Malaysia - Thailand - Cambodia 4x4 Cross Countries Expedition in Year 2002

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Recently, I found back some of the essays. Those essays are written by my siblings or me during secondary school or primary school time. It is very interesting to read back our expedition. We joined this expedition with Penang 4x4 Adventure Club.  This is one of the best adventure in my life. We drove all the way from Johor Bahru to Cambodia. Yes,  TRAVEL BY ROAD. It is an experience once in my life time.

Thanks you parents for giving us such wonderful experience. The cost of this expedition was unknown. I was only Form 3 students in 2002. I only know to eat, sleep and play to the fullness.

Mitsubishi Pajero was a wonderful car. I really miss the  time travel with family members with this great car. 

Malaysia-Thailand-Cambodia Expedition 
Author: Ler 

Day 1 (20 December 2002)
We met at Makro which situated in Butterworth at 10.30am. After having some refreshments, we convey to Surathanni. It was a long journey and we reach there at about 8.00pm. My cousin took us to a restaurant for dinner. We managed to have a nice and proper dinner although we have difficulty to communicate with the waitress.

Day 2 (21 December 2002)
We went to Prachup Khiri Khan. Prachup Khiri Khan is a small village beside a beach. The scenery there is as beautiful as paradise. We spent about 40 minutes on taking pictures with those fascinated scenery. We had our dinner at a famous Tew Chew restaurant at Hua Hin. At 9.00pm, we convey to the city of angel, Bangkok. The traffics there were very busy although it was nearly midnight when we reach there.

Day 3 (22 December 2002)
After breakfast, we went to Sunday Market by taxi. This market is as big as 7 football field. We are unable to walk to all stall around the market before we went back to hotel. Sill, we managed to get some nice, new clothes which cost less than 10 baht.

Day 4 (23 December 2002)
We went for city tour on coach. We went to the floating market. Not much things are sold there. Even the tourist boats are more than the sellers’ boat. Next, we went to Wat Arun, a temple. It is an old but beautiful temple. After lunch, we went to rose garden. We went to see the Thai cultural show and elephants’ show. We were “trapped” in the Bangkok traffic jam and we had to cancel our trip to the Four-faced Buddha. At night, we went to the paper doll show. We were tired when we went back to our hotel at night.

Day 5 (24 December 2002)
We went to M.B.K, the largest shopping center in Thailand. We managed to do some last minute shopping here as this will be the last day we stayed in Bangkok. At night, we went to German Beer House for dinner and also Christmas Eve Celebration.

 Day 6 (25 December 2002)
 We convey to Poipet, the border of Cambodia. Unfortunately, we failed to get into Cambodia as the custom had already closed. So, we had to stay at Arrayaphatet.

 

4x4 cross countries expedition. It is a lifetime memory.

 Day 7 (26 December 2002)
We managed to get into Cambodia but not our cars. So we had to stay in Holiday Palace, a hotel in Poipet.

 Day 8 (27 December 2002)

We convey to Siam Reap. The road which leads to Siam Rip was very rough and dusty. I had a terrible time.

 Day 9 (28 December 2002)
We went to one of the 7 wonders of the world- Ang Kor Wat. It’s old, big and beautiful with some mysterious sound, wind. After a simple lunch, we convey to Phon Penh, the capital city of Cambodia. WE reach there late at night.

Day 10 (29 December 2002)
We went for city tour with a coach. In the torturing museum, we get to know the bad side about human beings, how cruel they are….. After lunch, we went to the Grand Palace. There are Buddha statues made of gold, diamond, silver and jade. After visiting Grand Palace, we went to Phon Phen for shopping. We had pool side dinner at night.

 Day 11 (30 December 2002)
We went back to PoiPet after breakfast.

 Day 12 (31 December 2002)
From PoiPet, we went back to Surathanni

 Day 13 (1 January 2003)
We managed to do some last minute shopping in Suratthanni. Then, we went back to Bukit Kayu Hitam. We stayed overnight at our aunt’s house.

Day 14 (2 January 2003)
We depart early in the morning and reach JB at 4.00pm

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We are very proud to drive our national car, Peroduo Kembara to Cambodia. I think we are the first Malaysia produced car to reach Cambodia. It is quite a good car but too oil consumption. 

 A trip to Thailand-Cambodia 
Author: One of the siblings

We flag off at the shopping at Penang MAKRO. We drive all the way to Thailand-Surattani. We stayed in Wang Tai Hotel. On the next day, we drive all the way to Hua-Hin. We ate at a famous Teoh Chew restaurant. After dinner, we drive all the way to Bangkok, city of angel. We spend 4 days in Bangkok.

 On the first day, we went to the biggest fashion market (Sunday market) in Thailand. On the second day, we went to the floating market. After that, we ate Thai food for lunch. After lunch, we go to Rose Garden. We watch the Traditional show and the Elephant show. On the third day, we go out on city tour. On the fourth day, we depart to Cambodia. We played at the Casino in Pot Pet. The next day, we go to Noghn Phon.

