Archive for the ‘Travelog’ Category

Weekend In The Highlands

Posted on December 12th, 2009 • Filed under Travelog, Triggerhappy • No Comments

Khailee and I decided to make a last-minute trip to Cameron Highlands one weekend (my definition of “last-minute” is something that is planned less than 7 days beforehand) to get away from the hustle, bustle, heat, dust and pollution that is KL.

We took Unititi Express up and the 4.5 hour journey was more bearable than I imagined it to be. After several nauseous childhood experiences of traveling up the winding road that leads to Tanah Rata, I’ve become a lot less optimistic about the strength of my stomach.

The only issue with the bus was its gaudy upholstery. Well, it wasn’t an issue with me. But my traveling buddy seemed to think otherwise. Safe to say I was questioned about whether bus companies think that this design represents luxury (I think it’s cheap, that’s why they took it), what could be going on in the designers’ heads as they designed this piece of cloth, why what who where when how…..

You name it, he asked it.

Right as we were circling up the windy, nauseating, Cameron Highlands drive.

When we arrived at Tanah Rata, the sky was a gorgeous hue of blue and the weather a blissful chill. Everything was going spectacularly… and then he bought the abomination that is his strawberry beanie. Thankfully, his repeated attempts to make me wear it (and photograph me in it, God forbid) bounced off me before you can say “berry”. But I have to admit. He looked positively hilarious.

Our first meal in Tanah Rata was at Nasi Kukus at this ‘gerai’ beside the tourist information center. It kind of reminds me of the yummy nasi kukus they used to sell at Plaza Sentral’s gas chamber of a cafeteria. Anyway, I wasn’t too big a fan but Khailee was so addicted to it that he had it on Friday and Saturday.

After exploring Tanah Rata, we kinda parked ourselves at “Rosedale Bistro” and dined, read and WiFi-ed in the cafe. Yes. We’re creatures of habit — exploring new places to read and work. Except we’re in a totally different state and traveled 4.5 hours to do that.

But the highlight of our trip (to me) was BOH tea plantation. I haven’t been here since I was a child and here, I was literally surrounded by lush greenery!

You’d think 4.5 hours away from the city, and up in the highlands, you’ll be afforded anonymity. At the BOH Tea Plantation, we bumped into Amin & Fatemeh (my favorite, and only, Iranian friends). Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind at all (I love Amin & Fatemeh I just pondered the smallness of Malaysia.

I went on a photo-frenzy here at the tea plantation and had to get extra batteries from the shop when my charged ones ran out. But it was all worth it

As you can see, tons of camwhoring involved. But… how often do I camwhore anyway nowadays?

Verdict? I had a smashing weekend of cool air, cold nights, reading, work and awesome company. Definitely be back soon Camerons… and this time, with Strawberries!

 

The Travelog – Perth Day 4, 5, 6

Posted on May 30th, 2009 • Filed under Travelog • 1 Comment

Hehe this is going to be an ultra long post with ultra many pix. I cannot be blamed because I haven’t had the time to blog! Between hanging out with the family, catching up with friends and having my ear glued to the phone until 2am, I haven’t had the time to sift through the billions of photos I took.

Highlights:

• Perth city’s beautiful skyline from Kings Park
• The evil kid who attacked me with cow gunk
• The Sittella winery – beautiful scenery and good wine.
• Peacocks at UWA Arts faculty grounds!
• Near death experience on the highway back from Cervantes!

Jurien Bay’s very pretty sunset.

Read the rest of this entry »

 

The Travelog – Perth Day 3

Posted on May 25th, 2009 • Filed under Travelog • 1 Comment

Current temperature: 8.5degs
Today’s travels: Carousel shopping mall & Liquor Land

My spoils for the day:

• grey Rubi ballet flats
• A purple silk scarf
• A top to club in
• Several CDs – Kings of Leon, Tegan & Sara

My observations for the day:

• “Almost everything in Perth / WA is single storey…”
• “There is no single familiar store / brand at the mall – nothing here can be found in Malaysia!” Then I saw Diva. –_–
• “The stars here are so pretty!”
• “Australians eat their rice with forks…” [Alexis: They don’t realize that spoons are not only for soup!"]
• “Drive a couple of kilometers in WA and you see a roundabout.”

Sunsets here are gorgeous. I think it’s mainly because WA has fewer skyscrapers / tall buildings. Like I said – almost everything is single storey.

Signing off for now, lots of well wishes and cold toes from Perth.

 

The Travelog –- Perth Day 2

Posted on May 25th, 2009 • Filed under Travelog • 2 Comments

Current Temp: 6 degs
Today’s Travels: Mandurah — Safety Bay, Dolphin Quay, Port Bouvard

Thankfully, the weather was sunny but chilly today.. and not like the blustery Saturday we arrived in. However, it’s now dropped to 6 degrees and I’m sitting here in the room with the heater cranked up in thermal socks, a sweater, a t-shirt and track pants. Still my toes are mildly icy. And my tummy a little grumbly. I just might grab a cracker or two before I head to bed.

Disclaimers!

• There are loads of photos in this post.
• Happily, they’re all in thumbnails so click on them for a larger version.
• Because it’s late and I’m kind of hungry, I’m being extremely uncreative with my words. Don’t complain =P

Read the rest of this entry »

 

The Travelog – Perth Day 1

Posted on May 23rd, 2009 • Filed under Travelog, Uncategorized • No Comments

Current temp: 11degs
Min temp: 8degs
Current location: Lesmurdie, WA

It’s cold.
Temperatures tonight are estimated to be 8 degrees. Despite that, I love the weather — allows me to wrap myself up in layers of clothes to keep warm. My sensitive toes are protesting though. They aren’t too happy with the sudden change in temperature. Thankfully, the rest of me is just fine.

AirAsia X has the narrowest seats I’ve ever seen on an airplane. Considering the steal I got it for, I’m completely cool with it. Unfortunately for the grandmother, her back ached for most of the journey. Mum wasn’t too comfortable either so I think if you’re considering traveling by AirAsia X with elderly folk, you might want to think twice. Or even long haul to the UK. Then again, the prices are so low, what do you expect?

A few photos I snapped in my uncle’s garden. Headed to Safety Bay to visit more relatives tomorrow. Let’s hope the sky’s clear

Ta from Perth!