Seriously, we did not know that the World Orchid Conference (WOC) was already into its 20th year but we were pleasantly surprised by the splendid showcase of orchids by various groups from all over the world…
20th World Orchid Conference (WOC)
Logo of the 20th World Orchid Conference WOC
At the entrance…
Wall to the entrance of 20th World Orchid Conference WOC
Tickets cost $15 for adults and $9 for senior citizens or students. There are also 10% discounts for ntuc, passion, safra (among the cards we can remember). The cost of this price also includes a preview of Gardens by the Bay, Flower Dome (an air conditioned indoor display of plants and vegetation) scheduled to open in 6 months time in 2012.
Ticket to 20th World Orchid Conference WOC (includes preview of Gardens by the Bay)
There is also complimentary shuttle bus service from Marina Bay MRT to Gardens by the Bay to the Marina Bay Sands, Sands Expo and Convention Centre (looping in that order)
Complimentary shuttle service from Marina Bay MRT to Gardens by the Bay to Marina Bay Sands , Sands Expo and Convention CentreEntrance to the 20th WOC World Orchid Conference at Marina Bay SandsMap of the 20th WOC (World Orchid Conference) at Marina Bay Sands
Before we start, perhaps we should learn more about orchids and its origin…
Parts of the OrchidWords in the gents…bet you didnt know about this!
Close to the entrance are the VIP orchids such as this named after Nelson Mandela
Orchid named after Nelson Mandela
and of course our national flower – The Vanda Miss Joaquim
Vanda Miss Joaquim at 20th WOC (World Orchid Conference)
The organisers have put in much effort to bring in different orchids and their hybrids from all over the world…
Orchids from all over the world at the 20th WOC (World Orchid Conference)
Unique orchids include…
5 petaled OrchidBrown OrchidsHybrid Pitcher Orchid PlantsOrchid that looks like a crib with a baby inside2 Petaled OrchidTriangular Shaped OrchidArty Farty Close Up Shot of really small Orchids
There are also displays from different societies and countries from all over the world such as
Orchid displays from IndonesiaOrchid Display from the UKOrchid displays from Malaysia
There were also real pitcher plants…
Real pitcher plants
a huge one at that…
Huge pitcher plant
as well as flower arrangements…
Orchid Bridal Hand Bouquets
the winner…
Winner of Orchid Bridal Hand BouquetWinning Flower ArrangementOther winners of flower arrangementAn appeal for aid to Japan
There are also displays for competition at the schools and junior levels…
Displays after the competitionOne of the winnersYet another winnerCute Theme
The standing categories…
Shaped like the flyerThe winner…
Some walkabout videos at the 20th WOC (World Orchid Conference) at the Marina Bay Sands, Sands Expo and Convention Centre…
Walk about Part 1
Walk about Part 2
Walk about Part 3
Revolving Petronas Tower
Gardens by the Bay
Next we headed to the Gardens by the Bay via the free shuttle service. The tickets to the WOC included a complimentary preview to the Gardens by the Bay! The shuttle bus came at a high frequency (i.e. short waiting time) at least during our wait. We waited for only about 5 minutes eventhough the expected waiting time was about 10-15 mins.
Map of the Gardens by the BayIconic Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay with Marina Bay Sands as the backdropIconic outer view of the Flower DomeEntrance to the Flower Dome
As we entered, we were awed by the huge strange looking trees and cactus. The temperature was quite cold (around 23 degrees). The temperature and humidity is strictly controlled in here for these vegetation and plants to flourish…
The Flower Dome is about 45 metres high and spans 1.2 hectares. The most eye catching plant in the Flower Dome has got to be the Baobabs. The bulbous trunks (looking like a prenant tree) helps the tree to store water during dry seasons. They are also known as bottle trees.
Throughout the Flower Dome, there are other gardens such as the Succulent Garden (mostly cacti), the Australian Garden, the South American Garden, Mediterranean Garden as well as the Olive Grove so do take time to check them out as well!
Another view from withinView of the trees with bulbous trunks that store waterView from the highest point in the flower dome
We were directed by the staff to make a loop to the highest point in the Flower Dome, before heading downstairs where the exit was. The overall feel was as if you had entered an enchanted garden. It was amazing to see Singapore having such an attraction!
