Exora Climbing Up Genting



Seems hubby still loves to test the Exora.. last Friday around 12 pm we went for a Genting trip.. thought to stay up there, but all the hotels were fully book, so went down to KL for dinner and sleep then at 9 o'clock Saturday started back to Kerteh, hehe what a crazy trip :)

 

 

 

 Hurmm... the fuel indicator is there cz I forgot to refuel at Temerloh R&R when the fuel indicator is stating we have only up to 58 km of fuel.. hubby is happy to give me hard time on it cz I blabber to him as he forgot to fuel up during our Johor trip earlier heheh.. Anyway, when indicator neared the 50 km marks, had to use the Trip button indicator as apparently Exora fuel indicator won't show the mileage below 50 km.. Had quite a tense time as hubby teased me from when the Exora fuel indicator number vanished til we stop at PETRONAS Karak to fuel up, I believe around that time, estimated fuel left would be around 7 - 8 km only heheh :P

Anyway, so we fuelled up to the max, around RM100 and mileage shown when full was 613 km, pheww...

 

Sorry for the blurry pics, with Hannah harness in from on me like a baby Kangaroo, cant really be a good photographer. Well, think Exora CFE performed beautifully climbing Genting.. of course its not as powerful as hubby's Kia Sorento but its not so bad. It can climb and even overtake others. I even saw an Exora CPS climbing up at ease.. so not so bad. So, this put out the myth that some forumers says that Exora puttered out when climbing Genting.

Yeay! Exora pass the test again. Thinking of climbing the Cameron and off to Penang next :)

Exora Fuel Consumption

Fuelling up at Petronas Bandar Baru yesterday.. Half a tank at RM50 gives est 320 km. Full tank would be around 640.

That would mean:-
A trip from Kerteh - Bt Payung (my weekend home) 100 km
B.Payung - KT 5 days a week.. 20@2@5: 200 km..
Bt Payung Kerteh again 100km
That'll be 400 km..

Balance 240.. A trip to KT and another around 3 days to work.. So for me, a full tank RM100 would mean 1.5 weeks usage. Not bad I'll say. For me, using gas guzzling old Sportage and a bit economical 1.8cc old Peugout, its not so bad.

Ooo.. And I am only using RON95.. Its cheaper and also unleaded, just what Exora need unleaded fuel. Don't think I want to spend Ron97 for the Exora.

Think hubby enjoy the driving experiance of Exora too. Been hinting about going to KL before fasting months start. I am not so keen, being an avid traveller myself due to work.. But, why not eh?! :)



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First Exora Service @ 1400 km

Well, actually it shoulda be at 1000 km but apparently Kerteh - JB - Legolang - Seremban - KL - Kerteh is more than that haha..

Hubby did most of the drivings. People said to preserve the engine, the first 1000 km should be driven at 100km/h only. Well, I drill that to hubby but he only managed to disicpline himself the first 100 km.. Then usual 110 - 120 and then reaching 140 at @ PLUS.

Well, overall I am satisfied with the Exora, big space, ample rooms and lotsa nooks and crannies to store small items and drinks, really an advantage when you have kiddies with their small toys, snacks and drinks.

I drove Exora a bit on the way to Seremban. I must say, good power. You wouldn't realise that you could get up to 120 soo quickly, and a bit heavier on the pedal would get you up at 140 with no effort. However, when you slowed down and then need to push the pedal suddenly, I must say I did feel the engine strains a bit.

So, the first service cost RM140, it might cost more but hubby being a bit frugal decline the engine oil treatment stating it is still new, so we saved around RM50 there. The complaint about Proton Service Centre is unfortunately true. Tho the frontman at the SC we went to is cool and nice, the first registration as it was our first time servicing the Exora took 30 mins. Then, another 2.5 hours until we got our Exora back.

They did asked us if we had problems with our Exora, and acted surprised at taken aback when we said all are well. Make me curious that perhaps there are some unfortunates that had problem with their Exora. Alhamdulillah, thank god ours is tiptop.

We did thought that the reverse camera look a bit unaligned but apparently, all exora are like that.

What else.. Well the buttons on the steering wheel is just ok. For searching stations, changing mode, volume and bluetooth for the phones, nothing fancy.

