Avani Sepang Gold Coast Resort, Malaysia Day 1

Dear Diary,

I am currently using my husband's laptop to blog. I wasn't keen on using his because I'd rather use mine but he insisted in allowing me to blog using his personal laptop.  My laptop's keyboard decided to die on me yesterday while I was doing my laptop's clean-ups + the antivirus & anti-malware scans which I left it to run overnight. I woke up in the morning with my laptop already restarted and as I tried to key in my password to my laptop, I realized, nope, no alphabets or keys were typed in.

Woke my husband up while almost crying (at this rate of how many months we've been married, he is used to 'that I usually cry at every little things that affects me.' Lol!) and he tried to help me save my laptop but to no avail. So the only thing left is to bring it for repair tomorrow when D is on leave. Well, I hope it won't cause me much because I truly love my laptop besides the keyboard now giving the problem, it is still in working condition. Not very fast but not very slow as well.  It is my FIRST laptop that I bought using my own money. Technically, the 2nd laptop I own.

 

Anyway, I am here to blog on the recent vacation that D and I went. I guess this vacation marks the end of our last vacation for this year. Yes, just this year but not on the upcoming years. Hehehe! I guess I'm too addicted in traveling that all I want to do now is just see and travel the world.

Again, I wanted to go somewhere where not most people have been to. Probably the last time I can do this because the next places that I would want to go are places that most of my friends have been to. Hehe! Andddd....yes, D and I went to Sepang in Malaysia and reside in the resort called - Avani Sepang Gold Coast Resort.

I actually planned for a 4D3N itinerary but I had to cut the vacation short since my parents-in-law was going to do their mini haj on our 4th day and we wanted to see them off at the airport. Still it was better than nothing that we somehow get to travel and relax even if it's for 1 short day. Hehe!

D and I didn't drive to Sepang, Malaysia because we do not own a car. We could have rented a car but I dare not because I don't really dare to drive in Malaysia, neither does D. I did my own research on how I could transport  ourselves from Singapore over to Avani. And I found that there is a bus that drive from Singapore to Sepang Avani on a daily basis and the company is called Golden Coach. I booked it online on the 'Easy Book' website - http://www.easybook.com/en-sg/bus/booking/singapore-to-avanisepanggoldcoast both the going and return tickets and we are good to go!

The bus fetch its passenger either from Concorde Shopping Centre at 0845 hours or City Plaza at 0815 hours. Afraid that we might not be able to wake up so early at 8.15am, D and I decided to choose the boarding timing at 8.45am. I didn't take leave the day before we travel, so I had to settle all the house chores; the laundry etc etc etc and it was only at 3.30am that I managed to pack my things while D was already in his la la land. Lol!

Day 1 - 14 November 2017

D tried to wake me up in the morning but I couldn't wake up at all that morning. I even took my pillow to cover my face to ignore him. Lol! Poor husband. In the end, of course I managed to wake up to shower etc. but we were already running late. We were supposed to reach Concorde Shopping Centre at 8.15am (30 minutes before departure) and we planned to reach there by 8am at least by public transport. I tried to do a grab hitch the night before but there wasn't anybody who wants to give us a hitch. Hurhur! At 0730am, D told me to just do a justgrab. I saw how the price from $17 jumped all the way to $26 and grabshare was about $24.  So heartbroken. D then told me to do just a standard taxi booking because it ranges from $17-$26 (I never trust the range because I'm sure it will still be as expensive) which I did. In the end, with 2 ERPs the total fare was $28.50 even more expensive.

Thank God, I've been to Concorde Shopping Centre quite a few times during those days to Zouk 😜 and I did a waxing there once too. So, I guide D to where the Golden Coach company was. And surprisingly, there was no one there yet at 8am. LOL! We were early. At 8.15am, one of the staff walked in to open the door and after switching on her computer, she told us to come in. I didn't manage to ask the lady for her name but she was friendly. She talked to us and arranged for us our tickets. She even offered us drinks and coffee and asked us if we wanted food or breakfast but we didn't wanted any. Hehehe! There was only 4 of us in the coach today and she was teasing why we chose the seat all the way to back and the other couple chose their seat all the way to the front. LOL! Old couple VS young couple, I supposed.

At 8.30am, the driver walked in. The lady have already made him coffee and bought him some breakfast to pass it to him, she was really such a nice employer (I rarely get to see this kind of sight)and then she told us to follow the driver to head to our bus.

 

It was a smooth 5 hours drive with 2 stops. 1 stop to fill up the bus' petrol, which D and I bought something to eat inside the bus (yes you can eat & drink inside the bus) and the other stop for toilet break.

