DA NANG TRIP

Hey Hi!

This is such a long overdue post as I was busy with my assignments and exams after we came back from the trip and I finally got time to update my blog now. I hope I still remember what happened though.

Here you go, a 4D3N trip to Da Nang. Wohooo!

On Sep 2019, we finally had our first ever girls’ cousin trip that we’ve been talking about for quite some time. I was so excited about this trip from the moment we booked our flight tickets. Unfortunately, I got diarrhea 2 days before the trip and it got worst the day before. 

I was actually planning to cancel my plan but how can I miss out the fun? So I end up risking my life (sounds serious huh) and went on the flight a sick and weak body.

I apologize beforehand if I did not provide enough information about this trip especially on all the foods part.

P/s: The total return flight for each person is RM611 flying from Kota Kinabalu. Not very cheap...

DAY 1

5.25AM

Depart to Kuala Lumpur by AirAsia.

8.05AM

Arrive in KLIA2. We had our simple breakfast in a random café at the airport before our next flight.

10.30AM

Depart to Da Nang by AirAsia. Tick tock tick tock…

12.05PM (Da Nang time)

Finally arrive at Da Nang International Airport.

We went to look for our driver first which my cousin already booked in advance and then we went to collect our sim card that we bought from klook in a café.

Depart to Hoi An.

2PM onwards (Da Nang time)

Check in our hotel at Hoi An – Golden River Hotel.

After settling our stuff, we proceed to have our lunch at a random restaurant and excited for Hoi An Ancient Town. Unfortunately, the weather was not on our side, the rain keep pouring heavy and definitely making our mood not as excited anymore.

After an hour or two of walking and stopping at random coffee shops, we decided to head back to our hotel to rest awhile while waiting the rain to subside until dinner time.

Alright. The rains finally stop during dinner time. However, we were too tired from our early morning flight and decided to just go back rest after dinner. 

So that’s how we ended up our first day in Hoi An.

DAY 2

8AM

I woke up, finally felt much better and recovering well from diarrhea. We had our breakfast at the hotel. 

10AM

Depart from Hoi An to Da Nang City Centre

We booked our transport from Klook. Link as below.

https://www.klook.com/en-MY/activity/17856-private-transfers-hue-ba-na-hoian/?krt=r22&krid=23e512d4-bc75-4e0e-71fc-60654e670157

11.30AM

Arrived our hotel at Da Nang City Centre - Oyo 157 Centre Hotel

However, we were not allowed to check in until 2pm, so we head out to lunch and strolled around Han Market.

2.30PM onwards

After check in and settling our stuff, we head out to some of the Da Nang’s attractions using the private car (custom tour) that we’ve booked in advance.

First stop: Marble mountain.

The funny thing is we don’t know that we were at marble mountain that time so we just spent a very short time there. Be prepare for a lot of climbing stairs if u planning to go there. It was one of the reasons we decided to give up. But if we were to know that place is marble mountain, we will continue to climb no matter what.

Second stop: Linh Ung Pagoda, Son Tra Peninsula

We went there just to take photo with the huge Lady Buddha Statue and left. What a typical tourists.

Third stop: Vincom Plaza

We had a quick meal at Jolibee before we spent some time buying souvenirs at VinMart for family and friends.

Since there were no places to go anymore, we decided to go Asia Park Sun World Da Nang Wonders. So we asked the driver to drive us back to put our stuff and changed our clothes since we were all wearing dresses.

Fourth stop: Asia Park Sun World Da Nang Wonders

There are plenty of rides in the park and the best thing is we do not have to queue for all the rides because there were less people. Not sure where all the tourists went.

Finally felt hungry after all the rides, so we asked the driver to recommend us some good local food. But then he brought us to this fine dine place. Hmm. Nope. We do not feel like eating steak at that moment. 

Then we asked him to send us back to our hotel instead. Basically most of the restaurants are closed at that hour. It was 11PM by the way. Luckily the hotel reception is helpful enough to show us a nearby place and save us from starving.

Private custom tour link below.

https://www.klook.com/en-MY/activity/4618-da-nang-hue-hoi-an-custom-tour/?krt=r22&krid=481a4149-1a9d-4eaf-7453-6bd4afa0145c

Everything was good except they did not provide us an English speaking driver as written in the website. It is the reason why our plan to Marble Mountain was ruined because of miscommunication.

DAY 3

6.30AM

Woke up super early and had our breakfast at the hotel because we are heading to Ba Na Hills. Oh yes! We bought our ticket from Klook as we wanted to avoid wasting time queuing at the destination.

