My mini holidays: mmnchua

mmnchua

My mini holidays

Sep 17, 2007 01:22

Our usual holiday plan is to go for one long and one short holiday each year but this year Nicole and I kind of had a ‘bumper crop’ year! We had our long holiday to Japan in February this year, followed by 3 back to back self drive holidays to Malaysia and a cruise holiday during the recent school holiday : ) Guess it hubby’s way of ‘making up’ for ‘neglecting’ us in the past 2.5 years when he was studying for his ACCA.

To read more about our Japan trip, please click HERE.

Hubby loves self drive holidays, and this has been translated into 3 trips to Malaysia, one each for the month of April, May and June!

28-29 April 2007: Kota Tinggi
When I was young, I heard so much of the Kota Tinggi waterfalls from friends and relatives visiting that place that I long to make a trip there to see how fantastic this waterfall is. Expectations were built up over the years and after seeing many waterfalls from my other overseas holidays, I was greatly disappointed when I finally saw the waterfall.

The waterfall is now ‘housed’ within the Kota Tinggi Waterfalls Resort where we spent a night. Day trippers would have to pay RM8 (if I don’t remember wrongly) to visit the waterfall while house guests can enjoy for free. The facilities at this resort are really bare minimum and the room we stayed is also extremely basic!

Luckily the trip was ‘saved’ by a river cruise to see fireflies that evening. Gosh…never did I ever dreamt of seeing trees after trees along the river banks bursting with fireflies. The boatman even cruised near to some low lying branches so that we could catch some fireflies, it was really an experience!

Anyhow I can now say “Been there, done that!” to my friends and relatives ;p

The Waterfall

Look they even build a mini water theme park on the waterfall

12-13 May: Endau
Don’t ask me where is Endau, all I know is that it is a fishing village where my mother-in-law's sister stays. Being a filial son, hubby brought MIL along this trip so that she can visit her sister whom she has not met for years as both are busy tendering to grandchildren.

After spending some time at the aunt’s place, we left for Fishing Bay Resort to spend some quality family time. MIL chose to stay at her sister’s place as they have so much to say to each other.

Fishing Bay Resort was so much better than Kota Tinggi Waterfalls Resort, minimally 1 grade higher and the room we booked opens to the beach though the sand quality is nothing to shout about; but at least Nicole has her fix of building sand castles and sleeping on the hammock that we brought along : )

Building Sand Castle

Having a swinging good time

15-18 June: Kuantan
There’s only one reason why we make a trip to this place again…to watch turtles lay eggs! Yes, it’s the turtle season again! We didn’t manage to catch them last year so hubby wanted to try his luck again this time.

We stayed at Swiss Garden Resort and Spa, I was so glad at the choice of accommodation this time, so much better than the previous two, besides we were upgraded to a junior suite as most of the rooms were taken up by an organization for some retreat. I also got to go for two rounds of spa *heaven* while Nic enjoyed the pool and the beach! Hubby was jokingly telling me that he’s treating us to better holiday with each trip to Malaysia…from spartan room to a suite ; p

We visited the turtle sanctuary (located just next to Club Med Cherating) on two occasions, one during the day time to see the baby turtles and one at night to watch turtles lay eggs. But we waited till eleven-ish and still no sight of them…so we headed back to the hotel to rest for the night. The turtles did come afterall that night but it was after we left. The whole process of coming onto the shore, digging hole, laying eggs and finally covering them up can take 4 - 5 hours. Though we didn’t manage to catch the turtles in action, we did witness 1-day old baby turtles making their way back to the sea…and should they survive their destiny they will return to this very shore to lay eggs years down the road. Well 2 years in a row and we didn’t get to see what we were here for, anyhow I believe hubby will make another trip back to this place someday.

Nicole enjoying her ‘krisworld’
Hubby bought the DVD player to keep his princess from boredom

Batik painting activity @ the Hotel

Having fun with her sand castle set

1-day old baby turtles

The restaurant where we indulged ourselves with the famous stuffed crabs, yummy!!!

5-7 Sept : SuperStar Virgo
The last time we went on a cruise was some ten years ago, didn’t like it as from what I can recall, everything was so so only, small bedroom, tiny bathroom, little entertainment etc. Luckily it was a 2 day 1 night cruise to nowhere, else I would have died of bored should I stay any longer!

SuperStar Virgo changed my perception, for a start hubby booked us into an Oceanview Stateroom with balcony…the room is about a small HK hotel room size, separate bath and toilet; and also a balcony so that I can have a piece of the sea and sky to call my own for that few days! They have separate check in deck and welcome cocktail for this category passengers so overall the first impression and experience was pleasant. I’m the most ‘lazy’ person among the family as Nicole kept herself busy with all the kids activities while hubby fought his battle with the one-arm bandit. Come to think of it, I really didn’t do anything onboard the ship, practically just whiled my time away, well its still a good break from work I guessed.

It’s a cruise to Redang so passengers get to disembark and spend about 7 hours on the shore of Redang Island. It’s a very nice island with pristine beach and crystal clear water, it would have been much nicer and quieter if not for the crowd (I heard there were 2600 passengers onboard Super Star Virgo). Funny thing was that I don’t get to see that many people onboard the ship but it’s a different scene on the beach.

Nevertheless we enjoyed this short trip, needless to say the little one was over the moon for that few days.