Pangkor Island Festival - introducing the beauty of Pangkor

Yupe, we went for island holiday again.

Here we are, at Pangkor Island, 

and they are celebrating their Pangkor Island Festival now!!

Pangkor Island Festival (PIF20) ia -week long celebration of culture and arts. Highlights of this community-based arts festival include parade, art installations and exhibitions, theatre, music, film screenings, as well as a variety of workshops.PIF2013 aims to encourage interaction between fellow Pangkorians and Malaysian artists to support and enhance a livelier community environment. The festival also acts as a conduit to promote community development and to raise awareness of existing cultural history. Last but not least, the mapping of local eateries and points of interest as part of the festival also hopes to boost local tourism.PIF 2013 cordially invites both local residents and foreign visitors to be part of this arts and cultural festival. 

It was drizzling & we are still sitting at seaside Teluk Nipah.

Unlike Perhentian Islands or Redang Island, Pangkor island not much affected by the monsoon season. Except for the rainny days. This is because Pangkor is an island off the coast of Perak in North-west peninsular Malaysia. Reached by ferry from Lumut. The island is only 8 square kilometers landed but it has poulation of 25 thousands islanders. That was an amazing numbers which i couldnt figure it out where these population hide at a place with only 16km Tar road. You may not find much attractions but merely just a fish village. You may not find the sea as clear as what you saw at Perhentian or Redang. It's a low-key tourism spot for those bugetary travelers, like me. I found it relaxing.

Okey, here we are at Seagull Pangkor Resort. Why pay more for those expensive hotels when the motive we came here is to relax & enjoy the nature. Am i right?

Seagull Pangkor Resort is an excellent & ideal place to stay at Pangkor island. If you were to seek for basic supplies only, i can said that they provide more than just basics. Tv Astro channels, shower heater, soap & shampoo, towel & etc. Some challet do not provide anything but just a bed & aircon.Moreover, there's a place for you to surf internet if you happens to forget to bring your laptop. A splash pool for kids & a canteen to cather tourists in groups. If you are not sure where is this Seagull Pangkor Resort or how to go there, you can just call up and pre-arrange with their challet staff for a pick up from jetty too! it's more like a one stop solution place located at Teluk Nipah seaside hotspot where you can find everything nearby within walking distance.

official website for Seagull Pangkor Resort
>>http://www.seagullbeachvillageresort.com/<<

Another important element to enjoy a holiday is food! You may try out for some local food near SPK - small town area in Pangkor. But of course there're alot of food stalls around Seagull Pangkor Resort @ Teluk Nipah. Most of them offer food at tourist rate. Teluk Nipah is a tourists hotspot. Maybe you can try negotiate with them for a cheaper price. We paid for around MYR40 for our dinner including drinks. And you can have your meals on the beach. It might not as enjoyable as having romantic seaside dinner with the waves under your foot like how we experienced at Perhentian Kecil (Small Perhentian). But i do believe it is still acceptable if you're not picky. Well, the food taste not bad. Worth a try.

Well, you ride around the island with motorcycle. Renting motorcycle services available anywhere. Even Seagull Pangkor Resort provides this service. Save your headache of trying to figure out where to rent a motor bike. You can dropby a famous chinese temple near SPK town area. 

Just rent a bike and exploring around this mountainous island & you may found it enjoyable.

A very nice retreat readers. You should try it someday too.

Cheers.

Perhentian Island - My valentine's destination

The sunset on Perhentian Besar 

when we were having our romantic seaside dinner.

The two main islands are Perhentian Besar ("Big Perhentian") and Perhentian Kecil Island ("SmallPerhentian"). Kecil attracts more travellers as it has cheaper accommodation, while Besar is a little more expensive and caters more to families and those who want to avoid the backpacker party scene.

Approximately a year ago, we were on Perhentian Kecil. It was amazing. And this year, we decided to try for Perhentian Besar. As usual, it will only be impulsive vacation on the last minute. Fortunately, we got this Mama's challet last minute confirmation that there are still seaview challet available for us!! 

