North Xinjang

My ex colleague and her husband have planned to 12 Days 10 Nights North Xinjang in September 2025. We touched down Urumuqi on 10 September 2025.

Via Savvy Travel, booking fees was RM500. Next payment was 3 months before departure the 50% of tour fare and final payment 50% 1 month before departure.

Initially the itinerary mentioned to take China Southern Airline (CZ) but it was changed to China Eastern Airline (MU) which I dislike as returning trip 4 hours transit time at Nanjing but not knowing that we actually need to collect our luggage and recheck in again at Nanjing.

Flight details

10 Sept 

MU 2970 0140/0720 hrs (KUL/NKG)

MU 2959 1045/1555 hrs (NKG/URC)

20 Sept

MU 2730 1020/1445 hrs  (URC/NKG)

MU2969 1905/0040+1 (NKG/KUL)

Itinerary

Day 1 (MOB, MOB, Dinner) 

Board flight from KLIA1 to Urumuqi, Upon arrival either dinner first then transfer to hotel. 

Day 2 (B, L, D) Urumuqi/Burjin

S21 Desert Highway, Ulungur Lake, Irtyah River, Five Colored Beach, Grilled Fish Night Market

Day 3 (B, L, D) Burjin/Hemu

Hemu Village, Tuvan Village

Day 4 (B, L, D) Hemu/Kanas

Kanas Lake, Guanyu Pavilion

Day 5 (B, L, D) Kanas/Burjin

Moon Bay, Walong Bay, Shenxian Bay, Kanas Morning Mist

Day 6 (B, L, D) Burjin/Kuytun

Wuerhe Devil City via Buggy

Day 7 (B, L, D) Kuytun/Yining 

Sailimu Lake via Private Bus, Yili Tianshan Flower Sea Scenic Area, Guozi Guo Bridge

Day 8 (B, L, D) Yining/Nalati

Nalati Grassland via Buggy, Kongzhong Grassland

Day 9 (B, L,D) Nalati/Kuytun

Duku Highway (switch to 7 seat car), Sightseeing Tianpu

Day 10 (B, L,D) Kuytun/Urumuqi

Autonomous Region Museum, International Grand Bazaar

Day 11 (B, MOB, MOB) Urumuqi/Transit City/KL

After breakfast proceed to airport for home sweet home

I personally like the scenic area in Hemu and Kanas. And the highlight was Duku Highway is not always assesible which is strictly subject to weather condition and we only know that morning itself.  We were blessed as day before and after our planned day for Duku Highway was closed but we were able to experience that 561km highway which crosses Tianshan Mountain, connecting northern and southern Xinjang.  Magnificent view of grassland, snow capped mountain, curved roads, lakes, an unforgettable experience of four seasons.

Company Trip - 4 days 2 nights Batam

We have been going for yearly trip be it overseas (Indonesia, Thailand) or just in the country.  But since MCO, we have stopped going for company trip.  We started back in year 2023 to Adeline Villa, Gopeng, Perak and  last year 2024 at Janda Baik for team building 2 days 1 night.

I have always prefer Club Med Cherating but boss not too keen. This year boss saw this travel agent in Rawang advert with 4 days 2 nights Beautiful Batam Tour which coincides with Independence day, I was told to contact TST Travel and arrange for it.

Highlights includes

Terminal Fees/Port Charges

Complimentary Santorini Afternoon Tea

Complimentary Pink Beach Drink

Inclusions

Round Trip Bus SVIP 30 seater Coach  

3 or 4 star hotel accommodation

6 meals included

Local transport and tour guide

Day 1

We assembled at office to board Coach for 11pm departure to Johor Bahru.

Day 2 Johor-Batam (L)

Gather at Stulang Laut in the morning for 2.5 hours ferry to Batam. Upon arrival greeted by local tour guide who speak fluent Mandarin to seafood lunch at Kelong Restaurant and to  these attractions: 

Rainbow Bridge (Balilang Beach) a newly developed bridge connecting six islands

Santorini with afternoon tea

Pink beach with drinks

Check in hotel. Dinner will be street food though at own expense but it was paid by our Company.

