Picturesque World

6D5N Trip to Bali

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

*30/11/2006 - 05/12/2006, 6D5N Trip to Bali*

1) Airline Taken - SQ
Price: $706 = $353/person including taxes.

2) Hotel that we stayed in - Melia Bali (****), Room 2227
Price: $765 for total of 6 Nights. = $382.50/person.

Took a taxi from the airport (IDR 85000). Nice room we got on the second level. Close to the reception area & breakfast area though a little far from the beach area. Nice natural surroundings, perfect for that relaxing holiday. Breakfast (buffet style) could do more improvement by changing the menu with different ingredients, not just cooking them in a different way.

3) Most Trusted Money Changer with best exchange rate (Kuta)
PT. Central Kuta - 168 Raya Kuta Street.
Kuta-Bali Ph:103611762996

Did my research online, read that the most trusted money changer that don't charge any commission are those inside Kodak shops. We went to exchange our cash at the main branch above at Kuta, need to search around as it's behind the main street of Kuta. Went around comparing the exchange rates of the other money changers and only this one gives us the best rates.

**Exchange rate as on 30/11/2006 - IDR 5.875
Amount exchanged is SGD $500 = IDR 2937500.00

4) Driver of this Trip – Dewa Marco, @IDR 350,000 per day.
email:dewamarco@hotmail.com
mobile: +628123918718

Dewa is more of a driver than a tour guide. If you need a tour guide to walk with you around the place and guide you, then best is to get a licensed tour guide. His rate is quite reasonable too as compared to the other driver/guides I have emailed around. They all quote me about IDR 400,000/trip and above. And if you read my itineraries below, we start the day at 9am, and reach our hotel at 10pm plus near to 11pm. Still we weren’t charged extra for it. Even when we were having lunch or dinner, despites our repeated invitations to join us, he would just politely refuse. His English though not fluent, it’s good enough to hold conversations during our journey to the various places. It’s best to hire a driver to drive you around if u are visiting a lot of places on that day as cabs are expensive over there. Blue Bird cabs are known to be honest as they go by the meter. If I didn’t remember wrongly, a trip from Melia Bali to Kuta cost around IDR 85000. So best to hire a driver to drive u around.

5) 30 Nov 2006, Friday

Went to Kuta square around 4pm to exchange our cash. As it’s a holiday that day, not many shops were open. Did some grocery shopping at Matahari quare. Purchase grapefruits for IDR 42,367 & 2 packets of Anggur crimson seedless grapes @IDR 26,214. Had dinner at the A&W for IDR 59,200. Don’t really recommend eating there unless you are very hungry. Not as nice as Bangkok’s A&W.

6) 01 Dec 2006, Saturday (My Birthday!!)

First time I spent my birthday in a foreign country. Felt something special when I woke up that morning. Well, that turns into dismay later on the afternoon when I realized that the camera’s battery went flat. Had to use my N91 to take the pictures around me that day. Can tell by the stares from the locals that they are wondering what the heck am I doing holding up my camera walking here and there. Even Dewa was giving me that amused and puzzled look on his face until I explained that our camera battery went flat hence had to use the camera in my phone. He even tried to offer me alkaline batteries for the digital camera.

Places visited:

- Taman Ayun Temple in Mengwi - Rp 3000/person

In my honest opinion, not really worth going unless there’s a festival or some religious ceremonies.

- Water temple Ulun Danu - Rp 10,000/person

Weather wasn’t very good when we went up the mountain. A bit cloudy if you see the pictures. And looks as if it’s going to rain too. Love the fresh air though. Feel that I could just sit there one whole day and enjoy the mountain breeze.

- Git Git, highest waterfall - Rp 3000/person
Along winding path to the 40m falls, you can see a lot of vendors selling their stuff. Thanks to Dewa’s advice, we didn’t say a word or look at the kids who came running up to us hawking their stuff to us. Though it may seems rude to us, Dewa said if we were to even say “no thanks” or smile at them, they will see it as we are willing to consider their offer to purchase their stuff. Do prepare to walk a long distance and climb up a couple flights of stairs.

