Spices of Life

Sorry, been busy a few weeks since 16 August till 26 August. Those dates sound familiar? Yeah.. Coz my current project is something to do with Permatang Pauh. No, no, I am not campaigning for any party. It’s something related to the news updates, WAP pages, SMS alert and live video on video call thingy. Don’t worry.

Went to Penang on 9 August, visiting in-laws and what’s new in Balik Pulau. It’s been almost a year since our last visit to Pulau Betong (our last visit was 31 August 2007). Unfortunately, I missed to enjoy Laksa Janggus this time. Maybe another time or next year-lah. Spent all evening visiting our old school SOKSEK in BM, BM town, waterfall in Cherok Tokkun. Oh ya, to get the mood, we visit Permatang Pauh too. But since it was still early, it was not as hot as it is after 16 August. To get the mood kunun, cheh….

But I hope after this 26 August, my buzy-ness will slow down a bit because I am really really tired of it. I feel like I had enough and I want to rest. And Ramadhan is just around the corner, which I think I have to rest more.

Talking about Ramadhan, I would like to apologize (biasa la, dah dekat nak puasa, baru nak minta mahap kat semua.. kekeke) if I wrote/ did/ said anything which hurt anyone’s feelings.

Ramadhan al Mubarak, everyone.

Snorkeling

The water is crystal clear and the fishes are friendly.

Fish are fwen, not food…

Okay, okay.. too friendly.

Feeding the little ones

Feeding the big ones..

Sharing…

These photos were taken with a KODAK Sport Single Use Camera, which we bought at the souvenir shop in Lang Island Resort for RM55. In KL this camera should be around RM45, but not all photo shops having it for sale.

Snorkeling…
Aaahhh… feels like wanna go snorkeling again… blup! blup! blup!

8.00pm - Waiting for U68 RapidKL bus from Tmn Sri Sentosa to get to KL Sentral.
9.10pm - Reach KL Sentral. Taking PUTRA LRT to Masjid Jamek.
9.20pm - Taking STAR LRT from Masjid Jamek to PWTC.
9.30pm - Walking from PWTC station into The Mall. Eat MacDonald’s for light dinner.
9.50pm - Walking from The Mall to Hentian Putra (opposite PWTC).
10.00pm- Waiting outside Hentian Putra because inside is crowded and no air-cond.
10.20pm- Bus is ready. Waiting inside the bus. Most front seats.
10.35pm- Bus starts journey.
2.00am - Bus stop to change driver at Chendor stop by.
5.00am - Reach Kuala Terengganu Bus Terminal.
5.30am - Sleeping at K.Terengganu bus terminal bench.

6.30am - Get into tour van, stop by at a hotel in Kuala Terengganu to fetch a family then heading to Kuala Terengganu Airport.
7.45am - Reach Kuala Terengganu Airport. wondering around while waiting for flight passengers.
8.20am - Tour van heading to Merang jetty.
9.30am - Reach Merang jetty. Search for toilet to peepee. Watching boatmen loading gas and food into the boat.
10.00am - Boat ride to Lang Tengah Island. The boat moves slowly along the river and speed up when it reach the wide ocean. Heading North.
11.30am - Reach Lang Tengah Island, after the boat drop the food at D’Coconut jetty.
11.45am - Briefing by Mr.Boon, Lang Island Resort owner. Check in.
12.15pm - Buffet lunch. Self service.
1.30pm - Snorkeling gears rental. Towel deposits. Visit souvenir shop and buy a Kodak Sport  underwater camera for snorkeling.
2.30pm - Round island by boat. Snorkeling.
3.30pm - Going back to resort after snorkeling.

4.00pm - Tea break. Curry puff and light snacks. Tea and coffee.
5.00pm - Snorkeling around Lang Island beach.
6.00pm - Own leisure activity. Relaxing on the bench by the beach.
7.15pm - BBQ dinner. Yummy…. I like the lamb (even though I couldn’t eat BBQ lamb before)
8.00pm - Karaoke starts. Own leisure activity. Visiting the souvenir shop again.
10.00pm - Doze off.

************************* Day 2 **********************************************
7.00am - Morning walk by the beach.
7.15am - Breakfast by the sea side

8.00am - Snorkeling around Lang Tengah beach. Feeding the fish.
9.30am - Jungle trekking to Batu Kuching.
10.30am - Reach batu Kuching.

10.45am - Walking back to the resort.
11.35am - Reach the resort and resting my feet at beach front.
12.15pm - Buffet lunch.
1.30pm - Another snorkeling trip to Redang Marine Park but we skip this one. We want to snorkeling around Lang Tengah Island.
2.00pm - Basking at the beach.

