Grandvalira Ski Resort

Location: C/ Prat de la Creu, 59-65 | Escala C, Planta 5, Andorra la Vella AD500, Andorra
Contact: +376 891 800
Website: http://www.grandvalira.com/
Operation: I would think to check on the official website, as depends on the condition, especially the snow.

I did complete my task earlier than expected, and was "rewarded" with a trip to ski resort. Since the client invited to have a visit to the ski resort, why not as I just love to visit places that I never been before. According to Tripadvisor, this is #1 attractions in Andorra.

We reached the ticket counter, and after a short while I was given with a ticket to enter the resort. There was an event recently, a major ski event. We were using the cable car going up the hill.

On the way up, manage to snap few photos. There are lot of accommodation available, the nearest to the resort. However, this is a bit far from the town. Nevertheless, Andorra is just a small country, so if one has their own transportation, this wouldn't be an issue. I love the accommodation over here as it is facing the snowy hill.

If I were to visit Andorra on my own, I would prefer to stay here as well enjoying the breathtaking scenery.

Once we reached the top, there is a shop that allows you engage in the activity that you would like. Be it renting the equipment or even enroll in the skiing school. The one that attracted me most was the school teaching the little kid. I mean this is pretty new for myself as there is none ski resort back in Malaysia.

Not sure why the skis all over the place outside the shop, but who cares?

I guess this slope is meant for the advance skier, pretty steep. Couldn't see anyone trying on this slope while I was there. However, according to the client, the area here has lot of place where one can ski. So it's pretty easy for everyone to enjoying their ski activities here.

This slope for normal users. Not that steep compared with the previous photo. Though been visited few ski resort before, I never try any of them. Looks tempting to try once in future.

After walking around the resort, it was time to relax and have a place to sit down. There is a place set up for the visitor to hang around. Open air, you could buy drinks and engage in some activities to get some gifts. It's pretty cool, the place is looking after the slope and enjoying people skiing around the places. On top of that, the panorama view is awesome.

No need to worry if the phone runs out of battery, this place also provides the cable for one to charging their phone. Hence could constantly keep in touch with everyone, and most likely to take photos and shares with friends without worry battery runs out. I didn't try it out, not sure it still could work under the freezing temperature.

If too cold, the kiosk also provided heater. However, today's the weather extremely perfect. In fact, I found it little warm as no cloud today and direct sunlight. We spent some time here chit chatting before going downhill and back to hotel.

Without my client, I don't think I could enjoy this place and more importantly the view. Just hope that I could come back to this little town during winter time and back to the resort once more.

Strolling around Andorra City

Yes, I'm back in Andorra for yet another business trip again. This time for the review of the project scope and I'm alone here. And what, today is Valentine's Day which I'm celebrating alone, walking alone down the street and most likely end up shopping alone in this tax-free country. The client once again booked for me the same hotel that I stayed last time, Hotel Plaza Andorra.

Though it was a long journey and lonely, I've decided to visit the town by foot since it's accessible by foot. Weather still cold though it's already mid-Feb. Came across this unique "clock" in the town, and beneath it was stream with crystal clear water. And I could still feels the Christmas mood around the city.

Across the stream, it is this outstanding colorful building next to Mr Frost. Though little gloomy, the color of the building really standout. The shop was selling some camera equipment. The road in front is vehicle-free street, hence just take my own sweet steps looking around and enjoying the scenery over here. Not much vehicle anyway, since it was week day. Usually the town will be packed with tourist especially in summer when a lot of people travelling between France and Spain using their own transport. This would be their so called pit stop to buy cigarette, alcohol or perfume. Much more cheaper compare with other town in Europe.

As walking around, suddenly it start snowing. I love that especially I comes from a country which either hot season or rainy season. I always love to come to four seasons countries enjoying their weather. At least from the fashion perspective, it's not dull.

From the architecture perspective, I admire and likes to see the building here. Example this restaurant which is unique on its own with the rock wall. There are few similar design, maybe due to the mountainous surrounding here. I'm still looking for a shopping center which I could shop my souvenir for family member.

