Taipei Day 1

So, at 955 sharp we left KLIA for Taipei.. Took about 4 hours plus, we arrived around 230 pm... Got economy class only, not upgradable as it was only less than 5 hours flight.. Uneventful, read Mingguan Malaysia (my weekend fix) as well as Jelita, a Malay language magazine that I always bought to read on flights abroad and then left it to our hosts whom usually would missed reading something in Bahasa Malaysia (good tip there hehehe)...

Bought keropok keping (fish crackers) and serunding daging (meat floss) directly for souvenir as I personally know our lady host. Panicked a bit when we approach the runway then the pilot annouced that animal products are banned from entering Taiwan and must be declared or be prosecuted.. Ops! Don't see any warning like this in any blog.. I was getting worried but thankfully when we passed tru the customs, there were no sniffer dogs in sight so the serunding was able to be delivered safely to the intended recipient.

Our host is very generous, we were able to stop briefly at the Chang Kai Shek memorial park, Sun Yatt Seng, sight of Taipei 101.. A brief stop at our home for the next 7 nights, Capital Hotel.. Nice hotel with English garden design (lotsa of flowers and statues)... Nice! With an electronic bidet to boot... Hahaha no such thing in Malaysia so we're a bit impressed.. It can't rival what's in Japan so I am told, but it is still impressive.

Then off to our host for a dinner of Malay food.. Rice.. Really an unexpected surprised as I thought I won't see Malay food for at least 5 days.. Then trying out Taiwan MRT just to have a look at the famous Shihlin Night Market.. We were too tired with all the travelling so just took a taxi to our hotel (around TWD155 or roughly RM15.50)...

Hmmm.. Quick small facts:-
1) Now NTW100 is around RM11
2) The weather in June is similar to Malaysia.. Light jacket for night (like a windbreaker) is ok but perhaps not really necessary)..
3) Wifi hotspot is plenty especially in the hotel.. Internet is free in the hotel.. Wow!
4) Taiwanese loves scooters.. Not RXZ like us Malaysians..
5) They are discipline .. Queing for busses as well as toilets..
6) Porks are everywhere.. Food would be fabulous for my non muslim friends..
7) It looks gloomy (esp if there's drizzle).. But it is still not cool.. But I do wonder why Taiwanese still wears jackets like its really cold..

Ok.. That's it for today's report.. I'll report more tonight hopefully..

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Concorde Inn KLIA

Well, as I need to fly out early in the morning, decided to stay in one of the KLIA hotels. As Pan Pacific has restriction of stay in time.. First 6 hours a fixed rate and then hourly, I decided to stay at Concorde Inn KLIA as it boost its location as 3 mins away by shuttle.

My fault is that I didn't booked early which would entitled me to a cheaper rate around RM190 (around RM6 more than my govt rate allocation).. Booked around 4 days before gives me a rate of RM245.

Concorde Inn KLIA is a kinda motel like.. Just 1 storey to facilitate travellers wheeling their baggage. However, it was very well kept, groom and clean. My room is ok in size, had lots of different tv channel to surf as well as well satisfying showers for me to wash my tiredness away. Their toiletries is a bit masculine in design.. Black and white simple design with different numbering for each type.

I have to say I am very well satisfied with their buffet spread.. Western till Eastern, its all there. Even the nasi lemak is authentic with the sambal spiciness makes me hiccup ... haha.. I can alway measure that there is more than enough chillies in a dish when I start hiccupping :P

Reading other reviews, I saw that some mention excellent gym and pool facilities.. Haven't used them so I can say anything but I would definitely stay in Concorde the next time I have an early flight like this again :)




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From Kuantan to KLIA

Haven't been posting much tho I have been all round KB - KL - Seremban and back home to Kerteh again.

Only tonight I got a bit of a breather.. Going again to KL for a trip to Taiwan starting tomorrow morning... So now I am in Kuantan Airport waiting for my flight at 7.10 pm. As I think I will be doing nothing most of the journey, I hope I will be a lil bit more active posting for the next fornight.

Ok.. We will talk first about Malaysian Airlines service.. I got no complaints against them:-
1) My bag got jammed at check-in.. The staff is friendly enuff to file a complaint form tho I am not bothered esp I am going to Taiwan early tomorrow morning.. No time man!
2) My protruding stomach is catching the staffs eyes nowadays.. 2 days ago, Firefly on the way to KT.. And now today :P.. As I am still early around 5 months, I am allowed to travel tho I should've get the doctor's clearence form to fly (Hehe.. Too busy for that).. However, they both had asked me to sign imdemnity for which I have no prob to sign..
3) Well, lastly, think the toilets at the airport need revamping.. Even in the departure hall is is filthy.. From 3 only 1 is usable.. Malaysian should be more civic minded in the usage of public amenities such as the public toilet.

