Shipsomnia 2016 - The Search For Lost Rhythms [ Part 1 ]

Ahoy Matey!

I was invited to an exclusive event on board a cruise ship, Costa Victoria, that sails along the Malacca and Andaman Sea on a 5 days / 4 nights trip that made a stop in Phuket (Banana Beach) and Langkawi stopever (Resort World Langkawi). The main purpose of the event? There's a lot to say but firstly....

Would like to thank the event sponsor for inviting me on this maiden voyage. This is my first ever invitation as a travel blogger and onboard a cruise ship. Couldn't be more grateful and I'am thankful for it.

The event has a special slogan to it - The Search For Lost Rhythms. Without a doubt the first thing will be thinking about will be

Music, music and more music! Live performances with DJs spinning to the tune

That what I was excited too when reading their website on this voyage and could't be more happier than waiting till the day to arrive. 

Day started out when I head out to Harbour Front Cruise Terminal which is conveniently located near the MRT station and Vivocity. I had to come earlier as I don't even know how and what I was going to be expected with the boarding processes as this is my first time to encounter checking in a different kind of terminal. 

So checking in was very easy with number tagging collected after deposit my heavy luggage and a simple health questionnaire given out too. There was a lot of time left for me to roam around the vicinity of Harbour Front shopping area and Vivocity.  

COSTA VICTORIA (ITALY AT SEA) ~ Victoria-class cruise ship owned and operated by Costa Crociere. She debuted in 1996 and was refurbished in 2004. She was designed to reflect the spirit of Italy.

As the tide was low when check in was open, I waited around for 45mins - 1hr before even given clearance by the crew to being the process again. Even though it cause confusion, but even when this happened, it didn't stop the fellow shipsomniacs to be crazily hype with warm conversations among fellow crowds.

The complimentary room given during my stay is a double occupancy room with an outside ocean view cabin.

There's a TV, kettle, cups and the usual items which normally a person would stay in a hotel. Air-con has very good air flow. Thumbs up for that!

Each person were given a pamphlet of the activities of each day and where you should be at. I came inside the room around 7 pm plus and I couldn't resist walking around the ship. But first thing first, food! It's a must to visit the self-service buffet on Deck 11 as they cater to a wide variety of food that range from international cuisine to Italian home foods. We went for a quick bite as every passengers were required to attend a drill at 10 pm for those who embarked from Singapore. But fret not as there was a lot of time to eat. 

As the ship set sails from Harbour Front, the view from a cruise ship is really an awesome experience!

Activity for day 1

Within minutes the ship started to come alive

First day was all about familiarisation and I was quickly getting to where the facilities inside the ship. But what can not be forgotten about.... the code! Aye, keep to the code!

1. Befriend Others - thou shall not dance alone.
2. Respect Ye Ship - if you wouldn't do it at home, don't do it here.
3. Protect Yourself - use sunscreen and stay hydrated.
4. Walk the Plank! - [this was seriously reminded lots of time even before the festivities started] No drugs. no outside booze, no weapons, no stealing and no fighting. There's no parlay when it comes to these actions.
5. No smoking inside - please use ashtrays and not the ocean!
6. Have a Blast - let's party responsibly and have tons of fun!



p/s : sponsored by MadFreshEvents 

Read More

Getting to Kuala Lumpur by train from Singapore

Taking a train to Kuala Lumpur is an ideal way to relax and enjoy the scenic countryside view. But there's a catch when taking a train from Singapore. Now the Malayan train operator, Keretapi Tanah Melayu ( KTM ) has made the journey starting point in Johor Bahru. There's various method to reach Johor Bahru Sentral but you still can get a train from Singapore as long you take the shuttle train from various timings.

For example, I have taken the morning train, shuttle train no.64 from 6:30AM (06:00) and reach JB Sentral at 6:35AM (06:35). From there I took another train, Express Rakyat train no.2 to Kuala Lumpur from 8:40AM (08:40) and arrive there at 4:00PM (16:00). Do take note that timings are based on 24HR.

I heavily recommend that you buy the ticket online with minimal fee charge as the most convenient and flexible way. You may search different train route and timings of your preference. Prices are based on SGD for Singapore - Johor Bahru, MYR for all other routes in Malaysia and cross border journey in Thailand.

https://intranet.ktmb.com.my/e-ticket/login.aspx - Your gateway to purchasing ticket online

You may search different train route and timings of your preference. But register first to proceed on purchasing the ticket for the payment and choosing the seat. Payment agent will be from Maybank Malaysia.

