after each post unedited, otherwise it'll trigger the sidebar ad to go missing again if you edit it. Should you need to edit it again to further improve its display, be prepared to repeat the whole solution process from step 1 and so on!

Problem #2 : The peacockflower blogspot was upgraded to a new template, 'Harbor' by Douglas Bowman. One blatant setback was the colors of all the links or hyperlinks in the blog will be changed from its original blue color to a light grey (same as text color) when it's being clicked on, and will not return to its original. Can you imagine how awful that will be when eventually all the links are clicked, resulting into a drably blog without color contrast? Gees, what's causing that, I wondered in disbelief! Very strange, this is the first time for me. I don't encounter this problem with the test blog, using the 'Thisaway (Green)' template by Dan Rubin.

Solution for #2 :

Final successful third attempt. Steps taken were :

1. Pick a new template that does not pose this problem. Go to Layout / Pick New Template, then select a new template. Here, clicked on each of the template available and then preview template to see whether all the links are of one color or show the same problematic varied colors. Then, preview again the templates whose design best suit you and do not contain the problem as mentioned.
   (I experimented and found that templates therein provided limited choices as all of Douglas Bowman's design have this same problem, as with many others, with the exception of designs by Darren Delaye and Dan Rubin. Since my other blog bears the latter's design, I finally had to choose one by the former and decided on 'Stretch Denim Light'. Incidentally, I later tweaked/fine-tuned its fonts and colours and am delighted with its charming and pleasant result. :-D ).
2. Click Save Template when you've made your final decision. And View Blog to see your new layout design.

As I mentioned earlier, these two problems that I encountered could have been solved easily if equipped with a sound knowledge of HTML and CSS.

To solve the second problem, I did earlier attempted twice to edit template with my limited knowledge, following Blogger Help here. Chose to do this way as the blog's first 'Harbor' template did not have elements such as Link/Visited Link Color and Sidebar Link/Visited Link Color in the Layout / Fonts and Colors tab for me to configure. Anyhow, threw up at the second attempt when a message appeared with error code: bX-27asnz.

To redress, I just removed whatever html edits I've made earlier and save template. Thank God, everything was back to normal again except the links' colour unresolved until I tried the third successful attempt above after a good night's rest and having uplifted my problem in prayer.

Praise The Lord!

Update: Sept 1 2009
As I've guessed, problem #2 above can easily be rectified at Layouts > Fonts and Colors, if both the Link Color and Visited Link Color elements are included therein. Just set both the elements to have the same color or variant of the same color and then save to effect the changes on your blog. Easily done, huh! A friend's blog with the TicTac template had this problem, but fortunately for her, it was just a simple configuration as advised here and almost instantaneously solved.

Upgrade to Blogger Layouts features

Hooray....finally my blog has been upgraded to a new template with the new Blogger Layouts features!

Simply cool and fantastic, ready to use with all the user-friendly features incorporated to customize the page elements, fonts and colours, edit HTML and pick new template, to name a few.

All can be so easily done with a few mouse clicks, needing no knowledge of HTML or CSS. Isn't that wonderful?

If you're still using the old template, and would like to customize your blog, let Blogger Help guide you through with the following links:

• to use the Layouts features, you have first to upgrade your old template;
• if you change your mind about the template chosen, you can easily switch to another;
• learn more about the Layouts features here, and how-to use them, especially the Page Elements and Fonts and Colours, which really do wonders to style your blog as you desire;
• adding the Adsense ad units via the Monetize button is such a breeze now, not necessary to know HTML. Subsequently, more ads units can be inserted using the Add a gadget element at Layout > Page Elements;
• the New Post Editor is another great addition, a feature that should not be ignored for easier composing and editing.
  

I just love the new coat of paint given to this blog...cool sky-blue with complementary light grey! Previously, the old template was a pink one, 'Thisaway Rose' by Dan Rubin, now it's 'Stretch Denim Light' by Darren Delaye. Frankly, I had fun playing around with the various template styles, Layouts > Fonts and Colors tab and splashing/juggling around the various desired color paints before settling down to its final display as seen here.

