Putrajaya Floria 2014

Location: Promenade, Precinct 4, Putrajaya
Website: http://floriaputrajaya.com.my/

For a long time, I never been to the flora event after my dad passed away (about 20 years ago). Recently I'm engage with gardening hobby and since this event came by, why not have a visit as well as making this as family event. We decided to come today, as it is first day and Saturday, hoping not so much crowd. From the reading from internet, the past event attracted some 1 million visitors.

It's not so much of hassle to come over here, if you have smartphone installed with Waze, it would be good to search the official website and click on the Waze icon available, and it would bring you here to the venue. For this year, it is re-locate to a new permanent site with bigger capacity. There is a minimal entrance fees, RM3 for adult.

There are many gardens available, which most of the time I visited the outdoor theme gardens. Many corporate / government agencies came in full force to decorate the garden. For myself, as I'm doing gardening now, it would be good to get some idea on the outdoor theme. Since today is the first day of the exhibition, I would give a thumb up for the event as most of the decoration is beautiful.

I prefer those plant that could easily flowering, as well as low maintenance. Example of this concept above, not all flower is easily maintain but at least could give me some idea on how to arrange it. Well, there are still many things that I need to learn for the gardening.

We were lucky as it is cloudy day. Since we are entering the El-Nino effect, I was expecting it would be bloody hot under the sun, but thanks god.... Everyone was excited with the flower and keep taking photos and some curious visitor looking for latest innovation as well for gardening.

My daughter like this area. Colorful and yet soothing to look at. When the wind blows, my daughter will shout at it.

Another thing I like is some of the participants using recycle items to decorate their garden. Example they using the plastic bottle to make it as a canopy. Some touch up be done to make the decoration more colorful.

Another example using the log to decorate and some water splashing to the front of the lake.

According to my sister, this year event look better compare with the previous one that she attended. I guess this is due to the Visit Malaysia Year 2014 and the government wanna to make this event more happening. There is schedule as well of floating boat at night.

Another flower that I like, but not sure whether it is easy to maintain ????

We went to indoor garden, where lots of participants show case their decoration in smaller scale. However, this is from international participant with their concept.

Another concept displayed indoor.

There are many stalls available for you to buy plants, accessories etc. I bought a coco peat for myself.

Though I give a thumb up for the event, but still there are lot of improvement can be done.

For parking space, there are no one taking care of the space. As usual, there are some inconsiderate driver simply park their car without taking consideration whether they will block the traffic flow. By the time we want to go back, it was hard for us to exit from the car park.

Some seller still not fully ready with their stall preparation. Motorbike keep flowing in and out carrying flower to their respective stall. No proper lane for them to follow as we as visitor need to look out for the vehicle coming, especially when one bring their kids along.

Not many shaded area for the visitors. Also, if it is raining it would be havoc as most visitors will go to indoor park which will be very crowded then.

Hopefully from year to year, the event organizer will get better and better to organize such a big event. Kudos for them to make it happen this year.

4 days 3 nights in Phuket

Day 1
We reached here and checking into our hotel. It was already about 3pm local time by then. Rest for a while and we went to the local weekend market known as Phuket Weekend Market. By the time we back to hotel, we were tired and that's gone for our first day.

Day 2
After breakfast we were required to attend the 90 minutes preview by Anantara Vacation Club. After the preview, we just enjoying the facilities of the club. Abbey has the longest swim so far, and it was under hot sun. After that, we went to the beach to play the sand castle with Abbey. At night, we went for Phuket Fantasea Show.

Day 3
We had late breakfast. After that, we take a cab to go to Patong Beach. We spent the whole afternoon shopping there and strolling along the beach area. Came back to the club house, and by night we were slightly tired. Hence we decided to go across the road, known as Turtle Village to have our dinner. We wanted to try out a restaurant for local Thai food, but the restaurant has called it the day. Hence we have no choice but just simply try another restaurant which still operating.

Day 4
Had our breakfast, and we went to Anantara Villas for some photo shooting before heading back. Again we went back to the beach, to the infinity pool and restaurant of Anantara Villas. When we back to the club, bring Abbey for swimming again before we heading back to airport to take our flight.

Overall, we wanted this trip to be free and easy and not so rushing. We have Abbey with us and 2 elderly ladies. Hence need to be slow pace activities.

