Friday's Newsflash - Matta Fair 2012 is Back!

If you do not have anything planned this 7 September till 9 September 2012, maybe you should drop by at PWTC for Matta Fair 2012 is back! This is the time to realize your long awaited vacation and search for the best vacation deal at the fair.

I have not been to the KL Matta Fair before but I went to the one in Ipoh last year and it was not very exciting, to say the least. There is nothing worth looking at, but maybe it was because the venue itself was small and that not many people in Ipoh would chunk out money to go for travel.

Anyway, I doubt I'll be doing any purchasing at the KL Matta Fair but I will definitely go to have a look. So, if you want to buy tour packages, safe these dates now. For more information, click here to the website.

Singapore - Chunks of Family Dramas

My recent trip to Singapore with my family has been nothing short of memorable experiences and first times. The first time I was constantly in agitated mood while on vacation. The first time I felt relieved and happy that the trip was over. The first time having a heated discussion in public, in a foreign soil no less. In short, one hell of a trip it was.

Bugis Junction, a shopping district

The main reason for such an adventure is that there is little plan as to what to do when in Singapore. They did not do any research on what they want to do, where they want to go, and so on. They just pushed all the planning to me. Not that I mind doing that but the truth about my family is that none of them are the easygoing kind. They are not the “whatever, up to you.” sort of people.

Singapore's waterfront view

With such a sort period of time, I ruled out Universal Studio Singapore from the itinerary (the fact that it was not cheap factored in as well) and opted for some city self tour. But they did not go well with the weather which was a typical sunny day of Southeast Asia (this crossed out Singapore Zoo, Jurong Bird Park, and so on) and they can’t walk much (again, scratched off zoo and any city tour). Shopping bored them and they kept complaining about wanting to go to those famous tourist attractions in the island. I mean, shopping IS one of the main tourist attractions in the country.

The latest attraction, Garden by the Bay

Indeed, it was such a tense trip and everyone was not in their best selves, especially my parents. Their faces were as if they had eaten sour lemons, no excitement whatsoever, just contortion of misery. Travelling is indeed a painful business when with my family. Luckily, this was not my maiden voyage to the neighbour country. My first visit was end of last year with a bunch of good friends, sharing similar interests, enjoying each other’s companion. We watched Wicked!, we shopped, we enjoyed art exhibitions, wecity-toured, we ate; those were the memories that defined Singapore for me. 

Clarke Quay

This, I hope it will not give me any nightmares, that’s all. 

Me and my baby sister

*TO BE CONTINUED*

Friday's Newsflash - Win Trips to Paris from Accor Hotels

Fancy yourself a 4 day/3 night trip to Paris for free? Well, all you have to do is check into one of the 20 participating Accor hotels in Malaysia, Singapore, Bali and Lombok and stand a chance in becoming one of the two lucky winners getting a trip of the lifetime absolutely free.

Simply go to this website and make a booking from 1 August 2012 until 31 December 2012 for stay up to 31 January 2013 to be qualified for the lucky draw. There are other monthly prizes up for grab as well such as Samsung Galaxy SIII, iPad3 and free stays at Accor hotels in these three countries. Grand prize would be the trip to Paris with accommodation in an Accor hotel and flight courtesy from KLM airline or Garuda Indonesia.

For guests in the Malaysia hotels chains, they are entitled for a 25% discount on rooms with free breakfasts as well as 24 hours WiFi access. Other than that, they will also receive a RM 50 dining voucher (for minimum spending of RM 100) or a spa voucher at any one of its hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya or Kuching.

Pullman Putrajaya Lakeside

Meanwhile, guests in the Singapore hotels will get, besides free breakfasts and 24 hours Internet access, a free city tour. As for the Bali and Lombok packages, guests will receive free breakfasts, airport transfers, and a one-time dinner experience for two for a minimum of two night stay.

Other than that, if you are Le Club Accorhotels or Accor Advantage Plus members, you are entitled for triple points on stay before 31 December 2012 as well as double the chances of winning that free trip to Paris for every booking of the Fly Me To Paris promotion. Continue reading to find out the list of participating hotels in these three countries:

Ho Chi Minh City - Ben Thanh Market

One of the reasons why I chose Pham Ngu Lao as my base for my short stay in Ho Chi Minh City is that it is within walking distance to many famous landmarks in the city. I can basically walk to almost all the sights within the city and this is perfect for someone who enjoys walking when travelling like me. For example, from Saigon Youth Hostel to Ben Thanh market, it takes only about 5 minutes walk. Hence, on my second day, I began my exploration of Ho Chi Minh City, first with the aforementioned central market.

