Travel Diary: Day 4 in Langkawi

27 Jan 2010
Last day here at this peaceful town, we got ourselves ready for the checkout in the morning. The plan was to pack, checkout, be on the road till about 2 hours close to the check-in time at the airport for the flight at 5:00pm.

We had a few places in mind that we wanted to cover before we take off.

So, we were all ready at about 9:30am in the morning, used the last coupon we had for the breakfast and came back up to pack. They didn't even bother to check the room while checking out, the coffee we took and the water bottles were all free. I thought we might need to pay for them.

The luggage and stuffs went to the boot of the car, there we went all the way to Kuah town again, this time on our own, not by the bus. I was on the passenger seat looking at the map and trying to navigate. He was at the wheel looking all happy.

We have managed to take a pic of us in the car. using the timer of course. It's worth a 20 secs of stiff smiles.

Langkawi Fair Shopping Mall was one of the attractions listed in the guide book and we wanted to visit the place just for once to see what's there to offer. But when we arrived at that place, we were both a little surprised. It's not really the town's fault not having a big mall, it's ours to expect something close to a mall found at any neighborhood in Singapore. Here's the pic of the mall. It is a mall, I swear!

Although it is small in size, there are some few familiar shops such as Nike, Adidas, FOS and Body Glove. We've bought a couple of tops each from the Body Glove and a few souvenirs to give away. This small town was close to Thailand just across the border, so we realised it's very much Thailand influenced, in terms of both food and the shopping items. Most of the things you could find in here can be found in Thailand too. But, in Thailand could have been cheaper thou.

On the way from Langkawi Fair, we routed ourselves to the Cable Car station to see if we're in time for the Cable Car timing and to find out how it looks like. It was 10Km away from the town. We rested for awhile at this viewpoint to enjoy the nature and to take a few pics.

He usually could pose better for the camera. See what I mean?

There were monkeys roaming the place on the way to Cable Car Station. I wonder if they do attack those on the motor bike. They looked rather harmless though. But I'm sure, if you happen to walk pass with a pack of food or sweet drink in hand, they will attack the food.

From a far, we could already see the cable car station up the mountain that looked so high we thought it's impossible for the cable cars to reach there.

We were running out of time (okay, I fess, we were too scared to try this), so, we didn't take the cable cars. Instead we drove to the nearby attractions like Seven Wells and the Oriental Village.

We had our KFC lunch at the Harbour Park - one of the attractions in Langkawi as well. A beautiful place with nice boats and yachts parked at the harbour, for a moment it looks straight out of a movie.

The beach Harbour Park.

The Langkawi version of KFC.

The Harbour Park. Love that small boat (at the front) in particular. Her name is Bella Mia II. How Cute!

After the meal, we made our way back to the Airport cuz we don't want to be late for the flight. We arrived at the airport at the nice timing of 3:30 when the counter is already open for check in. So, We checked our baggage in and had a cup of coffee each at the Starbucks. By the way, their wireless connection suck.

Before we know it, it was time for boarding. And that's when our journey ends at Langkawi.

We have enjoyed ourselves. Good Bye Langkawi and thanks for all the fond memories to last for many more years to come.

Travel Diary: Day 3 in Langkawi

26 Jan 2010

While we were booking for Island Hopping on the 2nd day, we have also booked for the Snorkeling trip for the 3rd day. It is a whole day activity and cost was RM95 per person. The bus to pick us up at the Hotel at about 8am and to come back in the evening at about 5:30pm.

Because of the planned activity, we were forced to wake up at about 7am to prepare for the things to bring and also wanted to be in time for a quick meal at the breakfast place. We came down to the hotel restaurant at about 7:30am and had our western breakfast that includes, a toast with butter and jam, omelet for me, sunny sideups for him and a cup of coffee each.

I do not have many pictures of this day as well for the same reason, I didn't want it to get wet.

The bus arrives at 8am, we were the first tourists to be picked up. Thereafter, the driver drove around picking up other tourists from nearby hotels and before we knew it, the bus was almost full and we were all set towards Kuah town for the Kuah Jetty Point, from which we have to take the boat to the Payer Island for snorkeling.

