Review: Teochew Restaurant at Jonker Street & Straits Restaurant

Actually we planned to go to another recommended seafood restaurant. But once we reached there, the weather is pretty bad. Heavy rain and wind. Just stepped out the restaurant, the sand was blown into my eyes and I can't even move. My bf quickly cover my eyes and lead me to the restauramt. On the way to the restaurant, walking from the car park, we were greet by heavy rain. We requested for indoor, but they do not have. So end up we ran back to the car and head back to the hotel. When we reached our hotel, it was arnd 9pm.

 

Lucky Straits restaurant is jsut 5mins walk from the hotel and very lucky that it's not close yet. But we were the last customers. We quickly order our food and start to chit chat.

 

The food were served around 15mins later. We have ordered sea cucumber, white shells (lala), kang kong (but somehow their kang kong is differernt from what I always eat), salted egg prawn & freshly steamed Soon Hock fish.

 

For 3 person, the total bill is around SGD300. Personally I find it quite expensive but my bf say the price is consider reasonable as compared to Singapore. But of course we definitely can find cheaper alternative in Malacca.

 

 

Next day we went back to Jonker street for lunch at Teochew restaurant. My bf has made reservation for it the day before. Apparantly it is very famous and only reservation will get you into the restaurant. The restaurant is operated by family members (I guess), and only a few tables in the restaurant. My bf told me the owner will go to the market early in the morning to source for the freshest food. Hence there is no fixed menu.

 

We ordered fried oyster noodles (my bf has craving for it), fried fish paste ball (recommend by the staff), sambal bamboo shoots, fried frog's legs, kang kong (exactly what I always eat) and yam paste for dessert.

 

For 3 person, the bill is only $70!! Much cheaper than the seafood restaurant we had yesterday.

 

Review: Holiday Inn Meleka

My bf, me and my friend went to Malacca for a short road trip over the weekend. And of course the planning of accomodation is done by me. I never been to Malacca so I decided to choose some reputable hotel. Instead of some local hotel that I never heard of. The photos of Holiday Inn Melaka took my breath away and is near to the straits of Malacca.

 

My friend booked it at Agoda, which cost arnd SGD120 for a smoking deluxe room. I booked it via Holiday Inn website which cost me arnd SGD160 for a king size bed with straits view, non smoking. Below is an illustration for the difference of the room.

 

 

When we reached there, the hotel is new and clean. The staffs are polite and speak good english. Being their member, I have the priority or express queue. The check in is rather fast, just that I have booked for a non smoking room and they told me the non smoking room is all fully booked! As for friend, she booked for a smoking room and end up all smoking room is fully booked! *FAINT* Lucky the smoking room is not stinky and my friend can smoke in her non-smoking room. So I guess there is no much difference.

 

This is not the end of my disppointment. Since I paid slightly more, I expect my room to have bath tub and slightly bigger. But end up, is exactly same as my friend's room. NO BATH TUB AT ALL! I'm not sure why under the room description there is bath tub indicated but in actual fact, there is none. Is it consider false advertising? If I know there is no bath tub, I definitely will not book the hotel.

 

Next I look at the straits of Malacca. Totally disappointment. I think is more like construction of reclaim land view?

 

My friend was disappointed on the swimming pool. In the website, the pool view is kinda of like infinity pool. But actual swimming pool is a very normal swimming pool. Another false advertising? Or the different camera angle?

 

Other that that, the room & bathroom are spacious, bright and comfortable. I love the shampoo, shower gel and body lotion. Not oily, easily absorb to my skin and super nice scent. Holiday Inn Melaka also near to shopping centers and Jonker Street. Just 1 min walk from the hotel, you will reached the jetty. The seafood is quite fresh and reasonable pricing. But of course you can find even much cheaper seafood restaurant in Malacca. There is also KTVand cyber cafe too.

 

 

 

Kitten for adoption

My bf found a little kitten (tabby grey) at his office. I guess she is less than a month old. Very active, love playing with Donna and Pixie. Although most of the times, Donna will ignore her and Pixie will keep on licking her. My apartment is not suitable for keeping cat (and I already have 2 dogs). Any interested parties who love cat and want to adopt her for life, please contact me! 

