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Retreat @ Avillion Admiral Cove, Port Dickson

May 22, 2008

We headed to Avillion Admiral Cove in Port Dickson last weekend for our annual cell group retreat, taking advantage of the long weekend.

Check out what Simon, WY and Ann got to say about this trip emoticon It was really fun-filled and like Ann said, the Straits Studio suite was….wowowweee…modern, new, clean, spacious and simply luxurious emoticon

Like others in our happening cell group, I would also like to share some pics here…

Food1
Yummy food!

Food2
More Yummylicious food…mmm…mmmm….

HotelBeach
Nice hotel and happening Teluk Kemang beach - reminds me of Pattaya

AACove
The awesome suite, super king bed. I love the toiletteries given - aromatherapy range called Avi spa (Avi probably stands for Avillion)

RoomView
Room with a View!

Sleep
Zoe’s various sleeping position…the bed is that comfy!

HotelArea
Hotel Reception and Marina Club House - Cool and Neat!

Happy1
Fun! Fun! Fun!

Happy2
Our Pride and Joys…

Happy3
Our Precious Child from God



Picnic at the Park

May 9, 2008

Zoe attends the Sunday School (more like a playgroup) for children of our church. Two weeks ago, the teachers in Sunday school organised a picnic session at a nearby park for the children. It was fun and here are some of the pics taken during the picnic.

Prayer
Prayer to say grace for the food - Amen!

Tree above me
The big tree as my shelter

Hands up
Can I have another sandwich?

Water
Thirsty…

Run1
Hey! wait for me!

Uh?
Where’s everybody!?

Run2
Chase me if you can…

Explore
Let’s see what we have here…



Urban Retreat

April 17, 2008

Urban Retreat 

I need a little pampering again and I have been thinking to go for facial to my regular beautician for more than a year - still I have not been able to schedule an appointment time with her….sigh….BIG sighhhhhhh….

So, feeling a little worn out, tired, no mood and have been suffering migrain for the past 2 days, I found myself walking around in The Curve aimlessly (alone!) one fine afternoon.  Out of the blue, my eyes got fixed at these strategically located signboard from Urban Retreat and decided to follow it right till I pass MPH and it is located just next to it. I thought for a while and my mind came up with this excuse that a little pampering is God sent especially if you are Mommy (or Daddy) to a feisty 1+ toddler!

After looking at their competitive pricing, and the products they used - its a point of no return for me. I walk in and was greeted by their gracious front desk staff. I opted for an aromatherapy massage and she quickly offered me a better deal, RM109 for 1.5 hours of pure bliss instead of the standard 1 hour. Since its my first time there, I bite the bullet, took the deal given and have no regrets later.

Harnn Massage Oil

The session starts with a simple floral foot bath at the corridor of the massage room. Massage room is adequately sized, dimly lit and overall comfy. The foot bath at the corridor somehow gave me a feeling of being pampered at home - very familiar and relaxing. The therapist is a middle age Thai lady who is very soft spoken, petit but strong, in terms of her massage…hahaha. Her massage skill is good because it is quite similar to those gentle wave strokes that I experienced back in Phuket. Phuket housed some of the best spa in the world along with very skillful therapists. The disposable hair cap given is also a good touch to keep my long hair neat. Massage is done on a PVC mattress but wrapped with large towels and batik, so its quite comfy with a small pillow given to support the head. Pillow is also wrapped with towel. The 1.5 hour long massage really felt just nice to take all the stress away from my weary body, as opposed to the normal 1 hr massage, which I usually felt that they finish too fast. The aroma oil used is also very very soothing lavendar with a hint of wood smell, which is just nice and not too girly - just the way I like it! I was not asked to choose the oil (unlike normal practise) but since they are using Harnn products, I would not want to question more. I have personally seen Harnn products when I was in Bangkok and it is truly one of the more up market spa products from Thailand.

Hubby could smell "the Rat" once I got home and he was wondering who has sneak out to the spa (who else rite!). When he finally heard from me, he was rather not pleased and turn into a whiny little boy who has just missed a treat! So, with that…we will have no choice but be back for more in the near future….hehehe…

(**Pictures are taken from Urban Retreat website)



Weekend at Legends Water Chalet, PD

March 25, 2008

It was sun, sea and sand again for the family over last weekend at the Legends Water Chalet, Port Dickson. We headed to Melaka first in the morning to to have lunch in Jonker street and followed by my long awaited Mille Crepe, as reviewed by Ann.

MenuPlease  Yummy  MilleCrepe

Zoe ordering from menu, Nyonya asam laksa and Mille Crepe (we took the original and rum raisin flavour). The Mille Crepe is RM8.50 per slice and really yummy, just melts in the mouth. Feels like layers and layers of crepe with fresh cream in between.

