Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by jenzl

White Water Rafting in Padas River Sabah

jenzl — Thu, 31 May 2012 14:21:45 +0800

Water rafting was fun. Seriously! I love it even with my recent encounter. It was only 4 days after my trip from Sabah and I would love to spread this message out to all who are interested in trying river rafting. Padas river is located about 2 hours' steam train trip away from Beaufort railway station and ironically, the water is murky rather than 'white' (or clear). None of us had any rafting experience and so my friends and I went with an guide/agent from BUSAT (http://www.ultimateborneo.com/2010/03/padas-white-water-rafting/). He picked us up from our hostel and we started our journey to Beaufort at 530am. We could see the river during our train trip and we thought, okay...doesn't look dangerous or anything. Plus, the weather is too good to surprise us with a downfall or flood.

Everything goes well, actually. The lead instructor gave us a good briefing on the paddling methods as well as all safety issues that we should be concerned about. Then comes the paddling part. We went down to the river with our respective guide - who we learnt that his name is Sham. We are a group of 4 and joined by another female foreigner. This is the cream of the crop because he started to chat with her and asked if she would like to raft in a kayak since this is her second time rafting. He didn't actually ignore us but focused more on her. After some turbulent sites, he then asked us to test the water and jumped into the river where the current was almost nil.

We did and we had fun. So we didn't suspect anything when he told us about this 'body rafting' game when we waded nearer towards the endpoint. We thought, yea, everything should be under control since there are guards paddling in kayak who doubled as emergency lifesavers. We would never ever thought of the idea of jumping near a site with strong current because we are not very strong swimmers AND we are all new to rafting.

We jumped into the water when he asked us to and yes, my girlfriend and I were nearly drowned. The site where he asked us to jump has a strong current and filled with smooth rocks. Waves kept crashing on me that I barely had the time to breath. Yes I was wearing a life jacket but that was not enough to keep me afloat. The current was too strong! I tried to position myself the way the lead instructor taught us but still, it was very difficult to stay in the correct position and breath. I merely escaped the rocks and the waves were already washing me towards another one. In the midst of all these, I saw a boat which resembled mine. So I tried waving but the guide on it either couldn't see me or were not bothered. It didn't move towards me at all! My girlfriend had a panic attack when she hit upon on rock. Thank god it wasn't serious.

I was finally rescued by my friend who is a better swimmer. However, we were unable to grab my girlfriend who was so near and yet so far. The kayaking lifeguards got her instead. We later learnt from others that Sham was supposed to either jump along with us OR maneuver the boat in front of us so that he could help us in case of an emergency. But guess what, he did neither and we saw him with the foreigner lady behind us. He had got the lady a kayak and was teaching her on how to kayak through the turbulent.

Please. Never take Sham as your rafting guide. He is just too inexperienced and if it wasn't for my friend, I would have easily been drowned or knocked unconscious in the water. Least he could do was to warn us on the current. I wrote in to BUSAT but there was no response and now, back in KL, I think this is the only way which I can reach out to tell others that, yes, river rafting is safe and enjoyable -- only with the right guide. If you have decided to take this trip with BUSAT - make sure that they don't assign Sham to you.

Looking for old console

jenzl — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:24:10 +0800

I hope i'm posting at the right forum/channel.

I'm in search of an old console as well as a game. It's the earliest version of Bomberman. That yesteryear one when the images are still in 2-D and the game is available in cartridge. I forgot but i think it can be played using those very old nintendo console.

I'm trying to get one for my mom coz that's the only game that she likes and damn, it's so difficult to find! Pls PM me if you guys know where to find it.

Scam email

jenzl — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:34:47 +0800

Just to share about this scam which i've got. It's really stupid.

The first email goes like this

SENDER DETAILS
Name : stanley
Email: stanleytips9@yahoo.com
Contact:
Description :
Hello, I came across your ad and I''ll like to know the following questions regarding the ad. Q#1. How long have you owned it? Q#2. a) Have you owned it from new? b) If not how many previous owner? Q#3. Why are you selling it? Q#4. In your opinion, what sort of condition is it? Q#5. Any available photo? Q#6. How much are you asking for it? #7.Do you accept i ship the item myself ? I''ll like to have the response to these question in your earliest conviniency. Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks, stanley.....

The second email:

Name : stanley
Email: stanleytips9@yahoo.com
Contact:
Description :
Thanks for the reply.......I'm seem to be satisfied with the price and condition of the item.i am ready to buy this item and pay you with a cashiers check,getback to me if you are ready to sell it to me......and i will also want you to know that i have a shipping company that will be coming for the pick up the item as soon as you get paid,so I guess shipping shouldnt be a problem.Moreso,shipping fee will be included with the payment that will come to you. After you recieve the payment and get it cashed you will deduct your item fee and send the remaning money to the courier company that will be coming for the pick-up.....get back to me with your payment info such as your name and address with your phone number so that the check can be mail out to you and i will get back to you with the
tracking number for you to know when you will receive the check as well.....i await for your
positive reply as soon as possible.
Thanks.
Stanley............................

So, why is it confirmed a scam?

1. Lousy mode of writing
2. Never trust cashiers check
3. Shipping company coming directly to your doorstep to deliver the package? Ridiculous...moreover, I can't even understand that line itself...don't where he learned his english.

And just to add...this is so similar to this
check out the first post. it has the similarities.

I wonder why these people don't get any better.

Aztech Software

jenzl — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:29:14 +0800

Hi all, I'm having this problem with the Aztech modem. I can't get online with it recently. However, there wasn't any problem like this before (have been using it for 2 years and all the while, it was fine).

The thing is, I called the streamyx helpline and even have the telekom side send their technicians over to check my line and stuff. They said that the lines were all good and there is no problem with sreamyx's side either.

So I was making complaints and complaints until they send 2 technicians from the modem company. (don't remember the name but will check, coz this case is actually my uncle's problem).

Now, here's the question which i'd like to ask. this technician was claiming that the model of my modem is already outdated and they do not have an auto-update system which most new model modems have. And that was why I can't connect to the internet with my modem.
He tested the connection using his own streamyx modem (it was the old model black type..kinda small size...again, I do not know the model now).

by the way, I do not think that it's the modem's problem because I've brought it back to the vendor and they've check too. they confirmed with me that the modem is not spoiled. besides, I have another modem -- aztech too. but when used, the same problem persists.

so, I was wondering if his claims are true? I myself is using Aztech's modem for several years and it is fine. Please, if any members here can provide me an answer? I personally think that the technician was trying to cheat us because he was claiming that since that modem is not able to update itself, we have to get the modem from him. and he gave assurance that it will work well.

anyways...i stand corrected.

if you guys need to know the model, then let me know. I'll get it the next time i go to my uncle's place?
or do you guys think that regardless of what model it is, such case is not logical at all?