Moments in My Life

We had such a nice time staying over at PNB Darby Park Executive Suites that we may return again if we ever go back to KL. We booked a 2 bedrooms apartment suite on their executive floor with view of the KLCC for RM650/night. Included in this price was breakfast buffet for 4 people at their 39th Restaurant on the 39th floor.

The check in office for executive floors was on the 32nd floor. We took the elevator straight up to the 32nd to check in. Upon check in, I was requested to put down RM100 as deposit for incidental damages. It was around 3pm but our room was not ready so we were given an upgrade to the 35th floor which I was glad. Actually, my booking was for an apartment on the 23rd to 31st. Our room number #3512, a corner unit facing the KLCC.

I had a very nice feeling entering the apartment. It looks elegant. There are 2 bedrooms with bathrooms attached. There is a powder room by the main entrance, a working kitchen with all utensils, a dining area with seating for six, a nice size living room with TV and DVD player and locked balconies. I like the open layout of this apartment.

Here is the living room. My brother was taking a break there to watch TV. They even have a DVD and Karaoke players.

The dining room that opens to the living room.

My father and brother slept in this 2nd bedroom with two single beds. This room has the view of the KLCC from the huge window.

My sister and I (and our kids) slept in this Master bedroom on the king size bed.

The master bedroom has a master bath that is attached. The bathroom has a shower as well as a bath tub. Too bad, the bath tub doesn’t have a shower curtain. The management should think about getting unique shower curtains that have a nice KLCC view on it. With out this curtain, the water will splashes out easily wetting the floor. We don’t like the bathroom floor to be wet so we didn’t use the tub. This bathroom should also have two sinks but they only have one.

Even I just had my vacation not long ago, I have the feeling I need another one soon. Well, the last time we went to Malaysia was without my husband. This time is going to be a family vacation. We will need to find a place to go … somewhere far … somewhere fun.

Actually, my husband has never traveled to the East coast. I had. I went to Atlanta together with my father for his work and then we met up with my mother in Orlando. It was end of summer 1996. My father took me to visit the Coca Cola Factory downtown Atlanta and rode the tram up to the Stone Mountain. The view from the top of the mountain was magnificent. I teased my dad to take me to the Wild Adventures Park but he said, “No!”. The rides probably would be too exciting for him. LOL!

If we would have known about Trusted Tours back then we probably would have make our Atlanta tours booking from them. We could have save money from buying tickets online than at the gate.

For now, I will browse Trusted Tours to check out their tours. If I found a nice one, I may drag my husband to go with us for a short family vacation somewhere far (or near) … somewhere fun … somewhere away from our home for a little while.

I am actually started thinking where we should be going for our next vacation. The previous trip to KL wasn’t really counted as a family vacation since my Hubby wasn’t able to join us for that trip. I am thinking now to go to Hawaii, Florida or may be down south to Mexico. Things are cheap in Mexico. I heard the food is good too, provided you like Mexican cuisine. My Hubby love Mexican food a lot and my son too. So it will not be a problem for us to go there.

I know many people including college students and retire couples love vacationing in Rocky Point, south of Arizona. College students love to go there to party and drink beer/alcohol. Retire couples love to visit for the beautiful ocean and relaxing environment. Family can have fun too. Let the kids enjoy the beach and the ocean while the parents can kick back and relax. These vacationers may want to try make their reservation through Rocky Point house rentals.

Renting a house is much more convenient than a hotel room, if you have more than 4 people. With a house you can have a group of people all staying together and play games and make as much noise as you want. And it may be cheaper per person too. And at Oceano Rentals, they provide many pictures of the house for rent which will give you a very good idea what you will be expecting when you arrive. So next time if you are visiting Rocky Point, remember to check out Oceano Rentals first and make your reservation on their website.

Isn’t this view beautiful? I have this as my wallpaper on my laptop now. This is the best night view I ever have on KLCC Twin Tower. I took it using my Canon SD630 digital camera without a tripod. I rested my hands on the window to make sure the picture turn out clear and not blurry. And it did! This is actually the view from the second bedroom in apartment we rented at PNB Darby Park.

This picture was taken from PNB Darby Park service apartment on the 35th floor. We reserved a two bedrooms apartment (Unit# 3512) for a one night stay for our Kee family. It was a very nice experience. The view is magnificent. Definitely worth the RM23 upgrade. If I get to wake up to this view every morning … it will be heavenly. Although there are many constructions surrounding this building, the noise hardly bothered us, at least we didn’t notice them much.

One of the things I listed on my to-do list in Malaysia was to visit a Fish Spa. I took my knowledge that there are fish spas in two places from what I read the bloggers wrote about. There is one in Bangsar. Another one in Pavillion Mall.

What I didn’t know that there is a new Fish Spa Foot Master at One Utama, a shopping center which is much closer to where I was staying. The first time we learned about this place was because we were visiting an eatery (KTZ) next to it. The promoter was very friendly and even invited Ethan dipped his hand into the tank. But because our time there wasn’t for this purpose, we didn’t go for it.

