I signed up for Superstar Libra Cruise way back in June when they are running their ‘Buy 1 Free 1′ campaign at RM2,240 for 2 adults. Since my Mom has been influence by relatives talking about Cruises for the past 2 years, I jump on this opportunity to bring my Parents for a holiday without my kids tagging along so that I do not have to juggle between being a filial daughter and a responsible Mom.

All these while, we have heard good and bad reviews about Cruises. I’m not taking side on any of them till I have my hands on it. Initially, my Mom wanted to try the big ship i.e. Superstar Virgo but the boarding has to be in Singapore which means that we will need to take a bus ride to Singapore and board the Cruise from there.

And since Mom has been poison many times by her relatives/friends, her mind is set on Superstar Virgo. If you must know, my Mom is the type that get car sick most of the time. I have to convince her a few times before she agrees on Libra.

View of the cabin right at the entrance

We took the 2nd best category room even thought they are slightly more expensive for the sake of comfort. I want my Parents to go home with sweet memories and not grudges. Still, the cabin is as big as a bird cage and the bed?

The width is as wide as the size of the pillow. How pathetic! Can you imagine what it is like in the lower category cabin? Don’t even get me started on the toilet. The attached bathroom is as wide as my shoulder width cos each time I shower, my elbow will brush against the shower curtain. *yikes. And the wash basin and the toilet bowl is all about the same. Good thing I have a petite size so it is not much problem to me.

The advantage of smaller cruise is that you do not have to walk too far to your destination.

Right after we dropped off our luggages in the cabin, we went to the highest deck that is deck 9th and 10th.

If you are the type that doesn’t play mahjong, doesn’t gamble in casinos, doesn’t swim, doesn’t play board game, doesn’t like to join activities on board, doesn’t like to do anything and the only thing you want to do is eat and sleep, I would suggest you to stay home. Really!

My Dad is all of the above. All he does is eat, sleep, watch Wah Lai Toi and probably joined us for a little night show and walk around in the casino for 10 minutes. That’s all about it. Dad knows how to play mahjong but none of us that went, play mahjong. . The only mahjong I play is on the internet.

Kids probably spent the whole day dipping in the pool. Now you know why I decided to cruise alone. Either I have to play ‘lifeguard’ to my kids or I would have neglect my Parents. I can’t say, “Ma, I bring you go holiday” but in the end when my Mom is there I go, “Ma, help me jaga my camera. I go take a dip with the kids.” Plus… plus hor, my ‘good friend’ came and visit me. Aiseh. Really cannot dip.

View at the 10th deck.

Cruise to some is heaven for food. If you are planning to go for Cruise, this is what you do. Don’t even bother to take your breakfast or lunch. If the boarding gate open at 12pm (cruise depart at 4pm only), go ahead and board the Cruise. From that minute, food are free flow. Eat all you can eat!

There are 3 restaurants for you to choose from – Oriental, Western or International buffet. Five meals a day and the only meal we skipped is the supper which starts at 11pm except on our last day where we went for the Wild Wild West party till late. Now you can see why I need to diet again. Have been checking out Hydroxycut reviews on the internet.

Oh, before I forget, once you step on board, all transaction is by Singapore Dollar. The boarding card is basically used to swipe almost everything on board – entrance to your cabin, the restaurant, on board purchases and disembarkment.

Jazzmint reckon I took many sunrise/sunset pics throughout my 4 days on board. Sad to say, I managed to take once (only) on sunset and the sunrise next morning. Our meal time always clashes with the sunset and since I am not the morning person, I don’t even bother about sunrise.

On our first day, show starts at 7.15pm and the next show is at 9pm. Being the kiasu Malaysian, we went for the first show so that we do not have to join the crowd that comes in after their dinner. Which means some of us have to had our dinner at 6pm and whoever finish their meal can help us to book the seat at the lounge. Being the kiasu me (again! since I got no kids ma), I volunteer to leave the restaurant at 6.45pm. That is how I spotted the sunset. While the rest of my family members happily chomping food, I was happily snapping photos. And I don’t even care if we have to sit at the back of the hall during the show! I know I was so irresponsible but photography come first in this case. *ahem* I told myself I still have day 2 & 3 of sunset to shoot but sad to say there are always something that crop up.