- Sunset at Tanah Lot Temple - Rp 10,000/person, Parking for Driver: Rp 5000

Lots of tourists and locals waiting to see the sunset when we arrived at 5plus. After the sunset, we went shopping for souvenirs for our family at the stalls that were set up along the road.

- Dinner at Made’s Warung @ Seminyak

Nice romantic ambience. Ordered their pork sate and nasi campur. Taste nice, though can’t really say it’s fantastic enough to make me want to go back again for more.

6) 02 Dec 2006, Sunday:

Places visited:

- View rice terraces at Ubud Tegallalang

- Mas village for wood carvings
Karya Mas Gallery Tel: (0361)975284

Between the both of us, we purchased 6 wood cravings for total of IDR 1350,000 after much bargaining. I love the Balinese Musician made out of ebony wood the most. Got it at IDR 400,000. The workmanship is very good as compared to the others. Wanted to get the other craving of a Balinese woman with a basket on her head, but didn’t have enough cash on hand. *Sigh* Anyway, we were served by a nice bespectacled old man with white bread and crew cut hair. After our purchases, we both got a wooden box each as a free gift from him

- Lunch @ Babi Guling Ibu Oka
Just in front of Ubud Tourist Information

The specialty of this warung (hawker stall) is the nasi babi guling (roast suckling pig).This dish is an all-in-one platter of rice with pork meat, fried pork skin, pig intestines, gizzet, and vegetables. Cost around Rp30000 or less. Just the thought of the roast pork with it’s crispy and spicy skin is enough to make me drool as I’m typing this. Dewa helped us ordered the food and I can't really remember how much we paid but roughly it's about SGD $4-5/person including drinks.

- Goa Gajah, elephant cave temple at Bedulu Village

- Tirta Empul "Holy Spring Temple"

- Holy monkey forest near Sangeh – Opening hours: 8am-6pm

- Sunset at Uluwatu Temple

I can sit at the cliff for hours and not get bored. Love the view there. You got to walk some distance away from the temple and at a certain part of the track, there's no barrier at the side. If someone accidentally push u or u are not careful with ur step, next thing u knew, you will falling into the ocean below, smashed on the rocks! This is where I ate prawn sate, shrimps drizzled with garlic and vinegar oil I think. Delicious!

- Dinner @ Ryoshi Restaurant
Jl. Raya Seminyak, Seminyak Village, Kuta District, Badung District, 80361

Sashimi lovers, this is the best place to eat your heart out! Value for money authentic Japanese food. Find it better than Sakae Sushi in my opinion. Can't find the receipt for this though, so can't really list the price here.

7) 3rd Dec 2006 , Monday

Went to the beach. Water's too shallow to swim, too many rocks poking your feet as you walk further into the sea. Decided to give up and just admire the clear water while sun tanning at the beach. However it got kinda frustrating to be at a beach resort and unable to swim in it's crystal clear waters. Went to the hotel’s swimming pool that’s just beside it instead. Lazed at the beach, slowly took our time as the past few days we woke up very early to tour around. Not really that relaxing for a beach holiday.

- Dinner @ TJ's
Poppies One Lane Bali 80361 (Kuta)

Forgot to bring camera out to take pics of the food. Luckily I got the receipt though can't really make out some of the writing on my receipt. Mexican food @ a great price with nice ambience! Don't try the desserts though...

