Date of travel: 12 May 2012
When I first flew with AirAsia almost 10 years ago, there was a checkbox on their booking site where you need to specify whether you are handicapped and need wheelchair access. If you said yes, then you would not be able to proceed with your booking. This was mainly because they do not use the aerobridge at LCCT airport. Everyone is required to climb the stairs to get onto the aircraft.
HH broke her leg on 4th May 2012. She had surgery done on 6th May 2012 to insert a screw, as the fibula bone had shifted. Our flight to Kuching was booked 12 months ago, for 12-14 May 2012. The airfare we paid was RM15.20 per person for to and fro, nett price including all taxes and no surcharges at that time. Hotel was already booked and prepaid and non refundable, a 5-star hotel called Pullman Kuching, one of the newest there. So howwwwwwwwwww ???
Friday, September 28, 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Phuket - Top 10 Things To Do
Date of travel: 3-6 Aug 2012
Like most people, I have been to Phuket several times before. All of those times, I stayed in Patong beach, did all the touristy stuff, and came home with hoards of elephant keychains and cute purses. That was over 7 years ago, when the Internet wasn't so full with reviews and blogs. If you have been to Phuket before, and can safely say you have "been-there-done-that" for most things, then perhaps it's time to venture into the finer sides of Phuket.
1. Rent a car
It is essential to get a car. You don't want to waste time haggling with taxis, tuk-tuks, songthaews and what not. With a good map, you can easily go anywhere - after all, it's just an island and you can't get lost. Since 2005, I have been renting from this company called Phuket Car Rent - http://phuketcarrent.com/. The cost for a Honda Jazz this time around was THB1000/day including insurance. Ms. Lee has been the person I dealt with for the past 7 years.
Like most people, I have been to Phuket several times before. All of those times, I stayed in Patong beach, did all the touristy stuff, and came home with hoards of elephant keychains and cute purses. That was over 7 years ago, when the Internet wasn't so full with reviews and blogs. If you have been to Phuket before, and can safely say you have "been-there-done-that" for most things, then perhaps it's time to venture into the finer sides of Phuket.
1. Rent a car
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| The rented Honda Jazz for THB1000/day |
It is essential to get a car. You don't want to waste time haggling with taxis, tuk-tuks, songthaews and what not. With a good map, you can easily go anywhere - after all, it's just an island and you can't get lost. Since 2005, I have been renting from this company called Phuket Car Rent - http://phuketcarrent.com/. The cost for a Honda Jazz this time around was THB1000/day including insurance. Ms. Lee has been the person I dealt with for the past 7 years.
Review: Metadee Resort Phuket
Date of stay: 3-6 Aug 2012
Metadee Resort in a single word - Phenomenal.
There are 3 obvious room choices: Deluxe Pool View, Deluxe Pool Access and Pool Villas. The first 2 are basically double-storey blocks, where the ground floor gets direct access to the pool. The contents of both rooms are identical. The Pool Villas however, are located across from the Deluxe rooms, and is on a building of its own. To get to your rooms, the hotel uses golf buggies to send you to your rooms, or you may choose to take a nice stroll through their gardens.
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| Notice the room number, door, and ceiling are all made from wood |
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| Deluxe Pool View Room - Looks identical to Deluxe Pool Access Room |
Friday, July 20, 2012
Bandung 4D/3N Trip with Children during Hari Raya
Bandung is actually quite a nice place to visit for families with children, but it is often under the radar of most people. This is a simple itinerary for my brother's family to consider.
What To Do In Bandung:
1. Trans Studio Theme Park, Bandung
Trans Studio is a great indoor theme park, claiming to be the largest indoor theme park in the world! It has 20 rides and a variety of shows, divided into 3 different and unique zones.
Photos credit to: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1143798
Entrance fee to Trans Studio Bandung :
- Monday to Friday : Rp. 150,000 (RM50)
- Saturday, Sunday/holiday : Rp. 200,000 (RM66)
Additional charge for VIP Access : Rp. 200,000 (RM66)
What To Do In Bandung:
1. Trans Studio Theme Park, Bandung
Trans Studio is a great indoor theme park, claiming to be the largest indoor theme park in the world! It has 20 rides and a variety of shows, divided into 3 different and unique zones.