PremiumChalet  c2 c2

We arrived at Legends Water Chalet close to 5pm. We have initially booked the deluxe water chalet, which is a 2 storey chalet and we only manage to get the upper unit as it is thru a friend’s timeshare membership. I was quite pleased when the reception upgraded our rooms to the premium water chalet at no cost as their deluxe has been fully occupied. Who says the "late birds never gets their worms!"…hahaha!

 z1  z2

Premium water chalet comes with glass floor at the room and toilet. Zoe had the most fun playing at the glass floor. She was quite amazed with the floor and was initally afraid to step on it. After she see me and Daddy standing on top of the glass, she knows its ok and spend most of her time lying or staring at the glass and sort of telling us what she saw at the sea. When the tides are low, we could actually see crabs and some small fishes swimming around - its quite amazing!

The toilet is huge (biggest I have ever seen) and it is situated right after the entrance - apparently its design in such a way so that you could wash up after playing at the sand before you enter the room. It has an open air shower area and a big bath tub, which Zoe had fun continuing her swimming session there emoticon

ZM1  c4  playroom

We spent the first day walking around the resort and just enjoy the sea breeze. It was very windy and refreshing and thank God the weather was good and did not rain, thou the clouds looks like its gonna rain heavy. Zoe had lots of fun running around and looking out to the sea, occasionally she will throw some biscuit crumbs to the sea, telling me she is feeding the fish…hahaha

beach1  beach2  pool

Second day after breakfast, we head to the beach for some serious sand castle building project. As you can see, Zoe had other ideas in mind and started flooding the sand. She loves watching the water seep into the sand. We manage to make some sand crabs, boats and star fish using the moulds but was also later drown by Zoe…hahaha. Zoe loves the pool too and was having a good time as there were other kids there. I had quite a hard time trying to get her out of the pool later when its time to be back for a bath.

ostrich  horse  rabbits

We manage to go to the PD ostrich farm as well. I think that the entrance fee is quite steep at RM8 per adult and RM6 per kid. We did not have to pay for Zoe’s ticket as she is only 14 months. Zoe loves the rabbits and did not show any fear at all, she started touching and feeding the rabbits by herself. She don’t really like the ostrich, crocodile and iguana thou - maybe reptilian and Big Bird don’t really appeal to her!

Food was good in PD too and very reasonable, we had seafood dinner at Wing Li seafood restaurant (at Teluk Kemang), seaview seafood restaurant (at Lukut) and the famous Lukut’s Lucky King giant pau. Overall, PD is really a nice short getaway for city folks like us - away from the hustle and bustle of the city.



New ride arrived! Vroomm…

February 1, 2008

Yippeee! We just drove back our new car yesterday nite!

I was quite surprise at how quick the salesman got the car for us. We packed our dinner and was at the Toyota showroom to check on our family’s new addition.

When we arrive there (all excited!), there was a happy Malay family already checking their car. I can see how happy and proud the mother was…checking and at the same time posing and taking photo with her son’s brand new car. They also choose the black coal colour but E model.

We waited for a while for the happy family to inspect their car before our turn.

Our new baby "Nemo" was parked outside the showroom - looking as good as we have imagined it. The Toyota sales people set up a tent outside their showroom and parked the new cars there, rather than let the car parked under the hot sun - quite toughtful!

Initially, we were told that we could not get the number plate we wanted. At the last minute, the salesman managed to get it! and was laughing away when he spoke to me on the phone. I was thinking either he gets so happy cause he manage to fulfill our wish or he is actually very happy cause he manage to make some $$ out of the chosen number. We paid RM450 for this number and I felt that it is expensive. Hubby wanted the number and so I obliged lor…

I drove my faithful litte Kelisa home with Zoe, while hubby drove the new ride home. I gave Zoe some Gardenia bread to keep her entertained while on the short journey home. Thank God she was ok with me alone in the car. I was praying that she will not make a big fuss as it was already almost her sleeping time. With all the excitement, I managed to say a little prayer of journey mercy and thank God for his provision for all of us before we got home. Hubby commented that the car seems bigger than the time we test drive it and he is still trying to get used to maneuvering this new baby.

After we have settled, we drove the car out to the petrol station to fill up. The salesman fill up only a quarter tank earlier. I fed Zoe her milk and she drift into lalaland in the comfort and tranquility of the new car. I thought to myself at that moment that it has been quite a while since we felt such comfort in a car. It has been quite a journey and days of admiring the bigger/better sedan cars that pass us everytime we go out. Hubby said now we are driving one and the feeling is just surreal…Memories of all the remarks we got about our mini Kelisa just vanish into thin air. We have resisted so far and this moment of savouring the comfort and peacefulness in this new car is worth all the wait emoticon

Still on cloud nine this morning, we drove Zoe to the babysitter in the new car this morning. Zoe being wide awake early in the morning, was a bit confuse with the new car, new smell and new atmosphere. It did not take her long before she was climbing all over the car and feeling and knocking everywhere. I let her roam freely this time so that she can have some time to get used to the new car. She seems to enjoy the stability of the car and was calling out to Daddy all the time…hahaha…maybe asking Daddy whether she can test drive it.

Well, pray and hope that this new ride will serve us well and keep us all safe and comfortable for many journeys ahead emoticon



2 weeks more to Chinese New Year!

