Reunion Update #2

August 20, 2011

Hi ALL,

Hope this note (Reunion Update # 2) reaches you well and fit for we have very exciting news for you.

The committee members have been working very hard to formulate a “KILLER” program for our “THIS IS IT” reunion. We are fully aware that for various reasons some of us may not be able to take full advantage of this exciting Reunion package presented before you. Hence, the key to our program is FLEXIBILTY yet ACTION PACKED.

Our dear friend, Chong Kah Kiat, has made an offer to the committee that simply bowled us over! He has offered to organize the “Chill-out” Reunion session in Sabah following our Main Event in Kuala Lumpur! For those of you who haven’t met Kah Kiat, the link below presents a short biography of him and his achievements since leaving Victoria University of Wellington.
Chong Kah Kiat

There is absolutely NO doubt that as ex-Tourism and Chief Minister of Sabah, Kah Kiat is BEST placed to provide an exciting/action packed visit to Sabah. There will be activities to fulfil everyone’s dream. The activities range from Scuba diving, superb Golfing, lazing on a beach, Bush walking, Seafood sampling,
Trek up the infamous Mt Kinabalu; ….to adopting an Orang Utan and spend the afternoon grooming each other! There are heaps to do in Sabah AND you are welcome to include family members if you feel it will enrich your stay there. Just check out the link below.
Sabah Tourism
You have a choice. Take it full on as “once in a life time dream” by going the whole hog (i.e. KL & Sabah visits) OR just an exciting evening in KL. The choice is yours for the taking. You know best how to spend this exciting reunion with your ole’ mates taking into consideration your other commitments.

Obviously at this stage, we cannot give you the Sabah program in detail other than to say that it will be a 4 days/3 nights organized affair. We need a show of numbers before we can work out the details. Of course you can choose to stay longer or shorter once the programs are confirmed. This is a Golden Opportunity not to miss. The more Sabah attendees we have the more exciting the programs there will be. This, we can promise you.

The Events in KL remain the same. The informal Welcome Party & Main Event will be held there. Exciting entertainments will be provided. This is where the “BIG BANG” will happen.

We ask you to please register your interests early. To be fair to everyone, if it comes to giving preferences, it will be done on the basis of “first come first served”. Hence, the earlier you put your names down, the better for you. Remember, you can always cancel the registration should your circumstance change. So, you have absolutely nothing to lose by registering early.

The 2 choices open to you are,...

1) The FULL Program (i.e. Kuala Lumpur & Sabah) – From 14th to 19th September 2012

2) The Welcome Party & Main Event (Kuala Lumpur only) – 14th & 15th September 2012

Please indicate your choice when registering and also quote the numbers attending. This includes those who have already submitted their names. We will provide costs once we have an indication of the numbers attending.
Regardless, you can bet that it will be an absolute “value for money” Reunion. We will use whatever resources/contacts available to us to negotiate the best deals for you.

If you have any hesitation of attending this Reunion, just read the blog below.
SeniorsAloud
We have also developed a ‘flyer’ to promote this Reunion and the theme is “We’ll ROCK till we DROP!!!” and this is exactly what we intend to do. We’ll ROCK you. Wanna feel of it???



There are no losers in this Reunion, whichever way you cut it you will win as the undisputed Champion. After all, we have (over the years) paid our dues time after time; gone thro’ ups & downs; have made a few mistakes and yet we all survived unscathed!
For that, we owe it to no one and have no guilt to gather and have a GREAT time. How about it Champs??? WE, are the Champions, my friends. Feel it man, ..…just FEEL it.


Don’t forget, please register your interests NOW! ….Help us to organise a memorable Reunion for everyone to enjoy.

If you have any queries, please just ask any committee members. We have extended the committee to include Chong Kah Kiat (Sabah) and Victor Fong (Sarawak) to help in organizing & promoting the event.
Its gotta be the "Ultimate" Reunion. Spread the word..Come one, come ALL!

Check out these links below for latest information.

Our facebook.

Our Wellington Alumni Blog – including previous (June ‘08) Reunion and ALL updates relating to "THIS IS IT" Reunion.

Take care, buddies.

With Regards, Henry Cheong

(If you wish to unsubscribe from this distribution list or you know of anyone who should be included in it, please let me know. Thx.)

Reunion Update

June 7, 2011


You and I must make a pledge, we must bring REUNION back.

