Dec
29
White Palace Hotel, Bangkok
Filed Under travel | 6 Comments
I booked the hotel after a comprehensive search on the internet for cheap and nice hotel in Pratunam area in Bangkok. After reading heaps of reviews and price comparisons, I finally used Agoda service to book White Palace Hotel. Online Booking! ^^
It is located within walking distance to the many famous hotel near that area; Baiyoke Suite Hotel, First House Bangkok Hotel, Indra Regent, MyHotel, Siam City Hotel, Amari Watergate, Great Diamond Suites, S 2 S Boutique Resort, Pratunam City Inn, Bangkok Palace and others!
The price is USD108.03 for 4 nights, which was about RM91 per night, breakfast inclusive. I think the price was rather reasonable for the large room and large bathroom (at least 6 times bigger than Genting First World bathroom!).
The location was strategically located near the Pratunam wholesale market, which was cheaper than Chatuchak & Platinum but too bad I didn’t realise till the very last day, which was a little too late!! But to get to the nearest train station, it could be quite a walk, about 20 to 30 minutes walk. =.=”
Walking to Platinum mall is about 10 to 15 minutes walk which wasn’t too bad.
Only a couple of minor unpleasant incidents with the service but apart from that, everything was good. Like when I called housekeeping for hairdryer, they just said wrong number and hanged up on me. Twice. And they wanted to charged me 18 baht for calling the housekeeping 3 times. But was clarified at the end. =.=”
Oh yeah, you can ‘borrowed’ the hair dryer on demand at the reception counter.
Another minor complain was there wasn’t a proper half-body-length mirror in the whole room! Only a stretch of horizontal mirror which was good enough for make-up but not for previewing your new clothes when you put them on!
Breakfast was pretty good as they served bacon(!!!), ham, sausages, fried eggs, fried rice/noodles, fresh vegetables & fruits; of course with (lousy) coffee & tea as well as too-sweet-juices. I could never get the coffee right.
To get the best coffee, get it from the morning Pratunam market (or Chatuchak or I believe any coffee hawker stall) for only 15 to 20 bath for delicious-iced-coffee! Simply irresistible!
The worst experience I had in this hotel was the hot shower in my bathroom (room 801 specifically, so next time if you get this room, asked for change immediately!!).
You have to carefully ‘tuned’ the tap on for the warm shower. It is either too hot (to the point where you could slaughter a pig) or too freaking cold!
And the temperatures alternated so frequently as I was trying to ‘tune’ it for the right temperatures while showering. The main agenda when you were in the shower was more to tuning for the right temperatures rather than showering.
Sometimes I just gave up and settled for the cold water. It was a very unpleasant showering experience that I have to give up my routine-shower in the morning.
When I was back to my home, I felt so grateful for my hot shower that works perfectly to my desire!
Apart from that, I would probably stay at the same hotel again (for the location, large room & breakfast); but of course not on the same room!
Dec
10
Bangkok, again~
Filed Under travel, happy, me, life | 6 Comments
I remembered reading it somewhere that Bangkok was ranked the best place to travel to in the whole wide world!
Geez, I would have thought it is either Europe or US or somewhere more fancy but then again, I wasn’t entirely sure of this fact and the reasons why it was chosen. Probably the food, the shopping, the ‘entertainment’, the fun, eh?
Whatever it is, it is reason enough for me to make my second trip here, very willingly! I mean I even hope to come here every 2 years, or 3 hopefully. But I know of someone who is not willing to go with me again! Crap..
It was a brilliantly great place, affordable and simply amazing for retail therapy!
Although, I hate to admit that my 2nd landing here was initially due to the combo package that I regrettably-bought and then there was the free ticket, thanks to AirAsia.
But nevertheless, it was a trip that I really sought after, especially after I’ve worked so hard like I never did before. A well-deserved-post-project-trip. There.
5 days 4 nights, I insisted. My first trip was only 4D/3N and I had to go to all the temples, visiting the tiger farm, etc. There wasn’t much time for shopping.
This trip was entirely shopping (though I did not actually, entirely, achieve the satisfaction that I wished for) & of course visit the great Damnoen Saduak Floating Market which was situated an hour and half away from Bangkok city. Not to forget, the insanely-great-massage!
