akai chk

Happy Chinese New Year 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Akai CHK) — Wed, 2 Feb 2011 12:59:00 +0800

Wishing all prosperity, healthy, vigorous, good fortune, be promoted to a higher position, business propers & make great profit,..............

May all your wishes come true and everthing goes as you hope.

GONG XI FA CAI!

The KL Orchid Garden

noreply@blogger.com (Akai CHK) — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 19:07:00 +0800

For Orchid lovers, this is the paradise for you. This garden showcases over 800 species of Malay and worldwide orchids. Orchid are for sale during the weekend. Therefore, if you are Orchid enthusiasts, this is the right place for you to hunt your treasures.

Operating hours: 9.00am to 6.00pm daily.

Admission FREE!!!
The entrance to the garden is opposite KL Bird Park.
Jalan Cenderawasih, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. (Tel: +603-2617 6000)

View Larger Map

A lot of Sheltered areas and shady plants in the garden.
You won't feel too hot even though visit at the noon.

The view of city over the trees line.

The orchid bazaar on the edge of the garden.

Orchids in an amazing array of colours.

Not only orchid lovers but a hot spot for photographers too.

I'm not a big fan of orchids, but i still find this is a great park to explore. Well worth visit if you enjoy flowers or photography. I would suggest combine you visit with a trip to the bird park.

Taman Tasik Perdana / KL Lake Gardens

noreply@blogger.com (Akai CHK) — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 18:20:00 +0800

I'm a frequent visitor of KL Lake Gardens. I'm such a sucker for garden and nature. IMO, this garden is the best 'green' retreat in Kuala Lumpur. You will see the amazing garden landscape as soon as you step into this garden.

Getting there:

By Car or Taxi:

The most convenient method. You can enter the garden from Jalan Parlimen (opposite National Monument) or from Jalan Perdana (Behind the National Mosque & Old KL Railway station).

By Train:

Take KTM Komuter to Kuala Lumpur station (Old KL Railway station). From there take a taxi or take a walk (approximately 15 to 20 mins walk)to the park.

By Bus:

KL Hop-On Hop-Off. http://www.myhoponhopoff.com/

Admission to the garden is free!!! ;)

Simple map of KL Lake Gardens

The park has an area of approximately 92 hectares. This lush greeneries garden is a ideal place for outdoor activities such as jogging and cycling as there are plenty of walking and cycling trails crisscrossing the park.

There are two huge children playgrounds in this garden. This is the hot and top spot for my son.

Little Balinese Garden.

I love to hear the sound of waterfalls gushing

Tram & Buggy service are availabel for visitors to explore the gardens.
I'm not sure if this is free, may be someone may update me.

Horse patrols.

Beautiful timber footpaths.

The amazing orchids landscape.

The landscaping that offer a serene view for sore eyes.

Impressive landscape!!!

Awesome!!!

Amazing!!!

The best green retreat in the city.

Deer Park inside the garden itself.

Visitor are allowed to mingle with these adorable and friendly deers.

The deer will come close to be fed as you watch them.

From the gardens, you may also visit others nearby attractions (some are just a walking distance) such as:- KL bird park, Butterfly park, Hibiscus garden, Orchid garden, National Planetarium, National Monument, National Mosque, Old KL Railway Station, Islamic Arts Museum, Police Museum, Sculpture Garden, Seri Carcosa and Memorial Tun Abdul Razak. I will make others attractions in separate post.

To be continue...........

My Birthday 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Akai CHK) — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 02:34:00 +0800

OMG! just can't believe that I been in this world for 37 years. I'm getting old and old already :( but as what my sister said "birthday...!!!~not just a year older, but a year better..~~". I feel better now, thanks sis :D

This year I celebrated my birthday with my beloved wife (Danielle) and sons (JX & my 2nd to be born son). Thank you for being part of my life. To Danielle: You don't have to buy me any present, you and our sons are The Best present in the world. I'm really appreciate all the things you have done to me and our family. Thank you, Thank you & Thank you.

To my parent: 谢谢你们养育之恩

To all my family members & friends: Thank you everyone who wrote me a message & greeting on my facebook and text me in my phone.

Thank you. A big hug & *muack* to all of you.