Link below

https://www.klook.com/en-MY/activity/13283-ba-na-hills-ticket-da-nang/?krt=r22&krid=4c102560-08fe-4e29-6917-626f7884cce7

7.30AM

Depart to Ba Na Hills. We’ve booked a return trip transport from Klook as well.

Link below

https://www.klook.com/en-MY/activity/6367-private-city-transfer-da-nang/?krt=r22&krid=1e8e9fee-e35b-4528-51fd-3fed20f30689

We can set the pick-up and return time on our own preferences. Unlike other tour package in which they have fix time of departing and returning.

9AM

Arrived at the base of Ba Na Hills.

We took our sweet time here as we have a whole day to enjoy. I did put quite a high expectation on this place but it didn’t give me disappointment though, just not as nice as I’ve imagined because I thought there will be a lot of rides like any other theme park. Hahaha!

6PM

Return to Hotel from Ba Na Hills.

7.30PM

Head out again to Cho Dem Son Tra Night Market. No more private car this time, so we took grab car only.

10PM

Rest

DAY 4

8.30AM

Breakfast at our hotel.

9.30AM

Da Nang Catheral (Pink Church)
The whole place is ours when we arrived until 1 min after that, there were a bunch of tourists keep coming in. Oh well.

10.30AM

Finally able to try on their local coffe at Cộng Cà Phê. Been looking forward for this trip because of 

their famous coffee but since I just recover from my diarrhea, I don't dare to simply try any new food. 

After that, we had a short photo session with the dragon bridge from afar…

12PM

Check out our hotel and head to the airport using grab car after comparing all the prices with klook and the hotel transfer.

We were planning to have lunch at the airport, but turned out the food in their international airport were all in USD currency. I remember those meals in burger king need at least USD16 which is equivalent to RM64. What…? So we decided to just have in-flight meal.

4.30PM

We finally able to board the plane as flight delayed from 3.45PM. Already starving then flight delayed some more. Felt the nasi lemak damn cheap at that moment at only RM15.

8.35PM (Malaysia time)

Arrived in KLIA2.  Took grab car to Qlassic Hotel to stay for a night until our flight to Kota Kinabalu next morning.

DAY 5

8.15AM

Flight bound to Kota Kinabalu by MAS.

Home sweet home.

Initially, we booked our flight on the same day we came back from Da Nang, but MAS reschedule our flight to next morning. I was mad as I purposely bought their tickets at a more expensive price compared to other airlines just because I can be home earlier which other airlines do not have but yeah. No compensation or any refund given if I wanted to cancel the flight. Stay another night in hotel no need money one hor? This airline. Urgh!

The whole trip cost me more or less around RM1,500 as we are always on a budget trip.

Bye bye 2019

BALI TRIP

Hello!

I’m back for another post here. This time it’s the triple dimples 4D3N trip to Bali. Hoorayy!

The total return flight for each person is RM379 flying from Kota Kinabalu. Cheap or not?

DAY 1

11.35AM

Depart to Kuala Lumpur by Malindo Air.

2PM

Arrive at KLIA1. We bought the train ticket to KLIA2 for RM2 each for our flight to Bali by AirAsia.

Did not check in to any lounge or hotel and just wait at a random coffee shop for our next flight.

7.35PM

Depart to Bali by AirAsia. Another 3 hours to go until we reach our destination. I thought we will be super tired and fall asleep inside the plane but we end chit-chatting throughout the whole flight until we arrive. Amazing huh…

22.35PM

Arrive at Bali Airport. Ordered a grab car to our hotel.

(Did not buy any local sim card because it cost around RM45, so I just use Digi roaming for 3 days inclusive of 2gb data – RM25)

11.15PM

Check in at our hotel – Casa Kayu Aya

(Driver did not stop us at our hotel but instead we walked to our hotel because of the traffic. Was told it was only 300m away but we end up walking for 1km or more)

After checking in, we walked out again planning to go “Ku De Ta” but google map brought us to somewhere else so we end up getting lost and walked back to hotel. Oh well.

DAY 2

8AM

Breakfast at Sisterfields

Food was super good here but of course the price won't be cheap if it was only for breakfast. 

9.30AM

Driver came on time to pick us up at our hotel.

Our driver was recommended by another driver because his schedule is full and the reviews in Facebook is good too. His name is Ketut Gelung but too bad he sent another person to be our driver and I can say the service is so-so only.  

12.00PM

Arrive at Pura Lempuyang Luhur. A 2.5 hours journey and we even queue for another 2 hours just for the photo below. Why not right…

P/S : Sarong is compulsory to wear in order to enter the temple. Therefore bring your own sarong or else you need to rent them for IDR 10,000 each. No entrance fee but there is this donation thingy where you can donate any amount you want.