The next day, we go to the capital of Cambodia, Phon Pet. We spent there for two days then one day.

The next morning, we go city tour. We go back to Thailand the next day. We celebrate New Year at Surattani. The next day, we go home.

 Custom of Cambodia and Thailand

 PS: no sentences structures or grammar was changes to keep the originality of the essay. 

Disclaimer:
All characters accidentally or intentionally  in the photos are censored due to copy right and respect to them.

PCS Farewell Dinner @ Thistle Hotel,Johor Bahru

18 August 2013

More detail of the dinner can be view from UTM MBA Study Journey

 

Table Setting 

Our class have the chance to practice table etiquette. 

 Appetizer

The bread is warm. The crust is hard but the bun is very soft. Bread tear into small pieces then spread some butter. put the small pieces in mouth and chew it. This is the correct way to eat bread.

 Ham and Vegetable Salad

Shrimp Cocktail with Bouquet Coleslaw & Garlic was supposed to be served. However, I have certain seafood allergic. The captain was kind enough to change the appetizer for me. The cherry tomato is very sweet and delicious.

Creme of Tomato Infused with Lemongrass

The soup is very thick. It is just cover with a thin layer of creme. I not sure how they cook the soup till so thick. It is not that sour but with a bit of spice taste. 

Pan Fried Atlantic Salmon serve with roesti potatoes saute vegetable and balsamic & glazed garlic sauce.

The portion of fish is very big. Most of the girls could not finish this dish. I found the salmon a bit too dry. The pan fried vegetable is great. I was delight with the fried spinach texture. It is very crispy. 

Vanilla Creme Brulee. A classical creme brulee with assorted fruits

Nothing to shout about. I prefer creme brulee to be more smooth. I admire the peach slice. It was beautifully cut.

Total cost for this event is RM150.

Thistle Hotel

Halal

Jalan Sungai Chat

80100 Johoor Bahru,

Johor

San Lou Seafood Restaurant @ Taman Pelangi, Johor Bahru

13 August 2013

 Today, this restaurant is packed with customers. The restaurant is not able to service the customers fast. This may be due to 七夕节 or Chinese Valentine day. Lots of families come out to have good meal.

This restaurant is famous out its fried mee hoon. I think most of the Johorean and Singaporeans knew this shop well for its famous dry fried mee hoon. It is very hard for me to describe the taste of this fried mee hoon. You must try it yourselves to understand it.

 Wild Boar Curry RM22.00

This dish is fantastic. I never tried wild boar meat that is so tender. Mum mentioned that the tenderness do not give her a hard time to chew .

 Salad You Tiao RM10.00

This is very crispy. 

Teow Chew Yam RM 16.00

We are quite taken back by the taste. It has fried onion oil smell in the yam dessert. This is quite unusual or unique. EH, brother and me totally can not accept this taste.

We also ordered 2 vegetable dishes, a pot of Chinese tea and 2 bowls of rice. The bill is RM99.50.  I wish the restaurant can improve on its service in near future.

San Lou Sea food Restaurant

Non-Halal

Jalan Biru, Taman Pelangi,

80400 Johor Bahru,

Johor

07-332 3869 / 07-3343623

Just Want Coffee @ Taman Molek and The Garden, Johor Bahru

* Both cafes are closed in 2014

It is interesting for us to visit the same cafe, different locations for 2 consequence  days. I do not drink coffee. The coffee review is done my boyfriend, CS. He is a coffee lover. Sometime, I found his taste is to be biased. He prefer the latte with coffee. He like his coffee with lots of milk.

9 August 2013  Taman Molek Branch.

We were misled by GPS. We spent around 45 minutes to locate this shop.

Tofu Cheese Cake RM9.00

The cheese cake is really soft. It is very delicious.

We ordered a lemon grass tea RM11.50 and Just Columbia coffee RM13.00. The tea served here is much bigger cup than The Garden branch. 

I lost the receipt of this branch.

Just Want Coffee, Taman Molek
2, Jalan Molek 1/5C,
Taman Molek,
81100 Johor Bahru

The employees of Just Want Coffee are great. They even have a short firm to promote

10 August 2013  Taman Setia Indah Branch Taman JP Perdana Branch


It is known as Just Want Coffee The Garden. I seen this concept in Korea before. It supposed to let the customers to relax and enjoy coffee in the garden environment.

The boss is very clever. He used the previous show house unit and developed it into a cafe. Some simple renovation and design really bring out the garden feel.

Frankly speaking, the cafe inside is relatively narrow. If not mistaken this is a 18 x 65 sq house (i just estimate or agak-agak). The exterior compound is big. Only left side of the house have table and chair. On the right hand side is for side viewing. The second floor is not yet open yet. I think it will be great to drink tea on the balcony. However, The path way lead to second floor is relatively small. Not sure will Malaysia fire department approve their second floor premise.

