'Tis The Season To Be Jolly, Fa La La La La La . . . DURIAN!

In this 2011 Christmas season, all Malaysians are once again greeted by the unique aroma released by the King Of Fruits - The Durian.

Yes, we are once again into the durian season where what smells like a gas leak turns out to be God's gift to our taste buds, and where we discover newer and newer durian species with names ever so puzzling and amusing.

Nevertheless, there is no denying the popularity of durians. Today, this King of Fruits is enjoying a growing popularity and demand around the world which will only mean one thing - be prepared to pay higher and higher prices for this fruit in the future as we compete against importing countries demanding this delicious local produce.

When it comes to quality durians, Bentong is one of the places where you can expect to find them. So far, I only had the chance to taste the 'Musang King' and D24 species which I bought from nearby Bukit Tinggi Village and to sum it up - Good Price, Great Taste! I got my D24s from a restaurant owner who sells only a few durians at a time in front of his shop and he only sells durians which he thinks are good and ready to be consumed. Must be a real durian expert.

Apart from the opportunity to savour delicious foods offered by the countless restaurants in Bukit Tinggi Village, I now look forward to FRESH, QUALITY DURIANS at reasonable prices in every coming durian season.

In this same time, I was also invited by a friend to visit his relative's 2-acre fruit orchard in Bukit Tinggi and guess what I saw ? Ta daaaaa . . . . .

Since that day, I have decided to plant a durian tree near my house in Genting Tiara. Of course, the tree must be a distance away from the house to avoid potential damage caused by the tree's deep, long roots but still be within the compound of the house so that I may lay claim to that tree and its produce. It will most likely be a 'Musang King' specie since its price is so absurdly high. Unfortunately, I will have to wait 5 - 6 years for the tree to mature and bear fruit. Well, I guess I just have to tell myself that those who have patience shall be highly rewarded.

In the meantime . . .

"WISHING ALL A WONDERFUL MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

Mother Nature's Work Right Up My Doorstep

Went to Genting Tiara yesterday to take some photos for my home renovation. As I have not started work on the landscape of the house, did not really bother or appreciate the plants which are currently growing wildly and rather messily around the house compound.

While waiting for my daughter playing in the compound, I glanced upon a rather pleasant surprise. My guess is they were previously planted by someone else but I certainly did not take care of any plant in the compound since possession of the house a couple of months back and don't think anyone else did way before that. Here are some pics of my pleasant surprise . . .

Orchid plants (don't know which species) growing from my ground up and blooming some rather beautiful orchids, surviving solely with the help of Mother Nature. Don't think that can happen easily in the city without human care. I am no flower guy but orchids have always been my favourite and most admired flowers due to their simplistic form yet vibrant colours, especially when combined together among their vast and exotic species. Am now wondering how I can safely transfer and retain these orchids when I do up my landscaping? Am beginning to love my place even more now and can't wait to move in soon.

Again, hope other dwellers in Genting Tiara will appreciate what Mother Nature has to offer and refrain from turning their natural landscapes into concrete platforms.

A Legend Is Born

5th October 2011. The day the whole world begins to mourn for the loss of one of the world's most admired humans - Mr Steve Jobs (1955 - 2011), co-founder of Apple.

Whether it's the Mac user or the PC user, whether it's the iPhone user or the Android Phone user, whether it's the iPad user or the Android tablet user, no one can deny your achievements or how, under your leadership, Apple products have directly or indirectly influenced their lives.

I started this blog using my first ever Apple product - my MacBook Pro 13", and I can safely claim that in the foreseeable future, my next computer or laptop will definitely be an Apple. I am no techie and may never be one, but the day I started using my MacBook, I knew I had in my hand a cool product which is fast and reliable and definitely worth every dollar in my pocket. It is not often that one is able to find products which consistently look good yet work extremely well, but Apple has managed to do it and does it really well too, thanks in no small part to the late Steve Jobs. As of today, I am also the proud owner of a Mac Mini and an iPad 2, all of which are enjoyed by my entire family. Yes, I am now an Apple convert but I still carry a HTC Android phone and never owned an iPhone. Hmm, am suddenly having a vision of myself holding an iPhone 5.

