Weekend at Genting.

It's the preview of the school holidays. A little getaway break up in GH to break the routine and reward the kids for a hardworking year. 

This year, hubs finally succumbed to buying an annual pass for the whole family as everytime he bought the day's ticket for the indoor and outdoor parks, he would grumbled and ranted endlessly. With the price we paid, I foresee we would be going uphill more often than not to maximise the hefty fee he paid. Oh well, at least I don't need to pester him to just get us the entrance bands anymore every time we go up.

But on that night, we hardly played anything at all, for the queues to every ride were just damn long. Waiting like more than half an hour for a 5 mins play just took the whole pleasure and fun of it away. It really seemed worthless on that very first night! Even the bowling alleys were all full and we had to be in the waiting list! I told him we ought to just go back up to the room and go to sleep. I felt very tired that night somehow and just switched off even before any of them did.

The next day, we rose early and had a KFC breakfast which hubs quoted the "cheapest breakfast in GH". Then we headed straight to the bumper car and it was awesome! No queues, compared to the night before! So we went to rounds, 5 of us in individual cars and had a wonderful time playing with the kids. Then

they went on an indoor roller coaster (read: minor challenging) on their own. 

We went to the outdoor right after that and whilst we hoped to go for the boats, we were disappointed they were closed for service temporarily. The hubs wanted to go go-karting, so I took the younger two to the spinner and they went on and on and on... for 7 times, meimei counted.

 They were so happy! And so was I. I would have gone up together with them if I had not have to jaga barang. Life's a mom like that, huh? Always missing out on all the fun stuffs. However, I was happy enough seeing them enjoying themselves so much and being able to snap their happy faces on the camera.

This trip saw us stepping into SnowWorld. I wonder what went on in hubs' mind. He usually wouldn't want to pay for all these entrance fees and we didn't ask for this either. He must have felt bad for not taking us to a winter holiday till now. Or maybe for a longer time to come. So, I guess I have to be satisfied with just this. :(

The temperature inside SnowWorld is -7'C and didi said it's a giant fridge! I told him it's a giant freezer alright. It was so cold it was frigging painful to be inside! Not very enjoyable, I would say. How are we going to survive a real winter holiday?? So, die die also must tell hubs we had no problem with it. By half an hour, I felt my eyes were like on fire, and really, it was rather torturing. The kids also couldn't bear much with it, though they really wanted to spend more time in there. Poor things, I really do not know if they had loved it or tortured by it. I think they couldn't decide themselves too.

And so, that was pretty much what we did over the latest fiasco at GH. Well, with the annual pass, we shall come see you soon!

Genting short getaway 2011

Before end of last year's school holidays came to its end, we went uphill to enjoy the cool air and with much intention to spend the whole of the day outdoors, letting the kids run wild with the rides to their hearts' content.

We would have gone early in the morning, but as habits die hard, we only leave home much much later than we wanted to.

On the way, around the Batu Caves area, we had roti canai as breakfast, their absolute favorite, but seldom gets to enjoy as mommy (me) prohibits!

It's the sugar that both of them love!

While korkor starts to appreciate the curry, but would still want the sugar sometimes.

As we get there later than we hoped to, plus the time to finally check in to First World Hotel was like AGES, it was half a day gone already!

I pestered hubs to get the tickets for the outdoors anyway, but unfortunately it was drizzling and many rides were closed. In fact, the ticket counter was closed for the outdoors!

Furthermore, we could see from where we were, the crowd outside was EVERYWHERE! and the queues to all available rides were very very long!

So, no point buying the tickets in anyway. What a sad story.

In the end, we just lepak around the First World indoor park until hubs finally get tickets for them to have a go at the bumper car, one time each.

Making funny and boring faces while we wait around, with absolutely nothing much to do.

The queue was quite long too for meimei. She was happy to be going alone, and need to wait like 3 rounds for hers? Meanwhile, I can't find any available place to sit down since there were so many parents alike waiting for their child to finish their work. Sigh! Parents these days are really giving too much!

