Detour

Something happened recently which changed my view - on how travel should be in the future.

It is never too late. Finding way to enlightment, it is fate who determines the next course of path

Manusia Hanya Merancang...........................

Lost World of Tambun

As usual, when it comes to school holiday, my daughter and I are happy to set our path to somewhere out of the state. Being a groupon-atic, offer to Maybank2u customers in was not to be missed by us last month. For only RM30.60 instead the usual RM45.00, we would have full access to Lost World of Tambun and I think that is the cheapest among them all . I decided to give a try on our ETS (Electronic Train Service) to Ipoh from Kuala Lumpur. Initial plan was to get the earliest train at 8.00 a.m (nonstop journey) but we woke up a little bit late that day. By taking ERL from Putrajaya (almost took 15 minutes), and our ETS Train to Ipoh (2 and half hour), estimated time to reach the park should be before 4 pm.

The only thing that lacks in Ipoh Railway Station was the taxi drivers who charge people quite exorbitantly and there is no meter policy. Since no buses service like RAPID transit or any kind of them, we had no choice but to use the taxi service to reach Tambun within our time frame(the cab charge wasRM20) . Hopefully we could utilise the park to our satisfaction with less time left.

@ the entrance....

Water Park Area

What was the first impression? The park is divided into many themes. The Water park is just so and so (still prefer Sunway Resort) and the ride park was lacking in term of number of attractions (of course Universal Studios and Genting are lot better!). The true gem of this Lost World is the Petting Zoo which reminds me a lot to Perth Zoo (birds and some other animal roam freely in one big caged area). The zoo keepers are friendly with many informative facts to keep us entertained. Somehow, the landscape around this Petting Zoo s marvelous, as it brings us to some other world with lime stone hill surrounding the zoo area.

The Tiger Cage

Reaching exactly at 6 p.m, there are not many choices for us to roam around. The only park that opens after the hour is Hot Spring Resort and of course I regretted not to come a little bit earlier. We missed the Water Park and Team Building Park (canoe, kayak, abseiling, flying fox etc etc), the cave Exploration and the Tin Mine area. Most importantly that what makes me still regret – the souvenir shop which closed exactly at 6 p.m and to compare to Universal Studios, some of us, the parents would love spending time checking items at the end hours. I do think that Management may actually consider the idea to extend its operating hour.

Overall, it was a pleasant trip. The only thing I regret was lack of time to explore the park and of course I can't comment much here as always...

To the other side of Asia

Kinda stumbled this cool portal accidentally today but what is a piece of good finding if it is not to be shared?

In my search of cheapest route to Tashkent (i was sort like need some inspiration to see a friend, kawan mak ni sgt best kerana on his way back to his country, he ask me to visit him), kecian plak aku rasa utk menghampakan orang, i tried to see what is best for me, mungkin setelah bebrapa hari berdoa, yup, the path is getting clearer.

It seems Delhi gonna be another hub destination for me to move to some countries easily. Uzbek, Lahore, Nepal and Bhutan. Maknanya senang saya membuat lawatan balas kepada encik ali, encik farid, shree, chelian, nemi dan yang lain lain berpangkalan di rantau asia sebelah barat. Yup, got inspired to do jejak kawan style of trip after this woth cheaper option.

If you feels to check this cool portal due to user friendliness, please have a look at www.cleartrip.com. Memang saya x sangka dengan harga tambang murah yang berpatutan, Delhi menjadi point selepas ini. Round trip to taskent from delhi adalah sekitar RM1300 menggunakan uzbekistan air dan utk sampai ke delhi pula, Air Asia dengan promo yang ada, memungkinkan round trip keseluruhan menjadi kurang rm2,000. Sebenarnya dibandingkan dengan airlines yang lain (servis penuh), rasanya hub ini adalah yang terbaik. Korean Air pun dalam sekitar rm4,000-5,000.

Ya, website ini juga membantu sesiapa yang ingin merancang perjalanan menggunakan keretapi di India juga bagi backpackers tegar.