I always rated the trip ‘complete’ or not-much-of-a-regret if we have the last day or half of the last day, not knowing where else to go. It means we have visited all we have planned for and a little extra for unplanned-destination.In this trip, yes. The optional ChinaTown at night.
My itinerary for this trip :
Day 1 : Thursday :
Pratunam WholeSale
Platinum Mall
Day 2 : Friday :
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Silom
Central World
Suan Lum Night Bazaar
Day 3 : Saturday :
Chatuchak
Siam Discovery (The Loft)
Siam Square, Sizzlers dinner
Massage
Day 4 : Friday :
Pratunam Morning Market
MBK
Platinum Mall
China Town
Massage
Day 5 : Monday :
Breakfast @ hotel
Good Bye, Bangkok!
More pics to come.. I hope..
Mar
11
Matta Fair 2009~!
Filed Under travel | 7 Comments
My favourite fair is coming again this weekend. It is none other than the Matta Travel Fair, one of the largest tour fair in town. As usual, it is held in PWTC from 13th March to 15th March 2009.
I got such good bargain packages from the last Matta fair, to some local and oversea tour packages that were so irresistible! Though I have to let go one of them. T.T
However, this year I am gonna pass this time round as my holidays are planned for the year. And some cheap, affordable local trips as well.
Well, the economy is bad and the worse is yet to be over. And as my new friend AV mentioned, this year 2009 I’ll have more responsible. So yeah..
Happy Pushing, Hunting & Travelling! =)
Dec
12
Chocolate and Liquor at Langkawi
Filed Under travel | 10 Comments
Last post for Langkawi, I promised! 
Everyone knows there are two things that you absolutely must buy when you are in the duty free island. Chocolate and liquors! And I do my part as well. =)
I have some orders from my colleague and friend for Ferrero Rocher (RM12.90 for a box of 16 pieces) and Cadbury Dark Chocolate with Rum & Raisin (RM9.50 for big bar). I bought some chocolates for my colleagues, housemates and some close friends in KL (sorry about those in M'cca, especially those reading this blog ).
I didn't buy as much chocolates as my first trip. But I got myself my favourite 'After Eight' chocolate mints (RM19.90, which later I found from other shop selling at RM17.90 only!).
My mum didn't know much about liquor but she insisted of buying one since it was tax free. After much advices and consultation from my brother, she splurged on an expensive 21 years Royale salute around RM350 and both of us thought the bottle looks hideous!
My father and brother got Martell VSOP and Remy Martin (RM118 each) as well as 2 bottles of Kwai Teh Lychee liquors (RM35 each) which my father bought after he saw that I had one in my room and we haven't even tasted it yet.
5 bottles of liquors for 4 persons. They didn't really check in the airport so, yeah, it is ok. Pretty cheap. The normal canned beers (like Carlsberg) cost around RM1.60 to RM1.90.
Cheap, no?
Dec
9
Hotel Helang in Langkawi
Filed Under travel, family | 11 Comments
I got the package of RM179 per person for 3D2N hotel stay inclusive of 1 day car rental (2 persons 1 car). So we have 4 persons and it should be 2 days of car rental.
And a week before the trip, the hotel called me and asked me if I preferred which 2 days to have the car. Since I would arrive during evening on the first day, I thought it would be good to have the car on the 2nd and 3rd day.
But upon reaching the airport, the car rental agent was already there. I told him twice that I only get 2 days of car rental but he didn't seem to hear me. He just asked me when I would be flying back and asked me to call him when I am in the airport on the last day. He gave me the car on the spot, with RM50 as deposit!
Weee…! We got the Iswara car for 3 days instead of 2! And that very night we could drive to the Kuah town for dinner and pasar malam. I think normal car rental price of a Iswara is about RM70 – RM90 per day (depending on peak season) =)
We stayed at Hotel Helang which is 3 stars, 5 minute walk from the airport and a little too far from Kuah town but 10 minutes drive from the Underwater World. I love the room as it was huge with 2 double beds and very nice bathroom, with glass top sink, separate shower area and bath tub.
My parents were elated with the large room; they said it was triple size the hotel room in Genting Highland! The limited wireless card is available at RM25 for 24 hours or RM6 for 1 hour of internet usage at their one computer.
The only thing that I wasn't happy at the hotel is that they do not provide drinking water or water cooler at all. Another thing is their lousy breakfast. We get to choose either western food, nasi lemak, roti canai or porridge which was sent to our room!