We were both like enthusiast little kids who can't wait to go for snorkeling yet we both can't swim! Hah! But we were not worried cuz they will be providing all the equipments that we will need including the life jackets, goggles as well as the flippers, and we have both decided to stay as closest to the shore, just in case, you know.

The boat ride was rather long, took about 1 hour to reach there. We have decided to go up the open air area of the boat and sat there to enjoy the wave and the view until I've gotten enough sun on the shoulders and started to feel the burning sensation there.

I had a bit of sea sick from the boat ride as well as during the snorkel, there was quite a wave happening in the sea. We were dropped at the jetty at payer island, expected to enjoy the water until lunch time where they provide a decent packed lunch each.

We both had a few fish bites on the legs and he injured one of his toes from the uneven stone underneath. other than that, we were both happy. We went back down the sea after lunch for the last dip and to take a few pictures underwater for any fish we could find. The toilet and shower room only provides sea water, so, taking a fresh shower there isn't an option. We were both really burnt from the sun and felt sticky from the sea wather all the back to the hotel.

When we arrived at the hotel, the car that we rented for 24 hours was already waiting for us. This is our ride for the 3rd and 4th day in Langkawi.


I couldn't describe how happy he was to have our own ride to roam the place.


We just couldn't wait to get in the car and drove out for dinner. We dropped by at the Cenang beach again to take a few pictures.




This is the most stunning pic of the sunset at the beach.


After this, we went to search for a good place to have our dinner and decided on the Thai Restaurant called Sawadee that a cab driver suggested on previous day. After looking at the menu, we couldn't decide what we wanted to eat, so made an easy choice of Steamboat for 2 at RM35 per person, the spread includes seafood, chicken, noodles, eggs, and other veges, tofus and balls. We chose his fav, Tom Yam flavour soup and I thought the food should be rated 3 out of 5.



To our surprise, one of the wait guy at the shop spoke to us in Burmese. We were really happy to have found someone from the same country. He asked if we were from KL, he served the food according to what we've requested so we felt generous that night at the dinner and left him a tip of RM20.

After dinner, we drove to the place that we saw on the trip back from Kuah Town, the big bridge just outside the Cenang town to feel the breeze and to enjoy the countryside view.

We came back after a short while cuz it was too dark and we shouldn't be out this late in foreign country, you never know what's out there.

That was the end of another day in Langkawi.

Travel Diary: Day 2 in Langkawi

25 Jan 2010
2nd day in Langkawi. We were given with 3 sets of breakfast buffet vouchers for both of us for the 3 nights stay at the Hotel. The breakfast was only between 7:00am to 10:30am. Since this was supposed to be a relaxing trip for both of us, we didn't restrict ourselves to wake up early in the morning. We only tried to make it in time at about 10am so that we won't miss our breakfast.

Here are few pics taken at the breakfast place.

They had the varieties of food, western (different type of bread, cereals, milk, coffe, tea, butter, various type of jams), fruits, local dishes, chinese and Indian cuisine. On the 2nd day, we had our fried rice with a few local side dishes we would like to try and also the cute sunny sideups (see below) and coffee.



After the hearty meal, we went to consult the event manager at the Tour desk. One thing we were happy about this whole trip is that we hardly have communication problem, unlike going to Thailand. Everyone we met, at big or small shop, could speak English in the form that we could actually understand. The lady at the Tour Desk was called Mala, she's friendly and informational. Since it was already close to afternoon time, we didn't have a lot of activities we could choose from, cuz most of the full day activities starts early in the morning like 8am. And we were not interested in doing the land tour, etc. So, since the time permits only for the Island Hoping on this day, we opted for that option. The boat from the Awana Jetty will leave at 2:30pm. Since we have about a few hours to kill, Mala suggested we go for Cenang town and have a quick shopping if we would like to get anything from there. And she even offered a ride to the town cuz it was almost time for her shift to end as well. So, we took her car to the town and she dropped us at the Underwater World building. We didn't go in for that because we both think that it's not going to be a real deal, plus we have been to the one at Sentosa in Singapore. So, we didn't want to spend for this. In stead, we went to the Zon Duty Free Shop nearby, I bought a nice red Adidas dry fit top for my brother cuz it was worth it, only at RM55 which you cannot get at this price in Singapore. And, both of us did a bit of shopping for snacks to bring back to Singapore for the colleagues, and some snacks for both of us for the next few days. He was very happy to have spotted the Vodka Chocolates and bought a box back to the hotel and claimed it tasted so good and natural that he didn't even have to drink Vodka anymore. Hah!. After we were done with the Zon, we went to another minimart to buy the phone card to top up the prepaid card that he brought along with him to Langkawi. And that small shop was like 'Heaven' for various type of alcoholic drinks in a very very cheap price. Even cheaper than one at the airport. Most of the big shops in the Langkawi town are all duty free. The gov seems to have planned for the tourist attraction with this factor. We saw a lot of tourists just like us. He bought a nice bottle of Peach alcoholic drink for me that was oriental looking and the label on the bottle said that it was first invented for the Lady Empire in China. I wasn't a very much a vodka fan like him, so, it was thoughtful to him to get something I'd like to drink. When I tried that when we got back to hotel, the fragrance was really nice and peachy, tasted sweet but the alcohol level wasn't a joke. It was a perfect drink for me.

