Family Holidayat Lexis Hibuscus, Port Dickson

We had three days of fun at the Lexis Hibiscus in Port Dickson. We participated in a number of activities like water sports - the 'Bandwagon' (second pic)was a lot of fun as we requested the boat to go fast. I really had to hold tight in the bends or risk being thrown into the water.

 All the seafront suites has a mini private pool. The one featured below was in the larger suite thus the pool was maybe triple the size and has a sauna too.

There were lots to do for both young and old - we rented bicycles - they had tandem bicycles too, self-balancing 'Segway-type' electric rides, archery, helicopter ride and more. For indoor fun we let loose in the karaoke room. The food was good too and I especially liked the nasi lemak.

Port Dickson Break - Day Three

September 5, 2009

After breakfast Nic had one more session playing in the kid's pool (alone again). We checked out just after noon and stopped by the Lukut Fort and Museum. The museum housed exhibits from the tin mining days of Lukut. Apparently a young Yap Ah Loy worked here as a cook in the tin mines before he found fortune in Kuala Lumpur.

Nic and I trudged up the steps to the site of the fort while mom waited at the foot. My, my she managed to walk all the way up and back down.

The fort was built in 1847 by Raja Jumaat. Not much remains of Lukut fort today just part of the wall and two wells but did you know that Lukut in 1860 (it was a Selangor town until separation from Selangor in 1878) was more advanced than Selangor?

Port Dickson Break - Day Two

Army Museum

They had kid-sized cannons too!

September 4, 2009 - After breakfast at the resort's coffeehouse we took a short drive to the Army Museum (officailly opened on June 28, 2005) in Si Rusa. At the parking lot outside were two Condor APVs (I think) minus its 20mm main gun and 7.62mm machine gun, two Man trucks and a Tebuan (Canadair) jet. Although a trainer jet the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) did equip it with mini-guns and rockets and attacked communist forces along the Malaysia-Thai border in the mid-70s.

Ferret Armored Car

The exhibits were divided into various eras like the Portugese, Dutch, British, Japanese and of course ther establishment of the Malaysian Army itself. There were on display rare ancient firearms from the Portugese and Dutch eras.

Nic atop a Daimler Scout Car

Other vehicles on display included a Jeep, a Bren carrier, a Caribou tranport plane, a A4 Skyhawk and many more armored vehicles. Being an avid armor fan I totally enjoyed the visit the most but Nic also had fun too.

Legend Water Chalets

Noon: Checked into Legend Water Chalets (many thanks to Mandy) after our museum visit and the chalet is gorgeous. The chalets are built above the water and the lovely Balinese theme more than makes up for the lack of a beach. It has a king bed and a day bed, open air (top side) shower, glass panel, private balcony (pic below). You can even do some fishing from your balcony as a fishing rod was provided. Just to please Nic I used a piece of green apple as 'bait' and we 'fished'. Nic was not too thrilled that we caught nothing (obviously).

It's splash time for Nicole!

Port Dickson Break - Day One

September 3, 2009: We booked into Bayu Beach Resort from September 3-4 as the complimentary voucher was expiring on Sunday. The front desk staff upgraded us from a studio to a 2-room split level unit (Nic found the spiral staircase a novelty) as a corporate group had taken up all their studios. Nicole was excited with the long bath (as always) and she duly jumped in as soon as we got unpacked. Overall I'd say the place has seen better days but we can't complain as it is free of charge.

Colmar Tropicale, Bukit Tinggi

Sep 18, 2008; We stopped by the local clinic to have the doc check on Nicole as she has been complaining of a blocked nose. We wanted to make sure it was just that and not a pre-asthmatic attack. After the doc's all clear we headed for Colmar Tropicale at Bukit Tinggi, Pahang.

After a leisurely drive we arrived at the resort which is located at 2,700 feet above sea level. The cool air was a welcome change to the hot and humid of Petaling Jaya. Entry is RM16 per adult and RM8 per child but the fee will be refunded if you book accomodation upon checkout.

Nic liked the 4-post bed (pic) most but I am not a big fan as I must have kicked into it once or twice. But what she liked most was the long bath as it was her first time she got to play in one. The two black swans were a big hit with us too but the two white ones were quite snotty. And ah yes, the Filipino quartet, El Bibo (3 guys playing guitars & a gal) were such good fun too.

We enjoyed our one night stay very much as I had done my research on the place before booking so I did not have high expectations. We just needed a a break, away from the heat and this is a nice, quiet place not far from home.

Penang Break Part III

It is always great to be with family in Penang and we had home-cooked food for lunch before leaving (here's Nic eating chicken feet, something I've never taken to). As we departed on Sunday I said we must visit Taiping Zoo this time. The zoo, the Lake Gardens and the Taiping War Cemetery are three places of interest but as we were short of time we could only do the zoo.

We went into the zoo at about 3.30pm and as it had rained an hour or so before I reckoned we should be spared the rain. Tickets were RM5.00 (USD1.56) per adult and RM3.00 (USD0.94) for children age 3 and up. Boy, Nicole was so excited! How excited? Well, she was the only kid yelling out names (see video) from the 'Madagascar' cartoon like, Melman, Nic's fave (the giraffe), Marty (zebra) and Alex (lion) when she saw the said animals.

Definitely the best exhibit for me were the two 'orang utans' (above) as they were so adorable with their outstretched hands asking for food. We broke the 'No Feeding' rule by tossing in a 'kuih bahulu' (thanks again Ah Lin).