Sunday, December 31, 2017

Paragliding at Jugra

Humans relentlessly try to break barriers. We are never going to be satisfied being just on land. We create things to make us survive in water like fish and fly as if we are birds.

My latest adventure brought me to the sky again. You might have seen my video when I went skydiving in Houston. Both skydiving and paragliding are done in the sky but they are definitely different.

Watch my skydiving experience at 
Paragliding is something you have to try once in your life
First of all, paragliding is not as nerve-wrecking as skydiving. (That could give you some relief)

Second of all, my experience of skydiving gave me the impression that it is more about falling ruggedly from a plane. Paragliding on the other hand is a form of unpowered flying and it is the art of keeping afloat in the air.

Thirdly, paragliding is...SOMETHING COOL THAT YOU HAVE TO CHECK OUT YOURSELF!
When sky is our playground
Little did I know that Selangor itself is home to some pretty good paragliding locations. Bukit Jugra is one paragliding site with good wind, convenient take off and landing points that has been attracting international flyers for training. The Jugra wind is said to be WILD. If you can maneuver you way at Jugra, other flying arenas are yours to conquer!

Paragliding at Jugra is gaining popularity as an adventurous weekend activity among Malaysians but I think we can do better than that!
Checked in Hotel Impian Morib
This is where the courses are done most of the time
To start with or for leisure, you can fly in tandem with an instructor and if you find yourself falling in love with the sport, take it to the next level by learning to fly solo which is a pretty awesome skill to have!
To fly from zero to solo, one must go through the Student Pilot Course
Student Pilot Course to fly SOLO

Course duration: 
4 days x 10 solo flights (If you cannot attend 4 days in a row, arrangements can be made)

Contents:
Provided full equipment support during the course
1x tandem flight with instructor
Basic introduction to equipments
Wind and site orientation
Canopy inflation, control and deflation
Pre-flight equipment check
Basic techniques in glider control
Practical examination by conductor

Price: RM2600 (price may vary according to season)
Safety is of utmost importance
If you want to do it for leisure, you can always call the contact below to fly tandem (flying with instructor) which leaves all the flying responsibility to the instructor while you just awe at the experience and take photos in the sky!

Those interested for tandem flight can call En Farul 013-6666690

Price can range from RM180-RM220
Ready to take what we learnt in the classroom outside
Remember to slap on lots of sunblock
When embarking on a sport like this, it not difficult to figure out that sunblock is necessary for the health of your skin whether you are a guy or girl. The miracle of paragliding comes from the SUN. Heat is needed for keep you buoyant in the sky. This and more interesting information will wow you when you chat with your instructor. So don't expect this activity to be done on a cloudy day.
Ground handling is when you check your equipment
Paragliding is not motorized and is the simplest way of aircraft. Although it is said that paragliding  follows the course of the wind, controlling the situation to the advantage of the flyer is a skill that needs experience. 

Making decision on your own, acquiring knowledge in aerodynamics, weather, equipment, safety procedures and adhering to anti-collision rules makes paragliding a challenging sport with a bird's eye view!
Learning the ropes with Dr Elisa
Watch my paragliding experience at 
Inflating the wings
Mohammad Zubair
Youngest paraglider at 9 years old
Malaysian Book of Records
Bukit Jugra, a fantastic paragliding site in Malaysia that we should be proud off
At Jugra's top
Look at the picturesque view
Dr. Elisa gliding in the air. Truely inspiring. 
Ready with loads of enthusiasm
Waiting for the right wind window
I just cannot believe it!
Watch my paragliding experience at 

Dr. Elisa signing my shirt
With a flying sites like Jugra, Malaysia should use it to her advantage to hatch more paragliders to compete in international platforms. And to those who cannot get enough of adrenaline, give paragliding a go!


