Category Archives: Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year, Hotels, MALAYSIA, Port Dickson, Travel

Short Getaway to Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson

April 6, 2016 thammelissa 8 Comments

Would like to apologize for the less frequent updates here.

Today, I’m gonna write about this long overdue post. HAHAHA! 😀

Sorry….my bad…

It was actually about my plan of a short getaway with my family during Chinese New Year. Okay la…I know that CNY has over for like 2 months! =P

Wanting to go for hotel stay but didn’t want to travel far or get caught in the jam during the festive season, I decided to book a stay at Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson. Afterall its a new place to everyone of us.

Nestled along Port Dickson’s pristine Pasir Panjang beach, Lexis Hibiscus consists of 639 pool villas comprising tower rooms and water villas. Each villa is spacious, tastefully decorated with modern conveniences and comes with its own private dip pool and steam room for luxury and privacy. Complementing the rooms are a wide range of beach and water activities, all focused around the tallest sea water fountain in Malaysia at 400 feet.

At the hotel lobby during check in. The lobby was so lively. CNY deco, performances by the ground staffs, balloons giveaway to the children, not forgetting the quite a number of guests. The process of checking in was pretty fast. Probably because they have many working staffs. Moreover I’ve paid for my room during my purchase via Lexis website.

I got the ‘soft opening deal’. I paid RM680 (without breakfast) for a night stay at Sky Pool Villa. Why am I willing to pay so much for a room? Lets continue reading………………………………

This is where Sky Pool Villa located. Not on the sea. “But I thought there’s a pool attached to the room. How lar?”

Let’s see………………………..

Situated onshore, this Sky Pool Villa offers a more spacious area, yet sharing the same modern contemporary style of the other designs. The room’s brighter tone and sleek furnishing truly enriches and dignifies its aesthetic quality and effect. Apart from a wide view of the beautiful waterfront, its functional layout, impeccable finishing and space optimization creates a succinct visual appeal that is contemporary yet timeless.

These are the key points:-

96 sqm
located in the tower block
every unit has panoramic sea view
2 king beds
private dip pool and sauna in the balcony area
spacious bathroom

The spacious bedroom can fit 4 adults. (psstt….the day bed also can sleep in)

Spacious walkway for wardrobe & wash basin, separating the bed and TV area.

Spacious bathroom with standing shower & bath tub. The bathroom and toilet are separated.

The nicely arranged basic amenities which look quite attractive.

TV inside the wall.

Oh ya, not forgetting that the Wifi signal was quite strong too.

This was the main attraction. A private pool all to ourselves. I have to admit that the pool at Lexis Hibiscus is much smaller compared to Grand Lexis. But this one has panoramic view lor.

View from our room at 3rd floor. I couldn’t capture the full top view. The arrangements of sea villas are suppose to look like a Hibiscus.

This is how the arrangements look like. A better vision for you.

You can also take a stroll along the beach.

There’s also a sauna room here for your usage.

Children can’t wait to get into the pool. Wanna go for a dip into the pool during this hot weather? YAY! Definitely.

After dinner, before return to our room, we brought the children to the indoor playground which is located next to the Spa centre. There was an admission fee of RM20 (if I’m not mistaken) for 1 hour.

Inclusive of one free coloring activity.

There were also activities like nail painting, DIY greeting cards, etc..with a minimal fee of RM5 onward.

The next morning, we brought the children to the playground and some bubble play. HAHAHAHA! Bubbles are not free of charge. Need to pay money also. Can’t remember the exact price. It was between RM8-10/small bucket.

These Popsicle are sold here. It is so lovely to watch them when they both are in good terms.

A heartwarming gesture, we received these CNY goodies from the hotel.

Here, I attached the room layout for a better understanding.

We didn’t took our dinner here. Instead we went to a Chinese Restaurant named, Weng Yin which is merely 5 minutes drive from this hotel for some Chinese ‘dai chow’. Prices are all stated on the menu. So, no worries.

Overall, we were quite pleased with our stay. The room, the facilities and the services. Although the price was quite steep, but it was a relaxing family trip and how often do you get to spend on family trip. Its about the quality time spent.

LEXIS HIBISCUS

12th Mile, Jalan Pantai,
Pasir Panjang 71250,
Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan,
Malaysia.

