Private Group Tour Danang

Both me and husband with a group of friends, all in 6 families with 19 pax headcount.  It was arranged by friend who knows Jacky of Jacky Vietnam Travel from his previous Hanoi trip.  Jacky arranged everything for us for the 5 days 4 nights tour from 5th till 8th July 2018. The timing was not right as it was summer, scorching hot weather with actual temperature highest 37 degree Celsius and night temperature about 28 degree Celsius.

We bought air ticket via Air Asia which fly direct to Danang for cost of RM1239.80 for 2 person.  Local full board tour with 3 nights stay at 5 star hotels cost us USD700 (RM2870 @ 4.1) for 2 person.  Total RM4,109.80 which comes up to RM2,054.90 per person for 5 days 4 nights tour inclusive tipping for guide and driver, all entrance fees and Mandarin speaking guide.

Bana Hill

Our flight arrived Vietnam time 12.05 pm, we were greeted by Jacky and Zheng our Danang tour guides.  As soon as got on the 44 seaters coach, we were provided with wet towel, mineral water and sweet Lychee. We then proceed to lunch at a Madame Lan Restaurant for noodles before continue our journey to Hoi An.  This restaurant was chosen since it is an air condition restaurant. We checked into Royal Hoi An Hotel located at Hoi An, just 5 minutes walking distance to Ancient Town. We had dinner at the restaurant facing riverside before we we sent back to hotel.  

The next day, we were taken to Cam Thanh Eco Tour and then checked into Hai An Beach Hotel facing the sea. This hotel is just 15 minutes away to airport.   It has taken too long for us to check in as the hotel was just opened to public on the same day i.e. 5 July 2018.  However, this is a beautiful hotel.

On the third day, after breakfast we proceeded to Bana Hill about 40 minutes from our hotel.  As it was school 3 months summer holiday, this place was packed with people and tour group. You have to go up the hill by cable car. We assembled at 3 pm to travel down the hill and then back to hotel for rest.  We were picked up at 7.30 pm for river dinner cruise at 8pm.

Our Full Itinerary: 

DAY  1 DANANG ARRIVAL 

Pick up from Danang airport to transfer to Hoi An to check in hotel.  On the way, stop at local restaurant for local noodles and coffee.

After check in hotel, had a rest before we walk about 5 - 10 minutes to Hoi An ancient town, Asian trading port in the 17th & 18th centuries such as Chinese Communal House, Hoi Kien Temple, ancient Tan Ky Merchants House, 400 years old Japanese bridge. The VND20,000 is blue and has a picture of this Japanese Covered Bridge of Hoi An on one side.

Dinner with Vietnamese set menu was served at local restaurant near the Ancient. town.  Free and easy for some shopping at their night market after dinner. As someone's birthday falls on tomorrow, at midnight, there was a small party with drinks, snacks and cake organized to celebrate the occasion.

DAY 2 HOI AN COOKING CLASS - ECO TOUR AT CAM THANH COCONUT JUNGLE VILLAGE

After breakfast in hotel, we check out at about 9 am.  We were dropped at a village explore the are with wood carving demonstration. Then by boat for another an hour journey, transfer to Cam Thanh Coconut Village by boat. We were given welcome drink and then we take the bamboo basket and learn how to catch crab.  There was an entertaining performance dancing to the Gangnam Style song on the bamboo basket.

After about 30 minutes ride, we were back to restaurant for cooking class. After the lesson, enjoy food that we have prepared.

About 1 pm we board bus to get back to Danang.  On the way, we visited Nuou stone village, Linh Ung Pagoda but we skipped Marble Mountain as it was too hot.

We checked in Haian Beach Hotel and have taken almost 45 minutes to an hour for check in as the rooms were not ready even it was almost 3pm check in time.  In the evening we were taken to a restaurant for buffet. After dinner, free to go around the hotel for some foodstuff shopping. 

DAY 3 BANA HILL 

9am pick up from hotel to Bana Hill which is about 40 minutes away.  Board the cable car to the top and then tram to explore Le Jardin D'Amour, Debay Wine Celar and ling Ung Pagoda.  Then continue second cable to car to visit the French village, enjoy street music, watch Art's statue, Campanile, Nine Floor Goddess Shrine, Tombstone Temple , Linh Phong Monastery.  Buffet lunch at local restaurant.  

After lunch, join in Fantasy Park with walking in fairy forest, discover dinosaur Park, enjoy 5D wild west, 4D death race ride, 3D mega 260 degree, ride on journey into underground, enter Jurassic Park etc.