Masih membuat kira-kira sama ada saya boleh intai intai punjab atau lahore.

Where We Go as A Family

Whenever Fatiha and I were not part of the family (The Disown Mode), we kept on going to many places to "menghiburkan hati" cause we have no places to go for normal Hari Raya like other people (salam raya, family gatthering, ziarah kubur, open house, no home to go back pun!). Recalling back all those wonderful trips with my daughter, I believe why travelling has been part of us. No doubt.

Aidifitri 2009

As planned earlier, both of us spent a quiet Syawal morning when takbir raya from nearby mosque can be heard faintly. That is our normal routine; despite other people is busy celebrating the festive mood with their loved ones.

My little one woke a bit earlier and we decided to have fun instead spending our time in front of TV. Sent some message to Zul for some freebies, he promised two tickets to theme park. I never think that Genting would be packed with so many people for first raya, but oh my, I was wrong. The crowd and the atmosphere reminded me that Malaysia has not enough cool spot for tourism, which people flock this place like ants. Somehow the commercialization of this place is crying for more organized development and infrastructure, where lack of decent toilet for people to conduct their nature’s call can be proved with smell of urine filling the air ( 5-6 people lining up for each cubicle)

The only thing that I enjoyed the most was the ride of Skyway. Big lush green trees at your feet, cool atmosphere and conversation with foreigners who shared the same coach made the journey a bit special. I will be visiting this place again when there are less people around.

Penang Trip – Discovering the old root

As promised, we took off to Penang on the third Raya, where the journey was too long for my little one. She kept on asking, why her father’s hometown is far away from ours. I said that is why we seldom or shall I say, never make any effort to visit each other. She clearly understood. Only when Moon, my best pal took us for a ferry’s ride, Fatiha seemed so thrill to spend her time looking at the dark turquoise colour water, the ship and breeze (“Bestnya, naik kapal”). That was her first time on a ferry.

We checked in to this hotel, in the heart of Georgetown where famous Hotel Malaya soup and Chowrasta were easily accessible from our place. Made a call to my long-time friend, adik Farah who eagerly waited for us for a lunch at her house. It was such a heart-warming experience to see a young couple doing so well in their life. They got themselves married, a kid and already furnishing their small but tastefully done flat. Sort of like an accomplishment for people who I thought once never have a future together. But again, it takes two people to make a relationship to work, despite the hardship or what so ever, all I can say, “tabik la Kak Jay kat adik Farah.”

Not to miss the famous Kerang Bakar, Moon, Fatiha and I spent our night at Padang Kota. It was such a big surprise that the place has lost its charm to the new way of people conducting their business. More organized and cleaner place to eat but the people there was quite rude. Luckily the second time of having my burnt kerang and sotong bakar did make ourselves to love the place again. Even little Fatiha seemed so peaceful with the place, I love seeing her sitting on the rock wall, looking at the wide mild crashing sea with her faint smile on her face and the breeze gently touched her wavy hair. She was delighted.

Apart spending our time meeting old friends (we visited Muda at Gurney Hotel), we had abundant time shopping (Prangin Mall, Gurney, Island Plaza and of course, not to be missed Chowrasta for the jeruk and kain ela.)

Again, for the thousand times, my heart grew attached more to this island. I am longing back to stay and work here. For the first time in 4 years, I found some peace in my mind. The trees, the old building, the breeze and most importantly, the sea side are the elements that make me to crave for more. I have been living there for almost 7 years, but time flies and everything went so fast. It was like flipping back the old chapter of your life, only this time I am doing this with my loved ones.

The last place to go was of course my beloved alma mater which famously known for the scenes of Ali Setan, The Movie. Too bad that Keow Teow Teng and Auntie’s Epal Assam Stall at Desasiswa Bakti were not operating that day. We went back with smiles and satisfaction. It was well worth for a long waited journey.

