Saturday, January 17, 2009

Where to next???

It's been almost a month since our 1st backpacking trip. We have settled down in the office, juggling with work and time, running errands, yada yada yada.. Nevertheless, we need a break from time to time as all work and no play makes us dull boys and girls. We work hard, play hard. Having said that, I'm sensing another escapade will be coming up soon. We are open to any fun ideas and crazy suggestions like where and when to go, what to do, etc. So, put on your thinking cap and leave your comments ;)


xoxo,
Katrina
D' Sexytary
Backpackers Ahoy!

Monday, January 5, 2009

The First Adventure of Backpackers Ahoy! (Part 3)

Day 3 to 8 - Batu Feringghi
After our superb lunch in Jeta Groves, we landed ourselves at Melaka Sentral, chosen Port Dickson as our next destination but sad to say, there were no tickets. Anyway, we need to continue heading north. Thus, here comes the crucial decision and it's the best decision ever, that is make Batu Ferringhi our next stop. There were no early tickets to Penang, so we took a bus to KL (ironic though KL was just an interchange). At Puduraya, we bought tickets to Penang. It was Christmas eve and we slept in the bus throughout the journey, except the few seconds we were awake to wish each other Merry Christmas before dozing off into deep sleep again. We arrived Butterworth around 1am, missed the last ferry, so we took a cab to Batu Ferringhi. The streets in Ferringhi seemed empty when we arrived. Nevertheless, as we venture deeper, we found a hidden sanctuary. Apparently, people were having such a blast, partying at the beach. At that moment, we knew that this is THE spot. It was love at first sight with Ferringhi
beach. Without wasting further time, we scouted nearby budget hotels and finally found one that would take us in at 2am, thanks Baba Guest House - though it was hollow and occupants have be discreet and tip toe as they walk around in the guest house at night, it offers reasonable room rate with cosy accommodation and strategic location (it's just opposite Sunset bar, the party place). After checking in our stuff, we proceeded to a nearby stall to have some food and went to the beach. We observed people, whether locals or foreigners, enjoying themselves at the beach. That night, we hang out there till 6.30am.

The next few days in Ferringhi were so awesome that we decided to skip Langkawi and remained in Ferringhi. We spent most of our time at the beach, strolling and lazing around,
having drinks while enjoying the tranquility, cool sea breeze, listening to the waves and watching them hit the sand. We were lucky as the weather was on our side, cloudy. Thus, basking at the beach was not an issue for us but it was for the mat sallehs. Hahaha... Speaking of mat sallehs, we made friends with a few foreigners (Tom and Michael) and exchange views and lame jokes with one another, learnt each other's culture. It was an intriguing experience. Besides that, we went on jet ski too, for 2 consecutive days. It was super fun and exciting though we do not know how to swim. There were also other activities such as banana boat, parachuting, horse riding, etc. Ferringhi is very convenient as most of the places that we need to go are within walking distance, such as hotels, restaurants, bank, various stalls and shops. At night, we are bombarded with night stalls along Ferringhi main road selling cheap stuff, and definitely super cheap DVDs, priced at RM4 per piece.


The view of Ferringhi beach, just so breath taking...


Even the dog knows how to enjoy itself at the beach


Discovery - one of the many jelly fish that can be found ubiquotous along the beach

Coconut water to complement experience at the beach

Good times pass by real quick, and when it came to our final day, we want to linger but we had to bid our final bubye to Ferringhi with reluctant hearts. We will cherish those moments though... After a long journey, we reached KL around 9 something, and as ironic as it seems, the bus dropped us right in front of Menara.


The beginning and the end..

Breakdown of Expenses (Per pax)
Transport = RM210
F&B = RM210
Accommodation = RM245
Total = RM665

This practically wraps up our first trip, consisted of 8 days, 7 nights fill with adventure and fun of backpacking from south to north. Although we've tried our best to tell you our story, no words can really express the joy we had. You've got to experience it in order to know it :) We can't wait for the next getaway. Backpackers Ahoy!!!

The First Adventure of Backpackers Ahoy! (Part 2)

Day 2 - Melaka
After having our breakfast and bidding our goodbyes to Desaru, we headed to Melaka. We reached Melaka around 7 something and boarded a local bus to the guest house. While we were in the bus, we felt so foreign in it, as if we are the only 2 Malaysians
. Hahaha.. Anyway, we arrived at the guest house, checked in and walked to Jonker, the must-visit-place in Melaka. Had the ever so famous "Asam Pedas" for dinner and chilled at Geographer's Cafe. The next day, we checked out and went to Jeta Groves, a Peranakan restaurant, situated along Melaka Raya main road, to have our lunch accompanied with the best "Durian Cendol" in Melaka.


