Tanjong Jara Resort – Day 3

We woke up quite late on the third day. It was not very sunny day and occasional rain was drizzling. We had breakfast around 10 a.m.

 We had breakfast here every morning…on top of the river…

Then I spent the whole morning at the pool area until 2 p.m. I have finished my book during my stay at TJR. Hehe!

 A smaller pool called the Teratai Pool…very deep…up to 3.0 m deep…

While I was lazing around at the pool, I suddenly saw this….

 River lizard…it’s TJR specialty, you know…this was smaller than the one we saw on the first day but unable to catch on camera as it was more afraid than I was…hehe…

As  our flight was at 9 p.m., our transfer was arranged by TJR at 6:30 p.m. and we were being allowed to check out at 6 p.m. with no additional charge. So good, right? We got early check in and late check out. The benefit of going holiday during low peak season. Hehe!

That’s the end of our holiday this year…totally recharge…hehe…

 

Tanjong Jara Resort – The Food

Here are all the yummy yummy food…

Lunch at The Nelayan (1st day)

  Let see the menu for lunch…

 Chicken burger…my darling’s meal…

 Fish fritters and chips…

Dinner at the Di Atas Sungei (1st night)

 First time eating bun with chili sauce for starter…

 Tom yam chicken soup for appetizer…

 Main course – chicken with dried chili…very local…

 Fried fish in soya sauce…

 The best brocolli with garlic I ever tasted…

 The best dessert ever…yummy…banana souffle…

Breakfast at Di Atas Sungei (2nd day)

 Very healthy breakfast started with fruit

 Pancakes for my darling

 Omelette for me…

Lunch at The Nelayan (2nd day)

 Very yummy satay…

 Not so yummy spaghetti…but I love the blue plate…so cute…

 Very yummy fried mee according to my darling…although a bit salty…

 Keropok lekor…

Dinner at Di Atas Sungei (2nd night)

 Starter for dinner…couldn’t get enough of stay…hehe…

 Spring rolls…

 TJR specialty chicken…

 Beef rendang…

 Dessert time…chocolate lava cake…

 

Tanjong Jara Resort – Day 2

Our second day at TJR was the most relax and enjoying. I woke up at 7 a.m. (couldn’t help myself…couldn’t really sleep well…coz I missed my bed…hehe). I woke my darling not long after because he usually takes long time in the toilet so I had to wake him earlier before breakfast. We had healthy breakfast of eggs, bread, yogurt, fruits and juices. Seriously, it was the healthiest I had in my life. Haha! Then I changed to my bikini, got my sunglasses and my Teresa Medeiros and I spent a few hours at the pool area until lunch time at 1 p.m. It was the best time of my stay. Sea breeze and a little bit of sunshine, with rain drizzling on and off for a few seconds. The weather was generally good that day. After lunch, we walked by the beach and went to nap on the sofa facing the beach. It was so good. My favorite pastime around the resort. Eat, nap, read, dip in the pool and enjoy the wind.

 

Dinner at TJR was really an elaborate affair. We went back to the same place we had our dinner the first night. Chef Ann had recommended good food again. Unfortunately, we were too full…seriously too full…to take more dessert. How I wish to taste more of that chocolate lava cake. Emmmm…Anyway, the one good thing about YTL Malaysian Resident package is the inclusive of meal plan. It really saves us a lot on the food. And it’s all you can eat. No limitation as long as you can stomach all. Hehe! The food bill alone I calculated was around RM800 for 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners. Luckily all these were part of our meal plan or else I would have to fork out that much to pay for food. Quite ridiculous, right?

More photos about food later…

 

Tanjong Jara Resort – The Place

Here are some photos of the place…

 The lobby where we were first greeted…

 The road towards our room from the lobby…

 Another road to Teratai Pool…strictly for adult because it’s super deep pool…

 Very nice deco next to the lobby…

 A 3D deco of Malaysian art at the reception…my darling loves this…

 The stair leading to our room…we were staying at the second floor called the Bumbung room…

  This our room number…

 The entrance…

 Red wine, anyone? Hehe!

 The bathroom…both shower and tub…

 A daybed in our room…

 Our bed…so cozy…

 The view from our windows…

 The beach…not very nice as it’s monsoon season…

 

Tanjong Jara Resort – Day 1

We are finally here. After nearly 5 hours journey. Hehe! Why so long? Let me tell you…

We woke up at 4 a.m. Our ride came around 4:30 a.m. Arrived at LCCT around 5:45 a.m. Had breakfast at Coffee Bean. Checked in at 6:20 a.m. and boarded the plane around 6:45 a.m. I guess the plane took off around 7:10 but I’m not very sure because I forgot my watch and couldn’t see the clock on the mobile. The journey through air was quick. We landed around 8:10 a.m. We were greeted by Tanjong Jara Resort driver at the arrival hall. Very efficient indeed. We were transfered using a Volvo…hehe…not the new one, mind you but comfortable enough. Haha!