More Penang Pictures (Kek Lok Si, Feringgi and Chow Rasta)

Incheon Route : Amendment To Korea 2012 Intinerary

Source : From Goggle

First of all, a lot and humble thanks to the Almighty for giving me some insight (through many web research) on how to get the cheapest tickets to Jeju via Eastar Jet within 4 months in a row. Knowing I have been getting some problem to book tickets to NZ with recent AA 10th year Anniversary, I browse the low cost Korean Airlines company 's website again and I was shock to see they already offered April 2012 seats.

Without hesitation, I made some calls to any friends to book the tickets on behalf of me (my credit card went to maximum limit recently :P). Yes, we got it at last - for 3 adults and one kids, total cost of return from Gimpo Airport-Jeju Island is 344,000 won, equivalent to RM897.00. Total cost per head is RM234.00 , quite a bargain for us here.

So with the purchase made on Gimpo-Jeju tickets, some amendment on the tour date is made. We shifted it early to the beginning of the tour, cutting the time to chase the airport check-in to Jeju. It means that we have half day to spend either in Incheon or Gimpo before that 4 pm flight. so here is my suggestion which i need to seek approval from the team members.

1st Day (23/4/2012) Monday

9:40 pm- Arrival at Incheon International Airport

10.30 pm- Custom procedures and baggage clearance. Get free shuttle bus to Hotel Sky Incheon Airport.

10.50 pm - Check-in, refreshment, rest/sleep.

2nd Day (24/4/2012) Tuesday

Source: From Google

8.00 am - Take the bus from Incheon Airport to Songdo International City via Incheon Bridge Incheon Bridge Tour. See one of the top five longest bridges inthe world. (approximately 54 minutes of time travel on the bridge)

Source: From Google

9.00 am - Spend one hour or two in Songdo International City, the new development on some reclamation land and to experience the future city view. Though it is supposed to be fully completed in 2015, there are some of the places has been occupied like Ramada Songdo, and the Park. If we have more ample time, we can squeeze to visit Independence Memorial Hall or shoot straight to Bupyeong (approximately 50 minutes).

2.00 pm- Arriving Bupyeong Station,Incheon. Visit the underground market area and enjoy the bustling of the Art and Cultural centre. Have lunch somewhere there. Refresh and get ready for Gimpo Airport for 2 pm train.

2.40 pm - Arriving Gimpo Airport. Check in and wait for the flight to board to Jeju. :)

Another Island Getaway (Pangkor Revisited)

Pangkor is my first choice to go for a remote hideaway secara adhoc basis dalam jarak 200km below.

Asal mahu ke Siam tetapi kerana Fatiha tidak mempunyai passport, tak bawak plak kesian, nak bawak plak beratur kat imigresen macam banyak songel, maka kami decide pegi tempat yang boleh layan pantai.

Banyak peristiwa best dan banyak juga yang tak best.

Yang Best :

1. Dapat sewa motor dan round island. Memang adventure lalu kawasan teluk dalam tu.

2. Dapat island hoping dua orang sewa bot RM50 pastu snorkelling masuk sekali.

3. Dapat layan angin pantai dan suasana tenang. Jauh dari hiruk pikuk kota, chewah.....

Yang Tak Best:

1. Pangkor macam dah tak cantek sangat. Sampah merata.

2. Harga makanan mahal. Makan dan minum lauk biasa seorang dah almost RM8. Mak ai....

3. LCD Screen DSLR aku retak masa tinggal di chalet. Maka, jangan sewa chalet murah kalau bawak equipment riban-riban. Aku dah serik. Sewa chalet RM90, tapi ongkos nak menggantikan screen dah cecah RM250 kat servis center. Baik check in Damai Laut dan amik pakej spa gitu huhu. Or next time hangkut la semua equipment ke mana-mana.

Overall, estimate la dalam RM300 gitu kalau nak jalan pangkor semalam berdua (termasuk minyak kereta). tol takder sebab kami guna jalan lama.

Another Island Getaway In Terengganu (Lang Tengah) - May 2009

Lang Tengah is a sister island to the famous Redang and it takes about 1 hour to travel from Merang Jetty, the mainland. I was invited by a friend who purchased a three day-2 night stay package in Matta 2009, approximately about RM369 per pax.

