Punggol Park

Project : BBQ

Venue : Punggol Park

Date: 4th December 2010

Time: 1800

Today my friend and her colleagues had a shing-ding at a place called Punggol Park. For those of you new to singapore or unaware, might think this is close to punggol mrt, BUT its close to Hougang. Hougang 10 to be precise.

They had pit number 4 reserved. The place is a nice quaint, not too busy joint. The pits are located close to the entrance by Bliss, a restaurant/pub. We were quite lucky to chance some good weather. As this time of the year singapore is treated to natures abundance a plenty. With lady luck on our side, we set forth.

The bbq meal consisted of, chicken wings, sausages, mock meat, satay, bee hoon, macaroni, fried rice with chicken, prawn and egg, also a vegetarian fried rice, our generous hosts has also prepared three different sauces. One each for the macaroni, curry for the rice and finally peanut sauce for the satay. Oh i forgot there was corn and sweet potato as well. And donuts for dessert. Although one lil birthday girl was set against it!

The crowd was a lovely mix of people. Its a long time since I had interacted with a huge new group of people. And true to word, they were warm and inviting. The food was a hit and so were the drinks ;).

The 'poison' I have always noticed adds colour to an occasion. And it did not fail here:). As the night progressed from a steely gray blue to a deep twilight void of twinkles, the antics, joy and laughter of the crowd certainly did bring alive the night.

However, something to note about the venue, would be the cleanliness of the toilets and accessibility. As far as I know there was just one washroom available. The stench was so bad, we were not able to go. But, I guess this is to be expected from a park washroom. Right outside the washroom is a water fountain dispenser.

Nevertheless, if you are in to go have fun, and have a gracious hosts/hostess punggol park would not disappoint. You would enjoy your self:)

The lake at the center of the park, which seems to be the epicenter of the landscaping adds a nice pacifying touch. A serene sense of calm. Well chosen spot.

However I do hope, us loud boisterous lot did not discourage the lil birthday girl at the bbq pit next =).

Thats it for the lovely evening. Thank you sushmitha and co.

I hope to upload pictures soon :)

Verdict: Park 3.5/5. People, Food & Drink: 5/5

Langkawi

Project : Langkawi here we come :)!

Expenses Estimated: RM 1800
No. of Heads : 4
Trip Start : Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Trip Destination : Langkawi, Malaysia
Trip Duration : 15th - 17th December 2010
Timeline :

• Plan - Start : November 27th 2010
• Plan  - Budget : November 28th 2010
• Plan - Accommodation and Bus Tickets : November 29th 2010

Information Sources :

• 1  - http://www.langkawi-beaches.com/langkawi-about.html
• 2 - http://www.langkawi-info.com/rentcar/ : car rental prices
• 3 - http://www.langkawi-ferry.com/Home/Schedule.aspx : ferry
• 4 - http://www.langkawiguide.com/beaches.php : concise beaches description
• 5 -http://www.whitelodgechalet.com/ : White Lodge Chalet, Accommodation:)

Cast Members :

• Mamma a.k.a Mulaffara
• Dada a.k.a Fazal
• The Child a.k.a Rushma
• Me a.k.a Ruzaika

Progress:

• 27th November 2010, 7:50 pm

I am scouting around for information right now. There is an immense amount of literature online, no surprise there. With the burst of the internet. Much thankful to this piece of technology. Makes one less gullible to the marketing gimmicks of tour packages/agents/posters etc.

Quite excited about the upcoming trip. When infact we(my family, mom, dad and sister) were to sign up for a package to Taman Negara. Unfortunately the rain might play hell. Then we decided we might head down to Langkawi, reportedly one of the most beautiful beaches Malaysia offers to the world.

From my readings I gathered, its packed with a rich history.

I think I would take the bus route to langkawi. Probably the most hassle free. Was contemplating driving up and taking the car across for 110RM, but decided against that, to give my dad a more relaxed trip. Without having to negotiate traffic:).

But I have been advised to rent a car and go around Langkawi :). Lets see.

• 28th November 2010, 1057am.

After some scavenging and reading numerous blogs and posts, I managed to tabulate a nearly comprehensive list of expenses. Although as I write this I realize I have not factored in miscellaneous expenses such as the indulgences of one's whims and fancies, e.g: fruits, biscuits etc. However, I do realize now (just woke up, so had a reboot of the memory on my head.. hehe) that the purpose of penning down the costs was to estimate or charter out the most economically viable trip for us. Of course more corners could have been cut from eg: Dormitory living, no use of a car, reduce food cost. But as a student of my parents, I have learnt that sometimes comfort does help make a good trip a great one. :).

I know for a fact that we would shoot the budget ;). Once we let temptation get the better part of us. haha. But it would be an interesting comparison, hopefully, once the trip is done, to inspect our transgressions (putting it harshly).

I am sharing my expenses spreadsheet on the trip which is in the section titles Itinerary and Budget.

