We went for a budget trip to Langkawi last weekend. Together with my in-laws. A nice and easy trip where there is no rush to commit to an itinerary. Mr Husband booked 2 rooms at The concept hotel. Ours had 2 king size beds in it. My in-laws had a twin single bedroom. It was spacious enough for us. The hotel also had other plus points
Hot shower.
A water dispensing machine in the hallway
Functioning air conditioner
A swimming pool but we didn’t have the energy to check it out
Fantastic location – numerous places to eat nearby at walking distance
Freebies from the cafe next door
Definitely, a recommended place to stay!
We didn’t visit the cable cars and aquaria this year. But we did try something new this time – Nasi Dagang Pak Malau. That is also a recommended place to try. The dishes are quite pricey, nasib baiklah sedap.
I managed to create a somewhat silent vlog out of this trip, divided into 2 parts. Part 2 will be published on Wednesday on Youtube. Here is Part 1.
Brother D and my niece Ororah share the same birthday month of February. So a celebration is a must and we decided to host a mini party in Melaka at a homestay with a pool. After much searching on Airbnb, I managed to secure a semi-D at a price of RM 757/night. The owner collects the additional RM250 security deposit separately and the transaction is carried out outside AirBnB. I booked the home for 3 days 2 nights.
Unfortunately, Brother D contracted Covid-19, so the whole house members at BSP had to undergo quarantine. That means Dad and Uncle Tin are also not coming. Leaving only Onty L and the fam free from Covid19. Hence, are able to make it to Melaka. I have to say, my sister is very resourceful when it comes to birthday bashes. She found several food vendors in Melaka (where I live!) who could bake desserts, cook nasi arab and make western dishes deliciously. I just did the decorations.
Ororah is turning 1 this year – my borderline prem niece. She has yet to walk but Mak Wa feels that she will be running around soon.
The moist chocolate cake
nasi arab, pizza arab, lasagna, tarts
the birthday girl and the cousins of cousins and cousins
Le Camar is situated at Bukit Katil in a new housing area. It has 4 rooms that are fully air-conditioned. the living room also has an air conditioner. There’s a small kitchen with an induction cooker, rice cooker, pots and pans, cutleries, dinnerware, a fridge and a water dispenser. It would be great if they have a microwave to heat leftover food. It was challenging to reheat our cold pizza for breakfast. The highlight of this homestay was the pool. The depth of the pool was about 4ft. I was on my period so I didn’t jump in but the kids seem to enjoy the water.
the amenities are superb
The place is worth the money. Like I said, having a microwave would be a fantastic touch. It would be good to give a heads up regarding the security deposit in their Airbnb description too. Takdelah terkejut sgt tetiba nak bayar deposit kan.. The playground slide needs to be cleaned. So does the tangki at the back of the house for fear of Aedes breeding site. Putting those points aside – Le Camar is not that bad. Will consider for future staycations.
It’s been a while. Previously, before the pandemic, I try to visit my parents once a month. Once Covid19 came, the routine was disrupted. I couldn’t even spend Eid with the family. The next thing I knew, Mom caught the virus and subsequently died from it’s after effects. Who knew, kan?
When the Prime Minister announced that we could cross state borders – I immediately made a booking at Everly Hotel in Putrajaya. Since the kids have grown, I chose the Executive Suite. The room has a bath tub and a small living area where the kids could play and give us adults, some space as we attend to work and study related matters. Yes, it sucks being a doctor. It’s very difficult to shut off. I have it easier compared to my husband. His work is endless. Baru JKN, belum KKM. Eh.
I paid for the room through Agoda.Com as always. The room included breakfast for 2 pax. I paid extra for my son’s breakfast which is RM15/child. Total cost for the stay was RM827.82 including tax and fee of RM62.14. In return, I receive Agoda cash of Rm20.59. The Agoda cash is useful at times.
Some people find it weird that I would stay at a hotel instead of my dad’s house. Thing is, the house is quite small and I don’t really want to burden my dad in having to prepare the room for us. I guess this is the way it will be for future visits.
The birthday spree will start in November, all through December and into the new year. Memang diet ke laut lagi.. huhu..
On a different note, BTS In The Soop Season 2 has officially started. I purchased the series on Weverse, so I could watch it on my phone whenever I like. Episode 1 was splendid and I am looking forward to more clips of Chef Suga cooking up a storm in the kitchen. Apart from that, it’s also a good series to pick up mind-opening ideas and life quotes like this gem down here. Can’t wait for next episodes.
I needed a short break after submitting my final assignment for psychology – the subject was Introduction to communication. Browsing through agoda – it was a choice between that blue santorini like hotel or Imperio. I decided to go for Imperio because it was walking distance to a lot of places and activities. Of course, knowing us, we’d probably be cooped up in our room enjoying food and Netflix.
