TH: Krabi Trip Day 3

Morning!! Again, need to find a place for breakfast :-) actually last night, we have decided to do cycling around the town. Since our target place for breakfast is Starbucks, we planned to rent the mountain bikes and cycle to Starbucks. Then from there, do another 1 - 2 hours biking.

We forgot that time in Thailand is one hour later from Malaysia. So, 8am there is 9am in Malaysia. Guess what, the sun already shined above us and felt like our skin is burning! Not to mention the path we took, which tested our endurance....

After 1.5 hours, we were done and back to the hotel for a rest. After few hours, we went out venturing the same Ao Nang place again. Wonder when I am going to get tired of the same place..... we walked towards the Ao Nang beach, the area where the hotels facing the beach are. We found couple of massage places and this one attracted us... BF Massage. On daily basis, they have 50% discount on massage between 10am - 2pm. Good bargain. The massage shelter is by the beach and the wind blew from the sea makes it a relaxing moment. The only complain is the masseurs! Can't they stop talking to each other ... it really disturbs us...

After massage, we went for a lunch at the hawker stall near our hotel, and in the evening, spent time at the hotel spa. It was a good bargain, but unfortunately for me, in the room, the air-cond is blowing at its fullest couple with hot steam room and the cold rose body scrub made me feel uncomfortable.

It was 2.5 hour spa and when we finished, it was nearly 9.30pm... gosh.. need to fill up our stomach.. too a tuk-tuk towards McDonald's area and found out quite a lot of stalls were closing. We just wanted a street food and tried fried noodles and fried rice. Again, unfortunately for my fried rice, it was a bit spicy and was not cooked properly - I ended up with diarrhea the whole night! What a way to spend the final night at Krabi.

There is no photo since my friend forgot to bring the charger for his camera... the battery ran out and sorry, no photo to share...

~ MT @ Thailand
~~ Mercure Deevana, Krabi

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

TH: Krabi Trip Day 2

Day 2 starts pretty early. We were told to be at the lobby for transfer to the jetty by 9am. Since we did not have breakfast as part of our hotel stay, we need to find breakfast somewhere else. The problem is, no restaurant open this early here, except hotels. We walked few hundred meters towards Ao Nang beach and lastly, saw Burger King 24hrs service. Yeah! Walked in, glance through the menu and ... aargh... something there that prevented us from ordering here. Walked out and few steps ahead, 7-Eleven... yeay.. breakfast time :-) Spent equivalent to RM5 for a pineapple pie, coffee and yogurt drink. Had a breakfast on the bench at Ao Nang beach.. nice ...

While enjoying our breakfast, we didn't realize it was nearly 9am. Sh**.. walked as fast as we could back to the hotel, change and zoomed to the lobby. Alas, the pick up only arrived at 9.10am. With us, there are another 6 guests going for the same trip. 4 from the UK and 2 Singaporeans.

The tour agent used is Ko Phi Phi Tours. We noticed other hotels such as Sheraton and Ao Nang Villa also use them. So, i guess it must be trustworthy.

At the jetty, we have to wait for another 30 minutes for other people to arrive and the speed boat to get ready. Our boat can accommodate 30++ pax and it is full.

Our first stop is Ao Maya then snorkeling and proceed to Phi Phi for lunch. Lunch is just so-so, and PhiPhi island is just another local island like those in Malaysia. It is good for the local to make some money from the tourists.

After PhiPhi, another snorkeling and back to the mainland. By 4pm, we are back on the shore and our transport to bring us back to hotel are ready.

Tips: Make sure you go to toilet whenever you have chance and before you board the boat. If they stop for snorkeling in the middle of the sea, you will find yourself uncomfortable holding onto your bladder :-)

The jetty

Walking to the speed boat 

Inside the speed boat - best seat, towards the corner. Do not recommend sitting near the engine

At Ao Maya Beach

Welcome!

Lunch at Phi Phi - full board

Take a short rest at the hotel, and we went out discovery Ao Nang for the second time. For dinner, we stopped at Bamboo Special Seafood. The ambience is nice and the arrays of seafood in front entice us to have dinner here. Unfortunately, the service is very slow and the food is not so great. Couple of tourist next to our table ordered clams and once delivered, apparently nearly half of clams are not cooked. At least the restaurant took it back and deduct from the cost of meal. That is what I called customer service.