Prices are as follow:
Singapore Woodlands CIQ       -    Johor Bahru Sentral        ~  SGD 5   ( Free seating )
Johor Bahru Sentral                  -    Kuala Lumpur Sentral    ~ MYR 33 ( Air-con second class )

It will exactly look like this when have successfully purchase your ticket.

The inside of Shuttle Train no.64 for the Singapore Woodlands CIQ - Johor Bahru Sentral. *Do take note that video and photo taking is strictly prohibited at Singapore Woodlands CIQ as it is a restricted area.*

Arrival at Johor Bahru Sentral. With facilities of escalator and elevator at your convenience.

Breakfast at Johor Bahru Sentral is very convenient as there are variety of shop such as KFC, Starbucks, Rotiboy .etc.

Boarding the Express Rakyat No.2 from Johor Bahru Sentral - Kuala Lumpur Sentral

As this train there's a label and seat number, you're required to board the specific number in your train ticket.

Second class seating coach by PT . Industri Keret Api Indonesia ( INKA ). More info on this new coach at http://railtravelstation.com/2015/07/12/ktm-intercity-inka-asc/

 Too comfortable to resist till can make you fall asleep. Tray table are adequate and each side have a power socket.

KTM Class 26 Blue Tiger

While along the route, best part of a trip is without a doubt the buffet car.

Prices are kept affordable but it can quickly ran out of supply soon with the popularity of choices.

Arrival at Kuala Lumpur Sentral.

The ride is really smooth but at first part of the section from Johor Bahru Sentral to Gemas Railway Station, trains will have to comply the restricted speed limit of some sections and will be kinda rocky as it is still a single track along the route. From Gemas Railway Station onwards you can expect the train to be reaching higher tier speed at 110km/h thanks to the newly build double tracking.

Read More

Penroads - Travel a smaller world.

Do you want to see the world differently ?

Do you want to travel every three months to different part of Asia ?

You don’t have time to plan your trips ?

Travel with other travelers ?

If your answer is YES ..

I have a good news for you..

Penroads at http://travel.penroads.com/ are a travel subscription company . They are a social travel platform that helps you find travel partners and meet travelers/locals at your travel destination.

For $99/month, they will send you once every 3 months to a destination in Asia. The fee included flights and accommodation for your 3D2N ( Friday evening – Sunday) trip in Asia.  So , you will never worry about planning your trips. You just need to bring your passport along after your work and FLY OFF.

They also have a few options to choose from at the start of every 3 months. They leave on Friday and return on Sunday. You also does a small online test to see what kind of hliday you would prefer to.

If you are unable to make it on the third month, they will credit the money to your next trip. Hence your next trip you can choose a destination that is further or stay for a longer period. Additionaly, there will be no extra charge if a public holiday lands on a weekends.

Sound good ?

Yes, they want you to connects with other travelers before or while traveling from other country.

Read More

CAROUSELL X AIRBNB

Hi Readers !

Have you hear about Airbnb? 

Carousell are currenntly collaborating with Airbnb on a travel-related campaign.

This special campaign’s aim to encourage people to list their pre-loved travel items on Carousell, share a bit of a story behind those items and include the campaign hastag, and 5 lucky winnders with the best stories will get to win $500 of Airbnb travel credits!

How to join the contest?

1. Download the Carousell app
2. List 1 or more items that are related to your travel experience for sale and in the item description.
3. Tell us the travel story the items represents and add hashtag #CarousellxAirbnb
4. Submit your listing(s) to the Carousell marketplace

Log on to bit.ly/carousellxairbnb to check out what others have shared!

This contest ends on 11 September 2015

What items can be sold ?

Books, bags, cameras, clothes…. Anything you can think of, so get creative! Items can be brand new or pre-loved, but they should be in a usable condition. Do your best to describe the condition of your items to help potential buyers understand it better.

Most importantly, we want to hear all about the inspiring stories behind those items that have travelled with you or which you’ve picked up during your travels. Share those stories with your potential buyers so that the memories live on!

