Langkawi after Covid

It's been.. quite some times since my husband and I have not been travelling. May I say... since Covid? Not to say that we have not been to anywhere.. Because, we are still attending few wedding ceremonies in Johor Bahru and Penang. We still have our weekend getaway, or you can called it 'staycation' at Mandarin Oriental, Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur and Cyberview Resort & Spa. And, we went to Hard Rock Hotel Desaru last September for my husband's company Family Day.

But compared to those days before Covid.. you know, I was a frequent traveler back then.

Honestly, being a full time student and at the same time you are an employee to a big organisation, it is no joke. You won't have time for yourself. When your weekdays are packed with meetings, programmes, events (you name it).. and your weekend are tight with classes, group discussion, assignments, research paper.. I am happy that it's over now. For 20 months (from May 2021 to December 2022) journey for a MBA scroll, with 14 subjects.. there were 88 coursework need to be done! including 36 individual assignments, 22 group assignments, and 30 presentations, plus 13 exams and 1 project paper. I am glad that I pass with flying colors. Thanks Putra Business School, UPM.

Well, Work Hard Play Hard!

Although it was just a domestic trip, but for us, the Langkawi Trip in March was so wonderful and memorable. Well, for us.. we considered this trip is to celebrate my mini achievement and marks myself as a MBA graduate! And at the same time, me as a 'covid survivor'. I've been infected with Covid-19 last 22nd February 2023.

3 - 6 March 2023

Although this is my 9th time to Langkawi, yeap I've been to this island quite a lot. Been to many attractions in this magnificent island. But, you know what? This is the first time I step my foot at the Chenang Beach. no kidding! and Alhamdulillah, even it was a school holiday but it's not a peak season in Langkawi. 

Of course I enjoyed myself with the parasailing, jet skiing, sunset cruising with saltwater jacuzzi, and many other beach activities that I never experienced before. And at night, Pantai Cenang now has fire dance performances. Seeing that fire dances, it reminds us with the one in Boracay. 

... about the cost, we spent almost RM4k for the whole trip. By taking MAS, we paid for RM 426 per pax, but seriously it was wayyy cheaper than Air Asia. we stayed at Mercure Langkawi Pantai Cenang (4*), it is a new hotel in LGK @ RM 415/room/night without breakfast. and with RM 350, we managed to have a 'private' Parasailing trip that take-off directly from the boat, instead of taking off from the shore. The boat took us 2x rounds for more than 10mins. we also booked for a 4hrs shared Sunset Cruise with saltwater jacuzzi for RM 99 per person (we added RM 30 for packed grilled chicken) which departed from Royal Langkawi Yacht Club. we had a perfect photo with the big Eagle and the beautiful sunset as the backgrounds during the cruise ride. Other than that, we spent the rest of our money on FOOD!!! totally worth it

My first fishing experience

When the numbers of Covid-19 daily cases in Malaysia shows the great improvement to single digit only from last June to August 2020, our government has imposed Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) which means there's NO restriction for interstate traveling. Yeahh! No roadblocks.. Therefore, we took this opportunity to have a staycation in Port Dickson (with no foresee that the Covid-19 case will be shockingly spiked on the following month and sadly until today). 

~ LEXIS PORT DICKSON ~

low-tide at Lexis PD's Water Chalet

Honestly, Lexis PD is not in our hotel bucket list but apparently other hotels already fully booked. Not only two of us who craving for some holiday. Obviously everyone are dying to go out after months of lockdown. We prefer to stay at the next building, Grand Lexis Hotel due to their private swimming pool. But it's OK, some other time. InsyaAllah~

View of Malacca Strait

Thankfully I booked for a Seaview Room. Therefore, there's a chance for my husband to show-off his fishing skill. But first, we need to get the fishing equipment at PD town. My husband used to have few fishing rods back in US, but he sold them off before went back to Malaysia for good. 

bought by the roadside #supportlocalbusiness

wish this kid for a better future endeavors

big 'catch' before the real catch

no luck this time.. just a cockroach

Let's do other fun thing... at

~ PD WATERFRONT ~

6km away from hotel, there's PD Waterfront; where you can enjoy PD's London Bus ride, playing bubbles with your family, archery, or satisfy your hunger at the fast food restaurants or from the Food Trucks while listening to buskers' performance. Yeap! We enjoyed our night in PD.