All the food was not fresh and taste horrible! The ham tasted like plastic and I couldn't chew on them and thus didn't eat it. The porridge was not hot and very watery with no side dishes at all. Yucky! Even the teh tarik and orange juice tasted awful! Yucks!
Otherwise, all were cool and nice! 
Dec
5
Seafood Dinner at Langkawi~
Filed Under travel, photo, food, family | 7 Comments
My friend asked if I remember the restaurant which we had our seafood dinner 2 years ago when we were in Langkawi. She said the food price is pretty cheap compared to the one she had on her next visit. She insisted that I should visit the restaurant again.
How could I remember a restaurant which I had only been there for one time with my lousy sense of direction and a poor memory and we do not know the restaurant's name.
Anyway, when I passed by this restaurant, I felt that it was the same one we went last time. I remembered seeing the 'Orkid Restaurant' before and it was in the same row. The restaurant name that we went was 'Yong Leong' seafood at Kuah town, by the main road.
My family seldom eats seafood as it was not as cheap in our hometown and my father wasn't a fan of seafood too. But my mum insisted of having them since we were there! S
o, yeah, after some compromising, we have fish, pork, tofu soup, vege and I insisted on squid too (my all time fav; the cholesterol level can wait!)! The dinner for four pax was at RM76, quite cheap and nice too. ^.^
My mum saw others ordering crab and it looked pretty good. So we came back the next night for crab, 2 plates of fried oysters (which I didn't think was good as it was too soft but well, they liked it), pork and vege at R M96.
The crab was very yummy and we enjoyed it very much although my brother didn't eat any of the seafood coz he hate them. (good for me, coz he is a big eater; less competition u see). And the boss was a little too arrogant for my liking!
But well, it was a pleasant 2 dinners. For lunch we went to a normal Malay stall and had expensive and not nice mixed rice (RM20 for 3 plates with a drink at lousy shop!). But I had a very nice young coconut pudding! Yummy yum!
Dec
4
3rd Day At Langkawi!
Filed Under travel, fun, family | 9 Comments
On the very last day, we checked out at 9.30 am and load all our belongings into the car and drove to the town. Before that we had breakfast somewhere near Cenang, just simple mamak stall nasi lemak. But yum!
We went to Eagle Square to see the must-see-big-eagle-statue and my mum refused to take photos again! Only my father posted as an eagle 
Next we went to the shopping mall for last minute shopping before having quick and lousy lunch at hawker stalls in a coffee shop as my father was craving for his wan tan mee already! But he said the wan tan mee tasted like malay's version of wan tan mee and I couldn't finish my portion! My mum's tomyam was too sour and not spicy at all. Yucks too.
Our flight was at 3pm and we reached the airport around 1.40pm because my father was too worried if we would be late and he hated rushing. We had 5 minutes of massage on the massage chair for RM3. I love it as I my back was aching a little but my mum complaint it was too painful. Aiks, I thought I was the skinny 1.
Overall it was a good family trip which had me worry excessively if anything could go wrong. I was so worried of missing the flight or any of my plan goes wrong as it is practically the first family trip we have in years, since I was kid! And I was organizing for the first time.
Everyone did enjoy themselves. Yay! =)
Dec
4
Cable Car at Langkawi
Filed Under travel, photo, fun, family | 16 Comments
On the first day, after short rest in the hotel from the island hopping, we went to the cable car. It is a must-go when you are in Langkawi, according to my cousin advising my mom.
My brother and I was happy to see, pet and feed the animals there near the cable car; rabbits, monkey, deers, turkey, small birds (geez, I don't know the name of those small green love birds) and parrot!
There was this cute, green, amusing parrot which wasn't tied down but it won't fly away. It was perching on the stand outside a souvenir shop. But the bird, Lisa was very agile and wouldn't let anyone touch it!
My brother and I also took photos with huge phyton for RM5 per person but my mom was terrified of snake! The snake was already about 75% of my weight, ah so heavy! The fella said it fed on 4 chickens a month (only 4? I doubted it!) There were also 2 trained eagles which you can pet and take photos at the same price too. We also fed the deer and hungry bunnies that were practically begging us for food!
Back to cable car. It was RM25 (or was it RM28) for adult but if you show them your MyKad, you can get them at only RM15 per pax! Good to be Malaysian, sometimes.
