Heaps of Fun on Star Cruise Libra

Spending Christmas on board...what a wonderful way of celebrating Christmas by sailing away with Star Cruise Libra, world class floating resort in the high seas for 4 days 3 nights Penang/Phuket/Krabi/Penang, breezes through the exotic paradises of Andaman Sea. 

The day started early on the Sunday, 23 December 2012 where we assembled at Berjaya Times Square entrance for our coach to depart for Penang.  The coach departed at 7.30 am sharp,  two hours later, we stopped for an half hour break at Tapah Rest Area.  By 1 pm we were already at the Swettenhem Pier ready to board the cruise.

Christmas Party...danced the night away

Everything was so systematically arranged. Just present your booking confirmation and passport, you will be given an access card readily printed with your name and cabin number and assembly point in case of emergency.  As you board, you were welcome with a band from Philippine, H2O with songs sung by lovely female singer.  There were even passengers dancing away with the singer, can you imagine how fun it was!

Luggage and hand carry bags were scanned before you were allowed to proceed to your cabin.  No worry of missing out  lunch as after you boarded, hi-tea was served from 1 - 4 pm at all their three (3) restaurants namely Four Season (Western), Ocean Paradise (Chinese) and Mariners (International buffet).

Few types of cabin that you can booked totally up to your preference and of course your budget from executive suite, junior suite, deluxe oceanview stateroom, oceanview stateroom with window, oceanview stateroom with porthole to inside stateroom.  We opted the oceanview stateroom with window and our cabin was located at deck 4. 

Impressive facilities which includes fitness centre, golf driving range, pool with hot tub jacuzzi, sport decks, internet cafe, beauty saloon, photo gallery, Ports O' Call etc, 4 meals a day sumptuous dining at restaurants, snack away at lounge and bar and not forgetting five star entertainment at Skyline KTV, Boomer Disco, Stardust Lounge and Star Club 3, last but not least, the casino.

Children could enjoyed themselves with the lined up Nickelodeon at Sea Activities or have fun at the Child Care Centre. 

Most of the crew on board were from Philippine, China and handful from Malaysia.  The ship sailed away at 5 pm and announcement was made for you to proceed for safety drill.  There was Sail away party with Nickelodeon characters such as Dora, Nick Splash Mob and others and we were entertained by cruise entertainers and local Malaysia Starlight lounge singers with Chinese Hits and H20 band with English numbers.  


The first night on board, we had BBQ dinner by the pool at deck 9.  Right after dinner, we  proceeded to Stardust lounge for performance by the H20 show band from Europe with their Top Rock of the 80s.  The host, Godie was such a talented entertainer as he could even sing, dance and entertained us with hilarious jokes.

The male cruise entertainer even performed as lady boy during the bingo session and paraded as beauty pageant contestant which made the spectators laughed till they nearly dropped off their seats. If you wished to have a naughty nite, you may buy ticket which cost you RM220.00 for  LOL and Show Girls...sexy adult show for age 18 and above which will be performed after midnight. 

If you are those that do not like party, you may unwind yourself by having a sauna or massage at the fitness centre or simply enjoy the relaxed sailing.

We docked at Phuket at 12 noon the next day, 24 December 2012 and those who booked for tours and shows or even those wanted to be on free and easy could have fun in Phuket before the ship sailed away at 12 midnight the same day.  We had our shopping at Robinson in Phuket and Patong beach for half of the day.  

We were all ready for the Christmas eve party after dinner as we were entertained by top show production by cruise entertainers and also H20 show band.  More fun at the pool deck where we partying away with performances by various staff of various departments on board.  The captain and his management team were there to join in the fun and toast for a Merry Christmas.

As we reached Krabi on our 3rd day at 10 am, we embarked on Krabi Adventures where we visited the Snake Farm, a very good show indeed with monkey show as well, Giant Catfish Farm which i personally did not quite enjoy followed by a lunch served at local Thai restaurant with final destination Tiger Cave Temple.  

As today was Christmas day, we have already booked for Gala Evening dinner which was 2nd seating at Four Season.  As soon we were back to our ship, we had our bath before we proceeded to Pre- Gala Cocktail Party at Stardust Lounge where we danced away with the Captain and his crew followed by 1st Gala Showtime: Christmas Wish by the Europe performers.  

