EUROPE EXCURSION

19 December 2014, the whole of Bustanu Pahamin residence except for the 9 maids, 5 guards and 4 drivers, left with 30 luggages weighing 270kg in total for a 17 hours flight inc 2 hours transit in Doha on Qatar flight from Kuala Lumpur to London Heathrow. Prepared for the expected coldest winter in Europe, we brought along 5kg rice, three rice cookers and 2 bags of food including sambal belacan, big huge bottle of already fried salted fishes (ikan kering) and anchovies (baso darak kato oghe Kelatae).

Sambal belacan, Ikan kering, all snacks & food, the 270kg of luggages, 22 passengers + 2 infants safely arrived in Heathrow London at 130pm and were greeted by the friendly English Parlo tour guide to a big coach to bring us to Elvedon Forest, Centre parcs in Suffolks. The weather was friendly without any rain but twice colder than the average aircondition room in Malaysia.

After an almost 2 hours of drive, we arrived at Centre Parcs around 5pm and the weather was less friendly.... Colder!! 

We checked into a total of three 3 bedroom cabins and one 4 bedroom cabin and had Anny's hot home cook meal to end the day. Anny, Aaraf and I was in the same cabin with Wawa, Doc Ta, Shazrai & Shazrhy. Wawa, Shazrai & Aaraf went for a walk in the coldest weather to collect our £30 per day rented bicycle which was the primary source of transportation in the 400 acres of resort. They also went and did some grocery while Anny & I retired as early as 7pm.

Jet lagged, we woke up at 3am and cooked fried rice and sausages. By 7am we were ready for our first activity for the day.

We had pre-booked all activities at the Centre Parcs. Each of the activity cost approximately RM180 or £30 exc 20% VAT. 

Our first activity was High Rope, Jacobs Ladder. Secured by a harness, we had to climbed up on team work basis, 7 levels up. Team work means, we had to support each other to climb each step up. The height vary from one step to the next. The heights from the third to the fourth is about 5 feet and the highest step is as high as 9 feet (I think, maybe more).

 

   

 

 

 

Anny Chunraem, Aaraf Armin, Rafel Rhiza, Raina Rhiza, Rees Azhar and I only managed to reach the fourth level and had to abandon when Raina & Aaraf gave up. 

We continued our activity with wall climbing. I had my first taste of wall climbing at Camp 5, One Utama with Rose Emini Pahamin many years back. Being height phobic, I didn't enjoy as much anything to do with height.. Gayat wei!!!! ...but Rees reached the peak twice. Aaraf & Rafel managed to reach mid point and Anny had 2 attempts.

 

It was a great experience climbing in the cold weather and the soonest we completed the two activities, we went back to our cabin for Ibu's homecook hot Nasi lemak!!! That's heaven especially in the cold.

Anny, Aaraf, Rafel, Rees, Leona and I proceeded with our 3rd activity with the Segway adventure. We impatiently cycle to the outdoor activity area but Rees & Leona was declined entry being underweight. All participants must be more than 7 stone in weight. For once, I was grateful with Aaraf's weight. Both Aaraf & Rafel were all smiley.

  

The Segway was a good experience. We should get that for transportation in Bustanu.. 

We rode into the forest but was pre-warned not to speed. Rafel & Aaraf was not pleased. Have it their way, they wanted to rammed the Segway to its maximum speed.

After the Segway, we cycled to the club house of sort, parked our bicycle and walk around enjoying every moment.

I have not cycled for many years since I retire from those dualthon & triathlon activities. Cycling in the forest, brought back those good cycling memories when we used to clock 200km mileage a week. 

This year marked our 10 years anniversary since we cycled our first longest distance from KL to Port Dickson. We were a bunch of crazy gym-goers then whom started out with RPM classes at the Fitness First gym. Everyday, we would attend to 3-4 RPM classes as part of our training before we actually ride outdoor. That Port Dickson cycle was also the period when we were hit by the biggest tsunami. Masya Allah time flies and Allah swt protected us.