Table 12, total cost = IDR 307,000

1 Baileys Comet - 30,000
1 Cosmic Vodka - 30,000
1 Buffalo Wings - 25,000
1 Potato Skins - 20,000 (Highly recommended!!)
1 Quesadilla - 25,000 (Good!)
1 Chicken Fazillas? - 50,000 (a dish of meat on hot plate, comes with masa dough for u to wrap the meat)
1 Carne??? - 40,000 (Can't remember what this dish consist of...)
1 Banana Split - 23,000
1 Fudge Cake - 23,000
Taxes: 41,000

8) 4th Dec 2006 , Tuesday

Places visited:

- Mt Kintamani.
Lots of people hawking their stuff. Dewa mentioned to us that if we want, we can get someone to guide us in climbing the volcano. However, got to wake up as early as 4am. Think that will be on my list the next time I come back here...

- Lunch @Bebek Bengil "Dirty Duck Diner"
Padang Tegal road, Ubud 80571, Gianyar, Bali . Tel: 62361975489

Nice ambience, great food @ reasonable price. Can imagine if such a place were to exist in SG, would cost a lot more...

From: 1310hrs - 1406hrs
Table 35, total cost = IDR 189,420

1 Thuringer Bratwurst - 44,000
2 BB Fried Chicken - 94,000 @47,000 for 1 (Highly recommended!)
2 Hot Lemon Ginger Honey - 16,000 @8,000 for 1 (Love the taste of this drink!)
1 Diet Coke - 10,000
Taxes - 25,420

- Shopping @ Kuta.
Did a lot of last min shopping. Bought a surfer girl tee @175,000. Did a lot of exploring too cos the first day when we were there, most of the shops were closed.

- Seafood & Sunset @ Jimbaran Beach
Jl. Pantai Kedonganan, Kuta - Bali.
Tel: 62361709094 / 62361709419

Went to Sharkeys Cafe. Seafood definitely much cheaper here than in Phuket. If you wish to have the best seats without your view being obstruct, best is to call for a reservation. Extremely romantic ambience as compared to East Coast / Fisherman village @ at good price. A nice way to end your last night before you fly back to SG the next day =) .As for the below, not quite sure of what does the quantity means on the receipt but I guess that's the weight of the food. (Qty - Unit - Price Total)

Table 22, total cost = IDR 469,000

1 Live Garaupa - 017 - 170,000 - 119,000
King Prawns - 015 - 160,000 - 80,000
Crab - 015 - 75,000 - 34,500
Squid - 016 - 75,000 - 45,000
King Prawns - 015 - 160,000 - 80,000
Crab - 015 - 75,000 - 34,500
2 Diet Coke - 9,000 -18,000
Mango Juice - 9,000 - 9,000
Taxes - 43,000

Labels: Bali

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

*3D2N Bangkok trip*

22th July, Friday 2005.

Just a fleeting thought from the both of us on Wednesday night is brought into action on Thursday night and completed just now on at 6am.

Fang and I decided to go on a trip to Bangkok before we start work on 1st August.

Didn't have enough money for the trip but was thinking, what the heck, we most likely won't be able to travel again together once she started her editor job. We may even have less time to hang out again...

Dipped into my savings of $1 coins saved over the past few months. Not much, just enough for the trip. Luckily I had the Jetstar voucher from Singtel, makes the trip more affordable for the both of us.

Don't intend to sleep, feel that today is a good opportunity for me to adjust my internal clock.

Bangkok trip -

bangkok trip on last wk of july 2005 (HEALING PERIOD)

Fang was late and our flight's (Jetstar Asia) at 9.20am. I arrived pretty early and was panicking when the check-in time was nearing. Eventually we missed our flight. Fang was in tears when she arrived at T1. She had set off from home pretty early, however, on seeing the heavy rain, she decide take a cab instead.. But it was peak hour so she decided to take the train again. Mobile phone got stolen and we couldn't contact each other. *Sigh* I was actually thinking if I should board the plane without her but decided not to. To cut the long story short, Fang bought another pair of tickets (Singapore Airlines!!) to Bangkok and extend our stay by another day.

Managed to navigate our way around. Quite fun except for the smoke and crowds. Think we ate something bad though cos we both we fighting for the restroom on the last day and our stomachs still feeling quite jialat for two more days after arriving back in SG.

