Tok Tan's Clan family day at Sarang by the Brook

Last weekend, joined the rest of my wife's extended family (Tok Tan's clan) - all 40 of us, for a get-together at Sarang by the Brook at Kuala Kubu Bahru. It is about and hours drive from our house in PJ.

This is a unique hotel made of used containers in the edge of the jungle with a nice pool in the middle of the compound. As they say, it is not really the venue but the people you are with which matters. We had a great time.

Also learnt a lot of new things about my wife's family background, especially about her grandfather who was once a jailer in Changi prison in Singapore under the British and later under the newly formed country of Singapore. However, he decided to come back to Malaysia and as a result was not able to get his pension from the Singapore Government. 

Apparently he was really strong and a master in silat (the martial arts which originates from the Malay peninsula), Jujitsu and Akido - the later two which he learnt from the Japanese during the Japanese occupation of Malaya. 

It is a nice concept but it could do with a bit of maintenance in the rooms and around the place. Things are starting to look a bit dated and beginning to fall apart. Was a bit worried that it would be a bit hot inside the rooms, even with the air conditioning as there was no insulation but fortunately it rained in the evenings and it was actually cold. 

Most of the cooking was done on Thermomix. An amazing hi-tech cooking tool - will write a review about it later.

Trip to the highlands 2013 - 3: Isle of Skye

Around this time last year, we were driving around the Scottish highlands. We drove from the Great Glen Water Park, South Laggan to the Isle of Skye, a distance of around 101 miles. One of the best drives I have ever gone for in my life. Here are some pictures from our trip:

It was a long journey and even started snowing on the way but the weather improved when we reached the Island.

At Portree,

The Harbour

After eating lunch, we took the scenic route to Struan on the Western side of the island. We only passed about 3 cars on the way and sometimes we were the only car for miles around.

No cars around for miles

At Struan

On the way back, we took the ferry to the mainland.

Trip to the highlands 2013 - 2: Great Glen, Scotland

Updated 22/8/2013 with more pictures

Some more pictures from our trip to the Scottish highlands during the Easter break.

This was a short trekking trip from the Great Glen Water Park, where we were staying, to The Eagle Barge, a floating restaurant at the South Laggan Locks. The weather was great and the distance (about 1.5 miles) was just right for the kids. It was my son's first trekking trip as well.

The path was really nicely maintained with some great views of the Caledonian canal.














Moss on the ground






Boats passing by

Lake District August 2012 - Day 3

On the 3rd and Final day at the Lake District

Took the Red cruise this time and got down at Brockhole.










Amberside Pier




World of Beatrix Potter at Bowness





Knock Knock


Was a bit disappointing. I thought the ticket prices were a bit too steep and children were not allowed to touch the exhibits even though I guess their main target audience are young children. My wife found it a bit claustrophobic as well.

However, my daughter was quite happy as she was able to add two more badges to her collection.

That was the last venue on our visit to the Lake District and we then set off for home .

We will definitely be back again.