Discover Cu Chi Tunnel

"What is the road name?" belong to the meaning of "Cu Chi" in Vietnamese language as told by the tour guide when we visited Cu Chi tunnel. Cu Chi tunnel is a MUST visit place when you travel to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). This place symbolize the Vietnamese people's determination, wisdom and heroism during Vietnamese War.

Cu Chi tunnel is an "underground system of tunnel deeply located in the ground bed with numerous floors, several deviated alley like a cobweb over 200km long". It is located approximate 70km away from HCMC. The tunnel were used by Communist guerrilla troops or Viet Cop as hideouts during combat, house troops, transport communication and suppliers. 

You can have some idea on how extensive the network running underneath the Cu Chi district northwest of Saigon is from the picture below:

The tunnels were dug by hand and it was amazing! Around 30ft deep and stretch for around 200km... Inside the tunnels were functioning as underground cities including numerous trap doors, living areas, weapons factories, hospital, kitchens and command centers. The living spaces inside the tunnels is no more than a few feet. When we experienced squeezing into the maze of tunnels, my leg felf cramp and tired. Just imagine and picture how Viet Cop once stayed there for few months!

  

There are many traps created by Viet Cop and you will be also surprised to see the tactics used by Viet Cop during the combat. One of it is the shoes wear by the Viet Cop is done by tires, they can wear it another way round to confuse their enemies so that the road they are heading is opposite direction. 

It is interesting to learn the history of the Cu Chi tunnels, it is a good place for us to look back on history - scarified and war. We are now find hard to imagine the destruction and damage over this place caused by bombs and mines. But what I would like to say is "I Enjoy the Peace Now".

  

  

Phang Nya Bay, Phuket

When you travel to Phuket, one scenic view you shouldn’t miss will be Phang Nya Bay tour.

I have planned it as one of my main traveling agenda, when people approached me from the airport, me and my friend just purchased the tour package directly. Comparison, it is more expensive (1800 baht) than others local travel agencies which you can find in the tourist area you are staying, but I think is still worth it cause not much people in the boat and you will have plenty place to enjoy the view.

Khao Phing-Khan is a famous landmark when you choose Phang Nya Bay tour. You might have no idea on this name, but James Bond Island is a much popular name for tourism as this place is features in James Bond’s movie “The man with the golden gun” around 20 years ago.

Khao Phing-Khan is special because it “formed from a crack and slide of rock due to the gravity faults. As the base of rock was scoured out by the torrent the upper rock became heavy and slide down to rest in a leaning position.”

Kayaking is another main activity for the whole tour where it allows you to have a close-up view on the amazing of natural formation - limestone cliffs and caves. Stalactites and stalagmites… but all I can tell it is so precious that we should protect this thousand year’s natural formation. It is really an eye opener for me especially when we have to lean down in our canoe and travel into the inner cave.

Dark, murky and humid… this is what I can tell when we reached the inner cave. It reminds me on a terrifying true story movie “Black Water”. It seems like the huge crocodile was hiding inside the muddy water waiting to attack us!  (Haha, my imagination is great!) Anyway it is really an amazing journey. 

Be aware of AES!

When we send our brother and sister to LCCT airport, we decided to drive to KLCC. On our way backed from KLIA or LCCT, passing through the toll plaza, the road sign clearly indicated KLCC sign on the right hand side, and we decided gave it a try instead of the left hand road which we are normally used.

In the half way, we lose the sign of KLCC and the sign board showed us Seremban. OMG! We are so frustrated and thinking where does this road bring us to? Is there any U-turn available? Then only we realized this road brought us to the Nilai exit which is more further from another road. 

Yes, this is Nilai Utara exit, where when you turn out from the road you can see the memorial park. Then you will continue back to the North-South Express highway. When we passed by the Nilai/ Bangi area, we saw the light flashing from the road side although we only drove 100km/j. Firstly, we thought the Automated Enforcement System (AES) was not flashing at us, but only later we realized the speed at this road is 90km/j.  

I don't understand why 90km/j was instilled in the highway? I still can remember well on one of the radio advertisement mentioned that the changing speed in the highway make people very tension and it encourage us to drink a cup of the "brand" coffee to wake up and noticed it! So creative. How can we not be so tension, if the road sign can be improved! Really hope Malaysia can improve it especially for its tourism business.   

Kuantan, Malaysia

It has been some months I didn't update my blog, therefore, this Chinese New Year I decided to pay a visit to Kuantan when I followed my husband back to his hometown in Gambang. Gambang is located  approximate of 40 minutes drive away from Kuantan city, the most famous tourism spot in Gambang will be the Bukit Gambang Resort.

If you are planning to visit other state in Malaysia during Chinese New Year, please avoid Chinese New Year or Hari Raya eve for traveling, cause most of us (all races) will back to hometown at the same time and the traffic is heavy. 

When we think of Kuantan, normally we will link to the beaches and sunrise where in the west of Peninsular Malaysia we seldom  have the chance to see it. But recently, when we mentioned about Kuantan, we will think of "Stop  Lynas, save Malaysia" campaign. According to news, there is an airborne monitoring system (AMS) installed at the district police station to gauge the radiation level in Kuantan town. But unfortunately, I didn't pay attention when I passed by the town.

