Family Trip To Phuket- Our Accomodation

As we haven't been taking our parents to overseas for 2 years, we intend to reward them with a rather high class relaxation trip this time round. To avoid burning a big hole in our pockets, we have chosen to have our vacation destination within Asean since it is relatively cheaper comparing to having it elsewhere in the world. What to do..blame it to our weak currency. We put up of 3 nights in Marriot Beach Club resort. The villas we checked in was really gorgeous. It is a 2-bedroom villa with ensuite bathroom. The Master bedroom has a bathroom that is bigger than a 4-star hotel room in Hong Kong. It comes with separate shower area, twin wash basins and an XL size bathtub. Ironically, Phuket's seawater is cyrstal clear but the tap water is rather the opposite. So we preferred to soak in the sea than the bathtub. The facilities in the villa is amazing. Take a look at the pics below and you wouldn't be more agreed with me that it's more equipped than our own home. This is the very first time I came across a resort that made me felt really like home. I regret bringing so many clothes for each unit has a washer and a dryer. Furthermore, detergent is also provided, can you imagine? Best of all, it offers complimentary wired internet access. What a great idea to be on holidays and still be in touch with my friends. Of course, most hilarious was Elgin coz he can continued playing his facebook game.

How do we spend the whole 3 days in this sunny-hot tropical island, you wonder? Ah..It was like the lazy days of summer.....Yeah..it was an excuse..but there is no better way to escape from the afternoon heat by drinking icy cold Chang beer, apple cider and lager. Sipping a glass of chilled red wine at the outdoor patio while enjoying the warm evening breeze, accompanied with the Thai-styled fried chickens and barbeque spiced pork sausages bought back from the local market which was damn-delicious, mildly-hot & ardently-succulent and juicy... Do you call that overindulgence? Not at all. Obviously all of us had a good time, eat and drink the heat away.. And the verdict? Wow-wee!! I put on 2 kgs for 3 days!!!

Chilling Waterfall, Kuala Kubu Baru

Owing to Youngman Lim's good planning, our waterfall trip finally materialised. This is the largest ever self-drive family excursion I had experienced with Elgin being the youngest one, aged 7, and the most senior are some of our parents aged 60-70++. Undoubtedly, this is one such waterfall that is meant for people of all ages. For there is not much of climbing and walking required to reach the stream. Thank God the mosquitoes here are also less ferocious and hungry as compared to other waterfall spots I have been in other parts of Malaysia. Although I was obliged to donate few drips of my fresh warm blood to one or two of them..

The park has a wonderful name in Malay, "Santuari Ikan Sungai Chilling" which means "Chilling River, the sanctuary for all fishes". Perhaps the name holds truth for the fact that this wonderful waterfalls spot is not known by many as the development seemed to be minimum. As such, wild life especially the fish seems to stay away from danger of predators and they can happily take refuge in the Chilling River. There is no commercially own chalet nor operators of any outdoor activities. In fact, no entrance fee is imposed except a charge of 50 cents per head for unlimited usage of washroom. The waterfall is located within a protected rain forest. To reach this waterfall, you need to take the exit at Kuala Kubu Baru, go along the same direction that takes you to Fraser Hill.

After passing a dam, about 100 meters away you will hit at the entrance to the waterfall park which the entrance sign is clearly visible at the right side of the road.

Few steps from the entrance, a signage was put up to inform the public that entry without permit is prohibited, failing which, there will be a jail term of 3-year. I believe this is not put enforced as no authorities nor rangers was around to stop us from entering.

You need to thread along a small muddy path and only within 10 minutes' walk you will reach an open field with a canopy erected beside the river bank which we have assumed it as our picnic spot.

According to someone, you have to cross through 3 rivers to reach at the upper streat to view the legendary fall. We did not pursue on such mission due to the weather condition. The above pic shows the first river which is connected by a hanging bridge constructed by suspension cables. Kids get either nervous or excited with their wobbly feets up on this bridge.

Look! Little Janice got carried away with the splashing joy..

Poor Christina was thinking real hard whether to dip in with me in the water- I supposed she was torn between getting the fun from soaking wet or looking good

We are at the lowest part of the stream. Obviously the water is not crystal clear, but as the name denotes, the river water was indeed very chilling.

Thanks to Winnie for her generosity in sponsoring a 2kg yummy chocolate cream cake for everybody.

Not forgetting Youngman's turkish coffee to go along with. Lots of food and snacks brought by our team members. From crackers, peanuts, beanpaste pastries (tau sa pia) to pan fried bun..Yeah! Christina's tea eggs were yummy! Gosh! My Elgin ate 2 at one go!! Just imagine we could still stomached in after a heavy lunch at Kuala Kubu town.