Hmm.. Ok that's it before I am on board, hopefully I won't be too tired to write a review on Concorde KLIA tonight.

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Alone on Wesak Day

So... Here I am.. Alone on Wesak Day in KB.. Am waiting for 9am to go down from breakfast.. Then some confirmation with Riverview for the other two night stay...

If I stay at the hotel.. I would sleep the day away.. So am thinking around 1030, I need to go round KB..

As I am expected to go for training in Taiwan, need to buy some supplies..
1) A smart jacket for work.. If not I just use my usual coat
2) A sandal
3) Pregnancy pant
4) A blouse.. Need a red one for "events" in KB..
5) A kain ela.. For a new baju kurung for my Kuantan event end this month as well as reusable for my Taiwan trip afterwards..

Perhaps a short trip to Mama Baby shop I saw on my way back to hotel yesterday for another shopping trip.. Bought a new handbag.. Usual stuff @ RM119 (20% discount after the original price of RM139).. Goes down to RM10 per month. Hankering for some branded stuff but I think I will persevere for another year :P)..

But if possible, I do not feel keen at all to walk all around KB.. But I don't feel like sleeping all tge day today...

Hurmm.. Jalan slow2 jek lerrr..

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The Prodigal Sons

It's past midnight and I can't sleep. Outstation again in Riverview KB for an event.. As we are supposed to meet up with the audit team tomorrow, I decided to just stay another day.

So, Wesak tomorrow.. I will be just relaxing doing nothing.

Thinking of my sons, Kimi the nice one, and Haikal, the cheeky one. They're at mom in law house at the moment. Hurmmm.. Bet they gonna enjoy raiding the shop (its a kampung shophouse) esp the icecream chest :P



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Our Current Fav Spot of the House

A few weeks ago, on impulse, I bought a set of teak (jati) furniture for the patio.. It kinda bare so I thought of buying natural teak furniture but those more artistically designed.

Found a workshop in Kelantan with value for money prices but they don't provide transport.. Hurm.. A tad dissapointed so that's why when I saw these at a promotion in Mesra Mall for RM999, I immediately snapped them up. In retrospective, think I could get them cheaper elsewhere.. Hurmmm..

So far, it has been useful, we conducted a BBQ there on the seats' first few night at our home.. Afternoon tea sessions with keropok lekor as the main meal.. As well as nightly chat with dear hubby when the wheather is hot and balmy.. Especially now is the dry season for Malaysia..

The patio still look bare, thinks of buying an aquarium for that soothing sound.. As well as decorating the back part with our two traditional mesin getah as well as the old batu pengisar (blender? For mashing the rice into fine flour).. Hurmm.. Its gonna be a nice project as well as focal point for whomever deign to visit us I think :)


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DeCluttering @ Home

Well.. I took annual leave for yesterday and today.. Tomorrow is a publuc holiday. And I spend the two day doing decluttering job at home.

Phew.. As weekend wife, I got lotsa things to do but not enough time. These two days are hectic. I must say I have the deepest respect for the housewife such as my mom. You might think that who bring the money home should have the higher respect, but I beg to differ.. Moms' works are 24 hours.

Fuhhh.. These two days are making m e real tired. I think I need hired help :P

P/s .. An amusing note.. Found a bagful of hubby clothes and things. See we sometimes do bought things.. Put it aside and forget about it.. Wastefull.. Am putting these on the open so I can remind him not to buy anymore.




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A Shy One...

Am at Klinik Kesihatan Bukit Payung at the moment.. Must say, the govt clinic is through.. Weekly checks.. And sometimes follow up calls when I'm not there.. And glares from the nurses if I am late for appointments.. Haha.. I don't blame them.. This means that they are really doing the jobs...

Just want to share.. People even me always confused when to start the pink book (appointment book for expecting mothers at government clinic).. Gor my first pregnancy.. Kimi in 2005, they are a lil bit more relaxed. I used the private clinic under my workplace and just start the pink book around when my pregnancy was about 6 months.

Fast forward to my third one, 2012.. I was a bit late but still early (in my opinion).. So when the clinic ask my 2nd for follow up (at 2.5 years old.. And I was under assumption that they only follow up till 2.. Its actually till they start standard 1 folks!!!)... Anyway.. It was early March.. I was around 3 months along.. And the nurses glared at me soo hard, I thought I had made a grave mistake.. Haha :P

So.. Ladies.. As soon as you suspect you're preggies, just go to the nearest clinic desa.. It is all FOC. But I do wonder, would it be the same if I am in KL with the millions of people there as compared to a small town called Bukit Payung in Marang, Terengganu.

Aahh well, thank you doctors and nurses for your hard work. Had a pic of my newest. A shy one at 4 months. My other two boys were exhibitionist when they were scanned hahaha. Hoping my shy one would be a girl. A health happy girl, physically and mentally healthy, and all the good things for both world and the hereafter. Aminnnnnn...




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