By the time I finished taking pictures, one of my BIL is already at the lounge. haha! The shows is pretty entertaining. A bit of singing & dancing.

I learn a new thing from my youngest Sister this time. Fyi, both of is using Canon 400D. Auto mode for WB makes the stage pic looks crappy. We switched to ‘florescent’ and viola! Chun to max!

The last two performance is quite hilarious but contained a bit of 18SX. LOL Performance is by the cabin crews from various department. They are so talented!

A performance by Goldie from Philippines. He is really beautiful even in real life! You know what I mean. They are cabin crews during the days but turned into a stage performers during the night. Now, this Goldie and another guy was performing to this song from Christina Aguilera. The lyrics contained something ‘mirror’. It’s quite a famous number. The following pictures is quite obscene. Proceed at your own risk.

Now, Goldie sees another reflection in the mirror and is trying to challenge his reflection like taking off his clothes *ahem*, removing his bra *wolf whistle*, doing the break dance and they even do the cartwheel. So darn funny can die! To me it is hilarious but to my Mom, she finds it quite embarrassing especially when we have foreigners watching. Well, you know… low class performance. It take one humor to accept another. That’s all I can say.

It’s Goldie again in another performance. Look at that tummy. Beats mine anytime! If the one on the stage is me, you probably will be staring at a woman carrying a spare tyre dancing. All of them can dance very well. Very entertaining.

Every night at 9pm we never failed to sit in the lounge watching shows. Well, like I said before, you either stay in the cabin and bored yourself to death, or you find an entertainment on board and enjoy yourself.

Another performance to the song titled “Macho Man”. They are fully clothes and ah huh, they went topless again. It’s free show, so who cares! Unless if you don’t mind paying for the Topless Broadway show at SGD35. The performance is by the real Broadway dancers and not cabin crews.

On the way out of the lounge, Janet (youngest) wants to be part of the Macho Man *rolling eye*.

Julia (2nd Sis) follow suit.

Yours truly and Julie (5th Sis) cannot tahan ade. We all wants to be part of the Macho Man!

For the last 3 days everyday after shows we all gather at deck 10th. Just laying on the lazy chair, feel the breeze blowing. Heck, we almost forgotten we are on a moving ship until we look down at the sea! Seriously, we can’t feel anything at all. And once in a while, I love to gazed down looking at the wave created by the moving ship. It is so amazing. Sailing across the ocean, almost 22 hours everyday and still we felt nothing at all.

Everything that I did, it always reminds me of the kids at home. For example the Wii Game competition, I knew my Prince will love that. And all the art and craft, the hip hop dancing workshop, etc. I vowed to myself, in 5 years time, I will have another trip with the kids. This time, it will be Superstar Virgo. And every night before I sleep, I’ll go thru all the beautiful pictures I took of other people’s children and the tears starts rolling down and I’ll cry myself to sleep.

Wah lau eh, not so serious la! LOL! This only happen on the first night as I couldn’t get any telecommunication signer. Miss the Daddy and kids so ma sob a bit lor. A bit only la. So big already still cry meh. Sot!

More to come after this post. Watch out for this space. Over and out.

Muahahaahaaa…… I just came back from my 4 days holiday in Pangkor Island. I can’t help myself but to spam my blog with pictures again. But I promised you. This is something very different. I have never shot anything so magnificent before. The sunset in Pangkor Island Beach Resort (Formerly known as Pan Pacific Pangkor) is really awesome! I have never seen anything so beautiful before.

Pictures taken at 7pm.

At the beginning I thought it is not a good idea to have the coconut in the picture, but the more I look at it now, the more I like it.

This is not taken at Pan Pacific. This is in Pasir Bogak beach. The one in town. It would make a even better silhouette with a couple smooching on the beach.

That’s me in one of the yoga pose called Dancer pose.

This is my favourite shot of all. I was so thrilled to see the Hornbills and the longer I stay, more Hornbills flew down for their dinner.