 

D bought this to eat. Hehe!

 

We past Port Dickson first

 

 

 

After, 5 hours of ride our bus driver told us "Avani can alight here" and dropped us at a bus stop near the road side. This part scare me a little because I thought the coach bus will drive us all the way to Avani resort but apparently not. LOLOLS! Even D was as puzzled, of course he would be because I'm the one doing all the booking. I thought I book us tickets half-way to get stranded on an unknown place but nope, a taxi driver came to pick us up from there. It was an Indian driver as well.

Caught sight of these. Hehehe! We don't get to see this in Singapore.

The driver was nice as well, he asked us if we already had breakfast and don't mind to stop us anywhere or bring us anywhere for lunch. But D and I just wanted to reach Avani fast, so we can have lunch there instead. We just wanted to check-in and rest after the long hours of bus ride.

And this part about the journey to Avani, I'm not sure if it's funny or offensive? The Indian driver thought both D and I were Chinese and kept offering us if we wanted to eat Bak Kut Teh since they have the best Bak Kut Teh there. He even mentioned the Chicken Rice there is the nicest. I mean I would love to! Chicken Rice I meant but when he said the popularity there are mostly Indian & Chinese, I could just imagine and felt unsure if the Chicken Rice is halal. So of course, we rejected him nicely. When he started to mention things about Malay. Hmmmmmmm...  About how Malays can be difficult only want Halal things that's why we are difficult to progress. Like when it comes to food or clubbing. He did say other things about Malay too which some part I choose to agree about it but only the Halal part, although there could be some truth to that but when it comes to religious wise, dosa is still a dosa. A sin is still a sin. Some religion requires them to be vegetarian or not to eat beef etc and you don't see anyone saying things like it's so troublesome why they have to be that way etc because one thing in Singapore, which I'm so thankful about, we don't see any of our friends saying such things about other people's religion or our friends who are not the same religion as us because we are brought up in a way to UNDERSTAND and ACCEPT each other's differences. And who say having Halal and Haram cause one to be laid back and not progressive? Singapore is one example that practices on the Halal and Haram (food/clubbing) and we have MUIS to take care of it and yet, we are still a forward nation. If it's haram like food or clubbing then we just avoid lorrrr. And when he kept saying Lexis Hisbiscus in Port Dickson is so much nicer than Avani Sepang, it makes me feel quite demoralized for choosing my stay in Avani.

But anyway, the driver was nice enough to stop us near a shop so that I can get my top-up card for my Malaysia prepaid. I think the driver then realized that D and I were Malay. From calling me 'Ah Moi' he called me 'Adik' after that. LOL! He also apologize to us hoping that we don't feel offended or complain about him after what he have said. LOL! But D and I are not an extremist kind. People have their own rights to their own thoughts, as long as we reach my journey safely, that is what most important to us. Hurhur!

It was about 20 minutes ride and we finally safely reached Avani. Alhamdulilah! We still tipped the taxi driver despite all that. I always believe when people treat you unkind, you still treat them nice and be a better version than what they have said. So, peace people. Give peace.

Avani Sepang Gold Coast Resort  

The view here is amazing. The moment I saw the water villa I really cannot wait to check-in to see how the water villa will look like especially on top of the water like that. Despite the reviews saying check-in usually take so long, ours was super fast on that day, less than 10 minutes. I guess we went during the non-peak days. The check-in timing says at 3pm but we were allowed to check-in at around 2.45pm. The lady at the counter was nice too, D and I actually booked for the Superior Room but we were upgraded to the Family Villa.  I was so happy that I kept thanking the staff. Even though we don't really need the Family Villa since there's 2 bedrooms in there and D and I only needed 1. Hehe! But the room there has more privacy, has a bathtub (I didn't soak inside since it doesn't really look clean =X, Lol!) and it's nearer to the pool + restaurant compared to where the superior rooms are located.

 

We were buggied to our room to check-in to our rooms and we cannot feel more happy. The place is just so calm and relaxed and I totally forgot about what the driver mention it not being nice than Lexis Hisbiscus, because this place is enough to make me feel contented. I of course, keep taking pictures the view from our room and balcony.

At high tide.

Since we haven't had lunch yet, D was pestering me if we could go to the restaurants for food first and my pictures later. Hehehe!