Because of a late breakfast and the time for the Island Hopping was also set at 2:30pm, we did not have our lunch on this day. Instead, we found a pathway to Cenang beach and thought that the view was really nice. So, we have decided to sit at the pub overlooking the beach to rest for awhile to cool ourselves down from the hot sun and of course to have a drink or two. This is the place and he was really happy being there.


They have a nice low tables with the big cushion to lie on.





We did not go in to the water because the weather was hot and we are saving our dry clothes for the next few days' water activities.

We took a cab back from the Cenang town to the hotel at only RM10 and got ready for the Island Hopping. We didn't bring my cam along for the water activities, instead only bring his cuz it was waterproof and hence can take pictures underwater. We did not have to worry about wetting it. Pictures to come later.

It was already about 6pm in the evening when we're back from the Island hopping. We were all soaked with sea water and sand in our pockets. After freshening up, we head out for a dinner at Cenang town again cuz we've decided not to eat at the same hotel restaurant and also didn't want to stay in and order room service. We have decided on the first chinese restaurant we found and saw that there were quite a number of tourists already seated for dinner. So, we thought this wouldn't be that bad.

We sat down and ordered our beer (yes, again!) cuz it was as cheap as only RM4. And order Prawn Omelet, Stir fried Asparagus and the Chilli crab. Food was okay except for the Chilli Crab, it was nothing like we have expected and usual chilli crab type we find in Singapore, it was prepared with a lot of herbs and cut chilli. The crab itself wasn't fresh, too salty for my taste, I didn't like it at all, it was rather disappointing. We have decided not to order any more crab dish for this trip.

This is the crab dish I was talking about.



We were quite beat from the Island hopping activities, so after the dinner, we head back to hotel for an early night.

Good Night!

Travel Diary: Day 1 in Langkawi

24 Jan 2010

This was the very first trip (require taking Airplane) alone with him. Although we had to came out of the busy schedule from work - which alternatively mean that few days before today, we are working our asses off burning midnight candles for work - we were both very excited and believe that this is going to be a good break for both of us.

We took the bus from Yishun going direct to the Singapore Changi Airport, had our lunch at the airport and went straight to the check-in counters for Tiger Airways. The flight was retimed to depart 30 mins later than what was initially scheduled. But we didn't even complain a bit because, this would mean that we could sit at the McDonald's for a cup of cappuccino and a walk in the airport duty free shops.

The flight departs at about 2:30 in the afternoon and we arrived safely at the Langkawi Intl Airport at about 3:50pm. Since it's a small town, quite obvious the airport is small too. But when I arrive, I was pleasantly surprised by the interior deco of the airport.



See what I mean? We bought a bottle of Smirnoff Vodka at the duty free shop, thinking this would be cheaper than the rate in the town. Boy, were we so wrong! More on this later.

Taking taxi from the airport to the hotel was very easy too. We just had to approach the Transport counter near the exit door of the airport and tada! we were given a taxi ride to the hotel with just RM22. Pay at the counter, take the receipt, show the receipt to the taxi uncle and you're all set to the destination. Easy huh? You don't have to worry about haggling for the taxi fair (this exactly was my initial thoughts).