Patong Beach

Location: Patong Beach, Phuket's West Coast

Phuket's trip is incomplete without visiting to the famous Patong Beach, and here we are!!! We came here for day time shopping. There are lot of shops (or rather stall) that starts operating. Under the hot sun, we hop from a stall to another trying to buy clothes, and we were looking for bikini for Abbey. Weather were humid, and we forgotten to bring along the stroller. Hence we need to ask Abbey to walk more. Good girl she is, listening to us and walking most of the time.

Since the beach is located at the town center, it is also known for the night life as well. From the place we dropped off by taxi, walking along the street to the beach, there are many pubs which already operating. Across the street of the beach, there are many accommodation available for one to choose from. The only setback is bustling till late night, not recommended if one looking for a quite holiday away from the usual town life.

There are many operators at the beach, be it the jet ski, parachuting, massage etc. Things seems changed a lot since my last business trip here. There are more foreigner that manning the stall compare last time. I could see the foreigner yelling to attract attention of the onlooker to visit their stall.

Over here, we tried our luck with local dishes and massage after enjoying for the past 2 days. Reflexology would be the best option for us. While we enjoying our foot massage, Abbey also able to entertain the massage lady with her "cuties" looks and response. She now able to say "sawadeekap" whenever speaks to the local, and with both her hand holding like a local lady which make her more adorable.

By about 5pm, there are policemen manning the street, and I saw some motorbike was summoned due to several offences they committed, mostly by the foreigner over here. Policemen are very strict during the period of time, no joke and hats up for their good job.

At the end of the visit here, I need to carry Abbey as she was too tired and slept while I hug her. Looking for a cab to go back to our hotel is no joke, as some of the cab is too pricy and car is not a good condition. Lots of nego need to be done before we finally settle for one.

Phuket Fantasea Show

Location: 99 Moo 3, Kamala Beach | Kathu, Kamala, Phuket 83150, Thailand
Website: http://www.phuket-fantasea.com

This is another must visit place for those who come to Phuket. At first I'm not sure whether this is another successful marketing gimmick that has everyone come over here. Ticket is consider expensive for me, and it is inclusive of a buffet dinner. After talking with a new found friend from Singapore whom has see the show, I finally agree to give it a try. Someone was picking us from the hotel.

It is advisable to get the ticket earlier. However, since it was Monday and non peak season, we able to get the ticket without much problem. Once we reached the place, it's still early and we are able to take photos and sight seeing inside the compound.

Once entered the main door, there is a colorful monument welcoming everyone. As usual, this would be lot of people queuing to get a photo out of it. It would be better if one can come earlier (also depending on the time the van come to pick up), as there are few "shops" with different concept waiting for their guest. You could take your time to hop from one another.

Another attraction here is white tiger. Just follow the signboard and at the end of the tour, you would able to see few white tigers strolling around at their compound. I would say the tiger is pretty active, and properly kept. We thought this was another gimmick, till we saw the real tiger before exiting the shop. Pretty amaze with it, and there wasn't any additional charges for this.

There will be some staff dressed colorfully, playing some stuff welcoming the tourist. All in all, most important they bear a smile on their face welcoming the guest. This is far cry from ......... you know what I mean .......

This is what I meant, there are many shops decorated with their own theme to welcome the guest. One can visit and looking at the specialty of each shop. Most of the time, it is selling souvenirs and especially good for the little one. Myself quite like the concept over here, colorful and it does attract my daughter attraction.

This is known as "Palace of the Elephants", the place where the Fantasea Show is shown. Though it is free seating, but still the ticket has printed the Gate that one need to get through. The gate will only be opened about half an hour before the show start. All guest are not allow to bring in their gadget which could capture any moment of the show, be it the smartphone, video recorder, camera etc. There is a special counter where all guest could keep their belonging before entering. You will be given with a token, and once the show is over back to the counter to reclaim back your belonging. Pretty safe and worry not. Everyone is PROHIBITED taking any video clips or photos during the show.

At this compound, one could see the elephants and even can take a ride on it. Extra charge is applicable to ride the elephant.

This grand building is the place where the buffet dinner is hosted. It is a huge place inside it. I would suggest to come in early to have your dinner, before the crowd starting coming in. It would be pretty havoc if it is full house, especially you are bringing your kid together. There are 2 main places serving the foods, one at each end. Make sure you are sufficiently full and continue your visit within the compound before the show start.

