Saturday, October 24, 2015

Sisters Trip: 2D1N in Golden Palm Tree Resort, Malaysia (Part One)

This took place way before my dear Sister gave birth to cute Asher - wanna pinch his cheek right now! I know, extremely outdated but hey, I spent a long time writing and editing the pictures, so must post right? It all started with groom-to-be Amos heading to Bangkok for his stag night. Our dear bride-to-be Miaoli felt 心平衡 hence, we decided to head overseas for her hen's night too. After several rounds of discussion, KL was the destination for the trip. I like our swift decision-making process - or what we like to call chop chop curry pok. A couple of days later, we confirmed the hotel, air tickets and transportation - great team work, girls! Now, we just need to wait for the day to arrive. 
Early in the morning, we arrived at the airport with our bags ready to spend the weekend away from home! We took the early flight and landed at KL Budget Terminal (LCCT) shortly. A kind soul helped us with this picture but we were shoo-ed away *points to hand appearing in pic* However, we were all camera-ready for the picture apart from Qian, lol.  
The hungry monsters were unleashed once we cleared immigration. We settled for breakfast at Old Town White Coffee before making our way to the resort.
Miao's bridesmaid entourage consisted of 7 people: Qian, Fling, me, Kai Ling, Sylvia, Christina and Jacqueline. Thanks to Facebook, we all know one another so it was easy to get along even though we met Jacqueline for the first time. However, she's so easy to get along with, so we broke the ice in no time. Two sisters couldn't make it for this trip, hence it was down to us to make the "party" fun!
  
Fuel for recharging before we embark on the journey to the resort. The laksa was decent enough though it could be better. Somehow, I always have the impression that Old Town food in Singapore paled in comparison with Malaysia. 
Old Town White Coffee (Closed)
Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT), Jalan Klia S3
64000 Sepang, Klia, Malaysia
Having filled our tummies, we took a cab to Golden Palm Tree Resort. The journey took around 40 min via Airport Taxi. We purchased a prepaid ticket at the airport and hopped onto the cab which brought us to the resort. This resort has since been renamed to AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort. Nevertheless, I still think Golden Palm Tree suits it better because 
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image courtesy of google
The resort spreading out like a palm tree on water. Pretty, isn't it? Located near the Sepang F1 tracks, this resort blends tropical relaxation and real adventures with a beachfront right at its door step. 
 
We waited for the buggy's arrival to send our bags to the villa that we had booked for the night. The 5 of us squeezed in the buggy for the short 5 min journey to the Clubhouse before embarking on foot to the villa.
There are 4 different types of accommodation offered - superior rooms, family villa, 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom villas. The superior rooms are located on the main trunk of the palm while villas are located on the palm itself, spreading out into the sea where you will get a panoramic sea view.
The resort is relatively small such that you can travel everywhere by walking. There are (pretty) bicycles scattered all over for you to cycle within the resort. We decided to walk since it was so much convenient.  
The clubhouse which also housed several restaurants. This is where the "palm tree" branches out in several directions according to the type of villas. 
We alighted from the buggy and began the walk to our villa.
Hello, our accommodation for the night :) We booked a 2-bedroom villa for the 6 of us. Let's take a room tour! 
The living room was quickly filled up with our barangs, lol! The villa was spacious at 122sqm. Even though wifi was available, we faced frequent disconnection till I no longer feel like being connected to the world since it was so troublesome. We also found out that wifi is the strongest at the clubhouse, lol. #firstworldproblems
 
Lining up the snacks that we brought along. I'm definitely feeling hungry now looking at these goodies. 
The master bedroom features a canopy king-sized bed, overlooking the sea! Boy, I can wake up to this view everyday and not feel bored. There is also a large private terrace with table and chairs, to enjoy the sea view.
 