Here are some videos from within for our readers…
Preview of Gardens by the Bay Part 1
Preview of Gardens by the Bay Part 2
Preview of Gardens by the Bay Part 3
Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands and Helix Bridge
Before we left the Marina Bay area altogether, we took some shots at the Shoppes as well as the Helix Bridge overlooking the Marina Bay…Enjoy!
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
View of the Marina Bay from Helix Bridge Part 1
View of the Marina Bay from Helix Bridge Part 2 (The other end of the bridge)
Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed the 20th WOC as well as the Gardens by the Bay. The organisers have indeed put in alot of effort to make it all happen and here at 2bearbear.com we would like to congratulate them for a job well done!
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We hope you have enjoyed our coverage of the 20th WOC World Orchid Conference!
There are so many things to do and attractions at Kota Kinabalu! Let’s find out what are the things to do right here in Kota Kinabalu! We thoroughly enjoyed the weekend stay there! Attractions range from Island hopping, getting close to nature or even really really good shopping!
Kate and I managed to accumulate enough Krisflyer points in exchange for 2 tickets to Kota Kinabalu. Quite worth it to join the programme. For this particular trip, we flew on Silkair…
After a 2hrs 20 mins flight, we arrived at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport which looked quite new. From the airport, we took a taxi to Novotel. The taxi was $50RM and it is a fixed price. You will have to purchase a ticket from a shop within the terminal. The good thing is that it is a standard price and you save all the haggling that may be needed for “rogue” taxis.
Again, Kate was the one who arranged the entire trip. It is important to anchor a good location of your hotel so that will be the base where all your activities start. Kate found a relatively good deal on Klook where we stayed at the Novotel @ 1 Borneo Kota Kinabalu for only $70SGD per night.
The good thing about staying at the Novotel is that
1. 4 Star Hotel. It is smelly smelly (hokkien for at least) a 4-star hotel at an attractive rate, offering full hotel service and even a swimming pool for you to chillax under the sun.
2. Close to attractions. It is located away from the city but in the middle of the route to Mount Kinabalu, something that must NOT be missed when you visit Kota Kinabalu. Hence, it is a good location as a base for the attractions, yet still within a 20 mins travel time from the city.
3. Shopping. Located beside One Borneo (nowadays there are alot of One something something sprouting after the One Malaysia concept was introduced), it is currently the largest shopping mall/centre in East Malaysia. Though in a couple of years, it will be overtaken by One Sulaman (yet another One)
4. Free Shuttle Service. This is one of the most important aspect to why Kate chose this location. With the free shuttle service to the city, we could get to and fro for free. The only catch is that you will have to register early for your bus ticket. Priority is also given to guests of hotels in and around One Borneo shopping mall.
Novotel
The hotel itself also exceeded our expectation.
External view of Novotel Kota Kinabalu
The room was spacious and even had a transparent glass that allowed guests to enjoy a bath and watch TV at the same time. For couples, this would be pretty romantic as well.
The King Size Bed Novotel Kota KinabaluTV Console and Fridge Novotel Kota KinabaluBathroom Novotel Kota KinabaluBathtub Novotel Kota KinabaluBusiness Desk Novotel Kota Kinabalu
The swimming pool was also very welcoming, with views of the Crocker Range. Crocker Range is essentially a series of hills. Though they may look tall, locals still regard them as hills.
Kids Pool Novotel Kota KinabaluSwimming pool with water feature that can do shoulder massages at Novotel Kota KinabaluView of Crocker Range from the Pool Kota Kinabalu Novotel
The next most important thing after checking out the room is to check out the bus timings!
Free shuttle bus timings from Novotel Kota Kinabalu
The area to wait for the shuttle bus is at the other end of the One Borneo shopping mall. You can ask for directions at the information counter. It is important to note that this timing is merely a gauge and should be confirmed with the personnel issuing the tickets as timings varies over weekends and weekdays.
Night Market
Known as Pasar Malam (Market Night) in malay, the night market offers locals an avenue to shop for their daily necessities and also to solve their hunger pangs as there are many stalls offering fried noodles, rice, simple malay hawker fare.
