Maui Island 5

The final post! 

It's a beachy day, final one before we flew home the next day. 

A selfie for the last post. We went to Black Rock beach. It's crowded.

As the morning sleeps in and the afternoon comes, it got really hot. Would you rather have scorching hot weather or really cold? I would have chosen cold over hot in the past but Lord, I don't know anymore.

Yes, it's lunch time!

Then, the food.

This feels like a really Premium area. The beach is located just right in front of the hotel. This is the Kapalua Bay Beach. 

As we walk further, the path becomes rocky with lava rock formations. It's definitely a very scenic view. Also saw some interesting creatures while walking.

Next up, whale watching at Calypso Whale Watching in Wailuku where they offer snorkeling to Turtle Town apart from the whale watching excursion. We obviously did just the whale watching. I think it's about $60 per adult.

Managed to see some whales. The excitement while watching Free Willy is real.

Finally, as we approach the finishing line, the rainbow appeared. A perfect day to end the trip with, of course, we had really good food after that albeit overpriced.

Maui Island 4

It's another year, and this time I'm spending it at home. Not home home (Malaysia) but home. Since Maui Day 3, I still have a couple more to share. So, bear with me. Never have I thought that I would be going to Hawaii. It's just something I used to watch on tv, or hear about it. All the pictures below took place in Haleakala, an active shield volcano that forms 75% of Maui Island. The peak is at 10,023 feet above sea level. The most recent eruption was an estimated 600 to 400 years ago.

Anyway, Haleakala is known for their sunrise. Only limited numbers of vehicles are allowed to get in between 3am to 7am. Tickets are open 60 days prior. We tried a few days consecutively but it was all fat hopes. The window is at 5am but it's gone in minutes. It's cheap just $1.50 per vehicle, but it's impossible to secure that ticket haha. Anyway, it's not like we could get up that early to see sunrise. Since we weren't able to get the tickets, we went for sunset instead. There is no restriction or tickets for sunset, just go. But to be mindful of the crowd that's going to appear there. We went there early, got a fairly nice spot for the family. Don't forget the coat and jacket as you'll be out there for hours before the actual sunset takes place.

This was on the way up, look at this, so heavenly, like paradise.

There's me haha

Not sure if this is clear enough, look at the humans camping witnessing the beauty of nature during sunset. It's just beautiful. I have a soft spot for sunset.

Different feel but still as beautiful.

After sunset, from a different camera. If you live in a city, it's rare to see so many stars. The days when I get to see stars are long gone.

We went walking about and there is a trail, we stopped by and look at this, geez. 

 If there is an opportunity to do this, do it and don't skip. It's an experience you don't get to see everyday. Oh btw, since when do we have emojis on blogger? haha. ✌

Maui Island 3

So much has happened since my last post. US Presidential Election, the fall season came, the gray sky, as well as even South Korea's emergency declaration of martial law which was then called off a couple of hours later. It is crazy to think that something is always happening in some parts of the world at every given moment.

Since the world is going though such stressful moment, let's take a moment to go back in time, one year ago to Hawaii.

We went to the aquarium on Day 3. Spent a couple of hours there. My entire life, I was taught pronounced algae the British way. I learned from Maui Ocean Center that it is pronounced as "al-gee" lol. Location, Wailuku, Maui. Ticket priced at $45 per adult. 

Check out the deep blue sea where the sharks are. So many sharkies in here. 

All the fishies

It was rather warm in Maui. It was a really relaxing vacation. One thing to do is to book the accommodation with a beach walking distance. This beach was opposite our Airbnb. All we have to do is to cross the road. Kinda cool huh? It is to me, haha. Location: Kaipukaihina.

Selfie at the really hot beach, when the sun was right above. Isn't the smartest thing to do when your skin gets tanned really easily. Nobody believes me when I said my skin tans like the ice melts under the hot weather. 

My turn to buy dinner. This is the most creative restaurant name. It's called 'Da Kitchen.' haha.

It's been a year since, but I remember it being good, located at Kihei. Casual dining restaurant. Until next time. 

Maui Island 2

 It's been awhile since my last post on Maui Island haha.

We went to some beaches in Kihei and I saw a real big turtle right at the shore as I stood up.

Escaping the winter and enjoy the warm climate here in Maui

It is a quiet beach here, but they do not have bathroom too.

We went for lunch after that because it is time for lunch. It is apparently has good review.

Not very good lol, but if you're hungry yes lol

Did some window shopping, they have some nice stuff right there

Look at this, I think it's so cute

We had this shaved ice thingy because it's hot and humid there just like KL though not as bad. It isn't really good but that's because I came from KL. 