There were two stops at the cable car and you can stop for pictures or fresh air. By the way, my mum hate to be photographed but my father is very cooperative as he was ready to post for me!
There were suppose to be a bridge where you could cross at the 2nd stop but it was close for maintenance. We had green cotton candy to munch on at RM2. =)
Nov
27
Island Hopping in Langkawi
Filed Under travel, photo, fun, family | 12 Comments
It is my second visit to Langkawi as I have visited this island in Nov 2006, yeah, exactly two years ago. I went with my close friends back then and I found it enjoyable. Since my parents have never stepped into the island before, well, why not?
During the Matta fair, I almost booked the island hopping basic package as it was RM58 if I book on the day. But if I walk-in, it would cost me RM68! Luckily I didn't book it!
My housemate told me that it was only RM35 when she went last year and I couldn't remember how much I paid for during the my previous trip (coz I didn't blog much about it - only 2 paragraphs for the whole trip! - which I regretted now and so I am going to write long, grandmother posts for this trip! So bear with me! )
So when I was at the airport, this guy approached me and offered me RM40. I bargained as I have 4 persons and I got it at RM35 too! Yay! I didn't pay on spot and tell him that I would call him the next morning, in case I could get RM30 from other company. He laughed and said he would refund me if I got it at that price! Anyway, I did find a RM30 package on the last day, after the island hopping trip.
On the 2nd day morning, we went to Pulau Dayang Bunting (Pregnant Maiden Island, I think ), where you have to climb up the stairs and descend to a lovely lake. It was a little difficult for my mother to climb up or down as she always have knee pain problem. But slowly and steadily we made it!
The bear-in-the-photo-idea was stolen from Keone & coincidentally this is the bear that he bought for my birthday about 8 years ago which I almost lost and I was scared he would be mad but he didn't; and knowing him well, I bet he remember none of it. =)
We have an hour in the island. You could kayak/canoe or rent the paddle boat there or simply relax and dip your feet into the lake where there are garoupa fishes 'cleaning' up the dry skin on your feet for free!
It is like those fish spa in KL. If you buy some fish food and throw them on your feet, all the fishes will come swimming around your feet! It feels ticklish to have them touching you. My mom, bro and I tried but my father wouldn't! My father bought 3 keychains there (see, he is like me, like to buy small useless small stuffs).
There were many monkeys at the island too and one should be watchful of their belongings. We stopped to eat some breads and those monkeys wanted to snatch the food from us too! We fended them off with umbrellas. By the way, there are toilets in the island too.
Next we went to see eagle feeding nearby an island (which I forgot the name, or never knew the name, in fact). I was told that they feed the eagles with chicken skin! Yikes, high cholesterol, birdie! It was amazing to see some big, strong eagles swooshing about! Beautiful!
Lastly we went to the lovely island of Pulau Beras Basah (Wet Rice Island?) which is a stretch of beach with fine sands and no water supply, which means no toilet. If you have to do your business, you go to some bushes and do it there.
There is a small hut where a lady was selling some cold canned drinks and hot beverages (I had coconut there before too) and chips too. Very pleasant and relaxing island with beautiful girls in bikinis as well as obese ladies in skimpy bikinis too! Ooops! 1 hour there.
You could go swimming, play sands or go for banana boat.
The whole island trip takes around 3 hours only, do bring your own foods. Wear shorts and sandals (and hats and umbrella if you are scared of sun like me). It was the first time seeing my father wearing shorts when we go out. He is always in his long pants! ;D
Nov
27
Air Asia VS Firefly @ Subang Airport!
Filed Under travel, photo | 11 Comments
Most of us are familiar with the LCCT as most of the time; we took Air Asia flights as it is rather affordable. And for the first time last week, I took the Firefly instead and have to go to the Subang airport, or also known as Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport.
It is an old on airport, built back in 1965 with the longest runway in South East Asia! Most of the places are under construction to turn it to an ultra modern hub, SkyPark.
Currently there are only banks, a diamond shop (who does diamond-shopping while waiting for flight?!) and the competitors, Air Asia counter in the airport! Not to mention, a small "mamak stall"-café known as 'Makcik Café', selling prepacks food!
And flying back from Langkawi, I was surprised to see the 'baggage claim' area which is at the entrance of a door. People were standing there, waiting for the flight officer to put our luggage at the door. The respective owners would then take their own bags. I saw a small conveyer belt by the corridor, which was for baggage claim in the future I suppose.