Labels: Bangkok

4d3n trip to phuket

Sunday, May 4, 2008

*4D3N Phuket (Patong) Trip via Tiger Airways*

22 Feb, Tuesday 2005

Today read in the newspapers about Tiger Airways offering round trip to Phuket for $20+ and that the hotel stay for one night inclusive of breakfast at Deevana, a four star hotel, is only for $38 and that is half of their normal price.

Now checking on the total cost for the ticket and the total for one ticket is only $74.96. Cheap right. Can't wait to go....

23 Feb, Wednesday 2005.

Arrived Phuket at 10am+(11am+ SG time). We upgraded from garden view room (ground level sucks, room very small, bathroom sucks too) to superior room (it rocks!). It was worth it, only TBH200(SGD$8+) difference. Superior room cost TBH1,100 per night and it comes with a nice view, unlike the garden view room. That's what I call a 4-star hotel lor... the garden view room looks like a 3-star hotel room.

Explored the area around the hotel (Deevana Patong Spa & Resort). Bought a 5.5 litre bottle of mineral water, grilled bananas, banana fritters, bbq fish and bbq chicken as lunch. Only the fish taste average and too bad Fang can't remember where she placed the the grilled bananas. Pity, was excited to try it.

Wanted to explore the area again but Fang was tired and the weather was hot so seeing her zzz made me feel like zzz too. Sleep until 5.00pm as our transport to the Simon Cabaret Show is picking us at 6.15pm. Dine at this small hotel restaurant and the thai noodles taste good!!! It has chopped peanuts, fresh uncooked beansprouts and spring onions. As for the noodles, it resembles a bit like guo tiao but instead being wide, it's narrow. When u mixed everything together, it tasted good alone with its slight vinegar taste but with chilli powder, it taste better! Damn it... Feeling hungry as I'm describing this. This is what I call cheap and good lor.. TBH40(SGD$1.60) only....

We tried to finish our dinner as quickly as we can as we were going to be late. We half walk and run to the hotel. It's a pity we couldn't enjoy our dinner longer.

The Simon Cabaret Show (THB650) was interesting at first, but I got bored halfway through the show as they all seem the same, just songs and dances throughout the one and half hour.

After the show, the driver drop us at the night market which was pretty near our hotel. Bought a lot of things there for friends and family. Bought a pair of boots which cost only TBH1,000(SGD$40+) which is a pretty good deal, in Sg they sell a pair of similar boots for $70-$90. Anyway I spend about TBH 2000 in total which was pretty bad cos it's only the first day and I spend so much. However, it was pretty fun bargaining with the sellers. You can't really do that in Sg without ppl thinking u are stingy. It's like the norm to bargain there.

Bought 2 packets of mango rice as supper opposite the hotel for only TBH30. Cheap leh.. and they give u a whole mango, unlike in SG, they only give u a few slices of mango.

Packed the stuff nicely into my bag before eating. Overall the day was pretty good, except the fact that we wasted a few hours and that I can't stand Fang's need to bathe that often.

24 Feb, Thursday 2005.

Woke up early at 8am for breakfast. Deevana's breakfast is much better than City Bayview's as it has more varieties.

Went to Patong beach at 10am. Rented two chairs for TBH100. Shouldn't have brought the mat along, waste of bag's space. Tan for awhile before going in into the water. Saw a school of fishes near the shore and went round chasing them. Heh, it was pretty fun.

Saw quite a few Caucasian women doing topless sunbathing. Can't help but to stare even though there's nothing much to see. Just wondering how come they can show their sagging breasts to so many people? If they are young, like in their 20s, I find it pretty acceptable. To see women in their 40s & 50s doing topless sunbathing is a bit weird... And I thought you are not supposed to do topless sunbathing in Thailand? Then again, I admire them for being so daring…

Left the beach at 11.30am as our transport for the elephant trekking trip(half-day trip, TBH950) is at 1.15pm and plus the fact that Fang takes a long time to shower. (Can't stand it, morning before we go down for breakfast, she took a shower. Can't understand why she even bother taking a shower when she knows that we are going to take a dip in the sea after breakfast.)

