Gua Tempurung, Gopeng, Perak

 

We went to Gua Tempurung over the long CNY holidays while heading to Felda Hot Springs after two nights in Ipoh, a place I had always wanted to go after my visit to Sung Sot Cave in Halong Bay, Vietnam.

 

The cave has five gigantic domes with ceilings resembling coconut shell (tempurung), hence its name Gua Tempurung. The five domes form the showcase galleries:

• Golden Flowstone Cavern : Standing at a height of 90 metres, Golden Flowstone describes the sloping and wavering floor and wall of the cave which has a golden hue when water flows over it.
• Gergasi (Giant) Cavern : It holds a huge column that looks like a space ship. Measuring about 15 metres high and 17 metres long, the column seems to hang precariously.
• Tin Mine Cavern : Here, you will see the remnants of mining activities in the old days.
• Alam (Universe) Cavern : Measuring more than 130 metres in width and towers 72 metres high, the cavern has a slender stalactite called Tongkat (Walking Stick or Cane).
• Fallen Warrior and Battlefield Cavern : See many amazing formations with one looking like fallen warrior in a battlefield.
      
  
   There are 4 tour packages to choose from: 
For a short tour, you have an option to choose either Tour 1 or Tour 2 under the Dry Catwalk Tour:  
Tour 1 (Dry Tour)
Golden Flowstone
(from entrance to Golden Flowstone at platform 3 and return)
 
• Tour 2 (Dry Tour)
  Top Of The World
   (from entrance to Top of the World at platform 5 and return)
   
  We chose the easiest and shortest tour, Tour 1 as we were already running late when we reached Gua Tempurung and we aimed to get checked-in to Felda Hot Springs before 4pm to hit the pools before they closed at 7pm.  Ok, I lied.  We are a bunch of lazy and unfit people so we chosed Tour 1 of the 4 packages offered. Ha!
   
  For Tour 3 & 4, be prepared to get wet as the return journey will be through the underground river. Whoo.. sounds so excited.  You can do more like going through the tunnels and getting wet and all but that's just not for us, at least not for now but I do harbour hope that one day we would attempt Tour 4 when our body and mind are fit to do that.. Yes, one day....
   
  
  Tour 3 (Wet Tour)
  Top of the World & Short River Adventure
  (a journey of about 2.4km from the entrance to Golden Flowstone, Top of the World and return through the underground river)
   
  Tour 4 (Wet Tour)

  Grand Tour

  (a complete journey of about 3.8km from the entrance to Golden Flowstone, Top of the World and to the end of the cave (East) and return through the underground river)
   
  

   Types of Tour offered and fees charged
   
  
   
  
  
  I "plucked" the above 2 pics from the internet.  My camera could never captured such amazing shots. The view was really breathtaking and it looked exactly in real life if not better. The beauty of nature is simply awesome!
   
   
  
  Route Map 
   
  
  On our way out.. there is a lake just opposite the entrance to the cave.
   
  It's a very beautiful and magnificient cave with walkway but climbing stairs up and down can be tiring, not to mention the weather is rather humid inside. There was no guide in sight so basically ours was a self guided tour, sort of. It could have been better it there was more signs done for self guided tour and certain areas could have been better maintained but overall it's ok and for such a low price, what more can you ask for, right?
   
  For the shortest trip you don't need to have a torch.  The father and son did bring one in though.  For wet tours - take clothes for change and shoes which are difficult to lose (we saw guides collecting things lost by visitors, including shoes).
   
  
  
   

It's The Thought That Counts

 

Be warned!

Read this post at your own risk!  It's a 'syiok sendiri' post alright.  Stay away from this post if you think you cannot stand a mom whose "syiokalingam" mode is activated!  ;) ;D ;P

 

 

 A gold medal for a mom

 

 

My birthday fell on the 7th day of CNY this year, which was also 'yan yat', everyone's birthday according to Chinese tradition.  I slept in that morning as I was nursing a menstrual cramp.  The boy came into the bedroom and greeted me, "Happy Birthday, mommy!  I have something for you but you must sit up first."  I obliged and before I could figure what he was up to, he put something over my neck. A medal, a gold medal!  He then said,"Mom, thanks for taking care of me and guiding me. You are the best mom in the whole wide world. Thank you!" followed by a wide beary hug and kisses planted on my cheeks.  Awww... I was so touched I felt like crying at that point in time. 