Simply put, Apple products carry premium prices but that is only because they DESERVE TO! An Apple product is a classic example of FORM and FUNCTION at its BEST. The popularity of Apple products and the superb Apple share price say it all.

On this day, a great visionary is lost but A LEGEND IS BORN!

May your beliefs in always introducing to the world the simplest yet most innovative and attractive of products be forever carried on by every member of the Apple family.

May you rest in peace.

In Cloud 9

Monday 26/09/11 @ 4.15pm: Snapped some photos while on Karak Highway a couple of minutes after leaving Genting Tiara and after much rainfall. One can expect to see such sceneries often along the Karak Highway to or from Genting Tiara especially on a day just before or after the rain. These scenes can truly heal the soul, relax the mind and bring us into a realm where the mountains softly touch the skies - HEAVENLY. Definitely causes one to have second thoughts returning to the city.

But even on such days , Mother Nature never fails to colour the world . . .

nor make our life any less interesting with her other creations . . .

P.S. Do not let the above pic fool you. It's just slightly smaller than the size of your thumb's nail. Don't think it's dangerous but if you get bitten, don't hope to turn into 'Your Friendly Neighbourhood - Spiderman'. Just appreciate that you have your own National Geographic Channel - LIVE!

Green The Earth

Anyone choosing Genting Tiara is assumed to be looking for an environment which offers cool and fresh air. This cool and fresh air is not only the result of Genting Tiara's high altitude but is also sustained by the evergreen rainforest and surrounding grounds which are layered with PLANTS & GRASS.

One should not join the fate of today's city home owners where most home compounds are cleared of greeneries and replaced by tiles. When that happens, it is no wonder that even bungalow owners in the city will complain about how hot their homes can be during the hot seasons, not to mention other smaller types of houses. A land covered with grass is able to absorb heat from the sun with minimum heat released back to the environment compared to a one covered with tiles or concrete where the materials are quickly baked and the ground turns into a hot frying pan. When that happens, a breeze coming into the house will carry with it the outdoor heat released, making the temperature indoor much higher than normal.

Even for a cool place like Genting Tiara, heat from the afternoon sun will still hit the ground but if the ground is of tiles or concrete, it will quickly heat up and this heat will rise above the surface making the surrounding air hotter than usual i.e replacing the cool air around. It would be a pity when that happens to a place which is supposed to offer free, cool air.

Safetywise, a tiled or concrete ground pose a far greater danger to children and old folks alike. Falls on grass and earth are definitely softer than on hard surfaces, thereby allowing parents to feel much safer permitting their children to play and the elderly to take a leisurely walk in the open.

Healthwise, playing on a natural ground provides a good opportunity for growing children to be exposed to the natural environmental elements which will greatly boost the children's immune system and enhance their resistance to bacterias and viruses.

Therefore, it would really be a waste and a mistake to turn the compound of the house from one layered with nature's beautiful greeneries to one layered with manmade tiles or concrete.

GO GREEN, FOR OUR FUTURE!

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly - Final Part (Health)

Health:

OK! Finally reached the last part of the Good of Genting Tiara - Health. Often ranked among the most important aspect of our lives but more often than not, one which is taken for granted until we begin to lose it. So, I guess this post will only interest those who are conscious of their health and want to lead a healthy lifestyle, but I sincerely hope that this post will also create awareness amongst all that staying healthy is a choice everyone can equally have access to and staying in Genting Tiara offers exactly that.

As mentioned in my earlier posts, Genting Tiara offers the excellent environment for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Firstly, it's location amongst the green lungs comprising the lush and abundant rainforests, away from massive vehicle and industrial pollutions of busy towns means only the freshest and purest air will go into our body. Therefore, the body takes in a lot less harmful pollutants and contaminants detrimental to health.

Secondly, the body's continuous unprotected (people nowadays can be too protective and too hygienic) exposure to the natural environment and it's elements e.g. air, water, plants, soil and all living beings within can only mean a more natural and more effective way of strengthening the body's immune system as opposed to the countless vaccinations with questionable effectiveness and side effects. Mother Nature intended for 'When the going gets tough, the tough gets going!" and not "... the tough gets vaccinations'. The human body's fantastic immune system works by winning fights against external invasions (bacterias and viruses) and growing stronger thereafter without forgetting how to win the next similar fight. It is humans who altered Mother Nature's gameplan and increased everyone's reliance on medications and vaccinations, regardless of whether they are truly necessary or not. Ever wondered why each progressing generation of kids almost always seem more prone and susceptible to illnesses and allergies compared to those of the generations before? And these progressive generation of kids always seem to have more and more vaccinations.