The next time we went, we already planned it out. It was about noon time and the kids fell asleep while we drove from TTDI to One Utama, very short distance. We knew immediately we had to stop at this Fish Spa since our kids both were sleeping. We pushed the strollers to aside and 4 of us went to dip our smelly legs into the tank. Each 30 minutes session is RM38. But we signed up for the package of 10 sessions with free 2 sessions, so we only have to pay RM380 for 12 sessions total.

My sister was the first one to dip her legs into the tank. And immediately she screamed! It was ticklish. Then my cousin sister joined in and later, her brother too. I was the last one as I was a bit frightened to put my legs in. I slowly immersed my right heel first. Then I got the ticklish feeling too. It was like a little electric shock when the fish biting kissing on your feet. This feeling lasted very long and I almost stopped half way. But after about 10-15 minutes, it gives a very nice sensation. We continued for a total time of about 45 minutes.

We enjoyed chatting with each other. I think is nice to go with a group of friends or family. Can chit chat mar. JoAnn’s son woke up first so she left the session earlier than the 3 of us. So did our feet feel much smoother? May be a little bit. I have deep cracks on my heels which was hard to heal with just kissing from these fishes.

We went back again before we left KL. It was also 4 of us, but that time my cousin brother was replaced by my Aunt (kammo). My account still has 4 sessions left. It has no expiration date and I left the acct with my cousin sister, hopefully she will bring her mom there again to enjoy.

The 5 weeks break from being at a full time housewife is heavenly.  For that 5 weeks, I hardly cooked at all  (except a few times I made pasta for the kids).  I did not have to do any chores, no cleaning, no dusting, no cooking, no driving.  As for laundry, we shared this chore between my sister and I.  But most of the time my sister did it. And sometimes my aunt help with the laundry too as we were busy caring our sons.  Thank you kammo!! Most of the time, our laundry is folded by my aunt’s maid, Tini. Thank you Tini!

Now I am back being a full time housewife and a part timer blogger. I have to blog, clean, plan what to cook, cook, dust, research for groceries sales, cut coupons, buying groceries, wash laundry, fold laundry, etc etc … hmmm … actually I think I would prefer to go back to KL to continue my break for another month or longer. LOL!

We are ‘almost’ settled after the return from our 5 weeks long trip to KL.  My unpacking is 95% done.  All suitcases have been put away in the closet.  I just have little stuff here and there to tidy up.  As for jet-lag … I can say we both are back to our LA time now.  Brandon is napping fine in the afternoon and sleeping fine much better during the night time.  Although I still have a slight trouble falling asleep earlier than 2am at night.  I have too much in my mind I guess.

I can say I am also back in my blogging work.  Haven’t had much time to update my blogs because I rather spend more time with my family over there. 

I will definitely try to update the highlights on our trip.  I have tonnes of pictures to share as well. 

Here is one taken as a family during our tour of the KLCC Twin Tower Bridge on July 5th (slightly over exposed background).  We were on the 11:30am tour.  The tour was only 30 minutes long including a short 3D movie before going up to the bridge.

I miss my family in Malaysia.  I promised my aunty that I will try to go back to visit again… soon hopefully.  But with increase in gasoline in the recent months, the air ticket price may go up badly too.  So I thought I check on the ticket price on MH to see see.  Then I put in the date leaving LA on Aug 19th and returning to LA on Oct 25th.  The page showed the below for their super saver rate:

WOW!  The first impression I have in my mind was so cheap the fare.  May be I can go back next month.  kekeke … Then I clicked continue and found out the total fare including tax actually is USD 1250.90 per person. 

I was surprised to find out that the total tax is at $620.90 which is only $10 less than the fare itself ($630).  The fuel surchage is $550.  Crazy hoh????

Description Price
USA: Passenger Civil Aviation Security Service Fee USD 2.50 each
USA: Transportation Tax - Domestic USD 30.80 each
USA: APHIS User Fee USD 5.00 each
USA: Immigration User Fee USD 7.00 each
USA: Customs User Fee USD 5.50 each
Malaysia: Passenger Service Charge USD 15.60 each
Surcharge USD 550.00 each
Guam: US Passenger Facility Charges USD 4.50 each

Time passes too fast.  We’ve been here over a month now.  Have been busy ever since we arrived.  I hardly able to find time to blog after the first week. 

This evening, my brother and sister (with Ethan) left Kuala Lumpur.  We (my dad, kammo, JoJo, me and Brandon) sent them to the airport and had a farewell dinner at KFC.  My sister and Ethan were leaving for Adelaide and my brother was leaving for Beijing for volunteer exchange work program. 

My aunt’s house is a little quieter now after my sister and brother’s departure.  It will be more quiet once we leave on Wednesday morning.  *sigh* … we will be flying back to a 3 people house.  Will be quiet at my home there too.