Dinner is a time to hunt down food, a night market kinda thing. Ah I miss going to pasar malam back home. It's the same kinda vibe but this has very limited options. It would be better if they have more.

Maui Island 1

It's year end in 2023 and everyone's traveling out of city, state or country. For us, we've decided to escape the cold and fly to Maui Island, Hawaii instead. The fire a couple of months prior was brutal, but here we are. Malaysia is too far, flight ticket was expensive. So, Hawaii it is! My skin is used to tropically hot weather (though I will still complain when it's the Malaysian hot). Yet when it's cold, I still do the same because it's too cold haha.

A very domesticated airport. The car rental was downstairs, got a car and off we went. It was late when we got back to our accommodation, or at least it's late for Seattle time (they are a few hours behind us) which makes it 19 hours time difference between Malaysia and Hawaii. haha.

Our first stop of the day is Tinroof, a take out kinda place. People can be seen waiting outside, and many of them before us. It was quite a long wait due to the amount of people so let's see if it is worth waiting. Chicken was good, shrimp was good but noodles was just okay. Portion is generally smaller and pricey though.

Venue: Tin Roof, Maui Kahului

When one goes to Hawaii, the first day itself has to include a beach right? haha. I honestly can't remember the beach name for this. 

Then, of course this, for no reason.

Without forgetting a Hawaiian drink. Well, it supposed to go with some food, poke bowl but, the pictures came out terrible due to the exposed sunlight as we were just outdoor having our lunch without any covered or shaded area. Sad.

Day 4: Langkawi

 After a year of pause, here I am back with my mannerism. And, to finish up my Langkawi postings, of course. Haha.

We had a morning drive, quite a distance away from where we stayed. We first got to Pantai Tengkorak, it was such a gem but, the mother said let's go because it's such a dodgy place. Haha. What a waste. So, we ended up here, which, isn't entirely a bad idea. We still had the beach all by ourselves, with nobody meddling our business, the wind was breezy, weather was good.

The last time I went to Langkawi, I stayed here in Tanjung Rhu which isn't entirely cheap but had a good deal. The problem with it is, it's quite a distance from everything. Well, the weather had a shift, the rain is about to arrive. Before we even left the place, the rain came, and it was pretty heavy.

Back to our area, Pantai Tengah (is it?) haha. Weather wasn't entirely ideal but it was alright to chill for a little.

The most expensive coffee I had in a long time. RM18.50 for this but I was as desperate as heck. And I lost to temptation.

It's been a long time since I flew. Before this trip, it was my business trip to The Philippines in February 2020, just before the pandemic hit. During my trip, the company had a direction to cancel all trips globally. I was so lucky that I got to go for that trip. That was, of course, my last before the pandemic said hello to the world, to us with open hands.

Places visited:

Pantai Kok

Pantai Tanjung Rhu

Pantai Tengah

Perhaps, I should start doing my story telling in Seattle sometime soon eh?

Day 3: Langkawi

It's already Day 3! Where have all the days gone by? We get older in just a glimpse, it's so scary. Anyway, let's get it started. I have not been a super fan of aquariums, it's not the first thing in my mind when I travel. Reason being, it's usually expensive for the ticket. 

Since Aquarium was located along the Pantai Cenang / Cenang beach area, we headed to this place for brekkie. Nothing fancy, nothing special, yet it's kinda pricey considering the area we were in.

An example of the penguins at the Underwater World Langkawi. Haha. Those who have senior citizens with you, there are wheelchairs available complimentary. All you need to do is to fill in a form and voila. But bear in mind that if you're alone, it might be very challenging to push up the wheelchair all by yourself. So best is to go with 2 or 3, or if there are some kind hearted passersby, why not? Local adult is at RM43 for walk-ins, and RM40 online purchase.

By the time we were done with that, it's already lunch time. We drove past this place on the way to the airport a couple of times. Go to where the crowd goes they say. But, we were wrong. I am familiar with Malay food, at least the commercialized ones, but this is not it. Everything in this picture came out wrong. We ordered ABC too because how bad can it be? Yeah, it was really bad. Ice, coloring and sugar. 

Here, an evidence of the crowd. Perhaps, this suits their local taste but really, how is it so bad? The good thing? It's by the beach haha

After that, we went back to the hotel, went for a swim before we top up calories in our stomachs again.

We were early, we had fish, vegetable, tomyum, juice and it's more economical than I expected. Ambiance was nice, service was great and attentive. Everything was delicious! At least, it made up for the horrible lunch.

