6th Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon

Yes dear parents the annual hot air balloon fiesta is back this coming school holiday. 

I would strongly recommend the following main event stretching from 27th to 30th March:

7.00am - 9.00am:   Hot Air Balloon Flying Show (Blue Zone)
7.30am - 10.30am:   Tethered Hot Air Balloon Rides (Blue Zone)
6.00pm - 7.00pm:   Hot Air Balloon Flying Show (Blue Zone)
6.00pm - 9.00pm:   Tethered Hot Air Balloon Ride (Blue Zone)
9.00pm - 10.00pm:   Night Glow & Fireworks Display (Blue Zone) - Only on 29th March (Saturday)

The tethered hot air balloon rides is a must to try but only limited to children who are above 4 feet. Please bear in mind it is very popular among visitor as such tickets are sold out super fast. So be there early to purchase it. Ticket price at RM20 per person.

Counter open:
7.00am : Morning Flight
5.30pm : Evening Flight

*Subject to weather conditions. Limited to 180 tickets per session.

Look at the layout below to locate the Blue Zone area.

For more information, please go the this website and Facebook.

Morib and Bagan Lalang Beach

Back in Feb, we made a short trip to Morib beach. First and foremost because the kids haven't been there before. And secondly both Pei and me have not been there some pretty long time. We heard that there was an improve beach facilities too. So there we went to check it out.

Indeed the place was beautified for people to picnic there with food and souvenir stores. Unfortunately the beach is still not favorable for swimming. Muddy and silky sand.

Of course we didn't go there empty handed nor empty stomach. We stop by Dengkil to buy the famous local hand made 'Ka Heong Pau'.  You should give it a try if you do come around this area.

Feeling not quite satisfied we then continued our journey to Bagan Lalang beach. The beach here is much better for lay back time and dipping too. As usual Ivan and Reanne kept themselves busy playing the sand.

Overall it's a nice short breakaway for a family of four like us.

Logos Hope - Largest Floating Book Fair

THE MV Logos Hope is the newest ship of Operation Mobilisation (OM) and will visit Port Klang from 29 Sept to 23 Oct 2011. This is the vessel's first call in Malaysia. Logos Hope replaces the MV Doulos which last visited Port Klang in 2006.

Known as the world's largest floating book fair, the ship carries over 5,000 titles on a wide range of subjects for sale at discounted prices. Through this, the ship has met the educational needs of communities around the world. The book fair will open daily for the general public.

Logos Hope is also here to bless the community through conferences and seminars on board, through ministry teams sent on outreach, and through a two-week volunteer programme for Malaysians to experience work and service on the ship.

This is one of those interesting outing worth going with children. So I am planning to go with my little kids more so they have not been into a big ship such as this. 

For more information please click here

AirAsia Free Seats - Sept 2011

Yes, AirAsia crazy free seats is taking off come this mid nite on 21st Sept 2011. Get ready and find out more from below.

To better prepare yourselves for tonight's booking process, check out the full list of destinations here

Man Cycle around the world started with $2

This article really caught my eyes when I read of the the heading. After reading it, I somewhat speak to myself why I can't do the same or something similar of that sort.

This Japanese man started cycling from Japan to other parts of the world with only $2 in his pocket ten years ago. Ever since that he still pursuing that passion funded purely by his street magic tricks. Really makes you think it doesn't necessary take a gigantic afford to do something you like. The saying "where there is a will, there is a way" speaks volume in this case.

Truly inspiring. Fitting for us to ponder what stop us to pursue things that matters in our life.

Read the rest of the story here

Pantai Remis, Kuala Selangor

While heading back home after visiting Bukit Melawati, Kuala Selangor, along the way we stop by Pantai Remis. Just unable to stop the urge to see the seaside when noticed the spot.

The beach wasn't ideal for swimming because of its rocky shore. Anyhow it's still enjoyable to see the horizon of sea water.

Ivan of cause without hesitation gets his hands and foots wet. Reanne on the other hand was a little hesitated.

Trip to Bukit Melawati, Kuala Selangor

Had a short break away last June at Bukit Melawati, Kuala Selangor with own family.