Bamboo Special - where we have dinner

Prior to our dinner, we had a reflexology at the Seaview Massage. it is situated at the corner of the Ao Nang road towards the beach. Although the price is competitive, I got the old masseur... and the results - do not feel anything! She even admitted that she is old and cannot press hard enough... what a waste!


~ MT @ Thailand,
~~ Mercure Deevana, Krabi

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

TH: Krabi Trip Day 1

It has been a while since my last vacation. In 2011, my original plan was to travel on a monthly basis, unfortunately time and money seldom be on my side. I did travel end of 2011 to Bandung, visiting my brother and his family. For 2012, January went by and in February, I managed to get myself the sun (in which I can get plenty on it here :-)) and sea.

Actually, this trip was planned in August 2011 (that when I bought the tickets). Couple of days prior to the trip, I scanned through the itinerary and notice there was a service fee paid for "SKYB" costing RM28.80. Can't remember what I have booked, I attempted to contact AirAsia. However, the number listed on their website is the premium number which they will charge RM1.95 per minute. There is no 1-300 number or even local number. ....

A friend and I took a bus from KL Sentral to LCCT at 10.30am. Reached LCCT an hour later and proceed to departure hall. The departure hall for Krabi is at Y gate which is next to domestic departure, unlike other departures utilizing Gate T. This used to be part of the domestic and there are only two gates, Y1 and Y2. The area is partitioned from domestic side with 2m wall. Very cramped when you are in there and there is no toilet inside. No wonder they won't allow passengers to get into the hall until at least 1hr from departure time.

Departure Hall for Gate Y1 & Y2

Boarding started at 12.50pm. Full load. Our heavy today is 9M-AHP. Few families and those travel in groups were split (in terms of their seating arrangement), unless you have paid extra to secure your group seats. .The flight was uneventful and we were flying at 36000 ft above sea level over Penang, Langkawi and direct into Krabi. Landed at 149pm local time on runaway 14.

A short 1hr flight and we were in a place hotter than Kuala Lumpur.

Landed Krabi

Immigration was smooth although the officer seemed to take a bit more time to admit a Japanese family of four in front of me. My turn, it was fast and within minutes we were at the bus counter. There are choices to get from the airport to the Ao Nang beach, where we will be staying. The cheapest mode is bus transfer. It costs 150 Baht per person one way. A taxi with maximum of three pax cost 600 Baht per taxi. Since we were not in hurry, we opted for the bus.

Krabi Airport

The bus transfer is operated by Pichet Transport Co. Ltd. It is a white bus outside the arrival hall. Since the only arrival at that time was AK flight, all 12 passengers were from the same flight. One Caucasian couple, another one none Malaysian couple and the rest were Malaysians. On the way, the driver dropped the Caucasian couple first and then turn back to stop at this one travel agent. Hmm... pretty fishy...




Then, the travel agency manager came on board and told us to get down since they will arrange another transportation for us - except for this one non-Malaysian couple (the bus driver will drop them at their hotel)... now it smells fishy...

We were asked to wait, and then the travel agency staff trying to sell us the packages.. damn! luckily we did not take any since it was very expensive compare to the hotel excursion packages and those travel agents down at Ao Nang. When I asked why we have to change transport, I was told the bus could not get to the hotel due to its narrow street at Ao Nang.. LIAR..LIAR...LIAR --> the next day, I saw the same driver drove the airport transfer bus right to the street where our hotel is!

After 15mins, we were transported in the Thai-style pick up truck. Reached the hotel at 3.30pm. Check in was a bit slow. Read more about my review on Mercure Deevana Krabi here.

After one hour relaxing, we walked towards the main street of Ao Nang. Just at the junction of the main road, there were hawkers in tri-cycles selling varieties of seafood which are halal! Great! Spent 100 Baht eating the seafood skewers. Not bad. Apparently, a lot of tourists sampling this great cheap Thai fare :-) We walked for couple of hours and had our dinner at Chaba Thai Seafood restaurant. Apparently, it is easy to get halal food here. There are quite a number of Muslims in Krabi and there are few mosques as well. Quite a big mosques like those you see in Malaysia. So, the food is not a thing to worry.