Finally, I would rate the cool climate in Genting Tiara as the most beneficial for health. Some might argue that the daytime temperature in Genting Tiara is not as cold as locations on the mid-hills like Gohtong Jaya and on top of the hills like Genting Highlands Resort. Well, unless one works or studies in these areas, chances are that during the daytime, we will all be down in Klang Valley in air-conditioned offices, rooms and vehicles, and if we are out in the open, it will be the same hot and humid climate.

It is the nighttime temperatures which are the most appealing and when we are most in the house. The night temperatures in Genting Tiara from 22 - 24 deg Celcius are most ideal and most similar to the widely used temperature settings for an air-conditioned room during our nightime slumber. This natural gift from mother nature is precious, priceless and best of all, comes with zero or minimal cost (for those who may still want a running fan just to ventilate the room whenever or if ever there is a lack of breeze).

We all know that an apple left in the fridge will maintain its freshness very much longer than one that is left in the open. Hence, all else being equal, a person living in a cooler environment should be healthier compared to one living in a hot climate. This, of course does not mean that the colder the environment, the healthier we get. End of the day, we are still warm blooded beings with low tolerance for extreme temperatures.

Maybe some may think that they can mimic the cool environment by the use of air-conditioning units. Well, higher electricity costs aside, I would equate such a move with an apple which is left on a fridge tray as opposed to one kept inside a fridge drawer. After a while, notice how the apple on the fridge tray ends up dried, shrunken and wrinkled like a prune while the one in the drawer more resembles a healthy fruit? Air-conditioning units dry up everything in its surroundings, even wet clothings left overnight. Imagine what prolonged usage will do to the human body which consists of about 60% water, and all this while the body is supposed to be healing itself every night when in sleep mode? Air-conditioning units may mimic the temperature of an environment but they certainly cannot replace the many other healthy aspects of a naturally cooled environment.

If we choose to go natural and organic on food, why would we do otherwise when choosing a home where the entire family has all the opportunity to be rejuvenated in body and in mind? Can city living realistically offer genuine rejuvenation of the body and mind? Instead of shutting out the noise of the city through various meditations while absorbing sounds of the winds and waters through CDs, why not get the REAL DEAL and live the REAL THING?

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly - Final Part (Value)

Value:

Often when we talk about the value of an item, the first thing that comes to mind is $$$. And it is because of $$$ that we often overlook the real values that lie within. Much like being mesmerised by a pretty or handsome face while overlooking the beauty or darkness that lies beneath that face.

$$$ - Anyway, I shall first begin by talking about the value in terms of $$$. The item in discussion is none other than Genting Tiara, more specifically the bungalow lands. Over the last 2 years, property prices have risen tremendously especially the properties in Klang Valley, namely those located in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. I shall attempt to illustrate a comparison with the current property situation in Klang Valley the way I see it, therefore all views are expressed in my own honest opinion and any misinterpretation or misrepresentation is truly unintentional.

For easier illustration and understanding, Kuala Lumpur shall be the centre point (assuming KL being place of work) with Genting Tiara on one end and Klang on the other since the latter two locations are roughly of the same distance and travel time from Kuala Lumpur. We shall not take into account the really, really super expensive properties in truly, truly ultra high end locations which are frankly out of reach of the average successful mortal.

Genting Tiara Kuala Lumpur Klang

Average per square foot cost

of freehold land (RM) 65 250 100

Cost of 10,000 sq. ft. land (RM) 650,000 2,500,000 1,000,000

Cost of building a bungalow

with 5,000 sq. ft. built -up

area @ RM200/sq. ft. 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000

Total cost of land & bungalow 1,650,000 3,500,000 2,000,000

Average cost of a semi-detached Not applicable 1,800,000 1,000,000

unit with a mere 40 ft. x 80 ft.

(3,200 sq. ft.) land size

Note: Pardon my above alignment. Must be my limited knowledge on how to work them.