When we got back the Exora, is was raining a bit, so yeah its true, Exora is a bit noisy when it rains, the roof sounded like tin roof. Ooo, also as the engine is turbo, there are a bit of woowoo sound when we shut the engine.. The fan is cooling down the engine. I read in the forum that this makes the Exora too noisy, but I had experiance hubby's diesel powered Sorento, trust me Sorento is noisier.

What else, hurmmm I also like Exora fuel economy. Our trip to Johor would be around RM250 or 2.5 tanks. Yeah diesel is cheaper but its still better than my new Peugeout. For RM80, I would usually get 2 trips KT Kerteh and to anf fro my office for five days so that would be 115@2+15*10 so 250 + 150 aka 400 km. Ops, actually for RM80 Exora stated it could go around 480.. Ah well.. Its a big car.

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.. And We're Off...

In the Exora now, aiming for our first destination Segamat. Overall, am satisfied with Exora with hubby as driver, Kimi as co captain, my mom and I and baby Hannah on the 2nd row and Haikal conquering the last seat.

Exora is spacious, ample leg room for the 2nd row. Haven't tried the 3rd myself but for Kimi and Haikal its ample space. The dvd is just ok. We got the Exora Bold so there's leather seat, a good thing for us with young kids, esp with the splashes of milk, snack foods and sometime barfs.

The reverse parking camera is also a plus. However, still need to use our parking skill first as it didn't account for side obstacles.

Radio and sound is just fair. Seats are fairly comfy (will update you later after I finished the 8 hours drive).

The dashboard is definitely boring. Jz functional, and nothing special. Quite like the led lighted display actually, so the meter is easily read. Also there's a meter stating how many km left with fuel. With full fuel, it states 450 km. We shall see if its a fuel saver machine.


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Exora in Da Houz..

Think the happiest when Exora is home, definitely would be Kimi n Haikal.

Now both would have their own seat. At the back of the car, with clear view of the DVD. I can imagine their excitement to settle down tonight during our half way journey to JB.. Kerteh to Segamat would take around 4 hours. Then we will be staying at KopTown hotel. Kinda like budget hotel nowadays than actual hotel because they are newer, good new beds, cheaper, better tv as well wifi. Like KopTown is offering RM88 per room with 1 breakfast. The only downside of budget hotels everywhere is some rooms do not have window so a bit stuffy.

Anyway, haven't seen my Exora in person yet. Will do a review tomorrow when I had an actual physical experience on it.


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Here She Comes! My Exora..

The past few weeks I had been busy, then hubby decided to indulge Kimi's wish to go to Legoland again during school holiday and for that, we will need a new ride :)

Things to do for buying cars are easier now that in 99 when I bought my Iswara. Payslips and IC jz to be scanned and emailed. Sms's to follow up status to Proton dealer and bank.

Wasn't very optimistic to get the car as my commitment is high. So, was surprised to know that the loan was approved. Me as main borrower and hubby as guarantor.

We pushed the dealer and banker a lot hehe! Less than a week (deducting some days I was on holiday).. Then last Sunday, I need to take another holiday to sign agreements and signed some docs at JPJ to sell off my car, get the NCD as well as buy my IC based registration no.

So.. See the elegant brown Exora there?! In prison and desperately need to get out :P

Can start pick it up at 4 today, hubby will do it as he is nearer. Then tomorrow, a quick sojourn to Tok Bali for an event, then back to Kerteh.. Drv down to Johor.. Stop over for a night rest at KopTown Bajet Hotel Segamat.. Legoland again?! Amansari Stualang Laut then BATAM!!!!!

Yeah.. massage here I come :)



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La Hot Spring, Jerteh, Terengganu

* This was written around a month ago, only gotta time to update and upload today. Kinda enjoy La Hot Spring :) ...

 

Gotta be in KB again today for work, in fact I am currently in Renaissance KB waiting for big boss and invitees to this dialog and dinner session.

Anyway, as I thought this week would be an unbusy week, I had bought my mom and 2nd son, Haikal to stay with me. When the directive come, I thought why not bring them along for holiday.