Malaysia Agriculture Park, Shah Alam

noreply@blogger.com (Akai CHK) — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 02:02:00 +0800

Three weeks ago, we were joining the family day of Danielle's company. The event held in Malaysia Agriculture Park in Shah Alam, Selangor. The park status as one of the world largest agriculture park with the area of 1,295 hectare. There are many attraction spots in this park amongst which are the Animal Garden, Orchid Garden, Spice Garden, Ornamental Garden, Bamboo Garden, Mushroom Garden, Paddy field, Orchard, Plantation, Jungle Trekking, Flying Fox Adventure, Fish Feeding at Dam, Culture Village and The Four Season Temperature House.

The address:

Taman Pertanian Malaysia,

Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam,

40000 Shah Alam,

Selangor, Malaysia

Tel: +603-5510 6922 / 6923

Park operating hours: 8.30am to 4.30pm Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Monday.

Getting there:

By Bus:

RapidKL no. 63 or 338 from KL Klang station to Shah Alam bus station. From there take a taxi to the park.

By Train:

Take KTM Komuter to Shah Alam station. From there take a taxi to the park.

By Car:

From Federal Highway exit at Melawati roundabout turn right to Persiaran Kayangan, go straight at Kayangan roundabout and pass by Concorde Hotel on your right. Go further about 4 km, traffic light turn right to Jalan Liku 8/1. Approximate 1.5 km to Agriculture Park. Parking fee RM1.00 per entry.

Entrance fee as shown below:

Additional fee for Four Season Temperate House.

To our surprise, there were so many people to visit this park.

Long quere to enter the park.

The park provide free coach to take visitors to the spot within the park. Bicycles are available to rent here with the rental RM3.00 for 1st hour and RM1.00 for subsequent hour.

The Four Season Temperate House is the top attraction spot here.

We just can't stay long here as the temperature is only 5.2°C. Cooool~~

Supposed to be Autumn season during the month of Sept. to Nov. but notice the colourful flowers still blooming.

The interior of Four Season Temperate House. Beautiful!!!

The lake and observation tower (Top). The lush greenaries in the park.

Animal Garden.

JX feeding the horse and deer with the dry leafs.

We were having our lunch in the Animal Garden. The organiser packed the foods from the cafeteria in this park.

There are so many spots here that you need more than a day to explore. I don't quite know why but I just love this place, is really fun and definitely will go back again.

Ipoh + Cameron Highlands (2D1N)

noreply@blogger.com (Akai CHK) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 14:59:00 +0800

I have been neck deep in work for few weeks. I need a break, a short break will do. I need a place that can unwind my mind and drive away my tiredness and fatigue. A highlands escape may meet my need. So Cameron Highlands just the ideal place for me.

We stopped by Ipoh on our way up to CH. We reached Ipoh at 11.30am and still early for lunch, so we stopped at Lang Mountain. Lang Mountain is actually a park and formerly a tin mine in the middle of Ipoh.

Getting there: Exit from Ipoh Utara of North South Highway. Keep left and after the Mobil & Petronas Petrol Station turn left and go straight to reach the destination.

Man make waterfall.

To reach the park, you have to take a boat cost RM3 (Adult) & RM1.50 (child).

The scenery is stunning. We didn't stay long as the weather is too hot at the noon.

After our Dim Sum lunch in Ipoh town centre, we drove to Sam Poh Cave Temple.

Impressive landscaped garden.

Around 2pm we left Ipoh and drove all the way to Cameron Highlands via Simpang Pulai - Cameron Highlands road. Reached CH at 3.15pm, slight drizzle in CH.

Checked in Equatorial Hotel. This hotel was sub standard, the room are run down and very dated. Corridor and plumbing were very noisy at night. Given a chance we might not return.

After we dumped our luggage in the hotel, we headed to Strawberry Moment located in Brinchang Town for our afternoon tea. The connected shop next door selling all kinds of snacks, chocolate and tea from CH.

http://www.strawberrymoment.com/

Not far away from Strawberry Moment, that is a strawberry farm call Big Red Strawberry Farm. I find this place is not only strawberry but there are many others plants such as tomato, vegetable, cactus and flowers. The strawberry and veges here are grown hydroponically.

