Bismillahirahmanirrahim..
After sometimes, i feel like writing, at least in brief..
For this coming eid fitri, our family is celebrating raya and holiday in New Zealand. to be specific, the north island. This is to be the first time for the whole family, almost all. my bro wont joint us this time.
It's a trip after MH370 and MH17 tragedies. But, we pray that we will always under His blessing and protection all the time.
Will take some time to update this after coming home. So, for this trip, i am going to have a note book and pen to jot down all my experience. InsyaAllah.
Till we meet again.
Monday, 21 July 2014
Sunday, 22 June 2014
Hotel Review: Julie's Guest House, Kuala Tahan, Pahang
My journey will not complete without a brief on the accommodation. For a budget and adventurous trip to the National Park, we opt for a budget accommodation at the local village. At first,we thought the local village is the name of the hostel or resort, apparently, it is the village itself. And within the village, there are so many homestay/hostels and also a resort to accommodate various type of traveller. Since, ours are bundle in the package, we were directed to this hostel, Julie's Hostel.
This hostel is still new. It is actually a small house built or renovated with 2 rooms. And it is still new. Their contact no. as per the photo above is 09-267 2242 or 017-904 0344 (julie)
We were given a room adequate for 7 pax. complete with air cond and 2 bathrooms. The rooms seem new, new bed, new tiles. Bed sheets were also clean.
VMY2014: Kota Gelanggi Cave Heritage Park, Jerantut, Pahang
This is not Taman Negara yet. It's the pick up place. All guests to Taman Negara were required to gather at this hotel by 8.30am.
The agent's office was also located here at the ground floor of the hotel. After completed the registration process, we headed to nearby 7-E for quick breakfast.
Express Nasi Lemak before riding the bus to Jerantut.
To make it short, the expedition took more than 2 hours since the bus need to pick more passengers at other locations and some of them were also turned up late at the pick up spot. What a waste of time. We left KL city around 9.30 am and reached Jerantut at 12.30pm, just right for lunch time.
The lunch was served based on the reserved group made earlier. So, does the tour later on.
Lunch started with traditional chinese tea
Fried vege and sweet sour style chicken
Sweet sour style chicken
We can opt for type of accommodation according to our own budget.
On the way to Kota Gelanggi Cave Heritage Park, view of Sg Pahang
One of the activities offered in the package is a trip to Kota Gelanggi Cave, an half an hour journey from the city.
Some extraction from cavesofmalaysia.com website on Kota Gelanggi caves complex are written below:
The caves come under the control of Felda Residence Tekam. There are several caves open to the public, including Gua Sanding and Gua Penyu. Another is Gua Terang Bulan which has electric lighting and walkways. Guided tours are available.
Facilities - caves complex, car park, rest areas and toilets. Opening hours: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm daily.
Location and access - In the state of Pahang northeast of Temerloh. From Temerloh go north to Jerantut, then turn right (east) on to the Jerantut to Maran road No 64 which is a new wide road. Kota Gelanggi is about 25 km east of Jerantut. Or from the main Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan road, there are 3 turn offs to Kota Gelanggi. One is at Kg. Awah, one at Jengka Jaya, one is route 64 from Maran.
A jungle tracking activities with a very knowledgeable guide. For non so environmentalist person like me, the activity was such an enlightenment. Above pic, showed the leave that usually being used for scrubbing wood.
Lyana. The trees that spread.
Forgot the name but it contained water if inside it, if i could recall
Poison mushroom,nice to see not to eat
Plant that can hold water and safe for human drinking. What we need to do, is just filter the water with shirt or any filter we have and it can fill up to 1 mineral water bottle.
One of the giant and oldest tree in the park
The magnificent limestone cave. And this is just a beginning.
We spent a few minutes outside the cave, being brief by the guide on the history of the caves and how pre-historic people live. The hole was previously a grave and the human skulls were removed to local state museum. It was said that this complex is a previously a kingdom or a city but was cursed by some gorgon, famously known as Sang Kelembai who changed everything he touched into stone. It's a legend.
The structure of the cave. Amazing right.
Another lesson learnt, the leave that taste like an apple. Being used as an ingredient for cooking as the guide said.
It's beautiful right.
This was my first cave exploration activity and so far, the hardest. I was always the last person to reach a site since i need to make myself flexible went climbing around the cave.
The guide took us to one of the highest spot here, it's very windy up and calm up here. we only spent about 5 minutes for photography session
The peak of our expedition is to see the sunbeam at Kota Gelanggi. Magnificient. We reached here at a right time, before the sunset and the beam fade away.
This place was called, Gua Sanding, one of the caves that were connected to other caves in this complex. U can see upthere, 2 stones, one looked like it was standing and another one, sitting. Like a bride and groom during their wedding day.
Stone sculpture. A symbol of worship for some religion.
One of the highlight here is the crystal at the nearby stone. It can only be seen in green colour with a infra red torch light.
Tip: Don't touch. A touch will cause the stone to lost its shining and glimmering features.
Basically, the complex consists of several caves and we only went for 3. There are Sanding Cave, Balai Cave and Angin Cave. There are a lot more here to explore. Perhaps, a 2 night stay in Jerantut or at the Felda resort at Tekam Pahang will suffice for a full course of cave exploration here. Difficulty level? It suits for beginner.
Saturday, 21 June 2014
Hotel Review: One World Hotel, Damansara
A second visit to One World Hotel, Damansara was not a disappointment. We had a twin bed superior room, staying for 1 night. It's like mom and dad and me weekend getaway. One World Hotel, basically is a city hotel rated 5 stars. It's located and linked to One Utama Shopping Mall.
The room features twin comfort bed, fluffy pillow, rest chair, working desk and other basic facilities. What i like about their room is the interior featuring drawing at their walls. It's bring life to the room. At least to my eyes.
I always prefer to have a city view or at least a room with big glass window. Just love standing next to the window and look at the city especially at night.
Welcome fruit bowl
LCD TV, welcoming the guest.
The aisle. They had mirror left and right of the aisle.
The shower
The bath tub that we seldom use
The major different between luxury hotel and budget hotel is the in-house facilities provided to the guest. 5-star hotels usually have every facilities all-in the room and guest does not have to share it with other guests.
Yeah. we love the laundry begs
Customised message
The feeling of luxury serenaded the atmosphere
Relaxing area at Pool and Gym Level
Locker room at the sauna
Lavatory at the sauna area
Sauna
It's extremely hot. I quit after 15 minutes.
Living area next to the gym
Sauna at the upper floor, while the gym on the lower side
The receptionist area of the wellness centre
The spa nearby
The pool in early morning. Very quiet. Managed to get a short nap here
Hotel view from the pool
Road view from the pool
Kid pool
We had a complementary chocolate cake. It looked small and nothing extra special but it taste really awesome and so chocolate. The chocolate taste was thick and creamy. Seriously sedap.
The rate of cause is not cheap but the hospitality and comfort would the one that drawn people to stay here. Location is strategically located at heart of Damansara, linked to major mall and other nearby malls, like the curve, Ikea, tesco etc. Maybe an escape after a busy week would be great. Plus, they had an awesome eateries in-house. The Japanese restaurant served fresh sashimi with an affordable price and the Cinnamon Coffee House served 100s of selection from appertiser, main course to dessert.
In short, a great stay.
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