Spacious marble bathroom with sunken bathtub, separate shower and massive walk-in wardrobe - the kind of bathroom area that I loved, but impossible to fulfill unless I have tons of cash to burn. 
The 2nd bedroom comes with twin beds and en-suite bathroom.
The bridesmaids all ready to kick-start the weekend!
AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort (formerly known as Golden Palm Tree Resort)
No. 67, Jalan Pantai Bagan Lalang, Kg Bagan Lalang,
43950 Sungai Pelek, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Tel: +603 3182 3600

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Leeds Castle, Kent Day 2: Stables Courtyard

Looking back at these pictures made me yearn to travel again, even though I just got back from Melbourne 3 weeks ago. Well, guess I will have to wait for next wanderlust to happen :) Instead of dwelling in my "sadness", I channeled my energy to another chapter of London travelogue! The first part of the conference zoomed past with a tea/coffee break in between. As evening came, the "tedious" part of the conference officially ended and we retreated back to our respective rooms to freshen up before pre-dinner drinks in the Castle Library.
All rooms were randomly selected, but the bosses get the better rooms in the Castle, where there are 20 sumptuous bedrooms, where five of which have four posters bed and original art deco marble bathrooms. Besides the castle, there are other accommodation available in the Maiden Tower as well as Stable Courtyard - the furthest away from the Castle. My room was assigned at Stable Courtyard; a 15 min walk from the Castle compound.
Staying at Bedroom 2.
With my keys in hand, I began my walk to Stables Courtyard. A few of us were stationed there as well, so we got company as we walked and soaked in the scenery. Those wooden benches were reminiscent of my schooling days, where we'll wait for one another before/after classes and copying working on our lecture notes/tutorials.
The whole building with just 3 bedrooms, haha! Bedroom 2 is on the 2nd floor - hmm, thankfully my luggage is not that heavy if not I'll have difficulties dragging it down on the day of departure.
Stable Courtyard rooms are luxury en-suite rooms refurbished to the highest standard offering indulgence and comfort. I wasn't expecting modern bathrooms, but boy - I'm liking the bathtub and the shower area :) The bathroom was so big that I can put in a mahjong table with 4 chairs.  
Overlooking the Culpeper Garden, which was originally the site of the castle's kitchen garden. 
  
While heading back to the Castle, we were greeted by this lovely peacock roaming freely. What a pretty sight! *out came all phones and cameras to take pictures*
Then, the peahen came along. The peacock (male) is usually an iridescent shade of bright blue and the enormous trains (tail feathers) to help attract mates. On the other hand, the peahen (female) tend to have duller colours like brown, grey or cream. An interesting fact - only the female peafowl build nests and incubate the eggs while the males show no parental involvement at all #soirresponsible, haha!
 As it was getting late, we hurried off to the main Castle and headed for pre-drinks session. More on that in another post!

❤ ❤ ❤ Read the rest of my London-Kent Castle adventures here ❤ ❤ ❤
Leeds Castle, Kent Day 1: Arrival in London 

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Leeds Castle, Kent Day 2: Hello, Leeds Castle

  
I'm back with another chapter on the journey to Leeds Castle :) Though it was a busy weekend - we finally got to clearing the bomb shelter! - I decided to switch on the laptop and blog on the London adventures. Hopefully, I can keep up the momentum and try to finish this series of entries within the next couple of months *fingers crossed*
After a good night of sleep - thankfully I wasn't jet-lagged! - I woke up earlier to pack my bags since we'll be shifting accommodation. We stayed at Crowne Plaza but the place was undergoing some renovation, hence a lot of facilities were not opened. After packing, I felt hungry hence I headed up to the cafe for some breakfast for the breakfast hall is located on the 7th floor at Globe restaurant. A wonderful (mini) spread of Asian and Western cuisine is available.
All set and ready to tuck in! I started with some warm food for the tummy before heading for some yogurts/juices. Shortly after, I started to bump into familiar faces and we started catching up. It was definitely good to see one another again after 1 year!
The view from the Globe restaurant. From here, you can be greeted with views of The Gherkin (more formally known as 30 St Mary Axe) - one of the most iconic building in London, as well as the beautiful London skyline.   


