Pangkor Laut Resort needs no further introduction. Set on a 300-acre island surrounded by unspoilt rainforest and mountainous islands on the horizon, it’s exactly what it promises – private, tranquil and sophisticated.  Here’s a take on the island from the perspectives of a planner’s eyes … and feet.

My trip to the private island was all very spontaneous. I had to head over for a tour of the place and making it a short holiday was naturally a tempting option.When planning a destination wedding, the most important things to do, first thing on the list, is a thorough site inspection. We’ll need to walk through the physical locations in order to understand the complete flow of how guests will experience getting around the specific destination, activities, transportation, convenience of logistical arrangements and so forth. My journey on the speedboat to my secluded hideaway for the next three days took 30 minutes. The sea was rough and for a moment, I wondered if we would capsize. The staff onboard were very attentive. When they noticed that we got a bit wet, the driver immediately stopped the boat and asked his partner to hand over some towels to us. It is a simple gesture like this that sets Pangkor Laut Resort a class above the rest, and that’s even before you stepped onto the island!

I spent my day luxuriating at the infinity pool and taking short naps on my day bed. Going on holiday with me is no fun unless you enjoy sleeping as much as I do. I think sleep is the ultimate luxury!  To not have a clue about time, no laptop or beeping reminders from my phone. No music or phone calls. Just being present with nature and daydreaming to the mesmerizing sound of lapping waves. Just so blissful….  

The ocean had a nostalgic effect on me. They say that swimming is like riding a bike.  You’ll never forget how to swim. Despite being a swimmer throughout my entire childhood and teenage years, I got a bit scared about dipping into the sea. I wasn’t afraid of not knowing how to swim or float, but about not having the stamina to find my way back to shore! I loved the raw, salty taste of the ocean on my lips. The smell of the intoxicating ocean breeze that filled the air everywhere I went. The sand in between my toes. The ocean was so alive.

Speaking of sand, I collected a jar of sand for Jean-Paul and Jauharina. Will be sending this via courier all the way to Holland. Since they’d be getting married on Emerald Bay, it’ll be really meaningful to have some sand from Emerald Bay to be used as part of their custom-designed wedding rings. Cool, isn’t it?!

I like this area at Chapman’s Bar. The surrounding trees form nice, natural canopies and give the place some character as compared to the beach.

We came back in the evening to observe sun set time. They don’t have the prettiest view of the sunset though and too quickly, it turned to dusk. Nonetheless, the tranquility of the place is simply hypnotic.

 My choice of contingency venue in case of bad weather.

I ended my stay with a pampering session at the famed Spa Village. The bath experience was interesting. I like how they themed the interior of the spa setting according to the rituals.  I won’t say too much on this, you’ll need to go in with a blank canvas picture in your mind. This way, you’ll be able to enjoy your session as each step is an experience in itself, a journey of discovery that is both relaxing and rejuvenating.

Meet Uncle Lim! Yes, the face behind Uncle Lim’s Kitchen at Pangkor Laut Resort. He’s staff no 001 at Pangkor Laut Resort. From what I heard, he’s been working as a personal cook for Tan Sri for many years way before the resort was built. So when they decided to build a Chinese restaurant at Pangkor Laut Resort, Tan Sri named it after Mr Lim, offering Nyonya and Hock Chew, home-cooked style  cuisines.

We decided to try out the food at Uncle Lim’s Kitchen on our first evening at Pangkor Laut Resort. I was expecting a down-to-earth, Malaysian-style ‘kopitiam-inspired’ food but holy cow, our dinner costed us RM713+ for just 3 persons! Thank goodness they were all packaged! I think that the price of their F&B outlets are exhorbitantly high even for non-Malaysian guests.  The Nyonya Assam Prawns costed RM65 and there were only 3 pieces of prawns, that means only one for each person! Seafood may be cheap at Pangkor but the perceived value attached to the YTL brand is certainly high! Service was excellent and we really enjoyed the attentive service of the waiters.

The dining experience at Pangkor Laut Resort was a culinary adventure to look forward to.  My favourite has got to be the daily breakfast at Feast Village. This is the breakfast worth waking up for!  I’m already missing the waffles, drizzled with cherries and dark chocolate sauce, sipping my latte with a view overlooking the sun-drenched sea.  Hei, even roti jala tasted better with the ocean breeze!