At the town center, it's so beautiful with the mountain as backdrop. During the peak of the winter, this city could turn into white city which my client told me that is really beautiful. Every year they could spend their white Christmas here. I was hoping then that this meeting could be done in December but I know it's almost impossible due to the fact of the festive season and most of them were taking leave at that time. But hopefully I could return here to experience the white Christmas.

Nam Seng Chopboard

GPS Coordinate: N2°11.8466′ E102°14.9048′

Ever wondering how the chopboard (aka cutting board or whateva you call it) at our kitchen comes from or how it was process? Well, the other objective that we came to Malacca is to buy the board. But why all the way to Malacca where this can be easily purchased in other places?

Well, I came across the shop while I was on my business trip to Malacca, and it so happened that I passed by this shop. Since I'm planning to get one, and my sister also the same, so I suggested to come here and buy. I always believe that the board made in the old fashion way would always last longer. I does take a while for us to find this shop, as I've forgotten the road leading to this shop.

We were greeted by the owner which is an elderly man. He is very friendly, and explaining to us the way he make the chopboard, the wood he selected etc. When we entered the shop, it was full with the wood. It needs to be cut into pieces before the smoothen process take place. There will be lot of dust when smoothen the board surface. The residue will be collected and sell to those shop making joss sticks.

The elderly man also thought us how to take care of the chopboard, how to clean and dry it in order to avoid of getting fungus. Besides that, he also recommend us to buy other product from the wood. He told us that the wood would produce some kind of aroma that prevent the mosquito from coming.

Overall, it's an new experience for us and thanks to the elderly man for the knowledge sharing with us.

Toast 'n' Toast Kopitiam

Location: 245, Jalan Melaka Raya 1, Taman Melaka Raya, 75000 Melaka
Tel: 06-292 1139
GPS Coordinate: N2°14.3927′ E102°15.6081′

Right after the noodle at Hing Loong Restoran, we were heading to our next stop, Toast 'n' Toast Kopitiam. What a morning without a coffee though !!! From outlook, it does looks like the old town coffee shop. Not many customers around, maybe it's too late for breakfast or too early for lunch.

All of us ordered the same, black coffee. We do likes this, as the taste is very strong, those typical coffee.

We also ordered some specialty, Banana Toast. When the food was served, we find it kind special. It blends well with the kaya. Slightly sweet for our taste.

The next one is sardine with egg, if I remember it correctly. Nothing much special, especially myself can't bite anymore as it was really full. I just wanna enjoying my cup of coffee. Don't want to waste food, my brother in law forcefully taken the food. It is a nice and simple concept, and more importantly the food is nice.

The decoration inside the shop kinda attract my attention. I likes the idea of having outstanding color, and "antique" feels inside. Those old photos was displayed and some storyline regarding the  Hainanese etnic group.

Hing Loong Restoran

Location: No. 11-J, Jalan Bachang, Melaka
Tel: 06-284-2529
GPS Coordinate: N2°12.5768′ E102°14.5520′

We decided to come to Melaka to try the food over here. However, we don't want to try those typical food that usually the outsider will frequent. We appreciate if we could try more towards the local foods available in Melaka. Hence, we did some research in the internet before embarking our journey to Melaka. It will be a day trip from KL downwards to Melaka.

The first stop is this restaurant known as Hing Loong Restoran. This is sort of our breakfast as we made an early trip to Malacca, though this is short holiday for us. Together with my sister and brother in law, I drove the car down.

Without hesitate, my favorite noodle would be beef noodle. I still believe that this is the best meat to eat (my humble opinion**). When it was served, it really disappoint my expectation. Even though I'm small eater usually during morning time, but amazingly I could finish the whole bowl.

Serene was ordering pork noodle. I didn't try on that, but according to Serene it was tasty as well. All of us feels satisfy with the noodle and feels worth the effort and journey to come all the way to taste the noodle.

Surprisingly this shop never been mentioned by my friends from Melaka, not sure whether they even know the existence of this shop or try the noodle themselves. Definitely for us, we will come back and try the next round when visiting Melaka again.