A Trip to A'Famosa

A'Famosa Malacca 20-22 Dec 2006

We did not fly in the year 2006. The main reasons were because Deborah was born in Feburary as well as Rachael had her studies and exams in Decemeber. Therefore, besides this trip to Malacca to mark the end of this year, we had only a trip to KL in June for a church camp plus a day extension at Plalace of the Golden Horse.

First, I want to give thanks to God. It rain and rain almost everyday for the last week to the day we set off for A'Famosa. We had booked outdoor activities packages! to my even bigger surprise when we were back, we realised that during that week it the rainfall collected from 19 to 21 Dec was equaled to that of the whole of December. It has cause floods not only in Malacca, Johor as well as Singapore! Not a way for our major trip for the year!

When we reached there it was still raining. When we checked in to our spacious, we realised that there is nothing much we can do. To make things worst, most of the outdoor activities, except water sports will be closed. There are no mini-mart to shop and buy things to eat (only at the lobby where we bought some expensive ice-creams). We did not bring any thing to munch and even if we had, we cannot cook! This is the first time, when I feel really - what a holiday - no food, no activities! The only entertainment we had is the "Connect Four" game which I suggested to bring.

Praise God. The rain stop at six - time for dinner. the sky was still overcast. We deceided to ajourn to Cowboy town - dinner, carnival plus watch a 4-D movie. Stepenie ordered steak, which I felt that the resturant had failed to cook it well. Josef had only fries. Josef enjoyed himself watching the tiger and the lion chained to the stage. We watch the 4-D movie and it is a good experience for Josef - the chair move, water spat at you, air blown at you, plus the 3-D movie with colour and sound.

Rachael enjoyed the Red Indian show - but to me its some performer blowing fire. In reflection, Rachael commented how blessed we are. It tough on those performers to blow kerosene out of their mouth.

Again, but though it rain, it is not that big. We managed to share umbrellas and enjoyed the Indian show and later the canival. Josef enjoyed watching the chicken match pass. The canival ended with a fireworks which I enjoyed it very much. It's spectactular to see the fireworks at such a close range!

We spent the rest of the night in the same bedroom.

Breakfast was provided - but to mention, the coffee is so diluted that it should be called coffee coloured water! We had either sauages with bread or lasi lemak. It continue to rain, so cold that I observed that the only two kids at the swimming pool refuse to get into it. We also borrowed some games - chess and karium. Nobody actually played much for the karium.

Again praise God, by lunch, suddenly, the rain stop. It our time for the water world. It was our only chance that afternoon or we would forgo what we paid for the package.

The girls had hot luncj, while the boys had burger, so that we can quickly get into water. Josef and I had a good time - from fighting in the wave pool to atacking the children pool andthe Arabian castle. It is also the first time Josef take a water silde so high that he commented that his stomach came out!

Deborah surprised everyone by crawling along the wave pool. Besides the wave pool is a sand pit. Tough baby!

Dinner was brought back - bascially we had burgers, nuggets and sandwiches.

The next morning, taking advantage that the sky was not raining, we went to have some sports. It was Josef who had all the fun. He had a horse ride, followed by a Go-Kart. The guy at the Go-Kart gave Josef more rounds and I can see that Josef enjoyed himself - speeding all the way! I hope that give him something to remember.

We finally check out at 1200hrs and the rain also started. We had lunch at the same resturant where we had our first meal when we first arrived.

Well, a trip with much thanks to God. Basically, it keep us (my family, my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law) simple - a holiday with not much heavy activities and plenty of rest.

A Trip to Kota Tinggi

Kota Tinggi 13-14 Dec 2006

After so many years, finally I made my first trip to Kota Tinggi, despite the numbers of water falls I have visit, further than Kota Tinggi.

We had a good time, the weather was perfect, despite it had rained for the past few days and almost every day.

Accordingly to Rachael, who has been there more than a decade ago, the place has changed. Very nice and fun for kids. Josef had a great time at the pool and slide - not at the falls. Deborah enjoyed herself too, so was my domestic helper.

We drived there and I realised the way to go there via Woodlands checkpoint is to make a U-turn after Malaysia immigration point and turn left into Jalan Wong Ah Fook. From there followed the sign board all the way to Kota Tinggi. However, Kota Tinggi is just a town, not a water fall. The actual destination is another distance. The actual name is "Air Terjun", followed the sign board in brown and all the way till the dead end - that's the main gate. To my surprise, you need to pay. Maybe if you make a detour and enter through the carpark, it's free. It is a national park and should be free access!

We spend almost the rest of the morning and part of the afternoon there.

Instead of going home, our intention is to stay a night in Johore. But unfortuntely, instead of going to Desaru, which I think I lost my way, we ended ourself in JB and spent a night there. It is a simple stay at Crystal Crown. We had a good dinner of yong tao foo, which I had two servings!

In my opionion, I will not choose to stay in Crystal Crown, quite a old 3-star and I should have asked for a smoke free floor. The car park ins very small.

On returning home the next day, we had some shopping. Everyone was tired, especially Josef.