This is our hotel front view, only 4 stories tall. The hotel is called Awana Porto Malai Hotel which I booked via online. I thought that the price for the hotel was reasonable. The thing that we realised when we reach here is that, tall buildings are hardly seen around the town, except for some high end hotels, most of the buildings and resorts around town are only a few story high.



We are happy with what was provided at the hotel, except that the staffs at the hotel cafe's attentiveness level was downright close to zero. More on that later. We stepped into the requested Sea view Superior bedroom, and both of us went, 'Woah'. For me it was because the room was clean, the enormous king size bed was arranged with the super clean and white sheets and the clean shower and toilet. For him, it was the spectacular view we get from the room. He always has a thing for sea and nature. So, he was like the happiest guy on earth for a moment.

This was the views from the room. The room has the sliding doors with immediate metal frame like a small balcony (reminds us of those small tiny apartments in Spain we see in the movies) with the thin translucent curtains draped across it. Quite a romantic view I must say.

Right outside the hotel parameter is the small jetty with the boats and yachts parked at the jetty. We took the speedboat from this same jetty on the next day for Island Hopping trip. More on that later.


This is the other side of the view from the hotel room.


This is the bed I was talking about.


After a cool refreshing shower, we were both too hungry to explore the town and it was almost 6pm in the evening. So, we set off to the hotel's restaurant for dinner only to realise that they only serve dinner from 7:00pm cuz the food is not ready. We order a couple of beers for both of us and requested for some snacks to go along with the beer, and they replied, 'We don't have! We only have pastry'. And both of us were like, 'What?'. In the end, he managed to ask for some peanuts, cuz something to chew is better than drinking on an empty stomach, right? The wait girl came back with a bowl of mixed nuts, that were not crunchy anymore. I wonder if she retrieve those from some old jar of nuts that has not been used/served for a long time. But we made do with that picking only crunchy-looking bits from the bowl cuz we were really desperate for some food. This was why I mentioned earlier about the attentiveness of the staffs. There are many small incidents that happened only to prove that the staffs there are not service oriented. But I'm not going to elaborate in here cuz writing that would make this post a few pages long. The view from the place we had dinner was stunning, the pictures are in his cam, I have yet to take those from him. So, I'll post them at a later time. We had the most expensive dinner at this place throughout the trip. It was supposed to be a fine dining place, but we were too hungry to settle for one. So, we have ordered a few hundred grams of Tiger prawns, crabs, the overpriced mushroom salad and the delicious pineapple fried rice accompanied with the odd tasting thai spicy soup. The bill came out to be about RM170. That's why I said it was the most expensive meal we had for this trip.

We came back up to the room and guess what? He was still hungry! We ordered a plate of Fish & Chips from the room service and satisfied with that because the staff was polite and the meal was served hot. We had this meal together on the small table dragged nearer to the side of the balcony, accompanied with a bucket of ice, soda water to make the vodka mix (one we bought from Airport) and everything just felt perfect right here in a cool breezy night.

Good night on the first day at Langkawi.

Movie Review: Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant

It's one of the lame shows I've ever watched. But crazy as it sounds, I enjoyed this. Okay, more than enjoyed this. I was dragged to watch this while I was rooting for the vote of watching Sherlock Holmes. But this movie's show time was much more favourable than the other one, so I've watched this half-heartedly. But guess what? I did NOT regret watching it. It has got its own suspense and thrilling scenes although it seems at first, very much like a horror-comedy movie.

My boyfriend fell right for this when we were watching this as a trailer and he went, 'let's watch this!' and I was like 'What? No way! It's just another Scary Movie type of movie'. But well, I gave in when the time comes.

This is one movie which I had to google for the casts, I did not know any of the actors. It's starring Chris Massoglia. Although I don't really know who he was or which movies he's acted in, I've started to think that he's actually not bad looking.

The movie is about the good and the evil, many terms they use in the movie are unfamiliar to me, for example, Vampaneze. Like, I didn't know what the hell is Vampaneze. Anyways, they did explain a little bit about these terms in the movie in the dialog, but the part I enjoyed most is about the freaks. Freaks that regenerates any body parts, freak that has two tummies in one body, freak that grows beard on the face when she feels intimate. I thought they are really quite awesome and you don't get to see them in any other normal movies.

I'd say it's an enjoyable movie.