 

 

How to use Google Font

Maybe alot of you have already know how to use Google Font, but I only know about it today. Try google how to do it, but I still cannot get it. Trial and error and FINALLY able to get it right, according to my own style. Might not be the best solution but at least it works for me.

Step 1: Go to Google Font

Step 2: Choose the font you like. You may take a long time here because there is really alot of different fonts to choose!

Step 3: Click on quick use

Step 4: You will go to the next page with the codes. Take note of the codes under number #3 & #4.

 

Step 5: Copy the codes in number #3 and replace under the first highlight sentence and enter "/"

Step 6: Copy the codes in number #4 and replace under the second highlight sentence

 

Or you can copy from the below text

<html> <head> <link href="http://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Unkempt" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"></link> <style> body { font-family: 'Unkempt', cursive; font-size: 48px; } </style> </head> <body> I love my simple life! </body> </html>

 

Step 7: You can start typing between <body> and </body>

 



Scrapbook - Tissue Box

My first project for #scrapbooking - Tissue Box! My SO & I were window shopping at spotlight and I chanced upon Kaisercraft tissue box. So I decided to do up a tissue box for him. Since he will be putting it in his car, I can't make it too feminine. I love butterflies so butterflies definitely in the plan. I bought Kaisercraft Timeless Paper Pad, 6-1/2-Inch by 6-1/2-Inch Vintage 50 Sheets for the butterflies & the little postcard die cuts. For the top of the tissue box, I think I used Kaisercraft Bonjour Paper Pad, 6-1/2-Inch by 6-1/2-Inch, 40 Sheets. For the longer side of the tissue, I wanted to buy the Kaisercraft Timeless Sheet Music but I can't seem to find it in Spolight or Paper Market. So end up I just bought the witchy paper from Paper Market.

 

First I paste the papers to cover up the tissue box and add the little postcard die cuts.

 

 

Then I stamp some butterflies on the longer side of the tissue box. So it kinda look like the butterflies from the shorter side is somewhat link to the longer side.

 

 

I found a "love" embellishment so I add it on top of the post card. Then I paste foam tape on the white vintage photo frame I bought at Paper Market and paste it on the tissue box. As I still find the top is kinda plain so I add another "signature" stamp at the right hand bottom of my tissue box.

 

 

 

Lastly I add in the photo. JOB DONE! Oh ya, I didn't paste the photo on the tissue box. I just slot it into the photo frame. And this is the reason why I use foam tape to stick the frame to the tissue box, rather than glue it in. My SO requests me not to stick on it because he wants to change the photo as and when he likes.

 

 

 

REVIEW: Impiana Resort Cherating

From Singapore to Cherating takes about 8 hours car ride. When we finally reach our resort, the wearther is raining heavily. Road is dark as there is very limited lighting. My SO drove at a speed of turtle and suddenly he stops the car. We saw something blocking our way. As it is pouring quite heavily, we squirt our eyes to see a monitor lizard blocking our way! My SO had high beam him several times but he just turned and looked at us. Since he is not moving, I mind as well take the chance to take photo. *haha*

 

 

 

I want to take a clearer photo so I opened my door despite of the rain. But once my door opened, the monitor lizard quickly zapped into the forest! *tsk* So we continue on the way to the resort.

 

When we enter the resort, this is the activity I want to do! Turtle watching and see mother turtle lay eggs! But is kinda expensive though. Previously I read online, for watching turtle lay egg is free. Because the mother turtle will swim up to the beachside and lay the eggs. Since the beach is public areas, there is no entrace fee or any national park fee. I guess RM60 is purely for the guide and van. Hopefully they will donate at least 50% of the money to the turtle sanctuary.

 

 

The check in is very fast, less than 10mins. The customer service has already print out and filed the customer documents together with the room key. Once they verified your passport, they will issued the room keys to you and briefly introduce the facilities they have. However their english language is quite weak as compare to JB & KL. So you already have to be patient.

 

Below are some of the photos taken at the entrance of the resort.

