My first adventure road trip - Part 2

Days: 31st August to 3rd September
Locations: KL – Ipoh – Hat Yai – Alor Setar – KL

1st September

After a good sleep yesterday, waking up for the hotel buffet breakfast spread – and it was HORRIBLE. So don’t bother if your breakfast is complimentary from this hotel. To my honest opinion, I will rather eat street food. Which I should!!! We then hopped back into our car and heading towards the nearest beach: Songkhla - Samila Beach

Waze is so reliable, so don’t worry of getting lost along the way. There are ample of parking spaces and we parked nearest to the seafood restaurants and walked towards the beach. Few pictures taken while we strolled to the beach

Sun screen splatted on her every where!

Elders went for foot massage (available at cheap price along the beach) while me and #rascaltoddler brave ourselves under the sun for some beach time.

Too hot, but I splat enormous amount of sun screen for #rascaltoddler and being a human umbrella for her, she was save from the burn. Me on the other hand, got toasted and burnt!

Luckily we managed to get a few good pictures at the Little Mermaid statue on Songkhla beach before we turned into toasted pumpkin

Very difficult to get a still shot of #rascaltoddler looking at the camera!

I didn’t see the public toilet around the beach that we can use, but worry not, each restaurant provides bathroom where you can clean up after your fun at the beach. Bad side, you need to dine there.

So we were stopped by this restaurant vendor who can speak fluent hokkien and mandarin claiming she is Malaysian but got married to a Thai local. Hence, the restaurant was her business. It was a seafood restaurant, and we are at the beach. Seafood + beach = perfect lunch. Both #rascaltoodler and me took our quick bath and waiting for the rest for lunch.

Fortunately and unfortunately, by the time we ordered our food, the restaurant was full with tourist from the bus tour. Our food got served super slow and the elders were not impressed. We paid for what was served and the rest of the orders we cancelled and made a small scene at the cashier. The price for a plate of fried calamari, white rice, drinks and a plate of vegetable (if I remember correctly, there was no meat) whipped up the bill to MYR 120++ (includes exchange rate loss). That is like cutting throat price. Not happy, half-empties stomach, we stormed off and left. Unfortunately for not able to eat seafood lunch but fortunately we left if not, we end up breaking our bank for mediocre seafood menu.

So, we decided to cross the bridge to go over to Ko Yo, a small island of where one of many famous reclining buddha in southern Thailand: Wat Phranon Laem Pho

We didn't walk around much because as you can see from the picture, it was clear blue sky on a hot day. We were not full from our half ate lunch, lucky to us, there were some street food available - nothing heavy, just snacks/fruits/beverages. The coconut ice cream was worth a try though.

As we are not able to shop much from yesterday night market, we head back Hatyai town into Lee Garden mall. Supposedly to go Central Mall Hatyai, but we didn't manage to do so. Spent the rest of the day shopping and eating and gossiping. It was fun!

2nd September

Since we missed getting fresh dried nuts and produce, we headed back to Kim Market before checking out. Had our local Thai breakfast (since Hotel one was super lousy). If you are looking for dried longan / assorted nuts, this is the place you should come. Price is reasonable and fresh! 

She loves her tuk-tuk ride

We rushed back to freshen ourselves before checking out from hotel. Rush to Customs because we were so afraid of the queue we were in previously. Still, look at the crowd:-

Seriously?

Disclaimer ahead

I do not encourage bribes nor I am advertising this illegal transaction, but I was left with a choice of waiting for my turn or express exit. So what I did was opting for express exit of Hatyai. The cost was charged per passport and expect people coming up to you in a very public manner inquiring if you want to skip the queue. I leave the rest of the details out as this act is illegal and I don't want to get into trouble :)

We bid good bye and heading to Alor Setar for the last day of our road trip. I best on best rating in the hotel booking app and reserve a room for 4 adults at a very reasonable price. It turn our to be Tabung Haji Hotel. So, respect the hotel rules. It is "halal" hotel, so you are not allow to consume alcohol nor pork within the compound of this hotel. Aside of these, it was a very good hotel. We were starving when we checked in, and I was too lazy to head out for food hunting so I settled with room service. 

