Penang via ETS

First time using ETS KTM to Penang from Kuala Lumpur.  Hubby's niece who has resided in UK came back with her husband, daughter and daughter's boyfriend for 2 weeks, mainly is to attend wedding of her god brother.

She invited me and hubby, her aunt and uncle to join them to Penang via ETS.  She bought the train ticket online (RM88+RM101), booked hotel 2 nights stay RM957 and arranged van with driver RM1500.

We went on 28 August 2024 for 2 nights stay.  Our accommodation at Hotel Penaga which is a 3 bedrooms unit with living hall and 3 bathrooms for 8 persons. Poor girl and boyfriend need to sleep at living hall with no air condition.

We board at KL Sentral Platform B, boarding is 30 minutes prior to departure time.  Just show your scan your e-ticket. It depends on your preference whether you like sitting forward or backward.  We had Coach/Seat E/9A and E/9B which is sitting forward. And is getting cold inside train, suggest you have a light jacket with you.

Our train is from KL to Butterworth ETS9104 1140 hrs/1515 hrs but it was slightly delayed, we reached Butterworth at 1550 hrs.  Butterworth station only has one lift and walk up stairs, no escalator, so is better travel light.  We walked to ferry terminal, just use your touch n go card (RM2 per person) if you have one so you do not need to queue for ticket.  Ferry departs every 30 minutes.  We managed to board 4.30 pm ferry, u need to be at waiting hall 15 minutes before.  After we reached Penang, the van driver picked us and we went  Deen Maju Nasi Kandar, our meal since 9am breakfast at Peter's Noodle Brickfields.

After that, we proceed to Penang Hill. Tram ticket cost RM18 for adult, RM8 for senior citizen 60 years and above, RM30 for foreigner. It was my first time going up Penang Hill for night view.  Usually we went in the morning but it was years ago.

After Penang Hill, we went to Hub Me & You food court at Ayer Itam but most of the stalls already closed except for 3 stalls.

Day 2

After hotel breakfast, we went to Cecil Street Market for kueh, then tour Sleeping Budha temple at Burmah Road, Kek Lok Si, Chew Jetty, Armenian Street Art, Penang Street Cendol, bought some foodstuff as souvenir, nyonya lunch for the angmo  before we returned to hotel for a rest.  For us locals, we already had Assam Laksa while the angmo went to Kek Lok Si.  Driver came to fetch us about 7pm to New World Food Court, passed through Esplanade and back to hotel.

Day 3

10 am After breakfast, we were fetched by the driver to ferry terminal where we board ferry to Butterworth and then ETS 1305 hrs. We reached KL Sentral at about 1640 hrs.

We parted ways home using Grab service.

LKE Durian Fiesta at Manchis August 2024

Husband's cousin sister being investor in LKE Durian Investment Plan has invited us to join herself and her husband to Manchis, Betong, Pahang for Durian Buffet on Saturday 3 August 2024.

It took us directly from home to Manchis about 1 hour 45 minutes journey where we stopped at LKE Green Tech Farm to register and get our tag.  We were first brought to tour their LKE Hydroponic farm.  

And then transported to another area where briefing was given introduction about their company. The next speaker by their COO Mr Bronson Wee was about investment in 50 acres Project Sang Lee in Raub, Pahang.  

We also tour the area where you can see lots of durian trees planted.  We were then taken back to LKE Hydroponic Farm to have lunch and follow by 1 hour buffet durian before we leave for home.  

You can easily google for information of LKE and sharing here the investment returns presented by their COO whereby you were given 1 month to consider investing.  Unfortunately, we are not keen.

Pangkor Laut Resort

Have been eyeing for YTL Pangkor Laut Resort for a long time but since the package price to me is so costly, have been wondering is it worth going to that private island.

 

Someone in our group who has contact in YTL able to get good price for us but limit to only 10 rooms. Without thinking much, Yes, I quickly reserved my place! We checked in on 17 July 2024 Wednesday for a 2 nights stay. Majority in our group are retirees with the eldest 71 year old and the youngest 51 years old.  Only 6 pax in their 50s, one in 70s, all the others in their 60s. But the 'oldies' are young at heart.  First night, we were supposed to wear blue/white dress for ladies and blue/white attire for men.  As for second night, it was  Hawaiian theme outfit.