Walked back to the hotel and called off an early night. Tomorrow is Phi Phi Islands day :-)

~ MT @ Mercure Deevana
~~ Krabi, Thailand
~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

ID: Jakarta Trip Day 4

Our last day in the city. After breakfast, we walked to Plaza Senayan which is situated just behind our hotel. Since it was still early, the shops just opened and there were not many people yet. After strolling for an hour, we decided to cross the road to Senayan City Plaza. This mall houses another set of high end boutiques (Plaza Senayan also has lots of boutiques), so it sorts of complement those in Plaza Senayan. It seems that this is bigger than Plaza Senayan.

We just walked around and around noon, we walked back to Plaza Senayan for lunch. Had kebab at the food court for lunch. The food court was bustling with people from nearby offices. Seronok jamu mata hahahaha.....

Around 12.30pm, we decided to walked back to the hotel and checked out at 2pm. For our transport to the airport, we booked with the hotel at Rph150,000 per trip with Avanza. Considered as a good bargain since this includes toll and luggage (with no extra payment if we stuck in traffic jam). Normal cab will cost around Rph110,000 inclusive of toll. However, if the traffic is bad, the fare may go higher. In fact, the transport booked with the hotel is also from Silverbird group of companies, the only trusted taxi services in Indonesia.

We left the hotel at around 2.40pm and praise to God, the journey was uneventful. We reached the airport within 30 minutes. There is nothing much to do at the airport, so we decided to go into the check in area. Scanned our bag and walked to the designated check in counter. Unfortunately, the counter is not yet opened.

MH occupied counters 36 until 40. In fact, there were around half a dozen of passengers waiting in front of the counters. In the vicinity, other airlines in progress of check-in their passengers are ValuAir VF504 to SIN, AirAsia Indonesia QZ7716 and 7676 to BKK and BKI respectively, Shenzen Airlines to Nanning, SQ961 to SIN, EK357 to DXB, and EY471 to AUH (which was delayed from 3.20pm to 7.10pm).

MH check in counters opened at 4.05pm and within minutes, we were checked in by a new staff (in my opinion - since she is not that smooth in handling the check in). Immediately after checked in, we proceed to immigration and into the airside. Now, since there are some time to kill, we settled at Starbucks with a nice view of tarmac.

Our bird for the day, MH722 is an Airbus 9M-MKE. I have been in this metal before on my flight to DXB four years ago. The flight log for this bird can be found here.

The plane landed at CGK as MH723 at 5.25pm and will depart at 6.30pm to KUL as MH723. The push back was at 6.30pm and within 15 minutes, we were airborne via runaway 25R.

Flying at 40,000 ft above sea level with average speed of 900km/h, the route took us along the Sumatera coast line into Palembang, Singapore and over the city of Johor Bharu before descending into KUL. The ETA was 9.20pm local time.

We landed safely via runaway 14L at 9.15pm, 5 minutes ahead of schedule and taxied to Contact Pier at Main Terminal Building. Parked at A8 and within minutes, we were in the terminal.

~ MT @ Malaysia
~~ KLIA, Sepang

~~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself~~

ID: Jakarta Trip Day 3

Today, we decided to have breakfast at Senayan Cafe on the ground floor. The only reason is for a comfortable table suits for breakfast. Choices just a bit better that those offered at the Executive Lounges.

After breakfast, our jalan-jalan programme was to take busway to Stasion Kota, the last station for this route. Just a short walk from the station is Kota Tua Jakarta (Old Jakarta). This was used to be the centre of Jakarta and few colonial buildings still in existence, with couple of them are not being well maintained. After snapping here and there session, we walked to the harbour (Sunda Kelapa, if I am not mistaken), which was a long and not so pleasant walk.... the map shows the distance not too far, but we were wrong. With the bad traffic along narrow roads and unpleasant smells from drainage, we felt we had a wrong choice to walk.

My advise is, take a cab or do not visit the harbour at all.

For a quick quencher, we stopped by A&W at Jakarta Train Station, which is known as Station Kota. From there, we walked along Mangga Dua street, again a wrong decision to do so. Once we reached Mangga Dua, we were disappointed. The complex is not as what is portrayed in the travel guides on Jakarta in the internet. For me, not worth at all to visit this place.