Due to the eastern monsoon, the season in the Perhentians, of course and all other east coast islands is effectively limited to the period between the beginning of March or April until late October. Outside this period the seas can be very rough and choppy, skies overcast and with currents that make swimming dangerous and most accommodation options are closed. However many of them located on Coral beach start on beginning of Feb, while on the Long beach usually a month later. When going during off-season be aware that there will be literally no one there but you !! That was how we spent our vacation on Perhentian kecil !! It was awesome.

Okey, so just a step ahead off our challet and then we are on the beach!!

Shared Mama's challet website here:

http://www.mamaschalet.com.my/

This weren't our first trip. We have been to places like Cameron highland, Genting highland, Pangkor Island, Kuala Lumpur, Melacca and etc. For each getaway, we get even closer. We love vacations and the best would be backpack style!! No plans, no headache. 

Here's some advice: whether it's your first trip together or the highly anticipated, much-romanticized honeymoon, travel ramps up the pressure and can tell you what you need to know about another person and how (or if) you'll have fun and solve problems together. One high-stress trip can result in a relationship flameout or the discovery of true love.

Well, traveling can be seen as a mini-test to see how your relationship works when you are together 24-7 and dealing with unpredictable circumstances.Lack of shared interests or willingness to explore each other's interests can surface early, and it matters. When traveling early in the relationship, suggests a few key questions to ask yourself: Does your partner want to do the same things you do or trade off your choices with his choices? Does she roll with unexpected delays or does she complain when your plans go away? Does he treat hotel and restaurant staff with respect or does he have temper tantrums? Does he spend more time saving money than having fun? So, all these essential enough.

We had been through so much, i do believed we have alot of shared interest which bring us who we are now. Lots of love from him lately.

Well, happy trip readers.

Cheers.

Your day - Our day

It's his birthday !

1st cake, smiled so happily.

2nd cake !! 

Ipoh - Kuala Lumpur - Melaka - Genting

Off we go!

Happy birthday my endao boy. <3

Because time itself is like a spiral, something special happens on your birthday each year: The same energy that God invested in you at birth is presented once again.

Sharing My Senses

Hell ya it's already mid of July 2012 readers ! Time flashes. And what am i doing with such post in the photo? Too stress for work? Well i was attending a Nerdy Cosplay Party at Malacca. Sorry if i made Fly Emirates look nerd. LOL. Went for a trip to Genting and also Malacca, the historical town in Malaysia, with all those Malay warriors legends. Let me share some foods and thoughts throughout the whole Malacca trip.

Okey, who knows about Jonker Street in Malacca? Jonker Street - the centre street of Chinatown - was once renowned for its antique shops. However over the years it has turned to clothing and craft outlets as well as restaurants. The best part of Jonker Street is the night market ! Yes, night market on Fridays and Saturdays that sells everything from tasty treats to cheap keepsakes. So i was staying at the Kota Laksamana homestay. It is located just 1km to Jonker Street. Fully furnished with heater showers and air-conditioned rooms. It's very clean and nice services. The environment is nice plus the furnitures are all brand new, it does look new for me. The most important is, it is CHEAP. But bear in mind that you have to do reservations at least 2 weeks ahead of your trip. I can say that is well worth the price.


Now let's talk about the FOODs. What you will think of whenever you came across of Malacca? The chicken rice ball of course. Here's the quick preview of the photo. LOL

In Malacca, the chicken rice is served as rice balls rather than a bowl of rice. Steamed rice is hsaped into golf ball-sized orbs and served alongside the chopped chicken. This dish is eaten the same way as the regular version of chicken rice. I am trying to google search for the reason why they made it in such shape but i cannot found any useful and accurate informations. They said that older chefs argue that the rice was originally shaped into balls because it needed to be kept warm from the time it was cookes (often earlier in the day) until mealtime. The rice balls, when stored in wooden containers, apparently stayed warm for a longer time. The other theory is that the rice balls were more portable and were easier for labourers working on plantations to transport from home. I found that the second reason will be more appropriate than the first one, dont they? but today, rice balls are appreciated more as a novelty than anything else.