The journey from Kuala Terengganu airport (surprisingly the airport looks very new…heard it just finished renovated…very nice indeed) to the resort was quite a long journey. We passed through Kuala Terengganu town, Marang, Rantau Abang and lastly Tanjong Jara. No highway, mind you and so many traffic lights. Sigh! The journey took us nearly one and a half hour. Whew!

We were then greeted by TJR staff at the lobby with towels and welcome drinks. Then we were brought to our room. Mind you it was only 9:30 a.m. and yet we were able to check in. Lucky for us, I guess it’s low season now so we can check in early. Hehe! The overall deco at first sight is very similar to Pangkor Laut Resort. Our room is at the Bumbung, the upper floor of a two storey building. The room is very nice indeed. Very similar to PLR’s Hillvilla except that our room at the Bumbung doesn’t have a veranda and a open bathtub. What I like best of our room is the daybed. I have never seen such a daybed before. The room is big enough especially the washroom. Don’t be surprised when I show you the photos later. I’m so happy with the accommodation.

Since it was too early for lunch, we spent some time in the room taking photos and watching Astro. The weather was not very nice though, as I expected. It rained when we arrived at the airport but it stopped during the journey to TJR. Then it rained again while we were at our room. Not for long though. It stopped again before lunch time and we managed to walk and see around for the first time. When we got back to our room, it rained again. Sigh! The weather here is so unpredictable. But consider ourselves lucky that it didn’t rain whole day non-stop. Hehe!

The rain stopped again around lunch time and we managed to walked to the Nelayan for lunch. Lunch was nothing spectacular. After lunch and since it was still sunny weather (surprisingly) we sat by the poolside enjoying the sea breeze and little warm sunshine. My darling was snoring on the poolside bench while I was reading my new novel, After Midnight by Teresa Medeiros. After about an hour, it suddenly rained. We went back to our room but the rain stopped again after we reached our room which was only 5 minutes away. Sigh! We took a nap until 5 a.m. before we went out again to the beach. Of course, this time of the year is never the best time to be on the eastcoast. The sea is very rough with the unpredictable weather and strong wind. There’s no clear blue water.

For dinner, it was at Di Atas Sungei and it was something amazing. We were greeted by the famous Chef Ann. She’s the walking menu, as the resort terms her. There’s no printed menu for dinner but all our dishes are recommended by Chef Ann personally. It was a satisfying dinner with fried garoupa fish in soya sauce, szilling dried chili chicken and brocolli fried with garlic. We had the best dessert of banana souffle and ‘teh tarik’. Yummy! I bet we have gained a few kilogram after dinner. Hehe! After dinner, I’m surfing net in the library now with the resort’s PC while my darling is surfing too using his notebook.

Comparative to PLR, the library here is not as big. The connection here is not as fast too but it will do. For the dining, PLR has more choices too. However, I’m still glad that TJR has the same standard as PLR although not as grand, TJR has its own specialty.

More tomorrow. Good nite.

 

Pray for nice weather

We are going to Tanjong Jara in two days time. All I pray are for good weather and safe trip and enjoying holiday. Hehe! Oh my, another two days yet I haven’t even packed. We are so lazy and packing will be last minute job. Probably on Saturday night. Hehe!

I have been checking the weather forecast for the past week. I don’t expect super sunny weather but all I hope is at least lesser rain weather. I keep my fingers crossed and pray. I saw the latest weather forecast and it shows that for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, there will be rain all day. Sigh! What to do? It’s the season.

Regardless, I’m sure we will make the best out of any situation as long as we are together. More later…

 

Second honeymoon

I’m super happy that I got the best 1st year anniversary gift from my darling (our anniversary is on 17 November *hint*hint*). A holiday in Tanjong Jara Resort from 14 until 16 December 2008. I consider it my second honeymoon. Hahaha! Who says that you can only have one, right? You can have zillion honeymoons (if God permits we live so long and have so much money…hehe) as long as you are going with your loved one.

It was the fastest decision ever made. Similar to the one I made for my honeymoon last year to Pangkor Laut Resort but this was even faster made. My darling told me last Friday that he needed to clear all his leaves before year end. His company policy that no leave can be brought forward. A bit weird if you ask me. He has 7 days until year end. So we were planning which days and how long to take. Then he was saying that should we go for holiday since he has the leaves. I was thinking not a bad idea. A short holiday in Malaysia won’t cost much and since I have saved him a lot for not joining him to US, I dare say I deserve my holiday. Hahaha! 