Since I have been stationed in KT for 5 years, I had been eyeing La Hot Spring signboard countless time on my way to and fro Terengganu and Kelantan. Thank god, today my curiosity is assuaged. I entered from Jabi point (also a place popular with Sate Jabi). And La Hot Spring is 30 km away, about 10 km before that is Lata Tembakah.. Another tourist spot - more like waterfall and small river type of thingy.

 

Bit blurry pic of the welcome sign there. If you squint, can still read it, I supposed :)

 

The road to La is surprisingly in good condition. As today is Wednesday, its not surprising that we are the only one there. It was a bit neglected, esp with construction going on. We found out later that there would be new rows of chalet and shoplots replacing the wooden shoplots previously located there.

On the furthest point is the main entrance. On the left would be the new rooms for accomodations. The spring is just right behind me. There are souvenir shops esp. balloon bathing thingy .. there's also around 2 shops selling food, but not much selection aka just Maggie mee for a hot meal, but their iced milo aint bad :)


I must say the small river in front of the hot spring area is very clean, wade height and very clean white sands, its ideal for small children to enjoy themselves while the adults enjoy the heatlh benefit of the hot spring. The stream is around below knee level so it would not be dangerous for small kiddies.

After the bridge, there are several huts each particitioned into 4 sections for people to soak their feet or whole body in. During our visit, only one was filled up. Apparently around working days, there are any visitors, like during that day is was only us, the caretaker did say around weekends and public holidays, you would not have the easy peasy calm time like today.

The individual pools, or during weekend, the foot spa cz too many people would be around haha..

This is actually the main pool. Small ain't it. What's special about La Hot Spring is the hot water is derived from the rock at the left of the picture there. Have to say it is very hot. I have been to Baling and Trolak for their hot spring, and I can dip my legs in. Here I cant. My mom can tho. She had a bit of cramped leg conditions.. and she really enjoyed the dipping telling me that she can feel the soothingness of the hot water. We had quite a long chat with the caretaker there. She was a resident nearby too. Apparently she had a heart condition and upon hearing recommendation started to use La... bathing in in for a few hours and drinking the main water. She said after a few months she was healed. It was apparently also good for those whom are paralysed. She said some Chinese from Terengganu would come weekly with big barrels of containers to get the source water, which will then be used for drinking and cooking.

View from opposite the rock. Yep, during workdays you would have the pool all by yourself, but during weekends, all spots would be filled... also on the rocks itself. The caretaker also said, it would be nicer to take a dip at night. If there are visitors, they would light the spotlight on. People would usually take midnight dips there.

Hmmm.. and now come the mysterios part.. apparently the place is also inhibited by bunians, the invisible communities that usually does exist among us. Bunians are usually friendly unless we do something bad. If you like, you could try the alternative medicines by the bunians... it is usually on Tuesday, and you have to check with the main caretaker first. However, this depend wheather you are deemed worthy for the treatments or else, the session will not take place. Weeweoooo... feel like I am living in XFiles here.

In a nutshell, La Hot Spring is interesting. Am leaving the brochure for you to ogle too. The rate is quite cheap aint it, but do not expect much. It is not that well kept. Perhaps when the new rooms under construction now, when finished would be better. However, it is cheap. But better to book first esp on weekends and PHs, it would be full. Be prepared to take the dip at night / midnight / early morning as during the day on weekend, it would be very full. Perhaps also bring the small portable stove to cook rice and simple fried fish as the stalls here doesn't provide much. Oooo.. the electricity aint that reliable too. So, ensure you hp is fully recharged.

That's it. Well, haven't been writing this comprehensive for a long time (been super busy too) but La does interest me. Need to go there again someday as mom is hankering for a long hot dip. Enjoy!

  

My Blog, My Life

No Hannah this week, gotta go outstation so had to export her to my mom's.... meaning I gotta heaps of free time at night.

Had a chance reading back the entries on my blog. Wow! Time flies. I even dont remember some of the things I had posted and bought back such lovely memories.

Been neglecting this blog a bit, I gotta admit. Think I need to keep it alive again. Would be nice to reread again after several years, or even when the kiddies are bigger and able to see themself documented tru the years.

Think we all got lovely memories... but sometimes, we would be too busy on the supposed "important" things that we forget some things in life are free.

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