Nonetheless, my first new template choice was 'Harbor' by Douglas Bowman...a charming and serene style but was forced to switch to the present one, due to an unexpected problem that surfaced...will share in my next post. (update: it's here!)

Why had I suddenly decide to change to this new template, you may ask?

For a long time, I had seen the 'Customize your design' tab on my dashboard but dare not attempt for fear of getting stuck halfway through. It did warn that old customized details may be lost on upgrade...a deterrent for me as I'm not at all html-savvy!

But destiny decided that it had to be done when I volunteered to assist a lovely friend to start her No-frills recipe blog here. I encountered problems along the way and had difficulty assisting her as features of her newly created blog and my old-template blog were at odds. Thus, the best way to redress the pressing issues was to create another blog, a new test blog to experience for myself the Layout features available. After all, Blogger allows us to create any number of blogs for free!

Wow...was I blown over with what the new Layout had to offer! Besides, this new blog can be used as a testing ground to boost my confidence in converting or upgrading my old template. And, the rest is history, so to speak.

Of course, there were some teething problems as I familiarized myself with the other Layouts features available....no pain, no gain, yes? But if there's a will there's a way! Nothing is so easy, but with patience, determination and perseverance, they can be overcome.

Hence forth, I hope to be sharing some blogging tips here. For sure, there'll be someone out there who may encounter similar problems and if a tip from my blog can put a smile on his/her face, mine will surely shine too! :-)

Update:  January 23, 2010
I've created another blog, titled 'Jacq's Blogger Tips' since October 1 2009, solely for the purpose of sharing whatever I've learnt along my blogging journey. Check out Jacq's Blogger Tips here!

Empayar Seremban Siew Pow

Five of us traveled in one car to an eatery about 60 km away, just to have lunch early this week. Ridiculous, you may remark? Not at all for us retirees who have much time to spare, so distance is no problem at all.

Empayar Siew Pow was our destination, popularly known for its baked pastry buns with BBQ meat filling or 'siew pow' in Chinese. It's located at Ground Floor, Jalan Besar TBK 4, Taman Bukit Kepayang in Seremban (Tel.: 06-6016308).



Nevertheless, you can have a very hearty meal to your heart's content here. Hehe...of course with money in hand, simply speaking. So many varied dishes are offered, with large pictures walled around to entice its customers. Smart business tactics, huh!!



We ordered curry prawn that was accompanied with brinjals, ladies fingers, long beans, etc., steamed Patin fish, vegetables and braised pork as seen in these images posted. Well prepared and delicious.



And, cheap too! Bill totaled only RM102.50 for the 4 dishes, inclusive of rice and drinks.

The 'siew pow' isn't cheap though! Not only prices have sky-rocketed, but size of buns are much reduced. Aargh...thank goodness, these aren't are favourites!!

Paddington House of Pancakes

Yum...yum, got to try them out at Paddington House of Pancakes, about two weeks ago!
It's located at Unit 142, 1st Floor at The Curve, Mutiara Damansara - Tel: 03-7726 2382.
Pancakes were simply delicious!



If not for our elder boy, my darling John and I wouldn't have been able to drive there!
Gees, it's just too difficult to attempt the route there on our own...very confusing for us oldies with the many new highways and byways!!



David's order #406 included 2 pcs of pancakes, sausages and bacon, tomatoes and veggie. Normal price: RM22++. which is a little pricey though.

John's Brussels Set #303 - came with organic buckwheat, galatte with cheesy beef bacon, onions, mozzarella, sunny side-up, baked beans and guacamole.
This RM13.80++ lunch set includes a beverage and a mini pancake sundae.


My Tokyo Set #209 - came with grilled chicken, tomatoes, mushrooms, oyster, mozzarella, mashed potatoes served with filled pannekoek.