Since we walked quite a lot for the half of day, we found one reflexology centre that offer only Rph30,000 for 1.5 hour. Wow! a bargain. And being bad customers, we did not pay any tips .... hahahhaa..... not that we didn't want, but the masseur I got was not good enough.

(Actually, after we left the place, I felt a bit guilty for not giving tips.... may be next time :-))

We took a busway in front of Mangga Dua which is a different route from our normal busway. This time, it is a grey route (based on the colour of the bus used). We have to change two stations in order to get to our normal red-orange route along Jalan Jenderal Sudirman. Worse, it was peak hours and the bus was cramped! So, lesson learnt, try not to take busway during peak hours.

On the way back, we stopped by Plaza Semanggi, looking for early dinner. Actually, it was lunch and dinner together. We tried this american joint there, cannot remember the name though. We also visited Planet Hollywood, around 15 minutes walk from the mall. Again, a wrong move since the rain just stopped and peak hours. To make the matter worse, Planet Hollywood was not as I expected at all. Actually, it does not look like Planet Hollywood at all (at least in my opinion).

Walked back to the mall and later to the busway halte for a trip back to the hotel.

~ MT @ Indonesia

~~ Senayan, Jakarta

~~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~~

ID: Jakarta Trip Day 2

Woke up early for morning prayer and then, filled up stomach with breakfast at Executive Lounge level 12. In this hotel, there are two executive lounges; level 12 for non smoking lounge and level 16 for smoking lounge.

It is so unfortunate that the choices for breakfast are limited - and to make it worse, there is no proper table for breakfast. Patrons have to make do with coffee tables and we have to bend to eat or you bring the plate to you by putting it on your palm. Troublesome!

The view on Sunday morning was breath taking. A lot of city dwellers thronged the stadium areas for morning exercises. A lot of cyclists on the road as well as rollerbladers. It seems that on Sundays, the road around Gelora Bung Karno are reserved for cyclists and bladers.

A couple of hours later, we walked to the nearest busway halt, Gelora Bung Karno and took the bus to Sarinah station for a quite a long walk to Pasar Tanah Abang.

There is a standard fare for busway, Rph3,500 per pax for a trip. However, if you take the bus between 5am - 7am, it only costs you Rph2,000 per pax.

After a light shop at Tanah Abang, we decided to take a taxi back to the hotel. It is not far, but the traffic was not that good. We passed by the famous Hotel Mulia and enter teh hotel from the other side of the stadium.

In the afternoon, we took a busway again and now the destination is Plaza Indonesia (I cannot remember the station name).

My first impression once I stepped into Plaza Indonesia was "wow"!!!. I wonder who copy who i.e., Pavillion KL vs Plaza Indonesia. The set up has some similarities in terms of arrangement of shops within each floor and area.

After that, we walked across the street to Alun-Alun Indonesia within Grand Indonesia Shopping Town. It was like a maze to me, in which we actually got a bit lost in it. Tired of walking we decided to walk back to the busway station for a trip back to the hotel.

~ MT @ Indonesia

~~ Senayan, Jakarta

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

ID: Jakarta Trip Day 1

Since I just completed my MBA, I decided to give myself a treat. Spending few hours on airlines website, I managed to secure RM245 per pax return trip to Jakarta on MH. After being in the country for quite a long time, I am venturing out again.

Before I continue on, I want to thank my good friend, BH for sponsoring this trip (inclusive of the hotel stay :-)) thanks a lot!!!

Our flight is to depart at 6.05pm from Gate G4. This time, it is 9M-MMS, one of MH's Boeing 737-4H6 fleet. Since we checked in from home, we only reached KLIA about 4.30pm for endorsement of our boarding passes. No bags to check in.

Since I have not visited KLIA's airside for so long, we decided to take the aerotrain to the Satellite terminal - just to get the view :-) Noticed quite few changes. Now, there is a Jungle Walk (I think that is what it is called) where passengers can experience tropical forests at the airport. The entrance is behind the Information Counter in the aerotrain station vicinity. Also, more shops are opened, but still these initiatives, in my opinion fail to attract more passengers or airlines to utilize the airport. M4HB may ned to be more creative :-))

Strolling around the Satellite terminal, I managed to spot few foreign airlines i.e., Air Astana (I remember this airline that I took to Almaty, Kazakhstan - however, it was via Bangkok), Cathay Pacific, Etihad, Emirates, Silk Air, KLM, Qatar Airways and Xiamen Airlines.