I shall post more pictures on the outing in my coming post. aitelyu, the hotel is truly out of this world. We love going back there again one day.

During the 4 days of Hari Raya break, we was invited for a open house makan-makan in Malacca. We decided to make it a day trip since my parents bunk at my place to visit my other sister who recently gave birth to a baby boy.
The only fun and interesting place a child could visit is the Zoo. It was indeed quite a rush trip in the zoo as we try not to tired ourself as Hubby need to drive back to Klang again. All I can say is…. I’ve seen what I want to see. I need something more spactacular.
I mean the ANIMALS! lol

It was a wet and humid day. Each of us has a total of 4 ice-creams to cool ourselves and quenched our thirst. This marked our latest record of most ice-creams consumed in 2 hours. lol. It’s a holiday afterall. The kids get to eat whatever they like

… continue from Part 1/3 here

3pm – A tuk-tuk offer us US$3 for a trip to Floating Village. We negotiated with him US$5 to floating village and sunset in Angkor Wat. He agreed to it without hesitation. So we hopped on. Upon reaching the village, we were asked to pay US$12 per person for the boat ride to see the real Floating Village. Where we are now is just the jetty. Dang, did I not done my homework properly? How could I over look on the fees for boat ride!

Part of the jetty

I’ve seen the pictures from internet and don’t find the floating village interesting at all. The water is so murky and the village is so run down. Even Pangkor Island is much better than that. And now you ask me to pay a freaking US$12 just to see some ulu kampung? Over my dead body. I came from a kampung la, dude!

So I told the tuk-tuk that we just snap some photographs here and adjourned to Angkor Wat. He’s not happy with the idea. Probably he do get some small commission from it.
“You see here not happy. You go and come back, you happy.”

Happy my foot! Now my pocket is not happy *blueh*. I continue doing my business i.e. snapping the village kids.

They are enjoying themself playing guli (marble). Exactly the same game we the boys played in younger days.

I don’t need money. I need a comb.

You give me one marble. I give you my slipper.

Actually, today is my son’s birthday. He has been asking for Bumble Bee (Transformer). Maybe I should get him an old slipper too *evil laugh*.

3.30pm – After finished snapping photograph, I told the tuk-tuk driver:

“Why don’t we go Angkor Wat for sunset.”

“Here also got sunset. Nice.”

“No. I want Angkor Wat. Here not nice.”

“Angkor Wat far from here. Here sunset beautiful.”

This time I know kena con liao and I was darn mad at him. I don’t see a point arguing with him.

“Ok. Nevermind. Since no Angkor Wat, I pay you your actual price US$3. You sent us back to Old Market.”

“Ok.”

Kanasai that felle. First day already get con by them! Luckly we are still early for sunset. I can always get another tuk-tuk to go Angkor Wat.

Someone go slap him for me, please!

Remember this number – 0450. If you see him, don’t use his service. Big con man. I have not finish with his con story yet.

When we reach our hotel instead of Old Market, I gave him US$3. He refused to accept it. He said it was supposed to be US$5. I said no Angkor Wat so back to US$3. And he go bla, bla, bla, bla, bla, bla US$4. I’m so tired with his antic and arguing on my holiday is not what I’ve wanted. Finally I paid him US$4. *sigh…..

… and I make sure I DON’T SEE HIS DARN CHICKEN FACE AND HIS GOLDEN TEETH ANYMORE!

He spoil my mood and I have to pulled a sour face stomping in to the hotel but was greeted by this every friendly and helpful front desk reception. He ask, “Sunset at 4.30pm?”

I jumped,“Yes!” …. and wait, “How much for sunset?”

“US$3″

“Good!”

We hopped on another tuk-tuk that was waiting outside.

Sunset! Finally! *keeping our finger cross that this tuk-tuk doesn’t con us again*

… Coming up, Part 3 – Sunset in Phnom Bakheng Hill.

p/s: Yes, I can tell people that I’ve been to the Floating Village. But kanasai jetty only.

pp/s: From now on, you will hear lots of kanasai from me. Cos these people really con us kau-kau. They really kanasai wan.

ppp/s: Kanasai = Like shit!