After she was done, we hurried up to upstairs for the boys and there they were, still in line for their turns! They gave me their very sad looking faces showing their dissatisfaction for just a little bit of fun. It didn't seem like a very enjoyable holiday indeed. :(

We then strolled over to the center of the indoor park and already, a performance was going on. Meimei and I stood there to watch these very pretty girls showing their strut, giving a very delightful and brilliant showcase of dance and little bit of gymnastics. Both of us then had a very enjoyable time watching a live performance like this. And it's FREE!

(I learned much much later, these girls are trained from the same club where meimei's gym coach is from. That means, they are good!)

Then, we had a clown performance which brought some smiles to our faces. It was good enough, much better than lingering around with nothing to do.

After which two acrobats came on and gave a very admirable performance. My hunch, they came from China.
Meanwhile, hubs and the boys went to get their hands on the tickets of the gala show for the evening.
2 were FOC, given by his parents who were in turn given by the Genting resort for their "loyalty". Hubs bought another 2 and said that one have to sneak in.

Why, I really dislike this kind of habit of his. I just hate the confrontation at the entrance when they would be stopping us and asking to show where the 5th ticket for the 5th person is. I rather be the person who stay in the hotel room and let them watch. But hubs wouldn't hear of that. He wants everyone to go and he wants to take a chance to get the 5th person in for free. What the..

But it was stated there, ALL audience MUST buy a ticket to enter, including child above . Yerrr.... and he must argue with me, if they insisted, then he would go buy la! EEYER!!!!

Is it just me? Am I abnormal?

Anyway, all went in, with 4 tickets and hubs must show his smart alec face to me.The problem is, I would feel thrilled too to save on 1 piece of ticket, and to think eh, not cheap leh, can buy a good lunch from that amount of money too. hmmph! Geram still!

I don't know about the kids, but I had a good time watching this show. There were some moments of funny jokes and made me laugh too, but I suspect the hubs and the kids didn't quite understand what the joke was as apparently, I seemed to be the only one having a good laugh, eh?

When we were there waiting for the show to start, I can't help remembering the first time I had been to this venue. It was, almost like our first date, and hubs, then bf, had tried to surprise me with a gala dinner and show together, but wasn't successful since he had to go get the tickets in Penang before our trip. It was quite the lavish dinner he spent on me that time. Still pak toh mah.. oh, those old days...

The 2nd time was during our company sales presentation trip when I was with Bayer group of chemicals. The bosses were very generous to us, giving us free stay, great dinners and 1st class seats for these shows. But I didn't get to enjoy the trips until the sales presentation was over. They made us, sales reps, to present the year's performance and the plan for the next year. I hate all these crap meetings. Can't they just let us enjoy ourselves? Well, that's why I left the workforce. I really dislike working, I admit. bleh.

Back to our family trip for the year 2011, that wrapped up the old year and to embrace the new one. What? april already ah? Aiyah, too late for april fool.

Family AGM in Genting

Earlier this month, my sister-in-law, the kids' gugu, came to KL with her family.

We had the whole family reunion for the first time this year in Genting, first time as she couldn't balik kampung for the CNY at the last minute.

The weekend was when Bersih rally was held and oh, was that an eye opener? I didn't go as I was too tired, but wished I had though. Did you go?

We took a day trip while the rest stayed in Genting for a night.

It was a very cold and misty Sunday afternoon in Genting.

When we arrived, we didn't quite know what we wanted to do and the kids were getting bored. Walked from one hotel to another, then back to the hotel before and waited for one or the other. I was yawning away!

A couple of hours later, after my sil checked in, we decided to head to the outdoor theme park. Hub, as expected, was against the idea since he thought that it was already 2pm, and not worth paying for the entrance fees for just that few hours.

Then, my sil's hub also wanted to stay put at the hotel and both were like suggesting we take the kids by ourselves, cilaka!

We decided to take matters into our own hands and forced the hubs to go, don't care! Really, what's the point of going to Genting if it's not the whole family having some outdoor fun together, right? I would have banned indefinitely of ever going up the hill again if hub was adamant to save on some entrance tickets.