30 minutes prior to ETD, we took the aerotrain back to Main Terminal pier for our boarding. After security formality, we took an escalator down to holding lounge. Wow! Looks like this is to be a near full flight. Our seat were 8E and 8F with 8D was occupied by a guy going to Jakarta for business with the oil company there.

Since this is MH, we do not have to buy food :-) we were served dinner with a choice of beef rendang with white rice or kuzi chicken with tomato rice. This is served with fruit cake, Ferrero Roche chocolates and Spritzer mineral water. BH chose chicken, so I decided to taste the beef. (Not that I wanted the beef, but I took chicken as well, there will be no photo on the beef :-)).

After the two-hour flight, the 737 landed at CGK terminal 2 via runway 07L and decked at D4 at 7pm local time. Within 30 minutes, we were out at the arrival hall looking for Bluebird taxi.

There are many touts inside the arrival hall, so the advice is to find the Bluebird taxi logo outside the terminal and approached one of the staff. They are recognizable with their blue Bluebird vest.

The fare started at Rph6,000 and to reach our hotel at Senayan the fare costs Rph90,000. This excludes toll charges and the additional fare from the airport (which is set according to zone where Senayan is in Zone I). The toll is Rph11,000 and the additional charge for Zone I is Rph10,500. For information, Zone II is Rph9,000 and Zone III is set at Rph7,500.

The hotel looks decent with run-out facade and 1970s lobby design. More detail of my review on the hotel can be viewed here and here.

Our room was at Executive Level overlooking Gelora Bung Karno sports area (consists of stadium, softball field) and have a nice view of Jakarta.

After shower, around 9pm ++, we walked to FXtainment Centre around 100m away from the hotel (at the intersection of Jln Jenderal Sudirman and Jln Pintu Satu Senayan) for a quick bite and to buy some drinks. It is always my policy to request for the hotel to clear the mini bar so I can utilize the mini fridge).

Came back to the hotel an hour later, watched tv and said goodbye to Day 1 around midnight!

~ MT @ Indonesia

~~ Senayan, Jakarta

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

ID: Day 4 BDO

Today is the last day. Actually, final day and our flight is in the morning. Had a simple breakfast and my bro's driver drove us to the airport slightly after 8am. We need to be early since my brother is going to work after that, so drop us first, went back home to pick up my brother.

The counters are not open until about 2 - 2.5 hours before departure. In fact, the morning shift for airport security just began. We have to wait outside for quite some times before being allowed into the terminal.

Checked in at 9am. It was a breeze since we don't have much things to check in. And we were second in the queue.

The flight to bring us back to KUL is PK-AWN, a Boeing 737-200 AirAsia Indonesia. It arrived from KUL at 10.45 am and supposed to depart for KUL at 11.20am.

Our flight number is QZ7597 and this aircraft will be in KUL for 30mins before continue back to CGK.

Boarding was called and it was done according to the section. Every passenger was given a departure card stated either "A" or "B". Don't really mind since all seats are assigned. It was a full board and the pushback was at 11.10am. 10 minutes ahead of ETD.

Landed safely at KLIA-LCCT at 2pm, 25 minutes earlier than scheduled. We were taxied to gate F66 and had a long walk to the international arrival of LCCT --> a new terminal which certain part till under constructions. Since it was a long walk, after clearing immigration, our luggage is already there.

We took a bus to KL Sentral and then LRT to Kelana Jaya. Thought to save cost however, we were doomed. The taxis there refused to use meter and all want to charge RM15 for a short drive to Tropicana area. really pissed off. Reported to the ministry via its website and hope action has been taken (since I didn't receive any acknowledgement from the ministry).

The taxi registration number was HB698o (#908) with "Upt0wn Ace Taxi" printed on the side doors. So folks, beware of this taxi driver. Don't get on unless he agreed to use meter.

Well.. thats the end of my journey to Bandung. It was a nice city and probably will go there again.

~ MT@Malaysia

~~ Damansara, Selangor

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself~

ID: A Trip to BDO (KUL - BDO)

Long Chinese New year weekend. I decided to join my family and brother in Bandung, Indonesia. My brother and his family have been staying there for nearly two years and my parents just joined them last week.

