Finding treasure in Malacca

As part of our annual event, we entered the ExxonMobil treasure hunt held by ERC (ExxonMobil Recreational Club) last weekend. We have been doing this for the past 5 years and somehow this time we had the best time. Maybe its because we ditched the kids... hahahahha first time ever. Felt guilty but rejuvenating at the same time. Sorry kids but thats why we brought you to sunway lagoon a few days before (rasa less guilty). Anyways, Mama & Ayah needs a break, some alone time and a second honeymoon desperately.

This year we (Maz & me) went hunting with another couple Shahir and Sakeenah. Both were rookies at treasure hunting but you couldnt tell with their smart wits, eagle eyes and calm collective personality (Shahir is one of the calmest person i have ever met... macam tok guru Nik Aziz). Cant ask for better team mates. Everybody 'gelled' well, had good chemistry and did their jobs well.

The thing to highlight was we had a very good approach to the hunt and executed our strategies extremely well and efficiently. It shows because we ended up 5th (the best position we had ever had) out of 40+ teams, arrived half and hour early (only 6 cars came on time), couldnt get only the ridiculously hard questions, finished only 6 points out of 110 points or so behind the leaders (they win every time and seem like professionals) and most importantly we were happy and enjoying ourselves (you can really see the other team stressing out especially with each other).

From our efforts, we won Jaya Jusco coupons worth RM500. Money back and more. I have already decided to buy a Bumble Bee transformer robot with my winnings (promised my boy and didnt have extra money before). The only regret i have was that the points separating the 2nd to 5th top teams were only a 2-3 points and the prizes were about RM100 more for each top positions. But we achieved our target to be top 5 although Shahir dreamed we won. Sorry mate, maybe next time.

So heres a few of the ridiculous questions for your amusement (courtesy of Suresh - a really good quizzer/organizer, have enjoyed/amazed by all his questions for the past 5 years):

1. Q: i? Ans: the heart of commitment. Heart meaning the core/middle of the word commun'i'cation
   
2. Q: 24 to 11? Ans: 10:36 (time). Imagine a hugh billboard with TV's, fridge and a DVD player. And on the DVD player, the clock showed 10:36
3. Q: Damaged, all dead? Ans: Eviola. Damaged is code for anagram and "all dead" = "0 alive"
4. Q: Second from last is nothing? Ans: x+y = x. When you work out the math, you get Y(second last alphabet)=0 (nothing)
5. Q: Mother in Silk? Ans:Sumatera (in a small map logo). Mother = Ma and silk = sutera.

Having mentioning the question we have to say thank you to our highly reliable info resources. Our own walking talking wikipedia Mr. AZ and google-it expert Miss K.

So apart from the treasure hunt, we had the luxury of enjoying Melaka. We were really sucked in by the culture and attractions. To name a few were the Portugese Red Area, Jonka Street and Padang Pahlawan. We had local delights namely cendol, dodol, sotong bakar, air mata kuching and so forth. Not forgetting buying lovely souvenirs at Jonka Street. Tq Shahir and Sakeenah for bringing us around.

But the best part of our trip must be the dinner we had at Umbai (not Dubai like i and Fariz Fahmi thought). It was about 15 minutes away from our hotel (hotel not that grand and not worth describing) but as usual following Aleq (tak power langsung direction walaupun tak habis2 ngan GPS dia) took about 45 minutes (dahlah lapar giler lepas hunt). The seafood there was SUPERBBBB!!!! and Cheapp!!! really really cheap. We paid only RM310 for 2 huge ikan jenahak bakar, 1.5 kilo sotong goreng kfc, 1 kilo ikan pari asam pedas, .5 kilo ketam sambal, 2 kailan dish, 2 huge ikan siakap masak 3 rasa and sweet and sour, 10 otak2, 7 bungkus nasi lemak, nasi satu periuk and 3 jugs of water including juices. I thought it would cost us more than RM500, thats what you'll get if your in KL. Not to mention it was really fresh. Didnt seem to bother about the lost drive getting there after that. It was worth the wait.

Apart from that we had a relaxing time, most of it spending time with each other (couples quality time). That morning after breakfast we had the taklimat for the answers and prize giving. This ended till the afternoon due to many2 'controversies' to the answers. Ade2 jelah org tak puas hati but all in good fun. Who can blame them, tensiooonn if the answers was right in front of your face and you couldnt get it at the time.

I'm guessing it is very clear that we enjoy treasure hunting. Wish we could it more often and with more friends involved. Maybe in the future.

Pics will be posted soon!

Here are the pics as promised:

Maz and me happy at the start of the Hunt @ Menara ExxonMobil


Great Team mates - Sakeenah and Shahir


Ada windmill kat Mesia? Only at Portuguese Town in Melaka


The famous red tower clock. Unfortunately its not telling the right time.


The landmark fountain of Melaka. Forgot to wish and throw in a 1 sen coin... maybe a 5 sen coin.


Enjoying the Cendol Melaka next to Red Square


Maz having sotong bakar while walking down Jonka Street.


Makam Hang Kasturi on Jonka Street. I thought the Hangs were only legends. That shows how cultured I am. Exactly depan makam ni org jual dodol.


The architecture is full of culture and unique. This seems to be one of the restaurants on Jonka Street


All sorts of asam @ Jonka street.


In Jonka Street we found this naked lamp. hilarious


Ikan siakap masak 3 rasa @ Restoran Parameswara Umbai.... layannnn!!!


Kepuasan hati selepas makan... masing2 dah nak meletup especially the preggys