Sunday, December 31, 2017
Genting Highlands, Malaysia - Day 1 - Christmas Light Show at Sky Avenue, Genting Highlands
There's so much changes in Genting Highlands since the last time I visited 7 years ago. There's a new shopping mall called Sky Avenue, it was huge, lots of shops and lots of dining choices, cinema and of course casino. Was so attracted and amazed at the huge kinetic display at the mall's atrium.
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
Genting Highlands, Malaysia - Day 1 - First World Hotel Tower 3 (Y5 Room), Genting Highlands
It was a last minute decision to join my two sisters and their families for this Genting Highlands's trip, I could not stay the same Resort Hotel as them cause was fully booked. I managed to get a Y5 deluxe room in First World Hotel Tower 3, Y5 (stands for wifi), only rooms in tower 3 has free wifi facilities, while tower 1 and tower 2 of first world hotel does not have wifi facilities. So if you wanted wifi facilities, booked the room with the Y5 indication.
First World Hotel with three towers, means a lot of hotel guests, so to avoid long queue in checking, we pay RM5 to check in first via the check in kiosk (machine). The check in time is 3 pm while the check out time is 11 am. Even though we had half an hour till 3 pm, we decided to pay RM5 to check in first cause looking at the huge crowd, need at least 1 and half hour to check in if we did not pay to check in first. On top of that, we also need to pay RM10 per night for tourist tax for the hotel stay.
Love the trick eye murals on the walls at the lobby of tower 3, stood infront of the magnifying glass as if the boy looking at me thru the glass and I stood infront of the butterfly and it looked as if I had feelers on top of my head and wings spreading out of my side, sorry no photo of me (privacy haha).
The deluxe room comes either with twin or queen but we could not have the option to choose the type of bed (so if need 2 beds guaranteed, get the triple room). The room was quite clean and cozy.
The cupboard is open concept (no doors), comes with safe and minibar, no bedroom slippers (need bring own), no toothbrushes or toothpaste(need bring own or easily available from the numerous convenience shops at the lobby), there's an electric flask with 2 cups, 1 big packet of tissue paper and 2 bath towels, shampoo, bath lotion.
The sink area is between the toilet and bath, they are all separated. The only negative about this room is that we could not bring clothes to change in the bathroom, need change infront of the bathroom (no privacy especially if stay with friends).
They do not provide free bottles of complimentary water, there's a water dispenser with hot and cold water along the corridor of the rooms.
Check out is 11 am and easily done by slotting the room keys into the numerous machine at the hotel lobby.
Love the trick eye murals on the walls at the lobby of tower 3, stood infront of the magnifying glass as if the boy looking at me thru the glass and I stood infront of the butterfly and it looked as if I had feelers on top of my head and wings spreading out of my side, sorry no photo of me (privacy haha).
The deluxe room comes either with twin or queen but we could not have the option to choose the type of bed (so if need 2 beds guaranteed, get the triple room). The room was quite clean and cozy.
The cupboard is open concept (no doors), comes with safe and minibar, no bedroom slippers (need bring own), no toothbrushes or toothpaste(need bring own or easily available from the numerous convenience shops at the lobby), there's an electric flask with 2 cups, 1 big packet of tissue paper and 2 bath towels, shampoo, bath lotion.
The sink area is between the toilet and bath, they are all separated. The only negative about this room is that we could not bring clothes to change in the bathroom, need change infront of the bathroom (no privacy especially if stay with friends).
They do not provide free bottles of complimentary water, there's a water dispenser with hot and cold water along the corridor of the rooms.
Check out is 11 am and easily done by slotting the room keys into the numerous machine at the hotel lobby.
Sunday, December 24, 2017
Genting Highlands, Malaysia - Day 1, Taking Transtar Solitaire from Singapore to Genting Highlands, Malaysia
It was a long time since I visited Genting Highlands(about 7 years ago), in Malaysia. So much changes.
Wanted a comfortable ride for the about 8 hours ride (used to be about 6 and half hours ride, I guess there's a new regulation that the bus could not speed). We booked the first class Transtar Solitaire with Transtar Travel. The bus had 18 individual seater double decker coach,with designed cocoon seat reclines into a full 140 degree at the touch of a button. The package came with a meal and entertainment system where we could watch movies or play games, but could not utilise the system on both way to and fro journey. Was told the system is down. Everything is good about the coach package except about the entertainment.
After passing both the Singapore and Malaysia Custom, we were served nasi lemak meal with a cup of hot coffee or tea, the meal is not that fantastic but is still good.
After about 3 hours bus journey, we had the first official toilet break.(So best to use the toilet after clearing the custom.) After the toilet break, we got another cup of hot coffee or tea.
After another one and half hour bus ride, we had another second toilet break.