Where there is LOVE, I'll be there.....

I reach out my hand to you, I have faith in all of you.

Where there is FUN, I'll be there....

(Michael Jackson/Henry) Peace

Turn up your volume and listen to this hit song which sums up the responses to date (click on link below). Imagine being in the audience. Well, we hope to give you that feeling...a WILD ONE!

Hi Friends,

The response to date has been a resounding......"I'LL BE THERE!!!" Thanks my friends for your positive responses and kind words. The number registered in the first two weeks surpassed the number we had in the 1st six months after we launched the last 2008 Reunion! Absolutely A-M-A-Z-I-N-G....

The main purpose of this "so soon" an update is to inform you that we have created a facebook for us to keep in touch as the preparation for the Reunion moves along.

Feel free to join in if you already have a Facebook account. Add your FB friends to it, if they are interested. It is open to all. If you don't have a FB account, you may want to consider creating one. You can use this FB as a 'tool' to look up old friends, catch up with 'gossips' and interesting postings. Queries can also be posted here. Regular updates of the Reunion will continue via emails.

The committee had a preliminary discussion and had already agreed on the format of this Reunion. I can share that with you.

We believe the Main Event is going to be 'HOT'. In fact, soooo... hot that you will need a 'Chill-out' session at a resort to bring you back to earth. The proposed format, at this stage, is,

1) A Golf session - 'Limber Up'

2) A Welcome Informal Party - 'Lubricate your Throats'

3) The Main Event - 'The Wild One'

4) The 'Chill-Out' Therapy session at a resort - 'Relax and back to Reality'

The above full program will have you occupied for a week in Malaysia...and mind you I haven't included Shopping and Sight-seeing to the list yet! By the way, you are not obliged to attend all 4 events but it is unwise not to if you can make it.

I know you will enjoy this last reunion of ours and live to tell your grandchildren one day, along the line...

"Oh what a night...late September back in 2012. What a very special time for me... as I remember, what a night!" Sounds familiar?...click on the link below, turn UP the volume!!!; listen to this classic hit and get into the groove!!!!



What do you think? Good heh?

Very soon we will begin evaluating venues and resorts for the Reunion. We need to plan early to secure good weekend venues as they are snapped up very quickly.

Don't miss out. Please register your interest promptly.....and start planning your trip! (I have already joined the Air Asia Fan Club...my first step.)

Don't forget to join the facebook.

Take care.

With Warm Regards and ...Winking smile Lotta Luv,
Henry Cheong feeling groovy....

This Is It - Reunion 2012

May 18, 2011

“Many years have passed, since those glorious 3 days

Upon the fields of Ole’ friendship

We forget corporate stress/ill feeling in its ominous form

As we walk in the fields of joy and laughter…

I never made promises lightly

And there have been some that I've broken

But I swear in the days still left

We will party together one last time...”


(Sting/Henry) Peace

****************************************************

Hi Friends,

Based on feedbacks/requests, we believe it is time for another ‘bash’ and re-acquaint ourselves. The ‘This Is It’ Reunion does connote that it is the last reunion this committee will organize.
For this reason we hope to make it a more memorable one for all. I can assure you that our 'This Is It' reunion will not suffer the same demise as the Michael Jackson concert of the same name!

This reunion (the Main Event) will be held on the Saturday, 15th September 2012 in Malaysia. So, you do have more than a year to plan for it. We will give you regular updates as the year moves towards this big event.

As usual it will be an inclusive rather than exclusive reunion. Meaning, we will make evey effort (within reason) to accommodate everyone who wishes to attend. On the other hand we fully understand that reunion is not for everyone and we always respect that.
Therefore should you wish to be deleted from this distribution list, please let me know. Alternatively, you can choose to remain on the list... just to stay in touch.

Although the organising committee members are all from Victoria University (NZ) in the 60's/70's, the 2012 Wellington Alumni Reunion (like the 2008 reunion) is open to anyone who had studied (in any institution), worked or have friends in Wellington.
That's why it is called..."Wellington Alumni Reunion". Please pass the word on to those who may be interested to attend....forward them this email.

