Recounting the days in the City of Entertainment

The ANG Mistress deeply regret for the delay in this post due to several commitments, both from home and at work.

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Facing an active toddler alone with tons of never-ending housework is so challenging and taxing. Piling work commitments did not help but add a level of stress of course. Oh well, still the old word "MANAGE". Alright, forget about all these rantings but let's just continue with the main topic - The Road-Trip!!

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Before the folks decided on this road-trip, the search begin for information related to others' self-drive experience to this City of Entertainment proved nothing but really NOTHING. Hence, the ANG Mistress decides to do something 'detailed' in this recount, Hopefully the information would 'assist' some others who are keen to self-drive in the future.

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20 April 2007

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Set off at 7.50am from Clementi, Singapore on 20 April 2007.

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Reached the Singapore customs at Tuas Checkpoint at 8.10am - No Jams since it's a weekday!!

(Lessons learnt is to travel on a weekday rather than depart on Saturdays, likely to meet a slight jam)

Thereafter, clearance at the Malaysian customs - No Jams too!

Reached 1st Toll (Tanjung Kupang) – This toll station is the 1st immediately after clearing the Malaysian customs. Toll fee is RM8.40 for Class 1 vehicles - http://www.plus.com.my/querry_class.htm. After that, drive further to top-up your petrol before continuing the journey driving all the way straight.

Arrived at 2nd Toll (Lima Kedai) – Toll fee is RM3.10. Proceed & Continue to drive straight.

Arrived at the 3rd Toll (Senai Utara) - You'll start to collect a ticket from the counter-staff before continuing your journey if you're making cash payments OR you'll still tap your "Touch N Go" card at the reader machine, to start clocking the distance you'll to travel until your next exit, then you make the payment.

F&B Break - The folks brought along some luncheon meat sandwiches as breakfast "on the go" so the precious time may be used in travelling rather than stopping often for food break. However, the folks do stop a while for a quick stretch & toilet trip.

1st Break – 08.55 to 09.15am, topped-up petrol before departing again

F&B Break - With the nice sandwiches and cuppa coffee "on the go", there is not much opportunity for the folks to stop in between.....heh heh...(that's the objective...cut the breaks and move on)

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2nd Break Time (Seremban Arah Utara) – Around 11.15am for a quick bite. This R&R is one of the most impressive rest house serving reasonably priced, tasty & delicious food. The restrooms are huge, nice & clean. and most importantly, there are baby chairs around! Very family friendly R&R!!

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(Good condition baby chair were provided – Wow!)

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Arrived at the 4th Toll (Sungei Besi) – Toll fee paid RM40.90, this is the out-skirt of Kuala Lumpur. The folks passed Kuala Lumpur town @12.00noon

Drive out of KL town to Genting at @12.30pm

Arrived at the 5th Toll – RM5.00, Genting Toll

Finally arrived Genting Highland @1.30pm
Check-in procedure into First World Hotel (there were approx. 32 check-in counters!!!)

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(After settling down those luggages)

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(Fascinated by the kiddy rides)

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21 April 2007

The next day was free and easy. Movie tickets were purchased early for the screening of "Wild Hogs" at 9.30pm. After a sumptuous breakfast, Toddler ANG was treated to the kiddy-rides. A full day ticket was purchased so he can hop onto any rides he desires. The folks also took a short stroll at the outdoor theme park. The weather started to turn chilly during mid-day. The wind gets stronger, fogs started to gather at the surroundings.......it was actually the clouds!

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(Clouds engulf the outdoor theme park)
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(Put on extra clothing baby!)
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22 April 2007

On Sunday morning, the folks locked their luggage and set off the City of Entertainment in the morning around 9.15am, back to Singapore. Although there wasn't much chance to record and trace the activities done in Genting Highlands, one thing for sure is that the male-folks did visit the casinos and woman-folk stay to baby-sit the toddler...(What else??).

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So, did anyone manage to make a killing in the casino please?......(The ANG Mistress rattles on....)

Return from our Road Trip

Hallow everyone........the House of ANG returned on 22 Apr 07 from their Genting Highlands road trip.

Everyone survived and thoroughly enjoyed this first drive up to the City of Entertainment.

More pictures will be updated shortly.......clearing up the workload and backlogs first...!!

Icy Creamy Ice-Cream

Bet you toddlers out there don't understand this.
Cos your papa and mama don't do this.

A usual parent will likely offer an ice-cream cone to their toddlers without stating terms & conditions. You see........but my mama does....

What did she asked me to do..........just watch....
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"Bent towards one side and say Cheeze, baby"

"One more time baby, Bent lower on one side and say Cheeze"

"Lower.......Lower.......say Cheeze"
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So there, that's what I mean......I need to do 'acrobatic' acts in order to enjoy my cone!

So Mummy, please ya.......I can only do this much. Gimme that ice-cream you promised!

"Here I am, able to enjoy my cone finally"

Free Cone from Ben & Jerry's

Take Notice! One cone per person, while stocks last!

On Tuesday 17th April from 12pm until 8pm, participating Ben & Jerry’s scoop shops around the world will be hosting Ben & Jerry’s Annual Free Cone Day.

According to the information provided in Ben & Jerry's official site, Free Cone Day was first celebrated back in 1979 in the first Ben & Jerry's scoop shop - a dilapidated gas station in Burlington, Vermont, USA. Ben and Jerry had been scooping ice cream for a year and decided to reward staff and customers in the best way they knew how - by serving up a tasty tub of thanks free to everyone. An instant success, Free Cone Day has now been scooping up free cones for over twenty-five years and has raised tub loads of money for charity too.