Phuket Weekend Market

Location: Located along Chao Fa West Road

This is our first destination in Phuket. Weather is good for us, as there isn't raining (forecast to rain) !!! Actually it was pretty humid and it's already crowded and people flocking in, be it local or tourist.

We started first the tour looking for local food and filling up our stomach. We end up eating the local noodle beef soup, chicken rice and pork rice which we always eat while in Thailand. Everyone start sweating due to the hot weather. After taking the dinner, we bought some foods to bring back to the resort.

I consider the food here quite reasonable, and also some of the food like prawn is fresh. I decided to buy some squids to compliment with the local beer. Fruits especially pineapple is so sweet and tasty. The lady team bought some fruits for the trip. Others than that, there is also a stall selling fried insect. I bought it once before during my trip in Thailand, but for the sake of trying of few pcs then. Now, no way I'm going to try it again......

As this was Abbey's first oversea trip, she managed it pretty well. Though sweating like nobody business, she actually doesn't make any noise and keep walking according to our pace. Mommy busy buying clothes for her. Since it was so hot, I bought Abbey a hairband to tie her hair. Mom and granny busy looking for their hat over here. At the end of the tour, I manage to buy myself a pair of sandal which I consider it cheap.

Everyone seems happy for this short local market shopping spree.

Anantara Vacation Club Phuket

Location: Mai Khao, Thalang District, Phuket, Thailand
Contact: +66 76 337 200
Website: https://www.anantaravacationclub.com

We booked this accommodation through the invitation from Citibank, which we just paying for the friction from the total value for 4 days 3 nights stay here. Since we didn't has any oversea vacation ever since Abigail came into our life, we decided to come here for a short holiday and before Abbey turn to 2 years old. This also is the first time for Abbey to take the plane.

Once we reached the airport, I was busy looking for the driver to pick us up. I saw someone holding the hotel placard at the arrival hall and had a quick chat with the person. Luckily my sis' mom in law saw someone else has a placard holding our name, but the person's back facing us and he was chit chatting with other person. What a day to start with our vacation.....

Actually there are Anantara over here in Phuket. The one we were staying is vacation club and is the latest addition. Another is Anantara Phuket Villas which has operating longer than the vacation club. Both Anantara operating in the same location, besides each other. With our package, we were required to attend about an hour talk, where the staff is introducing to us the vacation club and invited us to become their member. There is no obligation for us to commit anyway.

The Vacation Club has a nice swimming pool in the midst of the club. Also the restaurant where we having our breakfast is facing with the swimming pool if one taking the outdoor table, hence it is very nice. Abbey likes the swimming pool very much, which she keep saying swimming whenever pass by the swimming pool. During our stay, we bring her for swim and most of the time is about noon as the water will not that cold. The club has a children pool as well as providing some stuff like ball for one to enjoy during the swim.

At the reception, there are a big pool where there are lot of tilapia fishes welcoming you. The staff provided us with a pack of fish food, and Abbey happily feeding the fish. Besides that, they also serving us with welcome drink and for lady, they are provided with flowers. After checking in, there is buggy waiting for you to ferrying you and your luggage to the building.

We booked the apartment rather than villa. This is because there are 4 adults (Serene and myself, my mom and sis' mom in law). There are 2 rooms in the apartment, come ready with own dining area and family area. The only setback is our balcony facing the construction site, which currently Anantara is expanding the club to consist more of the villas. We were lucky to be brought to the villa's show house during the presentation by the staff.

Facilities are aplenty over here. Swimming pool in the middle, and the club has the gym over seeing the pool as well. Located beneath the gym is child care center, where parents could leave their children there playing with guidance of Anantara's staff. I guess the children must be 4 years old and above to be left there, else the parents need to accompany the children at the center. Across the gym and child center is the restaurant.

Another setback for the vacation club is the beach is located quite far. One could request the buggy to fetch you to the beach, which is actually located at the Anantara Villas. Soft sands, but the time we were there the wind pretty strong and not advisable to swim at the sea. We brought along a beer and some snacks, and accompany Abbey to play the sand castle. The rest of us just enjoying the breeze.