Night Market Kota Kinabalu
Our initial plan on the first night was to catch the sunset at the city. However, we were slightly late as there was a traffic jam on the way (remember to buffer time if you are catching the sunset). The sunset timing is more like 6pm than 7pm in Singapore. So bear that in mind.
We also enjoyed some chicken murtabak (indian fried dough with meat , or for those of you who knows prata, it is like prata with meat $2RM) and a refreshing chilled coconut ($4RM)…
Special Murtabak and Coconut from Kota Kinabalu Night Market
Back at the place where we dropped off (Warisan Square, opposite Waterfront) we caught the 9pm bus back to the hotel…
Breakfast @ Novotel
Daily buffet breakfast is included at Novotel. The spread is more or less the same each day. However, they do cater to different tastes so most palates would be satisfied here.
Morning View of Crocker Range from Novotel Kota KinabaluThe buffet spread at Novotel Kota Kinabalu Breakfast
The spread includes noodles or rice, sausages, eggs, grilled tomatoes, baked beans, vegetables, nasi lemak and curry chicken. There are also pastries and breads with various spreads to choose from. Waffles, pancakes, cereals,porridge were available as well.
Appetisers at Kota Kinabalu Novotel Breakfast Buffet
At the appetisers corner, there were various juices such as guava, orange and apple juice to choose from. Milk and soya bean milk were available as well. Fruits and appetisers such as pasta salad, salami, smoked salmon were available on different days.
Overview of the breakfast restaurant at Novotel Kota Kinabalu
It is strongly recommended for visitors (2 or less) to take the tours. Each person costs $180-200 RM that includes, lunch, guided tour, return trip, mount kinabalu park, pekan nabalu (small village/town where you can get the best view of the mountain),poring hot springs,tree top walk,dr fish spa and nature trekking.
The package is a day tour that starts from 8am to 6pm (depending on traffic). Really well worth it we must say. It is also important to follow an experienced agency and in our case, we chose Exotic Borneo. They arranged our time to cover Kinabalu first knowing the local weather that it may drizzle or pour in the afternoon. True enough, it did!
Our first stop was Pekan Nabalu, a small town that has really sweet pineapples, souvenirs and of course, stunning views of the majestic Mount Kinabalu.
View of Mount KinabaluClose up view of Mount Kinabalu
Do not miss out on the pineapples. They cost $2RM a packet and is really as sweet as it gets, we thought perhaps they might have been dipped in sugar syrup! But of course not, it tasted naturally sweet. Enjoy!
The next stop we headed to was a private garden from the locals where we saw the largest flower in the world, the Rafflesia!
The largest flower in the World – The Rafflesia
The thing about the Rafflesia is that it occurs naturally. Even when scientists wanted to cultivate them, they were unable to. It is a parasitic plant that feeds off the vine like a tumour. It also blooms only 4 to 6 weeks a year and you really have to be at the correct time to see them.
When the flower is in bloom, banners would be placed outside these private gardens and costs $30RM per visit. For this particular garden, we travelled about 5 minutes, crossing a small river before we got there.
“Treacherous” Journey to see the RafflesiaBlooming process of the Rafflesia explainedThe Rafflesia in bloom and its bud Kota KinabaluThe Rafflesia disintegrates after its bloom
Because of its rarity in bloom, the locals will protect the area around the Rafflesia to prevent wild animals from feeding on them. According to our guide, Andy, the flowers occurred naturally in abundance in the past. However, locals did not understand their uniqueness and importance in research. When the flowers were in the bud stage, they would kick them about like a soccer ball!
The flower also gives off a pungent smell, much like rotten meat. But this time we did not smell it, could be due to the wind direction. Still, if the flower is in bloom, do drop by a take a look. Helps in preservation by contributing to the locals, and also gives you an experience to enjoy the largest flower in bloom!
Poring Hot Springs
Next, we headed to Poring hot springs, of course, naturally occurring, where Kate enjoyed her book while dipping in the waters of the hot spring.
Tom on the other hand was given a tour by Andy on route to the Tree Top Walk.