The rest of the day we headed to meet my mom's uncle and had a family dinner. Head back to hotel with a heavy heart that my adventurous trip is ending in 24 hours.

I spent 10 hours on the road heading home KL. Yes 10 hours! Not my longest ride on the road but it was really exhausting....

That's the end of the trip. Hope we can challenge further and more exciting itinerary!

My first adventure road trip - Part 1

Days: 31st August to 3rd September
Locations: KL – Ipoh – Hat Yai – Alor Setar – KL

I had been planning for a road trip for some time. A road trip that I can do cross countries. Since there is this long weekend from 31^st August, I opened Booking.com (not a sponsored post, just my preferred app for accommodation bookings) got an instant confirmation for our hotel. Google-d around on the required document to bring along for this drive. Scheduled the car for maintenance. Packed our bags, and off we go!

That literally sums up quite several nights/days doing the reading and watching You Tube (life hacks driving long distance route and “How to change your punctured tyre for dummy”. 

But it was a fruitful and adventurous trip for me. I will try to plan for further routes in “years” to come.

Beside sharing photos of this trip, purpose of this blog is to pen down all important tips/notes that anyone should consider when you want to drive cross country. Especially your cross country road trip is between Malaysia-Thailand. It is a very different experience with the authority of Thailand compare to more developed neighbor in south – Singapore.

And from nights/days spent reading and getting information from the world wide web, some of it are quite misleading and leave me more confuse on the not-to-do list. So, I hope whoever is reading this, do benefit from my tips/adventures I experienced, and to consider road trip in future. Oh yeah, adding on to the adventure list, those I brought along this trip was my mom, her sister, her mother and my daughter. So, we have a minor and 3 veterans on board. HOW ADVENTUROUS OF ME?!

Things that need to get ready before the road trip: 

The ride

• You need to get your ride well maintained. Especially the tyres and engine oil and whatever not. Please be safe on the road. 

• Many people never tick this on the check list, but since I will be the only one who knows how to maneuver the car, I had to ensure everything including this is check! Your spare tyre in the boot. Get that check if it is usable! And the first aid kit / emergency kit / functional torch light

• Car insurance. Most website actually suggest you to purchase the car insurance only at the border pit stop. But from my reading, such insurance is not secure. If in case of accidents, I do not think you are able to claim the insurance back. So, I opted to purchase from my own existing car insurer, which I can just purchase via credit card through online. The cover note of the insurance will be available 24 hours after purchase. Just print it and attached with the above immigration forms. It cost less than RM30 for 48 hours full coverage for my vehicle. You can always give your insurer a call on the customer service to ask for a quote!

The paperwork for the ride

• Driving cross countries (depending on which country, obviously) requires paperwork. There are many blogs out there explaining to you in details/in summary on what paperwork you required, but my personal preference is to go to the country immigration website. That will be the safest among all. So, please log into https://www.immigration.go.th/download/ and choose English.

• You may have problem viewing the reference of the forms because it is still in Thai. I advised you to use Google Chrome and translate again the Thai versions to English (point your mouse cursor and right click)

• You need to fill up 2 forms for Arrival and Departure separately. I reckon you fill up a set for Arrival and another set for Departure, then make a photocopy of each set (just in case). Bring another set of blank forms as well and keep it in a plastic folder/file

• The forms are: TM2 https://www.immigration.go.th/download/1486546828049.pdf  Title of the form: INFORMATION OF CONVEYANCE

• TM3 https://www.immigration.go.th/download/1486547121721.pdf  Title of the form: PASSENGER LIST

If you refer to the immigration website, above forms are listed as item 7 & item 9

Note: In the form TM2, you need to fill up the border you use for entrance & exit. By default, of the Thailand government, you are to enter and exit Thailand using the same border. If you choose different border to exit, you need to notify the immigration officer. I am not so sure about this, so you may need to find out more yourself. I entered and exited Thailand through Sadao – which is the Bukit Kayu Hitam toll from Malaysia. 

