We are in Melaka

We are spending the night in Melaka. This is just a transit point for our yearly trip to Dumai, Indonesia. Travelling on a tight budget, M Motel has become our choice again. This is our second time here. This is really a no frill, dirt cheap and yet very clean place to stay in Melaka. It's location that is in the vicinity of the Melaka jetty, makes it an ideal stopover spot for us.

Tomorrow morning, we will be boarding an Indomal ferry that will take us to Dumai. We will be celebrating Mama Pasha's dad aka Pasha's granddad aka Papa Bear's father in law's birthday.

Pasha was already very excited earlier this evening. By the time I got home, he was already mentioning something about going to see his grandpa in Dumai. Well, I could only understand the grandpa and Dumai parts...

He knows that there will be a candle blowing session and he knows that he will be entrusted with the most fun task of the event, i.e. to blow the candles... Must be the most exciting job in the world for a 3 year old...

Since internet connection is a luxury in Dumai, we will not be able to actively blog while we are there. So we, especially Papa Bear, will be missing from the blogosphere for a few of days.

See you later folks!

Nov cakes

More cakes at http://cuppies.kisahberuang.com/

Misty Morning at Nora Lodge

Nora Lodge, November 13 - 14, 2010
It rained heavily that night. No wonder it was hot during the day. It was really cool to spend a night in a chalet where splashes of rain came through the wooden walls from time to time. Something like those misty sprays that some restaurants would run on a hot day...
When morning came, I was reluctant to leave the warm bed. Mama Pasha insisted that I came out and took a look at the fogs. I gave her the camera instead and continued hugging my pillow. At least, I would be able to see the photos later...

Look at the refreshing morning view just outside our chalet. Well, I did get up after being constantly "harassed" by Mama Pasha and I got Pasha to wake up as well...
Look at Pasha's face. Anyway, he still managed to put up his peace sign despite the "protest"... Then off we went for a cold morning shower. Fortunately, hot water was provided.

Our last photo at the road entrance leading to Nora Lodge with the owner, Puan Nora. Farewell Nora Lodge.
Next: Rabbit hunting. Stay tuned.

Colmar Tropicale at Night

Colmar Tropicale, Bukit Tinggi, Bentong, Pahang
November 13, 2010
This is the continuation to An Evening in Colmar Tropicale. We were told that there was nothing much at the Colmar Tropicale. It was suggested by Puan Nora, the Nora Lodge owner, that we go up there during the evening and stay till nightfall so that we could see the resort during the day and night in one go. Furthermore, after 6:00pm, there will be no entrance fee. If not adults would have to pay RM12 just to enter the resort.

Pasha insisted on trying out the yellow rubber ducky fishing game. He successfully pleaded with his "pretty please" code word for him to do two rounds of rubber ducky fishing.

Pasha fishing for the yellow rubber ducky. Pasha had no problem catching the rubber ducky but to win a prize, was a totally different story... There was a lot of "unfairness" built into that game and all the other same kind of games that you can find at the resort. The odd of winning was way too low making it almost impossible to win at all. So, if you were up there, just stay away from the games so that hopefully, one day, those operators would recalculate the huge profit that they are making and give back a bit more to the players... And the Ultraman with his parents by the fountain....

Alternative to wasting money playing the games for nothing. There was a game arcade there. Fully automated, so no resort employee was there. If you have kids around 3 who insisted on playing the game there, put them at this colorful ball game. There's no need to pay as an adult can just pick up the balls that the kid threw inside and you can have this fun for hours... The only thing that you will not get for not paying is your score. Kids do not really need scores to have fun, do they?

Colmar Square and the magical fountain at night. Quite a pretty sight...

The knight in not so shiny armor and Pasha and Mama at the clock tower at night.
Next change: The foggy morning.

An Evening in Colmar Tropicale

November 13, 2010
Colmar Tropicale, Berjaya Hills

Pasha, Uwan, Mama and Papa. Juts got out of the car park from the castle behind us.

Pasha at the sign board and the Main gate to the resort.

The clocks. The first one showing the current time and the second one, on the other side, showing another time. Since I do not read French, I do not know what "Tour De L' Horloge Clock Tower". May be it's about the time for the next tour of the clock tower or something like that...

The horse had run away leaving the shiny red cart behind. The fish pond, which was one of Pasha's favourite.

The giant white swans were too lazy to move around...

Pasha and Papa and the lovely black swans. Swans or some big black ducks?

Another view of the clock tower and Pasha and Mama entering the Colmar Square.

Pasha wondering off by himself and the caught again to pose for a family shot at the fountain.

Nora Lodge at Bukit Tinggi

Need a place to get away for the hustle and bustle of KL? Head over to Nora Lodge at Bukit Tinggi aka Berjaya Hills. We went up there on November 13, 2010. Located at the hillside of Bukit Tinggi, roughly about 3/4 way up, the place was lushly covered by greeneries for as far as your eyes can see.

That's the view of our chalet and the next photo is the view in front of the chalet. Karak Highway was visible a distance away.

A view from the entrance to the lodge and an inside view of our chalet. Ours came with a king size bed and a single bed. The 3 of us and my mom slept comfortably in there.

Another view of the inside. No air conditioning but you would not be needing it anyway. The rocking chair on the deck was a nice addition to the chalet. Imagine rocking yourself to the open view in front of you... Simply refreshing...

Pasha and Adam (face hidden) were enjoying themselves playing with the Congkak. Uwan and Mama Pasha at the recreational cum the eating area.

Isabelle and her hubby with Mama Pasha. They were the one who suggested this place. The food that we brought along with us. You can also get the lodge to cook simple dishes such as fried rice or fried noodles for RM 5.00 per person.

Pasha and Nora the friendly lodge owner and Papa Bear and Pasha and his addiction, Milo...

Isabelle's chalet. Adam (face hidden as usual) half naked and Pasha striking a pose on the deck.
In summary, the place is cool. The rental per day is affordable. It is only about 2 km to Colmar Tropicale and other attractions up there. The owner is friendly. You can call her, Nora at +60122015218 to make your booking. Price may very depending on season. You can also visit http://donmyzz-holidaysbt.blogspot.com/2009/02/nora-lodge-berjaya-hills-bukit-tinggi.html for more details.
To get there, drive to Karak Highway heading to Kuantan. Go past the Genting Sempah tunnel and drive until the exit to Bukit Tinggi or Berjaya Hills. Past the guard post, take the route on the right. Drive about 4 km and watch out for a small sign board on your right. It says Nora Lodge, Orchard Farm. It is quite small so watch your traveled distance. Once there, exit to the right and follow the dirt road to the  end and turn left. Proceed downhill until you reach the gate and drive straight in.
It was worth it for us!