3 pm return by cable car leaving Bana Hill. 4 pm visit to Lotte supermarket. Then back to hotel.

8 pm dinner on Dragon cruise. Enjoy Han river and weekend fire show at Danang dragon bridge.

DAY 4 DEPARTURE 

After breakfast, check out and proceed to Danang airport. Our luggage was heavier from the cashew nuts and Vietnam coffee.  Jacky was so sweet as he gave each family 2 boxes local food product, a cap and an embroidery drawing as souvenir.

Japanese Bridge at Ancient Town, Hoi An

Boat Ride

Dragon Bridge

Paradise Maldives

A place that is so relaxing, a wonderful place for honeymoon. Flight from Kuala Lumpur takes about 4 hours cost us RM1344 for 2 person.  Maldives is 3 hours behind us. Upon arrival we bought 7 days sim card at the airport from Dhiraguu which cost USD22. Our flight was on 18 January 2018 arrived late evening via Air Asia.

We have heard of how beautiful Maldives is and after much thought, why not as we were able to get reasonable accommodation through RCI Vacation club by just paying SGD168 (RM525) for 7 nights stay at Filitheyo Resort. If you book online, this resort will cost you RM6,700 for 7 nights stay. However, food is costly.  We paid daily half board meal (breakfast and dinner) for USD69 per person. And you have to pay for Green Fees at USD6 per person per day. 

As our flight via Air Asia arrived late night, we have to stay at White Harp Beach Hotel, Hulhumale which takes about 10 minutes from airport. They provided complimentary airport transfer for RM260 per night stay inclusive breakfast and wifi.  The next morning we were supposed to be transferred back to airport for us to check in for seaplane but their driver overslept and did not turn up.  As compensation, the hotel provided us with lunch and dealt with Filitheyo and to rearrange for transfer by seaplane.  We finally left the hotel by 3 pm to be transferred to airport to check in our flight via seaplane. We were on the last seaplane flying to Filitheyo.

Seaplane takes about 35 minutes follow by transfer to boat journey about 15 minutes to reach Filitheyo Resort.  Seaplane pricing differs depending on season.  The time we went was USD460 to and fro per person, the cheapest season.

Check in check out process was smooth for this 18 years old resort. Friendly and helpful staff from sales office, front desk, housekeeping to restaurant. International buffet was good with more of Asian/Maldivian cuisines on Thursday night.

You will find a gym, spa, library, swimming pool, main bar, sunset bar and on site dive center. We were booked into watervilla with private sundeck where you can slip right into the turquoise ocean into house reef with abundant of fishes and marine life. Stunning view of sunrise and sunset. We could see Mantra Ray, Dolphin, Shark and colorful fishes.

Basically, if you like quietness, this is a vacation for you where you just snorkel, dive, swim, relax, reading books, watching sunrise, sunset or just do nothing.

If your return seaplane to airport is early, a local guide can be arranged by front desk to take you on walking tour to Male which you need to pay USD1 per person per way for ferry ride 
from airport to Male. You just need to pay the local guide tipping.

Sea Plane

Villa by the sea

Mantra Ray

Self Drive Road Trip Beyond Melbourne

It was only 8 days 6 nights, not long enough for us to cover the places that we intended to.

We touched down Melbourne Tullamarine Airport at 8.20 am, proceeded to immigration and obtained our car rental from Apex, the cost was AUD677 for a Kia Carnival  We were instructed to call Apex once we have collected our luggage for them to shuttle us to their office about 15 minutes away.

We rented Kia Carnival for AUD677.78.  Our six luggage could fit in nicely into the car boot and off we go to Mornington Peninsula.  We stayed at Boneo, accommodation booked under RCI Time Sharing for 7 nights stay cost us RM1657 a place that fits for 6 pax with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. We stayed at Nepean Country Club and Day Spa at Browns Road, Boneo which is 1.5 hours away from Melbourne.

Visa was easy to apply via online https://www.australianvisa.com.my and it cost RM20 per pax for 1 day processing.

