Family Road Trip: Cameron Highlands & Melaka (20 to 23 June)

This was a long over-due family trip. We had wanted to take this trip to celebrate Tessa's birthday, but as we were concerned about the haze situation then, we had no choice but to postpone the trip.

We finally managed to plan for the trip in time to celebrate Mommy's birthday and Fathers' Day.

We took a long and difficult drive to Cameron Highlands where the weather is very cooling and nice. There, we visited tea plantations and strawberry farms. We had wonderful steamboat dinners and took long leisurely walks around our beautiful hotel's compounds. The Lakehouse is really a beautiful place to stay.

On our way back to Singapore, we stopped over at Melaka where we had our fair share of good food and shopping.

It was really nice that Grandpa agreed to join us on this road trip. It was great spending time and having fun as a family.

Our Family Trip to Taiwan & Hong Kong (15 to 27 December 2013)

15 December 2013 (Sun): We left for our much anticipated family trip of the year! Taipei, here we come!!!

Rainy Taipei doesn't dampen our spirits! We visited the National Palace Museum and Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall.

We took the high speed rail to Taichung! It was so fun!

We arrived in Taichung to visit Lugang and Jiji.

Sun Moon Lake covered in fog was very beautiful and dreamy!

We had so much fun at Cingjing Farm feeding the sheep and riding on little pony.

We left the cold, wet Cingjing for some sunny seaside fun at Kending!

We experienced the sun, sea, sand, wind, rain and cold altogether at Kending!

The magnificent views and lighthouse in Kending!

We are back in Taipei for more fun and.... rain!

Uncle Terence brought us to Jiufen and Shifen as well as to his house for a sumptuous dinner!

Yeah! Baby Boss day for us!!! We became police officers, firefighters, singers, and doctors!

We flew from Taipei to Hong Kong to immerse in the Christmas festive spirits!

Oh happy day! In magical Disneyland!

Last Day: Cherating, Kuantan - 6 to 8 April 2012

We are going back home today.

After breakfast, the father-and-son duo spent some quiet moments at the beach, looking at the sea and hearing the sounds of the waves.

As we were checking out, a little girl came to make friend with Dylan.

Parting family shot at Impiana Resort Cherating

Our litte car was given a good scrub on our way back to Singapore when we stopped for a late lunch. She deserves a good wash and massage because she has served us well for this trip.

Day 2: Cherating, Kuantan - 6 to 8 April 2012

We woke up to a sunny day!

After washing up, we headed to the resort cafe for our breakfast.

After breakfast and a short walk at the beach, we started our day trip around Cherating and Kuantan.

Our first stop is the turtle sanctuary. Cherating is a beach town in Pahang, Malaysia; located about 47km north of Kuantan. Cherating Turtle Sanctuary is located just beside Asia's first Club Med in Cherating. This centre was established in 1972 as a turtle hatchery; it was later opened to the public in 1998. Situated at the Chendor Beach or Pantai Chendor, this centre helps to ensure the survival of the turtles that come here to lay eggs during the months from April to August. If there should be turtles who come onto the shore to lay eggs, visitors will be allowed to view. It also acts as an information centre to educate the public about turtles and preservation efforts.

Our next stop is the museum at the small town of Sungai Lembing.

Sungai Lembing is a tin mining town 42 km northwest of Kuantan. Lembing is Malay for spear, and "sungai" means river. According to local legend, the local ruler saw a vision of a spear in the nearby river and thus named his town after this vision.

According to the wikipedia, until the 1970s, Sungai Lembing was a major producer of underground tin. Sungai Lembing town developed in the 1880's when the British set up the tin mining industry, although the history of mining in this area extends much further back. From 1891, the Pahang Consolidated Company Limited, (PCCL), which was under British control, had a 77-year lease to mine the area. PCCL managed the mine from 1906 until its liquidation in 1986 when world tin prices collapsed.

The pit mines were closed in 1986 due to high operational costs and low yields, but during their heyday they were among the largest and deepest in the world. The total tunnel length is 322 km, with a depth of between 610 m and 700 m. A museum highlighting the tin mining industry was opened in 2003. The museum is housed in an old bungalow once used by the mine manager. The museum houses a collection of mining artifacts.

