3D2N Island Escapade: Tioman Island

Assalamualaikum.

It's almost 2 months since my last post. Obviously, I been a bit off the blogging track lately. Gonna blame all of those never ending Korean drama marathon, ngehehe! It's going to be a super long post so bear with me hokey!

Alhamdullillah, ticked off another must do from my 2016 list; Island Escapade. This year we went to Tioman Island at dog-cheap price. This Island escape wasn't as smooth as past Island escape tho. Too much obstacles that frustrated and freaking us.

On the day we begin our journey i.e on 31/3/2016, we found out that our travel agent (Flywind Holidays Sdn Bhd) failed to secure our booking with our resort of choice (Dumba Bay Resort). We were going to take 9.45pm bus from KL to Kluang that night! Imagine how panic &  frustrated we were. Bad mood terus the whole day! Luckily, by 4pm that day, the resort gave us solution though not the best solution because we end up staying at different resort. Feel relief but wasn't as excited anymore. Bad and unprofessional service from a so-called good travel agent whom not only depressing us but also leaving us solving the problem caused by them till the end, hmmm...

By 8.30pm, when I was on my way to nearby LRT station (Bandar Puteri), received text from Just & Lin, notifying me about train service disruption to Sri Petaling, meaning me too cannot go to TBS station by LRT. Oh my..Another obstacles! After weaving thru the traffics before the Sunway plaza tol, manage to arrive at TBS at 9.15pm. Thanks hubby for being my supir. Just and Lin also manage to arrive just on time, phew!! By 10pm, our bus took off and safely arrived at Kluang around 1am on 1st April. Oh ya, we opted to transit at Kluang and stayed at Lin's home (thank you Lin's mom for having us) instead of taking bus directly to Mersing because we think it was more safe. Bahaya malam2 lalu tu Jalan Mersing dorang cakap (><).

Before we go to Kluang bus terminal, sempat lagi we drop by at The Original Kluang Station Coffee situated in the heart of Kluang Town and tapau those must try Kluang roti Bakar. Sedap tu roti bakar makan panas-panas. Our bus scheduled to depart at 10.30am but unfortunately the bus was having air-cond problem and we have to wait for replacement bus which arrived after an hour and half later. Betul-betul dugaan..

Above: In front of Lin's house at Kluang
Below: At The Original Kluang Station Coffee

We reached Mersing bus terminal around 1pm and rushed to Kluang Jetty because we want to catch the 2pm ferry, hah! The distance from Mersing bus terminal is quite far. Under the scorching sun, it took us 15min to reach the jetty. Belum sampai pulau, tanned suda kami, ahaha! At the Jetty, our travel agent representative just passed us our ferry return tickets and resort sticker and we have to do all other stuff (queuing up for boarding pass and paying up the marine park ) by ourselves. How inconvenient was that!! Finally we departed to Tioman Island at 3pm.

Pic At Mersing Jetty waiting for our turn to board the Ferry, Inside The Ferry & Sticker of our supposedly Resort 

Around 5pm, we reached  our destination at Kg Genting, Tioman Island. Staff from Dumba Bay was waiting to transport their customer's luggage/bags. Since we were gonna stay at different resort, we have to register at Dumba Bay Resort 1st then checked in to Marina Bay Resort. We were not comfortable and feel like alienated. We even argued but given cold shoulder by the staff. They said that was their best solution, hurmmmm baiklah.. The room we got at Marina Bay Resort located  and we have numbers of bad memories of this room, grrrr!

We were here!

I was here!

After resting a bit, we wandered to the beach area in front of Marina Bay resort for some picture then to Dumba Bay for our dinner. We had our BBQ dinner buffet prepared by Dumba Staff that night. Food choices was limited tapi bikin kenyang juga la. We hang out at Dumba Bay lobby until 11pm before returning to our '5min along dark and eerie route' room, hehehe! Oh ya, they have karoake session after dinner.

Tioman's Sunset Wefie :)

Some of wefie took on our 1st night at Tioman. 

The next day (2nd April), at 9am we gathered at the jetty for snorkeling session. There were 3 spot; 1st at Pulau Renggis then at Marine Park (where we had our pre-packed lunch) . I forgot the last snorkeling spot name  tho, haha! I was having a great and amazing snorkeling session at Pulau Renggis and marine park because unlike Redang and Pangkor, I saw lots of marine life here in Tioman. It was so amazing experience to be surrounded by various kind of marine life! I wish we have those underwater camera to capture the moment with all of those marine life! We stopped by at Kg Tekek  to visit the duty free shop, where I bought some chocolates as souvenir for my kiddos before depart to the last snorkeling spot (I didn't snorkel there due to the strong waves). By 2pm we were back at Kg Genting.