• Car registration card of your ride where you need to bring Original Copy of the registration card to show the officer.

• Number of passenger list cannot be more than what your car can fit. So, if you are five seater car including driver, you are not allowed to bring in 6th passenger. 

• Valid driving license.

Note: To be on the safe side, renew your driving license with the latest dual language license. Where your validations of your license are written in both English & Bahasa at the back of your license. 

The paperwork for you

• Valid passport with at least minimum 6 months to travel
• White card for immigration entrance admission (this can only be obtained from immigration counter for free or purchase from the pit stop along Bukit Kayu Hitam)

So, let’s start with our adventurous itinerary!

Picture courtesy from Google Image

30th August Night

I favored to start the journey at night thinking to reach the checkpoint in the morning to avoid long queue. (Smart ass moves, though!). We load our bags into the car, buckle up the #rascaltoddler, pick up the elderly and off we go up north. It was Wednesday night and raining. With some sleep, I got (took a day off) before starting the drive, I took the first 2 hours road to Ipoh for supper - slowly. Drive started since 9pm and about 11.30pm we reached the famous Ipoh Tong Shui Street. The last I visited was not so late and it was a weekend night. So, there was crowd and food was nice. But this round, it was empty and food was horrible. #rascaltoddler was asleep so we can only do take-away. 

Char Keow Teow with Duck Eggs and More Clams. Sound terrific but taste so-so only

But the best was still their famous Kopi! Such a great way to recharge to continue the rest of the journey. 

I am entering Thailand through Bukit Kayu Hitam which usually takes 3.5 hours from Ipoh. 

31st August

Traffic started piling up at North South Expressway most probably everyone heading back hometown due to the long weekend, it took me 4.5 hours to reach Bukit Kayu Hitam. The border only opens at 6.30am and with 2 hours to spare, I made a turn into the pit stop area. The pit stop area usually restaurant/bus resting areas that equipped with washroom / money changer / insurance agent / agent that helps you to fill up the immigration forms. As I am still missing to complete the white cards, I went up to the counter thinking the cards are free. To my amaze, it was charge at RM2.00 per card. This charge covers the writing service where the people behind the counter will fill up for you. I need 5 cards so I paid RM10.00 but what I was not happy about was because the card was actually given free from the government of Thailand! Due to the long queue (after long drive), I skip the service and paid for the free cards and sit at a corner filling up the cards myself. Pfffttt!!! You can get the white card from the immigration counter in Thailand airport for free and for as many as you want. 

Photo courtesy from Google Image

Wasted an hour for queuing and we quickly head back on the road to avoid the long queue at border. As published on website, the border opens at 6.30am but due to the public holiday, the border only opens at 7.30am. Basically I had been driving for 10+ hours with no sleep and rest. But still feel very energized about the whole thing until one idiot decided to look at his phone than his wheel, and railed straight into my ride. It was a bump and scratch but my ride was only 1 month old. Idiot fucker!

My poor baby

Took the number and photo of the idiot who banged my car and since he pleaded not enough cash with him to pay for the repair cost, and the queue line has started moving, I went back to the car and took off, trying my very best to calm down and not letting this unhappy situation drag me down.

At that hour, with no sleep and accident, I was so flustered already. And the queue at the border was long due to the changes in working hours. Malaysia immigration was easy! You can remain seated in the car pass all the passports and upon verification, off you go. Some unlucky ones will be stopped for vehicle check, but not me. Then, we came upon Sadok immigration area. That was when the nightmare started.

7.56am story!

We managed to find a parking spot while the elderly were with the #rascaltoddler in the car, I quickly ran for a pee break and trying to ask around how the queue works. It turn out to be, the queue to stamp your passport and surrender your vehicle document will take approximately 2 hours. The immigration officers work like SLOTH to get you through the process!

Photo courtesy from Google Image

The elderly went to stand in the queue on behalf while #rascaltoddler watching YouTube and me half way snoozing half way entertaining the #rascaltoddler. I quickly joined the queue, and we managed to get the passport stamped. Form TM2 and TM3 for arrival will be taken by the immigration and they will stamped on your departure copy. This means, hand over your passport, arrival and departure copy of TM2 and TM3. 