JX enjoy plucking the strawberry. You can pluck as many as you want (no.....JX, I'm not saying this to you. 1/2 kg is more than enough, you got to stop now). After plucked, get it weight, packed and pay (RM40 for 1 kg and min. you have to buy 1/2 kg). Though the strawberries are Big & Red but the taste are sour >~< so that's why I stopped JX not to pluck more than 1/2 kg. Haha....

After strawberry farm, we went to the night market along the road side of Brinchang town. My both hands are fully occupied with foods and carried JX, so I forgot to take photo of the night market.

Sun goes down, is time for dinner. It is fun to have steamboat in cold climate and it's more fun to have charcoal steamboat. Look at the funnel, soooo tall!

The next day after we checked out from the hotel, we headed to Boh Tea Centre in Sg. Palas. This is an amazing scenic tea estate. To get to this plantation you have to drive via a narrow and windy road off the main road at Brinchang. https://www.boh.com.my/wrb01.html Boh Tea Centre is open from 9am-4.30pm and closed on Monday. Admission is free and factory tours are provided approximately every 30 minutes.

Green rolling hills & neat regular rows of tea plants. AMAZING!!!

The ultra modern Boh Tea Centre.

Enjoy our breakfast here with overlooking the incredible views of tea plantation. The tea and scone are superb!!!

Our next destination was Ee Feng Gu Bee Farm. http://www.eefenggu.com/

The honey combs made by bees are housed in the elevated wooden boxes.

After the bee farm, we headed to Tanah Rata to have our lunch and roamed around the town before on our way home.

The Ye Olde Smokehouse was built in 1939 an authentic looking Tudor style building.

Nice English garden and you can find a Red British phone box there.

So that all about our 2D1N trip to Ipoh & Cameron Highlands. YES! we did have a great time and I'm now fully charged and prepared to go back for my working life.

Gold Coast, Australia.

noreply@blogger.com (Akai CHK) — Wed, 3 Nov 2010 18:29:00 +0800

Finally I have had time to sit down and start with my very first blog. Take such a long time (few months) to think of what should I write in my blog. Emm.....since I love travel so much, is not a bad idea if I write something related to my travelling experiences, stories, reviews and reports. So! long story cut short, here my very first trip report (I like to call it report because it just look like a report. Wa..haha.....).

7 Days in Gold Coast, Australia

Our (my wife-Danielle, my 2 y/o son-JX & me) trip to GC were actually at 1st May 2010. OMG! till now only I manage to post it up here |||. This is actually my 2nd visit to GC, my 1st visit was 9 years back in 2001. Not much changes to GC i would said. I mean everything still as good as it's new and all the attractions are well maintain.

Flight & Accommodation

Our flight & accommodation was booked with AirAsia during their promotion last year. Our 2nd international flight with AirAsia, no complaint whatsoever flight on time and uneventful. We arrived at Coolangatta airport around 7.45am (Aus time) after the 8 hours overnight flight. Took us about 45mins to clear the custom.

Flight:

LCCT to Coolangatta (GC Airport) return cost RM1,534.00. Inclusive of 2 adults, 1 infant, supersize baggage (15kg each), meal, GoInsure, surcharges, fees & taxes.

Accommodation:
Q1 Resort & Spa - 3 nights RM1,454.00 (stay 3/pay 2 promo).
Vibe Hotel - 4 nights RM1,164.00 (stay 4/pay 3 promo).

Car Rental

We had pre-booked our car from Thrifty through economycarrentals.com. It cost AUD360.00 for 7 days which came with 1 booklet of discount coupons, insurance cover with zero damage liabilities and baby car seat (compulsory for child below 7 y/o). FYI, Malaysian driving license is sufficient to drive in Australia.

Some Preparation & Tips for the trip

Application for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) Australia. Cost AUD20.00 per person. Malaysian are eligible to apply for an eVisitor or eTourist Visa through website. http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/
If you booked your hotel via third party, please double check with the hotel (email them) and make sure they received your booking. Happen that Q1 didn't have my booking record, took few hours to sort it out.
Download and print out the Discount Voucher as many as you can. Plenty of discount voucher for entrance ticket, dining, retail & shopping. Here some links that you can free download the discount voucher:

Day 1 - Sunday - Airport - Currumbin Wild Life Sanctuary - Q1 Resort & Spa - Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise.