Cheese and peanut butter toast



Curry mee


Rice with chicken curry


Jeng jeng jeng... Melaka's best Durian Cendol

The First Adventure of Backpackers Ahoy! (Part 1)

Sorry guys for the late update, been busy ever since we return from our backpacking trip. As promised, here's a recap of our adventure :)

Day 1 - Desaru
We gathered at Puduraya bus station, not knowing exactly where to go, subsequently made an impromptu decision to Desaru. The bus departed around 11.30am and we start our journey, we managed to catch a final glimpse of Menara Maybank and imagining our fellow colleagues who could not join us :P The bus took us to Larkin. From Larkin, we took another bus to Penawar and then taxi to Desaru. We arrived at Desaru Damai Beach Resort around 7 something. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the sound of waves and strong sea breeze. Desaru is located at the east coast of Johor and it's monsoon season, thus the sea was more rough than usual. Nevertheless, the strong wind just blew our mind away. It's a great start. Visitors here are mostly families, but it's not surprising as Desaru gives a homey feeling.


The coconut tree seems like it was going to be uprooted by the gushing wind

Violent waves crashing onto the sand, washing our worries away

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

I Found It 2!

Captain Dayn has spoken, it’s now my turn :)

Hmm.. Where should I start? 2008 has been a year of turning points with extreme ups and downs for me. And I can’t imagine other better alternatives to end my “happening” year than doing this trip. It was what I needed exactly and I got more than I expected. Despite spending more than what I’d budgeted for this trip and I’ve to go on tight budget this month, it’s definitely worth it. Hahaha….

For me, this trip was more of an escapade or getaway from the hectic life in the city and to experience impromptu trip for real. Things that I’ll deeply miss or never forget:

1.The excitement or thrill of the unknown - “where to next?” decision was made on-the-spur -of-the-moment.
2. Going around looking like a walking backpack, even mat sallehs’ bags were smaller than us.
3. Chilling out with foreign friends like Tom & Michael (Gosh.. They are just so cute) and bringing them to taste local spicy food.
4. The fun and fear riding on a jet ski due to my lack in swimming.
5. Basking at the beach with my swimwear, shades and sexyness day and night.
6. Listening to the same songs at the beach bar over and over again everyday.
7. Baba Guest House at Batu Ferringhi.

I was super reluctant to return to KL but whether I like it or not, I know I have to. I reached home, unpacked my stuff, Facebooked, checked tones of emails, saved pictures onto my laptop etc. I slept at 4 in the morning and woke up around noon, feeling my soul is still in Ferringhi. After I’ve freshen myself, I decided to go out to have lunch alone, just outside my house. My usual self will just try to scrap something at home but somehow I had the urge to go out. It is just so weird. I had my lunch accompanied with herbal tea instead of coconut water, while watching cars, bikes and trucks passed by instead of watching the waves hit the sand and people enjoying themselves at the beach. I really miss the sound of the waves and the cool sea breeze. This is something I need to get used to. I was in a dreamland but now I’m back to reality whereby some of my thoughts will just remain wishful. Anyway, after a week’s session of recuperating and rejuvenating myself, I’m back with a more sound and clear mind and I managed to sort out some of my thoughts over lunch just now. I’m left with less than a week before I start work again, thus I better treasure my time and make full use of it. It’s high time for me to recover stuff that I’ve been avoiding and chucked underneath the carpet. Gambateh!!

This is just a short sharing of my emo portion. Stay tuned with us for thorough updates ;)

xoxo,
Katrina
D' Sexytary
Backpackers Ahoy!

I Found It!

Sorry guys for breaking my promise... I didn't update this blog because we really did shut away our KL life when we were travelling... I mean, to face the computer and type, is just the things that we tried to escape from... I guess, Kat is uploading the pics to her PC by now... Expect the wrap ups from her soon!

Meanwhile, let me blabber around for just a moment... Aaaahhhh backpacking... It's THE one thing that Malaysians rarely do, and we did it... We're very very very happy we went through it despite of certain technicalities... Escaping the city, walking around with big bags, sticking with a pal or two for the whole period, eating with the locals, spending time with foreigners, are just waaayyy to awesome to put in words...

I'd like to say that I found life through it... Challenges came and went... Sometimes we walk in the rain, sometimes we walk in scorching noon sun, all the while enjoying the time with friends...It just shows that life is full of roses and shits (pardon my french)... What you need to do is raise your head, broaden your shoulder, bring forward your chest, and just walk... walk past through everything... Travelling brought through a plethora of adventures... Each place gives different risk, challange, emotions, etc etc... Have a taste of it all, you'll experience life..

The funny thing that happened at the end of the journey was, the bus stopped us in front of Menara... Rite where we started... is it a sign of the things that we were looking for is where we left it all of?... or a sign of traveling and peacefulness is just escapism, whereby u can only have a slice of it, and get on with your life when need not be... Time will tell...