Map of Poring Hot Springs Kota KinabaluOld bridge that linked to Poring hot springs in Kota KinabaluNew bridge (Concrete and not swaying) to Poring Hot Springs in Kota KinabaluPoring Hot Springs Kota Kinabalu where Kate dipped her feet and enjoyed a book
Kate complained about missing stoppers at the hot springs. So she had to “prey” on other visitors and as they left, Kate would “take over” their territory…
At the same time, Tom followed Andy on a little trek towards the tree top walk. It is quite steep at the beginning so make sure you anticipate this if you are going for the tree top walk.
Along the way, we saw these interesting parts of nature…
Can you see the spiderwebs galore?Ferns on top of a tree looking like an umbrella in Kota Kinabalu ForestHuge Bamboos in Kota Kinabalu Forest
Possibly the World’s largest Ants!
Furry Caterpillars emerging from beneath the leaves
First Bridge at Tree Top Walk at Kota Kinabalu
We must first state upfront that the tree top walk is not for the faint of heart. Bridges are interconnected from TREE to TREE. The bridges also sway from side to side and for tall dudes like Tom, there’s a real possibility of falling over the side. What Tom did was to bend his knees while walking such that the netting would still be at the shoulder level.
Of course, at each stop of the tree walk, you would be greeted with amazing views such as this…
View from Tree Top Walk Kota Kinabalu“Winnie the Pooh Tree” in Kota Kinabalu
Andy told us that bees build their hives on top such trees because bears are not able to climb the trunk of these trees. The smooth surface do not provide the grip for the bears, thus giving safety to the bees. If you observe closely, it is like the tree in Winnie the Pooh!
Looking down from the tree top walk at Kota Kinabalu
To give our visitors a feel of the tree top walk, here it is…
“Death Defying” Tree Top Walk!
We ventured back to Poring Hot Springs to pick Kate and left for Kipungit Waterfall. The waterfall was about 400m high and had Dr Fish as its inhabitants! Free foot spa!! Yay!
Kipungit Waterfall Kota KinabaluDr Fish feeding off dead skin on Tom’s feet at Kota Kinabalu Kitpungit Waterfalls
From there, we took a half hour ride to Fair Garden Restaurant for lunch. The food was very good and portions were great for 2 people. Best of all, it was included in the package!
Fried Rice with Soup at Fair Garden Restaurant Kota KinabaluCrispy Chicken at Fair Garden Restaurant Kota KinabaluSweet and Sour Fish at Fair Garden Restaurant Kota Kinabalu
The food was definitely Chinese restaurant standard and there were also vegetables, fruits and Chinese Tea as well.
We then headed to the Botanical Gardens where we did the forest trail, the shortest one was Silau Silau Trail (to Bukit Tupai) that took us about 40 minutes. Kate and I enjoy such trails but according to Andy, most tourists dont take these trails.
Along the way, we saw what could possibly be the world’s smallest fern!
Possibly, the world’s smallest fern found at Kota Kinabalu
Andy then led us to this roadside stall that sells black pig (RM5), it was delicious especially with the home made sauce concocted by the owners…
Black Pig BBQ at Kota KinabaluThe BBQed Black Pig with Sauce at Kota Kinabalu- Yummy!
Thanks to Andy from Exotic Borneo, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!
At night, Kate and I caught Johnny English 2 for only RM9 each!
On Sundays, there is a large market being put up by the locals in the city. Known as the Gaya Market, it offers locals and tourists alike, an avenue to shop!
Gaya Sunday Market Kota Kinabalu
We took a video for our visitors to have a feel of the market itself. There was also a musician playing on the gong which we thought was interesting…
A walk through Gaya Market
Musician on Traditional Gong at Gaya Market
Nearby, we were told that Signal Hill offered a marvelous view of Kota Kinabalu City. The starting point was at the Atkinson Clock on the top right of this picture…
Gaya Market to Atkinson Clock Kota Kinabalu
After 15 minutes, we arrived at the Atkinson Clock…
The Atkinson Clock Kota KinabaluDirection to Signal Hill Observatory Kota Kinabalu
Following the road for another 5 minutes or so, we were greeted by this view…
View of Gaya Island from Signal Hill Observatory Kota KinabaluView of City from Signal Hill Observatory Kota Kinabalu
Breathtaking View from Signal Hill Observatory
After all that walking, Kate decided to reward herself with a foot reflexology at Suria Mall. It was only RM48 for 1 hour of foot reflexology and foot bath.
