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.

Kuantan Fishing

This is my second fishing trip to Kuantan within a month (as well as my second trip for this year). After the hoo-haa the previous trip, my colleague had boasted the catch the last trip to other anglers in Penang. What's more, we booked for 2 days trip as the Penang entourage travelling all the way here to Kuantan. Everything perfectly, boatman helped to book a homestay and making sure all of us comfortably settling in.

The night before the fishing trip started, we went to buy some live prawn. Everything turn from good to bad. We were told that the wind quite strong for the past few days (though we did call before the trip). Live prawn only has limited stock. We went for a nice dinner and went back to the homestay waiting for next day, hoping wind will slow down.

First day, went out to sea and it is really choppy. Luckily I didn't ask the boatman to get some sea-sick pills for me. The rest of them didn't take at all. Not long after the trip, first one get down. Not able to fishing anymore. By late noon, another down. Left with 2 of us fishing. We caught few barracudas almost 10kg each. It only takes the live bait, "tamban". The sea was too choppy which we couldn't stay too long. We went to other places but not many that we caught, too choppy and limited places to go. Few others fishes caught up like parrot fish.

Anchorman helped us to book a massage, and they help us to put the fish in their fridge. At night, another nice feast we had, follow by reflexology. It suck big time for the reflexology.... Lol..... The boatman helped us as well to get live prawn, and told us it was more than the previous day. We were delighted, winds going down a little bit. This put a smile to all of us.

The next day, we went out as usual. Boatman told us that today we could go out further. The first stop would be to get some live bait, tamban again. Then we proceed to a hot spot, catching coral trout especially. Not long after laying our bait, parrot fish came up. We were told that the spot has many types of fishes. Soon it was my turn with coral trout. Everyone excited, hoping more to come. Fished quite long over this spot, we caught few 3 coral trouts and few parrot fishes in total before changing to next spot.

After the spot, it was not a very fruitful spot. We only able to get some little fishes or no fishes at all. Though the waves not as strong as the previous day, the fish wasn't anywhere to spot. We decided to go for some little fished like "cencaru" to make it for the day. When we were busy looking for the small little fish, suddenly one of us shouted as the rod bending. Immediately he pulled it up, fighting with the fish and eventually a grouper emerge from the sea, about 8kg of it. Everyone clapping hand. After a while, we were heading back to the shore.

Before heading back to KL, we had our dinner with coral trout as the main course. Damn nice. During the chat, suddenly the team discussing about the next trip.... March maybe???

Kuantan Fishing ..... First trip for 2014

Everyone is very excited for the trip. Countless call made to the boatman checking whether we could go out to the sea. It is the ebek season opening. We decided to make a day trip to Kuantan, departing early in the morning and back late at night. This is the second time I made the day trip to Kuantan for fishing. Furthermore, still in the mood of CNY but we don't want to miss the chance to have a good catch.

By the time we reached the meeting point, we were late already and hence we departed late by almost an hour. Without further wasting time, boatman brought us to get some bait and heading towards the ebek spot. Not long after we lay our bait, there was sound where my reel being pulled. Immediately I strike it out, and hence the fighting game begun.

Fight and fight, 10 minutes... 20 minutes and some more... from far away, we saw silver size moving on the surface from far away... we shouted it was ebek.... but still it's far away. We reel again and again, reel in 3 times but the fish pull out further out. That's the activities we do fighting with the fish, moving around the boat and keep going on for 2 hours before we able to land it up. It was mantra ray. Aiksss..... had we known earlier on, we would cut the line and continue to search for other fishes as that was the prime time for fishing. It was the first mantra ray and such the big size catch, and consumed up all my energies. All of us on the boat helped to pull up the ray during the period, all relief when it was up.

Right after that, I tried jigging. Immediately it struck. Well, the anchorman saw I don't have any energy to pull up the fish and came to help me out. It was cobia. At the same time, my brother in law hit with yellow lip ebek. Fighting and fighting, both fish landed. Both was more than 10kg.

I was knocked down already by then. Boatman continue to bring us to few spots. Others landed few more, notably shark, cobia again and parrot fish. Came back ashore about 6pm.

At night, we went to the same restaurant that we always had, plus took some our catch to try it out before heading back to KL. Anchorman helped us to get some ice to fill up our ice box, a very helpful and friendly guy. By the time I reached home, it was about 2am already. Still need to clean some of the fishing gear, and worst of all tomorrow need to work.