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15 February 2012

Happy Valentine's Day!

14 Feb 12

Happy Valentine's Day!

I asked a few girls today. "What's your plan for tonight". They replied "Make love". I went "How boring!".

It's a working day for me and many others, except for those who took leave to celebrate the special day. Not for me and Hubby. After we got married, Valentine's Day is just another day for us, nothing special. So, I'm not expecting anything from him, probably not even Happy Valentine's wish. How sad?

Talked to Hubby in the afternoon, at about 3pm on family matter. Then, at 5pm, Hubby called and ask "What's our plan for tonight?" Nothing. All I want for Valentine's Day is Mee Rebus and Hubby went "Mee Rebus?". Then he said "Seow (Crazy)? Mee Rebus is only for lunch lar".

Then, Hubby called at about 6pm and said "Ok, we are going for mee rebus tonight. I'll take you to this surprise place". This is a good Valentine's gift for me. I like the idea that Hubby have a little space for me despite the busy schedule juggling the house construction, kids, etc.

The traffic back home from work was very heavy. It was raining in the evening. By the time I reached home, it was already 7.30pm and I could see the traffic at the opposite direction was extremely heavy too.

I didn't have my mee rebus as I couldn't eat beef gravy mee rebus, except for those sold by Chinese. But we did hold our hands and walked to stalls for our wantan noodle, claypot chicken rice and ikan bakar for dinner.

It is a simple and nice Valentine's Day for I love the idea that Hubby put a stop on other matters and pay attention on me.

Who said we need flowers and candle light dinner on Valentine's Day?

13 February 2012

Look Out Point, Langkawi

26 Nov 11

After the duty free shopping spree, we decided to try our luck with the cable car. When I called up in the morning, the cable car was not in operations due to strong wind.

As Hubby drove from Kuah to Oriental Village where the cable car station was located, we saw a signboard that said "Look Out Point".

Hubby suggested to make a quick stop at this place to check it out.

We parked our car, walked a few flight of stairs up and saw this breeze, relaxing place.

Airport view

Hubby pointing and explaining to kids the beautiful view
We were there for a little short while. It was a good quick stop for the drive from Kuah town to Buray Bay.

Teow Soon Huat Duty Free Mega Department Store, Langkawi

26 Nov 11

We enjoyed our daily buffet breakfast at The Andaman. The spread of food was good, especially the pastries session where most of the pastries were freshly made based on order.

After breakfast, we went for our duty free shopping at Teow Soon Huat duty free shop which was located in Kuah town. We've read that this shop sell things at much cheaper price than others. I cant verify that as I did not compare the price with other duty free shops. There were lots of duty free shops in Langkawi, almost everywhere. Unless you intend to buy lots and lots from duty free shop, it may be worthwhile to compare. Else, the time is better spent else where, to visit the beautiful island of Langkawi.

Teow Soon Huat Mega Department Store has a lot of shops, restaurants and supermarket that sell duty free liquor, tobacco, perfume, chocolates, etc.Mega Department Store

I bought lots of chocolate (Kit Kat dark chocolate, Lindt, Hershey, etc) but not liquor or cigarettes for us.


TEOW SOON HUAT Duty Free Supermarket & Department Store
Tel +6 04 966 7528 / 5017 / 5018 / 7528

Fax +6 04 966 7752 / 6882
A14-15 Pokok Asam, Juah, 07000 Langkawi, Malaysia


09 February 2012

Champor Champor Restaurant & Garden Bar, Langkawi

24 Nov 11

After checking out The Andaman, Hubby decided to take a drive out to have dinner at Pantai Cenang. He had checked out the reviews on Trip Advisor with overall good review on its food.

When we reached Pantai Cenang, Jaden had fallen asleep. While we waited in the car, Hubby went down to check out the restaurant. He came back and shake his head saying the restaurant had a very overwhelmed incense smell.

I decided to check it out myself and found the smells from incense and candles to be bearable.


The restaurant is a garden with lots of plants and wooden masks on the walls, floor, etc.

We ordered Calamari for starter. The serving was very small but the taste was great and it cost RM11. Since then, Jared has been asking for Calamari for almost every meals in Langkawi.

Dory fish for RM28.60.

Lamb for RM29.70.

Jaden slept throughout our dinner. Our dinner costs us RM80.30 for 2 drinks, 1 appetiser and 2 main course.

Overall, we find the food at Champor Champor to be nice but small serving. The smell of incense was a bit too strong for most people.

08 February 2012

The Andaman, Langkawi

28 Nov 11

After Laman Padi, we were hoping to take cable car ride before checking in The Andaman as The Andaman is located far from the cable car place. I called the office and was told that they had just resume the operations of cable car.
Unfortunately, when we reached the cable car place, the cable car was not in operation due to strong wind. We decided to have a break and had good cup of coffee. Hubby bought few cans of beer from the duty free shop and I bought 2 shorts from the shops there.