We took a returned flight package with Fireflyz (RM250 per pax) to and forth from Kuala Terengganu Airport in 1st May 2009. The year when all my major travelling to be in mid of every year...

This is the first snorkelling trip for my daughter, Nurul Fatiha which left me worries whether she could make it to the deepest water. She was all excited to go for this one. The pictures tell that :)

I have seen dead coral...

Everywhere on the sea bed and the enthusiasm sunk immediately.

Spending 4 days in a island where it was supposed to be best-kept secret and I think it has been exaggerated.

Perhaps it was 10 years ago, or 20, I think.


However, a good news from this diver was a big relief.

"today's murky water due to this coral sponing"

"Yeah, I have seen it only in National Geographic"

And the hope grew again for some reason. And for the same reason, I swam 100 meter from the shore, 7 feet deep, alone with my mask and snorkel equipment.

Just to see some new coral lying if it is there, growing.


As the temperature of the water was getting colder, I had no guts to go further.

A big round coral with yellowish color was just beneath me.

And another brownish sponge-y looking type was somewhere near.

It was like finding a life form on a barren Mars.


And thanks to Kerajaan Barisan National who built the big concrete jetty to the island, the future resort or the existing ones.

The destruction was a mass one.

I wonder, why a big jetty for 3 small chalet?

Another white elephant in the future?

New Plan for Next Year (2012 - 2013)

Ok, setelah trip ke Vietnam hari itu ditunda ke satu masa yang sesuai, dan setelah mak membeli planner untuk tahun depan dari menantikan pemberian ikhlas dari majikan yang tak kunjung tiba, maka tersusun tarikh dan jadual perjalanan wisata mak untuk tahun hadapan. Kepada sesiapa yang mahu join mana mana trip, harap dapatlah berhubung secepat yang mungkin kerana utk book tiket kapal terbang itu yang paling penting dari segi harga yang berpatutan. Jimat yang lain boleh lagi dirancang dari masa ke semasa. Harga flight tiket susah nak dapat murah dek non, unless mak bapak korang pemegang terbesar saham syarikat.

1 Feb 2011 - 7 Feb 2012 - (HARI wilayah, Maulidur Rasul, Thaipusam) - confirmed

Hatyai, Phuket & Krabi, Thailand (naik bus dan train) KT

3 Mac - 5 Mac 2012 - confirmed (driving kereta)

Hutan Belum Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia

23 April - 30 April 2012 - confirmed (Air Asia X)

Seoul dan Jeju Island, Korea Selatan

Jun 2012 (Cuti Sekolah) - under consideration for cheap tix (Tiger Airways)

Danang, Hue dan Hoi An, Vietnam

18 Ogos - 21 Ogos 2012 (Hari Raya Puasa) - confirmed (AA)

Raya-Raya di Kota Bharu, Kelantan bersama keluarga

31 Ogos ~ 9 September 2012 - Confirmed (Jetstar.com)

South Island, New Zealand

19 September ~ 25 September 2012 - Confirmed (AA)

Sipadan -Mabul Dive Trip, Semporna, Sabah

December 2012 -under consideration for cheap tix (Tiger Airways, AA)

Ho Chi Minh - Cambodia - Laos (overland trip)

April 2013 ( under planning for AA inaugural route to Hokaiddo next year)

Sapporo - Osaka - Tokyo- Okinawa, Japan

Selain itu, ada juga tempat-tempat menarik yang mungkin dirancang secara adhoc seperti

Macau,Taipei dan Hong Kong dan Legoland dan Johor Premium Outlet, Johor. Nanti akan dikemaskini dari masa ke semasa..

Oh ya, Thailand akan melancarkan penerbangan tambang murah iaitu Thai Smile yang dijangka beroperasi pada Julai 2012... jadi boleh lah kita intip intip promosi akan datang...

Semoga yang dirancang dapat dilaksanakan sebaik mungkin... aminn...

Sekian....