Grilled fish behind Istana Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Jalan Istana (Palace Road)

My favourite, grilled squid

Grilled fish

One of the famous tourist attraction is Istana Negara (National Palace). Like Buckingham Palace in London, you can see the ceremony of changing guards.

Another attraction (not quite famous among foreigners) is at the back of Istana Negara. You can access the food stalls near the Alice Smith International School. 

The food stall is quite hot at noon. The speaciality is grilled sea food including fish and squids.

The food is affordable, the seafood is fresh and there also stall which sell fresh fruits.

After eat, my tummy is very full. My eyes is sleepy and Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Bandung Train Station, Bandung, Indonesia

Ticket price

One of the exotic way to travel in indonesia is by using train. One of the impresive route is Bandung-Jogjakarta. THe route will cross paddy field and mountain area. But the train is always full and early booking is required.

Unlike in Malaysia, to enter train station you need to pay ticket (around 5000Rp or RM1.50). At the train station there are many platform but to go from one platform to another, you need to cross the railway track. Do check whether there are incoming train before you cross the track.

Investing in Vacation Club?

Investing in Vacation Club? Sound good.

You pay RM21k, you get all your money back in 38 years.

You can use the room for 14 days/year.

Sound good. But this what I've been told when I visit one of the booth at Matta Fair.

I speent 120minutes (2 hours). Damn, I lost my time.

But they did not manage to convince me and in return I've got 4D3N voucher that can only be use during weekdays.

The investment is very risky to me. You dumb RM21k. Every year need to pay maintenance. It did not gurantee you, you get the rooms when you want to apply for the room. It is also very hard to sell room to other. You will compete with hotel online booking. 

Better use the money to pay deposit to buy a cheap house. Rent it and stay at 5 stars hotel. Or 5 star bed at tune hotel.

Still don't believe me. Search "vacation club penipu" and the Google will answer all your question.

Matta Fair 2009

Jewel Fair

Matta Promotion at Putra Komuter Station

Promotion by turkish people

Long que at Matta fair. Admission fee is RM3.00

Inside Matta Fair

Clowing around

Performance by Philipine artist

I am quite tired today because I just come back from Matta fair. This year Matta fair like before is at PWTC. There is a lot of bargain at Matta fair but personally I think air ticket offered online is more cheaper. Since I have some contact before this, it's cheaper for me to arrange the ground arangement myself.

But buying the ground arrangement from reputable company will ensure that you will always get what you buy.

But anyway I do buy something at Matta Fair. It's still secret but I will post the picture once I go to the holiday.

Pantai Balik Batu, Masjid Tanah, Malacca, Malaysia

Cheaper resort

Homestay at Pantai Balik Batu

Serene Pantai Balik Batu

Hide spot at Pantai Balik Batu

Malacca have many nice beaches which is not very widely known even by Malaysian itself. Among them is Pantai Balik Batu (literally translated as beach behind the stone). The beach situated at southern part of Malacca so it is quite near from KL Using North South Expressway, use Simpat Ampat exit.

Drive toward Masjid Tanah and then go to the Tanjung Bidara. If you are unfamiliar with the place use Tanjung Bidara as your reference. Ar Tanjung Bidara beach, ask local people if you want to go to Pantai Balik Batu.

Pantai Balik Batu is quite clean and offer nice accomodation suitable for your budget.

The sand is yellowish in colour but it is clean. The water is not crystal clear blue but it's still clean. During weekdays, the beach is almost deserted but I like to swim in diserted beach.

Most people who visit this beach is Malaysian and there are no foreigner I found at the beach. So it is safe to say that if you want to swim with your sexy outfit, it is not the place unless during weekdays, perhaps.

Another popular activity you can do at this beach is fishing.

Jalan 222, Federal Highway, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

The accident cause massive jam at Federal Highway (in front Hotel Hilton)

The Merc slam Honda City

Honda City slam my poor Proton Perdana

Honda City vs Proton Perdana

It is a lovely day when I gone back from KL after some shopping. Upon returning as usual there are traffic jam build up at Federal Highway near Jalan 222.  

After I stop I glence throught the mirror, oh no the car behind me (Honda City) use emergency break. I try to change to next lane (the middle lane) but the lane occupied. So I pull the steering so that upon impact my car will swerve to the right lane and avoid car in front of me. 

But the stupid merz driver hit Honda City and the impact cause Honda City to hit my car. The tonto (runner) which is already standby beside the road approach me and request to help me.

The Honda City which damage both front and back could not start the engine as the safety mechanism inside the car prevent the car from being start after airbag had been deployed.

I immedietly evacuate my family from the car to avoid other car to hit my car. After traffic is managed, I take details of plate number and model of all car involve. 

Luckily I was approach by a nice Malay runner. He lend his Kancil so that I can send my family home and he acompany me to make police report. After signing some document, he towed my car to his workshop. Of course the workshop will "sembelih" the insurance company, but I don't care as it's not my money.

Tips and technique

1.  Avoid fast lane when jam build up
2.  Do not follow car in front too close
3.  After hit by car, switch on emergency light, observe traffic and evacuate passanger to safety
4. Do not quarel, write car plate number and car model. Report to police within 24 hours.
   
5. If you can still drive the car, do not surender your car to runner. Drive your car to the insurance panel.
   

Awana Genting Highland and Golf Resort, Pahang, Malaysia

http://www.awana.com.my

Awana Genting Highland is a 45 minutes drive from Kuala Lumpur

A pristine Awana Genting Highland in the morning

Normally when I need some relax, I prefer going to the beach or to the Cameron Highland. But a good alternative which is near Kuala Lumpur is Awana Genting Highland and Golf Resort at Genting Highland.

Genting Highland is only 45 minutes drive from Kuala Lumpur via Karak Highway. Alternatively you can ride Genting Bus boarding from KL Sentral, Puduraya Bus Station or Terminal Putra LRT station. The bus will bring you to the cable car station. At the cable car station take taxi to the resort hotel.

The eco-friendly resort offer variety of outdoor activities including 18 hole golf, horse riding, archery and wall climbing and my favorite, swimming.  What on earth swimming in the chilly weather? The swimming pool is heated so there is no problem.

To get discount on hotel do book online at http://www.awana.com.my. 

Do:

Bring jeans (for horse riding), some warm cloth and swimwear. If you prefer outdoor activities, sun block is advised.