 Our day ends looking forward to the next activity!! But of course, after a good food... A man got to do what a man has to do...

After makan... we hang out near the fire to keep us warm.

To be continued..

SPECIAL SESSION WITH MASTER SARGE COAD, GLOBAL MASTER TRAINER

January 3rd - Special Session with Master Sarge Coad.

UPDATE: To register for the complimentary session with Master Sarge Coad, please email: admin@bootcampmalaysia.com.

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Master Sergeant Coad is the 3rd highest ranking in the world's oldest military-inspired bootcamp, Original Bootcamp, Australia (known as Chief's Original Bootcamp in Malaysia). He was the first man responsible to bring the Original Bootcamp program to Malaysia in 2008 and we took over in 2010. He last visited Malaysia and conducted a session in 2009 and he is coming back to Malaysia for a short transit on 1st January. Rob had agree to conduct a session for Malaysia recruit on Saturday, 3rd January 2014 at Pre-Dawn. The last session we did with Master Sarge had left us with a strong impact till today. This is one special session that no one should missed. Below, is his brief background. 

Master Sergeant Rob Coad

A former member of  the Royal Australian Army’s 2nd Calvary Regiment (Armoured Surveillance Troop), Rob is no stranger to the intensity and effectiveness of the military’s discipline based training methods. As the Franchise Owner and Head Trainer of 5 separate ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP licenses in Adelaide, Rob has quickly become one of the countries most respected Bootcamp instructors, and a highly sort after fitness advisor. Rob recently returned from Sydney where he had been representing ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP as Senior Conditioning Coach for the 2009 series of the Gladiators television series.

As if Rob isn’t busy enough heading up some of ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP's most successful Bootcamp programs, he is also the National Coordinator for ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP’s exciting new adventure training program, Spec Ops.

Rob’s Qualifications include:

• Certificate III in Fitness Instruction
• Certificate IV in Fitness Instruction
• International Fitness Master Trainer Certification
• THUMP Certified Advanced Boxing Specialist
• Certified Level II Military Fitness Specialist

FROM COUCH POTATOES TO RUNNERS...

Chee Yee Law - Bandar Utama

Yes we hear you... Of course we do. It took longer than expected but the running vest is finally out! With most of the Chief's Original Bootcamp recruits turning from couch potatoes into runners, there are so many requests for a running vest to represent our community. The vest was partially designed by recruit themselves (thanks Fei Fei) and New Balance.

Printed in limited supply for mix sizes and sold at a subsidized price, please contact Admin at 017-3795988 or 012-3145665 to order. Admin Farhanah & Admin Rose will be visiting each location with the vest for cash on delivery. Of course there is some discount for WIP members. There is limited supply for each sizes and it is on a first come first serve basis.

You can also get more details from your instructors or get testimony from the Running Vest models at your location. Who are the running vest models? Beside the 3 recruits displayed here? Stay tuned....

JUNIOR COBRA VERSUS KOLEJ TUANKU JAAFAR

The Combined Old Boys Rugby Association (COBRA) that was founded in 1967 had a friendly match against Kolej Tuanku Jaafar (KTJ) on 23 November 2014. The friendly match was a day after the 3rd leg Autumn series on 22 November at the Sri Bintang against 3 other rugby clubs where Aaraf Armin was in the Under 12 Team. The match was under the guidance and supervision of Coach Felix and Coach Zek. For more information on COBRA, click HERE.

Rugby was Aaraf's own choice. I always encourage Aaraf to participate in any team base games such as Rugby or football. Team work is imperative in future career and must be inculcated from young. To be able to work and communicate as a team is an important asset. 

Listening to Coach Felix motivating, inspiring and guiding the team, I am confident Aaraf is in good hands. Below are a few dozen snapshots at the match against Kolej Tuanku Jaafar.  Click on picture to enlarge. Well done boys and thank you Coaches.