Day 3 (B/L/D)

Visit the largest Buddhist temple in SEA, Vihara Duta Maitreya built in 1999 with donations from Chinese communities there. 

Puncak Beliung Rainbow Slide (ticket at own expense)

Lunch at local restaurant

Coffee Factory understand Indonesia Coffee Culture

Batam Mall 

Dinner provided at local restaurant.

Day 4 (B/D)

Meet 9am Indonesia Time after breakfast to Batam Centre Pier to board 10.30am ferry back to Stulang Laut. Have early dinner at Chinese restaurant in Yong Peng, Johor on the way back to KL. 

The traffic though heavier but was moving.  We safely arrived back to our office to collect our car parked there.

Overall, a fun trip which everyone enjoyed and good time for colleagues bonding.

Bangkok free and easy

No itinerary planned for this June  2025 trip as we have been to Bangkok numerous times.

Gotta clear my RCI points and hardly you can find Anantara Riverside Bangkok available. I have paid SGD236, was charged RM797.08 for my seven (7) nights stay there.  Flight through Batik Air where it cost RM482 per ticket is a good deal.

Not sure what to expect, upon arrival at Don Meung airport, we took grab to the hotel and was allocated room at their 3rd floor (anantara vacation club rooms). There is tea break provided at the same floor at 3 - 5 pm with 2 types of drinks, 2 types of cookies and 2 types of finger food (mini bagel with shrimp, smoked salmon, tuna sandwhich, ham & cheese sandwich).

Anantara also provide complimentary boat shuttle to Sathorn Pier which is few minutes walk Saphan Taksin BTS, Icon Siam, Rivercity so is actually quite convenient.  There is a covered walkway to Riverside Plaza where you can have your meals, massage, snacks, shopping. 

With so many times waiting for shuttle boat, is quite serene looking at the boats passed by at Chao Phraya River. 

Day 1 (Plaza Riverside)

Lunch at Bangkok Bold after hotel check in, their som tam is fragrant with very fresh lime, tomyum was good too and we had Koong Ob Woonsen as well. Total bill THB650.

Dinner we had simple pizza (THB238) to share. We had rum and raisin ice cream at Swenzen (THB69) 

Fare from Don Meung airport to hotel THB564 (Fare THB408, Toll THB140, Foreign payment fee THB16)

Day 2 (Chatuchak)

Saphan Taksin BTS to Siam BTS, change Sukhumvit line and stop at Mo Chits BTS, walk few minutes to Chatuchak.  Good that the morning rain and the day is very comfortable to explore that huge area. Plenty from pets, plants, clothing, food, souvenirs, massage. Had brunch in that area cost us THB300 only.

Dinner was kar moo (braised pork knuckles rice) THB325.

Day 3 (Chinatown)

We took hotel complimentary boat ride then another public boat ride to Chinatown.  Each had small bowl of fishball noodle soup (THB212). Then we tried the tiny Siew Mai (steam pork dumpling) sold by old uncle using a cart. 6 pieces for THB21.  Dessert at Nam Doa Huu THB210 with 3 Pattongo (THB20), if you need kaya add on THB25.  After Chinatown, we alight to Icon Siam.  Had Pang Cha tea there (THB200).  Back to hotel for a rest before we head out later to sister's condo at Lao Prat via BTS & MRT then hop onto their car.  Dinner we had with my younger sister, her husband and his family (parents and sister) at Niitaya Kai Yang Nawamin branch closer to the parents' house. Quite a few years we last met his parents in Bangkok.

Day 4  

We met up with sister after her lunch appointment at Central Embassy. Took BTS to Phloenchit. We had brunch at the food court for their crispy osyter omelette (THB190), had a stroll, bought some souvenirs, then for some dessert (THB406) before back to her condo for dinner with my another sister who was coincident in Bangkok to visit her daughter/my niece.  Dinner was just next to the condo (THB600).

