I'm sure you've heard of Penang right?

Penang, hmmm ... I guess no introduction needed right? I mean, a lot of foreigners have not heard of Malaysia before but have heard of Penang! Haha ... funny but true. Maybe its like everyone know London but not sure which country it is in ... is it England or United Kingdom or Britain ... confusing. Anyway, a blog about travelling in Peninsular Malaysia will not be complete without a mention on Penang. In fact a lot of tourists fly in directly to Penang. It is actually one of the smallest state in Malaysia but one of the most developed one.

As mentioned, you can fly in directly to Penang since they have an international airport. But most of us locals would prefer to drive there. In 1980s, one of the longest bridge in SEA was built to connect the mainland to the island and since then the island just flourish.

This bridge is famously known as the Penang Bridge

I have been to Penang countless times and in fact have this dream of retiring there one day. Well, not sure if that plan still works because the property prices in Penang rivals the one in our city centre. I mean, Penang is really like a dream city. What's not to like in Penang? It has its modern developed side while still preserves most of its heritage sites, its clean and low in crime, has absolutely beautiful beaches and has the best hawker food in the world.

Location : Penang, Malaysia

Next, Batu Ferringhi

PD Ostrich Farm

After checking out of Avillion Admiral Cove, we decided to visit the famous Ostrich Farm in Port Dickson before heading back to KL. I have read about this farm in many brochures as an attraction in Port Dickson. They even have official signages everywhere in PD for crying out loud, so,I thought it is a good idea to visit the place while I'm there with my 4 year-old son.

Upon arrival, I saw about 5 cars there and while we're getting out of our car, a tourist bus arrived (lucky us I guess. I'll tell you why in a short while). The entrance fee to the farm is MYR8 per adult and MYR4 per kid. It's not expensive for sure but still you're wondering what do you get to see for the fees charged.

Well, this is the 'Farm Guide'

Mini Pet Zoo ...there's one? Where? The Ostrich is about 6 feet tall and they are pretty fast so nobody dares to pet the animal. Unless maybe if they are talking about the chicken or duck! Frankly, the place looks more like a backyard of a farm house (a huge one of course) rather than a place where they charged entrance fee with official signages all over town.

There's signage that says 'No Feeding Please'

Egg Stepping, that's me stepping on top of the ostrich egg that doesn't break unless you smashed it

The 'Riding Area' is a ring about 10 feet in diameter where you get to ride on top of the ostrich to show how strong they are. I didn't take a picture of the entire episode of some kids from the tour group that did ride on the ostrich because I was completely disgusted with the way the handlers treated the ostrich. The ostrich was obviously not properly trained but for two big man to man-handled the ostrich and practically push and force the ostrich to walk the full ring just so that they can get extra $2 is just way to much for me. They have no love for the animal like I would expect from the handler that supposedly live and feed those animals. Urghhhhh!

To further proves my point, the farm handler decided to announce a monkey show for us because of the tour group that came in. Lucky us? Hmmm, let's see. The handler pull out a monkey whom he called 'Mona' which was chained on the neck. He then said that anyone can come and take a picture with the monkey. Since the tour group was pretty huge with about 30 of them, the monkey got a bit restless and start to look left and right. The handler then began to flip the monkey's ear and demanded the monkey to look into the camera. My gosh, the monkey is obviously captured and ill treated so that the farm can have more show to offer. Disgusted, disgusted, disgusted! I later heard the conversation of the tourist guide who asked one of the farm handler where is Abu. Apparently Abu is the 'star' monkey of the farm and the handler said he escaped. Yeah, I would too if that's the way they treated the animal.

If you asked me, I'll say don't bother to go because the entrance fee we provide to the farm will only spur them to captured more innocent animals to provide some cheap show for us.

Location : Port Dickson, Peninsular Malaysia
Date of travel : Aug 2010

Avillion Admiral Cove at Port Dickson

Port Dickson is located about 1 hour drive away from KL. If you have a fast car like a Porsche, it probably only takes you 45 mins max. It is the nearest place from KL that you can travel and be by the seaside. Located on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, it faces the Straits of Malacca. This place brings back so much beautiful memories to me. I recalled when I was young, my family will make day trips to this seaside and we will swim and picnic by the beach.

As a KLite, obviously I've never fail to come back here repeatedly over the years. To me, the best resort you can stay is still the Avillion Resort that offers the most romantic water chalets. However, recently we decide to chose to stay at Avillion Admiral Cove instead. I mean, with my son tagging along, how romantic can we be right? I heard this hotel offers the view of the marina and since it is run by the Avillion group, we presumed it must be quite good. I mean which love birds from KL have not stayed in the Avillion water chalet before? Absolutely no one.

We have chosen the Straits Studio room which offers the view of the ocean. Here's the room, the view and the hotel.

Since practically no one expects Port Dickson's beach to be good, the hotel's swimming pool become somewhat rather important. I mean you can't swim in the beach but you can swim in the pool! The pool in Avillion Admiral Cove proves to be quite reasonably fun. Its big enough and they also have the kids pool so the adults can have their swim and the kids can have their fun. So, here's the Swimming Pool.


OK, part of my plan to stay in Admiral Cove is to practice my photography skill. You know, the marina view with the ocean and the sunset is a very good subject. So here's my version of 'The Marina'.

Beautiful isn't it?

Just a picture of myself

Location : Port Dickson, Peninsular Malaysia

Date of travel : Aug 2010

Japanese Village on the hill

After having our so-called afternoon tea at Colmar Tropicale, we head to the Japanese Village hoping that it has more to offer. We need to drive from Colmar Tropicale to the Japanese Village. When we reach a guard house near the entrance, the guard told us that we have to park our car there and walk up the village. It is almost a 30 degrees climb for 300 metres ... trust me this is really not funny, especially after paying $10 per pax and the fact that I'm on my heels.

Anyway after the steep climb, the first sign that greeted us is this 'The World's first Japanese Tea House in the Tropical Forest'. I'm thinking that we Malaysians really like to claim being the first, the best. Just imagine having claims like this being taken seriously, there'll be like a lot of 'the world's first'. You know the first in a meditteranean forest, the first in swamp forest, the first in here and there ... hmmm, just a very tricky claim, don't you think?

So anyway, this place is better than Colmar Tropicale. The tropical forest environment does have its charm. The sound of the forest is just very soothing and peaceful. I think this is probably the first time I'm in a tropical forest without having to hike. They build the 'Japanese village' in such a way that they try to minimise chopping down the forest.The only let-down is the Tea House. You see, my middle eastern guest is actually very into the eastern tea ceremony. To him, it presents the lady in the most seductive and submissive manner (Ok feminists, don't yell at me please) and so we thought we will be able to let him experience it here. But as we reached the tea house, there is a not-at-all japanese looking waitress trying very hard to wear her kimono and this is really a turn-off sight. Not to mention, we saw boxes and boxes of green teas that you can find in the supermarket at the counter. WTF? Obviously we did not bother to go in at all.

And then, as we're heading down the hill, we found the Botanical Garden and decided to lead our guest there. Thank God being middle easterns who live in desert, flora and fauna seems to amaze them. So, here are some picture I took of some of the beautiful flowers there.

For those who are interested to be near nature, to have a few quiet days in the middle of a cooling tropical forest, but yet can be at the city within an hour if need to, you can actually stay in some of their tatami suite at the Japanese Village. I can imagine it must be quite relaxing.

Location : Berjaya Hills, Malaysia