Saturday, December 30, 2017

Giving from the Heart with Printcious @ Sai Pandian Home, Setia Alam

Watch the video at

My Christmas experience at Sai Pandian Home
If there is one thing that I could fill a home with, it would be with words. Powerful words of that uplifts the spirit at every corner of the house. Nuggets of inspiration that is more potent than the smell of coffee in the morning. I didn't have to scribble the walls of Sai Pandian Home to make that happen. All they needed were mugs!
Mugs can be used as motivational tools for daily living.
www.printcious.com
Sai Pandian Home in Setia Alam is refuge to 22 children, 3 single mothers and 2 old folks. With a family that large, mugs can be great bearers of positive words as they stir their beverages wherever they are at home. Imagine seeing your brother's mug of Milo with the words "I can do it!" on the day of your exam or catching a glimpse of the words "Don't give up!" on the day you did not do well. Those words could just be the thing that save your soul. Creating such mugs was the perfect task for Printcious, a company who specializes in personlized gifts.
Preparing his brother for photoshoot
Taking photo of each resident of the home for custom-made mugs
In the spirit of giving during Christmas, Printcious and I have collaborated to share happiness and joy with the residents of Sai Pandian Home. Out of items like pillow cases, t-shirts, jigsaw puzzles, mousepads and decorative tiles, we decided on specially printed mugs personalized with photographs, names and specially picked motivational quotes. On Christmas eve, my friends and I marched to the home in Setia Alam to present the meaningful gifts to them, not knowing that an even bigger present was waiting for us. Read on to know what it is!
Meeting the children 
Charming characters
Let the games begin!
Batman
Superman
Telematch makes everyone erupt with joy!
Volunteers also had their chance to play
As we slough through our daily routine, we build barriers that make us hostile. As much as we want to uphold the righteousness we were taught to have, sometimes we hide away our kindness to battle on and survive. This was an opportunity for us to sweep all our indecency away and to be reminded that love and kindness has always been the right way.
While some modestly work behind the scenes to decorate the home
Christmas tree is up! Complete with presents under it
Frosty the snowman gives a festive feeling
A round of Christmas caroling with the children
Of course there will be a treat for everyone after energy has been used up
Serving children food
Children obediently enjoying their tea
Time to present mugs specially printed by Printcious
Each has different quotes as vitamin for the soul and antidote for any mishaps
Each of you are special in your very own unique way
"My face on the mug!"
Thank you to Mr Pandian for the dedication and kindness
Everyone with their Printcious mug!
Another round of Christmas gifts followed
Prayer for the children
May all of you be well and happy!
Donation in kind to the home
Mugs, presents and donation were nothing compared to what they have allowed us to take home at the end of the day. Candid laughter, spontaneous mischief and pure joy were our gifts this Christmas. Our hearts were just fluffs of happiness when we said goodbye. 

Thank you to the children of Sai Pandian home!
Most of all, the visit sweetened our harried soul with love
All smiles
With these cute little ones
Volunteers for the day
Merry Chirstmas and a Happy New Year!
I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to:

For sponsoring the residents of Sai Pandian home personalized Christmas mugs 
Visit their website to get your own personalized gifts!

I would also like to thank volunteers and contributors:
Giggsy
Kyrie
Cherry
Desmond
Callix
Sue Ting
Lillian
Jerry
Grace
Pei San
Kee Lee
Raymond
Sze Ching
Allen
Zing Yee
Alex
Genee
E-Von Hooi
Chew Weng Hoong
Max Koh
Tho Li Ming
Hew Tack Wee
Koh Yuan Ni
Cheah Liat Kwang
Rebecca Loo

Irene Ong 
Lisa 
Shun Yee
Yoong Pang
Zhao Jin & family 
 Sprite 
Siew Ying
Azlan 
Lye Wan 
Tan & Cherry 
Hui Keun 
Keng Pooi
Lexie
Jia Wei 
Fu Yao 
Siew Woei 
Kup Guan
Jessica 
Mordred 
Felicia 
Heidi 
Michael Chan 
Fong Yee 
Lydia 
Tifa
MrBeePureHoney 
Chiow Yen
Moi Xi 
Grace & friends 
Pei Yee 
Teddy Yam 
Lillian 
Kenneth 
David C 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!