We then had lunch at the famous Kuo Man restaurant of the Suria foodcourt. The beef noodles was yummy. Noodles were Q (springy) and the beef was flavourful. The view of the islands from the food court was excellent as well…
Kuo Man Restaurant Kota KinabaluBeef Noodles from Kota KinabaluView of Gaya Island with boardwalk Kota Kinabalu
Planning for the next day of island visits, we headed to the Jesselton Point
Jesselton Point Kota KinabaluView from Jesselton Jetty Kota KinabaluTicketing booths for ferries at Jesselton Point
From there, we decided to go for only Manukan Island. Gaya Island being the largest is the most touristy. So it was out for us. It was then down to Mamutik, Manukan or Sapi. Manukan and Sapi was recommended for snorkelling. So Mamutik was out. Of the 2, we chose Manukan because Sapi had deeper waters (not good from the safety point of view). So by the process of elimination, we decided to go for Manukan!
An island ferry costs RM20 per pax and costs an additional RM10 for each additional island. You would also have to pay a conservation tax of RM7.20. At the island, there is also an entrance fee of RM10 for foreigners and RM3 for locals.
In the evening, we headed back to One Borneo shopping mall for more shopping! The deals were great especially because Parkson was celebrating its anniversary and giving out crazy deals!
Parkson Department Store Kota Kinabalu
We bought shoes, pants, shirts, dresses among other things that were 70% off! In the shopping mall, there is a Giant Hypermarket as well as many other small shops for you to explore!
Giant Hypermarket Kota KinabaluCentral Atrium Kota KinabaluSouth Atrium Kota Kinabalu
Island Visit – Manukan
It was pouring in the morning and we thought that our day of island visit was over. However, the “storm” cleared and we did enjoy a sunny day at Manukan!
Got our tickets from Beach Bums to visit Manukan Island
When we bought the tickets from beach bums, lifejacket (RM5) and snorkelling sets (RM20) were also available for rent.
The ride out was a bumpy one and Kate kept holding on to Tom’s arms leaving finger marks when we arrived at Manukan!
Boat Ride to Manukan Island
Bumpy Boat Ride from Kota Kinabalu (Jesselton) to Manukan Island
Map of Manukan Island Kota Kinabalu
The island was beautiful and by the time we dipped into the water, the sun came out! The waters were clear and we were able to see the fishes and enjoy sand playing at the beach…
Jetty of Manukan Island Kota KinabaluThe Beach at Manukan Island Kota KinabaluClear Waters at Manukan Island Kota Kinabalu2bearbear.com Sand Castle at Manukan Island
On the ride back, we were also able to see Mount Kinabalu from a distance!
Mount Kinabalu on route back from ManukanClose Up View of Mount Kinabalu
After we got back, we decided to catch the sunset again this evening. We still had about an hour to spare so Kate decided to go for the classy Rafflesia Spa @ Warisan Square (RM55 + 6% tax) while Tom waited at Shamrock Pub (Irish).
Sunset from Shamrock Pub (Waterfront)Beautiful Skies as seen from Shamrock Pub Kota Kinabalu Waterfront
Beautiful Sunset – See how the colours of the skies change
Dinner was at the Irish pub as well and we enjoyed the Homemade Beef Burger and Irish Stew (RM30 each).
Homemade Beef Burger Shamrock Irish Pub Kota KinabaluIrish Stew with Sides Shamrock Irish Pub Kota Kinabalu
The next day was a chill out at the pool for us. All in all, it was a thoroughly enjoyable trip to Kota Kinabalu. Check out all these things to do and attractions in Kota Kinabalu and be sure to leave your comments back here!