Thereafter, we decided not to wait for the cable car but to check in to hotel.

In Langkawi, we stayed at The Andaman. We got a very good rate as my cousin is working with the Starwood Hotels Group. The family and friend rate was only RM460 nett per night for Deluxe Rainforest room, with 2 breakfast. We stayed in The Andaman for 3 nights.
Day bed in The Andaman Rainforest room
Every time I see this bed, I feel like jumping on and have a good sleep.
The bell boy (Malay guy) who greeted us upon our arrival is very helpful and friendly. He is very detailed and gave us a rundown on the hotel facilities.
Our room guests in the early morning.
As we walked to our room, he told us about the monkey in the hotel, its character, etc. He also explained to us the room amenities, how to operate the espresso machine in the room, the brochures on hotel activities, mini bar, etc. I’ve never seen such a knowledgeable and passionate bell boy before.
Espresso machine in The Andaman's room.
The great thing in our room is the Nespresso machine. Being coffee lovers, my husband and I enjoy the coffee very much. Even now that we are back home, Hubby still mention that he missed the coffee in our Andaman hotel room.
Hubby relaxing at hotel balcony while checking on things to do in Langkawi via Trip Advisor.
The entire hotel is with wifi and it was so convenient for us to use our Ipad and browse thru Trip Advisor for things to do in Langkawi. We love the 24 hours Business centre with complimentary usage of computer, printer and coffee facilities which were very useful and convenience for us, while our kids were at Kids Club.

Jared learning Cak Lem Pong at hotel lobby.
We were very happy to know about Andaman’s Young Explorer Club from the sales personnel that arranged our hotel reservation. We were excited about the activities planned out by the hotel. We told our sons about it and reserved our 2nd day in Langkawi to stay in The Andaman the whole day for my sons to participate and enjoy the activities.This Young Explorer Club is an excellent idea with good activities planned out. However, Andaman need to promote the Young Explorer to the guests as its under publicised and under executed ie briefed guests upon check-in the hotel.

Andaman's Young Explorer activity ... Sponge Relay Game.

Jared built this sand man with his partner
There were only 6 kids in the morning session (water sponge relay game, build sand man) and only 1 kid in the afternoon session (water sport kayak) resulting in planned activities cannot be carried out effectively.

Another Young Explorer activity ... water sport kayak.
Jaden did not like bare feet on beach sand feeling
Hubby & I tried to convince Jaden to relax and enjoy the beach.






Lunch at beach terrace
The food in The Andaman was great. My family enjoyed our meals, especially the fisherman pizzas from the Beach bar. We enjoyed the setting at the Beach Bar and BBQ terrace, it’s very relaxing and cozy. The new turquoise/blue t-shirt with white pants uniform is very nice.

The coconut ice-cream from The Japanese Restaurant were excellent. The staff at The Japanese Restaurant gave my 2 boys handmade Kris from coconut leaves.

If travel with kids, I would recommend to sign up for SPG member and purchase its SPG card at RM40 per day for breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner.
Gelugor gliding from one roof to the other.
We highly recommend to join the complimentary Evening guided nature walk. The lady naturalist, Wendy was very knowledge and passionate about her work. It was an informative session for us and our boys too. Mineral water was provided for nature walk ... a nice little thought.
At the swimming pool, the recreation staff walked around and provide cold towels and drinking water to us. There’s plenty of mineral water in the pool area, complimentary to hotel guests. Another nice little thought.

This slide is the attraction for kids at the pool
The Andaman has a timetable of when the beach will be at low tide and coral reef activities. On our last day at The Andaman, Jared participated in the coral clearing.

With the low tide, the beach looked so dirty with lots and lots of dead coral.

The coral clearing was conducted so well with good nature Coral conservative activity which is very commendable to The Andaman. They provided shoes, gloves, badge, certificate and light food refreshment ... which were very well thought off.

The gentleman who conducted the session was very good. He complimented and motivated Jared in the coral clearing activity. He is very knowledgeable too.

 The clean beach after the coral clearing activity.

Badge and Young Conservationist Certificate
Jared enjoyed it very much. Initially, he didn’t want to wake up for it but he was so glad that he joined the session. He told us that he has saved the earth and wanted to wear the "One polyp at a time" badge every day. Thanks to the gentlemen who gave him so much encouragement. Jared told me that he received email and photos from the Guest Relations, Mr. Raman Selvam.

Upon return, we have received several emails asking us to provide feedback and review of our stay at The Andaman which demonstrates the hotel value its guests feedback and consistently seeking to improve its service.

Overall, the service level in The Andaman is very high. There are several nice touches here and there from the hotel which were very well thought off. All these small thoughts and gesture make our stay in the resort very enjoyable, cozy and comfortable.

The Andaman is located at The Datai and far from town and attraction places. I would recommend to rent a car and bring GPS. I would also like to suggest to ask for room that has been refurbished and nearer to lobby if travel with kids.