Day 5

We explore Thalat Phlu food  market as recommended by my Bangkok sister. Grab from hotel to that area was THB100. Had the delicious Tongleng fish ball noodle THB180. Lunch at Tek Heng Michelin Bib Gourmand for its Crispy Rice Noodle and Fish Maw soup THB415. Bought the dumpling (THB65) and Tako THB36 at Khanom Wan Talat Phlu on Soi Thoet Thai 25 back to hotel. Evening we went to Asiatqiue then stop at Icon Siam  before taking grab (THB92) Bangkok Chim Chun for dinner (THB598).  The boss was friendly and we chatted a while about some chinese immigrants history as his father was from China. Grab back to hotel cost THB140. 

Thalat Phlu is the area of shooting the movie How to make million before grandma dies.

Day 6

Hubby suggested grab (THB230) to Thon Buri, quite a huge area selling live seafood, vegetables, clothing, lots of street food.   We had river prawn, osyter, crab, squid cost us THB1300. Massage at Tonsakpakkai for 2 pax THB1020, hubby 2 hours, myself 1 hour). After massage, we had noodles, banana fritters, sweet potato ball  before heading back to hotel. 

Day 7 

Went to Peppery Thai Bistro Icon Siam for brunch (THB824), tried their delicious curry crab. Met sister and her husband for dinner at CentralWorld. 

Day 8

Grab to airport (THB477 + Toll THB50) for our flight home via Batik Air.  Glad that it was on time.  Hubby's dragon pass managed to get us access lounge and he was able to bring a companion. More of thai food again before boarding.

Back home we still miss Thai food and had our dinner at Thai Restaurant next day. LOL.

Our Journey to Nature Retreat

It has always been my spouse's dream of homestay business.  This opportunity came when a few of my sibblings wish to retire on their own land, doing some farming and self sustain during retirement.  We traveled to KKB, Sungkai, Karak to explore the land available.  Finally we settled with Valley @ Bentong together with my brother who bought the same area.

We explored a few names and finally came up with La'Vista.

Lets read his version of story:

La Vista Nature Retreat 🏡 

@ The Valley 🎄

Meaning of La'Vista~The sight/the view in Italian. 

 

 

Most retirees are bored with ‘too much free time’ so they are…

… starting businesses for fun and extra income. 

After the novelty of retirement is over…

… and after taking all the trips and relaxation they need…

… retirees who have been busy a big part of their lives are now feeling…

 

😕 Bored and not stimulated

😕 Cooped up

😕 Unproductive

 

So comes the time to..

Reside   |   Retire   |   Relax

 

Time to turn a hobby into a small  business is a great way to earn some extra money - while having a good time.😃

This is how the idea of La' Vista Nature Retreat @The Valley came across. Getting this small plot of land overlooking The Valley and Titiwangsa mountains range with daily fresh breezy environments. 

 

The journey begins when my spouse and I decide to get a small plot of land in this quiet little town of Karak just an hour slow drive from the bustling city for our retirement. 

Returning to nature's embrace among the emerald glades where the air is fresh and crisp. Enjoy our golden years in a neighborhood gifted with rain forest's tranquility and the nourishment of earth and soil in the surrounding pastures. 

We made countless trips to this little town meeting up with property agents looking for a small manageable plot of land. Going in and out of every plot of land available for sale. Some that need a 4wd to access into the deep jungles looking for the plot that suits us until we spotted Lot 705 @ The Valley. Going into retirement age where our earnings is limited we need to make the right choice. After months of scouting around we have finally decided The Valley but with 138 lots of divided uncleared lands in Phase 2 to choose from is not an easy task. We repeated our scouting again but this time is within the vicinity of The Valley. Going in and out countless time to get the real feel of this area. Coming here in the wee morning waiting for the sun rise and looking for the piece with lots of morning mist. In the afternoon to be sure that it's not scoring hot and in the evening looking for the sunset view is not an easy task. Until we stop at plot no 705 he has this strong feeling that this plot suit our requirements. Just manage to glance through the thick uncleared plot i just fell in love for the view overlooking the valley and mountains. After having a deep thought we finally decided to embark on next adventure here. 

 

 

We had enjoyed pumpkin, hog plum, Roselle for the start while waiting for other fruit trees to grow,. Now we having lots of vitamin from passion fruits.  