We shall now leave you with a view from the our Silkair flight as we left the Kota Kinabalu International Airport…
View of the islands from the plane (Sunset Included)
deal.com.sg, goCrazy.com.sg, gobbler.com.sg, groupon.com.sg etc etc etc…there are so many online discount coupon/vouchers sites these days! Initially Tom and I were skeptical about these so-called “good deals” and we were worried about pushy sales people, so we let these deals slipped by. But one night as I was bored and surfing the internet to pass time, I came across this “$199 2D1N Philea Resort” deal. The photos of the resort look really inviting and I decided to check out the resort’s official website. Philea Resort was completed and officially opened in August 2010. Since it is still fairly new (it was Feb 2011 when we checked out the resort), we decided to book a weekend trip to Philea Resort Malacca in May 2011.
Philea Resort Malacca (Melaka) – Doesnt it look inviting
Our experience was marred by a 2 hour traffic jam at the Malaysia customs, and we arrived at the resort at about 3pm instead of the scheduled time of 1pm. We were hot and tired after the long bus ride but thankfully the check-in was smooth and there were welcome drinks and cold towels that quenched our thirst and refreshed us.
Refreshing drinks at the lobby of Philea Resort MelakaBuggy that transported us around the Philea Hotel
The hotel staff then helped us put our bags onto a buggy (is it pronounced as “Bud-gy” or “Buggie”?) and drove us to our room. On our way up, we could see the landscape of the resort, the tranquil swimming pool, and the spa facilities. We quickly settled into our room, checked out the amenities in the room (free pretty slippers!), and head down to the pool for a swim.
Front of our “cottage” roomBathtub Philea MelakaRain Shower Philea Resort MelakaCoffee Tea and Mineral Water in the roomThe inviting and comfortable bed! Philea Resort MelakaSculptured Lamp Shades in the room that depicts famous attractions in Melaka (Malacca)Bathroom Amenities!Waterfall Feature by the Pool Philea MelakaOpposite the Waterfall – Chill out lounges Philea Resort MelakaFront View of the Waterfall – Chillax by the pool Philea Resort Malacca
As it was a Saturday night, there was a seafood buffet dinner deal! Only RM69++ (approx $33SGD) per pax! The spread was awesome (esp the desserts for me, and the seafood for Tom), and we ate so much that we could hardly move. We even able to eat 2 whole snappers by ourselves and it was fresh and tasty! The BBQ corner also included other seafood such as prawn and crayfish. Yum! The quiet stroll back to our room on a cool night aided with the digestion, and we enjoyed the peaceful evening away from the crowded city life.
Table Setting at the buffetCooked Food SpreadCharming appetisers Philea Resort MelakaSeafood Spread + BBQ area with grilled snapper, crayfish at Philea Resort MelakaChocolate Fondue Philea Resort MalaccaDesserts!Complimented with fruits
The next morning, we woke up early to walk around the resort and take in the fresh air. Soon we were hungry and we made our way to the restaurant where the breakfast buffet (included in the package) is served. Once again, the variety of food made us happy. With chefs at the different stations to cook roti prata, waffles and pancakes on the spot, and the spread from an international buffet, we were really spoiled for choice
Roof with Water Feature at Philea Resort MelakaPhilea Resort Melaka Breakfast BuffetMore Food!Pastries and Yoghurt
After breakfast, we lazed by the pool and got a nice tan. It was a relaxing weekend, and we were all ready to conquer another week at work!
P.S Go visit Philea while it is still rather new and clean!
P.P.S Remember to plan activities for the bus trip eg card games or dvd to watch in case you get stuck in a unexpected traffic jam.
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So we caught the overnight seater and arrived early on Saturday morning. It was about 5 am and the bus was already ascending the Cameron Highlands. At about 6:30am, we reached the town and were given the short break to have our breakfast. We had our usual fill (2nd time to Cameron) of Wan Ton noodles and hopped back to the bus where they took us to our hotel – Strawberry Park Hotel
Strawberry Park Hotel
I used to think that the Strawberry Park Hotel either grows strawberries or is very near a strawberry garden. Neither of which was there. However, it is a quaint hotel with french architecture. It really just offers tranquility and peace of mind when you enter the hotel.
The hotel seemed a little old on the outside. But as we entered the rooms, it offered a whole new perspective to us. The view from the balcony offered lush greenery while the entrance of our room had views of the highland.