The above clearly illustrates the obvious savings from owning a bungalow in Genting Tiara. The $$$ savings are in the hundreds of thousands if not millions. These savings will most certainly come in handy as money for furniture and renovations. As the average land size in Genting Tiara is 10,000 sq. ft., we can also see that every RM1 increase in its land cost in future equates to a total increase of RM10,000, but bear in mind that land prices don't usually change by the Ringgit, it's more common by RM5 or RM10. That would mean very significant increases of RM50,000 - RM100,000.

From the illustrations, one no longer needs to dream but can actually begin realising the dream of owning a big bungalow with a big piece of land for under RM1.7 million and it's all only a 30-minute drive to KL city centre practically on one long stretch of road alone. Heck, it's even cheaper than today's semi-detached units in town and definitely more value for money than today's new launches of a tiny plot of land in Klang Valley with a so-called bungalow on it and having neighbouring units like only 20 feet apart where your neighbour may look into your window with their naked eyes and clearly read the title of the book that you hold in your hand.

Apart from the above, there is also another form of savings from Genting Tiara - savings on cost of electricity. As we all know, air-conditioners consume large amounts of electricity, therefore make up a large portion of our monthly electricity bills. Nightly use of 4 to 6 air-conditioning units for 8 hours alone can easily chalk up a monthly electricity bill of RM250 to RM350.

Sitting at 2,000 ft above sea level, the night temperature in Genting Tiara is already comparable to that of an air-conditioning unit i.e at a comfortable 22 - 24 degrees Celsius. Add to the fact that the surrounding grounds in Genting Tiara are mainly trees, greeneries and soil, the sun's heat is easily absorbed and dissipated as opposed to the unbearable heat coming from the sun-baked grounds of common 'concrete jungles' of the cities. All these equate to much cooler homes at Genting Tiara throughout the day, throughout the year and best of all, they are mother nature's gift to us at no monetary expense.

Recently, I found out that we can actually install BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaic) systems - simply put, solar power generation systems built onto our homes, more specifically roofs, car porch, pergola or other open spaces, AND actually use the generated power (exported to the power grid) to contra with our power consumption (imported from the power grid) from Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB). Currently, there is no monetary gain when we have a net supply of power i.e even when solar power generation is equal to or more than actual consumption, our bills are at best, zerorised but that in itself is already a great savings on our power bills.

The beauty is when the country's Renewable Energy Act comes into effect (expecting in Q3 2011, fingers crossed) where the FIT (Feed-In Tariff) mechanism is up and running. Under this Act, the net surplus power generated is sold to TNB at a set price i.e consumers are paid money for net sales of power back to TNB. Each contract will run for 21 years (it is estimated that the efficient lifespan of BIPV systems are around 20 years, so it would be worthwhile to install a new system thereafter before entering into a fresh contract with TNB). Given that the breakeven for the installation of a BIPV system is around 8 years, that equates to a healthy net profit for the next 13 years. That, to me, is quite an interesting deal, not to mention environmentally friendly as well.

The other beauty is the cost of BIPV systems. These systems are continuously undergoing technological improvements and are enjoying good economies of scale i.e drop in costing. Today, BIPV systems can be installed for as low as RM15K/kWp. But realistically, a 4kWp system is the more likely option to match the average tropical house with electricity churning air-conditioning units. It is here that I would like to point out yet again the value of Genting Tiara. With practically no necessity for air-conditioning units, a bungalow in Genting Tiara can see significant $$$ savings with just the installation of a 1kWp BIPV system. That is a clear savings of no less than RM45K for system installation and significant reduction in monthly electricity bills, maybe to the point of nil. If one wishes to take advantage of the FIT mechanism i.e to make extra $$$, then the cheaper land price of Genting Tiara is the perfect option since land area is the main factor in enabling the installation of a higher capacity BIPV system.

Environmental - I do not wish to overemphasise the simple logic and obvious advantage on the environmental values of Genting Tiara. So, I would just offer this simply comparison:-

Location A: Cheaper yet fresher and cleaner air yet naturally cooler yet not too cold till everything is damp and moldy and layers of blanket and heater (more electricity cost) are needed during night time.

Location B: Far more expensive yet very polluted air yet naturally much hotter till air-conditioning unit is needed during both day and night time.