What is the motivation to wake the kids at 7.30am on a sleepy morning?

“Wake up ade. Want to sit fast-fast boat or not.”

Daughter jumped out from bed. As usual my 5 y/o son still slumbering in his dreamland. Last night was not that good as Baby was not feeling very well so we let her slept thru leaving her under my mom’s care.

The day is finally here as I have promised kids and bribing them with so-called fast-fast boat thingy.

What is fast-fast boat? Island hopping la. The boat cruised at a very high speed and sometimes maneuver left and right creating some chaotic moment. Girls being girls with all their squeaking scream. Gah! (Can you spot my pic with our so-called leng chai tour guide? Cute boh?)

The island hopping is inclusive of snorkelling but since some of us aunty is visiting wants to remained dry, we forgo it. We will always have another trip since Pangkor Island is so near only. Right?!

One of the tour guide showing off his diving skills sea rambutan (scary!) and sea cucumber (geli!).

During one of the hopping, we was shown the ‘Free Trade Zone’ in making. Looks like it’s a long way to completion.

Fast-fast boating sports. This is called Banana Boat. They sure looks fun yet boring sitting on the inflatable Banana Boat.

Wait till they capsized your Banana!

The adults is having fun and so do the kids cos they are allowed to sit in the speeding boat.

“Want to try some more or not. This one is called Hamburger.”

Go figure out the hamburger

No more fast-fast boat and kids is back to their mischevous self

——————————————————————

Unrelated to fast-fast boat:

This is new to me. Hornbills flying freely near the beach. Very unusual sight as I thought Hornbills only live in the forest?

Living to my title -

A Queen needs to do what a Queen ought to do. Next time, I’ll get them to bow down to me. Wakaakaakaaaa….

Read Day 1 in Pangkor Island here

After meeting up with Chiwiland, we went to Pangkor Island. That is where my Mom’s hometown is and where my maternal Grandma is residing after she got married to my late Grandpa. Fyi, Grandma is a Penang lang.

Tip: If you plan to go Pangkor Island, remember this. At the Lumut jetty, ferry operator is selling the tickets at Rm10 for tourists and RM6 for Pangkorists.

Not many people know about it. More like a hush-hush thingy among authorities, but my Mom warned us beforehand that we should pay for the tickets at RM6. I mean, we are still a locals and these people hike up the price to earn from tourist. So, what happened was…. my Mom went and bought the ticket.

“Sepuluh ringgit.”

“APA SEPULUH RINGGIT. ENAM RINGGIT!”

Of course, the ticket seller was caught by surprise and was dumbfolded.

We made a stop at my Grandma’s house. As usual, my aunt had prepared a big pot of asam laksa. That was our favourite! Maklumlah, ikan kembung (mackeral fish) originate from Pangkor. And… and… do I have to add? Aunt uses the traditional way to cook the stock, i.e. by using charcoal and clay pot! Syok 99!

During our younger days, we used to stay over night at my Grandma’s house. Nowadays, you know… our family members have multiplied by 4. There is no way to accomodate so many of us plusssssssssssss I CAN’T SLEEP WITHOUT AIRCON!

Off we went and checked in at the hotel near the beach. Woohoo! Suaku city people like me love bitches beaches.

I have sea phobia; sudden drop + big wave + swept by wave + drowning. It all happened again when we recklessly assumed one of us is watching the kids. I’m sorry baby. But when unexpected things happen, please don’t blame the other to make yourself look innocent. Ok? But, didn’t I tell you to play at the beach and not in the water???!!! Huh! Huh!

We had fun digging a hole and burying Baby Princess in it. At the beginning, she was smiling and laughing with us. After sometime of wiggling, she found out that she can’t move any of her body part. She was wailing for help. All we could do is continue laughing and mummy is so bad to camwhore with her. lol

Beach isn’t complete without going for a stroll for seashells. And I stumble upon this right before my big toe.

