Wow - Michaelmas term is finally over...

I can't believe we have been here just over four months. This first term seems to have simultaneously lasted a lifetime while flying by.

We now have no school till the 4th January 2015 (OMG it's been a whole year since I accepted the job!), and potentially three weeks off to explore the area. Although we are all so tired, I'm not too sure how much sightseeing we will get done. At least we all have time to relax, settle into our accommodation and get to know our house guest this holiday: Meet Toby.


It seems an age ago, in October, that we visited Kuala Lumpur for a long weekend and Langkawi during the half term holiday. Both places come highly recommended.

Exeat Weekend:

We stayed at the, centrally located, Pacific Regency Hotel (5*) along with a gang of friends. The rooms were lovely - our Premier deluxe suite was huge. And the hotel is right next door to the KL Tower (home to the 360 revolving restoran).

Throughout the weekend, we ate out in style. Night one, to celebrate Sue's birthday, at Havana Bar & Grill - lovely steak and cocktails - highly recommended.

We returned to the Pacific for a synchronized swimming session with Mrs C as team captain. Another great place to spend the evening: the roof top bar - Luna Chill Out Bar KL.

Day two, all day shopping at Suria KLCC and to break up the shopping, the boys popped to KLCC Aquaria to see the fishes, while the girls had a bit of Chinese massage and reflexology.

That evening we visited Healy Mac's Irish Bar for Sunday Roast - yum! The owner was on hand to give us lots of advice on living in KL and local places to visit. We watched the match and drank the black stuff - another quality night out in KL!

Next morning we visited Pavilion and had breakfast at La Bodega Tapas Bar. The best scrambled eggs in KL; although, they did need some coaxing to bring out more toast!

 

Exeat was soon over but before we knew it October Half term arrived.



First, we visited the Batu Caves with a visitor from the UK. One off the bucket list done.

We were robbed by the monkeys within seconds of purchasing a cold 100plus.  I'm sure the stall holder gives them the nod and the wink.  How else do they know which one, out of the hundreds of tourists, is the one with the goods?   Or they are just really good at reading body language?  











This one took this banana out of the son's hand and was eating it without pausing for breath.

Langkawi is one of the best beach holidays resorts in the world - or so I'm told. I still think Malaysia need to rethink their fly tipping penalties (bring back public flogging maybe?) and then the landscape will be a pleasure to view.

We stayed at the 5* Rebak Island Resort and wow it was the best, most perfect, most idyllic, most relaxing holiday we have ever had.

The moon deck

The pool - we didn't move far from here all week

A breathtaking beach

Sea Eagles

Transport around the resort is by golf buggy

Access to Rebak Island is by boat shuttle.

The son is getting taller than the daughter!

We only left the island to go snorkeling at Pulua Payar. Part of the Pulau Payar Marine Park, which comprises of four uninhabited islands of Payar, Lembu, Kaca and Segantang, and makes up Malaysia’s oldest Marine Park sanctuary.    We shared the water with rays, Clown fish, baby sharks, Barracuda and an abundance of other fishes.

http://www.crazybuy.my/pulau-payar-marine-park-snorkelling-package.html

We had the best few days of our time in Asia so far.  We will be back in town to visit the fishes, beaches and the Duty Free Zones - best buy of the holiday was only 40RM for 1 litre.  

  

Langkawi is a must do, if visiting south east Asia.  Don't just take it from me: The SundayTimes Travel

But, now it's back to this holiday.   We have already had 5 of our 23 days off. We will, no doubt, spend most of this holiday in shopping malls again.   

This week we visited IOI City Mall in Putrajaya.  Ate at a rib and steak joint - Morganfield's and experienced designing your own Magnum Ice cream at the Magnum Cafe.   For 30RM or 6GBP we chose the dip, sprinkle and dribble coating to three delicious Walls ice cream.  My choice was dark choc dip, raspberry, almonds and chilli sprinkle and milk choc dribble.  It was a chore to share it with Superman.

Well, just to pass the holiday away, I am planning a trip to another shopping mall tomorrow, followed by a long weekend in KL.  This time we are staying at the E&O Residences suites in central town.  All that is left now is to plan where we will eat this visit.