When we arrived at the elephant camp, we realised we were the only tourists there. The tsunami really affected the lives of the people here greatly.

It feels kind of funny to step on a elephant's back. And something's telling me that I shouldn't have sign up for this trip. Feels like I'm supporting animal cruelty. The way the elephant was behaving makes me feel worse. The trekking lasted for 30mins. The elephant nearly threw us off its back twice. While we were trekking uphill, the elephant went off track the path and was going to walk down a uneven steep slope. Before that, it was stopping every few minutes to pull at the leaves. We were like thinking, "The elephant must be pretty hungry, man."

Noticed that whenever the elephant refused to heed the keeper's instructions, he would use a hook to poke him on the head, between the eyes or the earholes. The hook looks sharp even though our guide assured us that it's not sharp enough to draw blood from the elephants. Still, felt very uncomfortable whenever I see the keeper poking the elephant with the hook.

When we were going downhill, the elephant started to walk very fast. Each step he took made us slide down from our seats even more and the both of us were grabbing very tightly to the seats, trying to hang on for our dear lives. Seems that he’s pretty happy that everything's going to be over soon.

Our guide apologised for the elephant's behaviour and told us that it was due to the fact that it's not used having a different keeper riding him. His own keeper had taken ill and the company had to get another keeper to stand in for him.

Next, we went to the monkey school and learn how monkeys were trained to picked coconuts. On entering the site, we saw about 10 monkeys being chained up. A lady tried to sell us 2 bagful of bananas to feed the chained monkeys. Felt pity for the monkeys. Really feel like I supporting animal cruelty. Seeing the monkey show made me feel worse. The trainer shows signs of being a violent person. The monkeys were supposed to perform certain tricks for us but they sort of screwed up. The trainer looks as if he's going to hit them or torture them later after the show.

Went a rubber plantation and see how rubber trees are tapped to produce natural latex. Kinda boring to me....

Anyway the tour ended with a demostration of Thai cooking(hokkien mee) which was our dinner too. Not that fantastic, our version of hokkien mee tasted better. But the fishball used in the Thai hokkien mee is unique. Looks unappetising as it's grey but tasted pretty good. Better than the white fishballs we have here.

Asked our guide where we can get durian chips as I can't find any up till now. She brought us to the cashew nut factory where the both of us spent a lot... TBH2000+. Shouldn't have bought so many stuff as such places normally charge higher prices than other places. Well, what's done is done. That's what happened when u put two girls together on a trip without a guy. They spend without thinking rationally when it comes to shopping. Heh....

We went to Phuket Town but it was boring. Everything is expensive and reminds me of Singapore. Sianz.

Decided to rest a bit at the hotel. Went out to exchange money and meet this cute French guy. He tried persuading me to give him my number but I refused and in the end, he gave me his number. Felt flattered but then again, I look like a local… hmmm

Bought mango rice again and some kebabs. Pretty good too..

Aloysius gave me a call to chat as he was in Chiang Mai that day. Talked for pretty long as he was telling me how to get around to the beaches by their bus which is actually a lorry.

25 Feb, Friday 2005.

Last day in Phuket.

Took the wrong bus as we were at the wrong side of the road. We didn't even realised it until we saw a lady telling the other passengers that the bus was going to Phuket Town. Crossed to the other side of the road and we had just missed the bus. While waiting for the bus, a taxi driver by the name of Charlie came up to us and offered to take us around for TBH200 upon knowing that we are Singaporeans. Apparently, he has a lot of Singapore friends and took it upon himself to take good care of Singaporeans that are visiting in Phuket.

