Weekend in....errr...Genting Highlands

We always try to do something as a family getaway on the weekends. Weekends are sacred as the weekdays are normally bounded by work and stress. This was probably one of the "dunno where to go" weekends. So, we decided to have our kid to experience the cable car ride, the cool weather and the outdoor theme park in Genting Highlands.

The last time I stepped foot on the Genting Outdoor Theme park was like...errr...15 yeas ago. I always have the impression that the Theme Park was crap. Well, read on...

We took a nice drive to Genting via the KL-Karak highway. This is probably one of my favorite stretch of roads. It has that sense of serenity as you drive across and through the mountains and forest. I always enjoy the drive along this stretch. Of course, like anywhere else, there are bound to be morons on the road. Never mind about them for now...

After about an hour drive, we arrived at the Genting Skyway Cable Car stop. First impression, nothing had changed. Well, maybe it doesn't need to. Everything was working fine. It was quite a challenge carrying the kid, the bag and the stroller boarding the cable car as it was constantly moving. But we managed.

Somehow, Ryan really enjoyed the ride. He smiling was ear to ear walking around the tight confinement of the car. To be honest, all of us enjoyed it. Nice and quiet.

In 15 minutes, we arrive at Genting Highlands cable car stop. Our first objective was to get to the Outdoor Theme Park. But the signage and direction was really poor. They were old, small and not informative at all! Took us quite a while to find our way and worst still, it is really not stroller friendly. I guess, they never thought about families with toddlers visiting the place 20 years ago. Hence, there weren't any elevators. Just escalators after escalators. So, I had to carry Ryan through out the series of escalators while Jiun attempt to feed the stroller to the escalators. We always find it dangerous to board the escalator with the kid in it.

So, there we are after like 20 minutes of escalating, we finally arrive at the Outdoor Themepark. Paid like RM80 for the three of us and off we went into the park. Hahaha! Nice... nothing had changed since 15 years ago! What the fish! All the rides I had when I visited during my school days were still there, rusty and all.

Well since we are here, let's make the best out of it. At least Ryan had a good time running around. Merry Go Round wasn't his favorite.

Getting balloons from the clown. Wasn't a happy clown as he was constantly abused by a bunch of goons from don't now where. Pity the clown. Nonetheless, Ryan got his little flower balloon after waiting for 10 mintues.

We were attracted to a pool of Japanese Kois. There were like a million of them. So, bought a cheesy packet of fish feed for RM3. Like all Kois, they are bloody greedy. Ryan was busy feeding the fish as I snapped away.

Next, took the classic car ride... noisy like hell. Nothing worth mentioning.

The other impression I always had since many many years ago was how lousy the food was in Genting Highlands. Well, indeed it still is. We were looking around for something to bite and was initially saying, NO fastfood. So, we found a foodcourt in the Indoor Themepark. First thought, Chicken Rice...quick and easy. But after looking at the poor roasted chickens at the stall, we decided to give it a miss. So, finally Pizza Hut. Even the pizza at Pizza Hut tasted crappy. Don't know why...

While having lunch, the skies opened up. It was raining cats & dogs. We took a walk around and made our way back to the Skyway Cable Car. Did we enjoyed ourselves? As parents, certainly NOT. For Ryan, I guess he did. He always will...as long there is somewhere to go and freedom to run around.

Conclusion, there are other themeparks in Klang Valley....

Bon Jour - France, Part 3

After strolling for quite sometime, it was time for a break. We needed something to feast on. Not lunch though, as the breakfast was still everlasting within our systems. So what to eat? Then we saw them. Slurpee or Ice Cream? We decided the latter. Had quite a tough time deciding on which flavor as there were like 50! Anyway, can't remember which flavor we went for but it was nice and creamy. But at 3 Euros (RM15) a cone...Ouch!

We came by a church and decided to have a look. The interior was amazing. Every corner are crafted in detail. And with the multi-million dollar church pipe organ, I am sure that the Sunday Mass will be an occassion not to miss.

Di had a call and it was Muriel. She is back from work and would be joining us for dinner. Hence, we went back to Di's apartment, had a rest and caught up with Muriel. It was Jiun's first time meeting her and as for me, it was more than a year since we met. Muriel is really nice and together with Di, their hospitality is second to none.

