Johor Bahru Trip

Assalammualaikum wbt, 

It's 11pm now as I'm writing this. My husband is out to get us some McDonald's sundaes and chicken nuggets, as we couldn't sleep yet. Too tired to do anything but too early for bed, life's complicated isn't it? Haha.

We just got back from our recent trip to JB for my cousin's wedding. It's a little bit unplanned as we were invited less than a month. We decided to take a flight instead, because if we were to drive there, the cost of repairing and servicing the car would be as much as the flight ticket itself. As usual, Air Asia it is. The flight to JB weren't full that day, it's so near, not even an hour journey plus Hanif Aiden is in a good mood, so everything was a breeze and I'm having such a proud parents moment for a while. 

We booked a hotel at Berjaya Waterfront, opposite the Tebrau stream that separate Malaysia and Singapore. The hotel isn't that bad but quite eerie especially at the balcony. We stayed at level 14 and this hotel has the open concept balcony for the interior. So, you can actually see straight down the coffee house. I don't know how to describe, I should've took picture. But, for you guys, I've Googled the picture:  

 

Seram isn't it? For someone who afraid of heights, my husband and I walked to our room with our body lean as close as possible against the wall hahaha. 

We arrived quite early that morning and they can't check us in yet. So we left our luggage at the hotel lobby and went to the famous Kacang Pool in Larkin. I never had Kacang Pool before, so this experience is quite exciting. As usual, our favourite mode of transportation is Grab Car, it's so convenient because most of Grab car drivers are locals, so they know better where place to go and what to eat etc. The Kacang Pool is so good guys. It serves with a toast and sunny side up. So so good. The cost per set is only RM6.. super cheap. I don't where to get this in KL, and if they do have it, I'm not sure if it's taste as good.

 

Then we went to JB shopping centre and killed our time there. Because we can't check in and I don't know where else to go...so yeah. The check in time is so late guys, at 3pm and if we want to do early check in, we have to pay like RM100+ up front. So expensive. So, we decided to just wait. Hanif Aiden has already restless because he hadn't had a proper sleep since our early flight that day. Once we got our room, we all slept dead. The room is ok-lah. Not bad at all: 

 

 

 

I got up at 4pm, and thinking, my life here can't be just this, so, I woke my husband up to fulfill our Murtabak Singapore quest. As usual, we took Grab car to go there, specifically at Kampung Melayu Majidee. Okey look, this is my first time being here, I've been Googling for "the best Murtabak Singapore" and many has recommend at this particular Kampung, but there are so many guys. We asked our Grab car driver which is the best and he suggested Azo 96 Restaurant. We saw the queue for murtabak is quite long, so this is a good sign haha. This restaurant is exactly opposite the mosque. Hanif Aiden is still tired so he slept all the way through. Okey good, your parents could eat in peace. The murtabak is so so so good guys.. ah, bless. Aside from Murtabak Singapore, this restaurant also has other stalls selling Rojak, Satay, Western Food etc. So, if you're not a fan of Murtabak (these people exist?!), you could order other stuff as well.

 

 

I don't know how to describe, just look at my husband's happy face, can you tell?! Definitely you can't get the same taste outside JB. 

I was thinking to pack home some but afraid it'll get spoiled during the flight. So, now we have to come to JB again if we're craving for it. Thank God for Air Asia. 

After the delicious Murtabak treat, we headed back to the hotel to prepare ourselves for the wedding later that night. And this is where disaster begins.. When i wanted to iron clothes, I realized I FREAKING DID NOT BRING MY BLOUSE SASH & THE BLOUSE LOOK RIDICULOUSLY AWFUL WITHOUT IT! I did not bring extra clothes *never again packing light* nor I have back up plans. I literally freak out and almost cried. I texted my sister and asked if she has belt or anything and she said she will try to find one since she was out at the moment. Luckily.. well not lucky enough, our hotel is attached with a so-called mall. So I went down to see if there is any boutique and there is NONE. Berjaya Hotel is attached with duty-free mall and most of the shops were still vacant. I spotted one stall sells brooch and bought one. The blouse looks ugly still but I have no choice. 