I have seen and picked star fish but not this type of seashell with an engraved star on it. Overall, we found 4 of this. Isn’t God creation marvellous?

I waited whole afternoon……

… where art thou?

By the time I finish writing this post, it turn out more than “Pangkor Island Trip cum Grandma’s Birthday”. lol

So, Grandma is turning 93y/o this year. Still going healthy and strong.

Typical chinese with typical red eggs.

Dinner so-so only. Nothing much to show off but I’m sure this is attractive!

Mantis prawn in steam egg. The taste? Really nothing to shout about. This is not my usual food angle. They look a bit crappy to me. What to do? I’m sharing a table with my other cousins and they can’t wait to dig into this dish.

The whole night I have been bribing my kids with this,

“Who did not finish the rice, tomorrow cannot sit fast-fast boat.”

“Who is naughty, tomorrow cannot sit fast-fast boat.”

“Time to sleep. Don’t talk. If not tomorrow cannot sit fast-fast boat.”

So, be good ya? Tomorrow I bring you go sit fast-fast boat

Woke up late this morning as we don’t have any plan for today as our flight home is around 2pm so we have at least till noon to shop a bit in town. As today is Friday and to them is their off day, we can hardly shop at all as all shops are still closed. Trying to catch a fast high calories breakfast at 11.00am but to our dissapointment the food arrived at 11.30am only! And don’t you ever think of trying out the KLG Fried chicken. Even I can fried a better chicken than them!

Among all things, alcoholic beverages are populor on the island and cheap too. For example a bottle of DOM may cost RM80 for 70cl in KL but on the island you may get RM75 for 1Liter. Even if you don’t drink, just buy them for gift to your parents or… keep them for your confinement days!

It’s about time we leave for the airport at 12noon. This is what I missed:

No jam, no rush, no deadline! (Eldest Princess say “NO HOMEWORK!”) And most of all, I missed the bitches beaches there.

Below Pic taken in Awana Porto Malai

Below Pics taken while having our Breakfast on day 2!

Everywhere you go there are bitches beaches. You can even have roti canai breakfast on a beach front.

Window Shopping

Food! But the prices is too $$$$

We return the car in one piece at the airport where we pick them up on day 1. No scratches, no dent. Checked in our luggage one hour before the departure time! hahaa!

Earlier on, we drove to the airport and park our car in LCCT. Their parking rates is RM30 per day. So I would presumed we have to pay RM90 for three days. But to my surprised, they charged us parking for 2 days and 4 minutes. That rounded up to roughly RM63 for our parking. Unbelievable! It’s cheaper than taking a public transport.

………………….

We are back on Friday which means I have Saturday and Sunday to recuperate and continue with housechores and laundries (mind you, 3 full loads!!!).

Monday morning is the usual routine. Stuck in the traffic jam for hours before reaching the office. grrr….

And the news that saddens me – a friend of mine who’s daughter is same age as eldest princess i.e. 6y/o passed away over the weekend. May that little soul rest in peace and flock happily in heaven.

Few days before I went on my holiday trip, I’ve read and heard bad comments on the new LCC Terminal as how bad and unorganized the terminal is. I’ve got to proved them wrong! The air-con is colder than the one in my room and the check-in counter are well indicated on the destination!!! And 2 things I like about this LCC Terminal. We I can check in 2 hours before the schedule time (sheesh…) and….

instead of a dunno-what-you-called-them canopy escalator, we get to board the plane using a stairs which means, the kids get to see the plane at close range and those experience walking along the runway are priceless. You don’t get this truely experience in KLIA. And what I do missed in LCCT is all those duty free shops, free perfume spray and the tram ride while waiting to board the plane.

Birdview on the island before we hit the runway. Marvellous view. This is the 1st plane ride for the kids and I’m surprise they did not jump hysterically in the plane but sits obediently and constantly watching out the window except for Baby Princess (grrrr…) who is like a worm moving here and there.

Upon reaching the island, we rented a Proton Wira for 3 days 2 night for RM120 only. This is really cheap, affordable and convenient. We grab lots of road map on the island as we will be driving ourself to get to places. Our hotel is about 5 minutes ride from the airport.