The little town of Sungai Lembing is actually very laid-back and rustic. However, it was hard to see that it was once the richest town in Pahang, because alot of the shops are now closed. It was said that many people have since moved out of this town.

Nevertheless, we found this little town very endearing and decided to spend some time soaking in the tranquil atmosphere. We even tried the local samsui noodles at the food centre.

Leaving Sungei Lembing, our next stop is Gua Charas.

Nearby Sungai Lembing is Bukit Panorama, which is a popular place to watch the sunrise. 16 km from Sungai Lembing is Gunung Tapis Nature Park, where one can camp, fish, and shoot the rapids. Gunung Tapis itself is 1,512 m high. On the way to Sungai Lembing at the hamlet of Panching is Gua Charas, a temple cave that is a popular tourist destination,  as well as the Sungai Pandan Waterfall, which is 29 km from Kuantan.

Daddy took on the tedious task of carrying Dylan up the hill and down into the cave to view the statue of the reclining Buddha that is housed inside the cave.

In the Malay language the word 'gua' means cave. Gua Charas lies near the foot of the imposing 1,000m-high limestone Panching Hill and is clearly visible from the road leading towards the heritage town of Sungai Lembing. The hill’s cave system, formed millions of years ago and carved out by the forces of nature, offer an intriguing visit mixing nature with religious culture.

Leaving Gua Charas, we headed to a mall at Kuantan - the East Coast Mall for some shopping and snacks.

We were all pretty tired, so we decided to go back to the resort and spend some relaxing time at the beach before dinner.

At night, Daddy took us to Duyong Restaurant for some more delicious seafood.

We were mesmerized by the night skies - the bright shiny moon and twinkling stars.

What a day! Dylan was fast asleep almost as soon as his head hits the pillow.

Day 1: Cherating, Kuantan - 6 to 8 April 2012

It was meant to be a family road trip to Cherating and Melaka with Yeye and Ah Mah.

Unfortunately, Tessa came down with a high fever just before the trip. Yeye and Ah Mah suggested we take Dylan on the trip and leave Tessa to them. It was such a nice gesture from them. Thank you Yeye and Ah Mah.

After leaving Tessa in the good hands of her grandparents, we took the little devil on this road trip all the way to Kuantan.

It was a long long drive up to Kuantan and the drive was rather dangerous. We had to take local roads which are essentially one-lane roads. Daddy has to pay great attention and caution on the road.


On the road

 After a long nearly 7 hours drive, we finally reached our resort - Impiana Resort Cherating. Dylan was still nursing a flu, but we cannot bear to deny him of the pool. He was looking at the pool with eager eyes and could not wait to jump into it!


The little boy having so much fun in the pool with Daddy


At night, Daddy took us to eat the famous stuffed crab - a delicacy in Kuantan.

The restaurant Daddy planned to take us to was closed, so we settled for another one nearby.

Waiting for dinner to be served

What a sumptuous spread!

Well, the stuffed crabs weren't that great! Or rather, it didn't suit our tastes.

After dinner, we headed back to our hotel room to rest.

Family Trip to Penang (24 to 27 March 2011)

Daddy, Mommy, Ah Mah, Dylan and I went on a short trip to Penang!

Penang is a state in Malaysia and it is famous for its sandy beaches, heritage architecture and glorious food!

This is Dylan's first time on the airplane, but it's the third time for me! I have been to Bali and Hong Kong.

We are all ready for our flight to Penang!

We had alot of fun watching planes and playing 'Photo Me' at the airport.

Dylan loves the airport stroller more than his own.

We are flying in an airplane, looking out the windows, watching the clouds go by! Flying in an airplane, looking out the windows, up so very high!

We arrived at Penang at around 2:30pm. Daddy rented a car which we can pick up at the airport. Daddy then drove all of us to our hotel which is located at Batu Ferringhi - famous for its sandy beaches. We are staying at the Holiday Inn Beach Resort. We saw people on a banana boat and someone who was pulled into the sky in a parachute!

After checking in, Daddy and I headed to the beach for some great fun! We built sand castles and chased the waves. Mommy, Ah Mah and Dylan watched us play.

