Hanoi, Vietnam - Part I

The statue of Ly Thai To, founder of Hanoi

For year 2008, Hanoi was the 1st destination for my holiday outside Malaysia. I was there from 10-15 April 2008. I got the cheapest fares when AirAsia had the promotion in the month of February 2008. I departed to Hanoi on 10th April, 2008 at 6.30a.m. It took about 3 hours to reach Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi from LCCT, Kuala Lumpur. I arrived at Hanoi at 9.30a.m (Malaysian time) and it was 8.30a.m (Hanoi time).

Hanoi is very noisy. Upon arrival, on the way from the airport to the hotel, people in their vehicle just non-stop honking at each other. Everyday you can hear them honking at each other which was very annoying. (Nang sikit2 jak sidak dah hon, sikit2 hon. Aku pun pening pala nenggar bunyi hon yang sik henti2.) A few tourists told me that Ho Chi Minh City even more noisy, so you can imagine how noisy Vietnam is! :)

The month of April is spring time in Hanoi. The weather was cool and dry with light rains. It was raining on the day I left Hanoi on 15 April 2008. The summer months from May to September normally are the rainy season. It is very hot too in Hanoi during the summer months.

The Vietnamese language at the Noi Bai Airport:

The Hanoi's car plate number:

They drive at the left hand side and motorcycles dominate the roads in Hanoi:














The women selling vegetables and fruits:







Roasted porks, ducks, chickens, pigoens for lunch:


A simple rice noodle soup which often served at the streetside cafes, and restaurant. It is known as Phở and served in two varieties: Phở Bò, containing beef, and Phở Gà, containing chicken. While I was in Hanoi, I ate rice noodle soup everyday. What I liked about the noodle was it being prepared with no oil, with lots of spring onions and limes. (Semua bahan2nya adalah direbus jak)














--Nexts, I will write about Halong Bay.

8 Facts....

I got tagged again from ~kroll~

The Rules
Link to your tagger and post these rules.
List eight (8) random facts about yourself.
Tag eight people at the end of this post and list their names.
Let them know they’ve been tagged by leaving them a comment on their blogs.

8 facts bout me that you didnt know or maybe you already know...

1. I am a cheerful person.

2. There are 6 people in my family.

3. I love travelling and gardening.

4. I love cat.

5. My favourite drink are iced lemon tea, liang teh and teh tarik.

6. My favourite cake is Cheese Cake.

7. My first car was a white Proton Iswara.

8. I love to make friends with people who are honest and sincere.

Perth, Western Australia

I was in Perth, Western Australia from 5th - 10th November 2007. This time, I flew with Royal Brunei. It was cheaper than MAS. It was my 3rd visit to Perth. My visit this time was special as I was there to receive an award. I am so proud that at last I got the recognition.

During my visit, it was late winter and early spring where flowers started to bloom beautifully.

















The landmarks of Perth, the Bell Tower and the Barrack Street jetty:











The easiest way to get around Perth is by hoping into the CAT buses. The CAT buses offer a regular bus services within the city for free of charge. The buses operate on red, blue and yellow routes that run to different areas in the city.

I went to visit the Fremantle markets a popular tourist destination. It is a public market with stalls for craftspeople, mechants, you also can find vegetable and fruits here. The markets are open on Friday nights and weekends.

Gunung Mulu National Park - World Heritage Area (Part 2)

Today, 14th October 2007, we woke up early and had breakfast at the canteen near our room. At around 8.00a.m, we went to the Park Headquarters’ jetty. The boat was there waiting to bring us to visit the Clearwater Cave. On the way, we stopped at the Penan settlement to buy some local souveniers.

On the way to the Penan settlement and the Clearwater Cave.










The Penan settlement and the ladies selling their crafts at the "ruai"


The formations at the entrance of the Clearwater Cave:


The Clearwater cave entrance taken from inside the cave:










Before heading back to Miri on 15th October 2007, my dad, my cousin and I did a morning walk exercise around the Park Headquarters. There is a small Information Center which is located near the canteen where you can get some more information about Gunung Mulu National Park or browsed through the maps' replica with details information on the landscapes of Gunung Mulu National Park.

