Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Gong Xi Fa Cai PD

After our CH getaway, I decided to organise another getaway for my family. We decided on PD as it was near and it so happened there's a one night availibility at Rumah Penginapan Persekutuan Tanjung Tuan (@ The Regency).

My dad had declined much earlier, saying that he tires easily, even though we tried to persuade him. As discussed on Saturday, we will all meet up there. My SIL, Eyda will travel from Melaka, my mom, my elder brother, my younger brother, my sisters and Aunty Leela will all push off from DU, whilst we, from AD. We left the house at about 12.15 noon, bought some stuffs for the trip and made our way to PD. We decided to try the LEKAS highway, for fear of experiencing heavy traffic on the PLUS Highway. It was very convenient for us as we get to go via Sungai Long. Other than less traffic, it was also cheaper. I'd strongly recommend it, the only disadvantage to me is that you have to pass through Seremban town, which is fine if there is no traffic.

The Regency, Tanjung Tuan

We were the first to arrive at The Regency at about 2 p.m. Eyda arrived 1/2 hour later, and we feasted on the nasi lemak lunch she cooked for us while waiting for the rest. My mom and other siblings arrived at nearly 4 p.m. as they started their journey after Zuhur prayers and they experienced heavy traffic along the PLUS Highway. I think the apartment was just nice for all of us (10 adults and 5 children). There were 3 rooms, the master bedroom comes with a queen bed and a bathroom, whilst the two other room come with a single bed and a pull-out bed. The hall can fit a sleeping family of 4 and 3 maids. After settling in, it was beach time for all of us.

There were loads of people at the beach due to the long weekend. Aira was still afraid of water, which surprised me as she loves her bath time. I'm not sure if it's the sands that irritates her or the sound of waves that intimidates her but she will cry when I put her down. She will be quiet when she clings on me. Faiq, Feera and Is enjoy tak hengat! Ilham seems to like the beach. The adults yang betul-betul mandi laut were me, Rafiq and my elder brother. The rest sekadar main-main air. Yang paling kelakar was when Aira tertidur dibuai ombak. She pratically fell asleep in the float! Patutlah sebelum tu nampak khayal semacam je.







We were out of the waters before Maghrib. Initially we planned to have a seafood dinner but since we anticipated a large crowd at eateries, we decided to take-away KFC. Alhamdulillah, there were not many people there so we didn't have to wait that long for our barrel.

We ate dinner and lepak at the hall and watched Slumdog Millionaire whilst the kids ran about, jumped and screamed. Aira was asleep by 9.30 p.m. and was oblivious to the noise. She didn't even wake up during 2 fireworks display, one at about 10.30 p.m., and the other close to midnight.

Today, we woke up for Subuh prayers and fried burgers and hotdogs for breakfast. When Faiq didn't wake up at 8 a.m., we woke him up but he only woke up at about 8.45 a.m. I wished he woke up earlier coz it would be nice to be at the beach when it's not that hot. Feera and Is joined us later. Today, my sisters, and even my mom mandi laut. My mom seemed happy to be able to play with her grandchildren. She said she couldn't remember when was the last time she mandi laut! Faiq's swimming technics have improved and he seemed to be more confident in the water, aided by a kickboard.

We got out of the waters at about 10.30 as we needed to check out by 12 noon. We packed and left PD at 12.16 noon. Since my brother had planned to go back to Melaka, we sent my sisters back to D.U before driving to Kajang for lunch.

All of us were dead tired from the trip and took an evening nap! We had an enjoyable time and are really looking forward to our next family.

Sapa nak organize, angkat tangan??!

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Celebrating the Februarians Birthdays

Saturday, 13 February 2010 was spent cooking a chicken rice meal for my family to celebrate the Februarians birthdays. My youngest sister, Dhirah, celebrated her 21st birthday on 11 February, my dad celebrated his 66th birthday on 13 February whilst Rafiq and my mom will be celebrating their 36th and 58th birthday on 17 February and 21 February respectively.

My parents and sister arrived at about 1.30 p.m. We had a staggered lunch because everyone arrived at different times. My grandmother and uncle joined us as well.

My mom and sister brought caramel cake, trifle and baked macaroni, my SIL, Haslina bought the birthday cake, my SIL Eyda made chicken and salmon quiche.