So this trip is a shopping trip cum visiting family :-))

Left Damansara around 6.30am to KL Sentral via a taxi.

 Decided to spend less in transportation as possible :-). Took Aerobus to LCCT from KL Sentral at 7.05am. Upon arrival at the LCCT, rushed directly to the check in counter. Luckily the counter was already opened and no one queuing there. Good!

Once checked in, walked to LCCT Food Garden for a breakfast. The price is reasonable.

By 9a.m. walked back to the terminal. Surprisingly, the departure hall was not as crowded as I expected. This is Air Asia Indonesia, hence the seat was assigned. Cool.. no rushing to get the good seat.

The aircraft, B737-200 christened PK-AWC arrived from Jakarta on time. The boarding started soon after and by 9.55am, push-back started. Was assigned seat 19E and Izam at 19F.

Landed at Bandung 11a.m. local time. It was indeed a small airport (I was told about the airport before). In fact, the only international flight into Bandung is from KUL. It shows the high demand from Malaysians to spend money in Bandung :-))

The overall arrival is crowded due to immigration and baggage claim area at the same place. All bags must be scanned by the only X-Ray machine. So, once you have cleared immigration, you sort of have to do a u-turn to put your hand-luggage into the machine.

The bags will be delivered based on the checked-in tag. So better get it ready. Once you spot the bag, just go and take it. If necessary, you need to open your bag for manual inspection. No worries, if you are not carrying anything illegal, no problem with it. 

I have to open my bag since I carried couple bottles of soy sauce :-))

Within 30 minutes, out of the airport to my darling nephew and niece outside the hall :-))

It was an uneventful flight!

~ MT @ Indonesia

~~ Hussein Sastranegara Airport, Bandung

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

MY: Day 1 KUL - BKI

A night before, I spent a night at Izam's place. It is easier this way since he is travelling with me to Kota Kinabalu.

Called the taxi 30 minutes before the requested pick up time. The journey to KL Sentral was smooth. No heavy traffic.

Took Skybus from KL Sentral to LCC-T KLIA at 8.20am and reached the "Puduraya Plane Station" an hour later. Proceed directly to check in and went for a quick breakfast at a Asian restaurant near the entrance.

The flight was delayed first time due to late arrival of the aircraft from Medan. Then, it was further delayed due to technical problem. A common reason used to inform passengers of the delay.

We finally took off at 12.50pm, around 1hr 40 minutes late from the original schedule. Around 30 minutes later, when the food was being served, the aircraft hit an air-pocket. Wow!!!!..... It was a wonderful experience... :-) Drinks spilled all over :-))

We landed at BKI Terminal 2 at 3.05pm. The flight was at 37,000 ft with speed of 850 km/h (average). Went to the hotel immediately after that and it cost us RM40 from BKI T2 to 1Borneo. We have booked Novotel 1Borneo via internet for RM173 per night excluding breakfast. I thought it was a good deal.

Checked into room 0926 and this will be our home for the next four nights. Pretty new hotel and the whoel 1Borneo is yet to be fully constructed. Only the hotels (Novotel, Mercure, Tune and Courtyard) and the shopping mall are competed. So constructions are still in progress.

Izam managed to get a car from his friend. This saves us some cash from renting a car. In fact, if you are planning to stay at any hotels at 1Borneo, it is highly recommended to rent a car. It is further away from the city and to move around, definitely need a transport. A taxi will do, but how much you want to spend on taxi?

After changing, we walked around the shopping mall. Pretty huge and there are mixtures of locals and visitors from neighboring country, Brunei.

In the evening, we drove to the city for a seafood. Original plan is to have a dinner at Port View Seafood, however, this place is too expensive, so we settled for dinner behind Handicraft market (if I am not mistaken). A lot cheaper and "hawker" style. In fact, few foreigners were seen enjoying the seafood there.

With one medium size fish (can't remember the name), a prawn, one big squid, five small squids and a crab, altogether cost us RM60. Not too bad considering two plates of rice, a seaweed ulam and three cans of drinks.

So far so good... tomorrow's plan is plan to drive to Kundasang.....

~ MT @ Malaysia

~ 1Borneo, Kota Kinabalu

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

MY: Travelling Again

Yes... MT is travelling again.... :-)

Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it...