Ben Thanh market

Ben Thanh market is a very famous marketplace where you can find absolutely anything and everything in it. From household items such as meat, vegetable and fruits, to touristy products such as key chains, shirts, and so on, you can find it all inside the building. You can also have your meals in there as well. It’s like the market version of those modernized, air-conditioned shopping complexes.

Dry market and...

...wet market all in the same building

This beautiful structure is hard to miss. Besides its yellow façade, there is the imposing statue of the mighty General Tran Nguyen Han mounting a horse right across it, in the center of a roundabout. With heavy traffics circling around the statue, it is quite a sight to absorb in.

That's General Tran Nyugen Han statue

By night time, Ben Thanh market becomes the host of the night market. Streets surrounding the structure will be crowded with makeshift stalls, selling almost the same things as those inside the market in the morning. Shirts, foods, handicrafts, you name it, there it will be.

Ben Thanh market at night

I'm amazed at the way Vietnamese crossing the roads...

Night market right beside Ben Thanh market

Colourful sticky rice

Once I'm done with Ben Thanh market, it's time for the next destination. 

*TO BE CONTINUED*

Sharing is caring. A word of advice and a piece of information.

I heard tales that the products sold in Ben Thanh market are highly inflated, with 50% to 100% more expensive than its original prices. Locals and tourists are charged differently even though it's the same items being bought. Therefore, if you want to buy anything at the central market, be sure to haggle persistently. Or, even better, go to Binh Tay market at Cho Lon where you can get basically the same items at much lower prices.

Friday's Newsflash - Air Asia Finally Launches Flights to Lombok!

As first reported here, Air Asia has finally launched its ticket sales to Lombok yesterday, 16 August 2012, at 12.00 am, with its launching fare as low as RM 88 one way from LCCT to the Indonesian island. This special promotion began from 16 August 2012 until 26 August 2012, for travel period from 12 October 2012 until 22 May 2013.

The tri-weekly direct flights to Lombok are highly in demand, especially with the cheap deal, for after a few good hours, almost all the promotional fares have been taken up. I tried searching for it myself but sadly, unable to secure return ticket to the island.

Air Asia flies to Lombok every Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Meanwhile, on a side note, the award-winning budget airline has add another daily flight to Yangon, Myanmar, and from 15 August 2012 until 26 August 2012, you can fly to Yangon from RM 119 onwards. The travel period for the promotion is from 8 October 2012 until 22 May 2013. For more information, go to their official website here.

Hotel Review - Saigon Youth Hostel, Ho Chi Minh City

During my first two days in Vietnam, I was in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and I stayed at the Saigon Youth Hostel along Pham Ngu Lao in District 1. Known as the backpacker’s area, there are many cheap accommodations along this street that there is no such need to do any booking before arrival for there will be a place for you. However, since my flight was at night, I had to secure a place to stay and I made online reservation firsthand and had them arrange transportation to pick me up from the airport.

Saigon Youth Hostel

How come that Pham Ngu Lao is known as the backpacker’s alley? Well, for starter, with so many hostels crowded the street, travelers looking for cheap accommodations will definitely haunt the area. Plus, the strategic location to many sights in HCMC makes Pham Ngu Lao the perfect base for your stay in the city.

Pham Ngu Lao

Another possible explanation? The numbers of foreigners in the zone simply outnumber the locals. You will see many tourists and Westerners sitting by the roadside, drinking beers and talking to one another. If you want to make new friends, this is the perfect place to be.

Look at the Westerners all sitting and drinking beers...

So, how was my stay in Saigon Youth Hostel? Well, generally, for the price I paid (RM20+ per bed per night), it was worth it. The room was clean and tidy. The four-bed room has a window view of the street while the single room has personal TV and fridge. How did I know about the single bedroom? Here’s the funny tale accompanying it.

Four-bed dormitory

Window view from my room

When I checked in on the first night, I was given the key to the single bedroom, which was strange for I booked for a four-bed dormitory room. Thinking that somehow, all the four-bed rooms were full and I had been reassigned to a single bed room (how lucky, I thought), I just went along with it.

Single bed room I was mistakenly given to...

However, around two in the morning, while I was sound asleep, one of the staffs knocked on my door and told me that there was a mistake and that I was to move to the four-bed dormitory I was supposed to have immediately. Luckily, my stuffs were still inside the luggage and I can move out within five minutes. This unfortunate incident (which I blamed the receptionist who gave me the wrong key) set me off on a bad start.  

