Tag: beach

Resort Review: Thistle Port Dickson

This is one of the resorts that holds great memories for our family. We’ve been to Thistle Port Dickson twice this year, and the high level of satisfactory feels just like the first time.

And that first time was way back when we had family gathering on Shafa’s side of family, soon after our marriage, and especially soon after Shafa’s late dad was diagnosed with Leukemia. That was way back in early January 2015. It feels bittersweet to come back, but it always hold special place in our hearts.

This is one of our many favourite things about Thistle Port Dickson. They have kids pools and adult pools, with different depths. Also they have another infinity pool – our favourite since the first time we visited this resort about four years ago!

Always our favourite infinity pool! Each time we’re at Thistle Port Dickson, we would always come by the infinity pool for some pictures, especially during sunset. It looks magical.

Back when we were just a travel couple, this was our favourite spot to swim because it’s far from the main swimming pools of the resort. It’s quite peaceful to swim here, especially since it has a nice view. Now? Practical is more important than romantic. Most of the time we’ll be at the kids swimming pool.

Such a beautiful family room here at Thistle Port Dickson!

There is one double bed & one bunk bed, enough to accommodate two adults and two children. We personally love the decorations around the bunk bed – so cute!

We never appreciate petting zoos until we became a parent.

Kids LOVE animals, especially if they can pet them. Thistle Port Dickson offers bunny petting time between 10am – 11am & 4.30pm – 5.30pm. Our toddler definitely was excited to see the rabbits and birds!

And… Our favourite spot to snap pictures! It’s been years, but this swing is still here at the beach of Thistle Port Dickson.

Somebody seems to be enjoying the game! If your boys are not up for holiday at Thistle Port Dickson, you now know where to take them.

What’s your thoughts on the resort? We would love to hear from you!

Resort Review: DoubleTree Resort By Hilton Penang (Part 3 – Kids Club, Famous Attractions And Swimming Pools)

Here comes Part 3 of our review on DoubleTree Resort By Hilton Penang. As promised, we will now share our experience touring around Kids Club, picking two famous attractions and splashing in the swimming pools.

Evergreen and refreshing, this walkway is just beside the swimming pool at DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang. Perfect for your OOTD (just like what Shafa’s mom did)! Guess where we’re heading to?

We went to the Kids Club in DoubleTree by Hilton Penang! Upon touring the area, we really love the concept.

Located just opposite the kids swimming pool, Kids Club is your answer if you need to leave your kids for a while to do some work or errands, or probably just to have a quick date with your spouse!

Open from 10am to 7pm daily, the centre is filled with fun and educational activities.

From arts & crafts, splash time, picnics, storytelling, juggling, zumba, masterchef, Ukulele lessons and cartoon-time – your kids will love this place!

There are even Batik Handkerchief Painting and outdoor cinema too 😍

If they’re not the activity type, there’s even a place to lie down and watch TV.

Too awesome! Watch below video, recorded live on Facebook, where we (and the staff) explain about Kids Club in detail.

That afternoon, we went to round the island for awhile. There’s quite a number of attractions in Penang, so yo have to know what you want to see.

Have an interest on bugs, spiders, lizards and butterflies? Head over to Entopia! Located just a mere 17-minute drive from DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang, this is a perfect place for nature and animal lovers!

In the evening, we manage to fit in pool session into our itinerary. Nothing makes a toddler happier than playing with slides and landing in water, with feet on sands.

We love the concept of this kids swimming pool at DoubleTree by Hilton Penang, located just beside the Kids Club! Listen to how our toddler squealed with excitement in the above video.

It’s definitely one of the best kids swimming pool experience we’ve had! This kids swimming pool at DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang even comes with sandy floors, as seen in the above video. Now, this is our definition of fun!

And let’s not forget the perfect green view just beside the pool! Not only DoubleTree by Hilton Penang has fun kids swimming pool, the view from the pools was also very mesmerizing. Watch below video, recorded live on Facebook, for our full experience at the swimming pools.

The swimming pool area is also perfect for romantic stroll after dinner at the Makan Kitchen!

Makan Kitchen is located just beside the swimming pool. With just enough lighting to light your way, but not too bright to spoil the romantic mood.

Let’s move on to yet another one of the best things for kids at DoubleTree by Hilton Penang – the TeddyVille Museum!

It is Malaysia’s first and largest collection of Teddy Bears from various nations and eras.