Before breakfast & snorkeling session 

Wa

The only pic of me in the sea..LOL

That evening, before Maghrib, we went to the souvenirs shop in front of the Jetty to buy FM and taking pictures again. Oh ya, FM at duty free shop is more expensive..

More pictures taking after simple dinner that night.

And more pictures taking on our last day (3rd April) before we check out from our room.

Us in front of our room at Marina Bay Resort

Must do at beach: Lompatan Kanak2 Riang, LOL!

The staff inform us to stand by at the Jetty by 1pm or earlier for the 2pm ferry. Hurmm, at 3pm after fetching people from 2 stop then only the ferry finally depart to Mersing Jetty.

Our tiresome face, hehehe

Arrived at Jetty around 5pm and once again rushed to the bus terminal only to find out that last direct bus from Mersing-KL already departed. Lucikly there was another option i.e from Mersing to Kluang then to KL, phew!!! We transitted at Kluang around 8pm and around 12pm we arrived at TBS. 

Mission accomplished!

Despite all the complaint and whining along this island escape, I still enjoyed the whole trip. The lesson I have learnt will be useful for future trips/travels. Just and Lin said they might not visit Tioman again but to me, In Sha Allah kalau ada rezeki, I will come again because I think Tioman still have more to offer.

That's all from my point of view. You may head to Just's blog (Tioman Part 1, Tioman Part 2, Tioman Behind The Scene) for more detailed review, ngehehe!

Update: If anyone want to know how much we spent for this 3D2N Island escapade, please head to 

              Tioman: Expenses by Just. 

Still Long Way To Go

Assalamualaikum..

Nothing interesting to share, just a bit of my disappointment over people who cannot be humble in their way of approaching and admonishing others.

Yeah, I know I am 'jahil' about Islam because I am lacking in so many way; not wearing hijab, unable to recite the holy Al-Quran , I have limited knowledge of Islam and the list goes on. But why must people dispute me when I performed my sholat? They said," kamu solat tapi kamu tidak pakai tudung. Sia-sia solat kamu,"

Those sentences really hit my soft spot and make me feel that every effort I did to approach my religion is useless and futile, hmmfff!

I wonder whether wearing hijab is the ultimate factor that secure our place in heaven? Baiklah, thank you so much for advice. Instead of mocking and looking down on my effort to perform my sholat, please pray that in near future hidayah will come upon me to wear hijab, InShaAllah..Amin YRA.

Worst CNY Holiday Ever

Post title is enough to describe how I feel about this year CNY holiday. That is why I don't like last minute decision because it never turn out well in the end, grrrrr! 

Past is the past yet I couldn't stop myself from blaming us, yep hubby and me for following and trusting those people (don't want to mention any name) that they will prepared a good CNY escapade plan. If only I knew that they won't follow the plan, I will not cancelled the hotel booking I have made earlier, grrrr! 

To be honest I was really pissed off that I feel like wanna say out loud what I feel inside but I managed to reign myself because I don't want to start a feud with them. It's not good for the kids and for hubby too. Thanks hubby for the patience of those people and me. I knew he was in dilemma yet he still choose our family over them. I feel sorry for him because he is trying his best to make everyone happy yet he suffer in the end because those people easily tossed him aside for not having much like them. 

Mata sepet due to the blazing sun

Alhamdullillah, despite all of those bitter feeling, we still managed to have our family happy moment at Genting at midnight, 1st day of CNY. Kids were enjoying the cold 16 degree temperature, walking around the 1st world resort, LOL! 

Hubby and kids

Kids and me

Midnight walk in misty road at Genting Highland

Oh well, there go my post of the worst CNY holiday ever. Going to bed soon since tomorrow will resume working. Happy Monday and Happy working people!

February 2016

Assalamualaikum.

Pejam celik, it's already February. As always, times flies. 

The past 31 days has been hectic and stressful to me and still ongoing(*sigh). Seem like year 2016 started off a bit down (work related) for me so far yet I am hoping and praying that everything will be fine with time, In Sha Allah..

Also feel like I have been too focus with my commitment of spending more time with my growing up kids that I FORGOT to pamper myself with 'me' time. Even mister said I need to hang out with my fellow KL friends sooner. Green light, green light, mana suda geng2 sukat KL ni? Just, Lin, mari atur cepat! 