Thereafter, we were entertained with Hollywood to Bollywood Party with Godie.  The 5 males were picked among the audiences to dance the bollywood style whereas 5 females were picked to catwalk sexily.  The winner for each session received a medal.  

We then proceeded to Four Season for  Gala Dinner with the Captain and do make sure there was dress code which you need to adhered.  Elegant or smart casual wear was highly recommended. Shorts, bermudas, slippers were definitely not allowed.    During the dinner we were entertained by the waiter and waitresses with their dance.  As for the meal, it was superb! We were served 4 course meal i.e. appetizer, soup, main course and dessert.  By the way, you have a choice of gala dinner at Ocean Palace if you preferred Chinese cuisine.

More partying at the deck as we enjoyed the last get together Fiesta De Libra Farewell party with the  fun-bunch Cruise Entertainment Team and hotel representatives after the dinner besides live disco music with H20 Show Band till 1 am.    If that was not enough, you can watch movie or try your luck at the casino.

I had great time at the highest deck 10 where it was so windy as we were sailing on the Andaman Sea towards back to Penang.
 
The next morning, though with heavy hearts i packed all my luggage as we need to disembark by 12 noon. We were required to settle all our outstanding bills which we charged to our cabin access card and then collect our passport before we bid sayonara.

Sunset View

Welcome Onboard

                                                               
                                                   
                                                                
                                                      

Gala Meal for Christmas day

                                                                                                      

Dilemma - Working mom vs Stay at home mom

There is no right answer whether you should work or you should stay at home to look after your family.

Lots of working couple out there as you need income to survive thus leaving the children to either with stayed in maid or child care centre.  You are lucky if you have your mother or mother in law to look after your kids.  Is always not a good idea to leave your younger kids with the maid or child care centre.

I have been working like for more than 20 years when my indonesian maid of 5 years decided to leave for good, i was indecisive whether i should quit and be a homemaker.  Finally, my decision was made and a first few months of course i was not use to being at home, doing the cooking, ferrying the kids to school and other classes or activities.   Soon i got used to it and when it came to school holidays, i could even feel that it was that enjoyable as I did not need to rush for lunch to prepare my son for school.

When i went for holidays, it was really a vacation as I used to rush my tasks in the office before I break for holiday and then the stress level when you were back from holiday, the piles of works and emails that you need to read through.  

But bear in mind, if you choose to be homemaker, you will need to sacrifice your desires for branded stuff, fine dining unless of course your husband could afford that.

So far so good, lets see how it goes.  Maybe one day, i will go back to working world.

I have indeed been practising my cooking and glad that I have gained confidence in making dishes used to be prepared by my late mother in law.

 

 

Visit to Ancient Civilization of Egypt

An unexpected reward for a 6 days 5 nights trip to Cairo, Egypt.

I was among the 21 employees selected into our Company Top Performers Club (TPC) in 2008.  It was an reward given to employee  and spouse (if you were married). Due to my husband was on planned business trip, i went on the trip with my two sons and forked out the extra tour cost for third person.

 

Flying via Emirates for the first time, our group left on the 0055 hours flight on 29 May 2008 and reached the award winning Dubai airport early in the next morning.  After breakfast, were were on half day Dubai city tour since our transit flight to Cairo will only be 10 hours later.  A beautiful clean city with lots of landscapes.

When we reached Cairo International airport, we were tired and all I looked forward was a warm shower and cosy bed as we checked into Cataract Hotel.

The next morning, we visited Egyptian Museum, Pyramids, the Sphinx and Valley Temple at the Giza Plateau.  We were disappointing as tickets to Great Pyramids was sold out as daily ticket was limited and controlled.  We went on to explore the smaller pyramid which was narrow and steep.

Next we were at Center El Bazaar to purchase papyrus and khartoush pendants where name could be engraved in hieroglyphic (ancient Egyptian) alphabet.  We also visited the essence factory which produced all kinds of branded perfume.

By evening, we boarded the 5-star Nile Cruise enjoying the buffet dinner and performances especially the belly dance.

On the 3rd day, we were on our way to Alexandria, approximately 3 hours from Cairo to visit the King Farouk's Palace and Montazah Gardens.  Next we were at Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a library which has eight million books.  The complex also has a three museums, four art galleries, a planetarium and a manuscript restorations laboratory.  Then we drove back to Cairo for dinner at a poolside restaurant.