There’s some entrance fee to pay to get into the museum, though.

Before you go back, you may want to buy some souvenirs from the shop.

They have tees, jackets, key chains, towels, magnets, and of course, teddy bears!

Look at how excited our toddler was, touching the cute life-size teddy bear.

Overall, we enjoyed our stay at DoubleTree by Hilton Penang. Thank you for having us!

What’s your thoughts on the resort? Wold love to hear from you!

Glory Beach Resort – For Sunset And Turtle Lovers!

Our last mini-vacation was well spent at the Glory Beach Resort. This may not be a new place for you since they are known for participating in some festivals and events that support animal and nature. But in this blog post, I would like to highlight their accommodation and the amazing experience our family had.

Our apartment had a very spacious living room. Our toddler really loved the space that he kept running around! There was just enough space to set up the dining area and living room.

Then our master bedroom has a comfy interior and has its own bathroom and an awesome view of the waters. The bathroom was somewhat small but it was nice and neat.

There was also a second and third bedroom, just perfect for extra family members or friends if you want to travel in groups. There’s a common bathroom too!

The apartment’s kitchen was also a little small but it was equipped with a fridge and most of the basic things you’ll need in a kitchen.

Well enough of the apartment, let’s get to the more vacation-y details of this stay! Just looking from the balcony of our apartment, you get to see the huge swimming pools, the beach, and the Grand Lexis Resort.

Our toddler enjoyed watching the sunset from the balcony. It was very beautiful and very calming but it also meant that it’s now time for dinner.

For dinner we ordered the Family Set at Coffee House. We would like to share some photos of our meal but we will talk more about this awesome dinner on another blog post.

When we got back to our apartment, the balcony view was very serene and romantic. There were also fireworks because it was the eve of Lunar New Year.

During the day, the view from our balcony was just way more awesome than the sunset. It was so gorgeous that our toddler got too excited and wanted to go out immediately! So we went out for a stroll at the beach.

Our toddler was too excited and brave that he didn’t even want us to hold him. He really just wanted to enjoy this at his own pace!

After having lunch, we decided to watch a movie at their auditorium. Our toddler was already tired from all the walking so he just slept. That was a good thing though because the movie was scary ha-ha! But it was a good movie.

Then we continued this tour to the Mini Petting Zoo. And yes it was inside the resort! Our child got to see birds. Too bad the rabbits were taking some rest so we didn’t get to play with them. There was also some educational story about The Rabbit & The Tortoise which was nice to remind the kids of this moral story. There were also some tortoise in the Mini Petting Zoo.

We were walking back just in time for that perfect family picture with the sunset!

We had barbeque for dinner on our second night and don’t worry, We’ll give you more details on this on another blog post.

Fortunately, we were brought on tour by the GM to the Wave Café. Usually when they have huge crowds, he would invite some guests here for breakfast. This was also the place where they held private events. Just beside the entrance was a chill out place if you want to spend some time just sitting or resting for a bit.

The layout of the place was just long with an overlooking view of the beach that it really gave the feeling that you were dining right alongside the shore. There was even a birthday decoration ready for a celebration!

And of course it was awesome that they had a playground! Mommies like me would get the joy in this because that means that parents can celebrate with ease. We love the unique seats and the photo booth!

Continuing this experience, of course we need to see some turtles! There was a little education about green turtles and the Hawksbill Turtle. The talk was made interesting because it was given by the very bubbly & friendly staff, Yatie the “Mama Turtle”. This was very nice that they get to educate kids and guests about the importance of keeping our environment clean. And the way they laid out the talk just kept the kids eager to learn more!

After learning about the environment and turtles, it was time for us to check out already. Thank you Glory Beach Resort for arranging the #GloriousStay ! We will definitely recommend this experience to friends.

5 Best Beaches In Miami

The sound of palm trees swaying lazily in the breeze, an endless abundance of warm sun rays on your skin, sandal weather all year around and quaint little tourist shops are just a few things that come to mind when we think of Florida, also known fondly as the Sunshine State. With its picturesque sunsets, the allure of endless beaches and warm weather, it’s no surprise that Florida is one of the most coveted travel destinations in the world. Tourists from colder states and even backpackers from overseas visit the state in troves every year just to get a taste of the Floridian lifestyle, some even going home briefly only to return months later to relocate permanently.