 

Daddy was amused to have witnessed the 'prize-giving' ceremony.  He jokingly said our boy was trying to please me to earn himself a "better treatment". Lol..I dont blame you, old man.  It's normal that you are jealous but just don't let the jealousy within you eat you up eh. :P  I also like the birthday present you gave me as much as the boy's. Thank you!

 

Apparently the boy bought the presents from Daiso a day before while he was out doing grocery shopping with daddy.  He was worried I might not like the presents as it was only RM5 each, he bought two items.  I assured him I loved everything and anything that came from him regardless of the money value.  It's the thought that counts!  Really!

 

 

 

And here's the second item from the boy ~ an hourglass.  He explained why he selected this item for me.  It's something about being patient but still I cannot comprehend how on earth to string an hourglass and patience together. *scratch head*   Anyway, I hear you, boy.  I will try my best to take my patience to the next level and not to scream at you at the top of my lungs when things don't turn out the way I want it.  Aha..

 

 

 

Restoran Pusing Public, Ipoh

*Wipes and blows off spider webs and dust* Time to update my blog again after a month-long hiatus. LOL...

I have read rave reviews about this restaurant and it was in my must-try list when we were in Ipoh for a short holiday during the CNY holidays.

 

On our first day in Ipoh (2nd day of CNY) after checking-in the hotel, we walked to the nearby shopping mall to do some shopping before hopping over to the restaurant which was just a stone's throw away from the hotel we stayed in.  I miscalculated the popularity of the restaurant and did not bother to make any reservation beforehand.   It was only 5.30pm but the restaurant was packed to the brim.  Needless to say, we got "kick-out" as the restaurant was fully booked till after 9pm! The waitress was kind enough to lead me to the captain to book a table for the next day with an only available slot at 9pm.=.=
 

 

Luckily the restaurant is just right behind of our hotel.  We had a good rest after our tiring but fun whole day trip to Lost World of Tambun before hopping over for our late dinner.

It was way after 9pm but look at the crowd!

 

As there were only three of us and knowing that the serving was big, we ordered a medium portion of fried rice and two dishes only.

Pan Fried Prawns

 

Stir fried rice ala yong chow style

 

Broccoli with crab meat, scallops and fried wanton

 

 

I wanted to try their speciality dish, tofu with fish paste and the boy wanted fried omelette to go with his rice but apparently the chef did not bother cooking such simple dishes during peak season. 

 

The bill came to RM73 including 3 bowls of rice and 3 glasses of tea, quite reasonable as hubby thought it would have been more.  Taste wise, probably due to the holiday season, the prawns tasted a bit too salty and the fried wanton was nothing to rave about, the filling being solely fish paste. 

 

Thumbs up for the fried rice though, the presence of "wok hei" made the simple dish ever so fragrant and delicious and the generous crab meat and scallops thrown in made the gravy of the last dish so heavenly, the boy finished one big bowl of white rice all by himself and mind you, not including the share of fried rice he had earlier.  How not to become chubby boy with such healthy appetite? LOL...



Sakae Sushi @IOI Mall Puchong

My boy's school declared a special holiday for Cheng Beng Festival yesterday and being a weekday, it was the best day to go shopping!  We hardly visit any shopping malls during weekends and public holidays as usually these places will be overcrowded not only with people but heavy traffic jams particularly everywhere!

I had to tag my boy along as he desperately needed to update his wardrobe having outgrown most if not all of the existing ones!  I am one lazy mama when it comes to shopping, I'd rather shop online. *yawns*  I get most of my clothing from a wholesaler online if you don't know that already but I have yet to come across any online shops that sell kids' wear my boy's age.  Do let me know if you know of any website ya!

Back to our outing, finding a parking proves a breeze on a weekday!   We went for an early lunch at Sakae Sushi knowing that the place would get packed during lunch time later.  

We ordered green tea, were given a cup with a sachet of green tea each. Hot water was within reach from where we were seated.  I like this self-service concept, so so so convenient.

The arrays of sushis and side dishes on the  moving conveyor belt

They have dual tier conveyor belt, the second tier stores a limited choice but cute designs of sushis.  By the way, can you spot the boy's reflection in the mirror?  He was saying, mommy, quick, quick.. take photo.. the sushis are moving away! LOL.. That's my jakun boy.. That was our first visit to Sakae Sushi, we hardly dine in a Japanese restaurant as no one in the family fancies the food. It's also quite costly but once in a blue moon, ok la. Teehehe..

Mochi.. My boy chose this..

