I was, again, browsing photos at my Friendster account. I was trying to see which photos I have uploaded there. I realized that I haven’t posted these photos yet in my travel journal. We went to Kuantan last year and stayed at Swiss Garden Resort (courtesy of our friends). I loved the beach. I loved the resort. I am hoping to go back there again.

I know my photos were not that good. I was a newbie. At least now I have learned to set up my digicam and learned a little bit of photography rules, thanks to the articles on tips on photography online.

Kuantan, by the way is located at the East Coast of Malaysia, in the Pahang State.

According to wikipedia, Kuantan’s main sightseeing attraction is the beach at Teluk Cempedak. There are also other scenic beaches popular with vacationers in the city’s vicinity, such as Batu Hitam, Balok, Chenor, Pantai Sepat, Beserah, and Cherating. Near Cherating (Club Med is located here) is a turtle sanctuary. A few kilometers away from Cherating is Pulau Ular (Snake Island). There is a legend connected with this island. In fact, Kuantan has the most beaches compared to other cities in Malaysia.

Kuantan is also known to tourists for its waterfalls. The most well-known is the Sungai Pandan Water Fall. Two other waterfalls are the Sungai Berkelah Waterfall and the Jerangkang Waterfall. There are also three parks within the city. These are the Gelora Park, Teruntum Mini Zoo and Agriculture Park at Indera Mahkota. A small park located in front of the Hospital is named the Esplanade Park. Here, it is possible to go on a river cruise from the small jetty. The Kuantan area also produces handicrafts and batik. Other tourist attractions include the State Mosque (Masjid Negeri).

Being a traveler, I am constantly looking out for cheap hotels with a good accommodation. It is not easy to look for hotels. In fact, I spend hours and hours just for looking for hotel accommodations. As a family traveling, we need to be careful in choosing which hotel we’re staying, at an affordable price, too.

Our recent trips had been in Asia only. There are so many beautiful places to be discovered in Asia itself. So Hubby and I thought to keep our travels within Asia first. We did that for Malaysia. We decided to go around Malaysia and see it’s beautiful places first before traveling to the Orient. I have gone to almost all of the States in Malaysia and I can say that Malaysia is indeed a beautiful place.

However, given a chance, I would definitely visit Australia. I have an Aunt that lives in Australia for more than 20 years already and she’s been encouraging me to visit her there. And most of Peter’s friends had migrated to Australia. It would be lovely to see different places, visit friends and experience new cultures and taste different cuisines.

Actually, now is the best time to look for hotel accommodations. You know why, I have discovered about
Accor Hotels City Super Sale. And if you book online between June 23-29, you will get up to 60%, especially if your stay is between July 10 and September 30, 2009! That is just an awesome news. The rates start from as low as 25$ and that’s about 70RM! I can stay in Sydney for 220RM per night per room? It is truly unbelievable. But of course, you have to check it out for yourself so you will believe me. I highly recommend to check the sale now as the offer period is limited only.

Hotels participating are: Sofitel, Pullman, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure, All Seasons and Ibis hotels which provide a vast range of affordable options during the 2.5 months. Cities included in this great bargain rates include Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Hanoi, Manila, Mumbai, Sydney and Auckland. If you are planning to visit me in Kuala Lumpur, please do so now.

image courtesy: textually.org

This is one of the views of Dinagat Island. I was browsing my best friend’s photos at Friendster and found they had a family day at one of the beautiful beaches there.

I stole and posted this pic because I am missing Dinagat Island so much. I was one of those who were sent to do survey for this island. DPWH was going to construct roads and bridges there. I was glad to be a part of the team.

The colleague that I went there with is now the chief of Planning section. I wish to see the projects that they have done there. I wish I could go back there again. I wish I could take my family there and tell them “hey I was involved in the construction of this road and that road.” Hehehe. It is free to wish, right?

Dinagat Island is an island located northeast of Mindanao in the Philippines. Until December 2006, it was part of the province of Surigao del Norte. Almost all of the province of Dinagat Islands is located on it.(wikipedia)

Seems that I have taken a long break from posting in this blog. I still have a lot of photos to post from our recent Macau-Hongkong-China trip. I have only posted photos of Macau and Hong Kong. I haven’t posted the photos I took in China yet. Will have to take time to post them. I loved my time in China. The kids loved China too.

We are moving house soon. So I’ll probably just wait until we’re settled then I will come back here and post our China Photos.

Yes, my family’s journal, places and memories, has been moved to wordpress. I really didn’t plan it. I was actually chatting with my friend Ruby who got me the webhost that I used for my wordpress blog. Out of the blue, I decided to trasnfer my travel domain to this self webhost.

Now now my travel blog is wordpressed. My template is just temporary. I am still on the lookout for travel related themes. For now, this template is fine.

Do you have a collection? Do you keep your memorabilias? I used to collect stamps and stationeries when I was a child. I had an album for them. But when our place was flooded way back in 1996, my collection had vanished. I guess the flood washed them out.

It is important that we know how to preserve our collectibles. And also, it is important if we know how to get those memorabilias. Shopwiki offers a buying guide for those who are wanting to collect some memorabilias. You could get a buying guide for music, television shows, sports memorabilia, etc.

What else do people collect? I can think of some things like:

1. currencies – especially if one loves to travel. You can actually collect them.

2. stamps – nowadays, it is hard to get stamps because rarely people post by snail mails. They’d rather do emails which is easier and faster. But of course, you can still collect stamps.

3. toys – there are just toys that you want to keep, even as an adult.

4. collectible cards – a lot of people who are into sports have card collection.

5. decorative items – like figurines, decorative plates and spoons, etc.

You may want to check shopwiki for guides when buying them.

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But at night, when the lights were on, it looks like this: really dazzling.

Hubby’s friends met us at The Peak and took us at The Peak Lookout Restaurant. The prices of the food was also sky high. I had spring chicken for RM100+ which was the cheapest. Good thing it was a treat from hubby’s friends. LOL.

The best way to enjoy the ultimate Peak experience is Peak Tram Sky Pass, offering you enjoyment of a trip on the famous Peak Tram and the fabulous panoramic views of Hong Kong from The Sky Terrace, the highest 360° viewing platform in Hong Kong. With the Peak Tram Sky Pass, you can enjoy more Peak experiences at a special price sold at Garden Road Peak Tram Lower Terminus or appointed travel agents.

Prices of the tickets to the peak tram and skyway pass:

Perching on The Peak at 396 metres above sea level, The Peak Tower is one of the most stylish architectural icons in Hong Kong. With an avant-garde design representing the epitome of modern architecture, the spectacular tower has been featured in millions of photographs and postcards across the world. It was very dark when we came down here so the photo wasn’t very clear. I was on top or terrace of this tower when I took shots of the Hong Kong skyline.

1. By car or cab. You can drive straight to the Peak.

2. Take a bus straight to the peak.

The Peak Tram:

The venerable Peak Tram is, as most passengers agree, the only way to truly experience the beauty of Hong Kong’s natural wonders. Tens of millions of people from every corner of the globe have taken the ride, which affords a uniquely spectacular perspective of the city.

View from the peak tram