Glamping in Sekeping Serendah

I just learned a new word - Glamping or Glamorous Camping. And I think our stay at Sekeping Serendah just fit the bill!

The instructions to get there seems clear enough, but even then, we missed the turning as the signpost were quite small.

Nevertheless, we got there finally and were taken to the Timber Shed 2, our abode for the night. Good thing we can park the car right next to the Shed as we had a lot of things to carry!

 

Our shed faces the swimming pool, and we could see that there's already a few people enjoying to cool water as it was quite a hot day. We were informed by the caretaker that there's a new pool that's just been built, so as soon as we've unpacked, we went to check it out!

 

 

Amazingly, we had the whole pool to ourselves - perhaps not many people know about this secluded, beautiful pool. It was such a bliss, the water is so refreshing on a hot day, the surrounding view is breathtakingly serene and peaceful.

 

 

 After the swim, we went for a walk around the area.

The accommodations are strategically located to ensure maximum privacy for the guests.

After the walk, its "lepak time" back at our shed.

We brought so much food that we did not have to go out for dinner. We had Swedish Meatballs & Salsa Chicken Wrap for dinner and TÅRTA MÖRK CHOKLAD for dessert.

After dinner, its family time. Story telling & card games. Being there with my family, everyone laughing and having fun, I thought, with all the uncertainties in life, some things are just as it should be. I'm truly grateful for my wonderful family.

 

 

 

 
Bedtime is a new experience for the kids. Having to sleep with mosquito nets and lots of bugs around as the shed is quite open with no air-condition.
It got quite cold in the middle of the night, although it was quite warm earlier because of the scorching hot day.

We woke up to the sound of nature. And the morning was just spent lazing around, packing while Zaher took the girls out to swim.

And soon enough it was time to leave. It was a short break, but a break nevertheless.

 

Timber Shed 2, our abode for the night.

Jasmine's Halloween Party

There must be something about me being away that puts the kids into a party mood.

I just got back from Seattle on Wednesday and Jasmine was happily telling me about the Halloween party she's going to have on Saturday.

What???!!!

"Babah said ok!" While showing me all the handwritten invitation, which has my phone number for RSVP!

A phone call to Zaher, who was in KK at that time confirms this and asks me to check with McDonalds if they can host a Halloween party. 

After consulting with my party planner, we decided that it is better to have it at home as we don't know how many is going turn up. I guess it also gives a chance for Kamil & Dinah to decorated the house.

Honestly, I wasn't that confident that anyone would turn up since the last minute, handwritten invitation looks quite dodgy, but surprisingly, by Friday night, a few parents called me to RSVP!

So it was a mad scramble to get the party preparation in just 3 days amidst my work, the kids tuition & music classes!

But I must say my Party Planners were great and we managed to get the decor up and food ready on time.

It was just a smaill group, after devouring the Monster Meal, Zaher entertained them with Singing & Story telling competition.

Weekend Retreat in Janda Baik

 It was a last minute decision. It was a long weekend, and Zaher's birthday; and we didn't really want to spend it in a city.
Surprisingly we found this resort that still have rooms available so we packed out bags and make our way out of town.

It was a short journey to Janda Baik, and we took our time checking out several resorts before making our way to Seri Pengantin, where we had our reservation.

We were pleasantly surprise to find that the resort had a low occupancy that night, and that we practically have the place to ourselves! The kids were excited at discovering the swimming pool, especially when the river is right next to the resort.

As soon as we checked in, its time for a splash in the swimming pool, which pipes in water from the river, hence the greenish tinge to the water. We packed a lot of food staff, which is just as well, as there's no shops nearby and everyone was hungry after a cold swim!

We stayed at the Garden Villa, with its balcony overlooking the swimming pool. By dusk, it gets quite cool and we just stayed in and enjoy the peace and quiet.

It was quite late before we ventured out for dinner. The kids were fascinated at discovering frogs along the pathway from our villa to the car! We drove off to Genting Sempah for dinner (although we discovered that Bukit Tinggi would have been a better place to go.) We got back to the Villa,and everyone stayed up watching TV, waiting for the midnight strike which marks the start of Zaher's Birthday.

We all had a performance for the birthday boy, after which,  Zaher had to perform for us. Needless to say, he won the award for the night!