The bed was big and comfy. The best part of it was that the bathroom was HUGE. The bathtub was located right in the middle with showers and toilet located behind. Facilities include a playground as well as an indoor heated pool. It was really clean and offered “country-club” like facilities at the bathrooms. The pool stared out at the garden and was a good place to chillax.
We quickly unpacked and headed out for our first stop – Ee Feng Bee Centre
Ee Feng Bee Centre
We joined a mini tour from our tour agency – Titiwangsa. The driver took us to Ee Feng Bee Centre and we were given free time ourselves to roam about. We were able to have up close view of the bees while the bees busied themselves with gathering of the pollen.
Butterfly Garden
The next stop was the butterfly garden. It was an interesting experience as it was the first time that I saw so many butterflies all in an enclosure. There were in fact so many of them that many were just crawling all over the floor. Be careful not to step on them! We also saw a koi feasting on one of them…ew…
Next, the guide at the butterfly garden took us to see some exotic insects. They included stick insects (really have to stare hard to locate them), lizards as well as scorpions! The pictures will show you the guide ‘playing’ with the scorpion and placing it on other tourists.
Strawberry Garden
There are several strawberry gardens in the highlands and the next stop was at one of them. There was a choice of picking strawberries with a given fee. Kate and I were not keen to eat that many strawberries, so we settled for a yummy strawberry milk shake and bought some jams as well. It was nice to observe the strawberry as well as its flowers in its natural form. The guide even teach you how to correctly pluck the strawberries.
Rose Centre
The Rose Centre should be biggest exhibit on show. There are so many kinds of flowers and cacti here. We spotted several unique flowers like the horse-shoe flower as well as the “butterfly” petals (you have to take 2 of it to form a butterfly)
Roses were blossoming prettily and the sunflowers were as large as the palm of my hand! We also climbed to the viewing point and had a spendid view of the city. Warning : The climb can be exhausting.
T-Cafe
In the evening, we took a stroll down the hills to the town nearby to enjoy desserts at T-cafe (located above Marybrown). We ordered Tom Yam Bee Hoon and Claypot Kway Teow as mains. Apple juice and mango lassi as drinks. They were quite enjoyable, but what we were really after was the dessert. We ordered the chocolate cake which was rich and creamy, the apple pie that was how an apple pie should be, as well as the strawberry scone, a nice addition to the meal.
We went to the cab stand nearby and took a short ride back. Literally because the driver was a hell-rider who charged at every curve on the way back. We had to hold on to our seats as we swayed side to side. We were back within 4 minutes flat.
Breakfast
Breakfast at Strawberry Park Hotel was enjoyable. The chef made prata fresh on the spot. Each time he serves his lot, the guests would clear it. I had to order several in advance. They were crispy yet delectable. Together with the curry, it was a oh so awesome!
Kuala Lumpur City
We then proceeded for the next part of our trip to KL city. We stayed at the Swiss Garden Hotel and were presently surprised by its stylish contemporary deco. We ventured out to the city in the evening but encountered a short downpour. So we hid ourselves at Nando’s and had unlimited drinks with a spicy mango burger.
The rain subsided and we began shopping nearby. Soon it was time for dinner and we had claypot rice as well as some satay. Street hawker food is still the best!
The next day, we ventured out to KLCC and had an excellent view of the Petronas Towers (See slide show). There was also opportunity to shop at KLCC as well as the surroundings. We rounded off the evening with more hawker food such as popiah and char kway teow.
He says : I particularly enjoyed the fresh air of the highlands. It is so relaxing just to breathe in the fresh air and leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind. Views of the Petronas Towers were also magnificent up close.
She says: I love the cheap malaysian street food and the shopping!!!
Berjaya Hills is located near to KL and Genting Highlands. It is about 800m above sea level (Genting is about 2000m) . Hence, the drive up the hill is relatively smooth and short compared to the long and windy roads of Genting. The drive up the hill from the main road is only about 15 mins.
The entire development is done up by the Berjaya Group and currently consists of the Colmar Tropicale, Golf/Country Club, Rabbit Farm, Horse Trail as well as the Japanese/Botanical Garden. The Chateau (A French themed resort and spa) will be opening in July and there are also talks of a German, Italian and Spanish themed resorts.