Next, of course the Nadeje Thousand layers cake in Malacca. I'm sure that some of you know that this thousand layers cake is actually originally recipe from Japan, right? Okey, the Nadeje Patisserie Cafe shop in Malacca is owned by a Japanese, who bought in the thousand layers cake into Malacca on 2005. This thousand layers cake is also known as Mille Crepe also. Do you know the meaning of mille crepe? It is originates from French, French words. Crepe actually means a thin layer of cake whilst mille means a thousand layer. Of course it is impossible to stack a thousand layers of cake right? LOL

It is highly recommended to go Jonker Street's night market to have a look. Jonker Walk, also known as Jalan Hang Jebat at Malacca. The crowded Jonker Street night market is available on every Friday, Saturday, Sunday &public holiday. The culture is unique and creted chances for us to visit for others to survive. Honest speaking, this is the most neat and clean night market that i've ever visited. Love to visit these type of rushed streets. It seems everything in these shops are unique and creative, and want to buy everything. =)

Moving on to another nice food in Malacca. The Popiah. For those who do not know what is Popiah, you can refer to this link "Popiah" . So this is the famous popiah in Malacca, located at Jalan Bunga Raya. The authentic popiah with generous amounts of filling and pork lard. It's oily for those who do not like to eat pork lard. I am one of them but i still deeply in love with this awesome taste in the popiah. I do not know exactly how to describe the taste, but you just have to try one yourself ! For your information, we have waited and hour just for it. There was pork scratching and that gave a nice texture in comparison to the soft filling. It is just so nice.

Not to forget this ! The satay celup. Satay Celup is a dish where an assortment of raw and semi-cooked seafood, meat (including raw meat) and vegetables on skewers are dunked into a boiling pot of water and eaten with sauces that are similar to the ubiquitous satay sauce but made with a variety of different ingredients. Just a friendly reminder, dont forget to ask for a set of fork and spoon. Well, is a nice food as well.


Owh. There are just so much to have a look and eat at Malacca. And i'm going over again next weekend with my love one. How about you?


Cheers readers. =)
Have a nice weekend.

Port Dickson

Port Dickson

Not bad. Tho water is not as clear as Perhentian, tho is not as crowded as Pangkor, yet i left a memorable trip here. I've learned a lot and i've finally realized a lot. Tho it's not compatible with other better seaside, yet it has left me a unforgettable memory, literally!

I was such a brave woman back then. Run here run there, climb here climb there, injured but i still continue my journey- the amazing race. I admitted this trip did make me exceed what is me. I've done a lot of things that a normal me wont. I climbed on to friends' shoulder in the middle of the sea and jump into it. Bear in mind that i dont know how to swim at all, and yet i volunteered this, without hesitation. I kept on running at the running man event, i know i have to tho i was physically tired. I know i have to keep on moving tho the sun is hot and i was sun-burning there. I know i just cant stop at all.

This applies exactly into our life, every single elements in our life. We have our 'gold', our aim our vision our dream to chase. No matter what obstacles infront us, we just cannot surrender to it and give up, because we know that we have our 'gold' to chase. I believe everyone's will is strong, when we wanted something we will make sure we get it no matter how. It's depends on how much you wanted to achieve it. Dont afraid of obstacles, eventually we will have our ways to overcome it.

Pulau Perhentian, My Valentine

The endless road to Terengganu.

Went Terengganu - Pulau Perhentian for our Valentine's day and 'Chap Goh Meh' as well. A great memory with my love one. The best Valentine's gift i've ever had. Thanks for it so much. Appreciated it so much too.

The journey took 5 - 6 or 7 hours. We depart from Ipoh, Cameron road then straight head towards Gua Musang, Kuala Krai, Machang, Jerteh and Kuala Besut - the jetty to Pulau Perhentian. Pity my Him drove for long hours and yet he wont allowed me to drive ! wee. 

famous Zul Ikan Bakar @ Terengganu

Tho waited for hour, but worth it ! It's a MUST try food. Especially the squid. HUGE! =)

Crystal clear water @ Pulau Perhentian Jetty

famous Amelia cafe @ Pulau Perhentian

A very nice environment at night, we had our dinner with friends from Spain and Chile. Back-packers as well. Salute for their courage on travelling alone. and i really do mean ALONE. But they are two very nice persons. Real nice.Maybe next year when my Him fulfilled his dream to bring me to Pulau Kapas we will meet this Spain lady again. =) 

By the way, recommended to have the BBQ set dinner at Amelia's. I've fell in love with their designated sauce - Amelia sauce, and also the coconut sauce where my Him super-duper in love with. There's a lot choices of seafood - Lobster, King fish, Stingray, squid, Barracuda and much more 'rare items' which i dont know what is it. lol

Sunset @ Coral Bay

Another beautiful scenery at Pulau Perhentian, the sunset. Sunset will be spotted at Coral Bay, where as sunrise will be at Long Beach. In order to get to the Long beach, we need to hike for 10 minutes from Coral Bay.