After the awards, we had a little treasure hunt for him.

And he managed to collect a few prizes!

The next morning, we woke up th breakfast by the pool!! What a life!

Too soon, it was time for us to pack up and go home :-(

It was such a short break, but we had a great time!!

Lover's Tryst

GoOMay 2013

Zaher & I make it a point to get away, just the two of us, at least once a year. Our usual getaway is Frasers Hill.

We arrived around 2pm. Very hungry! We didn't realized that the Rest House at the Gap has been closed. So, the first thing we did was to have lunch at Puncak Inn.

After lunch, we checked into The Smokehouse, our favorite hotel in Frasers    Hill. 

We spent the afternoon enjoying the beautiful weather, fresh air & the peaceful quiet.

It's just lovely to walk around the beautiful garden, or just reading a book in  the comfort of the English decor living room. 

 

And of course, indulging in their scrumptious English Scones with fresh strawberries & cream.

We went down to the 'Town Centre' for dinner. 

It was just before elections, so a lot of party flags around!

The next morning, we had our breakfast in the garden.

After breakfast, we went to look around the paddock.

After which, we went for a walk around Allan's Waters, where Zaher picked up a pet leach.

Went back to The Smokehouse to enjoy the rest of the morning before we pack up & head home.

It was a short trip, but much needed break for both of us.

Maidless in USJ!

Like it or not, we’ve been spoilt!

When Su, our maid informs me that her father was ill and that she wanted to go back to Indonesia soon, I panic, as I could not imagine life without a maid!

Within 2 weeks, she left, not knowing if she’ll come back. She did promise to return in 2 months time, if we would wait for her, but with her father’s condition, I was not too hopeful. At that point I was hunting for a new maid high and low – but all the maid agencies informs me that it would take 2 to 3months for a new maid to come, if I’m lucky.

The first few days was quite hectic, topsy turvy adjusting to the new way of life – the kids schedule, Zaher & my busy work schedule.  We are blessed with both our mothers living nearby and they, together with my sister helped us out especially with the kids scheduling.

Soon, we came a routine. Zaher & I taking turns getting the kids ready for school. Both grandmas taking turns being home when they got home from school. Either simple meals, cooked at home or eating out.

In all these hardship, we found the strength in each other. Zaher, with his bad back would stand by the sink every night with the dishes. Dina (14)  took over the ironing, Kamil (12) the laundry & even Jasmine (5) helped out (her favourite is doing  the dishes! Everyone helped out whenever they could (more like when asked to!) And I reallised, although it is an inconvenience, it is  not a hardship at all, when you have supportive and coorperative family to lighten the burden.     

True to her words, Su came back after slightly more than 2 months. He father is getting better. So now, we’re back to being spoilt silly!

Just Jasmine

25 August 2011

Jasmine   : Kak Dinah, can you please buff my nails
Dinah      : It will cost you RM50

Jasmine rushes downstairs to look for me.

Jasmine   : Mama, can I have RM50 please
Me          : No
Jasmine   : Please, please, I need RM50
Me          : No, you're only 5, you don't need RM50
Jasmine   : Please, please, I'll give you back
Me         : What do you need RM50 for
Jasmine   : I want my nails done, and Kak Dinah wants me to pay her RM50=
Me          : If you pay Kak Dinah, how can you pay me back

Jasmine ponders for a while, and then dissappear.
5 minutes later....
Jasmine   : Mama, can I borrow your RM50, just for a while
Me         : Why
Jasmine   : I want to see what it look like, so I can make my own to give to Kak Dinah

Hot Buns Production -Scene 2

22 May 2010

Akad Ceremony

The heavy downpour slows down to a drizzle by the time I reached the mosque. I was the last person to arrive; and the "akad nikah" ceremony had just begun. The "tok kadi" was giving a "pep talk" on marriage and although the message is serious it was delivered with such humour with practical examples, that the whole experience was surreal ~ brings me back to the day that Dawn took her vow, as a Muslim, at the very same mosque. How, the Imam reminded that this is a point of no return. I felt the same sudden rush of pride and love for both Dawn & Hafez who found each other again after all these years and  overcame a lot of obstacles and made sacrifices for each other.

The Al Idrus brothers with the new member of the family