HARI RAYA FEAST

We were invited to a Hari Raya celebration by our brother in-law's family. It was a feast after a month of fasting.(Ramadan).

My grand nephew and niece showing off their green packets of "Duit Raya" or Money for the Hari Raya celebration. 

 Family and friends

"Curry Kambing" Curry lamb 

 "Ayam masak merah" Chicken cooked in spicy red sauce 

 "Beef rendang" 

Enjoying the feast.

 Chicken and beef Satay with Peanut sauce.

Joe helping himself to the satay and peanut sauce.

 "Acar" the pickled vegetables.

Minced meat in vinegar and spices

BBQ Lambs done by a local professional. 

 So delicious !!!

How to resist such a temptation!!!

Glutinous rice in coconut milk wrapped in banana leaf - best to eat it with curry lamb sauce.

A happy occasion for everyone.

Local banana from my nephew's fruit farm.

These three beautiful and cute young ladies were so happy to pose for my camera.

To end the day, some opted for a dip in the swimming pool. It was a good feast. Thanks to my sister in-law, the chief cook for all the wonderful food!

SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI !

The new moon has been sighted to night. Malaysia will be celebrating "Hari Raya" to-morrow, 30August 2011. 

Wishing all Muslim friends " Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!"

MALAYSIA AIRLINES TODAY

Last week, Malaysia Airlines’ Group announced a net loss of RM527 million for the second quarter 2011 attributed by the high fuel cost. The same reason was given for their loss of RM238 million in the first quarter of the year. It is hard to believe that our National Airlines could incur such heavy losses comparing to the huge profits made by other airlines, like, Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines . 

MH new B737-800

    Singapore Airlines

Dragon Air - a wholly owned  subsidiary of Cathay Pacific. 

A Cathay Pacific B747-400. 
.

All these Airlines are flying the same skies, having the same sexy young Asian girls, and serve about the same type of Asian and Western food, yet Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines are making tons of money, while Malaysia Airlines is the sole money loser.

Even, Qantas reported a net profit of AUD239 million for the first half ending December 2010 and they forecast a much better earning in 2011.

I flew to Brisbane and returned via Melbourne on Malaysia Airlines and both ways were full. It was reported that Malaysia Airlines achieved a very healthy load factor of 76% in the first quarter and 75.5% in the second and yet they lost money! How come? Any load factor above 70% should be making money. 

Malaysia Airlines on the surface showed that they have done a lot of cost cutting exercises to trim down the operating cost. For example, they have downgraded their International in flight meals from "premium" to "economy". Their meals are simple and cheap comparing to other airlines. In reality, have they cut the meal cost or is it just a show when they are over-charged by caterers, especially the Sky Chef in KLIA.     

Malaysia Airlines should have maintained their own flight kitchen in KLIA, instead of selling it to Sky Chef under political pressure. Malaysia Airlines should cater not only for their own flights in KLIA but also all other International Airlines that stop-over there. It can not go wrong as all airports' caterers in the world are making money!

It is unbelievable Malaysia Airlines blamed the high fuel cost resulting the heavy losses. I believed that there are many other factors, one of them, is the political/governmental interference in the management of the airline. I strongly believed that Malaysia Airlines should be able to turn around and be profitable when the political interference stops. A team of "good" managers who are familiar with the  airlines industry should be brought in to wipe out the "red" figure. Get the right people like those in Singapore Airlines or Cathay Pacific. 

Will the earning of Malaysia Airlines further deteriorate with the the latest development - the share swap deal with Air Asia? Air Asia has become one of the single biggest shareholders in Malaysia Airlines. What is going on? I think many Malaysia Airlines staff are left wondering where is their value of loyalty to the airlines after all these years? 

Malaysian government staff will be paid bonus this "Hari Raya" ! What about the staff of Malaysia Airlines? Nothing! I guess.  

May God help Malaysia Airlines!

KANGAROO COUNTRY

From the Great Ocean Road, we headed inland to the Kangaroo country. Our next destination was Hall's Gap a small town in the Grampians National Park. Grampians National Park is  renowned for its breathtaking rocky views, rich Aboriginal culture, superb wildflowers , many birds and kangaroos.  

Along the way, the yellow "Kangaroo" road sign could be seen every 30-40 kms.  

Driving in Australia's countryside is easy and relaxing as majority of the roads are generally reliable and in good condition.  

There was nothing much to see except farm lands.

Approaching the Grampians National park.

We checked in this Log cabin

It was very quiet at the reception however when we entered the area, the whole place was alive with wild Kangaroos and other wildlife.   

 We were greeted by this kangaroo with her baby in the pouch.

 The Emus. 

Our Log Cabin

The lounge area with a fire place.

This self-contained unit came with cooking facilities. 

A comfortable bed for the night.

In the morning, this Magpie was our alarm clock. It was outside our bedroom door cooing for food.  I guessed it usually got it's breakfast from guests staying here. 

Kangaroos in the morning having their breakfast in the field next to our cabin.  

 A toasted bread for this hungry kangaroo.

A quarrel broke out between these two. 

Though our originally plan was to stay 2 nights, we left the Grampians National Park later in the day without exploring the places of interest. The Visitor Information Centre in Hall's Gap informed us that most of the area in the park were not accessible as many roads were still under repair after the big flood in the early months of the year. The clearing of landslides containing, mud, trees and giant boulders are still being carried out.