While the state has a lot to recommend to travelers and those fleeing colder weather, such as amusement parks, botanical gardens, and other hidden gems, the main attraction is certainly the beaches; hands down, no contest. The first question many tourists ask upon arrival is usually somewhere along the lines of “where’s the nearest beach?” or “what is the best beach to take my family to, within easy driving distance”. Visitors are always a hurry to hit the beach, dip their toes in the warm Florida waters and work on their tans.
Now that we’ve, hopefully, given you a tantalizing glimpse of what visitors have in store for them while in the Sunshine state, we’d love to help further the cause by telling our readers about a few locations, in particular that are the highlight of Florida’s beach scene.

Central Florida beaches are quite the lure for tourists, however, Miami is the biggest bucket list destination for many tourists. This is due to the clear blue waters, shimmering white sands and exotic street fare offered right on the beaches. Locals and tourists alike spend their days crowded on the beaches, lining the sidewalks to visit popular eateries and soaking up the sun in the balmy Miami weather.

There are dozens of beaches located in Miami, ranging from large to more intimate options depending on personal preference. Most are open to the public, although there are some that aren’t, and offer visitors the option of public restrooms, picnic areas and also, on-site grills. There are even on-site lifeguards who are trained to monitor the beach, use life saving measures should they be needed and who also keep beach-goers up to date with beach conditions by utilizing flags that list rip currents, wind conditions, etc.

For our readers who have been dying to visit Florida or more specifically, Miami, we’ve done some research on the best beaches to visit and have come up with a list of our top 5. These beaches made it to our top 5 based on location, size, attractions and of course, the natural beauty factor. With that being said, let’s get started and see if any of them manage to get a spot in your Top 5!

1. Virginia Key Beach.

(Source: viginiakeybeachpark.net)

Minutes away from some of the top tourist destinations in the area, retail hot spots and dining options, this particular beach stretches over a mile of natural shoreline and attracts both locals as well as tourists, who are able to traverse the beach/park via the miniature train that was built specifically for getting around the park itself.

In addition to two different playgrounds, which are ideal for parents of small children, Virginia Key also boasts a historic carousal that still stands today AND a dance floor that is available for rentals for parties, events, etc.

So in addition to a beautiful natural landscape that visitors can enjoy while being surrounded by swaying palms, Virginia Key has various other attractions with which to draw in visitors.

2. 85th Street Beach.

(Source: Vylla)

We’re going to have to be honest and come right out to say that this one made it to our list simply because it’s one of the most secluded beaches in Miami and we’re all for relaxation without the added foot traffic, both automotive & people related. As one of the only stretches of beaches that are devoid of condos or traffic, 85th Street Beach is ideal for those who prefer quiet over large crowds.

Due to being so far from the normal as far as beaches go, a.k.a being less populated, 85th Street is also lacking in major draws such as food carts, grills, etc. so visitors will want to be sure to bring everything they’ll need for a days worth of fun in the sun.

3. South Beach.

If you’re dreaming of seeing Hollywood stars and basking in all of the glamour, then South Beach is the most happening beach in town. Frequented by celebrities, South Beach is ideal for those who don’t shy away from the spotlight/crowds.

Additionally, if you like being more active than just settling down on the beach and staring out into the blue waters, don’t forget to head to Haulover Park, which is a short distance away, to enjoy activities such as bicycle rides, tennis, golf and for fishing!

4. Homestead Bay Park

(Source: Visit Florida)

Although it has a USD7 entrance fee and flotation devices are prohibited (wonderful conservationist effort on behalf of the animals & environment) Homestead Bay Park is ideal for those looking for a lowkey vacation spot. Located just North of the Florida Keys, Homestead Bay Park features crystal clear waters, a full service restaurant set in a tropical setting and a pool for those who aren’t a fan of swimming with the wildlife.

5. Crandon Park.

Last but not least, this particular beach is the most idea for visitors who are traveling with family. Famous for its clear waters, white sand and depths that are ideal for little ones, Crandon Park is the perfect destination for travelers with small children. Featuring a board walk, nature center AND a family amusement center, you can’t go wrong by adding Crandon to your bucket list if you’re heading to Miami in the future!

While we can only put words on a page, we can’t do justice to these Top 5 Miami Beaches but we do hope we at least painted a tangible picture for our readers to enjoy and consider while planning a trip to sunny Florida! If our Top 5 didn’t catch your fancy, don’t worry: there are MANY other beaches for tourists that you can find or if you’re feeling adventurous, inquire about once you’ve reached Miami.