Another value for money lunch set at only RM13.80, like my darling's.

I was astonished by the wide range of pancakes offered on its menu, never knew they can be so extensive in variety!

Their normal-priced pancakes are quite expensive!

Go for their set lunch promotion on weekdays for only RM13.80++ that include one normal-priced pancake from a promotion list, plus a beverage and a lovely mini pancake sundae.

Real value for money...have to eat smart during this economic uncertainty, yes??

Cheap...good...healthy...and quality food! :-D

Rimba Ilmu, Universiti Malaya

Rimba Ilmu Botanic Garden would have remained unknown to us had John and I not bothered to seek the identity of our lovely Cardwell Lily, a hosta look-alike plant.

Read about its ID search at our garden blog

Aptly named as the 'Forest of Knowledge' in English, this tropical botanical garden in the University of Malaya campus is world-esteemed for its extensive collection of rare and indigenous tropical flora of the Malaysian and Indonesian region. Established in 1974 and occupying an extensive area of 80 hectares, it is one of our country's most visited and a pre-eminent center for learning, conservation and plant research with its own Environmental Education Programme.

We were very fortunate to be able to visit this 'treasure island' on Saturday, August 1, within a week of knowing its existence. Coincidentally too, being the first Saturday of the month, all of us visitors (only a handful adults with 3 children) were given a public tour by the seasoned naturalist, Ms. Angela ...thank you!

She guided us through the pathways in the Botanic Garden which is more forest-lke, giving a brief history of Rimba Ilmu. Patiently too, introducing some of the living collections of rare plants, including various kinds of medicinal herbs, ferns, gingers, palms and trees, as well as touching on the importance of forest conservation and its benefits, ecology and the like.

Most of the plants have their identities and origin clearly labeled.

It was an interesting, refreshing and enlightening tour that lasted about two and a half hours starting from 9.00 am. Included is the 'Rainforest and Our Environment' Exhibition in an annex to the main building and a view inside the Rare Plants and Orchid Conseratory.

All this for just RM4 per adult as admission fee, to see for real the treasures of plant life in the rainforest and much more.

My beloved and I truly enjoyed the wonderful tour. A little disappointed though that there were not much exotic flowers in abundance to amaze and astound us in this Rimba Ilmu Botanic Garden, but all the same, it was a very worthwhile trip. Our very own Malaysian-made tropical treasure, definitely not to be missed!

Information:
Rimba Ilmu Botanic Garden
Institute of Biological Sciences
Universit of Malaya
50603 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia

(Tel: 603-79674686, 603-79674690)

Explore Rimba Ilmu's website for more information and a virtual tour of our visit here.

Church of St Anne, Port Klang

Haha...another one day's trip by the 'magnificent 7' to the Church of St. Anne Port Klang, that started its annual Novena to its patroness from July 16 in conjunction with the Feast of Saint Anne.

Though a relatively small Catholic Church in Port Klang, it has its charm and magnetic force. Annually, the Church of St Anne attracts droves of worshipers and thankful believers during its annual 9-days Novena to its patroness, Saint Anne and its Feast day.

Address:
Church of St Anne
Jalan Tunku Badar
Kawasan 13
42000 Port Klang, Selangor.
(Tel: 603-3168 8530)
Check its website for more details.

We didn't go on the actual Feast Day that fell on Sunday, July 26 though, but attended Novena that was followed by Mass for senior citizens on Thursday, July 23. The 2009 Novena theme was 'Towards a spirituality of communion' and the theme for Thursday's worship was 'Cultivating deep and genuine friendships.

The main Celebrant that day was Fr. Mari Arokiam of Church of St. John Mary Vianney in Tampin and assisted by Fr. Lawrence Andrew, the parish priest of St. Anne Church. The former gave a wonderful homily on promoting genuine friendships based on the 3As, that is, acceptance, appreciation and affirmation and to be initiated within the domestic church amongst family members and then outwards to others.

