Teluk Iskandar 2010

Have you actually thought of Mersing as a destination?

Well, Teluk Iskandar Inn is one of those places that might just change your mind.

We primarily sought out this place because the owners believe in the tropical living concept, with all rooms having excellent natural ventilation. Most peaceful is the simple & spacious garden. Just ideal for lazing underneath the mature mango tree that is 4 storeys tall, the sea breeze from the ocean cools the entire living space.

So this is place totally to chill out, veg out, retreat from the mad urban sprawl that is Singapore!

Modelled after some Aussie style B&B, that place has got 6 guest rooms and totally possible to sit at the Inn's al fresco dining space, just reading a book & helping yourself to unlimited servings of coffee / tea. If the mood strikes you, an assortment of lounging spaces are thoughtfully scattered beneath the guest apartments. This (in effect) creates a basement effect, but is actually breezy and the hammock is the BEST spot for 'leh-pak-ing'.

Up the road is a hawker stall in the classic Malaysian style... the guy set up a satay shop right in front of his house. We had been reliably told that he started off with only 1 table, but now had grown to more than 12 tables! We ordered Chicken satay and it was the most succulent chicken satay ever! just the odd burnt bits on the edges, but otherwise, the chicken chunks were still juicy on the inside. The enterprising owner even included free Wi-Fi connection for his guests!


Malaysia Boleh!

Chill out Ride to Muar 5-7 Nov

Did a short ride to Muar over Deepavali weekend with some old friends back in town & also last ride for Cheong who's leaving Singapore soon....

Enjoyed the ride through the small towns Batu Pahat & Ayer Hitam along the way, not without first getting through a massive jam before Malaysian customs.

Muar has developed quite a bit , nothing like the sleepy town few years back. The food street reminded us about streets in Hatyai or perhaps Melaka's Jonker Street where you can walk a round savouring bits of local fare.

By the Muar River, there's wonderful assam pedas, the best being the stingray! The whole row of assam pedas stall as far as the eyes can see....

Last pic outside Muar Traders Hotel before we left....

Phuket Bike Week and World Peace!

Right then, how it it that Phuket Bike week is full of motorbikers from all walks of life? when the the branding CLEARLY shows a Harley-esque slant, with all manners of skulls & eagle talons?

Dunno how, but the little carnival that was Phuket Bike Week has now blossomed into a three part event. Yup, there are now three organisers & all the events fall into the month of April!

Conveniently, this means that it branches Songkran festival as well :)
So how does this link with world peace? Simple.



Songkran is about "attacking" somebody else with water. Ice water, chalky water, smearing chalk paste onto stranger's cheeks, you name it.... and the rule is, the receiver should not get angry. So imagine being subject to humiliating attacks from strangers and not getting angry. And if that could be a way of life...... would we have world peace?

My solution : No more road rage, no more "one-up-manship", just happy people allowing others to get along their way!

A small chunk of peace that can be found on Phuket all year round is having dinner on Promthep Cape. No pics of the traffic nightmare to get there, but the sunset view and the seats offered by the hilltop restaurant are fantastic!

A new slice of Malaysia... Sepang Gold Coast

Then, on our way back, we stopped by a totally new resort called Golden Palm Tree, off the Sepang Gold Coast. It is 400 units of chalets, built off the coast of Sepang. Combined with time share holidays, it is a Club-Med styled vacation with all inclusive room rates and 5 meals a day :) We were part of a group of people allowed to "test drive" the facilities, so we happily shared our feedback with our hosts! But for sure, we'll make more visits to this part of Malaysia in the future!

Cameron Highlands 16-18 Jan

Yet another trip to Cameron Highlands, this time we stayed at OMF Bungalow. A beautiful colonial bungalow built on a hill slope at Tanah Rata, with none of the commercialism... just peace & quiet.

This bungalow has 9 rooms & a common sitting room & dining room. Meals are provided by Mrs Chye who takes care of the place. The strawberry jam served at breakfast is as fresh as it gets.

Absolute peace, absolute quiet. On the first night, we could even hear the sound of silence!