I would highly recommend this hotel. It is located at Pantai Cenang which is at the centre of the island and tourist spots. 15 minutes to the Cable car and 15 mins to Kuah town and other spots are scattered along the way. Although they don’t have beach front, they claimed they had the longest lazy river in Malaysia which is not to my interest but I do like their pool.

Most importantly walking distance to the beach, convenient store, eateries and window shopping.

By the time we check-in to our hotel it’s about 3.15pm. Remember I’ve talk about my friend who is a chef working in The Datai? I was invited for lunch there! It’s about 30mins ride from our hotel. Sign boards are everywhere you won’t get get lost. At least we started to have some confidence driving on the island.

While waiting for my friend Chef Raymond, I try not to act like a jakun *cough* although couldn’t help it.

They have a big pond with lots of lotus flowers in there. Too bad it’s frog season and not blooming season. But the lotus are beautiful. Ya! My friend caught me snaping this pic and ask,

“Why? Never see a lotus flower before issit.”

“See before. But never see sooooooooo many of them before!”

While waiting for a buggy to arrive….

See this?! Naza Ria!!! My first time in this recliner seat. The hotel is so big unless you wanna walk from the lobby to the restaurant. But you can’t expect the Queen to walk right? (*wink, wink)

Bare Bear in mind that this is more than 5star international hotel. No kids running and shouting around and definitely no kids at any restaurant after 8.00pm!!! I can’t promised how my kids will behave but I know what is the consequences. I’ve been whispering to kids and feeling a bit awkward after that. Too high class for me liao. I wanna leave!!!!!
My lunch! Magura Tuna salad.

I’m feeling so hungry and this is what the chef recommended! Salad! Knn, come so far only eat salad meh?

Chef: Well done or medium?

Queen: (huh? tuna wor not steak la) Make it medium. *trying to look pleased but also a bit blur liao*

Since I didn’t want to sound rude, so I’ll leave everything to the chef. And I hate tuna. I mean, I do eat them but not my favourite tho. They have a strong fishy smell. But when the food arrive, I almost forgot that it is a tuna salad till I stumble upon a chunk of raw looking meat and took a bite. Hmmm… It taste heavenly! A fresh piece of tuna is nothing like the canned tuna! No fishy smell and chewy. Overall, the salad was good. Not at all regret and I know the Chef knows his cooking well!

This is hubby’s chicken salad and he keep on arguing that the tuna belongs to him. Wakakakaaaa…. Chicken breast! Pui, pui. I hate chicken breast! The taste? No idea but he finished them too while the kids had spagetti and pizza.

According to the chef, everything in The Datai are homemade. Nothing is from the store except for raw materials that is including their chili sauce, ketchup, salad dressing and ice creams!

Dessert

Homemade Mango sorbet. Taste heavenly. Hubby and the kids had ice-creams. Their vanilla ice-cream are made from the real vanilla seeds and not from the essence there fore it is not that smooth. A bit nutty but nice!

Chef Raymond

Cute or not? He looks so handsome in his uniform that I feel like hugging him *ahem*. I’ll like to extend my appreciation to him for the wonderful afternoon and indulge like a Queen. Imagine the chef sitting next to you and snapping his fingers to get attention and orders from the waitresses. So grand lidat I almost forgot my table manners.

…………………………….

On the way back to our hotel, we passed by this tunnel.

If you watch CARS, you would know this looks familiar. But if you haven’t, go watch CARS. It’s a nice movie.

And when we stopped at the petrol kiosk for gas …

Forgot the name but it’s a harbour. Very nice scenery with lack of entertainment.

That’s all for day one. So far, kids behave themself well and no one throw any tantrum. We had chinese food for dinner at 8.00pm and kids are so tired they wanted to called it a night. I’m fine with it. It was supposed to be a family holiday and not a shopping spree for me but eldest insist that I should shop a bit since we are already in town. awww…. she’s so understanding but I don’t want to take advantage on them. 10mins ride in the car, the 3 of them fall soundly asleep.

Read Day 2 tomorrow.