Shared with us too a touching email he had received about 'Who you are (I am) makes a difference", irrespective whether you're young or old, small or large, rich or poor, high-ranking or ordinary. It holds true no matter who you are.

He ended by encouraging us to support the St Anne kindergarten extensions building fund with these words, "Give and spend, God will send" and elaborated that God loves a cheerful giver!

2 Corinthians 9:6-11 from the Good News Bible says,

• Remember that the person who plants few seeds will have a small crop; the one who plants many seeds will have a large crop.
• Each one should give, then, as he has decided, not with regret or out of a sense of duty; for God loves the one who gives gladly.
• And God is able to give you more than you need, so that you will always have all you need for yourselves and more than enough for every good cause.
• As the scripture says, "He gives generously to the needy; his kindness lasts forever".
• And, God, who supplies seed for the sower and bread to eat, will also supply you with all the seed you need and will make it grow and produce a rich harvest from your generosity.

I'm definitely sure Fr. Mari's sermon made an impact on all of us and the Church of St. Anne was a little richer that day. Thank you both, Fr. Mari and Fr. Lawrence and praise The Lord for such charismatic Priests in our midst. Lunch was generously served for everyone present. Looks like a banquet, yummy and tantalizing!

Nevertheless, our group of seven (Steven, Sook Wan, John and Mary B., Michael, my other half and I) decided to proceed to Telok Gong for lunch. Hehe....lost our way there, the chief navigator must be getting 'younger'? ;-)

If I recalled correctly, we reached the Restoran Makanan Laut Telok Gong Sdn Bhd (formerly known as Coconut Flower Seafood Restaurant) almost 2.15 pm. We were really famished and could eat a cow, so to speak! Haha...every dish ordered were polished almost immediately and lunch was over in a jiffy!! :-)

What shocked us though was the bill totaled RM152 for a small dish each of mee hoon (12/-), steamed fish (42/-), river terrapin (38/-), mantis prawn (15/-), egg omelette with small oysters (15/) and miscellaneous. A bit too expensive for the quantity served! No more going to that eatery again, for sure!

Nonetheless, that insightful and inspiring sermon by Father Mari at Church of St Anne, Port Klang, has left its mark in my heart.

P/S: Coincidentally, about 2 weeks after the trip to Church of St Anne in Port Klang, my beloved brother sent me an email with the power point presentation of 'Who I Am Makes A Difference' and put a big grin on my face!! :-D Love to share below this inspiritional quotation, without the images, of course!

Who I Am Makes A Difference (by Helice Bridges)

A teacher in New York decided to honor each of her seniors in high school by telling them the difference each of them had made.

Using a process developed by Helice Bridges of Del Mar, California, she called each student to the front of the class, one at a time. First she told them how the student made a difference to her and the class. Then she presented each of them with a blue ribbon imprinted with gold letters which read, "Who I Am Makes a Difference."

Afterwards, the teacher decided to do a class project to see what kind of impact recognition would have on a community. She gave each of the students three more ribbons and instructed them to go out and spread this acknowledgment ceremony. Then they were to follow up on the results, see who honored whom and report back to the class in about a week.

One of the boys in the class went to a junior executive in a nearby company and honored him for helping him with his career planning. He gave him a blue ribbon and put it on his shirt. Then he gave him two extra ribbons, and said, "We're doing a class project on recognition, and we'd like you to go out, find somebody to honor, give them a blue ribbon, then give them the extra blue ribbon so they can acknowledge a third person to keep this acknowledgment ceremony going. Then please report back to me and tell me what happened."