A day in Sekinchan

Coordinate: N03°31.2631′ E101°07.7436′

After our heavy lunch, we decided to come over to the this area. Indeed this is a good place to hang around especially if you have young kids and expose them with how the rice is cultivated. We have visited the rice mill factory last year, but at that time I didn't bring my camera along and hence didn't post any in the blog.

In fact, we did came here to Sekinchan previously just for photo shooting (An outing to paddy field.... S.E.K.I.N.C.H.A.N.)

The rice mill is open to public (didn't take the name down or info) and one could visit the factory and someone will guide you through out the visit with a small amount of entrance fee. The staff would explains to the visitor on the rice, how they plant it etc.... anything that you would need to know about the rice. Quite an interesting and learn more on this industry.

Besides that, once could see the lorry carrying the rice into the factory and how they weight it and segregate the rice. The rice here is slightly different according to the staff, where the rice here is the one that we use to make our sushi dishes. At the end of the visit, one could also purchase the rice which is nicely packed.

At the moment, the rice almost ripe and it really a nice scenery in Sekinchan. A vast green field with blue sky and white cloud make it the perfect day for anyone who wish to take some photo here. The paddy field already dry and no more water underneath, waiting for the time to harvest after the farmer waiting for several months.

The only thing that one should remember if coming over for the photo shooting is sun lotion. We just dare not to stand too long under the hot sun. Our friend who went outside for a while quickly came back to the car. The weather outside is even hotter than the time when I went fishing.

The last place we went is to buy some mango, another well known place for tourist to get some famous local product. By the time we reached the place, almost all fruits has been sold out. In fact the fruit pack also sold out. With disappointed heart, we left the place and heading back to our home for relax.

Restoran Guan Hwat at Sekinchan

Location: Lot 2942, Jalan Teowchow, Bagan Sekinchan
Coordinate: N03°30.3038′ E101°05.9530′
Contact: +6016-688 2609
Opening Hours: 7.00am - 2.00pm. Close on Tuesday

It's public holiday aka Labor Day today. We have visitor and planning to bring them to eat at Sekinchan, but unfortunately we didn't book earlier and decided to try our luck today anyway to Sekinchan. By the time we reach the junction heading towards the food destination, I know our initial choice would be out, hence we decided to come out this restaurant. Actually we came here before, and it would be nice to make up our lunch here since it would be first time for our visitor.

First came the petai with shrimps. Since I had little intake for my breakfast, I started first to eat. It taste nice with the fresh petai, quite crispy and it doesn't taste really spicy at all. Anyway, we already waited for an hour to get the seat as it was full of people today. There are lot of tourist buses and family outing. Maybe that is the impact due to the recently concluded TVB drama not long ago at one of the beach here, Pantai Redang.

Next is another of our favorite, fried fish. It's very crispy, even my grandma said so during our last visit over here. Together with the lime, it add additional flavor and taste towards the fish. Also, we purposely order this due to little kid. It would be good for them to eat more on this fresh fish. I'm not sure how many fishes we ordered, but I guess I have finished one whole fish itself. Not even that, my visitor also gave me half of her rice. Opppsss......

Next came the squid fried with onion. It's cut into small slices and just cooked with some dry chilies. Well, since this just besides the fishing village, the taste does really good as it was fresh. I could still feels the tenderness of the squid.

Another fish dish that we ordered, but this round it's steam fish. Lazy to stand up the photo, I just could get it from the side of the plate. Fresh fish again, and there was some lime added towards the dish. Again we ordered this due to the 2 little kids among us.

We ordered a fish ball soup. Not really special but again it's fresh and I guess my 2 year old daughter finished few pieces for the fish ball. She really enjoy the fish ball.

Last came the shark dish. Guess this is one of the famous dish not only at this restaurant, but generally at this area. Most of us already finish our rice, so we just eat as it is. The flesh was cut into small pieces and we were able to finish the whole dish luckily.

We did as well order crab, but luckily the waitress told us that it wasn't written down in the bill and hence they didn't prepare any of it. I was wondering if the dish came, not sure how we could finish it as all of us were very full by now. Still there were many customer coming in, and it quite late at that time. Most of the dishes already out of stocks by then.

Overall, the food is nice and tasty and at reasonable price. The only thing one need to do is lower don't the expectation on the cleanliness of the restaurant. Waitress is good there to help as much as possible but due to the public holiday, the restaurant having shortage of man power.