Tel	: +606 – 660 2626
Fax	: +606 – 660 2628
Email	: reservations@lexishibiscuspd.com
Website	: www.lexishibiscuspd.com

celebration, Chinese New Year, Food, Sarawak, Sarikei, Sarikei

My Trip Back to Sarikei for CNY 2013

February 27, 2013 thammelissa 22 Comments

So fast CNY has over. But my mind still stuck in this festive season lar. Can’t CNY be 1 month? hehe….

HB and I often travel few days earlier before the CNY to avoid the crowd and also the expensive air fare.

While most of my friends were at work, I say goodbye to KL. Making many of them feel envious :-p soli lor….

We missed the cheap fare which fly directly to Sibu. Therefore we took the alternative way by going to Kuching then from there took another flight to Sibu in the late afternoon. Alex’s friend, Frankie who is in Kuching brought us here for the nice Sarawak Laksa. I also had a bowl of “Tian Miang Ngu” which look like our ‘min fun kou’ but they taste differently.

Frankie also brought us to this place selling lots of Kek Lapis (Sarawak Layer Cakes). Here, you can sample varieties of kek lapis for free. Very attractive isn’t it? But some are quite dry. I did not buy much, because Alex said MIL has ordered alot for the CNY. I still have those cakes in my fridge ler…next year kena tell MIL not to buy so much for us edi 😉

When I reached Sarikei, what I must eat the following day is the Kampua Noodle! I do know there some people in West Malaysia prefer Wantan Mee over this. For me…I think I like both of them also la..cos they are different!

Also not forgetting the Kolok Mee. I will never miss having both of them!

Although Sarikei is famed for its pineapple, but I seldom eat. Too cooling for me. Trust me..the pineapples there are very sweet!

Other then pineapple, Sarikei is also famed for its pepper. Have you seen a real pepper plant? I meant before they were process. I often come back to buy their pepper. And I noticed each time I buy, the price also increased 😦

A day before eve of CNY, followed MIL to a CNY bazaar at Nyelong.

It was a wet CNY. Luckily the rain stopped while on our way to the bazaar and I noticed this rainbow. I feel joyful each time I sees a rainbow.

Beautiful orange sky at about 7pm.

Have you ever seen this kind of dish served in a fast food outlet? Yes..you can only get this from Sugarbun Sarawak! I also never fail patronizing this place whenever I return Sarikei. I seldom order the burger but will normally order the fried chicken with their special rice.

On one afternoon, we skipped lunch and felt hungry later. So, MIL steamed these plump and meaty ‘siew mai‘.

Family reunion dinner. Some of it are bought from restaurant and some are prepared at home. Too much of food, we couldn’t finish all.

People were launching Kongming Deng (Sky Lantern).

It was like a fireworks competition on eve of CNY. Watched them for free. Unfortunately I sprained my knee when I was running back home when a firework at our neighborhood went haywire. *so dangerous* 😦

As usual, we will go friends house visiting (pai nien) on first day of CNY, after having a bowl of mee suah.

Time flies…its time for me to return to my own hometown. I traveled back on 2nd day of CNY. Beautiful sky leading my way to Sibu airport.

Before traveling back…I want to have these for my breakfast! Kampua, pig’s liver soup and bien nuk! Will miss them for several months lu…

MIL knows I like midin. She bought a few bunch for me (they are nicely wrapped in layers of newspaper) and that night we had stir fry midin (cooked with garlic, ginger & red rice wine) for dinner.

For more food photos and places in Sarikei, do refer to my previous post:-

celebration, Chinese New Year

Balik Kampung….Gong Xi Fa Cai lor…..

February 5, 2013 thammelissa 8 Comments

Chinese will be celebrating the Chinese New Year on this 10th of February. An important day celebrated among the Chinese. I assume these few days people shall be balik-ing kampung. Tomorrow I will be flying to Sarawak, Alex’s kampung. As usual we will go back days earlier before Chinese New Year. One of the reason is that the flight ticket will be cheaper. Kesian people there…need to buy flight ticket as early as 1 year before hand.

This year is the year of Snake. So, I shall snake throughout the year. Pssssttttt…. Sorry Boss…can’t help. The zodiac ask me to do that.