Later that day the junior executive went in to see his boss, who had a reputation of being kind of a grouchy fellow. He told him that he deeply admired him for being a creative genius. The boss seemed very surprised. The junior executive asked him if he would accept the gift of the blue ribbon and would he give him permission to put it on him. His surprised boss said,"Well, sure." The junior executive took the blue ribbon and placed it right on his boss's jacket above his heart. As he gave him the last extra ribbon, he said, "Would you do me a favor? Would you take this extra ribbon and pass it on by honoring somebody else? The young boy who first gave me the ribbons is doing a project in school and we want to keep this recognition ceremony going and find out how it affects people."

That night the boss came home to his 14-year-old son and sat him down. He said, "The most incredible thing happened to me today. I was in my office and one of the junior executives came in and told me he admired me and gave me a blue ribbon for being a creative genius. Imagine. He thinks I'm a creative genius." Then he put this blue ribbon that says "Who I Am Makes A Difference" on my jacket above my heart. He gave me an extra ribbon and asked me to find somebody else to honor.
As I was driving home tonight, I started thinking about whom I would honor with this ribbon and I thought about you. I want to honor you.
"My days are really hectic and when I come home I don't pay a lot of attention to you. Sometimes I scream at you for not getting good enough grades in school and for your bedroom being a mess, but somehow tonight, I just wanted to sit here and, well, just let you know that you do make a difference to me. Besides your mother, you are the most important person in my life. You're a great kid and I love you!"
The startled boy started to sob and sob, and he couldn't stop crying. His whole body shook. He looked up at his father and said through his tears, "I was planning on committing suicide tomorrow, Dad, because I didn't think you loved me. Now I don't need to."

Other slides that were included:

• Please know that I think you are important, or you would not have received this in the first place.
• Who you are does make a difference, and I wanted you to know that.
• I'm passing the blue ribbon to you.
• Have an awesome day, and know that someone has thought about you today!
• And the young boy and his classmates learned a valuable lesson. Who you are DOES make a difference. You are under no obligation to send this on to anyone...not to two people or to two hundred. As far as I am concerned, you can delete it and move on to the next message. But if, you have anyone who means a lot to you, I encourage you to send him or her this message and let them know. You never know what kind of difference a little encouragement can make to a person.
  

Thank you so much, my dearest Brother, for the affirmation.

A movie on 'Who I Am Makes A Difference' at Inspirational Flash Movies.

A weekend in Cameron Highlands

Recently, we had a terrific 3D2N holiday to Cameron Highlands. It was really fun and enjoyable with the right company of friends, all retirees including 2 reemployed.

Almost couldn't get an apartment for the weekend of July ll. Didn't realized that CH is still such a popular and favourite holiday resort. In spite of a warmer than cool climate in the highlands due to indiscriminate deforestation in the name of development and tourism, causing hazardous environmental damage and pollution, crowds are still drawn there. Whatever, it's definitely cooler than the lowlands and a treat for relaxation in cooler clime and enjoy whatever nature has to offer.

Being quite computer savvy and a lady of leisure, so to speak, I was assigned to make reservation just 12 days before the trip. Almost an impossible task I realized as our request for an apartment on the ground floor or the very most 1st floor had to be fulfilled since one among us has a heart ailment. Almost all related sites for CH reservations insist that payment be made simultaneously upon booking with no guarantee in fulfilling our special request. After much googling and phone calls, I finally found this website: apartments.cameronhighlands.com, whose reservation personnel, Ms. Jessie was able to get us a 1st floor unit at Carnation Park Apartments for RM250 per night.

A big thank you to Ms. Jessie of Cameron Holiday Services for her expert and efficient services before and during our holiday there.

This holiday is memorable as it is the first time 7 of us are holidaying together, usually it's just a day's trip or an evening somewhere for food!