The temperature is about low to mid 20s though it may reach about 30 degrees on hot days.
Souvenier shop and carriageMorning view from 3rd level of towerColmar TropicaleMore koi with mini waterfallJapanese Garden Colmar Tropicale Berjaya HillsColmar Tropicale Berjaya Hills
Japanese and Botanical Gardens
Cost : Free
One of our favourite attractions at Berjaya Hills has got to be the Japanese Garden. As the roads were under construction, the shuttle from the resort dropped us off a distance from the gardens itself. The beginning of the walk was a 45degrees inclined path which exhausted us quite a bit (or at least Tom). However, if you tread the path slowly, you would enjoy the scenery of the hills, the overhanging trees and the birds.
The gardens are filled with Japanese themed plants and flowers. Pebbles lined the pathway. Heading towards the Japanese teahouse, we were pleasantly surprised by the koi fish pond as well as the gentle streams and mini falls. The sounds of the water really together with the serenity of the gardens really does allow one to unwind.
Along the way there is a spa as well as a guest house. We think that the prices are quite exorbitant but still the architecture adds genuine flavour to the gardens.
The Japanese gardens is linked to the botanical gardens via a short walkway. For the botany enthusiasts, you will find that the plants are labelled meticulously, some with their scientific names. The entire walk, at a leisure pace will take about an hour or so. Do take your time to enjoy the sights and sounds of the nature!
Horse Trail
Cost : 1 hour trail costs 100RM on weekdays and 120RM on weekends
It was the first time that we rode a horse. Hence, Wan (the receptionist @ the Horse Trail) recommended that we had a half hour introduction to riding before half an hour on the roads. We gladly accepted his recommendation and we never regretted it.
The first half hour was basically about confidence building. When you first mount the horse, you will feel a little tensed. After the introduction, we all felt quite relaxed and had a great time on the trail.
The introduction covered riding (riding in circles within a pen while the horses trotted) without hands, without legs and without hands and legs. After which, the sequence was repeated without hands while the horse galloped. We were also taught how to angle our heels and be at at standing position such that when the horse is climbing up a slope, we sort of ease the burden on the horse a little.
After the introduction, we were relaxed and confident about riding our horses (mine was called Miss Penelope while Kate’s was called Indiana Rose). The trail took us out on the main road for about 2 kilometres or so and we were able to just chat and enjoy the scenery that Berjaya Hills had to offer.
On a side note, the rabbit farm was close by and it costs only 3RM for entry. We peered in from the outside and saw that the kids were thoroughly enjoying themselves. A recommended place for family time.
Golf/ Country Club
Although we are not golf enthusiasts, we can see that the condition of the golf course was quite well maintained. It should be a place that golfers will enjoy. The club house offers archery, billiard, bowling, squash, tennis, swimming and badminton.
But the highlight of the country club (at least for us) has got to be the cafe! This is because, up on the hills at Tropicale, the restaurants charge exorbitant prices (A large pizza costs 36RM while the buffet was 55RM++) At the cafe of the clubhouse, the jumbo hotdog that comes with fries and salad costs only 11RM! Noodles and rice were about 13RM.
Colmar Tropicale
We stayed in a 2BR suite and had views of the hills and swimming pool. The view of the ‘main street’ (about 100 metres of it) is really modelled/inspired by the French town of Colmar. At the end of the ‘main street’ is a tower, overlooking the hills, golf course and resort itself. Here is a video of it…
There is even complimentary acrobatics as well as magic shows at several timings throughout the day!
Our Take
He says: I have thoroughly enjoyed the trip especially the walk through the gardens. Breathing in the fresh air of the hills and taking in the greenery does relaxes the soul. I also enjoyed the horse trail and learning how to ride a horse. Since I drive, Im also glad that the drive uphill was actually only about 15 mins…phew…
She says: I enjoyed the cool weather and the landscape of the hills. I think I had enough pastries for the remaining half of the year. I was scared to ride the horse but Im glad I did it in the end as it was actually quite fun!
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Colmar Tropicale Berjaya Hills
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