MT @ Malaysia
~ Ampang, Selangor

~~ To Travel Is To Disocver Oneself ~~

MY: KUL - BKK

This is my first time flying Thai Airways. Am going to Bangkok for my firm's Far East Area meeting. This is our first meeting since the area integration on July 1 this year.

The flight was so-so with turbulence after one hour took-off from KUL. The flight was pretty empty, so I opted for last row in that TG heavy, hoping that I can relax a bit. However I was wrong. There was one Arab family with three kids. One of them crying as loud as she can 15 mins before landing.

Overall flight was not that bad. Food was great compare to MH meal box (TG still serve hot meal). But the crew was not as I expected, meaning, what you see in the advert is not what you see in flight :-) Well, I guess same goes to other airlines as well......

Landed on time in BKK and was greeted by the hotel representative. There are four of us and we are driven in a luxury Toyota MPV to the hotel, Royal Meridien Plaza Athenee, a place to call home for the next six nights......

~ MT @ Thailand

~~ Plaza Athenee, Bangkok

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

MY: Next Trip

I just received my ticket today for my trip up to Northern Hemisphere.... :-) the only problem now is I don't have any winter clothing. Anybody wants to lend theirs? Am leaving this Friday afternoon.

~ MT @ Malaysia

~~ Ampang, Selangor

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

MY: KUA-KUL via LPT

Woke up around 8:30am. The weather was gloomy. Syok tido... :-) Had breakfast at Garden Terrace and then walked along the beach. Checked out at noon and drove to Teluk Chempedak.

The beach at Teluk Chempedak is better compare to Pantai Balok. The sand is whiter and the area is livelier. Spend few minutes snapping some photos... well, BH did.. me, just sat there enjoying McD fries.. :-))

It was nearly 1pm already and we planned to stop at Restoran Zaman to buy Nasi Lemak for lunch. This restaurant is a well known restaurant for Nasi Lemak. It is situated near the airport. It is along the road at the end of runaway.

We entered LPT at Gambang interchange around 1:40pm and exit at Karak an hour later. Then, we entered Karak-Kuala Lumpur highway few minutes after that. It was raining quite heavily and we reached TTDI around 4pm.

It was a fun drive and quite tiring. Not a lot of cars on the road, probably due to most of the city dwellers have returned to the city earlier.

~ MT @ Malaysia

~~ Ampang, Selangor

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

MY: KBR-KUA via Coastal Road

My friend, BH came to KBR for Eid and we decided to return to KUL via TGG. Our plan was to use Coastal Road or Jalan Pantai from Jertih to Kuala Terengganu. We were to meet Abe Zu and his family at Cherating and spent a night at Kuantan. This time, our choice of hotel is the newly renovated Swiss Garden Resort & Spa at Pantai Balok. Originally, we wanted to stay at Hyatt Teluk Chempedak, however, BH got a better corporate rate at Swiss Garden.

We left my parent's place around 10.30am and drove to KB Mall to meet BH friend. Then, around 12pm, we left KB Mall and drove towards Pasir Puteh, then continue to Jertih. At Jertih, we turned into an alternative road to Kuala Terengganu, Jalan Pantai. The drive along the Coastal Road brought us along Penarik, Merang, Batu Rakit and we reached the town centre around 2:30pm. A bit longer than usual, however since we were not in rush, we decided to enjoy the scenic view along the way.

At Kuala Terengganu, I bought a batik for Sha's birthday celebration and another sampin songket for myself. We were a bit disappointed because we could not find a decent restaurant opened for lunch. At the end, we ended up having K-F-C at Pantai Batu Burok for lunch. :-))

We continued our journey towards Kuantan soon after our late lunch and met up with Abe Zu and his family at Chukai (Kemaman). Abe Zu was staying at Impiana, Cherating, 10 mins away from Chukai. BH suggested a Chinese restaurant for soft shell crab, however, Abe Zu and family was a bit was-was since the restaurant is a Chinese restaurant without halal certificate :-) We ended up having dinner at Selera Timur restaurant.

We reached Pantai Balok at 10:30pm and checked in immediately. This is my first time at Swiss Garden Kuantan.

The weather was not really nice with rains intermittently. Looking forward for the next day trip from KUA to KUL.

~ MT @ Malaysia
~ Pantai Balok, Kuantan

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

QA: Back to the dust

I reached the airport around 12.30am for my flight STD 0420. Took the last train from XKL at midnight.