We told Charlie that we wanted to go to Karon beach but he told us that Kata beach is much better as water at Karon beach is not as clean as Kata's beach. Anyway, we were thinking no harm in going since it's just TBH200 for the whole day.

And boy, the water there is damn clear. At Langkawi's Tanjung Rhu, at neck level, you can't really see the bottom clearly. At Patong, it's slightly clearer than Tanjung Rhu's, think like only 10%? When u are at neck level at Kata's... it's super clear. Comparable to the waters of a swimming pool, around 80% likeness. Just the thought of Kata beach makes me want to go there again.

At Kata beach, there are a lot of topless women walking around as compared to Patong. Was suntanning in my chair with young topless women on my left and old topless women on my right. Seeing the ladies on my left makes me feel fat and hoping I have nice breasts like theirs while seeing the older women on my right makes me wish hard that my breasts wouldn't be that sagging as theirs when I'm that age.

Saw a couple making out in the sea. We can't helped but to watch the free show. That couple went in into the waters to "perform" 3 times. People give free show so must show appreciation mah... heh...

Had a terrible headache. Think gotten sunstroke. Didn't go to Karon beach cos it was too unbearable.

On our way back to the hotel, we saw the guy selling grilled bananas and wanted to get off the taxi to buy since we didn't get to eat it the other time but didn't do so cos we both wanted to shower as soon as possible. Should have got off the taxi as he wasn't there when we went back. Well, guess we are not fated to eat it.

Went to have lunch at the small restuarant again and ate Thai noodles. While I was trying to get the flies away from our food, I accidentally upset my glass of banana shake into my noodles. Tasted a little bit funny with the chilli powder and vinegar in it. Fang was like laughing at me throughout the meal and I was like ".............................."

The headache was getting from bad to worse. Couldn't zzz at all after going back to the hotel cos it was too painful. When I coughed, it hurts even more... felt as if my brains are going to be squeezed into a pulp any moment. Forced myself to get up from the bed to go out and buy Panadol. Might as well cos Fang was getting hungry as it was dinner time.

Charlie recommended us to eat at Family Seafood stall. Seems like a good choice as the stalls around are half filled with people, unlike Family, which is nearly full house. Anyway, I have never seen such big prawns before. About 9 inches long and the meat is juicy and tender. We ordered 1kg of prawns(9prawns) for TBH900 and TBH400 for 1kg of crabs(2 crabs). Quite satisfying for our stomachs and our eyes as there were a lot of cute guys at the seafood stalls’ area ;)

Bought the kebabs again as we both know it will be a long time before we get to eat it again. You can't find such nice kebabs anywhere in SG. Decided to try their soya drink whereby you can choose to put red dates, corn and other stuff into the soya milk. Taste pretty good. We were thinking if we bring it to Singapore to sell, it might sell pretty well. Heh.. think we both daydream too much, keep on talk about bringing mango rice and the other stuff we ate into SG to sell and earn big money.

Haiz, can't bear to leave Phuket yet. Should have opt to stay for 5 days instead of 3. Went to bed early even though was still feeling quite full. No choice cos our flight was at 8.15am. Got to wake up at 5am to shower, eat breakfast at 6am and leave the hotel at 6.30am.

26 Feb, Saturday.

Touched down in Singapore at 12pm. Bought a bottle of Bailey's and wine at duty-free. Helped him buy some beer for his dad.

Got a surprise from Dom, didn't expect to see him waiting for us at the arrival hall. Fang wasn't that happy to see him though. She thought that I purposely got him to wait for us at the airport. He's such a nice guy, helped us carry our bags. Anyway, we ate lunch together and talked about our trip....