Sent the pack back to the car and my mistake thinking that the procedures are all done. So, my tips are leave your car at the parking. Walk out from where your passport got stamped ( it is the white office building) and walk over to the small counter looks like those we have at toll. Hand over your car registration card and passport to the officer inside the cubicle. He/She will ask you to sign the temporary import & export form. IMPORTANT NOTES: Keep this form with you and you are required to return back this form when you exit the border. If not, you had committed an offence and penalty of 10,000 Baht per day! The warning sign are placed at the border on this.

The whole ordeal took us another 3-4 hours, so by the time we drove from Sadok border to Hatyai, it was already lunch time. I was hungry and tired and sticky and hot from the heat queuing under the sun!

Everyone was starving!

We headed to 清姐猪肠咸菜 for lunch. 12.30pm still consider too late to get more food from here. They are famous with pork intestine soup serve with white rice. We ordered as much as we can and as much as it was left to fill up out growling stomach. Just type the chinese name or Che Seng Tuehuan Kiamchai in your Google Maps or Waze, GPS will direct you there. There is no parking around that area, so please be ready to park at road side at your own risk!

The taste of the food was alright, and worth a try, I love the fact that we were so hot and sticky from the sweat, yet the soup has it effect to cool you down. That's the power of "salted vegetable pork intestine soup" do to you. But you have to be there very early as this is tourist and local favorite eating spot. We couldn't even get another serving of roast pork/braised egg. 

Headed back to hotel for rest. I need the rest after being awake for almost 20 hours. The parking space is guarded and this is the only plus point of the hotel. Though with the price I paid, THB 3000 for 2 nights per room inclusive of breakfast, was such a bargain but the room security was not up to the modern world. I've been to many hotels but most city hotels had upgraded to access card system yet, this one still using the traditional "key" way. This made me feel the locked door, is not secure at all. Beggars can't be choosers though.

Picture courtesy from Google Image
Friendlytel Hotel Hatyai

A bizarre thing that I encounter from this hotel is upon check in, the hotel will ask for every checked in guests' passports and keep it with them. Maybe because there is no safe deposit box available in the room, so the hotel kept it. I found this is something very very old school huh? As long as I can get my passport back unharmed, I am fine with it. Just don't feel comfortable surrender my passports to people rather than immigration officer!

After a quick nap, we took the tuk-tuk to nearest Kim market which was a wrong move. Wasted the tuk-tuk fees because the market is already at their closing hours. Best to visit in the morning. As most elderly couldn't really walk very far, we hail the tuk-tuk to the Greenway Night Market. It was not night time yet, but there is a very nice air conditioned food court in this market. So, we decided to stop here for early dinner and wait for the market to be ready for shopping!

Her first tuk-tuk experience

Second ride and she become cooked prawn!

Greenway Night Market details can be found here http://www.greenwaynightmarket.com/ where the opening hours are from 4-10pm. It is a decent market to grab some shopping loot but don't compare this to the big cities night markets (i.e Pratunam / Chatuchak). This is the biggest in Hatyai but very small scale if compare to those. The quality of the shopping loot also cannot compare because from fashion to trinkets, they are very different. So, get your expectation ready you may end up just window shopping. Since there is a food court there, don't expect street food vendors ah. Fill up your tummy with the local Thai food (you can play safe with Chicken Rice or Japanese bento). I am quite impress with the cleanliness and facilities available in the market for patrons. The toilet is reside in another building beside the food court and cleanliness condition, I rate them 10/10

See the details on the wall and clean tiles!

Besides, there is nursing rooms available for babies. It is lock and you need to get the key from the cleaner station nearby. This means, they don't allow people to misuse the nursing rooms. I was quite impressed by their personal touch on all these facilities.

I managed to loot some plus size dresses (one hell of a shopaholic I am - anywhere also I can get new collections). Selections are very limited but not bad. Price range is alright too!

The weather was super duper crazy hot, we were so tired of all the agenda happened within 24 hours at the beginning of this trip. So, we ended Day 1 in Hat Yai looking like:

 Stay tune for Part 2

Birthdays! How far you'd go to throw a party?!