 

Places visited:

Underwater World Langkawi, Pantai Cenang

Laksa Ikan Sekoq, Jalan Kuala Kedah

Cactus Restaurant, Pantai Tengah

Day 2: Langkawi

After spending the first night in the hotel, let's start going places. In the past when I went to Langkawi, it's always getting drunk. Now that I am much older, I don't fancy those things anymore. Talking about getting older huh. haha.

Upon recommendation from the hotel's concierge, we are here filled with locals. This is their specialty, Roti Canai Sarang Burung special. 2 sunny-side up eggs, the bread is crispier than the regular roti canai and minced chicken. It was good! Damn. With so much things happening inside, it's RM 7. Not cheap but it's unique. 

After making our stomachs happy and full of energy, we headed over to Langkawi Sky Bridge. It was close when I wanted to take the cable car years ago. But, here I am now. Before going up, a note to take, it's all outdoor parking but there are a few types. The Premium parking is obviously more expensive, which is RM10 I believe? I went to the next one, which is RM5. The difference? It's just slightly nearer to the station. If you have the capability to walk, why not?

In the cable car. Price per pax for the cable car is RM45 if I'm not mistaken. Senior citizens get a discount. The view is great, overlooking the Andaman sea with the clear blue sky. There's a stop in the middle where it's nothing much to see. We didn't bother to get down because, it's just mid-way and there's nothing much there and the wait that comes after is perhaps, not worth it. We went straight up to the top with 15 minutes in total. Some gondolas are glass floor but I didn't get that. This cable car is said to be the steepest gradient in the world. The ventilation though, is just a small window on the top of each side which can be stuffy when it rains as you would close everything up. 

This is what I'm talking about. The mountains, valleys, sea and islands. It's all covered in that 15 minutes way up. When the weather is good, it's really pretty. 

Here we are up here at the highest point. It was really windy, therefore, hats off. Ignore the face haha.

This is a 10 - 20 minute-trail. At least, a little work out during vacation. Those with walking disabilities, you may take the glide which is an additional of RM6 to get to the Sky Bridge. It's not a hard hike but it's not a flat road so there may be challenges. Use the railings for assistance.

That's the bridge, super windy, I love it! Weeee.

Enjoying the cable car view going up and down haha. Okay so nearby here, there's this waterfall called Telaga Tujuh and in order to get to the waterfall is really steep. 

Next up, it's lunch time. I found this place with quite a good review so here we are to fill our stomachs. I took just a few bites due to my diet program haha. We ordered some really simple food and it's tasty! 

While driving to the restaurant earlier, I stumbled upon this place. It's a wide empty space and the ocean. Man, the wind.

Of course, the mandatory picture of me in it haha. The cloud is heavy and right after that, it rained. haha. After studying for 2 days, the rain doesn't last long like in KL. It's really just 5-minute rain. I have concluded it as the emotional Langkawi.

Next up is our alcohol shopping haha. There are so many duty frees around and we just don't know which to go. Teow Soon Huat doesn't look exclusive or extravaganza, but it was good in terms of price! We bought everything from there. The last time I was in Langkawi I came here too haha. Chocolates and alcohol. They own the supermarket too, which we bought our mineral water from and it's economical!

Dinner is super important when you're on a vacation. Quah in Kuah. With the mom, aunt and grandma together waiting. The line to this place Wonderland Food Store is super long. I learned from the past looking at how long we waited just to get in and another long wait for the food, we were there this time at 6pm. haha! After the meal 2 years ago, is it worth it? YES. If I can avoid, then we should haha. That's why we ended there at 6pm.

This is by the way, Chinese halal food to cater to the locals there. I love the squid. It's really bad for my diet but heck, I'm not there everyday, I don't eat it everyday. Everything was good except for the Lala that doesn't taste kamheong at all. This was also RM70+ haha. Prawns, squids, lala and vegetables.

We crossed the road where the car is parked and the variety of alcohol we see. The sight of it is lovely enough, especially the green ones on the right. It's RM11.50 if I'm not mistaken and KL is about RM 16.90.

We ended up taking these 2. I love 1664 Blanc as it's very fragrant. I didn't drink much except for just a few sips. I'm controlling like crazy as I have a timeframe to achieve my health goal.

It's day filled with activities. It isn't too hectic and isn't too chilled, it was just nice. No, we did not go to the 3D museum. I prefer something outdoorsy that we can do. We are blessed with the weather though, each time we get into the car, then it rains. When we are out and about, it didn't rain. Talking about perfect timing.

Places visited:

Roti Canai Otai - Kampung Bubor, Kedawang

Langkawi Cable Car

Langkawi Sky Bridge

Kuah Town Seafood , Kuah town

Teow Soon Huat Duty Free - Padang Matsirat, Kuah

Wonderland Foodstore - Pusat Perdangan Kelana Mas