MALAYSIAN ROAD TRIP

Our dream of going on our very own Malaysian Road Trip came through yesterday. Since the kids were born, we have been talking about taking this road trip as we felt that the children; being born and bred in the city have become too "city" for our liking. When they see a cow on the road, the way they scream, one would think that they saw a spaceship! But no, it was only a cow!! Being the kind of people who hate crowds, we always make it a point to avoid travelling during public holidays but with the kids in school, it makes more sense to travel during this time. I booked early so that the hotel rooms would be cheaper as I notice that when you book the last minute, the price tend to be higher. As we are now a single-income family, the budget was a main criteria so it was important to make the best of the budget!

Our last long trip was Australia in 2004. After that, we have had lots of long weekends all over Malaysia and Singapore but not an adventurous 10-day trip like this one. With the price of airfares sky-high especially if buying for 6 including our wonderful helper who is part of the family, we decided that flying is out for now. So, with the kids all grown at 4,6 & 8 years, we decided to take this road trip which will take us from KL-Kuantan-KB(through Kemaman, Marang, KT)-Pulau Banding (the newly opened Belum Forest Resort)-Kangar(through Baling for a day trip)-Sungei Petani(overnight)-Penang(our favourite destination for 2 nights)-Ipoh-KL(Home Sweet Home). Hubby has never been on the East-West Highway which has long held intrigue for him. I have been twice during my university days and I remember how scenic it was. I have a picture of myself right smack in the middle of the Pulau Banding bridge with my hands streched across. I remember how beautiful it was!

We're spending 2 nights in Kuantan with my godparents before we head for Kota Bahru tomorrow. We arrived late yesterday after some "smart" packing because after Kuantan, we won't have a chance to do our laundry until Penang because its one night everywhere. In Penang, we have found a very nice Auntie who runs a laundry near Pulau Tikus to wash our clothes. She does it so well and is such a nice and friedly lady.

We arrived to a wonderful late tea spread of dainty chicken curry and fish/egg curry puffs which were lovely. My godmother who is a gourmet cook whipped up a sumptious dinner of ikan bakar (really deliciou), stir-fried prawns, mutton stew and vegetables. Dinner was wonderful, to say the least. The 2 older kids stayed up late (which is a previlege during the hols) and Mishya went to sleep as usual at 8.30pm. The heat was unbearable; thank god for the air-cond rooms. We had a good night's sleep and everyone was awake by 7.30am this morning.

Auntie Gwen (God bless her), went out to buy nasi lemak bungkus which Balan, Mishya and I enjoyed while Rohen and Tishya ate sausages with bread. Topped off with a nice coffee, it was a great start to the day. We then decided to take the "heat" off by going to Giant to buy some things; I have only 2 words - AIR CONDITIONING! In Giant, our not-so-little baby, Mishya decided to throw one of her shoes away. We went round looking for it but couldn't find it. She is now shoe-less. So, we'll have to take another trip to the shopping mall later today.

We had the famour Kuantan Curry Laksa for lunch (adults) and Fish Ball Noodles (kids) and now, the kids are taking a rest. Come this evening, we're heading for Telok Cempedak which is a very short drive away. Balan and I don't like Telok Cempedak as it is today, all "new and improved". Its no longer a beautiful beach to watch the sunset and let the breeze sway you to your dreams. There is a big garish McDonalds right smack by the beach and lots of stalls which sell tacky souvenirs. They don't allow us to pack by the side of the beach anymore, you have to park at a sandy carpark behind all the concrete! But I guess we just have to accept the new Telok Cempedak as it is, and look past all the development to find the magic of the place! We'll try.

It will be an early night for all as we leave for KB at 6.30am. Reason being, we want to arrive in KB early in order to explore and because we definitely want to have breakfast at Hai Peng Coffeeshop in Kemaman which is about 1 hour away from Kuantan.

We decided not to bring the laptop along as we realised we would be be spending half our time lugging it around and worrying if we left it in the hotel room. So, I'll blog again when I have access to a computer!

Over and out :-)