Well, although it was a little empty and boring and 'traditional', I find that it is more convenient to go as it is in Subang. I could take a cab from my house in PJ and it cost me about only RM25 per trip. I have to buy taxi coupon from the counter on the way home and it cost me only RM22 to go back to PJ. Much more affordable and save time on travelling to the airport compared to KLIA and LCCT.
And the Firefly plane was quite ok too. It was small planes like Air Asia's and it could seat 52 people. Check In baggage is free (oppose to AirAsia's baggage charges) and they even give refreshment in the plane. Just some biscuits and orange juice but still better than Air Asia.
And you get seat numbers in the plane as well. I am not sure if the numbers are assigned during booking or check-in though.
Another thing that I like about FireFly is there is not as many passengers like in Air Asia, which means less queue and less crowd. But then again, it doesn’t fly to as many places as Air Asia. So yeah.. =)
Sep
13
Thanks to Mr.1K that offered to bring us round Muar on the way to Yun’s wedding at Batu Pahat. I thought I have been to Muar before as the town looks familiar, at least I remember the bridge but I just couldn’t recall when and why I was there! Ahh.. my memory going down the drain!
Mr.1K brought us to taste the scrumptious food rojak and the cooling desserts that was so appetizing after a long 2 hour ride from KL! Yum yum.. =) 
The place is at Jeti Tanjung Muar Emas by the Muar river (I believe) and it was quite a big park with many local visitors!
We strolled along the river, took some pictures and analysing the pretty strangers that hold hand, trying to sort out the relationship of 2 girls and a guy. Yeah, it’s pretty complex when 3 of them were holding hand together!
After that, Mr.1K bought us some famous superlicious otak-otak, prawn and fish flavours! Due to our greediness, I forgot to take pics of it! But it was really yummy!
After that, we continued the journey to Batu Pahat and I have to put on my make up in the bumpy ride car. =)
Sep
9
Matta Fair Sept 2008 Super Deal!!!
Filed Under travel, happy, me, life | 25 Comments
More hapi stuffs happened to me on Friday! I felt that I am on top of the wheel of life. Sometimes you are on top and sometimes you are at the bottom.
Seeing the dentist gave me another reason to be very happy about. Something that I have waited for quite some time and impatiently! (^.^)
And about MATTA fair, though it is a challenging one, I do savour satisfaction from it at the end of the day after five hours of battling the crowd and scouring for the best deals ever!
To Huei, do STOP reading or else I can’t stop you from going to the Matta Fair! Don’t blame me! =D
I know what I want before I went to the Matta fair; which was to get a Bali Package and a local package (either Langkawi or Cameron Highland for my family trip which I couldn’t much recall we ever have one except the time we were kiddos).
And the Bali and Langkawi packages I got. And additional packages to Bangkok and Hangzhou/Shanghai/Suzhou/Wuxi! And it’s cheap, cheap, cheap!!!
I booked a Go-Go-Combo ground packages to 3 countries at only RM499 per pax (of course not including those tipping, insurance and visa) and it is valid till next December 2009 from HwaJing Travel & Tours. NO KIDDING!!!
(They have limited of 500 combos and by the time I booked at around 4pm, more than 200 has been sold!)
First destination is of course to Bali, a 3D/2N free and easy with half day city tour at quite cool hotels. Second destination is Bangkok, also the same 3D/2N free and easy and half day city tour! I have found another reason to go splurging there! Muaahhahahaa…
The third destination is to Hangzhou/Shanghai/Suzhou which is 5 days full board tour package! Not free & easy!!! Yupeee~ I found from other tour company, the cheapest I could find with surcharges is about RM550 and some are even at 700 (excluding flights)!
I thought my father wanna go to those places in China as I asked him the very morning but actually he was telling me that he has been there. Yeah, communication breakdown do happens between father and daughter. So, I guess it will be the first trip for me and my mum. Ahh.. pretty nervous when I think of that!
And the Langkawi package is per person for 3D/2N with stay at Hotel Helang and 24 hours car usage as well as Firefly flight tickets (including taxes & stuffs) at RM376 per pax. Quite a good deal, eh?
Total damage is about RM2504 for four trips~ (^.^)
Oh, I love Matta Fair, don’t you!?!
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