At the airport, QR check in counters are at check in island J. MH ground staff man the counters since this is a code share flight with MH. When I checked in, there was not even one QR ground staff available. Although before this, while waiting the counter to open, I saw one QR ground staff over at KU counters. I overheard he said the flight was delay. When I asked the check in lady, she told me it will be on time, as per previous day.

I only have one luggage to check in and I got my requested seat. Went straight to the lounge for a quick/short nap. I was very tired adn the next morning, I have to work.

Time passes and it si nearly 4am. No announcement on boarding. Went to the lounge reception and was told that the flight was delayed for 20 minutes. Ah.. well... walk to the buffet area and they just started serving breakfast..Yum..yum.. Nasi Lemak Sambal Sotong.. unfortunately I didn't have appetite to eat.

By 4:20am, I walked to the gate. Surprisingly, no one boarded the aircraft yet. Then an announcement was made that the departure will be delayed for another 20 minutes. Now, it will be at 5am.

I was among the last to board and was greeted by CSD Shelyn and CCS Melissa. Hmm... Melissa looks familiar. She directed me tio my seat and yes.. I know Melissa. We had dinner together on her birthday at Marri0t D0ha two years back. She told me that I look familiar.. but she cannot remember me. An old friend... nice meeting you again...


Off the ground and the moment the seat belt sign was off, I reclined my seat only to wake up for breakfast. A good but not really comfortable sleep. One and a half hour before landing into Doha, I had mee goreng for breakfast.


Overall, the service was just so-so. The food quality yet to improved. Seat, argrhh... the oldest business class seat in the entire QR fleet I guess... wonder when they are going to phase out all these oldies... A300-600.

Arrived in Doha at 07:13am local time. Amazing.. the arrival terminal was empty. For the first time I experience this. Since my business visa expired, I entered the country with tourist visa for QAR100 and valid for a month.


Welcome back.... sore throat & flu... dizzy..dizzy..dizzy.. went straight home from the airport.. within one hour from the landing, i am actually at my apartment. Huh.. how efficient is that :-)) unpacked my stuff and by 9am, I was already in the office.... :-))


~ MT @ Qatar
~~ Sadd, D0ha

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~

MY: Trip Back

Reached CGK around 5pm. KLM departed from Terminal 2E at CGK. There were four counters for Economy class check in and all four have at least 4 passengers queuing at each counter.

There were six of us and it took the check in agent nearly 10 minutes to check all of us in. I wonder why it took so long. As far as I know, you just check the identity, print boarding pass and baggage tag, and walla, you are done!

CGK airport is a bit dim. Dull and IMHO, not enough lighting. I guess it is time to refurbish the airport. Once all of us were checked in, we proceeded to the airside. Since we were in 2E, we decided to go through the immigration over there. There are other immigration counters at 2D. At 2E, all the counters were empty and immigration was a breeze for all of us.


It was nearly 6pm and our bird was already there. I went to look for a surau for maghrib and according to staff there, the only surau at terminal 2 is all the way at 2D adjacent to the airline lounge. It was a good 10 minutes walk to the surau from the gate. They should build another one over at 2E.

Boarding started around 6:30pm and it was smooth. The flight was full and majority of passengers terminated at KUL. Only a handful of them continue the journey to AMS. As per my trip to CGK from KUL, the service on this sector was not worth talking about. Instead of bihun goreng, now we got mee goreng :-) One thing I noticed though was most of the Malaysians on board the aircraft did go to Bandung :-) You can see them either carrying Rumah Mode paper bag or Kartika Sari brownies. And couple of them has boxes of J. Co donuts with them :-))


Touched down at KUL at 9:40pm local time. Five minutes ahead of schedule. Baggage, as usual, has to wait for quite sometime. No issue with Custom since we don't have anything to declare.

Once outside, bid farewell to my younger brother since he as heading to CJ and BH to Dsara. My other family members took KLIA limo back home and we were in the comfort of our home around 11:30pm.

It was a good trip and my mum is now planning for the next trip.. arrghh.. this is contagious. Once you travel, you will always looking forward for another one.... :-))


~ MT @ Malaysia
~~ Ampang, Selangor

~ To Travel Is To Discover Oneself ~