 

We took Grab car to go to that place, gosh the venue is so beautiful. The place called Villa Warisan JA. The building concept is traditional Malay design like Rumah Kampung. But, since my wardrobe disaster earlier, I didn't take much photos. This place could cater about 100 pax at one time. It has rooms as well but limited to only 5 and the charges is about RM200+ per night. My parents and grandparents stay here too. The ceremony is simple but beautiful and intimate. Solemnization and straight to dinner. That's it. Alhamdulillah everything went well as planned. Hanif Aiden was restless throughout the event, most probably tired from our packed activities earlier. He did not eat anything and just wanted to be carried all the time. Another reason why we did not take much pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

Next morning, we woke up early as we took an early flight to KLIA 2. We had our breakfast at the coffee house. The buffet spread is ok-lah. Just a basic continental breakfast. I noticed, now most hotels don't serve hash brown ey? I is sad.

 

For this flight back, my grandparents joined us together. Too bad, I forgot to add on special assistance when I booked the ticket because at JB airport, the flight is not connected the airport door. Err, I don't know how to explain. So, passengers have to climb the stairs to get into the aircraft. Although there is a wheelchair, but unfortunately on that day, the wheelchair elevator wasn't working :( The flight assistance there is so kind when I informed them about my grandparents condition that they let them sit while checking their boarding pass and let them go through first before letting other passengers in. And when we arrived at KLIA 2, we requested for buggy service to drive us (yeah, including me hehe) to the luggage area. If you ever been at KLIA 2, you know how far there is from the gate to the main area right. Salute Air Asia team for being so kind and humanising. 

  

 

And now, as I'm writing this, I had a sudden crave for Murtabak Singapore Kg Majidee.. argghh. JB, I'll see you soon!

Krabi Trip Part 3

Assalammualaikum wbt,

Today is our last day in Krabi, Thailand. Our return flight is later at 2pm. We woke up early today to find good breakfast spot and settled down at one restaurant opposite our Guesthouse. Again, it is a walking distance, no need for Tuk Tuk ride. This restaurant named Bangnara. We spotted from afar there's a roti canai pan guyssss. This restaurant is full of Malaysians. Even the owner can speak Bahasa very well. I was so hungry and salivating seeing the food that I can't decide what to eat. So, I ordered one of each then. Hahaha. I ate the Roti Canai set and Nasi Kerabu.

 BEST DECISION IN MY LIFE. THIS IS THE BEST NASI KERABU EVER I'VE EVER TASTED, I SWEAR TO GOD!!!

 Ya Allah, serious so delicious I could cry, especially the Gulai Ikan. I can see myself coming to Krabi just for this Nasi Kerabu, like seriously. Roti Canai also very sedap one... They give 2 pieces of Roti.. such generousity. We also ordered Banana and Nutella pancake to be shared, and we regret that later. WE WERE SUPPOSED TO ORDER ONE FOR EACH OF US NOT FOR SHARING!! I also ordered the famous Thai Iced Tea and guys.. it's also very good too. Haih, just typing this making me salivating over it.. *Browsing Krabi tickets on Air Asia Apps*. Typing this post is so torturous guys, but I want to share it with you. Please please go here ok?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the delicious hearty filling breakfast, my friend and I walked around to find any Massage place that already open. Unfortunately, there are still none. Most of the business operations started at 9am. So, we took a ride with Tuk Tuk and asked him to ride slowly while we browsing left and right for any available Massage centre. 

 

 

Must be the last day's luck, there's one that just open. Well not really, they're open at 9am but I ask the Massaeus if she could open it early for us and she's more than welcome inviting us in. Ahh, so bless. I really do savouring the last massage. Every touch and every move, they are so so so so goood. My body feel lighter and my head feel such relief. It lifted my mood too. Haih, I wish I could take one home. Hahaha. 