 

Indeed, we all are sea-lovers; even we knew that the quality of the water here is not at the best condition.

Honeymoon 2019

Ever since we got married, each year we are having "a road trip" for our Honeymoon. Honestly, travel around Malaysia is more thrilling for us. And last year, due to time constraints.. we only managed to go to Cameron Highlands. Personally, I don't prefer to consider our Umrah as Honeymoon. For me, Umrah is more to religious trip and soul/spirit cleansing. In addition, we went to Makkah & Madinah last year together with some other family member, not only two of us. And thankfully, we made it last year (I mean both Umrah and Honeymoon trips) as we never (read : not anyone would ever) expected that we are going to face travel restriction due to this Covid-19 pandemic.

No matter where we go, as long as we are together. gitu!

My husband with his new hairstyle. hihihi 

nah, he just shaved his head in Mekah on the other day.

Strawberries!!

More and more flowers!!

I called this plant a "Shrek's ear"

rare Cactus that cost me RM25

eatable Crystalline Iceplant.
..try it with Kewpie sesame dressing

Sekian~

Aside note:

Apart from travel to Cameron Highlands and busy with the Jeju Island trips; I also went to Melaka for the Encore & Hotels' Inspection Trip and I organized the Company's Family Sports Day on last December. Tired? Yes, but totally worth it! See you guys on the next post. Stay tuned!

Raya kan sebulan

I think the way we celebrated Hari Raya Aidilfitri was a bit different, unique and crazy last year.

I'm not bluffing when I said we traveled over 1000 miles in 9 days and met more than 1000-relatives.

This is what really happen last year~

A family gathering in Johor

Hope you can spot me in a yellow dress (recycle my wedding dress)

We are Team Yellow : Team Jaafar (Haji Karim clan)

Family portrait in Negeri Sembilan

My husband's Nilai's side

this is what people said "riang ria di hari raya"

Family portrait in Terengganu

My husband's family from Terengganu's side

They are originally from here - Taman Hajah Kalsom; named after my husband's late grandmother.
Last time they do have their own land. Then some of them sold their land bit by bit.
This residential is a very strategic area. Very close to the city of Kuala Terengganu
and not too far from Batu Buruk Beach.

Managed to catch up with Tini @ Masjid Kristal, KT

Our 1000 miles Raya journey began on the Raya Eve from KL to Nilai.
Not to forget the graveyard of grandparents' in Seremban & Ampangan.
From Nilai, we traveled all the way to Batu Pahat for the family gathering.
Enroute to the East Coast, we stop at Segamat before continue to Pantai Beserah for overnight.
Then, we visited relatives at Kuala Terengganu and also Kemaman.
Back to KL with wonderful memories of Wonderful Malaysia.
Not only the place but also the people.


(photos @ Pantai Beserah and Pantai Batu Buruk will be uploaded in the other entry)

~Just for your entertainment~
*watch the King Cobra show*

the preparation

games

Selfie with King Cobra

Cameron Highland

sepetang di Cameron Highlands

I went to Cameron Highlands on a FAM (Familiarization) Trip cum as Hotel Inspection on 9th March 2018; a fully sponsored tour by Avillion Cameron Highlands. Thanks Avillion. Really need this retreat especially when the water supply in Klang Valley has been disrupted for the whole week.

they are already open!

Hamboii bersenang-lenang dia di Cameron yo

The room I stayed.. Superior Studio. 

Alhamdulillah tiada 'gangguan'~

Avillion Cameron Highlands is located at Tanah Rata area.

Sharing building with Cameron Fair; the first 3 floors are shops and cafes. 