This is my other favourite hang out spot at Pangkor Laut Resort. Royal Bay Beach Club is strategically built in between the infinity pool and tennis court, and next to the gym, which makes it one of the most popular places for guests to grab a bite after a workout. We ate here twice and it was a cool chill out place after a day out under the sweltering heat. 

 It is always a joy to watch your food being prepared with such great enthusiasm. Even more interesting when it becomes an art in motion…..

……. and voila!! Our yummylicious desserts! I had the Rum & Raisin Ice-Cream over a bed of chopped dragon fruits and I scream ‘good’! The hazelnut & caramel parfait is also a note-worthy mention although I find it a little too heavy after a sumptious dinner. If you prefer something healthier, try the vanilla yogurt cake. Comparing against the earlier two desserts, the vanilla yogurt cake came short of being almost tasteless but my mom loved it!

Now, I have to make plans to visit Tanjong Jara soon!

A guy once said to me “I’ll get married when I can afford a luxury apartment or condominium in Hong Kong.”

This billboard is a nostalgic recollection of that piece of memory etched into the back of my past.

In our last trip to Macau, we stayed at Casa Real, a rather cozy hotel located adjacent to the Macau Ferry Terminal and Fisherman’s Wharf.  It only costed us approximately RM180 per night inclusive of breakfast for two, and a room that was more spacious than the rooms of some of the 4-star hotels in Hong Kong.

We did all the touristy stuffs, i.e. visiting all the major tourist spots in Macau but not spending enough time to totally appreciate the architecture, history and culture.

At first glance, A-Ma Temple looked just like every other Chinese temples that we have, but it is distinguished by courtyards built into the hill and connected by winding paths and gardens. It’s also one of the most significant sites in the history of Macau because Macau derived its name from A-Ma-Gau or Place of A-Ma. According to legend, A-Ma, a poor girl looking for passage to Canton, was refused by the wealthy junk owners but a fisherman took her on board. Storm came and wrecked everything but she was known to have drifted to Macau where she reappeared as a goddess on the spot where the temple stands. The fishermen built this temple in the 16th century to dedicate it to her, the seafarers goddess.

Being my second time to Macau, I told myself that I must not miss the Serradura! Although this dessert is actually really easy to make, well, let’s just say nothing beats the original, or closest to the original!

We also went to the older parts of Macau. Came across some shops with presumably the old-fashioned way of baking almond cookies but we still ended up buying cookies from the famous Koi Kei Bakery which was flogging with busloads of tourists.

Despite the rapid developments in Macau, the city is still pretty much laid back in demeanor although the locals are rather uptight and serious. All of the action, energy and buzz happen inside the casinos while the streets remain quiet at night except for tourists returning to their hotel, loan sharks lurking around the entrances of hotels or gamblers on their way to board the next ferry back. It really lacks the fun and vibe that Vegas is famous for. Even though Macau may be generating way more gambling revenue, it certainly isn’t a sin city of entertainment where one would wanna go back for a second helping.

Starring Mickey and Minnie, and Hsieh June as the supporting character.

There really wasn’t much to shout about Hong Kong Disneyland. Perhaps it wouldn’t be fair for me to comment since I’ve already visited other parks prior to the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland. Perhaps age is catching up and I’ve lost that naivety to believe in fairy god mothers and magical kingdoms and princesses who live happily ever after. Perhaps, I was just ‘weirded out’ by Cantonese-speaking Sleeping Beauty.

Undeniable bubbly and boisterous, the ambience inside the park was chock-a-block with excited children, lovey-dovey couples and noisy tourists who were all ready to rock the park in their Disney headbands, gears, badges and collar pins, and armed with autograph books and Disney pens that come with those annoyingly bubbly characters on top.

Hong Kong Disneyland is divided into four thematic parks – Mainstreet USA, Adventureland, Fantasyland and Tommorowland. I think Hong Kong Disneyland is perhaps the smallest Disneyland park in the world. Nonetheless, a boat ride at Adventureland was quite a thrill and not to be missed. The rest of the rides were uneventful and unmemorable. It was lacking in excitement for grown up kids like me.

I was more exited about our accommodation. We stayed at Disney’s Hollywood Hotel. It was a fantastic deal compared to the city hotels. Rooms at Disney’s Hollywood Hotel are much more spacious as they are designed to cater to families of four, with two double beds in each room . It would cost more if you decide to take a room with an ocean view. It also has a large compound with a piano-shaped outdoor swimming pool and themed gardens that replicate the details of old Hollywood glamour. I really like all things retro and vintage, and the 1930’s interior designs and art deco monuments brought about an atmosphere of glitz and glamour of a bygone era.