In the end, we had a lot of fun. Lucky the brat didn't spoil my day. The outdoor air was so fresh and cool and refreshing, it was wonderful! No sun, nor rain, not even long queues!

We let the kids ride whatever they wanted and we were busy taking pictures.

Hub himself had fun with the go-cart and the bumper boats. Hmmph! Still wanna complain?

While they bumped boats, meimei and I paddled boats, as meimei failed the height criteria for the bumpers.

It was getting cold as the Q snaked slowly to the frontline and brrrr... how I wished I had brought along another jacket.

Paddling boat with meimei around in that lake brought back many wonderful memories indeed.

When we left for home that day, it was about 8pm+ and the kids immediately knocked out in the car. What a wonderful day it had been.

I said to hub "There! Isn't it better to go outdoors? I love the outdoors, and I don't mind going to Genting if you had let us go outdoors whenever we are there" He said, if I had liked to go there more often, he would have brought us the annual passes, but knowing I don't like to go, that's the reason he didn't. wtf. I said it's this way, and he argued it's the other.

Well then, we shall see. I do love Genting, if we stay away from the indoor parks, really!

Merdeka fireworks at Genting

The last post I mentioned about the Genting trip over the Merdeka eve. Well, it was quite the usual routine. But this time the trip was specifically arranged from the kids' kungkung to watch the fireworks display at countdown with them. So there was something little different to look forward to.

After dinner at Theme Park Hotel, we went into the outdoor park. It was opened for that night, entrance for free while a tag to the rides were of discounted price. Hubs quickly bought 3 tags for them, and rushed them in to enjoy themselves.

After a boring time at the merry-go-round, korkor wanted to go for that thrill round and round swing, which can go real high. Hub pushed didi in as well, and meimei not wanting to lose out the fun, quickly joined in, while popo, waipo and me *GASP*ed!!!!! It was definitely a first time exhilaration for them and us (except korkor, since he did it in HK's Ocean Park) and I could only breathe when they came back down on earth safe and sound.

The 3 of us, grown up women, were so eager to hear their review when they ran out. Meimei proudly exclaimed "I'm NOT SKED" and nodded her head when asked if she wanna ride again. As for didi, he said "not sked" too, in a minny teeny voice and shook his head when told to ride again. Kakaka... can see the funnily obvious difference.

Then it started to drizzle and the rest of the gang wanted to go "home" while hub waved his hand over and said "let's go" (to more rides). So, keeping close to the covered walkways, we weaved through and they had several more fun rides. A stage was done up and some performances were underway and the crowd was even handed raincoats to keep them to stay.

On the antique car ride, it was just the 3 of them alone, taking a joyride round the big pond in the middle of outdoor theme park. For the longest time, I was so worried for them, as it's really quite a first time they were out of my sight alone on their own. What if someone jumped out and dragged them away? What if the car broke down middle of nowhere? What if a snake came up and bit them? What if.. what if...

Then I saw them and I could breathe again. Man, this is so equally thrilling for me, in every other way. I asked for their reviews, as usual. Korkor admitted shyly that he was scared of the dark (hehe) while meimei said that she took care of didi wor. *roll eyes*

We thought the fireworks display would be cancelled, but hey, came 11+, the rain stopped and everyone was hurrying to get close to the area. Hub asked for my opinion to go down or to go to his parents' room to watch. As usual, knowing my vote doesn't count, I said up to you lor. He decided we shall go down all the way, watching the fireworks from the ground, with the crowd. Meimei was already in her own wonderland so only the boys followed us through.

Walked down from the lifts to the lobby, crossed the road, oopsy wrong direction, find our way to the theme park entrance, then back to the lift and square one and then we were back up again, scurrying to his parents' room finally to countdown and watch from some floors above. what the...

Anyway, the fireworks, undeniably, is spectacular. We had sound effect of oohs and aahs from the grandparents, seeing there wasn't much excitement within the boys. After around 10 to 15 mins, we rushed back to the room to join meimei in her wonderland world.