2.30PM

Initially our plan was to go Taman Soekasada Ujung but our driver recommended us to go Tirta Gangga. So after googling both place, we decided to go Tirta Gangga then. Had lunch at Agung Trisna Warung (driver brought us there when we requested restaurant for lunch).

Entrance fee is IDR 10,000 each and there are plenty of stalls selling 3 packets of fish foods for IDR 5,000.  

We spent our time quite well here for photo-taking even though it is only a small place.

7PM
Check in another accommodation today at Narada House Ubud.

And then we went out for dinner at a Warung which is kinda hidden and walk around the street before we head back to rest.

There goes the 2nd day in Bali.

DAY 3 

8.30AM
Had our breakfast at the hotel because it is FREE.
We kinda like change our whole plan today because we wanted to check out the Ubud Market nearby. 

So whoever who wanted to bring souvenirs back home, I find Ubud is the best place with cheaper price and nice stuff. I regretted that I did not get anything here because I thought there will be better options but I was wrong.  

While waiting the driver to arrive, we stop by at a random cafe for coffee.

11AM
Campuhan Bridge Walk

The walk will be around 2km. But we just walked half way for photo-taking and return. 

Not in the mood for hiking under the scorching sun. 

12PM

Our plan was to go Tegallalang Rice Terrace but our driver keep recommend us to go this place where we can have free coffee tasting, better view, bali swing, etc. So we end up listening to him and visited the place. But I don't know what's the name of the place because we were not kind enough to pay for the entrance fee. Ooops!

Entrance fee will be IDR 50,000 and you will have to pay separately for each activities

Free coffee & tea tasting

The view from on top

2PM

Bebek Joni

We wanted to try Bebek Tepi Sawah, but before that we asked which is the best in Bali and there he goes "Ohhhh... Bebek Joni is the best, you have very nice view for photo", he keep on recommend and so we listen to him again. He said till like so nice then why not right... Ended up food so-so only and of course kinda pricey but the view actually quite nice also.

I can say you pay to eat the view but not the food. 

4.30PM

Tanah Lot Temple

We spent 2 hours here because we wanted to watch the sunset and doing all the photo taking.

7.30PM
Checked in our villa on the last night at Villa Tukad Alit

The end of our driver service here. The total cost was IDR 1,050,000 and we add another IDR 50,000 for the driver tips. 
Our initial plan was to include Pura Tirta Empul & Tukad Cepung Waterfall but we have to cancel due to time constraint. Driver charges will be IDR 1,100,000 (excluding tips) for this. 


8.00PM
We ordered grab car for the remaining trips.

Visited ECOEGO store at Seminyak because my friend wanted to buy some bags for her mother.

Then we proceed to Krisna Oleh-Oleh Bali Sunset Road as I wanted to buy some souvenirs for my family.
(On the way, the grab driver recommend us to another store which he said they have more varieties there, we believe him in the first place but then we realize "ehhh, wanted to gain commission again..", so we stick back to our own plan)

After that, we head to Made's Warung (recommended by the local) for dinner as they are famous with their "babi guling". Although the babi guling was so-so only but we get to enjoy their salsa dance night. Should we say we were lucky?
11.30PMWent back to our villa to put the things we bought and then head out again to La Favela to experience the night life in Bali until 2AM. 
DAY 4
9.30AM
Woke up and enjoy the pool at our villa. (The villa even provided us a float)

12.30PMChecked out from villa and left our luggage there.

We then head to Naughty Nuri's Canggu for lunch and proceed to Love Anchor Canggu Market for a walk. But the things there are kinda pricey especially when they found out that we are tourist, they will mark up their price as high as possible. Hmm.

Another good meal we had besides Sisterfields.

Stop by at another random cafe for coffee before going to the airport.

4.30PM

Went back to the villa to get our luggage and head to the airport for our flight back. 

Bye bye Bali!

Flight at 9.20PM bound to Kuala Lumpur. Arriving at 12.20AM then we slept on those random chairs in KLIA1 until our next home-bound flight at 8.05AM.

The whole trip cost me more or less around RM1,500 as we are on budget trip.

 

-The End-

CAMBODIA TRIP

HELLO 2019!

My first post in 2019. Here you go, a 4D3N trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia.

There were six of us travelling together in this trip. Three travelled from Singapore while another three from Kota Kinabalu meeting each other at Kuala Lumpur.

The total flight cost me around RM361.  