That’s me when I am trying to crack for ideas what to blog. Subsequently pick up my phone and start browsing pictures in phone. I’ve realized quite a lot to blog about but it involves other people kids (i.e kids birthday that we attended for the past weeks) but I do not want to blog and publish other people kids pictures without their parents’ consent so below are some “edited” versions of the pictures.

Since I’ve started with this post about  “birthdays” – let’s talk about birthday celebration then.

How did you last celebrate your birthday?

Extravaganza party with loads of pink and bling?

Or still rocking crazy skimpy outfits with cheap booze and head banging music?

Somewhat more sophisticated way by just a romantic dinner with your other half?

Still single, so a dress to kill dinner follow up by late night party with your BFFs?

Maybe you think you are too old, so ordered take away food and stuff your face with fries accompany with some chic flick movies at home?

With the revolution of “birthday celebration” over the decades, from what I’ve been through personally, things had gotten quite interesting as you aged/more birthdays you celebrated/attended.

I vaguely remembered my most memorable birthday was when I celebrated my 9^th birthday. Being the first grandchild to the family and only child to my parents, I had the privileged to throw something “huge” and “fancy” that year because I was so “smart” I scored pretty good in school that year. In return I asked for a big birthday bash from my parents and they kept their promise. I came from a huge family, so huge party means all of my family were invited (though we pretty see each other on a weekly basis for dinner) and because it was a huge and fancy party, my mom and grandma worked extra hard to put loads of food on the table. From fried mee hoon to curry chicken, to fried nuggets to fruits and jelly. It was indeed very fancy compare to the simple birthday celebration I had before this! 

That was one memorable birthday party I had during my kid days. Because things got harder for the family to pass by each day. Either we were struggling financially or we were busy growing up and apart from each other.

Fast forward to youth age (damn I sound so old), I had couple of celebrations with closed friends and boyfriends (ahem). There were great memories as well because alcohol was introduced. A fair share of alcohol always makes things better. 

I received many birthday gifts before and really expensive ones too. Designer bags, clothes, good food which used to be so important for birthdays. However as I aged, things took a 360 change. Presents are just icing on the cake. I value more whether I'm surrounded with family and my good mates. Enjoying every moment of it is more important than all the material satisfaction. I didn't have a birthday cake this year! But I'm not complaining. I have my #rascaltoddler celebrating with me and my favourite food to celebrate: Hotpot!

海底捞@ Singapore!

One thing for sure beside the good food, the best service from the waitress team. Also embarrassing signboard to celebrate your birthday. But I'm loving it

Ok, I take back my words, I did have a "cake"

We went to Singapore for a short trip but due to the weather and problem with our autocard, we didn't get to see around much. Just window shopping and food. And the next day we had to head back to Mr Hubs base and off we go on seperate ways to our home.

Not trying to be sentimental at this age to start appreciating family and time being with them, I guess mainly because being a mom now, I tend to put all my effort into planning a big birthday parties for her instead of myself. Hmm, how motherhood change me. My desire to host my own parties has been replaced by theme birthdays for my #rascaltoddler.

We did Peppa Pig for her 1st birthday 

Sorry, picture abit blurry cos I just snapshot from FB album

As per the caption, super hard work lehh

Decoration went all out even on every little details

And how can we not have goodie bag prepared in accordance with the theme!

Even hired photographer to captured every moment. I don't think she remembered or even know what's going on, but I cannot stop myself not throwing her first party such extravagant way. It was our first birthday! So special for me too! And I was pretty satisfied with the outcome. Just so worth it.

Another year went by, we had her 2nd birthday. And this one we were at Mr Hubs hometown, so I could not really go all full planning because this was all planned by him. We had a Pinky Princess theme party!

Please excuse my exposes belly!

Rainbow cake top with some simple decoration. #rascaltoddler already started obsessed with clay so we decided to get the clay gift box as the goodie bag for the kids! 

