The not-so-pleasant Phuket trip

My friend and I went to Phuket at the end of August. This was my forth time to Phuket, and I could still remember the same beaches and markets I had visited previously. Not much have changed.

Me with Mr. Teddy at the airport

We decided to stay in Kata, about 15 minutes from Patong, and a much quieter area. We stayed at Metadee Resort, a fairly new resort which has only been opened for a year.

Here is the view of the main area of the pool that stretches all around the resort. There is also a pretty good gym, small but adequate. The restrooms by the restaurant/pool was also very impressive. Very clean, new and fully air-conditioned.

We were starving by the time we reached the resort! We had lunch in the resort's only restaurant,

called Himapan.

Try their cocktail banana smoothies!

Our villa!

Villa 4103 (the one I stayed in) is the BEST!!

Double sinks, separate shower and toilet, huge bathtub......

Note: The shower & toilet has only ONE door, so if someone is in the shower, the sliding door to the shower closes so someone can't use the toilet at the same time. Well, technically you can, I guess this type of concept is more suited for couples. Also, there is a very large hole (eye level) between the shower and the toilet. Definitely a lack of privacy here.

Our balcony

(if you ever stay at Metadee, only get the access pool villas!)

The access pool villas also has an outdoor shower by the side of the balcony.

Me

View of the pool....

The best times were spent by the pool. The weather was perfect. Blistering hot you can feel the heat

 penetrating your skin.

Patong

Patong Shopping Centre

(there is a huge Carrefour & Robinsons here)

Kata beach

Me at Kata beach. I have to stay, I was somewhat disappointed as the beach had garbage laying around and the beach at Patong was just nicer.

This little bus stop looking booth sits about 300m (or so) from our resort. Guests can actually pick up the phone and it'll automatically call the resort for a buggy to pick us up.

Not bad eh?

Free buggy service anyone?

The not-so-pleasant part of the trip was because I got a very bad (and by that, I mean REALLY BAD) case of food poisoning on the second day. One that had me on the loo several times a day and then crawling back to bed, crunching my stomach in extreme pain and forking out over 200 bucks (thank god for medical benefits at work!) for a doctor to come to the resort. Despite that, I was still not well when I returned to Singapore.

http://www.metadeephuket.com/

Long Weekend Trip to Kuala Lumpur

My friend and I headed to Kuala Lumpur, which is the capital city of Malaysia over the long weekend at the end of May. This was only my third trip to KL since I moved to Singapore seven years ago, despite its neighbourly location.

Pavilion is one of the newer shopping malls in KL, including a pretty big Forever 21 store. It's big, clean and spacious, a landmark for tourists.

Me outside Prada.

Ever so stylishly, Prada.

We stayed at The Legend Hotel, which claims it is'"5 stars" but it really isn't. The hotel is big, spacious and accomodating. But some things remain to be said, like their carpark is shockingly old and somewhat deserted. The rooms were indeed spacious but lacks warmth, and is starting to look worn out. Guests have to take two lifts, one to go to the lobby on the 9th floor to "transfer" to a different set of lifts to go to the guestrooms.

Jalan Imbi, which is actually very near to Pavilion, has some good local eating joints. I always think when you're in a different country, its good to eat where the locals eat. A word of warning though, this is not the sort of place if you're looking for air-conditioning and something that passes the health food inspector.

Surprisingly, I noticed that KL has quite a few Pancake eateries, which made my mouth water each time I walked past the sweet smelling shop, something one cannot find easily in Singapore. The Pancake place at Pavilion (basement) is hip with their bright orange interiors, however, food took ages to come and I reckon MacDonalds hotcakes beats their blueberry pancakes.

This place, known as The Curve (close to One Utama) is beautiful, with its romantic lights glistening from above. There is a starbucks here and several eateries, massage parlours, bars and even a small market.

Me at The Curve.

We headed to one of the bars called Laundry at The Curve. The place is quite happening with a dancefloor, rocking music and packed with tourists.

This is indeed, the BIGGEST margarita I ever had

I didn't take any pictures of the place, but there is a huge shopping mall located at One Utama, which is something different if you wanna explore the suburbs.

New Years Day Dinner

We spent an hour trying to find this small eatery, even with Vincent's new GPS but at last finally managed to locate the joint!

Winnie

Vincent & Winnie

Siyi & Me Our fishhead curry!

Herbal chicken

Vegetables

Cereal prawns (my fave!)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

New Year's Day Lotus Desaru Beach Resort, Malaysia

View from breakfast

Me & Winnie

View of Resort

Me & Siyi

Vincent

View of resort

The boys...

Vincent & Winnie

Siyi & Winnie

Vincent & Winnie...leaving Desaru

NYE 2009 Lotus Desaru Beach Resort, Malaysia

The four of us, Siyi, Vincent, Winnie and I headed to Desaru, Malaysia on NYE. Desaru is about three hours drive from Singapore and we decided to stay at Lotus Desaru Beach Resort. Here you can see us entering the Tuas Checkpoint in Singapore upon entering into Malaysia.

Vincent & Winnie checking in

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Vincent & Winnie

Siyi & Me looking tired..

Bonfire by the beach!

Vincent & Me

Siyi & Me waiting for the fireworks to start..

Group pic!

Fireworks!!

Disco people