I wonder if it's because of the thin or smoky air, I seem to be always gasping for air in the middle of the night in Genting. It would be a bad hairday for me the next day as I would be so so exhausted.

This time, the kids were treated to a whole day unlimited day rides in indoor theme park. After numerous countless times banging cars, we managed to pull the kids away to check out and have our lunch. After lunch, we went silly riding those lame boring family rides and decided that really, no more first world indoor theme park. It's just too boring. Except meimei still harping on banging cars.

Family vacation at Awana

We went up to Genting over the weekend....err, yes, ......again!

But this time, instead of the usual hotel stay up at those theme park resorts, we checked in to the family resort apartment with 2 bedrooms at Awana. The apartment was basically maintained well. There was even a jacuzzi where all 5 of us can squeeze into and enough to get the children crazy.

We were given more than enough free tickets for the skyway cable, so the children had a fun ride, though the Q was for half an hour each way.

That night, we had steamboat dinner at the apartment, with another couple friend around. They were to bring their children along too, but made them "flew aeroplane". Anyway, we had too much food on the dinner table, not enough shandy, and a relaxingly pleasant dinner without much fuss with the children.

The next day, we went horse riding for 5 bucks 2 rounds. I thought it wasn't much of a big deal, but when I mount up the horse with Adrian in front of me, I was frightened I would fall down! It was such a tense ride, but Adrian liked it, enjoying the scenery from a higher eye-level.

KT then had his attempt on the archery while all of us watched. Sad to say, the score was nothing to brag about here.

The pool was a hot big tub, it was just great dipping in the hot steamy pool in that cool environment.

We hang around longer around the apartment, and only descent from the hill around late afternoon.

I would truly recommend Awana for families, rather than the commercialised "city of entertainment" anytime. There are also other family-style eco-activities like hiking and fox flying, which I kept in mind to go for when there's a chance later.

Oh no! Again??

So "wu-liao"... went to Genting.... AGAIN!

Don't know why there are always crowds of people there.

The age group of 0-3, they are not so fussy, anywhere bright, colorful, noisy and full with people, they like.

The age group of 3-12, the sight of all those rides they never managed to get their parents to buy for them, makes them go crazy enough.

For those who fall in the age group of 12-21, it's where they let out their energy shouting and yelling riding in those adrenalin pumping thrillers. It's a place where it's romantic enough to steal the girl's first kiss and hold her hand just walking around aimlessly as well. Yeah, they love this place.

Over 21, it's where all the real fun begins at the place they were prohibited to enter before..

So, there were 4 groups of people who would like to go there. My children fell into the 2nd. My mom and my husband fell into the 4th. As for myself, I'm not in any of those above. The only reason is probably.. just "wu-liao". I can't go to casino because I need to take care of the children. I am too old to ride those rides, and it's so exhaustive to run after them all the time. The only other reason could be just to "camwhoring". Is there such a word actually, I wonder?

This time round, this little chap is such a cooperative young model for me to play with. All because of a RM1.20 lollipop I bought for him... hehe. The other 2 were busy having their fun in the bumper car. For some reason only known to this little chap, he didn't want to bump the cars, he just want to hang around. I guess he knew I would surely give him some goody stuff!

I am sick and tired of the First World Indoor theme park by now. Still haven't get to splash in the wet park and go outdoors, as I mentioned in the last Genting entry. Well, it's not long we would be charging up to its hill again though. I wonder if you are sick of reading on Genting as well?

Fun day for the children

We gave the children a treat for the weekend, took them up to Genting for a day's trip of fun and rides.

Things nice to do there:

1. Ride up on the cable car (NOT DONE, KT said it's a waste of money....bugger!)

2. Dip in the wet theme pool (NOT DONE, not enough time, lazy to get wet and bathe later)

3. Ride on the monorail (NOT DONE, queue too long initially, later it was raining and ride was closed)

4. Bumper car for the boys (CHECKED, uncountable number of rounds in there for them)

5. Ferris Wheel (CHECKED, nice, the children love it)

6. Merry go round (CHECKED, Chloe and Adrian absolutely loving it)

7. Take pictures (CHECKED, here they are)

8. Have a stroll outside or walk around outdoor theme park (NOT DONE, another time, when the price goes down)

9. Snow World (NOT DONE, KT said before might as well take us all to see REAL snow! How sweet, hoh? Then again, just need to be patient only la....)