Before taking off…I shall have an early reunion dinner with my family.

So, we came here for dinner.

And had this set of Chinese New Year package to accommodate 6 eaters.

Yee Sang commonly serve here in West Malaysia but not in East Malaysia.

Lets toast for a better year. Lou ar….Huat ar….

So, I will be celebrating my Chinese New Year in Sarawak and also Seremban! Where will you be celebrating your Chinese New Year?

To friends who are driving..please don’t rush and have a safe journey home.

I hereby wish everyone an early Gong Xi Fa Cai!!

Chinese New Year

On Chinese New Year……2012

January 31, 2012 thammelissa 8 Comments

Hey Yo…..The fiery dragon is back!!

On this year of dragon…everything oso dragon dragon….luckily people can’t keep dragon as pet…else, I’m pretty sure pet shops will be doing good business.

Though I have limited time,

but I tried my best to at least did a simple CNY deco in my home. A vase of artificial Azalea placed on the TV console.

Then I placed some small lanterns around the vase.

Tangerines are everywhere!

CNY must have tangerines oso ma…

I go for the sweet ones (dunno who lar, will go for the sour ones).

So, I got myself a basket of mini tangerines and also some XL size ‘pong kam’. (many sizes…you want XXL oso got).

New clothes—> Checked!

New shoes —> Checked!

Ang Paos —> Checked!

All checked and into my luggage it goes. Where to? Balik kampung…..to HB’s hometown of cos. (Sarikei, Sarawak).

Then we took a flight home.

Everybody Can Fly! (Air Asia’s motto)

The flight journey from KL to Sibu Airport took around 2 hours.

Not forgetting, the flight fare during festive season is really ridiculous. Can even fly to overseas during off-peak season. Therefore, I usually buy my ticket around 1 year before hand. (Ohh…should I start booking my ticket for next year’s CNY??)

On eve of CNY, people usually have family reunion dinner. A table full of auspicious & delicious dishes. (No photo here…..too busy filling my stomach).

Then by midnight, you will see the sky is just like falling meteor rain. Fireworks everywhere. (Guess the birds should be at home by that time).

I don’t need to crowd with people during countdown of New Year. I still can watch these during CNY.

Beautiful Fireworks

Woke up earlier on first day of CNY.

Uhh…looking fresh ….

The married couples are suppose to give ang pao (red packet) to the children or people whom are not married (single).

My 2nd year to distribute ang pao (like a god of prosperity leh….)

A bowl of Mee Suah (rice noodle) with rice wine cooked by Mother In Law during Chinese New Year and its eaten for breakfast. It was a good one!! Mee Suah symbolize longevity.

A common practice by the Hokkiens and Foo Chow-nese.

I still practice the house visiting (pai nin). Visit friends. Go each house…eating the almost similar food (soft drinks, prawn crackers, layer cakes, cookies). Then at the end I feel like having a bowl of hot noodle.

If you are celebrating CNY at Sarawak….you will never miss the chance of trying these delicious layer cakes (kek lapis). Its common seen in every house. However the price is expensive. Because the process of making this cake is quite tedious and time consuming.

Waaahhhh…..Can I finish the whole tray??? Of cos not la!! Goshhh….these are real fattening wey….

Again….Wish everyone “GONG XI FA CAI” & “Have a Prosperous New Year”

celebration, Chinese, Chinese New Year, Food, Non-Halal

An Early Lou Sang @ Cheong Wah Seafood Restaurant, Puchong

January 19, 2012 thammelissa 2 Comments

An early ‘lou sang’ dinner session with my family this this year.

Hubby brought us to Cheong Wah Seafood Restaurant, Puchong. The restaurant was offering Chinese New Year Menu. Since there were 6 just of us, so they recommend us to this set menu serves for 4-6 pax. For 4-6 pax, there were 2 different sets. Slightly different in terms of dish & price.

We decided to go for the set which cost RM328 nett.

The Interior. It was quite crowded after 7+pm. Better to make a reservation or be early during this festive season.

Yee Sang (Prosperity Toss), an auspicious dish during Chinese New Year. Colorful and crunchy crackers, pickles, pomelo, thin salmon slices. All these are mixed with the plum sauce.