Teluk Cempedak is the most popular tourism attraction in Kuantan, and it is located 5 km east from the town. It is facing the South China Sea and due to raining the water sport activities are not allowed during our visit. If not, you can enjoy swimming, surfing, sun-bathing, sailing and jet skiing. Besides, you also can enjoying jungle trekking and observe the rainforest of Malaysia, or enjoying local or fast foods with sea breeze. 

Not to forget your cup of local coffee either in Kemaman Kopitiam or Hai Peng Kopitiam before you leave Kuantan. Due to holiday season, Hai Peng Kopitiam is closed. We managed to drop by the Kemaman kopitiam for a cup of Kemaman white coffee and stuff crab. It was enjoyable.

 

What to SEE in Melaka

Melaka places of interest are very concentrated around the area of Melaka river in Jalan Kota. You can just stay nearby the hotel or park your car near A Famosa. Within walking distance you can visit most of the places of interest below except King's Well and Poh Sang Teng Temple which located nearby Bukit Cina.

1. Porta de Santiago

This fortress was built by Portuguese in early 16th century. It was one of the four main gateways into the Portuguese fortress of A Famosa. The construct of A Famosa was to prevent frequent attacked from Sultan Mahmud's followers, Acheh and Johor over century. But unfortunately, the British destroyed it due to fear of it being used against them after Melaka handed back to Dutch in 1795. Only Porta de Santiago remains till today.   

2. St. Paul's Church

A ruin church situated on top of Saint Paul Hill, originally was a chapel built by Portuguese, also name as Our Lady of Grace. But when Dutch overtook Malacca in 1641, the Dutch converted the chapel to St. Paul Church and the name remain until today. Until British took over, the tower of the church was destroyed, and it became the storehouse for British gun power.

 
3. Stadthuys & Christ Church Melaka

The Stadhuys (red square) was the Municipal Hall in Dutch. It took almost 20 years to complete it, today it is the history, ethnography and literature museum. The maroon colour was not the originally paint of the building, instead they were faced with brick. 

  

Christ Church was built by Dutch in year 1753 to celebrate their 100 years occupation in Melaka. This church took around 12 years to complete, the wooden ceiling beams, each cut from a single tree, to the elaborately hand-carved pews and frieze of "The Last Supper".

4. Cheng Hoon Teng Temple

The oldest functioning temple in Malaysia, constructed in year1673. It is a Chinese temple that practicing three doctrinal system of Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism. In the central of altar is dedicated to Kuan Yin (God of Mercy), Ma Choo on the left and Kuan Kong on the right. It is located near to Kampung Kling Mosque and Sri Poyatha Moorthi Temple.

5. Melaka River

Melaka river was once an important trading places between East and West during 15th century.You can take a boat ride to experience the previous glamorous of Melaka where the river has been clean up and rehabilitated.

6. King's Well & Poh San Teng Temple

The King's well also known as "Hang Li Po" well. It was constructed during the reign of Sultan Mansur Shah (1458 - 1477) for his wife, Hang Li Po who came from China.The water in the well will never dry out even with severest of droughts and according to folklore, who ever drink from well will return to Melaka. 

Immediately adjacent to King's well is Po San Teng Temple. Some people mentioned that this temple is associated with admiral Cheng Ho, a Ming-dynasty navigator. But there are no evidence to prove that.  

7. Jonker Street
This is the best place for you to buy souvenir in Melaka, you must also tried Chicken Rice balls and Durian Cendol in here.

Melaka, the Historic City

Melaka and George Town was recently inscribed on UNESCO’s world heritage list for being the historic cities of the Strait of Malacca that have developed over 500 years of trading and cultural exchanges between East and West. 

If you browse through Melaka history, the earliest three periods that had great impacted on Melaka especially in architecture where the historical buildings are still remained today is as follows:

Being a strategic location between East and West, Malacca was once a prosperous, civilization city and important conduit for trade during 15th century. But after the fallen of Malacca into the hand of British, Malacca was no longer an important trading port and it was overtook by Singapore's growing opulent and became one of the world international trading port.

Melaka today is the important tourism spot in Malaysia that rich with historical and multicultural. It is located just two hours drive from Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. This is a place you must visit when you travel in Malaysia.

Where to SHOP in BEIJING

1. Wangfujing
One of the famous shopping streets located in Dongcheng district. Surrounded by shopping malls, shop lots and a snack street in the hutongs of the main streets. Read more... 

2. Sanlitun Village

The combination of leisure, shopping, dining, arts and entertainment in this village provide you a shopping-as-entertainment experience. The playful architecture with cosmopolitan feel stands out this village compare to other more traditional design of shopping centers in the area. You can find famous international brands here. 

3. Yashow Clothing Market

This market is located next to Sanlitun Village, compare to Silk Market, this place is much cheaper if you know how to bargain hardly. Try to slash 75% of the retail price provided by the sellers, because normally they will give a high price in upfront.

  

4. Silk Market

This is one of the Beijing's most famous indoor shopping market for tourist. You can bargain aggressively for stuffs such as garments, shoes, bags, watches and fabrics here... But I still find it more expensive than Yashow Clothing Market.

5. Nan Lou Gu Xiang (南 锣 鼓 巷)
This is one of the shopping streets I like where you can experience the Hutong culture, specialty shops and distinctive foods. Located around the area of Bell & Drum tower. You can try the lamb kebab here...