10. Casino (CHECKED, KT was 100 bucks poorer)

11. Check out Mushroom Farm (NOT DONE, have to do that next time)

12. Sky fly (NOT DONE, KT tried that twice though, not cheap leh)

13. Eat outside instead of paying a hefty price for a plate of chicken rice at theme park (NOT DONE, we still was paying a hefty price for a plate of chicken rice, sigh...)

Have to get all the NOT DONE items checked the next round we are there again.

Cool air and a giant sized playground

I am pretty sure all of us had at least visited Genting once in our lifetime.
It's a place for all ages. And we had been seeing its changes from just a Genting hotel and a park to a city of dreams it is today. Similarly, at different stages in my life, somehow Genting played a part in it too like it had been growing together with me.

When I was a child, I can still remember how excited we used to be going there. With just some simple rides and paddle boats available at that time, it was more of a memorable togetherness for a family holiday. Nothing much we can do then, most of the time we strolled around in the cool atmosphere, take pictures, and just simply to feel the cool fresh air around us. I remember how I used to paddle the boat with the big wheels with my dad. He's my hero, I had never been afraid of falling into the lake or get stuck in the middle of it.

The other memorable holiday I had there was after our big exam in my life. Till date, I still have nightmares about exams after this major hurdle. You can imagine how stressful I was the whole year preparing for it, and how relieved I felt when it was over. We went in a group of close friends I never could have imagined having. Though the year was tough, I had a lot of fun too with this bunch of people. How daring I was at that time to have rode in those coaster rides and spinning I-don't-even-know-what-it-was-called. Give me a treat to ride one now, I will immediately turn into David Copperfield and vanish into thin air!

Nothing could have beaten that time I went with my uni friends on the first year's break. I laughed and enjoyed so much that every minute spent was pure delight and joy. We cooked and ate in the apartment we rented, played card games while joked and laughed until our sides ached, played bowling, went partying in the hangout there, danced and secretly wishing to have a slow dance with the guy I liked (yes, the wish came true.. hehe), and maybe, just maybe, pretended we were over 21 and sneaked into the casino for the first time. I think it had been my best trip to that place.

Well, later I started dating. And our first getaway together was in Genting too. After seeing couples holding hands walking around aimlessly and lovingly countless times for years, I finally was there to turn the table around and ... let people see! It wasn't as romantic as I thought, maybe he wasn't so much of a romantic guy. But it was for the first time for me going into that gala show inclusive of a dinner. Quite an impressive move to make me feel touched. And of course, I had to *pay* for it later in the night... in a different way.. there's no free lunch in this world. (well, well, don't think wrongly, it's not as what you think.. we were decent people here). Anyway, I married this guy years later.

Well, there's numerous other times I was up in that little hill. Going to the concerts of the late Anita Mui with my mom, listening to Air supply rendering their songs (where I know all the lyrics) with my big belly in my first pregnancy, so called work related trips... There's been some great enjoyments and disappointments, and I think we still will be going there, maybe more to "donate" money out, and to bring the children for a substitute of a holiday trip to the cooler countries. It's not cheap having a holiday there anymore. A pass for a day use of the indoor theme park costs a bomb now. Where have all the free parks where we can just stroll around enjoying the cool fresh air gone to? Sometimes I really miss those days.


It's true the global weather is warmer now. There's no need for us to wear any sweaters there anymore. Anyhow, we still force our children to wear theirs, for fear of them catching a cold home.







This is the closest I will go to with rides and things which spin and moves. I wonder what happens later when they grow up and want me to accompany them to daredevil rides. It may be a good way to murder me without raising any suspicions.







It's best to go in a group of people, as the more the merrier. That's what happens after the stage of dating la.