THE GRAND CHAMPIONS FOR 8 WEEK CHALLENGE SPRING 2014

Guest Judges which includes the Editors or Men's Fitness & GQ, the Publisher of UltraFitness & Oxygen, and the Directors of BodyScience had concluded their voting for Men's and Women's overall Grand Champions, Malaysia Champion and home training Champion. Well Done Kok Siew Wong on being voted as the Malaysia Champion for 8 Week Chalenge Spring 2014.

2014 SPRING 8 WEEK CHALLENGE FINALISTS

From the 11 Malaysian that was voted into semi-finals in Australia's most talked about program, 2 made it into the Finals. Congratulation Kok Siew Wong from Ampang platoon and Sundera Siringivi from USJ1 Subang Jaya Pre-Dawn platoon.

This year's 8 Weeks to Wow is the best Wow so far. If you view the list of those semi-finalists at HERE, you will know what I mean. The transformation of most participants in just 8 weeks was jaw dropping. Always be guided by the results when choosing the best program for your health, fitness and physique. Choose the Chief's Original Bootcamp, click www.cobc.biz for more information. 

Results speaks louder than words.

8 Weeks To Wow: Result speaks louder than words at the Chief's Original Bootcamp.

Needless to say, results speaks louder than words. Every year for the past 4 years, the Chief's Original Bootcamp Malaysia, the only licensee for the world's oldest military-inspired bootcamp program in Malaysia, together with its licensor, the ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP AUSTRALIA, organizes the 8 Weeks to Wow challenge twice a year in February and October for 8 weeks. The 8 Week program challenges individuals to get the best and the most optimum result in just 8 weeks.

Below are just some of the 8 weeks result which is self-explanatory. This year, more than 100 recruits from Malaysia participated in the 8 week challenge and while their own grand prize is the new physique, self confidence and new look, there is also a bonus to those that is voted into the finals and overall Grand Champion. Scroll down for the list of Malaysians that was voted into Semi-Finals. Voting was done online by the public. (Click on picture to enlarge)

HALLOWEEN A PLOY TO MAKE MUSLIMS GODLESS?

To Malay Mail and Syed Jaymal Zahiid, the article at HERE should not even be posted. It is one of those article that is promoting racial & religion disunity.

If I and my circle of Muslim friends can represents those Muslims who celebrate Halloween, because we do, then I can safely say and assure that Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma), Ikatan Guru Muslim Malaysia and PAS's claimed that the event is a concerted effort to weaken Muslim faith as a pile of rubbish.

We celebrate Halloween as part of Malaysia multi-culture since the day we were born similar to the excitement of meeting Santa Clause to get present during childhood. Never once did it cross our mind or thought to belief in anything other than our faith in Islam. These celebrations are just a get-together regardless of skin colour, race or gender that foster the spirit of camaraderie.

NORZAHID MOHD ZAHUDI - PROTON EDAR NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PROTON EDAR Sdn Bhd has appointed Norzahid Mohd Zahudi as its 10th Chief Executive Officer on 1 October 2014 since its inception in 1995; when Proton Edar was known as USPD (Usaha Sama Proton DRB-HICOM) (11th CEO if we counted Stanley Tan who was the acting CEO after Abbas Mehad). Norzahid is also the fourth Proton Edar Chief Executive Officer since DRB-Hicom took over. Past Proton Edar Chief Executive Officers are as follows:

1. Dato Rashid Rahim

2. Abbas Mehad

3. Stanley Tan (Acting CEO)

4. Datuk Maruan Said

5. Ahmad Tifli Talha

6. Datuk Maruan Said

7. Mohamad Shukor Ibrahim

8. Ahmad Suhaimi

9. Dato Hisham Othman

10. Azmi Idris

The majority of Proton Edar Dealers Association Malaysia (PEDA) committee members had served under all the Chief Executive Officers and have gone through two recessions (former EON dealers went through 3 recessions) and various ups and down in PROTON life cycles. Norzahid, 56 years old is not a stranger to the automotive industry nor is he to PROTON EDAR.