Itinerary

Day 1 Night flight to Melbourne
Day 2 Reached Melbourne, proceed to Redhill Farmer Market close 2 pm. Parking AUD4, then to Coles at Rosebud for groceries and check in to Nepean.
Day 3 Yarra Glen Racecourse market and Dandenong Ranges Puffing Billy
Day 4 Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Park, Western Port and Penguin parade at Philip Island
Day 5 Cape Schanck Lighthouse, Shopping at Woolworth, Rosebud & Chemist Warehouse,Safety Beach
Day 6 Brighton Beach Bathing Boxes, Melbourne City Tour - Victoria Market, State Library of Victoria, St Paul  Cathedral, Flinder Street Railway Station, Street Art Hosier Lane.
Day 7 Ferry to Sorrento  then Great Ocean Road - Bells Beach Torquay, Teddy's Lookout Lorne. Check in at Summer Rest Unit at Port Campbell
Day 8  12 Apostles,  London Bridge, Ferry back to Queenscliff
Day 9 Midnight Flight back to KL (Check in airport on Day 8)

Autumn

Puffing Billy

Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Park

Bathing Boxes at Brighton Beach

Tasmanian Devil

12 Apostles. Great Ocean Road

From our trip, I think the best is last 2 nights in Melbourne and allocate 2 nights at Great Ocean Road

Self Drive Around Phuket

Exploring Phuket, the biggest island in Thailand on our own was the most memorable and educational trip as I learned lots from driving around the island, explore the island by looking at printed maps, of course using google maps as well and learning about Penang influence in Phuket town was really an eye opener.  

Phuket Town

This was my 4th trip to Phuket.  The first trip was a 3 days 2 nights lucky draw won by boss then but she gave it to me.  It included flight, Le Meridien accommodation and half day tour in the 1990s, then in year 2009 followed husband company trip which covered canoe activity, explored cave and seafood lunch at James Bond Island tour in Phang Nga bay and FantaSea show, then in 2012 Star Cruise that had a brief stop in Phuket.

I find that self drive exploring the island made me appreciate the island more.

We reached KLIA2, checked in for our boarding pass. Off we went to KLIA2 Lounge located at Level 2M gateway at KLIA Mall.  Another lounge is located at Gate L8 KLIA2 Pier L International departure area (same row as Gloria Jean Coffee). Having RHB and PBB World Master card will give you free access to the lounges. WIth Citibank premiermiles, points will be deducted from principal card holder for 3500 points per person for sub card holder.  You have other choice if you are holding UOB and dragon pass to eat at Sama Sama Express Lounge (03-87756600) located at Satelite Building International Departure Level 3.  Or Green Market located at Departure Level Public Concourse KLIA2 (03-87787103)

Our flight depart KL on Sat 25 November 2017 via AK824 departed 1230 arrived Phuket at 1300 hrs.  Thailand is an hour behind us. It was only a short 3 nights stay as our flight leaving Phuket back home was on Tuesday 28 November 2017 leaving via AK825 at 1330 hours arriving KL 1600 hours which cost a person of about RM480 per person on Airbus A320 with pitch of 29" width 18".  Lucky it was only a short journey.  Due to some technical glitch I did not manage to grab 4 seats via MH with seat pitch 30" width 17" which cost RM492 per person inclusive meal/baggage.

We booked through RCI for 3 nights stay at Laguna Holiday Club Phuket Resort located at Cherngtalay. It was a one (1) bedroom for 3 nights stay at SGD167 Estimate RM513.36, approximate RM117.12 per nite good for 4 person as there is a sofa bed at living hall.

We booked a car with Braun Car Rental at THB1300 per day.  Total fuel used was THB780 which we need to pump full prior to car return.  If we were to take airport taxi to Laguna it will cost us THB700 per way.  We have read a blog from Laguna to Patong about 30-40 minutes in year 2014 cost THB1600 with return trip plus driver waited 3 hours. So it was still economical if we get a car.

We parked our car at Putrajaya Park & Ride where the estimated parking will be RM30 versus KLIA2 for RM160.   Parking at Putrajaya per entry RM2. Overnight extra RM4.  As for KLIA2 first 3 days will be RM138 (RM46/day), additional days will be computed based on RM20 per day.  Do check out the train timing in advance so you can plan your journey accordingly.

Train ticket from Putrajaya to KLIA2 will be RM9.40 per pax per way.  If you purchase from kiosk it will cost RM8.46, 10% lesser.  If you are above 55 years old, buy from counter by showing your IC, you will get 30% less i.e. RM6.60 per person.   

Once arrived at Phuket International Airport, we proceed to purchase local True sim card which cost THB199 and pick up our car.  Off we went to have a satisfied tom yum with vermicelli lunch at Cafe de Bangtao and check into our hotel.

We had a rest before venture out again in the evening.  We left for Sweet Lemongrass Massage 2 located at Patong Beach, Kathu and glad we have chosen this place because the place was clean and the massage was excellent and it cost THB250 per hour.