Question 1: Which of the above two locations offers the preferred choice of living?

Question 2: Which of the above two locations will enable both young and old to spend more time outdoors?

Question 2: Which of the above two locations best describes Genting Tiara?

BINGO!

Realise how we look up into the city's night sky only to find the stars being blanketed by the light pollution of the city's buildings, roads and vehicles? Well, fancy the moon being your only light in the sky with minimal light pollution? Look no further . . .

Family - The affordability of owning a bungalow in Genting Tiara may be translated to mean shorter time span required to own such a property. Here, I am implying on the following:-

Time spent on making money VS Quality Time spent with family

The value of quality family time. Hmm, seem to be a scarcity nowadays. We need only observe or ask our children to get to the truth of things. Is coming home everyday quality time with family? Is having a meal together quality time with family? Is sleeping in the same bed quality time with family?

Well, the average person needs to come home, eat and sleep. That is a near certainty for the average family today. However, what are we coming home to? A good, quiet and undisturbed nap? The next episode of a TV series? CNN? Sports Channel? Food done and ready to serve? Children ever ready to hear how difficult and tiring their parents have been working on yet another day and how they should appreciate that alone, or ever ready to be lectured or punished for not performing well enough in school after all our hard earned money spent on their tuition fees?

Were we greeted with hugs from our children the moment we came back home and entered the house telling us how much they missed us and wants to play with us? Were we laughing at the silliest of jokes or discussing/debating events of the day over dinner? Did we hug and kiss our spouse good night before going to bed? Often times, the excuses given are that one does not have the mood nor the energy nor the patience nor the time left for the family. Simply put - "Mommy and Daddy has to work hard and often long hours so that you children can one day stay in a dream house". Well, in a way, that is the reality for many average decent family today who strive to achieve and upgrade to the condominium (RM500K), the 2-storey link house (RM800K), the 2-storey corner lot (RM1.2M), the 2 1/2 storey Semi-D (RM1.5M) and ultimately the 3 or 4-storey bungalow (RM2.5M). Time is being spent making money, thus obviously leaving no more time for family.

Family bonding with children starts from when the children are born till maybe 12 - 15 years old. Miss that opportunity and one may be passing the point of no return. By then, the children may be having a stronger bond with their friends instead of with their parents. That is when problems arise and parents have a hard time wondering why their children are rebelling while the children feel that their parents have never understood or cared for them at all.

But, wait! What would the average parents (estimated age: 35 - 40 yrs) be doing during these golden 12 - 15 years of the child? All would likely be working to own their dream homes. The normal ones would be happy to own a condominium, the more successful ones would be happy with an intermediate 2-storey link house, and the even more successful ones would have got their 2-storey corner lots or 2-storey Semi-Ds. The fact is, many would not be able to have enough time nor outsmart a couple of economic cycles to even be close to owning a bungalow.

Since we are, after all talking about Genting Tiara bungalows here, let's concentrate on the more successful ones with their corner lots or Semi-Ds. As stated above, prices for corner lots in a respectable area are in the range of > RM1 million while Semi-Ds in the range of > RM1.5 million. Compared to a typical bungalow in Genting Tiara as illustrated above, we end up with a Semi-D with barely 1/3 of the land size and 1/2 of the built-up area. If we downsize the built-up of the bungalow to a reasonable 3,000 sq. ft. on 10,000 sq. ft. of land to bring the total cost down to the price range of a 2-storey corner lot, we end up with a corner lot which is somewhat of similar built-up but still probably 1/2 the land size.

The above paragraph may seem a bit confusing. In short, what I am trying to say is that parents may only have a couple of golden years left for their children and instead of chasing the ever expensive dream bungalow in Klang Valley, they can actually own a bungalow very much earlier and appreciate it together with their children. The bond in the final golden years of the children may pave the way for a better parent-child relationship for many more years to come. It also means less stress for the parents in terms of work and financial commitment.

Residential building structure is called a HOUSE;

HOUSE + FAMILY may be called a HOME; but only

HOME + LOVE & CARE will earn the right to be called a 'HOME SWEET HOME'.

If the desired HOUSE is a bungalow, then based on the above, the earlier we get the HOUSE, the sooner we have our 'Home Sweet Home'. Time is of the essence.