(Photo borrowed)

Owh, yes. SEA TURTLES ! You wont going to regret taking a snorkeling trip there. we get to see sea turtles. I still cant believe that i actually jump in the sea, yes, middle of the SEA, the South China Sea. Tho i couldnt get to snap a photo of the sea turtles. They are CUTE! We went snorkeling at Coral Garden, Shark point, Turtle point and light-house. Owh, and dont forget the beautiful Romantic Beach we went. That was the prettiest beach i've ever seen. Best for lovers ! wee.

(Photo borrowed)

Romantic Beach @ Pulau Perhentian

A photo of Romantic Beach, the last stop on our snorkeling trip. And the name is perfect, as there wasnt another coul in sight, we were treated to a long stretch of perfect white sand, and crystal clear waters full of fish, coral, sharks, and stingrays. Good stuff. Said Koppers.

Well, there are a lot of great stuffs and all captured in my phone. Hope i didnt missed any one of it. I've uploaded quite a numbers of photos on my - Facebook -. By the way, the only thing that i cant adapt was the electricity problem. Some chalets even cut the electricity from 7am to 7pm. And guess what, we gotta sleep on the beach under the coconut tree ! =) Tho not so convenient without current, yet it's a great experience napping on the beach. =)

'Cam-whoring'. Making fun. =)

Anyhow, it's a great tourism spot. Nice scenery, people are friendly, and i bet you wont regret on going there. I've enjoyed mine, this 4 days 3 nights stay at Terengganu, how about yours? This is way much clearer and cleaner beach compared to Pulau Pangkor or Penang Island. And i love it so much. =) Thanks for bringing me there and thanks for the memory. Love~

Personally, i like this photo. My Him is soooo- photogenic ! wee.

Cheers readers. =)

Pulau Ketam

Pulau Ketam

Sorry for the above photo was not taken by me *smile*

But

I've just went there with my Bay 

Pulau Ketam, literally translated, means "crab island". It is a small island located off the coast of Klang. The island is easily accessible from the Port Klang jetty by ferry. The "floating houses" that come to view as visitors approach the island is a sight to awe any city slickers. Perching casually on long wooden stilts, these dwellings are suspended about one to ten (1-10) metre above sea level.

Pulau Ketam is the best opportunity for visitors to witness and experience the unique lifestyle of fishermen. Homestay facilities are readily available. And, Pulau Ketam also having a very special viewpoint with town city where this island escape from air polutions, traffic jams, finding car parking problem etc. 

Seafood is a natural wonder of this isle, and Pulau Ketam is renowned for fresh crabs, prawns and fish. It is indeed a seafood gourmet's paradise!

Prawnsss & Crabsss

Oh and before i have forgotten. You wont get to see any transport in Pulau Ketam besides bicycles! *laugh* Yes, we cycle for the days we were there. And is so such a new experience. The road is so narrow, and some, do not have any gate or fence beside the road. If you did any mistakes, the next thing you will found yourself dropped into the mud !! *laugh* And i was screaming all the way when he fetch me, the road was like roller-coaster road. Exciting. *smile*

 Oh, dont forget to visit this restaurant. Nice bak kut teh and foods are all very nice. You know why? Because is our friend's home. His parents' business. And we tried the Bak Kut Teh, very nice !

 Oh, and there we can see ducks, goose, chickens, turkeys and etc. lol. There have a lot of boats and also organic vege garden. All those we wont get to see very often in cities.

Last but not least, dont you all feel that this chicken look so familiar? He acted in Rio. The fat bad chicken who kidnap Jewel, Blu's girlfriend. *laugh*

Anyway, is still a small island for those who wants to runaway from city life. Really a very small village, but people there are nice. They dont have to lock their house, some even dont have front door for their house, because everyone there know each others and i guess crime rate wont be that high as well. Well, thanks for the trip to Pulau Ketam.

Love.