Then, we just walked around, taking selfies and sight seeing while walking back to our guesthouse waiting for our Airport transfer to pick us up. 

 

    

Overall, I would say this trip is so much fun. Not that my trips before weren't fun enough, but I think most probably is because this time we had so many outdoor activities. Usually my holiday trips would involved mostly sight seeing and shopping but unlike this time around. I would like to visit Krabi again but next time, it will be with my family because Krabi is such a calm and leisure city. No traffic jams, early nights, easy access to Halal food to which I think this is a family friendly place. Until I see you again Krabi, bye!

Krabi Trip Part 2

Assalammualaikum wbt, 

Our second day here is the most productive and hectic one. Today, we were scheduled for fun-pack activities which we booked the package the night before. Oh ya, one tips here, if you're looking for island hopping, holiday package or activity package in Krabi, it's better to survey and book here rather than from Malaysia because it is much cheaper. Don't worry, there a lot of travel agent dealers here, one stall after another along Ao Nang market. The one that we took was from Song Praek Rafting. The package include water rafting, ATV, elephant ride, flying fox, monkey cave, suwankuha temple and Pariwat waterfall originally priced at THB 1000+. But we skipped ATV and elephant ride, so it became only THB 800. 

 

 

That morning, we had our breakfast at Hasanah Palace, within walking distance from the guesthouse. The food was ok lah. We ordered take away coffee for my friend and guess how they packed it..

 

Guess they didn't receive the no-plastic bag notice ey? Haha. Hopefully they don't wrongly packed it for soy sauce instead..

 

The van transfer picked us up from the hotel in the morning, and brought us to our first destination for water rafting. I thought it would be nearby, but oh boy, the journey took us for almost 2 hour! I was fallen in and out asleep and we still not arrive 😂 The place is already in Phuket district. If we knew it would be that far, we would've brought change of clothes. Alang-alang boleh singgah Hard Rock Phuket. 

We were all scared and nervous for water rafting, it's actually a first time for all of us and we don't know what to expect. We were given a short briefing, on what to do should we fall in the water and stuff.. There are a lot of foreign tourists here, unlike in Ao Nang, there is hardly any Malaysian here, so we could actually be comfortable speaking our mother tongue mocking and talking HAHAHA. 

 

Post-mortem water rafting..... IT WAS FREAKING AWESOME AND I WANT TO REPEAT IT AGAIN AND OMG I DIDN'T DIE!! It was so much funnnnnnn guysssssss. But, I could probably die from screaming and laughing. It wasn't that bad, I am so tough and such a fit chick who loves outdoor activities, so, it such a peanut deal for me 💪🏽 Haha, but later I've been told, this water rafting is just for beginner, the river trail isn't that challenging, yeah, I even saw kids in the boat too. My friend told me, the one in Malaysia is even harder, they're giving out certificate if you join. Yeah, my friend such a joy killer. My proud moment is crashed just like that. They even have photographers along the ride, and the raft instructor will alert you when it's time to pose. Later, they will print and frame them and sell it off for THB 80 each if I'm not mistaken.

 

 

After the water rafting activity, we were brought to Flying Fox place. I haven't done this for years! It was fun but I think the trail is quite short and my friend said, the one in Bukit Tinggi Pahang is higher and has longer trail. I must check that out sometime soon. Don't worry, lunch is provided too and it's Halal guys. 

 

Here, all activities are put into a package because it is nearby next to each other, the Elephant Trekking, ATV, Flying Fox and Water Rafting. I am so against the Elephant Trekking activities and even forwarded the abusive elephant videos to my colleagues through WhatsApp before our trip to influence them too. The video is so saddening guys. Even at their airport, they put up a poster to not support the animal tourism activities. So much for the animal rights but no, I'm not a vegetarian. 