Example of a good stories

Item: Handmade wallet

Story: I bought this wallet while on my exchange trip to Cambodia. It was the last day and we were returning to Singapore that very evening, so we were all glad to have been able to squeeze in a last minute shopping trip! As my existing wallet at the time was falling apart and I really struggled with keeping the coins in one place. I urgently needed a new wallet. I looked around for about an hour, and then I spotted an elderly lady at the corner of the Russian Market( Tuol Tom Poung Market) who was selling some beautiful purses. I went over to ask for the price and realised she only spoke Khmer, so a younger neighbouring vendor who spoke some english helped to translate.

The elderly lady, who had a gentle smile and very kind eyes, told me that she made the purses herself because she was good at sewing, having learnt how to do so at a young age. When I asked her why she was still working out here on her own, she replied saying she needed the money to put her grandchild though school because the child’s parents had gone missing some year earlier. I was very touched by her story and wanted to help her as much as I could, so I bought 5 purses from her (some as gifts for my family).

I’ve used 1 purse for myself and given away 3 purses to my family members, and I’m listing this final purse for sale, hoping that someone else who is touched by this story would buy it and maybe visit the elderly lady some day when in Cambodia.

#CarousellxAirbnb

Resource from #Carousell

Read More

Updated Phuket Guide 2015 Part 1

Updated Phuket Guide 2015 (part 1)

Tour Agency Patong

I had booked  Airport Transfer from Phuket DM Tour Co. LTD. The price is reasonable and efficient. From Phuket Internation Airport to Patong Beach cost us 900baht. There is total 5 of us. It is a commuter Van which can fit 10 persons.

The drivers are punctual and very friendly. The owner of the company is friendly and his service is excellents.

Website : http://excursionphuket.com

Whatapps : +66612030700

Wechat: Phuketdmtour

Line: haowei88

Andaman Car Rent

We rented this car

Checking the car 

My friends and I had rented a car at Andaman Car Rent which located in Surin Beach. However they do offer a drop off and pick up service anywhere under policy on Phuket Island (Phuket international airport, Patong, Kamala and etc.)

Andaman Car Rent is a family industry car rented company and reasonably priced of Phuket, Thailand. Their cars are well maintained and also most reliable. The rental rates which is included tax and insurance. NO HIDDEN COST

Address: 51/11 M. 3 T. Cherngtalay A. Talang, Surin Beach, Phuket Thailand

Email: info@andamancarrent.com

Tel: +667 6621 599, +667 6621 600, +667 6271 080

Mobile: +668 1892 5046

Garden Phuket Hotel

Credit to www.asiahotelscheap.com

We had stayed in Garden Phuket Hotel for 3 nights.

Room Types : 3 Connecting rooms

Personal Review :

The staffs were very friendly. Check-in service very fast and efficient.

The rooms are clean. However , the toilets are a nightmare for us. It’s very dirty and the pipes were very rusty!!! The beds are quite hard for me.

Don’t waste your time swimming in the pool. It is very small and no space for swimming. Most probably for the kids to play in the pool.

The hotel is about 10 mins walk to Patong beach and around 20 minutes to Bangla road.

Hotel Feature Tip:

·      Rent a scooter at the hotel. It’s cheap compare to the others places. However, they will on hold your passport as a deposit.

Karon View Point

The view point 

Our unglam photo

At the peak which the three stunning bays of Kata, Karon and Patong can be seen in one fell swoop. The best view time is during late afternoon. During the afternoon, the weather is very hot.

Tips: Please bring some food and drinks so that you can chill and relax.

Kan Eang Seafood

Kan Eang Seafood

Tom Yum Seafood Soup

Atmosphere is so romantic

This resturant is recommend by the local. The seafood restaurant is located on the southeastern shore of the Phuket Island overlooking beautiful Chalong Bay. They serving authentic Thai & seafood cuisine.

It’s quite hard to get there.

Website: http://phuket-seafood.com

Address: 9/3 Chofa Road, Chalong’s Bay, Phuket 83130, Thailand

Contact: +6676 381 323

 Laem Sing Beach (Hidden beach)

Laem Sing Beach is a small beach between Kamala and Surin beach. The sand is soft and water is clear blue. The beach is surrounded by jungle and palms. However, this place very hard to climb and descent down the slopes.

There is a vendors offering nice umbrella and mattress. It's also available of drinks and snacks too. 

Signboard to the beach

The clean beach

Read More