January 22, 2008

Two weeks count down to celebrating Chinese New Year in Kota Bharu, Kelantan.

This will be the 1st Chinese New Year (CNY) celebration in Kelantan for Zoe and her second time taking a flight home. I hope this time she will still let me strap her and sit quietly throughout the journey. Otherwise, I might need the help of the pretty air stewardess to distract her attention. She seems to be very attracted to pretty people anyway…hehehe

We will be home slightly longer (4 days) and we will be visiting Great Grandma in Tumpat for the reunion dinner and 1st day of CNY. I am hoping that this time around, I will be able to visit the duty free zone for some retail theraphy, either Rantau Panjang or Pengkalan Kubur. I have not visited the Rantau Panjang duty free area as all these years, it was not safe due to the bombing in southern Thailand. I have been to Pengkalan Kubur several times and got a few items at really good price, especially pots and pans. I am still eyeing the Corningware set or Vision set they have there. Their selection of Pyrex products are not bad too. I never did bought any cause of the weight issue with airlines. If we are driving home next year, I will definitely bring home a full set of Corningware or Visions…hee hee hee. They have nice pirated clohtings too, like Nike, Timberland and some other sports brand. I need to make a mental note to get a few this year if I see any and not hesitate when the opportunity is there and regret later emoticon

Besides shopping, we plan to go to the beach as well. It will either be Pantai Seri Tujuh (nearby Great Grandma’s place) or Pantai Cahaya Bulan (PCB). I read that PCB has got quite a number of Batik shops and the recommended one is Citra Batik. Another mental note to visit that place if we manage to visit PCB. I visited PCB once, before we were married - feels like very long ago as I have very vague memory about it.

Af for Kelantan food, it is one of the best things about Hubby’s hometown. I simply love the food in Kelantan, lots of spices and very aromatic and natural. My gastronomic wishes this time around is to savour:

  • Keropok lekor - home cooked type
  • Nasi kerabu & laksam - my usual favourites
  • Murtabak Raja or Royal Murtabak -reportedly sold for RM11 per piece as Sultan Kelantan tasted it before and it is huge and delicious
  • Ayam Percik - it gotta be Yati’s ayam percik as it tasted the best so far and pricing wise comparable to KFC
  • Authentic Thai food hidden in the jungle fringe along the wakaf baru or Tumpat area - They are really good and tasty.
  • Durian kuih (Lempok Durian) - Those homemade by Grandma or the neighbours. I hope to get some this time around.
  • Fresh fruits from the family orchard - Duku, Dokong, Durian, mango and a lot more…

Not to forget also the numerous house to house visits will have lots of Kelantanese home cooked delicacies of Nasi Dagang, Nasi Kerabu, Pulut with curry and lots of cookies and kuih. Every household serve full meals like these during CNY for visitors.

Thinking about it makes me all excited to "balik kampung" again this year. I probably need to fast and loose a few pounds in order to store the amount of food I am gonna take home with me this year….hehehe



Morib Beach and Tanjung Sepat

January 9, 2008

We went to Morib beach during the Haji holiday last year. It was a day trip to the beach, I wanted to let Zoe have a feel of the sand and sea water. I also wanted to hunt down the famous Lover’s Bridge seafood restaurant (Tanjung Sepat), particularly the Ocen seafood restaurant where the food is nice, fresh and reasonably priced. I have read about Tanjung Sepat from many blogger, especially from Gina and Zara Mama.

We started our journey after lunch at about 2:30pm from our home and took us about 1 hour to reach Morib, thru some coastal road without toll. It was an eye opener that Selangor still have long stretches of Kampung roads. Feels like we are back in KB. Thank God we did not get lost althou half way in the journey, we thot we were lost. Its out first time using the road and we are only using an outdated year 2000 map emoticon

Morib1
Zoe’s first contact with sand

Morib2
Wuuu…salty sea water. She curled her toes up when in the water, maybe this experience is all too new to her.

Morib3
Ocen’s seafood restaurant at Lover’s Bridge in Tanjung Sepat. Tanjung Sepat is about 20 minutes from Morib Beach.
It is a fisherman village.

Morib4
Zoe and Mommy walking along Lover’s Bridge. It was very windy that day. What a sight and fresh air!

Morib5
The wooden jetty leading to the fisherman boats. I really love the scenic view there.
Looks like a scene out of a movie.

Morib6
Zoe slept all the time we were in Tanjung Sepat.
I guess the wind and sea breeze made her drift into lalaland for a good dreamy sleep.

Morib7
Still sleeping when Daddy and Mommy was savouring our fresh seafood dinner in Ocen Restaurant.

The seafood there is really good and fresh. We ordered a plate of fried oyster with eggs (oh  chean), steam promphet teachoew style and butter prawn. All tasted heavenly with fresh coconut juice. The bills came up to about RM60 and I thot that was reasonable enough la.

I asked Daddy whether he would come back again and he said "Yes!". The next time I am there, I want to order crab….hee hee hee

Its a nice day trip that ended with delicious food. Oops, no food pictures as we were so hungry and forgot to take pictures of the food. Hee Hee…