 

Then, the van transfer picked us up for our next destination, Ton Parawat Waterfall. When we arrived there, it's nothing like the picture in the brochure.. More like Janda Baik or Ulu Bendul really. In fact, they're much better compared to here. The water is too shallow for us to take a dip. So, we just sat there people watching and doing some food shopping here. There are few food stalls there selling fruits and fried products (I doubt the Halal-ness). My friend treated us all coconut ice cream simply because the seller is pretty looking girl. Well, it is delicious indeed, I was surprised when I bite into soft and creamy glutinous rice at the bottom of the ice cream cone. It's so good guys.. 

 

 

 

After seeing the waterfall, we decided to take the Monkey Cave and Temple Visit out from the list too. We persuaded our driver to take us to the Krabi Shooting Range to which we spot a day before on our way from Airport. Well, another first timer for me. It uses real gun and real live bullet guyssssss. For a moment, I feel like Evelyn Salt just by holding the gun. I was already ran out of my Thai Bhat at this point but luckily this place accepts credit cards too. I was so tempted to use all types of guns, but they're pretty expensive, so I settled with Glock 17 instead. This place is even monitored by local police for the security since it uses live bullet. That's pretty serious and cool at the same time. I would say, I had the adrenaline rush in my veins when I hold the gun. I was confused at first and missed the targets but after a while, I get the used of it. Not to brag, but I would say I am pretty good in this. Just look at the picture as a proof. Hahaha. Psstt.. do you guys know where the affordable shooting range in Klang Valley? 

 

 

 

We were so tired when we got back that we could fall asleep immediately.. But my friend texted for accompany to Ao Nang Market. This time I didn't do any shopping because I already did that a night before. I just literally walking. The people are even more packed than the night before. Mostly Malaysians 😂 I even spotted some 'pretty ladies' in the fluttering dress distributing brochures for their 'show'. I took their picture from afar and to my surprise one of them pulling my hand to snap a picture together Hahaha. Mind you, there's a charge if you want to take their picture. Oh ya, we didn't go to Krabi Night Market because to go there, it required a transportation and we were so flat to even move our feet by then. The Krabi Night Market is open during Friday, Saturday and Sunday but it closes early. Generally, night life in Krabi isn't so happening. Even there are clubs, but they are mostly closed at 12am. Most shops also started to close at 10pm and above. 

 

Only during our last night here I discovered there are actually Muslim stalls selling T-Shirts and souvenirs just before the actual Ao Nang Market street. They sell T-Shirts and souvenirs at much cheaper price. Their stuff also much more quality and more design varieties to choose from! Like serious, the T-Shirt material is much much better than the ones opposite Ao Nang Beach Market. They are seriously cheap for comparison, the one at Ao Nang Market is about THB 200 before bargain and the one at these stalls are THB 60-80 only that you don't have a heart to ask further reduction.. I can't help feeling regret, so I bought one T-Shirt for dear son.. Guys, don't do same mistake like me. These stalls location are before the Pyramids restaurant. They don't have proper shop lots, just a tent in blue/white color. 

Again, that night we went for another full body massage because our body are aching all over from our super hard activities from today. We went to the one opposite McDonalds at the upper floor. As usual, the massage is gooooooood Amagaddd. I can see myself coming to Krabi again just for their massage. My roommate and I call it a night early that night. Because we were unfit, all those earlier activities consumed our energy like mad. I will continue my last day in Krabi on the next post. 

Krabi Trip Part 1

Assalammualaikum wbt,

Every year, my workplace will arrange for office trip using the funding that we collected monthly. So far, we've been to Sabah, Bali and Macau. For this year, after much discussion and ehem..budget restriction too, we decided to go to Krabi. Even that, the ticket is quite pricey actually compared to regular price.. The trip this time is a bit different because we have a lot of new faces and this is my first time traveller with them. This year's arrangement automatically fall on me.. such heavy responsibility. Because, all this time I was a follower and would accept anything without any complaint haha. We went there on 22nd April, and divided into two groups because we didn't know that Monday 24th April is later announced as Public Holiday..duh. So, first group went on 21st and return on 23rd whilst second group on 22nd to 24th April. We didn't book tickets on Labor Day the following week because the ticket prices shoot up like mad. Like triple from the originals! 

