Celebrating New Year 2013

Kicked start the new year with fireworks display at Desa Park City on the strike of the midnight of new year eve and wishing everyone "Happy New Year!", such a wonderful way of welcoming the new year.

The morning of new year, we had pot luck at Taman Jaya Park, Petaling Jaya at 8.30 am with hubby's aunties, uncles, cousins. It was hard to wake up early since we slept at 1.30 am.  Family ties are important so my hubby always ensured our presence in such gathering.

Guessed what, right after we reached home, both of us slept the whole afternoon.  However by 5 pm we were on our way to One Utama after realizing that the next day 2 January 2013 would be the start of school.  We still want to enjoy to the last moment, we window shop and had our dinner at Genki Sushi.

How wonderful if the day was longer!

Bali - Magical Island

We were doubtful each time we wanted to visit Bali as it had been bombed twice in 2002 and 2005. Everyone who visited Bali would say wonderful place. So we finally visited Bali in November 2011 on a 5 days 4 nights free and easy tour.

We were picked up from Denpasar airport by a driver arranged by Tjok Bagus, recommended by one of my Jakarta friend who studied in Bali. And was brought to check in to our Kuta Seaview Boutique Resort & Spa  booked through hotelclub.com.  The beach is just opposite the hotel. It was a relaxing day.
 


Hard Rock Cafe at Jalan Pantai Kuta

The next morning, our driver, Pak Gedek came to pick us for sightseeing.  We stopped at Bagli-Bali for Luwak Coffee which cost Rp60k and Male Coffee Rp30k.  The rental car which came with driver cost Rp275,000 per day.

Coffee

Then we went to Pura Bersakih, the mother temple, entrance fee was Rp50,000. You need to wear a sarong to be able to enter the temple.


Pura Besakih, the mother Temple

Later we had our lunch at Batur Sari Restaurant while enjoying the view of Batur Volcano and panorama of the biggest lake view.

Volcano

On the second day, we went to Tanah Lot, entrance fees cost Rp35,000.

Tanah LotTemple that stand on huge rock in the ocean

We also went to GWK (Garuda Wisnu Kencana) Statue, highest in the world and Dreamland beach, a beautiful white sandy beach.

At Uluwatu, holy temple in southern part of Bali we watched Kecak and Fire Dance with beautiful sunset. Tickets for 4 pax to watch the dance cost Rp280,000.



Indian Ocean Spectacular View from Uluwatu



Kecak Dance

Then we went to Jimbaran, famous for its fresh grill seafood, sitting by the beach.  The food here at Aroma Restaurant was excellent.




Grill Seafood dinner at Aroma, Jimbaran Bay

A day before we suppose to leave for home, we enjoyed our day in the hotel and the beach.  My both kids had went for Surfing lesson RP400,000 for 2 person.

We also went shopping at Quick Silver situated at Legian Street, the place where bombing took place in 2002 and visited the Memorial Monument.

Dont forget to try the Babi Guling or Suckling Pig, the famous balinese food.

Bali to me, a magical island as it attracts lots of visitors all over the world especially Australia.













Mom - the pillar of strength

This article is dedicated to my late mother in law who passed away on 26 February 2003 due to advanced carcinoma at the age of 64.

She was suffering from skin cancer diagnosed in June 2002 before she passed away 8 months later, admitted to few hospitals several times and had gone through radiotherapy in Subang Medical Centre.

It was heartbreaking to see her suffering, being a kind and generous person, a good wife, a great mom and granny looking after all her 6 grandsons. His only son, my husband had lost weight tremendously as he was running around, juggling between work and taking his mom to hospital.  It was all upside down as my mom in law was the one who cooked for the family (his three children, 2 daughters and 1 son and their families). My sons were just 6 and 3 years old.  I was working and was not able to take leave all the time.

We actually intended only to get a maid when our bigger house was ready to move in as we were staying with my parents in law in a smaller house.  We had no choice but to quickly get a maid in to look after her and my kids.

Since her passing, his only son had been going the pagoda to pray her every week or at least once a month.  It was a year later that he could at least let go his sadness being very close to his mother.

Till now, we still miss her though 11 years had passed.

My advice, do love your mom dearly when she is still around.

Magnificent View of Halong Bay

It was quite last minute planning as elder son, Sher in SPM year.  So we have actually put all travels/holidays on hold.

My hubby saw the advertisement in newspaper and quickly told me to call up the travel agent regarding Hanoi.  So we were actually the final 5 pax for our group departure during  Raya public holidays.  We departed on 8 August 2013 via Vietnam Airlines.

Ours was 5 days 4 nights Hanoi/Halong Bay/Tam Coc/Van Phuc + overnight on chartered cruise.

Hanoi or Thang Long "ascending dragon" is the Vietnamese capital.  A charming city with old quarter monuments and colonial architecture surrounded by lakes.

Our flight reached airport late night and off we went to the yummylicious Vietnam signature noodle soup before we were checked into our Hotel Crowne Plaza West Hanoi.

The next day we went to Tam Coc - known for Halong Bay on land. We climbed onto the tiny boat for a peaceful river cruise, rowing through a series of interlink caves which was quite a thrill.  We had lunch at a restaurant nearby. And then continued with Bich Dong - standing on the highest temple, you could view the fields and mountain of Tam Coc, State Theater Opera House and Trans Quoc Pagoda.

Rowing boat with legs!

Day 3 we visited Ba Dinh Square - famous square where Ho Chi Minh read the proclamation of independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & Residence, Temple of Literature - Vietnam first university was here and One Pillar Pagoda - a historic Buddhist temple.

We then proceeded to Hon Gai Harbour for our 2 days 1 night cruise at Halong Bay. We had our buffet lunch on  board the Pelican cruise. After lunch, we were given our room key.  Great view from our cabin. I could not take my eyes off the view sitting by the window.