Building a house took us a long time as the contractor is busy with other projects in the same area.  Finally in August 2024, all is finally done. Then we still need to think of what else to beautify the area and it still continues.  

Till February 2025 while we still celebrating Chinese New Year and had not much time to overnight so we can complete whatever task needed there.  We were busy too when my father was admitted since end November and then passed on 2 January 2025. So lthe plan to stay over halted.

Finally we have the curtain for first room, had our fridge in before we started to plan our sleep over.

First time we overnight on 3 May 2025 with elder son, nephew, his wife and daughter. With help from elder son, he set up the big camping tent which we intended to put as permanent that fit for 3 to 4 people.

We slowly improve the place with necessities for the small pantry area. With the place ready for overnight, we now usually travel down Friday evening and thus have enough time to look after the fruits trees, discussion with contractor etc on Saturday morning and leave by noon or late afternoon.

Before that we usually leave from home 6-7am, be in karak an hour later for breakfast and then start our routine and left by 1 pm. 

We have now decided only to rent out the empty land for camping but not in a hurry to do so as we realised by 9am is already hot, so we have just planted a few trees.

Hubby is always waiting for weekend as this is his favorite second home.

Childhood Dream

His childhood dream came true...

Since childhood, I often found myself captivated by the beauty of nature. The gentle rustling of leaves, the vibrant colors of blooming flowers, the fragrance of ripe fruits , the chirping sounds of birds and the misty fresh morning breeze were a constant source of inspiration for me. 

My childhood dream is simple; to own a small plot of orchard land with a small farm house on top of a hill. Little did I know that this dream would eventually came through when one day my wife's siblings planning to look for land away from the bustling life of the city. Since it's weekend we followed them along until we stop by this plot at Lot 705 The Valley, Karak.

Growing up as a kampung (village) boy I would cycled and spent hours wandering in the rubber plantations, swimming in the cold crystal clear stream that flow across the rubber plantations, admiring the way the sunlight filtered through the leaves while we swam. The experience of picking ripe mangoes and guava straight from the branches felt magical.

I fantasized about having my own orchard, a personal sanctuary where I could cultivate fruits and share the harvest with friends and family. This vision was not merely about farming; it was about creating a space filled with joy and connection to nature.

As the years passed, I remained steadfast in my dream. I like plants, animals and farming. I learned about sustainable farming practices through the Internet, added knowledge to my passion and helped me visualize the orchard that I dream of. 

During one of the outing scouting for land near Karak, my heart raced with excitement when we reached a hillside piece of uncleared land. After months of searching, I finally stumbled upon this idyllic plot that perfectly matched my vision. It was a small 1.1acres plot to be exact, sun-kissed hill overlooking the Titiwangsa range surrounded by trees and boasting fertile soil. Also a small natural spring water pond at the edge of this land.  I could almost see my hopes flourishing. I knew that I had found the place where my dream would come to life.

With determination and a clear purpose, I purchased the land and planned according to my dream. The journey was not without its challenges. My wife and I spent countless hours planning with the contractors clearing the land according to my plans, understanding the unique personality of my hillside land, build my little farm house and planting fruits saplings. I faced the unpredictability of weather, pests, and other obstacles that tested my solving skill. Yet, each setback only strengthened and deepened my commitment to nurturing this dream.

This year 2025 is going into the third year, my little plot started to transform into a orchard of my dream. All the fruits trees grew sturdy.  I embraced the rhythms of nature. Looking forwards for years to come during fruits seasons I can share the bounty of my dream together with families and friends. The orchard became a sanctuary, a place for reflection and connection not only with nature but with those dear to me.

Owning this orchard on a hillside was more than just fulfilling my childhood dream; it has fostered a deeper appreciation for the environment and a commitment to sustainable living. My childhood dream of owning a small orchard with a small farm house on a hilltop has blossomed into a reality that I am cherishing deeply. It is a reminder of the importance of perseverance, passion, and connection to nature. My orchard stands not only as a testament to my childhood aspirations but also to the beautiful journey of growth and fulfillment that comes when we dare to dream. I look forward to nurturing it for many more years to come, continuing to create memories that will last a lifetime amidst the serene beauty of the hills.