Bila-Bila Restaurants

There are a few restaurants around Avani I guess but the nearest one to our room is definitely Bila-Bila restaurants just opposite the infinity pool. The moment D saw the menu, it wasn't appetizing much to him because there wasn't much variety of food on the menu. We left the place after asking for the menu and wanted to head to Sepoi-Sepoi Restaurant. Half-way in the buggy, the buggy driver mentioned that sepoi-sepoi is close for a month due to renovation and we are left with no choice but to have lunch at Bila-Bila restaurants. There are other restaurant like Chinese Stimboat restaurant but I wasn't sure if it was Halal or not and the Perahu restaurant is only open at 6pm. LOL! So we u-turn back to have lunch at Bila-Bila.

Beggars can't be choosers we just chose what we think would be best.

 

My Shirley Temple and D's hot Milo. Too sweet he couldn't finish. LOL!

Surprisingly, the Beef burger was nice and so was the Chicken Grilled Sandwich. We both love it and were so full from it after that.

After lunch, we headed back to our water villa to chill and watch TV while I continued taking pictures till the night falls in. Hehe!

Oh yes, as we were meddling with the TV instead of having to call from the phone straight, you can actually order or ask for any services from the TV. Like even in-villa dining services etc. For example, D and I plan to board the shuttle bus the next day at 2pm. All we had to do is select that option and pressed submit. The staff will then call you within 1 minute. Yes that efficient! To confirm with you of what you order or what you requested.

Till I continue in the next entry again for our Day 2 and Day 3 in Avani.

XOXO,

Princess Azie Anni ♥

Degrading

Dear Diary,

I guess this summarize today's post and whatever I have been feeling for the past few months.

Well, I choose not to believe in this somehow because not necessarily his friends must be your friends or vice versa. But I've seen the reality how annoying or gedik some woman can get. Anyway, if a girl is sincere in being friends with your husband, they'll take the effort to be friends with you or at least ACKNOWLEDGE your existence. So to some woman, please don't be terhegeh-hegeh with people's husband k?

And yes,

Even despite being told off, some woman are still as bold or somehow they still try. All I can say, please don't test my patience or my limits k. You don't want to get into my bad books because..or have you already?

Sad how some woman out there is so degrading.

XOXO,

Princess Azie Anni ♥

Crystal Crown Hotel, JB Day 1 - Day 3

Dear Diary,

A week after Bintan, D and I actually went for another short vacation since we were on 2 weeks leave. And again we didn't go far but just to Johor Bahru. I wanted to bring D to KSL since he has never been there before and it was for his birthday trip. I was also craving for the penang laksa there. It's my favourite!

Johor Bahru, Day 1

We took a grab share from CCK to Woodlands Checkpoint since we had quite a few things to carry.

D was pretty "worried" in the sense to how we will get there. I didn't really draft out or plan in regards to our transportation wise. All I knew was to cross the borders to JB and just to Grab just anywhere to our destination. So, D is quite worried, if it was really okay to Grab since I don't have any other alternatives or back-up plan just in case if we cannot Grab. I mean I don't mind being that risk taker in getting lost while traveling. LOL! And I was pretty sure about this Grab thingy since this is what my bestfriend, Hernie usually do when we travel to JB, even in KL! Lol! D and I had a slight tiff over this but we were also the kind who resolve tiff in just a few minutes after.

I had my friend, Eileen to help me with our destination there (since she usually frequent JB) and D by then, was reassured that we will somehow be safe.  Tsk!

Komtar JBCC, JB

I tried this Grab code but sadly, it doesn't work. Lol!

The immigration flow was fine on that day since it was a Monday. And seeing this means we have successfully pass the JB custom and Hello Malaysiaaaaa!

Eileen told us to get the train ticket back to Singapore the moment we pass the immigration, since taking the train will be less hassle and even faster than having to queue for buses. It will also be D's first time taking the train, so another thing for him to try. We got our return train tickets but had to wait for at least half an hour for that because there were quite a bit of people in the queue and the process was quite slow.  After which, we were good to go to hunt for lunch since we were both were very hungry! We also bought Malaysia prepaid's card specially for Grab purposes.

Express Thai, Komtar JBCC

Since the one in Singapore is not Halal-certified, I decide to bring D to dine in here for our lunch. But sadly, D didn't really quite enjoy the food here. Thailand food is probably not to his liking or probably, the way they prepare the food wasn't that nice. Hurhur!

D's and mine respectively. He didn't finish his food.

 

But we all agree that this is nice at least.

So D felt that his birthday-day was 1/4 spoilt when the food wasn't that nice. I wanted to bring him somewhere to get his food fix but we were all too full. So we walked slowly for a while around Komtar JBCC before D kept pestering me to quickly book a grab to head to our hotel. He was hoping it would make him happier, having to chill there. I was about to do some shopping please.  But anything for the Birthday boy.

We waited at the Grab car pick up point just outside Marks & Spencer, Komtar JBCC. The grab driver was friendly and he send us safely to our destination.