On the day 4, we visited the Citadel of Salah al-Din, Mohammed Ali Pasha Mosque.  Then we went on 2 hour shopping at Khan Al-Khalili bazaar.  Dinner was at Chinese Peking Restaurant with an Egyptian flavour.

Day 5 we drove to El Fayoum, only an hour away from Cairo.  Fayoum means "The Sea" which refers to large inland Lake Qaroun.   We visited the Seven Water Wheels and Lake Qaroun.  That night we went to Sound and Light Show at the Great Pyramid.

On the final day, some of us requested for another trip to the Giza in the morning and we managed to got hold of the tickets and entered the Great Pyramid.  We also had our camel ride.  Lunch was at Malaysia Hall before we bid our goodbyes.  We touched down at KLIA at 1415 hours on 4 June 2008.

Inside Pyramid

                                                              

First time camel ride

                                                                

Sphinx

                                                              

Nile Cruise

                                                                  
                                                               

Mohammed Ali Pasha Mosque

                                                            

Koh Samui Free & Easy

On 20 August 2012 which was during school holidays, we were on Bangkok Airways, Asia's Boutique Airline to Koh Samui, an one and hour flight from KL International Airport.  

Bangkok Airways was the first private owned airline established in Thailand since 1968 with boutique services, lounge and meal providing full service onboard.  They were the only airline in Asia voted by Skytrax as Best Regional Airline for six consecutive years from 2004-2009.

First time we flew on Bangkok Airways, this airline is convenient as you fly direct to Koh Samui.

Koh means island in Thai language.  Samui as locally known is the 2nd largest island after Phuket, located near to mainland town of Surat Thani.  Our flight was directly to Samui airport, a private owned airport of Bangkok Airways.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by our tour guide and proceeded with city tour: Stranger Rock - Grandfather and Grandmother Rock, Big Buddha and Waterfall.  Then we were brought to a restaurant which patronized by local Thai.  The Som Tham (papaya salad) was excellent and not to mention all other dishes recommended by our tour guide.  After lunch, we checked into our hotel, Chaweng Cove Resotel which was situated at the white sandy beach.

Big Buddha

Grandfather rock!

                     

We were then free on our own leisure.  We roamed the town at night and went on to a seafood restaurant which we patronized 2 days in a row.

On the 2nd day, we went by speed boat heading out to the island of Angthong National Park which consists of 42 islands for snokerling and kayak including of lunch.  The sea was rough and I threw out twice.  The best part after i threw out once at the first island, there gone all my breakfast and as we reached the second island i had my lunch.  As i reached the shore, I threw out again and my stomach went empty again!

On the 3rd day, we went for KTV, the right activity to for my teenage sons. We had ice cream at Swensen where we indulged in our all time favourite rum and raisin in the evening.

While waiting for our flight home, were helped ourselves with some snack and coffee served complimentary by Bangkok Airways.

Clean sandy beach at Chaweng

Artistic!

Yum crepe for supper

                                                

Hiking at Bukit Tabur, Melawati

It was tough but we made it! 

On the morning of 18 November 2012, we went on our first hiking trip at Bukit Tabur, Melawati.  A group of ten,  the youngest, my pretty niece, En - she was 8 years old.

It took us 4 hours to went up and came down back to the point we started.  But the view was magnificent.   Lots of rock climbing, up and down cliff all the way. We started at 6 am and managed to see the beautiful of sunrise. We were lucky to have my cousin, Ping who used to hike Bukit Tabur both east and west to guide us all the way. 

I strongly suggest you hike with an experienced hiker as there were at least 8 cases ended in mishaps. But nevertheless, breathtaking view here.

Narrow & Steep

Dare to climb?

                                            

Waiting for sunrise

                                              

Hiking at Bukit Saga, Cheras

On 2 December 2012 which was our 22 years wedding anniversary, we marked the day with hiking at Bukit Saga located at Cheras region.

Bukit Saga and Bukit Apek is actually two different hills but met at a point in the forest reserve.

Due to muddy trail, it was difficult than what i had anticipated.  Many people mentioned that is easy peasy as lots of old folks used to climb daily but i guessed maybe they only reached the 3rd station.  We continue up to the top hill to 5th station and slopes down steeply into a small waterfall.

We enjoyed ourselves at the cooling water of the waterfall.

Wonderful feel surrounding by trees

 

                                              

Soak in the waterfall after a long hike

 

Is muddy!