It was my first trip there (as far as I can remember). Same goes to Ivan and Reanne. Not so for Soo Pei as she has been there before.

We stop by Kuala Selangor town a while only then we when up the Bukit Melawati by a train ride. Upon reaching the top, immediately we can see the famous light house facing towards the sea view. Greeting us on top are the many Silverleaf Monkey (that's what they were called) eagerly awaiting for hand out foods.

Wonderful breeze sweeping across the hills that day. And beautiful blue sky with curtain of cloud.

KTM Electric Train Service (ETS) for Seremban - Ipoh

The Electric Train Services (ETS) started its commercial run on 12th August with 10 trips between Ipoh and Seremban with a six-month promotion rate of RM30 one way. A 40% discount would be given to children under 12, the physically-challenged and senior citizens. It would take only two hours from Ipoh to KL at an average speed of 110kph and up to a maximum of 160 kph.

The each 350-passenger coach would have disabled-friendly features, closed-circuit television cameras for passenger safety, overhead compartments, a food and beverage section and WiFi connections coming soon.

The ETS will stop in Batu Gajah, Kampar, Tanjung Malim, Kuala Lumpur, KL Sentral. Bandar Tasik Selatan and Nilai on its Ipoh-Seremban route. The journey will begin at 4am from Ipoh and 9.59am from Seremban.

Five trains will depart from Ipoh and Seremban daily. This will be increased to eight runs each in November.

RM30 per person per trip actually not that affordable given that it is a public transport. No doubt it's of environmental friendly. I believe the fare should be slightly lower to encourage more public to use it. If you calculate the cost, a family of 4 person have to spend RM120 per trip up to Ipoh. No so cost effective if compared to driving own car.

For more info, click here

Astranout Ivan and Reanne venture at Planetarium

This year we plans to bring the kids out more to new places to feed their 'thirst' for new experience and exposure. Their mind is now fill with curiosity. Mainly also is to inculcate the desire to explore, getting them out from the four walls.

Following after our trip to Berjaya Bukit Tinggi Hills Resort during CNY, our recent visit was to KL Planetarium which located at Tasik Perdana.

We have an interesting day there. Both the kids enjoy the trip especially the Planetarium show about the space exploration history shown in the special dome hall. And their learn a new word - Astronaut.

Check out there website here for more info.

Berjaya Bukit Tinggi Hills Resort

During our Chinese New Year break, we went up to Berjaya Hills Resort at Bukit Tinggi which is just after Genting Highland or on the way to Bentong.

First we stop by Colmar Tropicale - French-themed resort and then to the Japanese Village.

Enjoy the photos that we took.

You can find more info about the resort at here.

Going to Alor Setar (Part 2)

Continuing from our family trip to Alor Setar.....

Well as picture speaks a thousand words, I would limit (actually lazy) to elaborate lengthy travelogue in this sequal. After a stop at Ipoh, we went straight to Sungai Petani visiting Soo Pei's aunt thereafter stop at Pendang where we would stay for two nights. The final night were stay at Alor Setar afterwhich we attended a Soo Pei's relative wedding.

Our visit to Alor Setar wasn't so smooth as Reanne was already having fever then Ivan along the stay developed high fever. Anyhow thank God both kids recovered well after returning from the trip.

some stretch of Alor Setar river

family photo at Pendang's paddy field

Soo Chia with Ivan at the rear set

Father in-law bringing us strolling nearby Alor Setar river

Going to Alor Setar (Part 1)

It has been 7 years we last visited Alor Setar, Kedah (land of paddy field). This round we went there with a load of people compared to our previous trip only Soo Pei and me. You can said that 'expansion' had taken its place since then. We were there to attend a family member wedding.

Thank God for my father in-law for guiding the way since I am not familiar with the local route for Kedah state. And also for my sister in-law Soo Chia for bringing us around Ipoh town when we stop there for a quite lunch break and visit to Gunung Lang.

Both my parents in-law are from Kedah (Alor Setar and Sungai Petani). So also Soo Pei who happen to be born at Alor Setar but raise up at KL. This visit brings a lot of memories to Soo Pei as it has been a quite a while she return to Alor Setar.

Photos taken at Gunung Lang, Ipoh.