I have a soft spot for flower arrangement. This is so simple and nice. It added a bit nature on the wood table.

Tiramisu RM13.00

CS like the Tiramisu. I still prefer Su Chan Tiramisu.

Apple Tea RM8.00

Blue Berry Cheese Cake RM9.00

The cafe focuses on coffee not tea. The design of the tea set was great. However, I prefer the fruit tea serve with fruit. I wish there is a thin slide of apple in the tea too.  The blue berry cheese cake has nothing to shout about.  The tea sold at  THe Garder branch is much more cheaper compared to Taman Molek branch.

Hot Original Latte RM9.50

CS like this drink. To add on, the cafe has a rule. All customers are compulsory to order at least one drink. This was not seen in Taman Molek branch. 

The weather is dim. Most of the customers stay outdoor for their drink.

I need to add another praise. The signboard to the cafe along the road is very directive and informative. It is not blocked by any trees. The cafe have ample of car parks behind the cafe. Yet visitors still like to simply park around the road side. I found it an eyesore. I just try to capture a nice photos but the car was at the background. It affect the visual feel. Hopefully, visitors will understand and park at designated area.(Malaysians been Malaysians, we park as we like.)

Just Want Coffee

PTD 88357, Bandar Jaya Putra Perdana,

Mukim Tebrau

81100 Johor Bahru

Fatbook even create a short intro for them. I been following Fatbook since it started up on Facebook.

This video is great too. Although I read BL(Boy Love) manga, the video is very hilarious. 

Comparison
The Garden branch is famous for its design and concept. Therefore, more visitors will visit this branch.

 Some review stated that the service at The Garden Branch is not that great. I do not agree on that. The Garden Branch have 12 crews while Taman Molek Branch have 6 crews. The Garden Branch have enough crews to serve the customers there. The problem is coffee making and waffle workstation. As I observed, 90% of their customer ordered coffee as beverage. Only 2 crews make coffee. There is only one professional coffee machine. That is the reasons for slow serving. Unlike my cup of tea, tea was served faster than coffee. From 4.45 pm to 5.30 pm, I realized that I am the only one out of 30++ customers order tea.

To add on, The Garden Branch has a unique rule. On its menu, it was clearly stated that every customer MUST order one beverage.  I think due to its popularity, such rule are needed for business purpose.

Weekend and public holiday will be  the busiest days for the cafe. I do not see any dissatisfaction from the crew. They keep the work tempo well. Another difference in the crew of the 2 branches is the age range. The Garden Branch crews are mostly  secondary school students working part time. Taman Molek crews are more professional and able to answer our questions well.

Comparing the 2 branches, we prefer Taman  Molek branch. It served more dishes and coffee. Its environment is more quiet. I don't think we will visit The Garden Branch again until some friends requested us to bring.

Warakuya Japanese 和乐屋 @ Taman Pelangi, Johor Bahru

10  August 2013

Jalan Kuning 2, Taman Pelangi is like a street of with various type of food. It has various restaurants.  For example, Taiwan food, three to four Japanese restaurant, one Italian finest food restaurant and some pubs.

 Previously, I was quite disappointing with Niyumaru Restaurant. This time we try out some new Japanese restaurant.

 Salmon Mentai Yaki RM22.90

This is fully recommended by CS and me. The salmon was slightly pan fried to add some crispiness on it skin. A layer of prawn eggs mixed with mayonnaise is spread evenly on the surface of salmon slide. On the menu, it mention as salmon sandwich. From the top, layer of prawn mayonnaise, salmon slide, 2 pieces of smoke duck, one slide of cheese and delicious mashed potato. The brown sauce below is the sweetened version of soy sauce. The combination is very good.

 Warakuya Salad RM9.90

I like this dish. It have pickled jelly fish, tempura fried sweetened pieces, raw salmon, green weed, mango and lots of cabbage . 

Smoke Duck Maki RM 22.90

Yes, Most of the food we order have smoked duck in it. CS love to eat duck. This is the first Japanese restaurant we found them served duck meat. I not so into the smoked duck meat. I admire the chef's  knife skill. The mango is slided very thin. The mango sweetness is a perfect match with the salty smoke duck. CS strongly recommended this dish too.

Smoke Duck Ramen RM17.90

I forgot to take this dish photo. I was too happy eating the salad and totally forget about it. The soup is fine but not that impressive to attract our attention. 

Total cost for this meal is RM81.00

PS: Due to some technical error, most the photo seem quite blur. CS took better photos than me. He used flash and have unshaken hand. Hmm May be can request him to be my food photographer. So I can enjoy my food while he take photo. muahahahah

Warakuya Japanese

Non-Halal

43, Jalan Kuning 2, 

Taman Pelangi,

80400 Johor Bahru