LaNd oF eAgLe - sHopPing HavEn (pArT 1)

Our Vacation: 28-30th December, 2010
Location: Langkawi, Malaysia
Our Rating: 3 1/2*

We have been there almost once a year since past 5 years.  My wife and mother always insisted me to plan a trip there and most of their activity was shopping from one place to another. But I preferred to visit many historical places and sight seeing, what a conflict of interest!

Our normal mode of transport is taking low cost airline, i.e Air Asia in which we can get cheap ticket if
we buy 4 or 5 months in advance, through on line booking. Once we arrived at Langkawi International Airport we rent a van for our staying period.

This is a tax-free island. If you stay more than 48 hours, your item will not be taxed but limited to 30kg per person.

There is a lot of nice place to visit but the shopping malls/area are located mainly at Pekan Kuah.

bAmbOo CasTle - eAt, dRiNk & RelAx (PaRt 2)

It located at Ulu Kelang just beside Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2). If you come from KL, make a u- turn under the DUKE fly over (nearby Harris) and heading towards Ampang. Just after the u-turn, take left, there it is. Most people might see the place from the highway but not sure what is all about. If you come from Gombak, once you arrive exit to DUKE please make sure you take the left road under the 3 tier highway.

This restaurant possibly can cater for 200 person at one time.

 Last year, our old school reunion conducted here, after 18 years not seeing each other we were having a good time together.

bAmbOo CasTle - eAt, dRiNk & RelAx

Location : Istana Bambu, Kuala Lumpur

Our Rating : 4*

 
Istana Bambu or Bamboo Castle - not known to many KL city settler but surprisingly having a very nice eating place and good affordable food. To those who are enjoying Thai food at beautifully decorated restaurant and landscape, why don't give this place a try!

You can choose to dine in Japanese style (without chair) or normal type and most of the table, chair and decoration are made of bamboo. They provide good facilities such as mussala for Moslem, ample parking space, beautiful landscape of paddy field, koi pond and the most important is "village feel".  I dare to guarantee you that you will love this place just after you enter it, two thumbs up!

hIgHlaNd tOuR - sTrawBeRrY & RoSe dEsTinAtioN (pArT 3)

The other "must visit" spot is Tea Plantation. I would say your tour is not complete without visiting the site. Boh Plantation and one more, Cameron tea plantation provide souvenir and hill-view cafe for you to enjoy Cameron tea before touring the tea plantation.

If you stay at Tanah Rata, the tourist spot that you must go is its night market. A lively place with real cool temperature and lots of cheap items whereby you can buy variety of food, vegetables, souvenir, etc.

Tips: If you plan to the night market, there will  be cramp car park and visitor might not get their park space. However, there are private and vast car park   behind the market and it will cost you RM3 only. Peace of mind.

Vacation few times a year with your family or big family (parents, brothers and  sister's families) might tighten the relations  and closeness of all of us...

hIgHlaNd tOuR - sTrawBeRrY & RoSe dEsTinAtioN (pArT 2)

 
A must see place is strawberry farm, whereby you can pick your own before pay. The price ranging from RM18 to RM35 a kilo - based on size and quality of the berry. There were so many vegetablelowers and farms, even just in-front of our hotel that we stayed! Cabbage, broccoli, lady fingers, chrysanthemum, rose, colourful cactus..you name it, all you can see and the most important you can pick it fresh.

 We stayed at Juliana Inn at Tanah Rata. The rate was quite reasoable, i.e. RM120 for standard room (1 queen bed and 1 single) and a 7 beds room for RM250 a night. The night temperature went down to 8 to 10 degree, we enjoyed the cool temperature by playing poker till midnight at verendah!

hIgHlaNd tOuR - sTrawBeRrY & RoSe dEsTinAtioN

Our Vacation: 1st & 2nd September, 2011
Location :Cameron Highland, Pahang, Malaysia
Our Rating : 3*

Cameron Highlands in Pahang is one of Malaysia's most popular tourist destinations, a collection of peaceful townships perched 1500 meters high on a nest of serene mountains. Cooling resorts, tea plantations and strawberry farms sprawl lazily across lush valleys and meandering hillslopes, the perfect setting for a relaxing holiday. The sea of tranquility, pleasant landscapes and cold climate impart a special experience upon the multitudes of visitors each year. Meanwhile, a different world lies hidden away among the natural surroundings - a rainforest ecosystem rich with the wonders of nature, long held with fascination by researchers and naturalists across the world

 

 There are 3 alternative roads to the highland . You can take North-South Expressway (PLUS) and exit toward Tapah and drive up the hill. The road from Tapah to Cameron is like snake tail, you might feel dizzy. Second, head to Bentong then Raub and just after Sg. Koyan you will see Pos Betau on your left. This is new road and more comfortable  for me. Some people say you can take PLUS expressway and exit Simpang Pulai, they said this is also new road and more straight compared to Tapah.

It might takes 3 hours if you drive from Kuala Lumpur.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LeT's gEt WeT - rAfT, CaNopY & gAlaXy sLiDe (pArT 2)

Tips: This is cashless park. You are  given a hand tag representing your ticket. You should request to include few Ringgit inside the tag, e.g. RM50 for your expenses for buying food and renting float tube or locker. Own food is not allowed to bring in. Unused money will be refunded.

The ticket is RM24 for adult and RM12 for children.

We have enjoyed all slides, rafting and food  the whole day, from 11.00am till the park closed at 6.30pm.  Unfortunately my camera was broken, slip off from my hand and the whole good pictures gone missing. However, we have good time there..