Our first day was basically to get over the flight and set over the bearings. So, our first stop - Currumbin Wild Life Sanctuary about 15mins drive from airport. It is a good place to see and experience Australian native wildlife.
Entrance fee: Adult AUD44.10, Child AUD27.90 & Child below 4 are free.
We purchased our ticket with 50% off voucher, great deal!

The Didgeridoo show &Free FlightBird show were a bit boring.

Kangaroo feeding the great highlight.

JX was too tired after 8 hours overnight flight.

They were such gentle creatures and wonderful to touch and see up close.

Checked in Q1 Resort & Spa at 3pm. Q1 is the world's tallest residential tower and located at Surfers Paradise. We booked 1 bedroom apartment but by the time we arrived all the 1 bedroom apartment were taken (as I mentioned before they didn't receive our booking but we managed to sort it out by make a few called to AirAsiaGo)so they upgraded ours into 2 bedrooms apartment without any extra charges. Big Bonus to us!

We took a good rest in the hotel until dinner time. Our first dinner in GC-Japanese Ramen. Nothing special, don't even bother to take photo. After dinner, we just strolled around Surfers Paradise. Happenings area, lot of restaurants, shops, cafes & pubs.

Day 2 - Monday - Brisbane - South Bank Parkland's - Queensland Museum - Piaf French Restaurant - City Cat (Ferry) - Chinatown.

Brisbane - The capital of Queensland and the third largest city in Australia.

Our first stop at South Bank.

The Arbour (Top), Brisbane River & CBD (Left Bottom) & Wheel of Brisbane (Right Bottom).

Our lunch at Piaf - French cuisine. Shop 5/182 Grey St, South Bank, Brisbane.

Meal serve in small portion. Food a bit salty for me but good service and dining environment.

We ordered Scared Scallops, Atlantic Salmon & Bacon. Total bill AUD 52.90.

City Cat - Ferry

A great way to see the city. (Adult fare AUD6.80 daily)

We had our dinner in one of the Chinese restaurant in Chinatown. A very wrong choice and a big let down. We ordered roasted pork rice and wanton noodle, the taste was extremely disappointed. By the way, the Chinatown in Brisbane look deserted.

Day 3 - Tuesday - Spring Brook - Robina Town Centre (mall) - Palm Beach - The Captains Table.

Our 3rd day itinerary spoilt due to the rainy day. Anyhow, we still stick to our plan and headed to Spring Brook with the hope that there's no rain over there but luck just not favored to us. Natural Bridge was our main purpose to Spring Brook. Though we can't make it to Natural Bridge but the lush greenery and beautiful country side scene as a compensation.

We returned to GC and had our lunch in Robina Town Centre. Immediate after the rain stopped, we headed to the nearest beach (Palm beach) before the sun goes down.

Palm Beach

and our dinner @

The Captains Table

17, Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise.

http://www.thecaptainstable.com.au/

Open for lunch & dinner 7 days from 12pm till late.

Day 4 - Wednesday - Swimming pool of Q1 - Checked out from Q1 - Dreamworld - Checked in Vibe Hotel - Hakataya Noodle Shop - Night Market @ Surfers Paradise Esplanade

Huge swimming pool.

After checked out from the hotel, we drove to Dream World. Located at the northern end of the Gold Coast on the M1 and take exit 54 at Coomera (about 17kms & 30 minutes drive from Surfers Paradise).

Dreamworld & Whitewater World

http://www.dreamworld.com.au/

Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (Dreamworld), 10am - 4pm (Whitewater World)

Ticket: AUD69.00 (adult), AUD47.00 (Child) & child below 3 free.

Due to the off peak season, our AUD69.00 day pass were actually entitled for both Dreamworld & Whitewater World.

Checked in Vibe Hotel at 5pm. This hotel conveniently located within walking distance from the main shops and restaurants in Surfers Paradise.

Hotel room & river view from balcony.

Our dinner - Hakataya Noodle Shop.
Location: Shop 26 Centre Arcade Gold Coast 4211

Tel: +61 7 5526 7055.

We ordered Char Siu-Men (AUD13.00) & Nagahama Ramen (AUD10.00) come with a free extra noodle.