Crystal Crown Hotel

The moment when the grab driver dropped us, I was taken aback at how the building is. The building looks a bit old and I was slightly disappointed. But I was hoping the room would make us happier since I booked the 'transparent' toilet kind, well according to the website, I did.

We settled the administration stuff at the front counter and had to pay a deposit of 20RM for 2 nights before we were given the card to our room and followed by a series of disappointment after.

1) Sadly, we were only given ONE card but it was okay, not that D is going to leave me in the room alone. Just that it means we can't leave one card inside the room to let the air-con run if we ever leave the room for shopping, swimming, breakfast etc.

2) Our room was rightttttt to the end near the fire exit and it looks kinda spooky. But we didn't want to think too much about the spooky part. But really, if only they could put us somewhere in the middle room since we check-in earlier. We found out on the 2nd day, the middle room was vacant because somebody checked-in to the room the next day after we checked-in. Zzz!

3) This disappoint me most than the card ever did. There was NO transparent toilet. Not that I'm eager to look at my husband doing his toilet business or whatever. Just that, I wanted to like you know, feeling-feeling romantic all since it was his birthday. D was half-happy and half-sad about it. Happy because he never kinda like transparent toilet because he find his privacy will get intruded. HAHAHA! But sad because he knew I did my research detailed enough only to be disappointed. Somehow, deep down my husband actually care for my wants despite his don't want. LOL! He then jokingly tell me to hack down the toilet wall down to make it transparent. HAHA! Putting the disappointment of the transparent toilet aside, the website mislead us and seriously, the look of it wasn't what we expected it to be. Garh!

4) The air-con was bad. It wasn't that cold. Even the air-conditioned in Bintan was so much better despite it being in a tent. D felt annoyed at this point of time. He can't stand when a room is humid. So he kept telling us how bad the idea was to stay in this hotel.

I seriously could have chosen KSL hotel over this hotel. Just that I gave up a few over dollars for a transparent toilet in this hotel only to be disappointed. If I've known this would happened, I would have booked the KSL hotel instead. Nearer to the KSL mall one thing and I'm sure the stay there will be so much better, according to all the reviews.

6) The TV wasn't working. The remote control brand and TV brand didn't tally. We tried to switch on the TV but it didn't work. So I called the front desk line to get our TV fixed. The repair man came and he didn't know how to fix it either. So he went to another vacant room next to us, to take the TV from there and transfer it to our room.  Well, don't care, so long as we have a TV to watch.

7) Yes there was bathtub but eww no. The bathtub doesn't look clean at all like the one D and I went to Meritus Pelangi in Langkawi. This one, I don't even feel like wanting to soak my whole body inside the bathtub despite me bringing the bath bomb. It freaks me out contracting things like STDs or any kind of bacteria.

The only thing that we like about this place is that the room was very spacious. It was a walking distant to KSL but choosing KSL Hotel would still be better. And, the hotel itself was a Poke stop. So, we were battling and catching Pokémon when resting in the hotel. Hahaha!

We rest for a few hours before dawn and D suggested that we walk over to KSL to look for dinner. I can't wait, which also mean FOOD HUNT. Hehehe!

They had small pasar malam just outside KSL. I was too lazy to walk down the long stretch. So we walked for a bit and then we went inside the mall.

KSL City Mall, JB

It was here that my food hunt started, literally! See the amount of food I bought back to the hotel. Hahaha!

This was nice but we couldn't finish it. The cake was huge. Lol!

 

Never forgetting this. Sadly, no Cotton Candy flavour anymore. Zzz!

This was really really nice. Truly love it!

D had Nasi Lemak and of course, I had my Penang Laksa. Yummms!

D was sweet when he bought Takoyaki for me but it didn't really taste that nice, plus I was already too full to finish it.

We went straight into food coma right after. Hahahaha!

Johor Bahru, Day 2

We woke up early for breakfast. They didn't have much variety for breakfast. And by the time we came down, quite a bit of food already finished and it seems like they didn't do any top-ups even though the breakfast time hasn't ended yet. And I just don't like the breakfast ambience there. People just keep staring and looking at us like as if we were alien. Well, I felt like I was. Maybe because I was wearing shorts? And most of them were dress in decent-ok clothing. Probably the hotel is for business trip kind of people? Maybe they think D and I were young teenagers who decide to venture for holidays without our parents? But still...I didn't get that kind of look for the past holidays D and I went to even when were in our shorts or etc. And there is a no need to for that kind of look.

