Malacca

Day 3
Found the hotel breakfast too crowded and would be ending quite soon, we decided to have our breakfast out. Ed prefers eating at traditional coffee shops which is much cheaper and with a more local taste.
We ended up at the chicken rice shop just in front of Stadhuys. The last time we visited the place, the shop was SO crowded, with a long queue to enter, we refuse to waste time waiting. This time round, the place is pretty empty at 10.30am in the morning. They serve “fishballs” which QQ will like. Feeling strange to eat Hainanese chicken rice without the rice, later we discovered that the “Fishball” was a rice ball. So nifty, rolled into small balls that’s just nice to have a mouthful. (breakfast + tea cost RM15)
After breakfast, crossed the road to visited The Stadhuys. Took a couple of photos at the square then quickly pop into the shops along the area to stay out of the heat. Bought some souvenirs at the shops. 2 pairs of slippers: RM20, QQ’s batik dress: RM20, woven bag: RM10, small batik bag for mom: RM20, 4 postcards: RM 0.80 each. Trishaw ride: RM10 for 15mins trip and a photo stop.
We returned to the Nonya dumpling shop to get lunch and buy the Dou Qian (Soya noodle) which Ed and I loved. The noodle sold here is the freshest that we can find and best tasting. We bought some the last time we visited the place a few years back. Ever since then, we had not been able to find anything as good as it is anywhere else, be it in Singapore or JB. Nonya dumpling: RM3.80 each, Dou Qian: RM12 for 3 packs. Along the way back, we found a stationery wholesale shop which sells colourful pencils with a wooden toy attached to the top. QQ can give that to her class on her birthday. Bought 36 of them for RM50, works out to SIN 60 cents a piece, quite cheap I think!

Parking Summon
We parked our car at a roadside lot without displaying a coupon. We decide to take a chance with the parking attendant since we didn't buy the local parking coupons. Malacca parking attendants turn out to be very hardworking and booked us less than 30mins after we had gone off. A RM50 fine,
We've heard enough stories of Singapore car who got wheel clamped or denied entry into Msia when they don't pay up their summons. Decided to be law abidding, we waste no time in asking the hotel concierge where we can go to settle our summon. We're told to go to the town council, a 20mins drive to the outskirt of the city. By taxi, it would cost approx RM25 one way. In my mind, I was thinking "no wonder people don't want to pay, their office are so inaccessible!" Concierge offers to pay on our behalf and fax the receipt back to us. We were greatly and I was already contemplating taking this easy way out, with a little tip for the guys who are so kind and helpful. Somehow we declined, perhaps still unwilling to part with the money.
Thankfully we didn't take up the concierge guys' offer. I later checked with 2 traffic policemen outside our hotel and they said that I can settle the summon in the shopping center beside our hotel which I did immediately. I was only charged RM5, cos I pay up within 24hrs of the offence. If beyond 1 day, then need to pay full amount. I saved RM95, haven't count in the trouble if I had really gone to the town council!!
Came back to Singapore, I wrote a complaint letter to the Equatorial Hotel GM about their concierge!! I was unusually kind and decided to give them the benefit of doubt, only claiming that they lacked knowledge of local traffic practices. Ed says I should make a bigger fuss about it, make them really guilty and perhaps offer us some compensation like discount on our next visit. Haha, I think I already had a good offer for this stay. One shouldn't be too greedy.

A Farmosa Resort

Day 2
We travel to A Farmosa Resort today. It was suppose to be just 30mins car journey there but being unfamilar with the streets, morning traffic jams and a outdated map, we took almost an hour to reach there.
First impression: Very run down, lacks maintenance, far away from city centre and rather deserted. I will never come back again.
Cost: Not cheap. RM65 for adults and RM51 for child, inclusive of
(1) entrance to Animal Safari + tram ride,
(2) Entrance to Water World and
(3) a set lunch
Good thing about the Safari:
The Animal Safari area is huge and with a large collection of animals. Almost every animals that we have in Mandai zoo can be found here. They took us into the safari in a old, noisy, caged up tram. But at least, don't need much walking around.
Bad thing about the Safari:
No narrator in the tram. Only a grouchy and disinterested looking driver. Safari is bared, there is no greenery or attempt to make the place more attractive and pleasant. Everything also must pay money. Elephant ride at RM6 per pax. Purchase of photo RM15.
The Water World is much more exciting. There is certainly more people here compared to the safari, makes one feels that the place is an attraction. We played in the artificial wave pool for quite long cos QQ seems to like the waves. Then to the kids water play area which QQ attempts to take a slide which is pretty steep and wavy after much persuasion from us.
Good thing about water world:
Pretty pleasant surroundings. Much more maintained than the safari.
Bad thing about water world:
water polluted by fallen leaves from nearby trees and sand from artifical beach. Need to rent the float for RM8.

Short Vacation

Ed changed the schedule of his working trip to China. Before that, I couldn't plan any vacation timing that suit all our schedules;
My parents US trip,
My school meetings and project deadlines,
Ed's travelling plans and some block out dates, and
QQ's drama camps and enrichment classes.
Now I can plan a short vacation to Malacca from 14-17 June.