GET THE BEST SLEEP IN A HOTEL ROOM ...

City traffic noise , dinging elevators and paper thin walls can be the bane of your sleep's existence when on vacation . To help and ensure you have a good night's rest so you can fully enjoy your holidays , here are some easy tips to apply when checking into a hotel :

@ When making reservation , request for a quiet room , preferably on an upper floor and away from elevators .

@ Pack some ear plugs and eye shades , its help to keep unwanted noises and light in your hotel room .

@ Avoid eating large meals before bedtime , a belly that is churning away digesting a big meal can interfere with your ability to sleep soundly .

@ Get into your sleep ritual , the normalcy of the routine will help get you snoozing in no time .

@ Masking outside noises by adding a non-instructive sound to your sleep environment in order to drown out other noises . A great way is to download a white noise app onto your smartphone or a stream audio from website such as www.simplynoise.com .

@ Adjust the room temperature in your room . Generally people sleep better in cooler room .

@ In worst case scenerio , ask to move rooms ......................

@ For muslim , don"t forget to recite " surah " and " doa " . A true soul searching  , tuning and listening  to the " Al Quran " from your smartphone or other smart gadgets ......

Aisyatul Radhiah - The Wedding !

7th December 2013 ... the wedding date of my beloved niece , Aisyatul Radhiah and Mohd Hafiz !

Congratulation to both of you !!

Venue : Kuala Terengganu , Terengganu

The location of the wedding ... at her house , Kuala Terengganu

with her father plus cousins  ... waiting for her companion to arrive 

smiling ... the happiness !

with her companion 

"the wedding of the month "

"eating " ceremony

her brother plus cousins

her mother plus relatives

Venue  : Sungai Petani , Kedah

at home stay ... Sungai Petani

arrived at bridegroom house

niece with her parents ............

colorful ......

with uncle's

moments to say goodbye .... " Happy marriage "

Making The Best Of A Long Layover

A famous district in Kuala Lumpur . Bukit Bintang or Star Hill .Took KLIA Express from KLIA then from KL Sentral , took  Monorel  to here .

Most budget conscious travellers will agree that taking connecting flights and swapping airlines carriers can save you loads on airfare , but unfortunately , this also means long layovers and waiting periods between flights in airport lounges . So , if you are comfortable to sacrifice time for cost , here are a few creative ways of making the best of your waiting time at any destination :

* Get some shut eye . Beat the exhaustion by taking a snooze at the airport  Find a comfortable , low traffic spot and set up camp . Some airports even have designated sleeping areas for travellers .

* Play a game . If you are not one for computer and phone games , pack one or two travel-sized board games in your carry-on and get your travel companion or a friendly stranger waiting in your terminal to join in on the fun .

* See the sights . Layovers don't just have to be spent at the airport . Take the opportunity to discover the sights of a city you've never been to . Some airprts even offer free city tours for those who are in transit . Check with the airport's local tourist information office .

* A great way to ease your sore muscles and to get the blood flowing from a long flight is to take a few minutes to do some deep breathing and stretching . Check your airport's website to see it offers a fitness area .

A night in Kuala Lumpur ..

This is my newsest trip to Kuala Lumpur for 2D1N with my eldest son  . Only a short visit and we stayed in Concorde KL , a comfortable deluxe twin bedroom . Have to wait for 1 hour due to our non smoking room still not ready . Its shows that there are  a lot of guest staying at this hotel . For me , this hotel is one of my favourite if I visit to KL . Its have ample of parking spaces , near public transport such as Monorel , LRT and  GOKL free bus . In addition , it is near to KL attractions such as KL Tower , KLCC , MATIC , Bukit Bintang and many others . As usual I booked this hotel through Agoda.com but I got surprised when I received the email from hotel management stated that I been offered The Concorde Accommodation Rewards Program . This complimentary membership  offered to me  due to my frequently stayed here and been considered as regular guest , which they will offer better rates for the rooms , in other words , it is for your personal individual benefit and the rate will be applicable even during peak seasons plus if you stayed accumulative of 10 nights , you are entittle for free 1 night . The Family Deluxe room for 4 pax just for RM395++ per night . I think , I should give a try !

Day time  , as usual busy with business agenda .

Concorde Kuala Lumpur Hotel

Night time , have a chance touring the hotel vicinity .... KLCC , MATIC  etc ... another good fantastic  experienced especially the awesome night view of the twin towers , KLCC  ...free  walking tour at night !!

the beautiful view of one of the tower

SURIA KLCC .. where you can shops until you drops !