Other than the incident, overall, I was satisfied with my stay at Saigon Youth Hostel. The staffs are friendly and helpful and breakfasts are provided (nothing to shout about). The best part is its golden location, about ten minutes walking distance to Ben Thanh market and further walking will lead you to other famous landmarks. I will definitely stay along this street the next time I go HCMC but might do some surveying first before making any moves.

Pros: cheap, strategic locations, friendly, English-speaking staffs, convenient, free Wi-Fi

Cons: has to go through narrow back lanes to reach the main entrance

The said back alley to reach the main entrance

*TO BE CONTINUED*

Sharing is caring. A word of advice and a piece of information.

Besides having them arranging airport transfer for you (taxi at US$14 one way), you can also arrange half-day and day tours with the receptionists at the hostel lobby. Examples of such tours are city tours, half-day/day tours Cu Chi Tunnel, and so on. For information on the room rate, you can click on their website here.

Kuala Lumpur - Daidomon Japanese BBQ Restaurant

So, few months back, I saw a GroupOn promotion for Japanese lunch buffet at Daidomon Japanese BBQ Restaurant worth RM 104 for the price of RM 45. I gathered a few friends of mine and we decided to grab the offer and went for it yesterday. 

Daidomon Japanese BBQ Restaurant

Great Eastern Mall

The decoration is quite nice, with red lanterns lighting up the room and sake bottles decorating the shelves. They have a few private rooms for those big numbers or VIPs while for the less VIPs, there are plenty of tables so I doubt it will be hard to get one. When we arrived, we were the first customers.

The interior

Sake bottles as decoration

As for the food, the choices are rather limited in term of the selections available in the menu. A rather odd rule is that each customer can only order two pieces of scallops. I mean, seriously, they are restricting the amount of scallops per customer in a buffet restaurant? Plus, unagi (eels) was unavailable on the day we were there. Another disappointment. 

The limitation on scallops

Our table

Sizzling prawns

Other than that, it was quite decent. I had a lot of shasimi and salmons which were amazing, especially grilled, or in this sense, barbequed salmons. Sushi wise, I didn't eat a lot for I was trying to make my money worth by taking in as many pieces of salmons as possible. I guess you can say the sushi is OK. Desserts are scoops of ice creams. 

Variety of sushi

Platter of sashimi

Though the time period stated on the voucher is from 11.30am to 2.30pm, their last call was around 1.30pm and by 2.00pm, the cleaning process began while there were still peoples sitting. Feels like trying to kick the customers away, in my humble opinion. So, the my verdict is that for the price I paid (RM 45), it's quite a catch with the arrays of salmons for my pleasure but for RM 104, sorry, but no thanks.

Us four...too bad the photo is a bit blurry

P/S My Vietnam post will continue after this entry.

Sharing is caring. A word of advice and a piece of information.

Daidomon Japanese BBQ Restaurant is located in Great Eastern Mall which is about 15 minutes walk from the Jelatek LRT station for those who are without cars like us. There's not much signs to direct to the complex but it was a pretty straight road from the LRT station. The restaurant is at the third floor.

Friday's Newsflash - Legoland Malaysia is Opening on 15 September 2012

These days, kids might not even know what Lego is what with the iPads at their disposals. However, for those of us who grew up without these luxurious technologies, Lego bricks are like iPads to us. So, this is definitely good news to all who love Lego for finally, Legoland Malaysia is due to open on 15 September 2012, after three years of planning and construction.

Legoland Malaysia is the sixth Legoland theme park and the first in this part of the world. There will be seven distinctive parks in Legoland Malaysia, namely, “Miniland”, “Lego Kingdom”, “Imagination”, “Lego Technic”, “The Beginning”, “Land of Adventure” and “Lego City” in the 30.8 hectares of land in the state of Johor.

While the main targets of the theme park are families with children between the ages of 2 to 12, there are still activities for those who are not within this age group to do. For those who seek thrilling rides, there is one roller coaster ride in “Lego Kingdom” called “Dragon Coaster” where visitors will be taken on a tour through Lego palace, visiting dungeons, torture chambers, and so on.

Map of the park

Meanwhile, kids can test out their Lego skills in “Imagination” where they can build using Lego bricks available in the park. “Miniland” is set to be another favourite for those who like to travel for miniscule replicas of landmarks around the world are built using Lego bricks. Look out for the Petronas Twin Tower, Angkor Wat, Taj Mahal, and many more.

Now, Legoland Malaysia is doing promotional activities where you can buy annual passes at RM 245 per person for adults and RM 180 for children. These annual passes valid 12 months after first redemption. For 1-day tickets, adult tickets are priced at RM 140 while children and senior citizens aged 60 and above are at RM 110. Malaysians are entitled RM 30 rebate at the entrance when showing their MyKads. You can purchase the annual passes through their website here and it’s while stocks last basis.