The organising committee members of this event are,

Michael Lim mikelimhk@gmail.com
Teoh Lay Hock teohfam@gmail.com
Zuraidah Omar zuraidahomar@hotmail.com
Benny Tan bennytan@gbaglobal.com
David Chin delidavid@yahoo.com
Freddie Seow fred.seow@gmail.com
Henry Cheong hhcheon@hotmail.com

I do encourage you to join in the fun and I know you will not regret it. I've personally gained heaps from the 2008 reunion. I have re-pledged ole' friendships that have blossomed and enriched my life immensely and I hope it does the same for my friends.
We have stayed in touch; gone on trips together and even organise 'mini' reunions whenever opportunity arises. I have grown to understand and treasure these friendships much more. I strongly subscribe to the belief that in our twilight years, our lives should be more than just looking after grand-children, pottering in the garden or investing our pension.
We should have 'space' for ourselves to venture out of our comfort zone to add that extra 'sparkle' to our lives before we turn to dust.

I hope this video from my cousin's blog, 'seniorsaloud', will set you thinking...

(click on the video ...'what do people live for')

At this stage, we only need you to indicate your interest to attend this reunion. This is not a commitment but merely a show of interest. We will not hold you to anything. You can pull out later should circumstance change and you can no longer attend.
We need to have an indication of the number attending before any meaningful planning can take place. So, please pass your name and number attending to any of the committee members. We would appreciate if you don't leave this decision to the very last minute. We do need your cooperation to organise an event of this scale.

By the way, we will be setting up a facebook for the Wellington Alumni to stay 'connected'. It is not mandatory that you join this Facebook. Join only if you feel comfortable and are interested in knowing what is happening among us and news of common interest.
For those who are not familiar with Facebook (like me), you can set up a restricted FB account which will limit what people can see posted on your Facebook...just ask your grand-children and they will show you.

The following names from the previous distribution are now 'inactive' (received delivery failures). If you know anyone of them please inform them of this reunion and let me have their current email addresses

Alvin Chang
James Masing
Matthew Reweti-Gould
Mohd. Nor
Muhamed Arshad
Robert Clarke
Seng Pin Yoong
Tajuddin
Talib Zulkifli
Tharmarajah Suppiah
Ting Chan


We hope we have given you something to look forward to in 2012...Come on let's have some REAL fun together one last time. Thumbs up

I am definitely not going to sit at home and collect dust...not that you are!

So, add your name to the attendee list now...Winking smile. Oh yes, please do not assume that we know you will be coming. You must give your names and numbers attending for our register.

Take care.

PS: If I have wrongly included you on this distribution list or you don't wish to be on it, please let me know and I will immediately remove you from it. On the other hand if there are any names that should be included on this list, please pass them on to me... Thanks

Warmest Regards, Henry Cheong

Venues, Tours and Rates

Payment Instructions 


"You are required to pay in advance for i) the Main Event in KL, ii) Mt. Kinabalu climb, iii) Diving at Sipadan and iv) Overnight stay at Kundasang @ rates shown for the respective areas.

Do not pay for your hotel bookings. We will book the hotels for you and you pay the hotel direct on check-out. Hotel bookings for One World (KL) should be made thro' David Chin delidavid@yahoo.com and for Sixty3 (Sabah), direct your booking to Kah Kiat dckk52@gmail.com . Do clearly specify the 'check-in' and 'check-out' dates.

All other costs for activities in Sabah such as White water rafting, Island cruise, City tours, Visit to the Orang Utan habitat ..etc. shall be paid as they are incurred whilst in Sabah."


Reunion Dinner  2012

The cost of the Main Event in Kuala Lumpur (KL) is RM230 per head.

However, for overseas attendees from countries specified below, the cost is as follows,

Australia/US/Canada - AUD85 / USD85 / CND85

New Zealand/Singapore - NZD110 / SGD110

The difference in price is in line with our 2008 reunion. It is mainly to cover the fluctuations in exchange rates and bank charges. Whatever ‘extra’ we pay as a result of exchange rates gain, will go towards the event to make it a better one.

We will advise you of the payment method is due course.

One World Hotel

For those of you who wish to stay at the One World 5-Star Hotel where the main event is organized the current discount rate is about RM$280++ (ie. Plus 10% Service charge and 6% Govt Tax). Please contact David Chin directly - delidavid@yahoo.com to book your rooms at this hotel.

Dave's Bristo Bar and Grill

A welcome party to be held at Dave’s Bristo Bar and Grill on Thursday evening,  13^th September.