We did not have our breakfast at the hotel though as we decided to take the MTR to Tung Chung for a hearty breakfast of dim sum. For those who have children, a breakfast experience at the hotel would be wonderful as they sometimes have Disney characters wandering around to greet guests in the morning. After breakfast, we took a walk along the boardwalk overlooking the Lantau mountains.

Anyway, back at the park, we managed to catch quite a handful of Disney personalities. From Sleeping Beauty to Buzz Lightyear, Ariel of The little Mermaid to Pluto and Goofy. As colourful as it was, the joy was incomplete without my brother. Really wished you were here with us.

Try not to be tempted to buy the souvenirs from the shops. I think photos and pictures make the best souvenirs and mementos. I remember buying a Monster Inc soft toy from Disneyland Paris some years ago and it is now stashed away in the storeroom, collecting dust in one of my cardboard boxes.

The highlight of Hong Kong Disneyland is their daily fireworks! Awesome display of pyrotechnics, fireworks and musical accompaniment that left us gushing in Ooo’s… and Aww’s.. I’d suggest for all visitors to stay on till evening to catch this spectacular showcase.

I think the best time to visit Hong Kong Disneyland is during the spring season. Summer can be a bit hot and rainy. We were there in winter and we thoroughly enjoyed the cold weather, the only setback was the thick jackets that we had to remove each time we went indoor.

Surrounded by two 18-hole championship golf courses, The Club at The Saujana is positioned as the ultimate urban retreat for both business and leisure travellers which is located just a stone’s throw away from downtown Kuala Lumpur.

I made a last minute booking for a weekend of much needed self-pampering retreat and Jacque Soo, the wedding specialist from The Saujana was kind enough to accommodate my request and also advised me “Don’t bring your laptop ah.. just relax!”

Laptop I can’t live without but to relax, was all I did. The Club at The Saujana is a boutique resort with only 105 rooms, ranging from smartly appointed Club Rooms all the way up to the lavish Saujana Suites. GHM’s signature styles are evident in the interior and architecture of The Club which reflect contemporary South East Asian aesthetics. I felt totally at home with its copper, bronze and brown fittings.

My room was a cozy Superior Suite with teak wood furnishing. The room came with a separate dining and lounge area. The work station had a beautiful view of the garden but my favourite space is definitely the bathroom with its laminated flooring and dimmer lights, candles, rain shower cabin and terrazzo bathtub. Makes a romantic setting, don’t you think?

My job requires me to travel quite a fair bit which can be quite tiring compared to a desk job. Hence, my ideal holiday is to do nothing at all, with minimal travelling hassle and a getaway destination that does not require me to break my piggy bank reserves. The Club at The Saujana exudes that private, understated luxury with warm, personalised service from the moment I arrived right up to the time I checked out. After just one night, I felt totally rejuvenated. Best of all, it’s just 15 minutes away from my house yet I felt like I just came back from an island resort. If only everyday is a holiday!

The Club at The Saujana, Jalan Lapangan Terbang SAAS, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor

For reservations: +(603) 7843 1234                 E-mail: reservations@thesaujana.com

As a planner, I’m always in search of beautiful venues that make the most stunning backdrop for memorable occasions. I am certainly not disappointed at all with what Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa has to offer.

Nestled within the surrounding of lush tropical foliage and a pristine stretch of private sandy beach to boast, the resort is deliriously inviting for a romantic escapade for two or an intimate party for a happy celebration.

Apart from the exhilarating outdoor activities and the holistic pleasures of the hotel facilities, one of their best features is their signature Heavenly Bed®. Well, it’s certainly beguiling if the entire hotel chain around the world pays homage to their signature bed with a  string of local activities and programmes to celebrate Westin’s Heavenly Bed® 10th Anniversary. In Langkawi, the management kicked off the celebration with a Westin’s Heavenly Bed® 10th Anniversary Pajamas Night for their associates.

With 10 layers of sumptuous, stylish and plush comfort, the all-white Heavenly Bed® consists of a custom designed Simmoms Beautyrest® pillow-top mattress set, a cozy down blanket, three crisp sheets ranging in thread count from 180 to 250, comforter, fluffy duvet and five of the best pillows in the business (two feather and down pillows, two hypo allergenic pillows and a boudoir pillow).