Oh ya, Chinese New Year Holiday is coming soon and am excited to spend it with my small family. Nope, no luxury holiday but maybe like last year gonna spend it somewhere nearby (*wink2).

Until next post, have a good day everyone!

Anticipating coming soon Island escapade :P

ENGINEERS FOR MAKNA RUN 2016

Started off my running event for year 2016 by participating Engineers For MAKNA run on 17th January at University Tenaga Nasional. This event was organized by the Engineering students of Uniten to help collecting dana for MAKNA. 

This event is the simplest running event I have participated so far. There are no grand start/finish point but a simple handmade banner with 'start' and 'finish' word. No bib and No timing chip. Runners must collect all 7 token (rubber band) at 7 point in order to claim a medal and certificate. Many runners whine because the organizer didn't provide bib with timing chip but to me it's okay. I like the idea of collecting token because it remind me of the old times. 

Humble, handmade starting point

The 7 token :)

The run start off at 8am, bit late from the schedule (should be at 7.15am) because have to wait for the VVIP to arrive and police to stand by along the route to take care of the traffic. I managed to cross the finish line within my targeted time (below 90min). I enjoyed running and walking along the route without worrying about safety. Honestly this event is more safer than the Ice Light Up The Night Run because there were lots of volunteer and police along the route (outside Uniten area). I give the organizer 2 thumbs up for that. Finisher medal were given to all 12KM runners who able to present all 7 token at the finish line together with paper certificate. The medal is okay (at least for me) since it's made from die cast. 

Lots of runners posting negative review on the organizer FB page just because the event started late and also the lack of bib (with timing chip) but I left a praising comment to them because to me they are doing a good deeds. They are students who might struggling with campus life yet they still manage to pull off such event to raise fund for MAKNA. Instead of lashing out them, we should give them room for improvement.

That's bit of the 1st running event for year 2016 and hopefully more to come, In Sha Allah..

New Year, New Resolutions, New Hair

Assalamualaikum...

13th days of year 2016 and 2 weeks since school  re-open for new session of which the busiest weeks for me. Now that my children school matters has been settled, I can focus on my monthly plan and yearly plan with hope that everything will go smoothly. I have few goals that I really want to achieve this year (In Sha Allah) and adding up 1 new resolution for year 2016 i.e; SPEAK LESS, LISTEN MORE dengan harapan boleh kawal tu mulut/lidah dari membebel, hehehe! 

Oh ya, cut my long hair in order to persuade my daughter to cut her messy long hair, hahaha! Ringan terus kepala! My daughter is one of those girl who likes to keep her hair long but doesn't like to take care of it and believe me, I have to drag her to the bathroom to wash her hair several times before because she didn't wash it for 2 weeks! Hopefully I she will learn to keep her head and hair clean and tidy sooner.

There go my 1st post of year 2016 and more to come, In Sha Allah..

Before and After

Youngest Son 1st Day At Primary School

Believe or not, it's last day of 2015 and my youngest son happened to have his orientation day on this day. He is excited but I am not because I feel like not wanting him to grow up so fast (*sobs). Moreover, I am worried because he seem too small and frail for his age although he is one active boy. He is a shy boy so I hope he will able to adapt with the new learning environment and expand his social skills. 

Year 2015 will be soon become a past and I will treasure every single memory especially those moments I spent with my kids. That's the end of my ramblings for year 2015. Until next year, Happy New Year 2016! 

Food Hunting At Muar, Johor

hunting is one of my favorite activity just because I love foods and my tummy constantly hungry all the time, hahaha!

Last week during Christmas holiday, we joined MIL to stay at Muar for 2D1N to chillax and hunts for Muar delicacies since we have no plan for the long weekend. Kiddos was excited because they will able to meet their cousins (from hubby side).

It took approximFood ately about an hour and 45min drive from Puchong to Muar and our 1st stop is Tanjung Emas Food Court where we have yummy asam pedas for lunch and refreshing ABC for dessert. 3 kali minta nasi tambah sebab finger licking good ba tu asam pedas!

After lunch, we went to Nur Hawa Homestay which located at Sungai Abong, Muar. It's a spacious house with 6 rooms (2 equipped with A/C, the others with fans and A/C at living room) and 3 bathroom. BIL booked this homestay at discounted rates of RM250/night because he is local. Normal price is RM380/night hokey! Kira harga kasih sayang untuk orang2 asal sungai Abong ler..