Well, back in Batu Feringhi while sitting at the beach for hours listening to the waves crashing onto the sand with wind blowing my hair, I reflected on my career, my lifestyle, my relationship, my life... Everything was messed up back then, and I have sorted out some stuff... Probably, my biggest and most controversial decision will be made soon... I hope it's for the best though...

The beaches of Malaysia in their glorious elements, are a sight to behold... Foreigners came here thousand of miles and dollars away to experience them... Where are we... Why are we not there... Why do we wish we're somewhere else... Ipanema or Ibiza or Miami perhaps?...Haha... A doze of local sand and local sun are what u'll ever need, trust me, coz I use to be one of those who wish that Malaysia is in the Europe, and I have changed my mind drastically... Cliche' as it may sound, To Know Malaysia, Is To Love Malaysia...

As I'm typing this, I'm unpacking and adapting and adjusting myself to the life that I left a week back... I'm actually smiling at the sands that came out from my bag, as a sign of the sweet life that i could choose if I want to escape this concrete jungle of yours...

Okay now... I better take a rest, and dream of the life that I went through for this past 8 days... A mixture of emotions are running through my head now, and I'm not saying it's bad, and not saying otherwise...

Beaches of Malaysia, we'll see you again very soon!


Captain DaYN signing out...
Cheers!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Keep on travellin'

Heyya, for those of u who are glued to this blog and has been smsing us to updtae, sorry! We have been travelling and enjoying the places we visit so much, we havent got time to look for CC n post pictures n updates. I havw to rely on 3g which some place we go is not covered. Fret not! As i'm typing, we're on our way to PD, n we'll wrap up Day 1 n Day 2 before the day ends. Ciao!

Stomach ache and bumpy bys ride just doesnt mix together that well :(

Monday, December 22, 2008

Desaru here We come!

yo yo yo... We just boarded a bus to JB... We plan to transit there to Desaru... I don't know where the heck is Desaru, neither do Kat... But we're going there anyway... We're in a Causeway Express with very2 livery interior that reflects our emotions rite now, happy!... Okay i'm gonna snore now... Kat is busy snapping pictures... Owh we just passed by menara hahahaha... Pity u...

Pack Pack Pack

Hi hi...

It's been a packed day, and when I say "packed", it's literally packed not only with family and friends activities but with packing my backpack. From backpack hunting yesterday in Pertama Complex to googling the proper way to wear a backpack (no joke man, will hurt my back if I, a backpack noob, don't learn the correct way) to the most crucial process - packing my backpack. And even up till now, it's already 1 in the morning but I feel like there's still stuff I've left out though my backpack looks like it's going to burst. Why la I always have this feeling?? Adui.. Hahaha.. Nevermind, I did enjoy this process though. This will be a great kick start to many getaways and escapades. Gosh.. I'm so excited that I can't sleep. Hehehe... Lastly, wish us a safe journey. And to the Langkawi troop, see ya this Friday ;)


xoxo,
Katrina
D' Sexytary
Backpackers Ahoy!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

"Before you go, you finish your work first!!!!" >:(

Hey all... Yeah, that was what my boss said to me at Friday, 4.30 PM... So that's why this Sunday afternoon, I'm at the office doing work, all by myself... And a crazy weekend for me though, many events to attend and one to organize... It's okay now, everything settled... I bought my new Deuter Air Comfort Futura Pro 42 Litres (it's a mouthful) RM 530, Maglite 3 Cell C (it matches the bag) RM249, Swiss Army Knife Rescue Kit RM 230, and many other camping stuff which i consider freaaakingggg expensive, but wayyyy worth it, coz it can be used again and again without failing... What's life without inital investment rite? :) ...

Kat also bought her stuff... She said she is still searching for her binoculars... I dunno why in the heck would we need a binocular for this backpacking trip, but hey, whatever rocks your boat mannnn :) ... Leave the hanky panky business to yourself haha...

Okay, I'm going home now to do some last minute shopping... We're sooo excited on this trip... Pity that u guys cannot take leave and join us... But fret not, we'll be seeing u in Pulau Singa Besar, Langkawi yeyyyy!!!!.... We'll show you our campfire skills kan Katttt... Ooohhh we're such a flame keeper... Oohhh... do bring deck of cards... coz I think mine will koyak along the way... And please introduce to us new games later... Tapi game Hamburger-Sausage-Pizza, 1-2-3, and Tsssss akan ada second round hahahaha... This time no curry, but air laut hahahahaha...

As we're travelling, we'll post some pictures of places that we'll go, and some updates lah... Please do leave some comments or anything... Okay guys?... Backpackers Ahoyyyyy!!!!

Captain DaYN reporting,
Shiver me timbers! Backpackers ahoyyyy!