THE ORIGINAL STEAK HOUSE, PHNOM PEHN

Fine dining restaurants have been mushrooming at every corner in the street of Phnom Pehn and if you ever landed in the capital and the largest city in Cambodia, you must try out the Original Steak House, a western cuisine and international restaurant. The fashionably casual steakhouse conveniently located at Cambodia's biggest shopping mall., Aeon Mall where you can have a drink at the outdoor bar or have a quality meal in an cozy air-condition indoor dining area.

I was invited and attended the steakhouse official launching last night with my business partner Steven Path and his lovely wife Anna Chan. The Official launching was attended by more than 300 of Phnom Pehn finest circle of people. I was introduced and befriended Pily Wong, the founder and owner of the restaurant during my last visit at Phnom Pehn by Steven Path. The smart and well dressed in suit Pily Wong is also the co-founder of Cambodia Automotive Industry Federation (CAIF) and also the Chief Executive Officer for Hung Hiep (Cambodia) Co Ltd, the only Mercedes Benz dealership in Cambodia.

The fashionably-casual steakhouse is conveniently located at Aeon Mall, No. 132, Samdech Sothearos Blvd (3), Aeon Mall, Terrace Avenue, Ground Floor, 12301 Phnom Penh. About 5 minutes away from the Nagaworld Hotel. You can find the restaurant on Facebook too at https://www.facebook.com/theoriginalsteakhouse. The steakhouse was born from Pily's high taste and big appetite for quality reasonably priced steak which is abit lacking in Phnom Pehn. At the launching, guests were treated to a free flow of the finest steak on the menu with appetizer and dessert. The steak was so tender and juicy.

We wish the Original Steakhouse, the enterprising Pily Wong and his beautiful wife Kelly the best in this new endeavor. Thank you for having us.

(Click on Picture to enlarge) 

LAUNCHING OF PROTON IRIZ

After a good gotong-royong at Proton Edar Putrajaya, the showroom was ready to received the new Proton Iriz. The Iriz was delivered late on the eve of the launching. We received 4 units of vehicles; two units for showroom display and another 2 for test drive. The car that was equipped with Proton latest engine, the VVT must be test driven to experience the smooth ride and handling in a luxurious interior. All the latest gadget and technology was installed in the compact car as a standard features which give the buyer the best value for money in all aspect as compared to those in the similar segment such as Perodua Myvi, Honda Jazz, Kia Rio, Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Polo, Mitsubishi Mirage, Suzuki Swift and Peugeot 208. For more information, read Paul Tan's detail write up at HERE.

The Iriz that came in 7 colors was also awarded with a 5 star NCAP crash test rating which make it the safest car compare to all other models in the same category. The Myvi was only awarded with a 3 star. For a more detail comparison to the Myvi, read Carlist review at HERE. 

I attended the Iriz grand launching at PROTON TANJUNG MALIM. The Iriz was also launched at all Proton Edar Showroom nationwide simultaneously. The Iriz launching and the unveiling was impressive but what was even more heartfelt was the opening speech by YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, our former Prime Minister and currently the Chairman of PROTON. Speaking without any text, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad touches if not hypnotized the audience with his every words. It shows how pro-active he is with whatever he does. I am always inspired whenever I hear his speech. Malaysia has come a long way from only importing cars, to assembly and localization and now, being able to produce from drawing board to manufacturing the entire car in Malaysia, by Malaysians, for Malaysians with a global quality and safety standard. I am proud to be part of Proton eco system.

GOTONG ROYONG AT PROTON EDAR PUTRAJAYA IN PREPARATION FOR THE IRIZ

With all the excitement of today's launching of PROTON's latest addition, the PROTON IRIZ, I have to acknowledge my team at PROTON EDAR Putrajaya. Rarely do I get to witness such an inspired, motivated and cheerful spirit from all 'warga ABP'. A few days ago,  everyone namely Noor Azzam, Fazli, Zaki Fizan, Hairi, Said, Yusoff, Azzubir, Zul and Syed stayed back to re-paint, re-do, clean and decorate the showroom; impatiently awaiting the launching date.