Seasoned baby squids.. I likey.. Yumzz..

My boy's teriyaki chicken with rice.  

He didn't quite like the chicken and only managed to finish 3/4 of the rice. No prize for guessing which tummy those chicken meat went into.  He complained too little gravy was given and thus the rice leftover. :(

My bowl of grilled eel with rice. Yumzz

We ordered through this screen,  a mouse and a monitor are available at the side of each table, just browse through the menu and click on the dishes and your order is sent to the kitchen.  How efficient!

The boy decided he wanted something sweet to end his meal so he went click click on the mouse and voila.. he got this... dragon fruit ice cream. Ouch! Mommy's purse screamed in pain! ;)  This scoop of ice cream set me back RM5.99, excluding service charge and tax)

A happy customer enjoying his single scoop of ice cream.  

The bill came to RM60++.  Though my boy didn't enjoy his main meal so much but it was nevertheless a pleasant experience.

Ala carte Dinner @The Living Room, The Westin KL

We went to The Westin KL again last weekend to utilise the last dining coupon which was expiring end of this month.  We actually planned to have buffet dinner but alas, buffet dinner was not available during weekends.  Since we were already there, we ordered ala carte dishes from its not so extensive menu.

Free flow of iced water on the house

Bread to jump start our dinner  - The buns were a bit hard and chewy though still warm.

Oxtail soup, tasted a bit bland to me, preferred stronger taste of spices

Chicken & pasta soup

Ayam Percik c/w rice and condiments.  The meat of the chicken thigh was so tender, falling off the bone type, I likey.

The boy's Club sandwich.  

He could not finish this and no prize for guessing right which tummy the rest went to.

Mee Mamak.  Father and son shared this.  

Both commented it was a bit too salty to their liking

Hubby's black cod fish that comes with salad and sauce.

The hubs didn't realize the dish was served in a sizzling pan.  He hates any food served sizzling! ^.^  The fish fillet tasted somewhat tasteless and it's flaky, texture wise.  We still prefer fish with firm texture.

Overall, the meal was just okay and nothing to shout about.  I don't think we will go back for their ala carte dishes but for buffet... Hmmmmm.. Yes! LOL...

Sunday Outing With My Valentine

My little valentine. :)

We went to The Big Bookshop Warehouse Sale at Subang Avenue Shopping Complex (beside Carrefour Subang) this morning.   We had this complimentary dessert coupon from TGIF on our last visit so our plan today was to dine at their Subang Parade outlet after the book sale, without hubby as he is on a working trip. 

My boy's 'Kids Eat for Free' meal ~ Chicken Fingers and fries

My order ~ Sirloin Steak (medium well) with mild mushroom sauce 

and side dishes of garlic butter broccoli & Cheddar mashed potatoes. Yumz! 

Complimentary mini desserts

We ordered a glass of refillable Iced Lemon Tea to share.  I got a pleasant surprise when the bill came and the staff congratulated me for being selected to be one of the lucky ones to enjoy a sizzling fajitas FREE on my next visit!  He then explained to me how it worked.  The friendly staff told me the free fajitas is not sample size but real plate size from the menu with beef, chicken or combo to choose from.

All I had to do was to login to their website indicated in the receipt, answer a few questions in the online survey form and when I was done, a code was generated.  This code needs to be copied onto the receipt and brought along to any Friday's outlet to claim the meal.  Ain't that great? :)

My haul from The Big Bookshop Sale.  The book sale is on now until 19 February 2012 (Sun).

Only RM1 each!

RM2 each!

There are loads of fiction novels going from RM5 each only for paperback and for hardcovers, RM10 each, I think. 

RM5 for this pocket size dictionary.  Bought this for the boy to check new vocab while on the go.  He seems to rely too much on this walking dictionary aka yours truly which sometimes gives inaccurate answers.. ^.^

RM6 each

Bought these from MPH Bookstore. 

Introducing to him the Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne.  Hope he likes them as much as he likes Geronimo Stilton

We truly enjoyed our day-out together today!  The poor boy had to do his homework until 11.30pm on a Saturday night as it was a school day at his school yesterday in replacement of the CNY long holidays.  

As I am writing this post, the boy is off to his art class. He loves going there and I guess he finds a way to de-stress through drawing.  He likes to scribble, be it some stick men,  designing 'new' gadgets and whatnots on papers after revision, probably that's also one of his ways to de-stress after sessions of 'grilling and drilling' by his 'perfectionist' mother.  My poor boy..