With Sidney and Clarins at the lobby as we checked out of the hotel and made our way to the office building, where a shuttle bus is waiting to pick us up to Leeds Castle. Sidney arrived around evening time the day before, so she didn't join us for our shopping. Well, there is always a next time! 
Crowne Plaza Hotel London Shoreditch
100 Shoreditch High Street, Tower Hamlets
E1 6JN, London, United Kingdom
Once the coach hit the highway, I took a nap since the estimated journey will take approx 1.5h. I woke up just in time to soak in the scenery of the countryside. No pictures as the coach was moving too fast to capture anything. I love the countryside Deep down, I'm more of a countryside person than city person, though I don't deny the conveniences of living in the city.
A few turns later, we reached the entrance of Leeds Castle - check out the number of parked cars as we drove in. This must be a popular place for families and visitors to explore. We alighted from the coach and identified our luggage. The staff took down the details and informed that they will bring our luggage directly to the rooms. We then headed to the castle for briefing and lunch. 
 
Crossing the bridge across the moat to head into the castle compound. 
The conference will be held in one of the function rooms at the Maiden Tower, an elegant stone building adjacent to the Castle. This 16th century stone building was previously used for weekend house parties in the 1920s, overlooking the golf course and surrounding parkland. Besides, there are 5 en-suite bedrooms in the building and only 5 lucky people get to stay in this building and don't have to walk across the compound to attend the conference every morning, lol! Alas, I wasn't the lucky 5 :(
The conference was held in the Tudor hall, where we were divided into 5 different groups to compete against one another.
I was hungry by the time we sorted out the admin part. Time for lunch! The weather was lovely and the wind was cooling. We sat outside to enjoy the breeze while admiring the surrounding. I also met up with new faces from the other offices, which I find extremely important rather than seeing a name via email. I have to head off to sleep now, will be back soon! 
Leeds Castle,
Maidstone, Kent ME17 1PL

Tel: 01622 765400

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Leeds Castle, Kent Day 1: Breakfast & Shopping in London

Once everyone has freshened up, we headed for breakfast. The morning breeze caressed my face as soon as I walked out of the warm hotel lobby. We stayed at the same hotel for a night before moving to Leeds Castle for an official start of the conference the next morning. 
Back to Patisserie Valerie for breakfast. This seemed to be the same routine during the sales conference, since I remembered visiting this place previously. We always ended up at the same place, lol! I ordered a pot of hot English Breakfast Tea (£2.75) to warm up my body from the chilly morning breeze.
We decided to sit outside since the weather was lovely and get to people-watch, haha! 
 
Having breakfast together with the HK team - Kathy, Clarins and Cindy. Kathy was just hired when we attended the conference, but she has left us for greener pasture earlier in August. Good luck in your new venture!
The cafe served all day breakfast and brunch (hooray!) and we ordered a set each. As usual, Eric ordered Full English Breakfast set, which came with 2 poached eggs, fried/scrambled eggs, bacon, cumberland sausage, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, baked beans and toast (£7.95) while Kathy & Clarins went for Eggs Benedict instead (£7.80), love the hollandaise sauce covering the poached eggs! 
 I went for my fave - scrambled eggs with smoked salmon on granary toast (£7.95). Ignore the Heinz Tomato Ketchup, as Eric "photobomed" my picture, haha! 
Patisserie Valerie
37 Brushfield Street, London
E1 6AA, United Kingdom
Tel: 44 020 7247 4906

After a hearty breakfast, we walked around the area before adjouring to ...... Selfridges, lol! Check out the loots that we bought! I love my Cath Kidston purchases and even brought it to Finland for our Northern Lights adventure (more on that for another day!)
As night came, I was glad to head back to my own room for a good night rest! Till the next post, tata :)
 
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