Is and Feera got to blow the candles because Faiq was asleep.



FINALLY! I get to blow the candles without a fight!



Abang Is, can I have your Ribena please?

After lunch and tea, all of us made plans for PD, which is happening tomorrow.

Can't wait!

Busy Week

Last week was indeed a busy week for me.

Endless meeting, staying back until 9 p.m. almost everyday.

I'm tired.

Went for a meeting in Johor on Friday. "Tayar bergolek" was supposed to be at 500 hours but I woke up at 4.40 a.m. Left Putrajaya at about 5.30 a.m. Alhamdulillah it was a smooth traffic along the highway. We were early as we didn't have to face the Johor morning traffic as we exited at Senai Utara to go to Kota Iskandar. Most of the government offices at JB had moved to Kota Iskandar, Johor's version of Putrajaya since May 2009.

Very impressive!

Bangunan Dewan Undangan Negeri

PTG Office @ Bangunan Bumbung Tak Siap

Dataran

After the meeting we went to Gunong Pulai Dam and Pontian Waterworks.

All I can say is WOW!

Gunong Pulai Dam



Pontian Water Works ~ The Pump House

The Draw House

This machine was made in 1929 and still works

Water pumps

Love the building

Made in England



Saturday, February 13, 2010

Cameron Highland Getaway Part III

1 February 2010

Last day at Cameron Highlands. We planned to check-out by 10 but we were 1/2 hour early.  Our last day was spent plucking strawberries at a strawberry farm just beside our bungalow, followed by photo session at Ye Olde Smokehouse and finally shopping at the market in Brinchang. Didn't buy much, just mushrooms and cherry tomatoes and ear muffs for my niece, Sabrina. We left Cameron Highlands at about 11.30 a.m.

Ye Olde Smokehouse




Had lunch at Simpang Pulai and continued our journey back. We arrived at Kajang at about 4 p.m.

It was a great holiday and we really had fun.

Wonder where our next destination will be...hehehe

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Cameron Highland Getaway Part II

31 January 2010

The itinerary for Day 2 at Cameron Highlands were as follows:

1. Sungei Palas Boh Plantation

I loved everything about it!! The tea farm (ahhh..so this is where tea came from..hahaha), the factory (which explains the process of producing the tea ~ I remembered there was sorting and drying..couldn't remember the rest), the deco, the souvenir shop (even though you can get everything in Tesco ~ as heard by Jan from 1 makcik ~ some of the tea were stored in tins and who can beat the feeling of getting it direct from the factory, ey? And I wished they make fridge magnets), the cafe and food (we had tea, scones, strawberry tart and mushroom soup), the ambiance, the green surroundings..even the climb! Let the pictures do the talking!
 
The drive 

The cafe

The climb

The entrance

The view

The cafe and food


The factory and exhibits

Happy visitors


2. The Bee Farm


Unfortunately since are tired from the walk at the tea plantation, we decided to just lepak here. This was more for the kids, who wanted to see bee hives/sheds etc at the flower garden.




3. Rose Valley

This trip was specifically for Dadima, who kept on saying that she wanted to see the flowers. Initially, we thought that maybe only a few will go in to accompany Mama but everyone ended up going in except Dada. The flowers were beautiful (not only rose but other flowers as well), there was a section on cactus, there were also a peacock and huge birds (turkey, big chickens) in cages.

STOP and smell the flowers!




Cactus

It was almost 2 p.m. by the time we finished our tour so all of us had lunch at a medan selera in Brinchang. As the rest headed home, I went around Brinchang area to look for a cake to celebrate Aira, Asif and Kak Liza's birthday (Jan 7, Jan 28 and Feb 1 respectively). We were hoping to purchase it at YTL's Cameron Highlands Resort but had to pre-order and there were none available at Ye Olde Smokehouse (they only serve tea and scones) so we had to settle for a birthday struddel (My camera was out of order so will post pix once I get it from Dik).

After the birthday celebration, Lala's family, Dada and Dadima got ready to leave for home whilst the rest of us watched tv. After they left, we went to the playground and watched Rafiq coached abang Sher and Imran. After Maghrib, we went out to a food court for dinner and arrived at home at about 9 p.m. Lepak for a while and did a bit of packing before going to bed.

Good night, sleep tight!