Infront of the Towers

at the junction

really awesome !!

the reflection of KLCC twin towers at one of the building

another awesome high rise building and KL Tower view

The Saloma threatre @ MATIC  ... where you can see culture shows

Sign board  @  MATIC.....on what's attraction / event of the day

the MATIC

they served a Malaysian cuisine at this Saloma Cafe @  MATIC

back to Concorde Hotel ... in front of Hard Rock Cafe

at the Premier Lounge

near the hotel lobby 

How To Travel Gracefully

No matter how short or long a trip ... whether it's for business or leisure , travelling can be a very exciting time and sometimes a stressful experience . The stress can even build up before you leave home . What to pack , planning out the itenerary, and getting your chores done before the trip , all while looking calm and composed the entire time would be the usual gameplay in your mind before you leave . To avoid these unnecessary hassles, here are few suggestions on how to keep your cool before and during your trip :

@ Plan ahead . There's no bigger stress than trying to cram your entire " to do list " in one or two days .              Take time to plan things ahead .Write out clear check list of everything that you might need on your trip           and all chores that need to be done before you leave . Make separate list of works , home and personal       chores . Be sure to check off the list as you go along .

@ Get folders for travel documents and itineraries . Keep them organised so you don't have to mess about         digging throught pockets in your bag at the airport check in.

@ Buy and wear good comfortable walking shoes . While high heels are extremely fashionable ,they don't          work well on cobblestone pathways and blisters can be treribbly painful .

@ When boarding your flight , especially when it's long one , wear comfortable clothers that don't wrinkle          easily . Silk , linen and chiffon are all materials to avoid . You don't want to disembark from a flight                looking dishevelled . Non iron or anti wrinkle clothes are the best option . Knits are often the best option      for travel because they are lightweight and less likely to wrinkle .

@ Travel insurance is worth purchasing for big-ticket trips that are largely non-refundable . The typical plan         will cover emergency medical expenses and baggage loss and delay , and recover at least some of the           cost of your trip if your vacation has to be cancelled or cut short . Always buy from a third party insurer ,       not the company selling your cruise or tour . Choose a large , established company that's less likely to go       under , such as AIG , instead of one you've never heard of .







source : smart traveller

Budget holiday in Singapore by public transport .... Day 3

Day 3 :

This is our final day in Singapore . We have our breakfast at the muslim restaurant situated just beside  the hotel . But there is another muslim restaurant at the Fortune building , just across the road if you would like to try . We paid   SGD28 for the breakfast  . After breakfast , I went to the Bugis MRT Station  with my second son  to return back our " Singapore Tourist pass " and I got refund SGD10 each .

We checked out from the hotel at 10:30 am . We walked to the Queen street where you can find Bus Terminal to Johor Bahru . Its took us around 10 min by walking . Actually this station very near to the Arab Street and not very far from Santa Grand Bugis Hotel . No wonder people like to stay at that hotel , it is very near to the bus station . For me , both of them have their own  niche attraction ..SGB near to everything , and BH , the hotel have class of its own ..nice smell and very very comfortable bed !

At this Queen Street terminal station , there are taxi stand too . There are two bus operators operated over here , The Causeway Link ( CW 2 ) and Singapore Johore Express ( SJE ) . We took SJE bus with the fare of SGD2.40 per passenger . The duration  for travelling from here to Woodlands around 45 min and another 15 min to cross the causeway to JB Sentral ( depends on the  traffics ) . Advantage , less walking compared to using MRT/ Kranji Station ( CW 1 ) .  The process at departure at the the imegresen  is the same but vice versa as per during entry to Singapore .

After we reached JB Sentral , I walked to the Sun City parking for my car and the fee is RM33 for 3 days . Later ,  I drove and proceed to Singgah Selalu Restaurant  for our lunch, ( location : opposite side of  Danga Bay ) . This restaurant offered you variety of dishes and very famous among tourist either Malaysian or Singaporean . After lunch and performed our pray at the nearby mosque and its time to say good bye to my second son ,,,,, AFar ,  study hard @ smart ,  and make papa and mama feel proud of you , Amin .  Till see you next time , BYE !


SINGAPORE  :

check- out from the BIG Hotel

 Near the Bencoolen Building Center ...  before final departure to JB terminal station

JOHOR BAHRU   :

At Johor Bahru , Singgah Selalu Restaurant

they offer variety menu of  foods of  the choice

have our lunch  

Summary of our budget trip for 3D2N :

a). Total expenses : RM2,600 or  SGD1,000

The breakdown :
1. Accomodation   :  RM1500  ( 2 hotels , 2 rooms per hotel for 6 pax )
2. Transportation : RM300
3. Meals : RM500
4. Others/ fee  : RM300
5. Shopping : Depend on your budget !!

b). Public transport :
1. Causeway Bus CW1 will stop at Kranji MRT station , then disembark to other places by MRT . By
     going this way , you have to do a lot of walking and exchange station to hotel situated at Bugis area ( not         suitable with small kids and elderly )
2. Causeway Bus CW2 and Singapore Johor Express SJE , they will stop at Queen Street Terminal bus
     which is very near to Arab Street , Bugis Street and Bugis MRT station  .( most of Malaysian like to stay       here )




XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX         END OF OUR SINGAPORE TRIP

Budget holiday in Singapore by public transport ..... Day 2

Day 2 :

Hi ... welcome back !