The sea area in front of the restaurant/villa area are not allowed to swim due to jelly fish.  So you gotta hike or take shuttle to the other side, Emerald Bay for swimming but the wave was strong for me being not a swimmer.

You may enjoy their games room, have reading in open library, watch a move in their screening room, book their karaoke room which close at 10pm, go for spa, 9am or 2 pm guided jungle trekking, fishing excursion, island hopping which has to prearranged or just relax and do nothing.

Two trails are available if you wanna hike, a refreshing 500meters short trek took about 30 minutes and you will be greeted by the sound of the waves/sea at Emerald Bay.  You may have your lunch at Chapman's Bar.  Love the sambal seafood platter that goes with rice there.

Feast Village is the nearest where you can have buffet breakfast, buffet lunch or set main course dinner.  Uncle Lim's Kitchen if you into Chinese food is only open for dinner. Fisherman Cove is adjacent to Spa Village is some sort of fine dining where dress code is smart casual. Royal Bay Beach Club is near the swimming pool are where you can have lunch/dinner.

Since 10 of the group are from Klang/Shah Alam and another 10 from Gombak, Kepong, Jalan Ipoh, Templers Park, the coach picked us at Mutiara Gombak at 7 am before heading to Klang where the others assembled follow by bah kut teh breakfast in Klang at Kedai Makanan Teck Seong located at Taman Intan. The coach is for 31 pax max so it was spacious and the row of seats are 1 and 2.

When we arrived Sitiawan, we had lunch at Bei King Restaurant where we ordered Fu Zhou Red Wine Mee Sua, Loh Mee and some other local delicacies. Personally I do not know how to appreciate the Mee Sua.  After the guys stocked up beers from Speed 99, we traveled to Marina Jetty and it took us about an hour for their office to process our information, scan our identification cards, gave us the luggage tag etc. while waiting just relax yourself with coffee/tea provided.

If you take package, the meals are all included with speed boat transfer which depart hourly. Each speed boat is only for 12 pax.  Once we arrived at the resort, briefing will be done and you  may book your preference for dinner venue. After check in into our room where the 20 of us were allocated Hill Villa, free and easy till dinner time.  Next morning after breakfast, we went for jungle trekking and a swim in Emerald Bay and lunch at Chapman's Bar.  Most of us went back by shuttle after swim for bath in their room and had their lunch at Royal Bay Beach Club. Dinner were at Uncle's Lim with more than 10 dishes served.  I personally prefer Uncle Lim than Feast Village for dinner.

Next morning after breakfast, free and easy till check out time 11 am but we managed to extend to 11.30am since lunch at Feast Village only starts at 12pm.  After lunch, we board speed boat at 1.30pm.  Speed boat takes about 15-20 minutes away.  Our coach has already arrived at Marina Jetty to pick us, went to Sitiawan for some local products before travel to Pasir Penambang for dinner before heading home.

We were dropped off at Mutiara Gombak before the coach head back to Klang which will be at least after 11 pm! Lucky next day is Saturday.

 

Team Building

The first team building we had for hubby's company held mid July 2024.  Due to some fund as it is compulsory to contribute to Human Resource Development Fund (HRDF), we utilised the fund for team building organize by Novas Academy.  

One of our employee's son in working in Novas Academy. So he arranged everything from accommodation, food,  team building, claim the fund from HRDF.  We just have to bring ourselves there, easy peasy.

Check in time is 3 pm into Sum Sum Garden at Janda Baik.  A place with 6 rooms on sharing basis with extra 2 rooms will be charged accordingly.  We were given 6 rooms as informed but on day before our trip, we were told that 7 rooms allocated.  Two bosses will have their own room.  Sum Sum is a place where normally booked for garden wedding.  As they have large hall and outside garden area.

Room 1  - 7 single beds

Room 2 - 3 single beds

Room 3 - 3 single Beds

Room 4 - 3 single beds

Room 5 - 4 single beds

Room 6 - 1 Queen bed attached bathroom

Room 7 -  4 single bed attached bathroom

Room 8 - 1 Queen 2 Single attached bathroom

Room 1 till Room 5 all on first floor with 3 bathrooms on sharing basis.  Room 6 near the pond area whereas Room 7 and 8 is on its own opposite the main building.