Wonder when's my nxt trip though? I enjoy travelling and it's like once u start, it's hard to stop. heh

Labels: Phuket

5D4N Trip to Langkawi

Saturday, May 3, 2008

*A 5D4N trip (Tour Package) - My first overseas trip unless u count JB in... *

16 Feb, Wed 2005.

Took Silkair flight to Langkawi. Reached there at 3pm plus. After unpacking our bags, we went exploring the area around the hotel which we were staying at - City Bayview Hotel(4-star). It is situated in Kuah Town. While exploring the area, we realised that the town is pretty quiet. Not used to it, as our own Orchard Road is always full of people in the afternoon. Seems like a ghost town to us. The population here seems pretty small.

Anyway, we found a shop selling Billabong stuff and we decided to spend some of our cash there. Stuff bought - 2 caps, one black choker and a Cult bikini(SGD $50).

Went back to the hotel to rest after 3 hours of exploration in the hot sun.

Went to the night market at 7pm plus. The night market is held everyday but at different locations. We were lucky that we arrived on a Wednesday. Apparently the night market is held at Kuah on Wednesday and Saturday.

Lots of good food at the night market and we bought a lot of stuff. The nasi briyani is fantastic($1.25). The satay($0.15/stick) is marinated in a spicy seasoning. Tasted good without the usual peanut sauce even though they are a bit cold. They also have barbecued chicken breast/thigh($1.25) on chopsticks. The chicken meat were marinated with satay sauce and cooked over the fire. *Drooling...*

17 Feb, Thurs 2005.

Woke up at 8am plus for breakfast. The hotel breakfast suck. Not much variety and only the bread pudding taste good.

After breakfast, we went to take a nap. Overslept and was feeling shitty. Luckily he's around and with his quick thinking; we managed to make full use of the day. :)

We book a taxi for RM$60 for 3 hours.

1st stop - Cable car ride which goes up to the top of Mount Mat Chinchang (708m above sea level).

My heart was beating very fast as the cable car glide above the sea of green, towards the mountain top. Worth it though, the view is marvellous. Go to http://asiaforvisitors.com/malaysia/penisular/kedah/langkawi/cablecar/ for more details.

2nd stop - Went to the seven wells which is located at Burau Bay, on the slopes of Mount Cincang.

Bought ice cream to eat as the weather was pretty hot. As we walked up a slope, a lady told us to be careful as there are a lot of monkeys on our way up. So it's like I'm walking, eating my ice cream happily at the same time and looking out for monkeys. Saw none so I wondered out loud, "I don't see any monkeys what, where are the monkeys?"

Right after I said that, one monkey came scuttling down the hill, followed by 4 more monkeys. The 1st one looked at my ice cream as if it wants to snatch it from me. I quickly throw the ice cream cone towards it when I heard him telling me to throw it.

Sad sia, I was starting on the best part of the ice cream - chocolate coated cone. Sob, stupid monkey. It was quite interesting to watch them fight over the cone though... heh.

Anyway didn't really see much cos he didn't want to walk up all the way to the top.

3rd stop - Reach Pantai Cenang at 5.30pm for dinner @ Little India.

Was thinking of having an early dinner but forgot that all the eateries start their businesses only after 6.30pm -7.30pm.

We took a walk down the beach for about 2 hours. Saw a lot of closed clam shells and decided to take a few to bring back. While picking, I noticed something interesting. As the waves washes the sand off the beach revealing the clams hidden in it, the clams scurry to burrow themselves back into the sand. It was then I realised that the clams I picked may not be dead after all. Then again, those that I picked up didn't burrow themselves back before the next waves. So, I decided to put them in a bottle of seawater and sand to see if they would burrow back in. It was pretty fascinating watching them burrowing themselves and we were thinking since we are going to Tanjung Rhu the next day, might as well bring them back the hotel for a night and released them back into the sea the next day. I know we are a bit cruel but at least we did release them back into the sea right.

Saw a dead jellyfish too and that dumb guy tried to turn it over with a tree branch as he wanted to see what it looks like underneath and wasn't successful.

Near the dead jellyfish, there's a big rock and underneath it, is a cave full of crabs. Not bad, a pretty educational evening.