Today , my wife feel very excited , this is because it is a shopping day ! Our main itinerary , shopping "something " at Orchard Road , the famous shopping district .  I told my wife to do  a quick shopping due to our time constraint  because we have to check out from the hotel by 12 noon and have to check in to another hotel at Bencoolen Street .... " what's the coincidence ... you know whats normally every husband thinking ...he he he "

The day starts by  leaving behind our 3 sons in their hotel room and let they have their breakfast in the hotel . In addition due to shopping day , they prefer to stay in hotel rather than following us . My wife , daughter and myself  had our breakfast at  the Sabar Menanti Restaurant , just a stone away from the hotel . We paid SGD18 for the foods , 3 drinks and 3 nasi lemak . Since it is 9 am and the shopping complex normally  open at 10 am , we make the decision to visit the Sultan Mosque and The Kampung Glam , first . We have some pictures and plan to pray at the mosque later for " Solat Jumaat " .

At 10 am , we took the MRT from the  Bugis Station to the Orchard Station . At the Orchard road , there are a lot of Shopping heavens namely The Ions . Tangs , Lucky Plaza , Takasyima , Paragon and many others . We walk through the shopping complexs . May be due to the time constraint , my wife not really keen to walk thru the shop or  take long time window shopping  or asking the shop assistant for the price or model which she likes . Finally at Takasyima shopping complex ... something attract her attention ... a red beautiful new arrival "Guess" hand bag !! . Without much said , she end up bought the bag and a spectacle . And I bought mine a spectacle too .......

At 12 noon , we going back to our hotel and check out half an hour after that . Then we start our journey again by walking to our next hotel at the Bencoolen street , BIG hotel . At first we got stuck but finally managed to find the way . We took almost 20 min to reached the place instead of 10 min if we follow the right direction . Actually , this hotel is not very far from the Bugis Junction and Bugis Village . Their  lobby is at the basement with a modern touch interior design .  We would like to  check in the hotel but the room is not yet ready and the receptionist asked us to wait until 3 pm .  Since it is time for Friday pray , my sons and myself left to the Sultan Mosque with a taxi , leaving my wife and daughter at the lobby . The fare is SGD3  After prayer , we walk to Zam Zam Restaurant for our lunch . We ordered 2 nasi briyani ayam and 1 briyani mutton , the total price with drinks was SGD24. After that we walked back to the BIG hotel.

At 3 pm , we managed to check in the hotel . Our room is at the 14th  floor ( out of  16th floor) . The hotel is very new and the room is comfortable and very clean . The room is much bigger compared to Santa Grand Bugis hotel . Being a new hotel , the design looks very chic and modern . Their concept for the complimentary water , they prepared water dispenser for drinks located outside of the room at every floor ... where you can choose cold , hot or ice cubes . Another good fixtures , they offer very good free inhouse entertainment @ movies thru TV .  At 5 pm , my wife , daughter and myself went out again for Geylang Serai , but due to "something happen" .... really not in the "mood" , we return back to the hotel .... my promised to my wife , next trip , we will go to Geylang Serai , Insyaallah !

At night , we went to the Bugis  street where we have our dinner at the muslim restaurant just across the Bugis Junction . The foods is not really tasteful compared to Tasneem and Zam zam Restaurant , by it is ok if you want to try since it is near to BIG hotel . After that we walked  through the Bugis Village and Bugis Junction . There are so many tourists over here especially at the Bugis Village . Actually at this area  , you can buy most of the things for souvenirs which is much more cheaper compared to other places in Singapore . My son and daughter  choose to buy their shirts at the UNIQLO , since they are more trendy ........

Back to the hotel and have a good night rest @ sleep !

we have our breakfast at Sabar Menanti 11 Restaurant

Welcome to Malay Heritage Centre

The Sultan Mosque just beside Kampung Glam .... hubby and wifey

previously this is the Palace for Malay kingdom

just opposite of Kampung Glam ... you can find Minang Restaurant

the area facing the mosque

infront of the mosque

another angle

at the Arab Streeet

At the Orchard Road ...  my belly look fat ... he he he

ION Orchard

plenty of LV brands

The BIG Hotel .....  across the Bencoolen  Street / Middle Street

waiting at the lobby for check in .... have to wait for 2 hours for room to get ready

lobby concept :  waiting hall spacious , you can feel that you are at the home but reception counter too small ......

the bedroom very very comfortable ... really unique new hotel design

the water basin concept outside from the bathroom

my son and daughter bought shirts at this big UNIQLO store ... near Bugis Junction

at the Bugis Street

we have our dinner at Hj Nash Restaurant ... the building just infront of Malay Street entrance

infront of Malay Street

inside the Malay Street

walking back to BIG hotel

time for rest ............... GOOD NIGHT !