We left Kuala Lumpur around 7 am in two cars, using the Simpang Pulai way to CH. Stopped in Ipoh to meet Soke Wan's sister, Sook Hah who baked a cake to celebrate her sis's birthday and some muffins to share around. Without reservation, we roped her in to join our trip which she did. A new addition to our group and mighty glad to have found a new friend that was able to click instantly with us all. Besides, she loves baking and definitely an expert, having sampled and gorged ourselves with those yummy ones that she offered. Hehe...greedy people like us look forward for more of her company! :-D

We lunched at Sun Marpoh Restaurant at Ipoh Garden, before continuing our journey. Reached CH about 4 pm due to a massive 1-hour jam from Tringkap to Brinchang town, caused by traders setting up stalls for pasar-malam. Humph...don't ever travel this way to CH on Saturdays, better to use the old road via Tapah.

The 3-room apartment at Carnation Park was splendidly clean with enough bedding for 8-10 persons, a kitchen sufficiently equipped with utensils and the like, a refrigerator and well-furnished dining and sitting areas. We were delightfully happy, yet rather surprised that 8 sets of Japanese slippers were provided too, something most welcomed on the apartment's cold marbled flooring. A mahjong table was included too. Of course, the excited players came prepared with the necessary mahjong papers, chips, etc. Housekeeping service for the apartment was promptly attended to.

What more could we ask...the apartment was clean, comfy and cosy!! We were absolutely very satisfied! Besides, it's located at the foothill of Gunung Jasar at Tanah Rata, a cool and quiet area just less than 5 minutes drive to town. And, it's close to the Chapel of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel where 8 of us attended the Sunset Mass with Fr. Eugene Benedict as the Celebrant, seven of whom are Catholics from the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Cheras, while Soke Hah, a non-Catholic, just tagged along.

Saturday's weather was bright and sunny till the late evening, where it started to drizzle and rained lightly throughout the whole night till Sunday midday. What can you do but play mahjong again. All in the group can play except my beloved spouse and I. Nevertheless, through hours of observing them playing on Saturday night, Sunday morning and night, I became fascinated and will agree that it's a delightful game for sharpening our mind. Hmm...may wish to learn how-to if there's a tutor?

Rain stopped just in time for us to keep our Sunday lunch appointment with Fr. Eugene. Next, we visited Boh Tea Plantation at Ringlet which presented a magnificent view, though not as picturesque as the Sg. Palas Boh Tea Plantation at Brinchang. The Cactus Valey at Brinchang that we visited next hadn't change much compared to our previous visit in August 2005, but blossoms of Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender' were in great abundance.

Dinner was steam-boat at Downtown Cafe, where we had western the previous night. Quite a lovely Chinese and Western dining in the heart of Tanah Rata town with tasty food at reasonable prices. Followed by durians as dessert on both evenings at a stall just a few meters away. Fancy us all eating there to our heart's content, standing and eating uninhibitedly in public! Haha...first time for John and I!

Time flew and before we realized, it was departure time the next day, Monday morning. Around 11 am, we parted ways: Steven, Sook Wan, Mary and Sook Hah traveled with John Boi via the Simpang Pulai way to send Sook Hah, Ipoh-bound for home, whilst John and I traveled with Michael who took the Tapah route homeward.

Steven was the think-tank that masterminded a way of sharing the expenses, with a common cash pool made up of a specified amount collected from each person (drivers excluded as they will be accountable for the toll charges and petrol) and managed by his spouse Sook Wan, the finance manager. Everything moved so smoothly from day one and unbelievably there were excess cash returned a few days after the exciting trip. Imagine, just RM175 per pax for a 3D2N holiday to Cameron Highlands that covered transport, food and lodging and some miscellaneous...isn't that fantastic?? :-D

A big thank you to all our wonderful friends who have made this short vacation a truly enjoyable and memorable one for John and I.

Sharing below some photos captured, and more at my flickr photoblog.













In fact, Cameron Highlands has many places of interest, such as the garden nurseries, vegetable and strawberry farms, butterfly and bee farms, and others. Too bad, we were hampered by the rain and missed some of those lovely sights. Nevertheless, our vacation was primarily for relaxation and leisure and we sure got plenty of that!

A map of Cameron Highlands included here, just in case we may need one next time around!