Sabah Tourism

PROGRAMME FOR SABAH

DATE                                                                      

16 Sep 2012                       Free and Easy

Golf can be arranged for those interested

17 Sep 2012                       Free and Easy during the day

7 PM DINNER PARTY HOSTED BY KahKiat& Ivy CHONG

18  Sep 2012                      The following can be arranged…

-          Island Cruise with luncheon on Island

-          Golf session

-          White water rafting

-          City tour (including visit to zoo)

-          Visit to Orang Utan Reserve

Note: Some of these activities can be scheduled for a different day depending on demand.

19 Sep 2012                       For those registered for overnight trip to Kundasang

9 am depart for Kundasang (at Mt Kinabalu National Park)

Options:

a)       Golf in the afternoon at Mt Kinabalu Golf Club

b)       Tour of Poring Hotspring

Evening get-together Dinner

Overnight stay in Kundasang

20 Sep 2012                       Early breakfast

Options:

a.        Early golf for those interested  

b.       Visit Kundasang Memorial & vegetable market

Lunch 1 pm

2 pm depart for Kota Kinabalu

THOSE WHO ARE REGISTERED TO CLIMB MT KINABALU WILL STAY BACK IN KUNDASANG. 

A separate arrangement will be made for their Climb which will take place 21-23 Sep 2012. 

This group will return to Kota Kinabalu on 24 Sep 2012 after the Climb

               

·         Guests should plan to arrive on 16 Sep or 17 Sep before 5 pm to be in time for Dinner Party hosted by KK and Ivy Chong.

·         Those who are interested to take up KK’s offer to book on their behalf Hotel Sixty3 at RM170 nett per room per night should contact KK directly.  (dckk52@gmail.com)

Those registered for diving will leave for their destination after 24 Sep or earlier if they are not involved in the Kundasang Trip or the hill climb

Climbing Mt Kinabalu (see requirements below)

Approximately RM800 per person - exact amount to be confirmed later

Diving at Borneo DiversMabul Resort - BDMR (see rrequirements below)

Divers (Twin share) RM580 per pax per night

Non- Divers (Twin share) RM465 per pax per night

Siingle occupancy RM870 per pax per night (whether diver or non-diver)

The price is ex-Tawau to Semporrna to BDMR and return, as well as diving at BDMR.  Those who wish to dive at Sipadan will have to pay for the Sipadan permit (RM40/pax) and any additional transport charges.

The town of Tawau is about an hour by air and 9 hours by road from Kota Kinabalu.  More detailed travel information can be provided (on an individual basis) to those interested this trip.

Participants in the Climbing and Diving activities must forward ASAP to KahKiat the following.

-          Full Name (as in Passport)

-          Nationality

-          Passport Number

Home address

Mode of payment

To be arranged by the above organizers with the registered individuals depending where they are domiciled.

Cut- off dates for registration

Kundasang Trip - 30 Jun 2012

/---------------------------------------------------/


(From KK Chong)

ON FLIGHTS INTO KOTA KINABALU, SABAH

Intending Visitors are again urged to go online into Malaysia Airlines OR Air Asia website to grap your cheap cheap Air-tickets from Kuala Lumpur direct into Kota Kinabalu advisedly getting into Kota Kinabalu on the 16 September or 17 September if you guys are interested to join the special "Lest We Forget" Dinner Party to be hosted by me on the evening of the 17 September 2012.


There are many direct flights from Kuala Lumpur into Kota Kinabalu mounted by MAS or Air Asia daily. There are also daily flights flying direct from Kota Kinabalu to Kuching, Brunei, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei or Seoul if any one after visiting Kota Kinabalu do not plan to fly back to KL.

Air-Tickets into Kota Kinabalu from Kuala Lumpur, if booked anytime NOW are still very very cheap . Will not be that cheap come July , August or September.

ON HOTEL ACCOMMODATION IN KOTA KINABALU, SABAH


Intending Visitors are at full liberty to access and book any hotels in Kota Kinabalu by obtaining full information from the SabahTourism Website or even from websites of hotels direct . I have however recommended a NO STAR RATED Hotel which I personally recommended to anyone interested and I plan to place all members of the Organising Committee ( who are coming ) into this recommended hotel called HotelSixty3. PLEASE access the website of this hotel to check it out : www.hotelsixty3.com and am sure many of you will love it.