This is an exemplary example of the spirit not just at my dealership in Putrajaya but across the whole PROTON eco-system from the plant, the vendors and the dealers network. PROTON has been down abit too long and the launching of the Iriz, is an injection of new spirit into the network.

When anyone asked me how the Iriz is doing? I will tell them to take a look at the highly spirited people at PROTON. Their spirit speaks of the product. PROTON Iriz is the best product PROTON has ever built. Stay Tuned for more...

In the mean time, witness yourself the spirit at Proton Edar Putrajaya... do take note and be reminded that some pictures are rated 15sx. Some pictures may be too obscene for adult. They have not gone through the bootcamp training and are more afraid of losing their fat than to be slim.

PROJECT GRATITUDE DAY 6: GRATEFUL THINGS TO TREASURE.

 Final day of Project Gratitude. Yikes.. what do you know? Its already Day 6 of a project which I was nominated by Zai Johari, one of the Founder for Sasuke Malaysia and the former the Director for Biggest Loser Asia. To pursue this good deed, I shall continue with listing a daily grateful things from tomorrow. As William Arthur Ward quoted,  “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it, is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” 

 

1. When it is time to workout, then it is time to workout!! I am grateful to wake up in an ungodly hours in the wee morning to have a bunch of more than 30  happy, cheerful and energetic people to workout and exercise with at the Chief's Original Bootcamp at Bandar Utama. Being around and surrounding ourselves with people that share the same goal, the same passion and the same interest will ensure a continuous mojo and a smoother path towards achieving our goal. The same is applicable in everything we do. Find people and surround ourselves with people that share the same passion for success and we will be successful.... and unfortunately, vice-versa.

2. Grateful to have such an inspiring, motivated and yet humble instructors to get the best out of our fitness and health. The pace and the intensity of our workout largely depends on how motivated our instructor is. If the instructor is hyper, calling your name, pushing you, working out with you, correcting your form, penalising you by adding reps and time for incorrect form yada yada.... you too, will be hyper and will keep up to the expectation. Vice- versa, if the instructor is boring, we became boring.

PROJECT GRATITUDE DAY 5: GRATEFUL THINGS TO TREASURE.

Did you know it takes more effort and facial muscle to frown than to smile? On that same note, please try out this exercise.. Smile as wide as possible with that cheerful facial expression !!! Now.. Try to be angry and upset with that smiley and cheerful face!! Trust me, you can try all day and all night but you wont be able to be angry in that facial expression. In other word, it is easier to be happy than to be upset and/or angry. Similarly, try waking up in the morning and list down on things that you are grateful... and see how beautiful the rest of your day will be.

Day 5 of Project Grateful... I am grateful to be nominated for this project by Zai Johari and I have nominated 14 friends for this wonderful effort. I will be nominating 4 others at the end of this blog. Two of them are married couple and I can guess which one of them two will write first.

1. Grateful to wake up and being served with fresh mix of nutritional juices made from the best selection of fresh vegetables with a Kuyin slow juicer, coffee and breakfast (of course lunch, dinner and supper too). Infact, it is not easy to eat and drink right. There are so many nutrition intake to plan and to have it prepared and served in the morning, takes a lot of patience and preparation. From doing the grocery, planning for menus to cook and the actual cooking itself.

2. Grateful to have the best Mac Powerbook and that synchronizes with iPhone for work and leisure. Seriously, we spend more time on either computer or iPhone whether to work, socialize, engaged in discussion, work, entertainment and even to connect with business, associate, family and friends. Yes, personal physical interaction is always preferred and is better but in the absence of time, with the hectic schedule + deadlines + meetings + appointments, computer and a good smart phone for work and leisure is what a car is, as a mean of transportation. It is a necessity.