We got some jelly and chocolates as well. I don't remember if there are sweets, so it's a little bit unhealthy. But #rascaltoddler never likes eating such stuff so she was happily enjoying her time with her favourite kor kor 

As parents, we decided to throw only big parties on alternate years. Coming 3rd birthday, with her growing up abit more and her likings for certain cartoon character has been very obvious lately, I'm wondering if we should throw an extraordinarily one this year or, something simple for her?!

Still has not really think about it. But with our travel plans coming up soon, we may have to skip a big one till another birthday. We will see!

Being monster mom, it is always going to be a themed birthday. 

So far, her obvious likings for characters down to top 3:-

I'm the culprit that introduce this series to her. Pororo, the little penguin and Friends. Originally from Korea. Not just because the mother, myself a KPop frenzy, but I personally watch this cartoon during pregnancy and I quite like the teachings and message behind every episodes. She loves Pororo and knows all the characters. We are still very crazy about the characters that so far we have some of their merchandise! And visiting Pororo Land soon. Super excited to see her reaction when we see the real Pororo! 

But as she grows and being a TV addict (like her mom), she suddenly falls in love with the super heroes that always save the day but never kill the villain (Disney Junior cartoons! Of cos no killing)

The PJ masks! She watches the episode from TV on a repeat mode. Got her the set of toys but she never really into playing those stuffs. Yet, if we are in a car seat where she always have her screen time on YouTube, she prefers this over Pororo....hmmmm

The last is her latest favourite among all I think. And my nightmare too!

Yes, I cannot believe I'm saying this. It's Frozen. Her love for Anna and Elsa and Let It Go is over the top of everything  else. If I'm to throw this theme party, I guess I need some moment to myself. Cry and sulk at one corner.

WHY??!!!!

Ok, let me put this straight. Not I butt itchy introduce this to her. I never! 

But the first time I think karma is a B was when I accidentally bought her Frozen socks from Denmark H&M. All the while I thought it was other Disney princesses! 

Then her favourite musical sing a very short part of the Let It Go chorus and she pick up this small part right away! She was never into princess-sy stuffs so I guess let's do some experiment.

I showed her Beauty & The Beast, she never even stay still for 5 minutes to watch it. I was like super joyful! Then I showed her Frozen DVD..she was hooked from the start!!!!!

And we never go back anymore.

It's too late.

She has her Anna &a Elsa soft toys. Then she wanted that slipper. Since these gonna stuck for quite some time, I got her pjs and is her favourite pjs now. Cannot imagine our coming Disneyland trip! She must be in awe when the real life duo appear in front of her. I think she will be more excited seeing them compare to Mickey and Minnie.

Waaaaaa...

No.....

Seriously?

LOL! Ok, it is still under discussion on the theme party..we will see!

Star Cruise Libra : our first cruise! (Part 4)

Obviously it was not a nightmare, so I was like a walking zombie in the morning, while packing for the check out yet trying to keep the mood alive. Since the rings won't be back, no matter how much tears, let's not kill the entire trip because of this.

(Courtesy from 30quotes.com)

As much as I want to forget this trip, I still would like to pass on some final tips about the cruise for you, though. On the last day, the reception counter will be opened from 6 am onwards for you to proceed checkout and clear your bills. This is to cater the massive number of patrons on board hence, either you get up early and join the queue or, what I chose was to do an express checkout!  Just bring your Access Card and your valid credit card the day before the last day, the reception will accumulate your spendings so far and ask for an addition 25-30% deposit on top of your already spent amount. They will swipe your card and any excess will be refund to you 15-25 days later. Through your credit card bank of course.

If you don't mind to swipe extra beforehand, I will strongly suggest you opt for this express checkout to save your time and all the hassle. Of course, you must keep track of your spending so that you can check your bill easily.

Nevertheless, after they swipe your card a night before, you can still receive the final bill in the morning of the last day for confirmation if your spending is correct. If there is discrepancies, you can always check again with the reception.

Passport can be collected from the concierge after your breakfast and upon settlement of your bill. Simple as that!

Final pictures on board from the gala dinner. The only ones I have in my phone though.