DAY 1 (+1)

10.25PM 

Depart to Kuala Lumpur by AirAsia. 

1.00AM

Arrive at KLIA2. Check in at Capsule Transit Hotel (3 hours sleep) for RM184 until our next flight.

6.45AM 

Depart to Siem Reap, Cambodia by AirAsia.

7.50AM (Cambodia time)

Arrive at Siem Reap International Airport

My friend booked a private van beforehand from http://www.siemreaptaxiservice.com/ costing USD150. Basically we used this for all the temple visit.  

Employer wechat : Makara895 (Mr Lang)
Driver wechat : Angkorwattourdriver (Mr Thy)

Upon arriving, our driver waited us patiently at the airport as our flight got delayed slightly and also settling our sim card at the airport before heading to our hotel. We bought our sim card from Metfone with a 7-day package and 10gb data included for only USD2.

The journey takes around 30 minutes to arrive at our hotel.

9.30AM (Cambodia time)

Check in at our hotel Kingfisher Angkor Hotel – RM295

The room is very spacious but the wifi is kinda slow. The disadvantage about our room is that the water pump is kinda weak and it can be hard to fall asleep at night as there were bar beside our hotel where we can hear the music loud and clear. 

10AM (Cambodia time)

Breakfast at Brown Coffee

11AM (Cambodia time)
Depart to Beng Mealea Temple
The journey took us around 2 hours to arrive at the Temple.
Entrance fee : USD5

4.30PM (Cambodia time)
Stop by at Angkor Enterprise. We bought the Angkor 1-Day Pass (USD37) for our temple visit next day.

5.00PM (Cambodia time)
Depart to Pre Rup Temple for sunset.

Honestly, the sunset in our hometown is much better. Therefore, no sunset photo taken as we all felt the structure of the temple look more interesting.

6.30PM (Cambodia time)
Head back to hotel for cloth changing before our next destination.

7.00PM (Cambodia time)
Dinner at Khmer Kitchen Restaurant, Pub StreetThe food was really good or is it because we were starving? But it's really good. Yum!

8.00PM (Cambodia time)
Strooling around the street and stop by at a shop Surprised Cafe to chill awhile before heading back to hotel.

And it's the end of the first day.

DAY 2

5.00AM 

We woke up as early as 4AM to watch the sunrise in Angkor Wat Temple. Driver came on time to pick us as promised. 

5.30AM
Arrive at Angkor Wat Temple. The amount of people is crazy, we hardly get a spot to capture the beautiful sunrise and the reflection of the temple.   

8.00AM
Head back to hotel for our free breakfast provided by the hotel.9.00AM
Depart to Bayon TempleNo photo taken at the temple as we somehow got tired of temples and the hot weather. So me and my boyfriend went out early while waiting the others. 

Gate to the temple

These monkeys entertained me at the exit gate

10.30AMDepart to Ta Prohm Temple

12.30PM
Lunch at a random restaurant nearby Bantaey Srei Temple.

No photo of the temple, so a photo of us holding hands will do. 

3PM
Stop by at Fresh Fruit Factory

4PM
Head back to hotel for a nap until dinner time

7PM
Dinner at Khmer Grill

Grill pork ribs

8.30PM

Relax and Chill at Temple

And it's the end of our second day.

DAY 3

7.50AM
Woke up early again to have our free breakfast at the hotel and the tour van pick us up on time. 

We booked our tour from Klook - Phnom Kulen Waterfall Day Tour which cost us a total of RM409 including English Tour Guide but excluding entrance fee of USD20. 

That's my baby there

I personally do not think it's worth the money to go as I've seen much more nicer waterfall than this. Do check for other activities as there might be other activities that is more interesting than this.

3PM
Late lunch at Common Grounds. We requested the tour driver to drop us here instead of hotel. 
Foods are kinda pricey here but the portion is big. 

4PM
Visited Bio.Lab for coffee stop since it's still kinda early. 

5PM
Went to Angkor Market by Tuk-tuk for USD1 to purchase some local products for families and head back to our hotel by Tuk-tuk again for another USD1.

7.30PM

Dinner at The Red Piano, Pub Street

After dinner, we walked around the street, had a 30 min leg massage and went to eat at the roadside stall again. 

Went back to do our packing and it's the end of our trip.

Driver came to pick us up at 6AM the next morning to catch our flight at 8.35AM. 

P/s: Each of us prepared USD1 tips for the driver. Hence the total payment we made is USD156 including tips. 

The whole trip cost me less than RM1,500 which means if you wanted a budget trip for yourself, go ahead for Cambodia.