There are plenty of other shops, convenience store and food stall nearby hotel.

play ground (close to the hotel's lobby)

List of attractions in Cameron Highlands
- Tea Plantation ~ Boh Sg Palas / Ringlet @ Bharat
- Cameron Valley
- Lavender Garden
- Strawberry Farm / KHM Farm
- Bee Farm
- Butterfly Farm
- Kea Farm
- Rose Valley
- Mossy Forest
- Avent chocolate
- Cactus Valley
- Grapes farm Bertam Valley
- Sg Ruil Night Market

Makan @ Kota Kinabalu

Hellooooo there

Selamat Hari Raya

Masih dalam mood beraya ke tu? Tapi mesti dah boring melantak sakan ketupat rendang lemang bagai seminggu ni, kaaan?? Ok, apa kata kita layankan entry ni sekejap --> beberapa tempat makan menarik di Kota Kinabalu, Sabah; sebelum iolz terlupa. Well, macam biasa lah.. umur dah masuk 3-series ni memang makin pelupa. Sebab tu lah nak tak nak, kena paksa diri post entry kat Blog ni. Delay setahun pon tak pe.. better late than never~

Sri Tanjung Seafood Restaurant

Highly recommended restaurant. 

Taste 5 star! Ambiance 5 star! Service 4 star! Location 4 star! 

Bonus : Live Cultural Performances.

Located in front of Hotel Grandis, not too far from Jesselton Point & Suria Sabah shopping mall.

Poring Station

Yang ni jauh sikit ~ kat Ranau.
Should try their Patin Asam Pedas. Cukup pedas & cukup masam!

Also,should try their Ayam Masak Kicap! highly recommended.

Situated in front of Poring Hotspring's entrance. 

Todak Waterfront Foodcourt

Few hawker stalls available. I'm not sure which one is the best, just simply try the second stall from right end.

We tried their Ikan Siakap, Butter Prawn, Shell, Latok (Seagrapes), Pucuk Paku, Sotong Bakar with Sambal etc.

Location : close to the Todak roundabout landmark. Portion for 5 person, we have spent almost RM200 in total.

Kampung Nelayan Seafood Restaurant

Quite frustrated with the food served at Kg Nelayan this time. 5 years ago, the food was better - tasty and fresh. However, the cultural show is still entertaining. 

 

Mari Mari Cultural Village

If you wish to learn about the lifestyles of Sabah's different tribes, this is the right place. Mari Mari (Come, Come...) Cultural Village is situated at remote forest somewhere in Inanam area. Only one hour drive from the Kota Kinabalu city centre. 

There are 5 main tribes in Sabah; including Dusun, Rungus, Lundayeh, Bajau and Murut. Different tribes has different houses, lifestyles, activities, beliefs etc

The map

We took the morning session, starts at 10am. And the first house we visited is Dusun Tribes' Traditional House. Here, we learn the process of making their own Rice Wine, and to see the uniqueness way of cooking the rice and dishes inside bamboo. 

   

 

Followed by Rungus Longhouse. There are FREE food & beverage to try! such as sweet corn, fried banana and local coffee. And... there's a live demonstration of the fire making. Fuhhhh~~

Next, Lundayeh House. The big vases in front of the houses are actually the coffin. When someone pass away, they will put the dead body into the vase in a seating position and let it rotten in the jungle. Later (couple months after) they will collect it back and put in front of their house(s). The higher the vase, means the higher the status of the person was. Here, you may learn how they make their own rope or vest by using tree bark.

 

 

As far as I know, there are 2 types of Bajau... Bajau Laut (sea) and Bajau Darat (land). The one in Mari-Mari Cultural Village is Bajau Darat. They said Bajau Laut is the most richest among tribes, because they dealt with foreign traders. And most of them own horses. I think Bajau people has the biggest house among tribes, and I shall apologies because I totally forgot to take some photo of the house. And below 'kueh' cooking demonstration photo (originally was a short video) is courtesy from my friend. Inside this sample house, guest also can see & learn their traditional wedding ceremony. And since the house is quite high above the ground, the guide told us that usually they are having "tamu" or market below their houses selling some vegetables and fruits.

The final house we visited was quite interesting. From the 'scaryshocking' welcome ceremony, pipe blowing, trampoline-dancing, beads-bracelet making, to tattoo (henna) drawing. You may experience all these kind of activities at Murut Longhouse.

  

 

  

We finish our tour with the performance show by all 5 tribes. I managed to join their bamboo dancing. It was quite thrilling especially when the tempo getting faster and faster.

Last but not least, we enjoyed our lunch at Mari Mari Cultural Village. 

I hope it's not too late to wish "Happy Harvest Day" to all tribes in Sabah who celebrate their yearly festival on 30th May.