The initiatives of protecting the Gunung Mulu National Park is good and hope no massive renovation to be done inside the caves to avoid damaging its' natural beauty.

It is good to stay close with the nature where it helps to instill the awareness for us to appreciate the nature and the important of keeping our environment green. Protecting the planet and its environment is every body's job.

Gunung Mulu National Park - World Heritage Area (Part 1)

I went to visit Gunung Mulu National Park with my mum, dad and cousin from 13th - 15th October 2007. It was my second trip. Gunung Mulu National Park is the largest national park, covering 52,800 hectares and it was listed as a World Heritage site in November 2000.

On 13th October 2007, we flew from Miri using MASWings' twin-otter flight at 9.40a.m and the journey time approximately about 25 minutes to reach the Gunung Mulu National Park's airport. After collected our luggages, we wait for a pick up which I have arranged earlier to bring us to our lodging at the Park Headquarters.

For visitors who stay at the Royal Mulu Resort Hotel, this are the "tuk-tuk" to pick them up.











The plague with information about the Gunung Mulu National Park which is situated infront of the Park Headquarters.










After done with the checking in, we headed to our room. There are a few block of buildings with different room types and we stayed at the Rainforest Room with 4 beds, a ceiling fan and en-suite bathroom.

Our room's block









Mum and dad relaxed in the room









The plants around the Park Headquarters:
The wild orchid









The mushrooms









The fern














The great attractions of Mulu's are below the surface consist of the world's largest cave passage, Deer Cave, the world's largest natural chamber, Gua Nasib Bagus or Good Luck Cave and the longest cave in Southeast Asia, Clearwater Cave.

After lunch, we gathered in front of the Park Headquarters at 2.00p.m. Together with other visitors and a park guide we heading our way to visit the Deer Cave and Gua Nasib Bagus.

The entrance to the Deer Cave from a far.


The photo of the cave entrance taken from inside the cave.













The formations inside the cave:
















Note: Please ignored the date stated on the pictures as I forgot to reset that's why the dates were backdated.

Genting Highlands - Kota Keriangan

The First World Hotel

I went to Genting Highlands in August 2007. The last time I have been there was 15 years ago. I am a budget traveller. My friend and I fly with AirAsia. We arranged everything via AirAsia from flight to transportation from LCCT straight to the First World Hotel at Genting. AirAsia also provided services to pick us from Genting back to Kuala Lumpur or LCCT. The price was very reasonable and it was hassle free where we do not have to travel down to Kuala Lumpur to get a bus to Genting Highlands or vice versa.

Through the four-lane highway from Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan, we reached at the tunnel and then to the right to the winding road. As you went up to above, the road became more steep and more windy. Along the way, sometimes you can see blue skies and sometimes there are clouds come and then float away. When the clounds come, sometimes you cannot even see the car infront of you.

Upon arrival, while waiting for our turn to the reception. I can see a lot of people checking in onto the hotel. My friend said this people are here to gamble but not us. We were to Genting for a relaxing holiday. After done with the receptionist, we went to the room. The room was small. Well, we just need a place to sleep and bath. From our room when the coulds are gone, I can see KL City and KL Twin Tower. In front of our room we can see the theme park.

Views of the theme park



Some of the rides at the theme park

















Besides having fun at the theme park, you can also shop at the Genting Highlands. There are quiet a number of good outlets at the Genting Shopping Mall.

When we went for dinner at the hotel's restaurant, they served durians besides other local Malaysian fruits and dishes. It was a long queu and people were willing to queu for the durians. My friend and I do not want to miss a chance so we were patiently queuing too for a plate or 2 of the durians for desert!

Oooohhh mouth watery durians....










I enjoyed my holiday and it was good to be in the highlands.