 

Early riser at KLIA2

The journey to go there took about 1 hour or so, even shorter than Kuching..hehe. The journey was smooth, Alhamdulillah. After touched down, we left our luggages at other colleague's room as it still early and ours aren't ready yet. We change clothes as today's itinerary are to go island hopping and snorkeling. We didn't go to the famous Phi Phi Island because the price is freaking expensive and it's going to be packed with people. So we went to the other two island which I forgot the name..pfft #forgetful. We passed by the chicken island which is named because of its natural shape looks like chicken head. The boat ride journey took about 30 minutes. When we reached the island, it is rather disappointing to do snorkeling. Okey, the water is okey lah, a bit clear but it's nothing down there except rocks. No fish, well, only one or two and that's it! No corals, nothing. Dead corals ada lah sikit-sikit. Our Redang Island is wayyyyyyyy beautiful than this. Even my colleague put a remark that this is one pathetic island. Haha. So, I just lied there on the sand sun bathing waiting for others to finish their so-called snorkeling. The island package includes Halal lunch as well. Then, we went to another island, which again I forgot the name. But its natural landscape is so beautiful and there's a lot of people and boat-market there. There are canoeing and kayaking activities too. There are even restaurants and toilets here. Again, I just sat there on the sand under the tree protecting my skin from the sun and admiring the beauty, while others eating and bathing on the beach and started to miss my husband because no one would take my picture beautifully.. Rindu ada makna haha. I didn't eat anything here despite so many food stalls because my stomach is a bit upset from the flight earlier. Probably because of altitude changes. 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

After the island hopping, we rest a while in our room when my colleague texted me to join them for massage. Oh my, this is what I've been waiting for! Pampering myself with the original Thai massage..ahh, so exciting! We stayed at the famous Ao Nang area, so everything is walking distance..err..if you willing to walk- lah. Haha. Ours like the end of the Ao Nang street, just a normal guest house but okey lah for sleeping and resting #cheapskate. The body massage costed about 250 Thai Bhat, usually 300 Thai Bhat, but because there are 5 of us, hence the discounted price. The massage is soooooo GOOOOOOOOD I tell ya.. Even better than the one when I was in Bali last time. Our place is at the Muslim street, so anything Halal is within our access. We can even hear the Azan from nearby mosque. Oh, don't forget to install the Qiblat Finder App.

 

That night, all of us had our dinner together at Pyramids restaurant at Ao Nang market area. As usual, when you are in Thailand, a must ordered food are Tom Yam and their seafood. The taste are okey lah. I've tasted the better ones in Malaysia. For 11 of us, the price are not bad, approximately about RM50-60 per head. 

 

    

After dinner, we went for shopping at the Ao Nang night market opposite the Ao Nang beach. There are a lotttt of stuff to choose from. But, you gotta have the skills in bargain. Frankly speaking, I thought the price is quite pricey. But I did some serious shopping here anyway because I have such a big family and it's better to buy early the souvenir, so I could systematically arranged them in my luggage. Yes, I am not a light traveller if you guys must know. I could, but it just in my nature to buy people stuff wherever I go. Again, the price here is pricey, so choose wisely. Most of them can speak Bahasa too, and you'll be seeing so many Malaysians shoulder to shoulder here that you forgot you were actually in Thailand. One thing that I love here, there are so many food stallsssssss. Mango juice, Pulut Mangga, Coconut Ice-Cream..ahhh, this is food heaven! Krabi population are made up from Muslim majority too, so finding Halal food is not a problem here. Yes, I didn't touch a thing from the food that I brought, and yes, I am always well-prepared like that. I ended up bringing back the food untouched. 

 

 

 

  

Later that night, we went for massage again, this time is foot massage. Oh my, it was so so so so goooddddd. Just perfect after our hectic and productive shopping session 🙊 The massage so good that I feel I can kick ass! Haha. I will continue my Krabi story on the next post.