The Manchurian chicken at Little India is fantastic! For your info, the dish is not on the menu. *Saliva drooling*..... thinking of it makes me hungry for it again...

Played with our new "pet" after we went back to the hotel. Never fail to put a smile to our faces when we see them burrowing themselves back into the sand again and again. Get to see their tube-like siphon and foot up close and personal. They use their tube-like siphon to draw in water, from which they extract oxygen and filter plankton. The foot is used to burrow into the sand. Pretty cool huh.. heh

18 Feb, Friday.

Tanjung Rhu beach looks beautiful though it would be marvellous if the water is clearer.

Went to Pasir Hitam beach. Not a nice view as it seems in the pictures and from Veron's description. It’s a jetty and there’s lots of flies . Wonder what's in the black sand that attracts the flies though. Bought a few tiny bottles of black sand back as souvenirs.

Went back to the hotel and decided to have a long soak in the bathtub. No bathtub at home mah.. so must soak long long. Heh, it was pretty relaxing.

Took dinner at 9pm+ at Wonderfood. The fried kway teow there is damn tasty, better than those I ate back home. Fried just nice... not too dry nor wet with the right amount of soy sauce. Need to improve on the cockles though, too small. Think if we bring it back to Singapore to sell confirm will sell as well as Shilin Night Market XXL Chicken.

They also sell this dish called "Kang Kong Sotong" It's actually a very simple dish, kang kong and cuttlefish with a rojak-like sauce over them. Taste good too but maybe not for someone who don't like cuttlefish..

19 Feb, Saturday.

Actually supposed to go Pulau Paya today but by the time we want to book it, it was too late. The day was spent by shopping around and going to the book village which was a waste of time and money.

Went to Mahsuri's Mausoleum. This shrine was erected in honour of Mahsuri, a fair maiden who was unjustly accused of adultery. According to legend, she bled white blood at her execution as a sign of her innocence. In her dying breath, she laid a curse on the island that it would remain barren for seven generations. Fact or fiction, seven generations have since passed and today, Langkawi is a flourishing tourist destination.

Luckily the night market was held at Kuah that night. Bought a lot of food this time round as it was the last night. Bought 4 packets of briyani and 20 sticks of satay from different stalls plus other food. Couldn't finish them in the end but it was pretty shiok to watch tv and have a big spread of food in front of us.

20 Feb, Sunday.

Woke up at 8am to ask for late checkout since our flight back home is at 8pm+ . After breakfast decided to zzz for awhile and soak in the bathtub for a last time. Gonna miss the tub..

After checking out, we decided to walk around the town again and do some shopping. Bought some beach wear at a good deal. Cost less than SGD$15 each.

Bought some more miniatures again. Gotten this miniature barrel of malt whisky.

Weather was pretty hot and with nothing to do, we decided to go back to the hotel coffee house to have a drink after we had ate and drink at a bakery cafe.

Slept for awhile at the coffee house but too bad can't zzz there until 7pm. The staff was staring at us all this while.

Reach the airport at around 8pm. Saw a box of the miniature barrels of malt whisky in different colour and a bottle of liquor with a ship in it. Wanted to get them too bad I had already checked in my luggage.

Got sick again when the plane touched down in Singapore. Must be all the bumpy taxi rides in Langkawi and the curry chicken roll served on the plane.

Was feeling extremely crappy when we were told that passengers on flights from Malaysia to Singapore can't purchase any alcohol from DFS..

Reached home and realised that I left my 3310 over there. Crap, though it's not worth much but I'm going to Phuket in a few days' time. Don't wish to bring my 6670 to Phuket, what if I lost it or it get stolen? New phone leh...

Stupid also lor, remember to bring the spoilt charger back but not the stupid phone. Still can't figure out how come I didn't pack my phone with the rest of my stuff the previous night. Funny, I remember I did pack it though......

Anyway it was great to be back here but I can't wait to go to Phuket on Wed. Don't feel like going to work though..

Labels: Langkawi