At 3 pm, we took a smaller boat to Halong Bay's most famous and one of the largest stalactite cave (Sung Sot Cave) enjoying the unique natural rocks inside the cave. By 6 pm we anchoraged at Tip Top island for a swim.  Dinner was served on cruise.

Before dinner, a small activity was organized where the staff on board taught us how to make Vietnamese Spring roll. We had the spring rolls there and then.  After dinner, you can either choose to watch movie but tell you the television set is so small, enjoy the wind and scenery or go for squid fishing.

 

 

Spectacular views from our room

 

Our room on board Pelican cruise

The next morning we woke up early for tai chi exercise prior to our buffet breakfast. After meal, we explored Luan Cave using rowing boat. We took lots of photo before disembarked back to Hanoi.

Cruising through back to pier

Nighs squid fishing

 

All meals served on the cruise were good.  I have no complaint. In fact all the meals served for this tour were all good.

We went to Hoan Kiem Lake, shopping at 36 Ancient Street and watched water puppet show before our buffet dinner at a large restaurant and we were really hungry by then time we reached the restaurant and buffet is the perfect choice!

Luan Cave

It was indeed a relaxing trip and the most memorable was the magnificent view of Halong Bay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold Coast, Australia

Our very first accommodation through RCI vacation.

Ideally located  at central of Gold Coast, Wyndham Surfers Paradise Resort was a lovely place to stay. Only 5 minutes walk to Surfers Paradise Beach.  The Sky Point, located just opposite, a walking distance.  Besides the Resort, there was a chinese restaurant.  Opposite the building, you could see the groceries shop, ice cream cafe and Alfresco Italian Restaurant. 

We had our itinerary prepared by Sammi Low, a lovely and helpful lady of PNL Travel an expert of Australia tour.  She arranged all our admission tickets and booking at O'Reilly Rainforest Resort.

We took Air Asia being a cheaper choice and direct flight, departed Kuala Lumpur on 24 May 2012 at 2125 hours arriving on 25 May 2012 at 0725 hrs.  Picked up our car from Avis Car Rental at the airport and off we went to for breakfast at Point Danger. After we checked into our resort, we had a good rest for the day.  Dinner was at Alfresco Italian Restaurant which I would rate it 8/10.

Point Danger

26 May 2012, the very next morning, we left our resort early to go for Tweed Endeavour Cruise located at Pioneer Park Kennedy Drive Tweed Heads.  We need to arrive at pier 15 minutes before cruise depart at 0900 hours.  GPS was set to Maritime Museum Park Kennedy Drive Tweed Heads.  We enjoyed the cruise, went for yabbies' and crab catching, not forgetting fishing on boat as well. It was such a wonderful morning enjoying ourselves. Lunch was served with fresh seafood cooked on board.  

After the cruise, we proceeded to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary where we could cuddle the koalas, feed the kangaroos, watch the sheep shearing and my two sons enjoyed themselves on the giant flying fox.

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Catching Yabbies

Adventurous

Koala

27 May 2012, we drove an hour drive south of Gold Coast, approximately 90km, perfect for a day trip to Byron Bay for its Sunday market, had lunch at Fish Head Restaurant, famous for its fish and chips and visited Byron Bay beach and its beautiful Cape Byron lighthouse which was built in 1901.  Cape Bryon is the most easterly point of the Australian mainland.
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Light House at Byron

28 May 2012, we went up to Sky Point first thing in the morning, spectacular 360 degree view from the observation deck located on the 77^th Floor.  We spent about 2 hours there before we drove to Dream World, Australia biggest themed park for family fun, thrill rides, entertainment and shows.   

View from SkyPoint

Exciting rides at Dream World

 
 



29 May 2012, we drove to O'Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat situated at Lamington National Park.. The 69 km journey approximately took us 1 hour 20 mins.  En-route, we stopped at Mount Tamborine Skywalk, explored its beautiful rainforest canopies and also had wine tasting at Mount Nathan Winery, where we bought two bottles of wine, had lunch at a North Indian cuisine at Mount Tamborine. Till now, we still miss the food at that restaurant but I couldn’t recall its name.   
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Great wines here at Mount Nathan Winery

We were worried as we went into a forest but no sign of the resort and it was deeper into the rainforest.  We were served afternoon tea upon arrival with some pastries and scones.  We checked into our Mountain View Room which inclusive of breakfast.  Later after dinner, we went for guided glow worm tour. The next day we encountered lots of colorful birds there and you may go for guided early morning walk. 

Birds everywhere!

The next morning, birds flew to our balcony and my kids were busy feeding the birds.  We also we encountered the beautiful sights of plenty colourful birds near the reception area.  You may also go for guided early morning walk on the walking trails, enjoying the breath-taking views and fresh mountain air. 

30 May 2012, as we only booked a night, we left O Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat with a heavy heart and hope to return one day with longer stay. After checking out, we did not travel back to Gold Coast; instead we drove to Brisbane, exploring this capital city of Queensland which took us about an hour drive there.   We tried out the Wasdee Thai Restaurant at Surfers Paradise Blvd for dinner that night, I rated it 5/10.

Brisbane

            


31 May 2012, on our last day we went to Sea World, a marine mammal park, oceanarium and theme park enjoying the various shows and having a great time there. On the way back to our resort, we dropped by Harbour town for groceries shopping to cook our own dinner.

Enjoying various shows at Sea World

1 June 2012,  our flight home via Air Asia departed Gold Coast at 0900 hours. Overall, a great self-drive experienced exploring Gold Coast and enjoying ourselves tremendously over the 8 days 7 nights there!  Gold Coast is indeed a recommended place for family fun.

The places we explored

On another notes, the fuel here was AUD1.519 for unleaded 91.