3.00pm - Snorkeling at Lang Island beach.
4.30pm - Tea break.
5.00pm - Snorkeling at Lang Island beach.
7.15pm - Buffet dinner.
8.00pm - Karaoke starts. We take a night walk by the beach. Beautiful sky. Huge bats too.
10.00pm - Light snack, maggie cup.
10.30pm - Doze off

************************* Day 3 **********************************************

7.15am - Breakfast by the sea side.
8.00am - Packing and check out. Return towel and get back the deposit.
8.05am - Feeding the fish for the last time at the jetty.

8.30am - Boat is ready.
9.00am - Boat ride to Merang jetty. The boat moves slowly along the river, approaching the jetty. 
10.30am - Reach Merang jetty and the van is already waiting for us.
11.00am - Tour van heading to K.Terengganu. Stop by at keropok shop to buy some fresh keropok lekor.
11.35am - Tour van drop us at K.Terengganu Bus Terminal and continue to send other passengers to the airport.
11.45am - Waiting for our bus in MacDonald’s. Light lunch.
12.25pm - The bus is ready.
12.30pm - Bus departing from K.Terengganu to KL.
3.30pm - Bus stop at Chendor stop by.
4.00pm - Bus continue journey to KL
7.45pm - Bus approaching Hentian Putra.
8.00pm - Walking from Hentian Putra to PWTC lrt. Take lrt to Bukit Jalil.
9.00pm - Reach Bukit Jalil. Dinner.
9.30pm - Take taxi from Bukit Jalil to Sri Sentosa.
10.00pm - Reach home.

Is that all??? NO. There are hundreds of Lang Tengah photos here. It is a beautiful little paradise, where I wanna be.

Planning on a holiday ? How much it cost for a holiday for 2? Let’s take a look.

These prices are based on:
1) Super Peak Season (Jul-Sept 2008)
2) Weekend (Fri-Sat) Different rate for weekdays (Sun-Thu for Terengganu state)
3) Twin sharing (standard / superior/ garden view / whatever room that is the cheapest)
4) 3D2N for self drive till jetty. (Cost of fuel, parking and toll are not included)
5) 4D2N for coach. (Return bus fare included. Bus starts journey at night, from Hentian Putra station)
6) Meal included. Different rate for FULL BOARD (2 breakfast, 2 lunch, 2 dinner, 2 teabreak) and HALF BOARD (2 breakfast, 2 lunch OR 2 dinner).
7) Return boat transfer. Please refer boat schedule. (THIS IS IMPORTANT. IT’S NOT HOURLY BASIS, you know. This is not Penang ferry)

Price Comparison

After considering a few factors, I decide to try Lang Tengah Island, Lang Island Resort (by coach).

Among of the factors are:
1) Crystal clear blue ocean, not emerald green ocean.
2) Below RM501 per person including transportation.
3) Privacy (not many people, no loud music, no beach party).
4) Relaxing.
5) Beautiful scenery.
6) New island, which both never been before (we were planning for Redang, but seems like too expensive and too many people )

Then I do the booking here. Quite fast response.

First I booked, D’Coconut. A few second later, I get a reply email saying that standard rooms in D’Coconut are fully booked. Then I try to book Lang Island Resort. Luckily there are still available standard room for my selected date.

The booking confirmation was sent by email complete with package details and account number to bank-in or Internet transfer (No credit card required).

But if you prefer to use credit card, you can proceed with the payment via the website, it is using SSL layer for transaction.

After bank-in RM455 x 2 = RM910 via Maybank Cash Deposit Machine (CDM), I photocopy (enlarge 200%) the payment slip and fax it to the number provided in the email. Make a simple call (to the number which is also provide in the email) to make sure they receive the fax. They check and confirm by another confirmation email, together with tour package voucher, bus tickets booking voucher and other remarks. Another confirmation SMS also will be sent to my mobile, asking me to check my email. I print those vouchers and ticket vouchers. DONE.

Tour package: 4D2N Lang Tengah Island snorkeling x 2 Adults (RM910)
Inclusive:
1) 2 nights accommodation at Lang Island Resort
2) Return coach KL-KT-KL
3) Return land transfer KT-Merang jetty-KT)
4) Return boat transfer (Merang-Lang Tengah-Merang)
5) 2 breakfast, 2 lunch, 2 dinner, 2 teabreak
6) 3 snorkeling trip + 1 jungle trekking

Okay, I have a bus to Kuala Terengganu to catch tonight. I will update again after I return from my sweet escape. Adios !!!!!

Dear Adam,

Happy birthday.
Of course, Mommy and Daddy never forget you. We will always remember you.
Even though Mommy only get a chance to hold you for a second, Mommy never forget that moment - full of love and blessed. I hope you will like the name that we (Mommy asked Daddy, he just nodded) have picked for you. Even though we have no clue which gender you will be, but I can’t stand referring to you as  it/she/he. You deserved a name, dear.

Mommy and Daddy will be fine. Be good, child. Listen to the Angles. They will take care of you, up there, in Heaven.

Love,
XOXOXO

Mommy and Daddy.
July 2008.