On reaching the foot of Genting Highlands, we need change to single deck shuttle bus cause the double decker bus could not go up to the top of Genting Highlands due to some restriction for safety purposes, by the local government.
Wanted a comfortable ride for the about 8 hours ride (used to be about 6 and half hours ride, I guess there's a new regulation that the bus could not speed). We booked the first class Transtar Solitaire with Transtar Travel. The bus had 18 individual seater double decker coach,with designed cocoon seat reclines into a full 140 degree at the touch of a button. The package came with a meal and entertainment system where we could watch movies or play games, but could not utilise the system on both way to and fro journey. Was told the system is down. Everything is good about the coach package except about the entertainment.
After passing both the Singapore and Malaysia Custom, we were served nasi lemak meal with a cup of hot coffee or tea, the meal is not that fantastic but is still good.
After about 3 hours bus journey, we had the first official toilet break.(So best to use the toilet after clearing the custom.) After the toilet break, we got another cup of hot coffee or tea.
After another one and half hour bus ride, we had another second toilet break.
On reaching the foot of Genting Highlands, we need change to single deck shuttle bus cause the double decker bus could not go up to the top of Genting Highlands due to some restriction for safety purposes, by the local government.
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
我❤愛玩客 (Ai Wan Ke) in Kuromon Market, Osaka.
I was in Kuromon Market Osaka in July, saw the sign at the Kobe Beef Stall in Kuromon Market, Osaka. This famous TV programme in Taiwan was popular in Singapore and the region, they were at this very same stall few days before us. You can watch their You Tube video on their visit to Kuromon Market, Osaka. Watch also their other videos on food in other countries too, very interesting.
Skip to 9.00 for the segment on the kobe beef stall in Kuromon Market Osaka.
Skip to 9.00 for the segment on the kobe beef stall in Kuromon Market Osaka.
Thursday, October 05, 2017
Day 9 - Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe Trip 2017 - Bye Bye Osaka
Finally , around midnight we boarded the plane and fly back to home sweet home, Singapore. I must be very tired and sleepy, my photo of the airline food looked so blur. As ours was a red eye flight, our airline food was breakfast meal, we choose western breakfast.
Part of our shopping spree, not including some gifts and clothes that already been given out prior to taking photos of these shopping purchases. We did not spend much, all within our budget, infact we still have so much yen left , preparing for future Japan trips, hopefully hahaha.
Loves these fans that I bought along those old shophouses in Kiyozederma temple kyoto. Makes very good souvenia gifts.
So here's the end of my Osaka travel story. Not sure when my next travel story will be.
Part of our shopping spree, not including some gifts and clothes that already been given out prior to taking photos of these shopping purchases. We did not spend much, all within our budget, infact we still have so much yen left , preparing for future Japan trips, hopefully hahaha.
Loves these fans that I bought along those old shophouses in Kiyozederma temple kyoto. Makes very good souvenia gifts.
So here's the end of my Osaka travel story. Not sure when my next travel story will be.
Saturday, September 23, 2017
Day 8 - Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe Trip 2017 - Rinku Premium Outlet Osaka
After settling our storage problems at the airport, we took the train to Rinku Premium Outlet, is one station away from Kansai International Airport. It is only about 6 mins ride away or take the shuttle bus from the airport to Rinku Premium Oulet about 20 mins ride. (Look at the bus time schedule).
Read more about the transportation to and fro from out parts of Osaka to Rinku Premium Outlet from the official website.
Once out of the train station at Rinku, there's sign to direct us to Rinku Premium Outlet and saw a shop offering storage facilities and is cheaper than at the airport but left not many spots. I saw many tourists did not even bother to store their luggages, they just drag along whereever they shop hahaha but then we are only 2 of us with more than 2 luggages, so is a bit difficult for us to try our luck to store our luggages at Rinku first, so we play the safe mode by storing at the airport with more storage facilities.
The premium outlet is just behind the ferris wheel, so just walked towards the ferris wheel and look out for signs to direct the way to premium outlet.
Not everything is expensive here, saw many children clothes way below S$10, bought some for my grandnephew and grandniece.
Please note not all the branded stuff are made in Japan, most are made from China, Vietnam, Thailand, etc.
Had our tea break at one of the coffee house, nice bread and good cozy place to rest our tired legs.
Satisfied with our shopping and well spend time before checking in for our very late flight, we made our way back to Kansai International Airport.
From here, it does not make any differences to take either the airport express or local train cause only one train station away for either train.
Had a nice chinese dinner at 551 Horai Restaurant at Kansai International Airport, I remember I took some photos but I cant find them in my files, not sure if I have accidentally deleted them in my handphone.
Once out of the train station at Rinku, there's sign to direct us to Rinku Premium Outlet and saw a shop offering storage facilities and is cheaper than at the airport but left not many spots. I saw many tourists did not even bother to store their luggages, they just drag along whereever they shop hahaha but then we are only 2 of us with more than 2 luggages, so is a bit difficult for us to try our luck to store our luggages at Rinku first, so we play the safe mode by storing at the airport with more storage facilities.