I was considering a few choices at first. Kota Kinabalu for instance. But the overall package is expensive considering it’s just a local trip. And the package is excluding meals. With the same amount, I could go to Koh Samui or Phuket. It’s really disappointing that KK is still so expensive. Especially the air ticket. Sigh! Then I try Phuket and I was surprised that it’s getting expensive nowadays. Or probably the dates I picked was hot. I don’t know. Thinking that the Thai Baht has increased, vacationing there is not a so good idea.

As we have always wanted to go to Tanjong Jara after our trip to Pangkor Laut, we have actually sort of plan to go there next year. I have this idea of making my trip to Kuala Terengganu for 5 days 4 nights; 2 nights at Tanjong Jara and another 2 nights probably at Redang or Gem Islands. To make that happens, we have to wait until the resorts reopen after the monsoon season. However, now we are going to Tanjong Jara this December (I’m actually surprised that they are not closed for the season), hence no more going there next year. Bye bye to my Redang or Gem Islands for the time being.  

After discussing about the dates, I called to YTL Travel Center to make the necessary inquiry. They still have the Malaysian Resident package on going but now they are RM799 per person instead of RM699 that I last heard. Surcharge is still the same RM200 and applicable for weekends, school holidays and public holidays. What I didn’t know was they are offering air inclusive package too. I was so happy when the sale person told me that my package including air ticket, airport transfer, meals and accommodation is RM999 per person. Whoa! I’m super happy with the price and I first thought it’s going to cost me at least RM1.2k per person with surcharge and air tickets (that I have to buy on my own).

I told my darling the good news. He applied for his leaves. Got approval immediately. He said to me “Go…go…go”. I made the necessary booking and payment. Got confirmed booking. Got my Air Asia e-tickets from YTL Travel Center. Everything was done within a few hours between 2 pm to 5 pm. Amazing, right? I felt so amazed with myself and how fast I made the decision. I’m totally surprised with myself. I’m so happy and excited that I couldn’t stop thinking about it. 

Now when I have cooled down with my excitement, I’m starting to worry about the weather. I don’t plan to do much there except enjoy the sea breeze and relax by the pool but I’m hoping it won’t rain so much. Vacation is time for relaxation and laziness, for me at least. We have to admit we are the lazy bum bum. Hehe! Luckily, both of us are the same if not I couldn’t imagine how we go holiday. Anyway, I hope Tanjong Jara will come up to our expectation. I won’t deny it that we have high expectation with Tanjong Jara after all the best thing we had with Pangkor Laut. Really hope this will not be a disappointing decision. Hehe!

 

The Journey to Bali (Part 3)

Photos of Kintamani Volcano and the famous rice paddy.

It’s my first time in my life seeing a volcano, even though afar. Hehe!

This is a sight that you may not see in KL although we did learn about hill paddy in Geography. Hehe!

It’s a pity that we didn’t take much photos along the road during our journey up and down Kintamani. It’s a great scenery and the air was cool.

Next we went to Ubud for shopping. Hooray!

Ubud is very similar to our Petaling Street market. You can get anything here with good deal if you know how to bargain. Hehe!

I quite like these but it’s expensive. My bargaining skill was not good enough.

My calculator saved me a lot of troubles. It’s a must to bring to Bali. Haha!

Bags!!! I want all…hehe!

 

The Journey to Bali (Part 2)

Our second day in Bali was extremely hectic. We woke up at 6.30 a.m. Had breakfast at 7 a.m. Had quite yummy breakfast. There were noodles, bread, juices and fruits. Rather well-balanced meal to start the day. The banana juice was excellent, so yummy!

After breakfast, we went out to meet our driver at 8 a.m. We had hired the driver and van for a day for a price of RP400,000. After picking up the rest at Vilarisi Hotel, we went to see Barong Dance at some place I don’t exactly know where. It costs RP50,000 per person. The overall show was nice and lasted for 1 hour. It’s something new to us but not exactly very special or worth the money. But it’s a must see anyway when you are in Bali, right?

Our main destination of the day was actually Kintamani and along the way, we went to many places. We went to batik factory and silver jeweller. Nothing special about batik there as we in Malaysia is one of the main producer too, right? The silver is interesting but expensive. I really like a few pairs of earrings but the price was ridiculous. The opening price was actually outrageous but one of us managed to bargain to nearly half price of the opening price. So ridiculous if you think of it. They were cutthroat. Hehe! And if we didn’t bargain, we would be damn stupid. Anyway, at the end, I bought a pair of earrings. Beautiful silver butterflies at RP170,000. Opening price was at RP290,000. Hehe!