Kuantan Fishing again.... April 2014 trip

Here I came again to Kuantan for fishing trip, after my last trip in February. Indeed it was a last minute call by my colleague, and without much hesitation I agree to join him for this trip. It was only 2 of us. Our plan was departing from KL early in the morning and going back on the same day.

A day before, we made a call to the boatman to check on the recent catch and to our disappointment, it wasn't a good catch these few days. We still insist to go ahead with our plan, as the saying goes "a worst day of fishing is better than a good day at work". We didn't expect much from the trip, setting our expectation as low as we could.

We reached too early in Kuantan, hence we stopped by at the 24-hours McDonald to have our breakfast and resting an hour before meeting with the boatman. Even though I'm tired due to my journey to Pontian during the weekend, but I guess fishing is more fun though.

While we leaving the shores all the way to get our bait, the sea was calm as it raining heavily the night before according to the boatman. It was totally different from my last trip, where there wasn't any choppy wave around. Weather just nice for us. Once we got enough with our bait, we move on to our first fishing spot.

The whole morning we get none of it. No fish takes our bait at all. In our heart, we start doubting whether we make the right choice to come or not. We keep trying and trying but seriously, no fish at all no matter how hard we tried. We changed few fishing spots but the result still the same.

All change once it is lunch time. Guess the fish over here also start feels hungry!!! The boatman yelled once he saw his rod bent like nobody business. It turn out to be ang ko li (parrot fish) with decent size. It's the changing point of our fishing trip, lady luck start smiling on us. One after another, we shouted as rod start bending here and there. The spot is famous for parrot fish. All in all, we got 4 parrot fish at this spot and numbers of grouper as well.

We continue to few other spots and most of the time by then is groupers. Anyhow, we prefer to have grouper due to some reasons. At the same time, we also found some new spot and the boatman has marked with it. Coincidentally, we were waiting a commercial ship to pass by our spot, we start throwing our bait. Immediately there was response underneath and hence again we were spending some time to get the fishes.

The above photo courtesy of our boatman. While we taking shower, the boatman help us to divide the fishes as well as taking the photo. By the time we came back, it is ready to be thrown into our ice box.

Overall, we were satisfied with the result, with the frenzy we had for ang ko li. There was a point where I had to jump to the seat to fight with the ang ko li, but luck wasn't there as the line was tangled with other rods. Haizz..........

As usual, we ending our trip with a nice dinner and brought some fishes to the same restaurant before we heading back to KL. My colleague already start planning with the boatman for the next trip in May. Not sure whether I able to join again in the next trip.

6th Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon 2014

Location: Precinct 2, Putrajaya
Official Website: http://www.myballoonfiesta.com/

It's been a while since my last visit to the hot air balloon here. Today I'm bringing my daughter for her to see for the first time in her life the hot air balloon. By the time we reached Precinct 2, it's almost 7.30am. As expected, we couldn't get into the flying area anymore. We only can watch it from the outer area with the remaining crowds.

We were lucky to see the first balloon to start flying when reached there. The rest of the balloonists still preparing for the flight. There are new balloon that available comparing with my last visit. However, the total balloon available doesn't change much compare my last visit.

Willy the first to go up the sky.

One thing that I noticed is for this year event, there are more balloon from Taiwan. It is pretty impressive with their design like heart-shape, cool graphic design etc that could easily relate to Taiwan. Was hoping that Malaysia has something similar that could promote Malaysia in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia Year 2014, and not the conventional balloon with the mosaic color look alike.

Another balloon that caught my attention is the one that carrying the word "UNICEF". Instantly my mind remind me of Barcelona FC.... haha. The tag is written with "FLYING HIGH WITH KID.COM". Feel proud and this is one of the most effective way to pass the message across.

Once all balloons on air, we were wandering around the area. We went to the tethered area and here we could easily take photos especially with my daughter. I saw the queue was long, where people trying to get the chance to fly the balloon... Not soon later, we saw three patrol officer riding horse and we grab this chance to take a closer look and snap photo. Daughter was pretty scare of this animal... hahahaha.....

Below is remaining photos taken during today's event. Hopefully this could be getting better and better each year. For tonight event, there is a firework display but too bad, there is another dinner appointment need to attend.