We left the cruise and rush to the parking because we were super hot from the scorching sun. Thank god only my rings were lost, the car was safely park in the parking. So parking so quite safe though at your own risk. LOL!

Then we moved on to find our hotel for our last night in Penang. Yes, even the #ilostmyrings story, I still have another night to go before I am able to crawl to my comfortable bed and cry again. Sigh.

Our hotel is quite near the port with a very small entrance. You may missed it on your first round, so be prepared to drive around the alley for another round to spot the entrance. We opted something new and cheap with breakfast :Reunion Heritage Hotel from booking.com

If you are coming with friends and young couple, this is quite a nice option. But I have a #rascaltoddler with me and my mom, so deluxe suite is located upstairs with a super steep stairs, so this is quite difficult for us. This hotel is refurbished from an old kapitan terrace building in Penang. No lifts! Obviously!

I got a few pictures from the Google Image below. As I say, this will be perfect for friends or young couple. The room is very nice as well. 

The entrance. Obviously small. There is public parking which needs parking coupon from local Council and coupon only available from certain vendors or convenience store around. But you can always refer to the hotel as they have quite an excellent customer service I must say!

But being the hotel guest, you are allow to park for free at the car wash opposite the hotel. My car needed a wash so with a simple polish and neo clean for the interior it only cost me RM55. Excellent so though it's free my service fe the car wash was even better because I engaged their service! Lol! 

The steep stair case that I meant

 This is exactly how our room looks like! 

So, with an energy that never last kind or #rascaltoddler the stairs inside the room was a damn exciting toy to explore but gave both my mom and me a heart attack!

The room came with a small kitchen area that have sink and mini fridge. What this picture didn't capture was the cup and saucer provided for you coffee and tea. It was like an antique chinas! Love it!


The bathroom is the highlight for me. Everything is very antique look!

After refreshing ourselves, we went out for food hunt! How can you no way local food if you come to Penang, you tell me!

But Penang basically is a very busy island itself and parking space is scarce. So, here the tips for you if you are to visit Penang via self drive. Get a hotel that provide you free parking facility! After the drive from KL to Penang, I bet you do not want to drive around Penang looking for parking space when you do your food hunt!? Right?! Easy lah, use Grab or Uber lor!

Coincidentally, it was still a fasting month when I visited so Uber had this promo for all your rides for the day. We just took the foldable stroller with us and hop onto Uber for our food hunt.

Damn convenient because we just need to hop on and off without worrying where to park our car and best, with the promo, all our rides for that day were free!!!! Yes, FREE!!

Went to queue for the best cendol lor at Jalan Penang/ Jalan Besar. Just Waze can sampai already. Some say not nice some say nice. I just kind of like it, so queue la

Then we took the Uber to this Upside Down Museum, since we still have a couple hours to kill before our energy totally depleted for the day! LOL.

It cost about RM24 for Malaysian and kids below 4 is free. You are required to take off your shoes and placed in the locker. Don't worry about not able to take pictures because it says "museum". The place provide service to take pictures from your phone for free. And they took many many many for you. Here's all I have in phone. Some are duplicates though! Pardon my fat legs lar, I didn't expect to take pictures lehh so I dress as little as the public permits for fat people because the weather was so hot!

This is one of the picture she listen and join us doing crazy stuff! 

Spider melody

Sorry if my fats cause an eye sore to you. ROFL

That's a wrap for this super long delayed post about our first cruise guys. Hope you do read from Part 1 to this part. Obviously very long winded from me. 

My last verdict, despite #ilostmyrings story which indirectly caused the trip to cost me a bomb, this cruise is pretty fun experience for first timer. Will I try another cruise again? I think I will but definitely not choose a cheap cruise. You'll get what you paid for so if you are expecting a super good cruise, you should expect to pay a premium price. Though it will take me another few years to join a new cruise mainly because need to wait my #rascaltoddler to grow up abit for her to join more activities on board, and should definitely book another cruise with elders in the family. All food and activities are already planned for, so it is such a fun family vacation I must say.

Hope my tips and reviews give you some insight of this cruise. It is not a bad choice after all!

Pen off for now!