This spot makes a very conducive environment to study both during daytime and night time
The studio was listed as Seaview Japanese Themed Studio JJ Home@Imperio. I made a booking for 3D2N and paid a total of RM440 – including taxes and fees. This was my first time booking an Agoda Home. The host was incredibly enthusiastic and accommodating. I received via whatsapp a pdf document explaining how to check in and out of the place. Perhaps the only thing that caught me off guard was the parking space fee of RM3 – Rm5 per entry. I am alright with paying but when I am not prepared with the sudden fee collection – I reacted quite unpleasant to the guy manning the parking area. So maybe that needs to be included in the ‘check in guide’.
Such a welcoming entrance
A studio is great for vacation but not as something that we live in. Don’t think I’d enjoy being in the same space with the kids for a very very long time. Ha ha ha.
The place looked exactly like in the pictures. Imperio Residences is basically an apartment with 2 towers. The vision was that it is built on top of a mall which has yet to open. The common facilities were at the 13th floor – sauna, swimming pool, gym, playground etc. Anyhow, the view was just amazing from our studio unit. Even the view from the bath tub was majestic. Love it! and can I just give a shout out to the scent of the towel and bedsheets! They smell so homey and wonderful, I wonder what detergent or softener the host uses.
There was a King bed with extra futons and pillows for the kids to sprawl on the floor. My daughter loved the bath tub of course. I myself did not have a chance to soak in it. The mini kitchen had all the utensils that we need including a microwave, a fridge and a water dispenser. Mothers love these conveniences. I love that they have an iron with the board too. The Kiblat signage was well placed. There was even a sejadah for muslim travellers. We had our meals from the nearby mamak and restaurants. All were within walking distance. It would have been awesome if Element Mall was opened but only MBO was in operation.
Apart from the water dispenser, the host also stocked up the fridge and pantry. The listed price was affordable and not steep but since we have bought our own supplies – we finished ours first.
Although this was a staycation, I couldn’t completely shut off from my studies. Hence, I managed to catch up with my e-lectures on Cognitive Psychology with the FREE WIFI provided in this studio. Yeay. It could have been a relaxing staycation but we were rushing to our other commitments as well – a photoshoot for Eid and my niece’s akikah. Of all weekends, it had to happen last weekend. Perhaps later, when things get more relaxed.. we will book another stay here. InsyaAllah.
Prior to the pandemic, I’ve already planned out my 10th wedding anniversary celebration . We were both going to lose weight, organize a kenduri at our house and wear matching batik outfits for our photos. However, things happened. COVID-19 rules our lives. Mr Husband was busy with his public health activities whilst I was busy on the clinical side of things. We managed to squeeze some family time interim but honestly, it could have been better.
10 years living with another human being is not a small feat. Have I ever thought of separation during this relationship? Of course. Especially on my period. But Patience and Sanity usually pulls me away from it. Covid-19 or not, a decade of love needs to be celebrated. If he is not going to be the first to utter those words , wishes or gestures, then I will be the one to do so and sprinkle some romance in the air. It’s tiring having to kick it off every time but someone’s gotta keep the wheel of marriage running.
I started with the watsapp wish in the morning. Sending him a snapshot of my wedding anniversary gift to him. This is to also hint him to get me a present if he hadn’t thought of doing so. (insert annoyed face here) If he is not getting me a flower bouquet, then he’d better get me a present for my 10th wedding anniversary. Then just like an excellent PA, I laid out the plans for the day.
Me working half day –> fetch kids from grandma –> check into hotel , also in Melaka –> husband will drive from JB and reach hotel with whatever transport he wants —> husband will arrange for dinner
I chose Casa Bonita Hotel for our staycation for new years weekend.
CASA BONITA HOTEL is located strategically at where all the viral eateries are. It is at Limbongan where the famous keria is. The keria man is also selling laksa at his shop. Other famous stuff nearby is the avocado drinks, soursop drink, the asam pedas lady, the mee bodo at tengkera. All this within walking distance to each other. We had wanted to do that but the exhaustion from work got the better of us that we practically just enjoyed the room and the food delivered to us.
Our room is the family suite. It has 2 double beds, a living room with a mini dining table, a fridge and a bath tub. At least my kids can enjoy that whilst being stuck in the room. I booked our stay via Agoda of course at RM225/night for 2 nights. The total came up to RM551.57 including tax and service fees.
I had wanted to book dinner at the in house restaurant but in view of us being health care workers, I thought we’d better stay in our rooms and reduce the risk of contracting the virus. This is because if a HCW gets ill, it may cause inconvenience to the work schedule if the HCW needs to get MC and such. Mr Husband instead arranged for dinner in our room by ordering this meal box from another hotel, Bayview hotel. At RM88, we get a selection of food that make up a meal for our little family.
This promotion is seasonal. I enjoyed the chicken the most followed by its Xmas crepe. The cornish pie was a bit bland but passable for a hungry tribe. It was a meal worth the money.
As for presents, I got my husband a portable massage machine for his back. He got me a Samsung Tablet A 8″ 2019. Lovely, I had always wanted one. I think it could be useful for my studies. I am still exploring its features and scrolling through apps that might be useful for my side responsibility as a student. Do recommend me good ones.
I have already made a staycation booking for the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration. I just hope nothing major will happen on that day.