Getting ready to toss…toss the higher the better. I want wish for more money! Wahahahaha……I’m money minded… $$$$$$

Hardly see the microscopic salmon slice.

Shark Fin Soup

Marmite Prawns were fresh and delicious.

Steam Cod Fish in Supreme Sauce

Crispy Roast Duck was quite good.

Lotus Leaf Rice – so so only….portion so small!!

Braised Vegetables

For dessert, we were served longan (longan in syrup from can)…..very normal.

Verdict : For the price paid and the food we got…I felt that the set menu is kinda expensive.

Cheong Wah Seafood Restaurant
1, Jalan Bandar 2
Pusat Bandar Puchong
47100 Puchong
(Opp Tesco Supermart)
Contact:
+603 58850171/72 (Madam Chong) or +6012 3151388

WEBSITE

celebration, Chinese New Year, Photography

CNY 2012 – Deco @ Pavilion, Mid Valley & The Gardens Mall

January 18, 2012 thammelissa 3 Comments

Right after the Christmas celebration, here comes the Chinese New Year.

I felt its really too soon. I wish there would be another week to go. Moreover I’ll be leaving town tomorrow morning, to Sarawak (Hub’s hometown). Earlier we were busy on our new house, did not have much time on CNY stuff. Talking about house deco and CNY goodies……….hopefully I can get it done by today.

Since this year’s CNY is so early, therefore I only managed to step my foot into these 3 popular shopping malls in KL. (Pavilion, Midvalley Megamall & The Gardens Mall) – to admire the CNY decorations!

Well…its CNY and this year came to be under the Dragon zodiac. So, you shall be expecting the Red & Dragons deco. If you do not have time to visit these 3 malls, probably you can spare some time looking at the photos below.

PAVILION, KL – MAJESTIC DRAGON FESTIVAL

The main attraction. At the Center Court, you are able to admire this beautiful 600ft long dragon hanging from above.

An overview of the Center Court.

The full of spirit and energetic dragon head was amazing.

Surrounding with lanterns and Azalea. Azalea is the symbol of happiness, harmony and balance in life. It is used to foster and strengthen relationships.-(source from web)

My adorable niece in her cheongsam outfit.

At the exterior of the mall

Do you like this pavilion?

Royal Selangor featuring 9 gold dragons. Read more about it HERE

Stunning gold dragon!

MID VALLEY MEGAMALL

Mid Valley’s theme, all about lanterns & paper cuttings. Lantern signifies brightness, hapiness & reunion. While paper cutting expresses good wishes and hopes.

located at the Center Court

Bazaars selling crafts

Adorable God of Prosperity.

These artificial Azalea are really nice. And it looks quite real too.

From left: Gold money tree which doesn’t bear money , cute baby dragons, artificial fruits and vege which are quite expensive.

THE GARDENS MALL

Wish everyone a prosperous Chinese New Year and Gong Xi Fa Cai. Have a smooth journey home. 😉

Chinese New Year, Mummy's Cooking

Mummy cooked Waxed Meat Rice (Lap Mei Fun)

February 18, 2011 thammelissa 3 Comments

In conjunction of Chinese New Year; my mom decided to cook some CNY dishes. This is one of the dish which she tried from a recipe book. Its was her first attempt. The dish works well.

*2 bowls please* 😉

Ingredients A:

3 cups rice
4 cloves minced garlic
4 shallots (sliced)
1 stalk spring onion (chopped)
4 cups water

Ingredients B :

1 Chinese duck drumstick or substitute with waxed meat
1 pair Chinese sausage
1 pair Chinese liver sausage

Seasonings :

1 tbsp light soya sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tsp dark soya sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar

Method :

1) Scald Chinese sausage and Chinese liver sausage in boiling water, flameout. Put in Chinese duck drumstick and soak for 10 minutes. Remove and set aside.

2) Rinse rice and drain. Heat up 2 tbsp of oil in pot, fry minced garlic and shallots till fragrant. Add in rice and stir-fry till fragrant. Add in “Seasonings” and stir-fry till fairly dry.

3) Pour the fried rice into electric rice cooker, pour in water and stir evenly. Put in Chinese sausage, cover with lid and cook.