You may play Ping Pong, Mahjong, Carrom or enjoy yourself singing karaoke. Fridge, hair dryer, induction pot, cutleries , BBQ set, Coway water dispenser are provided.

Food catered 2 breaksfast, 2 lunch, 2 dinner (1 steamboat) by D Village View Restaurant located at Bukit Tinggit was delicious.

Friday, we had our own 1 pm lunch at Fantasy Valley Bukit Tinggi, checked in and had durians bought that morning from Karak. It was free and easy till dinner at Hong Heng Bukit Tinggi.  

Saturday 8am we had our breakfast and follow by 9am Team Building which ended before 5pm. It was so much fun.

Sunday 8am after breakfast, it was free and easy till we check out before 11am.

 

 

 

Betong, Thailand

A trip that mentioned by hubby for a long time which I am not too keen and never intend to plan for it. He visited with his friends maybe more than 15 years ago.

When his nephew is keen, there we go on this 4 days 3 nights trip. 6 adults 1 toddler (both of us with elder sister in law's family) where we stayed at Madi Homestay Betong booked by nephew's wife.  Madi homestay is just about 20 minutes from border.

Madi is a good choice, 3 rooms ensuite good for 6 pax with walking nearby to restaurant, 711 and Betong Boat Noodle.

We have a Betong town tour ended with night street food and dessert at Bualay Khun Aon (1-9pm).

8.15am left home

8.30am breakfast

9.20am started our journey

12pm Toilet break

12.15pm Good lunch Sun Kong Restaurant Lenggong, meal for 6 pax RM237.50. Love the homemade fish ball.

1.15pm Travel to Betong Immigration Checkpoint 

3pm Bought car insurance (RM35), clear custom

3.30pm (2.30pm Thai time) We already travel through Mongkonlit Tunnel to our homestay. 

5. 30 pm Thai Time we went out to buy sim card (THB200) and start our tour and had our dinner at Riverside Restaurant (signature dish/recommended : braised and fried pork trotter) 

Then continue with our tour and end our day with night market street food and dessert. 

Day 1

Betong Street Art, Betong Municipality Park (Sud Siam Park) Clock tower, Betong City Convention centre (World largest mailbox), Betong Mongkolit Tunnel, Chicken statue, night market near clock tower.

Dinner at Riverside Restaurant (4-8.30pm) THB1180 followed by Dessert at Bualay Khun Aon (1- 9pm) THB265. We ended having dessert at this place for next 2 nights. 

Day 2

Leave to fish maw soup and noodles at Betong Street Art for breakfast. Bought some alkaline Dumpling with red bean fillings that tasted so good, 10 for THB60.

Piyamit Tunnel, nearby if you are keen to visit Hotspring (5.30am-8pm(and WInter Flower Garden (8am-6pm).

Take note Piyamit Tunnel is about 40 minutes from town. Entrance fee is required. For 6 adults, we paid THB480. After visited Piyamit Tunnel & Millenium Tree, we left for Betong durian THB1035 before proceed to Betong Chicken Rice (6am-2.30 pm) THB970

Evening we went to BM Super Centre (7.30am - 8 pm) for some snacks shopping

Dinner at Krua Samui (THB830) follow by night market and  dessert again!

Day 3

We left from homestay atbout 4.30am, off we went about 50 minutes to Ayerweng Skywalk.

Try to plan your trip to reach before 6am for sunrise.  For sea of cloud will be clearer by 7am.

We parked our car, took the transport up to Ayerweng THB180. At entrance, buy ticket THB1200 and compulsory socks  THB180. We took the lift to level 6 for sunrise before going down to level 3 .

We had Roti Prata breakfast, then to Tae Pu Su Suspension bridge before ended  bbq talapia lunch at Noppadol Fishing Farm (Sat/Sun 10am-6pm), Fri (11am - 6pm). Only the fish is good. others are ok.

We went to Central Market (5am - 5pm) then Katong Wholesale.  Bought century egg in one of the shop near to Clock tower. It was so good.

Dinner at  Baan Kun Chay Thai Restaurant - they have open air seating. Food was great.

Day 4

We checked out and had our breakfast at Betong Boat Noodle which is nearby our homestay. Off we traveled smoothly home.

If you go to night market, look for mango sticky rice stall first stall on your right in you walk in from main road and the crispy butter stall, recommended to try.