Isn’t this a far cry from your typical hotel chain bed? In fact, you’ll never sleep on your own bed the same way again. It’s the kind of bed that after you’ve slept on it, it’ll make you long for it months after you’ve returned from your holiday. Serious!

That is why you can always bring home a slice of the ‘heavenly’ experience by purchasing the bed. Yes, the bed!

In August 1999, after receiving a wake up call from travellers who said the most important service a hotel can offer is a good night’s sleep, Westin hotels decided to build the best bed in the hotel industry. After months of testing hundreds of mattresses, pillows and bed linens, thus the Heavenly Bed® was born. 10 years on, their signature bed is still one of the most talked about features of the hotel and you are always welcome to buy the bed or any of their signature products.

The ocean view rooms, from the basic Deluxe room to the luxurious private villas, offer a picturesque horizon of the Andaman sea. My friend who is based in Langkawi claimed that the Westin Resort has one of the best sunset views of all resorts in Langkawi. I have not visited each and every resort in Langkawi but I certainly agree that the sunset view from the deck where we sat is magnificent.

If you are there for your honeymoon or anniversary, be sure to request for a sunset dinner for two at the gazebo. It’s definitely a romantic experience not to be missed!

For more hotel reviews, check out Trip Advisor.

Story and photo by Robin Jaj.

Tanzania, where shall I even begin. Housing the world’s largest game reserve with the biggest animal migration and home to Mt. Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest mountain, it’s only natural to head over to Tanzania to experience true safari. We spent five days at the Serengeti Safari Park, four days at Zanzibar Island and a day at the capital of Tanzania, Dar Es Salaam. Here are the highlights.

On day one while on our way to Arusha, we got caught up with these chickens on the run!

Upon arrival at Maasai Village, we were greeted by these beautiful colours of Africa.

The women of Maasai are tough and strong. They collect wood and water. They fix broken huts,  mend the fences and earn a living by selling hand-made jewelleries.

Much to our surprise, this is a school and it’s the only area at the village which is not fenced from wild animals.

I love the composition of this tree with birds nests hanging from it.

The hippos and crocs have a pact to live together in harmony.

See how happy this hippo was….

Now, if only humans can learn from all these wild animals.

I caught this image just before he gobbled down his fresh kill.

My favourite moment of the whole trip was definitely the lioness hunting. They are not just chase-and-kill type of animals. They are really fun hunters to watch. They have a strategy to the hunt and yet just pure brute force of the kill.

This lioness is clearly oblivious to our presence as soon as she spotted a buffalo on the other side of the field.

Their male counterparts were equally entertaining.

They are known to mate 20 times a day!!!!!

Usually a few minutes each time.

But that’s still heck load of quickies! 20 times a day multiplied by 30 days, that makes it 600 times a month!

WHO’S YOUR DADDY !?!

Travel Tips:

We stayed in lodges for the safari, the best is to search online and see what suits your budget. As for Zanzibar, we stayed close to Stone Town (main city in Zanzibar). We travelled around the island in a rented car. Tbe beaches on the east side of Zanzibar are beautiful.

Do your research well as different times of the year will showcase different types of animals. Know what you want to do and where you want to go. Get a proper book on the animals in the safari. A good driver/guide for the safari is also essential.

Immerse in their culture. Bargain for anything that is sold on the streets.

Don’t forget your Malaria medication. Drink loads of water as one can get dehydrated. Bring loads of sun screen!

And most importantly, be one with nature and do away with technology (toilets and camera excluded from that category!)

What can you do while enduring a 3 1/2 hours flight in a low budget plane with no in-flight entertainment and possibly the crappiest food?

1. Camwhore.

2. Eat duty free chocolates.

3. Sleep.

4. Wake up… try to catch a glimpse of the air hostess’ much talked about controversial ‘tunnel’ because of their short skirts.

5. Eat more chocolates.

6. Read in-flight magazine (note of caution: May cause a terrible air sickness when there’s turbulence because the plane feels abnormally shaky).

7. Try to sleep again. By this time, the neck is already sore from the hard cushion.

9. Study their menu & contemplate on buying their RM7 Nasi Lemak. But may decide to save it for RM11 Starbucks instead. (sidenote: some smart alec should really look into suing AK for misrepresentation of their menu pictures and they failed to print “pictures are for illustration purposes only”!!!)

10. By the 3rd hour, stare cock at the guy next to you for ripping out a silent fart while pretending to be asleep.