29 December 2011

Yvonne Foong and Life with Neurofibromatosis

28 Dec 11

I read about Yvonne Foong from Facebook.

She is a girl who was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis Type 2 at the age of 16. Despite her condition, she is a very courageous and strong girl in the fight of her life. My tears dropped reading her blog, especially her Bio page. She has done 10 surgeries in the last 9 years!



Yvonne has written a book “I'M NOT SICK, JUST A BIT UNWELL” at the age of 18, her story growing up as a healthy child, through the development of a complicated genetic disorder. This story winning Yvonne Foong the title of Most Outstanding Youth at the 2005 Dream Malaysia Awards.
She is in urgent needs of RM100,000 for her shunt revision surgery which I've posted it on this blog earlier. If you wish to help Yvonne in this time of desperation, you may contribute directly to her Maybank Account (details found in her website) or purchase her book (in English and Chinese) and T-shirts. If you wish to visit her, help selling her things or any way you can think of, she is living in PJ Old Town and her email is yvonnefmn@gmail.com.

I wish and hope Yvonne successful in raising fund for her surgery in LA.

Maid renewal - Passport and Levy

28 Dec 11

It is time of the year again ... maid renewal.We are glad that our maid decided to continue to work with us. This will be the 3rd year that she works for us.

Our maid agent asked us if we require her service. The following are the charges:
  • Passport renewal
  1. Passport charges - RM200
  2. Agent fee for passport renewal - RM200


























































































































































































  • Renewal of permit
  1. Fomema charges - RM190
  2. Levy - RM500
  3. Agent fee for renewal of permit - RM170
We have done the renewal of permit several times by ourselves and we decided to continue doing it. We engaged our agent to do the passport renewal part.

Hubby sent our maid to the agent office at 9am, 6 Dec 11 as maid is required to go to embassy for passport renewal. The agent prepared a simple document on "Agreement of Increase Maid's Wages" and asked Hubby to sign on it. It is required by the embassy for the extension application.

I took the opportunity to ask the agent's counsellor to remind our maid on good working attitude and give her a refresh session to remind her on the right attitude and good working ethics. Our maid was back home after about half a day.
The next thing is to get Fomema medical check up done. On 13 Dec 11, I took a day off from work to clear my leave for the year, went to bank and bought 2 cashier orders:
  1. Fomema Sdn Bhd - RM190
  2. Ketua Pengarah Imigresen Malaysia - RM500
Maybank charged RM5 for each cashier order. For the levy payment, the immigration office does accept cash payment.

For the Fomema medical check up:
  1. I downloaded Fomema registration form from Fomema Sdn Bhd and complete the form.
  2. Make copy of maid's passport
  3. Bring the cashier order for registration fee
Hubby dropped me at Fomema office. Based on our previous experience, it took us longer time to find carpark than to get the registration done at Fomema. I reached Fomema office at about 3.25pm and went to the Information counter to queue for number. There were 12 persons ahead of me. My number was called at 4.06pm and I left Fomema office about 4.10pm. I was in Fomema office for about 45 minutes.

FOMEMA Sdn Bhd
Lot G1-G10, Level 3, Block G
Pusat Bandar Damansara
Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03 2094 6188
Fax: 03-2092 5610

On 16 Dec 11, Hubby brought our maid for medical check up at clinic in our neighbourhood which was very convenience for us. We brought our maid's original passport and Fomema documents along.

I checked the Fomema medical check up results online. The medical results was ready on 27 Dec, 11 days after the medical examination date.

Since the medical results was ok, we need to go to the immigration office to get our maid's passport stamped. We brought the original copy of maid's passport and cashier order for levy payment. We went to Pusat Bandar Damansara and were informed by the security guard that immigration office has moved to Sri Hartamas, Jalan Duta. They did not know the full address.

Hubby drove me to Jalan Duta and we guessed probably the immigration office is located in Kompleks Kerajaan. We passed by Kementerian Dalam Negeri and drove towards the IRD office at Kompleks Kerajaan. Then, we were told that the Immigration office is located in Kementerian Dalam Negeri building, which is luckily nearby to the Kompleks Kerajaan.

The immigration office is located at 1st Floor of KDN building. In fact, there were quite a number of government offices in the building. I went to the wrong departments and only got it right after 3 enquiries.

Jabatan Pejabat Imigresen Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Alamat Kompleks Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN),
No.69,Jalan Sri Hartamas 1,
50480 Jalan Duta,
Kuala Lumpur
Telefon 03-62012423
Faks 03-62011191

We reached KDN building at about 10.45am and queued for service number with 17 persons ahead of me. I submitted my passport to the staff at "Maid" service counter, paid levy fee at payment counter, submitted the original copy of maid's passport back to the "Maid" service counter for the stamping of permit on maid's passport. We left KDN at about 11.40am.

We are glad that the entire process of maid renewal is done.