I have met the Boss of this HotelSixty3 few days back and am pleased to inform that I have not only locked in a fixed daily rate of Ringgit Malaysia One Hundred and Seventy (RM170.00) Nett for any of our participants ( including family members ) who have attended the "THIS IS IT" Reunion in Kuala Lumpur and coming to Sabah for the month of September. This DAILY RATE of RM 170.00 nett is for the SUPERIOR KING OR TWIN ROOM ( 1 King bed OR 2 Single Bed ) as well as for the FAMILY DELUXE ROOM ( 2 Queen Bed ) . Intending guests to this HotelSixty3 must however quote my name please when making direct bookings unless preferring to pay a different rate !. Best is to email me or email any members of our Organising Committee detailing the number of days required , your date of arrival and date of departure and full name as in passport. .


Less We Forget - Dinner


All of you arriving before 7pm on the 17 September 2012 are cordially invited for the Dinner Party ( venue to be informed in due course ) at Kota Kinabalu to be hosted by me. Attire will be smart casual or as dressy as you like . Full liberty is given to Ladies to dress to kill ( if not too late ! ).



Hotel Sixty3

Lisa S Ambrose

Hotel Manager

63, Jalan Gaya, 88000, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah       

 Tel : +6 088 212 663     |    Fax : +6 088 318 863   

Kundasang

An overnight visit to Kundasang by air-conditioned coach or coaches, where the famed Mount Kinabalu National Park is situated is scheduled for the 19 September and returning the next day the 20 September. Depart Kota Kinabalu on the 19 September say around 9am for the National Park. Next day return to Kota Kinabalu say around 2pm. There will be a get together on the evening of the 19 September at the National Park for all who are joining this overnight trip. Golf can be arranged for "addicted" Golfers on the same afternoon of the 19 September if request if made to me. Otherwise we may visit some interesting places of attraction on our way to the Kundasang/National Park on the 19 September, such as the Ranau Poring Hotspring and/or the Kundasang War Memorial. The next morning being the 20 September, there will be an early round of golf tee, off 7am at the Mount Kinabalu Golf Club. Non Golfers will have the opportunity to visit the Fresh Vegetables Tamu Place in Kundasang and to feel the pulse of the local populace. After Lunch, depart for Kota Kinabalu around 2pm on the 20 September.

Apart from the above TWO GROUP PROGRAMMES, visitors will have to plan their stay in Sabah as they wish by making own arrangements or plan through their own preferred local travel agents. Our recommended Inbound Travel Agent is Ms. Candy Chung of Popular Express Travel website www.popularexpress.com where interested visitors can decide on a good selections of local tours at very reasonable prices.



Popular Express

Climbing Mt Kinabalu - Guide


CONQUERING MOUNT KINABALU


(1) I have, through the kind assistance of the Director of Sabah Parks, been reserved 20 special Permits for 20 interested Climbers to scale Mount Kinabalu on a 3 days 2 nights Package ( 21 to 23 September ) for our intending Climbers at a cost of RM 630.00 Nett per person for 2 nights accommodation plus meals but excluding Mountain Climbing Fees payable as follows :

(a) Entrance Fee per person RM 15.00

(b) Climbing Permit per person RM 100.00

(c) Insurance per person RM 7.00

(d) CERTIFICATE per person RM 10.00

(e) Return Transfer TimpohonGate RM 8.00

(f) Compulsory GUIDES

1 to 3 Climbers in a group RM 128.00

4 to 6 Climbers in a group RM 150.00

NOTE : (1) Interested Climbers for Mount Kinabalu must let me have their confirmation with names and Passport details on or before the end of March 2012 please as these 20 special permits extended to us will have to be released to the public after the 31 March 2012. To date, I have 2 confirmed taking up the Climb.




Sipadan Island


 DIVING AT WORLD TOP DIVING SITE - THE SIPADAN ISLAND ( + Mabul Island )


Special permits , very limited, will be procured for any of our interested guests interested to dive at the Sipadan Island but must be Padi Certified . For more information please go into www.borneodivers.com

(2) Interested Divers for Sipadan must let me have their confirmation with names and Passport details on or before the end of April 2012 to enable me to secure the required Permits to enter and dive in Sipadan from the relevant authority.

Cheers to all,


KK



Sukau

Danum Valley Rainforests