As usual Lam took his heroic guts to fight with the rapid flow in confirming a safe spot for the group to play while Franco cautiously test water using his feet.

More pictures are available on BRP Line Dance Blog http://cllinedance.blogspot.com/

Family Trip To Singapore

It's been a long time I didn't plan for a family trip. This trip was rather a last minute arrangement. Thank God I managed to get a good deal directly from the Parkroyal Hotel, Beach Road itself. The rate was relatively cheaper compared to other online booking website. I booked for superior rooms but upon check-in, the hotel was kind enough to automatically upgrade my rooms to deluxe. Nett price after tax per room per nite was S$151. Not bad!

The sad part about this trip was my hubby fell terribly sick upon arrival. He suffered terrible migraine followed by fever in the middle of the night. So he has thoroughly "enjoyed" sleeping for good 2 days in the hotel room while we hang out at the shopping complex.

I have requested for adjoining rooms with king size bed. The hotel did not disappoint me either.

Except that the king size bed is slightly smaller than the standard king size bed

With UOB Card privilege, we were given free breakfast for 2 person per room per nite.

Breakfast served were varied choice of local delicacies like fried radish cake, nasi lemak,

porridge, fried noodles and and international favourites.

Fascinated by the real orchid plant outside the spa and recreation area.This lively orchid flowers at the reception counter was magnificent too.

It rained the night before. Elgin enjoyed a real cool dip in the pool

Caught my eyes was the "Eyes of Singapore", not this self-conscious fella who turned away from me when my camera was aiming at the former.

Within vicinity of the pool, the 3 cascading tower is the casino under construction, to be run by the Las Vegas Sands Corp.

The largest street shopping location in Singapore- Bugis is withing walking distance from the hotel.

The hotel provides free shuttle service to Orchard Road and Vivo City
Elgin fell asleep on the journey.

Vivo City-the largest shopping mall in Singapore.

It was refreshing to see dense trees and lush green landscape. Singapore is indeed a vibrant garden city.

On the way back to my homeland, stopping by at Skudai to have their famous teochew braised duck and side dishes.

Pangkor Island Trip

All of us in the department have been talking about having anoverseas travel plan to take advantage of the 3 consecutive off days during the 1st week of March09 . Due to the bad economy, we can't but to settle for less since chances of getting cheap airfare during the peak holiday period were equal to nil. So finally, we decided to have an "over-the-sea" trip to Pangkor Island instead.

My colleague Sri was a great event planner for our 2-day-1-nite Pangkor trip. Programs were drawn up perfectly and with teamwork, we managed to stick to the itinerary thru' out the whole journey. Everything was fallen in place as per schedule.

On 7th March 2009, we gathered at Sg Buloh R & R for breakfast. Had an early departure at 8am in order to catch the 11.30am boat to Pangkor Island. There were 9 adults and 2 kids and we traveled in 3 cars of which I was one of the drivers. We reached the island just before noon, perfectly as planned.
This is the Jetty terminal at Lumut. The ticket to Pangkor island is RM5 per adult and RM2 per kid. We parked our car at the multi-storey car park near to the jetty. Parking rate is RM12++ per day (including taxes)







Despite free seating arrangement, all of us managed to sit close to each other at the lower deck of the ferry.
Me as the camera woman was taking the roll call."Hey! Team! Make your presence felt!"
Susee didn't pay attention at all as she was busy ringing up her hubby (i guess so)
"..Wat lar u?!"




Our ferry made a short stop at the fishing village before reaching the main terminal.















Elgin's with his new acquaintance -Betteney





















"Pangkor, we have arrived!"









Upon reaching the island, we were immediately accosted by hundreds of mini van taxi drivers. The taxis are all sprayed in pink colour paint. Reminds me of once-upon-of-time mini buses in Kuala Lumpur. Why? Coz all the pink buses here got no aircon!! Like a mobile sauna room indeed..





This little cabana style bistro restaurant was where we had our lunch, dinner and breakfast.










Coconut mixed with oil to "moisturize" the seafood during BBQ












Grilled prawns













We have pre-arranged for a barbeque dinner.












Floral crabs -sweet and tasty.













Options were given of which you can either choose to do-it-yourself or get the helper to do the BBQ for you. Of course all of us chose the latter.











This bistro restaurant is equipped with disco lights and fantastic sound system. There is also a billiard table for extra entertainment. According to the keeper, if the group is big, dance party can be arranged at the open space of ground floor.

The Dutch Fort


















The landmark of a giant octopus outside a fishery product factory












The local Hindus had a special temple celebration. They also burned big jossticks like the Chinese always do.

Came across this ice cream bike peddler selling burger bun stuffed with ice cream