 

Yes, that's all we had for our breakfast sadly and headed back to our room. We decide to check on the swimming pool too but seriously, nope. Don't even think about it. It looks pretty dirty.

So we went back to our room and I continued eating auntie anne's that I bought the day before.

Besides enjoying the company of my husband with me. I just couldn't wait for time to fly. I just wanted to go home badly already. So so boring and nothing to do. Thank God, it was only a 3 days 2 nights stay, or else I won't know how would I survive this.

Told you. This is all we ever did there. Hahaha!

I then decided to watch a movie in KSL. Any movie I thought since we didn't know what to do and the tickets will be slightly cheaper there too. I thought of watching a Malay movie since it's only shown in certain cinema theatre in Singapore like only Shaw I guess? I saw Abang Long Fadil 2 was showing but I haven't seen the first part yet. So fret not, while laying down, I used the wifi to stream Abang Long Fadil part 1 movie and both D and I watch it together. The movie was really funny. D and I kept laughing and we were up to watching Abang Long Fadil 2 in the cinema.

KSL City Mall, JB

We headed to KSL City Mall at about 3pm and catch Abang Long Fadil Part 2. The movie was okay. I still think Part 1 was nicer compared to the part 2. But oh well, better than nothing. We managed to spend some time doing something instead of stoning. Lol!

I wanted to shop around before heading for dinner. I told you I love beach vacation but I wouldn't complain either when it comes to shopping vacation. Either way, I'm still good. HAHAHA! And this is what my husband has to say.

I bought back like 6 clothes. HAHAHA! Of which D approved of them.  Yessss, buy clothes now also must approve/not approve. Tsk! I wish I can buy more BUT, I remember I still have a lot more clothes at home that I bought but I haven't wear them. 😜 Hehehe!

We were feeling quite famished then and so we went around looking for dinner place. D saw this Halal sushi place and seeing the conveyer belt moving carrying the sushi on the plate make him truly amuse. Ermm..yes, D is the kind who never really venture much on these kind of things. So everything that I bring him to is always his first and he is always amuse over things like this. Lol! I explain to him how the conveyer belt works. And that he can just grab any plate and they will charge us accordingly to the colour of the plate. And if the food we want is not on the conveyer belt, we can just order straight from them. Amused. Of course he wanted to dine in there. Hehehe!

Sushi King, KSL City Mall

D began to grab the plate one by one happily. Lol! Till to the extend I had to remind him that we will be charged for the plate that we took you know. Hahaha! But it was okay, since it was his first time. So I let him enjoy this moment. Besides this was only one thing he felt happy about throughout the trip.

I loveeeee sashimi, salmon. So the moment I keep saying I love Salmon. D kept grabbing the plate with Salmon on them. Lol! But we had mains too because I don't think the small plates will keep us full.

My Ramen Bowl

 

D love his green tea but all these while he has been drinking the Pokka Green Tea, which the taste is almost altered to sweeten. So I told him this is the almost to authentic kind of Green Tea one should love if they are a real Green Tea lover. Sadly, he found out that he is not. LOL!

 

 

Cawanmushi

 

 

And the series of salmon sashimi,

 

 

Just the amount of plates we ate. Hehe!

 

 

And the price accordingly that corresponds to the colour of the plate,

And even despite being full from dinner, there is always space for some dessert before heading back to our hotel. Hehe!

Baskin Robbins

Johor Bahru, Day 3

We didn't do much on Day 3. Most of the time it will be a 'lepak' or chill kind of day on our last day before we check-out. D and I woke up pretty late and we almost missed our breakfast, but we managed to have our breakfast 30 minutes before the breakfast timing ended. So you can just picture there were almost close to nothing to eat but we just make do with what was available, since we wanted to have lunch back in Komtar JBCC (if we have the time).

Still not bad.

After which, we headed back to our room and just chill on our bed watching TV while waiting for the time to pass to our check-out time. In fact, we can't wait to go back home and bid this place goodbye. Lol!

12pm, we took a grab car back to Komtar JBCC. D and I wanted to have lunch here but we were afraid we might be late and miss the train if we were to eat lunch longer than half an hour. Plus, we had too many things in our hands to carry, so we decided to just sit down and have desserts. Hehe!

So Baskin Robbins yet again. Hehe! D finally got his mint milkshake after 2 days. LOL!

We walked around for at least 15 minutes around Komtar JBCC before heading to the train checkpoint custom to head back to Singapore. Wee!

All in all, I kinda enjoyed my JB trip but it would have been better if I would have chosen a different hotel. Well, I still have 2 hotels in mind to try the next time if I ever come back for KSL. Till here, toodles.

XOXO,

Princess Azie Anni ♥