After checked in, we went to the stall in front of the homestay; duduk lepak-lepak mengeteh sambil makan pisang goreng  while waiting for the others to arrive. I can say that we were just ate and ate and ate the whole afternoon because there are many food stall nearby the homestay!

After Maghrib, we went to Medan Ikan Bakar Sabak Awor, our main purpose of spending a night at Muar. There were 17 of us and we ordered 5 L size crabs, 1kg of kupang, 6 M size ikan kembungs, 5 L size ikan tongkol, 1.3kg prawns, 2 M size siakap, 3 plates of mixed veges, 3 jug of beverage and 4 pot of rice that costed us RM280. Very cheap isn't it? If we have that in Puchong, it might cost more than RM350!  Medan Ikan bakar Sabak Awok always packed with customer so it's better to come early because you might have to wait for vacant table.

The next day, we went to Sai Kee Kopi 434 but unfortunately it's full and there were peoples waiting for their turn to be seated so we cancelled our plan to have a drink there and went to try the so called Mee Bandung Udang Muo Ori. I am not fan of mee bandung but this one taste so good man! RM12/plate but worth it and don't forget the big glass of air bandung soda, slurpp!

Jalan-jalan cari makan definitely is my thing. Hubby, lets do it again! Lol!

Picnic At Sungai Kemensah

My eldest son said, "ma, tak payah pergi cuti mahal-mahal. Bawa kami pergi picnic mandi sungai lagi best. Jimat, tak membazir duit" A very mature and considerate words from my 13years old son. Dang it, tiba-tiba mata masuk habuk pula...

Oh well, couldn't say more since he is totally correct. Why spending $$$ money when we can have fun and quality time with our family with just $$. So 2 weeks ago we went to picnic at Kemensah River which located at Kampung Kemensah Ampang, nearby Zoo Negara. I just found out about this picnic tho, lol!

We drove off from Puchong at 8am and arrived there around 8.45am and managed to secure a strategic picnic spot with Celi Chalet/Campsite with RM15 fee. Yep, it's not free like Sungai Congkak but it's okay because unlike Sungai Congkak, the area is clean, well maintain and necessity such as toilet and changing room with shower are provided. There are huts and chalets priced between RM20-RM120 for those who want to stay overnight. Oh ya, they also provided Bbq equipment with reasonable price or you can make you own bbq table, ngehehe!

huts and chalets

We played and soaked in the water for almost 2 hours before the coldness beat me off and forced my youngest son and me to retreat and changed into dry clothes. Orang keding cepat kesejukan ba. By the time we were about to drove off back home, the place is starting to get super-crowded. Luckily we were early or else I might not able to join hubby and kiddos in the water since I tend to feel awkward and uncomfortable with crowd of people who normally 'stare', pheww!

breakfast at river side

we were freezing!

soaking like a hippopotamus, lol!

Compulsary wefie!

Hubby said, next time will set our 'date' here so that we can try those ATV ride adventure that they offered there (*finger crossed). Only adult aged 18yrs above allowed to ride ATV, so can't bring kiddos next time.

posing pun jadilah..hahaha!

Overall, it was one of our cheap but fun picnic trip for our family and I don't mind repeating it over and over again because it's one of method of exposing the kids to love nature. 

free advertising for Celi Chalet :P

ICE LIGHT UP THE NIGHT RUN

Just and me joined Ice Light Up The Night Run on 5th Dec at Plaza Shah Alam. This was my last running event for year 2015. I joined it just because I need a night run, plus the finisher medal is looking nice, hehehe! 

With fees that I considered quite expensive for 10km run, I expected that the organizer will provided bib with timing chip but unfortunately there was no timing chip, grrrr! However I am glad that no timing chip for this run because I can accompany my running buddy; Just without thinking of my finish time. It took almost 2 hours for us to crossed the finish line since we walk most of it. Yang penting sampai & dapat medal juga kan, hehehe!

Regarding the event itself; in my opinion, the worst event I have ever joined. Don't get me wrong, since I do like the challenging routes but the lack of volunteers and police involvement to take care of the traffic that forced runners to fend for themselves at some congestive area, it can turn into nightmares. Organizer should pay attention to this matter since it involve with runner safety. The running shirt by Ultron is superb quality but I don't fancy the vibrant Orange color tho and thumbs up for the medal design!

Not much to share about this event but I am happy because at last I fulfill my promise to run/walk along with my friend. Haven't register for any future run yet but I will definitely fill year 2016 with few running events and aiming to tick off another thing- to-do from my list, ngehehe!