Experience the Ben & Jerry's vibe for yourself at the following locations:

The Cathay (#02-12)

Great World City (#02-40A)

Raffles City (#B1-80)

Suntec City Mall (#01-152)

United Square (#02-K1)

VivoCity (#02-135)

White Sands (#01-36)

Other Scoop Shops are located at the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, Jurong Birdpark, Sentosa (Siloso Beach) and Downtown East!

Not sure which flavour to choose from while queing up for your free cone? Do your homework...Check out the Top 10

Thereafter, play some online games while enjoying that delicious free cone here

Enjoy the Free Cone Day folks!

Road Trip in the Making

The folks in the House of ANG 洪, along with their close friends are planning another road trip again.
This time to higher grounds.........Genting Highlands - City of Entertainment!



Whilst the gang is still in the midst of planning for this short getaway, everyone is high-spirited and looking forward to THE DAY.....next Friday......

Yipee!

Plucking Mangoes?

One fine usual evening while the ANG Mistress drops by the daycare to pick Toddler ANG...........she was surprised by this sight when she arrived at the outdoor playground intending to look for the toddler.





A young potential mango plucker in the making.........taught by the ANG Master himself!

Good Friday Road Trip

How did the ANG Master and Mistress spent their GOOD Friday on 6 Apr 07?
Well, not wanting to be one of those Singaporean left with nothing to do on a long weekend, an impromptu road trip to Melaka was arranged on the very morning of GOOD Friday itself with their friends!

Errrr........hence Toddler ANG is left with his grandparents. A break for the parents!
What else. ;-)

On the north-south highway

A group of 9, split into 2 vehicles started to travel on the North-South Highway from 11.45am. Except for occasional toilet break, the group did not stop at the break-area for too long so that the driving journey to Melaka may be shorten....

Pumpin' those Petrol upon reaching Melaka


The famous "St Peter's Church"


The group took about 2 hours++ to reach Melaka, with all their stomachs rumbling by 2.45pm. Since its our 1st trip to Melaka, we consulted some locals to introduce us some good food choices around the area.

Finally, we settled for "Chicken Rice Ball" at the Famosa Restaurant, being the nearest. To our amazement, the rice balls, about the size of golf balls, are machine made. We are advised that the team behind this business created their very own machines specifically to produce these rice balls, importantly to ensure hygiene and consistency, while maintaining the original taste.




Food - Now you see it, later you don't


After a sumptuous meal, we continued to drive further downtown to tour the St. Paul's Hill vicinity.

Everything is situated around St. Paul's Hill. The highlights are: the Stadthuys, Bell Tower, Christ Church. The color of these buildings are in deep red, being the characteristic for the Dutch architecture in this period.

The Stadthuys is a fine example of Dutch architecture as it was built in 1650 as the official residence of Dutch Governors of Malacca and their officers. It now houses the Historic Museum and Ethnography Museum as it is being preserved in its original structure and form. At the roundabout (with the windmill!) you can also find the Bell Tower and Christ's Church. The church and the Bell Tower are a testimony to Dutch's architectural ingenuity as it stands exactly as it has always been since 1753.

Christ Church

On top of St. Paul's Hill is the St. Paul's Church, built by a Portuguese Captain, by the name of Duarte Coelho. It was once the prayer house of the Portuguese Catholics, then turned into burial ground for their noble dead by the Dutch.

The Dutch renamed it "St. Paul's Church" from the Portuguese's "Our Lady Of The Hill". So it's built by the Portuguese, the Dutch are buried in it, and named by the English! How interesting!

The tombstones have Latin and Portuguese inscriptions on them. It was believed that St. Francis Xavier was buried here in 1553 before his body was moved to Goa in India.





Towards St. Paul's Hill
Interior view of St Paul's Church
"Porta de Santiago"

At the feet of the hill is "Porta de Santiago". That was the gate for the fort. After the Portuguese captured Melaka, they built a fortress to defend themselves. The fortress, called A'Famosa suffered severe destruction during the Dutch invasion. What's left today is just the entrance walls, still well preserved till today.

After visting the historic sites, the group retreated to the nearest shopping mall, "Melaka Mall" for a drink, leg-rest and some casual shopping.





Malacca is not only well-known for its baba & nyonya style spicy cooking. Another must eat, is the local dessert Chendoh served with rich coconut milk and their famous Gula Melaka.





The Owner preparing our Chendoh orders

This shop named "Min Zhong Hygenic Ice Cafe" located at 43, Jalan Bunga Raya is famous since 1928 for its Ice Ball. (as published in their local papers "Melaka Times")




The owner told us that its menu and Ice shaver have not been replaced since 1928! The ambient in the shop really made us felt back in time while we enjoy that delicious Iced Chendoh.



Seafood "Supper" in Perling

After being satisfied by the Iced Chendoh, the group bide goodbye to Melaka town and departed south to Perling.
The supposed dinner became Supper for all of us, since we arrived at nearly 10pm.

Perhaps due to hunger, there was no photo found taken of the delicious food while they were served. Only the pictures of empty plates were taken in the end.

Although the group had a short time in Melaka on Good Friday, everyone enjoyed themselves thoroughly. Not only being Enriched with the historic culture of Melaka, the Food eaten on the entire day as well!