Photos credit to: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1143798
Entrance fee to Trans Studio Bandung :
- Monday to Friday : Rp. 150,000 (RM50)
- Saturday, Sunday/holiday : Rp. 200,000 (RM66)
Additional charge for VIP Access : Rp. 200,000 (RM66)
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Japan 2012: Kobe Day Trip - Day 9 & 10 (Final)
We fell in love with Kobe. It took awhile for me to have the inspiration to write this post, as I was afraid I couldn't convey into words on how much we love Kobe. So why do we love Kobe so much? We love any city that fulfills the following:
- Comprehensive but cheap public transport system
- Easy to navigate maps showing all the must-see attractions
- A huge variety of things to see/do
- Food that is super yummy and varied
- A clean and cheerful city
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| The City Loop bus that goes in a loop all day long, for 650¥ per person |
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| Inside the bus, there are clear directions in English and a very helpful conductor |
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Japan 2012: Osaka 4D/3N Itinerary - Day 8
Date of Travel: 8-11 April 2012
Thank goodness for cherry blossoms. Otherwise, we wouldn't know what to do in Osaka. Today's mission was to find a way to transport the bicycle home. It did not come with a box, so I can't check it in. And I also cannot just wheel the bike to the airport. So we set out looking for a bicycle bag. Yodobashi Umeda offered quite a good selection of bike accessories, and we picked up a pretty cheap bag for the bike. We also needed a spanner to detach the bike pedals. You see, bringing a bike home isn't that easy after all.
Thank goodness for cherry blossoms. Otherwise, we wouldn't know what to do in Osaka. Today's mission was to find a way to transport the bicycle home. It did not come with a box, so I can't check it in. And I also cannot just wheel the bike to the airport. So we set out looking for a bicycle bag. Yodobashi Umeda offered quite a good selection of bike accessories, and we picked up a pretty cheap bag for the bike. We also needed a spanner to detach the bike pedals. You see, bringing a bike home isn't that easy after all.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Japan 2012: Osaka 4D/3N Itinerary - Day 7
Date of Travel: 8-11 April 2012
Sorry to say this, but we did not like Osaka very much. First impressions are always the strongest, and we had quite an eye-opener first day. Plus coming from places like Kyoto and Nara, Osaka was lacking in food and culture as well. So this is what happened to us.
Day 7 - Bike Hunt
Coming from Nara's JR Station, we were heading to our hotel Fraser Residence Nankai Osaka. Based on the maps and Hyperdia, the easiest way would be to go from JR Nara to Shinimamiya, then switch to the Nankai line to Namba station, which is where our hotel was located. We got to Shinimamiya station quite easily. Because we were carrying heavy luggage, we tried to locate the elevator to the exit. This turned out to be the wrong side of the station to exit. The elevator transported us back in time to the 1950s of Japan that we watched on TV. It was shockingly dirty, ill-maintained and a true eye-opener of what the city actually is like. As I got out of the station, I was disoriented and landed up at the Osaka subway, which was visible from the train exit. If I thought it couldn't get any worse, I was wrong. Beggars sleeping on the streets. Cigarette butts everywhere. People wandering aimlessly, and looked at us funny. Quickly turning around and going back towards the right direction, we traveled 2 stops to Namba, and were once again transported to the 21st century. What a first impression! Sorry no photos of this incident, I was too unnerved.
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| Osaka city, taken from Temmabashi |
Sorry to say this, but we did not like Osaka very much. First impressions are always the strongest, and we had quite an eye-opener first day. Plus coming from places like Kyoto and Nara, Osaka was lacking in food and culture as well. So this is what happened to us.
Day 7 - Bike Hunt
Coming from Nara's JR Station, we were heading to our hotel Fraser Residence Nankai Osaka. Based on the maps and Hyperdia, the easiest way would be to go from JR Nara to Shinimamiya, then switch to the Nankai line to Namba station, which is where our hotel was located. We got to Shinimamiya station quite easily. Because we were carrying heavy luggage, we tried to locate the elevator to the exit. This turned out to be the wrong side of the station to exit. The elevator transported us back in time to the 1950s of Japan that we watched on TV. It was shockingly dirty, ill-maintained and a true eye-opener of what the city actually is like. As I got out of the station, I was disoriented and landed up at the Osaka subway, which was visible from the train exit. If I thought it couldn't get any worse, I was wrong. Beggars sleeping on the streets. Cigarette butts everywhere. People wandering aimlessly, and looked at us funny. Quickly turning around and going back towards the right direction, we traveled 2 stops to Namba, and were once again transported to the 21st century. What a first impression! Sorry no photos of this incident, I was too unnerved.
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