I’m tempted to buy the annual pass for myself. While I’m not exactly thrilled with the rides available, I do like the ideas of reliving my childhood or let my inner child roams freely for a day or two.

For more information, you can go to their website or read their FAQ here. Photos courtesy of Legoland Malaysia website.

Vietnam - Overview

“Wow, you are going to Vietnam on your own?”, “How comes you don’t tag along some of your friends?”, “Aren’t you afraid?”, “Vietnam is dangerous,” and so on. These are some of the questions I received when I shared my plan of travelling alone in Vietnam for a week. 

Motorcyclists are everywhere in Ho Chi Minh City

To be honest, I was all pumped up when I first bought the air flight, thinking to myself, what an adventure I will have. However, as it gets nearer to the date, it would be lying if there isn’t a tinge of fear jumbled up with all the excitement inside me. After all, it is my first time going to a new land on my own. But backing out is not an option.

At Saigon Saigon Bar, sipping beer while soaking in the scenery

Now, a week has passed since I came back last Monday and I’m proud to say that there is nothing bad happened to me. In fact, I gained so much from this experience and witnessed the pure joy of backpacking, meeting peoples and making new friends along the way, receiving kindness and warm smiles showered upon me by the locals and seeing this beautiful country that is Vietnam.

Notre Dame Cathedral, favourite spot for wedding shots

 The only misfortune, if it is even to be considered one, is me exceeding my budget for the trip but in my defense, it was well worth it for I got to visit another Vietnamese city. That being said, I seriously need to learn to control myself and not let my money run loose should I ever plan to do a month long backpacking adventure. 

The adventurous journey to My Son Sanctuary

When you are on your own device, it is very important to do a lot of research so that you have a rough guide on what you want to do and what you want to save for next time. This can help save up time and smoothen your trip. However, that is not to say you are fixed on it. Be flexible and you will be amazed at what you chanced upon.

My favourite place, the UNESCO Heritage city of Hoi An

My initial itinerary was a pretty loose script but I had an idea of what I want to do (relaxing in the UNESCO city of Hoi An) and when you are travelling alone, it’s your plan and not anyone else that you are following to and I got to do all the things I had in my mind and more too. A chance encounter with a Danang Easy Rider got me on a motorbike road trip to the imperial city of Hue on my last two days and that journey formed a good portion of my wonderful time I had in the country.

At the top of Hai Van Pass where the views are truly breath taking

The Forbidden City in the Imperial City of Hue, another UNESCO Heritage Site

And as with all my trips, I wish that I can spend more days in the country, continuing with my fantastical life instead of returning back to mundane reality. After all, I am myself the most when on the road. But, I’m satisfied. My one-week Vietnam trip saw me exploring the South and Central Vietnam and the next visit will be concentrating on the north side of the country. For now, life resumes at its painstakingly slow pace while I’m looking forward to my next escape.

*TO BE CONTINUED*

Sharing is caring. A word of advice and a piece of information.

Air Asia flies to three cities in Vietnam, namely, Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, and Hanoi. The language used in the country is Vietnamese and the national currency is Vietnamese Dong. However, U.S. dollar is widely accepted. At the current exchange rate, VND 1,000,000 equals to RM 157.00.

Friday's Newsflash - The Colosseum is Leaning

I'm back! Well, technically, I'm back for few days already but this is my first post after the trip, so, you get what I mean. I'll get to the details of my one week Vietnam exploration soon (and boys, was it damn fun!), but first, a little bit of news in the travelling section. London is the hot topic now with the Olympic is proceeding so I'll skip those news. Instead, let's focus on Italy for the famous Colosseum is apparently leaning ala the leaning tower of Pisa!

Before you go into panic mode and buy air flight to see the famous monument, the officials in Rome stated that while the ancient amphitheater is indeed leaning slightly, there is no danger associated to the complex and it is still very stable. Apparently, the south side of the structure is 40cm lower than the north part and the Italian medias were on alert, creating furrows about how the Colosseum is in danger. Well, now that the Italian government already issued a statement about it, we can rest assure that this gladiator battleground will still be standing for a long time.

In fact, the Colosseum will be undergoing massive renovation for the first time in 73 years. The renovation project will start in December until 2015 and once it's done, more areas will be accessible by the public. As at now, only about one third of the complex opens for public's exploration. Renovation will be in stages. Therefore, the Colosseum will not be closed entirely during the process.

You can read more about the news here. I'll be back soon with my trip to Vietnam!