Cafe de Bangtao
(European, Asian, Thai)
69/117 Moo 3 Soi Ao Bangtao
Sri Sunthon Road
Cheong Thale
Phuket Thailand
Phone + 66 76 314 321

Sweet Lemongrass Massage 2 
THB250/hr (10am-10pm), 
241/19 Soi Dr.V, Rat-U-Thit Road, Patong Beach, Kathu

We have shortlisted 2 places for dinner venue and choosen Paan Yaah where we had goong ob woonsen, har mok, tomyum among the dishes we ordered. Really aroy mak mak.

Kaab Gluay Restaurant
58/3 Phrabaramee Rd,
Patong, Kathu District, Phuket (opens until 2am) 
Recommend Stir fry crab w curry powder, tomyum, 
Phone: +66 81 787 7830

Paan Yaah
249 Prabramee Road (Beach rd) Kalim (11am-11pm) 
Recommend mussels in butter, har mok kanom Krok, goong ob woonsen, pla nueng mano (lime & chilli)

It was late at night though we planned to expore Bangla Road, we decided to go back to our hotel.   You can even go to the Banzaan Fresh Market where the night market is quite happening with lots of food stalls by the road side.


Banzaan Fresh Market 
located on Sai Kor Road right behind the Jungceylon megamall in Patong. 
7am - late night

Day 2 Sun 26 Nov 2017

We explore Old Phuket Town. We have chosen Lock Tien Food Court for our breakfast and then look for Apong Mae Sunee for Apom. Stroll along the town, then landed ourselves at Torry's homemade ice cream before having Peranakan food at Kopitim by Wilai.  Plan your timing so you can check out their night market too which starts at 4 pm.

Lock Tien Food Court 
Open from 06:30 – 17:00 or when supplies run out. Closed Tuesdays. 
Location: At the traffic lights between Dibuk and Yaowarat Road

Apong Mae Sunee (9am- afternoon)
walk to a dead-end soi by the name Soi Soon-u-Thit located on the other side of Hi-So Shop. Here you will come across two small food stands. One of the street in Phuket old town.  Similar Apom Balik, less sweet (w/o nuts & sugar fillings), crispier & thinner. 

Torry’s homemade ice cream 
11am-9.30pm
Address: Soi Rommani, Tambon Talat Yai, Amphoe Mueang Phuket, Chang Wat Phuket 83000, Thailand
Phone: +66 76 510 888

Kopitiam by Wilai
Open 11am
14 & 18 Talang Road 
83300 Amphoe Muang Phuket
+66 84 606 9776

Phuket Walking Street (Lard Yai)
Old Phuket Town
Thalang Road (between Yaowarat & Thepkrassatri Road) Tambon
Talat Yai, Amphoe Mueang
Night Market 4 - 10pm

If you need to have dinner, you may try this Restaurant:-

Dinner Ang Seafood
On Phuket Road, on the way to Saphan Hin (not far from Bang Niaw Chinese Temple, opposite side) ⌚ 5 pm – midnight
Read more at: https://www.phuket101.net/best-local-restaurants-phuket/


Day 3 Mon 27 Nov 2017

We had our dim sum breakfast at Racharod, recommended porridge which we came accross when on way to Lock Tien Food Court before proceed to Wat Chalong Temple follow by Big Budha before ended ourselves for a massage at Sabai- Sabai Massage, not exciting look from the front of the shop but their masseurs were good especially for foot reflexology. 

Off we went for seafood dinner at Laem Hin Seafood. If you are early you may catch the sunset.  The seafood and taste wise was very good.

Racharod DimSum
Talat Yai, Phuket Town
Phuket 83000 Thailand
Phone+66 80 263 4664

Wat Chalong Temple 
7am-5pm
8km South Phuket City
Travel along Chao Fah Nok (West) Road fr Central Festival Mall. Temple on left side road. If coming fr Chalong circle, take same road heading town, temple on right

Big Budha, Karon, Mueang Phuket
45m Marble Stone 8am -7.30pm
Nakkerd Hills, Off ChaoFa Rd East Near Chalong. Turn down Soi Yodsans & follow indication for next 6km winding up hill

Sabai-Sabai Massage
98/9 Moo 4 Kata New Road
Kata Beach
Karon, Phuket 83100
Tel: +66 76 390 819

Laem Hin Seafood
90/11 Moo 7, Soi Baan Leam Hin
Thepkrasattri Road, Koh Kaew
Phuket Town
Phuket 83200 Thailand
Phone + 66 76 239 357


Day 4 Tues 28 Nov 2017
Day to leave Phuket, we checked out and proceed to Cafe de Bangtao again for tom yum meal before returning our car and to airport for our flight home.

Big Buddha

Pan Yaah Claypot prawn with glass noodle