Time Spent @T3

Bro met us at T3 over lunch before we flew home. We went to YaKun for coffee and Jade Crystal for lunch. Good lunch but we were rushing to catch our flight 10mins before gate closes!

A Day Out @Universal Studio Singapore

It was a sunny day. A perfect day for outdoor activity. But the weather was so hot that everyone was perspiring while trying to enjoy the fun @Universal Studio. As usual, the queue for every attraction was long. Waiting time can be as long as 2hours! We managed to get on few rides though. List of the attractions:

1. Madagascar is still under construction.

2. Far Far Away - we watched Shrek 4D which was funny! The donkey sneezes and its saliva spill on everyone, watch out for the spiders below the chair etc. Besides, the junior roller coaster at Enchanted Airways was thrilling too.

3. The Lost World - Niece loves Dino-Soarin. She went twice! As for us, we went for Canopy Flyer. Our legs were hanging below and when it turned, I felt like I was falling apart!

4. Ancient Egypt - Revenge of The Mummy's indoor roller coaster is adventurous. In total darkness, I screamed crazily!

5. Sci-Fi City - The main attraction among all but too bad it is still closed with further notice..

6. Water World - performance as in the movie Water World.

Two Countries One Goal

UNIQUELY SINGAPORE!

Above happened this morning. If you can recognize the landmark, it is ION at Orchard.

MALAYSIA BOLEH!

This happened in 2009 at PWTC area.

KL One Day Trip

I took a 7:40am flight and reached KL Sentral at 9:45am. It was fast with smooth traffic. From KL Sentral I took RapidKL lrt to Kampung Baru. Upon reaching TNB at TH Selborn, the Malay officer told me I came to the wrong branch. She told me I need to go to Kepong in order to apply electricity. I was lost as Kepong is far. Good things happen though. The Malay officer was very helpful and the chinese guy too. The guy is TNB's contractor and drove me to Kepong TNB. By 11:15am, I completed my application and took Metro bus to KL. Wanted to walk to Pudu to eat Chee Cheong Fan but I saw one Malay street stall selling delicious nasi padang. Seeing the patrons eating with their fingers, I did not doubt the food. I ordered a fish and vege (RM6.50) and seated together with them to enjoy my lunch. I was the only Chinese. Then I scouted Petaling street and took mata kucing drinks.

After that, I went to May Tower & Std Chrt to run few errands. Nothing much to do so decided to go to LCCT to try out the wifi there. Back to SG around 9pm.

I wanted to jaywalk then I saw a bunch of uniformed ppl below the pedestrian bridge. I took a peep at their papers and stated "Operasi Jejantas". Not long after I crossed to opposite side, I saw few ppl were caught by them.

The Malay stall opposite Kota Raya & below the jejantas

My lunch

Shops

Traditional Chinese Pancake at Petaling Street

I was surprised to see this advanced mobile toilets

Klang Bus Station

Pasar Seni LRT

KTM - view from Pasar Seni LRT

Masjid Jamek

Halong Bay

Back from Halong Bay but down with stomachache, diarrhoea, perspiring and fever..

Overall, the trip was fun, nice scenery, good food and on top of all that great company!

The trip started on Sep 17th, evening flight. Landed @Hanoi around 8:30pm local time and greeted by our guide, Ms Ha who is a pretty young lady. We went straight to Maison Hotel located near Old Qtr and out for dinner. We had koay teow soup which is popular local food. Everyone was sitting on low chair and eating by the road side.

The next morning, after we had breakfast at hotel, we out for half an hour walk around Old Qtr with 36 roads. Then we proceed to Ho Chi Minh complex. The complex includes Ba Dinh square, Ho Chi Minh maoseleum and one pillar pagoda. Too bad that Ho Chi Minh maoseleum was closed and we did not get to see him "in-person". Highlight for the day was 1hour cyclo. Basically it is a trishaw. That one hour journey was full of surprises - mum's cyclo hit by a taxi, we crossed the roads while it was red lights with vehicles coming from all directions, people cutting hair+shaving by the roadside etc. We ended up at a place to enjoy Vietnamese coffee. After lunch, we departed to Halong Bay. After 3 and 1/2 hour journey, we reached our hotel for the night.

View from our room was nice as we can see the limestones from the sea. The next morning, the driver was late to fetch us. Finally he came and brought us to the jetty to board a small boat out to the sea to board Phoenix Cruise - the cruise we going to stay for a night. The view at Halong Bay was spectacular with thousand limestones. We hike into Amazing Cave and went to a floating village. We had one hour kayaking under the hot sun across the bay and went to Luon Cave. It was very tiring and were awarded with fruit platter and wine. Not to miss the fun on the water, we went for a short swim beside our cruise. After dinner, we enjoy the stars above us.. Millions of blinking stars!

Last day at Halong, we suppose to see sunrise.. We waited from 5 local time till around 6. Although no sunrise, we got to see beautiful limestones with rays coming from behind. Nothing much after that. We were back to Hanoi for water puppet at 3:30 and went straight to buy Vietnamese coffee then dinner. It was so rush that we did not manage to shop around Old Quarters.

We reached SG around 1:15am...

Some pictures from Halong Bay:

https://cid-e9169e0aef9d96c6.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/.res/E9169E0AEF9D96C6!728?ct=photos&wa=wsignin1.0&sa=845741699

KL Trip

I was in KL over the weekend. Altho it was a very short trip but it was relax and fun. I cant remember when I last swam until I found out my swimsuit torn. Went to Pavilion to buy one. Immediately at night, I went swimming (or I should say chim chui..hahaha) Swimming under the spectacular night view of KLCC :)

The next day, I went to Tai Tong for tim sum breakfast - RM93 for 3 persons. Then went to Mid Valley for Krispy Kreme. Bought 2 dozens back - RM37.20. Then went Madam Kwan for hot and soupy lunch (due to too much donuts) - Rm50 for two. Packed away Sunrise & Green Tea from Coffee Bean.. Hehehe...