The premium outlet is just behind the ferris wheel, so just walked towards the ferris wheel and look out for signs to direct the way to premium outlet.
Not everything is expensive here, saw many children clothes way below S$10, bought some for my grandnephew and grandniece.
Please note not all the branded stuff are made in Japan, most are made from China, Vietnam, Thailand, etc.
Had our tea break at one of the coffee house, nice bread and good cozy place to rest our tired legs.
Satisfied with our shopping and well spend time before checking in for our very late flight, we made our way back to Kansai International Airport.
From here, it does not make any differences to take either the airport express or local train cause only one train station away for either train.
Had a nice chinese dinner at 551 Horai Restaurant at Kansai International Airport, I remember I took some photos but I cant find them in my files, not sure if I have accidentally deleted them in my handphone.
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Day 8 - Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe Trip 2017 - Making my way from Namba Station to Kansai International Airport
From our hotel, we made our way to Namba Station to take the airport express train to Kansai International Airport. There are few ways to travel from Namba Train Station to Kansai International Airport.
By Nankai Railways
Direct, 35-50 minutes, 920-1430 yen one way to Namba Station, frequent departures
"Rapit" limited express trains take about 35 minutes and cost 1430 yen (all reserved) from Kansai Airport to Namba Station, while express trains do the same trip in about 45 minutes and for 920 yen. Those transferring to a subway line at Namba Station should consider the "Kanku Chikatoku Ticket" which combines the Nankai train ride from Kansai Airport to Namba Station and a subway journey from Namba Station to any subway station within Osaka for only 1000 yen one way. The ticket is also available for travel in the opposite direction.
Read other mode of transportation to the airport from source.
Of course, we choose to go to the airport via Nankai Railways airport express train which costs only 920 yen and travelling time is 45 minutes. It does not comes with reserved seats but no problem getting seats as Namba Train Station is the terminal. For those who prefer the Rapit limited express train, it comes with reserved seats for all the cabins but cost 1430 yen and only faster by about 10 minutes from the airport express train.
We can still use our IC(ICOCA Card) and tap at the gantry gate and enter into the platform.
Look at the above information board, our airport express is at Platform 6, we quickly made our way to the platform and train.
The train does not come with reserved seats but as Namba Station is the terminal, no problem getting seats unless is peak season.
The next platform is the Rapit Limited Express Train. The whole train is reserved seating and it really looks cozy.
As our flight is near midnight, we have half a day to shop around. We decided to go to Rinku Premiun Outlet which is one train station before Kansai International Airport but we decided to place keep our luggages at the airport rather than at Rinku Premiun Outlet cause there seems to have lesser lockers at the outlet than airport, also cause we need three lockers hahaha.
The storage fee at the airport train station costs more than at the storage in the airport itself but we were too lazy to go all the way to the airport, we just keep our luggages at the lockers near the train station. I think it costs us around 700 yen per locker for huge luggage, I cannot remember the smaller locker fee. The storage facilities in the airport cost lesser. You can read from the official website.
After keeping our luggages in the lockers, we took the train again and alight one station away at Rinku Premiun Outlet. (Will talk more about the outlet in next post.)
Of course, we choose to go to the airport via Nankai Railways airport express train which costs only 920 yen and travelling time is 45 minutes. It does not comes with reserved seats but no problem getting seats as Namba Train Station is the terminal. For those who prefer the Rapit limited express train, it comes with reserved seats for all the cabins but cost 1430 yen and only faster by about 10 minutes from the airport express train.
We can still use our IC(ICOCA Card) and tap at the gantry gate and enter into the platform.
Look at the above information board, our airport express is at Platform 6, we quickly made our way to the platform and train.
The train does not come with reserved seats but as Namba Station is the terminal, no problem getting seats unless is peak season.
The next platform is the Rapit Limited Express Train. The whole train is reserved seating and it really looks cozy.
As our flight is near midnight, we have half a day to shop around. We decided to go to Rinku Premiun Outlet which is one train station before Kansai International Airport but we decided to place keep our luggages at the airport rather than at Rinku Premiun Outlet cause there seems to have lesser lockers at the outlet than airport, also cause we need three lockers hahaha.
The storage fee at the airport train station costs more than at the storage in the airport itself but we were too lazy to go all the way to the airport, we just keep our luggages at the lockers near the train station. I think it costs us around 700 yen per locker for huge luggage, I cannot remember the smaller locker fee. The storage facilities in the airport cost lesser. You can read from the official website.
After keeping our luggages in the lockers, we took the train again and alight one station away at Rinku Premiun Outlet. (Will talk more about the outlet in next post.)