The beachfront night market along The Esplanade in Surfers Paradise. Every Wednesday & Friday night from 5.30pm to 10pm.

Day 5 - Thursday - Anzac Park, Southport - Food Fantasy - Pacific Fair Shopping Centre.

Another relaxing and leisure day in Gold Coast.

Pedal monorail.

Anzac Park opposite the Australia Fair shopping centre.

Palazzo Versace Hotel .

Safe swimming enclosure & human sharp platform. Southport Yacht Club at the back.

Sheltered areas.

Our lunch at Food Fantasy located in Jupiter Hotel & Casino, Broadbeach.

Buffet lunch: AUD29.90 (adult), AUD14.95 (children 5-12 y/o)

To get to Jupiter Hotel & Casino: by bike like the photo above!!! Just kidding!

After our lunch, we headed to Pacific Fair Shopping Centre just next door of JH&C.

We didn't buy any stuff except JX's toys and books. JX's met a new friend here.

Our dinner. Ramen + Unagi Don. Can't remember the restaurant's name but is opposite the Hakataya Noodle Shop. Taste not as good as Hakataya Noodle Shop. Total bill AUD19.00

Day 6 - Friday - Sea World - Shoreline Restaurant.

Sea World
http://seaworld.myfun.com.au/
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm

Ticket: AUD71.95 (adult), AUD49.95 (Child) & child below 3 free.

We puchased our tickets with buy 1 get 1 free voucher from car rental discourt booklet.

Sea World has wonderful marine wildlife, fun rides and great live shows. Sea World was the most memorable and enjoyable day of our GC trip.

The sea lion show.

The Big Bird show & fun rides.

Polar Bear, Sting Ray, Shark & Penguin.

Imagine Dolphine show was awesome and mind blowing.

We had our seafood buffet dinner at Shoreline Restaurant in Sea World Resort. Very expensive buffet, AUD72.50 per person. Luckily I had printed out the 50% discourt voucher, or else it was a bit over price compared to the foods provided.

Day 7 - Saturday - Mt. Tamborine Botanic Gardens - Gallery walk - Skywalk - The Cedar Creek Estate - Aquaduck.

Our last full day in GC.

Breakfast at Hungry Jack.

Mt. Tamborine Botanic Garden.
http://www.tmbotanicgardens.org.au/
Free entrance.

Botanic Gardens, Mt. Tamborine

Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk

http://www.rainforestskywalk.com.au/

Open at 9.30am - 5pm, Last walk at 4pm. 7 days a week.

Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk is a 300 meters steel structured bridge canopy, combined with the 40 meter cantilever bridge over the creek below (30m height). It is the longest canopy walk in South East Queensland.

Skywalk starting point..

40m cantilever bridge.

Gallery Walk

http://www.tamborinemtncc.org.au/

The gallery walk showcases unique pieces by local artists wood carvings, textiles, leather work and featuring ceramic.

The Cedar Creek Estate

http://www.cedarcreekestate.com.au/

Open at 10am to 4pm 7 days a week.

First time we saw the orange tree.

The Glow worm guided tour in The Cedar Creek Estate take about half an hour. Ticket AUD11.00 per person. We found it quite bored and not really appreciate the tour.

The artificial Glow-worm caves

Simple lunch in Mt. Tamborine.

Hei hei....we found our national car in Mt. Tamborine.

Mt. Tamborine is a nice place for you to relax and enjoy the breeze, magnificent rainforest and spectacular view.

Aquaduck

http://www.aquaduck.com.au/

Price: AUD35.00 (adult), AUD26.00 (child) & Child 4 and below free.

Aquaduck tour was our last activity in GC.

Driving Aquaduck.

Day 8 - Sunday - Coolangatta (GC Airport) - LCCT
Early morning flight at 8.40am.....tired.....anyway its time to say good bye to GC. Will come again but don't know when. Still have few places i wish to go for my next visit such as O'Reilly's, Natural Bridge, Gold Coast Reginal Botanic Gardens (I appreciate park & garden very much), Whale watching, Fraser Island, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane, Mt. Cootha lookout & Botanic Gardens in Brisbane and Sunshine coast. Bye..........