 

 

 

 

Below is the dining area. Food selection is quite limited and not to my liking. The waiter & waitress also don't speak proper english. So you have to guess what they are trying to say between the english and malay mix of sentences.  

 

 

 

Below is their mini store. The hut is pretty cute. They sells some snacks, drinks and souveniors for visitors to buy. Price is definitely more expensive than the usual.

 

 

At last my room! I have requested for a king size bed, but was given 2 double size bed. It's quite a turn off as either my SO or I will stuck at the center gap in the middle of the night. I love the room, all woody and rustic. Definitely my type of room especially with the wooden poster bed. The room is very spacious, with a living room with TV, sofa, coffee table, study table, chair and fridge. Beside the 2 double bed, there is a day bed as well. Totally my SO's favourite! We can just laze at the day bed reading or just snoozing our time away.

 

 

 

 

The view isn't that fantastic though. Anyway my expectation wasn't that high as it is quite a remote beach in Malaysia. At least there is no rubbish lying around.

 

 

The bathroom is also very spacious, which is very good. However I would prefer both shower and bath tub seperated in the bathroom. Since the bathroom is so spacious, I not sure why they combine both shower and bath tub together. The major turn off is the plug of the bath tub is not working despite the technician tried to repair it. So when my SO & I want to soak in the bath tub, we took a plastic bag and the plug from the basin to choke the hole in the bath tub. Another con is the towels given to us is kinda yellowish. I guess they didn't change the towel even they turn yellow. But I guess the towels are clean *cross fingers*

 

Hotel Name:	Impiana Resort Cherating
Address:	Km 32 Jalan Kuantan/Kemaman
Area / City / Country:	Kampung Baharu Cherating/Cherating/Malaysia
Room Charge for 4D3N:	USD 386.60

Personally I find the room price is abit steep. If they can improved on the food selection and the quality of the food. Provide more reasonable pricing of activities. Fixed up their private beach to be more serene and beauitful. Give me the king size bed I asked for. Have a seperate shower and bath tub (which is not spolit). I would find the price reasonable and will go back there again.

Diving at Khao Lak

I saw a 4D3N stay at Khao Lak JW Marriott from Groupon and my SO decided to go there for my birthday celebration. It's quite suitable for me as I love quiet, peaceful beach vacation. I can just laze around doing nothing.

Since there is basically nothing to do there, I still have to find some activity. If not, my active SO will be bored to death. I'm always interested in diving so I guess I want to try it at Khao Lak. Singapore water is quite yucky so no way I'm going to dive here. I'm not sure whether monsoon is over by October, and hopefully some dive schools are opened. I decide to search for diving school and go for the PADI Discover Scuba Diving.

 

1) Khao Lak Dive Center

Cost: Baht 5900

Includes:

Multi language Instructors
State-of-the-art dive gear
Padi Discover Scuba Diving certification
National Park fees
Pick up service and Drop of service in Khao Lak

2) Big Blue Diving Khao Lak
Big Blue Khao Lak is a Swedish and Japanese owned and managed. And has been opened for 20years.
Cost: Baht 6400
Includes: Not mention in the website.
Remarks: School only opens on 3 Nov

3) Wicked Diving
Involved in conservation programs
Cost: USD235
Includes: Not mention in the website

4) Manta Point
15years of experience. Max 3 students per instructor.
Cost: Baht 6500
Includes: Not mention in the website

5) Kon-Tiki Diving & Snorkeling Center
Cost: Baht 6500
Includes: Full set of equipment, Pick-up from your hotel, marine park fee, breakfast, lunch, water, coffee, tea, fresh fruit, tanks, weights, weight belt, Nitrox and professional guides. Please note that for some areas a small transfer fee will be added.

6) Khao Lak Scuba Adventures
Cost: Bath 6400
Includes: Transfers*
All Meals on Board
Tea and Coffee
Fruits and Snacks
Water
National Park fees
Full Set Rental Equipment
Instructors 5:1 Ratio
Padi Teaching Materials
24 Hour Medical Service
Evacuation Insurance
Limited Dive Insurance**