We had also brought along some food goodies for Di and Muriel. Jiun made the intro of the food stuffs. We brought along our famous Bak Kua (Dried BBQ Meat), assortment of Biscuits and most important Durian Dodol. Haha! we didn't pressure them to try though.

Time flies when we are having fun and for all we knew, it was time for dinner. Since we just arrived, Di and Muriel thought that we should eat at home tonite and have an early rest. How thoughtful of them. While we were taking the walking tour in the city, Muriel was already preparing dinner.

She had cooked a Flemish meal. Something local in the north of France. Can't remember what it is called but it was delicious. It was a cassarole looking dish with vegetable wrapped in ham, drenched in cheese and potatos. Looked simple but very good eating.

We slept early that night. Strangely, the jetlag wasn't so bad although we were actually having dinner at 2.00am in the morning (Malaysian time). It must be the good company.

Zzzzzzz......

Bon Jour - France, Part 2

As we walk around Lille, it seems that this city thrives on food! There were bakeries, chocolate shops, cheese shops... you name it they have it. The camera clicked non-stop of course.

Lille Market Square. All buildings are typical Flemish design. Like most European cities, a market square is a must. And you get this Grandeur feeling...

The streets are still lined with cobbler stones dating back hundreds of years. Talk about knowing how to preserve history.

We came upon this cheese shop. They had all kinds of cheese. Cheese from this region, that region... wait till they see our Durian! Hehehe... Of course they have the dreaded Blue Cheese!

Bakeries were amazing. All sorts... don't know how to explain.

Peugeot Scooter. Cool... Even their postman bike looks cool.


Cooler still is this tour trike! Bike has two wheels. Trike has three wheels.

The french has great creativity. Look at this. Guess what it is? No, it's not an advert for Samsung Omnia. It is actually an entrance to a restaurant.

Lingerie anyone? Live models...NOT. I wish they were real :-)

More to come....

Bon Jour - France, Part 1

After working for a French company for 8 years, I finally "managed" to bring my better half (Jiun) to the supposedly Most Romantic City on earth. Yep... Paris. Of course Jiun was over the moon. As for me, errr... probably the 20th time. Couldn't keep track anymore.

Well, I am to be the travel & eating guide (no brainer). Plus point is after working in the company for 8 years, I do have my contacts in Paris and one fo them is a great friend and he was kind enough to host us during the non-working days of my business trip...ahem...or holiday trip :-)

The last task before we left for Paris was the hardest task. Leaving our 2 year old son with the baby sitter for the next 10 days was no easy feat. The guilt of leaving him while we were to enjoy ourselves was like a samurai sword skewering our hearts. Nevertheless, we had to do it and afterall we needed the break and time off together.

Finally, on the 15th of June and after 12 hours on the plane...forget about the food on-board. Not worth mentioning. We arrived at Charles De Gaulle Paris Airport at 6.30am. As we exited the customs, the ever smiling face of Di (his name) was there to greet us. The plan was to go straight to the north of France where he lives with his wife (he has an aprtment in Paris as well) and we are to spend the next few days there before returning to Paris.

Lille is the place where we will be going. The journey took no more than 2.5 hours. We lugged our luggage into his apartment and this was where the hospitality starts....

Breakfast was served. The spread left us amazed and kicked us into gear....French breakfast.

We had different kinds of cheese. From yummy ones to really awful blue cheese (Roquefort).

The dreaded Roquefort cheese (Blue cheese). I swore not to take a second bite after an attempt many many years ago. Jiun decided to be the braveheart and had a go at it... she nearly pengsan! Hahaha!

Different kinds of hams and sausages. All from different regions of France. As a carnivorous person, I enjoyed the savoury meats.

Bread was homemade of course. Hearty and full of nuts giving a nice nutty flavor. Jiun loved it and vowed to make her own bread once back home. Of course it never happen.

After a nice cup of team for me and an apparent amazing cup of french coffee for Jiun after the hearty breakfast, we unpacked, took a break , Di took us to a quick tour around the city of Lille.

Standy for more of Lille....

Hi ALL!

After reading all the fabulous blogs by various friends and people, we are somehow magnetized to it. So, here we are, a couple with a toddler who just love eating and traveling whenever possible.

Glad that we can share and hope to get to know more people along the way.

Happy Eating & Traveling!