I have the go from our main sponsor, my dada :). To quote, "lets go and have some fun, we may not get another opportunity like this." So I believe thats a thumbs up!

From what my friends have mentioned, the prices of the water sports in Langkawi is definitely more. The black and white online informed me that Jet Ski 30mins would cost around 120RM. When I was at Penang last year in May, a quote I got was 50-60RM. 

I was just reading up on Island Hopping. Takes you through some check off list places. Not that it is essential to subscribe to the check off list, but what caught my eye, were the pretty hues of blue:). At 35 RM @ http://www.langkawimangrovetours.com/langkawiislandhopping.html 

List of things to do today :

1. Finalize accommodation along one of the prettiest beaches. Which appears to be Pantai Cenang - Cenang Beach or Pantai Tengah - Middle Beach or Pantai Tanjung Rhu - Casuarina Cape Beach . My list of references, no. 4.
2. Request accommodation to arrange 50rm a day transport.
3. Confirm with my cousin and friend if in on trip.
4. Read up more and the whats to do and not. Local knowledge always helps. If I zero in on a place to stay I would probably ask them what they would suggest.

I am off for Brunch:)

• 28th November 2010, 1156pm

Quite a bit of activity. My darling sister, just realized that her exams ends on the 15th. This would push the plans by a day. Close shave i feel, as I was driving everyone up the wall, my dad, cousin and mom trying to get the accommodation booked and the bus tickets!!. That would have been a shame. 

Still no go on the accommodation. I would first want to call and double check the availability of tickets and then book the hotel. I hope i can put that to a rest tomorrow.:)

• 29th November 2010, 824pm

Smile smile and smile :). Bus Tickets and Accommodation Check. Huge sigh of relief. I am not sure how it works for everyone else, but unless I have got these two in the bag, there is a certain amount of unrest and doubt in my mind for any trip. If it were with friends where we just go and rough it out in any small dingy place we come across its fine, but i guess with family its slightly different :) 

I set off to purchase tickets at around 230pm was greeted with a heavy downpour. The taxi whom we had called was so sweet he had not started the meter until we got in( which was after about 5-7 mins). Mama and I busied ourselves down to Bukit Jalil to purchase tickets. Got it from transnasional. Unfortunately its a 4 seats in one row vs 3 seats in one row. 3 seats in one row is more comfortable as the seats are bigger. We wanted to catch the 11pm bus so that we get to Kuala Perlis in the wee hours of the morning and catch the first ferry across. And the 11pm is a double decker, 4 seater. No worries though :).

I then proceeded to book accommodation. Booked the family chalet @ http://www.whitelodgechalet.com/ using www.agoda.com

What was interesting was, I had entered the wrong Bank name but yet the transaction was approved. Food for thought. From the description and google maps it seems to be 500m from the famous Cenang Beach. So so far so good. Unfortunately my cousin, Shaik wont be joining, got held up at work.

Mama and I have been planning on what to do. So we have been planning early supper on the beach. Sandwiches, fruits etc. Rent bikes and dilly dally around. Lets see :)

I am off for dinner before Round 3 with project Langkawi:)

• 6th December 2010, 827pm

So far touch wood all things in place. Dada has landed safely in Malaysia, and thus far has not taken ill. Rushma is recuperating and hopefully should be as good as new for the trip. With it only a week away, I am under way to get my camera gear together. At this point I should note its not much. 

But have a Nikon 18-105mm VR which has a broken mount on the lens rear. It apparently happens due to stress. So I want to get that fixed, as thats the only zoom lens I have. Second I have black specks of dust in my viewfinder. Thankfully!!!, its not on the sensor. From what I have read it should not be a problem, and think there isnt away to get that cleaned. I am interested in however, to give my sensors a cleaning, but i am terrified of doing so. Scared i might damage it. As we know the body lies in the sensor. I would probably run down to the city tomorrow and attend to that.

Apart from that I have my tripod handy, my 50mm and 300mm (gift from ifty) handy.

In preparation for whats in store, i have also been doing some reading on how to best capture a sunset and sunrise. I would probably try it out this weekend. In addition to that, I have gathered info on the sunrise timings at langkawi, supposed to be at 710. I guess if i get my self plunked at the vantage point at 6 it ought to do. I pity my dad, think he would have to drive me up to the spots. haha.

Additionally, the beaches, I am sure at varying points of the day, the sky would have beautiful collage of colours to trump out. Anticipation high, eagerness to capture high, dread at not being able to capture it well also high!! haha. In short i am nervous!!

Thats it from me for now. =) cheerio  

Expectations:

 - Trekking
 - Cable Car
 - Suspension Bridge
 - Banana Boat
 - Jet Ski
 - Seafood!!
 - Cycling:)
 - Gorgeous pictures

Itinerary and Budget:


 Click for Trip expenses and Budget


This is the first iteration of the schedule as of 28th November 2010 1246pm

Second iteration of the schedule as of 29th November 2010 845pm