The journey to Kintamani from Kuta was very long. Luckily we got to see a lot of beautiful scenery along the way, especially during the journey up the hill. The best thing about the journey up was you won’t feel the winding or steep road. The drive was pretty easy. The air was cool and getting cooler up. Along the road, there’s a lot of small shops selling wood crafts. Really made us want to stop and buy more but we were rushing to go up the hill to avoid the cloudy sky and rain so we didn’t stop at all. We arrived after nearly 2 hours drive. We could still see the sunlight but the air was so cool. It’s so good that it’s not hot at all and still see the sun. Unfortunately, we only got to see the volcano from afar and not at the volcano itself. Many of us were disappointing but I was okay with it. We had buffet lunch at one of the restaurants. Cost us RP75,000 per person. Food was not bad but just like any hill, we had to fight with the flies. There were a lot of them that we couldn’t leave our food unattended. Damn flies!

After lunch and a lot of photo-taking, we started our journey down. It was shopping time. We were going to Ubud for crazy shopping. Along the way down, we stopped by a fruit stall. It’s really sad to see some people who live at the hill are so poor. My darling said it’s an eye-opener to us and a reminder that we are far more lucky to live in Malaysia.

There’s a lot of fruit stalls like this along the way to Kintamani.

Cute kid but see the condition of the hut…sigh…

This is a cute little shy girl. Bought the pack of pensels from her at RP10,000.

The journey up to Kintamani really showed a lot of difference in living standard in Bali. I could see the difference between the people living up the hill and those in the city. The former was way too poor and desperate. You really can see it from their faces. Whenever they see tourists, they will try their very best to make sale. They practically just shoved their stuff for sale to you and kept telling the price was cheap. I truly pity them. After seeing them, I truly appreciate my life here. I’m just damn lucky to have such a good life. Thank God! Truly.

 

The Journey to Bali (Part 1)

I have always wanted to go to Bali but I have never imagined it to be like this. It has become boring when people keep on telling me that they have been to Bali. Almost everyone I know has been there before. So, I have promised my colleague, or rather myself, that we will go to Bali once and for all after I have settled my wedding. My wedding was last year so obviously this year we must go. Go we did and we are back with memory and Balinese stuff. Haha!

I booked Air Asia Go Holiday package in April and picked 3rd to 5th July to be there. The overall package was cheap, around RM700 per person for both flight and accommodation. Of course, with cheap price comes lower standard of accommodation. Do not expect 4 or 5 stars hotel with this price. Samsara Hotel was the place my darling and I stayed. It was just acceptable although the photos look really nice in their website. The pool is nice though. My four friends stayed at Vilarisi Hotel which looks nice from the outside. I could not attest to what’s inside as I had no time to inspect it. Why were we staying at different hotels? Read here.

On the first day, my darling and I woke up at 5 a.m. to get ready. My colleague, SM, came around 6:30 a.m. to pick us up. We went to Cheras to pick another of SM’s friend Annie. The four of us went to the office to wait for our company’s driver to send us to KL Sentral to take the RM9-LCCT-bus. We took the bus at 8:30 a.m. and arrived at LCCT around 9:50 a.m. We went around to find breakfast but McD was full of people, so we walked to Coffee Bean instead. Check in around 10:15 a.m. and waited for our flight which was on 11:20 a.m. I was actually surprised that the flight was not delayed. We boarded the plane on time and it took off around 11:30 a.m. We arrived at Denpasar Airport – Ngurah Rai around 2:30 p.m.

As we were not staying at the same hotel, we took two separate taxis to our hotels. We did negotiate the taxi fare at the airport but only managed to get RP55,000 per taxi at the end. Their original price was RP70,000. After we check in to our hotel, our first problem arised. Where to meet up again? At first we said we would meet up at Poppies Lane, but after my darling and I waited and waited without seeing anyone, we began to panic. Another problem was our roaming. The phone line was so bad that I couldn’t reach anyone. So, we waited somemore until my stomach couldn’t wait anymore, we went to find food. It’s at that restaurant that I finally got my line back and called SM. Apparently, their hotel was very far away from mine although it’s just around Jalan Legian. They walked halfway and couldn’t resist for food. Anyway, at last all were well and we managed to meet up again.

For the first night, we went to rent a van with driver to take us to Jimbaran to see sunset and have dinner. The beach was good, the sunset was amazing (although it set too fast within a few minutes), the food was just okay but the price was not so cheap though. The dinner costs us RP234,000 for two persons and both of us were only eating chicken as my darling is alergic to seafood. After dinner, we were back to Jalan Legian and I started my shopping. Haha! Bought a top which I wore the next day and you will probably see it a lot in our photos later.

Our dinner at Jimbaran…these were the seafood platter for the rest of the gang. We didn’t eat any seafood as my darling is allergic with seafood.

Our chicken meal…

And chicken satays…

The sunset view is worth everything…too short yet so beautiful…