4) Open lid and stir the rice evenly after bringing to boil (around 14 minutes). Arrange Chinese liver sausage and Chinese duck drumstick in cooker, cover lid and continue cooking until the rice is fully cooked. Allow rice to simmer in cooker with lid for a few minutes. Open lid and remove Chinese duck drumstick, Chinese sausage and Chinese liver sausage, cut it into slanted slices. (mix rice evenly).

5) Arrange Chinese duck drumstick, Chinese sausage, Chinese liver sausage on top of rice, sprinkle with chopped spring onions. Serve

celebration, Chinese, Chinese New Year, Family, Food, Halal, Hotels, Seremban

CNY Family Dinner @ Han Pi Yuan, Royale Bintang Resort & Spa

February 17, 2011 thammelissa 3 Comments

As I return home on 2nd day of Chinese New Year, there were friends gathering, house visiting and not forgetting a family dinner which is the most important part.

To avoid the festive crowds in restaurants, we decided to dine at The Royale Bintang Resort & Spa. Mom gave the suggestion on Han Pi Yuan, a Chinese Restaurant after she read some good reviews from the newspaper. Apparently, Han Pi Yuan serves Halal Chinese food.

To my surprise; there were only 2 tables of guests having their meals there. Where are all the people in Seremban?? Is it because the service is bad? Too expensive? Or food is bad? Let me try it….

well lighted and looking pleasant

Well; we went for ‘Chinese New Year Menu’ package. Which consists of 9 dishes (including dessert) served for 10 pax. Moreover the price seems to be affordable too. Just RM438++ (imposed of 10% service charge & 6% government tax).

Prosperity Jellyfish & Pear Yee Sang

This dish will normally serves at the beginning of the meal. Yee Sang or Lo Hei or better known as Prosperity Toss symbolized abundance, prosperity and vigor.

“All diners at the table then stand up and on cue, proceed to toss the shredded ingredients into the air with chopsticks while saying various “auspicious wishes” out loud, or simply “撈起, 撈起”. It is believed that the height of the toss reflects the height of the diner’s growth in fortunes, thus diners are expected to toss enthusiastically.” (extract from wikipedia)

Braised Shark’s Fin Soup with Crabmeat

The usual shark’s fin soup. Good that this isn’t too starchy.

Roasted Chicken Shatin with Prawn Cracker

This dish is quite unique. The chick were deep fried. A credit to it because it ain’t too oily. No doubt its small, but its tasty.

Wok Fried Prawn with Spicy Sauce

The prawns size are quite big. Moreover the prawns are very fresh.

Steamed Sea Bass Fish with Quality Soya Sauce

Braised Two Varieties of Mushroom with Dried Oyster & Vegetable

Am so sorry. I was too busy eating till I forgotten to take a photo of the “Fragrant Fried Rice in Lotus Leaf”. It must be too nice till I’ve forgotten ^^

Deep Fried Nin Kou

Double Boiled Longan with White Fungus

Food : 4/5 (satisfying meal with big portion of food)

Price : 4/5 (worth eating)

Ambiance : 4/5

Service : 2.5/5 (waiters are kinda inexperience & inefficient)

The Royale Bintang Resort & Spa Seremban

Jalan Dato A.S. Dawood,

70100 Seremban,

Negeri Sembilan

Tel : +606 – 7666 666

Map : Locate Us

celebration, Chinese New Year, Friends

1st Day of CNY

February 16, 2011 thammelissa Leave a comment

This year I spent my first Chinese New Year at my In Law’s house in Sarikei.

Had some mixed feeling. Had fun but on the other hand missed my family and home ^^.

According to Fook Chow’s culture (Alex’s dialect), on first day of Chinese New Year we are required to eat a bowl of Hong Zao Mian Xian 红槽鸡面线 (red glutinous wine ginger chicken vermicelli). Its a symbol of longevity. Mother in law is good at making a bowl of delicious one! She woke up very early in the morning (no idea what time) to prepare and arrange all the festive items (oranges, biscuits, peanuts and last but not least, my favorite kek lapis) for the visitors. Ok lar…I did made an effort to wake up early to help ler…But then all already kau tim by her. 😉

Hong Zao Mian Xian 红槽鸡面线