Wet and tired, we headed back to our room to wash up and get ready for dinner. We had a wonderful dinner at The Ship (the restaurant is really a ship!). After dinner, we walked around a little at the Batu Ferringhi night market before going back to our room to rest. We are all exhausted.

The next morning, we woke up and had a sumptuous buffet breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, we headed out to the Tropical Fruit Farm. But the weather was cloudy and soon after, it rained. We did not visit the Fruit Farm in the end, but took some photos outside the farm and continued our journey to the next destination - Kek Lok Si temple.

Kek Lok Si temple is very famous in Penang. There is a huge Kwan Yin statue and a pagoda. Ah Mah donated $30 each on behalf of Dylan and me, and had our names written on tiles which will eventually be used to refurbish the temple's roof. It started to drizzle and so we decided to leave the temple.

Due to the wet weather, we decided to head indoors for some shopping and lunch at the Queensbay Mall.

Look at Daddy, he's so hard at work pushing me around while carrying Dylan. Poor Dad!

After shopping, we headed to the Thai temple of the reclining Buddha. It is 33 meters long! It is really very huge!

After the temple, we headed to the nearby Gurney Plaza for more shopping! Daddy is excited about trying the local food at Gurney Drive, which turns out to be a disappointment.

After dinner, we are all very tired and so we headed back to the hotel to rest.

The next morning, after yet another round of delicious breakfast at the hotel, we began our road trip. But it was a rainy day and it seems like we have to miss out on many of the attractions we had planned to go. Places like Penang Hill, Fort Cornwallis and the Esplanade.

However, Daddy brought us to Khoo Kongsi despite the rain. This is the ancestral home for the Khoo clan. Their ancestral hall has intricate carvings and portraits. It was very impressive. Mommy told me that the whole extended family lived together. So if for our family, there can be a house for us, a house for Yeye and Ah Mah, a house for Lao Ma, a house for Georgie Yeye and Mahmah, a house for Giam Giam Daddy, Joanne Mommy and Shihan; and a house for Siao siao Mommy and Michael Daddy-to-be.

It rained and rained, and so in the end we have to make our way back to the hotel. But we did have a rather delicious seafood dinner that night at Batu Ferringhi.

It was bright and sunny on our last day in Penang! Hooray! It is back to the beach for more sun, sand and waves!

After a fun time at the beach, it is time to wash up and get ready to head to the airport for our return flight back to Singapore. I miss Yeye, wish he had come with us.

We stayed in the room and watched from the window as Daddy packed our luggages into the car. When Daddy was checking out, we were sipping fruit punch at the hotel lobby.

What a holiday! Despite the wet weather, we managed to enjoy ourselves. It was always fun spending time with the family. I sure look forward to the next family holiday trip!

Day 4: Melaka - Singapore

Today spells the end of our road trip.

Daddy brought us to this rustic coffeeshop for some dim sum breakfast. After breakfast, we headed to A'Formasa for some phototaking.

It was a rather warm day and I was down with fever, so we decided to head back to Singapore earlier. We went back to the hotel to pack up, then went to the Peranakan House for lunch. After lunch, we started our journey back to Singapore.

It was quite a tiring trip because of all the travelling, but we all had alot of fun. Being with the family is always lots of fun!

Day 3: Port Dickson - Melaka

Rise and shine! It's swimming time again!

We had a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel before heading to the pool for our last dip. We will be moving on to Melaka later.

I have been to Melaka with Daddy, Mommy, Yeye and Ah-Mah many times, but it'll be Dylan's first visit to the beautiful city.

This time round, we are not staying at Hotel Puri or Holiday Inn. We are staying at Hotel Equatorial as the two other hotels were fully booked.

After we checked into our hotel, we went out for lunch at Nancy's Kitchen. We all love the food there, so yummy!

Then we took a stroll down Jonker Street to the Stadthuys. After that, we headed to Dataran Pahlawan for shopping. But after a while, all of us are exhausted so we decided to call it a day and headed back to the hotel to rest.

Seafood dinner!

We had a sumptuous seafood dinner at Port Dickson. Yummy!