At SG Immigration, everyone went through temperature screening. Somehow, my body temperature was slightly high. I was called to the side to have extra checking. Lucky it was normal...Phew!

Reached home at 9:10pm..

Low-cost/Premium flights or bus?

Everyone was waiting for low-cost airlines to fly from SG to PG and vice versa. Finally, the sky between SG & PG open for low-cost airlines. The fare can go as low as $95 for a round trip as compare to MAS ($195), SIA ($285) & bus ($85). The two low-cost airlines that have the privilege to fly first are Airasia and Jetstar. In the first glance, who will continue to take bus for 10hours journey? Well, there are many factors to consider such as schedule, availability, convenience etc...

Airasia: Depart SG: 1030, Depart PG: 0850

Jetstar: Depart PG: 0700, Depart PG: 1750

MAS promotional ticket: Depart SG: 1105, Depart PG: 1315

SIA promotional tickets apply if at least two-to-go: Any available time

Bus: Any time

... 

Siem Reap Angkor

I brought mum for a 3D3N tour to Siem Reap. We stayed at Tara Angkor Hotel. The hotel is about 2years old and everything is new, food was good too. Overall, the trip was great except it was too hot. I think average daily temperature could reach up to 40 degree celsius.

We landed at Siem Reap airport at 9:40am local time & greeted by our tour guide - Mr. Chan and also driver - Mr. D. After checked in to hotel, we went for our first exploration - Ta Prohm (mid 12th century). This temple is popular of overgrown trees. Some parasites trees took over its hosts. This temple was dedicated to the mother of Jayavarman VII. We had lunch at local restaurant before next destination - Banteay Srey. Banteay Srey is known as temple of the women. Srey in cambodian means women.  The uniqueness of this temple is the colorful stones and beautiful & intricate carvings. The third temple we visited is Pre Rup. It has beautiful blind doors and windows. We went for dinner at Siem Reap city itself and night market. Nothing much at night market - souvenirs, clothes, batiks.

We woke up at 6am (which is 7am SG time). After sumptuous breakfast, we left to Angkor Thom where we started with Preah Khan. It was served as a Buddhist monastary & school in late 12th century. After reconstruction, it was dedicated to the father of Jayavarman VII. Preah Khan also known as scared sword. We also visited Bayon, Terrace of The Leper King & Terrace of the Elephant. We had lunch at a restaurant opposite to Angkor Wat. The sun was at its highest point, so we decided to go for foot massage first - USD10 for an hour. After foot massage, we went back to Angkor Wat and we were lucky as there were some clouds blocking the sun from time to time. Angkor Wat as constructed in early 12th century with 5 towers. Too bad that the wind was too strong, I did not manage to take picture with good reflection of the towers. Even the hot balloon was off service due to strong wind. We bought BBQ pork & duck at food market and had it by the riverside among the locals. It was funny that some locals were staring at us.

Third day at Siem Reap - we took a 63km ride to Beng Mealea. It was constructed in early 11th century. The temple was totally damaged by Thais. Unlike other temples, Beng Mealea is very original. It's very peaceful. We were the first tourist to be there on that day. This is the middle temple between Angkor Wat & Preah Vihear in Vietnam. On the way back, we stopped by Lolei & Preah Ko. We also grabbed some sticky rice & wild fruit sold by the road side.

The last temple we visited is Pnomh Bakheng(late 9th century) for sunset. Mum did not manage to climb the narrow and steep stairs from the temple. It is the first major temple in Angkor Area. After sunset, we went for dinner at the other side of the city to eat cambodian beef flat noodle.

Farewell to Siem Reap on the fourth day.

Pictures @http://cid-e9169e0aef9d96c6.skydrive.live.com/albums.aspx?ct=photos

Siem Reap & Angkor Wat

I went to Prambanan and Borobudur last year. This year, I will be going to Angkor Wat. Guess all the wats in two years :) Hope this trip would be as good as last years'.

A simple google will return plenty of articles and pictures.  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angkor_Wat

Johor One Day Trip

I went to JB with my colleagues last Saturday. As usual, the traffic was bad. Once we reached JB, we went for tim sum brunch. Although the restaurant is famous with tim sum, the taste was not excellent. I still prefer tim sum in Bukit Mertajam. After brunch, we went to Holiday Plaza to have our hair done. We were there for the whole afternoon. Our last destination was City Square. We had simple dinner and fast shopping. It was quite a fun trip. I have been to JB few times but this trip was my first with a private driver! I felt like I was in Yogyakarta again..hahaha.. Back to home sweet home around 12am......

Batam

Departed from HarbourFront and arrived at Sekupang around 11:30am. Went straight for live seafood lunch at Golden Prawns 933 at Bengkong. Then shopping spree at Nagoya Hill followed by coffee break at Godiva Coffee. Next was foot and shoulder massage. Then time for dinner at Tang Pau 966 at Nagoya. Rushed to Batam Center to buy JCo donuts and back to home sweet home!

Seafood lunch for 5 persons: $460K

Hazelnut Mocca: $20K

90mins Food & Shoulder Massage: $50K

Dinner for 5 persons: $250K

Choosing Seafood

Cooked seafood

Dinner

Godiva Coffee